Imperfect Perfection

To love another human in all of her

splendor and imperfect perfection,

it is a magnificent task ...

tremendous and foolish and human.

Louise Erdrich

The Last Report On The Miracles At Little No Horse

In Alan Cohen's wonderful book, A DEEP BREATH OF LIFE, Daily Inspiration for Heart-Centered Living, I came upon a discussion of perfection versus imperfection, and it brought a new perspective to me.  Alan Cohen described a man finding fault with everyone and everything, always pointing out what was needed to be improved.  This man claimed to be a perfectionist.  Then a woman was described as being in massive traffic congestion.   She was praising fellow drivers for cooperating and working together when there was a challenge.  The contrast between this man and woman illustrates the difference between a man passing himself off as a perfectionist and a woman who simply looked for good in every situation. 

As we are all imperfect, how much better it would be for everyone if we just accepted imperfection and automatically looked for the good.  When we acknowledge the good in some one, it strengthens confidence and increases the desire to do even better. 

We are all children of Divine Spirit, so we each hold within an authentic 'self' bringing a particular gift or talent into Divine Spirit's world.  How much more fun life would be if we were curious of people we meet instead of judgmental.  We could create a party atmosphere asking each other, "What did you get?"  Instead of criticizing we could be discovering the talent or gift of the other person.

Divine Spirit, Universe, or God is within all of us.  Life can be so much more fulfilling if we anticipated the goodness to be discovered in each other.  We would treat each other more kindly and join efforts in creating a peaceful community for work or play.  Rather than being competitive with each other, we could admire the strengths of those we meet.

Humble Exchanges



There is a wisdom of the head,

and ... a wisdom of the heart.

Charles Dickens

Wisdom tends to awaken our minds and pierce our hearts with common words.  These common words vibrate within us, resonating with deeper meaning than what may appear on the surface.  The wisdom may even be words we have heard or read previously, but for some reason, this time they strike with certain significance.  The words seem to come alive, filtering emotionally throughout our body.  We receive insight, inspiration, or perhaps comfort. 

We all have friends we turn to when we need courage or understanding.  These friends are not necessarily trained to be therapists, but somehow they always find words to make us feel better.  It is during these humble exchanges, wisdom often appears.

Words awaken our minds and pierce our hearts during humble exchanges with words of diversified origins.   Wisdom is shared in humble exchanges, as well as passed down through history in storytelling, singing, and the written word.  There is something about being out in nature that calms our minds and opens our hearts to bits and pieces of wisdom. There are so many ways for wisdom to slip gentle words within our hearts and mind.

Wisdom can be attributed to Divine Spirit speaking through each and every one of us whether we are aware or not.  Friends may thank us for sharing something with them while quite honestly, we don't even remember saying it.  Or words may suddenly flow out of our mouths and we have no idea where they came from, but the listener is ever so grateful.   

In this way, we are all messengers.  Divine Spirit uses us as vessels to deliver what needs to be heard just as words written upon on a page can jump alive.  So we must open our minds and our hearts to receive humble exchanges that will deepen our insights and experiences.



Live Your LIfe

A woman has to live her life,

or live to repent not having lived it.

D. H. Lawrence

Lady Chatterley's Lover

 

As a young mother, I was involved in many activities.  I was active in community, church, and social organizations.  As my children grew in number and demands, I realized that I must excuse my self from holding positions or offices in my activities.  I felt good about this decision as I knew one day would come when the children would all be grown and I would once again have time for my endeavors.

As young women, we need to stay in touch with at least one area of interest and then expand that interest or introduce new avenues of expression when the time allows.  Women need to have areas of personal interest to look forward to after  commitments to family and or career lessen.  

As women accumulate years, we begin to rekindle interests or develop new.   If we find our selves thinking, "I always wanted to ... travel ... paint ... study ... visit ... ."  Then do it!  What's holding you back?  Explore and be adventurous.  If there is a will there is a way.  This is your life and it is up to you to live it to the fullest! 



Navigate with Integrity



Nobody can discover the world

for somebody else.

Only when we discover it for ourselves

does it become common ground

and a common bond

and we cease to be alone.

