Challenges Expand Consciousness

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”
~Paulo Coelho~

The soul seek to expand into new areas of awareness and the challenges we face, both personal and collective, play a powerful role in our development. Your attention begins the process of transformation. Bring a gentle self-awareness to the patterns that repeat and purposely seek to change your approach. When you break free of habitual responses, something new begins to emerge.

The tools that you have cultivated along the way become stronger when you have the opportunity to consciously utilize them. Rather than resist the tidal flow of energy, seek to flow with it and face any challenges that arise when they are still small.  See the field of life as a place to observe wisdom in action. Your higher self is guiding you throughout the process of awakening.

Trust Love

The infinite love of the Divine surrounds us at all times. Although, there are certainly moments when it is easy to feel separate, bewildered or overwhelmed, there it waits, patiently honoring the process of discovery until we are ready to access it once again.

When the light of consciousness shifts your perception, it allows you to recognize the guidance and support that is available, see your infinite potential and trust yourself enough to step into the flow of life. A shift in perception can create powerful changes in your life. Awareness calls upon us to consistently focus upon the blessings that surround us. This purposeful act of gratitude and willingness opens the door to new experience.

We learn by experiencing contrast. A life filled with love is typically discovered and nurtured by rising above our fears. Your willingness to face the shadows of the soul, ensures that you will emerge changed, empowered and courageous.
When you choose to live from the heart, amazing things begin to happen. Love life as it is and see it as an adventure, exploring and experiencing with innocence and excitement. With each challenge you have the opportunity to learn something new about yourself. These facets bring new sparkle and dimension to the journey.

Transformation

Everything is constantly changing, evolving, growing. This natural process is what allows us to expand our perception while we explore new aspects of ourselves. As we journey through the phases of life – youth, power and wisdom, we tend to revisit old lessons in order to understand them from a different point of view.

Enjoy the phase you are in. Smile gently as the next group of souls fumble their way to enlightenment. We all need to make mistakes, and sometimes be who we aren’t in order to discover who we are. As we cultivate greater understanding, we do better. Ultimately, we have the joy of passing along wisdom to those who are ready to hear.

The greatest gift that you can give is a demonstration of love. As consciousness awakens it often appears as patience, kindness, wisdom and authenticity. Give with love. Be a witness to your own experience. Create a life filled with flow and vitality and you will never cease to be amazed. Expanding consciousness comes through understanding contrasts and seeing the value in all sides of an experience. In acceptance, anything can be transformed. Through sharing our gifts, we change the energy of the world around us.

Healing Angels

Patterns repeat until we no longer need them. In the dance of life, lessons will arrive in differing forms until we have had the opportunity to examine them from every angle. Experience leads to wisdom and wisdom leads to compassion.
When we are ready to break free from a limiting belief, we send out a soul-level request indicating our desire to face a particular pattern. The souls who respond love you enough to risk your displeasure (on the level of form) and will play whatever role is needed for your growth. These beautiful souls are called our healing angels.
Our healing angels provide an opportunity to release old beliefs or discover a healthier way of dealing with repeating challenges. Resist nothing. Observe what role you may play in repeating circumstances and consciously choose to do things differently. This may take a few tries, after all, you’re exploring new realms of experience. It can often be difficult to recognize a pattern when you are immersed within it; however, asking yourself if a particular situation is bringing up familiar feelings, responses or thoughts is a good place to begin.
Finally the day will come when you recognize that you’re responding differently than you ever have. You may see the humor, feel neutral, or simply have compassion for those who have yet to learn that particular lesson… and then it’s off to the next.

The Sacred Quest

“When you enter a place of stillness, you awaken the divinity within you.”

~Peggy Sealfon~

To walk a conscious path is to live with greater purpose. Most people take the leap toward the unknown when life presents a challenge that forces them to grow; however, as an awakening soul, you can do this intentionally without waiting for life circumstances to force it upon you.

It’s time to rediscover your grace. In stillness, you can ask your angels, spirit guides, healing masters and helpers how to live in alignment with that sacred contract.

This world can be overwhelming. Our relationships, work, dramas and commitments often take center stage, distracting us from our calling. And there it resides, the calling – a pull toward something greater – waiting for us to recognize our purpose.

Explore the mystery. There is no end to what you will discover.

Look beyond the role you play. Look beyond the physical appearance you have chosen. See beyond the stories of the mind. Breathe in the breath of life… slowly, mindfully, sacredly… and just be. Bask in the radiance of present moment. In stillness, you can begin to tap into the infinite potential of the Divine.

