Love IS the Bridge

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“Love is faith, a living practice, and path of possibility.”
— Rev. Evelyn Foreman, M. Div.

Love is...

As simple as that. 

I am, Love is.

LOVE: It is the healing, harmonizing, neutralizing energy of the universe.  It is the common denominator that all human beings share.  Rather than race, religion or creed, I believe Love is the human cultural phenomenon that can unite us all.

Love is faith, a living practice, and path of possibility.

What feels as though it is on the other side of a bridge that you'd like to get to?  

What one action item can you accomplish today from a place of LOVE to begin building a bridge?

Turn Your Life Around

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Whether hiking or life, once in a while, we might find ourselves caught in a place that we'd rather not be.

In the context of hiking, we might step in a mud puddle that we wish we wouldn't have.  In life, it might be a situation or a circumstance that we'd rather not experience.

Rather than to simply wish it away, I realize it does no good for me to struggle, complain or curse, for that matter!  In both instances, it truly helps to adopt a positive frame of mind so that any problem-solving abilities I might possess will come to the surface. 

Because I would personally rather be in a positive mood than a grumpy one, I stay open to how I might turn my mood from foul to free?

Through life transitions, especially those that seem to feel especially difficult, like grief or losses, I have learned to be present to what comes up. 

As I acknowledge where I am, I give thanks, knowing that whatever is unfolding is conspiring for me.

I dare to pour my faith into knowing and feeling grateful that all of life is FOR me.  As I do so, I loosen my attachments to the outcome of whats unfolding, and miracles unfold.

The practice of gratitude, continual thankfulness for whatever is, enables me to turn my life around.  

How and in which way do you practice that creates positive results? Please share as you are called. <3 Namaste

10 to Zen :: Practicing Surrender as a Path of Remembering

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If anyone knows me and my sweet family, they'll know that we are upwardly mobile.  Every couple of years, we are on an adventure, and we live in a new state (body, mind, and spirit), allowing us to renew what we need and release what we do not.

Our philosophy that life is to be lived, embraced and experienced has given us the courage to relocate where we want, anywhere in the world.  This privileged lifestyle has paved way for us to meet amazing people everywhere we have resided, and we love it.

This gives way to clear out not simply the physical items, but also the emotional baggage that may have collected. 

One of the most amazing gifts about moving often is the opportunity to clear out what we no longer need.  

Intentionally releasing the item(s) frees the energy to travel back from wherever it came.  This list is part of our moving list now, and I'm sharing it in case anyone wants to join us in surrendering that which no longer serves ...  Aho!

 

 

Drunk ... On Gratitude

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Who would have guessed that anyone can put the words drunk & gratitude in an inspirational message?  

Rumi was a genius in so many ways, with intoxicating words that lure my spirit into the courageous act of possibility!

No one says the practice of gratitude had to be controlled and tempered. 

Let's take a hint from nature - and change our way of being every so often...let's be grateful.

What would unfold if every ONE of us became totally overtaken and completely grateful for EVERYTHING?

The world would be a marvelous place of appreciation and our life would be an immersion of cherished experiences. 

 

Happy People & The Inner World

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The power of the mind, coupled with the human spirit, is an incredible duo.  

There are two ways to experience life. 

The former is to look at our outer circumstances and allow our 5 senses to be the driver of our happiness, a measure of success and self-worth.  The latter is to allow our inner life to inform our degree of happiness, the measure of success and self-worth.

We've all heard of the saying: if you believe it to be true, then it's true for you. 

This means that regardless of fact, stats or story, if I believe something to be true, my heart and mind will align to make it so.  The brain, after all, has evolved to support this, even in the so-called objective data of observation. 

Our faith deepens what we will see, regardless of fact.  

I remember the times in my life when I was unhappy.  knowingly or unknowingly, I said yes to blame, shame, criticism, complaint, and judgment.  Just re-reading this post sentence makes me feel icky.  Why would I have chosen that?

Well, for starters, I 'm not sure if the choice was one of conscious awareness.  We all slide up and down the scale of conscious awareness (sometimes, taking many trips a day), don't we?  This is part of our human beingness.

