In my second podcast conversation with Colin Hillstrom, we begin with the question ‘why bother with healing?’ Why do we need to become conscious to heal? What really is the benefit of doing the work of telling the truth, of becoming aware and awake when healing from disease and illness? These questions challenge us to do more than the bare minimum to return our energy to a state of doing what we have always done. Sooner or later, a crisis will call into question the health and life we take for granted.
For the past two weeks, a police cruiser with its lights flashing has been parked on our street every day to direct traffic onto the detour route around the road closure further up the street. It has been fascinating to observe the varied reactions to this inconvenience. After all, in our journeys from points A to B, we just want to get where we are going with the least amount of disruption and re-calculating.
One afternoon I decided to take a snack up to the officer on duty, and I joked with him about how busy he was making sure that people do what they are being asked to do. His comments surprised me – they are driving past four road closed signs because looking for an alternative pathway is too much work. People are driving on people’s lawns to get where they want to go rather than take the detours. They are even driving around him onto the shoulder and when he chases them down, they give him excuses like they didn’t see him.
I stood there and witnessed him telling a driver who didn’t know how to follow the detour signs and so returned to ask again if she could drive around the barricades to get where she wanted to go. He was kind, but clear in his response: “For the 2nd time, no.” On a several occasions, when they felt they could get away with it, I witnessed several drivers disregarding the officer and the multiple road closure signs and proceeding around the barricade, with little concern for the safety of the workers or the property of those who live within the construction zone.
I understand firsthand the inconvenience of this detour onto a gravel road that can be very dusty, or muddy when it rains, and very rough because of all the traffic. It means I must drive slower and allow more time – this and other inconveniences come with this kind of construction. For me to disregard the flashing lights and road signs just to get what one wants right now, faster, seems an act of disrespect my spirit cannot consider.
I share this story because it’s what I also hear in the stories that I hear from my clients. People will bypass the body’s ‘flashing red light’ repeatedly just to get what they want, now. They don’t believe the red light applies to them needing to become conscious of their body and emotional-spiritual well-being. Their body is supposed to support them regardless of their choices, regardless of their habits. They don’t need to change. Sensory pleasure or momentary ego gratification is the sole motivating factor while their spirit and the flow of truth and love is denied and infringed upon.
Moreover, not only is the body compromised in this situation, but so too are their important relationships, often which also become disrespected and disregarded in some way. Here, just like the lawns and property which are being destroyed, or construction workers that are almost being hit by these drivers, and school property and sidewalks being used as roadways, we often don’t recognize that only using our energy for our ego’s cravings and entitlements are costing the relationships we might otherwise value when the shoe worn becomes our own. Sometimes healing takes a longer route and we do best by honouring the natural rules of healing.
Healing includes more than clearing physical symptoms. It calls for a change in consciousness towards higher aspirations, connections and love to something greater than ourselves. It calls us to open up to new possibilities and potentiality of who we can be in the world, whether it be family, community, ourselves and with our bodies. Healing calls us to use our energy rightly. It asks us to reframe our stress, pain and illness.
The power of healing is found in the acceptance and resilience and love to yield to life, to its detours and even temporary road blocks. Our capacity to heal is found in our willingness and conscious dedication to yield towards what gives us life, love and vitality. Such healing calls us to ask what is the right use of our energy to restore vitality and reconnect us with love and life as it seeks to flow through us.
Which leads me to ask you: What behaviour, habits or spiritual practice leads you toward your higher power and helps make the right use of your energy? Why does healing really matter to you?
Take some time to listen to my podcast series about healing with Colin Hillstrom as we explore using your energy wisely. If you missed the first one, I invite you to start there – this series is really an ongoing conversation between us. I hope you enjoy and I look forward to hearing your comments. Be blessed.
Namaste,
Shirley Lynn