Listening To Your Inner Voice

A Balanced Life, intention, , , , ,

Listening to your inner voiceAmongst my many sets of oracle cards there are a couple of small and often overlooked sets. These were the precursors of the glossy, very artistic cards that abound on the shelves of bookshops and the like.  Listening to your inner voice in these uncertain times can be difficult as the constant stream of information via TV, radio and internet may scramble the messages. Fear will also hinder listening your inner voice. We are hardwired to respond to danger – you would have heard of the flight, fight or freeze responses that our subconscious mind gifts to when faced with a dangerous situation. Fear is like this virus, quietly acquired and infecting our very thought processes until we manifest the symptoms externally.

UnderstandingToday for this 7th week of intention, I reached out to my ancient (last century) container of Angel Cards. Tiny by today’s standards, but in their simplicity – just one word in beautiful calligraphy and a line representation of an angel – I found an antidote to the fear that had crept up on me.  Feeling incredibly stuck as how to best move forward in a time of uncertainty, the Angel Card that I picked from the container was Understanding.  When paired with a randomly selected card from the little purple box that sits next to the Angel Cards, it made more sense.  The subsequent card from Treasures from Tikashi was the Treasure card! I believe that this card has relevance not only to me, but to you as you read this week’s intention.

“Your life has purpose and meaning that you can value and treasure.

It is time to acknowledge your dreams. Listen to your heart and discover what you really  want!

Be prepared to do what it takes to follow your heart, and you will find your treasure!”

My intention for this week is to: spend more time understanding my calling and purpose, by

gracefully exploring my dreams and creating a space to be nurtured in an amazing and transformative way.

Intention

Six Weeks of Intention

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Some weeks ago I wrote a post on goal setting to fit into the six weeks of intention, but given the intensity of the past few weeks and the shut down of life as we have known it, I will save it for later.

The last six weeks have flown by and on my regular trips to the retreat I’ve had one or more of the books by James Redfield with me. These have been on my bookshelf for some time and the last time I read them was many years ago. The first in the series is The Celestine Prophecy, then The Tenth Insight follows on from that. This time I am taking my time to read the books and am finding that I have a new understanding. Various passages in The Tenth Insight stand out as particularly relevant to this time,  even though the book was printed in 1997.

Apart from the intention to read more and to study the Oracle/Tarot cards as part of my own spiritual nurturing, I have moved to online and phone consultations. Over the next few weeks you will notice changes on the website that reflect this.

It was with great amusement that after a long and vigorous shuffle of my Healing With The Angels pack that the first card that popped out was Intention, followed by Study and then Divine Timing.

6 weeks of intention

Intention: Your intentions create your experiences. By drawing this card the angels ask you to take an inventory of your expectations. What do you expect to happen today, tomorrow or the future?

Study: You are engaged in learning and study right now. Your angels guide you to take the time to read, listen and grow. This card validates that this is an important time for you to learn new ideas or skills.

Divine Timing: Pay attention to doors that are opening and shutting for you right now. Walk through the doors that open, and learn from the doors that shut. Look for other doors that do open and walk through them with faith and gratitude.

Set Your Inner Compass

A Balanced Life, intention, ,

Ten weeks of intentionWhat better way to set your inner compass than to draw a card from an oracle deck? I used The Enchanted Map by Colette Baron- Reid and drew Movement. I loved the reading from her booklet: “Movement is also a state of mind. The fog lifts and you now know the actions you need to take. This isn’t the time for fear. Let it go and move forward.”

The imagery on the card is also interesting and poses the question “How long have you been like an ostrich with your head in the sand?” Another interpretation could be awareness of carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. intention and movement

Looking at the card you can see a hot air balloon in the distance – again I was reminded of something – this time the movie “Up”. The young boy has a GPS which in his exuberance to demonstrate its capabilities-  flies out of the window and they have to rely on the wind taking them  to their intended destination. A beautiful metaphor for trusting that you will get to where you want to go to by using your own inner compass.

So my intention for this week is to: set my inner compass to take me to my goals. To have a clear vision and to move forward, setting my fears or unhelpful beliefs into that wicker basket and letting them go.

