I am reading an incredible book at the moment called The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller. The book is predominantly about grief (in all its forms) and looks at the ways in which we can support ourselves through the losses we encounter in life.
On page 90 the author talks about the importance of working through grief both on our own and in community. Spending time both with ourselves and with others, and finding a balance in that, is essential for all times in our lives. We live in an extroverted society, with emphasis placed on doing things with others, and whilst community is essential, so is spending time with ourselves, being quiet, and listening to our thoughts, emotions and needs.
He quotes the beautiful Rumi poem:
‘Your hand opens and closes and open and closes.
If it were always a fist or always stretched open,
you would be paralyzed.
Your deepest presence is in every small contracting
and expanding.
The two as beautifully balanced and coordinated as birdwings.’
In our webinars we talk about connection, and within that we discuss connection to self, connection to nature and connection to each other. Finding the balance between each is a formula that can keep us aligned with our own beliefs, purpose and integrity, healed and respectful of nature, and heard and seen by others, whilst witnessing their journey too.
It’s easy to disconnect from all three, to not find the time and space to be quiet, to forget the power of the trees or an expansive horizon, to be with others without really listening.
If we hold those three areas in front of us regularly, and check in on how connected we are to self, nature and others, we can create a fulfilling, grounded and energised experience of life.
With love as always, Hannah and Team Bird
Photo by Rui Silvestre on Unsplash