Friday, Sept. 19/14

"You will never feel free until you are free of trying to control the way others feel about you… which is uncontrollable… because there are too many moving parts in their life experience. You cannot control their perception of you because you cannot control their perception" Abraham Hicks

It can be emotionally draining for people that are concerned about how others feel about them. What other people think of you is none of your business. Your main concern is you. 

If someone is avoiding you, they seem uncomfortable around you, or something in this vein, and you want the connection to continue... then speak to them. Tell them you notice the signs, and how can we correct this rift? They will either tell you the problem and how they feel about it or they won't. That is all there is to it. You can't do anything else, you have already waved the white flag. As you grow and gain trust in yourself, you will loose the need for other people's approval. The way to begin to trust yourself is to let the negative people go, the ones with anger, resentment or jealousy toward you. They aren't giving you anything but heartache anyhow.

You cannot control how anyone thinks. They are who they are and you are who you are. You are not responsible for their thoughts. People react to and/or perceive situations in their own way. If they take offense to something, or take it in some way other than you meant them to, all you can do is apologize for the misunderstanding. Then the ball is in their court. You cannot please everyone, and you cannot make someone like you. 

As you eliminate the negativity from your circle, you will see how amazingly freeing it is. You don't have to be waiting for the other shoe to drop. There is no more drama. You do not need someone to constantly remind you of your shortcomings or to give you dog's lips if things aren't going their way. Keep the people that support you, love and cherish you, and let the rest walk right on out. You deserve the best, so keep them, and let the rest go. They have their own battles to fight and you really don't want to be invited to that war. You can do better. Love yourself and expect only the very best.

Thursday, Sept. 18/14

'The Indian Theory of Existence' Morning Dove

Isn't it wonderful, how simple and yet profound this is? I find that the natives in most cultures have a similar idea of how to live their lives. 

As I have mentioned, my daughter lives in Bali. and this is the theory they live by. There is an herb for every ailment. Once chosen it is either ground into a paste to cover the infected area or made into a tea to drink. The cure  is affirmed in the results. It appears to be in the Balinese' psyche to know precisely what plant is needed and where it will be located to treat anything you may have contracted. 

In North America, for the most part, we have gotten so far away from this method of healing, forgotten our mission, and are struggling because of it. The world was set up to care for us, and perhaps we haven't cared enough for it; and are therefore unable to find the source. Our soil, rivers and lakes are contaminated, we are closed up in rooms with recycled air all day, and struggling to survive in our 'polluted' environment. Nature is a forgotten necessity.  I taught sessions on plants and the environment during my floral classes. I was astounded to find that a large number of students hadn't recognized the fact that trees absorb carbon dioxide and other potentially harmful gasses, from the air and release oxygen. The trees are at work on a daily basis.  One large tree can supply a day's supply of oxygen for four people. A few green plants in your home would provide the oxygen required for your family  

Everything has a purpose... we can call on nature for our healing, mentally, emotionally and physically. It's amazing, as we evolve we get further and further away from our roots, literally. I know many of you are trying to eat healthier and exercise daily, but if something is not right with your body, what do you do about it? Is a pill your first choice? I find we do not focus on ourselves, what our bodies are saying, enough. A headache does not necessarily call for a Tylenol, try drinking some fresh, cool spring water. Get back to nature, and remember who you are.

Wednesday, Sept. 17/14

Letting Go...This pretty much says everything there is to say about Letting Go. It's very good advice...You cannot move forward until you let go.

So what is it you need to let go of? Is it anger, resentment, jealousy? Is it friends, lovers, family members? Or is it a job, a commitment, a responsibility, an addiction, extra weight or simply a bad situation? 

Whatever it may be, it is up to you to decide if it is serving you now, at this point in time. It may have served you well in the past, and no longer is doing the job. Hanging on to old habits is fear. Fear of change, fear of the unknown, fear of loneliness... you get the idea. It is not trusting yourself to handle life without whatever you are clinging to. You feel you deserve more and you are right. 

"Some people are part of your history, not your destiny" Steve Maraboli

You are important, a very important part of the universal plan. You need to know that you being you is enough. You are enough. You don't need any props, you don't need to be smarter, prettier, or slimmer. Just as you are, is perfect. You are meant to be here, right now, living your life and being happy. Let go of all the baggage, it's heavy and will wear you down. Be free, live your life and let go of all that doesn't serve you.

