"Gestalt is about leading a lively life, not interrupting ourselves, learning to suffer when suffering is real and dance more, create more, be more of what and who we are." ~ Gestalt Is
Odin the Wise (8.10.06 to 9.14.16) taught me:
The importance of remaining in the present moment,
How to practice being with what is and what emerges,
Not to take myself so seriously,
The beauty of contact AND withdrawal,
That there is space for all of my "conflicting" parts,
To embrace my weirdness, neuroticism, and eccentricities,
How to care for those I love,
That it is okay to ask for what I want and need,
How to set and maintain adaptive boundaries with others,
To be forever curious, inquisitive, and open-minded,
The importance of feeling my feelings,
To be grateful for what I have been given,
The strength in being vulnerable,
To play long and often,
The value of being flexible, fluid, and adaptable,
To listen to the inherent wisdom of my body,
To eat when I am hungry, drink when I am thirsty, and rest when I am tired,
To pay attention to self-care and self-regulation,
To invite my spontaneous and creative energy to inform me and my work,
The relevance of simply observing, holding space, and witnessing,
The excitement in exploring and experimenting,
To trust whatever process I happen to be in, at that moment,
To remain honest with myself and others,
To ask for help whenever needed,
To receive loving care and support from others,
To respect my defenses and protections,
To use my voice and express myself unabashedly,
To delight in the simple things, like bathing in the afternoon sunshine,
The significance of physical touch and emotional intimacy,
How to connect with others without the use of story,
The intricate complexities of grief,
To relish life and aliveness,
and the immense healing power of unconditional love!
The importance of remaining in the present moment,
How to practice being with what is and what emerges,
Not to take myself so seriously,
The beauty of contact AND withdrawal,
That there is space for all of my "conflicting" parts,
To embrace my weirdness, neuroticism, and eccentricities,
How to care for those I love,
That it is okay to ask for what I want and need,
How to set and maintain adaptive boundaries with others,
To be forever curious, inquisitive, and open-minded,
The importance of feeling my feelings,
To be grateful for what I have been given,
The strength in being vulnerable,
To play long and often,
The value of being flexible, fluid, and adaptable,
To listen to the inherent wisdom of my body,
To eat when I am hungry, drink when I am thirsty, and rest when I am tired,
To pay attention to self-care and self-regulation,
To invite my spontaneous and creative energy to inform me and my work,
The relevance of simply observing, holding space, and witnessing,
The excitement in exploring and experimenting,
To trust whatever process I happen to be in, at that moment,
To remain honest with myself and others,
To ask for help whenever needed,
To receive loving care and support from others,
To respect my defenses and protections,
To use my voice and express myself unabashedly,
To delight in the simple things, like bathing in the afternoon sunshine,
The significance of physical touch and emotional intimacy,
How to connect with others without the use of story,
The intricate complexities of grief,
To relish life and aliveness,
and the immense healing power of unconditional love!