How Disease Reveals Perfection

When the subject of healing came up for this week’s Practitioner Studies classwork, I thought I was in good shape – literally.  I run, I bike, I make healthy eating choices and, most nights, I get plenty of rest.  Then, I flashed back to the time I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. 

In Science of Mind, Ernest Holmes states, “If our subjective consciousness were always clear, if it never received false impressions, the Spirit would always flow to the point of objectivity, and we would never make mistakes, would never be sick, poor or unhappy.”

I know now that my “disease” was really an event in my life where I had become separate from knowing the truth; that at my spiritual core, I am complete and perfect.  And, I believe, it was a way for the Universe to get my attention and let me know that I had some healing to do.  

I was holding something in consciousness that was no longer serving me.

About a year prior to the diagnosis, I had finalized my divorce, was living on my own with my two girls and rekindling my relationship with my now-husband, Kevin.  I thought I had worked through most of the pain from the split and had come out the other side in decent shape. 

In retrospect, I think I became lost in old stories full of judgment that fed some of the fear and anger over my situation.  And, not wanting to really let go of the fear and anger, at some level, I created suffering by hanging onto my limiting beliefs. 

Thankfully, I have always been spiritually grounded so I knew God was involved and available to help me move through this experience.  In this case, the Universe supported me in the form of Kevin.  I remember how, after the doctor released me from the surgical center, Kevin arranged for a weekend away at the beach on the North Coast to finish my healing.    

As we walked the beach, I re-connected to the feeling of Divine Love within me.  I moved through the pain I had been carrying around, releasing old hurts out to the vastness of the ocean.  I came back to the truth that unconditional love was always mine and had always been mine.

I allowed this event to be my teacher.  I embraced the lesson that I was not a failure because my first marriage did not work out.  I let go of the fear that because I had failed, I would never be successful at a new relationship. 

I learned that I am ALWAYS at choice and just because one relationship didn’t work out, I could choose to see things differently going forward into a new relationship.

I am grateful for the breakthrough that happened at that time, even though I didn’t see it until just recently.   It is evidence that healing is all within me. 

As I recognize what needs to be mended in my life, I stop and remember who I am – One with Infinite Intelligence.  I see my perfection and am free to let go and step into the life of my dreams.

So, what have YOU created in your life that no longer supports you?  What might need healing?  

Today, I set the intention to pay attention to my thinking, remaining open to healing old beliefs that no longer support me and to creating the life of my dreams.

"Growth is a very profound experience.  It can be beautiful and ugly, 

empowering and confining, pleasant and unpleasant, all at the same time."  

~Iyanla Vanzant

"And so the nature of God, the nature of man and of being

 is perfect and harmonious and whole.  And this is our work: to make 

a decision to let that nature reveal itself."  

~Dr. George Bendall

Affirmative Prayer:

In this moment, with the breeze gently blowing as the trees sway in the wind, there is only One Divine Intelligence, One Divine Love, that guides and directs and sustains.  Never stopping or standing still, It is continuous movement propelling all things toward joy, toward happiness, toward grace and toward peace.

In this place of joy and happiness, I am swept away by the Divine Love of the Universe.  I am a brilliant illumination of the Universe as it moves through and around me, expressing as me.  I can never be separate from being One with this Infinite Intelligence and I allow the true nature of Spirit to reveal itself through me in perfect, Divine timing. 

As I allow the revealing of Spirit to unfold, I accept the gifts of healing that are freely given.  I claim the perfection within me, trusting that all of Life's lessons are for my highest and best expression.  And I affirm that each experience uncovers a Divine Love that moves out from me to those that I meet on this journey until we are all aware of an energy of good in our world.  My thoughts create my experience and I welcome the  abundance and prosperity that manifest as a result of my right thinking.  I am living the life of my dreams!  

With great thanks, I delight in the perfect health, the financial wealth and the unending joy that are showing up as I move in their direction.  And I am so grateful for this moment, right now, that is filled with Divine healing.  I am thankful for a life better that I could even have imagined as I show up each day, sitting in expectancy of my good.

