Love Yourself Now

Sometimes you hit your all-time lows to reach new levels of self-love.

Of course you love yourself when you're high! When you're traveling, when you make a new sale, or your family is all getting along, or your lover brings you flowers, or you've made some big milestones in your business. When you perform for a full house, or you've just given birth to your first-born. It is notably easier to love yourself then. 

Credit: Creating Light Studio

But what happens to that love when you're feeling weak, tired and run down? Where is your own love when you're being a complete shit-head to the people you care about most? Or when you're in a creative rut and you're feeling really stuck with moving forward that you just keep sabotaging your own work? What about when you've lost your motivation and will to live? 

Do you love yourself then? Or do you say things that break your own heart? Do you continue to put yourself down? Will you abandon yourself?

We fall and we crumble, to keep ourselves humble. 

Humility is in knowing our fragility. It's in our losses, and our failures, and our mistakes that we learn to love our true self - uninhibited. It's in our waves of ups and downs that we remember: Oh yes, I'm in a human body right now. 

Because it goes like this: When we're high we forget about our physical human form, and when we're low we forget about our God-ly spiritual essences. So let's remember. 

Let it be in desperation that we might re-instate our vows, to love ourselves unconditionally. This is where our level of self-love deepens. This is the cycle of your evolution. Love stronger, softer, wiser, brighter when you're down. 

Here is where it counts. Do not wait for tomorrow, and tomorrow. Love yourself now. 

"I Didn't Understand Soul Therapy" - My Experience With Vanessa

I didn’t understand Soul Therapy. So I attended Vanessa’s Awakening Your Authentic Self Weekend Seminar and was completely surprised by the results.

Soul Therapy is something I only heard about for the first time a month or two ago. I knew I might get something out of it, but had not considered it something I really needed.

I know my knee injury needs some therapy… but my soul? 

I’m an entrepreneur and sustainability professional. I spend 100% of my time trying to think about everything in my professional and personal life in a logical and analyzed way. Recently, I have been spending most of my days feeling stressed out and anxious about my startup and the very real possibility that our idea doesn’t work. I wasn’t finding happiness or peace in my days. I thought that changing my workspace, and structuring my days to include meditation was the answer to reducing my stress but it wasn’t really working...

The first day of the Soul Therapy seminar I went in completely blind to what the day would consist of. We gathered at Vanessa’s home studio, sitting in a circle however we felt most comfortable, with cups of tea and blankets. There were two other participants, and each one of us was given a booklet. In this booklet was a list of questions, divided into different categories ranging from the Mental Mind to the Soul. Under each category were questions all about self reflection… And to be honest, they addressed parts of myself I had never even thought of. We went through the questions one at a time, having an opportunity to write down our answers, then took turns to share them with the group and get feedback and guidance from Vanessa. This was the format for the entire weekend, and I still can’t believe how eye opening it was. 

Not only was I able to connect with other women and learn from them, but I learned so much more about myself than I had ever expected. I shared very intimate experiences, emotions and realizations that I had never shared with anyone before (not even myself), and completely opened myself up to the experience. One of my biggest realizations was that my own mental state and thoughts are limiting my own peace and freedom. I feel on edge and stressed out all the time because I allow these thoughts to spiral out of control and distract me consistently.

“How am I going to get everything done… What if I fail… I don’t have time to meditate… I can’t relax until I get my list for the day done...”

I learned that the life I want to be living, (which is enjoying my day-to-day and being centered) isn’t about achieving that “professional success” but rather how I think about my life and my thoughts. And giving myself time to relax and enjoy the moment. 

The day after the seminar, something very interesting happened. Someone in a meeting told me a completely new definition for sustainability, which was getting away from the ‘Angry Environmentalist Syndrome’ and including Personal and Spiritual well-being. I had never heard of this before and couldn’t believe the coincidence considering the weekend I had just had. I mentioned the my experience at the seminar to this professional and she replied, “It’s no coincidence… Just open yourself up to the universe and everything will fall into place. You’ll be surprised by the results”

This weekend provided me with the opportunity for true self reflection. I will continue to attend similar events of this nature, learn about Soul therapy and work on what I have learned. Vanessa told me this weekend would change my life, and she was right.

