Releasing the Bad Guys

"Release all the bad guys in your play to become good guys.

You no longer have to keep playing out the drama of

hurting, judging, and controlling one another."

Carol Tuttle

REMEMBERING WHOLENESS

Wisdom brings dawning to a new day.  Fresh insight triggers the unfolding of many differing perceptions.  We move from tunnel vision to a broad scope of creative possibilities.  We begin to see with new eyes and discover how tightly our misconceptions have kept us locked in a prison of confinement.

Bring to mind those who have hurt us the most.  Make a list if there have been many, or just choose one in particular whose knife is still lodged in our heart.  If we move beyond the wounding, and recall  the process of healing, we can see a benefit from this painful experience.  

Our greatest lessons are frequently taught to us by teachers portraying themselves as the 'bad guys'.  When we find the strength to remove the penetrating knife, and healing is successful, we then can appreciate the outcome rather than just dwelling on the seeping wound.

Once upon a time, a husband broke my trust, my spirit, and my heart.  I totally lost sight of any thing worthy in my self.  I was furious by his actions and constantly picked at my sores asking why.  It was not until after I had moved forward that I was able to revisit this difficult debacle in my early life.  With hindsight, I could easily see that it was an opportunity of great growth.  By not only surviving, but thriving, I finally presented with unshakeable confidence and self-worth.  

Angry emotions hold us captive in a prison.  Without forgiveness, we are routinely drained of energy that could be used for a better purpose.  When we unlock the prison gate, we feel a rush of positive energy, freeing us at long last from our 'bad guys' who were simply teachers in disguise.

When The Mystery Becomes Clear

"Our job is not to clear up the mystery;

it is to make the mystery clear."

Robert Aitken Roshi

Zen Master

Even in my earliest memories, on my back staring up into the beautiful blue sky, watching the fluffy clouds float by, my mind was filled with wonder.  I more or less could 'feel' a presence surrounding me even though I could not see it with my eyes.  I did not feel in danger, rather quite the opposite.  I felt very protected and safe, but from what I was uncertain.  

There were many things to let go of as a child.  Not necessarily things I wanted to discard, but the overbearing influence from adults overshadowed my personal conceptions, and I released parts of my imagination. A small kernel of awareness remained,  and it was the sense of this presence surrounding me, sight unseen.

As I grew older, my passion for reading brought me on searches to define this presence.  I read about  guardian angels, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and God's ability to be mindful of me every minute of the day.  These were possibilities, but in my heart, I knew they were not the definitions that would solve my mystery.

Canoeing in Canada every summer during high school, increased my awareness  of the magnitude of this nondescript presence.  It was as though energy was streaming from trees, water, and the silence of the woods.  Birds singing and small animals rustling in the night seemed to contribute to the whole.  

In time, what I had always called presence changed terminology.  I began to experience it as energy.  This energy seems to be life in all things including trees, waterways, and stones.  What I feel surrounding me is no longer a mystery.  

Yearly, I will find a small hide-a-way where I can just 'be' with this energy.  To let it engulf me without distractions.  To be fully present in this space refreshes me and assures me there is an abundance of love.  As I watch the moon cross over the stars in the sky, I am that child again, feeling protected and safe with a grateful heart.

A Sense of Wellness

"At times our lives seem like that of a tranquil island in a sea of chaos.

The battle is to keep this sea of chaos at bay,

and not let it wash us away into utter chaos."

Sanjeeva Ananthan

On the shore my feet are totally buried in sand, grounding me, and creating a sense of wellness.  The next wave rolls in, and washes all of the sand away, pulling my now ungrounded feet towards the water.  The current tugs harder.  Within minutes, I go under and all seems lost.

When there is a break in the suction of the current, I am able to turn to the side and finally swim until I can once again stand on my feet. The abrasions and bruises sustained while being pulled along the bottom of the ocean floor, leave a permanent reminder of the force this form forever holds.  

