No wonder you don’t achieve them.

Don’t do that this year. Instead, create soul-aligned New Year’s goals. You intuitively feel these goals are for your highest good or they inspire you.

You are highly likely to achieve soul-aligned goals. You won’t need to resolve to achieve them. You’ll eagerly do so.

What are Soul-Aligned Goals?

Soul-aligned goals are ones you feel spiritually or intuitively directed to achieve. You may have no logical reason to set such goals; you know deep inside that these goals are ones you want to pursue. Or you feel inspired and motivated to pursue them.

Your soul speaks to you through inspiration and intuition. These feelings or experiences are instances when your spiritual nature guides you toward goals that help you achieve your purpose or grow in a necessary way.

You don’t choose soul-aligned goals because someone told you you should achieve them or you believe you will receive acceptance, approval, money, or accolades for doing so. You choose them because you know they are aligned and congruent with who you are, who you want to become, and the positive impact you want to have.

How to Create Soul-Aligned Goals

So, how do you create soul-aligned goals? The following five tips will help ensure you create ones that feed your soul.

1. Follow your intuition

Intuition is “the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference.” Simply said, you know something without knowing how you know it.

Intuition often comes as thought. For instance, you suddenly have the thought to walk into a store—for no logical reason. Or you might receive mental instructions. This self-talk sounds like you, but you don’t seem to have originated the advice. Or you may feel something, like butterflies in your stomach, hairs rising on your arms, happiness, or peace. You might feel fear or discomfort if your intuition is guiding you away from something.

When you get an intuitive hit, follow it! Acting on intuition demonstrates trust in your spiritual guidance.

Intuition is one of the ways your soul or spiritual nature communicates with you. Therefore, if you want to set soul-aligned goals, base them on the intuitive guidance you receive from your soul.

2. Follow your inspiration

Inspiration is another way your soul communicates. Consider inspiration a nudge from your spiritual nature. It’s your soul saying, “Yes! Doing this feeds me. Take this action; it is for your highest good.”

Again, trust your inspiration. Act on it.

When you create goals that inspire you, you align your aspirations with your soul’s guidance. Then, your spiritual nature will continue giving you good reason for moving toward your goal—and inspire you every step of the way.

3. Follow your Passion

Passion is a desirable human emotion. It fuels us and makes us think relentlessly and act consistently in ways that help us pursue our passions.

Imagine someone passionate about horses. They may constantly find ways to be around horses and bore you with their constant chatter about their equine adventures.

You want to feel that way about your goals—passionate. If you do, you will constantly think about and take action to achieve them.

Plus, passion, like inspiration and intuition, is how your soul communicates with you. Passion provides spiritual directions toward involvement in something specific. Pay attention.

4. Follow Your Purpose

Not everyone knows their purpose, but you don’t have to. You can choose one. In all likelihood, you feel strongly about what you chose. Therefore, the purpose might be your “soul” purpose—what you need to accomplish in this lifetime.

When you know or choose your purpose, ensure you feel passionate about it. Combine your passion with your purpose to get inspired. Your passion and purpose are soul-aligned, and your feeling of being inspired indicates this fact.

5. Follow your Vision

What’s your vision for the new year? Where do you see yourself in 12 months or more?

If creating that vision intuitively seems like your next inspired action, you are passionate about that vision, daydream about it all the time, and your goals help you make the vision real, you have a soul-aligned vision and soul-aligned goals.

Without vision, you don’t know where you are going. Goals are the necessary step toward creating the vision. Each time you achieve a goal, no matter how small, you take a step toward creating your vision. You don’t need to move toward it in leaps (huge goals); baby steps do the trick nicely.

You will achieve your goals and create your vision if all these pieces are there. Why? Because they are soul-aligned.

Aspirations Make Perfect Goals

Too often, New Year’s goals lack passion and purpose. They aren’t aspirations that come from intuitive guidance or inspiration. So, we don’t bother accomplishing them.

Set aspirational New Year’s goals based on intuition, inspiration, passion, purpose, and vision. Such goals push you and create fulfillment when achieved.

This year, eliminate goals you feel you should accomplish or were told are appropriate. Follow your intuition, and set your sights on achieving things you feel inspired to accomplish and have the passion to pursue. Set soul-aligned goals that are on purpose.

Then, watch how little resolve you need to achieve them.

What soul-aligned goals will you achieve in the new year? Tell me in a comment below. And please share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.

Image courtesy of moonsafarii.

The post How to Ensure You Create Soul Aligned New Year’s Goals appeared first on Nina Amir.

Humans are spiritual beings. Your spiritual nature makes you a “sourcerer.” You can source information and guidance from your Source.

I did not misspell the word “sourcerer.” I intentionally spelled it that way because I do not necessarily mean you are a “sorcerer.” Yet, the words could be used synonymously.

What is a Sourcerer?

Sourcerers are people who can tap into their spiritual nature or connection to Source. For that reason, they access spiritual guidance at will. They also receive it in an almost continuous flow.

“Source” is synonymous with Creator, Divine Mind, God, or All that Is. Your soul or spirit—your spiritual nature—is always connected to Source.

Unfortunately, many humans don’t have an awareness of their spiritual nature. Many mistakenly seek ways to connect with their soul or Source when, in fact, they are already connected.

When you become conscious of this connection, you can access spiritual guidance and step into being a sourcerer.

What is a Sorcerer?

A “sorcerer” is defined as a person who has occult ways to influence the world around them. As a result, they have been called magicians and witches.

This is not surprising since the word “sorcery” refers to the ability to use supernatural powers, witchcraft, or magic to impact the physical world. In many cases, sorcerers have been thought to use black magic, or dark arts, for evil purposes. In some religious circles, sorcery is considered an attempt to circumvent God’s knowledge and sovereignty and to worship Satan instead.

But what if being a sorcerer meant accessing God’s knowledge rather than circumventing it? What if you could use that ability in positive ways? That would mean sorcerers tap into Divine Mind or access spiritual knowledge directly from Source. Their so-called “magic” arises from their understanding of occult and mystical teachings and practices.

That is the truth of the matter. It’s also why I prefer to spell the word “sourcerer” rather than “sorcerer.” You probably realize that sourcerer and sorcerer are similar terms—if not identical—and can be used interchangeably. Any differences might be semantics, but we can agree that, in some cases, one has a negative connotation.

Become a Sourcerer

I’d like to challenge you to become a sourcerer—to source spiritual guidance or knowledge regularly.

The other day, a young client asked me if it was okay to get a Tarot reading. I emphatically said, “Yes!”

After all, a Tarot reading is a way to gain information from Divine Mind or your guides. However, you ask someone else to source Divine guidance for you.

I qualified my answer: “Why not first source the information by doing a Tarot or oracle card reading for yourself? Then you can confirm it by asking someone else to do a reading for you.”

In other words, become a sourcerer. Be the person who can access Divine guidance by yourself.

If you don’t yet trust the information you receive, seek confirmation outside yourself. After a while, you will develop trust and not need external validation.

