Synchronicity

Definition "the coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality" *from Merriam Webster

It was a long time ago that I learned about synchronicity. In my early 20's, I was introduced to the term by the book "The Celestine Prophecy". I had certainly experienced synchronicity before I knew it had a label, but it was the first time I started to think that perhaps many of the ideas I had tuned into were experienced by others. 

In short, I started to feel less alone.

When I first started noticing these occurrences, they were happening all the time. It felt like such a powerful feeling to know that my life was being guided by something much larger than myself. I also used it as an excuse in my younger days that there were some things in my life that were destined to happen, and that truly I could make no mistakes. The naivete of a 21-year old. Sending love to my younger self .... and a little pat on the head. (which I would have hated!)

In my 30's, I have experienced fewer synchronistic events, but they have been considerably more profound. Last weekend, I experienced one of these incidents, and it's too good not to share!

I had made a coffee date with a lovely yoga teacher I met in the Summer on Tuesday, but we had to cancel... 

Unrelated, my hubby & I had been meaning to take the kids snowboarding at Harper Mountain all winter, and finally booked it on Friday as they had the day off from school. 

The first synchronicity: This lovely yoga teacher ended up being the one giving me a snowboarding lesson. It felt so great to be on a snowboard again, and I had forgotten how much I liked it.

The second synchronicity: After the lesson was over, my daughter conned me into going up the t-bar with her, threw me off balance, and we fell over. My kneecap landed on the edge of her board, and I felt a searing pain ... I hobbled over to the lodge, and planted myself on a bench to take a look at it. The little incident ended up benching me for the day ... But then I saw the lovely yoga teacher, and she was done with teaching for the day ...

Wouldn't you know it? We ended up having coffee in the lodge!

The Universe engineered all of this perfectly for us! We ended up having a fantastic conversation and visit together - and none of this would have happened if I didn't hurt myself.

I strongly believe that there are NO coincidences in life. When you begin to believe that the Universe is on your side, working for you, at all times ... the World is Your Oyster. 

(And the secret is that you are the pearl, being perfectly formed and designed for the highest good of the Universe).

Christmas - A Time for Grieving?

Everything about this time of year insists that you must give gifts and share joy, to be happy, to fall in love... But this fantasy is not for everyone - there are many people who suffer through the holidays, they grin and bear it, and just try to make it by... There are many people around the world who's lives simply don't change while the Season is near... there still won't be enough food to eat, there certainly won't be money for buying people presents, and for some, even just staying warm and dry will be a serious struggle. 

There are many people who are going through feelings of loss and grief right now, and sometimes the holidays seem to make it worse. If you are grieving now, I want you to know this:  

You are allowed to feel however you feel at any time during your grieving period. Grief is different for everyone, and there is no right way to get through it. While I can't take away the pain you're feeling, there are some things you can do to work through your grief: 

Honour your loved ones: Create a memorial or a shrine for your loved one - with some things they liked - figurines, a special pen, even a piece of their jewelry or clothing. Also place on the shrine a candle or some flowers. Perhaps you can have a photo of them as well.

Have a release ceremony: There are so many ways to release energy from our bodies and our minds. It is such a relief to be able to unload any heavy thoughts or feelings. You can also release your loved one - with the intention of allowing them to be free from this earth. You can do a release ceremony in a few ways:

My favourite way is to simply write out what I'd like to let go of on a piece of paper - and then burn it. I also have a Buddha Board - where you write with water, and as it dries, the image slowly disappears. Other ways to do this are to make a Chinese lantern and think about what you want to release as you let it float into the air. You can do the same thing by tying thoughts (written on a piece of paper) to a helium balloon.

Give to Others: Giving your time, money or resources to someone in need forces you to get out from under your own stuff. When you extend the hands of kindness to someone who is worse off than you are, you gain a new perspective on life.

Daily Rituals: Try something different. Start your day in a new way by getting up a little earlier, listening to a great podcast, guided meditation or reading a book on a new subject. Or you can try doing yoga or a meditation before you start your day. I have recorded a special yoga class you can take for free called: Yoga for Grief & Loss. I designed this class after my Mom passed away in 2014.

Remember This: Everyone grieves differently, and you don't have to put on a fake happy face if that is not how you truly feel. You can deal with this holiday season however YOU need to. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and it's okay to let family and friends know how you're feeling. Trust me, they genuinely want to be there for you - it's just that most people don't know how.

From my heart to yours ~ Sincerely & with Love, Nicole 

Cultivating an Inner Sanctuary

When I think of a sanctuary, I imagine a large, open space with massive stone pillars, and billowing white curtains separating the space. I imagine the intoxicating scent of lilies, jasmine & magnolia flowers. I can see still gazing pools with lily pads floating on the surface. There is a beautiful swimming pool, and a few hot tubs scattered here & there. There are tables filled with artistically arranged food, and the purest water in crystal goblets. There is soft, angelic music playing in the background. I can receive Reiki, massage, sound treatments, or any other kind of bodywork imaginable - any time I wish. 

This is my inner sanctuary.

http://energyartistjulia.bigcartel.com/

You can have one, too, if you can dream one up. 

When I teach restorative yoga, I think of each moment in the class as cultivating this inner sanctuary. What would make you feel ultimately relaxed, comforted and take care of? If I come around during the class, what is it that you need from me? A gentle adjustment, a blanket to better support you in a pose, or simply a loving hand held to your forehead? 

How can I help you take care of yourself?

