Nurturing Aspects of Brown

During this month's Energy of Color Radio Show I pointed out that Brown can show you what's up with your self esteem.  It occurred to me after the show how much a healthy sense of self depends on our connection with the earth (symbolized by Brown).

When you feel nurtured, you feel safe.  Just as a plant is nurtured by the Brown earth it's planted in, so you too are nurtured by the earth.  When you are not grounded (your Spirit is not fully in your body or you are not paying attention to the body) it is impossible for Earth to nurture you.

Without that energetic sustenance nothing seems to flow.  Everything is out of sync.  Your timing is off--you try to do things or say things at the wrong time.  Everything seems harder to accomplish.

Healthy self esteem is partially dependent on that experience of nurturance that comes from Earth.  Being in sync feels like you are home and you are safe.  Feeling good about you is easier when that feeling of home and safety feels grounded in the cells.

Too often our feet fail to connect with the dirt of the earth.  We walk around on concrete, carpet, metal, and so much that is less than natural.  That's why this time of year is so good for us.  Perhaps like me you have been planting flowers or admiring the tulips peeking up through the ground.  Close to where I live there is a sacred walk through the woods that connects me to the earth.  I always feel so nurtured and fully present after one of those walks.  I sometimes have to talk myself out the door to take a walk, but I'm always glad when I do.

I wonder too if this is why so many people like coffee, tea, and chocolate.  These natural Brown substances can connect you to the earth.  The more pure they are, the better they can nurture you. 

Pay attention to ways you can stay connected to the earth.  You are here in this body for a reason.  Floating outside of it disrupts that connection and can affect how you feel about yourself.

Stay connected; stay grounded!  And all is well.

The Fog of Dis-creation

In order to create something new in your life, you usually have to let go of something you already have in place.  This could be called dis-creation.

Lately I have felt foggy.  When I “look” at my energy field, it seems unclear.  

I had a dream that showed me fields of brown grass that seemed dead.  My immediate reaction was to gather up the lifeless grass and transform it into life-giving green.  In my dream, this just wasn’t working.

When I awoke, I asked a friend to help me interpret the dream.  The seemingly lifeless grass reminded me that, like the seasons, we too sometimes go into hibernation while we let go of the specifics of what we have created.  As we spring back to life, the roots of what went before emerge with new life and vibrant color.

Dis-creating is just as important as creating.  Biblically you might say it doesn’t work to put new wine in old wine skins.  The old wine skin will tend to pollute the new.

I also found myself going through my closet, bagging up clothes that no longer felt right for me.  Spring cleaning you might say.  But it seemed to symbolize something more.

I am finished with certain patterns that have kept my work limited to its own special box.  It was necessary to keep it in that box while I came up to the energy vibration that could match where the work could go.  I think I have been ambivalent about what would be involved in taking this work to the next level.  That has shifted.  I can joyously see life in that vibration.  It doesn’t take anything away from me; rather, its flow is easy and fun.

I shout, “Hallelujah!” as the fog clears.  My once concern is now anticipation.

This process reminds me of the Luminary called “Dawning”*   In part it says:  “Life renews itself from moment to moment.  Accept your new growth with faith, even as you push through the fog of uncertainty.  Passionately throw open your windows to the dawn!  Live fully!  Every moment counts!”

Blessings,

Arlene

* “Luminaries” is a book and cards oracle co-created by artist Lahrinda Eileen and me.