Lynn A. Robinson's Blog, page 22

This Too Shall Pass: Comforting Words for Tough Times

My husband and I recently sold our house and downsized to a condo in a new community.

That sounds so EASY when I write that sentence! In all honesty it’s been a very crazy year because of it. Anyone who has bought and sold a home knows all the precarious ups and downs that can (and will) happen. It begins with total strangers traipsing though your home with the possible intention of buying it, to living with boxes of your stuff (do we really need this much?!) to finally moving and settling in.

Here I am at the other end of it. We are safe and sound in our new place. It’s lovely. I’m so relieved to finally be settled! I’m still unpacking, but all is good. What got me through the past many months of upheaval are four simple words.

“This too shall pass.”

I hear that phrase a lot from my intuitive reading clients. People often call me when they’re in their own particular blend of change, transition and seeking next steps and insight.

“This too shall pass.” It implies — I’m in a temporary situation. It will end. Better days are around the corner. Tough times happen and I’m in one of them now, but it will change. Good things are yet to come. It feels good even to say the phase!

It got me thinking about the origins of this quote. The most popular is the one that comes from the biblical King Solomon. He was known for his wisdom, his wealth and his writings. He became ruler in approximately 967 B.C. and his kingdom extended from the Euphrates River in the north, to Egypt in the south. His crowning achievement was the building of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Almost all knowledge of him is derived from the biblical books of Kings I and Chronicles II.

It was said that King Solomon was going through a very difficult time and asked his jewelers to make him a ring he saw in a dream. On the ring he saw these words that gave him great comfort — “Gam ze ya-ah-vor” which are the Hebrew words for, you guessed it, “This too shall pass.”

The sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, also used the phrase in a speech he gave in 1859. “It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence to be ever in view and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words, ‘And this, too, shall pass away.’ How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction.”

Lincoln successfully led the country through its greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War, saving the Union and ending slavery. By all accounts he was a deeply sensitive man and one can only imagine the immense despair he must have felt sending tens of thousands of soldiers into battle. To keep himself calm and focused he used this phrase throughout his term as president. He reminded himself that whatever was happening was temporary. It too, would pass.

So, if you’re going through a tough time in life, keep going! Remember, this too shall pass.

The post This Too Shall Pass: Comforting Words for Tough Times appeared first on Lynn A. Robinson.

Opening Yourself to a World of Possibilities

For today's intuition exercise, you might find it helpful to do this with a pen and paper handy, or on your computer.

To begin, I’d like you to think about something you're unhappy about. This might be some aspect of your job or career, a relationship or health concern or some major life direction/purpose issue. Write a paragraph or two about this.
Ask yourself, “If I could be granted any wish regarding this situation, what would I like to happen?” Write down five options you have relative to this issue. (Examples: You could choose to talk to someone, to leave, to stay, to ask for help or support, to pray, to not decide, to take a risk, to shift your attitude, to continue doing what you've always done, to take action, or all of the above.)
Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Ask your intuition, "What is the best course of action to take?" Pause.
Think about all the options you’ve just written. Does any one of them leap out as the best decision? If not, go deeper and ask the question again. A new answer may emerge.
Write the results in your journal.
What three small action steps can you take that will move you in the direction you’ve chosen?

Most of the time intuition gives us a little nudge and sometimes it’s more like a huge shove! Expect that whatever you come up with may feel a bit uncomfortable. You’re moving out of your comfort zone. Whatever the answer, begin to take steps towards any options that feel inviting, interesting or that you’re simply curious about. That’s part of the way intuition communicates.
Give yourself a deadline of a day, week or month to accomplish your next steps and go for it!

The post Opening Yourself to a World of Possibilities appeared first on Lynn A. Robinson.

Intuition Points Towards Love

Lately on my Psych Central blog, Divine Intuition, I have been talking about love and relationships. In case you haven't visited that site, I wanted to share these pieces with you here as well. Read on for my advice for...
...People Pleasers
Does your relationship make you happy? The quick answer to that question should be yes. The answer after long reflection should still be yes. There might be a few caveats, “most of the time,” or “except for this one thing, but we’re working on that.” Overall, though, you should feel safe, secure, and satisfied.

This article is for those who say no, whether it’s an easy no, or an uneasy yes that turns into a no upon reflection. More specifically, this article is for people who aren’t just unhappy in their current relationship, but usually end up unhappy in all their relationships.

