Nothing is Wrong!
Actually, the entire sentence reads like this:
There is nothing wrong with you!
Don’t roll your eyes or stop reading!
I understand that this idea- that there is nothing wrong with you can be a hard to accept. Especially because believing something is wrong with you has been the story of your life.
Right?
Actually, the entire sentence reads like this:
There is nothing wrong with you!
Don’t roll your eyes or stop reading!
I understand that this idea - that there is nothing wrong with you - can be hard to accept. Especially because believing something is wrong with you has been the story of your life.
Right?
Perhaps that story goes something like this:
You’re flawed, wounded, imperfect, failing… which one is it for you? All of the above?
Your guilty little secret is that if other people saw that part of you, knew who you really were, they would run away, abandon you, reject you.
Because we erroneously believe that at our core, we are unlovable.
Ok friend, here’s the news flash, we ALL feel this!
And if we ALL feel like this, then can we decide to be brave together?
Can we reach out and take each others’ hands and say, “I love and accept you (warts and all), will you love and accept me just the way I am?”
Recently I was listening to an interview with a woman who, in the 1950s, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when she was all of 15 years old.
One of the things she spoke about was that these challenges in our lives, what we might perceive as failings, can be tremendous opportunities for healing. And not just physical healing.
They are opportunities to re-write the story of ourselves as flawed.
It’s kind of like that idea that it is only through the cracks- those places of shame, unworthiness, illness, etc.- that the light pours through.
So instead of judging ourselves and others for being imperfect, can we accept every part of us, and know that within us, this light is shining, whole and complete, and always has been?
If these words resonate, and you’d like to do a deeper exploration into healing a wounded part of yourself, or simply want to release a shame story, try podcast #70.
It’s a guided journey that will help you identify a stuck piece within that’s ready to be released.
Go on this adventure of healing. Be an explorer into yourself! Have curiosity. Nothing bad will happen.
And if you decide to give it a try, let me know how it goes!
As Albert Einstein reminds us, “the measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”
It’s time to change your thinking so what you see changes.
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Ignite Your Power Center
Do you know anything about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)? Think acupuncture, and even by extension Tai Chi and Qi Gong.
Recently I learned about a cool TCM concept, dantian.
Dantian are power centers in our bodies, similar to chakras. There are only three, known as: upper, middle and lower.
The upper dantian (shen) is said to relate to spirit and intelligent consciousness. It is located on the body approximately where your 3rd eye is.
The middle dantian (qi/chi) is known as the home of universal energy and sits right around the heart chakra, in the center of your chest. This one is directly linked to the idea of life force.
Do you know anything about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)? Think acupuncture, and even by extension Tai Chi and Qi Gong.
Recently I learned about a cool TCM concept, dantian.
Dantian are power centers in our bodies, similar to chakras. There are only three, known as: upper, middle and lower.
The upper dantian (shen) is said to relate to spirit and intelligent consciousness. It is located on the body approximately where your 3rd eye is.
The middle dantian (qi/chi) is known as the home of universal energy and sits right around the heart chakra, in the center of your chest. This one is directly linked to the idea of life force.
The lower dantian (jing) is said to comprise and reflect our genetic makeup, and is considered the source from which the physical body/essence is made manifest! Jing is also often equated to kundalini energy (from the vedic or yogic traditions.)
This dantian is located 2 finger widths below the navel.
So what?
Well, just like we know that there are incredible benefits from doing different kinds of yogic breathing, we can do the same with dantian.
In fact, it’s believed that when an individual’s essence, their lower dantian or jing, is healthy and robust, that life force rises into the middle dantian (qi), helping us open our hearts.
Jing is also related to the kidneys and adrenals as well as our fight/flight response. Doing breath work here, can ease feelings of anxiety and distress as well as support our physical bodies.
Cool huh?
So I decided I wanted to strengthen my jing by doing a breathing meditation.
This is a way to consciously move energy between the lower and middle dantians.
