Saturday, November 12, 2011

Living in the Vastrness

Here is a great little exercise to do to bring instant peace into your life. Think of a challenging situation or a difficult decision you are currently facing. It might be something that keeps your mind distracted or interferes with sleep. While you contemplate this challenge, write down the first answer that comes to your mind while you ask yourself these questions.

Regarding your situation, what would calm do?

What would peace do?

What would relaxation do?

What would joy do?

(You have also heard this as what would Jesus do or What would Buddha do?)
The more you contemplate the answers to these questions, the more you tap into the deep, inner wisdom of your soul. As you release tension (body and mind), you know you are on the right path as living a life of gentle flow is your confirmation of that.
Once you have relaxed and let go, give some thought as to the end result you want. Do this in emotional terms. What do you want to feel as a completion to your situation? Being clear and defined in your end (emotional) result will give you the resources you need to weather obstacles or setbacks as they occur.

Try to stay clear of the need to figure out how all of this is to happen. The ego loves trying to control all the details. Thus be committed to letting go of that need. The truth is that there are millions of possibilities to achieve your desire. Just recognize the result you want and let go. You are letting go to a generous, abundant, vast Universe that is unlimited in Its ability to navigate through myriad possibilities and resources and will assuredly navigate you to your result in some unexpected way.

The next step is to enjoy the process. Become the observer and be willing to laugh as the unexpected gifts of the Universe show up in your life. Follow your instincts and intuition as you are led to the right person, the right phone call, the right idea and strategy to accomplish exactly what you want. Everything is ALIVE and working!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Great Rewards come from Working Hard on Your Self

Business leader, Jim Rohn, learned about the miracle of personal growth early in his career. He said, “If you want to be wealthy and happy, learn this lesson well Learn to work harder on yourself than you do on your job.”

Most people put personal growth far down on the priority list, somewhere after big house, travel to exotic places, and achieving high rank/fancy title. Yet no one can achieve long-lived success or wealth without first developing personal insight, wisdom, patience, determination and self knowledge. Actually the most challenging assignment we have in life is personal development, and, guess what, it lasts your entire lifetime.

If material acquisition is your goal, the only way to accomplish it is through personal growth. In other words, the person you become is far more important that what you acquire. The fact is that what you become and what you achieve are magically linked. Consider this, what you have has been magnetized to you by who you are. In other words, income rarely surpasses personal development. If you want more, you must be prepared to handle the responsibility that goes with it. If you’re afraid to make decisions, take a risk, look foolish, or invest time and/or money in your progress, you’ve limited how far you will go. Prerequisite to maintaining or building the magnetism or energy necessary to draw the right people, and opportunity to you and sustain your position is personal development.

Personal growth means understanding and taking responsibility for your needs and behaviors, (no blaming, whining, finger-pointing, running from conflict, or hiding when things get tough). It means accepting that you have a role to play in the Universe, something that you can do better than anyone else, and making it your business to figure out what that is. Discovering your uniqueness and working it for all it’s worth is how it’s done.

Ghandi maintained, “Become the change you desire”. Buddha said, “Your work is to discover your work and give yourself to it.” Jim Rohn states, “Unless you change how you are, you’ll always have what you’ve got.” In other words, to have more, become more.”

Sunday, October 23, 2011

The Miracle of Raising Your Energy

The other day someone told me that they did not understand how you could alter an event or situation by raising your energy. I told them they could easily see how this is accomplished for themselves. My suggestion involved the simple act of going into a gas station to pay for their gasoline and smiling at the station attendant. His face brightened at this idea. “Yes, I have done that and even said to that person, ‘I hope you have a really nice day’ and I have seen the positive effect that my smile and demeanor had on the attendant.”

I replied, “Then you understand how easy it is to alter the energy of a situation.” One small act, done with intention, can make any circumstance better. You can go a party with the idea of contributing to everyone’s comfort and fun (instead of hanging out in the corner waiting for someone to come to you) and immediately your attention is removed from your own needs (what you want to receive) to giving to others. (You essentially become a radiant being of love, extending your Light to others... powerful stuff!!

The bottom line is you end up having a great at the party because the most natural thing in the world is to give love and support to others. Or, go to work with the thought of making your work place pleasant and positive. Your intention leads you to smile and wait on customers graciously, treat people with kindness, answer the phone enthusiastically, view venders as a resource rather than an annoyance, and take pride in what you do.

Another way to raise your energy is to be grateful. We all have hundreds of things, circumstances, and people for which to be grateful. As Americans we have freedom to express ourselves, good drinking water, easy highways to navigate, education, opportunities to work, have friends, laugh, and participate in our government, if we wish. We can choose how we want to live our lives. There is much for which to be grateful. As we give thanks for our many blessings, our energy shoots up. We feel good!

The point is that elevating your energy is not a miraculous thing. It can be accomplished with the simplest of intentions and actions and when it is, everyone benefits.