As awakened individuals, our task is to be present to our own "icky."  Regardless of situation or circumstance, when we feel our icky coming on, our job is to be aware of and stay vigilant to our attitude.

We can stop ourselves from the rising negative tide by deliberately focusing on gratitude, and engage ourselves in the practice of counting our blessings.  This simple mindful process can lift the clouds and change the weather, raising awareness the good that surrounds us all.

Choose happiness today! 

Have you undergone such a practice to turn your frown upside down?  Please share the experience with us as you are called. <3 

Life is a Series of Tiny Little Miracles

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Life is a series of tiny little miracles, and when I am present to this, I am profoundly grateful.

Even before conception, the pattern of possibility is imprinted in our DNA.  Each moment, each breath, each millisecond, life is a miracle.  

One miracle, strung together with another, in each moment of our lives, we become who we are, and we realize who we are to be.

What better way to express thanksgiving but to embrace each moment, living fully in alignment with our soul's purpose?

Whether we accept it, or not, each one of us is a miracle, unfolding as an expression of sacred life. Realize this, and be grateful <3.  Namaste.

Pause...take a breath. 

For moment, what are you present to that is profound to you, dear One?  

Your work is to discover your world and with all your heart, give yourself to it

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Giving something with "all your heart" is a gift of devotion.  What is truly worthy to give ourselves to?  ... to give all our heart to?  ... to give all our love to?

My gift is a legacy that was handed down to me by my late mom: to be Mom, sacred guardians for my own children.

My mother devoted her whole life to create an opportunity for her children to live their lives unencumbered.  In unimaginable ways, It is because of my mother's love and devotion that I am possible today.

My work of discovering my world - my family and children - was 33 years in the making before I realized what I was willing to give all my heart to.  The work of discovery is not a fast road, nor an easy one.

It has been a journey, one that has lived many lives of it's own. As I continue to grow and allow life to discover me, I make decisions now that continue to feed my work, knowing that I am the One I've been waiting for.  What sacred work awaits you on your journey?  Have you discovered yet what you are wlling to give yourself to?

Let Gratitude Guide Me

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There is always a deeper story to every thing.  The deeper, underlying story is the unfolding of my sacred journey.  

When I come upon challenges and difficulties in life, I might often wish it away, wondering how I got myself into such a predicament? Yet, when I get still, and present to the moment of struggle, I realize it is an opportunity.  

The most poignant challenge that comes to mind is giving birth.  In the middle of birth, when all is in the process of unfolding, I remember wondering how I could get away from the difficulty.

The experience of natural birth has provided me a 1st hand experience that what is before me is in fact, a gift.  

Many blessings came from birthing my 1st child.  Not only did I receive the gift of my son, I learned earnestly to "lean into it."  With this, learning that the experience of birthing itself is guidance to trust the intuitive process of emergence, for baby and my own soul.

The experience of moving past the difficulty is the guide that came for me.  With it, I was taught to trust. I now use this pattern of recognition whenever I am confronted with a challenge.

As I accept the challenge before me, I relax into the idea that, for whatever reason, what I am confronted with in this present moment is here to serve me.

I give thanks knowing that what is before me is guiding me back to the Truth of my being. For this faith, and for this guidance, I am grateful.  

What difficulty have you had in the past that you now recognize as a guide from beyond?  Please share as you are called.

Live Life As If Everything is Set in Your Favor

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I absolutely LOVE this reminder: "Live life as If EVERYTHING is set in your favor" because it is!

When I was in my early 20's I met Nicki. Nicki was about 5 years younger than me, but what she said made a huge impact on my perspective of life.

I was faced with difficulties of choice and challenge as any 20 something year old would.  I honestly cannot remember what my challenge was, but I remember what she said to me.  

She asked me to look back on all the challenges in my life - every single one of them. She even asked me to call up the most difficult moments that I wished was not so.

And then, she asked me to get present in the moment.  And when I did, she reminded that I am, as I was present, perfectly okay. I am safe, no matter what. 

