Anger: Shifting from Force to Power [an Intent & Action Blog]

Anger insidiously sneaks up on us. Bam! The force of our anger results in the war cry of reaction. Lines of communication disintegrate. 

Yet, at other times, we are aware of anger seeping into the cracks of our being. Drip by indignant drip it fills a soul parched by fear. In those moments of awareness, before the flashpoint of reaction, we choose not to allow the force of anger to wreak havoc on our self. Instead, we use the power of anger to respond with lovingkindness.

I spent many decades believing the fallacy that anger was bad and to be avoided at all cost. Somehow being angry was shameful. We needed to be able to ride through everything that happens without being angry. When I accepted that anger was an  unavoidable emotion, the shame dissipated and my propensity to react with anger minimized. Anger became an ally in my personal transformation. 

Anger is not the problem. Our avoiding naming the roots of our anger and the triggered reactions are. When we acknowledge our anger, we are better able to identify the affects of triggers. Instead of ignoring or negating our anger, we dive deeply to discover its source. We name what was triggered deep inside of us. Perhaps we find fear, feeling disrespected, or the impotence of not being a change agent. Naming the roots takes some of the sting out of our feelings.

Our anger is an early warning system. It tells us to stop, enter the silence, and be mindful of what is occurring. Anger cautions us to think before we act. When we are mindful, we can choose to be overwhelmed by the force of anger or to be propelled by the anger’s power into a place of transformation. 

To use the power of your anger:

• Create a habit of full body listening. (This is a way of attending to how you body, mind, spirit, and heart are bombarded by various emotions.)
• Identify how you react physically, mentally, and emotionally to anger. 
• Name the roots of your anger to minimize the impact of its force. 
• Discern how you can engage the power of anger to bring about transformation.
• Respond with compassion for yourself and others.

Once you get into the routine of listening to your body, identifying any triggers, and formulating responses, the time needed to short circuit the force of your anger lessens. Anger then becomes an ally on the journey of transforming to your best authentic self. 

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is a Mindful Coach, Neural Synchrony™ facilitator, Professional Speaker, and Author who weaves her inner wisdom into all she touches. Vanessa assists clients in navigating their life paths with intuition. Her books are A Constellation of Connections: Contemplative Relationships and Engaging Compassion Through Intent & Action. Contact Vanessa @ vanessa@intentandaction.com for keynotes, programs, and consultations.

Website / LinkedIn Profile / Facebook / Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2018

Be the Light: Spark Change Within

Our light reflects off a shiny thing. We are so enamored by the brightness that we forsake our journey. We detour — we need to hold the shiny thing, to enjoy its brightness, to be with the newness. But, as with all shiny things, the novelty wears off soon enough. Then we find in a mad dash to the next newest, shiniest bling. Instead of continuing on a journey of purpose, we take detour after detour grabbing onto illusion after illusion.

Chasing shining things is a mindless quest to find the perfect job, perfect home, perfect relationship, perfect whatever that will chase away the ills and make our life complete. We shine our light onto the world searching for the ultimate source of peace — the answer to our life quest.  We do not realize that as we shine our light out the window, what we seek is only found within us.

We spend so much time shining our light into the world and then chasing after its reflection that we forget we are the light. Within us is a spark that flares guiding us through uncertainty. When we lose sight of our internal guidance, we get mired in life’s commotion. We are unable to see what is real on our journey and what are blings of illusion. We leap here and there searching for the elusive answer to our inner turmoil. Our search takes us anywhere but inside of us.  

When we remember that within the shiny thing is less bling and more an invitation for growth, we are less likely to get carried away by the allure of illusion and subsequent turmoil. We realize that we are the light and the light is us. When we are the light, the reflection of our thoughts words, and actions alleviate the bleakness of the world. Through our light, we share compassion and hope. We transform into our best self.

When we remember that we are the light, we better understand its purpose. The beacon guides us through uncertainty and turmoil. Although our light reveals our path of purpose, we do not shine unless we nurture the internal ember. As we nurture the ember, our reflections upon the world are not bling illusion traps, but are means of navigating through each challenge. With each challenge met, we become brighter transformative beacons of light in a darkened world.  

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is a Mindful Coach, Neural Synchrony™ facilitator, Professional Speaker, and Author who weaves her inner wisdom into all she touches. Vanessa assists clients in navigating their life paths with intuition. Her books are A Constellation of Connections: Contemplative Relationships and Engaging Compassion Through Intent & Action. Contact Vanessa @ vanessa@intentandaction.com for keynotes, programs, and consultations.

