Honoring Your Deepest Desires
Simple questions to help you tune into yourself
Place a hand on your belly, and a hand on your heart.
The gold you’ve been looking for is within you.
How often do you listen to yourself deeply and lovingly? If your mind and body were free from fear, what would you choose to do? Would you finally set up the cake shop you always wanted to, and turn your hobby into a business? Or go on the biggest adventure of your life and climb Mount Everest? We tend to think we need to make these kinds of drastic changes in our lives to find freedom and joy.
What if we simply pause, breathe, and be fully available to the present moment? Perhaps we’ll rediscover joy and wonder from here? There are lots of motivational speakers out there trying to sell you a dream lifestyle, fool-proof plan and it gets you all pumped up and mouth-watering for more. All these ideas and excitement are great, but the foundation of all big changes starts small and gentle, requiring an honest and mindful approach.
As I deepen my own coaching practice, I reflected on what I stand for and what I’ve learned through an intensive period of working with individuals from all walks of life. I believe in a gentle, nurturing approach that is grounded in the present moment. The simplest act of reconnecting with ourselves through asking ‘What do I need today?’ can be so powerful and life-changing.
If we’re not able to honor what we need on a day-to-day basis, how are we supposed to honor our biggest dreams and desires? It all grows from daily practice and commitment to ourselves. Checking in with ourselves on a regular basis is also the greatest act of self-compassion. It’s acknowledging that we deserve care and attention, no matter what we’re working on, going through, and whether we’ve achieved or not. It’s expressing unconditional love for our being.
“When we give ourselves compassion, the tight knot of negative self-judgment starts to dissolve, replaced by a feeling of peaceful, connected acceptance — a sparkling diamond that emerges from the coal.” — Kristin Neff
The gold that you’re looking for is within you — right here and now. Simply take a deep breath in, and a slow breath out. Notice how you’re feeling. Listen to what your soul is craving for. Place one hand on your heart, one hand on your belly, and ask ‘What do I need today?’
When we honor and nourish ourselves starting with small acts of love, it paves the way for realizing our biggest dreams and hopes for the world. And I’m here now, honoring my hearts’ desire to write, pause and reflect.
What about you? How will you honor yourself today?