Strengthen Your Connection to Source

The same client also asked me how to strengthen her connection with her spiritual nature. I explained that she is always connected to her soul and, therefore, Source. Then I suggested she do the following:

1. Ask her Higher Self, Soul/Spirit, or spiritual nature for guidance. Every day, ask, “What can I do for my highest good?” Then, be aware of the answer. It might come as a subtle message, but note anything that seems like the answer you requested or an intuitive hit.
2. Follow the spiritual guidance you receive. Trust the guidance enough to take action. Many people don’t trust spiritual messages or intuition, so they don’t act on that nudge. The more you take action, the greater your degree of trust in the guidance you receive and the more messages you will receive.
3. Meditate.* Meditation is a way to quiet the mind and begin to hear or notice your spiritual voice or guidance. It’s a practice in listening to your intuition or Source. Once you can do that, you will feel more connected and receive guidance more readily.
4. Practice guided writing. Using paper and pencil (or computer), write, “What can I know today that will help me progress toward my goals (or achieve my purpose)?” You also can ask the same question mentioned above—“What can I do today for my highest good?” Or ask anything you like. Then, write down whatever words come to you. (If you like, take a few deep breaths or meditate before you begin.)
5. Ask for signs. Spiritual guidance comes in many forms. For instance, you may receive signs—like seeing something meaningful written on a license plate, encountering a type of animal or insect, seeing repeated numbers, or hearing a song on the radio. Pay attention! The signs are all around you; notice and interpret them (source the meaning).

Humans are Sourcerers

Practice being a sourcerer. In time, you will experience your connection to Source and receive spiritual guidance frequently and easily.

Keep in mind that, as a human being, you are a sourcerer, even though you may not have been aware of this fact. So adopt this identity, and you will find that sourcing information becomes natural.

You are a spiritual being having a human experience, and your spiritual nature communicates with you constantly. Become aware of this conversation and start participating in it.

Do that, and you can source whatever guidance or information you seek. It’s all within you, not outside of you.

Do you believe you are a sourcerer? Do you source spiritual guidance? Tell me in a comment below. And please share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.

Image courtesy of dotshock.

The post How to Become a Sourcerer and Access Spiritual Knowledge appeared first on Nina Amir.

I’m a Certified High Performance Coach (CHPC®). When I share that designation with people, most have no idea what it means. They ask, “What is Certified High Performance Coaching?”

You may have the same query.

I recently completed my eighth certification in this coaching style. I received my first certification in 2015 from the High Performance Institute in this curriculum created by Brendon Burchard.

That means I’ve been a CHPC for almost a decade.

This most recent certification program reminded me of why I love this style of coaching and the curriculum I’ve been licensed to use. Certified High Performance Coaching is powerful and holistic. Because it is a result-oriented coaching program, clients see results almost immediately.

During certification week, we role-play the coaching sessions in 20 minutes rather than an hour. I’m always amazed at people’s insights and what can be accomplished in one-third of a regular session, which is typically an hour long. For example, I realized how fear is holding me back in my business.

Although I’ve shared a lot about Certified High Performance Coaching on this site, it’s been a long time since I wrote a post about Certified High Performance Coaching—what it is and what makes it different from other types of coaching. Given how jazzed I’ve been since completing the certification, I thought it was time to do so again.

What is Certified High Performance Coaching?

Certified High Performance Coaching is a form of personal development or growth that helps anyone reach higher levels of effectiveness and success in both personal and professional life arenas. It’s focused on helping you become the best version of yourself.

In the context of Certified High Performance Coaching, “high performance” means developing the behaviors and mindsets that help you succeed beyond standard norms consistently over the long term while maintaining positive well-being and relationships. In other words, high performance is about rising above your current success level in any given area of life—not someone else’s success level. High performance is not about working harder or for more hours. Often, it’s about working smarter or doing less better. And it’s about finding life balance. Certified High Performance Coaching helps you succeed at work and home, improve your relationships, become healthier, and make space for your hobbies and friends.

Businesspeople and Olympic athletes aren’t the only ones who need higher performance levels. Increased performance levels also help new moms, college students, CEOs and CFOs, dancers, writers, or engineers. In other words, higher performance supports anyone who desires more success and wants to live fully and up to their potential.

Unique Focus of Certified High Performance Coaching

Certified High Performance Coaching is a science-backed, results-oriented, proven coaching curriculum that focuses on empowering questions, developing supportive habits, creating helpful mindsets, and using specific outcome-based tools to help clients become who they need to be to reach their next level of success.

Most coaching programs are not curriculum-based. The Certified High Performance Coaching program includes 12 core sessions and then progresses through another three sets of 12 sessions. CHPCs certified at least four times have access to all 48 sessions. (I have access to all the sessions.)

Each Certified High Performance Coaching session is focused on a specific topic and result, like becoming more productive, increasing energy, or gaining clarity. Someone who hires a Certified High Performance Coach could meet weekly with a coach for a year and never repeat a session.

Certified High Performance Coaching is nothing like “life coaching,” which is client-driven rather than outcome-driven. That’s one reason clients report high satisfaction with Certified High Performance Coaching programs—they get results.

A Coaching Program that Yields High Levels of Client Satisfaction

The High Performance Institute sought proof of client satisfaction. It teamed with a third-party company to track 37,603 Certified High Performance Coaching sessions in 173 countries delivered by CHPCs. They discovered that the average client satisfaction rating for Certified High Performance Coaching was 9.6 out of 10—the highest score ever recorded for any multi-month coaching program.

This satisfaction score is why one of my clients worked with me for three years. She enjoyed every session, even when I asked her tough questions, and she transformed her professional and personal life so much she could hardly recognize either one. She was a different person when she completed coaching with me; she became the type of person who could do all the things she wanted to do to create a balanced and successful life.

A Totally Different Type of  Coaching Program

A few things make Certified High Performance Coaching different from other types of coaching.

• Because most coaching programs have no curriculum, they often provide little value. However, Certified High Performance Coaching uses a world-class, proven, results-oriented, research-based curriculum; therefore, value is built into the program.
• Most other coaching programs offer unclear outcomes. Certified High Performance Coaching provides a clear outcome—high performance. Plus, each session works toward a specific result.
• Most other coaching programs are listening-based. Certified High Performance Coaching is question and challenge-based.
• Most other coaching programs are client-driven. Certified High Performance Coaching is curriculum- and results-driven; each session includes training and education and aims to achieve a specific goal.

Proof that Certified High Performance Coaching Provides Results

Burchard, the High Performance Institute researchers, and graduates from the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at the University of Pennsylvania developed a scale, called the High Performance Indicator (HPI), to measure the factors that matter most in predicting individual high performance as defined as long-term success. Based on research and proven performance improvement methods, the HPI is the world’s first validated assessment on high performance created and backed by a high performance coach (Burchard) who has over a decade in the field.

The HPI, the largest and most comprehensive high performance study ever conducted, analyzed over 100 human performance variables in six key categories proven to relate to a person’s long-term success potential. The researchers found that the HPI correlates strongly with external measures of success (sales performance, academic GPA performance, executive promotion odds, business unit financial success) and important life outcomes like happiness, health, positive relationships, and confidence.

There’s more to the science of Certified High Performance Coaching. A report was published that offers much more information on the HPI. Remember, this assessment measures the habits that lead to long-term success across domains. It’s comprised of six sub-scales that separately measure clarity, energy, necessity, productivity, influence, and courage.

The two studies had a total of 174,054 participants and showed that the HPI was predictive of several important life outcomes:

• happiness
• confidence
• education level
• perceived excellence
• life satisfaction
• quality of interpersonal relationships
• work quality
• career impact
• income

Indeed, high performance is about leveling up every area of life. Certified High Performance Coaching clients experience a positive impact in many areas.

Certified High Performance Coaching Clients Get Results

I’ve seen this with my clients. For instance, they may be writers who want to become more productive. After a few Certified High Performance Coaching sessions, they begin exercising regularly, decluttering their homes, and spending more time with friends and on hobbies. However, they also start writing consistently, which makes them more productive. One writer went from writing inconsistently (at best) to completing his manuscript and publishing it.

