Never before has humankind ever experienced anything like this and I’m sure you’ll agree that the last couple of weeks in particular, have felt completely surreal.

It’s interesting to note that in my previous newsletter, I was talking about it being the  Year of the Rat  and considering the attributes such as a rat’s intelligence, its ability to solve problems and focus on priorities, resourcefulness and adaptability qualities, as a metaphor, it’s a great reminder that this is the ideal Universal Energy for us to align ourselves with, to help deal with such an extraordinary global situation.

So let’s just have a quick reality check whilst you’re here…

How are you actually doing at this time of uncertainty and upheaval?

Have you been massively affected at home, in your business?

Are you feeling a little out of control and unsure about how to manage this unexpected situation?

Has your world been turned upside down and you don’t know what to do for the best?

Reflecting on my own circumstances…

I can see how that having pets in the household maintains our routines and gives us reason to get up and get going with the day, plus, my husband and I have been ‘home-workers’ for a number of years, so we’ve already got an established routine, with agreed roles.

The most major change that we’ve had to deal with is accommodating our youngest son working from home too. We know that we are very fortunate; blessed with space both inside the home and outside, which has made the transition a lot easier.

How quickly things change too, with the announcement yesterday of my son now having been ‘furloughed’ along with the majority of his colleagues and this has highlighted further, the need for us to quickly adapt within our household and formulate a timetable to help us all respect each other’s needs and private space, so that everyone is in agreement with the latest developments to ensure a robust family infrastructure, which has the flexibility to change.

I like the analogy of us being in a ‘Life Boat’

…and the importance of caring and maintaining it to withstand choppy waters (especially stormy spells), helping ourselves and each other to stay safe and protected. It needs a proper plan in place to avoid causing any unnecessary rocking (or even the possibility of capsizing) of the ‘Gardner Life Boat’ and also, to include a contingency element for emergencies.

Yet for many people I’ve spoken with over the last few days, there’s an underlying apathy and helplessness which appears to be causing all sorts of disruptions, especially to wellbeing that seems to come from an overall lack of direction and purpose.  This is to be expected, as so many people are going through a type of ‘loss’ and consequently are experiencing some level of grief where there is a natural cycle of emotions which typically have to be expressed.

See the illustration to help you identify where you, or someone you know maybe in this process AND please note, that it too will pass AND there are some excellent techniques to help people move through the stages quickly and safely.

Let’s be clear… We have been directed to ‘physically distance’ ourselves for quarantine purposes and yet, we are more ‘socially connected’ than ever! 

The words we use are key to whether they amplify in a positive or negative way, so if it doesn’t feel right, check the wording, because that is what can send you into a spiral either in a good way or the opposite.

Things have taken on a rather strange feel though, it’s like we’re all having the same awful dream which doesn’t make any sense and especially when relying on a variety of ‘news sources’ for the latest ‘tid-bits’ of information, unsure what is hype and sifting through potential conspiracy theories in an effort to find out the truth; ratified and upheld by confirmed proven data, scientific or otherwise.

YES, it’s easy to get caught up in the constant monitoring of internet newsfeeds, so as to get the most ‘up-to-date’ news, which is a typical survival strategy to stay safe and that in itself, can generate unnatural levels of stress with the constant streaming of news which tends to be presented in a sensationalised manner and often without the full background details which can be misleading and at the very worse, downright scary.

My recommendation

…is to be discerning and select a couple of trustworthy sources that you resonate with and are factual with a positive bias.

Limit the number of times you view them throughout a day and don’t read or view at bedtime!

Already though we are seeing wonderful acts of kindness and community spirit, as we pull together and check on each other and do the things that really matter, with selfless acts of caring and compassion more locally.

What’s truly inspiring is the creativity being evoked and the ability to use humour for lightening the oppression, finding and learning new ways of doing things which are meaningful providing that much needed sense of connection and unity.

In my line of work I’ve been developing ‘tried and tested’ systems for maintaining my own personal and professional wellbeing, it’s as though I’ve been preparing for this exceptional period all of my life and NOW all my learned knowledge and life experience combined, has positioned me with a future-proofing of my health and wellness in ways that I could never have anticipated until now.

