#210

People take different roads to fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road, doesn't mean they've gotten lost. 

Dali Lama

Everyone is on their own unique journey, they have pitfalls and successes, we all do. We have no idea what anyone goes through in the course of a day. We cannot judge a book by it's cover. We simply do not know.

Many people seem to think that they are on the only genuine path. This is far from the truth. We may be on our path, but it is not the only path. Each person sets out on their own journey. We cannot say whether it is right or wrong, we don't know their purpose. 

If it is right for them, it is right, period.

Every single person is unique; they all have different ideas, dreams, desires and distinct life experiences. Our experiences help to form us, which allows us to expand in our own unique way. Everyone will respond to life according to their own backgrounds and life experiences.  You need to remain on your own path, and not worry about where the others are going.

You can equate this to an orchestra. If you are the drummer, you can't just decide to play the trumpet, it would throw everything off. There is already a full trumpet section. You must stick to your own instrument (your own path) because you are an integral part of the orchestra.

You are an important part of the plan, you fit, you are necessary.

So the moral to this story is: mind your own business. Walk your own path and leave everyone else to walk theirs. It is not up to you to dictate the path. Keep your mind open and your mouth shut ... and walk the walk on your own path.

#209

Always be prepared to have the time of your life... 

You never know what's next on the agenda,what new and exciting prospect is waiting in the wings. 

The first step is to say YES, when presented with a new possibility. Acceptance is being open to new adventures; to taking that first step, to embrace the chance that you just may enjoy something different. Your inner buttons may be screaming NO, NO, NO, but if you have the courage to ignore the buttons and step out of the protective bubble, you never know what might happen. 

Obviously, this is exactly the problem....you never know what might happen. That is what has you screaming. You like to know what will happen, the familiar is the safest option. It's hard to be prepared to have the time of your life, when you have a fear of leaving the bubble. Past experience has proven to you that when routines change, bad things happen. You know better than to rock the boat. Keeping things on an even keel, is the only way to be safe. 

So what happens if the time of your life happens anyway, without your approval? What if it just jumps out at you? All of a sudden, out of nowhere, you are having the time of your life, how do you feel about that? Could you accept it? You may not like the surprise part, but the time of your life part, that's good..Right?

All it takes is being open to possibilities, trusting that, although it might be scary at first, there is more 'out there' than safety. Take a risk, take a leap of faith, put yourself 'out there.' Ask for what you want, you don't know the what the answer will be. I know you think you do, but believe me, you don't. No matter how much you think you know, there are still some options out there that you have never entered your head. Suffice it to say, I received a life altering option today that I had no idea could or would ever be possible. You just never know, always be prepared to have the time of your life.

#208

If you are depressed, you are living in the past.

If you are anxious, you are living in the future.

If you are at peace, you are living in the present.

-Lao Tzu

There you are, now you know. This is an instance for loving what IS, living for today, in the here and now. That is really all there is.

The past creates your story, it shows what issues you carry, where you need work. Getting in touch with the past may cause depression as you relive all the pent up anger, resentment and sadness. The past may be  worthwhile for a visit to 'rights some wrongs' but not a place to live. You can't change what is done, you can only change your attitude toward it.  

If you are projecting all your thoughts into the future, you will be experiencing anxiety. You cannot predict the future... it's unpredictable. Nothing is more anxiety inducing than trying to control the unpredictable. Control is an illusion. Leave the future alone, you aren't there yet. Don't wish your life away, waiting and planning for the next day off, the next vacation, or the next event.  Be present.

All you have is this moment, nothing else is guaranteed. Live each day to the fullest and make the most of every minute you have. Practice gratitude and love yourself.  This is where and how you find peace.

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.”  Henry David Thoreau

#207

You gotta look for the good in the bad, the happy in your sad, the gain in your pain, and what makes you grateful not hateful.

That is great advice, and I especially like the wording of it. 

Looking for the good in the bad... there will always be something good to come out of the bad times. If you can unwrap yourself from the misery and look around, there will be a blessing.

How do you put the happy in your sad? Sadness is often completely overwhelming, but it is still a choice. You decide how you are going to feel every day. Depending on the source of the sadness, there may be a time when it fades just enough for the happiness to sneak back in. Most feelings are not permanent, but if you are grieving, all emotions are unpredictable and you may need to fake it 'till you make it.

Looking for the gain in your pain.. what is the pain all about? A physical pain can be a strain or a break, a sign of an illness, or a manifestation of some emotional pain. There is always a message in pain. We are not meant to suffer... there is something that needs to be examined and corrected, or for actual physical damage, worked through and strengthened. But to gain the 'gain', look closely, the pain is an opportunity for growth. 