Even those who love us the most will act selfishly sometimes. They’ll ask, manipulate or beg for their needs to come first. When partners take turns supporting each other, with periods of equality and contentment in between, that’s a normal, healthy relationship. Yet plenty of smart people get trapped in cycles where they’re run ragged accommodating others’ needs, and are never taken care of in return.

Continue reading here.
...The Serial Dater
Playing the field has its own merits.
This world is so full of fascinating people, why not get to know a bunch of them? Exploring relationships with people who challenge you or come from very different backgrounds can be very character building. The breakups might be tough, or they might be easy-come-easy-go, but each holds a lesson. Even if a relationship is short, it can still teach you a lot about yourself.
But for the serial daters who are always dating but never exactly dating someone special, there might be a deeper issue at hand. I’ll be blunt: can you handle being alone?
Lasting love comes from two people with full lives joining together to make each other even happier. Relationships based on using someone – anyone – to fill emotional emptiness do not exactly have fairytale endings.

Continue reading here.
...The Perpetually Broken-Hearted
I believe in luck. And I know that some people are just plain unlucky in love. That’s what all of the best tragic movies are about, right? The kind when forces beyond the main characters’ control conspire to keep them apart?

But not all heartbreaks are quite so epic. In the real world, breakups tend to end up less in the star-crossed category and more in the poorly-matched-from-the-start category. What is a perpetual lonely heart to do?

Like I said, I believe in luck – and our ability to change it.

We tend to make and break relationships in patterns. From family to friends, crushes to coworkers, we recreate the same dynamics over and over again, subconsciously hoping that we’ll finally get it right this time. The key is to observe your patterns and take control back. Oprah has a favorite quote related to this idea inspired by Maya Angelou: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them.”

Continue reading here.
...The One Who Should Move On
Some of the most rewarding relationships in our lives come with an expiration date. It is sad, but true.

Clients come to me feeling agitated, stagnant, trapped. They can’t put their finger on what the problem is, but suddenly their normal lives have become uncomfortable, even unbearable. Sometimes the solution turns out to be a move, career change or charitable work. Other times, the answer is to redefine a romantic relationship.

If this is ringing a bell for you, maybe making your stomach clench or giving you goose bumps, consult your intuition for further guidance.

Continue reading here.

Image via Flickr.

Quitting Time: When Your Gut Says It’s Time to Leave

I remember the first time I heard the phrase “Sunday blues.”
A friend used it when she confided in me that she had come to dread Sunday nights, when the start of the new work week was only hours away. Her spirits got very low, and sometimes she would even feel panicky or sick to her stomach. Those were very powerful signs from her intuition that she needed to reevaluate her job situation.
Yet saying goodbye to a perfectly fine job is no easy task, especially in this unpredictable economy. Choosing to walk away from a secure position into the tumultuous world of self-employment or the job market is not something to be done lightly. It can feel uncomfortable even to consider it. However, those are fears worth facing if you feel miserable from 9 to 5 all week long. The key is to tap into your intuition for guidance back to a place of satisfaction and abundance.
Your Dream Job is Waiting
Right now, you have a job that you find unsatisfying. Maybe it’s mundane and your skills have outgrown it. Maybe it turns out that the job is more complex than advertised and you are in over your head. Maybe the company’s values don’t align with yours. Whatever the case, your energy is low, your performance is falling, and you want out.
But consider this for a moment: the job that you have settled for, the one that is making you feel terrible, is someone else’s dream job. The repetitiveness that you find boring, or the fast pace you find stressful, might make someone else feel in control or engaged. The commute, salary and benefits - which are the wrong fit for you - might be exactly what that other person is looking for. You might be living someone else’s dream - and someone else out there might be living yours. There is a wonderful job out there with your name on it! You just need to find it.
Turn Off and Tune In
As I mentioned above, you already have the roadmap to your best self tucked into your heart. You simply need to access it. The key is to practice getting in touch with your intuition. This innate power will act as a compass, guiding you on the path that you are meant to follow.
Set aside time when you can be left alone. Turn off the phone, television, music, and just be quiet with yourself. Sit in a dimly lit room on a comfortable seat, or walk in a soothing place where you won’t be disturbed. The circumstances when your intuition is at its most available are different for everyone, so try a variety of methods if you haven’t done this before or you’re out of practice. My instructional videos might be helpful. [link http://www.youtube.com/user/Intuitive... ]
When you’re ready, ask yourself questions. For a start, try these:

What would make me happier?
Can circumstances be changed to make me happier without leaving my company?
If I could wake up tomorrow and do any job, what would it be?
What steps could I take that would point me in this happier new direction?

