Announcer (00:09):
This recording is an offering of Networks for Training & Development's Online University.

Jen Williams (00:20):
Welcome to our monthly Networks Healing Circle calls. These calls happen on the first Monday of each month at 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. My name is Jen Williams and I'll be with you for this month's Healing Circle as we embark upon seasonal changes and opportunities for growth and renewal.

Jen Williams (00:41):
March is National Disabilities Awareness Month, celebrating people of all abilities. March also holds near the World Wildlife Day, Global Recycling Day, International Day of Forests, World Water Day, and of course, Women's History Month. Since Virginia Woolf authored for most of our history anonymously as woman, so let us not forget the contributions that the women in our lives and in our history have afforded us freedoms and knowledge that the anonymous has given.

Jen Williams (01:19):
This month's full moon, arriving tomorrow is referred to as a Lenten Moon, and also traditionally as the Worm Moon due to the practice of different animals and creatures emerging from their winter hideouts to welcome spring.

Jen Williams (01:34):
This month on March 17th, everyone is welcome to be Irish on St. Paddy's Day, which comes just a few days before spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere on March 20th. That bring us the return of the sun and lengthening of sunlight hours, which we could all use right about now.

Jen Williams (01:56):
This month allows us to recognize the changing of seasons and what rebirth and renewal represents and means to us. In preparation for these changes, both internally and externally, we welcome you to join in a guided imagery exercise to seek balance to study us of the changes ahead.

Jen Williams (02:18):
If you haven't already, if you can mute and find yourself a comfortable space. We welcome you to envision the environment that you need right now. Take a moment to define your space. What does your space look like? Does your space have familiar smells and sounds that welcome you in? Are there tastes that you associate with this space and this memory? Can you envision and reach out and touch your environment? And how many textures could there be if we were to explore them all?

Jen Williams (03:07):
Remember that this space and this time is yours. It's a place where you are safe and at peace. And we welcome you to begin by allowing your body to relax to the extent that you are comfortable with as we allow our imaginations to illustrate what lies ahead in our next chapter.

Jen Williams (03:33):
We're going to start off by breathing in through our nose, filling our belly, then out through our mouth. Paying attention to our chest as it lowers and rises and at rest. Breathing again here. In though our nose for four counts, holding for four counts, and releasing though our mouths for four counts. So breathing in, two, three, four. Holding our breath, two, three, four. And releasing, two, three, four.

Jen Williams (04:38):
Continuing here and knowing that you're welcome to hold for another count or release more slowly than before. We can aim but are not required to approach breathing in any way that is not serving us.

Jen Williams (04:56):
We're gonna begin by thinking of the act of gardening, and for those maybe who prefer not to get our hands dirty, we can frame this as manifesting. In this exercise, we're going to be using our imagination, channeling our inner Bob Ross and painting a mental picture of planting seeds for our needs that we have in this season that is upon us and beyond. What is it that you would like to see grow within you and what needs nurturing and pruning to allow what you've already planted to flourish?

Jen Williams (05:46):
In your time now, you can identify one or several things that need to be planted, doted upon and grown. Whether you're tilling the soil, burying bulbs, sitting beside the water and plopping pods into the mud for your lotus, let us join together and collectively fill in our own pictures.

Jen Williams (06:19):
Mentally naming the need or the hope as we're submerging, with the promise of maturing in time when you need it the most. Envisioning happy little trees on periphery and pop the color where you need it to shine, or a neutralizing palette when you need things to tone down a bit.

Jen Williams (06:51):
In this practice, you are in control and you can tend to a newly planted garden scape. You can attend to a mature and lush landscape. You can cultivate crops, maintain order. This is your space and these are your terms.

Jen Williams (07:17):
Remembering to take nice gentle breaths in, breathing here in through our nose and taking in the sense of the environment that you've just envisioned. Holding the image of all that you have created, and releasing that through your mouth. In doing so, causing a gentle breeze to allow nature to dance right before you.

Jen Williams (07:55):
Imagining the first leaves to emerge from the surface, or watching the blooms that have been long awaited for, knowing that you and yours are resilient and can weather any storm together. Examining what's in this environment, and likewise, what lies within.

