The power of ease.
‘Just power through it.’
I read these words on a friend's page today and I cringed. Of course, I had to dig deeper. Why did these words make my body crawl? What inner knowing do I have around this?
My mom grew up on a farm. One of three children and the only girl. My grandparents later adopted two girls as well. However, when my mom was young, the summers were filled with hot days in the hay field with her brothers and parents. My grandfather, or Grandad, was known in the area for creating beautiful bales of hay. It was his art. While my grandma, Joni, did amazing paintings and huge murals, my grandfather created fields of beautiful hay.
I don’t know as much about how Grandad was raised, I know that he was gifted a spirit that believed hard work takes effort. He knew that you didn’t stop until the job was done.
So much of my mom’s childhood was guided by this spirit. Do the hard work and do it quickly. Like a hare.
I always loved that my grandparents lived across the street from where I went to school. This allowed for us to learn basketball from Grandad on the playground courts. It wasn’t unusual for us to run over and climb the fort or use the swings. I am pretty sure Grandad was pushing my swing the first time it got high enough for the chains to loosen. I loved the excitement and sense of freedom coupled with a little fear.
While this set up included quite a bit of fun. There were moments that it created a need for work. Like the time I walked out to the playground after school and found that the cows were out and had made there way over to the school. Eek!
My mom’s childhood and work ethic was definitely an advantage for me and my siblings. Growing up, we had chores and responsibilities. However, she allowed the pace at which they were completed to be up to us. I appreciated this because I was more like the turtle.
So when I found the cows in the schoolyard, I knew my pace was going to have to get it together. The approach to farm life wasn’t something that my 'turtle-self' really understood, but I was expected to help in whatever way possible.
At this time, it was Grandad, Joni, along with my uncle and I trying to get the cows back in. Or at least back across the street.
The cows were worked up and their energy was high. They were excited to be out and about and Grandad asked me to watch the area between him and the building to keep them moving in the right direction. I stood with my arms spread wide to appear as big as possible in my 10 year old body. Inside I was screaming with fear. "Please don't come this way. Please don't come this way." I repeated it over and over in my mind.
It only took a minute for the cow to recognize my fear and come running directly at me. My body got stiff and I planted my feet. Inside my mind I was screaming! "Stop cow, STOP!" On the outside, it looked quite different. Grandad was yelling, "Stay right there, Abbey!" I looked the cow in the eyes. My legs buckled and at the last minute, I threw my body to the side. No way! I wasn’t getting trampled. As I moved, the cow ran further from where it needed to be.
The frustration from my elders can still be felt today. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stand in front of the cow and power through the fear. It just wasn't worth it to me.
Awhile later, we were able to get them back to the house. We moved the cows through the gate, latched it, and laughed about the recent events. Many frustrated words were shouted that day, which is pretty typical when you were working with animals on the farm. Nothing ever goes as planned and shifting gears is the only way you will get through it. I think this day was also added to the list of moments I found so much appreciation for my mother's approach to raising us.
The things I know are that if it is meant to be, the Divine will find a way. Sometimes it feels like powering through something is the only way it will happen.
If you feel negative emotions,
you don't enjoy it,
you feel like things are working against you,
it makes you sick to think about it,
you feel like it is challenge after challenge,
you are tired,
or your body literally throws you to the side.
It is okay to stop.
Ask yourself why.
I don’t know what your body and Spirit is telling you, but you do. Don’t just numb yourself and power through it. Don’t allow the cow to run you over.
Listen. Adjust. Find what you need to move forward with ease.
Sending love to my friend and I hope that she knows she doesn’t have to power through anything. Neither do you.
