It's week twenty-six of Alphabe-Thursday!
Z is for Zest...
Zest is all about enjoyment. It's the excitement we feel for any one particular thing. Or for life itself.
Sometimes, when things don't go my way, I can get lost in a sea of hopelessness. I find my enthusiasm is gone and my energy is depleted. I'm sure everyone can relate to that feeling.
But then I hear a piece of inspiring music, or something makes me laugh, or the sun comes shining out from behind the clouds, or someone gives me a hug and tells me they love me...and just like that I am reminded of something precious - this life, even with its hardships, is magnificent.
My zest for life returns.
We may never find that elusive balance or inner peace we all seek. Life will test us over and over again. But within that reality is a deeper, more remarkable truth - we're all miracles. Life is a miracle. Our ability to breathe and laugh and cry and experience is a gift all its own.
Even if you believe in reincarnation this life you are living now is the one life you have as you. There is nothing else. So do whatever it takes to find your enthusiasm for life. Do those things that make you smile and laugh and cry with joy. Find your zest for life and hold on to it. Let it carry you through the hard times. Take a deep breath and remember - you are alive.
** As this is the last of my 'Alphabe-Thursday' posts, I wanted to say thank you to all who read and commented on these posts. Blessings to you.
I finish with a simple yet profound quote that always makes me feel great about life; it reminds me of why I'm here and calms me down when I get carried away looking for answers to life's most puzzling questions...
"The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences"
~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~
Blog Posts
Showing posts with label spirituality. Show all posts
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Y is for Yoga
It's week twenty-five of Alphabe-Thursday!
Y is for Yoga...
"A mind free from all disturbances is Yoga" ~ The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali ~
Yoga is a Hindu concept best defined as a journey of self-awareness and self-discovery. The Western world has associated 'yoga' with physical exercises alone, but in Hindu tradition yoga involved physical, mental and spiritual disciplines. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit and means 'to join' or 'to unite'. Yoga is actually a philosophy about self-realization that leads to connection to spiritual consciousness.
Yoga is union with the divine.
The harmonious balancing of our body and mind, found through doing Hatha Yoga exercises, is like a stepping stone on our journey to enlightenment. Yoga, breathing and meditative exercises can invoke the sacred divine part in each of us. Yoga postures can improve our physical health which in turn brings clarity to our minds. From this place of awakened potential we can then connect to our deeper spiritual essence.
Yoga as physical exercise alone is very beneficial, but I will always consider yoga to be a spiritual practice. Yoga's spiritual traditions intrigue me much more than its physical postures.
One yogic idea that really speaks to me is that of the kundalini energy, the coiled life-force energy, that resides at the base of our spines and rises up through our chakras. When this energy arises out through the crown chakra our individual consciousness is able to merge with universal consciousness. This is the very act of divine union.
"Kundalini Yoga, at its highest form, is practiced for the purpose of attaining bliss, opening the heart center, developing power, serving others, attaining self-realization and ultimately merging into God consciousness" ~ Swami Sivananda ~
Y is for Yoga...
"A mind free from all disturbances is Yoga" ~ The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali ~
Yoga is a Hindu concept best defined as a journey of self-awareness and self-discovery. The Western world has associated 'yoga' with physical exercises alone, but in Hindu tradition yoga involved physical, mental and spiritual disciplines. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit and means 'to join' or 'to unite'. Yoga is actually a philosophy about self-realization that leads to connection to spiritual consciousness.
Yoga is union with the divine.
The harmonious balancing of our body and mind, found through doing Hatha Yoga exercises, is like a stepping stone on our journey to enlightenment. Yoga, breathing and meditative exercises can invoke the sacred divine part in each of us. Yoga postures can improve our physical health which in turn brings clarity to our minds. From this place of awakened potential we can then connect to our deeper spiritual essence.
Yoga as physical exercise alone is very beneficial, but I will always consider yoga to be a spiritual practice. Yoga's spiritual traditions intrigue me much more than its physical postures.
One yogic idea that really speaks to me is that of the kundalini energy, the coiled life-force energy, that resides at the base of our spines and rises up through our chakras. When this energy arises out through the crown chakra our individual consciousness is able to merge with universal consciousness. This is the very act of divine union.
"Kundalini Yoga, at its highest form, is practiced for the purpose of attaining bliss, opening the heart center, developing power, serving others, attaining self-realization and ultimately merging into God consciousness" ~ Swami Sivananda ~
Thursday, 2 May 2013
X is for XIII
It's week twenty-four of Alphabe-Thursday!
X is for XIII...
Coming up with a spiritual word beginning with X was proving difficult until I decided to use Roman numerals. I chose the number thirteen because we're in the year 2013. :-) Then I discovered that thirteen is actually a very powerful number.
In symbolic numerology thirteen is often given a dark interpretation. For example, Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day because The Last Supper was held on a friday the thirteenth. But looked at from a different perspective, the number thirteen can actually be seen as a very positive number.
Jesus had his last meal with the twelve apostles, making him the thirteenth member of the group. So thirteen in this case is the number given to an enlightened being. Likewise, in Ancient Greece Zeus was known as the thirteenth god. Symbolically, this makes thirteen a powerfully spiritual number.
In Ancient Egypt there were thirteen steps on the ladder to eternity; it was on the thirteenth step that the soul reaches its source and attains spiritual completion. The Aztecs held thirteen to be a sacred number so they had thirteen days in a week. And Native Americans honour the number thirteen in their ritualistic practices.
There are thirteen moons in a year. The moon takes thirteen days to change from Full Moon to New Moon and thirteen days back again.The moon also moves thirteen degrees around the Earth in one day. So it seems thirteen is a significant number for the moon! Symbolically, that means the number thirteen holds the traits associated with the moon - femininity, emotion, cycles and mystery.
Numerologically speaking, thirteen contains the symbolic meaning of both 1 and 3. One deals with beginnings, unity and birth. While three is a powerful number that deals with creation and completion. For numerologists then - thirteen is considered to highlight a spiritual path that will bring unity and completion of the soul's journey. On Tarot cards thirteen is given to the death card which is actually symbolic of transition.
Looking at all of this I would say thirteen is a sacred spiritual number. So make the most of your 2013! :-)
X is for XIII...
Coming up with a spiritual word beginning with X was proving difficult until I decided to use Roman numerals. I chose the number thirteen because we're in the year 2013. :-) Then I discovered that thirteen is actually a very powerful number.
In symbolic numerology thirteen is often given a dark interpretation. For example, Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day because The Last Supper was held on a friday the thirteenth. But looked at from a different perspective, the number thirteen can actually be seen as a very positive number.
Jesus had his last meal with the twelve apostles, making him the thirteenth member of the group. So thirteen in this case is the number given to an enlightened being. Likewise, in Ancient Greece Zeus was known as the thirteenth god. Symbolically, this makes thirteen a powerfully spiritual number.
In Ancient Egypt there were thirteen steps on the ladder to eternity; it was on the thirteenth step that the soul reaches its source and attains spiritual completion. The Aztecs held thirteen to be a sacred number so they had thirteen days in a week. And Native Americans honour the number thirteen in their ritualistic practices.
There are thirteen moons in a year. The moon takes thirteen days to change from Full Moon to New Moon and thirteen days back again.The moon also moves thirteen degrees around the Earth in one day. So it seems thirteen is a significant number for the moon! Symbolically, that means the number thirteen holds the traits associated with the moon - femininity, emotion, cycles and mystery.
Numerologically speaking, thirteen contains the symbolic meaning of both 1 and 3. One deals with beginnings, unity and birth. While three is a powerful number that deals with creation and completion. For numerologists then - thirteen is considered to highlight a spiritual path that will bring unity and completion of the soul's journey. On Tarot cards thirteen is given to the death card which is actually symbolic of transition.
Looking at all of this I would say thirteen is a sacred spiritual number. So make the most of your 2013! :-)
Thursday, 25 April 2013
W is for Wellness
It's week twenty-three of Alphabe-Thursday!
W is for Wellness...
Wellness is the balancing of mind, body and spirit. Our overall health and happiness comes from the merging of these three essential parts of us. By choosing a balanced existence we can ensure a more joyful life. If we ignore one or more part, it means we're 'running on empty'. That's usually when illness arrives.
The one part most often ignored is the spirit. Our body and mind are tangible - we live with them every single day. We all know our body needs food and water to survive. We're told from a young age to care for our bodies through healthy eating and exercise. We know that to prolong our lives we must look after our bodies first and foremost.
Likewise, the mind is something we interact with from day one. We might not be able to touch our mind, but we're certainly aware of our thoughts; they never leave us! We feed our mind by learning new skills or reading books. It is our mental intelligence, our sense of reasoning and our accumulation of memories that provides us with a foundation to build our lives upon.
For a lot of people the body and mind are enough. They learn everything they need to know to survive and they make sure their body keeps them alive for as long as possible.
But for some of us, we need a little more. To feel completely well we also need to nourish our spirits. How we go about this, of course, depends on our individual understanding of 'spirit'. For me, my spirit is my soul - the immortal essence of me. To nourish my soul I meditate, chant mantras, use affirmations and connect to Reiki energy. I continually seek deeper spiritual growth through experience of the mysteries of life. Giving time to my soul, just like the time I devote to keeping my body healthy and my mind active, is essential to my well-being.
“Body and mind, and spirit, all combine,
To make the Creature, human and divine.”
~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox ~
How do you promote wellness in your life?
W is for Wellness...
Wellness is the balancing of mind, body and spirit. Our overall health and happiness comes from the merging of these three essential parts of us. By choosing a balanced existence we can ensure a more joyful life. If we ignore one or more part, it means we're 'running on empty'. That's usually when illness arrives.
The one part most often ignored is the spirit. Our body and mind are tangible - we live with them every single day. We all know our body needs food and water to survive. We're told from a young age to care for our bodies through healthy eating and exercise. We know that to prolong our lives we must look after our bodies first and foremost.
Likewise, the mind is something we interact with from day one. We might not be able to touch our mind, but we're certainly aware of our thoughts; they never leave us! We feed our mind by learning new skills or reading books. It is our mental intelligence, our sense of reasoning and our accumulation of memories that provides us with a foundation to build our lives upon.
For a lot of people the body and mind are enough. They learn everything they need to know to survive and they make sure their body keeps them alive for as long as possible.
But for some of us, we need a little more. To feel completely well we also need to nourish our spirits. How we go about this, of course, depends on our individual understanding of 'spirit'. For me, my spirit is my soul - the immortal essence of me. To nourish my soul I meditate, chant mantras, use affirmations and connect to Reiki energy. I continually seek deeper spiritual growth through experience of the mysteries of life. Giving time to my soul, just like the time I devote to keeping my body healthy and my mind active, is essential to my well-being.
“Body and mind, and spirit, all combine,
To make the Creature, human and divine.”
~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox ~
How do you promote wellness in your life?
Thursday, 18 April 2013
V is for Values
It's week twenty-two of Alphabe-Thursday!
V is for Values...
I once came across an exercise that asked me to list my core values, and as I'm dedicated to really knowing myself, I quickly set about creating my list. It proved to be a wonderful experience for me because I learnt so much about my priorities in life.
Values are like the guideposts of our lives. Once we know what we value above all else we are able to make decisions and create the life that feels right for us. Knowing my values gave me a clarity I'd never had before - from my list I was able to acknowledge what drives me and why I am who I am. It was fascinating!
Making a core values list can set us on our true path. It can bring us powerful insights and the motivation to go out there and achieve our goals. Knowing what matters most to us means we can make the best of the lives we're living and use our time productively. We can choose careers, relationships, lifestyles etc that fit in with our priorities.
Exercises like the one I discovered ask us to make a long list of any value that speaks to us. Then we need to narrow the list down to those values that mean the most. This can be a time-consuming exercise, but it's very rewarding. When we put our values in order we can instantly see a blueprint of our personality traits and our desires in life. For example - someone who values success the most might be career-driven, while someone who put intimacy at the top might give most of their attention to their relationships with others.
I managed to narrow my own list to ten top values. They are -
Love
Joy
Connection
Making a difference
Personal Development
Freedom
Compassion
Creativity
Spirituality
Inner Harmony
Whenever I feel lost or unsure of myself, I bring my values to mind so I can make sure I'm living from a place of love and joy first and foremost. I make sure my values are being met through my work, my relationships, and my life in general. If one of my values no longer fits me then I can consciously change it for another. My values allow me to always live from my truth.
What are your values?
V is for Values...
I once came across an exercise that asked me to list my core values, and as I'm dedicated to really knowing myself, I quickly set about creating my list. It proved to be a wonderful experience for me because I learnt so much about my priorities in life.
Values are like the guideposts of our lives. Once we know what we value above all else we are able to make decisions and create the life that feels right for us. Knowing my values gave me a clarity I'd never had before - from my list I was able to acknowledge what drives me and why I am who I am. It was fascinating!
Making a core values list can set us on our true path. It can bring us powerful insights and the motivation to go out there and achieve our goals. Knowing what matters most to us means we can make the best of the lives we're living and use our time productively. We can choose careers, relationships, lifestyles etc that fit in with our priorities.
Exercises like the one I discovered ask us to make a long list of any value that speaks to us. Then we need to narrow the list down to those values that mean the most. This can be a time-consuming exercise, but it's very rewarding. When we put our values in order we can instantly see a blueprint of our personality traits and our desires in life. For example - someone who values success the most might be career-driven, while someone who put intimacy at the top might give most of their attention to their relationships with others.
I managed to narrow my own list to ten top values. They are -
Love
Joy
Connection
Making a difference
Personal Development
Freedom
Compassion
Creativity
Spirituality
Inner Harmony
Whenever I feel lost or unsure of myself, I bring my values to mind so I can make sure I'm living from a place of love and joy first and foremost. I make sure my values are being met through my work, my relationships, and my life in general. If one of my values no longer fits me then I can consciously change it for another. My values allow me to always live from my truth.
What are your values?
Thursday, 11 April 2013
U is for Unique
It's week twenty-one of Alphabe-Thursday!
U is for Unique...
