What's Your Phoenix Rising?

A very stong article for me as I am currently in Phoenix Rising... Thanks Susan for writing this.


Feature Article
What's Your Phoenix Rising?

Two different and seemingly unrelated experiences recently coalesced into a common theme: Releasing or transmuting the old to make room for the new. We know this symbolically as the Phoenix rising - the bird that goes up in flames, only to be reborn from the ashes.

I had a wonderful dinner conversation with a friend recently, sharing how challenges in our lives caused us to gain new perspectives and begin to create ourselves anew, including how we show up, our work in the world and how we can be of service. The image that came to us was the Phoenix rising. The alchemical process of transmuting (burning away) the old shows up uniquely for each of us - from a physical illness such as a raging fever, to a work or relationship challenge.

We observe these cycles of death and rebirth in our external world every year with the changing of the seasons. What started out as the simple act of caring for my houseplants turned into a potent visual. As I was watering my Pothos plants I noticed that there were some yellow and brow leaves. As I was removing the dying leaves I thought about how these plants always grow a greater quantity of healthier leaves right after I prune the old leaves. It occurred to me that it was a powerful metaphor for observing our thoughts and habits that no longer support us and releasing them to make room for the new. When I looked up Pothos on wikipedia, it said "...it is a very hardy plant that requires little care." and "This is a robust plant that can stand a very high degree of abuse." Well, that's great when it comes to houseplants; however we sometimes think of ourselves in a similar way and pay little attention to the signals we receive from our body, mind, emotions, and soul. By paying closer attention to our bodies, thoughts, and patterns, we can more quickly and easily spot when something is out of balance - instead of waiting until our imbalance is yelling at us to initiate positive change.

I've seen the theme of the Phoenix rising more frequently in 2009 with friends, colleagues, clients, and myself. This year in particular is about noticing what's not working, releasing it, and creating anew. Sometimes the Phoenix rising process can be painful. That's because sometimes it takes something big to get us to think differently, shift our perspectives, get us out of our old habits and initiate change in our lives. Let's shift that dynamic by making time on a regular basis to enter the Phoenix rising process consciously and purposefully, instead of waiting until something "happens."

Proactively observe what's not working and consciously choose:·
a more balanced lifestyle·
more uplifting thoughts·
who we hang out with·
what we converse about·
to live from our purpose and passion·
how we show up in the world·
what we contribute

Here's to turning the Phoenix rising process into a joyful opportunity to proactively recreate ourselves on a regular basis.

© Copyright 2009 Susan Rueppel, Ph.D., Energetic Wisdom
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Susan Rueppel, Ph.D., is a soul-directed Medical Intuitive who can help you uncover the underlying cause of health or life challenges, assist in healing both the cause and effect, and provide tools to help you create the life you desire. For more info visit her at www.energeticwisdom.com and get her FREE INTUITIVE RESOURCE GUIDE: Resources for Developing your Intuition

Gift from a Friend

Recently a girlfriend of mine went on vacation and brought me back a gift. She mentioned how hard it was to find me the perfect gift but when she saw this it reminded her of me.

It was a magnet with the following:

live with intention.
walk to the edge.
listen hard.
practice with abandon.
laugh.
choose with no regret.
continue to learn.
appreciate your friends.
do what you love.
live as if this is all there is.
~mary anne radmacher

This magnet spoke to me. Have you ever felt that every once and a while you loose track of where you want to go? The path you have set for yourself may have disappeared or you have wavered a bit?

When I look at this gift it reminds me each and everyday what it is I feel I am here for. Man, to "choose with no regret" and "do what you love" are so huge. I see so many people who don't know how to make their own decision and go to a J.O.B (just over broke) that they HATE! What is it for? What would you do if you lived as if this is all there is? Would you be doing what you have been doing or would you change something? Perhaps more than one thing? What are you afraid of?

Yeah, change can be scary but if you were to really look deep down inside of yourself what would you say to yourself? Would you kick your own butt? LOL! Seriously though, sometimes I think we as human beings loose track of our purpose or just go along with what we are "suppose" to do vs actually take a look at what we "want". Imagine a world where people all did what they were meant to do and listened to their inside voice. Do you feel our world would be the way it is today? I believe we would live in a kinder world. Now I realize that it won't happen overnight however perhaps for the generations down the road...I can only hope and pray that their world is a kinder one than we have now.

How the heck does it change you might ask. Well, my suggestion would be to start with yourself. After all...you are the only one who can change your thoughts and actions. No matter how much anyone else may try...when it comes down to it you make the final decision.

So I leave you tonight with...
Serve with passion so you may die with no regrets!