Saturday, June 28, 2014

Have An Amazing And Abundant Weekend



We leave today for a week long stay in Lake Tahoe. We'll be there through the July 4th weekend and I've heard the fireworks over the lake are something amazing to see.  I can't wait!  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and here are a few fun links from around the web...


You don't need more experience to be successful, you need more of this....

Nothing is better or weirder than these photographs of roasted chickens wearing costumes

Boost your brain's hidden abilities with these powerful facts

Do you really want to be yourself at work?

Can you move beyond your upper limit threshold?

The quest to recover a vast archive of adolescence from the clutches of the cloud

27 of history's most creative minds and their sleep schedules

If you give up on your dreams, what's left?

5 reasons we're still reading "have it all" stories

Cross-country trips are for amateurs - this woman spent a year visiting all 50 states

Groomsmen burst into choreographed Beyonce dance - adorable!

25 picture perfect moments in animal parenting

Made me smile

Head for the hills: these cool mountain towns beckon with outdoor adventures, festivals and local color


Photo courtesy of Steve Dunleavy/Flickr

Friday, June 27, 2014

You Might Risk Making Some People Mad

I am more and more convinced that everything in our lives has a season.  In my case, the career path I chose out of college had become no longer fulfilling and I was feeling as if I was selling myself short.  I was settling for less rather than reaching for my greatest potential.

Now that I've taken a sabbatical from work to discover what's next for me, and as I share that news with others, I've been surprised that not everyone is supportive of my choice.  It's almost as if they are angry at me for being able to take time off.

It's quite an interesting insight.  And yet, it's also a reflection of what I might have felt if I was on the receiving end of that news.

I have to admit that I spent a number of years being jealous of others, wishing that I had their life and complaining that similar opportunities for success never seemed available to me.

Now that I am cultivating more and more of an awareness of Oneness with the Universe, I can see that what I admired in others, that made me so jealous previously, is actually something that is also available IN ME too.

That revelation was a great lesson for me and allowed me to move beyond feelings of anger or resentment and step into gratitude that the opportunities I yearned for - the meaningful livelihood, the financial means and freedom to travel, the perfect home in a wonderful neighborhood - were available to me too.

And it was simply by rewiring my thoughts.

Every time I noticed someone with some aspect in their life that I would like to embody, I consciously shifted my thoughts to mentally say, "Congratulations, that's awesome."  And I followed that up by affirming: That which is in them is also in me.

At first, it was a challenge to want to congratulate them for their accomplishment but, like anything we practice and persist at, pretty soon, it changed my whole perspective and attitude.  Little by little, I started to really feel happy for them.

Now, I look for ways to compliment and encourage other's success.  And I envision that same success for myself.  I still use my mantra: That which is in them is also in me.

I am really grateful for that learning opportunity, especially now that I am on the other side of the lesson.   And it gives me a new perspective on the feelings of anger that I am now receiving.

I cannot live my life for others.  I realize that I might risk making people angry with me or jealous of me - and I may lose a few friends along the way - but I have to live my life how I choose and let go of what others think about it.

And what can I do for them?  Simply wish them the same insight that I received and hold the knowing that they too are up for the risk of making others mad.  Because it is a risk that opens the door to even greater things in the future.

So, where can you admire others for the qualities you'd like to create in yourself?  And in what area of your life are you willing to risk doing something great that may cause some people to leave your life?

Today, I set the intention to realize the same qualities I admire in others are also in me and I am willing to risk losing the support of some people in order to move into a bright new experience of living life to my greatest potential.


"When we meet each other, do we not feel that subtle Presence which flows
 through all things and gives light and color to our everyday experience?"  
~Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind

"Many times we find it difficult to love our neighbor because we believe that
 our neighbor is standing between us and our good.  Let me assure you that
 this is far from true.  No outer influence for good or evil
 can act upon us.  We ourselves release our good."  
~Joel S. Goldsmith, Practicing the Presence


Affirmative Prayer:
With the start of this new day, there is a wonder and appreciation of the One Infinite Life that is present in this moment.  And as the day unfolds, a Divine Intelligence is revealed as wisdom, as power, as the all-good in every hour and minute of time.  It is a Creative Presence that is always accessible, always available, always guiding in exquisite, beautiful ways.

This Divine Presence is centered deep within myself and at my core, I am an infinite being.  I am Spirit expressing on an amazing journey of expansion.  And as I stay in this space of Oneness with Spirit, with Source, I become available to the limitless possibilities that arrive at my doorstep each day.

Affirming that possibilities for my life are everywhere, there is a vibrant energy that invites me to explore all options.  I can make no wrong choices, having faith that I am always in the perfect place at the right time.  And I can let go of any thoughts of jealousy or anger, knowing that what I see in others also exists within me.  We are all part of the One Infinite Universe - perfect, whole and complete at our core.  Leaning into this, I welcome the potential for greatness to uplift my life and those that read these words.  Doors are opening and lives are being transformed and I claim that it is all magnificent and done in perfect Divine order.

