Tag Archives: #appreciation

Loving Awareness

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“Wherever you are and whatever you do, be in love.”
~Rumi~

Learn to look beyond the physical roles that people play in this life. Awakening calls upon us to see and respond to one another with open hearts and this cannot be done from a space of judgment. Only conscious practice can help you to cultivate the skill of loving awareness.

As always, the place to begin is within. Create a moment of stillness. Close your eyes, just be present and breathe. Feel the energy of the divine flowing through you and from you and notice how it extends outward. Your human form is a temporary expression of spirit. Now open your eyes. Whatever you see is another temporary form of spirit – a tree, a chair, the sky, a grasshopper… stop everything and honor that form as sacred. Sense its energy and recognize the reflection of yourself within it.

Try this as you walk through the world. When interacting, stop and look beyond the physical expression of the person in front of you. Sense their spirit and purposely interact with them from this level of awareness. You may be surprised at the openness with which they respond. Teach Oneness through your compassion and kindness. Honor this place, this moment, this experience as sacred.

Appreciation

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“Let’s trade in all our judging for appreciating. Let’s lay down our righteousness and just be together.”
~Ram Dass~

What if you chose to find one thing to appreciate about each situation or person who has ever been a challenge in your life? What if you chose only to speak about that positive thing when prompted into discussion. How do you think that would impact your overall life experience?

Life is a blend of dark and light. Contrasts provide insight and wisdom we could never discover in a one-dimensional world. Everything is multi-faceted; therefore, there is always an opportunity to find the good, assimilate the lesson, or cultivate new strength – no matter the circumstance. You are a culmination of all that you have experienced.

Layer by layer we transcend the levels of consciousness, incorporating energy and lessons, broadening our vision, and setting ourselves free. For most, this is a subtle transformative process rather than an abrupt shift to a new level. Don’t worry about how fast you can awaken, for the joy is in the journey. Embrace the day and discover the secrets it has to offer. Most importantly, love yourself and appreciate those who walk by your side.

Peace and Presence

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In this moment, you have all that you need. Nothing is lacking; however, it’s easy to get distracted by the ego and miss the miraculous flavor and texture of the awakened life. When you place your focus inward without thought, a gentleness pervades your experience. Settle into this immense energy and simply be.

This is the I Am. This infinite space of pure potential underlies all that we do. When you can access this field of energy in the Now, it flows into your life experience. Moments of grace are available at any time. Bring an awareness to the sacredness of who you are, honor how far you have come, and know that you can face whatever lies ahead.

Gratitude and appreciation take you more deeply into the present moment. Let contentment and stillness free you from the distractions of the mind. The journey inward is limitless. Close your eyes and listen. Be. Accept the love and energy that rains down upon you from all dimensions. The seeds of your awakening are nurtured by purposeful quiet interludes. In the space of infinite possibility we can discover our unique way of being in the world.

 

Stillness and Gratitude

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“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”
~John Lubbock~

What happens when we immerse ourselves completely in the present moment? Everything. The world opens, healing begins and we can access the transformative joy of being. You can choose to create stillness throughout the day and intersperse Presence within the chaos. Little consciousness choices can nurture the soul in amazing ways.

Bless the frustrations that have helped you to discover the power of patience. Honor the challenges that have played their part in the formation of your character. Celebrate the friendships that bring laughter and support and love into your experience. These are the gifts that have lasting impact.

It’s enough to stop completely, close your eyes, breathe deeply three times and listen to world around you. With no words, appreciate the Now. Be present and turn your awareness inward. There you will experience the true nature of a soul in the process of awakening. Peacefulness, clarity, patience and beauty rise above the muck to welcome the sun.

Appreciation

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“It’s as though, knowing that everything is possible, suddenly nothing is necessary.”
~Diana Gabaldon~
There are moments when life goes quiet. In the gap between what is and what could be lies a world of infinite possibility. There is nothing quite so beautiful as immersing oneself within the embrace of stillness.
We humans can cause ourselves so much pain. Excessive thought fills these spaces of pure potential with clutter that is then carried into day to day life. Everything becomes too much and the overload causes reactivity, which leads to additional conflict and drama.
Each journey is unique; therefore, there isn’t one “right time” to enter stillness. Those seeking to expand their consciousness must experiment with different ways of engaging the mystery. One thing to remember: it exists for everyone. We can access stillness in the midst of chaos and be at peace, even within the cacophony of experience.
When you discover your own way of going deeper into the present moment, make it a priority in your life. Find ways to work it into your daily routine until it becomes your natural way of being the world. There will come a time when this magnificence, this expanded vision is simply who you are.

Abundance

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Abundance is having more than you need. The energy around money offers an array of opportunities to examine our core beliefs. Since everything is energy, your perception creates your experience. There are those who always need to chase the next deal or reach the next level of wealth. If this an aspect of your journey in this lifetime, observe the joy you experience around doing so. Weave it into your spiritual work and watch the energy flourish.

