Living Energy Blog

Here we are, at the turn of the calendar page –TA DA–we made it,  welcome 2013!  Some thought we would not make it but here we are. Now we can move beyond all that to the new opportunities for creating, experiencing and living that await us.

Really any day is a good day for new beginnings, but it is natural at the turn of the year to pause, take stock and think about our future. Hope springs eternal as we set our resolutions for the coming year — in spite of all evidence showing that most resolutions are forgotten pretty early into the New Year!

So what are we to do…abandon all good intentions and goal setting? As I have thought about this dilemma for myself I have come up with some ideas that work for me and I would like to share them with you in the hopes that they may support you with the changes you would like to make. These ideas are not magic and are not foolproof, but they do keep me more on track toward successful outcomes, less prone to negative thoughts when things do not go as I would like and they do help me to stay the course more easily than traditional approaches to resolutions.

1. Take time to review, acknowledge and celebrate
It is important to look at what went well in addition to the things we want to change. Energetically, dwelling on the negative (E.G. our failure to accomplish or have a desire or goal) saps our strength, creates incoherence in our field and leads us toward more failure rather than greater success.

Focusing on what went well and what we have achieved helps keep our energy strong, free flowing and coherent…all qualities that help support positive outcomes! In our humanness we tend to forget what went well, where we did grow and learn, and become more of what we would like to be, or to have more of what we would desire in our lives.

2. Look with new eyes on what has not gone well
Focusing on the positive does not mean that we overlook or avoid looking at what has not gone well, or where we would like to see something different than our current reality. We need to face reality and not escape into a spiritual bypass that leaves us ill equipped for living.

However, what we can do is look through new eyes…eyes that help keep our energy strong, that offer a doorway through which we access our innate resiliency and help maintain forward momentum. Typically when we look at what has not gone well; our unconscious response is to energetically collapse. This is a ripe breeding ground for self judgment, criticism or obsessive ruminating on the negative aspects of ourselves to arise.
A shift in vision from head to heart keeps us in an open and flowing state where self compassion, loving kindness and soul presence sets the stage for insight, intuition and new solutions to emerge. This spiritual vision is an antidote to being stuck, stagnating or giving up.

 3. Practice Mindfulness and Create Core Reminders to Keep You Focused
The capacity to be present to our lives that develops as a byproduct of a mindfulness practice is of enormous help no matter what our intention or goal. In fact any type of regular meditation practice supports all aspects of ourselves and our lives.

In addition to that practice, creating cues to use throughout the day to re-center and focus around our goals or intentions can be very helpful.  One of the questions that I like to use to help me stay focused on my intentions is, “Is this choice/feeling/thought/belief/action one rooted in loving kindness? Does it support me; expand my wellbeing and help me move toward my best Self-expression and goals? “. This approach does assume that the goals or intentions you are setting really do contribute to those areas! You may need to come up with a core question that fits more specifically for your needs.

For me this approach helps remind me about the real meaning of things rather than simply concentrating on an outer behavior or target with no real awareness of how it is connected the deeper aspects of my Being. In this way I remain more conscious…even when I choose to not do what is really in my best interest!! J That is important to know and integrate too!

4. Include Pleasurable Activities Daily
We are hard wired for pleasure. A lack of pleasure contributes to fatigue and stress. If we overlook this deep need, we will find ourselves unconsciously acting in ways that are counterproductive as we try to fill our pleasure quotient through the back door!

What brings you pleasure? Make a list and keep it handy! One woman I knew filled a coffee can with slips of paper with relaxing, pleasure giving activities and drew one each day. When we are stressed or tired it can be hard to think of something that can recharge our energy so a way of having those ideas handy can be of value.

It is truly amazing what can happen when people come together in a spirit of love and giving. Here is a video update on the recovery process and EFT project we spoke about last week at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT. So far as a result of the money raised, Dr. Lori Leydon (who worked in the recovery effort in Rwanda) was able to come to the town and offer her help with healing.

There is a discussion in the video re: the grief, guilt and pain felt by survivors and those perhaps not immediately involved in a tragedy. We are all affected by what happens in our world–we are all connected at a deep level–this is more than an idea, it is a spiritual/energetic reality. So, it is important to attend to your feelings whatever they are….to not to skip over them too quickly, but to be present with youself and do what YOU need for self care. We are all too quick to discount our feelings based on–it’s not happening to me, someone out there has it worse etc. This is one way that issues get lodged in our energy systems, accumulating over time as similar traumas or griefs join them and become imbedded within. We have had so many tragedies and traumas as a human race over the last few years…it is a good time to reach out to others however we can but not before we attend to ourselves so we can be as whole and present as possible to them, ourselves and to life itself.

