After a restless night with a sick puppy, I chose to move into acceptance regarding the fact that today’s Wow Moment would go out a bit late.

The animals in our lives are remarkable teachers. In this case, whelping alerted me to abdominal pain each time I began to drift off to sleep. Like anyone else, I had to control the voice of the ego, realizing that fear and worry do nothing to aid the situation. Instead, I used my tools: Reiki, Deeksha, affirmations, talking to my guides and angels for assistance until finally, Zen Mistress Minky and I reached our normal state of peace again.

I’m happy to report that the crisis seems to have passed. Those of us on a conscious spiritual journey have the same issues and cares as anyone else; however, we have access to different ways of dealing with whatever life offers. In the moments when you find yourself using your tools to navigate through a challenge, realize how far you’ve come.

And so today, I begin with gratitude… embracing the beauty of the morning.

Today my intention is to love what is.

It’s important to find your unique way of connecting to the Divine. Spiritual teachings and writings are simply pointers that may be utilized to correct your course from time to time, but until you discover your own truth and live from a level of authentic experience, those ideas may actually hinder you from going deeper and finding your own way of being in the world.

Older souls have a tendency to explore many different belief systems and teachings, ultimately blending the aspects with which they resonate in order to create a unique perception. This perception creates the foundation used to experience the grand adventure of awakening. Keep in mind that it’s wonderful to explore new levels of awareness. And always, always… look within. Personal strength comes from inner knowing.

You have your own dreams to fulfill and your own journey to walk. Now is the time to release the expectations of others that you’ve chosen to carry (usually believing that they are your own). Spiritual awakening is a constant movement of energy – releasing the old, allowing room for the new and discovering the clarity which comes from setting down your burdens.

All beings have embarked upon the ultimate journey of happiness and sometimes we may act a temporary guide for those around us. Remember what is was like to be spiritually asleep and bring the compassion you have cultivated to whatever situation you may encounter. The unconsciousness of others is merely a projection of their pain, and when we choose to remain in a state of compassionate detachment, we have the opportunity to teach by example.

Today my intention is to open to new levels of experience.

The time has come to share your gifts. There is nothing special that you need to do – simply live in your truth and be willing for it to happen. Willingness opens us to receive (and become) the energy of the miraculous.

Sharing can come in many forms – work, relationships, expressions of creativity and how you respond to everyday circumstances. Pay attention to whomever is drawn to you now. Listen to the wisdom of your heart when you notice yourself offering loving advice. It is simply the right time to be your authentic self.

In the midst of challenge, be reminded that times of great sorrow are often followed by great breakthroughs. In order for spiritual transformation to happen, we must go within and then act in alignment with our inner truth. You may find that within pain, the sharing of your gifts or insights is needed more than ever. Open to the flow of the Universe and see what happens.

Enjoy all the aspects of your life – the act of expansion, trying different approaches, success and failure, discovering new facets of your unique journey, absorbing new ideas and especially, the sharing of your gifts. In the commonality of our experience lies the seeds of compassion. Expand into love and see what happens.

Today my intention is to seek wholeness through the expression of my truth and the authenticity of my actions.

One of the most powerful ways to create inner balance is to bring yourself present and practice the art of Gratitude. This is often the first thing I teach people when we begin working together. It’s a simple and easy thing to do; however, it also seems to be the easiest thing to forget.

Daily gratitude serves two purposes:  It declares to the Universe that you are willing to take responsibility for your own joy and raises your vibrational frequency to a high level, setting the tone of the day.

To be effective, Gratitude must come from the heart. Even if you are facing extreme challenges (for which you may have yet to feel grateful), Gratitude is a choice and you can find a way to enter that frequency of expression. Throughout the day, take a moment to look around you. It’s likely that you have surrounded your space with items that spark joy within you – fabrics, photos, books, textures and objects that make you smile… stop and remind yourself to be grateful for the things which are going well in your life.

When you get triggered by life’s frustrations, use gratitude to bring yourself back to center. It’s a powerful tool and one that will serve you well.

• Give yourself five minutes every day upon awakening to immediately get up and get outside – this is very important. Leaving your home space (or hotel space when traveling) and all its collected energy to step into the world of possibility is a powerful way to embrace the Universe without falling back into old habits and frequencies.
• Say out loud everything for which you are grateful – the voice has power. Articulation has power.
• If your mind drifts to a particular challenges (either present or past), find something within that situation for which you feel grateful
• Spend a few moments listening for five different bird voices (or dogs or cars or ocean waves, whatever is presented)

Each of us is responsible for our own joy. Your thoughts create your reality. Practice Gratitude and embrace infinite possibilities.

Today my intention is to choose to love where I am on the Path of Transformation. All is well in my world.

Adventures await you on the Path of Transformation. The Universe consistently draws in the people, situations and opportunities that best serve your growth. While it can be frightening to walk into the unknown, realize that trust and innocence are better guides than the skepticism born of past experience.

When trust is pure, no one can corrupt it. Where fear creates walls based on past experience, old patterns and expectations, trust allows life to unfold and illuminates the dark corners of the mind. Continue to clear those things which no longer serve you and realize that the challenges you face merely allow you to refine the attributes that best serve your soul’s growth.

Trust isn’t about planning every step and encounter one will experience prior to taking that first step. The thrill is in the discovery, the exhilaration of the free-fall. Trust your intuition and allow something immense to open. Then the ordinary becomes the extraordinary, walls disappear and you become aligned with the infinite possibilities of the Divine.

