Category: Self Discovery

Apr11

The Antidote to Stuckness

by Cheryl Brewster

How do you feel about your stuckness?

Are you like me? Where I feel stuck is in how I judge my stuckness. Intellectually I know that stuckness is an inevitable part of life. But oh, if I’m not paying attention, how I can get caught up in hating it! I hate it because of how it makes me feel; ineffective, weak, lacking, ridiculous, hypercritical – ugh – it just feels awful! How many of us are feeling stuck with the changes that the Covid-19 virus has precipitated?

Asking productive questions to catch the blind spots of habit is a powerful antidote. If I could develop ways of catching myself when I start sinking down into the depths of despair, think of the freedom that could take place! If I used how I judged myself as a path to greater awareness, I would be practicing transcendence, the art of spiritual awakening and just plain common sense. I would be mastering the ABCs of Intuition as a form of energy management and accomplish what my heart really, truly desires, no matter what the circumstances around me.

To use pain as a productive tool of transformation defies the conditioning, apathy, stupor, even the stupidity of mankind – it calls out the deprivation that would seek to harm and vanquish the very real battle we each face in determining, will my life stand for something meaningful or will I just “surface-live” because it’s more convenient? The ultimate question, really is, will I live my life for good or for evil? Evil is a lack of love, a diminishing of life, an ignorance that demands power and control at the expense of anyone and anything else. So here we are, over the past few weeks, facing the harsh reality of a species on the brink of possible cataclysmic failure if we do not wake up, and drop our individual and collective apathy on one side and need for control on the other.

Every single one of us needs to wake up. Many of us are, yet this one thing remains… the call to drop the judgment that keeps us prisoner to suppression of our personal authentic power.

Evil is the word “Live” spelled backwards. Judging our stuckness sends us straight to experiencing hell on earth – to the irrational acronym of G-U-I-L-T: Gut-wrenching, Useless, Insidious, Lies (and) Torment.

I refuse to contribute one second longer to the virus eating away at the sanctity of mankind. Yes, I will wash my hands; and just as importantly; I will wash my mind and my emotions of disempowering, harmful voices. I will take my stand and re-frame stuckness as the Law of Opposites at play; part of the natural rhythm of life. Instead of labeling stuckness as some horrible, terrible thing, I will choose to see it as the very important impasse or right of passage that creates and grooms a new way of thinking and being in this world. Stuckness is a part of the evolutionary phase that begs the question, will I react with judgment and condemnation or will I use it to rise into a higher consciousness? What could happen if stuckness was showing me something new that I hadn’t seen before? What if stuckness is nature’s way of saying there’s a better way? And isn’t that what’s facing us on rebuilding our lives and economy during and post corona virus? Isn’t the whole message one of coming back to what’s most important? And doesn’t that point us back to values that stand the test of time and a connecting back into community; that authentic sense of self and togetherness that ensures innovation, creativity and cooperation for a healthier planet and world?

Oh! The relief that comes with the release of the need to fight, to struggle, to continually feel defeated by inner and outer challenge!

In contemplating this in mediation, I had a vision of St. Francis of Assisi who reminded me that all great leaders have learned this one very important thing – to use stuckness as a catalyst for powerful, important change. Judgment and self-condemnation leading to “less than” thinking, is the virus that has been bred into us for centuries. It is the need for power and control, manipulation and economics that twist moral values, where consumerism has replaced the God of our hearts.

Let us rip away the twin masks of blame and shame and mirror instead, the possibilities of life, healing, innovation and progress that exist through challenges and obstacles. We live in a world that so desperately needs to come back to sanity. By choosing love as a commitment and principle to live by, no matter what, we can then practice the very important Stoic philosophy of “Amor Fati,” which means to embrace fate, to accept the reality of what is and productively use all adversity and obstacles as fuel for the fire of our potential!

So how you do you feel about your stuckness? Will it feed your potential rather than smother it? Will you join me in blessing it and practicing the message of the Easter Story; the message of forgiveness, death to apathy on one side and ego-control on the other? Will you join me in the most courageous act possible; the one of self-forgiveness that leads to loving the self as much as the Divine within? If not now, when? How much longer do we need to wait?

“Your Intention to Love, no matter what, is the absolute Key to Happiness” – Robert Holden

It’s so important that we use stuckness as the opportunity that it provides; to become aware of our negativity in judging it and therefore make the switch back to sanity; to positive reinforcement and the invitation to overcome through the transcendent power of love.

Negative self-accusations and questions lead us straight to creating Hell as our personal reality. As author Robert Holden pointed out in his book Happiness “Now, in H.E.L.L., all the letters stand alone: (the) Horrific Effect (of not enough) Love (and) Laughter, (waiting to be undone). In H.E.A.V.E.N. all the letters stand together: Happiness (next to) Eternity; Abundance, Vision, (and) Ease (joined to) Now (as one).”

In this pandemic we have the opportunity and responsibility to stop creating hell on earth and literally create a new earth. It will come by our individual and collective willingness to be live in deeper alignment with the laws of nature and spirituality – the law of love in action. As WW2 concentration camp survivor Victor Frankl noted, “the last of human freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

Choose well. Choose to use your own personal stuckness not as a stopping place, but a stepping stone into an attitude of grace, faith, fortitude and victory. Take Your Stand for what Inspires you and do it. Take Your Stand for what Empowers you and do it. Take Your Stand for values born out of compassion rather than consumerism. Forgive your past mistakes, embrace the wisdom they birthed, and step into a future with a fortified sense of commitment, compassion and vision. In the words of Albert Camus, find that invincible summer within yourself, that has the strength to hold the winter. Take Your Stand. There is a power inside of you that can and will handle anything thrown its way. Aware, Breathe, Connect to the Heart. We were born for these times, let us navigate them as nature intended. Let us transcend and live from this place of inner freedom that defies any and all attempts to vanquish it. Like the Easter Story, let us rise again… yes, let us rise! Intuition leads the way…. follow it.

