All posts by Joy

Aug 29
1
Silent revolution

Silent Revolution

By | Encouragement, positive thoughts | No Comments

You can be a silent revolution of change. It is a positive way we can be productive and powerful each day. It is how we treat others. It is how we can spread peace, love, and kindness. It is our actions that may demonstrate to our children a better way to live. It is how we can help cultivate a more harmonious planet.

It is how we treat fellow human beings. It is how we can enhance all life. Because all life matters; not just human life, but all life. The planet, our animals, and plants.

According to biology, living things are organisms that display the key characteristics of life. These include the ability to grow, reproduce, take in and use energy, excrete waste and respond to the environment.

We have such a symbiotic relationship with nature, and all living things around us. In other words, what we do each day makes an impact on this planet. From a mild microscopic level to the more obvious influences we have with one another, it can be liberating to note how powerful we are in each moment of each day.

When I see the news or observe conflicts on social media, I have to sit back and ponder how can I make a difference. What can I do towards positive and peaceful change? How can we change our conversations towards peaceful solutions and away from violence? How do we undo the damage of what we are seeing in the world today? These are questions I hear from not only from myself, but from loved ones, clients, and my friends on social media. The questions are on our minds.

We want to know how to handle our reactions better. What to tell our children and how to change our behavior as a collective consciousness. This is what impacts our culture and universe.

I think the conversation has to start somewhere, and an improved way of moving forward is being civil amongst our differences. Having the courage to listen carefully before reacting. The bravery to understand rather than argue our “rightness.” I believe the place of rightness often comes more from our egos rather than our hearts.

One thing we can start to do more is holding a safe space for one another through our conversations and feelings before we are so quick to judge from our egos. When we can have a civil or safe environment, we allow space to share experiences to help one another understand actions and perspectives. We can champion more peace in how we live and treat each other each day. How can we heal a world of violence and discrimination without any respect to differences, compassion, and love?

We start with each day and each person we encounter. It is how we handle ourselves and respond to others. It is how we process events and handle our emotions. If we can not deal with them, how do we help our children? Children often learn the most by the examples they see and the observations they make. They do not always communicate what they are absorbing, nor are we always aware that they are constantly taking in what we do. Our actions often speak more loudly than words. Dealing with our own peace and footprint in the world helps improve not only those around us, but our energy into the world.

The only way we can implement more peace is to start with ourselves. Peace and change begin within. This is our silent revolution. If we can’t understand where our own anger comes from and transform it, we certainly can’t expect it from everyone else. We are emotional beings. We are not robots functioning without feelings. It is normal to experience them all, but we aren’t always taught tools in dealing with them.

Awareness is a nice step. Intention is a nice step. Peace is a nice step in a silent revolution of change.

Aug 22
0
purpose

Purpose

By | Encouragement, positive thoughts | No Comments

Through the years I’ve noticed many people struggling with searching for their purpose. I think at times we just try to make it so big that we miss the lighted staircase. We think it has to be something on a grand scale or we are missing it. I think it is wonderful when you can feel confident in knowing your purpose here on earth and in life. Sometimes that purpose evolves and sometimes it only moves for a period of time.

There are some common themes we may notice in life that help define our purpose. For example, I have a dear friend that feels strongly that his purpose in life is to encourage and love others. I think many of us can find that common ground, but how does that play in your life? It certainly doesn’t seem to define your work or career label. Although you can recognize how you bring that purpose to the table in everything you do.

Some people think your purpose has to be big like ending hunger, changing politics, making sure the world has clean running water, or repairing the earth. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these big inspirations steering your life. The thing I notice many people struggle with is not knowing exactly what their call or purpose in life is. This not knowing can make you feel stuck, uninspired, or maybe even lost.

If this is you and if you wonder what difference you make in your life, I encourage you to be a little easier on yourself. Often our purpose occurs daily in the small things we do and how we treat those we interact with. Your purpose may be being patient with the ones you interact with. Perhaps you exude love to all your co workers. Maybe you don’t even realize the impact you make with your presence within your own family each day. You can be the driving force to help things get accomplished. You could be the support your friends need each day. And perhaps just the simple fact that you feed your family and take care of your home is infused with holiness.