“With an ongoing passion to share an important message about focused attention to SELF-CARE and an aim for BALANCE in all areas of life; taking responsibility for your own HEALTH and WELLBEING. When this is done, we are EMPOWERED and we are more able to THINK, FEEL and ACT from a place of LOVE (as opposed to FEAR) which provides a naturally strong platform and framework for HARMONY.”

HELP IS HERE AT THIS TIME OF FLUX – BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM GUIDE JUST FOR YOU – CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE COPY   

This may help you to feel a little more in control of your health and wellbeing by paying attention to what you CAN do…

SO… HOW IS IT POSITIVELY AFFECTING YOU? 

What changes have you had to deal with which have been a test of your mental strength, that surprisingly then turned out better than expected?

What have you learned from this?

Keep looking for the ‘silver lining’, whatever is happening there’s always a blessing, even if you can’t see it at the time!

HERE’S MY ‘META’ PERSPECTIVE – THE BIGGER PICTURE 

I’m truly grateful for being able to walk our 2 dogs along by the river and as I gaze around me appreciating the beautiful Derbyshire and Staffordshire landscape, it occurs to me that nothing here is any different. Mother Earth continues to reliably go through the natural cycles of the season with new bright green buds appearing in the hedgerows now. Whilst walking, I realised that the only thing that connects us to the Coronavirus situation going on ‘out there’ is my thoughts and so I choose to look for the positives and think about the good things that are coming out of all this… AND THERE ARE MANY! 

The world as we knew it, is threatened to be radically changed and that is a good thing surely, as previously faced with problems which appeared insurmountable and yet as a race, we were on a cataclysmic trajectory that was likely to have sealed the fate of humanity, with the mounting evidence of continued negligence towards a healthy balance in particular throughout global industry markets.

The unrelenting greed for financial power and wealth was continually being justified over the simple needs of basic human rights and consequently, the Earth, our planet, our home, was being abused on all levels.

So, the Coronavirus is here, specifically Covid19, a novel virus which scientists had little knowledge about at the beginning, yet are working quickly on learning as much as possible through tests to prevent the spread. An excellent and balanced resource I can recommend for you is: a Q & A Special with Gregg Braden, Scientist via YouTube; Coronavirus Truth & Fiction

We’ve seen all sorts of different viruses over millennia, what we might need to be more alert to is other new viruses being released as the ice caps continue melt AND these are potentially thousands if not millions of years old. We could be significantly more at risk with that scenario than with COVID19 which is tragically affecting the vulnerable; elderly, already compromised immune system, underlying health challenge(s).

Yet following just a relatively short period of ‘lockdown’ in the UK, we are already witnessing beautiful bright clear night skies, free from the usual filmy smudginess of pollutants. Stars and planets are literally bursting out into view in the inky indigo sky – it is hugely noticeable that having a significantly reduced number of aircraft flying around the world, is directly impacting upon the atmosphere, which demonstrates that when global action takes place at this level of commitment, it really does make a difference and just maybe, we can HALT the demise of melting snowcaps and the dire consequences of the human race collectively having ignored and justified continued devastating practices over common sense.

Lots of ‘old and outmoded’ systems (including Belief Systems on all levels) needed to be stirred up and shaken up, to expose the myths and reveal the truths. Universal Law and natural cycles are always in alignment with balance, ensuring the stability of cosmic continuation, it’s simply ‘natural order’ whether the human race is aligned or not.

“A ‘new world order’ of more loving kindness towards one another, with an appreciation of what we already have available to us naturally, honouring our lands, seas and the air we breathe, conducting business in collaborative respect, is one new paradigm that I truly welcome and well, just maybe…?” 

In summary, there’s been BIG lessons for us all to learn and sometimes unless we are taken to the edge, the easiest option is to continue doing what we’ve always done… but we know what happens when we keep doing that! 😉

Please share; these ideas just might be what someone, somewhere needs to read, to help recover their peace of mind.

#CoronaVirus #Covid19Positives #HealthMatters #Wellbeing #ImmuneSystem #LifeBalance #BodyMindHeart #Wellness

Susan  X

Mind Matters

Thoughts… ‘hmmm’ what are they really?

Where do they come from?

