11-30-21 I just had 2 clients who shared specific hardships going on in their life. Both I would describe as strong capable people, yet, it was evident that when describing their circumstances they felt overwhelmed and powerless. I shared HeartMath tools with them. Both were blown away to see how easily they could change their perceptions around that life situation by becoming more aware of their feelings in any given moment and, therefore, live their life more peacefully and at ease. I, too, often tend to forget all my strengths and tools when in stressful situations. Indeed, it’s amazing how quickly I am willing to forget that I always have a choice…I can stay in my heart, accessing all its limitless wisdom, following the guidance of its eternal love, or I can look outside myself at what seems to be insurmountable and feel small and powerless against it. Hmmm, when I look at it that way it seems like a no-brainer, but since I have followed the latter path so often from childhood on, it is the path that I habitually fall back onto. There’s a reason it’s been called the path of least resistance. I’d also call it the path of walking through my life as a sleepwalker.

So, many years ago I decided to wake up. And that turned out to be not just a one-time decision; it involves constant waking up. The formula is simple: I forget (I go back to sleep)…I remember (I wake up). I forget that:  within me lies all the help I need, within me is greatness, I am a being of great worth and value and don’t have to feel small. And then I remember that: I am more than my childhood experience and conditioning, I am more than what other people tell me, I deserve to thrive in life and feel ease, and peace and yes, even joy. I forget…I remember. Over and over and over.  It may take me a lifetime to build a new groove, and that’s OK, I have a lifetime.

And part of that evolution seems to be that once I know I have a choice between the two and I find that once again I fell asleep, I blame and shame myself because I knew better and I still fell asleep. So, now it’s not me letting external circumstances or people control and have power over me, it’s me joining the party and beating up on me. It’s time to repeat my mantra: I forget…I remember. That feels so loving and gentle, doesn’t it?!

Right now, join with me in the intention of taking the ongoing plunge into waking up and becoming aware of, and responsibility for, the thoughts and feelings we’re entertaining in any given moment. Then, and only then, we can make a different choice when necessary in order to live the thriving and joyFULL life that is our birthright.