Blessed day

Today its a wonderful day...
because I am alive,
because I feel no pain,
because I love,
because I am loved,
because I am creative,
because I made carrot soup,
because my cat sleeps beside me,
because I went to church and met lovely people,
because I meditated,
because I set an intention and carried it out,
because I prayed,
because a friend said something nice to me,
because I have a friend,
because I did something nice for someone,
because I know my power today,
because I am free.


What was the best part of your day today?
Give yourself credit for bringing about the bast part of your day.
And if it has not been a good day, listen to this, its almost guaranteed to lift your spirits.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFoXcO8llNI&feature=fvsr

Blocks in your head!

How conscious are you of your thought patterns or behaviour patterns?
Are you creating your experience each day or simply going through the motions, in habitual routines or a busy blur?

I love being busy, I love filling my time, even in the car I listen to books on CD, my mind is kept busy. Well if my mind was not kept busy where would it go to...I guess I don't want to find out! Yet if I don't find out then unconscious ideas and thoughts may be running my life.

Situations and people that irritate me come easily to my mind and I can have great arguments in my head which really doesn't serve me or anyone.  If we are all One, they are just representing a part of me that I disown and deem less attractive. I realized I could choose to bless them and as my minister says "Praise them and raise them" and that way I might heal that part of myself.
That would be better than stewing on an annoyance or rushing off to another activity and pushing irritation to one side. How can I be clear and loving with an annoyance in my breast pocket? My energy is divided, how effective can I be with blocks to love like this, lurking in the dark corners.
Ok, so I need to spend time in the spiritual practice of blessing and releasing the sticking points in my self so the flow can be clear and open. Back we come to time, time to be still and consciously choose my minds activity. I love the idea but will I take the time, in my busy day? How committed am I to growing and stretching myself? I could do these blessing exercises as I take my morning walk, that doesn't seem too difficult. Or I could set my timer for ten minutes. Either way I know its a necessary practice for me.
Signing off to take a walk...bless you all!

Another Day in Paradise

As I lay my head on my pillow these nights I say to the universe, thanks for another day in paradise!

Is that because I live on a white sand island and eat my fill from the trees everyday, chatting with the other bare footed inhabitants as we loll in the sunshine? NO!!
I live in Los Angeles and though we have nice beaches here it is a far cry from anyone's vision of paradise! I drive on the freeways and I walk on the concrete, I wonder about the source of my next paycheck yet I eat well everyday. I am not without the normal concerns of a life.

But that's just it. The normal concerns of a life. My last statement of the day is inspired by a character in a fabulous novel I am currently reading. The character is a doctor in a Mission Hospital in Ethopia. He is father to twins who witness his nightly declaration, "Another day in Paradise!" It mystifies them as they see the poverty, the human struggle, the daily parade of needy patients in the hospital. They think their father a little crazy. It is not until their world is turned upside down because of a coup in Addis Ababa  in the 1960s, which leads to the arrest of the man they know as their father, that they finally realize the truth in his statement. A day when things are normal, when the people we love are safe and warm, when our world seems mundane yet all is well, that is another day in paradise. Not till its taken away do we fully appreciate the humdrum pace of a normal day.

So may I suggest to you that today you live in paradise. If you have family that loves you, if you have health enough to love them and to do the things that you need to do, if you have a warm dry place to lay your head tonight and a fridge with food enough to eat today, you live in paradise. If you are not being bombed, persecuted, threatened, then let me suggest that you live in paradise and that the humdrum day can be something for which to be grateful!

(The novel by the way is "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese)

Life is an Experiment

"When you alter your relationship with yourself, your external world will alter accordingly."
-Katherine Woodward Thomas

I used to visualize this idea as two people carrying a plank (connected in a relationship dynamic.) One day, one person decides not to carry their side (to act or react differently.) Now the second person has to adjust their behavior accordingly. When we no longer act as we used to, naturally people have to act differently around us. If I decide to get healthier, to grow, to change the way I allow others to treat me, naturally it upsets the equilibrium. People around me don't necessarily like it even if they support me. Change can be difficult.