My mission in these very special classes is to guide you into a loving experience - but ultimately the experience is up to you. The only thing we can truly "own" is direct experience. The tricky part is that your thoughts, emotions and sometimes past experiences, can begin to change the way you view direct experience. 

I love teaching Restorative Yoga above all other forms of yoga, because it is truly about You. You become responsible for how much you are able to relax and release into the experience. You are responsible for ensuring that you feel physically comfortable during the class. And you are also responsible for your own inner sanctuary ... Using your breath to support the poses, focusing on releasing anything that no longer serves you. 

This language can sound strange for a long time .. but when you hear your yoga teacher repeating it enough times, you begin to try putting them into practice. And suddenly one day you find yourself at ease ... with everything. 

Yoga occasionally brings us profound moments of true silence, deep inner peace, and freedom. But in order to get there, we must practice. You can practice at home - even just for 5 minutes at a time - even just 10 deep belly breaths, or 3 Uujayi breaths, or a few Cat/Cows. 

And when you come to class, your body knows what's happening, and those openings are waiting to be experienced. 

Cultivate an Inner Sanctuary every day, by giving yourself moments of space and breath. Your body will thank you. Your mind will thank you. 

Here's to Inner Peace!

Love Nicole

Nicole Aracki is a yoga teacher in Kamloops, BC, Canada. Guiding You to the Light Within.
www.nicolearacki.com 
https://www.facebook.com/nicoleatmanyoga/# 

On Teaching Yoga

Last night a friend requested that I write about a day in the life of a yoga teacher ... all the ups, and all the downs of being in this profession of mine. I am pleased and excited that B requested I write on this subject, as it is an excellent opportunity for me to reflect on this role of "Yoga Teacher". 

For so long, this was what I wanted: To teach yoga full time and to immerse myself in leading classes for others. I feel privileged and honoured to guide people into their practice, and to offer unique ways to change perspectives on the practice and on the personal journey of the self. 

It is inevitable that I, too, would receive an education as I was so busy with teaching that I suffered with stress and a feeling of "no time" for me. The busiest week I had was 13 classes in one week - and to me, this was an enormous jump from a year ago when I was teaching only 3 classes per week! 

I love teaching yoga, and what I noticed when I began to teach so many classes was that the inspiration didn't run out. I feel constantly inspired by many things - my own personal practice, the way students react to what I'm offering, and the intuitive guidance that I receive is finely tuned now. In fact, I feel more inspired the more I teach! 

But what I also noticed is that if I don't take the time to clear my energy field after teaching a class, I begin to feel very heavy and tired in my own energy and I feel the need to hole myself up at home when I'm not teaching. There have been times when I hoped that I wouldn't see anyone I knew, simply because I didn't want them to see me in this strange state. 

When my schedule went over the tipping point, I felt exhausted, and had very little energy to do the things I normally do to take care of myself, like running. I didn't have much in me for the kids or my husband either, and honestly I knew that something would have to change. It wasn't worth it to do so much of something that I love, if it wasn't causing me peace, love and joy.

When I teach yoga, I open myself up to receive messages from my Guides & Gurus (who's names I don't know, and faces I've never seen). But I also open myself up to receive messages and guidance from the students in the class as well. If I'm not careful, I find that sometimes I pick up physical ailments in my own body - almost like catching a cold. I have to be proactive in taking care of Me first so that I have a strong energetic system that can fight off the energetic clinging of others.

How do I take care of myself? I believe that everybody has a "formula" for personal success, and for me it starts with self-care:

1) Daily Meditation - I practice for 30 minutes every morning as soon as I wake up. Sometimes it's breathwork, sometimes it's simple breath-focused meditation, and sometimes gentle yoga

2) Running - I try to run every other day, except when I'm training - which leads to my next component ...

3) Goalsetting - I sit down and set goals once a month! A few past goals: *feed my family with yoga $  ... *50 km Runs ... * Working at a certain studio 

4) Time Alone in Nature - I need time to go inward, to practice ceremony, and to fill myself up again with the energy of the Earth

5) Eating whole, healthy foods. Drinking lots of water. 

I recently let go of quite a few of the classes I was teaching, and I suddenly have time to focus on my self-care routines again. It is making such a difference already. I have the time and energy to run regularly again, I am able to enjoy my kids and my man again, and I am finding the time to reflect and slow down. 

As I head off to another Tony Robbins event, I feel myself buzzing with potential .. and I am SO excited to begin sharing MORE love MORE joy MORE connection and MORE peace with you all!! I have many exciting plans coming up in 2017, and I believe that all of my dreams will come true! Stay tuned in to all that is happening with me ~ Perhaps there will be a way in which I can serve you in the future.

Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again my friends!

Love Nicole 

Symbolic First Day.

And so today is a new day. I am taking my first step in comfort into my new life, and today I ask myself: How can I Serve? What Can I Offer? What Can I Teach to Others? What Am I Meant to Learn? What Is My Purpose?

How Can I Serve?

I am setting intentions today to manifest the pivotal events in my life that were meant to be, that were put in place long before I inhabited this adult body. I am ready to embrace the gifts I was in such close contact with as a child - I was so open in those formative years, and in the last year I have often reached out to my Child-Self  (Little Nicole) to guide me and to show me what it is that I have been missing. 