Call to Action: Make the switch from the inner hyper-critical judge to the observer mind that sees the bigger picture. Observe your life like a movie…. what could happen in this moment by committing to love rather than fear? Notice the options that surface and choose that better feeling thought to make a new choice that empowers. This is your fork in the road. It’s in the tiniest of decisions and attitude adjustments that show us the way back home.

Inspiration: Canadian Choir of Women Physicians sings RISE AGAIN (virtually)

Rev. Cheryl Brewster, B.Msc.
I empower individuals and organizations to stay inspired and keep moving forward in positive, productive ways, no matter what changes, challenges or adversities they may face.

Personal and Business Intuitive, Consultant/Training/Keynotes/ specializing in:
Intuition in Business, Radical Joy through Conflict Resolution/Communication/
Resiliency Skills, Ordained Minister/Wedding Officiant and Life Celebrant

Apr19

The Obstacle is the Way: When Challenge Becomes Inspiration

by Cheryl Brewster

Feeling discouraged or overwhelmed with life’s challenges? Try this… it works! Amor Fati  is a term from Stoic philosophy that is an absolute lifesaver. It means to embrace your fate… to make the best out of anything that happens, treating each and every moment—no matter how challenging—as something to be embraced, not avoided. To not only be okay with it, but love it and be better for it, so that like oxygen to a fire, obstacles and adversity become fuel for our potential.

The whole idea of Stoic philosophy is based on the word virtue, which is another word for strength, by living in alignment with nature.  In my experience, a critical prerequisite that makes the idea of amor fati even remotely possible, is self-compassion. If you are highly intuitive, empathic, a caregiver, emotionally sensitive, have experienced trauma or have a  tendency to avoid conflict, (sounds like all of us), this is especially important. When faced with challenge, our biology can take over and the amygdala part of our brain takes us straight into fight, flight or freeze. We lose the ability to intuit or think clearly. We put ourselves at risk for losing rational thought by either going numb and shutting down, or blowing up and blowing things out of proportion.  It’s pretty hard to practice amor fati, when all this is going on! It’s called an “amygdala hijack.”

Science defines this hijack of our limbic system,  as an immediate, overwhelming emotional response that comes with a later realization: that the response was inappropriately strong given the trigger. Compassion for self helps to create a pattern interrupt in this biological, chemical explosion… it says, wait a minute, you’re getting upset, what’s going on here, what unmet needs are asking for attention right now, what do you need? This is a form of amor fati… redirecting overwhelm into something more constructive.

Stop the Amygdala Hijack in its Tracks!
  1. Know the signs: Get familiar with the the body sensations that indicate something’s coming up (like a racing heart, sweaty palms, that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, dizziness, etc.)
  2. Take 3 relaxed breaths to chill – it takes approximately six seconds for the chemicals spewing out from the amygdala to dissipate
  3. Your hand on your heart prompts the release of the oxytocyn, an anti-stress hormone that lowers, blood pressure and cortisol levels
  4. Re-frame uncomfortable feelings by seeing them as chemical reactions taking place in the body; don’t judge! Part of what gets us into trouble, keeping us stuck in these emotional vortexes is self-blame. Of course you have emotional triggers… they are a part of your biology. Use compassion to give them a safe place to land. They’re allowed to be here, even if (especially if) you don’t like them. With kindness rather than judgement, the tidal wave of emotion begins to  dissipate, the overcharged amygdala calms down, so sound reasoning and intuition can be accessed once again. It takes time, but it works. Besides, nothing is more rewarding than transforming chronic worry, anxiety or irrational guilt and thinking distortions.
  5. Create some time for evaluation: sit down and engage your logic with writing – the logical brain wants to help sort through the situation – make a list of what you’ve learned about yourself, and how you can apply insights for future application
  6. Keep practicing being okay with what is, without wanting it to be any different. When we adopt the duo of self-compassion and amor fati as a lifestyle change, we stay more present, enjoying life, and being empowered by it, even when it’s difficult. We work with what we can control, rather than exhausting ourselves with what we can’t. We reverse energy drains to energy gains, and that’s hugely important, to stay on the pathway of living our potential no matter what the circumstances.

This is a game-changer; What a way to live and work… when challenge becomes inspiration and stays that way! Empowerment is strength, the outcome of living in alignment with nature, sound reasoning and your intuition. Contact me if this blog has stirred questions or insights for you or your work teams. By converting challenge to inspiration, we empower individuals and workplaces with resiliency, vision and team work.

“Disempowerment is the nemesis of intuition because it allows the subconscious to protect you from the truths you need to be listening for. Alternatively, when you practice empowerment, your intuitive information will follow in abundance.” – Laura Day

Rev. Cheryl Brewster, B.Msc.
I empower individuals and organizations to stay inspired and keep moving forward in positive, productive ways, no matter what changes, challenges or adversities they may face.

Personal and Business Intuitive, Consultant/Training/Keynotes/ specializing in:
Intuition in Business, Radical Joy through Conflict Resolution/Communication/
Resiliency Skills, Ordained Minister/Wedding Officiant and Life Celebrant

 

 

 

Nov26

Radical Joy: Embracing Your Shadow part 1

by Cheryl Brewster

Ugh. There are parts of life that we just don’t like. And they will always reflect parts of “US” that we don’t like. The parts that we have repressed, suppressed and denied, tucked away where we can’t see, so we don’t have to deal with them. All those parts of us that we’ll address another day, when we have more time; when there’s not so much going on. But one day, suddenly, much to our  horror… we’re stopped. Dead. Our creative genius, the energy behind peace, purpose and productivity goes on strike.

