Fill your holes

It happens.  We lose something or perhaps we miss out on something. Friendships can end, projects are not always approved, cakes don't always rise.  With each loss, stop and reflect on the light you wish could fill that hole.  Perhaps a lost friend means a closer relationship with existing mates or a flopped cake means you are allowed to eat the imperfect bits.  How could this wrinkle in your soul turn into a smile in your heart? Imagine away...

Save yourself by helping others

"Only if we understand, can we care.
 Only if we care, we will help.
 Only if we help, we shall be saved."

                                  Jane Goodall

La vie et une carnivale

Carnivals.  The music, the smells, the people laughing and playing and staring in wonder. You are meandering through a crowd, on your way to grab mini doughnuts, when you spot through a break in the sea of people - a fun house.  The mirrors, the spinning ground, the startling figures that pop out at you when you least expect it. The heart is racing, you are smiling.

Stress can be like a carnival ride.  We often don't notice its underlying effects because we are so busy attempting to manage it as best we can to make it through the ride to the other side. But stress can affect our organs, our mind, our spirit.

What do you do to de-stress?

Sleep deep

Cats and dogs may be able to get by on just a few naps throughout the day, but we need continuous, uninterrupted sleep.  This is where our mind and body heals from the stresses of the day.  During this time, some people grind their teeth or experience night sweats as the brain spins tales of an alternate reality.  Be gentle with yourself.  Avoid caffeinated beverages afternoon 12 noon, resist naps, get to bed early and wind down before heading to the land of nod.  Meditate, read or stretch.

What do you do to ensure a restful sleep?

We are part of a braid of countless strands

"We cannot live only for ourselves.  A thousand fibers connect us with our fellowmen; and along those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects."

Herman Melville from the compiled book of quotes, Good Person.

Iowan (Indonesian word for Opposites)

Where light breaks through the darkness.

Where pain is mixed with feelings of pleasure.

Where softness is layered upon a hard edge.

This is life.

Where mind has conversations with heart.

Where truth is riddled with secrets to be held.

Where absence births creation.

This is life.

Where laughter's tears blend with sorrow's water.

Where angels dance with the flames.

Where speed breathes into the lengthy strands of eternity.

This is life.

Giving thanks

Every morning, upon waking, walk to your window and give thanks for the beautiful life you have  - even if you are still half-asleep and you dread the work day ahead.  Say the words "hych'ka" if you choose.  This is thank you in Cowichan.  "Hi -ch - kah".  May your day be filled with blessings.

Unanswered wishes

Faith is tough.  It is hard to place our trust in something outside of our own control. We may want so badly for our resume to be accepted at that new company or to have our lover greet us at the door with a kiss when they are far away. There are so many things we pray for that never happen.  But maybe that was the plan.  Trust.  The answers will present themselves if you show patience and have a little faith.

The universe is here

You know those days when you're just walking around minding your own business and the flowers look a little more colourful and the birds sing a little more sweetly? On these days, there is a presence that can be felt.  The presence of something more powerful than ourselves.  The presence of LOVE.

When is the last time you have felt love's presence? What do you call this universal essence? We all have many names for it….

Worth repeating

Not sure if I have posed this before or not but on a day like today it is sure worth sharing…

"It always seems impossible, until it is done".
                                             Nelson Mandela

Breaking down

We are all faced with challenges that overwhelm us at first glance. But as Nelson Mandela tells us "Everything seems impossible, until it is done".  So how do we transition from a mountain sized task to a pebble size task?  We write the tasks down into microsteps.  If the request for an 80 page report is sitting on our desk and we have a month to complete it, we could write four pages every day for 20 days.  After each day we give ourselves a rewards such as a fancy tea or a walk around the neighbourhood to reflect on our accomplishment.

How do you get though tough projects?

Peeling back the layers

Pet peeves.  Fears.  We all have them, but each of us are unique to the other. Let's try an exercise in understanding our sensitive spots. Bring to mind an irritation or fear. Breathe into your body.  Where does this feeling lie?  In your shoulders, your heart, your gut? Breathe again to be sure.  Ask yourself about where this fear takes you?  What are the emotions associated with the feeling? Look back into your memory bank and question the birth of this irritation?  Delve deeper.  Why does this feeling hold so much power?  Delve deeper?  What is the probability that this itch really needs to be scratched, will it help us? Most likely not. What is the benefit of shedding this fear layer? Take some time to ponder your thoughts, journalling if this helps you.

You don't need to share, but thank you for participating.

Dance with the past

Unlike many of other Mother Nature's animals, we have evolved to create time for ourselves in which to contemplate the past and think about our future. In meditation we often try to focus in on the present, but as a change of pace, try meditating on the past.  Take an old record or CD that you used to play on repeat in your younger years.  Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes.  Let the music take you on a journey to your past.  What do you see?  What are the smells that tickle your nose?  What are the feelings associated with the music?

I would love to hear how it goes!

Watch the world go by

Meditating on the morning commute is not as difficult as it may seem.  A trick I enjoy is repeating the phrase "I am amazing" each time a black truck crosses my peripheral vision. Which, in the Province of Alberta, happens very often.  This practice forces me to pause and send loving kindness to myself while performing a fairly mundane task. 

You can do this on the train, on your bike or walking.  What is a phrase you could repeat to yourself and what items will you identify this phrase with?

View the whole painting

One look in the mirror and there they are.  Our flaws.  Our minor imperfections that seem so large through the distorted lense of our mind's ego.  We all have them.  But we can choose to adjust our vision so that we view the entire vessel, in and out, for all its radiant beauty and strength.  We must do this, if we are to fully love and accept ourselves and others on this planet.

Do you love the whole? Or do you see the imperfections (character)? Do you accept yourself as you are?

Scared at night

Sleep is an interesting time for many people. Some have difficulty falling asleep and require the aid of pharmaceuticals to make the journey into slumber a more effective process. Some have restless sleeps, waking every hour or so because of an imaginary fear, and finding it hard to return to the sandman's cozy presence. In rare cases, some people sleepwalk or sleeptalk, half in the realm of dreams, half in the real world, often disturbing others with their actions.  How can we ensure a solid night of slumber? Do we get a pet to snuggle with us, do we exercise vigorously during the day, do we avoid certain foods before bed?  Please share your tips with the world.

How do you ensure a restful night?

Re-think

Meditation is a tricky practice.  A lot of people run away from meditation because they feel uncomfortable sitting alone with the mind spinning freely.  But meditation is not so much about being alone with a picture show of random images floating by.  It is about focus. At first, our mind may seem like a thunderstorm with thoughts crashing to the ground like random beams of lightning and this storm may overwhelm us. But the trick is to narrow the beam of light to one single stream at a time.

Think of watching clouds go by.  We don't attempt to view the entire sky in one sitting, our mind gets too overwhelmed. Instead, we watch one, single cloud roll by and witness it change shape before our eyes. This practice is calming and focused and beneficial to our mind.

I have a trick when meditating. As thoughts pop into my viewing space I wrap them gently in a bubble and watch them float up into the universe. Thought by thought I do this. I don't own the thoughts running freely through my brain but I guide them where I want them to go. This takes practice and discipline.

Do you have any meditation tricks that you could share with my readers? Much gratitude in advance for your thoughts.

People watching

Laughter from a stranger tickles my soul.
Bright colours of a skirt flirt with my tired eyes.
A waft of perfume forces me to inhale…ahhhh.

I am connected.
I am plugged in to life.

A musician plays a haunting tune that gently kisses my earlobes.
Children misbehave, testing their parent's patience.  Cute.
Green grass breathes a sweet scent as picnic goers create a gathering spot.

I am connected.
I am one with the world.

Alleyways

"Fast or slow
Take the shortcuts and side roads
Pay no mind to the signs or highway lines
We'll get there our way".

Hey Ocean

Fill your well with water

We shift and change each and every day.  On some days we may evolve so quickly that a hole is left where old pain or suffering would reside.  If this has recently happened to you, imagine that empty, cleared out space being filled by a trickle of fresh, pure water.  We are water.  Water is life.  Heal yourself with its magic elixir.

Mellow yellow

There is nothing wrong with allowing yourself to experience some mellow time.  We often think that if we are not rushing around from place to place, activity to activity, we are somehow lazy. This is simply not true.  Often it is important to put your life on cruise control then sit back and feel the waves of the day wash gently over your body.

Cat naps

Ever wonder why cats have nine lives? Perhaps it is because they take cat naps.  A little snooze during our busy day can restore the mind and refresh the body. Twenty minutes is all you need, and we all have a spare twenty minutes in our day, do we not?

