Change Your Luck - Change Your Life!

 Wow! Someone once called Michael Jordan "lucky!" To me, that is truly incomprehensible. However, he chose to address the comment with a classy statement of truth. He simply agreed and said, "Yes, and the more I train, the "luckier" I get!" He is known for crediting the number of shots missed and games lost as the keys to his success. He kept on going. He had the determination and the dedication needed for high performance in his sport. Michael Jordan is a great role model for all of us as we seek to continue to grow, change, and improve our lives whether our goal is high level performance enhancement or to take better care of our bodies. It doesn't matter if your goal is related to your health, your career, your finances, your relationships, or pursuing your passion. When it comes to "luck" - success leaves clues.

Here's what I call the ABC's of what it takes to Change Your Luck and Change Your Life!

A - Affirm Your Intention

I like to use the word intention as opposed to just talking about goals. The reason for that is, for me anyway, the word intention helps me to tap into the energy behind the goal. For example, if someone comes to me for help to lose weight - that is the goal, but the intention is quite different. The intention is related to what the person most wants to experience as a result of making positive changes. The intention behind the goal to lose weight is very personal and varies, but generally includes such things as wanting to feel better in their own skin, to have more energy, to lessen the associated health risks that come with excess weight, to be able to be more active and to enjoy time spent with family, etc. Essentially, the "big picture" intention is that the person just wants to feel better and to feel more in control. An empowering intention is always stated in the present and captures the essence of what is most important. Coaching can definitely help you get clear about your deepest intentions.

B - Build the Habits You Need to Succeed

If you want to achieve anything in life, you will need to take action and take it consistently. One of the best ways to take consistent action is by establishing good routines and habits. Just like smoking is an unhealthy habit, exercise is a healthy habit. A habit is something that you have done over and over again so many times that it becomes familiar and somewhat automatic. A deeply ingrained habit is like a program that is the default setting in a computer. That's great if it's a good habit, but troublesome if it's a bad habit. The good news about habits is: If you can make it; you can break it! Habits can be changed. You can rid yourself of habits that no longer serve you and create new habits that will take you in the direction that you want to go!  It's simple, but not always easy. That's where coaching and hypnotherapy can be especially powerful tools for change.

C - Cultivate Confidence

In order to succeed, you need to have confidence in your ability to achieve your goals. This means, you must possess the confidence that you have what it takes to do what you know you need to do and perhaps most importantly, to keep going when the going gets rough. You have to be resilient and have a sense that what it is you want to achieve is not only achievable, but also is available specifically to YOU! That is really important. The belief that you can't do what needs to be done or can't have what you want will lead you to abandon your goals in the beginning stages as soon as something goes wrong. That's when you have the propensity to look at challenges as evidence that "it wasn't meant to be" or "it wasn't meant for me." As Marisa Peer, a well-known hypnotherapist always says, "You make your beliefs, and then your beliefs make YOU!" Confidence is an indispensable ingredient in the success formula. Even if you don't possess that quality now, confidence can be cultivated!

As the month of March draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the areas of my life that I have changed and need to change. Spring is a great time to renew and refresh your energy and your life. The idea to write about luck came to me for a variety of reasons, including the saying about "the luck of the Irish" and as you may notice from the photo, I am Irish ;) But the main reason I thought of it is that I have needed to implement the steps above so many times in my life. One of the most amazing examples was years ago when I wanted to increase my business. I really needed to shift my mindset and as "luck" would have it, I listened to a fellow hypnotherapist, Wendi Friesen, discussing the topic of luck and leading the group through a hypnosis session to improve our luck. It was pretty amazing. Shortly after the session, I had the idea to call the health and wellness reporter at one of the major news networks in Cleveland to ask if they would be interested in doing a story on hypnosis. Well, they were and they did! In fact, the story was over 6 minutes long! I was also featured on other TV shows, radio, and newspaper. How's that for "Lucky?"

