Forgiveness Empowers

“Anger and blaming others takes a lot of energy away from healing. One of the most powerful emotions that has to be expressed is forgiveness.”
~Candace Pert~

 

Anger and resentment are a waste of your precious energy. They drain vitality and ease from your life experience and harm no one but yourself. This energy can be transformed into strength through gratitude, meditation, mindfulness and a conscious choice to be free from the past.
The spiritual path calls upon us to reside fully in life, as it is in this moment. If there are pains that you carry, do not feel that you must push them down or deny them; rather, bring them to the light of your consciousness and transform them through acceptance and forgiveness. Reinterpret the past through the filters of your current state of awareness and you may discover that freedom is at hand.
Forgiveness is not about the other. It is a gift that you give to yourself. There is no need for physical closure or a meeting of the minds (though these may occur naturally in time), just a quiet peace in the present moment that will open your ability to love, trust and believe once again in the beauty and mystery of life.

Explore the Unknown

“Until you step into the unknown, you don’t know what you’re made of.”
~Roy T. Bennett~

There’s something beautiful about consciously walking into unfamiliar circumstances because it prompts one to become more present. In this infinite Universe, there are always new experiences to explore. Don’t allow yourself to become stagnant or too “certain” during the pilgrimage. We are in the midst of a great mystery and the ideas and beliefs that we cling to most are often the ones that require attention. It’s powerful to transform your way of looking at the world.

All the experiences, mistakes and adventures from this and previous lifetimes have built a reservoir from which you can draw wisdom. Challenges create unique opportunities to explore love and tap into your strength.

As an awakening spirit, you are being guided to weave something beautiful within the experiences of your life. Cast off that which is no longer needed and begin a new cycle with the gifts you have discovered. It’s time to test them in the world of form.

When you choose to release old emotional or behavioral patterns, it clears the way for new emotions and higher knowledge that will create peace in your experience.

Transforming Pain into Power

“Beautiful are those whose brokenness gives birth to transformation and wisdom.”
~John Mark Green~

By turning and facing our own darkness, we are transformed. The path of awakening is different for everyone. It is a journey of mystery and wonder, of lessons and learning, heartbreak and breakthrough, all of which lead to shifts in consciousness. It’s important to remember that no matter how far you have come, you have barely scratched the surface of all that waits to be discovered.

Your courage inspires those who grace your world. Continue to approach each day as a sacred gift and be willing to receive the light, love and laughter of the universe. The pain you transcend plays a specific role in your development; therefore, see those who challenge you as healing angels rather than obstacles you may encounter along the way.

In your vulnerability, you will discover strength. You stand at the threshold of a new life… one that has much to offer.

Appreciation

“Let’s trade in all our judging for appreciating. Let’s lay down our righteousness and just be together.”
~Ram Dass~

What if you chose to find one thing to appreciate about each situation or person who has ever been a challenge in your life? What if you chose only to speak about that positive thing when prompted into discussion. How do you think that would impact your overall life experience?

Life is a blend of dark and light. Contrasts provide insight and wisdom we could never discover in a one-dimensional world. Everything is multi-faceted; therefore, there is always an opportunity to find the good, assimilate the lesson, or cultivate new strength – no matter the circumstance. You are a culmination of all that you have experienced.

Layer by layer we transcend the levels of consciousness, incorporating energy and lessons, broadening our vision, and setting ourselves free. For most, this is a subtle transformative process rather than an abrupt shift to a new level. Don’t worry about how fast you can awaken, for the joy is in the journey. Embrace the day and discover the secrets it has to offer. Most importantly, love yourself and appreciate those who walk by your side.

Happiness

“Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.”
~Carlos Castaneda~
Happiness is a choice. So is misery. Each of us is responsible for our own joy; therefore, change begins with consciously changing our thoughts – choosing happiness again and again until it becomes our natural response to daily events. All transformation comes from within.
Life will provide ample opportunities to practice acceptance, forgiveness and compassion. The process of growth is both deeply personal and collective. Your unique journey is one of learning mastery and those who grace your life play the roles required for your awakening.
When you choose thoughts that create empowerment and peacefulness, nothing has the power to take your happiness away. Even in the midst of tremendous challenge, there will be a groundedness of spirit that is unshakable.
In the present moment, can you choose to surrender to what is? That is the foundation of genuine happiness. Make this a daily practice of walking meditation as you go deeper into your own expression of joy. Open yourself to the experience of life without judging or trying to control. This is the art of contentment.

Honor the Journey as Sacred

“See the light in others, and treat them as if that is all you see.”

