Compassion & Self-Realization - Compassion for Self-Empowerment

🌸 COMPASSION & SELF-REALIZATION 🌸🕊

What does compassion mean to you and how do you relate to this word personally? This quality can play an extremely powerful role in your life, helping you to live a happier, more fulfilling life. 🕊 

Today's Personal Power Life Coaching discusses this relevant topic:

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary: "Compassion = sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it".

It is a feeling of kindness, active sympathy, benevolence, being kind-hearted, and understanding. In buddhism it is considered one of the 2 qualities (Wisdom + Compassion) that must be developed to realize enlightenment: Compassion - “The ideal of practice is to selflessly act to alleviate suffering wherever it appears” [http://buddhism.about.com/…/basicbuddhistt…/a/compassion.htm].
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Compassion is an important quality for us to embrace not simply because Buddha, Patanjali, the Dalai Lama or another great sage said so. It comes down to the basic quality and feature of living humanely, lovingly and with heart in this world. We can also begin understanding Compassion by knowing its opposite - heartlessness, selfishness, egotism, despotism, cruelty, harshness, hate, intolerance.
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One of the effects of compassion is that we adopt a more “unity” and “oneness” consciousness or mindset. That is, when we practice compassion and are mindful of it in our lives we are empathetic to others’ plights and tribulations and appreciate that what can happen to another could very well happen to us. We open our heart, communicate sincerely, with integrity and live with more love, light, joy, ease and wellbeing. We feel deeper gratitude for our life and see many more of our blessings; we realize there are others less fortunate and that we can help in any small way without necessarily needing to take physical action. We can be compassionate when we simply project love and positive energy through thoughts, intentions and wishes towards XYZ.

These realizations ground us (down-to-earth) and bring us closer to the univeral, timeless Truth of being a part of the shared human collective - we are One, instead of one person, nation or group being superior or inferior. We are all human beings and we are going through the human life experience together and individually; no one is better than another person nor beneath anyone else. We are all one people, one race and all experience the same basic human needs to exist and coexist.

🐘 How can you practice more compassion in your daily life? 3 Helpful Tips:

1. 🏳 Be Aware, Open Your Eyes - We can start by awareness of what is compassionate and what it is not. What does it mean to you?🏳Look around you: Your environment, home, workplace, relationships, how others interact and notice where there is an opportunity to be compassionate, kind, caring, helpful or understanding. Often times, people use ‘being nice’, empathetic, sympathetic as synonyms for ‘compassion’.
2. 🏳 Self-Compassion - Be compassionate with/towards yourself, and then towards others. This means not judging yourself or being hard on yourself. Throw perfectionism out the window and celebrate the good work you are doing and the positive steps you are taking. Appreciate how far you’ve come along your own journey and the several ways you have changed for the better, and even if you cannot find too many ways that you’ve improved then acknowledge your willingness to do better and be a better person than you were yesterday. You always have the chance to change and you can do so with your intention and the empowering energy of self-compassion.
3. 🏳 Compassion Towards Others - Consider extending to others the benefit of the doubt rather than jumping to negative conclusions. Avoid criticizing or judging others. Understand that they are going through their own journeys and are doing the best they can. There is one NLP Presupposition summed up as follows: “People make the best choices possible with the information and resources available.” Although we might be inclined or habituated to judging someone else’s behavior, weakness, attitudes, or whatever other aspect you disagree with, we can practice compassion by understanding that they are doing the best they can, perhaps they do not know any better way and this is the utmost they can do at this time.

Practicing Compassion is incredibly important in today’s day and age - both for individual wellbeing and society at large.

Given our global societies evolving and industrializing at faster and faster rates there is more automation, computerization and more sources of immediate gratification and short attention spans. Our amazing technological progress has enhanced convenience in our lives yet it has also generated some degree of being dissociated and numb to real tragedy, violence and suffering around the world and in our local communities. The more we are exposed to “fake suffering” through movies, TV shows, commercials, video games, music and mass media overall the more sensational it is (violence, suffering, etc.) the more it serves as entertainment; as some become desensitized, there is less impact when real calamity occurs and thus people are unable to actually be the compassionate beings we are by nature. As to whether Compassion is inate or not, we need only look to the babies, and we too we once these same beings - kind, gentle, innocent, compassionate beings who can continue evolving as such when given the opportunities to grow up safe, positive, nurturing environments.