My clients who are professional dancers want more confidence. Yet, they start meditating daily, using a planner to organize their days, and reducing the time they spend looking at screens on their phones, computers, and tablets. And…they find themselves moving to the front during daily dance classes, boldly learning choreography, auditioning for parts…and getting them. I worked with a 17-year-old dancer who lacked confidence; three months later he had landed a professional job in another country.

The entrepreneurs and business people I work with tell me they want to increase their income or bring in more clients. They create more downtime, revamp their calendars and schedules, and pursue long-forgotten passions. Plus, they also implement new work habits that make them more effective and plan how to persuade team members and potential clients, which helps them become better leaders and land new accounts consistently. I began working with a doctor during COVID. She was overwhelmed and exhausted. She found ways to let go of jobs she didn’t enjoy, prioritize a work project she valued, step out of her introversion and begin speaking at conferences and on podcasts, and even buy a new house (which she previously didn’t think she could do), adopt a cat, and make time for tennis with friends, travel with her family, and paddle boarding with her daughter.

What are High Performance Habits?

Since Burchard published High Performance Habits, “high-performance habits” have become concrete goals in personal development—especially in Certified High Performance Coaching. After his research studies, he wrote his book and discussed the fact that high performers have six distinct habits. They are:

1. Seek Clarity
2. Generate Energy
3. Raise Necessity
4. Increase Productivity
5. Develop Influence
6. Demonstrate Courage

Surprisingly, these habits were already part of the Certified High Performance Coaching curriculum that Burchard created and that his coaches were already using. These are intentional habits developed consciously to increase performance. And that’s the result when used consistently.

A Long-Term Impact Program

Many coaching programs provide only short-term results. The impact coaches have on clients doesn’t last.

This especially can be true if the coach doesn’t focus on getting results, helping the client change mindset and habits, or using specific tools to help get results.

That isn’t the case when working with a CHPC. While they may act as your cheerleader, you pay a CHPC to challenge you to change…to level up. And the changes you implement while working with the coach last.

Of course, like any coaching program, you only get results if you do the work. However, if you apply your insights from Certified High Performance Coaching sessions, consistently take actions that result in new habits and mindsets, and use the tools provided, you will achieve more in 12 or 24 weeks than you have in the last 12 months…or years. And you will enjoy your life. You will become a high performer.

Now that you understand what Certified High Performance Coaching is, are you ready to hire a coach and begin leveling up? If so, click here to apply today. (Scroll down that page to find the application). And please share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.

Image courtesy of dotshock.

The post What is Certified High Performance Coaching? appeared first on Nina Amir.

I was recently asked, “How do we create unity during a time of immense division?” I didn’t have a good answer.

Truthfully, I had no answer at all.

I received this query after sharing my thoughts on the recent U.S. presidential election. The result? More division.

Since then, I’ve been contemplating this question…a lot. I didn’t want to create more division, even though I couldn’t see a way to bridge the gap between the two opposing political sides.

After much thought…and struggle writing this post, I have come up with a few strategies. Try one or more. See if they prove helpful.

What is Division?

First, let’s understand what we are talking about. The term “division” is thrown around a lot. What does it mean?

Division is “the action of separating something into parts or the process of being separated.” It is also “disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension or hostility.”

When two or more groups of people feel separate or disagree, this creates division. Of course, two individuals also can feel divided.

You currently see division related to politics and election results in the U.S. However, it’s present in many other areas of life and not confined to America or Americans. People are divided over wars, religion, gender issues, and reproductive rights, for example.

Conversely, unity is defined as “the state of being united or joined as a whole.”

Humanity is joined as a whole; we are one. Since humans are spiritual beings in physical bodies, the spiritual part of all of us—spirit or soul—is connected to Source. We are part and parcel of All that Is.

Yet, humans create division by seeing opposing parts or groups as separate and different.

We are One

That fact provides a great place to start working on unity. When you feel the most division, remember that we are all spiritual beings connected to Source. It’s only as human beings that we experience division.

When you feel separate, different, or divided, look at those you all “other” and remember they are connected to you on a spiritual level. Know that only their human nature—and yours—causes the division you feel.

A Unity Church minister once asked the congregation, which included me, to turn to the person sitting behind, look them in the eye, and say, “I see the Christ in you.” This exercise was meant to acknowledge that person’s potential to be a Christed or enlightened being. She wanted us to look into the window of the soul—the eyes—and recognize the spiritual self within that person. This required seeing beyond the human form.

Try this exercise if you want to experience more unity—even with those you see as different. Look into their eyes and see that there is, indeed, a spiritual being inside a human body.

Don’t Create Division

To create more unity, stop creating division. The more you feel like “us” versus “them,” and the more you speak in those types of terms, the more division you feel and create.

Remember, we are all spiritual beings having a human experience. We also all chose to be here at this time in human evolution.

There must be some reason that we are going through this life experience…and we are going through it together, even if we are standing on different sides of the playing field.

To some extent, we are all on the same team—even if it doesn’t look like it.

Feel Gratitude

Supposedly, humanity is on the cusp of a huge up-leveling in consciousness. Experts say we will soon enter an age of unity. Many say we must first go through a period of division so we see and feel the contrast. Then, we can experience unity.

And the experience of immense division helps us choose unity. As we do so, we will find ways to come together.

If you are aware that this is a stage in humanity’s evolution, you can feel gratitude for the process. You can feel thankful for the division because it is a way to get to unity.

You can even feel thankful for the people with whom you disagree. Without that contrast, you wouldn’t have the opportunity to raise your consciousness and gain more clarity on what you truly want and believe.

Don’t Argue

Don’t argue your point with those who see things differently. Sometimes, doing so is an exercise in futility and creates more division.

If someone truly wants to discuss differences with an open mind, have that conversation. Otherwise, opt out.

Also, don’t seek out people with different opinions, wag your finger at them, or try to make your perspective known. That is a surefire way to create division.

Stop Making Others Wrong

It’s easy to make someone wrong for their perspective. You disagree; therefore, you take the stance that you are right and they are wrong. Obviously, that right vs. wrong stance creates division.

Sometimes, your conviction is so strong you cannot get away from believing you are right. You might even believe you must express your belief to create change. But this can push people away and create more division.

The need to be right causes many problems and is not a way to grow personally or spiritually. Counteract the desire to be right in two ways.

First, ask yourself, “Would I rather be right or happy?” I want to be happy, and I bet you do, too! Therefore, I don’t argue with people about whose perspective is right or wrong.

Second, I step back and observe like a scientist or researcher. I hear other perspectives and listen to different opinions—even watch actions. Then, I mentally respond, “Interesting. Let’s see how that works out for them.”

The late Stuart Wilde would watch world events and say, “Interesting evolutionary experience.” No judgment. Just detached observance. That’s a more unifying approach.

You can’t create division when you have no judgment and are detached. And, you see humanity as one but with different factions making different choices.

Don’t Engage

When your opinion differs from someone else’s, engaging in conversations you inherently know will cause division is often tempting. After all, you want to prove your point and get the other person to see your perspective.

You want to be right.

It is best not to engage in such conversations. I don’t seek them out; instead, I actively avoid them.

This strategy may not bridge the gap but ensures you don’t create more division. That is a step toward unity.

Be Curious

A great way to create unity is to become curious about the other side’s perspective. Have conversations with those whose points of view are different from yours, but do so with an open mind and a massive degree of curiosity.

