When I was a young girl, I was quite taken with this poem, "There's a ripple effect in all that we do, what you do touches me, what I do touches you." It was on a really groovy 70's poster that hung on the wall of my room. It didn't site an author, so unfortunately, I have no one to credit. The words were so powerful and evocative that they have stayed with me all these years. Time and again I have reflected back on the simplicity and truth in those words.
In some ways, it's like saying that Karma will come back to you, positively or negatively, depending upon what you do. We have a choice in every instance, to create a positive vibration or the contrary. Sometimes we may worry that if we stand up for ourselves and hold our ground, and not take care of the other person or persons involved, that we will be creating a ripple of negativity. I stand to think that when we hold true to ourselves, with love and integrity, we will create a space that will allow others' to hold true to themselves also, with love and dignity.
There are natural consequences in this world. For example, my son may knock over a plant, breaking the pot and making a dirty mess everywhere. He didn't maliciously knock over the plant. It was an accident. However, there are still consequences from that action. He still needs to clean up the mess, possibly buy me a new pot out of his hard-earned money, and re-pot the plant if it survived the crash. Another consequence is that I lose a pot and possibly a plant. Likely both of our time is taken with the cleaning up, the going to the store for new supplies, etc. Cause and effect. It doesn't always mean that we make a conscious choice around how or why things happen. Things happen, consequences take form, and we get to decide how to react. We can react by throwing a fit, calling out abusive words, stomping our feet.... or, we can choose to remain calm and take care of the mess without letting the incident take us to another place of regret.
That isn't to say that some days I don't throw the fit and overreact! Of course I do! More and more though, as I become awakened, I realize that this is just "stuff". This isn't significant in the big picture! And, understanding that allows the space for life to take the course of our destiny, our blueprint. I allow myself to have moments where I am angry, frustrated, sad, etc... but, I make a conscious effort to identify that this is what I am feeling now, let the feeling happen in as safe a way as possible, and then release the hold the feeling has on me as soon as its appropriate. Remembering that it is just a feeling, it is not my overall essence.
One thing that I am in full awareness of... life cause ripples, we affect people knowingly and unknowingly, positively and negatively. However, if more often than not, we can choose to create positive ripples I'm suggesting that everyone will benefit in a global way. Especially ourselves.
I leave you with this quote by Earl Nightingale as you may ponder what type of ripples you are creating in your life, and in others' lives, "Our attitude towards life determines life's attitude towards us."
May you create peaceful and gracious ripples throughout your life...
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Allowing gratitude and generosity in your life
I've been pondering gratitude quite a lot lately, as my life has taken some unexpected turns, some in which could easily lead to a nose-dive into the pools of despair. So, to think and explore the concepts around being thankful, at times can seem daunting. My Higher Self, however, disagrees. My Higher Self is inclined to think that even hardships are blessings. Yes, even the terrible tragedies create blessings often in some form.
You see, we live in a world of contrasts and reciprocity; often viewed as yin and yang, dark to light, high to low, in to out, etc. There is a duality in our world that creates seemed blessings and assumed curses. Many by now have heard of the Law of Attraction. It has gotten quite a stir lately with the movie The Secret and all of the spiritual gurus jumping the bandwagon! Not that it isn't a bandwagon worthy of jumping, it is. It has been often pushed and touted as an alternative to positive affirmations, or rather, it really just takes positive affirmations to the next level. At any rate, often the focus is on getting rich, and for many, that is the most important thing. "Ye who dies with the most toys wins" would not be such a famous quote, if the majority didn't crave money and material possessions. I'd like to suggest another way to encourage the Law of Attraction and the Law of Reciprocity to be utilized not only to YOUR advantage, but also to the WORLD'S advantage.
And, this is where the whole "gratitude" aspect comes into play... For us to take the high road, where we can hold our head's high and know that we are each doing the best we can, with the tools we have been given, to accomplish exactly what we are here to do. That may sound somewhat complex to some, and you may be wondering what in the heck I mean, but please bear with me! I don't want you to have to give up all of your material possessions! I'm just suggesting, that the Universe is abundant! There is plenty for everyone! And, part of this process of attraction is allowing yourself to accept the abundance and be certain in your generosity to others' that it will be reciprocated, often tenfold, to you! It is a good idea to share, and know that you will never be without.