And this is so like life.  There are moments allowing me to frolic, splash, and wash my cares away, and yet suddenly be sucked into a deep hole of darkness lurking just beneath my consciousness.  Surfacing from my repressed chaos, I seek solitude by the water.  Once again, I bury my feet in the sand, hoping to find a sense of wellness.

When the Wheel Breaks

""You may not get what you want,

but God always gives you what you need."

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

THE WHEEL OF LIFE

  

Life can change within minutes.  I might barely get the words uttered all is good in my world, when out of no where, I get slammed.  This change can be rapid, unpredicted, and challenging.  The wheel of life continues to turn.

Composed and smiling, feeling well rested, I am beaming with confidence until words are thrown at me like acid into my face.  Life crumbles  like a great statue disintegrating. Chunks of cement break loose and fall to my feet.  My mind speeds on, knowing that parts of self have already been lost.  The task of restoration begins again and I gather what pieces I can before all is lost.

The wheel of life turns.  Some times I may be safely in the hub, enjoying the sense of connection.  Other times I am  simply the hard working spokes, trying to work in unison to navigate in a positive continuous path.  Then there are the rare moments when I am like the rim of the wheel, spinning and enjoying the ride, never suspecting the wheel would ever break.  I go faster and faster clinging to the rim, not knowing the destination of the broken wheel  or what path it might take.

Invasion of Boundaries

"The purpose of the earthly incarnation is solely to know yourself.

To know yourself means to love all parts of yourself -

the weaknesses as well as the strengths.  It means looking at the

self-imposed limitations and the limitations you let others put on you."

Betty Bethards

THE WAY OF THE MYSTIC

In a book about Africa, there is a statement about how the missionaries came to Africa carrying bibles.  The Africans received the books and the missionaries took the land.  Then in a Native American writing, there is the thought regarding Native American Indians agreeing to peace while foreigners invaded the lands.  Many cultures have been harmed by the aggression of others.  The same can be said about individuals in any society.

In our personal willingness to be accepted, how much of our interior did we give away?  We need to remember, and forgive, those who invaded our boundaries telling us we required change.  We become healthier as we reclaim what we once lost.  The intent is not to punish or hate ourselves or others, but to recapture parts of our authentic selves.  

There is advantage to listening to ourselves when we say things like:  "I used to  ... " or "At one time I loved to ..."  Those very passions remain a part of us, perhaps buried beneath a pile of rubbish gathered from listening to outside voices.  It is an adventure to uncover qualities that we have lost.  There of course is risk involved, but there is far more to be gained.

Who are we without our story?  When we are stripped of all labels what remains?  The heart yearns to be whole, to embrace all parts of our brilliant beings.  Not to hide weaknesses, but not to be stuck in them either.  No matter what our age, a quest to discover our true nature is a journey worth the investment.

Erupting Hot Lava

"Anybody can become angry - that is easy,

but to be angry with the right person

and to the right degree, and at the right time

and for the right purpose, and in the right way -

that is not within every body's power

and it is not easy."

Aristotle

Too often we extend our patience to minor irritants, thinking we are taking the higher ground.  We an be above the minor inconvenience, ignore the slight to our ego, and accept the increased complication.  We are not, unfortunately doing ourselves any favors by any of this.  If we really pay attention, we realize that in each situation, we could have used our voice to politely address the minor situation.  Instead, we think we are being 'better than' by taking it in stride, when we are actually repressing emotions within us.  At an inappropriate time, hot lava spills out impacting anything within its spreading reach.

We all know how this plays out.  Our attempt to be better than, ends up portraying us as Attila the Hun.  There is nothing saintly about repressing our feelings.  It is just another way of disrespecting our inner selves.  It is important to address situations as they unfold, using our voices in a direct, but kind manner.  In this way, the emotions are out of us, not building and smoldering within, waiting to erupt. 

Even when we know our words will not change a situation, we have a right to tell our truth, but in an appropriate way.  We can acquiesce, but we can also express our heartfelt response.  We may know that our words will not be effective, but they definitely support our self-respect.  

