Follow The Energy! Are You Draining Or Enhancing Your Energy?

What is life like when you allow yourself to engage in those people, places and activities that naturally light you up, inspire and restore you?  When was the last time you actually allowed yourself to do this whole-heartedly on a regular basis?

Unfortunately, in our society, it’s wildly common for people to be engaged in activities, environments, agreements and relationships that feel draining.  We settle for the drab or exhausting job because it pays well.  We continue in our almost-exactly-what-I-want relationship because it’s good enough and it’s nice to cuddle occasionally.  We go out with friends who are toxic because it’s better than being alone.  Can you feel the energy suck happening here?  I’m feeling depressed even writing this!  How much of your life is made up of things that drain your authentic shine rather than fuel it?

When we can begin to honor what our true feelings are inside, then we open the door to an ocean of untapped potential, vitality, power and joy that is waiting to be unleashed and experienced within.  What type of people do you truly long to spend time with?  If money wasn’t an issue, how would you spend your waking hours and what would you contribute to our world?  What activities, places and people naturally light you up at this time? 

Identifying Energy Drainers & Energy Enhancers:
Before we can fully consider this, it’s important to define what an energy drainer is and what an energy enhancer is.  Energy drainers are activities, people, thoughts, habits, environments, foods, etc. that DEPLETE you of energy or that feel draining to you.  After engaging in an energy drainer, you may feel slightly down, you may feel tired or be second guessing yourself; you may be full of doubt or feel as though you need to go for a run or take a shower to “wash” the bad energy off of you.  Energy enhancers are commitments, activities, people, thoughts, habits, environments, foods, meditations, etc. that ENHANCE your energy or make your feel more alive!  After spending time with an energy enhancer, you will likely feel inspired, you may feel more light or stronger in your body, you may feel more awake and refreshed and you will believe in yourself and your dreams more whole heartedly.  Energy enhancers restore our faith in ourselves and in life.  They give us a sense of inner peace or add an extra hop to our step.  You may find yourself smiling or singing after spending time with an energy enhancer.

To identify your energy drainers and enhancers, I recommend the following exercise: 
Make two columns on a piece of paper.  On the left hand side write down energy drainers and write down your energy enhancers on the right.  Make a list right away of people, situations and things you know deplete you and those that you know energize you.  Then, throughout the week notice: Did that food I just ate energize me or deplete me?  Did that meeting I had with that person energize me or deplete me?  Did that walk through the park energize me or deplete me?  Really take a look at how you are feeling during each activity, interaction or choice that you engage in.  Make sure to add to your lists throughout the week.

Follow The Energy!
Now, for the real challenge, practice following the energy!  Follow those things that bring you alive and restore you.  Be relentlessly committed to following through on the energy givers in your life and practice saying no to all that drains you.  If it’s an energy drainer and it’s not aligned with your higher vibration and dreams, then don’t put your energy towards it.  Preserving our energy for only things that bring us alive will ensure that we are living in alignment with our dreams. 

Following the energy is similar to following your intuition, yet it’s more dialed in.  It’s about really feeling into what brings you alive and following through on that even if you’re afraid.  My invitation to you is to be deliberate about what you’re putting your energy towards in your life.  This doesn’t mean letting go of responsibilities and not paying our bills because we don’t enjoy that task.  Rather, this is about practicing discernment.  This is about practicing self love and self respect.  This is about honoring what you long for deep down inside and taking the risk to make it part of your life for real so that you can create a bridge that will take you from where you are now to where you wish to be.

The Thing That Stops Us Short:
Here’s the deal.  We always know what’s best for us and what brings us the most joy and vitality.  The problem is that we’re afraid to own it.  We’re afraid to rock the boat, to offend someone, and most of all… we’re afraid that we’ll end up alone, broke or bored. 

Yet living a life that is rich, full of energy, abundant and wildly fulfilling requires that we take risks.  It requires that we follow the energy even if our knees are shaking and we are so stuck in our own drama of how it might be risky to do so.  It’s your job and responsibility to be the pioneer of this new path in your life.  You get to be the pioneer who follows the energy by coming out of invisibility, speaking your truth, following through on what you know is best for you and making resonant choices that bring you alive.  We are building a new muscle here. It’s time to only say yes to all those things that bring you closer to your dream, that take you to the experience of life that you long for.

On A Personal Note:
As we shift into the winter months and near the holiday season, there can be a lot of pressure to stay busy, extroverted and outwardly focused.  Personally, after a wonderfully prolific and successful 2013, I found that this fall, as the days shortened and the temperature dropped, I experienced a profound need to go inward.  My desire to be quiet and internal was so strong that it actually surprised me.  After putting so much energy out in the form of my life’s work this year (did you check out my awesome course ALIGNED or my transformational Reignite Your Radiance Retreat?) and enjoying thoroughly, I suddenly needed to restore my energy.  Instead of the usual social activities, projects and group programs that typically invigorate me, I found that what energized me most was curling up on the couch with a good book and indulging in the occasional afternoon nap.  I even took a 4-day personal retreat to some natural hot springs all by myself in October.  On one level it felt risky to do this as I always want to provide great content for you and stay engaged with those of you who take my classes regularly.  Yet I chose instead to trust that following the energy in my life would lead me to the right path.  I know that these days my energy enhancers are coming in the form of yummy, home cooked meals, cozy nights on the couch, quiet walks alone and taking a break from holding space for others.  I know that following this inward desire will lead me to yet another prolific, exciting and creative phase in my life that I’ll get to share with you.  Following our true energy ALWAYS leads us to a healthy, loving, abundant and fulfilling place.  Guaranteed.

My Invitation To You:
My invitation to you this season is to tune into yourself even more.  Practice discernment and follow through on your energy enhancers.  Honor yourself and what you truly long for.  I promise it will lead you to the place you want to be… and if you’re lucky, it will take you even further… to the place beyond your wildest expectations.

Here’s to your energy!

Shine On!

Love,
Rony