Do you have way too much email in your inbox? Are the bills piling up on the kitchen counter? Do you need to take your kids to soccer practice and piano lessons? Do you need to cook dinner, clean the house and mow the lawn? Oh, and yes, while of these things need to happen, do you also still need to do your work, your ministry in this world?

As women spiritual leaders we have many responsibilities and many hats that we wear. If we are not careful, we may not do any of these roles well. How can you make sure that you get done what must get done and still stay sane?

Well, first of all, it’s extremely important to know your values and your mission or purpose.
The first thing you should be sure to get clear on is your Mission statement – this is what will drive your actions in your spiritual business. Mission statements often contain the following:

•    Purpose of your ministry or business
•    Who you serve – your customers, target market, etc.
•    What you offer them – your products and services and the transformation they bring to the people you serve

The next thing you need to get clear on is your values. These are the things that are the most important to you in life. They could be things like Beauty, Family, Accomplishment, etc. These are what will drive your actions in your personal life. Hopefully, the mission and values are congruent and don’t contradict one another. If they do, then one is not authentically representing who you are.

Next, whenever an action item, invitation, request or decision comes your way, you will now analyze it against your Mission and your values. If it doesn’t fit in with these, that is, if it isn’t a definite “YES”!! in your mind and congruent with your values and your purpose, then it needs to be a “NO!”. And you should do just that – “Say, no!”

Also, go through any commitments you currently have and clear out the ones that don’t match your Mission or Values. This will leave room for the things that are truly important for you and what you are here to do to actually get done. And, now they will not only get done, but they will get done well, because you have room for them.

At the end of each day, jot down your accomplishments. Make special note where you might have been led astray and taken on things that are not in alignment with your mission or values. Don’t be harsh on yourself. Just note that these are things you will need to let go of.

Make this a daily habit, and I guarantee that within one month you will be much clearer and focused on the things that are important to you and your life’s work.

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, spiritual healer, teacher and guide. She is the co-founder of the International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders: www.iawsl.com.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download-as our GIFT to you-the 5 Secrets to Creating Abundance Through Your Calling. You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of information and tips for supporting you in your calling. Just click here: www.iawsl.com

Is it really important to know your life purpose? After all, plenty of people go through life never knowing theirs and yet they seem to be content. After all, once you’ve gotten the good job, spouse and 2.5 children, what else is there? Plenty!!

1. Inner Peace – when you know your purpose, a sense of calm surrounds you. You don’t have to worry about what you should focus on

2. Clear Direction – When you know your purpose decision-making becomes easy – if something comes your way that is not in alignment with your purpose, you can easily turn it down; if it does align, say YES!!

3. Financial Success – by having a clear purpose that you are passionate about (because if it’s your Divine Purpose, you WILL be passionate about it), you can easily make money doing it. Why? Because you have the passion that can carry you through the rough times. Someone who is doing something they aren’t passionate about, will give up much more easily.

4. Marketing sense – when you need to market yourself to the world, it becomes very clear to you who you are marketing to and what exactly you are providing. You no longer have to be everything to everyone. There are some people who just aren’t meant to be your customers and that’s OK!!!

5. Happiness – When you are doing what you were put here to do, you are HAPPY!!! Yes, times might get hard and people can treat you unkindly, but you will be happy because you are doing what you were designed to do – it just flows!

6. Eliminate living from Fear – When you live a purpose-driven life, you are no longer living your life from a position of fear – for example, doing things because you “should” or because of what others will think of you or because of some dire consequence you believe will happen if you don’t. You will be living in a proactive manner guided by the direction of your purpose; not reactively out of fear. This is an incredibly powerful way to live.

Once you know your purpose and why you are here, you can set about making changes in your life to adjust to this new knowledge. Slowly you will eliminate things that don’t align with your purpose and draw things to you that do. You will clearly be able to determine if opportunities are right for you or not and you will have a sense of joy and fulfillment that can only come from living purposefully. And, you will easily be able to make money because you will be able to clearly define what you do and whom you do it for – an essential for good marketing. You will be able to do all these things and be happy! What more could anyone ask for – so what are you waiting for? Find that purpose and start living it – the world needs you and whatever it is you were uniquely designed to do!

