BY: Julie Slater – “The Lotus Flower”

In this past year, I’ve realized a great skill of mine: holding on. I can hold on with the best of ‘em. I hold on to things so tightly, I would be great being one of those people who keep their hand on a car longer than anyone else to win it (if I didn’t have to pee so much). I’d kill it as the anchor in a tug-of-war. When I’m in a speeding car, no need to tell me to “Hold on!” cuz I’ve been holding on my whole life. Been there. Done that.

I’m not talking about grudges either. I’m talking about thoughts, reminiscing back and forth (and then back and forth, and then back and forth again) about decisions, contemplating the what ifs. If only this had happened. Or that hadn’t happened. And what if I didn’t do that. Or what if I had done this, instead.

A work opportunity recently came about that seemed perfect for me. It felt like something I pretty much manifested. After a couple of phone interviews, it seemed I was close to getting the job. I was at least one of the top candidates. And then, poof. Nothing. I got work ghosted.

But wait. How did something I manifested ghost me? I spent a lot of time wondering if I had sabotaged it. I wondered what if I hadn’t said this or done that, would I have landed it? (Meanwhile, when we don’t get a job, sometimes we never know why we didn’t get it. And it could be for reasons we will never know – that have nothing to do with us. How fun.)

It took a month or two of hitting my head against a brick wall for the wall to finally hit back. That job wasn’t going to be all that challenging. And it didn’t pay that well. But it would have been a safety net. And that’s when the light went on. My manifested job was only going to be a band-aid – when, in fact, I needed surgery.

You see, I had set these intentions a few months ago. I was going for it. I’m shaking things up and breaking free. I am branching out. Taking risks. This is not the time for band-aids, my friend. This is the time for rocket ships. This realization came at a perfect time, too – the end of the year. When a new year rolls up, it’s a free pass to start anew. And I’m not just talking about moving past 2018. I’m talking about moving past IT ALL. It’s a chance to realign with your intentions and to once and for all… 

L E T    G O.

I have a feeling I’m not alone. Are there things you’re holding onto? Gripping onto so hard your hands hurt? Luckily for you (and me), when I got my Bachelor’s in English, I also minored in Wizardry. 😉 So, together, we can do this. It’s a letting go ceremony I call:

The Lotus Flower Let Go

LFLG for short. (And, yes, I just came up with that name, thank you very much.) Who’s in?

What you’ll need:

  • Something to write on – paper, gum wrapper, or a 1st century scroll
  • Something to write with – pen, pencil, or quill
  • Something fire-proof to safely burn the paper – ash tray, sea shell, or firepit (you’ll see in this picture, I used a 1970’s glass popcorn bowl)
  • Something to light a fire – matches, lighter, or two sticks and the truth
  • Incense and candles (optional)
  • Sage (optional)
  • Wine or whiskey (optional but highly suggested)
  • Wizardly outfit or favorite headpiece (I used a crown of flowers)
  • All the crap you’re holding onto mentally (not optional; you may need to make several trips to bring it all into one room)
  • Good, clean intentions (and some dirty ones, too)

HEAD to your favorite, most calming part of your home or outside, where you will perform your LFLG safely.

LIGHT some incense and/or candles to set the mood.

BURN some sage to clear the area of its past. If inside,

CRACK open a window to allow the past to escape.

WRITE down the things you have been holding onto that you want to release. I think hand-writing these items makes them more authentic. Remember, expectations are also great things to let go.

TAKE ten long inhales and exhales.Pausing slowly between each.

SAY this out loud (if leading a group, have them repeat after you):

I fully intend to let go of the things that have held me back.

I fully intend to free myself of the past.

I open my arms to release my limitations.

I am open and ready to let go.

I set you free.

Then,

GRIP the piece of paper.

THINK about what each item you wrote down means to you.

SAY to yourself, “I release you” to each item.

ROLL UP the paper.

LIGHT the paper on fire (being mindful of fire safety, please).

WATCH the fire burn (this is probably the coolest part).

MAKE sure the fire is out when it’s finished burning.

CLOSE your eyes and

MEDITATE for three minutes (set a timer) to take in your new clean slate.

SAY out loud (if leading a group, have them repeat after you):

The Spirit within me salutes the spirit within you.

I am lighter now.

I am free.

There you go. That’s how easy and fun letting go can be. This ceremony is very cathartic and can be great to do with friends. You’d be surprised at how much we ALL are holding onto. After the ceremony, you can choose to discuss what you’ve let go, but be warned, these things can get emotional. Ours did.

The end of the year is a great time to let go. During full moons is also a good time (we’ve got one coming Saturday 12/22). Notice I highlighted all the action words in the directions – because all life needs is a little action here and there to change things and to let go.

May the New Year allow you to remove the things that no longer serve you and give you the courage and freedom to seek out your dreams.  

NAMASTE


Julie Slater, aka THE LOTUS FLOWER, looooves music. Besides being a rabid fan and musician, you may recognize her voice. She’s a voiceover artist and audiobook narrator (www.julieslater.com). She’s DJ’d on top stations: 88.5 FM and 100.3 the Sound in LA and 92.3 K-Rock in NYC following Howard Stern.

When she’s not at concerts, you can usually find her meditating or in the kitchen. She has a slight obsession with deep, dark cabernets & small batch whiskey. Namaste!

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