Simple Steps to Finding Peace

Posted by Nanette Saylor on July 25, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

Today I was reminded of a poem that has hung prominently in every home I’ve ever lived in…”Desiderata”. Reading it reminds me to honor and respect all humankind, my God, Mother Earth and most importantly, myself, and I know I have found peace.

What I love most about this poem, is that at different times in my life, different passages have spoken to me in a way that has brought me great comfort.

When my life was particularly chaotic, I clung to the words, “Go placidly amid the noise and the haste…”, and “in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.”

When I’ve been afraid, I’ve been reminded, “Do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.”

When I question my worthiness, when I wonder out-loud “Am I good enough?”, I simply turn to this print and affirm, “You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.”

When my world fell apart, and my faith was wavering, I read “And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” and once again I could “be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.”

And I when I most needed to believe that I would be OK, I found hope in the words “With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”

And slowly, one step at a time, I found peace.

So I share the full poem here with you, in the hope that you, too, will find peace in this writing by Max Ehrmann. And maybe, you’ll print it out and place it somewhere in your space so you can be reminded, as I am, of the awesome power of these words.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

– written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s —

Filed under Affirmations, Featured, Inspiration, Motivation, Wisdom, faith, hope, inspirational · Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Why? Because I can!

Posted by Nanette Saylor on May 25, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

When I pay attention, I see and hear lessons I am intended to learn. I’ve experienced some wondrous reminders of the power of my thoughts to change my world…

One came in the form of a visit from two friends I don’t see very often, who, like me, have experience in the world of hospitality. The other came in the form of a few amazing blossoms expanding on a delicate orchid that my partner, Bill, gave me for my birthday back in February.

Over a delightful breakfast, my girlfriends and I shared some “war” stories about our service days and laughed a little. We were remembering the long gone motivational program of the Radisson hotel chain, aptly called “Yes I Can”.

As we chatted I didn’t think much of it, other than how simple it was and how effective the program had been at shifting everyone’s attitudes.

And then later in the day, when I returned home, I noticed that my orchid plant was blooming. This plant had dropped it’s first beautiful flowers months ago and stood as a plain stick for weeks and weeks.  Now it had, not one, but two, glorious purple blossoms on it and another was about to open up any moment.

And I couldn’t help but smile and express my gratitude.

Before my eyes was a blooming example of universal energy reaching out to support me and reinforce in me my growing belief that “Yes, I can!”.

You see, up until that moment, I had convinced myself that I couldn’t keep orchids alive.

Every orchid I’d either been given or purchased NEVER bloomed again after the first flowers died, and eventually, the plants died, too. No matter what I tried, for years I had not been successful. I was so sure I would kill them, I stopped trying. The only reason I had a plant now was because it had been given to me as a gift.

A gift of pure love.

And here it was, blooming for a second time! And crushing forever my limited belief that I couldn’t grow an orchid.

Never again will I be able to say “I can’t” without remembering this glorious example of nature and love at work.

And I’m celebrating the mind shift that made it so.

Because, despite my ongoing journey toward self-discovery, in recent weeks I’d recognized that I was still carrying many limiting beliefs that affect how I see the possibilities of my future. I continued to catch myself speaking or thinking in terms that put ceilings on my potential success.

So I began focusing energy each day on shifting those beliefs, re-writing that story and painting a picture of my limitless future.
My re-programming includes using affirmations, conscious language and writing clear details of my vision for the future, one year, three years and 5 years from now.
I began creating a new visual business & marketing plan. With a little hope and faith I’ve made it a picture of a BIG vision! And that vision includes my upcoming launch of the coaching program, 12BabySteps- The Foundation Formula for Creating More Clarity, Serenity & Success.
So the next time you wonder outloud why you’re trying to do something again that has never quite worked out in the past, or you catch yourself thinking “I can’t”, just remember the story of my orchid, and the repeat the words “Yes, I can!”.

Why? Because you can!