Had I not affirmed my intention, built the habits needed to succeed, and cultivated confidence in who I am and what I do, none of that would have happened. I had a holistic approach that enhanced the energy/vibration that I radiated, shifted my mindset, and inspired the actions needed to meet my goal. If I can do it, so can you.

Yes, YOU CAN and I can help.

Blessings!

Mary Ellen 

 

The Highly Sensitive Person Label: Limitation or Liberation?

 

As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) myself, this question is indeed near and dear to my heart! Once you "find out" you are an HSP, that is the main issue that you need to address to move from acknowledging the trait to accepting the trait. It is only then that you can learn to effectively accommodate and accentuate your inherent nature. Essentially, the HSP label is either an asset or a liability depending on how you choose to view it.

Therein lies the answer to whether the HSP label is a limitation or liberation: 

It really IS your choice!

Your decision is the difference that will make the difference. If you allow yourself to fall into a victim mentality because this is a trait you were born with and it's not going to go away, you will tend toward avoidance in life and spend a great deal of your energy working to control people, circumstances and events so as to not upset the proverbial apple cart. This is an exhausting way to live. Unfortunately, I know that from past experience. It is in fact, quite limiting!

On the other hand, the HSP label can be the best thing that has ever happened to you! Suddenly you realize why you have felt "different" all of your life, why you have been conditioned to react the way you do, and it is a terrific relief to finally know that 20% of the population can relate to your experience. You embrace this new knowledge and learn the most effective strategies for healing the past, enjoying the present, and co-creating the future. You now know that there are certain things you need to do to balance your nervous system for optimal functioning. You understand that there are ways that you will choose to practice healthy self-care that may differ from the 80% of the population that are non-HSPs and you set the healthy boundaries that allow you the time and space to do so. In other words, Hallelujah! This is what liberation looks like!

So, how can you make the empowering choice to be liberated by the HSP label? You absolutely need to heal the past in order to bring your best self into the present. This involves reframing your experiences prior to realizing you are an HSP in light of this new knowledge. This will allow you to release the negative energy and beliefs of the past and to reclaim the positive energy and beliefs in the present. It really is a beautiful thing to behold - even though there is work to be done to get there.

That's where you may benefit from seeking support. Read books about the HSP trait by reputable authors like Dr. Elaine Aron. Watch videos, read blog posts, join Facebook groups. Do what you can to realize what you feel is real. You are not alone. And most importantly - YOU ARE AWESOME!

Please contact me if I can support your journey to acknowledge, accept, accommodate, and accentuate your trait as a Highly Sensitive Person. Visit the Nurture U website for more information about Holistic Wellness Life Coaching and tapping into the mind-body-spirit connection in the process of change. Hypnotherapy and hypnosis are especially effective tools for learning how to lovingly direct your mind and therefore your life. If you have any questions, you are welcome to request a complimentary phone consultation as well.

As for me? I am so happy I chose liberation over limitation. 

I know you can too.

It's time to learn to thrive not just survive!

Healthy self-care is NOT a luxury; it's a necessity.

For HSPs: Change Your State; NOT Your Trait!

Well, here it is...

In my humble opinion, this is the absolute number one most important thing that a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) must learn in order to Be Happy, Be Healthy, and Live a Life that Matters. That truly is what we all want, isn't it? That's why it is the tagline for Nurture U Life Coaching. It is also the impetus for all I am doing for myself as an HSP and coaching my clients to do as well.
Here it is folks...
CHANGE YOUR STATE; NOT YOUR TRAIT.

Wow, it feels so good to be putting this message out there for you and for all who know, love, work with, and/or parent anyone who is a Highly Sensitive Person. We HSPs are an awesome group that often gets a bad rap. Why? Simply put, because we are in the minority. That's right, HSPs make up only 15-20% of the population. Needless to say, since 80% of the population is made up of non-HSPs, you better believe that society is not set up for us to thrive. But that's ok. That's our responsibility to see that we do. And never fear, we CAN go from feeling like we are just (or sometimes barely) surviving to empowered and thriving by changing our state; not our trait.