Returning to the wonder of this day, I am deeply grateful for the Divine Presence that shows me how good life can be when I relax into the qualities that exist within - qualities of peace, of love, of harmony and of grace.  I am thankful for the confidence in knowing I am so supported by the Universe that I can take a sabbatical and know that all is well.  And I am filled with gratitude for the light and the color in my world as I meet others who are also in tune to their Divine nature.

From a place of deep gratitude, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  It is activated and revealed in everything I think, everything I say and in everything I do.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!

Photo courtesy of Rick Harris/Flickr

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Everything Stops In Order To Keep Going

Three times this morning over the span of just a few hours, I've been reminded to stay in the present moment.  First, this was posted on Facebook by Iyanla Vanzant

"Everything has to stop at some time in order to keep going.  A pause in life's journey does not mean that nothing is happening.  In reality, it is a divine opportunity to be present and 
catch up with all that is going on." 

Then, I stumble upon an article on Brainpickings.org that takes a closer look at one of Alan Watt's books and dives into Happiness and How to Live with Presence.  The author of the article talks about the concept of presence - "the ability to go through life with crystalline awareness and fully inhabit our experience."  And, he quotes Watts - "to understand music, you must listen to it. But so long as you are thinking, 'I am listening to this music', you are not listening."

And right before I headed out to run a few errands, Marilyn Jennett, the guest on the Manifest Everything Now series, started saying that to create the connection to your true source of supply, you must be in the present moment.  

When something like this happens, I tend to take notice.  That's especially true when the first reminder to be in the present moment also talked about a pause in life's journey and that everything has to stop at some time.  Hmmm, like my job?  I did recently take a sabbatical from work.

So, to me, the Universe is obviously saying, "Hey, Sandy, listen up!"  Taking this to heart, here's what I've been present to so far today:

A graceful hummingbird flitting around the flowers outside my front door.

The sun shining on my sleeping dog, warming his coat, as he sleeps soundly.

The fan blowing a gently breeze across my shoulders as I sit and drink my coffee.

The delicious scents of Indian food coming from my neighbor's window as she cooks dinner.

All of these carried a feeling of contentment and grace with them, however, as I started to deepen my present moment awareness, there were also more mundane things I noticed.

The candlesticks lined up on the credenza next to, Albert, the fish.

The basket slightly overflowing with various half-finished bags of bread and tortillas

The forgotten Wall St. Journal still sitting on the coffee table from this weekend.

Then something clicked for me and I realized that these things simply ARE WHAT THEY ARE.  And as I become present to them, I label them and react to them in a number of ways.  What if I just started to notice without attaching a feeling or label to them?

Nothing is 'good' or 'bad', 'boring' or 'exciting' until I give it that label.  If I just see things as 'Life', then I believe I start to really tap into the receptivity of the Divine Presence that moves through everything.

Maybe this is what Iyanla meant when she talked about stopping and catching up with all that is going on.  Everything today is becoming more vibrant.  Even the newspaper on the table takes on lines and forms that are edgy and brilliant.

I feel as if I'm almost hyper-sensitive as I remain present and I'm really starting to GET that I am part of the Oneness.  They are becoming no longer words that I speak, but something that I experience at a visceral, gut level.

As I change my focus from labeling to experiencing, it is creating a space for the crystalline awareness of what is around me.  And, rather than simply think about the breeze from the fan, I get to understand that breeze and savor the nuances of it as it flows over and around me.

It's always been available to me and I've danced around the edges of it.  I just haven't truly slowed down enough to tap into it.  Until today.

So, where in YOUR life can you change the way you look at a pause in your life's journey?  And can you be present during that pause?

Today, I set the intention to fully inhabit my experience, embracing the divine opportunity to be present and catch up with all that is going on.


"The overcoming of all the usual barriers between the individual and the Absolute
 is the great mystic achievement.  In mystic states we both become one with
 the Absolute, and we become aware of our Oneness."  

"There is a side to us which lies open to the Infinite.  The infinite wisdom becomes
 human knowledge in such degree as the human furnishes a channel through 
which it may flow.  The greatest people who have ever lived have recognized 
this fact.  They have consciously expected it, and there came a time when they
 consciously received it, and there came a time when they 
consciously felt it flowing through them."  
~Ernest Holmes, Can We Talk to God


Affirmative Prayer:
Turning within and allowing this moment to unfold, there is a recognition of One Divine Power, One Creative Intelligence.  This Power and Intelligence is a presence that is only a resounding love, only a resounding joy, only a resounding enthusiasm as the beauty of each day is revealed.

Embracing the love, joy and enthusiasm that is a powerful force for good, I let go and celebrate the knowing that this Divine Power is also in me.  It is a comforting Presence that expresses as me in unique and positive ways.  It is a Source that I call God and I am always supported by this Source, filled daily with infinite and unlimited possibilities.

I am so unified with the presence of God, I only need to say I am peace, I am harmony, I am grace, and that is what is revealed throughout the day.  I stay present to all that surrounds me, simply noticing and I am overwhelmed by the Divine aspects of life.  Walking the dog, cooking dinner, listening to music - all are expressions of Source that become so vibrant as I stay present and allow them to flow over and around me.  My day-to-day experience stays centered in Spirit and nothing that unfolds is too good to be true.

