Episode 79: A Yogi’s Journey Toward Self Inquiry with Janice Brown

I’ve said this before - there are two monumentally life changing questions that usually dawn on us at some point in our journey. One of them is: What do I want?

And the other - even more profound, is Who am I?

Once either of them is bestowed upon us, we can count on the fact that our life we will never be the same. Not in a bad way. Actually, in a very good way. A transformative way. Because you can’t be presented with an existential question like that and not feel compelled to wonder about it.

It’s at that pivotal moment that a richer life suddenly becomes available to you. One where you get to look into the depths of everything that you are. One of self inquiry.

The kinds of questions you ask yourself will change your life

And so it begins with a single question. What follows is a colorful journey filled with trials, triumphs and lessons. Your story becomes a striking thread in the fabric of all existence. For some, your story will be that of guidance. For others, a point of connection.

Today, we get to hear of one such story. We get an inside look at what fellow yoga teacher, Janice Brown’s, journey has been like ever since the question of Who Am I? dawned on her. What’s it been like, what has she learned and how did/does she navigate the confusion and messiness that sometimes comes with facing our truth.

Janice is also a respiratory therapist who is working to bridge the gap between wellness and healthcare by making yoga practical and accessible to everyone.

The topic is deep but the conversation is full of laughs. We even talk about play at one point - and discovered that both of us have a childlike sense of fun (which I love!). The biggest message: IT DOESN”T HAVE TO BE SO HARD!!! Plug in those earbuds to get inspired and laugh along with us!

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Key Nuggets:

Reminder that we are holistic beings - mind, body, spirit and emotions work together. You can’t change one aspect without affecting the other. It’s this basis that motivates Janice to bridge the gap between wellness and healthcare.

Yoga and the Path of Self Inquiry

There were so many great reflection questions that came up in our conversation. When Janice first contemplated this question of who am I? Some follow up questions included:

Who is your true self?

What parts of your life have you been living as your true self?

These questions would be so good to journal on!

We live our life in paradoxes - even when it comes to something as holistic as yoga. Yoga is the union within yourself and outside of yourself (reconnecting to yourself but also realizing that we’re all interconnected). In in the physical poses, you can be both grounded and flying at the same time like in Warrior III. Yet in life we’re taught to live in a structure of boxes and labels. You are A or B (or in our conversation we used the Friends quiz as an example - you’re either Phoebe, Monica or Rachel. There’s no quiz to tell you how much of each you are). But it isn’t necessary to have this all or one mentality because we aren’t all or one. The truth is, we live on a spectrum. Our own unique cocktail of various traits. It’s when we force ourselves into boxes or labels that we force ourselves to be who we are not and in turn, suffer (because we’re living against our truth).

Lessons to Share From Self Inquiry: how did you perceive life in the world before vs. after moving toward self inquiry

Just like the labels, life used to be a set of rules but now life is so much more open. Janice lives with a lot more ease and the ability to chill out and trust. There’s definitely more faith that it will all turn out…and it always does.

One lesson Janice shares is that you don’t always have to follow the rules that were given to you. The world isn’t just a bunch of boxes &labels, it’s more dynamic than that. In fact, boxes & labels feeds into judgement.

Big idea:  when you see things holistically, you suffer less.  Ex. If you want to heal people and think that in order to do that, the only solution is to be a doctor, you trap yourself. You are devastated if you fail your MCAT. But the truth is, being a doctor isn’t your be all end all. If you really want, you take the MCAT again, but perhaps there’s something more magical in store for you. There are so many ways you can help heal others - but if you’r in a box you won’t see that.

What has the path been like

In Janice’s experience, it’s not like there were big stepping stones. It was more like a little pebble trail. First thing she learned to move forward was knowing to say no to what doesn’t inspire her and simply saying YES to all that inspires her (ex. Backstage work at community theatre, improv…). These little pebbles all lead her to where she is today

There will be moments when you have a hard time deciding. You’ll wonder if this is the right thing. And there will also be times where it’s messy, confusing and basically you’re wondering WTF. It all makes sense in hindsight. Plus you don’t even need to know exactly where it’s going to go anyway. Just keep following what inspires you and trust that, that will lead the way.

Yoga can be a powerful tool to help you sit with what is. To let go of the clinging and attachment of needing to know and holding onto control.

