The retreats were spiritually exhilarating and fulfilling, and at the same time, physically exhausting.  If I lived on my own, and had another week off work, I might have paid off  my sleep debt by now!

So I appreciate your patience as I gather myself back together, become accustomed to the new vibration I came home with, and integrate everything I learned about myself into my day-to-day being.

Mahalo (thanks) and Blessings,

Mary

But it also means I’m not going to be posting for a couple of weeks.  I did make an effort to write ahead, and have everything ready for my absence, so you wouldn’t even notice I was gone, but the writing muse just wasn’t with me.   (It couldn’t have been the excitement about going, or the preparations or anything like that…)

So, until I am back,

May you know Peace,
May you know Joy,
May you know Love,
May you know Infinite Blessings!

Mary

After the Passage in May, I mentioned that I was going with the flow in regards to a certain situation in my life.  “Only dead salmon go with the flow, ” a friend of mine said to me.  I’ve been thinking about it off and on for a while now, and I have to disagree.

I’ll get back to that in a minute.

I’ve been seeing posts on various social media and hearing about the teachings of Abraham, as recorded by Esther and Jerry Hicks.  A few weeks ago I decided it was time to look into them.

Because there is a book ban on at my house (I’m not allowed to buy any more books), I turned to my favorite alternative to bookstores: the library.  I went on line and requested several titles.  The first one to come in was The Astonishing Power of Emotions: Let Your Feelings Be Your Guide. I’m only about half way through it, but it is a very quick and easy read.

I instantly resonated with the idea that our physical form is just a tiny extension of our soul, or Non-Physical Being, as Abraham puts it.  In the book, Abraham describes our lives and efforts of manifestion like the current of a river.  Many of us think that we have to work hard to manifest what we want in our lives.  This is akin to paddling upstream.  We work harder, faster, longer, and we don’t get anywhere.

According to Abraham, when we desire something, the larger part of our being, the Non-Physical Being,  brings that desire into manifestation, downstream.  The harder we work to make something happen, the farther away from it we actually get.  “Nothing you want is upstream. ” What we really need to do, is go with the flow, let go of the oars, and allow the manifestation to happen.  The key is to bring the vibration of your physical Being into alignment with your Non-Physical Being.

So how do you do this? By paying attention to your emotions.  When you are in a place of fear, anger or anxiety, you are definitely paddling upstream.  When you are in a place of love, joy, and happiness, your are definitely travelling downstream.

When you notice you are paddling upstream, how do you turn your boat around?  Reframe the situation until you feel a sense of relief.  That feeling shows that you are letting go of resistance, and beginning the flow downstream.

Getting back to the salmon, they work really hard to swim upstream.  They do this to get back to the place they were hatched.  When they finally get there, they spawn, and then they die.  How many times do we as humans struggle to get back to some ideal from our past, even though we know it can never be the same?  And what reward do we get for our struggles to recapture that lost time?  Usually pain and disappointment.  Like the salmon, our efforts may kill us, or a part of us.  Yes, the salmon start the cycle of life for the next generation. But then they die! For us as people, our future lies downstream, and its a lot easier way to live!

I’m definitely going to practice letting go of the oars, and flowing downstream.

What are your thoughts? Do you see yourself as paddling upstream?  Or do you find life easier going with the flow, downstream?

Blessings,

Mary

I had a first aid class that was in the evenings for four days, right after work.  This meant wolfing down my dinner in the car on the way to class.  I was getting up and exercising in the mornings, and then going directly to work.  I also had to read the first aid book before my last class.  We also put our house up for sale last week, and I got my moon time.  By Friday, I was way behind on my sleep, and I was becoming very sensitive to every little percieved slight.  And most of them were all in my head.

Because I was out late at my class, and then reading the text book when I got home, my meditation practice got shoved to the side.  This definitely did not help my mental state! So on Saturday, when I had an event to run after work, I was not at my best.  I was irritated that I had to make dinner, AND pack the vehicle for the event, BY MYSELF, AND clean up the kitchen, AND… well, you get the idea.  My mind was running away on the “poor me, I have to do everything myself, and no one helps or appreciates me” track to misery.  All of this is completely untrue, yet this was the tape that was playing in my mind.

