We cling to our own point of view, as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away.
~ Zhuangzi
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men.
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
This story left me feeling pretty confused when I was kid. Since adults were always trying to teach me lessons, I wondered if it was a mistake to sit on the wall or was Humpty too full of himself? All I knew was that whatever mistake Humpty made, he could not be repaired. (This was not a good outcome for an anxious child.)
There are times in life when it seems like we just fell off a towering wall and are left feeling shattered. When we finally catch our breath, we reach for the big roll of duct tape to make some much needed repairs, but, the fact is that even if you repair the shell, it’s never quite the same.
Indeed, when that shell is in pieces what is important is the soft, vulnerable being that is growing inside and no longer fits in the limited space a shell provides. I have seen this again and again when people are diagnosed with serious or life-threatening illness. So many things that once seemed important are relegated into the background. Life and breath become of primary importance. The truth is that we don’t have to wait for traumatic events or serious illness to examine what is essential in life. Beginning today we can cultivate qualities that aren’t part of the shell. It’s useful to ask the question, “What are feelings that will nourish and carry me through my life? What strengths have I used in the past to help me when times were difficult?”
Certain practices and techniques help people uncover the quiet voice of the heart. Many people feel deeply relaxed when they receive acupuncture. Yoga and various forms of meditation are well known to help calm the storms that rumble inside of our heads. One of my current favorite tools is Wellness Coaching’s inquiry and reflection to uncover the deepest motivations inside of people. The truth is that we carry priceless life inside of us. We just have to stop and feel it.
“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” ~ Jalaluddin Rumi
The information in this newsletter is not intended to replace the relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge from research and experience of B. Mahler, LAc.
Barbara A. Mahler, LAc practices Acupuncture, Traditional Oriental Medicine, Functional Nutrition and Wellness Coaching.