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Relax, and Respond

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The message from my great-grandmother was that I needed to slow down, otherwise I would miss an important opportunity. She spoke, and I listened.

Over the weekend I did my best to “go with the flow”, responding only to the impulse to rest or to be creative (without worrying about the function of purpose of that creativity). I did my best to relax my mind and take a break from the persistant race I’ve been running. Then, on a phone call with a good friend and colleague, I came face to face with the opportunity my Ancestor had fortold. And, in my calm, relaxed state, I was able to see clearly the choices being presented before me and navigate through them with ease.

“Your great-grandma was right,” my husband told me after I got off the call and told him what had happened. “You did what she said, and you were ready for your opportunity.”

The living and the dead both speak truth. My Ancestor, a woman who makes herself known by sending the electical system of my house into haywire, who relays messages to me through my psychic husband, she is a real, present, active force in my life.

At some point, when I reach the time where I’m ready to formally describe the role and relationship of Ancestors in my life for my DP work, I will be ready. And, as I’ve learned from this experience, it will come when it comes. I needn’t force it. I simply must relax, and respond.

Slow down, Teo. Slow down.

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I’ve been moving too fast. Ever since Imbolc, and the completion of my deep Winter creative project, I’ve been rushing forward without a clear sense of direction. Movement for movement’s sake, really. Last week, just before I was set to undergo another intense creative project, my body gave out under the pressure.

Illness struck hard. My temperature rose to 102 degrees with little warning, and my corners and edges began to ache. Sweat to chill and back to sweat again; this would be my pattern for days. There would be no working; no business. I was down for the count.

I did not meditate or practice my morning devotional for the first 3 days I had the flu. It was the only time since I began my discipline that I’ve taken this long away from my altar. I put that work aside, trusting that there would be no severe spiritual repercussions from taking a few down days (I don’t think The Kindred work that way). When I returned to it, I felt weak. Lost. Uncertain of what this setback meant. I was upset that I’d been unable to keep up my pace. And, as it turns out, keeping up the pace may be the problem.

My great grandmother showed up again yesterday. She came with the message that if I don’t slow down – if I don’t rest even more than I think I am – I will miss an opportunity. I won’t be prepared for it. This isn’t unlike her last communication, so apparently I haven’t gotten the message yet.

The idea of releasing the need to make everything move forward is a bit scary. I think I’m motivated to action – in my spiritual work and in my career – by the fear that if I stand still everything will fall apart. Then I get the message from an Ancestor – stand still. I’m not sure I know how to do that.

I call out to all of my friends in the blogosphere with this inquiry:

How do you do it? How do you slow down? Any tips for a movement-addict?