Tag: #innerwisdom

In praise of age

by Terah Drake, posted in Uncategorized

I have not withdrawn into despair, I did not go mad in gathering honey, I did not go mad, I did not go mad, I did not go mad. – Hoda Al-Namai

Thinking a lot about how our society views getting older lately.   

I’ve never had a huge concept of “age”, but I experience the unhealthy concept we have of getting olderin our culture of age-obsessed thinking. 

It’s everywhere we look.  

It’s in Hollywood, in politics, in social media.  

We think we should look 18 when we’re 80.  Or at least, 25 when we are 50 and “youth culture” tells us that we are no longer valid.  

Topically, in my experience, (and quantum theory backs this up) the degree that we age is very much based upon the degree that we accept what society tells us is true about age. 

I’ve been told that I look significantly younger than I am my entire adult life.  Part of this is because I believe my body is my temple, and I care for it well, but beyond that, I just don’t think about what I am. “supposed to” look, feel, or be like at any given age. 

I haven’t quite cracked the code on not aging at all; skin cells still break down, and the rate at which they replicate may not be the same at 50 as it is at 15, but our mindset can hugely influence just how rapidly our aging markers shorten.

From every other perspective beyond what we are told about our held value, getting older is an incredible experience.  

Because I have lived many years here on earth,I’ve had ample time and opportunity to learn, to grow, and to

examine the doctrines and dogma that I was brought up with.  

I’ve had years to recognize, acknowledge, and fall in love with those previously lost parts of myself that I had disconnected from out of shame, or guilt, or fear. 

I have had decades to sift through and discard any previous belief systems that do not serve my best, my most true, and highest self.  

Because of my years of experience; the joys and the losses, the challenges and the triumphs, the grief, and the bliss, I am so much more settled into the gorgeous, full and authentic human, be-ing than I ever have before.  

I can feel the strength of my foundation; something I certainly did not have in my teens, 20s, or even my 30s.  

I feel completely safe in exploring alternate ideas and ideologies from what I have learned to date. 

In fact, I have come to realize that this is the best way to keep growing – and having the stable foundation of what feels true to me keeps my value system intact while I approach new things with curiosity.

I have learned that my value is not in the constant need to be validated by others.  

I don’t have to “Do” to prove my worth.  I love who I am, exactly as I am.  

For that matter, I don’t have to prove my worth to anyone, and I don’t have to stay in a room where my care and value is not recognized or appreciated.  

I am not in any way saying I am close to whatever “perfect” is supposed to be, and being a little more aware doesn’t mean that I don’t make mistakes.  

But rather than judging or shaming myself, I have learned to take a step back, acknowledge the “mistake“ or misaligned behavior, and then look for the root of that sabotaging behavior.  

When I was actively teaching martial arts, one of my favorite things was those moments when one of my advanced students would get a good strike in on me in the sparring ring. 

It didn’t happen often, but when it did, I would always get a little thrill, because that little “zing” would show me an area of weakness that I may not have recognized otherwise. 

I’ve taken that lesson into every aspect of my life.

We humans are such beautifully complex creatures, and our past can influence our presence, but one of the most powerful lessons that I have learned is that it doesn’t have to be our identity.  

Like that kick to the gut, or punch to the jaw, (geared up, ofc) I may have an area in my psyche that I’m not paying attention to, or have a link to a past identity or egoic construct that I didn’t previously recognize.  

I can acknowledge the trauma, the challenges, the losses, and the accompanying patterns that grew as a result of those past experiences – but I get to decide the meaning – and how I frame – the emotions and residual vibration of those life experiences.  

I can allow the energy that lies behind me to be anchors that keep me tied to the past, or I can embrace them as lessons that provide ammunition for future growth and evolution.  

Perhaps the only real “truth” that I know for certain is that when I’m in the present moment, the past is no longer real.  

With each turn around the sun this physical and spiritual embodiment of my Self takes, I have become more deeply attuned to the world and other souls around me; able to “see” what keeps people stuck, but I have also lost any sense of judgment over where people are at in their personal journey. 

I love it when my experience and ability to heal or empower can be a catalyst for healing or growth in others, but my years of living this life have taught me that I don’t need to be a “savior” to those around me. 

I may be able to guide another soul who is ready along the path a bit; the reason I got trained in and and started my healing “business“, but I have learned that it has never been my place to try to change any other soul who doesn’t want to change, no matter how  “good” I may have thought my intentions to be. 

I have also learned that the law of equal exchange is both real and valid. I used to give my services away for free, or ask very little in exchange for my lifetime of experience in empowering, healing, and coaching others – then be hurt when the teaching or training I had given away was neither valued or implemented. 

 I have come to realize that if someone truly wants the help that I can provide, the equal exchange of energetic currency is incredibly important, and devaluing myself also devaluates their experience.  

When I was very young, I had a bit of a “Cinderella” complex.  

 Because of the lens that we are taught through fantasy and fairytale, I associated my childhood trauma with the idea of some prints or Savior who would sweep in to save the day, making all of my dreams come true, and fulfilling my every heart’s desire.