The Tao Te Ching says this quite nicely, "Instead of trying to be a mountain, be the valley of the universe and all things will come to you." In the Bible, it is taught that as you give, you will receive. This truth, no matter what your faith, is prevalent in the Law of Attraction and the Law of Reciprocity. Nothing, and I mean nothing, that you do, say, show, give, or take is without effect. In physics they have a law derived from Newton that states, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." All of these things point to the elementary "cause and effect". What you do matters. What I do matters. We, globally and independently, matter. So... matter in a big way. Matter in a series of small ways. Matter in a "Pay it Forward", live your best life, be thankful for the rain, the sun, the grass that grows underfoot... the sadness that comes into your world because it teaches you compassion for others' sadness... the food on our tables that nourish us, knowing that there are so many out there that are without nourishment.... We are so rich with blessings. Feel those blessings. Be grateful for them. And then, do what you can, in small ways or large, to share them. Those blessings will befall you tenfold and more.
Believe. Go forward. Be grateful. Bless others' and allow yourself to be blessed.
You see, we live in a world of contrasts and reciprocity; often viewed as yin and yang, dark to light, high to low, in to out, etc. There is a duality in our world that creates seemed blessings and assumed curses. Many by now have heard of the Law of Attraction. It has gotten quite a stir lately with the movie The Secret and all of the spiritual gurus jumping the bandwagon! Not that it isn't a bandwagon worthy of jumping, it is. It has been often pushed and touted as an alternative to positive affirmations, or rather, it really just takes positive affirmations to the next level. At any rate, often the focus is on getting rich, and for many, that is the most important thing. "Ye who dies with the most toys wins" would not be such a famous quote, if the majority didn't crave money and material possessions. I'd like to suggest another way to encourage the Law of Attraction and the Law of Reciprocity to be utilized not only to YOUR advantage, but also to the WORLD'S advantage.
And, this is where the whole "gratitude" aspect comes into play... For us to take the high road, where we can hold our head's high and know that we are each doing the best we can, with the tools we have been given, to accomplish exactly what we are here to do. That may sound somewhat complex to some, and you may be wondering what in the heck I mean, but please bear with me! I don't want you to have to give up all of your material possessions! I'm just suggesting, that the Universe is abundant! There is plenty for everyone! And, part of this process of attraction is allowing yourself to accept the abundance and be certain in your generosity to others' that it will be reciprocated, often tenfold, to you! It is a good idea to share, and know that you will never be without.
The Tao Te Ching says this quite nicely, "Instead of trying to be a mountain, be the valley of the universe and all things will come to you." In the Bible, it is taught that as you give, you will receive. This truth, no matter what your faith, is prevalent in the Law of Attraction and the Law of Reciprocity. Nothing, and I mean nothing, that you do, say, show, give, or take is without effect. In physics they have a law derived from Newton that states, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." All of these things point to the elementary "cause and effect". What you do matters. What I do matters. We, globally and independently, matter. So... matter in a big way. Matter in a series of small ways. Matter in a "Pay it Forward", live your best life, be thankful for the rain, the sun, the grass that grows underfoot... the sadness that comes into your world because it teaches you compassion for others' sadness... the food on our tables that nourish us, knowing that there are so many out there that are without nourishment.... We are so rich with blessings. Feel those blessings. Be grateful for them. And then, do what you can, in small ways or large, to share them. Those blessings will befall you tenfold and more.
Believe. Go forward. Be grateful. Bless others' and allow yourself to be blessed.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
"They say that dreams are the windows of the soul- take a peek and you can see the inner workings, the nuts and bolts." ~Henry Bromel
When looking into your heart and soul for answers, I would like to suggest taking stock in your dreams. Not just your fantasies and daydreams... but your nighttime adventures. Your fantasies and daydreams will lead you to the places that your heart yearns to go. Your sleeping dreams will evoke sparks of illumination, hope and inspiration!
Dreams, they could be your direct link to God. Have you ever considered what a brilliant format that would make? God could talk to us, give us suggestions and hints about what we are doing in this world and perhaps what we should be doing, without having to be this oppressive, stifling figure snuffing out our free will. Well, I for one, believe it to be true. Not to say that every dream we can remember is a poignantly expressed truth. But to be open to the concept that occasional flashes of brilliance may befall us, if we can choose to explore our deepest subconscious yearnings and remain open-minded.
"To accomplish great things we must dream, as well as act." ~Anatole France (1844-1924)
Any great soul-seeker, anyone willing to take on their own psyche... to explore the magnificent depth of our being, has to come at some point to the analysis of their dreams. To do this with the desire to learn and grow, certain sacrifices must be made:
1) You will need to dedicate yourself to taking blurry-eyed notes whenever you awake to relieve yourself or let the dog out.
