Eiman Al Zaabi's Blog

This season I pray that the grace of God enters our homes and envelope us with warmth and peace. This has been a difficult year and I know we
all look forward to putting the year behind us, but that’s not what we really want. What we’re asking for is peace, health, to live a good life, to have stability and predictability and above all
to trust in our leaders to make the right decisions in order to move us forward towards a better future. The global crisis has shaken things up and allowed for so much to rise to the
surface.

 

Unfortunately, some of what we witness today is a reflection of our broken ego, the bitterness, anger and judgmental divide that painted the year
with our repressed emotions while creating a sense of instability, lashing out at each other, online bullying, cancel culture and the propagation of misinformation and conspiracy theories as a
way to respond to and make sense of the reality that emerged before us. Ultimately though, we all hold a deep desire to live a good life and we are all responsible to ensure that it happens. This
desire is bigger and brighter than the darkness we are witnessing these days. I also know that it’s not the time to be complacent or angry, it’s not the time to give up or let others make
important decisions for you. This is the time to fully embody who you are because the world needs you.

 

There’s a lot of work to be done and we cannot afford for you or anyone else to hide or be in fear. We can all come together and help each other
during this time. The more we allow our inner nature to shine through, the more we will see a better world for our children. We can all come to terms with the current reality and begin to build a
new one within our sphere of influence. So I invite you to begin the process of activating your life purpose. I would like to share a planning exercise that you’ll
apply to engage your essential nature in creating a more authentic life and I would be grateful if you share your feedback with me after it’s completed.

 

Because the coming year is 2021 I thought maybe we can all begin anew. For me personally, I’m going back in time to when I was one year
old in order to create a map of the self that is not caught up in childhood conditioning, traumas or dramatic life experiences. Our purest nature resides in the early
years of our childhood. The child in us has always expressed who we are today in many ways and holds the key for our potential creative self. After I created the map of the self, I distilled the
elements that came up into four themes of focus that will represent my goals for the year. I then solidified the themes into specific goals, projects, tasks or new habits to be formed. So without
further ado, here’s the exercise!

 

Exercise: Map of the Self and 2021 Planning Process

 

Before engaging in this exercise, it would be best to spend some time to reflect on the goals you have achieved in 2020 and the lessons you learned.
Once you do this, move on to the following steps:

 

Step One: To start living according to your life purpose, you need to have a true reflection of yourself in your current
environment, your intentions and your actions. To begin the process, find a quiet place and recall the one year old (you) in your consciousness. Feel her presence and see her beautiful face. If
you have a picture of him/her, that’s even better. Then think to yourself, if I were one year old now, what parts of my essential nature do I want to claim back today? Where in my life have I not
been living based on my true nature? Take a moment and allow the answers to emerge from within. You may get answers like: claim back your freedom. Claim back your courage, or claim back your
dreams, curiosity, creativity, imagination etc. All of your values will be communicated by your one year old who holds your true nature in its purist form. Keep going until you feel there’s
nothing left that is been communicated from within. Make sure to write each one of the elements using a mind map format.

 

Step Two: take a look at your map and reflect on the outcome. What do you see? Are there any gifts provided by your true self
to bring forth this coming year? Can you group these gifts (values) under a certain theme or category? For example: looking at your map, you notice a theme around femininity or creativity, mental
health, social relationships or any theme that emerges under a set of values that the one year old wants you to claim back. Notice the themes and highlight them in your map.

 

Step Three: now comes the fun part, begin looking at each theme from your map and identify a specific goal that you’d like to
achieve. For example, if you identified creativity as a theme under which a set of values that need to be claimed back, you may decide to express this in a specific project the coming year such
as: start your home decoration project, writing poetry or theater or anything that you feel will provide you with the direction your true self wants to take in the coming year. Make sure you go
over all of your themes and create a list of goals/habits or projects that you’d like to achieve in 2021 to bring you closer to your authentic expression.

 

Here’s an example of what the exercise might look like when completed:

 

Step One: Map of the Self: The One year old in me would like to claim back:

 

purity | curiosity | find my creative space | my spiritual connection | my faith | self worth and value | strength and energy | hopefulness |
courage | inner knowing and truth | trust in yourself | the artist in you | your silliness | your playfulness | your desire to learn and study

 

Step Two: gifts that emerge from the above map are:

 

1-The gift of the intellectual self represented in the values of (curiosity, desire to learn and study, trust in yourself, finding your creative
space)

2-The gift of the spiritual self (purity, my spiritual connection, hopefulness, courage, inner knowing and truth, trust in yourself)

3-The gift of the child self (your silliness, your playfulness)

 

Step Three: Goals/habits or projects that could emerge out of these themes:

 

The goals of the intellectual self: I would like to take a diploma in nutritional science to satisfy my interest in this area
and allow me the freedom to change my career when needed | to set up my desk area in a way that spark my creativity and productivity.

