Decidedly Deciduous
- Brainz Magazine
- Jan 31, 2022
- 4 min read
Written by: Madeleine P. Wober, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Despite all the hype around new year’s resolutions, for me January has always been a great month to reflect and hibernate. Drawing up the Ideas and visions that will require a strong mindset and massive action in the months to come. There’s usually more meditation time and more opportunity to figure out the right questions to ask myself. There may be no right or wrong in how we find our answers, but it sure helps if we can ask probing questions and then sit with all the possible answers.
For example, each time I remember to ask myself ‘what is trying to make itself known to me right now?’ I literally have an epiphany.
To give myself permission to do very little is not an easy feat for a naturally driven person like me.
In my mind, doing very little still looks like effort and busyness to others. For example today I worked on 15 voice over projects, yet because it’s just one of my many creative outlets, and is super fun, it doesn’t feel like I’m doing too much. I didn’t think much of it until a friend asked me what I was up to and when I told her, the reaction was highly animated and surprised that I’d just said I was pretty much doing nothing this month.
Later, I was looking outside the living room window, at my favorite tree.
Today, in the middle of winter, I was taking in her bare, deciduousness, reveling at her naked, branches, contorted and twisted in different directions, without her springtime cherry blossoms, or her copious lush green leaves of summer. As she stood there vulnerable, skinny, perfectly imperfect, I marveled at how free she was, is. Not trying to prove anything to anyone, comfortable in her own bark, fully aware that she evolves and changes with the seasons. She looked completely unattached to anyone’s thoughts or judgements, as she stood there taking up all the space she needed, unapologetically.
Suddenly she seemed extremely proud and joyfully disobedient. She looked to me like she was owning herself, almost flaunting her branches (now dainty twigs). She appeared fierce and strong in her delicate stature.
I thought to myself, wow, if only I could be that free of self-judgement and unattached to how I think I need to look in front of others. That would be the equivalent of me going out with no clothes on, no makeup, hair unattended to and standing there taller and prouder than ever for all to see. Appearing sad, weak and unkempt on the outside yet decidedly full of strength and intention on the inside. Full of inner wisdom.
The interesting thing was that after all my initial judgements of her, they started to pass, and feel like old news. I didn’t care anymore that she wasn’t her usual beautiful self, or that she looked frightfully thin, and bent in such disarray.
I started seeing my reflection in her and feeling the freedom of simply not caring about the outer shell or physicality of my humanness. Better yet, how free it felt to own my space and my essence, feeling grateful for my imperfect body and various curves.
I love how nature can speak to us if we allow it. I have often gotten my answers from the swaying branches in the wind, the flapping of leaves on trees, or giant, crashing, and gentle lapping waves.
If everything is a reflection of myself, I can trust that it is never about being separate from, but rather being guided by everything and everyone to look deep within.
All the answers I think I’m looking for out there are already deep within myself.
I just need to ask the right questions and then give myself time to hear the answers.
For more information about Madeleine’s published inspirational poetry and offerings of life coaching and Angel readings please go to www.maddiesparkles.com or email: hello@maddiesparkles.com
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Madeleine P. Wober, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Madeleine P Wober (aka Maddie Sparkles, America’s Scottish Sparkle) delivers Sage Wisdom with Childlike Enthusiasm connecting people to their Internal Light (& Guardian Angels). After three decades of medical setbacks including severe anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts in her 20’s, Ovarian Cancer in her 30’s and diagnosed with MS in her 40’s, she helps others to release their fears and step into their power so they can live a truly magical life by seeing the silver linings around every seeming obstacle and feeling divinely guided. Maddie Sparkles, an Intuitive Healer (working with the angels & spirit guides ), Voice Actor, Inspirational Poet & Transformational Empowerment Coach, illuminates the path of living magically. She runs Living Magically Retreats globally, has a vibrant, Facebook community and offers Angel & Oracle card readings for healing in any area of your life. She has been featured on ABC10 YCL, NBC BLOOM TV, FOX 24, Ticker News Australia, The Red Corner Show South Africa, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, The Red Blazer Book, Various Podcasts & Radio.