Last week I had a breakthrough - I was sitting in the sun on my deck, and I closed my eyes to fully immerse myself in warmth & light. Behind my eyes I could see brilliant red - and I thought "Oh, it's just the sun making me see red, I probably can't see any other colours" ... and then all I could see was Orange ... still I wasn't convinced, and thought "Well, orange is pretty close to red, I'm just tricking myself "... and then it morphed into yellow ... and then Still in disbelief, I thought "Well, if I could see green, then I would know I'm not making this up" ... and then everything was green ... and then teal ... blue ... and finally a beautiful amethyst purple.

Now this may not seem significant, so you'll need to know the backstory ...

In my 20's, when I first truly began to revisit my spiritual self, I was playing around with all kinds of modalities and tricks to get insight into my spiritual life. Playing psychic games with friends, practicing Wicca by the book, learning the art of healing through Reiki, and learning a lot about personal Will and manifestation. I remember reading about different types of intuition. Clear seeing, feeling, hearing and knowing* ... I have always experienced Clear Feeling and Clear Knowing, and was always envious of those who had the power to actually "see" visions. I never really thought it would be possible for me to experience Clairvoyance, and so I let it go, and have always relied on my ability to Feel and to Know. This development of Clear Seeing for me is truly amazing ... and I feel that this is a gift from the Universe, a demonstration of the amazing gifts available to me if I can just trust in the destiny that I was born into.

Yesterday I committed to doing a 30 Day Challenge at the Yoga Loft, and for me (and many others), it marks a new beginning in my life. It marks an opportunity to choose my next steps wisely, confidently and mindfully. When I teach yoga, I am always learning ... but when I can be a student I am immersing myself in the internal workings of my own soul ... and of my soul's connection to the Universe. I am also connecting with the other students in the class, while being led into an experience by another teacher. 

My intentions for the next 30 days are to fully immerse myself into my new life here in Kamloops ~ To finally untangle myself from the attachments of life in Quesnel. My intention is not to untie from Quesnel, because I still love that place, and have many lifelong friends and connections there. But rather to simply allow myself to become fully present in my new town, and to start trusting that I am right where I'm supposed to be.

If these words resonate with you at all, and maybe even reflect your own life, perhaps it can serve as a reminder for you to also set some new intentions in your life.

Namaste & Love ~ Nicole 


*Read more about different types of intuition at http://foreverconscious.com/which-spiritual-gift-is-your-strongest

Leaving Home ...

I realized yesterday when I looked at the calendar that it has been a YEAR since we moved away from Quesnel. I find myself reflecting on how it felt to pack up all the things in our home, and how I didn't have any idea what I would encounter in the next days/weeks and months to come. 

And of course, had I known how crazy my life would become in the following 6 months, I might have thought about the move in a little more detail. I might not have even left the threshold of our lovely home in Q-town ...

But what fun would that have been?

I have been pushed out of my comfort zone more often than I would have liked in the last year. Driving the Coquihalla Highway through the winter 4 nights a week to get my daughter to her competitive gymnastics sessions ... living in a tiny old house in Merritt where the kids shared a cold bedroom ... in a less-than-desirable neighborhood ... where the kids went to school with underprivileged children ... and in a small town where I just couldn't find a sense of connection ... 

And also where I grew into bigger shoes simply because there was no other choice. Because I was "forced" to. 

It would have been so easy to stay comfortable in Quesnel, dreaming of a life that I likely would not have been able to attain without pushing through the discomfort. I simply must say here that I don't regret a thing. Even though some of the memories of the last year of my life are "unpleasant", I continue to remind myself that this was all By Choice. So many people go through life having things happen TO them, rather than Making Things Happen. And I don't think either way is better or worse. I simply believe now that I would rather engineer my life so that I can manifest exactly what I want!

Through all this difficulty, my husband and I manifested many things ...

* We are now living in a beautiful home that has a running trail right in the backyard
* I am now working almost full time as a yoga teacher
* We are finally taking the kids to Disneyland!
* I will be presenting a workshop at the Interior Wellness Conference
* We live in the Okanagan!

There are so many other little things that have happened, and there are too many to list here.

The point of my story is this:

Sometimes life gets hard, and things begin to happen to you that you feel (in the moment) that you cannot bear. But yet, from somewhere deep within you there is this wellspring of strength that you are able to draw from. A vast and unlimited supply of energy that nourishes you *just enough* so that you can take one more step, so that you can take in the next breath of air, so that you can live out another day in an upright position. 

When you purposefully push through the limitations you have placed on yourself, you say to the Universe - YES! YES! I can handle MORE peace, more love , more joy, more excitement and more satisfaction! 

Sometimes in life we want someone to tell us what to do in order to get to that place - but I tell you this here - YOU are the one in control, and truly are the only one who can answer these questions. Deep within your own self, you know exactly what you need to to in order to feel happy and alive ... and satisfied. 
Life is never really going to feel easy. And it's not supposed to. The point of all of it is to immerse yourself in experiences. Don't take second-hand knowledge and make decisions about how you're going to "be" in this world - 

Live your own life, and gather up your experiences ... 
Make mistakes and learn your lessons ... 
Be hard on yourself, and then forgive yourself ...

If you feel stagnant, unsatisfied or unhappy in any way - make some decisions about how you really want to feel in each day. Life is too short to constantly wait for something to happen. 

I send you Peace, Love and Joy ~ Namaste, Nicole

Cows, Abundance & Letting Go

The other day I was out running and happened upon a rather large group ... of rather large Cows. They ran across the trail, seemingly out of my way, but as I began to pass by them, they all turned toward me and started charging! It was freaky, and a bit hilarious at the same time ... I haven't run that fast in quite a while!

