There are now two of me. Life before losing our son, and life after. And yet all is one, of course. But there is a definite shift from the old story to the new.
The old me seemed to manifest self-care routines in a wider variety of ways as second nature. Sleep was easy, physical movement was easier, being with others was easier and jumping in the car at the drop of a hat to be at a retreat or holistic workshop just rolled off me like water off a duck.
The new me finds it more challenging. I now find myself in a vulnerable space managing deeper emotions and ‘grown-up’ decisions to be made. Sleep is harder, emotions are deeper and recently, while choosing our future gravestone I was silently waiting for the grown-up to arrive. Things feel more complex. And to navigate I have had to relearn how to simplify and to view self-care through very different eyes.
Thankfully, the old me created a great foundation on the continuous journey to self-love. And with all I’ve experienced recently, it has brought me back to basics.
I want to share with you some questions that prompt introspection of the 7 chakra systems. As well as some solutions and positive affirmations that I find bring balance to my spirit, mind and body.
How do you connect to the divine? I see the divine in others and all around, especially in nature. To connect with this energy I serve and am present as best I can within family and community. I am a volunteer in our local parish, serve as a member of a global spiritual community as well as being a member of a cross community choir called Gathered Voices.
AFFIRMATION: I am worthy to be seen and serve
How do you use your inner wisdom, guidance or sixth sense? Awakening to wisdom on a spiritual path is a gift and one that will also test you. I tune into this spiritual energy for guidance and clarity through meditation and being grounded. Every day is a school day as they say, and we are always learning.
AFFIRMATION: I am awakening and receive all I need for my highest good
How do you speak to yourself and others? Losing a child you place a lot of guilt and shame on yourself. As much as I know on a higher level this was my son’s choice to move onto a higher dimension. The human part of me has used words like weapons to cope with the loss. Through healing, meditation and breath work I am catching this energy faster and transforming it into higher learning and truth as best I can.
AFFIRMATION: I stand in my power knowing that truth is sacred and not always shared
How are you feeling? Life manifests the 3D experiences that we need in order to evolve. Fortunately, the old me trained in the Rising Star and Prema Birthing. This gave me access to a wide range of spiritual teachings, practical tools and techniques to lean into for support. Without my spiritual world and faith I would have been lost!
AFFIRMATION: Trust in trust and faith in faith
What are you battling? Your environment is a mirror. The environment we create is a sacred space for us to survive and blossom within. My strength is probably keeping a good routine on weekly household chores, keeping our home in a state of flow. My weakness is my body. A great procrastinator with my physical world, I have leaned into my spiritual SQ Family, finding support in a monthly conscious manifestation programme, as well as joining a local walking group.
AFFIRMATION: My body is a temple
What are you struggling with? My greatest block here was having been ill so long in pregnancy and carrying our son for 33 weeks, I still couldn’t get new life over the line. All that had been created was taken away in the physical and part of my spirit is broken with the trauma and grief. Core stuff. Self-care and survival was a priority and lots of integration needed for deep learning to take place. Healing, praying, affirmations through Japa and the courage to take time for me and side-step circumstances that I wasn’t ready for have been important building blocks to recovery.
AFFIRMATION: I let go of the old and create a space for the new
How do you nurture your spirit, mind and body? To keep myself balanced, my faithful go-to is walking. Connecting to mother nature cleanses, heals and re-energises me. I remember coming around from anaesthetic after my c-section and one of my early thoughts was how am I going to walk. The fear was so real for something that we often take so much for granted.
AFFIRMATION: I am grateful for every step and every breath
Knowing that the universe/life/source/God will always test our resilience means we can prepare. Keeping life simple and using the tools we have in a back-to-basics way, leaves room for much greater flexibility should foundations be rocked.
Keep it simple and keep moving forward as best you can. As I always say, ‘baby steps before the giant leap.’
Love Love Love
Sharon 💖
SHARON QUINN 