The story, as it was revealed, took on the transformative magic of fairy tales and I am totally intrigued… wishing I had witnessed the event as it unfolded in real time. Upon introducing herself on the stage of the Britain Has Talent competition, the perfectly cast Susan Boyle is met with a dismissive air of cynicism and ridicule and, in a merciless instant, her less than goddess-like appearance and quirky demeanor become the defining elements of her “isness”. The fateful die seemingly lay cast, its cruel oracle reflected in the eyes and minds of both the audience and panel of judges. With absolute certainty, the mass consciousness assembled before her anticipates her presumed ill fated attempt to shine. And then, absolute magic befalls the court of mistaken certainties. Within the opening seconds of her performance of “I Dreamed a Dream”, the audience is jolted to their feet in stunned recognition of the beautifully angelic voice now holding them captive. Indeed, the world is even now held captive.

I heard only minutes of her resulting CD as the story unfolded but, in those moments, the sting of unbidden tears welled as my heart palpably expanded. The voice filling the air was clear, powerful and absolutely magic, the surrender and release of a divine source within. Is Miss Boyle’s story one of unbelievable success… one of an indomitable spirit winning against impossible odds? Most assuredly. And that alone inspires and gives cause for reflection. But something even more powerfully and profoundly illuminating lies at it heart. The quickness with which we so often judge and condemn our fellow human beings based solely upon outward appearances and individual perceptions is nothing less than stunning and glaring examples such as this strip naked the false certainties in which we all indulge. In brief moments of unconsciousness, we are frighteningly capable of rendering cruel injustice against others and, ultimately, ourselves.

I have not yet viewed the YouTube airing of this event, though I intend to, and although I would like to think that I’m above such judgements, I suspect there are times I am no less guilty than those who were present. Beyond the clarity of the lesson itself, I am struck by the redeeming truth held at its core. Susan represents each of us… our hopes, our dreams, and our innate ability to step beyond fear and beyond the mindless judgements of others as well as those we so freely commit against ourselves. As we learn to embrace our own internal light, we may then more readily begin to see its reflection in our fellow man.

In my dream of a perfect world, every life is the divine manifestation of the very essence of All That Is and at the core of each individual beingness lies the remembrance that we are all ultimately and eternally one. In this place, the pure resonance of the heart is the only instrument of discernment and each unique expression of Spirit is honored and celebrated as its perfect gift to the whole. I am deeply grateful for Susan’s powerful example and my clear intent is to consciously meet with love the divine light that shines within each of us. No judgement can survive the divine truth of the heart, and every exquisite expression of life is thus joyfully allowed its eternal moment to shine.

Namaste

When dealing with challenges, it is easy to overly focus on the problems at hand. We fail to put problems into the proper context within our lives. I think that this results in a world perspective that is quite small. This means that little things in our lives that could be considered problems are disproportionately large. Imagine a small perspective to be a shoebox. If you focus on even a few problems, this is like placing a couple bricks in the box. Not much room is left, is there? This is what happens when we are too focused on little things and fail to see any of the big picture.

By simply expanding our scale of perspective we can put problems back in their place, allowing for the fullness of our life to be present. Take a step back and realize that there are indeed great things happening in your life. Just because something is not to your liking now doesn’t mean it will always be that way. Imagine now that your shoebox has enlarged to the size of your kitchen. There’s a lot more room for the good things happening in your life now, isn’t there?

On the other end of the spectrum is allowing our scale of perspective to be too large. I think this is probably becoming more frequent as more and more kids and adults are becoming ‘world citizens’ and wanting to help everybody. For some, this means focusing on ALL of the problems in the world right now: war, disease, poverty, and anything else threatening humanity. An overly broad perspective can easily be overwhelming, leading to feelings of discouragement and even hopelessness as we search for meaning in a world that seemingly makes no sense.

Luckily I believe this is simply a matter of having too large of a perspective. By contracting it, we can adjust things back to their rightful proportions. Poverty is a big deal, but it shouldn’t outweigh your ability to see innocence in a child or beauty in a sunset. I used to let my inability to put everything in the world into order weigh me down enough that I could not see the good in my life. Luckily I got to the point that I “woke up” and changed my scale of perspective (although I didn’t realize I was doing this at the time).

Changing your scale of perspective doesn’t mean you are ignoring problems or running away from them. In contrast, you will be more at peace and better equipped to handle them. It simply puts things in proper perspective and allows you to deal with life in a more balanced and enlightened way. And don’t forget, even the largest problems can be solved with one step at a time.

That night, I was visiting other blogs reading about how we have no problems right now. This idea perhaps most famously comes from The Power of Now. I have held this belief as my own for some time now; whenever I have a “problem” I take a step back to remind myself that I am dwelling in the past (or future, depending on the situation) and that if I stay in the present moment I really don’t have a problem.