At first, I thought that I must have been doing something wrong in order for them to chase me like that, as I don't even eat meat! I am their friend, aren't I? I began to wonder what it could mean to have such an obvious sign placed in my path like that. These occurrences, especially when animals are bringing you a message, are never by accident. They always mean something.


I began to actually research the symbolism of the Cow. She does come to symbolize abundance, fertility and the Mother. When I remembered what the Cow means to Hindus, I realized that Abundance is actually chasing me down! What better omen than to have 20 cows charging at you? 


"In Hinduism, the cow is a symbol of wealth, strength, abundance, selfless giving and a full Earthly life." - Wikipedia


I knew I had hit on the truth of the message because of the feeling it brought me ... A sense of rising energy within me, a powerful surging of purpose and meaning. A feeling of connection and elation with a touch of bliss.


My purpose and my vision through the last few months has been to touch as many peoples' lives with love and joy as I can possibly reach. My intention has been to give more than I get. To offer the very best that I can to each person I meet. And while I'm teaching yoga - I always ask that the Universe work its' magic through me so that my students can receive the offerings/messages/guidance that the Universe is trying to convey to them. I always ask that I be a clear channel so that the energy can move through me freely, and out to the desired recipient.


The trick to this surrendering of spirit and body is that I also surrender the results to the Universe. It is the process of giving someone a gift, but they will never know it was you, and you will never know how it affected them.


I don't know for sure what kind of abundance will come my way, and I don't pretend to be able to predict the future for myself. All I know for sure is that this situation reminded me that I am connected to this Earth, I am a part of it, and I relate to all beings that thrive on it. I am not separate from those creatures, even if they scare me - even if they seem like something that could take my life. If they come to me to convey messages - how separate can they actually be from me? What kind of power draws together a group of 20 cows, and me?


I am not separate from you either, dear reader. Even if we haven't spoken in months, and even if we've never met.


What if you treated everyone you encountered today as if they were a part of you - as if they were you? How would you treat the people around you? Would you treat them any differently than you do now? Something to ponder ....


Have the most lovely day ~ Namaste, Nicole

Reconnecting

This past weekend, I had the most wonderful time ...


A very dear friend of mine suggested (back in November) that we attend the Northwest Yoga Conference near Seattle last weekend. We went running in the Chuckanut Trail System, donuts at LaFeen's, countless cups of coffee, and finally made our way to conference. The road tripping is always a ton of fun! Good tunes, great company, and the kind of conversation where no one else could fit a word in edgewise ;o)


I feel recharged, reconnected and completely renewed in so many ways! I learned so much, and am eager (probably too eager) to try out the many things that I learned. But more than the things I can teach to others, I found that place deep within me that resides as a continual student of the Universe. I felt a deep reconnection to the grandeur of my internal landscape, and felt relieved and blissful that it does indeed still reside in me.


I definitely experienced some awakenings ... there is a perpetual feeling of resistance that we all hold in different parts of our bodies. This is why I believe yoga is so darn good for a person. Practicing yoga helps us to access the sad, forgotten and disturbed parts of ourselves - and once we acknowledge those places, they become children who were only looking for someone to hear and see them. And in turn, we become children too, returning to that place of innocence that eternally resides in us. We return to a state of pure possibility. We return to faith. We return to Atman ~*the essence (within us) that is eternal, unchanging, and indistinguishable from the essence of the universe.


Rubbing shoulders with over 700 happy yogis does a lot for a lady. There were so many sweet people there, always with a kind word, a compliment, and a helpful nature. And I can't say enough about how well organized everything was.


The teachers presenting workshops were beautiful, experienced yogis who teach from the heart and you can feel their energy no matter where you are in the room of so many bodies. It takes a skilled and accomplished teacher to make 80 people feel "seen" during a 2 hour workshop. I am inspired. I am renewed. I am healed!



*from thefreedictionary.com

The Wait is Over!!!

After a long, Challenging winter of driving the Coquihalla up to 7 times a week (often twice in a day), of living in a tiny house where the kids share a bedroom, and the cat & the dog learned how to get along. After what seemed like a never-ending wait for a job offer my husband finally received. (In order to even apply for this job, my husband had to drive over the Connector to Kelowna for a job fair in the middle of winter - multiple times.)


There were so many times in this transition that I thought we had made a terrible mistake in leaving our comfort zone, our friends, family, and a huge circle of support. I wanted to quit and just move back "home" where I would know people walking down the street, where my smiles would be returned, where I would be loved and accepted.


But every damn day, my husband and I focused on the reasons we had for making this move, for stepping out of our comfort zones, for having a huge vision for our lives. We woke up on either side of the bed, and practiced gratitude together. We sent love out to everyone we know, and then to the world, the galaxy, and the Universe. AND we focused on goals. We both have lofty ones, and I honestly didn't know that I had such desires inside of me ... But these weren't "wishes" I was focusing on, these were goals. Goals require work. Personal work on the innerscape of my psyche and taking a good look at the imprints of beliefs that were overlaying everything I believe about myself. Not all of this is pretty, and I admit, I am will be untangling these beliefs for a while longer ... 


Through all of this, I reached the threshold of what I thought was all I could bear, and I would realize that there was another hairpin corner up ahead - it just looked like the top for a moment. So I had to hang tough, to be strong and to stay focused on what I wanted. I had to be stubborn and to want this new life badly enough that I would just. keep. going. The same way I do in an Ultramarathon. You haven't had enough until your faculties are dull and your mind is fuzzy, and you're forgetting to drink water, and then you realize you only have 5 kilometres to go. Then the beast comes out. And she did come out in me.


