Message from Elizabeth. . . .on a personal note . . .

This winter I took things into my own hands and made a plan to escape NYC. I was lucky to be able to get away to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for me as I must admit that January is often a month I find myself in a deep funk.

While in Santa Fe, I decided to take myself on a hike near town. I had covered it with someone else so I thought it should be easy enough for me to do it on my own. So off I headed down the trail taking in the vista views, the immense quiet (living in NYC the lack of sound can me an incredible experience), the cool breeze and the pecking of a woodpecker on a dead tree. I found myself really enjoying it, huffing and puffing a bit, clearing my head and opening to new ideas.

Every once in a while I kept coming to a fork in the path and needing to choose which direction to take. Each time, I kept taking what I thought was a different loop. And then as I would head down the path, I would realize that I had already walked this way. My first instincts were to keep going forward until I looped back around again. I assumed I would choose another route the next time around. . . no harm done, as all was well, beautiful, and I was getting some great exercise.

After doing this at least three, maybe four, times I was starting to wonder exactly how I was going to get myself back to the trailhead to find the car. Ironically, no one had come along the entire time!

I realized I was having my very own Groundhog Day occurrence where I kept looping around the exact same way over and over! This was kind of funny really but also how was I going to shift out of this loop?

So halfway through another loop I realized I needed to find a new direction, literally stir things up and the best way to do that was to turn around and go back the way I came. No die-hard hiker wants to backtrack so this wasn’t easy. I just knew I had to break up my pattern!

How many of us stay stuck in patterns that repeat themselves over and over in our lives?

Are you willing to make a u-turn, take a sharp left, head in the direction of the unknown?

I know that in more ways than just this day I went hiking, I am ready to make some sharp turns, go in new directions and open to new paths.

Stay tuned for more changes in my life. For starters, I am excited to invite you to join me in the upcoming new ventures I am bringing through. See below for details in April and stay tuned for more programs soon!

*********************************************

In April, I am embarking on a new collaboration with my friend and colleague Kimio Wheaton.

We have a designed a 3-Part Series, Dynamic Balance in Relationship to explore how to create balance, harmony, and collaboration in relationship.

Together we will be inquiring . . .

• How can we create balance and harmony within ourselves in today’s world?
• How can we relate from a place of understanding and compassion?
• How can we open to balance the masculine and the feminine in modern day society?

This three-part series is dedicated to expanding and experiencing relationship in a unique manner through opening to all of what we are.

Together, we will create a fun, interactive and sacred space permitting a deeper inquiry for everyone. Expect to walk away feeling spacious, open, and true to what you are and why you are here.

Everyone is welcome and please invite a friend!

***

Dynamic Balance in Relationship

Sundays on April 3rd, 10th, and 17th from 2- 4 pm, Upper East Manhattan, NYC

Cost is $225 but preregister is encouraged by March 27th, only pay $215!

Space is limited so sign up now: http://soulcallingsonline.com/homesqz/dynamic-balance-in-collaboration-and-relationship/

This is the first time for Kimio and I to collaborate in bringing through the new reality of relating in harmony in your life. If you feel called to open more to who you are and relating in authentic, grounded ways with everyone in your life, please join us in this exploration. We also greatly appreciate if you share this opportunity with others and spread the word!

To further introduce our work, and ourselves we will be offering a live call on the evening of Wed. March 23rd. Stay tuned for more details.

*****************************************

Do you know someone you could introduce me to? I am reaching out as I have some openings in my schedule to work with one-on-one clients.

I wanted to share this with you to see if you knew of anyone who might be ready for support and growth in their lives.

If you know of anyone that might need some support and guidance in their life, let’s talk. I am seeking new connections in my work and my endeavors.

Reach me at Elizabeth@SoulCallingsOnline.com or at 917.309.7612.

I am here to help.

21 Acts of LOVE

www.SoulCallingsOnline.com

This list has been put together to remind us of the many opportunities in life that help to open the heart. Please find one or two that resonate with you and try them out.

Or better, find one that makes you uncomfortable and try it.  Get out of your comfort zone and discover where it takes you. It might just open your heart!