Same Job, New Role?
Do you need to change your entire career, or just your immediate responsibilities in your current job? During your periods of reflection, ask yourself why you chose that job in the first place. How has it differed from your expectations? Which aspects of it did you love that aren’t part of your daily responsibilities anymore? Which parts of the job do you dislike, and how can they be minimized or removed from your job description?
If you can choose your clients, take the time to reconsider who your ideal client might be. Let go of the ones who don’t match that description. If you are part of a corporate team, turn to a boss or trusted advisor for guidance on how to swap out the distasteful tasks on your plate. It can be intimidating to rock the boat, or to turn away bad clients’ good money, but the Universe will reward you for taking a risk and making room for work that you love.
Intuition + Pragmatism = Success
Don’t make any rash decisions. As tempting as it may be, resist the urge to walk into the office tomorrow and shout, “I quit!” Inspiration coupled with pragmatism will yield the best results. Simply acknowledging to yourself that you want a new occupation will be liberating in and of itself. Remember, this is not indentured servitude. You are free to walk away from the cycle of deadlines and meetings and long hours whenever you choose. Stop thinking in terms of an endless future. Instead, focus on the tasks at hand while you’re at work, and in your free time create a deeper connection with your intuition. What is it that you really want to do? Which job would be so fun and satisfying that you would jump out of bed every morning? Who seems to be having the most fun at their job, and what is their secret?
Making the Leap
If you have looked into your heart and found that quitting is the answer, jump into action. Keep the status quo at your job but work hard in your free time to pave the way to a career change. Reach out to people in that industry for advice and information. Find a mentor. Educate yourself about additional certifications you may need or other preparations you’ll need to take before switching careers. Seek out a new network of support and connections to ease the transition into a new industry.
For those who simply feel the need for a change, but can’t pinpoint the next direction, keep the dialogue with your intuition open. Remind yourself of the activities that you enjoyed the most as a child, or that you always wish you had more time for on weekends and vacations. How can they be turned into a job?
Be mindful of your emotional and physical reactions during this time. Seek out clues from the universe in the form of feelings like excitement and interest, or physical sensations like butterflies in your stomach. A conversation with a stranger, a piece of artwork, an ad on the radio - any small thing could be just the signpost you’re looking for pointing the way to your new path. Reflection and meditation will build creative energy inside you like kindling, and anything could be the spark that sets it off!

Create an Inner Intuition Sanctuary

When you’re in the midst of change and transition, learn to seek insight from your wise inner guidance.

Intuition is like a true friend who wants what’s best for you, who is always there, guiding, listening, encouraging — showing you the way to achieve your heart’s desire. How do you access this wisdom?

Try one of my favorite intuitive techniques...

To begin this exercise think of a concern you have in your life right now. Perhaps it's a question about a relationship, a career choice, your health or something about your spiritual development.

Form this issue into a question that evokes more than a yes or no answer. Examples might be, "What's the best choice for my career right now?" or "What steps could I take to improve my health?" or "How could I communicate more effectively with my boss?"

Choose a time when you won't be disturbed for about half an hour or so. You may want to listen to a favorite piece of relaxing music. Sit quietly and close your eyes. Focus on your breath for a few moments. Slowly feel your breath coming in and then let it go out.

In your mind's eye picture a favorite place where you feel safe and comfortable. This might be by the ocean, under a tree in a beautiful meadow, by a babbling brook or in a special room, either real or imagined. Use your imagination to make it even more attractive. See the colors being rich and deep; listen to the sounds around you as you settle in; feel the emotions that this wondrous place evokes.

You’re creating a sanctuary in your mind where you can go to receive intuitive guidance. Some people imagine their intuition coming to them in the form of a guide, others perceive the information in words, images, a felt sense, through body sensations or simply “knowing.”

Ask the question you formed at the beginning of the exercise. Wait. Take your time and use all your senses. What do you feel? What do you sense? What does your body tell you? What do you hear? What do you see? What do you know? Receive your answer in whatever form it comes. There is no right way, just your way.

When you feel ready, open your eyes and return to normal consciousness.