Don't wait until some small occurrence disrupts the volcano within you.  When we erupt, it is never in relation to what is at the bottom of the mountain of debris.  Our lava generally burns over those who have little to nothing to do with our triggering emotion.  When we deal with our truth, using our voice at the given moment, we may feel uncomfortable, but then it is done.  The feelings are expressed to the appropriate person, and no one is going to get burned!

Poetry and Nan's Soul

Refuge in the Quiet

I lay myself down

on the welcoming

ground, the earth's

spine becoming mine.

Peace seeps into

heavy limbs and

slows my heartbeat

to the pace of

nature.  I take refuge

in the quiet, and let

my burdens go,

one by one, until

the earth and I

both float in the

same vast and

holy silence.

Danna Faulds

The other day, I was asked who my favorite poet was and I laughed out loud.  Sure I could have said Rumi or Hafiz, Mary Oliver or David Whyte, but my immediate connection is a sister of my heart, Nancy.  Through her yoga classes, Nancy is always sharing poems by various poets.  The poems she chooses automatically resonate with me.  The poems are always enhanced by the gentle tone of her voice and her perfect cadence. Phrases innocently float into the relaxed mind.  No wonder her business is entitled, Timeless Gentle Yoga! 

It takes a special gift to be able to write poetry.  If you think not, then you must have the gift!  Even when I read poetry, silently to myself, it is not quite as lovely as hearing it framed in the words of my friend.  I have always 'chased' poems, trying to find ones that seemed special to me.  It would not take long for frustration to put an end to my search.  I am fortunate these past years, to be on the receiving end as my friend delicately shares words of wonderful poets.

A poem can be harsh or gentle, or happy or sad, as the words hold the emotions of the writer.  My friend-selected poems tend to be about connecting with nature, finding a stillness to bring peaceful breathing back into life.  They tend to ease my discomfort and instill desires for new beginnings.

I am deeply grateful for the expressed words of others, and extremely thankful for the experience of the gentle spirit who dwells within Nan's soul.  

(Coming soon, Nancy's new book and cd!)

The Innocent By-Stander

"Take one small daily action

instead of indulging 

in the big questions."

Julia Cameron

Difficult questions surface throughout our lives.  Each one may be quite valid, but may not be answerable for years to come.  Even when we eliminate an inquiry, another issue replaces it.  As the stack of questions grows taller, we may feel as though our ability to deal with them shrinks smaller and smaller.

The way we react to challenges, to the big questions, depends upon how we view ourselves.  We may feel like a pawn in some game; a fool or clown; a mark or martyr; and maybe an innocent by stander in our own lives.  

It is only when we take action, even a baby step, that we can empower ourselves.  Choose to do something physical:  running, weeding the garden, dance, walk, clean house or go for a drive.  Through movement, we can escape temporarily the constant questioning, and clear our heads.  The physical action actually distracts us from our questions.  

It surprises many when they choose an action, setting aside questions, an answer will appear.  If we sit too long, our questions drain all of our energy.  With movement, we can shift back into balance and we won't feel as though life is so out of proportion.

Do questions dominate our lives?  Do we feel as though we are an innocent  by stander as life plays out before us?  We have a choice to either be a spectator or a player, so which will we choose to be?

Soul Unfolding

"Do what makes you happy,

be with who makes you smile,

laugh as much as you breathe,

and love as long as you live."

Rachael Ann Nunes

Currently, in my non-fiction life, I am reading Panache Desai's book, DISCOVERING YOUR SOUL SIGNATURE.  This book was meant to be "A 33-Day Path to Purpose, Passion & Joy."  I have been reading it for three months!  Each chapter is broken down into morning, noon, and evening and covers a subject in different ways.  By the end of the chapter the reader has a true sense, a real knowing of what is changing inside.  It is brilliantly designed for quick reads, easily bringing the reader to completion within the 33 days; but like I say, I have been hoarding it well past the expiration date!

All of my life, I have been an avid reader.  I tend to gobble fiction right up as fast as I can, but non-fiction I cherish with pauses in between chapters.  To have completed Desai's book in 33 days is doable most definitely, but instead, I have chosen to live through it by breathing his words in and pausing.  I carry the message into my life and remain watchful as my approach to all things,  softens.