Joyfully, I give great thanks for the presence of Spirit that inhabits my daily experience.  I am grateful for the vibrancy of life that is becoming so clear.  And I am filled with a deep, profound gratitude for the pause in my life that is making space for so much more - more goodness, more prosperity, more than I can imagine.

Complete in my intention to stay present for the greatness within me, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  Moment by moment, my good is activated and revealed.  Something wonderful is happening right now!  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Greg Westfall/Flickr

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Have A Happy And Healthy Weekend



This weekend is Dancin' on the Avenue in Willow Glen, a beautiful area of San Jose.  For one day, the main street turns into a big celebration with live music and awesome food.  One of my favorite places to eat is Yuki Sushi so I'm looking forward to noshing on a few Tetsu rolls.  I may even try a Saki Bomb, if I'm feeling brave.  Hope you have plans for a wonderful weekend too!  And here are a few fun and inspiring posts from around the web....


Why we have regret...and how to let go of it

On a normal day, one retired NFL lineman used to eat 2,155 calories....for breakfast

Prince George finally convinces everyone that overalls are trendy

This compilation of animals dancing to "Push It" will make your day

Surprising news - eat butter to protect your brain

50 best pizzas in America: one from every state

No one have ever been as scared as Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Hart on a roller coaster

And, you won't believe these new thrill rides

28 pieces of street art that cleverly interact with their surroundings

Generation validation: Why everyone just wants to be liked

Learning to detach can be as simple as taking a breath

A vast and ancient Incan road that is an engineering marvel of antiquity

The easiest, safest way to slice a mango

Living the downward way - through the senses to the One

2 tips to upright shipwrecks in your life

Love this from a recent commencement address by Jim Carey; "You can fail at what you DON'T want to do so why not DO what you want." 

Photo courtesy of Eric Lynch/Flickr

Friday, June 20, 2014

Two Lessons That Bring The Joy Back Into Giving

The more inspirational books I read, the more I see how giving is such an important aspect to being in the flow of life.  For some, giving is so easy and for others it's not so simple.  Regardless of where we fall, when we talk about giving, it seems to always bring up an emotional response.

To be in the flow, I believe the key is to go deep into giving into an area that makes you FEEL good.  Yes, giving is about helping others but it's also about helping YOU build your trust muscle.  It helps build the faith that the Universe is your source and supply - not your job, not your husband or wife or family.  And, it's been a wonderful spiritual lesson for me.  Two lessons actually...

In Deepak Chopra's, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, giving is Law #2.  I especially love that he uses the word affluence in this law because affluence seems like an outrageous expectation and yet, I'm no longer willing to settle for less than outrageous.

"The word affluence comes from the root word 'affluere,' which means 'to flow to.'   The word affluence means 'to flow in abundance.'  Money is really a symbol of the life energy we exchange and the life energy we use as a result of the service we provide to the universe.  Another word for money is 'currency,' which also reflects the flowing nature of energy.  The word currency comes from the Latin word 'currere' which means 'to run' or to flow.

Therefore, if we stop the circulation of money - if our only intention is to hold on to our money and hoard it - since it is life energy, we will stop its circulation back into our lives as well.  In order to keep that energy coming to us, we have to keep the energy circulating.  Like a river, money must keep flowing, otherwise it begins to stagnate, to clog, to suffocate and strangle its very own life force.  Circulation keeps it alive and vital."

So, lesson #1 for me - choose a word that feels OUTRAGEOUS like affluence and consciously think about that word as you circulate what you have.  Not only will you be in the flow, you can't help but up-level what starts to flow back to you.

And lesson #2?  Pay attention to how you feel when you give.  John Randolph Price details this beautifully in The Abundance Book.

"Giving is an esoteric science that never fails to produce results if it is done with love and joy, because the Law will shower you with a pressed down and multiplied return.  But if you tithe (and I really prefer the word 'sharing' to tithing) as a mechanical and calculated method to please God, unload guilt, meet a sense of obligation and play a bartering game with the Law, no one benefits - not even the receiver.  Give with love, joy and a sense of fun and the windows of heaven will be
 thrown open with a blast!"

Focus on what makes you really, really happy when you give and dig deep into that area.  Forget about giving because you HAVE to give, and forget about giving because it's the right thing to do.  Instead, tap into the love and joy of giving.  Have fun with it.

Recently, in San Francisco, there was an anonymous giver who hid $100 bills around the city and tweeted out clues to where you could find the money.  I love that concept, especially when you can trust that the Universe is guiding that money to exactly the right person at the right time.  It's a brilliant way to share!

So, take a look at what makes you smile and feel joyful when you give.  Choose a big word - one that might make you even choke a bit - that you tap into as you give.  Start there and commit to that.

Where can YOU have a sense of fun in your giving?  And what is the BIG word you're choosing to consciously focus on as you circulate?