Is it possible to even stop thinking?

These are some of the curious questions which are often pondered.

For a lot of people over-thinking with a head full of whirling, confusing, repetitive thoughts is a problem faced daily affecting many areas of life, in particular sleep; leading to overwhelm and even depression.

The thing is, the human IS a ‘thinking being’ and each person has an individual unique world paradigm, which is created through their thoughts.

Take a moment to consider what your life would be like, if you didn’t have the capacity to think?  

It’s almost unimaginable!  Yes, perception of everything is derived through our thoughts AND there’s only YOU inside of YOU!  Which means that your thoughts can only ever be created by you and no-one else.  Of course, it is true that we may be influenced by other people in some way or other, however, it is still a choice as to the nature of our response in the way we think about what is being experienced at any time, in all situations and circumstances.

This is GOOD NEWS!  

What do I mean by this?  Well, when you recognise that something doesn’t ‘feel’ ok, this is a sign, a clue, that maybe what you are thinking about is unhelpful, or there’s a conflict not being addressed and just maybe now that a connection has been identified, intervention can take place by interrupting these dominating and habitual thoughts, which when ignored, eventually manifests into worry and anxiety about the future, with over analysis being a debilitating consequence.  Many people, are completely unaware of the beliefs that they have unwittingly allowed to develop – a belief is a collection of thoughts.

“Mental Health is a topic and a reality which affects everyone in some way, shape or form and the sooner the stigma is removed the better, so that it becomes universally accepted and is acknowledged as an integral part of a human’s life, equal to the importance of the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects.”  

HELPING YOURSELF

Helping yourself with conscious thinking, becoming aware of what thoughts are arising is the first step to recognising knee jerk auto responses and going down a familiar path of negative thinking. Over time, these can become obtrusive and destructive patterns which are deeply rooted in the psyche.  For example, picture a garden which has daily work done on it, now imagine its neighbour who rarely tends to their garden and in your mind’s eye you will have already conjured up two gardens of stark contrast; one looking very pretty, with form and symmetry, whilst the other overgrown with masses of tangled weeds.  The thinking mind is similar, the more consistent attention it is given, to provide it with the ideal conditions for nurturing and nourishing, yields beautiful and bountiful minds of creativity and clarity.

THE BIGGER PICTURE – THE META PERSPECTIVE

As science demonstrates, everything (and I mean EVERY thing) in the Universe is a form of ‘energy’; every atom, every molecule, even every thought has an energetic field, value, resonance, a vibration.  The lower and heavier a thought, the lower and heavier is the feeling directly interlinked in the physical body.

“A weird and wonderful fact: Neither thoughts or feelings can be held, or touched, or grasped, yet they are very real and there to enhance the human experience; truly a force to be reckoned with.”  

Nature is absolutely amazing, it has provided each human being with its very own inner sat-nav, to sense in every moment where you are, compared to where you want to be.

“Are you feeling on track (content, happy, peaceful etc)?  Or is there a feeling which indicates you are off-course (frustration, sad, angry etc)? “

So is your ‘mind full’ filled with ‘mind less’ thoughts, or are you being ‘mindful’ about the thoughts you think, choosing better feeling thoughts each time you notice old patterns of thoughts and behaviour; dissolving emotional tension around unresolved hurts, for peace of mind and life-long transformation!?

MORE GOOD NEWS!

Every moment offers us a brand-new opportunity to think something different, to create welcome and desired change to get you back on track; feeling good about yourself and life as a whole without further self-induced pressure. NOW is a good time to let go of the old stuff, old programmes which no longer work and just keep repeating unwanted trails of thought.

HELPING THE PROCESS OF MINDFUL AWARENESS…

STEP ONE 

>     Recognise what is happening and specifically what are your thoughts

STEP TWO

>     Acknowledge each troubling thought as you notice and make peace with them

STEP THREE

>     Find a soothing thought which is more relaxed and build on that

“Be mindful of what you think about most, for that, is what expands;

Conscious choices = +Fulfilment!”

Here’s a great proven ‘self-help exercise’ which is quick, simple and very effective.

Creating space, time to pause, check in and evaluate.  Enables a better-chosen feeling/thought and be able to choose to do something different, a conscious action of change results in a different outcome.

