Words ...

"Speak your mind even though your voice shakes."

Eleanor Roosevelt

The house was quiet as I sat at the table writing, but then I heard a bird outside chirping away. I found myself wondering if this bird was singing for the simple joy of it or if it were sending a message. And if it were a message, was it being sent deliberately? Was it assuming there was an audience, or did it not care? 

There are times I refrain from speaking out as I do not want to appear as though I am pontificating. On occasion, however, a friend may refer to something I had randomly said and how it helped them face a certain situation unbeknownst to me. Maybe when prompted to share, I need to trust the words will land wherever needed.

Perhaps, the specific words we choose to use are not even all that important. Just as Divine Spirit moves us in and out of scenarios, maybe our words can be translated into information others need to hear. Then again, it may be significant for us to hear our own thoughts expressed out loud. Either way, when prompted, speak.

 

Dream Content

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Eleanor Roosevelt 

 

Human beings dream every single night anywhere between four to six dreams. They are an expression of what we are avoiding, striving for or unsuspected projections. They are messages to us about subject matter that we are not comprehending during waking hours. Dreams are a form of communication.

Unfortunately, we do not pay attention to the fleeting memories upon awakening. We may dismiss them as fantasy or senseless gibberish.  If we would take the time to explore images or conversations that hold personal meaning to us, our day time perceptions would flourish providing new insight and direction.

When we form our own dream dictionary, life takes on new meaning. Hope returns and possibilities soar. Even nightmares have messages about what we have been repressing out of fear. Dream content is symbolic and extremely helpful in building a deeper connection to our most beautiful inner self.

Beckoning Fear and Failure

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience

in which you really stop to look fear in the face."

Eleanor Roosevelt

On one level, we know the importance of looking fear right in the face. Unfortunately, on a different level, we want to run away. Falsely, we think avoidance will buy us time while wishing that the situation will resolve itself. Hoping a safe way will suddenly present, we fraudulently look the other way.  

We must hold the self accountable by asking what part we have played, what corrective action is available, and what outcome we desire. When we explore our most vulnerable parts and declare which are imagined or real, forward movement becomes accurate. The foundation for existence is based upon how well we know ourselves.

Visualize standing directly in front of the self so that there can be face to face observation. Escape into our very eyes, seeking answers that best resonate with who we are and who we want to be. With self-discovery, we gain alignment which assists in creating a safe structure to proceed. Until we truly know ourselves, disconnect beckons both fear and failure.

 

Footprints In The Heart

 

"Many people will walk in and out of your life. But only

true friends will leave footprints in your heart."

Eleanor Roosevelt 

Holidays are coming and we find ourselves thinking of those friends who have been with us through both happy and sad times. Some we met in the midst of challenge when pushed up against an unbending wall. Then there are those strangers who became instant friends in the time of chaotic crisis, never to be seen again.

We may forget places or names, but somehow we can still hear the tone of a person's voice or the warmth found deep within his or her eyes. The connection may run deep for years or it may exist only for minutes, but it is there, unavoidable. We waffle between not ever being able to say enough and wishing we had said more.

There comes a time when we want to share our narratives. We want to honor not only the individuals, but the selfless acts as well.  These shared memories can inspire others to engage when unexpectedly needed. The kindness flowing through stories can leave footprints in our thankful hearts. 

Navigating Our Paths

"We all create the person we become by our choices 

as we go through life.  In a real sense, by the time we are adults,

we are the sum total of the choices we have made."

Eleanor Roosevelt

We can not advert the actions of others, but we can choose our reaction.  We might choose to dwell in emotional pain or we can minimize the drama by embracing aspects we can indeed change.  We are entitled to our feelings, but compassionate action towards our lovely selves and others propels us forward in a powerful way.

If we choose to be accountable for the part we play, no matter how big or small, we can heighten personal accountability.  As we are the only ones we can actually change, the experience of resolving our own actions will accurately develop the needed change for personal growth.

In no way do we allow others to defile us, so we become more attuned in gauging when to walk away or step back to regroup with more insight and information.  As we adjust our focus upon what we can change and release what we can't, we build a strength to navigate our paths more authentically. 

Fear Still Comes

"You gain strength, courage and confidence

by every experience in which you really

stop to look fear in the face."

Eleanor Roosevelt 

Unfortunately, I have been fear based all of my life.  It is one thing to be aware of this and quite another to actually do something about it.  It is like anything else, the more one practices, the better one becomes.  There is a dramatic difference between living life in negative captivity or experiencing life with an openness for joy.

Many of us have had traumatic upbringings, but at some point we need to choose if we are going to remove our lovely selves from the role of victim or unfold into a realm of unfolding love.  The choice is clearly ours to make.

After a few years of being trapped in a dark and lonely space, I have finally found my self shedding old patterns, concepts and memories as they only weighted me down.  I now rise each day with an open heart and unexpectedly receive joy in return.  Oh yes, fear still comes, but I nod in recognition, then  let this emotion go!  

Responsible for Direction

  

"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves.

The process never ends until we die.  And the choices we

make are ultimately our own responsibility."

Eleanor Roosevelt

The effort to bring balance into the world is of major importance whether regarding the use of natural resources, diplomatic policy or human relationships.  We cannot move forward in a healthy way by stepping on the lives of others.

Listen to the stories told by soldiers who participated on the war front or to minorities who endured the killing of their ancestors.  This element of rising above at cost to others still prevails.  The bullies in schools are doing the same thing ... threats to humans to make the self feel important.

My eyes cannot avoid the abundance of waste in our country.  How is it okay to build a small mountain out of waste and then cover it with soil to be blended into the horizon?  If an industry has excess money, is it worth it to contaminate the water and just pay the fine?  

Beauty in Truth and Honesty

"No matter how plain a woman may be,

if truth and honesty are written across her face,

she will be beautiful."

Eleanor Roosevelt

Little children are beautiful with faces of innocence and a radiance of magic wrapped around truth.  They do not know of deliberate deception nor distinctive manipulation.  The emotional responses are authentic and the tears are truly heartfelt.

We lose our 'toddler tenderness' as we grow more aware of the larger picture.  It is a painful revelation to realize not everyone can be trusted nor do they necessarily say what they mean.  How confusing the simple little life becomes as we grow more aware of the outside world.

If we manage to maintain a sense of our childhood imagination and honor our authentic gifts, the more likely we will be able to creatively expand and enjoy our adult life.  Our energy is focused on using our gifts to better our world, and we are less likely to obsess over the errors of others.   A full smile stretched across a happy face reflects the beauty of honesty and truth.