Reflected Compassion in the Mirror of Life

Have you ever looked at yourself? Really looked beyond  what is reflected in the mirror of your life and see, with all your senses, who you are and how your spark flares from deep within?

We all have an image of who we want to be. We can identify the many ways that we are that person. Perhaps that is the part of us that shows up as loving, gentle, and compassionate. But, some times we do not have the energy to show up as our true self. Our energy is leached by some unknown catalyst. It is all we can do to show up as much less than our authentic self. We show up in some  degree of reaction mode. 

Those shadow moments might fill us with despair. We wonder how can we stoke the fire of authenticity when we do not even have the energy to find kindling. How do we reenergize when our connection to our core feels frayed? We take time for our self. This is not the time of an extra nap, decadent romance novel reading, or another morsel of chocolate. No, this is time of reflection and introspection. 

During reflection and introspection we dialogue with our self. Maybe we listen to our internal monologue, journal, take labyrinth walk, meditate — we do whatever mends the connection to our core.We heal the frayed, tattered threads connecting us to our true self. Powered by our true self, we notice what is depleting us and name its internal and external components.

Perhaps we want to believe that what depleted us is out there; that we had no control over our energy drain. We discount how we got caught by the trigger — if only the other person hadn’t said this or if only the circumstances had been different. But, to ignore our reaction is to negate that burst of reaction-energy that depletes our body, mind, spirit, and heart. These depletions manifest as being physically tired, unable to focus mentally, frustrated, anxious, feel disconnected to our core. These are not symptoms of failure. They are opportunities to understand and grow.

Understanding how we get depleted is the beginning of change. We use this learning to make other choices. And, those choices plug the leaks of our energy. As we recharge, we gain the power of awareness. Only when our energy is directed to our true self can we look into our mirror and see the reflection of our true self smiling powerfully back at us.   

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is a Life Coach through Intuitive Connection, professional speaker, and author who weaves her inner wisdom into all she touches. Her books are available through www.wildefyrpress.com. Contact Vanessa @ vanessa@intentandaction.com for life coaching, keynotes, programs, and consultations.

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Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2019

Shenpa & A Tale of Self Compassion

One day I got tired of the NPR news on my car radio, I flipped to my synced phone. Instead of choosing a playlist, I listened to the random song that played. Since that time, listening to the few random songs that queue has become part of my mindfulness routine. 

Curious, I wondered what message the song had for me. No matter what song they often create planks that bridge what I am currently experiencing to hope and belief in a better day.

The song that last slipped into the queue was Leaves Don’t Drop They Just let Go by Carrie Newcomer. The song reminded me of the Buddhist concept of shenpa or the things that hook us. I immediately began to wonder what shenpa had me so ensnared that I was unable to let go. What clouded my mind so that instead of seeing what truly is, I was trapped in illusion.

Through these ponderings, I reminded myself to breathe. When that grappling hook of shenpa catches me, it is near impossible to focus on anything other than the hook. Instead of fearing the hook, shenpa asks that we breath through our acknowledged fear. With courage, we identify and examine the small and big ways that we get caught. 

We need even more courage to identify what continues to hook us while not blaming the hook for our experience. During that reflection time about shenpa, I realized that it isn’t the grappling hooks that are the problem. No, the issue is those well worn areas of our mind, spirit, and heart that the hooks snag. Shenpa is an outward expression of our inner turmoil.

When I am aware, I notice those hooks and am able to feint left or right or maybe take a simple step back. No matter what my mindful movement, the hook falls short unable to embed itself in my mind, spirit, or heart. The good news? It only takes one time of avoiding being caught for our re-patterning to begin. 

When I am aware of how my thoughts and actions deepen the grip of shenpa’s hooks, I have the power to sand those areas that are prone to being caught by grappling hooks. The more I practice not getting caught, the stronger my reframing becomes. I become more resilient as my response flexibility increases. I become the person who doesn’t drop in reaction, I can just let go with response. 

So ask yourself, “How am I being caught?” “What am I attempting to drop instead of just letting go?” These answers give you the awareness to recognize shenpa. Through your awareness you are able to heal a pockmarked spirit that no longer welcomes shenpa. Healed your truth shines from your authentic spirit.  

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is a life coach using the Neural Synchrony™ process, professional speaker, and author who weaves her inner wisdom into all she touches. Her books are Imperfect in an Uncertain World, A Constellation of Connections: Contemplative Relationships, and Engaging Compassion Through Intent & Action. Vanessa intuitively assists clients in navigating their life paths. Contact Vanessa @ vanessa@intentandaction.com for keynotes, programs, and consultations. 

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Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2019

The Compassion of Just For Today

Just for today. Have you ever lived those words knowing that in an instant the world could changes? Those three words have helped me immensely through the course of my life. They are nuggets of gold liberally sprinkled on the path of life purpose.

