I just LOVE giving gifts at Christmas!  It is such fun to find the perfect gift or to help someone else who is less fortunate.  Nothing brings more joy or satisfaction.

This year, my desire to give is being frustrated by a series of unexpected very costly expenses.  In the span of a month, we’ve had to pay for the following:  a car door ($500), dental work ($200), college class ($400), dishwasher (haven’t got it yet but guessing it will be at least $600), and a new furnace ($2300).  Needless to say, this has put a damper on the holiday spending plans!

So, in case some of you are in my situation or worse, I thought it would be helpful to come up with some inexpensive ways to keep the joy of giving in the holidays without the painful hangover that can follow. I’d love to hear your ideas too!  Feel free to comment and share!

Holiday Giving Ideas

Barter

Have a skill you can share?  Why not barter for gift certificates or products for your loved ones?  While this probably won’t work at the major stores, it may with those in the service professions.  It doesn’t hurt to ask!

Re-Gift

We all have things in our home that we bought and then didn’t use or were given but didn’t feel drawn to.  Those same things might be just what someone else would love to have.  Even gently used items can be a delight to someone else.  Do you have a favorite CD or book that you are through with?  Be creative and look at your possessions through new eyes.  I bet you’ll find some unexpected treasures to share!

Give Your Time

My third grade students often make coupon books to give their parents at Christmas.  What about the same idea for those you love?  How could you give the gift of your time and energy this year?  Do you have a talent you can share?  My brother in law spent four hours fixing my computers.  That was the best gift I could have been given (and saved me from another couple thousand in expenses!).  Think about what you have to offer.  Be creative!

Make Something

Are you a talented cook?  Do you like to create crafts?  Look for unique recipes to include with a favorite food item.  Visit a local craft store for unique and fun ideas that you can make inexpensively.  One of my favorites is to make cinnamon or salt dough ornaments.  One year, my son and I made gingerbread people ornaments with names for all of our family members.  My parents still have them on their tree.

Choose Smaller Quantity Gifts

Another option is to purchase a helpful service or gift for a shorter time or in a smaller quantity.  This year, the Sanctuary members are offering a whole collection of holistic gifts, all for under $20 (Sanctuary Marketplace).  Many businesses are offering specials with this approach in mind.  Look for samples that you can include in a small Christmas stocking!

Any other ideas?   I’d love to hear them!  Please comment below and help us all enjoy giving this holiday season!

Blessings to you and yours!

Nancy

I’ve asked for a Divinely inspired message for you today (on whatever day you happen to read this!) and this is what I was shown. 

DIVINELY GUIDED VISION

I am sitting on a white rock.  Around me is dark water.  The water is so dark I can’t see what is within it.  I feel the smoothness of the rock. It is a moonstone.  I can feel a gentle energy coming from the rock and it is soothing me.  I look into the distance and all I see is the dark water.  It stretches for miles and miles.  I am alone on the moonstone, but I don’t feel lonely.  I feel safe and peaceful.       

INTERPRETATION

From Nature-Speak: Signs, Omens & Messages in Nature by Ted Andrews:

Black:  “Black is found commonly throughout Nature in both the plant and animal kingdoms.  It is often associated with mysticism, magic and new birth.  It is a color of quiet strength and protection.  It can indicate a need for secretiveness and sacrifice.  Black is also associated with the feminine energies, the creative and the intuitive.  When found with other colors, it often indicates a grounding or even a more mundane energy or issue at play.”

White:  “Found in all of Nature’s kingdoms, white reflects the energies of truth.  It is soothing to our spirit and even indicates the presences of spirits about us in some area of our life.  When white appears predominately, we may have messages coming to us soon from the spirit world.  White is also a reminder to follow our creative inspirations.  If it is capturing our attention in Nature, we may need to look at how we are or are not expressing our creativity.  Now would be a good time to follow any creative pursuits.  If we have doubts about issues or activities or even people in our life, white is the color that reminds us to be patient.  The doubts will soon be alleviated.  We will get our answers.”

From The Crystal Bible:  A Definitive Guide to Crystals by Judy Hall
Moonstone:   “Moonstone is the stone of new beginnings.  As its name suggests, it is strongly connected to moon and to the intuition.  Like the moon, the stone is reflective and reminds us that, as the moon waxes and wanes, so everything is part of a cycle of change.  Its most powerful effect is that of calming the emotions.  Moonstone makes conscious the unconscious and promotes intuition and empathy.  It encourages lucid dreaming, especially at the time of the full moon.”

