Tag: #maya angelou

  • Laughter Enlightens

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    “Just imagine if we laughed more frequently, if we had the unmitigated courage to touch each other, it would be just the beginning of paradise now.”

    ~Maya Angelou~

    Laughter, born of joy and lightheartedness, connects people. Authentic smiles are contagious, briefly bridging the gap between strangers, deepening the bond of love between soulmates, or brightening a solitary moment with mirth. Enlightenment is the shedding away of anything that blocks peace, love, joy and Presence; therefore, we can choose to utilize laughter as a powerful spiritual tool.

    Consider how hard the ego works to ensure that you are constantly in a state of worry, attachment or judgment. Deep in thought, the situation at hand seems heavy and overwhelming. If you were to look in the mirror, you\’d see someone stressed, reactive, perhaps with the mouth pursed in frustration, and likely unable to see a solution. Taking it further, there are those who feel guilty being happy or expressing joy as long as there are others who are struggling in the world.

    There are endless ways to bring lightheartedness into your experience. Utilize playfulness and joy as powerful aspects of your awakening and choose to welcome laughter in with an open heart.

  • Sharing Laughter

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    “In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things, does the heart find its morning and is refreshed.”
    ~Kahlil Gibran~
    Pure laughter based in love is powerful. It can dispel fear or sadness in an instant or transform strangers into friends. It lightens the stories of the ego and reduces stress while shifting us to higher levels of consciousness. But laughter, like all things of value, must begin within. It\’s important not to take yourself too seriously. Under the weight of perceived flaws and lessons, beneath the gravity of life situations, resides an eternal source of joy.
    Life is filled with paradoxes and contrasts and it\’s helpful to expand your perception to recognize the myriad choices which are available to you. Consciously choose to bring lightness into the patterns of your life. The more balance you create through your interpretation of your various day-to-day experiences, the more magical your journey becomes.
    Forgiveness, acceptance, mindfulness and Presence open passageways into a new reality. There we can connect to one another in a manner that is empowered, open and loving. Let laughter be the bridge between the spiritual and the mundane.
  • A World Filled With Wonder

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    \”Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.\”
    ~Betty Smith~

    We live in a world filled with wonder. Life is in a constant state of transformation that we can choose to embrace and appreciate as it is in the present moment. Consciousness seeks expression through our experience of the physical plane and when we really pay attention, everything becomes a teacher.
    Your perception dictates how you will respond to life. For those who see it as a burden, it becomes one… repetitive, hard, heavy and filled with sorrow.

    Conversely, those who view each moment as an adventure are open to new experiences. They live from the heart, meeting new people and exploring the unfamiliar. Even challenges are transformed into something of incredible value. These vibrant souls are the trailblazers of this world. Their courage inspires others to awaken to their own potential.

    Let your life be your message. Consciously set intentions and walk forward confidently in the direction of your dreams. Let the Universe surprise you along the way by leaving space for miracles to unfold.

  • Finding Your Rhythm

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    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.
     

  • Embody Grace

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    “Life is a gift, and I try to respond with grace and courtesy.\”
    ~Maya Angelou~

    Creating harmony in your life experience is imperative. It softens the voice of ego and allows you to engage with others in a way that is healthy, supportive and patient. Honor those who grace your life by nurturing them. Release attachment and hold space as they explore and learn and grow.

    This dance of awakening is ever-evolving. As we enter new playgrounds of experience we support one another and joyfully discover unexplored aspects of ourselves in the process.

    Mastery calls upon us to be conscious of our state of consciousness in the present moment. Your peacefulness creates peaceful experiences. Your love creates loving experiences. Embody grace and acceptance and your life will be easier.

    When you approach your life experience with humility, humor, non-attachment and compassion, greater access to your inner wisdom is assured. From this place of empowerment it becomes easier to recognize the limitless possibilities that are available. Allow the gentle whispers of love and wisdom to guide your way.

     

  • Inner Light

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    “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” 
    ~Maya Angelou~

    Do you ever forget that you are a magnificent, abundant, infinite being of light playing a game of discovery…?

    The game we play is not about winning. It is learning to consistently bring clarity and insight to the present moment. Rather than blindly responding to the events of life, we discover they are purposeful, constantly evolving and unfolding opportunities meant to facilitate soul growth and understanding.