Important Questions when things don’t go the way you want them to:

What is this telling me? If you don’t know, just let it go for now.  The answer will come. It always works out for her.  Just chill. Let go.  And it all works out.

Slow down and pay attention to your emotions. What’s it telling you, where do you feel the discomfort.

IT DOESN”T HAVE TO BE THAT HARD!!

Tips for having fun:

Fun is creativity and aliveness

Look for what’s fun: find what inspires you

Ultimately, as you learn to let go and not force yourself into a box and look cool or professional and whatever else you think you should be like, ask yourself the question: WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE?

One of Your Biggest Lessons So Far:

Get to know yourself. Do this by looking for what inspires you. To know yourself means ease.  It is sukha (sweetness)

What is one nugget of wisdom that you would share with fellow seekers who are on this journey of growth and transformation?

Be kind to yourself and get selfish.  It’s totally okay!                                                                                        

Links:

If you have any questions for Janice or want to learn more, connect with her through:

Website:  https://www.yogamoments.ca

Facebook: @Yoga Moments

Instagram: @yogamoments_canada

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCENnOiTe6uAxixy0Adq7e1w

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Episode 78: How Crystal Healing Really Works with Jessica Roth

Jessica Roth is a Certified Crystal Healer and Certified ThetaHealer (energy work) that utilizes crystals and energy for healing of the mind, body & soul. She’s extremely intuitive, which allows her to guide people towards healing and connecting with themselves on deeper levels. She loves to help others learn how to work with energetic tools so that they can efficiently transmute influences that might be affecting their own physical and emotional wellbeing. Teaching and empowering about crystals and energy is her passion - she is the creator and founder of crystal healing courses and a Crystal Healer Certification program, based in San Diego California.

In this episode we talk about - you guessed it - CRYSTALS!

My earliest memory of crystals are the bins of little mix & match ones that you could get a gift shops. There would be a chart of what each one’s healing properties were. As a kid, I loved seeing what each rock (what I called them back then) could help with. If you’ve ever been to Banff, Alberta you would’ve come across one of these bins for sure!

As a grown up, I’ve taken a workshop or two about crystals. They usually bring in a few different ones and go over what the healing properties are. It’s like a live class of those charts I used to read. They’ve been enjoyable but I haven’t learned much beyond what does what. Today, I own a few beautiful crystals and hold the same curious candor for them as I did when I was a kid but I haven’t learned to use them beyond the psychological effect of having something comforting around (like a blankie).

But that all changes with my conversation with Jessica Roth!

If you’ve been interested in learning more about how crystals actually work and how to use them, you need to listen in! Jessica affectionately shares what she knows about crystals & energy. She also efficaciously answers all of my burning questions about crystals like: how can they actually change your vibration? (spoiler: if you think about it in terms of energy, it makes a lot more sense!) Does size matter? What’s up with “cleaning” your crystals - do we actually need to do that? If so, what’s the best method?

This is a fun one to listen to! Go on, plug in those earbuds!

Share your comments or questions below to keep the conversation going.

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Key Nuggets:

Theta Healing

Since Jessica is also a Theta Energy Healer, we get to learn a bit about what Theta healing is. Basically it’s energy healing where your guided in a conversation to reveal subconscious blockages which then is released by the energy work.

Jessica loves using Theta healing to release these blockages and uses crystals to fill in the space with good vibes.

 Crystal Healing 101

Jessica gives us the scoop on crystals: how they work, does size matter and what energy has to do with all of this.

Crystals hold a certain vibration

It’s all about energy – each crystal has a certain energy and so do we.  That’s why we each react to the energy of a crystal differently.

The healing part of crystals is that it can be used to shift your vibration. Jessica explains exactly how/why it has the power to do that in our conversation. In a nutshell, we’re roller coasters of energy during daily life and our energy may fluctuate depending on what comes into our surroundings (ex. we may feel anything between love, happiness, fear, guilt….throughout the day. If somebody comes in and yells at us, we immediately change energetic states).

The intention that you use a crystal with also affects what it does for you.

When crystal comes into our space we start to match their vibrations (entrain) – this shift can happen in just a few minutes.

Depending on how sensitive to energy you are, you may have stomach gurgles or even tingles

Do we need to clean our crystals and why?

Jessica gives her explanation of why we should clean our crystals and how to do it. In a nutshell, the energy we carry can leave an “energy print” on the crystal (kind of like a fingerprint after you touch a glass). It’s like a residue that gets stuck to the crystal and if it’s somebody else’s “energy print” that’s left on your crystal then you may want to clear it.