Ask a lot of questions. Be a good listener. Don’t try to convince, only to learn. Do not judge.

The more you understand, the less division you will feel—and possibly create.

Remember not to share your perspective or push your opinion on others. If they ask, you can answer their questions.

Love When Others Hate

I’m not about to tell you to love someone who expresses hate or whose perspectives, behaviors, or choices are harmful to you or others. I will ask you to love more.

Counteract hate by being someone who loves and expresses love. Demonstrate and feel your love for family and friends at a deeper level. Find ways to be more loving.

Smile at people. Let cars into your lane when driving in traffic. Hold doors open for others. Say, “Good morning,” and smile at people. Tip generously. Be patient with sales clerks. Buy a stranger a cup of coffee. Wave at people on the street.

I have a neighbor who runs on the side of a busy road and waves at each passing car. She began this during the COVID pandemic and then continued. Her wave brightens people’s lives…and makes them feel as if they know and are connected to her. That’s unity.

You also can send love energetically to those with whom you disagree. That will go further to creating unity than hating them. (Also, send love to the world, war zones, or to whomever you feel needs it.)

As you put more love into the world, you change the vibration of the collective consciousness. Your energy shifts the energy on the planet as well.

Find Your People

Instead of focusing on division, place your attention on the unity you already experience. Maybe you are part of a men’s group or a charitable organization. Of course, you may have family or a friend group.

If you don’t have such unifying connections, find like-minded people to help you feel part of a group. Join a club, volunteer at a rescue organization, or go to a religious service. Be a part of something.

Groups offer unity. Being part of a group makes you feel a sense of unity within yourself and the world, which radiates outward and creates more unity.

Joining a movement or finding like-minded people to hang out with creates unity. Maybe it doesn’t create unity for the whole, but you will put out the energy of unity. That creates a ripple effect.

Come together with those with whom you feel aligned. If you take up a cause, like equal rights for all genders, you will feel aligned and unified with the others in that group.

But be careful about how you share this cause. Don’t do so with anger or from a place of victimhood. Do so with care, love, and unification in mind. And be aware that if that group positions itself against another, the group—and you—create more division.

Provide a Unifying Frequency

We live in an energetic physical world. The frequency with which each human being vibrates impacts not only those that person encounters but the whole.

It takes a much smaller number of individuals operating at high positive frequencies to outweigh a much larger number operating at lower negative frequencies. In other words, a few people with positive energy can shift the negative energy put out by many.

I believe the same holds true of unity. Suppose enough of us show up with a high frequency created by focusing on unity. In that case, we can counter the frequency of division.

The Middle Way

My Buddhist neighbor is able to hold space for Americans on both sides of the political aisle. From her perspective, it’s possible to “honor the Middle Way” and avoid creating division in your heart by withholding judgment.

Buddhists see the Middle Way as a path that avoids extremes and seeks to find balance in life. Division is often created by extreme viewpoints. And these tend to create imbalance in people’s lives and the world.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this Buddhist strategy. Not everyone can manage to walk this path—I know I have not always managed to do so. But it’s something to strive for, is it not?

Even mall acts and changes in perspective can help create unity. Create unity within and without in whatever way possible. As a result, you will reduce the division you—and others—experience.

How do you think we can create unity during a period of immense division? Tell me in a comment below, and share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.

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On November 6, 2024, the day after Election Day, the American minority grieved the loss of their vision for the future. Many suddenly felt afraid, troubled, and powerless. Over a week later, they continue to struggle with their emotions and to find a way to move forward.

Some have felt unsafe expressing their feelings. Thus, they have suffered alone.

For this reason, I want to share how I have dealt with Kamala Harris’ loss to Donald Trump. I trust doing so will support those who feel challenged, alone, afraid, or stuck.

The Day After

The day after the 2024 U.S. election, I mourned.

I wore black.

I was angry.

I was scared.

I was disappointed.

Why? Because more than half of Americans chose to vote for someone whose values, ethics, and morals represents the opposite of those I hold dear and those I believed the majority of U.S. citizens held as well. Until that day, I had faith in Americans and their ability to elect someone worthy of the presidency who would uphold democracy and see the path to a better future for all.

So, I shared my feelings on Facebook despite knowing I’d get backlash, which I did. (I rarely post about politics or my political views on social media for this reason.) And I shared what others were sharing, taking heart in the fact that I was not alone and that other’s words could speak for me.

Then, I texted with friends. I reached out to my children and had conversations with friends and family.

I spoke about my feelings and listened to theirs. We all expressed our viewpoints and tried to understand those who voted differently and how they could have cast their votes as they did.

When asked to join a group conversation to commiserate, I declined. I knew I had spent enough time in the negative emotions and future casting. I had spent the entire morning focused on the election results and my feelings and thoughts about that outcome.

I was ready to move on as best I could.

Moving On

That’s my way.

Get it all out.

Process.

Then move forward with positive energy and outlook as quickly as possible.

So, I exercised. Moving my body helps me shift my energy and focus. The endorphins produced also changed my mood.

I showered and washed all that negativity and fear off.

I got dressed, did my hair, and put on makeup.

I went to my desk and focused my attention on being of service. Helping others helps me.

I coached the members of my Inspired Creator Community and Nonfiction Writers’ University programs and a college student. They all went deep into their challenges—but we kept the election out of the conversation. We took a deep dive into personal and spiritual growth.

Focusing My Attention

After those sessions, I made conscious decisions about where to focus my attention. And I chose to take intentional actions.

I committed to surrounding myself with people who are like-minded, conscious, growing, and positive. I made lunch dates with two friends.

After that, I turned my attention to the spiritual teachings and perspectives of those I trust. I also called on my own knowledge and intuition.

I became present to the possibility that this electoral outcome might be necessary for our evolution. Humanity is in the process of a massive transformation in consciousness (a significant topic I won’t go into here). We may have to experience true darkness before we live in the light. A few other spiritual teachers echoed this insight.

Over the next week, I was given opportunities to place my name on petitions and donate to groups that would fight for the rights of those the next administration might impact. I did that over and over again, trying to do my little bit…more than I should have possibly done before the election.

I was also given the chance to speak up and defend myself. I began to feel a moral responsibility to share my perspective and address those who felt the need to call me out for it. (More on this in my next post.)

Choosing Perspective.

We all see the world from our unique viewpoints. Yet, we can choose a perspective that helps us most at any given time.

At this point in my process, I reiterated what I had acknowledged in my earlier conversation. From my perspective, the next four years—possibly longer—have the possibility of being challenging in many ways. They could be scary for many, including some of my friends and family.

Despite my tendency to look at the positive side of things, I am not one to hide my head in the sand or be a Pollyanna. I watch the news; I stay informed.

However, I am someone who chooses to be realistic and see the truth of what is happening around me or in the world. At the same time, I also believe in possibility and positive outcomes and always try to find a silver lining (if I can).

Therefore, I chose—and continue to choose—to look to the light…to a potentially positive future.

Doing this made me feel better. It continues to make me feel better.

6 Ways to Process and Heal After the Election

I trust my experience and process serve some of you in a small way or give you permission to go through your own.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t leave you with some suggestions for moving through what, for many of us, has been a difficult and emotional week—and could be a difficult and emotional four years. Plus, I’d like to offer ways you might move forward into this next presidential term with a bit more ease and peace.

So, here they are:

1. Try to remain positive.

We create what we focus on, so try not to place your attention on fears and negative future projections for long.