Wendell Berry

A PLACE ON EARTH

Authenticity is a discovery of our unique gifts and talents.  Too many times, we take for granted our own strengths as though they were common to every one else.  Just as our finger prints or DNA are exclusively our own, so are our life purposes.

We must explore the world, both inner and outer, to know what we hold dear as truths or values.  Our belief systems are tested over time, fine tuning how we perceive the world.  Eventually we emerge through learned behaviors presenting in our truest form.

Embracing both our strengths and weaknesses, we are able to navigate through life with integrity.  We have a polished sense of who we really are and what is our heart's desire.

When we are comfortable with our own selves, we are readily available to embrace the diversity of others without feeling threatened or competitive.  We find that we can join our efforts together creating a world of appreciation and gratitude.





Books: Escape, Friend, Adventure

                            Books let us into their souls

and lay open to us

the secrets of our own.

William Hazlitt

Books are a learning experience, an escape from our daily grind, and an introduction to characters we soon identify as friends or people we hope to never be. We learn about other cultures, the rhythm of different life styles, and personal experiences whether fact or fiction. Some books change our lives forever.

My love for reading began very early in my childhood. I spent a great deal of time with little Golden Books filled with fantasy, like Frosty the Snowman, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Grade school definitely opened my range of reading choices, and read I did.

Fortunately, there was a neighborhood library branch I passed every day walking to and from school. When I outgrew the school library, I became an avid library card holder!

By seventh grade, I had completed reading all of the books offered to elementary students. I received special permission from the branch library to begin reading books reserved for high school students. I was a familiar face to the librarian and over the years she guided me in selecting wonderful literature.

 In college, there were several book readers and we would pass our favorites around. When looking for a new author, referrals were plentiful.

After college, I worked part time, was married and soon had my first child. It became more difficult to find like minded readers and selecting books took a lot longer than ever before.

As a mother of four, my reading once again returned to children’s books, passing my love for reading onto a new generation. These reading experiences with my children enhanced my storytelling abilities as well.

When visiting with a friend's mother, I asked if she had read the latest 'love story' novel and she replied, "Oh no! I have not read one of those in years. As I have grown older, I have become much more selective of what I put into my brain." She was right of course and again my direction changed. I discontinued fiction all together focused on non-fiction entirely.

Once retired, years later, I was eager to spend every part of my day with the luxury of reading. Having plenty of time, I once again broadened my reading and included fiction. Reading remains my favorite escape.

Fictional characters and non-fictional individuals have been my teachers and on occasion a best friend. Books have remained a constant, a constant escape and a forever friend.

We all have time to read between appointments or waiting for someone to pick us up. Maybe a short while before falling asleep, a good read would help settle us in. A daily inspiration in the morning only taking seconds to read can set the tone for the remaining day. Volunteering to read to others or to our grandchildren are both very valuable.

You could begin an adventure today!

Setting Sail

To reach a port we must sail,

sometimes with the wind

and sometimes against it.

But we must not drift

or lie at anchor.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Life offers us many opportunities, and for that I am thankful as it seems I make many attempts without appropriate follow through.  I become distracted or perhaps discouraged allowing the idea or dream to float away.

Often times we meet resistance either from our selves or from others.  We need to simply step through the energy presenting as a block to successfully reach the other side.  Fear and resistance are opportunities to make our selves stronger, as discovery has never been an easy task for any one.

When a plan comes together or ideas become aligned, we are in the flow or find smooth sailing.  We feel supported in our efforts and we find our struggles have been worth while. 

The most important step, however, is setting sail out side of our comfort zone into unknown territories.  Courage can be our companion with positive attitude tucked into our pocket.  We can carefully chart our course, but be ready for the winds to carry us into unexpected waters. 

Let's remember to turn our faces towards the sun, to feel its warm embrace; to be lulled by the rhythm of the waves; and to gently end our day with the setting sun.  And if we find our selves drifting, begin once again.

Little Opportunities

Opportunities multiply

as they are seized.

Sun Tzu

There is much to be said for major life changing experiences requiring deep thought and consideration.  We frequently forget, however, the little opportunities that can collectively shape the direction of our lives.