Has this ever happened to you? You’re bopping along, doing just fine. Or think you are. Sure, there are some things you need to change, but it’s just not convenient to deal with them right now, so you carry on. Until suddenly, your creative genius says, “that’s it, nothing more until you look at this!”  It’s the weirdest, most uncomfortable feeling in the world. Not understanding why you feel so immobilized, just knowing that you do, your gut is telling you that you can’t afford to ignore this any longer. What? Slow down? Change gears? Do something different? That’s the very last thing you want to do. You want to shake this feeling, bust out of the weirdness of this no-man’s land, this twilight zone, and get back into action and finish your important projects. Ah, but those projects driven by your creative genius, have undergone the ultimate mutiny… they’ve been abandoned, and you’re left behind, holding the empty bag of your hopes and dreams, with nothing to show for it.  And now the anxiety is starting to set in… big time!

Welcome to “Divine Discontent.” 
The problem is, divine discontent is rarely, if ever, convenient. But it does herald positive change! Behind it however, we must embrace…. our shadow. Yikes! Ugh. All those uncomfortable emotions and regrets of shoulda, coulda, woulda.

But here’s the exciting paradox… “That shadow is not a bad thing… it’s not negative or evil, but instead dark or not yet illuminated. It consists of all the things inside us that we don’t want to face… those things that appear harmful but also potentially enlightening… all that we have rejected, denied, disowned or repressed… it is simply unintegrated energy, and until we learn how to tap into this energy and transmute its power, we will never become a fully integrated or fully awakened human beings.” (Charlie Morley, in his book Dreaming Through Darkness). Phew! What a relief. And an exciting added bonus is this – as the legendary “shadow master” Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung put it:

 “The truth of the matter is that the shadow is ninety percent pure gold.”

WOW! I’ve had my fair share of radical shadow experiences, but I have to say, that using this approach totally revolutionized how I’m choosing to look at the shadow… with far less fear and far more appreciation for the insight, healing, energy, focus and clarity that it offers. Peace, calm and clarity come, not from “running away” from the shadow, but instead “running to it.” No, it’s not easy, and yes, there is pain… but far better to have it be a temporary pain of release than the excruciating pain of existential angst that sucks the soul dry and makes life a living hell.

It’s that freedom from worry that I call Radical Joy… the effervescence of life within us, just itching to come out and create a life that’s meaningful, happy, productive and spectacular… it’s time! 

1. What is your Divine Discontent telling you? The longer you wait to ask it, the more it hurts.
2. Listen. Your heart knows the way. Ask it. You must create the quiet time to ask your intuition, and integrate rather than shun, what your shadow tells you.
3. Be willing to go into the void – the place of not knowing. That’s where releasing of old limitations happens. That’s the place, and the only place, where new insight and integration can begin.
4. Have courage. The way out is the way through. Be diligent in making your life count.
5. Know that you are not alone. Reach out when you need support and trust that whatever it is you are going through, every great person that you admire, has gone through it too… break on through to the other side through your effort to “go all the way” into self-realization.
6. Learning how to work with your shadow is worth the effort! It teaches us how to drop worry, be empowered and joyful.

As I continue to embrace and teach the exciting concepts in “The Hero’s Journey,” as a metaphor for life… I’m simply in awe of this process.  What an incredible adventure! So take heart, know that your deep dark spaces are important gateways in this path to awakening to the True Self within… this awareness and immutability of peace and joy. It’s only through purification of our minds, the willingness to feel and transmute painful emotion, that we experience deeper expressions of our talents, gifts and abilities. Life is too short not to take this to heart and I wish for you this call to action today: be still, go inside, and ask your shadow what it is really trying to show you, what it really needs from you. You’ll be so glad that you did.  Your shadow is simply radical joy, trying to show you something better.

Cheryl Brewster of the Intuitive Life is a transformational speaker and coach to organizations and individuals keen to experience and promote “Radical Joy in Life and Business.” Her motto is that we get far more done when we’re having fun… she uses her dynamic expertise to inspire audiences and coaching clients how to do that, even through the most challenging circumstances.  “Radical Joy… is the relief, energy and comfort that comes from knowing that no matter what happens, you can and are handling it for the best outcome possible.  In addition, Cheryl provides intuitive consultations and spiritual counselling for those wanting to add a deeper component to discovering and living their joy. She is also an ordained interfaith minister, and legal wedding officiant, offering “Intuitive Celebrations” for life’s most meaningful moments.

If you would like to learn more about Cheryl and her services please email or call 604-781-4022 or visit TheIntuitiveLife.com.
We’d love to hear from you! Please take a moment to share your insights from this article with us!

 

 

 

 

 

Feb14

Stay Inspired in Difficulty – Part 1

by Cheryl Brewster

Challenge in life is inevitable. Despair is optional. However rock-solid confidence is possible, even in times of great difficulty.

Inspiration connects us to what’s most important in life. Like an anchor in stormy harbours and rudder in rough seas, inspiration anchors, grounds, comforts and encourages us. It creates more positive-feeling states even in difficulty. Inspiration is not Pollyanna magical thinking… it contains the grit equal to challenge; it’s the force inside that compels us to take action, to drop irrational fears and be strong in our resolve.

I call inspiration the “fire of desire” that business guru Napoleon Hill talked spoke of when he said: “Strong, deeply rooted desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.” It’s the “transcends everything” part that Hill experienced in his own life and inspired in others: “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” That’s what I call true power – looking for the seed of equal or greater benefit, even in difficulty. It’s the turn-around, the fork in the road, the re-frame that turns panic into power, and chaos into order.