How to work with crystals:

Jewelry, put it in your pocket, carry it in your bra, under your pillow, use in sacred circles….

Jessica’s Favorite Crystals:

Black Tourmaline to ground, reconnect with body, remove anxiety, remove energy from electronics

Quartz to clear and use as an all purpose crystal.  Be careful because it amplifies so make sure you are clear on what you’re trying to amplify.

Amazonite (teal blue-green color) – for throat and heart chakra.  Calming and balancing and communicating from the heart

One of Your Biggest Lessons So Far:

One of the most important questions that she was asked is “how would you feel in 10 years if you stayed exactly where you are now?”.  Looking from this perspective of re-evaluating 10 years from now of what would you regret or not regret helps puts things into perspective.

If you’re not happy in your situation, make a change now.

What is one nugget of wisdom that you would share with fellow seekers who are on this journey of growth and transformation?

“Start small with taking steps towards living a life that is more authentic to you... It doesn't have to be drastic like skydiving! Just be willing to explore new things, or revisit things that you used to love as a kid! This was huge for me, because being playful had been something I hadn't allowed myself to be after my parents had passed away and I was in survival mode. So painting, having a puppy/dog, getting back into dance/fitness, being curious about spirituality/crystals... it really opened me up to experiencing life differently.”

Resources:

Jessica has a new online Intro Crystal Course. You can check it out here.

Links:

If you have any questions for Janice or want to learn more, connect with her through:

Website: www.JessKayCrystals.com

Email: jess@jesskaycrystals.com

Social Media: @JessKayCrystals

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Episode 77: How To Boost Self Worth with Jen Miller

A feeling of unworthiness can inhibit us from living the fullest lives that we want. It can hold us back from the relationships, careers and ideas that we dream of because if we don’t feel worthy of them, we won’t even try. Or perhaps you do try but find yourself sabotaging yourself part way through. It totally sucks but how do we get over ourselves?

It all starts with understanding self-worth. What is self worth, what determines self worth, and how to boost self-worth?

In this episode, we get to talk to the bright & lovely Jen Miller all about this! Jen is a Holistic Wellness Coach and Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant (C.H.N.C) whose own journey with self worth and anxiety has provided her with golden nuggets of wisdom that she now shares with us.

Jen specializes in stress resiliency and emotional wellbeing, and works with three pillars of wellness; nutrition, lifestyle and mindset. She’s all about supporting women with their wellness as they navigate various life transitions such as career change, getting married or going from your 20’s to your 30’s – all exciting times of life but also those that tend to bring more stress, anxiety or uncertainty.

Jen was so much fun to talk to and it was a conversation filled with tons of tips, tools and ideas for how to step back into your light. This episode is a little pot of gold for boosting self worth.

Plug in those earbuds, I can’t wait for you to listen!

PS. Click “read more” and scroll to “resource” to view titles of the books/podcasts mentioned.

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Upcoming workshops as mentioned in intro

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Key Nuggets:

What’s Your Philosophy to Loving the life you love?

Check in with yourself regularly. Ask reflective questions like: What is my why? What am I still apologizing for? What am I doing that’s not a hell yes?

You need to keep noticing if you’re still in alignment even if you’re on a great path because if you just go on auto drive, you might find yourself getting led astray.

 Staying in Alignment

Sometimes we’re a square peg trying to fit into a round hole and don’t even know it. In other words, we’re completely out of alignment with our authentic selves but we don’t have awareness of it. That’s part of Jen’s story - she was trying to fit in, in a high paced, high stress work environment and was getting so exhausted; but she kept going anyway because she wasn’t aware that the role she was in was going against her true nature.

What are you doing that doesn’t completely light you up?

This comes back to checking in with yourself and identify any necessary course redirects (you’re allowed to change your mind!). Jen shares excellent questions to provoke alignment and how she reminds herself to do this practice.

Self Worth

What it is: Knowing that you’re worthy of anything you want in your life. Coming from positive energy rather than fear based.

Jen shares her story on how she’s come to understand her own self worth.

What a lack of it holds us back from: A feeling of unworthiness can inhibit you from living your fullest life because if you don’t think you’re worth it, you’re not going to let yourself have it (relationships, career, sense of validation…). Even if you start making your way to it, you’re likely sabotage yourself from fully basking in the desire.

