Your Body is Always Listening
The one thing I learned in the process of healing, was the importance of aligning my mind, my words and my actions with the same intentions. The moment I do that there is no longer an inner struggle. Making those intentions very personal in addressing my needs, they support eachother and I can move through the day in a state of ease. Thoughts are major factors in our healing process and the body is always listening. It's important for us to be aware of the effect our mind chatter has on our bodies. It's important for us to be aware of the effect that spending time in inner conflict has on us. There is no time to waste on that. In being clear with what I need on any given day, and following through by supporting it with what I think, say and behave toward myself and my interaction with everything around me, I find myself able to feel relaxed no matter what it is I'm doing. It's in that state of relaxation that the healing happens. It's something that has taken practice. But like anything else, the more you practice, the better you get at it. Not always easy, but always worth it.
Gratitude Cleanse
Recipe to begin a life filled with gratitude - Today, look around your home, your closet, your garden, your office, maybe even your car. Are there "things" there that you have no use for? Were they given to you but you don't really like them? Did they have sentimental value at one time but no longer do? Or have you just gotten used to having them around. Take a box and put in there anything you see in your bedroom which doesn't bring you joy. And for the next two weeks, every day, choose a room, a closet, or a drawer and put in a box anything which no longer brings you joy. When you're finished, pack up all those belongings and find them homes by giving them way. Either donate them to a shelter, or another organization, or simply to someone you know who could use them. The point is to give them away without expecting anything in return. Give and give some more, and make room for all that is trying to come your way that will give you joy. When you're finished, as you look around your home, you will only see things which give you joy. You are able to give unconditionally and are making space. Be grateful for being the vehicle that fills the need for someone else.
Incorporating Gratitude
If we're aware of what we have rather than what we don't have, our life automatically shifts to a state of gratitude. If we go through our days counting the miracles that are happening around us, we we will attract more miracles. Not because we are receiving more miracles, but because we are becoming more aware of them. If we are to fully be in awe of the possibilities around us, more will unfold because we are open to them. If we are to open our hands and release our grip on the things, people, opinions, judgements that we are fearfully hanging onto, then we would be open and ready to receive. If we allow ourselves to shift to that state of gratitude and remain there throughout our life, our ability to flow and accept all that comes to us becomes a gift from moment to moment.
Energy
In life, we can't choose what comes our way. However, we can choose how we will react and live. We have a choice on where we focus our energy. Focus on nurturing yourself, not berating yourself. Focus on creating space for yourself, not denying yourself that time. Focus on what you need, vs. what you think you want. Focus on being who you are, not who you think others want you to be. Focus on love and possibilities, rather than judgment and limitations. That's not to say upsets along the way can't be experienced. Grieving losses in our lives is part of our make up. Giving ourselves the space to do so is important, but accepting them as part of life is vital to fully living. Accepting, and then choosing to transcend. Focus on living. Make that energy within you and around you light and abundant; full of infinite potential and possibilities.
The Importance of Stepping Back
In the midst of chaos, confusion, anxiety, anger or sadness, stepping back and making ourselves an observer gives perspective. When faced with a difficult situation, our respiration changes; it becomes shallow and faster. If we focus on the breath, and deliberately take full, deep breaths, the mind begins to calm down and so does the body. From there, we can detach ourselves from those situations and become equanimous. Being able to give ourselves a moment or two of clarity and peace is a very valuable tool in realizing that many, if not most, of our stress comes from situations that will never happen. Breaking that thought pattern through our breath and coming to the present moment is the biggest gift we can give ourselves throughout our lives. If practiced often, we become proficient, and once proficient, it becomes a way of being. link to the breath portion of the website.