A Variety of Heart-Centered Insights

2024 calls for an open heart

Happy New Year! As 2023 ended, I reflected on my year and my clients’, identifying themes to gain and share higher wisdom.

I also worked with my Spirit Team in prayer and meditation to identify a collective focus. Everywhere I looked, the answer came in strong – 2024 calls for an open heart.

When our heart energy is blocked, it limits us. We see things from more of a black-and-white perspective. We lean towards having to be right, and someone being wrong. We care more about the result than the journey. We miss opportunities, the chance to help someone, or the chance to heal. We spend our sacred time in ego, worry, and fear.

If you’re reading this, you’re heart-centered, and there’s a good chance you’re an empath, and a helper, a caregiver, and a beacon of love and light to many. Thank you for this and thank you for being YOU.

Sometimes, as heart-centered beings, it’s easy for us to think our heart is as open as it can be, but we can all have blind spots and close off our hearts without realizing it, almost as a way of protecting ourselves. After all, the world is heavy.

To fully embrace everything 2024 has in store – the possibilities, the growth, the lessons, and the magic – we all (including me) need to get more curious about how we can open our hearts just a tad more. That way, we can increase our love and understanding, leading to more acceptance, openness, energy, and connection with everything around us – nature, Spirit, family, friends, strangers, and more.

To help keep your heart chakra open, especially when times get tough, I put together a list of considerations to help guide you. Practice what feels right to you.

Cultivate curiosity. Asking questions, actively listening, and learning new things lead us to a space of exploration and openness. Learning about others’ lived experiences and discovering new perspectives humbles us.
Embrace forgiveness. Extend forgiveness to yourself and others. Recognize, from a deep place, that we all come into this world with different obstacles, diverse life paths, and complex soul contracts. Let go of heavy emotions that obstruct the flow of lighter, positive emotions.
Foster opportunities for profound love. For example, immerse yourself in a moving and emotional novel, volunteer at a women’s shelter, or create special moments with your grandmother, children, or friends. During these moments, be vulnerable. Allow yourself to feel all the feels, speak your truth, and engage in deep conversations about pain, dreams, and everything in between.
Work on nurturing the mind-body-soul connection of your heart chakra. Develop a gratitude practice. Incorporate chest-strengthening and stretching exercises into your routine. As much as you can, place your hands on your heart, symbolizing self-love.
Have faith in the God of your choosing. Remind yourself that chaos and adversity serve a purpose, working for our highest good. Hold onto the fierce belief that, despite challenges, love always prevails.

Sessions with Spirit offer another beautiful way to help keep your heart open. An intuitive coaching or psychic mediumship session allows you to receive loving energy from Spirit and gain heartfelt messages and advice. It would be my honor to make a Spirit connection for you, either via Zoom/Phone or at my beautiful Tampa office at Nature’s Oak Wellness Center. As an expression of gratitude for being a cherished part of my community and life’s work, and for embodying the essence of a beautiful, heart-centered being, please apply coupon code 2024 during your next booking to enjoy a $15 discount on your upcoming session.

May 2024 bring you the warmth of an open heart and countless blessings.

Sincerely,
Dr. Danielle Clark | Psychic Medium
drdanielleclark.com

PS – For the coming year and beyond, here’s an affirmation to rely on, especially in times when you find yourself closing off your heart, “I courageously choose to maintain an open heart, for keeping my heart open keeps me connected to my greatest me, my full power and potential, and that of the Universe.”

PPS – Would you like to explore more ways to bring an open heart to 2024? If so, grab your pen and journal. Reflect on a specific moment in 2023 where you felt your heart was most open. What contributed to that openness, and how can you carry those elements into 2024?

From stolen lights to inner light

Two days after my husband Ron put up the Christmas decorations, we were surprised to find our projector, which beautifully illuminated our house in red and green, had gone missing from our lawn.

Ron adorning our palm tree with lights, placing candy canes around the house and topping it all off with the projected lights, meant more than just creating a festive look for our house. It was a heartfelt effort on Ron’s part to infuse the Christmas Spirit into our home, a sentiment we’ve been reaching for amid various lows and challenges — Ron dealing with health issues, one of our cars out of commission, us grieving those in heaven we wish were here, and the realization that this Christmas is our son’s last one as a kid (he’s a high school senior, gearing up for college next year).

