Tag: colby hall
Staying Centered… and Getting Nature
As I’m writing this, the world finds itself in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is easy to get overwhelmed with the volume of information coming at you from all sides: the news, leaders of all kinds from every country affected, social media, and of course, friends and family. And here in the USA, we are being placed under stay-at-home orders. It’s no wonder so many people are gripped with fear and despair. Personally, I’ve gone through lots of varied emotions. Not true fear – mine is more of a cautiousness and a wait and see feeling – but I have had many days where I was really fed up with it all and some where I was feeling down. At other times, I’ve had a lot to be thankful for and even to laugh about. I want you to know it is okay to feel that way. It is okay to feel however you feel and to feel different things hour by hour, minute by minute even, especially in extraordinary times like these.
Now to shift gears a little bit. In the northern hemisphere, where I live, it is springtime. It seems hard to believe that the natural world is carrying on while we humans are hunkering down, but it is. And I, for one, am thrilled. I love seeing nature reawaken! I rejoiced when I saw my first native bees of the year using my bee house. Plants that I thought for sure hadn’t survived the winter began poking their heads out of the ground again, and I even had one of the eastern black swallowtail butterflies that overwintered with me emerge and fly off in the nice warm weather. Spring is the season of renewal, and boy we could sure use a renewal right about now!
With that in mind, I would encourage you to spend as much time as you can outdoors, or if you can’t be outdoors (we are in the midst of what we locals refer to as “the pollening” in my area where even a few minutes outside results in you being covered from head to toe with a yellow-green pollen) try to bring the outdoors in with flowers or plants. Even watching television shows about nature can help lift your spirits. Nature gives the gift of allowing you to just “be”. You don’t have to impress it or put on a happy face or worry about what you say to it or what tone of voice you use. You get to be fully you and nature accepts you as you are. Even better yet, as you become still and begin to acclimate to your outdoor surroundings, nature lets you in on its secrets. You begin to notice things you hadn’t seen before like new plant shoots or leaves that have suddenly appeared that weren’t there the day before. I’ve already been lucky this year to also see rabbits and deer that know I’m around but don’t mind my being present.
I tend to dislike writing in a journal, but I don’t mind posting on social media as much, so for me, sharing the new things I discover each day in a short post (or in multiple posts if it has been a really good nature day), is a good way to commemorate what I’ve experienced and allows me to share my findings, thoughts, and feelings with others. Many people remark on my posts directly or when I see them in person, and tell me how much they enjoyed seeing and learning about my various topics. The butterflies that I raise and release are especially popular topics. So if you feel inclined, share some of the joy you find outdoors with others and let’s see if collectively we can bring happiness to large numbers of people. Feel free to start right now by leaving a message in the comments as to your favorite nature moments. I look forward to reading them!
Colby Hall
Trinity Energy Progression Facilitator/Practitioner
A Look at Self Care
As the days grow colder (at least we are where I am, here in the United States) and we’re now smack in the middle of the end-of-year holiday season, it is important to take a step back from the hustle and bustle and make time to take care of yourself. I know, I know, you have shopping to do, presents to wrap, and holiday parties to attend. And do I think that tree is going to decorate itself? How in the world, when you already feel as though you’re running behind, and like everything could fall apart if you don’t go even faster, are you going to stop and carve out some “me time”? I understand, believe me, I do. And that is precisely why you need to do it.
I think the problem comes in our perception of self care. Typical images conjure up bubble baths, or reading a book while wrapped up in a cozy blanket by the fire. Don’t get me wrong; these are great ways to exercise self care and are very relaxing too. However, self care doesn’t need to be the stereotypical perception of relaxing or pampering to count as self care. I’d encourage you to look deeper and discover what makes you smile, warms your heart, and feeds your soul.
The things you choose for your own self care can be as small as making yourself a cup of tea that you enjoy. Or it can be something that you expect others would not think of as self care – like finally cleaning out and organizing the junk drawer – but that gives you such a sense of well-being and accomplishment that it makes you do a happy dance inside. I won’t judge you for it! In fact, I would be happy that you added to your joy and sense of self. For that is what self care is really all about: nourishing yourself in all ways, big and small.
In a season that is all about taking care of and doing things for others, it might be difficult to get in touch with what would nurture your own soul. To help get you started, I’ve listed some suggestions below. I suspect that once you start thinking about it, you will come up with many more ways to nourish yourself that feel right to you. Go for it! You are worth it!
Self Care Suggestions
- Drink a cup of tea, or other warm beverage you enjoy
- Read a book
- Walk through nature
- Feed the birds
- Do a task you’ve been putting off
- Try a new lotion or perfume
- Eat a crisp apple
- Relax by the fireplace
- Get a pedicure or massage
- Arrange flowers for your home
- Create! Paint, sew, sculpt, knit, solder metal, papier-mâché, string beads, etc.
- Draw in a coloring book
- Bake cookies
- Take a class on something you’ve wanted to learn
- Watch the sunrise or sunset
- Listen to yourself and give yourself permission to explore what makes you happy and contented
Colby Hall
Trinity Energy Progression Facilitator/Practitioner
Chaos, Gardening, and Divine Timing
I’ve been doing a lot of gardening lately. Spring has sprung as the saying goes, and I’ve been caught up in the renewal of life. It’s glorious to see all the plants, animals, and insects reviving and going about the business of creating anew. Moreover, gardening is a form of meditation for me. It allows me to be quiet and hear my thoughts and to tap into the energy of the universe.
