Step 1: Make an Invitation Onto Your Higher Self

maybe it was the full moon maybe it was the echoes reverberations strewn about the air from the screaming match catching fire two apartments down maybe it was the instinctive way she turned her head and gaze far beyond the homeless man, as if to say—you do not exist.

it was all clear as angel bells punitive thoughts of hell self-inflicted whispers and lingering musings of garbage monsters calling out to any wild fear with open ears: yes, i promise you’ll be safe down here with me just barely making it

and maybe it was nothing or maybe it was something or even some of everything she couldn’t decide the trigger but it was there, growing big growing bigger [let me out] and she made up her mind ran shouting to the mirror looked hard but fierce at the confined, sublime woman standing there Who are you? Who are you? the terror pierced her and from the thick-tongued black came the bellows not to listen not to ask that anything but that! yet she stayed her eyes on the one reflected and let her heart crack heard the tiniest of vibrations flutter up from within her aching, crested breast

I AM You. I AM Love. I AM Home. And I welcome You, That Which Is Me. I see You. I see the Invitation being made. It was for this very thing, that I have prayed and prayed.

and at long last, the reflection smiled puffy lips, as tears poured forth all the while home. home. home. home again. and somehow in the moment inner heart fast soaring those other voices of the deep untrue did not find themselves anew

 Written by jay.m.chross, a Michigan native who learned to write poems and prose pieces from an inner turmoil that could only be expressed and felt before releasing. She hopes that, despite any of your daily fears and anxieties, that you, too, will have the courage to look at the woman in the mirror and invite her to speak to you.

Turn Regret Into POSSIBILITY

Do you ever think, “what if…?”

You’d made a different choice in the past?

You’d chosen a different career path?

You’d gotten married at a different age or not gotten married?

There are a lot of “what ifs” in life, aren’t there?

They can become overwhelming if we let ourselves fall into the regret trap of questioning our choices. It’s okay to think about those things, but if we’re not careful, we can slide down the rabbit hole of regret. That is not helpful.

But, those regretful “what ifs” can remind us that we have the opportunity to consider a more positive “what if” about our future. We can consider what possibilities exist for us in the moment and what possibilities we can nurture and develop for our future.

For example, a new career path may require us to gain additional knowledge through a class or apprenticeship.

A new relationship may require us to end current or lingering relationships we’ve been wishy-washy about so that we are free and open to the idea of meeting someone new. A change in location or moving to a new city, state, or country might also take a bit of planning to make that possibility an actual choice and reality.

Possibilities don’t often magically appear. They often take thought, planning, letting go, and other practices. Don’t discourage or sell yourself short just because you might be feeling “stuck” in your current situation. Instead, imagine the possibilities you could create for yourself and take action on making to making

Here’s an idea:

Today, take a moment to write down some of the things that you’d like to let go of… regrets, what-if’s that didn’t happen, and things you’ve been holding on to. Then tear it up or burn it as you imagine yourself really letting it go, at least for today.

Next, write down things you’re grateful for in your life, EVEN if you’re not feeling very grateful at the moment. Jot down even the tiniest things like if you just bought your favorite food at the grocery store or the things that seem everyday, like walking the dog or driving to work listening to your favorite song. Let those things sink in, let yourself feel good about something.

Tomorrow, take a moment, daydream, think about the possibilities you’d like to create in your life. Write them down, even if you have only one “what if” possibility to list!

Give yourself the possibility of looking at “what ifs” with hope.

 Tina Nies is a Certified Life Coach and a Vision Board Coach. Her passion is building and strengthening self-love as a foundation for success. She is an author and is known as the “Empress of Love”. Facebook/40daylovefest and www.40daylovefest.com.