Still - in the Full Moon energy transiting through the days. How has it been for you? The strong pull of big Aries may have you thinking of your big ideas. It is a good time to get this written down in a journal. Write down all of your ideas - even if you feel they are outlandish. When we write down what lives inside of us - possibility can then be seen. Our mind sees the written word and we begin to imagine that some things are possible.
How wide can we forecast and dream what lives inside of us? At midlife and later - it may seem that our paths are set down for us. We have lived our lives - what can be changed now? The are plenty of examples of people changing the course of their lives - in all walks of life. I was listening to a woman yesterday speaking about - Legacy. What does legacy mean to each person? What might be important to me would seem mundane to another. It is something worth thinking about and mulling over before we die. What are the things that have been important to us in this life - currently - no matter what age we are, this is a useful thing to contemplate.
Often times as we move along through the days we might ignore what is bringing contentment to us. What are the things that light us up? It does not have to be grand. Maybe we are good at something that just comes very naturally to us. It doesn’t feel like a particularly special gift. It is something that we easily do with enjoyment and ease. Others perhaps frequently compliment or remark on our ability. This might be something that will open possibilities in our thinking about our lives. Sometimes, we search for the big clues - the flashy ideas! How can we be different and unique in this life and “make our mark”? It is a part of our modern culture to look only to what is in front of us. Some have lost touch with the ancient knowings that were once just a part of our lineage.
The things that humans have always done over time is very much still the same. Our basic needs must be met to survive and thrive. So, that includes - shelter, food, clothing. After this - we might have time to expand what is needed, to align with a bit more creativity in our lives. The more a society allows for the care and tending of the people - People Care - the more opportunity for real imaginal awakening would be present. If we are scrabbling to get by - where can we find the space to create a life that suits us individually. The community allows the individual to thrive or not.
It is somewhat of a myth told to us from childhood - typically in the United States - “You can be whatever you want to be!” While I might agree that in theory this is so - in practice more systemic change needs to occur before this is a truth. It is true we have the opportunity, if we have the support and networks - lifestyle and family support - systems in place that support humans and their well being. However, without these basic safety nets in place - it becomes much, much more difficult for everyone to begin on a level playing field. Isn’t it a playing field after all?
In the interest of not bringing you down into the depths however, I do think there is this often unexplored realm of living that begins in the psyche - the imaginal realm. If we can develop the skill to envision ideas, outcomes, futures, healing, well-being - it is a place to exercise a sense of possibility in the world that is unique and special to each of us. Without the skill to even begin to dream - how do we begin to find pathways of purpose and meaning that holds something for us individually? This is not something that is readily or easily talked about in many circles. Imagine - in early childhood if we were taught to dream and vision in our quieted minds. This is where the seeds of creativity live. Our minds would be awakened to creating as a matter of course. This realm of expansion would not be closed off or shut down. This is a huge topic - one that has lived with me through all of my days. What I am actually saying is that the culture does not support creative thinking - misfits - way finders - dreamers.
Creating a legacy - finding a purpose goes back to the beginning of creating a life. In order to find unique ways of living - freedom needs to be offered to each of us. If we are guided into particular funnels and tunnels - this is shut off early on in childhood. We cannot say - do anything you dream of - and then force people to follow particular guidelines in learning. It is only later on in life when discontent, confusion, depression - a sense of something is not right here - might we begin to look at this. It is for this reason I am a strong believer in imagination and fostering it early on and throughout one’s life.
