NGMKTG, Author at Cari Kenzie

The Quest for Clarity: Why Unclouding Ourselves is Crucial for Helping Others

NGMKTG on September 8, 2022

If you’ve ever stumbled through the labyrinth of self-discovery, you’d know the walls are often built from bricks of past trauma, hurt, and experiences. While some find themselves lost within, others quest tirelessly to find clarity. Here’s my journey through this maze and why I believe everyone should embark on it too.

Navigating The Murky Waters of the Past

When I first dipped my toes into the realms of personal growth, it was like diving into deep waters without a map. But why did I dive? Close ones frequently pondered, “Why this insatiable hunger for classes and answers? Aren’t you drained from the relentless curiosity?” The truth? I was on a mission – not just for knowledge but for becoming a conduit of clarity.

Even when I didn’t know where the compass pointed, my heart knew its ultimate destination: to become the clearest vessel possible. My dream? To be the beacon of hope for people lost in their own journeys.

The Difference Clarity Can Make

Wouldn’t the world be a tad more compassionate if everyone could tune into their rawest, most authentic selves? This isn’t about turning into therapists overnight but about being there, truly present, for someone sharing their story.

Without the baggage of our past clouding our perception, we can see them in their purest light. Reflect back love, compassion, understanding. But with our unresolved triggers, we unwittingly hijack their narrative. Suddenly, it’s our record that’s playing, our trauma overshadowing theirs. Instead of guiding them through their maze, we become trapped in ours.

When The Record Skips a Beat

Picture this: someone confides in you, and as you listen, it’s like a record smoothly playing their story. Suddenly, they touch upon a sore spot in your past. The needle screeches, jolting the record back to the beginning. The conversation has now entered a perilous zone – your discomfort. And just like that, an opportunity to guide is lost in the echoes of old wounds.

If we wish to serve, truly serve, we must journey through our internal landscapes. Face every lurking shadow, every repressed memory. It demands courage, grit, and a dollop of stubbornness. But it’s worth every teardrop.

From Personal Struggles to Collective Healing

My journey began from a place of anguish, lying awake at 4 A.M., cursing a sleeping world while wrestling with insomnia. My nights were long, plagued by frustration. But it’s this very pain that ignited my pursuit of healing.

And as I unraveled the threads of my experiences, I discovered a profound truth. If I could heal, I could help others heal. My vision became clear: to be the friend who listens without judgment, the individual who sees the inherent beauty in all.

A New Reflection Awaits

Often, our mirror reflections are distorted by past tragedies, limiting beliefs, and emotions. They hold us hostage, preventing us from recognizing our true selves. It’s a static picture. To witness our authentic selves, we must embark on the arduous journey of peeling back the layers.

One scab at a time, consistently, until the reflection transforms. And what we then see is the radiant essence of a clear vessel.

Are you ready to embark on your journey of clarity? Remember, the path to helping others often begins with understanding ourselves.

The Hidden Stories of Trauma: A Guide to Overcoming Trauma

NGMKTG on September 6, 2022

Ah, life. It can be a tad dramatic, can’t it? Sometimes, like the love child of a soap opera and an action film, life throws the unexpected our way. And that’s when the resilience of the human spirit shines. But today, let’s dive deep into a less-discussed side of the human experience: overcoming trauma. Not just the event itself, but its lingering effects.

The Silent Battles of Trauma’s Aftermath

The real tragedy of trauma isn’t the moment it occurs, but the silent battles we fight in its aftermath. It’s like that song you can’t get out of your head, constantly reminding you of its presence, often at the most inconvenient times. You see, I survived the Boston bombing. And for the longest time, I thought I was just a bystander, a mere spectator to the horrific event. But the truth? My mind and body told a different story. It was as if my psyche had taken a raincheck during the event, only to send reminders in the form of mental and physical tolls over the years.

