As we enter the final quarter of 2024, it’s important to reflect on how much you’ve grown this year. Amid all the changes happening both around us and in our personal lives, how will you move forward with a perspective of hope? This mindset is what will carry us through the remainder of the year and into 2025.
How will you stay inspired and feel alive?
Science increasingly supports the idea that feeling what we desire for the future can help create it, as evidenced by these sources:
- Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Emotional intelligence research shows that individuals who manage their emotions and maintain positive states tend to achieve their goals more successfully. Daniel Goleman’s work suggests that emotional awareness and regulation are key to fostering motivation, persistence, and resilience—qualities essential for creating what we desire.
- Dispenza, J. (2012). Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One. Neuroscientist Dr. Joe Dispenza explains that thoughts combined with elevated emotions can "reprogram" the brain’s neural pathways. His research shows that focusing intensely on a future goal signals the brain to act as if that future is already happening, making it easier for individuals to take actions aligned with their goals.
- Rizzolatti, G., & Craighero, L. (2004). The Mirror-Neuron System. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 27, 169–192. The discovery of mirror neurons suggests that when we imagine or observe emotions, our brain behaves as if we’re experiencing them. This might explain why visualizing and feeling a desired future can prime the brain to move toward it. Mirror neurons help create a mental simulation of the desired state, encouraging actions aligned with that emotional state.
These and other studies suggest that feeling and visualizing the emotions tied to our desires can have a tangible impact on goal achievement. Drawing from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral research, they provide a fact-based validation for this process.
Here are a few steps to help activate your "feeling consciousness" and begin creating what’s next in your work and life:
- Activate Your Navel Point The navel point, also known as the 3rd chakra, is associated with focus, bodily awareness, and personal power. I like to think of it as activating your "soul power." Exercises like sit-ups, leg lifts, pelvic tilts, and breath of fire help activate and balance this point, grounding and energizing you. Practicing these exercises for 1-3 minutes each day can dramatically improve your attention and reduce stress.
- Visualize with Feeling After activating your navel point, sit quietly and allow your breath to move at a natural pace. Visualize what you desire, and feel it deeply in every cell of your body. Imagine how you’ll feel when it becomes a reality and the impact it will have on your life. Practice shifting into this feeling state with your visualization until it feels like you already have what you’re seeking.
This practice not only helps you co-create what you desire, but it also shifts your emotions to more positive states, changing your brain and body chemistry in the process. You begin to feel as if you already have what you want, and this supports you in bringing it into existence.
Lots of activities this month to cultivate HOPE:
- If you live in or near Golden, CO, come take my Chakra Magic class every Thursday: WelcomeGoddess.com
- Dream Tending: Harness the Wisdom of Dreams Monday nights @ 7 pm MT Starts October 28 - https://momence.com/s/106553409 Imagine a practice that nurtures your creativity and innovation. Picture yourself forming deeper, more meaningful connections. Envision being part of an emerging solution that helps build a better future for yourself and others.
- To support you in cultivating a practice of hope, check out my online course The Be Whole Journey.
Let’s support each other in cultivating HOPE.