10 ways to foster inspiration so it’s there when you really need it:

1. Memorize
Memorize the Napoleon Hill quotes above (or something similar like a meaningful poem, sacred text, etc.)… choose something that makes an impact, that really gets your enthusiasm going! Start each morning contemplating that favourite quote or spiritual principle. As you do, you’ll be engaging your connection to the infinite, creative imagination and intuition so they can deliver “aha gems” when you least expect them.

2. Be Vigilant! Decide!
It’s impossible to be upset when you’re inspired. The truth is, stress can become a habit. If you are putting your focus on the difficulty rather than its seed of equal or greater benefit, then decide to shift your focus. Kill the ANTS! (Acronym for Negative Thought System defined by brain health doctor Daniel Amen). Use visualization; imagine seeing negative thoughts hitting a teflon coating around your mind, that they can’t stick to… it’s a way of “deciding” ahead of time, what’s allowed to stay. Vigilance in watching our thoughts ensures access to accurate intuition, not corrupted by fear or negative thinking.

3. Reflect, Re-frame and Rehearse
Go deep. Why is the particular quote or sacred text that you memorized so important to you? (Aside from a quote, it could be a value, song, a piece of art, a person you admire, etc.)  Think. Go deep. Then write about it. Why is this meaningful to you? How will you use it to meet difficulty? Invite a friend to do the same exercise and verbalize your findings with each other. Sharing reinforces the new options available to you.  Go one step further… draw two columns on a piece of paper…under one, write the word “problem” and list all of the difficulties.  Then cross the word “problem” out and start a new column with the word “project.” You’ll be amazed at the re-frame! Rehearse the new opportunities… visualization supports action!

4. Relax!
To counter-act the physiology of fight or flight, yawning immediately signals the body that it is safe. Forced yawns might feel silly but they work! Try at least 6-10 in a row. Besides, your brain always benefits from extra oxygen. Recall a favorite memory or pastime… take time out to enjoy, reflect, relax!

5. Use the Mindful Minute
Take plenty of “brain breaks” throughout the day – time yourself for a minute and go into stillness or pure imagination. You’ll be rejuvenated and create more focus. It’s been scientifically proven that even a 10-second break every 20 minutes can dramatically improve performance.

Inspiration is like….
A tasty treat for the mind and spirit.
Being equipped with an emergency preparedness kit when you really need it.
Having candles and matches when the power goes out.
The extra energy boost that helps you take action when you know you should, but don’t want to.

woman_speaking_to_audienceAbout Cheryl Brewster, B.Msc: I am a Transformational Speaker, Coach and Life Celebrant. Under every difficulty is a greater inner potential that our intuition accesses. My expertise is helping my clients, whether individuals or organizations to resolve conflict, improve communication, and increase better health, finances, relationships, connection, enjoyment and peace of mind.

Mar21

Struggling to “Get Things Done?” Choose Peace!

by Cheryl Brewster

“The ABCs of Intuition,” are a form of mindfulness that I developed several years ago.  The simplicity of “Aware, Breathe, Connect” increases awareness, which expands choice. Where are we really putting our thoughts and energy? Is it effective?  As we learn to expand awareness through the breath, we learn how to drop stress. This connects us purposefully back into our inner wisdom, the home of solutions. Easy to say, harder to do.

Part of managing change effectively is knowing that no matter what happens, we can handle it. We will know what to do. Choosing peace on a daily basis is more than an affirmation. It’s a lifestyle choice. A powerful one. It’s a daily practice that frees up creative energy and best practice solutions. Choosing peace is mindfulness in action, leading to new insights, options and expanded awareness.

What happens as you make peace a purposeful, deliberate choice, in getting things done today? How will it affect your results? How will you feel about yourself and your day?

Simplicity knocks the socks off stress. It engages flow and keeps us tapped into the rhythm of life.  Imagine the power of flow in your life by daily, consistently, making peace your practice in getting things done! What would your projects look like from this perspective? How about how you communicate with others, and those tricky triggers that can come up when you least expect them?

Peace is power. It’s a commodity we don’t use as often as we could.  It leads to healthy self-image, the cornerstone result of  personal effectiveness, self-growth and development. It’s pre-requisite to true prosperity ensures long-term, authentic success. In its daily practice, we increase the value of our investment. But we can only do so, through a firm resolve and determination to stay on track, no matter what.  Easy to say, harder to do, but so worth the effort.

If you enjoyed this blog, let us know! Cheryl Brewster is a Personal/Business Intuitive, who inspires and teaches resiliency through change.  For more information or to book a complimentary session to explore using mindfulness as a part of your solutions-based outlook, call her at 604-781-4022 or email cheryl@theintuitivelife.com

Upcoming events can be viewed at www.TheIntuitiveLife.com and please sign up on the homepage to stay connected with us.

 

Apr30

Drop Anxiety to Manifest Goals! Part One

by Cheryl Brewster

What if you could  drop anxiety to manifest goals more easily…don’t you just love that kind of juiciness?! Materializing that goal or desire and basking in the rush of exhilaration is mind-blowing; nothing is sweeter than a job well down and our own triumphant claim of “I did it, I really did it!”

Between the juiciness of manifesting those little and big goals is a quiet contentment  that is born from only one thing: consistency of practice. Practice, practice, practice is what I mentor to myself, my coaching clients and teach in my seminars. It’s easy to get comfortable and forget to  practice manifesting, and all too quickly we find ourselves exchanging the triumphant “I can” to the defeated “I can’t”. Soon, that sweet sense of self confidence and joy has turned to despair, a devastating downward spiral into full, blown-out anxiety.

