A couple of months ago, during my regular morning routine, I was thinking about retiring from my corporate career. As I was getting ready to brush my teeth, I looked up from my toothbrush and into the mirror. What I saw was this face, my face, with a furrowed brow and a scared look. But why was I scared? I was in the perfect position to shift into this next chapter—one my husband and I had long planned for.  I had created a path to have time to focus on everything I love: my husband, family, friends, business, art, photography, nature, and, you know, just relaxing and having fun. Honestly, it was way overdue. So, I thought, “What’s with the face?” Seriously, Ina.

I knew that I needed to pause, take a step back, and assess how I wanted to go through this transition and greet a new way of life. I started by checking into my physical experience of going through this change. It felt like the obvious place to begin, since that’s what first caught my attention in the mirror. As I began to reflect, a quote from the Buddha came to mind: “Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.”

Our bodies hold a wealth of knowledge about our emotional state, often long before our conscious minds catch up. So, I dropped into my body to sense its wisdom for what was going on and, eventually, to uncover the answers for how to break through the struggle. The first thing I noticed was a feeling of tightness and agitation, but I allowed it all, and that’s when this inner dialogue came through:

• You do notice you’re “scrunched up,” right? (Yep)
• You do know that being “scrunched up” puts you in a small energetic field and is limiting, right? (Yep)
• Is this what you intended for this time in your life? (Nope)
• What are a few words to describe how you intend to go through this change and experience the outcome you want? (Trusting in the Possible)
• So, how would that show up on your face? (Relaxed and Easy) Your body posture? (Upright and Relaxed) Your sense of your body’s energy? (Blissfully Expansive)

As I listened to this dialogue, I could sense shifts in my body and tangible and actionable steps. The first thing I did was to put a smile on my face—just a slight smile to lift my spirits in a way that felt relaxed and easy. (I do this often when I begin meditating.) A sweet smile seems to brighten the moment and change the narrative in the body and mind. Second, I checked my posture. While there are no definitive studies on the effects of posture on the body and mind, it always tells me where I am energetically. What I wanted was to feel bold! So, I stood tall, with my shoulders open and relaxed. Third, keeping my words in mind—Trusting in the Possible and Blissfully Expansive—I set onto an exploration of my whole being: physical, mental, emotional, and energetic. I noticed how these words show up in my body, the thoughts that either diminish or expand them, whether they present as anxiety or ease, and how my energy resists or aligns with the energy of the words. In opening up to all of myself, I can ask that most important question: What am I learning?

• In the areas that diminish, I can see patterns and blocks that are pretty much very old. They’ve kept me from taking risks throughout my life. And they are trying hard to trip me up now as I’ve taken this big step.
• In the areas that expand, I can see where I’ve experienced and lived in these places before. So, I know I can be in this expansive place again. And I also know that I have the power to create more and more expansiveness. This is a very visual experience for me. I can see this path in my mind’s eye.

I continue to practice untangling and seeing truth and possibility as I grow my intention to Trust in the Possible and to be Blissfully Expansive. If you are making your own shifts and creating a new path for yourself as well, I invite you to join me in this practice. Download your Sacred Self-Inquiry Practice Guide here.

Even when we choose our changes, they can still feel overwhelming. But that’s exactly when we have the most power to shape how we experience the transition. When we tune into our being’s wisdom and consciously align our energy with our deepest intentions, we become active participants in creating the life we truly want. That scared face in the mirror was simply asking for attention—and in giving it that attention, I found my way back to trust and expansion. Your being holds this same wisdom, waiting to guide you through whatever transition you are experiencing. Listen to it, learn from it, and let it show you the way forward.