Today, I set the intention to dive deep into giving in an area that I am passionate about, consciously focusing on feeling affluent and opulent as I remain in the flow of circulation.


"Your faith vibration attracts that which you have and experience in this world
 because like must attract like!  Where is your faith?  Look around you.  
If your faith is in an all-sufficiency, then so it is in your life  If your faith is pulsating
 to a 'just getting by' frequency, than so it is in your world.  If your faith
 is on the dial-set of insufficiency, then there will never be enough to meet
 your needs.  Your world simply reflects your faith."  
~John Randolph Price, The Abundance Book

It's not what we ask for that is outrageous.  It's what we settle for that is outrageous."  


Affirmative Prayer:
Turning within and staying in this moment now, in this time now, and in this space now, there is a sacredness that is calling.  It is a Divine Presence that exudes beauty and grace; a Divine Power that is the essence of strength and wisdom.  Like the whisper of a breath, it is all-sustaining and ever-present.

Noticing my breath, I see, that at my core, I am one with this Divine, Creative Intelligence.  It is a loving connection with the all-good of the Universe that guides my journey.  I give this Divine Spirit space for full expression through me and as me in a way that no one else can and I say bring it on!  

I walk through life affirming perfect wealth, opulence and affluence and Life makes the way for the experience of abundance and prosperity  I am surrounded by grace in every minute of the day and welcome the circulation of my good out into the world in joyful and fun ways.  I feel energized and alive as I give in deep and meaningful ways, knowing that my every need is met by a Source that always has my back.  I clearly see my worthiness to receive as I up-level my circulation back out, cultivating my prosperity consciousness.  I align with my soul and heart which urges me to reach for outrageous experiences of a life in the flow of magnificence and wonder.  And I smile as Spirit blasts open the windows and doors, showering me with a pressed down and multiplied return.

Allowing the feelings of thanksgiving and gratitude to overtake me, I lean into the happiness that emerges and grows stronger.  In faith and trust, I say Thank You, Spirit, for evidence of the truth - that life is for me in amazing ways beyond what I can even imagine.

Grateful for the guidance of the Universe, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  Blessings and miracles are mine to give and to receive.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!

Photo courtesy of Jose Moutinho/Flickr


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Do You Teach People To Treat You With Love?

When you become mindful of YOUR role in relationships, it will magnify every move you make.  As I take my own advice and pay attention to my relationships, what has become clear is that we teach people how to treat us.

So, as I point fingers and lay the blame at others feet OR as I wield my sword in an effort to convince people to do things my way, they learn that it's okay to attack back and, often, they cross the line in arguments and disagreements and become the bigger bully than me.

It's interesting what shows up when we make the decision to start focusing attention in a certain area.  For me, I never realized that I could be the catalyst of escalating arguments in an effort to direct things the way I think they should go - until now.  

Now that I've noticed this truth about me, I have the opportunity to stop and lay down my sword and instead, simply stand firm in my power.  I can still have a backbone when it comes to expressing my opinions.  But - I could be a kinder, gentler version of me when something needs to be hashed out.

There is always a dance between the spiritual side of me and the human side of me.  And, I believe it's being aware of this dance that allows me to grow.

Just because I am a spiritual being does not mean that I have to let people put unreasonable demands on me.  It's okay for me to say no.  And just because my human side seems "bad" sometimes, it surfaces so I can change and evolve and work out why I am triggered in some areas of my life.

It's ultimately about clarity.  And as I break the cycle of what people have been taught about how to treat ME, it's quite possible that I am helping others gain some insight about how THEY are being treated.  Funny how the Universe works - there's usually a lesson for everyone in these shared experiences.

As I continue to stand in my power, in every moment, I need to be mindful of what I am allowing to happen in my relationships.  The more I stay mindful, the more I will experience relationships that are filled with peace; where I can clear the air with someone else coming from a place of love and NOT control.

It is something I am willing to work on, that's for sure!

So, what in YOUR relationships are you teaching people about how to treat you?  And are you willing to make a change if you'd like a different experience?

Today, I set the intention to be willing to take a different approach in my relationships, dropping my sword and choosing a peaceful path to working things out.


"At the end of each day, you should play back the tapes of your performance.  
The results should either applaud you or prod you."  

"Give the gift of unconditional love. Allow others to be who they are
 with no conditions or desires to change them.  Find joy and peace
 in the differences of everyone.  Purify your life, and forgive with no expectations."  


Affirmative Prayer:
Consciously allowing my heart to open, there is the recognition of a Divine Presence that is the life force of all that is.  It is a loving Infinite Intelligence that is always present, supporting and activating possibilities for the brilliance in all things.  It is Divine Wisdom that is patience and kindness, mercy and grace, beyond what can even be imagined.

How wonderful for this moment and the knowing that all that is within the One Infinite Power is also within me.   I am becoming more of who I am as I embrace the sacred presence of the Divine Life that sustains me and loves me unconditionally.  At my core, I am strength and harmony and peace and I am transformed as Source expresses Itself as me in every minute of the day.

