The Second Cleansing

Willow's arms were tired, but her energy was high. It was like a Pre-spring cleaning festival in her one-bedroom apartment. Out with the old, in with the new, she thought as she tossed bag after bag of what she considered trash. Old VHS tapes that were defective or she didn't care anymore - old papers that didn't have anymore purpose - old notebooks with old ideas that didn't spark creativity anymore - old photographs of her past life - old everything, she tossed into the dumpster outside of her apartment.

The bags flew up into the air and down into the dumpster like the scene in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Willow held a strong intention for clearing all that was old. Every single thing, she'd always felt an attachment to just didn't hold to her anymore. And she was fine with this actually. The energy in her apartment was nice, smooth, and easy. She could hear the atmosphere around her say a deep, long, "Aaaaahhhhh!"

This was her New Year's ritual - cleansing. The first time around it was just about removing bedroom furniture. This time it was about removing everything else that held an old energy of pain and sorrow. It was time to turn this sorrow into sunshine. It was time to turn this pain into potential and infinite possibilities. It was time to shine in a way that she'd never allowed herself to do before. It was time to live.

Willow breathed methodically with each movement of taking trash and throwing it into a bag, then tossing the bag into the dumpster outside. It was exercise. It was a sacred blessing. It was an offering to the Universe. I'm willing to release in order to receive. I'm willing to let go in order to embrace. I surrender it all. I trust the journey.

"I feel like a weight is off of me," Willow told her friend, Josephine.

"I know what you mean, girl. How have you been doing since....you know?" Willow knew exactly what she was talking about.

"Oh, I'm great. She's still my friend. I'm not going anywhere as far as she's concerned. It's all good," Willow responded with the truth from her heart.

"Excellent. Now, I have a question for you," Josephine forewarned.

"Uh oh! What's up?"

"What is bicarbonate soda?"

"Baking soda," Willow said.

"Oooohhhhh ok, I didn't know that."

Willow and Josephine wrapped up there conversation. Willow sat at her computer desk gliding a finger across the receiver of the telephone. Should I call Dru? I'm just saying Happy New Year. She picked up the phone and then put it back. She took in a deep breath and with the exhale; she picked up the receiver, dialed Dru's number, and waited.

The voice mail came on. Willow opened her mouth and for a few seconds nothing would come out. Then, she said, "It's Willow. I just wanted to say Happy New Year and I'll see you Sunday. Bye."

She hung up the phone. Her hands were shaking. Her throat was a little dry. Butterflies took flight in her belly.

She gathered up enough energy for the new beginnings she desired and started cleaning more out of her apartment. She didn't settle down until almost 10 o' clock that night. She had a good cry, watched The Wiz on DVD, and drifted off to sleep after sending Dru massive amounts of love and light in her prayers.