Cultivating A Career Of Purpose And Passion

So many people spend forty plus hours a week at work. If the present moment is our true gift, are you squeezing the most out of your life? Many people hold the perception that you need to have a job to make money in order to do the things you enjoy doing but what if we actually made money doing the things we loved! Every day could be an opportunity for fulfillment of our best, highest self and our purpose in this lifetime.

In my training at IIN, I learned about the importance of the twelve areas of primary food, which are all the things in our life that nourish and feed us, the food on our plate being secondary nutrition. Career is such an important area to invest time into finding fulfillment and balance in, because we have the habit of spending so much of our time there. It's also important to note that what served us ten years ago, may no longer be serving our expanding self and we may need to check in with ourselves and reevaluate as needed. Choosing a career that stimulates, excites, and fulfills us verses drains, overwhelms, or bores us could mean the difference between living a healthy life full of vitality or feeling stressed, depressed, and unfulfilled, which can have dramatic negative effects on our overall health and wellbeing.

When we do what we love, and love what we do, it is one of the best ways to honor this life we have been gifted with. We have all come into form with innate talents and gifts that all too often can be overlooked because they come so easily to us. Finding that perfect overlap where we know what we are good at, how we can use it to be of services for the greater good and then receive an income for it, is the sweet spot where the magic happens. Going to work, no longer feels like something you have to do but something you look forward to because it allows your soul to sing.

“Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.”

~Martin Luther King Jr.

I invite you to play with this quick exercise and allow your imagination to run, as you dream big.

1. What has always come easily for you, and find simple joy in the act of doing?

2. How could you use those innate skills and pleasures to sure the greater good?

3. Brainstorm your superpowers and passions to dream up an epic career journey.

4. Dive into dreaming about different career paths and imagine where they could take you in the long run.

5. Hang out with folks already living your dream field for inspiration, tips, motivation, and guidance. Also, vibrational calibration is a real thing!!!

6. Attend social events to create authentic connections that make you visible as an expert in your field.

7. Shoot your shot with potential employers, contact individuals in your field of interest and ask questions as well as put your name out there as a potential option if an opportunity presents itself. Remember, bring plenty of good vibes.

8. Remember, finding your dream career might be a wild ride with a few twists and turns along the way, so why not practice patience and contentment along the way and enjoy the adventure!
   

If cultivating a new career path isn't in the cards for you at this time, there are also ways you can enhance and love where you are and bring more fulfillment to your everyday work life!

1. Try projects that light a fire in your belly! Let your boss know what gets you buzzing – it's where you'll shine brightest!

2. Build your squad with folks who've got your back and cheer you on.

3. Embrace feedback like a boss and level up your skills.

4. Treat yourself to mini celebrations for hitting those milestones. Whether it's a quick massage or a leisurely stroll, nourish yourself like it's your main course.

5. Spruce up your workspace with some fresh blooms, a cozy chair, and motivational decor to keep those good vibes flowing.

6. When it's time to move on, keep doing what lights you up. Hunt down gigs that fuel your passions, and don't forget to stay in touch with your old crew. Networking is key!
   

Finding work that you love will nourish all areas of your life and overall health. Chances are, you’ll experience less stress, find yourself in a better mood on a regular basis and have more time and energy for creativity, while you connect to your greater purpose. Changes like this always take time, and I encourage you to find a slow, yet consistent pace towards doing what you love and loving what you do.

When we are able to show up for our days, knowing we are making the world a better place with our own little ripple effect, each moment is a gift and an opportunity to feel the love, peace and fulfillment that is available to each of us. When we truly know who we are and what fulfills us, we can gift the world with the present to our presence.

All the love,

Pamela

Becoming Our Own Soulmate

As I worked my way through my intensive, 7-week intimacy course, one thing that was increasingly obvious is how often I have looked to my partners to care for me in a way that I should have been caring for myself. How often do we have a need, want, or desire and believe that it is the responsibility of another to fulfill our requests? How can we ask of another, something we don't even know how to deliver to ourselves? Healing our past wounds and learning to love ourselves the way we need to be loved, is the first step to allow ourselves to love and be loved by others. Until we stop abandoning the parts of ourselves that we are afraid or embarrassed to expose and look at, how can we ever be fully vulnerable and open to deep intimacy and love with another person.