Filed under Affirmations, Empowerment, Inspiration, Motivation, Prosperity, Wealth, Wellness, Wisdom, hope, inspirational · Tagged with , , , , ,

Confessions of a Stress Junkie

Posted by Nanette Saylor on February 21, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

Confessions of a “Stress Junkie”
In the week that I was preparing this first newsletter, I was inspired by my  mastermind group, hearing in the voices of some of my group members the same anxious and stressed tone that had become such a familiar pattern.
I am a recovering “stress and adrenaline junkie”.
Here’s what “I know for sure” (if Oprah were to ever ask me…):
That my energy and natural ability to handle and “control” large projects, multi-layered strategies, emergency situations, and rapidly changing environments was a complete cover-up for a deep, deep wound I call a “hole in my heart”.
I attached my value to the fact that I was able to handle stress with grace and
ease. I was proud to say I had worked in organizations that no one else would
put up with, or for difficult people, or in a 24/7 industry during very stressful times. That was my strength, my special skill– it was how I defined who I was. And I craved those environments to feel good about myself. When I wasn’t “crazy busy”, my ego mind would push me into creating more chaos.
When my “down on my knees” moment came, I was overcome with a true knowing that there is a power greater than me. In a moment, I surrendered my will and my life over to the care of that power (and I wasn’t even sure who/what that was!).
So I started to give up some of the “doings”. That meant I was giving up the
thing that I had gathered all my value from. And, with no “doings” and
“controllings” to cover up the hole in my heart, what was in there started
bubbling up. And when it did, my ego mind would try to drag me back into more “doings” so I could generate some more false self-worth and cover up the hole.
Sometimes ego still wins. But mostly, the hole is exposed now…
And I like it that way.
That’s where the value of “inner work” really shows itself to me. My wellness
practices support healing that hole in my heart.
From that place I’ve learned that it’s OK to just be me, that I am worthy just as I am, today, “warts and all”. Only from that place, can I share my true, authentic self with the world, see and hear divine guidance, take inspired action and step into being considerably HUGE!
So what do I mean by “inner work”?
For me, “inner work” is the practice of connecting to my spirit, my soul, my self in whatever way works for me.  My wellness practices gently lead me through my inner work that is slowly healing my heart.
Ellen Meredith, author of Listening In: Dialogues with the Wiser Self, confirms that many of us have a tendency to get cut off from spiritual nurturing, and to obscure that “small still voice” within which can guide us. “There is no reason why your spiritual “practice” needs to be separate from the rest of your life”, she says.
“There is no rule that says you must sit apart in pious reflection and prayer for several hours a day. In fact, the more you find ways to let the activities you do naturally resonate for you, the more likely you are to have a dynamic spiritual practice.”
My practice, or the method by which I complete my “inner work”, includes these four principle components:
1. Wisdom Walks
2. Affirmative Reading
3. Daily Journaling
4. Support from a mentor/coach/group
These simple practices are integrated now into my every day existence. They don’t take a huge amount of time or specialty equipment and they can be done without a lot of expense.
Wisdom Walks: Most spiritual guides incorporate some form of physical exercise into their plans for enlightenment. In addition to the health benefits, Wisdom Walks provide a time for me to connect with the power of nature and a reminder that I am grounded in source energy. Long before I grew comfortable writing in a journal, I began walking by myself on the beach, sharing my thoughts with the God of my choosing and asking for guidance.
“By the power of the wind, the waves and the sea, “ I called. “God, please grant me clarity”.
I gathered treasures…symbols of my search for self and gifts from a God I was desperate to know.
And as I gained strength in the quiet of my aloneness, I began to hear and feel guidance.
Find a place to walk where you can engage all of your senses. Walk alone. Talk to your God. Gather treasures. Ask for guidance. Listen, and you will receive.
“Like an ability or a muscle, hearing your inner wisdom is strengthened by doing it.”  — Robbie Gass
Recommended frequency: Daily. 15 – 30 minutes.
Affirmative Reading:
For years now, I have begun my day with a simple reading. These readings come from daily meditation books like “The Language of Letting Go” and “Journey to the Heart”, by Melody Beattie, “Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much”, by Anne Wilson Schaef, and “Living Juicy- Daily Morsels for your Creative Soul”, by SARK, or from affirmation cards like Louise Hay’s “Power Thought Cards”.
