Weekend Of More Of Our Greatest Yet To Be

This weekend, we're taking a class on the Bhagavad Gita.  I'm excited to learn more and, after last weekends retreat, this feels like a double-dose of amazing spirituality.  Of course, we'll also very likely fit in a hike to get our dose of nature, haha.  Hope you have a good weekend and here are a few fun and inspirational links from around the web.....

How to handle difficult relationships

Financial infidelity: 5 reasons to keep money separate in relationships

Did you know confidence can actually increase your income?

How to create a happiness habit

Make love to the work

There was a time when You live to protect me

9 struggles only introverts can relate to

Waffling between indulgence and self-care

Love this

And, love this from Michael Bernard Beckwith: "We are always becoming more of our greatest meant to be."

Photo my own from last weekend's hike

Doing Nothing

The more I am on my spiritual path, the more I see that there is nothing for me to do.  And, I have the Universe's permission to do nothing.

Really, at the heart of doing nothing is the faith that it is Spirit doing the 'doing'.  My work is to stay in the flow and spend time in prayer each day.  My work is to hold the vision of my dreams and desires and sit in expectancy of my good.  My work is the process of taking small steps driven by inspired action.

It's been a journey to let go of needing to figure everything out myself, especially in a society where I'm told to set goals and prioritize lists.  But, it's been a journey, more and more, of peace.

Knowing this is about allowing, what I'd really like to do is create a miracle in the next few months.  One of my recent written affirmations is to effortlessly receive a minimum increase of $5000, with grace and in perfect ways, to pay for our sailing trip around the French Polynesian Islands.

Here's my plan.  I'm setting aside time each day to read something that will put me in the mindset of Spirit.  As I do that, I move into seeing my desire taking form, and hold onto a deep feeling of excitement and gratitude for its unfolding.

It may happen very quickly and it may take some time, but I'm committed to doing this practice until it happens.  I don't know HOW exactly the outcome will unfold.  I only know that there will be an amazing outcome, far better than I can imagine.

So, today, my intention is to hold the vision of the finished creation in my mind, to sit with it and love it, and to be grateful for its manifestation.  

"Listen to your soul. Hear your Self. The guidance you are getting is to follow your heart." 

~Neale Donald Walsch

Affirmative prayer:
Moving into the stillness of this moment, there is the recognition of something beyond this grand Universe.  It is an Infinite Intelligence that is larger than life.  It is a Creative Wisdom as majestic as the mountains.

I know this Presence as the love of God, moving in me, through me, and as me.  And, in this sacred moment, I know this Presence intimately.   Spirit is always present, guiding me to a greater expression of myself.  I am connected to the One Perfect Life and revel in this relationship with something bigger and more intelligent than me.

I am never alone as I release the need to figure things out by myself.  I focus on my heart's desire and surrender to the Divine Wisdom that leads me into inspired action.  I accept my good and experience peace and wholeness.  I hold in my mind that which I'd like to have, feeling thrilled and excited as I sit in expectancy of its unfolding, and a way is made from no way.  I welcome the success and abundance that I only need allow to reveal itself in every moment of the day and I say 'Yes' to living from the overflow.

Thank you, God, for your presence today and every day.  I give great thanks for this moment that brings me closer to the manifestation of my heart's desire.  And I am grateful for the peace at the heart of every word I speak and thought I think.

From this place of peace and joy, I release this prayer to the Divine Law of Mind, knowing it is already done.  Everything I desire is right here, right now.  No one and no thing can stop it.  And I say Amen.  Alleluia.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Tomas Sobek/Flickr

Going Deep

This Thursday, Kevin and I are taking off for a 4-day spiritual retreat in the nearby Los Gatos mountains.  It's perfect timing because I have been hungering for time spent away from the chaos of work and home.  I almost feel as if I'm off on a quest to search for something more mystical, more spiritual and yet, more practical as far as living my life's purpose.

I've had a taste of this quest in the past in the form of growth opportunities.  I look back at some of my challenges - losing a job, living in an apartment at age 48, having my car towed - and I see that they have all led me to this beautiful chapter in my life currently.

I have a job I absolutely love. I live in a home I adore, filled with peace and joy.  I have a brand new Lexus that I can easily afford.

With all of those previous challenges, I have developed into a person who now allows others to help me.  I don't have to do it all alone.  My faith in the Universe has reached a point where I truly believe that Life has my back, through all of the turbulence that comes with change and growth.

And I have enjoyed the calm in my life over the past year, but I'm ready to evolve into the next iteration of my journey.  Based on past experience, that usually means there will be some worrisome moments and maybe a little bit of kicking and screaming against situations I find myself in.

