Last updated on 04/22/2011
I’ve been doing some EFT work recently on clearing my path. Gaining an understanding of where I want to go and, in my mind’s eye, moving away obstacles that get in the way.
This morning I was out in the yard for my grounding time. Generally I walk in circles ~ counter-clockwise allows letting go, and clockwise allows gathering. I began with clockwise circles, barefoot, in the fresh, moist morning grass. Within a few steps I stepped on a gumball … yeowch, my feet are not as tough as they were when I ran in the woods barefooted all summer long … and then a few steps later, I stepped on another.
I’ve been tolerating these prickly little things for some time now … even through the soft leather moccasins I wear on cold mornings.
… “moving away obstacles that get in the way”
Why not? I decided that each time my foot came across a gumball, I’d remove it from my path. My morning grounding would be much more pleasant, with fewer distractions. A clearer path for today, and for the coming days.
Soon, I was stopping with each step or two, gently gathering the gumball, and tossing it into the nearby natural area. There were many. I was surprised to see that with each gumball I picked up, I felt more empowerment, more peace, no frustration. I sensed that it didn’t matter how many there would be. Had there been a thousand, I think I would have picked up each of them with the same gentle knowing ~ you are in my path, little gumball, so I’ll just move you over there and we’ll be both be happy.
Some of the gumballs were embedded in the dirt, tangled in the grass … they presented no frustration, they just took an extra few seconds to gently pry loose with my fingers. They were moved aside, almost as easily as the rest.
My path was smooth, and I’d tossed many gumballs in the natural area, so I decided I was ready to move counter-clockwise. I thought that the path would remain clear and easy, and that I no longer needed to watch where I stepped ~ oops, there was another, and another …. many more gumballs, many more obstacles to toss away.
Most of the gumballs are gone now. I know that tomorrow morning I don’t need to worry about whether I will step on those particular gumballs. Sure, more may have fallen by then, and maybe I’ll go out to find something new, and completely unexpected in my path.
I understand now that I can slow down and take the time to remove my obstacles. When I do this my path becomes more clear, I don’t need to look down, I can look up and enjoy the sunshine and the birds’ song. I can walk freely, with direction and with an open heart.
I was tickled to see that when I went back outside, and put the gumballs on the bottom step of my deck to take a picture, my footprint remained from the wet grass, and a little green weed is in the bottom of the picture ~ all is well.
My prayer is that we’ll each slow down enough to toss our gumballs aside ~
Take good care, and I’m so very grateful that you’re here today ~
Love,
PS ~ Rosemary, at finding1sself discovered that removing harsh self-judgment can be like removing a thorn … opening her path to self-love. Click here to visit Rosemary’s post 🙂
What obstacles are in your path? Can you think of a way you can clear some of them today? Wellness and hugs to you ~
Yes, i see some obstacles, now that you mention it 🙂 I see that during my B&B season that I focus so much on what I believe HAS to be done that there is absolutely no time left for myself. One thing invariably leads to another and soon I get frantic trying to do everything that flashes before me. In actuality, maybe about 70% of these things are absolutely critical. The other 30% could wait or are only things that I notice. If I could let go of them, I could carve more time out to exercise, rest, make pots and write (my four important things). Thank you for this. It’s an important thing. it dovetails with what Leo wrote recently about creating.
Diana recently posted..the joy of being- giving thanks
Yes, great thoughts, Diana ~ I also remember reading recently … I think on dirtyfootprints, about white space. White space on a page feels nice … white space in our daily life feels nice, too. Carving out time for doing nothing … just being and allowing the pleasure of life to envelope you.
Take good care dear ~ sending hugs!
Jane
Jane Rochelle recently posted..Is Something Prickly In Your Way Take Time To Clear Your Path
Hi Jane,
Lovely post. I needed to be reminded – again – of not letting life’s little prickly things get in my way. Last night I shut off the computer at 8 pm in complete and utter despair. My inner “hare” was trying to tell me I wasn’t fast enough and that I still need to do this, and learn this, and that, etc. I was paralyzed by my fears of thinking how I would accomplish all I had before me, so I walked away. Today I woke up feeling better. Reading your article was just what was needed. Thank you!
Angela Artemis recently posted..Life is Not A Race – Go At Your Own Pace
~ one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time … less if needed 🙂
Slow and steady, you will get where you’re going, and you’ll make this world a much better place as you travel there.
Hugs,
Jane
Jane Rochelle recently posted..Is Something Prickly In Your Way Take Time To Clear Your Path
[…] Is Something Prickly in Your Way? Take Time to Clear Your Path. […]
Hummm … never replied to a link before … but sending good energies to this one 🙂
Jane Rochelle recently posted..Is Something Prickly In Your Way Take Time To Clear Your Path
Hi Jane,
I keep getting the message to slow down as well. There are obstacles in the way but we do have the time to stop and clear the path when we need to.
Even knowing this I still have a natural tendency to want to skip steps and get to my destination as quick as possible.
I have two Chinese Chestnut trees in my backyard and ouch if you step on them barefooted.
Justin | Mazzastick recently posted..Truth Is Knowing
Thanks for stopping by, Justin ~ from time to time, our natural energy gets a little congested, and we’re forced to slow down and acknowledge our journey. I’m thinking it might be a really good time for you to pull off your shoes and walk some circles under that Chinese Chestnut, picking up some pricklies as you go, tossing them to the side … no destination in the circle … only moving forward at the pace that is right for that moment.
Take good care ~
🙂 Jane
Jane Rochelle recently posted..Is Something Prickly In Your Way Take Time To Clear Your Path
Hi Jane,
Visiting from Angela’s site!
My take on obstacles is to move them or go around them and sometimes even go through them. We learn at a young ago to become afraid of them to see the wall in front of us and back up. That’s the time to do what you advise, slow down, take a breath, and figure out how to get on the other side.
The answer always appears when I do this.
My obstacles always lead me to the place I need to go. For me the point of my life is to find a way past them. They give my life texture on my life odyssey.
Sounds like you too used to run wild in the woods barefoot. I stayed barefoot even through college, because I chose a school in a warm climate. Ironically, I developed some painful foot problems when I became entrapped in a cubicle. I’d get up from my cubicle chair and almost fall down in pain. When I freed myself from the cubicle my feet eventually returned to normal.
The body always knows! Thanks for a super post. G.
p.s. love your artwork. very free quality. Chimayo Pepper is delicious! I paint as well. Just finished a “wild” carousel horse piece.
Giulietta Nardone recently posted..Walking Ten Miles in Someone Else’s Shoes
I’ve always been a barefoot girl~ in-fact that’s my maiden name! 🙂 I wrote a post last spring called, Growing Up Barefoot, maybe you’d like to read it. When I read your comment I felt so connected! I am in a cubicle now, and going through this journey … trying to get back to wellness, doing lots of healing work to regain my good health. Any time I have a chance, my shoes are off. Have you seen the grounding work by Dr. James Oshman? Amazing scientific research to support our body’s need for energy directly from the earth’s surface. I’ve always felt a need, but never knew why. So beautiful when it all comes together. Went to your site but wasn’t able to find your artwork. I’d love to see it sometime! Let me know.
Take good care, Giulietta, and have a beautiful week!
Jane Rochelle recently posted..Is Something Prickly In Your Way Take Time To Clear Your Path
This is a wonderful analogy. You carried it through beautifully.
Oh, there are always obstacles to clear no matter which path you take nor how you try to avoid them. So true, that we work continuously at making our pathways more clean and comfortable.