Running Away ...

"Emotional pain cannot kill you, but running from it can."

Vironika Tugaleva 

Distracting ourselves from what is painful may appear as the best choice. We push forward without adjusting to disruption. This may feel like comfort initially, but what we avoid incubates within us. The pain does not subside when repressed. It can fester and become more of a wildfire than its original spark.

When we are faced with the unthinkable or overwhelmed by fears coming true, action can become helpful as long as it is not avoidance. Releasing our pain is part of the healing process. In a positive manner, rather than running away emotionally, we can paint, sing, meditate or simply get out in nature.

Running away is a subtle choice to ignore reality. If we do not feel capable of handling our emotions, we escape through denial. This is not about ruminating or being stuck. This is looking the other way as though it never happened. As we push it down, our emotional makeup impacts our physical well-being, creating illness. 

Until Recognition Blooms!

"Our work is not to become unique.  We are unique.

Our work is to unleash our sense of adventure and

to allow the inner whisper that says 'come hither' 

to be reason enough to go."

Vironika Tugaleva

Our culture tends to evaluate people, things, and places with a dollar amount.  Early questions are about how much will this cost or how much will I be paid?  The value is increased or decreased by society's reaction which is not in itself qualified to pass judgment.  Actually, comparison is more widely accepted rather than judgment.

It is important to break down the foolish barriers we put up around any of our ideas or dreams.  Our intention is to express what is within us and aught not be driven by any monetary outcome.  Our skills are gifts to be used for ourselves and then to be shared if so desired.  It is wise to remember that developing our skill takes practice, patience, and connection between our body, mind, and soul.

A friend of  mine who is an accomplished artist began her painting career at a very early age.  Her parents, trying to be helpful, gifted her with numerous numbered painting kits which she immediately pitched.  She was very abstract so few people encouraged her.  Luckily for her and the world, she was not only creative but stubborn allowing her to remain driven and focused until recognition bloomed.

Most Important Person

"Self-understanding is a lifetime endeavour.

It is not a weekend seminar.  It does not

come in capsule form."

Vironika Tugaleva

We happen to come across an old favorite book and as we read it, we are mildly entertained, but wonder why we had been so taken with it in the first place.  We pull out the old record player and spin a few 78 Blues and Jazz keepsakes.  In a while, we tire of listening and move on to something else.  We visit an old town where we once lived and return to the favorite restaurant; but, the new owners just do not have the same flare.

We are aware of our biggest changes in career or relationship, but the smaller ones tend to slip by us.  The silent ones slowly build until one day we say, "I don't know when I stopped liking that..."   Our loved one surprises us with a lovely bouquet of our favorite flower, except the lovely bloom hasn't been savored for many years. No right nor wrong, just change.

It is important to take notice of our changes, both big and small.  If we are aligned with our inner and outer preferences, we will be reaching for the right goals.  Our intentions will not be personally disappointing, but rather exhilarating.  Some say it is important to know people in high places, but the most important person for us to know is our lovely selves.

Never Ending Coil

"Self-understanding is a lifetime endeavor.  It is not a

weekend seminar.  It does not come in capsule form."

Vironika Tugaleva

Music Score or an artistic painting might transport us into a new world of thought.  If we choose to research  the musician or the artist, we may also enhance our perception of ways to live.  Life is filled with tools for us to learn through communicated expression, but primarily the importance is of how we are personally impacted.

My thoughts turn to the old time "Slinky" toy made of a head and a tail with coiled wire in between.  The head, often a dog, would journey forward as the coil of wire would stretch as far as it could before it would recoil back to the front pulling the tail to catch up.  This may sound random, but isn't this how we sometimes progress?

Whether we deliberately endeavor to follow our inner path or wantonly wander side roads, at some point, we manage to pull ourselves together.  Unfortunately, what we digest is usually released and replaced by a new stretch of road.  It would seem the inner path coils and is never ending.

Honor Thyself Anew

Every sunset, every mountain, every river, every passionate crowd, every concert, every drop of rain - that's you. So go find yourself. Go find your strength, find your beauty, find your purpose. Stop crafting your mask. Stop hiding. Stop lying to yourself and letting people lie to you. You're not lacking in anything except awareness. Everything you've ever wanted is already there, awaiting your attention, awaiting your time.” 
― Vironika Tugaleva

"Every sunset, every mountain, every river, every passionate crowd,

every concert, every drop or rain ... that's you."

Vironika Tugaleva

We are filled with a multitude of cells which continuously change.  Who we are is a composite of particles we have attracted and activated.  Stop pretending or hiding the true nature of the spirit.  With imagination, reach out to the stars, landscapes, oceans and other realms.  Stretch to the limits and then pick and choose the persona most wanted to be.

Be still and allow awareness to spread.  What we most desire is already there waiting for activation.  Discard distractions and welcome new ideas, routines, and perceptions that resonate with the soul.  Allow the pulse of life to begin the rhythm which will lead us to our sacred path.

To excel with our personal development, we can increase our communication with all there is and build relationships supporting not criticizing our intentions.  As an individual, experiments with music, art, meditation or yoga will propel us towards authentic expression.  Journal as the true essence begins to emerge and honor thy self anew.

Time For Our Lovely Selves

"Self-understanding is a lifetime endeavor.  

It is not a weekend seminar.

It does not come in capsule form."

Vironika Tugaledva 

We change so slowly, we are often not even aware of what we have deleted nor what we have gained.   The trick is to pay attention so we can amply support our transitions.  Prefer not to go out in crowds anymore, invite a few friends over. Annoyed by others using our good nature, learn to say, "Oh, I'd love to, but no thank you!"

The funny thing about beginning to say 'no' is the startled look on the other person's face.  Everyone knows we will say 'yes', so they are caught off guard by the simple 'no'.   Now we are free to use our newly found freedom to invest in our lovely selves.

We are hesitant to decline as we don't want to let others down.   The amazing thing is that all we have to say is 'no'.  There is no  need for listing reasons.    Now invest wisely ... music, art, books, meditation, garden, nature, ... and decorate life as we want it to be.

Conversation Begins ...

"The relationship with yourself must be built and rebuilt

one kind, loving, conversation at a time."  Vironika Tugaleva

There are multiple ways to have a conversation with our lovely self.  If we can quiet our mind with meditation or contemplation, we can intuitively connect with our inner being or soul.  Using creativity and imagination, we can create insightful scenarios to expand our dreams.

Various artists in cross sections of art, experience the guidance as they use a unique gift or talent.  As they compose or draw, information streams through them and it is captured by sound or vision.  The practice of yoga can also become a form of communication.

Then there is journal writing which has grown in current popularity, but it has existed since ancient cultures.  With pen in hand, a stream of ideas flow and become expanded upon as the automatic writing continues.  Pick up a paintbrush, guitar or pen and allow the inner conversation to begin!