Everything Changes

“Look around you. Everything changes. everything on this earth is in a continuous state of evolving, refining, improving, adapting, enhancing, and changing. You were not put on this earth to remain stagnant.”

~Dr. Steve Maraboli~

Greet each day with an open heart. When we view life as an ever-evolving, active participant in our awakening, we create a playful movement of energy. Instead of resisting change, we seek expansion as we navigate the fields of discovery. Experiences are then transformed into opportunities to grow.

Change prompts us to explore new aspects of ourselves and the resulting seeds of wisdom become stepping stones to new levels of understanding. Be led by intuition, joy, passion, and wonder, and you will find your own rhythms in the ebb and flow of life.

Seek to bring the best version of yourself to the present moment. Deeply immerse yourself within the Now and the future will take care of itself. Presence indicates that we are calm, clear-sighted and conscious with whatever task is at hand. Spiritual maturity is simply the growing ability to trust the processes of life. Conscious action is a wonderful by-product of awakened living.

A Day Filled With Infinite Possibility

“Every moment has infinite potential. Every new moment contains for you possibilities that you can’t possibly imagine. Every day is a blank page that you could fill with the most beautiful drawings.”

~John C. Parkin~

Every day provides opportunities to do things differently. Life is an ever-evolving masterpiece and the slightest changes can set amazing energy in motion. If you can keep things simple, show up with an open heart and take full responsibility for your experience, you’ll discover the joy of being a conscious creator.

Be led by love and enthusiasm. Sometimes inspiration comes from a chance encounter or a suggestion from a friend. Perhaps your inner wisdom speaks in a whisper saying, “What if…?” These seeds of awakening may blossom in ways that you never expected. I have found that it’s helpful to take some type of immediate action – speak it aloud, write it in a journal, reach out for guidance. Do anything to set something new into motion.

When we shift the trajectory of awakening with mindful action, we step into the realm of infinite possibility. You don’t have to plan grand gestures or flip your world upside down (as fun as that can be sometimes). Simply allowing the new to enter creates space in which the Universe can surprise you, and from there, anything can happen.

Finding Your Rhythm

There is an ebb and flow to awakening. Be willing to release all that no longer serves you. Often, when we have identified with a particular way of being for a long time, the ego becomes invested in that idea and is resistant to all else. When in discussion with others, you may hear them say (or hear yourself say…) “that’s the way I’ve always been” as if that’s a good thing.

We are here to evolve, to discover the limitless depths of being and play in the realms of infinite potential. Imagine if the caterpillar, upon discovering her brand new wings, ignored them completely in favor of continuing to crawl  through life simply because that is all she has ever known.

In order to find your rhythm within the flow of life, one must master the art of being receptive and accepting without becoming apathetic or asleep throughout the process of transformation. Take a moment to sit in silence. Notice your breath. Pay attention to the rhythms of your body and the flow of thought which arises. It can take some practice to create peaceful space within your mind, but there it waits – love in the space of stillness.
 

Enlightenment

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
~Rumi~
Enlightenment is ongoing. Layer by layer we release old energy and limiting patterns and step ever closer toward the fullness of who we are. This slow, transformative process is simultaneously both unique and universal. We must each walk our own path.
Trust the processes of your awakening. What you require for your transformation is what is unfolding in this moment. Resist nothing. Instead, turn toward the object of your frustration and embrace it with an open heart and you will be transformed.
As you awaken, you will naturally do things differently. Spiritual maturity arises through consistent practice and one day, you’ll observe that you respond to old triggers in a completely new way.
Your ability to see through the mechanisms of the ego creates opportunities to be less reactive and more mindful in your daily interactions.  This is what is meant by being in the world but not of it. Living at a different level of awareness, we cease to contribute to the dysfunction of our collective experience and can ultimately lead by example. Peace begins within.

Embrace This Moment

“We wish for people to accept us as we are, but in so doing we reject them for who they are.”
~Ezra Bayda~
The awakened heart sees beauty and potential. In a world where many struggle in darkness, we must cultivate the ability to shine the light of consciousness in order to assist with the collective awakening of which we are all a part. Never doubt the difference your light can bring to a situation.
Old souls see the life from a higher perspective, and while your voice may seem to be in the minority, part of your journey is to learn how to maintain your faith in the face of opposition.
Sometimes it may be challenging to bring your grace, optimism and light to the present moment. Begin by being the change you wish to see. Operate from love and allow your conscious actions and measured responses to demonstrate a different way of being. Choose to see the perfection in the imperfection.
Gratitude opens our ability to see clearly. Appreciate the beauty that is around you with the knowledge that your energy will enhance whatever it is focused upon.