AND practice gratitude, seriously, hating is a waste of time and energy. The haters are simply coming from a place of fear, and can turn it around by being grateful. Try making a list or reciting what you are grateful for each night. There is always something to be grateful for. Leave out the list of what makes you angry or upset and concentrate on what makes you happy. Anger, resentment and hatred will melt away eventually, they can't stand up against gratitude.

#206

People were created to be loved
Things were created to be used
The reason the world is in chaos is
because things are being loved
and people are being used.

Hmmm? What are your thoughts on this theory? Do you think the world is in chaos and that this is the reason? I definitely agree that this is how it appears. Accumulating seems to be a way of life now. The importance level of 'stuff' has accelerated beyond recognition. People love their toys. 

'The one with the most stuff when he dies, wins.'

My feeling about accumulation is that the people feel that 'stuff' is more fulfilling. 'Stuff' doesn't let you down, it does what it says it is going to do. It makes you feel good. The 'toys' are honest, as far as, they give what they advertised. If you buy a new car, you get what you paid for and it is good. Whereas the person you picked has many layers, and doesn't always act as you thought he/she would, and often doesn't make you feel good. 

The problem with other people is your expectations of them. Expectation always causes heartache. If someone is not meeting your expectations, you feel let down. Well, I have to tell the 'stuff' will probably give you the same feeling eventually, because that can't fill you up either. While you are filling yourself up on 'stuff' you are missing the point. 

No thing or no one can fill you up. you have to do that for yourself. People need to be accepted for who they are not who you want them to be; just as you want to be accepted for who you are. So turn the focus back on yourself; if you love you, you will not be looking outside yourself for something to fill you up. The things that you accumulate, or the people around you will never be enough, until you, yourself are enough. Loving yourself will help restore the order of things and enable you to accept and honour those loving you.

#205

"Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know."

Pema Chodron

If you are experiencing anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, or even temper tantrums; these, plus many more symptoms, are trying to point out something that needs to be dealt with. We receive little indications that something is out of whack. Those issues buried deep inside, the ones you don't want to look at, will manifest into something physical that will get your attention. 

Everyone has 'stuff' to work on, nobody is perfect. Sometimes the 'stuff' is so deep within us, we are not even aware that something is wrong. But our actions or health will eventually bring it to our attention. We may not be aware of what is wrong, but we do know that our life is not right. Things have been so wrong for so long that it has become our normal. We don't know any different.

Nothing will seem right or be right until we face the music, until we look inside ourselves for what is wrong. In order to maintain our health, our happiness, we do have to deal with our pain, resentment and anger. We need to figure out what it is that causes these feelings, face the feelings and then let them go. Give them to the universe, with love, and then, just breathe. 

You may need to make some apologies, remove yourself from a situation,  ask for forgiveness or grant forgiveness to another,  because.... 

"Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know."

We are here to learn and grow, not avoid and mope. Take some time to get to know what makes you, YOU. And at the same time, see if you can locate the source of some of your symptoms, and start the process.  Happiness is your natural state.

#204

"The world is as you believe it to be. It can never be more or less than that." Byron Katie

So the world is as we see it, is it? Actually yes it is... if you see a safe, kind, loving world, that is what it is. 

I have had an ongoing disagreement with a friend concerning this very subject. She feels I need to watch the news, and keep current. I do not like to watch the news, I find it negative and depressing. If you are looking for some negativity in your life, the news will take care of that for you.

If something newsworthy sparks my interest, I'll look into it, but the rest.... why do I need rape, murder, crashes and natural disasters in my day? I am not willing to invite negativity into my home or my life, and this, I feel, is an intrusion. 

I cannot change what has already happened, I can only send love and blessings to victims each night and that is what I do. If I heard of something that I could actually be involved in and helpful, I would look into it. But to expose myself to 30 or more minutes of violence and sadness; simply doesn't make sense to me. I am fully aware cruelty and brutality are a fact. I know there are wars and famine on our earth, I don't have my head buried that deeply in the sand. But the negativity entering my world is not worth it. I have a condensed version of current affairs, by choice. Each of us is different and I like my life the way it is.  

As I said at the onset of this piece, I see the world as a safe, kind and loving place. And it is. Don't invite trouble, violence, or negativity into your life, they do have consequences.....often manifesting into health issues. It is overwhelming to your system to be bombarded with 'bad' news and it's up to you who and what you allow in.