1.    Do something for someone else!  Magically this can take us out of our heads and our own misery and inspire us to feel positive again.  Create some magic for someone else.

2.    Anonymous acts of good.  These are surprisingly powerful to do and instantly create magic for you and the receiver.  Here are some ideas to get started.  Add your personal spin into each one or create your own:  Pay it forward for coffee or cupcakes for those in line behind you, leave behind a beautiful bouquet of flowers, leave a $20 bill where someone can find it, send someone tickets to an event, write an anonymous note to someone who has negatively impacted you and tell them how wonderful they are and how much they have touched your life.  Doing any anonymous acts of good can work wonders for you and open up magic in your life and the lives of others.

3.    Donate to a charity or a cause you feel strongly about.  Where do you want to help?  Here are some of my favorite:  www.LineageProject.org, www.Womenforwomen.org, www.heifer.org, www.nrdc.org, www.kiva.org or www.joinfite.org, www.CARE.org.  Research the amazing and inspiring work people are already creating out there and decide to be part of it.

4.    Laugh.  Laugh more and make others laugh more also.  It’s so important to laugh!  Remember not to take yourself so seriously. Go rent a funny movie. Go to a Yoga Laugh class – these exist and here’s the website to find a class near you www.LaughterYoga.org.  It’s for real!

5.    Go on a negativity diet. . . catch yourself making negative comments or gossiping and stop!  Try this for three days at least.  If you slip up just redirect the conversation towards the positive or end it altogether.  Notice who you easily slip into a critical mode with and ask them to help you stop doing this.  Yes, they will call you Pollyanna and so what!  You will feel so much better.  If you see the glass half full, then it is.  If you see the glass half empty, then it is.  So make a conscious choice about what view You want to take.  Thoughts become reality so think the uplifting ones!!!

6.    Make a date with someone you’ve been neglecting and go somewhere really beautiful.  It doesn’t have to be expensive, but step out of the usual routine and try something new.  Have tea, get dessert, share an appetizer. Catch up and tell them how much you appreciate them.

7.    Make memories.  This one can be a bit challenging for me as I am not too sentimental and tend to forget about photos and other memorabilia.  Yet, creating special mementos reminds us of good times.  These can become treasured moments.  Who could you send a photo or photo album to of a shared memory?

8.    Write an ‘old fashioned’ thank you note (one that gets sent in the mail, not via e-mail) for no real reason except to tell the recipient how much they mean to you and thank them for being in your life!

9.    Send Valentine cards – my personal favorite – reminding those that you do love how much they touch your life!  Have fun, be creative . .  remember the second grade when everyone took home a whole box of cards with silly slogans and poetic verses. . . .it felt good!

10. Go to a new venue.  Have you always wanted to go to the Opera, attend a special event, a museum exhibit, a car show?  Research it and buy the tickets to go.  Don’t delay and have fun finding others who might share this with you.   invite someone to come along with you.  Do something new!

11. Adopt a pet!  Through a Secret Santa gift exchange I received a fish!  Yes, you read that right.  The gift exchange rules stated it had to be purple and under $10 and I received a Thai Beta fish!  I named him Ramses and fell in love!  Who knew how much joy that little fish would give me. When I had to travel he also brought loads of fun and joy to my friend’s office and her colleagues.  Animals easily open our hearts.  If you can’t adopt, go walk a neighbor’s dog or cat sit for a friend.

12. Shake your body. Dance. Jump up and down.  This is sooo good for shaking out a bad mood, stress, worry, or anxiety.  Literally shake it out.  Put on some fast music with upbeat rhythms and shake your body.  Need some inspiration on this. . go to www.wisewildfree.com and explore Qoya. Try a Zumba class, jump on a trampoline or do 50 jumping jacks to Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It!’

13. Watch a movie and be transported to a different life!  Feeling sad?  Nothing like a good cry to feel completely refreshed.  Go rent that drama or tragedy and let the tears roll.  Just bring the tissues along!

14. Go outside.  Just get yourself outside.  Go for a walk.  Thirty minutes of walking with no particular agenda can work wonders on your mood, your creativity, and your ability to be productive when you feel overwhelmed.  It literally gets your energy moving. Turn off the phone and just wander and be curious. You will be so much more loveable!

