REIKI NEWS & REVIEW:
By Columnist Camille Lucy – Certified Holistic Health Coach & Reiki Practitioner:
Part 7 of the 12 Steps to Transformation – A Month-to-Month Guide Bringing Joy, Peace, Love & Fulfillment – Listen to Your Heart
A good heart is better than all the heads in the world – Robert Bulwer-Lytton
In today’s culture, we have not been encouraged to listen to the soft whisper of the heart. The beating of the drum that resides within us carries a rhythm with it, deeply interconnected and woven with all of creation. The inner knowing that guides us on our journey through life. We have not been taught how to “tap in, tune in, and turn on.” How to find the answers within. We have been conditioned to think with our heads, to reason, to analyze pros and cons, and unfortunately, many of our decisions are based out of fear… not love (or heart).
But the intentions behind our decisions and actions play a vital role in what shows up for us. When fear and anxiety drive our decision-making process, there is a greater risk of regret and resentment, jeopardizing our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. When we choose fear, we are not honoring our hearts. When we make decisions from a place of self-love, we have more clarity about our intentions and expectations. Even when our plan doesn’t go as hoped, there is a level of peace that comes from knowing, that at the time, we made the best decision we knew how to make. We learn from the experience and use it to make our next.
Our hearts are always speaking to us. We just have to learn how to listen more closely and carefully. Like a radio station we tune into, we just have to hop on the right frequency and turn off the static of the other stations.
6 Ways To Begin Listening to Your Heart
#1 Learn How to Say No When You Mean No. How many times do we say yes to something when it doesn’t feel right and we really want to say no? We consider all the “shoulds” and fear crops up. When you consider saying yes, but your heart says no, you’ll feel it in your body. You may notice some tension, squeezing, tightness or stress. Perhaps you’ve ignored these signs before. But they are here to guide you. Honor yourself and your feelings and say no when you mean no. This practice of self-love will help you to reach greater authenticity, integrity and lessen the likelihood of resentments and regret.
#2 Declutter. Anything that is in your life that shouldn’t be is taking up your energy. If your surroundings are cluttered and chaotic, do a clean sweep. Get rid of anything that may be distracting you or taking away your energy. Create a space that is calm and open and clear that encourages you to connect back to yourself, and your heart.
#3 Take Time. Make time for yourself. So often, we tend to over-commit and race around, with to-do lists that can go on for miles. Cross something off the list? Don’t rush to fill it with something else. Schedule time on your calendar that is just for you. Do what you love. Do anything. Do nothing. But carve it out, and commit to it like you would any other obligation.
#4 Physical Touch. Put your hand on your heart. Find stillness in the moment and really connect, deeply, to yourself. Close your eyes, and just feel and listen and observe. At first, you may not notice anything happening but in time, as you continue to practice this, being with yourself in silence, you will gain clarity and insight you have been searching for. You may want to keep a journal handy so you can jot down anything that comes to you.
#5 Connect Back to Your Roots. Practice meditation, mindfulness, or yoga that puts you back in touch with your body and mind, and connects you with your inner workings. These practices will not only help you to listen to your heart, they will help to cultivate a deep sense of acceptance, peace, and love over time.
#6 Tune In. Anytime you are having difficult coming to a decision, take some time and space to really sit with the questions and feelings before making a decision. There is no rush. Find silence, stillness, and tune into your body. Pay attention to the signs its giving you as mentioned in #1. Consider both options and play them out. While playing one out, feel into your body. Do you feel tense or at peace? Are you cringing or do you smile? What feels good and light is the decision your heart would make for you.
Rumi, a 13th-century Persian Sunni Muslim poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic said, “Your heart knows the way; run in that direction.”
Tuning In to Your Heart
Our bodies were designed with a profound connection to the heart. Each and every day, our heart sends us powerful messages. But unless you have the time and the space to pay attention, you may very well miss them. Today’s culture breeds stress, busy days, hectic schedules and so much anxiety. And that gets in the way of listening to our own inner knowing. We just cannot hear beneath all the other noise.
Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. – Steve Jobs
It may take extreme faith and courage to initially listen to your heart. It may ask you to make a decision that requires strength and to go against the grain. But the rewards are plentiful and lead to greater relationships, productivity, quality of life and overall well-being.
Next Month I’ll Cover “Forgiveness”
In this 12-part series, readers will learn the key ingredients to a delicious life! Each topic will cover why it is important, and simple ways or suggestions on how to integrate these shifts into your everyday life. If these principles are followed, the results will be undeniable; a radiant and able body, mind and soul, shining from the inside out, stronger and healthier relationships and a dramatically improved quality of life.
About Our Reiki News & Review Columnist – Camille Lucy
Camille Lucy is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Certified Reiki & Raindrop Technique Practitioner, Ordained Holistic Minister, Certified Yoga & Meditation Teacher, graphic and web designer, business consultant, and Vice President of a local non-profit that “rehabilitates people through animals.” She is also a writer, a Mother of 3 girls, an artist, a Life-and-Love Junkie, a Self-Expression and Development advocate, and – well, you get the point. She’s a lot of things, just like all of us. Camille is also author of, “The (Real) Love Experiment: Explore Love, Relationships & The Self.” Learn more about her and her adventure(s) at www.CamilleLucy.com or on social media at @LiveFullToday.
Disclaimer: The information published in this column is the author’s professional opinion, based on their knowledge. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment in any way. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Also, always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on InShape News.
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