Take care of yourself, nap for goodness sake.

Goal!

Reaching goals is an art perfected by humans.  In nature, the wolf may have a goal to take down one doe per week or a polar bear may make a goal to travel on seven ice flows in a day.  But we humans base our lives around key goals such as happiness, love, affection, gratitude, beauty, financial wellbeing and intelligence.

What if you could have fun with your goals?  Think of a measurable for each target you wish to set.  If you want to lose weight, you say, I want to lose 15 bounds in four months.  Then you backcast to determine what milestones are needed to reach that end zone. Then you take the whole pieces and split them into micro steps, choose five to seven for each step.  I am going to eat five less potato chips, I am going to drink 1 more cup of water, I will walk five extra minutes a day.

Small, achievable micro steps are key.  Once you have written down your game plan, think of ways to celebrate along the way.  And remember, whatever you did today - you did enough.

Child's play

What if you could begin your morning by doing cartwheels, kicking high on a swing, or riding your bike?  Imagine the playfulness you might allow into your life.  Through play we can begin again and start our day behind the eyes of youth.

How do you celebrate childhood play time?

Everything is better with a friend

A swing sings softer when a friend is near.
Water is wetter when splashing with a friend.
The sun beams brightly when friend's eyes gaze upon the sky.

A conversation holds more comfort when a friend is near.
Tears trickle into a river of smiles with a friend.
The wind dies a little with a friend's protection.

Even when alone, my best friend is always by my side.

Sacred space

Waves lick the softened shore and rock me gently with their music.
The bright star beams its light upon my face sending me rays of love and warmth for my soul.
A lonely bench sits empty except for the faint outline of a grandfather's spirit.

I am home. I am loved. I am safe.

I go here in my mind's eye when times feel troubled and the darkness creeps in.

Trees whistle a happy tune through the beautiful dance of photosynthesis. A memory of young children bouncing together, holding innocent hands, on an old inner tube plays softly in my mind.

I am home.  I am loved.  I am safe.

Shed your skin…again

Every day, every moment we are blessed with the opportunity to alter the future of our existence.  We have many, many layers  - some grow old and may be no longer useful faster than others.  But we are always growing into something more beautiful, more magnificent.  We are growing closer to our true selves.

Take some time today and recall the last moment, or the last episode where you felt a shift in the pattern of life.  Twist your kaleidoscope and see what new image emerges from the self.

One love

Black or white. WE are one love.
Rich or poor.  WE are one love.
Sick or well.  WE are one love.
God or no.  WE are one love.

Today.  WE are one love.

Namaste - The light in me sees the light in you.

Another quote from another

It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird.  How could it learn to fly while remaining an egg?  We are like eggs at present, and you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg.  We must be hatched or go bad.

C.S. Lewis

Quote from another...

"Everything in moderation.  Including moderation."  Julia Child.  Thanks to my friend Keith for that one.

Quote

Look the good life in the eyes and smile.

Play day

Have you ever wondered how you could make a day of work more exciting?  Perhaps you can add a splash of creativity or fun into your day by designing little games to play by yourself or with others.  Friends of mine have friday dance parties at work complete with musical instruments and silliness.  Book yourself some quiet space to reflect on past projects and consider ones for the future.  Can you decorate your work space with items that ignite the spirit and concentrate the mind to focus on tasks at hand? See what you can do to spice up your day.

Any suggestions?

Slow down

sometimes we need to do the opposite of what we feel. sometimes we feel a strong urge to relax in front of the tv, when perhaps a nice walk would be more satisfying. sometimes we feel the need to pile tasks on our to-do list, when really we need to sit and talk with loved ones instead. Try to take on everything in moderation and always remember to think with your heart before your mind. Namaste, meaning that "the light in me sees the light in you."

Trust in others

Sometimes the best way to see our own reflection is through the views of others.  Our own reflection of ourselves could be altered by super negative or super positive beliefs about our true essence.  If we listen to the songs being sung around us, we might be able to tweak ourselves back in tune with the now.

Whose thoughts do you trust most in this world?

Be the Northern Lights

Dancing through the sky in a blend of cool colours is the aurora borealis.  Majestically it takes us to a place of spirit and centredness and asks us the question, what is the power of gases, of air?  Air is life, it breathes upon us the energy of the universe and we breathe out any toxins that have been filtered through our system.  When your life feels bottled or constricted, picture the Northern lights in your mind and re-mind yourself, to breathe.

Dance therapy

When in doubt, dance it out.  When your spirit is in your feet, dance it up.  When your mind is wandering, dance it in.

Focus

Our mind wanders off to many places during the day and it can often be difficult to concentrate on one task.  How often do we lose track of keys or take the wrong turn?  Centering the mind to focus on each task like a marksman aiming at a target is the challenge. How can we place our essence into such a narrow passage?  Practice make perfect.

What tricks do you use to help you to stay focused?

Floss

Period.

The sweet spot

Our past had ended.  It is dark and rich, composted into Earth's humous to lay a foundation for future growth.  We can dig into the past when we need to, but if we stay in the darkness, we will be swallowed whole.

Our future is in the light.  It is endless imagination, pregnant with possibility. If we dance into this space  too far, we risk being consumed by the power of the sun's rays and the expansive, endless sky.

Let us be here. Now.  In the place where light embraces the dark in a sensual balance of old and new, death and birth, yin and yang.

Hope floats

Struggling in the waters of life, we barely keep afloat. We fight and claw to remain at the surface, exhausting all of our energy.  But when we choose to relax each of our muscles and surrender to the liquid around us, we hover weightlessly, perfectly.  If there is a struggle you are experiencing, consider ways that you could close your eyes, lean back and let go.

Reflections

Rippling water on the shoreline.  Beauty.
Clouds shifting patterns across a blue sky.  Beauty.
Graceful wings of a flying seagull.  Beauty.
Tiny children playing freely in the sand.  Beauty.
Me.  Beauty.

Creating space

There is only so much room in our head, yet many thoughts swirl around and can make us dizzy if we are not careful.  We have a choice of which thoughts to grant space to.  We can either choose negative thoughts such as "Everyone is smarter than me" or "I look fat in this outfit" or we can fill the space of our mind with more pleasing thoughts like "I am a good person" or "I am wearing nice shoes today".  The positive thoughts have the potential to guide us into bliss whereas the darker thoughts could lead us into pain.   What will you choose today?  You can borrow my new mantra "There's less room for hate, more room to create".

baby steps

Setting small, manageable goals is key to helping us reach larger milestones in our life.  The smaller and more detailed the action, the greater the chance that we might achieve it.  On the route to happiness we could choose to maybe smile at three people a day and reward ourselves with an extra smile when that is accomplished.  Another goal might be to move for 30 minutes a day.  We may surpass this goal, but there is great willpower and positive thoughts that may come if our small tasks are completed.  Set a goal for yourself today.  Where will it take you?

A kiss from nature

Watching bumblebees can be a soothing activity. The flower opens itself to welcome the bee's dance in its petals, and just by being itself, the bee gives a gift to the flower by pollinating it.  The bee does not attack the flower for its pollen, nor does the flower hide from the bee's presence.  They care for one another in an intimate way.  We can honour one another by giving what we can and by taking only what we need.  Perhaps the gift is advice, a compliment, a hug.  Perhaps we take advice, a compliment, a hug. Nature displays this balance so well. Let us learn from her.

See yourself through another's eyes

Sometimes we cannot trust our own reflection.  When self-doubt or insecurities exist, we view an altered version of ourself that is clouded in judgement.  People outside of oursevles can view us in a different light.  They see our potential, our beauty, our strengths.  They see the things we sometime cannot.  If we cannot trust in our own view, try to adopt the view of another and attempt to imagine all your gifts, exposed and real and true.

Imagine if

We may look ahead to a place we dream of being, but what if we could transport that moment to right now?  Perhaps we dream of having more money, or finding happiness.  Sit back and visualize what that moment feels like.  Place a smile upon your face and know that whatever challenge lies ahead of you, you have succeeded.  What does that place feel like?  Does it make your shoulders stand taller, your heart feel lighter? Live in this space as if the moments are happening right in front of you.  For just a short while, we can really feel as though our dreams have come true.

Garden growth

Gripped hands pluck unwanted stems from the ground.
A hole rests where life once grew.
The landscape is dotted with misplaced plants.
They grow in and around existing foliage.
The labour seems endless,
but all that really exists is this one motion, this one pull, this one moment.
One weed down, 347 to go.

