By Elizabeth Egan
“The Soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind”—Caroline Myss
One of the most important life challenges we can experience as women is learning to trust and to celebrate exactly who are. Each one of us has come to this world to express our talents and gifts in the unique way that only we can. We each carry within us a specific recipe of circumstances, difficulties, personalities, experiences, talents and gifts that make us perfect to bring forth the promise that lives within us. Unless we consciously honor that promise, we may experience feelings of depression, dissatisfaction, and/or disappointment in ourselves, our lives and in others.
When we are young and impressionable, we may give outside voices more power and validation than the voice within us.
Little by little, the negative outside voices of the world became the voice we use more often than not when talking to ourselves. For some reason, the ego loves this voice! “I’m not smart enough, I’m not skinny enough, I’m not pretty enough, I’m not good enough”…it is endless. Do not be fooled into thinking that any of these fears hold truth for you. This is just the outcome of the incessant, unconscious programming our brains have undergone for most of our lives. It is easy to fall victim to the fear of not being enough, but fortunately, there is another voice that wants to speak to us, and longs to be heard. Our challenge is to get out of our heads, and learn to recognize and listen to the more benevolent, nurturing voice of the Soul.
While the voice of the ego is found in the mind, the voice of the Soul is found in the heart.
Throughout the stages of life, young women often grow up inheriting strong expectations.
Many feel they need a significant education, career and relationship by a certain age to feel whole. Many of us grow up feeling that we have to be everything and have everything to feel successful. Often, it is not until our 30s that we start to question the choices and decisions we have made so far in our life, and question the authenticity of such decisions. We may wonder to ourselves, “Why did I pick this career…..this spouse….this house, etc.?” “Who was I anyway when I was making all these decisions?” At this point in our lives, we may have found material satisfaction, but sense a lack of emotional and spiritual peace.
The truth is that up until this point in our lives, many of us spend a significant amount of time developing who we think we have to be based on the needs of our ego, or the suggestions and influences of our parents, teachers, etc.
The pressures of making something of ourselves at this point in our development are real and imminent. Instinctively we feel we need to stake our claim so to speak, and become something or someone to the world and to someone who loves us. These are noble actions in their own right, but perhaps while we are deciding who to become we must also take the opportunity to experience developing an appreciation for who we already are. If we do not learn to appreciate and celebrate ourselves for who we already are, we run the risk of becoming discouraged and disenchanted with our lives.
So, how do we tap into the knowledge and wisdom our Soul offers to become vibrant and full of joy? Here are two suggestions you may want to incorporate into your life in order to find more emotional and spiritual fulfillment. Incidentally, once you take care of yourself emotionally and spiritually, you will find physical and material fulfillment comes naturally and with ease.
Suggestion 1: Take an inventory of your gifts and talents.
If you have a talent that is going unexpressed at this time, you owe it to yourself to find a way to share it!
Your life energy is directly linked to your talents because this is the way in which your Soul has chosen to express itself. Life energy is like water…it needs to flow. If you do not share your talents with the world, you are building an energetic block. Much like a dam blocks the flow of water, your unexpressed talents block the flow of energy within you. This creative energy is directly linked to the Creator of all things. You have to allow the energy of the Great Spirit to flow through you and out into the world. That is the promise that lives within you, and you must honor it. When you first begin, you may share your gift with a very small group of people. This matters not. What matters is only that you express your talents in some way, because it is as much a gift to you as it is to the world.
Suggestion 2: Make time to listen in silence.
The whispers of the Spirit come in moments of silence. Remember that your mind has been programed to think, analyze and criticize from the time you were very young. It talks and talks, and never stops if it is not tamed. The Soul however, carries great wisdom, and this goes far beyond the limits of the subconscious mind. If you want to learn to discern between the voice of the mind and that of the Soul, you must make the time to listen. Quiet the mind, and allow the Soul to step gently forward. Listen to its soft and gentle voice. It speaks with dignity and compassion always. Do as it tells you, and it will lead you to your greatest fulfillment.
Of course, there are many other things you can do to increase your energy flow, but this is a great starting point. If you have felt discouraged or disenchanted with life recently, take a chance and listen to the directions from your Soul. Listen to what it tells you about the talents and gifts within you that need to be shared. You will find the answers you seek, and then you must take action! The world needs you to be you. Move beyond the limits of fear, and step confidently in to your greatness, for in doing so, you shall set yourself free, and you may inspire someone else to do the same.
Deep Peace and Abundant Blessings!
Elizabeth Egan is a sixth grade science teacher, Reiki Master, and spiritual singer/songwriter with a passion for learning and teaching about the infinite nature and wisdom of the soul. She has spent her life singing in spiritual settings, and last spring released her first album, INSPIRED, in which most of the songs were self-composed. Recently, Elizabeth began branching out as a spiritual teacher with the intention to help people become more soul conscious by leading small groups through a journey to the soul through a combination inspirational speaking, guided meditation, and her gentle vocals. Visit Elizabeth’s blog for inspiration, thoughts, prayers and meditations at www.spiritlightandlife.wordpress.com.