Chop Wood, Carry Water!

Feeling Purposeful & Present In Intense Energetic Times

This whole fiery, fire horse year has felt quite energetically intense. We have had intense weather, seemingly intense shifts in consciousness connected to AI and other rapid change, an intense economy, job market, politics and world affairs...the list goes on.

It also feels like what is possible is intense...so much is unknown, there is so much potential and change has accelerated yet we are in a bit of a liminal space in many ways.

You have likely heard me discuss or reference chopping wood and carrying water here before and today I circle back to it. This refers to staying focused on what is simple, what is in front of you...what is necessary in the day to day. I have personally found that staying aligned with "chopping wood and carrying water," allows me to stay purposeful and reduces my stress, it's powerful.

I love to dream and to feel into a vision for where life is headed as well as to set goals of all sorts of sizes...I enjoy change for the most part and I am always focused on improvement and growth; not in a pressured way but in a way that feels like it follows the rhythm of the seasons in nature and the seasons of life. However, I know my purpose comes from aligning my daily actions with my values. How does each action honor wellbeing, growth, authenticity? When actions are out of alignment with what we value we become out of touch with purpose and ungrounded. Even just a couple of aligned actions begins to bring us back.

My daily chop wood, carry water includes exercise (movement such as yoga and walking also strength training), meditation and prayer (honoring the earth, plants and animals and elements), eating good food (real, unprocessed, lots of fiber), productivity at work and home (dishes, making the bed, client sessions, sending client follow up) etc. There is a humble, put your head down sort of energy connected to all of this and an awareness of my place in the whole.

This approach also keep me in a space of inspiration and creativity. I am inspired everyday in nature and setting aside time for awareness of my inner self (meditation, prayer, simply petting the dog outside or just quiet observation) allows a space and place for creativity to flow. Reducing "input" for my being allows me to be aware of what is just beyond reach of my conventional senses, there is magic there.

So, during these times, I would love to hear about how you stay grounded and connected as well as creative and inspired. How do you feel the intensity but also stay tethered to your calm center?

I not only want to be present and purposeful but there is no other way I have found to be that allows my nervous system, and my whole system, to be in a place of wellbeing.

This is simple but not always easy. When in this place, I am most engaged, useful and fulfilled. I would love to hear your experience.