Heartfelt Identity

"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil,

but by those who watch them without doing anything."

Albert Einstein

Currently, I am noticing individuals coming forward, stepping through personal fear and using his or her voice. There seems to be an increase in momentum instead of a stagnant stance of apathy. Rather than hearing what people are against, the conversation is leaning towards what people are for. 

I am experiencing this personally as well. Unplugging from that which displeases me, I am choosing to be present and aware. I am noticing aspects of myself in need of correction and elements of relationships that need adjustment. My tendency is to withdraw or resort to what is familiar, and this clearly is no longer the way.

Clarity, I believe, is the key. With an open mind, reality needs to be explored with open eyes. What is triggering me needs to be explored which will update perceptions and truth. Until actions are aligned with heartfelt identity, there will be discord. Investment in myself deserves to be shared inwardly as well as on the outer plains.  

Open a Window!

 

"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change."

Albert Einstein

Please, open the window and let fresh air come in! The inside heat is not helping with the building anxiety. Without any options to create a healthy scenario, falling to natural instincts can help sustain personal strength. Recognize growing discomfort and actualize the need to address whatever it is that is not going away, either physically or mentally.

When we throw open a window and breathe in the crisp air, a sense of calm begins to penetrate. The tiny impact of change encourages us to shift both our thoughts and actions. Breathe in, expand, and slowly let go of whatever hangs heavily in the heart. Fresh air encourages new thoughts and hope for fresh beginnings.

It is imperative to step through situations that stun us. In making a choice for action, we propel forward by increments. Simple movement encourages us to begin again with hope for corrective improvement. In times where no available solution can be applied, choose a peaceful action in honor of what had gone wrong. Indirect actions help to heal and bring peace back into the world.

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow."

Albert Einstein 

Pressure accumulated as we geared up for election day. Chaos stirred any sense of rest, bombarding voters with hateful speech and often times flat out lies. Momentum forced friends to face each other, controlling judgment and criticism. Some family members voted in secret, hiding preferences from peers and mates.

The race is over, but the fallout leaves many in unrest. It seems incredibly impossible that in our own country, fellow humans fear what will now happen. We can move out of this darkness with hope in our hearts, holding ourselves accountable and doing our part. Each individual must use his or her voice and take positive action towards peace.

As we seek passage through this tunnel of time, our eyes need to be kept focused upon humankind. It is imperative to see kinship in the faces of others, not threats. Joining together in spite of differences, we can secure a safer tomorrow. No longer think about winning or losing, but rather moving forward together, best that we can.

Facing Dilemma

"I must be willing to give up what I am

in order to become what I will be."

Albert Einstein

If we try to stop thinking about something, the subject matter explodes. When we try to minimize something, it simply expands in new areas. Why can't we shed darkness as easily as we slip off s scarf and gloves? Why can't the dirt of our past wash off in the shower as easily as garden soil? 

In other scenarios, we readily step up confident to assist others facing strife.  Then why is we cannot face our own dilemmas with the same conviction? While helping others find resolve, why can we not find our own way out of harm's way? Access to corrective action may be right before us, and yet we look the other way.

We set ourselves up for failure when we attempt to add new methods, but  leave the old in place. We must gut out the darkness, as it is in this process that light begins to shine. The slightest effort inches us forward. Call out to the stars in the sky, into the heavens where Divine resides. There is no need to do to this challenge alone.

 

Creative Resolution

"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity."

Albert Einstein

Consciously creating and holding our lovely selves accountable will help move us towards calm; however,  life itself has challenging lessons.  To minimize a situation, we can corral our emotions and discern the lesson.  

If we stand back, viewing a challenge from differing angles, we can apply the best approach. It may still be challenging, but we will move through the chaos with as little turmoil as possible.  When we identify the lesson being learned, we begin to realize it is a repeat from our past.

As humans, we are here to create and experience the physical aspects of life.  They are not always kind, but ultimately help to build our character and perceptions. The incorrect question, "Why is this happening to me?" is replaced by "What am I to learn?"  We can be a victim of our circumstances or we can address strife with creative resolution.

 

No or Maybe Yes ...

"You can't solve a problem

from the state of mind that

created the problem."

Albert Einstein 

Once a mother of four children, I learned to tell them:  "If you demand an answer right this very minute, I will tell you no; but, if you give me time to think about it, the answer might be yes." This approach worked for a long time as it gave them hope and me pause to think clearly, and not upon demand.

Unfortunately, I did not apply this approach with my peers.  I frequently responded under pressure, gave in  wanting to please, and felt saying no was bad.  I frequently found my self over committed, engaged in gatherings that held no interest for me, and I resented the waste of my time I had so freely given.

When I re-entered my career years later, I had the response once shared with my kids, firmly in place for all people.  Especially with problem solving, 'thinking quickly on your feet' did not necessarily provide the best resolution.  When I can allow space for a pause, I can observe with new eyes and become aware of a broader perspective that might be accepted by all involved.  

 

Drag or Leap ...

"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change."

Albert Einstein

We are constantly called to change whether we drag our heels or leap forward.  Everything changes: our diets, routines, ages, and seasons of the year.  We can select to make permanent changes or continuously repeat our behaviors, thinking we are changed.  Some changes are pressed upon us, completely out of our control.

Adventurous people tend to gravitate towards change and thrive with it.  Then there are more conservative individuals that are far more cautious and leery.  It doesn't matter what level of comfort we are at, it seems we are always pulled from it, by change the great facilitator.