I recently discovered this wonderful quote -
"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken" ~ Oscar Wilde ~
I instantly fell in love with that! I think it will become one of my mottos. I sometimes fall into the trap of comparing myself to others or trying to be someone I'm expected to be rather than who I am. But the truth is we are all unique. We each view the world from our own perspective and we all have our own special talents and skills. We do not need to be anyone, or anything, other than who we are.
There is a lot of pressure on us in this modern society. We are inundated with media images that show us the so-called 'right' way to live our lives. We're expected to constantly better ourselves by searching for more and continually changing our life in the pursuit of unlimited achievement. We're not expected to be happy with our lot, to want to slow things down and focus on what we already have.
There is so much hatred in the world for people who are different. People who walk to the beat of their own drum. People who don't fit into the mould of who we as human beings are 'supposed' to be. But if we were all the same, with the exact same thoughts and feelings and reactions and experiences, we would be nothing more than machines. We'd be a race of human robots!
Our uniqueness is what makes us beautiful. We are all made of the same stuff, the same life, the same energy, and yet it is our specialness that makes us come alive. We are like snowflakes - they're all made of frozen water, but each flake has its own design, its own unique molecular structure.
I've experienced firsthand that trying to be someone other than who I am is a complete waste of energy. It causes sorrow and confusion. But most of all it disconnects me from my heart and from my truth. When I remind myself that my life is a blessing and that I am fine just as I am, the world becomes a much brighter place to be.
Be yourself. Be who you are. Be your perfections and your imperfections. Embrace your gifts and accept your flaws. You are unique. And that's what makes you magnificent. There is no one on the planet like you. So be yourself. Be the star of your own life. And allow others the space to do the same.
U is for Unique...
I recently discovered this wonderful quote -
"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken" ~ Oscar Wilde ~
I instantly fell in love with that! I think it will become one of my mottos. I sometimes fall into the trap of comparing myself to others or trying to be someone I'm expected to be rather than who I am. But the truth is we are all unique. We each view the world from our own perspective and we all have our own special talents and skills. We do not need to be anyone, or anything, other than who we are.
There is a lot of pressure on us in this modern society. We are inundated with media images that show us the so-called 'right' way to live our lives. We're expected to constantly better ourselves by searching for more and continually changing our life in the pursuit of unlimited achievement. We're not expected to be happy with our lot, to want to slow things down and focus on what we already have.
There is so much hatred in the world for people who are different. People who walk to the beat of their own drum. People who don't fit into the mould of who we as human beings are 'supposed' to be. But if we were all the same, with the exact same thoughts and feelings and reactions and experiences, we would be nothing more than machines. We'd be a race of human robots!
Our uniqueness is what makes us beautiful. We are all made of the same stuff, the same life, the same energy, and yet it is our specialness that makes us come alive. We are like snowflakes - they're all made of frozen water, but each flake has its own design, its own unique molecular structure.
I've experienced firsthand that trying to be someone other than who I am is a complete waste of energy. It causes sorrow and confusion. But most of all it disconnects me from my heart and from my truth. When I remind myself that my life is a blessing and that I am fine just as I am, the world becomes a much brighter place to be.
Be yourself. Be who you are. Be your perfections and your imperfections. Embrace your gifts and accept your flaws. You are unique. And that's what makes you magnificent. There is no one on the planet like you. So be yourself. Be the star of your own life. And allow others the space to do the same.
Thursday, 28 March 2013
S is for Soul
It's week nineteen of Alphabe-Thursday!
S is for Soul...
As you can probably guess I am a big believer in the soul. I believe we are all spiritual beings with a soul who choose to incarnate as humans so we can experience life. I believe many of us are 'old souls' who have lived on Earth in some other incarnation in the past. I believe our souls reincarnate again and again to learn more and to experience more.
I've always had an affinity with Ancient Egypt. As long as I can remember I've been fascinated by the culture, the spirituality, and the magnificent temples of the ancient Egyptian people. When I moved to London in 2004 my plan was to organise a trip to Egypt as soon as possible. I'd dreamt about going there since I was a little girl and I was determined to make it happen. In 2005 I finally got to fulfil that dream.
The interesting part of this story is that I actually won a holiday to Egypt! I entered the competition in a magazine and won a trip for two. I'd never won anything in my life and wouldn't you know it - I haven't won anything since! I believe it was part of my soul's destiny to go to Egypt because I believe my soul once lived as an Egyptian scribe (it's no coincidence that I'm a writer again in this life). That's why I won that trip - the universe was sending me there because Egypt was calling me home.
I believe all this because of the great shift that happened within me and in my life while I was in Egypt. I felt such peace while I was there, a peace I'd never experienced before. I felt in tune with energy for the first time. I could feel the spirit of Egypt in every temple stone and when I looked at The Nile I felt at home. There is no other way to describe it. It was the most powerful experience of my life. My time in Egypt opened me up spiritually, it reminded me of my spiritual essence, and from then on I was connected to my soul.
I've spoken to many spiritually-minded people and we all share this common belief - that the place we are drawn to, the place that holds our attention from an early age, for no apparent reason, is most certainly one of the places we lived during a past life. Our souls have been here before and they will return again once we are gone. In that way, we can all live forever. That's a comforting thought, isn't it?
S is for Soul...
As you can probably guess I am a big believer in the soul. I believe we are all spiritual beings with a soul who choose to incarnate as humans so we can experience life. I believe many of us are 'old souls' who have lived on Earth in some other incarnation in the past. I believe our souls reincarnate again and again to learn more and to experience more.
I've always had an affinity with Ancient Egypt. As long as I can remember I've been fascinated by the culture, the spirituality, and the magnificent temples of the ancient Egyptian people. When I moved to London in 2004 my plan was to organise a trip to Egypt as soon as possible. I'd dreamt about going there since I was a little girl and I was determined to make it happen. In 2005 I finally got to fulfil that dream.
The interesting part of this story is that I actually won a holiday to Egypt! I entered the competition in a magazine and won a trip for two. I'd never won anything in my life and wouldn't you know it - I haven't won anything since! I believe it was part of my soul's destiny to go to Egypt because I believe my soul once lived as an Egyptian scribe (it's no coincidence that I'm a writer again in this life). That's why I won that trip - the universe was sending me there because Egypt was calling me home.
I believe all this because of the great shift that happened within me and in my life while I was in Egypt. I felt such peace while I was there, a peace I'd never experienced before. I felt in tune with energy for the first time. I could feel the spirit of Egypt in every temple stone and when I looked at The Nile I felt at home. There is no other way to describe it. It was the most powerful experience of my life. My time in Egypt opened me up spiritually, it reminded me of my spiritual essence, and from then on I was connected to my soul.
I've spoken to many spiritually-minded people and we all share this common belief - that the place we are drawn to, the place that holds our attention from an early age, for no apparent reason, is most certainly one of the places we lived during a past life. Our souls have been here before and they will return again once we are gone. In that way, we can all live forever. That's a comforting thought, isn't it?
Thursday, 21 March 2013
R is for Reiki
It's week eighteen of Alphabe-Thursday!
R is for Reiki...
When I started this blog three years ago I wrote a post entitled 'My Journey to Reiki and Beyond'. Re-reading that post today I realised that it still sums up so perfectly my feelings about Reiki and its effect on my life. So I'm re-posting it below... :-)
But first I just wanted to acknowledge the 5 Reiki Precepts -
Just for today do not anger
Just for today do not worry
Honour your parents, teachers and elders
Earn your living honestly
Show gratitude to all living things
It is these precepts that make Reiki much more than just an 'energy healing treatment'. Reiki is a spiritual practice and a way to live one's life. With these precepts in mind, one can move through life with compassion and joy. One can take each day at a time and cherish every single moment.
Reiki is not a religion, but for me it is my faith in something grander than me, something divine.
Here is my post from 2010 -
My journey to Reiki and beyond
'Reiki came into my life, like all good things, because I listened to my intuition. I’d heard of Reiki but knew next to nothing about it or how it could possibly help me. I was going through a time of change in my life, everything was new, and I had no idea which path to choose or what to do next. And then one day, like a single snowflake falling from the sky, the word ‘Reiki’ came into my mind. I found a local Reiki Master and booked myself in for a session. I didn’t know what to expect, but I trusted that it was the right place for me.
As it turned out, my Reiki Master noticed something in me that day, something that I was not even aware of myself – a desire to study this healing art. So by the end of that first session I’d signed up to do the Reiki First Degree course. The energy had a plan for me, it would seem, and I was grateful to be along for the ride.
I often think that my attunement to the Reiki energy during my First Degree course was really my attunement to life. Not that I wasn’t alive before, but I was living a sort of half-life. A life devoid of real awareness. Reiki became my initiation into the spiritual world. I began to view things differently – with love rather than fear. I began to write - something I’d talked about doing for years. I connected to my creativity. And I began to read - devouring spiritual and New Age books. I felt my mind expanding. I was desperate to know more, to feel more, to live more. I started meditating. I started tuning into my chakras. I bought crystals. My path had become illuminated.
Reiki is energy healing but it is also a spiritual path of self-development. Working with ‘invisible’ energy, feeling and seeing its healing power, had a transformational effect on me. I felt a shift in my consciousness, as though a door had opened. Through that door was the world of unlimited potential, the place where I could connect to my infinite divine essence. A place where love and joy abound. I’ve never looked back.
Since that initial burst of spiritual awareness, I’ve continued to develop regular practices – meditation, chakra balancing, and of course writing – to maintain my connection to the divine. Reiki has become a consistent part of my life (I completed Reiki II in 2008, and the Reiki Master/Teacher course in 2010). I continue to move deeper on my own journey within, the journey of my soul. And Reiki is the light that guides me.'
R is for Reiki...
When I started this blog three years ago I wrote a post entitled 'My Journey to Reiki and Beyond'. Re-reading that post today I realised that it still sums up so perfectly my feelings about Reiki and its effect on my life. So I'm re-posting it below... :-)
But first I just wanted to acknowledge the 5 Reiki Precepts -
Just for today do not anger
Just for today do not worry
Honour your parents, teachers and elders
Earn your living honestly
Show gratitude to all living things
It is these precepts that make Reiki much more than just an 'energy healing treatment'. Reiki is a spiritual practice and a way to live one's life. With these precepts in mind, one can move through life with compassion and joy. One can take each day at a time and cherish every single moment.
Reiki is not a religion, but for me it is my faith in something grander than me, something divine.
Here is my post from 2010 -
My journey to Reiki and beyond
'Reiki came into my life, like all good things, because I listened to my intuition. I’d heard of Reiki but knew next to nothing about it or how it could possibly help me. I was going through a time of change in my life, everything was new, and I had no idea which path to choose or what to do next. And then one day, like a single snowflake falling from the sky, the word ‘Reiki’ came into my mind. I found a local Reiki Master and booked myself in for a session. I didn’t know what to expect, but I trusted that it was the right place for me.
As it turned out, my Reiki Master noticed something in me that day, something that I was not even aware of myself – a desire to study this healing art. So by the end of that first session I’d signed up to do the Reiki First Degree course. The energy had a plan for me, it would seem, and I was grateful to be along for the ride.
I often think that my attunement to the Reiki energy during my First Degree course was really my attunement to life. Not that I wasn’t alive before, but I was living a sort of half-life. A life devoid of real awareness. Reiki became my initiation into the spiritual world. I began to view things differently – with love rather than fear. I began to write - something I’d talked about doing for years. I connected to my creativity. And I began to read - devouring spiritual and New Age books. I felt my mind expanding. I was desperate to know more, to feel more, to live more. I started meditating. I started tuning into my chakras. I bought crystals. My path had become illuminated.
Reiki is energy healing but it is also a spiritual path of self-development. Working with ‘invisible’ energy, feeling and seeing its healing power, had a transformational effect on me. I felt a shift in my consciousness, as though a door had opened. Through that door was the world of unlimited potential, the place where I could connect to my infinite divine essence. A place where love and joy abound. I’ve never looked back.
Since that initial burst of spiritual awareness, I’ve continued to develop regular practices – meditation, chakra balancing, and of course writing – to maintain my connection to the divine. Reiki has become a consistent part of my life (I completed Reiki II in 2008, and the Reiki Master/Teacher course in 2010). I continue to move deeper on my own journey within, the journey of my soul. And Reiki is the light that guides me.'
Thursday, 14 March 2013
Q is for Quest
It's week seventeen of Alphabe-Thursday!
Q is for Quest...
I consider my life to be a quest for spiritual growth. I long to know spirituality, to feel the essence of spiritual truth in my everyday life. Sometimes I get lost in 'normality' and forget to nurture my soul. When that happens I disconnect from the magic of life. But luckily something always brings me back - I witness a moment of compassion or Mother Nature inspires me and I'm instantly reminded that there is more to life than the everyday stresses.
But as much as I do long for knowledge, my spiritual journey has made me realise that the mysteries of our world can not really be understood by our brains. Our logical mind is limited - it will often convince us that what we know to be true in our hearts is actually wrong. But I've had many experiences since I started out on my spiritual quest that really do defy logic. I've witnessed synchronicity work its magic to bring just what I needed into my life at just the right time - as though I had placed an order for it! I've seen angels float into the room while I've been giving a reiki treatment and then had my client say, without me revealing my own vision, that they too saw the same being of light hovering over us. That kind of event can not be explained away as an overactive imagination. When two people see the same thing that is proof enough for me!
There is something far bigger than us at play in our universe. Whether you call that God or spirit or life energy or love, it all means the same thing - it is the light of the world, the divine presence that permeates everything. My spiritual quest is a lifelong exploration of that divine light. I want to experience it as much as I can, to let it feed my soul and bring me closer to the truth of who I am. I know I am a spiritual being - I am more than mere flesh and bone. I know we all have a divine spark within that guides us. It is my desire to always live from that spark and to help others connect to that part of themselves so we may all know just how truly magnificent we are.
Q is for Quest...