We don’t know what will happen in the future. I admit that some of what I’ve written in this post is a negative projection. But I don’t do that all day long. I turn my attention to what is good in my life, feeling gratitude, loving my family and friends, and being of service to others.

2. Stay informed, but don’t over-consume news.

Knowing what is happening in your country and the world is important. But spend your time on something other than such reports. Over-consumption of news sets you up to feel anxious.

Pick and choose what information you consume and for how long. If you find the news upsetting, you can always take a break for as long as necessary.

3. Help in ways that feel comfortable to you.

We can all do our part to create change. Don’t let the fact that you tried with your vote and didn’t succeed stop you from continuing to try.

You don’t have to be an activist to put your name on petitions you believe will make a difference. You can send money to a political action committee or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

You can also volunteer for local organizations that support population groups whose rights are in danger.

Or increase your vibration by finding ways to feel good. Your energy has a ripple effect and can help shift the collective energy.

4. Be a force for good.

I won’t tell you to love and accept anyone or anything. Recognizing and pointing out lies and wrongdoing can be a way of doing good in the world if done with love. And you have the right to set boundaries around who you let into your life.

And I’m not going to tell you to stop finding good in the world. It still exists. The more often you bring that to light, the more you help others see good.

The world needs light workers, healers, conscious entrepreneurs, spiritual teachers, and truth seekers now more than ever. So, focus on being a force for good.

5. Be good to yourself.

Follow Vivian’s (Julia Roberts) advice to her best friend in the movie Pretty Woman: “Take care of you.”

Be good to yourself. Allow yourself to feel all the feels. Engage in self-care. Spend time with people who can support and uplift you.

It’s okay to feel sad, disappointed, betrayed, worried, and like an outlier in a nation filled with so many who seem okay with the election results and the president-elect’s agenda.

I have felt all of that and still do to some extent. When the feelings arise again, I acknowledge, express, and process them. Then, I move on.

Stop wasting your energy on worry; instead, put it toward creating what you desire. Take bold action wherever possible.

Don’t stuff your emotions or drown them in food, alcohol, or drugs. Please, don’t get stuck in them either. Find ways to feel and process your feelings with a coach, therapist, friend, or support group.

Then, find a way to happiness, gratitude, and trust. If you don’t, you will sink into depression and hopelessness.

It’s impossible to be a light from that dark place. In fact, if you go there with your emotions and energy and remain stuck, you can’t be a force for good. Instead, you add to the collective dis-ease and negative vibration. If you can find ways to pull yourself up, you raise your energy, and humanity will feel that shift.

6. Speak up for what you believe.

Don’t let those who will criticize, judge, or threaten you stop you from speaking up. That is their way of keeping you quiet.

America needs people to speak up. Humanity needs more spokespeople.

I’m not telling you to stick your neck out if you fear for your life, job, or mental and emotional health. Again, “Take care of you.”

But if you have something to say and have the courage to say it, do so. Or support someone or an organization who can say it for you.

Be a Light of Optimism, Faith, Truth, and Service

Stand strong in your convictions, values, morals, and ethics. Believe me, I know this can feel hard, especially when so many are quick to react in ways that may feel judgmental. I am just learning to move past this.

But you are not alone. (I am here.)

Don’t let anyone tell you your feelings aren’t appropriate or that your political views are wrong. Don’t allow others to say you shouldn’t feel grief, fear, disappointment, anger, or hopelessness. Don’t let them tell you that you are not spiritual because of your perspective or feelings.

Be you.

Be a light.

Be a force for good.

I’ll end this post by quoting bits of Harris’ concession speech because I can’t say it any better.

“…it is okay to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it’s going to be okay…The important thing is don’t ever give up, don’t ever give up, don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place…do not despair…I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time…let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars—the light, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service.”

Be a brilliant star.

How are you feeling after the 2024 U.S. election, and how can I support you? Comment below, and share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.

And if you are struggling, reach out to me.

Image courtesy of feedough.

The post How to Process and Heal after the 2024 U.S. Election appeared first on Nina Amir.

Have you ever suddenly realized you feel like yourself…again? You may not have realized you didn’t feel like yourself before that moment. Or maybe you are conscious of the fact that you don’t feel like yourself but don’t know how to change that experience.

In either case, I’ve got good news for you. There are some fabulous ways to get back to a state of feeling like yourself. And they are pretty straightforward, as well.

Not Feeling Like Myself

For at least a decade, I had a vague feeling—maybe even a conscious understanding—that I wasn’t feeling like myself. Something was a bit off, and I had some ideas about what was causing the problem.

Yet, I didn’t do much about it. So, no surprise, nothing changed.

Then, I decided to do something I hadn’t done in a long time… I decided to take some solid steps toward being a writer and author again.

Since I was a young child, I have been a writer. In high school, I began receiving publishing credits in newspapers. I went on to study magazine journalism in college, and all my “real” jobs involved writing and editing. Plus, I freelanced for a variety of publications. Later, I went on to write my own books and publish them traditionally and independently. I became an author.

Then, I hit a wall. The reasons aren’t important, but I stopped writing (except blog posts). I focused on building a business around my existing books, making money, and coaching.

I guess you could say, “I lost myself.” But I didn’t feel “lost” as much as “not myself”—like I was being someone else. I wasn’t doing anything characteristic of my identity as a writer (other than blogging).

Also, I wasn’t riding horses, and I’ve always had the identity of “equestrian.” Plus, I wasn’t pursuing my more metaphysical and esoteric interests or expressing those beliefs; I’d always called myself the “woo-woo lady.”

So, I wasn’t being myself. I wasn’t expressing what I would call my true identity. No wonder I didn’t feel like myself.

My Identity Shift

Until I had an identity shift. I switched back to “writer”—more than coach or entrepreneur. How? I committed to completing a book proposal and finding a new literary agent. And I kept that commitment to myself.

I pursued publishing deals for two other book projects. Additionally, I asked for and received the rights to one of my books, which was no longer in print with the existing publisher. Then, I met with a publishing colleague to discuss bringing this book back to market.

Finally, just this past week, I re-released a revised and expanded version of one of the books in my Write Nonfiction NOW! Series—the Guide to Writing a Book in 30 Days. I self-published this in both a print and ebook version. This was the first time I went through this process without assistance in a decade and the first time I’d published a new book in four years.

Additionally, I focused attention on my spiritual interests. I even recreated most of the curriculum in my Inspired Creator Community program to reflect my passions and beliefs. This allowed me to share a new coaching style and content that will eventually go into another book project.

Last, I contacted a horse rehab center that also offers trail rides. I have yet to ride, but I can go and pet horses or watch riders. Eventually, I’ll be given a chance to ride as well.

Three Steps to Finally Being Yourself

Let’s break down what I did and how you can take the same three steps and finally feel like yourself again.

1. Remember your identity.

Your identity is not fixed. It changes over time, and you can alter it intentionally. However, parts of your identity are inherent to who you are.

For example, I have identified as a writer most of my life. I even chose a career related to writing. Plus, writing is my unique gift, and I believe it’s how I fulfill my purpose in this lifetime.

I’ve also identified as an equestrian and a woo-woo lady for much of my life. I started riding when I was seven years old. I began exploring metaphysics and esoteric traditions in my late 20s.

These gifts, passions, and interests have molded who I believe I am—my identity. I don’t feel like myself when I don’t express these identities.

Therefore, the first step to feeling like yourself again is to identify your most prevalent identities.