By practicing feelings of kindness, love, understanding, patience, and giving others the benefit of the doubt, we cultivate more wellbeing within us and then we can extend it others. Alternatively, if you have a hard time loving yourself and are your own worst critic yet easily feel compassion for others, then nurture the quality you extend to others and direct those loving, positive, warm vibes towards yourself! You deserve your own love. Indeed, this is fundamental to living your greatest, most joyous life possible. It starts with awareness and compassion.


I invite you to watch the Life Coaching Video that inspired this post: Compassion & Self-Realization - A Tool for Personal Power :

How can you be more compassionate in your daily life? Share your messages and energy of love, light and compassion - you may be pleasantly surprised at the increased peace, happiness and positive experiences that unfold in your every moment.

Thank you for your time !
With Love, Light & Gratitude,
Jennifer Personal Power Life Coaching Http://bit.ly/pplcjen

The Relationship You Want - Why do you want it? What do you want? Tips & Guidance

This Life Coaching & Reading video discusses how you can align more effectively to attract the types of quality relationships you desire. 

Today's card reading theme:
Are you looking for or asking for a relationship? 💞

Well, even more powerful question: Why do you want it & What do you want in it??

Let us receive some higher guidance and wisdom on Relationships through the Abraham Hicks cards.

Relationships are fundamental to life and who we are individually so it is important and self-enriching to be clear and aligned about the relationships we invite and create in our reality.

Watch the full video for analysis and how it applies to your life: - The link: >> Why & What You Want in a Relationship

CARD 43: WHY DO I WANT THE RELATIONSHIP I WANT...? 🤓

• ♧Think about what you want & why you want it
• ♧ Focus your appreciation on others with qualities of relationship you would like 
• ♧ Focus on anything that you love and make lists of positive aspects

Enjoy the video & may you and your life mate live happily ever after!

Live & Love,
Gratitude to all & everything,
Jennifer 😄
Personal Power Life Coaching & Readings

Enjoy!

Video Link: Why & What You Want in a Relationship

Reacting to Bad News with Control & Wisdom - Personal Power Life Coaching

This Life Coaching video is designed to help you cope & handle “Bad News” resourcefully.

• Have you ever received "Bad news"? 
• Can we react to and handle Bad News with Control & Wisdom?💭

We all go through moments in life where we receive “bad” or negative news. Things don’t go our way, a loved one has a health concern, a layoff, a break-up, unpleasant coworker, or any similar situation.

These experiences can feel powerful and grip our attention as something vitally important. As such, our inner wisdom guides us to engage with all of life’s situations and this is where your Personal Power needs to be activated.

Here are some Key Concepts on how to engage with such situations for the greatest wellbeing possible given the circumstances:

 Adopt a new mantra: Mantra of the Moment =  ✋

WAIT & SEE

• Powerful Questions: 
• Are you feeling emotional? 
• What emotions are you feeling? Breathe into these feelings; this breathing PAUSE helps you re-center and avert rash behavior.
• Are you making assumptions? 
• What are the FACTS? 
• Do you need to wait for more information, data or do some research and investigate further?
• Do you need to take immediate action? If yes, then realize this is your new OUTCOME or AIM/GOAL/OBJECTIVE. 
• Identify your new outcome and align with it in to take the best course of action.
• Tip: Hold off before making a conclusion...
• Tip: It is not very helpful to assume without concrete evidence or facts as your thoughts will be based on the unreal. 

NLP Presupposition: THE PERSON WITH THE MOST FLEXIBILITY CONTROLS THE SYSTEM

✰ Recognize that you are upset or disturbed because “it” doesn’t meet your Map of Reality or match your expectations (what if you modified your expectations or Map of Reality?)

✰ Gather your facts; do research.

✰ Wait for the results or for further confirmed details, evidence. Once you have the concrete data you can shift focus onto what you can do, your new outcome (i.e. What do you now want given the information at hand?

✰ Bring yourself into the present moment (Take at least 3 deep, mindful breaths while closing your eyes)

✰ Wait before jumping to Assumptions & Conclusions

✰ Pause before any hasty actions or sudden reactionary behavior

✰ Acknowledge your emotions however do your very best to not identify with them. Give your feelings the space required however avoid impulsive actions based on immediate emotional reactions as these tend to be more dramatic, intense and changeable.

✰ Remember kindness - to yourself. This means not being harsh or judgmental on yourself or others as this only facilitates more troublesome emotions and thought pathways. Be nice to yourself.

