It was almost too much for me, this solitary journey without any guidance from people around me, but the very connections that my sensitivity to reality allowed me to find in nature, were the things that kept me “fed” and able to survive – despite my extreme pain and isolation.

In his book The Celestine Prophecy, James Redfield talks about how important finding sources of energy outside ourselves is for humans.  He points out that there are 5 stealth ways we take energy from each other.  When he illustrates these ways, you will recognize several that are present in others’ relationships with you. 

If you are honest, you will see ways that you practice at least one of these methods with others as well.  Nothing to be ashamed of.  These techniques we learn from others by having them used on us. 

We may not be conscious of how these techniques affect us, but our bodies are! This is another reason why I keep emphasizing the importance of forming an alliance with your body. 

So that you can access the wisdom within. Redfield goes on to show us how we can get the same energy that can be taken from humans, from nature, like a tree. Interestingly the 5 techniques to get energy from humans, involves manipulating or hurting them.  While the technique for getting energy from a tree is by forming a relationship of appreciation with it.

Since what we focus on grows, which type of energy do you want to build in your life?  One where connections filled with appreciation and gratitude bring you energy, feeding and sustaining you?  Or will you invest in connections filled with manipulation and domination to feed and sustain yourself? 

The choice is truly yours, and you will reap the rewards of the practices you sow. Their energy will spread out around you and color your world. For me, it’s a no-brainer.  Just as Don Miguel says in his book The Four Agreements, being impeccable with your word, can transform your life. 

If you struggle with self-esteem, practicing what my Lakota friends would say is “good medicine” will spread out into your world, changing the fabric of your life. After time spent consistently practicing being impeccable with your word, you will begin to feel differently about yourself. So much so that you will not want to be with others who are not impeccable with their word, and that will change your life again.

Remember, according to the Tao Te Ching, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” …

Photo By : Nandhu Kumar

Copyright 2021 Lia Russ

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