Let Go And Encourage Change!

Is there a personal pattern of behavior or a negative attribute that you desire to change? Here is a “letting go” ritual that may help you to facilitate the release and the change.

  • Take some time to engage in a writing activity. Begin by writing down on a sheet of paper what you want to change. Really take some time with this. If you are so inclined, use special ink that helps you to feel creative and connected to the paper.
  • Next, on another piece of paper, write down what letting go of the behavior or attribute would look like. How will you look, feel, and interact with others after you have released this behavior? Be specific. What will your “new self” look like?
  • Now, take both papers and plan a brief excursion. It may be a simple walk to a favorite place in nature, or it may be a one-hour drive to a special area. On the way there, allow yourself to really focus on how the negative behavior has limited you. Allow yourself to feel the pain and/or fear that is associated with it. Likewise, if the “curse” has also been a blessing, honor that.
  • When you arrive at your destination, get comfortable. Take out the two pieces of paper. First read the paper that lists the behaviors or attributes you wish to release and feel the words in your heart. Take your time with this. Now tear the paper into small parts, and then either burn it or wet it so that you witness the transformation of the paper and the words. Feel in your heart the releasing energetically of the old.
  • Next look at the paper that reflects what you want to bring into your life. With determination and conscious intent, sign this sheet as a commitment to change and place it carefully in an envelope that you will keep in a special place.

On your return ride home, feel the lightness of your changed self.

Goals!

You have probably thought about what you want in different areas of your life, but have you taken time to choose an area and set a goal for yourself?

When you set a goal and know with clarity what you want to achieve, you can know where you want to be and thus concentrate your efforts. Here are some to tips on setting a goal:

  • If you truly want to achieve a certain goal, begin by writing it down. You will then have a more intimate relationship with your goal.
  • Try writing your main goal in one sentence so that it is succinct and clear. This may take a few moments to narrow it down, so take your time and just get it to where you feel good about it. You may begin “My goal is . . . .”
  • Be both inspired and excited about what you want to achieve and realistic about what you know you will commit to doing.
  • Work with the journalist questions as you write your goal: who, what, when, where, why, and how?
  • For example, if you want to become more physically fit, what would you do and how would you be?
    • Who: you
    • What: exercise to become fit; go to the gym
    • When: exercise 3 times per week on specific days at specific times (otherwise, you will not know whether or not you have met your goal)
    • Where: exercise at a specific gym or location or in a certain way
    • Why: to physically improve your body, but also to feel inspired and in greater health
    • How: schedule exercise dates/times and COMMIT to keeping your word.

So your goal may now be:

My goal is to improve my body by committing to exercising at One Life Fitness three times each week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 5-6:30 p.m. for the next six months. I intend to tone up and lose 20 pounds.

  • Your goal should be measurable. Main goals can have “sub-goals” (I intend to tone up and lose 20 pounds).
  • It is sometimes helpful to have an “accountability partner” who may also wish to achieve a goal. This person may not have the same goal as you, but you can hold each other accountable by agreeing upon dates to check in with each other on your progress. Be each other’s cheerleader!
  • When you achieve your goal, be sure to celebrate your success and reward yourself in a healthy and positive way.

Setting and achieving your goals builds your self-confidence and gets you where you want to be!

Welcoming 2019

At the beginning of the New Year, I often spend an hour or so doing an exercise alone that allows me to reflect with hope as well as provide insight for the coming year. I want to share with you what I do and a method I have used in case this would interest you. I have done this for many years. If you read this after the start of the year, no problem, since this can be done any time of year. It just happens to be a new year’s ritual for me.

You can choose a deck of spiritual cards or another meditative tool.

(1) First, I light a candle and listen to soft music, spending about 10 minutes quietly reflecting on the previous year. I ask that my actions from that year be blessed and purified to seed new actions in the coming year.

(2) Next, I focus on the coming year. Using a chart or written sheet with questions and spaces for answers (people have created neat ways to record), I ask the following questions and draw at least one card per question to see what the “energy” of that question might bring. I then record my answers. I am able throughout the new year to reflect on the questions and cards drawn that I drew in this exercise. Here are the questions I ask and maybe some of these may inspire you:

  • What overall energy best describes the teachings for me in 2018?
  • What overall energy will best help me in the New Year 2019?
  • If (when) faced with challenges for growth in 2019, what is the best energy for me to remember?
  • To balance my daily living for 2019, what do I need to remember (regarding doing/being)?
  • In order to manifest my heart’s desires for 2019, what energy would be helpful?
  • For each month (I list them out), what will give me insight into the energy of that month?
  • What energy best reflects the “mental” picture for 2019?
  • What energy best reflects the “emotional” picture for 2019?
  • What energy best reflects the “physical” picture for 2019?
  • What energy best reflects the “spiritual” picture for 2019?

(3) I post this sheet with the completed questions and comments on a bulletin board or back of a door simply to glance at it periodically throughout the year for reflection. (By the way, if you are in a relationship, you can also choose individual as well as joint cards for certain questions.)

I wish you the VERY BEST in 2019 and look forward to a powerful year together. Remember to subscribe to my blog for inspiration and insider information about Heartliving workshops and products.

Many blessings to you in 2019! –With gratitude, Cynthia

A Thankful Heart

As we approach our Thanksgiving week, we reflect on numerous traditions for giving thanks. Some people have shared with me that at Thanksgiving dinner as a child, they were asked to express something for which they were grateful. While it is one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving is not the only day to focus on “thanks-giving”!

There are important reasons for giving thanks on any day of any week:

  • Your emotions are your most sophisticated way to know what is going on for you.
  • Your emotions at any given moment help you know whether or not you are resisting life or allowing it.
  • You can actually change your emotional grooves and allow the details of your life–your response to life–to play out differently.
  • While you can’t always control your thoughts, you can guide them.
  • Allow yourself to witness a larger picture of your circumstances and your world and decide to feel blessed, expecting good to come to you.
  • Decide that your world is a kind one and that you deserve goodness.
  • Feel better first and then your vibration will change.
  • Know that you are an integral part of life itself and that the Universe blesses you.
  • Let yourself feel blessed.
  • Give thanks for blessings now and on the way.

You see, to the degree that you feel blessed and expect good things–that indicates your degree of allowing good to come to you. So put on some music, do something you love, call a friend, help another, say a prayer–above all, expect good things to come to you and give thanks!

Native American Prayer

O Great and Holy Spirit, whose voice I hear in the wind, whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me.

I need your strength and your wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hand respect the things that you have made, and my ear sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise so that I may understand the things that you have taught my people.  Help me to remain calm and strong in the face of all that comes toward me.

Let me learn the lessons hidden under every leaf and rock.

Help me seek pure thoughts and act with the intention of helping others.

Help me find compassion without empathy overwhelming me.

I seek strength not to be greater than my brothers and sisters, but to fight my greatest enemy–Myself.

Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and stright eyes, so that when life fades as the fading sunset, my spirit will come to you without shame.

All my relations.

Source:  A Sioux Prayer