In gaining both years and experience on this earth, I have realized that there is no fairytale hero who will save me.   I have to be the hero of my own life, as we all do.  

I believe this is the primary lesson of this existence, here on earth.  

If we learn to love and heal ourselves, and in doing so, experience firsthand our incredible power and ability to shape our individual reality, the magnetic resonance of that love, healing and self-creation is projected into the Field, and may provide the spark for someone else to find wholeness, too.✨

This is how we save the world. This is how we heal our planet; one beautiful soul awakening to their incredible value, beauty, and power, becoming a ripple that spreads into the ocean of this reality.  

We are the new Christs, creating heaven on earth.  

This is the importance, and immeasurable value of each additional year we spend on this planet, in this time space reality. 

So darling, the next time you look in the mirror and see the physical evidence of your time here, celebrate that shit.  

Own your age, in your completely unique perspective. 

Trash whatever opinions someone else tries to force down your throat in what you or your life is supposed to look like at any given age.  

Wear the flowers, or the stripes, the sparkles or the tie-dye, or whatever suits you, Boo.

Keep your hair long, or rock a mohawk.  

Follow your bliss.  Follow your heart.  Listen to the whispers of your soul.  

Love yourself, and recognize your incredible contribution and value on this planet. 

Be gorgeously, gratefully, fully what you are.

But please, beloved, for the love of All That Is, stop thinking that your value ends at whatever perceived age your culture or society may tell you is valid.  Let go of old and outdated identities that no longer serve your highest self. 

Cast them off like an old coat that is three sizes too small and horribly outdated.

Step into the glorious version of yourself, as you are, right now.  

It’s more than enough, I promise.  

Big love.💖

  • Terah 

Goddess wisdom

by Terah Drake, posted in Uncategorized

Each morning I spend time in meditation, study and prayer/asking for wisdom.  I have nearly a dozen books sitting next to my meditation cushion ranging from biblical devotionals, self-development, “A Course in Miracles” and several different card decks for accessing our own inner wisdom as well as that of Source. 

This morning after meditation I did a basic four-card spread with these gorgeous “Goddesses Knowledge Cards”.  ✨

The goddesses that I drew were Hera, Medusa as Pegasus) Psyche, and White Shell Woman.  

Hera is symbolic of mature power and wisdom, nurturing, beauty, and luxury.  For me, I feel the wisdom imparted is in holding my center in a place of strength.  

         ————————

The second card, Psyche, is the Goddess who fell in love with Eros, god of Love, who flies away when she realizes who he is.  

She searches the world for him and is given three “impossible” tasks by Aphrodite, which she completes but over the years of searching and trying to complete these fears, grows from an innocent young girl to a beautiful, mature woman who eventually wins Eros back where they live happily together in their sumptuous castle.  

This is a card of transformation, but also of hard work and persistence.  Patience has been a constant lesson for me over the past months as I wait for the future I seek to unfold.  

         ——————-

When Medusa was slain the spectacular winged Pegasus sprang from her blood.  I especially love this story and symbolism. 💫

Medusa was originally a beautiful young girl and priestess of Athena who was raped by Poseidon – and then punished by Athena for the transgression (or possibly granted the wish for revenge against men). 

As most of us know, she killed many men who came to the island where she lived in isolation and was eventually killed by Perseus.  

To me, this narrative is about how holding anger and hatred makes us ugly and toxic – but transformation into something beautiful and iconic can happen when that part of us is out to death and we experience “rebirth”.  

                ———————-

White Shell Woman, creator and sustainer of life of the Navajo people, is a gift giver and mother of two important protectors of the People.   I love the chant that is related to her – “All things around me are restored to beauty”.  The lesson here feels like restoration and blessing.🥰

The overall theme of my spread is clearly letting go of the toxic sh#t I am dealing with right now, holding my center to persevere, and having patience – so not not natural to me – as I move through powerful changes happening to look forward to a beautiful unfolding transformation.  

I feel like this is not only a spread that is incredibly pertinent to my life ATM but also the world in general.  

This last year and a half has been all about change, right?  And a boatload of toxic bullsh💩t that just seems the ongoing narrative of the world.😣

But if we persevere and hold our center, we can use it as powerful fertilizer to transform into something even better.  Or we can hold that sh#t and become the gorgon.  Always our choice.  

For me, the wisdom, comfort and confirmation (same lessons I’ve been receiving pretty much daily) of these cards helps me to move through my days with greater faith and joy.  

I know there will be moments of challenge and even grief as I move through these changes but every day also brings so much beauty and grace – and that is what will hold my focus on, letting that bad stuff go. 👀

Today, I hope this spread might bring you a little guidance, comfort and wisdom, too, my love – and maybe help you “let that 💩 go” to become something better.  You deserve it, beautiful one.✨

Much love and happy Fri-yay!💖

Pele, goddess of chaos and creation

by Terah Drake, posted in Uncategorized

No Kahiki mai ka wahine `o Pele,

Mai ka `aina mai o Polapola,

Mai ka punohu a Kane,

Mai ke ao lapa i ka lani.