 

The the goals of the spiritual self: I would like to engage in regular daily prayers starting January 2021 to ignite faith,
hopefulness and Divine presence | I will find and connect to a like minded community that inspires me and allows me to feel hopeful and provides me with the space to grow spiritually.

 

The goals of the child self: I will dedicate weekly free playful time of having fun either alone or with my family.

 

I hope this is helpful to you and I wish you a happy and healthy new year ahead! 

 

 

Need spiritual inspiration to light up a candle on your way in the coming year?

Pick up my book Finding Grace with 365 daily inspirations to find the Divine support necessary to live with grace in chaotic and uncertain
times.

 

With love, 

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Here you are, a soul with a mission and a journey to undertake. What do you need to have in your backpack before you set out? As you embark on
this journey that we call life and as you step forward into daily living, what can you take with you? Here is a list of the essentials. Keep them visible somewhere in your space to serve as
reminders as you move toward your spiritual and life goals.

 

#1 ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR HUMANNESS

Acknowledge that you cannot do life alone. Acknowledge the presence of a higher power that will carry you all the time, in every situation and every
state that you are in.

 

#2 BE CURIOUS

Ask to learn and understand. Learn as much as you can and expand your horizons. Do not hold back! Allow your learning to uncover your spiritual
path.

 

#3 SEEK THE TRUTH

Set your intention to live a life of integrity. Accept only the truth and nothing less.

 

#4 FEED YOUR SOUL

Always keep in mind its three primary needs: connecting to Source, finding ways of being, and finding ways of expressing. Allow yourself to grow in
the nest of physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual nourishments that you consciously create in your life.

 

#5 PRAY

Remind yourself to stay in a state of alignment through prayer as you move through your day. Prayer takes three forms: asking for what you need,
acting in ways that affirm life and bring goodness into the world, and praising the Divine.

 

#6 TRUST AND LET GO

Practice taking responsibility for your actions and then surrendering the outcomes to the Divine. Allow surrender to be an intimate part of your
daily experience.

 

#7 KEEP THE BIG PICTURE IN MIND

Think in terms of purpose, the transition to eternal life, and our destiny as humanity. Doing so will keep you in a state of conscious living,
inquiry, and spiritual alignment as you open up to your fullest potential.

 

When we wholeheartedly practice surrender, every aspect of our life becomes a prayer. We understand the purpose of our creation, and we embody it in
our actions. We create a life that fulfills the soul’s need to find and connect to Source, to be in its unique states, and to express itself fully. With the support of the Divine, we can achieve
far more than we ever believed possible.

 

 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of Living a Happiness-Prone Life
e-book, a valuable resources that teaches you what it takes to be truly happy in life. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Dear Restless Self,  

 

For many of us, time is a great source of anxiety and stress. Our days are filled with plans, tasks, and
errands. We aim to be productive, meet our deadlines, and show up when we’re supposed to. At times when we feel more expansive, we may add some aspirations among the
obligations, but even then there hardly seems to be a moment to rest.  

Time is valuable and apparently in short supply, so it’s natural to look for ways to manage it. But in truth, time
simply flows like water. We don't manage time; we learn to manage ourselves in the flow of time. Paradoxically, this is more about going with the flow than
about optimizing productivity. 

How do we accomplish this? How do we learn to swim gracefully in the river of time rather than placing ourselves immovably in its path
like a boulder? The key is to understand both your inner nature and your spiritual context.  

Life is about getting things done, but it’s also about simply being. Being and doing reflect two of the major needs of the soul.
First, each soul seeks ways of being its fullest self. These ways may include things like freedom, compassion, and serenity. Each soul comes with a
unique blend of these states, which define its distinct essence. To thrive, you must identify and cultivate your intended ways of being. For example, if your soul desires to
be in contemplation, then you know that time for yourself is necessary for your well-being. 

The second major need of the soul is to find ways of fulfilling its unique beauty and purpose. This is the mode of
action. Here we express our gifts, talents, abilities, and our deepest desires for ourselves and the world. For instance, you may discover that you have a special talent for teaching
and are meant to express it by helping others learn. 

Sometimes, we get so caught up in doing that we forget the importance of being. This imbalance leads us to
neglect our soul’s deep need to find and experience our intended states. We may also forget to ask ourselves whether things we are doing are really an expression of our soul’s
purpose or simply reactions to external distractions the expectations of others. 