Knowing all of this, it makes this retreat all the more important to my mastery of transformation.  It's a chance to get clear on what I DO want and what I DON'T want and to set the manifestation wheels in motion.  It's a chance to get quiet and simply breathe and reconnect to the Spirit within that will become my calm during any storms ahead of me.

And, it's a chance to tap into my inner wisdom that will guide me down a path of perfect Divine order.

So, today, I set the intention to remain open and allow my time at the retreat to strengthen me, to uncover even more potential for living my purpose, and to better who I am as I show up in the world.

"No matter how successful the personality becomes in accomplishing its goals, 

those goals will not be enough. Only when the personality begins

 to walk the path that its soul has chosen will it satisfy its hunger." 

~Gary Zukav

Affirmative prayer:
Taking a breath, I lean into this sweet moment of seeking the One.  And in the seeking, there is the recognition of a Divine Presence.  It is the beauty of pure Spirit and limitless Substance.  It is the love and grace of Infinite Intelligence, as fresh as the ocean breeze and as strong as the most expansive mountain range.

Embracing this knowing, I feel the love and grace of Infinite Intelligence move through me and around me.  Perfect peace guides my steps and perfect joy lights my path.  I am Spirit expressing in everything I do and say.

Leaning even more deeply into the peace and joy of Spirit, I accept my evolution into the next iteration of my best self.  I let go of any doubt or fear that I can never be wise enough or strong enough and instead, I welcome the knowing that Divine Intelligence will guide my steps.  I am able to just be me as I surrender to the process of beautiful growth.  And I welcome the future that is in alignment with my purpose here at this time.

I am so grateful for opportunities to remove myself from the world and tap into the mystical.  I give thanks for the wonderful transformation that takes place as I remain in the present moment, letting prosperity and abundance wash over me.  And I say Thank You, Sweet Spirit, for the gifts I receive as I allow myself to just be me.

Smiling in anticipation of my good, I release my prayer to the Law of Mind, knowing it is already done. It is already here and now.  I only need uncover and discover it.  Amen.  Alleluia.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Centre for Alternative Technology/Flickr

Sunday Inspiration

There was a mention of getting out among the redwoods this Sunday as a way to be in the 'Now' so we're off to do some hiking.  What are you up to today?  Hope it lets you be in the 'Now', and here are some fun and inspirational links from around the web.....


The gentle art of trying something & sucking at it

7 ways happy couples deal with disagreements differently

Check out these strategies for reviving your relationship with your spouse

Grudges aren't worth it

6 ways to overcome obstacles

Why celebrate success?


Photo courtesy of Lee Coursey/Flickr

Obstacles To Enlightenment

As I re-read Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now, this phrase leaps out at me; "Most people treat the present moment as if it were an obstacle they need to overcome."   Of course, now that the thought is in my consciousness, I also have an awareness of how this shows up in my day-to-day life.

I notice how in the present moment at the grocery store people rush to park and shop and get back out.

I notice how in the present moment at the gym, there is a rush to get on the treadmill, get through the workout and rush on to the next activity of the day.

I notice how in the present moment, a man walking his dog is distracted by his phone, nose down and pulling on the dog to keep going.

And, I am guilty of that same thing.  I push to get through work so I can get to the store, then go home and walk the dog, then cook dinner, then catch up on email and Facebook and Pinterest...and on and on.

In an instant, I see that mindfulness doesn't fit neatly into my 15 minutes of meditation a day.  Mindfulness and being in the present moment are something that is practiced each day in every moment.

So, I've begun again to slow down a bit and give my attention to the present moment.

Walking up the stairs, I enjoy the strength in my legs that let me easily climb up to my bedroom.

Cooking dinner, I inhale the aroma of delicious flavors and give thanks for the food about to grace my table.

Walking the dog, I watch as his ears flop up and down, and his nose twitches as he explores the green grass of a neighbors lawn.

I am remembering to treat the present moment as Life itself, something to savor and experience, filled with beauty and joy, expanding with good beyond my imagination.

Today, I set the intention to surrender to the present moment and embrace it as Life itself as I journey toward enlightenment.  

"Always say 'yes' to the present moment...surrender to what is.  

Say 'yes' to life - and see how life starts suddenly

 to start working for you rather than against you."  

~Eckhart Tolle 

"Enlightenment, joy and peace can never be

 given to you by another.  The well is inside you."  

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Affirmative Prayer:
Sitting in a space of gratitude, there is the recognition of the One Divine Intelligence that is kindness and compassion, beauty and joy, shining light and love over all of creation.  One God.  One Power.  One Presence.  One Life

This One Power and One Presence is made manifest with my life.  It seeks expression through me.  Its beauty flows around me.  Its elegance lives as me.  I am pure bliss and light itself.

