Day 265 - A Year to Clear - Appreciation and Self-Love

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Lesson 265: Appreciation and Self-Love

In today’s lesson was just this quote. I think it hits the nail on the head. I think we definitely need to appreciate self and to always place yourself first, in order to be the best for others. I think you can only be the best help for others, if you’re at the best yourself. Self-love is being selfish in a good way. I think when we practise self-love, it allows us to project our best self to the world, which raises the vibration.

I think appreciation of others is something that can also help one’s self. You can start to see interests that others have that may be a consideration to practise in your own life. Maybe you appreciate a friend’s enthusiasm when they talk about playing their favourite sport and that sparks something within you to want to start playing a sport of your own. I think we can all learn from each other’s example and this is how appreciation of others can impact us in positive ways.

I think rest is definitely a part of self-love. Rest allows us to be energised so we can continue each day being our best self. We need to honour our self and our body. This is something we sometimes need to be reminded of from time to time.

Day 264 - A Year to Clear - The Benefits of Sleep

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Lesson 264: The Benefits of Sleep

“Sleep research shows that below the surface of a peaceful snooze, a complex physiological process is taking place. . .While we sleep, sophisticated sequences of brain waves transform our inert bodies into humming power stations that produce intelligence, alertness and discernment. . . Surrendering to slumber does more than just restore the ability to function efficiently — it actually generates that clear and transparent state of mind we call wakefulness.”

— Veronique Vienne

Today we are to try and close our eyes and take a nap. Just making more room for rest to allow restoration within self. If you are not able to do this, try repeating the recent lesson of “I rest in stillness. I rest in awareness. I rest” instead which should allow some restoration for you there and then.

I did spend most of my Friday with a friend preparing for a feast for the next day. I did however fall asleep on his couch. I had some food and needed a nap. It was only short. Even though I did this unintentionally, I felt revitalised and more awake from it. I was able to just switch off for a moment and it restored me with more energy.

I actually enjoy naps. I always find I’m better for it. I don’t always take them as I’m trying not to become dependent on them. But if I am feeling exhausted, I will opt for it. I think taking a few hours out of your day because your body needs it, is more than okay. We all have commitments we have whether it’s to other people, work and to your household, though sometimes we just need to commit to ourselves. You shouldn’t feel bad for wanting to replenish yourself so you can be your best.

Day 264 - A Year of Spiritual Awakening - You Do Not Have to...

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Lesson 264: You Do Not Have to...

We can become One just as we are… right now. We don’t need to affiliate to a certain practise to become one. We don’t have to follow a teaching, we don’t have to go on a vision quest, we don’t have to hang decorations to prove our spirituality… we can just be One at any time and just being who we are. Today we are to think about what we choose as a spiritual practise and to question if this is just another attachment.

I think today’s lesson is a good challenge. I base my spirituality around witchcraft and lightwork which encompasses mediumship, crystals and using divination tools such as tarot cards, crystal ball, black mirror and pendulum. I can also scry using wax, water and fire… well I think I can scry with any tool really. I think it’s good to question if this is another attachment and I suppose it is, but I’m not totally agreeing with this lesson. I think if anything, when I had no faith and spirituality, I was awakened and then found that my witchcraft and lightwork helped guide me out of my own plight. If anything it gave me strength and actually helped me to be connected with others which encompasses this notion of Oneness. I have it to thank actually, because if I didn’t have it to guide me and give me a sense of my own purpose, then I would have felt disconnected with my spirituality. I think it’s good to have it as a guide, even if it’s another attachment. It gave me a place in my immediate world and pushed me to think beyond myself also. If anything these practises helped me to become One. I have more connection with self and the human collective because of it. I have deeper understanding not only from those practises but also from this 365 day challenge I set for myself. I think there is always room for expansion through learning.

Day 263 - A Year of Spiritual Awakening - When You Reach Heart of Connection...

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Lesson 263: When You Reach Heart of Connection...

Moving through the passages of the heart allows a freedom of fear. Still can be tough to confront, but you have the strength and ability to do it. more so, you have the awareness to pass through the passages. It’s not a race either. You work through your challenges at your pace and when ready, move onto the next passage of the heart. You can even go back to pain to reach compassion and then connection. Today is about understanding yourself as One and you’re vibrating at a higher consciousness. If you don’t feel this, that’s okay, ask to be opened more.

I understand connection as being One. We are all One with each other and One with the Universe. This is my viewpoint. Down to a base level, we are all the same – when we are born, we’re a clean slate that is open for possibilities. It’s the teachings from friends, family and teachers in school that shape our minds, and sometimes not necessarily for the better. I think society tries to create a sense of Oneness – belonging to a country, belonging to a religion, belonging to a club or community, though those types of Oneness can segregate at the same time. Sometimes we just overlook everyone as a whole collective as being One. We are more connected than we realise. I think we have the ability through Oneness to lift people out of their plight by spreading compassion and love. We forget Oneness when we watch people fall and not do anything to help. We lose Oneness when we’re force fed ideals, that are against our nature, through marketing and advertising that paint unrealistic imagery to make us feel bad about ourselves. We are not One because we choose to disconnect. Oneness can be reinforced when we choose to be daring and different. We can spread Oneness… something we’ve chosen to ignore and can re-establish. Imagine if everyone just loved one another. Imagine what the world’s vibration of human collective would feel like if we all just simply loved one another. What a wonderful world that would be.

Day 263 - A Year to Clear - Reflections on Rest

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Lesson 263: Reflections on Rest

Based on the meditation that was done from the previous lesson, today is about reflecting on the repeated phrases of “I rest in stillness. I rest in awareness. I rest” and filling out these statements:

• When I am truly and deeply rested, I feel______

• What gets in the way of my getting deep rest is______

• What I can do to cultivate more rest in my life (starting today)______

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My answers:

• When I am truly and deeply rested, I feel rejuvenated and energised.

• What gets in the way of my getting deep rest is a hectic schedule.

• What I can do to cultivate more rest in my life (starting today) is saving days for just rest for self and not making commitments for others if I am in need of deep rest.