Help up

Sometimes the best way to lift ourselves up is to lend a helping hand to others.  In this act we give service and we honour the gifts we have.  This can be as simple as calling a friend who is down and lending them an ear, or it can be more creative such as playing an instrument at an old folks home.  The act of giving is clustered with rewards that lift us up and remind us that there is good in the world, and we are part of it.

How have you helped someone recently?

Voice of an angel

Do you ever start a conversation with someone and wonder if maybe, just maybe, there is a heavenly presence entering the space you share?  Entering this special moment when you feel just a little bit different, a little more complete?  The words spoken ignite something within you and you know in that moment, you will never be the same.  I feel this when someone goes deep and shares their story with me.  When someone reveals a truth about their life story that most people wouldn't get to hear.  I feel honoured and humbled and alive in those moments.

When was the last time an angel spoke to you?

Building steps to cross the bridge

Our life is defined and directed by the small decisions we make.  What to eat for supper, who to spend our evening with, and what thoughts to entertain in our head all help to adjust our sail so that we travel in the right direction.  Sometimes we make a choice that leads us away from the edge, a temporary relief.  But what action might help us to build steps to cross the bridge? Sometimes this is known as the hard road, but it does not need to feel hard.  We can rejoice in the effort, knowing that our decision is leading us somewhere great.  Each small step helps to build a bridge over our fear, grief or sadness.  Today, when given a choice to find instant relief or spend time building a step, choose the step and reward yourself for putting your long-term interests first.

Just people watching

There is something calming about watching people moving through their day.  Smiles, mannerisms and lives so different from our own stir our imagination and leave us in a state of wonder.  So many of us find ourselves in a blissful drift when given the chance to sit back in a crowd and observe the human world around us.  Children are especially interesting to watch.  Flicks of energy seem to fly off their small bodies and reach toward us as they play and create and explore.

Where is your favourite place to people watch?

Push through the pain

Labour.  It is hard work.  But somehow we push through, knowing that we may birth something glorious if we can just fight past the pain.  One side calls to us to take a break, to leave the source of fear and hurt, the other side asks us to bear down and seize the moment. Who do we listen to? Lately I have been listening to the side that asks me to run and hide. I envelope myself in the arms of safety, of temporary freedom.  But today I chose to push through and I feel so strong for it.

What have you done recently to make it through a tough challenge?

Let it sink in

What was the last compliment you heard?  Perhaps someone noticed your new shirt or your input at work was acknowledged.  Recall this compliment once again and let it truly sink in and take root. Repeat the words several times to yourself.  We all too often hear a compliment but then rarely do we listen to the sweet words and take them fully inside.  We quickly say "thanks" on an exhale, without remembering to fully inhale the kind message being gifted our way. You deserve that compliment.  Accept it in a way that matters.  Embrace it.

Give a little

Giving gifts is a gift in itself.  The search for the perfect item that might make someone's day is a journey into gratitude.  We feel lucky to have such a special person in our life.  We feel blessed to discover a way to let the recipient know how loved they are. Something as simple as a card takes time to read each message and view each image, trying to find just the perfect match.  The joy and smiles our gift might bring is reflected in our own heart as we contemplate the ideal memento for the situation. Dig around you in your travels today and see if you can discover a treat to make someone's day.

Have you recently presented someone with a gift?  How did it feel?

Hold your hand

Our hands walk through our day often more than our feet.  We type, touch, hold and feel with our hands.  They are extremely fragile yet offer us so much strength.  Most other species do not use their hands the way we do.  We are unique. Take some time to look at your hands today.  Stroke and massage them in thanks for all they do. 

Let the water flow

All the water existing on this planet is the same water that has always been around.  Molecules from the pure liquid we drink may have been consumed by dinosaurs and Kings or may have sat on the peak of Mount Everest.  Think of this miracle today as you sip an extra cup of tea or glass of clear water.  Let the wonder of the world flow through you and invigerate your cells. 

In what ways do you celebrate water?

Phone a friend

Often when we visit with friends it is the result of a scheduled appointment.  We plan for a coffee meeting or a walk, noting down a time and place.  What kind of conversation could happen if we simply call up a friend and speak openly in the moment?  What sort of thoughts might come through the line?  Look through your address book today and phone up a friend you haven't met with in a while.  Let the organic conversation happen and see where it takes you.

Tune into compliments

There are so many sweet words said about us, but often we accept them on the surface rather than pulling them deep inside us. Each compliment is a true gift, it is the universe telling us we are special and worthy of great things. Think about the compliments you give others.  You see a true light inside them and feel compelled to say something. You hope that message travels deep. This is true of compliments coming your way, they are offerings of the wonder found within.  If you receive a compliment today, breathe it in deep, look the giver in the eye and give thanks.

Looking back

As we travel forward, is it ever safe to look back?  Walking along a path we can see the trees surrounding us, feel the gravel crunching under our feet and hear birds chirping in the distance.  We also get the chance to look ahead as the path meanders and creeps into new territory.  But what if we look back?  Will we trip? Will we lose our orientation?  Or is there ever a safe checkpoint to view the world behind us and recall the many steps that brought us forward?  Take a moment to breather deep and recall a memory that brings a smile to your face.  Let the sweetness of that memory sit on your tongue and nourish you for the day to come.

Community rocks

When we feel we belong, we can step outside the feeling of being isolated or being alone.  Community offers a safe and accepting place where part of us feels a connection to a greater group. I find community at music festivals.  Everyone smiles at each other and recognizes the beautiful mosaic of different souls merging together to listen to one song, one artist. There is a sense of peace, of knowing there is nowhere else you need to be. What is your community? A local coffee shop?  A church? A running group?

Viewing your thoughts

As thoughts slip in and out of your head, try to imagine them captured in a bubble and floating past.  Rather than attaching to your thought, recognize that it matters, but if it is not serving you, let it float away.  Ask, does this thought bring me closer to joy, or away? What can happen when our thoughts are not set apart in this way is they can rain down on us, flooding our mind quickly.  By stepping back to view our thoughts, we find shelter and simply watch the droplets of throughts trickle down outside our mind's window.

Go one layer deep

Our regular response when we great people is a "hello" and an "I'm good".  But what if we delved one layer more.  What would we really say? "My daughter has her first dance recital tonight, and I am really excited for her" or "I am really stressing about a meeting I have this afternoon". The more details we provide, the greater the chance of connecting with our listener.  It is our opportunity to show our textured human side and in return we can allow more space into the woven material of our spirit. Sharing our inner thoughts an emotions is such a gift.  Think of any animal species that has the chance to share deep thoughts with one another, does such an exchange of information exist?  Celebrate this gift that we have, and tell someone a thought that has been on your mind.

We can do this more easily online, but what in person?  Do you share your thoughts with people?

Lucky charms

Many of us use inanimate objects as a source of luck or strength.  We can place them on our body, hold them tight or simply feel their presence.  In nature, do lucky charms exist?  Is there a favourite tree that the robin feels more safe to sing her song?  Does a monkey have a favourite rock to visit when eating his lunch?  If you have a lucky charm, grab hold of it today and thank it for helping you out so many times.

What is your lucky charm?

When in doubt, smile it out

There are strong reactions when we look out to the world and smile. One smile can create a chain reaction of smiles from other people. When you look at strangers do you smile? Not only can the reflection of a smile warm our hearts, our own smile can lighten us up from within, allowing us to glow outward. Get some exercise for your cheeks today.  Smile whenever you can.

Cloud Gazing

Recall your childhood when you would lay back on the grass and watch clouds move by.  Their shapes would change before our eyes and the sky seemed to be moved along on some sort of air conveyor belt.  If your day has been especially hectic, take a few moments to watch the clouds.  As the shapes sink and rise, expand and contort, imagine all the tasks you have been working through.  Tasks move along and shift and change as time twists reality into a new fold.  Our day may not turn out as we planned, but we can have comfort that each transformation occurred just the way it was supposed to along life's endless skyline.

Planting positive seeds

We cannot really predict what exactly will grow in our garden of life.  We cannot know when and where new shoots will emerge.  But we can control what seeds we plant.  Each day, take some time in your mind to imagine positive possibilities.  Imagine that meeting at work going really well, imagine the conversation with your partner ending in a big embrace, imagine your workout being filled with a sense of accomplishment.  Most of our daily worries end up creating up little weeds in our garden that can outcompete all the good possibilities trying to push to the surface.  Choose bright thoughts, choose well.