Change frequently propels us into new circumstances that have either been unnoticed for some time or appear totally as a surprise.  Either way, opportunities require us to adjust life as we know it.  We are called to take action whether physically, mentally or spiritually.  If we do not acknowledge a calling, we can remain wherever we are  ... which is stuck.

Blue Birds and the Fat Cat

 

"One can't teach a cat not to catch birds." 

Albert Einstein

Today was designated as my silent retreat.  Everyone was going to be gone for the entire day and I would be blessed with solitude.  Out on the back deck, I watched the birds come to feed. My most favorite was the strikingly blue bird with an orange belly.  Just yesterday I learned our neighbor had a bird house with blue birds nesting.  All was right within my world.

Sudden movement on my left and  curiosity pulled my eyes to the neighbor's yard.  There hanging on the fence was their fat gray cat, pawing into the bird house.  Two blue birds were frantically dive bombing at the cat to no avail.  I over reacted by slamming my book down which startled the birds away and the cat jumped from the fence.  The blue birds and the sweetness of baby birds nesting had become a symbol of peace and calm in this uncertain world. I felt my heart hurting.

There should not be judgment of the cat's natural instincts, nor should the fallen boundaries of small birds be dismissed.  This seems reflective of the world I live in ... I do not want to judge anyone, but what of the destroyed nests?  The fat cat sits licking his paws and the blue birds are no where to be seen.

Anticipating Arrival

 .

"Imagination is everything.

It is the preview of life's coming attractions."

Albert Einstein

I find it regrettable to have taught my children to have expectations, rather than the concept of anticipation for unfolding ... leaving the results to the Universe or God rather than human imagination.  Our expectations can be far too low or a crippling high without at least inviting angels to be our imaginative counterparts.

It has taken the majority of my life to learn to place subtle endings or new beginnings into sacred hands.  For so long I pushed and shoved parts together that never belonged.  I gave too much of myself hoping to guarantee a particular outcome that never arrived.  The true path eventually unfolds whether we take the direct route or the difficult climb.

My wish to my children and now for my grandchildren would be to gather personal longings and gently bring them together using imagination as suggestions.  If we expose our composite to the heavenly host and trust that goodness will come, our life can unfold in the most artistic way.  It is going with the flow, having faith in our unique presence and anticipating the arrival of all we were meant to be.

Knowing Needs to be Understood

"Any fool can know.

The point is to understand."

Albert Einstein

Knowledge impacts change minimally if we do not know how to apply, to understand, and to be open.  The facts we hold dear today, may not be of relevance tomorrow.  As our perspective changes or life situations alter, our knowledge can be either impaired or heightened.  

As a brilliant individual is propelled farther into the depths of his or her specific field, it will be of no use if this individual cannot interpret the knowledge in understandable verbiage.  It is possible to be so advanced that we no longer can communicate to a layman.

As a complicated human being, we can be knowledgeable about our emotional strengths or weaknesses, but unless we can communicate facts about our emotional environment, we will be less likely to advance our expertise towards others and the less likely we will be understood.  What we know and what we understand may not be in alignment.

Knowledge Without Imagination

"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.

Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited.  

Imagination encircles the world."

Albert Einstein

Children give testimony to the fact we are all born with imagination.  It is similar to other skills we carry into adulthood based upon the encouragement we have received and the knowledge we have collected.  If a skill is honed into a fine tool, it will be both exciting and productive to create an art form reflecting empathy and compassion.

Accessing knowledge is not enough on its own.  Knowledge must be applied, defined and open to challenge, but also etched with imagination.  In this way, knowledge takes on deeper meanings and becomes a part of our nature.   Application enhances segments that might inspire us to digest and respond in unique ways.

Imagination leads us perhaps on the same original journey, but it creates a more colorful landscape.  Imagination introduces wonderment to what otherwise may be dull or singular at first glance.  Imagination expands the ordinary into colorful and animated realms.  The inner artist awaits the use of imagination as it heightens the world within. 

Miraculous Depths

"Imagination is the highest form of research."

Albert Einstein

The greatest expedition we can take is the one accompanied by imagination rather than expectation.    If  we happen upon a nugget of insight,  but lack imagination as to how it might be used, the nugget does not reach its full value. 

Whether we are digging into ancient history or outer space, imagination is required to discover the best application of what we find.  If we cannot apply what we learn, we will not advance nor broaden the experience.

Whether we are staring at stained glass windows, foreign country scenery or poetic verse, we will be moved by our application of imagination.  No matter where we are, if we open our hearts and minds, we  will begin to see miraculous depths  to the amazing world around us.

Understanding Others

"Any fool can know.

The point is to understand." 

Albert Einstein

Scientists recite detailed formulas, religious leaders quote from the bible, and attorneys know the law. If, however, one does not know how to apply their knowledge, to express it in words for others, there are limitations to the knowledge.  If there is no level of exchange, how does one advance?

We pursue different areas of life, some as mechanics, small business owners or CEO of large corporations.  We each have studied our area of expertise and maintain certain structures for support. It is not, however, until we are called to apply these skills that we begin to embrace knowledge.  

Through hands on experience, we begin to understand how to merge and adjust what we learn.  We become aware of our personal strength, and master appropriate response to those we serve.  It is not until we understand ourselves that we can fully understand others.