The Undertow of Unresolved Emotions

And, of course, I’m not the only one. Some incredibly strong women who were part of that day still grapple with its memories. We often talk about not letting the villains of that day ‘win’. But here’s the catch: while saying it, their emotions tell a different tale. Tears held back. Voices choked up. A tumultuous wave of emotions trapped, waiting to manifest. Imagine it this way: the unresolved emotions are like an undertow, an unexpected force that drags you in a direction you never intended to go. It lingers beneath, occasionally pulling you down, reminding you of its presence.

Facing the Past to Embrace the Future

So, what’s the antidote? Well, it’s not as simple as one might hope. Dealing with trauma is like going through your attic and discovering an old, dusty photo album. As much as you might want to just close it and forget about it, you have to face those memories to understand the person you’ve become. Many a time, people tell me, “I don’t want to revisit it.” And you know what? I get it. Why would anyone willingly step back into a dark chapter of their life? But here’s the zinger: it’s not the traumatic event that’s the real enemy; it’s the fear of facing it. The shadow it casts over the present. You see, we’ve already lived through the trauma. But the unresolved feelings? They’re the real troublemakers.

To heal, sometimes we’ve got to rip off the bandage, look the wound in the eye, and acknowledge it. Yes, it’s going to hurt. Yes, it might bring a flood of memories. But only by confronting it can we truly move forward.

Because, my friends, we’re not just survivors of our stories; we’re the heroes of them. And every hero deserves a chance to find peace, reclaim power, and pen a brighter chapter. 🌟

Trust Yourself Enough to Know… Lessons From Harry Potter

NGMKTG on September 1, 2022

I don’t see the difference between intuition and imagination. Essentially, they are one thing. Here’s why:

Our minds are incredibly creative. They are also fantastic resources and tools that are constantly processing and upgrading, looking to utilize the information they have. What often happens, though, when we have a thought we don’t like, or when a song goes on repeat, or when someone asks us a question and our mind brings something up, the first thing we say is “Oh that’s ridiculous. There’s no way that could be true.” We shove it off to the side and dismiss it.

This comes up a lot, especially in self-work. I’ll ask people to get curious about things so we’re always asking questions to open awareness. I might ask them, “When was the first time you thought you couldn’t trust yourself?” Most often,they’ll sit there and think about it. That’s the first problem, thinking about what the answer is when they’ve already gotten it. Something has already popped up in their minds – a baby in a crib, a three year old walking around with a lollipop, a child playing on a jungle gym – and they’ll think it’s ridiculous. They think, “I don’t remember when I was a baby. There’s no way that could have happened.” When they dismiss it, however, they don’t allow their mind to bring the truth, the awareness, forward. They’ve missed exactly what we are trying to find.

When I provide the question and the clear space and let the mind do the rest, it can show up in a number of different ways. It can show up as a song that repeats in your head. When that happens, you might think, “Of course it’s going to show up. I just listened to it three times.” But the verse that’s repeating in your head is trying to tell you something. That verse is actually key to opening the door to a healing that needs to occur.

Your mind is constantly showing you the way to healing, but when we discount it and say it’s ridiculous, we slowly erode our ability to trust ourselves. When that happens, the thoughts we need to recognize to heal don’t come through, and those intuitive hits or creative sparks we long for, they are clogged as well.

Now for the Harry Potter part:

I don’t want to spoil it for anybody, but after Harry dies, and he’s crossed over, he has this big, profound conversation with Professor Dumbledore about what has happened, where he’s at, and what he can decide to do, As the professor turns to walk away Harry asks one final question. “Professor, is any of this real or is it just happening inside my head?” Dumbledore responds in his infinite wisdom “Of course it’s happening inside your head Harry. Why should that mean that it’s not real.” Now, if Harry had decided to shove that aside, to think it ridiculous, he would have completely missed the choice he had the opportunity to make and the wizarding world may not have been saved.

For me, every thought, every awareness that comes to mind is begging a question. It’s asking to be addressed in some way. I don’t believe in randomness. Every thought is meant to reveal something to you. The goal for everybody is to be open and aware, because If we don’t trust what comes to mind, we are not going to trust our intuition either.