Thankfully, my husband drove to the event.  I could tell I was not in the right frame of mind to lead this event, which was about spiritual growth.  So I closed my eyes, and breathed slowly and deeply.  I dropped out of my mind, and into my center.  I observed my mind playing the tape, and I let the emotions flow.  Yes, I cried. I meditated the whole way to the event.

I’d like to say that by the end of the 15 minute drive I was all better.  There was still a little residue and sensitivity there.  But I was now the one in control (not my mind and some outdated program), and the frustration was flowing out of me.  By the time I had everything set up, and everyone had a chance to chat for a while, I was fully in my center, in the moment, and ready to facilitate the event.

Meditation is a wonderful tool for de-stressing.  You can do it anywhere, and within a relatively short amount of time.  Of course, getting enough sleep, exercise, or a relaxing bubble bath help, too!

What’s your favorite method of de-stressing?

Blessings,

Mary

I heard the crows and the blue jays, and the other little birds that I can’t identify by their calls.  I heard several different dogs in the neighborhood announcing their presence.  I heard the wind whispering to me in the trees.  I heard two different sets of wind chimes on the house down the hill – one high and metallic, and another low and wooden, both musical in their own way.

I heard traffic on the highway half a mile away.  I heard conversations from several different directions, and my husband and eldest son waking up inside the house.  I heard my son ever so quietly cross the lawn and sit down next to me for a morning snuggle.  And I heard a child (not mine!) crying.

In amongst actively listening to all these sounds, my mind was quiet.  The random thoughts were stilled.  Why?  Because I gave my mind a specific job to do: Listen.  Giving your mind a job to do is a great way to get it off of something your worried about, or to get it off of creating more worries.

The great part is, you can do it anywhere.  At your desk, or go outside on your lunch break, or just before you drift off to sleep.

Close your eyes for a moment (once you’re done reading).  What sounds do you hear?

Blessings,

Mary

I’m talking about meditation positions.  What were you thinking?

There are several common positions that people use for meditating:

• Crossed legs
• Lying down
• Kneeling
• Seated in a chair

Crossed legs

There are several variations to this position.  In all of them, make sure your spine is straight, with your chin tucked slightly in.

Lotus Meditation Position

The most challenging for many people is the lotus position.

Half Lotus Meditation Position

In the Lotus position, your right foot rests on your left thigh, and your left foot rests on your right thigh.  An alternative if you are not able to do this is to put one foot on the opposite thigh, and rest the other foot on the floor in front of you.

A much simpler variation is what my kids call, “criss-cross applesauce.”  This is your traditional crossed legs pose.  You know, the one you sat in at circle time in kindergarten.

Crossed Legs Meditation Position

Lying Down

Laying Down Meditation Position

Lay flat on your back, with your legs out straight and your arms at your sides.  You can put a pillow under your head, and one under your knees if it bothers your back to lay flat.  As I mentioned above, this is my husband’s favourite meditation position.  I find that I am more likely to fall asleep than meditate laying down!

Kneeling

Kneeling Meditation Position

This pose is not recommended if you have knee problems!  Sit on your knees, with your butt on your heels and your toes stretched out behind you.  You can use a meditation cushion to sit on to cushion yourself.

Seated in a chair

Choose a chair with a straight back.  Sit all the way back in the chair, with your feet flat on the floor.  Ideally, your legs will form a 90 degree angle at the knee, and at the hip.

Sitting Meditation Position

Those are the most common meditation positions.  What’s your favourite?

Blessings,

Mary

In general, my reading comes in three categories:

• mind candy (otherwise known as fiction)
• business/professional development
• personal growth/spiritual development

Let’s start with the Mind Candy, since all work and no play makes Jane a dull girl.

My all time favorite in the Mind Candy Category is definitely The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.  It tells the Arthurian Legend from Morgaine’s (Morgan le Fay’s) point of view.  All of her Avalon series is good, and Diana Paxson has even continued the storyline with excellent success.  As with most book to film stories, the book is MUCH better than the movie.