Want to give it a try? It’s #68 on the podaces, and is called, Ignite Your Power Center.
If you’re anything like me, it’s way easier to stay in those upper realms than be in the lower chakras. But to be balanced, grounded and healthy, we need to awaken and heal these parts of ourselves.
This technique oxygenates your body, awakens and moves qi (life force) and is healing to our systems on so many levels.
Why not give it a try?
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A Path Into Compassion
Many years ago, I read the Dalai Lama’s autobiography, Freedom in Exile. In the book, he shares a Buddhist practice that helps foster bodhicitta, the idea of awakening your mind with wisdom and compassion in order to benefit (yourself) and all sentient beings.
Here’s the premise: you look upon every person you meet as if they could be your mother.
Many years ago, I read the Dalai Lama’s autobiography, Freedom in Exile. In the book, he shares a Buddhist practice that helps foster bodhicitta, the idea of awakening your mind with knowledge, wisdom and compassion in order to benefit (yourself) and all sentient beings.
Here’s the premise: look upon every person you meet as if they could be your mother.
If you are one of those people who did not have a nurturing or loving relationship with your mother, think of a person (or perhaps an animal) who was that loving presence for you when you were small. That person/being who offered you kindness, took care of you, nurtured you…
When I first read about this practice, I was a stay-at-home mom and didn’t have much interaction with other people. But every day when I’d go to collect my child from her elementary school, there was this one individual who really got under my skin.
After reading his holiness, I thought I’d give his technique a try.
At first it felt weird. Why would I even want this person to be my mother? Ewwww.
Part of why Buddhists can embrace this idea is because they believe in reincarnation. The concept that we have lived multiple lives. Given that theory, it is actually possible that every being we encounter could have been a relative, or even your mother!
So I kept doing the practice, trying to see this person as if they were my mother. Over time, I’m not entirely sure what happened exactly, but the way I felt around them – annoyed, repulsed, wanting to be anywhere else- went away! And I found I could greet them with absolute equanimity. WOW.
Thinking about this practice recently, I looked it up. The formal name for it is the 7 Point Instruction on Cause & Effect and it essentially invites you to walk through seeing another as a loved one, feeling gratitude and thankfulness for all you've received, and wishing them well.
Because I think it’s such a great practice, I did a recording of it. It is called, Foster Compassion and is #65. Have a listen in the podcast today and follow along.
Feel free to let me know how it goes! I’ll be curious to see if you find it impactful.
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4 Ways to Improve Your Focus
Every time I turn around, it seems that someone is lamenting their inability to focus!
Is that you, too?
Whether it’s pandemic haze, overwhelm, or the chaos that seems to be swirling all around, some days are a hard slog. I know.
So, what can you do to improve focus?
Here are 4 tips to help you improve your concentration & focus:
Every time I turn around, it seems that someone is lamenting their inability to focus!
Is that you, too?
Whether it’s pandemic haze, overwhelm, or the chaos that seems to be swirling all around, some days are a hard slog. I know.
So, what can you do to improve focus?
Here are 4 tips to help you improve your concentration & focus:
1. Prioritize
Get clear on what needs to happen and in which order. Once you have a plan, it’s WAY easier to feel organized and clear.
2. Reduce Distractions
Some creatives turn off their internet (and phones) when they work as a way to eliminate the temptation to lose focus.
Perhaps because of your lifestyle or job, that’s impractical.
But could you turn off push notifications? And what about the place you work in? Could you reduce the stimuli and find a quiet space where you can be uninterrupted?
3. Take Breaks
This one seems counterintuitive, I know, but taking 5-minute breaks every 30 mins or hour allow you to refocus more easily upon return.
It’s also an opportunity to rehydrate and move your body which helps focus, too!
4. Mind Training
Honestly, the best way to train your mind is with meditation.
Again, it seems counterintuitive that a time you spend not working/focused on a task, can hone your concentration but it’s totally true!
