Rebirth, Renew, Refresh

Rebirth is a process that, while slow, will lead to predictable changes.  We can choose the trajectory of the changes by crafting the direction we wish to grow in; we can choose our personal rebirth as nature does.

In nature, a happy, well-loved plant begins from a seed, and soon a few green leaves appear.  If well-cared for, the plant begins to come to life, with buds unfurling and revealing the flower within.

Today, we can choose to take a step in the direction of new growth and birth our lives to our vision. Sign post with arrows pointing left with the words new way new life   

Take a day and examine the thoughts you think.  Can you take an old thought and make it new – rebirth it in a way that better serves you?   Write down a persistent thought and then write a better version.  Repeat this new version to yourself until it feels natural.

Look at your weekly routine, especially the mundane tasks.  Can you find something new about these tasks, or perhaps create an extra benefit while doing them?  If this task is doing the dishes, how about making it more enjoyable by listening to music or an edifying podcast while you do this? 

As with our favorite plant, we cannot watch and measure our growth.  If we did, we would find no change day-to-day. Instead, if we step back, continue to care for and feed the plant without judging it for its slow growth, we soon find a beautiful flower.

Likewise, if we attempt to measure our growth, momentum, and the benefits of our efforts, we will rarely find anything to observe along the way.  We are often tempted to measure our progress constantly, but this acts as a roadblock.  As we measure the impact of our implemented changes, we either feel discouraged or judge ourselves for not being further along, when in fact, we have made more progress than we realize. Much of our progress is happening where we cannot see it until it’s fully rebirthed, then the impact can be felt in our lives.  The magic is letting go and surrendering to our journey; living in the present moment and allowing the process to happen.

You can choose to bring renewal and rebirth to your life, starting now.  Start with one small step and watch as this action gains momentum.  Let go of measuring your progress; surrender and enjoy the journey.  The benefits will surprise you along the way!

How will you make the mundane more value-filled today?  Share in the comments.

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