4 Ways to Tune In & Strengthen Your Powerful Intuition

“There is only one journey: going inside yourself.” This quote by Rainer Maria Rilke, captures the spirit of these times.

We are hearing large amounts of information about COVID-19. It is overwhelming. At this point, there is clear guidance for being around people for essential purposes. How do we handle smaller one on one interactions with family and friends? How will we go into businesses again and re-open our own business in what many are calling, “the new normal?” These answers have not been so clear. The powers at be are figuring this out as we go. Now is the time to think about how you are going to move forward as society re-opens.

Intuition will lead the way

I have my own ideas for a new way of being. Instead of telling you what I would do, I am going to write about how you can tune into your own inner wisdom. This way you can decide what is best for you and your family. Think of your intuition as your specialized inner guidance system. Your inner voice may give you a completely different message than my inner voice. This is okay. Some of you may choose to run out when society re-opens, while others choose to stay home more. There are no right or wrong answers, as long as your actions do not harm yourself or others.

If you are truly listening to your intuition, the messages will be based on peace and love. The more you listen, the stronger your voice becomes and you will receive more messages. Trust you are guided, even when you feel confused, unsure or afraid. Know you are not alone and allow spirit to speak through you.

1. Allow– Make time and space for quiet, this will allow your mind and body to relax. You can create this at home or go into nature. Invite your higher power or spirit to speak clearly to you today. Remember, your inner voice guides you every day. This voice speaks softly, in order to hear, you need to slow down, listen and receive.
2. Be Aware– Pay attention to the synchronicity around you and trust what you know. Write these signs in a journal, which will further confirm to you, spirit is with you. Your inner voice speaks in a tone of love and truth, not fear and control. The more peaceful the message, the stronger it is.
3. Meditate- The practice of meditation will relax your mind, bring you a sense of inner peace and help you listen to inner guidance. It may take multiple sessions to achieve clearer thoughts, keep at it. You can find numerous meditations on You Tube and I have created special meditations for empaths on https://lisahutchison.selz.com/
4. Write- Create a space of quiet and write down questions for your inner self. Take some deep breaths, center your energy and write your responses without judgement. Let the words flow from your soul onto the page.

Some questions to include:

What do I need right now?

What is my next step?

How can I create some happiness in my life?

Lisa Hutchison LMHC is a licensed psychotherapist and writing coach who helps sensitive souls not just survive but shine. She is the Amazon bestselling author of I Fill My Cup: A Journal for Compassionate Helpers and the kindle book Setting Ethical Limits for Caring & Competent Professionals. Get a FREE 10 page E-book; 8 Simple Things That Release Chaos from Your Life Now at http://www.lisahutchison.net

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Why Archangel Gabriel is the Best Writer’s Angel

There are many angels and archangels to assist a writer with their creative practice. If you are looking for specialization, Archangel Gabriel is the messenger angel, who works with writers and all communicators. When you write and publish your book, you will also need to market your book. Gabriel can help with every step in this process.

Archangel Gabriel gives motivation, courage, and opportunities to those who feel guided to write. The desire to write is a signal, this is a part of your life purpose. Those who have repetitive thoughts such as, I want to be a writer, are receiving Divine guidance to express heavenly messages through a book, article, blog, or other medium. In some cases, Gabriel will suggest journaling or keeping a diary as a way to open up and receive inspiration. Whatever form your writing takes, the process of putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard is soul stirring.

My personal call

I first received the message to be a writer in 2009, after a thyroid cancer scare. I prayed to God. “What can I do?” I heard, be a writer. I had the surgery to remove half of my thyroid gland and nodule in 2009. When I returned home, I was informed my first article was published. This lead to numerous other magazine publications, my stories being published in soon to be three Chicken Soup for the Soul Books, various #1 international bestselling anthology books, continuing education writings, guest blogging and meditation recordings. In 2019, my first self-published book: I Fill My Cup: A Journal for Compassionate Helpers became an Amazon best seller, in addition to Setting Ethical Limits: For Caring and Competent Professionals kindle book.  I also teach others how to improve their creative writing through various classes and individual coaching sessions.