We can be and do our best only when we are in balance and consciously present. As young children, we have no notion of
past and future. We are always present to what’s in front of us, and we naturally seek equilibrium between being and doing. When we grow up, our consciousness shifts because life
demands that we take responsibility and make things happen.  

There are many practical benefits to such a shift. However, when we become overly focused on being productive and preparing for
an anticipated future, we destroy our own peace of mind. We dismiss the current moment, abandoning our presence there. We are meant to balance being and doing, to know when to use our
awareness of the future and when to let go and be as we are meant to be, here and now.  

Surrendering your struggle with time is about finding balance between taking action and allowing the Divine plan to
unfold. I don’t mean to suggest that you give up making plans or setting intentions, but rather that you plan and intend while allowing the “how” to emerge into your
experience. Surrendering your anxiety and stress, your to-do list, your feeling that there isn’t enough time, and your attachment to timelines
and outcomes will help you be more present and engaged in your life.  

Time, attention, and energy are the most valuable resources we have. The constant flow of time, from the beginning of our lives to the end, reminds
us of the importance of finding meaning in life. Awareness of our own mortality need not add to our anxiety as long as we are aware of our purpose. We are not on
this earth to be mentally assaulted by endless inputs, nor to be distracted by things that are meaningless or depleting. Rather, we are here to flow
into our spiritual destiny of finding, knowing, and aligning with the Divine.  

All that’s required is that we yield the illusion of control and give ourselves and our time over to the Divine. To practice
surrendering time, say the following prayer as you wake up in the morning or before you go to bed at night:  

“Dear God, I feel [anxiety, stress, or whatever your current emotion] about time. I am willing to release it. I am willing to allow your
plan to unfold in my life. I am willing to let go of my attachment to time and have your guidance take over instead. I am open and receptive to your guidance and your wish for me, to your plans
to bring me what’s best for my growth, learning, peace of mind, and well-being. Thank you.” 

We humans are meant to swim in the river of time, not to drown in it or try to push upstream. True happiness and well-being come when
we acknowledge and fulfill the deepest needs of the soul. These include the need to let go of “doing” and allow ourselves to simply be in our intended
states. And it’s essential to remember that the highest purpose of our “doing” is not to cross items off the list but to express the intention of our creation. By surrendering our
time to the Divine, we can finally learn to flow into life. 

   

Action item: Today for two
hours, set aside your to-do list and whatever you have planned for the day and just decide to be. Feel into your body: what state do you crave internally? Do you need a hug so that you feel
loved? Do you need to walk in nature so that you are in a state of contemplation? Do you need a chat with a friend so that you are supported? Whatever your well-being indicates, try to leave room
for it in your schedule. Tuning into your body is an essential skill for your survival.  

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of Living a Happiness-Prone Life
e-book, a valuable resources that teaches you what it takes to be truly happy in life. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Dear Fun Loving Self, 

 

This summer, many of us will pack our bags and head out on holidays with family or friends. As modern travelers, we appreciate having our
smartphones at the ready so we can take photos, check the weather, get directions, or find a nice café nearby. But once we have the phone in hand, it’s tempting to
open up a news article or peek at our work e-mail to see how things are going back at the office. After all, smartphones are cleverly designed to distract us! 

When we get distracted, our stress levels may rise again, even though we’re on vacation. It’s as if every single one of us – indeed, the whole
of humanity – is continually being sucked into a collective vortex of urgency and distraction. The tension is always there in the background, even when we think we are
resting.  

To escape the pull, it’s not enough to tread water. We have to make an effort to swim away from the whirlpool. For the sake of our own well-being, it’s essential that we set aside
our distracting, anxiety-inducing devices and focus for a moment on what really matters.  

Vacation is the ideal time to return to the essence of what makes us human, to remember what it means to be living on planet Earth. It’s
an opportunity to get ourselves grounded once again in real life. Day-to-day living is a precious gift to be honored through our attention. It is a
responsibility to be fulfilled through our choices and our actions. 

The trouble with modern life is not that we don’t know how to live. We humans have always been masters of the art of living, whether in communities or as individuals. We
know instinctively how to craft an environment and a way of life that suits our needs. The trouble is that the vortex of disconnection and consumption is always pulling
us away from our true way of life. 

For all but the most recent decades of human history, we were profoundly connected with the natural world. We spent most of our
time outdoors – gathering wood, fetching water, hunting, gathering, harvesting, and just relaxing. Our feet were firmly planted on the ground. We
were always aware of our connection to Mother Earth, who nurtured us as we maintained an authentically symbiotic relationship with her. 