Allowing Spirit to move through me, I accept the joy that fills all of my relationships as I see the presence of Spirit in everyone I share this life with.  I wake up to the knowing that in every moment I can choose to be love and let go of anger, I can choose wisdom and let go of jealousy, and I can choose beauty and let go of hatred.  I start my day in faith and trust that I simply need to take one step at a time, just as a small child learns to walk, and I am guided in every small step that I take.  I am supported joyfully by a Source that knows only good and I welcome the optimism that allows me to see that good is everywhere I look.  I teach people how to treat me from a place of love and I see that love reflected in the healing and transformation of other's relationships.  

Centering in the joy and happiness that is always available, I am filled with thanks for the Divine guidance that lights my way.  I am deeply grateful for the amazing relationships that are unfolding as I gain clarity in how I treat others and how they, in turn, treat me.  I am thankful for the transformation of my life as I grow through my experiences and evolve into a more balanced spiritual being have a human existence.

Remaining in that feeling tone of gratitude, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  I am already that which I desire.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Azzacov/Flickr

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Have a Radiantly Wonderful Weekend




Interesting but I'm seeing a happiness theme in what I decided to share this weekend.  Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there.  I hope you have a wonderful day doing something that makes you smile.  As for me, we're attending our first Bar Mitvah and I can't wait to experience it.  After all, life is about the experiences, right?  Have a wonderful weekend and here are a few fun posts from around the web...


Highlighting isn't helping you remember anything, and four more surprising facts about learning

Conscious communication: a meditation on cultivating the right speech

A book that provides a road map to the Land of Affluence within each one of us

14 butter recipes to consume with wild abandon

Terrible dad humor to make your kids roll their eyes

Science says lasting relationships come down to - you guessed it - kindness and generosity

Too cute not to share

And this one made me smile

Coca-cola - hello happiness (my favorite comment was about 2:30 in)

Make over your cubicle with sweet gadgets and accessories

Moving beyond pain to find happiness and meaning

And this quote says it all:  "Beyond living and dreaming there is something more important: waking up."

Photo courtesy of Ken Bosma/Flickr

Friday, June 13, 2014

Why Your Relationship With Money Matters

When I take time to understand my overall relationship with money, my finances usually seem to change for the better.  I've worked through some limiting beliefs over the past few years and gotten rid of the "rich people suck" thought pattern.  And, I no longer make money SO important that it interferes with my relationships.

But - now that I have taken a sabbatical from work, I'm becoming very conscious of my cash.  With the awareness that where I focus my thoughts is what will manifest in my life, I don't want to create the space for lack or scarcity mentality to overtake me.  So, I reached for Eric Butterworth's book, Spiritual Economics.  He has a chapter that talks about Work and the Success Syndrome.

"How easy and yet how mistaken it is to be influenced by the 'another day, another dollar' syndrome.  Let your work, whatever it may involve, be an outworking of the creative flow, engaged in through the sheer joy of fulfilling your divine nature.  You will prosper and you should do so, but it will not be because you have 'made money' in your job."

What that means to me is, even though I don't have a job, as I focus my time on activities that fulfill my heart's desire and as I treat my volunteer work as my 'job', I will prosper financially.  It seems strange that while I may not be receiving a paycheck, all of my needs are met.

And, if I have faith and trust that the Universe is my source, what emerges are the miracles and blessings that I very likely missed before I took a leap of faith.

No doubt, being jobless takes a little bit of courage each morning that I wake up and realize that I am free to do as I choose (mostly).  But the more I feel financially supported within, the more I see my abundance expressed and returned to me beyond what I even imagine.

 It seems I'm taking my relationship with money to the next level.  And it feels good - no regrets!

So, what is YOUR relationship with money like?  Are you 'making money' from your job?

Today, I set the intention to see the abundance that is all around me, grateful that my relationship with money is healthy and my finances are thriving!


"It is a beautiful insight dealing with prosperity as a divine flow from within.  
When you work in the right consciousness, when your work becomes organically
 a part of your whole self, and when you do your work out of that commitment,
 no matter what other people do, no matter what the compensation may be, 
doing it for the health of your own soul, then you open the door by which
 the affluence of the Universe flows forth into your life."  
~Eric Butterworth, Spiritual Economics

"If you cannot work with love but only with distaste, then you should quit 
your job and go sit at the Temple and beg alms from those who work with joy."  


Affirmative prayer:
Watching the clouds float in the sky and requiring no effort whatsoever, there is the recognition of a pure Divine Power that sustains all of life.  It is joy that is as bright as the sunshine, it is happiness reflected in the beauty of a summer day.  And, it is the unlimited potential of the Divine Creator of hopes and dreams that makes all things possible.

Knowing I am one with the One Divine Power, I look within to a place that is pristine and perfect.  It is a place of overflowing abundance that requires only allowing and acceptance.  It is a place of strength and sustenance that overflows with unconditional love.  I celebrate my unity with Infinite Intelligence as I spread my arms and let every space be filled with joy and laughter.