Translation:

The woman Pele comes from Kahiki,

From the land of Polapola,

From the rising mist of Kane,

From the clouds that move in the sky.

Hey beautiful;

Have you heard of the Goddess Pele?  

Pele is the Hawaiian goddess of the Volcano.  

She represents fire, lightning, dance, wind, volcanoes and violence. Her poetic name is Ka wahine `ai honua or the woman who devours the land. 

She is both a creator and destroyer.  She erupts and the world quakes as she pours lava onto land and sea – but from that destruction new life forms.  

Soil grows over mineral-rich lava, lush life begins to put roots into that soil and eventually, paradise is created. 

As part of my morning time with Source, I read spiritual and self-development books and sometimes consult different “wisdom cards” that nearly always provide the guidance or comfort I need on a particular day.  

This card of the Goddess Pele came up in my reading this morning, and wow, did it hit home.

I am in a time of upheaval in nearly every aspect of my life at the moment, and to be honest, it often just feels like chaos. 

As I write, I am two thirds or so through a remodel of my home – largely on my own.  I’m a handy-with-the-tools kinda gal, but I’ve also been incredibly grateful for the occasional help of good friends along the way.  

Right now I have flooring torn up and paint halfway done as I prepare to lay new floors.  I have furniture upended and shoved wherever there is room in order to have the spaces cleared that I need to lay the wood and carpets.  

My personal life has been in a similar situation for some time too, which means I am feeling a little like Pele dumped a mountain of lava over a few acres of my everything.  

“Elements” by Catherine Langwagen

Not a fun place to be.  

But this card is the perfect reminder that from chaos and destruction new life is formed.  Though aspects of my life have been razed, I know that spectacular new life is forming and growing, just beneath the surface. 

When I’m centered in my heart, I can feel that growth, alive and so ready to burst forth into the sun.   

But I’m not always there, and there are moments where all that I can see is the chaos.  In those moments, I start to panic.  

But I keep going back to Source, and I keep getting these wonderful reminders that right here is where I am supposed to be in order for my life to grow fully into where I want and need to be.  

These reminders help me to come back into my heart-centered space.  That space where I can feel excitement for the process of creation and for all that is to come.  

Can you relate?  Have you been in that place of destruction, when you look out onto the landscape of your life and just think “oh, sh#t.”? 

That sh#t is fertilizer that will feed the new growth.

If you are there right now, babe, you are 💯 not alone.  I’ve got your back.  We will get through it, together .  

I am so excited to stand with you as we look at the glorious dawn of new creation when the chaos is tamed and we are surrounded by light and lush growth, bursting through the fertilizer-rich soil of Pele’s destruction. 

Have faith that it’s coming, beauty.  I feel it.  I know it.  

Can you feel it, too?

Whether you are in the midst of a cycle of despair and destruction or feeling your new growth, I see you.  You are amazing, capable and you have so got this.  

And in case you needed the reminder today, 

I love you.💖

Nosce te ipsum – Know Thyself

by Terah Drake, posted in Uncategorized

The most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself. Get to know yourself – who you truly are; what makes you – you and become comfortable in that being-ness. There are a thousand ways to gain an understanding of who you are, from self-speed dating (“Hi, Me, nice to meet you. Name ten things that make you happy”) to traveling to someplace fabulous for a ten-day retreat intended to sink deeper into the Self. Whatever means you have at your disposal to begin a relationship – a love relationship – with yourself, there is no better time than the present to do just that.

The key word here is Love. It is vital not just to know who you are, but to love who you are. All too often we love our kids, our partners, our families, and even our neighbors and communities better than we love ourselves. We nurture those around us but neglect our own needs. We snuggle and provide physical love but neglect to meet our own basic needs for nurturing and support. We prepare meals based upon what our families will enjoy but lose touch with what our own bodies are craving for optimal health – and wonder why we find ourselves in front of the refrigerator at 2 am with a pint of ice cream or a tub of cold spaghetti, crying into our Haagen Daz with no idea of where the tears are coming from, or we eat out of resentment because our families never learned to care for and nurture us in the same we do for them.

But how can those around us learn if we don’t teach them? We teach others through our own actions, and the soul is a garden that requires care-full cultivation and love. What is your soul mirroring into your external reality? If you find yourself feeling depleted and disconnected right now, take some time to nurture the soul and care for your self. Slow down, get quiet, and listen. What do you need today? Whether it is green smoothies and exercise or Haagen-Daz and a hot bath, give yourself some love, care, and grace, and don’t forget the gratitude. You are an amazing being! Care for yourself as you would a precious, loved child. Gaze at yourself in the mirror and marvel at those things that make you uniquely, beautifully you. Feed your body and spirit with what it needs – and watch your inner garden blossom. You deserve it. Much love, beautiful!

-Terah