Then should I not change?
You know the answer to that! I cannot keep myself the same for the sake of other people. I then sacrifice my integrity and trust in myself, plus I may be paying a higher cost than I know for playing safe. I may be losing the chance of greater love or expanded experience of life. Plus I am not giving others the chance to grow with me, to change and explore the limitations they have set for themselves. So I endure some discomfort for a time and some friends may fall away but some others may be inspired. I have to allow the external things to do what they will do.
My concern is internal. I must follow my heart, the quiet voice beckoning me on into uncharted territories. Its a natural progression and if I want a different experience than I have had in the past I must forge on in expectation of some discomfort as I break the mold of past conditioning. I may also expect great reward and vistas never before witnessed or experienced by me in my life. The things we leave undone cause us more regret than the things we do, no matter the outcome.
Emerson said "All life is an experiment." Who knows how many days we have left, let us be brave and move beyond our comfort zone. What have you left undone?

More Love

Love makes the world go round so THEY say! And yes love motivates a great deal of what gets done in the world. Love plants trees, nurtures children, builds beautiful buildings, creates music, gives to the poor, looks out for the less fortunate, listens to the voice of reason and inner guidance.
Then there's fear, the other less attractive motivator. Its the driving force behind greed, oppression, crime, and all manner of selfish acts. The fear is, I can't have what I want any other way than by taking it by force.

Love increases our experience of peace while fear keeps us awake at night.

Imagine Love and Fear as fires within us that we can choose to feed or not. The one you feed is the one that dominates your experiences. There is so much fear in our society today that feeding the love fire may seem like going against the grain but doing so can change the quality of your relationships especially the most important one, your relationship with yourself.

Here's what "Psychology Today" says about the power of love.
"Love is probably the best antidepressant there is because one of the most common sources of depression is feeling unloved. Most depressed people don't love themselves and they do not feel loved by others. They also are very self-focused, making them less attractive to others and depriving them of opportunities to learn the skills of love."
For more from this article with helpful tips about loving yourself (feeding the love fire) go here; http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200212/the-power-love 
"Love is as critical for your mind and body as oxygen. It's not negotiable. The more connected you are, the healthier you will be both physically and emotionally."

Persistence

”Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." --Calvin Coolidge

Have you ever felt discouraged and wanted to give up? I know I have.

And it can happen so easily especially after a disappointment. I may have had my hopes up, and attached a lot of expectation to one event but it did not go according to my visualization. It can be so disheartening. I feel the universe is telling me to forget it or that my idea was no good.
And I have to weigh up my strategy or my endeavor and ask myself do I believe in it? Do I believe I have something of value to offer, am I passionate about what I do? If I can answer yes to these questions I do what the song says..."dont lose your confidence if you slip, be grateful for a pleasant trip and pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again!"

Persist, have faith, meantime do whatever lifts your spirits, till you are ready to try again. 
Listen to the song here....... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6MtmkqPbps

Being Present

How busy I get, how full my days are some weeks, I don't take time to be present with those I love the most. Then the time has passed and opportunities are missed to deepen my connections and in time I start to feel disconnected and wonder how this happened.

What is life about if not to slow down and smell the roses, pet the cat, call my mother or sister, hug my husband and ask him about his day? Facebook just doesn't cut it when it comes to quality time! I take a half an hour to an hour to write my blogs each day, my cat sits patiently by my side. Tonight I think I'm going to keep this short in favor of a short walk with my beloved and a little fussing time with my kitty.

Who have you been neglecting today?
Maybe its time to go play.

Be Still

"Be still and know that I am God" AS THE CLIMAX of Psalm 46, this verse is not so much about meditation as it is about the mediation of God's kingdom in the heart of faith. The command to "be still" comes from the Hiphil stem of the verb (רפה) rapha (meaning to be weak, to let go, to release), which might better be translated as, "cause yourselves to let go" or "let yourselves become weak."  From http://www.hebrew4christians.com But to what end are we to "be still," "let go," "surrender," and even to "die to ourselves"? In Hebrew grammar, the emphasis of coordinate imperatives ("be still!" and "know!") is on the second imperative. In other words, we surrender in order to know that God is in control. We "let go" in order to objectively know the power of God in our lives. We give up trusting in ourselves and our own designs in order to experience the glory of God's all-sufficiency. Our needs are met, let it be. Be still. Take a moment and quietly enjoy this series of beautiful pictures as you are nurtured by the music. This is not the version I was looking for ( a chant I am familiar with) but it is very soothing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C01lLxEo3xM&feature=related

Grateful

Willing and grateful, I am today.