If you are new to this concept, think of it this way: right now, at this very moment, you have zero problems. Maybe your best friend sent you a mean text message, but that happened in the past. Maybe you have bills you have to pay next week, but that’s something in the future, something that doesn’t even exist yet. I have easily accepted this idea, except for the question that has been in the back of my mind, “What if something really is happening right now that is a problem?”

Sorry to be morbid, but what if I have a gun against my head or my family is being threatened physically? This is where the barking dog provides the answer (you thought I forgot about the dog, didn’t you). While I was reading the air conditioning turned off and I discovered that the dog had one impressive set of lungs. She was rather loud and for whatever reason felt the need to bark every 2-3 seconds. I wasn’t particularly annoyed (“The only problems I have are the ones I create,” I told myself), but I realized that the dog was there to help me answer my question.

The first part is a little more “obvious.” When the dog barks, I hear it, and have the option of getting annoyed or forgetting about it. The only way I can get annoyed, though, is by staying in the past, remembering the bark. If I stay in the present, the dog bark has no effect. Ok, but what about the fact that the dog keeps barking? This is the part I considered more of a revelation (for me). Even if the dog is barking right this instant, I should not find it to be irritating. Letting a single dog bark upset me would be a bit over the top, no? The only other way to get annoyed, then, is to anticipate more barking. This requires looking to the future! If I stay truly rooted in the now, each dog bark is simply a part of life to be experienced. And when the dog is in between barks, my only source of irritation would logically have to be from remembering the past and/or projecting it to the future.

So, in all honesty, it’s practically impossible to have a problem. When applied to the case of having a gun against my head, this may seem a bit naive, but I don’t see it that way. When situations arise that aren’t to our liking, it is our own choice whether we see them as a problem. And, if faced with a situation that is life threatening, a person deeply rooted in the now would react calmly and precisely. What happens happens, and what could happen is simply a projection of the mind.

Do you agree? Take some time to practice letting go of the past and avoiding predicting the future. See if this doesn’t eliminate most of your problems. If you start to get upset over something, ask yourself, “Am I staying in the present moment? Am I creating a problem for myself?” Let me know how it goes.

The Tale of Two Wolves

One evening an elder Cherokee told his young grandson about the struggle that is waged within each of us.  He said, “Grandson, the battle is between two very powerful wolves.  They live inside every person and each wolf wants to win control of our heart and mind.  One is Dark and is filled with anger, envy, jealousy, regret, greed, arrogance, sorrow, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, dishonesty, false pride and ego.  The other is Light and filled with joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”  The young grandson thought about this for a few minutes and asked, “Which wolf wins, Grandfather, the Light or the Dark?”  Looking deeply into his eyes, the wise elder replied simply, “The one you feed.”

“Who says I can’t be free?
From all of the things I used to be,
Rewrite my history,
Who says I can’t be free?”

- John Mayer, “Who Says”

There’s no need to think we can’t change everything in our lives in a heartbeat. Think back to when you were a kid with grand plans to become a doctor or firefighter or even the president. The possibilities seemed endless and we didn’t spend our time being pragmatic about our dreams. Recapture that innocence. The world is what we make of it, in more ways than most people understand.

All that matters is this moment; just because you have a history of getting angry quickly or gossiping doesn’t mean you always will. Start the positive change now. Take life moment by moment, choose your own actions, and be the person you’ve always wanted to be. Thinking you can’t change who you are means that you are living in the past and allowing it to dictate your future. Since neither past nor future exist, what you are really doing is keeping yourself out of the present moment, which is all there really is. Do what you want to do and be who you want to be. Make today the day you rewrite your history and truly become free.

We are so attached to our thoughts. We think we are our thoughts, but we’re not. We think our thoughts are real, but if you watch them, you will see how contradictory they are.
Our thoughts change constantly. [...] there is no stability in our thoughts, freedom comes when you learn to just watch them pass.

-Isha, Why Walk When You Can Fly?

I have been reading Why Walk When You Can Fly? and the above passage really stuck out to me. Why? It reminded me of this clip of Peaceful Warrior:

I forgot about this until I was walking with two friends after grabbing lunch. One of them mentioned that he sometimes felt bad for things that he thought! I was rather excited to quote the movie for them (I love movie quotes) but this synchronicity made me think I should share with you.

I think that sometimes people get discouraged by the fact that they don’t live up to their own expectations, at least in their head. When a thought about using doing something “wrong” crosses their mind, they assume something is wrong with them. We can take comfort in the fact that we indeed are not our thoughts. The mind (and ego) love to do their own thing, but we don’t have to focus our energy on those “bad” thoughts. Instead, observe them, acknowledge them, and watch them disappear. The only real danger is in identifying with our thoughts and getting caught up in any place besides this moment.