If your primary focus is elsewhere such as artistry, family, healing, etc., recognize that abundance comes in many forms. Part of the physical experience is honoring the flow that is created when following a passion or trusting that one can attract what is needed for a fulfilling, expansive life.

Gratitude and appreciation are powerful magnets. Even the act of drinking water, done mindfully, can be experienced as a recognition of abundance.

This world offers contrast as a means of learning, so we also may explore the nuances of abundance by experiencing lack. The struggle can show where energy is blocked, and through addressing limiting beliefs we can tap into our infinite potential.

Sharing is powerful. When we give of our time, wisdom and energy we create space to receive the many gifts that life has to offer.

Appreciation

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Your first thoughts and actions upon awakening dictate how the energy of the day will be experienced. When you consciously choose appreciation and gratitude, you open to receive the love that flows upon you from all dimensions.
Longing is another form of suffering. Rooted in some undetermined future, it robs us of the ability to experience the vibrancy and potential of the present moment. The enlightened spirit takes full responsibility for their own state of consciousness. Seek to adjust your inner dialogue whenever necessary and observe how you choose to respond to the present moment. This simple movement of awareness is transformative.
Human intimacy, and all the emotional aspects it contains, provides the richness of spiritual life. Many seek to rise above the mundane as an aspect of their spiritual journey; however, the repudiation of worldly interaction can sometimes become the ego’s way of grabbing hold through denial or judgment. Anyone can be zen while meditating on a mountaintop. The spiritual master brings that sense of peace into each and every relationship.

Be willing to be vulnerable as you participate in the experiences of your life. Conscious choices are always available when you remember that every situation is an active, integral part of your awakening. The present moment brings what the present moment brings. Live it. Release the word “should” from your vocabulary, it indicates expectation rather than acceptance.

Appreciate the Little Things

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“Find magic in the little things, and the big things you always expected will start to show up.” ~Isa Zapata~

Life offers us many choices. The lighter you become, the higher your vibration and the more easily you’ll align yourself with the Divine. We can choose to bring a sense of love, light and laughter to our experience.

Granted, there will certainly be moments that awaken compassion and empathy, frustration that (hopefully) leads to a shift in perception, and the sadness which comes from losing a loved one… that’s part of the human experience. But through it all, our ability to realign with joy is a powerful way to shine the light of consciousness in times of darkness.
Misery, struggle, hard work without appreciation and drudgery are all aspects of perceptions we inherited along the journey of awakening. They have no value except as teachers. Feel what needs to be felt, own your response to the present moment, but do remember to look beyond it to the truth of existence, which is to live vibrantly, filled with gratitude, empowered, passionate and joyful.

The Wonder of Nature

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“A monk asks: Is there anything more miraculous than the wonders of nature?

The master answers: Yes, your awareness of the wonders of nature.”

~Angelus Silesius~

Sometimes the smallest things can capture our attention and add bits of magic to our life experience. On my daily gratitude walk, I enjoy seeking out things that are smile-inducing. Time stops as I watch the clouds form ever-evolving pictures that gently move with the breeze. My imagination is inspired while listening to duck dramas play out on the lake.

As we walk through summer towards autumn we can choose to appreciate the way the sun lights up the morning sky. The artistry of life is fleeting and all too often, we sleepwalk right through it. Awareness is a powerful way to immerse oneself deeply into Presence. Just a moment of consciousness, a deep anchoring breath, or a feeling of universal love opens the doorway into the timeless Now.

This is your point of power: this feeling, so immense, yet so meaningless… from here, anything is possible. We are the bridge between the sacred and the mundane. Allow your light to sparkle with wonder and openness as you reside in the fullness of this moment.

Contentment

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“I don’t mind what happens. That is the essence of inner freedom.
It is a timeless spiritual truth: release attachment to outcomes,
deep inside yourself, you’ll feel good no matter what.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~
When you choose to approach the Now with a sense of peacefulness and an inner knowledge that nothing is lacking, you will experience the freedom to be found in the pleasures of existence. Honor this moment as sacred, set expansive energy in motion and life will hold you in its embrace.
Gratitude and appreciation take you more deeply into the present moment. Let contentment and stillness free you from the distractions of the mind. The journey inward is limitless. Close your eyes and listen. Be. Accept the love and energy that rains down upon you from all dimensions. The seeds of your awakening are nurtured by purposeful quiet interludes. In the space of infinite possibility we discover our unique way of being in the world.
Enlightenment can come in many forms. Use whatever life offers as your doorway to greater insight and awareness. Health, relationships, work, the messages of nature – all offer pointers that play a significant role in your awakening. Presence is the gift of contentment.