Yoga on the Beach

Fairy Godmother or Dream Squasher?

The power of Yoga permeates our practice no matter which angle we approach it from.  As we stretch, breathe bigger, quiet the mind and/or challenge our bodies things begin to change. A broadening of ourselves cracks open and we begin to see new possibilities on many levels.  What we believed to be impossible at one point in our lives begins to seem not only possible but is already happening in our lives and all around us.  We begin to dream of new possibilities, and see them realized.

As I was biking the island yesterday I began to have these thoughts and images around how we relate to one another when it comes to dreaming.  It seems that there is a cultural conditioning, which is well accepted, to be what I will call a Dream Squasher.  We may not realize we have that habit, or condition.  We may even validate our actions with reasoning like, “but I need to help them out so they don’t get hurt,” or “I need to speak my truth.”  In the end what we are inflicting on one another is another opinion (often unasked for) that pulls the rug out from the dreaming process.

Do you recognize this behavior in yourself?  Want to set it free?  First recognize your habitual responses that start in the gut and find their way to your tongue that are less than supportive, or down right undermining.  You’ll also need to be clearly aware of when someone is sharing a dream, notice your conditioned need to squash it, and take a breath.

Here is your time to step onto the platform called supportive.  No Fairy Godmother (nor Godfather) leaves home without this bit of magic.  If you want to become a Fairy Godmother then first you will need to learn to charge your responses and words with the magic of support, inspiration and empowerment. These powerful three are the fairy dust we all are brightened and encouraged by.

Support is the way in which we keep something or someone “upright”.    We sustain and provide help when asked for, and belief in the dream.   We even stretch our own awareness to see how this dream will and can become a reality.

Inspiration is a stimulus energy that helps the creative process to mature.  It is like compost that nourishes the dreaming process.  There is the moment when we first begin to share our dreams that catches our breath, and we await the next “inspiration.”  The Fairy Godmother gets to stimulate that inspiration, that intake of new ideas, and breathes energy into it.

Empowerment is the fine art of creating space for power to be declared.  We bring the quality of esteem alive by giving high regard and consideration to another’s ideas or dreams which is like hypercharging the concept.  With great dexterity we step aside and create the space for the manifestation of another’s dream.   Pow!

Our transformation is complete as we begin to hear our words transform from discouraging, disapproval, and disempowering to our magic 3 – support, inspiration and empowerment.  Responds like, “what are you thinking”, or “did you consider…” become, “wow, that’s sounds wonderful” or “I love hearing how excited you are with this idea, and I know you can bring it alive with the passion you are feeling.”

As with many transformational processes, the “feel good” quality is symbiotic.  The benefits are felt by both the dreamer and you.  There is such a rush when you are dreaming your dream and someone else creates the space and energy for it to be realized.  As you support another that rush flies through you as well. I guess that’s why it is often called divine.  Here is to more of us on the path of Fairydom.