Joy

You are a joyous expression of the Divine.

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh~
When you chose to be joyful, there is no one in the world who can take that from you. Our experience of life is the physical expression of our level of consciousness. Your light brings a unique energy into the world and as you evolve, you cultivate the ability to create a deeper connection with the joy of being.

True joy runs deeper than desire, experiences, disappointments or struggle. In the midst of challenge, it calls upon us to become the observer, to see life through the lens of compassion and freedom. Joy frees you from fear.

Remember to pause and appreciate where you are. Honor your journey as sacred with the realization that far more is happening on your behalf than you realize. Love rains down upon you from all dimensions… always.
Today my intention is to remember that when I find harmony and balance in my mind, I find it in my life.  

Using relationships as mirrors

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Healing ourselves can change the world.

“If we have the courage to look at the social and political forces in the world as reflections of the forces at work within each of us, we can more effectively take responsibility not only for our own personal healing but for the healing of our planet.”
~Skakti Gawain~
There is a connectedness between our personal transformation and the collective evolution of of humanity. As we work on healing our dysfunction, it is mirrored by the people around us. The spiritual student sees everything as a message and has a greater ability to move from judgment to awareness in the midst of a challenge. The need for this mirror dissipates when we have cleared the imbalance.

Our collective consciousness is likewise reflected in our communities, our nations, our stewardship of the earth and relationships with others on the planet. Observation will show you again and again that whatever one accuses or complains about is something they cannot see within themselves. Therefore, as we heal ourselves, we become a living example of what a balanced life looks like. This thread of energy is a spark that will awaken those who are ready to play an important role in the planets transformation.

Seek to bring balance into your personal experience. Notice the triggers that occur on a personal level as well in current cultural or world events, and take ownership for your own state of consciousness. This is your path of transformation.
Today my intention is to love unconditionally, beginning with myself.

Strength

You are stronger that you realize.

“Few circumstances awaken our aspiration to live more directly from the heart than the grave illness or death of a loved one. In such times of naked pain, we’re no longer so intent on clinging to our protections, so interested in preserving our small comforts and our fleeting goals. At such times, we may become aware of just how strongly we hold our hearts back in fear. At this point, grief becomes a doorway to enter more deeply into our life.”
~Ezra Bayda~
When faced with circumstances that challenge one’s ability to trust the processes of life, the tendency may be to withdraw or move into denial as a form of protection. The five stages of grief are denial, bargaining, anger, depression and acceptance; therefore, a brief state of denial is actually an important aspect of the healing process.

Most people experience all five steps – sometimes in a different order, sometimes vacillating back and forth between them, but ultimately moving into acceptance, peace and personal strength. These moments are the doorway to higher levels of consciousness. When we walk through the fires, we are transformed.

There is great value in conscious inner exploration. We must choose to turn and face our shadows in order for them to become powerful aspects of our personal growth and development. If the challenges you face threaten your equanimity, pause, breathe and remind yourself that your soul is ready to expand in ways that you cannot yet imagine. Then, take one more conscious step forward.
Today my intention is to see beyond appearances to the truth of connection, love and soul agreements between us. 
 

The awakened heart

Living an authentic life is an expression of love and empowerment.

“Looking with a mind that’s awake reveals the shimmering pulse of life. Looking with a mind full of thoughts reveals only your thoughts.”
~Ezra Bayda~
Living an awakened life calls upon us to consistently and purposefully bring the best version of ourselves to our life experience. This daily practice can show us areas where we are stuck as well as how much we have grown over the years.
As we relentlessly observe ourselves, noticing our self-image and ego driven stories, we begin to release the illusions that block us from living authentically. Ultimately, we discover that we are more than our stories or the roles we play in this lifetime. We can step into the freedom of not needing to be defined.
The most powerful aspect of spiritual growth is the ability to Be Here Now. Immerse yourself within the present moment and all that it offers, seeking only to be fully conscious. Your choices, goals and journey will reflect the peace that you are.
Today my intention is to be an authentic example of acceptance, peace and loving-kindness. 

 

 

A new paradigm

One sign of an evolving soul is the ability to accept assistance from others.

“Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.”

~Wayne Dyer~

There comes a time when spiritual tools we once utilized no longer have the impact that they once did. This doesn’t mean that they are ‘wrong’ or that you have somehow lost your mojo. Conversely, you have reached another turning point in your spiritual journey and are ready to experience a new paradigm.

Beliefs and thought processes can get stuck in repetitive patterns. To break through to a higher level of consciousness, we must choose to take full responsibility for our experience. This moves the awakening soul into empowerment.
Seek to see beyond limitation to freedom and fulfillment. You’ll know when your thoughts are beginning to take form when you’re able to see a situation differently, and thus, respond differently. Life will then reflect your new vibration.
Today my intention is to be willing to see clearly.

Releasing expectation

When we release attachment and expectation, we are able to experience life as it is.

“When you release expectations, you are free to enjoy things for what they are instead of what you think they should be.”
~Mindy Hale~

Approach the present moment with a sense of completeness, openness and wonder. Rather than limit your experience with preconceived ideas, explore the Now through the filter of your energy as it is today. As you walk the spiral of transformation, even old, familiar circumstances can shift considerably based upon your new insight and wisdom.

