Working through life's challenges

Our souls are inherently free and joyful, our life purpose is to express our authentic beingness.  As well as experiencing the joy and freedom within life, our soul wants to take us to all those challenging places where we get stuck and tight. Why?  So that we can work through and be free of our old patterns, conditioning and karma, that which no longer serves us.  These things cause us to forget who we truly are and working to release them brings lightness, freedom and joy again.  The timeless poet Rumi once beautifully said;

"Seek not for love rather to remove the blocks 
to the awareness of love's presence"

So how do we do this in the midst of all the chaos and challenges of modern living? How can we be our true selves?  I have found a number of things to be of immense value in processing the challenges I face.

• Initially I need to become aware of what is happening, I can do this by watching myself, how am I being within my everyday actions and reactions.  I recommend becoming curious.  What is my motivation? Where am I acting from a place that doesn't serve me or all of life?  How am I invited to be beyond the challenge?  An outer challenging situation is merely a mirror and indicates how I am invited to be internally.
• Linked to becoming aware it pays to be really honest with myself.  Self honesty is another key, which requires courage and vulnerability.
• If I am not clear about what is going on or what is playing out, the whole Universe is there to support me, I only need to ask.  I find putting out the request "Show me" to be of enormous value.  My answers usually land in the form of a knowing, though may also come through signs and synchronicities in the outer world.
• When I see my shadows or distortions, I need to accept them. It is important not to push the discomfort and tightness away as this only suppresses it.  Equally using positive affirmations is a form of denial, covering over the underlying issue.  This may make us feel better temporarily, though in my experience is not an effective long-term solution.
• The next step is to soften into the feelings and tightness.  If I can surrender into my experience, magic can happen.  This is not always easy or straightforward, though I have found that in accepting and softening into pain, it can miraculously dissolve all by itself.
• Finally, when I work through something I find it useful to participate in some form of energy release and self expression.  I find connecting with nature, exercise, dance, singing and shaking really beneficial.

My friends at Openhand have this inspiring video which explores this theme and much more

I'd be very interested in hearing what facilitates you in releasing blockages and finding your unbridled expression.

With love and best wishes for uncovering your authentic beingness and setting your soul free,

Fiona