When we begin to sift through all of our trauma and wounds with the intention to heal from a place of peace, love, compassion and grace, we know the road ahead will have bumps, twists and turns, but when we are actually going through it, it can feel scarier and more difficult than anything we have ever done. Believe me, I know first hand!! Deciding to choose a path different than the reactive one we have been conditioned to take, requires intention, patience, and bravery. In these moments, our autonomic nervous system has every cell in our body is screaming to choose the familiar path. Just because the path is familiar and feels safer, doesn't mean it is what's best for us and is often the road to staying stagnant. Change and growth requires pushing ourselves through these moments, making the choice that is in alignment with our deepest values and desires, no matter how uncomfortable it feels.

As we choose different, we are teaching our body that it can survive and will be ok trying this new approach to love. Every time we do this, it becomes a little easier the next. We are creating new neurological pathways in the brain and eventually, over time with repetition, this way of thinking and being will become the new normal.

"To find the Beloved, you must become the Beloved."

~ Rumi

The truth is that the connection that we are seeking from others stems from a longing for a deeper connection with our higher self or source. So, how do we become our own soulmate? Honestly, just like any love, it takes consistent work, compassion, tending to, bravery and patience.

We can start by asking ourselves these questions and patiently for the real answers, not the knee jerk, conditioned answers.

• What are my passions?

• What are my core values?

• What are my deepest desires? You know, the ones you only dear to dream about when you are in that happy place.

• What are my love languages?

• What nourishes me mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually?

• What makes me feel seen, heard, and understood?

• What boundary can I set and uphold that will allow me to feel safe enough to let my walls down?

• How can I have healthy expectations of others around self-respect?

Once we take the time to truly get to know ourselves, we can then begin to tend to our own needs and live the fulfilling lives we envision for ourselves and those that are in alignment with us will naturally be drawn to us and assist in our deeper know of ourselves.

So, the funny and ironic thing about becoming our own soulmate is that the beliefs we formed of ourselves were actually formed in our relationships with others throughout our lives. We made meaning from our interactions, intimacy and connection with others and then used these thoughts to form beliefs which then formed our personality which is how we show up in our future relationships. How we approach each scenario is now molded by this skewed perspective which then, often times, perpetuate situations, playing them out over and over again as we repeat patterns, only to validate our original negative belief further.

Once we know better and know that those negative formed beliefs are not true, we can begin to show up in new empowered ways which will, in the same fashion, be reinforced as we have experiences that validate our new truths. So, here is the irony. Learning to deeply love, understand and connect with ourselves is only the first step and theoretical. As we know, information is not transformation. To reform our love identity with ourselves, we actually need each other to mirror back to us so we can process these new beliefs through experiences that challenge and validate our new way of being! As we face old challenges and struggles with our new love identity, and choose different, this when things get fun! (I don't know if you sense my sarcasm on that one, but it was there). When we trust ourselves to make the bold choices that we know are best for us, no matter how uncomfortable it feels and we get the pleasure of having our worthiness, power, and deep truths of who we now know ourselves to be, validated. Then and only then, have we begun to rewrite our love identity story.

We are all divine love and when we know and believe in ourselves and our personal strength, we have the ability to show up in challenging moments, in ways that can deepen love rather than destroy it. When we heal ourselves, we heal the world.

All the love,

Pamela

The Importance Of Home Environment

They say home is where the heart is. Our home environment is not just our personal living space, but also the outdoor surroundings, the community we're a part of, and the individuals we engage with. Even if we aren't aware, these areas of our lives significantly impact our well-being and contentment. Connection with our home environment and being mindful of its emotional and cognitive effects can lead to a deeper understanding of how they shape other essential aspects of our lives, such as relationships, professional pursuits, and spiritual growth.

Our home environment plays a huge role in shaping our overall well-being – mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. Creating a home environment that feels safe, comfortable, and uplifting can serve as a springboard for empowerment, energizing and guiding us towards a fulfilling and joyful life.

A clean and cozy living space can actual help reduce stress by reflecting or inspiring the inner peace within. Imagine waking up to a space where you immediately feel a sense of order, efficiency, and support. Envision strolling through a neighborhood where familiar faces greet you, fostering a feeling of security and shared connection. These invigorating experiences can significantly impact our multidimensional health.

Just as nourishing our bodies with wholesome foods is vital for optimal health, creating a home environment that resonates with our inner joy is equally beneficial for our overall well-being.

“The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy

and life lovely.” ~ Louisa May Alcott

• What does your home currently look and feel like?

