At some point, I realized that moving through work with ease and grace IS possible. Yes, there are times when things are ‘annoying’, when work simply does not go as planned and those who are supposed to be of support disappoint you. It is at this time, that you can choose to move through work with ease and grace or not. Here’s what a sculler taught me about this again this morning.
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It was a misty morning as I sat in quiet contemplation. I was asking for some support and signs on how to approach the next phase of Soul-Wise Living. I have so many hopes and dreams. I was looking for confirmation that the direction I was taking was the right one at the correct time. I opened my eyes and in comes the singular sculler. Moving with ease and grace across the water.
Misty Morning Musings
You can’t see really, but in the far distance, I watched this sculler expertly moves his boat across the water. He moved through his work with ease and grace of practiced experience. It was beautiful to watch. The rhythm so present. The scull glided with such amazing ease and grace. The sculler moved with such precision. Pull. Relax. Pull. Relax. So deliberate. I imagined his breathing ~ so rhythmical. Breath in. Breath out. Breath In. Breath Out. I imagined his muscles working in such synchronization. Contract. Relax. Contract. Relax. The oars in their oarlock working to perfection. Back. Forth. Back. Forth. Indeed, the oars themselves mesmerized me. They worked in such harmony. Dip, Pull, Swing Back. Dip, Pull, Swing Back. All movements of grace and ease. All movements working in a cycle.
Imagine this, a sculler getting sidetracked by something. The boat will not glide across the water in a straight line. It may even tip side to side and become unbalanced. The experienced sculler will bring himself and the boat back into alignment quickly. The experienced, balanced sculler will get back into the groove and work with ease and grace toward the goal. And, then, there’s the concept of teams and teamwork ~ which is for another post!
Such rhythm. Such symmetry. Periods of movement, periods of rest. This can be applied to any work.
My Childhood friend, Mindy, knows all about grace and ease when at the oar!
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I was not surprised that this sculler passed by my dock at this precise time. Precision of signs given to us is absolute. I have no doubt about that. The lesson for me was clear. “Continue on your path allow yourself to move forward with ease and grace and you will receive the abundance of life you so deserve. Do not get sidetracked, work with ease and grace to move forward.” I’d been muscling through some things of late ~ not working in a smooth effective rhythm. I knew this that’s why I scheduled a few days of ‘down time’ to rest, relax and regain momentum with grace and ease.
As I head into a long weekend of time off for rest and recovery, I will use this affirmation: “Work with ease and grace. Allow recovery time and the path will be smooth.” How can the sculler analogy work for you? Let me know!
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Taking time out to rest is definitely a necessity! I find that this is one of the important lessons that I go through with my Fertility in Bloom clients. So often women need permission, or even medical direction, to feel justified in taking time to rest.
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Laura Clark Reply:
July 3rd, 2013 at 3:25 pm
No doubt Dr. Pang!!! Your patients are definitely in need of peace and harmony to be able to bring a new life into the womb! 🙂
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Comment by Dorothy Pang, The Natural Fertility Expert — July 3, 2013 @ 1:11 pm
Love the photos and your amazing affirmation for the weekend “Work with ease and grace. Allow recovery time and the path will be smooth.” I too am adopting this affirmation and some time off this weekend for recovery.
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Laura Clark Reply:
July 3rd, 2013 at 1:41 pm
Glad it helped ~ I’m enjoying using my own photos and asking friends for photos ~ rather than using standard pics you can find on line!
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Comment by Cindy Key — July 3, 2013 @ 1:32 pm
Loved the way you made me feel like I could see, hear and feel the rhythms you’re talking about. I wrote some affirmations the other day based on staying in ease and grace, so our Guides must be in touch 🙂
xoxoxo
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Laura Clark Reply:
July 3rd, 2013 at 2:58 pm
🙂 Watching the sculler ~ that’s exactly how it felt ~ rhythmical and easy! Thanks for enjoying my writing!
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Comment by Casey Kerr — July 3, 2013 @ 2:37 pm
Laura, this is really beautiful. To know that all we have to do is relax, breathe, move forward and that we don’t have to effort, force, cause, “make it happen [our way]” is such a wonderful thing to surrender. You know my sad situation lately and how it has gotten me down. I’ve had people take advantage of me and my family many times…sure, who hasn’t? In reaction I’ve always come down hard, like a sledgehammer, fighting for my benefit – my win. This time, I’m not. And I’ve wondered, “Is this strength or weakness? Am I being a sucker for letting this situation get the best of me?” Then, I realize, the big picture. What is the BIG PICTURE? What is my truth? Am I the sledgehammer or am I spirit? Am I one with others and am I connected to this other person as a fellow and equal spirit or as a condemning, separate being? Have I ever let someone down? Have I ever said I would do something and fell short. I realize, YES. I’ve done it. And so, It’s not my place to judge or condemn. It’s my place to breathe and let life flow. Thank you. You are so gifted and wise. Janet
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Laura Clark Reply:
July 3rd, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Seems so easy, Janet. And, even those who seemingly ‘have it all together’ have difficulty with this at some point in time. One pull stroke at a time,my friend, one pull stroke at a time!!!
