Turn The Light On!

 

To be broken

is no reason

to see all things

as broken.

 

Mark Nepo

 

 

 

A few years ago, a friend I admire and respect happened to mention the author Mark Nepo.  I had never heard of him prior to this conversation with Delinda, but her enthusiasm about him triggered my immediate interest.  I now own and covet all of his material. 

 

On the SUPER SOUL SUNDAY Show, Oprah Winfrey interviewed Mark Nepo and will do so again on this coming Sunday.  This interview was very inspiring and I eagerly await this next one on November 17, 2013.

 

There were numerous comments made by Mr. Nepo that really resonated with me as well as the viewing audience I am certain.  He encouraged us to "learn to ask what we need and then accept and practice what is given" even if it is not what we requested.  There is so much that happens in our life and "only the logic of the heart can put it together."  He spoke of the importance of knowing of identifying our needs as the reward becomes the opportunity "to be intimate with our own nature."  When we accept our selves, we "become intimate with the nature of life."  This creates connections that embrace us into the wholeness of life.

 

Mark Nepo explored his own life and how he felt called to be a poet.   He felt that true poems helped him to live.  His heart's desire however turned from being a poet to being a poem.  He encouraged people to stay away from labels and be more interested in the action.  "If you are a singer, sing.  If you are a gardener, then garden.  Follow the aliveness and identity is formed over the years."  He seemed to be saying, don't hide under a label, just be who you are through action."

One of his inspiring messages was:  "Stay close to whatever brings us alive and don't worry about a label.  As spirit grows larger within us, our self-created identity is dropped."   So all of our energy can be focused on what we love to do and do it without fragmenting our energy into areas that will eventually fade anyway.

My favorite book of Mark Nepo is THE BOOK OF AWAKENING which is a daily inspirational writing.  His most recent book is SEVEN THOUSAND WAYS TO LISTEN which is very good as well.  All of his other books and poems create a yearning to turn the light on inside ourselves to discover our amazing self!

 

 

 



Cultivating Strengths

"I have come to believe that each of us has a personal calling

that's as unique as a fingerprint -

and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love
and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service,
working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you."

Oprah Winfrey


 

We may find it difficult to identify our unique gifts and talents, as most of us take our blessings for granted.  We may compliment someone on his or her obvious strength, and he or she replies, "Oh, anyone can do that!"  We assume that everyone or anyone can do what we are good at.  We tend to take our gift for granted or minimize it.  It is unfortunate that in our earlier years, we are not groomed highlighting our particular strengths rather than repressing what may come naturally. 

Even if we have a small awareness of doing something fairly well, we find it awkward to receive acknowledgement.  We might say "thank you" and then hurriedly move the conversation in another direction, away from ourselves.  This reflects that we are not truly comfortable in our own skin.  Many people deflect from their true gifts, wearing a mask that seemingly attracts what is more acceptable.  We spend many years overlaying our talents with something socially more acceptable even though we have been created to be unique.

When I was in college, I knew a shy guy who also seemed to be on the edge of a gathering.  He was pretty much a loner, but very approachable and likable.  One night he sat down at a piano and brought absolute silence to the room.  He was incredibly good and had been playing since a small child.  On a different occasion, I was walking across campus and found him keeping in step with me.  I asked him if he were a Music Major and he laughed and said his parents wouldn't allow it.  They had told him he would never make any money playing the piano and needed to provide a better living for himself.  He said he had not given up, and still hoped to find a way to blend his life with music in addition to career.  A few years later, a cartoon hit television and remains on television to this day.  The well known theme song was written by this same young man.  I doubted he was having any money issues! 

I do beleive that we all need to awaken and honor our gifts and talents, finding a way to use them not only for service to others, but also to honor ourselves.  When we do what we love, there is no such thing as work.  If we cultivate our strength, I do beleive the Divine provides a way to be the best we can be.

Prepared to Scream ...

Listen to the whisper

before it becomes a scream.

Oprah Winfrey

In our fast paced, immediate gratification, and time managed lives, we rarely can hear the small voice inside calling for rest or love or silence.  We are so busy caring for our family or committed responsibilities there is little time for the self.

It probably begins with a small fragment of thought like, "I need a time out."  Then perhaps a desire arises to meet with a friend, but when?  Trying to coordinate schedules can be even more stressful.  Thoughts of getting away, even to the grocery store without the kids would do, but that might be as difficult as escaping to a spa for a day. 

Then we begin to bargain with ourselves.  When I get this, this, and this done, I will carve out some 'me' time.  The little whisper by this time, however, has turned into a whimper. 

To continue to disregard our inner self, forces our inner emotions, thoughts, and stress to interrupt our sleep.  To a greater extent, they may even present in our dreams or in the form of a nightmare.  The voice is out and out crying by now.

Neglecting to meet our original need causes us greater problems.  Our nature or personality shifts into someone we really don't want to be.  Not only are we angry with the world, we are loathing ourselves, prepared to scream.

We all have needs.  Having needs is part of the human experience.  We cannot afford to wait for someone else to meet our needs.  It is vitally important to self-care! 

We must know and understand ourselves in order to recognize and meet our needs.  We come to realize we are better towards others if we first take care of ourselves, not in a selfish way. 

Once we have determined what our personal needs are, then we make plans to meet them.  Is there a movie we want to see that our mate doesn't want to see or we are waiting for a date?  We can go by ourselves or invite a friend.  Miss flowers that our mate used to bring?  We can buy them for ourselves!  The point is enjoying the opportunity ... a gift to ourselves!  Like Bissenger's Chocolates?  Splurge just this once.  Can't afford a massage?  We don't have to be a reflexologist to rub our own feet! 

Get creative!  Read Jennifer Louden's THE WOMAN'S COMFORT BOOK or THE COUPLES COMFORT BOOK to generate fresh ideas to meet needs.  When we quiet ourselves, the little voice will whisper to us ... you are worthy, you are capable!  Don't wait until the whisper is prepared to scream!