Something new! 😃

Something new is on the way…

Sunrise at Karuna

There come moments in our lives when we’re offered the chance to walk through a portal to change.

The portal could be the New Year 2023 (hello!), or it could be the chance to say yes to something new.

It could be the chance to do something we always dreamed of - to leave behind the familiar and set out towards something extraordinary. 

Or it could be the chance to heal and shift an old unhealthy behavior and start doing things differently so you can live a happier, healthier life.

We’re at a time in the world when indeed there is no going back to the old ways of doing things. 

So what is it for you? What is calling you to shed, to change, to call in at this portal of the New Year 2023?

If you were to trust what wanted to come up and be heard from within you, what would it be?

Sometimes it’s hard to change. So here are some:

Tips for Calling In The New:

• Make the new idea a living part of your life. Whatever it is, get a journal and write it down. Speak it aloud to trustworthy friends. Make it come alive each day. Don’t just do it once, repeat it and reaffirm what is it daily. Example: Every day, write the statement (as it applies to you and what you’re calling in): “I am going to India on my birthday.” “I am becoming more secure in myself.” “I am making more time to be creative and make art.” “I am becoming healthy.” “I am healing my knee and I will walk again.” “I am happily retired and traveling the world" Make it real with your voice, in both written and spoken words. Explore (in detail) what it would mean if it happened in the most practical sense. How would you know if you were successful at this goal? What would it feel like? Write it down in measurable terms. You could even make a Pinterest board, like I once did for my trip to Thailand months before I left (or could even afford it)

• Hold the vision and take action. Holding the vision doesn't mean we’re sitting back on the couch doing nothing just waiting. No, we hold the vision, make it come alive with our words, and then pay attention to what the Universe brings us: an intuitive nudge, a conversation coincidentally related to what you’re calling in, a book to read, a new opportunity, a support group, a life coach, a surprise gift of art supplies, etc. Pay attention, and when the breadcrumbs arrive, recognize them and take action! Practice showing up for what you’re calling in.

• Don’t take yourself so seriously. Sometimes when it comes to change, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to get it right, get it done, do it quickly, and do it perfectly along the way. But that’s not how Nature works. She moves slowly and powerfully, she sometimes takes us in unexpected directions, and it all happens in her own wisdom and timing. So let go and trust that things are working out within you and for you. Take a deep breath and smile, knowing that you’re where you’re meant to be and things are being worked out in you. 

• Let yourself feel the feels. Sometimes, the thing we want actually scares us. So we may take a step towards it but then feel scared and pull back. So let yourself feel the fear, the hesitation, the doubts. Let yourself sit in the discomfort, but see if you can hold steady and not pull away from it. Breathe with it. Let it be. And then say something to yourself like “Dear one, I hear that you’re feeling ______(terrified, doubtful, anxious, self-deprecating, etc). I know this feeling is trying to protect me, and that’s ok. Even though I feel this way, I choose to keep stepping towards ______ (insert the thing you want). Recognize if you’re telling stories that make the feelings worse like “it will always be this way” “I'm broken” or “it’s not possible” and cut that shit out! Try telling a new story that reframes the way you’re looking at things and puts a positive spin on whatever it is you’re facing, like “this is difficult but I choose to believe it’s helping me get stronger.”

• Recognize where you need support, and summon the courage to ask for it. We were never meant to do life alone. Look for people who are ready and willing to listen and support you - an emotionally available, non-judgemental friend. Sometimes you may need to check in with friends to see if you can talk to them about the difficult feelings you’re having, or seek out a professional who can support you (like a life coach or therapist). Keep in mind that your spouse might not be the best person to handle and hold all of your feelings and it might be overwhelming for them if you try to put the majority of your anxiety on them. So be open to letting others be there for you aside from just your significant other as it could add unnecessary strain to your relationship.

• Pray on it. Name your fears and ask God to remove your fears one by one and direct you along the path for your highest good and potential. Let the mysterious power of the Divine guide your way, and stay in conversation with this Higher Power of your own understanding each day. Speak aloud to it/him/her throughout the day, like you’re talking to a trusted friend. Let yourself be open to what comes, and remember, real change and transformation is not something we can force, rather something that comes from the Great Mystery of Life Itself. Go with it, baby!

Here’s a quick exercise to try:

Imagine the thing you want. Hold it in your mind. Now, take a step forward (literally with your feet) and imagine that you are walking towards that thing. Tell yourself, I am one step closer towards ___________ (label what you want). As you move about your day, anytime you can remember, bring the thing you want to your mind and literally step towards it. Believe that it’s happening, even if you can’t see it yet, trust that you’re moving towards it. Flex your faith. Know it’s happening.

Erica’s Latest News

I had a rocking holiday season with my family visiting me here in Guatemala, and I was also locked out of my Facebook page for a second time until just a few days ago (I'm finally back, woo hoo!).

Those things together meant that I was taking a much-needed break from social media, so unless you’re in the High Vibe Tribe (where I was still posting almost daily), you haven’t seen me in a while. No worries, I’m still kicking and so happy to be back!

Now that we’re stepping into the New Year, I’m getting ready to make some significant changes.

The walls of my house are going up!

For one, my house should be finished in the next 3 months so I will move in very soon. The walls are going up (video update) and there has been some exciting progress. It’s so fun to watch it become real!

In fact, I’ve been feeling the tug away from my apartment where I’ve been living and back towards Karuna Atitlan, the artists’ community where I’ve been living in and out since coming to Guatemala three years ago (where I also wrote my book). I’ve just been feeling like I don’t want to be alone anymore, and I want to be back in the community.

So it looks like I’m moving back to Karuna!

Then, a few months later, I’ll move into my very own home. Hurray!

Erica Recommends:

Speaking of Karuna, I want to give a big shout of love and gratitude to my sweet friend Luke, the founder of Karuna and someone who inspires me daily.

Luke was a major support to help me write my book, to find the land that I ended up purchasing where I’m building my home, he got me involved with helping the kids of the Integral Heart Family, he has helped me make Hummingbird Valley the home of my heart that I was seeking all along…and so much more. He’s a prolific author and musician who recently released an album of music that he recorded while he was in India, aptly titled “Rishikesh”. It’s great! You can find Luke’s album here.

Please support his album and can follow his adventures and insights on Facebook here and Youtube here.

💪

That's it for now! Thanks for reading this newsletter and I hope to see you online on my new TikTok channel, Instagram, Youtube, and of course, my Facebook page (hurray!)

Keep Choosing Love,

❤️

Erica (aka Eva)