Rainy days and permission to shine.

 Basalt stones, used in our Hot Stone Massage Therapy, out re-charging in the rain soaked sunlight of my backyard.

The other night, while catching up on blogs, I watched a video featured in a brilliant posting by one of my fave bloggers, Du Buh Du Designs.  The link to that post with the video is here.  Please watch Elizabeth Gilbert speaking when you have 19 minutes to spare.  I didn't think I'd watch 19 minutes.  I did.

Elizabeth talks about a meeting she had with American poet Ruth Stone.  Whenever Ruth had inspiration to write it came at her barreling over the landscape like a freight train, and she would run like mad until she found pen and paper so that she could capture it before it moved on to find the next poet.  I had a similar experience to Ruth.  I still do, in fact.  Hence the journals I keep by my bedside.  The experience I had recently though, funny enough, was on my way to a very vain medical procedure.  So here I am driving along on my way to an appointment designed to make me "look" better, and I'm having these deep and resonant thoughts descend upon me that I simply must pull over and find my purse so that I can journal these thoughts of a poem that came barreling over me like a freight train.  I managed to get them onto paper before they escaped me.  I felt elated, like something divine had occurred. 

The similarities of what I wrote down eerily echoed Elizabeth's talk.  I had my experience before watching Elizabeth speak.  This is what I wrote:

An ancient dream entered through a crack in the sky, wafting lazily and shimmering; full of the asps of Egypt and courtiers of courts long dust.

Beneath the glow of streetlights it wisped along hazy and quietly smiling; entering my room, and knowing what part of my thumping dreamy heart to invade.  It  nibbles my earlobe and continues it's voyage onwards, through the Milky Way teasing and promising it's message to whomsoever restful head it passes.

I turn then, my cheek seeking the cool side of the pillow; remembering... as I inhale the remnants of the vague insights it gifted me. The remains of which evaporated with the first burning rays of the sun.  (We aren't meant to know just yet.)

Ordinarily I wouldn't share (because I am shy) but I thought that my experience and that of Ruth were close, and so if I had a similar experience I wondered if this has happened to you too?  Has an idea descended upon you with such clarity and force that you had to write it down because you were desperate not to lose it?

On a different note, our women's night was a huge success.  One participant (who also happens to be a childhood friend) paid me a compliment following the session.  She said what sets my spa apart from the others is largely our "spiritual" feel.  Being that I seek that in my life I was thrilled to hear it.  (Come on, don't we all love to be complimented? I know I do! We all just need LOVE. Yes there is a little narcissism there, most bloggers have a little of that in them, would you agree? LOL)  Our facilitator, Cate Gibson, a dear friend of mine, really helped our guests determine what their theme should be.  The two hours we allotted for the night wasn't enough, we could have made it at least three or longer.  But we came away with clarity of thought, and a new found focus for our lives.  Pretty cool, huh?

Cate left us with one other gift.  This quote by Marianne Williamson.  It is from her book, 'A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles' called:

~Our Deepest Fear~

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Now isn't that nice without being preachy?  I think so.  xo

EDIT: In order to help other women ***shine*** please click on the "i vote HOPE" button in my right sidebar  at the top...and help Shutter Sisters win their dream assignment...a very worthy way to spend a few minutes of your time. xo

Comments

[aliceinparislovesartandtea.blogspot.com]

I have watched many of the TED talks and they are all riveting. We can learn a lot. I must seek out Elizabeth's. The prose you wrote is beautiful. I wanted to read more:)
Glad your women's night was a success:) I always enjoy spending time with a group of women. Have a happy week!

[Tara Bradford]

Your turn of phrase is beautiful dearest Gill! And yes, ALL THE TIME I carry a notebook with me to write things down, quickly, before I forget! I have been known to push my husband off the computer, so I could write something urgently (thankfully, we now have two computers for such creative emergencies). So true about the deepest fear - I think for me, the worry is largely in being perceived as "showing up" people from my past, who can't face the emotion and change attached to a flame burning brightly. So they'd be more comfortable if I held back, which is why they never ever offer a single word of encouragement or support. But the truth always sets us free! And we must find our own way into the light and ignore the naysayers (who, let's face it, will need sunglasses when all is said and done). :) Love you! xoxox

I did see Elizabeth's talk; there are many inspiring things available to us via TED.

