Are you scared of love? I am. I’m scared of being vulnerable, scared to ask for what I need (much less what I want), scared of being rejected or found unworthy. I suspect that most of us feel this way more often than we admit. I also suspect that most of us have learned to be scared and love anyway.
Being scared and doing it anyway is the definition of courage. When we are sick or hurt or struggling, it can be especially hard to RECEIVE all the love that comes our way even though it’s what we need the most. So I wrote a song about standing in the center of the circle of love for a dear friend who had just been diagnosed with non-smoker’s lung cancer and was blown away by all the love and support coming her way. I wanted to remind her that she was doing a remarkable job receiving and to encourage her to keep going. Little did I know that it would do the same for me.
Last Tuesday I was in another car accident. I’m ok, tho pretty battered and bruised, mostly from the airbag, which did its job really well – that’s the good news and the bad news. Being on the receiving end of an airbag when it deploys is like being on the wrong end of a battering ram. Way better than the alternative though, that’s for sure!
So I’ve had lots of opportunities in the last week to stand in the center of my own love circle and exercise my own courage muscles. I’ve received incredible physical support from family and friends and prayer/good juju support from my many wonderful circles, many of them in private groups on Facebook.
I didn’t have the Facebook groups when I was in a similar place 5 years ago. They make a difference. A big difference. I’ve been on the giving side many times, but it’s an entirely different experience to stand in the center of the circle of love. I have actually FELT the love coming my way. My courage has been so worth it.
This last week has shown me once again the value of social connection. Even online it makes a difference. And the science of positive psychology has shown us that social connection is as predictive of long-term health as smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure. So if you don’t have good social connections now, make yourself a quiet promise in this moment to focus a little bit more energy on developing them throughout the rest of this year. I know it can be scary. And I know you have the courage you need. Your courage will serve you well in ways you cannot even imagine.
To everyone receiving this who has been sending me love over this last week, thank you. And thank you to those of you sending it now. I am truly blessed and deeply grateful for your love. Your support. Your presence in my life.
Are you a soulful mama who is ready to give herself to stand in the center of the circle of love and RECEIVE support? Are you aching for space to hear your own voice, rest and rejuvenate and to release patterns that no longer serve you? AND are you longing for SPACE to dream, express and consciously create a new way of being in your life, where you can take care of your own needs, as well as your family?
We’re calling a circle of soulful, heart-centered mama’s to do all of this and more on the Big Island of Hawaii! Space is limited and we are taking applications now. Go here to read the invitation and apply!
