Written by: Ginger Carlson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
There come times in all our lives when we know we need to transform, evolve, and become new versions of ourselves. When we can do this with an intentional framework guiding us, it can appear to take on a magical feeling and even be relatively “easy”. I call this process Life Alchemy, that is when we dare to awaken to life’s inevitable changes and challenges and take action to transform them into a new reality.
Waking the Alchemy of Humanness
In talking with my business coach last week, she reminded me how many major “life stressors” I dealt with throughout the last year. You know the list: the one including the death of a loved one, divorce, moving, financial burdens, etc. These kinds of stressors are no joke; they can cause us to do everything from overeat to putting ourselves at risk of losing billions of dollars. There is almost no major life stressor I haven’t had in my life at one time or another, but this year, I count seven from the list.
“Yet,” my coach reminded me, “you have made it look like you have dealt with it all with such ease… like going through it all in green.” Yes, I suppose I have, but only because I use the tools. Anybody can do it when they have the right tools. You can too.
The Four Dimensions of Life Alchemy
When you are getting started with soul work, meaning an exploration of who you feel you are meant to be, there are four dimensions you must explore and be aware of before you can take action toward your transformation, your Life Alchemy. Doing so will lead you toward your total Aliveness. These four dimensions are Intention, Integrity, Inspiration, and Innovation. When those four i’s intersect for you, you begin to get clearer, and your actions will begin to align.
Intentionality is what we do on and with purpose. These are the decisions we make for how we will BE in the world, and the deliberateness we bring to our actions and interactions.
Integrity is the values you hold that drive your actions. Exploring integrity is the process of uncovering your value system, what’s important to you, what bubbles to the surface, what grounds you, and where there might be conflicts.
Inspiration. Inspiration is being drawn and stimulated to take your next great, creative step. Inspiration can come from anywhere, including research, exemplars, best practices, evidence of mastery, spirituality, nature, the beauty you find in your world, inspiring words, images, etc. The possibilities for inspiration are endless yet also unique to you, so be a keen and open listener and observer.
Innovation is the creation of something new that comes from bringing everything together and then creating something new, novel, and different that CHANGES your previous practices, habits, and ways of being in the world. This is what ultimately leads to a joyful, engaged life.
When you make reflection and action your habit then you will have taken the first step in becoming more aware of who you are, what you value, what inspires you, and what you want for your life. Then you will be a Life Alchemist!
Stay persistent in this journey, and you won’t regret it. The muscles you’ll build through becoming a Life Alchemist are deep and wide. You will learn to access depth, use that depth in how you interact with ideas and the world, and open yourself to new possibilities, potential, growth, and thriving!
Still need a little inspiration? Here’s a piece that might help:
Everything drops to its knees and begs for light
Don't even consider for a second
You are not wild enough
To draw that light in
To inspire it to dance
Collide with its own radiance
And birth a new kind of star
Dr. Ginger Carlson is a thinker and creator. She transforms challenges into possibilities, division into bridges, and tragedy into triumph. Her motto: Bliss is a Verb!
Ginger Carlson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr. Ginger Carlson is a thinker and creator. She transforms challenges into possibilities, division into bridges, and tragedy into triumph. Her motto: Bliss is a Verb!
