Elizabeth Hancock | Beyond You Coaching

What Are Your Triggers?

You’ve probably seen these words: Trigger Warning!

This is a statement that is made prior to sharing any disturbing content with an audience. The content itself can range from anything like certain forms of violence, mental health issues, or abuse, etc. It is meant to give fair warning to anyone that suffers from post traumatic stress disorder so that they can decide if they want to continue with viewing the content.

Trigger warnings are an evolution in mental health awareness and personal responsibility. On one hand, the creators of the content are showing sensitivity to what someone may find disturbing. On the other hand, the viewer is being drawn into an invitation to dismiss the content as an avoidance strategy to not suffer any painful memories or experiences.

In terms of spiritual growth and evolution, whatever you find particularly triggering can serve as a sign post of where you need to do your inner work. Inner work being the investigation into the source of your suffering.

Pandora’s Box?

Many people are well aware of their source of suffering but don’t want to ‘open pandora’s box’ for fear of being engulfed by the impossible depth and breath of it. The idea of losing oneself with one’s memory of an event is too traumatizing to bear and so the avoidance of such an experience is always preferred.

However, we can never run away from ourselves and this deeply imbedded trauma will always be a hair’s breath away from remembering or re-experiencing if we choose to go there. This is the see-saw, back and forth, repeated cycle that many people find themselves experiencing.

You may have noticed that whatever it is you are avoiding seems to creep up in different ways, through different circumstances, different faces, and different characters.

This is because there is a pattern that is continually playing itself out over and over again trying to get your attention. These people, places, and circumstances are triggering because they represent something that is inside you.

You may have heard the old adage, “Wherever you go, there you are.”

This points to the fact that no matter what external changes you may make for yourself and no matter what hopes you have in avoiding and forgetting, you will always be stuck with you. You can’t escape yourself.

And so, eventually one realizes it is futile to keep running. It’s time to face everything.

Triggers are not limited to severe mental and emotional trauma.

Triggers are everywhere that you are unconscious, and for most people that is about 98% of the time.

Whatever we unconsciously react to can be seen as a trigger.

All triggers are reminders to investigate, contemplate, and inquire.

Whenever you find yourself being triggered either by the most severe or mundane, ask yourself, “What do I need to believe is true about myself in order to think, feel, or behave the way that I do?”

This question will help you to uncover a deeply imbedded belief. This belief is the core of all of your suffering.

Even in circumstances where you were clearly the victim and feel entitled to hold that role, you can still inquire within yourself and ask, “What do I need to believe is true about myself in order to think, feel, or behave the way that I do?”

If you are willing to ask you may be surprised at the answer you get.

You may find that you are holding onto a belief of disempowerment, unworthiness, or feel undeserving.

You may have accepted long ago that you are not worthy because of what he, she, or it did to you.

But existence isn’t seen through just one lens. Life is multi-dimensional.

When we do our inner work we go back to the place where we have frozen in time and we expand our point of view. Through the support of a mentor, teacher, therapist, or guide we are asked to see the circumstance through a different lens; a higher perspective.

In what way did this particular experience affect you mentally and emotionally?

How did your mental and emotional reactions affect your actions and behavior?

What sort of experiences did you then create for yourself?

What did you learn from these experiences?

How did these experiences invite you to grow, evolve, and mature?

Who did you meet along the way? How did these individuals affect your journey?

Looking back now, can you see that your journey, your story was perfect even in its apparent madness?

Can you stretch yourself to see the perfection in the imperfection?

Can you invite yourself to see from compassionate eyes that all characters, including you, were doing the best you knew with what you knew at the time?

Seeing yourself now, can you look deeply into your own eyes and see the perfection, the power, and the beautiful being that you are?

Can you see that you don’t need to do anything or become anyone in order to remain this perfect being?

Perhaps this line of questioning seems a bit far fetched and may have triggered you to feel a bit uncomfortable.

Follow that lead and inquire within yourself and seek to know the source of your pain.

I promise you that whatever you experienced can never diminish your perfection, your light, your beauty. No one is irredeemable.

The faster you come to realize that your suffering is self-created, then the faster you will set yourself free.

There is a cost though.

