Tunnel Vision

photo courtesy of http://www.betterphoto.com

A friend asked me recently where I drew my inspiration from. If there was a teacher or a process or some other means my entries might come from.  At the time, there was no concrete answer.

And after coming through yet another very dark tunnel I realize that the answers are all around us. They are in the advise from a friend, an answered prayer, an epiphany during meditation, a page in a book, a sign in the subway, a billboard on the side of the road.

When we are honest with ourselves and face our fears that's where the answers are. If we give in to what is hurting us and mourn the losses, we are healing the layers of life that have been covered by so many bandaids. Within the questions we are asked, may lie the answers that we seek. When we are humble enough to admit we can't do it alone that is when the help comes.

Faith really can move mountains. Determination gives us confidence. Failure means we are that much closer to success. Taking chances breeds self-esteem.
Living with integrity will open us up to more opportunities.

We all have a lot to be thankful for and the answers come when we least expect them.

For me, even though I am on my own and my family are all gone, my friends never cease to show up for me. I wasn't born with a silver spoon but I am resourceful. Embracing the love around me will comfort me in my darkest hour. And I now know completely, unconditionally, totally and unequivocally, that I am not alone.

And either are you.





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Snakeskin

By now, the darkness knows me on a first name basis. It comes to visit me like a family member you only see on holidays but with it's arrival comes the most profound breakthroughs.

When I look back over the years and the many visits, it has been during these times that I have been the most open. The humility born from admission does make us stronger. When the darkness comes I know I will come out on the other side equipped with answers, astutely peaceful and thankfully wiser.

Surrendering to the lesson is not always easy. We are never just handed what we want, we are presented what we need. 

I am reminded that I can't hide. Our lives want us to listen and hiding behind work or mindless activities can only sustain us for so long. For the first time in a long time, I didn't fight it. I stayed in the silence and gave myself over with undeniable faith and the vulnerability, while frightening at first, in the end was what saved me.

It's not the change that's scary or the growth that can be overwhelming. It's that I finally recognize that every time the darkness leaves it takes with it another layer of who I thought was.

The darkness helps me say good-bye to another piece of my past that I cannot change. It shows me when I am in transference and that I am safe from harm. It gives me comfort so I can mourn the people that aren't here anymore.

The darkness gives me a new layer of courage so that I may find my way back to the light.



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Self-Presveration

The weak can never forgive. 

 Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. 
                                                                                                                             ~Mohandas Gandhi 

Another dip, turn, bend, slow decent on the roller coaster and it seems to be never-ending. The vulnerability forgets what was said yesterday and can't seem to see the future.  All in one fell-swoop the negativity came and carried me away on it's magic carpet. The stress of it all has found me physically ill as proof that, that which we don't deal with emotionally will manifest itself physically.

But once we let go physically, comprehension follows. Through the childlike sobs of my yesterday, I gave in to the cleansing that can only happen when ones gives them self over implicitly.  

The tears started falling as I pulled up to my street and as the car door closed behind me I knew I wasn't going to be able to hold on.  The depression was too much for me to handle and the sobs that followed would eventually make me laugh but not before they would have me surrender to my truths. Out loud I voiced my fears. I admitted what hurt. I confessed that some things were beyond my control. I let the tears take me. I let go.

I've had to walk on eggshells for most of my life.  Tiptoeing around the possibility that one false move or breath would disrupt the quiet that often claimed our household.  A brilliant but sometimes volatile entity at the helm of our clan taught me that I have no tolerance for bullies and yet they are everywhere. And no matter how hard we try, for some, nothing we do will ever be good enough.

With acknowledgment comes a lesson. We really do surround ourselves with that which we know and if we don't figure out how to rise above the vibrational level of the pattern we will find ourselves stuck on the ride going around in circles.

There's only so much we can do before we resign ourselves to the admission that a quest on principle alone will lead to disappointment. Some people will go to any lengths to win. Some people don't know that not everything has to be a fight. I happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Again.

I have fought most of life just to survive and I don't want to fight anymore. My tears have taught me well. I'm done fighting. It's not even my fight anyway.

If my self-preservation has taught me anything, it is that everything really does happen for a reason and this too shall pass.




