Connecting to self

When last did you take time to assess yourself?  By now, most of us have settled into a new normal.  For many, this state, while now a habit, is still unsettling.  We have had to change so much about our lives, and did it in a reactive state, so we did not get much time to process the changes and the emotional, physical and spiritual impact this has had on our being.

Today I invite you to take some time to reflect on yourself. What do I need?

Physically, take a few minutes to feel your body.   Feel the breath moving through your body; put your hands over your heart and listen to the beat, feeling the throbbing beat under your hands.  Give your feet a massage.  Feel the strength in your body, the intellect of the functioning of your body  and your incredible capacity to heal.  Now close your eyes and focus on each sense, one at a time.  See how far you can hear – what new sounds do you hear?  What taste comes to you?  Is there a memory attached?  Run your hand along your body and feel your soft skin.  Put your hands near each other at heart-center and feel the energy you’ve created.  What do you smell, and is there a thought or memory attached to this smell?  Now open your eyes – what newness can you see in your space?

Let’s take a moment to check in emotionally.   What are you feeling right now?  Create a space of gratitude – list five things you truly feel grateful for.  Maybe it is just your breath.  If you are feeling lost or alone, what words do you need to hear?   Write these words down and put them where you can see them.  Remind yourself of this truth:   you are worthy.  You deserve to love and be loved, no matter what your past looks like.  Your birthright is happiness, and you have the right be you, no matter what that looks like.

On a spiritual level, look within.  Close your eyes and ask yourself what your heart needs now.  Maybe it is to listen to music, get up and dance, or perhaps it asks for meditation or prayer; perhaps it seeks time for you to breathe more.  Take five minutes at least to give your heart what you need right now. 

Our lives can get busy, and for many of us, overwhelming.  Take time each day, even if it is just five minutes, to check in with yourself and ask, “What do I need today – emotionally, spiritually and physically?”  As you do this, you will become more in touch with your needs.  Feeding your body and soul will calm the chaos in your life, give you relief and a reset.  By taking care yourself, you have more to give those who matter to you.

What are you doing for YOU today?  Share in the comments and inspire others.

Many Blessings,

Santa

RUNNING THROUGH DARKNESS
MEMOIR OF A SPIRITUAL WARRIOR

BY SANTA MOLINA-MARSHALL ‧ RELEASE DATE: MAY 3, 2022

This debut memoir chronicles a woman’s spiritual exploration and growth as she overcame a disturbing childhood and helped others heal.

Brought to America from the Dominican Republic as a youngster, Molina-Marshall should have led a happy life. Her father was a diligent worker, and his large family wanted for nothing. But the author recounts that her dad had a drinking problem and was a serial philanderer. Molina-Marshall’s long-suffering mother left him for a woman. Then it was all downhill for the bright, 12-year-old girl, who was shuttled between foster care and relatives. According to the author, she was sexually abused by the husband of one of her siblings. This resulted in Molina-Marshall becoming alienated and moody. By 15, she simply tried to survive. In her favor were grit and a restless intelligence. She quit school, rented a room, and found a factory job. Time went by, and for a while she was happily married. Yet when her husband left her, her life truly began. She turned to religion for answers but decided that blaming God for her woes was a cop-out. 

In this absorbing and moving memoir, Molina-Marshall’s vivid storytelling is fearless. She frankly discusses the truths she discovered and the indignities she suffered. These admissions are disclosed with a touch of resignation and plenty of bite. However painful, everything she experienced was a lesson, and she bravely realized that she was part of the problem: “The fear of being hurt, rejected, or abused often led to me feeling lonely and misunderstood. No one knew the agonizing pain I felt being trapped in my thoughts and anger. I was becoming my biggest threat.” 

The author skillfully recounts her intricate spiritual journey. To deal with her psychic wounds, she searched for an inspirational system. Her open-mindedness led her to the interfaith concept—cherry-picking from various religions and spiritual movements, yoga, and Indigenous beliefs as a way of finding peace. Along with her female partner, she built a therapy practice, making use of every spiritual element that aided her and others. The road was bumpy, and she found that women of color in same-sex relationships were not welcomed everywhere. To do good works—and finally live on her own terms—she effectively overcame bigotry.

An engrossing, cathartic account of empathy and success through determination and confidence.

Pub Date: May 3, 2022   |    ISBN: 978-0-578-38315-6  |   Page Count: 264    | Publisher: From Trauma to Triumph  |   Review Posted Online: June 13, 2022