123: How to refresh your outlook on life (guided visualization)

Therefore, I’ve chosen the theme of “Refresh” for the month ahead. That will be our focus for all episodes on the podcast this month. That feels right in my heart, especially as things are changing around us (the weather, the trees, the garden). I feel pulled to also reflect on what’s changing inside of me, as well. It’s a time to open up the windows, let in some fresh air, release whatever isn’t serving you any longer, and refresh your outlook on life. This is also a time for deep reflection into our values, habits, patterns, routines and choices. And then, do something about it. So to kickoff the month, today is another guided visualization episode, which we’ve decided to release on the first Tuesday of every month this season. How does it work? Simple! Let my voice be a guide for you as you focus inward to help you tap into your inner wisdom and Intuition for answers.

Listen and participate in a guided visualization exercise: how to refresh your outlook on life.

Before we get started, here are a few things that you’ll need to do in order to get the most out of this.

1) Create a safe space - no distractions or interruptions

First off, you’ll need to create a safe space where you won’t be distracted or interrupted… and also, keep in mind that during this exercise, you’ll have your eyes closed. So yeah, probably not best to do this one while driving. Silence your phone notifications… The world can wait for the next few minutes.Then, get comfortable in a seated position or lying down, if that feels better. You get to decide. As with all visualization and breathing exercises we do together this year, you always get to decide what is best for you… take what you need, bless and release the rest.Okay, now close your eyes or avert your gaze to the ground.

2) Take 3 intentional breaths together with me

Let’s take three intentional, life-affirming breaths.

Deep breath in through the nose, expand the belly, hold at the top, and then slowly release through the mouth. (Do this three times.)

Now, let your breathing come back to a normal pace, whatever feels right for you.

3) Do a body scan and feel your feet

It’s time to do a body scan… imagine you are slowly scanning your entire body from the tip top of your head, slowly down like molasses, all the way to your fingertips, and then to your toes. What sensations do you feel? Knots, sore spots or sourness… or on the flip side, any feelings of harmony, joy, or flow…. just notice what you feel in your body, without judgment or trying to fix it. Just scan down, ever so slowly until you’ve done your entire body.Once you’re at your feet, really take notice of what it feels like to have your feet make contact with the ground. To be firmly rooted down, the safety and security of that sensation. What do your feet feel like right now?

4) Time to visualize and learn how to refresh your outlook on life

I want you to imagine you are sitting on the back patio of a beautiful lake house, overlooking the waters at sunrise. The air is crisp and you feel the breeze wisp by your cheek gently. It gives you a tingly feeling through your hair and it feels so pleasant.

In this very moment, no one needs anything from you. There’s no schedule to follow, no emails to respond to, and nowhere you need to be anytime soon.

Breathe.You reach down and grab your hot drink… it’s in your favorite mug, the one that makes you smile every time you see it. You cup this drink in both of your hands and bring it to your face slowly to breathe it in. You take a moment to smell this cup of coffee or tea and really soak it all in.

Immediately, it reminds you of a favorite memory from earlier this year.

Maybe it was a shared experience with a loved one… or a moment of peace all by yourself. Reflect on that memory for just a second - see if you can bring it to the forefront of your mind now. Can you remember what it looked like? What did it sound like? What do you taste, feel, and smell? Soak up that moment in time and savor that feeling of calm, peace, love… joy.Breathe.As that memory slips away, you set your gaze on the horizon of the lake, framed by the lush forest of tall, tall trees around you. The sky is slowly changing colors as the sun rises up over the horizon. Warm ambers, golds, cool pinks and blue.

The morning time is the best time for reflection… a place to refresh your outlook on life.

All of sudden, you hear a voice that sounds familiar… like an older, wiser version of you that’s joined this sweet and delicious moment of calm. You are not afraid. It’s comforting like an old friend, a guide from an unknown place joining you on this journey. You welcome them in.Breathe.This voice says hello and after a while, sparks a gentle conversation with you.

Just three simple questions:

What would help you feel refreshed this month ahead?
What do you need to ask for this week to get one step closer?
And what do you desire right now, in this moment?

Take a moment to reflect on this.If you are feeling stuck in answering any of those questions, just ask your wise friend to answer instead… that older version of you who’s already lived in this season of your life, who already knows how the story turns out. Who’s ten steps ahead of you and can guide you towards your most vibrant, healthy and thriving self.

Ask them for wisdom, for clarity… for truth.