I truly believe this experience is something everyone should have. And even if Soul Therapy is something you have never heard of before, sign up and give it a try. Because as long as you go in with an open mind, I guarantee it is something you will benefit from. 

As for me… It’s the beginning of a new chapter, as I grow into a new woman.

~ Annie, Are You Okay? ~

Last night in my dream-space, I was immersed in a forest with friends and all of a sudden a small black porcupine shape-shifted into a large grey wolf. I had quickly moved across the field to join another woman who was working…and from a distance I watched the wolf approach my friends for they were all eating, and this wolf had travelled far. Hunger beckoned her near.

Out of fear, one of the women in the group took an axe to her head and neck. Not enough to dismember her, but enough to shed blood and enrage her. I watched as she began to cry, growl and tear down nearby trees with her mighty strength around the humans. 

Upon seeing this, I called her by name, "Annie" from across the way. I knew her deeply, she came close to me and the other woman and we ran water so she could clean herself and begin healing.

I continued to comfort her, “It’s okay Annie. You’re okay.”

Soon, after rest and some food she was ready to venture out again.

This time, I would go with her.

I followed Annie out into the meadow. I walked much slower than her, but she would never leave me out of sight. We reached a little forest where there were many wolves and their people. Brown, black, red, white, all of them playing and wolfing around. Annie joined in, she was instantly happy to have found more of her tribe. I watched them all in awe and in wonder. We were just supposed to be passing through, but I saw how much light and love it brought Annie to be with her kind.

I was slightly saddened but continued onwards on my own. I knew that Annie would be happier and more at peace if she stayed with her clan. But as she caught me already on my way, she whimpered. She looked up and took it all in for a moment... Then she ran. Racing as fast as she could to join me. Annie, I love you.

Thank you for your wolf medicine. Thank you for teaching me the lessons I'm needing on loyalty, companionship, deep friendship, and strong love.
Thank you for revealing to me more of my purpose here, to protect and care for all beings.

Always, my dearest friend. Until we meet again. 
Hopefully soon, sweet pup. 

 

What are your experiences of animals connecting to you in your dreamtime? 

Please comment below, I'd love to hear your own experiences. 

Join us for Creature Wisdom, a week-long Solstice retreat in the natural sanctuary of the Costa Rican jungle, just for women.

Click here for more details. 

Why You Need a Licensed Soul Therapist & Spiritual Guide in 2017

You want to make 2017 the best year yet right? Well, it's going to take a little more than a list of resolutions and a new fit-bit... If you've taken some time to reflect in the last month you might have felt that this year is asking you to begin evolving your soul, embracing your spirit, healing emotional trauma and clearing mental chaos. Everyone has stored emotional wounds and mental beliefs that are affecting them daily. Becoming fully aware of your unconscious mental beliefs (the ones that hold you back), and your subconscious emotional trauma (the feelings that have been heavy and present most of your life) is what allows you to let them go and begin living the life you've longed for. 

Here are a few key reasons why you’ll be needing and desiring the support of a Licensed Soul Therapist & Spiritual Guide in 2017. 

