| Have you ever had those days where you start to | | | | Cards". |
| really wonder why you put yourself in situations so | | | | Borrow one from a friend. See if it feels right for |
| stressful that they are beyond any human being's | | | | you, then diligently read it each and every day. Over |
| capacity to handle it? I have. | | | | and over. |
| I am a recovering "stress and adrenaline junkie". | | | | Buried under all of the negative messaging you have |
| Here's what "I know for sure" (if Oprah were to | | | | learned to believe is a quiet voice wanting to be |
| ever ask me...): | | | | heard. It is just waiting for you to re-discover the |
| That my energy and natural ability to handle and | | | | language of self love you knew as a child. |
| "control" large projects, multi-layered strategies, | | | | In the beginning, affirmations were my primer for |
| emergency situations, and rapidly changing | | | | re-learning this new language. Now, in a world full of |
| environments was a complete cover-up for a deep, | | | | negative messaging, affirmations serve to remind me |
| deep wound I call a "hole in my heart". | | | | to live in love first. |
| I attached my value to the fact that I was able to | | | | Journaling: As I became more comfortable with my |
| handle stress with grace and ease. I was proud to | | | | new voice, I learned to write it down. Most call it |
| say I had worked in organizations that no one else | | | | journaling. Sandy Grason, in her book of the same |
| would put up with, or for difficult people, or in a 24/7 | | | | name, called it a "Journalution". Julia Cameron, author |
| industry during very stressful times. That was my | | | | of The Artist's Way, recommends writing "Morning |
| strength, my special skill-- it was how I defined who I | | | | Pages", and Heather Dominick, EnergyRich Success |
| was. And I craved those environments to feel good | | | | Coach(r), describes "Scripting" her days. |
| about myself. When I wasn't "crazy busy", my ego | | | | In the beginning, I couldn't write my thoughts- it |
| mind would push me into creating more chaos. | | | | made me feel too vulnerable and that was too scary. |
| When my "down on my knees" moment came, I | | | | Now I know that this is the only way I found myself |
| was overcome with a true knowing that there is a | | | | again. |
| power greater than me. In a moment, I surrendered | | | | Putting my voice on paper made it real and personal. |
| my will and my life over to the care of that power | | | | Putting my voice on paper gave it power. Putting my |
| (and I wasn't even sure who/what that was!). | | | | voice on paper helped me to clarify the thoughts |
| So I started to give up some of the "doings". That | | | | that became my guide to inspired action. Putting my |
| meant I was giving up the thing that I had gathered | | | | voice on paper gave me the confidence to reach out |
| all my value from. And, with no "doings" and | | | | to you. |
| "controllings" to cover up the hole in my heart, what | | | | And, most importantly, putting my thoughts on paper |
| was in there started bubbling up. | | | | continues to help me to move through fear, doubt |
| And when it did, my ego mind would try to drag me | | | | and negativity, when they show up. |
| back into more "doings" so I could generate some | | | | Julia Cameron says she writes Morning Pages to "get |
| more false self-worth and cover up the hole. | | | | to the other side: the other side of fear, of our |
| Sometimes ego still wins. But mostly, the hole is | | | | negativity, of our moods. Above all, they get us |
| exposed now... | | | | beyond our Censor." |
| And I like it that way. | | | | Find a book and a pen or pencil that feels good. Keep |
| That's where the value of "inner work" really shows | | | | it in a safe place. Reach for it often, and begin |
| itself to me. My wellness practices support healing | | | | without judgment. Just write. Even if you write "I |
| that hole in my heart. From that place I've learned | | | | don't know what to write today", begin the practice, |
| that it's OK to just be me, that I am worthy just as | | | | and you will find comfort. |
| I am, today, "warts and all". | | | | Recommended frequency: Daily. 15 minutes - 45 |
| Only from that place, can I share my true, authentic | | | | minutes. |
| self with the world, see and hear divine guidance, | | | | Support from a coach/mentor/support group: As my |
| take inspired action and step into being considerably | | | | thoughts became clearer, and that "small, still voice" |
| HUGE! | | | | within began to speak louder, having a coach/mentor |
| So what do I mean by "inner work"? | | | | or support group nearby provided me a filter that led |
| For me, "inner work" is the practice of connecting to | | | | me toward greater and faster clarity. I learned I was |
| my spirit, my soul, my self in whatever way works | | | | not alone. |
| for me. My wellness practices gently lead me through | | | | Napolean Hill, author of "Think and Grow Rich" first |
| my inner work that is slowly healing my heart. | | | | introduced us to the power of the "mastermind" |
| Ellen Meredith, author of Listening In: Dialogues with | | | | group, where individuals gathered to support each |
