Love!? Each of us experiences love in a different way in the various aspects of our lives. From the love of something special to eat to the love of someone dear to us. Each is different.
I love escargot. To me a pizza isn't a pizza without anchovies. Family and friends who dine with me often shake their heads. I was raised to at least try something once and then I can say I don't like. And yes there are some things that won't ever pass my lips again.
I love my cats. They bring me joy when I watch them play or they snuggle to me.
I loved my late husband. He was and still is my soul-mate.
I love a beautiful sunrise or that frosty snow on trees and grass that sparkles in the early morning sun.
Each of these things is love but in different degrees.
But each of these things pale in the presence of loving one's self.
Can you honestly say you love yourself in every way shape and form. I can't. Not yet at least. I don't love myself when I flip someone off who just cut me off on the highway. I am angry at them but I don't need to be a jerk as well. Instead I should remember to wish them a safe journey where ever they are going.
I am becoming more comfortable with my body image. Heck it has gotten me this far in life, so it is going to have a few knuckle bumps and creases. I keep plugging away looking in the mirror and saying I love you body and soul.
On the road to a positive universe love is a critical part. Kind of like gas for your car.
You aren't going to get very far without gas or love in your journey.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Faith
Faith a small, simple word. But having faith can be so profound in a person's life. Each of us has faith that the sun will come up tomorrow - that is a given. Most of us don't have much faith in our local weather people -;).
But deep down faith? Faith in humanity? Faith that all will be well for ourselves and our families? Faith in our jobs?
These areas of our lives are where we need the greatest faith if we are going to find a positive universe. We need to first and foremost have faith in ourselves. We must know deep within our hearts that how we live our lives is not only in our best interests but others as well.
Each morning when I start my meditation I begin with a simple statement that was shared by author, singer and oracle Colette Baron-Reid. "Thy will be done through me for the highest good of all and for the true manifestation of my purpose." By focusing on allowing the will of Spirit to follow through and help us with our daily actions so that they are for everyone's highest good we are focusing on a positive universe for not just ourselves but all those we come in contact with.
Each day I go forth with the faith that my actions will be in harmony with the highest good that is meant for all of us. Each day as I travel further down the path that Spirit has designed for me I find myself knowing in my heart that I have faith. Faith in humanity and mankind! Faith in the well being of my family and friends! Faith that no matter what I work at it will be the manifestation of my own Divine good and Divine good for those I come in contact with.
I have faith that those who read this will know in some way that Divine spark of Spirit in their lives as well.
Such a simple expression of faith.
But deep down faith? Faith in humanity? Faith that all will be well for ourselves and our families? Faith in our jobs?
These areas of our lives are where we need the greatest faith if we are going to find a positive universe. We need to first and foremost have faith in ourselves. We must know deep within our hearts that how we live our lives is not only in our best interests but others as well.
Each morning when I start my meditation I begin with a simple statement that was shared by author, singer and oracle Colette Baron-Reid. "Thy will be done through me for the highest good of all and for the true manifestation of my purpose." By focusing on allowing the will of Spirit to follow through and help us with our daily actions so that they are for everyone's highest good we are focusing on a positive universe for not just ourselves but all those we come in contact with.
Each day I go forth with the faith that my actions will be in harmony with the highest good that is meant for all of us. Each day as I travel further down the path that Spirit has designed for me I find myself knowing in my heart that I have faith. Faith in humanity and mankind! Faith in the well being of my family and friends! Faith that no matter what I work at it will be the manifestation of my own Divine good and Divine good for those I come in contact with.
I have faith that those who read this will know in some way that Divine spark of Spirit in their lives as well.
Such a simple expression of faith.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Negative to positive
Talking with a friend recently who has been dealing with chemo. Cancer is such a negative thing. It can literally destroy not only the person but the family.
And yet here is my friend talking about how she looks forward to her weekly chemo because the cancer center has such good food. She uses ginger to control any nausea so has had a good appetite. She found a wig that was a color and cut that she would have never tried but found out it looked fantastic on her. Every time I talk with her she is upbeat and talking about all the positive things going on.
Her family and friends are all pulling for her. She makes us laugh. Her light shines on all of us and gives us the ability to find positive in the mundane things in our lives.
There are many things that occur to a person that there is no positive in. Many of the tragedies that have occurred in the last few weeks are perfect examples. Families losing spouses and children. Friends losing friends. But in our darkest hour if we can just find one glimmer of hope. One tiny glimmer of a positive.