A Note About Your Intuition...
When I teach this technique in a seminar, people often report that they don’t receive an answer right away. Don’t be discouraged if this happens to you! It’s normal. You will find that the answers will pop into your mind when you least expect them…when you’re driving to work, as you’re drifting off to sleep, or when you’re taking a shower.

Keep a pad of paper and pen (or some other device) with you to jot down the flashes of insight or “aha” moments that will arrive throughout the day following this exercise.

Let me know how this worked for you! What answers did you receive?

 

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Tap Into Your Divine Intuition on PsychCentral.com

Those who follow along with my Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest pages will already know this news - I am sharing the message of my latest book, Divine Intuition , as a featured blogger on PsychCentral.com!
This popular self-help community is renowned as a resource on mental health, with expert advice on topics ranging from ADHD to Tourette’s. If you are one of the few people unfamiliar with this useful site, here is a portion of their back story:

“Psych Central is the Internet’s largest and oldest independent mental health social network. Since 1995, it has been run by mental health professionals offering reliable, trusted information and over 200 support groups to consumers. We are today’s modern voice for mental health information, emotional support and advocacy. With the broadest online reach and recognition of any mental health network today, we touch the lives of over 3 million people around the world every month.”

I am honored to be a part of their new foray into the spiritual side of health and wellbeing. On my blog I will be sharing the message of intuition with a whole new audience. In some respects my posts will be back-to-basics, and in others I will take the opportunity to share timely information about using intuition in the real world. In his introduction, John M. Grohol said this of my new blog:

“We all have intuition, but we may not all recognize it — some may be more attuned to their own intuition than others. What if you could tap into your intuition more easily? ...I agree [with Lynn] that intuition is an important — and often overlooked — component of our humanity. Too often, we don’t trust our intuition as readily as we should. I’m looking forward to learning more about how to use my own intuition in my daily life.”

Never fear, I will still post new blogs regularly here on the Gut Truster’s Blog, including the usual exercises, reflections and personal anecdotes that you have come to expect. Thank you as always for your support! My readership means the world to me. Don't forget to bookmark the new blog: http://blogs.psychcentral.com/divine-intuition/

Blessings,

Lynn

 

Your Intuition’s Five Lines of Communication

It is my firm belief that everyone on this earth has felt intuition at work at some point in their lives.
Even the most scientific among us has felt the hair stand up on the back of his or her neck when danger is close, or felt a special zing of excitement when in the right place at the right time.

For those that are interested in having an even more active intuition, how can they know that it’s there? There are five categories of communication that intuition uses. Personally, my intuitive information comes to me via images, feelings, an inner voice, symbolic pictures and “knowings.” For you it might be just different - and you might already be relying on it more than you think. Read on to find out.
Gut Instinct, aka The Hunch
Anyone who has ever watched a detective show knows how valuable a “gut feeling” can be! This primal sensation is very physical, with an actual tension in the stomach or an overall tightness in the muscles. It is closely related to feelings of suspicion or doubt. On the other hand, when your body relaxes and you have sensations of looseness in the limbs, lightness or openness in the chest and general relief, that is your “gut” sending you a message akin to “Bingo!”
Divine Intelligence, aka Knowing
While the gut instinct is visceral, diving intelligence is mental. Simply put, a thought pops into your mind and you simply know that it is true. You have no feelings of doubt or suspicion. Usually this occurs when you have been asking questions in prayer or meditation. It feels like God or the Universe zipped the answer straight to you as if in an
email. It’s harder to pinpoint physical reactions to this thoughtful method of communication with your intuition, beyond a feeling of calm, purpose or “rightness.”
Symbolic Pictures, aka Visions
Maybe this one should be called Intuition for visual learners. One of the primary ways you receive intuitive information is through symbolic images. These pictures will pop into your mind’s eye. They may be significant objects, or signposts, cultural symbols of positivity, success, or good luck, as well as images that have personal meaning for you. A warning may appear as an image with an “X” through it, cultural symbols for “stop,” or something that disconcerts you. Visions might appear like photographs, or like brief scenes of a movie.
Words, aka The Inner Voice
If symbolic pictures are visual, the Inner Voice is verbal. It is most commonly reported as the hint of a whisper in the back of the mind, encouraging you forward or inviting you to pause. Answers might come in full sentences, meaningful words, or repeating phrases. It is the most accessible in moments of peace and quiet.
Dreams
Dreams can offer tremendous guidance. They combine symbolic pictures and words with movie-like action scenes. Without the limitations of the waking mind the messages can be conveyed in fantastical ways. Pay attention to your dreams. They reveal your patterns and point the way to your best future.



