Driving on an island at night, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we searched for our lodging destination.  The further we drove, the road became narrower as the darkness and jungle vegetation encroached almost swallowing us up.  We questioned ourselves, could this really be where we’d be staying the night?  We didn’t have GPS and there were no towns or places to pull over and ask for directions,  so we just kept going.  Then, out of  the darkness we spotted a small white sign.   We turned into a driveway that seemed like someone had just cleared it with a machete.   At the end of the driveway, the lodge appeared and we sighed relief.  As we checked into this small “Yoga Lodge”, we each were handed a tennis racket contraption.   We were told this was a “zapper” to keep the mosquitoes away.  The instructions were simple; press the small button on the handle and wave the racket to “zap” the tiny vampires that would try to feast on us during the night.  And zap away we did in our little room in the jungle.

Sometimes we know what things are pesky in our lives and sometimes they are not so obvious.  It’s these more subtle things that can keep us in a coma of complacency or worse yet, convince us over time that we need them.  These things that deplete, keep us stuck, or are negative are zappers.  In Soul Coaching we identify zappers so you can open more to what brings you joy.  Soul Coaching founder, Denise Linn explains that “an energy zapper is anything that lowers your energy and thus decreases your life force”. It’s time to sit still with your soul and ask – what zaps you?  It’s important, because zappers hold you back from taking charge and living your life to it’s fullest.

Here are a few ideas to get you in touch with your zappers;

1) People – If you spend time with someone and leave feeling frustrated, anxious, or depleted, you’ve found a zapper.  If this person is important in your life, it’s up to you to  identify why your energy feels zapped with this person.  Then, create a communication plan to address it with them, asking for what you need.   This takes courage, however, this is where inner growth is and relationships deepen.

2) Doing – What tasks drain your energy? Is there a way to delegate or ask for assistance?  Or perhaps you are caught in the web of always giving without replenishing yourself.

3) Food & Drink – Do you notice how you feel after eating certain food or drinking alcohol or coffee? Your body knows what it likes and needs, your job is to pay attention and replace the zappers with food that energizes or feels satisfying.

4) Media – Are there TV shows, internet news, movies that leave you feeling drained? Or are you watching too much TV?  Take inventory of your computer, TV, and print reading time and ask yourself how you feel experiencing them.  Replace your zappers with funny, joyful, meaningful media and watch your energy rise.

5) Environment – Scan your home/car/office in your minds eye.  Are there rooms you pass over or areas you ignore? These may be filled with clutter or unfinished tasks.  All energy drainers.  What task can you at least spend 15 minutes on to make a dent in?  Are there items you can get rid of or repaired?  Anything unfinished can be considered a zapper.  All you have to do is think about it being undone, and your energy can drop.

This list was created to assist you in identifying what is zapping your energy with the intention you won’t get bit by a pesky energy drainer.  So press that zapper button and zap away!

This is my friend Nicole in front of the lodge we stayed at while  traveling the byways on one of the Hawaiian islands.  A wonderful adventure, mosquitoes and all!

“If someone or something juices you, then find ways to increase their effect in your life.” Denise Linn

I recently traveled on  a  short trip that took me through rural roads of southern Georgia.  On this trip I saw so many watermelons; in the fields, on flatbed trucks, at road side produce stands,  that on my way back I just had to buy some.  I guess I succumbed to the subliminal message I kept getting.  I bought a few watermelons from a farmer right off his truck and they were the largest watermelons I’ve ever seen.  When I got them home, I iced them and later opened them up to thoroughly enjoy eating this sweet treat.  I took the watermelon outside and allowed the juice to drip all over my face and hands and yes, I did spit out the seeds.  Eating this watermelon was playful and multi-sensory.  It was a juicer on many levels.

