Blogging, Life, My Book, Soul Homework, Universe, Writing

Reflecting

Writer McWriterson

Sarah, a friend of mine, published a post in November about the importance of asking yourself questions. Taking a deep breath and contemplating those questions. The answers may arrive fast, or they may take longer. But, ultimately, the answers will come to light.

These are the reflective questions she included at the end of her post:

What needs to go? What am I ready for next? What is my why? Is this desire for next or to create coming from a shadow area? What does my body need? What is true for me in this moment? What do I need right now? What can I do right now?

As I was writing out these questions in this post, I began to get emotional. I was a different person when I first read Sarah’s post in November, just four months ago.

What needs to go? Being less concerned about what other people think. During my birthday month (April), I’m getting my nose pierced. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, but I’ve put it off because I was concerned about how people would see me.

What am I ready for next? Ella beginning high school, Anna graduating college and beginning her career, and devoting more time for myself.

What am I looking to create? Content to serve others, and perhaps, to find my purpose in the process.

What is my why? Remember the quote I read in an article about menopause that I mentioned in Friday’s podcast post? I also feel that my culture and society have failed me so badly. I need elders to show me how to do this, but they are not built into my life. 

That up there is my why.

It would have been reassuring to have a book like the one I’ve been working on while I was going through perimenopause in 2015. I felt a lot like Rythea. Seeing her quote in the article I shared in Friday’s podcast post felt like the why I needed to see.

Is this desire for “next” or to create coming from a shadow area? During the five years I was in perimenopause, I felt a lot of shame. So I believe this portion of my journey is coming from a shadow area; the shame I carried and a need to feel connected to other women who may be feeling the same way.

What does my body need? It requires my attention and consideration. Even though I’m a big believer in soul homework and meditation, I’m terrible at paying attention to my body’s signals.

What is true for me in this moment? I had a very long and boring answer ready, but it was too deep and soul-searching to add to this answer at this time. Just know that the other day I had a very cool awakening moment about all of you and it made me very emotional in a very good way. I really DO appreciate all of you and that is very true for me in this moment.

What do I need right now? I came across this quote the other day from Lao Tzu: “How do you follow the course of your life if you do not let it flow?” Instead of attempting to make things happen, I think I should just let life flow through me.

What can I do right now? I can continue to make soul homework the most essential portion of my day so that I may continue to learn, develop, evolve, and listen. So that I may continue to let my life flow. In order for me to be a better person to the people in my life.

I know Sarah has taken some time off to focus on her own enlightenment, but I can’t thank her enough for sharing these thoughts.

What needs to go? What are you ready for next? What is your why? Is this desire for next or to create coming from a shadow area? What does your body need? What is true for you in this moment? What do you need right now? What can you do right now?

38 thoughts on “Reflecting”

  2. I love this. Great questions plus your answers are thought-provoking. I can answer two of the questions off the top of my head, but the others require contemplation. I seem to be in a constant state of letting go– of objects, assumptions, people who aren’t there for me. As for my “why” I’d say it is to create understanding and connections. I put the metaphorical puzzle pieces together.

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    1. Over the course of the previous two years, I let go of a lot of things that weren’t serving me. It can be scary at times since I feel so exposed as a result of letting go. But, I believe that’s my ego telling me that I needed those people, those things, and those thought processes in order to be protected.

      I really like the concept of connections serving as your “why.” Ally, you have a remarkable ability to bring people together.

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  3. I LOVE this!!!! I am not gone forever. I am currently making my “someday” now! I am in the process of leaving my job and moving an hour up the road to Kentucky. I close on a house next week, move the following week and start a new job three weeks today! I will be 20-25 minutes from my parents an my horses. Soon I will be able to care for the horses regularly. I am so happy. I have to tell you, those questions are powerful!

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  4. Finding your purpose in content creation is such a good thing to do. And I love the question ‘What can you do right now?’ as it requires me to take stock of exactly what I have in the present, instead of waiting for some arbitrary perfect moment to start. Thanks for this post!

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  5. These are great questions to always keep thinking about. I used to have a great fear of public speaking, believe it or not, I got over it (it took many years, many sweat-soaked shirts, many … well that’s another story 😀 ). During that time, I ran across a quote that stayed with me and popped into my mind as I was reading your post:
    “When you are in your 20s, you care about what everybody thinks of you.
    When you are in your 40s, we worry about what people think of you, and
    When you are in your 60s, you realize that people were too busy thinking about themselves.”

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  7. These are good questions. I can say in this moment the testing yourself for covid and having the process take HOURS out of our vacation time needs to go. Super frustrating. I’ll blog the details at some point but oh my goodness why so difficult? As in the airline made it much harder than it needed to be. Continue to put in the same info REPEATEDLY.

    I’ve had lots of thoughts lately about my age and the uncertainty of life . . . since Joe’s death and other losses this past year. Much to contemplate.

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  9. So much to think about here! I have a feeling I will be coming back to this post and contemplating the questions. I for one am so glad that we “found” each other – you are helping me so much with your talk about menopause and your own experiences. The work you are doing is really having a positive effect on the world. Keep shining, my friend. xo

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    1. It’s a lot to unpack, LOL. That’s why it took me four months. I journaled a lot of these questions in my daily soul homework practice.

      Nicole, I’m so glad we found one another as well. Your blog is a source of great happiness for me. You keep shining as well, my friend. Xoxo

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  10. I think it’s good for us to question ourselves from time to time; to reflect on where we are compared to where we want to be.
    Most of these I would have to sit and ponder on, but I really love your answers. Especially not worrying about what other people think of us. Why, why, why did it take us this long to get here?

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  12. I’m constantly in conversation with myself. Lol! I should ask better questions like these. Self-awareness is really important if we want to move forward in life. Thanks for sharing this!

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  13. Being an empty nester and getting older makes me have more time to be aware of what my body needs. I think that’s one of the reasons I’m at a decent weight for the first time since before having kids. I have more time to focus on myself, which for me, includes healthy cooking and eating, exercising, meditation, yoga, etc.

    And letting things go…the two biggest letting go episodes in my life the past 6ish years were leaving organized religion and being OK (ish!) with my son moving all the way to LA. It hasn’t been easy. I still have mixed emotions about both.

    I think you’ll look really cute with a pierced nose! If this is something you’ve always wanted to do, then kudos to you for finally doing it. Will you get a little diamond stud?

    xoxo

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    1. That’s a great perspective about being an empty nester, Melanie. I didn’t think of that before. It’s certainly something to look forward to. 🙂

      A resounding yes to leaving organized religion. I had conflicting feelings at first because of the people we met there, but I no longer do.

      I’m not going for a diamond stud; instead, I’m going for a hoop. I’m a little apprehensive about the actual piercing procedure because I have sensory issues, but I’m going forward with it! Xoxo

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      1. Leaving organized religion for me came with all kinds of emotional baggage…I had basically attended this church/religion since I was an infant. Most of the people there were like my extended family. My mother still goes to this church and is upset that we left. There’s a lot more to it…perhaps to be discussed in person soon?

        I have sensory issues, too, so I understand. You are very brave! I can’t wait to see how extra cute and cool you will look with this piercing.

        xoxo

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