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Posts tagged ‘Thoughts’

Unlocked Handcuffs

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson

Our thoughts so easily stray and wander to assumptions, judgements, the rules, what others think, what I should do, what I shouldn’t do all based on no evidence. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of the unknown, fear of not being good enough. We weren’t put here to remain the same, to curl up comfortable and safe in the cocoon. Squirm, move, struggle to get out into the butterfly that you are meant to become.

When we bind ourselves with unlocked handcuffs, we miss the fulfillment and depth of the pursuit, of the work, of running freely, falling hard because we gave it our all and from getting right back up and going at it again.

Challenge your assumptions, your scarcity mindset and push the button of action and abundance. The handcuffs aren’t locked. The cocoon is only a transition to so much more.

Alignment

“Don’t speak unless you can improve the silence.” – Spanish proverb

Align your best self and intentions with your thoughts, actions and words every day with forethought and planning. We easily wander off course if we are not mindful and aware of the power of words and of silence. We live fractured days when we are out of alignment, so keep readjusting. It’s not simply done once and done. It’s ongoing. Change your thoughts, change your life. Make kindness your start and finish and the rest will fall into place.

“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.” – Yehuda Berg

Encourage, construct, help, heal. Cast light with your presence, words and silence.

Remember and Forget

“The Great Creator lives within each of us. All of us contain a divine, expressive spark, a creative candle intended to light our path and that of our fellows. We are shiny, not tarnished; large, not small; beautiful, not damaged – although we may be ignorant of our grace, power and dignity.” – Julia Cameron, Walking in this World

I don’t think we’ve lost our sense of delight, joy and laughter. We’ve forgotten. We remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember. Our mind easily strays to the worst case scenario, to offense. We need to calibrate our mind each day, to decide what’s worthy of remembering and what’s necessary to forget.

I am reminded of the part of the St. Francis of Assisi prayer to guide each day:

“O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

Console, understand, love, give, pardon. Remember you are shiny, large and beautiful . Forget the rest.

Bright light

“The Great Creator lives within each of us. All of us contain a divine, expressive spark, a creative candle intended to light our path and that of our fellows. We are shiny, not tarnished; large, not small; beautiful, not damaged – although we may be ignorant of our grace, power, and dignity. – Julia Cameron, Walking in this World

We have the tendency to count the wrong things – shortcomings, faults, what we don’t have. Be and look for light and your world becomes brighter, shadows overcome. Actively encourage others to share their light in accord. We all rise when each of us is lifted, allowed to be brighter. Release and illuminate your grace, power, and dignity. Celebrate with deep gratitude all that is right now and what can be magnified with, through and by your light at full strength. Put your sunglasses on, bright lights ahead.

Echo

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa

The sun bursts through clouds with strength and brilliance. Amidst your many plans and aspirations for the day, above all, be kind. A word, a smile, an acknowledgement. A simple act that echoes well beyond, breaking through the clouds of the day. Cast light.

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” - Edward Abbey

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” – Edward Abbey

The Same BUT Different

“Things do not change; we change.” – Henry David Thoreau

This week was similar to last week – challenging circumstances, demanding people, relentless deadlines. It was the same but different. A shift, a new perspective, simply taking one step at a time, tripping but not falling. We go the distance, achieve our victories and growth in inches, little by little, a foot, a yard, a mile, the finish. Boldly choose light over heavy. So when the “same” repeats itself, you can be different.

The Very Bright Side

“Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all thoughts. Always keep your body filled with light and heat. Fill yourself with the power of wisdom and enlightenment.” – Morihei Ueshiba

“Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world.” - George Bernard Shaw

“Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world.” – George Bernard Shaw

Assume positive intent from others and take positive actions on your own part. We too easily shift with the others’ winds instead of creating our own. We live in degrees, often putting too much emphasis on the irrelevant. We have put most of the obstacles in our own path with our thoughts, attitudes and actions. The bright side – we can change these.

If we believe the best in others and foster it in ourselves, forgetting the “they don’t deserve” mindset, we can see the world in a new light. So ease up on the judgement and discontent. Give what you want to receive. Choose to see the bright side, the dark side will take care of itself.

Get out of your own way, expect the best, give your best and seize the very bright side of the day.

Weeds and Seeds

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

“To see things in the seed, that is genius.” - Lao Tzu

“To see things in the seed, that is genius.” – Lao Tzu

In life’s garden, there are weeds and flowers. We can be overtaken by the weeds, those daily irritations, small minds and minor inconveniences. Pull weeds every day and plant seeds in their place, and sow twice as many seeds to hinder the weeds return.

What weeds will you pull and what seeds will you sow?

Weed varieties: complaining, gossip, pettiness, jealousy, entitlement, negativity, unforgiveness. PULL THEM.

Seeds varieties: encouragement, laughter, hope, enthusiasm, fun, gratitude, joy, patience, grace, generosity, compassion, service, faith, optimism. SOW THEM.

Grey doesn’t look good on you. Go color the world.

Christmas, The Sequel

“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” – John Milton

“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.” - Joseph Campbell

“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.” – Joseph Campbell

The story of Christmas need not end today. Christmas shows us the very best in us, our capacity for generosity, kindness and love. Carry the spirit forward into each day. And the good news is that we are not alone in the sequel. Joy is found in the name, Emmanuel – God is with us.

“Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.”  – Isaiah 7:14

Merry Christmas, today, tomorrow and the next…

Presence is the Real Present

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” – Roy L. Smith

“A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.” - William Hazlitt

“A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.” – William Hazlitt

We spend several weeks preparing for Christmas – shopping, rushing, baking, cooking, more shopping, searching for the best presents.

As the day approaches and the preparations are complete, be present. Lay your daily burdens aside and celebrate your many blessings.

Unwrap each moment with family and friends with awe and delight. Discover the real gift of the season – your presence in the miracle of Christmas and in each day of your life.

Merry Christmas.

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