15.  Practice graciously receiving.  Are you one of those people that always says, ‘Oh, no thank you.’?  Instead, say ‘YES! Thank you!  I’d love to!’  Then practice letting others help you and give to you. That provides you the opportunity to graciously receive.  Believe it or not, we can get so habitual about saying no, this can be more challenging than it may be seem at first.  So the next time someone asks you, ‘Would you like. . .? Say, Yes! Thank you! I’d love that!

16. Appreciation.  Nothing helps the abundance in your life grow more than really appreciating the cornucopia of what you already have.  So look around and make a list of 108 things that you are appreciative of in your life and all the generousness that already exists.  This is a real heart-opener.  Often we are focused on looking for the next thing, rather than the what is already present in your life.  So go ahead slow down, look with wonder at all that you have created and really appreciate the creativity and genius of it and of you.

17. Ask. Ask others to help you.  Ask for what you truly want.  Be authentic.  Don’t wait.  The time is now.  Share yourself.

18. Move towards fun.  Take a baby step towards something you’ve always wanted to do or experience.  Have you wanted to learn how to sing, but keep putting it off?  Have you dreamed of trekking across New Zealand?  Do you want to become a dance instructor?  Do you want to perfect your culinary skills?  What new creative outlet do you want to try?  Be willing to be a beginner and find the pleasure in moving towards trying it out.  You don’t have to be perfect. . . let that dream begin to take shape and start playing with it.  Take a class, or a few private lessons, or gather a group who want to do the same. Play!

19. Align with GOD.  Explore your direct connection with God, the Universe, and Spirit.  How do you access this in your own life?  Consciously begin creating this in a way that’s true for you.  More than ever, accessing your own divine nature is available in a direct way and can be cultivated and expanded.  Open to what would support you and your own spiritual nature.  If you don’t know, be willing to explore.  Read, take a class, visit a sacred place, or join a group exploring this. Be willing to open to the mystery of you and life around you.

20. Experience a spiritual teacher, coach, or healer to help you access and open to your own heart, self acceptance and healing in your life from the past or old beliefs that hold you back from fulfilling your hearts greatest callings.  There is more support than ever before so lean in.  We don’t grow by being alone. We grow in bearing witness to who we really are with others. Reach out. Lean in. Share your journey.

21. Be you!  Yes, give yourself permission to really be YOU!  Following your own likes and dislikes, enjoying what you enjoy, growing in the ways you truly want to grow, stretching to be all of who you are. Now.  Don’t hold back anymore. Go for it.   Laugh and love and share and grow and appreciate all along the way . . . . when you feel happy and open your heart, you naturally give others permission to join you and find their own happiness.  It naturally expands.  It’s truly magical!

Elizabeth Joy Mueller copyright 2011  www.SoulCallingsOnline.com

I disappeared for a few weeks taking some time to step away from the day-to-day of living in NYC by going to Santa Fe, NM.  It’s easily becoming my home away from home for many reasons.  I was ever so thrilled to be there the last few weeks taking in the nature and the quiet and the sunny blue skies as an alternate to the cold and snowy winter of the Northeast this year.

Coming back I awaken to the reality that we are stepping into February.  I’d like to dedicate this month to LOVE!

I know, I know, on the 14th it’s Valentine’s day and most want to run from or stomp on that day altogether.

Everyone grumbles that it’s just a Hallmark holiday, but what if we leveraged this moment to take it to a whole new level of expression of your HEART and SOUL?

What if you personally decided to side-swap all the grumbling to open your heart to LOVE of every kind – neighborly, divine, collegial, intimate, brother or sisterly, passionate, parental, grandparental, universal and beyond?

What could this BIG LOVE look and feel like for you?

How could you open your heart more to those in your life right now?  Or, to yourself right now ?

I’ve created some fun events to get you inspired in February . . . .

*********************************************************** 

Nearing up on Valentine’s day, one of my personal favorites, I can’t help but feel really inspired.  I reached out to a select group to see if anyone would like to create a unique and dynamic way of celebrating this holiday dedicated to red hearts, roses and chocolates.

