W.W.F.D.?

Stepping Out, by ~Teshah on DeviantArt

Why is it so hard to let go of the insecurities we wrap ourselves in and step up to Life?

I can only speak for myself, of course, but it must be a somewhat common weakness among we humans to untangle ourselves from the comfort zone of familiar defenses and trust that there will be something solid underneath our soul’s feet when we do. There are literally tomes written throughout our recorded history and across a variety of cultures – from religious teachings…to fundamentals taught in preschool… to lifetimes of research in psychology – all consistently telling me that the struggle is universal.  In the hearts and souls of men and women. Or at least those who own up to it being a struggle.

Now, I realize that everything I’m saying is just my opinion. That’s alright. This is my place to throw it out there and just by the sheer act of doing so, things change. In this little life’s heart and soul anyway. 😉

I think there is always room for growth. I say it here often enough, don’t I?

I am constantly given opportunities, in ways obvious and subtle. What I do with those opportunities (note: usually the mistakes I make and hopefully learn from!),  now THOSE are the touchstones that propel me forward.

I claim that I look for these opportunities, pray for them even! And when Grace grants me these situations, what do I do? *Ahem* I move gracefully through stumble over myself and react instead of respond, using the same old unconscious, self-protective, puny finite child-like measures instead of trusting an Infinite way towards growth.  And when I keep doing what I’ve always done, I’ll keep getting what I’ve always got. ::Sigh:: I-n-s-a-n-i-t-y! With chagrin, I try to use hindsight in an effort to learn a better way.

One of the promises I have heard literally thousands of times is that,

“we will intuitively know how to handle situations that used to baffle us. We suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.”

This promise has shown itself to be true in a myriad of different ways and places in my life. When I keep practicing stepping out and up, of letting go of expectations and all it’s micro-managing, and invite the Divine to orchestrate the outcomes, over time it BECOMES almost intuitive.

I sincerely believe that I can (to borrow from Gandhi) be the Love I want to see in the world. So in situations and interactions where I feel overwhelmed or unclear, instead of falling back into an automatic reactionary stance, I have to consciously seek a Higher ground. Those reactions, while having served a vital purpose during a time in my life, have become a stumbling blocks on the road to being that evidence of Love in the world.

Drawing from the collective experiences of others, I can strive for better:

Looking at my motives: what is it I’m expecting?

Prefacing each moment with: what good will come of it?

Tapping into the moments of clarity experienced by people who inspire me:

“May I become at all times, both now and forever
a protector for those without protection
a guide for those who have lost their way
a ship for those with oceans to cross
a bridge for those with rivers to cross
a sanctuary for those in danger
a lamp for those without light
a place of refuge for those who lack shelter
and a servant to all in need.” (Buddhist Prayer of Peace)

AND

Begin to see yourself as connected to every person you encounter (Dr. Wayne Dyer)

OR

What if Love were always moving through me? (Don Miguel Ruiz)

In the words of St. Francis of Assisi (my patron saint,no less), aka:

What Would Francis Do?

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

It seems to me that maybe … just maybe… to foster intuitive strength, I need to be more consciously aware of where I hesitate to move forward with these principles in mind. Huh. Recognize and acknowledge that fear of stepping out of my comfortable place onto unknown ground and then ask for Divine guidance. Ask myself “WWFD“, praying for the strength to then DO it. And to continue to do it with the peace in knowing that I am where I’m meant to be.

Maybe if I tatooed WWFD? onto my wrist to remind me until it becomes in line with intuition? Maybe it can eventually evolve into my own automatic response. Stranger things have happened!

What about you? What are some tools you have that help you keep in line with Grace?

Namaste,

~me

Honestly, It Is Mostly Scrap

Honest Scrap

Larry, over at Yesterday, Today, and Forever, bestowed a bloggy award on me, which even in NAME works for me!  I don’t usually do the blog award thing, but if I complain about not having inspiration lately (for posts), I really can’t argue when someone hands it to me on a plate, all gift wrapped in an award!

