Oxygen Masks, To-Do Lists, and Elevation Training
Posted on May 25, 2016 1 Comment
Most days I feel I’ve got a pretty good handle on keeping my breath. Lately, however, I’ve been tested. Daily.
A family member’s graduation is absolutely a happy event and process! I’m just reminded that even good stress is still…stress. Thank goodness I love lists. They help me stay on top of it all. To breathe on my own.
Yet as I get really good at managing my tasks, I now realize how off-balance I actually am. Oh, my tasks are getting accomplished, sure. But I’ve slipped on attending to my quiet time. I’ve let my daily meditation and writing become last on the list. Which means it gets pushed to tomorrow’s list. And the next tomorrow’s. I tell myself it’s only temporary…
…As I slowly lose my breath.
It makes me think of a recent flight I was on, and how the attendants remind us that “in the event of a decompression, an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you.” And I realize that it’s true:
Life itself is a decompression. Our daily personal time is our oxygen.
Whether we meditate, write, ponder, reflect, practice yoga, go for a walk, or do other forms of personal attending-to, that time is sacred. Our sacred time is what keeps us breathing through our decompressions.
And like the airplane oxygen support, we’ve got to secure our masks first before assisting others. If instead we accomplish our tasks before attending to our soul, we’re really just free-falling.
When I think I can temporarily set my sacred time aside and come back to it later is exactly when I need it the most.
Oxygen is essential in your soul’s elevation training. Attend to your daily dose first, and without question.
And then breathe.
A Salute to General Specific
Posted on May 18, 2016 Leave a Comment
Earning our wings
I had an Aha! moment about goal setting:
I am writing a book. And a change I’m making to support myself as I begin, is to write regularly. As in, every day. No excuses.
So when I wrote down my goal, my deadline, my vision, my focus, and my action steps (see the Hay House World Summit eBook, p. 25-26), I began describing these in terms of a daily writing practice. Because that’s what I want to be: attending to daily writing.
I felt really good about getting clear on the change I wanted to make. And then BAM! Insight knocked me upside the head, and hard.
My goal is actually to write this book’s proposal. (Which is my Step Number One in writing the book.)
Now, a daily writing practice is certainly supportive and is definitely action I am embracing. However, it’s a wallflower around the dance floor of clarity. I still hide in safe generalities rather than identify my vulnerable desire.
Generalities are helpful for us as we explore our way to clarity. But staying there forever can keep us from our next level of growth. We remain in the safety of generalities so that we can prepare to step into our specifics.
When we focus our general bearings into a specific aspect, that’s when we get our clarity. Our Aha!s. A direct line into our souls.
To help me with this, I now picture my four-star angel–whom I’ve named General Specific. A salute to her lovingly guides me from hiding in my general wants to owning my specific desires.
She will help you, too. She’s in the Service, after all.
What dreams and goals do you hold in your heart? How can General Specific help you move within them?
By grace, our wings are already given
A (Clear) Change Will Do You Good
Posted on May 11, 2016 Leave a Comment
Image from Clarity Is…Awareness
Sheryl Crow gets it. So do babies. Many of us fall somewhere in between, waiting for someone to come and change the mess of our making that we find ourselves in.
We are our own rescuers! It’s not the new job, partner, house, book, group, clothes, friends, or anything else that will cause our lives to improve. (Although those awesome things can result–that’s a visit for another time!)
This is outstanding news, because it means we are choosing to hold our own power rather than give it away to outside people or circumstances. Who is really more invested in You than Yourself, anyway?
The first step to making a change in your life is to get clarity. This works whether you want to exercise more, say yes to only what brings you joy, eliminate toxic life elements (food, environmental, certain people, etc.), or anything else. Your change can be big like a superstar, or small like a newborn.
So let’s pamper ourselves with the following exercise designed to assist us in getting clear. Allow some time to really ask yourself these questions, and see what insights you receive. Record your answers, just for yourself–maybe in a notebook, on your laptop, or with a voice recording app on your phone. Let’s get clear and change our lives for the better! That will do us some good.
Discovering Clarity
I now see the desire of my truest and highest self. This, or something better. And so it is–thank you.
- What is the change I want to make?
- How do I feel about making this change?
- Why is making this change important to me?
- How will this change make my life better?
- What doors will this one change open for my future?