So this holiday season, I invite you to renew your relationship with your mother. Let the earth calm you and remind you of your roots. Allow her
to wipe away your tears and assure you that all is well. Give yourself the gift of long walks in the woods or afternoons wandering the beach picking up
seashells. Listen as the beauty of nature whispers the truth to you. Let yourself see the wonders of the world through the eyes of the children in your life. Allow yourself to
play. 

In this chaotic world, we will always be confronted with demands on our attention. Our devices will tempt us to soothe our anxiety with
the false remedy of distraction and busyness. Your task is to turn toward what your heart knows to be the real cure.  

We humans created this modern way of living, and it’s in our power to change it. It’s up to you to listen to your own instincts and decide for yourself what matters. It's tempting to allow the
distraction to become a very good excuse not to connect and be responsible for our lives. Especially the mistakes we've made along the way. If it's time for you to complete that painting, do
that. If it's time for you to reach out to your biological mother and seek forgiveness, do that. It may be time to take your wife on a date or have a fun filled family vacation. So plant your
feet firmly on the earth. You have a choice about how to live! 

 

  

Action item: On holiday or at home, choose a day to put your phone
away and spend your time outdoors. How do you feel? How did the feelings of disconnecting from your device shape your day? Did you feel in control? Did you learn something new about yourself and
the people around you? How will you incorporate this way of being into your day-to-day life? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of Living a Happiness-Prone Life
e-book, a valuable resources that teaches you what it takes to be truly happy in life. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

 Dear Seeking Self, 

We live in the age of distraction. Advertisers are continually vying for our attention. Notifications pop up on our phones, telling us we should read this or respond to that. These alerts
deliver a ping of emotion – the satisfaction of knowing that a friend has sent us a message, or the anxiety that comes with a news update. And, of course, our to-do lists are as long as
ever. Each day becomes a string of seemingly necessary tasks.  

 

With this onslaught of ads, alerts, and errands, who is really in charge of your day? Who is deciding what’s important? 

 

Modern life asks us to always be flexible – to let go of the familiar, to be ready to adapt to fast-paced change, to assimilate new information, and to take action.
If you are always in reaction mode, who is running your life? 

In this noisy, demanding world, it’s essential to take your cues from the inside, from your inner self. This is the place where you access
your deepest values and, most importantly, your enduring connection to the Divine. Acting from your inner wisdom is the only kind of productivity that
matters. 

 

Taking time to listen to your inner self is vital for your survival and well-being. It is a deliberate act of self-care, a kind of emotional detox
that helps you live well in the midst of constant change and competing messages. Listening to your inner self is an opportunity to pause, process your emotions, and find
your center again. It is the surest way to live from your authentic sense of purpose.  

 

Here is a simple but powerful journaling practice for tuning in to yourself and accessing knowledge, wisdom, and guidance at the level of the soul. To prime your
mind, body, and spirit for the experience, I recommend doing it at the same time each day – perhaps first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. Find a peaceful and pleasant
place where you won’t be interrupted, and let these familiar surroundings activate your readiness to listen. Have a pen and a journal ready. 

Breathe deeply. Start with six to seven deep breaths. Allow the energy to move easily through your body.
Let go of tension and stress. 



Set your intention. Prepare yourself to connect to the inner self that is always guided and
supported by the Divine.  



Clarify your question. You might wish for help choosing between two options, or you might
wish for insight about how to resolve a conflict in your life. Your question could come from struggle or from desire. Either is fine; both energies can help you move from where
you are to where you want to be. 



Let your question settle into your heart. Allow it to expand there as it seeks to be
answered through the grace of God. If you wish, you may state a prayer at this point. 



Begin to write. You may feel thoughts and sensations arising. When you are ready, let them be expressed on
paper. Do not stop or think about what you’re writing. Just keep writing from the heart! Continue until you feel you’ve finished. 



Reflect on what you wrote. What wisdom can you perceive? How might it be relevant in your life? How do
you feel in your body after writing? Highlight the key insights you’ve gained. 



Distill your observations. Now transfer those insights
to an easy-to-find place in your journal. Below that, write a clear statement about what you will do now that you have this wisdom. What
actions do you need to take? It may be that simply raising your own awareness or changing your perspective is enough at the moment.  

Writing from the heart and then reflecting gives you access to the centered wisdom that resides within. You will be empowered to
live according to your own authentic purpose, values, and priorities – not ones imposed on you from the outside. Your actions will be intentional, not impulsive or
reactive. Practice consistently, and you will reap the happiness that comes from aligned living! 

