So something happened today that hasn’t happened in a long time. It is very simple and yet I know for some of you, it is something profound and you will relate to it in this day and age of social media addiction and high negative climate.
Today, I was walking through a trail in the woods that I often take, but it felt different. Everything was richer, denser. I could feel the spirits of ancestors before me. I could feel and sense energy rising from the ground, through my feet, and traveling in my body as if I were walking on the heart of God. From below, around, and above, the message was “This is who we are. We are here. You are loved”. After looking around to make sure no one saw me, I stretched out my arms while I walked, if not fly, in the moment. As flies tried to dance in my eyes, I thought the buggers might break the spell or the feeling might fade after the length of the walk–proving it was just that, a feeling. But it didn’t leave.
I was grateful for this breakthrough because I used to have these experiences a lot on this path and many others like it, but my addiction to social media, the rise of negativity, stress, and the waywardness of my spiritual life have cut that connection off for some time. However, I chose this summer to really make an effort to peel back on that and take quality time with myself. I call it “The Summer of Larry”. And no, it’s not only sitting in a room doing quiet time, reading, or doing deep breathing–though I do those too. But it is also going to the beach, connecting with others, painting, etc. Doing those things that matter to me. On top of that, putting some stretches out there on things I’m afraid to do because I’ve just been comfortable, stuck in a holding pattern.
All of this I believe, is opening me up again to God and Divine Presence, but also what I want the rest of my life to look like and who I really am, what I really want and value. This counters that soul sucking practice of being stuck on social media, and comparing my stuck self to those living their lives. Or just doom scrolling.
You may wonder or want to ask how I started. Well, 2 things I did were first I started by putting 5 minutes aside a week for quiet time. No nothing. No phone, no nothing. I used to do an hour or more of this, but I had gotten so bad over the years that 5 minutes a week was now a tall order. You may relate. Next, I had ChatGPT create me a personal growth journal for an 8-week time period. It will ask you questions unique to you. You can also reach out to me if you want to discuss this further.
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