An excellent series that my son introduced me to is Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.  It is a fun twist on Greek mythology.

While I’m not a big fan of the HBO series True Blood, I absolutely love the Sookie Stackhouse books, starting with Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris.  The series is based, very loosely, on the books, and I found the books a lot more fun!  They definitely qualify as mind candy!

Moving on to the business/professional development category, one of the first books I recommend to change your mindset about money is Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker.  If you are stuck in a financial rut, this book will help get you started in the process of turning yourself around.

Another book that really helped me change my thinking about money is The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources by Lynne Twist.  She is an incredible woman, a phenomenal fundraiser, and someone who has done incredible work to feed the hungry. She was also called to help create the constitution in Ecuador, which is the only country that includes rights for the land.

If you are a business owner, or entrepreneur, Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin is a wonderful resource. Once upon a time, tribes were small and very localized.  With the internet at our fingertips, tribes have become globalized.  They are seeking leaders, not only for big trends, but also for specialized niches.

Right now I am reading Rules for Renegades by Christine Comaford-Lynch. The tag line is How to Make More Money, Rock Your Career, and Revel in Your Individuality.  I’ve just started reading this one, so I can’t tell you much about it other than that she has an excellent sense of humor, and she’s been through some incredible experiences.

And last but not least, personal growth/spiritual development.  Where to start?  I’ve read several of Dan Millman’s books, including Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior, and The Laws of Spirit. Dan Millman has a wonderful way of weaving life lessons into an easy to read story that draws you in. He keeps it interesting!

One book I read quite a long time ago that really stuck with me is Keys to the Open Gate: A Woman’s Spirituality Sourcebook by Kimberley Snow. the author includes wisdom from many different religions and excerpts from books around the world.  She includes activities and meditations to go along with the writings.  It’s a good book to read a little bit every day.

Most recently, I just finished reading The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. Deepak is definitely one of the enlightened teachers of our time, and this book is clear and concise.  I’ve noticed these laws ineffect in my life just since reading the book.

What are your favorite books?  What’s on your summer reading list?

Blessings,

Mary

The Awakening

by Sonny Carroll

There comes a time in your life when you finally get it… When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out – ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world from a new perspective. This is your awakening.

You realize that it is time to stop hoping and waiting for something, or someone, to change or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that there aren’t always fairytale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of “happily ever after” must begin with you. Then a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

So you begin making your way through the “reality of today” rather than holding out for the “promise of tomorrow.” You realize that much of who you are, and the way you navigate through life is, in great part, a result of all the social conditioning you’ve received over the course of a lifetime. And you begin to sift through all the nonsense you were taught about:

• how you should look and how much you should weigh
• what you should wear and where you should shop
• where you should live or what type of car your should drive
• who you should sleep with and how you should behave
• who you should marry and why you should stay
• the importance of having children or what you owe your family

Slowly you begin to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really believe in. And you begin to discard the doctrines you have outgrown, or should never have practiced to begin with.

You accept the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are… and that’s OK… they are entitled to their own views and opinions. And, you come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a “perfect 10” Or a perfect human being for that matter. So you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head or agonizing over how you compare. And you take a long look at yourself in the mirror and you make a promise to give yourself the same unconditional love and support you give so freely to others. Then a sense of confidence is born of self-approval.

And, you stop maneuvering through life merely as a “consumer” hungry for your next fix, a new dress, another pair of shoes or looks of approval and admiration from family, friends or even strangers who pass by. Then you discover that “it is truly in giving that we receive and that the joy and abundance you seek grows out of the giving. And you recognize the importance of “creating” & “contributing” rather than “obtaining” & “accumulating.”

And you give thanks for the simple things you’ve been blessed with; things that millions of people upon the face of the earth can only dream about a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed and the freedom to pursue your own dreams.

And then you begin to love and to care for yourself. You stop engaging in self-destructive behaviors including participating in dysfunctional relationships. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and exercising. And because you’ve learned that fatigue drains the spirit and creates doubt and fear, you give yourself permission to rest. And just as food is fuel for the body, laughter is fuel for the spirit and so you make it a point to create time for play.

