How To Be Fierce With A Big Heart

I don’t know about you, but I often come to yoga or meditation with the idea of getting out of something—getting out of stress, fear, grief. I want these ancient practices to cleanse me and make me new.

But it occurred to me this week that practices like yoga and meditation are as much a call to go into the wildernesses inside as an escape route out. This meditation helps us do that.

Transcript

Hey there.

Welcome to A Hit of Hope.

I don't know about you,

But I often come to meditation or yoga with the idea of getting out of something.

Getting out of stress or fear or grief.

I want these ancient practices to do their magic to cleanse me and make me new.

But it occurred to me recently that practices like yoga and meditation are as much a call to go into the wilderness inside as they are an escape route out.

In Hamlet,

The tragic character of Ophelia lives as one incapable of her own distress.

So Ophelia lives as one incapable of her own distress.

In other words,

She can't be with the pain and the suffering of what is happening around her.

That state of danger.

The desperate need.

And who can blame her?

We know what's going on in her story just as we know what the world can do to us.

And let's not forget what we can do to the world.

And it hurts.

And it is here that we are at choice.

We can decide how we will react or respond.

And that's where things like yoga and meditation come in.

They aren't meant to hide us away from the world where we bubble wrap ourselves and pretend whatever's out there isn't there.

No,

They are safe places.

Sanctuaries where the broken can come to be held,

To be heard,

To be comforted.

So while it can be so damn tempting to numb or run,

What about the options of sitting and breathing?

Seek time to go in.

To feel all the feels.

You are brave and strong enough.

You really are.

Feel them and then let them go.

As an acupuncturist once said to me,

Notice that there is the word motion in the word emotion.

Let the feelings come.

Let the feelings go.

While you sit and center.

While you drop into your own body in the present so you can live into your own future.

The one that is calling you,

Yes,

This you are living this life in this moment for a reason.

It's okay to be afraid,

To be overwhelmed,

To wish it were different.

And remember you are capable.

You can face this whatever it is.

You have your breath.

You have your heart.

Brave,

Going in.

So when you feel ready,

You can go back out into the world.

Centered,

Fierce,

Ready to be a badass with a big heart.

Live light and shine.

Reviews

Thanks for that badassery reminder ❤️‍🔥
I needed that.

As a labyrinth facilitator we are taught that the labyrinth is a safe container for us to be with whatever is present. Thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement. Sending light and gratitude.

Hi Betsy! I believe that is our super power... The ability to just be. Breathe and drop into our center. To be grounded and know everything is going to be ok. Breathe. Like you said feel the e"motion" and then let it go. Breathe in, breathe out. Have a great day 🙂

Really helpful framework and refresh on how to use our meditative practices. I am recovering from surgery rn and this week I’m struggling to pace myself and accept limitations. Processing and feeling those feelings alone is scary but necessary. Thanks Betsy!

Yup, a bad ass! Betsy, you always nail how/what I'm feeling and need. I do love and cherish my meditation and yoga practices..
Hugz dear pal...

Thank you so much as ever Betsy. This is such a nourishing piece. Perfectly timed as often is the way. Here’s to big hearts!

Wow….thank you so much dear Betsy! I just love this! I have listened to it a couple of times now, because I want every word to sink in!😊🙏🏻❤️

So profound Betsy. Thanks for bringing encouragement and comfort to my fears. ❤

Going in is tough, but thank you for reminding us that we hold this space for ourselves to do tough things. ✌️🧘‍♂️🪷🫶