Thursday, November 06, 2008

Soul Coaching Day 5: Clutter - Energy Up/Energy Down

I love that part of our decluttering process today was noticing whether things brought our energy up/down or left it neutral. What a powerful practice! How often do we actively notice our reponses? It seems helpful too that this isn't a question of judgement. You don't have to ask yourself whether you like it or need it or anything. You simply ask, does it give me energy, take my energy or does it have no energetic impact. Great information!

How important this is also resonates with me as I pursue training in body-centred coaching. Today I did a variety of sessions, inviting clients to notice their responses to options they are considering. There is so much information that's available to us when we listen.

This up/down/neutral noticing today not only inspired decluttering for me today but also made me get into action on some things that truthfully only took a minute to do but have been draining my energy daily.

Bringing my energy down...
  • The beautiful clock I bought myself as a celebratory gift had a dead battery in it. Each day as I worked with a client, this non-ticking clock looked back at me. I went downstairs, got a battery and presto - energy up!
  • The gift that someone gave me that had all the right components (sparkly, clear) but that I simply didn't like - gone!
  • A beautiful, sparkly pink crystal sitting on my desk in a box waiting to be put up - see below.
  • My headset, a crucial coaching tool, recently stopped working. I bought a new one that works, sounds even better and has a new and improved mute button but man, oh, man, did I find it hard to throw out the old one - but I did!

Bringing my energy up...

  • The people in my life that I love
  • The beautiful, sparkly pink crystal now hanging in my window
  • Our good pot with the heavy base
  • My golden brown '70s-vibe cords (I never thought I'd be able to describe something I wore with those words but I l-o-o-o-ve them)
  • My black Geox boots
  • My green quilted bag
  • My wallet
  • Our mailbox
  • Our red couch

Thinking about the energy-up items really helped me see that I've made progress in renovating my wardrobe and around the house - which amped the energy even more! Now I'm looking forward to scooting around and seeing what you discovered on Day 5!

This month I'm exploring Denise Linn's Soul Coaching with an inspirational group of bloggers at The Next Chapter: Soul Coaching.

10 comments:

Genie Sea said...

How symbolic the journey of the pink crystal! It traveled from down energy on the desk, into the up energy hanging by the window. I can almost see it shimmering in the light and air! :)

Thank you for that wonderful image. :)

Anonymous said...

It is an interesting process, this energy up/energy down. It really helps you to see that everything, EVERYTHING is energy. Beautiful!!
Peace~
Dawn

Leah said...

i really like the energy up/down process. it reminded me of a similar technique taught by martha beck (in "steering by starlight" which i loved.) she described using it for decisions and recommended that you ask yourself if the option in question felt like constriction or like freedom. and then, as much as possible, you would go the way of freedom. it's a great process and definitely very body oriented. it takes some practice though. i don't feel like i have a great handle on feeling my own constriction/freedom sensations. sometimes it's quite obvious and other times more muddy.

Romana Mirza said...

I simply LOVE how you discovered ways to transform energy up into energy down - there is great learning in there - sometimes you just have to change context. Thanks for sharing those lists with us. I feel like today overall is definitely and Energy Up day.

ELLIE said...

loved how you walked through the process - and explained your energy up and down items/moments!!
Thanks for the inspiration you give out - makes me feel like I am not alone!
Peace--Ellie

Claudia said...

Wonderful! They´re big steps though they might seem small at first...it´s mostly little, annoying things that drain my energy too. Thanks so much for your comments on my collages - I´m really enjoying this!It´s just what I need right now.

Kara Chipoletti Jones of GriefAndCreativity dot com said...

Wonderful wonderful look at up and down! I'm thinking of doing like a week long inventory. Just jotting in my journal when I really notice something taking me up and something taking me down. And then after a week reviewing to see what the wave patterns are like... hmmm?? ;) You've got me thinking, Jamie!

*Red Couch!!* Dreamy!!!
miracles,
k-

Suzie Ridler said...

It's true, when you look at it as an energy issue, it become much more clear what is working and what isn't. Way to go Jamie! Such simple yet powerful choices have turned your energy around, especially in your office and working with your clients. You know they're also going to feel that right?! Wonderful stuff Jamie!

Lesley Myrick said...

So great that you're consciously working to bring your energy up! Decluttering always lifts my spirits and feels sooooo good afterwards. :)

Mjfontaine said...

well done !with this one it appears you have it all in hand....

wow Very Clear cut decisions about the energy drainers, even if it was hard getting rid of the headphones.