What Are You Broadcasting (or Dandelions!)

For a brief moment today, I managed to listen to Hay House radio where a host was asking his caller, "What are you broadcasting?"  Unfortunately, that's all I heard because the voices of my kids drowned out the rest! But, I began to think about this question.  The question can be re-phrased as, "What are you putting out there?" Think back over the last 24 hours. Did you broadcast love, happiness, anger, sadness, jealousy...?   I began to see an image in my mind of a fluffy white dandelion and how the seeds take to the wind and spread everywhere. So does what you send
out.

One white dandelion has approximately 200 seeds attached to the flower head, which is also called a clock.   Ironic that you can take back time just about as easily as you can take back your words, your actions, your thoughts (ahem...you can't!)

I came across a blog on www.blisshabits.com called How to Wish on a Dandelion posted by Kathy in December of 2011.  [I hope she doesn't mind my use of her words!]  My first reaction was I can't believe someone sat down to write out the five steps "needed" to blow the seeds off a dandelion. But, as I continued, I realized it was more than that.   It's a blog about intention and higher power and, actually, yoga. And, now, I am a believer that each of these steps is necessary.

Kathy wrote for Step 1: 
 
"1.First look for the fluffiest dandelion you can find. The seeds should be about to fall off but it is best when none have already done so. If you are lucky enough to happen upon a patch of them you
will easily tell which of the stems is crying for your breath. Pick that one and don’t make the magic wait any longer."

Do you not LOVE the line about choosing the stem that is "crying for your breath"?! When I ask clients to choose healing stones in a Reiki session, I always tell them not to choose their favorite color or favorite stone, but rather, to choose the one calling to them because that is the one they
need.

Step 2:

"2.Pick the dandelion carefully. You don’t want to send any seeds on their way prematurely. If the wind is blowing you may need to block the breeze with your body as you prepare your seeds for
flight."

In other words, consider your thoughts, words and actions before you send them out. Yoga asks us to be in the present moment. The true test is can you stop in that present moment to take a
pause and a breath before acting or reacting.

Step 3:

"3.Once you have your stem, it is time to think about your wish. Important rule, never tell anyone for what you are wishing.* If you are making a wish primarily for yourself it is always a good
idea to tack one on for a friend. It always helps a wish to travel with a friend."

As we begin our yoga practice each and every time we step upon our mats, we set our intention for our practice. Is your intention always supposed to be about you?  Uhm, no.  You could intend for positive energy to be sent to someone else for whatever reason. In class, we set our intention and then, purposefully, added one on for someone else.

Step  4:

"4.Continue thinking about your wish as you take a deep breath. Hold the fluffy head of your dandelion near your mouth and turn carefully in the direction of the breeze. This insures a good flight for your wish and keeps all the seeds from landing on your clothing or in your hair.
For the magic to be at its best you must blow all the seeds off with one breath.  If you do not accomplish this, some superstitions raise questions about the stability of your love life, however I usually just find another and try again."

The last part of this line is so great as it relates to your yoga practice. If a yoga pose isn't working for you, try another or come back to the first and try again. But DO NOT let frustration and self-judgment work their way into your practice. Do not allow the ego-mind to try and take you there. When it does, re-focus on your breath and float back into the present.

"5.Take a few minutes and watch as your wish floats out of sight. Don’t rush this part. Part of the magic is knowing that your intentions are being sent far and wide. Watching until the last seed
is out of sight helps the wish come true."

This step is all about letting something bigger take over. You send your wish out there and let it go. 
Check out my theme on the surrender box; you write down a worry or stressor and give it up to the Universe to take care of.   Let it all go; the magic, the miracles, are all around you.

The following are two dandelion folklore and fact quotes for your enjoyment:

“Are you separated from the object of your love? Carefully pluck one of the feathery heads; charge each of the little feathers composing it with a tender thought; turn towards the spot where the
loved one dwells; blow, and the seed-ball will convey your message faithfully. Do you wish to know if that dear one is thinking of you? blow again; and if there be left upon the stalk a single aigrette, it is a proof you are not forgotten. Similarly, the dandelion is consulted as to whether the lover lives
east, west, north, or south, and whether he is coming or not.”  The Child and Childhood in Folk-Thought by Alexander F. Chamberlain

“The dandelion is an excellent barometer, one of the commonest and most reliable. It is when the blooms have seeded and are in the fluffy, feathery condition that its weather prophet facilities come
to the fore. In fine weather the ball extends to the full, but when rain approaches, it shuts like an umbrella. If the weather is inclined to be showery it keeps shut all the time, only opening when the danger from the wet is past.”  Camping For Boys by H.W.  Gibson