Missing Pieces
It's easy to have a blindspot for the pieces of ourselves we've shunned
Do you ever feel like you’re missing pieces of yourself?
Sometimes when we walk away from old relationships (work, platonic, romantic), we can hold onto pain that prevents us from accessing some of our essence.
For example, this recent Full Moon and a wise woman recently illuminated for me where I was not embracing all of who I am. At first I was a little skeptical, but when she framed it another way it clicked.
“What makes you so grounded and discerning - the very reasons I come to your work and trust you?”
Without a beat, I replied: “Oh, my 25 years in science, academia, public policy, and conservation work, it gives me a low tolerance for bullsh*t and a high need to understand things so I can make them relatable for others - that used to be my life.” Oh. Right. 😳
She smiled. There were things about leaving that world that still felt a little painful I realized, and that was blocking my access to those gifts.
“And how did you go from that life of science to a life of herbalism, traditional intuitive energy work, and dreamwork? Because that story of learning to trust your intuitive self and open to a new world of possibility, that is your gift you share with the world, that is what you’re teaching others.”
She gave me a lot to digest, I knew she was right, but it meant shifting the way I practice and how I talk about my practice and my mind was understandably a little overwhelmed. So I did what I’ve taught myself to do, go within to find the answers I needed.
And that night I held a cacao ceremony for myself in front of my fire, journal at the ready, asking for clarity about how to talk about my practice and whether investing in a new way of working was right for me.
And what came forward was clarity, something my heart was excited about, and a fresh perspective on how to integrate all the parts of me into my work. It was the beginning of launching my website and expanded remote healing practice and embracing that those decades in science were a deep strength I was bringing to my clients and students.
Messengers come in all forms when we’re open to receiving them; we just have to ask for the guidance and be willing to pay attention when it shows up.
This article originally appeared on The Alkhemaerie.