A Simple Message

Earlier today I was shopping downtown in a funky gift shop called the Shabby Rue with the intention to use a store credit. I like to buy gifts in this particular shop since much of their merchandise is not typically seen in other stores. Since my home decor is more antique and Folk art there typically are not many items I see appropriate for myself.

Today was different, however. As I strolled around taking in the unusual modern design clocks, martini glasses bedecked with bright colored polka dots and unusual shaped vases, my eyes lit on a very simple message. The word was BELIEVE. The word was created by burgundy colored blocks with cream colored lettering. As soon as I saw it, I knew this was it. It was a fit. The colors not only matched my family room, I love what the word BELIEVE does for me.

Every time I see the word, I remember to not doubt. I remember that it is my level of belief that something is possible that helps make it become a reality. I remember that sometimes it is the unseen forces working on our behalf (in which I believe) that conspire to help me reach my goals. I remember that believing is more fun than dreading or holding fear about what might be.

Part of my work in the world is reminding others to believe in themselves. I know when one focuses on believing the truth, then peace and joy will be gifted to those that are open to it.

It Is What It Is

One of the most difficult spiritual principles I see many people find to be challenging is that of acceptance. It seems to be considered normal to resist, complain, push back, refuse and suffer when there is something present in our lives that we are not happy with. Of course we're free to do whatever we want, even when our suffering protests do not change a thing.

Occasionally within the stream of our life events, when a problem occurs we have alternative choices that can be made that may remedy a situation. The truth is in many cases there is nothing that can be done to fix an issue or development. In many of those situations it is another person's behavior whom we cannot control. Unfortunately, when these instances occur, we often create prolonged suffering for ourselves before we eventually surrender and accept what is.

A personal story that made this motto come to life for me was during a trip to California. While waiting for my flight to board in Philadelphia, an announcement was made that my flight was canceled. As the desk was bombarded with numerous travelers protesting to the gate attendant, I walked to the nearest service desk and got re-routed on a later flight. Many of my fellow passengers with whom I spent most of the day, eventually did the same ( some on a later flight due to their prolonged protests) and then continued to complain about our delay. Their complaints did not make a new plane suddenly appear on the runway. The snow did not stop. All that happened was those that were unable to accept what is had a miserable day.

Acceptance takes practice. I can say from experience, the more I do it, the easier it gets. Since I prefer to feel good (happy and peaceful ), I do not resist what I cannot change. I surrender to it and float along doing my best to enjoy what is now.

Giving=Receiving

We have all heard the adage that it is much better to give than receive. Another popular statement is that the gift is in the giving.

I was reminded of this when doing my inspirational reading in A Course In Miracles earlier today. The lesson stated to give and receive are one in truth. What I interpreted this to mean was that if we offer love to a person, then we feel love. If we offer peace or gentleness, that is what is returned to us. By the same token, if we offer our anger, jealousy, resentment or hate, then that too is returned to us. It makes sense, doesn't it?

We may like to believe that we can have peace and love in our hearts, yet we have enemies that we abhor at the same time. If we are thinking hateful and angry thoughts then we will not truly feel peace, gentleness and joy. We receive the blessing of love by offering love. It is by sharing this blessing that it is returned to us. We know this by how it feels. Many of us prefer to think that we are all separate beings and have no relation to one another. The truth is we are all one. We are drops of water in the same ocean. What affects one of us, affects us all. This is why our offering of love and peace to another is also a gift to ourselves.

If you're interested, here's a little experiment. Find someone (it doesn't matter if you know them or not) and connect with them with your heart. Imagine you are sending them peace. Notice then how it feels. What happens to your outlook on the world when it is peace that you are focused on and sharing unconditionally? Repeat often , substituting joy, love, understanding, forgiveness etc.

In today's world where there are many situations that reflect animosity and hate, using the power that we each have to receive peace simply by sharing it, is likely to make a very big difference, one heart at a time.

Disappointment Side Effects

If you're living an active and eventful life then chances are there are assorted disappointments that will show up from time to time. Disappointments can come in all sizes....little ones, moderate sized ones, big ones and super duper huge ones. The wonderful thing about disappointment is our ability to manage the side effects.

You may be thinking you have no ability to control the level of pain, anger, sadness or anguish that comes with the super duper huge disappointments. You may believe if something occurs in your life that keeps you from getting what you want, then you must react in an extreme sort of way and you must wear the badge of disappointment on your sleeve.

The truth is that although disappointments will inevitably occur for many reasons, our response need not be so predictable. As in dealing with any emotion, we are in control of how we will be with whatever it is that showed up on our screen of life. We do that by being more aware of what we think.

For instance if you get passed over for the big promotion, you may believe that occurred because your supervisor didn't like you. Perhaps you'll think that the person that got the job didn't deserve it and said something negative about you. Maybe you will choose to go down the road of thought that just puts you down and justifies your not getting the job because you're worthless. Any of these sample thoughts are likely to extend your disappointment for an undetermined period of time, keeping you in the role of victim.

Thoughts that can diminish the impact of the disappointment could be something like, "I bet something even better will come up for me", or after seeing who got the position, you might say to yourself "I see getting my masters degree will be helpful to move up in this company". Another thought could be "I did my best in the interview and that was all I could do....for some reason, it was not a good fit".

