Musings from the Journey
Enhance your life and fortify a deeper connection with your True Self.
 If you are an outdoor adventurer or spent any time around them, you've probably heard the term Type II Fun. In this world, there is the idea that there are three types of fun:
Type I: Is actually fun and enjoyable in the moment. You are soaking in the goodness and don't want it to end. Tasty tacos. Peacefully floating along a calm river, game night with friends. Type II: Is difficult or uncomfortable in the moment. It might require some grit and fortitude. But on the other side, or at the peak, there is joy, elation, accomplishment. The gratitude for moving through challenge to reap the reward. Running a marathon. Hiking a steep mountain to a beautiful view. Waking up in the middle of the night for an infant. Type III: Is not fun during or after. It's one of those "why did I do that?" experiences. Was that even worth it? Regretting life choices type of experiences. Healing work sometimes feels like Type I fun. We get to bliss out and feel the peace and relief of receiving care and woes melting away. Other times, healing work is Type II fun. It is not always pleasant to face the literal and invisible pains we've endured in life, and didn't have the capacity to process at the time. Like cleaning out a grubby bathroom, it might be a little gross, and we don't want to do it. Can someone else do this? (I wish.) It will take a little patience, and willingness to get dirty. But on the other side it feels so much better. We're so glad we did it. If you find yourself in a Type II fun type moment in your journey. Take a moment, catch your breath if you need to. Rally your team, and carry onward. The view at the top is spectacular! Then it's all downhill, til it's not. ;) You got this! Sarah
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Setting intentions for the new year.  2025 is exhaling its last few breaths. Phew! What a revolution around the sun. We're still here.
Hopefully, you've been finding some moments for you to also catch your breath. While New Year's resolutions swirl in the air, I invite you to take a slightly different spin on it. What seeds of light do you want to plant for yourself in 2026? Friendship — Community — Understanding — Justice — Health — Spiritual Growth — Security — Ease — Creativity — Adventure — Love — Truth Perhaps, there are some qualities that were lacking for you this past year that you are yearning for? Some unmet needs you'd like to tend to? Narrow it to one to three qualities. Write them down. Meditate on them. Brainstorm some actionable strategies that you can play with to meet those needs. You don't have to know all the ways. Just something that can give you enough traction to start. When we hold qualities versus a resolution, typically, there are a variety of ways to meet those needs, and we can pivot amongst strategies throughout the year. It is more about cultivating the conditions for "love" (or whatever quality) to grow, than succeeding or failing at a goal. After reflecting, what seeds of light do you want to nurture this year? Share with us in the comments. Do healing, intuition, spiritual connection, community, self-care, or empowerment make your list? If so, I invite you to join this year's Reiki Training Program that starts Feb 7th. Learn more here, and register to hold your spot. Happy New Year, ~Sarah Wisdom from my father.  My dad, Bob the Nice Guy, having just pet a porcupine. This one goes out to my pops, Bob the Nice Guy.
Today, and all days, but, especially today, I remember him. During his time, this kind, gentle, creative soul emanated a love that I'll be nestled within for the rest of my life. Dad modeled how to be a brave, compassionate human, spirit undampened by challenges. He believed in me, and this instilled a confidence in myself to step into the world as I have. He gave me my goofy, and sometimes ridiculous sense of humor, for better or worse. I'm sorry? ;) There aren't words for all that I could say. Perhaps someday, I'll reach across time and space to him in the Great Beyond, capture the words in poetry like the great mystics Hafiz and Rumi, bottle them up as some elixir to share with you. But that is for another day. What I have for you today is wisdom he shared with me often during my early decades: "Life is what you make it." When I muse over this, I meditate on the essence of what I want to cultivate in my life. Compassion, kindness, joy, wonder, acceptance, love. I aim to help myself and others find relief from pain in healthy ways. To delight in the unique facets of life. To laugh and marvel at the beautiful intricacies that are revealed when we pay attention. I suppose there are some specific "outcomes" that maybe, someday, I'd like to experience, but I hold them lightly now. I know that life is more than the boxes we check off. It takes twists and turns. Sometimes it pans out as expected and sometimes not. A lot of it we can't control. But the way we choose to show up with what is given, we can. I do believe care, love, wonder, and shared humanity exist in all these moments, though sometimes it can be hard to find or access. Yet, if I trust in my ability to find these qualities within myself and the world, there will be a little more internal grace, no matter what plays out. Even during the hard stuff. In the months following my dad's passing last fall, the prospect of Father's Day rolling around without him felt pretty grim. Around the new year, inspiration came of an epic adventure to connect with him, and let a shared dream finally come true. This gave me a light and a focus amidst the grief, a way to make a long-held vision come to life. As you read this, I am likely in ceremony, honoring this sweet soul and our shared love of mountains, land, and nature. Making a bit more magic out of this life, and if I'm going to really make Dad proud, a joke of it too. But more on that later... right now, I'm busy. Happy Father's Day. So it goes. Sarah P.S. Dad would want me to share this with you. :) If you want to sing out, sing out... |
Sarah Barlow
Reiki Master Teacher and Owner of Embrace Your Essence Sign up for our E-Letters Here
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