Tag: #manifestingjoy

Do it anyway

emyminzel

There are times in our lives when we must do things we really just don’t want to do. Even if it is something we like doing, if we feel like we have no choice but to, how we feel about it can change. Of course, there are lots of days our work is just what we must do. Yet we can feel resistant about our chores, responsibilities or even recreational activities, if they become to feel excessive or if we have no choice but to do them.

Stacy and I are almost halfway through our 40-day kundalini Nabhi kriya practice. We promised to support and encourage each other as we go through this challenge. I feel I have benefitted by being held accountable and cheered on by my dear friend; to do this yoga routine every day, for 40 days, with no days off. Somedays are much harder than others but I always feel better after I do it.

At first it annoyed me that there were no days off for rest. But I now believe the main point of this Kundalini practice is to form a healthy habit and keep the promise to yourself. I have learned that keeping this promise and doing it even though I just don’t want too, has benefitted me in a way that I was not expecting. I have discovered that spend time every day tending to my mind body spirit connection, has made me feel like I am doing a better job at loving myself!

Though I love to write and have held myself to posting a blog every other day, even this can start to seem like work somedays. Like it’s something I must do, even when I don’t feel like it, but I still push through and get it done. I still do my best to write something worth reading, and I do it because I promised I would. Because it is important to my heart and soul that we build and sustain a wonderful community of Adventure Sisters readers and bring joy and positivity to the day. In a world that is bombarded daily with not so happy happenings; Stacy and I want to bring light and love to our loyal readers. Maybe even an uplifting meme to others who may just come upon our words by magic.

Through the words we write and our other daily practices, we work to keep our promises to ourselves and others and it feels great to keep promises! Yes, somedays it’s hard but in all honesty, it has turned out to be the best thing I do all day as well. Keeping my promise to myself and others fulfills me in a way that taking a day off never has.

We should rest but, when it comes to keeping promises to yourself; is that something you really want to take a break from? I have found this yoga practice has changed my perspective on things I didn’t even think were related. This daily practice of prayer and physical activity has benefitted my desire to give my body its proper nutrition. To keep healthier practices and hold myself accountable even when it’s the last thing I want to do.

So, when the responsibilities of our goals seem more like work then enjoyment; sometimes it is best to just “do it anyway”. Just maybe by pushing through we end up empowering ourselves more with the courage, confidence, and conviction to keep ourselves moving in the direction of our dreams, goals and aspirations. Nobody can do that for you!

I have been doing my best to change how I view these opportunities in life. Each choice I make either keeps me moving forward to my destination or keeps me from it. Therefore, I choose to do it anyways. That’s why it is worth it to me. I believe I am telling the Universe, “Yes I can, yes I will, and I am worth it.” And you are too!

Wishing you the magical soulful healing you need right now to be the best you can be.

With love,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@EmyMinzel

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

Lean into it.

emyminzel

I have been writing a lot lately about taking responsibility for the energy we share with the world around us. I talk about sharing joy and being the light of happiness for yourself and others. Yet there are times when it is okay and even imperative to lean into your sadness, anger, frustration or any other feeling that may not resemble the usual sunshiny picture.

Life likes to hand us tough times once in a while. We are only human, and we all have limits of how much stress or BS we can or are willing to take. We have the right to get angry at that insulting thing that someone said. We are justified to be sad over the loss of a loved one or for any reason actually.

Sometimes the best thing we can do is lean into these feelings and let them in.

When we are too busy denying our true feelings; the Universe and the people around you will know. You aren’t doing yourself or anyone else any favors by pretending otherwise. You are not as good of an actor as you may think you are. Fake happiness still vibes at a lower frequency than real joy and I believe you’re unable to fake it for a reason. That reason is that you are supposed to feel your feelings so that you can heal them.

Now, I don’t mean you have to wallow in misery all day, but you know what? If you need a day to just be as miserable as you need and to let your despair come out your eyes and run down your face; then you really should allow yourself the time to do it!

Sad movie Saturday here you come! It can be a therapeutic release to let those tears out!

If we keep denying our hurt; it will not be possible to bring it out into daylight for the healing it needs. It’s okay to say, “You know what? I am sad today. I just don’t feel like my best self. I need time to heal my spirit and it may take a bit.”

Your loved ones will understand your need for space. They will most likely try and help pull you out of your funk though and this may work for you. You may decide to let them try and help lift your spirits! I know it helps me to get out of the house and hang out with my friends to shake up my routine a bit. My friends and loved ones are a great source of joy.

