Reach For New Heights

by Marilyn Decalo | Jan 27, 2019

New Heights in Consciousness

In these days of greater awakening to more expanded states of consciousness we are thinking differently, listening to our intuitive nature more often, and increasing communication with our higher selves. To support a gentle and joyful integration of this new way of being with the experiences of daily life, it’s important to focus on ideas, wisdom and activities aligned with our highest light. Having conscious awareness of a desire to live and grow in harmony with our inner truth, to follow the light of a path that makes our hearts sing, requires that we practice connection with our authenticity each day. Creating lifestyle opportunities to nurture and reinforce joyful connection with the whole self is not only a purposeful perspective to explore. It is also a means for directing our inner and outer experiences to reach for new heights in consciousness. The thoughts we think, the blessings we perceive, the kindness and grace we offer ourselves and others can become deliberate choices. We can learn to trust and dialogue with our inner wisdom; to find our next step from our own opinions rather than the opinions of others. As we open our hearts and minds to let in a consistent flow of this inner light, we empower expression from the essential self; to think thoughts and take actions inspired from a dynamic, energetic place of authenticity and gratitude, which feels good.

New Heights in Awareness of Who I am

Consciously engaging the higher self is a co-creative experience of living holistically in resonance with a balanced sense of innate well-being. As the inspiration takes up more of our consciousness, our actions and activities tend to reflect that inner light, the spirit of love who we truly are awakening within, and we reach for new heights of awareness, knowing and expression. In reaching for these new heights we find peace, love, compassion and appreciation in our hearts, and we release our grip on the past. No longer settling for limitations that hold us in fear, doubt or false beliefs about our worthiness.

When I am reaching for new heights in conscious awareness of who I am as a divine-human, I am tuned into my higher-self. I believe in myself. I believe in my power to meet every moment with fortitude and I anticipate blessings. Expansion of consciousness feels like a spark igniting my soul, like a power surge of clarity in my heart and mind. I can see the light of love in others, and perfection in what earlier may have seemed like darkness.

Emergence of New Wings To Lift You Higher

There are lots of different options for to support you as you reach for new heights. You can think of activities and intentions that assist and guide you into new vistas as preparing you for your new wings of light to emerge. The wings that will lift you to new heights in the light of love. Engagement and participation in practices which cultivate inner connection like

meditation, journaling, yoga, spirituality, nature walks, prayer and dance on a consistent basis reinforce positive results and keep you growing in fulfilling ways.

As you reach for new heights ask yourself, “What makes my heart sing?” Follow that with conscious appreciation for the wisdom received because it brings you into alignment with the soul that is uniquely you and allows your growth to take root. Enjoy yourself as you reach for new heights knowing your place is to soar in new directions.

Marilyn Decalo offers one-one coaching sessions to help you acheive your goals! To learn more about Marilyn’s coaching options, click here.

Live The Life You Wish To Live

by Marilyn Decalo | Jan 18, 2019

What is stopping you from living the life you wish to live? Do you ever ask yourself questions such as, “Why don’t I have the job I want or the pay I want?”, “Why is this person I work for not treating me right?”, or “Will I ever find the love of my life?” We tend to think that others are responsible for our happiness. For instance, when it comes to expectations for satisfying experiences in the work environment we look to a supervisor or colleagues to fall in line with our path to success. When they don’t give us the raise we think we deserve or the assignment we want we might feel unappreciated or under valued. We have empowered them with determining our ability to feel good.

The key to living a life you wish for yourself is having the courage to take responsibility for creating your own happiness. Intentionally being responsible means listening to your own voice, connecting with and making choices that feel right to you and not focusing on what might be good for, or look good to other people. Respecting your inner truth does not mean ignoring the good ideas that others might share with you, Rather it is trusting that you deserve to enjoy a balanced life where well being is the norm, and it is your thoughts, feelings and actions that bring that into being. Empowering your inner guidance energizes and engages your passion to live a fulfilling life; the life that you desire without comparison to others standards, direction or approval.