Thank you Larry, for bestowing an award for being encouraging and loquacious! It always goes back to one simple concept captured eloquently in JUST the quote for me:

“See I’m all about them words… over numbers, unencumbered numbered words….Hundreds of pages, pages, pages for words… more words than I’d ever heard and I feel so ALIVE…” ~Jason Mraz

The Honest Scrap Award *awesome play on words* 😉

And just like any bloggy award, there are always the rules:

Rules for the Award:

• Say thank you and give a link to the presenter of the award
• Share “10 Honest Things” about yourself
• Present the award to 10* other bloggers whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design or to those who have encouraged you
• Be sure to tell the 10* bloggers chosen that you are giving them the Honest Scrap award and provide the guidelines for them

*Or a number that you can reasonably accomplish in whatever mental/physical state you’re in

10 Honest Things

1. I have an innate weakness for Rice Krispie treats…especially my hubby’s! Can. NOT. walk. away!!
2. I was grounded from my contact lenses when my parents ran out of restrictions for me in high school :0 (a tad bit wild in my youth)
3. Music is just as essential as food, water, and air to breathe for me – if I’m not listening to it, I’m spontaneously erupting into melodic prose of my own (usually nonsense that only my cats,kids, and hubby have to endure!)
4. The skies AWE me and they stop me dead in my tracks – sunsets, sunrises, clouds, storms, stars ~ all the forms and colors and movement
5. I collect quotes and words instead of stamps or coins or more normal collectibles
6. I take pictures to capture moments that I want to share; but selfishly I do it because my memory is so poor that I’m afraid I’ll forget and I want to be able to have memories to look back on
7. In a group setting, I rarely speak up and get physically sick if asked to speak in front of a crowd… (I always took my contacts out in high school when it was time to perform (dance) at pep rallies so that I couldn’t see the faces of the audience)
8. I’ve been a fan of Barry Manilow since I was little and have seen him  live
9. I’ve suffered from depression throughout my life and its BECAUSE of being up close and personal with the Dark Side that I know there is always Hope – most of the “inspiring” and “encouraging” posts I put up here are mostly to help me (it’s all about me! LoL)
10. I can count on my hands the number of times that I couldn’t find SOME humor … even while dancing with the Dark side, I could still see the improbability and silliness in the “seriousness” of the life and times of being human (or is it a human, being?)

The number and names of blogs and people who’ve encouraged and inspired me are too many to list – award giver not withstanding! The caveat in the “RULES” was “reasonably accomplish in whatever mental/physical state”. That being extremely questionable at the moment, I’ll do my best!

1. Southern Sinful Bliss
2. A Year of Art
3. PickMyBrains Art
4. Spittin (Out Words) Like a Llama
5. Mine Enemy Grows Older
6. Quarry House
7. The BridgeMaker
8. The BrianWebber
9. The Wayne Dyer Blog
10. Freshness Factor Five Thousand

Namaste,

~me

Just Do It

Just DO it!

You’ll seldom experience regret for anything that you’ve done.

It is what you haven’t done that will torment you.

The message, therefore, is clear.

Do it!

Develop an appreciation for the present moment.

Seize every second of your life and savor it. ~Dr. Wayne Dyer

I have spent the summer months taking this message, in its various forms, to heart.  I did NOT spend as much time in front of my computer as I have in the past, opting instead for having some “me and you time” with my family and friends. Mostly family.

Nothing elaborate, mind you. Silly things like hanging out in the kitchen while making something or watching TV while snuggling on the couch or visiting family in not too distant cities or goofy golf outings or running errands with my youngest (who never wanted to go before now! Go figure…).

In each activity I made a conscious choice to try and slow down – appreciate whatever opportunities were there to be had. Laughter… easy conversations… listening… learning more about these people who are traveling through this life with me.

And when I felt myself slipping into what is familiar to me – the half-listening, making lists in my head of what I “needed” to get done, and the myriad of other ways I slip out of the moment –  I sometimes would stop myself and say to myself,

“Hey! YOU! You may not get this opportunity again, silly woman!  Everything will get done that needs to, in its own timeline! But you are NOT guaranteed a ‘later’ with your family or friends.  Especially your children. Focus on now.”