Grateful for all that I am and all that I have and the incredible abundance I experience everyday. Sights, sounds, experiences, sensations, thoughts, actions fill my day, and so many of them are joyous.So often I forget to acknowledge them. And even more so, to give my self a pat on the back for making the choices that allow me to have these experiences and sensations.
I took myself for a walk after all, I chose to paint with rainbow colors, I chose (well Spirit chose, I didn't resist) the man I married, I chose to have a cat, I chose to live in Montrose, I can take some credit for my good. Other things I am not in control of and they come as they may, good and bad.
In these situations I can be willing to look for the good, to decide to take what action I can and expect the best. Generally, things come to pass. The more I resist the longer they seem to persist. Like if I run toward an approaching storm, it passes quickly but running from it, it seems to follow me.

So, willing I am today, to face the storm and give thanks for the rainbow and the silver lining, which I know cant be too far away. I live in joyous expectation and gratitude meantime.

Surrender

How do you respond to the word "surrender?"
Do you interpret this word to mean " to yield (something) to the possession or power of another; on demand or under duress"  or simply  "to give up, abandon, or relinquish." 
I guess my first impression is the former, surrendering the Alamo, I surrender with the white flag, peaceably but only because there are guns pointing at me!
But if I think about surrendering doubt or fear, then its more of a relinquishing, giving it over, hoping someone will take it off my hands!!
Then there is outcomes, I like surrendering those too, it sure takes the worry out of the process. Like my life, I like to relinquish it to Spirit or God or Good, whatever term works. I've tried controlling things, or making plans and then having things take a completely different direction. It's not that I don't take responsibility for my actions, I do, I choose how I use my body, my time, what decisions to make and actions to take but after that I have to surrender. A big lesson in surrendering came when I met my husband. Unlike any relationship I had ever had before it flourished from the start and took on a life of its own. We both had done a lot of inner work and growth before we met but neither of us could take credit for how right it felt. In the same way as we could make a past relationship feel right if it did not. 


I've learned I have an antenna that I have honed in sensitivity over the years - it tells me what feels right and what feels wrong and surrendering to this guidance has served me well while ignoring it has gotten me into real complicated and messy situations. This definitely comes into play in my surrendering and yielding to greater wisdom than my own. Today I invite this wisdom to guide me and I relinquish my doubts as I move forward in my life. I simply say YES to the good and Thank You to the God that provides for me as he does the birds of the air and the lilies of the fields, I know my preciousness in His eyes.

New Dawn

I am grateful today to see the dawn, to witness the world come alive as it turns toward the sun once more. Without much thought we rely on this event to set the rhythm of our days. How much more do we take for granted our breath. Each time we breath out we trust that there will be another lungful of oxygenated air to fill that space. We dont know when will be the last but guaranteed we will wish for one more hour of light. As this song suggests, now, today, this very day, the moment in which you now live, this, is the best part of your life.

MAY I SUGGEST
Copyright © Susan Werner
Listen here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdPh4MpxwJo
There is a world
That's been addressed to you
Addressed to you, intended only for your eyes
A secret world, Like a treasure chest to you
Of private scenes and brilliant dreams that mesmerize
A lover's trusting smile, A tiny baby's hands
The million stars that fill the turning sky at night
Oh I suggest
Oh I suggest to you
Oh I suggest this is the best part of your life

There is a hope
That's been expressed in you
The hope of seven generations, maybe more
And this is the faith
That they invest in you
It's that you'll do one better than was done before
Inside you know
Inside you understand
Inside you know what's yours to finally set right
And I suggest
And I suggest to you
And I suggest this is the best part of your life

This is a song
Comes from the west to you
Comes from the west, comes from the slowly setting sun
With a request
With a request of you
To see how very short the endless days will run
And when they're gone
And when the dark descends
Oh we'd give anything for one more hour of light

And I suggest this is the best part of your life

The Force is with you!

