The Italian Spiritual Expat Therapist

This is the 8th message that I send out since I decided to stay in weekly contact with you.
In the tradition of the Native American, the number 8 is associated with the spider that is a symbol for the infinite possibilities of creation, the weaving of dreams before they become manifest, and for our infinite power to create new, never thought before, forms in our life.

‘If we are not decisive enough about changing our lots in life, we may end up being consumed by our fear and limitations’. (Quote from ‘Medicine Cards: the discovery of power through the ways of animals’ by Jamie Sams & David Carson)

I feel strongly that the 8th edition of this weekly message is inviting me to review what I’m doing, why I’m doing it and ultimately how am I doing it. A stubborn spider I found on my pillow a few nights ago (see photo), made sure I was getting this message.

What I am doing is showing up as a therapist for those who want to heal: legend has it that there are a lot of people that suffer and are looking for relief and us therapists have a duty to switch on our light so that who is looking for help can find us.
Why am I working as a therapist? Because I love being present, holding space and being an instrument of healing for people that want to feel, to heal, to move forward and dare greatly.
How I’m filling in these messages will change regularly, as I change regularly. While at the same time retaining its essence just as I do.

An important part of me is being an expat (a person who lives outside their native country) and this morning I came across a couple of really different things happening today in the world that made me think again about the infinite possibilities we have and how living abroad can make it easier to see more of the options we have.

Today 7-7 is a celebrated day in Japan, it’s called Tanataba: the festival of the stars. In this day it is typical to write prayers/wishes/poem, on colored pieces of paper that are then hanged on a bamboo plant as decoration.

Today is also the first day of Encierro during the San Firmin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Wikipedia describes the men running ahead of the bulls in the historic center of Pamplona as ‘Thousands of daredevils, especially young men, that want to prove their courage and speed by staying ahead of the bulls’

It feels like life is asking me this question this morning:
Do you want to pray that your deepest wishes come true and decorate a tree with your desires and spiritual thoughts?
Or
Do you want to outrun danger and show how brave, strong and fast you are?

I honestly believe there is a place for both energies in a harmonious life, maybe even on a very special day 😉.

The secret to fulfillment is in experiencing the freedom to choose what has your preference today … right now!

What makes it often difficult to feel free, are emotions, thoughts, and situations that push us out of our balance.

It could very well be that you are in a situation in your life where you don't feel like you can freely choose to react both in more a Tanataba way or with an Encierra approach. 
Where your emotions are so triggered or your thoughts so ingrained that there is only one reaction possible for you. If you don't like that reaction or what that creates around you, you may feel in trouble.

This is why I let my light shine with these weekly messages, to be visible for those who wish to get help.

Asking for help to a professional is not a sign of weakness or inability to do it on your own. If you have back pain you go to the physiotherapist and if you cough for a month on end you are going to see your doctor, never thinking this is a sign you are weak and unable to handle it on your own.

Let me add this. When the back pain is gone, you can walk better. When the cough is gone you can breathe better. But when your psychic pain is relieved you walk better, you breath better, you feel better and the ones around you also feel better, your outlook at life is better, your ability to enjoy life is better, your capacity to contribute to everything you desire to contribute is enhanced by the improved and strengthening of your inner balance.

I love to add a little activity you can do to coach yourself to feeling better. Just a couple of questions:

- What is the situation that is keeping you awake at night? What do you worry the most at the moment?

- How would you like to approach this situation? Tanataba or Encierra style?
- What is holding you back?

- What do you notice in yourself if you answer these questions for yourself?

- What are you going to do to take care of yourself in a way that transforms your worry in an action plan?

If you would like to send me your answers to these questions and receive feedback from me, you are more than welcome: [email protected]

If you have any feedback, comment, an observation about this message, please send it to me. I will consider it a present: [email protected]