Midweek Mantra :: Inner Guidance

{original image :: repost from @gracesmithtv} 

Giving an energy healing session long distance this week, I was reminded by an important piece of what I do in sessions, in breathwork circles, and in new moon circles: give space for connecting to inner guidance.  My belief is that in "coming home to our bodies" we tap into that innate wisdom and intuitive sense that we each have within us.  

I admit that sometimes it's uncomfortable to be in our bodies because of the life experiences we have had (wounds, trauma, pain, being sensitive) or if we don't really want to hear what our bodies and our guidance has to say (like, something isn't working for us anymore or something in our life has to change - and change is hard!).  And sometimes it is really grounding and blissful and, well, HOME when we are in our bodies.  

The benefits of being at home in your body, however, are worth it.  And the more we pay attention to the little messages we receive from our inner guidance, the more they will come and the more trust we have in follow these cues.  It's like exercising a muscle!

How does your inner guidance speak to you? 

Do you get a gut feeling or a physical sensation in your body?  Are there images or colors or words or phrases or sounds or numbers that come to you?  Is it a song on the radio at the exact right time that gives you the message you need?  Is there a little quiet voice that gives you a little yes or no?   

Take a deep inhale and exhale.

Close your eyes briefly and bring your awareness to the center of your forehead.

Say to yourself: I TUNE IN TO MY INNER GUIDANCE.  

And if you're looking for some help in hearing your wisdom and connecting to your body, I am here for you.  This is what I love to do!  There are a variety of tools to guide you in connecting to your wisdom, so find what resonates for you by practicing with this mantra when you are looking for clarity or centering.  

This week's mantra :: I TUNE IN TO MY INNER GUIDANCE. 

Monday Mantra :: Begin

I'll admit that I am an "on the day" kind of gal.  I like to celebrate my birthday ON THE DAY.  I like to celebrate holidays on the day.  In the past when I'm working on new habits or starting something new, I like to wait til Monday or the first of the month or the start of the year to begin.  

A couple things have started to help me shift this mindset a bit as I'm feeling the rigidness and limitations it puts upon me and my personal growth.  As I began to pay attention and follow the moon cycles, I found that the energy of the new moon (or the Spring Equinox or Winter Solstice!) actually begins a few days before and ends a few days after.  Don't have time to sit and journal or reflect on the ACTUAL new moon?? No problem!  Just do it the next day or the day before in your own timing.  

I've also been in a nutrition and mindset coaching program since last July and the philosophy is 1% better each day.  No, not focusing on "perfection" ("say what?!" exclaims my inner perfectionist!), but just a little better.  Focusing on doing habits, taking small actions, starting fresh EACH DAY, which has increased my quality of life (and my health) a hundred-fold.  

So when I read this phrase, which is our mantra this week, on social media this weekend, my body gave a big ol' YES :: Every day is a fresh start.

How does your body feel when you read that?  Do you get a sense of relief?  Possibility?  Freedom?  

Take a deep inhale and exhale.

Feel your feet on the floor as you straighten your spine long.

Say to yourself :: EVERY DAY IS A FRESH START.

This week also just so happens to be a new moon filled with spring energy, which is perfect for new beginnings, but every day is an opportunity for a new beginning.  I encourage you to do this short and simple meditation each morning when you wake up and perhaps each night before you go to bed.  The perfect bookend to your day as a reminder that you get to choose how to BEGIN and honor YOU in the way you move about your day and about your life.   

This week's mantra :: EVERY DAY IS A FRESH START.  

Monday Mantra :: Blossom

HAPPY SPRING EQUINOX!

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

~ Anaïs Nin

This is one of my favorite quotes and there have been several times in my life where I could feel the truth and beauty (and challenge!) of these words deep in my being.... where I felt terrified to take that next step, but staying where I was felt completely unbearable.  It keeps playing itself in my head the last couple days, so it feels appropriate to share today.   

We have officially arrived in the season of spring!  Even though Mother Nature may grace us with more snow and cold, we are moving into a season of growth, expansion, planting, and blooming.  If we look to nature for cues, we will start to see buds on trees and the shoots of green plants peeking out of the dirt while the days get longer and the sun feels a little bit stronger and warmer.  

This week's mantra, in honor of the Spring Equinox, encourages us to look at what in our lives is ACHING to be born and to give ourselves permission to expand: 

What projects have you put off?  
What changes have you avoided that are finally ready to take place?
What healing work are you ready to dive into or what lifestyle habits are you ready to begin?
What heart's desires are you willing to honor?  
Where in your life can you open up more in order to allow space for your full self? 

Take a deep inhale and exhale. 

Feel your feet firmly rooting into the ground as you spread your arms wide.

Say to yourself: I AM BLOSSOMING.  

As you move about the next couple weeks, I invite you to reflect on what will nurture your blossoming this spring.  What simple action steps will nourish your growth and your intentions?

For me this spring, it is time to write that children's book that's been waiting to be born.  To nourish this intention, I am scheduling meditation and writing time into my life so that there is space for this creation to come into being.  You?? 

This week's mantra :: I AM BLOSSOMING.  

**If you are local to the Twin Cities, there are two opportunities to plant seeds with me this week to honor new beginnings with the new moon and the Spring Equinox.  Friday 3/24 will be a Breathwork Circle to breathe in spring energy and Sunday 3/26 will be a planting those seeds with reflection and intention in a New Moon Circle.  Hope to see you!

Monday Mantra :: Celebrate

Around this time last year, my siblings were gathering together from different states to celebrate the Spring Equinox and make the attempt to see each other more than once a year at Christmas.  Arriving at our chosen location first, my sister and I began to plan some ideas of what we would do over the course of the weekend.  Being the wise one she is, my sister brought it to my attention that when we get together, we sometimes get stuck in always talking about our goals and self-improvement-type conversations.  Not a bad thing, but besides "working on ourselves", what do we do for FUN?

I felt the truth ring in this observation.  I'm the first one to crack the whip on myself and to have my inner critic put in some over-time hours.  My book shelves are full of self-development books (I love self-help!) and I'm notorious for filling the pages of my journal with the things I need to work on and how I want to be better.    

Again, not a bad thing to be self-observant, HOWEVER!  It's also good thing to acknowledge HOW FAR I'VE COME.

As we make our way closer to spring despite the fresh snowfall on the ground (the equinox is NEXT MONDAY!!!), it's important to prepare for transitions by celebrating all the hard work we've done to get where we are.  

What was a success this winter in terms of your health and happiness and overall quality of life?  What worked well for you?  
What made you feel good?

...Maybe you were super consistent with your meditation practice.  Did you find new ways to move your body more this winter than you did last winter?  Maybe you found some solid tools to nourish your body (new recipes??) and feed your soul (new classes??).  Maybe you were less hard on yourself when things didn't work out as planned and maybe you set aside more time for self-care.  Did you schedule in more quality time with loved ones?  Or maybe you dealt with stress with more ease.  CELEBRATE!  Well done, you!

In honor of the full moon, this week's mantra will guide us to look at our fullest selves and to celebrate all that we are and all the hard work we have done so far in this life.  

Take a deep inhale and exhale.

Place a hand on your heart center and give a little smile.

Say to yourself: I CELEBRATE MY FULL SELF.  

This week, when you feel that inner critic start to creep in or when you feel overwhelmed with your to-do list, pause and take note of all your accomplishments big and small.  This is also a great way to begin and end your day when you wake up and before you go to sleep.  If you're having a rough go of it right now, just simply celebrate the fact that you are still inhaling and exhaling.  You got this!

This week's mantra :: I CELEBRATE MY FULL SELF.