It's been a ridiculously long time since I have written here. Why? It seems to me that whenever I have been inspired to write, it has been easy to sum up in 140 characters or less, so I have been doing most of my writing on Twitter.
Plus, I've been going through a sort of dark night of the soul experience. I guess I find it difficult to share something like that while I am going through it. It is easier to sum it all up once one is through it and has analyzed the lessons and gifts it held.
But here I am, deciding to write, even though I am square in the middle of such an experience. Oh, what do I know? I could be near the end.
I have heard it said that it is always darkest just before dawn.
In any case, I am exhausted. I understand that is part of the process. I intend to fully surrender to the process, even though I thought I was through with it with the end of last year. Apparently, there is still "stuff" that needs clearing before I am truly ready to move forward.
I am noticing more and more synchronicities. In fact, I have been noting them all along. But my awareness of them is increasing and so it seems as if they are increasing.
In any case, I am grateful for the clearing. I expect to feel much lighter and freer when this is all over with, and perhaps ready for whatever purpose I came to fulfill. We'll see.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, January 08, 2009
2009 - My Year of Realization
I don't usually do New Years Resolutions. I mean, if you are aware of something that needs to change in your life, why wait for a New Year or even Monday?
However, this year, the time when I am prepared to take action just happens to coincide with the beginning of a new year. So, here I am, sharing my intentions for this now, not necessarily this year.
I started out with three items on my list and it morphed into six by the time I gave my mini-icebreaker for Toastmasters during our first meeting of the year.
And so, my intentions for now are:
1. Experplay at least three times a week. I choose not to exercise because it sounds like such a chore. I would rather spend time doing things I find enjoyable that also strengthen my body.
2. Drink more water. Building habits may be challenging, but I know it will be worth it. I am starting with 4 glasses a day and working up to 8.
3. I choose to practice enjoyment of the abundance of grace and love that is bestowed on me each day and to express appreciation for it all.
4. I choose to believe that I am capable of more than I have ever believed possible. It's the belief, the self-concept, that limits us or sets us free, according to our choice.
5. I choose to Be Someone.
"Be someone who listens, and you will be heard. Be someone who loves, and you will be loved. Be someone who gives, and you will be blessed. Be someone who comforts, and you will know peace.
Be someone who genuinely seeks to understand, and you will be wise. Be someone kind, someone considerate, and you will be admired. Be someone who values truth, and you will be respected. Be someone who takes action, and you will move life forward.
Be someone who lifts others higher, and your life will be rich. Be someone filled with gratitude, and there will be no end to the things for which you'll be thankful.
Be someone who lives with joy, with purpose, as your own light brightly shines. Be, in every moment, the special someone you are truly meant to be."
~ Ralph Marston
6. Finally, I choose to fall in love with life and everyone in my life experience over and over and over again, and give up concern over whether anyone understands that or not.
It is shaping up to be an awesome year already. I am getting excited about my life experience again. Life is turning me on!
However, this year, the time when I am prepared to take action just happens to coincide with the beginning of a new year. So, here I am, sharing my intentions for this now, not necessarily this year.
I started out with three items on my list and it morphed into six by the time I gave my mini-icebreaker for Toastmasters during our first meeting of the year.
And so, my intentions for now are:
1. Experplay at least three times a week. I choose not to exercise because it sounds like such a chore. I would rather spend time doing things I find enjoyable that also strengthen my body.
2. Drink more water. Building habits may be challenging, but I know it will be worth it. I am starting with 4 glasses a day and working up to 8.
3. I choose to practice enjoyment of the abundance of grace and love that is bestowed on me each day and to express appreciation for it all.
4. I choose to believe that I am capable of more than I have ever believed possible. It's the belief, the self-concept, that limits us or sets us free, according to our choice.
5. I choose to Be Someone.
"Be someone who listens, and you will be heard. Be someone who loves, and you will be loved. Be someone who gives, and you will be blessed. Be someone who comforts, and you will know peace.
Be someone who genuinely seeks to understand, and you will be wise. Be someone kind, someone considerate, and you will be admired. Be someone who values truth, and you will be respected. Be someone who takes action, and you will move life forward.
Be someone who lifts others higher, and your life will be rich. Be someone filled with gratitude, and there will be no end to the things for which you'll be thankful.
Be someone who lives with joy, with purpose, as your own light brightly shines. Be, in every moment, the special someone you are truly meant to be."
~ Ralph Marston
6. Finally, I choose to fall in love with life and everyone in my life experience over and over and over again, and give up concern over whether anyone understands that or not.
It is shaping up to be an awesome year already. I am getting excited about my life experience again. Life is turning me on!
Monday, January 05, 2009
Yeah, Yeah, Goals, Yada, Yada, Yada
My outlook on goals has been rather dismal over the past couple years of my life. I got tired of hearing how goals must be this or that - specific and measurable, etc., etc., etc.
First of all, I have created a problem with the word must. It implies that there is only one way to do a thing, and this is it. That used to bug me. So many people use that word, and when I hear it, little bells go off in my head that warn me that ego is raising its ugly head. And I suppose that is my ego wanting to say, You are wrong, buddy. That is not the only way it can be done.
And for everyone who says a thing must be done in a certain way, I can find at least one other person that accomplished the same thing in another way. Just because you have found a way that works, doesn't make it the way. We must humble ourselves and quit telling everybody else how things must be done. Just kidding! You must not do a damn thing you don't want to do. *wicked grin*
Anyway, I am rethinking goals right now, and I realize that what I react to is mostly semantics. They are just words, and as a good friend recently pointed out, it is our attachment of some meaning to the words that causes our adverse reactions.