I embrace the truth that no matter what, I am fully supported in all that I do.  I accept that I am unique, traveling a path that is mine alone.  I graciously accept the bounty of miracles and blessings that flow into my life daily.  I welcome the expansion into ever-increasing good that comes as I take divine right action.  And, I affirm that as I bring my full awareness to the present moment, a feeling of joy and serenity overtakes me and reminds me that I am the beloved of God.

I am grateful for the clarity of my thoughts and actions as I remain in the present.  I give thanks for the love that surrounds me, even in the smallest of ways - a song that makes me smile, a bird singing in the trees, the moonlight shining through my window.  And, I say Thank You, Sweet Spirit, for the peace that surrounds me in every moment of mindfulness.

From a place of peace and joy, I release my prayer to the Law of Mind, surrendering and letting God take care of the 'how'.  It is done now in amazing ways.  Life is good.  Amen.  Alleluia.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Ilker Ender/Flickr

(Long) Weekend Inspiration

What are you up to this weekend?  We've been binge watching Game of Thrones and we'll likely finish the series in the next few days.  I've really enjoyed it but I'm wondering what's next until the new season starts. Hope you enjoy the long weekend and here are a few fun and inspirational links from around the web.....

These prayers aren't very long but they are packed full of meaning

In case you have not been adequately informed...

6 tips for finding happiness

Turn that frown upside down

Is it really possible to find your soulmate?

If you love someone right now, tell them

Make an important goal a morning habit

Making smarter choices

And a quote to keep in mind this weekend from Zayn Malik: "There comes a day when you realize turning the page is the best feeling in the world, because you realize there is so much more to the book than the page you were stuck on."


Photo courtesy of Lucie Bluebird-Lexington/Flickr

Guided By My Interests

Decisions, decisions.  About a month ago, I was driven by a desire to get my Series 7 license on the path to becoming a financial advisor.  Today, that desire still raises its head and I feel like I'm at a choice point in deciding to pursue this goal or let it go.

By holding off,  I wonder if I'm just being lazy or procrastinating out of a fear of not being successful.  I definitely have perfectionist tendencies that I've had to manage all my life.

Or, maybe its just my impulsive nature that scares me as I tend to jump into the next thing when I'm excited about learning something new.

Or, maybe because I can't see what my future holds as I make that choice, I do nothing out of concern that it could cost me my happiness.

If I listen to advice from people like Martin Luther King, Jr.,  I would take one step at a time toward this goal. I don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

So, my first step is to turn inward and seek the advice of my emotional intelligence.  I have learned that my gut feelings never steer me wrong.

Time to pull out my journal and start hashing it out.

Today, I set the intention to get to the heart of what's delaying my decision to take the Series 7 test, letting go of any angst, and tapping into what's next.

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, 

the dawn will come.  You wait and watch and work; you don't give up." 

~Anne Lamott

"Your interests will guide you.  Give no concern to what they say you cannot do. 

Be willing to accept the challenge. Take time to retreat to that quiet place 

within the pit of your soul and unleash your right to decide what is best for you." 

~Iyanla Vanzant 

Affirmative Prayer:
In this moment, there is a light of goodness that is the One Divine Presence.  It is the Creative Wisdom of love that embraces each person, each thing, with the mystery of grace.  It is the laughter of children at play and the softness of the dew on the grass each morning.

I am filled with this Divine Presence, breathing in the love of Spirit that is at my core.  I open to the Presence that is greater than myself and yet, I am one with It.  I stand with openness as I hear the still, small voice that tells me I am the beloved in whom Spirit is well pleased.

From this place of knowing I am one with all that is, I welcome the truth that I am a huge and vast vessel for love, for power, for greatness.  I no longer look at the past and feel regret.  I let go of the need to be right.  Instead, I stand in the present moment and take divinely guided action toward my good.  I sit in expectancy of a future of my creation that is bright and beautiful and joy-filled.  I stake my claim that this moment is a new way of living as I journey toward new dreams and desires.  And I affirm that whatever life throws my way, I am fully equipped to rise to the occasion.

I am so grateful for a Universe that supports the big visions I have for my life.  I give thanks for the success and prosperity that follows as I take small steps that are Divinely guided.  And I say Thank You, Sweet Spirit, for the fullness of my life.

Taking a deep breath in, I release this prayer to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is done.  My good is right here, right now.  Amen.  Alleluia.  And so it is!

Photo courtesy of H Matthew Howarth / Flickr