To Truly Work Through Issues, Change Your Perception

On the DailyOM site yesterday, Madisyn Taylor wrote, "It is only when we actively seek to work through our issues that we can lighten the load and our souls can evolve."

That's all well and good, however, there are times I wish I had noise-canceling headphones to drown out my issues.   Simple solution, right?  Sorry, pain and suffering, but I can't hear you right now!

I know there is an energy inside me that is pulling me toward my vision for life - pulling me toward being what I came here to be.  What if it is the pain and suffering that are pushing me toward that vision?  What if the heartbreak and loss are helping me to see what's going on inside of myself?

And, what if, fundamentally, it's my perception of the challenges that is the real issue I need to work through?

Being a student of Ernest Holmes and the New Thought community, I know that I am never separate from my source of good - from the Universe.  It is all contained within me - peace, harmony, happiness.

The reason for the challenges, then, are so I can push past them and really GET that everything is God.  It is the evolution of my soul.

God, Spirit, the Universe - whatever you choose to call it - is palpable.  I can choose peace in the midst of pain because it always available.  I can choose happiness over suffering because it's in every cell of my body.

It comes back to how I look at the situation - about how I perceive things in the moment.  And, it's always an opportunity to practice.  It's a chance to take off the headphones and examine what's going on internally - to be the observer.

It's a time to ask why the Universe is trying to get my attention.

So, what is the answer I get back?  I am pushed into the opposite of peace so I can grow through it.  I am thrown into the opposite of harmony so I can transform.  And now, my perception of the issues has changed into one that I no longer try to avoid.

Instead, I own my perceptions and learn to see how we are all so connected.  I bless my journey and flow with the obstacles.  I have become willing to simply allow and to connect to the wisdom within.

So, how do YOU change your perception when you are facing issues and challenges?

Today, I set the intention to be open to working through my issues, allowing for the evolution of my soul, with faith that the Universe is pulling me toward a bigger vision for my life.

"It is through weakness and vulnerability that most of us learn 

empathy and compassion and discover our soul."  

~Desmond Tutu

"As we recognize our Oneness with Infinite Intelligence, we are 

set free from uncertainty and pain.  Our heart is a living center, 

through which the Love of God flows to bless eternally not only our 

own lives but the lives of all whom we contact - as long as we 

realize this, our heart cannot be troubled."  

~Ernest Holmes

Affirmative Prayer:
In the exhalation of a single breath, there is a recognition that there is only One.  One Divine Intelligence that pulses through everything that is.  One Divine Wisdom that guides all of Life in sacred and special ways.

Entering into the consciousness of the One, I am filled with wonder at the Divine Intelligence within me, expressing as me.  Every cell of my body contains the Divine Wisdom that heals.  Every word that I say is spoken with reverence as Divine Love moves through me.

I open up and allow Spirit to guide me to a life that is amazing.  As I release old fears and worries, I am free to step into my joy, inspired by everything that is showing up in my life.  I take one step at a time toward my dreams and the Universe rises up to meet me.  My life flows easily and effortlessly and I welcome the love that surrounds me as I become more of who I am meant to be.  I claim the perfect evolution of my soul is right where I am now, in this moment.  I am kind to myself as I work through challenges, knowing that the experience is for my highest and best good. And, there is nothing that can hold me back!

I am so grateful for the guidance of Spirit that directs my path.  And I am thankful for the gift of transformation as I am reminded of my worthiness to receive.  I am filled with gratitude for the clarity of knowing the next right action to take toward the highest expression of God as me.

 It is from this place of gratitude that I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  It is perfect!  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Growth Through Divine Discontent

Divine discontent is a term I read recently that speaks to my choice to change how I respond in every moment.  So, rather than be annoyed with a situation or frustrated with a person in my life, I can choose to take responsibility and respond differently.

But - how do I handle things when the annoying or frustrating person is me?

I admit that I like to direct my life and it's getting close to the time of year when it's the perfect opportunity to set intentions.  My challenge is that I have no idea what I really want to accomplish in the next few weeks let alone over the next year.

So - I'm now annoyed with myself that I lack vision and frustrated that my normal tendency to be a go-getter and has gotten up and left!

Fortunately, since my daily spiritual practice involves meditation, I decided to take this uncertainty into the silence today and ask the Universe for guidance.  What I received back was an internal nudge to focus on how I want to FEEL.   And, I had a sense of overwhelming love reminding me that beating myself up serves no purpose.

I am loved beyond measure and Spirit wants my success in all things.

Reading my horoscope in Elle magazine this week, I was reminded about vision boards and I am feeling pulled to sit and create one.    It mentioned that rather than deliberately seek out pictures of what I want, I should just flip through magazines and clip pictures that call out to me and make me feel a certain way.

What a great idea!  It is an opportunity for my subconscious, my soul, to give me some clarity around the action steps I should be taking.

So, I'm am giving myself a break and stepping out in faith that I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this point in my life.   I will continue to go with the flow and trust the Universe to support me.

And, I set the intention today to make the space for Spirit to show me in clear and understandable ways, where I should be focusing my time in each moment.

"When a man looks at the stars, he grows calm and forgets small things.
  They answer his questions and show him that his earth is only one 
of the million worlds.  Hold your soul still and look upward often,
 and you will understand their speech.  Never forget the stars."  
~ Frances Hodgson Burnett

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where
 this is no path and leave a trail."  
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Affirmative Prayer:
In every moment of every day, there is only One Power and One Presence.  It is in the beating of every heart, in the sounds of the ocean waves and the touch of a dog's wet nose against soft skin.

As the heart beats and the ocean waves crash against the shore, this One Presence that I call God also crashes and beats through and around and as me.  Every where I turn, I can feel the presence guiding and supporting me in all that I do.  In every choice I make, there is a Divine Wisdom that is always available.  In every step I take, Spirit is guiding the direction and making the path easy and effortless.

Knowing that a Divine Presence moves through me, I know that I am here on purpose for a purpose.  As that purpose unfolds, I am always available to hear Spirit speaking when I simply make the time to be still and listen.   And as I am guided by a loving Presence, I am given clear signs to direct my steps.  It is so easy to understand what my intuition tells me I must do.  And my path is smoothed over with love, with joy and with passion for all that is in my life right now.

It is from this place of passion and joy that I give thanks that I am here in this moment for a reason, for a purpose that is bigger than me.  And I am filled with gratitude for the vision of God's life as Sandy.  It is a beautiful, amazing life and, knowing I am loved beyond measure, I am thankful for this expression of Spirit.

Claiming a life filled with love, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done in glorious ways.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.