"Why am I here?"
"Why can't I do that?"
"Why don't they love me?"
The "why" questions linger until we take our last breath. So it begs the question, "Why?"
The easy answer is that it helps us sift through the complexities of life. Asking "Why?" enables us to find answers, solve problems, and fine-tune our decisions. But this explanation merely scratches the surface.
To truly understand the power of why, we must first remember that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. From a soul perspective, your current lifetime is nothing more than an opportunity to grow. After all, earth is analogous to school -- we come here to learn. But the lessons are not random or coincidental. In fact, they are quite the opposite.
The situations you find yourself in are tailor-made for your soul, and deep within your subconscious mind is a checklist of the lessons you came here to learn. Each time you complete a soul objective, that particular lesson is crossed off your list. Easy enough, right? Well... not exactly. There's one thing that always seems to get in the way: free will.
You see, the soul is not on auto-pilot; it's directed by our will. And too often our will is directed by our ego. Consciously, we believe in meeting the needs of the ego. Subconsciously, we know the importance of sticking to the checklist. Needless to say, this makes for a tricky time navigating through life.
Enter, "Why." This simple question bridges the gap between your ego and your soul and, if used wisely, has the power to provide breakthroughs, discoveries, and monumental shifts in perspective. It is a priceless asset that each of us have been gifted with. How often you use it is up to you.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Sunday, July 26, 2015
The Only Moment is Now
Living in the moment. It seems like such a simple idea, yet we all struggle with it. So what exactly prevents us from being present in our lives?
Thoughts! Those pesky, nagging thoughts about anything and everything -- the bills, our obligations, past wounds, potential outcomes (that may or may never happen), etc. Let's be honest, we are ALL guilty of letting thoughts control us. But it doesn't have to be this way.
When you learn to stay present in your circumstances, something amazing happens. You surrender and maintain control at the same time. Sound dichotomous? Perhaps, but think about it. By training your mind to get the most out of "now" you're actually taking control of your thoughts (as opposed to them controlling you). And by doing so, you are letting go and surrendering to the moment. Suddenly, the only place you need to be is here. Now.
In truth, this is a challenging skill to develop; however, the results are much greater than the time and effort it takes to learn. Staying present in your life makes you feel alive. You become awake and aware and naturally empowered to embrace your path. Life stops coming at you... because you've allowed yourself to flow with it.
Thoughts! Those pesky, nagging thoughts about anything and everything -- the bills, our obligations, past wounds, potential outcomes (that may or may never happen), etc. Let's be honest, we are ALL guilty of letting thoughts control us. But it doesn't have to be this way.
When you learn to stay present in your circumstances, something amazing happens. You surrender and maintain control at the same time. Sound dichotomous? Perhaps, but think about it. By training your mind to get the most out of "now" you're actually taking control of your thoughts (as opposed to them controlling you). And by doing so, you are letting go and surrendering to the moment. Suddenly, the only place you need to be is here. Now.
In truth, this is a challenging skill to develop; however, the results are much greater than the time and effort it takes to learn. Staying present in your life makes you feel alive. You become awake and aware and naturally empowered to embrace your path. Life stops coming at you... because you've allowed yourself to flow with it.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Success is a 4 Letter Word
What is success? What does it mean to be successful? Does success equate to wealth? Or fame/power/beauty/perfection? Does our definition change over time... or with age... or due to the expectations of society?
What if success could be simplified and made available to everyone? Luckily, it is. And if you think that's good news, it gets better. You already know how to achieve it. Curious how?
It's as simple as SELF:
SOLITUDE -- Spend time with yourself. Get to know who you are. Meditate. Reflect.
EXAMINE -- Strip away all of the labels: "I'm a teacher, wife, running enthusiast...." Well, so are a few million other people. Don't sell yourself short. What makes you YOU? (Not sure? Start here: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)
LISTEN -- To your thoughts, your emotions, your intuition.
FOLLOW -- Trust in yourself and in your path; your inner guidance will lead you.
So you see, success is nothing more than achieving your highest potential. No one in the world -- not your parents, not your peers, not society -- can dictate to you what it should look like, what salary bracket it should be, or what job title it requires. Only you can define success. So be brave, and begin the journey of self today. The world needs your potential.
What if success could be simplified and made available to everyone? Luckily, it is. And if you think that's good news, it gets better. You already know how to achieve it. Curious how?
