I am doing a massive decluttering of my home to create some new energy and in the process I am blessing my home. It's so much easier to help someone else de-clutter their space, this is my stuff and there's all sorts of emotion tied to it.
It's interesting the emotions that are coming up for me....I've had some fear, some anger, some sadness. I just keep tapping it off and allowing the energy to flow through me. And I'm using that energy to get through it.
I've caught myself multiple times resorting to my old negative ways of thinking. Too frequently, I decide that I need a break, or that I deserve another cookie. As I get more of the clutter handled, and more issues resolved, I'm feeling less anxious and my appetite is coming back a bit. Which is good and bad.
It's interesting, as I confront things in the process of cleaning up, I find I am definitely resorting to my old habit of comfort eating. I know for sure that once this project is complete, I'll be doing an aversion to soft-top lemon cookies. :) They call my name when I'm at my weakest. So that has to be fixed!
But for right now, I'm simply acknowledging that I'm judging myself and then I practice a little self-forgiveness. It's a chance to accept myself exactly as I am. When I start feeling uncomfortable and find myself craving a cookie or wanting a break, it's time to be aware of what my body needs and notice what's upsetting me instead of beating myself up for it.
Tapping is really helping me to eliminate the negative thoughts I have about cleaning. When I feel stressed or overwhelmed by it all, I tap off the bad stuff, and the job gets a whole lot easier. Sometimes I really DO need a break and a drink of water and sometimes I need to quit whining and take 5 minutes more to finish the job.
Blogging break is over :) back to work for me!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Creating my ideal body - connecting through yoga
I had first learned yoga as a little kid when my mom and grandparents started practicing it, but I hadn't been doing it as a workout for years and years. I tried using the cardio equipment and walking, but my shoes made my feet hurt. I tried swimming, but I'm an indifferent swimmer and never really felt like I worked hard.
So I went back to a beginner's yoga class. Feeling really fat in my tight yoga clothes. Feeling really unsure of my balance, my flexibility, my knowledge. I was really uncomfortable going to class in general. My practice had come from TV, videos, and books. I had never taken a class.
But soon, I was reminded what an individual practice yoga is. I tapped off my uncomfortableness and I started feeling more connected to my breath and I got stronger and more flexible. Because I felt so much better and I could feel the progress it made it easier to continue.
Yoga is very much a journey and the only competition is with yourself. And yet, this class was in an aerobics atmosphere. It was quite difficult to not look around the room and contrast and compare. I found that the times when I hurt myself, it was because I was trying to prove how good I was. Trying to do better than someone else, or trying to keep up.
Ego can definitely cause pain when practicing yoga. I learned the hard way several times that it's better to move slowly, breathe, and accept exactly where I was rather than push too hard and force it.
Others have already written extensively about the benefits of yoga, if you haven't heard me rave about yoga over and over already, go read all about it. lol I'll just say that yoga is some of the best exercise that ANYONE can do, regardless of age, ability, flexibility, or strength. If you can breathe, you can do yoga. All you need is some basic information and instruction and you can do it easily.
My yoga practice continues to shape and sculpt my body. In August, when I started practicing yoga nearly every day, I was wearing a size 24. Now I wear a 14. I am stronger and more flexible than I have ever been and so much more comfortable in my own skin.
In the beginning, it took effort to go to class. I think it was about January that I experienced a shift and feel motivated to practice yoga. It's no longer about willpower. I never think, "Oh god, I have to go exercise again!" I tend to think, "Oh goody! I get to go do yoga! I'll feel so much better when I'm done."
And I'm honestly excited about the next time I get to practice and work my body hard.
Creating my ideal body - the first steps
Last August, 2009, I made a decision that I was going to feel better about my body.
In the process of having two babies, I had gained a lot of weight on my already less-than-in-shape body. It was depressing to get dressed, my feet hurt so bad I could barely walk barefoot, and my blood pressure was high. And my babies weren't babies any longer. I was wearing a size 24, and even some of those were getting tight.
Because of my history of dieting, and low self-esteem in general, I was completely unwilling to go on a diet and restrict my calories, or, god forbid, keep a food journal, or do weekly weigh-ins. lol I have done all those things in the past, and I hated it.
