Disconnecting for the Summer
This past month in one of the programs I have been leading, we have been looking at how we disconnect, check out, or in certain situations “do it our way” instead of in the manner we agreed upon with another person or organization. Every person in the class was urged to look at all the things that they were disconnected from. Although the lists people came up with were long and varied, many people saw that they were disconnected from their bodies, their breath, their vision, the people around them, and, in any moment, they were disconnected from the present.
As I was making my list of all of the ways and things I was disconnected from, I started to think about all the things, people, and situations I probably needed to disconnect from. Whether it was my computer, people who drain me, working too much, or even places that do not support my highest vibration, my list of what I needed to disconnect from felt more compelling than my insights of how and where I am disconnected.
Luckily for me, a week after I had my epiphany about my need to disconnect I found myself staying at a friend’s house in Malibu, California that sits up on a cliff and looks out on to the Pacific Ocean. Although I love Los Angeles, I have no desire to leave Malibu and my ever-present view of the ocean. Instead of working what are often my usual twelve-hour days, I am averaging about three or four “work-related” tasks per day. Instead of jumping out of bed to beat my 6:30 a.m. alarm clock every morning so I can be in the gym by 7 a.m., I wake up naturally and spend the first moments of my day in prayer or just breathing in self-worth, love, and joy. I hardly answer my phone and sending a text or email feels like a major achievement. I am, as a song by Karen Drucker that we play during The Shadow Process Workshop says, “only going as fast as the slowest part of me feels safe to go.”
Since I am generally a person who thrives on multi-tasking and gets antsy when things go slowly, I am shocked at how much I am enjoying my time of disconnection. I am also aware that it has been through this time of disconnection that I have actually become more connected to my life! By stepping back and taking myself out of my daily life, I can see and feel what is and is not working for me and the circumstances I want and need to transform. I feel much more inspired by and engaged in my life than I have for a while, even though from the outside it might look just the opposite.
As we all know, summer is synonymous with people taking time off. I know for me in the past, especially when my daughters were younger, vacations used to require a lot of planning and logistics, and I always felt that I needed a vacation after my vacation. This summer I would love to support you in joining me in this concept of disconnecting. Find the time and place where you can “only go as fast as the slowest part of you feels safe to go.” Connect to what is inside of you and I promise you what needs or wants to be birthed in your outer world will appear!
As always I am so in awe of shadow work and the gifts that it brings. When I originally started having this conversation with my class about being disconnected, it felt like disconnection was something that needed to be fixed or changed. But as is the case with all qualities, disconnection comes with many gifts – and for me in this moment it has led to a connection with myself, the divine, the people who are around me, and to my life that I have never felt before. I wish the same for you! Take some time this summer and give yourself the gift of disconnection.
Transformational Action Steps
(1) Whether it is for a day, a week, a month, or even one afternoon each week, whether it is a daycation, a staycation, or exotic vacation, plan a time to disconnect.
(2) Take some time to go to a place that brings you peace or feeds your soul — your “happy place.”
(3) Do some of things you always wanted to do — the ones you keep telling yourself you don’t have time to do.
(4) Surround yourself with people who feel grounded and are at the same pace and energetic vibration that you are.
(5) Try to make as few plans as possible so you can be in the moment and honor your soul’s desires.
(6) Spend time outside appreciating the beauty of nature.