1. Body Over Mind — You’re being asked to step out of the box and open your mind further and further. You find yourself living in your head and noticing how the world is passing you by because you’re not as present as you’d like to be. You’ve tried meditation, and colouring books but you can’t shut out the mind chatter and negative self-talk. In Soul Therapy we work directly with your soul to reveal and reconnect you to your ancient heart wisdom. The power and the intelligence of your heart will quench the thirst you have, showing up as many questions that you think you don’t know the answer to. A Soul Therapist leads from her heart and has gone through her own major awakenings and continues her own growth, so she is going to be monumental in helping you feel like you are not alone. This important piece of feeling connected (especially when you are inclined to isolate yourself out of fear) is in part, what bridges you to remembering your inner most truth and expressing it authentically with the world while being fully present in your physical body. 
2. Collective & Planetary Evolution — Conscious evolution is happening at a rapid rate and the speed at which you’re being asked to shift can sometimes come with intense challenges that when left to deal with on your own can be intimidating, confusing or highly overwhelming. Having a Spiritual Guide and Mentor who can guide and support you through your spiritual initiations and soul evolutions will help ground in your new states of being in the physical body, which is absolutely vital for being able to create change on this planet. All of humanity benefits from the awakenings of each individual. The world will evolve better when we are all consciously working together to overcome conditioning and imprinting that has set us back collectively and personally. Committing to your own personal growth and development is a huge step in supporting the evolution of humanity and of our planet. 
3. Self-Love & Self-Care — You’ve been in all of the self-help aisles at your local book store, trying to love yourself a million times before but nothing has ever truly worked. A Licensed Soul Therapist listens and understands your spirit, your true nature and your desire to express your authentic self. Throughout your sessions you will discover freedom and deep self-awareness by removing the layers of social and family conditioning that has shaped your belief system and personal values. In releasing negative and unhealthy patterns, you connect with your authentic self and learn the steps to apply hands-on techniques that empower, liberate and give you back control of your life. Once you are loving and honouring yourself at the level that your soul desires you to be, your life experience will change from surviving to thriving. 
4. Achieving Your Goals & Fulfilling Your Dreams  — Always wanted to travel but feel like you can’t? What about becoming a professional dancer, an astronaut, or a restaurant owner? Working with a Soul Therapist helps you connect to your intuitive nature and deepen your connection to your spirit. The work lends itself to at times, even cathartic and inspired insights that seem to just fill you with inner strength and power from the base of your body. It’s often described as a wash of love that renews and opens up the heart. Soul Therapy offers you a chance to truly embody and bring out your own personality and desires, so that you can be living them fully (like travelling the world while working for yourself to create the life that you’ve always dreamed of, or finally being able to connect with others authentically in meaningful relationships) This could be the year you do it all! 

A Soul Therapist guides you in re-programming your old mental frameworks, healing emotional wounds, awakening your spiritual connection and deepening your commitment to your soul’s purpose on the planet. Releasing what has been stored in your being for years, decades or even lifetimes, allows you to fully embrace your wholeness. This grants you the freedom to move forward beyond what has been keeping you stuck. A Licensed Soul Therapist will be highly skilled in how to guide you through this process with practical tools and loving nurturance.

This past year through Soul Therapy Programs & Weekend Seminar Intensives I lovingly supported over 50 women on their journeys of awakening their authentic self through self-love. These were women of all ages and walks of life who felt a great desire and willingness to truly transform their lives with awareness, sensitivity, connection, focus, and love. 

The highlight of my year really and truly was witnessing each woman remember who they are, renewing their commitment to their soul purpose time and time again, deeper and deeper. It was watching women truthfully connect with one another in sacred space, with great honour and respect. 

Some of the most exciting times were when my client’s would share their insights in-between sessions because they were THAT excited that they couldn’t wait to share the magic of synchronicity, and how the new awareness they had embodied in-session come alive in their daily life. 

Other times I watched women in places of challenge and transformation while holding them so safely, and gently so they felt deeply that across the bridge lay victory, peace and reprieve. I watched women enter into milestones in all aspects of their lives — making absolute evolutionary history in their personal relationships and careers. I saw them through spiritual initiations and delivered them straight to the heart of their soul. To all of the women I have worked with, it has been a great honour to watch you become fully alive. 

If you’d like to change the way you’re living, being, feeling, thinking, acting, sensing, and serving this year, then Soul Therapy might be exactly what you need to guide into your soul desired states. 

After reviewing my year and looking back at my clients so many of them were budding entrepreneurs (even if they didn’t consciously know it at first!) and through Soul Therapy I watched all of them make tremendous leaps in their lives, and with that their businesses flourished. From re-launching a design business with grounded foundation and revived soul, to leaving a full-time corporate position to pursuing the dream of photographing women through a heart-felt creative business — I’ve held space for all of it. 

If you’d like to dissolve the conditioning and imprinting that is currently keeping you stuck mentally, emotionally, physically, and you desire to be more spiritually connected, heart-centred and living your soul’s purpose, connect with me. I’ve been there, and I’m ready to help you make 2017 the year you step fully into your wholeness, and experience abundance in all areas of your life. 