The miracles of Jesus were 'natural demonstrations of divine power,' a force available to any one with correct knowledge. In Religious Science we conceive of God as personal, present and active in the governance and organization of the world and the universe. Man and the universe as a whole are spiritual rather than material in nature and that truth and good are real, whereas sin and error are illusory aspects of material existence; our small mind's mistaken thinking. Like Christian Scientists we believe that through prayer, knowing and understanding God, all things are possible for good.

Take away the idea of God and replace it with Universal Energy. Thought has energy, according to Quantum Physicists, beliefs, have the power to heal or to kill you.  Are you ready to put this into action and demonstrate the miracles of "divine power" or "mind power?"

A tall order - part of my mind responds! Yes, a high aspiration maybe but having read Christian Science healings I know it is possible. Miracles do happen by invoking a Higher Power in which we have deep conviction. If so, why are we not all getting on board with these beliefs and testing it out for ourselves, seeing proof, demonstrating healing and seeing our lives expand in joy, love and success.
The collective consciousness seems to believe that the material world is most real. Ideas of God are accepted to occupy a limited space in the rhythm of people's lives. What can we trust, ancient texts and stories? Quantum Physics, a new and far fetched theory? Or can we trust an innate knowing or sense of something greater than ourselves? 83 percent of Americans claim to belong to a religious denomination but how many actively engage this higher power in their daily life? It can be called upon, felt, known and experienced in the blink of an eye. You might as well believe in something positive as something negative. Court the presence of optimism, call on the guidance of a Higher Power, be still and know. Release doubt and worry and striving. At least experiment with patience and trusting and see what ensues. Do your own exploration. You have nothing to loose but your stress!!!

Let these words be true...

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? From the Sermon on the Mount, Mathew's Gospel

Scarlet for Me, Scarlet for you

"Something has a hold of my heart," were the words that came to me last night as I doodled with this painting. I googled it and found the words from this Gene Pitney song (you can hear it at the link below) I was very excited with the connection as the words were so fitting with the emerging theme of the image, changing the greys, changing the blues...When something has a hold of your heart or attention, it can change your vision of your entire world. The song can refer to falling in love and how our perceptions alter and everything looks more alive, vibrant and intense. It can also refer to passion for anything. When we are caught in the throws of love, passion or enthusiasm for anything our world changes color.

If you were to let something get a hold of your heart, what would it be?
Can you give it greater reign? Can you give yourself to it so thoroughly, you let it change you?

Life can be more vibrant when we give our hearts permission to lead us. Loosen the "shoulds" for a while and see what ensues. I recall a lady being asked why she thought her grandmother lived so healthily and well to the grand age of 113? She said, often her grandmother would choose what she wanted to do verses what she felt needed to be done! Sounds good to me and I can see how we might be less stressed if we followed this advice. I'm going to give it a try!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMQc8HthUFE&feature=related

Something's gotten hold of my heart
Keeping my soul and my senses apart
Something's invaded my night
Painting my sleep with a colour so bright
Changing the grey, changing the blue
Scarlet for me, scarlet for you

Reflections of the Divine

We are each reflections of the Divine, a power or force that is universal and transcends human capacities. Is this how you see yourself?
Made in the image and likeness, sons and daughters of God, creators, imaginers, inventors, writers, artists, mothers, fathers, carers, nurturers, lovers, stand up comedians, singers, (in the shower or on stage, it's all good,) gardeners, judges, maybe even politicians, (maybe?) whatever way you choose to express yourself, we are all reflections of the Divine.

I just love this idea, that we each in our unique way are expressing a part of the Divine, we are drawing out of thin air something new, something never seen before and if it has, (there is nothing new under the sun, they say) its our version. No one else can do it just like you. Bad, good or indifferent, no one can do it just like YOU!

So see yourself as the Divine sees you, unique, perfect for you, as you were born, with creative abilities, the limits of which you have not yet tested. It serves no one to play small. Think big! Then remember, life in this body has an expiry date and go test those limits!
What are you made of? The Divine, limited only by your imagination. What have you always secretly wanted to try? Dont wait, begin it today, just try, just take the first step, go beyond your comfort zone and live now. Take a deep breath and jump in with both feet and as my friends sister says, when its time to go, you can give a great wave and shout "thanks everybody, its been great!"

ENJOY!

So you think you can't change?

