Inner Light

I had such a wonderful May Day today. I spent the afternoon with my dear friend and hypnotherapist, Tammy. The combination of Reiki and hypnotherapy was absolutely uplifting and rejuvenating. I had let myself go far too long without getting this kind of support and release.

Self-care is so very important for Lightworkers. We deal with energy all the time, ours as well as everyone else’s. It’s sometimes hard for us to remember that we have to care for our human vessels or we will simply be unable to do what we do best–spread Light and healing throughout the world. It’s a huge job that we’ve contracted into. We MUST remember to care for ourselves and replenish our energies. You wouldn’t take a long road trip without making sure your car is in top condition, would you? The same holds true for your body. If you don’t keep it in good shape, it’s going to break down on you.

When you start feeling overwhelmed, tired, burnt out, and even depressed, these are signs that you are in great need of some self-care. Taking time out for yourself several times a week will prevent you from getting so depleted that you have no energy. So….be good to you, without guilt, without thinking that you’re being selfish. If you’re not good to yourself, you can’t be any good to anyone else.

When it comes to writing your own story for a balanced life, don’t forget to write a chapter on spiritual connection. It is this connection that gives us our faith and belief. Not only does it connect us to Spirit, but it also connects us to all of life. This connection allows us to hear the messages from our Higher Power through our intuition.

To cultivate this connection, find a place where you can sit in silence. This can be a sacred space you create within your home, or someplace out in nature. Close your eyes and inhale. Breathe in the energy of the Earth and of Spirit. Let it ignite the Divine Spark within you and listen for the messages that come to you. Feel the Light and Love of the universe flow through you and out into the world.

When you build a nice, strong spiritual connection, you will be better able to receive messages from Spirit. These messages guide you on your journey and since they are from Spirit, they will never be wrong. Listen to them and follow them–even if it doesn’t make complete sense at the time. Spirit always works for your highest good. Allow yourself to be guided and have faith that all will turn out as it should.

Like most people, now that it’s New Year’s Eve, I find myself reflecting on the past year. 2009 has brought so many changes for me. I took courses in life coaching and began my coaching business. I met a fantastic group of like-minded people that I now Mastermind with. I’ve made many internal changes simply in the way I look at life and the people around me. And now, I am beginning 2010 by welcoming a new love into my life who makes me smile and my heart overflow with joy.

I’ve cleared out a lot of old beliefs that were no longer serving me and have even cut cords with some people who were draining my energy. Every time we clear out something old, we make way for something new. I am so immensely grateful for all of the new coming to me.

The New Year always holds such promise of starting over fresh….beginning anew with only the unknown out ahead of us. I truly wish nothing but the best for all of you in 2010. Dream big and write yourself a fantastic, magical story. You deserve it!

With Thanksgiving coming up this week in the U.S., it’s hard not to think about all of the things I’m grateful for. I know that sometimes, it can be difficult to find things to be grateful for in your life. However, it’s that attitude of gratitude that smooths out the energy flow as we work to manifest our dreams and goals. When you’re having a hard time being grateful, you might have to get creative to find the beauty in the chaos, so to speak.

Be grateful for that job you don’t enjoy. It’s keeping a roof over your head and food on your table. Besides, it’s only a stepping stone on the way to your dream job.

Be grateful for your ex-wife/husband. Without them, you wouldn’t have your amazing children.

AND/OR

Be grateful for your ex-wife/husband. They came into your life to teach you ________ (insert lesson you learned from that relationship here).

Be grateful for the rainy weather. Your car is getting washed and your lawn is getting watered for free.

Be grateful for the chain letters filling your email inbox. It means you have a lot of friends who are thinking about you.

Be grateful for the people who annoy you and challenge you. They are helping you to grow into a better human being.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my U.S. friends. And many blessings to everyone.

All too often, people put the care and well-being of everyone else ahead of their own. When you spend all of your time on others and none on yourself, you become energetically depleted, stressed out, even physically ill or dis-eased. These are messages from your body telling you to take time out to care for yourself. In order to be able to give all that you do to your friends, family, and employer, it is necessary for you to take time every day to do something for you. Here are five things you can do that will keep you in good energetic and physical health.

1. Meditate
It has been proven that meditation relieves stress and replenishes energy. Just 15-30 minutes of meditation every day is enough to produce noticeable results. There are many CDs on the market to help you start a daily meditation routine.

2. Spend time in nature
Getting outside and soaking up some sun is a great way to rejuvenate yourself. You can garden, play a sport, take a walk, or simply sit on the deck and relax doing nothing. Absorbing natural light is an instant pick me up.

3. Take a nice hot bath
Do you remember the old commercial for Calgon? There was a woman relaxing in a big tub and her line was, “Calgon, take me away!” There’s a reason why she looked so content! Light some candles and incense and feel the stress melt away into the water.

4. Eat healthy
A healthy diet loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables will keep your body running efficiently. The healthier you are, the more energy you’ll have to keep up with everyone and everything in your life. You can’t keep up if you’re always sick and tired because of a poor diet.

5. Take up a hobby
Engaging in a hobby is a great way to be good to you. You are doing something you enjoy that isn’t (or shouldn’t be) stressful, and will allow you the opportunity to take pleasure in doing something by yourself. Find something that will completely take your mind off of all your obligations for awhile.

If you make time every day to do something that is just for yourself, you will be much healthier physically, mentally, and emotionally. You can’t operate at your best if you are under constant stress with nothing to relieve it. If you aren’t good to yourself first, you can’t be any good to others. Most of all, keep in mind that self-care is not selfish! There is no need to feel guilty or upset if you take time to be alone and rejuvenate. It is just as important for you to care for yourself as it is for you to care for others.

I’ve noticed a prevailing theme during all the years I’ve been talking to Lightworkers and holistic professionals. Most of you are wonderful at giving, but struggle with receiving. You give of your time, your energy, your gifts and other resources, but when these things are offered to you in kind, you have trouble accepting them. Nature doesn’t like a vacuum, so when you give away your energy, the Universe works to replenish it. If you block that by turning down gifts of love, energy, and support from others, you are keeping the Universe from restocking your own energy level. When you do not allow yourself to receive, you block the flow of energy and eventually, you will feel depleted and burnt out.

Here are some key benefits of allowing yourself to receive:

1. Free flow of energy
Energy is always in motion, always vibrating. By receiving energy from others, you are keeping the cycle moving. You will never feel depleted or like you don’t have enough to give because the flow is always there.

2. ‘Tis better to give AND receive
You already know how wonderful it feels to give to others. Why deprive someone else of the same pleasure? When you receive a gift from another person, you are honoring them as well as the gift. They feel good because you accepted their gift, so in essence, by receiving, you are giving!

3. You will never be alone
When you are in a state of receiving, you attract all sorts of amazing people and circumstances into your life. You will be surrounded by people who want to help and support you so that you can save energy by not doing everything yourself.

So, how do you open yourself up to receiving? The answer is very simple to read, yet difficult for some to put into practice.

The easiest way to receive is simply to accept what is offered and say, “Thank you.”