I consider my life to be a quest for spiritual growth. I long to know spirituality, to feel the essence of spiritual truth in my everyday life. Sometimes I get lost in 'normality' and forget to nurture my soul. When that happens I disconnect from the magic of life. But luckily something always brings me back - I witness a moment of compassion or Mother Nature inspires me and I'm instantly reminded that there is more to life than the everyday stresses.
But as much as I do long for knowledge, my spiritual journey has made me realise that the mysteries of our world can not really be understood by our brains. Our logical mind is limited - it will often convince us that what we know to be true in our hearts is actually wrong. But I've had many experiences since I started out on my spiritual quest that really do defy logic. I've witnessed synchronicity work its magic to bring just what I needed into my life at just the right time - as though I had placed an order for it! I've seen angels float into the room while I've been giving a reiki treatment and then had my client say, without me revealing my own vision, that they too saw the same being of light hovering over us. That kind of event can not be explained away as an overactive imagination. When two people see the same thing that is proof enough for me!
There is something far bigger than us at play in our universe. Whether you call that God or spirit or life energy or love, it all means the same thing - it is the light of the world, the divine presence that permeates everything. My spiritual quest is a lifelong exploration of that divine light. I want to experience it as much as I can, to let it feed my soul and bring me closer to the truth of who I am. I know I am a spiritual being - I am more than mere flesh and bone. I know we all have a divine spark within that guides us. It is my desire to always live from that spark and to help others connect to that part of themselves so we may all know just how truly magnificent we are.
Thursday, 7 March 2013
P is for Play
It's week sixteen of Alphabe-Thursday!
P is for Play...
When I was a kid I would spend hours lost in my imagination, creating worlds for my toys to inhabit and stories for them to act out. I suppose it's no surprise that I grew up to become a fiction writer! :-) But play wasn't just about my imagination. It was all about the fun of doing something just for pleasure. That's one of the best parts of being a child - we can frolic without guilt. We're free to fill our days with playfulness.
Adults aren't as lucky. We have work and responsibilities. Play slips further down our priority list the older we get. When we do give ourselves time to play we often encounter guilt - we even refer to our playful times as 'guilty pleasures'. But why should any pleasurable experience be a guilty one?
Play is vital for our well-being. Letting go and enjoying life is one of the best things we can do for our health. Play can relax us and stimulate us all at once. It can help us relieve tension and stress, clear our minds so we're better able to problem-solve, while also motivating us to focus on joy and carefree fun.
Play for adults has become all about competition. Our sporting heroes have built a career around playing and yet I wonder how many of them still enjoy what they're doing with the same youthful abandon of a child? Once play becomes work it often loses its joy.
Adults need to play, even when there are no kids around! We don't have to wait to join our children in their fun (if they'll let us!). We need to break out the games and reignite our ability to bring wide-eyed curiosity and carefree delight into our daily lives.
When was the last time you had a snowball fight or swung as high as you could on the playground swings? When was the last time you skipped rope or played hopscotch? When was the last time you played a boardgame or even simply lay in the grass and looked at the clouds floating by? Remember childhood play? It was so much fun!! :-) Let's bring more of that into adulthood!
Can you recall the last time you felt as free as a child, lost in the joy of playfulness and pleasure? If so, what were you doing?
P is for Play...
When I was a kid I would spend hours lost in my imagination, creating worlds for my toys to inhabit and stories for them to act out. I suppose it's no surprise that I grew up to become a fiction writer! :-) But play wasn't just about my imagination. It was all about the fun of doing something just for pleasure. That's one of the best parts of being a child - we can frolic without guilt. We're free to fill our days with playfulness.
Adults aren't as lucky. We have work and responsibilities. Play slips further down our priority list the older we get. When we do give ourselves time to play we often encounter guilt - we even refer to our playful times as 'guilty pleasures'. But why should any pleasurable experience be a guilty one?
Play is vital for our well-being. Letting go and enjoying life is one of the best things we can do for our health. Play can relax us and stimulate us all at once. It can help us relieve tension and stress, clear our minds so we're better able to problem-solve, while also motivating us to focus on joy and carefree fun.
Play for adults has become all about competition. Our sporting heroes have built a career around playing and yet I wonder how many of them still enjoy what they're doing with the same youthful abandon of a child? Once play becomes work it often loses its joy.
Adults need to play, even when there are no kids around! We don't have to wait to join our children in their fun (if they'll let us!). We need to break out the games and reignite our ability to bring wide-eyed curiosity and carefree delight into our daily lives.
When was the last time you had a snowball fight or swung as high as you could on the playground swings? When was the last time you skipped rope or played hopscotch? When was the last time you played a boardgame or even simply lay in the grass and looked at the clouds floating by? Remember childhood play? It was so much fun!! :-) Let's bring more of that into adulthood!
Can you recall the last time you felt as free as a child, lost in the joy of playfulness and pleasure? If so, what were you doing?
Thursday, 28 February 2013
O is for Ocean
It's week fifteen of Alphabe-Thursday!
O is for Ocean...
The ocean always reminds me of how small and insignificant I am. Of course I know I'm not worthless or unimportant, but the ocean is a seemingly endless living creature that covers our entire planet. Compared to it I'm nothing more than a... umm, how to say it?... a drop in the ocean. ;-) Being near the ocean puts everything into perspective for me. I'm reminded how magnificent Earth is and how remarkable life is. Who can stand near the rolling waves of the ocean and not be in awe of life? I know I can't! :-)
The ocean is so powerful and so vast. According to Wikipedia it covers over 70% of the Earth's surface and oceanographers say only a tiny 5% of it has actually been explored. That means almost the entire oceanic universe has never given up its secrets. I like to imagine it that way - the ocean is the same as the uncharted expanse of outer space, a galaxy all its own just waiting to be examined.
The spirit of the ocean is something we're all drawn to. It's no coincidence that most holidays are spent by the seaside. :-) Whenever I'm at the ocean I feel connected to her soulful energy and I long to bathe in her beautiful, revitalising waters. The breathtaking view of her reaching out as far as the horizon (especially at sunset!) ignites something deep within me. Mother nature has spoken and in that moment I feel alive and full of joy.
Connecting to nature is a way to give back to your soul. Nature transforms your energy body by clearing blocks and releasing negativity so you can fully embrace life, love, joy and feelings of abundance and hope. Nature can heal us and the ocean in particular, with her unending beauty, can remind us that all the world's potential is open to each and every one of us.
The ocean allows us to comprehend true abundance because just as our world is covered in ocean, so too is Earth flowing with the bountiful energies of love and joy. When you think about it, the ocean is essentially a giant pot of little water droplets. And just like those droplets we humans are tiny particles of the unlimited energetic soup that is our universe. We are individual beings made up of the same lifeforce energy as every other being, and when we come together as one we are as magnificent and as powerful as the ocean.
O is for Ocean...
The ocean always reminds me of how small and insignificant I am. Of course I know I'm not worthless or unimportant, but the ocean is a seemingly endless living creature that covers our entire planet. Compared to it I'm nothing more than a... umm, how to say it?... a drop in the ocean. ;-) Being near the ocean puts everything into perspective for me. I'm reminded how magnificent Earth is and how remarkable life is. Who can stand near the rolling waves of the ocean and not be in awe of life? I know I can't! :-)
The ocean is so powerful and so vast. According to Wikipedia it covers over 70% of the Earth's surface and oceanographers say only a tiny 5% of it has actually been explored. That means almost the entire oceanic universe has never given up its secrets. I like to imagine it that way - the ocean is the same as the uncharted expanse of outer space, a galaxy all its own just waiting to be examined.
The spirit of the ocean is something we're all drawn to. It's no coincidence that most holidays are spent by the seaside. :-) Whenever I'm at the ocean I feel connected to her soulful energy and I long to bathe in her beautiful, revitalising waters. The breathtaking view of her reaching out as far as the horizon (especially at sunset!) ignites something deep within me. Mother nature has spoken and in that moment I feel alive and full of joy.
Connecting to nature is a way to give back to your soul. Nature transforms your energy body by clearing blocks and releasing negativity so you can fully embrace life, love, joy and feelings of abundance and hope. Nature can heal us and the ocean in particular, with her unending beauty, can remind us that all the world's potential is open to each and every one of us.
The ocean allows us to comprehend true abundance because just as our world is covered in ocean, so too is Earth flowing with the bountiful energies of love and joy. When you think about it, the ocean is essentially a giant pot of little water droplets. And just like those droplets we humans are tiny particles of the unlimited energetic soup that is our universe. We are individual beings made up of the same lifeforce energy as every other being, and when we come together as one we are as magnificent and as powerful as the ocean.
Thursday, 21 February 2013
N is for Now
It's week fourteen of Alphabe-Thursday!
N is for Now...
"Life is now. There was never a time when your life was not now, nor will there ever be."
~ Eckhart Tolle ~
One of the books I read when I first started out on my spiritual path was Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now. I remember being blown away by what is actually a very simple idea - the present moment is all there is.
For the first time in my life I was able to stop and take a moment to really process that idea. Now is all we have. The past is gone and the future hasn't arrived yet. Before then I'd always spent my life going back over things from the past, or fantasising about the future I wanted to have. But once I read Tolle's book I started to focus more on the present moment. I found it to be a very powerful exercise. It made me feel intensely alive because I forgot all about the stuff that was weighing me down and I gave up trying to predict my future.
Of course our daily lives require a certain level of organisation and forward planning. We all have appointments, holidays, meetings etc that we need to book in advance. Ignoring our calendar entirely would make us very unreliable people! :-) But just like any other spiritual practice, focussing on the present moment doesn't mean we must give all our time and energy to it. In fact, living in the present moment is effortless. All it takes is a choice.
I remember in The Power of Now, Tolle suggested practicing present moment awareness while doing mundane chores like the washing up. Instead of letting your brain run on with endless chatter, allow yourself to really feel the soapy bubbles on your skin, to really feel the scrubbing sensation of the sponge against the saucepan. When we focus our awareness in such a specific way we can't help but live in the present moment. If your full attention is on the washing up you'll have no more room in your consciousness to moan about the next day's meeting or chide yourself on what you think you did wrong that day. All your stresses will slide away from you; much like the soapy water draining from the sink! :-)
Placing our attention on whatever we're doing at any given time is actually quite rewarding. We become alert to things around us and we can start to feel more alive and more accepting of life as it is. We can engage with the life we're living and set about making any necessary changes from a place of clear understanding, rather than just interpreting situations based on past experience.
Living in the moment can free us from dwelling on past hurts and it can help us to stop worrying about the future. Most of all, it allows us to fully appreciate the miracle of being alive.
N is for Now...
"Life is now. There was never a time when your life was not now, nor will there ever be."
~ Eckhart Tolle ~
One of the books I read when I first started out on my spiritual path was Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now. I remember being blown away by what is actually a very simple idea - the present moment is all there is.
For the first time in my life I was able to stop and take a moment to really process that idea. Now is all we have. The past is gone and the future hasn't arrived yet. Before then I'd always spent my life going back over things from the past, or fantasising about the future I wanted to have. But once I read Tolle's book I started to focus more on the present moment. I found it to be a very powerful exercise. It made me feel intensely alive because I forgot all about the stuff that was weighing me down and I gave up trying to predict my future.
Of course our daily lives require a certain level of organisation and forward planning. We all have appointments, holidays, meetings etc that we need to book in advance. Ignoring our calendar entirely would make us very unreliable people! :-) But just like any other spiritual practice, focussing on the present moment doesn't mean we must give all our time and energy to it. In fact, living in the present moment is effortless. All it takes is a choice.
I remember in The Power of Now, Tolle suggested practicing present moment awareness while doing mundane chores like the washing up. Instead of letting your brain run on with endless chatter, allow yourself to really feel the soapy bubbles on your skin, to really feel the scrubbing sensation of the sponge against the saucepan. When we focus our awareness in such a specific way we can't help but live in the present moment. If your full attention is on the washing up you'll have no more room in your consciousness to moan about the next day's meeting or chide yourself on what you think you did wrong that day. All your stresses will slide away from you; much like the soapy water draining from the sink! :-)
Placing our attention on whatever we're doing at any given time is actually quite rewarding. We become alert to things around us and we can start to feel more alive and more accepting of life as it is. We can engage with the life we're living and set about making any necessary changes from a place of clear understanding, rather than just interpreting situations based on past experience.
Living in the moment can free us from dwelling on past hurts and it can help us to stop worrying about the future. Most of all, it allows us to fully appreciate the miracle of being alive.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
M is for Meditation
It's week thirteen of Alphabe-Thursday!
M is for Meditation...
For the past few months I have been meditating every day. I'm not usually so disciplined! :-) But at the end of last year I decided I needed to be kinder to myself and I knew that meditating was a simple way of doing this. I've found that it doesn't take much energy to stay in my warm bed for an extra twenty minutes in the morning while I listen to my guided meditation! In fact, it's a blessing. Those twenty minutes are a gift I've been giving to myself. And I feel so much better for having done it.
The great thing about meditation is that it can be done anywhere and at any time. Twenty minutes might be a luxury some people can't afford in the mornings, but there is sure to be one spare moment in the day where you can sit back, close your eyes and just take a few deep breaths. That's all meditation is, essentially. Taking a moment. Breathing. Shutting off all the crazy thoughts for a minute. Meditation isn't always about sitting in the lotus position and chanting 'om'. Meditation is actually a lot simpler than that.
Meditation is mindfulness. It's agreeing to consciously choose to take a short break from life, to let go of the daily grind and relax. Taking a moment for yourself isn't selfish. Quite the contrary. It helps you to deal with the stresses in life, which in turn makes you a more compassionate and supportive person. Take care of yourself first and you'll find the strength to take care of others.
You've probably meditated without even realising it. Ever counted to ten before responding to someone during an argument? That's meditation. Ever lost track of time while jogging around the park or swimming laps? That's active meditation. Ever 'woken up' while reading a novel - the moment you realise you've been completely absorbed in your imagination? That's meditation too! Meditation is anything that gives you a break from incessant thinking.
For me, meditation allows me to 'get back to myself', to let go of stress and connect with my true self - the divine part of me. But it isn't all about my spirituality. I've found meditation can help me with my day-to-day physical life as well. I am calmer, happier and more creative when I give myself those twenty minutes every morning. Life still has its ups and downs of course, but I'm in a much better position to handle it all.
