Inside Out!

If you don't know Martha Beck, I highly recommend her work. She is inspirational while she delivers practical advice for one's life. Among my favorites of her books are Steering By Starlight and Finding Your Way in A Wild New World. In Steering by Starlight she says, "External circumstances do not create feeling states. Feeling states create external circumstances." It is our inner landscape that always directs our world, not the other way around. Go there to find your peace, happiness, joy, laughter and fun and then watch your external world reflect those very feelings.

Liar Liar No More...

I attended a lecture by the wise and wonderful, Tom Shadyac last Tuesday, hosted by a great group called "First Tuesday." First Tuesday is led by a remarkable woman by the name of Marcy Cole. Tom's claim to fame comes from movies like Ace Ventura, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty to name a few; but his life's work, love and heart are realized in his documentary I AM (I highly recommend seeing this) and his insightful, new book "Life's Operating Manual." Dedicated to living an authentic life and reveling in each joyful moment, Mr. Shadyac is contributing to the movement of peace, that is proliferating this planet, by being that place of peace. One person at a time, realizing one's own magnificence, going for one's own joy is becoming a glorious viral movement like none other. Focus on that, speak of that and the darkness of this world begins to serve you by showing you the light. We are spiritual beings living a physical existence. We are more powerful than we know and it's teachers like Marcy Cole and Tom Shadyac that help guide us to that sweet understanding. 

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Worry Wart?

There are so many things that are elevating this planet's consciousness as our collective vibrations play into the whole. Amazing, mystical and magical events are transpiring all around us. As the darkness seems more profound with events like the bombing in Boston, so also does the light become brighter. As was said in that wonderful documentary, "Searching for Sugarman," "These are days of miracles and wonder." It's all a matter of what we decide to focus on. Will we go within and nurture our higher selves so that we might contribute more light or will we continue to complain, worry and fear for our future. As Abraham asks, "Whatever you're thinking about is literally like planning a future event. When you're worrying, you are planning. When you're appreciating you are planning...What are you planning?" Dwell in appreciation and you will expand your own capacity for joy, as well as contributing to the well-being of this planet.

Happy Now...!

Let's get busy living happily ever after! I used to wait for happiness - like a reward, a long sought aftereffect of hard worked causes. I used to wait and wait until all those "ducks" were lined up perfectly - until I got my degree, succeeded in my career, married my perfect mate; as if those things weren't occasions for happiness in and of themselves. Then I realized that hard work and consequences were not the source of my happiness. They may have even contributed to forestalling it, much like that proverbial carrot and stick. It was not until I dug into appreciation as if my life depended on it that I realized how predominant my good was. Happiness was teeming in my life and I was pushing it aside waiting until...? Our lives are here and now, rife with joy - not tomorrow not after XYZ happens, but now.  If we just stop to notice all the good that surrounds us, we will ignite the flame of happiness. As my friend Esther (Abraham) advises, "Start living happily ever after right now!" 

Happy Where I am...!

Happy where I am, eager for more! It's such a perfect sentiment for living, as the Buddhists so wisely name it, The Middle Way. If you are happy in your present moment, appreciating your life exactly as it is, you are in a position to savor your life and live it fully. So many of us reach for a future that we hope will happen and bemoan the fact that it is not here now. Life is meant to be enjoyed. As you focus on all the good that dominates your life, providence sneaks in the back door to help move you toward your dreams. Let your hopes and dreams for your future thrill you while you love and appreciate your now. That is a life well lived.

Affirmations!

Louise Hay reminds us, through affirmations, how powerful, loved and supported we are. In this affirmation, "All is well. Everything is working out for my highest good. Out of this situation only good will come. I am safe," we are reminded that whatever we are going through, we will come out the other end stronger and happier. Joy in every situation is the realization that a higher purpose is in motion for our lives and to focus on that instead of the difficulty. It is an opportunity to change the belief in who we are (our story) to one that is more true - we are spiritual beings living a physical existence. As Rumi would say, ''You were born with wings. Why prefer to crawl through life?" Today, for whatever you are going through, remember "...Out of this situation only good will come."

Affirmations are powerful tools. Christian Northrup sums them up this way, ""Affirmations do not make things happen, they make things possible." They open up a pathway in our brains for belief. They break through limited to beliefs and carve a path to possibilities. They are for opening our own consciousness to believing what is possible for our lives. As Theodore Roosevelt so eloquently stated, "Believe that you can and you're halfway there."

Time to Step Up

Today, right now, right where you are, have appreciation for who you are. You are a unique individual, with gifts that only you can bring to the table. Don't compare and despair, look at the value you bring because it is vast and it is precious. Joseph Campbell tells us, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." Give yourself as much love, compassion and forgiveness that you would give a loved one and you will bloom. Don't hide who you are any longer because Life waits for you. As Rumi so beautifully put it, "You have no need to go anywhere - journey within yourself. Enter a mine of rubies, and bath in the splendor of your own light."