Hidden Messages
White feathers often appear in front, or beside me, in a pocket or on a frozen windscreen; sometimes floating down from on high, no bird in sight, appearing on a shoe or landing silently on the top of my hat. I like to think that this is my sister, Emma, my guardian angel reminding me that although her body has gone, her spirit is very much in and with me.
Only recently I heard the phrase “When robins appear, loved ones are near”, alluding to the belief that the robin is conveying a message of peace from a loved one who has died. Robins can also be associated with happiness, joy, good luck, rebirth, and the ending of an old phase with the promise of something new.
On Monday, during an incredible reflexology session, I fell into a semi-meditative state. When this happens I am aware of my surroundings, the sensation of my feet being massaged, but also experiencing a dream-like state. On this occasion, my dad appeared and nudged me to revisit and continue the story I started earlier this year about his family. I have been struggling to write over the past few months, but as I lay still, in a warm, cosy room, listening to peaceful music, I believe I received the push I needed, and subsequently began this blog on Monday.
Returning home, and aware that I only had a short amount of time before a mentoring session, I swept up some leaves and bagged recently pruned apple branches, in preparation for a visit to the recycling centre. I had let Jilly into the garden, while I worked in the driveway. It took about ½ hour and I could feel my muscles gently working, especially after a classic Pilates mat workout that morning. There wasn’t time to visit the recycling centre, and I needed to rest before heading out again. I’m recovering from a bout of pneumonia which had me floored for 2.5 weeks, a month ago, and although I am getting stronger every day, I tire easily mid-afternoon.
I made a cup of tea and then began the ritual of closing the air vents in the loft before the sun fades and cold air seeps in. There was a strange presence in the loft, but I assumed it was a noise from outside, until a pair of panicked beating wings and a flash of a red breast alerted me to a robin frantically trying to escape. I can only assume it had flown in through the open front door while I was gardening. Thinking of the quote about robins visiting, I remained calm, talked to him quietly, and moved between the north and south facing Velux windows in order to open them. The robin stopped darting around and perched on the edge of my bed, waiting for me to prepare a safe exit, which I did, and off he flew. I smiled, and felt a weight lift off my shoulders and with it my writer’s block.
During the mentoring session, I was explaining to my young client about the reptile brain, or amygdala, and how we are hardwired to fight, flight or freeze. My client can struggle with their emotions in times of uncertainty, and I was helping them think about their emotions in relation to the environment they might be in. I asked my client to think about who could help them in times of stress, and that by stopping to think, instead of immediately falling into fight or flight mode, we can either find our own way, or turn to someone who can help us. When the robin stopped flapping frantically and perched on my bed, I could safely open the windows.
We all have choices in life, and making choices to enact change can be hard - emotional, frightening, unnerving, filled with uncertainty and confusion, excitement and exhilaration. But until we trust that we are moving in the right direction, we will remain stuck, feel trapped, and become exhausted, constantly flapping tired wings against permanently bolted exit routes.
When I complete my daily gratitude journal I use the affirmation: I love my life. Even through difficulties and challenges, I love my life, and I am accountable for the actions and decisions I make, learning from my fears because they take me to wisdom and power.
During a recent audiology appointment, I was asked a wide number of medical questions, and what I did for a living, to determine what environment I am used to and how this impacts on my hearing loss. The hearing test was performed and while an upgraded hearing aid was being prepared, the audiologist asked me again what I did for a living. When I replied ‘Life and Career Coach’ they confessed that they were stuck, had made some uncomfortable choices and were unclear as to what to do next. Within minutes, I was in coaching mode, gently asking questions designed to encourage them to think about options. They came to the conclusion that it was time to try Glasgow because, for them, Edinburgh wasn’t conducive to their need to be in a vibrant, colourful and diverse city.
If you want to open the window, turn on the light, feel energy levels soar, and start walking on your true path, get in touch - coaching really can make a difference.
Photo taken by me at Smeaton Nurseries Café.
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