HeartIgnited®: Three Inspired Practices for Life

Seven years ago I was in an inquiry about what to re-name my life coaching practice.  I knew I wanted to include “heart” in the name but did not have the full title; then in an “aha moment”, while traveling 33,000 feet above the earth in an airplane, the word ignited came to me.  In the last seven years, HeartIgnited® has become not only the name for my coaching practice, it has become a philosophy and a set of practices that I believe is an insurance policy for living a happy and satisfied life!
Here are three of my favorite HeartIgnited® practices.  All of them require an ability and discipline to observe yourself and your behavior:
#1:   The first practice is to involve your heart when making important (or even not so important) decisions.  When your head (left brain) is speaking, it likes to think in “pros” and “cons”; “black” and white” language, and is very logical.  When your heart (right brain) is activated, it likes to “feel into” the options.  I prefer to make decisions in which both my heart and head are in alignment.  If that is not possible, I almost always opt for what my heart is telling me.
A recent example in which I needed to make a decision was whether or not to go back to the “corporate world” in an enticing full-time position that “fell into my lap”, after 25 years of being an entrepreneur.  My head was immediately listing the pros:  no more worry about consistent cash flow, a retirement plan (wow!), and travelling around the world on behalf of the organization. My head was saying quite loudly – really, what more could you ask for?  On the other hand, my heart was saying – you must post your schedule on an on-line hourly calendar, your prospective boss has an authoritarian style, and the benefits include only two weeks of vacation to start.  My heart was saying:  please don’t do it, you will lose your freedom and your zest for life.  I am so relieved and grateful that I chose to listen to my heart!
#2:    The second practice is to pay attention to when your heart feels open versus when your heart feels constricted.  When your heart feels open, you are saying, doing, and/or going in the direction of what is in your best interest.  When your heart feels constricted, you are going away from what is in your best interest.
#3:     The third practice is to pay attention to what “lights the fire” in your heart – literally paying attention to what ignites your heart!  On a regular basis, ask yourself questions that are important to you.  For example, you may want to ask yourself: is my heart happy with: what I am currently doing with my job or career?; with the friends/company I am spending my time with?; and with the activities, both leisure and volunteer, that I am involved in?  I believe that the consistent re-examining of where you put your attention and the following of what your heart tells you in answer to these questions is a formula for a satisfied life.
The inquiry about what HeartIgnited® means continues.  It is like going on a big adventure, not knowing where the next turn may lead – an exciting journey to be sure!  I promise to share more as the HeartIgnited® meaning and story evolves.