I just wanted to remind you that it is always okay to feel all your feelings! Just be aware that learning to navigate the healing of them is where the work is all yours too. Lean into that anger, sadness or frustration, really feel it, to find the source.

We must heal ourselves and the source of what brought on those feelings. It’s our job to do the work and ask ourselves; “What must I do to change the situation making me feel this way, so those feelings can leave?” If you need help, ask for it. Those around you cannot read minds any better than you can. There are as professionals who will be glad to help you as well.

Go within to dissect the situation and disolve the source of the pain. It’s still our job to take ownership of our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. The best way to do that is to lean into them, look in the mirror, stare yourself in the face and say “I love you. I believe in you. You are going to get through this.”

Give yourself permission to lean into those emotions and then make a choice to lean into the healing as well. Do you need to find forgiveness for yourself or another? Do you need to change thoughts of judgment to thoughts of love and compassion for someone or yourself? It’s up to you to find your truth on where you need healing.

You are worth the investment of time and effort to mend your mind, body and spirit. I am writing this to let you know you are not alone on your down days. There is nothing wrong with you when this happens. You are perfect the way you are, and if you don’t feel so, you have the power to change too.

You matter and I believe in you and love you.

Wishing you the magical soulful healing you need right now to be the best you can be.

With love,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@EmyMinzel

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

 

 

In mid-pursuit of Dreams, Goals, and Aspirations!

emyminzel

I have a wide range of interests that keep me busy, my day job is rewarding and makes me feel purposeful, yet I still feel pushed by Spirit to do more. I have been writing books with my Adventure Sister Stacy with the hope and purpose of helping others grow, and learn, in ways that are helpful in everyday life. We would like to use our series of books to promote the importance of working together while encouraging our differences, in sisterhood, family, friendship, and in all areas of life while caring for each other and the planet.

We have been pursuing this goal for several years and we are smack dab in the middle of working hard for no ‘reward’ except the reward is that it feels right to our souls. It is the heartfelt passion and our will to help the greater good with our writing that keeps our project moving forward, one baby step after another. We are determined to make it happen.

I also have dreams of traveling the globe far and wide, gaining experiences of other places and cultures while writing about it on my hobby farm that will rescue farm animals, bees, chickens, cows, donkey, goats, you name it. I dream that this farm will be fully functioning while being surrounded by a magnificent permaculture food oasis for my family complete with a Walipini for winter gardening. You’re probably thinking “You’re nuts girl! Do you know how much work that is?!”

Yes, I do. I am aware of the insanity that drives me forward, it is my crazy creative life that keeps me dreaming these goals. I feel the pull to add in a little mix of corporate to my creative goals, I have been moved to explore the political world feeling the need to stand up to the injustices I see and now I am considering a run to represent my local district. Because why wouldn’t you add more work on top of the work you already have?!

During my spare time I refinish and repurpose old décor that can be brought to life and funkdified into something wonderful. I have a whole basement workshop full of half finished projects I would like to complete so I could sell them in a small boutique for extra travel money. Also, I create random pieces of art when called to do so. Did you see that?! Squirrel!

Is it possible to be a State Representative, Therapist, Author, Sanctuary Farmer, Permaculture enthusiast and Artist all at the same time? What keeps me holding on to these dreams while some of them have nothing to do with the other? Could I possibly find the time, money, and energy to pursue all of them? Would Spirit give me the desire to do all these things if it weren’t possible?

It would be possible to write and have a farm sanctuary that would be a dream come true. Yet like most people I still have a day job that pays the bills and we all know that’s just a little important if you like to eat. Like I said, I enjoy my ‘job’ it doesn’t feel like work because I find it rewarding. Yet I still aspire to do so much more, to live more sustainably in a way that supports my inner truth. Would I still be able to give my family and friends the time and attention they need to keep healthy happy relationships in the pursuit of my truth?

What goals are truly attainable? And which goals should I pull my energy from? I believe time is the most precious commodity humans are given, so I would like to put my ambitions into the things that will have the best outcome for my highest and greatest good. I am human and do not know what the future will bring, but I do know what I would like my future to look like. Goals, dreams and aspirations are good to have right?!

My husband is not on board with my hobby farm dreams unless he is guaranteed not to have to do any of the work. I understand this because these are not his dreams, they are mine, and it would not be fair to push them on to him and take up his time that is also his commodity to do with as he pleases. He still loves me, encourages me, and supports me in pursuit of my goals, and that’s what matters. I also realize I cannot achieve these goals alone.

