Practicing Acceptance

At the end of my talk the other day (Finding Opportunity in Adversity) I answered some questions from the audience. It struck me that many of my answers to very different questions involved the notion of acceptance. Many people feel that acceptance is about giving up or surrendering. But the only real surrendering involved is surrendering to what is in the present moment, not what may be in the future. It does not mean you want things to stay as they are or that you are giving up. Acceptance does mean that you are letting go of the struggle, or the anger or the resistance around what is. 

I mentioned in my talk that resistance and struggle create blockages and cut us off from the flow of new energy, ideas and guidance.  So in fact fully accepting a situation and moving to a place of greater peace and non-judgement is likely the fastest way to find a way to change the situation.  What a paradoxical idea - the more you surrender, the more you are able to facilitate change!

So if you are struggling with something or someone in your life I invite you to start practicing acceptance and non-judgement.  To make it a bit easier you can ask yourself some questions;

1. If you are struggling with a difficult situation you can ask yourself, how could this challenge be beneficial to me in some way, someday?  Am I supposed to learn something important from this situation (like patience or compassion)?
2. If you are having difficulty with another person, you can ask yourself - can I have compassion for this person knowing that they are doing the best they can given their life experiences and their own level of consciousness. 

I am sure that acceptance will help bring you not only more peace but also more guidance and potential solutions to your struggle so why not give it a try this week?

Blessings,
Jackie

Challenges are always purposeful in some way

I talked a lot at the beginning of the year about finding the hidden gift in any struggle or challenge that you may be facing. I strongly believe that all that we experience, especially a tough situation, is purposeful in some way if we could only see the big picture of the Universe's (or God's) plan for us. 
I will be speaking about finding opportunity in adversity at the Atwater Library May 28th. at 12:30pm. The event is free and there is no need to sign up in advance.

During my presentation I will be sharing 3 major challenges I experienced and how they changed the course of my life in very unexpected and fulfilling ways. I will also be sharing some tips and steps that you can use when faced with challenges that don't appear to be purposeful or fair.

Please join me next Thursday if you are available (and live in Montreal) and feel free to pass this invitation on to anyone you know who may be facing a challenge in their life right now be it a job loss, relationship struggle, a disease or loss of a loved one. 

Blessings,
Jackie

What is your music and are you playing it?

Do you know what your music is?  In other words, what you have to offer the world that no one else can? The way that you can bless people and feel inspired and fulfilled all at the same time? 

Finding your music can seem like an overwhelming task but it does not have to be. It does take some time and introspection though.  Here are some good questions to reflect on:

• What do you love to do, something that comes naturally and easily to you?
• What are you really passionate about, something that you want to share with others or a change you would like to make in the world?
• What is your soul longing to do, whispering to you to do?
• If you had all your financial needs taken care of, what project or mission would you want to undertake - just for the fun of it?

Wayne Dyer often says 'don't die with your music still in you'. (he and his daughter Serena have even written a book with this title).  At Dr. Dyer's upcoming event he will be talking about your purpose for being here beyond what your ego wants and what the expectations of others and society in general may be. This is a great opportunity to start the introspection and move towards sharing your music with others.
My coaching certification is in helping people find and live their life purpose - their music. If I can help you in any way on your journey please reply to this e-mail and we can set up a time to discuss.

The more music we play, the better off we will be individually and collectively!
Blessings,

Jackie