Patricia

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Conflict is a normal part of life, and while it is definitely uncomfortable, it doesn’t have to be a negative thing. It can be an opportunity for personal spiritual and emotional growth as well as for strengthening the relationship it is occurring within.

What exactly is conflict? Conflict appears when our needs, opinions or perceptions clash with someone else’s needs, opinions or perceptions. Our ego becomes threatened, and we try to protect what we believe to be right and wrong, our opinion about what should happen next or our sense of entitlement to get what we want.

Many times this feels to us like a personal attack. Many of us develop responses to these attacks as children – this is simply the ego attempting to keep us safe. So then even as adults, our natural instinct may be to attack, to run, or to stick our head in the sand and ignore it.

These responses feel comfortable to us because that is what we know; but, at the same time they are not a positive experience.

This really isn’t an unusual response to conflict – most people would rather not deal with it. However, the benefits can be dramatic. So what are some things we can do to at least handle conflict more skillfully, so that both partners consider it a “Win”; and even better, we experience a strengthening in our spiritual and emotional growth?

Practical tips for dealing with conflict with family members, friends and co-workers, including the following:

1. Focus on the positive. There is usually a benefit that can be found in this conflict – the “silver lining” so to speak. It may clear the air of confusion or incorrect expectations; it can also help you determine clearly the next steps that need to occur.

2. Find something that you both agree on. You might think there isn’t anything, but there is. It might be a small part of what’s going on, but it’s there. Make sure to find it.

3. Take ownership of your part in the conflict. Most likely there is a part of the conflict that is yours; it’s highly unlikely that there is no part of this that you can be accountable for – own up to it.

4. Active Listening – This is probably the toughest step. Much has been written on how to do active listening. The bottom line is to truly listen to the other person while keeping you mind open and without judgment or thoughts of what you are going to say next.

5. Express Needs. Conflict is usually occurring because perceived needs are not met. It is important that each party lay these needs out on the table so that there is transparency and understanding of what each person needs.

6. Reach Understanding. Once the above steps have been done, it will be much clearer how to proceed. By this point, often a solution has already come to the surface or at least the next step can be agreed upon.

In a romantic relationship, conflict can lead to divorce. Between political factions, differences can lead to war. But when these conflicts are openly acknowledged and addressed, it can be a powerful catalyst for growth and healing and can lead to creative solutions that deepen intimacy and strengthen bonds between people.

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, spiritual healer, teacher and guide. She is the co-founder of the International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders: www.iawsl.com.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download-as our GIFT to you-the 5 Secrets to Creating Abundance Through Your Calling. You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of information and tips for supporting you in your calling. Just click here: www.iawsl.com

I had the wonderful opportunity of hearing Byron Kate speak in person this past week. I must admit I am a huge fan of hers – I have all her books and one set of her CDs. I am constantly impressed by the simplicity and elegance of her message, also known as The Work (Click here for more information).

Like many spiritual teachers of today, her work is about being aware and living in the moment. The difference is that Byron Katie not only tells us to DO these things, she gives very clear instructions on HOW to do it. Notice I didn’t say “easy”. Her method is definitely not easy, it is however, very simple and straightforward. And “Katie” doesn’t mince words when talking to people directly.

The instructions are simple: Question your thoughts. Ask the following four questions about them:
1. Is this true?

2. Can you know for sure that this is true?

3. Who are you, how do you feel when you think this thought?

4. Who would you be without this thought?

I challenge you to give this process a try the next time you find yourself in a situation in which you are reacting emotionally to something someone has said or done. The minute your goes to “He should …” or “She shouldn’t…”, apply the questions, and then let me know what you think!