Your purpose is your inner essence and energy that you weave in your everyday life. It doesn’t necessarily have to be defined with a label or feel so big that it eludes you. We all will have different journeys in life with different purposes. We will all have an impact that is unique and makes a difference at different levels. I also think it is healthy to acknowledge that your purpose can change or evolve. As we grow in life, our perspectives and opportunities change.

I think self exploration is a beautiful goal to help you investigate your purpose. It can help you enhance and move from a deeper level in your relationships, work, and daily interactions. At the same time, you certainly don’t need to give yourself a hard time if you aren’t quite sure. While you take some time in reflection, you can be aware of some common themes that resonate with you. I just want to encourage you to gentle with yourself on definitions. You don’t have to solve the world’s big problems to feel your significance.

Know that just being you and infusing your life with your own energy each day is purpose enough. If you feel the urge to dig deeper, do it with a kind and patient heart. Our purpose can be one or many. Big or small. Just remember we all have a purpose in our existence and gifts to offer. Don’t get too impatient with yourself if you are unsure. Like the mysteries in life tend to unfold, so will your purpose.

Aug 16
0
Always be curious

Always Be Curious

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I believe there is bit of magic in life through curiosity. We can stumble across our passions and bliss when we follow our curiosity. Curiosity is simply the the desire to know or learn something. If we can remain open to our curiosities in life, we are on the continuous path of revealing what lights us up. Life continues to move on and our curiosity can fuel more ventures. There is always another experience around the corner because life and energy do not stop moving.

Paying attention to our curiosities gives us hints to reveal paths and open doors towards hallways of inspiration. It may reveal a hobby, an idea, new venture, or perhaps a vision towards another step in life. I like to think of curiosity like my magic lamp illuminating clues of fun and joy. I have to follow them, be open, and explore them to discover the impulse of a new chapter or journey to fuel my soul.

Curiosity feels like light, fun, and airy energy to me. It feels fun and easy. No commitments, just a nice pace and an easy flow. You may feel it as a little whisper from within. Curiosity is not an answer, but an opportunity to peek at something that sparks our interest. A gentle guide in our fascinations. Sometimes our curiosity helps attract our appetites and hunger from the soul.

I recently told my pottery/art teacher how much I remember finger painting in the 2nd grade and how I hadn’t followed that curiosity since then. So for our next class, she had canvases and finger paints ready when I arrived. I have fun in all of our classes, but this one avenue of curiosity brought me great joy and is one I’m planning to continue. I had so much fun. When I first arrived to class, I was weighted down with some negative energy and trying to process some recent events. This activity turned out to unlock a door of a therapeutic outlet for me. It helps me feel a huge weight lifting off me. I left feeling uplifted, joyful, and calm. Even though we only painted a couple of hours, I carried that renewed feeling for days.

Another strong example I have of following my curiosity was years ago stumbling across my inspiration to another career. Many years ago, I was a registered nurse and I kept experiencing a strange calling or curiosity to get a massage. I never had a massage, no one had ever mentioned a massage that I can remember, nor can I explain logically where this curiosity came from. Eventually I went and experienced my first massage and it felt like in an instant I knew that I wanted to make it a career.
That career did not come until many years later with many twists along the road, but it did become a career. The curiosity led me to where the inspiration was born. By following my curiosity that curiosity helped me follow a passion.

Each passion and curiosity leads me to more doors, more discoveries, and more joy. Some of them are quick and instantaneous and some travel for many many years, waiting for their time and place to appear. Many of my ventures were born, but not discovered or fully acted upon until years later. The point is it’s never too late to follow any ideas or curiosities. And…there are always new ones around the corner.

I encourage you to be kind to yourself and pay attention to your curiosities. Give a little room for inspiration to appear. I think we find many blisses and purposes are born through curiosity. Think of it as a door into possibility. An avenue to the unveilings of your joy. Embrace the magic of curiosity—it just may be the path you’re looking for!

Aug 10
0
Courage

Courage

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We often see the image of courage represented as a courageous warrior going into and winning a battle. To me courage represents so much more. Courage is getting up after you’ve been knocked down 100 times. Courage is continuing to move forward even if the odds are against you. Courage can be getting up every day. Courage can be big and small victories.

Courage is finding your smile when life may be rough. Courage is being optimistic and positive when you have much to complain about. Courage is stepping into new territory. Courage is feeling the fear and moving forward anyway. Courage is moving while scared. Courage is not just confidence. Courage is the energy to move through the scary and unknown.