  

Action item: Practice writing from the heart and then reflecting.
What do you discover? How are your actions affected? How do you feel? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of Living a Happiness-Prone Life
e-book, a valuable resources that teaches you what it takes to be truly happy in life. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

 Dear Beautiful One,

Anger arrives with a scorching heat like the summer sun. Indeed, anger is a fire energy. But not all anger is alike. Often, we become angry when we feel powerless and wish to
regain a sense of control. But there is a second face of anger: the outrage we feel when a deeply held value has been violated. The two kinds of anger require
different responses, so it’s important to consider which kind we are experiencing before we react. 

The first type of anger is motivated by fear. We feel vulnerable in a given situation, and we lash out in an attempt to gain control. It’s all about assuming power when
internally we feel powerless. This type of anger is a defense that we wield reflexively. If we don’t cool the flames, their unforgiving heat
can burn us and those around us. 

The second type of anger is motivated by awareness of injustice. We see harm being done, and we wish to right the wrong. This kind of anger alerts us that something
important to us is being threatened. Its brilliance illuminates the truth and burns away what is harmful. It is constructive in that it pushes us to reconnect with our mission in life,
communicate our position, and take action. It fires us up – in a good way! 

It takes careful discernment to distinguish between the two types of anger. The anger of powerlessness calls upon us to be honest and
vulnerable. And truly righteous anger doesn’t arise from our own sense of defensiveness, nor from our judgment of others. It requires balanced perception of the situation,
clarity about our own values, and purposeful action.  

With practice, we can learn to work more skillfully with anger. When you feel the fire arising within, try taking the following
steps:  

First, change your position. If you’re sitting, stand up; if you’re standing, sit down. Or move to another room.  



Splash water on your face. Because anger is a fire energy, you can literally use water to calm yourself down. 



Once you’re feeling more settled, acknowledge that you became angry. Then reflect on the source of your anger. Where did it come from? Did it
arise from a sense of powerlessness, or from a violation of your values? Is there something you need to do or say? How will you do that?  

Depending on the source of your anger, you may realize that you need to take action to stand up for yourself or for someone else. Or you may come to see that the
situation would be better handled by reaching out to another person, apologizing, and acknowledging your vulnerability. 

Whatever type of anger you’re feeling, remember that you don’t have to respond on your own. Divine support is always available to
you! Through the practice of prayer, you may call out for help and guidance while wholeheartedly surrendering your actions and listening in. In this way, the Divine shapes your life
with wisdom and grace.  

Fire can be destructive, or it can be a force of creation. The same is true of anger. When we learn to distinguish between defensive anger
and righteous anger, we can respond accordingly. By understanding the character of our anger, acting in alignment with our values, and continually maintaining our connection
to the Divine, we can experience the full range of our full humanity. 

  

 

Action item: The next time you become angry, take steps to calm yourself down. Then
reflect on which type of anger you felt and what kind of action is called for in response. How does your experience change when you approach anger this way? Share your thoughts in the
comments below.  

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of Living a Happiness-Prone Life
e-book, a valuable resources that teaches you what it takes to be truly happy in life. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Beautiful Souls,

Spring is an opportunity for renewal. All around us, new life bursts forth from seeds that have lain dormant in the soil, waiting patiently through the
winter. Spring is an ideal time to tend the garden of conscious living. This month, I offer you six strategies for nurturing your own growth by reconnecting to your deepest self. 

 

Acknowledge yourself. Explore your innate nature, your tendencies, and your demeanor. Who
are you when you are being your true, best self? To acknowledge yourself on that level is to identify with the core of your being instead of with the shells of
personality that the ego has formed over the years. Understanding and accepting your deepest nature makes a huge difference in how you show up in your life.  






Acknowledge your life purpose. Every soul comes with its own fingerprint, a unique blend of God-given
gifts. This is another aspect of the true self. The soul naturally seeks ways to apply those talents in service to others. Every time you show
compassion or share a part of yourself, you are living your purpose. In every facet of life, you have an opportunity to fulfill the intention of your creation. 






Acknowledge your need for healing. Reconnecting to ourselves sometimes means
healing old wounds that are still hurting us in the present. Are you carrying something from the past that it’s time to let go of? Your inner self will
speak if given the opportunity; she will share with you what stands in her way. Ask the question and listen for the answer. You can do this by seeking insight within the
pages of your journal. You may reach a realization in the midst of a conversation. Or you may look compassionately into your own eyes in a mirror while asking yourself what you
need. 






