Be True

“Open your eyes to the beauty around you, open your mind to the wonders of life, open your heart to those who love you, and always be true to yourself.”
~Maya Angelou~

Our relationship to the world reflects our true relationship to ourselves; and through that, awareness of our connection to the Oneness of all life. When we allow the present moment to be as it is without expectation or resistance, we begin to experience the world in all its beauty.
If you encounter conflict in any area of your life – relationships, body image, traffic jams, drama, etc. – understand that it is meant to alert you to the fact that you are out of alignment with your true nature.
Peacefulness in the present moment is needed to become aware of the beauty, the majesty and the sacredness of life. When we become engaged in the discovery of the Self, lessons present themselves everywhere we look. The art of stillness connects us to love. As you watch the sun lighten the sky, you are greeted by love. As the birds awaken and sing in the stillness, you are serenaded by love. In the flow of breath, you are connected to love.

Everything Dances

“The moment is everything. Don’t think about tomorrow; don’t think about yesterday: think about exactly what you’re doing right now and live it and dance it and breath it and be it.”

~Wendy Whelan~

The dance of this moment is a beautiful expression of who you are. Seek only to flow with the rhythms of life and you will discover your unique way of being in the world. There is no need to convince anyone of anything. Instead, honor the beauty of your soul through Presence. The Now offers an opportunity to connect with the sacred in a way that is authentic, magical and vibrant.

We are not here to please everyone. Some will connect with you and join your dance. Others will watch from the sidelines, and yet others will likely ridicule no matter what you do. When living in alignment with your inner truth, no outside validation is required. joy will light up your life experience.

Passion for life – not technique, intelligence or savoir faire – is a powerful foundation to build upon. Your passion ignites energy and sets it in motion. Once in motion, we can find our place in the dance and see where it takes us.

Your Smile

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

~Thich Nhat Hanh~

Smiles are infectious and can spread like wildfire. Sometimes we get so caught up in the tenor of our thoughts that we temporarily forget the magic of life… until a brief moment of laughter breaks through like a ray of sunlight on a cloudy day.

In moments of concern or imbalance, remind yourself to find joy in little things. The pure happiness of an animal or child can likely elicit a sympathetic reaction. A well-loved book or comedy can direct your energy to a higher vibration.

In turn, your smile can light up the world. Unshared joy is like an unlit candle. It is said that any light, no matter how small, transforms the darkness. Know that your authentic radiance shines as bright as a thousand suns.

The muscles that we use to smile change the body chemistry, releasing neurons that inform the brain and activate health and happiness. Bless yourself today by smiling often. Share your smile and watch the world smile back. There is nothing more important than your state of consciousness in this moment.

Stillness

“The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.”
~Carlos Santana~

The gift of stillness is immeasurable. When we can engage life with an open heart, we create space where a transformation can occur. There will always be opportunities to practice being present amidst the cacophony of experience; therefore, it’s helpful to periodically do things that nurture your spirit. Conscious, deep breathing is a wonderful place to begin.

Seek to be an authentic example of the love, light and laughter of the universe. Your expression of the divine is unique and necessary for our collective growth and the greatest gift you can share is your peaceful energy.

Utilize gratitude to open a connection to your inner knowledge and ability to listen. Your appreciation sparks joy and allows wisdom to speak quietly in the stillness. As your consciousness expands, your interactions will become more meaningful and healing.

You bring something beautiful to the world.

 

Living Courageously

“The crowd neither wants nor seeks knowledge, and the leaders of the crowd, in their own interests, try to strengthen its fear and dislike of everything new and unknown. The slavery in which mankind lives is based upon this fear.”
~G. I. Gurdjieff~

To be a spiritual seeker is to discover your courage. Leaving the confines of the familiar we venture out into a new world, risking all. The willingness to explore the unknown paves the way to adventure as we learn to experience life with an open heart and open mind.

Throughout this process we encounter a stripping away of the ego. Layer by layer we drop beliefs and blockages that no longer serve us. Challenges allow us to cultivate fortitude as we discover new ways of experiencing all that life has to offer.

It’s important to be vulnerable and authentic. Don’t hold yourself back out of fear. The path of awakening calls upon us to recognize our potential. Faith and action transform that potential into actuality.

When you recognize the sacredness in all things, it brings a different quality into your experience. Operating from a detached sense of unconditional love also brings courageousness to the surface. Detachment allows us to give without demands. It is a purity that expresses itself through us. What would your expression of life be if you were fearless? Be that. Do that. Live that.

This Moment is Sacred

 “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
~Marcus Aurelius~

I enjoy walking just prior to dawn and watching the sunrise. The day is filled with limitless possibility and I feel the freedom which comes from knowing that I can choose to create something amazing.

Nothing is more important than your joy. In higher levels of consciousness, it becomes easier to walk the line of neutrality within the paradox hidden in the events of the physical world. Human experiences contains myriad emotions – we deal with the loss of a loved one or face financial challenges, we succeed in regard to personal ambition or discover joy in the little things – at the core is the knowledge that all works toward our highest good. As people and experiences flow in and out of our lives, we can choose to walk in the light of expanding consciousness.
Each of us is responsible for our own awakening. Leave your friends and family to discover their own truth in their own way and realize that you’ll have the greatest impact by being an authentic and consistent example of an awakened soul. Plant seeds of love whenever possible. Nurture them with ongoing drama-free interactions and observe the changes within yourself. There’s no need to wait. Imagine the world of your dreams and begin living it now.

Live Your Bliss

“Being spiritual has nothing to do with what you believe and everything to do with your state of consciousness.” 
~Eckhart Tolle~

Let your life be your message. There is no need to explain your point of view or get others to agree with your approach. Simply choose to bring the light of consciousness to every situation. Those who are ready to explore new dimensions of awareness will be drawn to you.

When specifically asked about your beliefs, do share. You’ll discover that articulation helps to anchor certain concepts and the role of teacher may lift you to higher levels. The greatest gift you can give those who grace your life is your authenticity.

Nothing is more important than your state of consciousness in this moment – no anger or frustration, no problem, desire or regret. If this were your last moment, how would you spend it? Would you keep old antagonisms alive or want to hug those you love and appreciate one more sunset? Petty differences would become meaningless.

You can choose to put down any baggage that you carry. Once you realize that loving celebration leads to enlightenment, you’ll discover that there is no need to postpone your joy. Live as if each moment were your last because the next is not certain. Find your bliss here and now and choose to embrace it. Living your bliss will transform your life experience.

The Art of Acceptance

“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” 
~Kahlil Gibran~

Cultivating the art of acceptance is a life long process. The greatest gift you can give another is to allow them to discover their inner truth in the way which is most appropriate for them. In doing so, we create the space in which a transformation can occur.

Energy is wasted when one feels the need to defend their beliefs. This egoic reaction distracts us from doing our inner work as we extend our focus outward trying to make others understand (and hopefully adopt) our point of view.

It’s a much more powerful statement to simply live an authentic life. When we walk our talk and speak our truth with integrity, we create an impact much greater than mere words can achieve. Be the light which shines in the darkness. Plant seeds of kindness and nurture them with love.

The Celtic Vows of Friendship

  • I honor your path
  • I bring an unprotected heart to our meeting place
  • I drink from your well
  • I hold no cherished outcome
  • I will not negotiate by withholding
  • I am not subject to disappointment

Living by these guidelines gets easier with practice. They are a wonderful measure of how adept you are at the art of acceptance. Should you notice that you are experiencing a struggle with a particular aspect in a given situation, go with and observe where you may have missed the mark. Greater awareness begins from there.