When we dare anew; when we dare to venture out beyond our comfort zone, at first it may seem easy. But inevitably trials come to test us. The only way is to persevere. And Hypnotherapy can help with that.
For me, the prospect of a walk meant my bare soles could taste soft sand, delectable gravel and, perchance, mud.
I have often said that going barefoot holds many analogies for Life. In one of my previous blogs, Sole Exposed, I explored the realization that the vulnerability of a sole is akin to the vulnerability of a soul, but on the 30th of December 2019, the Universe afforded me an insight I shall treasure for years to come.
It was a hot, but overcast December afternoon. My beloved and I had just finished unpacking at our favourite resort, just outside Pretoria. Our friends J and A had made the journey from Cape Town to spend time with us and we were all looking forward to relaxing for the next seven days, and putting 2019 to wisdom. It had been a full year.
After re-union hugs turned to laughter and smiles, somebody suggested a short walk around the resort. Set in the African bush, the resort offers a rich diversity of antelope and bird-life, not to mention the exquisite feeling of just being in natural surrounds under an African sky.
For me, the prospect of a walk meant my bare soles could taste soft sand, delectable gravel and, perchance, mud.
My beloved announced that she was going barefoot and, to my surprise, J and A also kicked off their shoes. It is rare occasion that friends elect to go barefoot with me and I suddenly found myself to be the most “experienced” in the group.
An earthy road with no stones is a texture that gentles the softest soles, so the outset was easy. When it came to the more gravelly sections, however, appreciative coos turned to painful objections.
“Relax your feet,” I said. “Feel how your foot moulds to the surface. Feel how your entire body adjusts.”
Their contorted faces were dubious but my impromptu padawans followed my advice. Progress was slow, but we moved forward.
“Try to focus on just one step at a time. Be aware of where you are heading, but keep your focus on just that one step. Relax and be present with it.”
The colourful comments that followed do not bear repeating but some time later, it occurred to me that that little stroll, whilst shortly truncated in favour of the grassy areas around the pool, was a wonderful analogy for life.
You are worthy.
But maybe your subconscious mind needs to hear that.
The only way is to persevere.
Relax into it.
When we dare anew; when we dare to venture out beyond our comfort zone, at first it may seem easy. But inevitably trials come to test us.
The only way is to persevere.
Relax into it.
Be aware of where you are heading but focus on one step at a time.
Breathe.
Relax.
Move forward.
In time it gets easier. Regular practice will lead to leathery soles.
To me, leathery soles signify experiences lived; a sign of one who has the courage to undertake a soul’s journey knowing there may be perils ahead, but prepared to engage it with child-like innocence. From this perspective, whether you’re a “barefooter” or not, we are all barefoot souls, aren’t we?
The only way through, whatever challenges you may face, is one step at a time, however painful it may be. But Hypnotherapy can help. It helped me.
Hypnotherapy can ease your anxiety and energise your coping skills.
If you’d like to know more; how hypnotherapy can alleviate stress and anxiety, go ahead and book a discovery call with me.
And then, maybe, your journey won’t be so rough.
If any of this has resonated with you, and if you’re yearning to make a change, book a discovery call with me. It’s only about 20 minutes and its free. Maybe 20 minutes could change the next 20 years. Maybe you don’t have to panic to change your life.