When Ron and I realized our projector had been stolen, we felt violated and disconnected from the world.

Rather than succumbing to anger, I purposefully allowed the impact of the event to settle within me over the course of a few days—five minutes here, ten minutes there—examining it from various perspectives.

Was this karma at play? No, I didn’t believe so. While I have most certainly done things I’m not proud of, I’m not convinced that getting my Christmas decorations swiped falls into this category.

Could this incident have a bigger story attached to it? Absolutely. Maybe the money gained from selling the projector served as a week’s worth of food for a family in need, or perhaps it allowed the person who stole it to brighten their own home with festive lights for their kids.

Could I empathize with the person who took the lights? Yes. I remembered a few indiscretions from my youth when I shoplifted. And although I learned my lessons and I’ve never engaged in theft as an adult, I could easily place myself in that person’s shoes. After all, I’ve experienced financial hardship and a sense of lack, desperation and jealousy that perhaps motivated their actions.

As I delved deeper into contemplation and curiosity, the absence of attachment to the situation found its way to me.

A few days after the theft, some of our outdoor lights that had been strung up on the house went out. I wasn’t aware of this until Ron mentioned it during a walk. Ron told me at first he wasn’t going to fix the lights because he was feeling bah humbug about the projector. But, after some thought, he made the decision not to let the tough stuff triumph.

It’s been a week since our projector got stolen. Ron and I are feeling lighter, brighter, and closer than ever, thanks to the way we’ve decided to navigate this challenge and others.

Remember, it’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters.

This holiday season, Ron and I extend our heartfelt wishes that you move through your challenges with love and light. In doing so, may you uncover a deeper sense of joy, peace, and connection.

Happy holidays.

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use when things around you are feeling tough, ‘The world is happening for me, not to me.’

PPS – Seeking a more festive Holiday Spirit vibe? Grab your pen and journal. Clarify the mood you desire for the holidays. Do you envision laughter and a bustling crowd? Is it a season of giving back or a special time for personal reflection and unhurried moments?

Define the essence you crave and unleash your creativity to bring that feeling to life. While attaining everything exactly as you wish may not be feasible—perhaps your sister can’t visit from California, or budget constraints exist—brainstorm ways to kindle the Holiday Spirit within. Shift your focus from external factors to internal ones, recognizing your ability to discover your inner light regardless of what is happening around you. It’s about tapping into your power to illuminate the holiday season feeling, regardless of what unfolds around you.

Healing your inner child

As a young child, I was a dedicated rule follower out of necessity. Survival meant adhering strictly to instructions; otherwise, I risked Dad scowling and calling me ‘stupid.’ I refrained from asking questions, spilling a drink, or making mistakes and I always avoided coloring outside the lines (literally, and if I didn’t color the entire page, including the background, Dad would berate me and call me ‘wasteful’). I did everything I could to obey my father’s definitions of ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’

Over the past two decades, I’ve embarked on a journey to unlearn this rule-bound mindset, embracing the nuanced beauty found in shades of gray. Despite this evolution, my inclination to view the world in my father’s black-and-white picture, particularly in terms of behavioral norms, rears its ugly head every now and then. It’s an automatic response ingrained deeply within me from hearing over and over how to ‘properly’ behave. Stand up straight, Danielle. Only speak when spoken to, Danielle. Do not accept things from others, not even a sandwich from your grandmother when we visit. We don’t need help from anyone. Don’t ever talk about your feelings, Danielle. No one wants to hear about your feelings…

Recently, I impulsively called my husband, Ron, at work to share little updates from my day and to chitchat. When he answered, his tone was quiet, ‘Hi babe. I just walked out of a meeting to grab your call. Give me a second.’

This sparked anxiety. The scared rule-following child within me was triggered. A surge of warmth and blood rushed to my head. I disrupted Ron’s workday. Not good of you Danielle. And Ron…Grrr, Ron. You shouldn’t have left the meeting…That’s not professional…What if you get in trouble?

As my internal turmoil intensified, Ron, upon finding a better place to talk, came back on the phone, “Babe, I’m so grateful you called. Today has been challenging, and hearing your voice means everything to me right now.” In that moment, tears welled up, and my lips curled into a smile.

I had, indeed, done ‘the right thing.’ Ron had also done ‘the right thing.’

