We are born to create. Ever asked what gets in your way?

Sunrise at the north shore of PEI. Breathtaking!

We've landed in our happy place, along the north shore of PEI for a couple of months.

To work.
To create.
To relax
To visit friends. {the neighbours were quick to welcome us when we built here and now they are great friends}.

This time around, I will spend a good portion of time creating. Creating something out of nothing. Exciting and daunting.

It is said we are born to create, and our true and authentic selves appear only when we create. Also, it's well known that there are forces working for us and many that work against us when we create:

Resistance, doubt, fears, create a cocktail of emotions that can, and often do sabotage my intentions. Like the clouds in this pic of the sunrise this morning, thoughts, emotions and feelings will fly through my mind and body rapidly and viciously. I know I cannot stop this. That is ok.

Over the years, I've come to realize these can pass through me, if I am present, confident and brave enough to wrestle with a few of the more pesky and persistent ones. It is these ones that trip me up in the past.

Not this time.

This time, it feels different. I am expecting and prepared for the resistance. The strategies I created are a unique and require lots of practice. In fact, everyone MUST do their own heavy lifting to identify what will work. I will share one below.

Everyone has a shadow self. When fear, uncertainty, pain arise, this shadow shows up. I call mine 'david'. Though it is there to keep me safe, in the end it keeps me from creating, taking risks, and sharing my gifts.

Here are few steps you can follow and see if it can work for you:

1. Name your shadow
2. Identify the thoughts, emotions that surface when it shows up. What are you doing when it surfaces? Be curious, without judgement.
3. Whisper kindly, hey '____', "thank you for trying to keep me safe and for helping. But, I got this. Shhhh, what you are saying is not helpful at this time".

Eager to hear what you think ... and have you named your shadow?