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Not An Option

Power statements will help us stay on our right path. When faced with adversity or negativity you can actually rise above the circumstance by empowering yourself to do so.

Temptations are plenty, and we need to have the courage to know what uplifts us and what is holding us back. When tempted by that which you know is not good for you, simply tell yourself emphatically, "It's Not An Option" and walk away.  

People can easily invade our dance space, and we need to know that for the most part it's not personal.  Some people are so trapped in transference, they are blinded by it and know not what they do. When tempted to engage in this negative behavior, simply tell yourself without any doubt, "It's Not An Option" and walk away.

Boundaries are often crossed, and we need to adhere to the fact that we shouldn't be walking around with a chain fence around us anyway. They are tests. It's a big world out there and we are going to encounter all kinds of people and circumstances that try to get the best of us.  When tempted by an altercation, simply tell yourself authoritatively, "It's Not An Option" and walk away.

When we stay in our place of power our invisible shields of protection will preserve our free-will. Know in your heart that karma really is a boomer-rang.  When given the opportunity to have empathy choose to do so.  The more you stay in your place of positivity the more gifts you will receive in life.

Know that anyone or anything that comes at us trying to take us from our place of power happens to be lost.  And also know that any negativity that is thrusted toward us, if not received will bounce back ten fold.  Knowing this, try to use your power to bathe the negativity in light and then toss it back, multiplying ten fold.  Know they are blinded by whatever hurts they have experienced. You can see things for what they really are. You can walk away.

When you are in a place of empowerment, spreading love is the only option.

What do you choose?





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Photo Courtesy of walls2walls.wordpress.com

Reflections

There is a lot to be said for silence.

The quiet brings with it answers. The solitude invokes revelations. The peace opens the door to insight.

Step in and quietly express your greetings and salutations. Whisper your thanks in advance as you settle yourself and let your thoughts take you where they want to go. Un-obstruct your third eye's view and listen to the guidance your life is trying to teach you.

Whether you call it prayer, meditation or contemplation your reflection will present itself when you find the humility to surrender and the courage to be accountable.

Close your eyes and take a deep nurturing breath. Let the world fade away and your thoughts subside and welcome the silence, for it is through this silence that our true reflections shall be revealed.

What do you see?





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Please Return To Your Seat

It's not that I'm not happy. Happiness holds onto to me like the leap of joy. But sometimes the indulgence in the dichotomy reminds me I have depth, even if it's not always understood.

There happens to be a little turbulence so I unstrap myself to see where the ride takes me. My temperature is running a little high and the rebellion can't help but show, revealing my precarious nature that I have come to love and know.

My mother has been gone so long I've forgotten what she used to call me and thoughts of how things are supposed to be never fail to find me.  Why can't I just be who I feel like in any given moment. I love where the wind always takes me, the lonesome wolf of indifference.

Sometimes there's nothing to figure out. You can be a contradiction. It's not being your own worst dichotomy when you write your own definition.

Being on so many right paths threatens to get the best of me sometimes. It can be hard to differentiate when your always drawing within the lines.

It's okay when you are at your best alone and your thoughts are undeniable. It doesn't matter who is watching, when you feel like picking up a crayon and drawing.

Just be you in all your moments and own it.





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Catch Me

        Have you ever stumbled and then fell and then decided to just stay put and see what you could learn?  Did you know that when you fall if you turn yourself around to look up that you could see it all?  

        The world is a really big place and there are lots of lessons, and tons to do, and so much to take in.  And sometimes when you let yourself go and you open yourself up to whatever has come to take hold of you, that's when you learn. Have faith and the world will catch you. Be vulnerable and the magic happens. When the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear.

        When was the last time you tripped?  What did you learn?






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Confidence In a Bottle

Happiness has found me. I have found my way. My Self has taken hold again with courage and vulnerability. The day brings the sunshine and I am set free. The wonderful flight of Johnathan Livingston Seagall and all is quite alright. The beauty that fills me has my willingness restored. Hope in the orchestra and the violin plays a quiet chord. The harp shall be my heart and the drums my future. No more of your confidence in a bottle. Severing the ties from the past. It's time to see what I want to see. Smiling eyes and meet me on a rail train. Drink my Shirley temple and I will eat the ice. Kiss me. Speak to me and I shall be lost in you forever. Pleasurable enlightenments and I am just a girl embracing life. Looking toward the journey and it's the yellow brick road. An optimistic traveling no need to say a word. Hazel eyes stand by holding on to the truth.  Many years of mishap and a misguided youth. Time to embrace the splendor brought on by happiness and insight. Time to drink up.

