Debbie Ford, in The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse, prepares us for the journey ahead. During this journey we will clean up the past, get honest about the present, and envision a future unlike anything you've ever imagined. This cleanse is designed to purify your mind and emotions and reconnect you with love, states Debbie. At the end of this journey you will be able to see that all you need to satisfy and sustain yourself is already within you; the external world cannot satisfy the longing you have to live at your highest self but by following your inner desire, your highest potential you can find deep inner peace and satisfaction.
Most of us think that having more money or the perfect body will somehow satisfy us enough to feel content inside. Yet, I've noticed, that the more money I make and the skinnier I get, the more money I want and the more weight I want to lose. Debbie has coached many uber successful people and has found that most, if not all, still yearn for an inner peace and contentment that all their money and hot bodies just aren't giving to them. She says to fill this need we need to fill ourselves with love. So, prepare!
Debbie asks, "What is the one feeling you desire to feel most this year? How will you act differently if you were feeling that feeling all the time? How would people around you benefit? What would be different in your world?" I desire to feel inner peace in any situation. I want to feel love for others constantly and I would like to forgive instantly. If I were feeling peace and love I would be a calm, content, happy Charissa. I wouldn't get into so many fights or shed so many tears. I wouldn't second guess myself and my life. I would be a light for others to be around because I would be able to share my good feelings with others. How about you?
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Day 12: The 21 Day Consciousness Cleanse
Debbie Ford in her latest book, The 21 Day Consciousness Cleanse, guides us into living our best life. Oprah.com states that, "The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse is a detox diet for the soul. When you take the time to cleanse your physical body of accumulated stress and toxicity, you are rewarded with increased vitality and optimal health. In the same way, the consciousness cleanse is designed to purify your mind and emotions, bringing you enormous amounts of strength, confidence and deep inner peace. The cleanse is designed to clear away the difficulties of your past—your struggles, stress, hurts and resentments—which may cloud your perception and prevent you from reaching your heart-filled goals.
The consciousness cleanse takes you on a journey of spiritual revitalization that will move your attention from the outside world back to your soul's divine design, the future that you're aching for, whether your breakthrough lies in the financial aspects of your life, a new job, a more inspiring career, an intimate relationship or breaking through the old patterns with someone you love. Maybe the divine design for you is to have a body that you love and the vitality of your youth. Maybe it's time for you to experience more love, more peace, more joy, more happiness or more intimacy. An exciting and inspiring future awaits you beyond the noise in your mind, beyond the guilt, doubt, fear, shame, insecurity and heaviness of the past you carry around." That sounds great to me!
Read along with me as I blog or just catch the highlights on my blog. This book will take 21+ days as the title states to get the full potential this book has to offer.
The consciousness cleanse takes you on a journey of spiritual revitalization that will move your attention from the outside world back to your soul's divine design, the future that you're aching for, whether your breakthrough lies in the financial aspects of your life, a new job, a more inspiring career, an intimate relationship or breaking through the old patterns with someone you love. Maybe the divine design for you is to have a body that you love and the vitality of your youth. Maybe it's time for you to experience more love, more peace, more joy, more happiness or more intimacy. An exciting and inspiring future awaits you beyond the noise in your mind, beyond the guilt, doubt, fear, shame, insecurity and heaviness of the past you carry around." That sounds great to me!
Read along with me as I blog or just catch the highlights on my blog. This book will take 21+ days as the title states to get the full potential this book has to offer.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Day 11: The Secret of The Shadow (Ford, Shadow)
"Hidden in the shadow of our stories is a great secret. This secret holds the key to unleashing our magnificence. Our secret is the keeper of abundant joy, unlimited possibility, and Divine bliss." starts Ford in the last chapter of her book, The Secret of the Shadow. Ford goes on to say that this secret is the power of our true nature. All of the traumas and events in our lives have taught us exactly what we need to know to share our unique wisdom.
To live outside our stories is to be willing to surrender what is known. Without our stories the Universe must be trusted to guide us on our path. We must trust that whatever path the Universe wants us to walk is the right path just for us and to follow it without resistance.
I remember an incident when my mom was having a conversation with her best friend, Linda. I tried to listen to get in on the conversation and to share my thoughts and opinions. I was only 6 years old and what I had to say didn't quite fit into the maturity of the conversation but I still tried. My mom told me that she was having an adult conversation and that when I'm older I could join in. I got the idea in my head that my thoughts, opinions, and ideas didn't matter. Looking back, I'm constantly trying to include everyone in on any conversation that I'm having. I will purposefully silence myself to hear others and make them feel included; that their thoughts, opinions and ideas matter. I've noticed this is actually a great gift and one that most people struggle with. The secret to this gift that I am ready to reveal is that I do have great thoughts, opinions and ideas and it's time for me to share them with the world. Thanks Debbie!
To live outside our stories is to be willing to surrender what is known. Without our stories the Universe must be trusted to guide us on our path. We must trust that whatever path the Universe wants us to walk is the right path just for us and to follow it without resistance.
