As you likely know from following along with my Mindful Mondays, I love to take walks. In nature, in the neighbourhood, just about anywhere. When my feet hit the ground, and I can feel the sun or the breeze, I'm most often inspired, invigorated, and at peace.
A recent evening stroll with my sister Deb stands out as a memorable experience. It was a route we take often, but this walk was infused with something a little extra special.
As we were walking down the sidewalk, we saw two boys around four years old who we had never met before. They were both riding their scooters. We stopped and talked to them as their parents watched from the porch, commenting on how nice their scooters were. We asked if they could show us how they worked, and they were delighted and enthused to give us a demonstration.
After showing us their moves, they returned and hopped off the scooters. One of the little boys came up and hugged me and then hugged my sister, then his brother did the same.
As we said our goodbyes and gave their parents a thankful smile and wave, I thought, wow. What an incredible gesture of Love from the Universe.
As we walked away, Deb and I both shared how touching the innocence and openness of these two young boys were. I noticed how their expression of unconditional Love impacted my body. My heart felt warm and fuzzy, and my body was tingling.
I wondered what touched me the most, their inhibition to express Love or to witness the living, breathing example of pure Love itself.
I was reminded that Love is not an emotion. Love is a state of consciousness.
The first time I heard and could receive this message was from spiritual teacher David Hawkins.
He says,
"Love is misunderstood to be an emotion; actually, it is a state of awareness,
a way of being in the world, a way of seeing oneself and others."
These boys were a reminder that our true essence is Love. When we were born, we were open, fluid, and free. Through conditioning and life experiences, we have built walls of protection around our hearts. The walls of defence were built for a reason, and there was wisdom at the time.
As adults, we no longer need the walls, but we're often unaware we have them. Or we are trying to eliminate or fix something about ourselves.
We may feel it's unsafe, to be honest and vulnerable. It's not ok to fully express who we are, so we put on a façade, a mask.
We have lost touch with our essence.
The good news: Love is a healer, no matter how long we've had walls up.
Being here now transforms.
The journey of self-discovery is one of unlearning and releasing, dissolving old conditioning and blocks. As layers fall away, we are reunited with deeper Truth.
When the blocks, self-images, and stresses dissolve, what's left? Space. We return to the spaciousness of our soul. More fluid and free.
This is why I find the innocence of a child so touching. Their realness has a way of deconstructing the walls by simply being; being who they are in the moment.
I see and experience how Love and being here now have the power to transform. As my structures continue to dissolve, there is more space. In this space, I reunite with my true essence. It is wonderful.
When the layers start to fall away, we are in a higher state of consciousness, and the lens through which we see ourselves and the world shifts.
I continue to be grateful to all of the teachers in my presence, including the two young neighbours.
I hope that your summer is off to a good start too! Like in past years, I'll take a break from Mindful Mondays for the remainder of the summer, the perfect opportunity to recharge and plan for offerings this fall.
One confirmed offering you'll want to mark on your calendar is my Women's Day Retreat, scheduled for Saturday, October 28th. Spots fill up quickly, so please visit my website here for more information and to register. It will surely be a wonderful day, surrounded by nature, yoga, and meditation with like-minded supportive women. Join us!
Best wishes for a lovely August filled with warm walks and meaningful moments. See you in September!
With love,
Diane