Inner peace is available anytime and any place. It’s only our conditioned behavior and society at large that tells us otherwise.
Before we can access inner peace anywhere … it’s important that we’re clear about how to access inner peace in the here and now – before movement is involved.
Stop for a minute, and simply connect with your breath. Breathe in … breathe out… breathe in … breathe out. Shift your attention from thoughts, feelings and physical sensations to that which is AWARE of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations.
Recognize …that you’re aware of thought, but you are not your thoughts. Recognize … that you’re aware of emotions, but you are not your emotions.
Simply rest in that which you are – that which is aware.
Recognize the truth in this moment – “all is well.”
It doesn’t matter how long your to-do list is, how much money is in the bank account, or who is or isn’t in your life in this moment. When we shift our attention to that which is aware, any moment can be experienced with inner peace.
When we can access this inner peace in the here and the now…we can access it anytime and any place simply by bringing our attention back to a place of awareness.
If I’m dashing to catch an airline flight … I can notice how quickly I’m moving and I can notice fear or thoughts arising as I momentarily believe, “I could miss my flight.” Then, I simply shift my attention to the here and now. I’m well. I’m not late – yet. I find my breath. I recognize, “All is well.”
Try it. Anytime. Any place. Including this moment. All is well.
It only takes a moment to shift your attention to this truth.
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Practices, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (0)
I remember reacting to my husband early in our relationship. I was upset. “You want me to be happy ALL the time! You want me to be like Elizabeth.” (Elizabeth is the friend who introduced us, and she seems happy all of the time). In my mind, this wasn’t realistic. My reality was ups and downs. How could he expect me to be happy ALL the time?
Fortunately, I investigated this assumption more objectively. Hmmmm. “John wants me to be happy all the time.” That’s rather sweet. If I’m not all busy reacting to this thought “He wants me to be happy all the time,” maybe I would appreciate that he cares about my happiness. I turned the statement around, “I want me to be happy all the time.” At the core of my being, this IS true. I hadn’t really thought about this possibility. Somehow, this idea stuck in my subconscious mind. An intention was born.
Just creating the possibility of “being happy all the time” sets intention in motion.
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (1)
Want to Read Part 1 First? What is Conscious Living?
How conscious are you?
If you’re reading a newsletter named Soulfully Living, you’re probably more conscious than the average human being. There are likely aspects of your life where you are VERY conscious. Maybe it’s your health, and you’re keenly aware of what and how much you eat, and how frequently you work out. Maybe it’s your finances, and you work with a financial planner, consciously save, invest for retirement, and spend within your budget. Maybe it’s your relationship, and you’ve attended workshops, read books and consciously make a point to remind your partner of how much you appreciate them each day. Maybe you’re conscious about the environment and have made choices to recycle, drive a Hybrid and not litter. And, likely you are conscious of your authentic SELF -your likes, dislikes, desires, fears and wounds?
Since there are so many aspects of life to be conscious of, there are probably a few areas that you’ve simply not paid attention to, or activities where you habitually go on auto-pilot. That’s okay. I’m not suggesting we’re 100% conscious of everything, 100% of the time. However, where we want to attract more power, greater self-expression and deeper fulfillment – consciousness is a fabulous tool.
Where do you go unconscious?
I notice when I’m bored with a situation or when I think I already know the answer, I tend to go unconscious. Historically, I’ve gone in and out of consciousness around money and finances. Gulp. Interestingly, when I focus on money, this area thrives. When I neglect it, it’s less fruitful. Hmmm. When I’m caught up in my mind, fixated on less than empowering thoughts, I’m less conscious.
Until I met my husband John, admittedly, I was pretty unconscious about politics. It was too confusing to me, so I simply avoided it altogether. In the last few years, I decided to bring consciousness to the subject matter and, with John’s assistance, really learn about governmental issues so that I am capable of making more conscious choices at voting time.
Is there a particular area of your life where you go unconscious? Health issues, finances, relationships, organization, or spending time with friends. Where are you ready to expand your consciousness?
Consciousness – The Never Ending Journey. Waking up to life is a constantly evolving process. We don’t just decide to “live consciously” and we’re set. In fact, the more one investigates consciousness and lack there of, the more one may realize just how many areas aren’t fully conscious. Take it one moment at a time.
Expanding Consciousness. Where do we begin if we want to continually expand our consciousness? There are numerous ways. Here are five simple things you can do right away.
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (0)
What is Conscious Living?