For the original letter describing the EFT recovery project, as well as a way you can be of help if you are so moved, through a purchase/donation of an EFT DVD click here:http://bit.ly/Vcjr74

Holidays are a time when we are with many groups of people including family …and kind, tolerant and understanding as we might try to be …there is a lot that can be stressful!  Here are some tips to help you reduce the stress and hang onto your center and sanity.

1. Limit the time you spend with people who deplete your energy
2. Set limits on conversations and state clearly that you only have x amount of time.
3. When you are with people who stress you out tune into your breathing and use long slow breaths to stay peaceful and detached.
4. Remember to state your needs clearly and honestly—and remain committed to them.
5. Feel free to vote with your feet and leave situations that are uncomfortable, negative or unhealthy.
6. Avoid eye contact—it is a major way energy is drained by some vampires.
7. Claim and protect your personal space–use centering, grounding and breathing to help you do so.
8. Be clear about not wanting to engage in negative interchanges.
9. Set limits, define your boundaries —you deserve care, respect and positive treatment. Nowhere is it written that you must sacrifice your well being or needs to another.
10. Allow your feelings–do not try to invalidate, discount or explain them away. They are red flags to help you notice what you may have suppressed and need to release. They also may be signals that help you to know when your boundaries are being violated. Being a spiritual being does not mean allowing yourself to be abused or mistreated in any way. How we process and release these feelings is of course our responsibility. Feelings are natural and can be gift that lead to greater self knowledge.
11. Find time, if only a moment to recharge your resources, return to yourself and be able be present to enjoy all that is good and joyous!

Earlier this week just when I was wondering if any of the therapists involved in the recovery process in Newtown Conn. practiced EFT (because it has been so effective in helping in the recovery from trauma and grief) I received the letter below from Nick Ortner of the Tapping Solution re: an initiative he and his group are spearheading in Newtown, Conn. Please read the letter and go to the link to see if this is something you could help with. His company has also graciously agreed to help us distribute free copies of Relaxation 101 to the  community for help with healing from the grief, stress and trauma that comes with such a tragedy. Healing takes time but with the tools we now have to address mind, body and spirit that healing can be quicker and more complete as people are helped to integrate their experience. 

Here is the letter with the link

I never thought in my communication with you that the fact that I live in Newtown, CT would be relevant in any way.

Unfortunately, as you know, that all changed on Friday.

I’ve lived in Newtown, CT for the last 4 years and grew up in the neighboring town of Brookfield.  

My brother lives here in Newtown as well, with his wife and two young children. 

My mother is a school psychologist in the neighboring town of Danbury, at an elementary school.

She used to work with Dawn Hochsprung, the principal who lost her life, when Dawn was previously working in her school district. 

So this has hit home…in a big way…

I’ve been on the phone the last few days with colleagues planning some big things to help those affected by this terrible tragedy.  

If you’d like to learn about what we’re planning and would like to help the children, parents, teachers, firefighters, police officers, and everyone else affected by this terrible tragedy then please click on the link below… 
http://bit.ly/VUzyCw


I’ll see you there.

Keep tapping!

Nick Ortner 
 

The Earth seen from Apollo 17. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Happy Solstice!

Many people have expressed an interest to do something meaningful for this much talked about date. This site has a collection of events going on that may be of interest to you.
http://unify.org/?mtcCampaign=22318&mtcEmail=28930201

And then there is the invitation to join the Global Coherence Initiative and participate in their meditation for this special day. Whether you are inclined to join or not I think their letter of invitation holds some excellent points worth pondering.

“Care Focus – Winter Solstice December 21, 2012 and the Full Moon December 28, 2012

Millions of people are anticipating a transformative event on December 21, 2012. This winter solstice is the end-date of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the Mayan Long Count calendar. Many believe it will be the start of a new era of spiritual transformation for the earth and humanity. Groups throughout the world are preparing synchronized meditations and celebrations in Mexico, Egypt, Stonehenge, Maui, and in cities on every continent. The Shift Network is sponsoring Birth2012.com with live feeds broadcast from various global festivals on December 21 and 22, 2012. If you are interested, you can find the location of many of these events at www.Unify.org.

Regardless of what may or may not occur on December 21st, GCI’s position is that when large numbers of people throughout the world (from whatever background) are united in sending love and compassion to the planet and humanity while envisioning a better world, it’s not only beneficial but serves as an underpinning for the consciousness shift humanity is experiencing.