My call to Ron served as a powerful reminder. The traumas from my past still surface occasionally, indicating the ongoing need for inner child work – Yes, healers need healing too.

This shared moment also reminded me that our intuition is our true compass and that determining ‘the right thing to do’ is only for the individual to decide. While I know all of these things, I’m always grateful for these beautiful reminders as they allow me to recenter and remember the true me – not the one that was conditioned by fears and limiting beliefs.

It’s my hope that, if it resonates with you, my reflections inspire you to reflect on your own inner child work. May this lead you to view situations and the world through the eyes and heart of your soul, allowing your intuition to consistently guide your path.

If you feel drawn to explore your inner child’s needs through a psychic mediumship session, please know I would be honored to support you in this sacred work. Together we rise.

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use when your wounded inner child gets triggered, “I have the power to cultivate a safe and nurturing space within myself, where my inner child feels heard, valued, and free to embrace the wisdom of my intuition.”

PPS – Do you want to help your inner child heal? If so, grab a pen and paper. Take a few moments to revisit a specific childhood memory that continues to stir up strong emotions. Dive into the details, allowing yourself to immerse in the feelings that arise. As you relive this moment, consider the emotions your younger self experienced and acknowledge the impact it may still have on you today. Now, close your eyes and imagine stepping into the scene of that hard event as a caring and nurturing presence. How can you offer comfort and understanding to your younger self? What words of reassurance or gestures of compassion can you provide to ease the emotional burden? Write a letter to your inner child, expressing love, support, and healing.

The stories in our bodies

There’s a saying that I 100% agree with. “The issues are in our tissues.”

This means our emotional, mental and spiritual ailments connect to our body. Simply put, if you’re experiencing something in the body, chances are, there is a deeper meaning for what is happening. If you can pinpoint the root cause, you can work to heal your whole self – mind, body and soul – so full and lasting healing takes place.

For example, I get headaches from time to time. There are moments I know exactly where they come from: I jump into my hot car without rolling down the windows and letting the AC do its thing… I have too much sugar… I have too much caffeine…

On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be a big story there, but if I look at the deeper meaning behind my headaches, it can get boiled down to a lack of patience (I know better than to hop into a car that’s been boiling in the sun) and a lack of self-discipline (I know my sugar and caffeine limits).

Other times I get headaches, there’s not an obvious reason, but when I slow down and reflect, it’s usually my soul’s way of saying, “You’ve been in your head too much… You’ve been overthinking, overworking or both… You need a time out.” When I regularly rest and do something creative, I notice my headaches become less and less frequent.

Here’s another example. I have uneven hips, sciatica and other problems that predominantly show up on the right-side of my body. An injury to my pinky toe when I was a little girl caused me to walk funny and I sit too much (I’m not proud of this one, but I am honest). I’ve had to ask myself, “What are my tissues telling me?”

When I am good about regularly attending yoga, going for walks and eating well, I notice less pain. But here is something interesting: holistically, the left-side of our body represents our feminine energy and the right-side represents our masculine energy. I notice that when I am in my masculine energy too much – spending time being structured, assertive and taking charge – I have more pain than when I am balanced in my masculine and feminine energy; the feminine side being creative and nurturing.

I encourage you to consider the concept of the stories in our bodies and see what insights about yourself you can identify. To assist you, here are a few more body and soul connections:

Is your throat sore or scratchy a lot? It could be pollen and/or it could be your throat telling you that you need to speak your truth more.
Do you have knots in your shoulders? Are they sore? Sure, it could be because of all the computer work you do, but perhaps it could also be your body’s way of telling you that you are carrying many burdens and the weight of the world on you.
In general, are your muscles stiff and tight? It could be that you’re getting older or perhaps it’s your body’s way of saying it wants you to loosen up a bit more – to laugh, to have fun and be open to new experiences.

Sincerely,

Dr. Danielle Clark | Psychic Medium
drdanielleclark.com

PS – Here’s an affirmation to strengthen your connection with your body, ‘My body is a vessel of love and information. I am always connected to its wisdom.’

PPS – Showing our body gratitude can help it heal. Grab your pen and journal. Write your body a love letter. Take the time to thank it for all that it has offered you. For example, did your body allow you to give birth, complete a 5k or heal from an illness or ailment? What parts of your body are you most grateful for? Your dad’s coffee-brown eyes? Your grandmother’s strong calves? How has your body matured over the years? What parts are you most proud of watching change? What parts have stayed the same? Once you’ve written the love letter to your vessel of love and information, try reading it aloud. Turn your thoughts into spoken words and feel the positive energy surround you.