You will need to let go of being the victim and instead be the empowered being that you already are.

If you are interested in learning more about your ‘triggers’ and letting go of your suffering then please schedule a discovery call with me.

What Subtle Energies Are Influencing Your Life?

The Holiday Season – A Time For Self-Reflection

by Elizabeth Hancock

No matter what your religious views or spiritual beliefs, the holiday season offers us all a time of deep reflection and an opportunity to see another cycle come to a close.

Life is all about growth, constant change, and continual evolution in expansion of consciousness. As we come upon the last month of 2021 we have the opportunity to take the time to sit back and look closely at what we created this year and what we continue to create for ourselves now.

The Magic Of The Holiday Season

The magic of the holiday season is in the profound emotional effect it has on all of us. Whether one is rejoicing in gratitude or feeling low and despondent; we all know the power that the month of December can bring.

Emotions are a powerful tool for higher self-awareness exploration. When we tap into our feelings and emotions we acknowledge parts of ourselves that have gone hidden, were lost, or made to be silent.

As we start this month and look forward to our traditions and celebrations let us take personal inventory.

Where do you hold yourself back? Where are you not living to your fullest?

Some of you may have an immediate answer to this question. But others might struggle to answer this.

If you do struggle to answer this question, I’ll offer you a clue.

What do you find yourself complaining about most? Who or what is the target of your criticisms?

You may say, I don’t hold myself back – it’s other people, situations, and circumstances, that is the problem.

It is never the external circumstances that cause our suffering, it is always our thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions that cause our suffering. All thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions can be changed.

Challenging Your Old Programs

The process of spiritual evolution is one of wholeness, integration and realization. Only you can offer this to yourself.
As a spiritual teacher and mentor I often tell my client’s to stop looking to the world to change.

Stop looking to the world to validate you.

Stop looking to the world to acknowledge you.

Stop looking to the world to love you.

Let go of all the expectations you have of others, because unfulfilled expectations only cause suffering.

What you are in fact seeking is fulfillment. The kind of peace and bliss that is self-created, self-sustaining, and self-fulfilling. This is not a pipe dream, this is in fact the only lasting satisfactory source of bliss you can find.

The source is YOU and always has been you. You have only projected it unto people, objects, or circumstances making it appear as if these outside things are the source of your fleeting fulfillment. They never were.

If you are ready to discover how to create more joy, more bliss, more lasting fulfillment through the only source that you can control then you are ready to embark on a 90 day coaching transformation program with me. If you are tired of feeling trapped, confused, and stuck now is the time to give yourself the gift of self-transformation.

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate. – Carl Jung

Think clearly and deeply, go into the structure of your desires and their ramifications. They are a most important part of your mental and emotional make-up and powerfully affect your actions. Remember, you cannot abandon what you do not know. To go beyond yourself, you must know yourself. – Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Deeply investigating our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions can be a very cathartic, empowering, and uplifting process of self-discovery and exploration.

Give to yourself what you wish others would give you.

As we enter this magical month give yourself some time to think about what you’ve created this year.

If you know it’s time to make some changes and are ready to let go of limiting beliefs please schedule a discovery call with me.

Where Are You On Your Spiritual Journey?

Introvert vs. Extrovert – Self-Expression and Need Fulfillment

by Elizabeth Hancock

What Does Introversion and Extroversion REALLY Mean?

Have you labelled yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?

If you have, you are certainly not alone. Introversion and extroversion are a popular way of labelling, categorizing, and understanding how a person interacts with the world.

This understanding usually has the added belief that your personality is fixed, static, and unchanging. Do you believe this to be true? How does this benefit or limit you? Have you ever asked yourself these questions?

So many people think that we are fixed beings that are stuck with personalities that (depending on your perspective), either limit us or provide possibilities for us. But what if our personalities were fluid, ever-changing, and new?

Most people are not aware that personality formation can be 100% in your control IF you have the necessary self-awareness to consciously choose your form of self-expression.

This alternate way of thinking provides an opportunity for growth, expansion, and transformation in human consciousness by not limiting ourselves to labels, names, or identifications.