Website / LinkedIn Profile / Facebook / 

Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2018

Snow Storm vs. Spring’s Green

Just when I thought Spring had arrived, it started to snow. Wasn’t it just yesterday that I turned my face to the sun and felt Spring’s gentle breeze soothe the burn from my cheeks? Then, out of nowhere, the snow started to fall obliterating Spring’s promise. 

I chuckled without joy for life is like that. We are so close to a new beginning, a new flowering in our life, that we cannot help but be disappointed in the setback brought on by a snowstorm. At first, we might hunker down watching the huge, wet flakes coat the world. We might even venture into the snow and allow our self to be coated in the wet messiness. But, the snow obliterates the promise of Spring.  And, it is difficult to get past the worry of yet another setback.

Eventually we grab our snow shovel and begin to dig our self out. We can move the snow in one of two ways: we can power through the snow totally focused on completing the task or we can mindfully, shovel by shovel, clear our path while enjoying those moments of messy snow removal. 

How do you meet the challenge of an unexpected snowfall? Me? Well, at first I am overwhelmed by the storm that disrupts my careful planning. But, then, that little voice inside me suggests that what I view as a calamity is just a minor irritation. I breathe to calm and center myself. I remind myself that it is the destination not the journey that is important. Instead of seeing the snowfall as a daunting obstacle complete with a cold breeze and wet fluffy flakes, I see the glint of possibility in each unique snowflake. 

This journey through the storm is not without obstacles. To navigate through the storm’s commotion we need humility, vulnerability, curious daring, and courage. Humbly, we clear our path without expectations. We are open to what debris might be hidden under the snowfall and vulnerable to the change it brings. With curious daring we uncover the path and courageously confront whatever we find. Instead of the falling snow being an obstacle it is an opportunity.

Yes, it is snowing — I vow not only to clear the path, but to enjoy the journey as I do it. I am making a snow angel, building a snow fort, and readying for a snowball fight while being aware of the spring greens poking up  through winter’s last challenge….or so I hope. Our perspective is the first step toward radical transformation. 

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is a Mindful Coach, Neural Synchrony™ facilitator, Professional Speaker, and Author who weaves her inner wisdom into all she touches. Vanessa assists clients in navigating their life paths with intuition. Her books are A Constellation of Connections: Contemplative Relationships and Engaging Compassion Through Intent & Action. Contact Vanessa @ vanessa@intentandaction.com for keynotes, programs, and consultations.

Website / LinkedIn Profile / Facebook / 

Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2018

Contemplation in Action: Lion & Lamb

The lamb romps playfully near the fierce lion. The lamb knows that she is incomplete without lion’s energy. Within each of us is the ready energy of a lion and the calm presence of the lamb. When they collaborate within us, we are our best, truest self — a person with a compassionate heart and an expanding nonviolent soul.

In this uncertain world it is easy to pounce without thought and retreat over and over again until we are exhausted in our body, mind, spirit, and heart. It is not always easy to combine the discernment of the lamb and the energy of the lion to power an intentional retreat and a compassionate response. When lion and lamb collaborate, we heal imperfections in the world and navigate a path through uncertainty.

The lamb is our quiet mind. She lives in the silence of our spirit and bolstered by our intent. The lamb accesses our inner wisdom in no time — the space where there is enough information, enough time, and enough access to inner wisdom. In no time we realize the conundrum in which we live while recognizing the multitude of response. The lamb chooses a response with a hope that pulses through every heartbeat. 

The lion is our courageous spirit. With curious daring, he deliberately lives in the margins, walking on the edge of possibility. Lion never gives up despite whatever imperfection he encounters. Within him is the energy of both our reactions and responses — the ability to be nonviolent or wreak havoc. He needs lambs guiding presence to choose.

When in tandem, the lion and the lamb are contemplation in action. The discernment of the lamb tempers the fire of the lion. The coiled energy of lion brings forth the truth of lamb’s authentic spirit. Together they forge a path of our intent to be nonviolent through each compassionate action. 

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is a Mindful Coach, Neural Synchrony™ facilitator, Professional Speaker, and Author who weaves her inner wisdom into all she touches. Vanessa assists clients in navigating their life paths with intuition. Her books are A Constellation of Connections: Contemplative Relationships and Engaging Compassion Through Intent & Action. Contact Vanessa @ vanessa@intentandaction.com for keynotes, programs, and consultations. 

Website / LinkedIn Profile / Facebook / Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2018