Jessica Cross's Blog, page 7
January 1, 2017
Can You Start Over
Read each statement and think about what this would mean to you if it were true. How would you act differently? What would you think and believe if this were the case?
You may decide that the statement is not true for you. That is just as enlightening as considering what would change if it was true.
Take time to consider your month based on the flow presented by the statements below. Consider that by changing your perspective you could change your life.
January
1
The answer you need is within
2
Claim your blessings
3
Help has arrived
4
Don’t put up with lies
5
You are wanted and cared for
6
This is distracting from what you are meant to do
7
You are cutting off your heart
8
The ego is built on betrayal
9
Focus to complete your purpose
10
Let go of a painful illusion
11
Can love fix an impossible situation?
12
Time for a new start
13
Accept what has happened
14
Don’t use anger to control
15
What drama is distracting you?
16
Don’t limit yourself
17
You belong in peace
18
Insecurity causes jealousy
19
Where do you feel trapped?
20
Humor builds bridges
21
Give up control
22
Don’t compete for attention
23
What is making you afraid
24
Change your direction
25
Find yourself again
26
Have gratitude for this easy time
27
Learn these lessons
28
Leap forward
29
What are you holding on to?
30
Let go of valueless goals
31
What price will you pay for pride?
Time for introspection is one of the best ways to make major changes in your life. Congratulate yourself on taking this time and take good care of yourself this month.
If you love this practice and want a physical or kindle journal to ponder statements like these for 366 days check out my Year and a Day Journal: A Clear Vision
Jessica Cross – May 2017 Treat you Well
December 31, 2016
Buh Bye 2016
If you have the energy for some soul searching, I do have a gift for you this New Years. My new Journal is Free on Kindle all weekend. I hope you enjoy it and it brings you some insights. For all of you, and especially those who have had a really tough year, take extra special care of yourselves.
December 29, 2016
New Moon Guidance or Transition?
Picture by Joshua Damasio
Today is the New Moon and that is the time to move in a new direction. This is an especially transformational new moon since it is right before the new year. It is time to think about how we want next year to be different from this year.
Sometimes we need a major change in our lives and sometimes we just need some guidance to continue following the path we are on. Consider the following questions and write down the first ideas that pop into your head.
What is the situation you are facing?
What are your dreams telling you about the what you need to change?
What opportunities are available?
Have you learned the lesson of this situation?
What do you need to watch out for?
How can you honor what is most important to you in your decision?
Now try the guided meditation for additional insight. Read through the meditation and then close your eyes and remember what you can. Let your meditation unfold in anyway you need it to.
Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Find yourself standing in front of a pond. The sun is slowly setting and the sky is a beautiful purple color. Watch as the sun set and turns the pond into a mirror which reflects the sky.
To your left is a small wooden bridge. Approach the bridge and begin to walk to the middle of the bridge. When you reach the middle, look over the railing into the pond. See the sky, stars and the moon reflected in the pond.
Think of a question you have been wanting to ask the universe. Look up into the sky and send your thoughts with this question up to the moon and the stars.
Now, look back down at the pond. Feel a breeze that blows by and stirs the water of the pond. As the water settles it no longer reflects the sky but begins to show you pictures. These picture may answer your question, or provide you some insight on what would be a better question.
Send your thanks for whatever you receive. Now you can decide if you want to return to the side of the bridge where you entered with your new information. The alternative, is to prepare for a major transition in you life and cross to the other side of the bridge. The decision is up to you and either decision is fine.
Once you return to the edge of the pond, walk away from the bridge. Look back one last time at the lake. Send your gratitude for all you have and everything good that will come to you in the future.
Begin to hear the sounds around your physical body. Wiggle your fingers and toes and when you are ready open your eyes.
Now write down what you learned from the meditation. Return to each question and consider it again. Write down any further thoughts you have on each question. Allow yourself to think on the questions over the week and see if you have further thoughts or receive any insights through dreams.
Congratulate yourself for taking this time to decide how to move forward rather than just let life happen around you. If you want more support join us in my private journaling Facebook group: Click Here
If you want a guide to help you consider these kinds of questions all year long, the 2017 Journal: Gratitude to Growth is available on Amazon for guidance all year.
Take good care of yourself, Jessica Cross
December 21, 2016
Burn your Light Bright
We are leading up to Yule, the Summer Solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. I like to use this time to consider what new lights are being born inside me and what darkness I am ready to let go of.
Read through each of the questions. You may want to copy them into an online journal or a physical journal, especially since you may need to take some time before you answer the the first one.
Write down your initial reaction to each of the questions without passing judgement on your answer. Then take some deep breaths and some time to relax or meditate. If you want to get in the spirit of Yule, you can watch National Firewood Night on SlowTV on Netflix (seriously it is a thing, 6 hours of a fire burning and talking about fire). Then return to the questions and add the new thoughts that come to you in this relaxed state.
