I Am Not Vanilla, I Am A Rainbow

A few months ago, in a yoga practice, I was lying down looking up at the ceiling and my teacher was guiding me through our intention setting for the practice. Usually, my eyes are closed for this part of the practice, but that day they were wide open, staring at the rafters in the exposed ceiling. I remember noticing how everything was white. Vanilla, I thought. In this moment, I was very bothered. Why was I bothered? And why did the word vanilla keep running through my head.

Throughout the practice, I keep thinking, "I am not vanilla. I am not vanilla." So much was flooding me as I was moving and breathing through the shapes. In the final pose, I realized what was happening. I was truly realizing I AM NOT VANILLA. Not anymore.

A little on my back story. As a little girl, I was very shy and quiet. I didn't say much in school. I had a lot of fear and worry that circulated through me. Of course at this point in my life, I thought that was just how I was made, this was me. Guess what? I only ordered vanilla ice cream. Always. This vanilla transfered into my way of being. That was safe, I thought. Stay under the radar, keep things low key and stay in the lines. I had fear around what others would think of me. That they would not like me or accept me and my. "weirdness." (Which is really my uniqueness) Well, as I grew up and experienced more and more in this life, I realized, this was not me. I became physically sick. I was not meant to be vanilla, color in the lines, stay quiet, not share my spiritual experiences, stay invisible. Slowly, with much self work and support, I started to step into my True Self. My colorful Self. No more Vanilla.

Yesterday, during my yoga practice in the same space with the same teacher, it hit me again. This time, I actually felt my body yelling this to me! YOU ARE NOT VANILLA! YOU ARE A RAINBOW! Why was this coming in again? But this time, there was a rainbow. This needs to be shared with others as so many of us are living the "vanilla life." Not connecting to their colorful selves. It is time for us all to step into this colorful way of being!

What does this mean? This is where self discovery, self connection gets really fun! It will mean something different for everyone. For me, I connect to the colors of the chakras, the energetic centers of the body which align with the colors of the rainbow. (quick chakra 101 as it comes in for me)

 Red: 

Root Chakra at the base of the spine. Foundation, belief system , security that I have cultivated for myself. Physical safety but also the safety and stability I have within my own body, mind and spirit. Defined by me as I experience life through my own lenses.

Orange:

Sacral Chakra lies right above the root. Creativity, playfulness and emotions. I am a master creator with so many ideas that help support others in their healing. I approach my work differently than most Reiki Practitioners. Expansion, collaboration, education and branching out beyond the "lines" or "the box." As these lines are not really there.

Yellow:

Solar Plexus lies above the belly button and is your powerhouse. I have gained so much self confidence and strength in myself and in my work. The more. Ido this, I attract like-min ded people who are ready to stand in their power as well!

Green:

Heart Chakra lies, you guessed it, in the heart space in the middle of the chest. The gentle heart and compassion. This is where I feel so much of the world but have worked to be gentle and send all the love and compassion to so many who suffer. I know my love that pours from my heart makes a difference.

Blue:

Throat Chakra lies in the throat space. This has always been a bugger for me. I lived a big chunk of my life with this blocked, not speaking my truth and how I truly feel. It is a practice everyday for me, but I continue to cultivate a life where I do not compromise myself for others as my intention is always in Love. For others and myself.

Indigo:

Third Eye lies at the center of your brow. This is intuition, your 6th sense. I have learned to trust my inner knowing more and more and it has not steered me wrong.

White:

(Hard to color this one! ) This is the Crown Chakra at the top of the head. The connection to the Universe, God, Spirit, Higher Realms, etc....whatever you connect to. again, this has taken a while but I feel very connected.

This has been quite a journey for me, but i have to say, life is SO much more fun with all of my color! No more vanilla ice cream for me! No more vanilla way of being. Are you ready to cultivate your RAINBOW? You don't ned permission, you just need to trust yourself and your inner voice. It is a wild ride, but a very fun one!