The last few days have been rough... Anytime I have had the opportunity to stop and be present I have been entirely overwhelmed with the pain of this Earthquake. I don't say sadness, because that isn't quite it. It's definitely more along the lines of pain, an understanding that something is deeply wrong right now with the world. I've been alive for many major tragedies and I have never felt them so acutely- I don't believe that I was naive, nor do I believe I am being dramatic now. When I found out about this event I felt something within me break; this is too much. It felt so obvious that the world is trying to speak to us, to tell us that we've gone too far, taken too much. We've pushed so far ahead over the past century and have forsaken so much of where we came from: our family, our Earth. Last night I finally sat down and had to write, the emotion became too much. I felt the grief of the people, I felt the anger of the Earth, I felt my own personal guilt for having recently been to this place and received so much, uncertain of what I gave back in return (if anything). And so I wrote, honestly:

When I woke up today, and lit my candles, I felt no better. I felt lost, like I didn't quite know where to go from here. I questioned everything I am, everything I have, everything I work for. The morning was lost. Once the afternoon rolled around I realized that I needed to go for a walk, so I chose one of my favorite, most sacred and peaceful placed. I walked with reverence and gratitude for everyone and everything that has ever touched my life. I walked with reverence and gratitude for the Earth that gives us everything and asks for so little in return, like any good mother does. While feeling this all so deeply I was reminded that it was ok for me to feel the pain that I felt, but in turning my pain into anger for the world we live in would benefit no one. Yes, I do not agree with so many practices that are in place right now that promote harm, but fighting hatred with hatred only creates a world of hate. You cannot stand in the name of Good with negative behavior. You cannot fight with love. "Be the light you wish you see in the world," came to mind. It is not my job to change or "fix" anyone, who am I to take on the role of the judge? That role is reserved for Karma. My job is to do the very best I can. No, I cannot change those around me, but I can be as kind, gentle, grateful, loving and compassionate as possible in an effort to help those around me become more kind, gentle, grateful, loving and compassionate as well. 

Although I am still lighting my candles, and will do so for the foreseeable future, I had released the anger and all other emotions that serve absolutely no purpose in this world. There is power in the light and I intend to use it.

Over the years and through my trainings as a health coach, soul realignment practitioner and yoga instructor I have developed my practice as a Mind Body Soul Health Coach. Most of the terms used in the former sentence are thrown around so readily these days because of their trendiness that it's easy to lose sight of what it all means. I genuinely believe that within the union of the mind, the body and the soul an individual is able to create a power within themselves that is capable of doing anything and everything, whether it's creating good health, enjoying loving relationships or experiencing fulfillment from their work. I didn't find joy in just talking diets or exercise, or even discussing the connection with self, because it isn't all exclusive. It's like perfecting your right arm and entirely disregarding the beautiful body that it is attached to. 

So how does it all work?

Step One in this health system is figuring out who you are, 100%, the good, the bad and the ugly. Awareness and honesty for who you are will allow you to tap into your many strengths and be on guard for those qualities that we tend towards when things aren't going our way. A level of honesty is required here, the only way you can work with yourself in am empowering way is to be fearless of all the things that you wish weren't you. Looking at yourself from the space of honesty and non-judgment, acknowledging that you are perfectly imperfect and that is wonderful. Building self-love and acceptance from this awareness helps you to focus on the good so that it can overcome and erase the non-productive, all of the qualities that helps you get absolutely nowhere. Everyone has bad traits, it's knowing that they exist that helps you to keep them in check so they don't stonewall you into a rut.

After figuring out who you are and learning to love yourself anyway we move to Step Two, which is learning to release and detach yourself from who you are not. That is to say, you are a beautiful Soul working hard to grow and improve, anything that doesn't help you grow and improve (the fear, self-doubt, limitations) are not actually you! Similarly, these qualities/emotions/thoughts that pop up from certain relationships or activities you partake in are limiting you and in order to become the amazing person I believe you to be you must learn to release and detach yourself from these things. 

There is power in knowledge, there is even greater power in acting upon the knowledge you have. Acknowledge who you are and the life you live, be aware of what works for you and against you and do something about it. This is process of awareness and detachment eventually lead you to the space of empowerment. Once you realize not only that you are a positive being but that you are capable of doing absolutely anything (starting with getting rid of all the sh*t in your closet) you become empowered to lead a live that supports this state. It's an incredible high, you recognize how wonderful you are, how amazing you are and that you are the one who has created this amazing person. Through this awesome realization you eventually come to Step Three, which is in creating and sustaining a life that supports the amazing, empowered, magnificent you. You understand that every action, every thought, every emotion, every food, every activity, every friendship, every job plays a major role in either supporting or restrict this wonderful life of yours. You have the desire to eat well, exercise, have supportive friends, fulfilling job, etc. because you are so in awe of your own existence that you want to do the best you can to support it. Amazing! So instead of going on a liquid diet and hitting the gym because you want to look like the girls on the cover of fitness magazines, you nurture yourself with food and exercise that makes you feel amazing, because you love your body for all it's perfections and imperfections. 

The best part of step three is that it reminds you that you are your greatest health coach, you just need to look in the mirror and see all that I see...

So today is the day that Jesus is said to have risen from the dead, transcended all the evil, anger, bigotry and hatred that was his demise and return to that beautiful state of purity and peace where light once again reigns. This holds true to the overall theme of spring, life birthing from the dead of winter. What if we could do this ourselves? Allow ourselves to die within all the negativity that ruins us, so that we too can rise again, liberated and reconnected with all the amazing light that we truly are? We see this all around us in nature, yet we often find it so difficult to do ourselves. Many of us have an instinct to feel that somehow all of these horribly limiting emotions "gives us character," "are a natural part of life" or even worse that maybe if we suffer, than the liberation will be that much sweeter. Yes, we must feel pain, doubt, sadness, anger, that is part of the magic of being human. What isn't a part of this wonderful package is allowing those emotions to linger beyond the necessary time frame. So what if instead of allowing ourselves to be defined by everything bad that has ever happened to us, we allowed ourselves to die and then be reborn with all the experience and knowledge, as well as a clean slate and all the happiness that the world has to offer?

This reminds me of shivasana, or corpse pose, that we practice every day in yoga. I say practice because it requires just that. This isn't just intended to be time to close your eyes and anxiously await the next part of your day, it is time for the body to rest and reset from a long period of physical exertion, more importantly it is intended to be time for the mind, body and soul to be still, to reconnect. It is called corpse pose because it is the opportunity for the body to release tension and pain, but also for the mind to release tension and pain; allow ourselves to die completely so that when we return we come back with all the strength, power and wisdom, minus the pain. 

The point is that it doesn't require a yoga class or a holiday for us to let go and allow ourselves to be reborn with the opportunity for love, peace and joy. What is stopping you from letting go of the pain? Nothing but your own mind. You can blink and decide that when you open your eyes you will choose happiness, you will choose love, you will choose power, you will choose abundance. It really, truly is that simple.