“Consciously interrupting a cycle by taking a ‘Rescue Breath’: a calm, s l o w, deep inhale through the nose, hold for a moment and then breathe out calmly, s l o w l y, deeply, either through the mouth or the nose.”  

This can be done anywhere, anytime and is one of the first mindfulness tools shared with my clients as an appropriate intervention to provide instant relief calming and soothing the nervous system sufficiently, reassuring the mind that all is well.  As with many newly introduced techniques, they take practice to become a great source of consistent success; noticing and embedding positive results which in turn create strong and healthy thoughts.

EXERCISE FOR HELPING THE PROCESS OF LETTING GO…

STEP ONE 

>          Get a blank piece of paper plus pen/pencils/paints

STEP TWO

>          Offload everything that is a concern to you; write/draw express it as it is, use expletives in other words just say it as it is

STEP THREE

>          When it’s all out and there’s nothing more to offload – get rid of it; tear it up/burn it

 

Has this been useful?  Would you like more?  YES!?  

Please share these tips, they just might be what someone, somewhere needs to read, to help recover their peace of mind.

#WorldMentalHealthDay #MindMatters #ChimpBrain #SelfCare #Wellness #Wellbeing

Susan  X

12 DAYS OF WINTER WELLBEING WARMERS

 

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“A steaming hot mug of tea”

 

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“2 litres of water and a steaming hot mug of tea”

 

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“3 healthy meals, 2 litres of water and a steaming hot mug of tea”

 

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“4 nature walks, 3 healthy meals, 2 litres of water and a steaming hot mug of tea”

 

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“5 healthy fruits, 4 nature walks, 3 healthy meals, 2 litres of water and a steaming hot mug of tea”

 

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“6 affirmations, 5 healthy fruits, 4 nature walks, 3 healthy meals, 2 litres of water and a steaming hot mug of tea”

 

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“7 meals with friends, 6 affirmations, 5 healthy fruits, 4 nature walks, 3 healthy meals, 2 litres of water and a steaming hot mug of tea”

 

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“8 yoga stretches, 7 meals with friends, 6 affirmations, 5 healthy fruits, 4 nature walks, 3 healthy meals, 2 litres of water and a steaming hot mug of tea”

 

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“9 conscious breaths, 8 yoga stretches, 7 meals with friends, 6 affirmations, 5 healthy fruits, 4 nature walks, 3 healthy meals, 2 litres of water and a steaming hot mug of tea”

 

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“10 minutes meditation, 9 conscious breaths, 8 yoga stretches, 7 meals with friends, 6 affirmations, 5 healthy fruits, 4 nature walks, 3 healthy meals, 2 litres of water and a steaming hot mug of tea”

 

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“11 dates of fun, 10 minutes meditation, 9 conscious breaths, 8 yoga stretches, 7 meals with friends, 6 affirmations, 5 healthy fruits, 4 nature walks, 3 healthy meals, 2 litres of water and a steaming hot mug of tea”

 

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“12 months of focus, 11 dates of fun, 10 minutes meditation, 9 conscious breaths, 8 yoga stretches, 7 meals with friends, 6 affirmations, 5 healthy fruits, 4 nature walks, 3 healthy meals, 2 litres of water and a steaming hot mug of tea”

 

Always to Your Success in Health, Harmony and Happiness.

 

Wishing you a fabulous fun-filled festive season and a super successful 2018

Susan  X

Well you may have noticed that we naturally tend to gravitate towards the difficulties that come with a cold front especially when it’s as dramatic and severe as it  has been over the last few days in the UK – we are simply not use to dealing with such conditions and each year when we experience our winter all at once in a condensed space in time, it is evident how unprepared we are as a nation to continue with daily activities without changing pace.

And yet…

Oh yes, how we love to talk about the weather, it dominates so many conversations as the number 1 hot topic to be discussed, and of course along with someone’s health – another ‘biggie’.  It’s a funny old thing as it’s the ‘doom and gloom’ which gets people animated, relishing the awfulness about a situation whilst glad inside that it’s happening to someone else…

Although when we find ourselves at the centre of a challenge it’s amazing what resilience is available and how things aren’t always as bad as they may have seemed initially.  This is a natural human response which is part of our fight/flight system to help keep us safe through an alertness that in the first instance is a signal that there could be danger and until we accept evidence that all is well, the mind continues to treat the situation as a threat to its very existence.

