#lifelessons, #signs, #spiritual, #yoga

Shifting in sharing my caring ~

I’ve been asked to write a mission statement for the campaign to help me decided on running for State Representative in 2020. This request got me really thinking about the crossroads I am sitting at and what direction would be best for me.

How do I want to spend the next years of my life, and how will it feel when doing so? I can take two very different journeys depending on my decision. This choice is hard because it’s a big one that will change the trajectory of my days, my future.

Who am I really at my core? I know I have a desire to help others, I care deeply for people, all living beings and the planet. I ask myself over and over. “What is the best way for me to put these passions to good use? I have had the extraordinary opportunity to try different approaches on for size and see how I felt doing so.

The political path is exciting, empowering, educational, and brought me closer to the members of my community. There are also downsides of this choice. Politics are not conducive to balance in lots of areas of my life. There is a sacrifice of family time, personal desires, career, and on top of the lack of help I would need. Not to mention the contentious arena that supports a Bloods Vs. Crips kind of rivalry.

Listen, I will fight if I have too. But deep down, I am a lover, not a fighter. Lately, I feel the calling of peace. Many people were surprised by my choice to jump into the political arena in the first place. I would often think of it as an avenue to express an alter ego side of me. I was often conflicted in my mind and heart following the political trail. Not in policies but in my personal life.

At times I would even compare myself to Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk. To continue the governmental track would mean to endure more of this same frustration. Is pursuing this political path worth my balance, wellbeing and the future of my life. Is there another way to make a difference that feels better?

Over and over, I asked myself what if’s, how and why? Can I make a difference in the world around me in a different way that feels good to me, my family, and those I love? I work from home for a reason, and I love it here. I live a blessed life I am beyond thankful for it. These questions got me looking within, getting back to my roots, surrounding myself with loved ones that know my heart.

I was asking myself the hard questions of who I want to be as I grow into this next pivotal transformation in life. I am thankful for the time I have had to contemplate the pros and cons of each choice and how it will affect me and others I care most about. I am thankful for the opportunity to see myself in the future and how I think it will look.

When I started this political journey, I had called on the inspiration of my grandmother, EmaDee, who was a Registered Nurse for over 40 years in a very small-town hospital. She was a good, kind, and caring person who had a positive impact on her community just by showing up and being herself. My grandmother is one of my heroes because of these traits. I’ve always wanted to be like her in this way.

This desire has never wavered or changed. It was the way I was going about it that altered. I have been allowed time to process this shift, how it feels to me, how it affected my family, and how it changed me has been a blessing.

I know I can still be politically active in a different and muted approach. I do not have to be the candidate; I can be supportive of the changes I wish to see differently. I am excited to see the next candidate get the opportunity to share their passion for our community in such a big way! I can support others who run by being a cog in the wheel of revolution.

My voice does matter and how I used it counts. I have come to see that this political path is a little too extra for me at this time in my life. There must be a balance in the way I care for myself and others. Right now, I feel that I must focus on helping me before I tackle the problems of a whole community. I am choosing to put the oxygen mask on myself first.

Who I am in my soul is full of spirit, love, compassion, and joy. To choose a path that supports and nurtures this part of me means I am kind and truthful with myself. I have a massage therapy practice that fills me with purpose and brings many wonderful people into my life. The real me behind the political persona is a hippie at heart. I am content with being precisely this — just me. I don’t need a microphone to be myself.

Understandably, there may be some disappointment by some, but I must do what is best from me at this time. I have chosen to take the alternate path and continue my career in caring. I’ll begin with Yoga teacher training and see where I go from there. I am choosing to foster the goodness in myself by finding the balance I seek.

I hope to share this kindness with the people around me in a similar way. Teaching is also a powerful approach to help foster a positive, feel-good effect on myself, my family, and the community I love! By sharing my caring in a different form, I can open more hearts, bring inner peace and Zen, with an agenda to create a community of acceptance and connection.

This teaching opportunity can also be a powerful technique in being the change I wish to see in the world. I wish to see more love, more kindness, and more connection to one another. This decision is how I am choosing to be the change. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey through life together. I cherish you.

Nameste!

With love,

Emy Minzel

 

Visit me at :

EmyMinzel.com

EmyMinzel.AdventureSister@gmail.com

@EmyMinzel

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Stacy Crep ~

https://stacycrep.com

 

Photo credit – Emy Minzel, Wild rose bush with bee in my back yard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#lifelessons, #signs, Innerwork

Trusting the changes ~

There are times in life when you are required to take the advice you give to others. When my friends come to me about life changes and significant concerns, my advice is almost always. “Trust it.” But what if you don’t want change? What if you were perfectly fine living your life the way you were? That’s when change is not welcome and when we may protest or fight the inevitability of change. Recently, I’ve discovered I am so very tired of fighting, and so I choose to trust and just let go.

The life I live is magical and blessed yet as we know, situations change, and so does life. Though I had a great time in the years I’ve spent chasing writing dreams and nurturing big aspirations; circumstances have made it clear I have to make changes that will seemingly impede my pursuits. Unfortunately, this turn of events seems a lot like a failure and feels like I’ve been stabbed straight in my ego, Ouchy! But I am a big girl, and I know I got this.

Maybe I don’t have to change as much as I think I do? I know I do not have to give up on my dreams! What I do know is that it is crystal clear my goals will not come to fruition in the way that I thought they would. It just took me a bit to grasp this new reality. I know, I will figure out a way to stay authentic to myself and to make time to dedicate making my dreams a reality. This inevitable change is weird and a little scary when it comes out of the blue.

This is where I know I must trust this change of circumstances not only in my writing goals but my professional life as well. I am second guessing my political aspirations and even my day job… So basically, my whole life is up in the air, and I find this jarring and yet also a little exciting! Thankfully my relationships and home life, are still holding strong, giving me confidence that I will be just fine. This turn of events is just part of my own adventure in life!