And I realize that I have always had my own approach to goals that worked for me. Being fairly balanced between my analytical mind and my creative mind helped with this.
For instance, when all the "expert" advice failed me, I developed my own approach to guiding my children. You can't exactly attach metrics to the goal of bringing up healthy, happy children. The approach for me was similar to Michelangelo's approach to carving David. He saw the David in the chunk of marble and chipped away anything that wasn't part of the David. I saw certain behaviors for my children that I knew would help them in life, and I chipped away at behaviors that I knew would be hurtful. I didn't try to change their personalities, and my approach was not harsh. I was merely more persistent than they were, and I often mirrored for them what their behavior looked like.
So, not all goals are measurable, in the sense that they can be evaluated based on systems of metrics. But that doesn't mean you can't see their effects.
Not only that, they are not all specific. I didn't have a list of things I wanted my children to practice. I merely followed my intuition and noticed when they were moving into behaviors that could be harmful to them, and guided them to make course corrections when needed.
The other issue I have had with goals is that I have experienced them mentally as limitations. If I go after this, I eliminate other possibilities. At least, that's the way I was thinking. I am an explorer by nature, and I would rather go on a trip and discover what's out there than have an agenda.
Now, I am thinking of goals more like ports of call on my cruise through this life experience. Just because I set a goal doesn't mean I am married to it for life. I can stop off there and enjoy it for a while, then sail off to another destination of my choice. I can even change course if I so choose and scrap any destination I have set for another, more appealing one.
However, I am still totally unsure of any five year plans. Looking at the rate at which change is happening in our world today, I think three months is long enough to look ahead. We only have today, anyway, and we may not even have later today. This moment is all we have for sure, so let's not put off enjoying our lives for when some goal or other is reached. Tomorrow never comes. Neither does later.
First of all, I have created a problem with the word must. It implies that there is only one way to do a thing, and this is it. That used to bug me. So many people use that word, and when I hear it, little bells go off in my head that warn me that ego is raising its ugly head. And I suppose that is my ego wanting to say, You are wrong, buddy. That is not the only way it can be done.
And for everyone who says a thing must be done in a certain way, I can find at least one other person that accomplished the same thing in another way. Just because you have found a way that works, doesn't make it the way. We must humble ourselves and quit telling everybody else how things must be done. Just kidding! You must not do a damn thing you don't want to do. *wicked grin*
Anyway, I am rethinking goals right now, and I realize that what I react to is mostly semantics. They are just words, and as a good friend recently pointed out, it is our attachment of some meaning to the words that causes our adverse reactions.
And I realize that I have always had my own approach to goals that worked for me. Being fairly balanced between my analytical mind and my creative mind helped with this.
For instance, when all the "expert" advice failed me, I developed my own approach to guiding my children. You can't exactly attach metrics to the goal of bringing up healthy, happy children. The approach for me was similar to Michelangelo's approach to carving David. He saw the David in the chunk of marble and chipped away anything that wasn't part of the David. I saw certain behaviors for my children that I knew would help them in life, and I chipped away at behaviors that I knew would be hurtful. I didn't try to change their personalities, and my approach was not harsh. I was merely more persistent than they were, and I often mirrored for them what their behavior looked like.
So, not all goals are measurable, in the sense that they can be evaluated based on systems of metrics. But that doesn't mean you can't see their effects.
Not only that, they are not all specific. I didn't have a list of things I wanted my children to practice. I merely followed my intuition and noticed when they were moving into behaviors that could be harmful to them, and guided them to make course corrections when needed.
The other issue I have had with goals is that I have experienced them mentally as limitations. If I go after this, I eliminate other possibilities. At least, that's the way I was thinking. I am an explorer by nature, and I would rather go on a trip and discover what's out there than have an agenda.
Now, I am thinking of goals more like ports of call on my cruise through this life experience. Just because I set a goal doesn't mean I am married to it for life. I can stop off there and enjoy it for a while, then sail off to another destination of my choice. I can even change course if I so choose and scrap any destination I have set for another, more appealing one.
However, I am still totally unsure of any five year plans. Looking at the rate at which change is happening in our world today, I think three months is long enough to look ahead. We only have today, anyway, and we may not even have later today. This moment is all we have for sure, so let's not put off enjoying our lives for when some goal or other is reached. Tomorrow never comes. Neither does later.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008 - My Year of Deconstruction
One of the reasons I haven't written as much this year as I would have liked is that for me, this has been a year of deconstruction - the systematic deconstruction of the many concepts by which I have identified myself. And as the walls crumbled, I discovered serious cracks in the foundation upon which I have built my life – my self-concept.
Chiefest among the concepts that fell to deconstruction was the idea that I could be defined by the roles I play, by someone else's image of me, or even by my own image of myself. What is a self-concept but a collection of ideas we hold about ourselves? Much of the time, when we look deeply and honestly at those ideas, we find that they have no basis in fact.
Closely linked with the idea of a self-concept is the concept of inferiority and superiority. If I say, I am intelligent, the underlying idea is that anyone who cannot be defined as intelligent is less than me. If I say, I am successful, the idea attached to that is that I am superior to anyone who cannot be defined as successful.