We made a trip to our Quesnel house to grab the last few things we had inadvertently left behind (and ran out of gusto, leaving a trampoline and other things - I'm sorry new owners ...). Saying goodbye was one of the hardest things. And I'm not sure when I really felt myself letting go of my Quesnel life. On some level, I envy those blessed souls who are able to remain, because I never thought I would leave. I watched others leave, and thought "No, not me, I won't leave this amazing place". I had everything I needed, but I felt a call to my name that there was a part of my journey that would need me to step up, and step out.


I haven't taken my final bow out of Quesnel, because I have friends there, and I love the running trails. I also intend to keep teaching at Edgewood Farm during the summer, as well as co-host a retreat with Veronica again. But I can tell you that I have some Major plans for our new home in Kamloops. We move into our new home Easter weekend!!!


I will be taking bookings for visitors starting April 1st ;o)


Thank you for all your love & support along the way.

Finding Dharma

After months of waiting, the wave has finally broken! We will finally be moving to Kamloops at the end of next month!!!


These last few months have tested my patience greatly, and caused stress in my life - something that I continuously work to avoid. But all suffering is necessary and almost always leads to some conclusions.


For me, this waiting period led me to some pretty massive emotional breakthroughs. It pushed me up against the most fearful parts of myself - the parts that are terrified of rejection, need to feel a sense of security to survive, and of the lady in me who's incredibly scared to let her kids down in any way.


I was also forced to face my feelings of inadequacy, my confidence, and the driving force in my life. Which I figured out is a great desire for independence, freedom and space, in whatever I am doing.


I realized through this that the work we do on ourselves is never done, and this is something that I've heard successful people say. But I never thought I would get there in my own mind to actually see it. There is always going to be another challenge that comes up in our lives - it's how we approach it that will determine whether we look at our outcomes as successes or failures. For instance, as I come out of this dark period of winter, I look at the thoughts that I've been able to get under control, and at the formidable way that I have gone above and beyond in order to work towards my goals.


Diving into these deep-seated emotional issues is not easy work. But you're the only one who can do this work on yourself. Don't turn away from the things that frighten you, but rather go towards them with curiosity, love and acceptance. No healer, shaman or witch could perform on you the transformations that are required in order to excel in your life. You are your own Shaman. You are the guardian of your own heart. You are your own light, and when you are able to remove the stuck emotional baggage, your vision will be clear and free. It is in these moments of clarity that you will see your own personal truth, and at this pivotal point, you will have the power to live out your purpose. Your Dharma.


Sincerely and With Love,
Nicole

Receive Your Lessons Well

Do you ever feel like you're learning the same lessons over and over? It seems that there can be many aspects to those BIG life lessons that repeat themselves (just in case you missed anything the first time around).


For me, I learn over and over that things don't usually happen when you WANT them to, but rather when it's meant for you. And I have found, and am finding, that this is unequivocally true. It seems as though the Universe sometimes says to me "Now, now, Nicole, try not to rush this ...".


Oh, the wisdom of childhood - my Mom always used to tell me to hurry up! Maybe little Nicole knew what she was doing ...


Having moved to a new place and all, I was feeling some difficulties in finding a sense of belonging. It is really hard to move somewhere where you don't know a soul! And I seem to forget that people need time to get to know me and to trust me. So I get a little impatient. Come on people - I am totally amazing, super fun, nice, gentle and very accepting!


I admit, I was starting to feel pretty frustrated about many aspects of my life - living situation, town, driving, and even work! I had one day where I felt like complete sh*t ... I was down in the dumps about all of it, and beginning to wonder if we had made a mistake leaving that comfortable Comfort Zone. I even went to bed feeling pretty down on myself.


Lo and behold, the following day, I woke up and made extra time to meditate, do yoga and to just get refocused. I went for a run in the snowy hills. I played with my dog. And I slowly began to think that everything was going to work out. The day after that, the good news started to pour in - and it wasn't just one piece of good news - it was one after another after another!


The clouds seem to be parting, and the ice slowly cracking across the frozen lakes of my internal winter, and I am finding my way home through my heart. And I realize that the way home is always through the heart - the route never changed, it was just something I had forgotten. But the Universe rewarded me with this flood of good news because I made myself ready for the goodness to come. Without being in that primed state, the news might not have come to me as clearly, or have had the impact that it did.


I think it's pretty human to not quite understand the messages we receive throughout our lifetimes. It is all part of the process to be young, impulsive, and to think we can force things to happen in our lives. But our higher selves always know what's best for us, what we need at any given time, and how to frame situations so that lessons can be learned. When you receive the gift of an epiphany about your life, it is a huge high that catapults us into the next level of our being.


My wish for you is that you receive your lessons well, for the highest good of everyone, everywhere.


Namaste ~ Nicole

The Best Year Yet.

I'm reading an awful lot about making 2016 the

Best Year Ever!!

 letting go of old crap that no longer serves you, getting healthy, getting fit, sharing love, Fully participating and being present in life.

I woke up this morning and decided that I simply want to live my life from a place of love <3 If all my actions come from this Seat of Love, I know that I have done my very best! Whatever this means to you, my friends, I honour your desire to change, to improve, to harness ... and most importantly to take the first step, because everything that follows after you take this crucial step is carried forward with a kind of momentum that you don't expect.


