11 Attributes Of Fire ~ A Metaphor For The New Masculine

Over the years it has become easier to openly share my stories and my fears and feel like I have nothing to hide. While this is my truth, it is most certainly not everyone's truth. I had forgotten how difficult it can be to share with others and be vulnerable. Creating a safe space where authentic sharing and reflection can happen is a real passion of mine. Fire represents the intense courage and risk required to be authentic, open and present in our interactions. When the person you are speaking to opens their heart and lets down their shield a different fire begins

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In First Nations culture fire is sacred and symbolizes the heart of the people
and is used to cleanse the spirit.

to burn and you can feel presence, truth and safety as the fear is burned away. Fire is the perfect metaphor for what can happen when we step through our fears and step into our purpose. Fire represents the energy of courageously stepping towards transformation. The paradox is that when we are supported and feel safe we can take the heat and stand in, dance in and rest our feet in the fire. Below you will find a list of attributes of fire as a metaphor in life

11 Attributes Of Fire ~ A Metaphor For The New Masculine

Mission & Purpose ~ When you are connected to your purpose, its like the gravel road before you just got paved. All of the sudden the fire of passion is lit and has somewhere to direct you. Knowing what makes your heart sing and then going out and doing that is a true game changer. Clarity in regards to your purpose allows you to constantly evaluate your actions and decisions. You can ask yourself: Is this choice in alignment with my mission / purpose?

Accountability ~ There is the age old saying "if you play with fire you will get burned." To be accountable is to take responsibility for your actions. What I'm speaking of is the ability to be self reflective and in the process realize that there is always an opportunity in any situation to look in the mirror and take 100% responsibility for the part that you played. Always! Oh yeah. That's a tough one to swallow I know, and it's a truth that when understood is absolutely liberating. 

Authenticity ~ You have grown up in a world that creates situations where like a chameleon you take on traits from the group of people you think you want to be surrounded by. To be authentic is to burn away all those masks, fears and ways of being that do not feed your soul. It is about taking the risk that you might get burned and doing it anyway. It's about finding the strength and courage to let that pink hair or tattoo be seen by the world.

Integrity ~ This ties into accountability on a deeper level. I like to think about integrity as being similar to choosing the wood for your fire. Your fire will burn brightly when you have dry wood. If you choose wet wood it will be a struggle to keep your fire burning brightly. If you put yourself into situations that are out of alignment with your values and beliefs and purpose your light will not burn as brightly it will be in your energetic field. You will not feel good about yourself, which will impact your outcomes

Respect ~ When you are mindful or thoughtful in regards to your purpose, it is similar to the way you would take care of a camp fire. There are many ways to get the fire to start and not all ways are respectful to you, and those around you. You could pour gas on the fire for example. If you are mindful you consider all aspects of self, other and your world and make choices that align with your purpose.

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,
disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.  About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.
Because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore. They create. They inspire. They push the human race forward. Maybe they have to be crazy.
How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? Or sit in silence and hear a song that’s never been written? Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?
While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do…” ~ Jack Kerouac

Feelings / Emotion ~ Underneath a good roaring fire you will find red hot burning embers that contribute to the fire in a powerful way. If we were to bury or smother those embers the fire may not continue to burn. In life we are not often given permission to share our feelings and emotions (especially as men) How many phrases can you think of that ask you to bury your emotions. My favourite is "BE A MAN" Your emotions and feelings are powerful tools when you are aware of and connected to them. The right temperament of anger can be like jet fuel to your purpose.

Connection ~ Sitting around the fire creates connection. How many fond memories of sitting around the fire can you think of? Stories get told as you sit around the fire. Creativity is shared as you sit around the fire. You get to connect with others and see them in a different light as the flames flicker magically in the darkness. The smoke wakes you up as it gets into your eyes. The intense heat stirs something within.

Communication ~ When it comes to communication what I generally think about is that pile of stuff that sits energetically between you and I. The pile is made up of your thoughts, perceptions, beliefs, stories, fears and things that you cannot find the courage to share. When you courageously share what makes up this pile you are stepping into the fire and giving others permission to do the same. As we stand in this fire together the pile burns away and we can authentically share our truth.

Reciprocity ~ What you give to yourself, you are able to give to others and will return to you. Take care of and nurture the fire it will give you and others warmth, cook your food and feed your soul. Feed your purpose and you will find joy and fulfillment.

The Shadow ~ What you don't own, owns you. In the shadows of the fire exists the aspects of yourself that you don't own or that you are unaware of. As you sit by the fire observe the shadows and observe yourself. Invite these hidden aspects to come out of the shadow and they will dance for you in the flames.

Presence ~ When you shed your fears, your judgements, your beliefs and your assumptions and become connected to your purpose. You can become present to yourself and others. You will be able to sit in peace with a clear mind as you watch the individual flames of the fire dance for you. You will not be distracted by things that don't serve you as they will have already been thrown into the fire. Others will feel this presence as they join you around the fire.

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