May Day Meditation

It's been a beautiful Easter season of being alone together with friends who have known me for 3 of my 4 decades. It's humbling to touch base with that which we once were -- full of the joys -- and that which we now are -- noticeably older, somewhat wiser and rather witty, if we say so ourselves!

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If you’re really REALLY lucky you get to call peeps of this calibre “friend” for 3 decades & counting 👭👭💞🥰#girlfriends #highschoolfriends #reunion #girlsdayout #memories

A post shared by Charisse Louw (@goflow42) on Apr 22, 2019 at 9:00am PDT

We have all gone through trials and tribulations and find ourselves at what is probably the midway point (though no man knows the hour, as I know all too well) of this little life fighting the good fight as our children go through growing pains, parents age, relationships flail, health flounders, work fizzles...amongst other F-words ;)

While each of us has our own particular brand of midlife crisis on the go, it seems Tim Ferriss and I have been following an uncannily similar trajectory. We both lost a host of loved ones in unexpected and traumatic ways. Then decided to go the 10 day silent meditation retreat route, which kicked our butts and only served to deepen our already pretty profound existential crises.

My lovely mom sends me inspirational messages daily and this video by leading expert on Near Death Experiences and author of "The Art of Dying" Dr Peter Fenwick says it like it is.
And it's rather wonderful... if we can learn to surrender our attachments.


The one common fact of Life that we all share is Death.
Time to stop avoiding the subject...avoiding the thought.
Time to sit with what is.
Again and again.

Happy May 1st -- a celebration of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
A world-wide wrestle with what it means to be an empowered Worker.
Here in the fairest Cape it's magically misty and Autumn brings cosy fires as well as fynbos blossoms that are the envy of the rest of the world.

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I love how #fynbos makes autumn feel like spring #seasonsofourlives #mygarden #gratitude

A post shared by Charisse Louw (@goflow42) on Apr 20, 2019 at 2:31am PDT

I love wandering on our beaches and mountains in the mist.
Soft, soothing.
If you can surrender.
Always surrender. 
To what is.

I'm so looking forward to gathering in community with fellow health practitioners at our second annual Kommetjie Wellness Day on Sunday.
My lovely friends will be shining their light -- Maggie of Nia on the Peninsula, Jolene from Dance Awake, Rene from Seed to Flower, to say nothing of the best vegetarian food anywhere by Janis of Lush Food. Drooling in anticipation!

Later this month I'll be lucky enough to join this incredible Chinese delegation for a 5 Day QiGong Workshop.

So much loveliness. So much to celebrate.
I've also rediscovered some beautiful healing modalities that I'd long since called to mind.
Thanks to my dear Flow & italki students for sharing so vulnerably and allowing me to remember and apply Imago Therapy and Byron Katie's The Work recently.
These are proving a timely reminder and a balm.
Gratitude in abundance.

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