If you're usually too busy for meditation then I want to give you a gift right now. As you come to the end of this post take a moment for yourself before you move on to the next thing. Take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Picture something that makes you happy. Smile. And keep breathing deeply. Just for a minute. That's all it takes. Enjoy! :-)
M is for Meditation...
For the past few months I have been meditating every day. I'm not usually so disciplined! :-) But at the end of last year I decided I needed to be kinder to myself and I knew that meditating was a simple way of doing this. I've found that it doesn't take much energy to stay in my warm bed for an extra twenty minutes in the morning while I listen to my guided meditation! In fact, it's a blessing. Those twenty minutes are a gift I've been giving to myself. And I feel so much better for having done it.
The great thing about meditation is that it can be done anywhere and at any time. Twenty minutes might be a luxury some people can't afford in the mornings, but there is sure to be one spare moment in the day where you can sit back, close your eyes and just take a few deep breaths. That's all meditation is, essentially. Taking a moment. Breathing. Shutting off all the crazy thoughts for a minute. Meditation isn't always about sitting in the lotus position and chanting 'om'. Meditation is actually a lot simpler than that.
Meditation is mindfulness. It's agreeing to consciously choose to take a short break from life, to let go of the daily grind and relax. Taking a moment for yourself isn't selfish. Quite the contrary. It helps you to deal with the stresses in life, which in turn makes you a more compassionate and supportive person. Take care of yourself first and you'll find the strength to take care of others.
You've probably meditated without even realising it. Ever counted to ten before responding to someone during an argument? That's meditation. Ever lost track of time while jogging around the park or swimming laps? That's active meditation. Ever 'woken up' while reading a novel - the moment you realise you've been completely absorbed in your imagination? That's meditation too! Meditation is anything that gives you a break from incessant thinking.
For me, meditation allows me to 'get back to myself', to let go of stress and connect with my true self - the divine part of me. But it isn't all about my spirituality. I've found meditation can help me with my day-to-day physical life as well. I am calmer, happier and more creative when I give myself those twenty minutes every morning. Life still has its ups and downs of course, but I'm in a much better position to handle it all.
If you're usually too busy for meditation then I want to give you a gift right now. As you come to the end of this post take a moment for yourself before you move on to the next thing. Take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Picture something that makes you happy. Smile. And keep breathing deeply. Just for a minute. That's all it takes. Enjoy! :-)
Thursday, 7 February 2013
L is for Love
It's week twelve of Alphabe-Thursday!
L is for Love...
As The Beatles so wisely told us - "All you need is love." :-)
I'm in love with love. It's my favourite word. I love to write it. I love to say it. I love to see it. It's a beautiful word that rolls off the tongue and brings me such a sense of peace and joy.
But love is much more than a word isn't it? :-) It's a state of being. It's a feeling. It's a way to live one's life. Love really is all that matters. Love in all its forms - whether romantic or platonic - is what binds us all together. We all long for love. And love is the one thing that can save us all.
That might sound very dramatic and idealistic, but I can't help it. That's the way I've always felt about love. It's my number one priority in life and I do believe any hostility or anger towards others can be solved with a little love. Give someone a hug with love in your heart and you'll give them a rare gift - a shared moment of pure joy amongst all the chaos in the world.
Love isn't just for others though. We've all heard that to love another we must first love ourselves. It's true, even if it's hard to do sometimes. We can all be self-critical at times and it takes a lot of courage to love and accept ourselves fully, just as we are. But it is possible! And when we love ourselves we open our hearts and our world to unlimited potential. Our lives overflow with joy and abundance.
I've always believed that our only real purpose in life is to love and be loved. All our life lessons, all our experiences, come back to this. On our death beds this is really all that will matter to us. In my opinion as long as we know we have given our all to love, that we've lived with an open heart, been true to ourselves and allowed others to be true to themselves, then we will have fulfilled our purpose here on Earth.
So let your life be filled with love. Say it loud to the people you love. Don't hold back. Open your heart and be vulnerable. Love another and let them love you back. Love your friends and your family. Love your pets. Love a stranger. Love yourself.
Reach out with love and you will find it reaching right on back to you.
L is for Love...
As The Beatles so wisely told us - "All you need is love." :-)
I'm in love with love. It's my favourite word. I love to write it. I love to say it. I love to see it. It's a beautiful word that rolls off the tongue and brings me such a sense of peace and joy.
But love is much more than a word isn't it? :-) It's a state of being. It's a feeling. It's a way to live one's life. Love really is all that matters. Love in all its forms - whether romantic or platonic - is what binds us all together. We all long for love. And love is the one thing that can save us all.
That might sound very dramatic and idealistic, but I can't help it. That's the way I've always felt about love. It's my number one priority in life and I do believe any hostility or anger towards others can be solved with a little love. Give someone a hug with love in your heart and you'll give them a rare gift - a shared moment of pure joy amongst all the chaos in the world.
Love isn't just for others though. We've all heard that to love another we must first love ourselves. It's true, even if it's hard to do sometimes. We can all be self-critical at times and it takes a lot of courage to love and accept ourselves fully, just as we are. But it is possible! And when we love ourselves we open our hearts and our world to unlimited potential. Our lives overflow with joy and abundance.
I've always believed that our only real purpose in life is to love and be loved. All our life lessons, all our experiences, come back to this. On our death beds this is really all that will matter to us. In my opinion as long as we know we have given our all to love, that we've lived with an open heart, been true to ourselves and allowed others to be true to themselves, then we will have fulfilled our purpose here on Earth.
So let your life be filled with love. Say it loud to the people you love. Don't hold back. Open your heart and be vulnerable. Love another and let them love you back. Love your friends and your family. Love your pets. Love a stranger. Love yourself.
Reach out with love and you will find it reaching right on back to you.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
K is for Kindness
It's week eleven of Alphabe-Thursday!
K is for Kindness...
The Dalai Lama said "My religion is kindness" and I've always loved that quote. In my opinion being kind is the cornerstone of a life well lived.
I consider myself a success whenever I'm being kind, thoughtful, generous and supportive to friends, family and even strangers. For me a person's worth is measured not by a list of their achievements or how much money they've earned, but by how kind they are to others.
An act of kindness stays with the recipient for a lifetime. I have experienced kindness that has had a very profound affect on me. It is something I will never forget because it reaffirmed my belief in the goodness of people. Kindness from another is something we can all cherish because it reminds us that someone cares. We know we're not alone in this world when someone takes the time and effort to be kind to us.
Doing a good deed is an act of love. It is putting our spirituality into practice. Helping someone, being there for someone in need is a beautiful way to serve humanity. It doesn't take a lot of hard work to offer even a brief moment of kindness. Any small act is enough to touch a person's heart.
Giving really is more rewarding than receiving. The irony is that when you give you also receive - knowing you've helped another makes you feel quite good inside, doesn't it? :-) A kind gesture will always be returned to you in the form of karma (another great K word!), so make the most of your ability to be a supportive, thoughtful person. Your act of kindness might just change someone's life for the better.
K is for Kindness...
The Dalai Lama said "My religion is kindness" and I've always loved that quote. In my opinion being kind is the cornerstone of a life well lived.
I consider myself a success whenever I'm being kind, thoughtful, generous and supportive to friends, family and even strangers. For me a person's worth is measured not by a list of their achievements or how much money they've earned, but by how kind they are to others.
An act of kindness stays with the recipient for a lifetime. I have experienced kindness that has had a very profound affect on me. It is something I will never forget because it reaffirmed my belief in the goodness of people. Kindness from another is something we can all cherish because it reminds us that someone cares. We know we're not alone in this world when someone takes the time and effort to be kind to us.
Doing a good deed is an act of love. It is putting our spirituality into practice. Helping someone, being there for someone in need is a beautiful way to serve humanity. It doesn't take a lot of hard work to offer even a brief moment of kindness. Any small act is enough to touch a person's heart.
Giving really is more rewarding than receiving. The irony is that when you give you also receive - knowing you've helped another makes you feel quite good inside, doesn't it? :-) A kind gesture will always be returned to you in the form of karma (another great K word!), so make the most of your ability to be a supportive, thoughtful person. Your act of kindness might just change someone's life for the better.
Thursday, 24 January 2013
J is for Joy
It's week ten of Alphabe-Thursday!
J is for Joy...
Joy is one of my favourite words. Whenever I see it I can't help but smile. For me everything that is exciting and magical about the world can be found in that beautiful word - joy. I love it! :-)
Joy can be found anywhere we choose to see it. Even when things are hard and we're feeling low there is always something joyful to discover, or be reminded of, in our lives. Joy is a lot like love; it has the power to embrace us in a warm hug and make all our problems fade away. Joy is more than just a pleasant emotion - it's a state of being that bubbles up from the depths of our soul to enrich our lives. Joy is an expression of our elated selves, the part of us that knows no bounds, the part that meets the world with open arms and overflows with pure delight and happiness. That part exists within you. Let it out!
Joy is one of life's precious gifts. I believe it is important to fill our days with joy. It only takes a moment of our time to do something just for the fun of it, just to feel the joy. Sing a song, dance around your house, tell a joke, smile! :-) Even just a few priceless minutes of joy in your day can do wonders for your soul. Anything that brings us joy is infinitely valuable.
I choose to find joy in the simple things - a sunny day, a gooey chocolate dessert, a smile from my husband, a day out at the cinema, reading the paper on a saturday morning, laughing, singing, dancing. All these things make my heart leap with joy.
What brings you joy?
J is for Joy...
Joy is one of my favourite words. Whenever I see it I can't help but smile. For me everything that is exciting and magical about the world can be found in that beautiful word - joy. I love it! :-)
Joy can be found anywhere we choose to see it. Even when things are hard and we're feeling low there is always something joyful to discover, or be reminded of, in our lives. Joy is a lot like love; it has the power to embrace us in a warm hug and make all our problems fade away. Joy is more than just a pleasant emotion - it's a state of being that bubbles up from the depths of our soul to enrich our lives. Joy is an expression of our elated selves, the part of us that knows no bounds, the part that meets the world with open arms and overflows with pure delight and happiness. That part exists within you. Let it out!
Joy is one of life's precious gifts. I believe it is important to fill our days with joy. It only takes a moment of our time to do something just for the fun of it, just to feel the joy. Sing a song, dance around your house, tell a joke, smile! :-) Even just a few priceless minutes of joy in your day can do wonders for your soul. Anything that brings us joy is infinitely valuable.
I choose to find joy in the simple things - a sunny day, a gooey chocolate dessert, a smile from my husband, a day out at the cinema, reading the paper on a saturday morning, laughing, singing, dancing. All these things make my heart leap with joy.
What brings you joy?
Thursday, 17 January 2013
I is for Intention
It's week nine of Alphabe-Thursday!
I is for Intention...
Intention is all about living a conscious life. Rather than just letting things happen we can choose to set a positive intention and then go about our day with purpose. It is our intentions that bring meaning into everything we do.
Humans are powerful, creative beings who have the ability to use imagination and intention to manifest reality. When we set our intentions and visualize the life we want for ourselves we can create it. Intention guides our actions so we can design a life of purpose and fulfilment.
An intention is the focussing of our attention on a particular aim or goal. We can set a simple intention every morning to enjoy the day to the full. Or we can set much grander intentions for our lives as a whole - such as achieving success, finding inner peace or embracing love. An intention is a positive affirmation that keeps us on the path we've chosen.
A lot of people float through life never becoming aware enough to realise just how much power they possess. Whatever we focus on becomes our reality. We are all a product of our own beliefs and intentions. If you think the world is out to get you that will be your experience. On the other hand - if you imagine the world to be one full of compassion, love and all manner of magnificient things that will be the reality of your life. We all have the power of intention so why not intend for the world to be a happy place? Consciously choosing to live a joyful and loving life will bring us all infinite abundance.
Meaning, purpose and joy can all be found through intention. Decide what you want your life to look like, imagine the grandest reality you want to experience and then set the intention that you will, at any given moment, consciously choose this reality. It really is within your power.
I is for Intention...
Intention is all about living a conscious life. Rather than just letting things happen we can choose to set a positive intention and then go about our day with purpose. It is our intentions that bring meaning into everything we do.
Humans are powerful, creative beings who have the ability to use imagination and intention to manifest reality. When we set our intentions and visualize the life we want for ourselves we can create it. Intention guides our actions so we can design a life of purpose and fulfilment.
An intention is the focussing of our attention on a particular aim or goal. We can set a simple intention every morning to enjoy the day to the full. Or we can set much grander intentions for our lives as a whole - such as achieving success, finding inner peace or embracing love. An intention is a positive affirmation that keeps us on the path we've chosen.
A lot of people float through life never becoming aware enough to realise just how much power they possess. Whatever we focus on becomes our reality. We are all a product of our own beliefs and intentions. If you think the world is out to get you that will be your experience. On the other hand - if you imagine the world to be one full of compassion, love and all manner of magnificient things that will be the reality of your life. We all have the power of intention so why not intend for the world to be a happy place? Consciously choosing to live a joyful and loving life will bring us all infinite abundance.
Meaning, purpose and joy can all be found through intention. Decide what you want your life to look like, imagine the grandest reality you want to experience and then set the intention that you will, at any given moment, consciously choose this reality. It really is within your power.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
H is for Heart
It's week eight of Alphabe-Thursday!
H is for Heart...
I believe the truth of who we are resides in our hearts. The heart is the home of our dreams and desires, our love and our passions. It is our heart that can offer us guidance when needed.
The heart chakra is the beautiful middle ground between our upper and lower chakras. It is the centre where we integrate the energies of both our physical being and our spiritual being. It is the site of unity. Our heart is where we can tap into our soul, our divine spark within, and connect to all that is. When we live from our hearts we can feel at one with others and our planet. We are no longer alone.
Opening our heart can bring us an abundance of love and joy. Our heart is our feeling centre. It is where we experience the magnitude of human emotions. The heart has its own rhythm and it is one bursting with positive, sensual, vibration. Allowing our hearts to guide us can bring us everything we desire.
