The Tree of Life Blessing

To be most helpful to your Loved One, it is important that you take time to clear your head and look after yourself. Only then will you be in the best frame of mind to practice the new skills taught on the AiR website—skills that can help your Loved One find the treatment and help they need. 

In today's Sanctuary post artist Shiloh Sophia McCloud offers a poetic meditation on love, positivity, and self-care. 

Journal Exercise

Before reading the poem, take a deep breath and let go of any troubling thoughts that might be occupying you. Sit still and breathe deeply for a few minutes and observe your body. How does your body feel today? Name these sensations. Now try to release them. Let go. Sit silently for a moment. As you breathe in and out slowly, remind yourself that this is your time for relaxation, contemplation, and self-care. You deserve this time of reflection. 

Now think of something positive that brings you joy—it might a special place, person, or pet, or a favorite tree, view, artwork, or smell. Let this positive sensation wash over you. 

Take your time reading the poem. Read it aloud if you like, or silently. 

When you are finished, make note of the joyful, positive image you conjured in your mind. Are there are certain lines in Shiloh Sophia McCloud's poem that resonate with you? Write these lines down in your journal.

The next time you feel stressed or discouraged, return to these positive images and sensations. When you feel a wave of negative emotions swelling inside you, stop. Take a deep breath and return to your joyful image and the encouraging words of McCloud's poem. 

Tree of Life Blessing

By Shiloh Sophia McCloud

May you choose outrageous actions that challenge who you are and encourage who you are becoming.
May you take one step, however small, toward that which you have always longed for.
Now is the “right time.”

May you recognize the unique and powerful contribution that you bring to the people whose lives you touch.
May you be as wonderful as you really are, and do things because you want to, not just because you should.

May you celebrate your creativity and believe that you are an
artist with a unique vision that no one else has.

May you find peace and purpose and possibility amidst the
chaos while remaining aware of the unrest in the world.

May your faith move any mountains that stand in your way
and bring you great teachers to awaken your understanding.

May you give up shame, guilt and self-neglect and replace
them with qualities like freedom, integrity and self-nurturing.

May you passionately and deeply love and be loved
by someone who can see who you really are.

May your body speak to you and teach you how to care for the temple that houses your bright spirit.
May you walk gently on the earth and honor your hearth and family with your action and your rest.
May you find and enjoy the fruit of abundance so that your life path can be fortified and furthered.
May you embrace the Tree of Life and be informed by the wisdom she brings to those on her path.
May LOVE be at the center of all your choices and may you, with me, send this blessing to all beings.

Three words Diane offered to consider as guide posts for living life : Simplify, Widen, Soften

About Shiloh Sophia McCloud

Shiloh Sophia McCloud has dedicated the past seventeen years of her life to the study and practice of art as a spiritual discipline as well as to helping equip women with the tools and understanding to develop their own creative potential. Shiloh’s artwork is dedicated to providing healing images of women and family. As a leader in helping to build a transformational art movement, Shiloh lives and teaches a philosophy that all art forms are tools for individual, social and spiritual transformation. Thousands of women have deepened in their creative practice through Shiloh’s illustrated Color of Woman journals and her workshops. Shiloh is the founder of Cosmic Cowgirls Ink, LLC a woman-and girl-owned university publishing company, magazine and membership community. Shiloh’s paintings are internationally collected and represented at galleries throughout the United States.

(Note: the above poem is courtesy of the Frye Museum website )