Courage is following your instincts. Courage is doing something without having all the answers. Courage is the energy to move through your day without getting any credit for it. Courage is not always jumping out of an airplane. Courage is the energy you muster with the unknowing.

Courage is creativity. Courage is movement without knowing the outcome. Courage is often underrated. I think you should acknowledge the courage you bring forth into the universe. When you have the courage to try again, courage should be credited. When you can’t see how things are going to work out, courage should be rallied. When all seems to fail, courage is still there. Still there to greet you. Still there to be lived with you.

Courage can be your friend and ally. Courage isn’t always easy, but it does give you the power to move anyway. Courage lives within us all. And courage is a dance. A rhythm and flow. The beautiful thing about dance, rhythm, and flow is that they look different for everyone. Courage is like an art. No one’s art or courage looks the same. It’s something you can’t tangibly see, but you can feel it and see it move through others.

Courage is a bit of knowing. A trust. We use courage to process, handle, and operate. Courage is our influence through uncertainty. Life can move us through unfamiliar territory. We don’t have to freeze or run from the mysteries in life because we have courage to help move us through uncharted energy.

If you wait for life to reveal all the variables that you will encounter on your journey, you may find yourself sitting on the sidelines. Rather than seeing life as unsettled territory, you can use courage to view it as an adventure. It’s kind of like opening your gifts early and getting no surprises on Christmas. The element of surprise has to leave behind the plans and expectations. Use courage to allow surprises and curiosities in life.

Courage is allowing. If you like the idea of an extraordinary life, then I encourage you to allow courage to astonish you. You’re probably using it daily and not giving yourself the credit. Let courage be an art in your life. It can certainly take you places you’ve never been before!

Aug 04
0
Vacation breaks

Vacation Breaks

By | Encouragement, positive thoughts | No Comments

How often do you incorporate vacation breaks for your mind? Many times we wait until we are on vacation to let our hair down, unwind, and leave our stresses of our daily lives on a break. Think about how you feel when you have some free time or a break from work, chores, and responsibilities while you vacation. That feeling is very good for your health and mental status. And it would be of greater benefit to do it more often than once a year. For some busy folks out there, you may not even take one that often.

The point isn’t how often, when, or where you take a vacation. The point is that you can utilize many avenues in your daily or weekly life to create the feeling of vacation more often. Not only does it play a positive aspect in your health, it also presents a reinvigorating opportunity to journey in your daily life. Giving yourself mental vacation breaks in your routines affects your life the way getting good sleep does. When you can get restful sleep regularly, you can function better in your awake, daily life.

It may take a little time to explore what brings you mental breaks and joy. The key is to incorporate it as often as you can. Pay attention to how you feel. How do you feel when you’re on vacation? For me a mental vacation break is relaxing. It’s focusing on the joyful moments. I feel lighter, freer, and at ease. Those are the feelings you are looking for in your day. I encourage you to look for as many pleasing things as you can through your day. The more you focus, the more you can create a feeling of ease.

I have found great benefits in creating my feeling of being on vacation at home. When I am on my “ideal” vacation, I love to relax by a pool or ocean, read a book, maybe listen to some music, or write. It’s taking it easy and enjoying small moments. I love being out in the sun and I love to eat outside when I’m on vacation. It’s doing some nothingness and the things I enjoy. Now you can create some of these factors in your day instead of waiting until you take a literal vacation to allow the experience.

Since I spend a good portion of time at home writing, taking care of my animals and spending time with family, I have slowly over time added more and more vacation feeling experiences in my backyard. I was fortunate enough to purchase a home with a deck. Through the years, I continue to add to the details. On my deck I have a table, an umbrella, and tiki torches surrounding my deck looking out at many beautiful trees and gardens. My family has also added many of these details furthering our experiences for us all to enjoy together. We have a pond with a waterfall to listen to, a small pool to float and relax in, and we are currently adding more details each year. It’s amazing what you can do when you open your mind to possibility—and you don’t even have to have a lot of space.

I have a friend who has a very small area for a porch, but she has one chair, a small table with some plants, one tiki, and candles. It’s a very small inviting space, but it allows the mental space for relaxation anytime she can sit down and take some fresh breaths of air in. It’s creating a relaxing space with what you have no matter where you are.