Borrow one from a friend. See if it feels right for you, and then diligently read it each and every day. Over and over.
Buried under all of the negative messaging you have learned to believe is a quiet voice wanting to be heard. It is just waiting for you to re-discover the language of self love you knew as a child.
In the beginning, affirmations were my primer for re-learning this new language. Now, in a world full of negative messaging, affirmations serve to remind me to live in love first.
Recommended frequency: Daily as needed.
Journaling:
As I became more comfortable with my new voice, I learned to write it down. Most call it journaling. Sandy Grason, in her book of the same name, called it a “Journalution”. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, recommends writing “Morning Pages”, and Heather Dominick, EnergyRich Success Coach, describes “Scripting” her days.
In the beginning, I couldn’t write my thoughts— it made me feel too vulnerable and that was too scary.  Now I know that this is the only way I found myself again.
Putting my voice on paper made it real and personal. Putting my voice on paper gave it power. Putting my voice on paper helped me to clarify the thoughts that became my guide to inspired action. Putting my voice on paper gave me the confidence to reach out to you.
And, most importantly, putting my thoughts on paper continues to help me to move through fear, doubt and negativity, when they show up.
Julia Cameron says she writes Morning Pages to “get to the other side: the other side of fear, of our negativity, of our moods. Above all, they get us beyond our Censor.”
Find a book and a pen or pencil that feels good. Keep it in a safe place. Reach for it often, and begin without judgment. Just write. Even if you write “I don’t know what to write today”, begin the practice, and you will find comfort.
Recommended frequency:  Daily. 15 minutes – 45 minutes.
Support from a coach/mentor/support group:
As my thoughts became clearer, and that “small, still voice” within began to speak louder, having a coach/mentor or support group nearby provided me a filter that led me toward greater and faster clarity. I learned I was not alone.
Napolean Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich” first introduced us to the power of the “mastermind” group, where individuals gathered to support each other, and the strength of the group could be counted on to “up level” each of the participants. It is here that you can find the strength and support to turn inspiration into action.
Coaches of all specialties are available in every location and even remotely via teleclass and webinar. And low or no cost support groups, facilitated by volunteers, are available through most community centers and hospitals.
Find a friend who attends a regular 12 step meeting and go with her. Many of them are available for “clean” addictions (non drug or alcohol related), like CoDa, which focuses on relationships and self-love. A small donation, $1 or $2, if you are able, is all that is expected here.
Even if one-on- one coaching may seem out of your budget today, you can begin to experience the support in groups that usually have minimal expense. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you hear a message that resonates with you. Borrow books, go to the library.
Trust that when you find a message that resonates with you, that is the message you are supposed to hear. Stop searching and allow yourself to become immersed in the support that the message will bring.
For a long time, I continued to be so frightened by the awareness that I was gaining from the support of my chosen mentors that I kept running from group to group, keeping myself busy and distracted. As a result, my journey has been much longer than it needed to be.
Do the work without judgment. Be conscious of choosing friends who will encourage you to do the work, not just talk about it–  over time, you will begin to know the difference very clearly.
Recommended frequency:  Weekly at a minimum.
And in all of these practices, there is one constant– simply, I’ve learned to pay attention with an open mind. I’ve learned to believe.
Set skepticism aside and allow these simple practices to connect you to your inner guidance. Nurture your soul by paying attention to the beauty of all that surrounds you.
Slow down. Get off the treadmill. Make the choice to discard everything that distracts you from paying attention to your true voice.
In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron writes:
“The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the capacity for delight. The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention.
The reward for attention is always healing.”