All the great mystics, philosophers and business gurus have said the same thing… in sincere self development, our consciousness evolves. This means that old, ineffective thought programs are going to surface for removal… that’s good! So rather than be overwhelmed and anxious when they do, we can learn to welcome these  insights more easily.  We must practice awareness of uncomfortable feelings as evolution rather than revulsion. One of the Laws of the Manifestation is that every single thought we have effects physical reality! It makes sense then, to think and feel with an “I can do it attitude”.  With this kind of unrelenting trust, we evolve our  awareness and keep a direct, clear pipeline to the solutions inside of us.  From this healthier thought perspective, right thinking, right action and a sense of deep, meaningful connection in the process emerges.  That’s manifestation! Not only of tangible, measurable results, but also manifestation of peace and empowerment in the process. Easy to say, much harder to do which is why progress, not perfection is such an important mantra to remember.

So how do we deal with anxiety when an “evolutionary insight” is upon us and it feels impossible to control the resulting tidal waves of negative thoughts and emotions? Vernon Howard, a direct no-nonsense, awakened teacher nails it with this wisdom:

  1. Anxiety breeds anxiety.
  2. Anxiety is a hoax that you don’t see as a hoax! It appears valuable but it’s not, yet most people don’t want to lose it!
  3. Anyone who retains anxiety prefers anxiety.  Whoa! Here’s why:
  4. First, because worry and desperation supply a false feeling of life… they create an emotional agitation that poses as real life, but it’s not!  Secondly, we don’t drop anxiety because we fear rejection.
  5. The very repetition of a worry or frustration indicates an unseen preference for it. Whoa!
  6. When you begin to honestly see that you don’t want to lose your anxiety, you actually start to lose it!

Wow! I love this direct, no-nonsense thinking – it has made a huge impact on my life, and neuroscience proves it… did you know that 95% of our thoughts are controlled by our pre-programmed subconscious mind? Instead of “actually thinking,” we’re really looking at movies of the past and responding to them in the present.  We are hypnotized by past defeats and as manifestation author Pam Grout puts it:  “the problem is not being hypnotized, the problem is not being willing to shake it off.” She says that mental confinement is not permanent because it can be conquered by the spiritual.  I couldn’t agree more!  “Say good bye to useless thoughts, because this is the problem – you don’t see your useless thoughts as useless.”

The reason we don’t drop useless thoughts is because we don’t know what will replace them. We’re afraid to step into the unknown. Here’s the analogy… a prisoner of war escaping from a POW camp faces huge difficulties, stepping into the unknown without a map, yet despite all the difficulties he finds his way home because he remembers where he wants to go. Same for you, when you remember where you want to go,  you are willing to meet your past programming head on and call it out. You  soon realize that anxiety is a fundamental waste of life and refuse to let it keep its hold. You choose to drop anxiety through an empowered “I can do it” attitude through practice, practice, practice.  Imagine…  all that energy that was previously draining your soul now feeds it to design your life rather than suffer through it.  That’s manifestation! As Thoreau said:  “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams… live the life you’ve  imagined.”

***Please note that this article is not a substitute for medical advice. Use sound judgement; seek medical help if symptoms persist.

Homework to confidently “drop anxiety to manifest your goals”:
As a teacher and student at heart and I know that unless we are willing to shake things up and apply these concepts  we’ll never know if they work or not.  We’ll never integrate them because we haven’t proven them from our own experience. We’ll never really trust ourselves and keep looking outside rather than inside. The nitty gritty of manifestation is that it’s personal. It’s a form of transformation, that makes the intangible tangible through right thinking, trust and practice. So here you go, here’s your “Manifestation Homework”. 

What are the the key points in this article that resonated for you?
Are you willing to really apply these points to your life?
What will you now do differently?
Are you willing to see and drop your useless thoughts?
Are you willing to drop your preference for anxiety?
Are you willing to see that this takes time, that it is a process and that you must be patient?
Are you willing to be patient and present with what is here now – to be in the evolution rather than the revulsion that awareness brings?

If you enjoyed this blog, let us know! Comment below or contact us at cheryl@theintuitivelife.com and be sure to check out Part Two of this series.

For more information Cheryl’s work with individuals and groups, see her website at TheIntuitiveLife.com

Nov27

Growth Through Struggle

by Cheryl Brewster

It’s inevitable. Struggle, heartbreak, challenge, disappointment and adversity are all a part of life. Although we may be intellectually accepting of this fact, remembering this emotionally  can be another story.    “The necessity for struggle… forces individuals to expand, develop, progress, and become strong through resistance. Struggle can, and does, become either an ordeal or a magnificent experience through which the individual expresses gratitude for the opportunity to conquer the cause of the struggle.” This proven principle by one of the world’s greatest influencers Napoleon Hill,  is a key tool in personal effectiveness and begs the question:

How do we ensure that struggle while initially, can feel like an ordeal, doesn’t stay that way? How do we transform  struggle into a magnificent, triumphant experience?

1. Focus your Thoughts!
The only thing you ever have control over is your freedom to choose. You may not be able to control events, but you CAN control how empowered or dis-empowered your response is. Thoughts are things and are incredibly powerful! Are you aware and directing your thoughts toward what you want, or swept away by what you don’t want? Which leads us to the next step….