Standing in this Life Energy of love, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done in the One Mind.  Life is so good!  And I let it be so.  And so it is!

Why Small Steps Will Serve You Well

One of my favorite sayings in New Thought is, "Change your thinking, change your life."  What this means for me is that I CAN create the life of my dreams.  On the flip side, I want the life of my dreams NOW.

So, while I have my sights set on big dreams, I know that I must also have patience.  I will get nowhere fast if I try to plow through and steam-roll over people to accomplish my vision.

I also know that I cannot do everything by myself nor can I control everything (as much as my controlling nature would like to).  As I co-create using my thoughts, things flow much more smoothly when I let the Universe guide and steer my direction, bringing people and circumstances into my life to help propel my dreams forward.

Knowing all of that, if I am going to be realistic about achieving my dreams, I can't NOT take action.  But - the action that works for me is to take small steps towards my goals every single day.  That's where my daily spiritual practice becomes important.

Every day that I wake up and roll out of bed, it's a new chance to be still, go within, and ask the Universe to show me the next best step toward my dreams.

Then - I listen.

One dream that I am working on is to become more of a musician.  While I'd like to be playing my flute on stage somewhere, I'm not quite ready for that leap (although I can see it very vividly in my imagination).  So, every day, I pull out my sheet music and practice.  I started with just 20 minutes q day, five days a week and have now bumped up to 30 minutes a day (small steps).  My next step will be to hire a flute instructor so I can clean up my technique.  And, as I take that next step, I trust that the next step after that will be revealed.

The same goes for my choice to eat more whole foods and clean up my diet.   I started by swapping my normal breakfast with a fruit smoothie.  From there, I tackled lunch and snacks.  Now, my kitchen is pretty well stocked with fruits and vegetables and I've tossed out most of the processed foods.  But - it took small steps of making that choice every time I went to the grocery store.  And, I still make that choice every day, especially when I eat out.

As I take these small steps, I'm noticing that my body feels so much better.  I've also made small changes to my exercise plan, even incorporating a day when I do just a 15-minute high intensity run rather than the longer three or four mile run I would normally do.  I've picked up slightly heavier weights for my muscle training as well and I have to admit, I'm liking the results.

I'm not perfect at this.  I do have days that I slip back into having a Snickers bar rather than kale chips.  However, it's so much easier to jump back on the bandwagon now that my small steps are becoming more of the norm rather than the exception.

So, what are some small steps that you can take today?

Today, I set the intention to continue taking small steps into unchartered waters, listening for guidance as I keep my thoughts focused on living the life of my dreams.

"The control of the mind is said to be the highest yoga; it is like the 

control of an unruly horse which must be made to obey its rider."  

~The Bhagavad Gita

"The individual writes the story of our lives through our thoughts, 

deeds, and interactions with creation."  

~Edgar Cayce, Akashic Records/The Book of Life

Affirmative Prayer:
Going within, there is a truth that is revealed - that a Presence for Good exists in all that is.  And, there is a truth that is known - that there is only One.  One life that is God's life now.  It is filled with joy and harmony, with peace and with grace.

It is always available, guiding and directing in perfect ways, and I unite with this Presence in this moment.  I can see clearly that this Divine Presence is a Power that is working through me and as me, sustaining my every choice and every action.

Embracing this Presence in my life, my wishes and my desires and my goals are filled with prosperity and abundance.  And as I align with the presence of Spirit, my life unfolds in ways even better than I can imagine.  I set intentions based in love and in joy and my intentions are made manifest in perfect, Divine timing.  Like precious pearls discovered within the shell of an oyster, so to are my dreams precious and revealed when they are ready to shine.  I take small steps in faith and the Universe reaches out to meet me, making my way easy.  I smile as I see reflected back to me a life filled with wonder and magic and miracles.