After the loss of the presence of a dear friend several months ago, I have gazed into this reflected pool on a daily basis and have been given profound insights into the many facets of myself, both light and dark. While challenging, the process unerringly cleared my vision, allowing me to see the underlying elements of our friendship and the roles we played with, and for, each other. While the change is not one I would have consciously chosen, I now embrace a fuller, richer view and have come to a peaceful resolution within myself.

I’ve come to see that nothing of substance is ever lost, it merely changes form. The bonds between people create their own unique energy, a living essence borne of their connection. The love, growth and expansion experienced within a deep and loving relationship remain forever whole, and alive, integrated fully within the heart. If untouched by anger and judgement, this energy holds forever every laugh, every smile, and every shared profound moment, and is able to flow freely through your heart and into your life.

Many lessons have revealed themselves throughout this process… lessons I will be integrating for some time, no doubt. But, as a whole, I’ve learned to open my heart more readily to the unfolding mysteries of change; to grasp, a little more deeply, the divine wisdom that speaks through the faces and events of my daily life; and to honor more fully the sacredness of the present moment against the ever-changing backdrop of life itself. Perhaps the greatest gift of impermanence is one of providing a catalyst for an essential shift in perception, allowing us to adopt a higher perspective and revealing the beauty of transformation inherent within its very nature.

Namaste

As I reflect on these experiences, I marvel at how easily we become distracted by the busy-ness of our daily lives and the extent to which we separate ourselves from the magnificent beauty and magic that fills the world in which we live. As we narrow our field of awareness to the tedium and drama of passing events, the mind, ever so efficiently, justifies the importance of such focus. We tend to take for granted the very things that reflect the aliveness of spirit and complacently settle for the chase after illusive greener pastures. Patiently, the all-knowing heart yearns for something more.

I find that the more I consciously choose my points of attention, the more I am drawn outside of myself and into the aliveness of Nature, the Earth and Life itself. Even a moment spent in this sacred space is energizing and renewing and restores a sense of wholeness and oneness within my heart. My ability to handle the details of the day is heightened as my intuitive voice more easily directs my actions, and, more importantly, my world expands to a new fullness.

There is a profound beingness present in all expressions of life, and a wisdom born of an inherent faith and trust in the sustenance of life’s creator. By taking a moment to wholly enter this field of life’s energies we begin to reclaim our own sense of unity and wholeness. As we compile our list of daily responsibilities, I believe that primary among them should be a developed and ever-growing awareness of the sacredness of all life, including our own. This awareness fosters an opening of the heart and a reclaiming of our sense of childlike wonder as we ponder the beauty, magic and mystery of the Earth, the Universe and our own divine existence.

Namaste

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

Inspiration is a wonderful gift to give ourselves each day.  To nurture our spirit, to be reminded of the power of life flowing through us, to be inspired to manage our power with greater awareness – this is the purpose of “One Hour of Wisdom.”  Most of us spend more time taking care of our material possessions then we spend taking care of our spirit. In a world where so many things require our attention, the larger purpose of our lives can be forgotten.  This book captures the essense of the author’s wisdom, and shares a wealth of information, in less time than it takes to prepare ourselves a meal.

Words and ideas can heal the mind and nurture the soul.  Words are alive with energy; they have the power to uplift, to enliven, to transform. Feel the energy of the words in these pages as you read them; intend for the gift of their wisdom to be received.  Life is a force flowing through us.  Where we direct our attention is where our life force flows.  Every moment is an opportunity to direct our attention to ideas that inspire us. Every day brings the promise of a new beginning, and the opportunity to transform every life challenge into a gift.  One hour, one idea, one act of love can make all the difference.

There is an art to living with joy, and a science to managing all forms of energy, including our own.  Learning to manage the force of life flowing through us is a worthy endeavor, and one that brings many rewards.  May this book help you to see yourself with greater clarity.  May its wisdom help you to express all the power of your spirit, and to fulfill your most cherished dreams.

Note from the publisher – The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success – One hour of wisdom

Now, every time something “annoying” presents itself, I make sure to take note of it and give thanks to the universe.  I am thankful because it is just another opportunity for me to learn that I can’t control everything.  I already feel much more peaceful and accepting simply from doing this.  I have come to realize that we only ever have control over ourselves.  I can control what I do, say, think, feel, etc, but I can’t determine that for anybody else.  The great part is that the opposite of control, allowance, is one of the best ways to live.

Not only does allowance keep us from sweating the small stuff, it makes way for the universe to do its thing.  I can tell you from experience that sometimes just stepping out of the way is all I have to do to ‘get what I want.’  We are meant to work towards our goals, but at the same time acknowledge that, in the end, the outcome is out of our hands.  Successful business entrepreneurs are the people who dive in head first with the knowledge they could fail.  They can’t control the market or their customers, but they do all they can to succeed.  Be an entrepreneur of life; set your intentions, chase your dreams, live life the way you’ve always wanted, just know that nothing turns out exactly as planned.