Soul Colonic, Anyone?


I am pleased to present this guest post by Barrie Davenport of Live Bold and Bloom. Barrie is a life coach whose kind and giving spirit has been a blessing to me in my early days as a blogger. She has much wisdom to offer your bold and blooming soul.

Written by Barrie Davenport.

When you read the word “cleanse,” what comes to mind first? If we were playing a word association game, would the word “colon,” pop right up? It does for me, but maybe I’m full of it. However, I suspect Katie probably had that association in mind when she created her life cleanse series.

A colon cleanse expunges your system, flushes the impurities and toxins, helps you feel lighter, and gives you more energy and vitality. Wow. If it weren’t such a pain in the behind (pardon the pun), we’d want to do it every day. A colon cleanse is amazingly beneficial for your health, especially if you follow up with an on-going commitment to healthy eating and exercise.

If this physical procedure is so good for you, just imagine the benefits of a colonic for the soul.

Most things that are transformational involve some amount of discomfort and embarrassment. It’s certainly true for a colon cleanse, and it’s also true for a purging of the soul. In fact, a soul cleanse can cause a complete upheaval in your life, but the benefits will lift you to a new level of self-awareness, passion and enthusiasm. Is it worth it? Only if you want to bloom beyond mediocrity and discover passionate, extraordinary living.

So what’s involved in a soul colonic? It’s a four-step process, so hop up here on the examining table, and let’s discuss the procedure before we begin.

  • First, there must be the awareness that things are not quite right. Perhaps you feel out-of-sorts, unfulfilled, uninspired or just bloated with boredom. Maybe you are even downright unhappy. Do you have any of these symptoms? If so, this is the perfect time for a soul colonic.
  • The next step is desire. You know things are not right, and you don’t want to keep your head in the sand any longer. The discomfort of being out-of-balance in your soul is beginning to overwhelm the anxiety of doing something about it. You are now ready to take action.
  • The third step is the examination and flush. You will undergo an extensive soul search. We’ll have to use the long hose with the light on the end. We must examine all the dark and sensitive corners that are causing impurities and lethargy. Those areas will need to be completely flushed, so that you can start with a clean slate.
  • The final step is healing and discovery. You may be a little sore, but now that you have purged yourself of inauthentic beliefs and attitudes, as well as limiting fears and emotional obstacles, you are ready to discover who you really are and what brings you joy and passion in life.

Since you are up there on the table, we have to assume you are ready to start the procedure. So, before you chicken out, just put on this gown. It ties in the back. Something to make you a little relaxed? Sorry, you need to be fully aware for the cleanse to be a success. Take a deep breath, and let’s get started.

1. Examine Yourself

Sorry, the doctor might be able to help you, but you have to do most of the work yourself. What’s wrong in your life now? Is it a relationship or your career? Are you living in the right environment or even the right city? In what ways is your life out-of-balance with who you really are? Write down the values that are most important to you, and determine where your life is not in alignment with your values. Here’s a link to an extensive list of values to help you.

2. Dig Even Deeper

While you are probing around in there, take this opportunity to learn as much about yourself as possible. Dig deep and discover what motivates and inspires you. Remind yourself of your gifts and skills. Ask yourself questions that coax your authenticity to the surface. Here are some actions you can take:

  • Take a personality test. This is a great tool to help you understand your own desires, aptitudes and behaviors. Here’s a great free personality assessment based on the Myers-Briggs formula.
  • Write down your skills. You are probably taking many of them for granted. You can do many things that other people can’t. Once you write down your skills, circle the ones that you really enjoy. We may be capable of many things, but we don’t like to do all of them. Here’s a good work skills checklist, and here’s a great list of personal skills.
  • Ask yourself questions. Any coach or counselor knows to ask probing questions that help you uncover what might be hidden behind your conscious awareness. Take a look at this list of self-discovery questions, and write down the answers as they come to you. You might need to work on this over several days as the answers begin to emerge.

