Existing's Tricky Healing Workbook: Week 1

Today's Archangel Oracle Card: You Know What to Do. Archangel Uriel: "Trust your inner knowledge, and act upon it without delay. You are far wiser than you realize, and your inner wisdom has already given you the answers you seek. Embrace this knowledge, and trust it. If you're doubtful, ask me to give you clear signs to validate your thoughts and ideas. I can also help you put your ideas into action, and make decisions about the next steps to take. Just ask me. And then be willing to work with me by taking action."

Doreen Virtue Archangel Oracle Cards

Some days I feel alot like this polar bear, hanging on for dear life. However, as Archangel Uriel stated, we often know what we need, we just don't always know how to get there. There are a lot of amazing workbooks out there with exercises, affirmations and guidance on how we can manifest the life we desire. Each week I'm going to post some exercises, tools and tips from some of my mentors. I encourage you to invest in a journal, and take the time to do these exercises each week. I also would love to hear how you are doing, what discoveries you make about yourself. We are a community here, so post your experiences and let's grow and manifest together!

Workbook Exercises: Week 1

Affirmation: "In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect, whole, and complete. I believe in a power far greater than I am that flows through me every moment of every day. I open myself to the wisdom within, knowing that there is only One intelligence in this Universe. Out of this One intelligence comes all the answers, all the solutions, all the healings, all the new creations. I trust this Power and Intelligence, knowing that whatever I need to know is revealed to me, and that whatever I need comes to me in the right time, space and sequence. All is well in my world."
--Louise Hay

Exploration Question: "What is an inherited belief you have about money that inhibits your experience of abundance? What is something you would like to believe about money that would have you aware of abundance? Share both of these beliefs with someone in your life"
--Abounding River Workbook, Cafe Gratitude

Art Project: Break out the crayons, stickers, etc. Visualize yourself, how do you see yourself? Draw you incredibleness and see what that "inner billboard" looks like. This tool will reveal a lot about your feelings of self-worth.
--Kris Carr

Exercise: Write "I Should" on the top of a piece of paper (or in your journal) and make a list of 5-6 things to finish that sentence. Read each one aloud to yourself, and ask yourself "why?" Should is an obligation and often times means being wrong. Reread the list, one item at a time, except this time begin each sentence with "If I really wanted to, I could _____________" Then ask yourself "Why haven't I".  You may have some fears come up after doing this. Focus on letting go of the "shoulds" this week and focus on things that empower you.
--Louise Hay

Exercise: Focus on your Feelings. What emotions are coming up for you? Experience those negative emotions, than re-think them. Ask yourself, "What are the beliefs about myself that are holding me back?" Then put on an upbeat CD and dance it out! Release those negative beliefs and refocus on gratitude. 
--Gabrielle Bernstein

Your Homework
1. Purchase a journal or notebook
2. Say your affirmation each day. If you can say it to yourself in the mirror, it will be more powerful.
3. Work through these four exercises this week. Journal your thoughts, what comes up for you? If you need any releasing tools, let me know.
4. Take time each day to list at least 5 things you are grateful for; morning and night is really empowering.

Let me know how you do with the exercises!

Love and Gratitude,

Shanna ♥

My Inspirational Bookshelf

This week I wanted to share a list of wonderful books that have inspired me and influenced my healing process.  Most of these wonderful books would apply to anyone in the process of healing themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually.  If you've read any of these books, please share your thoughts!

1. The Crazy Sexy Cancer Series. Valentine's Day 2003 Kris Carr received the news she had Stage IV Epitheliodid Hemangioendothelioma, a rare cancer that encompassed most of her body. Only a handful of oncologists in the country have any knowledge of this disease and there is no medical cure at this time. Kris decided to take matters into her own hands and became a health expert. She read books on the raw food diet, macrobiotics, yoga, meditation, herbal treatments, etc. She formed her own Cancer Posse and started CrazySexyLife. The first book has a list of great tips for those going through cancer, and those assisting friends/family with cancer. Her second book is a journal, with exercises to explore the emotional side of the disease. In January she will release Crazy Sexy Diet, filled with health tips every cancer patient should know about. Kris is a strong woman, living with cancer, and getting healthy every day. I strongly recommend reading her powerful books.




2. The Sara Triology by Esther Hicks. The Law of Attraction is a powerful Universal tool, but some of the information out there can get confusing at time. Esther Hicks created this wonderful series, written for young adults, that explains the Law in a simple manner. We follow the life of Sara, an unhappy young girl living in a small town, who meets a talking Owl that changes everything. It's a wonderful, easy read, and a great way to learn the laws of the Universe.




3. Detox Your World by Shazzie. This incredible book takes you through the process of detoxing physically and emotionally the toxins and blockages that prevent you from achieving optimal health. She provides many tools for detoxing, including details on skin brushing, deep breathing techniques, colonics, etc. She has a detox diet program that gently allows people at all levels to release toxins from the body and shift their perspective. This is a unique read, a gem that I reference reguarly.
 



4. Superfoods by David Wolfe. I wrote a three part post earlier this summer on Superfoods, and later turned it into a lens on Squidoo.  This amazing book has changed my life. I had issues with anemia, hypoglycemia, hormone imbalance, fatigue and of course cancer. Since I started using Superfoods in my smoothies, my energy level has improved (with indicates a balance in blood sugar and iron), my periods have normalized and I just feel better. I can't say enough about this book.





5. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay. It took me a long time to read this book, I resisted for quite awhile. I simply did not want to deal with my feelings. However, I finally did read it and I'm glad I did. This incredible woman healed her breast cancer doing mirror work and affirmations. Her incredible story inspires and her exercises leave no room for denial. Everyone should own a copy of this book.




6. Knockout by Suzanne Somers. In this book Suzanne shares a story of a near-death experience, which nearly became fatal, because of the practices of the medical industry. Misdiagnosed, pumped full of drugs that never should of mixed, ignored and poorly treated, Ms. Somers is lucky to be alive. After this experience Somers interviewed a slew of medical doctors who were curing patients of cancer, without chemotherapy. Doctors who were listening to their patients, looking outside the drug industry, and some who were legally persucuted for it. If you have any doubts regarding how powerful big Pharm is, read this book.
 



7. Greens for Life by Victoria Boutenko. This book breaks down the science behind green smoothies and shows you just how important greens are for our diet. Written in an easy to understand manner, and with an index of recipes. the Boutenko family have long been leaders in the raw and health industries.




8. Anastasia by Vladimir Megre. I don't even know how to describe this series. These books are powerful, moving, magical, astonishing, breaktaking, I could go on. You will be moved.




9. Add More ~Ing to Your Life: A Hip Guide to Happiness by Gabrielle Bernstein. I've mentioned this book on several books, but it's worth mentioning again. Bernstein takes concepts from "A Course in Miracles" and breaks them down for the 20-30 somethings in a way that we will connect with.  Each chapter covers a specific topic, from Forgiveness, Mirroring, Releasing Romantic Illusions, etc. She provides exercises to do over a 30-day period to change your life. You can read more about my impressions and how this book has influenced me on my Squidoo Lens: http://www.squidoo.com/add-more-ing-to-your-life-a-hip-guide-to-happiness




10. Rilke's Book of Hours: Love Poems to God. This gorgeous book by poet Rilke will move your soul. Split into three parts, these poems are questions, observations, and spiritual hugs to the Universe. "I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world. I may not complete this last one but I give myself to it. I circle around God, around the primordial tower. I've been circling for thousands of years and I still don't know: am I a falcon, a storm, or a great song?" Beautiful.




What's on your Inspirational Bookshelf?

The Power of Affirmations

After my cancer diagnosis I spent time researching people who healed themselves through natural methods.  Remarkably there are many stories of triumph out there.  Most started by healing the body physically, through proper diet, colonics, Essiac tea, acupuncture, yoga, etc. Detoxifying the body is a great step towards healing. I also noticed in a great deal of the stories, especially those in which the cancer never returned, people also focused on healing the mind. One such woman is Louise Hays, author of "You Can Heal Your Life."  She shares with readers her childhood story of sexual abuse and abandonment, which caused her to runaway and live on her own at age 15. Throughout the years, she eventually married, developed a career and had a pretty good life. However, mid-life she was diagnosed with a vaginal cancer. She chose to put surgery on hold and heal herself naturally. She focused not only on healing her body, but releasing emotional blockages that had created her cancer. Six months later she went in for a checkup and received a clean bill of health. So what did she do? In addition to good nutrition, colonics and foot reflexology, she spent a great deal of time in front of the mirror telling herself, "I love you."  She learned to forgive those in her past that hurt her and forgive herself. She repeated affirmations several times a day, reinforcing her desire to love herself, forgive and gratitude.

I admit that in my own healing, the emotional portion has been the most difficult.  As mentioned in my first blog, I suffered from depression, used cutting as an outlet, and from Kindergarten to my mid-20's had an onslaught on men who sexually harassed, stalked and assaulted me. Louise said, regarding her own situation, "Yes, I had a very difficult childhood with a lot of abuse--mental, physical and sexual.  But that was many years ago, and it was no excuse for the way I was treating myself now.  I was literally eating my body with cancer growth because I had not forgiven."

How powerful is that?  Does my cancer punish anyone but myself?  No, it doesn't.  Forgiveness is difficult, but one of the things I've learned is that forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean you are saying that what happened to you is okay, it simply means letting go and not letting that person or incident harm you or hold you back any longer.  A handy tool when working on forgiveness is to write a letter to the person that hurt you, then burn it. Release it into the air and say, "I forgive you."  I've done this exercise several times and it really does clear that negative energy out of your field.

Affirmations are also very powerful and can be used in many areas of your life.  Louise has a section in her book called "The List" where she breaks down 100's of diseases, describes the related emotion and gives you a positive affirmation to use to overcome said dis-ease.  For Cancer, the emotion is: "Deep hurt. Longstanding resentment. Deep secret or grief eating away at the self. Carrying hatred." The positive affirmation to heal this feeling is "I lovingly forgive and release all of the past.  I choose to fill my world with joy.  I love and approve of myself."  Under Hodgkin's Disease the emotion is: "Blame and a tremendous fear of not being good enough.  A frantic race to prove one's self until the blood has no substance left to support itself.  The joy of life is forgotten in the race for acceptance."  Whew!!! What a doozy, and I resonated strongly with this the first time I read it.  The positive affirmation is: "I am perfectly happy to be me.  I am good enough just as I am.  I love and approve of myself.  I am joy expressing and receiving."

I highly recommend forgiveness exercises, mirror work, and affirmations for everyone.  Why wait until you have a "terminal" disease to heal yourself and be happy?

Check out this link for more information on empowering your affirmations:

http://www.squidoo.com/eft-affirmations