I remember an incident when my mom was having a conversation with her best friend, Linda. I tried to listen to get in on the conversation and to share my thoughts and opinions. I was only 6 years old and what I had to say didn't quite fit into the maturity of the conversation but I still tried. My mom told me that she was having an adult conversation and that when I'm older I could join in. I got the idea in my head that my thoughts, opinions, and ideas didn't matter. Looking back, I'm constantly trying to include everyone in on any conversation that I'm having. I will purposefully silence myself to hear others and make them feel included; that their thoughts, opinions and ideas matter. I've noticed this is actually a great gift and one that most people struggle with. The secret to this gift that I am ready to reveal is that I do have great thoughts, opinions and ideas and it's time for me to share them with the world. Thanks Debbie!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Day 10: Living Outside Your Story (Ford, Shadow)
Debbie, in The Secret of the Shadow explains that living inside of our story will only bring us fear and limitations. We need to live outside of our story to experience all the possibilities. This way there is no wanting. There is an inner knowing that the Universe will take you wherever you need to go; that everything will unfold in it's divine order. This way you can bask in excitement, joy, abundance, trust etc. says Debbie. Why wouldn't we want that?
We need to step out of our story ("shadow box") by recognizing it. When negative thoughts start creeping in such as "I'm not smart enough." or "I'm not pretty enough." we need to recognize that this is our story and we don't have to live in it. We can change it around. Our stories only survive when we act them out and give them attention. Debbie says that every time you recognize you are in your story repeat, "Oh, I'm in my story. Thank you for the thought but right now I am choosing a different, positive thought that is outside my story." For example, I think I'm not smart enough when someone tries to correct me on a task. Instead of getting defensive, next time, I will repeat this phrase and realize that I am smart and that being taught a better or a different way is only improving my life. And wow, someone wants to take their time to teach me. Cool!
To step outside our stories ("When you're thinking about God, you're not thinking about your problems."):
1. Ask the people who were involved in your emotional traumas to give you their version of your story.
2. Rewrite your story as though you were an eternal optimist who could see only the light side of your drama.
3. Learn to recognize clearly when you have stepped back inside your story. Write down ten feelings, thoughts, and habits you engage in when you are inside your story and when you are outside your story.
We need to step out of our story ("shadow box") by recognizing it. When negative thoughts start creeping in such as "I'm not smart enough." or "I'm not pretty enough." we need to recognize that this is our story and we don't have to live in it. We can change it around. Our stories only survive when we act them out and give them attention. Debbie says that every time you recognize you are in your story repeat, "Oh, I'm in my story. Thank you for the thought but right now I am choosing a different, positive thought that is outside my story." For example, I think I'm not smart enough when someone tries to correct me on a task. Instead of getting defensive, next time, I will repeat this phrase and realize that I am smart and that being taught a better or a different way is only improving my life. And wow, someone wants to take their time to teach me. Cool!
To step outside our stories ("When you're thinking about God, you're not thinking about your problems."):
1. Ask the people who were involved in your emotional traumas to give you their version of your story.
2. Rewrite your story as though you were an eternal optimist who could see only the light side of your drama.
3. Learn to recognize clearly when you have stepped back inside your story. Write down ten feelings, thoughts, and habits you engage in when you are inside your story and when you are outside your story.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Day 9: How to use your uniqe recipe (Ford, Shadow)
Ford, in The Secret of your Shadow, has been teaching us that our story gives us our exact purpose in this life. By looking into our story we can see how all the pieces of our lives have worked together to give us our unique contribution. Every drama and experience happened to you for a reason. Now, you can ask yourself why something happened and what it is supposed to teach you. Lastly, how you can you use what you learned for your unique purpose?
A part of my story is the struggle I've had with my emotions. Every month (due to my femaleness) my mind takes over and starts thinking negatively. Thoughts such as, "Why is Nate ignoring me?" Even though he is behaving as any other day of the month. I've struggled with these out-of-control emotions for years. In order to gain from my story I need to look at the purpose of this experience. Just this weekend I learned that I need to focus on all the good things that Nate does for me such as holding my hand, laughing at my not so funny jokes and telling me I look nice instead of focusing on what he isn't doing. I actually was doing this and putting myself in a bad.mood. Ha! This is now a piece of wisdom I can share with others. This lesson is apart of my unique story so I can help others to cope with their emotions.
How to extract your specialty:
1. Make a list of the significant experiences of your life, including your tramas, victories, loves, losses, successes, and humiliations.
2. Look for the common theme or themes that each of these events shares.
3. Ask yourself, "If I were going to teach a college class based on the incidents of my past, what would the name of my course be?"