Even though I didn’t begin meditating because I wanted to improve focus, time and again I’m awed by this wonderful benefit!
Be reassured. Regardless of your ability to concentrate while you meditate, (in other words, even if your mind feels like it never stops pinging), you are still making progress.
You will notice a difference when you sit down to focus on your next task.
Why not try it and see for yourself?
This podcast can help – check it out. It’s called: Improve Your Focus
Access it here.
Some days it feels impossible to get anything done. When that happens, please be gentle with yourself, use these suggestions, and remember that your brain is elastic and can be trained.
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3 Ways to Embody the Present, Feel Happy & Be More Successful
How many times have you heard that real power (feeling truly happy & successful) lies in the present moment?
Think about books, talks, spiritual leaders… The Power of Now. Return to Love. Be Here Now…
And while those phrases are helpful reminders, stepping fully into the moment can actually feel difficult and elusive.
Which is why I’m sharing my top 3 ways to embody the present, feel engaged, happy and experience greater success!
How many times have you heard that real power (feeling truly happy & successful) lies in the present moment?
Think about books, talks, spiritual leaders… The Power of Now, Return to Love, Be Here Now…
And while those phrases are helpful reminders, stepping fully into the moment can actually feel difficult and elusive.
Which is why I’m sharing my top 3 ways to embody the present, feel engaged, happy and experience greater success!
1. Breathe
I know I sound like a broken record with this one.
But, swear to God! It really works.
Every single time you stop and take a conscious breath, you clear your mind, relax your nervous system and step back into the moment.
Try it right now!!!!!
2. Declutter Your Mind
Sometimes in this experience we call modern life, a thousand things are vying for your attention. Work obligations, family needs, social media, house repairs, auto maintenance, and on and on… so much it makes your head spin.
One of my husband's favorite books is called The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results, by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan.
To boil the book down to one sentence, it is:
Focus on the ONE thing you need to do right now.
When I feel overwhelmed, I use this as a way to refocus.
I also find it helpful when there are 20+ things I need to have finished yesterday. Instead of trying to do them all, I ask myself, “What is the 1 thing I need to do for my (self, business, career, financial freedom - fill in the blank- right now?)
Here’s the thing, even if you’re a great multitasker, you’re still bleeding your focus and pushing yourself out of optimizing your performance.
I used to think I could do multiple tasks well until I realized how much energy I was wasting. Once I began using this new strategy, I was honestly shocked by how much more effective, happy, clear and successful I was. Largely because I was fully present.
Why not give it a try? Think about it like an experiment.
Ask yourself, “What is the 1 thing I need to do right now?”
Once that goal, task, job is completed, ask again.
See how you feel.
3. Commit & Focus
This is the enactment of number 2.
It’s about honing your thoughts and making the commitment to actually stay focused despite your mind’s desire to pull you away.
Here’s the truth, when you step fully into the present moment and laser focus, you can accomplish anything! Seriously.
When I was in my first "real" job at 22, a friend of mine gave me a piece of advice. He said that whatever I did, to do it well. He pointed out that regardless of how seemingly insignificant a job might appear, that I should do it fully.
What exactly did he mean?
He meant that if you’re doing the laundry, taking out the trash, washing your face, or talking to a friend, you are in 100%. You are as focused on that task as you would be if you were traversing a narrow, high mountain ridge, about to land your biggest deal, or fulfilling a life-long dream.
In other words, be fully engaged and present in the task at hand.
Now that you’ve taken a few deep breaths, and are ready to hone your mind, what’s the 1 thing you need to do?
Remember to have fun with it and allow yourself the pleasure of being present.
If you want to awaken even more deeply to this present moment, check out my guided meditation on the podcast today.
Have a listen!
Wishing you so much happiness and success as you empower yourself RIGHT NOW!
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A Blessing for 2022
A beautiful way to orient to a new year is to be intentional and offer a blessing.