And from this place of miracles, I am so grateful for a loving Presence that says Yes to my wishes for a life filled with joy and harmony.  And I am thankful for the Divine guidance that directs my steps in delightful ways.  I am filled with gratitude for the prosperity and abundance that comes from following my heart.

Knowing that it is already done, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law.  I accept and I celebrate this truth.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

How Do You View Giving?

How I view my money and my finances has come full circle over the past few years.   To be clear, I've never been destitute, however, I've had my financial challenges.

Looking back as 2013 has come to a close, I realize that I had become afraid to give for fear of lack and not being able to provide for myself or my children.  Of course, I am now very clear as to how the Universe works.  The tighter we hold on to the cash, especially when we can feel the worry and anxiety of "not enough", the less the cash seems to come to us.

And - the Universe tends to deliver us the lessons we need to learn around things like money.  Not always in gentle ways, I might add, but definitely in ways that get our attention and get us to listen.

So, in this last year, I've gotten my finances sorted out and am on a budget that works, thanks to help from my husband.  However, I'm still facing some demons in my giving financial help to others.

I've included intentional giving in my budget and am able to stick to that.  But - when I meet someone who's asking for money, I am torn with guilt  - and that's guilt on both sides of the coin.

I'm happy to give a dollar or two but, quite frankly, it starts to add up and my budget gets out of whack.  Then, I feel guilty about not sticking to my budget.  But, when I choose to say "sorry, not today", I still feel guilty because, let's face it - I just walked out of Trader Joe's with $50 of food.   Who am I to not give someone a few bucks?

To be in integrity with myself, what is starting to feel right is to listen to when I feel called to give - to not give out of guilt but to give because I feel the love in the moment.  And, to give within my budget.

I don't have to be everyone's Sugar Mama.  I am okay to occasionally simply give a silent blessing of love and light.  I have still given something precious - it's just not in money form.

I have had my financial wake-up call and I have come out the other side of it in much better shape.  Maybe, when I DON'T give, it's because the Universe is moving the other person toward their wake-up call.  Sometimes, it takes a dark night of the soul to realize we need to re-connect to our Source, to Spirit.

In either case, I now live in a place of trust that I am always provided for, regardless of the form it takes.   And, I have faith that I am giving in perfect and right ways - either financially or with my time or in a silent prayer.  I will not love myself less for the choice I make nor will the Universe.

So, how do YOU view giving?

Today I set the intention to practice intentional giving, releasing any judgements against myself when I choose to say "no" and to be open when I am called to say "yes". 

"Never be bullied into silence.  Never allow yourself to be made a victim. 

 Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."  

~Harvey Fierstein

"At all times, I am aware of my immediate Oneness with God.  

There comes a warm sense of my oneness in essence

 and experience with all the good there is."  

~Ernest Holmes

Affirmative Prayer:
In the stillness of this moment, there is a Oneness, a Divine Intelligence, that is everywhere present and always available.  It is heard in a bird's song and in the gurgling of a running stream of beautiful blue water.  It is felt in the warmth of the sun and in the cold of the blanket of white snow that covers the fields and mountains.

Leaning into this moment, there is a knowing that I am one with this Divine Intelligence.  It lives within and has Its being in me.  It is God manifest in me and it is perfect just as I am perfect, whole and complete.

From this place of Oneness, I realize that I am abundance, I am prosperity and I am generosity itself.  I trust that as I circulate, it is returned to me multiplied.  I release any fears around lack, knowing that I am guided by a Divine Presence in all things, including giving.  I will always give in perfect and right ways when I stop and tune into my heart, into that space that knows Divine timing and Divine order.  And I release any judgments I have about myself and others, with the faith that there is a higher power for good that knows better than me when I am called to say "no".  I am the beloved and I step boldly forward into perfect, right action each and every day.

I am so grateful for this life of ever-growing prosperity and financial abundance that allows me to give in ways that are meaningful to me.  And I am thankful for a Universe that is supporting me and sustaining me and is filling me with a wisdom that goes beyond what I have experience before.

