Everything is Extraordinary

“If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”

~Chinese Proverb~

Do you ever forget that you are a magnificent, abundant, infinite being of light playing a game of discovery…? You bring something special to the collective consciousness of the planet that contributes to the growth of us all. Allow yourself to shine and relax into your potential.

One important aspect of awakening is personal responsibility. When you seek to bring mastery to all that you do, every moment, in some way, contributes to your soul’s expansion and expression. Observe yourself without judgment or condemnation.

There is only consciousness or unconsciousness. One brings peace, the other conflict. As your inner light begins to express itself, realize that nothing can ever dim the infinite beauty of the Divine. It seeks only to experience the present moment through you, bringing something beautiful to the world that perfectly completes this intricate tapestry we call life.

Here and Now

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh~

You can cultivate a powerful connection with life by going deeper into the present moment. Consciously release any distractions and travel inward. All the wisdom, peace and joy you seek is within you. It’s time that you come home to yourself.

You may consider creating or re-energizing your sacred space as part of the shift into the new year. Whether you have a meditative corner, a magic room or a zen garden, it’s life-affirming to have a space filled with your own peaceful energy.

I often pause on my gratitude walks to be inspired by the trees. Breathing deeply, I visualize my roots drinking from the energy of our beautiful planet and know that my innate way of being changes the world around me. This spiritual synthesis inspires unconditional love and acceptance.

Every experience provides an opportunity for enrichment. Live totally and intensely, so that each moment is filled with the sacred gifts of love, light and laughter. Rediscover magic and inspiration and celebrate the journey. The quiet grace of living with intention can be a powerful tool for expansion.

 

Presence

“You are not limited to this body, to this mind, or to this reality—you are a limitless ocean of Consciousness, imbued with infinite potential. You are existence itself.”
~Joseph P. Kauffman~

Presence is achieved by going inward. The ego disappears, roles and life situations become transparent and only empowered silence remains. When you begin to realize that you are much, much more than the stories of the mind, you have planted the seeds of your own spiritual maturity.

Why seek validation from others when all of existence is ready to communicate with us? The Divine seeks expression through you – allow it to flow without limitation.

You have an opportunity to bring a powerful sense of peace and well-being to this moment. Your thoughts create your reality – what are you choosing to create right now? Life presents opportunities to respond to darkness with light, to show kindness to those who seem to reject it the most and to experience the infinite Presence of the Now.

No matter how you choose to connect to the Divine, do it consistently. Let your life be a walking meditation knowing that awareness is your true nature. As you drop old patterns and limiting beliefs, you are left only with the infinite mystery of your being.

The Joy of Friendship

“Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”

~C.S. Lewis~

Old souls tend to be drawn to those with whom they have a long and varied history. Through lifetimes of experience, they have played several roles with one another, learned together, and can ultimately interact with a sense of familiarity and safety. These are the souls with whom you can be yourself. There is nothing to prove, just a true acceptance that is not impacted by time or space.

When you meet someone and immediately feel something like, “Oh, it’s you!” it’s likely that you’ve rediscovered a soul mate. Long talks feel like you’re simply catching up and there is a sense of safety. Celebrate the beautiful souls that grace your life. Whether near or far, remind them that they are loved and appreciated.

Since most beings on the planet are currently Young or Mature souls, we do not typically have as many in our spiritual peer group. You may just have a few very special connections and find that it is enough. You are loved and supported on many different levels.

Simplicity

“There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth.”

~Leo Tolstoy~

Each state of consciousness creates a new reality. There are always new levels to explore and as we awaken, the world around us is transformed. All change begins within. As we reach new levels of understanding our perception expands outward, affecting our words and thoughts, expectations and desires.

When you choose to utilize simplicity, patience and compassion within your life situation, it automatically brings greater mindfulness to the present moment. We find healthier ways of interacting with one another, we make decisions that add to our joy rather than detract from it and we seek Oneness.

All that you seek is already within you. Peace, contentment, fulfillment and happiness are choices that we make every day. You have the power to create the life of your dreams. It is your birthright to express yourself in ways that are deeply fulfilling. No matter what has come before, every moment is a new beginning. Start now, knowing that peace begins with you. The more inner peace you have, the more you have to share with others.

Awareness

Awareness is awakening within you. Layer by layer you are removing the illusions that hinder your vision. As your inner wisdom becomes more apparent, life becomes simple. When you know yourself, understand your purpose and consciously choose to be less ego-driven, you are evolving into a Buddha.