It didn't matter how much I knew that to lose weight I had to diet and exercise. I was NOT going to do it that way ever again.
In determining the path I was going to take, I tapped and meditated. What I learned was that what I really wanted was to feel comfortable and happy in my own skin. My number that came up on the scale really didn't matter. What mattered to me was:
In the process of having two babies, I had gained a lot of weight on my already less-than-in-shape body. It was depressing to get dressed, my feet hurt so bad I could barely walk barefoot, and my blood pressure was high. And my babies weren't babies any longer. I was wearing a size 24, and even some of those were getting tight.
Because of my history of dieting, and low self-esteem in general, I was completely unwilling to go on a diet and restrict my calories, or, god forbid, keep a food journal, or do weekly weigh-ins. lol I have done all those things in the past, and I hated it.
It didn't matter how much I knew that to lose weight I had to diet and exercise. I was NOT going to do it that way ever again.
In determining the path I was going to take, I tapped and meditated. What I learned was that what I really wanted was to feel comfortable and happy in my own skin. My number that came up on the scale really didn't matter. What mattered to me was:
- that I felt good in my clothes
- that I was able to shop in "normal" sizes instead of specialty plus sizes
- that my feet didn't hurt
- that the doctor and dentist weren't bugging me about my blood pressure
- that my husband thought I was sexy
- that I stayed alive to raise my kids
The first thing I did was to get rid of all my clothes that made me feel frumpy and fat. It was easy to pick out the couple of items that I wore and felt pretty good in. The clothes that fit, didn't have holes or stains, and made me feel good were few....it left me with about 3 outfits. Everything else got bagged up and I drove it to the donation box.
When you have nothing to wear and your closet is literally empty, there's some strong motivation to get some new clothes. We were a single income family at the time, and we didn't have ANY budget for new clothes, so I went to the thrift store. For about $60 I bought myself a slightly used wardrobe that made me feel comfortable AND beautiful.
Mostly I found long skirts and dresses, this was a fall wardrobe, nothing tight around my stomach, and long enough that I could wear socks instead of hose. I shunned all the jeans and most of the pants in general. My husband had admitted to me that he thought I looked better in skirts and besides, my jeans were the first thing to squeeze me and make me feel fat. Basically, my wardrobe went from frumpy stay-at-home mom to business casual.
The energy shift was amazing! Suddenly, people were complimenting me everywhere I went. Suddenly, I didn't feel the stress of getting dressed in the morning. People wondered why I was dressed up all the time.
The next step was to go back to practicing yoga.
Reclaiming Your Energy: transforming a negative relationship
We all have those people in our lives that we'd rather NOT deal with. The ones who make you grit your teeth every time you have to deal with them. This may be an ex-partner, co-worker, boss, family member, teacher, classmate, or neighbor. This is a person who causes you pain, anger, frustration, and outright disbelief that they behave so badly.
Unfortunately, for many of us they just keep coming back to create chaos and disarray in your life.
Would you like it to be over? No, I'm NOT talking about dropping them in a big hole or hiring someone to "take care of matters" or sticking pins in a voodoo doll. I'm talking about a way that's legal, that doesn't lead to pain, suffering, or loss for ANY of the involved parties.
With a couple of exercises, that you do to align your energy, you can affect how others interact with you. The results often appear magical!
I've used these exercises frequently in my own life and taught many of my friends. Without saying a word to the person who is causing you distress, either they simply disappear or can't come near you. OR they have a shift in their behavior, and suddenly start showing empathy and kindness in dealings with you to create an equitable end to the relationship.
Are you willing to try something different and achieve something you thought was "impossible"?
In this sixty minute workshop, you'll learn 2 energy exercises to change your co-creation with someone who is creating chaos and pain in your life. We'll also discuss ways to cope and heal from abusive or traumatic situations and allow a new creation into your life.
Unfortunately, for many of us they just keep coming back to create chaos and disarray in your life.
Would you like it to be over? No, I'm NOT talking about dropping them in a big hole or hiring someone to "take care of matters" or sticking pins in a voodoo doll. I'm talking about a way that's legal, that doesn't lead to pain, suffering, or loss for ANY of the involved parties.
With a couple of exercises, that you do to align your energy, you can affect how others interact with you. The results often appear magical!