From this place of thanks, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  My life is filling up with blessings.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

You'll Never Know Until You Try

I'll never know until I try.  That mantra keeps going through my head and I'm feeling a calling to be like Alice in Wonderland.  I need to step into the rabbit hole and stop playing it safe.

It's almost as though I'm remembering something important about myself that I've forgotten.  It's so easy to get caught up in adult responsibilities - going to work, paying the bills, buying more "stuff".

But - what if I could prosper and thrive by being more like a child and using my imagination to create my reality?  There are new treasures my soul is longing to discover.  I can feel it move through me like a wave of energy, building momentum every day.

And - just like Alice chased the rabbit throughout Wonderland, I'll need to chase the ideas to discover my true abundance.

The key, for me, will be to let go of the need to be perfect before I put myself out there for others to see.  I will need to accept myself for exactly who I am, exactly where I am.

The challenge of doing things perfectly showed up recently while I was practicing my flute.  It has been YEARS since I've played and I'm very rusty - VERY rusty.

After 30 minutes of failed attempts to hit certain notes, I was berating myself for my awkwardness.  I grew up playing flute and I should have this down, regardless of how long it's been since I've played.

All I could think in that moment - I'll never be good enough to play in front of other people.  Thank goodness for The Course In Miracles.  I stopped, took a breath, and asked "how can I see this differently"?

The answer came quickly - Google.  I searched for "flute emboucher".   A number of results came up including YouTube videos of master classes by James Galway.  I grabbed my flute and started practicing the tips he gave.  What a difference that 5-minute lesson made.

My aim, now, is to work with the videos and find a good flute instructor who can guide me.  I may never be "perfect", however, I am loving the time I get to spend practicing and I am REALLY loving how much better I am sounding.

My new goal is to get good enough to perform again.  Because - I'll never know how my life might unfold even better than I can imagine unless I try.

So, I set the intention today to surrender the need for perfection and to embrace the path that is unfolding as I try new things.

"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it.  

Boldness has genius and power and magic in it."  

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"To embark on this glorious challenge, you must leave

 the known and jump away from the familiar, the status quo,

 to discover who you truly are and can be."  

~Judith Wright

Affirmative Prayer:
In the stillness and quiet of this moment, there is a beauty that flows around all that is.  It is filled with wisdom and with love and it is a Divine Presence that is the essence of life itself.  It is ever present, revealing and expressing as the One Life, amazing and dazzling in Its brilliance.

Breathing in this brilliance, I embrace this Presence as it moves through and around and as me.  I am a perfect expression of Divine love and Divine wisdom and I let my heart be filled with Its peace and glory and grace.  I close my eyes and know that I can never be separate from this Intelligence that exists within me.

And as I open my eyes, there is knowing that my natural state is perfection - my natural state is confidence - my natural state is abundance and prosperity and joy.  I let go of any fear that might hold me back from sharing my gifts and talents with others.  I let go of any worry that I might not be good enough.  Instead, I claim that I am Divinely guided down a path that supports me as I try new things.  I claim that the right and perfect experiences align with my journey as God expressing as Sandy.  I hold the consciousness of faith and hope and know that miracles are occurring every day as I make the choice to step boldly into the light and shine.

Leaning into this feeling, I am so grateful for the miracles and blessings that prosper my life, that support me to live fully and completely.  And I am thankful that my unique gifts and talents are the Truth of who I am - a spiritual being having a human experience.  I am filled with gratitude for the knowing of a Source that calls me Beloved in every minute of the day and night.

From this place of gratitude, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done, it is already made manifest in brilliant and amazing ways.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.  Amen.

Aligning Routine With Spontaneity

I have been riding on the party vibes of my birthday for the past few weeks.  It was a fun few weeks and very energizing, considering it means I'm another year older.  I allowed myself to enjoy anything that caught my attention - trip to Washington State, late night happy hour, playing Cards Against Humanity, shopping trips at the mall.