The picture above was taken during my gratitude walk. It’s amazing how a simple sunrise can amplify the peace within. The daily flow of energy had not quite begun and I was consciously able to appreciate the stillness, bundled up against the chill. In that stillness, I became aware of the inner vitality of my body and quietly expressed my gratitude and appreciation for the vehicle that I am using in this lifetime. That moment of gratitude then led me down several pathways (as it always does) and each step transformed into a loving conversation with the Divine.

No matter how you choose to access your inner awareness, remember that feeling! Revisit it several times throughout the day and reengage with the light that seeks expression through you. Then life can be as it is, with its various joys and challenges, its laughter and tears. And you will walk gently in the world.

The Free Spirit

Our world is a playground of distraction. The mind gets lost in opinion, culture, status and drama and we must learn to rise above. The free spirit is one who is authentic and has discovered their own unique way of being in the world. They are untroubled in the midst of turmoil and seek to uplift those around them.

Be in the world but not of it. Learn how to harness the peace and power of Presence in this moment. Participate, but do not attach. Those who are willing to be receptive will discover much about themselves. As you enter the fullness of who you truly are, others will be drawn toward you. There is no greater privilege then to inspire awakening in another.

Strength is often demonstrated through gentleness. We are engaged in an ever-evolving dance with the Divine. Open the heart chakra, free yourself from distraction and honor the present moment by immersing yourself within it.

Spiritual growth ultimately brings the freedom and tranquility of heart that arises through forgiveness. Accept what is and live aligned with your truth. True, the world may ridicule or misunderstand you, but that too is part of the perfection of your journey.

 

Nurture Yourself

Many believe that they need to take care of everyone around them. They struggle and juggle until they get off balance. Usually at the peak of this experience, they’ll get sick or have an accident which forces them to release control, if only for a little while… and even then they worry about everyone they are letting down by not being there.

Nurturing yourself is the greatest gift you can give those you love. Take the time to walk alone, savor the textures of life or read a book. Recharge and renew your beautiful spirit and strength. We can help others much more by allowing them the opportunities to struggle, succeed,  and overcome their challenges. By excessive overdoing, one actually holds another back from learning their own lessons.

The spiritual seeker brings mindfulness to their life situations – sometimes taking action and sometimes choosing to observe. The purposeful soul knows the value of facing challenges and provides support for those around them. Listen to the messages you receive from your body and from the reflections of life around you. Stress and tension are always indicators that we are becoming stuck in the mind and need to reassess how we are approaching the present moment.

Immersed in Now

Spend this day as a conscious observer. See how much you can engage with life while saying very little. This will allow you to actively participate and you may come away with a greater understanding of your own level of consciousness (not to mention greater clarity regarding those with whom you interact).

Many people live trapped by fear – and fear is born from lack of compassion and understanding. They seek to be better than someone else, or worry that they may fall short. That fear and worry translate to a lack of joy.

As a conscious spiritual seeker, you can choose to see everyone as an expression of the Divine. Loving waves of energy will then flow outward from you, multiply and find their way back, often in miraculous and unexpected ways.

The art of stillness is one that consistently needs to be cultivated in the midst of a busy and ever-changing world. It’s the one aspect of you that will never change, a great wellspring of peace and power that exists to provide balance and replenish your soul.

You can create miracles in your experience. Open your heart to the wonders of the Universe – they are all around you!

Mastery and Joy

“I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.”

~Arthur Rubinstein~

Joy is linked to mastery. When desire and expectation are released and we consciously immerse ourselves deeply within the Now, life responds  in amazing ways. Rather than allowing attachment to create moments of pain, we can discover the freedom that is the by-product of  acceptance.

Seek to fill your experience with countless tiny moments of joy rather than seeking to attain one particular goal. When we enter the field of awareness with humility and a sense of adventure, we open floodgates of energy that synergize and awaken, simplifying our journey.

Joy and peacefulness go and in hand. Seek to rise above the mechanisms of the ego by paying deep attention whenever you observe that it is attempting to distract you. Resistance is a great indicator that something powerful is possible. One spark of awareness can change everything.

Honor the processes of your awakening by being a conscious participant in the process. Let yourself be drawn into wonder as you traverse the landscape of your life. Ultimately, love will make itself known, expanding as it is shared. The song of your soul desires to be sung.