I have just finished leading a leadership retreat for women in Mexico. I have been teaching meditation retreats for women for the last 5 years at a very special place in Mexico, Playa Viva. This week is always one of my favorite weeks of the year. Why? Well, the place is one of the most special I have ever been too. The private beach, the ability to really be and listen deeply, the food, staff, and the abundant nature everywhere. It is also a deep dive of teaching, coaching, and living and breathing whatever the theme of the week is. Every year the theme shifts a bit, but it is always based in clear seeing and dharma. This year I knew intuitively that I wanted to bring in more skills and practices to support leaders rising with more authenticity, empowerment, and well being. We can only lead others well, if we are leading ourselves from a nurturing, strong, and courageous place.
I have been reflecting on my inner warrior and how to empower that in others. I wanted to share with you what I have literally been swimming in this week.
The waves are much bigger on the west coast of Mexico than in my home state of FL, but I felt really called to swim as much as I could. The time is now. The ocean has a fierce spirit and it can leave casualties behind, but it can also be a calm place to rest. The first time I ventured into the ocean this week, I felt the thrill and fear of getting over that big wave to the calmer waters ahead. The first few waves, I was able to swim through pretty easily, but then a really BIG wave came and it pushed me under the water. I felt fear and this little voice came said, “You can do this, you can hold your breath if you need to, be strong.” I wasn’t under long and then I was out, breathing, coughing, a little shaken, but once I regained by balance and my courage, I was ready to keep going. Another big wave came and I swam through and got to the calmer waves so that I could swim. YAY! For the first few minutes, I was still swimming pretty fast almost like something was chasing me, but nothing was chasing me, it was only my mind. When I realized that I didn’t need to push, but could enjoy the calm waters, my wiser inner warrior said, “You can rest now, Carley. Let the ocean hold you and surrender to what is here.”
Isn’t it that often we think we have to race or muscle through life, but when we can tune in and tap into our inner wisdom our inner warrior appears. It is clear, purposeful, and is directed towards where change is needed.
Fear is what gets in the way of true courage. The best way to tap into your inner warrior is to allow yourself to face your fear with kindness and understanding. There are justifiably many things to be fearful of in this life. Lack of love, of freedom, of security, of health and well being for all, lack of water, food, climate change, etc, but living in fear takes away your power and your ability to choose the wise response.
Here are some ramblings and journaling of mine from this week as I tapped into the essence of my feminine warrior.
A warrior seeks to face her imperfections and fears with love and kindness greeting this part of her vs pushing or turning away. Search out the beauty in your flaws and make them important.
A warrior is willing to face conflict or fears that will serve to ignite her strength for her future vs staying stuck in the past.
Be a warrior for your body. Thank it all throughout the day and nourish it with healthy ingredients so it will be vital, strong, and rested.
Be a warrior for your family, friends,and community. You can be a light and stand to help your community and loved ones to be stronger, supported, and healthy vs getting stuck in resentments of the past. Be Generous.
Be a warrior for your purpose and passions. Know your strengths, acknowledge them, encourage them, lean on mentors, heroes & role models to inspire what is possible. Share your professional aspirations with friends and colleagues so they can extend support to you and your dreams. Keep learning and growing. Shine your light!
We each embody the energy of the masculine and feminine. In this time in the world, we need much more feminine energy leading the way. Embodying the feminine is receiving vs. striving, it is nurturing and inclusive vs. demanding, it is collaborative vs. self serving. The feminine can see the bigger picture and therefore let go and be generous to what is really needed vs. leading from greed and short sightedness.
How can you embody more of your feminine energy this year and let this serve you to be more empowered? It is a question I am reflecting on and will be embodying more of this year.
Let me know how you are embodying the feminine.
Love
Carley