So, what exactly is a trait? A trait is an inherited quality that we are born with. It is not something that develops as a result of trauma, poor parenting, lack of discipline, or even by choice. In the case of high sensitivity, it is not a disorder and certainly not something that we need to get over or get rid of (in spite of what you yourself may have thought and likely what you've also been told). You can't submit high sensitivity to any kind of treatment to eradicate it. It is what it is. The idea is to acknowledge, accept, accommodate, and accentuate the trait by learning the tips, tools, and techniques for our sensitive nervous systems to function at our optimal level. That's where changing your state comes in.

What is meant by "change your state?" To paraphrase Merriam - Webster online, the definition of "state" is a mode or condition of mind and/or being. As this clearly implies, a state is merely a temporary quality of existence. Your state can be managed and changed for the better. That is where the power of choice comes in. That is what it means to learn to be more responsive and less reactive. In other words, here's the opportunity for continued growth and development if we make the decision to view our challenges in this matter. Otherwise, we fall prey to the victim mentality and that leaves us helpless, hopeless, and stuck. I don't know about you, but I will take on the work of change rather than wallow in the mire every time!

It's easy to see how if highly sensitive people do not know how to balance their nervous systems for optimal functioning that they get stuck. It's also easy to see how if someone doesn't accept that he or she is an HSP that the person will not practice the tools to stay grounded and centered as the priority they need to be even if that person knows helpful techniques. But get a load of this: Denial of the trait can actually trigger people to go in the polar opposite direction and swing into an even higher, more destructive driven mode and leave the strategies of healthy self-care in the dust. Now why would someone ever do that? Why would someone get stuck, stay stuck, and go even deeper into the muck?

As is so often the case in life, the answer is simple but certainly not easy: low self-esteem. How does that apply to being a Highly Sensitive Person? Unfortunately, low self-esteem can run rampant in the lives of HSPs and dare I say that I'd venture to guess that the higher you score on the HSP scale, the more that might be an issue. But why?

Why are HSPs prone to low self-esteem?
In the words of Dr. Elaine Aron on page 147 of the 25th Anniversary Edition of her groundbreaking book The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, "HSPs are prone to low self-esteem because they are not their culture's ideal." Ouch...truth hurts, but it doesn't have to. As I said before, an HSP needs to acknowledge, accept, accommodate, and accentuate the trait of high sensitivity. How? Back to the beginning...

Change your state; NOT your trait.
Learn what it takes to balance your unique nervous system to be more calm, confident, and connected. Practice healthy self-care. Make rest, relaxation, and the right amount to sleep for you a top priority. Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables. Get consistent daily moderate exercise that is the right amount and type for your body. Figure out what brings a smile to your face and find a way to bring more of that into your days. By learning to do these things, and perhaps more importantly giving yourself the permission to do so, you will in effect be changing your state to enhance your trait. Given the right conditions (AKA state of mind, body, and spirit) your sensitivity can be transformed from what you (and most likely others) mistakenly considered a liability into the asset that it actually is. After awhile, you, like me, might come to know and embrace that your sensitivity is actually your Superpower!

That is the vision I continue to hold for myself and for all HSPs. I've said it before and I'll say it again that it is my passion, purpose, and privilege to help Highly Sensitive Women to learn to do this and more. If I can be of help or support to you on your journey of wholeness, please contact me. In fact, we can schedule a complimentary phone consultation to begin to experience and explore how Nurture U Life Coaching could benefit you. In the meantime, hang in there and just decide right here right now to be willing to accept that your sensitivity is a gift. Trust me. I know from experience. That decision alone is already a step in a new direction.

What is YOUR Declaration of Independence?

Let's face it, in spite of the myriad of differences, the truth is that we all share the same goal.
We all want freedom.
Freedom from and freedom to.

Let me explain...

When I was going through my coach training, one of the things I learned is how to skillfully ask clients a series of questions in order to help them to gain greater clarity with regard to the goals that they intend to achieve. However, even more important than helping clients to identify goals is the need to elicit the deeper want behind the goal. The deeper want is what provides us with the motivation to keep moving toward the goal in spite of the inevitable bumps we will encounter. That's just the way it is.
(Trust me, if the road to success was that easy, we would run into a lot more traffic on the way!)