In non-fiction books, we sometimes feel like we are reading the same thing over and over, just being written in differing artistic ways.  This is important as we do not all hear the same thing.  Words have different meanings to each of us.  Some readers need to hear the story, fiction or non-fiction, told several times before they find themselves truly grasping what has been meant to be said.

DISCOVERING YOUR SOUL is not the title I would have chosen for this book.  It is so much more about slowly removing thoughts and habits that bind us.  The journey is to the soul, but Panache Desai does such an excellent job with each chapter subject, as the reader, I want to stay there and not move on.  I want to experience his words inside and out.  I want to test drive them.  I want to hold them to me and face not only the good parts of life, but the challenges as well.  And this takes time.

This morning I began Day 22 (his time) day 68 (my time) with only 11 chapters remaining.  When I will complete this book is of no concern to me.  Already, I am not wanting it to end.  In my heart I know that once completed, I will simply begin again.  And, isn't that just how the soul unfolds?

Connecting Through Appreciation

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing.

It makes what is excellent in others

belong to us as well."

Voltaire

As human beings, we experience a broad range of emotions.  In times when we are challenged, we may have to look else where for appreciation.  We can appreciate what we have had the courage to endure in the past.  We can revere the strength of our ancestors.  To move ourselves into the presence of greatness whether this finds us in nature, galleries, libraries or solitude,  the appreciation for what we observe will open our hearts.  

There is nothing to compare to the awe of childlike reaction.  To be clearly open and present to any given moment, greeting and embracing the magic therein.  Unexpected sweetness, a surge of joy, the vibration of happiness, and the return to balance of our emotional upset, can happen any where and at any given time.

When we open our hearts in spite of our anguish, we can be moved to stages of deep appreciation.  When we take in a deep sense of appreciation for whatever crosses our path, our energy will begin to resonate and an exchange can occur.  Through expansion, our problems will be more manageable and discontinue to overwhelm.  

It is when we withdraw that we no longer see the connection to other things.  We no longer feel the frequency of joy, happiness, or appreciation.  We feel alone and no longer have the width of perception to include the good surrounding us.  

Open up!  See the positive no matter how hard the strain.  Let the appreciation for what is good overcome the sense of being defeated.  Place the eyes upon appreciation and it carry its light into any darkness we may face.  Stop the comparison and honor the depth of others.  

One of Two Things ...

"The way of the miracle-worker is to see all human behavior

as one of two things:  either love, or a call for love."

Marianne Williamson

Life would be amazing if we saw only two explanations for behavior:  love or a call for love.  Our community, country and world would be vastly different if we responded to  behavior we didn't understand as a call for love.  Instead of enforcing dominance, control, and oppression, we would be asking what was needed to make a person feel respected, honored, and whole.  

Yes, respect and honor needs to be earned, but what if we maintained our own respect and honored ourselves enough to reach out to those who had not yet experienced these things?  I learned a long time ago, if I were to help someone, I could not impose my knowledge upon them.  I needed to know their perspective so I could begin there.  Not what I saw, but what they felt.

We experience life in different stages and in different ways, never at the same time as one other.  We have our own unfolding to do.  Those of us who finished ahead of others, gaining respect and honor, could turn around and assist those who had not yet learned these things.  

It is unrealistic to think all babies were raised in the loving arms of a mother.  To grow in a healthy environment is not a gift to one and all.  We all scar differently and do not react exactly the same.  We cannot 'fix' those who have not experienced our own learning scale.  We must start where they are with their way of thinking and work our way together.  

We need to stop believing we have the answers to every cultures' problems.  We  cannot begin to mend fences we never built.  We need to address basic needs and then share in the journey beginning from where they are and supplement as we move along.  

Each human being experiences life in an unique way.  We are not all the same so our perspective is not necessarily congruent with some one else's.  We must adjust our approach by looking through the eyes of love, rather than hate.  We each find our own way, thanks to comfort and support offered in love.  Loving Spirit is not enough.  We must be a loving spirit reacting in love or hearing the call for love.  This is when miracles happen.

