Instrumental

A friend said to me “when you returned from FL last winter you had a clarity about yourself and your writing” (or something to that effect). I say “something to the effect” because we ALL hear and remember things through our own filters and I have carried this thought around with me for some time considering it.

I was trying to understand and reconcile why I didn’t always operate from that space of clarity gained through discovering “stillness” in Florida.

I rationalized that everyday life calls for all kinds of energy and intensity to achieve goals. But that didn’t quite fit for me. Today, I found my answer. People often describe life by saying you "take two steps forward one step backward." I describe life as as a circle of three steps, "learn, practice, rest." The steps are not always linear, and all three are equally important.

You don’t pick up a violin and play beautiful music immediately, you learn, you practice and then eventually most times when you pick up the instrument you hear a beautiful song.

I AM MY INSTRUMENT. I am learning, practicing, or resting all the time. The more practiced I become, the more beautiful my spirit song, and the closer I get to rediscovering that place of stillness and clarity deep inside me.

Use the Force!

The universe spoke to me and here’s the funny part, I listened. I was trying to figure out why I wasn’t finishing my photo affirmation business website. So, I got really quiet, did some deep breathing, and ask my spirit guide, to guide me. I wasn’t sure I had one, but I knew I wanted one.

I closed my eyes, breathed deeply, listened quietly, and new thoughts floated effortlessly into my mind “You’re not ready yet, when you are ready, it will flow out of you” they said. I hadn’t considered myself “not ready” but it could be. Then the voice in my head said something I didn’t understand. “There is no time.”

I racked my brain turning the phrase over and over again. “No time,” what could that mean? After several confusing moments another thought slid into my consciousness, add the word table to time. I was still confused, but did as I was told. “There is no timetable.”

Aha, I had my answer. When the time was right I would complete my website with ease. I liked the sound of that. So I relaxed and gave myself permission to let the time choose itself. It really was that easy. I believe in the Buddhist proverb "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

What happened next was truly amazing. I became motivated beyond belief to work past my final challenges and completed the website in just two weeks, and YES it did “flow” out of me.

In life, as in so many things, a small shift can move a mountain. I was trying to figure out why I wasn’t completing the website, not realizing that the law of attraction was working here. The more I asked why I wasn’t finishing, the more attention and energy I was attracting to NOT finishing.

When I released, trusted and surrendered, I achieved my goal (snaps to me for being able to do that!). I'm happy to announce that the website is up and running, YEAH! Take a look and give me some feedback affirmations4u.com. Smiles, Caren

Is Fear Driving Your Bus?

Okay, I admit it, I still haven't embraced failure as my teacher, but I'm trying. So hard that I've devised this action plan to make me unstoppable.

First, I will accept that NOTHING STANDS BETWEEN ME AND MY DREAM, EXCEPT ME. Nothing's missing. If I want to take a computer class, it’s because I want to, not because I need to. All my answers are right here inside of me.

Second, I’m putting myself on loving notice, “NO MORE DREAM AVOIDING.” “NUT UP OR SHUT UP!” Oh, that doesn't sound very loving does it? But when I saw it on a teenager's tshirt I have to say it really resonated with me

Finally, EVERY DAY instead of focusing on how far from my dream I am. I'll embrace each moment as my teacher and focus on the fact that every step I take brings me one step closer to LIVING MY DREAM.

Should I Stay or Should I Go

As my car approaches a squirrel trying to cross the street, he runs forward a few steps then back a few, forward, back, then after two head fakes he finally returns to his safe spot on the sidewalk. I’m at a loss to help him, heck I don’t even know if I can stay out of his way.

Then I realize I’m just like that squirrel.

I start things with vigor, I dart out into the big world and announce my grand plans, then if an obstacle presents itself or I get scared or afraid, I wonder whether I should turn back or venture on.

Watching the squirrel, I realize he will be okay either way, whether he crosses or not. He just needs to make a commitment. But then again, maybe the squirrel needs to run back and forth a few times until he believes in himself.

Thanks to the squirrel, I’ve decided to go for it. Wish me luck!

Achievement

As we climb atop our mountain enjoying what we’ve done, we glance down toward the past and realize that we’ve won. But as we glance above us for our futures to reveal, we see the place we’re standing is the foot of our next hill.

Inside Out

To give to the world, we must first learn to trust our gifts, instincts, motives, and abilities….completely trust.

When we trust and believe in ourselves the power of our gifts flow out of us changing the world one person, one moment at a time. Don’t underestimate the power of the good in people’s hearts to bring about change, it is enormous.

It doesn’t require grand acts or sweeping gestures. Just do something that you know in your heart is right. That is how to change the world, one small act of goodness at a time.

Dedicate yourself to improvement from the inside out. Search for your own truth, share your higher self with the world, look inside for your answers, and trust that they are there.

The Eyes Have It

There is a HUGE difference between existing and living. We could argue that existing is living and living is existing. But if you have ever looked deep into the eyes of someone merely existing, you would know the difference.

Our eyes broadcast to the world our heart's desires. They are the windows out which our emotions fly long before the brain can censor their comings and goings. Some say they betray us, but I think they reveal us.

In a blink, they flash our emotions. Our joy, pain, fear, love, hope, and excitement all journey out into the world and return with other people’s emotions to feed and nourish our soul. It is this open exchange of energy that creates life in our world.

When someone only exists, their toughened, impenetrable eyes reflect energy instead of sending and receiving it.

To grow you must glow and flow. Open those eyes wide, let yourself shine out into the world and invite the world to shine back into you.

Take a chance, plan, dream, hope, love.....now that is living.