Most recently I’ve attempted to tackle my collection of outdoor pots and planters. It has taken me almost a year of being in my new residence to gain order, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve known that I wanted to change the way things looked for a long time now. When I moved, I basically set the plants and planters down in my backyard simply to have somewhere to put them until I had time to get back around to them. Of course life, as it often does, had other plans for me and aside from watering the plants to keep them alive, I didn’t spend much time figuring out what to do with them. This spring, all of that changed. Suddenly I had inspiration (remember, that is my word for 2019!) and I could see bits and pieces of how things could look and what I needed to change. I was thinking outside the box and I was filled with ideas for redesigning and repurposing old items to fit my new vision. The results have been wonderful! I’ve installed several new planters and some more permanent features such as bricks and pavers, and I’m thrilled with how they look. Not only do they fill me with joy when I look at them, but I also enjoyed reconnecting with the Earth by getting my hands in the dirt and creating these plant combinations.
My mother was visiting prior to my creative steak and commented on how many plants I had in and around my area (mainly scattered on my back deck). I responded that I had a plan and not to worry about it. Let’s just say she seemed skeptical. However, after two days of hard work, the results speak for themselves. There is still more to go, but I can see the next steps now. As I texted photos of all I had done over the weekend to my mother, I also sent a text saying “I keep telling you I have a vision. It sometimes just takes a while to get it all worked out.” It reminded me that the Universe works this way as well. There is always a master plan waiting to unfold! We don’t necessarily see where things are headed, and we frequently get impatient waiting for events to occur, but when the time is right it all comes together and the plan is revealed. We may only be given a small part of the plan, but that part feels infinitely right and timely. We also frequently know the next steps to take even if we are unsure where those steps will ultimately lead. It’s a matter of trust and faith to follow them, but when we do the reward is great.
As pleased as I was to create a beautiful and peaceful outdoor space for myself, I’m even more grateful for the reminder from the Universe about divine timing. Hopefully my experience will resonate with you and help to serve as a reminder for you as well. In the interim, may you enjoy your springtime as much as I have, and may it bring you much happiness!
Colby Hall
Trinity Energy Progression Facilitator/Practitioner
New Year’s Inspiration
I’ve written before about selecting a word that will represent your upcoming year. However, with it being the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, it felt like the right time to mention it again. I hope you take the time to select a word for yourself, and to reflect upon it often. I tend to find that the actual selection process takes no time at all. I simply ask what my word should be and almost before I’ve finished asking the question the chosen word appears in my mind. My word for 2019? Inspiration.
Inspiration 2019!
I was somewhat surprised because this isn’t a word I use often. Sure, I might say I was inspired by something or even that someone was inspiring, but the word inspiration? No. I rarely use it. Inspiration though perfectly captures that feeling that I’ve felt when thinking about all that will happen in 2019. My 2019 calendar is relatively empty thus far, but 2019 feels like it is going to be a big year. You know what I mean?
I can already feel the changes beginning to take place and I’m excited, exhilarated, and truthfully a little scared too. Inspiration thus reminds me to both seek inspiration in all things big and small from the world around me, and also to be an inspiration to others. It challenges me to be the best version of me yet and I’m excited to get started.
I realize that with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it can be difficult to find time to be alone, much less to think about anything other than all the things you still need to get done, but I think if you take the time to try this exercise you’ll find it richly rewarding. Need some added incentive? This year we are experiencing a new moon on January 5, 2019.
New moons are a perfect time to manifest any changes you want to see – even if your life is so wonderful and full that you only want more of what you already have! What a great time to embody all of what your word for 2019 has to represent. So my wish for you is that you create a space for yourself to discover your own personal word for 2019, and that it helps you immensely in your journey. Bon voyage!
Colby Hall
Trinity Energy Progression Facilitator/Practitioner
Wisdom Awakening
I’ve had several experiences recently that reminded me of my spiritual evolution. As more and more people become spiritually aware, I find myself in conversations with them and all of sudden I’m the one who is imparting words of wisdom or nodding my head when they tell me about some ‘strange’ experience they’ve had. I wondered when that had happened – when had the roles reversed and I was no longer the new initiate (for lack of a better term)? Of course I am still constantly seeking more information and guidance, but it is now at a higher level than it once was and I seem to be filling a new role.
How Far We Have Come
This new role, or rather the new me, is great! I can tell that I have truly grown as a person. I no longer feel like I need to shield myself for protection or carry a ton of crystals around with me like I did when I first started down this path. Now I simply allow negative energy to flow past me. I don’t get as caught up in daily stresses. I try to see the good in people even when it looks to all the world like the person doesn’t have any. I think it is this openness that has brought even more wonderful things into my life.
Monarch by Colby Hall
As those of you who have followed my blog posts know, I am very interested in nature and gardening and the creatures of this world. You probably also know that I raise butterflies. This year, I have been blessed with many black swallowtail butterfly eggs, and for the first time since my childhood, a monarch butterfly stopped by to visit. I cannot tell you the joy I felt at seeing that little butterfly as she flitted around my flowers and milkweed plants. It seems like the Universe was saying “See! When you open yourself up to the world, the world will show up!” It’s a hard lesson to learn. Especially lately when it is easy to fall into patterns of negative thinking, wanting to hide from the world, or to lash out at it. But if you can remember who you are at your core and allow all of the rest to flow around you while you remain observant of it but not mired in the thick of it, then you can remain open to the very best that this world has to offer. I’ve done my best to share this lesson with those who have come to me recently asking questions and beginning their own exploration. I think it will serve them well, and will ultimately help the world become the positive, compassionate, joyous place we know it can be. I urge you to take a look at yourself and see how you react to daily life. And if you need a little more light, try opening yourself up more to the great things this world has to offer. I bet you won’t be disappointed.
Colby Hall
Trinity Energy Progression Facilitator/Practitioner
D5 Creation