Christmas and the Highly Sensitive Soul

Christmas and the Highly Sensitive Soul ~

"We don't need twenty thousand Christmas lights, a party every weekend or a mortgage-sized Christmas present. What is wonderful, in fact, is that the simplest of gifts, the quietest carols, the smallest of gestures are enough to fill our hearts with joy."

I've always loved a quiet Christmas. Perhaps that's in part because the Christmases in my well-meaning but dysfunctional family of origin were always so overwhelming for me. But this is also due to the fact that I am a highly sensitive person.

I have loved soft, romantic, intimate Christmases since I was in my 20s - a walk around New York City holding hands with my sweetheart, a humble day cozy at home with a lover or close friends in Santa Fe, and now a tradition of spending the day happily and joyfully with our dogs and sometimes one set of in-laws has continued well into my marriage now of (going on) 14 years. I love the intimate and easy more quiet-kind of Christmas holidays.

I love a simple tree, soft simple dancing lights, and unfancy tender gifts from the heart that hold deep sentiment as a suggestion of thoughtfulness and love more than anything else. That's what brings me joy this time of year and always has. Well, maybe not when I was 10, but you know what I mean.

Many HSPs (highly sensitive people) discuss the need to honor boundaries and our needs for safety, peace and sanity with the world and (especially) family at this time of year, and that is important too - we so easily absorb and feel the negative or dysfunctional moods, thoughts and emotions of others we may gather with at this time. But there are benefits too to being an HSP on the Holidays and that is where my focus is this year.

In celebration of the Highly Sensitive Soul at Christmas, I share this story of "A Christmas Gift", by HSP blogger Deborah Ward. I love how she too focuses on the gift, and not the struggle, of an HSP Christmas. ~ Happy Holidays ~

A Christmas Gift
The advantage of being a highly sensitive person at Christmas
by Deborah Ward

Being a highly sensitive person in the weeks leading up to Christmas can be overwhelming to say the least. The crowds, the shopping, the parties, and the incredible business of the season can leave me feeling like I'm on a roller coaster and I want to get off. While it is fun, it can all be a bit too much, too fast and we end up not enjoying the season but feeling frazzled and worn out.

But there is an advantage to being highly sensitive, especially at this time of year.

Sensitivity means that you feel things intensely, including both sensory information such as sounds, colours, lights and smells, and emotional information, which includes both other people's feelings and your own. But that doesn't mean it is always too loud, too bright, too intense, or too much. When we absorb positive sensory or emotional input, we are able to feel a special kind of joy, and a recognition of beauty that others cannot even see.

What this means, essentially, is that it takes very little to excite or impress us or make us happy. We don't need twenty thousand Christmas lights, a party every weekend or a mortgage-sized Christmas present. What is wonderful, in fact, is that the simplest of gifts, the quietest carols, the smallest of gestures are enough to fill our hearts with joy. I am incredibly happy watching the morning sun light up the icy branches of the birch trees outside my window. I love the smell of pine cones in the woods and fresh coffee back at home. I can light candles in my living room and put on my favourite music and I am in a cathedral, as grand as any in London.

The smallest gestures from people mean so much as well. It is always challenging to keep the negative moods of others at bay, but when they are happy, I radiate. And it doesn't take much. A simple politeness in the grocery store, a wave from a neighbour, a smile from a colleague. All it takes is sincerity. A genuine kindness. And when those simple gestures come from someone you love, the sensitive person is set alight, flying a few feet off the ground, with a heart wide open and blood rushing, set free with an indescribable happiness.

No matter what kind of presents and experiences come our way, the best part about being a highly sensitive person at Christmas is the gift we already possess - an amazing and wondrous appreciation of the simplest things in life. Being able to see beauty everywhere, in everything and in everyone is a gift I will always treasure.

article by Deborah Ward 
http://www.psychologytoday.com/…/sens…/201112/christmas-gift

A Tribute to Healing and Social Change

For Eric Garner, his family, and all the other innocent men of color murdered by police officers in this United States. 

