If you have it, use it.

Bare your gifts that the world is thirsty for.

Recently,

In a yoga class, that I was not teaching but participating in, I had a realisation - as we often do in this type of practice.

This practice is a teacher and a reflection point, as whether we realise it or not we are opening ourselves up to higher consciousness: the receiving of its wisdom, insight and power is the ultimate goal and seed of yoga. As well as to receive the same from the body: the body is the wisdom and record keeper of where we are at; and so yoga, as with other body based or mindful practices offers us a gateway to that reflection of ourselves, in honesty, in clarity if we are brave enough to receive its mirror. The key is to approach what we see without getting too attached -receiving the feedback and adjusting accordingly.

The realisation I had was not a tough one this time, but an opening.

()))

As I practiced, the teacher came over to me, I was in a twisted posture opening my chest, heart and lung region: he gently adjusted me and said 'there ya go' -- I was able to take up way more space than I had been, and it struck me - the thought came to mind 'where are you not using what you have?'

These thoughts when in a more clear or meditative state feel like little droplets of awareness, that awash over us like a wave differentiating them from an anxious or mindbased thought that can feel dense or constricting, landing in: almost as though they are not your own, but from somewhere else and really, I think they are.

It gave me the prompt to ask myself where in my life am I not using my capacity, my potential and where have I even become complacent. Once again, this was not a harsh questioning but rather a curious lens and treasure trail that I followed...

I knew the answer though, it's always the same. I have a fear of being seen fully, I've been working with it for literal years, and though I have overcome it time and time again in different ways both internally and externally, it crops up in new places and forms of expression. The irony being, having such a deep desire to express, share and create coincides with it: which makes me think, the same may be for everyone - that our greatest desire is enveloped with our greatest fear.

Being Irish (as in the pain we hold in our veins from our history), how I was raised and so many other layers mean I hold back and have massive blocks around using my voice or being seen. I also hold myself back for fear of coming from ego, of not being balanced, of going off-path.

And though these elements are deeply important to me, and I always endeavour to come from a harmonious place that is equitable and aware, I have to start trusting in that desire, that expression I am unlocking in my chest. And so, I am learning to expand and grow, to let the words flow and to trust her, the me, that is waiting to be, finally set free.

To instead deal with things as they come through action instead of overthought, as I can trust that my deeper behind the scenes groundwork is enough to back me now.

I hope this offers you medicine of resonance and thought, and that maybe just maybe you will see too - that your greatest gift is awaiting you, on the other side of fear, lies your joy, radiance and pleasure. Happiness awaits us beneath our layers of not-self that we have cloaked over our uniqueness. I believe the key to changing our world lies in these breakthroughs, as a world of embodied people and gifts set alight is one that no longer can tame us : as the shadow within has been transmuted to light.

---

What cloak do you want so much to take off?

//

What gifts do you have that you are not using for fear of being seen?

Where are you holding your gifts back from a world that so desperately longs to see them and you?

So for 2024, let it be the breakthrough year.

Let's honour our gifts, and break through our fears; stepping forward in courage and bravery, hearts open - hand in hand

Remembering that,

authentic expression is the ultimate pathway to Joy.

and maybe even world change too, as starting from us, the ripples grow through.

Love, Liv