Apply the Information Wisely

Aim with your heart,

steer with your mind,

and know that it always works.

THE UNIVERSE

www.tut.com



There is a quote about God breaking our heart open again and again until we leave it open permanently.  At first read, I thought this was kind of harsh, but I have since learned navigation skills with matters concerning the heart.  Our focus ought not be on layers of protection, but on regulating our emotions.  We have no control over others, but we have absolute control of how we react to any given situation.

While exploring an old journal, I came across a relationship I had with someone.  During the first week of writing about this relationship, I was expressing red flags and reasons why I ought not invest more time and energy.  The weeks turned into months and at long last, there was a summary of why this relationship was not working that matched the previous writing in week one. 

We are expected to have a huge heart, but not to tolerate situations making us feel uncomfortable. It is ok to say, "No thank you," right at the beginning rather than getting all tangled up in emotional drama ending with intense hurt feelings.  Most often, our first response is right on target.  We somehow have the misguided thought of looking at a person in front of us and thinking, "hmmm...how can I make this relationship work?"  It really isn't about judgement, but it is about compatibility.  It is not our responsibility to teach another person how to best fit with us.  Nor is right for a person to desperately change his or her nature in an attempt to blend in with someone else.  We have the right to be our selves as long as we hurt no one. 

We can leave our heart open to others, but use our minds to explore directions.  We have no obligation to 'fix' any one else or to settle to make a relationship 'work'.  We must be certain of what we personally desire and remain present in each moment.  A healthy relationship provides comfort, respect, and love both ways.  It is in the giving and the receiving we will be nurtured and establish healthy boundaries and lasting bonds.

So unchain the heart.  Remove the barricades and layers of protection.  Dare to be vulnerable and realize our safety is within our wise decision making.  We always know the right answer, we just do not always apply the information wisely!

Changing Cycles

When you feel happy, really happy,

it somehow seems that you've always been happy

and that you'll always be happy.

The same is often true when you feel sad, or lonely,

or depressed, or broke, or sick, or scared.

Something, perhaps, to remember.

THE UNIVERSE

www.tut.com 

I have my groove back on.  I am in the flow.  I can do no wrong.  Luck is looking my way.  Hooray, hooray, how long will I remain this way.  Life is ever changing and very fickle.  Happiness here one day, then gone the next.

When the sun is not out and it is raining, I automatically know that I will not be doing yard work or mowing the yard.  I have a reset button that adjusts my intentions to indoor tasks.  The opposite is true as well.  If I have plans to do indoor chores and the sun comes out, I automatically adjust my schedule by going outdoors.  It is a matter of action and perception.

Perhaps we can apply the same to our cycles with happiness and sadness.  We could pre-determine what our actions will be if it is a dreary emotional day, such as:  read a favorite book, write letters, nap, or attempt something creative and artistic.  We can acknowledge our tempered mood and adjust our environment to be less chaotic and more nurturing.  The same for happiness.  We can have predetermined tasks for good mood days, such as:  yard work, shopping for flowers, meeting a friend for coffee, walking in a park, or napping outside in nature. 

Both kinds of emotional days will then have a reward, like silence or excitement.  These intentions will help regulate our moods.  For instance, if we really like jigsaw puzzles but never take the time to work them, purchase one the next time at the store.  Tuck it away in the closet, knowing it will be a spirit lifter the next time a sad day appears.  We can build in available distractions and the hardest part is remembering to do them.

We can be more accepting of  our lovely selves when we acknowledge our position in a down cycle.  We can remember we will not always be discouraged.  By reminding our selves repeatedly that this too shall pass will help our selves to be more patient until the up cycle returns once again.

Building Futures



Have you seen your future lately...?
Oh, there it is!
Spinning in the palm of your hand. 

The Universe

www.tut.com

Can we really see our future in our hands?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  Our hands, however, play an enormous part in our future.  We can dream of our future, but if we do not take action with our hands, our future may never become a reality.

Our future doesn't just happen willy nilly.  The future takes planning and preparation even though the end result may be something entirely different from what we planned.  We can still be spontaneous and open to possibilities but we must have at least a sketchy idea or vision.

A future is much like a building.  It needs a strong foundation and lots of layers of bricks.  Then windows must be added to let the light in and doorways for communing with others.  A kitchen for gathering and nurturing the soul. Add a well lighted stairway for ascending into better ideas and concepts.  A strong roof must be added to protect from bad storms, strong winds, and whatever else may fall.  Yes, I suppose it is the story of the Three Little Pigs all over again!

We hold our dreams or futures in the palms of our hands, but the work must begin in the now, in the present.  We work towards the future, not waiting for a miracle to plop down our futures and dreams manifested.  We have work to do.  Don't wait for the future to arrive.  Start building pieces of the future today and every day. 

Eternity

To clarify "eternal" just a smidge ...

Once the river of time has rounded her final bend,

and the last star in the sky has brightened its last night,

and every child who may ever be conceived

has been given ten thousand names ...

we will have just begun.

The Universe

www.tut.com

For some reason, thoughts of eternity rattle around in my brain.  We hear politicians refer to a future global war having the potential to wipe everyone off the face of this earth which causes great anxiety.  Eckhart Tolle encourages us to stay in the present moment, not in the past and not in the future.  To "BE HERE NOW" (the title of one of his very interesting books).  Without delving into detail, I do believe if we practice being in the now, we will avoid future disaster.