Holding on to the joy and laughter, I embrace my worthiness to receive the abundance that reaches out to meet me.  I let go of any limitations to my good and I welcome the richness that invades my life.  Prosperity takes over as Spirit guides my steps and I feel the affluence in my bones.  I claim the Divine blessings that are so much more than I can imagine as my relationship with money thrives.  And I affirm that life is so good and getting better with every sunrise that begins the new day.

As Divine Grace enfolds me, I am filled with deep, profound gratitude for the miracles and blessings that prosper my life.  I am thankful that my way is lit with such love and amazing beauty as I receive the bounty of good that is God's great pleasure to give.  And I am grateful for the certainty that as I wake each day, I am financially supported in real and tangible ways.

Affirming my worthiness, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  I am supported and empowered to stand strong in the Divine flow from within.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!

Photo courtesy of Trey Ratcliff/Flickr


Wednesday, June 11, 2014

What You Can Learn From Your Inner Child Tantrum...

I can't tell you how many times over the past few months my inner child has been wanting to throw a tantrum.  The reason for wanting to blow up?  Mostly, it's been my 20-year-old daughter who is still living at home.

Granted, she's going to school and working pretty close to 30 hours a week but it's been a challenge to set boundaries in a way that she understands.  It's difficult to get her to do her dishes, she's not super happy with her job so she complains about it and when either Kevin or I make a suggestion about helping around the house, she gets moody.

And, when it reaches a point where I push back, I sometimes feel guilty.  Wait, what?  Yep, I feel guilty.

I feel guilty when I try to get in-between both my husband and my daughter and neither ends up happy.

I feel guilty that I'm praying for her to move out on her own, sooner rather than later.

I feel guilty, and mad at myself, when I continue to do things like wash her laundry or clean up after her.

So, if I want to break this cycle, it's time for me to go deeper down the rabbit hole and look at some core issues that I might be holding on to.  Am I living life like my mother or father?  Am I repeating their bad habits that I learned while growing up?  Am I caving in to society's rules and standards for how I should be handling this situation?

As I sit with those questions, I was reminded recently that at any given moment, I can choose to accept or reject something in my life.  As I process how I have been in the past and how my upbringing is influencing my current decisions, the question I should be asking is "Who does this belong to?"

Who does this guilt belong to?  Who does this frustration belong to?  Who does this anger belong to?

The energy contained in those feelings is pretty powerful but I can create a shift in my perspective. How?  By answering those questions with a statement:  This does not belong to me! 

It will definitely require some mindfulness but when I start to feel that I'm sacrificing my time for her lazy habits and I'm stewing in the feelings that bubble up, I simply state, "this does not belong to me."  And when I start to feel exhausted by her demands on my time and go down the path of complaining, I once again declare, "this does not belong to me."

It takes a few minutes but there is a definite shift that is happening.  I have started tuning into my needs and stopped feeling guilty that I even have those needs in the first place.  Of course I have my own needs - and my needs are VALID.

Although I am a mother and I cherish that role, that role does not define me.  I am MORE than just a mother.  I am a unique, Divine expression of Spirit and I get to choose how I travel my path.  That means I am free to strike a balance between the role of mother and any other role I decide to embrace.

So, my inner child will have to wait to have that tantrum (or drop that mentality altogether).  I am turning my energy around and consciously creating moments where love and peace and happiness become my go-to emotions.

So, what areas of YOUR life are you bringing in energy that doesn't belong to you?  And what actions do you take to manage those emotions?

Today, I set the intention to release any energy that does not belong to me and accept the well-being that is the core of who I am.

"Anyone and anything can challenge you.  It will not overtake you until you surrender. 
 Only you can determine what you do and how you respond in a situation." 

"One needs to seek a sense of the perfection of the Divine Presence and to substitute
 this knowing for ideas of disease, poverty or discord.  In doing this he must often
 confront negative thoughts with the declaration that there is no necessity for
 the continuance of a condition contrary to fundamental Good."  

Affirmative Prayer:
In the stillness of this moment, there is a Divine Power, a Divine Presence, that renews and rejuvenates each minute with peace, with grace, with unconditional love.  It is a Universal Intelligence that reveals clarity in each situation and wisdom heard above the noise of everyday life.

Becoming comfortable with the silence, I hear beyond the noise and connect with this Power and Presence that resides within.  I see beyond the surface and tune into the Intelligence that guides and sustains and surrounds me.  My entire being is filled with peace and I relax into this day and surrender to the perfection of this moment now.

Seeing through the fresh eyes of Spirit, I am equipped with everything I need right now to live a fulfilling and magnificent life.  I release any energy that does not belong to me and I welcome the energy of vitality and enthusiasm that fills my soul.  I affirm that I am a powerful being and that anything is possible as I embrace the constant and consistent love of the Universe, of God, of Source Energy.  My time is now and I walk through the door to claim my destiny, knowing that each day greets me with opportunities to leap into greatness.

For all of this and more, I am grateful.  I give thanks for the unfolding of possibility in my life and I celebrate with gratitude for the brilliance of the Universe that expresses through me.  I am filled with thanksgiving for the abundance and love that flows in my direction as I remain open at the top to the guidance of the Divine.

