The 'Art of Allowing'

The A R T of A L L O W I N G

What does this mean?

After COVID hit, like so many - I lost most of my work and way of moving through life. And the

word A L L O W became a theme. It became not only a phrase, but an anthem I’ve been striving to apply in all areas of my life this past year and half.

After losing my work, there wasn’t much for me to do other than stay rooted in my intentions, values, goals and simply ride the wave of the unknown...to A L L O W what was unfurling versus pushing back.

And I want to clarify what I mean when I say A L L O W...

I mean to welcome the truth of the present moment. To acknowledge where we do, and do not, have control.

To A L L O W is to release an idea, and to embrace what’s present - right here right now - and lean into how we might intentionally navigate the present situation/event/feeling, while remaining rooted in who we are.

A L L O W I N G, to me, is about developing a deeper understanding and relationship with ourselves and the world. So, that no matter what happens, we may support ourselves toward growth and prosperity by recognizing how true “control” is often releasing the idea of what should be and embracing the rough gem of what’s present. When we're wholly in the present moment, we truly move forward with both feet on the ground.

A L L O W, for me, is understanding the intricacies of life and of ourselves by walking in close relationship with self and nurturing the triage of body, mind, and spirit. A L L O W I N G invites us to live life deeply, wholly- no matter what comes our way.

For me, I couldn’t change that a worldwide pandemic hit, that I lost jobs, that all our plans and security for the year had slipped away. If I pushed this truth away, I would only be putting a greater burden, or struggle, upon my life, my mind, my body, my being.

Through deep reflections, mindful practices, and A L L O W I N G space for my emotions and for whatever is present...I A L L O W my mind and being to open and shift...to broaden consciousness and my life experience.

This doesn’t mean pushing away hardship nor who we are,

it’s simply A L L O W I N G ourselves to be wholly aware and present, so we may survive AND thrive no matter the circumstance.

It reminds me of an old Taoist story that tells about an old man who accidentally fell into the river rapids leading to a high and dangerous waterfall. Onlookers feared for his life. Miraculously, he came out alive and unharmed downstream at the bottom of the falls. People asked him how he managed to survive. "I accommodated myself to the water, not the water to me. Without thinking, I allowed myself to be shaped by it. Plunging into the swirl, I came out with the swirl. This is how I survived."

We cannot control the river, nor the current, but we can control how we view the river, how we allow ourselves to shift in the current to invite greater ease, and perhaps welcome a lesson or journey that we didn’t realize we could navigate. That is life. That is growth. That is the Art of Allowing.