| the Wiser Self, confirms that many of us have a | | | | other, and the strength of the group could be |
| tendency to get cut off from spiritual nurturing, and | | | | counted on to "uplevel" each of the participants. It is |
| to obscure that "small still voice" within which can | | | | here that you can find the strength and support to |
| guide us. "There is no reason why your spiritual | | | | turn inspiration into action. |
| "practice" needs to be separate from the rest of | | | | Coaches of all specialities are available in every |
| your life", she says. | | | | location and even remotely via teleclass and webinar. |
| "There is no rule that says you must sit apart in | | | | And low or no cost support groups, facilitated by |
| pious reflection and prayer for several hours a day. In | | | | volunteers, are available through most community |
| fact, the more you find ways to let the activities you | | | | centers and hospitals. |
| do naturally resonate for you, the more likely you are | | | | Find a friend who attends a regular 12 step meeting |
| to have a dynamic spiritual practice." | | | | and go with her. Many of them are available for |
| My practice, or the method by which I complete my | | | | "clean" addictions (non-drug or alcohol related), like |
| "inner work", includes these four principle components: | | | | CoDa, which focuses on relationships and self-love. A |
| 1. Wisdom Walks | | | | small donation, $1 or $2, if you are able, is all that is |
| 2. Affirmative Reading | | | | expected here. |
| 3. Daily Journaling | | | | Even if one-on-one coaching may seem out of your |
| 4. Support from a mentor/coach/group | | | | budget today, you can begin to experience the |
| These simple practices are integrated now into my | | | | support in groups that usually have minimal expense. |
| every day existence. They don't take a huge amount | | | | Don't be afraid to reach out if you hear a message |
| of time or specialty equipment and they can be done | | | | that resonates with you. Borrow books, go to the |
| without a lot of expense. | | | | library. Find websites. |
| Wisdom Walks: Most spiritual guides incorporate some | | | | Trust that when you find a message that resonates |
| form of physical exercise into their plans for | | | | with you, that is the message you are supposed to |
| enlightenment. In addition to the health benefits, | | | | hear. Stop searching and allow yourself to become |
| Wisdom Walks provide a time for me to connect | | | | immersed in the support that the message will bring. |
| with the power of nature and a reminder that I am | | | | For a long time, I continued to be so frightened by |
| grounded in source energy. Long before I grew | | | | the awareness that I was gaining from the support |
| comfortable writing in a journal, I began walking by | | | | of my chosen mentors, that I kept running from |
| myself on the beach, sharing my thoughts with the | | | | group to group, keeping myself busy and distracted. |
| God of my choosing and asking for guidance. | | | | As a result, my journey has been much longer than it |
| "By the power of the wind, the waves and the sea, | | | | needed to be. |
| " I called. "God, please grant me clarity". | | | | Do the work without judgment. Be conscious of |
| I gathered treasures...symbols of my search for self | | | | choosing friends who will encourage you to do the |
| and gifts from a God I was desperate to know. | | | | work, not just talk about it-- over time, you will begin |
| And as I gained strength in the quiet of my | | | | to know the difference very clearly. |
| aloneness, I began to hear and feel guidance. | | | | Recommended frequency: Weekly at a minimum. |
| Find a place to walk where you can engage all of | | | | And in all of these practices, there is one constant-- |
| your senses. Walk alone. Talk to your God. Gather | | | | simply, I've learned to pay attention with an open |
| treasures. Ask for guidance. Listen, and you will | | | | mind. I've learned to believe. Set skepticism aside and |
| receive. | | | | allow these simple practices to connect you to your |
| "Like an ability or a muscle, hearing your inner wisdom | | | | inner guidance. Nurture your soul by paying attention |
| is strengthened by doing it." -- Robbie Gass | | | | to the beauty of all that surrounds you. |
| Recommended frequency: Daily. 15 - 30 minutes. | | | | Slow down. Get off the treadmill. Make the choice to |
| Affirmative Reading: For years now, I have begun | | | | discard everything that distracts you from paying |
| my day with a simple reading. These readings come | | | | attention to your true voice. |
| from daily meditation books like "The Language of | | | | In The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron writes: |
| Letting Go"and "Journey to the Heart", by Melody | | | | "The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the |
| Beattie, "Meditations for Women Who Do Too | | | | capacity for delight. The capacity for delight is the |
| Much", by Anne Wilson Schaef, and "Living Juicy- Daily | | | | gift of paying attention. The reward for attention is |
| Morsels for your Creative Soul", by SARK, or from | | | | always healing. |
| affirmation cards like Louise Hay's "Power Thought | | | | |