When we desire experience without becoming attached to specific people or outcomes, we are heeding the call of the soul towards self-actualization. Spiritual awakening comes from creating a balance of mind, body and spirit. This balance, in turn, provides a firm foundation for awakened exploration.

Today my intention is to trust the flow of life.

As we develop conscious awareness, we learn to recognize every event on the Path of Transformation as an opportunity to evolve. The beauty in that life approach relieves you of the burden of perfection – each situation either prompts movement forward or provides greater clarity about patterns that no longer serve your growth.

Honor the gifts of your soul. You have a purpose and a unique spark of energy that you bring to the world. This healing lights, once discovered, will benefit all with whom you interact. Never doubt the power of the seeds of love and compassion that you sow.

The greatest way that you can share your gifts is to nurture yourself. When your spirit is joyful and balanced, you have more compassion, patience, insight and treasures to share. Explore ways that bring balance to your life and love yourself enough to set aside a little sacred time each day.

There will be moments when you may need to step aside and take a break from the stresses of your life situation. You may feel drawn to attend a spiritual retreat, visit a healer, spend time near the ocean, receive a massage or energy work. These moments of withdrawal can replenish your spirit.

Treat yourself with care and demonstrate compassion for your journey in the same way you would for others. Listen to the timbre of your self-talk and ensure that you are willing to receive wellness and fulfillment. Gratitude aligns us with the Divine and lights our way forward.

Today my intention is to remember that the treasures of consciousness dance their way into form. I am willing to explore the depths of possibility.

You are stronger than you know. In every moment you are creating the events of your experience and discovering the power of your thoughts and beliefs. Become more conscious of the words you use. Limiting things, even spoken in jest, send ripples of energy throughout the Universe. Many people have developed the habit of expecting the worst and are completely unconscious of the limiting statements they make throughout the day… I’ll never get this! He won’t change. This is the way it’s always been.

These sweeping negative statements block the flow of all energy – the first limits the self, the second limits the growth of others and the last limits the natural evolution of our collective consciousness. Everything makes a difference and all change begins within.

Strength and confidence do not come from stubbornness. Rather, they are an expression of a conscious choice to simply live aligned with your own truth. This peaceful balance provides a base that remains strong even through the opposition you may encounter. The wisdom of your heart will lead you to discover your courage.

Today my intention is to imagine the life of my dreams and live it now.

When we give from the heart, we are transformed. Acts of compassion, service, love and kindness are gifts of energy that immediate joy when we are not attached to the outcome. The ego (subtle teacher that it is) won’t often say, “I don’t want to be kind!” knowing that statement isn’t likely to make it through the spiritual seekers filter. Rather, it will find ways to procrastinate until tomorrow… and tomorrow never comes. When your soul prompts you to action, choose immediate acts of love.

We have chosen the human experience ultimately for the purpose of living consciously. Passion arises from decisiveness, commitment and involvement; otherwise one remains a spectator, living on the sidelines. This authentic way of living can easily be demonstrated by the smallest of actions. Compounded daily, the cumulative effect is a joyful existence which comes from bringing an unprotected heart to every interaction.

Remember that the things we see and experience on the physical plane are a small percentage of what is happening on a grader scale. The present moment will provide whatever is needed for your growth and these gifts will make themselves known at the perfect time. Be patient and trust and give from the heart. Grace brings revelation, opportunity and resolution.

Today my intention is to be a living, loving, joyous expression of life.

In those process moments when we stand on the threshold between the known and the unknown, we often consciously recognize that something has been completed in our lives. Whether the change comes through work, relationships, inner growth, the home or an aspect of ego-identity, it is time to let go. Whenever we choose to surrender and release, it creates the space in which something new can be experienced. Something greater awaits and new level are ready to be explored. Sadness ensues only when we cling to those things that no longer serve our growth, thus blocking our advancement forward on the Path of Transformation.

See these changes as part of your liberation. All drama arises when we fight what is. In acceptance, we become one with the Divine and walk forward in faith. Part of the human experience is to fear the unknown – the ego may say, “I’m scared” or “What if I get hurt?” Remember that you have already successfully walked into the unknown many times while experiencing the rites of passage on the journey from infancy to adulthood. In spire of the ego’s story that change is hard or something to fear, you are a master in the process of awakening and already quite skilled in navigating through the new experiences of your life.

You may be called upon now to share your knowledge and your gifts. Now is the opportunity to pass along the wisdom you have gleaned, giving of your love and laughter without attachment to outcomes. In that sharing, true abundance is discovered.

Today my intention is to bless the old and welcome the new with an open heart.

All states of imbalance are chosen for their properties of healing and growth, and ultimately all healing comes from within. Some states of imbalance are chosen specifically for their experience or to complete a karma and are not healable until the appropriate time. Others are healable the moment you grasp the lesson and gone in the twinkling of an eye.

imbalances can be experienced emotionally, intellectually, energetically or physically and are deeply influenced by your thoughts and expectations. Healing is something that will elude you until  you consciously choose to accept it.

Everything on the planet has healing value and it’s important to explore how your energy will respond to your eating habits, various plants, minerals, wind, water, earth, flowers, scents, vortexes or power sports, colors or vibration. The powers of the planet are increased when we add our energy and intention to them.

As we move to heal old wounds, release outmoded patterns and step into the most vibrant and positive aspects of our soul’s expression, we create a space in which healing can occur. When you heal your unique self karma (the repeating pattern you’ve chosen as a primary challenge in this life), you stop creating the imbalance associated with that lesson. Then you experience life differently and find ways to create balance that are more joyful and relaxing because they are approached in a conscious manner.

Today my intention is to allow life to flow to me with ease and grace.