Presence

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

When you bring the best version of yourself to this moment, the future will take care of itself. Plans are best utilized to set a new energy in motion, for they encompass expanded vision, desire, expression and joy. Many falter when attachment to the initial concept and plan supersedes the original inspiration. When faced with a blockage or unexpected transition, if you observe the ego becoming more active, ask “Is _____ more important than my state of consciousness?” The answer is likely going to be no.

Energy is fluid, ever-changing and light. Dance within the vibrancy of this moment knowing that something beautiful is in motion. It is our nature to be limited in perception and vision; therefore, trust that your soul knows exactly what it is doing. As we awaken, we release layers of outmoded beliefs, energetic blockages and attachments. With each conscious step forward we discover that the joy is in the doing. This is the moment of your transformation.

Express yourself, find your flow and step into the fullness of who you are. Life will respond accordingly.

Stillness

“It’s as though, knowing that everything is possible, suddenly nothing is necessary.”
~Diana Gabaldon~
There are moments when life goes quiet. In the gap between what is and what could be lies a world of infinite possibility. There is nothing quite so beautiful as immersing oneself within the embrace of stillness.
We humans can cause ourselves so much pain. Excessive thought fills these spaces of pure potential with clutter that is then carried into day to day life. Everything becomes too much and the overload causes reactivity, which leads to additional conflict and drama.
Each journey is unique; therefore, there isn’t one passageway into stillness. Those seeking to expand their consciousness must experiment with different ways of engaging the mystery. One thing to remember: it exists for everyone. We can access stillness in the midst of chaos and choose to be at peace, even within the cacophony of experience.
When you discover your own way of going deeper into the present moment, make it a priority in your life. Find ways to work it into your daily routine until it becomes your natural way of being in the world. There will come a time when this magnificence, this expanded vision, is simply who you are.

Open To Receive

“The earth isn’t solid. It is made of molecules and atoms, tiny universes filled with space. It is a place of mystery, light, and magic, if you only open your eyes.”
~Dan Millman~
You are meant to thrive. Part of awakening is learning how to drop whatever blocks you from living with an open heart. Engage life’s magic by seeing yourself as a vibrant, empowered co-creator of your own experience. You can cultivate the ability to see things differently, and with that vision, you will create a new reality.
Energy follows attention. One simple practice is to stand outside with your feet shoulder-width apart. Extend your arms outward, bend the knees slightly and lean back to receive the sunlight. Do this three times in a state of Presence and Stillness. This infuses new energy within the heart chakra.
This is the realm of infinite possibility. Do not limit the flow with thought; instead, reside quietly within the gap of the eternal Now and discover the “I Am” of consciousness as your perception expands.
Immerse yourself in the miracle of your being. See through the perceived limitation to the truth of who you are – a master in the process of awakening.

Learning Through Contrast

“May you recognize in your life the presence, power, and light of your soul. May you realize that you are never alone, that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe. May you have respect for your own individuality and difference. ”

~John O’Donohue~

When experimenting with different ways of being, new dimensions open within the realms of spiritual awakening. One aspect of discovery is learning through contrast. There will be moments when you shine and others when you learn and it’s powerful to remember that either way, you emerge from the experience richer than before.

You are the bridge between the spiritual and the mundane. Whatever speaks to your soul becomes a unique aspect of your human experience. Navigate the contrasts of your life without judgment (self-directed or otherwise) in order to strengthen the various facets of your spirit that are ready to shine. Remember, shadows make the light more prominent.

Seek only to bring the best version of yourself to the present moment. As you evolve, your perception will expand and your actions will express the light of the Divine differently. We are collectively blessed by your Presence in the world.

Everything Dances

“The moment is everything. Don’t think about tomorrow; don’t think about yesterday: think about exactly what you’re doing right now and live it and dance it and breath it and be it.”

~Wendy Whelan~

The dance of this moment is a beautiful expression of who you are. Seek only to flow with the rhythms of life and you will discover your unique way of being in the world. There is no need to convince anyone of anything. Instead, honor the beauty of your soul through Presence. The Now offers an opportunity to connect with the sacred in a way that is authentic, magical and vibrant.

We are not here to please everyone. Some will connect with you and join your dance. Others will watch from the sidelines, and yet others will likely ridicule no matter what you do. When living in alignment with your inner truth, no outside validation is required. joy will light up your life experience.

Passion for life – not technique, intelligence or savoir faire – is a powerful foundation to build upon. Your passion ignites energy and sets it in motion. Once in motion, we can find our place in the dance and see where it takes us.