Unfortunately, my enthusiasm for saying yes has left me feeling a bit overwhelmed.  So, I'm throwing out the last of the party cake and tossing out the lingering cards and empty boxes.  Truth be told, I'm ready to step back into more of a routine and relax in my everyday rituals.

Meditation, journaling, walking the dog, exercise - all of them have me remembering to breathe and connect back to my source, to Spirit.

But - what my "party" time has allowed me to see is that life is all about God expressing and experiencing as our life, right now.  We are Spiritual beings having a human incarnation, as Michael Beckwith likes to say.   It is in living and stepping into the things that call to us in the moment that we expand our connection to each other and our connection to the Universe.

Our journey's here are intertwined and it is often through synchronicity and coincidence that I am propelled to my next level of opportunity.  Sometimes, it's just for the experience of fun or joy or compassion so that when I need to tap into that energetic feeling, I can remember.

Other times, it truly is through the connections I've made with others that I find an even better job, meet a soul mate, or make the introduction that might be life-changing for someone else.

So, while I need the routine to take a breathe and recharge, I also embrace my free-spirited nature for the gift that it is.

Claiming my free-spirited nature as part of my purpose here, I set the intention today to enjoy my journey, balancing the routine days with spontaneity in perfect ways for me.

"Be like a sponge when it comes to each new experience.  If you want

 to be able to express it well, you must first be able to absorb it well." 

 ~Jim Rohn

"Waste no more time talking about great souls and how

 they should be.  Become one yourself!"  

~Marcus Aurelius

Affirmative Prayer:
In the awareness of this moment, there is a light that shines as Spirit, bringing a warmth and a newness to all that is.  It is a Power for good that illuminates possibility and awakens the magnificence that is the Indwelling Presence of God.

Feeling the warmth and the newness of Spirit, I let It spread through me as my life now.    I allow Source to pull me into the experience of the journey, knowing It is guiding and sustaining me from a place of love and of peace.  I am made new in each moment, in each breathe, in each heartbeat.

Restored by the newness, I know perfect right action for every choice I make in my life.  I step into my journey, sitting in expectation of the beauty of the outcome, trusting that each person I meet is for a purpose.  I let go of any past hurts or wounds and embrace only the now.  I lean into the spontaneous moments, attracting people and situations that propel me into opportunities that look like miracles and answered prayer.  And I bless the routine moments of my day, accepting the gifts that they bring as part of my expansion.

I am so grateful for the ever-increasing good in my life.  And I am thankful for the miracles and answered prayer that are showered on me by a Power greater than me.  Thank you, Life, for the joy that is always available in every moment of the day and night.

It is from this place of gratitude that I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing my word is returned to me fulfilled in powerful and amazing ways.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Following My Intuition To Bring Beauty To My Life

Today was the day I hit the wall with my clutter and finally took action.   I swore that this time, when we moved into our new home, I would not let piles of "stuff" start to build up in every corner.  Of course, when life gets busy, I revert right back to my old ways.

So, I decided to pick one area to tackle and started emptying and tossing boxes, filling a bag for Goodwill and putting away things I decided were worth keeping.

What came up for me as I pushed through the work was that I need to do more than clear the clutter -  I need to add some beauty and order.  Otherwise, it still feels a bit like chaos.

Taking a break, I headed over to the mall to pick up some other things I needed and chose to be a window shopper for a while.  Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Macy's, Nordstrom - all of them had my head spinning with ideas.

In fact, it was too much for me.  It was overwhelming and I started feeling indecisive and frustrated.

The good news - I didn't have a panic or anxiety attack.  Instead, I stopped and allowed myself to tune into my intuition.

Out of everything I had seen, what would make me feel good?  What would bring me joy?  And what would give me a feeling of abundance but still fit into my budget?

By stopping and re-aligning with the intention I held for beautifying my home, I stepped back into my power.

At that point, I headed back to Nordstrom for only one item.   It would be perfect to put on the nightstand I cleaned up.

