point of focus // 3

*warning: there is profanity in this episode, so if listening out loud, fair warning, I drop some f-bombs+.

What has your point of focus has your power.

{Maintaining our humanity amidst the chaos}

How safe we feel, impacts our capacity to show up as our most powerful, expansive, loving and compassionate selves. And where we focus our attention, has our power. So in this episode, I share tools around grounding in this moment, in the presence that is available to us, in the power of our breath and an invitation to sit with and take ownership of what we do have control over. I also share a bit of perspective, in hope that it is empowering for you. Regardless of how this time is affecting you, we have an opportunity to hold loving space for all of what we are feeling in response to the insanity of the world around us, and the potential to transmute the intensity swirling within, into inspired action {instead of distracting/numbing/projecting and taking manic action from a place of fear and avoidance}.

why this message // why today?

Today’s episode was recorded in response to two things that showed up and wove themselves together in my awareness today that kicked me into inspiration and I felt compelled to flow on…

First, inspired by the aftermath i’m seeing unfolding after last nights presidential debate {disclaimer, I didn’t watch it, but the clips i’ve seen told me everything I needed to know about the general vibe and travesty of it all}.

Second, in reflection after an email exchange with a friend and a question/comment about a constant low-grade anxiety she is feeling in her heart space for the past few weeks and her seeking tools/insight for something she can do to support herself as well as some comments she had around where our country could be headed {fear/uncertainty about our safety and stability of the future here in the US}.

...and why I hit record //

I know she is not alone in this. This is a human experience that many are having, in different ways, different circumstances, but anxiety and fear nonetheless. We are grappling with the collective fear that is being pumped into the air supply, and the never-ending uncertainty and frankly a lot of f*ckery —driven by individuals that are afraid and grasping for their own slice of the power pie— that this election cycle is showing itself to be {+ general government/societal structures as a whole but thats a whole other thing}. And then, just to make it "exciting" lets add the beginning stages of a collective awakening— more of us than ever beginning to notice the power and control dynamics we have been operating under; how crappy this way of being actually feels, and how it doesn't support empowered and expansive beings— doesn't support the whole of humanity— and we haven't yet seen enough of the "new" paradigm I spoke about in episode 1 in order to totally unwind from "the way it's been". It's big work, and a process. And, it's a lot… 

In order to create a more beautiful, whole, and soul-filled society/world, we have to find our way back to Self. We have to stop outsourcing our power; we have to disengage in the power struggle out there, and go within. We have to awaken from the illusion that power is finite. And I believe how we find our way back to the humanity of it all, is by first reclaiming our own. As within, so without.

My hope is in sharing this is that you feel seen and validated in whatever you are experiencing, and that you feel met and held in reverence, wherever you are in this moment. And that you are encouraged to take ownership of your energetic “leaks” and reclaiming the power that has been outsourced— enabling you to make more, empowered decisions from a place of conscious choice, instead of reacting and being dragged out of self by the fear of what is outside of your scope of control.

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If you are looking for support in managing, relating to, and shifting the anxiety/fear that has a grip over you, I am here as a guide and support on this coming home journey. For more information on how I serve, and to schedule a call with me, click the button below:

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I hope this can be medicine for your aching and anxious heart during these uncertain times. I am sending so much love and big hugs to you. Thank you for being here, listening in, but also in this life. Your presence matters.

Much love,

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Mentioned during episode:

◆ Brené Brown, “Braving the Wilderness” [excellent book about true belonging, and how to reclaim authentic connection]. Her Netflix special “The Call to Courage” touches on this as well.

◆ It’s #intentional— Dr. Barbara F. Shabazz uses Intentional Activities to help you live your truth. As a Clinical Psychologist, she has spent over 25 years working with clients in therapy and students in the classroom, before opening the 'virtual doors' to her personal and executive coaching practice. Each day she strives to be a balanced and purposeful wife, mother, daughter, friend, and professional. You can find her on Instagram: @dr.bshabazz ; or her website www.intentionalactivities.com.

◆ “What has your point of focus has your power”— Douglas Heel is someone I consider a mentor and brilliant creator of space. My experience with Douglas, when I attended his trainings {I have completed L1+L2 twice} was both confronting and challenging and a powerful catalyst in my own coming home journey. Frankly, his presence changed my life. Douglas’s work, the philosophy/methodology “Be Activated” changed my life personally, through the context he provides about our emotions, physiology and how they relate to one another, and the activations physically performed on me I reclaimed space within that I didn’t even realize I was missing; but also as a practitioner, through witnessing him as a facilitator. I learned how to more effectively create and hold a container, giving others the opportunity to have their own authentic experience. To learn more about Douglas, and his work, visit: https://douglasheel.com/

◆“Our Deepest Fear”

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.

We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us;
It's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

-Marianne Williamson

This episode was recorded September 30, 2020.