Living in the Light

“I understand, better than ever now, that “living in the light” involves traveling into the darker places within ourselves and shining the light of our consciousness into them so that we can truly love and express all that we are.”
~Shakti Gawain~
Each of us has a very simple role in the awakening of collective consciousness. We must shine the light of awareness and be loving witnesses to our own transformation. It’s imperative to observe of our own process of healing rather than getting lost in projection, defensiveness or reactivity.
Once we allow the mechanisms of the ego to take hold, it can be challenging to feel peaceful. Utilize the beauty that shines upon you to bring yourself back into balance. Appreciation and Presence quiets the mental chatter and in the gap we discover other possibilities or interpretations.
Consciously choose to bring the best version of yourself to this moment. That may entail being an attentive listener, avoid spreading gossip or bad news or jumping into the fray to voice an opinion. Notice that all of these actions are actually non-actions. Used mindfully, stillness is transformative. Then, after a purposeful pause and some introspection, your actions and words will naturally be filled with the light of consciousness.

Vision

“It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
This moment is filled with limitless possibility. It offers a new beginning and a new way of being. We must become aware of and disconnect from the patterns, thoughts and behaviors that distract us from seeing clearly. Mind-made burdens often keep us from recognizing the sacredness that is within us and all around us.
As we learn to rise above the mechanisms of the ego, we bring a new vision to life. There is vast potential within you and all around you. Surrender to the present moment, seek to honor its perfection and discover the joy and empowerment that acceptance brings. Choose to recognize the sacredness in all that you see.
When we stand in the presence of the Divine, our humility and gratitude open portals to higher levels of existence. Seeing with the heart transforms everything in your experience. A sense of awe and wonder is the result of living an awakened life. Knowing this, it becomes possible to interact with one another consciously and our experience is transformed.

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.

Enjoy, Simplify, Love, Be

“If you are simple deeply simple in yourself you will discover something extraordinary.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~

Sometimes life’s beauty gets lost in the details of being too busy. We run from one problem to the next, always searching for something to fix. This is not to say that we should ignore life’s challenges, but the key to happiness is in how we approach them.

There are many ways to bring joy into your experience. Appreciation adds flavor and texture to the journey. Within the souls desire to awaken there is a spark of love that seeks expression. Quiet the mind and go deeply into the Now. Be present with what is. In the stillness we can tap into the heartbeat of sacred mother earth.

What you place your focus upon grows stronger in your life; therefore, be mindful of how you utilize your energy. See if you can enjoy the dance within the flow between the sacred and the mundane. Your unique physical experience ultimately facilitates the awareness that is arising within you.

Approach life with a sense of wonder and for you, life will be transformed into something magical, extraordinary. This expanded perception adds something beautiful into the world.

What We Create

This moment is precious. As I stepped outside for my Gratitude Walk, I was greeted by the stillness of a cloudy, quiet morning. I watched as the sky lightened and felt the living texture of infinite possibility that awaits my discovery. This feeling and openness creates a peaceful and powerful flow of energy. It is one that I purposely seek often and it sets the tone for my daily experience.

The only thing that exists is the Now – don’t allow yourself to destroy its potential by the worry created by the shadows of the mind. See yourself walking forward in joy and expectation and simply take one more step. Fear dissipates through conscious action – we discover new things, gain greater clarity and cultivate the discernment which allows us to see through the stories of the ego.

Find your inspiration and in the stillness, connect to the Universe. Seek out people and moments which resonate with this infinite connection and come home to yourself. The energy of the Divine is yours to experience in any way that you wish. In a changeable world filled with limitless nuances to discover, this connection remains constant. Once you quiet the old patterns of thought and release the stories of the past, you may recognize how to create transformation in your life – the answer is often right there in front of you.

Leaping Forward

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
~Walt Disney~
Yesterday as I sat outside in the sunshine eating mindfully, as is my wont, the grasshopper above flew into my head. Laughing, I thanked her for getting my attention in such a distinctive manner and went inside to look up the shamanic meaning in my books. Grasshopper represents taking new and uncanny leaps forward.
From this I inferred that changes are getting ready to flow into my world and that it’s healthy for me to take leaps of faith, try new things and see where the journey takes me. Another message here is to trust my inner voice and the unique rhythms of my life. After delivering her message and gracing me with a photo, she quickly moved on.
I see the magic of life as a continuous conversation with the divine. When you pay attention, little mundane moments can become quite extraordinary. Everything we experience is a loving message from spirit … and I am grateful.