When paying attention, our daily lives are filled with small exchanges that when acted upon, adjusts our self-respect and shifts our perception of others.  When we stay in the moment, we are much more apt to catch the little opportunities to bring a breath of fresh air or a ray of sunshine into life.

The other day, I was sitting at an outdoor cafe enjoying coffee.  I am a people watcher, love to sketch, and frequently jot notes into my journal.  While I enjoyed my morning, the behavior of the people around me became teachers of the gifts found in the little moments of our day.

At a table near by, a woman sat by herself staring into her cup of coffee.  A muffin sat on her plate, untouched.  Her body language reflected an attitude of loneliness, slouched as though she were carrying a heavy weight.   A small part of me thought of striking up a conversation (Spirit probably nudging me), but I was settled in and looked the other way.

A short time passed and the tables were full.  A new woman was carrying around her breakfast tray looking for a place to sit.  She approached the woman whom appeared lonely and asked, "Might I join you just for a little bit?"  The body language of the lonely woman immediately shifted.  She perked up, sat straighter, and a warm smile spread across her face as she replied, "Oh, please do!"  As I watched, they ended up sharing their food and fell into a lively conversation like old friends. 

This was a little opportunity, nothing earth shattering or life changing, but significant changes were made.  The lonely woman's spirit was lifted, she felt included, and with the possibility of a new friend.  The other woman more than likely felt so glad she acted upon the nudge she felt to join the lonely woman.  She, too, must have felt happier and appreciated. 

Through out our day, we have little incidents pop up where we can decide to act selfishly or to honor the spirit of an other.   We may find a perfect parking spot right near the door, but choose the one three cars down as a gift to someone else.  We may allow the person with a grocery cart with only a few items to cut in line in front of us or wave another driver of a car to get in line ahead of us when the traffic is jammed. 

There are millions of little things.  A simple smile for a stranger, assistance to someone who is struggling with a door, help gather papers that have just been dropped or send a short random e-mail to a friend who has been on your mind.

Small and seemingly insignificant actions can change the attitude of someone for the remainder of the day.  Simple attention to a small detail may allow a loner to feel a part of a group.  To be included, rather than shut-out of a conversation can lift self-esteem and change the immediate perception of life. 

We don't have to wait for a financial wind fall to help others.  We don't need to wait for the perfect volunteer position. Through little opportunites, we can become instruments of peace, happiness, and kindness.  In return, our spirits will soar!

The Whale Swallowed Jonah

The whale swallowed Jonah

or so the story goes ...

Jonah was a good man and a prophet.  He was asked to go to Nineveh to tell the people to repent, but he did not follow through. He ended up swallowed by a whale or so the story goes.  Let's go with it.

If you have ever spent time in what is termed the Dark Night of the Soul, you too may have felt like you had been swallowed whole.  What would you feel like ... damp, disoriented and frightened or would there be comfort in seclusion, invisibility, and nothing but curiosity about possibly being spit out anew by the whale.

Although everything is bright and beautiful on the outside of my self on this wonderful spring day, on the inside, I feel like I have been swallowed by the whale.  For whatever reason, I am filled with darkness as though I have lost sight.  I have tried all day to gather my bearings and determine a destination, but all efforts seem to have failed.  I feel submerged into the great depths of water with an uncomfortable churning like being tossed about in the belly of a whale. 

Can it be that I am the whale and I have unknowingly swallowed my self into seclusion?  This is not an exhilirating feeling nor an insightful venture.  I sense it is something to be endured until the old me is ready to be spit out and discarded, making way for a brighter new me. 

I don't remember what exactly happened to Jonah, and I most certainly don't know what is happening with me.  I am ready, however, to return to a firmly grounded sanctuary inside of me.

In The Palm of Your Hand ... April Fool's Day

Real friends are those who,

when you feel you've made a fool of your self,

don't feel you've done a permanent job.

~ Author Unknown

There is a difference between being a fool and being fooled.  I know this as I have experienced both.  Perhaps this is how I developed my quirky sense of humor!

Another life time ago, in my first marriage, my then husband and myself had been invited to attend a church couples club to meet possible new friends at the church we most recently had visited.  The monthly group secured a local gym for a night of fun and games. 