Feeling disappointment does not have to last. If you've ever noticed a child that doesn't get what they want, within a few minutes they have shifted their attention to something else and are not continuing to suffer the side effects of prolonged disappointment.

So the next time you're disappointed, give yourself some time to feel what you feel and then ask yourself how you want to be with it now. You can hold on to your disappointment or you can let it go and give your attention to something else.....your choice.

The Weeeeeeeee in Wii

Earlier today I stopped by Country Terrace, an assisted living facility, to visit my Mom. When I walked through the sitting area on my way to her apartment, I discovered her there with her friend, and fellow nonagenarian, Norma. My brother was also present and the three were in the middle of a hot game of Wii bowling. When they were finished (my Mom won), I was invited to join them.

If you have never played Wii bowling, it's really quite fun. The little characters on the screen can be made to resemble the actual players that are holding their remote-like controls that release the ball. The arm motion, aim and release are very similar to the real deal kind of bowling.

We played two more games and my Mom won one and tied Norma in one. I came in at the bottom of the lineup without complaint, since competition is not high on my list of values. Observing and admiring my Mom and Norma stand up repeatedly (not an easy task) to take their turns, and then follow through with the release of their ball, showing delight for their spares and strikes and being totally into the game, was the main object of fun for me.

Of course, my brother, a competitor to the core, was once again humiliated in defeat by not one nonagenarian, but two. He does not deliberately lose, but instead claims my Mom "gets into his head" to psych him out resulting in his growing losing streak.

Being a witness to this bowling showdown put the Weeeeeeeee in Wii for me.

Dare to Dream

Something I've noticed when talking to people about their dreams, is they sometimes try to keep them reasonable. They tend to avoid dreaming beyond what makes sense or is feasible. If they can't imagine exactly how it may come about, then the dream gets dashed.

I believe this is a disservice to dreams and to the dreamer. I believe dreams are just that.....a dream, or something intangible that can't be contained. It's a colorful imagination at work which does not have to make sense. When we have dreams while we sleep, unbelievable things occur. These sleep time dreams don't make sense or follow a predictable script. Isn't that part of the entertainment and the fun of dreaming?

My question is "Why not enjoy the process of daytime dreaming?" Why not let ourselves loose with imagining things beyond what we dared to dream before? Why not enjoy the feelings that come with creating these dreams? If we are in fear about not making them real or having them materialize, then we actually suck the life and joy out of them. What we're left with is a life-less imagination.

So, what to do? I say, dream....dream away....dream with wild abandon and have fun in your process. Dreaming in this way does not block what you are wanting to enter your reality. On the contrary, having joy and fun in the dreaming process actually aids to the dreams becoming "real" in the traditional and physical sense.

So, if your dream involves some physical challenge which some may say is impossible, such as flying around at will, focus and enjoy the feelings that would be present if you could fly, such as wild freedom, joy and oneness with all of nature. If the dream does not materialize exactly as you dreamed it might be, such as with the sprouting of large wings, focus on how else you might experience that feeling of freedom in your life. It may be with a sky dive, starting your own business or meeting a person that shares your dreams.

My suggestion is therefore to dare to dream....no limits.... no audits.... no corrections or censure. Don't worry about the hows, whys or if you are deserving. Just have fun feeling reallllly good and watch the unbelievable become a reality!

The Happy Dream

At the beginning of every year, I create a motto or statement that inspires me all year long. I refer to this motto regularly. I keep it as a reminder as to how I want to live. Some past mottoes were All is Well, Gracious and Spacious, Good Enough is Not Enough, the letter L, and Remembering. When I come up with something it has to resonate with me by creating a feeling of joy and peace. My motto does not have to make sense to someone else or sound smart or catchy. It is the personal meaning that lies underneath it that keeps me inspired all year long.

My motto for 2009 is The Happy Dream, a reference from A Course in Miracles. What this statement means to me is that since I consider my life to be a dream of sorts, from which I will awaken some day, I am reminded to keep my focus on being happy. It doesn't mean I find disasters or catastrophes to be amusing, but it does mean I can be peaceful and accepting, no matter what situations occur in my life's storyline.

When I sleep I seldom have bad dreams or nightmares. My nighttime dreams are typically pretty funny and entertaining. I observe myself in the dreams to be simply curious about the unusual happenings and not frightened by them. In my sleep, I tend to be unscathed by the challenges that show up. I see the humor in it all. I also look for some meaning to the events that play out. I look for messages that I should note as well as the lessons I can apply to life when I'm awake.

In my waking life, which is actually also a dream, I plan on keeping this same perspective and remember the Happy Dream. It is my intention to live my life in a state of happy dreams that amuse me, that give me lessons to learn and messages to understand. I will remember not to take life so seriously and to trust that I am never alone. If I notice myself feeling unhappy, then my inner alarm will go off reminding me of my motto. From there, I can simply ask myself how I want to be in this dream episode.

The main thing for me to remember is to be happy. My being reactive, fearful, angry, resentful or hurt will not change any of the circumstances. If I can remember this life is just a dream, then I can hopefully keep my mind open for the lessons and the meanings while I experience happiness in my waking dream.