Clarus Center Newsletter

by Nancy Ging, LCSW

This month we honor changing needs in changing seasons. We welcome the movement into Springtime, particularly after this noticeable Wintertime in Chicagoland! Melting into Spring is something we can savor during this month of April "when the world is puddle-wonderful," to use the words of poet E.E.Cummings. Let's embrace this chance to change which nature offers us now; a time to cleanse, release and move into the new!
      A few significant thoughts about change come to mind. Years ago during a class I attended on "Psychotherapy With the Male Population" there was a demonstration of how much men dislike the word "change." With Applied Kinesiology, or muscle testing/energy testing, the men who held the word or thought "change" in their mind lost their energy, their power. Electrical circuits shut down or lost their vibrancy. Now, I must add that the demonstration was something I witnessed approximately 20 years ago. Probably the male species has evolved greatly since then, right? Better to give the benefit of the doubt here. By the way, "It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." Charles Darwin said so.
      Since many of us have resistance, consciously or unconsciously, to the word or concept of change, we might be wise to substitute another word for it and think instead in terms of making modifications, readjustments or shifts. Shift happens -- perhaps more easily if we don't scare ourselves with a word that may be emotionally loaded -- a word called: change.
      Sincere as our desires to grow and evolve may be, it's quite accurate to say that there is a part of each of us that resists change. A part that resists period. Whenever we resist going forward into the new, into the forward momentum of the flow that says "Yes!" to life, the energies in our body contract. Fear does that to a person. We tighten. Conversely, when we embody fearlessness our inner energies fill with spaciousness and expand. We flow. We take in more oxygen. More of our aliveness becomes available to us. When we're fearless, relaxed, expanded, committed to our growth and open to evolving, our energy field can use, actually incorporate the assistance that seems to come to us from higher, richer and deeper dimensions.
       The poet Goethe wrote: "When we first commit ourselves then Providence moves too, and all sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."
         Let's make a Springtime commitment to fearlessness around change, a loosening of resistance. The forces of this new season are working in favor of our lightening up. Springtime brings such blessed relief from Winter's cold and dark ways that it is likely to be an easier time for us to make healthy modifications. So flow forth. Go with the momentum of Spring.
        Try this exercise for cleansing and CO-creating the shifts you seek: Relax your body, quiet your mind, breath deeply and slowly for several minutes. Watch that wonderful breathing process of yours that allows you to take in more of your spirit, more light and spaciousness as you inhale. Observe the exhalation process as it allows you to release tensions, worries and concerns.
      Imagine yourself standing under a beautiful, clear waterfall. You may want your waterfall to be gentle. You may like it rough. However you like your water pressure, let the waters cleanse your entire energy field.
      Now it is time to clean out impurities within by imagining your body to be a clean glass vessel filled with clear orange fluid. Imagine little valves on the tips of your fingers. toes and heels. Open those values and slowly let the orange liquid drain out of your body taking any impurities with it. Watch the "horizon line" move downward as the orange liquid exits from your body. Allow the empty space to fill with bright sunlight. Notice how very good this feels. Breath in gratitude for the Spring cleaning as you become a clear, clean glass vessel filled with white light.
      Now visualize yourself in a beautiful, safe haven of nature. Picture yourself making the shifts, adjustments, modifications you want to make in your life -- be they the release of extra pounds (more easily done in the Spring according to Traditional Chinese Medicine) or enjoying more exercise, experiencing more clarity about priorities, having more fun in your life. See yourself "dancing as if no one's watching." As you imagine yourself doing the things you want to do, gently notice how your body is feeling. Look for the expansion or contraction occurring within. Notice how comfortable you feel with the behaviors you're calling forth. Or perhaps you'll notice a degree of contracted energy -- tension or tightness that may be present to show you the resistance, the fear that an aspect of your personality may have about you moving in the direction that your heart and soul want you to go.
     One by one, try on, or imagine yourself making the modifications in your life that you're wanting. Remember that the forces of Springtime are in partnership with you, supporting your momentum toward these adjustments, the course corrections and goals. With each one, take careful note of the messages your body is offering you. Trust the truth of what your body is showing you. The body doesn't lie (unless you have a frozen or buried electrical circuit, according to Chinese Medicine.......and that can be fixed!). Learn from and trust what your body is showing you.
      What's the point of this movement into your body through deeper awareness of what is happening? As you pay attention while trying on different intentions for yourself you will elevate your consciousness while becoming more integrated. You may be liberating your body from some deeply held layers of emotional baggage -- burdens and un-fun memories.
       Remember, your body is your own personal, portable plot of Mother Earth. Love your Mother. Make every day Earth Day by remembering the remarkable vehicle with your name on it, the very vessel in which your Spirit resides. Enjoy your body. Enjoy the Earth. Expect yourself to flower as the person your heart knows you can be. Springtime flowers will soon be upon us. Prepare to bloom with them.

Nancy Ging, LCSW
www.nancyging.net , (630) 323-5402
Nancy is a holistic psychotherapy with nearly 3 decades of experience helping people bloom. She is also an author, columnist, consultant, poet and teacher.