I always leave a space for the wild things in my garden, like the oak-leaf hydrangeas that creep around my front post and drape themselves outside the courtyard, inviting you to come in. They are untamed. They are just begging for you to join me.
Though much of my garden is orderly, I see how necessary it is to live in the yin and yang of it, with the neat boxwood hedges and dignified dahlias set against the wild ways of the hydrangea. The hydrangeas remind us we must believe in the wild nature of the magical.
During my cancer journey of Permission to Live, when I needed to qualify for an experimental treatment that would save my life and my dignity, I had to ask: Why not think this way? Why not believe there is magic in this? In my book, I share sometimes-humorous stories about not letting the limited thinking rule me and instead letting the laughter bring in the wider, longer view.
We have to bust through the tragedies of life with expansive ways of thinking.
Expansive thinking helps us tap into the magic of rituals, which in turn helps us set our intentions. Merriam-Webster defines an intention as “the thing that you plan to do or achieve: an aim or purpose.” Which I see as more yang or goal-driven.
Another way of setting an intention is activating your receptivity—a much more yin way. This way is much more in the present moment and is independent of achieving the goal or destination.
In every healing space, we need to invite in the yin and the yang, the tamed and the wild.
The Oak-Leaf Hydrangea Affirmation: I embrace my wild nature.
Download the affirmation card and all the others in this series by right-clicking on the image.