Note to readers: Reaching out to support a friend this week, I referenced this article, and suggested she check it out on my blog. When I went looking for it, I couldn’t find it. So, here it is again. My apologies if you’ve already read this one…but it bears repeating for me sometimes, too.

The week I was preparing for my first newsletter last September, I was inspired by my MM group, hearing in the voices of the members the same anxious and stressed tone that had become such a familiar pattern for me. I heard the voice of my previous identity.

I am a recovering “stress and adrenaline junkie”.

You see, here’s what “I know for sure” (if Oprah were to ever ask me…):

My energy and natural ability to handle and “control” large projects, multi-layered strategies, emergency situations, and rapidly changing environments was a complete cover-up for a deep, deep wound I call a “hole in my heart”.

I attached my value to the fact that I was able to handle stress with grace and ease. I was proud to say I had worked in organizations that no one else would put up with, or for difficult people, or in a 24/7 industry during very stressful times. That was my strength, my special skill– it was how I defined who I was. And I craved those environments to feel good about myself. When I wasn’t “crazy busy”, my ego mind would push me into creating more chaos.

When my “down on my knees” moment came, I was overcome with a true knowing that there is a power greater than me. In a moment, I surrendered my will and my life over to the care of that power (and I wasn’t even sure who/what that was!).

So I started to give up some of the “doings”. That meant I was giving up the thing that I had gathered all my value from. And, with no “doings” and “control-ings” to cover up the hole in my heart, what was in there started bubbling up. And when it did, my ego mind would try to drag me back into more “doings” so I could generate some more false self-worth and cover up the hole.

Sometimes ego still wins. But mostly, the hole is exposed now…

And I like it that way.

That’s where the value of “inner work” really shows itself to me. My wellness practices support healing that hole in my heart.

From that place I’ve learned that it’s OK to just be me, that I am worthy just as I am, today, “warts and all”. Only from that place, can I share my true, authentic self with the world, see and hear divine guidance, take inspired action and step into being considerably HUGE!

So what do I mean by “inner work”?

For me, “inner work” is the practice of connecting to my spirit, my soul, my self in whatever way works for me.  My wellness practices gently lead me through my inner work that is slowly healing my heart.

Ellen Meredith, author of Listening In: Dialogues with the Wiser Self, confirms that many of us have a tendency to get cut off from spiritual nurturing, and to obscure that “small still voice” within which can guide us. “There is no reason why your spiritual “practice” needs to be separate from the rest of your life”, she says.

“There is no rule that says you must sit apart in pious reflection and prayer for several hours a day. In fact, the more you find ways to let the activities you do naturally resonate for you, the more likely you are to have a dynamic spiritual practice.”

My practice, or the method by which I complete my “inner work”, includes these four principle components:

1. Wisdom Walks

2. Affirmative Reading

3. Daily Journaling

4. Support from a mentor/coach/group

These simple practices are integrated now into my every day existence. They don’t take a huge amount of time or specialty equipment and they can be done without a lot of expense.

Wisdom Walks: Most spiritual guides incorporate some form of physical exercise into their plans for enlightenment. In addition to the health benefits, Wisdom Walks provide a time for me to connect with the power of nature and a reminder that I am grounded in source energy. Long before I grew comfortable writing in a journal, I began walking by myself on the beach, sharing my thoughts with the God of my choosing and asking for guidance.

“By the power of the wind, the waves and the sea, “ I called. “God, please grant me clarity”.

I gathered treasures…symbols of my search for self and gifts from a God I was desperate to know.

And as I gained strength in the quiet of my aloneness, I began to hear and feel guidance.

Find a place to walk where you can engage all of your senses. Walk alone. Talk to your God. Gather treasures. Ask for guidance. Listen, and you will receive.

“Like an ability or a muscle, hearing your inner wisdom is strengthened by doing it.”  — Robbie Gass

Recommended frequency: Daily. 15 – 30 minutes.

