What does 2023 have in store for each of us? For some folks we look at the New Year starting at the end of October/early November – with Samhain, offering us the transition of autumn into winter; to let go, compost and rest in the season of hibernation – when our dreams start to take form. For others following the solar calendar, January 1st beckons us to a new chapter with greater clarity, a fresh canvas, welcoming in the energy of a New Year.
I’m not one of these people that’s going to ask you your new years resolutions, but I am a person that will ask you what pulls you forward, and how can you listen to the urgings of your soul.
The last day I worked, before my life took a bit of an unexpected turn, was ironically a day retreat about self love and self care – I think a wee bit of an omen for my own journey. An important and beautiful day, a day held in love.
Can you honestly say you love yourself? Your whole self?
Can you honestly acknowledge that you ensure your own needs are met first before looking outside of yourself? When you move in this way, you actually have so much more to offer the world and the potential to enjoy the journey more fully.
How often do you do things you love, just for the sake of doing something that feels good?
A very special group of souls gathered that day, on the land at Carp Ridge. We moved through the forest, walking mindfully and honouring the sun, we respectfully explored the way our breath and bodies flow and move, we journaled, welcomed in healing foods, held safe space nourished by sound and relaxation practices, and we planted some seeds of our own that afternoon.
I wonder, wherever you are in cycle, what feeds your soul? This isn’t just something we should consider once a year, at the threshold, but it’s something to anchor you on a daily basis. We planted 9 seeds that day and imbued them into a mala, holding the energy of our commitment to offer ourselves experiences on a daily basis that feed our souls.
What makes your life worth living??
What rituals or practices do you do on a daily basis that help you to remember that you belong, that help you to feel at home in your body, that connect you to what matters in your life?
For some these questions may be really hard to answer, hold that with gentleness. I urge you to give yourself space and patience to explore and understand what it is you need.
What experiences make your life worth living??
I wear my mala everyday, and hold my own seeds in my hand knowing that I have the power to hold them as simply great ideas, or to take action to welcome them into my life. To live with passion and wonder.
When did we get so busy in our lives? So distracted?
When did we stop having enough time for ourselves?
Since being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer this past October, I’ve learnt alot – and yes, that learning will never stop. It shouldn’t take getting stopped in your tracks to TRULY start listening to the longings of your soul and to honour what brings you joy. Often it’s the most simple acts that feed us the deepest – as simple as your morning coffee or tea.
Now when I unroll my mat I do that with an increased awareness of every sensation in my own body, and every single sacred breath – it is one of my soul seeds, my daily yoga. That time everyday is teaching me to love my body and all the layers of my being, it is undistracted time to simply listen deeper within – and to practice the act of listening within first. My yoga practice has changed considerably since my surgery, and I think the most important change is the gentleness and tenderness I now tend to myself with – not for my students or planning my next class – but for myself. We are constantly evolving, and with that evolution the seeds that feed our souls, and the way we approach those seeds will also out of necessity change, remember that.
Blessings to each and every one of you during this season of introspection and hibernation, so grateful to be on this wild human journey, filled with mystery and opportunities for growth. Thanks for sharing my thoughts.
‘Till next time
Love Amber
Just a note to remind you that all community classes and healing sessions are temporarily on hold while I navigate my own healing journey. Stay tuned for updates, I look forward to holding healing space for you in the not to far away future.
Thank you for this thoughtful reflection during these winter days of hibernation ♥️🦜
Dear heart, thank you for being on this journey with me. May this winter bring deep healing, rest, reflection, soul seeds, nourishment and a beautiful healthy emergence in the spring. Holding you with so much love and big hugs, thanks for reading! xo Amber
Thank you Amber. Thinking of you with love. Jennette
Dear Jennette, ahhh holding you in my heart. Thank you for sharing my thoughts, and for your love and support, it means alot to me. I wish for you so much happiness, and I hope to see you in the not to far away future. So much love, Amber
Hello
I’m very sad to hear what you are facing.
I came to your studio to recover from cancer surgery and to heal my hips and my soul.
I think of you often because I had not meant someone like you before.
I think of you as a healer .
Thank you
Duncan Campbell
Dear Duncan, I remember you, very clearly – and very fondly.
It is so beautiful to hear from you, I feel your heartfelt message deep in my soul. I think we’re all healers, here to help one another and hold sacred space – it was an honour to hold safe healing space for you a few years back now.
My journey has certainly taken me down an unexpected path, but one I believe is teaching me so much – about strength, about self love, about resilience, and about the power of community.
I will make it through this, and I look forward to holding healing space again – with a deeper understanding of compassion.
Thank you for taking the time to write a message, it means alot. I hope you’re doing well and know I send you so much love. Here’s to nourishing our precious soul seeds to keep reminding us of what’s worth living for. Take good care, Amber
Hi Amber, I felt your message deeply.
I can say that I love myself however, I thought a little more deeply about the “whole self.” I’m not sure.
Taking the time to take care of myself, nutrition, exercise, relaxation, sleep and loving the things that I do for fun; walking in nature, under the sun, being in, on and near water more often than not feels good to me.
From your email, I could be more mindful of how I breathe, my boundaries, my sense of belonging and what ‘deeply’ feeds my soul.
Thank you for your thoughts and questions, some quote-able.
I like your idea “ to live with passion and wonder.”
I’m giving myself space to feel and hear the longings of my soul.
Your reminder to “simply listen deeper within” when I’m on my yoga mat speaks to me.
Amber, your healing hands helped me in so many ways. Thank you.
Sending love and pure energy healing your way.
Kim
Dear Kim,
Thank you for taking the time to share my thoughts and for giving yourself permission to spiral a little deeper on your own journey.
I love this.
It is a privilege to know you, and has been an honour to work with you.
Sending you so much love, as you explore the deeper longings of your soul, and live with passion, curiosity and wonder.
With so much love
Amber
My dearest Amber,
Your kind and wise words are both soothing and inspiring. Your teachings have been life changing. Thinking about you always and sending you strength and love for your recovery.
Stephanie
Dear Stephanie,
Thank you so much for your message, it means so much.
We change each others lives dear one, know I hold you in my heart.
During this time, I have come to understand, with greater clarity, how I am simply a vessel, the teachings come from the earth and from those who have walked this path before me, may we all listen a little deeper.
Sending you so much love, so much
Amber