Thank It and Release It
Nine years ago I learned something profound about acceptance, gratitude and letting go that has never ceased to teach me. A Curandera was doing a limpia, an energetic cleansing that helps facilitate release, on a woman who was determined to let go of something that was negatively affecting her life. The Curandera began by asking the woman, who was in her late forties, what she wanted to let go of. The woman said that she wanted to let go of her distrust of men. With tears in her eyes she explained that her lack of trust was preventing her from close relationships with men in all areas of her life. The Curandera listened compassionately and when the woman was done they both sat in silence for a while. The Curandera broke the silence and told the woman that first she needed to thank this distrust for all the ways that it has protected her throughout her life. After she could accept this distrust and honor all the ways that it has served her then she could release it. The woman began crying harder with deep gasps from her chest as she realized the truth that the Curandera spoke. The woman said that she was ready to do it. She thanked the distrust and told it that she no longer needed it in her life. Then the Curandera performed the limpia.
This reminds me of this affirmation for letting go: I release the need for this in my life. It reminds me that even things I see as negative are there for a reason. My Uncle’s life-threatening scare that brought him closer to his family. The weeds that I haven’t been able to get rid of for many years that I just discovered have the medicinal benefits to help my medical condition. My need for control that gave me stability in unstable circumstances. Being guarded with everyone which helped keep me safe before I learned to set different limits with different people. So while these are in our lives for a reason that doesn’t mean we can’t let them go. If we only see them as negative we are ignoring the gift that the give us. Once we can accept them and find our genuine appreciation for them, then we can release them with an open heart.
Is there something you want to change in your life? Are you ready to accept it’s presence in your life? Are you ready to honor it for all the ways that it has served you? Are you ready to release it with an open heart?
[su_quote cite=”Cheryl Nordyke”]The moment I accept where I am, and who I am in this moment, is the moment I empower myself. If I then see all I have to be grateful for and embrace that gratitude with all my heart I release myself. Now, I have the power from a heart of gratitude and acceptance to go anywhere, do anything, become anyone I so desire. Now I see it is up to me, it always has been.[/su_quote]
This Week’s Gratitude Question
[su_button url=”http://www.ourgratitudecollective.com/activity/” background=”#178fb3″]What are you grateful for that you are ready to release because it no longer serves you?[/su_button]
My Gratitude Experience Last Week
Last night I found out I was accepted to play a music festival that I applied to and I was ecstatic with the news. I wasn’t sure if the word was supposed to be spread yet so I decided to not share it on facebook. It reminded me of the special feeling that came with not sharing gratitude when I was on vacation a couple years ago. It is nice to hold it and savor it without announcing. Sometimes when I am overflowing with gratitude it is hard to put it into words and last night I didn’t have to. That is a nice change.
Forgotten Gratitude
Last week I was also grateful for being accepted to play a music festival in Seattle; I am so fucking excited!! … A quick but perfectly relaxing and refreshing dip in the pool … Some adorable and tasty onions and potatoes from a friend’s garden.
A New eCard
Image by Antonia Montoya
The Gratitude I Shared Last Week
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| Date | Gratitude | |
| Sun | 7/26/2015 | I’m grateful for my full belly, satisfied and nourished once again, so many do not have that privilege … I’m grateful for abundant rainfall and the hope it gives me, feeding our food and beautiful flowers and weeds, yes, I’m grateful for weeds, they help with cooling and prevent erosion and some are even medicine … I’m grateful for finding the floor to ceiling bookcases we’ve been wanting at a price that is such a relief … I’m grateful for energizing beet carrot ginger juice … Tie down straps and access to a beastly one ton flat bed. |
| Sat | 7/25/2015 | I’m so grateful that after way too many consecutive work days finally I didn’t have to set my alarm this morning … I’m grateful for a nice walk, dressing up, perfectly brewed tea, yummy sandwiches and treats … So many inspiring shoes, art, sites and photos. |
| Fri | 7/24/2015 | I’m grateful for middle of the day mariachi dance party, gritas and smiles all around … Yet another wonderful customer service experience … A beautiful sunset and instant cool down to pull my senses, a wonderful dose of the presence when my emotions and thoughts overtook me. |
| Thu | 7/23/2015 | I’m so lucky. I got to have some one-on-one time with my friend, Amy, and eat her fresh and delicious home-made scallop lentil home-grown tomato and grilled squash and even a peach pie. So grateful for her and that I have tastebuds. I’m grateful for a beautiful ceremony and hearing this: Marvelous fire of love please enter my heart and light me. I’m grateful for air conditioning. |
| Wed | 7/22/2015 | I’m grateful for an amazing over-the-top customer service experience, mouth-watering duck rillette, perfectly cooked tuna (crispy sear and delightfully rare) with olives and grape garnish, greeted by a lovely peacock and an all around experience that left a sweet taste in my mouth, thank you La Merienda at Los Poblanos you won me over … I’m grateful for a clear message from my body and giving myself the gift of rest in the form of sleeping in and napping … I’m grateful for a lesson learned through someone else’s unbearably devastating circumstances. |
| Tue | 7/21/2015 | I’m grateful for an amazing over-the-top customer service experience, mouth-watering duck rillette, perfectly cooked tuna (crispy sear and delightfully rare) with olives and grape garnish, greeted by a lovely peacock and an all around experience that left a sweet taste in my mouth, thank you La Merienda at Los Poblanos you won me over … I’m grateful for a clear message from my body and giving myself the gift of rest in the form of sleeping in and napping … I’m grateful for a lesson learned through someone else’s unbearably devastating circumstances. |
| Mon | 7/20/2015 | I’m grateful for leaning on each other, literally … Slowing down and hugging a tree, tickled by an ant … Practicing limpias and asking rosemary to help … Meeting up for a spontaneous shopping outing … The most indulgent luxurious flops. |
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[su_note note_color=”#e7e7e7″ text_color=”#686767″ radius=”0″] My gratitude journey started in May 2011 and continues to this day. Thank you for being a part of it! A daily gratitude practice is simple. Write down three things you are grateful for each day. Download your free GratitudeGuide. My clients focus on gratitude and learn from their successes to make the positive changes they want in their lives. You can too. Call me to set up our first meeting 505.333.9336. [/su_note]