Affirmative Reading:

For years now, I have begun my day with a simple reading. These readings come from daily meditation books like “The Language of Letting Go” and “Journey to the Heart”, by Melody Beattie, “Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much”, by Anne Wilson Schaef, and “Living Juicy- Daily Morsels for your Creative Soul”, by SARK, or from affirmation cards like Louise Hay’s “Power Thought Cards”.

Borrow one from a friend. See if it feels right for you, and then diligently read it each and every day. Over and over.

Buried under all of the negative messaging you have learned to believe is a quiet voice wanting to be heard. It is just waiting for you to re-discover the language of self love you knew as a child.

In the beginning, affirmations were my primer for re-learning this new language. Now, in a world full of negative messaging, affirmations serve to remind me to live in love first.

Recommended frequency: Daily as needed.

Journaling:

As I became more comfortable with my new voice, I learned to write it down. Most call it journaling. Sandy Grason, in her book of the same name, called it a “Journalution”. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, recommends writing “Morning Pages”, and Heather Dominick, EnergyRich Success Coach, describes “Scripting” her days.

In the beginning, I couldn’t write my thoughts— it made me feel too vulnerable and that was too scary.  Now I know that this is the only way I found myself again.

Putting my voice on paper made it real and personal. Putting my voice on paper gave it power. Putting my voice on paper helped me to clarify the thoughts that became my guide to inspired action. Putting my voice on paper gave me the confidence to reach out to you.

And, most importantly, putting my thoughts on paper continues to help me to move through fear, doubt and negativity, when they show up.

Julia Cameron says she writes Morning Pages to “get to the other side: the other side of fear, of our negativity, of our moods. Above all, they get us beyond our Censor.”

Find a book and a pen or pencil that feels good. Keep it in a safe place. Reach for it often, and begin without judgment. Just write. Even if you write “I don’t know what to write today”, begin the practice, and you will find comfort.

Recommended frequency:  Daily. 15 minutes – 45 minutes.

Support from a coach/mentor/support group:

As my thoughts became clearer, and that “small, still voice” within began to speak louder, having a coach/mentor or support group nearby provided me a filter that led me toward greater and faster clarity. I learned I was not alone.

Napolean Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich” first introduced us to the power of the “mastermind” group, where individuals gathered to support each other, and the strength of the group could be counted on to “up level” each of the participants. It is here that you can find the strength and support to turn inspiration into action.

Coaches of all specialties are available in every location and even remotely via teleclass and webinar. I have chosen to make coaching a part of my new work. And low or no cost support groups, facilitated by volunteers, are available through most community centers and hospitals.

Find a friend who attends a regular 12 step meeting and go with her. Many of them are available for “clean” addictions (non drug or alcohol related), like CoDa, which focuses on relationships and self-love. A small donation, $1 or $2, if you are able, is all that is expected here.

Even if one-on-one coaching may seem out of your budget today, you can begin to experience the support in groups that usually have minimal expense. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you hear a message that resonates with you. Borrow books, go to the library.

Trust that when you find a message that resonates with you, that is the message you are supposed to hear. Stop searching and allow yourself to become immersed in the support that the message will bring.

For a long time, I continued to be so frightened by the awareness that I was gaining from the support of my chosen mentors that I kept running from group to group, keeping myself busy and distracted. As a result, my journey has been much longer than it needed to be.

Do the work without judgment. Be conscious of choosing friends who will encourage you to do the work, not just talk about it–  over time, you will begin to know the difference very clearly.

Recommended frequency:  Weekly at a minimum. More as needed.

And in all of these practices, there is one constant– simply, I’ve learned to pay attention with an open mind. I’ve learned to believe.

Set skepticism aside and allow these simple practices to connect you to your inner guidance. Nurture your soul by paying attention to the beauty of all that surrounds you.

Slow down. Get off the treadmill. Make the choice to discard everything that distracts you from paying attention to your true voice.

In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron writes:

“The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the capacity for delight. The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention. The reward for attention is always healing.”