 

Lynn A. Robinson, M.Ed., is a leading expert on the topic of intuition. Through her work as an intuitive counselor she's helped thousands of people discover their life passion and achieve their goals. Voted “Best Psychic” by Boston Magazine, she’s also a bestselling author whose latest book is Divine Intuition: Your Inner Guide to Purpose, Peace and Prosperity . Her other books include, LISTEN: Trusting Your Inner Voice in Times of Crisis and Trust Your Gut .

What Do You Do When God Is Silent?

No one escapes it.

It will happen to you at least once in your life.

It’s scary, frightening and will make you wonder whether you will ever be the same.

You may feel like you’re going crazy.

It makes you wish for your old life, however difficult it may have been.

You will think no one else has ever gone through this and survived.

You wake up at 3 AM and panic sets in.

You may not talk about it to anyone. Who would understand? You think there is something wrong with you. Why can’t you just turn things around?

What is “it?” Quite simply, your world has turned upside down. There may have been any number of things that pushed you into this crazy time…your boss announces you’re fired, your partner tells you they’re leaving, an accident alters your life in a significant way, or your child receives a frightening medical diagnosis. Most of us have experienced something like this at least once in our lives. So what’s the first thing we do when something bad or difficult happens? Research done at Brandeis University indicates that 90% of us pray. Wendy Cadge, a sociologist who directed the research, said in an article in the Washington Times, “(Most people who pray) imagine a God who is accessible, listening, and a source of emotional and psychological support, who at least sometimes answers back.” (Italics mine.)

But what do you do if you’re in one of those “sometimes” that Cadge mentions? You’ve prayed — for money, a job, healing from an illness, a loved one’s recovery — and nothing happens. Where is God during those times? What do you do when God seems silent?

I had that happen to me several years ago. One of my books, Listen: Trusting Your Inner Voice in Times of Crisis , had just been published. I was out on the lecture circuit and giving seminars, scheduling lots of radio shows and interviews, traveling a great deal. It probably sounds exciting, but to be honest, I was exhausted.

I remember praying to God to bring peace back into my life. I wasn’t sleeping. I wasn’t eating well. I felt awful. What did I hear back? Nothing. Silence. I felt like I was in a dead zone. This was particularly painful to me because my book was all about paying attention to inner guidance and I wasn’t hearing any! All I knew was that I needed to rest.

Most of us would just love it if the Universe spoke to us in a clear, direct manner. “Hey Lynn! I know you’re struggling in your life. Here’s the answer…” Followed, of course, with detailed instructions about what you should and shouldn’t do in order to be successful. In the bible, God spoke to Moses from a burning bush. (I don’t know about you, but if a burning bush started yelling at me I’d definitely run in the other direction!) But truthfully, don’t you long for this kind of guidance when you need direction?

I know that in my life during that dark period, I had no down time. I was ON all the time. All my energy just seemed to go out to other people — talking, helping, counseling, teaching. I wasn’t taking time for myself. There wasn’t any room in my psyche for spirit to reach me.

What I finally realized was there was a mantra of sorts going through my mind at all times. It wasn’t your typical “Om” kind of mantra. It was “I NEED TO SLOW DOWN!” I suddenly realized I was missing God speaking to me because I was drowning out this inner wisdom out with activity. I got so involved in my book promotion and other work that God's voice simply was lost in the crowd. It wasn’t until I really took some time to rest, to focus on myself, to be in nature, to sleep, that I felt God’s presence again.

If you read the Bible and other spiritual books you’ll know that God doesn't usually speak in a loud voice, but rather in a still, small voice; a voice that easily gets drowned out when you and I are listening to everything else out there.

Our modern culture fosters a great deal of impatience. People want clear answers and they want them yesterday. In other times and civilizations there was respect for the process of change, and respect for a person’s difficult choices. People understood that there was a correct time for actions and decisions. If you look to nature you can easily see the rhythm of life, the ebbs and flows of the ocean, the seasons of the year when leaves die off and let go and when they’re born anew in the spring.