Most of us are slaves to our brain - those endless thoughts that run through our mind, the stress that second guessing brings, the worry and fear that overloads us at times. Our brains have their place in our life, sure, but the most joyful, carefree, happy people in the world have learnt to make their brain work for them and not the other way around.
Have you ever been wrestling with a decision and asked your heart for the answer instead of your brain? Try it! Once I began to ask my heart for direction I felt a weightlessness come over me. Things started to become easier as my intuition awoke. I found my heart was able to answer me through my feelings. When I gave my heart the chance to speak up, my brain was automatically silenced. Only when I had my answer did my brain start talking again - and then it was to give me notes on how to make my heart's dreams come true.
Your heart holds your deepest desires and your divine essence. Trust in your heart's wisdom. It knows the best way forward for you. Just give it the attention it deserves. Love your heart and all of life's joy and wonder will be yours.
H is for Heart...
I believe the truth of who we are resides in our hearts. The heart is the home of our dreams and desires, our love and our passions. It is our heart that can offer us guidance when needed.
The heart chakra is the beautiful middle ground between our upper and lower chakras. It is the centre where we integrate the energies of both our physical being and our spiritual being. It is the site of unity. Our heart is where we can tap into our soul, our divine spark within, and connect to all that is. When we live from our hearts we can feel at one with others and our planet. We are no longer alone.
Opening our heart can bring us an abundance of love and joy. Our heart is our feeling centre. It is where we experience the magnitude of human emotions. The heart has its own rhythm and it is one bursting with positive, sensual, vibration. Allowing our hearts to guide us can bring us everything we desire.
Most of us are slaves to our brain - those endless thoughts that run through our mind, the stress that second guessing brings, the worry and fear that overloads us at times. Our brains have their place in our life, sure, but the most joyful, carefree, happy people in the world have learnt to make their brain work for them and not the other way around.
Have you ever been wrestling with a decision and asked your heart for the answer instead of your brain? Try it! Once I began to ask my heart for direction I felt a weightlessness come over me. Things started to become easier as my intuition awoke. I found my heart was able to answer me through my feelings. When I gave my heart the chance to speak up, my brain was automatically silenced. Only when I had my answer did my brain start talking again - and then it was to give me notes on how to make my heart's dreams come true.
Your heart holds your deepest desires and your divine essence. Trust in your heart's wisdom. It knows the best way forward for you. Just give it the attention it deserves. Love your heart and all of life's joy and wonder will be yours.
Thursday, 3 January 2013
G is for Grace
It's week seven of Alphabe-Thursday!
G is for Grace...
I've always liked Deepak Chopra's definition of grace - "the effortless flow of existence that comes when you are living in harmony with life, when the rhythms of your body-mind are in synch with nature's rhythms."
Have you ever experienced synchronicity - those coincidental moments where something you've been searching for miraculous presents itself, when all your desires are fulfilled, when everything just effortlessly falls into place?
That's grace.
I consider myself to be living in a state of grace when my life is full of harmonious blessings. At these times I am overflowing with carefree optimism - no dream or desire is out of reach. Grace brings profound happiness and joy into my world.
I see grace as living in alignment with my divine, spiritual nature. I believe God is love and this love resides within us all. The divine spark of love present in every human being is the same divine spark that exists in all life. Life itself is the creative power of the universe. Life and love are the two forces that bind us all together.
When we awaken to the flow of life energy and begin to appreciate our own divinity we can not help but live in grace. We become one with all and our movements synchronise with the dance of life happening all around us. This is when effortlessness takes over and we stop fighting so hard. We learn to 'go with the flow' and let things happen naturally.
Surrendering to the power of life's destiny can be hard at times. We long for something to happen in our lives and we push, and push, and push, until we wear ourselves out. But life doesn't have to be this difficult. Acknowledge that timing is everything, and that we can't force life to bend to our whims. Instead we must harmonise with life and trust that our destinies will be fulfilled. As long as we follow our inner, spiritual guidance.
The divine spark within knows what's best for us. All we need do is listen to it, trust in its wisdom, and let the rhythm of grace carry us forward.
G is for Grace...
I've always liked Deepak Chopra's definition of grace - "the effortless flow of existence that comes when you are living in harmony with life, when the rhythms of your body-mind are in synch with nature's rhythms."
Have you ever experienced synchronicity - those coincidental moments where something you've been searching for miraculous presents itself, when all your desires are fulfilled, when everything just effortlessly falls into place?
That's grace.
I consider myself to be living in a state of grace when my life is full of harmonious blessings. At these times I am overflowing with carefree optimism - no dream or desire is out of reach. Grace brings profound happiness and joy into my world.
I see grace as living in alignment with my divine, spiritual nature. I believe God is love and this love resides within us all. The divine spark of love present in every human being is the same divine spark that exists in all life. Life itself is the creative power of the universe. Life and love are the two forces that bind us all together.
When we awaken to the flow of life energy and begin to appreciate our own divinity we can not help but live in grace. We become one with all and our movements synchronise with the dance of life happening all around us. This is when effortlessness takes over and we stop fighting so hard. We learn to 'go with the flow' and let things happen naturally.
Surrendering to the power of life's destiny can be hard at times. We long for something to happen in our lives and we push, and push, and push, until we wear ourselves out. But life doesn't have to be this difficult. Acknowledge that timing is everything, and that we can't force life to bend to our whims. Instead we must harmonise with life and trust that our destinies will be fulfilled. As long as we follow our inner, spiritual guidance.
The divine spark within knows what's best for us. All we need do is listen to it, trust in its wisdom, and let the rhythm of grace carry us forward.
Thursday, 27 December 2012
F is for Freedom
It's week six of Alphabe-Thursday!
F is for Freedom...
We all long for freedom and it's a desire that comes in many forms. Some seek freedom from responsibility, or freedom from injustice, freedom from financial hardship, or freedom from fear. But no matter which form we seek or however our individual journeys come about, one thing is shared by all of us - we're searching for freedom in the wrong place!
My own search for freedom led me to the writer's life, it sent me off to travel the world and, I admit, it has often made me shy away from responsibility. I've spent a lot of time and effort seeking a life that reflects the deep-seated sense of freedom I so wish for. And it's not to say I don't have freedom in my life - I most certainly do and it is something I am very grateful for. But what I've learnt along the way is that no external object, place or lifestyle can ever make us feel free. Because freedom comes from within.
The freedom we find in our external environment, the one we work so hard to cultivate and hold on to is a fleeting kind of freedom. It feels great for a while, but eventually the shine starts to fade and we discover that old longing resurfacing once more. We get restless. We begin to imagine a new circumstance that might grant us this elusive freedom. We set a neverending cycle in motion.
We seek to be free because our inner lives are in turmoil. When we're overcome by fear and tension, self-doubt and negativity, we long to free ourselves from the pain. But when we look for this freedom out in the world, rather than within, we are ignoring the real issues that bubble away inside us. And any act becomes futile.
Real, lasting, freedom is actually a state of mind. It is a choice we must make - to develop an inner peace that will forever accompany us through life, no matter what is thrown at us. In its truest sense being free is all about how we feel inside.
I've found that I am free when I look within for the answers, when I choose to not let outside restrictions define me. I am free when I allow myself to be happy, when I choose to let joy be the driving force in my life.
When we focus on cultivating our inner world, our outer lives reflects this. So choose to feel free and you'll never need to search for it again. Choose freedom and it will appear everywhere you look!
F is for Freedom...
We all long for freedom and it's a desire that comes in many forms. Some seek freedom from responsibility, or freedom from injustice, freedom from financial hardship, or freedom from fear. But no matter which form we seek or however our individual journeys come about, one thing is shared by all of us - we're searching for freedom in the wrong place!
My own search for freedom led me to the writer's life, it sent me off to travel the world and, I admit, it has often made me shy away from responsibility. I've spent a lot of time and effort seeking a life that reflects the deep-seated sense of freedom I so wish for. And it's not to say I don't have freedom in my life - I most certainly do and it is something I am very grateful for. But what I've learnt along the way is that no external object, place or lifestyle can ever make us feel free. Because freedom comes from within.
The freedom we find in our external environment, the one we work so hard to cultivate and hold on to is a fleeting kind of freedom. It feels great for a while, but eventually the shine starts to fade and we discover that old longing resurfacing once more. We get restless. We begin to imagine a new circumstance that might grant us this elusive freedom. We set a neverending cycle in motion.
We seek to be free because our inner lives are in turmoil. When we're overcome by fear and tension, self-doubt and negativity, we long to free ourselves from the pain. But when we look for this freedom out in the world, rather than within, we are ignoring the real issues that bubble away inside us. And any act becomes futile.
Real, lasting, freedom is actually a state of mind. It is a choice we must make - to develop an inner peace that will forever accompany us through life, no matter what is thrown at us. In its truest sense being free is all about how we feel inside.
I've found that I am free when I look within for the answers, when I choose to not let outside restrictions define me. I am free when I allow myself to be happy, when I choose to let joy be the driving force in my life.
When we focus on cultivating our inner world, our outer lives reflects this. So choose to feel free and you'll never need to search for it again. Choose freedom and it will appear everywhere you look!
Friday, 21 December 2012
21.12.12
Welcome to a brand new world!
The Ancient Mayan gave today's date as the moment the world as we know it would change. A shift is occurring on the planet and within us all. We are in the midst of a rebirth.
We're witnessing a transformation of consciousness.
This is all part of our spiritual evolution - humans are awakening to the presence of something more. We're becoming aware of the life energy that links us all together, that feeds our souls, that empowers our planet. We're slowly moving towards a more balanced existence - one that embraces both the physical, material world (the one we can see and touch) and the energetic, spiritual world (the one we feel and know in our hearts to be there).
We're connecting to the truth of who we really are - spiritual beings united in our common purpose to experience human life. We're letting go of separateness and fear to focus more on love and oneness. We're starting to act for the highest good of all.
I believe today is the beginning of this new phase of human evolution and I'm excited to see what the future holds. I wish for each and every one of us a life full of love and joy. May we all be healed of past hurts and move forward into a more peaceful co-existence.
Happy Rebirth Day!
"The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, serenely, divinely aware."
~ Henry Miller ~
The Ancient Mayan gave today's date as the moment the world as we know it would change. A shift is occurring on the planet and within us all. We are in the midst of a rebirth.
We're witnessing a transformation of consciousness.
This is all part of our spiritual evolution - humans are awakening to the presence of something more. We're becoming aware of the life energy that links us all together, that feeds our souls, that empowers our planet. We're slowly moving towards a more balanced existence - one that embraces both the physical, material world (the one we can see and touch) and the energetic, spiritual world (the one we feel and know in our hearts to be there).
We're connecting to the truth of who we really are - spiritual beings united in our common purpose to experience human life. We're letting go of separateness and fear to focus more on love and oneness. We're starting to act for the highest good of all.
I believe today is the beginning of this new phase of human evolution and I'm excited to see what the future holds. I wish for each and every one of us a life full of love and joy. May we all be healed of past hurts and move forward into a more peaceful co-existence.
Happy Rebirth Day!
"The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, serenely, divinely aware."
~ Henry Miller ~
Labels:
awareness,
divinity,
energy,
spiritual awakening,
spirituality
Thursday, 20 December 2012
E is for Empowerment
It's week five of Alphabe-Thursday! :-)
E is for Empowerment...
To me empowerment is all about knowing your own strength. I think this is an important issue for many women in particular. Men are generally considered powerful and strong just because of their gender. Women may be less strong physically, but I know women have deep inner reserves of strength that have almost nothing to do with physical ability.
I consider myself a feminist. I believe women should have the same opportunities as men. I'm grateful for all the women who came before me, who stood up against injustice and fought for equality. I'm thankful that because of their bravery I now have a million choices in life. Choices that were once upon a time not even a possibility for a woman.
But what I'm not so much in favour of is the way feminism has encouraged women to forget their inner goddess. In our attempts to find an equal footing with men, I feel we sometimes try to be too much like a man. The sexes are different for a reason. Women are, in general, more nurturing and intuitive. I think these traits are gifts that women need to embrace. It doesn't mean we chain ourselves to the kitchen or that having babies and being wives is our only ambition in life. We've moved beyond that. We can choose that lifestyle if we so desire, but it does not define us. What I think should define women is our ability to empower.
Men empower themselves through competition and achievement. Women do this too of course, but something that women do much better than men is to empower through love. That's where our nurturing instincts really come into play. Whether we're supporting loved ones through a difficult time, or raising children, or caring for our aging parents, or climbing the corporate ladder, we're doing it all from a place of innate gentleness and love. I'm not saying men can't be gentle or loving because they can and they are, but you know where they learnt those traits? From their mothers! :-)
I believe the power of women comes from our connection to our hearts. When we choose to empower ourselves as the loving, nurturing, intuitive, attentive, passionate, soul sisters that we are, we embrace the strength of the goddess within. And once we're conscious of just how amazing and wonderfully capable we are then we're in a much better position to create a life that fulfils us, that inspires others and that empowers every human being.
E is for Empowerment...
To me empowerment is all about knowing your own strength. I think this is an important issue for many women in particular. Men are generally considered powerful and strong just because of their gender. Women may be less strong physically, but I know women have deep inner reserves of strength that have almost nothing to do with physical ability.
I consider myself a feminist. I believe women should have the same opportunities as men. I'm grateful for all the women who came before me, who stood up against injustice and fought for equality. I'm thankful that because of their bravery I now have a million choices in life. Choices that were once upon a time not even a possibility for a woman.
But what I'm not so much in favour of is the way feminism has encouraged women to forget their inner goddess. In our attempts to find an equal footing with men, I feel we sometimes try to be too much like a man. The sexes are different for a reason. Women are, in general, more nurturing and intuitive. I think these traits are gifts that women need to embrace. It doesn't mean we chain ourselves to the kitchen or that having babies and being wives is our only ambition in life. We've moved beyond that. We can choose that lifestyle if we so desire, but it does not define us. What I think should define women is our ability to empower.