I asked, what if we could actually launch from this superficial level to a much deeper, more profound sense of LOVE?  DIVINE, endless, overflowing and creative LOVE?!  The LOVE that taps into the core of who we are and how we express ourselves and create our biggest dreams and desires!

And then what if you could marry the Divine LOVE with Gratitude?  Gratitude, that comes from deep within and reminds you, yet again, of your own magnificence.

Divine LOVE + Gratitude!  Yes, this is exactly what Tara Dixon and I have stirred up for Sunday afternoon, February 13th in Brooklyn, NY!

So don’t hesitate to step into this GRAND sense of DIVINE LOVE + Gratitude and join us!  We encourage early registration because this event will sell out!

Tickets are already selling so go to this link to sign up today:

http://soulcallingsonline.com/services/join-the-divine-love-gratitude-fest-on-feb-13th-2011/

Can’t make it to Brooklyn but you can make it to Connecticut?  E-mail me at Elizabeth@SoulCallingsOnline.com as I am also hosting a private LOVE fest there on Friday, February 11th and we can include you on the list!  Join in on the LOVE!

*******************************************

What could the Year of the Rabbit bring for you?

According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves.  It is a time for negotiation.  Don’t try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail.  To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children.   Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.

Phew, what a relief as the year of the Rabbit will usher in a time to slow down and focus on peacefulness and opening to the opportunities that naturally show up.

In the spirit of the gentle Rabbit and the quest for deeper, more profound LOVE, I invite you to join me for a Divine LOVE fest.

Happy Year of the Rabbit today!

P.s. Here’s that link to sign up for Feb 13th and please bring a friend, or two – spread the LOVE now!
http://soulcallingsonline.com/services/join-the-divine-love-gratitude-fest-on-feb-13th-2011/

Let’s celebrate the shortest day of the year!  Why? Because it means that starting tomorrow the sunlight lasts just a few minutes longer and that feels good to the body and the soul! This time of year also marks the beginning of renewal and expansion.  As the sun lingers longer in the sky so does our desire to create, imagine, and grow.

Right now growth is happening in the dark.

All the change and clearing and shifting is taking place in the dark.  I don’t just mean literally in the dark but in the deepest places within you.  It may sometimes feel like you ‘can’t see it yet’.  Yet the seeds are being planting down inside the ground.  The magic unfolds when we don’t ‘see’ it coming.  What is coming to fruition starts in the dark until its ready to emerge.

I know that you are finding your way – quietly, gently and lovingly – like never before!  It’s truly amazing.  As you grow and expand, so too, does the Universe, your loved ones, and everyone you encounter.  Trust me, when you shine your light, even from your sofa, it ripples out into the Universe sending a distinct message of love!

I am thrilled to be unveiling many new ways to support you and your journey, emerging as the shining, shimmering creator that you are, in 2011!

Ring in the New Year 2011

To start off the New Year (that’s next week!), I have created a unique and intimate experience to burst into 2011 embodying what you desire to create for yourself.

I invite you to join me for the New Year’s Eve Renewal Retreat in upstate New York starting December 30th, 2010.  This retreat isn’t for everyone, but if it speaks to you, then trust your instincts are guiding you for something much bigger in your life.

You can find more details at http://soulcallingsonline.com/services/2011-renewal-retreat/

Ready focus on your dreams in a more personalized way in a Santa Fe adobe?

After all, not everyone finds being in a group comfortable, so what about a one-day retreat designed specifically for a giant leap? Your giant leap!

What’s that big dream, big goal, big creative project, big move, big growth spurt you want to create in your life?  Let’s focus on it like never before.

In 2011, I am offering one-day personalized retreats in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  So not only will you have a life-changing day – your giant leap – it will take place in one of the most beautiful places in the country!

If this makes you sit up taller, email me and let’s find out if this should be you! Elizabeth@SoulCallingsOnline.com

Thank you so much for allowing me to support you and your journey.  Thank you for the opportunity to reflect on the shifting between light and dark in our days and nights and in our bodies and our souls.

