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The Energy Of Anticipation

When you look at the photo of a sandy track through the Florida scrub, do you wonder what lies just beyond the bend? I am attending a life changing retreat in the Poconos this weekend that reminds me of this path. There is an energy of anticipation, which I expect to be exciting. But the last few days my energy has been sluggish, listless, and I even felt a sense of foreboding. How can this be?

Old Energy Rears its ugly head

It’s as if my former self is fighting for its existence. The comfort of a lifetime of caring for others more than myself, giving, and giving some more would be easy to fall back into. But that isn’t going to happen any more. I’m clearing my energy multiple times a day, living in the moment, and building anew the energy of anticipation in a clear, positive light.

How did i change?

For the last twenty years I’ve been opening up my life. This slow process has accelerated during the last half of this decade. There are so many aspects that played a role in my awakening:

  • Journaling
  • Reading
  • Meditation
  • Reiki
  • Classes and more classes
  • Connecting to my soul
  • Chakra clearing
  • Connecting to my guides

How can you start to change?

Even if I listed every event, every modality, and every roadblock I overcame along my journey, it would be useless information for anyone else seeking to live their life to the fullest. Each person has their own direction and path, unique to them.
But I believe there are gold nuggets of universal truth.

Journaling and Meditation are key.

Journaling is pretty easy once you can get beyond your resistance. If you love good books, I recommend The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Not only does she cover journaling, she walks you through many ways to open up your life.

Meditation is a little more difficult. When I was young, the only time I was successful at meditation was in preparation for childbirth, using the Lamaze method. In addition to the breathing technique, I was taught a meditation technique based on imagining a candle flame. It worked very well during my nearly 24-hour labor.

More recently, I have learned Japanese Reiki meditation where I connect to the energy around and in my body. My teachers, Frans Steine and Bronwen Logan Steine, have many wonderful books and recordings to get you started meditating.

If you’re in Central Florida this December, I’m teaching an Introduction to Japanese Meditation class. Stay tuned for more information or even better,  sign up for my weekly newsletter. You’ll never miss a blog or an announcement.

Warmly,
Dawn

Live the Width of Your Life

How much of your thoughts and actions are concerned with the length of your life? But do you think about how to live the width of your life? What do you think is stopping you from adding to your life now, in this moment.

But i’m Afraid

New ideas can be scary. However, everyone can make a micro change. Here are a few ideas to start to live the width of your life:

  • Slowly take in a deep breath, closing your eyes, letting it slowly out. Repeat.
  • Return the friendly barista’s smile at the coffee shop.
  • Feel the warmth of the sun on your face, close your eyes, and lift the corners of your mouth ever so slightly.
  • Practice pulling your shoulders back, lifting your rib cage and looking straight ahead.

Do you journal? Is meditation a part of your day? Do you practice living in the moment? These are ways you can start living life to the fullest.

How do i start to journal?

It’s simple. Just follow these steps:

  1. Wake up 30 minutes early
  2. Gather a spiral notebook and pen or pencil
  3. Set a timer for 30 minutes
  4. Start writing anything, even “I don’t know what to write”
  5. Go with the flow, writing down anything that comes to your mind
  6. Stop when the alarm goes off, or continue if you’re on a roll and have time
  7. Repeat every morning

Journaling will get the mental juices flowing, breaking up log jams, opening up your ability to live the width of your life.

Be brave. You can do it!

How will you start to live the width of your life today? I really want to know.

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Thank you,
Dawn

Free to Be Yourself Anywhere

What does the image above invoke for you?  What is the first word that comes to mind? Do you think she is following the advice, feel free to be yourself? Do you think she is funny, quirky, silly, deranged, or entering into dementia?

My experience being myself in public

Of course, the woman in the floppy, purple hat is me. The picture missed the rest of my ensemble; pink skort, white athletic socks, and grey athletic shoes. I left home wearing everything except the floppy purple hat, which is a permanent fixture in my car.

There were less than fifty cars in the parking lot as I arrived at Bok Tower Gardens around 10:30 am last Sunday morning. I wandered along paths through the butterfly garden, children’s garden, and finally along the path to the tower.

I felt very free, almost blissful in my bright duds. The smiles and hello’s from the people I met verified my belief that the motto, “be yourself”, is uplifting both for the participant and onlookers.

One emotion missing was embarrassment. I felt comfortable, therefore the people who encountered me felt comfortable. I felt positive and they felt positive.

Take a walk on the free side

I challenge you to find the freedom to be yourself this week. Put fear aside, let your hair down, or put your hair up. If it’s freeing to dress in heels to go grocery shopping, do it! Find one way that you feel free to be yourself and go for it.

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Thank you,
Dawn