When are WE going to stop this? What is happening in our Judicial system that jurors are being manipulated out of their own humanity? NO clear and healthy human being viewing that video could have chosen "no indictment" unless they were manipulated via court orders to disregard THE EVIDENCE.

BE IT KNOWN: If you are asked to serve on a Jury.. your CONSCIENCE and HUMANITY come first. If you see or hear something that indicates foul play, and are instructed to ignore it... DON'T. and then, report the indecent and unjust orders and experience immediately afterwards. Speak up. Speak out.

IT IS YOUR RIGHT to uphold a greater law than we apparently have in certain police and judicial systems in this country. and this is so so sad. 

Peace and healing to the families of Eric Garner, and slain black teenagers Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin, and too too many other innocent, unarmed, and too-young American boys and men. 

Ferguson, Are you Kidding me?

I am on vacation in Florida at this time but am compelled to express some deep and heartfelt reflection today....

Ferguson, are you kidding me? Feeling such heaviness this morning. It's like waking up in Groundhog Day again and again and wondering when the day is going to change.

Last night at a restaurant was an image of a black woman's face on the TV news, mugshot, with the bold caption "Indicted: for the murder of unarmed husband." We were awaiting news of the Ferguson outcome, and my heart sank. hard. It was in my throat as I imagined this woman self defending against a large and abusive man. And the blatant and typical headline in bold appeared at the very time we were waiting for another verdict: Would there be an indictment for the unnecessary murder of an unarmed black teenager by a white male cop? The timing was crushing, the headline so telling. Moments later, literally, there it was, in large bold caption: No indictment in the Ferguson case.

How many times will we have to live this same sad and maddening day again and how long will this history repeat itself before we ALL take a stand for the obvious.

Another gross and unnecessary murder of (another) innocent young man, unarmed, and without any factual or reported real threat. So he stole a handful of cigarillo cigars, how many other kids are murdered for shoplifting? Maybe he had an attitude. Who wouldn't have an attitude in that environment. All I can think of now is Bruce Springsteen's song 41 Shots. If you don't know it look it up.

What is Happening in America - American Dysfunction in the Political System

What is happening in America?
a personal response to post-election reaction in the U.S.

Re the outcome of our recent election, let us remember that this country is still pretty equally divided, there was no landslide, one side as usual won by a very slim margin, just off of the pure 50/50% mark. I am personally so tired of the immature and childish Obama-bashing I hear from even some of my own Republican friends. We are not children guys, we are adults now, and this country and world are in CRISIS. These issues are real, and they are huge.

It's going to take mature people with healthy minds to get this country working smoothly again and working through the needed changes - which include the questions of how to care for our sick and elderly, keeping our educational system up to par with the rest of the world, dealing with terrorists who threaten human lives and rights, not to mention how are we going to switch over to new energy sources and systems that will allow us our energy independence as human and corporate greed continue to bleed and destroy our very environment and earth, something we as America also have to take responsibility for.

These issues are huge and they are REAL. and no matter who or what you voted for, we need to work TOGETHER to even have a chance at repairing and recovering from all that is wrong in our world today.

So please, lets PLEASE try to show a little respect for ourselves and take the higher stance of working together as human beings with big issues to solve. It is imminently important that this country become led by people who are interested in healing and BETTERING our local and global systems and world. This will not happen if we continue to fight and attack and block compromise and progress for no other reason than being stuck in a childlike, uncompromising and immature mentality.

We have to work together despite our differences. This is serious, guys. Get into your adult mind and let's all learn to work together already. (ps. how old are we? I could swear some of the hater-rants and attacks and such I am seeing are coming from repressed 2 or 3 year olds.)

Let's grow up and get it TOGETHER. We need to work together... as mature adults, as the BEST that we are, not the most shameful, to confront and handle the huge and challenging issues we are facing today.