Photo Courtesy of Bamboo Waterfall by ~ExquisiteDistraction on deviantART   exquisitedistraction.deviantart.com

Birds of a Feather

Trust is hard. And everyone handles how they trust others differently. Some of you may feel that trust has to be earned and acquired over time. While some of you trust people right away. Trust is really important. 

Trust breeds loyalty and loyalty is an important character trait that we should all wear proudly.  You never want to give anyone any reason not to trust you. Once someone loses faith in you, you can never get it back.

But the unfortunate truth is, not everyone can be trusted. Some people are out for themselves. Some people have been backed into a corner for whatever reason and they are reacting.  Some people are only thinking of themselves and their own agenda. Some people are jealous of you and they want what you have. Some people just don't care. 

Never feed into the negativity and trust your intuition. If you feel like someone is trying to betray you chances are they really are. Our intuition is our built in fire alarm and we must heed the warning signs. People for the most part are obvious. Let them do their thing but be cautious and watch closely. 

If you keep your integrity and your loyalty deeply rooted in your DNA then you will be untouchable. You keep doing what you do and giving it a 110% and no one will be able to meddle with you. Trust in the process. Usually when people try to disrespect you it almost always backfires. People are a lot more transparent than they know they are.

If you are a trustworthy and honorable person then you will find yourself surrounded by trustworthy and honorable people and there is never any room for a traitor amongst greatness.  

Remember birds of a feather flock together. So choose wisely. 

Which bird are you? 

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Take It All In

When you find yourself thinking about something you don't have, stop yourself.


Take a moment to take in your environment.  If you are outside at night, look up. See the stars, listen for the crickets, look for the moon. If it's day time look for the birds, listen for the laughter, stop and smell the flowers.  If you are inside, take stock of your accomplishments, your colleagues, the roof over your head.


Always steer your thoughts to focus on what you do have, what you can see, what you can choose. Your thoughts are based on your choices and your choices are based on your courage. The minute you find yourself thinking of something you don't have, focus on something tangible around you. See the beauty, the intrigue, the possibility.


If you focus on what you don't have you will find yourself in a constant state of wanting and what you will end up creating is more wanting. If you focus on what you do have you will find yourself happy and living in the moment. There is so much to be thankful for, so much to be happy about when you are looking for it. You just have to know where to look. 


How about looking within you, around you and above you?


Make the choice to be happy with what you do have. Besides if you're not happy with what you have, what makes you think you'll be happy with more?




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Happy Day

When you get dressed today picture yourself putting on your happy.  Wear it as a hat or a dress, slacks or a tie. (If you forgot to put on your happy today, it's never too late. Just picture yourself adding it now)

Then get out and share your HAPPY with the world.

Wear it proud!  Keep your smile and let it bring out the wonderful, glistening, sparkling, shining color of your eyes.

Because guess what. When you're happy you'll make other people happy.

Go on! Get out there and be contagious! Spread the HAPPY!

Dreaming

If you could choose anything in the world that you could be doing, what would it be?  Are you doing it?  Why not?  What’s holding you back?  Have you forgotten who you wanted to be?  Have you lost sight of what’s important to you?  Are you afraid to take the leap because somewhere along the line people said your dreams were unrealistic? 

Why is it that one persons dreams become a reality while other dreamers spend their whole lives doing just that... dreaming? Is there a fundamental principle that should be followed but not everyone got the memo?

The odds have always been against me.  While telling my mother that I had to follow my dreams, she asked me, “What makes you think you are going to be one of the handful?” Startled into silence I just stared at her. But I was thinking. I was thinking that I wasn’t sure I knew the answer to her question.  And then two things hit me simultaneously.  One. I just knew that the “hand” holding the “handful” had to be large enough to hold everyone.  And two.  She would never understand.  So I turned on my heels and walked out the door.