If I say, I have a good job, the idea is that some jobs are bad. My job is valuable, whereas the janitor's job has little merit. Try cleaning your own office and emptying your own trash for a couple weeks, and that idea will go right out the window.
The concept of inferiority and superiority has created the denigration of others for millennia, and yet we all still carry traces of it in our psyche. It is nothing more than an idea, and having outgrown that idea, why not cast it away?
And so I ask, What do you mean, think outside the box? What box? This comes from the realization that there is no box unless we generate one with our thoughts.
Another way of putting what has been happening in my life is strategic emptying of myself as a vessel. A full vessel cannot receive. It needs to be emptied in order to be receptive.
As long as I am full of knowledge, I am not open to learning. When I empty myself of knowledge, and admit that much of what I call knowledge is nothing more than judgment, I become open to what is. When I empty myself of ideas about you, I become open to who you really are. When I empty myself of ideas about myself, I become unlimited.
I love being empty, being nothing. Nothing at all. Unwritten, undefined, undefinable.
And so it is.
Chiefest among the concepts that fell to deconstruction was the idea that I could be defined by the roles I play, by someone else's image of me, or even by my own image of myself. What is a self-concept but a collection of ideas we hold about ourselves? Much of the time, when we look deeply and honestly at those ideas, we find that they have no basis in fact.
Closely linked with the idea of a self-concept is the concept of inferiority and superiority. If I say, I am intelligent, the underlying idea is that anyone who cannot be defined as intelligent is less than me. If I say, I am successful, the idea attached to that is that I am superior to anyone who cannot be defined as successful.
If I say, I have a good job, the idea is that some jobs are bad. My job is valuable, whereas the janitor's job has little merit. Try cleaning your own office and emptying your own trash for a couple weeks, and that idea will go right out the window.
The concept of inferiority and superiority has created the denigration of others for millennia, and yet we all still carry traces of it in our psyche. It is nothing more than an idea, and having outgrown that idea, why not cast it away?
And so I ask, What do you mean, think outside the box? What box? This comes from the realization that there is no box unless we generate one with our thoughts.
Another way of putting what has been happening in my life is strategic emptying of myself as a vessel. A full vessel cannot receive. It needs to be emptied in order to be receptive.
As long as I am full of knowledge, I am not open to learning. When I empty myself of knowledge, and admit that much of what I call knowledge is nothing more than judgment, I become open to what is. When I empty myself of ideas about you, I become open to who you really are. When I empty myself of ideas about myself, I become unlimited.
I love being empty, being nothing. Nothing at all. Unwritten, undefined, undefinable.
And so it is.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Some Thoughts Are Not Worth Entertaining
Thinking, thinking, thinking. Always thinking, but to what end?
Most of our thoughts are junk. That's why I'm glad I can't read minds. I know I have had plenty of thoughts that I wouldn't want to share with anyone. And I really have enough to handle with my own mind chatter. I surely don't want to deal with that of others.
We all have thoughts that don't truly represent our hearts. I can remember thinking horrible thoughts as a child, such as thinking that I wished one of my siblings was dead. Those thoughts far from represented the truth of my heart. I know. I have lost two siblings, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
I have come to understand that thinking is highly overrated. I believe our minds are meant to be tools, and most of the time we seem to use them as blueprints instead. I certainly don't think we need to throw out the baby with the bath water. We shouldn't stop using our minds just because much of what is produced in them is junk.
We only need to realize that our mind is only part of a vast system of intelligence, which includes our heart intelligence, our "gut" intelligence, both of which are connected to universal intelligence.
And we need to send thoughts that are not for our highest good on their way, and only entertain thoughts that are purposeful and add value to our lives. The same might be said for relationships, as well.
Most of our thoughts are junk. That's why I'm glad I can't read minds. I know I have had plenty of thoughts that I wouldn't want to share with anyone. And I really have enough to handle with my own mind chatter. I surely don't want to deal with that of others.
We all have thoughts that don't truly represent our hearts. I can remember thinking horrible thoughts as a child, such as thinking that I wished one of my siblings was dead. Those thoughts far from represented the truth of my heart. I know. I have lost two siblings, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
I have come to understand that thinking is highly overrated. I believe our minds are meant to be tools, and most of the time we seem to use them as blueprints instead. I certainly don't think we need to throw out the baby with the bath water. We shouldn't stop using our minds just because much of what is produced in them is junk.
We only need to realize that our mind is only part of a vast system of intelligence, which includes our heart intelligence, our "gut" intelligence, both of which are connected to universal intelligence.
And we need to send thoughts that are not for our highest good on their way, and only entertain thoughts that are purposeful and add value to our lives. The same might be said for relationships, as well.
Do It On Purpose
One of the principles that I am reminded of today is living on purpose - choosing actions related to your purpose and choosing to do whatever you do on purpose.
Of course, the more your activities are related to your overall life purpose, the closer you will come to fulfilling that purpose. But there are many things that may not be directly related to your life purpose, and yet contribute to your quality of life.
For example, if you choose to eat on purpose, you might find that you do not need to eat just because it is "meal time". You may not be experiencing hunger at that time. And you may choose to wait until you are experiencing hunger before choosing to eat.
Then, when you do choose to eat, you may find that by paying attention to what you are eating, you can maximize the experience. If you pause for a moment and pay attention to your food, you may find increased pleasure in the experience of your food. Notice the colors and shapes and aroma of your food. Notice and feel grateful for the abundance of food that is available to you. As you begin to eat, notice the taste, texture and temperature of your food. I have heard it said that you receive the most intense flavor from the first two bites of food. So, pay attention to, savor and enjoy those first bites.