What guidance are your dreams giving you? (you may need to pay attention this week to answer this one)
Where are you stagnating?
What good is building in your life?
Where can you ask for help?
What is keeping you from following your dreams?
Where are you giving away your power?
Holidays can be a tough time, so take some extra time to care for yourself. Sending you love,
If you want to delve deeper into this work, check out my two journals on Amazon:
2017 Journal: Gratitude to Growth – Click Here
A Year and a Day Journal: A Clear Vision – Click Here
December 13, 2016
Full Moon Journaling
This is the last full moon of the year. Over the next few weeks in the Northern Hemisphere we will move towards the shortest day of the year. Then the energy will start slowly building again for us to push forward in the Spring. It is time to start wrapping up the year and thinking of how we want to move forward.
Take some time for introspection to make sure you are heading in the right direction. Read each question and write down the first few words that pop into your mind. Then close your eyes.
Take three deep breaths to focus on relaxing different parts of your body. First your feet, then your legs, then your torso, arms, hands and end with your head. Take three more deep breaths relaxing your whole body.
Now read the questions again and write down your thoughts about each question in more detail.
What do I want to happen next year?
What changes are you feeling in your body and mind?
What do I need to have happen next year?
What knowledge have I obtained this year?
Keep track of your answers in a physical or online journal so you can make sure you are on the right path. Your plans may change along the way and that is fine, but it is always good to know where you came from.
If you want to delve deeper into this work, check out my two physical and Kindle journals on Amazon:
2017 Journal: Gratitude to Growth – Click Here
A Year and a Day Journal: A Clear Vision – Click Here
Most Importantly take care of yourself and there is always support from me available – Just Ask
Jessica Cross
December 11, 2016
Owl Meditation
Thank you so much for allowing me to share these meditations with you. I needed this one more than anyone else! I often have a hard time staying in the present and it was so good to have the reminder.
Read through the following meditation and then close your eyes and remember what you can. Let the meditation unfold however it needs to for you. It may be very different from mine, but I would love to hear where you go in the comments.
Meditation: Owl
Take a deep breath and close your eyes. Find yourself walking down a path towards a mountain range in the distance. The sun is slowly setting behind the mountains and it is beautiful. You wonder what you will do when it is completely dark. You have no provisions to stay the night and there is not much around to use as shelter.
You feel a bit of panic in your stomach and decide to walk off the path to see if you can find something for shelter. As you walk you hear the birds quiet down and a chill come into the air. You are now feeling a bit scared and wonder what you will do if you don’t find something to help keep you warm soon.
Up ahead you see an owl on a tree stump who seems to be waiting for you. As you get near, the owl does not fly away but just continues to wait. You crouch down to look the owl in the eyes. The Owl shakes it’s head, looking down as if disappointed in you. When the owl raises it’s eyes you look into their yellow light and know you will be taken care of by this guide.
Greet this guide either verbally or simply through eye contact. Your guide can understand you either way. What does your guide respond to your greeting? You may hear words, have thoughts, see pictures or colors or just have a feeling. Take whatever is given.
The owl flies off a bit and stops, waiting for you to follow. The owl leads you to a small lean-to that is just big enough for one but is cozy inside. There is wood for a fire laid in the pit out front and even a box with provisions inside.
The owl informs you that although you may not be able to see what will happen, your guides are watching out for you. You cannot predict what will occur in the future either positively or negatively, so trying to control and plan everything all the time is not the most helpful use of time. Plan what you can and expect to be surprised. Do not let planning for the future prevent you from enjoying the beautiful sunset ahead of you as well.
Thank owl for it’s guidance as you get comfortable and warm in the lean-to. Enjoy the sunset and the warmth of the fire. Relax and enjoy the peace and joy of being cared for by your guides.
When you are ready, hear the sounds around your physical body. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and open your eyes.
What did you learn?
What do you try to control too hard to open up to other opportunities?
When do you miss the present because you are too focused on the future?
If you enjoy these meditations you can experience more with the Free Shadow Work Journal. This will give you 7 guided meditations to access the parts of your psyche that you may try to ignore: https://gum.co/fnek
Thank you for taking this Journey with me, Jessica Cross
December 9, 2016
Choose Your Path – Job Change
Are you looking to change the way you work? This may be a new job, a promotion, a new project or a new way of looking at your current job. Before you make any move it is important to think about the path you want to take and make sure your decision leads you in the right direction. Consider each of the following before moving forward.
If you struggle to find the answers write down the first three words that occur to you and see how they influence your thoughts about the question. If you are still struggling read the following brief meditation and then close your eyes and remember what you can. Guided meditation can help you open up your mind so you can see the answers more clearly.
Take a few deep breaths. Find yourself sitting on a bench in front of a small pond with a fountain. Hear the sounds of the water and any animals in the area. Smell the crisp air and the smell of the leaves on the ground. Feel the cool air on your skin and the hard bench underneath you.