So I forgive you and you forgive me, ok, and let's get on a page that is "for" local and global recovery. We have **alot** of work to do to correct the damage that has been done, and alot to clean up and evolve.

It doesn't matter "what side" you are on, we are ALL on one side. Get it?

Alexa
11.5.2014

The Power and Path of the Divine Feminine

Personally and collectively we are finding that the nature of this planet's crisis requires nothing less than expanding our capacity to relinquish control and follow the lead of a consciousness that is beyond the known and egoic self. Many of us are finding this through the Path of (the return of) the Divine Feminine.

Historically and mythologically humankind finds itself calling upon Her only in times of greatest crisis and trouble. (this would be the "I want my mommy" plea, heard even from great men when the limits are pushed beyond what they can handle or control. we have all felt this way at one time or another, and still probably often do.) For it is SHE, with the ferocity and love of the wise, fierce and fearless Mother, who can and knows how to restore order from the deepest darkness and most lost and destructive forces of the night. (a.k.a. forces that have lost their conscious way.) 

As we learn individually to let go and allow ourselves to be guided and held by the Divine Mother each step of the way, and this is a beautiful path and place to be when we reach and attain It, we may also see that it is She who can also collectively guide us, and this lost planet, successfully home to order again. We are in dire need of collectively summoning and invoking the Power of Her. To-get-her.

"I believe we need to learn how to collectively surrender to not knowing, to give up control and step into relation with Divine mystery, to the sacred which exists within life and within the endless infinite nothingness beyond life. We need a response that takes us beyond ourselves."

quote —Justine Huxley, St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace via Spiritual Ecology; image - durga - artist unknown

ASK AWAKENED JOURNEY: HOW TO TRANSFORM FEAR INTO SOMETHING MORE PEACEFUL AND POSITIVE

Today's topic: Transforming Fear

Dear Awakened Journey, What is your best advice for overcoming fear? - signed, Piscean Girl

Dear Piscean,

I love this question. There are many wonderful practices that can help us rewire and transform our tendency to worry and feel afraid. Of course the deeper our wounding or severe our life traumas the more tender circuitry some people have to heal and work with and that may require more time and deeper techniques. But overall it's helpful to know that all people, with our survival instinct intact and the many challenges we face throughout our lives, are in fact challenged with the task of mastering and even managing our fears.

Like all emotions, fear comes out of thoughts and energy and sometimes has wise and caring messages for us as well. So let's first also learn to honor and hold it, gently and respectfully as we embrace and dissolve its denser hold. The more we allow our fears to have space and acceptance, the more able we then become to also shift and heal them with love. And to heed their sometimes loving purpose, which is really to keep us safe and well. 

Additionally, like my old Teacher used to say, it's good to remember that (all) practices will be easier when our bodies or things are flowing well, and more difficult when we are sick or in a challenging circumstance. So if you also have alot on your plate at any time, and as always, be gentle and compassionate with yourself as you both sit with and rewire your ability to move out from fear and into love. You will be learning not only how to stop feeling so afraid, but also how to accept that fear is also a natural part of life and can be met with ease and grace and acceptance and moved through us easily like any other emotion.

But overall - the greatest practice I can share with you today is one of  the simplest and also my favorites. You may already know it, it is called 'Feeding the Good Wolf.' This is a great teaching for rewiring our fear-based thinking back to love. It's really all about shifting focus. 

.

Here is a simple story and parable that is a really good place to begin - or re-begin - to shift out of fear today... it's called: Feed The Good Wolf.

Enjoy. and 

Lots of love. 

The Legend:

There are 2 wolves inside each of us that battle all the time.

One wolf is Bad - full of fear and negativity. this wolf is cruel and a liar, filled with hate, anger and resentments. he is jealous, greedy, arrogant and selfish. he causes pain and destruction in the world. and he is afraid.

One wolf is Good - full of faith and positive outlook. she is honest and lives in compassion and love. she is patient, lives humbly and brings peace joy and goodness into the world. She holds consciousness, awareness, and is both wise and peaceful.

