This week I have really been chewing on the various definitions of the concept of integrating. I use the word regularly so it intrigued me to look a little further. Here is one definition that seemed the closest to what I want to discuss this week
To make into a whole by bringing all parts together; to unify.
This form of integration has played out for me many times in various manners along my journey throughout my lifetime. However, this week specifically the universe was broadcasting from the rooftops that it is time to integrate with others on a different level than ever before. A deeper more collaborative way than before as a species. This message felt like it was not only for me, hence the sharing.
Let’s consider a simple example, a pizza/pie of your choice, each slice consists of a combination of all the ingredients. Each slice has the potential to look and taste unique though. One slice could be a different size, have some added ingredient, be charred by the fire, have a thicker base and/or be a different temperature. The pizza/pie could be smaller or larger or even a different shape, with a hint of your favourites mixed with tastes that feel foreign and displeasing on their own, however the combination is intriguing and inviting curiosity. Each pizza/pie is unique and when we prepare it, we have the choice to include or exclude as we go along, depending on what suits the occasion. What suits you now and what feels good to share with others, without causing any disharmony all round, nourishing all, even those with particular palates? My slice could be smaller or bigger than yours as that is all that I can manage right now, or perhaps I will skip this one and re-integrate for the next batch?
Then it would stand to reason that in the integration of all the parts with the aim of being unified, also has the potential to be quite spectacular and different each time, not so?
In come the players of the show now, who do you feel you want to share your slices with? Who is that perfect fit for you? The ingredients could be similar only arranged differently, mixed up and integrated into something unique and different as well as adding great value to all. This could be from any aspects of life business, relationships, towns, homes, schools, friends.
Its always very clear to me when things are not working to find a solution, this is deeply ingrained in me, the hard truth is that often I have failed and others have added their ingredients to provide the solutions for them and me. I am so grateful for that special ingredient they have added and generally we all benefit from the integration.
I have made a point to be open to interactions from others and discuss those possibilities with the intention of manifesting a different offering to the world. A collective vision. I do feel that without integrating and sharing the slices I would be isolating myself again, determined to find my own single solution.
Now is the time for me to allow for the integrating and forming bonds with those who share that intention no matter what the pie may look or taste like each time is a unique opportunity to co-create a special offer on the menu.
Here are some ways I have found for useful
- Journaling and expressing my intention as many times as I can, as it changes organically.
- Finding the courage to get myself to share that with others in spaces I feel safe to or feel guided to as well as places that feel like a major stretch for me.
- Understanding that I will come across beautiful special people who may feel differently and that is all about the parts integrating into a whole ultimately.
- Visualising that pizza/pie always and ever changing in size and shape to allow for all the different parts to join or leave at free will.
- Each part contributes and is integral to the whole each time
- Some parts could appear identical however with more curiosity and attention and added ingredients they appear to transform into something completely different
- Menu’s change all the time. The availability of ingredients differ regularly.
- Repeat the process with new understanding and wisdom from the insight gained.
- Share your wisdom with others.
- We learn from our peers continually.
- The acceptance that perhaps those old ways no longer work for me.
We are not islands are we? Let us open the door to the world around us and integrate in a profoundly new way that nourishes us all from deep within. There are always enough slices to share.
I see and respect your unique ingredient adding to the unified whole.
Much love
From my heart to yours.
Marléne
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Hello again from a humid and rainy coastal day. I must say this week flew by and yet it has simultaneously felt as though there was, and is, a huge pause around me specifically. I am sensing that there are more than a few of us feeling very drained of energy and resources having to deal with more than normal, personally and globally. I have felt quite depleted physically this week and then somehow today that has shifted.
Most of my work is client based and this week has been more around cancellations, personal disappointments on the one hand and on the other planning in the head and collaborating with others on a project we plan to roll out. The emotional cocktail has been excitement, frustration, depletion, anger and I guess a little fear, fear of the unknown as yet again I sail into unchartered waters for me at least, full steam ahead.
I DO love unchartered waters, seriously I mean that, its exciting and thrilling and fearful all at once, exhilarating in fact. I am feeling like the expression is not really conveying the huge, huge feeling I have in my heart of expansion and gratitude at yet again an opportunity to stretch and reach out to others from a grounded space. Yet nothing has materialised as yet, we are in the planning stages remember. Planning is not grounding for me, doing is. Enter the critic in me, she always seems to lurk there in the background somewhere doesn’t she, she has been there as long as I can remember, what if it does not work, what if you fail, blah blah…..!!!!
