Many years ago, a mentor answered a very important question that kept coming to me. She was guiding me in doing some very powerful, yet painful family of-origin work and I was looking at some losses that led to my addictive behaviors; both with food, my co-dependency and co-sex addiction. I asked her one day, "Remind me why I am doing this work again?"

"There is a beginning, middle and end to the work, " she said. "And at the end, you will have more of yourself, your senses and your ability to choose relationships that serve and honor you."

In essence, I've learned that to fully experience the joy and blessings of life, I must be willing to experience the loss and pain of life as well. When I shut myself off from the painful emotions I carry inside, I shut down joyful experiences as well. When I fully honor my senses, all of them, life is fuller and I am more present to experience it all.

The first step in healing, empowerment and manifesting our soul's purpose and heart's desire is the intention to do so. We must desire and want to heal. There is an incentive for doing the work and we take the initial step of acknowledging our need for assistance and willingness to receive it.

The second step in this process seems to be the willingness to walk through our pain, loss, grief and ways in which we are wounded. There is something very engaging and compelling about seeing clearly and holding with honor, ways that we were hurt. In doing so we can see the dis-empowering beliefs related to the painful dynamics we carry. As we visit the hurt and dis-empowering beliefs, we begin to untangle these twisted dynamics and see that there is another way, a way that serves the highest outcome for the highest good. The reframing of these wounded dynamics can begin and we develop our own set of values, beliefs and behaviors that serve our highest good and what it is we are most committed to in our lives.

The third step involves the ongoing discipline of sustaining and supportive circles and partnerships. This may include professional counseling, coaches or mentors as well as 12 step support groups or other gatherings for emotional and spiritual maturity. We attend weekend workshops and keep ourselves challenged in our continued growth and maturity. Prayer and meditation practice/s are essential here as they keep us connected to the spiritual solution that underlies all healing, growth and transformation.

Welcoming the intention for healing, courageously embracing and releasing our wounds, and the ongoing discipline of our own empowerment and recovery work create emotional and spiritual intelligence. While there is a beginning, middle and end to this process, the ongoing discipline of support and empowerment partnerships in our lives creates the foundation for manifesting our dreams and living our life purpose.

Blessings of your journey,

Sally