Bruce Lipton says a negative thought can kill you, and positive healthy thoughts can heal.
The mind influences biology, the subconscious mind is equivalent to a tape player, the conscious mind is creative.
The subconscious has programs in it that have strongly influences our biology, it carries out all the functions of our body such as heartbeat and all those functions we don't have to think about. 95% of our day is run by the subconscious and we don't even see that those programs are not supporting our conscious desires. We tend to take a victim mentality when things don't work, blaming the outside world.
The subconscious being a tape player you cant negotiate with it. You can talk till you are blue in the face but that tape player keeps playing back the same messages. Not till we hit the record button can we change that recording. Tapping or as its often referred to as EFT, emotional freedom technique is one way to record new data.

I just love what he says about healing yourself and believing that a doctor is a necessary step. We are more powerful than we know and are capable of incredible change if we can change our beliefs. Its how the placebo effect works and we can multiply this, if we work with scientific principles in Quantum Physics. Genes do not have to control your experience.

In his words, "Quantum physics and epigenetics provide amazing insight into the mystery of the mind-body-spirit connection. While Newtonian physics and genetic theory dismiss the power of our minds, the new science recognizes that consciousness endows us with powerful creative abilities to shape our lives and the world in which we live. Our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs control behavior, regulate gene expression and provide for our life experiences." 

listen to Bruce H Lipton, PhD an internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit.
http://www.2011tappingworldsummit.com/VideoSeries/?page_id=60

Who loves ya baby?

When you first arrived on the planet did you deserved to be loved? You were cute, you were cuddly, fresh smelling, vulnerable and wide eyed, so I 'd say yes, you were deserving, you were innocent, being loved was as natural as breathing.

Where or why did all that change? On my bad days I can be so mean to me. I say harsh things, I make unkind judgments, I am not a good friend. Thankfully I have good friends who can mirror to me my strengths and love me despite my weaknesses. I dont have to put up a facade with those loving friends, I can expose my fears and doubts and be nurtured. Because of them and because I have some experience of unconditional love in my life I can in my darkest moments see some sliver of light. I am grateful. As if I was latching on to the trail of a distant star I focus on that glimmer until I can come out into the light of truth. I am still that innocent child and no matter what state my life is in I am still deserving of the same love.

This goes for you too, so be gentle, encouraging and compassionate to yourself. Life supports you in its infinite possibilities, life supports you in the myriad of inspirational ideas that spring to mind, your job is to follow through in trust. Take the action that feels most uplifting to you and as my mother would say "one step and then another and soon the longest journey is done." Don't loose heart, she also said "Rome wasn't built in a day" so be patient. My co-workers mantra lately applies "It all comes right in the end!"

So "Who loves ya Baby?" Me and God and Kojak!!!!!

No Atheists in Foxholes

The statement "There are no atheists in foxholes" is an aphorism used to argue that in times of extreme stress or fear, such as when participating in warfare, all people will believe in or hope for a higher power.
So says Wikipedia.

For me, already far from an atheist, the challenge is to turn to that Source in times of stress and not to the mainstream thinking or material evidence. Its easy to be faithful, to meditate, to pray, to give thanks when times are good, its when they appear to have gone awry that I am amazed how fear shakes my foundations. At least initially my reaction can be despair, depression, helplessness. Its not unusual and not permanent, in the same way as all things that come to pass.
I realize in stressful times it is the opportunity to double my practices, to look at my faith and reacquaint myself with my beliefs. It is an opportunity to put into practice all the tools I have honed in good times and to remind myself I have a ready tool kit. Once the initial shock at the new circumstance wains enough, I can, from a place of calm and not panic, see more clearly the way to proceed. I am never helpless. Help is available to me everywhere I turn, my loving friends, my church, my journaling, my inner wisdom, the still small voice which I court in in silence. I simply ask for guidance and wait expectantly for the way to be revealed as I act on the inspiration that comes to me. This I am grateful for even as I am patient and trusting in the process. Impatience is distrust, so I allow the Truth to unfold in the right timing.

As John Milton poetically said "God does not need either man's work, or his own gifts: ..... They also serve, who only stand and wait."

