The Power Is Yours

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We hear a lot about being empowered, being powerful, and taking our power back. But did you ever take a moment to think about this? What does this really all mean, especially if you start to feel like it’s some kind of movement, that you have been “wronged” or even worse–you feel defeated or lost?

What does it mean to “have (the) power”?

First, let’s start with a simple definition of “power.”  Power is the ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something. This is a good starting point for a perspective on power and taking back or not giving up your power–for embracing your power.

Now in thinking about why you feel that you need to take your power back or not give it up, this is where you really need to do some deep soul searching. What’s going on in your life, what are the things that are causing you to feel stuck, bored, frustrated, angry, sad (fill in the blank) and that are making you feel powerless. You need to be really honest with yourself on this one. If you start to blame others, past or current circumstances or events, etc., you need to go deeper.

You need to look inward into yourself. You need to recognize your fears and take responsibility for your actions. You need to make peace with your past and where you are now and who you are now. You need to nurture the belief that anything is possible and that you can take action and make change. You can leave behind the blame and excuses and set intentions and goals and take positive actions everyday to realize those intentions. This is power–the ability to do or act,–and it resides in each and every one of us.wave-sun

I like to think about power as the ability to create change in your life. Change for the better, where you grow and soar. It’s the ability to understand and accept who you are, what you want and not make any apologies or excuses for any of these things.  Power is knowing your worth and how special you really are.

If you are waiting for directions, have not set clear intentions, are not focused or resisting change, you are giving away your power. If you are having a hard time staying positive or optimistic–and in love with yourself–for more than one day, you are not embracing your power.

And the moment you look outside of yourself for answers, for love or security, you are giving away your power to whatever it is that you are reaching for–and disconnecting from the truth that you have inside of you. When you go within yourself you will find the answers. Inside you is an abundance of power that will manifest and create your desired reality.

So as you start or renew your journey to taking back your power, here are a few helpful practices to keep front and center.

  • Release fear and choose love: Keep close tabs on your thoughts and cultivate self-worth and self-love and work to let go of judgement, blame and worry.
  • Do self reflection and identify your limiting beliefs or unrealistic expectations. Get honest with yourself about these things and bring them to light so you can move forward.
  • Begin to trust yourself. Once you let go or release fear, have more self love and understand yourself, you can begin to take empowered action–working from the intuitive knowledge of you. In this place you can start to depend less on the external world for your answers and be on a path that is aligned with your truth and your freedom.

I would love to hear from you on how you are taking back your power.

The Universe is You

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“We are part of this universe; we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts, is that the universe is in us.”

~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

When we talk about change and intention, of ascension, etc. it is often in the context of the Universe and this “Universe” being an entity or even a higher or divine being—and external to you as a physical being. It gets positioned as this separate, larger force or energy and sometimes it gets personified. We read or hear such things as to put your intentions out into the Universe, the Universe will provide for you, the Universe will tell you what to do, the Universe will support you, etc. 

This is true. The Universe—as an amazing, powerful, collective and connected energy source made up of each and every one of us—past, present and future—will 100 percent support you in creating a life you love by giving you the challenges, experiences, tools, skills and relationships you need in order to get to where you want to go—to fulfill your soul’s intention.

We as humans exist in a multi-dimensional spiritual Universe, and each of us were soul beings before we were born into the world. Each of us are energy sources as well. So, with this, we are not separate from the Universe, and each of us is more than an individual piece of the Universe. We are the Universe. You are the Universe. You are the vortex where the entire energy of the Universe comes alive. You are the focus of the Universe that makes you possible.  universe in you

This is tremendous and amazing, especially when you think about this is terms of your intentions and how you have the power to change, and in doing so change the world. You can tap into the amazing resource of you—of what you were, who you are and what you will be to work toward your intentions and purpose.  As I have said in past posts, the answers you seek, the life you truly desire are within you—in the Universe.

The strongest, most powerful connection to everything that can guide you is actually within you. So often, we get caught up in thinking that we need to “trust the Universe” and some external force is going to take care of things. When we do this, we position ourselves as dependent or dis-empowered relative to some elevated idea of the Universe. Instead, think and know that the Universe is you. You are the elevated or divine being. In saying that you need to trust the Universe—you are trusting yourself and you are empowering yourself.

Everyday, the Universe—you—are giving signals and signs to help you on your life’s journey and to your purpose. The critical thing (and one of the hardest) to remember is that the journey and your purpose do not have an end or some expiration date. We are constantly evolving and paying attention to the signals and signs will greatly help us.

If you are clear about what you want, but the Universe—you—keeps presenting something that you’re resisting, it’s time to uncover what it is you need to learn, gain or experience. Sometimes the things you are resisting are the necessary part of the journey and you are not going to get through that part of the journey if you continue to push back. Listen to yourself. Stay open and receptive. When you hear, see or experience something that triggers a physical or emotional reaction or a sense of truth, and instinctively know it feels right, you have the answer.