It all boils down to some simple logic.  No one can understand us beyond their own beliefs.  Just like you can never really love someone more than you love yourself and no one can really respect you more than you respect yourself. It’s an interesting theory really.  And one that leads me to a BIG question.  How can anyone ever get to know us if we don’t know who we are?

Are we brave enough to dig deeper?  Are we courageous enough to push our own envelopes and to think outside the box we placed ourselves in?

I have always been a huge advocate of cognitive action.  I am constantly testing theories, trying experiments and reinventing myself for the sake of adaptation. My circumstances called for it.  I answered.

And I know now that sometimes we encounter cognitive dissonance because we simply get in our own way or we over think things or over analyze.  It’s during these times when we forget who we are. We forget our innate ability to rise above circumstance. We forget to keep dreaming. We can’t be afraid of the inevitable change on the journey to our true self.  It’s through change that we get to know our strengths, our weaknesses, and ourselves.

Change is energy. We are energy.  This planet is full of energy.  The ebb and flow of life is the give and take of this energy. And it’s through our energy and the experiences that our energies attract that our answers will be revealed.  What and who are you attracting?  What part is your energy playing in the harmonious nature of your own survival? 

If we look at our lives we will know who we are. We will know who we are by the people at our sides.  We will know who we are when we are ready to take a long hard look in the mirror. We will know who we are when we take stock in the things we do. If we believe in our dreams and follow them with all our heart we will become who we were meant to be.

Are you fulfilling your dreams?

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What Timing

Timing really is everything and there's nothing we can do about it.  It's said that Father time waits for no one and we should get out there and go after what we want. And it's true, I test it all the time. If we leap into action the world will respond. If we get into our place of intention what we seek will present itself.  But how do we perfect the art of specificity? How do we get on other peoples time?

Maybe we just aren't meant to.  We can't please everyone.  We can't make time for everyone.  Some people were meant to just stop by. In these exchanges we learn something, we laugh a little and hopefully we grow in some way. 

When something is meant to be the timing is perfect and you find yourself experiencing cool coincidences. Little reminder gifts unfold where you least expect them and you are left smiling.  You might walk down the street and see something that reminds you or hear a song or experience a scent.  

Sometimes time is taken away from you so it's important for you to make the most of the time you have. 

Timing is about experiencing everything that happens to you. Welcome the spontaneity, appreciate the synchronicity, and recognize the serendipity with gratitude.  Enjoy what you have because you never know when it will be gone.  When something is gone let it go.  Time will bring you something else. 

Take time to smell the flowers. Time will heal all wounds. Take things one day at a time. Make the most of the time you have. Don't ever waste time. It's all about timing.

What time do you have?

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Friendly Reminders

Photo from Le ballon rouge by, Albert Lamorisse (1956)

You set the precedence for how people treat you. If you respect yourself then people will respect you. Don't play games with your own feelings. No one can let you down unless you allow them to hold you up.

You must figure out what your passions are and follow those passions with all your heart. Don't hold on to false promises and empty hopes. Live in your moment and people will join you. Live in your moment and love will find you.

If you care about someone, care about them. Treat them with love and respect and honor. Let them know that they make you want to be a better person. Show them how you feel because you risk not being able to tomorrow.

Live each day as if it were your last. Greet each day with love in your heart. Say I love you silently to all that you meet. Wear your best smile. Fake it till you make it. Live and let live.

Don't be afraid to love or show love or receive love. If it's not reciprocated move on. But walk away wishing they find love. Don't try to change yourself or convince the other person otherwise. There is someone for everyone and if you don't walk away now the love of your life is going to miss out on meeting you. And that person is out there looking for you at this very moment.

Figure out what makes you happy. Find a hobby. Join a workshop. Take up painting or writing or ice hockey. Keep busy. Get rooted. Know your boundaries. Make your list. Give back. Take a chance. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable.

Hope, adorable, effervescent, brilliant, dreamy, enticing, dazzling, alive, energetic, confident, beautiful, passionate, sexy, humble, healthy, friendly, happy, powerful, miraculous, plentiful, profound, irresistible, luscious, magnificent, smashing, warm, unique, successful, terrific, worthy, loving.

You are all these things and more. Remember?


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Ageless

How young you feel really is up to you.  So be you.  Be ageless.

