Are you spiritual enough?

​Now that I got your attention, the answer is unequivocally YES! Spirituality is not a competition, yet it seems that lately people are trying to outdo each other in how well they meditate or visualize or say their mantras. There seems to be an almost disdain if you do conventional exercise over yoga.

Now let me say, these things in and of themselves are fantastic, but you can’t feel badly if you don’t do them, or if you’re not drawn to them; everyone has their thing. For some people, it will be chanting, for another, mantra based meditation, for another, focus on chakras. There’s no right or wrong. What works for you? Without guilt! Because if you’re guilted into it, it won’t last. And here’s the other thing, you may only like one technique. That’s OK! You don’t need to prove how spiritual you are by doing a myriad of things. Only do what you know you will be consistent with and that brings you positive results.
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Anyone who says certain people are more spiritual then others, is in their negative ego. That is not enlightened. We are all equally spiritual, it’s just that some people put more focus on their spirituality. Same with people who use spirituality as an excuse to feel better then another person; that’s certainly not evolved. Just because someone meditates, does yoga, talks to Angels, etc., doesn’t mean they’re better then someone who simply takes the time to be in nature and feel connected. And most certainly, run, run away, from anyone who tells you that their way, is the only way, because that’s a giant lie. There are as many paths to personal growth and evolving as there are people. God/Goddess/The Universe won’t love you more if you do x vs y.

Here’s another piece of information that can be hard to digest – just because someone is “spiritual” and doing “spiritual” work, doesn’t mean they’re a good person. There are plenty of people who hide behind the guise of spirituality and are still filled with their negative ego and competition etc. and they don’t actually do the work required to evolve and grow. This one continues to shock me every so often when I go to a workshop filled with people who are supposedly doing the work, and then when you really look closer, they’re stuck in their own rage or blame. So if you ever get a bad feeling, and your instincts are telling you to walk away from a “spiritual” class, leave! Trust your instincts.

The Universe doesn’t play favorites. If you’ve been doing the work and you’re not having results, you are not a failure. There may be something deeper that you’re learning, or the outcome will appear in a timing that’s more right for you, and sometimes we’re never supposed to know the why, as maddening as that can be. Keep doing what feels good and trusting that ultimately you will be lead to exactly where you need, with the people who can best help. And also, you’re human. You’re here to learn and grow, not be perfect. What?!!!! Yes you heard me correctly, there is no such thing as perfection, so stop trying to attain it. Just live the best life for you.

We all came in with issues to overcome. And they may show up in various ways throughout the years. Just because you worked on your ie: control or self-pity in great detail and suddenly it rears it’s head again, doesn’t mean you haven’t done the work, it means you are now hitting a deeper level to heal. That’s OK! That’s part of being human. Ever evolving, ever growing and changing, while deepening our connection to ourselves and Source energy.

And one last thing for those in a personal growth business, you are not a failure if your classes don’t fill up or sell out to the tune of thousands of dollars. Stop comparing yourselves to the new model of success many are touting in the personal growth world. You have a message, a beautiful one, and it deserves to be heard. But trust yourself in how that unfolds. Don’t compare yourself to how others are doing it.

This applies to all of you. Stop comparing. You are ENOUGH! You are good enough and OMG spiritual enough so just focus on being the best you that you can possibly be. That’s my go-to phrase and all I focus on. That is all you can control anyway. And when you desire to help others, “do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.” Great quote by Andy Stanley.

You got this. You are enough. Own it. The world needs your sparkle. 
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It seems a lot of people are having a rough time right now. The chaos and intensity are high and it can be easy to get swept up in the collective stress of the world, in addition to any personal trauma and crisis you are going through. Here are some tools to help you take your power back and heal.
 
-I love Bach remedy Elm. Elm helps with overwhelm. I cannot recommend it enough. Mix it with Bach Rescue Remedy if you need extra support. 4 drops each in a glass of water, chug, then 4 drops each again & sip the next glass.
-Ground yourself. Get yourself into present time and breathe. Call your energy back to the now moment and back to you. Read last week’s blog if you need help with this.

-Honor where you’re at. Don’t try to rush into feeling better. If you’re angry, express that. Throw a tantrum. Go into a rage bubble & vent it out (technique on the “client” page)- honor where you are without judgment. Your feelings are valid, do not discount them nor try to ignore or dismiss them. If you are especially dark, give yourself 20 minutes, set a timer, and dive into the self-pity, rage, grief, etc., and vent it out fully.

-Balance your chakras. It will help you see and respond to the world more clearly, while releasing blockages in your space. I'll be releasing a technique soon, in the meantime, two that I highly recommend are on the "favorites" page.

-Be in nature. Nature has a way of calming your Soul and soothing your Spirit. It connects you to the elements and helps you be present. Plus beauty is a profound healer.

-Take time off, to just be. Stay in your pjs, disconnect from social media, watch a movie, read a book, just stop all doing for others and do for you. I know you Moms can’t accomplish this as easily as others but try to take some time for yourself. You’ll be better for it.

-Be creative. It’ll stimulate a different part of your brain and calm your nerves. Do whatever calls you. You aren’t trying to be Monet or Beethoven, just make art or even color in a coloring book.

-Take a social media hiatus. Studies have shown that social media can exacerbate feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress so instead of comparing your life to what you see on FB, step away. Or certainly limit your time there. Turn your focus back to you.