It’s a wonderful way to release the old and usher in all that we want!
After all, who doesn’t crave clarity?
Recently inspiration struck and I was given a blessing which I am offering to you here:
A beautiful way to orient to a new year is to be intentional and offer a blessing.
It’s a wonderful way to release the old and usher in all that we want!
After all, who doesn’t crave clarity?
Recently inspiration struck and I was given a blessing which I am offering to you here:
Use it in any way that feels resonant for you.
Read it to yourself.
Say it out loud.
Decide to use it as a mantra for a day, a week, a month.
Use it and ring a bell or light a candle.
Shout it out from the mountain or on the shore.
Think of it as an invocation. A way to speak what you want into existence.
AND feel free to change any of it. In fact, write your own!
When we make every aspect of our lives intentional, we embody the divine and our life becomes holy.
Every act you do can be a prayer, a meditation, a ceremony, when done with awareness.
So have fun with this!
Know that you are blessed and that you deserve every blessing that wants to come to you for 2022.
I am excited for what this year holds for you. Step into it.
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Affirmation Challenge in Honor of Louise Hay
Louise Hay’s birthday is this month and she is considered the “Queen” of affirmations. She literally transformed her life by saying them. She overcame cancer, supported countless others and created a self-help empire.
Not only did she say affirmations, she lived them.
As you likely know, affirmations are positive statements. They are a powerful tool to control your thoughts and ultimately transform your life.
Because when you control your thoughts, not only do you feel happier and more successful, you also create a better future! Wahoo!
Louise Hay’s birthday is this month and as you may know she is considered the “Queen” of affirmations. She literally transformed her life by saying them. She overcame cancer, supported countless others and created a self-help empire.
Not only did she say affirmations, she lived them.
Affirmations are positive statements. They are a powerful tool to control your thoughts and ultimately transform your life.
Because when you control your thoughts, not only do you feel happier and more successful, you also create a better future! Wahoo!
But here’s the thing about affirmations.
When you first start saying one, it may feel like bull sh**. Like you don’t believe it at all. And guess what? That’s okay! Say it anyway.
And observe what happens.
Do you feel resistance?
If so, are you willing to explore that discomfort? If you are, you might be surprised at what you learn!
I did this recently with some depressed feelings I was struggling against. I was working really hard to keep my head above the water, or the depressed feelings were going to pull me under. And then one day I thought, what would happen if I just let it take me? And you know what? The depressed feelings went away!
I share this because our resistance to uncomfortable feelings can actually be feeding them rather than helping us manage them!
So if you find that an affirmation is hard for you – I encourage you to go into it. See what’s there to learn.
Your happiness, your wellbeing, your peace of mind are all linked to the thoughts you think.
This is the power of affirmation.
So what better way to honor Louise Hay than to embrace an affirmation?
The first affirmation she ever used was: “I am beautiful and everybody loves me.”
If you don’t resonate with that one, what about:
“Love surrounds me and protects me.”
“Life loves you.”
Or one of my particular faves, “I am safe in the universe and all of life loves and supports me.”
Whatever you choose, stick with it for a week or a month! Honor yourself and Louise by bringing more positivity to yourself and the world.
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What's In Your Library?
I heard the coolest saying recently.
It's from Senegal and is the polite way to refer to someone who has died. They say, “their library has burned.”
Those words made me think of my father who passed away in 2010. He had a wonderful mind and especially loved historic facts, classical music and details of New York City where he’d lived his entire life. Whenever I had to go someplace, I’d ask him how to get there and he’d instantly rattle off which highway, subway or bus to take. I think the public transit routes and roads were seared into his memory.
I heard the coolest saying recently.
It's from Senegal and is the polite way to refer to someone who has died. They say, “their library has burned.”
Those words made me think of my father who passed away in 2010. He had a wonderful mind and especially loved historic facts, classical music and details of New York City where he’d lived his entire life. Whenever I had to go someplace, I’d ask him how to get there and he’d instantly rattle off which highway, subway or bus to take. I think the public transit routes and roads were seared into his memory.
