How to live consciously

Consciousness is simply awareness.

When we choose to live consciously, we are bringing awareness to our existence. Both internally and externally. You may be aware of either one of them, or both. You might be hyper-aware or not aware at all.

Sometimes being conscious is like choosing the red pill in the Matrix movie. You can never go back to being unaware of the thing you became aware of. The journey is ongoing. Always opening, to new awareness. It is the thing we need to do to heal and grow.

When we choose to live consciously, it is like looking at the invisible cage we have unknowingly placed or found ourselves in.

Our mind likes to make meaning out of our experiences, we like to tell stories for fun, connection, and validation. We like to make sense of life, so it feels safe. Not knowing why things happen, creates fear and uncertainty. We have been told that uncertainty is scary, we have been told that life is dangerous. To fear punishment, and judgment.

I am consciously aware that FEAR currently rules the world, it’s what drives us. To do better, want more, be good and please others, so we feel accepted and validate our existence.

Mum recently reminded me of a story when I was a girl.

Dad would have the news on the TV during our family dinner. I would get upset, it hurt my soul to hear sad and murderous stories while trying to enjoy my meal with the family. I would fiercely argue with him to turn it off. It confirmed that life was dangerous, I would feel despair. He argued that I was naive and ignorant of bad things happening, of war, greed and lust, and that darkness existed.

My Father highlighted an unconscious pattern of mine I would later discover for myself. A cage I placed myself in for protection, I avoided seeing darkness, I thought it scary, ugly, and hateful and didn’t want to face it. It was too painful for my soul. So I made stupid, naive choices, like walking the streets at night and doing drugs.

After all my lived experiences with fear, grief, anger, shame and despair. I now understand that acknowledging and facing the shadow or darkness within is how we heal and grow. It cannot be denied or avoided.

But what if….

What if, instead of coming from this fearful mindset, we truly believed that life is magical, and mysterious? What if, you chose to accept darkness as a part of the mystery of life and an opportunity for growth? Remember, the seed grows in the dark and blooms into a beautiful flower. Imagine being open to life as mysterious and magical.

What could life be like for you if you thought this way?

Inner work is how we live more consciously. Being aware of our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and patterns. Knowing yourself and trusting yourself.

That is living consciously. I may fall into fear or despair, but I don’t stay stuck in it. I choose conscious awareness and move forward, again and again and again. The more I practice it, the easier it becomes, until one day, it disappears altogether.

If you feel stuck, stressed, overwhelmed, or disconnected from life, please reach out for a chat with me, to see how one-on-one coaching can help you to create calm, confidence and connection to yourself. To free your inner spirit. You are meant to enjoy all of life’s pleasures, not only the pain. What is the point of a flower if not to raise your vibration?

Love Toni xx