The Art of Being is Often Mistaken for Laziness.

Mark Nepo, the author of Seven Thousand Ways To Listen writes about the timeless art of being and "how no one can really teach it." It is the act of tuning into the inner person to discover the inner mysteries that are in each of us and requires "deep engagement and constant listening. The great Jewish philosopher Abraham Heshel suggests that the reward for such inner tuning is a sense of peace, and that by finding and inhabiting our place in the ever changing Universe, we strengthen the fabric of life itself:

                 By being what we 
                 are... by attuning our 
                 own yearning to the 
                 lonely holiness in this 
                 world, we will aid 
                 humanity more than 
                 by any particular 
                 service we may 
                 render.

Heschel implies that the world is not complete until fitted with our yearning; that just as the Earth would be barren without trees, plants vegetables, and flowers, the holiness of the world, waiting just below the surface, will stay barren without the spirited growth of our dreams, creativity, generosity, and love. It seems that the first destiny of being here is to root our being in the world, that the world needs this as much as we need each other." (pg. 18-19).

This book came to my attention when I was listening to an interview with Mark Nepo. The title of the book was of particular interest to me since the most important part of the light touch therapies I use involve deep listening. I listening with my ears, eyes, hands and heart. It is amazing how the persons body guides their session to point to the areas that need assistance.

This past year was a completely new direction for me after selling our home and moving our home and office to Downtown Vancouver. The exchange was for a more simple life with conveniences that we've never had which has really set the stage for an opportunity of slowing down even more to allow deeper listening and unfolding of ourselves. I have really been blessed with more time to take care of myself and my family better and therefore able to tend to our business by getting organized and streamlining things for myself and our clients. All of this equals more peace which is also equal to more freedom.

Moving slow may look like laziness. Stillness may look like nothing, but really it's the seed of where creativity has the opportunity to germinate. Once you try slowing down, it may initially create a stressful state since you are not use to it, but more and more over time you will realize that everything is better at a slower speed. You see things that you missed before, you have time to have more meaningful conversations, you make less mistakes, the quality of your work improves and the end result can only mean more happiness.

May you all take more time for yourselves in 2014. Allow yourself to rest more, give yourself permission to take guilt free naps, cook wonderfully delicious meals, spend time with those that are most precious to you and be free to love more deeply!

Blessings!