Patricia

In any spiritual path one follows, inevitably, the idea of letting go rears its head. Why is it so important? Why is it so difficult? As women spiritual leaders we can face this conundrum in a myriad of ways. Not only on our own path, but also when dealing with others – for example when we are ministering to our people, we must approach them free of expectations and requirements; in many forms of meditation, we are asked to let our thoughts go as they appear; in counseling sessions, we must let go of preconceived projections and outcomes.

What are some of the things we need to let go of? Well, the list is infinite, but here’s some food for thought: shame, guilt, fear, anger, bad relationships, expectations, grief, resistance, dependency…

And through all of this letting go, the mind is clinging with fierce determination to what it knows. “The devil you know is better (safer) than the devil you don’t!” we exclaim. The dangerous unknown lurks in front of us like an abysmal hole. The purpose of the mind or Ego is to keep us safe – that part of ourselves will do whatever it takes to accomplish its mission of keeping us safe from harm – and what could be more unsafe than the unknown or change? However, a full cup cannot be filled with something new – it must be emptied first. Let go!

If we can allow ourselves to open up with grace (or without, as the case may be) and trust to the unknown and something different, what we find is a whole new world of options and possibilities. The Divine has more in store for us than we can imagine for ourselves, but our job is to have faith and let go!

The question is how? How can we let go when our “monkey mind” is clinging tight to its vine? There are 5 simple steps to easing into faith and “letting go and letting God”:

1. Label that part of yourself that is afraid. Give it a name and make it as real in your mind as possible. This gives you something to focus on.

2. Let it express its fear through journaling or meditation.

3. Speak to it gently as you would a frightened child. Don’t dismiss it – it will only cry louder!

4. Get silent and still so that you can hear the still, small voice within – this is what will tell you your next step, if any.

5. Breathe! It is so important during these times of change to remember to breathe.

By giving voice to your fears, you allow that voice to know it’s being listened to. Only then can it begin to be comforted. Then the monkey can finally let go of that vine – that’s the only way you’ll be able to catch the next vine – much like a trapeze artist, in order to catch one trapeze the artist must let go of the one they are holding and trust that the one they need will be where it needs to be when they let go.

Remember that when a window is closed, a door is opened. Go ahead, close that window! Let go and live life!

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, spiritual healer, teacher and guide. She is the co-founder of the International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders: www.iawsl.com.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download-as our GIFT to you-the 5 Secrets to Creating Abundance Through Your Calling. You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of information and tips for supporting you in your calling. Just click here: www.iawsl.com

I couldn’t resist posting this link about Ricochet – a dog who was allowed to “follow her bliss” and is now helping to earn money for the disabled.

What an inspiring reminder to us all to go within and determine what it is we are truly called to do!

Patricia

This week, next Sunday to be exact (the third Sunday of January), is World Religions Day. This is a day in which the world’s amazing collage of different religions is honored. It was started by Baha’i’s in the United States but has slowly been spreading throughout the world.

On this day throughout the world interfaith conferences, dinners and dialogs are hosted in order to promote communication and understanding amongst the world’s religions. According to the Baha’i website, the purpose is “to call attention to the harmony of the various religions’ spiritual principles and to emphasize that religion is the motivating force for world unity.”

As I pondered the significance of this day, I was struck by the intention behind this proclamation. As stated in the Baha’i writings, “Religion should be the cause of love and agreement, a bond to unify all mankind for it is a message of peace and goodwill to man from God” and “Religion is the greatest of all means for the establishment of order in the world and for the peaceful contentment of all that dwell therein.”

We know that this idea certainly has not always played out this way.

As women spiritual leaders we are faced everyday with differences. These differences in the people we come across can range from differences in age, race, gender, socio-economic background, cultural background and, of course, religious background. How can we be messages “of peace and goodwill to the world” and help to “be the cause of love and agreement” when faced with these differences?

There are four important keys to this process:
1.    Introspection
First of all, we must take a good hard look at ourselves. It is important as spiritual leaders that we understand our Achilles’ heel – our personal wounds and sensitive spots. If we are not clear on these and actively working on healing them, it is probable that they will come out as judgment and projection onto others.

