Embrace all of you!

Amoda Maa Jeevan, author of “how to find God in everything” and “Change your life, Change your World” writes that when our lives start to crumble, it is time to embrace the neglected part of ourselves and awake to our full potential.  Many of us are trying to pinpoint what is missing; however, we will eventually find out that nothing is missing.  It pains us to see that we are always in a state of change and it is up to us to embrace, trust and celebrate our unique life journeys.  Our true selves are blossoming – opening up to meet the warmth of the sun.  A rose bud can’t stay closed forever, because to do so is to deny the beauty contained within… we are meant to blossom.  The universe awaits our naked selves… Our words, our truth, our gifts, our magnificence can’t remain hidden any longer. Let us open our hearts to the wonderful possibilities, the amazing grace, and the exhilarating adventures that awaits us.  Love to all of you!

Happy New Year!

“I put my best foot forward today.  I look and feel great. I am ready for Life, and I know that the Universe loves me.” Louise Hay

I believe it’s time to embrace this amazing moment and let go of the past without regrets.  How can we move forward with one foot stuck in the past – hoping and wishing our beginnings could have been different? Forgiveness and compassion open the doors to your heart so love and joy can walk through. 

Let’s accept what has happened to us, who we were, and the challenges we had to overcome as badges of honor.  As a sculptor chisels away the rock to reveal a masterpiece, so are the life lessons we have learned along the way - they serve to transform us into amazing, perfect, beautiful, and powerful human beings.  So let’s choose to dream, to spread light in the world, and become the best version of ourselves in 2013 and always!

Be a Shining Light!

This blog has been a wonderful vehicle because it allowed me to combine my love for writing with my passion for helping people embrace their divine essence but I became overwhelmed by all the “must do’s” and neglected the simple joys of life. Nevertheless, I feel the dawn of a new, more nurturing and harmonious era when we are being summoned to raise the energy frequency on Earth through love, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness.  Now, more than ever before, we must be willing to embrace our true divinity and contribute to the world’s spiritual evolution so as to influence collective consciousness. It is an exciting time indeed! It’s the next phase of our soul’s evolution and a chance to redefine what it is to be human. Women will play a crucial role in re-establishing balance and re-examining key global issues such as education, human rights, sustainability, and new healing modalities. In the words of Kerry Washington,

“I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life. It’s a trip more wonderful than I could have imagined.” 

Love my job!

The process of looking for a job is never easy especially for those trying to re-enter the job market. The new economic climate offers us a reason to redefine and recreate ourselves starting with our resumes.  Let’s face it many of us have been laid off from jobs we really didn’t like.  This lack of passion and commitment keeps us from achieving greatness.  It begins with an assessment of our personality, explore and deal with emotions that may be keeping us from moving forward and taking action.  It starts with your HEART. According to David Neagle we must find the gift in the challenges and share that gift with the world.  One of my favorite books on this subject is “The Job Search and Solutions” by Tony Beshara. Go find your passion and make sure that your next endeavor inspires and energizes you. Good luck everyone!

Living in the present…

If we can choose our thoughts, why not choose empowering and joyful ones?  Many of us do not recognize that we are still reacting to old and archaic ideas, ideals, and instructions.  We were deeply hurt in the past and still carry the anger and hatred in our hearts. We put on a happy façade, however, we close our hearts to the amazing gifts that surround us. Resentment, fear, and lack of compassion and forgiveness cloud our life’s journey as if we were driving through a dense fog. But it doesn't have to be that way. We are responsible for our experiences: you can choose to live in love, in peace, in joy, and in trust. You can turn your life into something sacred and cut all the cords that keep you tied to the past.  

Are you ready to reveal your amazing grace to the world?  The YOU, which you have kept inside of a locked box, in the basement of your heart? Envision yourself holding a pair of sharp scissors in your hands. Cut through the ropes that keep you paralyzed and numb.   Feel your power.   See the pain and fear dissolving, making way to love, healing, and forgiveness. Repeat this exercise often and gradually you will be able to love yourself with all the imperfections, cuts, and bruises of life. You can do it. Will you?

Be the change!

The American writer, Richard Bach once stated that "We are each given a block of marble when we begin our lifetime, and the tools to shape it into a masterpiece." Adversities and challenges serve as life lessons, which help shape your character so you can empower others to new heights and as a result change the world.

My in-laws, for example, survived the Holocaust by living in the forest for many years and suffered as they saw family members being killed right in front of them.  These traumatic events could have made them bitter and skeptical; however, they decided to become an inspiration to those around them.  Their strong character and resilience showed me that you always have a choice on how you want to see the world - a place filled with opportunities and kindness, or fear and resentment.

People like Oprah, Martin Luther King, Helen Keller, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela are just some examples of those who have overcome great hurdles so as to encourage us to be all that we can be despite of our perceived difficulties. 

o   Oprah was abandoned by her parents, sexually molested by family members starting at the age of nine, and lost a child at the age of 14.  However, she went on to teach her audience of more than 10 million around the globe about hope, optimism and compassion.  Oprah employed free will and took an active role in altering the course of her life, consequently showing the world that past is not a predictor of the future.

o   Martin Luther King was one of the most important leaders of the American Civil Rights movement. He was a powerful speaker who encouraged civil disobedience to promote racial equality.  He was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to end racial discrimination in the United States. 

o   Helen Keller became blind and deaf at 18 months of age, but despite of her adversities she became a known author, speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities and women rights. She is an inspiration to millions.

o   Mahatma Gandhi was a spiritual and political leader and humanitarian who spent many years in jail as he waged nonviolent protests to promote religious tolerance, and civil rights, which helped secure India's independence.

o   Nelson Mandela was in prison for 26 years for opposing South Africa's
white minority government.  He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and was elected the country's president in 1994. He stands for justice and equality among people.  His speech entitled "I have a dream" is one of the most compelling essays of our times.

Those are some of the heroes of our age, who had to overcome insurmountable obstacles to empower and inspire others to make this a better world. So what are you going to do today to uplift yourself and others?  In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change you wish to see reflected in the world."

Table of Eight

Let’s talk about love… I have recently received an e-mail from a dear friend inviting to be part of her table of eight women who have touched her life. The e-mail also included this message "May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.  May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.  It is there for each and every one of us."

It would be just great if all of us could just see perfection in everything, every situation, and everyone including ourselves.  Most of us live in fear and doubt.  We judge ourselves and others too harshly and forget to honor who we are and our innate gifts. We take care of everyone else and forget to cherish and love ourselves first.  Therefore, we become too tired and angry.  We blame others for not helping, or understanding, but we are the ones who are crippling ourselves.   The airlines always recommend that we place our mask on ourselves first before helping anyone else with theirs.  So are you living your life with joy, love, and peace?  Are you taking time to go within to recharge daily, even if just for 10 minutes?  In silence you can listen to your intuition and begin to trust it as a compass so as to create the life you truly deserve and sit on your own table of eight.