Vanessa xo

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Photo Sourced from Pinterest

Photo Sourced from Pinterest

15ft to Cenote : Fear Can’t Hold Our Hearts

My final day in Chichen Itza culminated in a test of mental control and physical trust. Upon arriving to this beautiful ceynote (a natural swimming hole) I was mesmerized. The colour of the clear and dark blue water, the trees all around and beauty of the cave took me. When I took a look at the way down — a 15ft ladder with no end in sight — fear instantly crept over me. My mind went directly to all of the "what if’s" and the fear threatened the trust of my physical body's capabilities. 

“What if I slip and can't grab hold of the ladder? What if I fall to my death by hitting my head on the metal landing and drown? What if I fall and achieve the ultimate belly flop that leaves me with only broken bones?” 

I quickly realized who was running the show here, and it wasn’t me anymore. It was my mind. 

Once I caught on, I knew another instant decision to shut that fear and mind chatter down right away. If I wanted to experience the authentic ceynote in that moment while I had the opportunity directly in my power, I would have to change my mental focus, and fully trust my body. 

I quite literally had to change my story and mental framework to help facilitate my journey down this creaky 15ft ladder,

“I trust my body. I trust in all of my years of physical training, and I trust the support of my breath. My breathing keeps me calm and stable in my coordination. I trust that I will make it down slowly & surely and once I get in the water I will enjoy every minute.”

The adrenaline was high, and with each step it felt like an action movie packed with anticipation of my every move. Inhale. Exhale. One foot, step. Inhale. Exhale. One hand, two hands — grip. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. 

Once down my body finally let me feel it's jittery shake. I landed, I made it to the platform. 

Then comes the part where I'm not actually a great swimmer so now that I'm spiked with adrenaline I'm wondering how long before I crash… Though as soon as I entered the water all that passed. Water changes you. The feeling was beyond euphoric. Swimming in the middle of a cave with an emerald canopy of trees covering the sky and leaving a heart-shaped opening to the sun felt absolutely amazing. 

I began exploring the sides, through the hanging vines from the wise old tree-roots. The perfect set-up for climbing. Being able to feel your way around, pulling yourself up and being able to fall back into absorbent thick liquid. I got to practice my slack-lining (on a rope they had situated for assisting swimmers), and float in pure silence. I love floating, I float once a month in a sensory deprivation tank to help clear my energetic field and re-align my being, but this was something else entirely. The healing powers of this cenote were magnificent.

Once we'd filled ourselves up with as much Gaia healing as possible we slowly began our journey back. Again the fear, less so this time with a heart full of soul and spirit mana. Plus, I had one pass under my belt to prove my mind a good amount of wrong. This time, I was far more aware of the tools available to me, and I had just spent a good 30 minutes being really physical, further activating trust in my body, calming my mind, and practicing their balancing act.

I felt my heart beating now with a steadfast strength, ease, and surrender. You know, that powerful place when fear can’t hold our hearts.

So up I went, this time noticing though that my physical body was weaker than I'm used to (not being home and in my daily physical practices), and that I was experiencing a bit of fatigue. Another reason for my mind to engage fear and step in, "You're too tired. Now you'll really slip and not be able to hold yourself up." Again, I silenced it. The heart, I nurtured her. Breath in. Breath out. Movement. Breath in. Breath out. Stillness.

Finally, I made it out fully alive and incredibly invigorated. Thanks to adrenaline and the healing properties of this special place, I took a video right away because I wanted to remember this feeling, the story, and the journey.

I wanted to be able to learn spiritually from this challenge and find a way to share. It was a very clear play-by-play of how your mind can easily engage its pattern of fear, even when your body is super capable. Physical intelligence can be something that we forget to give enough credit. This was an experience for me that lands home all the more importance and value of keeping up my challenging physical practices, as they challenge my mental framework also. The two I’m learning, often work hand in hand.

But one thing’s for sure, and something that in this present time and day no matter what challenges are coming your way. Fear is showing up in all of the pockets of our world right now. And even though it seems as though there’s nothing that can be done, or your mind wants to trick you into being stagnant, wanting to hide and never come out. We have to remember that Fear Can’t Hold Our Hearts.

If it’s something we truly care about experiencing, or sharing, or being, standing for, or creating…then our heart knows how to use the powerful alchemy of strength, courage, ease, and surrender to get you there. Let your heart, soul & spirit be your guides. Free your mind. 

xo

V