Wear what you want
Do what makes you happy
Be unique
Don't have regrets
Be healthy
Keep an attitude of gratitude

Be sexy
Always look your best
Know that you are like no other
Say what you will
Be true to your feelings
Smile
Be flirtatious 

And always always remember what Bob Dylan said...

"I was older then, I'm much younger then that now".

Age really is just a state of mind, don't you think?

Are You?

Being the W Chaser finds me once again trying something new.  It has me pushing my own envelope and venturing out of my comfort level.  I've been getting some new insight. It's time to prioritize what my needs are and know that settling is not an option.  Hopefully you're not settling either.  Prerequisites are important, actions speak louder than words and you must not turn your back on the red flags. 

Know that even if you think someone or something is what you want they may not be what you need.  Be really clear and honest with yourself that you know the difference between the idea of someone or something and the reality of that someone or something.

It's time to test the theories and attempt new experiments.  It is within your innate nature after all to draw your own conclusions.  What better time to try new things then when what you have been doing isn't fulfilling anymore? You must find your faith. Faith will help you hold onto to the ideology that you are deserving. You must remember.

You were made for greatness. You were made for love. You were made to be happy. You were made to live up to your true potential and you were made to have self-respect. You were made to accomplish. You were made to falter. You were made to have flaws so embrace your flaws and make them your own. You were made to trip once in a while. You were made to have courage. You were made to shine. You were made to have integrity. You were made to have abundance. You were made to have faith in your own abilities and to make your own choices. You were made to be a creature unlike any other.

If there isn't any intrigue then your attention won't be kept.  If you can't be spontaneous then the future will be bleak. If there is no element of surprise then there is nothing but mediocrity.  If there is lack of communication then there can be no foundation. 

It's okay if things don't work out and you can't be hard on yourself when they don't. Life is about experiences and trying new things and meeting new people.  You can't let go of your dreams, but you do have to let go of things that are not uplifting you. 

It's up to you to change. It's up to you to set your standards. It's up to you to make choices. It's up to you to know when you have lost your way. It's up to you to find your way back. It's up to you to love you unconditionally. It's up to you to take the leap and know that if you do leap, the net will appear.  When you are in your place of loving yourself with undeniable faith, that is when it is time to ask.  And make no mistake, the world will give you what you ask of it. So be careful what you ask for.

Have you been doing any asking lately?

Who Wins the Battle

It can be like a constant game of tug of war sometimes; the battle that you can have with yourself. It's different for everyone and sometimes we win and sometimes we don't. But I guess in the end, it's not about winning or losing, it's about finding the balance within you.

How do you quiet the disparaging voices? Where do you look to find your peace? Can you really debrain-wash yourself and stop the crusade?

Being on the proverbial rollar-coaster can threaten to get the best of you. Just when you think you have conquered a pattern it rears it's ugly head and takes you spinning around another bend.  It doesn't matter how aware you are of this particular annoyance, it has a mind of it's own while you are left wandering how you could have submersed yourself in the madness again.

I guess in order to come out of the battle unscathed it's worth a try. Maybe you should try to relinquish the control, stop being so hard on yourself and know that it's all part of the process. Every lesson learned chisels away at the pattern. For every moment of self forgiveness brings you closer to freedom. For every bit of awareness brings out more self discovery.

Conquering your patterns is a process and the process is broken down into the many lessons you are supposed to learn from each one. Perhaps once you get through all the lessons attached to any given pattern is when you will stop fighting.

Just be honest with yourself. Go easy. Be lenient. Be okay with not being perfect. Embrace the stumbles. Brush yourself off when you fall and know that while some things don't work out it opens you up to new and better things. Don't sit around second guessing what others are doing, or planning, or what you wish they would do or plan. Know that your life is about you and the way to live in your life is to find your balance. Let go of your expectations. Let go of the outcome. Know that everything happens for a reason and that all your deliberate maneuvering will inevitably lead to happiness if you trust in it.

Don't go to war. Be peaceful. There is no joy in battling.  And when you battle yourself there can be no winner.

You ready to throw your flag?

Do You Know Who Your Are?

Do you know that who you are can be told by what you say about other people?  That never having anything nice to say about people reflects on you?  That talking bad behind peoples back is a reflection of your self-worth?