[Gillian daSilva]

The TED talks were new to me, I love them. I'm always up for inspiration and motivation. Thanks for the compliment, I know my writing needs a lot of work but I'm going to do just that. I'm also having fun so isn't that more the point? Maybe if my confidence builds the writing will improve.
Women's groups are very empowering, yes cliched but true, because I think we give ourselves permission to just BE. What is more refreshing and honest than pure truth? (It sets you free after all.)
xo
p.s. You have a happy week too!

[Gillian daSilva]

I had a big smile reading this Tara. I know all about it. I've played small for years to save the fragile egos of those I needed encouragement from. I'm through with shrinking to please others. Like you, my light is very bright, and I'm going to let it shine! I've come to the rationale as of late that I only need encouragement from me. External sources for this very thing are very unreliable, and untrustworthy. Like you said, those who can't face emotion and change are only interested in holding us down, and belittling us so that they don't feel small. Well from now on I'm shaking them off like a dog fresh from a river swim, vigorously and ears a flappin'! LOL
And like Elizabeth said, I'm going to get up everyday and still write, and still take photos, and still try to improve and build my business because OLE!~ Why not? My best could be behind me but I don't know that for sure. So instead of worrying about it I'm going forward with a huge OLE!
And the same to you, my bright shiny smart friend. xoxo

[Maia]

BEautiful post - makes me wish I could have attended your spa.

[pam aries]

My friend..I have chills. THis has happened to me a time or two. Not often enough, unfortunately. THe strangest things have popped into my mind.Your light is shining bright..like a gleaming pot O' gold!

[Gillian daSilva]

Maia,
Me too. There are many names on that sidebar that would be so very welcome here anytime, yours being one of them. Maybe one day, we'll manage to get together! xo

[Gillian daSilva]

The Gypsy Mail arrived today, complete with sea breezes and magical riches!!! Thanks for the thanks, your card is gorgeous, and has top billing on my fridge. Tis YOU who are rich, with all the good karma you put out on a daily basis, it's bound to catch up to you very soon.
xoxo

[Tara Bradford]

The best is yet to come for you, dearest Gill. Of that, I'm certain. And you're right about going forward with a huge OLE! OLE! OLE! xoxox

[soeurs du jour]

I think that next time I'm driving home from a trip to Ottawa, I'm going to make an appointment to stop & see you. Although, if the massage is too relaxing, you might have to take me in for the night!

xo
Kath

[Gillian daSilva]

Oh yes, Kath. Do that. Stop over and we'll have dinner too. Won't it be fun?
Bring your camera!!! xoxo

[Stephanie]

What beautiful writing, Gill. Truly.

I used to be at Inspiration's whim, but I think I've drowned her out anymore. Every now and then she breaks through...

Lovely Marianne Williamson quote, too. I so agree. I wonder what it is that makes us feel the need to diminish ourselves? ...I think it may begin in childhood...maybe one part societal...one part familial, for some. In any event, its so true that the greatest gift we can give ourselves, and anyone around us is to shine.

[Kate Robertson]

Gillian,

A beautiful post. I loved the TED talk that E Gilbert gave. I have seen it listed on dozens of blogs. I always have a small journal in my purse and just in case I have one in the map container in my car. I get nervous if I don't have pen and paper with me. Even when I walk my dog I will put a small moleskine cahier in my pocket along with a pen. you never know when inspiration will strike.

Kate

[gemma]

Alot in this post resonated with me. Your words about the ancient dream.I've had those too although mine were different. Marianne's words about playing small.
Why hide my light?
Alot of food for thought.
A notebook is good...otherwise you end up writing words on business cards, napkins, and receipts.
Yep...I need my sunglasses on!

[Gillian daSilva]

Kate,
Me too, nervous if I'm sans notebook. Sometimes it's just that I may need to write down a real estate listing or something! Or a movie, or grocery list...but paper and pen is a must! I agree :)

[Gillian daSilva]

Gem
You couldn't hide your light if you tried! I didn't see you at La Grande Orange in Phoenix, I felt your presence swooshing through the door followed by those perfect chiclet teeth!!! LOL
You have dreams older than time too? I feel like, (don't lock me up now), but that they are divine insights...a blueprint interpreted just for me. If I tell you there is usually three guides there too would that be completely insane???
xo

[Deborah Carr]

Hello Gillian - This is my first visit to your blog...I've so enjoyed my stay. This poem is also one of my favourites, tacked to my bulletin board for regular reminder. I wrote about it in my own post last summer...http://deborahcarr.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-if-we-all-had-moment-of-glory.html.

You capture your thoughts beautifully on the page. Thank you for sharing. (Your spa day sounds wonderful...there is nothing more powerful than a group of women connecting in a beautiful place.)