Emerge From Comfort

"Some changes look negative on the surface,

but you will soon realize that space is being

created in your life for something new to emerge."

Eckhart Tolle

We may feel a little guilty if we remove ourselves from a group.  Even if our attendance has been brief, our decision to no longer participate can feel awkward.  People will ask 'why' and sometimes assume the decision was based on judgement.  They may feel rejected when none of the above was part of our thought process. If our schedules are so rigid, there is no room for new input.  

How many times have we eliminated items from our closet when we have brought home newly purchased clothes.  There simply isn't room for everything.  The clothing we decide to remove still may be a favorite, but it just doesn't seem to fit any more.  If we pass it on, then someone else can appreciate it.  

We don't always have a concrete reason for our need to move forward.  Some of us remain stuck in our comfort zone, postponing adventures patiently waiting.  Without a well defined reason, it is difficult to explain our decision to change.  

Spirit nudges us to move forward.  Perhaps there is a whisper in our ear we barely hear.  Maybe catch glimpse of an opportunity on a flier in the store and the information hangs on for days.  We may be just gathering our energy to invest into the excitement of something new.  

When we give ourselves permission to change, we make room for something new to appear.  If we subtract something from our lives, it doesn't mean judgement or rejection.  We can maintain fond memories and maintain a different connection.  

If change is forced upon us, yes, we must allow ourselves to grieve, but we must also open our  hearts to new possibilities.   The things we resist the most, often turn out to be blessings in disguise. 

Stuck in the Mud

"What if I am stuck.

Here.

Forever."

Kathryn Stockett

THE HELP

People question me about running and getting stuck in their dreams.  It doesn't matter if it is in snow, mudslides, or fog.  The process seems to unfold like this:  We are running, until we become stuck; then we dig in deeper; and finally, when it would be impossible to move, we become still and resolve.  Whether in a nighttime dream or a day dream (which  often times is called a waking dream), running is usually fear based involving emotions.

When challenge enters into our lives, we neglect the road out of chaos and somehow believe we can out run it either physically or emotionally.  As we ignore the core feelings of the situation, we simply dig ourselves deeper into avoidance or denial which then spills over into dreams.  What fears we do not face and therefore repress, seeps out attracting our attention one way or another.

In an ideal moment, we hope to be moving toward alignment with body, mind, and soul.  In both mental and physical health, we embrace all of our feelings rather than disregard them.  As we get trapped in a rut, thinking or feeling over and over again without resolve, we find ourselves steeped in confusion.  When we finally give up, our energy can be used for redirection ... to move towards our feelings rather than away.  

When we feel as though we are spinning out of control, we can ask ourselves who or what is driving us?  Chances are fear is in control.  Allowing ourselves to see through the distortion of fear, we can become better balanced, both mentally and physically. 

Listen For The Answer

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine;

but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

Proverbs 17:22

One of the best parts of being a child is the sensitivity to touch and feel.  People are always wanting to hold and to touch us.  Daily we get rubbed all over with soap and  water while  our tender scalp gets gently massaged.   People pay attention to us whether we are making sense or not.  Even if they use a stern voice, we know they will be laughing soon after.  We feel soft material against our skin and we are alerted by our sense of smell to detect fragrances and odors.    Even our hearing alerts us to voices becoming harsh or a noise later known as sobbing.  

We eventually are encouraged to not be so thin skinned and to stop being so sensitive.  What happens is we begin to ignore what our senses tell us, and begin to think our way through life.  Our bodies may be sending us an alarm, and yet we talk ourselves out of being a 'scaredy cat'.  Desiring approval,   we tend to accept what others tell us and second guess what we are feeling.

A newly born infant who does not react and prosper in life by experiencing the senses,  is termed 'failure to thrive'.   As adults, we know from all fields of study isolation is not good for the soul.  Those who lack experiences in life to be nurtured and validated lose the will to live.