Life found me, once upon a time, guilty of this ugly behavior.  In my defense, my very low self-esteem blinded me in a cloak of jealousy and admiration.  In retrospect the realization that I never had anything nice to say about anyone breaks my heart.  Now that I find myself living above the low vibrational level it is even more evident to me when other people engage in this sort of unfortunate behavior. But realization is half the battle and years of growth and determination to fall in love with myself has lifted the veil of negativity.

The best assets you can acquire can only come from self-love. It's called the gifts of affirmation, complimenting and praise. Love each other and be playful.  Because here's a little secret. When you speak ill of others no one listening is impressed. You are not making yourself look smarter, or better, or impressive in anyway. What you are doing essentially is actually making a fool of yourself but no one will (well except the rare exception) actually call you out and tell you to give it a rest.

You want to have integrity, respect, and love not just for yourself but for everyone around you.  And the way to do that is rise above the vibrational level of negativity, name calling and verbally offensive slander.  Are any of us really that perfect that we can put ourselves on a proverbial pedestal tall enough to bash someone else?  How many times do you need to be told that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?

You don't want to be known as that person do you?  Think of something nice to say about everyone. The more you practice complimenting the easier it gets and chances are you will eventually realize people are just people just like you.

What have you been saying lately?

A Little Laugh Goes A Long Way

Do you know how many times in a day it is said that the average adult laughs?  Fifteen. Do you know how many times in a day it is said that the average child laughs? Three hundred!

Have you ever been in the presence of a laughing child? It is impossible to keep from laughing. A child's laugh is as contagious as a sneeze and it can leave your face tingling, your breath heavy and you doubled over grabbing your sides in hysterics.

Laughter really is an important innate feature that can be used to relieve stress, lighten a mood and change a gloomy disposition. Think of it as a gift. When life is getting the best of you, laughter can soften the blow and when we laugh we are opening ourselves up to new possibilities of freedom and bliss. 

When driving to work the other morning I found myself missing a friend who is away traveling. The sadness caught me by surprise and found me starting to slump in my drivers seat. But as soon as I realized what was happening, I immediately forced myself to think of a good memory and I automatically smiled. Once I realized I was smiling it made me giggle and that in turn sent a full fledged laugh from my heart. I've said it before and I insist on saying it again, "laughter is a smile that bursts!" And once I started laughing I was able to keep laughing and I instantly felt better. And at that very moment I realized that I had pulled up to a red light and a guy in a car next to me was looking at me like I was crazy. But he was laughing. Which actually made me laugh a little harder and in the interim I silently grasped the power that a laugh can do for me and those around me.

The laughter made me instantly happy and my laughter made a stranger laugh and gave him a story for how his day started with a laugh. When the stress of your day-to-day gets too much for you, take time to play and find the laughter. Find something that makes you happy, reminds you of your childhood, or just plain ole makes you joyful. We can lift ourselves out of most circumstances with the powerful nature of an unconditional laugh.

You might want to find a quiet place to experience your laughter, but I suggest that you laugh in front of others! Try it. Just start laughing on purpose and see how many people you can get to laugh with you. Eventually you will all be laughing and you won't even know what your laughing about.

When was the last time you had a gut grabbing, tear spilling, ribs hurting, burst out laughing kind of laugh? 

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All You Need Is Love

Love is one of the most powerful emotions we can feel. It can change the course of a day, a life, and can even cure illness. Unconditional love can uplift you out of the darkest of corners and can actually help you live longer.


Expressing loving emotions is hard for some people. If you didn't grow up being verbally coddled then there is a very strong chance that you are unable to communicate loving emotions. But on the bright side, everyone has a love language (http://www.5lovelanguages.com/) and there are so many different ways to show that you love someone that there is always going to be someone who speaks your language. 


My language happens to be words of affirmation, which is extremely fitting considering, a) I am a writer and b) I was neglected so there wasn't any verbal affection and/or encouragement. The funny part about this though is while I am extremely verbally loving I find myself as an adult connecting with people that are unable to fulfill my love language. Another epiphany of overcoming a pattern that was instilled in me as a child. Thank God awareness is half the battle!