Pressure

There’s no pressure like the pressure we place upon ourselves. The mind creates several “must-haves” to generate stress and tension and the day seems to speed up as we go along. In reality, there’s plenty of time. As conscious creators, we have the ability to slow down our perception of time and bring Presence into the forefront of our experience.

When you notice that the body is holding tension, take a moment to go inward and observe. Pay attention to the stories of the ego and seek to bring in the opposite energy. A simple approach is to close your eyes, if possible, and breathe slowly and deeply for a few moments. Focus on the task immediately at hand and then give it your full attention. This ensures that the best of you is being accessed in the present moment. A higher quality of energy will flow into whatever you choose to do. You will then be able to drop attachment and move forward knowing that you’ve done what is needed.

Become aware of the excessive demands that you place upon yourself. Some things are habitual, some are necessary for our daily experience, and some are to impress others. Seek only to have a playful, empowered life experience. You are the bridge between the spiritual and the mundane.

Right Action

“We go through our days responding and reacting, but it’s rare to really pause and ask…’Is this the kind of thing the person I would like to be should do?”

~Ryan Holiday~

Awareness ensures that your responses to life are empowered rather than reactive. Once the ego is no longer in control, your stillness and alertness will allow you to bring a higher consciousness to any situation. From that space of awareness, the action (or inaction) that is for the highest good of all involved will make itself known. Then you can act with integrity, do your best and accept what is.
Another way to observe right action in motion is that, once completed, it drops completely from your consciousness. There is no need to replay it, take credit for it, wonder if your choice was ‘right’ or worry about how things will unfold. This is the Divine working through you without ego-driven interference.
Cultivate mastery through the simple things of your experience such as driving, interactions with your children, the energy you bring to your work or your self-dialogue. The peace of Presence is always there. Honor the present moment as sacred by experiencing it fully.

Presence

“No matter how long your journey appears to be, there is never more than this: one step, one breath, one moment… Now.”

~Eckhart Tolle~

This moment is the creative spark of life. Rather than allow the past to define your present, change your thinking so the present transforms the past. When you choose to take ownership of your state of consciousness in the Now, you open a world of possibility. Challenges become gifts and enemies become healing angels, perceived missteps become adventures, and you may just discover that you are right where you need to be.

If one’s perception is focused deeply on the Now, the troubles of the past or worries about the future are seen for what they are: thought patterns. When you rise above thought, you can dance in the fullness of who you are.

Seek only to be Present. Notice when the mind becomes a distraction. Observe without resistance and choose instead to be still for a moment. Your acceptance of the Now removes drama and intensity from your life experience. You have the ability to face what is right in front of you and consciously utilize it as the next step of your transformative journey.

Lessons in Love

Our pets play an important role on the journey of awakening. As I began writing, my Pomeranian just insisted that I stop and play for a while. I immediately put aside my work and gave my full attention to a moment of love and snuggles. Though it may have only lasted a few minutes, the energy we shared was healing, calming and felt outside of time.

Animals choose to incarnate as our helpers and act as guides, reminding us how to stay present and love unconditionally. They have a reincarnational series of seven lifetimes as one species and often develop deep connections with a particular human throughout the path of transformation. Each animal remembers all prior lifetimes completely and will often manifest fears and preferences that it adopted in past lives. This helps to give the more advanced animals their special personalities.

When you have a special bond with a beloved pet, it brings added layers of dimension to your life and spiritual growth. They often remind us the importance of taking the time to enjoy the warmth of the sun, to release our worries and play a little and demonstrate the power of unconditional love when we need it most.

Pay attention to the lessons that unfold in your experience through the love, nurturing, loss, healing, and emotional connections that you experience. Honor the sacredness of all beings that cross your path by living with an open heart.

The Path

There is no one in the world like you. Your unique insight, history, passion and talents are meant to be expressed. The journey of your soul can inspire others in ways that you cannot imagine.

In a world of limitless possibility, there is great joy in exploration. New experiences can awaken facets of your spirit that are ready to shine. When we choose to share our gifts with others, we are transformed.

Periodically examine your life experience to discover where you are limiting your joyfulness and positive expectations. Remember that you are here to thrive and to expand your consciousness. Any challenges that arise are providing opportunities to cultivate empowerment and lift your soul to new levels of understanding.

Each of us needs to observe any personal obstacles or behaviors and know that they can be overcome. Be clear and gentle with yourself and re-program your mind to see the love that resides at the core of all situations. Together, we walk the path of exploration and discovery, each life a thread interwoven in the tapestry of existence.

The layers of energy and insight that you are now experiencing can bring you to a place of clarity and passion. Seek to fill your life situation with circumstances, things and people that inspire your soul. Contemplate the perfection of the present moment and it will make itself known to you.