I've used these exercises frequently in my own life and taught many of my friends. Without saying a word to the person who is causing you distress, either they simply disappear or can't come near you. OR they have a shift in their behavior, and suddenly start showing empathy and kindness in dealings with you to create an equitable end to the relationship.
Are you willing to try something different and achieve something you thought was "impossible"?
In this sixty minute workshop, you'll learn 2 energy exercises to change your co-creation with someone who is creating chaos and pain in your life. We'll also discuss ways to cope and heal from abusive or traumatic situations and allow a new creation into your life.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Joy in Small Creations
It's the small stuff that really makes me smile!
There are small signs of when your energy is flowing, and learning to pay attention to them is so beneficial.
For instance, I've been creating abundant prosperity and I'm finding coins everywhere. It's not the large sums of money that I am ultimately creating, but I'm taking it as a sign that the trickling has begun. I tapped on prosperity the other day and was feeling really good, and five minutes later, found $101 in the craft cupboard. I must've slipped some money in there at some point, but I don't remember doing it. The important part was that I found it!
It's encouraging to see some changes in your own energy and as you allow these small creations, they clear the way for the bigger creations to manifest.
For years now, I've worked on small creations in traffic situations. Usually, these creations manifest as hitting all the green lights, considerate drivers in general, a lack of traffic, a bubble of space between me and the other drivers. Then there's the "parking fairy" (gosh I wish I could draw my mental picture!) The parking fairy and I are friends, and he always makes sure I have a good spot. It's a bit of silliness, and it works like magic when you allow it.
My best small creation has been pleasing me to no end on a daily basis: the simple act of finding things. My own habit has been to misplace things, and then get all upset and usually late. And that's been changing. Literally, I have been able to stop myself, breathe, and allow the lost item to be found. It feels effortless and almost as if it's NOT a big deal, except that I still remember how I used to do it, and I acknowledge that it's a HUGE deal to do it differently.
Life is made up of a lot small creations. And it's fun to learn to gain some control over them and celebrate the times you're doing it right.
In this sixty minute workshop, I will teach you some simple exercises to allow you to clear your energy and find your groove as you move through your daily life.
There are small signs of when your energy is flowing, and learning to pay attention to them is so beneficial.
For instance, I've been creating abundant prosperity and I'm finding coins everywhere. It's not the large sums of money that I am ultimately creating, but I'm taking it as a sign that the trickling has begun. I tapped on prosperity the other day and was feeling really good, and five minutes later, found $101 in the craft cupboard. I must've slipped some money in there at some point, but I don't remember doing it. The important part was that I found it!
It's encouraging to see some changes in your own energy and as you allow these small creations, they clear the way for the bigger creations to manifest.
For years now, I've worked on small creations in traffic situations. Usually, these creations manifest as hitting all the green lights, considerate drivers in general, a lack of traffic, a bubble of space between me and the other drivers. Then there's the "parking fairy" (gosh I wish I could draw my mental picture!) The parking fairy and I are friends, and he always makes sure I have a good spot. It's a bit of silliness, and it works like magic when you allow it.
My best small creation has been pleasing me to no end on a daily basis: the simple act of finding things. My own habit has been to misplace things, and then get all upset and usually late. And that's been changing. Literally, I have been able to stop myself, breathe, and allow the lost item to be found. It feels effortless and almost as if it's NOT a big deal, except that I still remember how I used to do it, and I acknowledge that it's a HUGE deal to do it differently.
Life is made up of a lot small creations. And it's fun to learn to gain some control over them and celebrate the times you're doing it right.
In this sixty minute workshop, I will teach you some simple exercises to allow you to clear your energy and find your groove as you move through your daily life.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Eating Consciously
It used to be that if I bought a Ritter Sport Marzipan chocolate bar, it would be eaten that night. I'd break off a section and sneak away and snarf it before anyone saw that I had chocolate, and god forbid, I might have to share! Soon after I'd eaten that section, I'd be back at the pantry, sneaking another few squares. It would call to me and I couldn't leave it alone.
Then I decided to make a couple of changes in my energy specifically about chocolate.
Now I can eat one square of chocolate and savor it. Then if I choose to have another I can or I can walk away. No longer does that bit of chocolate call my name in the night. It still tastes good, I still enjoy it, but I no longer feel compelled to eat the whole thing in one evening.