    The most important aspect of awakening is personal responsibility. Seek to bring mastery to all that you do. Watch how you choose to interact with others. Pay attention to how you choose to experience the present moment. Observe yourself without judgment or condemnation. Use these moments of insight to tend your inner light. The goal is to stay balanced in the midst of whatever life has to offer.

    There is only consciousness or unconsciousness. One brings peace, the other conflict. As your inner light begins to express itself through the various events of your experience, realize that nothing can ever dim the infinite beauty of the Divine. It seeks only to experience the present moment through you. You bring something beautiful to the world.

  • Wisdom

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    “Turn your wounds into wisdom.”
    ~Oprah Winfrey~

    Challenges are a necessary aspect of enlightenment. They allow us to cultivate the tools of trust, patience, insight and empowerment. Don’t shy away from these moments of apparent darkness; instead, turn and shine the light of consciousness upon them.

    Shamanic traditions utilize the energy and lessons of Jaguar to assist with transformation. This power animal represents sudden and intense change. When we call upon her for guidance, inspiration or assistance, she walks by our side and helps us find the strength to address adversity in such a way that we are changed by the experience. Having faced the dark night of the soul, we emerge transformed.

    You can face any interaction consciously. Even those who are challenging may be bearers of wisdom, bringing messages from the Divine. Seek to examine your own shadow when confronted with unconscious behavior. Every encounter you face brings greater understanding and plays a specific role in your development.

    Life will always provide the perfect circumstances to facilitate your evolution. You have the tools to navigate whatever unfolds in your experience and when you recognize these moments as opportunities, you will discover your true sacred nature.

  • Life is Art

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    “We all have our own breathing space where we can capture the art of life, reminisce all the splendid moments, and bring us back to learn.”
    ~Shaa Zainol~
    Presence is the art of life. When you truly pay attention, everything becomes a teacher. There are truths hidden in the silences that await discovery. As you view yourself as a conscious co-creator within your own experience, it becomes easier to access a higher perspective and observe the movement of your life.
    Sometimes we have to be who we aren\’t in order to discover who we are. As you awaken, you will naturally make choices that reflect your new awareness. Each day presents a blank field of limitless potential. What will you choose to create? You are not defined by your past. The journey of your soul has led you, piece by piece, to this moment. The only thing that matters is what you choose to create now that you have cultivated a deeper understanding of yourself.
    Take a moment to simply be present. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, honor yourself as sacred, hold yourself in love and just be. What emerges? Begin from there.
  • Celebrate Friendship

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    \”It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.”
    ~John Joseph Powell~

    Share your joy, your dance and your light with those who are ready to receive your beautiful energy. The art of friendship begins with gratitude and it must be a sharing. When you demonstrate love and friendliness toward all of life, it is reflected back to you in myriad ways.

    The light of your consciousness transforms all that it shines upon. Rather than being trapped by neediness or desire, you become love and your love transforms the energy of those with whom you come in contact. We are merely reflections of one another.

    In every relationship, allow enough room for the winds of heaven to dance in between you for these soul mates will cross your path again and again. When you come together, enjoy discovering who you are in the presence of the other and when you have time apart, celebrate the fact that your friendship is an expression of trust, harmony, innocence and sharing.

  • Be True to Yourself

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    \”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~

    Each of us is responsible for our own joy. It’s not the obligation of our partners, parents, children, boss or life circumstances to “make” us feel happy and fulfilled. Rather, happiness comes from developing our own inner richness and spiritual maturity. This infinite wellspring of energy, once discovered, flows through us, changing the way we receive the gifts that life has to offer.

    Relationships provide us with the tools and experiences that we need in order to release old patterns and programming. The more clear you become, the less intense your emotional reactions will be. Peacefulness then becomes a way of life as we learn to interpret circumstances through this enlightened and expanded perception.

    This is the moment to realize your true nature and to be a loving witness to the sacred energy and potential within you. Joy is the path of your destiny. Take the time to pause and breathe in this present moment – what are you creating right now? Transcend the ordinary and seek wholeness with all existence. Infinite heights, depths and expansion await your discovery.