Do you create mantras?
Life is hard enough; why walk alone? Not only are there people in our lives that we more often overlook for support, I find we don't give ourselves enough credit for the strength we have within. The question is, do you access it? We learn tools for living every day, but we can tend to dismiss them just as easily. A mantra is a wonderful guide when stress overwhelms. Life isn't easy. Help yourself out and create a mantra. It can be for a day, a week, or a month. Find the pattern that works best for you! You've got this!
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I have been practicing letter writing since childhood. Somewhere along the way on retreats and in recovery it was introduced to me in the context of writing myself a letter. It can be a very foreign concept at first, but then when you dig deep and see it as a form of journaling it becomes a very easy healing tool.
I have written letters to my kids since they were born for every occasion under the moon and just because. I write letters to friends for the same reasons. It brings me joy and I hope it brings a little light and joy on the end of the receiver as well. At one point I started taking the practice a little deeper. Since they were young I have my now teens write letters to themselves at the beginning of school, which I give back at the last week from the New Year to just times when I see they need to be reminded of their own voice. I practice this in workshops and retreats as well and have received the best responses. That said, I just came off a beautiful retreat weekend and often I am completely drained. As human as anyone else, I begin to critique my work and wonder what worked and what didn't. Sometimes I can take it to a dark place! Well, when I got home a letter came from ME the next day. I can't remember when I wrote it, but I gave it to my daughter to surprise me. I never would have considered how much I needed to hear my own self and be reminded of self - care. Once again, I practice what I preach and share it with others for I know it has merit. Try it today...write a letter to yourself and give it to someone to mail when you least expect it. Let me know how it goes, trust that you will find a gift in it! How often do you pause and allow yourself to be reflective?
Read that again. Honestly, I don't think we always allow ourselves to be reflective. One thought is that if we give ourselves this time to reflect it could change the makeup of an entire plan that we have in place for our lives. But is that really living? Think about it. We have dreams and we have plans. Living with dreams is living, but locking ourselves into a plan does not necessarily allow for what is meant to come. I woke this morning with this thought process, with all the ideas of where I thought I would be today at my age and then with all the dreams of where I want to be as a particular era of my life is in a massive change the next three years. There is wanting to know what the plan will be, but if I am being honest the dreams are bigger, brighter and many. Who is to say that this is wrong? Many. There are people who will crush your dreams in an instant out of their own fear or jealousy to watch someone else live how they really want to live. Don't allow them in. Allow your light to exist, to shine, to dim when you need rest and thrive brightly when you are ready to be inspired and live fully. Allow life. Allow pain. Allow joy. Allow peace. Allow story. Allow love. Allow pause. Allow yourself to walk the path meant for you! Sunday thoughts: I was about to post and say how I’m not an artist but I like to fool around to relax… Then I realized that really isn’t who I am. I believe that we all are capable of anything we want to do. Am I van Gogh? no I have not studied, but it is really relaxing and meditative to just fool around and fiddle and figure out what comes. This developed into something way more intense for my retreat next weekend but it just was a nice moment. When is the last time you let yourself go without restriction to do something you don’t normally do?
Find Joy in all things.
It is simple enough, yet, let's face it, we do not do it often. At times we make our lives so much harder than they need to be. It is human nature. Gratitude is often talked about nowadays. 'Just find one thing every day you are grateful for in the moment.' While some do this, it feels as if more reserve it for that one month a year. But, what about Joy? When you hear the word Joy, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? This week a dear friend painted me this beautiful flower and sent it to me. No note, just this flower. I love flowers. They are my treat a few times a year to buy. They bring me so much Joy, reminding me of specific times in my life where they lifted me up. Times in my life when I was happy. This friend knew I needed a pick me up. There are not enough words to express the depth of its meaning. When I opened the envelope there was no note, only this beautiful flower that she took the time to paint. So, I have two question for you; how are you Joy in the world and to others? And where will you find Joy in your day today? |
Next Women's Beach Retreat!Follow USOur YouTube ChannelAuthorAndrea creates, builds, and offers her teachings and hands on life tools based on her journey healing her body image after a 14yr battle and life of trauma. Her vision always is to help others live a full life with the journey they are given. Featured ProductCategories
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