Putting this down in words, it sounds a bit silly as if this was just a matter shopping.  But I realized it was more than that.  I had set an intention for how I wanted my home to feel.  It was so energizing to tune into that voice within that knows my intention and is guiding me to a right and perfect outcome, even with interior design.

My home is an expression of me, of my unique voice and personality, and it is important to me.  When I allow the presence of Spirit to guide me in these small things that call to me, I can only smile to think what will happen with the bigger events in my life.

So, today I set the intention to allow myself be guided by my intuition, in small things and in big things, having faith that Spirit is supporting me in my unique expression of life.

"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, 

for that determines our success or failure."  

~Norman Vincent Peale

"When intelligence makes a demand upon Itself, It answers Its own demand

 out of Its own nature and cannot help doing so!"  

~Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind

Affirmative Prayer:
In the extraordinary flow of life, in the limitless energy of the Universe, there is only One.  One Power, One Presence, One Divine Wisdom.  It is always available, reaching out with enthusiasm for each new day, seeking expression through all that is.

As this Presence seeks expression, I lean into the One, knowing I can never be separate.  I live and have my being in this knowing, rejoicing in each moment that I am supported and sustained by a loving Power that wants only my highest and best as it moves through and around and as me.

In the perfection of this day, as I go within, I know that I am guided in every action I take.  As change takes place, I listen to my intuition and make choices that are based in Divine Wisdom.  There is no need for worry or for fear, instead there is a faith and trust that each choice - big or small - is based in love.  It is a freeing feeling to realize that a deep and profound magnificence is expressing perfectly with unlimited possibilities for my life now.

From this place of possibility, I am so grateful for the beauty that unfolds in my life, every single thing leading to another thing and another thing.  And I am thankful that I can use my intuition, my connection to Spirit, to move down a path toward an even greater good than I can imagine.

Allowing my life to flow from a place of gratitude, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  My life is blessed.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Jumping On The Healthy Living Bandwagon

I have been traveling for work quite a bit lately and it has meant eating out, night after night.  On top of that, exercise has been limited if not non-existent.  And, after eating my way around Lake Tahoe all weekend, I noticed today that my jeans are fitting just a little bit tighter.

Note to self: time to get back on the healthy living bandwagon again.

The challenge for me is I am a foodie.  I love all of the flavors in a good Italian pasta and the spiciness in a Mexican dish is to die for.  Then there is dessert - especially chocolate.  Pair anything with a good red wine and I can munch and nibble my way through the day.

Knowing that I need to change some habits, I've now been obsessing over diets and cleanses and workouts.  I've been scouring through Pinterest to get ideas.  I've spent hours on websites like Dr. Oz, Jorge Cruise and Bob Greene.

Quite honestly, for me, it's just not that easy to stick to some of the stringent meal plans that I'm finding.

On top of that, I am beating myself up about the choices I have made.  Why did we stop at Carl's Jr. and eat the Bacon Cheeseburger?  Did I really need the extra large bag of popcorn at the movies?  I'm so weak....

Fortunately, I've been catching my negative self-talk and have been able to stop those thoughts immediately.  In stopping the negative thoughts and breathing into the space I just created, the word "choices" popped out at me.

I am ALWAYS at choice.  Wow!

I have the ability to start fresh each day.  I have the ability to set myself up for success.   I have the ability to make better choices.

So, I'm giving myself permission to enjoy my food and to indulge sparingly.  I'm giving myself permission to choose protein over carbs.  I'm giving myself permission to love my curves.

I will never stop being a foodie.  Nor will I ever likely be as thin as a pin.   I CAN set the intention to stay aware of my food choices.  I CAN still enjoy eating and be mindful of my portion size.  I CAN ask that the Universe support me in my new healthier lifestyle.

And, what I KNOW - when I ask the Universe for support, it is ALWAYS given.

I am guided to cook healthier meals at home vs. eating out.  Images on TV or in magazines show up to inspire me to stick with my eating plan.  I attract activities and events that get me up and out and exercising more.

