NOURISH THE SOUL WITH THE HARVEST METHOD

Over the next two months I’d like to share a bit about the deeper work of The Harvest Method. I’ve designed this method and the style of coaching that I give my clients to encourage a strong connection to self and the practice of self-love. I wrote a, E-Book that describes, encourages and provides exercises to dive into that Art of Loving.

If you’ve been around for a while, you’ve heard me mention Project: Love, Me. It began as a project I did in my self-development and life coaching training. Since then I’ve

honed it, committed to it and created something I’d like to say is quite beautiful. I’m going to pick different topics to share in these newsletters. I encourage you to explore the whole work for yourself. R is for Respect

Your opinions, beliefs, ideas, thoughts and perspectives are yours. They may not be truths and they are valid to you. They can be spoken, shared, crusaded for, even. They can be kept to yourself. They guide you. They determine your point of view. They steer your life, your relationships and your energy.

No one has to agree with any of them. No one has to be on the same page about a single notion you have. To be angered, offended or upset in any way for another’s non-agreement is a time suck. It is a waste of your precious moments, attention and energy. What is yours is yours and there is nothing wrong with any of it. This, you must respect.

Respect is the due regard for any and every feeling, wish, right or tradition you and all others possess. You do not have to agree and, if you are committed to a path of inclusion and acceptance (which is the only true path to connection), respect is non-negotiable.

Does that mean that people are automatically respectful? Quite the opposite.

Because of fear, humans have an insatiable need to be liked and included. This translates to finding agreement. If someone agrees with you and you agree with him, you two are on the same team. You have the same values.

You can count on each other...? Pause and think. Is that actually true?

No two people share the entirety of their thoughts, ideas, beliefs or truths. We are all having separate experiences, coming from different backgrounds and traditions, working through and succumbing to different conditioning and facing different days, schedules, environments and choices. You might agree on some or many things, but you will never agree with another, completely. Respect your stance. Respect the stance of those you encounter.

Judgment is the work of disconnection. It comes from a place of fear - fear of rejection, separateness, abandonment or, at its worst, death. You judge to feel safe. You ridicule to create a false sense of power and superiority over others. True power is in the minds of those who respect.

Respect requires acceptance.

It requires you to listen without input. It require you to stop waiting for your turn to take or give your two cents or mock, jeer or argue. Respect is allowing me to be here, as I am, and you to be there, as you are. We connect through respect.

I honor you. You honor me.

Before this becomes a natural way of relating, you have to practice with yourself. Attacking yourself with internal judgments and assessments, criticism, comparison and negative self-talk is disrespectful to yourself. You spend every moment of your life with only one person...you. The relationship you have with yourself, your growth, your hopes, dreams and lessons is the root of your respect. Like you build a muscle in the gym, you have to be consistent and committed to the practice of respecting yourself for what and who you are and what and who you ARE NOT. You have to stand up and declare your beliefs and ideas. You have to take up space and claim your spot.

You are welcome. Do not let anyone tell you, otherwise. If you do not respect that right, why would you expect to experience respect from others? Listen to how you speak to yourself. Not sure how to do that?

How you treat others is in direct alignment with how you regard yourself. Explore and observe the moments you are triggered by another. Watch how you react. Listen to what you say. Pay attention to your opinions. They are your inner critic and all its self-denying assessments, on loudspeaker. When you have done so and you have accepted the reality of that behavior reflecting the conflict you have within, pause.

Slow down and start listening.

Your inner critic is a disrespectful mix of anyone and everyone who has ever shamed you, placed rules and regulations on you and judged you character. It comes from bad parenting and bad coaching and bad teaching and bad leadership. It comes from media and advertising. It comes from perfectionistic cultural idealism. It comes from every moment you have had where you were NOT taught how to behave in order to A) stay true to yourself B) get your needs met C) Fulfill your wants and D) Honor and respect others. Instead, in these moments, you were taught that

you are fundamentally flawed, unwelcome, unaccepted and did not deserve love because of WHO YOU ARE.

Your inner critic is your shame, speaking to you.

It sabotages you, holds you back, makes you freeze and give up. It ruins your experience with babble and chitter chatter about nonsense that is not even happening and, mostly, not even relevant to the present moment. Slow down. Listen. Realize it is not your voice. Respectfully, distance from it. From here self-respect can blossom.

As within, so without.

The Project: Love, Me E-Book offers more inspiration and support like this. What you get

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills

• Understanding and Application of the Law of Attraction

• Lessons to Balance Between Logic and Emotion

• Tools for Long-term Effective Soothing Behaviors

• A Strengthened Voice

• Support Learning to Ground Yourself

•Creative Inspiration

• Empowered Action

• Guidance Toward Heart-Centered Purpose

• Expanded Intuitive, Conscious Awareness

• Self-Trust

• Self-Respect

• Self-Knowledge

• Self-Care

Get your copy today