It main seem difficult in the moment to remember these ideas, however, you can do this.

An excellent way to develop better coping mechanisms in life overall is to develop a regular Meditation practice & connecting deeply with your Higher Power.

Why is Meditation so useful and germane in this regard? Because Meditation enhances your presence, consciousness and awareness - which is about bringing concentration into the present moment and bringing your powerful mind into focus and calming it down from the raging rivers of thoughts and feelings. Meditating on a regular basis will help you bring more peace into your inner world; it enhances self-control, poise, inner clarity and presence. 

Meditation helps us overcome impulsive and reactionary behavior and helps you become Master of your Self rather than a helpless victim of feelings. Feelings are fleeting, mercurial and fluctuating, and life consistently reveals itself be defined by its diverse and changing currents no matter who you are. So let us use this knowledge to our advantage, let us work with this mutable energy, let us flow with the wisdom of life and our Creator, and allow more aligned living, thinking, and wellbeing. You are meant to be happy, and you deserve the most joyful life you can imagine and even more! :-) 

May we allow the wisdom and love of Spirit to permeate our minds, hearts and souls. 

Would you like to discuss your own Holistic Wellness needs? Your own spiritual queries, self-development and areas for even more Personal Power? I'd love to chat with you.

Message me via Life Coaching Page www.facebook.com/coacharcila and we'll get started.

I hope this helps and see you soon!

Thank you,

Peace, Love & Light
Namaste 🕉☮️☯️💟

Jennifer
Personal Power Life Coaching
www.facebook.com/coacharcila

Effectively Manage Your Emotions at Work (or anywhere!) - A re-adapted NLP Process

Are you a Sensitive or Emotional member of your team or group? Or do you work with such a sensitive/emotional individual(s). There is a high likelihood that you do.

In either case, along our professional development and journey we have all found ourselves in a situation in the work setting where emotions got the best of you or someone else. Perhaps this entailed a manifestation of explosive emotion, or an experience of deep discomfort, upset, anger, frustration, or indignation. Regardless of the felt emotion, these scenarios resonate with every single member of the human race, for as humans we are most certainly feeling and sensing creatures, and this sensing/feeling quality does not necessarily switch off at work.

In fact, emotion can sometimes deepen and reveal itself in the workplace in ways we had not considered possible - and this is most reasonable when you consider that we spend a significant bulk of our day at work. Indeed, it is no wonder that a sizable chunk of our personality will express itself in the workplace. Add to this the fact that work can generate stress via its multiple, diverse demands from different stakeholders, different priorities, and personal preferences - it is a like a colossal soup of goals, projects, personalities, emotions and perspectives, and somehow the components of this mixed-ingredient soup need to combine in just the suitably harmonious combinations in order to yield a palatable end product - a delicious soup i.e. fruitful results in the office.

There needs to be some degree of harmony and complementarity between the ingredients in order to generate a satisfying soup. In the same way, there needs to be a degree of flow and synergy in human relations, and thus a management of the emotions of each participant in each working relationship.

As we cannot manage anyone elses emotions it behooves us to assume responsibility for our own emotions and to learn effective State Management, or effective management of our emotions.
If our emotions are an undeniable and powerful trait that makes us discerning beings, how can we work with it? What can you do the next time you experience difficult emotions at work? This article will provide a specific NLP-based (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) tool that is already in your 'toolbox', which you are now activating by reading these words. It will help you to effectively manage your emotions when encountering difficult situations and peers at work.

Take a step back, literally - Assume a different perceptual position.

• If you can, physically disengage/remove yourself from the situation that is generating your internal discomfort, frustration, emotional state, etc. and go to a place where you can be alone. Perhaps close the door of your office for privacy or go to an empty meeting room, or simply go to the bathroom - all you need is a clear spce where you can be alone.

In that area, stand where you are and call this "Position 1". Position 1 represents that troubling situation.

• Now imagine there is another circle to your right. Call this Position 2.

Take a step to the right and move into Position 2 - acknowledge that in this new space you (i.e. Bob) have removed yourself from the situation (Position 1) and you are now an outside observer of Position 1 i.e. the situation and you in that situation.

• From Position 2, look at yourself (look at Bob) in Position 1. Take a breath and look at what is happening there. Describe the situation and the unfolding of the scene. What was said specifically and what transpired in Position 1 that upsetting or uncomfortable?

