Humility

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less."

Rick Warren

Interesting that during a recent session of Scalar Heart Connection 'humility' came up as the opposite of anxiety or worry.

It gave me pause for thought.

Is it ego then that pushes us to think we can do something about our concerns, goads us to take control, convinces us action must be taken when maybe it cannot in the moment. I imagine this is the kernel of anxiety or worry. The question comes up "What can I DO?"

Humility's question might be "What can I ALLOW?" or "What can I become open to?"

It is a softer more loving energy that creates flow rather than tension, blockage or harshness.

I have been keeping this in mind since it came to my attention and as the quote above invites, I have been attempting to think of the needs of those around me and trusting that everything is conspiring for the good. It feels healthier.

It is not what I would have thought of as humility previously, but it makes sense to me now.

What do you think?

Listen

Listen.
What do you hear?
Right now I hear a bus passing outside and a child turning the page of a large book.
I listen some more and I can hear a newspaper being folded and as I close my eyes to eliminate distractions I become aware of my breathing. I cant hear it but I feel it.

How often each day do we actually feel our breathing, maybe with a sigh, or a yawn.
Breathing is one incredibly powerful way to control our stress levels and consequently impact our health. And the best thing is - its free!

Listening and becoming aware of our breathing is the first step to body consciousness. So often we are unaware of our bodies. I know this has been so for me for most of my life. I am a head centered person, thoughts running me here and there and keeping me occupied for hours on end. What can I read on the internet, what can I watch on TV, find me a good book, write me a journal, who can I call...OMG it wears me out! And there's more.

Probably over 20 years ago I made my first attempt to meditate. It was a disaster! Yet I knew there was something there for me. I came back to it after a decade had passed. Slowly, slowly I began to release myself to it's benefits.
The benefits to me are the release of fear. When I sit and simply be, allowing what is, being with my body and beyond that the ether/energy/life. Imagining the universe is breathing me, I allow the knowing, that the spacious place within me is the same place I came from and the place I am going to, beyond this life. Its not a scary place of oblivion with which my ego/mind fights. It is a peace that goes beyond understanding.
Meet me there.
Listen.
Do you feel your breathing as you close your eyes.
This is the gateway.
Come on inside.
Listen.

Merry Stressful Christmas!

I take a deep breath as I begin to write today as I am tired and overwhelmed by Christmas rush and busy-ness.
How are you doing?
Are you looking forward to a break? Are you the host that feels the pressure to make it all perfect? Are you feeling money pressures? The loss of someone you love? Distance from family or too close to family & wanting to escape the craziness?!
Most likely you are not feeling peaceful and prepared and with everything in order but I may be wrong!!!
And you know what?
Its all OK.
I recently heard a TED Talk about making stress your friend. The speaker, a psychologist, who for decades had been advising people to take time out, to breathe, to relinquish some responsibilities in order to bring their life back into balance, to take up yoga, meditation etc. etc. had read new data on stress which said its not so bad for you afterall!!
Its the BELIEF that its bad for you that has a detrimental effect!!! A bit like money being the root of all evil....in fact its the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil.
So time to change our beliefs again!!
Affirm, I thrive on stress, it motivates me, it helps me achieve a great deal, it allows me to connect with others and ask for help. I am a dynamo, I am dynamic, full of energy and courage, all is well in my crazy world. I love the energy of Christmas. I dive in and take part in the festivities with gusto! Life is good!
Dont knock it till you've tried it!!!
Thats what Im going to do. Im off to a party tonight after 5 hours sleep and a full day of work. I choose to see the stress response of my body as helpful, as giving me courage, I can trust my body, knowing that stress keeps my heart be strong and my body helps me rise to any challenge.
Have a wonderful Christmas week everybody!

To read the transcript of the TED talk go here
http://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend/transcript?language=en

Every day a little rebirth

Every day as it passes becomes part of yesterday and by so doing it is a little death. And each morning we are reborn.This was my message for today from "The Book of Light" by Alexandra Solanado.

I've been thinking about my mother who passed from this world not three weeks ago. I recognize the truth of the statement and know for both she and I there is a rebirth with every passing day. Each of us continues on our journey.

Mothers are such special people in all our lives, whether our experience of them is good or not so good, whether we knew them or were nurtured by another. In our lives they are like the adverse wind that makes us stronger one way or another.

We have both mother and father in us forever. Created by the two we can never truly be separate of them. I breathe today because of them. They breathe in me today. Every tree or beam of light I see, I share with them if I choose to see it that way; being ONE.

"It is such a gift to still be in the body" said Thich Nhat Hanh this Saturday at the Pasadena Convention Center. "so enjoy the senses, give thanks for our eyes, be grateful for this mortal existence.
Let the mother in you breathe, let the father in you breathe, simply be here now with what is. This will lessen suffering and open us to joy."

I breathe in gratitude today for all that has been, all that is and all that has yet to be.
Namaste.

Know the Truth

What do you do when you hit a bump in the road of your plans? In the past I probably crumpled in disappointment or cried in frustration. These days I find, along with a mild feeling of concern I tend to be amused. In my mind I see myself throwing my head back in maniacal laughter (picture The Count from Sesame Street) saying "I laugh in the face of this set back because I know the Truth!"

With experience I have seen how these setbacks are nothing, that I have dealt with them, that they have come to pass and it all turns out alright in the end.

As practitioners of the Science of Mind we step into our Power and declare in the face of all that contradicts us with our eyes, that all is well in Spirit and we are being blessed by our circumstances.
Yes we turn to prayer, yes, we can take three wonderfully cleansing breaths, yes we can turn to an inspirational reading or dial a prayer. These are all fantastic things to do when we meet a bump in the road. In time the shift from despair to a knowing  smile can take seconds.
I used to think if you were enlightenment enough you just wouldn't encounter as many problems but as the Buddhist say "Before enlightenment - Chop wood, carry water, After enlightenment, Chop wood, carry water." And we would agree with Norman Vincent Peale "The secret of life is not what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you."
So take those delicious cleansing breaths and know the Truth. You are strong, you are precious, you are a spiritual being, always perfect, whole and complete, untouched by circumstances that come to pass not to stay.