I invite you to open to what is here for you at this place, at this time without trying to rush into spring, or push yourself into thinking “you should be. . .”.

Rather, slow down, retire early, get deeper, longer sleep, eat warm soups that nourish, enjoy the company of others and spirit of the season.

Happy Winter Solstice to you and your loved ones.

Each of us has natural gifts and talents that get activated in a more distinct way around the holidays.  Quickly, we slip into the roles that are most comfortable and, if we let it, these roles can be a real pleasure and a means of expressing who we are and how we feel connected to our community, family, and loved ones.

I’m here to encourage you to consider where your natural expression comes through at the holidays . . . are you a baker, builder, cook, gift wrapper, cleaner, playmate (someone has to keep the kids busy!), or, maybe you love to play Santa Claus? Do you enjoy giving out generous tips, paying it forward, buying gifts for children and giving lots away – how fun to just be a constant source of surprise and joy!

How do you create your own joy for the season? READ MORE

About a week ago I had the exciting possibility to go visit an ancient historic site where a Native American population once lived and thrived inside the dynamic cliffs of red rock in Bandelier National Park.  So we ambled along the path taking photos, visiting the various sites and negotiating the other onlookers who were taking the path with us.

At one point you have to choose to keep going further down the path about another ½ mile and from there you have the opportunity to climb straight up a series of ladders 140 feet to a restored kiva nestled right inside the side of the red cliff.  Now climbing up to the kiva is one of those things that is truly right up my alley – its adventurous, lands me right in the middle of history, surrounds me with incredible views and puts me in touch with an ancient, once very active, ceremonial space – exactly what I love to explore!

But what you always tend to do may not be what you are really feeling like in the moment. . . .read on to find out what happened when I was standing at the base of the kiva step ladder.

**********************************************************************

When your destiny calls, will you hear it?

Stopping to heed the nudge of your intuition can disrupt how you think about yourself.  The thing is when you are following your intuition; you can’t just follow what feels comfortable or do what’s most like you. Your intuition is truly in touch with where you are and following it means being present in the moment and listening to what’s true – in that precise moment – not to how you usually feel or what you’d usually do.  So this is exactly what happened to me when I was standing at the base of the kiva step ladder.  I looked up and I saw a place that I would usually love to climb up to, a beautiful place that would leave me breathless from the views and the thrill of exploring a ceremonial site.

And yet, I did not feel it at all.

My whole body was giving me a very different signal to not climb up.  It wasn’t fear.  It just didn’t light me up.  My mind was telling me I should, but my whole body wasn’t feeling it.  I decided to not climb up to the kiva.  I decided I would turn around and head back down the path and enjoy myself and maybe there will be another day I will hike this same trail and seize the opportunity to climb to the kiva, but not on this particular day.

The 140 Steps lead to the Kiva

So I started heading back down the trail and it was really beautiful, shaded with tall strong trees, a flowing stream along the trail, cool and quiet as there was no one else around.  And then as I was walking I heard a noise and I looked over to realize that there was a Mama bear and her cub in the grass!  It was amazing how close she was just on the other side of the trail.  And then I realized there was a second baby cub.  So suddenly I was standing there on the trail watching three black bears just a few feet away!

My friend was much more concerned that we should get away but I knew we were safe.  I made a noise so that the Mama bear knew we were there and she made some sounds back but nothing threatening.  We just stood there hanging out with them and they hanging out with us!!!  It was AMAZING!!!

Just then one of the baby bears got spooked and ran full sprint towards us and climbed (ran!) straight up the tree that was directly in front of us on the path.  (Note – never try to outrun a bear and never try to climb a tree – they are very fast!)  Now it was time for us to move because if the Mama bear was concerned about her cubs she could become fierce so off we went to watch them from further up the path as they headed back into the forest.

Now my heart was beating, but not from fear, but from the sheer thrill of being so close and having this very intimate encounter with this Mama Bear and her two spring cubs.  I was sooo overjoyed!  How rare is it to see a bear and we saw a whole family??!  Incredible!  I believe my path that day was not to climb the kiva but to have this rare and intimate encounter with this Mama Bear and her cubs.  If I had just plunged ahead with climbing the kiva I surely would have missed them.  My destiny at that particular moment on that particular day was to meet with the three bears.