And I don't feel like I'm having to hold myself back either. It's not a matter of willpower. I simply feel as though I've had enough and then I stop.
So, do you want to learn how?
Bring your favorite comfort food, the one that you know you shouldn't eat so much of, and we'll clear some energy on it, specifically for you. And then we'll practice some techniques centered on eating slowly and consciously.
You'll be amazed!
Then I decided to make a couple of changes in my energy specifically about chocolate.
Now I can eat one square of chocolate and savor it. Then if I choose to have another I can or I can walk away. No longer does that bit of chocolate call my name in the night. It still tastes good, I still enjoy it, but I no longer feel compelled to eat the whole thing in one evening.
And I don't feel like I'm having to hold myself back either. It's not a matter of willpower. I simply feel as though I've had enough and then I stop.
So, do you want to learn how?
Bring your favorite comfort food, the one that you know you shouldn't eat so much of, and we'll clear some energy on it, specifically for you. And then we'll practice some techniques centered on eating slowly and consciously.
You'll be amazed!
Creating my perfect partner
I came to realize that what I really wanted in my life was a partner, someone to trust, someone to hold.
I was in a relationship with someone that I had been wanting to end, but I just couldn't seem to get rid of him. So I started by making a list of what I wanted and a list of what I didn't want.
Do you make lists? I've made lists my whole life. Unfortunately, my pattern was to make a list then never touch it again and eventually throw it away. Not the most effective.
This list was different, I had help. My life coach, Jennifer, had me actually work this list. I learned to use the negative items as contrast to refine what I DID want. And then through a series of energy exercises, reducing my doubts and fears, I practiced allowing my creation.
I practiced nearly every day, tapping, breathing, and aligning my energy with my desired creation for about 15 minutes.
I started my list at the beginning of December 1997, by New Year's Eve, the relationship I had been in was over. Suddenly ending it wasn't hard anymore. I didn't feel sorry for him, he didn't pretend to misunderstand, I was fed up and ended it.
By March I was terribly lonely and depressed, living alone for the first time in my life with no car, no boyfriend, and too much time on my hands. Instead of giving in to my doubts, Jennifer encouraged me to continue to tap and continue to trust that my creation was coming. It made all the difference.
By early May, I was happier and started dating a nice guy I'd met at work. We dated all summer, and he introduced me to his friend and his friend's family. We had a nice summer, and yet I knew something wasn't quite right. I continued to work on allowing the person described by my list and knew that this guy wasn't everything on the list.
In September, just as I was starting to feel like something was going to have to change, my boyfriend disappeared for a few weeks. Two weeks later, he appeared at my door to tell me that he wanted to break up. I convinced him to come in and tell me why, and I was really upset. Rejection hurts.
Then I suddenly had this realization that this was the Universe rearranging to make way for my creation. Suddenly the tears stopped and I started to laugh. Rather disconcerting for him, he thought I was having a breakdown. lol
I continued to work on my list and that boyfriend went away, but through him I had met some new friends. I realized that I was more sad that I wasn't going to get to hang out with my new friends, the Lees, than I was sad that I broke up with my boyfriend. I talked to Mr. Lee, who told me, "Now, no fair disappearing on us just because you two broke up. We like you."
It was a set up from the get-go. He then called all of his kids, and told them to make sure to call me so I'd know that I should hang around. When he got to his son, Rob, Rob said, "well, he's a fool to break up with Jamie, she's the best thing that's happened to him. I'd date Jamie!" And his dad immediately conferenced the call to me and said, "You two need to talk!"
And did we ever! We talked and talked and talked. Our schedules didn't really fit all of October and November, but we talked a lot. While we talked I checked off every single item on my list, he was and is every single one of those traits that I was looking for.
We had our first date December 4th 1998, a year after I'd started my list and we've been together since. We were married in 2000 and have two wonderful boys together. I didn't go anywhere to find him, I didn't go on a massive search. I sat still and aligned my energy and dispelled my doubts that such a person even existed, and he came to me.
I was in a relationship with someone that I had been wanting to end, but I just couldn't seem to get rid of him. So I started by making a list of what I wanted and a list of what I didn't want.
