Picked up a random poetry book From the crowded shelf. Quick easy hour read: Delight and wonder. Then, Found…
12 Days of Mindful Tips + Resources: Day 12 “Drummers Drumming”
Traditionally, the “12 Days of Christmas” starts Christmas Eve and goes to January 6th to celebrate Jesus’ birth and the coming of the “Three Wise Men” to honor the infant savior.
“Epiphany means ‘revelation’ and both the visit of the Wise Men and [Jesus’] Baptism are important times when Jesus was ‘revealed’ to be very important,” (“Epiphany, the Feast of The Three Kings”).
As we have spent the last twelve days on our own journey towards self-discovery, in a sense, I want you to consider that you have had you own special rebirth and are now being visited by three dignified versions of your future self coming to thank you for your hard work.
Do you follow? I am not trying to ruffle any feathers, rather, I am trying to help you see figuratively how your practice from the last eleven days has prepared you for today.
Today the “12 drummers drumming” are heralding your good news! You have achieved much success by simply being faithful to yourself. You are on your way to having a renewed and positive future.
During the past eleven days, you have focused on:
- Eleven Pipers Piping=Adding mindful moments to your day
- Ten Lords a Leaping=Finding Joy
- Nine Ladies Dancing=Move for your heart, mind, soul
- Eight Maids a Milking=Finding purpose for each day.
- Seven Swans a Swimming=Self-transformation or Making Positive Changes
- Six Geese a Laying=6 Pillars of Self-Esteem (Mission Statement)
- Five Golden Rings=Promises/Goals for yourself (SMART Goals)
- Four=Identifying a Life Line Person
- Three French Hens=Heart, Mind, Soul
- Two Turtle Doves=Discovering Needs vs Wants
- One Partridge in a Pear Tree=Hope
You now have more tools in your toolbox to use moving forward as you continue to work to be rooted in your hope, in balancing your needs and wants, in sticking to your Mission Statement and SMART Goals, and most importantly, in changing your reactions to others by pausing to reflect before you act.
In a post, “Sharing a journey of Spiritual Awakening and Self Discovery,” Freelance writer Cassandra Jonas explains how self-discovery is initially about a personal journey, but it then transcends into finding a community with whom to share your new awareness and beliefs. We are never meant to go through journeys alone; we are meant to find support with others.
“The discovery of one’s spirituality can be a fantastic awakening to a whole new side of yourself, but simply saying the words aloud won’t make you the person that you want to be. You need to seek out others who share your beliefs, be willing to change and grow as you discover new facets of your spiritual awakening, and most importantly, you must be more than talk. Living the life you believe in is the key to a happy, healthy spirit.” (Jonas).
Therefore, seek out the company of others.
“Building a soulful community is a step-by-step, deliberate process to bring certain people into your life. First, decide on the kind of person you’d like to meet (friend, mate, colleague). Next, take specific actions to make it happen. The truth is it takes commitment and action to add new people to your community,” (“How to Build a Supportive Community“).
Consider the following criteria, from oprah.com/spiritual newsletter, when seeking out a trusted community:
- “Physical qualities”
- “Emotional disposition”
- “Spiritual beliefs“
- “Intellectual interests”
- “Hobbies, personal interests”
- “Career/Financial interests” (“How to Build a Supportive Community“)
Strengthen Existing Friendships to Share your News
Perhaps you already have a trusted community to turn to and now is an excellent time to share your new self to them.
“Take Action: Step out of your comfort zone and risk a deeper connection. If you’d like to take an existing relationship to new level, tell that person directly. If there’s someone you’d like to get to know better, pick up the phone and invite him or her to dinner. If you long to bring new relationships into your life, let three people in your community know about it. Remember that since most of us share the same desire, when you reach out, the chances are pretty good that someone will reach back,” (“How to Build a Supportive Community“).
“Ask yourself these questions[:]
“The person(s) I’d like to connect more deeply with is (are) ___________.”
“Two people I’d like to get to know better are _____________.” (“How to Build a Supportive Community“).
Assignment Day 12:
Task #1- Write your answer to the two questions above.
Task #2- Now make a list of who you are going to try to connect with to build up or strengthen your community of support.
Task #3- Seek out your community right now. Either send a text, email, or social media message to your trusted group. If you do not know who then look online to find a community within your area.
Here is a list of useful websites to look for trusted communities:
- Create the Good-http://createthegood.org/
- Health Finder Gov- https://healthfinder.gov/FindServices/SearchContext.aspx?topic=833
- Very Well Mind- https://www.verywellmind.com/find-a-support-group-meeting-near-you-69433
- MeetUp Support Groups- https://www.meetup.com/topics/support-group/
- Good Therapy- https://www.goodtherapy.org/workshops/support-group
- Meet Up Church/Spiritual-https://www.meetup.com/topics/church/
In conclusion, I want to share our shared vocabulary for you to continue to use in your journey to developing your root system and a more positive year:
Thank you for joining me on this twelve day series! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much I have writing it for you!
Stay tuned for my upcoming series on spirituality!
Here is a final gift for you, my faithful reader:
Resource from Amazon.com:
Welcome to Awakening: How to be Free in the Human Experience by Renee Johanna
An Illustrated Guide to Self-Discipline: 50 Habits to More Self-Control, Success, and Satisfaction in Life by Martin Meadows
References:
Cooper, James. (). “Epiphany, the Feast of The Three Kings”. The Merry Network. Retrieved from: https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/epiphany.shtml.
“How to Build a Supportive Community“. Oprah Spirit Newsletter. Retrieved from: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/build-a-community-of-support/4.