If you get trapped with negatives, consider changing your focus to doing something nice for someone else. This act and intention not only releases you from negativity, but sets you on a path of happiness. You feel happy because it is through giving that a person begins to understand how much he has to offer. As you acknowledge your gifts, you have a true awareness of personal value – Self Value!
_______________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Letting go to Let the River take You - How to live non-resistantly

There is a story about a small creature that lives in and flows with the river. One day he decides that he loves the place where he is and does not want to follow the river any longer. Thus he latches on to the river bank with resolve to stay right where he is. The tides expands and recedes and he hangs on for dear life. Even though he has trusted the river in the past, he is resolute in fearing the unknown. What lies around the next bend and farther down the river?

He basically wears himself out holding on to the bank as he quivers with fear. Not knowing what he fears exactly, yet the shadows of doubt and trepidation fill his mind with scary outcomes and imagined threats. Finally, exhausted with the effort, he can no longer maintain his grip on the bank. As his paws begin to slide away, he surrenders himself to the flow of the river. For some strange reason, he is at peace.

The river takes the creature and soon he is floating in a beautiful pond with glorious foliage, overhanging trees and a abundance of fruit, seeds, tree roots (plenty of food). He has reached the river’s ending place. It is serene. He has battled all of these days (years?) holding on out of fear of the unknown when anytime he could have let go and the river would have brought him here – to paradise.

How much energy do we waste living in fear when the flow of life wants to move us on to greener pastures and greater opportunities? How much time do we waste holding on to what was when we can surrender to life and let the flow move us to where we need to be? The question really is – when did we decide not to trust the flow? When did you begin to believe that things couldn’t be better?

Today’s lesson is to look at the ways we let our ego get in the way and decide that we know more and better than our Greater Self. How have we cut off our flow and decided that the bounty of life is for others and not ourselves? We have an inner voice that speaks to us in guiding ways helping us to follow our stream of life. It is a loving, kind voice and it wants us to have beauty, expansion, joy, health, prosperity and love. But, It can only take us there if we let it. So here are your questions to ponder…

Are you in a job that has been finished (for you) for a long time? What about relationships? Are there relationships that are no longer growing or enriching (either of you)? In what ways do you need to move on but are not trusting that there is more and better ahead for you? Are there opportunities (risks) that are calling you but you have been too afraid to grasp? Are you holding on to the past and keeping yourself from the blessings of the here and now? Is it time to move on? Are you willing? Are you ready?

I send blessings! If I can help you reconnect with your intuitive voice, let me know. That is what my work is all about. Jean Walters

Friday, October 7, 2011

The Value of Receiving

Most of us have been taught that it is better to give than to receive. Actually, this is not true. The fact is that giving and receiving are of equal value and both are important in developing balanced relationships. Consider what happens when we give but do not allow ourselves to receive. There is imbalance.

Dr. Elizabeth Kubler Ross, the renowned psychiatrist, who championed dying patients in allowing them to respond to their impending demise, spoke of her mother who was a very kind and generous person. Her mother gave profusely, but never allowed anyone to give to her. Kubler-Ross said that when her mother was hospitalized as a result of a stroke, she was in the awkward position of having to receive and all the gifts that she had not allowed to be given her in her life flowed in. The fact is that she not only received them but could not deny them because of her infirmity.

I thought it was interesting that Dr. Kubler-Ross ended her life in a similar fashion. She spoke of being enraged by the confines of a body which has lost its ability to be active. Essentially, she was stuck in a bed and receiving 24/7 care from loving people. She also was not a gracious receiver. So, the law, not allowing imbalance, placed both in a position to have to receive. Isn’t it interesting how well we perceive others and how often what we see is really ourselves?

Consider the enjoyment of giving. Oprah Winfrey says she really gets excited when she is fulfilling a person’s dream or giving out cars or when she has her “favorite things” show (which is all about abundant giving to her audience members. She can’t even sleep she is so elated and charged. Yet, she too, says that receiving is not nearly so inspiring.

I think this is true of many because we forget to be excited for the one who give to us. I am excited because I know we all need to give and we all need to receive. The Law itself is exciting and inspiring.

There is definite joy is giving to others and we must learn how to experience the same joy in receiving. Wouldn’t the world be completely off balance if there were only givers and not receivers? Who exactly would we be giving to?
Years ago, a friend informed me that I was not a good receiver. I was astonished to learn that. So, I started a quest to become good at receiving. My commitment to myself was that I would receive all gifts offered to me. That was the beginning of an adventure and an awakening. Whatever people offered, I said “yes, thank you. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.” And, I did! Thus, the results: I did not buy a meal for a week. I started noticing how often people wanted to buy my food. “Yes, thank you!” There were abundant gifts of all kinds – students, friends, business cohorts offered to take care of my plants while I was out of town, drive me to the airport, do my ironing, vacations in exclusive resorts, flowers – the list was endless.