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Comment by Janet — July 3, 2013 @ 2:49 pm
Oh, I am all over this, Laura.
“Work with ease and grace. Allow recovery time and the path will be smooth.” Beautiful.
For me, I can see this mantra being very effective over the course of my workday. There are too many days where I’m working through lunch and then unable to focus in the afternoon and sooo unproductive. My new work slogan: smooth effective rhythm!
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Laura Clark Reply:
July 3rd, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Yeah!!!!!!!!! I love it 🙂 Really, when we muscle through our junk and push push push ~ what does it accomplish. When we pull (like in crew) everything is so much easier.
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Comment by Lori Nash Byron — July 3, 2013 @ 5:07 pm
Laura, this is such a truly lovely article. Yes, everything is a cycle. And, there are no coincidences. That the sculler happened by was a sign that you needed to see.
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Comment by Lilia Lee — July 4, 2013 @ 12:16 pm
I can’t tell you how awesome the timing of this is for me! I am the Queen of Efforting. I’m trying really hard to change this cycle, but here I sit on a Saturday morning at 9 am, having already worked for 2 hours. Why? Because I leave tomorrow morning for vacation and I’m DETERMINED not to work while on it! I can’t remember (honestly) taking a vacation where I didn’t work since I’ve owned my own business. I know I need this and it’s going to happen. I’m anticipating some discomfort the first couple days and then I believe I will fall into a pattern of “ease and grace”. Thank you for your wise words Laura!
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Laura Clark Reply:
July 6th, 2013 at 9:50 am
Alyssa~ if you truly want to go on vacation, I suggest ‘unplugging’ completely. No internet, no FB, no email. I’m taking a rest & relax time where I’m working half days and enjoying down time the rest of the day…it’s working for me right now. It’s about boundaries with work. We all need it and I have always found no matter how well I utilize my time that I’m always doing a little more work before I leave so like you, I can truly enjoy my vacation! I hope you have a wonderful time and remember, Pull, relax.Pull, relax. You are pulling this morning to relax on vacation 🙂 KEEP SMILING
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Comment by Alyssa — July 6, 2013 @ 9:15 am
Thank you, Laura, for this lesson! So memorable and poweful. You are a consummate inspiration and teacher. Sending you love – ease and grace. xx
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Laura Clark Reply:
July 6th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
Thanks for the Ease and Grace Back!!!! It’s certainly an easy feeling weekend here 🙂
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Comment by Angela — July 6, 2013 @ 9:58 am
What a great message and reminder! We all need periods of rest to balance the busyness of work. This line really resonates for me: “Such rhythm. Such symmetry. Periods of movement, periods of rest. This can be applied to any work.” Thanks for sharing such awesome insight Laura!
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Comment by Lori Manns — July 6, 2013 @ 1:21 pm
Ease and Grace… I have been practicing this myself recently and what a inference it has made… But many months ago, I wasn’t prepared to do things with ease, and I continued to try to force and push and it put my in a bad place. Tanks for reminding us that it is ok to slow down and just slowly cut through the waters…
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Comment by Kelly — July 6, 2013 @ 8:58 pm
Love it! Beautiful analogy and wonderful reminder.
‘easy & grace’ and being out in nature; this reminder is good on many levels.
Thanks Laura
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Comment by Janine — July 7, 2013 @ 5:14 am
Laura,
Love this and it is a great reminder because I have been hard on myself trying to push through some things and get them done only to find some road blocks!
Sometimes we just need to stop, sit in the wall of our own skin and take some time to relax & rejuvenate!
Thanks Laura!
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Laura Clark Reply:
July 7th, 2013 at 8:54 am
You’re welcome! I look at this as a concept we can use in so very many aspects…daily, weekly, seasonally, yearly. Pull, Relax through an hour, through a day, through a project, working with clients, family etc. It speaks so well so so many things ~ I’m glad you find it helpful! KEEP SMILING 🙂
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Comment by Martha — July 7, 2013 @ 6:31 am