FROM SPIRIT

I hear Spirit saying the following in regards to the image I was shown.  “Rest.  This is a time of change and in the midst of change there our periods of great chaos when it feels like all is lost.  Remember that even in the midst of dark there is always light.  Trust that what is happening in your life right now is for your highest good.  Believe that love always triumphs over darkness because it does.  Let yourself be supported.”  To me the images suggest protection and a space apart from the stresses of life.  The moonstone feels very feminine and nurturing.  It is gentle and subtle, not harsh.  The dark waters around me are filled with mystery and they also feel like protection.  I feel safe and buffered.  The image of Noah and the Ark comes to mind.  As things are transformed in our world, we are safe and protected.  When the water recedes, new life will be born. 

COACHING TIP FROM NANCY

What are you doing to nurture and care for yourself?  With the economy issues, the swine flu, and other challenges, I know many people are feeling very overwhelmed right now.  I find what works best for me is to think how I can support myself physically first.  Energetically and physically balancing your system will make it easier for you to handle stressful circumstances.  Regular exercise, massage, energy work, meditation, or any other activity that restores your physical well-being is a great place to start.  After that, you’ll be better able to consider options to reduce stress emotionally and mentally.  The members of my empowerment center are exceptional and have lots of ways to support you.  The website is www.SanctuaryAtCrossroads.com.  I am also happy to help as well.  Call or email me for an Empowerment Reading that combines intuitive healing, spiritual guidance, and practical coaching to support and empower you.  You can reach me at (330) 416-6184 or by email Nancy@EmpoweringLightworkers.com.  The most important thing is to take care of you!  Make that your top priority, especially during times of stress.

RESOURCES

BOOKS:  The books mentioned above are also available in my Amazon store if you’d like your own copy. I highly recommend them! STORE

Have a wonderful day!

Nancy

For a free Divine Purpose Survey and information on Empowerment Readings, Divinely You Readings, Divinely Guided Messages by email,  Empowerment Clubs, and products to empower and inspire you, visit my website: http://www.EmpoweringLightworkers.com.

Wow! It has been quite a ride the last few months energetically, emotionally, and financially for so many people. It is easy to get caught up in the cycles of stress during times of change. So here are a few simple treats to remind yourself that this too shall pass!

Aromatherapy: I’m really into rose and lavendar these days. I was reading a passage from Romancing the Ordinary by Sarah Ban Breathnach and she talked about using essential oils to scent your sheets and pillows. Inspired, I dug out my essential oils and came up with a combination of rose and lavendar that I love! I’ve been scenting my room and even added a few drops to my pendant (Angel Healing Crystals). I love having the gentle scent of roses and lavendar with me all day long. I also picked up two new soaps from Savannah Moon. Sticking with my rose theme, I opened up the new bar last night. Heaven! See if you can find a scent that really speaks to you and try using it in your car, your home, your shower, and your workplace. You’ll be amazed at how much it helps lift your mood!

Music: I’ve been back on an Enya kick. I just love her music! So inspiring and uplifting. What songs lift your soul? Go back through your CD/I Tunes collection and find an old favorite to listen to. Let the soothing sounds lift your heart and restore your equilibrium! Another idea…a friend of mine turned on a CD of bird sounds and was finally able to relax enough for a much needed nap. Find what calls to you and listen!

Exercise: Stress makes you feel tired which then makes it hard to exercise. I’ve been forcing myself to get on the ellyptical and to take my daily walk, even though I’ve been so tired that all I want to do is nap! I also did a Tai Chi routine this morning. Ahh… Amazing how tai chi, yoga, and regular exercise can restore my energy! Adrenaline is produced when we are under stress and the two ways to remove it are exercise and slow, deep breathing. Try them both today and see how you feel!

Food: I’m not usually into cooking but lately I’ve been finding myself drawn to making some new dishes and some favorite old ones (probably the mystery I’m reading about a caterer!). I pulled out a favorite book called Kitchen Pharmacy: A Book of Healing Remedies for Everyone by Rose Elliot and Carlo De Paoli which tells the healing benefits of different types of foods with recipes. I tried out a recipe for Celery, Carrot and Apple salad (carrots, apples, celery, and fresh mint with a lemon/honey dressing). It was so refreshing! See if any particular food is calling to you and treat yourself! You deserve it!

Fun: What do you love to do? I love art/craft shows. I went to the Yankee Peddler festival last week and I’m going to Ohio Mart at Stan Hywet Hall in Akron, Ohio this weekend. I love looking at the amazing wood carvings, pottery, and other crafts. Eating all the delicious food is fun too! Find something that you really enjoy and do it! You’ll be glad you did! 

 Have a blissful day everyone!

Nancy

Nancy Nicholas is an Intuitive Life Coach who works with clients who are feeling powerless because of a relationship, health situation, job, family matter, or other concern. She offers Empowerment Readings which combine Divine guidance with practical coaching tips to help her clients make the necessary changes to move into a better situation. Readings are available by phone or email. Economic Recession Rates are $15/15 minutes. Visit my website to learn more and to get your free Divine Purpose Survey! www.EmpoweringLightworkers.com.

