Belief

23 January 2014 A short word with such a weight to it. I can't think where to start. Things that come to mind: "belief systems" - that may trap us in a particular way of thinking, for example 'the earth is flat', 'man can't fly', 'men don't like clever girls'. Someone saying "I'll believe it when I see it!", usually with a note of sarcasm in their voice. Wayne'Dyer's neat turning around of that into "I'll see it when I believe it." Sometimes I feel bombarded on all sides by strongly held beliefs, often opposing ones. Religions, political systems, even scientific theories all have their 'believers' to defend them, I feel I want to run away and hide. Thinking about my own beliefs, maybe I am about to fall into the same trap: telling you what I believe.  All I can do is connect in the ways that work for me: meditation helps me by tuning into my own body and then the big space within that opens up and shows me ..... the things that I experience to be true for me. Being out in the natural world has the same effect. The feeling of being a part of a tapestry of life reaching from the smallest leaf and blade of grass, through the giant trees, the rocks and earth and sky, out into the universe we can see of planets and stars, and beyond. Is it fair to say that every person, whatever their beliefs, has a connection with nature if or when they have the opportunity? Even when I can't get out, the wonders of nature are all around. I took this photograph of a Romanesco broccoli the other day before I cut it up to cook - it was so beautiful it seemed like a shame but at least I can save the image of the extraordinary complexity of nature's design. And appreciate the flavour and texture as I eat my meal. Thinking more about expressing my own beliefs, am I being too timid and worried about 'causing offence'? Maybe the important thing is not to assume that my beliefs are 'right'? My way is different to your way - does that matter? I have no answers. All I can do is live my life one day at a time, doing the best I can in the circumstances in which I find myself. The way I choose to do that is through gratitude and love. And forgiveness - for others, and for myself when I may feel I have been less than I could have been: clumsy or thoughtless perhaps; insensitive or hurried - it was still the best that I could do in that moment. Sometimes it is helpful to balance the effects of my behaviour on others with an apology, at other times it is all in my mind anyway and not perceived by anyone else. What else? 'Belief' also brings to mind self-belief. Not in that sense of believing I am 'right', rather in believing in what I do, what I stand for. Believing that I can have an effect in the world; in some small way it is all 'worth it'. In my family life, and with my friends; in my paid work and the work I do here sharing my thoughts and experiences. I will never know where the ripples may reach. Each of us has an effect with our actions: our choice is to make that conscious or unconscious; with care and love for others or uncaring and unaware. Self-belief can also be that quality that enables me to "dance as if no one is watching, sing as if no one is listening" and not to care if they are anyway. To laugh with myself in joy at being child-like and silly; at having fun playing. The background colour of this card feels to me, today, like the blue of a clear sky when it seems as if I can almost feel the intensity of the blue as something tactile and at the same time infinite. It brings a memory of lying on my back in the heather and wild thyme on top of a hill on the edge of Dartmoor when I was a child, feeling as if I could float up and disappear into the blueness of the sky. Notices A reminder about the January special offer, plus a chance to enter a draw to win a Rediscovery Session: Special Offer: a one hour Skype or telephone Rediscovery Session If you would like to try out Rediscovery Coaching for yourself, I have a limited number of slots available at the special price of £45 for a one hour Skype or telephone session, if booked before 31 January 2014. Just email me and suggest some times that would suit you and we can book your time to start your own voyage of rediscovery. To enter a draw to win a free Rediscovery Session, just reply to this email stating that you would like to enter, before 9.00 pm on 31st January. (one entry per person, this is also offered on the Dare to Blossom facebook page) As always, please feel free to comment below with your thoughts and comments.  If you would like to own a set of cards to explore their power for yourself please visit the dedicated page. Thank you dear friends for visiting with me again this week and sharing my musings. Until next time, with love, Mary *if you have any difficulty accessing the 'blogspot' service, you can also read here on the Daring to Blossom website, or find 'Dare to Blossom Life Coaching' on Facebook.