 When something traumatic happens in life, when we’re burdened by challenging emotions, when life seems to take a wrong turn, it can be confusing and set you up for despair. It’s in these moments we can find ourselves searching for answers.
Why did this happen? What could I have done differently? How can I process this? Is this a sign, a message from the Universe? What now? In the shock of trauma or change, I find it comforting to lean on gratitude. What am I grateful for? I know I am so blessed, and breathing life into this feeling can ease the pain and confusion. Tonight, I sought inspiration from one of my favorite poets– Rumi –and his poem The Guest House. It reminds me that every moment, every feeling, every challenge is a guest and guide to be cherished, no matter how they show up. The Guest House By Jalaluddin Rumi, 13th-century Persian Sufi mystic, poet and theologian -from The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. --RUMI Meet them at the door laughing. Indeed. And with great curiosity and wonder! I am truly grateful for this poetic reminder and inspiration for this life. It is grand and mysterious! And I am grateful for every guest. How does this poem land for you? Did you need to hear this today? With much grace and love, Anna SachKiret PS. A coming series? Speaking of poetic powerhouses, mantra meditation is one of the most powerful and comforting ways to code over negative thought patterns in your brain and create new, elevating thoughts to support and enhance your life. And they are so beautiful to listen to and to chant. I’m considering creating a separate series of posts to share mantra chants with you all. Is this something you’d be interested in? Please let me know!
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 In a YouTube Shorts video posted by Screenwriter, Consultant and Film Producer Slavica Bogdanov, she instructs you to raise your arms and jump up and down and exclaim, "I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it, I got what I wanted......!!!!" Just do that simple, if silly, action when you’re feeling small and afraid. and you will quickly feel pumped up, more motivated, energized and filled with positivity. I played along and tried it, and guess what? It worked! It felt so incredibly good! So simple yet so powerful. Little hacks like this to make your emotional life easier speaks volumes to me. How about for you? Decision Hack in a Hat One hack that I often share is the "how to decide" hack. If you're having difficulty choosing between things, write down your options on little slips of paper, fold the papers and throw them in a hat (or any container really). Blindly choose one and be prepared to notice your response. Open the slip of paper and..... you'll know. You'll know if you didn't actually want that. You'll know if you got the one you wanted and, hey, this just confirmed it! You'll feel it in your body. Instantly. Most of the time, if not all the time, WE KNOW what we want but something is blocking us from claiming that desire. Doing this hack is a way to start reconnecting with that inner wisdom. Eventually you'll start to believe in yourself and not have to go through the hack. In any case, other than possibly the time and paper to do the exercise, it doesn't hurt and can really help you to gain clarity and awareness. You're there already; remove the block. Don't stop there, by the way. When you notice your response to having chosen one that you didn't want or one that you did, stop to ask yourself: what was the block? What stopped you from "knowing" outright? What beliefs, influences, judgments or resistance attached themselves to the decision, to each option? This is a great exercise to develop deeper self-awareness on how you tick. We all have life experiences that shape our subconscious thoughts. The more you shine a light on these hidden inner messages, the more you can stop them from holding you back from the life you were meant to live. Here’s my own example of working the hack: “my next step indecision”. I needed to decide on the next level of support and coaching that would help me move the needle in my business. Faced with four excellent options with varied focuses, I wanted to do all of them but that would not be time- or money-efficient. Plus it would be overwhelming thus ineffective. Decision-in-a-Hat Hack: after placing the 4 slips of paper in a hat, I prepared to notice my responses.
Looking at your obstacles is not fun.