Acknowledge your need for community. Social connections are an essential element of your
well-being. In order to live a fulfilling life, you need relationships that simulate and inspire your spirit. If you are starting to feel isolated or resentful, perhaps
your social self needs to be listened to. Contemplate what healing is needed for you in this area. How could you benefit from the relationships you already have? How could
you strengthen the ones that matter most? How could you make new connections that will nourish you? 






Acknowledge your need for guidance. We all like to take action and feel that we
are in charge of our lives. Yet in the realm of the spirit, the soul understands that life is divinely guided. You have not been left alone to figure things out.
The Creator has not abandoned his creation! Where our individual powers end, the Divine is waiting for us. We arrive at the limits of what we can do on our own, and so we knock on
the door of the Divine. When we do that, the Divine responds with love and grace. Your job is to listen to the subtle whispers, to be willing to learn. 

 



Acknowledge your soul's need for worship. Prayer is a matter of acknowledging your
humanness and at the same time gaining power by having the Divine by your side as you move through life. Through worship, we understand that we are never
alone. By praying to the Divine power that has given you the gift of existence, your soul connects to the sacredness of that which is infinite,
eternal, and grand.  

When you take the time to reconnect to your deepest self, you create the conditions for authentic happiness and well-being. The soul flourishes in the
garden of self-awareness, purpose, and alignment with the Divine. 

Action item.  Reflect on these six strategies for reconnecting to yourself and pick the two that appeal most strongly to
you. In your journal, write down your goals for this spring season. Then state a prayer and let God take over.  Share your thoughts in the comments
below. 

 

 

Action item: What is one simple action you can take to connect lovingly with a
family member, friend, or community member? Try it today. What happens? How do you feel? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender
Journal, a valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Dear Beautiful Souls,

 

Do you ever feel as if you’ve lost touch with people with whom you were once close? Are your children drifting beyond your influence, forming
their views of the world to align with their friends’? Have family relationships suffered over differences of opinion? Have divergent values created political disagreements,
driving a wedge into your community? 

 

If so, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle at times with isolation, loneliness, or separation. Such feelings are very common to the human
experience! The good news is that you don’t need to wait passively for something or someone to come along and change things for the better. You can take charge. 

 

Each of these problems might seem separate or personal, yet in truth they are all symptoms of the same larger problem: disconnection from
people who matter to us. Social relationships are fundamental to our well-being on every level: physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual. They are as essential as
nourishing food. We are meant to connect joyfully with others. It’s in our nature to give and receive love, to share ourselves with others. 

While this is fundamental to our individual well-being, it matters in a broader sense, too. Exchanging love with others is how we build bonds of family and
community. It’s how we express our purpose and bring our best selves to the world. Our entire community becomes more resilient when we exchange love and look
out for one another. 

 

Much of life’s most important work – raising children, shaping our society in an ethical direction – is simply too difficult to do
alone. We need each other. This is true at any time, and especially in the face of difficulty. In fact, many of the troubles confronting us today are the consequences
of earlier division and alienation. 

At times of increased disconnection between parents and children and among community members, it’s essential that we actively foster our connections with others.
There's tremendous value added to our life when we strengthen our relationships with the people we love – our children, our family members, our friends – and anyone else with whom our lives
are intertwined – our neighbors and the members of our broader community. 

 

We each know this truth intuitively. So what prevents us from living it? It’s all too easy to get drawn into our own internal world
of physical, mental, and emotional concerns. We feel unhappy or uncomfortable, and we become preoccupied searching for a solution to the problem. We retreat
rather than reaching out to others. Sometimes, what’s holding us back is insecurity or a desire for approval and permission from others. Other times, what
stands in the way is a near-obsessive focus on getting things done – meeting the daily responsibilities of life. Any of these things can pull our focus inward, away from
our relationships with others. 

No matter what the obstacle, we have the power to move beyond it. We can take steps toward the life we want – for ourselves, for
children, for our community. We can overcome the tendency to isolate ourselves and turn outward instead. We can set aside our “doing” for the moment and make time to simply be with
others. We can listen, offer support, and seek to understand.  

 

Connections with others don’t have to be serious and time-consuming in order to be meaningful; they can be simple and even playful, taking place in
ordinary moments. When we look each other in the eye and acknowledge each other’s humanity, we restore peace to our families, to our communities, and to the
world. 

Social connection is the antidote to isolation, alienation, and divisiveness. So I invite you to reach out compassionately to those around
you. Set an intention to exchange love with your family members, your friends, your neighbors. It’s up to you to propel yourself forward, to be a caretaker and guardian of
your own community. You have one precious life. You deserve to live it in care, community, and love! 