 

How does Bob in Position 1 feel? Ask yourself the questions: "What has been actually said? What is being asked? What is really going on here? Where is Bob assuming or interpreting or Mind Reading?"

As much as you can, stick to a narrative told in the voice of an outside observer.
As you deliberately disassemble the situation in a more levelheaded manner, you can begin to identify what is bothering you from a more objective perspective.

The simple act of physically moving yourself into a new space (Position 2), and then studying what happened, will help you tremendously in gaining some composure and greater clarity. As you dismantle the scene you regain a sense of control and thus you feel slightly better than you did before. Feeling better and calm will undoubtedly enable you to respond to any situation in a more resourceful manner.

• Lastly, in Position 2 ask yourself: "How do I want to feel?" Identify your desired internal state - how you want to feel when you move back into the situation, which you will have to do soon enough.

AND: What is the single thing Bob could do, moving forward in this situation, that will help him continue with his day with his desired state? This action must be feasible within the work context and it would not involve or impact anyone else - it is designed for your personal, internal and private improvement of personal emotion. This desired state could be ease, peace of mind, indifference, acceptance, clarity, etc. Only you know how you want to feel which will be better than how you were when you started this exercise.

• Once you identify your desired state and then identify the 1 step or thing that you can do right away that will generate this desired state (ease, peace, acceptance, etc.) take a moment to see yourself doing that 1 thing...Close your eyes and visualize yourself moving into that picture doing the action and see yourself feeling better. What is your facial expression? How are you sitting? How are you talking and how are you breathing? Fully engage with that image of yourself for 30 seconds at least.

With this image clear in your mind's eye, open your eyes and go back to work. You've already charted your steps and you've decided how you want to feel. Everyone can have their win-win...the key is to focus on how you want to feel regardless of the external factors which you cannot control.

Step back into your situation and allow yourself to move forward with ease and more clarity about how you want to feel (without attaching to people or factors) and focus on that feeling. You are bound to succeed. It only requires a few minutes of your time, identifying a better feeling and then focusing on it whilst engaging these 2 simple perceptual positions.

 

Conclusion:

So the next time you are at work and you have the unique opportunity to feel an emotion that is not ideal for you, try these steps -

Before reacting take a breath, remove yourself from the situation and go somewhere where you can be alone.

Identify Position 1, then move into Position 2.
Look at the circumstance of Position 1, see yourself there. Describe the scene and realize that you can remove yourself from the issue, and thus you regain control, composure and better manage your internal state, which is the most that anyone can do regardless of the conditions.

Finally, identify your desired state and what is the 1 thing that you can reasonably do (at work) that will support you in feeling better (the desired state). Then Visualize yourself doing that 1 thing and see yourself receiving the immense benefit of the simple action. Focus on that vision. Then go back to your day and continue about your business.

Congratulations! You have just dismantled a strong internal bomb and have replaced it with more clarity, focus and self-empowerment. Bravo!

Supercharge Your Resources - NLP Process for Personal Power

I recently conducted a Life Coaching session which was great fun and which generated important insights for the Client. The Client experienced key personal realizations and discovered empowering resources that had been dormant inside of her.

There was valuable learning for both Client and Coach particularly on the subject of Personal Resources.

Life is a vast ocean of possibilities.

What is a Resource anyway?

• A supply of something (such as money) that someone has and can use when it is needed; a place or thing that provides something useful. Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online 

• "Anything that helps a person or group reach a desired state or transform a problem state," (NLP University Press).

• A resource is a tool of sorts; your assets, strengths, capabilities.

We can consider resources as tools in the toolkit of self-awareness, identity and behavior. Resources influence beliefs, self-talk, attitudes, and behavior.Ultimately, a person's resources (tools) are the vital components used to find solutions, solve problems, and surpass the myriad of life's rollercoaster moments.  Having a clear understanding of our great internal resources can empower a person's sense of confidence and resourcefulness - an "I can do it" mindset.

Similarly, there may be resources you want to develop and strengthen as you know they are currently weak in yourself and which would be great assets in helping you achieve your goals. For instance, some resources people typically wish to improve upon include:

• Being assertive
• Self-Confident
• Visionary
• Effective communicator 
• Punctual
• Disciplined
• Consistent
• Flexible
• Courageous
• Committed
• Spontaneous
• And more...