Instead of chewing and swallowing mindlessly, pay attention to chewing and notice when your food is fully ready for swallowing. Digestion begins in the mouth and you are doing your digestive system an important service by chewing your food thoroughly.
I practiced this today, and I noticed a little burst of joy in the experience. That's what I'm trying to say - en-joy.
I've noticed that when I practice this kind of attentiveness, I find joy in the simplest activities.
So, let's pay attention to life and fully en-joy it. It's passing, one way or the other. It can pass unnoticed, or it can pass with our full participation and attention.
En-joy your life experience - every facet of it - if you so choose.
Of course, the more your activities are related to your overall life purpose, the closer you will come to fulfilling that purpose. But there are many things that may not be directly related to your life purpose, and yet contribute to your quality of life.
For example, if you choose to eat on purpose, you might find that you do not need to eat just because it is "meal time". You may not be experiencing hunger at that time. And you may choose to wait until you are experiencing hunger before choosing to eat.
Then, when you do choose to eat, you may find that by paying attention to what you are eating, you can maximize the experience. If you pause for a moment and pay attention to your food, you may find increased pleasure in the experience of your food. Notice the colors and shapes and aroma of your food. Notice and feel grateful for the abundance of food that is available to you. As you begin to eat, notice the taste, texture and temperature of your food. I have heard it said that you receive the most intense flavor from the first two bites of food. So, pay attention to, savor and enjoy those first bites.
Instead of chewing and swallowing mindlessly, pay attention to chewing and notice when your food is fully ready for swallowing. Digestion begins in the mouth and you are doing your digestive system an important service by chewing your food thoroughly.
I practiced this today, and I noticed a little burst of joy in the experience. That's what I'm trying to say - en-joy.
I've noticed that when I practice this kind of attentiveness, I find joy in the simplest activities.
So, let's pay attention to life and fully en-joy it. It's passing, one way or the other. It can pass unnoticed, or it can pass with our full participation and attention.
En-joy your life experience - every facet of it - if you so choose.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Leave Traces of Kindness
"We never touch people so lightly that we do not leave a trace." - Peggy Tabor Millin
This is a principle I have used to guide my interactions with others for many years now. I love the powerful way in which it is expressed by Peggy in these beautifully woven words.
It is my intention to remain open to others because you never know when your smile, your touch or your kind word could be the catalyst that begins a cycle of growth or awakening in another human being. There is also the distinct possibility that your kindness could help someone over a rough spot and or even give them the strength to continue.
Many people hide their struggles from others, feeling that it is a weakness to struggle at all. It is safe to assume that whatever kindness you can practice toward others is greatly needed in our world.
I know I often find myself wrapped up in my thoughts and miss opportunities to positively affect my world. But I hold the intention to create ripples of kindness, and so each time I notice myself closing in, I consciously choose to open and take every opportunity I can to fill the world with love and positivity.
Won't you join me?
This is a principle I have used to guide my interactions with others for many years now. I love the powerful way in which it is expressed by Peggy in these beautifully woven words.
It is my intention to remain open to others because you never know when your smile, your touch or your kind word could be the catalyst that begins a cycle of growth or awakening in another human being. There is also the distinct possibility that your kindness could help someone over a rough spot and or even give them the strength to continue.
Many people hide their struggles from others, feeling that it is a weakness to struggle at all. It is safe to assume that whatever kindness you can practice toward others is greatly needed in our world.
I know I often find myself wrapped up in my thoughts and miss opportunities to positively affect my world. But I hold the intention to create ripples of kindness, and so each time I notice myself closing in, I consciously choose to open and take every opportunity I can to fill the world with love and positivity.
Won't you join me?
Thursday, November 06, 2008
It's a Spiritual Thing
Many people and organizations have been trying for a very long time to eradicate poverty and other things that are detrimental to quality of life.
Many have given up because they find that changing someone's outward circumstances does not necessarily change a person's life. A person must be willing to change within before any real change will take place in their life.
That’s why welfare seldom works to raise people out of poverty. People must be willing to change in order to truly benefit from charity.
Whatever is within will find it's way into expression in one's outward circumstances. This is why some people can win millions of dollars and wind up broke within a short time, while others can lose fortunes and regain them in no time flat.
Just as we can't make a person wealthy by giving them money, we can't make a person generous by taking their money away.
It's a spiritual thing.
Many have given up because they find that changing someone's outward circumstances does not necessarily change a person's life. A person must be willing to change within before any real change will take place in their life.
That’s why welfare seldom works to raise people out of poverty. People must be willing to change in order to truly benefit from charity.
Whatever is within will find it's way into expression in one's outward circumstances. This is why some people can win millions of dollars and wind up broke within a short time, while others can lose fortunes and regain them in no time flat.
Just as we can't make a person wealthy by giving them money, we can't make a person generous by taking their money away.
It's a spiritual thing.
Call Me Pollyanna
I love the fact that our country has grown enough to elect a black president.
I am still not thrilled about some of Obama's ideas, though. I want to see everyone rise out of poverty and have what they need. I just don't want to see "redistribution of wealth" become a government mandate. I don't have a lot of money, so I am not coming from a greed standpoint, but from the standpoint of freedom.
The more we ask from the government, the more they take from us, and personally, I think they have taken enough already.
But I am holding out hope that the changes we need to make on our planet will be made from a spiritual base, instead of a legislative one.
