By the Light of the Full Moon

This past week I enjoyed a revelatory experience:  a Full Moon Goddess Gathering, courtesy of my dear friend, motivational speaker and self-esteem coach Kathleen Hassan. Kathleen's passion lies in helping teen girls and women of all ages become all they were born to be and unlock their personal power for self-confidence and success.

According to Kathleen, "the light of the full moon illuminates and assists us in releasing the things in our lives that no longer serve us."  The event began with a powerful introduction by Kathleen, exhorting us to release the light shining from within. We enjoyed a group angel card reading, a cup of tea, and much letting go of "junk" in our lives. Each of the 18 participants drew one or two angel cards, then took some time to reflect on why the message of those cards may be applicable to her life. With encouragement from Kathleen and this dynamic group of women I gained some insight, including confirmation that I will be better off clenching my teeth less and letting go of my urge to control more.

Kathleen can be relied upon for truth and wisdom.  She's generous with a kind word in the context of her coaching practice and in her daily life. She practices what she preaches and is not shy about revealing the difficulties in her past that brought her to this place of knowledge and spirituality where she so joyfully resides. This proponent of the law of attraction also happens to be one of the funniest people I know.

Although the full moon was obscured by thick cloud cover, we goddesses gladly took our individual lists of "things to let go", donned our heavy coats and snow boots, and went to the outdoor firepit to "let it go". As each of us tossed her paper list into the fire and the group chanted over and over "it is gone", we felt a burden lift from our collective shoulders. With hugs for our loving leader and a new-found resolve, we drove off into the nighttime snow flurries feeling a little lighter.

If you'd like to try your own "letting go" session, here is Kathleen's list to help you get started:


comparing myself to others
unworthiness
listening to the voice of ego
putting too much emphasis or care about what others think of me
blame, guilt and shame
judgment
scarcity
limitations
worry
jealousy and envy
not accepting myself - just the way I am

For more on this subject, read Kathleen's post Buh-Bye to What No Longer Serves Me
Photo by Public Domain Pictures.net

Make My Day

This is the time of year when many people see only the light at the end of the tunnel. They travel through their day with great purpose, without regard for what is swirling around them, only seeing that there are too many other cars on the road home from the office, no parking spots at the mall or in front of the library. If there are two customers in front of them at the ATM, this throws off their carefully-timed expedition by possibly ten minutes - a catastrophe of epic proportions. Perhaps this person is you.

I was once this person. I occasionally lapse into this behavior even now, grumbling about the lack of carriages or baggers at the grocery, the selection of greeting cards at the drugstore. But it's no fun and spreads irritation and ill-will, so I'm offering myself up as a bad example, in case you find yourself indulging in this type of negative behavior. After all, you're only human. My recommendation to you is that you find a mirror (perhaps you're in the car - the rear-view mirror works fine for this little exercise), look yourself in the eye and laugh. It may feel fake, initially. That's okay - give it a try. It really helps - what friendlier face could you find than your own familiar mug, laughing at yourself? It takes the edge off, you can go about your day feeling sufficiently appreciated. Then take a look around you - drink it all in - and remember to pay that smile, that laugh, forward to the next person you see....it's contagious!

Do it - I promise it'll make your day.

Still need a reason to laugh? Try this laughing baby video (if you're at work, turn the volume down).

Workday Refreshment: Break Time

Consider this a public service announcement. If I had a megaphone, I might use it, turned up to 11, for this friendly reminder:

Now that Spring appears in the Northeast (as evidenced by the sunshine and green shoots in my yard), remember to step outside at lunch or whenever it's convenient, just for a few minutes. Tree-gazing, flower sniffing, bird-watching, or a quick stroll by the single tree near your office building will do wonders for your attitude and demeanor. Co-workers will think "I'll have what she's having". They may ask whether you've lost weight or had a haircut. You'll have roses in your cheeks and a clear mind. Take a break and refresh yourself - get back to nature, even for five minutes. It'll make your day so much more enjoyable.