Men empower themselves through competition and achievement. Women do this too of course, but something that women do much better than men is to empower through love. That's where our nurturing instincts really come into play. Whether we're supporting loved ones through a difficult time, or raising children, or caring for our aging parents, or climbing the corporate ladder, we're doing it all from a place of innate gentleness and love. I'm not saying men can't be gentle or loving because they can and they are, but you know where they learnt those traits? From their mothers! :-)
I believe the power of women comes from our connection to our hearts. When we choose to empower ourselves as the loving, nurturing, intuitive, attentive, passionate, soul sisters that we are, we embrace the strength of the goddess within. And once we're conscious of just how amazing and wonderfully capable we are then we're in a much better position to create a life that fulfils us, that inspires others and that empowers every human being.
Thursday, 13 December 2012
D is for Dreams
It's week four of Alphabe-Thursday. :-)
D is for Dreams...
As in follow your dreams. We all have things we dream about doing, seeing, experiencing, achieving. It's one of the driving forces of human nature. Without goals and dreams to fulfil we would never have evolved from hunters and gatherers. It's our desire to accomplish that pushes us all forward in life.
The beauty of a dream is that we all have the power to create them. Whatever we can imagine, we can create. Sure we often encounter resistance while trying to fulfil a dream, but the secret to resistance is that it's there to show us what we really want. That which we fear the most is the one thing our heart truly desires. Obstacles and resistance are part of the creative process - when we're setting something in motion and trying to bring a dream into reality, resistance inevitably occurs. We can give in to resistance and let the obstacles hold us back, or we can choose to view resistance in a more positive light. We can choose to see the obstacle as a sign post directing us forward, proving we are on the correct path.
Dedication and perseverance are key to accomplishing our dreams. But the most valuable asset is a belief in yourself. Believe you are worthy of achieving your dreams. Go after them with all the courage you possess. Because when you live your dream it's a life full of joy.
Dreams really do come true. So dream big!
D is for Dreams...
As in follow your dreams. We all have things we dream about doing, seeing, experiencing, achieving. It's one of the driving forces of human nature. Without goals and dreams to fulfil we would never have evolved from hunters and gatherers. It's our desire to accomplish that pushes us all forward in life.
The beauty of a dream is that we all have the power to create them. Whatever we can imagine, we can create. Sure we often encounter resistance while trying to fulfil a dream, but the secret to resistance is that it's there to show us what we really want. That which we fear the most is the one thing our heart truly desires. Obstacles and resistance are part of the creative process - when we're setting something in motion and trying to bring a dream into reality, resistance inevitably occurs. We can give in to resistance and let the obstacles hold us back, or we can choose to view resistance in a more positive light. We can choose to see the obstacle as a sign post directing us forward, proving we are on the correct path.
Dedication and perseverance are key to accomplishing our dreams. But the most valuable asset is a belief in yourself. Believe you are worthy of achieving your dreams. Go after them with all the courage you possess. Because when you live your dream it's a life full of joy.
Dreams really do come true. So dream big!
Thursday, 6 December 2012
C is for Compassion
It's week three of Alphabe-Thursday.
C is for Compassion...
There is no better act of kindness than trying to understand another person's pain, without judging, so you can help and support them through their suffering. It's a truly beautiful thing.
But sometimes we forget to offer that same level of compassion to ourselves.
I'm guilty of turning against myself during a difficult time. Of being harsh towards myself rather than comforting and caring for myself. I'm sure I'm not alone in this - I bet a lot of people end up berating themselves when things go wrong. Self-compassion is sometimes the last thing we think of. We spend so much time focussing on our faults that we miss an essential fact - no one is perfect.
Striving for perfection is a never-ending source of pain for most people. In our modern, success orientated world we can get so caught up in trying to achieve our goals and trying to stand out from the crowd that we put so much pressure on ourselves to 'get it right'. But making mistakes so we can learn and grow is part of being human. Without experiences (both 'good' and 'bad') to teach us about life we would never grow past babyhood. Mistakes are necessary. That's why we all make them. We weren't put here to be perfect. We're here to experience life, with all its ups and downs.
That's why compassion towards others is so easy. If we let it be. We're all in the same boat - struggling to negotiate this thing called life - so we needn't be critical of others or of ourselves. No one has it all together, even if they appear that way. No one has reached the height of perfection because there is no such thing.
Remember - You are already enough. Just as you are. Warts and all.
That's the lesson in compassion that we need to bring to ourselves during tough times. No matter what is going on in our lives and no matter how hard things are, being kind to ourselves is the only way forward. So let self-compassion into your life.
C is for Compassion...
There is no better act of kindness than trying to understand another person's pain, without judging, so you can help and support them through their suffering. It's a truly beautiful thing.
But sometimes we forget to offer that same level of compassion to ourselves.
I'm guilty of turning against myself during a difficult time. Of being harsh towards myself rather than comforting and caring for myself. I'm sure I'm not alone in this - I bet a lot of people end up berating themselves when things go wrong. Self-compassion is sometimes the last thing we think of. We spend so much time focussing on our faults that we miss an essential fact - no one is perfect.
Striving for perfection is a never-ending source of pain for most people. In our modern, success orientated world we can get so caught up in trying to achieve our goals and trying to stand out from the crowd that we put so much pressure on ourselves to 'get it right'. But making mistakes so we can learn and grow is part of being human. Without experiences (both 'good' and 'bad') to teach us about life we would never grow past babyhood. Mistakes are necessary. That's why we all make them. We weren't put here to be perfect. We're here to experience life, with all its ups and downs.
That's why compassion towards others is so easy. If we let it be. We're all in the same boat - struggling to negotiate this thing called life - so we needn't be critical of others or of ourselves. No one has it all together, even if they appear that way. No one has reached the height of perfection because there is no such thing.
Remember - You are already enough. Just as you are. Warts and all.
That's the lesson in compassion that we need to bring to ourselves during tough times. No matter what is going on in our lives and no matter how hard things are, being kind to ourselves is the only way forward. So let self-compassion into your life.
Thursday, 29 November 2012
B is for Butterfly
This is week two of Alphabe-Thursday, so we're on the letter B.
B is for Butterfly...
I like to be amazed. I like to be reminded just how miraculous life is. Take the butterfly for instance. When you think about it long enough it really does start to blow the mind. How does a caterpillar change into a butterfly?! It's the ultimate transformation, going from one living thing and metamorphosing into a completely different living thing. That's one helluva party trick! ;-)
The caterpillar comes into being knowing that one day it will change. There is no chance for it to say 'no thanks, not today.' The caterpillar is born to transform. Whenever I'm faced with change and I start to let the fear take over, I like to remind myself of the butterfly. These beautiful creatures wouldn't exist if it weren't for change.
Allowing transformation is one of the most miraculous gifts we can give ourselves. Letting go of those things that hold us back and giving in to necessary change can be enlightening. It can be scary, sure, but for every skin we shed, every negative pattern we let go of, every opportunity we seize, we are able to grow as human beings. By overcoming the fear and trusting in life's plan for us, we move closer to who we really are - a beautiful, loving, joyful being who is just as miraculous as the butterfly.
B is for Butterfly...
I like to be amazed. I like to be reminded just how miraculous life is. Take the butterfly for instance. When you think about it long enough it really does start to blow the mind. How does a caterpillar change into a butterfly?! It's the ultimate transformation, going from one living thing and metamorphosing into a completely different living thing. That's one helluva party trick! ;-)
The caterpillar comes into being knowing that one day it will change. There is no chance for it to say 'no thanks, not today.' The caterpillar is born to transform. Whenever I'm faced with change and I start to let the fear take over, I like to remind myself of the butterfly. These beautiful creatures wouldn't exist if it weren't for change.
Allowing transformation is one of the most miraculous gifts we can give ourselves. Letting go of those things that hold us back and giving in to necessary change can be enlightening. It can be scary, sure, but for every skin we shed, every negative pattern we let go of, every opportunity we seize, we are able to grow as human beings. By overcoming the fear and trusting in life's plan for us, we move closer to who we really are - a beautiful, loving, joyful being who is just as miraculous as the butterfly.
Thursday, 22 November 2012
A is for Appreciation
Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday is a weekly writing meme based on, you guessed it, the letters of the alphabet. This week starts a new round with the letter 'A'. I decided to join in!
So... A is for Appreciation.
Being Australian I never focussed much on Thanksgiving, even though I've always appreciated the sentiment. Gathering loved ones together to celebrate and give thanks is a wonderful tradition. And now that I'm married to an American I figure hey I can get in on this thanksgiving action! :-)
Appreciation is the 'expression of gratitude' and I've found that being grateful can have a really powerful affect on us. Writing my list of 100 Gratitudes was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It really helped me focus my attention on all the positives life has to offer, and I found myself viewing the world in a new, exciting way.
Letting gratitude flow into your every day can help you tap into love and joy and beauty and inspiration. At Thanksgiving we share all this magnificence with others - what a great day it is!
I appreciate so many things in my life that it would take too long to list them all. But special mention must go to my family and friends, who are always there for me and who make my life truly blessed.
Happy Thanksgiving!
So... A is for Appreciation.
Being Australian I never focussed much on Thanksgiving, even though I've always appreciated the sentiment. Gathering loved ones together to celebrate and give thanks is a wonderful tradition. And now that I'm married to an American I figure hey I can get in on this thanksgiving action! :-)
Appreciation is the 'expression of gratitude' and I've found that being grateful can have a really powerful affect on us. Writing my list of 100 Gratitudes was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It really helped me focus my attention on all the positives life has to offer, and I found myself viewing the world in a new, exciting way.
Letting gratitude flow into your every day can help you tap into love and joy and beauty and inspiration. At Thanksgiving we share all this magnificence with others - what a great day it is!
I appreciate so many things in my life that it would take too long to list them all. But special mention must go to my family and friends, who are always there for me and who make my life truly blessed.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Evolving with love: Letting go of stale beliefs
Today I was upset to hear the Australian
government has voted against same-sex marriage, and it got me thinking about love,
equality and evolution.
What is the one thing human beings agree on?
What is the one thing human beings agree on?
Love
Our desire for love and our ability to
love is universal. Even the hardened criminal has the capacity to love (it was
probably a lack of love that made
them turn to crime in the first place). We are all capable of loving others and
of loving ourselves.
Where things go wrong is when we limit who we love. We allow ourselves to
love our family members, our partners, our children, and our closest friends.
But some of us stop there. We create a bubble of love that extends only to
those we know personally and we ignore everyone else. This is where we let
ourselves down as human beings. This is where understanding and compassion get
lost in a sea of hatred, discrimination and fear.
Imagine for a second if we loved each and
every person on the planet in the same way we love our own family and friends.
Would we then go to war to kill those we love? Would we make choices that leave
our loved ones homeless or without food? Would we deny our loved ones basic
human rights because of their gender, or their race, or their sexuality?
Of course we wouldn’t. We would want the
best for our loved ones. We would want them to be happy and safe and loved. We
would want them to enjoy all the beauty life has to offer. After all, isn’t
that what we want for ourselves already? Why wouldn’t we choose that for
others?
To me this is what we do when our
governments give marriage rights to heterosexual couples but not to homosexual
couples - we are choosing to limit other people. We are saying to them – ‘your
life and your choices are not as important as mine.’ We are telling them – ‘the
love you feel for your partner is not as valid as the love I feel for
mine.’
Think about marriage for a second. What is marriage? Is it not the union of two
loving people who are choosing to commit to one another and share their lives
together? That’s how I view marriage, so in my mind the union of marriage
should be available to ANY two people who choose
it. That’s what it’s all about – choice. To take away a person’s right to make
their own choices means you have stopped loving them. Simple as that. Love no
longer exists when we limit each other.
But it’s not all bad! :-) The human race is still evolving. It’s the miracle of life; our
ability to free ourselves from shackles of the past, to see the error of our
ways. When things are no longer working, or have become outdated, we can change them. We invent new ways of doing
things that align with our new beliefs and needs. It’s what happened when we
freed the slaves, or gave women the right to vote. And that’s where our views
on marriage are right now – in transition. In the past marriage was a union
based on property then it became a union based on procreation. Now marriage is
a union based on love. And therein
lies the answer. Every human being deserves
love and every human being desires
love. If a couple want to express that love by getting married then that is
their right as loving human beings, regardless of sexuality.
I believe our governments will see the
light of day eventually. Until then let’s remember one thing - love is a gift we can choose to bestow.
So let’s choose to love one another wholeheartedly.
Monday, 13 August 2012
Self-validation
While studying writing at university, one
of my teachers announced that his first novel was to be published soon. I
congratulated him, of course, and then I said “it must be great to be
validated.” I didn’t say it was great for his work to be validated, but for him
to be. Years later I found myself
reminiscing about that day and I realised just how mistaken I’d been –
validation doesn’t come from winning the approval of others. It’s something we
must all find within ourselves.
I’ve always suffered from a lack of
confidence. I imagine it was even there the moment I was born, because it’s
been my constant companion as far back as I can remember. For some unknown
reason I’ve never felt completely comfortable being me. Growing up, (especially
once adolescence hit) I often hid my true self from others, convinced that I
had very little to offer. I actually started to believe that my own worth was
not as important as everyone else’s. I put other people’s needs ahead of my own
and I desperately searched for a way to validate my own existence. It never
once occurred to me that I was already enough.
So you see, when I decided to become a
writer I had already placed a great expectation upon it. I believed that once
an editor agreed to publish my work, I would finally find the approval I so
needed. Once everyone else loved me, I reasoned, I would then be able to love
myself.
When agents and publishers rejected my
novel I took it personally. I wasn’t able to separate myself from my work. It
wasn’t my work they didn’t like, it
was me. Or so I believed. Whatever
amount of joy and self-worth my writing had slowly begun to foster in me
fragmented with each rejection. My confidence took yet another beating. I
pursued other interests and let my writing slide away.
In hindsight, this self-imposed hiatus from
writing would prove to be just what I needed. Without the pressure to prove
myself, I was able to step back and take a long hard look at the person I was
allowing myself to be. I’d had enough of disapproval and criticism. I decided to
focus on my strengths, and I realised that my weaknesses didn’t make me any
less worthy than others. My weaknesses were a part of me, but I would not let
them define me.