Then you learn about love and relationships, how to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. And you allow only the hands of a lover who truly loves and respects you to glorify you with his touch. You learn that people don’t always say what they mean or mean what they say, intentionally or unintentionally and that not everyone will always come through and interestingly enough, it’s not always about you. So, you stop lashing out and pointing fingers or looking to place blame for the things that were done to you or weren’t done for you. And you learn to keep your Ego in check and to acknowledge and redirect the destructive emotions it spawns; anger, jealousy and resentment.

You learn how to say I was wrong and to forgive people for their own human frailties. You learn to build bridges instead of walls and about the healing power of love as it is expressed through a kind word, a warm smile or a friendly gesture. And, at the same time, you eliminate any relationships that are hurtful or fail to uplift and edify you. You stop working so hard at smoothing things over and setting your needs aside. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right to want or expect certain things. And you learn the importance of communicating your needs with confidence and grace. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that eventually martyrs are burned at the stake. Then you learn to distinguish between guilt, and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that you don’t know all the answers, it’s not your job to save the world and that sometimes you just need to Let Go.

Moreover, you learn to look at people as they really are and not as you would want them to be, and you are careful not to project your neediness or insecurities onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be, more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name. You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love and relationships and that that not everyone can always love you the way you would want them to. So you stop appraising your worth by the measure of love you are given. And suddenly you realize that it’s wrong to demand that someone live their life or sacrifice their dreams just to serve your needs, ease your insecurities, or meet “your” standards and expectations. You learn that the only love worth giving and receiving is the love that is given freely without conditions or limitations. And you learn what it means to love. So you stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn that “alone” does not mean “lonely” and you begin to discover the joy of spending time “with yourself” and “on yourself.” Then you discover the greatest and most fulfilling love you will ever know. Self Love. And so, it comes to pass that through understanding your heart heals; and now all new things are possible.

Moving along, you begin to avoid Toxic people and conversations. And you stop wasting time and energy rehashing your situation with family and friends. You learn that talk doesn’t change things and that unrequited wishes can only serve to keep you trapped in the past. So, you stop lamenting over what could or should have been and you make a decision to leave the past behind. Then you begin to invest your time and energy to affect positive change. You take a personal inventory of all your strengths and weaknesses and the areas you need to improve in order to move ahead. You set your goals and map out a plan of action to see things through.

You learn that life isn’t always fair and you don’t always get what you think you deserve and you stop personalizing every loss or disappointment. You learn to accept that sometimes bad things happen to good people and that these things are not an act of God… but merely a random act of fate.

And you stop looking for guarantees because you’ve learned that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected and that whatever happens, you’ll learn to deal with it. And you learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time FEAR itself. So you learn to step right into and through your fears because to give into fear is to give away the right to live life on your terms. You learn that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophesy and you learn to go after what you want and not to squander your life living under a cloud of indecision or feelings of impending doom.

Then, YOU LEARN ABOUT MONEY… the personal power and independence it brings and the options it creates. And you recognize the necessity to create your own personal wealth. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart’s desire. Then a sense of power is born of self-reliance. And you live with honor and integrity because you know that these principles are not the outdated ideals of a by-gone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build your life. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful opportunity and exciting possibility. Then you hang a wind chime outside your window to remind yourself what beauty there is in Simplicity.

Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you FAKE a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

A word about the Power of Prayer: In some of my darkest, most painful and frightening hours, I have prayed not for the answers to my prayers or for material things but for my “God” to help me find the strength, confidence and courage to persevere; to face each day and to do what I must do.

Remember this: “You are an expression of the almighty. The spirit of God resides within you and moves through you. Open your heart, speak to that spirit and it will heal and empower you.” My “God” has never failed me.

© Sonny Carroll, 1999. All Rights Reserved.

Almost three weeks ago, I sat down with a couple of friends to set some goals for ourselves for the rest of the month.  I introduced them to Raymond Aaron’s Monthly Mentor goal setting program.  I don’t make any money from endorsing this program; I just believe it is an excellent system for making progress toward your goals.

