The Courage to Blog

For anyone that blogs, you will know that it isn't easy to do.

To make the decision to go "online" with your journaling is...dare I say....courageous?!?

Sharing your deepest feelings with the world in the hopes that you will inspire someone to make positive changes in their life.  Putting yourself into the spotlight for others to criticize or judge.

So many people with so many life experiences willing to face their fears and go public with some of their darkest secrets makes me hopeful that a more peaceful way of living is just around the corner.

That we all just want to "be the change we want to see in the world".

When I first decided to blog, I did it because I thought it would be a neat thing to do.  I never imagined people actually reading what I had to write.  I certainly never imagined people sharing with me how some of my writing touched them and made a difference in their lives.  It has become for me very therapeutic and at the same time a necessity.  Knowing that so many people are waiting to hear what comes next.

I don't take blogging lightly.

What I share here on this site is a reflection of what I am feeling in the moment.  How I am processing those emotions and how I hope to grow and learn from this process.

What I hope for the most is that somehow I can be a light that shines in your dark moment.  That I can offer a new perspective or at least help you to feel less alone on your journey to wholeness and well being.

Because to feel less alone in this great big world, can make all the difference.

What room are you living in?

This quote is speaking to me today.

"There is an Indian Belief that everyone is in a house of four rooms: A physical, a mental, an emotional and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time, but unless we go into every room everyday, even if only to keep it aired, we are not complete."    -- Rumer Godden

Lately I've been paying more attention to which "room" I am living in and have realized that I am sometimes afraid to leave that room and venture into another.

The emotional room seems to have been one that I visit less frequently and it all depends on the emotions that are waiting for me there.
 
I find lately it's becoming easier and easier to show my happy emotions and harder and harder to show my not so happy emotions.
 
Anyone who knows me well knows that I can't hide my emotions.  I wear them on my face and carry them in my body.  Expressing them verbally is another issue altogether. 
 
Every once in a while I wake up in a mood that is quite edgy, sometimes sarcastic and always witty.  And if I'm being honest here, it is a really fun mood to be in.  Personally, it's the mood I feel most creative in, it's the mood where I get more accomplished and appreciate myself more. 
 
And yet, there is a small piece of me that says "you can't show this to other people, this is not who you want them to see.  This personality is not cute, calm and inviting.  Stay home and don't talk to anyone while you are like this". 
 
That's the voice of the person inside of me that isn't comfortable with her authentic power. 
 
Authentic power is when you are living in all 4 of those rooms and you are comfortable with each of them.  Authentic power is never hiding who you are whether you think it's good or bad, it's important to show the world your many wonderful facets of being human.
 
If only to inspire someone else to do the same.
 
It's a myth that "spiritually conscious" people never experience anger, resentment, jealousy, shame and have to be loving and kind every moment of every day (Mother Teresa was an extremely special woman, we weren't all cut out to be just like her).  Each of us is here to experience all of life, every emotion, every challenge for the sake of our own personal growth.

The point of the spiritual journey is to walk through all of our experiences and learn from them, and that means feeling the emotions that come up throughout the experience. 

We rarely learn a lesson of great importance while walking on cloud 9 with a smile on our face and a spring in our step!

So, this quote is a reminder to me to visit my emotional room every day, check in, take a look around and see what needs to be addressed without judgement, without fear.

Internal GPS

As the Christmas season settles down and you are sitting back in your chair taking a much needed deep breath and relaxing, I want you to take inventory of how you are feeling in this moment.

Because all we really have is this moment.  Nothing else.  We have not been guaranteed more moments than the one we are currently experiencing.

Focus your attention on your thoughts.  What are you thinking about right now?  Happiness, Joy, Gratitude, Money, Disappointment, Resentment, Hurt, Anger?

Focus your attention on your face, shoulders and stomach.  How are these places feeling right now?  Calm, Soothed, Soft, Tense, Chaotic?

And now focus on your legs and feet.  Are they in any pain?  Are they relaxed and enjoying this peaceful moment you are taking for yourself?

And now how are your emotions?  This will be your biggest indicator of how you have handled the holidays.

Our emotions are our personal GPS systems that tell us each moment of every day whether we are headed in the right direction or going the wrong way down a one way street.

You will experience feelings of panic and anxiety if you are going the wrong way.  You will feel unsettled in every part of your body and it will not feel good if the direction you are going is taking you to a place of more discord.

If what you are looking for in 2010 is a better year than the one you just had, more energy, prosperity and happiness.  The first step you need to take is to establish an intimate connection with your emotions.