Breaking Free from the Hamster Wheel of Life: Your Guide to Evolving

NGMKTG on August 30, 2022

Spinning endlessly in circles, going nowhere fast – sounds familiar? Welcome to the metaphorical hamster wheel of life. But here’s the silver lining: there’s an exit sign.

We’ve all experienced it – that suffocating feeling of running tirelessly on a wheel that’s taking us nowhere. The irony is, even though it might feel like we’re solo on this relentless ride, we’re actually not alone. In fact, if you were to peek over, you’d probably see others on their own wheels, mirroring your sense of exhaustion. Now, the real question is, how do we hit the brakes?

It’s Clearer from the Outside

We’ve all got that one friend who, bless their heart, falls into the same romance trap on repeat. Or that colleague who could’ve sworn they double-checked that report, only to make the same mistake for the umpteenth time. Why is it so clear when they’re stuck in a loop, yet so cloudy when it’s us?

It’s simple. We’re fabulous detectives when it comes to others. But when the magnifying glass turns inward, we often deflect. Instead of investigating our patterns, we jump straight to blaming external factors or questioning our fate with an exasperated, “Why always me?”

The Power of Perspective

The key to untangling our messy cycle lies in shifting our perspective. Zoom out a bit, view the larger tapestry, and you’ll start to recognize the stitches that have caused the knots. Once you’ve identified them, the unravelling can begin.

But here’s the catch. This isn’t just about a mental shift – it’s about a physical one too. It’s about breaking that physical barrier that stops us from taking actionable steps. And the key? It’s curiosity. We need to foster that innate inquisitiveness, trace our patterns back to their roots, and most importantly, learn.

Curiosity Didn’t Just Kill the Cat

Contrary to popular belief, curiosity can be our salvation. By posing the right questions to ourselves, by really delving into our psyche, we can identify the root cause of our repetitive behaviors. And once that lesson is absorbed, the need to recreate that particular experience evaporates. The world then morphs into a canvas, ready for us to craft our masterpiece.

Time to Create Anew

After all, why spin on a wheel when you can paint the town red, or any other color of your choosing for that matter? Once we’ve stepped off the hamster wheel, the limitless possibilities of life sprawl before us. So, what will you create today?

Just remember, the next time you spot someone else’s cycle, it might just be the universe nudging you to check your own. But with a sprinkle of wit, a dash of compassion, and a whole lot of curiosity, we can trade that hamster wheel for a canvas of endless potential.

Why Bathtub Meditation is the Ultimate Life Hack for Type A Personalities

NGMKTG on August 25, 2022

If I told you my favorite spot to meditate was in the bathtub, would you think I’ve lost my marbles? Stick with me here. Not only is it a quirky practice of mine, but it also packs a ton of wisdom. Especially if you’re someone with a dash of sass, a sprinkle of compassion, and a penchant for witty banter, much like me.

The Magic of Water and Energy

Water isn’t just the stuff we use to quench our thirst or wash away the sweat of a long day. It’s a magnificent conductor of energy, amplifying everything it touches, including our intuition. Imagine combining that with the calm, introspective state of meditation. Now, that’s where the magic happens! A water-filled tub might just be your secret chamber for unlocking insights, answers, and intuitive nudges.

Turning Passive into Active

Back in the day, traditional meditation seemed like a chore. The very idea of sitting silently for two hours, twice a day, sent my type A personality into overdrive. I mean, who has the time? That’s how my bathtub saga began. I needed a meditation that felt less like a monastic vow and more like a productive session. A doer’s form of zen, if you will.

Bathing with Purpose

No, I don’t just slip into my tub on a whim. Every dip has a purpose. Take last night, for example. My pesky eye twitch had overstayed its welcome. So, I hopped into a tub fragrant with lavender oil and salts. In that cocoon of warmth, I left my ego at the door and began my quest for answers.

One question led to another, creating a maze of thought. With every twist and turn, I found clues about my subconscious mind. The need to justify, to prove, and, at its core, to be loved. And voilà, I reached a relaxed state, ready to let the water wash away any negativity.

