Beckoning Spirit ...

 

"One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want 

you to be, rather than being yourself."

Shannon L. Alder

Finally, the fountain at the park has been turned on. For me, its presence grounds me physically, mentally and spiritually. Water washes over me, figuratively, cleansing my body, mind and soul. It reassures me that I am capable of forward movement into additional

change with deeper understanding.

My journey is taking on new elements for me to understand with my heart rather than with my ego.  With heightened energy, I prepare to meet greater wisdom and souls that will enlighten me. Specifics are no longer needed and expectations are minimal.  I believe that I can embrace and sort out anything coming my way.

I choose to shut out the chaos, fear, and judgment. My arms open to embrace those willing to share diverse wisdom. Awareness presents opportunity to be present for others in thought, word, or deed. Perhaps this is not who others expected me to be, but I will listen to the beckoning of spirit to be the peace I so desperately yearn to see.

Open to Clarity

"The most confused you will ever get is when you try to convince

your heart and spirit of something your mind knows is a lie."

Shannon L. Alder

The discontent eroding our projected security takes a toll.  First we acknowledge the unrest and then admit  the need for change.  As we release the old and prepare to leap into the unknown, fear encourages ego to create blockages.

We have the choice to either play into the drama side stepping progress or we can breathe in calm until peace comes to us through the connection with higher spirits, angels or guides.  Our brain drops memory of pain into our heart, and instead of clutching it, simply acknowledge it ... then let it go.

The road to clarity becomes open with knowledge, beckoning us to higher ground.  We must get out of our own way, step around hovering shadows and clear space for new growth.  If we stand in the present moment with an open heart, we unearth our truths, connect dots of positive affirmation, and begin once again to uplift who we are and what we know.

Untangle the Wrapping

"One of the greatest regrets in life is being

what others would want you to be,

rather than being yourself."

Shannon L. Alder

In childhood, we learn to hide parts of our lovely selves that adults do not seem to approve.  The hiding of the self begins early and become repressed into darkness.  What we perceive to be unacceptable aspects link together forming something similar to a strand of yarn.  The attached pieces begin to roll into a large ball. Eventually, the large wad leaves no space to breathe.

Not being aligned with the self causes conflict not only within, but on the outside as well.  What happens to be hidden can trigger physical discomfort, mental unrest, and spiritual conflict.  It is at this point we begin to pull upon the thread and untangle the wrapping of the gift within.

Individuals build strength as they unfold.  Bearing the truth is uplifting and sharing it with the world can be exhilarating. Our unexpected fullness can lead us into unimaginable destinations beyond our earlier dreams.  

There Comes A Time ...

"There comes a time in your life when you have to choose

to turn the page, write another book or simply close it."

Shannon L. Alder

Awareness is necessary to gauge our constant change.  Is having too much of something or not having enough, punishment or is an aspect of the lesson?  Is the decision or judgment based on sudden perception or life time experiences? How do we know when a cycle requires completion or if a pattern needs enhancement?

Will our vision boards and meticulous planners become too fanciful or too rigid? Will there be a map to indicate the difference between being stuck or location where we need to be? When we take the time to self-evaluate, do we have the integrity to accept our truth?

In our hands, we hold a book of our life.  Decisions must be made regarding both past and future chapters.  Our decision to turn the page not knowing what will be written on the other side, must resonate within us.  We need to be wise enough to know when a book needs to end, and when a new story is ready to unfold.

Faith, Fear and Close Your Eyes

"Fear is the glue that keeps you stuck.

Faith is the solvent that sets you free."

Shannon L. Alder

Faith is one of those words that can have a wide range of definitions and trigger a host of emotions.   The word fear is much the same.  Both words, faith and fear can be solid realities or action words.  I have been familiar with both throughout my life.

Faith and fear seemed to go hand in hand.  As a child, there were so many fears and I would close my eyes hoping that faith would save me.  I was taught that faith was stronger than fear and mightier than a sword, but there sure did appear to be exceptions.

