Lighten Your Load:

“I step back, let go and trust in the flow of my life”

I am declaring this year – the year for Living Life Lightly.   Sounds freeing doesn’t it!

This year I’m keener than ever to simplify (and/or eliminate) all things that weigh heavy on my shoulders, in my body, thoughts, personal living space and life. It’s time for me, (perhaps you as well) to release thoughts, activities, things, people and places that are heavy and draining.

Eliminate, eliminate, eliminate. Simplify, simplify, simplify. Breathe, breathe, breathe.

How about you? Ready for more lightness and flow in your life?

Below is my starting point for living life a little more lightly in the year ahead.  I’m sure I’ll be adding more as the year progresses but nevertheless I’m happy with my little list so far.

Oh, and while I’ve got you. Have you chosen your personal power word for the year ahead?  Mine is the same as last year “gentle”.   Read about it here.

Lighten your load this year:

1: This year I will eliminate even more stuff from my home.

Whilst I’m quite good at clearing clutter, it doesn’t take long for a feeling of heaviness to creep back into rooms, spaces and cupboards – particularly with 3 boys.

I guarantee the more stuff and emotional clutter you give-away or throw out the lighter you’ll feel.

2:   This year I will complain less and feel more blessed:

Silently rehashing complaining thoughts fills my being with heaviness and negativity.  Blah! Not to mention that I’ll be sending my energies into the opposite direction of where I really want to be going.

Each time I notice myself complaining I will follow with my trusted mantra “I trust in the flow of my life”.

The less I complain the lighter I will feel.

3. This year I will finish what I start:

Being surrounded by lots of little unfinished jobs weighs heavy on my shoulders and mind. Its happens to me when I’m rushing through life and not gently flowing.

I get too excited easily and then my mind starts darting all over the place. I’m doing lots but finishing nothing.

Note to self – More finishing less scattered busyness.

4: This year I choose to breath rather than stress out:

No more clenching muscles and holding the breath for me.

With a calm breath comes calm thinking and a relaxed body.  You cannot feel light if your breathing and muscles are tense and uptight.

A deep satisfying inhale equals a lighter feeling me.

5: This year I will replenish my energies more often in nature.

Nature is a great antidote for discharging excess static energy from too much technology. So ditch the concrete jungle and four walls in favour of more fresh air, sunshine, grass and trees. Nature is medicine.

Soak yourself in nature and let the rejuvenation and lightness begin.

6:   This year I will watch my energy levels.

No more exhaustion for this little bunny.

This year I will rejuvenate my energies by spending more time alone. More stillness, restful yoga, walking (without technology and talking), meditation, mindful breathing practices, chanting and other yummy ancient energy giving rituals – in place of over checking emails, sleeping with my iphone, running to my ipad first thing in the morning or neglecting to eat regularly.

The more I care for my energy levels the lighter I will feel.

7: I will spend less time in places and with people that drain my energy:

Yep, you and I both know “those” places and “those people” which time and time again leave us feeling heavy and lethargic. Totally drained of energy.

For me it’s driving, shopping centers and too much talking.  How about you?

8:  This year I will know when to walk way:

When life is not working or I’m simply pushing way too hard – I will know – when to get up and walk away from my routine and the familiar to create some space for the heaviness to shift.

A change of scenery can be the perfect medicine to clear the  mind, brush away the cob webs and dissolve the heaviness.

When life becomes too heavy I will know when to get up, walk away and bring lightness and flow back into my life.

9: This year I will live in my body more:

Living excessively in the head restricts the flow of prana in your body and (for me) creates a heaviness or tension in the temples, jaw, neck, shoulders and stomach.

Get out of your head and back into your body by practising “the 3 arrivals”.  Arrive fully into the moment by arriving with your breath, arriving with your body and arriving with your mind.  Read more here.

10:  This year I will lighten the load for my stomach:

No more heavy weird feelings for my stomach.  2012 is the year of happy tummies.

Note to self  – sit down when I eat – arrive at my meal – no gulping or rushing (big mistake for me) – notice what I eat – no multi tasking – must repeat this one to self again – no multi tasking while eating – practice Ayurvedic eating principles more.   End result one happy, more relaxed and lighter feeling tummy.

The more nourishing meals I eat in a soul satisfying environment the lighter and calmer my stomach will feel.

Books to help you lighten your load 

The Path of Practice: A Woman’s Book of Ayurvedic Healing by Bri. Maya Tiwari

You Can Create An Exceptional Life. by Louise Hay and Cheryl Richardson

Agni by Nadia Marshall – An Ayurvedic course for a healthy digestion.

The Breathing Book: Vitality & Good Health. by Donna Farhi

Everyday Dharma: Seven Weeks to Finding the Buddha in You by Lama Miller

The Artist’s Way Workbook by Julia Cameron

Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times by Judith Lasater

Spent by Dr. Frank Lipman

A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining by Will Bowen

The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation. by Thich Nhat Hanh

Photo by Mait Juriado’s

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