Smooth Sailing - How to face the "storms" in life?

With the beautiful summer around the corner, I was impressed by all the sailboats I have seen on Lake Ontario. I'm fascinated by their simplicity and beauty; however, I know how much work goes into it. For smooth sailing includes: teamwork, dedication, knowledge, expertise, and perseverance. 

​A few years ago, with my girlfriends, I went on a sailing trip to Greece for 10 days. I thought to myself how wonderful it would be to learn how to sail, spend some time with friends exploring the islands, and to get a nice tan on top of a beautiful yacht. Eight of us decided to book this trip, the next thing you know is, we were arriving at the airport in the Ionian islands. As we got to the boats we realized, they were much smaller than we thought, (and not exactly very luxurious). After a quick introduction on how to sail, we were off. Ten days of island hopping! We had a set route we had to accomplish, and a certain amount of distance to complete, to finish the trip and to keep up with the twenty other boats, flotilla.

Little did we know what was on the horizon? On the first day, our four boats with the eight girls were lost because we didn't follow the compass. Thank God one of the skippers realized this and came to save us. The next nine days were a combination of: learning how to handle the boat in various weather conditions, how to get along with your sailing partner, and to enjoy the ride and scenery, (despite the adversities that come along with learning how to sail.) It was a wonderful trip that I will always remember. We laughed together, saw some amazingly beautiful islands, tasted fresh fish in the many villages, and were fascinated by the secluded beaches along the way. It definitely taught me a few lessons.

Life is very similar in that way: We have our boat that we are trying to steer in the right direction. Of course, there are many factors that will ultimately determine if our journey will be smooth sailing or if we will encounter some rough waters along the way. 

My mission with Chakra balancing and Life Coaching is to provide you with the proper understanding of your vessel so that you can efficiently navigate towards your desired destiny. 

What are some of the important determinants to smooth sailing in your everyday life?

1. Never give up! Have faith that things will work out for the better: 
Everybody at some point in their lives faces a storm, whether at work, or at home with the family. At times such as grief or loss, it is very easy to lose faith. Trusting in God and the universe, will give you the strength to go on, and also allow your guardian angels/spirit guides to give you assistance. Research shows that people with faith are able to better deal with adversities in life.

2. Have the most knowledge or expertise you can gain: 
In every situation, do your research; learn what needs to get done to be successful. Whether getting a job promotion, or a divorce? Make sure you educate yourself of the new responsibilities you need in order to get everything done in an efficient manner. Prepare yourself for whatever might come your way! Have a map and a compass with you.

3. Team work or support group:
Life is easier when you are surrounded by a group of people you can trust & rely on, whether it is family or our friends. Release those people who don't serve you best, and keep the ones you know you can trust. "A friend in need is a friend indeed.”  Release any resentment to family, and accept them for who they are. It is hard to change certain people, so it is better to focus on their strengths. The bigger your support group, the better you can turn to them. Teamwork is important part of life. When you get tired or run down, let someone else take over the leadership, and share the responsibilities. 

4. Keep your body as healthy as you can:
A daily regimen of eating healthy and exercise is important to stay fit and maintain optimal health. You don't need to be a fitness competitor to enjoy a Zumba or a Yoga class. Research shows that exercise can be an effective way to lift the spirit, and combat stress. Also, exercising, and a healthy diet helps to keep your cholesterol and blood pressure low. Watch out for any chemicals or addictive (alcohol, sugar, smoking)! In the long run, any addictive can have a negative effect on your body and mind. Buying organic food goes a long way. In order to navigate your boat right, you'll need to stay fit and focused! 

5. Learn tools and techniques to manage your stress levels:
Everyone has a favorite activity in life that helps him/her relax. Whether it's listening to music, going for a walk or a swim, meditating, spending time with friends going out, in nature, or with family, some healthier than others. Meditating has many benefits, including reducing stress levels, anxiety and elevating the spirit and feelings of well-being. There are a number of meditation techniques available, so make sure you pick one that works best for your lifestyle & needs. 

Meditation has a stigma of being "boring." But how can it be boring to be with yourself, to really discover your inner beauty? Meditating is not about sitting silently, it's about exploring how to listen and to communicate with your higher self. This activity helps strengthen your balance in times of need.

Other consideration:

6. Choose a route/plan that is aligned with you! Don't go against the wind:   
A good captain is someone who can help navigate you when you are unsure of your path and what lies ahead. How will you steer your boat in the next little while? It depends on you & your calling! You have many directions you can choose from. You can grow your little boat into a bigger vessel with the many friends and family members you choose to enroll on your journey.  

Where do you want to go? Which direction? What's your destination? How will you get there? Everyone has a specific life purpose, so create your own wonderful journey! Make a difference in your life, and those around you! You carry the light within you! It certainly takes a lot to get where you want to be. If you are in tuned in with yourself, you'll know you're on the right path. The universe will be on your side, and you'll feel like everything is taken care of for you and goes smoothly! 

People come to me when they feel they have lost themselves throughout this journey in life. I help to clear away any sort of impurities or blockages from the energetic field so your path is more of the pure essence. This alignment allows you to connect with your higher life purpose, and to find out the answers you need in order to take the next steps. Then when used in conjunction with the meditation techniques/tools that I teach, I guarantee that you'll be able to whether any storm and transform your life into a smooth sailing adventure. When you feel peaceful and harmonious in your body-mind-spirit, everything falls into place. 

There's no sailing without weather, but once you master the skills, you will be better equipped to steer your life to your dream destination! 

So enjoy the ride! Happy sailing through life's beautiful journey!
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Marta Melinda Pap is a Life Coach and Holistic Health Practitioner, Reiki Master/Teacher, Crystal Therapist at Atlernative Healer Toronto. She founded Alternative Healer in 2011 to help busy professionals find more balance in their lives. She used to work in the corporate field and tested her tools & techniques. Make sure you try her chakra alignment treatment as it works! Also she can guide you as an empowerment coach through any challenges/changes in life so you can live a more purposeful life. Her clients are highly appreciative of her skills and what she offers to the world!