We are constantly negating our emotions.  If we are feeling anxious we push through to the other side no matter how much your stomach is turning.  When we are feeling uncomfortable and unsure we ignore those warnings and move forward anyway, most times only to find out that where we were headed wasn't all that desirable to begin with.  What about your sadness?  What do you do with that?  Heck, we even ignore moments of extreme happiness.  It passes us by so quickly and we forget to stop for a second and enjoy the moment.

Can you imagine yourself taking emotional inventory throughout your day?  Where do you think that would take you?  What do you think would happen if you took stock of your emotions when you wake up?  Perhaps you didn't sleep well and you woke up a little grumpy, knowing this in advance of interaction with others puts you at an advantage, because it is only when you are aware of your emotional set point for the day that you can then do anything about it.

When we ignore our emotions we are ignoring our internal GPS system.  I know all of you out there with a GPS in your vehicle wouldn't think of ignoring it while you were taking a trip where the destination was unknown to you.  Life is a journey where the destination is unknown and yet we are quick to ignore the little voice that tells us "you are headed in the wrong direction".

Just for today, take note of every emotion you are experiencing.  And pick one emotion that you will consciously decide to acknowledge and act upon.  Doing this will reactivate that intimate connection that I was talking about.  Your body will respond to that precious acknowledgment in a very beautiful way.  Take notice of that as well, take notice of the muscles relaxing and the stress fading from your mind & body.

Just for today.

Choose what's right for you.

In thinking about what my first "topic" post would be for this blog.  I sat back and asked the question "what is the first thing I wished someone would have told me on my journey to self discovery?"

The answer came as "be true to you".

I think that really this is the first stepping stone to any type of growth, be it personal or business.  If you are not being true to your instincts or your wants and desires then things are certainly not going to go "as planned".

As much as it may be the first step, it is also the most complicated in some situations.

There may be programming passed down from our ancestors about how it is selfish to think of ourselves, society certainly doesn't advocate the path less travelled (although things are improving in leaps and bounds lately).

I'm not talking about turning our backs on the world here. I think many of us can relate to being "bullied" by friends and family most of our lives, how often have you felt like someone's doormat?  How many times have you made up your mind to go in one direction then allowed a guilt trip to change your mind?

So how can we overcome the doubts and take our first steps to being true to ourselves?  What can we do to ease into living our lives based on what we want and not the wants of others?

It's been said that we are our own worst critic's.  I don't believe this is true.  Because those critical thoughts aren't coming from within US.  They are programs of society, family & peers.  They are the words and thoughts of our peers that come back to haunt us when the time is right.

Here are a few tips to breaking through and taking the path less travelled:

** Listen to your gut!  This is your instinctual center, it will never fail you or lead you astray.  It is the most trustworthy source of information you will find on this planet. 

Our emotions are our greatest gift really, when we know how to use them. 

In any circumstance, take a deep breath and bring your attention to your stomach and body.  What does it feel like?  Are there butterflies in your stomach?  Do you feel jittery, cold, sweaty?  These are all indications that what you are about to experience is NOT in your best interest.

If you are feeling excited, elated, joyful.  Sure enough you are on track with what will only bring you the best of experiences.

** Make the decision, and STICK to it!  Don't allow anyone to rain on your parade.  When faced with a nay-sayer bring yourself back to the feeling of joy that you felt when the idea came to mind.  Set your sights on your goals and don't look back.

People often think they are giving you the best advice they have to offer, they love you and they don't want you to make a fool of yourself.  They are also fearful and envious.  If you move forward with this experience where does that leave them?

The people in your life may love you with every fiber of their being, but if their advice goes against your good feelings then they are unconsciously speaking from a place of fear.

Love them for their caring ways, appreciate them for speaking up, but follow through with your original plans.

There is a great Chinese saying "Those who say it cannot be done, shall not interrupt the one who is doing it."

**  Be proud of yourself!  Ultimately, the opinions of others are none of our business.  Be proud of your accomplishment whatever it is.  Be proud that you stuck it out and followed your heart, the more you accomplish being true to yourself the easier it becomes

**  Start small.  If you're someone who never says "No", then I suggest start by saying "No" and see where it gets you, even to the smallest thing - maybe your a sucker for listening to the entire telemarketer speech without interupting?  As rude as you may feel doing it, it is the perfect beginning spot. 

Sometimes we think the worst will happen if we decline an offer or disagree with a friend, I'm here to tell you that the sky will not fall in on you.  In fact the person on the receiving end will most likely admire you for being true to yourself.

Sometimes you will feel like you are not doing the right thing by being true to yourself.  But you ARE doing the right thing.  Again these are the programs within our minds that bring us back to a place of guilt.

Guilt has no business in the heart of someone that wants to live to their fullest potential.