So, what’s been a “juicer” in your life lately?   What people, activities, places, elevate your internal energy reserves just thinking about them?   Then consider what your “zappers” are;  anything that brings your energy down.   Some zapper examples are; negative conversations, unfinished projects, not speaking your truth, distractions, or a messy car/room/garage/file.   Where are you spending most of your time? If you are focusing more energy on zappers, it’s time to take action and free up some energy.  Take inventory of your juicers and zappers by making a list of both, and being intentional about your life.  Your soul will shine through your juicers.

I’ll hold the space for you to add more juicers in your life.   I see you with huge piece of watermelon with juice running down your smiling face!

Enjoy. Summer. Now.

“Slow down, you move to fast. You’ve got to make the morning last.” Simon & Garfunkel – Feelin’ Groovy

My husband and I both had corporate jobs at the time we got married.  I traveled in my work, we built a new home built and we were living in a new city. Life was very busy.  We didn’t realize how much we were missing in daily life until we slowed down enough to begin taking it all in.  We learned  “The Hummingbird Effect” from my husband’s grandparents, Ben and Dorothy, Gram and Gramps, visit to our new home in the springtime.

During Gram and Gramps visit, we found ourselves outside on our back patio quite a bit.  We apologized that we did not have a water scene for them to look out on – as they have a breathtaking view of the Long Island Sound from their home.   Gram and Gramps said they did not require water to enjoy nature and they began to point out all the abundance of life in our yard.  Gramps pointed out the time of day the birds would roost – we didn’t even know what that meant!  It means – getting ready to rest - slowing down.  As they both observed and identified the abundance of nature in our yard, and we observed them, we eventually began to move to a slower rhythm.  We slowed our pace and realized how filled up we felt by being quiet.

I’ve named this slowing down “The Hummingbird Effect”  because you have to be very still to observe hummingbirds.  During Gram and Gramps visit, we were intently watching the  hummingbird feeders and all the buzz surrounding them.   Suddenly a hummingbird flew towards Gramps, hovered in front of his face, and looked him in the eye.   Gramps froze.   It was a magical moment and memory for us all.  Did the hummingbird connect with Gramps because he was connecting with the birds?

From this wonderful visit with Gram and Gramps forward, we began to take more interest and care of our yard.   We grew to love this “extra room” of our home as it has continued to help us slow down and just be.    We find we are more centered and aware of our surroundings and ourselves as we consciously take time to be quiet and become an observer. 

You can implement The Hummingbird Effect wherever you are as it’s about being an observer in your own life.   Stop talking, sending, doing, and take time to listen and observe.   It is in listening that you open the door to your truth, authentic self and the messages from your Soul.

This week I was in communication with friends all over the globe; a Skype from New Zealand, a voice mail from Germany, email from Nova Scotia, Canada and phone calls with my friend that lives in Hawaii.  If you had told me last year at this time I’d be conversing with all these wonderful friends, old and new in such far and distant place from where I live, I might not have believed it.   As  I’ve reflected on all this communication in one week with awe, it left me thinking about the word expansive. The  Webster’s dictionary definition of expansive is; to unfold, to open, characterized by a free and generous nature.   I’ve noticed that as I am willing to stay open to other ways of looking at things, my world expands, literally.

When we stay small and hide, we get more of the same.  Staying small in our thinking creates ridgidity; it’s tight, constrictive, and doesn’t allow anything new in.  When we open up and consider other ways of looking at something or even someone, we open to new possibilities.   Consider how the world was thought to be flat at one time.  Someone had to think bigger!  And when they did, many new discoveries began to appear.

In these changing times it’s important to stay open and look at things from other angles.  In the  28 Day Soul Coaching © Program, we expand our thinking by examining our core beliefs during air (mental) week.  Our core beliefs are decisions we’ve made at important turning points in our lives.  And even though events may have occurred in the past, these core beliefs can run our lives in the present.  I just read a quote in a magazine that said “stop replaying past potholes“.   And that is what we are doing when we do not listen to our soul.

 Take time to challenge your  beliefs and reframe them.  Warning; only consider this challenge if you desire more creativity, happiness, friends, a peaceful center, ideas, and a profound sense of fun to come into your life and relationships!