So… getting back to ‘Beauty in the Beast’ and I want you to consider for a moment, just how can this extra-ordinary Baltic like weather be a gift?

Well… maybe you have been forced to change your schedule and consequently that means what you thought was going to happen isn’t and you are in a place which was unexpected, unanticipated, unprepared for…  Now for some, this will have been welcome and for others potentially the opposite.

A constant and powerful reminder, like the rising and setting of the sun and moon, our world continues to revolve and at best you have had some time out from the usual ‘full on’ schedule which can be as refreshing as a holiday.  “Yes”, an interruption of this kind can on the surface be a nuisance or even a calamity, however to find the silver lining (there is always one to be revealed) will allow an acceptance of ‘what is’ and with that you feel better – your body immediately reflects the letting go of tension around those demand on your attention which can be a theme running in the background and with your focus temporarily elsewhere it’s a form of ‘unplugging’ you know, disconnecting and both your body and mind craves for this; to be rebooted and reset.

Enforced time-out is better than no time-out – make sure that you make the most of it! 

Be with your family, your friends…

Have fun and fully recharge, so that when you return to your norm, you re-join with a renewed zest for your life, your work or whatever it is that keeps you busy and remember a regular scheduled time-out is essential for keeping you energised, don’t wait for days like this, make days happen like this too!

Always to Your Success in Health, Harmony and Happiness.

Susan  X

Would you like to find out more about how you can make time for yourself and learn the practical ways to help yourself enjoy a life filled with great wellness and joy? 

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Relax | Recharge | Revitalise

Did you notice it as well? It was just as though someone had flicked a switch and we transitioned overnight from Summer into Autumn! One minute I’m in my light and bright dresses and the next I was having to layer up by comparison, although it is still relatively warm for this time of the year.

With nature’s cycles and the ever familiar seasonal patterns, natural changes occur with regularity that provides the perfect ingredients to sustain perfect conditions for life on earth – the BIG picture. This fact reflects how each of us also ‘ebbs and flows’ within the energetic matrix which we see in our life experiences and consequently change in all sorts of ways and forms takes place. Ironically most people dislike change, resisting it, yet change is happening constantly and for things to remain the same is simply an illusion.

What’s key is how quickly we adjust and adapt, to stay in flow, in a state of balance and ease.

Each day as I walk with SkyDog, we are seeing the beautiful unfolding of Autumn (and to use this as a metaphor), following a fruitful harvest, it is a great time to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments created from all of your efforts up to this point in the year. YES… WELL DONE YOU!!!

A great exercise to really get a sense of all that you have made happen over the last few months, is to write down everything and even better, use photos, then put it up on the wall where you can appreciate it and remind yourself of your bumper Harvest! Make sure that you share your good news too; people love successful people! It’s amazing how quickly these things can get lost and forgotten, yet they are massively important to cultivate that sense of appreciation, to recharge and refocus especially as the days grow shorter and there’s less natural light available for that boost in vitality, keeping spirits lifted and optimistic.

Now depending on what you do next with your ‘harvest’ is what will determine the ongoing rewards as we head towards winter and the energy changes once more. Planning and preparation in the laying of strong foundations by checking what is working for you and letting go of what is not, ensuring that your body and mind gets what it needs to feel great inside out. When consciously living in harmony with the natural rhythms of the Universe, this alignment of energy is hugely potent for ‘living in the WoW’ because of the wonderful synchronicity. Change is happening and you’re in flow, with ease and grace. You know when you’re not in flow because everything is difficult and feels difficult.

Top Tip – Think ‘simple’; chunk down and take action in order of priority – Keep It Simple Sweetie 😉

Imagine feeling the exhilaration of floating down-stream through fast moving water and then slowing in more soothing calm water, either way you are still going in the same direction, just having a different experience. Plus it’s so much easier to point yourself in the direction you want to go and then go with the natural flow – why would you put so much effort in going against a tide of water which is only ever going in one direction?