Filed under Affirmations, Empowerment, Inspiration, Letting go, Motivation, Wellness, Wisdom, faith, inspirational, life coaching · Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Taking Simple Steps to Improve Your Self-Care

Posted by Nanette Saylor on September 24, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

A week ago I began to jot down a list of the “must do” things I consider to be part of my necessary practice of self-care. I quickly came up with 10 items. And as I looked at the list, I immediately asked myself the question, “If I had to pick one of those things to do for myself that I couldn’t live without, which one would it be?”

That’s a really tough question for me. They are all so important to helping me stay physically and emotionally well that I don’t think I could live without any of them.
Certainly, though, when I get really honest with myself, I am more focused and disciplined in some areas than I am in others.

And as I allowed my thoughts to wander, I was drawn to the question “if I polled varying groups of women, how would they rate these items in level of importance to them?”. That was followed by, “could I discover the 5 Most Important Self-Care Practices?”.

So I gathered up my list, and sent it out to a few women as a test, and I was surprised that I didn’t get any stand out answers. Every woman said something different! The best part is that what they did say is that the simple act of thinking about their self-care practices made them realize they needed to shift some energy in that direction.

And better yet, one woman rated her list with what she wanted her priorities to be, and what she thought they currently were and wrote in that she was surprised and enlightened by seeing her gaps on paper.

So, if you want to give it a try, I’ve included the list below. Rate each item with the number 1 – 10, with each item receiving a unique value, and 1 being the most important to you, and 10 being the least. Don’t use any number more than once.

Meditation/Prayer

Journalling/Scripting

Exercise

Eating Well

Affirmative Reading

Group Support

Mentor/Coach Support

Resting/Sleeping Well

Maintaining a nurturing environment

Participating in a creative process (painting, singing, writing, cooking)

Feel free to add your own if I missed something.

Honestly, are you giving your priority items your full attention? Are you truly practicing self-care? I know the past two weeks I have not been — and boy, do I feel it. And though I generally do a good job of staying on track with my journaling, affirmative reading and group and coach support, I still have not found my rhythym with eating well and exercising consistently. Writing up this little exercise made it obvious to me that I need to direct some energy to those areas.

What practices are the most important to you? Please share your thoughts with me. Post a comment on this blog, or comment on my Facebook page at http://companies.to/wisewellwomen. I’ll be compiling and share the total results here, too.

So, today I commit to making exercise and eating well an integral part of my self-care practice. I’m not sure yet what that’s going to look like or how I’m going to do it, but I know I’ll get there.

Will you join me?

 

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What does FEAR look like to you?

Posted by Nanette Saylor on June 21, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

I have to admit it, even though I am generally going about my life full of gratitude and joy, there are days when I’m just not feeling so sure…

And I know from experience, that all I have to do is just begin to doubt, just a little bit, and my old nemesis, fear — that absolutely paralyzing, stop you in your tracks, “FEAR GREMLIN”– creaps right in.

What does my “Fear Gremlin” look like?
He looks like one of those evil gremlin characters from the movie– that mohawk guy with the black streaks in his head! (not the cute, little green one).

What keeps him alive?
Despite tons of positive energy in my life, I still feed him a little bit every day. And boy is that a hard habit to break!

What does he say to me?
He tells me “I can’t do it”, “I’m not good enough”, “I don’t know enough”, “I always give up”, “people won’t like me”, or “they won’t trust me”, or “they’ll never be a part of what I’m doing”, and “they’ll REJECT me!”.

YUCK! And that feels awful…

But the day I saw that vision of my fear gremlin, I saw a picture that now makes me smile. Happily, I penciled that vision into existence in my journal, and named him “Fearsome Freddie”.

That black haired, evil eyed, white streaked, snarly creature, wasn’t so scary after all! What a shift! “Fearsome Freddie” is a cartoon character, and a funny one at that!

My tendency toward negative self-talk will never go away completely, but at least now, I can laugh at myself, toss “Fearsome Freddie” a ball of affirmations to play with, and move on.

What does your fear look like?

Filed under Empowerment, Wisdom · Tagged with , ,