Our world has come a long way in growing out of a lot of its harmful beliefs, and I know there is still a lot of room for improvement, but I believe in us. Hey, call me Pollyanna, but I believe.
"I am neither an optimist, nor a pessimist, but a possibilist." - Max Lerner
I am still not thrilled about some of Obama's ideas, though. I want to see everyone rise out of poverty and have what they need. I just don't want to see "redistribution of wealth" become a government mandate. I don't have a lot of money, so I am not coming from a greed standpoint, but from the standpoint of freedom.
The more we ask from the government, the more they take from us, and personally, I think they have taken enough already.
But I am holding out hope that the changes we need to make on our planet will be made from a spiritual base, instead of a legislative one.
Our world has come a long way in growing out of a lot of its harmful beliefs, and I know there is still a lot of room for improvement, but I believe in us. Hey, call me Pollyanna, but I believe.
"I am neither an optimist, nor a pessimist, but a possibilist." - Max Lerner
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Nine Nails
Today, as I went for a walk, I picked up nine nails, screws and various other tire hazards from the roadside, in order to prevent damage to someone's tires.
Why would I bother to get my hands dirty like that?
Because...
I own the world.
Oh, not in terms of entitlement or actual property ownership. But in terms of responsibility, and in terms of love.
That doesn't mean I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. I just do what I can. It is just a small thing, but every time we do some small act of kindness, we make the world just a little bit better.
Now, obviously, I can't pick up every nail or screw from the roadside, and I won't save everyone's tires. But that doesn't mean I can't save some. I can make a difference, even if it is a small one.
I love this quote from one of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, which she attributed to her mother, "Many hands make light work."
One person performing one small act of kindness makes a difference. But imagine how much of a difference it would make if everyone performed one small act of kindness every day or even every week.
A lot of people doing tiny things would make a gargantuan difference in the world. I believe it is happening much more often than we think. Let's make it happen even more.
Why would I bother to get my hands dirty like that?
Because...
I own the world.
Oh, not in terms of entitlement or actual property ownership. But in terms of responsibility, and in terms of love.
That doesn't mean I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. I just do what I can. It is just a small thing, but every time we do some small act of kindness, we make the world just a little bit better.
Now, obviously, I can't pick up every nail or screw from the roadside, and I won't save everyone's tires. But that doesn't mean I can't save some. I can make a difference, even if it is a small one.
I love this quote from one of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, which she attributed to her mother, "Many hands make light work."
One person performing one small act of kindness makes a difference. But imagine how much of a difference it would make if everyone performed one small act of kindness every day or even every week.
A lot of people doing tiny things would make a gargantuan difference in the world. I believe it is happening much more often than we think. Let's make it happen even more.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Help from Tom Robbins
“To achieve the impossible; it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought.” - Tom Robbins. This is precisely what I had in mind when I began this blog. Thinking the unthinkable, believing the unbelievable, expanding the parameters of what is possible.
What happened to that?
“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.” - Tom Robbins. This has me wondering, Am I committed to anything any more?
Maybe these words are here to be lights unto my path. Hmmm...we'll see where this leads.
What happened to that?
“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.” - Tom Robbins. This has me wondering, Am I committed to anything any more?
Maybe these words are here to be lights unto my path. Hmmm...we'll see where this leads.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Worry and Stress are Slow Suicide
Worry and chronic stress release toxins into your body. Toxic buildup leads to disease. Therefore, worrying and chronic stress are slow suicide.
So is abusing alcohol and drugs, smoking and overeating or overindulging in unhealthy foods. When you put it that way, we are a nation of suicidal maniacs.
Worry is simply misuse of the imagination. If you can sit around and imagine all the things that can go wrong and feel crappy, why not begin to imagine all the things that can go right and feel good?
Hmmm...something to think about.
So is abusing alcohol and drugs, smoking and overeating or overindulging in unhealthy foods. When you put it that way, we are a nation of suicidal maniacs.
Worry is simply misuse of the imagination. If you can sit around and imagine all the things that can go wrong and feel crappy, why not begin to imagine all the things that can go right and feel good?
Hmmm...something to think about.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
You ARE the magic; You ARE the miracle
Lately, I have been using a little ritual and symbolism in my manifestation practice, and I can tell you it is turning me on!
But I knew that I was going to be away from home for a full day, and I didn't want to carry my props with me in order to continue the ritual work I am doing. Then I remembered that there is nothing that is needed outside of me to complete my work of manifestation. It is all within.
The purpose of the props and rituals and even methods is that they increase our awareness of our oneness and our alignment with Spirit. It is our awareness of this alignment, this oneness with All That Is that puts us in the place of being open and able to receive what we have already created within and empowers us to bring it forth into our life experience.
What is this empowering force? Is it something that comes to us from outside? Not at all. All the power we need to do everything we can imagine and more is already inside us. Anything that empowers us is merely awakening us to the power within.
We are the magic. We are the miracle. We are the manifestation. We are the bliss we are looking for.
So, let's stop looking and begin really seeing. It is here. It is now. We are it. And so it is.
But I knew that I was going to be away from home for a full day, and I didn't want to carry my props with me in order to continue the ritual work I am doing. Then I remembered that there is nothing that is needed outside of me to complete my work of manifestation. It is all within.
The purpose of the props and rituals and even methods is that they increase our awareness of our oneness and our alignment with Spirit. It is our awareness of this alignment, this oneness with All That Is that puts us in the place of being open and able to receive what we have already created within and empowers us to bring it forth into our life experience.
