Oh my, it's been so long!

Wow, it's been months since I've blogged.  Balancing life can be so challenging.  I've been working 2 jobs and am living in 3 different cities right now.  And while balance has always been a challenge, I'm very happy.  Wanna know why?!  Because I feel a sense of belonging.  I'm spending more time with family and friends.  There's something about connection that really makes me feel exhilarated!  Nothing gives me more pleasure than the ability to connect with others.  As I move onto a new chapter in my life, and say good-bye to the current one, I am finding how truly connected I had been all along to others, nature, the world.  It's a wonderful feeling!  And I hope to blog more about it in the coming weeks.  But for now, I'm off to drive to yet another city.  My city.  Sacramento.

"Ya-Ya Mija"

When I was a little girl, my mom used to hold me in her arms and rock me, saying softly, "ya-ya mija", whenever I needed to be comforted.  It's amazing how comforting I still find those words when said ever so softly and gently.  Lately, I've been needing that kind of nurturing.  For the past month, I've had a nasty virus, a broken toe, a sinus infection, and asthma attacks.  I've been tired and cranky to say the least.  I wonder why I've been so sick lately?  Is it because most of my work days are 10-12 hours, 6 days a week?  Is it because I've been exploring beliefs in my soul coaching sessions that center on the physical?  Beliefs around body image and aging.  Is it because I no longer wake up to my own bio-rhythms but instead a blasting alarm clock?  Is it because I don't have time to keep my house clean and chores done?  Is it simply because this is cold and flu season?  There are plenty of reasons as to why I've been sick.  But more importantly, what can I do to heal?  In my Soul Coaching sessions, we explore beliefs around health and wellness, making sure I keep only the healthy belief systems.  It's tiring work to look at every little belief one has deep within her/his psyche, letting go of the ones that no longer fit and keeping those that are positive.  

Working long hours, having started a new job, and exploring negative beliefs have all overwhelmed me and put me under stress.  This could be why I've been dealing with physical illness.  Stress is the leading factor related to health and wellness.  But more importantly, I've not yet found a way to include fun.  I have yet to find the balance of work and play.  When I was a kid, I loved biking, skating, dancing, hanging out with my friends, and listening to music.  Since being sick, I haven't had a chance to bike, skate, dance or spend time with friends but my iPod is always playing.  Thank goodness for music!  It's the comforting voice of my mom's "ya-ya mija" in a different way.  And it's always readily available.  To every musician out there, thank you.  Thank you for the gift of comfort, healing, and joy!  Thank you for nurturing me.  

A Journey Deeper into the Soul

I made a promise to myself for 2011.  This was going to be the time for me to delve deeper into my soul.  For the past year, I've been working with a Soul Coach and have been pleasantly surprised at how much growth and healing has occurred as a result.  So when my Coach said, "Have you considered doing the 28-week program for Health and Vitality?", I thought, "Yes!"  Excitement filled my body as we talked about what I hoped to gain from this journey.  And what I hope to gain is how to live the most joyful life I possibly can without worry about where the journey takes me.  (As a goal-oriented person, this may be a challenge)  Last week, I had my first session and it centered on preparation for the next 27 weeks.  

Preparation for this journey has included setting the stage in my physical environment as well as my mind, body, and spirit.  Choosing to surround myself with positive images and symbols, keeping two journals, and committing to a meditation time have all been part of this first week.  While starting this process, I became ill.  Nothing too serious.  The doctor called it a "nasty virus" and put me on bed rest.  How odd.  I start a program with a focus on health and I get sick?  Hmm, what is the Universe up to this time?  

What I discovered about this time of physical healing is that it uncovered deeper emotional beliefs that need to be examined.  Things that appeared so minor but have been reflected in my life as physical ailments, particularly viral-induced asthma.  It allowed me to journal through those emotions in a way I had never thought of before.  It is allowing me to clear out any negativity I may be holding in my body.  Hmm, maybe the Universe is supporting me on this health program?  ;)

I'm hoping to document my journey via my blog as a way to share the joys I'm sure to discover!  Like going to the bottom of the ocean admiring and appreciating all of nature's wonders, I'm sure I'll find many wonderful things about myself that have come from Mother Nature herself!