My esteemed and wise colleague psychologist Dr. Christine Sparacino once said to me at a pivotal time, “I have learned to see life as a series of doors that are either opening or closing. Follow the doors that open.”
This was so profound to me. I have always sensed this and in my own way keep finding ways to follow the doors that open and decisions that bring more peace.
What are those? It can vary at different times.
Timing is important.
When in a pinch, Quaker teacher Parker Palmer has used the phrase as a mantra, “The way will open.”
Sometimes we need to surrender to a path that is bigger than us.
The late poet John O’Donohue said most people live in too small of places for their souls for way too long, whether it be personally or professionally.
What feels like too small of a space for you? How can you expand your life by stepping into a bigger space?
Years ago, a friend whose parents owned 40 acres in Northern California told me a story… His parents inherited a dog after their neighbor had a stroke. The dog sadly used to live tied to a clothing line and only walked and ran in an 8 X 10 feet space. All of a sudden the dog was no longer tied up and had 40 acres to roam. He still only ran in an 8 X 10 perimeter. Sadly, I see trauma make people’s lives smaller way too often.
The way to treat the trauma is to get our body out of fight or flight. The more we relaxed into a calm state in our nervous system, the more our world opens in ways we did not foresee.
Where would you like to expand your life, presence, health and profession?
In his book The Surrender Experiment, Michael Singer decides to surrender to his life as an unfolding experiment.
What are the doors opening for you?
What are the closing doors you may need to surrender or grieve?
Acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, walks in the woods and deep breathing are all wonderful ways to find balance in our nervous system. If I can support you in reclaiming the calm state of your nervous system, please feel free to reach out.
Resources:
https://www.drchristinesparacino.com
Books Recommended: The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer
To Bless the Space Between Us by John O’Donohue