• Now envision your ideal home. How does it differ?

For example, try tuning in to how you want to feel physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Get as detailed as possible using images, scents, feelings, and sounds to describe your ideal home environment.

I'd love to pass along 11 ways to explore a more positive home environment straight from my IIN worksheets!

1. Create a vision board of your ideal home environment -A vision board is a great way to stay focused on a goal. Create one for your dream home environment by finding images and words that inspire the feelings you want. You can use pictures from magazines or online, or draw your own. Fill your board with images of things like gardens, a lively community, your desired city, a peaceful scene with a hammock, or words like love, peace, serenity, and bliss.

2. Detox your residence - Organizing your home boosts both physical and mental well-being. Clear clutter by donating items, creating a liberating sense of relief. This process can energize you and inspire improvements in other areas of your life. Dedicate a bit of time daily to tidying up to stay active and focused on your passions.

3. Clear the air - Improving indoor air quality reduces allergens and toxins, enhancing your space's overall energy and making breathing easier. While studies on devices like essential oil diffusers, air purifiers, and fans vary, research confirms the importance of air quality for health. If you can't open windows, consider alternatives like burning sage or letting in sunlight, both proven to improve air quality.

4. Put inspiration on your walls - If your home feels bland with plain white walls, consider adding some vibrancy! Experimenting with colors and styles that resonate with you can enhance motivation, creativity, and brainstorming. Hang abstract art or tapestries to inject personality into your space. Artwork, including family photos, can stimulate creative thinking, enhance self-esteem, and improve brain connectivity. Choose images that evoke happiness and support, as they can uplift your mood and inspire you to create more memorable moments.

5. Create a cozy sleep space - Ensuring you get enough sleep is crucial for your health. Create a comfortable sleep environment by investing in sheets and blankets that bring you warmth and security. Install shades or curtains on bedroom windows to block out light while you sleep. In the morning, make your bed for a sense of accomplishment and a welcoming sight when you return. These small adjustments can enhance your sleep quality, directly benefiting your overall health and energy levels.

6. Organize your pantry - Keeping your kitchen and pantry organized encourages cooking at home and enjoying time in the kitchen. This increases the likelihood of preparing nutritious meals compared to dining out. Use mason jars or clear containers to organize your pantry; they not only look good but also keep food fresh longer and prevent duplicate purchases.

7. Connect with nature - Spending time in natural surroundings offers numerous health benefits. Just 15 minutes in nature can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormone levels, and enhance creativity, performance, and focus by engaging sensory-processing brain areas. To bring nature to you, maybe fill your home with houseplants, start an herb garden or simply look out your window and take in the flow of nature.

8. Get to know your neighbors - Getting to know your neighbors can be both challenging and rewarding. They may appreciate friendly gestures just as much as you do! Offer help when needed, introduce yourself when you see them, organize a neighborhood event, or simply break the ice with a smile and wave.

9. Join a club or organization - Engaging in activities with like-minded individuals in your community offers mental and emotional benefits. A recent study found that highly involved people experience greater psychosocial development in various aspects of life, including purpose, education, career, and culture. Deliberately choosing your social circle can bring joy, empowerment, and energy, leading to a sense of purpose and passion. Additionally, you might forge new friendships or acquire new skills along the way!

10. Volunteer -One of the best ways to feel a sense of ownership, pride, and belonging in your home environment is to invest in improving it. Volunteering locally can look different depending on your interests, skills, and time. Consider ways you can share your energy and unique skills to work toward creating the positive change you want to see in the world around you. If you like animals, you could volunteer at a local shelter. If you want to improve literacy, connect with the local school district and become a reading tutor.

11. Invest in local and national issues that are important to you - List the health concerns affecting you and your home environment. Consider ways to increase your involvement, like participating in marches, writing letters, contacting elected officials, or representing your community. Getting engaged can enhance your environment by introducing diverse perspectives and potentially improving it in various ways.
    

In the end, our home environment serves as a mirror of our aspirations, values, and the life we envision for ourselves. Crafting a home environment that resonates with our essence is so important for our overall well-being.

It's worth noting that just as our dietary preferences may shift over time, so too might our needs for various types of home environments as we grow and change.

I invite you to stay curious and embrace the possibility of change as you continuously discover and acknowledge your preferences and aspirations. Revel in the process of building and sustaining a nurturing home environment that enhances your health, happiness and fulfillment!

All the love,

Pamela