Do I take the dreams and goals I can accomplish by myself and run with them? Do I then sacrifice the rest of my goals to the boulevard of broken dreams where what if’s live forever? Or… do I get to work recruiting the help I need? Did you know I hate to ask for help? Insert exasperated sign here. The self-imposed drama I tell you! Stacy just reminded me that the more I believe my dreams will come true the more likely they will be manifested! I know she is right. I must insist and persist, if I want them to exist!

I believe in manifestation, yet lately I feel that maybe I am trying to manifest too much??? Is that even possible to have too many dreams? I call BS on that thought. We are only on this planet for a short time, there is only so much we can accomplish that’s why what we chose to spend our time doing should be purposeful and meaningful. I believe we should pursue the things that bring us joy, contentment, and purpose that will fill our souls with resolve to persevere because it is your dream and you must.

To live in my integrity while it feels like I am chasing squirrels I will call on the spirit of my Dogs to see me through to fruition. Dogs are a great representative of dedication to what you love, they are steadfast in what they believe in and that is usually you. They are consistent, persistent, and insistent every day as reliable as the sun. If my dogs can believe in me so wholly and my families support is consistent, why can’t I believe in myself the same way?

These dreams are a way to support myself through living with purpose, to live in integrity with my beliefs feels vital at this point in my life. I believe the things that call to my soul and tug at my feelings, are my callings, they should at the very minimum be pursued until I clearly see that path isn’t for me. To know that I could fail but keep my hopes up that I will not. I see that Billy goat portage in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is once again a poignant lesson in my life.

Billy goat portage was hard, very difficult for both of the Adventure Sisters, we did not anticipate the physical, and mental challenges that it gave us that day. We had brought so much stuff that we had to travel this difficult path six times to bring all our gear to the next portage. The Billy goat portage path taught me I am capable of doing way more then I think I can. It taught me that by keeping my head down in pursuit of just making it to the end, watching my footing and being careful not to trip up, I made it to the other side just fine. Having to travel that same obstacle six times makes me laugh in the comparison of persistence and dedication most goals and dreams require.

When Stacy and I got to the five-star campsite we were exhausted and starving we would spend the next five days nurturing our beaten and battered bodies while basking in the sun and floating in the lake, enjoying each other’s company and eating very well because we carried a ton of food in! It was the most rewarding vacation full of pride in our accomplishments, the teamwork built our trust and proved to us both we could rely on each other when it was difficult.

I have a team around me that will do the same, so I feel I must pursue each one of these squirrely dreams until the sucker really truly gets too far up the tree and away from me. If it does get away I will then know it wasn’t my path, keep going on the journey where the doors open, there is no need to break them down the ones meant for me will be ajar.

So here I go again chasing garden squirrels today too, excuse me while I go start my petunia seeds! I love to play in the dirt in the middle of a Minnesota winter. It brings me joy.

Be consistent, Be persistent, Be insistent ~ Congressman John Lewis

 

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. – Senator Bill Bradley

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

*Disclaimer ~ the photograph used in this blog I found many years ago on the internet and do not know who to give photo credit to. If by chance it is you I would gladly add your name to the photo that moved my soul.

Positive Expectations *

emyminzel

I saw a message recently that resonated with me, because of the philosophy behind it. It said, “When you focus on problems you’ll have more problems, when you focus on possibilities you have more opportunities.” I love this for many reasons.

I find that it is more common for humans to find and look for all the ways things can go wrong in everyday situations.  Rarely is our first thought “Heck yes, I am going to rock this day, or this obstacle!” We tend to think of the worst-case consequence before we rationalize our thoughts to the last possible outcome that might work out in our favor, then we will end that thought by telling our selves “I doubt it.”

Why do you suppose we don’t automatically think of the best-case scenarios or outcome of a situation? Sure, we’ve all had experiences that didn’t work out for the best, but are they truly as often as we expect them? Usually not, but it seems we would rather be pleasantly surprised as opposed to let down, and this does sound rational sometimes.

However, what kind of energy are we bringing to that situation if we are expecting the worst? If we are holding the intention of being disappointed, why wouldn’t the Universe respond by answering them in the same way. Does it really make a difference in the outcome if we hope for the best? If we look for possibilities to make the situation work in our favor we often find opportunities or solutions that help.

Consistent complaining about a problem in no way helps the situation, when we can step back take a deep breath look for opportunities, they usually come in some form or another. It is because we are asking the Universe to help us with our intention of better outcome by searching for and expecting one that it offers us one. You are letting the God/The Universe know “I expect you to take care of this for my highest and greatest good, I deserve a positive resolution.”