When he left his body, that library burned. And I miss it. I catch myself wanting to pick up the phone and ask him about a specific building, ball player, or place we visited together.
I'm sad that he's gone, and solace myself by growing my own library.
Being a lifelong learner, that’s my joy.
How about you?
What’s in your library?
Think about your knowledge-base in a broad way.
Your library isn’t simply the books and articles you’ve read. It’s the accumulation of the places you’ve visited, the people you’ve met, and the experiences you have had.
It all lives in you.
Can you believe the depth and incredible knowledge you hold?
Take a moment to genuinely appreciate your tomes, volumes and wealth of information.
It’s so easy for us to focus on what we don’t know, and forget to acknowledge the breadth of what we already have.
Let’s celebrate each other, our collective libraries and wealth of wisdom we hold. Let’s share that knowledge with one another now.
And as we share with one another, we expand our own libraries, too. As we are curious about one another we open to life, to the vibrancy of existence and the wealth that is here for us.
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Can You Slow Down?
Okay, confession time.
I've been into books about mystics lately.
Maybe it's where my mind is, maybe it's the time we're in... but the other day, I read a passage from The Cloud of Unknowing, where the author was distinguishing between living a life of activity and a life of contemplation.
Those lines struck me.
I know we're trying to get beyond Covid, the economy has re-opened, yet in many ways, we are still being asked to have patience.
Okay, confession time.
I've been into books about mystics lately.
Maybe it's where my mind is, maybe it's the time we're in... but the other day, I read a passage from The Cloud of Unknowing, where the author was distinguishing between living a life of activity and a life of contemplation.
Those lines struck me.
I know we're trying to get beyond Covid, the economy has re-opened, yet in many ways, we are still being asked to be patient.
One of the invitations of waiting is to be more contemplative.
But what does that even mean?
And how does that look in your life?
On a basic level, contemplation is to think about things, ponder, allow yourself to steep in a sensation, idea or state of awareness. For some this is easier than for others.
I can often get restless and feel squirmy in my body or in my mind. It's uncomfortable and my first desire is to flee.
I know for others, it can be the loneliness, the fear of change or the vulnerability of feeling exposed.
What if you took a moment right now to check in with yourself? What are you feeling?
Underneath, we are all being asked to go deeper.
Is there an idea, an activity, creative project or relationship that is calling to you? Can you step towards it? Is there something that you've been avoiding but simply can't anymore?
Whatever it is, the encouragement is to be gentle with yourself.
Contemplation isn't a race.
It isn't a fast activity.
It's a slow opening and a way of receiving insight rather than pushing for a result.
Why not give it a try and see what comes out of it?
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photo by Free-Photos, Pixabay
5 Ideas for Earth Day 2021
We are just about to celebrate Earth Day. What will you do to celebrate this magnificent home 🌍 of ours?
Every spring, I commit to ONE eco-activity to help me be a greener person.
How about you?
Here are a few easy ideas:
1. TURN OFF THE FAUCET
We are just about to celebrate Earth Day. What will you do to celebrate this magnificent home of ours?
Every spring, I commit to ONE eco-activity to help me be a greener person.
How about you?
Here are a few easy ideas:
1. TURN OFF THE FAUCET
I just read that 8 gallons of water are wasted if we keep the water running when we brush our teeth! We can turn the tap off even when we wash our hands. I know it's only 20 seconds but that's still fresh water!
2. STOP USING THE HEAT DRY
On your dishwasher, there may be a button for Heat Dry. Not using it will save 15% of the energy your dishwasher uses! If there isn't an air dry option, you can always crack open the dishwasher once the cycle is completed.
3. REDUCE PLASTIC USE
Pick ONE way to use less plastic. Maybe it's bringing your own bags to the store. Another is to have your own water bottle, or stop using plastic straws.