So, my intention for today is to take my food choices and my exercise more seriously, trusting that the Universe is supplying me with will-power and with inspiration to live well.

"Be not the slave of your own past.  Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep 

and swim far so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, 

with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old." 

 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Go ahead: Live with abandon.  Be outrageous at any age.  

What are you saving your best self for?"  

~Oprah Winfrey

Affirmative Prayer:
In every decision, in every choice, in every breath, there is only One Divine Intelligence.  Whole, perfect and complete.   As steady as a heartbeat and as solid as a mountain. This Divine Intelligence that I call God is filled with a love that knows no bounds and is rooted in the beauty and the grace that is unending.

Standing in the freedom of this love, there is a realization that all that God is, flows in and through me.  I feel God in the beating of my heart and I know God in the wisdom of the words I speak.  My vision is filled with the wonder and awe of that which is made manifest through God as Sandy.

As I let Spirit fill me and move me, I am swept along a path that unfolds in ways for my perfect expansion.  Life is good and provides a bounty of abundance in all things.  And as I take part in this abundance, I am guided to make healthy choices in my eating.  I am inspired to exercise in ways that are perfect for my body type.  I eat and enjoy my food and do not feel compelled to over-indulge.  My will power is strong and the Universe says Yes! as I continue to honor my body temple with nutrients that allow it to flourish and thrive.  It is so easy to make good choices in my life.  And it feels wonderful to savor and enjoy life in ways that allow me to shine and prosper.  Life is good!

Claiming perfect health as mine, I give thanks for the truth of the Universe that provides me the opportunity to express and expand in perfect Divine order.  And I am thankful as I leap with faith into the unknown, coming out the other side in grace and in peace with who I am.

Leaning into a future that is bright with possibility, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is done and made manifest.  My good is here now.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Focusing On Being Perfectly "Me"

My husband, Kevin, and I are heading off to Reno for the San Jose State football game and we'll be staying with some friends at their house.  In theory, staying with friends can be fun and I've done it once or twice, however, there's a part of me that enjoys having my own space when I travel.

I like being able to escape to my hotel room and just chill.  I like being able to take as long as I like in the bathroom and not worry about what others will think.

What's really a challenge for me is that Kevin has a good time staying with others.  He's social and can easily relax where ever he's at.  It's something I've been a little envious of at times.  How can I deny him the opportunity for something that brings him such joy and yet, remain true to honoring my feelings?

I find myself balancing between nervousness of a new situation, resentment that I won't have my own room, and excitement to spend time with good friends.

What I've decided is that I can release the "where" we stay and just voice "how" I'd like to spend my time.

If I'd like to make a Starbucks run for coffee, I have the freedom to let others know and offer to bring them something back.  If I'd like to go to bed earlier than the group, I can just explain that I'm tired and head off for some sleep.

I don't have to always be a "Yes" person, it's okay for me to say "No, thanks."

And, I know that Kevin and our friends would be absolutely okay with it.

I am anticipating responses that I am fearful of.  The others will be hurt if I don't want to take part in everything they do.  The others will be upset if I go to bed early.

But, what if all they said was "See you in the morning".  What if nobody hated me for doing my own thing?

So, today I set the intention to be secure in stating my desires for the trip this weekend, lovingly voicing my opinion in ways the others can respect.

"The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, 

the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image."  

~Thomas Merton

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."

  ~Mother Teresa

Affirmative Prayer:
Each night, as the stars light up the sky, there is a recognition of a Divine Power guiding the way. In every turn of the road, in every hillside path, this Power sheds wisdom and grace, acting as a compass for this journey that is life.

Leaning into and embracing the night sky, I know this Power also moves through me, watching over me and expressing as me.  No mountain is to high and no river is too deep.  I am loved beyond measure by a Source that knows only good and leads me with stunning clarity into that which is for my highest and best.