Returning to the stillness and silence,  I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  My life is filled with miracles and magic.  And I let it be so.  And so it is!


Photo courtesy of Sascha Kohlmann/Flickr

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Have A Fun And Inspired Weekend




The temps are supposed to soar into the 90's here in Northern California so I'm staying inside, where it's cool, and catching up on my reading.  I've got two books, depending on my mood - the new one by T.D. Jakes, Instinct, and the other is a fun mystery book - The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (mystery books are my guilty pleasure, haha).  Enjoy your weekend and make some time to drop the "to-do" list and do something that feeds your soul.  And, here are a few fun and inspirational links from around the web...


Stuck and want to make a life-change?  Jump...and your life will appear

Tips for moving forward on your life purpose

And now, a bunch of adorable animals with the hiccups

A brilliant use of cabinet space

Family isn't always blood; 20 things to start doing in your relationships

10 surprising reasons you're broke

Rise. Pee. Meditate; How to squeeze meditation into your busy schedule

Jimmy Fallon does the Gangnam style dance

How to tap into the messages the nature has for us

Some days you just need a hug

18 photos to remind you that growing old is inevitable, but growing up is optional

And, my note from Tut.com today:  Pssssst, are you remembering to see the adventure in every precious moment?   ~The Universe


Photo courtesy of Tom Gill/Flickr


Friday, June 6, 2014

Deepen Your Prayer And See Where Life Takes You

"Never let anything cause you to doubt your ability to demonstrate the Truth.  Conceive of your word as being the thing." - Ernest Holmes

As part of the Practitioner Core at my home for spiritual living, we each take turns sending out prosperity emails to leadership.  The idea is that as the Center gives, we are affirming that prosperity and abundance are returned to the Center many times over.  Today, it was my turn to writer the prayer and it moved me to declare my prayer in such a visible way.

It also caused me to reflect on Ernest Holmes' words - never let anything cause you to doubt your ability to demonstrate the Truth - perfect health, perfect wealth, perfect love.  And I absolutely have no doubt that my prayer will return a demonstration of prosperity but what I feel is so important to remember is that our prayers are not meant to be a waving of the wand for money to fall from the sky.

It is a reminder to me to that these affirmative prayers MUST be based in spiritual principle.

Prayer is a deepening of my life, a deepening of my communion with Source and a deepening of the consciousness that we are all part of the One Universe which activates through us.

The lottery is not my source of money, catching a lucky break is not the source of my abundance - the source of prosperity in every area of our lives comes from Spirit, the Universe, God - whatever you choose to call it (that's not to say that the lottery is not a vehicle for delivery, however).

So, if I stay rooted in the principle of the Law of Circulation, I can see that I am an outlet for Spirit to give AND to receive.  I give because it is my nature to give and I receive because my good comes TO me as it first moves THROUGH me.

I must have a consciousness of abundance through giving, as if I believe there is more than enough for me to share and to spare.  As I grow that consciousness, it's amazing to see that an ever-increasing good flows back to me.

Sure, I go through ups and downs in my finances BUT it's been a few years since I was at my bottom and started practicing these principles.  Now, I see only increase in the money that flows through my life.

So, I continue to remember and tap into my FEELINGS of richness, of opulence, of extravagance.  I LOVE those big words because it helps me to align my consciousness with abundance and prosperity.  Beyond that, it helps me to "conceive of my word as being the thing", as Ernest Holmes says.

And, as I deepen my prayer practice and tap into spiritual principle, I don't have to declare that I want $1000 by tomorrow.  Instead, I partner with Spirit, having faith that as I step out into living my life, I only need to allow my abundance and what shows up is 10 times or 100 times that which I might have asked for.

This or something even better - that is my prayer and I'm going to see where it takes me.  In the meantime, I'm sharing my prosperity prayer, claiming that for all who read it, there WILL be a demonstration.

So, as you allow your abundance, let me know what shows up in YOUR life.  

Today, I set the intention to deepen my communion with Source by deepening my prayer practice, knowing that I tap into the true source of my abundance and prosperity as I embrace the giving and receiving of Life.


"Spiritual mind treatment, prayer, is more than an act of the intellect; it is an act 
of one's whole being, a complete giving of oneself to the realization of Perfection
 as being an ever-present fact in everyday experience.  It carries with it a spiritual
 sense that cannot be put into words but that must be FELT."

"Your passage through space and time is not at random.  
You cannot but be in the right place at the right time."  
 

Affirmative Prayer:
Going within, there is a deep, profound recognition that there is only One – One Divine Life, One Beloved Spirit, that knows only ease and grace, only joy and prosperity.  It is infinite potential and possibility; a glorious essence of peace and harmony and love.

Opening my heart to this knowing, I align with this Divine Power and Presence that seeks to express in me and as me and through me.  It yearns to experience the great bounty of life that surrounds me and I step into this moment with awe for the already-given good of God that is right here, right now. 