-Limit how much time you spend watching/reading the news. It is designed to instill “fear! panic! outrage!” Step back. You can’t be of assistance to the world if you are roiling in anger and fear.

-Stop multitasking. If you are, for example, scrolling your phone, while watching TV, you are creating anxiety in your space. Multitasking scatters your energy, causes your system stress, and knocks you out of alignment with yourself. Stop! Focus on one task at a time. Pull your energy into what’s in front of you.
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-Exercise. It doesn't have to be big, it can be a simple walk, just move your body. You'll release all those pent up emotions and energies. 
 
These are things that help tremendously. Anything can change in your reality, nothing is set in stone, life can turn on a dime. Honor what’s going on with you and remember you aren’t powerless to change it, but you do need to step away from life sometimes. Put yourself first because you matter and you won’t do anyone any good if you burn out in overwhelm and meltdown. Put the oxygen mask on for yourself, before helping others!!! 

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I’m not a naturally grounded person; I’m actually quite airy. I have to work at being grounded, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for my sanity, my reality, and showing up fully in present time.

When I first started learning to ground myself, I hated being in my body. It felt so heavy. I loved being able to multitask and flit around. But all that does is scatter your energy and keep you from having all your power in the present moment.
After doing it almost daily for over 27 years, I now very rarely miss a day, and boy would it be evident if I did! Doing it for so long, it’s still something that I both value and have to be conscientious of. Especially during my day, not just starting the day grounded, but continuing to bring myself back into my body and present time throughout the entire day.

Let me clarify, being grounded isn’t necessarily the same as meditating because sometimes meditation will take you out of your body. I’m talking about getting fully into your body. For me personally, I use grounding myself as the starting point for my meditation.

One of the main advantages to being grounded is being able to handle whatever comes up in your life, with more ease, while also being able to think clearly. Grounding yourself is a way to bring you back into the present and only in the present can you get the clarity and answers to move forward in an empowered way, while keeping all of your energy within you.

If you ever notice yourself being swept up in emotional reaction and meltdown, that’s a signal that you’ve completely left your body and present time. It could be as simple as being reactive to something someone says, or being overwhelmed by a problem in front of you.

If you’re chronically anxious or fearful, you’re not grounded. Anxiety usually arises from having too much of your energy in the future, in the unknown, the “what if‘s” and the fears, worries and doubts. Bring all your energy into the now and from there you can respond lovingly to your body, asking what’s being triggered and dealing with it from an aware state. The more you try to escape those energies, the more revved up you’ll be. You need to become more present, not less, as uncomfortable as that may sound.

Connecting to the earth is the way to ground out all of that angst and emotional trauma.

Before grounding yourself, first and foremost, stop and take a deep breath. I mean deep, to the belly, fully body breath during which you release all of the tension you’re holding. Then, one of the best ways to ground, is to connect to the first chakra, which is at the base of your spine. This chakra is red and deals with issues of safety and security. You could simply put your focus there and breathe into that area, while feeling yourself grow roots from your feet down into the planet. While sending those roots down, you could call up some earth energy to swirl through your feet.

Or you could create a grounding cord, which for me is the most effective method, picturing a thick cord of energy connecting your first chakra to the center of the planet and allowing that cord to pull out all the whirl of emotions etc., while helping you feel the earth. (I teach how to do this in more detail in my meditation on the resources page). You can also picture that cord going from the top of your head, down your spine, and into the planet. That way your whole body feels more solid and connected.

And finally, you could literally go outside, take off your shoes, and stand on the Earth. While you’re out there, you could hug a tree, because trees are great for grounding.
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There are many ways to ground but the key is to find one that works for you and do it with consistency. When you make friends with your body and get fully into it, the calmer and more empowered you’ll feel and the better able you’ll be to respond to what’s right in front of you with wisdom and understanding.
 
 
 
 
 
 

There’s a truth we sometimes forget that, “I create my reality.” Your circumstances don’t create your reality, your friends don’t create your reality, your boss doesn’t create your reality, your spouse doesn’t create your reality- you do, only you. And only by owning the truth that you create your reality, can you be free. Because since you create it, that means you also have the power to change it. No one else has that power.

Start by noticing where you may be perceiving a situation incorrectly. Where are you allowing your own past wounds to dictate what’s going on around you or blaming someone else? What are you creating and giving your power away to that doesn’t serve you? What beliefs do you have or stories do you tell that no longer support you? Ask yourself why you keep those alive. What do you gain?

What if, you tell a new story, with you in the lead? “Yeah Tina but it always...” Well just because it might’ve always been that way, doesn’t mean it always will. You get to decide. Tell a new story. Focus on that new story. How does it feel?? Say it with feeling, with conviction. Allow in the hope that it is now true for you. Expect it with joy. If you feel fear, process that. Ask it what it has to say, why it’s present, what part of you believes you can’t have that. Listen without judgment, and then thank it for bringing your awareness to what’s stopping you.
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Then decide, choose and decide that you are willing to let that go and allow in the new. Feel that desire for the new and let it expand into greater and greater excitement. “I can have what I want!” Imagine it, allow it. Let yourself be pulled towards that positive future. You are the author of your reality. Why not start writing an epic novel!