She asked me to realize that whatever occurred in my past has already happened and that, as things are working itself out right in THIS moment, they too, will be okay.

Without even knowing it, she helped me understand and to subscribe to the belief that truly everything conspires to my favor!  

Everything, ALWAYS works out - either I win, or I learn. Either way, I ALWAYS come up on with abundance overflowing.  This is a miraculous truth:  that everything is set in my favor!  Thank you, and bless you, Nicki, for your sage advice and wisdom!

Can you relate to a difficulty, that you can see now how it has served you?  Please share as you are called.  Namaste, dear Heart.  Light in you as you remember your soul and unfold with grace. <3

Be Grateful

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I declare every Thursday as Thankful Thursday!!

Let us BE GRATEFUL.

As I give thanks, I become present to the power of how my attitude sets me up for my experience.  When I practice mindfulness and give thanks for the abundance of the present moment, I become present to the gift that is my life.  

Immediately, I remember that I have everything I need to succeed and live happily: oxygen, water, food, shelter, clothing.  Everything else that is present - which is ALWAYS so much more than the basic necessities - is a bonus!  

I become present to the abundance that overflows, continuously, creating for me experiences of grace, mercy, and serendipitous fortune!

As a human being, there are times when I forget just how abundant my life is.  (Anyone ever experience this forgetfulness?) 

When mindfulness of thanksgiving is absent in consciousness, I notice a less ideal experience.  I might feel it in my body as constriction.  The voice in my head speaks loudly, sometimes shouting.  My breath becomes a bit shallow, and I feel tightness all around.

“Come back to your heart. ”
— Give Thanks

In times like these, when I feel restricted, I get to return to the sticky note on my desktop:  "Come back to the Heart."  

My road back is always a change of mind - to the positive!  Rather than anything else, I choose again to cultivate gratitude.

Gratefulness puts me on the right track. Again and again, I return. 

Join me in returning back to the heart - give thanks today for 3 things present in your life.  

Mine are: My precious children, the love of my husband and gift of sacred friendships.  What are yours?

Looking Inward, I Change with Courage

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Looking inward, I change with courage.   

No longer am I the adolescent whose passion is to rule the world.

Mastering our inner landscape requires great courage - the terrain is uncharted and requires patience, faith, and devotion.  

I hear my heart crying out, needing my attention.  Wisely, I travel to the pulse that calls to me inward.

Every day, the practice is to be still, to listen, and to take guided intentional action.

Writing, reflection, creativity, and service to my higher calling are a priority. Everything else that does not serve the connected guidance from within is lovingly thanked, and dismissed.  Admittedly, there continues to be a lot of casualties!

My soul and my life are sacred experiences where "should haves, could haves, would haves" no longer live.  Attachments, obligations, and resentments no longer have their place here.  

Courageously, I temper any fear that arises knowing that the only part of the fear that exists is the useful kind, supporting my becoming, and informing me, reminding me to be ever present.  As you are called, please share the wisdom of your heart. <3

Where Ever You Stand - Be the Soul of That Place

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There is no argument that children are among life's many blessings.  

I've been blessed to be Mommy of 2 very dear souls, dropping in by divine order, and allowing my spouse and me to be sacred guardians of their upbringing. As of this post, my son is just about 10 years old, and my baby girl, 4.  

As I have the honor to watch them grow and bloom each day, one of the most interesting and rewarding experiences I have when with them is to witness their becoming.  

As they learn, grow and master their path, I get to watch with doting eyes, heart full of love, as they embrace who they've come to be.  Whether it is seeing them pick up an instrument for the 1st time (like the violin) or learning how to do long division, I marvel at their process of embrace.  

They embrace what is ~ not simply the object - like the instrument, or the math problem, but wholehearted, they go through the process of embracing themselves!

From never having touched or seen what they are learning, they begin to accept and integrate newness by being OPEN. As they learn and traverse the path of mastery, they embrace it and are then present to all that is available to them through the lesson itself.

It is a marvelous process that I love and am blessed to see each day!

