November is the month of remembering and honouring those who have died. During this time we focus on those who have lost their lives while in war. We honour their sacrifices they made for their country.  The poppy has come to symbolize Remembrance Day and honouring our fallen just as Lt. Col. John McCrae immortalized the poppy in his poem, “Flanders Fields.” From other perspectives the poppy also symbolizes new creative energies, sleep, death and resurrection. The poppy’s traditional red colour makes it easy to understand its connection to death. In last month’s article I mentioned red as one of the colours of Autumn.  Red is associated with the root chakra symbolizing energy of fire, groundedness, passion, fear and tribal connection.

Spiritually we can continue this theme further by honouring our ancestors and past lives (for those who believe in past lives). We can also honour those parts of ourselves which have died or have been forgotten.   Along with remembering we can also come to a truce with any memory that we might be holding onto that is stopping us from moving forward. It is this new facet of remembering that I focus on here.

First, follow me for a guided walk to prepare us for our own remembrance.

As we enter the woods, Nature begins to surround us in its protective hug. Admiring the colourful leaves that blanket the path or adorn the branches we see Nature has decorated itself with bits of colour. Up above, clouds look like tapestry.  Trees are starting to look barren but even that has its own beauty. See the branches reaching out and spreading skyward as if connecting to the heavens. Each tree and branch has its own design and texture, a continual display of strength, openness, and wonderment; the tree revealing itself naked to the world.

The woods are home to many creatures which we see are busy looking for food for winter storage. They stop to play and say hello to each other in their own way. Birds sing their welcoming song for all to hear.  Woodpecker is busy drumming on the tree adding a beat to the woods, which vibrates out to the world.

As we walk along this path we catch sight of a deer ahead. She has been quietly grazing, now aware of our presence. Are we friend or foe? We stand still and she looks at us with pure tenderness. The deer accepts us and we find ourselves in the present moment, admiring her magnificence. Her gentleness emanates a sense of peace.

All this is Nature’s way of offering healing to us. By connecting to its beauty we feel its vibration within us. Have you noticed outside worries of everyday life fell out of view?

Now let’s continue along our walk, this time down memory lane….
Remember a time when you were a child, happy, giggling and having fun? So much so that going to the bed was something you didn’t want to do.  Yes, I know you remember a time like that …we all do.

Skipping, running, swimming, playing-whatever it was, you were having a great time. Nothing mattered but the fun you were having whether alone or with someone or perhaps an invisible playmate. Now look around those memories. What did you smell, see, or hear? Were you alone or with someone in this memory?  What were you doing?  When was the last time you felt like this? How does it make you feel now?  How does that child feel?  Do these feelings match?

Let’s connect to how the child felt. Breathe that memory in; feel it in every cell of your body.  Become that child. Is it not wonderful to feel so light and happy and carefree?  You can feel that way again; just allow that child to come out and play.

I know what you may be thinking: “That would be nice but…Too busy…No time…Oh sure, with work, family and all the things around here – not likely!” Oh, yes you can! Just remember that child is within you. If you allow yourself to be that child-like again, then it’s possible: “Hello, can you come out to play today?”  She or he would be happy to play with you; just ask.  For the child in you is always there waiting for you to ask…just like a polite child would.

Now let’s move on down this lane, to the time when you became a teenager. Yes, that mixed up time of your life when you knew everything and your parents didn’t. But the one thing you didn’t know is exactly what to do now. Never mind the hormones! You’re too young to be considered an adult, yet too old to be called a child. You began to look different, and other teens began to look more interesting.  You spent more time looking in the mirror making sure you looked good.

Now look into that mirror. Do you see that good looking person? Say hello.  As this teenager, how do you feel?  What are you experiencing at this moment? Notice your body posture. Are you smiling? Feels good, right?  Thumbs up!  That teenager was a part of you.  Now you are older, probably wiser; even better.

So let’s continue walking toward adulthood. Who do you see? You are older now, responsible, working, busy, and a parent perhaps. Take this moment to think about it. Do any of these adjectives sound familiar?  If not, who are you? How would you describe yourself?

Sometimes we become who we said we would never be…our parents. Scary and shocking!  It happens, although only with your unique blend on it. Are there any parts that you would like to change, to release, and to let die?  What parts are you happy about? Perhaps you can now say, “Wow my parents weren’t so bad after all.”

You may also see parts that you need to heal. For sometimes there are attached feelings of hurt, pain, or anger that are best to release and let die.  Thank your parents for all the teaching and lessons they gave you, even if they were negative experiences, for in everything there is a lesson. Say thanks for the parts that you would like to release for even those things have a positive gift and lesson to impart.

We revisited our childhood, teen years, and adulthood and in doing so we will have discovered parts of ourselves that have been forgotten or have died and that is a natural progression. Good or bad those qualities were a part of you for they helped make you who you are today. Remembering all parts of yourself is important so that you may honour and accept who you are.

Let’s continue beyond adulthood now. You may not be an elder but also have a gift to offer to yourself.  Remember anyone like grandparents, teachers, etc. who taught you or who had some connection to your life. Perhaps they mentored you or inspired you.  How did they make you feel?  Are they anything like you? What characteristics do you see in them?  What message(s) can you see from their lives that are relevant to you? Interesting what we notice when we look more closely at our elders.

You may think we have reached the end of memory lane but we can go further down the path. I would like you to take a moment to connect to the most important part of who you are.  Let me introduce you to your soul…

Take three deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Continue to breathe and relax…

When you are ready close your eyes and ask your guides or whomever you connect spiritually with to show you your soul.

Relax and pay attention to what you see, hear or feel in your body. You may feel warm, calm, peaceful or maybe a little teary for this energy is so loving and pure. This perfect light or spark is you…pure, unconditional love. Welcome.  Spend some time with this part of you and feel the love. Ask questions if you like. See what message you receive.  Thank this part of you and feel gratitude for the love. Now wrap your arms around yourself and hug all of you.  Spend time this month honouring yourself too, for you are worth it.

Hope this walk as given you a whole new meaning for the month of November. Remembrance Day is the day to remember and honour veterans who sacrificed their lives for freedom. Give thanks to those who have fallen for our sake. Honour and remember our ancestors, parents, and our younger selves who have given us so much, too. Be a legacy to all those who have gone before us and those children, teens, young adults we once were by living your life to the fullest. Be open to joy, to play, and to love life.

Thank you for walking down memory lane and spending time remembering you.