Do I need reminders to actively participate in my own life? I’m asking myself this question because I believe life requires participation. In my experience, it simply doesn’t work to sit back and think that the Universe will provide.
It is lucky we have a parasympathetic nervous system, and that breathing happens seemingly without our participation. We expect breathing to happen all by itself, and we never give it a thought. Thank goodness we are connected to an invisible energy that breathes us.
When I consciously breathe, in a pattern designed to support my whole system, then I am participating with the life that flows through me. And what a delight to consciously partner in this process, like being let in on a secret.
Isn’t participating with life a requirement in activating anything? What satisfaction is there in letting something or someone else direct our lives?
I have just begun a new business. Reflecting on my progress, I realised I might be waiting for something – permission, the right time, or a sign somehow, that someone has heard me. I have diligently followed all the “instructions” that go with setting up a business, but now I am wondering if I am just sitting back and waiting for something to happen? It struck me that I (me!) must participate with the different aspects specifically, to move the process forward. It doesn’t run on its own momentum. Duh!
There is a card on my pinboard that says, “Invest in your Friendships”. I picked it up because I know friendships dissolve without being given active attention. Most of my lifelong friends are overseas but even the length of time I have known them does not make up for the attention and participation that is needed to stay in each other’s lives. People lose touch when there is no invisible charge between them, that joins them, and through which they can communicate. Friendship takes investment and participation.
When I speak to a live audience, it is very important that I get their attention. Assuming that I am presenting an interesting topic, it is important that I make eye contact and meet people’s gaze. I find it is the audience’ energy that feeds my ability to convey my topic with interest and enthusiasm. When I can’t feel them (they may not be attracted by my topic) it is more difficult to bring forward what I want to say. For me, making eye contact with anyone in the audience allows a flow of energy between us, that feeds me and nourishes them. It is mutual participation that makes for an electrifying session. And when the whole room is with you, it is amazing!
These are examples of things that we might meet ‘out there’, but the inner world also requires participation. I am learning to trust the body’s intuition. I missed messages that told me that Breathwork would be beneficial and health-giving several times in recent months. Finally, it seems I needed a helping hand to be ‘pushed into’ the experience and recognise it was exactly what I was needing all along. I really cannot remember how I got there it was so fast! No blame, sometimes we need the extra nudge to deliberately participate in our own lives.
