Feeding the wolf
As I have been processing the election, its consequences, and my own response, I have been thinking a lot about the indigenous story of the two wolves within us. Which wolf do I feed in this moment, the wolf of anger or the wolf of love? Each of us must make our own decisions each moment, each day as to how we will respond.
In 2016 I was consumed by the wolf of anger. I raged at home, online, at work, to the whole world. It consumed so much of my energy that I lost myself in many ways. The anger at injustice was valid, but it burned me up as I spun in it and spewed it out. I always felt ungrounded and dysregulated. It took me years to recover and then the pandemic threw a wrench in that and kept me anxious, hypersensitive, and angry even as I worked to create soft, grounded spaces for others.
This time I am not willing to prostrate myself on the alter of rage. I will not allow myself to be consumed by my reaction to the choices others have made. I will hold myself in lovingkindness and listen.
This does not mean I am giving up. It means I am turning inward toward my own innate wisdom. Exploring what I can offer the world to create a space for love, kindness, justice, and joy. This will look different for each of us as we all have our own role to play.
I am resolute against the increased greed and hatred that are coming, but I will not be blindly enraged. I will do all that I can to stand up and speak out without bleeding myself dry. I will be a space of love and rest and recovery, especially for those standing on the front lines. I will practice taking the step in front of me.
My head is not in the sand nor the fire, it is in the light of lovingkindness, a wish I hold for all beings. That we may all feel the light of our true nature, a nature of caring, compassion, and joy. That we may reject the hate, fear, and meanness being offered as an unhealthy substitute and step into our own beautiful, loving light as we move through the world.
Compassion for ourselves and for each other strengthens our light and is the only way out of the darkness.
May you each make time to tune into your own wisdom as you reflect on the step in front of you and the role you can play in making our world a place of love, kindness, justice, and joy. I am grateful for each of you and the light bring to the world.
There will be no Saturday Morning Yoga class on 11/23 or 11/30 as I am taking time to be with my family. Class will resume 12/7. May your week of Thanksgiving bring a sense of gratitude for yourself and the abundance in your life. If you would like to practice on Thanksgiving Day, my dear friend Michelle Voeller is offering a virtual yoga class that will benefit a North Carolina food bank.
Saturday, December 21 we will celebrate the Winter Solstice with a 2 hour restorative retreat at Harmonist Sanctuary in Denver. Registration is open!
The next Mid-Week Morning Yoga class will be Wednesday, December 4 and will continue every other Wednesday after that. The class will be virtual and I would love for you to join me!
I will be hosting a Spring Renewal Yoga Retreat for Women in Fraser, Colorado next April as a time for us to find connection and renewal through yoga, meditation, time in nature, sound healing, and rest. I have two spots left in a shared room. I am so excited to guide you! Please let me know if you are interested.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Winter Solstice Retreat for Rest & Renewal:
December 21, 2024 2-4 PM
Harmonist Sanctuary , 4633 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80220
$50 per person
Spring Renewal Yoga Retreat for Women
April 25-27, 2025
2 shared room spots left
email Lisa@findingthebalancewithin.com to reserve spot
Remember to check out the FTBW Gear page and order your Finding the Balance Within, LLC logo gear. I love mine! Get yours and join the fun!
I would love to offer you an individual or group Reiki and/or Sound Healing session to support your own wellness journey. Contact me for scheduling options - lisa@findingthebalancewithin.com. Gift certificates to share with others are also available.
As always feel free to practice with previous recordings of Saturday Morning Classes as well as Evening Chair Yoga on my Youtube channel. You may also enjoy a growing variety of meditations I have available on the Insight Timer app that you can access for free. I’d appreciate your offering a rating on the meditations as well. Additionally, my friend Kate continues to offer live online classes Monday and Wednesday mornings from katekelly.yoga.
May you be safe, may you be happy, may you be healthy, may you live with ease. ❤️ ~ Lisa