Lifting the vibration

 The higher the vibration, the more space that exists.  Space to expand, to grow, to be lighter.  Deep within us are spaces that are closed off, locked together, stuck within our being.  Perhaps old feelings of fear, guilt or resistance.  We can lift these dense vibrations up through sound, the sound already within us.  Take some time alone in a safe space. Begin breathing into the places in your body where you may feel stuck.  Breathe into the knots in your shoulders, the pit of your stomach, or a hole in your heart.  As you exhale, slowly begin to allow sound to release.  It may be a sigh, a cry, a scream, a song, or something totally new to you.  What is the sound you are not allowed to make, what deep down is wanting to be heard, to be set free?

Take some time to listen to yourself today.

Hooray for small victories

Do not wait until a large goal is completed before celebrating.  Those small tasks help us toward victory just as much as the big ones.  A leaf unfurled from a bud does not wait for the whole tree to come alive, it reaches proudly for the sun.  The ant who carrries a small load is celebrated as much as the one carrying five times its weight.  When you rise in the morning, congratulate yourself for getting out of bed, for brushing your teeth and choosing clothes to wear. These are key steps to beginning your busy day.  Celebrate the lunch you will have, celebrate each small task with a large check mark and maybe a sticker just for fun.

How do you celebrate small tasks?

Celebrate setbacks

Obstacles happen. We can choose to slam into them or weave around them and move on.  Our computer breaking down could be a chance for panic and frustration or may allow us to catch up on running errands or paperwork that has been put off.  Forgetting to pack a lunch may mean a nice trip to a new restaurant. Even stubbing a toe could offer celebration for actually having feeling in our legs and feet.  What setback did you experience that you were able to turn around into a positive?  Do you believe even setbacks happen for a reason?

Scene change

Make a plan to change your daily scenery for a portion of your day.  You might realize something new and wonderful when you remove yourself from the habitual spaces you normally find yourself in.  Try a new coffee shop, move your laptop to a library or park, or sit in a diffferent seat on the bus.  What will you discover by adjusting the lense you view your daily life from?  Shake it up.

At your service

Serving others can be extremely staisfying.  There is a feeling of having purpose, of being needed, and this feeling can go a long way towards our daily happiness.  How did you provide service to others today?  How did it feel?  Could you help someone tomorrow?  Build it into your plans.  Help a co-worker solve a problem, provide a shoulder for a friend to cry on, help a neighbour in their garden, give time to your favourite charity.  This list of possible service is endless.

Dress for success

The lion proudly bears his fluffy mane, the zebra embraces his constrasting stripes, and we can do the same.  Often we gravitate toward the most comfortable clothes without a thought of how we might present ourselves.  Putting together a sharp outfit can allow us to stand a little taller, and feel more pride in ourselves. This pride expands outwards and allows others to see us in a new light.   When planning your wardrobe, ask yourself how you can best present yourself with the clothes options you have.

Strut it out.

Word expansion

Learning a new language
Is uncomfortable

I cannot find familiarity in word association
Floating letters swirl past my eyes

But in the discomfort
I feel changed
I feel my mind stretching and expanding
To embrace the new thoughts
The birth of some new world

I greet the words and
Hold them close until
A connection is formed

Language becomes life

Do what you can

We want to accomplish so many things.  We want to finish building that birdhouse, get ourselves to the market, sweat it out at the gym and make our families happy.  Some days we can accomplish it all, but many times we simply cannot.  Some days bring illness, fear, exhaustion or important priorities that attempt to run the show.  Know that these days need to run at a difference pace, we need to be sensitive to ourselves as our bodies are sending us messages.  Think of these times as software updates and we need to be gentle on ourselves as we re-boot for another day.

Be gentle.

Good enough

No matter where you are in your life or in your current journey, know that your are good enough as you are.  You are smart enough, kind enough, strong enough and quite attractive too!  We spend so much time reaching for our future selves or looking back to our past selves that we forget to appreciate the "us" we are right now. 

Imagine all your friends and family in your mind.  Picture each of them coming over, kneeling down to you and saying "you are enough", "you are good enough", "you have done enough".  If you already feel you are enough, try telling a friend that they are enough and see where that might take them.

Be the dream

What does your dream life look like?  Have you written it down? Have you played it out in your mind?  A helpful daily practice is to sit comfortably and imagine yourself living in this dream life for at least five to ten minutes.  Try not to imagine it as a movie scene playing out with you as an actor.  Imagine that you are in fact living your dream with all of your senses at play.

What does your dream day look like? 

Walking with angels

Although we are often not aware of it, angels walk among us.  Positive energy from the uiniverse surrounds us every day, entering hosts such as trees and strangers and friends to send us a message of love.  But why does it seem that we are alone, left to battle our world as one person, one spirit, one lonely light?  Find the interconnectedness in your world by starting to find these angels.  As Ben Harper writes "Speak kind to a stranger, cause you'll never know, it just might be an angel come knockin' at your door".  Notice the person sitting beside you on the train, are they carrying light within them?  What about the person in line at the bank?  Your friends are also an ideal way to tap into the world of angels. 

You are blessed.

Ask the right questions

When you feel you are at crossroads, asks questions.  It may not be necessary to share with people what you are contemplating, but ask their thoughts on some options.  Maybe it is a roadblock in a relationship, maybe it is a career move or the chance to travel.  Research the options within your own brain, right down what you are looking for and whether your plans will help you get there.  The only way to find the right answers is to ask the right questions.

Ma Mere et mon Pere

What would the world be like without parents?  No matter how near or far, their love can cut through space and time like nothing else on this planet.  At our weakest state, they care for us without a second thought.  At our strongest, they stand at our side, cheering us on - even if they silently do so.  I struggle for words because I have so much admiration for a parents' love.  I only hope that if I am a mother one day that I am able to pass on the kindness and dedication and acceptance that my parents gave to me.

Whether you are connected tightly to your parents or perhaps estranged, send them love, forgiveness, acceptance, any feeling you feel safe to give today.  You are here because you were created out of their love.  You were created from LOVE.  Never forget.

Life in bite sized chunks

In order to truly experience life we must savour every moment.  Doing the dishes may seem like an annoyance, but when we mindfully enter into the activity we can experience enjoyment.  Look at each dish, give thanks for the lovely meal that was created on it.  Was your cutlery or favourite mug a gift? Give thanks for having such generous people in your life.

If you have a garden, consider the weeds growing haphazardly.  To tackle all those misfit plants may seem far too overwhelming at one time.  Break the garden into sections and work from there.  Through your labour, you may choose to leave the smaller weeds or weeds intertwined into other shrubs and flowers.  As you work in the soil give thanks to the billions of bacteria and microorganisms for tending the garden in your absence.  Look over at your blooming flowers and unfurling leaves and take in all their beauty.

Is there a task that is difficult, but you have found a way to distill some enjoyment from it?

Seeing in the darkness

Our eyes can pick up on shapes and colours and depths and textures.  All of these minute details play into our brain and a story is created.  But this is the brain's story, not the heart's.  In order to see the heart's message, our eyes can close and we can experience our breath entering and exiting our bodies.  What is our more expansive mind trying to tell us? What is the message from the universe?  Many people have a fear of closing their eyes, fear of the dark.  Be a witness to this fear and continue to look deep.  You can best practise this in your home, near a stand of trees, or by the water.  Try listening to music with your eyes closed.  So much can change for you.

Do you often practise time with your eyes closed?  Any tips on how to stay comfortable and focused in this expansive space?

Pull the chute

We are robust.  We can handle a great deal and soldier on with our heavy load. But who asked us to bear such a burdon?  Do our families, our employers, our friends ask us to take on the world?  Often, we test our strengths by pushing our limits, perhaps in the name of self-improvement.  But acknowledging when to pull the chute and rescue ourselves may be a far greater strength.  We care for our futures far more when we stop and say "enough".  Breaks, extending deadlines and requesting a hand can help us through the rougher days.  When do you know to pull the chute? 

Take care of yourself today.

Plan for now

We have made planning into an art.  We have schedules, lists, even detailed reports of where we aim to go.  What does all this planning do to the present moment?  We may feel rushed or even panicked before the tasks even present themselves.  In nature, birds don't panic because they have five nests to build in a week.  Deer don't live in fear knowing they have to cross a road tomorrow.  Flowers don't tremble if the rain is not forecasted to come.

If you have a busy day ahead, stop to breathe into your body.  What do you need in this moment to help you with the days ahead?  Perhaps a walk in nature to connect with a world free of planning or maybe dancing childlike to a favourite song.  What does your body tell you to do when it is stressed?

Be the moment.  Live for now.

