Personal Growth

A Love Affair with Yourself

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 10 Conversations

 

Imagine a love affair with yourself…

“Suddenly, and for the first time, she was at the center of her own life, living it and loving it.” – Mary Balogh

You, at the centre,
a full-blown love affair with yourself.

That luscious, heady feeling…all for you.

Murmured words of love,
a tender gaze…just for you.

Imagine…

“If we listened to our intellect we’d never have a love affair.” – Ray Bradbury

For now, give your intellect a rest.

Listen only to your heart,
let it bask in your fullest attention.

Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Your soul yearns
to be acknowledged,

a willing lover
whispering,
waiting for your embrace.

Wrap your arms around it.
And hold on for dear life.

Fire burns in your belly.

Your most desired feelings,
like lava, burning to flow freely.

Unleash their fullest expression.

Goddess sculpture, head back, arms up and open

Look back and remember.
There have been times you knew this love.

See it, hear it, feel it,
in that deepest part of you. . .
no one ever sees.

“Love affairs, in their beginnings, are all about the present.” – Kate Morton

The present, a most precious gift.

Breathe it in like a lover’s scent.
Not yesterday, not tomorrow,

only now.

And take heart…

“Courage Is a Love Affair with the Unknown” – Osho

Trust that you are up to the task.

 

Weep and Set Yourself Free

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 21 Conversations

 

What is it you want to change?
Your hair, your face, your body?
Why?

For God is in love with all those things
and he might weep when they are gone.

~ St. Catherine of Sienna

Dr. Sun Yat Sen garden, Vancouver, BC

Weep…

for what you’ve judged
and  made so very wrong.

Weep…

for all that you’ve lost,
that can never be regained.

Weep…

let go, and
release what’s been held.

Allow what is,
and accept what is not.

Weep…

forgive,
and set yourself free.

 

 

What It Takes to Nourish the Soul

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 25 Conversations

 

“Amidst life’s busyness, we need ways to slow down, turn our attention within, and reconnect with ourselves.” – Karen Horneffer-Ginter

Self-care, for almost everyone I’ve worked with in over a decade, is an ongoing challenge. For the purpose of this post I use the term self-care to refer to the care of mind, body and spirit.

For many, the challenge is obvious, showing up in the physical: do they get enough sleep, does their diet nourish them, etc.

For others, the majority it often seems, the challenge reveals itself in the emotional or spiritual realms, which is not as easily seen or remedied.

Full Cup, Thirsty Spirit is a book that speaks directly to this challenge.

book cover Full Cup, Thirsty Spirit

Written by Karen Horneffer-Ginter, it touches on the most personal and challenging aspects of self-care in a world that often has us running like a hamster on a wheel.

“We live in a world of constant movement, and our day-to-day lives seem to get busier by the hour. Our days are full of information, full of obligations, full of friends and family, full of everything…except fulfillment.”

This statement is true for far too many people. The busyness and stressors of daily life can easily become overwhelming, and self-care is usually the first thing to go when faced with a time or energy crunch.

So, how do you deal with this challenge?

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A Rampage of Appreciation

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 29 Conversations

 

Every time you appreciate something,
every time you praise something,
every time you feel good about something,
you are telling the Universe,
“More of this, please.”
                                                     – Abraham-Hicks

I’ve just had a brilliant day.

Not just because the sun was shining here in Vancouver (a rare occurrence in January!)

Window silhouette at Dr. Sun Yet Sen Gardens, Vancouver, BC

It was simply one of those days, awake and present to my life.

And it reminded me of an amazing practice called rampage of appreciation, from Abraham-Hicks.

So good for what ails you, and more than a little woowoo.

Here’s how it works:

  • Make a list of everything you appreciate right now.
  • Keep going.
  • Continue.
  • Add to your list.
  • That’s it, you’re doing great.
  • How about a couple more?

That’s it. Crazy simple, yeah?

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You Are Beyond Compare

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 10 Conversations

 

Hand holding heart shaped rock

Dear One,

As the new year begins, it seems you need a reminder of how truly awesome you are.

Maybe you got caught up in the new year’s hype, and fell prey to comparisonitis.

But you (and you’ve really got to get this) are beyond comparison.

