The Sacred Ally
Dear Friends,
Have you ever discovered a word you sensed, even before you researched its true meaning, would change your life?
Today, for me, that word is ally.
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, my hometown, the Boulevard of the Allies connects Downtown with Oakland. I always felt I was on sacred ground when traveling that road. Its very name felt exalted to me. I even paused when enunciating its syllables; speaking each precious segment of the lengthy name felt to me like I was paying homage. The road wasn’t named Allies Boulevard, not placing the type of road in front of the name the road was given as we do with most roads. This road was the Boulevard of the Allies. The use of the designation Boulevard evoked images of France, majesty, and graceful elegance for me.
I eventually learned that the Boulevard of the Allies was named for the Allies in World War I. I’d wondered what an Ally was. An Ally felt like much more than a Friend, but I didn’t know how or why that was. What made an Ally an Ally, not a Friend? I’d wondered about this for many years, but I didn’t understand until several weeks ago.
The word "ally" comes from the Old French word "alier" and the Latin word "alligare." Alier comes from a slightly differentiated stem of the word "aleier," which is also the source of the word "alloy." What is an alloy? An alloy is made when two metals or a metal and something else are melted down and mixed together, thus forming a new entity combining the separate qualities of both ingredients. The two parts have now become one. And alligare means "to bind to." Thus, the ally is much more than a friend. The ally has bound to and become one with something else, forming a synergistic unit that is much more powerful than its previously individual components.
The ally relationship is a sacred relationship only entered into when both parties agree to become one. How could it be otherwise when two elements are binding with each other and joining to become something greater than each of its parts could be on its own?
I have found that sacred relationships - ally relationships - have four common elements: transparency, trust, union, and loving completion. Without a mutual commitment to take down our walls in order to be transparent with each other from day one to completion, without a mutual commitment to only do things to build trust from day one to completion and without a mutual commitment to only do things to be worthy of that trust in return, without a mutual commitment to placing the union as a high priority in both lives and to only do that which continually builds union with each other, and without a mutual commitment to part ways with love and respect when one or both parties conclude that the relationship no longer serves their needs, the construct of the ally relationship is doomed to failure.
I have entered into an ally relationship that is teaching me, a little more each day, how to do all relationship. If you have never joined in an ally relationship, perhaps the following will help you understand how it works to be an ally.
I recently learned I have a health issue that requires me to choose each day between health and illness. In order for me to continue to live, I consciously partner with my body. I am a spiritual being having a physical experience in this lifetime; in order for me to express in this physical world, I need to have a physical vehicle with which to do it. My body needs me to consciously partner with it, and I need to consciously partner with my body. I choose new ways of living to support good health; the many lifestyle changes I’ve now implemented include new food choices. My optimal diet has radically changed during the past several weeks. What I used to eat to maintain health and what I now eat to maintain health are two very different diets. If I deviate from the healthy diet, consequences arise that now make it impossible for me to function as I want to function. But I still crave the foods I used to eat.
If I deviate from this diet, I am not treating my body as my ally. If I deviate from this diet, I am not in sacred relationship with my body. If I stay on this diet, I am showing my body it can trust me to maintain its health, I am showing my body I love it so much I will not do anything to damage our union, I am showing my body I’m committed to helping it stay as healthy as possible, and I am showing my body that I am working to delay its demise.
I’d worked with my body before to regain and maintain health, but I’ve never before partnered as an ally with my body. A series of major life stresses showed up during the past few years, especially during the past months, bambambambambambam, much like the final barrage of fireworks at a holiday celebration. They collectively did a number on my health, and I’ve now pledged to become my own ally. I closely monitor what I allow myself to experience in order to create the highest possible quality of life. I stay connected to Spirit, I pay attention to what my body tells me as I go through my day, I do what my inner knowing tells me to do, I only align myself with people who cherish me consistently through their thoughts/actions/beliefs/words, and I look for and implement ways to place self-care as a lifetime priority. If I can successfully do this, if I can successfully partner with myself, I live. If not, I die. It’s that simple. It’s that loving, And it’s that liberating.
I love being my own ally. It’s a lot of work, that’s true, but the rewards that come from doing the work are well worth it. I recommend it highly. And I look forward to welcoming other allies into my world, people who also choose to live life as I now live it. Together, we will create a mutually loving, mutually nurturing, mutually transparent, and mutually trusting union in service to Spirit.
Where in your life might you welcome an ally instead of a friend? Is it with your health, your job, your relationships, your home, your finances, or your family? Is it with something else?
Is this the day you attract, or is this the day you become a sacred ally?
If so, congratulations.
You’re an ally in sacred union. You’re an ally in sacred union with a united you.
Copywrite 2010 Sheryl Lynn, Permission to forward this writing is granted as long as the entire piece including the credit line, is included.
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