What’s Your Juicer?

“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.

The Earth Element & You

“There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet. ” ~Brooke Medicine Eagle

In the 28 day Soul Coaching© program that I facilitate, we move through four basic elements with the intention to clear the clutter in our lives and within ourselves, so that we can hear our deepest truth more clearly.  Many ancient cultures used the natural elements as a guide for balanced living and as a way to become oriented to their surroundings.  The four basic elements are air, water, fire and earth. Each element can be related to an aspect of yourself and your life; air/thoughts, water/emotions, fire/spirit and earth/body.  By bringing attention to each element, you become aware of where you are in or out of balance in your life. 

The earth is the element that grounds, earth IS the ground!  Earth is where we are rooted; it is our source for living.    Our physical self is where we express and experience all the other elements; our thoughts, feelings, and spiritual self.   Our body is home for all the elements combined. 

Some questions to ponder in regards to the earth element are; how well do you take care of your body?  What harmful substances do you need to remove from your diet to create a healthier fueled body?  What distractions or addictions take you out and away from your body?  How often do you spend time in nature or even notice it?  Where do you feel most at home?

During the 28 day Soul Coaching© program, the earth element is the last element we move through and experience.  This is because this element is home for all the other elements, it holds them.  The earth element reminds us to be present, be in the now, and experience who we came here to be through this growing, living element we call home.

Igniting the Fire Element

“Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” Chinese Proverb

In my last article about the water element, I mentioned that a change came about for me during water week.   I needed to find new office space fast.  After allowing all the emotions (water) to surface and move, I received even more clarity.  I absolutely knew what I had to do.  This is the benefit of listening to your soul - a knowingness rises up from within as you clear the clutter from your soul.  During fire week, I made a decision to move out of my current office and put my things in storage, without knowing where or how I would land.  How did I do this?   Fear surfaced so I tuned into that knowingness and ”walked through the fire”.  I decided to trust and move ahead in faith.  This is no easy task and the process can be much like a toggle switch from fear to faith.  However, when your soul speaks and you listen, a deep peace resonates within.  This, is the fire element.

The fire element represents Spirit; your inner light,  energy, chi, and  movement .   Fire contains within it the ability to transform, changing something from one state to another.      It is times of darkness, we rely on our fire element, as it is our inner light (soul) and our connection to Spirit that can carry us through difficult times.   By relying on our inner light, we strengthen our spiritual muscles.  This is how faith and trust are developed. Fire also represents your visions, dreams and inspiration.  Fire makes us expand and reach out beyond our physical senses.  This element connects us to the unseeen.

During the 28 day Soul Coaching program, we identify fears, patterns and habits that may be keeping you from hearing your soul during fire week.    The fire element teaches: reach deeper and vision higher.  YOU, are so much more than you think you are!

The Water Element ~ Flowing Your Feelings

“Every emotion you feel is real.  It comes directly from our spirit, from our integrity, it is completely authentic.” Don Miguel Ruiz

Change was thrust upon me during water week of the 28 day Soul Coaching program.   The septic system (water) in the building  where my office was located, was disintegrating and beyond repair.  The landlord was unable to repair it due to the high replacement cost and no budget.   I had felt  a change  coming for a while anyway, in regards to my office location, but this situation put me into action sooner than I thought.   I had been processing this potential change through my air (mental) and fire (spiritual) elements; understanding why from a logical perspective and even the higher meaning.  However, when the crisis occurred, I had neglected my water (emotion) element and it was not about to rest, thankfully.  At 4am one night, the  water element woke me up out a deep sleep and I began to feel what this change would mean for me.  Sadness, anger and grief appeared and I allowed all to flow through me by talking, writing and mainly simply feeling them deeply.    When we let our feelings flow, they move.  If we neglect them, they get caught in an eddy by the side of river and swirl aimlessly.  And they wait.

Many people fear their emotions and work hard to keep them in check.  Why the fear?  The most common response I hear is that “I will feel the emotion forever, without end”.  Actually, it is the opposite. The more you keep your emotions at bay, they will not cease trying to get noticed.  If you do not express, where do your feelings go?  They can move into your air element; you begin to think your way out of your emotions. Or perhaps they move into the body and you get a headache, tummy troubles, or a stiff neck or back.  Your fire element may ignite and you can “spiritualize” your way out of a feeling.  All diversions, all attempts that will not work as the nature of water is to move. 

Your emotions contain information and if you can allow yourself to feel, you can then get to the next best place to take action if it is required.  The water element teaches us;  feel ~  flow ~ heal.