Here is the thing, you can lift your problems up to God and ask them to be taken care of, but you must put yourself in the path of help. If you want assistance and ask for it, you got to put effort and intention towards resolving your boggle. Following the breadcrumbs, the signs, and signals that God sends you is a must for you to make positive progress your are seeking.

Nobody climbs Mount Everest by training with Netflix on the couch. You must put yourself in the path where you are most likely to find assistance. Do your part in progressing to a better solution, a better life or where ever you desire to be. If you are always complaining and accepting the crap situation, that is where you will stay, in your victimhood, weighed down with your heavy backpack of problems that you just accept are yours to carry through life.

This isn’t always the case, taking responsibility for your situation, gives your clarity. I am not saying you can’t be bummed, pissed, sad or any other emotion that might flood you, this is normal. What is not normal is holding onto those negative attitudes because that is what keeps you stuck. When you take responsibility to ‘fix it’ or solve your boggles you take back your power and energetically refuse to be a victim to outside forces.

Taking back your power allows you to focus on possibilities to open doors of opportunities. I have found this to be true in my life in many ways and many situations. It’s been only recently that I have been using this advice myself, and I find that doors of opportunity are opening, my path becomes clearer, and there is no mistaking where I am headed in the future.

It seems to me, by not complaining (okay complain a little but then get over it and move forward immediately!) I can reroute my brain and energy to finding solutions and clearing my thoughts enough to see that maybe God was just clearing the clutter out of my life, so I am able to see where my next steps are supposed to be directed. I just had to get out of my head and out of my own way!

Now that I have finally learned to get out of my own way I see that I am smack dab in the middle of an abundant forest of opportunities. I see it’s up to me to follow the breadcrumbs left for me by the higher power for my highest and greatest good. I know that God wants me to succeed in all I do, when I let the signs of the Universe help me along and see the ‘difficult’ situations as guide posts too, I can hurdle them, and want success for myself as well.

“When you focus on problems you’ll have more problems, when you focus on possibilities you have more opportunities.”

What opportunities are you seizing today?! I would love to hear about them!

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

7 Ways to practice trusting your Intuition

emyminzel

I talk a lot about raising your vibration, keeping your thoughts and energy positive, while walking through daily life. I would also like to talk about how trusting your intuition and gut feelings can help you to live a fulfilling authentic life. I have found through trial and error when I do not trust my intuition, when choose not answer the call to do what I know I should. I suffer the consequences of not listening to my intuition in emotional and physical ways.

I have been hearing the tug at my soul to start writing since 2010 or if I am honest much earlier even since youth. I started by journaling with no purpose except to just write and release my feelings. I found it very therapeutic, but I could still hear my soul saying keep at it for several years, I heard this call and ignored it of course because I had other things to do. I was building a business and making cleaning my house, a priority before writing.

I would do absolutely anything to avoid writing, even doing thing for others they could do for themselves instead. When all I kept thinking about it how bad I wanted to be an author. For years I would stuff this ‘feeling’ right back down to where it came from “Who am I to dare to dream? What makes you qualified to write about anything? What do you have to say that is so important?” I was full of doubt. The more I believed the doubt the more I felt unease move in to my soul.

I was beginning to feel anxiety about many things, I wasn’t taking care of my own needs and desires while putting others before myself whenever possible. By ignoring my feelings, anxiety and depression took its toll on me physically, I gained weight,  I was unhealthy, and my mental state was fragile and highly irritable. I was not living my best life or being the best me I could be, and I felt acutely it in my whole being. These were my icky ‘consequences’ that lead me to discovered the necessity of trusting my intuition. I was so miserable in life I HAD to change it. I discovered the only way to make change is to change yourself because as much as we like to think we can… we cannot change others.

I began by learning all about energy in my body, where I hold it, how it feels and how to control it. This information came to me first in the form of learning Reiki healing. It was by learning about the energy centers in the body (Chakras) that I was able to comprehend the mind, body spirit connection and how it greatly affects your life. At the time I was just learning to be selfish, I wanted and needed to feel better in the meat suit I was wearing and not feeling comfortable in. After years of practice I find it has helped me so greatly that it is my passion to share all I’ve learned so you can feel better too. Here are some of the ways you can incorporate practice of listening to your intuition in your daily life.

  • Try Reiki, Healing hands and other types of energy work. This will help you be in touch with your body, it helps your mind be back in your being, being calm during these healings, helps to hear the whisper of your soul. Learning about the non-physical energy or life force in my body was life changing for me. I started to practice Reiki healing on others and soon discovered helping others helped me too. Giving seems to be more fulfilling to me then taking, but there are times I need healing too. As do you; honor that. You don’t have to learn Reiki, but you can experience energy healing in another form that calls to you.

