Realization. Ownership. Commitment. Discipline. Accountability. Responsibility. Conservation. Ethics. Exploration. Danger. Risk. Actualization. Manifesting.

Place these words in a basket together, mix them up, jostle them around. What do you get?

It looks like a bushel filled with possibilities, yet it could easily become a reason for resistance, failure and retreat. Compiled, they make a sometimes indecisive and awkward state of beingness, like an infant, half in and half out of the birth canal.

Take a closer look. Just out of reach, they may be the elusive and coveted qualities of someone challenged by a constant urge to go backwards, back to bed, back to the barn, back to the comfortable known world. Acckkk! Run. Run fast!

And, these words in a nice ribboned gift basket could also be the cursory mantras of the person who, instead of falling into the well of urgency to succumb, gets a boost with a few reminders or affirmations to help move things along. Somehow though, they know there are going to be some pretty big risks.

These words do represent the stepping stones to the ultimate prize: enlightenment and beyond. Yet here, it’s still fairly far off in the distance, maybe past the horizon, as there are still plenty more boulders to hurdle along the way. Stand back a bit and watch one of the biggest walls as it’s torn down. At the very least, there’s no longer a need to stand up and fight for freedom, not in this way, anymore.

Breakdown and breakthrough! Freedom is just around the corner, yet before you turn that bend, for a moment, just be still.

This is a time to savor the moment, to be okay right here. It’s time to breathe curiously into your heart, where luscious breeding grounds birth plenty little seedlings growing from deep within the cells of your blood and bone marrow.

It is a time to turn fear into trust, committing to uncovering a life of brilliance, to successful spontaneous activities, integrating your body, mind and spirit. It’s time to prepare for your journey up the golden rungs of the ladder toward true manifestation of life as a spirit fully anchored in a human body.

It is time to listen closely and answer your inner voice. It’s time to embrace and express your soul’s vision and purpose here. It’s time to uncover what lies beneath even your darkest shadow material.

It’s the time to know thyself, embracing your birthright, a creative and powerful human grail. It’s time to listen to the God and Goddess of your heart. Can you hear them calling? They’ve been calling for an eternity.

Stop for a moment and listen to the breeze. There’s a message on the tail of that wind, right at the end when it begins to quiet and dissipate.

Stop again for just a moment to feel the inherent potentialities for warmth and transformation lying latent inside your spine. There’s healing in that fire.

Stop now, in this moment, to cool and saturate yourself with the fluid nature of your blood, your lymph and your Chi. There are forgotten memories and true devotion in those waters.

Stop, stand still, and rest. Burrow yourself deep inside your inner cave, the one that feels like the Great Mother’s womb. Roll in it, coat and blanket yourself with the musty smells of earthen soils and mosses. There’s new life about to be born once again.