Ever feel like a victim to your emotions?  You aren’t alone!  Feelings are something we all experience (no matter how we sometimes try to ignore them!) 

One of my biggest passions is learning to master self-care and to teach others how to do the same thing.  Over the years, I’ve become very adept at caring for my needs energetically, physically, and mentally.  Recently, I’ve realized I wasn’t as adept at providing the same care for my emotional self. 

As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, I’m a big fan of nervous system settling.  Learning how to bring the body to a state of calm and restore balance is an amazing technique for feeling more peaceful and safe.  Lately, I’ve been experimenting with how to provide the same type of “settling” for my emotional self.  Below are some simple steps to restore a sense of well-being, even when times are tough.

STEP ONE:  IDENTIFY WHAT YOU ARE FEELING

What are you feeling?  Sometimes we expend tremendous energy trying not to answer that question.  Why?  Because we don’t know what to do about the situation that is causing the emotional upset.  For this step, don’t jump to how to make it better.  Just identify what exactly you are feeling in that moment. 

A great way to do this is to take a few minutes to breathe deeply.  As you breathe deeply, ask yourself how you are feeling.  Sometimes when I do this activity, I will see myself very angry, sometimes sad, or sometimes frustrated.  I let myself “listen” to this part of me so that I allow this emotion to be expressed.  Again, this isn’t the time to try and “fix” anything. It is simply an opportunity to be present for you and allow yourself to fully feel whatever is there.  I find it helpful to write out what I’m hearing onto a piece of paper.  The physical act of writing seems to help release the emotion more easily, especially if you destroy the paper when you are done.  Our emotions aren’t always rational, but they do need to have an outlet.  Writing them on a paper that will be destroyed provides a safe place for them to be expressed. 

STEP TWO:  PROVIDE COMFORT

When you were a child, what did your parents do when you were upset?  Hopefully, they comforted you by hugging you or spending some time listening.  You can provide this comfort to yourself, now that you are an adult.  I do this by imagining the upset part of me as a child.  I pull the child on my lap and hug her.  I say and do the things I would do to comfort my son, if he was upset or afraid.  This always helps me to feel relaxed and loved.  This activity is simply about providing comfort and the space to express what is experienced, not a time to judge or try to fix.  An additional benefit to this activity is that it empowers my wise, compassionate adult self, so everyone is happy! 

STEP THREE:  LEAN ON SPIRIT

As an adult, we are no longer able to lean so heavily on our parents for care and nurturing.  For me, I’ve found it helpful to lean on Spirit.  You can use whatever religious or spiritual reference works for you…or you can simply imagine your highest self providing the support.  I use a simple meditation technique to evoke this feeling.  I imagine myself sitting in a peaceful spot in the woods.  I lean against a big strong oak tree and put my feet in a gentle stream in front of me.  I feel the gentle breeze, hear the birds singing, smell the fresh scents of the forest and feel the soft moss under my hands.  Once I am relaxed, I let myself imagine being wrapped in loving arms and feeling Divine love surrounding and supporting me.  I release whatever is troubling me to Spirit, knowing I will receive the help and inspiration I need at just the right time. 

STEP FOUR:  ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM

Our emotions are simply a warning system.  They provide us with awareness when our thoughts are creating a feeling of unease or disharmony.  Sometimes, simply listening to our emotional self will calm things down and no further action will be needed.  Other times though, there is an underlying fear that needs to be addressed.  Ask yourself, if this were my child, what would I do or suggest to help them feel safe?  If you find that you don’t know how to ease the fear, then consider asking for some help.  There are many wonderful books, counselors, coaches, and healers available to give you additional insight and wisdom on how to improve the situation that is making you feel powerless.  There is no shame in taking good care of yourself…and sometimes taking care of yourself means acknowledging when you need some outside input.  A fresh perspective can make all the difference.

STEP FIVE:  USE ENERGETIC TOOLS TO SOOTHE

There are many amazing tools that can help support you in taking care of your emotional self.  One of the tools that really made a difference for me is a Blue Agate pendant designed by Intuitive/Artist Deanne Angel (Angel Healing Crystals).  This pendant was intuitively designed and selected for my needs.  I absolutely love it!  It has a deeply calming and soothing effect on my whole system.  It seems to work on an energetic level to help me overcome my fears and feel more emotionally balanced.   Another tool  I find helpful is flower essences.  I tried a new flower essence for emotional sensitive people recently called Pink Yarrow.  You can find that essence and others for a variety of emotional and physical concerns at http://www.featherhawk.com/.   Aromatherapy is another favorite tool of mine.  I’ve been using a roll on from Young Living (Jennifer Hagele #989297 is the distributor I use) called Tranquil which I find very helpful.  I also love the LavenMint spray from Savannah Moon.     