It was easy to feel comfortable among both the men and the women as they obviously had been friends for years and knew each other very well.  The majority of the members were professionals and over the years, they became dear friends.

One woman had established herself as a nurse and was the mother of two children.  She was an attractive and seemingly compassionate woman, but her friends seem to be teasing her about a private joke.  Curiosity got the best of me and I asked what the joke was about.  They told me that Sharon read palms and I laughed.  "No, really, she does, but if she were to read ours, you would only think she had gathered the information from us over our years of friendship."  Sharon talked a little bit about how she had discovered her skill as a child and it was a fun thing to do, but as she grew older, she felt more of a responsibility about this gift.

Feeling even more curious, I said, "Well, you certainly don't know me, so why not read my palm?"  I had never met this woman before nor anyone else for that matter and so she did.

Sharon proceeded to tell me things about my personality by simply looking at my hand.  She was right on target and I was having fun.  Then she became more serious and told me information about my past that she would have no way of knowing about me.  She inquired if I wanted her to go on, and with gathering anxiety I said yes.  So she proceeded to tell me specific details about my future ... how many children I would have, how many times my heart would be broken, and where I would live. 

It was at that point I knew this woman was "wrong" as I "knew" I was not having any more children, I did not believe in divorce, and our little family had chosen this thriving town as our life time home.  I felt that Sharon was a well intentioned woman, but she simply was wrong.

Over the years, I grew to know Sharon personally and found her to be a woman of integrity and skill.  After my divorce I moved away and thought of her shared insights years before.  When I remarried and had more children, I thought of her again. 

More years passed and I found my self at a dinner for new comers in a community I had just moved into.  I happened to sit next to a realtor.  He was quite friendly and it was obvious that he was very professional as well as successful.  While we were waiting for dessert and coffee to be served, he told me that he could read palms and asked if he could read mine.  This wasn't for table entertainment, just a discussion between two strangers sitting side by side.  So once again I said sure.

This gentleman was as accurate as Sharon had been years prior, except from this stage of my life, the information slid together a little more easily.  I also discovered that he was much more capable than just reading palms.  He was picking up information about me from some realm unknown to me.  Later, I wondered where he was so that I could tell him how on target he was, except I had the sense that he already knew!

One last story ...

Many years ago, a friend's father passed away.  He had been a neat old guy, fun and spunky.  He had played cards every day with retired business men.  After several months of his passing, my friend and her children took her mom to a local fair.  There happened to be a palm reader available and the family teased their mother/grandmother into getting her fortune told.  As a joke she agreed. 

The palm reader told this elder that her husband had recently passed.  She said that he had been very successful in winning at cards with his friends.  She inquired if the woman knew her husband kept a stash of several thousand  dollars in their basement ... east wall, so many bricks up from the floor. 

My friend's mother was guffawing as she exited the little room.  How outrageous and preposterous!  She could hardly beleive she had paid for such drivel!   But she went directly home with her daughter and grandchildren, went to the east wall of the basement, found some loose bricks and discovered $20,000 cash!

There are fools, fools that are fooled, and foolishness, but with a careful open mind, one might just learn a thing or two or 20!

 

Beautiful and Brave

Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only

waiting to see us once beautiful and brave.

Rainer Maria Rilke

This morning I opened my eyes becoming happy with sun

shining through the bedroom window.  I listened to the birds in

the bush chirping away with some deliberate clip, repeating it

over and over.  Did the birds think I would understand what 

they were saying if they repeated it enough?  Trudy, our Tuxedo cat jumped up on my bed, looking at me as though she

were wondering why I was still lounging in my pajamas.  She too was curious with the birds so she sat at the head of the bed, 

nose pressed to the window trying to see them.  She looked at me and began her cat language which I didn't understand either.  She became very insistent in her 'meow' as though surely I was not so stupid as to to not understand.

 I closed my eyes again, and visualized a lovely brook with crystal clear water rippling over marbled pebbles.  I listened to the gurgling water and the sounds communicated a peaceful feeling within.  Freely I breathed in life and easily breathed out what was troubling me.