We also must remember to take nothing personally and we are wonderful beings. In the words of Ernest Holmes, “Nothing can touch us unless we let it touch us. Refuse to have the feelings hurt. Refuse to receive anyone’s condemnation. In the independence of your own mentality, believe and feel that you are wonderful. This is not conceit, it is the truth.”

We are in control of ourselves and our own pain. We must be able to not take things personally especially when dealing with “differences”.

2.    Open Heart/Open Mind
Stephen Covey exemplifies this in the principle: Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood. (Seven Basic Habits of Highly Effective People (copyright: Stephen Covey Associates))

We should go into encounters with others with the intention of understanding them. This means making sure that we are truly listening to them – not thinking about how we are going to counter what they are saying. Our focus should be on them and what they are thinking, feeling and saying; and we should be doing this with open heart and an open mind. Listen and look for hidden wants and needs of the person and also look for their strengths and hopes. This can be done when encountering one person or even when attempting to understand an entire group of people.

3.    Find the common ground
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field.  I’ll meet you there.” – From Essential Rumi
by Coleman Barks

So, it now follows that from knowing yourself and listening to others with an open heart and mind, you can begin to find some commonalities. These commonalities are the field Rumi is referring to where we can meet people who are different from us and set aside those differences so that we can connect with them more fully.

Leonard Pitts, Jr., a columnist for the Miami Herald stated in a speech made February 11, 2002, at the Friends Select School in Philadelphia,
“Unity is not two people clinging together because they both fear they’re about to be annihilated. Nor, for that matter, is unity two people standing together and pretending there are no differences between them. … Unity is respecting difference, honoring difference, valuing difference, learning from difference, but understanding that difference is not destiny. … And that, if there are 10 things that divide us, there are 100 by which we are drawn together. If there are 100 points of contention, there are 1,000 of common cause.”

4.    Value the differences
So by this point we have examined ourselves and listened to others with an open heart and mind. Through this exercise we have found both commonalities and differences. We have met the others in our field of commonality, but this does not imply that we should ignore or toss away the differences.

What should we do with them? We should value them for it is through them that we can learn and grow both mentally and spiritually. We each do not have the corner on all knowledge and truth and it is in meeting others who are different that we can be charged with new knowledge and fresh energy.

“Difference must be not merely be tolerated, but seen as a fund of necessary polarities between which our creativity can spark like a dialectic.” – Audre Lorde

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, energy healer and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of the International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders: www.iawsl.com, and is a practicing life coach, spiritual guide and healer helping people to live the life of their dreams: www.theblissfulsoul.com

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download-as our GIFT to you-the 5 Secrets to Creating Abundance Through Your Calling. You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of information and tips for supporting you in your calling. Just click here: www.iawsl.com

New Years is a wonderful time! It’s almost magical. This is the time of year when we all have a chance to regroup and start fresh. The slate can be cleared and you can start again. As women spiritual leaders it is so important for us to take stock of our lives, our ministries, or callings and revamp them as needed.

Frankly, the first day of the Gregorian calendar isn’t necessarily the only time to do this – there are various markers throughout the year when we can re-evaluate our lives such as our birthday or any of the other religious/ethnic new year markings. However, January 1 is certainly an obvious time to do it.

Another obvious thing about this time of year is New Year resolutions. I think we’ve all come to realize that New Year resolutions can be somewhat tricky. The perspective on this annual tradition can range from downright brutal – “New Years resolutions don’t work!” all the way to those dedicated few who still make them every year – ” I will lose 40 pounds this year.”

When they don’t work, it is usually because the goal that has been chosen is so lofty, we can’t really succeed at it – at least not without a framework, a plan and support systems. When these things are in place, it certainly is possible to succeed – most people, however, don’t do this. They make their lofty goal, go after it full-throttle and then lose steam somewhere around February 1st. By March, they can’t even remember what it was they had resolved themselves to. Women especially tend to get sidetracked and sucked into the caregiver role at the first opportunity and then any goal we’ve set for ourselves falls by the wayside.

