Gifts of the Soul August 2002	Click Here to See Laura's Current Column
	by Laura Grace

Greetings Soulful Living Readers!

Although I have shared my thoughts and feelings with Soulful Living as a featured writer in the past, I am deeply honored to announce that I am becoming a regular monthly columnist. My intention is to empower you on your pathway of awakening and assist you in accessing and releasing self-defeating patterns that are blocking your inherent gifts. I believe your "gifts" have been with you since before you were born and exist in various forms. My experience has taught me that the greatest challenge we face is less about uncovering our gifts and more about releasing unconscious blocks so we can fearlessly embrace them. Your unique gifts have been given to you for your own fulfillment and joy, and also, so you may extend them for the healing and higher good of others. For example, one of my gifts is the ability to identify core issues. This has helped me in my own life and it’s something I use as a tool so others may heal and awaken to their highest capacity. This is what gives me heartfelt joy.

What gives you joy?

Recovering Your Soul

As I sit down to write this article, I am still reflecting on the walk I took less than one hour ago. It was a soulful journey along the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean. These walks have become a time for recovery and are now an integral part of my healing process. Privately, I refer to these journeys as my very own "nature-based counseling sessions" because it is on these walks that I feel my deepest feelings and grieve any pain that I may be carrying.

Pain from what you may wonder? Well, it doesn’t seem to matter from where or what. I have discovered that the source of my pain is often unknown. It may stem from myriad reasons: residual pain from growing up in an emotionally dysfunctional and addictive home, pain absorbed from those I love and counsel, pain from the environmental destruction taking place, or pain from my fiercely protective nature toward animals. Or, perhaps, it could even be from the insidious and often well-concealed fear I may be feeling as I witness more and more of my own light. The point is, my focus has become less about where the pain comes from and more about grieving it so I can move through it. My spirit is put to the test whenever I take these soulful walks for grieving requires self-honesty, courage and willingness.

I felt inspired when Valerie told me that grief and grieving was the theme for the August edition of Soulful Living. As a spiritual counselor, I strongly believe that grieving is at the core of our healing and growth. When clients come to me I remind them that their willingness to grieve their grief is the hardest yet most rewarding work they will ever do. Most of us would much rather divert onto something, anything, than take the time to feel our feelings and grieve through the emotional tides of the past. Getting busy, shopping, taking a drink, eating chocolate, creating relationship drama—all are subtle diversions away from the healing work experienced only through grieving.

Grieving is a constant process, much like a series of ocean waves. It comes up only to recede and return yet again. Each time we are willing to grieve we give ourselves permission to recapture past memories and let them fill our emptiness. Then, like an ocean wave, grieving cleanses our heart and soul, making room for inner peace and happiness to surface.

Each day on my walks down the beach, I surrender my need to be strong and in control. I allow the ocean to take my feelings of pain, sadness, anger, confusion or fear so they may be transmuted. For me, the ocean is akin to a loving therapist who is skilled at creating a very safe space so I can share my innermost shame, pain, and sadness. The noise from the crashing waves comfortably drowns out any sounds I may need to express, while the salty ocean air soothes my soul and matches my own saline-filled tears.

Author John Vance Cheney wisely penned, "The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears." Without rain, the planet would dry up and all creatures would eventually die. So, too, when you do not allow yourself to cry and grieve, your emotions become parched and you are unable to experience genuine joy and laughter. Your tears wash away the pain so you can see the rainbows in your life. Grieving relieves the pressure you may have accumulated from squelching a lifetime of feelings. Like a dam needing to burst open, releasing pent-up tears dissolves the walls surrounding your heart so your Inner Light may shine through. In this sense, rainbows are created from your grief.

We are all connected by the love in our hearts so I invite you to join me in walking the pathway of healing. Remember that you are not alone. Within you resides a compassionate and forgiving power; it lovingly awaits your readiness to feel your feelings and grieve the sorrow that may be burdening your heart. Whatever sadness you are willing to feel and release positively affects all living things and assists in the healing of our planet. On the other side of your grief are splendorous rainbows for both you and me.

Remember that none of us are alone. As I feel my grief and heal along the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean, I am walking with you as you are with me. Together, may we be fully in the moment, feel our feelings, and honor them as a pathway for awakening. Such is the way of the soulful pilgrim.

© Copyright 2002 Laura Grace. All Rights Reserved.

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Laura Grace is Co-founder of Infinite Wisdom, an organization dedicated to the highest human capacity, and a national author and speaker. As a regular contributor for publications across the U.S. and Canada, Laura writes about human awareness and spiritual growth. Laura is the author of the widely acclaimed books The Intimate Soul and Gifts of the Soul, and the creator and teacher of various programs including the Self-Mastery Program, The Art of Compassionate Forgiveness, Wonderful Women: Reclaiming Our Power, Passion and Purpose, and Cultivating the Intimate Life. Please visit Laura's web site at: www.LauraGrace.net.

As a spiritual counselor, Laura provides assistance in person and by phone. You may contact her for a free brochure at: laura@laurahyde.com.

Visit:
www.LauraGrace.net

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