Today's exercise in Soul Coaching is to identify the things that drain your energy and those that boost it. I know that I sometimes end up in a cycle where I feel too drained to get myself together to do the things that boost me, so I carry on doing the things that drain me. Then I feel exhausted and cranky and self-critical. I'm taking  my journal to bed with me to work through it, but here are a few things that I know, without even thinking about it too much.

What are yours?

This month I'm working through some exercises from Soul Coaching, along with a group of inspirational people over at The Next Chapter.  Go on and have a look, you never know what messages the universe may be trying to send you.

The Soul Coaching process is organised around the 4 elements and spends a week in each. I've missed air but have come in at the start of water. I have a few ideas of how to best make time for air, especially as it concerns clutter in your home, mind and life, which is a big issue for me. The first day of water concerned identifying turning points in our lives. I've made a few notes, but will be exploring it further as it meshes in with some exploration I am doing in one of my art classes with the theme of mapping.

Today was about examining the meaning you give your life. Each day, the author, Denise Linn offers 3 levels of task for the day's theme, each tailored to different time commitments. My copy of the book only arrived today, so I wanted to read up to today's pages. I also wanted to do something for yesterday's task too. So for now, for both days I chose the level 1 task.

I was already in bed, slightly dreading tomorrow at work. I knew I needed a bath but also that I could get away with a quick wash in the morning. Then I read Denise Linn's suggestion to cleanse part of your home or body in a deliberate and ritualistic way. I decided to have that bath after all as a symbol of my commitment to living more deliberately. As I did so, I thought about the meaning of what I was doing and it's significance in the context of my life at this moment. Some surprising thoughts surfaced. I'm a little bit embarassed to share some of them, but in the interest of being truthful and possibly helping others through their Soul Coaching, here they are.

As I washed my hair...
I am washing away doubt and worry, keeping my mind open to this moment and all that it brings with it.

As I washed my face...
I am washing away deceit, leaving my face open for truth and openess, showing fear and sorrow, joy and love.

As I washed my body...
I am washing away everyday dirt and superficial worries, in gratitude to my body for its strength, health and readiness for everything I ask of it.

As I pumiced my feet...
I am scrubbing the miles from my feet, they are past. My feet will carry me through whatever is next.

As I shaved my legs...
I am preparing myself for the professional challenges I must face. I will be ready for them and greet them openly.

That last one made me laugh, and I hesitate to share it, but it is so significant, as the biggest challenge I face at the moment is a professional one. It is an exciting opportunity, but I have very mixed feelings about it, so this declaration of readiness is crucial.

It has been such a time of change for me over the past year or so. Then, just when I thought I had it all figured out, the road ahead was diverted along a new route (as is so often the case in life!).  I was reading about Soul Coaching on Megg's blog, and a lot of what she has been talking about really resonated with me. I found out a little more and I've ordered the book. There's a blog hosting people working through it together in November, and I thought I would join in. If it's not something that appeals to you, feel free to ignore these posts, but if you're doing it too, or are interested, please share your experiences or ask me about it.