We are bombarded by messages all day long and actually all night long.  The information comes to us from the media, our jobs, family and friends, plus everything surrounding us.  Our dreams bring us information as well as our thoughts.  In science there is discovery of telepathic communication between animals and we know there is telepathy between humans.  Is much of our thinking just rethinking acquired thought and how much of it is is obtained through the concept of collective thinking?  What percentage is original thought?

The other day a friend was sharing some information she had written in her younger years.  She was laughing as the same material was now published by a different author and identical to her own.  Do we all have access to the same information stored within and we simply don't excavate it? 

Sometimes I visualize Universal Intelligence or Divine shaking a formless head as I once again don't get the message.  I see this All Knowing Spirit communicating to surrounding angels saying, "No, we need to try something else.  She didn't get that either!"  Then they devise a new way of once again presenting the information to me.

How many messages do we miss?  How many opportunities float by us without us giving them the smallest glimpse?  How much inspiration falls by the way side as we fear our dragons rather than embracing the sweet voices of princesses waiting to ignite our passion?  

At what point in life are we willing 

to become beautiful and brave?

Multiple Choices

No one else can ever make your choices for you.

Your choices are yours alone.

They are as much a part of you

as every breath your will take,

every moment of your life.

 CHOICES

"100 Most Important Life Choices"

Dr. Shad Helmstetter

Life is constant change and with each change choice is made.  It is imperative that we make our choices and not allow some one else to do so.  Well meaning family or friends or bosses have important and valid input, but we get to make the choice, not them.  Remember there is lesson in every choice as this is how we learn.

We may think we have no choice in the matter which translates into we cannot make a different choice ... we are pressured or frightened or not yet prepared to take the educated risk.  If we make a personal choice, perhaps we will be cut out of the family will ... is that the lesson, to do without dependence on someone else's fortune?  The family may say when we follow our desire, we will be disowned ... is this a lesson in love?  A lover may tell you that no one else will ever love you as much as they do, but the little voice inside of you is screaming to leave ... is this about allowing people to have power over us?

There are so many parts to making a choice.  We educate ourselves by listening to others or observing life or taking note of history, but ultimately, the truth of a decision resides within. What other choices people make are simply alternatives to be considered.  It is frequently the build up to the moment of decision that stresses us out. The actual choice can feel liberating, right or wrong after the agony of deciding.  

Some choices are very easily made, while others are so much more challenging.  If the right choice is not obvious, then take more time to sort through what would be best for you.  When my children were younger, they used to rush in and interrupt whatever I was doing, wanting an immediate answer to their request.  Here is what I learned to say:

      

     "If you need an answer right now, it is no.

       If you give me some time to think, it still may be no,

       but there is a better chance for it to be yes."

In careers we are frequently backed into a wall where we feel like there really isn't much choice at all, but there is always choice.  The choices might not be the ones we want, but they are there.  Some choices are made simply to please others. Eventually we realize by saying yes, we may be making the other person's life easier, but ours much more difficult.  Once we start having better boundaries and making better decisions, we feel better and more capable.

Choices can be very impulsive and fun.  Others may be heart wrenching and nearly impossible.  Still others may be accidental.  Throughout the day, we make endless decisions ... when to get up, what to wear, what to eat, which road to take, who to call, how to prioritize or organize, and when to stop or go. The choices are endless.

Multiple choices, however, are all exercises in using your voice, empowering your spirit, and aligning your mind, body, and spirit.  Take a few moments and review your life and you will see the impact of your choices or lack thereof.  

Get Over Your Self ...

Walk toward the door that is opening,

rather than clawing at the one

that is closing.

I HAD IT ALL THE TIME

Alan Cohen

Frequently, I have pondered the disconnect between being born with an incredible sense of my spiritual self, and then forgetting it all while becoming focused only on my physical self.  A child has wonderment, insight, and wisdom with deep appreciation for nature, only to be trapped in a materialistic world.

Alan Cohen is one of my most favorite authors.  He has written numerous books and they all seem to speak to me.   In his writing of I HAD IT ALL THE TIME, he discussed the shift from the spiritual self to the physical self in childhood.  It was all so obvious once I read his reflections and blended them with other insights.