Breathe.A refreshing breeze wisps by your face again giving you the sense that it’s time. It’s time to take the leap. It’s time to replace that old habit with something new, to make the choice, to do the thing. And to take radical responsibility over your life to get one step closer to who you want to be and where you are meant to be in order to truly make a positive impact on the world around you. You feel a strong sense of courage wash over you that wasn’t there before… like you know the path ahead might be harrowing, but you also unequivocally know that whatever resources you need in this moment to do great things are going to be readily available to you… if you simply asked.

There. There you are… you are ready.

Take this last moment to say thank you with your full spirit and remember that you can revisit this gift any time you wish. It’s yours forever and ever.

You are never alone and you are always fully supported.

Take a moment to gather yourself with a deep, belly-filling breath. And when you’re ready, open your eyes.—--------------

So, what memory did you recall at the beginning of the exercise? And how did you answer those three pivotal questions that’ll help you refresh your outlook on life?

I want you to set a 7-minute timer, grab a pen and paper, and take this time to write down everything you remember from this visualization exercise.

What wisdom was shared?
What visual clues did you see?
How did you answer those three questions:
What would help you feel refreshed this month ahead?
What do you need to ask for this week to get one step closer?
What do you desire right now, in this moment?
What part of this exercise is sticking MOST in your mind and in your heart, that you can’t seem to shake?
…and what’s one thing that you can do today (with courage and simplicity) to take action on this vision, in real life?

One final whisper

Sometimes the exact right thing to do in life… is shake up the energy around you. Dust off the cobwebs, step back from the rat race, make yourself a cup of tea, get outside, get a change of scenery or put on some new music.When you change your perspective and break out of the same ‘ol same ‘ol, you’ll find a whole new way of looking at things… especially if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed…. or worse, scared and slipping down into hopelessness.Friend, I hope you know that we’ve all been there before. There is no shame in that space, really. So don’t buy into the stinkin’ thinkin’ notion that everyone has got this thing figured out 100% of the time and that you don’t… it’s simply not true.

You have the power to change things and that power sits inside of you now.

I hope this visualization sticks with you the entire week through. Do it again and again if you need clarity or fresh ideas to help your spirit feel refreshed once again… because when you tap into your deep inner knowing, you’re accessing the Divine. That electric energy that can be found inside all of us that connects us all together. It knows. You know. We all know if we are brave and we open ourselves to it.You can do this, I believe in you.It’s time to SIMPLIFY.

If this thought of the day inspired you…

Don’t forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button (in your podcast player) to get more of this awesome goodness coming to you each and every week.This month, we are focused on the theme of “Refresh,” helping you to bring a new energy and make positive changes in your work or life. You have the power to create the life you really want to live, if only you simply remembered what’s possible… and made Bold Asks for what you need, want, and desire. Today is a fresh start and a new beginning. Your 1000 daily choices is how you get there. We will explore what that means on every level this month, both personally and professionally. As always, please reach out, especially if you’ve got specific ideas or questions that you’d like us to cover on the podcast. DM me on Instagram at @thesimplifiers and spark a conversation.Thank you!Show credits: Suzen Marie, our Podcast Editor and Jeffrey Lynn, our Video Editor. Aubri Nowowiejski, Chris Justice, and George Mills, our advisory board. Big love to Dennis Coleman and Kristen Kurtis, as well. And I’m your host, Mary Baird. Thank you so much for listening and telling your peeps about us.As always friends, keep things simple.

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You get…

Clarity, focus, and accountability from your business coach+A reliable, experienced, and friendly virtual team that will help you get things done

The secret ingredient that helps small businesses grow, scale, and achieve their biggest goals each month!

Join me & finish the year STRONG through this online workshop!

In 90 minutes and from the comfort of your home office, take part in my live online workshop where we will:

Celebrate your wins, process your mishaps, and document your lessons learned this year
Discuss how to navigate big change or any unexpected hurdles in your work or life... and still thrive through it
Recalibrate your compass, helping you achieve your 2019 goals by December 31st
...and then help you create a Super Action Plan on how to get there!

This interactive online writing workshop will help you gain clarity, get unstuck, and create a simple plan. I want to help you to #Dothething throughout the holidays and get back to thriving!This workshop is a "pay what you feel" - so reserve your spot for FREE below.I promise you'll gain at least one big AHA moment every 15 minutes of the workshop. Use what you need, pay for the value you gain at the level you feel is right!It's time to light the spark once again and shine BRIGHT like a superhero!

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