Trusting in this good, I need only look within to honor my soul and what It is feeling in each moment.  I need only listen to the still small voice to realize that I am exactly where I should be in each moment.  My friendships are filled with beautiful moments of sharing and I am supported in the choices I make as part of these friendships.  I can feel the joy in my relationship with my husband and we share good times and connect to ourselves and others in ways that are insightful.  There is such abundance in friendships and sharing special times.  And these times are filled with a Spirit that sings over each one of us during this time.  It is magnificent to be a part of the expansion of the Universe in such amazing ways!

I am so thankful for the experiences that bring me closer to seeing the truth of who I am.  And I am grateful that I can lean into each situation, each opportunity, feeling the fullness of love and harmony and joy that resonates throughout each person I meet along the way.

And it is from this place of gratitude that I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done, that I am nudged onto the path that is all for my best.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.  Amen.

The Freedom in Tasting Life

I am always reminded of how much of life truly is a journey. I was again reminded of that reading the section of Mark Nepo’s Seven Thousand Ways To Listen, titled In the Presence of Sages. When I listen to or read anything by Eckhart Tolle, it is a good reminder to be present in the moment and fully available for what is happening now.

For me, Nepo takes that even a step farther when he talks about “tasting” life.

It’s not just about being present and aware but about experiencing what is happening and letting it flow through you. And, it is what makes this life such a wonderful journey.

I can reflect and contemplate all that I want about life but when I internalize all that I am experiencing, it allows me to tap into a Divine Wisdom that knows exactly what is for my highest and best in this life. It allows me the freedom to be who I am AND it tames my ego which says I must judge people and situations and circumstances.

 I do not have to judge any of it – I simply need to lean in and experience it.

I believe it is also this tasting, this internalizing, that allows me to work through and move past any limiting race consciousness beliefs. When I consider the idea that I continue to repeat the same mistakes, it seems like a daunting task to undo any limiting beliefs.

But, instead of running away from those experiences that seem less than ideal, when I allow them to be felt, to be honored and then to be released, I seem to move to another level of understanding. The same goes for moments of joy and beauty.

Rather than rush through them on the way to another experience, when I savor them and revel in them, I am filled with a deeper “consciousness of good” as Ernest Holmes calls it. Further, Holmes says that the consciousness of good “acts as a law of right action.”

 I am no longer limited in my experiences but am open to endless possibilities for “tasting” and for expressing God as Sandy. I am open to be who I came here to be.

So, today, I set the intention to taste life, letting every experience flow through me, knowing I am free to be exactly who I am called to be.

"Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment."  ~Rumi

"Be patient and loving with every fearful thought.  Practice observing your fears as a witness, as you'll see them dissolve."  ~Wayne Dyer

Affirmative Prayer:
In every moment, there is a clarity that all is Divine Intelligence, that all is Divine Wisdom, that all is God.  This Wisdom and Intelligence guides in ways that inspire wonder at the magic of life.

And from this place of wonder is a knowing that this same Wisdom and Intelligence moves through me, uplifting me in ways that are magical.  I sit in anticipation of the good of God that expresses as me as I travel this path that is laid out before me.

My life is filled with endless possibilities and I remain present to each opportunity to taste and to experience life to its fullest.  I have a great destiny that is always unfolding in amazing ways and I am free to be exactly who I am called to be.  In this freedom, I take each step, knowing that my steps are guided by Grace and by Love. There is no need to fear or worry - all is well in my life and keeps getting better each and every day.  The Universe has my back and I can feel the pulsating of Source eagerly encouraging me to be brave, to take a chance, and to feel blessed that bigger and better plans are lining up to meet me, better than I can even imagine.

I am so thankful for the love, the joy and the prosperity that I receive each day.  And I am grateful for a Spirit that always says Yes!  Go for it!  I give great thanks for the support of a loving Universe that creates through me.

And from this place of love, I release my Word to the Divine action of the Law, knowing it is done, it is manifest and becoming form in this very moment.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.