Soooooo here’s my question to you. . . .

Are you tuned into your life to recognize these moments? To pause and   really listen to what you are feeling and experiencing in the moment rather  than plunging ahead in old patterns, behaviors and the ‘usual’?

Are you ready to start to tune in and recognize your intuition nudging you on the shoulder on a more regular basis in your life?

Tuning into your intuition is a practice.  It’s just like building muscle strength.  When you want to build up your muscles you get a trainer who keeps you on track, you meet on a regular basis and you strengthen those muscles by using them.

Working with me one-to-one is just like that!  We meet each week and practice listening, tuning in and allowing your intuition to show up exactly as it works for you and you get to know how it works from the inside out.  I mirror back to you how it shows up and together we start to bring awareness to the many ways your intuition speaks to you and through you.   You not only hear it, but see it, feel it and know it through your whole being.  And it feels really affirming.  After all, this is your truest wisest self speaking through you and nothing feels greater!

Let’s talk about working together this fall.  You know the timing is just right to start strengthening your intuitive muscles and heeding your soul callings.

There are a couple of upcoming ways to work with me. . . .

Ready for one-to-one mentoring?

Sign up for a Soul Breakthrough today using the coupon code: feelinggood to get an awesome price of $97.  Follow that nudge now and let’s find out if working together is the next right step for you!

Ready to join a soulful community and a group tele-studio?

I’m gearing up to launch my next Alchemy of Joy series on October 5th, 2010.  Are ready to bring in change in your life and want to do so in community being supported and mentored along the way?  Learn more about what’s to come on Tuesday, Sept 7th.

Sign up here for more details: http://soulcallingsonline.com/events/

• What do you want love to fill up or complete for you?  Can you name the underlying need that springs forth in your desire for love?

• Do you find it easier to give love or receive love? How can you begin to receive with as big a heart as you give? Or, give with as big a heart as you receive?

• What are you willing to change in order to open to more love in your life?  How can you begin right now to be more loving to yourself, to others, to strangers, to your life as it is?

Last week I went to Los Angeles for a week of business, pleasure, family, and friends.  I jumped on the opportunity to attend a marketing workshop specifically designed for solo-entrepreneurs like myself.  I circulated and learned a lot at the workshop and also had a ball spending time with my family and friends.  It turns out I know quite a few great people in LA and even got invited to a small Hollywood gathering!  Who me?  You just never know where I might end up!

My sister also did some recruiting to try and get me to move out to LA and I was open to exploring the idea.  I spent some time ‘feeling’ it and tuning into the question, “Would L.A. suit me?”  It certainly requires more research but it does have me wondering:  how do we tune in to our intuition to guide us in everyday choices as well as in making those big leaps like moving across the country?

**********************************
Earlier this year I spent an afternoon on a tour of art galleries in Chelsea with a dear friend. We were having a blast hopping from one gallery to the next to see the latest in photography, painting, sculpture and more.

About halfway through the tour we came to one of the largest and most famous galleries in all of Chelsea (our guide was sure to point this out).  In this large open space only two large sculptures were on display.  One of them was constructed with a series of metal security doors welded together to form a large intertwining rectangle of rusted metal.

It was a rather distressing piece and left me with a profound sense of despair and the feeling of being locked in or trapped by all these rusted metal doors.

Up until this point I had been having fun looking at the art but this piece made me feel gloomy and heavy.  Clearly the artist intended an effect, which was certainly not uplifting, and even leaving me a bit uneasy, but I was willing to keep checking things out.

The next piece by the same artist was a big coach-style bus.  The guide gave us some background about the piece. It turned out you could also walk through it to see how the had converted the bus, using the same rusted metal security doors as the first piece.

So I went through the bus and as I did, something really terrible struck me.  I suddenly felt claustrophobic and anxious. Something felt very wrong and the feeling took over my whole body.  Every hair on the back of my neck stood up and I had to get out!  Eeek!  I managed to get off the bus without pushing anyone in front of me but it certainly wasn’t fast enough.  Ahhhhhhhh, I immediately went outside to get some air.

