GET EMPTY
Last February I had the privilege of meeting Jamie Winship and attending one of his presentations on identity.
Jamie has spent nearly 30 years living and working in conflict zones, and during that time he has learned an important truth: all human conflict originates from fear, and fear originates from a false view of God, ourselves, and others. And until we exchange what's false for what's real, we will never experience being fully alive, fully human, and fully free.
It was a fascinating engagement that had me reflecting on my fears, anxieties, and burdens. And how they were shaping my world view and ultimately my identity.
On the first morning Jamie spoke, I learned a powerful exercise called “Get Empty”.
And getting empty means letting go of our fears, anxieties, lies, and dark baggage we carry in exchange for something more beautiful and hopeful.
So, give yourself a much-needed break and get somewhere free from distractions, because I’m going to teach you how to get empty.
STEP 1 - IMAGINE
Imagine you’re in a place you really love. Somewhere you feel safe. Somewhere that makes your heart smile. Somewhere that makes you breathe and feel fully present.
It can be a real place you’ve been to, a place you’ve never actually visited, or a place you’ve only heard of.
Make sure you feel a tangible sense of being there before moving on to the next step.
Close your eyes for a moment if you have to.
STEP 2 - IDENTIFY
Ask yourself, what in your life is producing fear and anxiety in this moment? Or maybe it’s producing anger? Or another difficult emotion?
Be honest. Be clear.
Name it while you’re safe in the imagined place you love.
STEP 3 - LOCATE
Where in your body do you feel your burden?
Physical sensations is one channel of our emotions. So, you may feel your jaw tense, your chest tighten, your fist clench, or your stomach knot up.
Or you might feel it somewhere else in your body.
Tune in and notice where you feel your anxiety, fear, panic, anger, or any emotion that has been weighing you down.
Put your hand on where you feel it.
STEP 4 - COST
Ask yourself, what is it costing me to maintain this feeling?
Is it costing you your peace? Your presence? Your health? Your relationships?
Maybe it’s costing more than one precious currency in your life.
STEP 5 - LOVE
Now, let love be with you.
What does unconditional love look like with you there right now?
Is it a visible energy like light? Is it in the form of a person you know or admire? Is it how you imagine or see God, the divine, or the universe?
Let it appear however it chooses to reveal itself to you.
STEP 6 - FREEDOM
Now free yourself and give your burden over to love.
Visualize handing over all the emotional baggage that has been weighing you down.
Don’t hold onto it. You’ve held it long enough.
STEP 7 - EXCHANGE
Ask love what it wants you to have in exchange for the burden.
Is it hope? Peace? Breath? Belonging? Strength? Confidence? A deep sense of love itself?
Write it down and hold onto it.
Focus on it. Relish in it. Put it in front of you.
Keep it on your desk. Post it to your mirror. Write it on your hand.
And don’t wrestle back the burden you gave in exchange for what you’ve been given.
SO NOW WHAT?
Grip tightly to the memory of this exercise.
Don’t let it slip from your grasp.
You’ve given up your burden. Now go live lighter.
If you’re interested in taking this further, you can schedule a free consultation call with me to see if personal coaching would help you Rescue Your Dreams™ so you can transform your reality.
Click HERE for my Calendly link!
And if you’d like some insight into how to find your voice in this world, bounce over to Rescue Your Dreams™ A Podcast to Save the Life You Forgot You Wanted and check out my interview with Benjamin Jay Thomas.
Ever upward!