2. Have a clear desire or purpose
A clearly defined purpose is an agreement that you make with yourself to control and direct your thoughts. It creates a compelling vision that that keeps you true to what’s most important. Purpose is like the “overdrive” in a car – when we need that extra power to climb those steep  hills, we have it when we need it. Without purpose, we don’t have the overdrive or the GPS… with purpose…. we are ASSURED that whatever comes up, we can handle it – we’re willing to pay the price of temporary discomfort, defeat or failure and keep going!  Over time, we learn to  overcome distraction, overwhelm and fear; our focus is on the deeper resources inside that help us enjoy life as we accomplish goals, even in the midst of the struggle…. because the struggle after all is meant to make us stronger, which leads us to….

3. Practice emotional cleansing everyday
Simple or advanced, emotional clearing techniques are essential; consistently using the ABCs of Intuition (Aware, Breathe, Connect) puts you back in charge…. awareness of what’s going on, breathing to release limitation, the old story, with it’s knee-jerk reactions,  etc., removes huge internal limitations. The more aware we are that resistance is natural and normal, it naturally dissolves to reveal the gems beneath it. Which brings us to the next key step to connect to those hidden gems and use them…..

4. Inner Contemplation
Ask how the person you wish to become would handle the struggle – a wonderful, dynamic panorama of ideas will appear on your mental screen… you’ll feel the options and possibilities in your body. Once you’ve done that, go into stillness to simply be.  The power of this step is getting you out of the mind trying to figure things out, and into an EXPERIENCE.   The power of stillness is huge! It’s what taps us into the subconscious  mind where solutions we weren’t able to access previously, are available. Insights may come immediately or later in the day, but guaranteed, through this process more insights, empowerment, confidence and the power to manage thinking does come, which takes us to the next important step…..

5. Take inspired action
Baby steps or massive action, from this place of inspiration, you’ll “know” the right thing to do. Self confidence blossoms, new energy appears and a sense of peace that comes from the underlying truth that all “really is well in my world,” emerges, which naturally creates the next step of….

6. Gratitude
The benefits that couldn’t possible have existed without the struggle are revealed; again it may happen immediately or later, but in the proven work of Napoleon Hill and other great thinkers, there is always “the seed of equal or greater benefit” in all hardship. This is the eternal truth of life’s promise… the question is, do we actually believe it?

These 6 Power Tips use the positive side of resistance… the negative side is refusing to consider that a positive side to struggle could possibly exist. This is aversion, and as Steven Cope warned in “The Great Work of Your Life”, aversion affects our capacity to see clearly and has severe consequences:

  • When we are hating something, we do not tend to see it clearly.
  • We see the object of our hatred as all bad-not a mixture of bad and good and neutral as it really is.
  • And finally and probably most painfully aversive states are separation states, from myself and from others.
  • I hate this moment. Get me out of this moment. I do not want it to be like this.
  • Aversion is a seat in hell.  It separates us from now.
  • When the mind is colored by aversion we can never be at ease-can never have a moment’s peace

Struggle then, takes on a whole new meaning – it’s the aversion to struggle that creates the problem, that evades peace. We either believe that struggle can make us stronger or we don’t. We either embrace its blessings and possibilities or refuse to change our viewpoint. We either invite the promise of guaranteed  magnificence or slip into life as a doomed painful ordeal. Struggle forces us to think, it can break our hearts and bring us to our knees, but it will never, ever leave us abandoned… we do that. The call to action then is from this moment forward, to embrace struggle for the benefits it brings… NOW!

cheryl75Cheryl Ann Brewster is highly regarded in her skills as a Business Intuitive, Transformation Coach and Speaker. She specializes in supporting  those  keen to expand personal and professional effectiveness through the power of intuition and soul-centred business practices. To join her mailing list and/or daily inspiration  or to learn more, contact her at: TheIntuitiveLife.com.

 

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Oct15

So Many Choices

by Cheryl Brewster

Do you ever wonder if you are in the right place? If you made the right choice? I do.

So many choices these days. From what time to get up, to what to eat, to what to buy, to how to spend your time, to who to spend it with….to what time to go to bed. And everything In between. I was having a “am I in the right place” kinda moment back in September 2012 and I am still reminded of it often as I go through my life making all of these choices.

I had just finished a Diva Date Night with Cheryl Brewster where she had us choose an inanimate object and focus on it and “test” the universe to see if in fact we are guided in some way (synchronicity). I was not a total disbelieve, but I was skeptical for sure. So I picked a random shell and I visioned it in my minds eye very specifically. The shape, the colours, even the sizing was pretty clear to me. I left that night having had a good night and felt good about what I learnt and that I loved and enjoyed Cheryl and the rest of the Conscious Divas Community, but didn’t think too much more about it.

Fast forward a few days and I am sitting in my first Coaches Training Institute (CTI) class and I am wondering if I was meant to be here or not. This felt good, but scary and a dream that at one time felt impossible. I look up and I see a picture of these shells framed on the way. My breath was taken away. No. This couldn’t be happening. I felt a wave of excitement and disbelief and awe that I was in fact being supported by the universe in my ability to take action on my dreams. And then the skeptic kicked in – my gremlin voice – “no, this is just a coincidence it said. At first chance I lept out of my seat and went to every conference room on this floor in the hotel. It was probably all over the place, right? Nope. Not one like it everywhere in the hotel. I also came to learn by completing all the course, and then assisting them that we could have been in any number of rooms on that day, but we weren’t. We were in that room, with those shells on the wall.

I sank into the belief, the knowing, that this was exactly where I was meant to be. That I had made this happen in my life through the right choices for MY LIFE. Everything to that point were decisions that led me there. I was reminded to trust. To have faith. I need to make choices and when I come from a place of honesty, of faith, of trust that they will always be the right ones for me. It’s when I turn off that I make choices that are not aligned with the life that I want to lead that I make choices that are the “shoulds” which ultimately end up being wrong choices.