Strengthening the Resources That Work For You

As the session progressed the Client identified some wonderful new resources she recently uncovered; of these new resources she chose 1 that was especially potent in improving her sense of self-appreciation, positive thinking and personal empowerment.

In order to further deepen and strengthen this wonderful new asset, we applied the Resource Supercharger Process (created by Robert Dilts), which is designed to embed this recently developed resource more richly for the person and thus ensure it can reliably support the person moving forward in life.

If this technique piques your interest, you can learn about the Resource Supercharger Process at: http://nlpuniversitypress.com/html3/R68.html.

The Resource Supercharger Process

Below I present a broad overview of the process and how it can yield potentially life-boosting results for the Client. We take Self-Compassion as a resource someone would like to enrich as it is integral to healthy self-esteem, well-being, and personal satisfaction.

The Process:

Starting in the present day, you identify the New Resource you want to strengthen and you fully associate with the emotions, actions and thoughts that stem from knowing you have this resource within you. Feel completely who and how you are possessing this resource.

Once done associating with it, you take 1 step forward into your imagined future. Over the time that passed leading to that future point, the resource has enhanced, strengthened and deepened further bringing you to the Future You with that life experience.

In this future, you experience the resource as having gotten stronger. You then imagine and associate with who you are in the future with this magnificent resource that strengthened over time.

For example, Self-Compassion having enriched over time leads to a Future You that is more assertive, confident and appreciative of self; you may value your time more, prioritize your happiness, and say "No" when appropriate in diplomatic, respectful ways.

You then step back into the Present and look over your future seeing how this resource influenced your behavior. In that Present moment, you then assume you have that deepened resource from the future actually in your Present. You then associate yourself fully with how you would live with this boosted resource Today. 

From the Present You to the Future You - You are helping yourself i.e. You have all the answers within already.

You then re-step into the future and in the Future You this resource has enriched even beyond what it strengthened in the first step - it is now supercharged!
You can associate fully in the Future You and how you would be assuming you have lived your life with this deepened resource.

In other words, you take the enhancement you experienced from the deepened resource in the first round, and then double it or even triple it in the second round. The point is to saturate yourself with the total absorption of having this resource in your self and life, and feel who you would be with that revved-up resource.


We finish by stepping back into the present and looking forward into the future to see how life will evolve now with this new knowledge and expanding resource.

This nicely highlights 2 valuable NLP Presuppositions: 

(i) we have all the resources within us already

(ii) no one is fixed or broken

In closing...

As the session came to a close it was clear that applying NLP techniques can generate tremendous clarity, satisfaction and awareness about how truly great we can be when we decide to focus on our strengths;

We stretch the boundaries of our unlimited potential;

We consider who we want to be, 

And we give ourselves the opportunity to imagine.

-Jen xx

Balancing a Huge Appetite - Not having it all (right now) is good!

This morning I made a brief video on Having a Huge Appetite in Life (or For Life) following an insightful "Cheat Meal" this weekend. :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAq1QiF00RA
Huge Appetites in Life - Not having all right now is good too!

Basically, I was at Pain Quotidien and while I had been giddily prepared to enjoy a delightful, decadent, delicious Banana-Oatmeal Bar (i.e. cake), once I got there and witnessed the incredibly vast cornucopia of pastries I realized that I wanted to try more than one; in fact, I wanted to try all of them! Oh my.

There I was beholding all these magnificent, colorful, fun-looking treats, and it was the day that I could have it, soon to be followed by my workout. I felt a yearning to savor them all and yet I knew I would not and that this is not practical or beneficial from multiple perspectives.

I ended up just having the treat I had originally planned on and a mocha-coffee, which is another indulgence since it is sugary and containing dairy.

I have a strong feeling you've been there :-).

In that moment I felt like I had a huge appetite, and what I realized on a deeper level is that perhaps this also reflects a huge appetite in life; the desire to enjoy and savor the various delights that life has to offer. I didn't want to miss out, and I wanted to make full use of this 'window of opportunity'.

A Key Insight

The valuable learning that morning is that just as we can have a desire to eat many things in one go, we also ask for various great things in life and want them all to happen now, at the same time.

Sometimes it is better that we do not receive everything we think we want at once, because doing so would overload our system (i.e. Life).  You have personal experience with this already - just remember those times when it seemed that everything was happening to you at the same time - e.g. changing homes + career change + relationship changes, etc. It either all worked out simultaneously or "it all came crashing down".