• Who are you?
• Who do you believe you are?
• Who were you in the past that you aren’t now?
• Who do you miss being?
• Who were you being when you felt the most like yourself?

Once you have remembered these identities, you know who you must be to feel like yourself again. Your mindsets and behaviors will then align with your identity.

2. Identify your passions, interests, and gifts.

I feel most like myself when I am pursuing my passions, interests, and gifts. As I shared, these are horses, metaphysics and esoteric teachings, and writing. I am also happy, centered, and energized when I am involved in these activities.

What are your passions, interests, and gifts? You need to identify them.

If you believe you don’t have any, think again. In fact, think back to the past.

• What used to jazz you?
• What floated your boat?
• What couldn’t you stop talking about?
• What did you want to do all the time?
• What were you good at?
• What did people come to you for help with because they knew you were good at it?
• What activities made you feel happy, energized, and fulfilled?

These passions, interests, and gifts are what you need to pursue again. They likely align with the identities you remembered in the previous step. If not, they are related to past identities, and getting involved with them again will help you feel more like yourself.

3. Take action.

What would the “old” you do with this information? Or what actions would the you that feels like yourself take consistently and regularly?

You need to do that to finally feel like yourself again.

Remember, I identified as a writer. So, I started writing and publishing again. I considered myself the woo-woo lady, so I began sharing my knowledge and beliefs personally and professionally. And I identified as an equestrian, so I sought a way to be around horses and ride again.

If you want to finally feel like yourself again, follow these three steps. Before you know it, you’ll be “you” again.

In what ways can you start feeling like yourself again? Tell me in a comment below, and share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.

The post Three Fabulous Ways to Finally Feel Like Yourself Again appeared first on Nina Amir.

Stop hoping you will create your desires, change your circumstances, or become the person you want to (and know you can) be. Hope is a surefire way to ensure you never achieve such goals.

When you hope, you imply doubt, which slows down or negates your ability to create what you want. It’s a mixed message: “I want to achieve this goal but doubt I will.”

The Universe responds, “Okay…you say you want this thing but don’t believe you can have it. So, we won’t help you create it.”

But if you trust that you can create your desire or achieve your goal, you transform doubt into faith. That’s when your message becomes clear: “I desire this and have faith—know and believe—I will create it.”

The Universe responds: “Yes. It is yours.”

And you affirm that you can co-create what matters most to you.

The Meaning of Hope, Trust, and Faith

Let’s explore these words in more depth.

Standard definitions say hope is “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” When you say, “I hope ____ will happen,” you imply that maybe it won’t. You may want and expect that thing to enter your life, but you aren’t 100 percent sure it will. You assume or believe it will, but in both cases, you have no proof or certainty that it will happen.

On the other hand, trust is a “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.” This word implies little doubt. After all, a belief is something you “accept as true and feel is the truth.” So, when you say, “I trust I will create ___,” you indicate that you know this to be true and a reliable fact…and you or a Higher Power have the ability and strength to make it so.

Faith is defined as “complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” If you have faith that you will create your desires, change your circumstances, and become the person you want to be, you have no doubt. You have gone beyond belief and now know what you want is coming to you. You trust that you can create it and that Source will conspire to help you.

Trust Transforms Doubt

By now you realize that replacing the word “hope” with “trust” removes doubt and instills confidence. Trust opens you to all the miracles and possibilities available to you because you have certainty.

So, stop saying, “I hope…” This applies not only to what you hope for yourself but for others, too.

When you call a friend, don’t say, “I hope you are well.” Instead, say, “I trust you are well.”

That sentence possesses more creative power because you don’t doubt it is true. You are clear in your wish for that person.

Not only that, you don’t pass the energy of doubt on to someone else. Instead, you pass on trust, knowing, and belief. You give them a dose of faith.

Remove Hope From Your Vocabulary

I removed the word hope from my vocabulary about six months ago when a coach I know wrote about doing the same. Given my love for language, I spent time understanding that word and shared that understanding with you in this post.

I know the power of words and thoughts. They are creative tools. So, I use words that focus my thoughts on what is possible and what I intend.

If I continue to say, “I hope…,” it’s like saying, “Maybe?” or “Perhaps?” (Note the question mark to indicate the tone of those words…the doubt they possess that something will come to pass.)

Increase Your Trust in Source and Self

When you hope, you lack trust in the Universe and how it works. You lack belief in Source or in yourself. And you lack faith in yourself and your ability to create what you desire.

If you feel you’ve lost spiritual faith, try trusting the Universe. Affirm that you trust Source to bring you whatever is for your highest good.

In the process of trusting Source, you increase trust in yourself. You contain a spark of Divinity. You are a spiritual being having a human experience. Your spiritual nature is always connected to Source. So, if you trust Source, you trust yourself.

Offer Clear Messages of Trust

I trust you will drop the word hope from your spoken language and thoughts. Do that, and your language will demonstrate faith in the Universe. Your increased trust in yourself and in Source will cause you to believe you can and know you will create what you desire.

Trust will transform your doubt into faith.

Do you use the word hope or trust when you speak about your desires? Comment below, and share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.

Image courtesy of olegdudko.

The post How to Transform Doubt Into Faith appeared first on Nina Amir.

I have a terrible habit of saving things for a sunny day. But I’ve decided that’s a broken strategy. After all, that sunny day may never come…or I might not be alive when the clouds part.

Maybe you can relate.

Or maybe you are thinking, “Save for a sunny day? I thought the adage was to save for a rainy day.”

You are right, but some people save for a sunny day. Let me explain.

Saving for a Rainy Day

The advice to “save for a rainy day” typically is applied to money. A rainy day represents some adverse circumstance. You save money for emergencies, loss of income, and unexpected expenses.

This advice assumes you won’t have the necessary money if you don’t save for a rainy day. In other words, you won’t make enough money or invest money that grows your income to be financially okay if something financially straining happens. Thus, it’s based in lack consciousness.

Additionally, saving for a rainy day is advice based on a belief that a time will come—a rainy day—when you need that money. It’s negative thinking. And, since thoughts are creative, a focus on saving for a rainy day eventually will bring about a downpour—a time when you need money for some emergency or situation.

Saving for a Sunny Day

It is possible to save other things besides money for a rainy day. I have known people who save rubber bands, used tin foil, and clothing they don’t fit into…just in case they need them.

And others—like me—save for a sunny day. We save things for the right time, special occasions, or appropriate circumstances. This is like only using the china dinnerware when company comes or on holidays. The rest of the year, it’s off-limits. It’s not for ordinary use.

I treat some jewelry, clothes, shoes, and jackets like sacred objects. They are only allowed out in public on the most special of occasions…and sometimes not even then. They definitely are not for ordinary use.

I love to purchase these items because they make me feel fabulous to wear them. Yet, I only wear them if someone is around to see them or for special occasions.

That’s not because I want compliments or to show them off. I think of them as “special” and shouldn’t be worn around the house on an ordinary or regular day…and just for me.

Love Yourself Enough to Use the Good China

But I have decided to stop doing that. After all, if I don’t believe I am worthy of sporting my finery—just for myself, that’s an issue I need to work on. I need to love myself enough to eat off the good china…and wear my special earrings and clothes for no other reason than that I want to, they make me feel good, and doing so makes me happy.

But, until recently, I’ve had a lot of reasons to save things for a sunny day. Let me run through a few.

I’ll ruin them.

If I always wear my favorite clothing items, something will happen to them—and then I won’t have them to wear, or they won’t look good any longer. For instance, I might stain them, they might shrink when washed, the dog might tear them, or I might wear them out.