Listen Less To Self-Doubt

While it’s true that others’ behavior and reactions to events you may engage in together are not your responsibility, your response to others’ behavior is not their fault or responsibility. Taking ownership of your emotions, thoughts and response to life’s ups and downs is the beginning of releasing the blame, victimization and struggle that disempowers you. There is no standard for measuring yourself except when you are focusing on arbitrary external conditions you believe to be true in your head. But that negative voice in your head telling you you don’t measure up isn’t real. It came from belief that outside opinions determine your worth. The only person judging you is you. One of the main reasons we don’t do what we want to do is because we believe others might judge us, judge our work or our abilities. We think we are vulnerable to what others might inflict upon us and in the process lose our connection to a vital expression of who we are. We strive for perfection in a seemingly impossible way – under terms dictated by limitations. However many have discovered that you don’t need to be perfect to start moving forward. You can stand in the middle of uncertainty filled with the power of trust and belief in your innate goodness, equipped with the awareness and intention of your heart’s desire, and take the next step.

However, when you are confused about your aspirations or choices and unsure of next steps it can feel like a crisis sometimes. If you have an important decision to make and no confidence about how to make it, and you are caught in a negative reaction to a challenging person or situation, indecision can be paralyzing. It can feel like spinning in place. You may find yourself looking to others for answers, anticipating your next move, thinking it through in 20 different ways – all of which involve spending a lot of time in self-doubt in your head. What if you acknowledge your self-doubt and do what you want you truly want anyway? What if you acknowledge those doubts, not try to push them away, make peace with where you are, and then listen, really listen, to the ideas, thoughts and dreams coming forward in your own heart?

Listen More To The Voice In Your Heart

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched but are felt in the heart.”

Helen Keller

We tell ourselves things like “I can’t write,” “I am not interesting,” “This isn’t going to work out for me,” and then we get that feeling of anxiety going. That feeling is a clue that there is something that you truly want, and you are denying and not trusting yourself to create it. Asking yourself what is at the core of that uneasy feeling or what is beneath that sense of panic will help you see past the doubt and self-judgment to the feelings that you truly want to express and experience. Those positive feelings that arise when you ask on the inner plane are the voice of your heart and soul calling you to the greater good in each and every decision or situation. You can be assured that no matter what the outside circumstances, you have touched the core of who you are. Are you ready to follow your joy rather than fear?

Life is not all or nothing. Life is a journey of exploring and trying new things, of following what feels good and brings joy, and of changing direction when an emotional storm is brewing. The wisdom to know that and to live your unique, authentic expression on your path is within your heart. Going inside to find the answers rather than becoming mired in what others think allows the positive part of your life to start to guide you.

Here Are Tools To Listen To Your Heart

You can live the life you wish to live now. Rather than waiting for a crisis to arise, begin to practice being aware of the voice in your heart now. You’ll be glad for where this connection leads you the next time you are challenged by indecisiveness.

Practice Meditation

Meditation is a great way to get to know your inner truth. A simple meditation technique is to find a quiet place to relax for 15 minutes each morning before jumping into your day, and sit calmly listening to meditation music while breathing deeply. As you breathe, focus on the feeling of the natural flow of air, in and out of the body. Enjoy the sense of peace that envelops you as you find more and more ease in your breathing and quiet in your mind.

When you have practiced meditation for just a week or so you will begin to notice becoming more aware of your intuitive senses, or gut feelings. It’s a sense of knowing what is right and hearing an inner knowledge from deep within.

Notice Messages From Your Heart

Use a journal to note guidance you receive from your heart. Your heart speaks to you continually and making a note of its advice allows you to contemplate and strengthen your connection rather than overlooking or minimalizing its’ voice. Your heart is unique and the messages it brings forth are uniquely for you and felt by you. Trusting in the wisdom of your heart is empowering yourself to be responsible for discovering your own truth and using it to improve your life. Writing down the direction the guidance from your heart is directing you; contemplate it and then use your reasoning intellect to support you in moving forward.

Once you find the loving guidance of your heart, you have entered the gateway to live the life you wish to live. You’ll never go back!

Becoming The Butterfly

by Marilyn Decalo | Jan 4, 2019

Change is An Inside Job

Just like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly as it is breaking free from its cocoon, the new year reminds us that we have an opportunity to spread our wings and fly free of what has held us back in the past. To renew our dreams and desires, shed our limitations and consciously evolve. In the past 12 months as I have worked to release fear, anxiety and worry, and to focus on living as my authentic self, I have gained a greater understanding that transformation is an ongoing affair each day, unfolding present moment after present moment. I have noticed that as I allow my relationship with my Inner Self to take a more active role in my life, I am guided to appreciate more each day, even those things you might call challenges. The difference in allowing myself to be guided through conscious connection with my inner truth, rather than following the conditioned beliefs that come forward as “I should do this or that” is the sense of liberation I feel. With this feeling of freedom, I come to know myself more fully because I am open to experiencing what truly makes me who I am – my unique patterns, colors and light, if you will. Spreading my wings to express my unique gifts. As I have made the decision to surrender limiting beliefs and open to new perceptions on the inside, life in the outer world has changed, too.

