A question that has popped up lately  in client calls as well as MasterMind  groups has been  ”How do I know if I am procrastinating or if I’m following my  inner guidance?”

We are so conditioned to keep moving that it feels foreign when we get the signal to slow down or stop so we can integrate what we’ve learned, plant the seeds we need to plant  or  tend to the tender seedlings.

Our  first inclination is to judge ourselves and try to push forward labeling it ‘procrastination’. Often  our  Higher Self will send the signal to slow down, take  a look here or  connect with this person but we second guess it….even more often if it requires deviating from the timeline of what we think ’should’ be done.

Now  there are times when it is procrastination, like when you really don’t want to do something and suddenly doing the laundry is of vital importance. The key is to tune in enough to tell the difference.

The most basic way to tell the difference is to tune in to the physical triggers , a twitch in your eye, a tightening of your stomach, a relaxing of your shoulders.  Triggers are highly individual but each of us uses one or two of our chakras as a primary operating system identifying which one you operate from will help you  identify where your trigger  is.

In the external world when you get the signal to slow down and you push through often times things just don’t click, it’s a tremendous effort to get things done. On the other hand  when you get the signal to move forward  things just fall into place, you still take the action but there is a distinctive flow to it.

My friend Allison says it’s her Higher Self making sure she has right timing. And that’s really what it’s all about, right timing, not someone else’s timing. We all are so tuned in to the external time frames that we have a hard time  tuning in to the internal ones. Try tuning in and really listening to what your body is telling you, you will be pleasantly surprised.

I recently finished a great book, (easy quick read) The Power of  TED by David Emerald. There is a quote in it ” What determines your destiny is not the hand you are dealt but how you play the hand. And the way to play the hand is to see reality for what it is and to act accordingly”.

At first blush it seems like a take off the rose colored glasses type of statement,(I am quite fond of mine thank you very much) it’s only when you look a little deeper that it is apparent that this is about personal truth. It’s about what you feel called to express and how you chose to do so. Because reality is highly personal, what I see as nirvana; say a hot sunny day at the beach is someone elses nemesis.

So, looking at ‘your hand’ through the lens of what you are creating takes on a new meaning. Others can try to define it for you, if you let them, yet nothing fits like your own unique view. What is the truth of your reality? How are you shaping your destiny? What part of your hand can you look at through a different lens and then act from your inspired soul? Is your energy lined up? or is it scattered and ineffective? Are you fully utilizing your 7 Centers of Influence?

It seems like and innocent little conjunction, three little letters can’t really have that much power…..or can they?

But is most often used as a way to exclude something or introduce doubt. It presents an either or situation.  Example: I want dessert but it’s too many calories .There is also the subconscious buts that exclude us from our dreams and goals. These buts are tied to your belief system, so they really are little gifts for  discovery and healing. Example: I want a successful business….but it will take too much time, …but I’m not really business minded etc.

By changing the language you use you shift the energy. Example: I want dessert and  I’m committed to honoring my body.  I want a successful business and I can define success on my terms.  Both the examples are more expansive and allow the room for possibility. Rather than close us down it opens up the flow for opportunity.

Let’s try this little experiment, be very aware of your wording and each time you use the word ‘but’ rephrase it to a more expansive form, just like the examples above.  When I did this a couple of weeks ago I was very surprised at the number of times I shut myself down and by the end of the week I had moved through a major energy block that had been resisting shifting.

So I invite you to join the experiment and share your rephrases in the comment section below to inspire others.

Most people rush past the very first foundational step to reaching a goal, taking action on a dream, or initiating a change. We are so quick to skim over the energetic foundation in order to get on with the doing and move toward the end result. Often this is done in the interest of time, it’s quicker, or so it seems. In reality more often than not we end up side tracked, stuck, or with a less than hoped for result. By neglecting this step we are self sabotaging our success.

Taking the time to create the space intentionally for your desired outcome prepares the journey vibrationally.  You’re laying an energetic footprint for what you desire. In my work with clients and personally’ doing this one step increases success rates exponentially.