Once illuminated, you may realize there's a reason that block was hidden. With regret, you might wonder: can I put it back now? Out of sight, out of mind? In actuality, you probably can stuff it back down with a bit of self-sabotage and the usual self-soothing techniques….but do you really want to? These subconscious blocks that rendered you paralyzed-to-decide become thicker and taller walls in your life, brick by brick. You loosened one block. You can decide to knock it out completely and let the light in... which can then reflect out through your expressions. You have a gift that wants to shine, but it's stuck behind this wall. Do you know what IS fun? Getting to shine. Making decisions with more ease that move you forward in your journey. Discovering who you are when you are allowed to be. This is moving from fear to love. Whether you seek help from a trusted coach, mentor, therapist, or friend, or seek to figure it out on your own (--although having some form of support system is always recommended), decide to clear the block. And then the next one and the next. It'll surprise you how easy it is to face that next old emotional block once you've experienced the freedom from clearing the first. You'll realize you can do hard things and a proportionate --and often exponential-- measure of JOY will follow. Each time you do this, you can truly cheer for yourself: I did it, I did it!! (Or I got it!!!!) Because you did. Cheering for you with awe, Anna SachKiret PS. Tell me: what bricks have you removed (or started to remove) that you love to share about? Also, what's a favorite hack of yours to help you through an emotional challenge? (This post was originally published on January 27, 2022 and re-titled+updated on October 2, 2024). Check out the free event invitation in the post-scrript!  @Kamchatka via Canva.com When I think about the decisions I've made in my life, there are some that bring me joy and pride and others that make me think 'what on earth was I thinking'?!? I can now reflect on those latter ones and realize I WAS, in fact, THINKING --and not feeling. How often do we know deep down what we are meant to do yet we ignore those inner messages for our brain's more logical-seeming demands? We don't want to be looked upon as irrational or --gasp-- emotional! No, do what people expect and can make sense of. Right. That's what your ego keeps saying.
To be clear, I wouldn't change a thing about these past decisions because I know they were the lessons I needed at the time.....AND at present. To be able to reflect back on those experiences and how my decisions shaped my life, I can honor those lessons today. Today I'm in a space where I can listen self-compassionately and understand the hard messages, know how it has shaped my values and beliefs--- and make better decisions going-forward that support and develop a more elevated experience, a more true-to-me experience, an evolved experience, a purposeful, life-fulfilling experience. In other words: Joy. Peace. Freedom To get to where I am today, I had to look deeply at those feelings I ignored or stuffed down or escaped from through whatever self-sabotaging means I could. It's scary to start such an endeavor-- but it's so worth it! Clearing old feelings by meeting them stops them from haunting you further. It frees you from the subconscious reactions, responses, and personality malfunctions that make you wonder, 'why did I do or say that?'. Instead you stand tall, get clear, and feel assured in your ability to meet all challenges (even emotional ones) and are able to create a life you were born to love. Nowadays, I'm looking for: Deeper connections with the world– physically and spiritually. More opportunities to fail and grow. More fresh takes on life. More gratitudes. More openness. More healing energies. More fun. A shift out of 'the way things have always been done' into a more free and loving world that aligns with me. I can choose this life that I desire, making new decisions that inspire and uplift and hold me in my Truth. I can listen to and talk with my emotions safely because I know clearly that they are the voice of my soul, guiding me and crying out to protect me. I need only pause, breathe, and quiet the noise to hear.......and then decide. What do you desire these days? What has your emotional guides been telling you? How did you decide for you? Peace and wisdom, Anna SachKiret P.S. Join me THIS FRIDAY 10/4/2024 at Noon CT for a live online, complimentary session on the true purpose of our emotions and how they guide you. Register in advance. I hope to see you there! “Jack of all trades” turned “Jack of all trades, master of none” then “Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one” offers a shifty proverb to reflect upon when we consider our own sense of mastery in life. What started off as a positive description of one who is versatile and has a broad range of knowledge, the adage skewed into a negative opinion of someone who isn’t a master at anything, and then changed again to reclaim some of the merits of having more skill than just one trade. I’d like to change all of this to simply: “Jack of all trades and master of Me”.
So I celebrate the jack of all trades. AND, to both the jack and the single-master, I do suggest a special kind of mastery to support the understanding of interconnectedness and the whole. That is: the mastery of Self.