4. GET A BIDET
My daughter has one that she LOVES. It was inexpensive and went right onto her regular toilet in her apartment! In the US alone, we use an insane amount of toilet paper, more than 36 billion rolls/year! That's 15 million trees, ouch! Here's a link to the one she has: Tushy
5. 10-DAY ECO-ANXIETY CHALLENGE
Insight Timer is hosting this, starting tomorrow. It's a combination of practical advice, meditation and climate action to tackle eco-anxiety AND they've partnered with a non-profit which will plant a tree when you reach Day 3, Day 6 and Day 10! JOIN HERE
We only have one earth, let’s all commit to caring for it a little more.
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How to Solve Your Problems
I admit it. We think the idea of life is to NOT have any problems.
But seriously, when has that ever been true for you?
There's always something, right?
So what do we do about this?
First (of course) we have to get past the feelings of “ugh, I don’t want this problem! I’ll just pretend I don’t have it, ignore it, push it away…
Then we have to acknowledge that the problem is lingering at the edges of our awareness, pressing in on us.
And finally make the decision to deal with it.
That’s when the fun really starts!
I admit it. We think the idea of life is to NOT have any problems.
But seriously, when has that ever been true for you?
There's always something, right?
So what do we do about this?
First (of course) we have to get past the feelings of “ugh, I don’t want this problem! I’ll just pretend I don’t have it, ignore it, push it away…
Then we have to acknowledge that the problem is lingering at the edges of our awareness, pressing in on us.
And finally make the decision to deal with it.
That’s when the fun really starts!
I say fun because that’s where the opportunity for growth and learning lie, yay!
Let’s say your problem seems small, even petty. You’re bickering with a colleague. Your neighbor’s lawn is always full of litter and totally bugs you. You can’t seem to resolve a minor conflict with a family member. In the scheme of problems, yours is trite. It isn’t about Covid, or world peace, or a life threatening illness.
And because it’s small, it’s easy to judge it and yourself. Why aren’t I over this little issue yet?
Sound familiar?
Here’s an example.
The other day a woman shared about her anxiety having to go to the store to buy a new smartphone. Immediately I wanted to judge her. Who on earth has anxiety about buying a new phone? I kept listening though as she went on to explain how she allowed herself to experience her anxiety and then remember that she was always supported by God/universe to make perfect decisions.
It wasn’t until later that it hit me.
Whether you’re buying a phone, irritated with your co-worker or bugged by a neighbor, it’s the SAME as wanting to heal the world from Covid, or desiring world peace.
Here’s what I mean.
We judge something as being big or small, worthy of our attention or not. But what if we didn’t?
In A Course in Miracles, the first principle we learn about miracles is that, “There is no order of difficulty in miracles. One is not "harder" or "bigger" than another. They are all the same. All expressions of love are maximal.”
When we think about these “problems” or “challenges” we’re experiencing, the same is true! Every learning opportunity is maximal.
Because EVERY TIME we choose to view the situation differently, we are healed.
Big or small, trite or enormous, every time we ask, “please let me see this person differently.” “Please let me experience this situation differently,” we open the door to love, to expansiveness, to love.
All the rest is simply our judgement and a way of blocking our own learning and opening.
So what do you say? Willing to try?
I am so excited about this – I’m going to use it every time I feel myself get upset!
How about you?
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Radical 40-Day Challenge
Giving up something for Lent?
The other day I heard someone tell me they were giving up judgment for Lent and I thought, now that is a great idea!
If you think about it, we can reframe Lent, and it really is like a 40-day challenge.
Right?
Let’s use this time, in between winter and the beginning of spring, as a way to shed something old, something that no longer works for us.
Giving up something for Lent?
The other day I heard someone tell me they were giving up judgment for Lent and I thought, now that is a great idea!
If you think about it, we can reframe Lent, and it really is like a 40-day challenge.
Right?