It is no coincidence that I keep pulling the Tower card out in my tarot readings. This card holds an image of a castle on fire and crumbling to the ground. Although it may scare others, I know it does not necessarily have to be a bad sign. It just means I must adjust and take the opportunity to revise what was not working for me. It’s an opportunity to rebuild a way of life that better suits who I am now. It means I’ve outgrown my situation and it’s time to change.

I know I must follow my own advice and believe this change is necessary because there are other things I want and need in life too. To make progress on getting what I need, I now see that I must make changes to get them! Don’t they say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again then expecting different results? Maybe I was too ‘in the soup’ to see that I have fallen into a rut.

I am hoping this is just the Universe/God helping to lift me to more solid ground and to get my life back onto the path I am meant to be on. All this change can be a great thing if I let it. I still have a great life! Sure, I could choose to kick and scream, whine, and cry while pieces of my old ways and dreams burn in front of me. Okay, who am I kidding? I have done some of that too… But I can also choose to look at this as an opportunity to rebuild my life in a way that fits who I am now and where I want to be in the future!

Attitude plays a big part in how we perceive our days, and the days make up our life! I do have a choice in how I decide to deal with this hand I’ve been dealt. I choose to be grateful that this change is not brought on by tragedy only changing circumstances, and that those around me are safe and sound, and so am I.

I can decide to look up at the heavens and say. “I trust you to bring me a life even better then I could ever imagine!” So that is precisely what I am going to do.

I choose to take my own advice and trust this change.

I sincerely hope my outlook helps you sort through changes too.

Sending love and blessings to you and yours,

Emy Minzel 

https://emyminzel.com

@EmyMinzel

Photo of the Tower Tarot card in my Sun and Moon Tarot deck by Vanessa Decort

#lifelessons, #signs

Journey to finding my missing joy –

Do you have experienced those days when everything seems to be a little off? The events that happen are bothersome but not necessarily bad, just annoying persistent incidents peppering you though out the day. I’ve been dropping things a lot, having minor accidents and there was a great deal of miscommunication happening as well. Emails, texts, even verbal expressions seem to be just a bit off, enough to confuse.

Every little thing seems just to be annoying me and able to get under my skin. Recently I’ve had several pieces of bad news hit very close to home. These happenings have put my ‘off days’ into perspective and make me thankful the worst thing that happened to me personally, was falling off the couch while watering a hanging plant. Just call me Grace!

Thankfully none of these occurances have been too rough to handle, and that’s a blessing. Yet this news has made me very contemplative. After weeks of it, I find myself looking up to the heavens and ask. “What the heck?!” It feels as if getting through life has been like pushing a boulder uphill.

Now, I don’t mind hard work or getting my hands dirty when my heart is behind the task. So metaphorically pushing my boulder of life uphill is something I understand that must happen occasionally. Especially when duties I work so hard at benefit the goals I am trying to manifest to fruition. Worky, work! Busy bee! That’s me.

As I hear pieces of bad news floating around me and affecting others I love, I have started to look within and purposely count and appreciate my blessings. I believe life is doing its best to reveal what that needs to change in my life. My days have been full of working, cleaning, working, sleeping, working, eating, worry and more working. Though I have been working a great deal and I enjoy my work, it’s still work!

I feel as if I am missing fun, laughter, happiness, and joy in my life. I have not made connection, play or love a priority these days, and it has always been something that can be put off for later. If I don’t catch myself allowing this behavior, it seems to me like my life starts to reflect this, and before I know it, I turn into a downer! I do not like this one bit!

I honestly cannot remember the last time I belly laughed or felt truly happy. As they say, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” This sentiment is precisely how I’ve been feeling and acting. Do you ever feel this way at times? Even though I believe life is to be enjoyed and lived fully, I have not been doing so great at it. What needs to change is the amount of effort I put towards organizing and allowing joy, play, and fun!

Although I know that happiness is something you create for yourself, I think it’s a good idea to ask my loved ones to join me on my journey to finding more joy. After all, what supports happiness more than sharing time with your favorite people? Making time for myself and my family has a way of filling my soul and lifting my energy and attitude about life. How about you?

All the news I hear and as I witness loved ones struggling, it has me remembering to counting my blessings and saying. “Thank you for this day.” The minute I open my eyes in the morning. I’ve started wearing my prayer beads again, each time I notice them, I say the same simple prayer of “Thank you.” It’s a reminder for myself to be grateful for this life I’ve been blessed with.

Sometimes I find it’s just the energy I bring to any activity that makes it seem fun. Turning exercise into a nature hike with my daughter and our dog, Hank is a great way to add bonding time. These simple heart-centered connections help bring joy into my days. I am going to work on re-directing my focus and energy on my blessings. These events and news have shaken me up and have helped to reorganize my priorities to their proper order.

When life gets heavy, I’ve found that is when it’s time to count your blessings, add family, friends, and fun. I know it is up to me to put myself into situations that will help lift my spirit. These things that help us find our smile again are as personal and specific to everyone as our taste buds, and I know my favorite flavors of fun! I hear the messages loud and clear. It’s time to cook up a life that feeds my heart and my spirit!

I have decided to embark on a new journey to add joy to my life and remove what does not. I have set my intention for this summer. I will call this 2019 journey, The Summer of Love, Sun and Fun! I want to reconnect and strengthen bonds. I choose to laugh, play and truly enjoy the people in my life that make it so great.

What do you say? Would you like to join me?!

What are the ways you put play, fun, and laughter into your everyday life? I’d love to hear your suggestions!

Sending love, blessings, and joy,

Emy Minzel

https://emyminzel.com

@EmyMinzel

https://stacycrep.com