As I was doing all this soul-searching a
transformation was occurring in the publishing world as well. Independent
authors were choosing to publish their own books, as the growth of
print-on-demand and ebook technologies were making this a very real
possibility. I re-evaluated why I had chosen to become a writer in the first
place and was reminded of my simple desire to create. I discovered I was no longer desperate for external
validation. Now I wanted to validate myself, by focussing on my goal to be a
published author and using my skills to achieve it.
I realised my achievements weren’t reliant
on someone out there giving me a
break and saying yes to my work. It was up to me to say yes to myself! So I
self-published my novel, and now it sits proudly on my shelf. What joy to hold
my novel in my hands, as a finished product, knowing that it all came down to
me. I have achieved my dream to be a published novelist, all because I gave
myself permission to approve of my own creative work. Freed from the shackles
of my computer hard drive, my novel is out there living its life. And people
are reading it. That’s an added bonus! :-)
As for me, I learnt a valuable lesson. To
validate oneself, rather than waiting for others to do it for you, is very
empowering. It’s allowed me to succeed in the only way that really matters – I’m
now proud to be me.
Friday, 9 July 2010
Writing my way to Freedom
Last week I came across Joanna Paterson’s blog Confident Writing. Joanna started a group writing project asking the question ‘Can writing keep us well?’ I believe the answer is yes!
The magnificent thing about being a writer, for me, is that creativity is wrapped up so closely with spirituality. When I write in connection with my spirit I feel ‘out of this world’ so to speak. I seem to disconnect from my physical body and float along peacefully, effortlessly, with my soul. And when I write from my soul the words flow with grace and purpose. It’s still me writing, but I’m writing from a place of serenity. Any issues that I may be burdened with in my life at the time slip away, for a moment, to allow the energy of creativity to flood through me.
In that way, writing is very similar to meditation. When I meditate the same thing happens – my thoughts slide away and I am left with a gentle energy that brings peace and relaxation to me. Daily meditation has long been suggested for those seeking a quiet mind and a feeling of tranquillity. I believe for a writer, writing can offer that same sense of well-being. Writing can be like breathing – essential and life-giving. Without air we fade away. Without my writing I can lose myself in pessimism or hopelessness. Writing restores me.
Being able to shift my attention away from my worries and anxieties is the true definition of freedom to me. I long for freedom so distinctly that it shapes everything I do in my life. The freedom I seek is everlasting peace and stillness, a break from my chattering mind, and writing brings me pure moments of this. That’s how writing keeps me well.
The magnificent thing about being a writer, for me, is that creativity is wrapped up so closely with spirituality. When I write in connection with my spirit I feel ‘out of this world’ so to speak. I seem to disconnect from my physical body and float along peacefully, effortlessly, with my soul. And when I write from my soul the words flow with grace and purpose. It’s still me writing, but I’m writing from a place of serenity. Any issues that I may be burdened with in my life at the time slip away, for a moment, to allow the energy of creativity to flood through me.
In that way, writing is very similar to meditation. When I meditate the same thing happens – my thoughts slide away and I am left with a gentle energy that brings peace and relaxation to me. Daily meditation has long been suggested for those seeking a quiet mind and a feeling of tranquillity. I believe for a writer, writing can offer that same sense of well-being. Writing can be like breathing – essential and life-giving. Without air we fade away. Without my writing I can lose myself in pessimism or hopelessness. Writing restores me.
Being able to shift my attention away from my worries and anxieties is the true definition of freedom to me. I long for freedom so distinctly that it shapes everything I do in my life. The freedom I seek is everlasting peace and stillness, a break from my chattering mind, and writing brings me pure moments of this. That’s how writing keeps me well.
Labels:
freedom,
meditation,
peace,
soul,
spirituality,
well-being,
writing
Monday, 19 April 2010
Ebb and Flow
The only constant in my life, it would seem, is my total lack of consistent equilibrium. I find myself swaying from peace to fear, and back again, quite regularly. Here I’m not talking only of the emotions that play out in my life, but the deeper state of being that influences how I experience everything around me. When I’m living from a state of peace everything flows smoothly and I am awash with joy. Conversely, when I’m living from a state of fear everything seems harder and my self-confidence is a little shaky.
I know swinging back and forth between extremes is no way to live life, so I’ve spent a lot of time and energy over the years trying to maintain balance. I’ve used various methods – writing, meditation, Reiki, travelling, and just plain old fun – to help me tap into that deep peace that I know resides within me. I’ve felt the peace intensely at times. I can identify it, when it happens, in an instant. But developing a way to hold onto that peacefulness has eluded me. The fear always seems to creep back in eventually and it’s usually around this time that I start to berate myself for still not having found that treasured balance. And once I turn against myself, the fear takes a firmer grip.
This vicious cycle, I’m realising, is the product of my insatiable need for perfection. I suppose I’ve always been a perfectionist, but I found my desire for this ideal (where it relates directly to me) increased once I began my spiritual journey. It was as though once I became aware of my divine essence and connected to that sublime peaceful feeling, anything less was a monumental failure. If I wasn’t living in peace and joy and happiness and all those wonderful things, I felt I was failing at what I perceived to be my divine purpose – living in a constant state of bliss. The fear state became the quintessential negative, a trait I felt had to be squashed and overcome completely if I was ever to find peace. If I felt, for no apparent reason, afraid or angry or sad I figured I had been swept to the negative ‘dark side.’
Fortunately, over the last few days I’ve had some powerful insights aided by a Crystal Healing course I attended (taught by a wonderful friend of mine) and my reading, and completion, of the thirteen temple initiations I’ve been working through in the book 'The Temples of Light' by Danielle Rama Hoffman. These insights are helping me greatly right now.
On the crystal healing course, during a very deep meditation, I was reminded that it is ok for me to be my shadow self just as much as my light self. I am a well-rounded entity and self-acceptance means embracing both the yin and yang of me. They are not necessarily ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ traits, more like two various aspects of me, differences that when embraced as one give me a solid grounding in life. I don’t need to release, or squash, my shadow (fear), rather I need to merge with my shadow and know that its place within me is just as valid as the light. Every part of me has an opposing part that complements and strengthens the whole. One is not ‘bad’ and the other ‘good’, instead they simply are.
Danielle Rama Hoffman’s words added to this. She talks about the expansion and contraction of life, the ebb and flow of energy –
“Energy is most often described in a wave form: a peak and a valley, a crest and a fall, sun and moon, low and high tide; energy expanding and contracting. You probably recognise this flow in your own life; there are times when you feel your life expanding and others when you feel your life contracting.”
On further introspection I realised that I had a pattern, an ebb and flow of energy, occurring in my life. When I’ve connected intensely to my divinity, essentially expanding my energy, its opposing contraction has always inevitably followed. Until now, I’ve viewed this contracting force as failure; as soon as I felt my energies shifting towards fear I considered my spirituality to be abandoning me. But now I realise that the contraction of energy is necessary – just as both high and low tide are necessary in nature. Energy moves in waves and just like life it is never static. That is the beauty of life, after all. Things are always shifting, seasons change and life blooms anew. People learn and experience and grow.
That’s the perfection of life; the all-encompassing ideal I’ve been searching for. I am whole. The light and the dark. The ebb and the flow. If I was static I wouldn’t even be alive. Now there’s a revelation!
To live in peace and bliss is a conscious choice. I now recognise it is possible to find a joyful equilibrium in life, but not until I’ve embraced my shadow and accepted its valid place within me. Whenever I feel my energy contracting I know not to berate myself. Instead I’ll work on acknowledging the wonderful ebb of life.
To ebb is not to fail.
I know swinging back and forth between extremes is no way to live life, so I’ve spent a lot of time and energy over the years trying to maintain balance. I’ve used various methods – writing, meditation, Reiki, travelling, and just plain old fun – to help me tap into that deep peace that I know resides within me. I’ve felt the peace intensely at times. I can identify it, when it happens, in an instant. But developing a way to hold onto that peacefulness has eluded me. The fear always seems to creep back in eventually and it’s usually around this time that I start to berate myself for still not having found that treasured balance. And once I turn against myself, the fear takes a firmer grip.
This vicious cycle, I’m realising, is the product of my insatiable need for perfection. I suppose I’ve always been a perfectionist, but I found my desire for this ideal (where it relates directly to me) increased once I began my spiritual journey. It was as though once I became aware of my divine essence and connected to that sublime peaceful feeling, anything less was a monumental failure. If I wasn’t living in peace and joy and happiness and all those wonderful things, I felt I was failing at what I perceived to be my divine purpose – living in a constant state of bliss. The fear state became the quintessential negative, a trait I felt had to be squashed and overcome completely if I was ever to find peace. If I felt, for no apparent reason, afraid or angry or sad I figured I had been swept to the negative ‘dark side.’
Fortunately, over the last few days I’ve had some powerful insights aided by a Crystal Healing course I attended (taught by a wonderful friend of mine) and my reading, and completion, of the thirteen temple initiations I’ve been working through in the book 'The Temples of Light' by Danielle Rama Hoffman. These insights are helping me greatly right now.
On the crystal healing course, during a very deep meditation, I was reminded that it is ok for me to be my shadow self just as much as my light self. I am a well-rounded entity and self-acceptance means embracing both the yin and yang of me. They are not necessarily ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ traits, more like two various aspects of me, differences that when embraced as one give me a solid grounding in life. I don’t need to release, or squash, my shadow (fear), rather I need to merge with my shadow and know that its place within me is just as valid as the light. Every part of me has an opposing part that complements and strengthens the whole. One is not ‘bad’ and the other ‘good’, instead they simply are.
Danielle Rama Hoffman’s words added to this. She talks about the expansion and contraction of life, the ebb and flow of energy –
“Energy is most often described in a wave form: a peak and a valley, a crest and a fall, sun and moon, low and high tide; energy expanding and contracting. You probably recognise this flow in your own life; there are times when you feel your life expanding and others when you feel your life contracting.”
On further introspection I realised that I had a pattern, an ebb and flow of energy, occurring in my life. When I’ve connected intensely to my divinity, essentially expanding my energy, its opposing contraction has always inevitably followed. Until now, I’ve viewed this contracting force as failure; as soon as I felt my energies shifting towards fear I considered my spirituality to be abandoning me. But now I realise that the contraction of energy is necessary – just as both high and low tide are necessary in nature. Energy moves in waves and just like life it is never static. That is the beauty of life, after all. Things are always shifting, seasons change and life blooms anew. People learn and experience and grow.
That’s the perfection of life; the all-encompassing ideal I’ve been searching for. I am whole. The light and the dark. The ebb and the flow. If I was static I wouldn’t even be alive. Now there’s a revelation!
To live in peace and bliss is a conscious choice. I now recognise it is possible to find a joyful equilibrium in life, but not until I’ve embraced my shadow and accepted its valid place within me. Whenever I feel my energy contracting I know not to berate myself. Instead I’ll work on acknowledging the wonderful ebb of life.
To ebb is not to fail.
Labels:
ebb,
energy,
fear,
flow,
life,
peace,
perfection,
self-acceptance,
shadow self,
spirituality
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Maintaining Integrity in a Critical World
Despite the burgeoning global awareness, criticism and separateness still abound. Spiritual awakening is a process we, as a unified whole, are all going through at this time. However, spiritual growth is simultaneously a very individual pursuit. We each move along our spiritual path at a pace that is fitting to our own needs and circumstances. We can not force people to be where we are, or expect them to agree with our every move. Compassion, love and respect for ourselves and others is necessary as the world moves into a higher, unity, consciousness.
But sometimes you come face to face with a person in your life who does not understand your spirituality. A person who is stuck in separate consciousness. A person whose criticism is hard to swallow.
It’s even more difficult when this person is someone close to you.
Being ‘different’ and standing up for what you believe in, what you know to be true for you, takes courage. This week my courage was tested. Someone close to me passed judgement on my way of life, the choices I have made and my priorities.
I allowed the criticism and negativity of this person to derail me. I allowed myself to be knocked off course. My writing suffered and I stopped meditating. I went from feeling joyful and bursting with love one minute, to questioning everything I’ve come to believe in the next. As you can guess, this person has always been a big influence in my life. I wasn’t able to take their words with a pinch of salt. Instead, they seemed to bore deep into my heart and soul, and bring forth a number of personal issues I had yet to process.
One of these issues was my ability to stand up for myself, to maintain my integrity, to speak my truth. I faltered under the weight of this person’s criticism and it was a big warning sign that my personal power was still on shaky ground. I fell into despair. I wept. And I felt completely lost.
Thankfully, after a few days of self-pity and regret, my determination fought its way back to the surface. I wrote out how I was feeling, the ugly truth of it all, my fears and failings. And through that came the spark of inspiration. I went back to my meditations and connected once again to my divine essence that had been lingering in the background, waiting for me to push through this very physical, ego-driven crisis.
Once again my spiritual practices brought me back to life, back into balance with all that is love and joyful in this world. I knew then that my path is true for me, no matter what anyone else has to say. I realised that this person’s criticism and lack of understanding is more a projection of their own fears, rather than any direct attack on my choices in life.
It was a hard lesson to learn, but I see now that this person’s critical words came at just the right time in my life, as everything seems to do. I needed to be reminded that my strength comes from within, and that to maintain my integrity in this often narrow-minded world calls for my deep inner reserves of bravery.
I am courageous and brave. I am strong and powerful. My spiritual song comes forth straight from my heart and I’m excited to be a part of this world as we raise our awareness and awaken to our divinity. I can speak my truth and live my own existence from the realms of higher, unity, consciousness.
As the Louise Hay affirmation says - “I now go beyond other people’s fears and limitations.”
But sometimes you come face to face with a person in your life who does not understand your spirituality. A person who is stuck in separate consciousness. A person whose criticism is hard to swallow.
It’s even more difficult when this person is someone close to you.