As is the micro, so is the macro. And vice versa. Master your Self and the world gains mastery. What is self-mastery? What does it look like? What it isn’t: perfection, always put-together, all-knowing What it IS: self-awareness, compassion, strength to look at one’s flaws & challenges, courage to make change, active reflection & realignment, equanimity to maneuver the ups & downs within and socially, deep gratitude and self-love. It is a conscious work-in-progress. Self-Mastery can involve many aspects of Self and yet the work of self-mastery can boil down to these key elements:
More on these later. Deep-Dive, not Shallow Yoga teaches us that deep breathing can counteract stress. By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, we can calm our mind and body. This allows us to face challenges with more clarity and make better decisions. Thus, we can both breathe deep and dive deep to gain mastery over who we are and how we live. To master ourselves, we delve into both our physical and emotional well-being. Addressing these areas can then positively impact other areas of well-being, including your spiritual and relational health. It can’t not! Let's start at the surface. This might involve exercise, nutrition, therapy, or spiritual guidance. To know where to begin, check-in…. Begin by asking yourself: 'What's bugging me?' and 'How much is it a problem for me?' This can help you identify areas of concern in your body, your situations, and state of being; and then decide on next steps. This is the simplistic version. The complexity comes in as you dig deeper. For example, if you're bothered by having woken up tired again, despite enough sleep, it might indicate underlying issues. It could lead to missed opportunities, self-doubt, and decreased motivation. These feelings can impact your entire day and even lead to despair and disconnection. Underneath the doubt and despair may be further emotions that need to be cleared, that stem from some childhood experience, and so on. As you dive deeper, the temptation to distract ourselves or self-medicate is strong. Fears of discomfort or unknowns can surface. This is where a 'jack of all trades' might find refuge by jumping to another area rather than diving into an inner conflict. But your subconscious knows and embodies truth despite your attempts to mask it. Is it worth the effort to release painful emotions now? This is what self-mastery is about and discovering the value that is your true self wishing to emerge. Here’s your chance to be your own master. Keys to Self-Mastery These six elements provide a holistic foundation to master the Self: 1. Self-Support: Harnessing Your Inner Resources. When faced with challenges, a strong nervous system and inner support system are essential for self-mastery. Through mindful practices like deep breathing, you can cultivate a calm and focused mind. Doing yoga to allow your energy to be balanced and flow helps the body to break-up inner blocks so you can help yourself. 2. Listen to Your Emotions: Allow emotions to surface and acknowledge them fully. This can help you identify underlying issues and determine next steps. Your emotions can guide you towards release, healing, and transformation. 3. Build Your Support Network: Everyone needs support. Seek guidance from mentors, coaches, friends, or family. Consider joining mastermind groups or social communities for camaraderie and accountability. 4. Commit to Your Practice: Consistent effort, even on challenging days, is key to self-mastery. Your practice should elevate your life, goals, and support systems. Remember, practice is a lifestyle! And don’t forget to celebrate your showing up for yourself, in both big and small ways. 5. Take Action: Action is an important accelerator; it provides impetus for the next step. Fear can often hinder action yet, with the support of your inner and outer tools, your road to self-mastery can begin with that first step. Even small steps can lead to significant progress. 6. Make Time for Gratitude: We all receive gifts along the way– many of them, if you pay attention. Gratitude can enhance patience, compassion, and self-love. Take time each day to appreciate even the mundane aspects of life. The Goal of Self-Mastery Understanding your complete Self, purpose and desires can feel like being a “jack of all trades”. You are a multi-faceted, holistic being that cannot be looked upon as just one singular aspect. Self-mastery involves discovering and embracing all aspects of yourself. The goal of your self-mastery work is to feel safe to be you, to be at peace within, and to live fearlessly in equanimity and bliss. Where are you in your self-mastery journey? What does it look like for you? With grit and grace, Anna P.S. If you would like a launch pad to start moving towards self-mastery, particularly if you are someone who tends to prioritize outer peace over inner peace, comment below or email reply to waitlist for my next 40-day challenge: a set of 4 inward and outward practices to promote peace and mastery. Peace to you on your journey!  Image by MythologyArt from Pixabay Healing implies existing pain or hurt. A journey suggests an arduous, beckoning path of challenge and unknowns. Are you on a healing journey? Is it for you? WHO THIS IS FOR. Anyone taking this road called Life is presented with this path. We are essentially all on it however not all of us are conscious of it. Some may never acknowledge and accept it. Some are thrust into the awareness necessarily— there was no choice but to see and accept it. To heal. To journey. NON-ACCEPTANCE IS A DEFAULT CHOICE. We all experience pain, hardships, existential crises. How you deal with these can vary widely from person to person as well as within one person dealing with work problems vs relationship issues vs self-concept vs everyday matters. Responses to the ‘hard knocks’ come from individual experiences, habit patterns, familial/cultural/societal influences, personal temperament, and even genetic or ancestral traits passed on. It’s what makes us all unique and gives life such a rich tapestry to take in. But encountering and processing pain is given to everyone. Oh joy! The degrees of pain vary widely as well. Pain comes:
We all have some level of all of these. You figure out how to deal with it. You stumble through it, side-stepping, overcompensating, distracting, numbing— or you meet it head on. Time passes and it becomes a memory. Enjoy life as much as possible….until the next turn. I would not have considered much of these experiences as “in need of healing”, just things to work through or get over. It’s just life. Right?