Soon you hear the sounds of someone walking towards you. This is one of your guides who has come to join you on the bench. You can ask your guide if they have suggestions as to what needs to change to make you happier with your work. You may also ask what the next step should be to help set you on the right path.
Talk with your guide for as long as you need. You may receive answers in words, thoughts, pictures, or just feelings. Take what ever is given. Thank your guide for their help and rise to walk around the pond. Smell and feel the cool air again as you consider what you have learned.
When you are ready to end, begin to hear the sounds around your physical body. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and open your eyes.
Now consider the questions below and I encourage you to write the answers in your journal.
What options are you refusing to see?
Does this change follow our beliefs of what is valuable in life?
What has to change even if that change scares you?
Can you take a step back to see the bigger problem that needs attention?
Where do you need to be more independent?
What do you hope to find after this change?
What are you trying to convince yourself will work out?
Does this change ask us to give too much or too little (of our skills, time, heart, dreams, values, etc.)?
I hope these questions have helped you to see if this change is a good fit for you. I wish you the best of luck and commend you on trying to challenge yourself and move forward.
If you enjoy this process and want more like this, check out my 2017 Journal: Gratitude to Growth. This Journal allows you to check in and make sure you are on the right path throughout the whole year.
Take very good care of yourself,
Jessica Cross
November 29, 2016
Reboot your Life
A New Moon is nature’s reminder that it is time to reevaluate your path. Consider what you have been focusing on and see if the results are taking you in the direction that you want to go. During this dark time of the moon you are given the quiet to consider where you have been and where you want to go.
Take a few deep breaths and then read each question. Write down the first few words that pop into your brain without judgment. Go through each question. Then go back and think more about the question and the answers your intuitive mind provided.
Finally choose one word that epitomizes what you want to focus on during this moon cycle.
What have you been focusing on that is draining your energy?
What has that effort brought you?
What feeling do you want to grow this month?
Who supports you in your efforts?
How can you simplify what you are doing?
How can you support others?
What is your word for this moon cycle ____________________________
I applaud you for taking this time to choose your path. I am sending my energy to support you along the way. Make sure to take good care of yourself.
Jessica Cross
Here is another interesting article on the benefits of this kind of journaling if you want more: http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/article/2016-11-23/205616/
November 25, 2016
Set Boundaries
Time to break out the Yule log in December! It is the most wonderful time of the year…right?
Well, based on my years counseling, not so much for most of us. Now, I am not a Grinch and I actually love the holidays but that was not always the case. I love the holidays because I have crafted holidays that I love. Here are some of the boundaries I have put in place to bring the joy back to the holidays for me.
I see family – but not for too long or too many of them at once.
I give presents – but only to kids (with a few poor college students thrown in), and my Mother-in-Law, who used to fill everyone else’s stocking but nobody filled hers.
I decorate – but only what can be done in an afternoon and disassembled in the same amount of time.
I don’t try to keep up with the Jones’ and I don’t try to meet others expectations (no Holiday cards, no big Thanksgiving dinner made from scratch, no extravagant gifts). There may be some people in my family who consider this Scrooge-like but it allows me to enjoy the holidays and the people I spend them with (including those that may think I’m stingy or lazy).
What boundaries do you need to set?
Who’s expectations are you trying to meet?
What can you let go of this Holiday season?
Acknowledge that even if you love them, the holidays can be hard. You need to schedule in extra self-care time and know that not everything will be perfect.
Pay attention to the energies and work when you feel inspired and relax when you feel overwhelmed.
December
1
Don’t wait to decide
2
Find the root cause of issue.
3
Don’t expect others to fix this.
4
Rebuild with a new perspective.
5
Help is available.
6
This is a good partnership.
7
There is a choice to be made.
8
See the light at the end of the tunnel.
9
Adapt to this change.
10
Follow what you feel is right.
11
Look for a new opportunity.
12
Accept what can’t be changed.
13
Take a step back from action.
14
Consider your options.
15
Find the grey area.
16
You can’t do everything.
17
Take one step at a time.
18
Expect the unexpected.
19
Reassess what you want.
20
There is an easy way out.
21
It is not as bad as you thought.
22
Give yourself time to recover.
23
Have gratitude for what you are given.
24
Open to a new communication.
25
Time to change plans.
26
Let it go and don’t obsess.
27
Look ahead to what you want.
28
Not your circus, not your monkeys.
29
Things will become clearer soon.
30
Reward yourself for perseverance.
31
Choose your own route.
If you need reminders like this all year long or know someone who does, consider checking out a preview of my 2017 Journal: Gratitude to Growth – Click Here.
Take good care of yourself this season,
Jessica Cross
November 20, 2016
Free 2017 Journal: Gratitude to Growth
The 2017 Journal: Growth to Gratitude is available for FREE on November 18 – November 20, 2016.
You can’t follow the right path if you don’t know where you want to go!
I hope you enjoy it and will journey with me all year.
Take time for yourself,
Jessica Cross, LCSW