Emotional baggage

Many of us are not well-skilled at letting our emotions flow out.  We trap anger, frustration, sadness and loneliness deep inside us.  Perhaps we are afraid what will happen if we unleash these feelings.  Will we hurt someone, will we be judged?

A good friend once told me that emotion is just energy in motion.  Energy wants to flow, to move through us but something we've been taught over the years prevents us from extracting these deep seated emotions.  Grant yourself permission today.  Scream in the car, cry on a friend's shoulder.  Let it out.

Intimate encounters

Intimacy is a beautiful thing.  It reminds us that we are all connected, that we all come from one love, one planet.  Simply looking into someone's eyes can evoke a breathtaking moment - I accept you as you are.  Dancing with strangers, nodding to a granny on the street, saying om in yoga class, touching the hand of a good friend and of course, making love.  By letting our guard down and being vulnerable we make ourselves open to intimacy that envelopes our heart and melts the shield we place inside our chest. 

The world just might be a better place if we allow more intimacy into our lives.

deja view

In the past, experiences of deja vu would bring dread into my heart.  Could it be a bad omen, a sign of bad things to come?  In fear, I would try different actions to rid this bad spirit from my being.  But bad things did not happen.  Even so, the fear remained, despite the lack of proof. 

Recently, my outlook has changed on this unique phenomena.  Perhaps, deja vu is a sign that our lives are in alignment with the right path.  Think of a song.  When all the instrument and vocal layers are placed upon each other in the perfect order, a brief moment of pure harmony occurs and music comes alive.  Think of deja vu as a track that is experiencing a glimmer of perfection.  Feel blessed in that moment and know that you are in a good place.

What is your experience with deja vu?
Does it scare or delight you?

Self-exposure

It takes great courage to share yourself with others.  This vulnerability allows our light to shine more freely and invites others to share their light as well.  In telling our stories and sharing our fears and insecurities we lessen the impact these thoughts claim in our lives.  Listening to the stories of others we find new light in ourselves, in a spot that may have been dark for awhile.

Expose yourself, you never know what you could happen in a flash.

Gentle and kind wins the race

Pushing ourselves to do the best and be the best can cause us to trip or burn out along the way.  Set your pace at a moderate speed and make sure to stop and witness the elevation you've gained every once in awhile.  The longer our to-do list does not reflect the length and fulfilment of our lives.

Is there an area in your life that you could slow down for awhile?
Are you stopping to witness the view?

Adjust your frame

The tree sits within a frame on my wall
Branches, leaves, fruit stare back at me

I drag the frame down
Roots and soil exposed
Dark, damp, rich

I slide the frame high above my head
Sunlight streams through
Birds and butterflies colour the sky

To the left, an office building
Glass windows and concrete fill the frame

Sitting in the top corner
A small branch reaches in
The frame becomes wider than its borders

Hello, I am an addict

No matter how tightly we run our lives or how spiritually connected we are, everyone has addictions.  They could be drug and alcohol related or seemingly innocent such as chocolate, caffeine or being addicted to our lover.  The addiction uses up our priceless energy on wanting something more than we actually need it to survive.  Each focus on an addiction takes us away from a connection with ourselves, or a higher power.  There are messages to learn from the addiction.  Notice when you begin to crave your addiction, what were you feeling or thinking prior to this desire?  These are beautiful opportunities to learn how to be closer with our true needs, our true desires.

What addictions do you have?  How do you work on them?  Or do you want you work on them?

the help

We all need help.  Some days we need it more than others.  If you are experiencing a day where you require a little lift, ask for help.  There is constant energy or spirit surrounding each of us just waiting to be needed.  Ask a friend, therapist, website, higher power or a favourite tree to help guide you to a brighter day. 

Try this on a regular day where the need for help is not as essential.  Hear yourself ask for help today.  For a happier, more fulfilling experience perhaps.  Feel how this prayer makes colours more vibrant, makes your feet feel lighter and makes traffic seem like a nice visit with vehicular neighbours.

Go forth and ask.

Living on the edge

Upon a rocky cliff
I peer down to another world below
My legs try to shuffle back
But it would only mean further to go

"You will need these", a voice calls
Two suitcases loaded, one for each arm
I shudder with the extra weight

I could run and escape
But the cliff would always remain

It is time
I let myself step into the air
 wait for the crash
But only softness remains
Two parachutes have emerged from the cases
I am going to be ok

Nourish your needs

Babies spend a lot of time crying.  Parents try to understand the babies needs by offering gifts of food, clean diapers and rocking chair sessions, but the crying continues.  We too may find ourselves moping, low energy or exhausted, thinking that we simply need time in front of the television to recharge.  But think about the personal needs you have which you have grown to understand and appreciate. Is there something deeper, more primal that is asking for some love? Are you an extrovert?  Maybe you need to call up a friend and go for a walk.  Have you taken any time to be creative today?  Perhaps, there is energy lying dormant that is holding you down, hoping to be brought to life through writing, painting, mending items in the home.  Sit still and breathe into your heart, ask it what you need.  The answer will come to you.

Knowing when to let go

How often do we resuscitate a dying plant, knowing that with just a bit more of our energy, it will thrive again?  Sadly, the path is already set and we may be powerless against it.  Plants die. It is just hard to let go of something you've become attached to.  We sew a piece of ourselves to the items and people and goals around us.  Spend some time thinking of other aspects of your life where letting go might be a more gentle option than fighting.  Your work, a relationship that is waning, a pet who is ill or aging, clothes that do not fit, your home.  Sometimes, although we don't want to, we need to surrender and say good-bye before more pain is inflicted.  In the letting go, we prepare a new pot for another plant to grow.  Which, when the right time again, presents itself.

Strut your stuff

Many of us shy away from standing out in a crowd or appearing overly confident.  We can place negativity toward this way of being, calling it conceited or vein.  When really all of us were created just as amazing as the next person and we can celebrate that.  Today, practice your strut.  Ground down into your legs, let them take your weight and free your hips.  Hips are essential for strutting.  Roll your shoulders back and lift your head.  Discover how this changes your feelings about yourself.  Marvel at your new height, your open chest and witness how others perceive you.

You are perfect and amazing, strut it out.

Perception deception

Perception is a filter that lays over our consciousness which can sometimes blur reality without us realizing it.  Some days we look at our jobs and consider leaving for a new career.  But would the new path really benefit us more than the gifts we are receiving from our current job?  Perhaps.  But it is essential to remove the veil of perception before making any decisions.  This can be done by writing out your feelings (or your brain, or your perception) and your knowing (your expansive mind or your heart) and compare them.  The current job may feel stressful, but starting at a new workplace could add stress as well.  You may feel undervalued, but the latest evaluation from your boss tells you otherwise.  Your situation with your job, partner, body, home may be based more on how you are perceiving it, than about what the reality is.

Do your worth-its

Human evolution has brought us many gifts, but one strange attribute we've adopted is to question our worth once in awhile, or everyday for some people.  We can prevent these feelings from bubbling up by taking care of ourselves behind the scenes.  There are tasks we can perform that lay the foundation for a good day, good health and an overall peacefull feeling.  These tasks are called "worth-its" because by performing them, we feel better about ourselves.  What's your worth-it?  Flossing, ironing clothes for work, washing the car, writing in a gratitude journal, and taking a morning stroll offer simple ways we can create positive change.  By doing small tasks we can make a large difference in our feelings of self-worth.

Expand your territory

Imagine our ancestors searching to find a new forest with rare berries, or discovering a new lake as they move away from their typical gathering space.  Even though we now live in a world of planes, vehicles and internet we often stick within the circle of familiarity that we visit often.  We take the same route to work, visit the same friends and shop in the same spots. 

Spend some time choosing a place to expand your territory.  Could you go catch a movie in another town, grab groceries from a different market or try a blog or website you haven't been to yet?  Feel the changes this new experience creates within you.  Are you more aware of your presence, of those items and people around you?

Happy travels.

Celebrate your birthday every day

We wake up new every day.  Reborn from the being we were yesterday.  Morning light shows us the possibility of a fresh start, a new version of our already blessed life.  It is important for us to celebrate this miracle, of going into a dark sleep and emerging alive into a new light.  In nature, the morning celebration is quiet, subdued.  Dew on the grass, a light mist in the air, birds making their sweet call.  But as humans, we have limitless ways to celebrate our morning.  Maybe some yoga, a hot coffee or perhaps a simple, "thank you" to the world for bringing this day to life.

How do you celebrate mornings?
How could you invite more celebration into the early day?