I am forever grateful for that night with Cheryl and the Conscious Divas community that brought my closer to my intuition, to my path for the life I want and for allowing me to start the journey of testing.the universe.  Cause you know what, even now from time to time I still like to test it…just to be sure.  😉

I wonder, what choices are you pondering?   Where would you like a little support from the universe?  Let’s talk about that h in the Facebook community and get the universe working for you!

I am a coach, a speaker, an advocate of mentorship for women and girls and a life-list enthusiast.  Always on the look-out for a new adventure and enjoys living on my edge, I believe in Living a Life YOU Love.  That looks different for every single one of us.  I am completely committed to effecting women to live their richest, fullest, most kick-ass lives and am having a blast doing it!  In true transparency  I am working on my web site and some offerings for my clients, but I don’t want to let that get in the way of doing one-on-one coaching, which I love, so while this may be my best web presence at the moment – www.coachmichaella.com I have so much more to offer either through www.facebook.com/coachmichaella or in person and on the phone.  I love to converse over www.twitter.com/coachmichaella or info@coachmichaella.com too, so please drop me a line.

 

 

Sep03

Synchronicity: the hidden language of FLOW

by Cheryl Brewster

We are surrounded by a sea of abundance that flows to us!

  • How many times do you think of someone and they call?
  • Do you see recurring sequences of numbers every time you see a digital time display, like 111, 333,  555, etc?
  • Have you pondered an important question to have a billboard or licence plate in front of you declare the answer?
  • When you’re looking for something have you had someone hand it to you without them knowing you needed it?
  • Have you waited in traffic or been detoured only to find the billboard message on a passing vehicle displays what you just finished telling someone at that exact moment?

The odds of having such coincidences occur is mind boggling.  Given the obvious intricate intelligence behind such occurrences, we must ask ourselves, if these things are happening without our conscious involvement, what could happen if we brought more awareness to them? Can you imagine the possibilities, solutions and innovations that could be accessed?! How could this impact our self development and personal effectiveness?

In her book Synchronicity and the Soul, Nancy Seifer explains that it was the power of synchronicity to overwhelm the rational mind that held significance for Carl Jung (1875-1961), the Swiss psychiatrist who coined the term and brought the phenomenon to light.  Jung recognized that synchronicity, which he defined as meaningful coincidence, had the effect of breaking through the “rationalistic shell” of the modern scientific mind.

“(Synchronicity) is a form of coincidence powerful enough to shatter the notion that material science has discovered all there is to know about the universe.  To the person having an experience of synchronicity, the realization dawns that a mysterious force is at play in the world—a kind of “cosmic clock” whose gears operate on a more subtle plane.”

This echoes Deepak Chopra’s poetic words that “Synchronicity is choreographed by a great, pervasive intelligence that lies at the heart of nature, and is manifest in each of us through intuitive knowledge.”

And this pervasive intelligence is ours even without asking! All we have to do is pay attention to the Signs, Symbols and Synchronicity at play in our lives.
We are surrounded by a sea of abundance… but are we actually in flow with it or fighting it?

I’ve been a fan of this amazing principle of intuition for as long as I can remember and find it incredibly helpful in important decision making  and in situations requiring more clarity and validation. I often tell the story in my seminars of how I used a “Bookmark” to determine when I should follow the call from my intuition to leave the corporate world to begin my own business as a professional intuitive.  Although I knew in my heart that this was the right thing to do, it didn’t match the rational thought of my upbringing… My mind screamed no and my heart say yes, even though I’d be leaving a great company, significant income with benefits, and most of all, the security of a guaranteed paycheck for  nothing but a gut feeling and a dream.

Setting a bookmark is a specific technique that finds its beginnings in ancient times and remains just as powerful today.  In my experience, I used a symbol that was fairly uncommon – a boomerang – the “bookmark agreement”with the Universe was that when a real boomerang came into my life, I would know that yes, now is the time to leave the job.  (But I must admit, because this was such a big decision, I thought I’d help the universe out by adding a proviso that either one real boomerang came into my life or three smaller ones which could be in the form of a TV commercial, ad on a billboard, etc).

You can imagine my shock and delight when after a couple of weeks, feeling rather disheartened that the symbol hadn’t arrived yet, I’d picked up a book that I’d recently purchased. The book itself wasn’t something I was particularly interested in, however my gut “told” me that I “had to buy it.” As I flipped through it, I came across an interesting paragraph and there, deep into the story did I not only find the word boomerang “three times,” but I also found the meaning of the word… the boomerang is a sacred symbol cautioning us not to hold onto things too tightly,  for it’s only in surrendering and giving them to the universe, that they can be returned to us in bigger ways.

WOW!

I was shaking. This was something that you see in the movies or read about in books… this happened to other people, not to me! And here I was, not only with three small boomerangs, but with the meaning of the word as a sacred symbol!  I gave my notice the next day and have been privileged to live an extraordinary life beyond anything I could have imagined because “I was willing to let go and not hang on too tight.”

Powerful, beyond all odds and four months later, when I taught my first intuitive workshop in Whistler, what did the store carry? Two decorative boomerangs which I promptly bought. The third I added to my collection when again, trusting my gut to go to a certain store, only to find a boomerang with the engraving “authentic souvenir of Australia.”

