I wanted to focus this blog on something I have currently struggled with and feel many might experiencing as welI. I recently received some tough love from a mentor that lead me to realize that I have been stuck in “thinking mode”… thinking about how hard things are and current problems, but not really doing anything about it. So now I am switching over to “doing mode”… which means I am starting to take the actions required to get what I want. I am not just "trying" to do these things or "thinking" about it, I am doing it! We all have the power within ourselves to do something great and achieve the things in life we want!
So what exactly does this mean?? When we are in a negative or stressful thinking cycle about certain problems or things we may not be able to control, we give all our time and energy to worrying about those problems and lack of control. Therefore, all our attention is going towards the exact experience we do not want. However, when we stop solely focusing on thinking about these things and instead start DOING something, we then switch our energy and attention over to actually be able to see and discover steps we CAN take to get what we want. When our time is spent on worrying and anxiety, we lose the space to allow solutions to problems and opportunities to unfold for us. Based on the law of radiation and attraction, “we attract into our lives whatever we think about the most, believe in most strongly, expect on the deepest level, and/or imagine most vividly.” (Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain) Basically when we are stuck in negative thinking, we are blocking ourselves from reaching our full potential, life satisfaction, and happiness.
But we also cannot try to avoid or resist our problems because again if we tell ourselves to stop thinking about these things, then we actually are thinking about these things!! So I am not saying you need to just avoid problems or pretend they do not exist. But instead, I am offering a way to help with letting go of the negative emotions that occur from focusing on the problems. When experiencing negative feelings, sit with them as they occur and then let them stop on their own. Consciously observing and describing current problems while choosing not to let these problems cause you anxiety is the goal here. Its learning to let go of negative emotions that problems cause by discovering what we actually want to occur.
I want to invite you to take some time to stop imagining negative possibilities and limitations and instead focus on visualizing exactly what you want and how you want your life to be. This allows that positive energy to start flowing from you and opens up the space for you to identify action steps and opportunities to gain what you want.
The following exercise was developed from Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain. This book focuses on using the power of your imagination to create what you want in your life. I have seen the benefits of creative visualization for myself as well as with the clients I work with. So I felt inspired to share. If this sounds like something you could benefit from, contact me for a FREE phone consultation ( click the get in touch button at the top of the page or see the contact page).
EXERCISE:
*To start, you need to think of something you would like in your life. This can be an object you want, an event you want to happen, a situation you would like to occur, or just a circumstance you would like to improve. For example- a new house, a positive and healthy relationship, a new job, or gaining a better income.
*Now take some time to relax because relaxing is crucial for this process to happen naturally and freely. Remove all distractions- like others who could interrupt, your cell phone, tv, etc. Get into a comfortable position. This can be sitting or lying down, whatever feels right to you. Close your eyes and start to inhale and exhale slowly and deeply. Starting from your toes and moving up to your head, relax each muscle in your body. Begin to let all tensions you may be experiencing flow out of your body as you begin to relax. Then begin to count down slowly from 10 to 1. Allow yourself to go deeper and deeper into a relaxed state.
*Once you have become deeply relaxed, start to imagine what it is you want exactly as you want it. You should think of it as already existing the way you want it, so in the present tense. If it is an object you want, imagine having the object in your presence. If it is a situation or event you would like to occur, imagine being there and everything is happening exactly as you would like. If it is a circumstance you want to improve, imagine the improvement already occurring and what that looks and feels like. Try to think of as many details as possible to make it very real for you. Stay with your visualization for as long as you would like.
*Once you feel ready, keep the image in your mind and start to make some mental positive affirmations to yourself about your visualization. You can state that this exists for you, that it has come into your life, or it is now coming to you. Make sure your affirmations are in the present tense, not something for the future. You want to see yourself achieving and receiving what it is that you want.
*It’s important to note that doubts or disbelief may occur for you during your visualization. Do not try to resist or avoid these because like I mentioned earlier, that will just lead to you thinking and focusing on those negative aspects. Instead, let them flow through you, acknowledge, but then return to your positive affirmations and images. Continue to practice getting the feeling that what you desire is real and possible for you to achieve.
*Once you feel the process is complete, you may then choose to create a piece of art work to represent your visualization. You may also choose to write out some of your positive affirmations that you mentally made. Both would be great reminders of what it is you want in your life. They can also serve as reminders to take time often for yourself to go back to visualizing what you want and seeing it occurring for you in the present. You may also gain even more insight from creating a physical representation of your vision.
Continue to utilize creative visualization in your life and you will see the benefits that can occur. I suggest trying to do this every day even if for only 5 minutes. This will lead to a new way of thinking and a new way of doing. If you find yourself being stuck in a stressful or negative thinking cycle about a problem or difficulty, ask yourself if creative visualization could help. However, do not get discouraged if at first you do not feel successful with creative visualization. You may have years of negative thinking cycles that you have to overcome, and it takes time to change any and all habits. Also remember, what works at one time may not work for a different time. Make sure to trust yourself and focus on what feels good for you.
I hope that through this post I am able to inspire you to start setting intentions for your life, allow yourself to visualize exactly what you want, and to give yourself space to be able to seek steps to attain what you want, while stopping a negative thinking cycle from blocking you with reaching that potential life full of happiness and fulfillment.
Furthermore, if you have gained something positive from this post and exercise, I invite you to contact me for a FREE phone consultation so that we can further discuss how I can serve you and guide you. This could be from a face-to-face session, virtual session, or creating you a customized program based on your needs to help you with self-care, improving overall well-being, and finally living the life you desire!!!