When you live without expectation of reward and praise, you open your heart up to the possibilities of self-healing, and you finally are able to say "I DID this. I AM amazing!" I know that I repeat this theme a lot, but for me to say this out loud in this public forum, I continually reach out to the world and continue to spread love, light and possibility to those who have agreed with me, but still seem to be waiting on the sideline.


Stop pretending that you're a wallflower, darling. We are all meant to Shine, to sparkle, to become the very best version that we can be. A version that the ghosts of our old selves will be so incredibly proud of. And when you are approaching the reward of self-love, you will want your old self to grab your hand - you will want to bring this version with you. And she won't be able to ... because at that point in time, she will slowly begin to fade away ... And the transformation will be complete.


I wish you the best year yet. I wish you love. I wish you peace. I wish you joy, and celebration, and the satisfaction that comes with a consistent practice that feeds your soul.


Happy New Year!
Namaste, Nicole

Hope and Faith

There have been times, during these last few months, when I felt like all I had to my name was my faith. I have practiced gratitude, sent out love, and visualized the things I want each and every day for the last 5 months. I did not falter on this practice, even when I was incredibly stressed out, exhausted and feeling flat. I continued, even though we have been sleeping on a mattress on the floor, even though our kids have been sharing a room, even though the cat is dying one day, and defying me the next.


I kept on going.


There is a light at the end of the tunnel ... it means I still have a little ways to go for my visualizations to become real, but it means that Hope has joined with Faith. {It's a little too soon to tell, but there is a very real possibility that our situation will be adjusted sometime in the beginning of the new year ... }


You have to keep wishing for what you want, and planning on what you'll do once it finally arrives. Sometimes things don't happen as quickly as you would like them to, but it's because the Universe always has a massive action plan that serves the highest good of all involved. Sometimes, like my accident scene story, there are many people involved. Like the woman I met from Merritt who I will be helping to facilitate "Heart Circles", the miniature show horse I gave Reiki to, the woman who got into the accident, the one hundred or so people who were delayed in getting to Kamloops. For each person who was "inconvenienced" by this accident, there was a specific reason that it happened to them. Some needed to learn patience, some were held back in order to be placed in another person's path, some needed to see what it felt like to hit black ice and not be able to stop ... and on and on the lessons go.


My point is that even with this light at the end of the tunnel, I feel completely exhausted. This period of time in my life has been one of the most challenging, and as I write that, I can strangely see that it's not even close to some of the other challenges I have faced. The only difference is the way the stress has physically manifested itself in my body. But this too, shall soon pass, and there will be a new challenge awaiting me on the horizon.


All I truly want is to make some big memories with my family, like going to Disneyland, taking them on a trip to Europe, and dipping our toes in some oceans. For myself, I want to experience the joy of delivering Yoga classes to people in the most connected and genuine way that I can. I also yearn to get my 1000 hours of teaching experience so that I can help to train other yoga teachers! I will help people who are dying with the beautiful lessons I learned from my Mom. I will nurture my marriage and always honour my husband's personal destiny by giving him the freedom to express himself. We learned a few years ago that the gift of freedom is the gift of joy.


Sometimes life can be a struggle, and you feel like you are trying to swim against the flow, and honestly this is what growth feels like. It is uncomfortable to be reborn! But in order to grow, this is what we must endure if we ever want to finally use those bigger shoes we have been saving. Thich Nhat Hahn wrote that when we live in the past, we live with the ghosts of our former selves, as we are dying every moment. We are not the same as we were from the beginning of this blog post to now. Growing takes time, and it takes longer when we have to drag around baggage from the past, and so it is best to let it go a little at a time.


How I managed to get to the place I am in now is simply a matter of hard work, dedication, practice, faith, love and lots of gratitude. Pushing out of my comfort zone was rooted in all of these practices for me, and I always had those certainties to draw from. I have more travelling to do, in so many ways, but if I continue to trust and accept the process of growing, there is absolutely no limit to what I can do.


And if I can do it my friends, You Can Too.


Namaste,
Nicole

The Speed of My Life

Slowly ... day by day ... my new life is beginning to take shape. It seemed as though "God" had placed a pause on many aspects of my life, and pressed fast play on others. If I am continuing to go with the flow, I have realized that sometimes parts of the river get hung up on rocks, or caught in eddies and whirlpools. I think I have a lot to learn about accepting the process!


All of a sudden, this week, my day planner is starting to fill up with yoga classes! Subsequently, I feel the immediate stress of being a working Mom, but I am doing my best to take care of myself daily. Unfortunately, some days I literally don't have time! So it's chanting OM in the car, or making sure to pack myself raw veggies or a gorgeous smoothie. This morning I was able to practice yoga - and even had a 5 minute Savasana! (For any other yoga teachers out there, you'll understand how precious this was).


It is nice to feel wanted though, as I feel that I have so much to offer, and I don't enjoy being stagnant. It's not my favourite. I absolutely love to teach yoga, and it doesn't really matter who I'm teaching or where I'm teaching. If the students are receptive, well that is all I need!


Yesterday, I think my new schedule caught up to me though. I woke up in a complete fog, with my sinuses congested, and feeling cold ... because the furnace was blowing out cold air - Shriek! I had to leave earlier than usual to get my car serviced in Kamloops. So I grabbed a coffee and hopped onto the Coquihalla Highway ... heading the wrong way! Ugh. So I drove to the next exit and got going in the right direction. All went fairly well on the drive, but after I paid for the work on my car, I backed out of my parking spot - right into a wall. Thank goodness it wasn't a car or horribly worse, a person ... I'm normally such a careful driver. Clearly I was not living in the moment or I would have seen the wall!


