Be Still

Acceptance is the foundation of an empowered and balanced life.

“Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen – that stillness becomes a radiance.”
~Morgan Freeman~

When you can remember to stop, breathe and be, a transformative energy begins to flow throughout your experience. All of your decisions and subsequent actions will come from a place of balance and carry within them a heightened source of energy that is not diffused by ego-generated thought or reactivity.

Empowerment has nothing to do with exercising power over others or using your intention to make things unfold the way you desire. Rather, it is displayed in the way you consciously choose to respond to whatever unfolds in the present moment.

Frantic energy breeds chaos and limitation, whereas stillness ignites unlimited potential and possibility. Give yourself spaces of silence and know that you are blessed by all things. You stand at the threshold of compassionate awareness and clarity.

Embrace This Moment

Nothing is more important than your state of consciousness in this moment.

“Live quietly in the moment and see the beauty of all before you. The future will take care of itself.”
~Paramahansa Yogananda~

To embrace the Now is to embrace life. Observe all that comes into your experience and watch how it is transformed by your conscious attention. This is the gateway to new realms of perception.

To observe means to be fully present with what is without mental commentary. Just experience the breeze, the child, the challenge or the earth under your feet. When you walk gently, you create an openness that transforms your own spirit.

Honor all that grace your path as sacred. Your life is a constant flow of messages from the Divine that are meant to be felt rather than defined. See yourself as a lifetime student of love.

Authentic joy is often the natural by-product of a quiet presence in the moment. Trust the processes of your awakening. Miracles await discovery.

 

Joyful Expression

Travel a path that has a heart.

“The things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are moments when we touch one another.”
~Jack Kornfield~

Joyfulness is your expression of beauty in the world. It is not the end result of a long and arduous journey; rather, it is the fuel that propels your journey to its inevitable, memorable conclusion.

You have all that you need to create the life of your dreams. Write it down, live it now, expect miracles… and know that the timing will be perfect. Occasionally I’ve encountered those who say, “I’ve done all those things before and nothing happened!” And yes, perhaps nothing happened in the time-frame constructed by the mind; however, by giving up in frustration, they are leaving their story incomplete.

Intuition can give flashes of insight and direction, but it’s important to remember that our perception is very limited by design. Part of awakening is to learn to trust the process. Doing so often leads to the discovery of beautiful surprises that the universe has in store for us when we are truly ready to receive.

One More Step

Peace can happen in one place only – the present moment.

“When you reach the point where you think you can go no farther, taking one more step, one more breath into the heart, is all that’s required.”
~Ezra Bayda~

The path of awakening is the process of remembering our true nature. It calls upon us to release old baggage and beliefs and create a space where transformation can occur. Whenever you observe a repetitive pattern in your experience, see it as an opportunity to break free of habitual ideas and responses.

The more aware you are, the greater your ability to purposely make choices that support your spiritual growth and development. Conscious breathing is a wonderful way to center yourself within the Now. From a place of balance and stillness, new pathways will make themselves known. Gradually you will discover friendships and circumstances that open new doors of understanding and will joyfully celebrate your ever-evolving way of being in the world.

Daily Miracles

Life responds to you.

“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child – our own two eyes. All is a miracle.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh~

Imagine living in a world whose beauty and vitality replenishes your heart, one filled with endless gifts of sweetness, one where everything in your experience reminds you of the Oneness that we share. You do.

When faced with challenges and dark times, there are still new roads to explore, friendships to cultivate and joys waiting to awaken your soul. For those who have eyes to see, stillness and tranquility underlies any turmoil.

The heart is where your spirit comes alive. View your journey through the eyes of love and allow yourself to be captivated and enchanted, thus awakening infinite possibility. Your engagement with life will inspire others to seek higher ground.

Creative Power

Each of us is constantly engaged in the art of creation. What are you focused upon?

“You are not IN the universe, you ARE the universe, an intrinsic part of it. Ultimately you are not a person, but a focal point where the universe is becoming conscious of itself. What an amazing miracle.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

Our words awaken incredible potential. Our actions, conscious or not, send waves of energy throughout the universe where they gather and return to us amplified. The seed of your ability to create transformation in your experience lies within your willingness to receive. It’s important to ensure that your thoughts, words and actions are aligned. Many unknowingly sabotage their own efforts, perhaps taking an appropriate action but then negating it with statements such as “This will never work.” or “Nothing is ever going change.”