A much better way to get a fresh start that lasts the whole year and can have a profound effect on your life and your spiritual growth is to create a theme for the year. I have been doing this for about ten years now and the changes it has wrought in my life are downright remarkable!

Choosing a theme for the year is very personal and should involve thought and candid reflection. I like to spend the week before New Years reviewing the last year and any issues I encountered. What worked? What didn’t? What areas of my life feel like they need healing? Here are some possible choices that I have either used in the past or have considered using:

Be Happy

Let go and let God

Choose Joy

Be the Gift

Trust

Say “Yes!”

Just say “No”

As you can see the possibilities are endless! And after while you can actually have a lot of fun coming up with them. I have noticed that every time that I have done this, within the first week of the year I am presented with a test of my theme. For example, if you choose “Let go and let God” – I guarantee that there will be something, someone or some idea that you will have to let go of.

So forewarned is fore-armed – put some thought into which theme will benefit our soul the most – you will not be disappointed!

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, energy healer and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of the International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders: www.iawsl.com, and is a practicing life coach, spiritual guide and healer helping people to live the life of their dreams: www.theblissfulsoul.com.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download—as our GIFT to you—the 5 Secrets to Creating Abundance Through Your Calling. You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of information and tips for supporting you in your calling.

What is the Winter Solstice?

Technically this is the longest night of the year – in the Northern hemisphere, this is usually around December 21st – 22nd. The world around us is dark and cold. In modern times, ignoring the rhythms of the earth, we rise while it is still dark and continue our activities – taking the kids to school, going to work, running errands – until well past the setting of the sun. With all of our artificial light, we forget how dark our surroundings are at this time.

Can you imagine a time before electricity, before scientists had explained to us that this phenomenon is simply caused by the tilt of the earth as it rotates around the sun? And that this darkness is just the result of the earth being tilted to its maximum position of 23° 26′ away from the sun…it is likely people could easily become fearful. The trees and shrubs, would freeze and dry up, often they would be buried under a layer of snow or frost. There was no guarantee that the sun would come back. People would watch as each day the sun would rise to a lower and lower point in the sky. In northern elevations, they might not see it for weeks or months at a time!

Oh, but then! They would notice that this cycle would reverse itself…can you imagine the joy and hope that entered people’s hearts at that time! The sun was returning! The world would not remain a cold, dark wasteland forevermore. This was certainly reason for celebration! And even those seemingly dead gardens would eventually spring back to life…there had been life lying dormant there all along!

The word solstice derives from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still)…the moment when the sun stands still…culturally, this event has been seen through the years as the time when the ebbing of the sun stops and it begins to return. Concepts of the birth or rebirth of sun gods have been common in many cultures through the years:

• In Greek mythology, the gods and goddesses met on the winter and summer solstice, and Hades was permitted on Mount Olympus.
• The Hopi Indians, also known as “The Peaceful Ones,” hold a ritual on December 21, the shortest day of the year, to ceremonially bring the sun back from its long winter sleep.
• In many pagan and earth-based traditions, this holiday is celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God, who is viewed as the “newborn” sun.
• In modern cultures gatherings at this time of year are filled with evergreens, bright lights, large bonfires, feasts, spending time with loved ones, and dancing and singing.

As women spiritual leaders this can be an opportune time to STOP the busy-ness, STOP the “doing” and follow the rhythm of the earth. Much like the winter garden lies dormant, we too should take time to sit quietly and go within. This dark, cold, quiet time of year is perfect not only for hibernating bears, but also for our hibernating souls. We need the withdrawal and rest from the hub-bub of daily living to recharge and regenerate – to bring our own light and life back into the world.