God, or as I see it "Love, Health, Prosperity" reveal themselves in time as we attend to what is ours to do.  What is in front of you right now? Dishes in the sink, a pile of paperwork, phone calls to make, then attend to them and let God attend to the big picture. Trust in the Greater yet to be and observe its revelation in time!

Love one another

Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy. - Sai Baba

Its so true that love is infectious. I watched a 5 year old hug and kiss an old lady in a wheelchair and I could feel that unconditional loving of a child who does not judge whether a person is deserving. I see it in my cat who, even when I force her to take her antibiotics, which she hates with a passion and struggles to avoid, comes to me minutes later wanting to be on my lap. Dog lovers know what I'm talking about.


Happiness is infectious also. Someone displaying their happiness in the work place can affect co-workers to the extent that a work project can enjoy increased productivity and speedier progress. Communities, families, social groups are similarly positively affected by a member's happiness, especially one serving in a leadership role. 


Loneliness is also infectious. Strange as it may seem, someone living alongside a lonely person tends to share some measure of that same feeling. Human beings even in this society where privacy is prized, need to feel connected to maximize happiness. These facts are generally accepted to the extent that work is being done in the military to increase empathy between soldiers and also between astronauts spending time in space. 


Throughout human history groups have always been stronger and more effective than an individual working alone. Do you feel you are working all alone sometimes? Maybe today you could give some thought to how you can enlist support for yourself or for another. Henry Ford had a mastermind group that met weekly to support each others endeavors by unifying their thought. Christ says "Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, there I am." To be gathered in his name is to see beyond the separate self and realize we are interdependent and interconnected. Realizing this we can increase empathy and open the way to unconditional love. And that's a two way stream from which we all may benefit. Worth exploring, do you think?
Namaste!

Make me a channel

Today I would like to share a hymn I have always particularly loved as it represents a goal worthy of our aspiration. If you want to hear it sung by Sinead O'Connor click here. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdgSPu4vO94&feature=related


 The Prayer of St. Francis
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in you.

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness, ever joy.
 
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal life.

LOVE

"Love in your mind produces love in your life, this is the meaning of heaven.

What we are trying to control is much better off without us and what we are trying to fix cant be fixed by us anyway!" - Maryanne Williamson

The conclusion is simply to love. Love where you are - at very least be there in willingness to see the purpose and beauty in your situation. Love yourself and the others involved in your circumstances as you are, unconditionally! A tall order you may exclaim in horror and yes it is, but its not impossible! How about beginning with willingness and setting a time period to practice? Do you think you could practice unconditional love for a half hour or half a day? Its an amazing practice, to let go of our ideas of how a person or a situation should look and let it be OK. It can actually be a relief, to not be in resistance, to not have to try and impose rules or righteousness. Imagine!

Every encounter is a holy encounter, allow us to see that today and loosen the attachment of ego, to worldly and mundane ideas. Let us see as Spirit sees and let us remember how much we have to be grateful for, rather than focus on what is missing. Let us not withhold love and if we tend toward harsh judgment or criticism let us remember to ask for a shift in consciousness, for that miracle of seeing the truth of our oneness with others, and let us observe the Golden Rule. Do onto others what you would have them do onto you. Be the love you wish to experience today. Wear a symbol of your intention so you might be reminded throughout the day, a special ring, a badge or broach, a watch, a piece of string around your wrist, all good ways to remind ourselves as the day progresses and we are distracted. Allow it be a great day!

Power

That deep emotional conviction of the presence of a superior reasoning power, which is revealed in the incomprehensible universe, forms my idea of God.  - Albert Einstein


When you think of power what comes to mind? Presidents, world leaders, military forces, natural forces? How about authority, rules, accepted beliefs? Who has power over you? I like to think I have power over my choices and beliefs, and I do to a degree. Yet there are ideas already set in consciousness that pervade society and are accepted as truth by the majority to the extent they dictate their decisions and actions.  We are all subject to these.