~Wayne W. Dyer~

People often get lost in judgment and miss the opportunity to experience the Now with an open heart. Discovering the role someone plays in this life can lead to a set of assumptions and beliefs that impact how we interact with one another. We have a tendency to feel comfortable with those who have a similar outlook and forget that our differences are what teach us the most.

When you find yourself forming an opinion about someone based upon how they refer to themselves (political party, religion or lack thereof, career, etc), keep in mind that he or she is an evolving soul like any other. When we interact without judgment or expectation, we emit a beautiful source of energy and vibration that creates space in which transformation can occur. Ego needs another ego in order to create conflict. As spiritual seekers, we can choose to consciously rise above separations caused by the mechanisms of the mind and touch someones life in a loving and peaceful way.

As you walk the journey of awakening, rising above challenges, discovering your strengths and learning from experience… seek to know the Divine in one another with appreciation of the various ways in which we weave a tapestry of exquisite design.

The Shape of Vulnerability

The shape of vulnerability takes many forms. Though deeply entwined, each soul must traverse the blueprint of awakening alone. Rather than hide any perceived flaws or wounds, keep returning to the threshold of the disturbance until you discover something new. Yes, this can be frightening, and often creates discomfort and disorder in your experience; however, the soul longs to transform vulnerability into strength.

Flaws create beauty and give meaning to the masterpiece. Whether falling in love, facing your greatest fear, standing at the precipice of change or navigating your path, know that as you discover new things about yourself, you will become more deeply aligned with your true nature. This leads to freedom.

We are multi-faceted beings, yet we are often surprised to find light hidden in the most unexpected places. In humility, be nourished by the gifts of your soul and choose to accept them. You are undefinable, infinite, and ever-changing. As you integrate the varied aspects of the Self into your expression of life, any vulnerability will amplify what is truly important in your quest for awakening.

There are secret worlds hidden in the nuances of experience. How powerful it will be to view your journey with appreciation, acceptance and forgiveness.

Gentle Strength

“Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution.”
~Kahlil Gibran~
True strength is measured by authenticity, consistency and compassion. The higher your energetic frequency, the more power you can access. Those who vibrate at lower levels such as anger, pride, apathy or shame must use force in order to feel heard. No matter what change you wish to create in your experience, it must be cultivated within you before you can bring it into the world of form.
When those for whom you care become lost in the illusions of this world, do your best to remain at the highest level of consciousness that you can in your various interactions. We must remain engaged in unconditional love in order to teach: situation by situation, moment by moment. This takes conscious and consistent practice. You are a conduit through which the Divine manifests; therefore, it’s important to clear anything that blocks your ability to love.  View the challenges you face as realms of infinite possibility that deepen your wisdom, cultivate your strength and bring aspects that require attention or healing into the light of awareness. This is the moment of transformation.

Space to Grow

“People don’t need to be forced to grow. All we need is favorable circumstances: respect, love, honesty, and the space to explore.”

~Ellen Bass~

Collectively we all travel the same journey of awakening; however, every experience is unique. Give those you love the space to grow, to discover, experiment, succeed and fail. Life teaches every step of the way. Challenges create facets of strength and empowerment that ultimately lead to a unique expression of the Divine.

Our shared experiences teach us how to connect to one another. The energy that flows in contrasting circumstances creates expansion through the synergy of the dance of opposites.

In the ever-shifting flow of life there is a constant movement of growth and change. We are forever in the process of endings and beginnings, expanding into new areas of understanding and recognizing the validity of what serves us best on the journey. Don’t fear the amazing potential that wishes to express itself through you. Underneath the layers of thought and belief lies an infinite source of life that lovingly waits to be explored.

 

Bless Those Who Challenge You

Other people are not here to validate your worthiness. Nor are they required to accept you as you are, fill the emptiness inside or understand your point of view. In fact, the more we attach to the idea of pleasing others, the more we lose ourselves in the process.

Those that have changed the world have done so in the face of opposition. Their inner sense of confidence and strength propels them ever onward as they live their truth as best they can. Eventually, like-minded individuals are inspired to learn the value of integrity, sometimes joining together, sometimes following behind and aiding in the transformation of consciousness.

Consider the idea that those who oppose you the most on the physical plane support you the most on the spiritual plane. These daring souls are willing to risk losing your love and affection in order to help you to develop a sense of courage and empowerment. Bless those who challenge your point of view for they are actually assisting you in the process of defining, refining and living it to the best of your ability.

When we choose to see everyone as our teacher, it brings freedom and limitless possibilities into our experience. The role of a teacher is to help you to stand on your own two feet and aid you in seeing the one thing you are unwilling to see. Bless those who challenge you and seek the guidance of your heart. Every event provides an opportunity to witness the vastness of your being.