Never assume…Get curious instead

Sometimes, my hero complex switches on and suddenly I’m in ‘rescuer mode’ trying to ‘save’ someone or ‘fix’ a situation. This heroism takes on many forms…

Recently, my husband Ron came home upset about something that happened at work. After Ron gave me the details, I jumped into a motivational speech of sorts about how he could have handled the situation differently and how he could do it better next time (I’m sure you know where this is going). When I came up for air thirty minutes later, I could see Ron was more distraught than when he got home. I asked Ron what was wrong and he expressed he didn’t need a lecture – all he needed in that moment was an ear. Not my best “donned my cape and answered the call” moment.

Here’s another example:

A few weeks ago while walking around Dunedin, I noticed my son was chatting with a stranger about 15 feet from me. Looking like he felt trapped in the conversation, I interrupted several times, yelling, ‘Come on Aaron, we have to go.’ When my son finally walked over to me, he was annoyed and told me he was having a great chat – the stranger had seen his wrestling shirt and was talking to him about his own wrestling days.

In both of these situations, I had good intentions. I love my boys fiercely and always want what’s best for them – the problem is, I assumed I knew what was best for them instead of getting curious and believing they knew what was best.

Thinking back to both situations, I picture my good intentions landing differently had I not made presumptions and asked a few questions.

Hey babe. It sounds like your day hit you like a ton of bricks…What do you need from me? How can I best support you?

Hi Aaron. Hi Stranger, it’s nice to meet you. What are you guys talking about?

Self-reflection taught me this: I need to recognize where I can soften, where I need to let go a little bit more, and where I need to trust my boys more. However, I’m not judging myself for my actions either. Jumping into “hero mode” is one way I cope with the chaos of my life and the uncontrollables of our world right now.

And so, I’ll continue to Reflect. Let go. Get curious. Shift. Repeat. All while remembering that when I sense a bat signal shining in the sky, to consider my plan before jumping in.

I’m curious. When have you jumped in to save the day – when the day didn’t need saving? Where in your life can you Reflect? Let go? Get curious? Shift? Repeat? I’d love to hear from you. Reply to this email if it calls to you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Danielle Clark | Psychic Medium
drdanielleclark.com

PS – Here’s an affirmation to help you calm the hero complex within you: ‘I trade judgment for curiosity.’

3 ways to stop self-sabotaging

Procrastinating.

Avoiding.

Using a tone that’s not from our best self, then spending the day feeling guilty about it (I know this one well from my personal experiences. I’m sorry, babe.)

Binging food, medication, alcohol or other… Or trying to be so perfect, we get lost in the minor details and never move onto the next project.

Sound familiar?

This is self-sabotage.

Self-sabotage is when we consciously or unconsciously get in our own way regarding our goals, well-being and overall higher good. The external world didn’t muck up plans, but rather our own internal world did, we did.

We self-sabotage for various reasons: low self-esteem, fear, bad habits, familiarity, and a need to be in control – just to name a few.

Simply put, self-sabotage sucks, but you already know that. My goal is to help you find ways to stop the vicious cycle.

While I can’t claim to no longer fall trap to self-sabotage, I can proudly report I’ve stopped many self-sabotage cycles in my life and I’ve helped hundreds of others do the same. Here’s what I’ve seen work.

Get honest with yourself

This one is hard, painful and scary but so worth it. Your self-sabotage is coming from YOU and before you make a plan forward, you need to acknowledge this. Start by taking a moment for yourself, going inward and reflecting. Then fill in the blanks:

I’m responsible for my words, thoughts and behaviors. I recognize that when I do X, I self-sabotage.
I have a bad habit of X, X and X.
I am scared of X so instead I do X.

Self-sabotage can also be a result of past trauma that has gone unhealed; we develop survival strategies to keep us from further harm. If you think your self-sabotage is coming from a deeper place, seek support through a life coach (remember, yours truly is here to help), therapist or other healer.

