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Connecting with the Divine — February 2009
by Arleen Hannich
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You, Fleas, and the Divine
I invite you to begin to discover your potential this month--the possibilities
that are open to you. This area is one many of us are afraid to explore.
We’ve stopped dreaming, and we’ve stopped looking; we just don’t want
to go there!
It reminds me of fleas. I’ve read that fleas are master jumpers, but
if you place them in a jar and put the lid on, after about 20 minutes
the fleas will “learn” that they cannot jump any higher than the height
of the jar. They learn to jump just high enough, so that they will not
hit the lid. Incredibly, even if you remove the lid from the jar later,
they will not try to jump any higher.
Can you relate to fleas and their adaptive behaviors which at one time
kept them safe? Are you aware of similar behaviors you have developed
for your own self-preservation? Are you continuing these behaviors even
though the conditions of your life have completely changed?
Flea is to Jar as Human is to Box
Similar to fleas, I believe many of us choose to live as if we are contained
in some way. We have metaphorically drawn boxes in which we live our
lives. While our boxes tend to keep us going in circles, they do provide
a feeling of safety and security.
We have certainly had the assistance of others in the formation of our
boxes, but it is now you and I that maintain the boxes we live in. You
and I refuse to look up and see that our “lid” has been lifted, and
that we are free to be who we really are. The messages I receive from
the Divine tell me that our potential is greater than we can ever imagine.
Can we allow ourselves to expand our horizons of what is possible?
What Does Your Box Look Like?
Will you play with me today and draw some pictures? Absolutely no artistic
skill is required. You may draw stick-figures and still be assured of
an A+ and a Gold Star! And yes, you can add words to your picture as
well. You will need two sheets of paper (the larger the better) and
crayons, markers, or anything else you have in your house to draw and
color with.
STEP 1
Your first step is to create space for your discoveries--space in
your physical environment and in yourself. Once you’ve found a comfortable
place to play, take a few moments to breathe with Spirit. Breathe
Spirit deeply in and breathe your stress, anxiety, and conflicts
out. Do this several times. If music helps you relax and feel more
centered, feel free to play some music to accompany you.
STEP 2
In the middle of your first piece of paper, and using about half
of the whole sheet, draw a box. This box will represent the box
that you live in. Go ahead and bring your box to life. What and
who are contained in your box? Draw/color them in. (You may need
to remind your over-zealous inner judge that you are just playing,
and the quality of your drawings is not important.)
STEP 3
Now draw a larger box around the box of your life. Use up the rest
of your paper. When you were growing up, what were you told you
would/could not have or do? Draw those things in this new box. Continue
to fill this box up with those things in life that are within your
view, but which you feel are not within your reach. Finally, allow
yourself to imagine all those other things beyond your view that
have been placed outside of your box as well.
STEP 4
Did you include the Divine in your drawing? If so, where is the
Divine? In your box with you? In the bigger box? Somewhere else?
If you didn’t include the Divine, and you would like to, please
do so now. Is the Divine still outside your box? If so, draw windows
or doors or (your choice) to allow the Divine in if you wish.
STEP 5
Consider these questions: How do I feel when I look at my box? How
does my soul feel with me living in a box? When I live in my box,
what “good” cannot come to me? There are no right or wrong answers
to any of these questions. Just explore.
STEP 6
Now take a few more breaths with Spirit and ask yourself: What would
I feel or look like if I was living in a bigger box, and I KNEW
I was safe? Draw anything that comes to you. Don’t worry if you
don’t understand the image. (If you don’t receive images, go with
whatever you receive.)
STEP 7
Post both of these pictures somewhere and look at them from time
to time. Allow yourself to see and experience your boxes. It is
not important to analyze the boxes or explain why/how the boxes
were created.
Rearranging Your Life
You may notice that in life we tend to just rearrange our box (our life),
instead of coming out of our box. We expend huge amounts of energy and
time rearranging, so that we feel the sense of growth and wonder that
we crave. Yet we haven't really created anything new, and our relief
is short-lived.
Your Vibrant Life Force
You may feel comfortable rearranging your box, but your life force does
not want to be contained in this way. Your life force wants to experience,
grow, and expand into its natural state of Oneness. Your life force
wants you to raise your roof and explore new territories which beckon
to you!
Your Divine potential is fulfilled in human form in this lifetime. You
were born with seeds of potential that when fulfilled, bring you great
joy. Please do not allow obsolete or imaginary boundaries built of fear
to stop you from embracing your Life Force and fulfilling your potential.
Opening Your Box
Instead of rearranging life within your box, could you expand your box?
If so, how? Could you remove the ceiling from your box? How does that
make you feel? Grateful for a gulp of fresh air, or do you begin to
hyperventilate from fear?
If you are afraid to take the roof off of your box, perhaps you can
tilt the roof up so that some fresh air and Light can come in. Or, maybe
you could add some open windows or doors to your box?
The Invitation
I invite you to make a stand for your potential and joy. Choose one
thing you can do today to help you feel like you have
raised the roof of your box--even if by only one inch! For instance,
my colleagues have been urging me to deliver workshops, but I haven’t
felt comfortable doing so in the past. After I wrote this column, I
booked my first workshop. What part of your potential have you been
resisting?
Above all, remember that help is available to you. Ask the Divine to
help you glimpse your true potential. Call on the Divine to accompany
you as you begin to live beyond your box!
by Arleen
Hannich | Email me if you
questions or comments | Back
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