It's as simple as SELF:
SOLITUDE -- Spend time with yourself. Get to know who you are. Meditate. Reflect.
EXAMINE -- Strip away all of the labels: "I'm a teacher, wife, running enthusiast...." Well, so are a few million other people. Don't sell yourself short. What makes you YOU? (Not sure? Start here: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)
LISTEN -- To your thoughts, your emotions, your intuition.
FOLLOW -- Trust in yourself and in your path; your inner guidance will lead you.
So you see, success is nothing more than achieving your highest potential. No one in the world -- not your parents, not your peers, not society -- can dictate to you what it should look like, what salary bracket it should be, or what job title it requires. Only you can define success. So be brave, and begin the journey of self today. The world needs your potential.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Life Giving You Lemons? Better Get Some Sugar
Everyone knows the proverbial saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." The sentiment of the statement is beautiful... but is it really that easy? I mean, c'mon! Nothing in life is ever that easy. Making lemonade requires actual effort. Now I'm not suggesting that making lemonade is on par with rocket science but still, you want it to be good, right? So let's get real, lemonade requires a formula -- you need the right ingredients, a great recipe, and time to let it chill. Guess what? Life is no different. Making "lemonade" out of our crummy circumstances doesn't just happen; it takes effort.
First, you'll need the right ingredients. These are mine, but feel free to substitute or add in your own: accountability (don't pass the blame), positivity (but let yourself cry when you need to), honesty (no matter what the cost), a source of support (anyone who loves you), and trust (in yourself and your abilities, in the process of life, and in God). The recipe goes something like this: each step of the way, mix in one or all of the aforementioned ingredients. On some days you may only need positivity; other days you may find yourself needing support and a healthy dose of trust.
Lastly, let your situation chill. Turning your lemons into a sweet concoction takes time. Be as patient as you can, both with yourself and your circumstances. To quote the great philosopher Rousseau, "Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet." (One too many food metaphors? It just fit in so perfectly, I couldn't help myself!)
Life's lemons are a challenge, but the reward is personal growth. And if you learn the formula, you'll find yourself excelling in ways you never dreamed possible. So accept your lemons and vow to yourself to make the best damn lemonade you've ever had.
First, you'll need the right ingredients. These are mine, but feel free to substitute or add in your own: accountability (don't pass the blame), positivity (but let yourself cry when you need to), honesty (no matter what the cost), a source of support (anyone who loves you), and trust (in yourself and your abilities, in the process of life, and in God). The recipe goes something like this: each step of the way, mix in one or all of the aforementioned ingredients. On some days you may only need positivity; other days you may find yourself needing support and a healthy dose of trust.
Lastly, let your situation chill. Turning your lemons into a sweet concoction takes time. Be as patient as you can, both with yourself and your circumstances. To quote the great philosopher Rousseau, "Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet." (One too many food metaphors? It just fit in so perfectly, I couldn't help myself!)
Life's lemons are a challenge, but the reward is personal growth. And if you learn the formula, you'll find yourself excelling in ways you never dreamed possible. So accept your lemons and vow to yourself to make the best damn lemonade you've ever had.
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Trite but True
Thus far in my journey I've come to understand that there are certain universal principles that every one of us can benefit from learning:
(1) Emotions are not "good" or "bad" -- they simply are. And if used correctly, they can reflect back to us the very issues we need to address. Just as a doctor diagnoses illness by identifying the patient's symptoms, we can use our emotional symptoms to paint a clearer picture of our circumstances.
(2) External things cannot bring you lasting contentment. True joy comes from within. How? By uncovering your potential then discovering the ways in which to contribute your unique essence to the world. This is the key to happiness, harmony, and internal balance.
(3) Self-esteem, self-worth, and self-respect are never worth trading in -- not for a relationship, not for a job, not for fame and fortune. You are all that you have; don't give it away.
(1) Emotions are not "good" or "bad" -- they simply are. And if used correctly, they can reflect back to us the very issues we need to address. Just as a doctor diagnoses illness by identifying the patient's symptoms, we can use our emotional symptoms to paint a clearer picture of our circumstances.
(2) External things cannot bring you lasting contentment. True joy comes from within. How? By uncovering your potential then discovering the ways in which to contribute your unique essence to the world. This is the key to happiness, harmony, and internal balance.
(3) Self-esteem, self-worth, and self-respect are never worth trading in -- not for a relationship, not for a job, not for fame and fortune. You are all that you have; don't give it away.
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