( Adapted from Hay House’s World Summit eBook, 2016)
For me, at this time I’m finally ready to study A Course In Miracles. What one change are you willing to explore? Please reply in the comments–our stories help each other. 🙂
100+ Free Inspirational Audio and Video Lessons
Posted on May 4, 2016 Leave a Comment
I’m so excited–the second annual Hay House World Summit begins May 7!
This is a free offering of audio lessons, videos, and movies by an extensive variety of experts in the field of wisdom, inner knowing, inspirational thinking, and flat-out upgrading your life.
Personally, I’m not going to miss the ones from Caroline Myss, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Gala Darling, Kris Carr, Deepak Chopra, Louise Hay, Christiane Northrup, Doreen Virtue, Gabrielle Bernstein, Michael Neill, Cheryl Richardson, Colette Baron-Reid, Gregg Braden, Rebecca Campbell, Sonia Choquette, Rha Goddess, Esther Hicks, Nancy Levin, Regena Thomashauer, Sophie Uliano, and the fabulous Pam Grout.
And I can’t wait to catch so many others!
Each week, beginning May 7 and over the course of 4 weeks, a batch of 25 sessions are made available. You get to pick and choose any or all that you’d like to experience, on your own schedule. Plus, once you register you will receive helpful guides to navigate the summit in order to personally gain the most out of your experience:
- eBook of worksheets, exercises, and additional resources
- Summit schedule
- Infographic to help navigate sessions by topic
- Tips for personally getting your most out of the summit
Because I registered for free by May 6 (it’s still free after then), I received 4 bonus audio lessons from last year’s Summit:
- Marianne Williamson
- Brian Weiss
- Deepak Chopra
- davidji
I’m listening to the one by Deepak Chopra right now. I know I experienced it during last year’s Summit, and I am enjoying its relevance all over again.
Last year was their first go-round with this, and I really enjoyed it. Both the content and the format was exactly what I needed. (Of course–and thank you!)
SO–check out the Hay House World Summit 2016, it begins May 7. If you’re reading this later than that, don’t worry–there’s no panicking in enlightenment! Give it a look and sign on when you can.
And, if you miss it for 2016, there’s always this same time frame in 2017!
Looking at this year’s schedule, which are the top 5 offerings that jump out at you? Which one intrigues you the most?
If this summit format intrigues you and you are tickled by the idea of healthy food and its sources, I encourage you to visit Stand Upon Grace’s post about the 2016 Food Revolution Summit.
Everyday Meditations
Posted on April 27, 2016 3 Comments
Image from The Odyssey Online
I’ve spent the last year trying something new, which ended up taking me away from posting regularly here: I’ve been journaling.
Oh, sure, I’ve dabbled with a journal in the past–but nothing like this. I’m talking about a regular practice. Showing up daily. Allowing enough time for it to unfold in its own direction. Writing for the audience of myself. Being present.
Ho. Lee. Cow. What an amazing experience! I tune into myself more, get clarity, and make better decisions. I have greater compassion and gratitude. I am more frequently in a state of grace, for longer periods of time.
Yes, I still stumble. But wow, what a difference–in both my process and my outcomes!
I started journaling by accident when I decided I wanted to learn more about meditation. You can’t argue with the benefits you hear about, and sometimes you’re finally ready.
Here’s what I learned about meditation: it’s simpler than I thought, and it doesn’t look like I thought.
Meditation takes many forms, not just the traditional image of sitting cross-legged with eyes closed and speaking “ohm.” (Although you can do that, too!) You’re likely already practicing some form of it, whether you call it that or not.
Any time you are fully engaged in the present moment, for and with yourself, you’re tiptoeing on the edge of meditation. And when you show up regularly for this, you will begin to experience the benefits meditation has to offer. Whether you call it that or not.
So find what resonates with you. Is it physical activity? Try walking the dog. Do you prefer to read? Find a daily devotional. Like to write? Get a notebook and create a journal. Enjoy hearing words of encouragement? Listen to a meditation recording online.
The main points are to show up for yourself and to be fully present.
Every. Day.
The rest will unfold for us grasshoppers.
Everybody was Kung Fu writing…
Here are a few resource ideas for you, if you are looking to start a meditation practice:
Daily guides from Science of Mind Magazine: http://scienceofmind.com/
Audio meditations from The Chopra Center (they have really great apps, too): http://www.chopra.com/
Anything from Gabrielle Bernstein: http://gabbyb.tv/
The shoes in your closet: go for a walk. Even a short one to start.
Paper and pen, or Google doc: begin a journal
Down-to-earth applicable inspiration: Pam Grout’s blog
gina drellack 