2) You will need to persevere. This is not something for those seeking immediate gratification. Take your time and collect a series of data before you start making judgments about what God is telling you!
3) Realize that dreaming may not be the best and most direct route for you. There are many ways to explore our unknowns, and messages come from all angles and sources. This is an exercise to help you to open yourself up to possibilities. It is one path but certainly not the only path!
Starting tonight, I want you to start exploring your dreams. In order to do this effectively, it is best to keep a notebook and a pen near your bed. At any time through the course of the night that you may wake up, jot down a few quick notes about what you were dreaming about. It doesn't need to be much, just whatever comes to mind... colors, textures, people, whatever. Then again, first upon waking, write down whatever you can remember with as much detail as possible. Continue to do this night after night. Don't worry if nothing seems to make sense, oftentimes, dreams won't individually, or they won't at first, but in retrospect they may make sense. Often later, collectively, they may paint an intuitive picture for you to meditate upon. Some of you may have very introspective, thoughtful dreams that very explicitly give direction. Pay attention to these dreams. They may not be coming through as 100% accurate truths, but they may have an underlying message that shouldn't be ignored either.
A couple of good websites that can help you to decipher your dreaming are:
http://www.dreammoods.com/
http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/
Remember, your best and most accurate dream interpreter is you. These sites are here to be helpful and they have general guidelines that interpreters know to be consistent dream symbols, but they aren't necessarily set in stone. Trust your intuition and it won't fail you!
I'll look forward to your comments about how everything is turning out while you explore this provocative, informative form of entertainment and enlightenment!
When looking into your heart and soul for answers, I would like to suggest taking stock in your dreams. Not just your fantasies and daydreams... but your nighttime adventures. Your fantasies and daydreams will lead you to the places that your heart yearns to go. Your sleeping dreams will evoke sparks of illumination, hope and inspiration!
Dreams, they could be your direct link to God. Have you ever considered what a brilliant format that would make? God could talk to us, give us suggestions and hints about what we are doing in this world and perhaps what we should be doing, without having to be this oppressive, stifling figure snuffing out our free will. Well, I for one, believe it to be true. Not to say that every dream we can remember is a poignantly expressed truth. But to be open to the concept that occasional flashes of brilliance may befall us, if we can choose to explore our deepest subconscious yearnings and remain open-minded.
"To accomplish great things we must dream, as well as act." ~Anatole France (1844-1924)
Any great soul-seeker, anyone willing to take on their own psyche... to explore the magnificent depth of our being, has to come at some point to the analysis of their dreams. To do this with the desire to learn and grow, certain sacrifices must be made:
1) You will need to dedicate yourself to taking blurry-eyed notes whenever you awake to relieve yourself or let the dog out.
2) You will need to persevere. This is not something for those seeking immediate gratification. Take your time and collect a series of data before you start making judgments about what God is telling you!
3) Realize that dreaming may not be the best and most direct route for you. There are many ways to explore our unknowns, and messages come from all angles and sources. This is an exercise to help you to open yourself up to possibilities. It is one path but certainly not the only path!
Starting tonight, I want you to start exploring your dreams. In order to do this effectively, it is best to keep a notebook and a pen near your bed. At any time through the course of the night that you may wake up, jot down a few quick notes about what you were dreaming about. It doesn't need to be much, just whatever comes to mind... colors, textures, people, whatever. Then again, first upon waking, write down whatever you can remember with as much detail as possible. Continue to do this night after night. Don't worry if nothing seems to make sense, oftentimes, dreams won't individually, or they won't at first, but in retrospect they may make sense. Often later, collectively, they may paint an intuitive picture for you to meditate upon. Some of you may have very introspective, thoughtful dreams that very explicitly give direction. Pay attention to these dreams. They may not be coming through as 100% accurate truths, but they may have an underlying message that shouldn't be ignored either.
A couple of good websites that can help you to decipher your dreaming are:
http://www.dreammoods.com/
http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/
Remember, your best and most accurate dream interpreter is you. These sites are here to be helpful and they have general guidelines that interpreters know to be consistent dream symbols, but they aren't necessarily set in stone. Trust your intuition and it won't fail you!
I'll look forward to your comments about how everything is turning out while you explore this provocative, informative form of entertainment and enlightenment!
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