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By Root 1056 0

and suddenly, my eye caught one bright red raspberry hanging on a bush. I marvelled at how it came to be ripe at this time when all the other berries were gone. I thought about all the forces of nature that brought forth this lone little raspberry that seemed so cheerful and alive. I picked the raspberry and popped it in my mouth. The sweet taste awakened me as if life was pouring into me again.” Her depression lifted almost completely and she stayed up most of the day, looking out the window, taking care of things around the house, and calling a neighbor. “I often think of that little berry,” she said, “and wonder how could it have made so much of a difference.”

How can a sweet little raspberry have so much power to transform our lives? A tiny experience can open us to an amazing flow of energy. It’s like finding the core switch and giving it a gentle tap so it can feed into every part of the body and spirit.

10. Feel the Exquisite Dance of Mind, Body, and Spirit

Every time we are touched, experience awe, feel treasured by another person, or have our minds and hearts stimulated, we are setting off the complex biochemical system in the body that leads to a sense of well-being. Likewise, we can give the same to others. The power of a welcoming smile, hug, or help when we need it is a reminder of the power we have when we show up for each other. It’s as if we become the ripe raspberry, a bit of sweetness in one another’s lives.

There is nothing separate in the body-mind complex. We are an intricate interwoven network of many systems and receptors, all affecting and interacting with each other. Candace Pert, in her compelling book Molecules of Emotion, poses the question, “How can emotions transform the body, either creating disease or healing it, maintaining health or undermining it?” In her research spanning three decades she has come to see that, “When there is a flow of chemical information that is unimpeded, it results in homeostasis, or balance.” Furthermore, the ability to express emotions instead of keeping them blocked up is the key to creating that flow. If we are holding back our sadness, hurt, anger, or joy, we block the flow in the body, thus compromising the immune system and our mental outlook. Pert also writes, “I believe that happiness is what we feel when our biochemicals of emotion, the neuropeptides and their receptors, are open and flowing freely throughout the psychosomatic network, integrating and coordinating our systems, organs, and cells in a smooth and rhythmic movement.”

And this is not done with medications and drugs; it happens through the free flow of feelings and emotions, a flow which is deeply linked to being connected in the world—to people, nature, and the ability to feel love and awe.

This process underscores one of the deepest reasons for showing up in life. The inner flow of our emotional and biochemical network is tremendously related to the flow of our connection to nature, beauty, experience, and supportive connections with other people. Reconnecting with an old friend, learning a new skill, focusing on being true to ourselves, helping plant a community garden, or cooking a lovely dinner with a friend all wake up parts of us and increase this inner flow, thus feeding into our emotional well-being.

Showing up is not always about getting out and doing something; it’s more about showing up for what you need in your life, which could mean to take time for stillness, a relaxed meal with a friend, reflection, journaling, or meditation. It might mean doing less of what drains you and more of what feeds your life.

EXERCISE:

Feeling the Flow Within You

Think back on a time when something small—a kind word, gesture, taste, touch, view, song, or chance meeting brought you out of a dreary place. Remember the shift you felt and notice what happens in your body as you remember this.

What would bring you a measure of delight today? What one small thing? Repeat this exercise every day for a week, then for two weeks.

Take a conscious walk. Focus on the rhythm and movement