My favorite method is to use the energy from my chakras to create the energetic space. I visualize the qualities and colors from each chakra  forming a container for my goal. When I work with clients we do this together, it is a powerful process.

How do you set the stage for success? Is there a process that you use to create a sacred space for your goal?

Interesting perspective, it really speaks to the whole idea of coming from the heart first. That’s where our connection is most potent. Our ‘why’ really provides us with the inspiration to fuel our dreams and really share our unique gifts in the world. What is your why? How are you expressing it….big, little, not at all?

You hear a lot these days about life purpose. Your ‘why’ , why you do what you do. I think of my ‘why’ as the inspiration that breathes life into all that I do, I didn’t always feel that way.

The thing is,  often we can feel it pulling at us, calling us forward yet we really are not sure what “it” is. Trying to answer the call can be scary, unnerving, and just a plain pain in the butt. It’s that insistent starting out out subtly then getting progressively stronger and harder to ignore. You know that sense of there’s something more, something not yet expressed that needs an outlet.

For many, especially women, most of our lives have been spent nurturing others and along the way we’ve somehow( between the car pool, soccer games, job, and household chores I can’t  imagine how!)lost touch with who we are and what really feeds our soul. The thought of exploring this while tantalizingly appealing can feel like just one more hoop to jump through.

Try this quick fun exercise to begin tuning in to your purpose, your ‘why’.

Think back to when you were a kid. What did you love to do? What did you dream of doing?  Ok, now think about why you loved or dreamed doing  it. This is where the gold is. Look back over your life and see if you can find glimmers of that why in the choices you made.  Make a conscious choice to nurture this in small ways at first and then bigger as you get acclimated to thinking this way.

So what is your ‘why’? How does that relate to purpose for you? I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

This weeks call on the Energy Healing Summit was with  Bonnie Snyder she led us through a fairy tale as a metaphor of our consciousness. It was powerful in the most gentle way.  It was like Bonnie first tucked you in with a warm blanket and a cup of cocoa(ok so I really love chocolate) then allowed us a glimpse of what was possible if we were to connect and really shine in our own lives.

The tale  allowed us to see the ways that we self sabotage with our busy schedules, really dulling our ’sparkle’.  I loved the magic picture technique and have been using it all week. It make  me feel good and I’ve had people ask why I’m smiling so much…I just say I’m a happy girl

Be sure to check out the resources Bonnie shared at the end of the call at www.SerenityPathways.com

What part of the tale resonated with you?

P.S.  if you are not signed up for the series just click the link above to join it’s free.

Wow! What a great call with Marie Diamond. I loved that fresh flowers bring good energy…they are so beautiful and inspire me so a triple positive.  Marie had so many great tips it’s hard to pick  my favorite but if I had to it would be using your LOA number to personalize Feng Shui to your own energy.

I’ve been applying the suggestions the one that really hit home was the vision board layout simple changes yet a noticeable shift in energy. Oh and the reminder that times they are a changing and 5 minute meditation breaks can be just as effective as 2 hr marathons. What was your take away? What resonated for you?  (Or not)

I heard this beautiful song and video and had to share it. I’m ready to spread my wings and fly are you?  Enjoy.

Make me a Butterfly

It all started as a curiosity and a willingness to try, a seed. One that was nurtured with love and determination and a willingness to keep trying, to keep expanding the vision until it became the Big Vision of Olympic Gold.

That’s how it is with our dreams. We start with a curiosity and feed it… or not. So often instead of being willing to fly, to nurture the seed of our dreams, we let fear step in and “keep us safe”. We ignore the quiet self voice inside that says “yes you can” and listen to the critic that says “it’s impossible, who do you think you are?”

Lets turn up the volume on the quiet self and turn down the volume on the critic so we can shine our light and really make a difference iin this world. What’s ONE thing you can do today or this week to move one step closer to your dream?