When I sit on my deck relaxing, reading, or writing, I am surrounded by the atmosphere that helps me feel like I am on vacation. When I can take a few hours (or if I’m really lucky, a couple of full days) that week to be on my deck relaxing, I feel like I have had a few days of vacation—without all the work that taking an actual vacation requires When you have the time for a literal vacation… great! Seize the opportunity when you can. What I’m describing is the time in between when you may not be able to go on a vacation. You can mentally create the feeling without feeling deprived.

I encourage you to find ways that bring you a little slice of vacation in your everyday life. It may be creating your environment as I have described of myself. It can be a candle placed on your desk at work. Grabbing a snow cone on a hot day. Reading a couple of pages of an interesting book. Doodling before dinner. Anything that you may wait to do on your vacation or anything that brings you that same giddy joyful feeling that arises when you are on vacation. It’s bringing that excitement in moments of your daily or weekly life.

Be aware of how often you experience these feelings and mental vacation breaks. If they are seldom, make it a priority to create some space for more vacation breaks. However they look to you. As easy as you can. Make it an easy game. Leave the pressure behind. The idea of vacation is to leave your worries and stress behind more. See how implementing the time helps you in your everyday life. You may open your eyes more to noticing and enjoying more moments in your day! That lighter energy is good for your body, health, mind, and soul!

Jul 18
0

Nervous System

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As a massage therapist, I work closely with the nervous system in clients’ bodies. The nervous system is a complex collection of nerves and specialized cells known as neurons that transmit signals between different parts of the body. It is the body’s electrical wiring. Massage positively affects every system in your body, but today we are solely focusing on the effects with the nervous system.

One of the reasons the nervous system plays an important role in our body and health is because it works with the brain to communicate with every cell and organ in our bodies. There are many books and chapters dedicated to the education of the nervous system and the body, but for this blog, I’m going to simplify it the best I can. It is a topic clients often ask about.

Therapeutic massage stimulates the nervous system, helps to produce hormones that have tremendous (documented) benefits on the body, and also decreases out of balance chemicals. The communication within the body to help release and produce hormones and chemicals for a calming effect is one of the many benefits of therapeutic massage.

Massage offers sedating effects to help the body heal, rest, function, and restore its balance. Massage increases endorphins (the body’s natural pain reliever) to help promote healing, decrease swelling, and speed recovery by bringing more oxygen to the tissues via the circulatory system. Massage always increases your circulation and in turn works to increase every system in your body.

Massage increases available dopamine for increased joy, enthusiasm, and what we basically call our happy chemical. Massage also increases serotonin, producing a calming effect. This calming effect gives the body a biofeedback response to aid in relaxation and healing.

Massage also decreases the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It’s the body’s response to stress. Cortisol is designed for our body to benefit a short term problem. The problem is that too much stress and cortisol in your body produces many health problems long term. The overproduction and stimulation of cortisol can produce high blood pressure, fatigue to your adrenal glands and kidneys, stomach acid problems, infertility problems, increased inflammation, fluctuations in blood sugar, imbalanced thyroid production, and decreased testosterone. There are many more studied effects of too much cortisol, but these are the main ones I frequently seen as a massage therapist and nurse.

A main focus in massage is the balancing and stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system—the “rest-and-digest” system. When we are very busy and stressed, we release too many chemicals and hormones for our body to break down. Over time, these out of balance chemicals tax certain organs, affecting your health. I believe to maintain health and to aid in healing, we can help the body in its balance and restorative function.

For example, let’s say you have a bad case of heartburn. What do you normally do? Most of us grab an antacid or some sort of alkalizer to balance it out. This is what massage does for the body through the nervous system and balancing of the hormones.

Massage is a very powerful aid for the body. Massage helps the body in its superpower to heal itself. The body and its brain and nervous system have the wiring and function as a team. I like to think of massage as a team player. The massage and therapist are not the healers themselves, but rather the helpers who assist the body in its capabilities.

There are many tools that help stimulate the pns system, such as meditation, a relaxing environment, yoga, deep breathing, being in nature, and anything bringing a relaxing feeling to your body and mind. I recommend trying as many as you can to find what is most beneficial to you. Just be aware that there is much to offer in helping your body achieve and maintain health and balance.

