03/01/2016 | eaglespi | Leave a comment Stop ‘should-ing’ on yourself and I guarantee you will go gracefully into 2016! So many clients come with their shoulders tucked up tight to their ears because they have burdened themselves with a list of to-dos that sound something like, “I should do this,” or “I shouldn’t do that.” They are creating guilt with their thoughts and words making their bodies tense and blocking their energy somewhere between their hearts and their heads. Does this ever happen to you? Do you find yourself ‘should-ing’ on yourself? STOP IT. Stop it now. No more wallowing in the past or whipping yourself into a frenzy with long lists to accomplish before you will find yourself acceptable. Instead, how about carrying loving and compassionate thoughts for self and others into 2016. This concept of being mindful of what we carry through our days reminds me of the story of two monks “Two monks were on a pilgrimage. One day, they came to a deep river. At the edge of the river, a young woman sat weeping, because she was afraid to cross the river without help. She begged the two monks to help her. The younger monk turned his back. The members of their order were forbidden to touch a woman. But the older monk picked up the woman without a word and carried her across the river. He put her down on the far side and continued his journey. The younger monk came after him, scolding him and berating him for breaking his vows. He went on this way for a long time. Finally, at the end of the day the older monk turned to the younger one. “I only carried her across the river. You have been carrying her all day.” (this version comes from http://www.taoism.net/articles/zenart.htm) Imagine that you could let go of all that you are carrying now. The perceptions of yourself and others. Old hurts. Even old dreams! Imagine erasing all the old stories and starting fresh. The beginning of each year is typically a time we give ourselves permission to do just that. So let us begin again fresh in 2016. What could your life be like if you thoughtfully and lovingly checked in with yourself and really saw who you are now? How differently might you feel if you found out that some of the things you are carrying, aren’t even yours? Empaths will totally identify with this one as we can unintentionally become energetic sponges as we soak up others’ emotional trauma and/or physical pain. That is why Empath 101 teaches over 20 different tips and tools so you can stand in your power and strength rather than being bounced about by others’ energies! Will you make the same decisions now without the stories? Will you behave the same with friends and family? Will you even be working in the same job? Truly every moment you are new again. Let go of the old stories you are carrying and begin again. Reclaim your power to choose your life. You can do it! EagleSpirit, a Contemporary Shaman, has worked for over 20 years to help clients relax their bodies, release limiting beliefs and radiate their most authentic selves. As the creator of Empath 101 Empowerment program she speaks to groups internationally, facilitates the month-long course that has changed lives and is often featured in the media for her grounded approach to spirituality. Visit here for more details about Empath 101 and contact us if you would like to sponsor the program in your area. Email to find our about personalized Soul Journeys or private sessions. You deserve to feel Soul Good!