 

Action item: What is one simple action you can take to connect lovingly
with a family member, friend, or community member? Try it today. What happens? How do you feel? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender
Journal, a valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Dear Beautiful Souls,

 

Dreams are an expression of the soul. They are the outlet through which we become our best selves and contribute our goodness to the world. When we can see
clearly the goals that will help us achieve our dreams, we have the power to bring something into being. But the path ahead is not always clear, and we may encounter obstacles along the
way.  

Our dreams need a channel of dedication in order to come to reality. To follow through on our goals, we must work skillfully with our most valuable
resources: our time, focus, and energy. We must be willing to set aside the ego. And, most importantly, we must understand and move beyond our own resistance. 

Modern life subjects us to an endless onslaught of messages, notifications, and news feeds that continually demand our attention. We live life from the outside in,
reacting to what comes to us. To reach your goals, you must choose instead to act from what is within you – from your purest intentions. This means being able to identify distractions and being
willing to set them aside. 

Adding to the challenge, your ego is invested in maintaining the status quo. It will show its sharp teeth when you decide to make a significant
shift. When shame, fear, and anger arise within you, you can be sure that these emotions are speaking of old wounds. They are asking for healing
before you move forward. Do not be discouraged! Practice self-compassion, and don’t allow the ego to eclipse your progress. 

And finally, we must learn to listen to our own resistance, and even to ask for its collaboration. Often, it is our true
nature that creates the resistance. Essentially, we are not listening to what our inner self needs in the moment. For instance, if you are an introvert and you
have scheduled yourself for networking events on three consecutive days to build your business, you may find yourself wanting to stay home instead. That’s because you
are overdoing it!  

Or perhaps you are a visual person, yet you write your goals instead of drawing them. You don’t
feel inspired to pursue the goals, because you haven’t laid them out in such a way that you can fully perceive them. When we work with resistance rather than against it,
we are freed to move ahead. 

In achieving any dream, there are five ingredients to success:  

Clarity.  We must have a clear vision of our direction. What do we wish to accomplish? What does that entail? What resources will we
need, and where will we find them?  

Passion. Does your dream flow from a soul-level desire to express yourself? Does it stem from
what you most love to do? Are you aligned to its core concept and to the means by which you'd like to achieve it? 

Permission. To move toward our goals, we must have our own internal permission; we must respect our true nature and intentions. Depending on
the goal, we may also need external permission – that is, the cooperation of another person, such as a family member or professional sponsor. 

Skill. Do you possess the skills and abilities that you need to achieve your goals? If not, can you learn them? Can you
outsource?  

Focus. Is your energy going to the right place? Are you managing your time effectively? Are you succumbing to distractions?
Could you name them as such and then set them aside? 

With all of this in mind, I invite you to reflect on your goals and maintain your momentum toward your dreams! Here’s how. Map out your year and the goals you wish to
complete. (To keep your efforts focused, choose no more than three.) Then schedule a monthly goal-evaluation meeting with yourself or with a coach. In each meeting, 

Practice self-compassion while you honestly assess your progress. 



Identify the ingredient of success with which you need support. Is it clarity? Passion? Internal/external
permission? Skill? Focus? 



Reflect on how you are resisting or what could be in your way. Is it an issue of focus? Time? Energy? A mismatch between your strategy
and your true nature? 



Through journaling, listen deeply to the part of you that is seeking to be heard. Gain her collaboration and support.  



Integrate her needs into your goals. For example, if she needs more time to rest and recharge, schedule more frequent breaks for
yourself. 



Set your plan on your calendar, and allow yourself to be inspired once again!  

By repeating this cycle of reflection, you will move yourself beyond the pitfall of setting goals and then losing interest after a while. You will gain the
skills of listening deeply to yourself and integrating your needs. Most importantly, you will reap the rewards of achieving your goals and dreams.  

Along the way, be sure to celebrate your progress. Remember, small wins are big wins! 

 

 

Action item: Which of the five success ingredients challenges you
most: clarity, passion, permission, skill, or focus? What is one change you could make that would help you overcome that obstacle? Share your thoughts in the
comments below. 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender
Journal, a valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Dear Beautiful Souls,

In 2017, the world changed and shifted to the point of being nearly unrecognizable. It sometimes seems unsafe to express our creativity, in the face of harsh and
unpredictable events. It’s easy to feel that our future is no longer in our hands. Yet as long as you are still dreaming, you are capable of creating a channel by which you can achieve those
dreams.  