How will I know I am connecting with Gabriel?

1. You will be drawn to children- This archangel, spoke to Elizabeth and Mother Mary to tell them about the birth of their sons. Gabriel also helps Moms and children. You may find yourself being drawn to children in your family or circle of friends more. Gabriel plants this seed to help children but also connects you with play and laughter. Being carefree and silly, boosts creativity and your mood. This lightheartedness keeps you motivated to write.
2. Seeing or hearing trumpets- Since, Gabriel is the messenger angel, you may see or hear a trumpet. I read a book about Gabriel and visited Prince Edward Island, Canada. As we drove by a cemetery, I was compelled to stop. There were two beautiful Gabriel statues with trumpets.

Some other ways to recognize Gabriel:

Hearing or reading references to Gabriel

Meeting people named Gabriel

A sudden, strong desire to write

Feeling Gabriel is with you

Many artists pray to Gabriel to assist with their creative work

Writers and speakers, work with Gabriel to clearly communicate their message. Gabriel helps with all types of communication. This includes email, texts, the online world, journaling, speaking, publications and writing a memo. I work with Gabriel when I coach or teach writing. You may also find certain publishers and agents, who are open to Gabriel’s energies.

Your sensitivity and creativity are Divine gifts. Nurture your dreams by embracing and expressing these parts of yourself. Ask for spiritual support and you will not only heal yourself but also others.

To further your self-exploration

I highly recommend Archangel Gabriel Oracle Cards, you can purchase this deck on Amazon.com. Each week, I keep a couple of openings available for thirty minute angel card readings through Zoom or by phone, schedule your reading here.

Lisa Hutchison LMHC is an Amazon bestselling author of, I Fill My Cup: A Journal for Compassionate Helpers and Setting Ethical Limits: For Caring and Competent Professionals. She is also a contributor in soon to be three Chicken Soup for the Soul Books. Lisa is a writing coach, who utilizes her publication knowledge, psychotherapy skills and intuition to help writers express themselves through the written word. Ms. Hutchison has been connecting with the angels for over 20 years and is a certified angel card reader. http://www.lisahutchison.net  

How I Grieved My Client’s Death with Letter Writing

Confidential Connections

When a client dies, it presents a unique situation for a therapist. Due to confidentiality, many counselors choose to not openly mourn with their client’s family and friends. The reason for this would be because of the common question; how do you know the deceased? This puts the counselor in an uncomfortable situation of lying or breaking confidentiality, which would be unethical.

Confidentiality never dies and it is a counselor’s duty to protect the client’s identity and what was said in session long after the client’s death. Over my seventeen year career, I have experienced client death due to cancer, aging and suicide. There is no formal training on how to deal with client loss.  If you are a counselor long enough, you will face your client’s death, at least once.

I was going through some old papers and found a letter I wrote. This letter was never sent because it was written to a deceased client. I am publishing a part of this letter to show how therapy can go beyond the clinical parameters set forth through our profession. As humans, we experience a variety of emotions and connections through our work. Only a small portion of these are discussed behind the closed doors of a supervision session, most remain within the therapist. The names and situations have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Putting Pen to Paper- The Letter 

Dear Paulette,

Did you get the card? Before I left for vacation, I sent you a get well card with dogs on it because I know they are your favorite animal. When I returned from vacation, I had a message from Roger telling me to call him. I knew about your scheduled surgery but I had no idea you died.

I have many questions about your physical health and illness, which will go unanswered. I know you would have stayed longer, if you could. You were a fighter and would not give up easily. I wish I knew sooner you were dying and we could say a final goodbye. Perhaps, you did not know you were dying at this point?

I never shared with you how you helped me grow as a person. Through our sessions, I developed patience and insight. There were many times, I found it difficult to sit with the rigidity, defensiveness, and control. We both stayed and worked through these times.

During those difficult exchanges, you reminded me of a family member. This is known as countertransference in our field, when a client reminds the therapist of unfinished business in her own life. I didn’t know how to sit with her anger and blame, without feeling drained. You helped me to see I can do this and not take what was said personally.

