The Art of Friendship

“A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one’s heart, chaff and grain together knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.”
~Arabian Proverb~

If you approach life with a loving heart, you will always create something beautiful in the world. Allow your explorations to teach you the art of friendship – giving from a space of joy, loving gently through the awkwardness of healing old wounds, honoring each other’s path as sacred, finding deeper connection within the silences.
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Many threads of energy connect us to one another. Little sparkles of affection traverse time and space on waves of thought, propelled by intention and amplified by loving action. I often find myself smiling with tears of memory on my gratitude walk as I express thanks to those who have passed. It seems I can feel them in the breeze that walks with me. Celebrate those who grace your life.
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These beautiful souls support our awakening. The Gaelic term for this type of connection is Anam Cara, and together we walk the path of awakening. When you can be comfortable with life’s mysteries in your solitude, your relationships will reflect this sense of warmth and adventure.

 

Just Be

“Don’t be so hard on yourself
‘Cause you can’t change the world
You can’t change the world alone
Just be”

~Tommy Shaw~

Acceptance is the pathway to peace. When challenges unfold and the unexpected enters, fear often arises. This is the moment to turn inward and access your true divine nature. You can’t fix the world alone, but you can bring love and grace to whatever is in front of you in this moment.

Should you need to take action or make decisions, go inward first. Check your state of consciousness without resistance or criticism. Find your way into the power the present moment. This brief, mindful interlude of stillness brings empowerment to all that you do. In times of crisis, change, illness, or events beyond your control, realize that you have the ability to face whatever arises with a calm heart and mind.

Whatever unfolds in your experience is exactly what is needed for your spiritual growth. Life is filled with contrast and it is there we discover strength, ingenuity, the ability to forgive, compassion and tenacity of spirit. Your Presence is transformative. Love can be expressed in many, many ways and we can discover them together.

Stillness

“Wisdom comes with the ability to be still. Just look and just listen. No more is needed. Being still, looking, and listening activates the non-conceptual intelligence within you. Let stillness direct your words and actions.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
Silence is more than the absence of noise. It is an inner communion with peace and awareness. In the stillness we become open to receive and it is within that gap of ‘no mind’ that we can touch the infinite.
Our current experience of the world is one of bombardment – a blend of sound, marketing, opinions, expectations and ego-driven thought. Our senses are often overwhelmed. Many spend each day running to accomplish various self-imposed tasks while neglecting the one thing that truly matters – grace.
Create pauses throughout the day to appreciate the beauty around you. Stop and breathe. Find something for which you can be grateful. Imagine joy flooding every aspect of your being. Touch the realm of limitless possibility and you will discover inner sacredness and beauty.
In the midst of cacophony, stillness can be accessed by dropping your resistance to noise. Your acceptance is another gateway into stillness. As you practice being at peace with what is, you’ll discover new depths of perception and serenity. This is where inner wisdom resides.

Live in Service

“You are never a real guru until you understand that you are serving others and delivering them to the light.”

~Robin Sacredfire~

There are many ways to inspire change; however, true transformation always begins within. Whether you see yourself as an artist, teacher, server, leader or peacekeeper, your life is your message. Every act of love has purpose and power within it. Discover the joy of sharing your light in unusual ways – all are magnificent, all are unique.

Expansion of consciousness allows us to experience the extraordinary within the mundane. You are the bridge between spirit and form and must often lead the way through darkness. Use the stepping stones of the past as sparks of inspiration. Your life experiences have been profound and necessary for your evolution.

Awakening frees us from limiting patterns and beliefs. As you view the journey from a higher perspective, it becomes possible to discern a clear purpose. Hold yourself to a higher standard, yet be gentle as you fumble your way towards enlightenment.

Offer a loving hand. Forgive those who have harmed you, whether knowingly or unknowingly, and be willing to accept the grace that rains down upon you from all dimensions.

Discover Your Gifts

When you have reached a place where you are completely at peace with who you are and what you have experienced, a sense of grace will fill your life. Others will recognize and respond to the radiant energy of innocence and joy which emanates throughout your being. This wisdom emerges after various challenges and experiences have broadened your perception while allowing you to fully discover your unique talents and gifts. Then, the world becomes a playground where you can commune with the Divine.

To get to this point, you may need to periodically break through the perceived minutia of your life. Shift existing patterns (even if you’re afraid of making a mistake) and create movement in a new direction. The key is to drop everything that you have accepted from others – perceptions, limitation, obligation or desires – and step into new experiences, ready to receive.

All aspects of your spirit contain amazing beauty and there is no need to fear the process, no matter how intense it may be. Life’s greatest adventure is to lovingly and consciously break through old patterns. You can set an intention to recognize the beauty in the dance while choosing to live with an open heart.

