Welcome to day 11 of the 9:09 is Nurture Time challenge!
The step “check what’s growing early and often” is a lovely reminder to keep checking in with ourselves to see where we’ve grown. It’s also a good reminder to check to see what is not growing because it’s been buried or covered up.
When our minds are filled with negative or fear-filled thoughts, we bury our true nature. It’s hard to observe what we have buried.
In my work with clients, I often start with a strengths discovery map and a values inventory. With each person, we’ve discovered strengths that have been uncultivated or just grown dusty from lack of use. Sometimes these have been overshadowed by a strength that was rewarded more frequently and has become the size of one of those giant zucchini I was talking about yesterday. Other times, it’s a strength the person was told was a weakness and it’s been neglected, waiting for the light of day. We work towards getting strengths in balance, using the person’s values as a guide.
Our values are a reflection of our spirit.
Our spirit is the guide for our soul and purpose.
When you want to be nurturing towards yourself, it helps to check where your focus is and also to consider whether there is something you’ve been ignoring – something that your spirit wants you to pay attention to.
How do you know whether you’re ignoring something? The first signal is whether you’re open to being in touch with your intuition. Are you making space to listen to that still, small voice inside? Let’s spend a minute listening now.
Ready to begin?
First, pause for this moment and totally focus on yourself. Close your eyes. Let all the distractions fall away. Breathe in. Breathe out. Enjoy the consistency of taking these minutes each day to invest in your self. Enjoy the deep, loving connection you are building with your true nature. Ask yourself if there is a neglected part of you that wants more love and cultivation. Pause and notice how your body and mind responds to this question. Notice without judgment.
Center in on these two thoughts: I’m willing to listen to my intuition. I am open to cultivating all of my strengths and abilities.
Give yourself a hug, a round of applause and a pat on the back.
That’s it for today. Sending you blessings on blessings and big hugs. And I look forward to tomorrow with you, same time, for day twelve of 9:09 is nurture time.