“Like a phoenix, she was rising from the ashes…”
Have you ever heard of the legend of the Phoenix?
I never really looked into the story behind the expression because… well… I guess I never had a reason to. And frankly, I was too busy running myself into the ground to take the time to indulge my curiosity in such a way. (Boy has that changed).
So the story of the Phoenix in greek mythology (and a few liberties taken from my own imagination) goes something like this:
In ancient times, in Paradise, there lived a most beautiful and perfect creature. It appeared giant in size and energy and it existed in the form of a gloriously female bird. This bird was splendid and alluring. She was cloaked in the most breathtaking, shimmering, red and gold feathers and it had eyes like two shining sapphires. If a person was touched by a falling tear from one of these incredibly piercing blue eyes, they would be healed of any ailments as these tears had the power to restore wellbeing.
This magnificent bird lived on a diet of Frankincense and aromatic gums. It is believed that this, in part, contributed to her impressive lifespan of 1000 years.
The Phoenix was said to be born from the sun. She lived in paradise as a symbol of transformation and healing and if a person had the good fortune to encounter her, they would benefit from the light she brought into their lives.
However, within her own majestic life cycle she represented both life and death, creation and destruction. While she lived a good life in paradise, one of perfection and beauty, over time her experiences, age, and perhaps all of the striving for perfection (I know it’s paradise but just saying), took their toll on the bird and she became weary.
Instinctively she knew that after a certain amount of time she was ready to move on to a new life. And, since she lived in paradise, she could never truly die thus it was time to be reborn.
And so, the day would come that this resplendent creature would rise before the sun and, under the cloak of darkness, set about preparing a nest out of cinnamon sticks, cloves and twigs. Her exhaustion evident, but never distracting from her magnificent beauty.
With her nest complete and just as the sun was about to rise, she would stretch her dazzling red and gold hued wings. And then, in a haunting farewell song, she would call out to the sun, who would stop and turn it’s full warmth upon her, and respond to her mesmerizing melody by dropping a single spark from the heavens onto her nest.
In a great fire, ignited by this spark, she would spin and twirl in the flames. Eventually she and the nest were completely consumed and reduced to sacred ashes.
Three days would pass, and then… a new Phoenix would rise from the ashes with an egg. This creature reborn would then busy herself gathering up all of the ashes of her predecessor and would combine them with the finest of myrrh before inserting them into an egg.
This Phoenix, after rising from the ashes, would then fly this egg to Heliopolis where she would deliver it onto an alter in the temple of Ra, the Egyptian God of the Sun. The previous life would be transformed into a new life, to be lived for another 1000 years in Paradise.
Is that not the most beautiful metaphor for the stage of life you are currently in? I don’t know about you, but the story of the Phoenix resonates profoundly within me.
I am the Phoenix, YOU are the Phoenix! We are all awaiting our moment to rise from the ashes.
Women, like us, passionately dedicate so much of our lives to healing and bringing light into the lives of others. We eventually come to a point and time where we recognize that our present way of living is no longer serving us as individuals. We become weary, and we realize that we cannot go on in the same way any longer.
Consider this – At least we don’t have to live 1000 years like this! (Even though sometimes it may feel as though you have).
We realize that a part of us must “die” and make room for something else. We recognize that it is time to let go of old ways of thinking and being. That it is time to let go of self-doubt and feeling like we are “surviving” each day to experience a transformation into our wiser, more authentic selves. We come to the realization that we are ready to renew our vitality and live life on our own terms.
And although this change may feel frightening and strange in the beginning… we instinctively know that it is time for a new stronger, wiser YOU to be born. This is your “rising from the ashes” moment!
THIS is when it is time to put down that proverbial “shovel”.
THIS is the time that your “hero self” must be fully awakened and poised to take action!
In order for your own transformation to occur you must call out to the sun in your own haunting melody… (JUST KIDDING! I was checking to see if you’re still paying attention). 😉
Instead of calling out to the sun (unless you are truly inspired to do so) …
It’s time to start “rising from the ashes” of your old life and step into the life that you truly deserve.
Ask yourself these questions:
What areas of my life are no longer working?
Where am I not seeing the outcomes I truly desire and deserve?
What will bring me a true sense of fulfillment and happiness, so that I can live my life with renewed energy and purpose?
What are my unique gifts or superpowers?
How can I find meaning in life’s greatest challenges so that I can meet them head on, and quickly move on from them?
How can I align my wants and needs with my actions so that my energy is preserved for living each day to its fullest, surrounded by the people and the activities I care about the most?
Yep… those are some mighty deep questions… but a walk in the park for a smart, beautiful bird like you (working with a smart, beautiful, and funny coach like me)! 😉
I am here by your side and I would love to help you find these answers so that you can experience your own personal transformation and RENEW YOUR VITALITY!
I embarked on a journey of recovery that was not for the faint of heart! And I learned a lot along the way that I am excited to share with you. You are here and already rising from the ashes as we speak.
Wishing you love, strength and vitality,
Shelley
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