It may sound a little weird when February is typically our coldest and snowiest season here in Maryland, but in Chinese Medicine, it’s the start of the spring. Around February 5th, the energy shifts upward and becomes more “yang” (active, masculine, bright, productive) in nature. The element associated with the spring is wood, and like the new buds breaking through the earth to bloom, we too gain new energy and direction as we emerge from the darkness.
The organs of the wood element are the gall bladder and the liver, which are responsible for decision-making, planning, and vision for your life and path. The transition from winter into spring is when we can take the ideas and plans we envisioned in the months prior and begin to make them a reality. It is when we take action and create our future.
With that in mind, consider your own answers to the following questions:
- What recent goals or ideas have I had? Which one is the most exciting to me? What dream would I most like to make a reality?
- What steps can I take now and in the next two months to move towards my goal or dream?
- What do I envision my life to look like once I have achieved my goal or dream? What does it feel like in my body, mind, and spirit?
- Now that I know what it looks and feels like to achieve my goal or dream, what practices can I put in place to ensure that I continue to take consistent steps towards my goals or dreams?
- How will I know when I have reached my goal or dream? What measurable action steps will I have completed? Do I need to put any measures in place to ensure continued success?
The wood energy within each of us thrives on growth. It celebrates wins both big and small. I say this to stress that if even the thought of looking at this list of questions above has you feeling overwhelmed, do not feel pressured to come up with some massive goal that you don’t have the energy to achieve. The only thing you need to do to keep the wood energy moving and away from stagnation is to keep taking steps- steps towards some kind of growth, whether personal or professional. (Literal steps help too; if you ever find yourself feeling stuck, angry, depressed or irritated, go for a walk or run. Feel free to also punch or scream into a pillow. The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of emotions and it loves exercise and expression.)
Write your goals or dreams on a piece of paper and display it where you can see it each day and remember what you are working towards. Alternatively, you may choose to write down your goals in a notebook or journal every day. The repetition of daily writing can help kinesthetic learners to connect with their goals in a deeper way and reflect on how well the goals continue to resonate over time. Each day when you connect with your list, consider what small steps you can take that day to reach your goals. By making choices throughout the day that support your goals and dreams, you’ll achieve your aspirations in no time!
Note: This article was originally published in a local magazine for their February 2022 issue. For citation references, please contact Dr. Yocum at https://jenyocum.com/contact/
Recent Comments