Revitalize your mental drainage system with these tips to think clearly and have a productive day.

A friend was at my home recently helping me with a house project and he noticed one of my plants. He said, “this type of plant loves to be soaked with water, but you have to drain it,” as he picked it up and showed me the solid bottom trapping the water.  “If you don’t let it drain, the roots will rot from too much water.” The plant was in a container with holes sitting inside another container without holes and insufficient room to drain, so, I pulled it out, soaked it, and placed it on a plate to let it drain.

My friend was right. Two of the shoots rotted a few weeks ago so I had to pull them out and throw them away.

This same natural principle can be applied to understanding the mind and our energy systems. Many of us thrive on new ideas, being with others, life experiences, e-mail, Internet, social networks, etc.  We are constantly watering ourselves. Although many minerals and gems can be found in this watering process, it can be hard to see them at times when there is so much at once.

I physically experienced this a few weeks ago as I repelled down the middle of a waterfall in Costa Rica. The water splashed in my face so much that I could barely see. I had to close my eyes for a second to get my focus, feel my feet on the rock and pull the rope so I could inch down away from the heavy flow portion of the waterfall. A sigh of relief and rush of joy ran through me as I moved away from it but could still see it and appreciate its beauty from a short distance.

Sometimes we get so inundated with information, activities, and opportunities, it makes us feel pressure in the upper part of our body since we receive much of the information with our heads (eyes/ears/nose) and begin to synthesize it in our minds. The resulting pressure of anxiety or a feeling of being overwhelmed results when the “water” gets trapped without a built in drain mechanism to allow for free flow.  All of the sudden, we have a whole list of “to-do’s, I must’s and I have to’s” and feel stuck in the now wondering how we will get them all done.  

Underlying this pressure is often the thought, “I don’t have enough time.” How many times a day or week are you saying this to yourself deep down or to others? It doesn’t feel good when you think that there’s not enough time, does it?

Our society thrives on the underlying illusion that there is not enough time, perhaps because we feel pressure to do it then or to do it all, but when you close your eyes and inch the rope down a little, away from the raging part of the waterfall, can you look out at the beautiful view and see the bigger picture that there truly is enough time? Breathe in this truth, and exhale the scarcity view because time is not really the problem.

When you take a moment to soak in the bigger picture, remember there are many of these moments…one right after the other. Just because you are aware of a number of great ideas and opportunities doesn’t mean that you have to do all of them in the moment that you learn of them or ever.  Write them down and take five minutes to relax so you can determine a priority list that feels good and not pressured. Pay close attention to how you feel as you consider each one and commit to the ones that feel good in the time that feels right.

Then, intently focus and be in the moment as you do them--one at a time. Move those feet down the rock and inch down the rope, one step at a time. Be open to the possibilities and opportunities along the way, creating a balance between focusing on what you have and know and allowing new information and thoughts to enter.

Our cells hold thoughts, so we feel bad when we think negative thoughts that conflict with our true selves (that know that all is well), and we feel good when we are in alignment with our truth. This is also why we can exercise or stretch (and a number of other physical activities) to clear our minds…to drain the excess “water” in order to cultivate a strong root system.

Since it’s not always convenient to exercise when we need it most (perhaps sitting in front of our computers), here are three tips to get your drainage system working efficiently:

1)    Since we can change our systems and how we feel by changing our thoughts, take time to deeply inhale in the truth that says “there is enough time” and exhale out any thought that time is scarce. Continue for one minute or more.

2)    Since we can change our thoughts by clearing our systems, try clearing your belt flow (we often hold emotions and old negative beliefs in our solar plexus, or the area above your belly button), which causes a blockage in the drainage system, resulting in anxiety or pressure up top; hence, the thoughts/energy can’t move down:

a.     Put one hand on your solar plexus (above the belly button), one hand over that hand, so your arms wrap around your mid-section rib area.  Bring your elbows into your sides, hold tightly and then hold your breath for as long as you can before getting dizzy. Release your breath and the hold.  Repeat three more times.

                                               i.     You should feel a little energy in your feet, which signals that the “water” is draining.

                                              ii.     You should also feel lighter in the chest area.

                                             iii.     Notice that you can think much clearer.

b.    Do this as many times as you feel the need--every day--to create a habit of processing life as it relates to your ideas, opportunities, commitments, situations, conflicts, etc. It helps you to LET GO.

c.     This can also help relieve headaches and muscle spasms and improve memory, as it sends oxygen to the cells of the body.

3)    Clean out your e-mail inbox: sort the e-mails you need to keep in folders and delete anything you no longer need.  Only save pending items that you plan to address in your inbox or special folder. This will give you focus and is one step that will help you see that there is indeed enough time. This process is very clearing on many levels. If you can’t do it in one sitting, set aside a little time each day and notice the relief that comes.

Want to learn more?

Hypnosis works effectively to help you replace old clogging illusions that no longer serve you with positive thoughts. Hypnosis is not as mystical as some people might think. In fact, you are already doing it on your own for most of your day. Any time you tap into your creative mind, you are in a state of hypnosis—likened to being in the zone or day-dreaming.

Hypnotherapy merely helps you to tap into your creative brain around a topic or goal, replacing illusions with more positive, productive thoughts, which become a creative reality. It is important to engage in this type of process in order to move forward and create a better and lasting root system that is healthy and supportive.

To book a session, call (202) 709-6013 or email laura@bridgenosis.com.

How Valentine’s Day can make your life and your profession more efficient, fun and fulfilling…when you look at it in this light.