What is this empowering force? Is it something that comes to us from outside? Not at all. All the power we need to do everything we can imagine and more is already inside us. Anything that empowers us is merely awakening us to the power within.
We are the magic. We are the miracle. We are the manifestation. We are the bliss we are looking for.
So, let's stop looking and begin really seeing. It is here. It is now. We are it. And so it is.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Breaking Down the Walls
Something a friend of mine said this morning triggered a breakthrough for me. He is in business for himself, and he mentioned that as long as he is focused on having fun, money flows in freely. But whenever he and his wife have an argument about money, and he finds himself focused on making money, the influx of money slows down.
And suddenly the realization dawned on me that in the act of shutting people out of my heart, I am closing the door to the influx of money and all good things. It brought tears to my eyes and it took several minutes for me to compose myself. This is the answer I have been looking for...the answer to the question, Why am I not allowing myself to succeed?
I am not allowing inflow at all. It's like a part of my heart is shut tight. The giving part is wide open. I want others to receive my love, but when it comes to inviting others in, I am highly exclusive. I exclude almost everyone. I will gladly come into your heart and give you all that I have to give, but you may not enter mine.
That's not working too well for me, because it is all God. God is love. Therefore, it is all love. By shutting out love, I am shutting out everything. I am shutting out all I need and all I desire. I am shutting out my very own self.
Ouch!
Now, to let go of this remaining armor, and embrace freedom - the freedom to love and be loved boundlessly, passionately, intimately and ecstatically, the freedom to enjoy life to the fullest and the freedom to prosper in every way.
And suddenly the realization dawned on me that in the act of shutting people out of my heart, I am closing the door to the influx of money and all good things. It brought tears to my eyes and it took several minutes for me to compose myself. This is the answer I have been looking for...the answer to the question, Why am I not allowing myself to succeed?
I am not allowing inflow at all. It's like a part of my heart is shut tight. The giving part is wide open. I want others to receive my love, but when it comes to inviting others in, I am highly exclusive. I exclude almost everyone. I will gladly come into your heart and give you all that I have to give, but you may not enter mine.
That's not working too well for me, because it is all God. God is love. Therefore, it is all love. By shutting out love, I am shutting out everything. I am shutting out all I need and all I desire. I am shutting out my very own self.
Ouch!
Now, to let go of this remaining armor, and embrace freedom - the freedom to love and be loved boundlessly, passionately, intimately and ecstatically, the freedom to enjoy life to the fullest and the freedom to prosper in every way.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
A Reason, a Season or a Lifetime
Once in a while, an e-mail forward comes along that is really worth reading. This is one of those.
Nature does nothing uselessly. The mysteries of nature should not be questioned, they should be experienced.
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person..
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed..
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you entered my life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
Nature does nothing uselessly. The mysteries of nature should not be questioned, they should be experienced.
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person..
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed..
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you entered my life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
Giving Up
I remember trying so hard to be what I thought would make me lovable to others. It is a kind of death, because if you are not being yourself, who are you being? You are not being at all. You are existing.
You can't earn love. You can only give it and receive it. It is either a gift or it is not love at all. If you do try to earn it, nothing you do will ever be enough. And how can anyone love a non-person, anyway?
Sometimes, giving up is the most positive thing you can do. Trying to change what is can be like beating a dead horse. It's not going anywhere. Give it up! This is coming from someone who is bound and determined to see a thing through once I start. Surrender does not come easily to me. I descended from stubborn, determined and strong women and if it's important enough for me to invest my time and attention, I want it to work, damn it! But what if what you are trying to make work is not even for your highest good? Hello! It's a prison, a dungeon even, but I am still going to make it work. Stubbornness can easily become foolishness. Guilty!
And so giving up, at least in the sense of surrender, is not failure. It is making space for real success.
Giving up on a relationship that is not serving your highest good is making space for a relationship that will.
I like the way it is written in Trisha Yearwood's song, Let the Wind Chase You:
Like a wildwood flower
Doesn’t have to reach for the sun
And when it needs a drop of water
It doesn’t have to ask the rain to come
I don’t wanna work for your love
I don’t wanna try to be
Something that you’re looking for
You’re never gonna find in me
So let the wind chase you
I can’t do it anymore
Let the road run after you
Like I always did before
Let the stars catch your eye
‘Cause I’ve tried and tried and tried
And I won’t do
So let the wind chase you
No one says a diamond isn’t precious
Just because it hasn’t yet been found
And no one blames the moon for not shining
Just because it’s hidden by a cloud
I don’t wanna blame myself
Thinking that I’m not enough
And wonder what’s wrong with me
Because I couldn’t win your love
So let the wind chase you
I can’t do it anymore
Let the road run after you
Like I always did before
Let the stars catch your eye
‘Cause I’ve tried and tried and tried
And I won’t do
So let the wind chase you
I don’t wanna work for your love
I don’t wanna try to be
Something that you’re looking for
You’re never gonna find in me
So let the wind chase you
I can’t do it anymore
Let the road run after you
Like I always did before
Let the stars catch your eye
‘Cause I’ve tried and tried and tried
And I won’t do
So let the wind chase you, mmhmm
Let the wind (let the wind)
Chase you
You can't earn love. You can only give it and receive it. It is either a gift or it is not love at all. If you do try to earn it, nothing you do will ever be enough. And how can anyone love a non-person, anyway?