The Power of Trust

The bathtub is more than just a place to relax. It’s a place of trust. It’s about letting intuition guide you, trusting that the first thought, no matter how bizarre, is a breadcrumb leading you to understanding. Your mind, in all its whimsical glory, offers clues for healing and evolving. And every time we dismiss these thoughts as ‘crazy’, we weaken that intuitive muscle.

Your Invitation to Dive In

So, the next time you’re eyeing that tub, thinking of a quick soak, why not make it an introspective journey? Fill it up, slide in, and let your mind wander. Remember, all you need to do is trust.

To those skeptics rolling their eyes – give it a whirl. The worst that can happen? You’ll end up with pruney fingers and a fresh perspective. Best case scenario? You discover a powerful meditation technique tailored for the active souls among us.

Let the water be your guide. Dive deep into your thoughts. And who knows? Your bathtub might just become your sanctuary of self-awareness.

Unraveling the Mind Maze: The Harry Potter Guide to Self-Discovery

NGMKTG on August 23, 2022

Wingardium Leviosa! Alright, I won’t actually make you float, but let’s embark on a magical journey together. If you, like me, find solace in the whimsical world of Hogwarts, you’re familiar with the challenges Harry and his friends face. Today, I’m taking a page out of The Goblet of Fire to decode our very own ‘Triwizard Tournament’ – navigating the maze of our minds.

🌌 Understanding the Mind: More Maze, Less Straight Line 🌌

When life throws us curveballs, our initial instinct is to connect the dots in a linear fashion. A happened, so B must be the result. But just as you wouldn’t expect Harry to fetch the Triwizard Cup with a mere Accio, addressing our inner complexities isn’t straightforward. I argue that every experience we face is an entryway into the intricate labyrinth of our thoughts and perceptions.

Rather than viewing situations as isolated events, picture them as part of an expansive spiderweb, weaving together memories, emotions, and past traumas. To truly understand, we must venture to the source: the genesis of that misperception, wound, or limiting belief.

🧭 The Conversational Compass: Pointing Left or Right? 🧭

Many times, I find myself in enlightening conversations with my clients. They start off discussing their weekends or recent encounters, but eventually, they arrive at their core concern. A persistent feeling, a troubling work situation, or a gnawing unease. My role? To help them delve deep into their psyche.

When a client expresses feelings of being overlooked or unheard, I prod, “Recall the last time you felt this way?” With every response, we decide which direction to take in this mental maze.

Whether it’s a buried high school memory or an overlooked suggestion at a workplace, our journey always seems to navigate back to a pivotal moment – the very first time they felt unseen or disregarded.

🧶 Pulling the Thread: The Aha! Moment 🧶

Imagine finding that one thread connecting an intricate tapestry of experiences. By tracing back to that formative moment, we not only identify but also grasp it. This understanding acts as our wand, and with a gentle tug, the entire maze unravels. Suddenly, a panoramic view of interconnected experiences emerges.

That originating moment is the keystone. It provides an opportunity to delve deep, to uncover the source of that emotional blockade so that its hold can finally be relinquished.

🌟 Clearing the Path: The Magic of Self-Realization 🌟

The concept of the mind maze isn’t foreign. We’re aware of our mind’s capacity to twist, turn, and occasionally lead us astray. Yet, many a time, we don’t permit ourselves to join the dots, or when the need arises, to disentangle them.

But remember, every maze, no matter how convoluted, has an exit. And just like Harry and his friends, with perseverance, courage, and a little bit of magic (or introspection!), we too can emerge victoriously.

So, the next time you find yourself lost amidst the hedgerows of doubt or confusion, summon your inner Potterhead. Traverse that maze, pull that thread, and rediscover yourself in the process. After all, as Dumbledore wisely said, “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Now, where’s my Firebolt? 🧹✨

Optimize your journey of self-discovery with a sprinkle of magic and a dash of introspection. If you enjoyed this piece or have your own maze you’re eager to navigate, drop a comment below or reach out. Let’s make magic together!