Evaluate Your Calendar

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Evaluate your Calendar

Evaluate your calendarIt’s time to evaluate your calendar. By using a digital calendar (such as Outlook) you can colour code your appointments. This will give you a visual representation in which areas you may be over committed. I run several calendars – digital, a desk top diary and the trusty kitchen calendar. The old proverb (Wikipedia tells me it was first recorded back in 1659) “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.

evaluate your calendar
From the Daily Guidance from the Angels oracle deck by Doreen Virtue

Indeed, it’s important to schedule some “me time” into your calendar. Therefore I would recommend when you evaluate your calendar, you schedule some regular meditation time as this not only relaxes or de-stresses you, but is an excellent way of improving your creativity.

In addition, when was the last time you actually scheduled some fun, some play into your calendar?

I am fortunate enough to have young grandchildren to play with and each week I have a day scheduled in my calendar as my “inner child day”. I paint or draw, watch clouds go by, look for creatures in the garden or go “fishing” with agapanthus stalks and seed heads.

The intention for this week is to: create space in my calendar to do things that relax me, so that I can approach my work with creativity and energy.

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Create Space

A Balanced Life, intention, ,

Create spaceFollowing on from last week’s post, once we let go of what no longer serves us, we can create space. Why do we need to create space? Because from energetic and Feng Shui  points of view, clutter is what obstructs the free flow of energy. Clutter that remains can be physical or emotional. Who has a kitchen drawer full of utensils that might be used just occasionally? When was the last time you used that fancy melon baller? If it was longer than six months ago, it is most likely to be clutter.

Setting your intention to clear and create space for the new to come in can be emotionally challenging. I have boxes of books that I inherited from my deceased parents that I open only very occasionally. I admit that they are clutter and in going through them and dispatching them to somewhere where they may be appreciated, I will not only clear some physical space but the emotional attachment from hanging onto them.

In fact, you can physically create space for yourself by finding a pleasant nook in the garden or somewhere in the house that is just yours. Plant some fragrant flowintentioners or a shady shrub with a comfortable space to sit and contemplate. For the interior, decorate your space in colours and furnishings that please you.

This card from the Enchanted Map oracle deck has a beautiful message. ” Deliberate, clear intentions have the power to change your world”.  Colette writes further that “the good intentions of others will inspire you to send out beautiful ones of your own.”

The intention for this week is to: release the need to hold onto things from the past that no longer serve me.

Release What Hasn’t Worked

A Balanced Life,

IntentionBuilding on last week’s intention to focus on a healthier lifestyle, I have started to release what hasn’t worked for me in the past and the current energy of the February New Moon is an ideal time to do this. Building a healthier lifestyle is not only about food, it’s also about mental, emotional and spiritual health. Mentally – it’s checking in on what I’m focusing on. Am I thinking positively or have I got myself into a spiral of negative or unhelpful thoughts? Emotionally – it’s about checking in to make sure I am acting (or re-acting) in an emotionally intelligent manner. Spiritually – am I making time to nurture my soul?

Release what hasn't workedI love the message that this oracle card gives. When you release the negativity and the investment in an outcome, it may seem miraculous, but opportunities open up. You can choose to allow the universe to assist you on a spiritual level or use a coach or therapist to work to remove and release your subconscious beliefs.

A quick look through my vision book from several years ago, showed me that I have been setting goals that haven’t been reached – either because they were too unrealistic or didn’t align with my true purpose or I have unconsciously sabotaged myself in some way.

My intention for this week is to:  Release unhelpful habits and beliefs through coaching with a trusted colleague.

 

Focus

Focus, , ,
Focus

Ten weeks of intentionTo form a clear intention you need to focus. “Focus on what?” you may ask. The old adage “ What you focus on grows” is very true. Think about the time when you were considering buying a new car. How many more times did you see that make or model on the road than before? Your subconscious mind has conveniently dialled in the details for you to start noticing it. Consequently if you focus on a restricted diet, your focus is more likely to be on the foods you can’t eat, rather than the end goal of being slimmer, healthier and at your desired weight.

Begin to pay better attention to what you are focusing on. When you pay attention or focus on what you don’t want – then that is what will show up.  When you focus your intent, you will begin to give yourself more choices.

Focus
Focus oracle card from Doreen Virtue’s Healing with the Angels oracle pack.

Currently I’m undertaking a program that will help with an underlying health issue and the rather pleasant side effect is a reduction in weight and this is enabling me to make better choices.

My intention is to return to full health, therefore this week’s intention is to: Intend for my physical body to be healthy, filled with energy and my vitality restored by eating healthy, nutritious food.