Being ‘different’ and standing up for what you believe in, what you know to be true for you, takes courage. This week my courage was tested. Someone close to me passed judgement on my way of life, the choices I have made and my priorities.
I allowed the criticism and negativity of this person to derail me. I allowed myself to be knocked off course. My writing suffered and I stopped meditating. I went from feeling joyful and bursting with love one minute, to questioning everything I’ve come to believe in the next. As you can guess, this person has always been a big influence in my life. I wasn’t able to take their words with a pinch of salt. Instead, they seemed to bore deep into my heart and soul, and bring forth a number of personal issues I had yet to process.
One of these issues was my ability to stand up for myself, to maintain my integrity, to speak my truth. I faltered under the weight of this person’s criticism and it was a big warning sign that my personal power was still on shaky ground. I fell into despair. I wept. And I felt completely lost.
Thankfully, after a few days of self-pity and regret, my determination fought its way back to the surface. I wrote out how I was feeling, the ugly truth of it all, my fears and failings. And through that came the spark of inspiration. I went back to my meditations and connected once again to my divine essence that had been lingering in the background, waiting for me to push through this very physical, ego-driven crisis.
Once again my spiritual practices brought me back to life, back into balance with all that is love and joyful in this world. I knew then that my path is true for me, no matter what anyone else has to say. I realised that this person’s criticism and lack of understanding is more a projection of their own fears, rather than any direct attack on my choices in life.
It was a hard lesson to learn, but I see now that this person’s critical words came at just the right time in my life, as everything seems to do. I needed to be reminded that my strength comes from within, and that to maintain my integrity in this often narrow-minded world calls for my deep inner reserves of bravery.
I am courageous and brave. I am strong and powerful. My spiritual song comes forth straight from my heart and I’m excited to be a part of this world as we raise our awareness and awaken to our divinity. I can speak my truth and live my own existence from the realms of higher, unity, consciousness.
As the Louise Hay affirmation says - “I now go beyond other people’s fears and limitations.”
Labels:
awareness,
criticism,
fear,
integrity,
limitations,
power,
spiritual awakening,
spirituality,
strength
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
My journey to Reiki and beyond
Reiki came into my life, like all good things, because I listened to my intuition. I’d heard of Reiki but knew next to nothing about it or how it could possibly help me. I was going through a time of change in my life, everything was new, and I had no idea which path to choose or what to do next. And then one day, like a single snowflake falling from the sky, the word ‘Reiki’ came into my mind. I found a local Reiki Master and booked myself in for a session. I didn’t know what to expect, but I trusted that it was the right place for me.
As it turned out, my Reiki Master noticed something in me that day, something that I was not even aware of myself – a desire to study this healing art. So by the end of that first session I’d signed up to do the Reiki First Degree course. The energy had a plan for me, it would seem, and I was grateful to be along for the ride.
I often think that my attunement to the Reiki energy during my First Degree course was really my attunement to life. Not that I wasn’t alive before, but I was living a sort of half-life. A life devoid of real awareness. Reiki became my initiation into the spiritual world. I began to view things differently – with love rather than fear. I began to write - something I’d talked about doing for years. I connected to my creativity. And I began to read - devouring spiritual and New Age books. I felt my mind expanding. I was desperate to know more, to feel more, to live more. I started meditating. I started tuning into my chakras. I bought crystals. My path had become illuminated.
Reiki is energy healing but it is also a spiritual path of self-development. Working with ‘invisible’ energy, feeling and seeing its healing power, had a transformational effect on me. I felt a shift in my consciousness, as though a door had opened. Through that door was the world of unlimited potential, the place where I could connect to my infinite divine essence. A place where love and joy abound. I’ve never looked back.
Since that initial burst of spiritual awareness, I’ve continued to develop regular practices – meditation, chakra balancing, and of course writing – to maintain my connection to the divine. Reiki has become a consistent part of my life; I completed Reiki II in 2008 and later this year will do my Reiki III Master/Teacher course. I continue to move deeper on my own journey within, the journey of my soul. And Reiki is the light that guides me.
As it turned out, my Reiki Master noticed something in me that day, something that I was not even aware of myself – a desire to study this healing art. So by the end of that first session I’d signed up to do the Reiki First Degree course. The energy had a plan for me, it would seem, and I was grateful to be along for the ride.
I often think that my attunement to the Reiki energy during my First Degree course was really my attunement to life. Not that I wasn’t alive before, but I was living a sort of half-life. A life devoid of real awareness. Reiki became my initiation into the spiritual world. I began to view things differently – with love rather than fear. I began to write - something I’d talked about doing for years. I connected to my creativity. And I began to read - devouring spiritual and New Age books. I felt my mind expanding. I was desperate to know more, to feel more, to live more. I started meditating. I started tuning into my chakras. I bought crystals. My path had become illuminated.
Reiki is energy healing but it is also a spiritual path of self-development. Working with ‘invisible’ energy, feeling and seeing its healing power, had a transformational effect on me. I felt a shift in my consciousness, as though a door had opened. Through that door was the world of unlimited potential, the place where I could connect to my infinite divine essence. A place where love and joy abound. I’ve never looked back.
Since that initial burst of spiritual awareness, I’ve continued to develop regular practices – meditation, chakra balancing, and of course writing – to maintain my connection to the divine. Reiki has become a consistent part of my life; I completed Reiki II in 2008 and later this year will do my Reiki III Master/Teacher course. I continue to move deeper on my own journey within, the journey of my soul. And Reiki is the light that guides me.
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Meditation for Survival
We breathe, and eat, and drink, and sleep every single day to ensure our survival. Without food or air or rest our bodies would shut down and our time here on Planet Earth would cease. We know this. We do it all without question because it is an absolute necessity.
But what if our lives depended on another daily necessity? What if to make sure you lived to see tomorrow, you were required to find a quiet spot, calm your mind and focus your attention on your breathing for thirty minutes out of your day?
What if our existence relied on essential meditation? What kind of world would we be living in then?
I'd hasten to guess that we would have never known war or poverty or murder or deceit. We would honour one another, have respect for each other, live our lives from the state of unconditional love. If meditation was a daily practice for all, just as eating and breathing and sleeping are, everybody would be tapped into their own divinity and our world would reflect this magnificence.
The world around us, right now, is magnificent; it always has been. But the majority of us have lost our way. We aren’t aware of how brilliant we shine. We walk around in a daze, focussed on our individual achievements. We are separated from one another in competition. We are so tied to our physical existence that food and air are consumed without a second thought, without awareness, often without gratitude.
Those of us who have experienced the benefits of meditation have committed to a regular practice because it allows us to transcend negativity, anxiety and fear. Meditation gives us peace of mind. Meditation helps us tap into our strength. Meditation brings us closer to ourselves, so we may know our heart’s desire with clarity, so we may commune with our soul and align ourselves with our true divine essence.
In this time of change, as humanity evolves to live in a higher consciousness, spiritual practices like meditation are becoming as necessary as breathing. We are all searching for something more, trying to find our way, looking for answers.
Those answers can be found with meditation. By putting aside some time to quiet our minds and focus solely on our breathing, we learn to look within and trust our intuition. We re-mind ourselves of our true Self.
The something we are searching for, those answers we desire, already reside within us. We just need to remember them.
But what if our lives depended on another daily necessity? What if to make sure you lived to see tomorrow, you were required to find a quiet spot, calm your mind and focus your attention on your breathing for thirty minutes out of your day?
What if our existence relied on essential meditation? What kind of world would we be living in then?
I'd hasten to guess that we would have never known war or poverty or murder or deceit. We would honour one another, have respect for each other, live our lives from the state of unconditional love. If meditation was a daily practice for all, just as eating and breathing and sleeping are, everybody would be tapped into their own divinity and our world would reflect this magnificence.
The world around us, right now, is magnificent; it always has been. But the majority of us have lost our way. We aren’t aware of how brilliant we shine. We walk around in a daze, focussed on our individual achievements. We are separated from one another in competition. We are so tied to our physical existence that food and air are consumed without a second thought, without awareness, often without gratitude.
Those of us who have experienced the benefits of meditation have committed to a regular practice because it allows us to transcend negativity, anxiety and fear. Meditation gives us peace of mind. Meditation helps us tap into our strength. Meditation brings us closer to ourselves, so we may know our heart’s desire with clarity, so we may commune with our soul and align ourselves with our true divine essence.
In this time of change, as humanity evolves to live in a higher consciousness, spiritual practices like meditation are becoming as necessary as breathing. We are all searching for something more, trying to find our way, looking for answers.
Those answers can be found with meditation. By putting aside some time to quiet our minds and focus solely on our breathing, we learn to look within and trust our intuition. We re-mind ourselves of our true Self.
The something we are searching for, those answers we desire, already reside within us. We just need to remember them.
Labels:
breathing,
divinity,
meditation,
spiritual practice,
spirituality,
survival
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Relationships
Valentine’s Day got me thinking about love and relationships. The greatest lesson I have learnt lately is that when I focus on myself my relationship with my partner runs much more smoothly. In Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch, ‘God’ says that if we’d only focus on ourselves in relationships, and stop worrying about the other person, everything would be harmonious.
“Let each person in relationship worry about Self – what Self is being, doing, having; what Self is wanting, asking, giving; what Self is seeking, creating, experiencing, and all relationships would magnificently serve their purpose.”
It's an interesting concept to grasp at first as it appears to go against everything we’ve ever thought about relationships – that in love you put the other person ahead of yourself.
But I have experienced this harmony when I’ve concentrated solely on myself in relationship. It doesn’t mean we ignore our partner’s needs or trample over their dreams to fulfil our own. What it does mean is that instead of taking our attention away from our partner, nurturing ourselves first actually fosters more love, compassion, affection and attention. If we are full of love for ourselves, we are better able to love others.
This is all about what we are subconsciously projecting. When we are worrying about the other person before ourselves, we are unknowingly projecting a certain neediness which even the most adoring of partners will pull away from. When we are, instead, being true to ourselves first, loving and nurturing our needs first, we become more open and even more attractive to our partner. Not attractive in a physical sense, but attractive in our open, loving nature. When we are content in ourselves, happy in our own life, all of our relationships with others run smoothly. It’s about energy exchange – how we feel on the inside will be reflected on the outside. Our lives will be full of the same love that we have for ourselves.
Make your own happiness the focus of your life. After all, if you don’t, who will?
“The purpose of relationship is not to have another who might complete you; but to have another with whom you might share your completeness.”
This all comes down to not relying on others for our own peace of mind. Being in a loving relationship can fulfil a number of valuable needs, but our own sense of well-being - that part of us that sings with the blessings of life - can only be found within. External validation is fleeting. It does not answer our soul’s call for divine experience on earth. And that is all our soul wants in life - to experience the divine in everything.
So if we attend to our own needs, speak our truth, nurture our own dreams then we give our soul the experiences it craves. In turn, we are happier and more content and our external world will move to match this. Seek to be happy first and our world will become more magnificent than we could ever imagine.
To find our happiness, we must connect to our heart – it knows our truth, it is the gateway to our soul. Know what our heart truly desires and live our life accordingly.
Don’t betray your own heart.
That is the key lesson here. That’s what is meant by looking after ourselves first. If our own heart is nurtured by us, we will attract a nurtured heart in another and together the two will create a balanced, harmonious relationship.
“Agree at a conscious level that the purpose of your relationship is to create an opportunity, not an obligation – an opportunity for growth, for full Self expression, for lifting your lives to their highest potential, for healing every false thought or small idea you ever had about you.”
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Quotes from Conversations With God. An Uncommon Dialogue. Book 1
“Let each person in relationship worry about Self – what Self is being, doing, having; what Self is wanting, asking, giving; what Self is seeking, creating, experiencing, and all relationships would magnificently serve their purpose.”
It's an interesting concept to grasp at first as it appears to go against everything we’ve ever thought about relationships – that in love you put the other person ahead of yourself.
But I have experienced this harmony when I’ve concentrated solely on myself in relationship. It doesn’t mean we ignore our partner’s needs or trample over their dreams to fulfil our own. What it does mean is that instead of taking our attention away from our partner, nurturing ourselves first actually fosters more love, compassion, affection and attention. If we are full of love for ourselves, we are better able to love others.
This is all about what we are subconsciously projecting. When we are worrying about the other person before ourselves, we are unknowingly projecting a certain neediness which even the most adoring of partners will pull away from. When we are, instead, being true to ourselves first, loving and nurturing our needs first, we become more open and even more attractive to our partner. Not attractive in a physical sense, but attractive in our open, loving nature. When we are content in ourselves, happy in our own life, all of our relationships with others run smoothly. It’s about energy exchange – how we feel on the inside will be reflected on the outside. Our lives will be full of the same love that we have for ourselves.
Make your own happiness the focus of your life. After all, if you don’t, who will?
“The purpose of relationship is not to have another who might complete you; but to have another with whom you might share your completeness.”
This all comes down to not relying on others for our own peace of mind. Being in a loving relationship can fulfil a number of valuable needs, but our own sense of well-being - that part of us that sings with the blessings of life - can only be found within. External validation is fleeting. It does not answer our soul’s call for divine experience on earth. And that is all our soul wants in life - to experience the divine in everything.
So if we attend to our own needs, speak our truth, nurture our own dreams then we give our soul the experiences it craves. In turn, we are happier and more content and our external world will move to match this. Seek to be happy first and our world will become more magnificent than we could ever imagine.
To find our happiness, we must connect to our heart – it knows our truth, it is the gateway to our soul. Know what our heart truly desires and live our life accordingly.
Don’t betray your own heart.
That is the key lesson here. That’s what is meant by looking after ourselves first. If our own heart is nurtured by us, we will attract a nurtured heart in another and together the two will create a balanced, harmonious relationship.
“Agree at a conscious level that the purpose of your relationship is to create an opportunity, not an obligation – an opportunity for growth, for full Self expression, for lifting your lives to their highest potential, for healing every false thought or small idea you ever had about you.”
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Quotes from Conversations With God. An Uncommon Dialogue. Book 1
Labels:
heart,
love,
relationships,
Self fulfilment,
soul,
spirituality,
Valentine's Day
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