“Just before the leaves let go
we see incredible beauty
as they transform and show
revealing a glorious array of colour
for it is their duty
in nature to be strong and eventually surrender
dancing on the wind before
settling into perfect position
ready for the next transition and more”

Embracing change by being the change, is a powerful way to live life. Choose your path and own it. Check in with your emotional barometer that you are in alignment with your soul’s purpose – you know when you are on track, it feels good!

Pause | Breathe | Smile

Nature Reflects Massive Growth and Expansion.

The moment the days start to lengthen and with it the sun shines more bringing warmth to the land.  The frosts lessen and we are encouraged outside to join in with the new beginnings that this glorious season brings to us as an annual gift of birth and renewal.  Reawakening after our virtual hibernation into Spring with offerings full of promise, expectation and opportunity.  It’s a time when we literally ‘feel it in the air’ and see evidence all around as the birds partner up and the animals ‘frisky and strutting’ – I see this in SkyDog (my morning walk partner) his mood is very much influenced by his natural environment and especially noticeable with changes in the elements.   Can you spot SkyDog ‘getting in on the action’ in the photo…?

As we walk each day we bear witness to the most awesome heralding of subtle change and nature demonstrates that so beautifully – change is inevitable, yet ironic that so many of us detest change and resist this natural process of renewal.  When change is embraced and we align with the flow, life is all the more fruitful.  I love to see the buds start appearing on the trees and quickly burst into a glorious range of bright greens, with masses of flowers and blossoms blooming in rapid succession.

Of course many people are stirred too and spring into action cleaning their homes from top to bottom, inside out and this is a perfect analogy for life too – so to conduct a Body Mind Spring Clean to de-clutter, become fully present and ready to allow your own inner self to blossom and flourish – feels fantastic.  Your body does it anyway, whether you are conscious of it or not, scientifically speaking we are more than just a ‘human being’ we are vibrational energy beings, in tune with the Universal energies, nature assists with physical clearing and this is why we see so many with head colds during this season of renewal and rebirth, as the body purges.  This wonderful ‘letting go’ is what is required to rest and recharge, of course it can be a nuisance interrupting life and unpleasant to have to go through, yet is soon forgotten as balance in health is restored once again and we enter the next new phase in life.

For the whole of my working life up to 15 years ago, I was ‘full on, flat out and living in the fast lane’ caught up in the thrill of chasing the ‘$’ and I certainly was not present or mindful about anything, it was not even in my vocabulary.  To Spring Clean my own mind and body, absolutely did not enter my thoughts in those days, whilst I was focused on having fun and being the top sales newcomer of the year or whatever the attraction.  It all came to an abrupt end with a number of things colliding together at the same time which was a massive “wake up” call for me and I believe it literally saved my life!  (You can read more about this in my book due to be published by the end of the year.)

Undoubtedly things had to change and there was a lot of ‘letting go’ as a major part of my transformation.  However, this became my motivation; to honour myself and in turn those around me.  I needed to immerse myself into a very different way of looking at life and cultivate a better understanding about me, the authentic me that is…  Having enrolled on many holistic therapies and personal development courses, workshops, reading material, videos and finding my new journey to be so incredibly exciting.  I recognised how little I knew and how much more there was to be learned and ‘oh boy’ did I enjoy sharing my new found passion with other like-minded friends – it was thrilling!  Consequently, with an ever increasing understanding of my own health and wellbeing nowadays, I recognise the ‘bigger picture’ of other factors which can further shape my wellness experience for example how the ‘seasons’ have a role in the way that I feel.  So for me, this time of the year offers the ideal opportunity to ‘Spring Board’ tasks and especially major projects, building on the momentum of the universal energies.

Spring, as Leo Tolstoy wrote, is the time of plans and projects and it is indeed a time when we can hatch our plans for the future. We can present our ideas and ourselves freshly and with renewed verve after the greyness of a damp winter.  In fact Spring is the ideal time for seeing things from a different perspective and reflect on what has passed. It’s a time for clarity and focus.

So what do your plans and projects look like? It is said that our thoughts become things so what are you focusing on at the moment?  When we are passionate about our projects and plans then they are more likely to work for us.