Jen Williams (08:30):
Is there anything that is no longer serving you or your space? And if so, knowing that you can cut back what's limiting that growth to promote new shoots with limitless potential. And you can give these stalks new life by planting them, drying them to use in a craft or adding them to a compost heap to give life to a future crop. The decision is yours.

Jen Williams (09:16):
And now that you've pruned back that which was not productive, you're invited to bring attention to your soil, marsh. Insert your magical growing place here. But you're welcome to take in what is nurturing that growth. And investigate, is there anything else that's needed within to continue that beautiful harvest? Looking around, is the light just right? And resting and knowing that you can adjust the needs for your seeds with the brush of a hand, the spark of your imagination. And you can move your plant towards the sun. You can adjust a dimmer switch if you're within. Cloak up your new growth and shelter it away from the elements. Whatever is called for, whatever serves you and your creation, you are free to do.

Jen Williams (10:41):
Checking to see if water is needed, and is so, is that a small little sip or a tall drink of water? And just a gentle mist brought in with the wind. Checking within and making sure that we've watered our own temple in the midst of this day so that we were able to pour from our cup into another. Making sure that we are receiving so that we can continue to give.

Jen Williams (11:27):
Looking within for a moment and just ensuring that we're taking the time to light our own light and path. Spending time pruning back that negativity that might be holding us back, and watering our dreams for success. Acknowledging that you have what you need within and around you. You can change your environment and the setting, and in doing so you can change the future.

Jen Williams (12:22):
Looking upon all that we've created, breathing in here, in though our nose. Once again taking in the sense of the environment that you've beautifully crafted. Holding that image of all that you've manifested within. And releasing though your mouth, once again causing that gentle breeze to impact your space. And taking that all in as you assess what you've created and grown, what you've illustrated and manifested. That power within to create this opportunity, the hope that you have then tomorrow for your seedling, your bulb, your crops or pod, and knowing that you can return to that garden at any time to nourish and nurture growth in any season and for any reason.

Jen Williams (13:45):
Focusing again on our breath and on the lightness of energy. Exhaling out any thoughts or feelings that no longed serve us and breathing in optimism and positivity and a sense of accomplishment for what you've achieved. And breathing in, and out, and staying here as long as you like. Knowing that when you're ready, you're welcome to bring your hands to heart center.

Jen Williams (14:40):
Alternatively, you can cross your arms over top of your chest with your right hand hovering over your left upper chest, and likewise with your left hand hovering over the right upper chest. Having our thumbs overlap, and this is called a butterfly hug. And very fittingly in American Sign Language, it is also how you would sign "Relax." And you can feel free to tap on your fingertips onto your chest or even to your arms, giving just a slight enough pressure to connect with your body.

Jen Williams (15:44):
Alternating sides. We're doing so together, simultaneously. All the while remembering to breathe in through our nose and out through our mouth. This is a form of bilateral stimulation. It also has the ability to evoke feelings of calm when we're transitioning in and out of busier changing times. And you can choose to hold your hands steady, and if that's the case, you can enjoy this time to hug a truly amazing person. Holding here together.

Jen Williams (16:46):
Inhaling here, and exhaling. Appreciating this moment and the current state we're in. Understanding and knowing that we can do hard things together and that none of us are ever alone. If you can dream it, you can do it, and you have done so, tonight.

Jen Williams (17:27):
It has been an honor to share this space, this creative space and time with you, today. As we explored and found our inner strength and welcomed change and renewal into our worlds just as spring is upon us.

Jen Williams (17:56):
Thank you all again for joining the Networks Healing Circle call, and don't forget that we offer these once a month on the first Monday of each month at 8:00 o'clock. There's also an archive of past calls, which you can access on the website.

Jen Williams (18:15):
So thanks again for allowing me to share this time and space with you. And as we leave, may we all be well. Take care.

Announcer (18:30):
Thank you for listening. We hope the information provided was helpful. Don't forget to stop by our website and take advantage of all we have to offer.

Announcer (18:38):
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