We did have some laughs despite the conflicts and came to a place of more calm. Today, I would hug you and say, “You matter to me, not only as a client but as a person.” I saw your soul beneath all of that fear.

The last time we spoke, I called your hospital room. You told me, “Don’t give up my time space in your schedule.” I responded, “I wouldn’t because I didn’t want to lose you as a client,” and I meant it. After your death, I had to fill in your time slot, although, there will always be a space in my heart that is only yours. You will live on as a part of me, due to our work together.

I know you are at peace and this gives me comfort. You are now reunited with your parents, whom you often spoke about. I sent Roger, who knew about your treatment, a sympathy card. I feel you would approve. Your family will miss you and so will I.

Sincerely,

Lisa

Lisa Hutchison LMHC is the Amazon bestselling author of I Fill My Cup: A Journal for Compassionate Helpers and the kindle book Setting Ethical Limits for Caring & Competent Professionals. Lisa is a licensed psychotherapist and writing coach who helps sensitive souls not just survive but shine.

Pick up her FREE gift 8 Simple Things That Release Chaos from Your Life Now! at http://www.lisahutchison.net

4 Easy Ways to Refill Your Cup

How do you recharge and rejuvenate your energies after a long day caring for others? 

I spent many days coming home from work, exhausted on the couch. I would tune out from my hectic day by switching on the TV. Weekends were spent much the same way with the dreaded Sunday afternoon and night thinking, I have to go back to work. I didn’t see a way out of this pattern.

My body began to break down. I became sick and tired physically, mentally and spiritually. I hit my rock bottom with this way of living and decided; enough is enough. I did research, consulted healers, found what depleted my energy and what rejuvenated it. Things began to turn around when I learned how to fill my cup.

1. Become aware

This takes some time and practice, as the society we live in does not support introspection. I recently heard; why are introverts told to speak up yet extroverts are not told to listen more? The point is you cannot change who you are. Whether you are introverted, extroverted or a combination known as ambivert, each energy is needed to create the beautiful world we live in.

Learn what kind of personality you have and become mindful of your present moment. When you witness what is happening within your body and around you, you become empowered to make healthier choices about your energy.

2. Learn how to identify and put your experience into words

Many helpers are outwardly focused on how others feel. Often you ask; what can I do to make you feel better? In order to refill, you need to turn some of that compassionate focus around.

You cannot solve a problem, you cannot name. Sometimes you don’t even know what questions to ask yourself to turn this problem around. I had this issue when I was stuck in the work-fatigue cycle. Start to journal each day, even briefly. This helps you connect within and write out what you are thinking and feeling. You can speak it, but there is a power in seeing your truth in the written word.

3. Plan to protect your energy

As a compassionate helper, it is important to learn how to protect your energies from people, places and situations. There are numerous ways to do this. Once you find what works for you, implement these strategies into your schedule each day.

4. Find ways to maintain your energy

What gives you energy and fuels your passion? Look at what is working in your life. These activities and people will help you rejuvenate your energies.

Lastly, learn about and buy this new Amazon bestseller I Fill My Cup: A Journal for Compassionate Helpers. 

Whether you are feeling disconnected and depleted or are already connected and looking for new ways to increase your energy awareness, this journal provides lots of easy ways to recharge and rejuvenate your energy. Filled with helpful suggestions, writing prompts and space to journal your thoughts, you will generate problem solving for this common issue many helpers face.

Here’s what inside:

How to Use this Journal

The Energy Scale

Are you an Ambivert, Extrovert or Introvert?

Writing Prompts

Plans to Protect or Rejuvenate Your Energy

Ways to Maintain Your Energy

Plus, you get ten to eleven weeks of space to journal and record your observations.

This makes a great gift for friends, family and other loved ones, of course do not forget to include yourself!

BUY yours first and then get one for a friend on Amazon.com

Lisa Hutchison LMHC is the bestselling author of I Fill My Cup: A Journal for Compassionate Helpers, a licensed psychotherapist and writing coach. She specializes in working with professionals who often get drained from their helping efforts, recharge and rejuvenate their energies. Lisa’s psychological advice has been featured in Reader’s Digest and The Huffington Post. http://www.lisahutchison.net