Having my little ones as spiritual teachers have enabled me to reclaim the reminder that Rumi shared so long ago - that wherever I go, wherever I am, whatever I may be doing ~ I am to be One with the PRESENT, and therefore, with my WHOLE self, be the soul of that place.

What are you open to today?  How will you allow yourself to be the soul of the place where you stand?

Be Grateful for Whoever Comes

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Sometimes, the guide that arrives may not be what you expect.  Visitors in our life have a way of teaching us what we need to know.  

The most powerful guides are often those that irk us most - the unfriendly neighbor, other children that tease us, the annoying driver that cut us off in traffic.

These guides are powerful because they remind us of the work we've still got to do.  If we remain open, we might learn that they are exactly what we need to remember the Truth of our being.  

The rude driver might remind us, for example, that we are not petty, and we can forgive easily.  If we are not reminded of this, then, we get to practice forgiveness and compassion!

Our annoying Auntie Mae, for example, might be present to teach us that patience, particularly to bite our tongue. Whomever that is, what ever it is, considering our visitors as teachers can help us better understand ourselves - like a self-study course on insight.  For the gift of appreciating this, I am grateful!

Who or what in your life that came as a disguised blessing are you grateful for?

Difficult Roads Often Lead to Beautiful Destinations

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All the challenges I have ever had has made me stronger, more resilient ... brave.

My experiences, difficult as they may seem at the moment they were occurring had a purpose.  At the very least, they have fortified me to be who I stand today.

If you are facing a difficult situation today, you are not alone.  All that is influx is rearranging itself, conspiring to support us in becoming who we were always meant to be.

Let us count our blessings as the lucky ones to experience the wholeness of life in this situation now.  Amen.

#Blessed #IamBlessed #IamWhole

An Attitude of Gratitude

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Ever since I was a little girl, I was taught that your attitude determines your happiness in life.  Regardless of the adversity I've experienced, I have always held this lesson near and dear to my heart:  for all things, be grateful.  

Things go right?  Be grateful.  Things out of control? Be grateful?  Things falling apart? Be grateful.  

“Being grateful is the key to all things good.”

Honestly, by the time I was a teenager, I was tired of being grateful.  As a teenager, I could remember many things that I was living with that I didn't want to be grateful for - and still, gratitude had been such a foundational practice for me that I found myself giving thanks, even though I was rebelling from family and finding my way.

Today, I give thanks for this foundation.  

My Mom taught me well, to have an attitude of gratitude, regardless of comes my way.  It has been a foundation of abundance, perspective and healing for me.  This lesson continues to teach me that grace is always in the midst and that being grateful is the key to all things good.

My Soul is My Guide

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In times when we feel lost, we often look for advice from all around us.  We ask friends, families, mental health professionals.

Often times, solace is sought through escape:  we numb out, distract ourselves and look for a solution to our heart problems.

In times when it feels as though nothing is right, look within.

The answer is written on our hearts.  

Our soul is on mission here to reignite who we've come to be.  In order to truly live, let go of dear life.  

In times of challenge, when the last thing I want to go is let go, I heed this memory:  surrender, and let my soul be my guide

 

 

The Secret to Having It All is Knowing You Already Do

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When I find myself upset, grumpy, or generally having a hard time, I remember to remember that life is a process, and I already have it all ~ I AM ALIVE!!!

Remembering this opens my hearts and I can breath again! The more I give thanks, the more conscious I become to the abundance that channels in me, through me and as me.

And then, I don't even remember why I was agitated in the first place! Who or what do you appreciate today that you want to claim in gratitude?

Please share it below as you are called.

<3 Evelyn .

#GratitudePractice #ThankfulThursday #TT

Feel the Fear - Do It Anyway

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F.E.A.R.   FALSE EVIDENCE, Appearing Real...

Fear reminds us of our humanity.  

Fear, like pain, is a signal for us to pay attention.  It wakes us up to be conscious of our actions, words, deeds and intentions.

If you feel fear today, don't forget to look mindfully, pray ceaseless, and know that you always have a choice.  

Check in, feel it... if the still small voice says YES! (Despite what the ego says) - then listen and act as you are called.

No one ever found new lands without the willingness to leave the shore... <3