8th January 2006, 01:05 AM
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Teacher and Shaman
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 5,400
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Empowering ourselves
Quote:
Adapted from Profound Healing by Cheryl Canfield
1. Words. When you find yourself using the word “can’t”, try substituting the word “won’t” and notice how the energy shifts; now, you’re taking responsibility in the situation. “I can’t carry that heavy basket!” becomes a lot more empowering when you change it to “I won’t carry that heavy basket.” Now you’re making a conscious choice. You can try the same thing with should, another disempowering word. Should is laden with guilt. “I should clean the house,” or “I really should go on a diet.” Be empowered. “The house needs cleaning, but I want to go to that event. I’ll clean it tomorrow,” or, “I’d love to lose some weight, but I’m not ready to commit. After the holidays I’ll get serious.” These are examples of empowered choices - but it’s important to act on the choices you make. If you decide to put something off until another time, follow through when the time arrives. You’ll be surprised at how confident and powerful you become.
2. Feelings. Feelings can be very disempowering, especially when they attack in the middle of the night. I’d wake up and these awful feelings would wash over me or grab me in the stomach. Over time I started to realize that if I allowed myself to be quiet and simply feel the feeling, its source would usually reveal itself. Feelings of both sadness and fear usually had to do with something that had already happened or that might never happen. The few fears that were realized over the course of my illness released their hold on me as I dealt with them in the moment. I was able to resolve whatever it was that triggered the feelings, and the dread disappeared.
I found many creative solutions for getting through the dark nights without churning up all the emotional discomfort. Inspirational guided meditation tapes provided a way to set my mind in a more positive direction until morning, when I always felt more grounded and able to deal with things. Another important tool was my journal. I would make lists of everything I could think of that made me feel good and uplifted, everything I was grateful for in my life. Then, during the day when my mind was clearer and more centered, I used my journal to help process the feelings that came up at night. As I gained confidence that I could change the way I felt at night by changing my focus, it became easier to release my fears.
3. Body Language. The way we hold and move our bodies can make a dramatic difference in how we approach things. When I’m feeling down, I stretch my arms overhead, reaching way up with my fingertips. Then I open my palms upward and imagine receiving energy and grace from that endless universal source. If you’re slumping as you sit or stand, try pulling your shoulders back. Notice the difference. And breathe: when we’re tense we’re usually holding our breath. Focusing on keeping the spine straight, standing or sitting tall, and opening the chest while breathing can all make a profound difference. So can getting out in nature and walking with shoulders back and head high.
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