I know this unity with Life for all who read this too – that good comes to us as it moves through each of us.  The consciousness of abundance and prosperity is activated each and every day in beautiful ways; through the selfless service of every person who is called to give of their time and their talents, through the regular tithing to a place where each of us are spiritually fed, and through the simple feeling tone of richness that is the Divine inheritance of all who know this truth.  I affirm that the ever-increasing Law of Circulation can’t help but return prosperity and abundance to all who are blessed simply because of their Divine inheritance.  And I celebrate that all who are touched by Spirit's presence are becoming the blessings we are here to be.  

I give great thanks for these blessings and so much more.  I am grateful for the love of Spirit that lives within and for the abundance of life that knows no limitation or restriction.  

From this place gratitude, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already so.  Life is so good!  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Peter Lee/Flickr

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Dive Deep Into The Stillness

"When you contemplate the nature of Self, you are meditating.  That is why meditation is the highest state.  It is the return to the root of your being, the simple awareness of being aware.  Once you become conscious of the consciousness itself, you attain a totally different state.  You are now aware of who you are."  ~Michael Singer, the untethered soul

I'm convinced that has to be one of the most beautiful things I've ever read.  In part, that's because, of all of my spiritual practices, meditation has to be the most challenging for me.

I often feel like that scene from Eat, Pray, Love where Julia Roberts is trying meditation for the first time in the temple.  She fidgets and watches the time and gets frustrated at trying to sit so still.  Of course, the revelation for her comes when she chooses to focus her meditation time on contemplation of how she can serve someone else.

That is when the magic unfolds for her.  And, that is what speaks to me most about what Michael Singer wrote.

When I spend time in contemplation, rather than trying to quiet my mind, I come out of my meditation feeling so much closer to Spirit.  And, when I focus my awareness on my conscious thought and simply notice the thoughts as they occur, I start to get to the root of who I am.

I've also noticed that when I focus my awareness, I can listen more deeply for the answer to my questions.  So as I contemplate who I am and how I might serve or how I can uncover my gifts and talents, my intuition feels heightened.  Time seems to slow and sometimes, I get a visceral feeling like I am truly connected to Source.

The good news I'm starting to recognize is that, as I come out of contemplation and go about my day, I can more easily tap into my heart when I need to make a decision.

In fact, I believe that is EXACTLY what is happening in my life right now.  Last week, I made the decision to leave my job and take a break.  It's definitely a leap of faith but I've had no real feelings of concern (only one noticeable "yikes" moment last week).

My heart feels light and I'm seeing opportunities to volunteer and contribute pop up out of the blue.  And each day that I take the time to connect through contemplation of Self, I feel that my life is transforming into something so much more meaningful for me.

So, I keep practicing this 'most' every morning. My favorite question to ask in contemplation this week has been "How does it get any better than this?"

As I go about my day just noticing and being aware, I can start to see evidence of how it IS getting better.  And as I see the evidence, I ask the question again; "How does it get any better than this?"

What does the Universe answer?   Something even better than I imagined possible...

So what are some questions YOU can contemplate during a time of stillness?  And, do you trust your own intuition when you get the answers?

Today, I set the intention to make time to contemplate the nature of Self, becoming more of myself in the process and trusting the guidance of my heart as I make choices.

"The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness."  ~Lao-Tzu

"One of the great saints, Ramana Maharishi, used to ask, 'Who am I?' We see now 
that this is a very deep question.  Ask it ceaselessly, constantly.  Ask it and you will 
notice that you are the answer.  There is no intellectual answer - you are the answer.
  Be the answer, and everything will change."  

Affirmative Prayer:
As the crescendo of this day grows stronger, it culminates in the knowing that there is only One Life.  A Divine Perfect, Truth that is harmony and grace, love and gratitude.  It is an awe-inspiring Divine Intelligence that energizes each moment with power and perfection.  And it is an Infinite Presence that creates everything out of Itself.

Sensing and embracing this truth, my heart and my soul celebrates that this Divine Life yearns to express through me and as me.  I surrender to the Infinite Intelligence that I call God and awaken to living a life inspired by faith and trust.  And I am clear that I am guided daily by a Divine Power simply by saying Yes! to the realization that I am One with Source.

As I step into a life designed to reveal the Divine Source within me, I make the time to be quiet and listen for answers.  I ask questions like "How does it get any better than this?" and Spirit says, "This way, follow me."  I let go of any thoughts of lack or limitation and allow my desires full reign to out-picture in my life.  And as I follow my intuition, the richness and opulence of the Universe is laid out for the pure enjoyment of it.  Seeing the results of my consciousness of Oneness unfold in beautiful ways, I welcome the continuing exploration of who I truly am - a spiritual being having a human experience.

Surrendering to the perfect mind of Spirit at my center, I am deeply grateful for the unfolding of the highest and greatest good that life has to offer me.  I am thankful for the insights that I receive daily as I remain open at the top.  And I am filled with gratitude for the richness and opulence that remind me that all of my needs are met, right here and right now.

From a place of awareness of my good, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  I know exactly who I am!  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Trey Ratfcliff/Flickr