“Our bodies, our homes, and the universe are always listening to our thoughts. They all want to show up to support us... to align with our vibrations and wishes,” Cindy Luffred, Revealing Soul.
If you tuned in to Dr. Kelley’s Fox News segments on the progression of COVID-19, you have heard her consistently mention the importance of self-care during this uncertain period. In a time that feels overwhelming to every bodily sense- self-care can feel unattainable but is vital to the strength of our immune system. Self-care means many unique things to different individuals, but to me, it means getting in touch with my emotions and balancing my energy.
Chicagoan Cindy Luffred is a spiritual medium, intuitive and healer and I am lucky enough to call her a close friend. While Cindy counts GOOP, Uncommon James and Neiman Marcus as clients- she is willing to lend her expertise to CIH patients on how to get through the next six to twelve weeks of social isolation without losing fulfillment in our lives.
Cindy and I have spent ample time discussing the impact of COVID-19 on people, the economy and our planet- and now we are looping you into our conversation-
Q: With such an overwhelming amount of energy in the world- how are you taking time to practice self-care day to day?
A: Personally, meditation every day is key for me. If I don’t take time each morning, even if it’s just 5 minutes, I really notice my energy being off for the rest of the day. Additionally, I try to disconnect from emails, the news and social media for at least 30-60 minutes before going to bed and after I wake up in the morning. Exercising at home has also been very helpful for me. I was someone who never liked to workout at home, but I’ve found that it has really been beneficial during this time. Additionally- connecting with friends and family over phone and FaceTime.
Q: You and I have had some fascinating conversations about ways to develop our intuition and “trust our gut.” How do we know when our intuition is “speaking” to us and how do we differentiate it from fear?
A: My short and sweet answer to this question is... if it’s coming from your intuition, it will spark curiosity. The information should feel neutral to loving. It should cause you to want to learn more. If it’s coming from your fear, mind or ego it will spark anxiety or an emotional response internally. If you “receive” information and it triggers an emotional response mentally, emotionally, or physically, that is NOT your intuition- that is your mind processing a fearful thought. Be sure to note how you feel when tapping into your intuition.
Q: You and I both practice manifesting during our meditation- can you tell me a little bit about manifesting and how we can put it into practice to create a positive mindset, especially while undergoing treatment for illnesses like a tick-borne disease?
A: Manifesting is simply the art of bringing thoughts, dreams, and desires to fruition. I believe the key to manifestation is your vibration. You must be vibrationally aligned with the thing you are manifesting. On a quantum level, science has proven that all probabilities and possibilities exist at any given time, and what causes one thing to manifest over another is simply our attention and intention. In other words- our thoughts and intentions literally influence everything in our lives whether we are aware of it or not.
To put this into practice, I recommend envisioning the person, place, or thing you’re manifesting as already having happened. How does it look and feel for you to have this dream become your reality? And if you’re having trouble envisioning it for yourself- that’s where the work begins. Do you feel worthy of your desire? Do you truly believe it is possible? If not, then why not? Once you’ve cleared away these limiting beliefs, then it’s important to continue to keep your thoughts and feelings focused only on the outcome you desire. I find mantras and affirmations helpful. For example, saying something like “Oh I hope I meet someone someday” is not helpful. That implies that there’s a chance it won’t happen. Instead, try “I love that my partner showed up at the perfect time for me” or “ It is safe for me to be healthy and loved.”
Q: You and I became fast friends since you started working with me on my healing journey (I have Lyme disease, POTS and SAD) in August. While many CIH patients are battling health challenges, what are some things they can put into use to start shifting their energy?
A: Start small, and start within. I’m a firm believer you have to first shift your mindset and your beliefs before you can shift things externally. In almost every one of my client sessions, we spend time talking about the underlying limiting beliefs that are manifesting outwardly in their lives, and how they can begin to shift them. For those who are battling complicated health issues, this is often very difficult. Something I like to remind everyone is that our bodies are designed to heal. When I work on healing sessions- I make sure to include affirmations and mantras, such as: “I love that my body is healing each and every day.” or “I am worthy of health and wellness.”
Another easy and effective way to shift your energy is the use of crystals in and around your home. Clear Quartz is one of my favorite crystals for accessing your intuition, and is known as the “master healer." Obsidian is an amazing protection stone and aids in detoxification of the body. Lastly, Black Tourmaline is a protective stone that repels and blocks negative energies.
Q: With the constant news updates and guideline changes hitting us hour after hour on COVID-19- it can be easy to get swallowed up in a mindset of panic and depression. Meditation can help shift that mindset to reset for the rest of the day. What are some of your favorite meditation practices?
A: Just a quick note on the news and constant updates- if it’s not serving you to hear this information, turn it off! It’s so important during this time to set firm boundaries, and be very selective as well as discerning of what you allow into your mind, body, and energetic field. This may mean that you take breaks from the news and social media for a few hours or days.
My favorite meditation practices are the ones that help you get out of your head, and into your heart and body. This can look different for everyone. For some, this can be going for long walks or runs. For others, it might be sitting and listening to a meditation on Spotify or Youtube. Simply dancing around your home to a fun song for a few minutes will do the trick. Personally, I like to put on relaxing music every morning while sipping coffee, and I pull a tarot card from my favorite deck and meditate and journal on it. I also spend time talking to my guides and higher self every morning to receive any important insights for the day ahead. Again, it can be quick, even 2-3 minutes a day of sitting quietly and journaling is helpful!