If you ever wondered if it is possible to change, or if being an introvert or an extrovert is a permanent label then you’ll definitely want to check out today’s video!

What If The Answers You Seek Are Already Within You?

Who Will You Be When You’re 80 Years Old?

by Elizabeth Hancock

When you wake up in the morning, where are you? Are you remembering yesterday, its highs, its lows? Are you instantly flooded with that argument, that financial situation, or that health issue? Do you worry about tomorrow, next week, or next month?

So many of us are anywhere but present, anywhere but living here; now.

So many don’t even know what it means to be. here. now. Do you?

My father is visiting us for a few weeks and last weekend we decided to do a hike in our local redwood forest. I thought it would be fun to arrange for a volunteer hiking guide to accompany us so we met in the parking lot of our local forest preserve.

As my father and I stood looking for our guide, I noticed a sprightly woman walking towards us. She wore a baseball cap, hiking shorts and a t-shirt. She had the brightest eyes that sparkled with so much light and a smile that lit up the room. She asked me, “Are you Elizabeth?” and I said, “Yes I am.”

She nodded and smiled and said, “I’m Louise and this is my husband Jim.” We all nodded and introduced ourselves and set upon our hike together.

Louise quickly pointed out the local hiking map, explained where we would trek today and went on to point out some plants and trees along our path.

Louise was quick, nimble, and very sure footed. Her legs were strong, muscular, and lean. In fact, her entire body was hardened with the kind of muscle earned over many years of disciplined athleticism. As I watched her jump and slide down rocks and walk over dirt patches of earth I marveled at the power, strength, and youthfulness this woman exuded. I couldn’t help myself and exclaimed, “Louise you are an inspiration! I don’t know how old you are, but you are amazing.” As I said this my eyes spontaneously filled with tears.

Louise laughed and said, “I don’t feel as nimble as I used to.” But her humbleness was quickly overtaken by her proud husband behind me saying, “She just celebrated her 80th birthday a week and a half ago!”

My father and I were amazed. The rest of the hike was peppered with my questions of what her life was like and listening to her stories of running regular ultra marathons (that’s 100 miles for those that don’t know), competing in iron man triathlons, rock climbing (including Half Dome in Yosemite), deep sea diving, and zipping around town in her red mercedes convertible.

When she told me that her year started off with a sad note of losing her 9 year old rescued dog I quickly asked her if she planned on getting another companion animal. She then said that she and Jim had a month long trip planned to Antartica (again) in February next year to go deep sea diving and didn’t think it would be good to get another animal if she was going to be away for so long.

Louise made me smile. She made me cry tears of joy. She excited me and inspired me.

I looked at this woman and her equally athletic husband and marveled at the intensity at which she lived her life, the deep interest in the natural world, the challenge she put her physical body through, and the keen mental stability and balance one would need to live a life such as this.

Our two hour hike passed in what felt like 5 minutes and I was sad to say good-bye. Luckily my father was on the same wave-length as me and wanted to commemorate this experience as much as I did so I asked for a quick photo right before we left.

Louise is a living example of living in the moment; fully present, fully aware, awake and ALIVE. The only signs of ‘old-age’ was her bright white hair and slight forward bend. Other than that, she was more agile than most 20 year olds.

This human being that I had the grace to meet is a reminder to never take anything for granted and to always live each day to the fullest. Having seen this marvel of a woman, how could I not share her story?

Live now. Take the leap of faith now. Challenge yourself. Explore. Go on an adventure. Don’t wait for someone or something to happen. Make it happen.

If you’re waiting for that sign,….here it is.

How Well Do You Really Know Yourself?

Where Do Negative Thoughts Come From?

by Elizabeth Hancock

None of us are strangers to the odd negative thought.

Sometimes these negative thoughts come into our mindscape like a cloud and dissolve on their own never to return again. But sometimes those pesky ‘sticky’ thoughts tend to hang around for much longer than we’d like.

We’ve all heard that ‘thoughts are things’, but where exactly do our thoughts come from? Specifically negative thoughts?

In today’s video I discuss the nature of negative thoughts and emotions, why we have them, and where they come from, but most importantly how to dissolve them from their core.

All you need to do is ask yourself just ONE question,…are you up for it?