I hope you find these steps helpful!  If you find you need some spiritual insight and practical input to support you with this process, I’m here to help! 

Blessings to you and yours!

Nancy

Nancy Nicholas is an Intuitive Life Coach who works with clients who are feeling powerless because of a relationship, health situation, job, family matter, or other concern.  She offers Empowerment Readings which combine Divine guidance with practical coaching tips to help her clients make the necessary changes to move into a better situation.   Readings are available by phone or email.  Economic Recession Rates are $15/15 minutes.  Visit my website to learn more and to get your free Divine Purpose Survey!   www.EmpoweringLightworkers.com. 

Questions?  Nancy can be reached by email at Nancy@EmpoweringLightworkers.com. 

Everyone seems to have an area where they feel powerless in their life. It may be a relationship, a health challenge, or a job. Sometimes it is just life circumstances that are beyond our control. The question is what do you do to find your power?

I asked for a vision on this topic the other day. I saw a beach with strong waves smashing on the shore. The waves would crash hard on the sand and then pull back. Within the wave I saw a small fragment of the shell. I watched as it was pounded by the waves and dragged back and forth. I saw an image of the shell as it had been when it was whole. Then, it had provided a home for a creature and was perfect for what was needed. Now, it was no longer functional and the beating of the waves was slowly pulverizing it into sand.

The message was that the situations where we feel powerless bring forth opportunities for transformation. Often, some well worn pattern in our personality or experience is continuing to be followed even though it has outgrown its usefulness. The waves represent the challenges which push us to change so that we can create new approaches that fit our life now.

I thought about how it would feel to be that shell. I can imagine the power of the water forcing me down into the sand and pulling me out into the ocean, only to toss me back up onto the same shore. There is pain in the experience, both in the forcefulness of the challenge and in the need to let an aspect of one transform. For me, there is also the message about how to allow this transformation to occur the most easily. If the shell resists the pull of the ocean and fights against the change that is occurring, the pain increases. If it accepts there is wisdom in the cycle that is occurring and allows it to pull and push it into a new form, there is at least peace within.

Putting this into the terms of one’s life, this means to me that we accept that the challenging things we face in life exist, at least in part, to help us to grow. Part of that growth is in learning to trust. For me, that trust means looking to God and to myself, instead of those around me, to bring me what I need. It means trusting that even though change is hard, it always brings new joys and new opportunities.

Below are some simple steps to help you the next time you feel powerless.

1. Come back to yourself. What do you need right now to relieve the stress you are experiencing? Would it help to take a walk? Talk to a friend? Exercise? Have a cup of tea? Take care of yourself as you would a child. How can you comfort and nurture yourself?

2. Turn it over. Once you feel calmer, it is time to turn the problem over to a higher power. I believe and have experienced that the Divine does and always will provide for all my needs. Stop and send a quick prayer for assistance with the situation that is challenging you. We usually know what we’d like to see happen, but sometimes it helps to just leave it open. Ask to have your needs met on all levels. Ask to love your life, your relationships, and your work. Trust that it will be so.

3. Turn your attention to something else. I know it is hard to let go of something that is bothering us. We want the situation to be resolved and we want it to be resolved quickly. Sometimes though there is nothing for us to do except to take care of ourselves, and find something else to focus on. Look for something you enjoy doing or something that will really grab your interest. Do you have a hobby you enjoy? What about a work project that is absorbing or even a good book? Pick something and turn your focus to it, even if you have to keep dragging your attention back there when your mind wanders back to the problem.

4. Have faith. Sometimes the transformations we need to go through happen quickly and other times they take a little longer. Keep yourself in the moment. Pray for guidance and grace. It may take some time, but the shell will eventually become sand and the challenging time will be over. Find as much joy as you can in the other areas of your life during the process.

As always, if you need some support through the process, give me a call!

Blessings to you and yours,

Nancy

Nancy Nicholas is an Intuitive Life Coach who works with clients who are feeling powerless because of a relationship, health situation, job, family matter, or other concern.  She offers Empowerment Readings which combine Divine guidance with practical coaching tips to help her clients make the necessary changes to move into a better situation.   Readings are available by phone or email.  Economic Recession Rates are $15/15 minutes.  Visit my website to learn more or call (330) 416-6184: http://www.empoweringlightworkers.com/Readings.html

Have you ever felt like your brain will not be quiet?  I’ve had a real struggle with this for a lot of my life.  Whether my mind is obsessed with worries or involved in creative brainstorming, sometimes it will not leave me alone!  While I get a real high when my brain starts off on a creative spiral, I’m not so crazy about the nervous system overload that comes with it.  Anxiety and sleeplessness get old very fast.   Over the last few years, I’ve done a  much better job of stopping myself before I get caught in a mental frenzy of activity.  Today, I have a confession to make…I fell off the wagon. 