Talk + listen to all sides of yourself

Oftentimes, we end up taking an easy win and pooing on what’s best for us because we’re tired or burnt out. This can lead to poor decision-making in the moment. To minimize the chances of self-sabotaging, address the things in your life that are depleting your energy or making you feel emotionally and mentally distant.

You should also embrace your dark side. In those times when we (fill in the blank) – drink too much, shout at someone we love, go silent and detached – it’s a cry for help. That dark side is wanting more of something and it’s rearing its head because it’s not getting it. So rather than letting that dark side take hold of your day, week, year or life – be proactive and find out what that side wants. Typically, if you lean in and embrace your shadow self, you’ll realize there’s not a true ‘dark side’ in there, but rather a wounded inner-child. Ask your inner-child what it wants and then schedule some time for more fun, more chances to express yourself, etc.

Set intentions + reminders

Life is busy. Like really, really busy. It’s so chaotic, so go-go-go that sometimes we can forget who we truly are and what our goals are. This happens because we get sucked up in the noise of our surroundings: news, responsibilities, family drama, etc. To refocus and regain our equilibrium, we need to invest more time in reminding ourselves of our goals. We can do this in a variety of ways. Here are a few suggestions:

Start each morning with an intention ritual. This creates mindfulness and purpose. How this looks is for you to decide. I like waking up, not grabbing my phone first thing, and giving myself a little pep talk: Danielle, be present today. Remember, you are light and love. Get your writing done. And enjoy your writing. Be grateful for your writing gifts.
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to go on a shopping spree, here it is: Buy (or create) things that will remind you of your goals. For example, have you always wanted to go skiing in Colorado but never manage to save enough money because you always spend money on eating out? If so, buy a few Colorado t-shirts to remind you of your true goal. I have a typewriter necklace that reminds me to write.

Join me in spreading my messages of breaking judgment habits and strengthening intuition even further: forward this blog to a few family members and friends. The greater the shares, the greater the impact – They can subscribe here.

Sincerely,

Dr. Danielle Clark | Psychic Medium
drdanielleclark.com

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use when you want to break free of your self-sabotaging ways, ‘I believe in my worth and my future.’

PPS – Self-awareness is critical to preventing self-sabotage. Grab your pen and journal. When you notice yourself complaining or making excuses about why you can’t get something done, write it in your journal. Over time, you may notice a trend of what your perceived barriers are. Understanding your limiting beliefs can help you overcome them.

Manifesting your New Year’s dreams

Welcome to the New Year bright light.

2023 has a bold and accelerated quality to it. No doubt many people, including you, are looking to turn dreams into reality – but before you set out, let’s focus on approaching your dreams with the best intentions and manifesting methods possible.

The tips below will help you to create or enhance a manifesting rhythm. Incorporating these techniques will provide more ease and potential as you work towards owning the New Year.

Intention setting

When setting an intention, I recommend leaving room for beautiful unexpecteds to flow your way. To do this, don’t get too specific with what you want and when you want it. Instead, give the Universe some space and autonomy to co-create with you and work its magic. Who knows, the Universe may have something even better planned for you than you thought.

Below is an example of how you can give your intention more opportunities for possibility and expansion.

Original intention: “I want to find a boyfriend by March 1^st that meets my criteria of: a non-smoker, spiritually connected, and wanting kids within two years.”

Intention with room for unexpected possibilities: “May a new partner find their way to me in 2023 in perfect timing. May they be a beautiful fit for my soul and share many of the same core values and wants as I do.”

Bonus tip: Phrasing an intention as if it’s already yours and adding a dose of gratitude can up its vibration, giving it more energy to find you and come true. For example:

Intention with gratitude for it already being yours: “Thank you Universe for connecting me to a new partner in 2023. I am grateful that they are a beautiful fit for my soul and share many of my same core values and desires.”

Believe it’s yours

Once you’ve crafted an intention that feels right to you, it’s essential you fully believe you are worthy of receiving your intention. If you are holding doubt, fear, a lack of self-love, or any other low vibing feeling around it, be sure to work on clearing that energy. You don’t want negative energy blocking your flow of positivity.

Here are some ideas on how to clear negative energy: meditation, energy healing sessions, positive affirmations, journaling, therapy sessions, yoga and more. Select what’s right for you.

Focus, focus, focus

When we manifest, we pair our energy with Universal energy to create something and draw it to us. This takes an incredible amount of energy, dedication, and focus. That said, you’ll want to add energy to your intention every day. This will grow your energy, building it bigger and higher so that Universal energy can find you.