Whole lot of acceptance

Within the tightly curled bud lies a full leaf waiting to energy.  Within the embryo, all the possibilities of a sweet little baby exist.  Within each of us is all we need to be perfect and whole.  Perhaps pain, shame or fear has held us back from revealing our true being.  But those are only obstacles on the journey to discovering your destiny, your purpose, you.

Take time today to remember you are complete as you are.  There is nothing to fix or to search for.  Just be.

Immortal youth

Spending time with children allows us to re-live our innocence,  wonder and delight.  As adults, we rarely exclaim "I want to push the button!", nor do we cheer "All done!"  when a meal is finished.  When we walk we are often on a mission, forgetting to follow the pattern of the tiles below our feet.  When we sit in a park, we forget to twirl into a dizzy heap.  If you can today, go somewhere where you can observe children at play.  Let their freedom and laughter inspire you to re-visit the youth that still lives inside you.

Play on.

The emotion trap

Anger, sadness, laughter.  These emotions are necessary for living a full and happy life.  We can cause harm when we try to block these emotions.  They are merely energy in motion which are asking for a chance to flow.  Like a blanket flapping in the wind or ocean waves lapping on the shore we can allow our emotions to swirl through our bodies, allowing them to be loved and accepted.  By trapping emotions, we tie the blanket into a knot and we try and bottle the ocean.  This is not only difficult, it can also leave scars within us.  It is important not to harm others with the flow of our emotions, but we can scream in the car, we can have a good laugh with friends and sadness can belt felt sometimes without tears at all.

Enjoy the flow.

A world without strangers

Across the beach, amidst the crashing water
A hand is waving
I give a small wave in return

The figure jumps over a small tide pool
I do the same

Distance closes between us
We match stride for stride

Close, closer, the figure is a girl
She smiles, I smile

Stop.  My foot touches something hard
I look down
Her foot is touching mine
I look into her eyes
But my own eyes stare back

The mirror hidden in the sand emerges
The stranger fades away

Stop looking, start finding

We are often looking for answers to the choices we should be making in our lives, but the answers are already within us, waiting to be heard.  Ask yourself these questions:

If a fire occurred in your house, what item would you grab first to save it from the licking flames?

On your 75th birthday what would make you cry?

If an illuminous healer approached you and had a motto to share with you, what would that motto be?

If there was one fear you could get rid of, what would it be?

If you are courageous enough to share your answers, I will share mine…

Namaste.

Mind over brain

It's nighttime.  You are tossing and turning.  Your brain won't shut off.  Or you are in a meeting or deep conversation but your mind is spinning you away from the topic at hand.  These moments highlight how often we spend in our brains.  Brains are a good thing of course.  They tell us if a traffic light is red, they remind us to walk one foot at a time and they recognise the faces of co-workers.  But it's not up to our brains to make our lives better, they are only part of the mechanics of our body, they are not the motherboard.  The energy centre of the mind lives beyond the physical boundaries of our bodies.  It is expansive, unlimited, free.  While the Brain is like a tightly wound ball of string that seems to follow a pattern and then returns in circles, the mind is outer space - endless, open.

Practice spending time in your mind through mindfulness techniques.  Wherever you are sitting, imagine the items around you are alive.  Feel the energy they give off.  If people or animals cross your path, watch their movement, imagine their breath.  Focus your energy on the very moment at hand and on how lucky you are to be in this moment, in this space, surrounded by these items and living creatures.

Do you struggle with "getting out of your head"?
What do you practice to spend time in the expansive mind?

Frienemies

Here's a tough challenge for today....

No matter how happy we may feel or how bright our day, one person with a negative outlook can spiral us into darkness with them.  Opposing views, beliefs and values can create an uneasy feeling of conflict.  But we can choose to look at these awkward connections with gratitude.  It's true.  Picture a negative person in your mind.  It could be an angry person on the bus, a friend or spouse in a bad space, a co-worker who enjoys rocking your boat.  Imagine that person behind your closed eyes, smile and send them messages of loving-kindness.  Choose four messages of peace, health, freedom and happiness.  Say their name out loud or in your head if you know it.  Continue repeating the phrases until your mind relaxes.  Next time you see this person, you will feel more calm, positive and in control.

Patience makes perfect

As a species, we are not very patient.  If injured, we try to heal oursevles faster than the wound can comprehend.  If heartbroken, we can sometimes rush to find comfort in another's arms.  If lost, we compile maps, guidebooks and a compass to find our way once again.

Today, atttempt patience.  Like the tree who waits until late spring to bloom, simply wait for what is to come.  Watch a plant if you can today.  Rather than blooming at the first clearing of frost from the season, the plant knows that it's not the right time to reveal its flowers.  It holds on until the worms are busy in the warm ground and the bees are flying overhead and only then does the plant attempt to bloom.

Catch your reflection

The people around us, our friends and loved ones, are a reflection of ourselves.  If you are constantly amazed by the strength and grace of those in your life, then perhaps you could take some time to see the strength and grace within yourself.

Find an old letter, card or message from a friend and spend time pouring over each sweet word.  They gave you this gift because of the incredible person you are.  Savour it.  If you feel particularly inspired, consider writing a letter or sending a card to a person you care for.  Live in those moments of gratitude.

You are not alone

On our journeys it is easy to feel solitary.  We can feel as though we are the only person facing this struggle and that it is up to us to soldier on, alone.  This is an untruth.  Whether you believe it or not, there is spirit or energies constantly circling us, just waiting for us to request their help, their power.  Many aboriginal cultures believe that the spirits of our grandfathers and grandmothers are stored in the trees, herbs and animals hat cover the landscape.  What if this is true, and we can tap into our ancestors strength when we are facing a tough problem? Think about the internet.  We can connect with people across the world in seconds.  This is a simple way to understand the flow of energy we are lucky to have. 

When I sing or dance, I can often feel connected to these ancient spirits, as though I have opened a portal through creativity and movement.  Up until one year ago, I was not able to notice these things, but I now feel part of something bigger.  I feel part of the great spirit that surrounds us.  It takes a bit of risk, of surrender, before we can open ourselves enough to the possibility of an energy larger than our small bodies.  No matter where you are on your journey, may you know that you are never alone.

Shake hands with fear

The fears living within our body are only seeking to reach the light and be set free.  They mean no harm.  But we become physically upset when fear arises, and in the uncomfortableness we send fear back down from where it came.  We can help our fears emerge and prevent them front holding us back, by shaking hands with them.

Centre yourself and find a safe space in your mind.  Invite fear to join you there.  Imagine the fear as a physical being.  Perhaps a small child crying to be heard, an old man, a wolf…let your fear decide what it wants to be.  Ask the fear what it is afraid of.  Listen to its story.  Once your fear has shared, let it know that you care for it and offer a hug or handshake.  Thank the fear for showing itself.

Enjoy a fearless day.

Visit your happy place

Creating positive images your mind can transport us in a way that feels like a mini vacation.  Picturing natural spaces can centre us and help us breathe.  These images can be called upon before starting work each day, at lunch hour, or before starting your evening activities.

Recall your childhood,  Was there a special place you would go?  Perhaps on travels with the family or right out your backyard.  It can be anywhere.  Was there a holiday where you could sense the healing powers of nature all around you?  It can even be a made up place, but it's more powerful if you have been there.

Allow your body to sense the sounds, the smells, the calming presence of the scene.  Look for a photograph or create an illustration of this sacred spot and place it where you need it.  Let the image centre you, excite you, calm you or reset your attitude for the day.

Happy exploring.

The pen is mightier than the sword

We know words have power.  So why is that we often try to force what we want out of life by running about in an attempt to change, only to see old patterns repeating themselves?

Write it out.  Place your goals on paper on in your computer and use their contents to meditate on or think about, daily, if you can.  Make sure the goal is written in the present tense, and it's best if you can make them around a feeling "I am fulfilled and full of gratitude"or "I feel successful and valuable at work".  Have fun with your goals - create a collage or place them in a special box or fun folder name.

Synchronicity

Take a few moments to check in with yourself.  How are you feeling today?

Throughout the day, spend time searching for external symbols that match your mood.  If you are resilient, a willow bending in the wind may trigger you.  If you are overworked, an ant carrying a heavy load may speak to you.  A cloud shaped like in rabbit might connect with your feelings of possibility or energy.  What we feel inside creates an impact on the world around us.  Just the same, the world you find yourself in can alter how you feel inside.  For one moment, find the connection between inside and out.

I witnessed a Canadian military bus today.  It reminded me of how strong I can be, waiting for my love when he was overseas in a war zone.  It also reminded me of inspiration.  Those men and women getting ready to sacrifice all or part of their life to build toward more peaceful resolution, they are looking forward to their duties, as I look forward to my own.  I am hopeful that I am part of something positive and rewarding.  But the only way I can fight in the battle is if I am taking care of myself first - so many analogies in one image!!

