Happy New Year! I am smiling as I write this, because this year–2012–has been the subject of so much talk, hope, and hype–and it is finally here. I have experienced a renewed clarity and peacefulness since Jan. 1, and I have been hearing this from many friends, colleagues, and clients, as well.
I fully expect that 2012 will continue to bring transformative changes in our inner and outer worlds. Time is changing–becoming more elastic, fluid, and simply not working in the way that we are accustomed to. This takes some getting used to…but is ultimately to our benefit as we expand our boundaries of time, space, and possibility.
As we move into this year, with all of the ups and downs that will inevitably arise in our internal and external lives, here are a few suggestions to help you to “Ride the Waves”.
1. Pay Attention to your Breath. Here is a simple yogic exercise that can help you to keep your body, mind, and spirit balanced: Sit quietly and pay attention to your breathing. At first, just notice your breath, without trying to change it. Then, you can pay attention to the length of your inhalations and your exhalations. Begin by counting slowly as you breathe, and notice the length of each in and out breath. If you are feeling anxious, ungrounded, or jittery, extend your exhalation to be longer than your inhalation. For example, if your inhalation is 4 counts, make your exhalation 6, or 8 counts. Conversely, if you are feeling fuzzy, sluggish, and would like more energy, make your inhalation longer than your exhalation. For example, 6 counts to inhale, 4 to exhale. You can change the ratios to fit your body’s needs; if at any time you feel uncomfortable, simply stop and return to a normal breath. This is a tool that you can use throughout your day to help to maintain your balance.
2. Touch the Earth–Four on the Floor. This advice came from my dear cat friend Louie in a gathering that we were facilitating last month. Louie said, “It is important for people to connect with the earth with all 4 ‘feet’ on the ground”. He showed us that we should touch the earth with both our hands and our feet, to help to ground and center us. There are many ways that we can do this: walking and touching rocks or trees with our hands, sitting on the earth, gardening, yoga…or even simply sitting outside and touching the earth with our fingers.
3. Trust Your Intuition. Do something each day to honor your inner knowing. Rest when you are tired. Sign up for that class that you have been wanting to take–the one that makes your heart sing when you think about it. Call a friend who has been in your thoughts. When we start to honor our intuitive knowing in the small, dally parts of our lives, our “intuition muscle” begins to strengthen and is more available for the “big” things in life, as well.
4. Find Support and Community. More than ever, we need each other. We need to surround ourselves with others who support us, love us, and honor our deepest essence. This support can come from many places: our animal friends, other humans, and the Earth herself. We will continue to connect with each other in ways that feel healthy, good, and supportive for us when this is our intention.
I’m here to support you and your animal family during this year of exciting change and growth. I have expanded my offerings for personal sessions, private mentoring and coaching, and healing support for people, in addition to my continuing animal communication sessions and classes. I invite you to contact me if I can be of help to you.
Warm blessings and love,
Nancy