In this battle, one wolf will eventually win.


which wolf will that be?


The answer is ....

The one you feed.

Keep feeding the good wolf. 



Biggest blessings and hugs. 

~ ~ ~

Have a question that needs answering to support your journey?

Send it to Alexa via Awakened Journey.

How to do it: Go to Alexa's page and drop a note in her mailbox - Put "Ask Awakened Journey" in the title bar

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En~joy! and be well. 

Harnessing Personal Power: Looking Within 

Massive changes are happening now in our psyches, hearts and cosmos. We are each on our own shaman's journey, as it were, travelling deeply on individual time answering and taking full responsibility only for self. The goal that many of us are sharing is the greater goal of harnessing our Personal Power. Cleansing out the old on another clearer level and allowing great spaces to open for the expansion that is occurring now.

Many of us are feeling the inward/outward pullings of the expansion, contraction, expansion, contraction of foundational re-Birth. It may feel quite exciting and tingly, in between the gasps and eruptions and great need for rest.

With this comes a gentle reminder that is it not only ok but essential for us to take really good care our bodies at this time, particulary those of us who are most sensitive to the Energy fluxes now. Drink plenty of extra water, lots and lots (add a lemon), and give your body (and mind) the rest that it deserves and may be asking for throughout the day. Listen to your favorite tapes, music, pray quietly and personally and let Divine Source come through and do the work. Trust that the Energy is taking care of you and all, and we just have to allow, surrender, follow, and take gentle happy care of ourselves through this shift.

After the Capricorn full moon of last Saturday, it is also a good time to connect and reflect with treasured groups or community, spiritual family, and selected "favorite" (the kind that feel good) relationships. A nice time to share and reflect together as we are feeling these pullings all around the board.

As we make our way through our individual processes and deeper self healing/self cleansing right now, there are many wonderful astro reports to reflect and guide us on the way. This one is from a post earlier in July. I love how it supports us in pursuing a "new revolutionary state(s) of mind" as we pursue our highest outcomes and potential for individualized spiritual growth and expansion at this time. namaste

You can find reports on the recent full moon and other planetary aspects on this site as well.

happy travels, and summer blessings on the Path. 

-alexa

wonderful article here:

http://www.astrograph.com/horoscopes/announcements/2014/July/09

current skies -

HARNESSING PERSONAL POWER: LOOKING WITHIN Posted on July 9, 2014 in Announcements | By Henry Seltzer for Astrograph Astrology

Today the Sun swings into a potent position, making exact aspects to two planets: a square to revolutionary Uranus, and a trine with restrictive Saturn. It is also important to note that Chiron the Wounded Healer is aligned in very close trine both the Sun and Saturn – so that a momentary grand trine formation occurs in the Water signs. The brilliance and vitalityof your consciousness is coming into contact with some deep and heavy material, most likely in a way that results in greater connection to ideas and higher learning. With Uranus also so involved, there are surprising epiphanies and unexpected situations that could easily occur, and you are counseled to exercise caution whenever possible and to take the high road in your dealings with others. Perhaps you are becoming more emotionally aware of areas in your life where you feel limited and blocked. With Chiron in the picture, it is beneficial to look within, asking yourself what wounded places from your own psychology could be contributing to your challenges. The obstacles that appear before you might actually stem from deeply hurt places inside of you, and until these pieces are brought into the light to be healed, they will continue to prevent you from stepping more fully into your personal power. With the archetype of Uranus swooping in from left field, the medicine you need could be found in pursuing a frame of mind that is revolutionary for you as an individual. Reaching as far outside of your comfort zone as you dare could be instrumental in moving toward resolving your issues and finding your own power. By taking the roads less traveled within your own psyche, you may be surprised to discover that the wisdom to be able to move forward was within you all along. http://www.astrograph.com/horoscopes/announcements/2014/July/09