Rest & Reflect

As the year begins to come to a close, it feels only natural we begin to reflect on all that has taken place within it. This year in particular seemed to have passed quite quickly, perhaps because so much seems to have taken place within it. The shedding of layers, the shifting of tides, the endless waves of change.

This past year feels it has brought a lot to the surface, to be worked through and to be cleared. If we have chosen to accept this, then it may have felt a fruitful year, albeit, a bit energetically taxing. To truly accept and savor the fruits of our efforts is to offer ourselves a moment of stillness, reflection, and integration. To take into account the entirety of our experiences without getting sucked into the particulars. Reveling in the space between all that has been and all that will be. A moment of rest. Truly this is something that is accessible to us whenever we so desire. However, often in the midst of putting forth effort, in the middle of a task or project, while we are busied by others or busying ourselves, it feels we don’t have a moment to take a pause. It may feel that there is no space for stillness, it may feel we do not have the time, space or extra energy to take even a simple breath in. More often than not, these are the very instances in which we truly need it.

Rest is essential to our wellbeing in a multitude of ways. It helps all parts of ourselves learn to naturally balance themselves. If there is something to be done, it is almost always within this space that that which is meant to be done is made known or shown to us. This sacred pause is the integration space, where things begin to awaken within us, guiding us along our path. To allow ourselves rest is to allow ourselves to be open and to soften into the purest version of ourselves. The concept of rest days are not only essential for our physical bodies to replenish, repair and strengthen themselves. Rest allows for our mind-body connection to strengthen itself. It allows for our conscious mind to strengthen it’s connection to our subconscious, thus we are able to work through things in a more steady, present and intentionally engaged way as we proceed. We become more receptive, more patient, more grounded, and more centered within ourselves. This allows for stress to come and go and not get as tightly bound in the fibers of our being. Tension begins to subside and does not build up as frequently or intensely. Energy moves more freely and does not tend to stagnate, implode or explode. We become less susceptible to taking in the energy of our surroundings and become more readily available to hold space for ourselves and others as we are. We become more open to what lies ahead of us without feeling a sense of being overwhelmed or a necessity for over involvement. We learn how to simply be, finding freedom and fulfillment within every activity we engage in as well as within the opportunities for stillness.

“We are never truly finished and yet, we are always complete.”

Peaceful Practices

Whether engaging in a static or seated meditation or in a form of movement meditation, consider allowing the emphasis or focus of practice to be firmly grounded on and within the present moment by focusing on sensations as they rise and fall in the body and the feelings that may linger. Taking each inhale with intention and tuning into your internal space, savoring the gifts of the present moment. This practice can be welcomed into any activity, especially that of self care. Be it in lighting a candle or a stick of incense, in taking a bubble bath, on a stroll, at the gym, when receiving your next facial, as you take your first sip of coffee or tea in the morning. Focusing on and savoring the presents of presence assists in cultivating deep peace and lasting joy.