Challenge yourself today to pay attention to how much energy you spend (or notice others spending) complaining about the state of the world. The ego is subtle. It finds a foothold during a conversation by expressing the commonality we share in our human experience. Then, masquerading as concern or agreement, we may find ourselves feeding the energy of the ego’s story rather than redirecting our energy toward love or solutions.

During your observations, also notice how much time you spend in prayer, meditation, quiet contemplation or engaged in joyful, enthusiastic activity. For many people, the primary flow of energy is focused on worries or perceived problems and perhaps 10% on joy, enthusiasm or acceptance.

As conscious spiritual students, we are called upon to bring our awareness to the timbre of our thoughts often throughout the day. Seek to transform the flow of your energy by being mindful in the present moment, allowing less and less of your energy and intention to be affected by ego until you find yourself living in a constant state of grace.

Today my intention is to remember that today is the future I created yesterday. With that in mind, I create the life of my dreams Now.

Each of us plays a vital part in our collective expanding consciousness. You are a spark of the Divine exploring the joy of awakening through human experience.

All judgments that we have are projections of our own perceived imperfection onto another. When you realize that the world is your mirror, it becomes possible to utilize those moments of ego-driven reactivity and transform them into growth opportunities.

Let your thoughts, words and actions emerge from a consistent level of compassion and kindness. Each and every time you bring a higher state of consciousness to your life situation, you create a space in which a transformation can occur.

Today my intention is to allow love to operate in all my relationships, from the most casual to the most intimate.

Our level of consciousness determines how we function in the world. Each level creates a filter through which everything is perceived. For someone vibrating at the level of Fear, for instance, everything is scary. Fear is projected onto every situation and it’s resulting energy typically creates procrastination, stress related health issues and blocks the ability to recognize any possibility for change.

Conversely, higher vibrations are more expansive. Those who reside at the level of Acceptance flow through life with greater ease. They have the ability to live with an open heart, change course when required and are willing to step into the unknown.

The lower vibrations (0-199) are trapped in dysfunction. People who have yet to awaken tend to create drama in their experience. They drain energy from those around them, unknowingly acting as psychic vampires. Dysfunction is not evil. It is simply unconscious behavior. Enlightened or not, every person you meet is a beautiful aspect of the Divine who is in the same process of awakening.

Once someone reaches the level of Courage and beyond, their soul begins to expand seeking greater wisdom and understanding. When triggered, behavior may momentarily drop into the lower vibrations; however, they have the ability to shift perception and bring themselves back into the higher states of consciousness.

Live with compassion. Always seek to reach toward the next level and help those around you to be the best that they can be. You will grow throughout the process.
Today my intention is to open my consciousness to the expansion of life. There is plenty of space for me to grow and change.

Each challenge we face provides an opportunity to explore uncharted facets of ourselves. This process of awakening and discovery liberates the gifts of inner wisdom and knowledge. You can measure your soul’s growth by observing how much peace you experience throughout your daily journey.

The awakened spirit:
~ is fully present
~ continually seeks inner growth
~ carries an aura of joy with them in all situations
~ draws others to them
~ lives without drama
~ has compassion for others
~ can see through the mechanisms of the ego
~ seeks inner mastery rather than mastery over others

All suffering is forged by the illusions of irrational fear. Fear separates. It is created by the stories of the mind and limits our experience. Fear blocks our ability to love. If you feel yourself shutting down in a particular situation, observe what script your mind is playing. Therein lies information regarding the healing you are ready to explore. Every path is different. Begin by seeing yourself clearly through the eyes of love and take one conscious step forward from there.
Today my intention is to move beyond limited human-mind thinking and align myself with the Infinite Divine Mind, where all things are possible.

You are an infinite spirit having a temporary human experience. There will always be moments of perfection and others when you miss the mark. The important thing to remember is that you are perfect, even in the midst of your perceived imperfection.

You have always done the best you can. As you learned, your perceptions changed and you found yourself handling things in different, and often better, ways. Experience is an amazing teacher. The soul will explore various nuances of a situation by drawing it in repeatedly until it is no longer needed. Be kind to yourself as you grow and change.

Each and every person is taking part in this process of personal and spiritual evolution. When faced with someone who is challenging or toxic, remind yourself that they, too, are a work in progress and are doing the best they can based upon their level of consciousness, soul age, childhood imprinting and path of destiny.

Unconditional love comes from accepting people as they are without judgment. This is sometimes a difficult lesson for old souls who view life in a far different manner than most people. Keeping this in mind in your interactions will allow you to be at peace in the midst of transformation.
Today my intention is to seek the beauty within all the situations and people in my life.