These things have happened to my favorite clothes, and I hate it when it does.

As for jewelry, I worry I’ll lose an earring or necklace or break a bracelet or stone. Again, this has happened to me, much to my dismay. I simply don’t want it to happen again…especially to the pieces I love the most or that have sentimental value. And this has happened to me, too.

I won’t be able to replace them.

I have spent countless hours searching for replacements for lost jewelry and ruined clothes. I sometimes buy two of the same pieces of clothing I like for this reason…and then don’t wear either one because I am keeping them for a special occasion.

I have a ton of crystal jewelry because I adore crystals and wear them for their beauty and powerful healing qualities.

Supposedly, when a crystal breaks, it releases energy. So, no biggie…right? Just let it go.

Well, not in my book. That’s a reason to find another one just like it! But that rarely happens, and I’m left scrolling the internet to find a replacement—especially if the piece matches some other piece of jewelry or clothing.

They are for special occasions.

I’m typically a discount shopper; I learned this from my mother. But there are one or two brands of expensive clothes I love and treat myself to from time to time.

The same is true for jewelry. I am a collector, but much of what I own is not valuable. Every once in a while, though, I buy a pair of earrings or a bracelet, ring, or pendant that is more expensive.

And then what happens? You guessed it. I save them for a special occasion. I deem them “too good or expensive” to wear for a typical day. I reason that, since I paid a lot for them, I should save them for times when wearing something more expensive is appropriate.

Saving for a Sunny Day is a Broken Strategy

There is a powerful reason why saving for a sunny day represents a broken strategy. Your fears create the circumstances you trying to avoid.

Your fears are thoughts focused on what you do not want to occur. Your attention is on an unwanted circumstance.

Thoughts are creative. What you think about or focus upon, you bring about.

For example, being afraid that I’ll ruin my favorite clothes or lose my jewelry becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. If I think about ruining my clothes or losing jewelry, that’s what I will create.

I’d be better off thinking about how lucky I am to have these items and how grateful I am to wear them…anytime I please. Additionally, I can focus my thoughts on getting to wear them for a long, long time to come.

Make Every Day a Sunny Day

You can save things for a sunny day, but what if that sunny day never arrives? What if you aren’t around to experience the sun coming through the clouds? What if you never get to enjoy whatever it is you’ve been keeping safe for all this time?

That’s a possibility.

Instead, why not make every day a sunny day? Live your life as if each moment is a special occasion worthy of your finery. Wake up each morning affirming that you love yourself enough to eat your meals off the good china. Value yourself enough to drive your classic car to work each day.

Whatever you have been saving for a sunny day, use, wear, show it now. As first-century BCE Jewish leader Hillel the Elder said, “If not now, when?”

What have you been saving for a sunny day, and will you continue with this broken strategy? Tell me in a comment below, and share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.

Image courtesy of mujahidmalik.

The post A Few Great Reasons to Stop Saving for a Sunny Day appeared first on Nina Amir.

Hurricane Helene and Milton, like many natural disasters, left many of us wondering how to cope with and accept the horrific aftermath of these powerful storms. This is especially true if you went through the storms—especially in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina, where Helene became a cyclone, or the areas of Florida hit by tornados. If you, your family, friends, or loved ones were impacted, you are likely asking this question.

My niece and her husband and son live not far from Asheville, NC, one of Helene’s most hard-hit areas in that state. She was one of the lucky ones. Her house was not harmed, and they could drive to another location until power, water, supplies, and Internet are restored.

Others were less lucky.

I know many people who live in Florida—some on the West Coast, where there was flooding. However, I’ve also been concerned for those on the East Coast who might have had severe tornado damage.

But these are not the only current natural disasters. In the U.S., wildfires are raging as I write this post in Idaho, Oregon, California, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Arizona. That means people have evacuated and lost homes, loved ones, animals, and livelihoods—just as with the hurricanes.

Beyond Comprehension

I find myself feeling and behaving a bit like I did after 9/11. I can’t stop watching social media videos about the damage wrought by Helene and Milton, sharing information meant to help those impacted, and listening to the news.

It’s hard to fathom being in your home, which usually sits atop dry land, and suddenly find it filling with water and floating away with you in it. And to be someone who knows their family members experienced this and to not be able to discover what became of them…to believe the worst, that is truly unimaginable.

It’s also difficult to understand what it might be like to discover your home has fallen into the ocean or been so severely damaged it is beyond repair. Or that your animals were killed in the storm.

How does one cope with something beyond comprehension?

Let me just say that I have not experienced such a tragedy. And I don’t want anything I say in this blog post to seem callous. It is not meant that way. My intention is simply to offer coping mechanisms and strategies to help you cope with and accept what has happened.

Without such mechanisms and strategies, you might feel as if you, too, are drowning in turbulent waters.

Also, I intend to offer more spiritual—not religious—ways to view natural disasters and tragedies. It is my hope that these provide you with some comfort.

Have Faith

Let’s start with faith. Suppose you believe in God, Source, the Universe, or a Creator. In that case, you can come to an understanding that everything happens for a reason. We can’t always understand that reason, but we can trust that everything is somehow happening as it is supposed to happen.

I don’t believe the Creator punishes us. I do believe It has our best interests at heart—even when it doesn’t appear that way.

So, if you feel challenged by what you see or have experienced due to these hurricanes (or any other disaster), have faith. Turn to prayer. Lean on God.

A Soul’s Choice

I believe we all have a soul, which is a spark of Divinity always connected to its Source. If you believe this, you might also share my belief that the soul chooses its human experiences in each lifetime.

If you agree, you must accept that, on some level, the souls of those who experienced the recent hurricanes chose to do so. They had a lesson to learn, a role to play, or a purpose to accomplish.

I once heard someone say that all the people killed during 9/11 chose to leave their physical bodies. Why? Because they knew they could do more good as nonphysical beings.

Maybe those who died during Helene and Milton chose that experience. They may now be able to serve humanity in a way they could not while still in physical bodies.

Interesting Evolutionary Experience

The late Stuart Wilde observed world events, including natural disasters, and would say, “Interesting evolutionary experience.”

He didn’t judge events as good or bad, right or wrong, happy or sad. He simply observed without attachment and didn’t get emotionally involved in that event or the people impacted by it. He watched in a detached manner and, I suppose, learned his own lessons in the process—the main one being not to take on other people’s pain and suffering.

If you feel enormously and emotionally involved in these events, step back and try to get a bit of distance. It’s possible to detach and still care. (Read this post for more information on this concept.) And sometimes, that’s necessary to do what is necessary after a disaster.

After all, if you allow yourself to be swept up in other people’s grief, pain, suffering, and overwhelm, you will struggle to help them. To help, you must be emotionally and mentally available.

Focus on the Future

The past is past. All you have is the present. The gift of the present is that in the now moment, you can choose what future to create.

Since you can’t change the past, focus on the future.

• What do you want to create now?
• Who do you want to be or need to be?
• What do you want your life to look like in one, two, or three years?
• What steps can you take right now to create that?

When you lose everything, it’s a chance to create everything—including yourself—anew. What benefit might you find in that rebirth?

It goes without saying that if a natural disaster impacts you, you first need to grieve your loss. Take some time for this process. Then, turn toward the future.

And stand in your power. You don’t have to become a victim of your circumstances. Don’t call yourself a victim of a hurricane. Instead, call yourself a victor and take bold steps toward rebuilding your life.

See the Good

When you focus on the positive, you see positive things. Look for the good in these natural disasters, and you will find the good.