Don’t get me wrong – we have days where we co-exist peacefully by minimally interacting! You stay in your rooms, I’ll stay out of them. The kids ARE teenagers, after all! LoL 🙂  But when I’m approached and invited to be a part of their worlds, I’d like to know that I willingly (note: that does NOT mean impatiently or begrudgingly) stop what I’m doing and enjoy and engage in LIFE.  Because having one who has already grown up and is out on her own, I know that these moments are followed by time filled with friends and school, then off to college, with the perfunctory occasional “visits home”.

The days of invitation are swift and precious and become memories in the wake of our lives.

I think the memories of this past summer are some that I can reflect on without too much regret of missed things! I hope anyone reading this, by doing so, will seek the same.

Leaving you with an excerpt from some prose I penned and posted in the past – about time that was well spent on people passing through my life, missed in my world today:

“The winds of time blow freely through the hole left in my life,

but the experience!

Would I be able to hear the song played out in the whistling through that gap

…without having had it all?”

Enjoy your day! Literally 😉

Peace,

~me

Right Sized (reducing that EGO)

I found this article and deflating the humongous ego here in my being is always a good goal, no? I know there are some out there who don’t suffer this malady, but sometimes my ego seems to eclipse my best intentions.
Passing it on 🙂
Peace,
~me

a message from Wayne W. Dyer

Here are seven suggestions to help you transcend ingrained ideas of

self-importance.All of these are designed to help prevent you from

falsely identifying with the self-important ego.

1. Stop being offended.

The behavior of others isn’t a reason to be immobilized. That which offends you only weakens you. If you’re looking for occasions to be offended, you’ll find them at every turn. This is your ego at work convincing you that the world shouldn’t be the way it is. But you can become an appreciator of life and match up with the universal Spirit of Creation. You can’t reach the power of intention by being offended. By all means, act to eradicate the horrors of the world, which emanate from massive ego identification, but stay in peace. As A Course in Miracles reminds us: Peace is of God, you who are part of God are not at home except in his peace. Being is of God, you who are part of God are not at home except in his peace. Being offended creates the same destructive energy that offended you in the first place and leads to attack, counterattack, and war.

2. Let go of your need to win.

Ego loves to divide us up into winners and losers. The pursuit of winning is a surefire means to avoid conscious contact with intention. Why? Because ultimately, winning is impossible all of the time. Someone out there will be faster, luckier, younger, stronger, and smarter-and back you’ll go to feeling worthless and insignificant.

You’re not your winnings or your victories. You may enjoy competing, and have fun in a world where winning is everything, but you don’t have to be there in your thoughts. There are no losers in a world where we all share the same energy source. All you can say on a given day is that you performed at a certain level in comparison to the levels of others on that day. But today is another day, with other competitors and new circumstances to consider. You’re still the infinite presence in a body that’s another day (or decade) older. Let go of needing to win by not agreeing that the opposite of winning is losing. That’s ego’s fear. If your body isn’t performing in a winning fashion on this day, it simply doesn’t matter when you aren’t identifying exclusively with your ego. Be the observer, noticing and enjoying it all without needing to win a trophy. Be at peace, and match up with the energy of intention. And ironically, although you’ll hardly notice it, more of those victories will show up in your life as you pursue them less.

3. Let go of your need to be right.

Ego is the source of a lot of conflict and dissension because it pushes you in the direction of making other people wrong. When you’re hostile, you’ve disconnected from the power of intention. The creative Spirit is kind, loving, and receptive; and free of anger, resentment, or bitterness. Letting go of your need to be right in your discussions and relationships is like saying to ego, I’m not a slave to you. I want to embrace kindness, and I reject your need to be right. In fact, I’m going to offer this person a chance to feel better by saying that she’s right, and thank her for pointing me in the direction of truth.