Appreciate Your Infinite Intelligence

Butterflies are amazing. Monarch butterflies have a migration flight path of over 4000 miles from Brazil to Nova Scotia and back. They are able to find the same branch where they emerged from their cocoons on their return journey. They and many other species on earth exhibit the natural intelligence of their unique universal design. The don’t question or doubt their existence, they merely align with their true nature and live accordingly. Their brains are the size of a pin needle, yet they have a life force energy that tunes them into their paths. While the butterfly has always been a symbol of transformation, change, color and joy, it also symbolizes our internal ability to move from one perspective to another by following our inner truth. We possess the intelligence and inspiration to be all we can be. We can get clarity about what we want and need when we listen to inner wisdom.

Believe in Your Wings

My intended journey in 2019 is to be one of more self-expression and greater illumination of a joyful path forward by consciously aligning with the truth of my divine essence. Like the new butterfly who has transmuted its energy from the chrysalis stage and rebirthed, I am heeding the call of moving toward something better for myself. I recognize that the way has not always been easy; albeit the struggles I have experienced have prepared me for the transformation I am experiencing. In the process of shifting into my new perspective that life is meant to be enjoyed and well-being is my natural state, I have surrendered attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that I thought were central to my life. I have learned to look at the challenges that arise in my

life as a door opening, as an opportunity to grow. I believe in my new wings and trust that I am led to where I truly want to go – free from fear and ready for the next more magnificent stage.

Release The Old & Embrace The New

Before we begin to change we might have an impulse to research something new, check out a place we’ve always wanted to visit or leave a relationship. In our old forms we are getting ready for the next phase by digesting new ideas and we might feel compelled to make a move before we have fattened our hearts and minds in our cocoons. When it’s time for transformation we sometimes must fight our way out of our old paradigms and release old beliefs. If this is something that you are feeling then here are a few ideas to help you move through the barriers and old patterns.

1. Be courageous, and willing to stretch as you investigate something new. Change can initially be uncomfortable and nervous feelings are normal. Use a breathing technique to pause when discomfort arises and be curious about it rather than resistant. You’ll be surprised how it actually helps you move through to the next step.

2. Ask yourself what you value and why making a change will allow you to align with what matters to you most. Try asking, “Why is this change truly important to me?” Focus on the feeling your response brings through. Remember that you are always evolving to the best version of yourself. The answers to your “why?” are always within you and getting in touch with them offers you the purest motivation for making changes.

3. Don’t be hard on yourself. Approach mistakes, setbacks and course changes with an attitude of learning rather than self-criticism. Even if you don’t think you are 110% right you don’t have to wait. Put your trust in your desire for change and your inspiration. Be on your own side and have your own back. Each day is an opportunity to try again, to be on the path to our goals. If we are beating ourselves up and letting feelings of failure stop us, our desires can turn into struggles instead of the journey of joy and thriving we intend. Say to yourself, “Things are improving.”

As we are transforming and going into the unknown all of the excuses not to change that we ever thought of will show themselves. Hang in there because it just means you are in the cocoon stage and on your way to becoming the butterfly. Is it time for you to spread those wings and fly? If you want some support and more tools for changing your life, reach out to me – marilyn@marilyndecalo.com Also, check out my self-paced course, Becoming Who You Are Meant To Be….

Time To Follow Your Dreams

by Marilyn Decalo | Dec 31, 2018

Dreaming is one of humanity’s greatest gifts; it champions aspiration, spurs innovation, leads to change, and propels the world forward. – Sir Richard Branson

Have you promised yourself that 2019 is the year you start pursuing your dreams? The new year can be a great motivator to get on the path toward your desire. So if it’s time to make a decision to go for it then here are some suggestions on how you can make your dreams happen.

1. This Is Your Life

Only you know what will make you happy. Aren’t you worth giving it your best effort? By doing what you love you live your best life because you do more than just exist. Following your dream is empowering and is an opportunity to use your potential to create something new; to make a life you love. You will also serve as an inspiration to others who hope to do the same. You’ll touch the lives of many who surround you and encourage them to get on their own paths to living joyfully.

2. There Is No Time Like The Present To Be Happy

Wouldn’t it be great to wake up each day excited to do what makes you happy? Enjoying your days, weeks, months and years starts in this present moment. Your dreams are the outward expression of your creative energy; uniquely yours and you birthed them because they excite you. If we bury our dreams or put them on hold we deny our gifts, messages and creative contribution to the world. Not everyone follows their dreams but if you desire to live the life you’ve always wanted there’s no time like today to get going.

3. Get Clear That Your Dreams Are Possible

You can start to get a feel for doing something you’ve always wanted to do by exploring opportunities in the field. Do a little research, investigate the latest ideas, see what else is out there that could either be a stepping stone or get your adrenaline pumping. Move the energy around by writing down your new story – what will life be like as you become the person living your dream? Believing is seeing, so be sure to spend some time enjoying and envisioning your dream as it comes to life. Appreciating the steps on the journey allows you to enjoy the whole process and believe in it more strongly each day. You are beginning to live your dream which increases your motivation to accomplish it.

4. Remember Your Why

Your reason “why” you want a particular goal is the driving force that keeps you committed to accomplishing it. Write out your reasons and revisit them to renew your decision regularly. Remember your “why” if you start to waver or run into an obstacle, and start again. Persistence comes from an inner connection to your vision. You may need to find that inner strength and recommit when you encounter setbacks. However, your vision cannot be discouraged when you are in tune with your inspiration. Journal or meditate and visualize the feeling of accomplishing your dream regularly.

5. Dream big!

Take some time to allow yourself to ask, “What if it was bigger?” Don’t let negative thoughts discourage you. What others may say has no relevance to a dreamer. This is your dream and it is your heart and mind that has created it. While your dream won’t just happen, you can be sure that by focusing on your dream on a regular basis, feeling good about all of the details as they come into view, and planning out an inspired strategy – one that feels right from the inside out – eventually you will achieve your dream. Fueled by purpose you won’t worry about the unknowns. You have embraced who you are and you will feel inclined to see and do things you are you inspired to do.

6. Seek Out A Professional Mentor or Coach

One reason many dreams never go anywhere is because the dreamer keeps their dream quiet inside of them. If you want to accomplish your dream, stop making excuses for who and where you are. Going back is more painful than the unknown before you and your only real limitation is your consciousness. Once your decision is made you’re no longer strained in your abilities. You’ll no longer fear success or losing it all. If it’s time you really start showing up to live your dreams consider starting 2019 with a professional coach. I can help you keep accountable, focus your time and energy, and be enormously successful with only three to five hours of work each day. Email me today to get started right away! Marilyn@marilyndecalo.com

In the meantime, check out this great app building positive habits: http://productiveapp.io

When Feelings Are Too Much

by Marilyn Decalo | Nov 24, 2018

Learning to manage emotional upsets is a valuable skill on the journey through life. As human beings we rely on our emotions for expression of desires, response to conditions, and feedback about our experiences. E-motions are energy-in-motion, and emotional energy usually follows a pattern of growing and then dissipating as we shift mental focus from ideas, people, activities and circumstances. Depending on how closely we assign the significance of an experience or relationship to an essential or core belief we hold related to survival or self-identity, our emotions can escalate, gain momentum and we might find ourselves caught in an uncomfortable, emotional loop.

Take a Break

When you find yourself overwhelmed with anger, sorrow, loneliness or fear and are unable to deal with the intense feelings in the moment, remember that you have a choice. You do not have to be in those feelings right now. In fact, if you are overwhelmed it is a sure sign that you need a break from the thoughts and feelings fueling the uncontrollable emotional state. Take a break and you will be better able to deal with the feelings later. Doing this does not mean that you are denying the emotions are there. It is important that you come back to the feelings when you are rested. Even if they have changed, acknowledging your feelings is key to allowing yourself to accept yourself fully. Oftentimes we want to push feelings away and if we do, we resist the information they provide about hindering beliefs we hold, about ourselves or others. After taking a break you may have a different perspective which can help you understand what is happening underneath the emotional upset, and prevent further painful emotional loops.

Here are some ways to let yourself take a break from your feelings:

1. Journal about how you are feeling. Writing out your feelings is a form of release and allows you to focus the emotional energy into words. As you write let yourself feel the emotions pouring out of you onto the page (or computer screen). Ask yourself, what else do I feel about this (relationship, situation, experience, etc.) and empty yourself of every thought and emotion that comes up. When you are finished thank yourself for acknowledging what you are feeling and imagine putting the pages safely into a box in the shape of a heart. You can lock it if you wish or set it aside for later.