Once the river of time has rounded her final bend ...

Time was created by man to bring order to life.  The sequences of nature, however, are not regulated with a giant clock in the sky.  Nature seems to have an intimate connection with Divine Spirit, trusting everything will fold in its proper way.



and the last star in the sky has brightened its last night ...

Stars have been known to man forever and I sense nature knew them long before man.  We become aware of stars as children and stars continue to cause us 'wonder' throughout our lives. 



and every child who may ever be conceived has been given ten thousand names ...

There are many people who still believe that we are born, we live, and then we die. Nothing more. While others believe we are born, live, die, and then go to heaven.  There are others  who believe we live many lives and have an existence before our life and after our life. 



we will have just begun ...

If we entertain these ideas, we can easily become overwhelmed or anxious, but these very ideas give me hope and a happy heart. 

Light Breaking Through

I am always there.

I am always helping.

I never leave you.

I was there yesterday.

And every day before that.

And I'll be there every day that ever follows.

I mean, where else am I going?

The Universe

http://www.tut.com/ 

Why do I forget I am never really alone?  How is it I allow my focus to narrow excluding all of the support I so badly need?  Today, there seems to be light breaking through this darkness that has been hovering over me for days. 

Gathering strength, I reached out to a trusted one and felt life seep back in.  It is so difficult to allow myself to be vulnerable, to let someone see in when I feel so lost.  Too often I forget how wonderful it has felt to stand present in someone's life during a challenge and how important it is to allow that someone to stand present for me in return. 

Compassion and acceptance are gifts we not only offer to others, but we must also extend them to our selves.  We must be gentle and allow our selves the opportunity to explore our dark moments, to resolve residing issues and move forward into healing. 

We become empowered by releasing the pent up fears.  When fears have been removed there is new space for light to shine!

Slide the Lens ...

 

 

Have you ever wondered why trees

are such a happy lot?

They've mastered patience.

Either that or it's the music they listen to.

THE UNIVERSE

www.tut.com

One day I was so perplexed I decided to take a break and go to my neighborhood park.  I found my favorite thinking bench and watched the water flowing over the well worn rocks in the little stream.  Sorting out my thoughts, I allowed my mind to wander through various scenarios trying to use different perspectives.

I felt very small sitting on the cement bench mulling over what appeared to be large frustrations.  I looked across the stream onto the side of the hill where ancient trees were grouped. Time and nature had taken away much of the dirt exposing the roots that dug deeply into the ground.  This is how I want to be, I thought.  I want to have deep roots so I can securely withstand all kinds of weather.

I removed myself from the park bench and walked several feet down to the bridge leading across the stream.  When I reached the other side, I climbed up the steep hill and wandered through the trees until I found a favorite one.  It had such a demanding presence with its height and enormous canopy of leaves. 

I leaned against the trunk of the tree as I sat amongst the gnarly roots.  I looked back across the stream to where I had just been and from this elevation the bench looked so small.  I felt limitless in the midst of the mighty trees and sitting very still, blended right in.

From my hidden place on the hill, I watched a young couple visit the bench across the way. They talked and laughed totally unaware of my distant presence.  I found myself wondering if this was how Spirit felt watching our daily lives without us being aware.  I felt an immediate shift in what was significant and how I was to proceed.

This experience reminded me how small I could feel when overwhelmed by problems and tried to solve them alone or how balanced I could be if I simply elevated my awareness to include the presence of Spirit.  Life appears through the perspective we decide to use and if we but remember to gently slide the lens, we will discover an expanded view.

If We But Listen ...

The only way to get what you really want is

to know what you really want.

The only way to know what you really want

is to know yourself.

The only way to know yourself is to be yourself.

And the only way to be yourself

is to listen to your heart.

I do, 

The Universe

www.tut.com

Life is a process requiring observation, contemplation, and integration.  Unfortunately, there is not a simple switch on the back of our heads to be switched on and off.  

We must come to understand: 

why we do what we do, why we say what we say, and why we stay small....

what stories we tell ourselves to keep our truth at bay...

how frequently we allow the judgment of others to over ride

what we hold dear in our hearts...

where we feel most safe and how often we visit ...

when we start celebrating our uniqueness we stop 

criticizing our differences ... 

Create a place of silence and experience solitude.  It is in this very space that our hearts begin to speak if we but listen.

Insist Upon None ...

There's always more than one right answer, path, possibility, nuance, or flavor - so insist upon none.

Insisting on details, Virginia, always limits you.

The Universe

http://www.tut.com/

This was one of my daily messages today, and a very appropriate one for me.  Funny how that synchronicity comes into play!  I am a detail oriented person which sometimes takes away from just enjoying the time I am desperately trying to organize.  I need these daily reminders of Alan Cohen, Mark Nepo, Eckhart Tolle and The Universe, as I too quickly forget to breathe, to fully live in the moment, and to allow life to unfold.

There are so many paths, indeed, but if I slow down so that I can hear my inner guidance, rather than forcing ego motivated actions, I will find my way more directly and perhaps more purposefully.  Maybe there will be fewer wrong turns, and more interesting landscapes.  As I place one foot down on my unfolding path I will deepen my trust.  When I place the other foot down I will strengthen my faith.  Instead of worrying about the details, I will appreciate the journey as it unfolds!