"Some people believe that holding on and handing in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more than strength to know when to let go and then do it." Ann Landers 

Monday, Sept. 14/14

'A Return To Love' (1992) by Marianne Williamson

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, 

Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? 

You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. 
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. 
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

"Your playing small does not serve the world".... absolutely!! You are important, don't ever try to hide the real you. Don't play yourself down so someone else can shine. They must let their own light shine, it is not up to you. But it is up to you to shine in your own right. 

This encompasses standing up for yourself, not letting others put you down, and not allowing yourself to sit on the sidelines either. It means realizing that you are worth the whole cake, not just the crumbs that are left on the table. 

"Who are you not to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?"

        

Saturday, Sept. 13/14

My first reaction to this quote was humour, but after some reflection, I decided that it was pertinent. 

I certainly have felt this way during some situations. Has this ever happened to you? You are face to face, and the person is just going on and on, your eyes have long since glazed over and they appear  to be going to continue well into the night. 

They are determined to prove that they are right and you are wrong. Most of the time it isn't even that important, to you, but to a person that would rather be right than be happy, it is paramount. The person's voice is getting louder, his demeanor, increasingly threatening... all this for what? Usually, this is some inconsequential little difference of opinion that they are unable to let go.  This is where the mute button comes in, or you wish it could. However, your reaction to this encounter is pressing all the person's buttons, and they are getting more and more angry. What are you to do?

Stand still and face the person, smile at him, show him that you are nonthreatening. I have found, though, that the smile makes them angrier, if they are already in that state.

The best solution is to walk away, although, this could leave the person chasing after you to continue the tirade. But walking away is still the answer. This is a temper tantrum, truly childish behaviour, and usually has to run it's course. You, of course, do not have to subject yourself to it.

"Being strong doesn't always mean you have to fight the battle. True strength is being adult enough to walk away from the nonsense with your head held high." unknown

So in the absence of a mute button, exit stage left.

There are many ways to keep yourself safe. Your beliefs, your finances, your addictions, your busyness, your job, your obesity, your fitness regime, even your disability. You cling to things such as these, to keep from looking at the things that actually matter. You can wrap yourself up in these security blankets and you don't have to THINK at all, you don't have to FEEL. It is a very safe place to be... you can justify the means to the ends of the earth, but if you never take a risk, you will never grow. 

"You will never get to second base, with one foot firmly planted on first."

Try talking to a person in safe mode about taking a trip overseas with you, for example. You would think you had asked them to dance on stage in the nude. This does not fit into their safe zone, and they will not even entertain such thoughts. They will have more excuses than you can ever imagine as to why they cannot go on the trip. The fact is, they may yearn for an experience such as this, but it is too scary for them to consider. Change... it is simply too much to risk. But without the risk of leaving the comfort zone,  there cannot be any growth. 

So the choices are: remain in the safe, comfort zone, or take a leap of faith. Try something new, something different and see what happens. You could start small, one tiny step at a time, you don't have to jump in with both feet. With each venture into the unfamiliar, you'll find it easier to manage.  By taking control of yourself and your fears, you will broaden your horizons, and grow. 

"Courage is not the absence of fear but the judgement that something else is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all. For now your are travelling the road between who you think you are ad who you can be."

Meg Cabot

Wednesday, Sept. 10/14

Seems pretty simple, doesn't it? Great advice! 

Stand tall and be proud: You are a child of the universe, you are important, precious and loved.

Go out on a limb: You need to take some risks in life or you are not really living, but merely existing. Step forward and do something different, something that will bring you pleasure, something to help someone else or simply feeds your soul.

Remember your roots: Remember who you are, where you came from, you are a piece of the puzzle of creation, you have a place, you fit.

Drink plenty of water:  Of course, keep yourself hydrated. The human adult body is approx. 65% water and is as much as 75% in a newborn. You need to keep replenishing your system in order to function at optimum performance.

Be content with your natural beauty: This is a good one.... we are a society that is obsessed with physical attributes. The amazing thing is, barring surgery of some sort, this is the body you received, this is how you look, fat thighs and all.  You don't have to be a flabby version of yourself though. unlike the tree, you can move. But as for your physical features...you will look as you look for your entire life. There will be changes with age, of course, celebrate them they show that you have been here... that you have lived. 

Enjoy the view: Pay attention to the world around you. There is so much beauty to be see in all areas of this planet. Nature will sustain and refresh you, and take away all the angst that may be present in your life. Go outside, see what there is to see. Hug a tree. 

Love yourself and your life....Tune in, breathe and enjoy the view.