This has been one full year for me and for a while there, the dreaming was dormant. Moving through major transitions and finding myself in new ways through them all, I am grateful to say that I have resumed dreaming elaborately. I have prayed consistently, worked rigorously, released faithfully and shown up for recovery vigilantly. The path has been paved and I am walking it with dignity, respect, service, and more joy and peace than I could have anticipated. Dreams are taking shape: Reinvention + Recovery Coaching is developing, close friendships are being nurtured as new relationships are coming in, writing continues on projects that light me up, I am even leaving for an overseas adventure this week! There is nothing to worry about, everything is taken care of, life is good.
All great news. Right? Absolutely! Then why am I writing this you might be wondering? I have been graced with so many blessings. I am in a state of no problems. And I am feeling anxious. This trip has me so excited and tense all at once. I have the freedom to explore Thailand for a few weeks where I will be completing a yoga certification program. I am thrilled to be learning more about my body, mind and spirit so as to guide others in this intimate self-exploration. I have been linked with this community of kindred spirits and complete permission to unplug from business and technology. This is what I have wanted and it is here, and I am unsure how to be with it. To let in the dream come true. Can you relate to any of this? Are there goals you’ve set only to lose steam as they are coming to fruition? Have you ever set yourself up for something fun, extravagant, meaningful only to arrive in the experience of being with it and unsure of how to really let it in? It’s almost as if the push to achieve takes the spotlight when the achievement itself is waiting in the shadows. This is just silly, I know it is. Why work towards something and then not enjoy it? I have been through a lot this year and deserve to unwind and experience a dream come true. We all do. Anyone and everyone can tell me that it is more than appropriate to take time off and have an adventure, validate my choices and encourage me to enjoy what is. All the well meaning, uber loving, supportive and honest feedback from those around me is incredible (I thank you beloved friends + family!) As appreciated as it is, none of this love from others can make me relax into accepting and enjoying what is. I have to believe that I am safe in and worthy of living a life I love. It comes down to worthiness and trust, yet again. This seems so daunting. I feel frustrated, anxious and guilty. None of these are states I want to stay in for very long. So, I’ve been asking, where do I go from here? I know what to do. My Inner Wisdom knows. The answers are in me, so now it’s just about letting them guide me. Here are a few of the tips my Inner Wisdom gave me to try. The results have been stunning, as they often are when I take her lead. Take off the filter: Find the feeling states (frustration, anxiety, guilt, etc.) and give them a voice. What do they have to get off their chest? Journaling with these feelings can reveal what is actually needing some extra attention inside. No filtering necessary, just let it out on paper! If you don’t feel comfortable keeping the pages around after, have a ritual and burn them in a fireplace or send them to the shredder with love. Shake that tush: Yes, I grabbed the hula hoop and started swinging. Redirecting the frenetic energy from my head down to my body turned the state of disempowerment I was in into something completely different. I went from lethargic anxiety to playful aliveness in two minutes flat! My head was just full; this physical movement was just the release it needed. Answer me this: Complete these statements with the experience being resisted in mind. If I weren’t afraid, I would … I hold back because … What I need to feel worthy is … How I can give this to myself is … I can’t help but smile when … One thing I am loving about myself is … One thing I am loving about life is … How I choose to feel in this moment of grace is … Tap Tap Tap: Have you heard of EFT? The Emotional Freedom Technique has been a source of empowerment for me since hearing about it, learning it, then actually doing it. Whether on a walk with the dog, in traffic, or lying in bed at night, this simple tool brings me back to my Inner Wisdom (and this is a place I love to be). If you are ready for some relief and realignment, trying tapping! This was the formula: Taking a few minutes to be with myself, returning to the tools and techniques I have learned and used, daring to get honest about what is actually happening versus what my mind is concocting, nurturing the tender places within and sharing it with others. This was the result: I reconnected with the safe space within, peace returned, joy reignited and I even started packing my suitcase! I like this equation. How will you get to the safe place where dreams can be lived without apology?As usual, I'm here for you + with you and excited to be embarking on this together. Here's to dreaming the dreams and living them, too! In the Flow and Taking Flight, Darcy When did zombies become a regular feature in pop culture? Well before Halloween’s gamut of costumes came out, zombies were all over the place. I’m not just talking about movies and TV here. You see them, don’t you?
The walking dead can be found in the aisles of the grocery store, riding shotgun in bumper to bumper traffic, sitting in the desk next to you at the office, maybe even looking back at you in the mirror. Auto pilot, living from a place of fear, and following habitual patterns that no longer serve you are all ways of living in zombie land. Zombies are the “living dead.” People who are walking, talking, moving and shaking, though missing vital life force. Do you recognize this state of living without that oomph of vitality, inspiration, joy and purpose? Yes, this one and precious life is full of responsibility. While not all the actions of day to day life are enjoyable or particularly comfortable, they are all chances to engage our spirit. In the midst of the busy schedules and the rush to accomplish, routine can become lackluster. Then inspiration goes out the window and auto pilot takes over. Where has inspiration gone missing in your life? Where are you a living dead? What if where you are currently on auto pilot, those ho hum areas of the calendar, were given some extra attention and joie de vivre? What might become available if you wake up to the opportunity in the seemingly mundane? I bet some area of your life has come into focus as you’ve been reading this. Maybe there is some overwhelm, guilt, frustration or confusion lingering as you think of this aspect of life. There might even be some anger, apathy, sadness or blame. Whichever emotions or states of being are present, however comfortable or uncomfortable, these are all good news! Emotions are energy. Auto pilot lacks energy and intention. In bringing awareness to where a zombie has taken over, the energy of emotion and intention to wake up can assist in the transformation of coming back to life in a way that is meaningful to you. Here are a few tips and tools for waking up and reinvigorating your life force: - Put pen to paper: What would it mean to be fully engaged in life? Describe how it might look, sound, feel, smell and taste to be awake in one specific area of your life where you aren’t fully present or satisfied right now. Invite the Creative Imagination in you to come play. (If you need some inspiration, look to those you admire and take some details from their life you’d like to experience.) - Set a date to say Thank You: Set a timer on your phone twice a day that reads “look for what’s right.” Become more accustomed to seeing the miracles in the normal and the senses will begin to come to life! Write down what comes in a small notebook or on your phone to reflect on and re-enjoy later. - Be a beginner: Commit to learning at least one new thing every day. This might be taking a group or class you haven’t tried before, walking down a different street on your walk with the pooch, opening a Dictionary to a random page and starting to read, or asking a close friend to tell you something about them you don’t know. The world is vast! There is much to learn and behold; auto pilot becomes nearly impossible when curiosity is a priority. - Let Faith have a say: Complete the sentence “If I weren’t afraid I would…” aloud or in writing. Let whatever surfaces out. Giving Faith the chance to speak will provide inspired direction in areas of your life you might not have considered before. Set a reminder on your phone once a day to have this conversation with Faith. Nurture this relationship and rewards will flow! Let me know what shows up as you begin to wake up from where you’ve been a walking dead. I am here for you, let me know how I can support and cheer on. Watch out world, we’ve got some action over here and it is phenomenal! (Yes, I am referring to you!) Alive + Aware + in the Flow, Darcy |
Darcy Helene MeehanAs an advocate of Reinvention + Recovery, I work with clients to achieve balance, alignment and purpose in all areas
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