Marion Light2

Ghandi wrote, “Forgiveness is choosing to love. It is the first sign of self-giving love.” True healing occurs when we have the courage to be present with all aspects of ourselves and move through the processes required to return to wholeness. In working with a diverse array of clients, I have found that often the most difficult step of the healing process is forgiveness. As difficult as it may be, forgiveness is necessary to free oneself from the painful emotions that have bound our lives and stifled our Spirit. Of course, once we let go and forgive, we become fully responsible for our own feelings and behaviors and can no longer make excuses or stay stuck in our patterns or stagnation. That can be daunting, so it is understandable that some people resist forgiveness and choose to remain comfortably stuck, but in doing so we limit ourselves, and our lives do not open fully to their potential.

Many people hang onto anger and blame out of a misplaced sense of justice. A common misperception is that forgiving someone means accepting their behavior, or letting them off the hook. This is simply not so. We can forgive and also choose not to allow people into our lives who hurt or betray us. We can, if we wish, offer the kind of forgiveness that might free the person we are angry at, but the greatest impact is within. Forgiveness frees us from the low vibrational energies of anger, blame and resentment and allows our heart to open to a more joyful and expansive life.

Carrying anger, hate or resentment in your heart will weigh heavily on your life, preventing you from truly healing and moving forward. When you have been hurt or betrayed, there is a process you can turn to in order to release the experience and find alignment with yourself again. The key steps are firstly, AWARENESS of what needs healing or what is holding you back. The second step is to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for the feelings that were triggered by the experience without blaming yourself or others. Next, it is essential to find TRUST in a deeper part of yourself, and know that you are more than your pain. Acknowledge the perfection of every experience and what it has brought to your life. It may be hard to imagine a painful experience as a ‘perfect’ experience, but this simply means that the experience ‘is what it is’ in the fabric of your life, and every experience is full of potential. It becomes ‘what you make it’ and that will shape the tapestry of your future. Seeing the greater picture of your being and your life will allow you to FORGIVE AND LET GO. The final step is to experience a RENEWAL or REMEMBERING of who you really are. In this state, all the energy you have bound up in anger, resentment and pain becomes available to you again in a pure and positive way, resulting in increased joy, vitality and enthusiasm. You find yourself more present in your life and trusting that your inner self can not only handle the experiences of life, but can appreciate them –all of them, for the great gifts they are. This is not an intellectual exercise, but an opening of your heart. It is a gift you give to yourself and your world.

Love and Light, Marion

In my years of practice, I’ve noticed that most people spend about 90% of the time with their thoughts in the past and the future and only 10% in the present. We fall into this habit often without even realizing it. The human mind has a unique propensity to relive and ruminate on the past and to worry or fantasize about the future. The problem is, all of our power, our ability to heal, and our potential to create the life we desire lies solely in the present. In my work, I teach people how to live in the present and fully connect to the life-changing power of their body, mind and spirit.

Often our mind returns again and again to the past because of pain and regret over the experiences of our lives. The emotions of these experiences become stuck in the body, and we continue to relive them without knowing how to release them and free ourselves. Other times, we find ourselves worrying about tomorrow, fearing a circumstance that has yet to happen, or just rehearsing what the next day might bring. Even in pleasant situations, such as a sunset stroll, we may find ourselves drifting into thoughts of what comes next, a previous conversation, or where a relationship might be going. This shifting out of present time can become habitual and even addictive. It not only robs us of fully appreciating the moment, but it can lead to more serious issues with depression, stagnation, anxiety, and lack of focus and progress in our lives.

In order to live fully, we must teach our minds to be willing to receive all the gifts of the present moment, and we must resolve the emotions held in the body that keep us attached to the past, or fearful of the future. It is not as simple as deciding we are going to “just move on and let things go” or “stop worrying about the future.” Trying to resist our habits of thought and suppress our emotions is a tremendous drain of our energy. We cannot change the past or predict the future, but we can, through a gentle process of inner awareness and energy work, change our relationship to our experiences. We can release thought patterns and beliefs, and free ourselves from the stagnant emotions that are keeping us from being vibrantly alive and free.

I work with people of all ages and stages of life, helping them tune their awareness and energies toward the present. As they reclaim the aspects of themselves that have been scattered in time, I see them heal, awaken, and expand physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I see them reconnect with their powerful inner guidance which will lead them to the life they desire. When all their power is brought fully to the present, their lives begin to fall into place in ways greater than they ever dreamed!

Love and Light, Marion

PEACE AND JOY to all in 2009! When I look back on 2008, I see a year where many things that were out of balance finally reached a breaking point. Our collapsed economy is a reflection of an unbalanced hierarchical social system. Politically the population felt new depths of dissatisfaction and responded with a revolutionary choice. Many of us have also experienced painful disruptions in our personal lives. While it has been a time of great challenges, it is also a time of great power. The intense energies that have brought many of us to breaking points can also support our profound renewal and propel us toward a better life. Success and Joy are available for those with the faith to step into the fire with an open heart and mind.
I, myself, am facing the challenge of change. My intention for 2008 had been to surrender completely to the unfolding of my life and trust in Divine Guidance. As I write this, it is my 25th wedding anniversary. However, four weeks ago my husband moved out with the explanation that he needed space. These past weeks have been a roller coaster of emotion, and being present with my feelings has taken me to new depths of my Being. It is not an easy journey, but I have no doubt it will be a profound and meaningful one.
One thing I am grateful for, is that I have a strong sense of who I am as a woman, as a being, and as a Soul. I know that no matter what happens, I will be okay. Teaching others, I have always said that healing is not about getting rid of old issues, but rather about retrieving the parts of ourselves that were lost in pain or trauma. As we heal those pieces of our soul, we become more intact and unshakeable in the knowing of our real selves –the joyful beings we truly are. This knowledge allows us to experience difficult life situations with an open perspective. We can expand into the moment, instead of contract. Healing has never meant that you work through your issues and you’re done. We all know that life is an unfolding of mysteries, adventures and challenges. What makes the journey light and joyful is our alignment with Self and Source.
So, although my Libran scales have been swaying, I feel safe allowing the expanse of emotions to course through me. I notice where these emotions are held in my body, and I explore what they can teach me about my life. I know no matter what transpires, I will come through this with a deep sense of spiritual growth. None of us have control over anyone else. Often we have little control over the situations in our lives. Our focus can only be inward –what is important to us, what brings us joy, who do we choose to be when the external world is not watching.