I listen to music when I plan events and rollouts and when the critic arrives. Music always frees me to express myself either way and this is my interpretation of the lyrics of a playlist I am listening to today. Today, a loving gratitude playlist not a head banging get the anger out one.
“Is it time to relax now I am with you my sweet, sweet child….” My interpretation is that I have a dream and I am feeling separate and misunderstood. Allowing me the freedom to know that I can relax as I am never alone. All the versions of me, my adult, critic, inner child (children) and source are all one without separation. It’s about being open to opportunity from a place of safety, having my eyes open to see and my breath to flow freely. It was truly beautiful and inspirational for me to ground through the music today.
Are you too embarking on some element of change or a project of your own? Are you facing a situation that seems beyond your control to have much or any effect on the outcome? Are you facing resistance?
This little list helps me.
Primarily it’s not always the tried and tested way that works each and every time. It is sailing into unchartered waters as I said above.
- What inspires your creative juices today, this could be different to yesterday? What do you personally require getting the ideas to surface and bear fruit? Is it music, movement, dancing, singing, painting, finding the expert, sleep, meditation, is it drawing the plan?
- What allows you the freedom to relax and connect with all the parts of you to be the resource for you now? Is being in solitude or connecting and exchanging ideas, your mojo?
- What do you need today, right now in this moment? A break perhaps?
- How comfortable are you to express how you may be feeling right in this moment? Even to yourself!
- Are you open to sharing the struggle with those parts of you that would rather scream the limitations, asking them what they need?
- Journal if it feels safer going through this.
- Find that trusted person, YOUR person as a sounding board and support.
- When we work in community with others we have a further reach, energy flows where that focus goes.
- Notice if your choice of words differ, little subtle changes are at times overlooked when there is a shift in energy.
- Subtle changes are the gifts for us to be aware of the internal flow or resistance.
- Keep yourself on track with those gentle loving reminders.
- Value your own contribution to the global mix, we all have a unique role to play on this earth, allow yourself to play yours lovingly.
I feel deeply connected this week in sharing. Thank you for reading thus far.
I am so looking forward to rolling out further with my planning.
Here is the tool that allowed the flow in my thoughts today.
Until we meet again.
Much love and gratitude,
Marléne
Hello again from my inner sanctuary. This week I have been very blessed with loads of information and contributions from those around me who have contributed to the content of this blog today.
It got me thinking.
In our South African culture, we have a tradition referred to as a “Bring and Braai (Barbecue). We all get invited by the hosts to their home or venue and we are requested to either contribute for ourselves or towards the offering for the whole table. (Meat, Salads, Refreshments, Snacks etc.)
We all contribute to our societies, communities and globally. We spend currency, pay taxes, interest on loans and more, we barter, negotiate, an exchange, all for the greater benefit, that is the system we know and are part of. Some of us benefit more than others, yet we do participate in the model in some way.
We as individuals contribute to the lives of others in the world. So my curiosity drove me to delve further. What is my unique currency? What do i bring to the party that is over an above the request, that special attribute that is unique to me?
Let’s take a teacher for example. They educate their students using content that is supplied to them, by the system or they have been the author of the material. This is ideally so it can be duplicated to build the system. However, who remembers that teacher/person who really made a difference in your life positively or negatively, the one who sticks like a wedge in your memory? I do. They contributed to my life in a way that was at times far more valuable than the content they were sharing. It was almost as though they shared from their own souls or life experiences. Whether it be a tough life lesson for me, or a gentle smile on a rough day letting me know I was not alone.
So hence what do I bring to the party? I am sharing the road my curiosity took me on. Remember I am a born under Sagittarius Sign and Ascendant and my Moon is in Gemini, I am born to explore, here goes.
- Find a place of reflection that feels like your sanctuary.
- Make a list of ways you contribute that are obvious, eg., in the workplace. Your immediate family and friend circles, colleagues etc.
- Is it specific to gender perhaps?
- Loosen the judgement, be open minded.
- It is not about money!!!! It is way beyond that.