 

  • Own your feelings, do not let them own you. When someone makes you mad or sad, acknowledge it and ask yourself what exactly made you so upset. Are you feeling disrespected, unappreciated, annoyed, over-extended, used? Your emotions are there for a reason not to be used as a weapon of self-inflicted psychological torture. They should be used as a guide to lean towards what and who makes you feel better. Check in with your relationships, and ask your soul, is this fulfilling for me? Is this where I belong. You will know the answer, this is your intuition.

 

  • Go where you are celebrated not just tolerated. This is god’s way of letting you know where you should be and who you should be spending your time with. Just because you’ve always had the same crowd you hang out with doesn’t mean it’s the one you have to spend the rest of your life trying to ‘fit into’. If these ‘friends’ don’t value your thoughts, feeling or opinions, move on. You will find new friends who love you just as you are, and you will thank yourself for being brave enough to do so. This doesn’t mean you have to cut people out of your life, you just give them the same amount of effort and attention they give you.

 

  • Value your own uniqueness and find others who do the same. How do you feel when you are around someone? Do you feel free to talk about anything and be yourself? Or do you feel like your opinion and feelings don’t not matter? Do you even get a say? These are signs from the Universe on who you should be surrounding yourself with. Move around in this giant world and find other people who resonate with you, find your tribe. Finding others who celebrate your differences instead of trying to bully them out of you is imperative to your soul’s growth. Do yourself a solid and spend time alone as opposed to giving your valuable time and energy to others who do not value who you are and what you have to offer.

 

  • Check in with your physical body. When you are in an uncomfortable situation your body talks to you too, not just your mind. Your pulse rises, you may perspire, your fist clench or your jaw tightens. These are human reactions to stress we all feel, when you are with someone or in a situation that isn’t right for you, your body knows even if you ignore it. Its up to you to check in and think why do I have a headache? Why am I exhausted every time I talk to this person? Why do I feel nauseous all the sudden? This is your body talking to you. Listen up, these are signs and signals from your intuition, your intuition was given to you by the higher power that lives inside of you. It wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t supposed to be used. Mind/BODY/Spirit… its ALL connected for a reason.

 

  • Try thought control over meditation. Plenty of people I know do not like to or just don’t find the peace in meditation that others can find. What I propose is instead, catch yourself slinging bullshit negative stories around in your head, compulsively thinking the worse of others or situations. I ask you to acknowledge it and then tell yourself ‘Stop it.” Every single time you feel upset, anxious or uneasy. Tell yourself “Just stop it.” Ask yourself “Is there anything I can do about this right now?” If there is then do it, stop spinning your mind and polishing rocks of crazy. Ask “Are my thoughts helping the situation or are they blowing it up into obnoxious unnecessary scenarios?” Taking responsibility and control of your own thoughts helps more then meditation in most of real life situations. I totally get that, so this is my alternative suggestion to meditation. Think about puppies or vacation, do something with your hands instead.

 

  • Trust and run towards what you love. It is all about the love baby! We are not meant to be miserable humans making more misery for others. We love what we love for a reason, life is much more enjoyable when we can spend time doing what makes our heart sing and soul smile. Spending our precious time with people who make us feel accepted, seen and loved for who we are, warts and all is what love means. From spending time with babies or grandbabies, fishing to skydiving, whatever that makes your heart fill with happy… do that as much of it as possible. Start giving your time, priority and importance to what does fulfill you in some way. We really are here for only a short while, you’ve tv and phone will not miss you or love you. Spend your hours pursuing more of what you love, trust that the things that pull at your soul, is your intuitive path to happiness.

 

Now that I have learned to take responsibility for my thoughts, my action, my energy. I have decided to take the leap of faith in myself and trust that running toward what I love to do. I find a great deal more peace and joy in my life when I make sure I get time to do what makes me happy, like adventuring and writing about it to help others. I have decided to make it a priority. And you know what? I really have started to look forward to each day, being able to wake up and know I am spending time moving forward with purpose. By listening to my souls call to write, write, write! I have acknowledged and honored myself in a way nobody else or anything else could fulfill, it’s always been up to me.

Trusting your intuition, is just owning your own power. Don’t be afraid of your own power, it was given to you on purpose by God/The Universe for just this reason. Your intuition relies on your feelings, so you feel where you are supposed to be and who you are supposed to be with. You can trust yourself to use your energy only for good. After all isn’t that what we all want in our lives? You are a good soul, it is safe to trust yourself.