Sometimes, giving up is the most positive thing you can do. Trying to change what is can be like beating a dead horse. It's not going anywhere. Give it up! This is coming from someone who is bound and determined to see a thing through once I start. Surrender does not come easily to me. I descended from stubborn, determined and strong women and if it's important enough for me to invest my time and attention, I want it to work, damn it! But what if what you are trying to make work is not even for your highest good? Hello! It's a prison, a dungeon even, but I am still going to make it work. Stubbornness can easily become foolishness. Guilty!
And so giving up, at least in the sense of surrender, is not failure. It is making space for real success.
Giving up on a relationship that is not serving your highest good is making space for a relationship that will.
I like the way it is written in Trisha Yearwood's song, Let the Wind Chase You:
Like a wildwood flower
Doesn’t have to reach for the sun
And when it needs a drop of water
It doesn’t have to ask the rain to come
I don’t wanna work for your love
I don’t wanna try to be
Something that you’re looking for
You’re never gonna find in me
So let the wind chase you
I can’t do it anymore
Let the road run after you
Like I always did before
Let the stars catch your eye
‘Cause I’ve tried and tried and tried
And I won’t do
So let the wind chase you
No one says a diamond isn’t precious
Just because it hasn’t yet been found
And no one blames the moon for not shining
Just because it’s hidden by a cloud
I don’t wanna blame myself
Thinking that I’m not enough
And wonder what’s wrong with me
Because I couldn’t win your love
So let the wind chase you
I can’t do it anymore
Let the road run after you
Like I always did before
Let the stars catch your eye
‘Cause I’ve tried and tried and tried
And I won’t do
So let the wind chase you
I don’t wanna work for your love
I don’t wanna try to be
Something that you’re looking for
You’re never gonna find in me
So let the wind chase you
I can’t do it anymore
Let the road run after you
Like I always did before
Let the stars catch your eye
‘Cause I’ve tried and tried and tried
And I won’t do
So let the wind chase you, mmhmm
Let the wind (let the wind)
Chase you
I Get It
I had a total Freudian slip when I was writing out this post the first time.
I intended to write, "Attachment is suffering. It is not what other people do or don't do that causes us to suffer. It is wanting circumstances to be different from what they are." But, what I actually wrote was, "It is wanting circumstances to be different from what we are."
Interesting, because I think that is it in a nutshell. We attract what we are, or at least what we think we are. We think we want a loving relationship, but if we think we are unworthy, we attract someone who reflects our thoughts by treating us as if we are unworthy. Then, we suffer in that relationship, because we resist seeing what is being reflected back to us. We want circumstances to be different than what we are.
If someone or some relationship is reflecting back to us our sense of unworthiness, does unworthiness become the truth about us? Absolutely not! It is merely a reflection of the illusion that we are holding in our thoughts. If we think that we are unworthy, we feel unworthy, and we create the illusion of unworthiness...which must then be reflected back to us by divine law. Just as a mirror can only reflect the image projected into it, the mirror of our circumstances can only reflect what we project into it from our internal pictures.
This seems to be an annoyance, but it is actually a blessing. We become aware of what internal pictures we are holding by what we are reflecting in our life experience. This provides the perfect opportunity for changing our internal pictures from what we don't want to experience to what we do want.
At least, that's the way I see it. But what do I know?
I intended to write, "Attachment is suffering. It is not what other people do or don't do that causes us to suffer. It is wanting circumstances to be different from what they are." But, what I actually wrote was, "It is wanting circumstances to be different from what we are."
Interesting, because I think that is it in a nutshell. We attract what we are, or at least what we think we are. We think we want a loving relationship, but if we think we are unworthy, we attract someone who reflects our thoughts by treating us as if we are unworthy. Then, we suffer in that relationship, because we resist seeing what is being reflected back to us. We want circumstances to be different than what we are.
If someone or some relationship is reflecting back to us our sense of unworthiness, does unworthiness become the truth about us? Absolutely not! It is merely a reflection of the illusion that we are holding in our thoughts. If we think that we are unworthy, we feel unworthy, and we create the illusion of unworthiness...which must then be reflected back to us by divine law. Just as a mirror can only reflect the image projected into it, the mirror of our circumstances can only reflect what we project into it from our internal pictures.
This seems to be an annoyance, but it is actually a blessing. We become aware of what internal pictures we are holding by what we are reflecting in our life experience. This provides the perfect opportunity for changing our internal pictures from what we don't want to experience to what we do want.
At least, that's the way I see it. But what do I know?
Resisting or Allowing? A Simple Choice for Life
By Patrice Robson
"The world offers itself to me in a thousand ways, and I ache with an awareness of how infrequently I am able to receive more than a small fraction of what is offered, of how often I reject what is because I feel it is not good enough." --Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Lately, I'm becoming more and more conscious of two completely different ways of being: resisting and allowing.
By really paying attention to myself, I can sense when I'm in resistance. For me, resistance brings rigidity - my body feels hard, like I'm wearing psychic armor. And I also feel a tightening, a hardness to my mind, like I'm marshalling my mental defences for battle.
Not surprisingly, resistance feels negative. Most times, when I'm resentful, I don't even know what I'm resenting. Sometimes it's rooted in fear. It has a "me against them" kind of attitude.
What has been surprising is that I'm often in resistance when there hasn't been any obvious cause for that kind of reaction. I've discovered that being in resistance is a habit. It's the way I've learned to live - to always be protecting myself against life, even though living this way steals my energy and my joy.