Here's one harmless example - jackets should be worn with buttons in front. If I decided to wear my jacket backwards I would be ridiculed or at least pointed at in public, definitely thought of as odd at work and  loose some credibility I would imagine. 
This is just an example of going against the flow. Nicolaus Copernicus came up with the new idea that the earth was not the center of the universe but the sun, to much controversy. In 1616 Galileo came to his defense yet  the Catholic Church authorities banned Copernicus' ideas. Now there's power!
Or is it? Authorities may tell us how to think but just like Galileo who kept silent following his trial, still held to his beliefs, we too have the freedom in our own minds to hold to our own truth. Those in authority, those with the big bucks, those with seeming power can not hold back the tide of new thought, of innovation and change. Ideas that have truth in them will win out in the end. Truth has power, love has power, imagination has power. You have power in how you choose to think and what you choose as your truth, a reasoning power of which Einstein speaks. This is God in you, closer than hands and feet. Be open to it today and align with the Power in you. Listen to the words of Steve Jobs and be inspired. God speed Mr. Jobs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

Getting to "I love me"

At what point in your life did you get to really appreciating who you are, to accepting yourself in all your imperfect delightfulness and unique abilities and gifts? Maybe you are still working at it or maybe you had an innate knowing from the beginning that you are precious and loved even if the world tried to tell you otherwise. For myself its been a long journey and it may be part of the maturing process but I would not be twenty again! Back then I thought I was just the odd woman out in life, I might as well have been an alien. My clothes were never cool enough and they just symbolized the misfit I felt inside. Shy and introverted, life was a painful experience. Wherever I went, there I was, never acceptable to myself, gauche and inept in the light of my judgment. Of course this was the energy I brought with me and sometimes got reflected back to me as a self fulfilling prophesy.
Thankfully that excruciating existence has long since been traded in for a gentler and much more loving experience. What changed it all you might ask and I have to say it came slow and with much conscious work on my part. I hated the restrictions of my fears and charged headlong into finding my way out. First of all I emigrated from all that was familiar, jumping into the deep end of discomfort and almost drowned. Culture shock and learning to drive in LA at the age of 30 was almost more than I could handle after being a bicyclist and train commuter for a decade. I used to blush dreadfully when speaking in groups so I took acting classes. I did improv as a way to be more spontaneous. It was a crash course in finding out who I was and truthfully it was not all that loving.
Yes I tested my metal and found I was stronger than I ever imagined but it was not till I found my spiritual home that I could be more gentle with myself and allow myself to be loved unconditionally. Now, I love me. Imperfect as I am, I am proud of who I am and I can be more gentle with my ineptness and my unique expression in the world. I am not an alien - I am just unique! And I am the same as everyone else in their uniqueness. Do you know that about yourself? Can you say "I love me?" If not, can you at least be gentle with yourself today and allow in the possibility you are lovable and precious exactly as you are. Speak lovingly to yourself today, to the hurt and lonely child within, he or she looks to you for protection and support. Be her best friend today and make it a joyous day!

Always look on the Bright Side of Life!

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. - World Health Organization

Positive mental health is a presence; the presence of positive emotion, the presence of engagement, the presence of meaning, the presence of good relationships and the presence of accomplishment according to Martin Seligman in his book "Flourish." He goes on to explore physical health as it is affected by our mental state and how when we are optimistic and feel we have some measure of power/ input in our healing we are more likely to recover from illness.

If we have had experiences in our lives where we had no control over our circumstances we may have "learned helplessness." Cant you feel the weakness in that state of feeling as if there is no point, that we have no power. It goes hand in hand with pessimism and pessimists generally underachieve in their jobs, in sports, in the classroom and they are more prone to depression.

So there's a lot to be said for looking on the bright side of life, to knowing what you say and do matter, that you have the power to change things. I keep coming back to meditation and that step back we can take as we observe our thoughts and be present to ourselves. Thoughts dictate or lead to our emotions so if we can detach from the thought, knowing we are not victims of them, we can prevent the spiral into fear, gloom or helplessness.  Knowing we have the power to do this gives us mastery of our attitude and can lead to more positive emotion, to engagement and to meaning, those requirements to flourishing and health.
So no matter what circumstance we face in life there is a course of action we can take in becoming present and acknowledging our own power as Spiritual beings. As Seligman concludes "When people flourish, health, productivity, and peace follow."
I can say yes to that! Can you?

