Your Weekly Soul Pause
A few moments each week to return to your Spiritual Heart, nourish your Soul Cup, and let your Inner Sparkle shine.
Hello Beautiful Soul,
Have you ever gotten really excited about something you want to experience in your life, only to hear that little voice in your head say:
“Yeah, but how are you going to make that happen?”
Me too.
And lately, I’ve been having a few conversations with myself about it. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been sharing my reflections on living a life I love. I’ve been asking myself what I want to experience with the time I have left on this earth. And I’ve been writing down what’s calling to my heart.
Traveling to beautiful places with my husband, friends, and family. Exploring charming little towns. Staying in lovely Victorian bed-and-breakfasts. Making new friends around the world. Experiencing different cultures and creating meaningful memories.
And continuing to grow Heart & Soul Publishing in a way that lets me connect personally with authors, hear their stories, and help bring them into the world.
I can picture it. Traveling to meet authors in person. Attending book fairs around the world. Bringing together women who have meaningful stories to share.
Combining the things I love: travel, beautiful places, meaningful work, and heartfelt connections with other women.
Ooh, just thinking about it makes me smile and fills my heart with joy.
But then I ask myself:
“Why am I not experiencing more of the life I want to live now?”
And that’s where things got interesting.
Sometimes the Truth Can Be Uncomfortable
For me, right now, it’s money. There. I said it. To be fully transparent, money is a challenging topic for me. I’ve been working through old beliefs around money for decades.
Perhaps you can relate to this, too.
One belief I’ve been working through is the idea that I need to hold on tightly to my money because there might not be enough.
Enough to pay the bills. Enough to enjoy the things I love. Enough to experience the life I want to live. And because of that fear, I find myself wanting to hold on to what I have.
I’m afraid of not having enough money, and sometimes that fear influences what I allow myself to experience.
Ooh. That’s a hard thing to admit. Especially when I’ve spent so many years working on my spiritual growth and becoming more aware of the beliefs that shape my life.
You’d think I’d have this one figured out by now. Don’t I wish!
But here are a few things I’ve been learning.
When Affirmations Meet Old Beliefs
I’ve been using affirmations for decades. Sometimes they’re my own; other times, they’re ones I read that resonated with me. One of my own affirmations I’ve been using is:
“I am receiving multiple streams of income flowing into my bank account easily and consistently.”
I love that affirmation. And I want to believe it with my whole heart. But recently, I read a Substack article about whether affirmations really work, and it made me think.
The author shared an interesting perspective. Affirmations can help, but repeating positive words alone may not be enough when a deeply rooted belief inside us doesn’t accept what we’re saying.
That caught my attention. Because I’ve experienced this myself. I have said my affirmation every morning for months, even years, but I’ve realized that if I’m still carrying the fear that there won’t be enough money, a part of me questions whether those words are really true.
One Small Action Step at a Time
I’ve learned that taking one small action step at a time alongside my affirmation helps build self-confidence and begins to shift that old core belief.
One small action step I’ve been taking is tithing every month. Giving is important to me. It’s part of my relationship with God and an expression of gratitude for what I’ve been given. So even if it’s only $50, I tithe.
Another small action I’ve taken is paying myself each month. Even if it’s only $200. As a business owner, I know how easy it can be to put everything back into the business or focus on paying everyone else first. But I’ve been learning to make myself a priority, too.
Another action I’ve been taking is making larger payments on my credit card rather than just paying the minimum. I had used my credit card to attend a women’s retreat, an experience that was meaningful to me. And I promised myself I would pay that money back.
Well, I’m happy to say I’ve been keeping that promise! I’ve been making larger payments each month, and the balance is almost paid off. And you know what feels especially good about that?
I’m keeping my word to myself.
Each payment reminds me that I’m capable of making financial decisions that support the life I want to live. I’m learning that I can invest in meaningful experiences, take responsibility for my financial commitments, and continue moving forward.
And that feels good!
Every time I take one of these small steps, something shifts within me.
I release my worries about money to God. I let go. Instead of keeping myself stuck on whether I’ll have enough, I consciously choose to shift my attention to something else.
I don’t need to keep worrying. I’ve made my decision, taken my action, and placed my trust in God. And you know what?
I feel peace and freedom.