Dreams are all about expression. They are the outlet through which we become our best selves and contribute our soul’s goodness to the world. When we are clear on
what we want to achieve, we have the power to bring something into being and then nurture it. Dreams don't have to be grand. So don’t burden yourself
with the notion of finding your life purpose or saving the world. When your inner being-ness touches the outside world, you are expressing your purpose. It is as simple as that! Stay humble, set
aside your expectations, and seek ways to pursue your unique ways of being. This is the way to create stability, balance, and joy. 

I invite you to join me in a three-day personal retreat to press the reset button on your life. (I’ll be doing this on December 27, 28, and 29, but
you could choose any three days around the new year.) You’ll need a journal, a pen, plain paper, and some colored markers. Each day’s practice will take no more than thirty
minutes.  

 

 

Day One: Let Go 

Find a quiet spot in your home or outdoors. In your journal, reflect on the following: 

Where are you now in your life? What’s happening inside of you that you'd like to put on paper?  



Where are you feeling unsafe? What is happening in your direct environment or the wider world that is making you worry? 



Where are you feeling tired? What is the burden you are carrying?  

Make a list of your concerns.  

Now review them and mark each one as either “within my control” or “outside my control.” Keep the list of “within my control” items for tomorrow’s reflection. As for
the items outside your control, take a look at them and fall into your heart as you state this prayer:  

Dear God, I am grateful for the beautiful life you have given me. I am grateful for all you have provided. Right now, I feel this crippling worry about our
future. I feel reluctant to let go of the fears in my mind. However, I know that nothing in this universe moves without your permission. I release my worries to you, knowing that you have a plan
for my life. I accept what comes my way as it contributes to my growth and resilience. I now fully let go of what is worrying me in this moment. I give this to you, and I surrender as your grace
enters my heart. Thank you. 

As a symbol of letting go, you may burn your list of items that are outside your control. When you wake up tomorrow morning, notice how you feel, as
your mind is cleared of those worries. 

 

Day Two: Get Inspired 

I no longer create new year’s resolutions. Instead, I focus on a theme for the year, such as clarity. As the year unfolds, I notice how life
provides me with opportunities and lessons in line with that theme. Today’s first practice is to pick your theme for the year ahead. 

Get comfortable in your body and sense into the coming year. Ask yourself, “What theme is the next year wanting me be in?” Fall into your heart and let your soul
whisper your theme to you. Write it down in your journal. Use colored pens and paper to create a visual representation, then place it somewhere you can see it every day. 

Now look at yesterday’s “within my control” list. In your journal, reflect on the following:  

How can you bring back harmony in your life with regard to these concerns?  



What area of your well-being (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, or social) requires your attention in the coming year?  

Identify some actions you could take to address your concerns and improve your well-being. Perhaps you will work on your mental well-being
by giving yourself more time to read. Or perhaps you intend to focus on your emotional well-being by practicing compassion. Be aware of the energy that is motivating your goals. Choose ones
that unfold from a current pain or inspiration, not a sense of “have to.” 

Now narrow your list to three actions for the year. (If you have too many, you’ll be less likely to follow through on them.) The subconscious mind responds
more strongly to images than to words, so, again, make a drawing that symbolizes each goal. Post these where you can see them daily. 

 

 

Day Three: Launch Your New Life 

Resetting your life means more than choosing a theme and a set of actions. It also requires a shift in perspective. Today, we’ll focus on the
lens through which you see the world. What emotions do you have about your goals and dreams? Can you identify areas where you are inclined to be pessimistic or hopeless? Write down the thoughts
and emotions you have in response to each goal.  

If your emotional state in response to a certain action seems negative, ask yourself, “What is a truth that would balance this point of view?” A balancing truth
helps you see things differently. 

For example, if I have the goal of creating a new training program for my clients, I may worry that no one will sign up for it! A balancing truth might be: “My work
is worth sharing, and all I desire is to express it truthfully and authentically. God will take care of the outcomes.” Bringing awareness to such a truth will bring your emotions
into balance. Think of a scale. Your current negative emotions and perspectives may weigh you down. When you counter them with a balancing truth on the other
side of the scale, you’ll start to feel lighter, and you will be more inclined to take action.  

Congratulations! Now that you’ve completed this three-day exercise, you have a theme for the coming year, a set of actions, and
the balancing truths to help you overcome mental and emotional obstacles to achieving them. The door is open for your soul to express its beauty fully! And a fully expressed self is just what the
world needs right now. Take heart: as long as you are breathing, you have the power to make a positive change big or small. 

 

Action item: What is your theme for 2018? What are your three
main actions? What are your balancing truths? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

 

Happy New Year! :-)

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender
Journal, a valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love,