For some time now, I’ve been working towards becoming more spiritually grounded while also detaching my emotions and expectations from people, places and things that were draining my life battery. What I’ve gleaned from being in this space of duality has forever change the trajectory of my life experience. For me, one of the best life skills that one can experience is detaching from the outcome in certain areas of life. Simply allowing fate and free will to design the life of your dreams takes courage and patience. This does not mean that we should throw caution to the wind; however being fully focused on living and enjoying life as opposed to judging the outcomes of my life decisions has been a breath of fresh air for me. I’ve reduced my anxiety and depression, strengthened personal relationships and have a renewed sense of hope and optimism. Here’s how I was able to accomplish this for myself. 

Healing in the Mountains:

I was the kind of person that was not very tapped in to the wide range of emotions that flow into the mind and body throughout the day. I had basically shut those off probably due to childhood trauma or just not having the tools to understand what I was feeling. My life had become unbearable and it seemed that I was stuck in a loop sort of like a vintage record player. This caused me to search for answers so I took a trip to Central America by myself in order to get away from it all. During that trip I allowed myself the time and space to feel, heal and plan how my next life journey would be. It was time for a reset and my soul guided me all the way to a mountain peak in a sleepy town called Boquete.

Allowing Myself to Feel: 

I spent most of my time in awe of the landscape and the natural flow of life that I was able to witness. My accommodations weren’t much; a couch, bed and a warm shower. During my stay, I did a vast amount of journaling and contemplating. The beauty of making time to just sit and think about what had just transpired and how I was going to pull myself out of being in such a dark space. The key for me was slowing down a bit and getting away from the hustle and bustle of life in the US. Also while there, I met my now good friends Elizabeth and Diane to discuss their plant based formulas to help with my nagging anxiety. I had done some research prior to my arrival and was excited to meet them and hear more about their amazing company Cloud Forest Botanicals. 

Creating My Manifesto:

Towards the end of my trip my soul yearned for me to make a manifesto based on my truest and rawest emotions. While determining what to include, I asked myself hard questions about what was holding me back from living my truth. I dug deep into my fear based consciousness and started accepting the parts of me that were hurt, wounded or rooted in ego. Once I did this, those scenarios no longer had power over me. I decided that when I left the mountain town and returned home that I’d live, love and be more empathetic to myself and all people. With that empathy in my heart, I was able to determine what I stood for without any outside interference or opinions. 

The Season of Self Love: 

As we enter into the Summer season, I myself have transitioned into a new life season where I am more focused on what brings peace, joy, excitement to my life. I’ve detoxed from overindulging in social media, apologized to those that I had wronged and have been committed to living a more healthy and balanced lifestyle. With this new cadence, I am beginning to understand the importance of providing healing options and retreats for those that just need fresh air to breathe and the space to truly feel alive. 

As a spiritual coach to millennial clients, 28-35 years of age, one of the more persistent issues that comes up time and time again is anxiety and uncertainty. Most have big audacious career goals, family planning stressors and are simply seeking to live more holistically both inside and out. I have an affinity for this generation whose reputation is based upon the fact that they grew up during the digital/technological age where life was instant, quick and at their fingertips. I’ve found that although the technology age may exacerbate the issue, one of the main contributors to their sentiment is quite simple- many lack basic life skills and the awareness of the cycles of life. Most have a strong desire to be ambitious, moving towards what makes them happy but not recognizing that their are “obstacles to conquer in order to gain rewards” no matter your nationality, gender, race or religion. Anxiety and stress are an equal opportunity employer. 

When I receive inquiries for spiritual coaching, my clients have come to a point in their lives where the traditional way of handling their issues or continuing to bury their heads in the sand regarding physical and mental wellness just isn’t working and are seeking some form of reprieve. I oftentimes get asked a version of this question during my introductory consultation: “What exactly is meditation and how can I implement it?” After a somewhat lengthy banter on what their yoga teacher says, what the article in Mindful Magazine pointed out or seeing their favorite Instagram influencer mention it in his/her latest post, we almost always conclude with one word, ALIGNMENT. 

In my opinion, operating with a more mindful and present state of being means that you are committed to discovering and aligning with your higher purpose. Alignment simply means taking responsibility for your emotions, actions, thoughts and desires. One key principle that I tout often to my clients is the idea that “you create our own reality” and if you are experiencing obstacles that are restrictive or holding you back in some way then you have the responsibility to change it. As we dive deeper into each session, introspection and clarity begins to take shape. I specialize in uncovering chakra blockages, which show up as matters of the heart and mind that have been left unattended like a garden of overgrown weeds. This is where the real work begins as I am able to shine a light on the root of the issue to help influence healing. My role in the process as a spiritual coach is to assist and encourage you in a positive way so that you can continue on with your life journey equipped with skills that you can build upon.

Below are a few simple words of encouragement to help promote growth and healing during your own spiritual practice.