So, after working with hundreds and hundreds of clients, I can honestly say that all goals come down to a desire for freedom - no matter what that goal may look like on the surface.
Also, all goals are about "freedom from" and "freedom to."
In other words, you need to get clear in answering this question:
What is it that you want less of in your life and what is it that you want more of? 
It all comes down to that.

(This sounds very simple and in many ways it is. What gets complicated is when either we aren't sure of the deeper want or when we run into limiting thoughts and beliefs that have been "downloaded" over the years that are in conflict with the goals we have chosen. Again, this process varies greatly from person to person. Essentially, that's why Holistic Wellness Life Coaching is individualized and goes beyond traditional coaching methods to include guided meditation and imagery.)

To illustrate the point, here is a powerful example that many can relate to. One of the most common issues I work with is weight loss. This is clearly an issue that is deeper than it appears on the surface. No one really seeks coaching because the goal is to eat healthy and exercise! That is the ACTION that must be taken consistently over time to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

To confuse the action with the goal is the #1 way to literally kill your motivation, yet so many people approach change that way. It simply does not work.

Weight loss is about freedom!

Freedom from:
Chronic pain caused by excess pressure on the joints
Medical issues, time, and the cost of care for conditions caused or exacerbated by excess weight
Low self-esteem associated with feeling out of control of one's habits
Feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious in your own body
(And the list goes on and on and on and varies from person to person...)

Freedom to:
Perform daily activities with greater ease
Enjoy a higher level of energy for all you do
Play, dance, go to the beach, etc. with loved ones and friends
Wear clothes that fit and feel fabulous
Eat to live, not live to eat
(And again, this list goes on and on and on and varies from person to person...)

Weight loss is just one example. Your desire for freedom may manifest itself with regard to any number of things including, but not limited to, expressing your creativity, increasing your income and financial security, buying the house or boat or car of your dreams, going on the vacation of a lifetime, changing careers, learning to sing, etc. etc. etc.

Your Declaration of Independence is the first step that will lead you to your goal of being more, doing more, and having more of what you want in life. It's all about abundant living at its finest. It's all about freedom.

What is YOUR Declaration of Independence?
What is it YOU want to enjoy freedom from or freedom to?
Most importantly, how and when are you going to start your revolution?

Now is the perfect time. Now is the only time.
Start today.

As always, I trust that these words will find their way to the right people, at the perfect time, and have the intended impact on the lives and hearts of my readers for the best and Highest Good.

With Blessings, Love and Light,
Nurture U

Fool's Gold: A Goal as a Hole That You Dig

We are indeed a goal-driven society. From education, to career, to money, and all forms of success, goals are touted as the be-all and end-all on the road to achievement. Not only must goals be formulated, they must be written down succinctly and be SMART: specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and timed. (There are different ways of teaching the acronym. This is the one I have taught and followed myself.)  Goals must also be periodically reviewed for progress and re-evaluation. In pursuit of our goals, we must remember that there is no failure, only feedback. And on and on goes the "coach speak" with regard to getting anywhere in life. The motivational strategies are research-based and proven to be effective. So...the message is, "Keep on keepin' on..."

But wait...!!! I have followed these formulas to the letter. I have done all I can with regard to pursuit of my goals. I am motivated. I am determined. In fact, in many cases, I have achieved the goals. Sometimes my success has been greater than I expected. My ego is stoked. My ego has been stroked. I am happy. At least for now...

Then Boom, Crash, Zap, Poof...That happiness is gone! Now what?

Back it up...