Lesson learned. Pay attention Nicole. Be here NOW.


Perhaps it is the residual energy of that spectacular Full Moon a few days ago, combined with the thinning of the veil between the worlds as we approach Halloween. I feel that this Saturday will be an excellent time for manifesting our desires, and I fully intend to do a solitary circle on Halloween to do just that. I am hoping that I will be able to feel my Mom's presence as well.


Whatever I do today, however, I will be sure to stay present, stay focused and stay energized!!


Nicole

Plunging Into Faith

In my household we are in the middle of making some huge changes. We have decided to make a move to another town, which was something I did not want to do for the longest time. I am so comfortable in this community, I know so many people now, I have some incredibly close friends that I do not want to leave, I know the trails here, I know where all the businesses are, I have my favourite lakes and spots on the river ... and there are so many more reasons - too many to list.

So why would I willingly decide to make a move, when there are so many reasons to stay?

Well, it's like this: My husband and I have both been wanting more for so long ... We are on the edge of our seats looking for adventure, and challenge and Change. It is time to step into our true potential - and that means stepping out of my Comfort Zone. After attending the Anthony Robbins seminar, we both feel so changed. And a huge part of our transformation is putting all of our knowledge to the test. We are both ready to Step Up, to Change, to step into bigger shoes ...

I feel as though I am looking out at the Grand Canyon, absolutely transfixed by the grandeur and the beauty, when I suddenly notice I am standing on the very edge of the cliff. I have no safety net, no parachute, no climbing rope to save me. All I know is that I have an incredibly strong feeling that if I allow myself to free-fall from the edge, I am guaranteed to experience even MORE grandeur and beauty than I can see in my immediate view.


Many of us talk about the idea that things always work out perfectly when there are a lot of unknowns in our lives. In fact, almost everybody I speak to about our decision has stated this very sentence. We do not have a job offer, we do not have an offer on our house, we have absolutely nothing to cling to but Faith.

It is that faith, my friends, that I cling to. I work everyday on having grace in my situation. I have no plans to teach any yoga until we move. I say I am on sabbatical in order to finish writing my course "How to Die" - a subject that is very close to my heart since my Mama passed away last summer. I cannot believe how quickly I am writing it, but I suppose that is what daily dedication does for a person. I cannot wait to share this work with the world. My hope is that I can help people find some grace and peace in the process of dying ... something my own Mom modelled in her last few months. I am forever grateful for those lessons.

So why move? Why Change? Why Grow? Why Try?

Because I am tired of surviving - I want to Thrive!!! I am ready for whatever the Universe has planned for me - and I'm pretty sure it's something BIG! I fully place my trust and faith in the Universe to choose my path, and I willingly surrender to whatever my purpose is on this big green earth. I am ready to go.

I don't really know how many people this blog touches, but I continue to write, because I feel a strong pull to share my experiences with others. I don't know if I have helped anyone, or sparked anything in anyone, as a result of the things I've written. All I have is the faith that this public journal is here for a reason. So, to You, reader, I say Thank You for reading. Thank you for supporting this venture of mine, and for supporting my Destiny. Thank you for taking the time to read these words - in sheer gratitude and Love,

Namaste - the Light in Me sees the Light in You,
Nicole

Letting Go ...

Most people have a tendency to try and control situations in their lives. Sometimes we experiment with trying to control people, pets, the weather, traffic, and line-ups. We all walk around with a moral code that we believe others should be aware of, and should adhere to accordingly. When people, pets, traffic, etc. do not behave in the way we want them to, it creates in us a feeling of uncertainty, rigidness and fear. And what can come out of this place, if we cannot keep such beliefs in check, are things that are not in the flow of a happy and balanced life.

It is not our fault that we slip into these patterns so easily, of course. The mind is an admirable opponent that is constantly coming up with new ways in which to create your reality. Your job is to work on harnessing this most amazing power of the mind in order to actually serve you in your life. Think about what kind of world we could live in if everybody everywhere were making an effort to use the power of the mind for good! It would be fabulous ...

But I might be getting ahead of myself AND my mind might be trying to control others again ...

No, we must begin with our own selves, of course, because all you can actually control in this life are your own actions. I am always working on my own formula for success, and I find that I must wake up each day and meditate. Sometimes it feels extremely challenging to sit still and to quiet the mind, but I am learning that a "scattered" meditation is actually productive too. It serves as a place where I can vent, emotionally and mentally. If I can just acknowledge my tensions, emotions and thoughts, it seems to diffuse them quite a bit.

There is no right way to meditate. There is only your way - the way that works for you, and this is where you can actually begin to harness this powerful mind of yours, because meditation does require a strong and stubborn will. It requires a drive from within to keep coming back to the breath, to remain focused on a mantra, to breathe into physical sensations. Sometimes you have to ignore that your back or hips are sore from sitting. And sometimes you have a breakthrough that allows you to actually surrender to the moment. Sometimes meditation is everything you thought it would be, and you may feel a deep and vast connection to something bigger than yourself. Sometimes you actually tap into a sense of peace and bliss.

Often we do not feel these beautiful experiences until much later, because the lessons take some time to be fully absorbed into our consciousness.

All of this is okay. Sitting for meditation each and every day gives a person the opportunity to see the patterns of thought that circulate in our minds. These habitual thoughts will shy away from the spotlight once they are caught, because once you recognize the trouble they are causing, it simply will not be worth it to hang onto them. You will have the ability to Let Go ....