1. Identify what your life “feels” like- not just the way it looks on the outside. Spend time with your thoughts to see what bubbles to the surface.

2. Work towards mastering the art of self love. Understanding that as adults, we are responsible for our own healing and no one can do the work for us. 

3. Be kind to yourself and others. Kindness is free and should be sprinkled everywhere. 

4. Growth begins internally and manifests outwardly. 

With each sunrise, we have the opportunity to improve upon the choices that we’ve made in the past in order to live a more balanced life in the present. The key ingredients in this process are a carefully curated mixture of dedication and surrender. In my opinion, adding a dash of introspection and meditation even if you only have 10 minutes per day, provides a sense of renewal in your life that may have become stagnant or stale.

While on your spiritual journey, it’s important to understand that life is a series of natural ebb and flow movements and it’s in these periods of change where we become awakened to the flavorful, creative and infinite possibilities that are available to us. Here are a few areas where I’ll be adding a fresh perspective to my spiritual practice this month.

Parenting: 

My daughter turns 4 years old this year and it amazes me how fast she’s growing up. Her ability to perceive and reason is like nothing that I’ve seen before. She challenges me everyday to keep things fresh as it relates to learning, discipline and play. I am dedicated to instilling a strong sense of value, honor and truth into her while also knowing that she has her own personality, thoughts and feelings.

My goal in April is to take on the role of a “loving guide” and witness how my approach affects her behavior. The way I see it, parenting is a great big experiment and the ability to teach and connect with a child on an intellectual level builds self esteem and creates a highly functioning future world leader. 

Career:

I took a risk last Summer and left a corporate career where I had spent a vast amount of time working my way up to a desired title and pay. However, I was not fulfilled in my soul and knew that it was time for me to transition into the world of entrepreneurship. This new found bravery came with its fair share of bumps and bruises but taking the plunge was the best thing that I could have done.

Now that the foundation of my company has been set, I am more inspired than ever to get creative and produce my best work. Starting something new requires patience, dedication and structure but after that comes the fruits of your labor and the sweet taste of victory. Maintaining flow in this area has been key for me and is paying off nicely!

Self Love: 

I am an avid fan of carving out time to focus on the self. Oftentimes we hear the word “selfish” and it immediately evokes a negative connotation. However, I’ve found that being able to fill up my own cup is what allows me to be of service to others. Knowing when to rest and when to act, maintaining healthy sleep patterns and spending time with my inner thoughts all contribute to a more stable life experience.

The art of self love is a practice and it requires a willingness to implement boundaries while maintaining balance in a tumultuous world. For me, this goes beyond bath bombs and manicures. It’s acknowledging areas in my life where I need to grow and also encouraging myself when I see the blooms of progress tied to a new project. I am looking forward to creating a fresh vision board as we go into the second quarter of the year based on new aspirations, hopes and dreams for myself.

Be open to receiving what the universe has for you. Draw comfort in knowing that you can always revise and refresh your approach to life. Each day is a unique opportunity to journey towards total abundance! 

In March, we begin to see the tiny buds manifesting from goals set at the beginning of the year. Opportunities, choices and wide open paths that were once illuminated by pure enthusiasm are beginning to take root. During this time, I find it helpful to pause and disengage my mental auto pilot in order to assess what’s true for me in the moment and what my next course of action will be.

This month, I will seek quiet moments of contemplation so that subtle answers flow in and the wisdom that I may not have seen while toiling, lead me to a new state of awareness. For continued soul growth, Spring is an ideal  time to consider where necessary pivots should be made and what can be cleared out in order to make space for what’s blooming.

Below are a few journal prompts to consider during this auspicious season. 

Are you juggling or are you flowing? 

There is not right or wrong answer to this question. You are only assessing where you are and what feels the most authentic to our soul. For me personally, I struggle with maintaining flow but it works best for me overall and I strive to flow as opposed to juggle as much as possible. Following my own personal flow requires a balance of work, rest and being in a state of allowance. Knowing that I am an active participant in creating a life that I am proud of and that gives me joy. 

What can be released from your life at this time?

Making plans, setting goals and creating benchmarks can be exhausting. At times, there are just too many to-dos that keep us from focusing on what’s most important. If something feels too heavy or burdensome, decide if should continue taking up space in your life. Examples of this could be commitments, relationships, tasks and even thought patterns that no longer serves your highest good. 

Do you still believe in your goal? 

When working towards something that has not yet come into fruition, I find that maintaining a strong belief in what I desire is what ultimately pushes me towards achieving. That extra ounce of faith is critical especially when life presents obstacles and challenges that seemingly try to get you off track. Stay positive and know that in life there are ebb and flow periods to help us learn to become our best selves. 

Welcome Spring with open arms and believe in the abundance that you crave. If you’ve taken time to plant your seeds of intention then now if a perfect time to take a break and honor the work that you’ve done thus far.