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.

Brewing is a very important stage in the realms of creativity, life transitions, emotions, career, relationships… the list is endless.  For the sake of this blog post, I’ll be pondering the idea stage in relation to creativity.  The brewing stage is a time when you are receiving new ideas and yet not knowing the “how’s” just yet.  In our download, drive through world, we can get caught up in the idea that things need to manifest now.  And yet, that is not how nature, the Universe works.  The brewing stage asks us to slow down and receive. 

I’ve been experiencing the brewing stage this year as I find myself speaking ideas into my phone voice recorder, writing things down on pieces of paper (that drive my hubby crazy), starting some things and not finishing them.   I am in the brewing stage and I am learning to embrace this as a very important part of the creative process.  This can be an exciting stage because the possibilities are endless.  When you decide, you narrow choices down. 

If you are in the brewing stage, here are some helpful tips to support you there;

1)Name and claim that this is where you are. It’s takes the edge off striving and keeps the ideas coming.

2)Write, journal, collage your ideas and feelings.  This will offer you rich material to come back to and it may open the door to even more possibilities.

3) Share your ideas with a trusted confidant that will listen and hold the space for you to brew.

4) Attend workshops online or in person to keep your creative juices flowing.

5)Explore what other people are doing/creating in the realm of your ideas. 

Gather, sit with, honor, ponder and embrace the brewing time. You’ll enjoy the end product that much more when it arrives. 

This virtual cup of coffee is for one of the biggest coffee lovers of all time, Rev. Steve Bolen. With love  to you Steve!