Creating Space for Inner Freedom

I was noticing an underlying tension the other day as I faced the unknown in many aspects of my life. Of course, this is what we’re doing all along—living with the unknown. If you think anything otherwise, you’re really just fooling yourself, though sometimes it’s nice to believe in a set of neat containers once you feel you’ve got your ducks all lined up in a row. Most people I know have some pretty unruly ducks, so maybe it’s not so much about the ducks but more about how you feel inside no matter what your ducks are doing.

I think it’s incredibly brave to follow your heart and keep appreciating the rich and incredibly varied beauty of life, not knowing for sure how anything will truly turn out or when the rug will be swept away from under your feet. It seems that by choosing courage over fear, in daily small choices as well as the big decisions, we get to know the sweetness of life. That those of us who know life as bliss, in spite of life’s harsh realities, discover our bliss through an open and courageous heart.

So simply by being courageous and opening your heart, you experience a taste of inner freedom. Then it’s up to you to fine-tune your awareness, so that you catch yourself when you’ve drifted away from that sense of openness. Notice when you start to close up inside, when your energy is less vibrant, when your thoughts start to send you on a downward spiral.

Here is something simple you can do to create more space inside yourself again, more room for inner freedom:

Stop what you’re doing and become very still.

B R E A T H E

Notice the space all around you, particularly around your upper chest where your heart is.

Let go of everything, all thoughts, concerns and desires to simply be present with the energy in this space around you, and inside you. Listen to the energy, notice how it feels, how it looks. Give thanks for being alive, without anything needing to look a certain way. Open your heart to your life force, to the miracle of life.

You may notice that you breathe a sigh of relief. This is a good sign. In your deepest knowing, you recognize that you’ve come home again. You’ve come home to the simplicity of pure Being, without the need to drag around a cart full of attachment to outcomes. The freedom you feel in letting go of your agendas and concerns is a sign that inner freedom is good for life.

Get curious. How much can you let go and still be intentional? How yummy and spacious can you be? This is my personal exploration and if you like the sound of it, try it on. Life gets juicy when step out on inner and outer adventures.

© 2010 Nicola Walker, Clarity for Life

Want to use this article in your own newsletter or website? You can as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Nicola Walker, inner vibrancy coach, teaches Deep Listening Skills™, a simple focusing process you can use whenever you feel unclear, disconnected from your inner vibrancy, or feel stuck personally or professionally. She offers Inner Guidance Coaching Programs™ and a free half hour phone coaching consultation. Visit her website, http://www.clarityforlife.com to find out more.

The Twirling Leaf or Staying Alert for Subtle Messages

Just recently I was feeling a little down. Things had been slow financially the last few weeks and I was feeling the “pinch”. Then one day I was in Santa Cruz and went for a walk in my beloved Pogonip. I love walking in Pogonip. There’s such a sweet energy there and a varied landscape of hills, views, woods, redwoods, meadows and a creek. I had just been sitting in my favorite meadow to meditate and was feeling at peace on rising. I followed the path into the woods and was suddenly struck by a slender, solitary yellow leaf twirling in the distance. I walked right up to it and found myself in a circle of redwoods. The air was still. All other foliage motionless. Yet this one leaf that was actually attached to a dead branch by a thread of cobweb was twirling around like a whirling dervish.

I stood entranced. My mind wasn’t particularly interested in trying to work out why this one leaf, and not even another next to it caught in the cobweb, was moving. What captivated me was an intense feeling of being spoken to. I was receiving a subtle reminder that activity was happening behind the scenes, that I was very much a part of the entire movement of the Universe, that I was not disengaged, out on a limb or forgotten. My sense of communication with this solitary twirling leaf was so intense that I asked it, or whatever was moving it to twirl in the other direction. The leaf slowed down, bounced from side to side and then promptly swung round to now spin in the opposite direction.

My heart flooded with gratitude for this magical interaction. I felt my world open up into something so much more vast and meaningful. As I continued along my path I felt cleansed of all previous concerns and awash in the calming beauty of the dark trickling creek, the tawny fir needles and the graceful, nurturing trees.

The following day a new client called and a former client the day after that. Money was flowing in once again and the feeling of peace, gratitude and connection to the great All That Is hasn’t left me for a second. It’s hard when facing the unknown and the challenges of being in transition to maintain this vibrant sense of trust, peace and wellbeing.

We are more receptive to subtle messages when we become quiet, open and present. Make some room for time to be still and appreciative, so you can respond to the support of your inner guidance. Subtle messages visit us in many different ways; kind words, a rush of gratitude for someone or something you were taking for granted, a phrase that you read that fills you with its meaning, a sudden change of attitude, the landing of a ladybug on your hand wishing you good luck. The power of the message lies in how fully you receive it, how completely it can transform you into an expansive state where you readily believe that the absolute highest outcome is being created right in this very moment.

© 2009 Nicola Walker, Clarity for Life

Want to use this article in your own newsletter or website? You can as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Nicola Walker, transitions coach, helps people who are feeling stuck, unclear or distracted achieve their most cherished goals with her 21-Day Inner Guidance Coaching Program. She offers a free half hour phone coaching consultation. Visit her website, http://www.clarityforlife.com to find out more.