Getting Clean for Spring
All too often, here in the West, we hear the phrase âspring cleaning;â but for us, the cleaning begins before spring. We want to clear the air to make room for a brand new year and all the abundance that comes with it. This extends beyond our mere material surroundings - it's also important to clear the ethereal space around us too.
Take a moment to reflect on all your regular, recurring thoughts, emotions, and relationships. Are you still holding onto drama, grudges, and unfinished business? These unseen burdens busy our subconscious and can weigh us down in ways that we may not be aware of. It would be wise to use this final week before the new year as an opportunity to get complete on those woes so as not to carry these destructive patterns forward with us into the future.
If you find yourself stuck, Shifu recalls four keys to interpersonal conflict resolution. The first key is to forgive, both yourself and others. To forgive is to "give as before" any hurt or harm ever happened. If we can forgive, then the second key is forget. This allows us to move onward and upward in our endeavors. That which cannot be forgotten gets the third key of acceptance because there are some things that we just have to live with. The fourth and final key is respect. This key invites us to go forward and do no harm so as not to create new conflicts for ourselves or others.
Getting clear and complete is a big deal, and sadly, there's no silver bullet to resolve all our troubles. Whatever your method - art, journaling, therapy, exercise, dance, non-violent communication, retreat, tea, conflict mediation, Hawaiian Ho'oponopono, writing a letter, screaming in a pillow, whatever - let us spare no effort towards making genuine amends with ourselves and others. This is the real spring cleaning. Otherwise, what's the use of a tidy house if we're stuck with a messy heart.
⧠Dragon Shakes its Scales â§
I Love You: Connect with your loved ones. Show them you care.
I'm Sorry: Recognize your impact and take responsibility.
Please Forgive Me: Right your wrongs with accountability and action.
Thank You: Honor the opportunity for reconciliation. Make it count.
Make Amends and Begin Anew
Contents
ã»Shifu Says: A brief word from our head teacher, Shifu David Wei.
ã»More Five Elements: We're halfway through this segment.
ã»Student of the Month: Maybe it's YOU! What did you do to earn it?
ã»The Daoist Calendar: Special holidays and how to observe them.
ã»Tea Drunk: Your monthly full moon discourse with Shifu and Seanan.
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