If one pays attention, one notices both children and elders hug a lot.  They reach out for connection.  At either age, young or old, the senses need stimulation.  In any place in time, we can thrive if we can hear encouragement, feel kindness, and have our fears soothed.  

If we find ourselves in a void, we can reach out for hugs or freely give hugs.  We can receive full body massages or if one feels more safe, a foot or scalp massage.  We can gain the sense of comfort by purchasing an extra soft throw to use on winter evenings or install a motion detector light by a porch.  Maybe even reward ourselves by adopting a pet begging to be held, touched, and encouraged.

Other options may be the ad for a Muni Performance.  We may remember a little town having its annual fair.  Some one mentions a new art gallery peaking our interest.  Class schedules arrive in the mail at local universities.  There are so many ways we can nurture ourselves, and it takes the slightest effort to engage.

Take a slow walk out side.  Feel the sunshine on our face or a breeze slipping through our hair.  Smell the fragrance of flowers and listen to the rhythmic sound of a sprinkler.  Gently ask, 'what do I need' or 'what would make me feel happier'?     

Then listen for an answer.  

The answer may not be immediate, but it will come.        

  

Remaining in Harmony

"The Divine simply embraced me as I was.  

All of my crazy.

All of me."

Panache Desai

We may have a variety of friends or perhaps just a select few, but the ones who become our touchstones, are the ones who have learned to embrace our imperfect selves.  In order to return the favor of total acceptance, we fill ourselves with an abundance of love which embraces all parts of the whole.

Scenario:  We are with our best friend, we are seated a quaint cafe, eating a delicious lunch in an outdoor courtyard.  Our friend is talking non-stop, annoying us with senseless stories, several which we have heard before.  We become even further annoyed, as a man at the next table is loudly telling an inappropriate joke.  We are longing for more tea, but of course the waiter is no where around.  We are feeling isolated, separated, and a readiness to depart.

On the outside, it would appear that we were enjoying a lovely meal with a dear friend, but on the inside we are judging our friend and irritability is taking over.  If judgement is present, harmony will be absent.  As long as we are in judgement mode, we will try to take over, change the subject, or take an opposing view.  

To maintain harmony, we can relax instead of tense up.  We can take a deep breath and bring to mind the overall positive qualities of the person present before us.  We can expand our sense of  love, giving ourselves room to embrace all feelings being exchanged without getting overwhelmed by just the negative ones.  Gather the entire relationship and love it, remaining connected and in harmony.

Attracting My Attention

"True words aren't charming,

charming words aren't true."

Lao Tzu

My earliest association with the word charming originated from fairy tales.  When I hear the word charming, now, I think of O.J. Simpson, the poster child for domestic violence.  As I think through my history of working with families of domestic violence, the male was always charming while the  frazzled woman presented as  a shrew.  Let me correct that statement:  the men always thought they were charming and hoped to portray the abused woman as a shrew.

I realize I more than likely have a bias, but this word 'charming' tends to remain consistent with my doubts of sincerity.  I will expand my view to include women who present themselves as charmed, indeed become questionable to me.

I don't feel I would want to be categorized as a charming person, and there is probably no danger of that happening. An individual who comes across as charming, to me, I instantly wonder what is behind the curtain of disguise.  I am not saying the person is bad or harmful, but simply is not being authentic.  One works for a long time to polish the brand of charm and it is focused on what will be acceptable to others.

I love words, but obviously not a large fan of charm.  Give me unique, authentic, individualistic, eccentric, unusual, country, city, eclectic, back woods, upper crust, creative, impressionable or just about any other word in the dictionary.  They may be marching to a different drummer, but they will attract my attention! 

Soul's Sacred Song

"May life touch that place

where you fear to go,

May love embrace 

what you don't yet know.

May you hear the call of

your soul's sacred song,

May you come home to yourself,

it's where you belong."

Julie Parker

With the passing of a friend, I recall deep conversations we shared, and make note of missed opportunities to express my appreciation, honor, and respect for this individual.  It is so important to state our thanks to those who touch our lives while they are still present in this earth life.  We assume they know how we feel, but why not say it, repeat it, and shout it, just to  make certain.