And if you don’t know, now you know.“ - Notorious B.I.G. WHY CHOOSE IT CONSCIOUSLY.
You don’t have to be in rehab or suffering from disease to require a healing journey. When life throws you into such a debilitating, life-changing situation, by default, you end up on such a path. A healing journey. To consciously choose to be on a healing journey without the emergency situation is the way to not only heal and live more fully and freely, but it’s also the way to change the world we live in. Your healing self inspires and uplifts those around you, creating a ripple effect of love and healing in others. And on and on. From a cut on your finger to dealing with everyday struggles like losing weight, challenging conversations, making a tough decision, these are all experiences that present an opportunity to heal. A healing journey dives deeper into the stories that cause stress and confusion in these situations. What is the source of this wound and how do I tend to it? It is NOT checking under the bandage every five minutes.,,, ✔️ It’s bringing awareness to the parts of you that are confused, unsettled, exposed and raw, wounded, in need of care. ✔️ It’s assessing the broken bone, setting the cast, keeping it clean and continuing to live your life while it’s healing. ✔️ It’s checking back periodically, grateful for the opportunity to heal, appreciating life’s miracles, and learning to have grace. Someone questions you or insults you and you respond in shame or with righteous indignation. Something there needs healing. A healed person responds with curiosity, listens and checks in with herself. A healed person responds with respect for all involved. The journey is about progress. An unhealthy response is not reason for shame, blame, or justification. It’s an alert system telling you that healing is required. When you choose to see your life experiences as a healing journey, you are choosing YOU. When you need to heal a deep gash, you give it attention. What about when your wound is internal? Your life deserves that magnanimous attention by YOU. You heal. Your life feels more joyful and abundant. You spread that into the world. It’s that simple. LIFE AS AN ADVENTUROUS HEALING JOURNEY. The best part about seeing life as a healing journey is, once you experience a deep healing, especially when the pain was so entrenched, not only do you feel powerful, you begin to understand what it means for things to be truly possible. For your dreams to be possible. The dance between trial and error, challenge and achievement become a delightful, harmonious movement with interesting subplots, creating a masterful symphony. A fascinating adventure. Life throws curveballs. Rain dampens a long-awaited event, a trusted friend reacts poorly due to their own issues, and even a seemingly joyous occasion sours. Yet, these ups and downs are part of the adventure. With a mind for healing, even the most difficult experiences can transform into chapters filled with wonder, resilience, and growth. Embracing life as an adventurous healing journey is undeniably one of the most powerful ways to heal yourself. A resilient nervous system, fostered through this very journey of healing, becomes foundational for navigating emotional challenges and discovering the hidden gifts within them. It's a practice (which will be explored further in my next post) For now, what do YOU think about choosing to see life as an adventurous healing journey? With grit and grace, Anna SachKiret PS. If you want to choose this healing journey, please comment “my [choose an adjective] healing journey!” –and may you be filled with the healing vibration you need today. Peace! |
AuthorI am the Essential Soul Mama. I am a mama, a soulful-spiritual teacher, an intentional storyteller, and a lover of stories of all kinds, in all forms. I write about emotions, parenting, natural health options, mind-body-soul connections, and anything that elevates our lives. Archives
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Every other week I post a blog of relevant topics including breathwork, healing, emotions, kundalini practices, and showing up for yourself. Monthly-ish I share events+updates you may be interested in. You can unsubscribe at any time. I'm happy to have you join my free Joymail!
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