Curve balls
The plan vs what manifests
Apologies for having been absent from our communication over the past couple of weeks; several curve balls have been lobbed my way, throwing me off base for a bit while I adjusted to a new daily rhythm.
As you likely know, the term “curve ball” originates from the game of baseball. When a pitcher throws a curve ball it can knock the batter off his game; the umpire calls a strike when the batter swings his bat, anticipating the ball will cross home plate where he expects, but the curve ball creates an unexpected arc, zips by him, and lands in the catcher’s mitt.
Funny how the origin of a curve ball is now commonly used to mean, “…darn it, I didn’t expect this; I have to change my schedule, my course of action, my plan for dinner…” A curve ball may occasionally engender our feeling “out of the game”, wanting to throw our mitt on the ground, screaming into the crowd, “I’m mad as hell!”
In shamanism, we commonly call a curve ball “a plan vs what manifests.” Curve balls are, at the least, irritating to most people, including spiritual practitioners (except probably gurus) who need time to adapt to new directions and expectations.
I’m not a guru!
Being an abuse survivor who’s learned to thrive despite a lifetime of having had many curve balls hurled her way, I’ve found that, after the initial shock of the unexpected event or shift in direction, when I breath and take stock of my current reality, I’m able to adjust my sails and navigate through the storm.
That said, it’s never easy! Over time, I’ve found that when the unexpected has made me falter, I go back to basics:
Am I safe right now? If no, I remove myself from the room, building, or space. I go for a walk, sit on the Earth, hug a tree, drink water, seek a friend’s companionship, call on my helping spirits (spirit guides) for guidance.
Am I breathing? If not, no matter what’s happening around me, I stop, inhale deeply and exhale while saying “I’m alive and I’m able to handle this moment.”
Do I need food? If yes, I eat a bite of cheese, a couple of crackers, a protein bar, an apple, or whatever is at hand (not sugar…that makes me crazed.) Healthy food is grounding and helps me to settle my emotions. I avoid caffeine and other stimulants that add to my feeling turbulent.
Do I need rest? If yes, I go someplace where I can close my eyes, take a nap, or at the least calm my inner chaos.
I ask myself, “At this moment do I have choices? Can I walk away from the chaos?” Am I able to safely say to others that, “I need time to process all this. I’ll be back when I’ve had time to gather my wits.”
Recently, I’ve adjusted my sails while navigating through a rainstorm. In the scope of things that are horrible, my storm is manageable. Caring for a temporarily disabled spouse, managing a high energy athletic dog, covering all household tasks, continuing to see clients, making progress on my memoir, and responding to hundreds of daily emails, has been challenging but not impossible. When I take the time to breath deeply, rest when I’m tired, take a moment to appreciate the night sky and the tiny lifeforms emerging from the Earth, then I am well, I am safe, and I am grounded.
When you walk through an unexpected storm, you may want to try one of my survival tactics. They do work and perhaps you’ll feel better for having set your sails for the potential of improved outcomes.
Till soon,
Dory
PS. Though I’m no longer leading shamanic workshops, I am the Guest Speaker with my colleagues Nancy MacPhee and Kathleen Duggan, at an introductory workshop being held at Kripalu on April 26-28. This workshop provides the groundwork for anyone interested in a personal spiritual practice, or who thinks, that in the future, they may want to delve deeper into the practice of shamanism.
I would love to see you there!
If you’re interested go here for a course description and registration information:
If you’d like further information about this workshop and other shamanic offerings by Nancy and Kathleen, go here: