The Awakening
by unknown
A time comes 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 begin to look at the world through new eyes.
This is your awakening.
You realize it’s time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change or for happiness, safety, and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact you are neither Prince Charming nor Cinderella. That, in the real world, there aren’t always fairy tale endings (or beginnings, for that matter). That any guarantee of “happily ever after” must begin with you—and in the process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance. You awaken to the fact you are not perfect and not everyone will always love, appreciate, or approve of who or what you are… and that’s OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.
You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself—and in the process, a sense of newfound confidence is born of self approval. You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn’t do for you) and you learn the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.
You learn people don’t always say what they mean or mean what they say, and not everyone will always be there for you, and it’s not always about you. So you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself—and in the process, a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance. You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and overlook their shortcomings and human frailties—and in the process, a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.
You realize much of the way you view yourself and the world around you is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. You begin to sift through all the junk you’ve been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your parents, family, and friends.
You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for. You learn to go with your instincts. You learn it is truly in giving that we receive. That there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a “consumer” looking for your next fix. You learn principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.
You learn you don’t know everything, it’s not your job to save the world and you can’t teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake. Then you learn about love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away.
You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations, and outcomes. You learn alone does not mean lonely. You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK, and it is your right to want things and to ask for the things you want—and sometimes it is necessary to make demands. You come to the realization you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity, and respect—and you won’t settle for less.
And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise. You learn being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. Just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play. You learn for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve—and much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You learn anything worth achieving is worth working for and wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen. More importantly, you learn in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline, and perseverance.
You also learn no one can do it all alone—and that it’s okay to risk asking for help. You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber baron of all: FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms. You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn life isn’t always fair, you don’t always get what you think you deserve, and bad things sometimes happen to unsuspecting, good people.
On these occasions you learn to not personalize things. You learn God isn’t punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It’s just life happening. You learn to deal with evil in its most primal state—the ego. You learn negative feelings such as anger, envy, and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls. You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.
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. You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind. You make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility. Finally, with courage in your heart and God by your side, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design as best you can the life you want to live.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Change Means Growth
As human beings we are on a continual journey of personal evolution.Change is always happening.We see it most noticably in our physical selves...as we age...a 5 year old looks remarkably different to a 75 year old!
To what degree do we consciously notice the changes we develop mentally or spiritually?
I suppose,it depends on our intention and awareness of that change.How much we learn and observe and actually comprehend it.
It does start with an awareness,a knowing that we realize a way of living is no longer working for us.We realize that a way of being and thinking is outdated so we must change in order to better handle the world or enviroment we are in.This is in fact identifying a need to change,to grow.
We must,in order to grow have a need and will,and then desire to change and take responsibity and ownership for this.Resisting the desire to grow means you stay stuck and in so doing hang on to the outmoded way of coping.So what we are doing is growing and expanding ourselves to better cope and live more fully.
The expansion of ourselves,takes into account the reason we need to grow...core beliefs or limitations that have caused suffering...these beliefs may be deep rooted like "I will never be loved" "i don't deserve success" and represent the reason we may be stuck,because we hold onto this "safe way" of being and treat them as our reality.
By being fully aware of self limiting beliefs,an out moded way of thinking and acting,means we can begin to observe why we may have been "stuck" and need to grow and change.
The conscious intention to change means we are aware of the reason why and we can develop a new way of looking at what used to cause us pain.
I believe to fully realize our potential as human beings,and thus fully appreciate and experience life,we must welcome and embrace change and personal growth as best we can.It may be difficult at times,certainly if we resist change,but to have an awareness of "the behind the scenes" reason why we need to grow,and observing what reactions and feelings we have to it will help the process manifest.
To what degree do we consciously notice the changes we develop mentally or spiritually?
I suppose,it depends on our intention and awareness of that change.How much we learn and observe and actually comprehend it.
It does start with an awareness,a knowing that we realize a way of living is no longer working for us.We realize that a way of being and thinking is outdated so we must change in order to better handle the world or enviroment we are in.This is in fact identifying a need to change,to grow.
We must,in order to grow have a need and will,and then desire to change and take responsibity and ownership for this.Resisting the desire to grow means you stay stuck and in so doing hang on to the outmoded way of coping.So what we are doing is growing and expanding ourselves to better cope and live more fully.
The expansion of ourselves,takes into account the reason we need to grow...core beliefs or limitations that have caused suffering...these beliefs may be deep rooted like "I will never be loved" "i don't deserve success" and represent the reason we may be stuck,because we hold onto this "safe way" of being and treat them as our reality.
By being fully aware of self limiting beliefs,an out moded way of thinking and acting,means we can begin to observe why we may have been "stuck" and need to grow and change.
The conscious intention to change means we are aware of the reason why and we can develop a new way of looking at what used to cause us pain.
I believe to fully realize our potential as human beings,and thus fully appreciate and experience life,we must welcome and embrace change and personal growth as best we can.It may be difficult at times,certainly if we resist change,but to have an awareness of "the behind the scenes" reason why we need to grow,and observing what reactions and feelings we have to it will help the process manifest.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Resiliency during "tough times"
No matter where you are in life, or what stage of personal development in any area you are,no doubt you have weathered "the storm" on a number occasions.
By that I mean,lived through and overcome difficulties,hardships and periods where you thought that life is just tough...well it is a part of life...we have the good and the bad...in fact as I have come to learn they are one and the same thing...
You see let me give you an example...I am a summer person.I love summer and all it brings,the long nights,days at the beach,driving in my car with the top off,feeling the sun on my face...I mean what's not to love?As a result I would dread winter.What was good about it?The cold,the rain,being indoors etc.But just the other day I had an epiphany,an ah-ha moment...summer and winter like hot and cold good and bad are the same!What?!How can they possibly be the same?Well,by that I mean they coexist and cannot be seperate...there cannot be one with-out the other...they are in fact both sides of the same coin...to understand this at a fundamental level means it's only your interpretation or reaction to it that colours it...and we have control over that!
So,getting back to tough times,resiliency,the title of this blog,I used the above to illustrate that what we perceive as good or bad is what we decide it to be.Sure there are difficulties in life,but within them also lies the opportunties for growth and evolution to better understand who we are and what gives us joy.
So,we develop reilience to those times we are stretched,tested...we gain the ability to cope,to move through the tough time and in the process develop coping skills we would'nt have gained otherwise.
Believe that we all have the inner capability to be resilient...to bounce back.If you are flexible,open to possibility and resourceful you can tap into your survivor personality.
And remember,just like the rain or sun it comes and goes.There is impermanence,the universe is in constant flux and as a result this too shall pass...
By that I mean,lived through and overcome difficulties,hardships and periods where you thought that life is just tough...well it is a part of life...we have the good and the bad...in fact as I have come to learn they are one and the same thing...
You see let me give you an example...I am a summer person.I love summer and all it brings,the long nights,days at the beach,driving in my car with the top off,feeling the sun on my face...I mean what's not to love?As a result I would dread winter.What was good about it?The cold,the rain,being indoors etc.But just the other day I had an epiphany,an ah-ha moment...summer and winter like hot and cold good and bad are the same!What?!How can they possibly be the same?Well,by that I mean they coexist and cannot be seperate...there cannot be one with-out the other...they are in fact both sides of the same coin...to understand this at a fundamental level means it's only your interpretation or reaction to it that colours it...and we have control over that!
So,getting back to tough times,resiliency,the title of this blog,I used the above to illustrate that what we perceive as good or bad is what we decide it to be.Sure there are difficulties in life,but within them also lies the opportunties for growth and evolution to better understand who we are and what gives us joy.
So,we develop reilience to those times we are stretched,tested...we gain the ability to cope,to move through the tough time and in the process develop coping skills we would'nt have gained otherwise.
Believe that we all have the inner capability to be resilient...to bounce back.If you are flexible,open to possibility and resourceful you can tap into your survivor personality.
And remember,just like the rain or sun it comes and goes.There is impermanence,the universe is in constant flux and as a result this too shall pass...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Energy +Positive or - Negative?
Everything in the universe is energy,including us.
The people around us pick up on your energy,and if it's positive you attract positive like-minded people and situations.If it is negative you attract negative situations and people on that same wave length.
So,you attact the corresponding energy.Positive energy attracts positive situations
Negative energy attracts negative situations.
If you find that in your life you are not getting what you want,or always seem to get the things you DON"T want,then try changing your energy and what you put out.
Your thoughts and beliefs determine your actions and if your energy you're sending out is positve then you will be reciprocated with positive situations.
Think about it...if you are always complaining,thinking that the worst will happen,critisizing other people,then more than likely you will constantly have negative experiences in your life.In fact you will go out looking for them and justifying them.
Here's not to say that negative sitiuations don't exist...of cousre there is a balance to everything.Positive cannot exist without a negative.Hot cannot exist without a polar opposite cold.However,if you change your energy to reflect the qualities of looking for the best in situations,finding solutions,embracing changes,looking for the opportunities in every situation,then you will naturally attract positive circumstances and outcomes in your life.You will have more fufillment and enjoyment knowing you are what you attract!