Low self worth can show up as a constant need for external validation to feel good, a people pleasing mentality and choices that bring you further away from your authentic self.

Jen tells us of how her own self worth issues were reflected in her environment with mean girl relationships and the holding herself back from the “something more”that she knew she was meant for.

How to bust out and boost self worth:

             Start taking care of yourself a way that you haven’t before – sends message to self that you’re worthy of being taken care of. This was a catalyst for Jen.

Shift your perception - Jen listened to podcasts, read books, and listened to other people’s stories to expand what she know was possible for herself. Find things that open you up to new perspectives! Listen to different stories and look for the messages that resonate with you

Watch those little habits that shrink you! For example, look closely at what you’re apologizing for and approaching from a place of gratitude and appreciation if possible (ex. late emails. Instead of “sorry for the delayed reply” it can be “thank you for your patience with my reply”). Stop saying sorry for the little things that make you shrink.

TRUST in self knowing and that you already have everything that you need inside of you.

Jen tells us about her personal tools for self worth: journaling, reflection, boundaries, protecting energy

Are you a Highly Sensitive Person?

We took a fun and short pit stop to talk about HSP - a personality trait for depth of processing of sensory information. It ties into the conversation around feeling like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. Highly sensitive persons process sensory information at an intensely deep level and can be highly impacted by sounds, sights, smells, people’s energies. Because of this, they can be easily overwhelmed or overstimulated.  Can feel like shutting down easily.

Planting the seed with this conversation to help you further understand yourself. When you can bring awareness into who you really are, then you can stop apologizing for why you don’t fit into the mold that you think you’re supposed to.

One of Your Biggest Lessons So Far:

You don’t need external validation or approval to feel worthy of doing something.  You don’t need to wait for an invitation or permission either.

Another big lesson that Jen’s learned is that to make something happen, you can’t just sit and ruminate – you need to take steps toward it.

What is one nugget of wisdom that you would share with fellow seekers who are on this journey of growth and transformation?

We reach for a lot of external resources to validate our choices/path but sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is to take time and allow yourself to reflect on what you already have inside.

Resources:

The two books that helped Jen make the big shifts in her own self growth:

The Universe Has Your Back - Gabrielle Berstein

Intuitive Being - Jill Willard

Initial podcast that helped Jen shift her perception:

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Links:

If you have any questions for Jen or want to learn more, connect with her through:

Website: www.glowingmindswellness.com

Email: jen@glowingmindswellness.com

Instagram: @glowingmindswellness

Facebook: Glowing Minds Wellness

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Episode 76: How To Use Your Feelings To Guide You Into Alignment with AnnMarie McKenzie

Sometimes we’re lucky and we come across a new tool, concept or a change in perspective that changes our lives for the better. Maybe it’s the best travel pillow you’ve ever found (and will never ever travel without with again) or the concept of simplifying your life (#minimalism). Either way, it helps you live with more ease and you’re quality of life is much higher with it. Sometimes, we come across something even bigger than that - it answers something profound + deep within you. Like say some of life’s big questions like “What do I really want in life?”.

That’s what happened for me when my perspective of emotions and feelings was totally shifted. I was reading a book called The Desire Map and in it the author, Danielle LaPorte, proposed that we should allow our feelings to navigate our lives rather than our thinking. Saaaayyyy whhaaaaatt? Radical. My logical, thinking, Type A mind was quick to put its guard up.

“What is this craziness of feelings first? I thought we’ve been working hard to control these feelings so that it doesn’t interfere with our life. To keep it at bay, not let it rule the world.”

That was my lizard brain. My innermost self, however, loved it. The idea felt freeing - like as if I could finally just be me. You see, I had a lot of feelings but didn’t really know what to do with them. They were all scrambled and I felt ashamed to have so many to be honest. But now you’re telling me that they’re the answer to my life? JACKPOT!

In today’s episode, I chat with AnneMarie McKenzie, Master Desire Map Facilitator, about the concept around using our feelings and emotions to find alignment in our lives. Exactly how can we use this as our inner compass? Even if we know how we truly want to feel most of the time (Core Desired Feelngs) what tools/strategies can we implement to make sure that we engage them? Big picture - how can feeling what we desire to feel most of the time lead us to an aligned life?

Okie dokie, plug in those earbuds - this one is full of wisdom nuggets!

