Allowing myself deep rest is a classic 'work in progress'. I have a tendency to move from doing things for others to work, jobs, exercise and round again. When I can convince myself I need me time I often find a shoulds list attached. This is an epidemic issue, especially for women.
 
I was discussing this topic with a wise psychologist recently. My need for rest was high yet my list of work jobs was pressuring my thinking mind. I have a bossy, strong ego around doing. She told me restoration means to restore a connection to one's self. I like that. It's something we habitually avoid. My conditioning is all about staying productive. It's an easy way to get attention and energy. And seeking that from outside one's self is not only unhealthy, it's tiring and unfulfilling.  
 
I know that a balanced authentic life means greater health on every level so I am keen to make deep rest a priority. I love my weekly restorative yoga class. I probably need 7 of them though. Rest must happen regularly.
 
Here's some benefits of rest:

• Rest reduces the risk of heart disease and inflammation. If you sit for your work note this fact – Each one hour increase in sitting time associates with an 18% increased cardiovascular disease mortality risk. Ok, I am now standing at my laptop!

 

• Keeping the pace up without adequate rest depresses your immune system.

 

• This one is a quick fix – your mental energy will be restored. Your aha moments will just appear. Clarity is a super bonus of rest time.

 

• This gem I found might excite you creative types. My ego mind can actually get on board with this fact: " ...reflective time is critical to producing solutions and creative breakthroughs."

 

• Studies have shown that working more hours actually means less productivity as well as reducing your ability to focus.

 

• Your short term memory will improve.

 

• You will process change more effectively.

 
Schedule your rest time if that works for you. Try telling yourself it's ok to not have any demands on your time. No need to rush, no shoulds. Give yourself permission. You may be drawn to do but it will have a calmer, easier quality.
 
wishing you deep rest
 
with light
Dawn

Image by Amy Treasure

I recently woke up feeling blah. The day before I'd had my weekly coconut milk decaf latte and GF, DF, refined sugar-free muffin for breakfast. At lunch I had refined carbs. Later on I sipped a glass of wine while I cooked our dinner.
 
It doesn't sound too bad, yet being a sensitive type, it was. The coconut sugar in the muffin and the slight caffeine in the decaf had me ungrounded and angsty for a few hours. The lunch carbs had me tired in the afternoon and the glass of sav had me awake in the night a few times with a pale fog in the morning to top it off.
 
That whole day I was somewhat ahead of myself. It's one of those sayings that really means ungrounded, i.e., I wasn't fully present in my body. When that happens I'm not in touch with my feelings, needs or inner knowing. My actions and reactions are not from a solid, authentic place. They come from habit, conditioning and often with a fear mentality.
 
As you can imagine that meant numerous unhelpful outcomes. For me it looked like busyness when I needed rest, blame as I avoided my feelings, work when I needed play and looking for things outside of myself to help me feel better.
 
It felt like I was a long way from authentic presence. It doesn't make for a high vibe me either! Here's two helpful questions to ponder or journal.
 
What expands me?
 
What contracts me?
 
Knowing the answers to these questions AND making choices that are pro expansion will support you to feel bigger, wiser, more intuitive, happier and, you'll have more energy too.
 
 
Wishing you expansion!
 
with light
Dawn

Photo by Ana J on Pixabay

When I awaken my dreams are elusively fading. I quickly catch them in my journal before I'm fully conscious. Rising oceans, out of control cars and too many kittens all tell me what I'm processing on a deeper level.
 
In dreams the people, animals and objects are all aspects of self. The water that is rising symbolises emotion surfacing within us, cars represent how we move through our life and kittens can be vulnerable aspects of one's self that need care.
 
In life and in sleep we see ourselves reflected in all things. Being aware from this perspective can fast track our self development. The things we dislike or admire in another are aspects of our self, whether we are conscious of that or not. When I judge someone else I'm really judging myself. This is one way of accessing our disowned light and shadow aspects.
 
Victims used to really annoy me, they were the people that frustrated me the most. When I took responsibility for this projection and made peace with my own inner victim (which was a challenging journey around facing shame) I was less bothered by others victim vibe. It happens with positive qualities too, we admire people who have traits we wish to bring forward in ourselves.
 
One of the reasons I am fascinated with Tarot is that it's a perfect mirror for us to see less conscious aspects of self in the various symbols, archetypes and images. It's been a powerful tool for me to understand myself in new ways. Try it for yourself!
 
Whether it's via dreams, projections in the outside world or Tarot when the unconscious becomes conscious we know ourselves better. This discovery helps us integrate the light and the shadow parts that we have buried.
 
Greater integration means a more balanced, happier, successful and authentic life.
 
 
wishing you awareness of your projections
 
with light
Dawn
 
 
Note - It's helpful having a good symbol/dream dictionary to learn more about they relate to your life. I use Tony Crisp's, see more about that here.