Co-creative transmissions of love and light are giant steps forward in collective maturity and in taking authentic responsibility for our planet (rather than depending on sky-dwellers to come and clean up our messes). However, as we are seen helping ourselves, we magnetize help from unseen places… GCI will continue ongoing research to scientifically validate the effectiveness of these co-creative transmissions on the planetary energetic field in collaboration with other researchers around the world.

It’s prudent to maintain balanced expectations regarding the effects of collective meditations and events, and not hold them accountable for proof of effectiveness on the spot – on Dec 21st or any date. The facilitation from spiritual momentums and alignments usually unfolds over a period of time. Sometimes spiritual experiences or miracles have a little ‘time-release’ attached to them to insure balanced integration. We’re not saying not to expect miracles in these transitional times, but to stay balanced in your anticipations. As we add inner-ease and poise to our expectancies, this reduces disappointments and allows grace to flow. Our highest gifts from spirit often come when we are so heart-focused on what we can add to a situation, that we forget to fret over how we are going to come out or not. Being in our heart with gratitude and humility will draw to each of us the appropriate experience, now or over time – decided by our higher guidance based on what’s best for us as we transition into becoming who we truly are.

To be at ease in our heart is a most effective way to show up in any spiritual initiative or event that the future brings in these uncertain, but adventuresome times. However, if the sky opens up through these times, let’s all take a good peep through the veil and then get on back to Earth and increase our practice each day of being the love that we truly are. This would help to bring sky to street (the intention of the Shift). We have the potential to become the miracles we expect and desire, as we co-create a caring and thriving global community.

We invite you and all GCI members to participate in a Special Care Focus on December 21st through the full moon period (full moon is December 28th) to help amplify the collective love in meditations, positive visions and heart-felt cooperation with other groups and individuals.”

Global Coherence Initiative Website: http://www.glcoherence.org/?mtcCampaign=22318&mtcEmail=28930201

Our inner world determines our outer experience. What we think about, feel and believe colors our perception and as a result, influences our internal and external environment.  A healthy ego is an important and useful aspect of the personality. It helps to manage, organize and run activities of daily life. Unhealthy ego (result of early conditioning and wounding) is not only not helpful but most often the part of ourselves that gets in the way of creating the best possible version of our lives. The problem is in believing that ego is all we are.

When the focus is on ego’s reality, the ego:

- creates reality of isolated, weak and fearful creatures

- wants to define, quantify, measure in order to feel safe, secure and comfortable

- constricts movement of energy

- focuses its desires on things that cannot truly satisfy.

The truth is that we are spiritual beings of incredible potential and power.  Personal growth that includes  healing past wounds and clearing mistaken beliefs helps us to move beyond identifying with pain and our stories so that we become more conscious creators of our world. We cannot reach higher awareness from within the confines of ego. Detaching from the limited perspective of ego allows acceptance of true power.

 Be willing to move beyond group mind:

1. Identify and learn to inhabit a new sense of self
2. Allow your energy to transform to higher levels of consciousness
3. Ground yourself in the familiar because it can be disorienting or frightening
4. Live from your higher self to move beyond past limits and normal ego      awareness.

Quantum physics says that the movement of energy is random until it is observed. Notice the type of energy you send out and receive back from your environment. Your thoughts, powered by emotion, organize energy. Fear is a powerful organizer, as it is easily triggered and can reach a staggering peak in no time. It behooves us to work with mind mastery to control this natural process.

 When you can, choose love. It is stronger than fear.

Choose love often so that it becomes your experience and your new reality!

Our recording Letting Go: The Heart of Healing is a great way to recondition your awareness to live more from the higher mind and release the ego’s compelling pull. You can learn more here: http://bit.ly/RGlRpM

Enjoy peace, love and beauty in action

 **Omit self judgments if you notice these states. We are always learning and we need to continually adopt a persistent attitude of kindness towards the self!

This excerpt is from the Introduction to 12 Keys for Life and Self Mastery–it is part of a bonus session that you can receive with the purchase of any one of the other session.

Positivity is great as long as we hold it appropriately and not use it as a denial mechanism. Used in the latter way positivity backfires and leaves us ill prepared, ill equipped and more vulnerable to challenges. There needs to be a balance with knowing how to remain in strength and balance while not denying what is in front of you or how you are really feeling. This is a skill we learn through practice!

The human journey is complex and in my view requires us to be big enough to hold all aspects of the experience in ways that do not defeat, embitter or constrict us. Bob Hope seems to have been a person who innately knew how to face harsh reality and bring open heartfelt care and joy to the moment. When we are reminded of the harsher aspects of life, when senseless violence rips at the fabric of our Being, or when burdens begin to make us feel small …we need to find the means to remain heart centered, open and expansive with our energy….watching one who appears to have been gifted with such presence can help.