In 2020 many of us thought that we entered an intense sprint, but it turned out to be an intense marathon. Never mind, “keep holding on”, we pulled out our resources to march forward.
But just when we crossed the finishing line, we were handed a swimming suit and bicycle – oh it’s Ironman that we were actually doing.
“Keep holding on!” We dived into choppy water, panicked and choked, and got back up on the road, pedalled like we never pedalled before. “Surely all that effort counts,” we thought that we were about to have a well deserved relief.
And just as we were about to exhale, wait a minute, we saw that in distance there was a horse to ride, fencing matches to fight…none of which we knew how to do before. Apparently we needed to learn and practise and race a modern pentathlon, all in real time….
The past years took hard-earned discipline as much as openness, reserve and resilience, driving instinct and enduring faith to keep up.
The chronic situation can make us feel overly detached, resist fully immersing ourselves into the world or living each moment because we can’t face being let down over and over again.
There is a state called “languishing”, coined by sociologist Dr. Corey Keyes and brought to the wider attention recently by psychologist Dr. Adam Grant.
According to them, languishing is a mental place that is not entirely depressed but not flourishing either. Feeling stuck, not inspired, just riding with the motion. Time feels like a long stretch of black-white nothing.
While languishing has its place, we don’t want to be perpetually stuck in this “meh” mode.
When the world is upside down, when anxiety is snowballing out there, when the noises ask us to go hard and even harder, it is the softening and patience that will give us the perspective we need, to feel loved and supported.
Dear dreamers, seekers, artisans, healers, poets, spirit dwellers and moon lovers…When our fire is out, simplicity and innocence are our best friends to reignite the sparkle, reset our energy system, to rub and enliven the frozen and numb parts in us to be warm again.
Take a moment to give room to things that have worked for you, including all that metaphorical running, swimming, horse riding and fencing.
Don’t take them for granted. They are made out of your devotion and sacrifice. Notice them better so that they will flourish and help you to flourish during vulnerable episodes.
Right now, above us in the sky, Wolf Moon is waxing and in a few days’ time, it will be at her fullest. This is the first Full Moon in this solar year, also the last Full Moon before the CNY.
Wolf Moon always holds majesty and mystery. She gives us a portal for heightened reflection and courage, leadership and diligence, releasing repressed thoughts and calling your heart’s desire.
I made this graphic for you. Connect with the Wolf Moon and let her assist you. Let her remind you to be, to wander, to liberate, to value timing and patience, to surrender, to give yourself permission, to get your groove back.
We all deserve to be heard. Is there anything I can help you with today? Simply email/message me yiye@yourlifeexpression.com. I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.
Even if you just want to take this opportunity to put some thoughts down, you can treat this as a safe and non-judgemental space to do so. It can be very beneficial and healing for the tired body and mind.
With love,
Yiye Zhang 章一叶
Hi Yiye, thanks for writing this and your generosity. What you’ve shared makes feel heard, seen and valued.
Glad to know that it helps Brian, best wishes to you! <3
Well said, beautiful words, energy and images. I feel inspired to surrender and explore more of what’s within me! Thanks Yiye
I’m so glad that you feel inspired Helen, thanks for dropping by & take care <3