Thankfully, Spirit intervened, bringing me a vision to get me back on track.  As I’ve talked to many others who have been suffering with the same problem, I thought I should share what I learned. 

So here’s my vision…The first thing I saw was a nest of sea turtle eggs.  I watched as they all hatched and these adorable, tiny turtles started making their way to the ocean.  I felt this wonderful elation followed by panic.  How could I possibly get all these wonderful creatures to the ocean safely? 

The message was that I couldn’t.  The reality is that only a few sea turtle hatchlings actually live to become full grown sea turtles.  The same is true for my ”brilliant” ideas. Only a few of those ideas are meant to manifest right now and I’ll have plenty of time to nurture them to fruition (at least I will if I stop running frantically around the beach trying to scoop up baby turtles!).   

In case you’ve found yourself with an unending to do list and a brain that won’t turn off, I thought I’d post a few tips to bring back your peace of mind.  Give them a try!   

TIPS TO ENJOY YOUR LIFE WITHOUT ANXIETY AND STRESS

Pay attention to your body.  The best defense to help yourself avoid moving into a stressed out, anxious state of being, is to notice how your body feels.  Get in the habit of regular check ins.  Ask yourself:  How does my stomach feel?  How about my muscles?  Is my jaw tense?  If you are feeling any discomfort, then take a deep breath and work on relaxing your muscles.  Make yourself set aside what you are working on until your body returns to a more relaxed state.  Believe me, it is worth the time.

Turn off your work mind by 7PM.  It is really important to get a good night sleep.  One of the keys to sleeping well is to avoid giving your mind lots of juicy things to think about right before you are telling it to shut down for the night.  Make a firm cut off time (at least a couple hours before you go to sleep) to drop any serious topics or work items and stick to it.  Do something relaxing before you fall asleep.  I find it helpful to visualize all the stresses of the day washing off me in a gentle lake or at the beach.  Pick something that is soothing to you and make it part of your nighttime ritual. 

Exercise.  I’ve never been a very gung ho exerciser, but a couple of years of living with anxiety completely changed my opinion about its importance.  The bottom line is that exercising reduces stress hormones.  A walk outside.  Time on an exercise machine.  Yoga.  Playing a sport.  All of these things help to get you out of your head and into a more relaxed and comfortable body. 

Yoga Mudras.  I think Sabrina Mesko should hire me to handle her publicity.  Honestly, I am a HUGE fan of yoga mudras and I own all of Sabrina’s products (check out my Amazon store in the blogroll if you’d like to get your own copies).  Her three minute hand postures are amazingly powerful.  They really do help to shift the energy, calm the body and the mind, and bring you to a peaceful state of being.  I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Listen to Relaxation CD’s and/or peaceful music.  I escaped my two years of anxiety Hell through the wonders of a technique called nervous system settling.  When I finally understood that what was happening was simply nervous system overload and my constant mental gymnastics to bring it under control were actually increasing my anxiety, I had what I needed to end the cycle.  I learned about this technique from Gary Peterson, an author and nervous system expert.  He has a great CD to help you settle your nervous system.  You can purchase it at http://www.Energiabooks.com or  learn more about it on his website:  http://www.StarInstitute.us.  Besides his CD, I find relaxing music to be very helpful to soothe my overactive mind.  Enya is a favorite artist of mine.  Find something you enjoy and put it on the next time you find yourself overthinking. 

Get some help.  Sometimes it helps to talk with someone objective to get things back in perspective.  Talk with a good friend, a counselor, or make an appointment with me!  As I’ve explained, I’ve had lots of practice with this, not only with myself but with many clients.   To purchase a life coaching reading, visit my website: http://www.EmpoweringLightworkers.com. 

 Here’s to peace of mind for us all!

Nancy

Nancy Nicholas is an Intuitive Life Coach who empowers her clients to overcome feelings of powerlessness and to make changes to create a life they love.  To learn more about her services and products, visit her website: http://www.EmpoweringLightworkers.  Nancy is also the owner Sanctuary at the Crossroads and Crossroads Coaching. 

I love the message of the Fool card in the Tarot deck.  The version I have depicts a man smiling happily as he is about to step off a cliff.  The interpretation speaks of this card as the state of a wise innocence.  A person who is able to have a child-like trust in the good of the Universe and therefore avoids harm, no matter what path they take.  They live a charmed existence where Angels intervene to keep them from harm…a harm they often don’t even know was there in the first place.