If you have someone you know struggling with a heart breaking ordeal, be that glimmer of positive. Take them to coffee. Offer to help around the house. Do something that can give them a life line to hold onto. Be the positive in their life.
And yet here is my friend talking about how she looks forward to her weekly chemo because the cancer center has such good food. She uses ginger to control any nausea so has had a good appetite. She found a wig that was a color and cut that she would have never tried but found out it looked fantastic on her. Every time I talk with her she is upbeat and talking about all the positive things going on.
Her family and friends are all pulling for her. She makes us laugh. Her light shines on all of us and gives us the ability to find positive in the mundane things in our lives.
There are many things that occur to a person that there is no positive in. Many of the tragedies that have occurred in the last few weeks are perfect examples. Families losing spouses and children. Friends losing friends. But in our darkest hour if we can just find one glimmer of hope. One tiny glimmer of a positive.
If you have someone you know struggling with a heart breaking ordeal, be that glimmer of positive. Take them to coffee. Offer to help around the house. Do something that can give them a life line to hold onto. Be the positive in their life.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Hate and distrust
Today the news was heart breaking. As an empathy it tears at my soul to see the level of hate, distrust and violence that is tearing at the seams of our world.
It is almost as if a plague has swept through and infected huge numbers in our populations across the global. How can we survive if this continues? How do we find a positive universe?
It is within each of us that the key to change is held. Each of us carries within our hearts part of the Divine spark that links us to every living thing. We must nurture that spark and allow it to reawaken. We need to reach out and offer comfort and solace to others. But most important we must remember the Golden Rule. Each of us is entitled to dignity and respect from others.
Hold love in your heart for the victims of these senseless killings.
It is almost as if a plague has swept through and infected huge numbers in our populations across the global. How can we survive if this continues? How do we find a positive universe?
It is within each of us that the key to change is held. Each of us carries within our hearts part of the Divine spark that links us to every living thing. We must nurture that spark and allow it to reawaken. We need to reach out and offer comfort and solace to others. But most important we must remember the Golden Rule. Each of us is entitled to dignity and respect from others.
Hold love in your heart for the victims of these senseless killings.
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
A simple meditation
Meditation is not something that most people can just sit down and do. I am far from an expert on meditation. But today I thought I would share a very simple meditation that can get a person started.
Meditation is about quieting the mind. Most of us have monkey brain - a constant chatter about anything and everything. It can be very difficult to this noise off.
So let's begin.
Find some place quiet and comfortable to sit. I'm not one who can sit cross-legged on the floor. Not happening at my age - at least not without someone who can help me stand back up. But if you find that comfortable by all means.
Since this is a very short and simple meditation you can set the timer on your phone for say 5 minutes. Five minutes will probably be longer than you can maintain if you are just starting out so don't worry. Be sure to put the phone on airplane mode. No phone calls or texts!
I always start in a prayer position with my hands together at the heart level and my eyes closed. I thank Spirit for the abundance in all areas of my life and hold that thought for a moment. If you are one who has no deity then just take a moment to appreciate what you have in your life.
Lower your hands to your lap and begin to relax. Starting with your feet focus on a warm relaxing feeling moving up your body to the top of your head. As you relax start paying attention to your breathing. If it helps focus on the word Breathe. Continue to focus as long as you can on your breathing and the word breathe. If a thought pops in imagine a broom sweeping it away.
If you are only able to accomplish a minute that is great. Next time go for 75 seconds. Every little bit counts with meditation.
As I said - I'm not an expert. But if you have a minute google advantages of meditation and you can see why I believe in it.
Meditation is about quieting the mind. Most of us have monkey brain - a constant chatter about anything and everything. It can be very difficult to this noise off.
So let's begin.
Find some place quiet and comfortable to sit. I'm not one who can sit cross-legged on the floor. Not happening at my age - at least not without someone who can help me stand back up. But if you find that comfortable by all means.
Since this is a very short and simple meditation you can set the timer on your phone for say 5 minutes. Five minutes will probably be longer than you can maintain if you are just starting out so don't worry. Be sure to put the phone on airplane mode. No phone calls or texts!
I always start in a prayer position with my hands together at the heart level and my eyes closed. I thank Spirit for the abundance in all areas of my life and hold that thought for a moment. If you are one who has no deity then just take a moment to appreciate what you have in your life.
