The Shadow Effect

This past weekend I attended a screening for Debbie Ford's new docudrama film - The Shadow Effect. Debbie Ford is a world renowned New York Times Best Selling Author, workshop leader and the founder of the Ford Institute for Integrative Coaching. Her ability to tap into our nature as the complicated beings that we are is impressive to say the least. Here's a picture of my friend Joyce and I with Debbie:


The film is about embracing our dark shadows - we all have them... Every time we judge someone or something. Feelings of envy or jealousy. Every time we beat ourselves up for what we did, what we didn't do, what we haven't become, what we should have done... The shadow is our dark side - the side we try so hard to cover up with smiles and accomplishments. It's the side we expend soooo much of our energy on trying to hide it from the world and from ourselves.
I loved this film - it really hit home for me and created a shift that's helping me reach the next level in my personal and professional growth.

One of the most impacting points made was the fact that everything we hate and judge in others is a projection of ourselves... connected to a part of ourselves. We are all connected. We live in a dualistic universe... full of polarities... Ford prompts us to embrace that part of ourselves - because "what you resist - persists". For every negative quality we possess there's also the flip side, and we have access to both at all times. For every fear there is hope. Love/hate, patience/impatience...

http://www.theshadoweffect.com

Being aware of what triggers my own shadow has helped me turn those negative moments around before they snow ball effect and I lose my North. I'm learning to be kinder with myself - and love all parts of me. It's much easier said than done. For every four steps forward we take one or two back... and that's okay... the most important thing is to always keep growing, moving forward, improving ourselves. When we settle for less, when we get comfortable, when we allow ourselves to become paralyzed by fear a part of us is dying little by little. Make it a point today to be loving to yourself. Embrace the not so perfect qualities and think about ways in which they can serve you. What can they teach you? Could they help you grow?

Watch your thoughts - they become your words, watch your words for they become your actions - watch your actions for they become your destiny.

"If you're not growing - you're dying" - James Arthur Ray