Shedding Limitations

How’s your nervous system coping with everything that’s going on in the world at present?  Politics, weather, disclosures?

At a dinner party recently I quietly observed different reactions.  it was obvious who’s been watching main stream media. Some people were worked up, stressed at events that are well outside their immediate life. It was like listening to a news broadcast as they talked.. Views formed by the media’s focus, their indignation on queue with that narrative. Stressed about how the world might be for their and their children’s future.

I could sense their blood pressure rising, skin contracting, stomach tensing. As if digesting it took so much processing - their stomach valves saying “too much”.

Other people were more relaxed, focusing on what they’d been doing, their interests, hobbies. I could sense a different vibe from them. Excitement, joy at their sport, hobbies, work, focus.

As I reflected, one thing became clear. There was a palpable difference between those focusing on their internal wisdom, heart-led focused on what passionately drove them vs what’s been projected externally - the media and other event’s “outside of them” keeping them brain focused.

It would have been interesting to see the impact of these on their immune systems, stress hormone levels and the like.

During a somatic dance this week I witnessed the effects of that external focus first hand. I felt like I was covered by porcupine quills. And I could sense every one of them was a self criticism. Any time I’d questioned my ability…, who am I too…?, am I good enough for…?, what will “they” think…..? Alongside self criticisms  “I can’t wear that….”  You know the type - you’ve said your fair share.

I was surprised at the subtle pain they created in my body, little bits of inflammation where they had landed in me. There were even quills, like darts with bullseye landing,  from other peoples comments I’d plugged into hook line and centre as a child:  “That’s a weird drawing”, “don’t outshine others, you’ll make them feel bad;" “you can’t say no to someone who’s had the courage to ask you out”.  Oh boy, they created beliefs and fears about self.  Blocking listening to hopes and aspirations in case those hopes negatively impacted on others.   In other worlds, my receptors for perspectives on me were distorted from these childhood wounds.

They created a fog of inflammation around my heart-space. Created a feeling that connecting to heart was painful, limited, and due to the confusion of thinking the fog was my Heart space, questioning if I was good enough, had done enough to be worthy.

It felt amazing to let these quills drop away. Liberating. Subtle pain I’d been unaware I’d been carrying melted away. Space came into my beingness so delicious it felt a delight to breathe into.

And I wondered: Where are you pouring your attention into things outside of you. That take you away from you. That get you confusing those with who you truely are.

What “porcupine quills” are you carrying?  And do you know how to even let yourself recognise them?

You might be used to seeing the world through your unique lens, view point. Unaware that its simply your viewpoint. Or that others see the world differently.

It can take courage to shift lenses from your truth/perspective to see a deeper truth. Appreciating others perceive events through a different lens can help shift the way you see reality. That your interpretation of events might simply be that. Interpretations based on a brain nervous system, rather than deep truth. One designed to keep you simply alive, rather than happy and fulfilled with amazing relationships and connections.

Shedding the porcupine quill from childhood where being laughed at for a drawing had me believing I couldn’t draw, helped me changed perspective. I'd accepted the limitation of the person’s critique as a sign of my failing, rather than her inability to see art beyond the painting-by-numbers reality. Releasing this quill-belief-limitation I’d plugged into, reminded me that recently I’d uncovered some old drawings. Appreciation for them was my first reaction, then a dawning recognition that these were mine. Without the lens of plugged in limitation, I saw them for what they were. Amazing attempts.

When you shed limiting beliefs you’ve been plugged into, it's amazing the deeper truths of yourself you become able to see. Brilliance the previously plugged into limitations blocked you from seeing.

So have fun playing with discovering and shedding those quills you’d accepted, changing lenses to see a deeper more powerful version of you. Enjoy the freedom and deeper breath they invite.

I'd love to know what you uncover and the release you experience.