Lower your hands to your lap and begin to relax. Starting with your feet focus on a warm relaxing feeling moving up your body to the top of your head. As you relax start paying attention to your breathing. If it helps focus on the word Breathe. Continue to focus as long as you can on your breathing and the word breathe. If a thought pops in imagine a broom sweeping it away.
If you are only able to accomplish a minute that is great. Next time go for 75 seconds. Every little bit counts with meditation.
As I said - I'm not an expert. But if you have a minute google advantages of meditation and you can see why I believe in it.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Positive thoughts on health
An individual's health can be a touchy subject. What for one is a crippling illness maybe nothing to another. Each of us have different pain thresholds and coping mechanisms.
My late husband was a Type 1 diabetic. Until his last couple of years he rarely let the disease slow him down. He often said the disease lived with him - not the other way around.
I deal with rheumatoid arthritis. I consider myself very lucky in the fact that my doctors and I have kept it pretty controlled. My meditation has also helped me to focus on feeling good.
So that brings me to facing a disease, injury or illness with positive thoughts. I know a person who is constantly complaining about every single ache and pain. People actually try to avoid her because an entire conversation can revolve around the newest aches. There is never anything positive in any of the conversations with her. If a person read a short list of all of her ailments they would wonder how she is still alive. On the other hand I know another person who is living with MS. Rarely, if ever do they talk about their physical health. This person's life revolves around all the positive things going on in their life.
Can focusing only on the negative health issues bring on more of the same. The old adage "mind over matter" has been proven in many health instances where people in medical trials respond well to the placebo. Their minds possibly have the ability to change the physical aspects of their body. So in the same way a person who only focuses on negative health could easily bring on more health issues.
I know from my own experience that if I focus on feeling sick it tends to snow ball. So I find it easier to focus on feeling good and shrug off those times that aren't up to the level I want to be at.
Does this mean I heal faster? Not always. The broken bone in my foot is proof of that. Can cancer be cured through positive thoughts? Some people swear it happened to them. I am not to that level of belief yet but I am keeping my thoughts open to it.
Mind over matter - can matter.
My late husband was a Type 1 diabetic. Until his last couple of years he rarely let the disease slow him down. He often said the disease lived with him - not the other way around.
I deal with rheumatoid arthritis. I consider myself very lucky in the fact that my doctors and I have kept it pretty controlled. My meditation has also helped me to focus on feeling good.
So that brings me to facing a disease, injury or illness with positive thoughts. I know a person who is constantly complaining about every single ache and pain. People actually try to avoid her because an entire conversation can revolve around the newest aches. There is never anything positive in any of the conversations with her. If a person read a short list of all of her ailments they would wonder how she is still alive. On the other hand I know another person who is living with MS. Rarely, if ever do they talk about their physical health. This person's life revolves around all the positive things going on in their life.
Can focusing only on the negative health issues bring on more of the same. The old adage "mind over matter" has been proven in many health instances where people in medical trials respond well to the placebo. Their minds possibly have the ability to change the physical aspects of their body. So in the same way a person who only focuses on negative health could easily bring on more health issues.
I know from my own experience that if I focus on feeling sick it tends to snow ball. So I find it easier to focus on feeling good and shrug off those times that aren't up to the level I want to be at.
Does this mean I heal faster? Not always. The broken bone in my foot is proof of that. Can cancer be cured through positive thoughts? Some people swear it happened to them. I am not to that level of belief yet but I am keeping my thoughts open to it.
Mind over matter - can matter.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Gratitude
This morning was one of those days where my back up alarm had to go off since my primary alarm never even fazed me. This is on a radio station that doesn't come in well on a good day so most of the time it is static. It is turned all the way up. Well, today it came in crystal clear and I am shocked out of bed by male voices in my bedroom. That will definitely get your attention.
As I drug myself out of bed I grumbled and whined. I walked into the kitchen and my cats were waiting to be feed - and not very nicely. I grumbled and whined some more. And then one of the cats came up, set in front of me and placed one paw on my leg. It was almost like she was picking up on my feelings and saying "stop - it's okay."
And it really was. I don't know why the alarm set me in that kind of mood. No reason for it at all. And as I reached down to pet my cat I found I was grateful for this simple gesture of love.