2. Go within and create a safe space in your imagination, a comfortable chamber you mentally step into where you breathe and relax. As you step into your chamber leave your feelings outside the doorway. Create an image that represents of how you are feeling them in the moment and allow the image to encompass and protect the feelings outside your chamber door. Your feelings are still there and you can decide to pick them up again after you are done relaxing in your chamber, or let them dissolve within the image holding them.

3. Movement can help. Chose to think about something else for the time being. Go for a walk, go to the gym, change the scenery. Moving your body moves the energy and as you breathe and oxygenate your brain the chemistry changes in as little as 15 minutes.

4. Focus on taking care of you. Your mood can shift when you try something different. If you have been doing the same old thing every day, stuck in your feelings then try changing your patterns. Rather than going home after work or staying inside on the weekend and feeling lonely, take yourself for a drive in the countryside, go to movie, visit a museum. I worked with one young man who was going through a divorce and decided to take himself on a date. He had the best day he had had in a month.

Your feelings are not always easy to feel but you can become adept at feeling and appreciating them for the insight they offer into yourself when you allow and work with them. There really are no “bad” feelings for on the other side of every feeling is the opportunity and reward of moving into a better feeling state. Taking a break from emotional struggle is a valuable tool to help you manage the process of getting there.

Are you looking for guidance in managing your feelings? Coaching sessions are available via Phone, In-Person in Colorado or Skype.

What Else Is Possible?

by Marilyn Decalo | Nov 16, 2018

STUCK IN THE SAME OLD STORY

Have you ever noticed the way events, relationships or outcomes to circumstances repeat in similar ways in your life? What if things appear the same way because you tend to look at your life and who you are from the same point of view year after year? For example, I have had jobs that offered me an income yet I never believed they were going to make me rich. In fact, I often felt underpaid. My point of view was based upon a belief I held that the kind of job that I was qualified for, or that I could get (ergo, that I deserve) would never make me rich. Interesting point of view! Rather than step beyond the limited belief I held about myself and jobs in general, I accepted my supposed fate begrudgingly. Why would I choose that? Why would anyone choose that perspective of themselves and their life? Aren’t we creative, powerful human beings with the ability to achieve our dreams? Or is that just for some other folks and not for me?

Emphasizing the Problems

It was life-changing to realize that I viewed myself as a victim rather a creator. I had seen myself as a limited being, defined by my education, up-bringing, religion, gender and a host of other external conditions. Unconsciously, I had bought the story that there are certain situations in life that are insurmountable which made me feel less than who I truly am. But when I started to question my reasons for denying my greatness, my human right to joy and fulfillment I realized I had to stop choosing problems, which was happening even while I thought I was seeking answers. The significance that I had given to relationship issues, body image, lack of money and career stagnation was all based on what wasn’t working for me and looking for answers to what I thought was lacking in me or my life was keeping me focused and stuck in the problems. This may sound counter-intuitive, like you can’t find an answer if you don’t examine the problem; but I have come to realize that there is more possibility for joyful outcomes through questioning what else is possible, what might be more true for me beyond the reality of the problem, and then opening to allow my inner self to guide me in the moment. There is a magic to living when I honor my innate goodness and connection with my divinity. I trust that my path will unfold easily, authentically and in balance free from the conditioned emotions of past experiences. That I am given what I need when I ask. This means that while I may listen to the viewpoint or perspective of another, I can give up comparing myself to others, ask myself what I want and choose just for me. When I ask what else is possible it is up to me to be aware of how I am feeling, surrender control and allow my inner guidance to give me the answers that will create the change I desire. This awareness, this sense of appreciation for my ability to consciously guide myself with compassion in alignment with inner knowing honors the true genius and unique being I truly am.

Are you enjoying the possibilities for your life?

Consider what comes up for you when you are in judgment of yourself. Is there something that you don’t like about yourself? If you are down on yourself then reaching for a solution from that feeling of dissatisfaction only perpetuates the fact that you are uncomfortable with who you are or what you are doing. The good news is that recognizing when you are judging yourself is an opportunity to ask some questions about what else is possible that will shift you into satisfaction. Start with appreciation for the many ways you are supporting yourself and the unique abilities that make you, you. Notice any thoughts that arise that tell you, you aren’t capable and remember they are just an interesting point of view, not set in stone. Ask yourself, what would open up for me is I started enjoying myself? What could I create in my life if I see myself and my life as an endless gift? You will discover yourself to be a greater person than you had realized.

Are you ready to start transforming your emotions and thoughts? Private coaching sessions are available.

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