Building a Fire

I’m sitting by the firepit, nursing a small but growing orange flame. If I’m honest, there’s also a lot of blue smoke. After the storm from a couple days ago, the wood still holds dampness.

I’m back to building fires, because it is a way I can connect with the land, the weather, and the elements. It’s a way I tap into creative, playful energy–part patience and persistence, part meditation and acceptance.

I’ve also returned the last few days to morning practices of tracing meridians, pranayama breathing, and meditation, and then I’ve been sitting outside to write my “Sunrise Page.”

I say I’ve returned, because it dawned on me recently that I had drifted away from these practices. Not all at once. Just small choices, a day at a time.

“No, I don’t quite have time to write. I’ll do it later.”

“Tracing meridians, focused breathing, and meditation? Do I really need to do all that? What do they really do for me, anyway?”

Slowly, bit by bit, I made different choices. Practical choices. Logical choices.

But, not choices for me. Not choices that support me.

And, prioritizing ourselves and what we need is essential to how we show up in the world. It drives all the aspects of ourselves: mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and energetically.

The choices we make–every one–either support us or hinder us. There’s no neutral.

Also, this: There’s a lot going on right now. And, if you’re like me, you are feeling a lot of it. Which can send our brain into thinking about checking boxes and being efficient and practical. Thinking we don’t have time for self-care, self-love, and these practices that strengthen and balance our aspects.

So, because we’ve been taught to let our brains “drive the bus,” we ease up on our wellness practices when we and the world most need us to be at our best, balanced and well.

So, if you’re like me, and you realize that your heart feels heavy, that your body feels sluggish and tired, that it’s been too long since you laughed or danced…It’s time. Make time.