Posted on by samanthajordan5222

Truth

We’re 5 weeks into lent and whether we chose to follow this Liturgical Season or not, the principle of having an annual time to pause and reflect and discover where we are at in life is still an important principle & practice. A meaningful time of contemplation. A time to be honest with ourselves and have the courage to explore the solitude & silence within, and hold a space of kindness and acceptance of self, when we are faced with the deep truths of who we are. But how do we know that what we are discovering within during that solitude & silence is the truth? It seems that Truths can be viewed as subjective and saying the words …

This is my truth

might not be truth at all! It could be that this is your experience and your perception of your life. It could be that your beliefs which impact the lens that you see yourself and the world through is not truth at all. Our beliefs have been developed by our life experiences, our cultures, our parenting, our education and many other things. If you feel like you’re not worth anything and you’re not good enough does that make it truth? Just because you feel it is? So are we looking at the language we’re using and the meaning behind that language?

Who dictates what it truth? What is truth is something that is true, right? True is defined as …

consistent with fact or reality … something accurate and not illusory

So the truth must be something that is accurate and factual. If you’re believing something that is disempowering, unkind, intolerant or not based in actual facts or reality then it’s NOT truth. It’s definitely not YOUR truth! It’s your perception of a situation. So let’s take some time to reflect on who we are and have the courage to be real and honest. If we notice that we consistently have thoughts that produce negative feelings towards ourselves and others then I’d question the truth of those thoughts. You may have had negative experiences, especially in relationships, in the past that have been the source of why those thoughts have developed, but doesn’t mean it’s true of everyone you meet or every situation. Sadly if we don’t face what’s within we often do repeat similar situations that leads to similar outcomes. This then can become a self-fulfilling prophecy and further supports the negative beliefs that we hold, but it still doesn’t make it TRUTH!

So take some time to pause and reflect and have the courage to be honest with yourself with a view to developing a growth mindset that leads to a happier and more fulfilled life. If you find that too difficult or painful then get in touch with me, or someone else, and get some support with this. The truth that you face may be painful but it can lead to healing and freedom, and this is what I want for YOU!

Love & blessings, Samantha

Posted on by samanthajordan5222

Journey Into Meaning

It’s been a while since I’ve written my blog and I’ve missed it! I hope you have too and I’m sending you a warm welcome back. As we know the word wellbeing embraces many aspects of our human experience, and can be subjective, as it can also depend on what is important to you. One aspect of my life that is really important to me is my spiritual life and my faith in God. It’s at the centre of who I am and it’s there that I find my true identity in this often confusing world that we now live in. I decided that the beginning of Lent was a good time to revisit my wellbeing blog, and for us to share our journey on the weeks leading up to Easter.

Of course I know that some folk who may read this may not have a faith in God and spirituality is expressed through other ways. Regardless of your personal beliefs, I respect you as a precious one and still feel that 6 weeks to reflect and possibly reset can bring us all some deeper meaning.

I made a decision to become a Christian when I was 23yrs of age ( 35yrs ago) and believe me my life has not been a bed of roses but despite my challenges my faith in God and my love for Him has only deepened. I can’t say in that time that I have personally adhered to an annual observance of lent in such a way that it has caused me too much discomfort. It is an incredibly meaningful time however for Christians and it can often depend on which expression of God’s church that you attend to how Lent is practised. Orthodox Christians such as Anglican’s and Catholics view this as a solemn time and often fast or abstain from something. They may replace meals with more prayer and Bible reading as they seek to prepare themselves for remembering the death and then resurrected life of Jesus during Easter. Often individuals will choose to give something up for lent (chocolate, alcohol, an addictive TV programme etc). They are aware that they may have a somewhat unhealthy relationship with it and it’s not particularly good for them. They can often feel quite disappointed with themselves that they have such a seeming lack of discipline. Can we agree to leave shame, guilt & disappointment in ourselves at the door?

Lent is a meaningful period of time and like most things in life, things often only have the meaning that we as individuals choose to give them. So, I would like to ask you to choose to be open to the possibility that this next 6 weeks can have some deeper meaning for you. Regardless of your personal beliefs or faith. I’m not asking you to become a Christian. I’m simply asking you to have open ears, open eyes and an open heart to what might rise up for you when you intentionally pause!! Remain curious! Try to resist the

“I already know this” or “I’ve heard this before”

type of internal narrative. As soon as you let that in you close the possibility of growth and the discovery of what your heart could be saying and needing in this moment. So, how are we going to do this? We’re going to look at the word L.E.N.T and I’ve developed this acronym:

  • L isten
  • E nter
  • N otice
  • T rust

We’ll talk more about this as the weeks go by. But to start you off consider taking some time each day for solitude & silence. Look at each day and decide on a time when you can choose to pause and listen. Listen to what your heart is telling you. Listen to your thoughts and try not to attach any intense emotions to the thoughts, just notice what you’re thinking. Your thoughts are NOT you!!

Consider investing in a new journal or art pad and have that by your side ready, so when you listen & notice you can reflectively journal what is rising up for you or express it through art. Honour it! Be interested in what you are thinking and feeling and honour that. Do not judge yourself. Be kind to yourself!

Decide to enter into that space of self reflection with a view to grow and find deeper meaning. Imagine your inner life as a garden. This next 6 weeks is your opportunity to tend to that garden and help it to flourish. To dig out the weeds that strangle your inner beauty and entangle your deeper purpose & dreams with irrelevant, superficial and toxic garbage. Your inner garden is suffocating and the flowers that want to flourish simply can’t unless you choose to have the courage to enter silence & solitude, listen to what your heart has to say, notice how you think and feel and then trust. Trust in yourself ~ trust in those who love and care for you ~ trust that maybe there is a God and He knows and loves YOU! I’d love to hear from you and what you’re discovering. See you next Wednesday,

love & blessings, Samantha