Reflection: On the Roads Already Travelled

Credit:  Beth Bacaglia's Simply Inspired

I shared this beautiful photo on my Facebook page and commented "I believe that its possible that we may only see the route as scenic, after we have travelled it".  

Have you ever white knuckled your way through a road trip?  I know I have.  

My first driving experience on the, I'll say the other side of the road, was travelling from Edinburgh to St. Andrew's golf course.  

Had to do a selfie before climbing behind the wheel!

The directions I gave my passengers were:

• NO Talking
• NO Squabbling
• NO Breathing too loud
• Definitely NO music
• Pretty much do NOTHING to distract me from the task at hand.

I needed the car to be the most tranquil environment so I could focus specifically on:  

1. Staying in the proper lane,
2. Driving the proper speed limit (meaning not too slow in this instance),
3. Negotiate the skinny roads,
4. Listen to the Sat Nav,
5. Most importantly listen to the constant mental chatter of "You can do this"!

I can tell you that the scenery was unique, from the little glances I stole and eventually I was able to converse and at one point laugh.  

Was I able to appreciate the scenic route I was on, literally.  I'd say no.

Once I finally got the car parked and was no longer behind the wheel could I appreciate it? I'd say...umm yes, and perhaps after my wine with dinner the yes had more oomph.

The literal task of driving was not the issue, it was seeing the road from a different vantage point and NOT thinking it was wrong, it was simply different.  

Credit:  Gratitude n all

Driving on the left vs the right side of the road is exactly the same, however when all of your driving has been from the left side of the vehicle on the right side of the road, making that switch is mind bending.  And for anyone who has made the switch, even temporarily you may concur that you can almost feel the new tracks in your brain being paved.

Having now driven for the past year in Australia, I can appreciate the process even more.  I celebrated when I could comfortably drive with the radio on, began to multi task by yelling at the kids or be able to take a drink of coffee in transit.

Does it feel normal? Kinda, well it feels "less new".

The journey over the past year, driving included, has been scenic in more ways than one. Whether I was able to appreciate that fact in the moment or only when looking back. 

I believe there is always something interesting to appreciate, see and learn through observation and reflection.

Yang Wood and Fire: Yin Earth, Metal and Water

This 5 Element assessment results show a relative balance in all the elements; as in not an extreme variance for any particular one. 

Wood is the Yang Element; Fire is the next dominant element.

Yin is Earth, Water and Metal.

Wood is intuition, knowledge, inspiration and action.  When wood is in balance we will trust the process.

Wood consumes Earth, which is indicative in the totals shared above.  Too much wood can be Type A personality; a lot of things happening but not enough gain; lots of work not enough pay.

Fire is the emotional element; it is communication (words), touch, life, spark, excitement.  This is connected to Fame and Reputation or Community.  It is defined as Integrity, true to self and how we are viewed by others.

The results of the assessment show that there is plenty of wood to keep the fire burning and Fire creates Earth, yet in this instance Earth is the lowest or most yin of the elements.

It may be possible that you are full of ambition, lots of great ideas and are inspired to share.  You can communicate effectively, your ideas spark interest and yet the seeds of your inspiration may not have enough Earth in order to sprout, take root and begin to grow.

In any garden there are times when you have to control the growth.  Culling weeds or runts from your plantings.  Perhaps it may serve you to look at your "garden or forest", stand in a place of observation and see what you can nourish to truly take root and harvest and preserve the others for another planting cycle?  

Adding Metal:
The element of Metal is used to control Wood as a Dominant Element.  (Metal cuts Wood.)

Too little Metal can impact one’s ability to focus, stay on task, lack determination thru procrastination, forgetting, and avoidance. 

The ability to generate many ideas, however, needing to cull the forest in order for those ideas to take root in the Earth.

• What could you let go of in order to allow yourself to focus your intentions more specifically?
•  Are there concepts, ideas or things in your world that can be blended together to create a more solid root structure?
• What seeds have you planted that need more room to grow?
•  What branches could be pruned?

The I Ching teaches us that Metal is the element associated with Children and Creativity; the essence being “Joy”.

• How could you cultivate Joy in your life right now?
•  How could you “lighten up”?
• What would it feel like if you could infuse your life overall with joy?

Highlight with Earth and Fire Elements:

All seeds have their own germination period.  I invite you to consider all the great things you intend to plant, nurture and harvest.  Then consider the possibility that all the seeds do not necessarily have to planted all at once.  

Perhaps you can find a rhythm in clearing the soil, plant specific seeds, nurture and intend to harvest.  

Find your ground, stand in your garden.

Too little Fire can be a feeling of being separate from, lots of flame but not a lot of heat.  Just as above, metaphorically speaking, you may benefit from concentrating your efforts on stoking less number of fires rather than have many individual matches lit and expect the same radiant heat.

The element of water helps to refine.  “Going with the Flow”.  “Trusting the flow of life.” If the garden is too dense the plants can not thrive in rationing the water.

Suggested Affirmation: