In times of political chaos and uncertainty, when the news is filled with decisions that strip away democracy or threaten the things we value, it’s natural to feel fear, anxiety, or anger. But while we can’t control the external world, we have power over how we respond.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I want you to know you’re not alone and don’t have to stay stuck in this energy. Today, I’ll share practical steps to help you protect your energy, shift away from fear, and raise your vibration.
The 24-hour news cycle is designed to keep us hooked, often leaving us feeling drained, angry, or helpless. But here’s the truth: you don’t need constant updates to stay informed.
Instead, choose when and how to consume news in a way that protects your peace. Set specific times to check updates, and then shift your focus to more productive and positive things.
Here’s what works for me:
I limit my news intake to 15 minutes in the morning and avoid checking it before bed. This small change alone has helped me feel more grounded and present in my daily life.
Reflect on this: Could you limit your news intake and notice how it affects your mental and emotional state?
2. Create a Grounding Routine
When the world feels chaotic, creating a personal routine that grounds you in the present moment is crucial. Grounding practices help you stay connected to what’s real—your breath, your body, and your inner calm.
I find zen coloring to be magical. As I focus on each stroke of color, I feel my mind calm, and my vibration lift. Find what works for you, whether it’s a morning meditation or an evening journaling session.
Try this: Take 5 minutes today to breathe deeply, close your eyes, and ground yourself in the present moment.
3. Surround Yourself with Supportive, Like-Minded People
In difficult times, surrounding yourself with negativity can quickly pull you down. That’s why being intentional about who you spend time with is essential. Seek out people who lift you up and remind you of the bigger picture.
Join supportive communities, connect with friends who inspire you, and avoid conversations that leave you feeling depleted. There’s power in sharing hope; like-minded people can help you remember that you’re not facing this alone.
Whenever I feel overwhelmed, a conversation with someone who shares my vision instantly shifts my mood. They remind me to focus on what I can control and let go of the rest.
Could you reach out to someone today who brings light into your life?
4. Refocus on Your Vision and Goals
Fear thrives in uncertainty. But when you’re anchored in your vision, fear loses its grip. No matter what’s happening around you, your goals remind you that you have something meaningful to work toward.
What you focus on grows. So, focus on what you want to create instead of what you fear. Break down your goals into small, manageable steps, and celebrate each bit of progress.
This means reminding myself daily of why I do what I do. I visualize my vision and let that carry me through moments of doubt. When everything around you feels uncertain, your purpose will guide you.
What small step toward your vision can you take today?
5. Raise Your Vibration through Gratitude and Joy
Fear and anger can lower your vibration, leaving you in a negative cycle. To break free, turn to the power of gratitude and joy. When you shift your attention to what’s good, you create more of it.
Start with a simple practice:
List three things you’re grateful for each morning.
Listen to uplifting music.
Engage in a hobby that brings you joy—whether it’s dancing, painting, or gardening.
For me, it’s music and gratitude journaling. I write down three things I’m thankful for every morning, and I notice how it changes my perspective. It’s a small practice, but its impact is enormous.
Today, take a moment to think of something you’re grateful for and let that feeling fill your heart.
Reflect on This:
What is one action you can take right now to shift your energy away from fear and focus on your vision and peace?
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed or frustrated. But you can protect your energy and choose how you respond. Even in the darkest moments, you can ground yourself, raise your vibration, and focus on your inner light.
The world needs your light more than ever. So breathe, ground yourself, and remember—you are not powerless.
For more profound guidance and support, schedule a complimentary Discovery Call. Let’s keep building resilience together.
Discovering Ikigai: A Journey to Your Purpose, Part 4
In this final step of the Ikigai journey, we explore the fourth and often most practical element: What Can You Get Paid For? Finding your Ikigai isn’t just about passion, skills, and impact—it’s about turning those into a sustainable livelihood. This post will help you identify how your purpose can align with financial abundance.
Exploring Value Exchange
At the heart of this element lies a question: What value can you provide to others for whom they are willing to compensate you? It’s not about chasing money for the sake of it but creating a meaningful exchange where your purpose supports others—and they, in turn, help you.
The answer is clear: I can get paid to inspire, guide, and help others step into their light. It’s not an easy path but the most rewarding one. Helping others shine their light and live their highest purpose while feeling happy, joyous, and free is one of the greatest blessings in my life.
Reflective Questions to Identify Your Earning Potential
To align your purpose with what you can get paid for, ask yourself these questions:
What unique value do you offer that people consistently appreciate or seek out?
How do your skills, passions, and impact translate into a product, service, or opportunity others need?
What problems can you help solve that people are willing to invest in fixing?
Have you explored ways to monetize your passions, such as teaching, coaching, or creating?
Is there a gap in the market that you can fill with your unique abilities?
My Insights
I have discovered many ways to align my Ikigai with financial rewards:
Coaching: Helping people live their truth and heal has become a cornerstone of my work—and a way to sustain my purpose.
Speaking: As an inspirational speaker, I can share stories and lessons that help others find the courage to embrace their light.
Guiding Others: Whether through coaching programs, workshops, or courses, I help people walk their healing paths toward their highest purpose.
These aren’t just ways to earn money—they’re extensions of my mission to inspire transformation and joy.
Practical Exercise to Identify What You Can Get Paid For
Here’s an actionable exercise to help you connect your purpose to earning opportunities:
Make a Value List:
Write down the skills and passions you enjoy most (from the first two Ikigai elements).
Identify which of these provide value to others.
Research Opportunities:
Explore industries, niches, or markets where your passions align with demand.
Talk to Your Audience:
Ask potential clients or peers what they would invest in that aligns with your skills or passions.
Brainstorm Monetization Ideas:
Consider ways to turn your offerings into products, services, or experiences.
Take Action:
Choose one idea and start experimenting, even on a small scale.
Your Ikigai isn’t complete without understanding how to live your purpose sustainably. You create a fulfilling and abundant life by aligning your passions, talents, and the world’s needs with financial opportunities.
As this series ends, I hope you’ve gained the clarity and tools to embark on your journey to Ikigai. Thank you for being part of this exploration of purpose and meaning.
For personal direction and help with identifying and integrating your Ikigai, schedule a complimentary 1-hour Discovery call.
Discovering Ikigai: A Journey to Your Purpose, Part 3
As we journey through Ikigai, we arrive at the third essential element: What the World Needs. This step shifts the focus outward, exploring how your unique passions and talents can address the world’s deepest needs. The world cries out for healing, love, compassion, and integrity. It needs people who can step into the light, resist the allure of the shadow, and inspire others to do the same. Let’s dive into what this means and how it relates to your purpose.
What Does the World Need?
The world needs healing. It needs people willing to show the way of the light—not the shadow. The shadow is powerful, seductive, and mysterious, offering countless answers to justify taking the easy path. But the light, with its singular and unwavering call to integrity, is what the world truly needs.
Here’s an example from my own life:
I once went shopping at Marshall’s and bought a few items. When I got home and opened the bags, I realized they hadn’t charged me for a pair of Michael Kors slacks. The shadow immediately spoke to me in four different ways:
Score! You’ve got some free pants!
You worked hard, so you deserve them.
It’s not your fault they don’t train their employees properly.
The company is so big they won’t miss a $75 item.
But the light in me SCREAMED:
“Put those pants back in the bag, take them back to Marshall’s, stand in line, and pay for them.”
And that’s precisely what I did. I worked too hard to step into the light; I wasn’t about to throw it all away for a pair of pants.
A similar situation happened while grocery shopping. It was pouring rain, and I had five heavy bags. When I loaded them into my trunk, I noticed a tube of toothpaste left in the cart. The shadow tried to tempt me again: “It’s not even worth it. The toothpaste is $3. Just throw it in with your other groceries.”
But I didn’t. I went back into the store and paid for it.
These moments may seem small, but they’re significant. They’re about choosing the light over the shadow, integrity over convenience. And this is what the world desperately needs—people with the courage to resist the pull of the shadow and inspire others to do the same.
Reflective Questions to Explore What the World Needs
What do you believe the world is lacking most right now?
How can your unique passions and talents address those needs?
Think of a time when you chose to act with integrity. How did it impact you and those around you?
Who inspires you to stay in the light, and how can you emulate their example?
How can you use your voice and actions to inspire positive change?
My Insights
For me, the world’s greatest need is healing. People need love, compassion, and a way to step into the light. I’ve seen firsthand how easily the shadow can pull us in with promises of power, greed, or even convenience. But I’ve also seen the incredible transformations when someone chooses the light instead. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Practical Exercise to Connect Your Purpose with the World’s Needs
Identify a Need:
Reflect on what you believe the world is missing. Is it love, compassion, honesty, or something else?
Find Your Contribution:
Think about how your unique talents and passions can address this need.
For example, if the world needs healing, consider how your skills—like storytelling, coaching, or art—can inspire others to heal.
Take One Small Action:
Commit to one action today that reflects the light you want to bring to the world. It could be as simple as showing kindness, creating something beautiful, or standing up for what’s right.
The world needs your light, courage, and willingness to stand up for what’s right. By aligning your passions and talents with what the world needs, you’re discovering your Ikigai and making a profound difference. In the next post, we’ll explore the final element of Ikigai: What You Can Get Paid For and how it ties everything together.
Stay tuned for Part 4 of this series, and continue uncovering your unique purpose.
For personal direction and help with identifying your Ikigai, schedule a complimentary 1-hour Discovery call.
Discovering Ikigai: A Journey to Your Purpose, Part 2
In our journey to uncover Ikigai, the Japanese concept of finding your purpose, we move to the second essential element: What You Are Good At. While passions ignite your soul, your unique skills and abilities provide the tools to bring your purpose to life. This blog will guide you in identifying and embracing your talents to align them with a life of fulfillment and meaning.
Understanding Your Strengths
Your skills and abilities are the foundation of your contributions to the world. These talents—whether innate or cultivated over time—represent your unique way of navigating and improving the world around you. But often, we overlook our strengths, focusing instead on what we think we’re lacking. This post aims to help you recognize, celebrate, and harness what you’re naturally or deliberately good at.
Reflective Questions to Identify Your Talents
To explore the second element of Ikigai, consider the following questions:
What skills do you use effortlessly that others admire in you?
When someone asks for help, what will they most likely come to you for?
Are there tasks you’ve mastered that feel easy or second nature?
What accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?
What challenges have you overcome, and what strengths have helped you do so?
My Insights
Discovering my strengths has been a transformative part of my Ikigai journey. Here are some areas where I’ve found my unique abilities:
Creating and Storytelling: Whether through writing, coaching, or teaching, I’ve always been able to craft narratives that resonate with others, helping them see their lives through a lens of possibility.
Perspective Shifting: I’m skilled at helping others see things from a different angle, unlocking new ways of thinking and acting.
Empowering Others: Guiding clients on their healing journeys has allowed me to use my strengths to help others feel better about themselves, overcome trauma, and achieve results they didn’t think possible.
Walking Through Fear: Fear is a natural part of life, but I’ve developed the ability to move through it without hesitation, creating a path that inspires others to do the same.
These strengths didn’t come easily; they’re the result of years of personal growth and practice. But embracing them has enabled me to make a meaningful impact in my own life and the lives of others.
Practical Exercise to Discover Your Strengths
Here’s an exercise to help you identify your skills and talents:
Create a Strengths Inventory:
Write down every skill or ability you think you have, no matter how small or insignificant it seems.
Include feedback you’ve received from friends, family, or colleagues about what they think you’re good at.
Reflect on Past Accomplishments:
List your proudest achievements and think about the skills you used to accomplish them.
Ask for Input:
Reach out to people you trust and ask them what they believe your greatest strengths are. You might be surprised by what they share.
Look for recurring themes in your inventory. These patterns often reveal your core strengths.
Embracing Your Talents
Recognizing and embracing your strengths isn’t just about boosting your confidence; it’s about aligning them with your passions and purpose. By knowing what you’re good at, you’ll be better equipped to contribute meaningfully to the world and build a fulfilling life.
Discovering what you’re good at is a crucial step in the Ikigai journey. By reflecting on your strengths and abilities, you’ll uncover the tools you need to live a life of purpose and meaning. In the next post, we’ll explore how to connect these strengths to What the World Needs and create a powerful alignment between your talents and impact.
Stay tuned for Part 3 of this series, and continue building your path to Ikigai.
For personal direction and help with identifying your Ikigai, schedule a complimentary 1-hour Discovery call.
Discovering Ikigai: A Journey to Your Purpose, Part 1
Have you ever felt something missing in life—a sense of direction, joy, or fulfillment? The Japanese concept of Ikigai, meaning “a reason for being,” offers a roadmap to uncovering your true purpose. Derived from Iki (life) and Gai (value or worth), Ikigai represents the beautiful intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for.
This four-part blog series will explore how to identify and live your Ikigai. But before diving into the elements of this concept, we’ll start with an essential step: preparing your inner world for the transformation to come.
What is Ikigai?
Ikigai is more than just a word; it’s a philosophy rooted in the culture of Okinawa, Japan, a region renowned for the longevity and happiness of its people. At its core, Ikigai is about living a life of meaning and balance, guided by your passions, talents, and contributions to the world. Unlike Western notions of success, which often prioritize financial gain, Ikigai embraces the idea that true fulfillment lies in harmony—within yourself and with the world around you.
Before you can identify your Ikigai, it’s crucial to clear the emotional and mental clutter that might be holding you back. It was a lesson I learned the hard way. Despite over two decades of inner work, I had a rude awakening four years ago when a repressed memory surfaced: I hated my father. This revelation was painful and transformative, reminding me that uncovering purpose requires ongoing self-reflection and healing.
Ikigai isn’t just about what you do; it’s about who you are. To truly connect with your purpose, you must first understand and release the beliefs, patterns, and traumas that no longer serve you.
The Four Elements of Ikigai
At the heart of Ikigai are four interconnected elements:
What You Love: The passions that ignite your soul and make you lose track of time.
What You Are Good At: Your unique talents and skills that come naturally or have been cultivated over time.
What the World Needs: How you can contribute to others and make a meaningful impact.
What You Can Get Paid For: Opportunities to align your purpose with financial sustainability.
Finding your Ikigai means exploring where these four areas intersect in your life. It’s a process of self-discovery, reflection, and action. Download the diagram for Ikigai.
Preparing for Ikigai
Setting the stage for discovery is essential before diving into the details of these elements. Here are some steps to help you prepare:
Reflect on Your Identity: Your job or external roles do not define your identity. Who are you beyond your title?
Take Pleasure Seriously: Find joy in simple activities and hobbies. Often, these small moments lead to deeper passions.
Connect with Others: Engaging in what you enjoy often leads to meeting like-minded people who can inspire and support your journey.
Reflective Questions to Begin Uncovering Ikigai
As you explore the first element of Ikigai—What You Love—consider these reflective questions:
What do you never get bored with? (Do you remember loving anything as a child?)
When do you feel happiest? (What fills you with joy and fulfillment?)
What were you doing when you last lost track of time? (What activities absorb you completely?)
If you’re working: Are you excited to go to work? Do you feel emotionally connected to the results of your efforts?
If you have a hobby: Is it something you can’t get enough of? Does it bring you excitement and joy?
These questions will help you identify what truly lights you up and connects to the first pillar of your Ikigai.
My Insights
Ikigai manifests in my love of creating, learning, and helping others heal. Whether exploring new tools like Canva, coaching clients through trauma, or sharing the joy and freedom I’ve found in recovery, my Ikigai is rooted in curiosity and connection. These are the passions and talents that guide me every day.
Discovering your Ikigai is a journey that begins with curiosity and reflection. Take some time to explore the questions above, and don’t rush the process. In the next post, we’ll dive deeper into the second element of Ikigai: What you are good at. Together, we’ll continue to uncover the unique purpose that makes your life worth living.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, and take the first steps toward identifying your Ikigai.
For personal direction and help with identifying your Ikigai, schedule a complimentary 1-hour Discovery call.