- What is my intention versus my reality? (This was a biggie for me, I had to dig deep to understand that although my intention is pure it could be coming across as hostile at times – that arrow…..).
- There is zero judgement in this process, so be loving and kind to yourself through the process.
- Confusion is a platform only – observe and question with curiosity into the feedback from others, ask the questions, to gain clarity!!!
- What are my reflections on the feedback of others regarding my dialogue, behaviour, mannerisms?
- If I had a magic wand how would I like to show up and contribute to others?
- Is this something I give myself permission to do freely?
- Do I give this to myself? If not, how can I give to others?
- I am the starting point before the flow can happen externally. Also a tough realisation for me!
- This surely changes as we move through our journey? So therefore an open invitation to use this reflection regularly – as a reminder to self.
I sincerely trust the above self-reflection suggestions give you some food for thought for your own exploration and internal magical discovery. Smile and enjoy the process.
My conclusion so far is that my contribution is sharing the healing I have received to touch the lives of others with love and compassion and understanding as I facilitate their healing. I bring the opportunity by holding space for others, centering compassion as my currency.
Until we meet again.
Much love and gratitude.
Marléne
This week has been one of personal reflection, deep sorrow and many lifestyle changes. I have allowed myself some creative thinking and sitting with those uncomfortable truths that I am holding onto stuff that is literally holding me in a space of exhaustion and anxiety it seems. Stuff from way back too, honestly, I thought I had moved on and let it go!
I was listening to a podcast this week about letting go and I thought that is it, it’s the art of letting go right before our very eyes. We have the example of nature moving through the seasons. What happens when the leaves fall from a tree? The tree let’s go freely without having to know when the next leaf may appear beautiful and green, as it always comes with new growth spurts as the seasons change. This before, during, blooming and letting go cycle continues for the lifetime of the tree. Its like a rinse and repeat.
It is right before our eyes in the examples nature give us. The sun really does come up tomorrow even when at times ww are not able to see its brightness clearly or feel its warmth. This occurs day after day from the beginning of time. We human folk often doubt in the possibility, and, dread the probabilities of what that day may bring. A re-run of all the horrific moments of the past rolled into one. We worry, toss and turn at night. Lean into those unhealthy sugars or substances to make us feel better, like a pacifier. This does not make logical sense to me that we need to hold onto that narrative anymore. THE SUN REALLY DOES SHINE AGAIN EVERY MORNING! That’s the way it has been for me here on the planet atleast. Let’s celebrate the breaking of the dawn with that deep emotion of gratitude. The ability to receive and be thankful.
I encourage us all to take a leaf out of the tree’s book of lessons. That old ancient wisdom nature shares with us. This was long before we were in the physical body we inhabit today. The seasons will change with grace even through the difficult times and embrace the uniqueness of what each season may bring, time and time again, with gratitude. Learning to let go and allowing for recovery from the periods of drought, as the rain does come again even if it is after 7 years.
Let’s use this time before the new moon to shed all the residue leaves that we are holding onto, those leaves that are non-serving, window dressing, for the view, or hiding from the view.
What is it you carry with you daily, rethinking into each moment and recreating it as part of your reality? That is my reality check today – am duplicating the pattern ? It’s time to let go.
We really do repeat our thought patterns until they are unconsciously hard wired. Have you ever noticed how eventually it becomes second nature to be about your trauma, instead of shedding and allowing the season of healing to flow in gracefully? Remember there is always a season to prepare, one to blossom, one to bear fruit and one to shed and so the cycle continues. Let’s use that to our advantage and let the process work for us naturally, as we allow for healing.
I have found that mediation with intention is a great tool.
Allowing myself the freedom to manifest that intention I feel so strongly about.
Releasing, receiving, healing from deep within my heart with compassion and genlteness.
Allowing for my positive emotions to flow freely so that the neurons have an opportunity to fire and re-wire.
Making choices that lean towards letting go instead of repeating the same old pattern.
I have found writing and speaking my truths out loud allow me to identify what to release.
I like to find processes to nurture my body from within and without. A form of physical movement, a balanced diet, a balance of intellectual stimulation and learning AND having FUN doing it all.
Have the pity party and cry for 1. Bring in gratitude and laugh and celebrate with the world around you.
Much love
Marléne Nunes
