Transformation Detox/Cleanse Day 4

Ancient Pottery Pieces, Camp Verde, AZ

Too Much
I did way too much exercise on Day Four of my Transformation Cleanse. My family and I hiked the Camp Verde caves across from Camp Verde High School. I didn't know it would turn into a two and a half hour adventure. On the cleanse, it is suggested that you exercise 30-45 minutes. Additional stress on the body should be avoided. Although I was aware of the exercise guidelines, I still participated and enjoyed the hike. The caves were so unique, and I had a distinct feeling that people lived there. I felt the spirits of the past. I looked around, and it felt as if it was a neighborhood hundreds of years ago.  I could feel the tasks of the community being done, and the routines of living on the land. I felt special to connect to the history of the land. The limestone of the caves were like chalk. The ruins on the top of the mountains were untouched and preserved. We even found some ancient pottery pieces. My son was amazing; he hiked all the way up the mountain on his own. He didn't complain about it; he really enjoyed the hike. I really think one day he will be a long distance runner or cross country competitor. He is very athletic, and it comes totally natural to him. We also took our small dog, Chuy, who is just a puppy. And the dog did a fabulous job too. He loved it. He barked at every little creature though, which echoed from mountain to mountain. His barks awakened the spirit of the mountains. I saw the faces in the rocks; and they were very old and wise. I gave the rocks and mountains all my worries, and I made a wish.
The Mother
I am working on a book that has totally challenged me to listen faithfully to the Mother, which is the Goddess. My fourth day was filled of listening exercises for me to examine and analyze. I returned again to the Goddess to help listen deeply with compassion and purpose and most of all clarity. Don't get me started about clarity! I feel like most of my life has had some level of confusion in decision making. The last six months for me has been a practice of clarity and clarity and yearning for more clarity. I noticed a few days ago that my son and I have communication problems, where sometimes he doesn't listen to me. I am sure there are instances where communication is an issue for everyone, but I wanted to see my 5 year-old's response to my question, "Why don't you listen to Mama?"  And he simply said that he didn't know. I truly believe him. I don't think he knew. On this Day Four,  my big realization was that I needed to listen to him with more understanding and more love. I thought that I had been listening to him, but in actuality, I was too busy to consistently listen to him with my heart. I know that no one is perfect, and I don't pretend to ever be perfect. I was just happy that I discovered a deeper understanding of my beautiful boy. You can't receive these moments of understanding if you are too rigid and firm with children. You need to lighten with them to totally understand their imagination and world. It is well worth the investigation. The Goddess led me to this deeper understanding of my family. I believe that she has a hand in everything I do and I am so grateful for her presence in my life.
Vitality of Listening and Loving
We all want to be heard and listened to unconditionally, especially children. It is an act of love to give another person this space and hold it safe and secure for them. When we rush to judgment and criticism, we are no longer listening. We are no long feeling. We are no longer empathizing  with them. We cause them stress and generate stress within the thinking mind. This is a form of violence and aggression. Listening is the most loving act we can give another person. It is the most important weapon of our generation. It is the most forgotten skill in the world. Listening is one thing we can do today to change our entire environment. When we focus on what others are saying with loving intentions, then we become one with their hopes and dreams. Then we know that no word is ever wasted. No word is ever misused. We must know how to use the words wisely to empower us all. This is what really inspires me and motivates me on this journey.
What ignites your life? Where is your passion? Where is your excitement? We are meant to be excited about our own existence.
Namaste, Ana

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