For the first time in my life, I feel happy. Not just happy because I had a piece of chocolate. But, a happy that seems to be radiating from the inside out. Accompanying this, there is also a deep sense of being centred, contented and peaceful.
It’s really weird and I like it a lot.
But first...there was DREAD
As far back as far as I can remember - what I have experienced almost every day is dread. It has been my companion for so long I thought it was going to be my normal for the rest of my life.
Sometimes, isn't it really fun to be surprised by a turn of events! This is one of those times and each time I realize I am not feeling dread everyday- I get a little jolt of energy. It's fabulous.
It’s unclear when exactly the switch happened because I have just wrapped up the two most painful and challenging years of my life. To actually feel happy after crying solidly for the past two years almost seems…kinda funny and very ironic. Crying to be happy. HMMMM. I guess I can be happy I did so much crying because I think it helped an awful lot. That and something else...
A mantra for positive change
Almost exactly one year ago I made the decision to enrol in a Somatic coaching certification. It was a real challenge to pay for it but inside I knew it was the next best step for me as a coach and a human being. It was like I was being drawn to it. Even though I was exhausted and a cynical after feeling such dread and sadness everyday, I was determined to keep moving forward and bettering myself.
What helped me keep going on those really crappy days? I would remind myself "Glenda, anytime you INVEST in your own growth and fully engage in it- there will be return on investment such as you can’t imagine or see yet.” I literally told myself this over and over.
The Results
Believing this idea was not too hard because I was already seeing the results of previous investments I had made in myself. I saw it in my relationships, my health, my sense of purpose, and my work. Even better, I could see the positive impact my work had on the lives of my children.
Therefore, I knew if I kept up the practice of investment and engagement then it would get infinitely better. Rinse and repeat. Rinse and repeat.
In somatic coaching (body-oriented/body-mind coaching) we did some really simple things to reset the nervous system. At the time, I honestly didn’t think any of them could make a difference but I was devoting myself to finding out if they could!
Practices Change Everything:
We did practices such as: orientation, orienting to pleasure, letting the body lead, trusting the body, sparkle hunting (More on that another time), aligning my biology with the earth’s biology, and doing less. Why these things? So we could learn that the job is enjoyment (in a wholesome, simple, non-addictive way) and that life can be beautiful even when there’s been trauma.
Surprisingly, the practices all felt like a relief. Knowing it was ok to actually listen to my body and let it share with me its knowledge and its needs was calming and healing. Then caring for myself in simple, straight forward ways made all the difference and created the shift I needed.
Here we are one year later and I am feeling happy. Even this morning I felt the simple bubbling up of goodness from inside me. Best of all - I feel free from that sense of dread and impending doom.
Your Healing Story?
I tell this story because I want the same happiness for you. Especially, if you have experienced trauma. Post-traumatic growth - while not easy - is way easier than you think with the somatic coaching approach.
No, coaching does not replace the help of a professional therapist if there has been trauma. It is a beautiful and essential thing to get help so you can move forward. I still see my therapist to keep myself in check and to remind me to do my work. If the past comes up and haunts me then I lean on my therapy supports, my tools, and my own inner wisdom to move me forward.
Book a Coaching Call
If you are ready to feel happy- then reach out to me and book a Free 30 minute Coaching Explore Call. Or if you are local to the Comox Valley - book in for a delicious somatic esthetics service and start on your way to happiness from the outside in. Together, we will start the journey of tapping into you own wisdom, resourcefulness and wholeness.
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