Following are some things that I found helpful during my “God is silent” period.
Rest, Sleep, Dream and Recover
God often seems silent during those times of our lives when we most need guidance. It may be because we’re so exhausted we’re not taking time to listen. Ask yourself, “What do I need to do to feel better today? ” Whatever answer comes to you, do it. Answers I’ve received include, “Take a break and sit outside in the sun for awhile.” “Take a walk by the river near your house.” “Put your head on the pillow and rest.” “Read a comforting book.” “It’s time to turn the computer off.” Know in your heart these times of “silence” don’t last forever.
Talk to God
If you are waiting through a time of silence ask God these questions:

Are You trying to get my attention to tell me something?
Is there something I’m unaware of that I need to resolve?
What do You want me to learn?
Are You preparing me for something?

I realize that you’re reading this article because you’re concerned about God’s silence, so you’re probably not having immediate answers popping into your mind. Try a journal. Write out any responses that come to you. Perhaps simply think of someone you love and who loves you, and they’re giving you kind and loving wisdom and advice.
What You Say to Yourself Matters
You may be telling yourself that you’ve been abandoned, found unworthy, or punished by God. I believe that a loving God does none of these things. Try one or more of the following statements while you’re going through this difficult period.

God has guided me in the past and continues to do so.
There are many ways to hear God’s guidance.
I am open to wisdom in all forms.
God provides all that I need with comfort and ease, even in the silence.

Find Pockets of Quietude
In our culture we believe that doing, taking action, and making the effort are the most important ways to get out of a crisis. What if the opposite is true? What if you give yourself permission to simply be, and rest in order to find peace and solutions to your current confusion? Learning to listen requires two things: a practice that facilitates quieting the mind, such as meditation, prayer, or communing with nature; and an understanding or discovery of how you receive the answers.
Listen for God in New Ways
You may be expecting God to show up in a big and theatrical way — a flash of lightning, a dramatic rescue, a big booming voice from the heavens. Sometimes God does that. More often it’s through words of wisdom from other people, a TV show or a book. God might be revealed through nature, or a gentle smile from a stranger walking our way. Often God shows up as a fleeting moment of peace and tranquility in the midst of a difficult day. Sometimes it’s simply a word or two to give us a new direction to follow.

My best advice regarding a silent God is, keep praying, keep writing, keep reading, keep walking the path before you. Keep doing the things that have worked in the past (and will work again in the future). Know that we’ve all gone through these times of silence. Ultimately, this too shall pass. In the meantime, "be still and know” that God is there.

Bloom Where You’re Planted!

I've noticed a theme among my intuitive reading clients last month. There were a lot of folks struggling with job loss, health and relationship challenges, and various difficulties with family members. However, what stood out was that several of them chose the "I'll just bloom where I'm planted" mode of handling life's challenges.
I like the empowering message that the phrase evokes. It invites us to think about our situation differently. Yes, perhaps you're out of work, but what could you do that's fun while you're looking? Maybe you're going through a bad patch with your significant other. You can use intuitive resources to reframe the situation and work out some new and creative solutions. Whatever your situation, you can choose to bloom right where you're planted.
"Ruth" told me she had been out of work for over six months and was understandably discouraged. One day, she felt an intuitive nudge to use her mentoring skills in a new way. She decided to volunteer for a local women's shelter. She became close to another woman who was also a volunteer. It turned out that this woman was a senior vice president at a local company. Ruth had sent her resume there and hadn't heard back. After seeing Ruth's skills in action, the woman asked her to join her department!
"Bob's" mother had died last year. His sadness was compounded by the fact that his brother had stopped speaking to him after their mom's funeral. He had spent fruitless hours trying to figure out what had caused this falling out. One day while praying, he asked for guidance about how to heal this breach in communication. When he finished he checked his email and learned that a favorite band was holding a local concert. He and his brother had gone to one of these concerts several years ago and had a great time. He decided to get two tickets. If his brother didn't want to go or didn't return his calls, he'd invite someone else and still have a good time. Much to his surprise, his brother accepted and it was the beginning of a healing between them.
Where can you bloom in your life? Is there something you've been struggling with, suffering over or worrying about? It's possible you can't change the specific situation you find yourself in, but I'd love to encourage you to dream big and make life an adventure again despite your circumstances. Here are some questions to get you started:

How can you make the best of your situation?
What would make life fun or interesting again?
What are you yearning for?
What's your next right step?
What does your intuition say?
What would you do today if you weren't afraid?

Tell us! What will you do to "bloom" right now?

Image via Flickr.