To thine own Self be True

"The river that flows in you also flows in me."-Kabir

We are not separate though with our eyes we look out from one perspective imagining we observe another. Our perceptions can be wrong when we imagine a life, a motivation or the happiness of another. No one goes without challenges in life and if things look great today for them, I cannot know what they have already weathered in life or what might be in their future.
Years ago, an ex-boyfriend of mine who's life I envied, he was now married with three lovely children while I remained single, said to me, "There's nothing to envy." I couldn't see what he meant. I wanted his life.
Yet I traveled round the world, climbed mountains and saw sights that today still bring me no end of pleasure in their recollection. I would not trade any of my experiences.

We each make our decisions according to our hearts. With each commitment to a path we cut away other possibilities in order to have the experiences we have chosen. This is part of the creative process of living. Not choosing we cannot live. Choosing we must let go of what we did not choose.
So I make a choice today so I may live my life according to my unique perspective and know that further along there will be other choices and opportunities. My life will look different to my friend's life but I don't know what he has had to cut away in order to have his experiences. No path is better than another, especially if we allow ourselves be guided by our own inner compass. So be at peace today with your life and gather the wisdom of your unique experiences. You have chosen and you represent one of the many variations in color and flavor that life offers. Without you, life would be lacking  and we would all feel the loss.

To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. - William Shakespeare

Change is the Only Constant

"There are 6 billion belief systems in the world" - Andrew Newberg

Its so interesting to me the way we make sense of the world, each of us doing our best to be at peace with our version of how things are and work. Newberg also says there are huge gaps between the world out there and our inner worldview, so the brain stays busy revisiting its cognitive maps selecting some perceptions, ignoring others and filling in the blanks with conjecture. Busy brains!

No wonder in these times of media bombardment more and more people are turning to meditation. I just attended the Scripps Institute Nursing Conference  in San Diego and witnessed the latest ideas in healing. I was part of the Chakra Pavilion as an artist and Practitioner with Centers for Spiritual Living. I spent three days in a room full of energy healers and it was a delight to see and hear the nurses talk about the work they are incorporating into their medical practices.

Dr. Mimi Guarneri, heart surgeon and head of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine and Healing Hearts Program believes in treating the whole patient - mind, body and soul. She works with cardiac patients using treatments such as biofeedback, acupuncture, guided imagery and hypnotherapy, healing touch treatments, kundalini yoga, cooking classes, stress reduction and meditation!

Beliefs are changing as part of the expanding consciousness of the universe. Are you open to it?
As we meditate, we take a step back from the routine thoughts that may have us stuck in a groove. Try it today and be willing to allow new in. Life can get better, experiences can be expanded, healing can come in unusual and unexpected ways. Just be willing today and see what transpires as you loosen your hold on old beliefs.

A New Beginning

Each day is an opportunity for a new beginning. I think that's why I love early morning so much. Its like untrodden snow, no one has put there mark on it yet and I have a feeling of optimism and expectation as I begin the day, (especially if I have had a good nights sleep!)
Its so interesting to me to observe my highs and lows - day to day - like night and day it can all change with a conversation, a piece of news a realization or a thought. Those thoughts are most powerful! My thoughts about what I perceive or hear have the ability to change my mood and my feelings tend to follow them down to the abyss or to the peak like the children to the pied piper! It all starts with a thought.

This is the reason I meditate. There was an elderly lady I used to receive prayer from when I first came to church at Centers for Spiritual Living. She used to say to me that the mind was like an untrained puppy, you had to keep calling it back and directing it. I remember back then this used to irritate me and when I wanted prayer I would seek out someone else but of course I got her, with her profoundly simple message which I most needed to hear!
So today if I feel low or depressed I ask myself where are my thoughts, what am I telling myself? Once I identify where my mind has gone I call it back.
What do I know is True? What do I believe about myself and the world? What counsel would I give another? How can I love myself in the midst of all that is going on?

I know that I am deserving of love, that I am loved, that I can love, I know that nothing can make me less precious in Spirit. I know that I am part of all life, one with the very source of all potential outcomes and variations in the universe. As I go through this process I begin to feel a shift - slowly I begin to grasp my connection to the Divine, and now releasing the small fearful thoughts I allow in something new, something positive, powerful with the potential to create something more desirable. I choose rather than become a victim. So I say thank you to that lovely lady today, who is no longer with us on this plane but so much with me in Spirit, and begin a new day, making it a good day as I go no matter what comes my way.