The fear of not having enough begins to loosen its grip. Not because I suddenly have more money in my bank account. But because I’m choosing not to let that fear control me. And with each small action, I’m building more confidence in myself and the choices I’m making.
Learning to Trust God and Let Go
I’ve realized how much of my life I’ve spent worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet.
Have you?
Especially when it comes to money.
“What if I don’t have enough? What if something unexpected happens? What if I need that money later?”
And I’ve realized how much energy those thoughts can take. Energy I’d much rather spend enjoying my life!
What I’m learning is that I can be responsible with my money, make thoughtful financial decisions, and still let go of the worry. I don’t have to keep replaying those fears in my mind. I can take the next step and trust God with the rest. Because here’s what I know about myself.
I trust God with all my heart and Soul.
And if one day I don’t have the money to do something I’ve planned, I trust that God will show me something different.
That doesn’t mean everything will happen exactly the way I imagine. But it does mean I don’t have to spend today worrying about what might happen tomorrow. And there’s a wonderful sense of freedom in that.
I’m beginning to experience more peace around money, one small choice at a time. And I’m discovering that this is part of what living a life I love living means to me.
Not having every financial concern resolved. Not waiting until all my dreams have come true. But learning to let go of the fears that have been holding me back so I can enjoy more of the life God is giving me right now.
My Mom gave me a plaque that I keep in my office that reminds me to trust.
If God brings you to it, He will see you through it.
What About You?
As I reflect on my own relationship with money, I wonder what might be holding you back from experiencing more of the life you want to live.
Maybe it’s money, too. Or perhaps it’s something completely different. An old belief about what you deserve. A fear of making the wrong decision. The feeling that you need to take care of everyone else before you can do something for yourself. Or a belief that it’s too late to begin something new.
And sometimes, of course, real circumstances limit our choices. Health challenges. Family responsibilities. Financial obligations. I don’t believe we can simply wish those things away.
But I do believe there’s value in becoming aware of what we’re telling ourselves about those circumstances. Sometimes the circumstances are real, and an old belief also influences how we respond to them.
That’s what I’m discovering about myself. And perhaps there’s something here for you to explore, too.
✨ Reflection
This week, I invite you to return to the list you’ve been creating of what you want to experience with the time you have left. Look at something you’ve written that you haven’t yet begun to experience.
And ask yourself:
Why am I not experiencing more of the life I want to live now?
What is holding me back? Is it a circumstance I need to navigate? An old belief I’ve been carrying? A fear that’s influencing my decisions? Or perhaps something I haven’t fully recognized yet?
You don’t need to judge yourself for whatever comes up. Just notice. Sometimes becoming aware of the truth is the first step toward creating something different.
💜 Heartfelt Invitation
Here’s something I invite you to try this week. Choose one belief or fear that may be influencing how you experience your life. Write it down.
Then ask yourself:
What would I love to believe instead?
And here’s the part that’s been meaningful for me:
What’s one small action I can take now to start experiencing that new belief?
Not ten things. Not a whole new plan for your life. Just one small action. Something that feels meaningful and possible within your circumstances. Maybe it’s having a conversation you’ve been avoiding. Setting aside a little money for something you want to experience. Making time for an activity that brings you joy. Or taking the first step toward a dream you’ve been putting off.
Whatever it is, choose something that helps you start moving toward the life you want to live. And after you’ve taken that step, pause for a moment. Notice how you feel. Is there a little more peace? A sense of freedom? Perhaps a little more confidence in yourself?
What might happen if you continued taking small steps toward the life you want to experience?
I’d love to hear what you’re discovering.
Is there an old belief you’ve been working through? Or a small action that’s helping you create a different experience in your life?
Perhaps we can inspire one another.
✨ Soul Pause Blessing
May you have the courage to look honestly at what’s holding you back, without judging yourself for where you are today.
May you recognize the beliefs that no longer support the life you want to experience.
May you find peace in releasing your worries and trusting God with what you cannot control.
May each small step help you grow in confidence, freedom, and faith.
And may you continue listening to the wisdom of your Soul as you create a life you love living, one choice and one beautiful moment at a time.
With a grateful heart,
Bobbi 💜
Founder & CEO of Heart & Soul Publishing
You matter. Keep shining your Inner Sparkle. The world needs your light.