I would love to hear your stories of connection....

Storytelling

Everybody has a story and almost every story has knowledge we can acquire for our own journey.  Have you ever sat down with a stranger and realized they had a similar path to yours?  Have you spoken with a family member and discovered something new about yourself?

You may not need to look to far for these stories.  A biography of someone you admire, an online video or blog post, a good talk with a co-worker are all ways we can explore the stories that surround us.

Can you recall a story that transformed the way you think of yourself, or the world?

Finding light in the darkness

What must happen within the spirit of the plant as it lays beneath the ground in the warming soil of spring?  As it sits, enveloped by darkness, does it know of the sun and open air that await its presence?  Does it already know of the beautiful flowers that it may one day grow?  Perhaps the plant simply works within the dark, focused on finding nutrients and water to care for it as it lives out its days beneath the surface.

When you feel surrounded by the unknown, unsure of who to become or where to go, just breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.  The plant will do the opposite, and both beings will continue their journey to the light.  The light will only come when we surrender and hold strong to faith that we are growing in the right direction.

Has there been a time when you think you may have reached the surface, only to have a frost fall upon you or soil tossed on you once again?  What did you witness up in the light?

Love what you have challenge

We spend a lot of our time and hard-earned money seeking out new ways to improve our life.  In magazines we discover ways to better our body, in new clothes we yearn for the new confidence they may bring, in oils and lotions we hope for a more attractive exterior.

What if for one day, one week or one month we decide to take on a "love what you have" challenge.  Each time you feel the urge to purchase a new book, new top, or new toy ask yourself if you already have an item in your life that could give you what this item might.

In embracing what we are already blessed to have, we may recognize a life that is perfect, complete and full of love just as it is.  How amazing is that?

Have you ever attempted a similar challenge?  How did you feel?

Cleansing rain

We often think of rain as dreary or perhaps sad.  Rain is quite the opposite.  It give us a chance for inner reflection, it asks us to slow down and take our time.  The rain attempts to wash away the layers of ourselves that are no longer serving us and gives them a pathway into the ground as food for the hungry soil.  Rain clarifies who we are and who we wish to be when the sun finally shines again.  Perhaps the rain makes us feel down because we are experiencing a small death.  The death of a layer of ourselves that we were once tied to.  We can let go of these layers with gratitude if we really feel it.

Take advantage of rainy days.  Write in your journal, try colouring pictures with small children, put on good music and dance indoors, or phone a good friend.  Use these "rainflection" days to open yourself more fully.

Intimacy

A frozen waterfall stands before me

I swing my wrist, digging solidly into its base

I kick my crampons in step by step

I am held by the ice

I crawl slowly upward, cautiously, with purpose

My harness reminds me  am safe

Water from the warming ice trickles onto my glove

I am part of the ice, I am the water

My muscles shake and my breath quickens

The top is in sight

The sun reminds me I am not alone

At the top, my distance is dizzying

I sound the call, I am ready to return to Earth

Space breeds expansion

Some of the most amazing miracles on this planet involve creation of space.  Breaking down our wastes into soil would not be possible without space between solid particles.  Waste, air and nutrients are free to move.  A mother's tummy grows to create space for her protected babe.  A robin singing her morning song somehow creates a far reaching song using her own tiny body.

We can create space in our lives in many ways.  Dedicate an hour a day to perform activities you desire.  Take a holiday, sing using your whole body, write out your thoughts, or connect with nature.  By doing these things you will confront the edge of your being and slowly expand the edges, breaking up what might be stuck and inviting in a little more light.

What ways do you attempt expansion?
How do you feel when you create this space?

Celebrate unanswered prayers

Fate is extremely powerful.  We often feel helpless against its pull when there is something we yearn for that does not come to fruition.  A love. A promotion at work.  A vacation.  Good health for a loved one.  We are devastated when our prayers appear to be unanswered.  Anger, frustration, grief and stress fill our bodies with an uncesessary toxic soup.  Think of the last time you truly wished for something only to have that wish float away out of reach.  Think of a possible reason fate may have ignored your plea.  Is there a leson to be learned?  A better option that awaits?  Try to venture into the positive realm and you may find the answer.  It might even help to uncloak your feelings of loss.  Next time you pray or wish on a star, add the clause "If it is in the greatest good".  Fate and your spirit will appreciate this.

Shed your cloak of guilt

Guilt does not occur in the natural world.  Worms do not feel guilt for not recycling enough soil.  Squirrels do not feel regret for not collecting their quota of nuts.  Bees bounce from flower to flower without guilt for missing out on an additional flower patch.

We plaster our lives with an unnecessary layer of guilt that does not serve us.  This feeling has been passed down through generations, perhaps to help manage laws or to abide by biblical teachings.  But we sew the feeling into the fabric of our being, dragging its negativity wherever we go like a safety blanket.  Notice the rising of each guilty feeling and ask yourself, "Is this serving me in a positive way?".  Most likely it is not.

Imagine how peaceful our lives could become if we attempted to quiet the voice of guilt.  Play with our kids without thinking of work.  Watch the trees sway without feeling the need to be anywhere else.  Listen to a friend without wondering what time it is.  Find ways to live free from guilt.  Try to not just survive, but to thrive.

Save yourself to save the world

We all have dreams we wish to accomplish.  Perhaps it is to be the best parent in the world, or to achieve success in our careers or even to save lives.  But we cannot reach these goals unless we take care of ourselves first.

 We need to nourish our bodies, raise our spirits and manage our stresses if we are to achieve success in our endeavours.  If you are working on a large goal such as finishing school or raising a child, remember every day to perform some act of kindness for yourself.  It may be to move your body in a fitness class or quiet your mind with meditation or to try a new healthy meal.  We cannot fuel our external fires if we leave our personal fires to burn out.

Treat yourself with gentleness.

Love is in the air

The wind dances through the leaves
I stop to watch the tree tops sway

I am safe
I am accepted just as I am

A butterfly lands upon my foot
Unaware of the stored danger in my body

It is safe
I accept the butterfly just as it is

My hands reach down to touch the damp earth
So much life moving below me
Hidden, unseen

I picture the soil's dance and I can see it all
Accepting the Earth as she is

I walk over to a still lake
And see myself reflected in its shore

I am love
I accept myself just as I am

Choose your words

Several studies were done on frozen water crystals that had been subjected to certain words, music and even photographs when in their liquid form.  Water exposed to the word "beautiful" looked like an intricate image from a kaleidoscope while water exposed to the word "demon" portrayed the image of a dark, ghoulish face.  The word "power" displayed a crystal with thousands of different patterns, a showcase of the potential this word can wield.  When water heard the words "bad luck" a weak crystal was formed, lacking any real structure, however, the word "lucky" created crystals with fine tips and shard edges like a raw diamond.  The photo of the crystal above was placed upon a photograph of dolphins.

Our bodies are mostly water.  If this magical fluid can respond so easily to sounds and images, imagine what happens in our body when we say "stupid" or "useless" or "ugly".  Do the water molecules inside our cells react?  Maybe.  So why not focus on "love", "perfect" and "acceptance"?  They may alter your being with very little effort.

Back from black

In the darkness we find our true light.  Our strength.  Our beauty.

Deep within the Earth, below the ever changing humus.

We find ourselves.  We find each other.

And each of us is destined to crawl back from black.

Discover your brain's potential

Our mind has evolved to be an extremely complex entity.  We can pass down information to future generations, we can learn languages from other cultures, we can plan for long-term future events and we can create processes and structures that help make our lives as comfortable as possible.

But how often do we utilize both our right hemisphere brain and our left hemisphere brain?  Some of us spend more time in one or the other, when sometimes a little exploration is in order.  The right brain is our creative side.  It's filled with energy and patterns and pictures.  It tells us we are whole and perfect as we are because we are connected to all energies on Earth.  The left brain helps us understand past event and predicts future possibilities.  It discovers all the details and facts about where we are in the moment - sights, smells, touch and sound.  The right brain is our language centre, it is where all our brain chatter occurs such as "Pick up the milk", "turn right here" and "the burner is hot".  The right brain can also separate us from our surroundings, causing us to think of ourselves as individuals, apart from the whole.

Spend some time today venturing into the side of the brain you rarely use.  If you are left brained, try some creative writing, read a fantasy novel, sing or meditate.  If you are right brained, attempt a crossword puzzle, write down some future plans for yourself, or discuss the implications of a past event with loved ones.

