The Threshold of Change

To enter a new life we must be passionately engaged and self-aware.

To acknowledge a new threshold is always a challenge. It demands courage and also a sense of trust in whatever is emerging.”
~John O’Donohue~

Some changes call to us. A new life beckons and we must go through the process of releasing all that has become so familiar while we walk forward into the unknown. This aspect of transformation contains the paradoxical emotions of fear and excitement within it, and we can diligently explore what we’ve learned, honor the process and listen to our inner wisdom. When you stand at the threshold of a new life, consciously and lovingly bid adieu to the old through ritual, meditation or prayer, and walk forward with faith.

Some changes are thrust upon us: financial hardship, illness, loss, betrayal… these collective and personal moments of dramatic and immediate change call upon us to move into acceptance as we find a new way of being in the world. It’s important to remember that everything serves a purpose. At higher levels of existence, love is always in play. Part of the human condition is to be blind to all the nuances and purpose of these changes; therefore, trust is required. The spiritual process calls upon us to explore the mysteries of life in order to discover the gifts and blessings that abound.

 

Magical Places

Sprinkle a little other-worldliness into your experiences.

Remember, the entrance door to the sanctuary is inside you.”
~Rumi~

You are the gateway between the Divine and the physical. Awareness teaches us how to bridge these two very different and often paradoxical experiences. The world you see is but a mere 1% of what is occurring for you and within you. Angels dance in joy around your head. Love emanates from your heart. Compassion connects us to one another and stillness allows us to discover the inherent possibilities that are available in the present moment.

In this infinite universe we have the opportunity to choose how life is experienced. As you awaken, your attitude and level of consciousness will expand your perception in ways you may not have imagined. To play in this realm of infinite possibility you must first create an attitude of magic and adventure throughout your unique journey of awakening and then see what awaits discovery.

Simplify

All that you need is within you.

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”
~Hans Hofmann~

Something beautiful is ready to be born from the silence within you. Will you replace the intensity and busyness to which our species has become accustomed, or will you take advantage of these moments to explore the depths of your soul?

The ego fears change. It seeks distraction. Some may become avid tv watchers, some may self-medicate, others may find solace in food. But what if you turned everything off for a time? What if you choose to immerse yourself in the world around you and simply observe your response to it? You may discover that you are surrounded by subtle miracles that have long been overlooked.

Simplify. Take a pause and purposely be fully present with whatever you are experiencing. Breathe. Enjoy. Expand. This moment contains all the energy and insight you require. This may be a wonderful opportunity to gently send your light out into the world.

Gratitude

Appreciation infuses the present moment with joy.

Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies… those transcendent moments of awe that forever change how we experience life and the world.”
~John Milton~

Your decision to accept and embrace what is opens a realm of infinite possibility. This moment provides an opportunity to transform the mundane into the miraculous. Whatever you place your focus upon becomes stronger; therefore, make a conscious effort to feed energy into things that spark joy within your life experience.

Gratitude makes any perceived problems seem far more manageable. Patience increases along with your ability to view situations from a higher perspective and challenges will no longer be as disruptive to your inner peace.

Wouldn’t it be empowering to embrace your perfectly imperfect life? The beauty that you see is merely a projection of your own divinity.

The Quest

The journey is one of discovery, risk and experience.

“I’ve often hesitated in beginning a project because I’ve thought, ‘It’ll never turn out to be even remotely like the good idea I have as I start.’ I could just “feel” how good it could be. But I decided that, for the present, I would create the best way I know how and accept the ambiguities.”
~Mr. Rogers~

It’s a delight to discover who you are. Every experience and decision plays its part in your exploration. Honor your path as sacred. The twists and turns, the friendships, the challenges and pleasures have all added to the knowledge of your Self.

Passion and inspiration ignite movement. Follow where they may lead knowing that you are loved and supported each and every step of the way. It’s helpful to periodically take stock of how far you have come and celebrate all you have learned. As you incorporate your unique stills and insights into your expression of life, you can bring greater awareness into all that you do.

Pauses often precede great expansion. Nurture yourself, still the mind and create balance in your experience. This will ensure that you are ready to move forward when the energy begins to flow once again.

Transforming Fear into Empowerment

The only thing over which you have any control is your state of consciousness in this moment.