As an adult, I continue to be confronted by fear; however, I seem more creative at handling it.  Yes, faith assists, but it is not faith alone that beckons me forward.  I can recall past experiences where I have survived, risen above barriers and I have listened to the stories of other survivors helping me to keep the faith.  Most importantly, I can move through fear if I remember I do have value,  forgiveness is for all, and I am never alone.  Honestly, I do continue to close my eyes!

Endure the Process

"Every woman that finally figured out her worth,

has picked up her suitcases of pride and boarded

a flight to freedom which landed in the valley of change."

Shannon L. Alder

Change can occur within a relationship instigated by elevated personal perceptions, forgiveness of our past, and clarity of our worth. Unpacking old baggage allows room for new occasions and accomplishments.  Seeing with new eyes can change our surroundings.

Any  woman can take flight by focusing on what she can do now rather than victimized by mishaps or previous past choices.  If she doesn't like where she is physically or mentally, she can initiate the change  to create forward momentum.

Each of us has choice even if it is a tiny one.  Taking small steps towards authentic respect will eventually lead to freedom of thought, word, and deed.  The flight to freedom requires a woman to use her voice, maintain an awareness of her self-worth, and be willing to endure the process of change.

Down to our Bones

"Staying silent is like a slow growing cancer to the soul and a 

trait of a true coward.  There is nothing intelligent about not standing up 

for yourself.  You may not win every battle. However, everyone will at least know 

what you stood for ... YOU."

Shannon L. Alder

If we are listening to someone knowledgable, and we begin to feel inner movement of disagreement,  the appropriate response would be to listen a little longer with an open mind.  When we have given respect to this person, we can present our belief asking how it might blend with the presenter.  We can agree or disagree with the response.

Not every conversation is meant for a rebuttal.  Sometimes it is strengthening our own belief system or recognizing the other person is on a different path or having a reaction dissimilar to our own.  The time to speak out is when we feel our passion rising to the surface.  We have an obligation to present our own truths whether right or wrong.  It is not okay to hide our truths but we need to use discernment when and when not to share.

We all have truths and it is important to be flexible as we stretch and grow.  Knowledge is learned through discussions with others and often disagreement can lift our level of perception.  Opposition will either strengthen our own beliefs or gently move us towards enlightenment.  It is acceptable for someone not to understand us, but it is not acceptable for us to hide what is important down to our bones.

Break Through Debris

"Courage doesn't happen when you have all the answers.

It happens when you are ready to face the questions

you have been avoiding your whole life."

Shannon L. Alder

Dark clouds hanging from the sky create a sense of repressed emotions.  The gloom impacts our perception of the world and of the self.  Without announcement, light breaks through the thick clouds and penetrates down upon us.  Somewhere within, we feel a slight stirring of hope.

Challenging issues we choose to ignore have the same impact.  They crimp our imagination and discolor our outlook.  In time, what we avoid turns into heavy baggage.  The denial of our problems costs us more than if we would turn to  face the darkness.

There is truth in leaving the past in the past, unless there are unresolved issues.  It takes courage to pull out a memory and experience the negative emotions.  Identify what age this event occurred and discern how the experience continues to impact current reactions.  It helps to remind our lovely selves we are older and wiser and our light can break through any debris.

Knowledge and Action Create Change

"My father taught me that you can read a hundred books on wisdom

and write a hundred books on wisdom, but unless you apply what

you learned then its only words on a page."

Shannon Alder

When we encourage or support others, we are wise to heed our own words.  It is important to practice what we share with others.  The inner voice hears our words of nurture or nourish and it speaks to us silently, "Are you listening to yourself?"  

It is one thing to know how to better our life and quite different to apply what we know.  Movement requires action.  Knowledge and action form a momentum to propel us forward.  One without the other can create error or false beginnings.   

"Be the change you want to see'" is an excellent quote.  We can change only ourselves, and in doing so, we impact both our self and our surroundings.  When we add energy to insight, we step towards a new sense of self and become the change we want to see.