The Power of Affirmations

Affirmations can help us in pretty much any and all areas of our life. These are positive statements that we can focus on and help shift our mindset to the positive along with holding the intention of our goal we want to carry out. When working with affirmations it is important to remember the affirmation do's and don'ts. Here they are for you below.

Affirmation Do: You want to make sure you keep your affirmation in the present tense! One's beginning with "I am", "I can", "I desire now" are good ones to start with.

 

Affirmation Don't: You do not want this to be in the past or future tense. Examples of this are such as, "I will someday" and "In the future I would like".

 

Affirmation Do: You want to keep them positive in their phrasing. Some forget this when they are writing their affirmations, as they already have a negative mindset. Examples, "I am now healthy.", "I am now successful", "I am now in a loving relationship."

 

Affirmation Don't: You want to avoid phrasing them in negative terms, even if you are thinking of a positive outcome. Examples, "I am not fat.", "I am debt free." or "I am letting go of negative people."

 

Affirmation Do: You want to be clear and to the point. Affirmations are about short positive statements that stick, so don't draw out the phrasing. Here is an wonderful example, "I am now healthy and strong."

 

Affirmation Don't: Dragging the statements out can lead to forgetfulness, confusion and frustration. Here are one's phrased this like you want to avoid, "I am physically healthy, with strong leg muscles, toned arm muscles and all of my clothes fit well." Way to long!

 

One of the biggest key points you want to remember is to have one that resonates with you. You can work with others you find online, one's you read in a book, or create one of your own. It is all about what resonates for you! If it does not resonate with you simply re-word it so it does, just remember to keep it positive, pretense tense and to the point. Now all you have to do is work with them every day, focus on your intention and allow the shifting to begin!

 

5 Ways to Unstuck Your Energy

We all feel stuck at one time or another, but it’s how we face our “stuck” that matters.

If you’re feeling like life is one step forward and three steps back, it’s important to know that we all feel that way at times! You’re definitely not alone.

You can change this pattern!

 Five simple and easy tips:

1. Get up and get moving! When you’re feeling low or out of sorts it’s a natural tendency to pull in and isolate yourself. This is one of the worst things you could do when you feel stuck. Sitting around in a slump isn’t going to do any good for you. Get the energy in your body moving by releasing the humdrums and getting active. It’s fun!

Give yourself a good push to do the things you know you need to do and not just “want” to do. Once you get moving, you’ll see that taking action like this will help you become empowered in your life, one step at a time!

2. Unplug from Technology.

Mix it up a little and find an exciting new hobby to stimulate your senses. Go out of your way to do something different or try something new, just for the heck of it. Take a dance class, go paddle boating, or try hiking. The key is to get out of the house and away from your normal day-to-day habits.

It’s all about intention! Being intentional about how you spend your time can help you move forward. Ask a friend or family member to take part and hold you accountable. You’re more likely to take action if you know someone else will be asking you about your forward momentum.

3. Get grounded. Connect with yourself and feel your own sense of being. When you’re feeling like you’re not in touch with yourself, find time to get grounded. This may be through listening to music that resonates with your soul. It might be by taking a long walk in the park, or on a trail to just get away from distractions and get back into your own body’s natural rhythm.

Allow yourself to breathe and get into your body and become more aligned with yourself, so you can dispel any negative energies that might be lurking.

Many times we breathe in short and shallow breaths. Take deep intentional breaths that fill your lungs with air, this may feel like you’re breathing from your abdomen. Feel the air coming in and cleansing your body as you exhale. Allow the sound of your breathing to come into your awareness. Breathe in all the goodness and let the air out with the healing sound of your voice. Your new self-awareness will help you find the motivation to easily move forward.

4. Change the conversation that you’re having with yourself. Let’s face it, we often take too much stalk in what other’s think of us, but by far we are our worst critic. The conversations you have with yourself are far more important than the ones you have with others. Focus on being the YOU, you’re choosing to be. Remind yourself that you’re filled with limitless potential. You have the power within you to create the life you dream of living.

Allow yourself to attract what you require into your life. It’s simple! Create a higher energy frequency in order to attract more positive things into your life. Begin by being mindful of your breathing. Continue to breathe when you realize you’re holding your breath and allow your thoughts to flow with your breath as well. Just one of these simple tools will help you change the conversation that you’re having with yourself to one that is useful and powerful. Raising your energy frequency is powerful when it comes to creating change in your body and in your life!

5. Invite a NEW perspective. No matter how insurmountable your circumstances may seem, there is always more than one way to look at the situation. What if you choose to reframe how you view your life? What would be possible then? All things are possible!