Sometimes change comes bursting unannounced into our lives like a chaotic free-for-all that hones our strengths and abilities. Other movements of awakening are more subtle, appearing as shifts of energy, insights that bring freedom from within or gifts of grace from the Divine. Both are a natural response to our willingness to awaken.

“You are the truth
from foot to brow. Now,
what else would you like to know?”
~ Rumi

See yourself today as a spiritual master in the process of awakening. Bring your awareness to your responses to life, choosing to pause before reacting or stating an opinion. Observe whether you are bringing the best version of yourself to this moment.
That’s it.
Today my intention is to be willing to release the patterns and beliefs that no longer serve my growth.

“The path to love requires open-hearted attention to the very things that seem to block our way to it.”
~ Ezra Bayda

Those who can bring gratitude into their daily experience accelerate their awakening. True mastery is cultivated by choosing gratitude in the face of tremendous adversity or pain.

The slow transformative path to freedom calls upon us to see beyond appearances. Each soul plays a part in our collective awakening. Continually bringing the light of awareness to challenging situations allows us to view them from a higher perspective.

Love yourself enough to create this conscious, beautiful state of peaceful Presence. Start from where you are with what you have. It will be enough.

Many years ago our little family attended puppy kindergarten. One of the most valuable sessions was teaching our dog how to “leave it”. With two cookies, one in each hand, we allowed him to see both. Initially, he would sniff at the cookie in one hand, mad with desire, but unable to get at it. As soon as he truly left it and moved away from it, he received both cookies. This was a lesson he embraced fully. The rewards were greater and in no time, “leave it” became the easiest thing in the world.

The energy of the Universe works in the same manner. When we have a strong desire for something, whether it’s a relationship, home, car or changing a habitual pattern, our desire actually pushes it away from us. This energetic response is similar to two magnets whose polarity pushes them apart. When we move into complete acceptance, everything changes. The polarity of the energy shifts and now the object of your former desire is drawn to you.

Most people have experienced this; however, typically the acceptance only came after the ego said, “I’m done” and they no longer had any desire. At this point, the tendency is to reject the gift because you’ve already moved on. Look over old romances and perhaps you’ll discover a similar pattern in your own life.

Acceptance is an incredibly empowering tool once we learn how to live in a state of allowing rather than desire and expectation. When you heart yearns for something, state your desire and intention, take what action you can and then “leave the cookie”. Put your energy in a completely new direction (inward is good). Two cookies are waiting for you…. you may receive more than you even dreamed of.

We have the opportunity for expansive growth in this moment. By choosing not to be offended by anyone or anything, by releasing hurt and resentment, by rising above the mechanisms of the mind, we create a space in which a transformation can occur.

Set yourself free from all fear and limitation. Recognize that your interpretation of the world is a reflection of your own level of consciousness and be willing to learn from any challenges that arise. Everything serves a specific purpose on your journey of discovery.

I am forever grateful and humbled when circumstances show me ways in which I limit myself. As a lifetime student of love, I am willing to explore its nuances no matter how they are presented. The willingness to release judgment and move into acceptance is a lifelong process.

The more consciousness you bring to a situation, the more you’ll be able to recognize the inherent possibilities it contains. The awakening spirit is simply willing to explore the unknown rather than continuing to repeat old patterns.
Today my intention is to release all control to the Divine. I am at peace with myself and with life.

When you bring your awareness fully into the Now, you’ll discover that it is filled with wonder. Seek to embrace the present moment just as it is and you’ll discover that all you require is already here.

The ego loves to have problems to solve. It consistently keeps the past alive or worries about the future, both of which destroy the grace available Now.

In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu says:

After a bitter quarrel, some resentment remains.
What can one do about it?
Being content with what you have
is always best in the end.

Someone must risk returning injury with kindness,
or hostility will never turn to goodwill.
So the wise always give without expecting gratitude.

One with true virtue
always seeks a way to give.
One who lacks true virtue
always seeks a way to get.
To the giver comes the fullness of life;
to the taker, just an empty hand.

Hidden within every moment is a seed of tranquility and peace. No matter what unfolds in your life, choose to end on love. Send kindness to those with whom you disagree and leave the ego behind.

“Bring love to hate, light to darkness, and pardon to injury.” ~ St. Francis
 

Today my intention is to remember that freedom and change are in the air. I am willing to release the patterns which no longer serve my growth.