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Key Nugget Discussed:

“Would you rather be right or be happy?” - Danielle LaPorte

How feelings & emotions guide our lives:

• Feelings are the language of our soul, of the universe – embrace them.  Use them as a guidance system for your life. Use them for the choices you make

•  Is there a difference between feelings and emotions?

• All feelings are good - happiness, playfulness, anger, sadness….all of it. They all carry messages for you to learn from

• Example of what anger means to you

Core Desired Feelings as your inner guide:

• Live from your heart & soul because that’s who you really are. Anything but is just a facade.

• Core Desired Feelings are the feelings that we want to feel most of the time - they are the expression of your innermost self. Our home base.

  • They are different for everyone

  • You can find your Core Desired Feelings through The Desire Map

• Use Core Desired Feelings as a tool just as how you would use your yoga practice. Just as you would return to the mat again and again, come back to your Core Desire Feelings daily. It’s a powerful tool to help you through the throes of life. It’s how AnnMarie got through one of the most important parts of her life

• Use your Core Desired Feelings to guide you by asking:

  • Does this person make you feel the way that you want to feel

  • Does this situation make you feel the way that you want to feel

  • Guide relationships – does it feel the way that you want to feel

  • If it’s not a “hell yes” it’s a “no”

• Tools  for homing into desired feelings: “I AM” , gratitude , crystals, essential oils, mudras. These can be coupled with other tools that you’ve already collected along the way.  

 One of Your Biggest Lessons So Far:

“Gratitude is the most powerful tool we have free access to that can shift our perspective and mindset on a cellular level to come back to our soul.”

What is one nugget of wisdom that you would share with fellow seekers who are on this journey of growth and transformation?

“Our feelings are our most untapped, valuable resource. They are the language of the Soul and the language of the Universe. To manifest a handcrafted life we love, we must build a relationship with our feelings. In doing so, this is strength training for our intuition, spiritual fitness, and our feelings end up becoming the compass for our Soul. THAT is when we truly become the creator of our own life.”

Links:

If you have any questions for AnnMarie or want to learn more, connect with her through:

Website: annmariemckenzie.com

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Episode 75: Magic Ingredients to Make Manifesting Work For You with Janice Berkenheger

This episode is an exciting one because we get to talk about MANIFESTING! Using the power of your own energy to intentionally create what you want in life. You’ve probably heard of the idea that your thoughts create your reality. Maybe you were around in 2008-ish when the book The Secret came out and this Law of Attraction stuff exploded.

That’s when I was first introduced to manifesting. — my boss at the time was ecstatic about The Secret and LOA. Her enthusiasm was contagious and naturally, the book started getting circulated among all 40 staff members.

I liked the book because it fortified my growing belief that there are forces operating beyond what we can currently see. That there’s a universe out there orchestrating rhyme and rhythm in this world…that we’re all here on purpose. I was intrigued by the idea that we can work with this force to manifest our desires into reality. But I was super skeptical of the formula that was provided “ask for it, believe it and then * poof* it’s yours”.

“If it were that easy,” I thought, “then why doesn’t everyone already have what they want?” I had many more follow up questions. I wish I knew somebody like Janice Berkenheger back then because she would’ve been able to pacify my leery suspicion of this whole Law of Attraction/Manifestation thing. Janice helps women discover how to consistently manifest what they want so that they can bring their dreams into reality. She’s spent the last 8 years or so studying and using this practice.

I’m so grateful for our wonderful conversation! The instructions for manifesting are simple - ask for it, believe it’s yours, then it will come to life, but there’s more to that. We talked a bit about what manifestation is and then went right into depth about how to use it, what’s wrong if it’s not working, and the magic ingredients to make it successful. My favorite part is when we dived into the parking lot example. Oh, that parking lot example! ….I hate it haha. This example has come up in so many books that I’ve read, even ones that aren’t about manifesting. It’s supposed to be an easy way to practice manifestation/trust/surrender/faith in the universe but I’m riddled with anxiety everytime I try. In our conversation, Janice tells me what I’m doing wrong.

Alrighty, plug in those headphones this one’s a good one!

Don’t forget to click “read more” for the amazing resources that Janice gives us including a free ebook and a list of universal laws.

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Upcoming workshops as mentioned in intro

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Key Nuggets:

What’s Your Philosophy to Loving the life you love?

You’re supposed to be living a life you love. Living the life you love will take you to the growth that you were meant to experience and for you to live on purpose and do all the things that you’re here to do.