Goal setting is indeed a powerful process in climbing the ladder of success, but as it has been said, you need to be aware of where you choose to place that ladder. Otherwise, you will get to the top and simply find yourself trying to maintain your excitement and your balance on the highest rung with perhaps nowhere to go but down. That's why we all need to dig deeper to uncover our highest intentions. Otherwise, what seems like climbing the ladder of success becomes tantamount to digging ourselves into a proverbial hole. The more we try, the more we spin our wheels, the more we find ourselves stuck. It is at that point that we may become deeply embedded in the false belief that life is not fair and that all of the positive things we have read, heard, and been taught must be the ramblings of the chosen few who can afford to preach such rubbish from the comfort of their ivory towers. Lest we lose heart, be assured, there IS another way.

Many of our goals are likened to fool's gold. We dig, and we dig, and we dig our heels in further until we at last have that glistening lump of gold that we thought was a gem in our worn and blistered hands. We paid the price. Here's the prize. Oops. Not so fast. The shiny object is indeed worthless and our efforts are for naught. We only wanted the real thing. Not a cheap imitation.

Here's where we can claim the true power of manifesting our heart's desire. In order to manifest your heart's desire, you must KNOW what it is! In order to know what it is, you must be open to receiving this information. In order to be open, you must soften your stance. In order to soften your stance, you need to be present. In order to be present, you must cultivate a degree of inner peace. In order to cultivate inner peace, you must be willing to align your personality with your soul. In order to align your personality with your soul, you simply have to know and trust that it is the highest part of you that always seeks to manifest the highest good of all concerned, including you. In order to know and trust your soul, you need to choose to connect with the Great Power of the Universe that is Your Source of Being. And that brings us to the "Good News." You are already connected to Your Source.  Your Source is Pure Love and all that is Go(o)d. You are a Spark of the Divine. Therefore, there is only One Power, One Way, One Intention, and that Intention is to BE the Love that you are and seek to express that Love in all that you do in an ever-evolving upward spiral. Just choose Love and your goals, whatever they may be, will be backed by the Power of the Universe for your Best and Highest Good - all the time - Guaranteed!

So, behind all of the glitz and glamour of the image of climbing the ladder of success, you may find a multitude of haggard laborers digging deeper and deeper holes that lead them nowhere but into greater darkness and isolation. That is the aftermath of the goals of fear: Fear of failure, fear of lack, fear of being unworthy, fear of _________________________(fill in the blank). Even if you manage to reach the goal through the sweat of your brow, that same brow is soon furrowed as you ponder your next move. Surely, the next goal will be "it."

The lesson here is simply this: Beware of a goal that stems from fear no matter how noble it may appear. A goal motivated by fear will weaken and disappoint you every time. It is the ultimate fool's goal that leaves you exhausted and discouraged. You truly have a choice in this matter - no matter how far you have come or how far you feel you have left to go. You can now choose to have access to the fuel behind any goal you may set, whether it be a wellness goal such as weight loss, a career goal, a financial goal, etc. The form that your goals take will be as individualized as your journey itself. Ultimately, it is not the goal that matters. It is what fuels the goal that determines your destination as well as the quality of your experience along the way. And that, my friend, is all you really need to know. The power of your intention is the power behind your goal and you have the power to choose. 

Start now - Tap into the Ultimate Power of the Universe. 
Begin in Love.
End in Love. 
And just watch how that one decision changes everything in between.

Namaste.
It makes me smile to hold this vision for us all. Go in Peace, and Love, and Joy.

As always, I trust that these words will find their way to the right people, at the perfect time, and have the intended impact on the lives and hearts of my readers for the best and Highest Good.

With Blessings, Love and Light,
Nurture U

Shift Happens! 3 Questions to Get You Back on Track!

By this point in the New Year, there are many people who begin to doubt their ability to create amazing life changes. As we all know, change is a challenge. When we set the intention to change, especially if we are sincere and the change is a worthwhile endeavor, we are also setting in motion the process to heal and clear away any thoughts, beliefs, habits, memories, experiences, and energy that keeps us "stuck" in the past. So, as the saying goes, "When you pick up one end of the stick, you pick up the other end too."

