Journey to Yourself

“…every path toward self-discovery is a valid one.”
~Efrat Cybulkiewicz~

No matter what path you choose, challenges you face, or friends you discover along the way… all eventually lead you on an amazing journey of discovery. Perceived wrong turns or mistakes can be transformed into adventures. Blockages unlock ingenuity and inner strength. The resilience of your soul is ready to shine.

Rather than getting lost in the stories of old wounds or limited programming, use them as the impetus for change. Consider that your soul set itself upon this journey and that it plays a vital purpose in your development. When you begin utilizing tools at your disposal, you’ll discover the perfection that resides within the foundational energy of your life.

Each piece of wisdom we uncover becomes a stepping-stone to the next, and the next. The journey of awakening is unique and beautiful. Find your passions, walk forward with courage and integrity and see what you discover. The tendency of an old soul is to explore all sorts of belief systems, teachers, experiences and ideas, gathering nuggets of inspiration along the way. Be led by joy. The journey of self discovery is more beautiful than you can possibly imagine.

The Beauty of Silence

“Learn to be silent. Let your quiet mind listen and absorb.”

~Pythagoras~

We do not need to add more knowledge or new beliefs. It’s far more powerful to learn to rise above the antics of the mind into a place where we can commune with the Divine. We need to experience more wonder and more awe at the beauty that surrounds us. The minds’ noise can sometimes become a wall that closes us off from the miracle of the present moment.

There is a great depth of spaciousness which resides within you. Step into the silence and see if you can sense the infinite wellspring of potential that is waiting to be discovered.

Learn to be loving in your silence, otherwise your silence will become filled with closed-off energy that is helpful to no one. Love is only possible when you are fearless and exists in the absence of judgment. Simply breathe in the truth of your light, feel a smile of gratitude and observe. Bring healing and grace into your life situation by falling madly in love with life itself.

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.

Stillness

“Wisdom comes with the ability to be still. Just look and just listen. No more is needed. Being still, looking, and listening activates the non-conceptual intelligence within you. Let stillness direct your words and actions.”
~Eckhart Tolle~
Silence is more than the absence of noise. It is an inner communion with peace and awareness. In the stillness we become open to receive and it is within that gap of ‘no mind’ that we can touch the infinite.
Our current experience of the world is one of bombardment – a blend of sound, marketing, opinions, expectations and ego-driven thought. Our senses are often overwhelmed. Many spend each day running to accomplish various self-imposed tasks while neglecting the one thing that truly matters – grace.
Create pauses throughout the day to appreciate the beauty around you. Stop and breathe. Find something for which you can be grateful. Imagine joy flooding every aspect of your being. Touch the realm of limitless possibility and you will discover inner sacredness and beauty.
In the midst of cacophony, stillness can be accessed by dropping your resistance to noise. Your acceptance is another gateway into stillness. As you practice being at peace with what is, you’ll discover new depths of perception and serenity. This is where inner wisdom resides.

Intuition

Intuition is like a muscle. We all have it, but not everyone chooses to develop it. People often ask how to differentiate between the inner voice of wisdom and the voice of the ego. The intuition typically comes through quietly and speaks once while the ego is loud and repetitive.

The quieter the mind, the more you can hear. Intuition is a tool that we can utilize as an powerful aspect of spiritual growth. Integrating the spiritual and the mundane awakens true mastery. As we evolve, we bring a different viewpoint to our life circumstances and learn to trust our inner wisdom.
You will discover your own unique way of deciphering the messages from your higher Self. Be patient with this process. Practice different approaches and see what works best. As you play with this energy, you’ll learn to differentiate intuition from ego-generated thought. Always,  ego creates anxiety while intuition (even when forewarning of a potential challenge) brings empowerment.

Whatever you place your focus upon grows stronger. You also may experience accompanying physical indicators, such as goosebumps, tummy flutters or tears. The more you trust your inner wisdom, the more clearly these indicators will be felt. This process of connection eventually transforms your experience into a life that is awake and connected to the energy of the Now.

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.

Hatred Begets Hatred

“If people can learn to hate they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than it’s opposite.”

~Nelson Mandela~

The ego has a vested interest in being right. It creates opinions based upon ones level of consciousness, attaches to them, and sees opposing viewpoints as wrong. To strengthen itself further, the ego seeks out others to reinforce the story. Collectively these energies come together, strengthen one another and plant seeds of opposition. Fighting against “the other” becomes the only thing that’s important. To further the narrative, any idea of kindness, listening or compromise is viewed as weak. The concept of compassion itself is transformed into aligning with the enemy.

Conversely, intention and commitment combine with humility and are ultimately axiomatic of wisdom. The spiritual seeker understands that as consciousness expands, perceptions change. Broader viewpoints arise within the paradox when one is willing to be flexible, fluid and ever-evolving. The integration of love creates a powerful foundation to operate from as we walk in the world. Each of us has a powerful opportunity to be a light in the darkness. We have purposely chosen to be here now, in this place… how can we demonstrate love?

Imagination

“Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all is a form of planning.”
~Gloria Steinem~

Some people can look at a stone or a piece of wood and see something unique and beautiful waiting to emerge. They look through the lens of possibility and dare to remove the excess in order to bring something new into being. They recognize the beauty in both its forms – the raw, pure potential as well as the exquisite finished masterpiece – and they explore the process with love.

We can choose to view life in the same way. Find the inherent beauty in what is and also see what could be. It takes courage to chip away at the excess, and perhaps the vision may change as you go through the process; but it’s love, consistency, bravery and empowered action that spark the imagination and create movement in our experience.

Stillness creates space within the intensity of life and within that space resides the wisdom of your soul. Imagine cultivating the ability to walk through changes with a sense of inner grace, balance and peace. This aura of empowerment is yours to claim. You are a work in progress. What wonders are waiting to make themselves known?

Hawk

In order to experience change, we must consistently create space in which a transformation can occur. The most loving gift you can give is spaciousness. When we move into detached compassion, we allow those we love the ability to do their own spiritual work. Part of the journey is to learn to take responsibility for the choices we make and transform then when necessary. You can teach by example by consciously bringing the best version of yourself to the present moment.

Answers are all around us. When nature sparks a sense of wonder in your heart, a paradigm shift begins and you learn to process information differently. Within the magic of existence we can dream a new world into being. Intuition leads to expansive insights and a different way of being in the world.

In many cultures, Hawk represents visionary power. So, if you are seeking your life’s purpose, how to move through a particular challenge with awareness, or ready to activate higher levels of consciousness, the call of Hawk may remind you to open up and be aware – messages are coming. Step into stillness and receive the wisdom of the ages.

Unlimited Movement

You are meant to live an unlimited life. To live without limitation means that you allow room for surprises, movement and passion. The Tao speaks of purposefully being like a river – endlessly moving, flowing with ease, alive to life itself. When life is too predictable, there is no dynamism and we become stagnant; therefore, the soul craves and creates movement to ensure that we are consistently in the process of allowing the Divine to express itself through us.

Infinite possibilities await. Within the contrasts of all that we experience lies the wisdom of the ages. As we become more conscious, our ability to flow becomes more profound. We choose how we respond to life, how we think and act, and how we process new information. Those who are still unconscious have no knowledge of this ability – to them, life presents experience and they are in a constant state of reaction, fear or regret. Allow your choices to be led by love.

Start being blissful now, don’t wait. Live each moment as if it were your last – embrace the gifts, share your light and celebrate the uniqueness of your journey with the knowledge that nothing is more important than your joy.