The human condition is one of repetition because the mind tends to adhere to the known rather than seeking to explore the unknown. But what if you purposely sought to bring a new experience to the familiar? There will be new lessons and discoveries that await you.

Think of those who, while using a microscope, first discovered that seemingly solid surfaces are really teeming with life, energy and space. That experience and information had always been there, simply waiting for someone to shift their point of view. The life force of the universe is waiting to be discovered and it exists within everything and everyone. We just need to choose tosee more clearly.
Today my intention is to explore new perceptions.

The pattern of growth

Transformation

Everything we experience on the physical plane goes through the same process of growth – a seven step process called the septant growth pattern.

“The septant sets up long range patterns of growth – i.e. evolution into new forms. In other words the septant integrates the lessons learned in karma and develops the experience into higher more refined ways of being.”
~Jose’ Stevens~

As we walk the path of transformation, we encounter situations that break us free from limiting thoughts and habitual behaviors. When beginning a relationship or business, seeking to make changes in government, moving to a new locale or working on your spiritual growth, there are seven stages we all experience.
  • Growth, Incarnation (entering into something new)
  • Elimination, Disintegration, Decay (purging unnecessary stuff)
  • Stabilizing, Purifying, Refining (improvement, education, experience)
  • Corruption, Disease, Rebellion (illness, unfaithfulness, disaster)
  • Healing, Renewal, Adaptation (recovery, accepting change, rest)
  • Completion (lesson learned, finished product, transformation)
  • Neutrality (ready for something new, integration, remembering)
When we are able to complete all seven steps, we enter a new octave of energy. The lessons of the past are complete and we begin the process again at a higher level of consciousness.
Its helps to keep in mind that step four is a necessary aspect of all growth. We need the intensity of an unexpected shift in our experience to push us into new and unexplored aspects of our strength, and no matter how it appears, you have the ability to handle it.
Today my intention is to shift to higher levels of consciousness knowing that my point of view and experiences will reflect my new insights and wisdom.

 

Self Karma

Each of us comes into this life with a three-fold intention: fulfilling karmic contracts, supporting our soul group and working on personal karma.

“Think of karma as ribbons that draw together experiences and weave a distinct pattern that is the product of many lifetimes. Remember also that those ribbons cause you to be in specific places and to meet certain people, sometimes to your great surprise.”
~Jose’ Stevens~

Personal karma is something specific that we have chosen to work on throughout our lifetime. It could be addiction (to food, substances, abusive people, etc), self-image, issues of worthiness or vanity, poverty or abundance – but always, self-karma involves the extremes of an experience.

So, perhaps in one lifetime you struggled with excessive weight. Now you might have chosen a body type that struggles instead to keep weight on and all that attending issues with that experience.

Another choice might be to experience the opposite of what is considered “normal” in the society into which you have incarnated. This involves cultivating an incredible amount of self love and humor, as well as embodying the strength that comes from being judged as an outsider and accepting yourself anyway.

Ultimately, the key is to see everything as an opportunity to learn and grow, to demonstrate the ability to be authentic and consistent in your daily life, to be kind to yourself and others and honor all life as sacred.
Today my intention is to confidently take risks for the sake of my souls evolution.

Rising above

Awareness is the key to transformation

“If you are gently persistent and are willing to give yourself a few moments each day to reflect on your process of change, you will get the answers. The intelligence within you is the same intelligence that created this entire planet. Trust your inner guidance to reveal to you whatever it is you need to know.”
~Louise Hay~

Transformation happens in the Now. This moment is all that matters. Face it with positive intention and allow the energy to unfold as it will. As you become more aware, you’ll recognize your unconsciousness more quickly and cultivate the ability to rise above the mechanisms of the mind.
When working through loss, anger, fear or resentment… notice, notice, notice. See what arises for you. What patterns repeat? What is your inner dialogue? How do you feel? Once you have drawn your awareness to the source of your discomfort, make a conscious choice to take responsibility for it. Choosing pain is an aspect of the human condition; however, so is choosing to heal.
You do not need to know all the answers before you move forward. Just take one conscious step at a time. Begin with gratitude. The willingness to express gratitude pulls your energy higher and opens your ability to see more clearly. From there, simply express the best version of yourself, and take one more step.
Today my intention is to walk the path of transformation with an open heart.

Living beyond limitation

The soul seeks to expand, awaken and overcome adversity.

“We are here not only to experience limitation, but also to grow in consciousness by going beyond limitation.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

When you embrace the present moment and bring your full attention to whatever you are doing, your actions will be filled with deeper intention and empowerment. No matter what you are prompted to do, find a way to bring the light of consciousness to the forefront of your experience.
Perceived limitations can be overcome physically (such as releasing poverty consciousness and becoming more receptive to abundance or overcoming an illness), mentally (learning to accept limitations thus transforming them into strength), or spiritually (bringing love to a situation filled with hate).
Learn how to see perfection in the imperfection and recognize that you are right where you need to be. Whatever has arrived in your experience has a specific purpose in your soul’s growth. When you change how you think about a situation, the situation is transformed.
Today my intention is to be a source of kindness and joy.