Your heart and courage inspire, and not a day goes by that someone isn’t touched by you.

Listen. . .

and hear the truth of these words.

You are beyond compare.

You care about people, and share yourself generously, and when you love you do so wholeheartedly. It is  truly a masterful part of your being.

And people respond.

Yes, they always do and tell you so often. So much love coming to you every day, and sometimes you don’t notice it at all.

I’m writing these words to remind you.

You are awesome and you are loved.

xo

Sandi Amorim signature

 

An Ode to the Heart

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 17 Conversations

 

glass hearts

For most of my life, I’ve paid far more attention to my head than my heart. I’ve heard enough stories to know I’m not alone in this.

It’s puzzling really, for my head, on its endless quest for logic and knowledge, has all too often led me astray.

It’s been distracted, and even dazzled by facts, figures, reasons; all requirements in the heady world.

My heart however, has been treated like Cinderella – ignored, occasionally mocked,  and left behind to tend to itself.

It took my heart being broken (but not really) to change this sad state of affairs.

It took getting quiet enough to hear it.

For the truth is, I didn’t know until then that I wasn’t hearing it (picture an ignorance is bliss scenario.)

My heart has taught me to be grateful for those years of sadness.

They helped me grow, and got me in touch with what was really important in my life.

Seems my heart knew all along what that was.

My heart has worked hard on my behalf for little recognition, until today. Until I asked the following question. . .

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A Mala of Mindfulness (108 insights from 2012)

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 41 Conversations

 

A mala is used in many religious traditions to count the repetitions of prayers or devotions, and often consists of 108 beads. Choosing one is a very personal experience, and not always easy – at least it wasn’t for me, as I didn’t find the mala that ‘fit’ me until the third try.

It’s worth the search though because when you do find the right one, it becomes a physical reminder of the power of awareness.

stone and mala beads from www.malaimports.com

Every year at this time I review my journals, I complete the year and make space for what’s next. This year, 2012, has been a year of challenge, opportunity and deepening; more than I thought possible.

As I reviewed, it occurred to me as a mala, 108 insights or  moments of mindfulness that have had a profound impact on my life.

I share it with the hope that some of these thoughts also make a difference for you.

1.   Silence is the best antidote to the busyness of life. New thoughts emerge effortlessly in this sacred space.

2.   Imagine living as if wherever you are is holy ground.

3.   When the muse wakes you up at 3am, pay attention.

4.   Feeling hunger is a good thing. It reminds us that we’re alive.

5.   Freedom from responsibility is not the solution. Choosing your responsibilities mindfully is.

6.   It’s ok to want what you want. Stop making your wants wrong.

7.   Get clear on your non-negotiables. It’s highly likely they’re related to your values.

8.   Question everything. Believe only that which feels good.

9.   You have a gift that is uniquely yours. How are you offering it?

10.  That slow burn in your belly will not fade away. Nurture it.

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How to Befriend Your Inner Critic

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 20 Conversations

The inner critic, gremlin, nasty voice in your head – whatever you call it, you’ve got one.

Here’s mine.

She’s harmless enough until something I’ve done (or not done) gets her attention and suddenly…

She unleashes a torrent of judgment and furious opinion that leaves me reeling, some days weeping.

She’s me, not me. A tangle of stories and limiting beliefs accumulated over a lifetime.

She lurks, waiting for just the right moment to pull the rug out from under me triggering feelings of lack, disappointment, and doubt.

Her name is Medusa, and like her namesake who struck fear into the hearts of men, one stinging comment or look from her and I am immobilized.

And yet, I do my best to befriend her, to quiet her strident, demanding voice.

Some days this feels like an exercise in futility; other days I get through to her and the result is always worth the effort.

For Medusa (naming your inner critic is powerful) is not the enemy despite the frenzy she stirs up.

She exists for your survival (one more aspect of your lizard brain), ensuring you stay out of trouble, and she has one overriding goal – to keep you safe.

Everything else, including how you feel, is secondary to that goal.

She shows up, uninvited like an over-zealous friend trying to get her point across without regard for your feelings. You know someone like this; their intentions are good, if somewhat clouded by their questionable tactics.

[Tweet “Your access to freedom is developing a relationship with your inner critic.”]

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