Having worked with synchronicity my entire life, to go through an experience as specific and mind blowing as this made a huge impact.  I’ve come to appreciate that when we ACTIVELY participate with the “great, pervasive intelligence that lies at the heart of nature,” not only do synchronicities happen with more frequency, so too do miracles. Can you imagine the impact to families, business and organizations to harness the power of synchronicity both as an art and tool of science for brainstorming and team building? Can you imagine the solution and innovation?  The possibilities are staggering, and like all great things, it begins with us as individuals to apply and hone the hidden language that Signs, Symbols and Synchronicity in our own lives, to test and prove them. To create more FLOW in your home and professional life, consider what would happen if you:

  • asked clear specific questions of the vast intelligence awaiting you?
  • paid attention to what you were thinking before a sign, symbol or synchronicity crossed your path?
  • asked for clear, specific signs to underline or highlight a feasible action or direction to take
  • did a life review of where synchronicity has been the most prevalent in your affairs
  • discovered when there was no synchronicity in your life to find the patterns that prevent rather than propel FLOW in your life
  • willing to participate more fully with this great pervasive intelligence?

Basic tools to grow your awareness and appreciation of Synchronicity and self improvement:

  • notice the thought you were thinking just before a synchronicity happened
  • be clear on your desires, write them down and expect their fulfillment, by feeling them here now
  • keep a journal to acknowledge synchronicity
  • use ritual to honor it in your life
  • be firm and clear in your commitments
  • be diligent in replacing negative thinking with positive thought
  • ask specific questions (better yet, write them down and journal the answers when they come)
  • expect an answer without  attachment to how or when it is delivered, or if it looks different than you originally intended
  • learn more and resist less by spending more time in mindful contemplation and deep silence

We are surrounded by a sea of abundance that flows to us! By paying attention to signs, symbols and synchronicity, we harness the hidden power of flow in life and business. By applying it, we create the change we’ve been wanting and more. If you enjoyed this blog and would like to learn more – see our calendar for upcoming live events or tele-seminars on Signs, Symbols and Synchronicity..

Cheryl Ann Brewster is highly regarded in her skills as a Business Intuitive, Coach and Speaker. She specializes in supporting  those  keen to expand personal and professional effectiveness through the power of intuition and soul-centred business practices. To join her mailing list and/or daily inspiration  or to learn more, contact her at: TheIntuitiveLife.com.

 

Jul02

Keep it Simple – 5 steps to effectiveness in a frenzied get-it-done-world

by Cheryl Brewster

Stress may not seem like a  decision, but over time, we begin to see where it is. Fight, flight or freeze responses are immediate, but when we take a step back,  we do see that we have choice in changing our responses…. do that enough times and we have improved our lifestyles for the better. It all begins with baby steps and being more mindful…. paying attention on purpose without judgment in the present moment. In a world gone mad with deadlines and getting things done at all costs, we must be vigilant in honoring our values. We must ensure they are not being eroded by inner and outer forces that at first glance appear noble, but over time, diminish our quality of life.

Peace of mind = effectiveness. But all too often, our definition of effectiveness can get skewed if we focus on results at the expense of our values.

In his book “A Life of  Being , Doing and Having Enough,” author Wayne Muller starts out with these comments:  “we have forgotten what enough feels like…. So we work and add and never stop, never back away, never feel complete, and we despair of ever finding comfort, relief, or sanctuary.”

Sound familiar?

Step #1 – Evaluate Be truthful, honest and brave… If you keep your same daily routine, where will you be in the next 5 years?  Is that a YIKES! or a YES! response? What one small thing can you begin to do in your daily routine?

Step#2 – Choose Peace When we dig deep into our core, we find the strength to identify and drop old ineffective patterns.  When we focus on cleaning up on the inside, we find the strength to clean up on the outside too.

Muller’s take on this is profound:: “Here is the final thing we must know. We carry within us a fierce grace that will not be extinguished, does not break and cannot ever leave us comfortless. It lives in us. This life force, whatever it is that allows a blade of grass to push up, up through concrete to reach for sun and warmth. It lives in us. This is what we are made up of. If we trust in this impossibly resilient capacity to bear all we are given, and re-calibrate  our speed….”

Step #3 – Re-calibrate Your Speed Harness that “fierce grace within you,” it’s the booming voice that says “You can DO this!”  Fierce grace wins over the internal critic every time… it does require that you slow down to hear it, however…. it is always there…. it’s your noticing it and inviting it to lead that changes the trajectory of your life. It’s your willpower to Take You Stand for lasting change.

Step #4 – Use the power of Imagination! Imagination is the bridge from the unconscious to the conscious… it holds the secret solutions beyond the rational mind. It’s fun, refreshing and very effective… get relaxed, imagine what ease, effortlessness or flow would do in any given situation and notice the ideas or mental images that flash across your internal screen!

Step #5 – Breathe! If you kept a “breath log,” you’d be amazed at how little you maximize this incredible energy booster! In order  to access clear thinking and relieve anxiety and tension—like a plant needs water—your brain needs oxygen. Remembering to breathe helps take the edge off,  so you can respond from a more centered place which over time, creates a habit of calm and mastery in effective and accurate decision making.

Stress actually serves a purpose other than survival; it lets us know where we need to loosen up, let go, and enjoy the process of life and business rather than feel bound by them. Every challenge is an opportunity, every dilemma holds a a creative solution and every heartache over time can be healed… the freedom to choose is our greatest gift, willpower our greatest tool, and “fierce grace” our greatest birthright. Self discovery and self development are the twin flames of personal effectiveness; they hold the keys to what is sacred to us. They help us create a legacy rather than just get by. They are fed by the flames of fierce grace – that intrinsic desire to express our creative genius.

Cheryl 2009Interested in learning more on how Mindfulness contributes to your career, business or company?

Cheryl Brewster is a Business Intuitive, Coach and Speaker. She specializes in supporting  those  keen to expand personal and professional effectiveness through the power of intuition and soul-centred business practices. To join her mailing list, daily inspiration  or to learn more: TheIntuitiveLife.com+