Many people use a technique called visualisation to create the image of their project or plan in their mind.  It’s an empowering technique that helps us to ‘see’ what it is that we want.  Once we see it clearly taking shape in our ‘mind’s eye’, we can feel it and believe it, then it’s far easier to achieve it, so really everything starts with our imagination first as powerfully demonstrated by Walt Disney who always used this technique to ‘dream up’ fantastical images which he then recreated through the lens to delight millions of viewers of his film creations.

Worthless or Priceless?

If I asked you to rate this very well-known painting from 0 – 10 where 0 is worthless and 10 is priceless, where would you place it?

Easy!  Most people know that this beautiful painting is priceless.
Now replace the painting with a picture of yourself and rate it once again using the 0 – 10 scale.

 

Challenging isn’t it?

Many people, especially women, compare themselves to others and as a result don’t value themselves enough.  We have thoughts that creep in to our mind and feed us with self-doubt. Questioning thoughts such as: ‘Am I good enough?’, ‘Am I worthy?’, ‘Am I slim enough?’, ‘Do I look young enough?’…

You might recognise these thoughts in yourself. Those moments when we believe we don’t measure up. We beat ourselves up and become stressed that we don’t measure up and because we don’t measure up we beat ourselves up again!  It’s a self-perpetuating cycle. We believe someone could have done better than us in any given circumstance or there is always someone with more money, success, luck, looks, happiness etc.

Very often comparing ourselves to others which directly affects our self-esteem and end up feeling worthless. A common practice is to compare self-worth with net worth and of course this really does confuse things!

Society doesn’t exactly help us either, as we are encouraged to work harder, look flawless, have perfect hair and bodies and conform to the ideals of those who set the rules. Sadly, we see many caught up in this illusion focusing on themselves with disdain and loathing, sickened and feeling that they should do better.

Have you taken on unsuitable jobs because of feeling pressured into earning a certain amount of money and that actually it’s not what you want to be doing?

Have you stayed in a relationship way too long which wasn’t filled with equal respect and joy, just because the alternative was unthinkable?

Unfortunately this type of self-sabotage is hugely limiting in our life experience and leads to unfulfilled feelings, wilting like a flower that someone has forgotten to water…

It’s time to STOP this cycling.  Take a moment now to consider how you to talk to yourself.  Are you kind and loving to yourself or critical and judgemental?

It is said that we accept the love that we think we deserve.  What sort of conditions are you placing on your deserve levels?

Are you the best version of you that you want to be?

Sometimes we become so blind to the wonderful person that we are and we simply forget how to love ourselves.  For many people this is a difficult concept, as self-love is generally not encouraged with much of the focus being on others.  However, as with every safety message the first essential action is to ensure that your needs are met first before attending to others – because if you don’t, you’re not in a strong position to be able to help others effectively!

TOP TIP #1

Start with the things that you admire about someone else and identify the same qualities in yourself that you are already displaying albeit unconsciously up to this point – for it takes one to know one!  😉

TOP TIP #2

Next become aware of your thoughts and check whether they are serving you.  Would you be saying them to your best friend?

You have some amazing qualities. Yes you do! Just imagine how different life would be if you truly valued yourself?

TOP TIP #3

Start by making a list of things that are valuable about you, for example:

I’m there for my family.

I have a great sense of humour.

I’m a brilliant cook.

If you find this difficult to do, ask a friend or partner what they value about you. You just might be surprised what they see in you!  Once you start to value yourself more, then other people will value you more too.

Valuing yourself is a daily practice. Become your own new best friend. Treat yourself as if you are the person you care about the most. Be kind, careful, considerate and compassionate towards yourself – you deserve it.

Why not offer yourself a beautiful gift? It is well documented that regularly taking time out from routine demands on your attention, can motivate, inspire and boost your energy levels; essential elements of building and nurturing self-worth.

I’d love for you to join me on my transformational Caribbean Get-Away, where you can completely ‘switch off’ from the daily pressures of work and family and instead feel the calming and deeply relaxing effects of being nurtured, nourished and supported in a beautiful, warm environment where it’s safe to explore how liberating and uplifting the focus of self-love can be.

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Treat yourself like a rare painting.  After all you are priceless.