In the 20+ years that I have been a Reiki Master, those words have provided a source of inspiration and compassion. They have called me to seek to understand, to no longer live my life in 24-hour blocks of time, to fully be present in the moment. 

Just for today strips the veneer from life. It requires us to ask, “How am I feeling today, in this moment?” And, it demands that we answer that questions honestly. Maybe we truly are feeling great. But, perhaps we are in the grip of some malady — sad with our circumstance, angry over a perceived slight, frustrated at how we believe others are treating us. The list of maladies seems endless. 

When we live from this maxim, we cannot get caught in the emotion underlying our malady. For, “just for today” speaks of the impermanence of life. What is happening in this moment is fleeting unless we grasp onto it with both hands and refuse to let go. Just for today reminds us to let go and enjoy life.

Mindful of our life catalysts, we are better able to identify what triggers reactions and what brings peace. We no longer keep a running tally of the number of times we slip into reaction versus the times we respond with compassion. Life is no longer about winning when we render the triggers benign through our response or losing when a catalyst creates a wildfire of reaction obliterating any hope of response.

No, just for today requires that we live in the moment — that we stop ruminating on the past or focusing on the future. To have a foot in either reality would ensure that we get trapped in reaction. When we live in the moment, we recognize any challenge and respond with love and compassion. That is all that is required. That is enough.

You may be wondering, “How do I live in the moment?” With five simple principles (taken from Reiki training): 

Curious to learn more? Sign up for my mailing list and receive details on living the five principles. (You need not have Reiki training to live with these principles.) 

Wishing you many moments of living, “just for today.”  

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is a life coach using the Neural Synchrony™ process, professional speaker, and author who weaves her inner wisdom into all she touches. Her books are Imperfect in an Uncertain World, A Constellation of Connections: Contemplative Relationships, and Engaging Compassion Through Intent & Action. Vanessa intuitively assists clients in navigating their life paths. Contact Vanessa @ vanessa@intentandaction.com for keynotes, programs, and consultations. 

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Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2019

Mud & The Power of Reframe

The bitter cold turned warm. I danced with joy. Hurrying to  the mailbox, I slid on the slippery mud of newly thawed earth. Managing not to fall, I quickly reframed: the weather was great; I wasn’t wearing my winter coat and my sweater prevented the 30 something breeze from raising goosebumps. 

Of late Nature is determined to share some rapid mood swings. The weather changes so fast that I fear whiplash. No matter what Nature brings, It is offering us opportunities to enjoy the changes of beauty and be grateful for what we have and who we are. 

Being self employed, a class or two cancelled because of inclement weather can cause all sorts of worry. Instead of fretting and being tangled in worry, my unexpected time off last week became an opportunity for quiet breathing and reflection. I even celebrated near the end of the afternoon — cars, cleaned of ice and snow, started in 8 degree weather. Win!

The power of reframe happened on that cold, snowy day. Reframing is impossible without a deep trust and faith in the way that life unfolds. Now, this isn’t a blind trust or a deaf faith. No, both are facets of a proactive way of engaging the world. When I trust, when I have faith, I proactively seek opportunities to live fully.

Trust and faith call me to live in mindful awareness. To set my intent and listen. To have courage to really hear the message in my challenges. To meet those challenges with curious daring. I may be intuitive, but I cannot guarantee how my story will end — I might be able to anticipate a chapter or two, but never the ending.  I reframe by listening to my intuition in order to find message and meaning in my life.

Intuition is a powerful thing. When I listen and respond to the morsels of wisdom dropped upon my path, intuition becomes a transformational guide. Each morsel gathered has the potential to broker a meeting of fear and self-compassion. What I hear is not always easy to accept. My wisdom may spike all sorts of fear. But, self compassion cools my angst and helps me to fully listen to the message of my intuition. 

When I trust myself and have faith in my ability to navigate whatever challenge I am experiencing, I can hear what the bitter cold of my fear is saying and how it is preventing me from responding. I can be confident that I can weather each swing from fear-despair to courageous-trust when I listen to my intuition. It leads me through any slipper mud that I encounter.

So, maybe, just maybe, Nature is saying to me, “I am a reflection of the inner turmoil that you feel. Return to your calm belief and quiet confidence. Only then will you be able to enter the vast expanse of your inner self and listen to the voice of your intuition.”

Wishing you calm belief and quiet confidence while navigating the slippery mud in your life. 

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is a life coach using the Neural Synchrony™ process, professional speaker, and author who weaves her inner wisdom into all she touches. Her books are Imperfect in an Uncertain World, A Constellation of Connections: Contemplative Relationships, and Engaging Compassion Through Intent & Action. Vanessa intuitively assists clients in navigating their life paths. Contact Vanessa @ vanessa@intentandaction.com for keynotes, programs, and consultations. 

Website / LinkedIn Profile / Facebook / 

Twitter: @fyrserpent / ©2019