So,observe over the course of your day how you react to situations,what you think and feel and how you respond...do you get angry?do you blame someone else?do you think the worst?If so...change the way you think and find a resourcful state in which to be in and act in.Take positive action.Change the way you see things.
Finally,as you start being aware of your energy,your thoughts and your beliefs,just ask is this the best possible good I can be in this moment?As you strive to create positive energy your life will reflect this and reward you!
The people around us pick up on your energy,and if it's positive you attract positive like-minded people and situations.If it is negative you attract negative situations and people on that same wave length.
So,you attact the corresponding energy.Positive energy attracts positive situations
Negative energy attracts negative situations.
If you find that in your life you are not getting what you want,or always seem to get the things you DON"T want,then try changing your energy and what you put out.
Your thoughts and beliefs determine your actions and if your energy you're sending out is positve then you will be reciprocated with positive situations.
Think about it...if you are always complaining,thinking that the worst will happen,critisizing other people,then more than likely you will constantly have negative experiences in your life.In fact you will go out looking for them and justifying them.
Here's not to say that negative sitiuations don't exist...of cousre there is a balance to everything.Positive cannot exist without a negative.Hot cannot exist without a polar opposite cold.However,if you change your energy to reflect the qualities of looking for the best in situations,finding solutions,embracing changes,looking for the opportunities in every situation,then you will naturally attract positive circumstances and outcomes in your life.You will have more fufillment and enjoyment knowing you are what you attract!
So,observe over the course of your day how you react to situations,what you think and feel and how you respond...do you get angry?do you blame someone else?do you think the worst?If so...change the way you think and find a resourcful state in which to be in and act in.Take positive action.Change the way you see things.
Finally,as you start being aware of your energy,your thoughts and your beliefs,just ask is this the best possible good I can be in this moment?As you strive to create positive energy your life will reflect this and reward you!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Everything goes,everything flows...welcome to impermenance..
Well,it has been quite sometime since my last post,and as a result i feel now is the time i have something to say!
The topic which has been on my mind of late is something that we all can relate to and live with,but have no control over...that is that everything in our lives comes and goes...jobs,money,relationships,material possessions,fashion trends etc you get the picture!I'm talking about impermenance,and how we try to hold on to those things which we think will make us happy,only to see them disappear because we can't hold on to them...we are not supposed too...every second,every minute we are in flux,as the world and our lives change,evolve and grow...and in many cases,i believe we struggle against this ongoing process,hoping to find some security,only to end up as I call it "chasing the wind"....so...what can we do?well,we can become aware of the facts...seasons come and go,we age,we will pass on...and then spend less time resisting that which we have no control,and instead exercise the power of choice in our lives...to enjoy and be grateful for every experience we encounter and allow them move on as they will...
Whatever stage we are in life,wherever we believe to be...whatever the circumstances,they can and will change,and it's comforting to know that if we have the will and the choice we can make positive changes...a flipside to "impermenance"...
The topic which has been on my mind of late is something that we all can relate to and live with,but have no control over...that is that everything in our lives comes and goes...jobs,money,relationships,material possessions,fashion trends etc you get the picture!I'm talking about impermenance,and how we try to hold on to those things which we think will make us happy,only to see them disappear because we can't hold on to them...we are not supposed too...every second,every minute we are in flux,as the world and our lives change,evolve and grow...and in many cases,i believe we struggle against this ongoing process,hoping to find some security,only to end up as I call it "chasing the wind"....so...what can we do?well,we can become aware of the facts...seasons come and go,we age,we will pass on...and then spend less time resisting that which we have no control,and instead exercise the power of choice in our lives...to enjoy and be grateful for every experience we encounter and allow them move on as they will...
Whatever stage we are in life,wherever we believe to be...whatever the circumstances,they can and will change,and it's comforting to know that if we have the will and the choice we can make positive changes...a flipside to "impermenance"...
Monday, November 5, 2007
The Power of Gratitude
A great way to change your mindset when you feel down about something is to practice the attitude of gratitude.You can start by just thinking of a few things you are grateful for in your life right NOW.Perhaps it's the car you drive,the friends you have,your health...we all do have a lot to be grateful for if we place our attention to this way of thinking.I know in my life,it has really put things in perspective whenever I worry about something,when it's like everythings going wrong.I just focus on all the great things that are now present and the more things you can think about the more you come up with!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
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