As a natural healer and author, I rely heavily on intuition to guide me. So as I was sitting at a local coffee shop recently waiting for inspiration about what to write, I looked up suddenly. And there it was. On the back of a tee shirt, “walking by,” were nine letters, just two words that said, “Lighten up”.

It seemed as if this message was flashing at me in neon lights: Pay attention, Joy! I reflected on what I have been doing that I need to lighten up about. Which areas of my life does this pertain to?

For me, it usually centers around work. I do a variety of things related to energy healing and mind, body, spirit connections, and I love them all. Well, most of them. The part that gives me the least pleasure and creates the most stress is learning all the computer jargon, new procedures, online marketing and on and on. I am catching on, I am hiring others to fill in where I lack the skills or the desire; it’s getting better. I’m finding a little less that I “have” to do and more that someone else can do to give me more opportunities to “lighten up.”

I feel good about the direction my work is going. I am continually looking for ways to combine “play time” with opening up to a great new “idea” or inspiration for my next writing adventure. It can be as simple as taking a leisurely walk in the park while noticing the animals, the colors, the sounds or the breeze softly caressing my skin and hair.

What about you? What can you do to lighten up? What changes can you make? I’d love to hear more about what you’re easing up on and how you’re doing it.

Consider…sometimes just shifting from “stinkin’ thinkin’” to thankin’ thinkin’” can make all the difference in how you feel about yourself and your life. You made this stew, and you can shift it too.