When you let go of the need to be right, you’re able to strengthen your connection to the power of intention. But keep in mind that ego is a determined combatant. I’ve seen people end otherwise beautiful relationships by sticking to their need to be right. I urge you to let go of this ego-driven need to be right by stopping yourself in the middle of an argument and asking yourself, Do I want to be right or be happy? When you choose the happy, loving, spiritual mood, your connection to intention is strengthened. These moments ultimately expand your new connection to the power of intention. The universal Source will begin to collaborate with you in creating the life you were intended to live.

4. Let go of your need to be superior.

True nobility isn’t about being better than someone else. It’s about being better than you used to be. Stay focused on your growth, with a constant awareness that no one on this planet is any better than anyone else. We all emanate from the same creative life force. We all have a mission to realize our intended essence; all that we need to fulfill our destiny is available to us. None of this is possible when you see yourself as superior to others. It’s an old saw, but nonetheless true: we are all equal in the eyes of God. Let go of your need to feel superior by seeing the unfolding of God in everyone. Don’t assess others on the basis of their appearance, achievements, possessions, and other indices of ego. When you project feelings of superiority that’s what you get back, leading to resentments and ultimately hostile feelings. These feelings become the vehicle that takes you farther away from intention. A Course in Miracles addresses this need to be special and superior: Special ness always makes comparisons. It is established by a lack seen in another, and maintained by searching for, and keeping clear in sight, all lacks it can perceive.

5. Let go of your need to have more.

The mantra of ego is more. It’s never satisfied. No matter how much you achieve or acquire, your ego will insist that it isn’t enough. You’ll find yourself in a perpetual state of striving, and eliminate the possibility of ever arriving. Yet in reality you’ve already arrived, and how you choose to use this present moment of your life is your choice. Ironically, when you stop needing more, more of what you desire seems to arrive in your life. Since you’re detached from the need for it, you find it easier to pass it along to others, because you realize how little you need in order to be satisfied and at peace.

The universal Source is content with itself, constantly expanding and creating new life, never trying to hold on to its creations for its own selfish means. It creates and lets go. As you let go of ego’s need to have more, you unify with that Source. You create, attract to yourself, and let it go, never demanding that more come your way. As an appreciator of all that shows up, you learn the powerful lesson St.Francis of Assisi taught:”…it is in giving that we receive.” By allowing abundance to flow to and through you, you match up with your Source and guarantee that this energy will continue to flow.

6. Let go of identifying yourself on the basis of your achievements.

This may be a difficult concept if you think you are your achievements. God writes all the music, God sings all the songs, God builds all the buildings, God is the source of all your achievements. I can hear your ego loudly protesting. Nevertheless, stay tuned to this idea. All emanates from Source! You and that Source are one! You’re not this body and its accomplishments. You are the observer. Notice it all; and be grateful for the abilities you’ve accumulated. But give all the credit to the power of intention, which brought you into existence and which you’re a materialized part of. The less you need to take credit for your achievements and the more connected you stay to the seven faces of intention, the more you’re free to achieve, and the more will show up for you. It’s when you attach yourself to those achievements and believe that you alone are doing all of those things that you leave the peace and the gratitude of your Source.

7. Let go of your reputation.

Your reputation is not located in you. It resides in the minds of others. Therefore, you have no control over it at all. If you speak to 30 people, you will have 30 reputations. Connecting to intention means listening to your heart and conducting yourself based on what your inner voice tells you is your purpose here. If you’re overly concerned with how you’re going to be perceived by everyone, then you’ve disconnected yourself from intention and allowed the opinions of others to guide you. This is your ego at work. It’s an illusion that stands between you and the power of intention. There’s nothing you can’t do, unless you disconnect from the power source and become convinced that your purpose is to prove to others how masterful and superior you are and spend your energy attempting to win a giant reputation among other egos. Do what you do because your inner voice always connected to and grateful to your Source-so directs you. Stay on purpose, detach from outcome, and take responsibility for what does reside in you: your character. Leave your reputation for others to debate; it has nothing to do with you. Or as a book title says: What You Think of Me Is None of My Business!

Thought of the Day ~

A Positive Thought for the Day:

You have a very powerful mind that can make anything happen…

as long as you keep yourself centered.
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer