Day Eighteen

Feels like things picked up a little today, not in speed, but in my comfort level with the pace. I wonder if 18 days is some kind of critical time window (those multiples of nine do seem important...). Or maybe it's this sliver of a waxing moon that I could see just after sunset tonight.

I gave myself the gift of a quiet afternoon today. I needed some space and rest. I've been hanging in there with a hard place at work these past fews days - digging underneath my habitual reaction to feeling discouraged (withdrawal) and focusing instead on my needs for mutuality, support, and clarity. This freed me to actually receive some! Hung out at home and listened to a recording of an NVC conference call for peace activists to explore what is alive in them in their peace work. I hadn't been thinking of myself as a peace activist, but I sure am doing my best to live and model peace. And I could relate with what came up in the call. I loved hearing NVC explained and modeled by the facilitator, Miki Kashtan. ( I would like to be her when I grow up :) Meanwhile I drink in her example).

I fell asleep (again) listening to a person receiving empathy on the call. There's something incredibly peaceful and reassuring about hearing adults connect with each other in this way. When I observe and listen in person, I feel the same way (but tend not to conk out...) I believe that, for me, I am literally opeining new pathways in myself when I listen like this. And thanks to my friend Elana for pointing out that this seems like an organic thing - much better done without all the external stimulus So I literally sleep like a baby. And that was my practice (although I did do a few restorative hip and chest openers while listening).

I am so grateful to every other person who is doing this work within themsleves and sharing it with others. I am healing, and feeling so hopeful.