Life Shifting

 

Getting on the plane in Ottawa, I knew I was starting not just the first leg of my journey to visit my son in Melbourne, but also the first leg of my new life. I was feeling anything but excitement: nervous, fearful, under confident...the way one feels when shifting anything of major consequence, stepping way out of my comfort zone.

My thoughts were of all possible things that could go wrong: missed connections, lost luggage, forgetting things on plane (note to self: none of it happened). All these thoughts and worries despite the fact that I have been practising letting go of them for many years. Interesting.

I have a month to my self. A month to sit quietly, or explore new surroundings, maybe connect with nature. A month to go inside or find an adventure. A month of freedom.

I started journaling a day or two into my arrival in Melbourne, and what I discovered was that this stuff really works. It doesn’t matter what you start with: one thought leads to another, stirring up what the unconscious is trying to make sense of: exposing ideas and feelings you didn’t even realise you had. And in committing  them to the written page, you release them to be resolved. More freedom! Although I won’t necessarily be journaling every day, I realise it is another practice to add to my tool kit: a reflective guide back to self. And I feel like this is expansion which will permeate my life moving forward once back to Ottawa.

If life is not an adventure, then what is its worth?

I am so grateful for this journey, both outwards and inwards. It is tough, at times, but the payoff is tremendous.

©2019 Heather Garrod is a Certified Aromatherapist and owner of Planet Botanix at 301 Bank St (Near Somerset). As well as providing the ingredients for DIY bodycare, and an artisan bodycare line, the shop provides other wellness products and a holistic clinic. www.planetbotanix.com 613.567.4444
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