Do you make lists? I've made lists my whole life. Unfortunately, my pattern was to make a list then never touch it again and eventually throw it away. Not the most effective.
This list was different, I had help. My life coach, Jennifer, had me actually work this list. I learned to use the negative items as contrast to refine what I DID want. And then through a series of energy exercises, reducing my doubts and fears, I practiced allowing my creation.
I practiced nearly every day, tapping, breathing, and aligning my energy with my desired creation for about 15 minutes.
I started my list at the beginning of December 1997, by New Year's Eve, the relationship I had been in was over. Suddenly ending it wasn't hard anymore. I didn't feel sorry for him, he didn't pretend to misunderstand, I was fed up and ended it.
By March I was terribly lonely and depressed, living alone for the first time in my life with no car, no boyfriend, and too much time on my hands. Instead of giving in to my doubts, Jennifer encouraged me to continue to tap and continue to trust that my creation was coming. It made all the difference.
By early May, I was happier and started dating a nice guy I'd met at work. We dated all summer, and he introduced me to his friend and his friend's family. We had a nice summer, and yet I knew something wasn't quite right. I continued to work on allowing the person described by my list and knew that this guy wasn't everything on the list.
In September, just as I was starting to feel like something was going to have to change, my boyfriend disappeared for a few weeks. Two weeks later, he appeared at my door to tell me that he wanted to break up. I convinced him to come in and tell me why, and I was really upset. Rejection hurts.
Then I suddenly had this realization that this was the Universe rearranging to make way for my creation. Suddenly the tears stopped and I started to laugh. Rather disconcerting for him, he thought I was having a breakdown. lol
I continued to work on my list and that boyfriend went away, but through him I had met some new friends. I realized that I was more sad that I wasn't going to get to hang out with my new friends, the Lees, than I was sad that I broke up with my boyfriend. I talked to Mr. Lee, who told me, "Now, no fair disappearing on us just because you two broke up. We like you."
It was a set up from the get-go. He then called all of his kids, and told them to make sure to call me so I'd know that I should hang around. When he got to his son, Rob, Rob said, "well, he's a fool to break up with Jamie, she's the best thing that's happened to him. I'd date Jamie!" And his dad immediately conferenced the call to me and said, "You two need to talk!"
And did we ever! We talked and talked and talked. Our schedules didn't really fit all of October and November, but we talked a lot. While we talked I checked off every single item on my list, he was and is every single one of those traits that I was looking for.
We had our first date December 4th 1998, a year after I'd started my list and we've been together since. We were married in 2000 and have two wonderful boys together. I didn't go anywhere to find him, I didn't go on a massive search. I sat still and aligned my energy and dispelled my doubts that such a person even existed, and he came to me.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Do your negative thoughts ever send you into a spiral of worry and doubt? Most everyone I've ever met does this. One fearful thought, leads to another fearful thought, which leads to another....
Everyone experiences stress and anxiety....it’s just a part of life, right? And when you expect life to be bad, it is. Murphy’s Law is real, because we’re all such powerful creators.
The problem is, when you are stressed and anxious, it’s hard to see the opportunities to make things better, much less act on them. Our perspective shrinks until we can’t see any good choices to make. And most of us find that willpower and affirmations aren’t enough to feel better.
In 30 minutes, I teach participants some simple, tangible techniques that anyone can do, to temporarily eliminate negative emotions like fear, stress and anxiety. It doesn't involve baring your soul, standing on your head, or taking drugs. Once you feel better, you can think clearly and take appropriate action.
The very first step is to feel better now so you can create what you desire.
Everyone experiences stress and anxiety....it’s just a part of life, right? And when you expect life to be bad, it is. Murphy’s Law is real, because we’re all such powerful creators.
The problem is, when you are stressed and anxious, it’s hard to see the opportunities to make things better, much less act on them. Our perspective shrinks until we can’t see any good choices to make. And most of us find that willpower and affirmations aren’t enough to feel better.
In 30 minutes, I teach participants some simple, tangible techniques that anyone can do, to temporarily eliminate negative emotions like fear, stress and anxiety. It doesn't involve baring your soul, standing on your head, or taking drugs. Once you feel better, you can think clearly and take appropriate action.
The very first step is to feel better now so you can create what you desire.
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