Let’s use this time, in between winter and the beginning of spring, as a way to shed something old, something that no longer works for us.
As we do, we make room for the new seedlings of what we really do want.
Here’s your question:
What are you ready to give up that will significantly improve your life?
I’m not talking about chocolate.
I’m talking about things like:
Unworthiness
Lack
Pessimism
Obligation
Perfectionism
Deceit
Avoidance
Or any other aspect of yourself that is holding you back, including judgment!
What do you say?
I’m starting today- because today is the first day of Lent!
I’m giving up self-judgment.
No more “Well, Shakti, you should have…” or “You could have done that better…” And when I hear that critique, I will gently thank it, and move on.
How about you? What will you give up today?
I’d love to know.
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Feeling Frustrated? Try This
Have you ever had the experience that no matter how hard you work at something, you just don't seem to move the needle?
Yeah?
Maybe you're trying to have a breakthrough with work or school. Or striving to get to the next level with your art or sport. Maybe it's a block that simply feels insurmountable.
We've ALL been there - so rest assured, you are NOT alone.
The question is, what will help you finally have the breakthrough?
Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you work at something, you simply aren’t moving the needle?
Nodding your head?
Maybe you're wanting a breakthrough at work or want to push through to the next level with your writing or workouts.
Maybe it's a block that simply feels insurmountable.
We have all been there. You are definitely not alone.
But, the question is, what will help you finally have a breakthrough?
On a call recently, Robert Holden spoke about this.
He noted how so often it appears that the part of our life we are working on the hardest seems to be the area we are experiencing the least success!
And then he offered that perhaps this is because we are substituting our hard work for grace.
In other words, we are thinking we alone, have to solve and figure out this (insert problem here).
But what if, instead, we asked for help?
Invited love in? Or asked Infinite Intelligence to lend a hand?
I've been pondering this idea for the last couple of weeks, and what I've realized is that the more I obsess over something and sorta get neurotic about it, the worse it seems to get.
Yes?
But, when I can let it go - which is not the same as doing nothing - things naturally shift.
So what do you say? Would you be willing to give it a try?
Seriously, what have you got to lose?
Whatever your issue is - a health challenge, love interest, work challenge - can you ask for help from the Universe/God/Source?
Can you ask Love to guide you and show you another way?
What are the words for you?
Sometimes it helps to start by acknowledging where you are right now.
Something like: "I'm really struggling with ________ and it makes me angry and confused. And I also know that there is another way to see this and experience it. (Love/Source/God...), can you please help me see/experience this differently?
Give it a try and see how life shifts.
I'm excited to hear your results!
The more we can let life love us, the more love we have in our lives.
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A New Way to Vision 2021
If you’re like me and want to start 2021 off right, here’s one of my favorite tools for launching the year with intention, guidance and inquiry - vision boards.
But this year I have a twist-
I created a new thing- a Soul Vision Board!!!!!
Did you download the free pdf? If not, you can right here. Or watch this quick video of me explaining a vision board on TV a few years ago, too!
Making vision boards is one of my family’s New Year’s Eve traditions. The fireplace is roaring, the Christmas lights (and music) are blasting, and I’m typically on the rug, ripping, cutting and gluing, making a giant mess!
If you’re like me and want to start 2021 off right, here’s one of my favorite tools for launching the year with intention, guidance and inquiry - vision boards.
But this year I have a twist-
I created a new thing- a Soul Vision Board!!!!!
Did you download the free vision board pdf? If not, you can right here. Or watch this quick video of me explaining a vision board on TV a few years ago!
Making vision boards is one of my family’s New Year’s Eve traditions. The fireplace is roaring, the Christmas lights (and music) are blasting, and I’m typically on the rug, ripping, cutting and gluing, making a giant mess!
Normally I’m extremely intentional about this project.