Disruption

“…something very beautiful happens to people when their world has fallen apart: a humility, a nobility, a higher intelligence emerges at just the point where our knees hit the floor.”
~Marianne Williamson~

Acceptance is saying “Yes” to life. It is not dependent upon liking what is unfolding, rather, it is an inner awareness that releases the ingrained habit of struggle and allows you to step into the present moment with power and grace. Life’s disruptions reveal your strengths.
You are much more than this body or this experience. You are a vast, infinite energy that is in the process of discovery. Simultaneously unique and part of the Oneness that connects us, we are here to discover how to live from the heart.
The purpose of the human existence is to experience every facet of life. So, lifetime after lifetime we play in the world of form. We interact with one another as lovers, enemies, teachers, family and friends in order to discover compassion. Our challenges send us on new roads of adventure and discovery. When you are ready to learn, you’ll find that everyone and everything is your teacher. Living in alignment with your unique way of being in the world will help you to access your inner wisdom.

The Paradigm of Wisdom

“…sometimes you can feel that you’ve lost something… but, then at the same time you can discover you’ve actually found or gained something. Life’s untold adventures… the adventure within & without… will often begin here… in this paradigm.”
~AshRawAr~

Planet earth is merely the first stop in a greater journey of discovery. This is where we explore the concept of separation and contrast. Differences spark lessons that allow us to explore the various facets of being human. You are a spiritual being having a human experience… Many people think it’s the other way around and strive to reject or deny themselves joy in the human experience as part of their spiritual awakening.

The present moment is the portal to greater wisdom and understanding. Seek to explore all that it has to offer. The joy that awaits is your spiritual journey. When you accept what is with an open heart, there is a greater possibility that you will be open to new experiences, a paradigm shift or simple grace in the Now.

You are perfect. As you evolve and change you will continue to discover layers of energy that connect us through the commonality of experience. Let love guide the way.

Fulfillment

Look beyond your challenges to the beauty that fills your life experience. The present moment provides an opportunity to live in a way that allows you to contribute rather than being propelled by desire. The awakened heart sees through the eyes of love and gratitude with the realization that fulfillment is a state of mind.
Spiritual abundance and contentment have greater depth than simple prosperity or having a particular financial goal. Things, by their very nature, bring limitation and the worry of “what ifs?” that can destroy one’s well-being. One who is truly abundant is already complete. Outer expressions of prosperity can ebb and flow; however, the heart that is fulfilled is untroubled and lives in a sacred state of grace.

Take the time today to slow down and observe the miracles that surround you. Watch the bee as it pollinates, drink the nectar of life with hummingbird, experience patience with your favorite tree while sensing Oneness with everything you see. Together we weave the tapestry of existence, each of us playing a unique and vital role.

You can bring creativity and Presence to all that you do by approaching each task with an attitude of joy, enthusiasm or acceptance.

Releasing Attachment

“Dying to your own attachments is a beautiful death.
Because this death releases you into real life.
You have to die as a seed to live as a tree.”
~Mooji~

Imagine being genuinely at peace no matter what unfolds in your life experience. Live passionately and joyfully, pursue your goals, love who you love, and allow life to unfold as it will. Seek only to bring the best version of yourself to the present moment.

The awakened spiritual seeker understands the empowerment that comes from transforming challenges into opportunities to awaken. Clinging – whether to an idea, person, pattern or possession – guarantees that eventually you will see yourself as a victim. Everything is impermanent… except for the inner stillness of Presence which resides at the core of your Being.

No matter where you are on the journey of awakening, you can discover life’s magic and wonder. It is everywhere, residing in the realm of pure potential. You can enter this space through the gentle process of allowing life to be as it is. Resist nothing. Acceptance creates a flow of grace and ease throughout your life.

When you choose to live with an open heart and honor your path as sacred, you create space in which transformation can occur.

 

Perfection

“You don’t need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfection.”
~Wilson Kanadi~
In the midst of chaos and confusion, all is well. When things fall apart, there is an opportunity to let go of expectation and desire and simply do our best in the present moment. Teach yourself the joy of being at ease during unexpected circumstances. See the perfection in the imperfection.
 

When people strive for perfection, they seek to exert mental and physical control in a world that is messy and unpredictable. Rather than demanding a specific outcome, practice doing your best and working with the resulting energy. Then, imperfection becomes your teacher. The result? Humor, peace, laughter, joy…. 

You are a powerful co-creator in your life experience. There is nothing more beautiful than someone who is consistently authentic and untroubled. Life is what it is. Are you choosing to enjoy it?