Take a moment to think about Valentine’s Day and notice what emotions and thoughts come up for you. If you feel complete joy and peace or even neutrality in your heart, then bask in it and read on (after the first bullet points) to remember why you feel so good and how you might apply it to other areas of your life. If you feel tense, annoyed, irritated, angry, sad, anxious, guilty, neglected, embarrassed, worried or fearful, keep reading.

Valentine’s Day is a day centered on romance (although many of us grew up giving Valentines to our friends and family as well). Most of us associate opening our hearts and Valentine’s Day with connecting to others and outward expressions of love. If you are feeling any negative emotions about this, it’s difficult to feel love/peace or express love, so let’s dissect it and shift to a better-feeling place, from calling for love (which is what we do when we aren’t feeling it) to being love (which is ultimately the only way to feel love).

Here’s a list of thoughts that may be interfering with your ability to feel good:

·      Sad or Fearful: I don’t have a romantic relationship now, so this may mean I’m unlovable or worst yet, I may never find my “one." My valentine is far away.

·      Worry or Tense or Anxious: I’m in a new relationship, and I don’t know what to get them…worry thoughts about not giving enough or giving too much emerge.  What if I like them more than they like me or vice-versa?

·      Embarrassed or Neglected: That you gave and they didn’t give you anything. Either because they forgot or didn’t feel ready to acknowledge the holiday with you or they ran out of time. Or, maybe you forgot, so are embarrassed. Or, maybe they planned to break things off…

·      Guilty or Irritated or Annoyed: I’m in a dying relationship, and I feel bad about ending it so close to Valentine’s Day  (before or after), and I’m not feeling a strong connection but feel an obligation to buy that token gift because they are a good person. You love them still but not like the way you once thought. You wish it wasn’t V-Day so you could ignore this fact.

·      Angry: You forgot and you are mad at yourself. You only got a card. You wanted roses but got flowers or chocolate. You have to work late or your Valentine has to work late so you can’t do anything special that day. You wish they would treat you like you are special year around…Valentine’s Day is stupid since we should be doing this every day or because it is a waste of time.

·      Bored: Maybe deep down, if you’re really honest, the holiday bores you because you’ve been there and done that and you and your partner are pretty comfortable with each other. You kind of wish you felt a little more passion about the day.

If any of these thoughts (or similar ones) resonate with you, stop thinking them for a moment. The truth is that what happens or doesn’t happen on Valentine’s Day only has the meaning you give it. We all have the capacity to feel love or inner-peace at any given moment, even every moment, if we choose. If you wait for something particular to happen (someone else to do or say something, to achieve a goal, to receive something, to give something, to say or do something, to meet someone, to leave someone, to start something, to end something, to be something, etc.) before you can feel that inner-peace, that “I’m awesome just because I feel like feeling awesome,” that joy for just being, then you may be waiting a long time. Or, perhaps you are only allowing it in spurts as the conditions are met.

This is not to say that you shouldn’t have goals, visions, desires, outward connections, actions, etc. These external factors play a role in living a fulfilling life, but they are not a source of joy/peace. We have to go inward for that, which is explains why a day at the beach, a vacation, or a run along the river can result in peace and joy.  It’s not the location or action that causes us to be love. Rather, we reconnect with who we really are when we strip away our outward interactions during these moments, and then we find peace. Take the time to do this where you are…don’t wait for a vacation or time of day.

Since peace comes from within, whatever your situation is today, allow yourself to feel peace. Stop with the excuses. Take a second to consciously breath deeply and remember that truth-that you have the capacity to feel love anywhere, anytime, around anyone. Connect to the infinite part of you that is not limited to time or space or any of the thousands of conditions/excuses we have created. The truth that trumps the scenarios above:

·      Of course you are loveable. What does having a Valentine have to do with that? Love yourself however you are today.  Be confident as you look around at all the happy couples that it’s possible for you to create that too, but don’t wait for it to feel good. Feel good now. Feel good even if you can't be with your Valentine today.

·      So what if you like someone more or they like you more? It doesn’t have to mean anything when you know that we all have this capacity to be and feel love for ourselves regardless of what gift is bought. Take a breath and let your intuition guide you to the best course of action. 

·      Be proud of who you are and give yourself some attention. When you give yourself attention, it will be impossible for you to feel neglected by someone else’s lack or embarrassed.

·      Trust that the other person can find love the same way you can. Don’t play into anything different. It’s a trick. It’s an illusion. Guilt can be such a thief…reach into your heart for a solution. V-Day doesn’t have to be for romantic love. You can show appreciation if you still feel some however feels right. Trust what feels right. Do that.

·      Gain control by remembering the true source of love and then allow yourself to feel it. Nothing else matters. Commit to doing this regularly, and you won’t feel angry even if you forget to cross your T’s.  Let go and forgive yourself for not doing this a moment ago so you don’t waste another moment. For those holding your breath because you think that if you start to feel good, something bad will happen, just let go. Feeling good is never the cause. 

·      If you turn inward regularly to feel good, you will never feel bored. 

Take this relaxed feeling and apply it to any topics or tasks that are before you. Notice the thoughts that come to you in this state. Notice the inspiration as you allow a new perspective to take hold. Remember that we all have this capacity to feel good by being the love that we want and that if we make it our overarching goal to be love, then there won’t be a need to call for love. Notice how efficient we become when we aren’t wasting our time calling for love because we are committed to feeling love no matter what.

To learn more ways to feel good wherever you are:

·      Schedule a Bridgenosis appointment or complimentary pre-consultation by calling (202) 709-6013 or email laura@bridgenosis.com www.bridgenosis.com (In person, SKYPE, and phone hypnotherapy appointments)