To grow your energy “ball” so to speak, I recommend visualization exercises. Investing a few minutes every day meditating, seeing and experiencing yourself living your intention (as an example, picturing yourself on a date with the new boyfriend and really feeling all the feels) can work wonders to bring your dream closer to reality. Creating and looking at vision boards and affirmations is also a good way to give your intention the focus and energy it needs to manifest.

Take action

Until this point, most of our manifesting efforts have been inwardly focused. Let’s chat about external efforts – You have to make a change, take a risk and get yourself out there in support of your dreams. You can take action in a variety of ways depending on what your dreams are.

Wanting to be more active? Join a fitness club or yoga class. Feel like your writing deserves some love? Submit your work to a journal or a writing contest. In the search for a soul mate? Create that dating profile. When taking action, set up a consistent schedule for your efforts so they build momentum — doing something once won’t give your dream enough energy to come true.

Bonus tip: Many people freeze when it comes to taking action because they are afraid of doing the wrong thing. From my experience, doing something, anything that shows yourself and the Universe you are trying is better than nothing. Just because you get rejected or make a mistake doesn’t mean you’re not creating positive energy to get you where you want to be.

If you’re feeling stuck on what you want 2023 to feel like and bring, schedule a 1 x 1 with me. I can psychically connect with your higher self to help uncover what your soul wants more of. I’ve already offered several of these sacred 2023 sessions, which have provided my clients with new considerations, clarity and comfort.

You may also want to check out my recent guest appearance on NBC’s Bloom TV where I sit down with Gayle Guyardo and offer insight on goal setting and staying committed to your goals.

PS – Before we part ways, I’d like to debunk a few manifesting myths:

If I say something out loud once or twice it will come true. This is false. As you can see from the above, manifesting is a process. Do not worry if you’ve ever asked for something that you don’t really want, but remember: if you feed it a lot of energy it will grow and may come true.
If you work hard at manifesting, you’ll always get what you want. This is false. I believe that we will get what we need. We have pieces of our controllable future we can influence (afterall, we have free-will), but that doesn’t mean everything we want is always in our destiny or in the highest good of our souls.
The more time I focus on manifesting, the faster my dreams will come true. This is false. Manifesting is about finding the sweet spot between dedication and trust. Too much time focused on your dreams will more than likely result in obsession, fixation and other lower energies which won’t support your goals. A little time and love go a long way.

Don’t bite the bait

One of the many many things I continue to work on in this lifetime is not ‘biting the bait’ when I feel triggered by someone else’s words or actions.

As my mentor April puts it, I need to be careful about not feeding the story, not getting drawn into others’ drama and emotions, whether it has to do directly with me or not – be it gossip, or people coming to me from a place of fear, lack or judgement. April reminds me, ‘It’s just a moment in time’ and that not everything I see and experience is for me (such good words to live by).

To remove myself from a person or situation that doesn’t serve me, I work hard to keep myself energetically, emotionally and sometimes even physically separated from the person or thing that has me feeling those extra and weighty emotions – be it mad, confused, disheartened, or other.

And while choosing to detach from unnecessary matters is a journey, I’ve made progress. Damn good progress in fact. So much so that I live my life with greater ease and pass down my wisdom in spiritual classes, my writing and in one on ones.

With the emotions of the world so high and things feeling extra chaotic, I want to share some of my practices with you so that you don’t fall into traps or jump onto hooks (my attempt at bait humor) that you should avoid.

Give these a whirl and send me a note after you’ve tried a few.

Energetic separation

Take a relaxing shower or bath using salts (I am a big fan of Epsom salt) and essential oils. While bathing, put out the intention (say it out loud or just think it) that you are dedicating this sacred time to refresh your aura. If you don’t have the time to take a shower or bath, spend a few extra minutes washing your hands, picturing old energy washing away.
Cut energetic cords; energetic cords are the invisible but very real strands of energy that connect us to people, places and things. Unhealthy cords can deplete us and keep us connected to things that don’t serve us, resulting in a host of problems including obsessively thinking about something. There are a variety of ways to cut cords. I visualize an actual cord between me and the person, place or thing and invite Archangel Michael in to literally cut the cord with his sword. It works!
Learning reiki, a Japanese energy-healing practice is an excellent way to support your energetic self.
Physical movement, sun rays, moonlight and sage also work great to cleanse and renew.