Conscious Living. These two words have infiltrated the world in recent years. What does it really mean to live consciously? For many, “conscious living” brings up a sense of community, like-minded individuals, or perhaps a feeling of peace and power. For others, “conscious living” is about “tree-huggers”, chanting and Whole Foods.
Although I consider myself a fan of “conscious living,” I never stopped to define it “consciously.” The dictionary defines “conscious” as:
1. Having an awareness of one’s environment and one’s own existence, sensations, and thoughts. See Synonyms at aware.
2. Mentally perceptive or alert; awake: The patient remained fully conscious after the local anesthetic was administered.
3. Capable of thought, will, or perception: the development of conscious life on the planet.
4. Subjectively known or felt: conscious remorse.
5. Intentionally conceived or done; deliberate: a conscious insult; made a conscious effort to speak more clearly.
6. Inwardly attentive or sensible; mindful: was increasingly conscious of being watched.
7. Especially aware of or preoccupied with. Often used in combination: a cost-conscious approach to further development; a health-conscious diet.
Consciousness is defined as “a sense of one’s personal or collective identity, including the attitudes, beliefs, and sensitivities held by or considered characteristic of an individual or group.”
What is it to be conscious? Essentially, being “conscious” is about bringing AWARENESS to every aspect of your life — inside and out. Think about it. How many opportunities are there to bring “consciousness” to? There are literally thousands of big and little things to bring our full attention to, or not.
* We can consciously evaluate each area of life, such as our health, finances, relationships, fun, our environment and our spirituality.
* We can be conscious of our thoughts and beliefs that are shaping our lives. Beliefs about ourselves, others, politics, the media and the world. Beliefs about what is good and what is bad. Thoughts that are true or untrue in reality.
* We can be conscious of our choices. What do you say “yes” to? What do you say “no” to? Will you work out today? Eat healthfully? Break the law or follow the law? Be considerate or rude? What will you focus on today? Is the glass half full or half empty?
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (0)
You received bad news. You were just fired. Your significant other didn’t keep their word. You lost a client. You didn’t win the proposal.
There are a myriad of ways, we humans, can get disappointed in life.
Disappointment only comes when we get attached to life unfolding a certain way, and then resist what happens in reality.
Here are two tips:
First, see each disappointment as a mini-death of “a future you were hoping would happen.” The greater the disappointment, the greater the grief is to process. That means “feeling into the feelings of loss,” however painful it may be. Perhaps there are tears. Perhaps there is rage. The key is to FEEL into whatever feelings are associated with your disappointment. Of course, the more you feel into any feeling, the more quickly it will transform into something else.
Secondly, see each happening in life as a guide or nudge from the Universe. You may have wanted a different outcome, but how do you know THIS path doesn’t have even more gifts in store for you? By
focusing on the perfection of the Universe, trusting its twists and turns, inner peace quickly returns.
How have I responded to Spirit over the last week? Being attuned to my “inner voice” AND responding to it is another key to profound happiness for me. By honoring our “inner guidance” consistently, a natural rhythm emerges. My intellect believes it knows what my best path is. However, the “real me” knows better. I’ve learned to listen for it, trust it, and respond accordingly. My website launch, new Conversations with the Masters of Coaching, inspiration to take the Strengths Finder 2.0 assessment, and impulses to meditate are all a result of honoring my Spirit’s Guidance.
By the way, it’s easier to recognize this voice when you are grounded in gratitude, stillness, and your strengths. It’s also helpful when you report in once a week about “How you’ve been honoring your Spirit.” So do share!
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (0)
First off, before I move…I set an intention of having “the most effortless, flowing, stress-free move I’ve ever experienced”. I imagine everything coming together neatly into boxes, things moving quickly, nothing getting damaged…..and most importantly ME EXPERIENCING PEACE throughout the day.
There are ALWAYS THINGS WE CANNOT PREDICT OR CONTROL in the outside world — however, we CAN INFLUENCE our INNER BEING. And, when we do, we always ultimately access peace and joy. There are several
overriding beliefs that I believe allow me to have the experiences that I do during a move. Also, they are very useful beliefs to live life by.
So, what’s it REALLY like to be “present with” a MOVE?
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Strategies, Inner Peace Videos | Comment (0)When my husband and I first attended Adyashanti’s Five Day Silent Meditation Retreat, I had NEVER been a big meditator. It’s actually been my intention to meditate as a “daily ritual” – for well over a decade. However, spending five full days in silence with Adyashanti is a great way to kick-start a meditation practice. It was for me.