While pondering this card, I was shown a vision of a child approaching a dog.  The child was young, 2 or 3 years old, and it was so excited to touch the dog.  I could feel how much she longed to wrap her arms around the dog’s neck.  The child’s mother stood near the dog and seemed to be saying it was okay for her to approach, but when the child did rush up to hug the dog, the dog bit her.  The mother was as shocked as the child.

The purpose of this vision was to help me understand the dynamic that takes place within us as we seek to have faith and trust in the Divine and in ourselves.  Such early experiences, as illustrated by the dog example, teach our innocent self that it isn’t safe to trust.  The parent who loves us, can’t always keep us safe from danger.  The love we feel in our hearts isn’t always reciprocated by the object of our affections.  It teaches us how to pay attention and to learn what we need to know about our environment to avoid danger and stay safe.

This brings me to a universal question…how can one trust and feel safe in an unsafe world?  How does one become a wise innocent?  Is it possible, after earlier experiences that have taught us the world can be dangerous, that we can find a state of blissful ignorance where unseen helpers leap to whisk us out of danger before we even know the danger exists? 

For me, the only path of serenity in the midst of constant change is to find an anchor.  For me that anchor is the Divine and while I realize that my faith in God’s guidance and protection doesn’t exempt me from the hurtful experiences in life, it does guarantee me that I will never have to walk through any circumstance alone.   I’ve been blessed to see how our Divine helpers will come to our aid whenever we ask.  They work through our thoughts, our feelings, through books, and other human beings.  They step into the place of fear and pain, and bring comfort and love.  We just need to ask. 

Today, I encourage you to take a look back over the course of your life.  Find a moment when life felt hopeless and filled with despair.  Did someone show up to comfort you unexpectedly?  Did things work out in a way that, while maybe not what you’d hoped for, were what you really needed?  Letting go of our fears and the parts of ourselves that need to evolve for us to grow can be painful, but it is also necessary.   So ask for comfort, ask for love, ask for healing, ask for God to make smooth your path and guide you in making wise choices.   Then remember… help will come for you.  It always does.

Blessings to you and yours!

Nancy 

Nancy Nicholas is an Intuitive Life Coach.  She offers Life Coaching Readings, Divinely Guided Messages by email, Divinely You Readings, coaching clubs, and other products to inspire and empower.  For a free Divine Purpose Survey and to learn more about her services, visit her website: http://www.EmpoweringLightworkers.com.

Jones Gap State Park, SC

My husband and I just took a short trip South this past weekend.  Usually, I spend a lot of time anticipating a vacation which makes it especially hard when the trip is over and it is time to come back home.  I didn’t have as much time to anticipate this time around (we weren’t 100% sure we were going until the last minute), but I still found myself reluctant when it came time to head back to responsibilities and snowy weather!  

This got me to thinking.  What is the spiritual lesson to be learned here?  What occurred to me is the importance of living in each day, instead of living in tomorrow or yesterday.  Below are a few simple ideas to help you make the most of each moment.  I hope you find them helpful!    

1.  Just for today… This statement came from my Reiki training.  It asks that you do a series of things “Just for Today.”  I find that this serves me well in moments when I feel sad or unsettled.  I ask myself, can I get through this moment I’m in?  Can I get through just this day?   I may not relish the moment, but usually I find that it isn’t the moment or even the day that is causing my sadness.  It’s tomorrow or yesterday.  So step one is to ask yourself to do just the moment you are in…just this particular day…and let the future days be dealt with when they arrive. 

2.  Daydream:  When one thing ends and I can’t see what is coming next, it often helps to let myself dream.  Try asking yourself, What would I like to have as my reality today?  Even if you can’t bring it into being in this moment, you can feel the joy of it through your imagination.  Have you ever felt like you can’t dream?  When that happens to me, I know that I’m not letting myself admit what I truly want.  Ask yourself if you lived in a world without limitation, what would your world look like?  Where would you live?  Who would you be with?  What would you be doing?  Then let yourself daydream.  Feel the joy of it and trust that even if you have no idea how that could ever exist, that somewhere out there, the Angels are working to bring you the feeling you just experienced.  They are guiding you gently towards exactly that which you seek…even if it is something you haven’t thought to seek.  It’s the feeling that matters….the joy…let yourself rest in that in whatever form it comes.  And more will come to you. 

3.  Do the Day:  My dear and wise friend Lori Byrnes (http://www.thehealerstouch.com) often says this very thing to me.  When you don’t feel that things are the way you want them to be and you find yourself frustrated or sad, one thing you can do is just “do the day.”  What needs to be done right now?  What is before you to do?  Do that.  After all, we each get only the moment we are in and it is up to us what type of moment that is.  We can sit and feel miserable, or we can get up and do what is before us to do and look for the joy to be found in that.  The choice of how we respond to our day is always ours, no matter what our outer circumstances. 