What is Manifestation?

We are powerful beings creating our reality via our thoughts.  Look around your life and you’ll realize that your reality is a reflection of how you normally think, based on thoughts and beliefs. In a nutshell, manifestation is bringing what you desire into life by aligning your thoughts, beliefs and actions. 

We’ve come here with everything that we need on this journey!  We all have the power within us to do this.

What’s up with the parking example?

I’ve read about the parking lot example so many times…..but it’s so hard because I get so anxious.  Janice helps me see what fears have been blocking me.

For success, you first need to feel as if it’s [the parking space] is already here. Then detach from the idea that you have to have it. Janice personally comes up with a criteria for her parking space – thinking about it that and trusting that everything is in perfect timing for what’s happening. 

Most people fall down with manifesting  when they don’t receive in their order in the time frame that they expected. You basically give up when you stop believing it or when you come up with a contingency plan or try to just make it yourself. And yet it’s at this point, right before giving up, that what you want is just within reach.

People give up right before they’re about to get it

Trust in divine timing

So is creating a contingency plan bad?

No it’s not bad but you need to know how to create  contingency plan that doesn’t conflict with your desires.  Ex. The feeling of it – feel and see what I want to feel and see

The universe will give you this or something better

Disclaimer to Law of Attraction:

Let’s say we’re trying to manifest abundance. Should you really spend the money before you have it? Neither yes or no. Its all about energetic vibe.  If you can truly believe, without stress or fear, that you will certainly receive the abundance you ask for then that makes sense. Thing is, most people will feel fear or anxiety when they make a purchase without having the money first.

What energy am I in when I make this purchase?

It’s similar to how it’s easier to find a job when you have one – because you’re not desperate and not focusing on what you don’t have.

Magic Ingredients to Manifestation

FEELING

TRUST & FAITH

Janice builds trust and faith by taking the steps and leaps.  You can take little leaps and little steps to begin with.  Janice gives example of her free cup of coffee. Getting small wins to build your faith in process and yourself

ENERGETIC VIBRATIONS

TAKING INSPIRED ACTION

It doesn’t happen with just your thought.  You need to take action!  If an opportunity drops in front of you, take action on it.

Sometimes it’s not totally clear but clarity comes with each step.  You don’t know exactly what opportunity inspired actions will open you up to.

Ask yourself: how can this be easy?

As we change our beliefs and perceptions, we change the filter that we see things through.  Everything that we want it’s already here. You can’t have a desire w/o it being here.

WHO DO YOU NEED TO BE?

What thoughts, actions, needs do you have when you have that thing you want?

 Every single day, we need to tap into that

 GRATITUDE

One of the fastest and most amazing ways to manifest  

Elevates your frequency

Just b/c the radio isn’t on doesn’t mean that the frequencies are going through the room, you’ve just turned the source off

Give thanks for what you already have: Thank you for [insert desire here as if you already have it]

Common reason for why it’s not working

Limiting beliefs!! You need to identify then shift

Universal Laws

Universal laws are laws that govern the universe.  Just like the law of gravity, if you believe in it or not it works.  And it will work for everybody – no exceptions.  There are a lot of these laws (over 100+) but there are a few that you’ll want to know in particular.  Janice has a list of universal laws that she’s narrowed down to be most important (scroll down for this free list in “resources” section)

What’s helpful is that when you know and understand them then you can use them to your advantage.

Sometimes you manifest what you don’t want b/c you don’t’ understand these laws.

 WHAT YOU FOCUS ON EXPANDS  

One of Your Biggest Lessons So Far:

That we have everything we need inside of us and we just need to learn to access it and trust ourselves.  It’s important to access our inner guidance. Everybody is born to be successful, your success is inevitable!

What is one nugget of wisdom that you would share with fellow seekers who are on this journey of growth and transformation?

Notice and be aware of what you are thinking at all times.  It's those thoughts that are creating your reality.  Are your thoughts in alignment with what you want, or are you worrying about what you don't want?

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Resources:

E-book about manifesting

Links:

If you have any questions for Janice or want to learn more, connect with her through:

Website: www.janiceberkenheger.com  

Email:   info@janiceberkenheger.com

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Episode 73 Bite Sized: What Does It Really Mean to Live Your TRUTH?

The whole point of this podcast is to explore the meaning of our experiences in this journey and understand what our truth is and how to live in it.  Fully. Vulnerably. Unapologetically.

