For me, “breathing deeply within” exemplifies the practice of viewing my breath as both the way to my inner nature and the way to understanding that nature as it reflects, and is reflected by the external world. When I take the time to breathe deeply with the conscious intent to calibrate to Source energy and all that it offers, I experience the freedom to boldly go where I have never gone before (one of the greatest lines Star Trek ever gave us, right?). As so many of my clients have often heard me say (probably more than they’d like), I am all about alignment. Which means identifying and settling into my unique energetic signature (my UES). Which translates to accessing a place of calm, peace, and awareness, where fear, worry, and anxiety retreat…and where freedom to be who I am, receive, and manifest abound. In other words, a place where I “breathe deeply within.”
As I apply this increased level of awareness to various aspects of my life, such as my flute playing (spiritually guided music) and my writing, I notice a huge difference. The elements of self-judgment and fear of not being good enough continue to decrease and the aspects of joy around creating increase. It’s not about getting it right; it’s about feeling fantastic. And when I get there, I know that’s where I want to be.
I would like to share the most recent application of this experience as manifested through my new book, a Y/A novel of Visionary Fiction called THE GATEWAY CAFÉ. I have been a writer and editor for many years, a medium and intuitive coach for nearly a decade. I have written lots of nonfiction and rewritten both nonfiction and fiction for many clients. But if you asked me if I could write my own novel, my response would be—always was—an unequivocal NOT ME! I CAN REWRITE FOR OTHER PEOPLE, BUT A STORY OF MY OWN? NEVER! Which is, naturally, what ended up happening.
You see, that’s when Spirit stepped in. I wanted to write about my dead husband’s philosophy: that we are all Vacationing Angels, here as Spirit in biodegradable human suits for the wonderful experience that offers…to experience our physical senses to the fullest. I figured a nice article would do it. Something that presented what I share in my workshops and meetups…something informational and concrete.
Boy, was I wrong.
My first attempts were nothing more than a few words on the page. I was trying too hard. I wasn’t breathing through it. I wasn’t really breathing at all. I call that “push energy,” working at something rather than letting it flow.
Next, as I began to enjoy myself—I began to breathe—out poured 50 stanzas of poetry. If you know me, you know I’m not much for poetry, so this was another shocker…especially because it all rhymed. This happened once before (in my first book with Randy after his passing, Crossing the Rubicon), but I sure as heck never expected it to happen again.
But then, just as I thought the magic was happening, I realized (with a little help and big hit upside the head from a very insightful friend) that a bunch of rhyme that explains what Vacationing Angels are, is not something that appeals to most people. That people want a story¸ they want to understand through taking the journey, to walk alongside and join in the experience.
Oh, yeah. I fought it. Who me? Write a novel? Never.
But I did. I breathed INTO it, not away from it. And found myself immersed story that told itself. Did I expect to write about a high-sensitive teen who feels like a misfit—a stranger in a strange land? No. Did I expect to travel inter-dimensionally with her to meet her dead grandmother and other spirits and to learn that she, too, is an Angel on Vacation? No! And, the biggest question, Did I expect to love doing it? Absolutely not.
But I did. The Gateway Café is a book about breathing through, breathing into who you really are, and breathing it out into the world in whatever form that light takes.
So…I offer you here my humble advice: Go forth. Shine your light. Don’t worry about if or when or where or how or why it lands. Just keep shining for the pure joy of it.
BTW, you can definitely purchase The Gateway Café at heidiconnolly.com where it’s on sale for the holidays and you can learn lots more about me, what I do, and how it might apply to you. Grandparents are telling me The Gateway Café is the perfect gift for them to share with their grandkids and parents are sharing it with their teens. But really, it’s perfect for anyone seeking to learn who they really are…and willing to breathe into it. …And I would absolutely be shamelessly wowed if you left a review for others to read!!!!!