Checking In With Your Spirit - How To Get What You Need

When was the last time you asked yourself what you need? I mean really went within and took stock of what may be missing that you could add to your days?

So many of us deal with a lot of daily stress and money worries and lack of sleep. And in the midst of all of this and of taking care of others, we forget that we need to take care of ourselves. Heck sometimes we actually forget HOW to take care of ourselves. We view taking time for ourselves or doing something pleasurable as frivolous. Like we should be working or doing or planning or cleaning or taking the kids here and there and we rarely take stock of what we NEED.

There are things we need in order to fill our spirits up, that part of us within that lights us up and makes us tick. We bury that part of ourselves a lot, be it consciously or unconsciously. And whether we realize it or not it fights to shine its light! But it is up to us to figure out how to do that. And at different times that mechanism can be different things.

If I were to stop right now and ask myself what I need most at the moment I would say rest and meditation. There may be other times when the answer would be a long walk in a beautiful park. Or a conversation with someone who really GETS me. Or to blow off some steam and have some fun. But the key is to do the asking.

And to truly LISTEN to the answer.

One of my clients told me the other day that her answer is journaling and taking yoga. She was feeling extremely stressed out and took the time to get quiet and go within and ask what she needs right now. And when she did that she got her answer.

So I invite you to do the same. Find a space with minimal noise and close your eyes. Gently take in 5 or 6 deep breaths and imagine letting go of whatever is on your mind at the moment with your out breath. Breathe out your concerns. And when you feel ready ask yourself "what do I need right now?"

Maybe your answer is a little TLC, or to be more easy on yourself, or that you need to clear the air with someone. Maybe you get that you need to plan that weekend getaway that you have been meaning to. Maybe you need to have that special meal you have been craving for awhile.

Or maybe you don't get an answer right away. And that's OK if that happens. If it does just leave yourself alone. Let the question be posed and just stay open to what comes to you for the rest of the day.

It's perfectly OK to check in with yourself on what you need. When you do you not only become more aware of what can help you be in your best frame of mind, you do a favor for those around you by putting yourself there. When we take care of ourselves we are in the best place to take care of others. And when we take care of our self, we are less likely to need other people to behave in specific ways to help fill our needs.

We take control of what will help us to be our best selves. And that is OK!!