Fortunately, I've discovered the second word: allowing. What is allowing? It's not controlling. It's not forcing things to be my way or even just wishing things were my way. It's letting life be just as it is.
When I'm allowing, I experience a softness in my being. The armour is gone; I feel safe and relaxed. This is where peace, contentment and well-being arise. I'm not at war with life and there's space to enjoy whatever's going on. It feels so good!
I can only get to allowing when I let go of judgment. I need to release my opinions that "things would be better if..." Backing up a bit, I can only get to allowing when I become aware that I'm resisting.
For me, sensing the contrast between resistance and allowing has been an experience of awakening. And it's so simple! All I have to do is pay attention! Am I feeling armoured for battle, angry at the world, even in a very subtle way? Or am I feeling open, soft, comfortable, at ease? If I'm in resistance, I bring my attention to my breathing for a few minutes and this helps ease the tension.
Just becoming aware of the resistance often releases it. And as I practice this awareness, over and over and over again, my experience of life is lightening up. I smile more often and worry much less. It's all I've ever wanted!
"The world offers itself to me in a thousand ways, and I ache with an awareness of how infrequently I am able to receive more than a small fraction of what is offered, of how often I reject what is because I feel it is not good enough." --Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Lately, I'm becoming more and more conscious of two completely different ways of being: resisting and allowing.
By really paying attention to myself, I can sense when I'm in resistance. For me, resistance brings rigidity - my body feels hard, like I'm wearing psychic armor. And I also feel a tightening, a hardness to my mind, like I'm marshalling my mental defences for battle.
Not surprisingly, resistance feels negative. Most times, when I'm resentful, I don't even know what I'm resenting. Sometimes it's rooted in fear. It has a "me against them" kind of attitude.
What has been surprising is that I'm often in resistance when there hasn't been any obvious cause for that kind of reaction. I've discovered that being in resistance is a habit. It's the way I've learned to live - to always be protecting myself against life, even though living this way steals my energy and my joy.
Fortunately, I've discovered the second word: allowing. What is allowing? It's not controlling. It's not forcing things to be my way or even just wishing things were my way. It's letting life be just as it is.
When I'm allowing, I experience a softness in my being. The armour is gone; I feel safe and relaxed. This is where peace, contentment and well-being arise. I'm not at war with life and there's space to enjoy whatever's going on. It feels so good!
I can only get to allowing when I let go of judgment. I need to release my opinions that "things would be better if..." Backing up a bit, I can only get to allowing when I become aware that I'm resisting.
For me, sensing the contrast between resistance and allowing has been an experience of awakening. And it's so simple! All I have to do is pay attention! Am I feeling armoured for battle, angry at the world, even in a very subtle way? Or am I feeling open, soft, comfortable, at ease? If I'm in resistance, I bring my attention to my breathing for a few minutes and this helps ease the tension.
Just becoming aware of the resistance often releases it. And as I practice this awareness, over and over and over again, my experience of life is lightening up. I smile more often and worry much less. It's all I've ever wanted!
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Damn Mirror!
So, I'm all complaining about men and the mixed messages they send out, and it hits me. It's that damn mirror! It's me. I'm the one sending out mixed messages.
I have no problem for instance, being playful and flirtatious with a man when I know it's not going to go beyond friendship. But when it comes to a man I could lose my heart to, I get all standoffish and serious. How can I expect a man to make sense of that? It doesn't even make sense to me.
Sometimes, awareness is a pain in the ass. We're not always thrilled with what we find lurking in the shadows when we turn on the light.
But, what the hell? I've come this far. Might as well go the distance.
I have no problem for instance, being playful and flirtatious with a man when I know it's not going to go beyond friendship. But when it comes to a man I could lose my heart to, I get all standoffish and serious. How can I expect a man to make sense of that? It doesn't even make sense to me.
Sometimes, awareness is a pain in the ass. We're not always thrilled with what we find lurking in the shadows when we turn on the light.
But, what the hell? I've come this far. Might as well go the distance.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
The REAL Secret (Just Kidding)
I am in the process of reading James Ray's book, Harmonic Wealth, and one of the things he stated early in the book is that a breakthrough is preceded by a breakdown.
That's exactly what I have found to be true in my life. In fact, my life seemed to sort of fall to pieces a little more than a year ago, and this past year has been a process of sorting through the debris and cleaning and clearing emotionally and spiritually.
I feel that reiki has been very instrumental in both the clearing process and in getting me to a place where I am ready to rebuild. That is where I am now, and it is a truly exciting place to be. I feel like I have been reborn and a whole world of possibilities has opened up for me.
I only thought I knew about being open to possibilities before. I am just a baby in this practice. But that bears out that if you do what you can with what you have, if you act "as if" you already have what you desire, the Universe will meet you way more than halfway.
That's exactly what I have found to be true in my life. In fact, my life seemed to sort of fall to pieces a little more than a year ago, and this past year has been a process of sorting through the debris and cleaning and clearing emotionally and spiritually.
I feel that reiki has been very instrumental in both the clearing process and in getting me to a place where I am ready to rebuild. That is where I am now, and it is a truly exciting place to be. I feel like I have been reborn and a whole world of possibilities has opened up for me.
I only thought I knew about being open to possibilities before. I am just a baby in this practice. But that bears out that if you do what you can with what you have, if you act "as if" you already have what you desire, the Universe will meet you way more than halfway.
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