And when you start with your own self and begin the art of letting go, the traffic, the weather, other people, pets and line-ups seem a whole lot less important and you can let go of that stuff too ...

Sincerely,
Nicole Aracki

Is the Universe Trying to Tell You Something?

I have been playing with an idea lately, sort of testing the Universe, if you will. My game has been this: I do things without any mindfulness of soul, and strangely they do not work out. As soon as I bring myself in line with the energy of the Universe, by embracing the things that are truly in my own heart, the world seems to be my oyster.

It seems that when I am in that place of wanting to provide connection, love, trust and security, it only works under specific conditions. I have to clear away all signs of hesitation, reluctance, and overthinking of any kind. I have to know that what I am trying to provide is pure. It seems that when I try too hard to please others, I get a million obstacles thrown in my path, and the moment that I decide to take the reins and dive into the uncertainty, is the moment that my intentions are realized to their fullest potential.

So it might be that the Universe is trying to tell me something.

Sometimes I feel that I might burst open with all of the ideas that circulate in my heart and mind ... Honestly, it's like all the seeds that I have planted (in the form of ideas), are all trying to push to the surface all at once. When I get this feeling, I know with certainty that it is time to create something new. Most often, this comes to fruition in the form of a yoga class or workshop offering. When I begin to put down on paper the (many) ideas that are flowing, there are almost always moments where I hesitate. "Will they understand this?" "Maybe this is too far out there, too Flaky" "What if this makes people uncomfortable?" "What if they walk out because I've offended them?"

... the dialogue goes on and on. It does not help the creative process.

But you know what? I'm beginning to realize that if I make an offering, the people who are meant to be there will be there. They will show up because something inside of them felt a calling, a draw, a pull, to experience the garden that was created through these hands. 

There is nothing I would like more than to be everything to everyone, in all ways, but that is not reality. I know that the things that come through me are not for everyone, because quite honestly, I have some powerful things to share. What I am offering is an opportunity for transformation. What I offer is not always going to be easy - for me or my participants - but I can tell you that what I offer, if truly embraced, can bring about enormous change. The consistency of your practice after that is on you, because the people who win the races aren't always the ones with natural ability - sometimes they are the ones who showed up to practice Every Single Day. That consistency can bring you the most beautiful things.

And for me, I am learning the great power of allowing the Universe to move through me, and trusting that whatever I am asked to do is for the greater good. I will try to honour this truth with every endeavor I undertake.

Namaste - Nicole

Emotions and Memories

It always comes back to how you feel inside of your own body, mind and spirit. There is something so unforgettable about the kinds of memories that involved all three of these aspects of ourselves. When each part of these ethereal bodies are passing the time by communicating strongly with each other, you know that you have found a sweet spot in your life.

I have many memories that tie in all three of these aspects, but I would like to share the most profound with you today - the life-changers:

1 ~ When I received my Reiki training in the late 1990's. I was recovering from ... my teen years that were steeped in avoidance and denial ... from the transition: highschool to a full time job ... late nights every night ... becoming a woman ...

Sometimes the Universe sets up a perfect storm for us so that when we are lying flat on our backs in the dark, and we finally open our eyes we are looking UP towards the light.

When I received my Reiki training, I was instantly cradled by strangers - mostly women, and a handful of deeply nurturing men. I wept and I cried and I released all the pressure that was built up inside, all the wretched angst of teenhood, all the ways in which I thought I wasn't good enough. I left it on the table, and my angels mopped it up.

2 ~ After I had my second child, I suffered from some pretty nasty anxiety. I had found a friend, a fellow mom, to collaborate with in our healing journeys. We practiced tons of energy work together, held circles to release our struggles, ate delicious food and celebrated evenings while the children slept. There were many beautiful experiences, visions and emotional releases that we shared. It was a special and transformative time, albeit a difficult time.

3 ~ When I travelled to Mexico for my yoga teacher training. I was 33 (double digit years are always amazing). The kids were still quite little, and I couldn't believe that the Universe had opened up this opportunity for me to travel to Mexico to become a yoga teacher ~ It was absolutely amazing. I learned a technique there on how to allow myself to truly acknowledge the emotions that I was feeling. It was the final piece of the puzzle that allowed me to finally let go of the crippling anxiety I had been feeling.

I cried a million tears in those 16 days. I truly felt myself being cleansed by those tears. All the people who were there with me - we all cried together, we supported one another and I will feel forever forged to the memories I have from that time.


Sometimes I find it difficult to remember exactly what it was like before I did this emotional work for myself. But I suppose it is better to be forgetful - this way you are not giving the emotional junk a "story", because the Ego thrives off of stories ... When you ask "why am I feeling this way", rather than allowing yourself to feel it completely, you create a resistance, a stumbling block on your way, a place to pause and conjure up a story about why you are this way. From there the Ego becomes free to create a way in which to stagnate your growth even more by delaying you from actually feeling uncomfortable.

When you simply allow yourself to feel what you're feeling, you open up to the opportunity to release the feeling. It is certainly not the easiest path, because it can feel messy and out of control. It can feel like you're not being strong, that you don't have time to be down and out for even an hour, let alone a week or longer.

Sometimes you aren't given a choice as to whether or not you feel ready to let the emotions go ... sometimes it is just your time, and there is not a thing you can do to stop the tears from falling.

Let yourself feel it. It is so much easier.

Peace and love to you from me ~ Nicole