Prior to this incarnation, we are spiritual beings with the Divine, the Universe, Spirit or whatever deity is foremost in your belief system. This spiritual being is the 'self' and a portion of this self takes form in this material existence on earth. While on earth, self plays many roles and wears a variety of masks, but behind it all, it is still the 'self'.  We are not our personalities nor are we the images projected on to others.  The self is still part of the spiritual being.

Once we have taken physical form, our language begins to reprogram who we really are, causing us to forget our spiritual identity.  Our caretakers frequently phrase comments in terms of the physical.  They might say, "What have you done to your self? Did you burn your self? Don't touch your self!"  What would have been more accurate is "What have you done to your arm or leg or body? Did you burn your hand? Don't touch your body!"  Can you sense the difference? Slowly we shift away from being a spiritual self into identifying with our physical body as self. Splitting hairs you may think, but I disagree.

"Get over your self," is a popular phrase, but it is impossible to do so.  You will always be self in the spiritual sense.  It is the ego that you need to get over. Your ego is not the self, but the many masks and projections that have been created in the physical.  It is all of the parts causing you to feel fraudulent.

Our physical bodies need to be nourished, nurtured, and cared for as they are our vehicles on this earth.  Our bodies host our spiritual self while experiencing a physical experience.   Our true self is love, energy, and light.  This is the story of old passed down through centuries and revered by many cultures. 

It may be time for you to close the door on what no longer reflects your true nature.  Turn to the opening door offering new beginnings.  Move towards the light or the sacredness that can be found in this life.  

Your true nature or your true self resides behind the life we create. Your true spiritual self is sacred loving kindness and so much more.

No Longer Separated, but Joined

Life was never meant to be a struggle.

~Stuart Wilde

We become very powerful emotionally when we open our hearts to all things present.  Using acceptance and compassion to embrace any given moment creates a depth that grounds our spirit.  As we move forward in manifesting our lives, we serve others along the way.

How we honor our selves and the manner in which we respect others determines how we navigate through relationships.  Do we travel with fear, unworthiness, and guilt or with joy, beauty, and acceptance?

Alan Cohen, author of A DEEP BREATH OF LIFE, states:

Our relationships are our primary means of emotional support;  we join and bond to empower each other to be strong, powerful, and great.  Our primary relationship is the place where we need to give and receive the most nourishment and respect.  Make your primary relationship a refuge where you can come to be healed and nourished.

We can strive to treat others as we would have them treat us.  The honor and respect we extend to others will then be returned to us.  We can speak not with the intention to be 'right', but with the intention to heal. 

Let us all aim for peace amongst ourselves, no longer feeling separated, but joined.

Finding Holiness

Older now, you find holiness

in anything that continues.

~Naomi Shihab Nye

Everything changes as we age ... personally, socially, and worldly.  Our perception, forgiveness, and compassion are no longer on a sliding scale, as with an open heart much more can be embraced and understood.

"The longer I wake on this Earth, the louder the quiet things speak to me.  The more I experience and survive, the more I find truth in the commonalties we all share.  The more pain softens me, the deeper my joy and the greater the lessons of those things that live in great stillness."  (Mark Nepo, THE BOOK OF AWAKENING)

Life seems to slow down offering pauses where we can see clearly what was once a blur.  In the pockets of stillness, life speaks lifting a veil so we can once again see the magic of the world.  Our childhood wonder and innocence returns bringing laughter and joy to our lips.  If we drink of this nectar of life,

we may still be alone, but never lonely.

Pen to Paper

The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium.. 

~Norbet Platt


When I was studying psychology, my professor was very clear that there were no such things as bad feelings.  He emphasized that the attached or follow up behavior from our feelings is what could be defined as good or bad.  These statements always led to discussions on exploring our feelings to learn the truth of our whole being.  Our written assignments always led to valuable self-discovery.

OPENING UP, The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions, by James W. Pennebaker, Ph.D. is an engaging book on  "how putting emotionally upsetting experiences into words can affect your thoughts, feelings, and physical health."  In addition to therapeutic sessions, using a journal can assist and deepen the journey to self-discovery and acceptance.