Jul 10
0
Play

Time for Play

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How do you create time for play? Do you give yourself any amount of time to play? Often we become overly busy and so tied to our responsibilities that we do not carve any time aside to do things we truly enjoy. It’s how our passions die, and it’s how little pieces of our soul drown.

It is so important to have some time to get out of ourselves, our heads, and especially a break from all of our roles and responsibilities. If you spend all of your time on just your duties and responsibilities you may be out of balance. Your soul may be yearning for a bit more in life. If you are not carving time out for things outside of your chores and deadlines, you may want to ask yourself what you are saying yes to. Why aren’t you making time to play? Do you feel guilty or judge yourself for allowing time for play? Could you be in fear of what other people will think of you? Or have you ever even truly pondered how you spend your hours in the day? These are some questions to ask yourself if you are feeling out of balance in your daily life.

Your life and time are worth investigating. You are worth the exploring. I’m a busy person just like you. I’m not trying to convince you that it’s simple to give yourself large amounts of time devoted to your hobbies or creative endeavors. I am saying you can carve small amounts of time towards what fascinates or interests you. And you can start wherever you are. I have often noticed people choosing not to take any steps towards things they would like to learn how to do out of fear that they do not have the time or aren’t good enough. These are lies many of us tell ourselves. We could be holding ourselves back from undertaking creative projects, spending hours of time lost in our art, and stumbling across our own masterpieces.”

The only way to get anywhere is to start. Start with your knees shaking, your insecurities quaking, and your lack of confidence aching. No one expects you to be an expert at anything on Day One. You don’t even have to share what you are doing, creating, or learning. A start is simply there initially as your sheer intention. Then we move forward for our enjoyment. Spending time on things we love or what interests us is our therapy. It is how we balance out the roles and responsibilities in life.

You don’t even need a goal to start. After spending some time in your interests and endeavors, it will be up to you as to what you share with the world. Initially it’s carving out small amounts of time to follow your passions and bliss. It doesn’t necessarily have to become your next career. If it evolves that way, great, but we do not have to have an end goal to be creative and enjoy the things that bring us to life.

For example, I regularly attend a pottery/art class. Due to my busy schedule, I do not always get to attend every week, but I do get to attend often. And over time, I have really gotten better at little creations. I’ve learned one thing for sure, your crafts do take time to develop. If you can hold off on judging yourself and your results, you have the capabilities of learning many great things. Much of it has to do with being OK with being a beginner and allowing yourself the time to progress. Just the fact that I make time for this class has helped me in my more serious aspects of work like my writing.

I would have never guessed initially how much practicing and learning art would enhance my writing skills, but they have. I think part of it had to do with giving myself that permission to learn something at my age as a beginner. It was also allowing myself to be terrible at it and still continue to do it. It has helped build my confidence in many areas in life, and it also allowed me the space to focus creatively. I had to leave out my roles and responsibilities to learn some pottery. It did not come so easy to me initially. With dedicated time and repeated practice, I have greatly improved and have much more to show for it. Another great benefit is that my teacher and I have become intimate friends and that relationship has helped us to encourage each other, and we hold space for each other’s creativity.

I don’t have plans to become a professional potter. Over time, perhaps I will become skilled enough to sell pieces of work or perhaps not. The main point is that it doesn’t matter. I do not take my pottery classes for the end result. It is for the play and enjoyment for a brief period of time. It helps me to breathe better when I carve some space for play. I’m a kinder human to all that interact with me. And last but not least, it enhances my confidence in improving my writing and blogging skills which I do take seriously. It allowed me the bravery to start where I was with the knowledge that I can get better.

You do not have to be at a professional level to start anything. How else do you even become experienced until you have utilized much time there? The time spent on any craft or hobby will have moments of greatness and sheer failure. That is how we learn. That is also how we get better. The good news is when you enjoy what you are doing or learning, the failures you may encounter are all worth it because you love or enjoy it. You’re still having fun in the process. Learning is a process just like life. Don’t forget to carve out some time for play.

We often omit play for ourselves and only allow it to our children. Play often balances out those everyday tasks. And when we play, we have to let some responsibilities go for a period of time. The time is an investment to yourself; it can help you balance life better, be more light hearted toward others, and hold important space for fun. We all need a little Peter Pan escape time. Otherwise you will grow old.