That said, how we approach these nagging doubts or glaring fear makes all the difference in the world. Just knowing that they will surface brings a sense of relief! In working as a Life Coach, I have observed time and time again with clients from all walks of life that the biggest hurdle to overcome is the belief that once we enter the process of change with a sincere heart that it "should" be smooth sailing; and if we hit a rough patch, that "shouldn't" be happening, leaving the client to feel discouraged and ready to throw in the towel. In fact, quite honestly, it is at this point that I need to reassure my coaching clients that this is indeed "normal" and is in no way an indication that they are "defective." (The underlying fear of being "defective" is pervasive and I will address that in another article.)

So, here are the 3 questions you can use on your own or with the support of a Life Coach to get back on track...

1) What's RIGHT with me?
Yep, when we start to flounder, it is absolutely essential to start with this question. When our shadow side is looming large, we tend to focus on the negative and sometimes to the exclusion of the positive. Crazy, but true, this is the fastest way to lose momentum and start that downward spiral that leaves us feeling lower than before we set out on our new path. The longer this is allowed to continue, the lower we go, and the harder it is to make our way out and back up. Don't go there. This is the question that will keep you going in your new direction and refresh your confidence.

2) How can I take responsibility for my life and what is happening?
Clearly, this is the polar opposite of the defensive stance which seeks to blame other people and circumstances when the going gets tough. This is the question that is essential for you to retain your sense of appropriate personal power. If your energy and attention are focused on blame, you direct your life-force outward where you indeed have no control. If you keep the focus on what you can do and how you can choose to respond, you will stay within your circle of influence. This will allow you to use your energy in a truly productive manner that is far more likely to hasten your progress and help you to feel more peaceful in the process as well.

3) How can I transform this situation for my Highest Good?
All of our experiences provide us with an opportunity to learn and grow. Even those experiences that do not turn out the way we think they "should" afford us the chance to choose to become better, not bitter. If you look back on your own life from this perspective, perhaps you will be able to view some of those experiences from a higher perspective. There are so many expressions for this, such as "looking for the gift in the garbage" that point to this Truth, however, we can only come to Know it for ourselves if we are willing to open our hearts to that possibility and Trust in the Ultimate Good. I love the analogy that life is like a tapestry - all the threads of experience are ultimately woven together to create a beautiful work of art - but with our limited perspective, we are viewing it from the opposite side. Somehow, at a very deep level, that resonates in my heart and soul and I choose Faith in the process. I hope you will too.

Shift Happens!

As always, I trust these words will find their way to the right people, at the perfect time, and have the intended impact on the lives and hearts of my readers for the best and highest good.

With Blessings, Love, and Light,
Nurture U

Creating an Integrative Energy Shift for the New Year - Part 2: The "Triple A" Avenue of Success

As we are now in the first full week of the New Year, I hope that you are enjoying the opportunity to create the Integrative Energy Shift that I wrote of in the previous post. The 4 P's of the Paradigm provide the framework and foundation for you to enjoy a New Year and a New You. In this post, we will explore the more active aspect of the 3 A's that will help to pave the avenue to success.

A-1  Attitude
It has been said that attitude is an even more powerful aspect of success than aptitude. This is clearly evident time and time again as the cream continues to rise to the top consistently and predictably.
The beauty of this quality is that our attitude is always totally within our control. As we traverse the road of life, there are indeed many detours. There will inevitably be delays, seemingly wrong turns, and plenty of unexpected and even unwanted events along the way. The fact is (and sometimes we would rather not admit it) that so many of these things will indeed be out of our control in spite of planning for progress to the best of our ability. Ironically, it is in the midst of these challenges that we can awaken and step more fully into our power as we choose our responses rather than silently acquiescing to living in the bondage of simply reacting. What was once our Achilles heel can be transformed into a confident foothold and a step in the right direction. Yep - All that from the realization that no matter what, we get to choose our attitude.