How often to do you tune into yourself or your environment before moving forward?  When you sense danger or even just something that feels a little off, do you listen or do you talk yourself out of it?  Do you adjust your actions?  Do you slow down?  How willing are you to trust your own intuition, those internal nudges that subtly ask for attention or, when it’s really trying to get your attention – the hair standing on the back of your neck?

If I had slowed down for even a minute to tune into the feeling I got from that bus, I would have known that I didn’t want to go inside for the tour.  The bus was painted black on the outside and there was something very dark on the inside that was not anything I needed to learn more about.  For me, I just needed to walk away.

Now this was only a bus in an art gallery, but it’s a good example of intuition at work.  It could have just as easily been a potential employer, or a man asking me out on a date, or an invitation to a party.  So what can we do to better focus our ability to tune in to our soul’s messages?

Here are a few tips that I’ve found can bring me back to my own knowing.
1. Slow down. Walk slower. Talk slower.  Open up your awareness to notice the environment around you.
2. Breathe. Deeply. Breathe.
3. Feel your feet connect with the earth (even if you are on a bustling NYC street corner!).  Connect downward through your whole body and remember that we’re all connected to the earth, no matter how much concrete or metal may be between us and the soil.
4. Tune into all your senses. Use all your senses – sights, sounds, smells, sensing, even taste.  Allow your whole body to ‘speak’ to you.
5.  Intuition often speaks through the ‘imagination’ so notice what are you ‘imagining.’  Cultivate ways to allow it in without judging or demanding instant answers.

Intuition often comes through quietly.  It doesn’t demand or get pushy (that’s the mind) and it never gives you a list of ‘to do’s.’ So often we need to cultivate some quiet space to really hear it.

Some people meditate, some go running or rock climbing, some knit or engage in a hobby that allows the creative process to unfold.  Explore and cultivate activities that nourish your spirit and in turn, you will naturally and easefully strengthen your intuition.

After letting all that negativity clear out I joined the final leg of our art exploration. The end of the gallery tour came to a close with some hand-made pieces created from tossed beer labels. It was a great reminder of how to make beauty from what most would consider garbage!  This was spectacular and inspiring!

Do you ever wonder who you really are and what you are here for? If you have, you are not alone. I have asked myself these questions over and over! And in asking myself these questions, I’ve gone searching, asking, researching.

This insisting, nudging and tapping on my shoulder would not go away until it was satisfied and as a result it’s lead me around the world exploring – books, dvds, trainings and to the sources – the teachers, the gurus, the masters, the monks, and even the mountain (Kanchenjunga!).

At the time I may not have really been able to articulate what I was searching for and why – I just had to follow it. It may be that I went to the mountain so you don’t have to! I can show you how to tap into your own passions living your life right now (unless you are dreaming of going to the mountain yourself!).

*********************************************************

What’s your purpose? What are your passions?
Why is it important to even consider these questions?

Because, as you know, no one can answer these questions for you, but you. And, life is too precious to not know (or at least be experimenting) with what’s true for you.

Sometimes when we consider following our desires, it feels as if it will up-end everything in our lives and that feels too overwhelming. We freeze right there. We find a million excuses, reasons, or justifications to keep from taking any steps. It’s safer to stay where we are than to risk shaking up the status quo.

I also know how hard it can be to wade through all the expectations, teachings, learning’s, socializing, habits and beliefs of what you should do or what ought to be.

I doubted myself for a long time and tried many other things – careers, paths, and teachings along the way to get it ‘right’. But no other ‘right’ will satisfy you for long.

I have searched the world to understand my own calling. For nine years, I’ve journeyed to the far corners of the earth seeking out masters, mystics, and healers to teach me how each of us can open to who we are and what we are here for. I’ve been fortunate to study and train in techniques both eastern and western, ancient and modern. I’ve explored over thirty-four modalities in everything from Space Clearing, to Buddhist meditation, to Kundalini yoga, to Soul Awareness healing even Green Medicine.

Only you can discover what’s true for you by tuning into all of you and opening to who you truly are.

That’s it. Yes, being you. Uniquely. Perfectly imperfect. You.