We may be tempted to try to engender synchronicity, however it usually sneaks up on us like a shadow, or trips us up when we least expect it. Sometimes we can hear synchronicity as a divine finger rubbing a crystal glass, to cause a pure ring tone, as pieces of our lives fall into place. Sometimes synchronicity can be the simultaneous experience of mental turmoil over a health crisis colliding with a mundane problem like having our cell phone stop working. In both examples of synchronicity we experience powerlessness. We have stepped into a moment of realizing there is a bigger picture to life and we are not the ones in control. The analogy of the monkey riding the tiger as the tiger surges through the jungle, may best describe our lives. We are that monkey, riding that tiger and we are doing our best to hear God calling 'duck' when the tree branch comes rushing towards us.
Today I am experiencing another health crisis in a long line of health issues starting with Fibromyalgia over a decade ago. I feel distinctly powerless over my body's healing process. I am faced with the possibility of another surgery, the 4th in a 5 year period. I am praying for guidance and doing everything I can to change surgery as an outcome. I eat right, exercise, rest, receive alternative therapy and do my best to maintain a positive attitude. I am open to any and all suggestions as friends hold my hand and I am held by my higher power.
Meanwhile my cell phone stopped holding a charge, just as I am qualified for an upgrade. This blessing in disguise allows me to focus on being powerless over using my cell phone rather than what is going on in my body. Instead of becoming irate over the phone not working I choose to see that the phone's state is simply an exclamation point, or an enhancing of my feeling powerless. Sometimes I need those blessings in disguise to jar me into the next phase of my own healing.
The crystal ringing is also resounding in my ears. One of my clients, Ron Chapman, has written a beautiful novel about forgiveness and recovery called High Desert.
The main character transforms as he accepts that there is a power greater than himself. Just as I finished reading the manuscript a friend sent me a wonderful exercise in forgiveness which I have included below. The clear sound of the crystal ringing is what woke me up this morning and I rushed me to my laptop to write this article. With this exercise I am forgiving myself for having created this imbalance in my body. As I contemplate forgiveness, I am filled with such a deep sense of gratitude. I invite you to join me on a ten-day pilgrimage towards loving ourselves and others more. Perhaps as we journey together we will hear a crystal ring tone as a constant thread in our lives.
How to Forgive & Love Ourselves...in Ten Days
C. Bengston
DAY ONE: ~~~Stop All Criticism~~~
Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself.
Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes.
When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative.
When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.
DAY TWO: ~~~Don't Scare Yourself~~~
Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It's a dreadful way to live!
Find a Mental Image that gives your pleasure. (Mine is the ocean),
And immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasurable thought.
DAY THREE: ~~~Be Gentle, Kind and Patient~~~
Be Gentle Kind and Patient with Yourself, as you learn the new ways of thinking.
Treat yourself as you would someone you really, really love.
DAY FOUR: ~~~Be Kind to your Mind~~~
Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts.
Don't hate yourself for having bad thoughts.
Instead gently change your thoughts.
DAY FIVE: ~~~Praise Yourself~~~
Praise builds up THE SPIRIT.
Praise yourself, as much as you can.
Tell yourself how well you are doing, with each and every little thing.
DAY SIX: ~~~Support Yourself~~~
Reach out to friends and allow them to help you.
It is being strong to ask for help, when you need it.
DAY SEVEN: ~~~Be Loving to your Negatives~~~
Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need.
Now, you are finding new positive ways to fulfill those needs.
So, lovingly release the old negative patterns.
DAY EIGHT: ~~~Take Care of Your Body~~~
What kind of fuel does your body need to have for optimum energy and vitality?
What kind of exercise can you enjoy and tolerate, according to your illness?
Cherish and revere the temple you live in,
DAY NINE: ~~~Mirror Work~~~
Look into your eyes often.
Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself
Forgive yourself...looking into the mirror.
Talk to your parents and loved ones while looking into the mirror, forgive them too.
At last, once a day, say “I love you…I really love you!"
DAY TEN: ~~~Love Yourself~~~
Do it now! Don't wait until you get better, or lose the weight, or get the new job, or the new relationship.
Begin now...and do the best you can.
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