Not only for those who cross over into other realms, but to friends we never see anymore or strangers who became friends in a small slice of time.  I find it important to be grateful in each moment rather than getting swept away by the interference of time.

Would we appreciate ourselves more if we were regularly reminded of how we touch other peoples lives?  Would we see the significance we offer in the greater scheme of things?  Would we feel more connected to the circle of life by joining our hearts as well as hands?

The more we explore our inner landscapes, decipher our dreams, and articulate our yearnings, the safer we feel with ourselves, and also with others.  In releasing our fears, we can begin to live our lives fully, embracing our flaws and highlighting our gifts.  Listen for  the words of your sacred song, and let the harmony carry you home.

Adjusting Destinations

"Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently.

So choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting, and joyful.

Your life is always moving towards something."

Ralph Martson

Author, Panache Desai states that "magnificence is not a destination".   Magnificence can be experienced in every breath we take if we focus on the moment and broaden our focus on life existing around us.

We no longer need to wait for a spectacular event to experience something magnificent.    If we are truly living in the moment rather than the past or the future, we need to broaden our scope to  take in the wonders around us.

We can be more lively if we use these words throughout our day.    These superlative words radiate energy and increase  positive feelings.   As we begin to embrace all of the wonder surrounding us, negative feelings and fear will no longer have space in our awareness.  

Find success within each day, no matter how small.  Express creatively in any way imaginable rather than waiting for an artist class.  Instead of waiting to be uplifted, uplift someone else through the slightest mention of something positive just observed in their behavior.  

When we broaden our moments, making our path wider, we can stretch our focus to include more possibilities.  We will not be seeing the same boring thing over and over.  Something wonderful can enter into every moment of our day.  We need to be alert, observant, and view life through the eyes of kindness.  Destinations arrive in each fresh moment.

Room for Everyone!

"Harmony is what happens when 

we meet life open heartedly.  

When we meet life from the soul."

Panache Desai

As we begin to shed outer layers of who you used to be, we start planting seeds for new growth. We create a little more space so light begins to reach dark corners where old desires and passion are stored.  Soul begins to awaken our authentic selves.  We begin to feel more at home in our bodies, in our homes, and in our lives.  

We move closer to being in harmony, when we begin to embrace everyone just  as they are, ourselves included.  Dismissing all forms of judgement, it is easier to just observe and recognize the goodness in others and within ourselves..  

When we create balance, there is plenty of room for all kinds of feelings, but there is so much love within our alignment, we do not get stuck in any emotional drama.  When we have opened ourselves to the flowing of love, all emotions pass through us, but without judgement.   With harmony, one avoids discord and chaos.  We accept, not condone, actions of others as well as our own.  We no longer limit our identities or classify others in some form of rank.  

Harmony is living in abundant love, widening our path where we can all be one without separation.  We are not investing our energy in fear, so we feel spacious.  There is room for everyone.  When our soul has a wide berth to cultivate goodness, we find ourselves living in beautiful harmony.

Facing Strife

"The world may let you down.
Do not let yourself down."

Wendy Allen

From Where Does Love Come?

Heavenletter #: 5002

Published Date: August 5, 2014

Today, I will choose to be happy.  I will focus on my decisions that have led to great opportunity, and the results of my challenging work.  If I need help, I will 'harvest' old journals to see how I rode the waves in the past and arrived safely on shore.  I will browse through favorite poems or resources of encouragement that remind me of my endurance.  

I will walk outside in nature, ignoring the heat or cold, allowing the songs of the birds to lift me up.  The sun will warm my face while the branches of the trees demonstrate grace.  I allow myself to feel the connection with all things.  I will feel my heart resonating with my heart, body, and Divine Spirit.  

I will swaddle myself in favorite wraps and seek a landscape in my mind for contemplation. I will light a candle and play gentle music. In meditation, I will listen for wisdom and feel peace and joy spread throughout my core.  

I am safe.  I will be fine.  I will address issues before me, knowing my creative mind will discover resolve.  I have the strength to see this through and I am not alone.  I choose to be happy.