I also recognized the joy it gave them to offer these things or services to me. I understood how selfish it was to not receive; how selfish it was to only give and deny people the opportunity to give to me for all that I gave to them; how selfish my family had become by me being stuck on giving to them and not teaching then the beauty of giving and how totally imbalanced my life had become by not receiving.

When I say this “lesson” changed my life – it has. I hope this lesson will change your life as well. To start, make a commitment to yourself to be just as good and gracious receiver as you are a giver. We all like to “help” others, yet we need help too. There are many people poised to provide that service but they can’t offer until you allow it. I wish you joy and fun in learning to live harmoniously with this Law of the Universe.

Oh yes one more thing… be sure and be generous with yourself as well.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Letting Go of Extra Weight - Becoming Efficient

When someone asked the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, why he didn’t hate the Chinese for capturing and enslaving his country and killing his people, he replied, “Hating is inefficient.” Here is a story that explains why hate and unforgiveness are inefficient.

The story involves a teacher who gave her students a special assignment. Each student was to bring a clear plastic bag and sack of potatoes to class. Then the student was to select a potato for every person he had refused to forgive in his life. He was to write the person’s name on the potato and put it in his bag. (Some of the students’ bags were heavy and others not.)

The student was required to carry the bag with him everywhere he went. He was to take it to bed, to work, and in the car with him. There was to be NO exclusions.
Naturally, it was awkward lugging these sacks. (Have you ever lugged baggage through an airport? You get the idea.) The annoyance of it affected the students’ mood, mobility and even health. In a short time, it became clear that the weight of unforgiveness was a heavy burden. Plus having to give it constant attention was tremendous work because you could not drople this burden just anywhere. It becomes part of you and infiltrates every interaction and everything you do. That would not only be inefficient and inappropriate but embarrassing!

In a short time the potatoes started rotting and soon they disintegrated into a nasty, smelly slime, which kept the students carrying them isolated. (Who wants to be around such awful energy?) Of course, this exercise is a metaphor for the price one pays for holding to past anger, pain and negativity. Often, we think that forgiveness is a gift to the other person. However, this exercise clearly demonstrates that it is a gift to yourself.

The next time you are thinking that you can’t forgive someone, reflect on the extra weight you will be hauling around with resentment and the long-term effect it will have in your life and your health. Consider also the possibility and freedom of letting it go! Then you will understand why hate is inefficient and ineffective.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Letting Go of Smallness

The Buddha said, "Whatever is not yours abandon it. When you have abandoned it, that will lead to your welfare and happiness."

I love this message because it says a lot to me. Each week there seems to be a theme as I move through my week. Currently the theme is about letting go of smallness.

There are two parts to our minds - one is the ego and it speaks smallness to us. It keeps us small in stature by feeding us FEAR. Don't make waves; don't speak out of turn; don't offend anyone or make a mistake. Do whatever it takes to be loved and accepted. As we follow this voice, we avoid risks, we live in fear, and we keep ourselves from our dreams. Essentially we are believing that we are unworthy. Because if we accepted our worthiness, we would step out boldly and confront life. Instead we don't recognize our wonderful gifts, our Light, and the love we bring to the world, so we grovel like beggars willing to take whatever small crumbs fall our way.

The other part of our mind is who we truly are. It is our True Self, our Divine Mind and it is constantly urging us onward. It is the voice that says, give it a try; see what can happen; stand your ground; you're worth it. Don't accept crumbs; you're bigger than that; go for it!!!

Thus we come back to the Buddha's quote: "Whatever is not yours abandon it. When you have abandoned it, that will lead to your welfare and happiness." What we have to do is abandon FEAR - that small ego voice that wants to keep you SAFE - from what? It keeps you safe from your fullness, your largeness, your TRUE SELF. It knows that as you abandon fear, you will never listen to it again. Its only chance of survival is to convince you to stay small and afraid.

In the last week I have dealt with many people we were getting ready to face their fear. Each have to hold their ground and do what they really know is right for them. In other words, they know what they want in the long haul and, in order to obtain it, they have to put their smallness aside to take the bold actions to move toward it.

On a practical basis this could mean facing your partner, child or pet and saying, "No, I will not be disrespected. I will not accept crumbs." Or, on a business level it could mean, I have a vision and I will work toward it and if you are not aligned with my goal and purpose, I will let you go and find or create other alliances.

It is the God (Universe) within us that pushes us. That is why when we have taken that bold step, we feel so wonderful. When we have faced our fears, we are bigger and we are more powerful. The more we move into our power, the happier we are. Not to worry, we are not talking about being power mongers here. This is about self power where you are acknowledged as your True Self and you also acknowledge others in the same way.

Thus, whatever is not yours (a position that does not offer you what you are worth, a relationship that does not honor you, a friendship that is not respectful) abandon it. When you have released it, you will be lead to your welfare and happiness. Because that is when you have stated to the Universe, I am ready for bigger and better. I acknowledge my own place in the Universe.

So, what or who do you need to let go of now?

Blessings and love!!! Jean
__________________________________________________