Dear Intuitive Seeker –
This past 18 months has been crazy for so many of us. You may have lost a job, or have kids you’re trying to home school, or been impacted by the pandemic in many subtle and not-so-subtle ways. None of us has ever been through this before!
I understand that I’m not exempt from life crises, pandemics and the vagaries of life. However, I write books and speak on the topic of creating a life you love. I realized I was telling myself, “I’m not supposed to be stressed!” Which only added to my stress. (What can I say? I’m human!)
It seems like a badge of honor these days to claim to be “crazy busy.” But when did that get to be a good thing?! One day I found myself so frazzled and overwhelmed I decided to do what I tell my clients to do. Meditate.
At first my mind was jumping around thinking of everything I wasn’t accomplishing on my “to do” list. I would think, “Slow down. Ommm...”
My brain would reply, “Remember to buy bananas, change the cat litter, return the call from the client who wants to change her appointment.” On and on the battle went. This was not producing the relaxation response I was seeking.
The Wisdom of the Inner Voice
Finally, after about ten minutes of struggle, something happened. I can only describe it as a wave of peace. The constant brain chatter stopped, and I felt like I was wrapped in a bubble of love and compassion. I continued to sit there almost in tears. Then I heard a voice. It said, “Lynn, let life be easy.”
I could feel a bit of defensiveness rise up in me. “But I have things to do! I have places to be! People are counting on me! What do you mean by “easy?!”
Again, the voice said, “Let life be easy.” All at once, I saw how stressed I had been. I became aware that all of the rushing around and carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders was no longer working. I saw then that I was pushing against the flow of life. I also understood that I couldn’t operate that way any longer.
Intuition often communicates through this inner voice. It also comes as an “aha moment” where you have an instant knowing about a situation. Part of the message I received was that God, (the Universe, Infinite Wisdom) was on my side. That our default position in life is health, love, prosperity, compassion and joy. When we are out of this flow of energy, we experience what was occurring in my life: stress, overwhelm and exhaustion. I needed to remember that life could be easy.
Here are four ideas to create ease and flow that came to me during my meditation:
1) Try This Powerful Spiritual Technique
Write a letter to God (Universe, Higher Self) describing your concerns and worries. Write it as if you’re talking with a good friend and sharing your concerns. Pour out your worries, fears and anxieties on the page.
Then go a step further. Make a specific request of God to help you in a certain way. Yours might be “Help me to feel calm.” If you’re worried about money, write “I am open to prosperity and abundance.” If you’re worried about a relationship, write “Please restore harmony and love between us.”
Add the words, “…if this is in my highest interest.” I like to think God wants to help us with our specific concerns and will assist us in unique ways that we could never have come up with on our own. Put these requests in a small box on your desk or nightstand. I label mine with the words “Surrender Box.”
I figure that the Power that created the Universe and all its inhabitants will certainly know how to assist each of us in an easy and effortless way.
2) Close Your Eyes and Listen
This one is deceptively simple. However, if you’re overwhelmed, you need something easy. When you find yourself feeling anxious and irritable, stop what you’re doing, close your eyes and take several slow, deep breaths. You may find it even more helpful to put your hand over your heart. It has a calming effect.
As you open the spaciousness of mind and heart for a change of perspective, ask yourself, “What would be helpful right now?” Listen for your intuition — the whisper of your inner voice. It may also come as a feeling, an image or a physical sensation. What answer do you receive? What step could you take based on this wisdom?
3) Choose a Calming Phrase
When you’re feeling agitated and anxious, it may help to bring to mind a line in the book A Course in Miracles, which says, “I could choose peace instead of this.” Take a few deep, calming breaths and ask yourself, “How else could I be thinking about this?” or “What would bring me peace in this situation?” Sometimes the best thing to say is the simplest, “This too shall pass.” Or, “It’s okay. I can deal with this.” Or my new favorite, “I’m willing to let this be easy.”
If a spiritual approach is comforting to you, simple phrases or mantras may be helpful to keep you centered and connected to Spirit. Here are some examples:
I am loved, protected and safe.
I feel Divine peace flowing through me now.
Peace be with me and also with you.
Everything is okay. I slow down and appreciate all that I have.
4) Accept Things as They Are
Overwhelm often comes when we want things to be different from the way they are. Cultivate a sense of gratitude for what life brings to you. Whether you’re feeling panicked by deadlines at work, homework with the kids, or your upcoming doctor visit, it pays to bring awareness back to the matter at hand. It makes the task feel more achievable.
I like this quote from Douglas Bloch, who wrote, "As you begin to live in the present moment, you will experience a subtle but profound change. Worrying about the future will cease. A deep peace will enfold you, a peace that says, all is well. There is nothing to fear. Everything is unfolding according to plan, and you are being guided each step along the way.”