The Peaceful Warrior

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
~Jimi Hendrix~

In every moment we have an opportunity to practice the art of peace. When we align with divine love, we understand the Oneness that connects us. Each of us must nurture the aspects within ourselves that honor all living things as sacred. By dropping judgment and taking the purposeful stance of conscious awareness, we are transformed.

All of earth, the stars and sky and all that reside within, are our brothers and sisters. We are responsible for the well-being of one another. Peacefulness is an art. It is a consistent practice that we are called upon to bring into our daily experience. Learn the value of non-reactivity. We become invincible when we choose to fight with nothing. Be willing to step into your power with compassion, patience and integrity.

Rise above the illusion and you will calmly discover how to walk the way of the peaceful warrior through any challenge. Each level of your growth builds upon the last and sets a foundation for the next. What harms one, harms all. What heals one, heals all; therefore, set off into the world with the desire to enlighten, to expand and to show what love looks like in motion. This is where your true power lies.

Enlightenment

Enlightenment is a life-long process. In the light of consciousness we begin to see more clearly and can consciously participate in our own awakening. Understand that life is full of distractions – some personal, some collective; however, you can choose to expand in a way that is empowering.

Ultimately, the soul heeds the call of awakening and we are able to break free from the ravages of karma. While life still unfolds as it will, we no longer feel victimized by circumstance; instead, we learn to transform challenging situations through love. To find a personal state of grace and balance, we must cultivate the ability to allow life to unfold without attachment to outcomes. The dance between dark and light opens our consciousness to explore the space in between, a resting place where healing occurs.

Each of us will forge a unique pathway to higher dimensions. The most beautiful thing that you can do is share your insights and wisdom and act in a way that exemplifies them in the world of form. Delve into the delight of consciousness, for once you explore the mysteries of life with an awakened heart, you will never be the same.

Awakening

“Your soul knows the geography of your destiny. Your soul alone has the map of your future, therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of yourself. If you do, it will take you where you need to go, but more important it will teach you a kindness of rhythm in your journey.”
~John O’Donohue~
Prior to birth we create a blueprint of what we hope to learn and experience during a lifetime. We build upon the lessons of past lives, we seek to explore new ideas and arrange meetings with others who will help us along the way. Ours is a free-will world; however, the soul will typically do its best to stick to the plan.
Trust the processes of your soul. Once we are born, our perception and knowledge become limited by design. Its helpful to remember that the choices were originally made with wisdom, love, support and expansive vision. In spite of how things sometimes appear, love is the driving force behind the growth that awaits.
Self-reflection is a powerful practice. Consider making list of all the challenges you have faced. Next to each one write one defining and empowering thing that you have learned from the experience.

Surrender

“When we bring a gentle awareness to the layers of our conditioning, and to the struggles that arise out of our conditioning, the power of that conditioning slowly dissolves. Life then moves toward the unconditioned – where the vastness, or love, just flows through.”    

~Ezra Bayda~

The ego often seeks to fight, prove oneself right, defend beliefs or struggle against life. Whenever you observe this happening, consciously move into surrender. Allow the energy around you to flow unimpeded. You’ll access the strength and peace that reside underneath the mechanisms of the mind.

When we choose to surrender to what is, we demonstrate faith in the process of awakening. Things often flow better when we get ourselves out of the way. The enlightened understand that surrender is a sign of empowerment.

Trust the wisdom of your higher self. Place your focus upon how you are responding to life, rather than trying to control how it unfolds. Are you operating from a space of joy, enthusiasm or acceptance? Are you seeing your experiences as opportunities to awaken?

The present moment is your point of power. How are you choosing to experience it? Life’s wonder and mystery can only be discovered where you are.

Choosing Joy

“Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair…”
~susan polis schutz~

You are here to experience everything that life has to offer. It’s powerful to remember that, in every moment, you can consciously choose how you interpret your experiences. When you view the present moment through the filter of joy, you bring a higher awareness into any situation.

Life is filled with contrasts. Joy helps us to discover purpose, solutions, healing and strength in circumstances that can often be fraught with challenge. Your love is the guiding light during moments of darkness, and your willingness to walk forward will bring you once again into the realm of joy and empowerment.

Wisdom is attained through experience. Our challenges provide opportunities to strengthen aspects of our character that are ready to shine. Proceed, knowing that you are right where you need to be and that all you need to discover is waiting for your attention. Laugh at your foibles, and realize that you do not need to wait for a reason to celebrate. You can dance in the rain knowing that sunny days are ahead. And, if all else fails, lose yourself in the smile of a dog.