A-2 Action
Of course, nothing is going to happen until we happen to get going. While every marvelous manifestation starts as a seed that is firmly planted in good soil, we want to be good stewards as we commit to tending the seeds. Once we have a firm foundation for change and a winning attitude, we need to take inspired action to keep the energy moving. Why "inspired action"? Because even as we set about to bring our dreams to fruition, we need to continue to check in with ourselves to ensure that we are acting for the highest good. Otherwise, action can become an ego-driven, exhausting effort that leads us down the wrong road. Action driven by ego leads to burn-out rather than the joy and fulfillment that can be ours from the merging of head and heart in purposeful productivity. Trust me, joy is a highly sensitive and reliable instrument for gauging success. Don't fall prey to the belief that life must be a perpetual race and struggle to the finish line. Not every moment will be spent in Nirvana, but when you choose to act from inspiration, things will change. You may be doing the same job, the same activities, and be around the same people, but if you truly connect with the deeper motivation for why you do what you do, it changes the energy you bring into action and transforms your experience. I dare you to head for more joy. You can thank me later.

A-3 Affirmation
Sometimes I feel that the subject of "doing affirmations" has been so distorted by those purporting to help you to radically change your life in 3-7 easy steps or days or whatever, that I almost hesitated to include this important information. However, we do need to use the power of affirmation on the road to success. We need to affirm not just the new creation we are in the process of becoming, we need to affirm ourselves in the process. This can get a little tricky as I have learned firsthand coaching so many people to positive change. Again, in order to effect truly lasting change, we need to once again engage both the head and the heart to ensure we are acting in our own best interest. By that, I do not mean that we act in the ways of the world to protect ourselves, to strive to arrive at bigger, better, faster, and more, more, more. I mean that we are affirming at all times what we know to be the Truth of what is in our best interest from the perspective of our souls. (By soul, I am referring to the holistic, transpersonal nature that comprises your entire being yet goes beyond it as well. The soul is a term hard to define in the context of this post. Suffice it to say it is the Real You.) We need to affirm what we know to be a higher level of self-realization. We need to Trust that as we act for our highest good, that it is for the highest good of all those around us as well. When we act for our highest good, we are being of service by radiating who we are just by being who we are and this is the impact we have on the universe. This is our legacy. So, affirm who you ARE in the process of change and what you are willing to do, to choose, to release, to be. This may be an area you want additional support for in order to choose the affirmations that resonate the energy of change, yet does not create a conflict. Yes, this is tricky, but I am more than happy to act as your guide and assist. Be open to seeking support as needed. (Don't be stubborn on this one, ya hear me? Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It is a commitment to strengthen all that you have. Believe me, I know!)

Well, congratulations! If you read Part 1 and Part 2 of Creating an Integrative Energy Shift in the New Year, you have given yourself a valuable gift. You are now empowered with the complete picture of the Nurture U perspective on how to condition your mind, body, and spirit for success in this New Year! As someone who has used this approach with countless clients, it is my privilege to share it with you. It brings me great joy just knowing that we have connected through the power of the written word. I wish you the very best as you continue the journey.

As always, I trust that these words will find their way to the right people, at the perfect time, and have the intended impact on the lives and hearts of my readers for the best and highest good.

With Blessings, Love, and Light,
Nurture U

Creating an Integrative Energy Shift for the New Year (and Every Day!) Part 1: The P4 Paradigm for Change

The P4 Paradigm is the foundation of how to condition your mind, body, and spirit to create and sustain the changes you wish to make in the New Year or at anytime. This powerful format emerged from years of working with life coaching clients and wellness program participants. It has been developed from extensive knowledge and training in education and the social sciences as well as the less traditional fields of life coaching, hypnotherapy, yoga, and meditation. This paradigm is holistic in nature and reflects ancient wisdom that spans a myriad of traditions and is now increasingly backed by scientific research. We live in an exciting time of growth and change. Embrace this knowledge to empower yourself to dare to lead a life of greater joy and fulfillment. It is my hope that you will use this paradigm as a structural framework of support throughout your continuing journey of self-realization.

