The #1 Way to Start Your Day
66240_10100501389054204_1597341_n
73723_10100501388869574_1285601_n
71689_10100501389124064_5136546_n
One of the greatest obstacles that first came up for me on my wellness journey, was the concept of acting from my heart instead of my head. I was and am a “thinker,” so when making decisions I would weigh the pros and cons, analyze, ask others’ opinions, and ruminate until I finally felt like my brain was going to explode unless I made a decision.From here, I would choose whatever was at the top of my mind at that point, and move forward from there.Now, this process does work when making a decision, but it absolutely is not the most efficient or empowering.In an effort to move my decision making process from my head to my heart, I started using the following process:I visualize moving the energy of the decision from my brain, down my neck, through my chest and right into my heart. I allow the question to swirl and dance through the energy of my heart, and trust whatever answer comes to me. This, began my process of following my intuition and hearing the voice of my inner guide.A powerful exercise that allows me to connect more deeply with this voice and intituion is the practice of having a morning mantra. I developed this practice during my four month self-exploration journey through India in 2010 and have carried it with me since.Here, I will share an excerpt from one of my travel blogs that higlights this experience:This blog post is from my time spent at Sadhana Forest in Tamil Nadu on the east coast of India. I spent two weeks in this reforestation village working on the land, sleeping in a hut, eating only food which the land provided, and living without running water and electricity.Day 6: 6:00am I start my morning silence as I do each day, “Thank you for the air in my lungs. Thank you for my healthy, capable body. Thank you for my family - I send them love and energy to be happy, healthy, and fulfilled. Thank you for my friends, for the people I love and who love me in return - I send them energy so they know they are in my thoughts and heart. Thank you for the challenges, opportunity, and beauty of this day.”I’m sitting in the main hut in silence with the community. Every Monday morning, we sit in the same quiet energy space for 45 minutes. I’m not sure what the initial intention was, but for me, I believe you can get to know a person (or group) on a deeper level through the silent, unspoken words.Some people are reading, some writing, others are doing yoga and meditating, or even sleeping, but collectively our thoughts and feelings are vibrating through the room creating a powerful unified force for the week to come.I feel light here, as if every care or concern I’ve had simply lifted itself from my body. My mind is at ease, my thoughts clear, and my heart full. It’s as if I’m so close to overflowing I must share these feelings with others so I can spread the goodness around the world.You know the days when nothing seems to go wrong…no mishap, person, mosquito bite, or traffic jam can get you down? When every problem has an easy answer, every ounce of darkness has a light at the end, and you feel that at their core, every person is truly good. That’s what I’ve come to believe enlightenment to be like.To live in that state of joy and peace….I believe that’s what everyone searches for; a state of being where no matter what, you feel content and satisfied and you feel love and gratitude for every person and thing in your life, no matter how they may show up sometimes.I am far from any such form of enlightenment and I’m not so sure it’s even attainable (or desirable) unless you live alone in a faraway cave or possibly Sadhana Forest all your life, but I feel I have found a small piece of it here. Maybe it’s just that I’ve allowed my mind the opportunity to quiet down long enough to recognize the peace that was always present...the peaceful, quiet, place of strength inside that is often covered with the "doing" of each day.I make a conscious decision to carry this state of peace with me the rest of the day, and the rest of every day moving forward.My peace of mind is with me as I cut fruit for breakfast, as I wash the morning dishes and as I prep vegetables and prepare lunch for the community. It’s with me as I go for a bike ride through town, as I water the trees in the forest, and as I lay my head down to sleep at night. My peace of mind is with me for good.My daily mantra: Thank you for the challenges, opportunity, and beauty of this day. I release and surrender to the Universe - everything is working perfectly.My mantra, is 2 sentences I think to myself as I place my feet on the ground in the morning, but it's different for every person. Perhaps you feel it as you prepare your morning coffee or have a favorite song you listen to on your drive to work that puts you in a place of strength and focus.Your challenge: For the next few days, find some words, mantras, or affirmations that resonate with you - place them somewhere obvious (the bathroom mirror works well) where you will be sure to see them every day. With full awareness, read the words out loud each morning for 1 week straight...see what shifts take place for you.
What are your words, mantras, or affirmations that create strength and peace for you?
Peace & Love,Carly