Change your perspective and looking at change in a positive way will help you see the higher good that comes from allowing space in your life, so you can manifest the things you choose to have.

Imagine how awesome you would feel if you could wake up each morning feeling confident. You’d no longer struggle with troubling or negative emotions.

Allow yourself to take positive movements forward each day. It’s the key to creating lasting change. 

Wishing you the very best 

Nancy

Energywork for Creativity

My very first quilt with my proud mom.

I am a quilter and always channel Energy into anything I create. I find that energy helps me to be a clear channel for whatever is coming through for me to quilt. It also infuses the piece of work with energy, adding another layer to the experience of interacting with that patchwork. There are many ways to express yourself creatively and that creative expression can be a wonderful way of working through issues, clearing blocks, looking within, interacting with the world and being mindful. The process of being creative is a beautiful state to be in, it lets you open yourself up, encourages you to ‘go with the flow’ and enjoy the moment as well as being a new way to release and express. In my experience being creative helps me with self healing, exploring my inner landscape and releasing blocks, making me a clearer channel for Energy as well as a happier, more balanced person.

As well as experiencing Energy for healing, I find Energy wonderful for stimulating creative energy, it flows through me, sparking inspiration and taking my intention, ideas and individuality with it into whatever project I am working on.

2019 Mystery Quilt

Here are a few tips and ideas for using Energy with creativity

Open yourself to Energy and creativity. Before you begin creating take a moment to ground and center. State your intention for this Energy; I say something like ‘I channel this Energy with love and gratitude for the purpose of empowering my creativity’. 

Intention is a huge part of Energy. Hold the intention that the Energy helps you through the creative process, opening you up and allowing creativity to flow. You can simply intend that Energy helps you to open up and express, in which case, just start creating and see what comes up. Interpret the resulting images, flavours, scents, shapes, colours or sounds and any feelings you get during the process, using your intuition.

Let go of any ideas about what you want to create. It’s best not to have any preconceived goals about what you want your ‘finished piece’ to look like. Let go of any outcomes you may have imagined. In my experience what comes about during using Energy with the creative process is so much more than I could have imagined.

You can create in so many different ways. If you have always thought of yourself as not being creative, think again! If you see creativity as stimulated by Energy from outside of yourself you can take your perceived ability out of the equation and simply be open and allow it to happen. You can cook, bake, dance, sing, write, journal, draw, arrange natural objects, create crystal grids or mandalas, doodle, tell stories, collage, act, rearrange furniture, decorate a room, lay out an altar, display collections, mix essential oils or herbs, do adult colouring, scrapbooking, photography…. you can express yourself creatively in so many ways, and remember it’s the being creative that matters, not the resulting physical object (if there is one). All of these activities and so many more can be done whilst channeling Energy.

Creativity can be fantastic for mindfulness. Be totally present while you work, focusing on the colors, shapes, textures and sounds. Use all of your senses to experience this creativity. If your mind wanders, bring it back to the present again.

Alternatively you can use the creative process to let your mind wander and go on an inner journey. Start by being mindful of the moment then be totally open to whatever comes next. Be aware of the thoughts that drift through your mind, and see what messages or inspiration comes.

Whatever tools you are using, see them as an extension of yourself and visualise the Energy flowing out of your hand and through the tool into your work.

However you choose to create, try channeling Energy while you do it. Energy is such a beautiful piece to welcome in to our lives, letting it touch as many areas of our lives a possible can only be a good thing and for me brings a deeper, more rewarding experience.

Wishing you creative joy.

mcshane.massagetherapy.com
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A Week of a Healthy Mindset Part III

Today we are finishing up our look at what is needed for a Healthy Mindset. So far we discussed:

• Acceptance

• Just Breathe 

• Gratitude

Accountability – Journaling can be such an amazing tool for keeping ourselves accountable. Owning our feelings can be so difficult to process sometimes. Writing offers the opportunity to clear our minds, it allows a safe space for emotional expression, and it increases our awareness by practicing introspection and insight. It can also help to challenge negative thoughts, reframe your beliefs and acknowledge what you can and cannot control. The content of that writing will carve the path you need to follow in order to heal your deep-rooted wounds. If you are currently staying at home, I invite you to practice morning writing pages, focusing on releasing any mental trash, negativity and resentment you may be experiencing. Give yourself the opportunity to do this for 2-3 pages each day. Trust me, it will make a huge difference in your life.

