Top tool I offer clients (It may come in handy this holiday season!)

Season's Greetings Friends!

I was recently reflecting on why people come in for sessions. It is actually uncanny that so many people have the same intention (or some variation of it). So what is the number one reason people come in to see me? Drum roll please...............

It is PEACE 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️.

This followed closely by getting out of pain! But overwhelmingly I hear  again and again. "I just want to feel peace."

What exactly is that? Well, I've come to understand it in this context as a feeling sense that no matter what happens on the outside, there is an inner knowing that everything is ok. There is a settling within that allows for a unique engagement with the present moment. There is a confidence that no matter what worries or concerns arise, this alignment with an inner core won't be thrown off (or at least thrown off for long).

It sounds simple and yet it can feel very far away if that is not your experience. Especially if you have been dealing with physical and/or mental imbalances for a long time, peace can feel so illusive. It's easy to get into mental chatter saying if I only had this or that and this, then I could be peaceful. Or if I was just more of this and a little less of that, then I could be peaceful.

But the truth is, no matter how you are right now, peace is available to you. The most potent and impactful way that I have discovered to create a foundation of internal peace is to (for lack of better words) "stay with yourself." Those are the words that most closely describe what I mean.

Others may say, "You just need to love yourself." But I have found in the moments when we are going through it and tested, loving yourself is just too vague to be too useful in the moment. However, if you are willing to stay with yourself, you may be able to shift self-blame/shame patterns in that moment. If you get in the habit of doing this, you will begin to create new neural pathways that support self-kindness, which is one of the foundational pieces of peace. 

A mantra I often share with clients is to say internally or out loud "I'm here with you." When you are in moments of struggle, whether physically or mentally, this mantra can be helpful to not abandon yourself or turn on yourself. Self blame/shame patterns can be very insidious, but when you begin to recognize them and can access a part of yourself that can "stay with yourself" shifts can and do happen. If there is a part of you that recognizes and can hold that part who is suffering, this can be a powerful first step to living more peacefully.

So when you don't send out those Christmas cards this year and the guilt starts creeping in, "I'm here with you." When you leave the office Christmas party, even though you really should be there, "I'm here with you." When you feel the edges of loneliness creep in because, well sometimes the holidays stink, "I'm here with you."

I hope something in these words have touched you. If you are looking for a little more inspiration (and possibly a great Xmas gift!) Kristin Neff has written a book called "The Power of Being Kind to Yourself." It is a great holiday read.

As we close out the year, I wanted to express my deepest gratitude. It has been a joy for me to serve and connect with all of you. I'm already excited for the new year and some new offerings I'll be sharing soon!

Until next time, wishing you peace and joy,

Katy 

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