I was able to find my own love deep within me by the man who helped saved my life when I was a teenager. One of my favorite all time authors, Og Mandino, wrote The Greatest Salesman in the World.  It is a great little story that leads to 10 ancient scrolls of success. Over the years, I've spent many hours with these scrolls. Reading them 3 times a day for 30 days each until the messages were embedded in my subconscious and new patterns were born.  


My most important lesson was the importance of greeting each day with love in your heart and with this approach love has found me many times over. In this I am lucky. I choose to love. It's not always reciprocated by the intended recipient but that doesn't matter. Love spreads far and wide and comes back to us in so many ways. Love is everywhere, in everything if we open our eyes, minds and hearts to it. Love makes us unstoppable and encourages life. 


We should shower everyone, everything and ourselves with love at all times. Love is powerful but humble. Love is vibrant and uplifting. Love is truth and humility. Love can open the hearts of those around us. Love can set us free.  


And like The Beatles told us, All you need is love!

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.
There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you
in time - It's easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
All you need is love (all together now)
All you need is love (everybody)
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

I also share with you here some more love... the scroll marked II from The Greatest Salesman in the World...

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

For this is the greatest secret of success in all ventures. Muscle can split a shield and even destroy life but only the unseen power of love can open the hearts of men and until I master this art I will remain no more than a peddler in the market place. I will make love my greatest weapon and none on whom I call can defend against its force.

My reasoning they may counter; my speech they may distrust; my apparel they may disapprove; my face they may reject; and even my bargains may cause them suspicion; yet my love will melt all hearts liken to the sun whose rays soften the coldest clay.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and I will be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart; yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And how will I speak? I will laud mine enemies and they will become friends; I will encourage my friends and they will become brothers. Always will I dig for reasons to applaud; never will I scratch for excuses to gossip. When I am tempted to criticize I will bite my tongue; when I am moved to praise I will shout from the roofs.

Is it not so that birds, the wind, the sea and all nature speaks with the music of praise for their creator? Cannot I speak with the same music to his children? Henceforth will I remember this secret and it will change my life.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.And how will I act? I will love all manners of men for each has qualities to be admired even though they be hidden. With love I will tear down the wall of suspicion and hate which they have built round their hearts and in its place will I build bridges so that my love may enter their souls.

I will love the ambitious for they can inspire me; I will love the failures for they can teach me. I will love the kings for they are but human; I will love the meek for they are divine. I will love the rich for they are yet lonely; I will love the poor for they are so many. I will love the young for the faith they hold; I will love the old for the wisdom they share. I will love the beautiful for their eyes of sadness; I will love the ugly for their souls of peace.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

But how will I react to the actions of others? With love. For just as love is my weapon to open the hearts of men, love is also my shield to repulse the arrows of hate and the spears of anger. Adversity and discouragement will beat against my new shield and become as the softest of rains. My shield will protect me in the market place and sustain me when I am alone. It will uplift me in moments of despair yet it will calm me in time of exultation. It will become stronger and more protective with use until one day I will cast aside and walk unencumbered among all manners of men and, when I do, my name will be raised high on the pyramid of life.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And how will I confront each whom I meet? In only one way. In silence and to myself I will address him and say I Love You. Though spoken in silence these words will shine in my eyes, unwrinkle my brow, bring a smile to my lips, and echo in my voice; and his heart will be opened. And who is there who will say nay to my goods when his hearts feels my love?

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And most of all I will love myself. For when I do I will zealously inspect all things which enter my body, my mind, my soul, and my heart. Never will I overindulge the requests of my flesh; rather I will cherish my body with cleanliness and moderation. Never will I allow my mind to be attracted to evil and despair, rather I will uplift it with the knowledge and wisdom of the ages. Never will I allow my soul to become complacent and satisfied, rather I will feed it with meditation and prayer. Never will I

allow my heart to become small and bitter, rather I will share it and it will grow and warm the earth.

I will greet this day with love in my heart. Henceforth will I love all mankind. From this moment all hate is let from my veins for I have not time to hate, only time to love. From this moment I take the first step required to become a man among men. With love I will increase my sales a hundred-fold and become a great salesman. If I have no other qualities I can succeed with love alone. Without it I will fail though I possess all the knowledge and skills of the world.

I will greet this day with love, and I will succeed.

(excerpt from The Greatest Salesman In the World, Og Mandino)


Are you feeling the love?






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