4.  Find Simple Pleasures:  Did you notice the bird sitting outside your window?  How about the tender new wildflower growing up out of the ground?  What about the silly show on tv or the warm cup of tea you are holding?  There is always something to love.  Sometimes we just have to look at the small things to find it.  Love the people around you.  Love the Earth.  Love God.  Love yourself.  Loving is the path to peace and to joy…and it isn’t as hard as it sometimes seems. 

Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC

So here is to a beautiful day…TODAY! 

Blessings to you and yours!

Nancy

Nancy Nicholas is an Intuitive Life Coach.  She offers Life Coaching Readings, Divinely Guided Messages by email, Divinely You Readings, coaching clubs, and other products to inspire and empower.  For a free Divine Purpose Survey and to learn more about her services, visit her website: http://www.EmpoweringLightworkers.com.

I’ve asked for a Divinely inspired message for you today (on whatever day you happen to read this!) and this is what I was shown.

DIVINELY GUIDED VISION (as shown to Nancy Nicholas)

I am standing in white, silky sand looking out over a beach.  Clumps of wild grass and small dunes flow out from me.  I catch a glimpse of the ocean far off to my right.  My attention shifts to my feet and I see that I have sunk down in the sand so that it now reaches up to the tops of my ankles.  I feel the sand beneath my feet and get the sense of it shifting.  This makes me uncomfortable and I keep trying to push my feet down further so that I come into contact with solid ground again.  I soon realize that solid ground is not going to be found here.  I look up and try to see which way I should walk to find a sturdier place to stand.  Before me are miles of sandy shore.  I feel reluctant to turn and look to my left or behind me (perhaps this is where I’ve come from?), so reluctant that I sit down instead of turning.  I close my eyes and imagine myself where I’d like to be.  I am sitting on a mountain top and the rock is solid and warm beneath me.  I feel the breeze and hear an eagle soaring overhead.  When I open my eyes again, I am on the mountaintop.  The sand is gone.  I stand up and look to my left and a path winds away from me.  I turn and follow it. 

INTERPRETATION

From Nature-Speak: Signs, Omens & Messages in Nature by Ted Andrews:

Beaches and Dunes:  “Keynote: Adaptability to unique challenges; healing; doorways to spirit.  Beach and dune habitats are more challenging than most.  Plants that survive here have unique qualities and adaptability.  This is often a reminder to keep ourselves grounded when opening to new realms and to protect our own roots, while we extend ourselves out into new and challenging areas.  When beaches and dunes show up in our life, it reflects a time in which we need to balance some elements within our life. This environment reminds us to find creative and unique approaches to the challenges in life.”

Mountains:  “Keynote:  Discovering our spiritual powers; overcoming obstacles for spiritual attainment; communion with spirits.  The mountain reminds us of the spiritual attainment that is ours as we overcome our obstacles.  The height of the mountains gives rise to thoughts of being a world axis, linking heaven and Earth.  Mountains are symbols for higher meditation, spiritual elevation, and communion with the blessed spirits. Mountains lift our spirits.  They give us perspective on things both mundane and spiritual.  They open us to hear our own inner spirit and open us to hear the spirits around us.  It is not unusual for people to begin hearing spirit after a visit to the mountains.  Intuition heightenss and creativity flows.” 

From Native American Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson

Eagle:  Keynote: Spirit:  “Eagle medicine is the power of the Great Spirit, the connection to the Divine.  It is the ability to live in the realm of spirit, and yet remain connected and balanced within the realms of Earth.  Eagle soars, and is quick to observe expansiveness within the overall pattern of life.  Eagle is reminding you to take heart and gather your courage, for the universe is presenting you with an opportunity to soar above the mundane levels of your life.  Eagle teaches you to broaden your sense of self beyond the horizon of what is presently visible.”  

FROM SPIRIT

“In a world of change, it is easy to feel you are in danger. Remember, though, that each change brings with it a gift…a chance to move beyond the challenges of the moment to an easier more God-centered way of living.  Today, look at your world with new eyes.  Trust that the security you seek is within you.  Step into your own true self.  Feel the strength of who you are.  Rest in the truth that you are Divinely guided and protected at all times.  All will be well.” 

