Good morning, friends. I woke up today, after a weekend of being away, and pondered about whether to make a post or not. Then, I decided I needed to get some things off my mind. so, here I am.
I spent the weekend with family, sharing our grief, our memories and our love. It’s always interesting to look backward at life situations and see with the clarity of hindsight, as well as through others’ eyes.
I thought I had done a lot of shadow work in 2012 and 2013, but it was nothing compared to what I’ve been going through the past week. What is shadow work? It’s a therapeutic process of exploring our inner darkness or the parts of ourselves we’d like to keep suppressed and literally hiding in the shadows.
I have had so many harsh realizations about myself and the way I’ve handled some situations in life in the past. And while it hurts, it’s also freeing. I believe we are here in this human body for a reason. We aren’t just here to take up space. And when we choose to do the work to grow and expand our consciousness, we have to be willing to be brutally honest, not only with ourselves and with others. I’m being reminded over and over the importance of standing firm in my truth.
So, anyway, I don’t want to get too heavy. I’m just talking. I took Rick’s guitar with me to Texarkana for my step-grandson to play and it was such a joy! He loved his grandpa and when I die, this guitar will go to Jakob.
I now have to turn my FULL focus back to releasing Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics!! The stories deserve the best I can give them. It is still up for pre-order. Here’s a little teaser:
An icy wind howls across the thick, dark purple expanse of the Egluna star. Farther north, its ferocity increases, driving the furred ones to seek cover, and the two-leggeds to huddle like a grove of trees leaning into a storm.
Thank you for letting me release some thoughts today. I appreciate this blogging community greatly!
Here’s something to carry with you today. I do believe when we live our daily lives from a place of love, everything is as it should be.
Here’s a comforting and validating Angel message to send us on our way.
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I’m glad you shared, Jan, not only how hard your week was, but how you transformed the experience into insight and growth. A good thing for me to hear and learn from. Congrats on the coming book! I can’t wait to read it. Hugs.
Thank you so much, Diana!
It’s good to see a post from you, Jan. Life is full of adversity and all we can do is keep moving forward.
That truly says it all, Robbie. I think of you and your mum often and hope she is holding her own.
Incredible thoughts, Jan. Sending hugs.
Thank you, Toni. I appreciate the hug!
Tons of regrets. We made our decisions and have to live with them. I still hope to actually make a good decision one day.
It’s a work in progress for sure, Craig. Thanks for joining in.
We all need those painful moments to reflect and heal even if we don’t want them. The angel card hit home. Sending more healing hugs xo
So true, Denise. Giving myself the time to go really deep into whatever this is has left me feeling lighter and more at peace with myself. None of us are perfect. So glad you enjoyed the angel card! Thank you!!
Wonderful reflection, Jan. Memories abound at times like this. Blessings and love to you.
Thank you, Gwen. I appreciate you visiting and leaving a comment today.
I completely agree with Mae about hindsight and reflecting on what we could have done differently. I still have regrets about the way I handled some situations. Sending prayers for you and your family, Jan!
Thank you, Teri. Life is such a learning process and none of us are anywhere near perfect. The past is over. All we can do is make a better future. Hugs!
Great thoughts, Jan! That you took the guitar to your step-grandson shows how nice you are, despite the harsh realizations.
Lol, Tim. I have always been nice. Sometimes too nice. 😁 Thank you for stopping by.
My pleasure, Jan. 😍
Sending hugs your way, Jan! Shadow work when you are already grieving is even harder. Kudos to you for standing humble in your shadows and facing your truths. May you find peace throughout your journey…
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
I’ve been through those shadow sessions, Jan. Once done, then moving on is the next step. I’m lucky to be old enough not to have to look back anymore.
I will get there, John. I want to make peace with my missteps and move forward! That’s the goal, anyway.
I’ve had many a deep, dark night of the soul. They’re painful but necessary.
Yes, they are, Liz, but yes, they are necessary if we want to grow into better, caring humans. Thank you for your wonderful comment. Hugs, my friend!
You’re welcome, Jan!
I think the older we get, the more we look back on our life with hindsight and often reflect on what we should have done differently or better. Grief is difficult to manage. I’m so grateful you and your family could share memories and love amid your loss. Praying you feel God’s peace. 💕
That is so true, Mae. Of course, we all experience clarity in hindsight. When we are in a situation, we cannot see it as it’s clouded with our emotions and reactions. Grief is hard for sure, but it’s such a part of life also. We can never avoid it. Thank you for your prayers and for your comment. I appreciate you!
The examination of our darker selves that leads to freeing. If you don’t mind, maybe in a new post you could talk about what the “freeing” means? What does it look like, feel like, lead to in our future lives and actions? I am interested in hearing more.
My heart is with you at the loss. This is a hard time for you.
Thank you, Pat. I would be happy to talk more about what it looks and feels like and how shadow work affects us moving forward. Some of the things I share are uncomfortable, but that’s what shadow work is. It’s uncomfortable. I appreciate your kind words!
Life certainly isn’t easy. Thank you for sharing this with us, Jan. The extract is great, Jan, as is the quote.
Thank you so much, Esther!
I love that your great grandson played his great grandfathers guitar at the service. Was it his grandfather that recently passed away?
Thank you, Darlene. No, it was Jakob’s father that passed away.
Often it’s being brutally honest with ourselves is needful. I’ve been doing a lot of that myself. I wish I could be there to give you a hug, Sister. Your heart is still aching. I’m reminded a lot that decisions we make are not the right ones sometimes. I have a lot of regret to work through. I haven’t done a good job either. Love you and keep doing the shadow work. Love you.
Thank you, sister. I wish I could give you a hug, too! Life is hard to navigate without a map and we never have a map. All we can do is our best, and while the shadow work is not pleasant, it is freeing. I love you!!