Years ago, while listening to the stories of senior women, I quickly realized that any kind of trauma or emotional experience was rarely discussed.  They were not eager to report incidences as they falsely assumed personal shame and guilt instead of placing responsibility on the person inflicting the action.  The word 'sex' was never spoken out loud in the home, and any subject on feelings was never discussed, so these women carried the burden of their experiences without any healthy outlet.

In our current life styles, we have access to a variety of people whom we may deem trustworthy, such as:  best friend, relative, therapist, doctor, minister, or mentor.  Even so, there are many individuals wandering through their lives as wounded children.  They have repressed their experiences, ignoring them through over working, excessive sports or drinking, or other inappropriate behavior.  These negative behaviors impact our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of healthy living.

Dr. James W. Pennebaker has researched the end results of writing for well being.  He suggests that "writing clears the mind, helps resolve trauma, helps in acquiring and remembering new information and fosters problem solving." 

Some people have the impression that we need to let 'sleeping dogs lie' but research is showing the correlation between our mind, body and spirit.  When our thoughts are being repressed, they are a distraction or a mental block to clear thinking.   If we 'stuff our feelings' our bodies begin to be impacted producing poor health and medical issues.  Lastly, we can become depressed, breaking our authentic spiritual self, losing our connectedness with others.  In each of these stages, writing can be used as a successful coping technique.  It is affordable, easily accessible, and confidential.

There is great reward in having a trusted individual in our life to listen as we voice our words as our stories need to be told.  Listeners can offer support, encouragement, and guidance.  It is important to have those who can stand present in our life.  There are also times, however, when we cannot yet speak our truth out loud.  It is during these episodes that writing can be invaluable.

Keeping a journal is not just for trauma or negative experiences.  Writing can help keep a balance in our daily life.  It can help organize our emotional make up.  Recordings can reflect gratitude and a thankful heart that will be encouraging and supportive when re-read later when life is not running quite so smoothly. Jotting down favorite prayers can be uplifting at a later time when rediscovered.  Writing can be considered a vital tool in maintaining a healthy mind, body, and spirit. 

Journals are all different and writers are unique as well.  It doesn't matter if we write daily or only when we are struggling.  The importance is having an arena to express unfiltered thoughts and words that can lead to insights and discovery. 

Genius Within

When you have shut your doors, and darkened your room, remember, never to say that you are alone, for you are not alone, but God is within, and your genius is within. 

                  Epictetus
                  Stoic, AD 55





The time will come when you are ready to slow down, to still your mind and discover the love, beauty, and understanding that awaits you.  As your spiritual growth deepens, truth becomes your simple guide through all that you desire to know.

In quietude, your mind begins to reflect emotions that are both healthy and unhealthy.  The challenge is to discern which are true and to discard that which is false.  It is time to cleanse your inner being of all that prevents you from moving forward.

Begin to explore what makes your life balanced.  Who is it that supports your desires and who is it that triggers a disconnect creating disharmony or lack of control.  Consider your values and what you want your life to represent.  Distance yourself from people who do not encourage you and let your personal space be filled with what you choose.

Fear can appear, but you must learn to step through it.  If you study the facts, you will discover that most of fear is just a 'feeling' and not truth.  Confront your fear and strive to understand why it is there. 

With each day, be mindful.  Monitor your thoughts so when they become negative, you can replace those thoughts with affirmations.  Live in the moment without dwelling in the past or projecting too far into the future.  If you feel fragmented, gently bring your mind back to the present and feel your heart spreading love throughout your being.

As you slow down, it is easier for you to simplify your life.  Through introspection and contemplation, you can bring peaceful change into your life.  In moments of solitude, the mystery of life slowly unfolds creating a spiritual attitude to support simple truths about life. 

It is important to empty your mind of negative or false beliefs so there is room for new concepts and truths.  Wisdom and knowledge easily take root when there is a nurturing place for them to grow.  You must make space by weeding out all that no longer serves you.

Becoming more familiar with the workings of your mind, you begin to realize what a powerful tool it can be.  By expanding your awareness, your intuition or gut-level feelings will become more apparent and useful.  Remember, you are always seeking the simple truth in any situation.

