Signs & Symbols of What Animates Us
Notice. Offer Thanks. Write.
Dear Friend,
Recently I listened to a fascinating conversation on the Ten Percent Happier Podcast about reporter Sebastian Junger’s near death experience. Junger identifies as a skeptic and atheist, but in this remarkable conversation, he was open, curious & vulnerable, sharing about the possibility of the afterlife and the mystery and value of this life–the one we’re in, the one we have, the one we know.
I won’t give away the depth of the conversation (it’s really worth a listen!)…but what’s staying with me, a couple of weeks after listening, is how Junger left his near death experience valuing life and love even more than he had before. The love of his wife and young children (not his successful career as an award-winning journalist and author) helped him to return, emotionally and spiritually, to the realm of the living.
His experience was unique and dramatic–but each of us makes the same choice each day: to choose life. To be present here, even when we struggle, face our hardest times, when we doubt, feel fear or wonder about our purpose.
Each day, our physical bodies rise and breath.
But what renews your spirit each day? What makes you feel excited and passionate? What animates you?
Let’s look at signs & symbols that remind you: I am here.
Author Laura Lynn Jackson describes signs as the secret language of the universe. I think of signs as little bolts of electricity from my intuition. They might come in the form of something you see, hear or notice that bring you unexpected comfort or support when you need it. A sign might zap your spirit back to life when you’re drained of energy.
The photo above is a meadow I walk by almost every day. I had been in a kind of frustrated funk when I looked up and noticed the chair ahead of me, set against the open expanse.
Looking up, I saw the chair as an invitation. As I walked through the meadow, I told the living creatures about what was on my mind. I felt better as I did. A sign doesn’t have to be anything dramatic–the chair in the meadow was a simple reminder in that moment that I could release what I was holding.
A symbol is something that you choose to represent something else, a concrete thing that can nudge your intuition. I’ve been working on this piece of art, a symbol that I’m creating. I started with a photo of my grandfather holding me when I was a baby in a field of wildflowers. My grandfather transmitted his deep connection to the natural world to me during the six years when our lives on earth overlapped. When I notice birds and trees and flowers, I feel his love.
Signs & symbols are different kinds of tools for us humans to explore our consciousness, express our yearnings and communicate with one another about all that brings us to life.
Writing Practice: Set aside 5-7 minutes for this practice. Write in a journal or open a ‘Journey with The Season’ document where you can return each Sunday.
Prompt: Write out a list of signs & symbols of all kinds of things that make you feel alive. Things that make you feel connected, that lift your spirits when you’re down in the dumps. Write whatever comes to your mind, absolutely anything, don’t think too hard.
Look over your lists and pick one thing that draws your attention or curiosity. Write about how it gives you energy and animates you. How and when it appears or when you seek it. How this sign or symbols sustains you when you’re down. Write about its colors and textures–it’s your turn to bring it to life!
I’d love to read your responses. Comment below or use the new ‘message’ feature.
Deepening Practice: Take a moment every evening to notice what made you feel animated, alive through your day–or start a journal where you can jot down those observations through the day. Write little notes about those moments. Notice if there are particular patterns of moments, things, creatures or activities that bring your spirit to life. Follow those things!
Join the fun! Summer Solstice Writing Circle
Ancient cultures honored the longest day of the year with festivals and rituals to honor the sun. In agricultural societies, the sun’s power to nurture crops was vital to survival.
Connect to this amazing star that makes life on earth possible. In this creative circle, we’ll explore that connection and investigate what makes each of us shine. This online expressive writing circle which takes place on summer solstice eve (6/20) will also be recorded for your convenience.
You can join us in a few ways:
If you’re already a paid subscriber, you’re in! I’ll email you the link a few days before the event.
If you’re not a paid subscriber, you can sign up and pay for the event here.
OR…you can jump on to my June birthday special offer and become a paid’Journey with the Seasons’ subscriber for a 21% discount! What?!!! ‘That’s right!’ (voice of Ron Popeil).Paid subscribers get free admission for both my summer and winter solstice writing circles, two journals and also special discounts to all of my writing circles. Oh–also my eternal gratitude. The birthday special lasts through the month of June.
Pssst…invite a friend who might appreciate some creative energy in their life!
Wishing you many signs & symbols that make your spirit feel present and alive! Love, Gabrielle Ariella