COACHING TIP FROM NANCY

Do you have a morning routine that includes time to reconnect with your deepest self?  If not, this would be a great time to start one.  My routine includes a few moments each morning listening to peaceful music and practicing yoga mudras.  I randomly flip to a page in Power Mudras:  Yoga Hand Postures for Women by Sabrina Mesko.  I also often use the Native American Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson to ask for an animal totem to represent my male and female energies for the day.  Throughout the day, I imagine these two animals with me and I can feel an energetic shift, moving me into a more balanced state of being.  I breathe slowly and deeply, soak in the warm sunshine through the window, and imagine somewhere deeply peaceful.  Sometimes I am shown a vision.  Other times I simply feel deeply loved.  This can be a time to ask for guidance, support or healing.  It is also a wonderful time to feel deeply centered in yourself and in the moment you are in.  What activities, books, or music help you feel connected to your deepest self and the Divine?  I encourage you to look for a way to incorporate them into your daily routine.  

RESOURCES

BOOKS:  The books mentioned above are also available in my Amazon store if you’d like your own copy. I highly recommend them! STORE

Have a wonderful day!
Nancy

For a free Divine Purpose Survey and information on Life Coaching Readings, Divinely You Readings, Divinely Guided Messages by email,  Intuitive Coaching Clubs, and products to empower and inspire you, visit my website: http://www.EmpoweringLightworkers.com.

I’ve asked for a Divinely inspired message for you today (on whatever day you happen to read this!) and this is what I was shown.

DIVINELY GUIDED VISION (as shown to Nancy Nicholas)

 I see a butterfly landing on my finger.  A ray of sun is shining through the trees and it hits the butterfly’s wings. They glow and shimmer. I can see its head and antennae very clearly. I hold it up to my eyes and we look at each other. The butterfly climbs along my finger and hops on my nose. It tickles! It walks up the bridge of my nose and brushes its wings against my forehead. The butterfly is now facing forward. I close my eyes and see the world before me through the eyes of the butterfly. The first thing that strikes me is how large everything seems. I find myself fascinated with the tiny lines on the leaf hanging in front of us. I watch as the colors of green shift and change as the wind gently lifts the leaf. I can see all its veins and can even see the movement of the sap through them. I am the butterfly and I imagine the touch of the leaf on my feet as I land upon it. I walk along its edge with great delicacy. I taste the sweetness of the leaf’s surface.

INTERPRETATION

From Animal-Speak: The Spiritual and Magical Power of Creatures Great and Small by Ted Andrews:

“Keynote: Transmutation and the Dance of Joy. Butterflies appear to dance as they light upon flowers and such. They remind us not to take things quite so seriously within our lives. They awaken a sense of lightness and joy. They remind us that life is a dance, and dance, though powerful is also a great pleasure. Butterflies can be reminders to get up and move, for if you can move you can dance. Dance brings the sweetness of life back. Transformation is inevitable, but butterfly will help teach you that growth and change does not have to be traumatic. It will teach you that it can occur as gently, as sweetly, and as joyfully as we wish.”

From Native American Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson
“The power that Butterfly brings to us is akin to the air. It is the mind, and the ability to know the mind or to change it. It is the art of transformation. Butterfly can give clarity to your mental process, help you organize the project you are undertaking, and assist you in finding the next step for your personal life or career. The main message to be obtained by drawing this symbol is that you are ready to undergo some type of transformation.”

FROM SPIRIT

“The message today is about understanding your perception. Notice how the butterfly’s attention was focused intently on what was right before it, not on the scene far beyond. This is a time for noticing and appreciating the beauty of the small and intricate. This is a time for keeping your focus in the moment you are in. The worries you experience come from the land of “what if” and there is no peace to be found in that space. Notice and enjoy the bits of beauty you encounter in each moment. Rest in the knowledge that you are protected and guided in all that you do.”

COACHING TIP FROM NANCY

Have you been hearing the word “crisis” a lot lately? It seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue these days. Today, I encourage you to take stock of your own life. What is going well for you? Do you have a place to live? Are you healthy? Do you have people who love and care about you? Do you have a way to earn a living? Did you see a beautiful sunrise this morning?

It is easy to get in crisis mode when unexpected change comes to our lives. Operating in crisis mode, however, doesn’t help the situation. If you are currently facing a “threatening” situation, resist the temptation to play out the possible outcomes. Our left brain dislikes uncertainty. It creates a story based on whatever facts are available (even if there are only one or two) and it is easy to find yourself living as if the story is true. Pay attention to your thoughts. Refuse to move beyond the day you are in. What is true today? Let tomorrow develop as it needs to and trust that when you get to tomorrow, you will have the resources you need to handle what it brings.

RESOURCES

Have a wonderful day!

Nancy

PS.  Thanks to Lori Byrnes for the butterfly photo!  Besides being a wonderful photographer she is also an amazing Intuitive healer and massage therapist.  Check out her website to learn more: http://thehealerstouch.com

For a free Divine Purpose Survey and information on Life Coaching Readings, Divinely You Readings, Intuitive Coaching Clubs, and products to empower and inspire you, visit my website: http://www.EmpoweringLightworkers.com.