In many ways, you are the creator of the life you are living.  Through your personal choices, dreams, and inspirations, life begins to take on meaning.  If you allow negativity to dominate your thoughts, the outcome will be disharmony. 

Every morning, tune into your inner self.  Bring focus to your day with positive intentions and curiosity.  At mid-day, pay attention to how you are doing.  Do you feel a sense of balance or is your day going in some one else's direction?  When evening comes, consider ways to nurture your inner needs.  Speculate as to how you could have made your day better or what other resources you could have used for support.  At bedtime, be thankful and grateful for the mystery of your day.  Extend prayers and blessings to family and friends. 

Be still and recognize your goodness. 

You are everything you need.

Utilizing Discernment ...

Wisdom is your perspective on life,

your sense of balance,

your understanding

of how various parts and principles

apply and relate to the other.

Stephen R. Covey

In any pursuit of truth, the heart as well as the mind is open.  In hopes of mind expansion, the seeker explores information that is new and challenging.  While personal boundaries of the belief system may be yielding, the explorer heeds what information resonates and which information does not seem to apply.

While exploring Esoteric Philosophies years ago, I always sensed an element of fear fluttering about me.  I didn't want to be misled or delve into Ancient Scripts that would consume me. 

Only if we grant power to something

can it have power over us.

Jean Gebser

I readily learned to set fear aside and trust my intuition.  Exploring what resonated within me led to discoveries that enhanced and expanded my spiritual awareness.  Many concepts required me to sit and ponder or hold the thoughts carefully in my mind before I could decide whether or not to embrace or reject them. 

It was interesting that information being termed "New Age" was really rooted in belief systems dating back to the 16th and 18th Centuries B.C. 

I followed a path leading through Ancient Greek, Esoteric Philosophies, Paganism, Archetypes, Monotheism, Essene Traditions, Indigenous Shamanism, and Native American Spirit Worlds.  Later, I explored information about yogis from India, Tibetan Buddhism, and other Asian or Eastern practices. 

This morning, I came across the suggestion to sit with an imaginary box next to me while exploring spiritual traditions.   When coming across information that does not blend with a personal belief system, the information can be discarded into the box.  Just because I read something doesn't require it to be permanently recorded nor does it mean that all exploration needs to be diverted.  

It has always been important for me to seek and explore many cultures as I want to make an educated decision before I discard one thing or another.  I want to embrace diversity in order to stretch and grow.  The key is utilizing discernment.

In this place in time, my spiritual journey leads inward carrying the knowledge that has been gathered from my readings, writings, and experiences.  I always select what resonates within me, but this does not necessarily mean that what I share should be embraced by others without discernment.

We are all spiritual individuals learning in our own way and in our own time.  It is through our life challenges and lessons that we find our way, build our strength, and expand our awareness ... all by utilizing discernment!

Personal Bill of Rights

Personal Bill of Rights

1. I have the right to ask for what I want.
2. I have the right to say no to requests or demands that I cannot meet.
3. I have the right to express all of my feelings, positive or negative.
4. I have the right to change my mind.
5. I have the right to make mistakes and not have to be perfect.
6. I have the right to follow my own values and standards.
7. I have the right to say no to anything when I feel I am not ready, it is unsafe, or it violates my values.
8. I have the right to determine my own priorities.
9. I have the right not to be responsible for others' behavior, actions, feelings, or problems.
10. I have the right to expect honesty from others.
11. I have the right to be angry at someone I love.
12. I have the right to be uniquely myself.
13. I have the right to feel scared and say "I'm afraid."
14. I have the right to say "I don't know."
15. I have the right not to give excuses or reasons for my behavior.
16. I have the right to make decisions based on my feelings.
17. I have the right to my own needs for personal space and time.
18. I have the right to be playful and frivolous.
19. I have the right to healthier than those around me.
20. I have the right to be in a non-abusive environment.
21. I have the right to make friends and be comfortable around people.
22. I have the right to change and grow.
23. I have the right to have my needs and wants respected by others.
24. I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
25. I have the right to be happy.

                                  ~Author unknown

           ******I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE ME!