Back to the buffet analogy...
Now imagine that you did indeed eat everything you wanted from that marvelous buffet without regard for moderation and temperance...what is the outcome? Overindulgence typically results in physical discomfort, indigestion, regret, lethargy and even confusion!


In the same way that eating everything at a buffet in one fell swoop would cause indigestion, internal blockage, and physical discomfort, having everything we want in life at the same time can generate "blockage" and resistance in our ability to absorb it and appreciate it all.

Just like our digestive system has a certain pace for nutrient absorption and digestion, our physical life experience aka 'system' has a certain rate at which it can feasibly absorb certain life experiences.

So as you stand before the buffet of life beholding all the things that you want to savor, which item(s) are already on your plate?

Are you too busy eyeing the desert, or the other dishes you aren't eating (not yet)?

Are you able to appreciate the robustness and inherent greatness of your already-in-your-hands juicy main course rather than thinking about the things you cannot have?

This brings us nicely to the wonderful notion of being fully present, mindfulness, living consciously, and choosing deliberately. Living in the Now.
When we choose to be more mindful, centered and focused on the task or opportunity at hand, we can more fully delight in it and feel more satisfied with what we do/can have instead of lamenting what is not.

Bear in mind also:  

We can have it all just not necessarily at the same time.

We can pace ourselves, we can gauge how we are doing and advancing along in life - you can assess where you are in your personal development and life journey. Sometimes we ask for things but we are not yet ready to receive them.

Be Ready & Timing

Readiness is required for everything that comes our way and that we want to experience. The digestive system primes itself to optimally absorb incoming food by releasing enzymes and gastric juices. Certain life experiences also necessitate that we be prepared in multiple ways: emotionally, financially, professionally, socially, time-wise and more.

If there are things you are wanting that have not yet materialized it might be because your overall life system is not primed for those changes. However, it can and will happen in the future because you can choose to make yourself ready by deciding what you want to add to your life and being cognizant of what these new additions will entail.

Just as we can offset eating an extra donut by eating light the remainder of the day, we are required to balance the scale of our life's parts so that all the parts fit harmoniously for the optimal life experience - as far as we can influence things.

Every person's journey is individual and thus it serves us not to compare against others. Some people have a higher metabolism, or they are taller, or have more muscle mass, etc. Everyone is walking their own path in their own unique way.

The value is in evaluating where you are personally and how you are doing; be honest with yourself about what you want and how much you're ready change the status quo.


Have you ever noticed that you immediately lose interest on the treats once you'd had more than your fill. Balance is key.

There may be in intangible wisdom to life's timing and when things happen.

We receive when we are ready to receive - and when it happens, that will be the 'right time'.

Peace xx -Jen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAq1QiF00RA
Huge Appetites in Life - Not having all right now is good too!

Timeline Legacy Process - Empower Your Decisions, Empower Yourself, Empower Your Life

Recap - This week's Self-Empowerment Videos:

Early this week I made a video introducing the notion of taking "The Path of Least Resistance" as a type of framework or Guiding Question you can ask yourself when you are making a decision or find yourself in a troublesome or challenging situation. As I finished that video I touched on the idea that decision-making becomes easier, more efficient and straightforward when we take stock of the broader context or circumstances that the decision will affect. Once you make a decision you then check the Ecology - you check if it is a realistic, viable and workable course of action given the practicalities and realities of daily life, existing commitments and the people in your life.

I then shot a follow-up video on making more powerful decisions by going through the Timeline Legacy Process, a Neuro-Linguistic Process, that is designed to help the person get clarity on where they see themselves in future years. You can do it yourself in the privacy of your home, and it may be easier and more powerful if you have a skilled NLP Life Coach who can take you through the process. 

Here it is in a nutshell:

Timeline Legacy Process - NLP Technique

You stand in a spot with enough space for you to take 4-6 steps forward (depending on the time increments you choose). You are facing the direction of your imagined future. You are standing in the current day (your 'today'). In other words, your future literally lies ahead of you.