P1 - Positive

Whatever your intention is for your life, you must learn to focus your attention in a positive manner on what it is that you DO want to be, do, and have in your life. So much time and energy is wasted on complaining and focusing on what we don't want to be, do, or have which is not only counter-productive, but it is downright draining as well. We need to acknowledge our present reality as what has been created by the past and not as our life sentence for the future. Ironically, the most significant error most people make in "trying to be positive" is not knowing how to handle the negative. We need to allow for that which we consider to be negative to be brought into our conscious awareness without any resistance on our part. To deny negativity creates resistance and resistance blocks the flow of positive energy. One of the biggest problems that can come from this is that by denying the negative thoughts and feelings, we do not release them or lessen their impact, we simply send them "underground" where they fester and foster a free-floating fear and sap our energy, our life force, our strength. It is far better to spend time in meditation and simply allow those thoughts, feelings, and sensations to float like clouds across the calm background of what I call the "Blue Sky Mind" - you notice them, acknowledge them, and let them pass by. This will indeed free your mind and your energy to be more fully present to manifest your positive intentions. Positive energy flows naturally and freely if it is not blocked or diverted. Enlisting the help and support of a trusted healer, life coach, meditation teacher, or even guided meditation audios can aid you in this process.

P2 - Persistent

Persistence is the key to whether or not your intentions and resolutions "stick." How many times have you resolved to eat right, exercise, meditate daily, get organized, or ______________ (fill in the blank with any resolution you have made) and found that by the 2nd week (or let's face it - sometimes the 2nd day or let's be really honest - the 2nd hour) your resolution crashed and burned in the face of temptation or lethargy or whatever! That phenomenon comes from clinging to the fantasy that change happens all at once or that it should be easy. To cling to that fantasy is a recipe for disaster. Change takes persistence. Change takes time. Change is a process, not a one-time event. Change is challenging - Period. Sorry to burst the bubble of illusion, but that is part of my job as a life coach. I support you in making change by helping you embrace the truth. Now, here's the good news: Change is Fabulous! People create positive changes all the time and you can too! Just allow yourself the time, the space, the gentleness, the support, and the joy to bring it about. There are so many things you can do to keep yourself on track and focused. Stay open to the tools and techniques that work best for you. Enlist the support of people who radiate positive energy and will help you to hold your vision for change.

P3 - Pervasive

In order for a resolution or intention to be manifested into reality, you need to check the "ecology" of the goal. In other words, what effect will this intention have on other areas of your life? How will your goal impact your energy level, your relationships, your home, your career, your time, your finances, etc.? These are essential to consider and to include into your underlying motivation to allow your intention to be expansive, to grow, to encompass and have a positive effect not only on you, but on your entire life as well. A good life coach can help you in this regard by asking the questions that will elicit the information needed to reframe your goals to have the greatest impact on your life. This is part of what makes change so fabulous! It turns a personal resolution into a revolution.

P4 - Peaceful

Here's the kicker: Change is challenging, but it does not need to create distress. Distress comes from the stories that we tell ourselves about who we are and what we should do. Distress comes from not following intuitive guidance. Distress comes from trying to force outcomes that are not in alignment with our highest good. Distress comes from ignoring the inner voice. Distress comes from not taking action in the direction of our calling. Distress, distress, and more distress. The antidote to distress is simply to come from a place of peace. It is in the silence of our minds and hearts that we have access to our highest intentions, our next step, inspired action plans, and the affirmation of our direction. Without allowing ourselves to rest and relax in the alpha state of mind, we simply cannot function at our highest level. We all must carve out the time for meditation, quiet contemplation and reflection, and calming activities that get us out of a driven state of being and into the power of being the driving force in our lives.  Peacefulness is not the opposite of productivity; it is a pre-requisite. Find the tools, techniques, teachers, and texts that will bring help you connect with your inner peace. Again and again, we will come back to the need for peace in the process of change.

(Part 2 in this series will focus on the Triple-A Avenue of Success.)

As always, I trust that these words will find their way to the right people, at the perfect time, and have the intended impact on the lives and hearts of my readers for the best and highest good.

With Blessings, Love and Light,
Nurture U