3. Time for the Flush

As you look at your values, personality, and skills, you will see the impurities rise to the surface. Areas of your life that are out-of-balance with who you are and what you value will become painfully obvious. It’s time to get rid of them. This is the hardest part of the procedure, because in spite of their negative affects, these impurities often are hard to release. Some things you may be able to flush away quickly, maybe a bad habit or a limiting belief. Others may take time and long-term planning — a career change for example. If you need help, find a coach or counselor, or even a trusted friend to support you through these changes.

4. One Step at a Time

A soul colonic can take time. Don’t attempt to force everything out during the first procedure. Start with a small change. Write an action plan to make that change and follow through on the actions until it’s completed. Once you have had one successful elimination, the bigger purges won’t be as daunting. Here’s a goal setting kit to help you get started on taking action toward change.

5. Create a Healthier, Joyful Soul

As you purge your soul of your former self, start creating a new self based on what you have learned. What brings you joy and fulfillment? Where do you feel the most comfortable and authentic? What people support you and love the person you really are? This is where you should invest most of your time and energy. A passionate, extraordinary life involves not only ridding yourself of toxic or useless actions and attitudes. It also requires filling your life with what you love and value.

Should you decide to undergo a soul colonic, it will be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself. In fact, it will change your life forever. Will it hurt? Maybe a little. But the success rate is extraordinary. Search and cleanse your soul now, and make room for all of the joy and passion that you deserve for the rest of your life.

Barrie Davenport is a personal and career coach and founder of Live Bold and Bloom, a blog about bold and fearless living. Download her free ebook, How to Live a Meaningful Life.

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16 Responses to “Soul Colonic, Anyone?”

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  1. Jean Sarauer
    July 1, 2010 at 12:48 am

    Hi Barrie. I thought I’d come on here and just have a nice little read, but you’ve given me some serious work to do :) It’s okay because I’m ready for it! I really appreciate all the resources you’ve shared with us, and your writing is fabulous, as always.
    .-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..What Lil’ Wayne Can Teach You About Marketing Your Blog =-.

    Reply
    • Barrie Davenport
      July 1, 2010 at 1:50 am

      Hi Jean,

      Hope the work isn’t too painful! I think it’s the most valuable work you can do and well-worth the effort it takes to dig deeply. A soul search is a life-long journey, because the more your examine yourself, the more infinite possibilities you discover. Thank you for your kind comments.
      .-= Barrie Davenport´s last blog ..Early Rising Nah- Sleep A Little Longer =-.

      Reply
  2. Leah McClellan
    July 1, 2010 at 3:46 am

    This is great, Barrie! Love the analogy. Well maybe I don’t, come to think of it lol

    Anyway, I know a few areas in my life are out of balance, and I’m working on them, and there are some smaller ones as well. But I’m going to go through this exercise anyway, as soon as I can make a good chunk or two of relaxing time for it, because I know something new will come to light or I’ll realize something, or something like that. Definitely don’t want to rush a cleanse! lol

    Until I get to it I think I’ll just up my roughage intake lol

    Thanks, really. This looks like it will be really good to spend some time on. Sending a link to myself and putting it on my calendar for the weekend!
    .-= Leah McClellan´s last blog ..We are what we eat =-.

    Reply
  3. Angela Artemis
    July 1, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    Hi Barrie,
    Just the notion of feeling lighter has me looking at my calendar to see when I can carve out a chunk of time to peruse all the resources you’ve offered here!

    This is really wonderful: As you purge your soul of your former self, start creating a new self based on what you have learned. What brings you joy and fulfillment? Where do you feel the most comfortable and authentic? What people support you and love the person you really are? This is where you should invest most of your time and energy. A passionate, extraordinary life involves not only ridding yourself of toxic or useless actions and attitudes. It also requires filling your life with what you love and value.

    I’m definitely due for a “soul colonic.”
    .-= Angela Artemis´s last blog ..Who Is The Best Expert on YOU =-.