"Our specialty is our unique recipe, the sum total of our life's experiences." Debbie Ford
A part of my story is the struggle I've had with my emotions. Every month (due to my femaleness) my mind takes over and starts thinking negatively. Thoughts such as, "Why is Nate ignoring me?" Even though he is behaving as any other day of the month. I've struggled with these out-of-control emotions for years. In order to gain from my story I need to look at the purpose of this experience. Just this weekend I learned that I need to focus on all the good things that Nate does for me such as holding my hand, laughing at my not so funny jokes and telling me I look nice instead of focusing on what he isn't doing. I actually was doing this and putting myself in a bad.mood. Ha! This is now a piece of wisdom I can share with others. This lesson is apart of my unique story so I can help others to cope with their emotions.
How to extract your specialty:
1. Make a list of the significant experiences of your life, including your tramas, victories, loves, losses, successes, and humiliations.
2. Look for the common theme or themes that each of these events shares.
3. Ask yourself, "If I were going to teach a college class based on the incidents of my past, what would the name of my course be?"
"Our specialty is our unique recipe, the sum total of our life's experiences." Debbie Ford
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Day 8: Making Peace with Your Story (Ford, Shadow)
Many of us hold onto past mistakes and resentments. This is only hurting us and our present lives. As humans we continually punish ourselves instead of moving on and living the lives we deserve, without blame or hesitations. Ford, in The Secret of Your Shadow, explains that we first need to forgive ourselves to move on. This can only happen "when we relax into the vulnerability of our humanity and find compassion for our own internal struggles." It has always been a guarantee for the human race that we will make mistakes. It wasn't a guarantee that we should beat ourselves up for it. Not at one moment were we ever expected by our creator to be perfect. This life is about learning and creating healthy, forgiving relationships with ourselves and others. Why not forgive yourself?
Ford also says that we need to resolve any unfinished business. My mom did a lot for me while I was growing up and I put her through a lot. I feel that I need to repay her. In order to balance the scales I will. I've decided to spend more quality time with her. Others may have stolen something from work and feel unresolved about it. They could call their old employer and try to repay what they took. In this way we are rebalancing our internal scales and resolving any unfinished business. This is also vital to making peace with our story. What past things have you done that you still feel uneasy about? How can you balance your internal scales?
Ford also says that we need to resolve any unfinished business. My mom did a lot for me while I was growing up and I put her through a lot. I feel that I need to repay her. In order to balance the scales I will. I've decided to spend more quality time with her. Others may have stolen something from work and feel unresolved about it. They could call their old employer and try to repay what they took. In this way we are rebalancing our internal scales and resolving any unfinished business. This is also vital to making peace with our story. What past things have you done that you still feel uneasy about? How can you balance your internal scales?
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Day 7: Making the Transformation from Victim to Empowered being
Ford, in The Secret of your Shadow, has 7 steps to transforming you from being a victim to being empowered. Staying in the victim role serves only a self-defeating purpose. Being empowered aids us in living our life with purpose and pleasure.
1. Unconceal the issue or emotional wound that is currently causing you pain. This is something that is occurring now like a difficult relationship or a financial crisis. Ask,"how does this make me feel?"
2. Close your eyes and ask yourself, "When have I felt these same feelings before? What incident from my past does this remind me of?" View the.incident that comes to mind.
3. Ask yourself, "What did I make this event mean about me?" Dd it empower me or disempower me?
4. List the behaviors and recurrent patterns that have resulted from this decision. If you labeled yourself unlovable or not good enough then look for experiences that have validated that decision.
5. Look at who you blame for the limiting decision you made about yourself and whom you get to make wrong for all that has happened to you as a result of that decision. List all the ways you have proven you were right and made the other person wrong. Whom are you getting back at when this theme replays itself?
6. Close your eyes and ask yourself, "What needs to happen for me to heal this incident?" Is there something you need to say or have someone say to you to feel complete? Write it out to help process your feelings or write a letter to the person involved.
7. Uncover the gifts this incident has given you. Make a list of everything you have gained because of this. Once we find the gifts we can begin to heal because we can see how these events were a blessing instead of a reason to be resentful toward others and ourselves.
1. Unconceal the issue or emotional wound that is currently causing you pain. This is something that is occurring now like a difficult relationship or a financial crisis. Ask,"how does this make me feel?"
2. Close your eyes and ask yourself, "When have I felt these same feelings before? What incident from my past does this remind me of?" View the.incident that comes to mind.
3. Ask yourself, "What did I make this event mean about me?" Dd it empower me or disempower me?
4. List the behaviors and recurrent patterns that have resulted from this decision. If you labeled yourself unlovable or not good enough then look for experiences that have validated that decision.
5. Look at who you blame for the limiting decision you made about yourself and whom you get to make wrong for all that has happened to you as a result of that decision. List all the ways you have proven you were right and made the other person wrong. Whom are you getting back at when this theme replays itself?
6. Close your eyes and ask yourself, "What needs to happen for me to heal this incident?" Is there something you need to say or have someone say to you to feel complete? Write it out to help process your feelings or write a letter to the person involved.
7. Uncover the gifts this incident has given you. Make a list of everything you have gained because of this. Once we find the gifts we can begin to heal because we can see how these events were a blessing instead of a reason to be resentful toward others and ourselves.
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