Flow

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
~Alan Wilson Watts~

There is a flow to life. Observe what opens for you and trust your ability to navigate unfamiliar waters. As consciousness expands the way forward makes itself known. Rather than fighting against the flow, move with it.

Often the ego wants to push its own agenda. It will create attachment to an outcome and this perpetuates struggle in our experience. Blockages or missed connections can be indicators that you need to look in a different direction. Begin by looking within. Notice where tension arises and then purposely examine where life is asking you to go.

Awareness is the first step of transformation. The key is to learn how to trust that your soul knows exactly what it is doing. All experiences play a vital role in your awakening and ultimately cultivate the skills you need to proceed.

When you choose to take a risk or try something new, pay attention to what piques your interest. Can you immerse yourself within the present moment and experience it differently? Trust the processes of awakening and take one conscious step forward.

 

Conscious Transformation

“If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.”
~Lao Tzu~
The slow, transformative process of change leads us inward. We must learn to turn and face our fears, acknowledge our challenges and honor them as sacred aspects of our awakening. The experiences of life allow us to cultivate new spiritual strengths and insights while providing the opportunity to apply them in the world of form.
Don’t shun the darkness, it makes the light even more beautiful. Love in the face of hatred is profound. The awakened soul sows kindness when others flee in fear. This world was created to teach through adversity and contrast and this is why we are called upon to rise above judgment. Rather than seeing some things as good and others as bad, we now are able to see the Oneness that connects them all.
You are right where you need to be. All that you need to know will make itself known to you in the perfect way at the perfect time. When you live authentically, your light will shine in the darkness.

Recognizing the Sacred

“When we resist change, it’s called suffering. But when we can completely let go and not struggle against it, when we can embrace the groundlessness of our situation and relax into its dynamic quality, that’s called enlightenment.”
~Pema Chödrön~
Imagine having the ability to send love out to all living beings in order to facilitate a space of enlightenment and wisdom. Imagine planting seeds that have the potential to shift our collective experience in such a way that we are all transformed. Imagine waves of energy emanating from you, little sparkles of light traveling through a grid of consciousness which enfolds us all.
During your next meditative moment, consider visualizing how such an action would look and feel to you. Would the energy emanate from your hands or your heart chakra, or perhaps an expansion of your auric field? What colors would represent healing? When you imagine it, it is already in motion.
The root cause of all harm is unconsciousness. We have the opportunity and ability to emit wisdom and light into the world, creating a space in which transformation can occur. Empowerment is purposely choosing to participate in our collective experience in a way that lifts one another up.

Your Role in the World

“It’s no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~

We are all deeply connected. This planet offers a playground of experience and it doesn’t really matter what you choose to believe. Humans tend to adopt ego-driven ideas and then fight to the death to defend them. Contrasting beliefs are a distraction that pull us into conflict with one another. The only thing that ultimately matters is your level of consciousness.

Our role, as souls seeking to awaken, is to do our own work, to rise above the minutia of the mind, free ourselves from limiting beliefs, heal our wounds (both personal and collective) and hold space for those around us so that they can do the same.

Before you speak, ask yourself if what you want to say is loving, beneficial or supportive. Always focus on what you’d like to create rather than what you perceive as wrong. Conscious adjustments in our words and thoughts can initiate transformative energy with laser-like focus.

So, simply pay attention to what you put out into the world. Are you adding to imbalance, anger and dysfunction through reactivity or can you rise above? Your willingness to take ownership of your own state of consciousness allows your light to shine like a beacon in the darkness. You are an inspiration to those who cross your path. Begin Now.

This Step

“What may look like a small act of courage is courage nevertheless. The important thing is to be willing to take a step forward.”
~Daisaku Ikeda~

No matter what you wish to accomplish, it can be achieved by taking action in the present moment. Baby steps spark miracles and send energy in motion that sets the stage for tomorrows experience. Just for today, ensure that all of your actions support your intention. Some things before you may seem small and inconsequential; however, that is where profound change begins.

Don’t worry about the end result. Do your best here and now and the future will take care of itself. Know that you are capable of creating a life that is remarkable. Taking action when things are small helps them seem more manageable and doesn’t allow any imbalance or perceived problem to become overwhelming.
When in doubt, take one conscious step forward. By recognizing the need for movement and setting energy in motion, you will discover that one baby step leads to another, and another. Typically, there is no great fanfare at the beginning of new ideas or dreams, just a desire to move and a quiet wisdom that simply says “yes”.