Emotional separation

Especially for us empaths, separating our feelings from others is hard. Fortunately, meditation is always a tool available to us. Meditation is one of the best ways to move beyond emotions (someone else’s and our own) to rise above and experience a situation from a high vantage point. If your mind is too active for traditional meditation, no worries. Guided meditations and walking through nature solely focused on the sounds and sensations around you also count as meditation.
Tapping is an ancient acupressure and modern psychology technique that can help us regulate our emotions. In Episode 16 of “Onwards with Dr. Danielle”, my guest Denise Funfar – Integrative Coach and Self-Compassion Mentor – walked me through a brief tapping activity. If you want to check it out, click here and start the video at minute twenty-three.

Physical separation

This one is more obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing: If you can, remove yourself from what’s trying to hook you energetically. Leave a room when your blood is boiling thanks to a rude family member or colleague. Stop stalking your ex on IG – Put the phone down! Change hair stylists if the vibe is toxic. Sit on the other side of the room when you’re watching TV if your partner is in a bad mood.
Be sure to schedule regular ‘physical separation’ breaks into your day, week and year so your body and energy can recalibrate. From time to time, treat yourself to a dinner for one. Take a solo vacation. Go hiking. Give yourself some ‘you’ time.

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use when you need the strength to separate yourself from others’ words, thoughts and feelings, ‘When I let go, I create space for something better.’

PPS – Are you uncertain if an emotion is yours or someone else’s? If so, grab your journal. For the next week, try a 3-step routine:

When you first wake up (before scrolling on your phone or watching the news), journal about how you’re feeling. Are you rested? Are you overwhelmed? Are you feeling gratitude? Get a strong baseline for how you are, separate from the world’s disturbances.
A few times during the day, capture your mood and determine what events, if any, have caused a shift.
Each night, reflect on the shifts in your emotions and what may have caused those changes. Did you show yourself self-love which caused you to feel lighter? Did Jim’s outburst cause you to feel angry when earlier in the day you felt calm?

Once you have a week or so of reflections, see what trends you can identify. Look to understand if you’re the primary one responsible for your emotions or if you let the world predominantly impact how you’re feeling. If you’re allowing external forces to make a big impact on your emotions – it’s time to make some changes and implement some more emotional, energetic and physical separation techniques.

Lean into the energy of Fall

A universal feeling most of us want more of is ease and flow. Wouldn’t you agree?

You probably wouldn’t start an intense cleaning project at 9pm because the late evening hours feel like a time for rest and creative rejuvenation. Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer feel like something too – that feeling is energy – an invitation by Mother Nature to shift.

The energy of a season can give us subtle hints of what we could lean into so that we’re in flow with the Universe – as opposed to feeling like we are swimming against the current, or like we’re trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

Ideally, we want that “go with the grain,” “I’m in the zone” kind of feeling.

When we realize how closely our lives are linked to nature, we start to experience more harmony and oneness with ourselves and the world:

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to put my senses in order.” – John Burroughs Here are some things to consider if you decide you want to lean further into the energy of Autumn and embrace the flow.

Fall is a season of rich color: deep purple leaves, bright red apples, and vibrant orange pumpkins.

How can you bring more color into your life, literally or metaphorically? Here’s a couple ideas:

Replace the outdated pictures in the living room with more colorful photos from a recent trip
Add a pop of color to your wardrobe
Fall could be an invitation to experience more color in general, like an art gallery or museum

Leaves fall in the Fall, after going through a beautiful change process.

What things could you change about yourself this season, and then let fall away?

Perhaps you could be gentler to yourself and release limiting beliefs you’ve been holding?
Maybe it’s time to re-organize your closet and let go of the clothing that no longer gives you joy?
Do you have a habit that’s more harm than good? Set aside time to kick it to the curb.

In Fall, we start to see the Sun less and it gets cooler.

How could you go inwards more?

Perhaps by reinvigorating your meditation practice or starting some reflective journaling?
Maybe scheduling more walks outside? (Psst, leave your phone at home or in your car’s console for an extra dose of solace. Worried about safety? Keep pepper spray on your keychain.)

And how could you begin to change the pace of your life and go a bit slower?