Take time this week to have a daily check-in with yourself:

1. STOP – take 10-15 minutes and find a quiet place to sit – no radio, music, television, kids, phone, etc.
2. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Focus on your breathe and imagine it flowing through you as you breath in and out.
3. Imagine a small flame in the center of your chest. As you breathe in, the flame expands. As you breathe out, the flame flushes out anything negative in your thoughts or feelings.
4. Sit in silence for a few more minutes. Remind yourself that there is NOTHING for you to do right NOW.
5. When you feel complete, slowly open your eyes. Continue with your day remembering the calm darkness that envelopes you and the warmth of your light within that fuels you.

It is so important that we, as women take the time to recharge, hibernate or go within and stay in that calm darkness, knowing that our light is always there – we only need to allow its gentle flame to regenerate and recharge in the silence of our own winter. And when we honor that cycle of death and rebirth, we will be even more prepared to perform our ministry in the world – whatever it might be.

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, energy healer and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of the International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders: www.iawsl.com, and is a practicing life coach, spiritual guide and healer helping people to live the life of their dreams: www.theblissfulsoul.com.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download—as our GIFT to you—the 5 Secrets to Creating Abundance Through Your Calling. You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of information and tips for supporting you in your calling.

This week we are celebrating Eid-al-Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice” or “Greater Eid” which is a holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world to commemorate the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God. This is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar.
Eid al-Adha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar. Towards the end of the Hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide) the pilgrims descend from Mount Arafat to the Valley of Mina. This is when Eid-al-Adha occurs. It is approximately 70 days after the holy month of Ramadan.
By sacrificing an animal such as a cow, ram or camel, Muslims re-enact Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Traditionally, the meat is divided into thirds. One-third is eaten by the immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes the willingness to give up things that are of benefit or close to the heart, in order to follow Allah’s commands; and it reinforces the ties of friendship and the idea of helping those who are in need. It also reinforces the idea of “oneness” in the community.
If we take a look at the meaning of the word sacrifice in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, we find the following definition:

Main Entry: sac•ri•fice
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin sacrificium, from sacr-, sacer + facere to make — more at do
Date: 13th century
1 : an act of offering to a deity something precious; especially: the killing of a victim on an altar
2 : something offered in sacrifice
3 a : destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else b : something given up or lost <the sacrifices made by parents>
Eid al-Adha is a fitting time to consider what all of us are asked to sacrifice. Sacrifice does not necessarily have to be the sacrifice of an animal. In fact, check out the third definition above…the “destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else”. Consider the idea that what we are asked to sacrifice is something that is in the way of our spiritual progress and growth.
As women spiritual leaders our time is constantly filled. It could be activities such as our ministry, healing, or helping others in our community. It could be singing, sleeping, running errands. However, even if we are relaxing, our time is filled with something. Even when we think it is filled with nothing it is filled with our knowledge, it could be filled with our thoughts, it could be filled with our feelings, concerns, or worries.
Now, in order for something new, of a higher energy to come in, another thing of a lower energy needs to be released. If you have a cup full of water, but what you really want is hot tea, then you will have to “sacrifice” the water in order to receive the hot tea. More dramatically, a trapeze artist at the circus must let go of one trapeze in order to latch on to the next one.
How do you know what it is you need to sacrifice? In order to properly determine what needs to be let go of, you must have a clearly defined set of values. Every decision should be weighed against your value system. We are never asked to sacrifice something that matches our values for something that is not in accordance with our values.
So, what things, people, activities, or beliefs in your life do you need to let go of in order to get closer to the Divine, to your spiritual nature? Are you holding on to old beliefs of unworthiness or the belief that money is evil? Are you holding onto activities that are not moving you towards your calling or purpose? Perhaps you need to sacrifice some activities that are draining you or are not in alignment with your values. Have you said “yes” to too many requests for your time? Maybe some of your relationships are not healthy and supportive for you? Do you need to sacrifice a relationship for the greater good of your health, well-being and growth?
Consider if now is the time to take stock of what is holding you back and make a sacrifice to your higher good so that you can freely move forward in your work, serving the purpose and mission you are divinely guided to fulfill.

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, energy healer, mother and entrepreneur.

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