Creating Joy

“The root of joy is gratefulness…It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”
~Brother David Steindl-Rast~
Joy is an expression of empowerment. It is a choice that we make again and again that creates an unshakable foundation. Obviously, those who reside in joy still face challenges and encounter hardship, but joy always comes along for the journey.
It is absolutely possible to feel empathy and desire change, yet still be able to consistently create moments of gratitude, joy and celebration. When you honor your path as sacred, beauty emanates from you.
Don’t wait for life to fall into place before you choose to be joyful. Know that your life will fall into place because you are joyful. You are a powerful co-creator within your own experience.
Take time to enjoy the flowers in bloom and watch how they open to the sun. Appreciate the clouds as they form living art on gentle breezes. Dance to birdsong, kiss your dog and slow down the fast pace of your mind. These things and more await your loving attention and the universe supports your endeavor.

The Role of Resistance

“Enlightenment is nothing more than the complete absence of resistance to what is. End of story.”
~Adyashanti~
As lessons unfold, your explorations will undoubtedly take you down new paths. Always seek the lesson, the beauty, the insight, for everything plays a role in the ongoing journey of your awakening.
As consciousness expands, the ego must learn to be more subtle. When you begin a process that is important to your development, distractions may arise. Resistance, whether internal or external, is a sign that you’re in the process of authentic change. Turn inward and face it directly knowing that the light of your consciousness is transformative.
Spiritual practice requires an openhearted acceptance of whatever unfolds in your experience. Acceptance lays a groundwork of peacefulness and empowerment that permeates all that you do. Begin with the premise that everything works toward your highest good and plays a specific role in your soul’s awakening.
Life-changing ideas are rarely heralded by a blaze of trumpets… sometimes they reside in a thought that pivots your direction. How you approach the present moment is the key – is it merely a means to an end, or are you celebrating your existence and the journey of your soul? Be led by joy.

Sacred Gifts

“You are on a soulful path that asks you to step into the greatest version of yourself. It is a sacred gift to shine your brightest light, not just in your moments of glory, but each day.”
~Debbie Ford~

Awaken the heart of compassion. Scatter seeds of joy throughout your day, pausing to appreciate the uniqueness of it, the beauty of it. Remind yourself often to be aware of the gifts that are all around you.

It is easy to get caught up in the drama of daily living. We live in a world filled with distraction but also one of inspiration. Each of us has an opportunity to choose how we wish to experience the present moment. When you begin the day with mindfulness and gratitude, you step out of reactivity and into empowerment.

You can create a mindful life by seeing the physical world as a spiritual experience, by experiencing this moment as sacred, by allowing kindness and compassion to guide your decisions.

Be open to change and willing to receive the unexpected. Give up the illusion of control and simply ask, “How can I bring the best version of myself to this situation?” Your awareness is a sacred gift that you can share with the world.

Embody Peacefulness

“You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances of your life, but by realizing who you are at the deepest level.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
You have the ability to create peace in your experience right now. Rather than seeking it, embody it. Let peacefulness inform every aspect of your life. When walking, be at peace with the earth, the sunshine and the wind. Appreciate the birdsong, the scents that arise or the feel of your body as it moves through the world. It may sound simple, but it’s amazing how often one can can get caught in up in their thoughts or worries and bemoan the fact that they are unhappy.
When we cultivate the ability to see through the mechanisms of the mind, we discover the myriad distractions that consistently attempt to block awareness of the beauty that surrounds us. Fortunately, this is in your control. Your awareness begins the process of transformation. The expansion of consciousness brings new depth into your experience. Should you notice a tendency to complain, gossip, worry or replay challenging situations in order to create a solution, shift instead to finding peace in the present moment. Then, allow your peacefulness to be the foundation of whatever movement you deem necessary. Operating from a higher perspective ensures that you will see more clearly.