I think about the different areas of my life and how/what I want to experience in each. I’ll have imagery for my spiritual development – maybe a picture of a book, goddess or teacher. I’ll have a picture of a place I want to visit (typically someplace where I can ski), for years I had African animals – elephants, giraffes… I’ll find images of things I’d like to accomplish – pictures of jewelry, words that are inspiring…
But something happened last year that made me alter how I make my vision board. I learned a new collage technique from a friend. It’s called SoulCollage®.
SoulCollage® is an intuitive, contemplative way to collage using only imagery (no words). With their technique, you make a set of cards and then read them- eliciting meaning from the images you’ve assembled.
So I decided to adopt this idea, of allowing the journey to take me, rather than control it (by looking for very specific images and words).
Instead, I chose pictures that caught my eye. I didn’t worry about finding the “right” word or picture but relaxed into the process, trusting that the ones I found were the right ones.
Here’s the important thing- I didn’t entirely do the SoulCollage® technique. I simply tweaked how I used to do vision boards.
Here’s My Board for 2021!
Before I began, I took a moment to think about the year ahead and then I added this new dimension making it more emotive, metaphoric, allowing it to arise from the unconscious, rather than being so concrete.
I did add words that appealed to me, and do have a little corner of the board that depicts things I still really want (like a ski trip.)
Once you’ve assembled all the imagery and words together, step back and really take a look at the whole board.
What is it telling you about how you want to live your year?
Perhaps what you’ll hear isn’t so much about what you will accomplish, instead it’ll be more about how you will experience your everyday life.
How does that sound?
I’m excited to see how this new technique influences 2021.
From all of my years of doing vision boards, I know they work.
At the end of each calendar year, I look back on the photos and words I put together the previous January and can see all the things that came to pass.
So be intentional, and allow your soul to sing to you about what it wants for you this year.
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photo by Gerd Altmann
Cultivate Curiosity in 4 Simple Steps
Curiosity sometimes gets a bad wrap. You know that adage about it killing the cat.
It turns out, however, that curiosity boosts survival, happiness, learning, empathy, and more. It’s also considered a vital 21st century skill. Recent neuroscience studies have also shown that curiosity acts as both a primer to learning as well as making the learning more satisfying.
And let’s face it, a key way we’re going to get through this pandemic is, to quote Steve Jobs, “think different.” That requires curiosity.
So if you’re ready to uplevel your curiosity quotient, here are 4 steps to follow:
Curiosity sometimes gets a bad wrap. You know that adage about it killing the cat.
It turns out, however, that curiosity boosts survival, happiness, learning, empathy, and more. It’s also considered a vital 21st century skill. Recent neuroscience studies have also shown that curiosity acts as both a primer to learning as well as making the learning more satisfying.
And let’s face it, a key way we’re going to get through this pandemic is, to quote Steve Jobs, “think different.” And that requires curiosity.
So if you’re ready to up-level your curiosity quotient, here are 4 Steps to Follow:
1. Be okay not knowing
If you think you know the answers, then you aren’t looking, right?
Perhaps you’ve been taught or conditioned that you need to know everything or at least appear like you know everything. But what if instead, you were willing to acknowledge that you don’t? What would happen then? Where might life take you?
2. Give yourself time to inquire
In our hectic, busy lives, we never have enough time to get all of our work and TO-Do lists completed, let alone have time to spare for WONDER.
A positive of the pandemic is that many of us have more time than ever. How are you using that time? Can you build in contemplation, dreaming and wonder into your schedule?
3. Ask & Listen
What is it that you really want to know? I have a friend who at 60, decided she wanted to learn the ukulele. Another is taking Spanish lessons. What about you? What are you curious to know? What is your inner voice asking of you?
4. Seek knowledge
Once you fixate on something that has piqued your curiosity, explore, research, discover what’s out there. One of the coolest parts of this step, is not only do you get your curiosity satisfied, but you invariably discover and learn other cool things, too!
As Albert Einstein reminds us, "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."
So be curious, allow yourself to cultivate this and see where it takes you.