passion

Must See – Day 808

Posted on by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment
Photo: L. Weikel

Must See

One unexpected result of the pandemic, for me, has been my appreciation for the allure of Twitter. While I’m not one to initiate tweets, I readily admit to being a reader of them. I think my fascination with the platform arose during the George Floyd protests. Because I’ve carefully selected the people I ‘follow,’ I honestly feel my exposure to and understanding of the world has expanded tremendously. Mostly this expansion has related to politics, as well as breaking national and international news. But most recently? I was tipped off to watching something I can only say is a must see.

The tweet itself, like this post won’t, didn’t describe the program. In fact, it suggested, as I do as well, that you not read about the premise or, really, do any research on it before watching.

Just approach with an open mind and watch it.

Some Just Can’t

I realize that taking a risk – even if it’s just flirting with the possibility that I’ll waste 90 minutes or two hours on something that’s a dud – is something that floats my boat. It’s an especially intriguing prospect when I get the sense, vague as it might be, that it could push my perception of reality or of who I am. That’s like catnip to Cletus, baby. Sign me up.

But I realize that some of you might not be as turned on by the prospect of indulging in a film that has the potential to shift your conceptions. Maybe you need a little bit of a teaser (even if it’s recommended that you go into it with a paucity of preconceptions). For those of you, I offer the official trailer.

And for those of you who like to read reviews, here’s one from Rolling Stone. Perhaps Rotten Tomatoes is a leading indicator. I just checked and it’s got a 100% rating.

Detox

I recognize that I’ll be snagged back like a fish on a hook to watching what’s happening in Washington D.C. when the impeachment trial begins. And I admit to relishing the ability to peek in on press briefings from Jen Psaki, President Biden’s new Press Secretary, or to occasionally listen to highlights of briefings on Covid and the Climate Crisis.

But I must confess. After watching the interview I referenced last night with Senator Schumer, I’m actually giving myself permission to enter into a more comprehensive detoxification. I do not need to compulsively check my Twitter feed to assure myself we’re not on the brink of another crisis.

That’s not to say appalling information, especially with respect to the plotting behind the 1/6 insurrection, isn’t continuing to come to light. It is. And there are expositions of scandals buried and time bombs planted by the previous administration (hopefully not literally) just waiting to be revealed.

But for the first time in a very long time I’m starting to feel like I can breathe between crises.

And that means I can start taking the time again to contemplate the stuff that makes life worth living. My focus can return to that which reminds me of the magic of life. It’s that magic that feeds my passion for shamanic work and writing and journeying and listening.

Stir Your Soul

So…take a risk. Trust me. Don’t follow the links above. Instead, just watch In & Of Itself on Hulu. You need to see it to believe it. Or do you?

(T-303)

Unexpected Opportunity – Day 528

Posted on by Lisa Weikel 4 Comments
Last Night’s New Moon/Lyrid Night Sky – Photo: L. Weikel

Unexpected Opportunity

When I woke up this morning, I never guessed I’d be presented with such an unexpected opportunity. But there it was – a text message, asking if I would be willing to be interviewed for a segment on ‘Spirituality in the Time of Covid-19.’

The sheer fact that I was given the chance to voice my perspective is surprising enough. But on KYW Newsradio? (Yes, all of you from the tristate area surrounding Philadelphia, say the jingle aloud with me:  “KYW, Newsradio…1060!”)

Nope. I have to admit it; I didn’t see that coming.

But when I received that text message this morning, I immediately flashed to the fact that today is the new moon. New beginnings. A perfect time for planting the seeds of what we want to create in the future.

My Passion

I love the world that has opened up for me over the past 35 years through my studies of, and experiences in, shamanism. Embracing my relationship with Mother Earth and the interconnectedness of all beings, and exploring the different realms that exist around us, changed the course of my life.

My passion for this perspective on life and my direct experience of astonishing shifts in both my relationship to life as well as those of my family, friends, and clients, strikes a chord in me that is difficult to shush once you get me going.

Pretty Low Key

Nevertheless, overall, I think I come across to most people as pretty low key when it comes to my relationship with ‘the spiritual realm.’ I don’t shout from the rooftop the nature of my work. I don’t try to persuade people to ‘believe’ anything in particular. But I do love introducing people to our inherent ability as humans to access information from and establish relationships with unseen forces and archetypal presences that want us to remember and recognize that they have sentience.

Whew. That was saying a lot. Luckily, I didn’t wax quite so rhapsodic in my interview.

Speaking Out

Given that I tend to mostly only speak of this passion to my family, friends, and clients (and to those of you who care enough to read this blog), I have to admit, when I was invited to participate in the interview today, my first inclination was to say no.

But I do try to ‘walk my talk.’ And given everything I’ve been writing about lately, the choice seemed clear and unequivocal – even if it did make me really nervous.

So I just wanted to let you all know that I planted the seed of one of my intentions today. And I’m so incredibly grateful for the unexpected opportunity to do so.

I hope you planted some as well.

Maybe you’ll catch the segment if you tune in tomorrow.

Photo: L. Weikel

(T-583)

Indulgence – Day Twenty Seven

Posted on by Lisa Weikel 7 Comments

 

Indulgence

It seems I struck a chord with my post on evening silence last night.

Why is it that so many of us find it difficult to give ourselves permission to indulge in those experiences that make us feel wistful when we contemplate them? And why do we consider engaging in those experiences indulgent?

When I started writing this post, I was surprised by how I almost feel naughty when imagining myself basking in evening silence, giving myself all the time I desire to immerse myself in another world for a while or write in my journal. And I could almost hear that same tinge-of-guilt-yearning in many of the comments I read to yesterday’s musing.

What is it about indulgence? Does it mean to give ourselves permission to do something risqué?

Nope!

According to the World Book Dictionary, to ‘indulge’ means: v. to give way to one’s pleasure (in); let oneself have use, or do what one wants; to give in to the wishes or whims of; humor.

Why Do We Make Ourselves Wrong?

I find it fascinating that my knee-jerk reaction to ‘letting myself do what I want’ – particularly something as nurturing as disconnecting from the chaos of the outside world – is something that provokes a vague sense being flighty or irresponsible or, as I said above, slightly naughty.

It’s weird.

Why is the idea of spending our time in ways that bring smiles to our hearts and joy to our eyes considered humoring ourselves?

When I let myself ‘go deep’ and really think about how much time any of us have in a particular lifetime, and how I actually spend my time, I can quickly lapse into a state of pre-melancholy if I’m not careful. There are a lot of things I do mindlessly. A lot of activities that I only do because, ugh – I hate to admit it – ‘everyone else does.’

Start Indulging In the Good Stuff NOW

I do not want to get to the end of my life and wish I’d indulged myself more often.

Because why the hell shouldn’t I indulge myself now? And why shouldn’t you? My indulgences are not of the sort that hurt anyone else. They don’t even harm either my own body or soul, as one might argue excessive drinking or debauchery (what a great word, that) might. While I do not know what your indulgences might entail, I imagine many are of a sweet, creative nature.

Permitting yourself to write those poems. Giving yourself an uncluttered space to paint. Shoving the couch to the side of the room and allowing yourself to dance. Allowing yourself to listen to the wind and play that haunting tune you hear on your acoustic guitar.

I feel a revolution coming on. A revolution of indulgence.

What secret yearning do you hold within that calls for you to humor today? Join me.

(T-1084)