Could you remove social events on your calendar that don’t serve you?
Could you say ‘no’ a little more at work when someone asks you to take on yet another task?

Some of these ideas may click with you, and others not. To help you get a better sense of direction you could go, here are some shifts I’ve been personally making to honor the energy Fall has to offer:

I’ve been working on letting go and cutting back. I’ve canceled commitments that no longer feel right. I’m not buying and consuming as much food, giving me a deeper sense of gratitude for all I have.
To give myself more sacred time, I’ve been reading. Instead of grabbing my phone first thing in the morning and right before bed, the last few weeks I’ve been regularly enjoying the book Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks.
I’ve been making it a point to go out to go for a walk early in the AM or late at night so I can experience the magnificent weather change Mother Nature has brought.

Send me a note and tell me what Autumn shifts you’ve made or plan to make. I’d love to hear from you.

Join me in spreading my messages of breaking judgment habits and strengthening intuition even further: forward this blog to a few family members and friends. The greater the shares, the greater the impact – They can subscribe here.

Sincerely,

Dr. Danielle Clark | Psychic Medium

PS – Here’s an affirmation to help you stay grounded as you find your ease: “I embrace change and will give myself grace through this period of transition in my life.”

PPS – Still not sure where or how to find your flow in this season? Grab a pen and journal. Sometimes change doesn’t happen right away… sometimes we need to commit to a habit or lifestyle shift to see change over time. What’s something you can commit to, maybe daily or weekly, that can create positive change for you? Write down a list. Maybe it’s putting $50 more into your retirement monthly. Or 10 minutes of stretching a day to help with your everyday movements (squatting to pick up toys? Check!). Try to write down at least three ideas, then choose one. See how long you can commit! I’m rooting for you.

Life is hard

The last few months have been hard.

I was sick twice from overworking myself. When will I learn?

I got into an altercation with my boss. This one absolutely sucked as it triggered a lot of self-worth and validation issues within me.

My family and I evacuated for Hurricane Ian as we were supposed to be a direct hit. Fortunately, we are now at home safe and settled, but nonetheless, we were stressed for several days and our regular rhythm was broken.

And I’ve just felt off and a bit lost, physically and mentally. The hardest part about this is I haven’t been able to put my finger on exactly why. I’ve let my workout routine slip. I’ve found myself falling down mental rabbit holes. I’m not as happy about things that usually make me happy.

Life is hard.

Fortunately, when I was feeling at my lowest, I had beautiful friends to lean on who held space for me and shared their hard with me too, making me feel less alone.

One friend who didn’t know I’d had a rough few weeks reached out and asked if we could talk. When we did, she shared she had been having suicidal thoughts. Her vulnerability and trust in me gave me deep healing. It also gave me perspective: I wasn’t as lost as I had been telling myself. We had a beautiful open chat, and by the end of it, we both went our ways feeling lighter.

A few days later, when I texted a different friend and told her I was struggling, she said ‘me too’ and divulged she was having a ‘survival week’ (I love that phrase!) and that she was coping by smoking a butt and having a Dairy Queen ice cream in her car to escape home life for a while. This image made me chuckle, and again I was reminded that I wasn’t as alone as I felt: life can have its moments of hard for all of us.

I’m writing today to be that friend I had when I was feeling low.

Please remember, you are not alone.

Talk about your hard. Ask others to talk about their hard. Surround yourself with a balanced view of the world, the good and bad, the light and dark.

Join me in spreading my messages of breaking judgment habits and strengthening intuition even further: forward this blog to a few family members and friends. The greater the shares, the greater the impact – They can subscribe here.

Sincerely,

Dr. Danielle Clark | Psychic Medium

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use when you’re navigating a hard time, ‘I am safe, understood and supported. I trust all things will unfold in perfect timing.’

PPS – Sometimes when we’re feeling low, we forget there is beauty, hope, and positives all around us. Grab your pen and paper. Write ten things that are ‘good’ about life or specifically your life. This could be something you’re grateful for or something that makes you happy or proud. For example: Your daughter kisses you good morning every day. You have an upcoming date on the calendar you’re excited about. You just received a promotion and you’re feeling ready to manage a team. Now that you’ve written your list, place your hand on your heart as you read your list out loud, so that you feel the positive vibes your list has to offer.

Category: A Variety of Heart-Centered Insights