1. You take a step forward and place yourself 5 years into the future. You are 5 years older; what is your life like? What work are you doing? Who is in your life? Where are you living? How do you feel? What have you accomplished as you had wished?
2. Take another step forward and imagine yourself 15 years in the future. You are 15 years into the future and you can ask yourself again what your life looks like, who you are with, what work you are doing or are you retired? What kind of an income do you have? Etc. 
3. Take another step forward and see yourself 25yrs older. You can ask the same questions and gauge where you are emotionally, mentally, physically, professionally and spiritually.
4. Finally, you will take a final step forward and this time you are moving into your post-death experience. This is after you have passed away and left your mark on the world.  
5. Turn around and look back on your life. You can close your eyes (or not) as you mentally re-run the events of your life that you just experienced on your timeline. 
6. What was your legacy? What was your contribution to the world? What mattered most? Which people mattered the most? What was the most important or valuable aspect(s) of your life experience? 
7. From that whole life experience what message would you like to send back to yourself to the you that is living in the current day (the day you are doing this exercise)? Once you identify that message, send it back to the you in the present day. 
8. Once you've sent the message you will walk back through your time i.e. going back in time. Ensure that you are taking steps back so that you are still facing your future yet walking backwards.
9. Once you reach the current day (today) you will once again be standing in the original position facing your future. Now you will receive the valuable message that the future you sent to the current you. Close your eyes and receive this message.
10. Once you are sure that your internal self has received and absorbed the message you can acknowledge this in a subtle way (rub hands together lightly, open your eyes, or nod your head) and you can continue with your day with this new knowledge you've received from the future.

 [Source: Thank you to Mindbridge NLP Trainings where I received my Life Coach and Master NLP Practitioner Certifications, and who taught me these modalities through their course materials and classes. It was an exceptional experience.]

 

Timeline (TL) Legacy Process - Elucidating Values

The Timeline process is designed to generate new ideas and clarity around the things that really matter to you in the long-term. This long-term perspective can help us identify, fine-tune and reconfirm our deeply-held values, or criteria. Values are the guiding stars of a person's behavior, attitudes and fundamental way of seeing the world. They serve as parameters for action (or inaction) and can certainly influence the meaning we ascribe to situations and experiences.

Since our Values shape our Identity, and our Identity is integral to a firm and secure sense of self, our confidence and place in the world (ego). 

Values and Identity are inextricably linked.

Thus, it is natural that we protect, defend and cherish our Values. We have seen this evidenced since the beginning of time when civilizations and individuals have defended their religion, independence, gender equality, racial non-discrimination, and suffrage (right to vote).

Living up to our Values reflects congruence, or internal alignment, generates more personal clarity, and reconfirms our identity (Who I am, What I do, What I believe). In other words, the world makes sense and you feel secure in your place in the world and life. Living your highest, deeply-held Values will ideally reflect you at your best and enable living the life you love.

Thus, supporting your Values with the corresponding actions, thoughts, ideas, people and situations will further boost levels of optimal living and personal satisfaction.

This is why congruence and internal alignment are key.

Once you've gone through the TL process and learned, discovered and/or reaffirmed your Values

you can better understand what really matters for you in your life; which activities, people and situations will benefit your overall happiness and reflect you at your best, and living optimally.

It allows you to live with more ease, wisdom and peace; You don't sweat the small stuff (and it's all small stuff?) and to envision Your bigger picture, the great things in store for you, and the amazing possibilities you can create for your future.

Thinking about the future can be frightening or intimidating to some of us, especially when you haven't thought this way before. Perhaps no one has asked you where you see yourself a few years down the line. Or you draw blanks when you try. Or you think that the Greater Powers of the Universe will decide how things play out and you don't have much say in the end.

Regardless of where you stand on this spectrum, going through the Timeline Process will definitely give you feedback you can work with; remember - there is no such thing as Failure only Feedback. You will have more self-awareness and once you begin the process you might find it exciting to discover that you can in fact design your future with your thoughts.


Have fun with it! Use your imagination and ask yourself some powerful, creative 'creation' questions:

- What would I like to see happen?
- You don't know the answer, but imagine if you did know, what would that be?
- If anything were possible what would you see happen?
- Where do you see yourself thriving the most?
- Do you know anyone who already has the life you respect or admire? Which qualities or aspects would you like to have in yours?
- What are you doing when you're at your best?
- Where do you see yourself most in love with life?

In Closing...

I hope you've found this beneficial and relevant. Life is fun, life is amazing, life is a miracle and we are all co-creators in this experience. There are such beautiful and magnificent possibilities before us if we can only envision them, imagine them and then see and feel ourselves attuned to those potentialities. We are only limited by our thinking (Zig Ziglar's Stinkin' Thinkin'); we are only limited by our imagination.

