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.

In gratitude

Thanksgiving 2011 has come to pass.  Why should we wait for the Holiday Season to be grateful for the blessings in our life?  We get preoccupied with the “stuff” we think we need and forget to appreciate what we already have. For many years Oprah has kept a daily journal to remind her of the things she is thankful for as a way to focus on the abun­dance in her life. Nowadays, as many of us struggle with financial challenges, it takes a concerted effort to pay attention to the miracles occurring all around us.  Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance, states that some days it can be a challenge to come up with five things to be grateful for, “So I'll write down my basics: my family members and friends, and the comfortable bed that I'm about to get into, as well as the fact that the day's over. That's okay. Real life isn't always going to be perfect or go our way, but the recurring acknowledgment of what is working in our lives can help us not only survive, but surmount our difficulties.”  So go ahead, keep a small pad in your car, purse, office, and at home to jot down whatever made you smile or warmed your heart during the day.  Today, for example, my son took my daughter out to lunch, and as they drove away I thanked God for the love between them. Did someone hold the door open for you? Did a friend rely on you for comfort? Was your pet happy to see you upon your return? Did your child draw you a heart? Who knows maybe as you smiled at the grocery store clerk today, your gesture may have given that person hope. Let’s transform the world one person at a time! 

Be a Heart Giver!

Thank you for joining our circle to help heal hearts throughout the world. Our goal is to establish a more compassionate planet where we build our lives around our hearts and not force our hearts around our overbooked lives. It is simple! I will send you five glass hearts, and your mission is to place them in the hands of five unsuspecting individuals, who may be in need of some compassion. By being present you will serve as an example of love for others to follow. Light and love to you!

The Beginning

No one heals until everyone heals. Eveyone longs for peace in this world but it is crucial to know that peace starts within us. When you are peaceful, you are able to bless everyone with whom you come in contact. Thus, they will express peacefulness, compassion, and love to others along the way.  I believe that we have the responsibility to help others in this lifetime.  So many of my friends are unemployed, with no one and nowhere to turn... It could even be a family member.... We are all in this together. It's simple... I carry small glass hearts in my purse everywhere I go and whenever I see someone going out his or her way to be kind, compassionate, and listen I give one of the hearts.  I was at the DMV the other day and gave one  heart to the lady at the information desk.  She cried and stated "This heart gives me hope and shows that I matter." So be a heart giver.  It's simple and you may just find your purpose in the process. Love and light to you.