Death + Hummingbird Spirit
I like this combination, friends; I really, really like it.
This month, Death invites us into a period of unlearning; and, I’m going to hone in that our lessons are to be about love, compassion and gratitude. Because that is what Hummingbird helps us to take note of: the sweet, small things that bring us joy, peace and contentment. Yet so often we fail to notice these things, especially when they are specific to internal things about ourselves.
In 2020, we are working on enhancing our self compassion and self kindness. So in February, it makes sense that we begin to unlearn all the old scripts that stop us from loving ourselves, and all the old beliefs that suggest that we are not worthy of love or belonging. Because, sweet Harness Community, not only we are worthy and deserving of love from others, but also (and arguably more importantly) we are worthy and deserving of love from ourselves.
Our self talk can be so LOUD, particularly when it is pointing out all of our flaws, weaknesses and undesirable traits. It can be louder still when we feel we that are unlovable or undeserving of our own or another’s love and kindness.
So Death this month seems timely. Timely because we are due to unlearn all these old patterns and beliefs. The ones that tell us we are not worthy of unconditional love; the ones that whisper in our ears that we will never be enough; the ones that poke and prod at us, pointing out that we are too hard, too ugly, too fat, too thin, too short, too plain, too eccentric, too wild, too flamboyant, too spirited, too easy, too feminine, too masculine, too dumb, too shy, too loud, too … well, you get the point.
Who taught us these things anyways? Who ingrained them into our brains? Well, whoever it was, whether it was a parent or caregiver; a teacher or friend; a mentor, coach or bully; or, even if it was really just yourself, it is time to undo and rewrite all their lessons and scripts. It is time to write anew your own beliefs. Death steps in this months and helps us to do that by finally allowing us to shed and let go of all the old shit that no longer serves its purpose for you.
And friend, trust me when Death tells you that these tired old scripts, thought patterns and beliefs, the ones that stop you from loving yourself….it is time to let them go.
Every time you catch a thought (and to be honest, even this is a huge feat and can take practice in and of itself) that puts yourself down, degrades yourself or generally makes you feel unworthy, undeserving or not enough for love — I want you to stop and remind yourself of your strengths. I want you to take notice of all the good things about yourself. I want you to find those sweet little things that maybe, just maybe you don’t mind (well, I mean find the things that you damn well love, but I’m going to start small because that’s where most of us are at right now).
Death and Hummingbird invite you to start and end each day in gratitude, taking note of just one thing you did well, or one thing you were proud of, or happy about that day. This is what this energy is guiding us toward this month: gratitude practices in all shapes and forms. What are you grateful to your mind for (me, I’m grateful for a mind that helps me persevere through anxious thoughts)? How can you express gratitude for your body (me, I’m forever in gratitude for a body that has thick, strong thighs and can lift heavy things)? What thanks do you have for your spirit (me, I am thankful that spirit leans me in toward magic and the divine)?
Our brains are powerful things, and the kinds of thoughts we have about ourselves can dictate how we truly feel, approach and give value to our own flesh, blood and bones. So with Death, let the negative thoughts die, and with Hummingbird, speak kindness.
If you enjoyed this piece, be sure to check out Star Keeper
