By Patricia Varley, BA, MHSA
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
Imagine a raging hurricane wreaking havoc and devastation all around it. Now imagine the calm “eye” in the center of the storm. You have just pictured self- mastery. Ask yourself if you live mostly in the hurricane or in the calm center of the storm?
In these times of stress, incredible rapid change and uncertainty, the power to stay healthy, calm, focused, on purpose and moving forward is challenged to the max. Whether you are single, a professional, a working mother or whatever the circumstances of your life are, self- mastery is an important and necessary component in navigating through these times of personal and professional change and transition. An understanding and commitment to Self-Care from the Inside Out is the fuel that cultivates self- mastery. Here are 10 tools and techniques that you can use to nurture yourself from the inside out as you blossom into self-mastery.
1- Coach Yourself into Personal Mastery by taking a (w) holistic approach to your life and work. By reclaiming your self you reclaim your wholeness. Understand the importance of taking the time to build your self-esteem, confidence, identity, inner motivation and boundaries. A balanced inner foundation will support you in not just surviving but thriving through change.
2- Give Yourself Time and Patience. Understand that moving into a personal shift or career has stages. These include: Endings or letting go of the past, a Void or period of uncertainty, and New beginnings in starting a creative endeavor, personal relationship or fresh career. These powerful times of change, renewal and discovery can lead to a deeper sense of self and transformation.<!--more-->
3- Live Consciously and More Fully. You can experience High-Energy Living by embracing the moment regardless of outer circumstances), trusting the process (even when the unknown in scary) and knowing that the future stems from your emergent vision and energy.
4- Focus on the inside first. By allowing time to discover personal priorities, values and what inspires you personally and professionally from the inside out, your core values & inner strength will give life to what you are passionate about and can motivate you to move forward.
5- Choose to focus on the positive and see any experience in life as a gift that will move you to something better. Any change is an opportunity to strengthen emotionally and spiritually, move out of the cocoon of our comfort zones and transform into our full potential as human beings. How you choose to respond internally to any external change is a matter of perspective. By remaining expectant and exuding positive energy from the inside, you will attract people and opportunities that can help you move forward professionally as well as foster fulfilling personal relationships.
6- Take care of yourself by practicing extreme self-care. Whether or not you chose to change jobs or a relationship it can be a stressful time. Listen to your heart and intuition in conjunction with your body and do one simple thing a day that revitalizes and brings joy and peace to your life. Invigorate your mind, body and spirit with exe rcise, yoga, body- work, meditation and reading material that nurtures you on the inside and out.
7- Reach out for support and guidance to a trustworthy friend, colleague, support group, professional coach or family member who is comfortable to talk with. Share yourself through intimacy, loving, touch, friendship, coupling and parenting. You do not have to navigate through change alone and those truly that love and care for you will be there to guide and nurture you. Ask them – you are worth it.
8- Express yourself through play and creativity. You will strengthen your inner child and outer health by being imaginative, playful, spontaneous, original, expressive, humorous, artistic, curious and celebrative. Go for it!
9- Search for meaning by integrating yourself. There is only one of you in all of time. You are here for a purpose. Find wholeness and purpose through unity, integrity, peace, inner connection through all things, spirituality, inner wisdom and a trust in the flow of life. Listen to your intuitive “compass” to guide you through change, making the best decisions for yourself and direction for your life.
10- Give of yourself through compassion and contribution. You cannot give what you do not have. By cultivating your inner life with self-care you can reform, serve, volunteer, transform and leave the world a better place. By mastering ourselves and enhancing our health we are better prepared to contribute not only to the healing of our relationships and our community but the planet as a whole. It is time to make a difference. “How does one become a butterfly?” she asked. “You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.” Hope for the Flowers.
©Patricia Varley
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