These tools are a result of nearly a decade of going into the inquiry and ultimately the discovery of routines, rituals and modalities that really support my life. Over the years and within the years, each stage brings about a different need and therefore a different form of support.
Right now, these are the 10 tools I use every single week to stay grounded, connected, inspired and motivated.
Right now, these are the 10 tools I use every single week to stay grounded, connected, inspired and motivated.
1. Oracle and Tarot Cards
- Tarot cards - tend to be a bit more traditional - they have a specific number of cards per deck with the same message.
- Oracle cards - these have all kinds of messages, graphics and themes.
- How I use them : Every Sunday evening (sometimes Monday morning) I pull from two different decks. I hold the cards in my hand with my favorite crystal on top. I ask the deck, "What message do I need today AND as I move through this week?" With the crystal in hand, I knock the deck three times and then start the shuffle the cards. ALWAYS a card flip out, won't shuffle back it - it becomes clearly very quickly.
- Then, I put that card facedown so I cannot see the image or the message and I do the same thing with the second deck.
- Once I have both cards pulled, then I flip them over, look at the image and start to read the message. I write the message down in my journal (well, at lease the points that stand out most to me).
- I also use this information as part of my weekly board (point #5).
- My favorite decks at the moment :
1. Sacred Rebels Oracle By Alana Fairchild
2. Work Your Light by Rebecca Campbell
3. Keepers of Light by Kyle Gray
4. Light-worker Oracle by Alana Fairchild
5. The Mother's Wisdom Deck
2. Morning Pages :
- This is the first thing I do when I wake up (on most mornings).
- I click the coffee pot on (I prepare it the night before)
- Get a glass of water and vitamins.
- Then head into my office and open my computer directly to my morning pages, something inspired by Julia Cameron's book, The Artists Way!
- What this is, is a document where I free write. Some mornings it's 5 minutes, some mornings its 20 minutes. I quickly found that typing it is so much more supportive that writing it as my writing cannot keep up with my thinking, my hand starts to hurt pretty quickly and lets be honest, I can’t read more than half of what I write, so I type. I have a google doc that's running. I title it with the date and then just express from there.
- This is so supportive as it creates a mirror for me to reflect my thoughts back to me and see them in a new light.
3. Nature Walks :
- This time, in a nonnegotiable that I schedule these into my weeks.
- It's a space and time where there is no music, no podcasts. Just me, my pups and nature
- I shared a bit about this in Episode o4 of The Living Courageously Podcast - The 7 ways to create an intentional and courageous week.
- Why is this so important?
- I became so incredibly inspired.
- Gives my space to really reflect and see things from a different perspective.
- I talk to myself in the form of voice memos.
- I became so incredibly inspired.
4. Being a Human Pendulum :
- Months ago, when listening to one of my biggest inspirations and teachers, Rachel Hollis, she mentioned being a human pendulum. Everything is my being stopped and became so curious. She actually didn’t go into the process, but I knew exactly what it meant and was.
- A pendulum, is usually something you hold in one hand (usually your less dominant hand). And then hold it above your opposite hand (usually the more dominant one). You ask it a question and it will start to move, really giving you an answer.
- A human pendulum is doing it with your physical body. Here is how you do it :
- Root boot feet on the earth, preferably barefoot.
- Take a few moments to really connect with your feat on the ground and your hands out to the side.
- Invite your guides, you angels, your protector, your teachers - any higher powers that are supportive to you. Then, ask "Universe, please show me my yes." Then, your body will start moving. Most of the time with side to side or forward or back. It will become very clear what it is. Then, thank spirit and shake your body out.
- Root back down on your feet and ask the universe, "Please show me my no." The body will start to move in a different pattern. Again, either side to side or forward or back, but usually in the opposite order. Again, thank spirit for the answer.
- Then, ask your question (always best with yes or no questions) - "Universe, should I share this content today?" Then, your body will start to move in a particular direction.
- I use it in my own life and with my coaching clients and it's profound the answers that come so clearly and quickly.
- Remember, the body never lies.
5. My Weekly Board :
- If you follow along on instagram, which you should @ashleystrongsmith_ you might have seen this as I share it periodically!
- Every Sunday evening (sometimes early Monday morning) I prepare my board. It's a white board that is hanging just above my desk.
- I have these specific items on it :
- Card pull for the week - As mentioned in step #1 of this process, I pull cards every week. I write down the words, phrases and messages that really resonate with where I am in that moment and use this to stay grounded and inspired throughout the week.
- Primary focus - This is all about how I want to feel, what I want to embody. For example, patience, presence, grace, honoring the process, remembering to breathe.
- Theme - This is something that I am aspiring to create, wanting to really cultivate and manifest in my life. For example, this weeks is, "dream a new world into existence!"
- My tops for each day - This is inspired by top 3 or 5 main items that need to get done everyday! In the season of life, there are far more than that but these are things that have to happen that day. Anything from action items to meetings to appointments.
- Question for the week - This is something I am curious about, asking myself and want to bring into my week. For example, this past weekend I got my Reiki I attunement. So this week, my question is, "How can I incorporate Reiki into my days and practice to better support myself and my clients?"
- Affirmations - These are I AM statements. Things I am embodying. "I am present. I am a badass. I am an inspiration."
- Think and Grow Rich - This is from the book, "Think and Grow Rich." In there, he has a very specific formula.... I (insert name) am making (insert money) by (insert what you're doing to make that money) by (insert a time). The more specific and clear you are to the universe, the more the universe can support you.
- Broken Seatbelts - These are those nagging things that need to be fixed or need attention. Does your car need an oil change? Does the fridge light need to be replaced? What small things can you take care of to release that space and energy in your mind.
6. Using a Physical Planner :
- I know this is old school but there is something so gratifying and satisfying about seeing the colors, writing it out, getting to make notes, going back to those notes. Not having to use my phone or computer for another thing.
7. Having a Library of Books :
- The universe sends messages and when you're open and ready to receive it, they come in. For me, an expression of this is always through books. After hearing a book title mentioned two times in a pretty short amount of time, I know it's time for me to explore that book. I feel grateful in that I purchase it and add it to my library. I always read the first couple chapters of the book. Sometimes I finish it, other times I just take what I need for that time. Either way, it gets put in a special place, off my bookshelf until I read it in it's entirety.
- Right now, what’s in my stack of books :
- The prosperous coach by Steve Chandler and Rich Litvin
- The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
- The artist Way by Julia Cameron
- Original Wisdom by Donna Bond
- Your Heart’s Desire by Sonia Choquette
- Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields
8. Having a Journal and Pen :
- Always near me when I’m reading, working on in an engaging conversation.
- Words are so powerful.
- Questions even more powerful.
- With this, I want to have access to and the accessibility of documenting these very words and questions and to me, its a deeper way of imprinting it in my being.
9. Using Candles, Incense, Essential Oils and Sage :
- I use them to bless and cleanse my physical space.
- I start my mornings with adding an essential oil into the diffuser (usually a lemon, lemongrass or peppermint oil).
- Whenever I am working, I have a candle lit at my desk.
- When I need to refresh the space, my house or want to be inspired throughout the day, I light an incense.
- After I've cleaned the house, I sage it to then clean the energy of the space.
10. “Earthing” throughout the day.
- This is also known as "grounding."
- It is literally the act and art of putting my feet on the ground, lifting my face to the sun, getting some fresh air, recharging my battery with natural vitamin D!
- It's a time to rest, reset and replenish!
Still Curious? All of these are detailed and outlined in
Episode 06 of The Living Courageously Podcast!