One of my next posts & videos will focus on another NLP process: Fun and Magic with the Reframe Technique.
Here is a taster...

Feeling Lonely? Let's Reframe that!

Comparing yourself to someone else/to others? Let's Reframe that!

Frustrated by your lack of progress? Let's reframe that!

Feeling stuck in a rut? Let's reframe that! 

Themes to explore: context of situations, all things being relative, things have meaning we choose to give them, and more.

Thanks and focus on empowering, resourceful thoughts. Life is a product of the quality of our thoughts.

-Jennifer (9 Apr 2015)

The Path of Least Resistance - Video & Life Coaching

April 7, 2015:

 

Today's Video

On today's video of Path of Least Resistance (PLR) - http://youtu.be/YfYNsO_pf1k

I invite you to consider how it feels to ask yourself "What is the path of least resistance?" whenever we are faced with making a decision or in a situation that generates some blockage, challenge or resistance.

Once you've asked the question you can then identify how you want to feel as a result of the decision - What decision would make my life easier? What (would) make me feel better? What is the easiest course of action that will get me where I need to be? Shift my State to a more resourceful one.

Moving forward, I'd like to make a subsequent video focusing on how these decisions fit into the bigger scheme of your life. In Coaching this means "Checking Ecology" i.e. How the decision fits from a practical day-to-day perspective (how feasible is it in real  life) and also within the wider scheme of your life.

More often than not any decision you take will fit within a broader context. Here are some examples of typical situations:

• Work Example - The bigger picture is one's overall, overarching career goals, work performance and personal happiness. How does the particular decision fit with your professional, career, self-development and financial goals?
• Is the Path of Least Resistance to avoid and procrastinate a given project, and then eventually get stressed and rush to finish at the last minute? OR, is it to break the project down into parts and then gradually finishing in time with minimal stress?

• Getting stuck in traffic - The bigger picture is you want to reach home safely, low stress, in good spirits, and have an enjoyable night. 
• Assuming taking another route is not feasible, is the Path of Least Resistance to make peace with where you are and make the current conditions as enjoyable as possible? i.e. play fun music, listen to an audio book, call a friend or family member, think about what great things happened in your day and what you are grateful for. 

• Relationship/Social - Someone (a friend, romantic partner, etc.) walks out of your life and despite your efforts it just didn't work out. Or perhaps there is someone who for whatever reason does not like you. 
• The bigger picture is that you enjoy and want healthy, happy, harmonious relationships and you also value and appreciate yourself (Ask yourself if this is true for you. If does not feel true for you then there may be a deeper underlying Limiting Belief on your own value and worth). So then how does this situation and potential course of action fit into your overall aim of having happy, healthy and harmonious relationships?
• Is the Least Resistance to just allow and accept this has happened? Or, is it to continue thinking over the issue wondering why it didn't work, where it went wrong and what you could've done differently, or if you should try further?

Sometimes the greatest difficulty is LETTING GO.

 

The course of action taken upon asking "What is the path of least resistance?" is intended to facilitate and help you come into better alignment and focus with the overarching goals you have in the given area of your life.

This brings up why it's valuable to have a longer view of one's own goals and overall priorities.
Why?
Because when we have clarity on our values, priorities and overarching personal/life objectives, we can better understand which decisions and actions while align and beneficially contribute to and support those overarching values, priorities and goals.

Why does this matter?

This matters because it reflects Congruence, Internal Alignment, and personal satisfaction for the life we are living and the way life is evolving.

Next Video Idea:
I'm really looking forward to creating a new video on Momentum & Why It Feels So Good.

 

Gratitude

I am so grateful for today's insightful and fun video on "The Path of Least Resistance" and that I  have contributed to my community in this manner.
I'm really happy with the way things are evolving.
I'm really enjoying the creation process, the self-expression and expansion; sharing overall, the thoughts, ideas, development. Contributing positively into this marvelous universe.

  

Want to boost your mood, raise your vibration and feel better? 

Make a list of your own Positive Aspects, a list of things you appreciate, like, love, enjoy and for which you are genuinely grateful. You can't go wrong once you get started with your own list of positive aspects. (Resource: Abraham Hicks)

The finisher - My Positive Aspects:

- I love vacation!
- I love the morning coffee feelzzz!
- I love calm, peaceful and joyful mornings - fresh
- I am exuberant
Take the easy way out.
My dream is coming alive bit by bit and it feels divine.