Wellspring: “The source of a spring, stream or river; a fountainhead; the source of continual, abundant and inexhaustible supply of anything — such as love, creativity, wisdom or friendship.” Collins English Dictionary
We are all born with our own wellspring inside of us, a natural source of clarity and renewal that brims with intuition, motivation, resourcefulness, and connection. When we tap into this wellspring, we flourish and thrive. We find the energy and perspective to relate to ourselves and others in healthy ways. When we wander away from our wellspring, we feel depleted, like we are barely holding it together, simply surviving. We can feel trapped in a space where we are “living lives of arid appropriateness that kill all that is alive and vibrant inside of us.” (If Women Rose Rooted, Sharon Blackie).
In order for our wellspring to flow with abundance, we must continually attend to it. This means intentionally choosing to slow down and create a space where we trust our instincts and give our whirling bodies and minds a rest. Such a pause is not easy in a fast-moving world with so many demands on our time, energy and attention. Often we may feel as though we are just trying to keep our heads above water as we are bombarded with responsibilities and emergencies on all levels, from family and work to geopolitics and environment.
What does it take to find our way back to a place of abundance when we feel cut off from our wellspring? How do we tap back in?
Recognition
When we feel ourselves asking, “Is there something more? Is it possible to feel more connected, less harried, more real?”, we are taking a first step toward recognizing that something is off. By trusting our body, our heart, and our intuition, we begin to reintegrate our disparate selves.
When do I feel most connected to myself? To others?
Rest and Reflection
We cannot give to ourselves or to anyone else when we are depleted. By rejecting the temptation to “just push through it,” we can allow ourselves the space to choose a new path. A pause is often the quickest way to get where we need to go.
What does rest mean for you? What helps you feel replenished?
Values and Priorities
When we find ourselves careening off to places that do not align with our inner compass, it is time to take stock. Are societal expectations, competitive tendencies, or fear of judgment pushing us in these directions? Values and priorities are not static concepts, they evolve along with us.
What are you prioritizing in your life right now? Where are you spending your time and energy? What would you like to prioritize?
Resources
We also have access to external wellsprings – friends, families, colleagues, poetry, music, nature, to name a few – that can support us in finding our way back to our own internal wellspring. This connection flows both ways: our own healthy internal wellspring allows us to see how interdependent we are – on ourselves, our communities, our environment, and our world – in order to thrive.
Where do you turn for support when you feel depleted? What other resources would you like to have in your life?
At SOL Coaching, we will support you in discovering your wellsprings.
We will explore with you the resources – internal and external – that allow you to relate in genuine, fulfilling ways and to choose opportunities that give your life deeper meaning through priorities, creativity and connection. We will find ways to nuture your wellsprings so that they are always available to you in daily life and in times of great need.
As a starting point, notice what comes up for you when you consider these questions. You are not trying to change anything. Just notice.
What depletes you?
What fills you up?
When do you feel most connected to your wellspring?
When do you feel cut off from your wellspring?
“There is a wellspring of life within you where you can go for cleansing and transformation.” Deepak Chopra
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