There were six 30-40 minute meditations and two satsangs each day. At the satsangs, Adya spoke, and then answered questions from the group. The focus was simply to relax into the silence and stillness, without resisting any thoughts. Since my life is typically rather intense, I was ecstatic to turn my brain off for several days. I left in a rather dreamy, peaceful state.
Once home, impulses would call me to meditate, which was a bit surprising at first. However, I’ve come to realize that “grounding in silence” is one of my keys to happiness.
Several days after the retreat, I was on a training call where I was inundated with information. I got off the call, and instantly wanted to go meditate. But, I didn’t. I continued to work and work through the end of the day. Finally, before going for a walk with my husband, I said, “I must meditate first.” Fifteen minutes of silence and stillness, and my profound happiness returned. Now when I finish a long series of coaching calls or hop off of an intense training, I claim 10-20 minutes of silence. From this “connected space,” happiness naturally emerges.
How about you? What are your experiences with grounding in stillness?
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (1)Who me? Living unconsciously? Yep. You. Me. We’re all doing it from time to time. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I know, I know, NONE of us really want to admit to this human tendency. Why would we want to be missing our amazing lives?
Yet, we can all relate to that “trance-like” state where we’re going through the motions, not 100% there. We all have our favorite or habitual places to “check-out” and go unconscious. And, here’s what I’ve found fascinating. When we bring our full-on, conscious attention to ANY aspect of our lives …it naturally falls into greater alignment with our highest ideals and dreams. Our lives WORK, and are more fulfilling when we’re fully conscious. It’s our lack of attention, our “unconsciousness” that is at the root of nearly every one of our problems.
Think about it. It’s easiest to see in others. A spouse leaves their socks on the floor, doesn’t take out the trash, leaves the toilet seat up or forgets to call. Or how about someone who reacts out of an unconscious pattern in the past? Or who habitually criticizes, whines or gets moody? Aren’t they all little UNCONSCIOUS moments?
UNCONSCIOUS LISTENING. One of my favorite unconscious practices – in the past – has been “listening.” Yikes!! I think this started when I was a little girl …
Focus on your STRENGTHS. One of my coaches Ken Abrams, MCC, was raving about Marcus Buckingham’s latest book Go Put Your Strengths To Work. Next to this book was Strengths Finder 2.0. I bought both. Like many people, I’ve put A LOT of attention on my areas for improvement, and glossed over the strengths. Wouldn’t it be egocentric to focus on your strengths? As silly as it sounds, it didn’t seem obvious to me what my “strengths” were. Thank goodness for Strengths Finder 2.0. Seriously.
At the back of Strengths Finder 2.0 is a code, allowing you to take an assessment online. There are 34 strength categories, they call “themes.” The test reveals your top five themes. It turns out my top five strength categories are:
1) Connectedness. Hopefully, you feel my authentic “warm and fuzzies” beaming at you through this email. Those with “connectedness” as a strength have faith in the links between all things. We believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason.
2) Input. This means I like to take in and archive LOTS of information and input. That fits. I love gathering mass amounts of information to empower and enlighten. I love hearing about people’s lives. And, ask my husband, I love “talky-talk” time.
3) Futuristic. As much as I teach “living in the present,” I am inspired by the future, and love to inspire others with their visions of the future.
4) Relator. Hmmm. This one fit too. Those with the Relator theme enjoy close relationships, and find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends (or clients) to achieve a goal.
5) Ideation. I never recognized myself as a big idea person, although it’s true…I’m fascinated by ideas. (Look at me go on strengths!). Our strength is finding connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.
I’ve found, focusing on strengths allows me to own them on a deeper level. Life feels easier. I feel even more
authentic. It’s certainly one of the key elements, which has boosted my happiness factor. Funny how we can resist our strengths. I’m also recognizing and owning other strengths (why own just five?). One of my passions is promoting information and people I believe empower and enlighten. So, unabashedly, if you cannot confidently name your top five strengths, invest $11.97 in Strengths Finder 2.0 and go take the online assessment.
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (0)
Everyday Inner Peace is about maximizing YOUR inner peace. Whatever is interfering with your inner peace is temporary, unnecessary suffering. Here you’ll find tips, strategies and inspiration to return to relaxed bliss … in minutes. Everything is better in life with an abundance of "inner peace."