Even if you cannot see how the new energy will unfold in your life, know that you must create a space for it and walk forward expecting that it will manifest in the perfect way at the perfect time. We are powerful co-creators in our own experience. Your level of consciousness and ability to be at peace in the present moment play a beautiful role in the expression of your creative power.

Mystic Vision

Give expression to the magic within you.

“A mystic is anyone who has a gnawing suspicion that the apparent discord, brokenness, contradiction, and discontinuities that assault us every day might conceal a hidden unity.”
~Krista Tippett~

You are a unique expression of the Divine in physical form. Why not allow it the freedom to surprise you? Many walk through life blind to the beauty which surrounds them; however, the spiritual seeker has the ability to infuse enchantment into the mundane with their attitude, joyful expectation and innocence.

Much of the path of awakening is remembering how to be amazed, how to dance with delight in the rain, take a leap of faith or seek inspiration. Everything, in its reflection of you, becomes a message of love. Together, we rise when we consciously engage with life.

There are infinite threads of commonality that bind us. Seek out those threads, draw them into your experience and witness their impact on the exquisite tapestry of which we are all a part. We can choose to live in a way that is both connected and expansive. Set aside any perceived limitations and let yourself be enchanted by love.

Surrender and Transformation

Transformation calls upon us to release the old ways of being.

“Honoring the world of form and spirit; surrendering to endless death and rebirth; this is the source of all healing – the shamans power.”
~Theodore Tsaousidis~

Change is an ever-evolving process. Throughout the journey of spiritual awakening we constantly expand our ideas and our responses to life. Older energies and beliefs are discarded or transformed and we are free to explore previously undiscovered aspects of ourselves.

Consider the symbolism of the butterfly. There is nothing in the caterpillar to suggest its future as a creature of flight and freedom; however, the transformation is natural and inevitable. The chrysalis stage represents the inner pilgrimage we must take and the complete surrender that is required. Once the change is complete, butterfly teaches us of the lightness and joy of life.

Growth does not have to be traumatic. Ultimately, it is a blessing to release the old and to allow the death of the ego. Bring playfulness into your experience and embrace the beauty and potential within you. Let butterfly teach you how to celebrate the present moment in a way that is enriching and remember that your transformation can be as beautiful and gentle as you wish.

Our First Responsibility

Recognize the magnificence of your being.

“We are most powerful when we are being whatever we want to find in the world. This is our first responsibility.”
~Adyashanti~

All too often we shake our heads in disbelief, amazed by the lack of consciousness that we witness in the world around us. But, we are all intertwined. In order to make a difference, we must first begin within.

When we release the need for drama or chaos, it ceases seeking us out. Healing our wounds, we are able to experience one another with open hearts. As we move past judgment into compassion, a new picture emerges… and it is beautiful.

As your vibration increases you may find yourself breaking out of a rut, dropping old ways of being and beginning new aspects of your journey. You don’t have to make dramatic changes to have dramatic effect – choosing to smile more, to be gentler with yourself and others is a great place to start.

Don’t try to fix others – not your friends, not your family. Seek only to tend to your own state of consciousness, bringing awareness and kindness to each and every moment. This is how we change the world.

Passionate Living

Living with an open heart creates a space for joy, enthusiasm and passion in your life.

“To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.”
~Osho~

There’s something beautiful about the act of creation. Within its grasp we become pure channels for the love, light and laughter of the universe. Whether you bring artistry into the world for others to enjoy or simply dance with joy in the privacy of your home, your creativity is an act of love.

To passionately engage in the present moment, you must be (temporarily, at least) ego-free. Life then becomes a joyous expression and while you are open, you can actively participate with existence itself. This is an opportunity to expand your awareness.

It can be challenging to live at a high, passionate, intense level for too long; therefore, it’s beautiful to celebrate these moments of connection by allowing yourself to get lost in the flow and enjoy the ride.