Every now and again, a situation occurs and it goes dark. I’m not talking dark with city lights around so you can still see your surroundings. I mean pitch ass black — like I’m on an ocean liner in the middle of the Atlantic with no thing around for hundreds of miles. Pitch. Ass. Black. After torturing myself with fearful stories for what seems like an eternity, I remember. I remember who I am.
Inspired by an assignment for a class at my church, I created My Sexy Spiritual Toolkit. When life is a cluster, I open this box and find the practices/tools to assist in guiding me back to my Intrinsic Radiance.
1. Affirmations — I use affirmation as a reminder of my spiritual truth: I am whole and complete. It’s all that ever was true and all that will ever be true. I have evolved to know this in my core. When the pain I am in consumes me, I anchor in this truth. A favorite affirmation is, “I am powerful, deliberate, co-creator.” I’d like to claim this as my own brilliance but I’m not sure if I jacked it from Esther and Jerry Hicks Law of Attraction.
2. Makeup Brush — The brush reminds me that I am the artist of my life. For 29 years I held to the story that I am not creative since I didn’t paint, dance, sing, act, play an instrument, etc. Taking classes at my church opened my mind to new possibilities and dissolved the stories. I have since been writing a lot more and publishing works online. I also published my Intrinsic Radiance Facebook page. I am creative!
3. Band-Aids — Sometimes I get lost in the dark. I fumble around bumping into things and hurting myself, believing the seductive lies of the fearful child within. I have small, medium, and large bandages for times I really mess myself up. When it hurts enough I usually remember I have a choice to create my life. This choice allows space to be playful.
4. Frog — When I’m lighthearted and playful life is magical. It’s an adventure. I remember that my ego is crazy making and laugh at myself and the stories my ego has me buying into every day. It’s really not the end of the world. It’s all good. The frog makes me smile and feel good.
5. Flashlight — Light banishes darkness. My intrinsic radiance may have been covered up or dimmed during struggles, but it was never completely out. It’s impossible! The flashlight reminds me of my inner light. I courageously take a step forward directly into fear and shine my light.
6. Ring — With my light shining I feel good. I am more apt to align and operate from my wholeness. I keep a ring in my kit to symbolize my wholeness and commitment to myself.
7. Power of Now — When I’m operating from wholeness I can remember to stay (mostly) present. Presence brings me to the now. The moment of creation. Anything in the past or future is irrelevant, as only the present moment exists. I open this powerful book to reflect upon the wisdom contained within.
8. Affirmative Prayer — Presence means I am aware of the moment at hand. When aware I’m readily able to identify that I am out of alignment by assessing my feelings. I use the powerful tool of affirmative prayer to recognize Source, declare my wholeness and union with Source, and claim my power, abundance, clarity, freedom, love, peace, etc. It’s exhilarating to state my truth and claim it now.
9. Japa Mala — AKA Hindu prayer beads. I haven’t explored much in the way of mantra meditation with beads, but this visual reminds me I have an option to meditate in any way I choose. Meditation is my way of connecting with and listening to my divine.
This is not a magical box I open then everything undesirable drifts away. Rather, it is a reminder to anchor in Source. I can talk, read and write about these practices all I want. Or I can just hush up and use them, seeing what works for the moment. Action commands results. I liken it to a re-training of the brain. These tools aid in soothing the self-inflicted suffering from habitual negative thinking. I’m always pleasantly surprised and reminded that the peace of God is within.
