feature · September 2014
An “Emergency Road Kit” For Your Journey of Abundance
* BREATHE!!!! This is the first thing I had my client do on the phone last week. You might not even realize how often you may stop breathing (or only breathe in a shallow or rapid manner) when under pressure or stress. Simply taking a series of several LONNGGG and SLOOOWWW dee…
You see, what my former student needed more than 'advice' on how to 'fix' or 'handle' her situation was support and coaching about how to empower herself to be able to respond to her situation abundantly.
Your 'Emergency Road Kit' includes the principles, tools and actions I have found to be most essential, supportive and empowering when you encounter breakdowns and challenges .
* BREATHE!!!! This is the first thing I had my client do on the phone last week. You might not even realize how often you may stop breathing (or only breathe in a shallow or rapid manner) when under pressure or stress. Simply taking a series of several LONNGGG and SLOOOWWW deep breaths will begin to release any physical, mental and emotional energy that is blocked and get your energy flowing again in a more relaxed and powerful manner.
* MOVE!!!! Studies have repeatedly documented the benefits of physical movement and exercise. Physical movement and exercise releases endorphins, the body's 'feel good hormones,' and in as little as 20 minutes a day, it can calm your mind, relax your body and change your entire outlook on life. (And - if your outlook is stress, fear and scarcity - changing your outlook will greatly support you!)
That being said, you don't need to undertake a specific or strenuous exercise regimen. Simply MOVE - preferably in a way that is FUN for you as well - whenever you have a chance. Stand up from your desk and stretch. Put on some music and dance to it. Go for a short walk. Do 10 sit-ups. Do a somersault or cartwheel. If you can't exercise for an extended period of time (20-30 minutes) all at once, then interject shorter 'movement breaks' throughout your day. JUST MOVE - so your energy and your abundance can start to flow!
* SPEND FIVE MINUTES DOING NOTHING EACH DAY! Find a comfortable spot where you will be able to sit in silence - undisturbed - for five minutes. (That's it!)Turn off all music, television sets, computers, etc. For the entire five minutes, simply DO NOTHING! Do not read, write, pray, sing, focus on your breathing or meditate. Do not try to 'empty your mind' or 'shut off your thoughts' - that would be 'doing' something! All there is for you to 'do' is to do 'nothing' for five minutes - and then you can resume your day! (For many people, doing 'nothing' is one of the most difficult 'actions' for them to take. Stick with it - because what you will experience in terms of being empowered, gaining clarity, seeing possibilities, being energized as a result will probably AMAZE you!)
* FOCUS ON ABUNDANCE! In addition to writing in your Abundance Journal each day (listing 10 things for which you are grateful AND 10 things for which you acknowledge yourself), use this all-important principle in EACH MOMENT of your day. As soon as you catch yourself thinking about 'all that isn't working' or 'all that you don't have' or 'all that you haven't accomplished', find something ABOUT THAT SPECIFIC SITUATION for which you can be grateful and for which you can acknowledge yourself. Remember - what you focus on and give energy to is what will expand and grow in your life! Focus your energy on those things that keep you empowered and in action!
* GIVE!!!! It's one of the simplest and most powerful ways to (1) remain focused on abundance and (2) create an opening for something new and abundant to come into your life. Each day, find ONE thing you can give away (or at least THROW away!) - including those things (e.g., money or time) about which you are most experiencing scarcity. Not only will your energy be freed up - you will break through the 'scarcity thoughts and beliefs' that are disempowering you and keeping you in scarcity. Besides - if you HAVE something to give or throw away, that's a sign that you still have ABUNDANCE in your life!
* CELEBRATE YOUR COMPLETIONS! Every action you take - especially during times of stress - requires an expenditure of energy! Thus, every time you complete an action (no matter how large or small), it is VITAL that you replenish or refill some or all of the energy you've just spent. That's why CELEBRATING every completion is so important - so that you will have the energy needed to continue to take action! Whether it be a 'Home Alone Fist Pump' or a fun little dance or a special treat (like salsa & chips!), taking a few seconds to celebrate your completions will keep your energy flowing more consistently - which will then support your actions and results to do the same!
* LET GO OF YOUR JUDGMENTS! More than anything, it's our judgments that disempower us. We think we 'should' have such-and-such by now. We think we 'shouldn't' be feeling the way we do or in the situation we are in. We label things as 'bad' or 'wrong' or 'negative'. We compare ourselves to others. Consider this illustration:
IAMNOWHERE
* HAVE FUN - EVERY DAY! To play is to recreate - to 're-create'! If you're in a stressful situation - isn't that what you most want to be able to do in response, i.e. to 're-create' it? Need I say more?