Enjoy the journey.

Let it flow

There is a fine layer on this planet where sky and earth meet.  We are part of that layer.  If you can find a tree to look at, observe how its branches reach into the air, groping to touch the suns rays.  Imagine the carbon dioxide being filtered through to become fresh oxygen for us to breathe.  Picture moisture from the air working its way through to the plant's roots where long extensions of nutrient collecting roots spread through the rough earth, creating space for millions of tiny bacteria.

Now observe your own body.  A direct connection between light and dark, future and past, space and life.  We bring in water, xygen and nutrients and our bodies filter our wastes for the planet to recycle.  Amazing.

There is is so much energy in this transition zone of sky and earth.  The best way to let energy flow is to ground your feet down into the ground, slightly tuck your tailbone, roll your shoulders down and back and lift your head as though a string is pulling it towards the sun.  Simple but true.  Just flow.

Vocal nutrition for your thoughts

In order for our thoughts to grow into the best version of themselves, they need space and appreciation of their value.  Simply planting the seed in your mind is only the first step.  If the seed stays in inside, it may not have a chance to sprout.  Take your thought and share it with a friend, a willing stranger, a therapist or a family member.  You may be thinking of a change in career, a challenge in a relationship or an idea for a new project.  By giving voice to your thoughts you allow them space to grow deep roots and find an appropriate place to take hold.  Each time you repeat the thought, a new idea may emerge that could alter the path of your future.  By tilling the details through our cognitive brain you cultivate a new understanding and permamntly change the thought in your mind.

Happy thought gardening!

Enjoy being whole and perfect as you are.

Perhaps the greatest challenge, once fully awake, is to simply witness our being rather than forcing ourselves to be something different, or better.  To drop all reaching and simply open like a clam waiting in the deep until life in all its guises floods through the half-closed centre that is us.

Then light, or spirit, or God can enter us like a brilliant stone falling in a lake.  Allowing the past to ripple behind us and the future ripple before us, and in that space we are breathing in eternity.

You are whole.  You are complete.  You are eternal.

You snooze you win

Sleep.  It essential to a healthy mind, body and spirit.  So why do we go through our days with a goal to complete as many tasks as possible in a day with sleep placing last on our priority list?  Nine hours of sleep helps to recharge the body, gives the mind space to process solutions to our challenges and allows the soul to explore the border of our subconscious and cognitive behaviour.

We don't bat an eye we  we see a dog snoozing away or a cap napping in a bright patch of sunlight.  Pregnant women tend to sleep a lot longer because the body knows how important the Momma's sleep is for the growing fetus inside.  Babies spend most of their day asleep and they don't feel a moment of guilt for it!

Treat yourself to extra sleep tonight.  Prepare yourself for rest with a bath or a book or a good chat with a loved one.  Ease into bed and set the alarm a little later than usual.  You may notice a change in your being tomorrow.  Recognize any differences and congratulate yourself for doing something kind for your wellbeing.

The beauty of cracks

Bad things happen.  They do.  But it is usually our fight and frustration around the problem that threatens to drive a wedge inside our inner happiness.  Look for the positive in each setback.  Look deep, be reflective.  It is the cracks that add to the beauty of life's mosaic.

Perhaps being stuck in traffic helped you avoid a collision that could have happened if you would have entered the freeway five minutes earlier.  Maybe your phone died to help you connect with the people in your presence - even yourself.  The pimple on your face might be there as a remonder to view your whole face as perfect in the moment - flaws and all.

What cracks have you encountered recently?  Was there a positive side to the event?

Agora Borealis

Agora - a word meaning gathering place.  These are wonderful spaces to practice living in the moment.

Find a bus station, shopping centre or park, and people watch.  Notice  how groups and individuals move and interact with their surroundings.  Try to create stories for each interesting being that is sharing the space with you in this very moment.  Is there a reason fate placed that person beside you?  What can you learn?  What if you smile at someone - how might it change the energy of the agora?  How might it change your experience?

I love visiting the library, it lifts me up.  I live in a very multi-cultural community so I am blessed to hear busy children speaking many foreign languages as they play with friends on the computers and as they interact with their parents on what books and videos to take.  I love to observe the materials people are checking out.  An old man picking up love novels, maybe for his sick wife or a young girl taking out books on pregnancy, these mini stories cause me to connect with strangers in a way I didn't think possible.  Most of all I love that everyone is at the library to learn something new, we are all on a path to expanding our minds and to me, that is a beautiful thing.

Free your soul's voice

Throughout our journey we experience thoughts and images that frighten us, sadden us and make us question our worth.  Even when someone puts us down, perhaps, in a joke, there is a fragment of negativity that embeds inside us.  These small, microscopic experiences build up over time and create a layer of plaque over our soul.

One way to clear of this plaque and let your soul shine brighter is to allow your inner voice to rise up.  If you are feeling anger, try screaming loudly in your car.  People will think you are singing.  If you feel sad,   sing a mournful note or entire song, but let it come deep from within.  You can laugh it off, perhaps during a funny movie or a laughing yoga class.

Try experimenting with these sounds and see what bubbles up.  You may be surprised.

Be you

Bare a little of yourself today.  Tell a friend how you are REALLY feeling, proudly show a scar you've been trying to hide, or simply smile at all the strangers you encounter.

There is NOTHING so wondrous as YOU.  Share yourself with the world in small ways, big ways and maybe even silly ways.

This little light of mine

So many of us fight like flames on a candle.  We burn and burn, pulling at the oxygen to let us glow brighter and brighter, unaware that our wick eventually burns out.  The more we leap and sway, the faster we burn.  The world flying by as our wax drips faster and faster.

Rather than living as a candle, I challenge you to live like the Northern Lights.  These brilliant beams of colour come out in the darkest light and shine.  They dance across the sky and you can almost see them breathe - inhale, exhale, dance!

Rather than fighting and fighting to burn brighter, try taking the time to breathe and dance like the Northern lights.  Resting and restoring before coming out to shine again.

Play your way to freedom

Acting like a little kid can be a very freeing experience and it can help immensely with our mental happiness.  Have you ever been to a psychological ward?  The patients have craft time and play bocce and dance to the radio.  It's brilliant!  If doctors know how important it is for our brains to have "play" time then why do we deny ourselves that gift?  I am not talking play time as gambling, drinking or road trips.  Those are adult versions of real kid time.

Set aside some time today to play.  Pull out the karaoke machine and sing loudly, dance to your favourite songs like it's the last time you'll ever dance, indulge in a colouring book with children or without, paint, write silly poetry, visit the swings, just escape this adult life for awhile.  Trust me, your soul with thank you.

Water for life

If we are to truly love and appreciate ourselves, we can consider a compound that makes up most of our body and helps in every function we perform.

Water.

Take a few minutes to grab a sip of water and close your eyes.  Imagine that sip of water coating your throat and entering your blood cells, your heart and lungs.  Imagine it expanding your skin with luscious moisture.  Imagine your hair becoming more soft.  Picture your eyes being lubricated and your brain replenished with pure liquid.

Now imagine the journey those molecules of water took to make it to your glass.  Small drops dripping from a large fern about to be consumed by a brontosaurus.  A creek drifting past a castle in Scotland in the 12th century, perhaps a battle is being fought nearby.  A piece of the iceberg that sinks the Titanic.  A fine mist in a cloud you passed through on your last plane ride.  A refreshing rainstorm outside your back window.

There is no more water on this planet than there was billions of years ago.  We will always have water, but the quality may be questionable.  It is up to each of us to protect this precious life source so we can enjoy a clean glass of water for generations to come. 40% of people on this planet have to walk to collect their daily water needs and yet we flush a Kleenex with the purest drinking water and pour this precious liquid on our lawns.

Once each of us connects our quality of life with the water inside each cell in our body, we will discover innovative ways to save water and protect its quality for all the inhabitants on Earth.

Start with yourself.  Start today.

Fear of shining our light (FOSOL)

We each have a light glowing inside us.  Nestled into our solar plexus is a place where out purpose, our confidence and our core resides.

Sometimes we lock our light in a box, scared to let go and show the world who we are.  Scared to be judged by the planet.

Sometimes we dim our light in case we shade out the lights of others around us.  Not knowing that sharing our light might actually ignite others.

We usually only become aware of this light when traveling.  We are more open and expressive of our true selves.  But it's not the travel that ignites this, it is us letting go of our inhibitions that we usually cling so tightly to.

Don't be a FOSOL, be a STAR (Sharing thoughts and awareness in real-time)