    Reply
  4. Preeti @ Heart and Mind
    July 2, 2010 at 12:08 am

    Barrie,

    This post compliments Katie’s 7 week cleansing series so well. It is full or great pointers and tips and looks like a serious job ahead of all of us follow it. I am sure benefit of hard work will be all worth it. Thanks for sharing.

    I am seeing your guest posts everywhere, I feel like know all of you so well. :-)

    Katie,

    great guest post selection as always.
    .-= Preeti @ Heart and Mind´s last blog ..Why learning from history is cool – Part 1 =-.

    Reply
  5. Aileen
    July 2, 2010 at 6:20 am

    Barrie, this is a fantastic post and fits perfectly with Soul Searching week of the cleanse … I know it’s meant to compliment it, but it does so with such brilliance it’s really, really incredible.

    Thank you for the resources/links you included they are great.

    “Will it hurt? Maybe a little. But the success rate is extraordinary.” just brilliant.

    You really made me dig deep while processing this, thank you for that.
    .-= Aileen´s last blog ..Today I’m Visiting Goodlife Zen with a Basket of Friends =-.

    Reply
  6. Farnoosh
    July 2, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    I echo what Jean said – no simple read here – Hmmm. I like to think I live this way a lot more now than I used to but I wish I could take my mom and my family and some of my friends down this path. I guess everyone has to do it on their own. As far as the physical cleanse goes, I made the terrifying decision of going vegan yesterday (Katie knows!) and I wonder if that will give me more of a balance than before. It’s not a drastic change but it is a change! Thank you for the food for though, Barrie!

    Reply
    • Barrie Davenport
      July 2, 2010 at 1:58 pm

      Farnoosh, I hope you will blog about your switch to being a vegan. I think readers would be really interested in the ups and downs of weaning yourself off of certain foods. I think that’s wonderful. I know you will feel so much better with this change. I’m so glad you liked the post. I agree that everyone has to chart their own course. It is frightening for some people to look too closely at themselves. It has to happen on their own time. Sometimes it never happens. But you can be a good example for them, and it seems that you are!
      .-= Barrie Davenport´s last blog ..Body and Mind Fitness- 3 Ideas for Artful Exercise =-.

      Reply
      • Farnoosh
        July 3, 2010 at 2:00 am

        Barrie, at the end of day 2 and I must say I feel different but mostly need to make sure I can find foods that can replace those I miss like my yogurt! I hardly miss or eat meat but sushi or sashimi! Oh my gosh, I miss them just thinking about it but yes, back to the bigger cause, I am definitely going to blog assuming I make it far enough – Funny how once we set our mind on something, it just becomes the way of life! Thank you for the encouragement Barrie!

        Reply
  7. Manal
    July 2, 2010 at 5:15 pm

    Barrie,

    Another brilliant article packed with resources. I love the idea of doing a soul colonic. There is nothing set in stone and we can cleanse and start fresh at any point.

    It seems like a lot of work but it is the kind of work that is worth doing. So I’m going to schedule time off in August (after all our family visitors go home) and work on this.

    You’re a wonderful writer Barrie.
    .-= Manal´s last blog ..10 Things I Wish We Could Teach Every Child =-.

    Reply
  8. Barrie Davenport
    July 2, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    Manal,thank you so much. I am really flattered by your comments. I do think it is work worth doing. There is so much interesting to learn about yourself. Just taking a personality assessment can open your eyes to so much. Thank you for being a regular commenter.
    .-= Barrie Davenport´s last blog ..Body and Mind Fitness- 3 Ideas for Artful Exercise =-.

    Reply
  9. Utpal Vaishnav
    July 17, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    Barrie – Fantastic use of right brain.

    I could see a project execution pattern presented in your steps. Get aware of (initiate), desire (plan), flush (execute), heal and discover (monitor & close) – just awesome.

    List of the resources is also invaluable. Indeed, a momentum gathering article.

    Looking forward to explore your other great articles elsewhere on the web.

    Best,
    Utpal
    .-= Utpal Vaishnav´s last blog ..Play The Music- Don’t Let It Play With You! =-.

    Reply

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