Jul 06
0
Age is just a number

Age is Just A Number

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Age is really just a number. It does not have the ability to reflect who you are or what you can do. Often I find focusing on our ages only limits us from possibilities. I’ve noticed in our culture, that we accept details and deterioration of certain ages. For example I’ve seen many friends agonize on what age they are turning even before their birthday. As if it were to mean they are on a slippery slope of things getting worse, their bodies and their looks falling apart.

We are often sold these images and beliefs to sell products and keep many companies in business. I found more often that age truly is only a state of mind. Some of my 80-year-old clients are in better mental and physical shape as some of my 50- and 60-year-old clients. Most of it has to do with how they see life, their age, and their possibilities. I have also worked on some 20-year-olds who feel like they are 80. What your mind conceives actually manifests. It not only shows up in how you feel and how you look, but also how you function.

When you believe you have the potential to get better, younger, or simply age effortlessly, you can. This is not only coming from observations of patients and clients through the the years, but also from my own experiences as well. When I was in my 20s I was very independent and stubborn. I could do everything myself and you couldn’t convince me otherwise. I could do anything anyone could do especially the strong boys I worked with. That naive thinking did cost me some unfortunate injuries at the time. I pushed myself so hard for my stubborn ego that I ended up with bulging discs in my back at age 19. I was told by my physician that I had a back of an old person according to my MRI reports. He also told me I would later probably have surgery and be on heavy pain pills as I got older.

The good news is that I didn’t allow my brain to believe the latter of the advice. I did take to heart my injured discs. I changed how I took care of myself and was much more careful with my body. Along the way, without surgery and medication, I do not feel I have back problems. I rarely have a back ache and I do not take medications. It did take me changing of my state of mind and better practices like massage and yoga. I also regularly see a chiropractor, but I have beaten the odds initially given to me.

It took me looking at things differently and treating myself better. I now feel better at 40 than I did in some of my 20s. So I do know that age is nothing but a number. Or an acceptance of the number. Age is what we make of it and believe. It doesn’t have to be a big deal or production. Now when I hear someone dreading what age they are embarking on or turning, I kind of snicker to myself because I have many friends in their 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s feeling great and having the time of their lives. I myself would much rather age in fun and grace than remorse or regret. The way we feel is how our body responds. So if we feed it feelings of being old or getting older, it will respond with more of those results. On the other hand, if you can spend some time allowing a better perspective on age, you body can glide towards more youthful experiences.

How we feel affects how we look and function. Treat age like a friend. It is time not given to all. More time to have fun. More time with our loved ones and more time to experience joy. Each day you wake up and age is more time for life and love. Before your time is up, I encourage you to appreciate time and age. It doesn’t matter what age you are, it matters what you do with it and how you feel. You transcend age with your emotions. You just may have to break up with the saying that you are “too old” for anything.

Be excited for every birthday. See each year as a celebration of what you have enjoyed and how much time people have had to enjoy your presence in the world. Rather than dreading being older, shift your perspective on what else you get to do, learn, or be. We can reshape how we look at age and set better examples to the younger. The choice in how you age is up to you. Age is just a number.

Jul 02
0
Confidence

Confidence

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Confidence is one of our greatest assets. I think we often miss how powerful and positive our impressions are when we feel and express confidence. In our culture we are frequently taught how to focus on and fix our weaknesses and flaws more often than how confidence can make up the differences.

Confidence is an emotional journey. You do not have to live without flaws or be perfect to feel and act confidently. That is the beauty I have found through the years. It doesn’t matter how I look, how much I may weigh at the time, or how well my resume may stand out. If I am confident, I line up with better outcomes. When you feel well and confident, people react differently toward you. You draw more people, circumstances, and events to you based on that self-assurance.

Confidence is a positive feeling you have about or within yourself. You can have confidence without being your ideal weight, embodying your ideal image, or obtaining your ideal goals. It’s the spark that flies you higher on your journey along the way. It’s like having a positive side effect just as you already are. We are often so caught up on our way to a better self, a better position, or a better opportunity that we forget all we have to offer in the now.