“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement and acceptance.

We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”
~John Lennon~

Collectively, each of us is facing the unknown. Our experiences, though shared, are unique. Consider what impact the world changes are currently having on your life and go deeper into them. Utilize stillness and awareness to simply reside in what is. Observe your state of consciousness. How much peace are you able to create? How often do “what if?” thoughts take over? This is a powerful opportunity to gain clarity about what your soul requires in this moment.

The light of your consciousness transforms all that it shines upon. Fear becomes empowerment when faced with an open heart and a willingness to release old ways of being that no longer serve your spiritual growth. Take this moment to explore facets of yourself that are often overlooked.

Visualizing Change

As you change, the world around you is transformed.

“We will all discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop trying to conform to our own or other people’s models, learn to be ourselves, and allow our nature channel to open.”
~Shakti Gawain~

All transformation begins within and in order to create change in our lives, we must first be able to visualize the end result. No matter where you are, begin from there and act as if you have already manifested that which you desire. What you may have learned from others as part of your conditioning is not necessarily the truth of who you are. It’s time to find your innocence again.

All too often humans remain unaware of their divinity and potential… until someone comes to act as a mirror, reflecting limitless possibility. This is a gift that we can give one another – reflecting the light of consciousness through our actions and words, sharing love and acceptance and simply living our truth in effective ways. Beyond the ideas of right and wrong, each of us is a blank slate upon which the Divine can express itself. There is no need to remain afraid of change, for truly it is the conditioned thoughts of limitation (and nothing more) that block you from seeing possibility. It’s not so much a matter of change as it is a release of the things which limit your perception.

 

A Blessing for Solitude

There is great wisdom to be found in moments of stillness.

“May you recognize in your life the presence, power and light of your soul. May you realize that you are never alone, that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe. May you have respect for your individuality and difference. May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique, that you have a special destiny here, that behind the facade of your life there is something beautiful and eternal happening. May you learn to see your self with the same delight, pride and expectation with which god sees you in every moment.”
~John O’Donohue~

Change is often filled with infinite potential. Within it we have the opportunity to reflect on how we interact with life and with one another. Embrace the moments of stillness that allow you to discover your unique way of communing with the Divine. And when life begins to move forward once again, may your dance be filled with greater compassion and mindfulness.

You are a blessing and your purpose will make itself known. Go deeper into the Now, and there you will find the peace that has always resided within you. As you tend to your own state of consciousness and bring greater balance into your expression of life, you’ll be a living inspiration to those with whom you interact.

The Wise Heart

Be at ease. Choose to be a lifetime student of love.

“The willingness to simply rest in the physical experience of your life is the key to spiritual transformation.”
~Ezra Bayda~ 

You are perfect in your imperfection, a master in the process of awakening. Know that you are right where you need to be and all will be revealed in the perfect way at the perfect time. Cultivate the art of being at ease in the face of the unknown, for is a powerful aspect of your spiritual growth.

When faced with a challenge that seems overwhelming, mention it during your gratitude walk. One way to honor the process of your awakening is to acknowledge that you are grateful for the challenge (even while it is still in process) and willing to accept the gift or wisdom it will ultimately bring into your life experience.

Your willingness to be open accelerates your growth. Anything can be transformed from frustration into empowerment. Everything you experience plays a significant role in your spiritual transformation.

Peace, Happiness and Love

All that you seek is within you.

“The discovery that peace, happiness and love are ever-present within our own Being, and completely available at every moment of experience, under all conditions, is the most important discovery that anyone could make.”
~Rupert Spira~

Be gentle with yourself and with those who grace your life. No matter what unfolds, choose to experience it as if you had specifically written it into the script of your experience. Empowerment comes through taking ownership for all that we encounter with the knowledge that every circumstance has something to teach. Ultimately we can discover how to engage life’s magic and weave it throughout our interactions with one another.

Peace, happiness and love are within you. Let yourself be inspired. Each time you respond to beauty, remind yourself that is it a reflection of your inner state of consciousness. When fully present and open, life takes on a multi-dimensional quality. We live in a paradox of simultaneous realities and perceptions. You may choose to interpret the world around you in any way that you wish. One suggestion is to do so in a way that is enriching and fulfilling and brings out the best in you.