La padre
[email protected] 631.935.2777
  • Home
    • What IS Ritual?
    • Frequently Asked Question
  • Let's Work Together
    • April 2025 - Circle
    • Story-Beads
    • ritual write-ups
    • ritual write ups for celebrations
  • Rituals to Use Right Away
  • Blog
  • Buy My Book!
  • About

How To Compassionately Keep Them Contained

7/13/2015

1 Comment

 
by Deborah Globus
Picture
by Deborah Globus
Welcome to summer, a time when those of us with kids find our schedules thrown all out of whack because suddenly there are more people in our spaces than we're used to, while still having the same stuff to get done!

As I adjust to my own new work situation, I've been pulling out all my tools.

Next week I'll tell you all about how I use altars to refocus through transition.  But in the meantime, I want to share a story about bickering with your kids and how to energetically contain them so that YOU can focus and get back to what needs to be done.
Picture
a cozy box is good for holding all kinds of difficulties
I have a friend whose home office is next to her 16 year-old daughter's room. Mothers and daughters being what they are, and 16 year-olds being what they are, they sometimes fight. It's hard to focus when there's that kind of negativity around.

Problem is, often there's nothing to resolve that negativity short of time.

And there's still work to do!

There's still a way to safeguard the time and space you need to spend working, while respecting the natural process of letting things work themselves out.

My advice was this: put her daughter in a box. Not literally of course (tempting as they may seem when we argue with our loved ones!) No, the trick is to symbolically put them into a box.
In order to contain some of that residual negative energy in order to get on with her work, here's what I suggested she do:
  • Find a box with a lid.
  • Put a soft cloth inside; make it cozy. We want them comfortable and cared for while still wanting them away from us.
  • Put a symbol of the person inside the box (a photo, a scrap of paper with their name, or some small token that represents them.)
  • Close the box. You've just energetically contained them and all the energy that surrounds them, lovingly and privately.
  • Take the time you need to do your work.
  • Important note: After you're done working, OPEN the box again. It's bad form to leave the person in there to stagnate. It won't hurt them per se, but it's a bit rude.
 
This temporary fix allows us to get work done in less than optimal circumstances. Opening up the box opens up the relationship again and allows for re-connection.

You can also use this practice for worries and distractions; a cozy box is a good place to hold all kinds of difficulties, not just the teenage variety.

The rituals we create have got to help us in life; they've got to meet the needs we have.  Sometimes those needs are as basic as needing a safe, undistracting place to get done that which needs to get done.  
Picture
Closed box of contained energy - complete with guardian angel
We're entitled to that, just as we're entitled to taking it that one step further...

...creating it, lovingly and gently, for ourselves.
1 Comment
Debbie Grace
7/13/2015 02:53:01 am

Oh, Deborah! I love this So. Much!

Thank you! xoxoxo

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    My name is Deborah Globus and I am La Padre.  With me you'll find the support you need to uncover practical, do-able spiritual practices that work for you.  I offer new perspectives on old practices like journaling and ritual, with a side of compassion and a healthy dose of humor, just to keep it down-to-earth and real!

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Altars
    Blessingways
    Business
    Christianity
    Coming Of Age
    Earth Based
    Emotional Healing
    Holidays
    How It Works
    Inspiration
    Interviews
    Journaling
    Judaism
    La Padre
    Leap Day
    Maggie And Christian
    Memorials
    Milestones
    Paganism
    Practices
    Prayers & Blessings
    Reference
    Retreats
    Ritual
    Rituals
    Rituals For Celebrations
    Rituals For Little Ones
    Rituals For The Moon
    Rituals For Writers
    Tarot
    Tricks And Tools
    Weddings
    Writing

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture
Picture
631.935.2777
[email protected]
Website by LaraEastburn.com