Confidence can take us further on our trails. We can move forward more easily when we are confident in what we already have and are. We can be confident where we currently stand. People notice and feel the energy you project when you are confident. We attract more wanted experiences with confident energy. I’ve often heard “It’s not what you look like, but how you carry yourself.” This goes a long way with not just our appearances, but also our professional endeavors and future goals.

Now I realize confidence may not be a strong suit if you aren’t used to practicing it. The good news is you have many ways to go about building that confidence. One is to talk yourself into it. You can start first thing in the morning by making a list or looking around to notice what you do have to be confident about. You can grow this practice each day and add to your lists. The more you notice the good things about yourself and the many talents you have to offer (as everyone has something unique to offer), you will see more in yourself. You are training your brain to see a little differently.

Once you start to play the game of noticing your strengths more and wiring your brain towards what makes you feel better about yourself, you learn to either let go of what you consider flaws or weaknesses… or you aren’t so bothered by them that they affect your abilities. Confidence is a state of mind or feeling. And you can be confident under any circumstances. When you are confident and amplify the feeling of confidence you change your energy, your potential for wanted attraction, and the vibration you operate in.

It’s kind of like upgrading or updating to the best version of you. Train your brain a bit every day at seeing all the great qualities you have to offer. We all have some great qualities. You just may not have practiced the habit of seeing them in yourself. We often encourage our children, family, and friends, but point out our flaws to others. It’s a habit that isn’t very serving to us. Putting ourselves down doesn’t help any upward direction. Taking the time to look at ourselves the way we look at our loved ones will increase our confidence and what we actually see. When we do this we offer a better version of ourselves and have greater potential to feel good.

Feeling good and seeing the good in ourselves helps to build our confidence. Everywhere you go with confidence helps improve your representation of yourself. Your improved security shows to others and increases the responses you’re aiming for. Like happiness, and joy, your confidence can build and improve over time. It takes focus, awareness, and practice. Confidence is something that can be your asset now. And confidence can take you anywhere.

Jun 29
0
Balance centers

Balance Centers

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I work in a field where many people use terms like chakras, energy centers, and imbalances in the body and nervous systems. This can be confusing and scary to people unfamiliar with modalities outside of western medicine. There are many ways and cultures that see and treat the imbalances in our body, mind, and spirit. In my field, we view them all as important.

When one is out of balance, it affects all the others. Many therapists and practitioners include your emotions, energy, and intuitive aspects to assist in greater impact of healing of illness, injuries, and imbalances. The gift is working with the client’s own body’s ability to heal itself. I believe we (as practitioners ) are more of the helpers/assistants of humans rather than the healers. Your body, mind, and spirit do the actual healing.

To think of it a little more simply , we are made up of energy, we put off energy, and we interact with other energies in the world/universe. For example, it may not easily be seen with the naked eye, but we have a magnetic field of energy that surrounds us and our cells need a source of energy to run, walk, and sleep. Basically we do not exist without energy.

When we have imbalances of our energy whether it be from our emotions, feelings, stresses, worries, experiences, or pain, it often affects our body, mind, and spirit. The good news is there are many avenues and ways to offset the imbalance and add to the deficits in our lives. In my chakra certification, I was trained in working with the seven main chakras in the body. There are many throughout (or thoughts about) the body and more than one modality or school of thought/practice. The seven chakras that I’m referring to are wheels of energy that align from the base of the spine through to the crown of the head. You can imagine or visualize them as a swirling wheel of energy where matter and consciousness meet. This energy is the life force within each of us. This energy helps keep us healthy and alive.

Each chakra corresponds to nerves and major organs as well as psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual states of being. Since everything is moving (energy is always in motion), it’s essential for our chakras to be open and aligned for well-being. If there is a blockage or slowing down of energy in our chakras we find the imbalances in our health and life. Through awareness or working with a trained therapist in this area, you can assist your energy chakras for mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

I find often working with clients when we pay attention to the energy centers that are out of balance, you can align and help the body with its own super powers and “heal thyself.” The body is always seeking balance in its internal environment. Many people acknowledge the importance of our physical, emotional, and spiritual health, but may not be as aware of the balance in our energy centers. Balancing your energy can be a powerful and subtle way to enhance the balance of your body, mind, and soul.

Whether you decide to educate yourself to work with your energy centers, or seek out a trained practitioner , it’s nice to know you have many healing tools available for you. Well-being can abound and you can further support it with balancing your energy.