From the Deck to the Page #3
This week’s ‘Soul Bridges’ card, from the “Be: Discover your spiritual side” category, asked “What are the things you wish you could easily forget?”
As I reflect on this question, I’m reminded of the memories that refuse to leave us, despite our best efforts. One of the most challenging experiences for me has been moments of night sleep and disturbing dreams, those dreams that are so vivid and unsettling I feel as though I have the need to tear myself away from them, only to wake up with the hope that they won’t follow me into the day.
In those moments, it’s as though the dream is holding me hostage, and I desperately wish I could forget it, and leave it behind. When I fall back to sleep, there’s always that fear it might pick up where it left off, continuing the nightmare into the next cycle. I wonder how many of us carry these haunting echoes from our dreams into our waking life, wishing for an easy escape.
Similarly, in waking life, there are moments we can’t shake—whether it’s a job loss, family dynamics, or old grudges that we wish we could easily forget. These emotional burdens, much like the unsettling dreams, seem to resurface just when we feel we’re moving past them.
But maybe, instead of trying to forget, we can find a way to heal. The dreams, like the events of our past, are part of us, but they don’t have to control us. The power lies in recognizing their impact and choosing to release their grip, whether in the quiet of the night or the noise of the day.
What about you? What are the things you wish you could easily forget? And how can you begin to release their hold over you, to reclaim your peace and your power?
To help release the grip of any memories from the past or disturbing dreams, here are some practices that might resonate and assist with spiritual discovery:
- Grounding and Breathwork
Grounding exercises can be deeply healing, helping to pull your energy back into the present moment. Simple breathwork, such as the 4-7-8 method, can help calm your nervous system and reset the energy around you.
Action Tip: Practice deep breathing or walk barefoot outside to feel more anchored and connected.
- Journaling and Reflection
Writing down the emotions tied to the memories or dreams you wish to release can be a powerful tool. By putting those feelings on paper, you create a safe space to process them and acknowledge their impact, rather than letting them continue to hold power over you.
Action Tip: Set aside time each morning or evening to journal freely. Write about the memory or dream, then follow up with affirmations or intentions of release.
- Healing Affirmations
Affirmations can be a tool for transforming negative thoughts and experiences into empowering statements. By consciously choosing to focus on healing, strength, and peace, you reprogram your mind to let go of what no longer serves you.
Action Tip: Repeat affirmations like “I release what no longer serves me” or “I am free from the weight of past memories.”
- Energy Clearing Practices
Energy clearing rituals like smudging with sage, palo santo, or using crystals (such as amethyst or black tourmaline) can help cleanse the emotional and energetic space around you. These practices are meant to reset the flow of energy and remove stagnant or negative patterns.
Action Tip: Light sage or palo santo on fire, blow out the flame, and as the smoke rises, set the intention to clear the lingering energy of past pain or nightmares.
- Visualization for Healing
Visualizing a scenario where you are gently releasing the memory or feeling can help move it out of your body and mind. Picture yourself letting go of the past and handing it over to the universe or to the earth for healing.
Action Tip: Close your eyes and imagine your fear or pain dissolving into a mist, carried away by a gentle breeze or melted into the ground.
- Self-Compassion and Forgiveness
Often, we hold onto painful memories because we haven’t fully forgiven ourselves or others. Practicing self-compassion allows you to release the grip of resentment, regret, or anger. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, but it means freeing yourself from the emotional hold.
Action Tip: Practice saying, “I forgive myself” or “I forgive others for their actions.” This process allows for emotional release and peace.
- Mindful Meditation
Meditation practices, especially mindfulness, can help create a peaceful space to observe thoughts without judgment. Over time, this can reduce the emotional charge attached to the memories and dreams you wish to release.
Action Tip: Start with a short 10-minute guided meditation, focusing on breath and letting go of any intrusive thoughts.
- Rituals of Release
Sometimes, engaging in a ritual for closure can help release emotional weight. This could be as simple as writing down what you want to release and then safely burning or burying the paper as a symbolic gesture of letting go.
Action Tip: After journaling, safely burn or bury the paper to symbolically release those feelings.
Final Thought:
Releasing the grip of memories or dreams that weigh us down isn’t about erasing the past but about reclaiming our power in the present. Each of us has the ability to transform the energy tied to old wounds, allowing ourselves to heal and move forward with renewed clarity and peace. By practicing these tools of release, we not only free ourselves from the weight of the past but also create space for new, brighter experiences to take root.
As you move through this process, remember that it’s not about perfection. It’s about progress, self-compassion, and embracing the journey of healing. You deserve to live unburdened by what no longer serves you. Now is the time to let go and step into your full power.
Thanks for being here. If you enjoyed this post, there’s plenty more where that came from, everything from soulful healing tips to playful prompts and real conversations about life.
Find me and connect:
Website: www.flexiblebeing.com
Instagram:
@theresamartinezshapiro
@flexiblebeing
Email: theresa@flexiblebeing.com
Empowering Your Journey to Healing, Clarity, and Self-Discovery.
Theresa Martinez-Shapiro
Hello! I am Theresa Martinez-Shapiro; Wife to Robert. Founder of Flexible Being. A Master Reiki Therapist, Certified Oracle Guide, Spiritual Mentor/Guide, Intuitive Empath, Coach, and Educator. I am a fur mom to 3 cats and 1 dog – Sonny, Patches, Ryelee, and Winnie. We currently live and practice in Stockton, California. We operate three businesses – Shapiro Holistic Health and Chiropractic, Fusion Health APC, and Synergy Health MSO, where we seek to improve and change the lives of our patients and those we have the privilege of crossing paths with. My healing and mentoring journey began around 5 years old when I discovered that I was put on this planet to help others. I knew I was different, unique, and gifted. I did not see the world the same way everyone else did, and recognized I was meant to do so much more. I began to research, spending a lot of time reading & asking a lot of questions to anyone that wanted to share stories about their life experiences. I am a dreamer and had a unique relationship with the dream world. My very real, vivid & lucid dreams began turning into out-of-body experiences and unexplained occurrences. I began doing my own dream interpretations to look for patterns & a new way of deciphering life. Family members were part of many different religions, so I was educated in Catholicism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, and Native American culture & beliefs. Along the way, I took up multiple mentors that cultivated my growth and expansion of my gifts, allowing me to focus on my potential and purpose. As an adult, coworkers were unloading their life stories, internal secrets, and things that had not been shared or even spoken out loud. I began to share those experiences with my aunt & Reiki Master/Teacher, Carmen. In 2012, Carmen told me, “I think you are ready to walk the path I always knew you were meant to walk”. That saying began my obsessive journey into Reiki, Spirituality, Psychology, Intuition and Psychic gifts, Meditation and Mindfulness, Past Lives, Consciousness, Energy Medicine, Mysteries of the Universe, Moon and Sun cycles, Astrology, Numerology, Oracle Cards, Shamanism, & so much more. My journey has helped me to assist patients, clients, families, and friends discover who they have been, who they are, and who they want to become. I am expanding my reach and educating others by authoring Musings of a Flexible Being, and I look forward to sharing my journey with you. Thank you! Theresa Martinez-Shapiro Flexible Being Website: www.flexiblebeing.com Socials: Facebook: @flexiblebeingonline Instagram:@theresamartinezshapiro Instagram: @flexiblebeing