Making ourselves a priority – remember, there is only one person who will be with you for the rest of your time on Earth: YOU! The way you care for yourself will determine the quality of your life and relationships you establish throughout your lifetime. During these difficult times, self-care and self-love will play a fundamental role. It is also the best opportunity to establish boundaries, to get comfortable with saying NO and to give yourself time to heal. Allow space for this process to happen. Give yourself permission to hold yourself tightly and nurture your mind, body and soul.

And with that I wish you the very best today.🍮

Nancy

Healthy Mindset Part II

Last week I shared the importance of having a Healthy Mindset and shared the first step or tool to utilize to achieving that, Acceptance. I expressed that this is the hardest of all the tools to learn.

Today we explore two more tools to help us get on the path to a Healthy Mindset. 

Just Breathe – when we feel stressed, unsafe and threatened we fall into “survival mode” and forget to pay attention to one of the most important skills in life: breathing. It has been scientifically proven that the practice of deep breathing and breath work can rewire our brain, regulate your nervous system and ease us into a calm state of mind. Therefore, using deep breathing exercises not only directly impacts your body in a positive manner, it also helps to increase your self-awareness, reconnect with your positive energy and help you take control over your mind. As a practice, I encourage you to do this exercise twice a day.Once in the morning and once at night. You may also use them as you deem necessary.

• Sit or lay in a position most comfortable.

• Close your eyes if you are comfortable doing so.

• Breathe through your nose rather than your mouth if that is comfortable for you.

• Deliberately slow your breathing down.

• Breathe in to a count of 4

• Pause for a moment

• Breathe out to a count of 4

• Pause

• Repeat

• Make sure that your breaths are smooth, steady, and continuous

Gratitude – Research has shown how people who practice gratitude experience more joy. I myself have been a willing victim of this amazing practice and can personally attest to its wonders. Gratitude teaches us to look for the good and positive about our lives, as opposed to focusing on lack and negativity. As we foster a mind of scarcity, we create a life filled with pain, sorrow, and resentment. When we practice gratitude, we refocus our energy and attention on what we have, what is working, the strengths and qualities we intrinsically possess, and we allow ourselves to heal from the pain of hopelessness and insufficiency. In order to start your practice, I recommend the next steps:

• Keep a journal, writing down what you are grateful on a daily basis can increase feelings of happiness and joy.

• Don’t over think it and start with the little big things: people, places, items, pets. Anything goes!

• Find new things to write about everything, you’ll be surprised how much we take for granted.

• If writing takes too much of your time, name things, people or places you are grateful for throughout your day, or as many times as you can remember.

Wish you and yours the very best today.🍮

Guidelines to Creating a Healthy Mindset

When our thoughts are healthy, our body and soul feel at ease. It is crucial to pay attention where our mind wanders, what information we’re feeding it and how this impacts our relationship with ourselves and others. As I sit here at home, my mind is constantly in a state of wondering. 

Pay attention to yourself and gain control over your mind so that consequently, you can regain some sense of control over the situation. Even when our surroundings feel chaotic and uncertain, our mind has the power to protect and heal itself.

So, let’s focus on our mindset for a moment.

I like to define mindset as: the way we receive, perceive and react to our environment and internal processes. Our mind undeniably runs our lives. When we have a healthy mindset, we are able to put ourselves first, we cope better with stress, we find ways to reframe our thoughts and focus on what is in the highest good for everyone involved.

When our thoughts are healthy, our body and soul feel at ease.

As our lives constantly change and evolve, it is important to remember that this stage too shall pass. So, how can we achieve a healthy mindset in such difficult times? Today let’s look at the most important guideline is achieving a Healthy Mindset. 

Acceptance – let’s be real, no one likes too much change. We are creatures of habit. Having a routine makes us feel in control of ourselves and our world. And when something unexpected happens, we panic, live in fear and see everything through a negative lens. People who practice acceptance also practice flexibility and letting go. Attaching to things, people and circumstances only create more resentment and powerlessness. When we align with acceptance, we surrender to the rhythms of life and we flow with the energy of the universe.

A way to practice acceptance can be done through the following affirmations:

• Find a comfortable place to sit or lay

• Close your eyes if it feels safe

• Place your hand over your heart chakra and repeat:

• As I detach from circumstances I can’t control, I allow the universe to guide me.

• I let go of my need to control and my need to plan

• Life is about phases, and this too shall pass

• I am able to keep myself safe, in spite of the chaos around me

• I was not ready to let go before, but I am now

• When I accept what is happening, I give myself the gift of peace. I deserve that peace

Again this of all the guidelines I will share with you over the next few days, is the hardest one and the one that takes the most time to master.

Wishing you and your family the very best on this day. 

Nancy