Intention, Attention and Course Correction

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“A good intention clothes itself with power.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Throughout the year I have talked about intention—to have in mind a purpose or plan, to direct the mind and to aim; to do something with purpose and desire. An intention reframes the way you see a situation so that you can approach it in the best possible way—consciously choosing how to act, think and be. Your intentions have the power to change your perspective, open your mind and shift your experience.

Determining your intentions (thoughts), clearly stating them (words) and putting them in motion (actions) are all connected. For some there is, however, a disconnect. They may have stated intentions and dreams, but are not fully acting on them. And some may wonder why their intentions are not being realized or progressing. This is the time to deeply reflect and be honest about what is at play.

If you want to know what is going on in the deepest levels of your life, look to your results. Your life will always express what is going on deep inside of you. If your results are out of line with your stated intentions it’s time for some self examination. It is time to look more deeply to discover your real intentions and then work on changing those to change the way you experience your life.  staying the course

When your actions are aligned with your intentions you will create the world you seek. Remember, your results will always match your truest intentions.

Now let’s talk a bit about attention—the interest or thought that you give to something you are doing, listening to or watching. All of us give attention to something in every waking moment of the day. But most people do not pay attention to where they are putting their attention or they put their attention on things that keep them from dealing with what is going on deep inside them.

For many, their lives become driven out of habit and even an unconsicious stream of thoughts. Their intentions get lost—be it from distraction or underlying unresolved issues (fear, not wanting to let go, uncertainty, lack of confidence or excuses tied to unfounded or even unrealistic expectations). If you find yourself in these shoes, take some time to really think about where you are putting your attention, and be honest with yourself. Ask yourself if you are not dealing with unresolved issues and if you are focusing on negativity or acting (or not acting) because of fear.

Life changes when the object of your attention becomes your conscious choice. Start to put your attention on what you want to manifest and start to develop habits of giving attention to all things that support your intention, and being indifferent to those that do not. Take a first step today—and every day—to do something that demonstates your commitment to your intention. Acknowledge that you did what you said you would, and then take the next step.

What you put your attention on grows strong in your life. In short, develop your intentions carefully, attach to them emotionally and act with bold intent!

Letting Go of Busy

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I have been feeling a combination of agitated, overwhelmed, behind and overall a bit out of sorts. It’s like having the list of to-do’s—and the list might have on it to-do’s that you really want to do and enjoy doing, but you can’t seem to get to them or you lose your desire to do them. You have a moment of inspiration and say “I’m going to (fill in the blank),” or you get a great, creative idea and burst of inspirational energy, but the “get up and go” on it is quickly lost or forgotten.

It’s hard to explain, but you know that just something does not feel right. You feel uncomfortable and like you should be doing more. You start to wonder if it’s just you. You start asking “am I burnt out,” “have I taken too much on,” or “what’s wrong with me that I can’t get things in motion,” etc.

fast city lights

The other day I was working with a colleague and she was telling me about a friend she has that just finished writing her second book, is starting up some new altenative meeting techniques and whose business has been flourishing. I felt this feeling start to creep in of discouragement and “wow I better get my head in the game.” I am truly happy for this person, but it set off some self examination.

Sometimes I feel that I used to be able to do so much more. Bang out work product. Be on. Be energized. Be prolific. And felt great doing it all. I have to admit I’m wired to be busy and to do a lot at any given time, so this odd feeling of not being in that zone right now is, well, really difficult.

So I started to examine these new feelings—why is not being in that zone so hard for me? Was it because of expectations I put on myself or others put on me? Did I really think or believe that I had to be busy and do amazing things all the time? Was busy my sense of pride? Was it a distraction? I have to admit, there is an adrenaline rush from being busy, especially when you are working with people who are energtic, creative and engaged. There is that high of rushing to get somewhere, to be somewhere—to dive into the day.

But lately that adrenaline rush is not there. It sort of snuck up on me over time. This has not been a relatively sudden occurance brought on by some big life changing event. It just sort of happened fueled by a culmination of things, events, decisions, etc. It has been part of a change process. It’s a break from many years of busy and a letting go of the busy. I guess why I am so uncomfortable at times, and I need to work a bit on the comparing my now to my past and stop worrying that by not being busy there will be a negative impact on my future.

And in thinking about this a bit more, this is a time for me to reset and renew. It’s a time to pause and acknowledge my feelings, to celebrate my accomplishments and gain some insight. Although I don’t think I have used being busy as a “status symbol,” I probably have embodied it as a symbol of productivity and self worth—of self worth entangled in busy and with busy defining me or what I do. But self worth is found in who you are not what you do. So in this time of letting go of busy, it opens the door to explore what matters to me and who I am. It is a time where new things can happen.