I haven’t used it myself in quite some time.  So it was good for me to introduce it to my friends, and have others to support and be supported by in moving forward. One of the goals I set for myself was to start going to water aerobics again.  I set myself a goal of  attending a minimum of two classes, a target of three classes, and my outrageous goal for myself was attending five classes.  I thought I had three weeks to acheive this.

Then I found out that the pool was closing June 25th for maintenance and renovations.  So I had only two weeks to acheive my goal! I made the comment several times that I was disappointed that just as I was getting back into going to the classes, the pool was closing and I would not be able to keep up the momentum I was creating for myself.  I pushed myself in my schedule, and I managed to get to five classes in two weeks!

At class last Friday morning, it was announced that the pool would be open for four more weeks.  The architect needed more time.  The fitness schedule would be quite limited, but the deep water class I attend is on at the time I prefer to attend, and on the three days of the week I attend.

However indirectly, I told the Universe that I wanted to continue with water aerobics, and the Universe provided the opportunity for me!

This isn’t the only experience I have had of manifesting I have had recently, but it is one of the most obvious.  What I observe about myself in this situation, is that I did not directly ask the Universe to keep the pool open.  I took action, going to the deep water class at every opportunity in my schedule.  I enjoyed the feeling of working out, and I expressed disappointment at the thought of not continuing.

I find I am often challenged in the manifestation process by not taking action, or by getting stuck in the feeling of what I don’t want.  Or I manifest unconsciously.  I don’t always consciously choose what I want to create in my life.  Between The Peaceful Woman’s Inspired Living Coaching series, and getting back into utilizing the MAINLY goal setting system, I am working on becoming more conscious of being a co-creator of my life.  I am creating my reality in alignment with my intentions and desires.  I AM a powerful manifestor, and I am so grateful!

What tools do you use to set goals and stay focused on your visions?

Blessings,

Mary

On Sunday, my spiritual circle held a potluck at the beach to celebrate the Summer Solstice.  Before we dug in, we did a short ceremony to heal the waters.  With the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico growing daily, many groups and individuals all over the world are turning their focus to healing the waters.  I’ve gotten many emails over the past few weeks from different organizations planning events to heal the water, as well as ideas for planning your own event.

This is what we did:

I filled a bucket with water from the ocean.  I reminded everyone that just as we are all One, from the same Source, water is all One, and it all connects.  So what we do to our bucket of water resonates out to water everywhere.

I had a rock that had the word “Peace” inscribed on it, and I dropped that into the bottom of the bucket.  Dr. Masaru Emoto has proven through his photography of water crystals that words and intentions have a definite effect on water.

Water Crystal exposed to the words Love and Thanks

Then I poured in water that was collected from a similar ceremony nine years ago, water that was collected during a full moon eclipse in 1996 and 2007.  (I’m a Pisces, and the energy of water fascinates me!)  We then had everyone put their hands on the bucket (or at least direct their hands towards it), and sent healing thoughts and energy to the water.  I asked those who have had Reiki attunements to send Reiki to the water.

We repeated a tradition I have with my family.  Each day, as we leave our neighborhood, we face the ocean before turning on to the main road.  We all say, “Hello, beautiful water! Thank you! I love you!”  Our group said this together three times.  And we sang a song honoring the ocean.

The ocean is the beginning of the Earth.
The ocean is the beginning of the Earth.
All life comes from the sea.
All life comes from the sea.

When we dipped our hands in the water after singing, it was very soft.  It was salty, but there was no sting from the salt.  I pulled out a small jar of the water to carry forward for the next time I do this, and then we went to the water’s edge, singing again, and poured the newly charged water into the ocean.  I asked everyone to visualize the healing rippling out farther and farther, to touch all the waters of the world.

You don’t have to do anything as organized as this.  Blessing and thanking your tap water before you drink it is a small thing you can do every day.  Visualize the water, particularly the Gulf of Mexico, clean and pure.  And you can support the efforts of companies like Natural Solutions North America, Inc, as they work to clean up the Gulf Oil Spill.

Blessings,

Mary