People have pulled together since Hurricanes Helene and Milton, just like they have in most disasters throughout history. With the enormous division in the U.S. and around the world, people working together and helping each other is a welcome sight.

We need that unity more than ever before. And the fact that people are dropping differences for a greater cause does the heart good. It provides faith in humanity.

So many stories have surfaced of heroes—first responders, neighbors, and strangers. Each one can remind you that something good has come out of these situations—and there is good in the world.

Something New is Being Born

There is much talk these days about the massive shift in consciousness happening. Earth and humanity are up-leveling.

I look at the impact of Hurricane Helene and Milton and wonder if this is part of that process.

We can blame gigantic storms on global warming, which significantly affects the size and strength of the most recent hurricanes and the current wildfires. However, maybe Earth is going through a transformation process, and these storms, like earthquakes, are growth spurts. They may be part of the transformational process.

The same could be true for those impacted by natural disasters. Possibly, this experience is necessary for some people to reach an increased level of consciousness.

The same could be true for those not impacted but paying attention to these events. They experience the disasters vicariously and change as a result.

Gratitude Goes a Long Way

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the power of gratitude. In fact, even a little gratitude goes a long way towards helping you cope with and accept a natural disaster.

It’s impossible to feel grief, loss, or stress when feeling grateful. Therefore, if you make a conscious effort to feel grateful for anything—finding a photograph in the rubble, discovering that your animals, friends, or family members are safe, being given a case of water, receiving a hug, or having a place to stay while you rebuild—you will begin to relax and become happier.

Also, when you feel grateful, you raise your energetic vibration. Not only does that make you feel better and change your outlook, but your energy impacts others. In fact, as you raise your vibration, it raises the collective vibration. Thus, everyone starts to feel a little better.

Feeling grateful helps you and others more than worrying or feeling sorry for those impacted by the hurricanes. Your worry, stress, sorrow, or anger add to other people’s struggles.

Therapy, Counseling, and Coaching

Of course, therapy, counseling, and coaching can help you find ways to cope with and accept these horrific disasters. Reach out to a therapist, if you feel the need. Contact a spiritual counselor to help you find answers and hope. Or hire a coach for support as you find your way forward, especially when your circumstances seems out of your control.

I have only just touched the surface of this topic. And I know my point of view might seem unimportant—even inappropriate—given the magnitude of loss and devastation so many have experienced after these two hurricanes. But know that I am seeking to help in my own small way. I hope my perspective and strategies prove helpful to you.

How are you accepting and coping with the horrific natural disasters caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton—or some other disaster? Comment below, and share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.

Image courtesy of alfamax76.

The post How to Cope with and Accept Horrific Natural Disasters appeared first on Nina Amir.

It’s common to find yourself immersed in people’s drama and negativity. Even if you try to avoid involvement, you might feel energetically or emotionally pulled into deep water by what’s going on in others’ lives.

However, that doesn’t have to be the case.

There are two simple ways to avoid the impact of people’s emotional state, attempts to draw you into their circumstances, verbal storms, and energetic drains. Let’s explore both.

1. Observe, Don’t Absorb.

I recently heard one of my friends use this phrase: Observe, don’t absorb.

I did a little research to find the origin of this wisdom. Ross Rosenberg developed a technique called “Observe, Don’t Absorb” that came out of years of trying to understand his relationships with narcissists and working with clients.

When you simply observe someone’s drama and negativity, you don’t absorb it. Sounds difficult, right?

Observing someone’s condition or state is simpler than you think. Here are a few steps you can follow.

First, watch the person.

Make this an observation exercise. Notice how they behave, what they say, their emotion, their facial expression, etc. Pay attention to the stories they tell, their desire to blame, and their attempts to draw you in.

When you become the observer—rather than a participant—you emotionally and physically disconnect from the other person. That removes you from what is happening with them and places distance between you and them (and how they are handling their situation).

Second, resist judging the person’s behavior, words, situation, or emotions.

Consider yourself a journalist there to impartially collect facts. Don’t interpret or form opinions about what is happening with the other person. Just take mental notes. Remain neutral.

The late Stuart Wilde used to observe world events, including airplane crashes and natural disasters, people’s circumstances, and say, “Interesting evolutionary experience.” He had no judgment about what had happened or was happening—it was neither good nor bad, right or wrong. Wilde simply observed without attachment and didn’t get emotionally involved in that event or the people impacted by it. He just watched unemotionally.

Third, don’t take on their emotions.

Find ways to mentally or psychically protect yourself. This is especially true if you are an empath and feel what those around you feel.

When you remain conscious of what is going on around you, you can step back and intentionally block the energy and emotion coming at you. You can deliberately stop yourself from absorbing people’s emotional states.

If you have already absorbed their emotional state, walk away. Then, do something to cleanse your energy, such as grounding, smudging with sage, or visualizing yourself cleansed of their emotions and protected by a shield from further absorption.

You can find information and videos on how to cleanse your energy and aura and create a protective psychic shield or bubble. Just do a search on Google.

2. Don’t step into the river if you don’t want to get wet.

I first heard this adage from Jim Fortin. However, it strikes me as strikingly similar to a quote attributed to George Bernard Shaw, who said, “Never wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.” (Rosenberg shared that “his “Observe, Don’t Absorb” technique was influenced by Shaw’s words.)

Avoiding getting wet is also simpler than you might believe.

First, choose not to dive into the river with people immersed in negativity and drama.

If you do, you are bound to get wet and swept downstream with them.

Instead, walk away. Or step back.

You can observe, listen, and be supportive without stepping off the river bank. Accomplish this by not agreeing with the person, offering solutions or perspectives, and generally not engaging with them.

Second, don’t offer help or advice.

Don’t provide solicited or unsolicited advice. Don’t offer to take some sort of action to help. And do not commiserate with them or in any way support the person’s point of view, behavior, or emotional state.

While they may see your unwillingness to help as selfish, lacking compassion, or uncaring, know that your approach is about self-preservation. You don’t want to drown with them.

In fact, you can’t help if you are being swept along by the current they’ve created. You have to be standing on firm ground to do that.

Realize that dramatic and negative people usually enjoy getting people wet and dirty with them. They want others to agree with them and get on board emotionally.

However, that just helps them remain in their drama and negativity. It also increases their conviction that they are justified to feel and act as they do.

So, getting wet with them won’t help them (or you) dry off, find a new perspective, and create a better circumstance.

Third, don’t accept invitations to help unless you can stay dry.

This step can be difficult when the person is going downstream fast. So, you must let them rant and rave, feel their emotions, and then, after looking like they will surely drown, come up for air.

When the person is tired of the drama, emotions, negativity, and verbal outbursts, let them take a few breaths. Then, ask if they are ready to approach their circumstances or experiences with a new perspective. If they are calm and able to hear and listen to you, it’s possible to support them with a conversation about other ways to see and respond to their situation. You might also be able to encourage them to find solutions or opportunities.

Avoid Drama and Negativity

Avoiding drama and negativity takes practice. Notice when you are willing to dive into the water. Note the situation, and then decide not to do that next time.

Pay attention to the people in your life and how often they try to drag you into their river of drama and negativity. If possible, remove the people who do so frequently from your life. Or find ways to opt out of being pulled into the water with them.

Do these things, and you will stay dry. You’ll finally avoid the impact of people’s recurring drama and negativity.

Do you often get sucked into other people’s drama and negativity? Tell me in a comment below, and share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.

Image courtesy of rdonar.

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