Accountable At The Core

"What you are is God's gift to you;

what you make of yourself is your gift to God."

George Washington Carver

There is a story about a respected Jewish Rabbi, who when dying was uncontrollably  weeping.  The loved ones gathered around him, asked why he was crying as he had lived such an exceptional life as a  teacher, mentor, and leader.  The man replied, "I am crying as God will ask me not what kind of rabbi I have been, but what kind of person I have been!"  

Our label, position, or influence has little to do with who we truly are at the core.  I am reminded of the saying, integrity is who you are when no one can see you.  Our title is just another description of a part of our selves.  The president of any company or any government does not automatically define a man's true nature.  

As men and women, we have our entire life to try on different roles.  We may master some and stumble with others, but the importance is who we are underneath the roles.  Do we reflect our character and values in everything we do or do they fluctuate according to the circumstances.  

There was a very wealthy man who gave equally large amounts of money to his two sons.  He sent them out into the world to do great things.  The one son created an empire, tripled his money, and was internationally well known.  The other son built shelters in nature stricken environments and orchestrated a medical free medical program for the indigent.  Few people knew his name. The father in the mean time had passed away, but it makes you wonder which son he would have deemed the wisest.  Again, what was the spirit of the man? Neither son was right or wrong gauged by money, but how they had treated others and themselves.

I believe in an after life, and I do sense we will be held accountable for the life we have just lived.  I imagine the Divine being more interested in how I enhanced myself with the tools I had been given than what positions I held throughout my life.  With all titles stripped away, I will be just 'me' accounting for compassion, service, passion, and integrity.  

The Place Where We Belong

"I belong deeply to myself."

Warsan Shire

As a child, we may not have felt complete or any where near perfection, but we knew we belonged to to our lovely self.  As development moved us further, we grew more concerned with who others wanted us to be.  We hid parts of our selves and tried to adjust to the expectations of others.  Our identity of our original self may have become smaller and smaller as we inhaled the knowledge of community and world.

Some where a long the line, this small piece of self grew restless.  It may have been in college, in our career, or as a young parent.  We heard this distant knocking upon our heart and the unidentified yearning increased.  Something called to us, but it was so vague we could not quite grasp the significance of the message.  Our vibrant dreams, authors, poets, and mentors seemed to be tugging at some thing residing inside of ourselves that we could not yet see.

Bobbing up and down, breaking to the surface, peeking through the veil, this small part of self screamed, "Look at me!"  The process was lengthy, but rewarding.  At some point we finally shut our doors and opened our hearts and embraced the spirit living deeply inside at our core.  We had never been alone.  We had been broken, but only to grow stronger.  We had received answers to our prayers, only not necessarily the ones we wanted to hear.  We did not win the reward we strived for, but instead we were gifted with something better.  

At some point, when we slowed down long enough to pull our parts together, we find a remarkable spirit dwelling within us.  We may have shed our labels, sir names, and titles, but we are more than pleased to finally embrace who we truly are ... 'me'.

Terrifying, Strange and Beautiful

*** This poem felt so empowering,
I simply wanted  every woman, both young and old,
to read it and feel the energy! virginia

"you are a horse running alone

and he tries to tame you

compares you to an impossible highway

to a burning house

says you are blinding him

that he could never leave you

forget you

want anything but you

you dizzy him, you are unbearable

every woman before you or after you

is doused in your name

you fill his mouth

his teeth ached with memory of taste

his body just a long shadow seeking yours

but you are always too intense

frightening in the way you want him

unashamed and sacrificial

he tells you that no man can live up to the one

who lives in your head

and you tried to change didn't you?

closed your mouth more

tried to be softer

prettier

less volatile, less awake

but even when sleeping you could feel

him traveling away from you in his dreams

so what did you want to do love

split his head open?

you can't make homes out of human beings

someone should have already told you that

and if he wants to leave

then let him leave

you are terrifying

and strange and beautiful

something not everyone knows how to love."

Warsan Shire