Just So You Know: There is Healing Ahead!

In the book of Genesis, we are introduced to a man named Lot.  We are told that angels warned him to take his family and flee because the city in which they lived will be destroyed.  The story goes on to say that as the family left “…Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.”

Let’s fast forward to our 21^st Century lifestyle.  Did you just read the above paragraph and wondered why Mrs. Lot look back?  Here it is she was warned to get away.  She was being guided to safety so “why would she look back?” we wonder.  Actually, the answer lies within all of us.  It is in our unwillingness to let go.  It is in our reluctance to let go of fear, anger, pain, the people or events that are unhealthy for us – our energy- drainers.  It is in our lack of faith that our future can be even brighter than our past.

We hold on to physical stuff as well - in the attic, basement, garage, shed and the closets.  In many instances we have long forgotten what the stuff is.  Unfortunately, that is not the case with the mental storage that holds our hurt and resentment of 2 days ago or was it 30 years ago?  We hold on to relationships that died a year ago or maybe 60 years ago.  We hold on to toxic beliefs and situations and each time we look back on them a bit of us becomes a pillar of salt.  We feel the dis-ease physically, mentally, emotionally maybe even financially.  Like the time when I experienced back-to-back betrayals and pined for so long over ‘How could they?’ that I contributed to my financial meltdown.

Eckhart Tolle says, “…almost everyone carries in his or her energy field an accumulation of old emotional pain.”  He calls this ‘the pain-body.’  Some of us will say “Of course!  I remember the story of my grand-pa being lynched.”  Maybe it is the memory of a tribal war and you are the only one to survive the massacre because you were covered by your mother’s dead body.  Or maybe it is being haunted by the gang-rape you endured as a child, or not being loved the way you wanted to.

Whatever it is that got stored in the attic of our memory, 'it' has now seeped into: our bodies; our lives; the way we relate with ourselves as well as with each other and it is causing us pain. It is this reason why it is critical for us to have the desire to heal.  In spite of the horrendous experiences, the good news is – we do not have to look back, we can affirm that there is healing ahead.  But first, we must have the desire to heal.  This happens as a result of us being willing to let go of the past and being able to create thoughts of a future overflowing with our most loving dreams.

Let us welcome each moment with its potential to heal.  Take this time to notice your breathing – the inhalation and the exhalation. See how the body does it naturally?  In comes the oxygen we need, out goes the carbon dioxide we do not need.  Inhale.  Exhale.  Try this, as you inhale, create the vision in your mind of the future you desire.  Exhale and forgive the past.  Inhale - dream of a future that frees you from the pain.  Exhale – become willing to untangle from the past.  Don’t look back.  Healing is waiting ahead. Begin now.  Our guides (spiritual and human angels) are waiting to take us to safety.

Thanks for taking a Precious Pause.  Next time bring a friend.

Disconnecting From Our 'Events'; Reconnecting With Our Dreams/Opportunities

Welcome.  My name is Opal Murray.  Shortly after my birth an intuitive elder added another name: Precious.  You have taken the time to Pause with me on this our platform where we "Explore who We are; why We are; whose We are and Encourage Us to Be."  Again, welcome to Precious Pause!

For years family and friends, most notable Shelley, would suggest I write a blog.  Shelley and others would make a very convincing case why I should add my voice to our growth using this medium and I must say in the moment, I found the prospect appealing.  However, as the seconds turned into weeks the idea lost its appeal and the idea was entombed.  It would be cuddled by the fears that destroyed so many other dreams and hopes.

Yet, here we are participating in Precious Pause.  Interestingly, it was my own self-exploration and self-motivation exercises that brought me here.  In particular, seeking an answer to my question: "Why is it that so many of my actions have outcomes that  ranged from unpleasant to painful?"

A simple question and I found some answers.  But more importantly,  I became curious.  I wanted to know whether I am alone in this quest.  I think not.  So, the buried seeds of suggestions past were watered and have now germinated in this beautiful form!

How many times have you rejected, ignored, or delayed an idea? A thought?  Once is too many, and I know this!  Sometimes we intentionally ignore what is good for us - like choosing not to eat nutritious foods.  Many times, though, the choice is unintentional.  We chose when we weren't conscious, weren't aware, we had scales on our eyes and could not understand or see the blessings, gifts, or fortunes embedded in our rejects.

In the Christian tradition The Road to Emmaus, an Easter story, highlights this level of unconsciousness.  The story introduces us to two men walking to Emmaus from Jerusalem while marveling about, debating, grappling with the events of the past few days i.e. Jesus' crucifixion.  They were so caught up in their conversation, emotions, themselves - the 'events' that they were unaware of the Presence in their midst.  Eventually they did and the third party asked them about the 'events.' 

Can you imagine the look of disbelief.  Here they were less than seven miles from the 'events' epicenter.  Yes there were no CNNs but local gossip was in full gear so 'everyone' knew about the 'events'.  Perhaps they were merely annoyed by the intrusion.  Anyway, without noticing the irony, their response was, "Where have you been?"  I think one said, "Have you been under a rock?" The other chimed in, "You just came from another world, didn't you?"  When they got to their destination they invited to their guest to join them at dinner, and it was in the stillness of that activity the writer says: "...their eyes were opened and they recognized him." - Luke 24:31.
It took some time but eventually the connection was made.  The Presence, source of their annoyance (possible), was the actual star of the 'events' which they discussed so intently (it appeared), was in their midst and initially, they totally missed the significance.

We do miss our joy, gifts or blessings because we get distracted by any number of 'events'.  There are times we become immobilized by our events - unemployment, divorce, death etc. and we cannot recognize the windows of opportunity in our midst.  Then there are those of us who are aware of the opportunities but erroneously believe we are not worthy of these gifts and refuse to enter our new paradise.

Let us step aside for a moment, let us get off the roads, highways - the busy-ness, get ourselves out of the way and enter our inner sanctuary so that we can experience what is true and recognize divinity.  Enter this beautiful space and open to the magical journey of self-discovery; of new beginnings; of dreams realized.

Less than twenty years ago a single-mother, welfare-recipient was in a cafe when ideas flooded her mind.  She used the napkins to record her thoughts.  Today, the Harry Potter brand is worth $15 billion - yes, with a B!  J K Rowling stepped off her highway, disconnected from her 'events' and recognized or connected with her opportunity.

Let us take the time to open our eyes and see what was there all along - our dreams, the suggestion that are walking with us, that are in our midst.  Notice how we become emboldened and feel our Preciousness being affirmed.  Yes, you too are Precious.

Thanks for taking this Precious Pause.  Next time, bring a friend.