To help you with your intentions for the next ten weeks, I suggest you do the Wheel of Life exercise which you can download for free. If any issues come up as a result of this, consider a coaching session using the promotional code given previously.

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Ten Weeks of Intention

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An introduction to the Ten Weeks of Intention.

TenIntroduction to ten weeks of intention Weeks of Intention will start next week and I hope you will join me on this journey.  However you can choose to follow in real time or wait until it’s convenient for you and begin your own ten weeks of intention. Obviously since everyone’s intentions differ, you may choose to substitute the intention for the week with something more relevant for you.

You can set your intention for each week in a different area of your life – it doesn’t have to be work related.  In addition, if you want some accountability beyond social media feedback, then  a 5 session coaching program of regular half hour phone sessions conducted every second week may be of benefit to you.

Intentions are the starting point of every dream

– the seed of creation.

Deepak Chopra

Just use the promo code INT2020 to get your special pricing (offer expires June 30 2020)

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Quality time

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quality timeHow do you define quality time? I would define it as time where your focus is on that special person. It’s about being present, in the moment and holding space for both you and the person you are spending time with. Quality time can be a planned event or happen spontaneously.

Think of a friend that you haven’t seen for some time either because of distance or time constraints. During the time that you spend together – are you present or paying attention to your phone? If it is the latter, then you are not spending quality time with them.  Even if you have put the phone away and you still have the “monkey mind” chattering away, you are not present.

Spend quality time with those who are special, important and love you as much as you love them.*

Spending time with those who are important and love you as much as you love them creates the memories that carry you forward when they are no longer with you or you with them.  The memories I have of my grandparents are still vivid as when I stayed with them, they were present and paying attention to me.  Hearing Claire de Lune on the piano, takes me immediately back to Granny playing the piano.  Likewise, I pay attention to my grandchildren when I spend time with them. We play with cars, with blocks, create cubby houses out of blankets  and when I do bring my phone out (to take photos)  the 3 year old admonishes me, telling me to put the phone away!

Staying focused and being mindful can be learned either through coaching, meditation or Reiki. Giving a Reiki session to someone who holds a special place in your heart is the ultimate in quality time.

*The fifth of Five Steps to a Better You in 2020 – Steve Miller.

Spend time alone

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At least once a week spend time alone. Reassess your life and take appropriate action that puts you first. Fuelling the focus on you means that you will have more to give out.

The fourth of Five Steps to a Better You in 2020 – Steve Miller.

spend time alone and listen to the whispers of your soulIf you are an introvert, you need to spend time alone. It makes no difference if you are partnered or not, this time allows you to recharge and reflect on what is important for you. Even if you are an extrovert, time spent alone can be productive. How you spend this time alone is crucial.  If you are spending the time perusing social media, this is not the most productive way to spend time alone.  Frittering this time away on tasks that could be done later means you are depriving yourself of quality time.

When you spend time alone meditating you get so much more. Herbert Benson’s study into meditation (The Relaxation Response) showed that meditation increases creativity and productivity. Age is no barrier to a successful meditation practice.  Just the other day I was teaching a six year old in the HeartMath coherence technique, so that he can differentiate between relaxation and the need to be constantly entertained.

When you spend time alone and put yourself first, make sure you dismiss any thoughts of being “selfish”.  Remind yourself of the airline safety message (that many tune out to) about using the oxygen mask first before you try to help others. Treat your time spent alone as your oxygen mask as if you have nothing left, you cannot help others.

What makes you really happy? Are you living a compromised life and have left your dreams on a shelf – or under the doormat – as you follow along with what others want to do? Spending some time alone – fulfilling your own dreams nourishes your soul. Being alone does not necessarily mean that you are lonely and you may discover that you are happy with your own company.

Many years ago, I backpacked solo around Japan, visiting temples and shrines that I had read about. I also went to Hiroshima and as an empath was greatly affected by the energy there. Intuitively I knew that I needed to spend time alone. Going to the island of Miyajima for a couple of days to reflect and reassess was invaluable. This time alone allowed me to re-calibrate.

These days if I need some time alone, I will wander off to the labyrinth and walk the circuits and meditate a while on the swing seat. Soaking up the energy of the labyrinth and the surrounding trees is like getting a recharge before returning to the hustle and bustle of the city.