Hello everybody! I am so grateful to be writing today. I know many of you have been wondering about when I’d get the latest blog post up and here it is finally, though not at all what I thought it might be about. I was on my annual pilgrimage to India (and Thailand too!) for a few months, though I’ve been back in The States for a few months now – and I have had many ideas for posts roaming around in my mind and have even started four of them, but it wasn’t flowing for some reason. Writer’s block I guess. So strange when it happens and you never know how it’s going to go. For those of you that write, you know what I’m talking about – you need not only the inspiration, but the motivation as well. I guess that pertains to many things though right, not just writing. A number of factors have to come together to make it all happen. Who would have thought it would be a crazy pandemic that made this blog post finally happen!
I’ve just been thinking so much about how much we need each other more than ever right now – and how touch is one thing that can be so soothing and comforting during times of heightened stress, fear, and anxiety.
We get so little of it anyway and now to have this “social distancing” thing happening really exacerbates an already sad situation. I know we are all doing what makes us feel safest and most comfortable during this challenging time – and that is the best way to take care of ourselves for sure. I feel it is especially important right now to be extra-conscious of just how important it is to take excellent care of ourselves. Given that so many of us have been forced in to downtime, it feels to me like why not make the most of it and take this time to really nurture ourselves. I felt inspired to share what has been working for me. One of the ways I am doing this is cooking meals at home, which I am usually way too busy and preoccupied to do (or so I tell myself!).
There is nothing like a great home cooked meal that I have lovingly prepared for myself – my body knows the difference between home-cooked and store-bought – it really does. And it is so happy for this much-needed change!
I ordered a new cookbook off Amazon and have been having a great time with it. Vegan InstantPot Cookbook. It is freakin’ awesome! I’ve tried the Thai Red Curry Cauliflower and the Curried Squash Soup thus far – both super flavorful and highly recommended. This evening is African Peanut Stew. Awesome! I bought this InstantPot some time ago, but hadn’t really gotten into it yet. I heard so many amazing things from so many people – and wow, were they right. Super easy, super fast, super versatile. So if you have been curious about trying some more cooking at home and want something really quite easy and fast, I highly recommend it! And while I tend to eat mostly vegan, I know there are tons of recipes online for you carnivores out there.
Another way I’ve been nourishing myself is exercising at home (my gym shut down of course!) and that has been pretty fun too.
There is an app called Fitonomy that has tons of exercises you can do at home without a bunch of equipment. Awesome! I’m sure there are many others available out there, so see what speaks to you. I’ve also taken this opportunity to get outside more for some lovely walks in the area. A little sun and fresh air do wonders for the psyche and the body! The rain even feels absolutely marvelous right now, in a way I don’t believe it ever has before. It just feels amazing to be outside.
My meditation practice has felt especially fruitful lately as well. It has felt really powerful and has come much more natural now to focus my energy and intention on healing for the planet, whereas I am usually more focused on my own energy and my own concerns.
Part of the beauty of all of this is the natural feeling of camaraderie that arises as the entire planet is facing the same challenge and dealing with many of the same issues. It feels like we are all in this together and I find great comfort in that.
Normally when some disaster happens, I feel so disconnected from it as it is not in my backyard. And while I can try to empathize, it is challenging as I am not immediately affected. This is most certainly very different and I am definitely experiencing the effects, though not as much as many people out there.
One other exciting thing that has been developing over the past month or so is that I’ve been creating a new session that I’m looking forward to offering very soon.
If you know me or have been reading my blog, you know how passionate I am about supporting us all to have a more healthy and expressive experience of our sensual and sexual natures.
I’ve been working with gems and stones during my meditation practice for some time now, but it wasn’t until more recently that I started being even more intentional about working with them and exploring their different healing properties and energies. I’ve been experimenting with them on myself and a few other people with very good results.
The sensual stone healing sessions I’m creating combine a number of modalities to support greater opening of our sensual energies and healing the negative energies and blocks that have accumulated during our lifetimes due to social conditioning.
Releasing these blockages allows us to experience greater physical pleasure, greater access to our creativity, more presence with our partner (and with ourselves!), and more freedom to explore our sexuality. The sessions I’ve provided thus far have resulted in some profound insights for the person receiving and have led to some big breakthroughs. They have also been very powerful for me as the giver – I’ve felt extremely connected and tuned in, which has led to an even deeper experience for all involved. I continue to have great openings myself as I work with these stone energies – which is why I am so excited to start sharing this with you all. So stay tuned for more information. This feels really positive and powerful!
I’ve been finding more time to read lately too, which is something I’ve prayed for for some time. For those of you who know me personally, you know I have a rather extensive book collection - many of which are only partially read and many of which have been ever so patiently sitting on my shelf waiting for me to crack them open. I am embracing this current downtime to dive back into some of them. Funny thing though – as I type this, I realize that the one I’ve gotten especially into over the past few evenings has been one that I’ve already read through a time or two: Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. It was a total game-changer for me the first time I read it and I’ve referenced it numerous times during my educational career in essays and projects.
I am a very positive and hopeful person - and I am the type of person who tends to find meaning in absolutely everything – a crow flies in front of me, that means something; the number 33 on a license plate, that means something (I love numerology!); traffic is slowing me down, there is a purpose and meaning to that too. And of course the world shutting down for a bit is absolutely brimming with purpose and meaning for me.
So when I came across this book, the title totally reached out and grabbed me! For those of you not familiar with it, it is written by a man who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp and was able to find great meaning in his suffering. Being a psychologist, he took his experience of meaning-making and helped others to apply it to their life. It is a powerful and inspiring book – and it feels especially timely right now as the world is going through such a profound change and so many people are experiencing suffering in their own way, with the loss of jobs and financial security, the loss of loved ones, and the loss of daily routine, amongst many other things. So much instability right now.
Of course this is nowhere near like the experience one might have had in a concentration camp – and perhaps that is precisely the point and why I am finding it so helpful right now. None of this is so bad when put into this type of perspective. I have much to be grateful for and have many blessings and so much bounty in my life. My eyes are being opened to just how much right now and that is a beautiful thing.
Silver linings can be found around every corner and attached to many of, what we perceive to be, our current losses.
Anyway, I highly recommend this book if what I’ve shared here sounds interesting. It is a short and easy, extremely eye-opening and inspiring read. I love this book! If you do check it out (or are already familiar with it), I would love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to comment below or reach out via email.
Okay – so that is just a little bit from me. It does feel good to be reaching out again. Finally! Nothing like a pandemic to get a person writing again! Finding the silver linings for sure.
I pray that you and your loved ones are safe, healthy, inspired, and that you are able to return to your center during all of this uncertainty. It feels like an excellent opportunity to return to the basics of life – the simple things that move us and make life pleasurable.
If you are able, of course – I certainly don’t want to imply that this is easy and carefree for everybody. This is part of how I find meaning in everything and try to see the beauty in all situations. Trust me, it is not always easy – this has been a daily practice for me and something I’ve worked with and cultivated for years – opening to the positivity and beauty of life. I suppose that is precisely why that book spoke to me so much – it is exactly the attitude I want to live my life with.
Sending so much love to you all and many well-wishes during these interesting and challenging and hopeful times. Feel free to reach out or comment below if you would like to add or share anything at all. I welcome your thoughts and connection!
Love and light to you ~ Star
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