When I set down to meditate I began going through my mind the things I was grateful for in the last 24 hours. Esmeralda's simple action was high on the list. Sure the sunrise the day before was spectacular. Shades of pinks and reds foretold the rain that would be coming later. The air was cold, for a July morning, but extremely clean smelling. I had an excellent steak for dinner. My vacuum cleaner didn't plug up (a first for the cantankerous thing). There were many other things in the 24 hours that I listed. But none equaled a small paw that reminded me that life was good.
Of course it could have been her way of saying feed me now.
What are you grateful for today?
As I drug myself out of bed I grumbled and whined. I walked into the kitchen and my cats were waiting to be feed - and not very nicely. I grumbled and whined some more. And then one of the cats came up, set in front of me and placed one paw on my leg. It was almost like she was picking up on my feelings and saying "stop - it's okay."
And it really was. I don't know why the alarm set me in that kind of mood. No reason for it at all. And as I reached down to pet my cat I found I was grateful for this simple gesture of love.
When I set down to meditate I began going through my mind the things I was grateful for in the last 24 hours. Esmeralda's simple action was high on the list. Sure the sunrise the day before was spectacular. Shades of pinks and reds foretold the rain that would be coming later. The air was cold, for a July morning, but extremely clean smelling. I had an excellent steak for dinner. My vacuum cleaner didn't plug up (a first for the cantankerous thing). There were many other things in the 24 hours that I listed. But none equaled a small paw that reminded me that life was good.
Of course it could have been her way of saying feed me now.
What are you grateful for today?
Friday, July 1, 2016
Meditation
As I slowly began to find my way on this path there were many ups and downs. It was a constant roller coaster ride. Nothing there to cling to and it began to eat my lunch.
Then one day I got one of those unsolicited emails. The kind you normally hit the spam button on. It was about meditation. Specifically the company Zen12. For some reason I was drawn to open this email and once again Spirit and synchronicity struck.
What could be more simple than listening to a guided meditation. So I ordered it. Hey 12 minutes a day - piece of cake.
Not with my monkey brain chattering away. My first month was a constant running dialog of things to do and chatter as I tried to clear my mind. Running in the background of the guided meditation is a brainwave entrainment to help your brain learn the brain wave patterns to reach a deeper meditative state. By the second month of repeating the first month's program I was starting to finally see progress. There was still the laundry list of things to do going on but I was finding more instances of quiet.
Now 2 plus years later I have found how to turn off (most of the time) that chattering monkey. I still use the Zen12 program and I do that for 20 minutes a day. I also do other meditations throughout the day. It brings to me a sense of peace. There was a time last year when I fell off the meditation wagon for 4 months and life quickly began to spiral out of control. Actually my life was the same but my perception was different. Once I got back to meditating the calm reentered my life.
My life is still a roller coaster. But now things don't bother me like they did. I am able to face things with a lot calmer outlook.
From WebMD meditation can reduce stress, improve blood pressure and improve the immune system. Here is the link to that page: http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/meditation-heals-body-and-mind
So there is that elusive time thing again. Do you have 20 minutes a day? I always find my 20 minutes. It is me time. Time to heal, relax and find my positive.
Then one day I got one of those unsolicited emails. The kind you normally hit the spam button on. It was about meditation. Specifically the company Zen12. For some reason I was drawn to open this email and once again Spirit and synchronicity struck.
What could be more simple than listening to a guided meditation. So I ordered it. Hey 12 minutes a day - piece of cake.
Not with my monkey brain chattering away. My first month was a constant running dialog of things to do and chatter as I tried to clear my mind. Running in the background of the guided meditation is a brainwave entrainment to help your brain learn the brain wave patterns to reach a deeper meditative state. By the second month of repeating the first month's program I was starting to finally see progress. There was still the laundry list of things to do going on but I was finding more instances of quiet.
Now 2 plus years later I have found how to turn off (most of the time) that chattering monkey. I still use the Zen12 program and I do that for 20 minutes a day. I also do other meditations throughout the day. It brings to me a sense of peace. There was a time last year when I fell off the meditation wagon for 4 months and life quickly began to spiral out of control. Actually my life was the same but my perception was different. Once I got back to meditating the calm reentered my life.
My life is still a roller coaster. But now things don't bother me like they did. I am able to face things with a lot calmer outlook.
From WebMD meditation can reduce stress, improve blood pressure and improve the immune system. Here is the link to that page: http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/meditation-heals-body-and-mind
So there is that elusive time thing again. Do you have 20 minutes a day? I always find my 20 minutes. It is me time. Time to heal, relax and find my positive.
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