But over the last few weeks I found myself contemplating what “living our truth” really means.  It certainly sounds enticing, like as if it would lead us to something good – perhaps liberation.  Maybe happiness.  Still, I wondered how do we find our truths?  How do we know if when we’re living it?  And how do we stay connected to our truest self?

In this episode, I explore all these questions, starting with understanding truth from both a philosophical and applicable level.  I also identify three characteristics that develop when we are living our truth and give you two questions that can help you build momentum in this journey.

The disclaimer here is that while this is a start, it’s not the full answer.  These are big existential questions and this episode is only 20 minutes long! Plus I can’t say that I know what the whole answer is. There are as many layers to this as there are human beings that have ever inhabited this planet.  Like the rest of this journey, this is an exploration.  With each episode, a new story is shared and a little nugget is gathered to help deepen our understanding.  I’m really excited that we’re on this journey together!    

Episode 72: You Can Be Your True Self Even If You Keep Your Day Job with Sarah Marlowe Spence

It was so cool to meet Sarah Marlowe Spence! By day she’s an IT contractor and by night she lives a dynamic spiritual life. Actually, it’s really not that cut and dry - the picture’s just more vivid when I say it that way. In truth, she is both these things (and more) at all times during the day. Balancing our identities is one thing that we discuss in this episode - How can you keep your sense of truth without leaving the office?

Oftentimes, we have this fantasy of sticking it to the man and then galloping off into a shiny life where you won’t be held back from who you really are and you can just BE YOURSELF!! (* cue sunset and the angelic voice of the choir *) While ditching

 your day job might be the right choice for some, it’s not the right move for everybody. For example, if you enjoy your job, you shouldn’t feel like you’re missing out if you don’t cavort out of the office with wild abandon. That’s what Sarah’s story shows - she loves her job as an IT professional….and she also loves her studies in yoga. shamanism, and esoteric studies (which we also talk about in this episode). She spends her time at the office and at the ashram. She’s the perfect person to talk to about how to keep your true sense of self without having to quit your day job!

Key Nuggets:

• As your yoga practice deepens, you’ll realize that Yoga is life and its teachings extend much beyond the physical poses.

• It’s important to live your truth but also be aware that your truth can change.

• Sarah’s advice on how to be fearless:

  • First Light Flower Essence

  • Use your yoga to create fearlessness by embodying what the pose represents:

    • Ex. Use Warrior pose and embody the warrior and find strength

    • Ex. Use Archer pose and imagine yourself pulling back with strength and then letting go

One of Your Biggest Lessons So Far:

Enjoy the moment as much as possible because life is a journey, not a destination.

What is one nugget of wisdom that you would share with fellow seekers who are on this journey of growth and transformation?

Dig deep. Find the courage and be fearless. Be inspired to hold the determination that you have and that you can find to keep going.

Links:

If you have any questions for Sarah   or want to learn more, connect with her through:

Website:  www.sarahmarlowespence.com 

              www.premratnamusic.com

Facebook & Instagram: Sarah Marlowe Spence

Episode 71: Wisdom of 2018 - Year In Review

I’m so excited to share with you the year end episode for 2018! This is my favorite kind of episode because it reminds me of how beautiful we all are. I well up with deep gratitude every single time. In 2018 over thirty beautiful hearts shone their light into our community.  They graciously shared their knowledge and stories. The sharing is a rich beacon of light that helps us make sense of our own experiences and comforts us, letting us know that we’re never alone on this journey.

2018 turned out to be a big year in many ways for a lot of people. For some, it was mighty challenging. For others there was intense growth. And yet for others, we’re just walking out of the haze, still trying to figure out what hit us.

 As I reflected on the episodes of 2018, I can see that the conversations intuitively fit into how the year turned out to be. We seemed to circle around 4 main themes:

• Understanding our truth, being our truths and trusting ourselves

• How to move through challenges

• The way that life unfolds and how acceptance brings you peace

• And finally, at the heart of it all…. SELF LOVE. I don’t think I had one conversation where these words didn’t show up. It made sense as I thought about it. As many of my wise guests point out, “how can you show compassion to anyone/anything if you can’t even point it toward yourself”? I have a feeling that this topic will show up even more powerfully in this new year.

But first, give 2018 a big-hearted goodbye and wrap yourself in the wisdom collected from our amazing fellow humans.

~ Namaste