To celebrate our differences and honor individual path
as we create together
is a beautiful gift of connection *and* expansive freedom.
When I wish for clarity within my own life, I clear my schedule of extraneous everything (making space) and go to the beach. Walking in silence, I allow nature to nourish my soul and invigorate my senses. Because I am engaged in exploring World through my senses, instead of “looking for an answer”, the answer invariably gently– softly–rises. A beautiful, organic process allowing my inner work to be full of gratitude and joy rather than worry or stress.
On this particular day, I chose to walk to the farthest end of the beach, knowing that one of my favorite labyrinths would be waiting for me (an expectation). When I came to the labyrinth, though, I found that there was major construction directly around the labyrinth (an invitation to release expectation). Huge bulldozers and teams of men working–loud noise, the rumble in the ground, terrain being loosed and moved. One might apply the words “less than peaceful” as far as external circumstances.
Before stepping into the labyrinth, I set my intention, centered my self, and began my walk. Concentrating on each step, I was able to tune out external as I traveled internally. There were many places that the labyrinth was in disrepair, the exact path worn away or the stones moved, so I found myself wondering if I was “doing it right”, following the ‘correct way’. As if there is a “wrong” or “incorrect” way to travel?
I allowed this thought to lead my contemplation, with the intent of removing barriers and residual bits of perfectionism that might keep me from “moving” in all realms. I recognize that it is not “how” do we step, or “the way” in which we step, but that we choose to step. It is not whether this is the “right” or “wrong” way, but that it is way and we are choosing to explore it. I was able to release my fear of failure (that had been building up as I have begun creating so many new and different things), and re-affirm my love of life. Gratitude for this realization drowned out external stimulus and internal doubt. Each step was now full of the intention to open my heart, accept my pace, and enjoy the experience.
And wouldn’t this be a wonderful life lesson? When I apply this insight to love, creation (a moment or a tangible product), connections (to people and to Earth), I am relinquishing doubt and fear and replacing it with the wonderful affirmation of my purpose: to be Love and to allow World to delight me in myriad ways as I honor flow.
As this relates to my online work, I had a fear of video work. I felt that I didn’t have the technical skills to create one myself, nor did I have the presence to participate in a video interview. In the most recent edition of my transformational magic letter, written upon my return home after one week of being unplugged, I shared that: “When I checked into the airport, I shed the light layers and barriers that had begun to form and as I passed through customs I stepped back into the magical world of this moment of full presence in *now*.“ In the full presence of *now* I released resistance and began to explore and learn video production. I now have a YouTube channel which features my Welcome Video, and “The World That I Belong To” video. I am in the beginning stages of learning–instead of allowing all that I do not know to intimidate me, I am choosing to enjoy the process of experimenting and creating.
This link is to my first ever video interview: The Power of Presence, Clarity, and Effortless Living with Joy Holland. Transparently, while it is wonderful to share my message in such a way, it felt a bit overwhelming to “play big” and allow expansion. My way of life is often viewed as unconventional, so to share my world and “my way” required that I be most comfortable tuning out external and allowing my internal journey to be one of love and gratitude (as in the above labyrinth example). Moving forward, it requires that I accept and honor my individual path as I so effortlessly accept and honor yours.
When fear is present, I take that as a sign that I am embracing new and different as I create my heart truth. I use that fear to inspire me to gently stretch beyond my own comfort zone into this beautiful land of unknown. It is important to me to not just write words and ideas on a page and circulate them, but to live them fully; to allow them to be fluid and to continue to explore, experiment, and experience.
I would love to know, within your life, what is asking you to be explored and are you willing to gently stretch into that wonderful space?
(If you do choose to view my first ever video interview, I would love to know your thoughts and reflections on the message. It is a wonderful pleasure to share new and different with you!).
Much peace and abundant love,
Joy
Reminder: Experiment. Explore. Experience.
