A time to give thanks

This past week was American Thanksgiving and, although our Thanksgiving had already passed, stores in our area decided to adopt Black Friday.  Although financial gain was the obvious reason, it somehow surprised me.  I think it surprised me because, of all the things surrounding Thanksgiving that one culture could share in with another, why would it be the commercial aspect that prevailed?  I guess it is, sadly, just a sign of our times that we would choose the material over all else.  But does it really have to be this way?  I think not. 

Thanksgiving is all about, as the name says, giving thanks... for all that we've been given, for every good thing in our lives, for the people that surround us, for our health... and the list goes on and on.  So, instead of getting carried off by the commercial aspect of Thanksgiving, ours or some else's,  why don't we instead take a moment, just a moment, to realize how blessed we truly are... and give thanks for all of these blessings.  Doing this - particularly right now, as the Christmas season approaches - will open our hearts to the blessings that surround us and help us focus on what is truly important, so we do not get lost in the commercial aspect of the season. 

So on this beautiful Sunday morning, as I look around me at all the wonderful people and things that make up my life, I give thanks for it all and I know that I truly am blessed.

In my head

How often have you been told, "it's all in your head" ?

Frustrating, isn't it?

Yesterday after a particularly powerful Reiki session performed on me by a very dear friend, I was told that it was while she had had her hands over my head that she felt the most energy - crazy energy, with almost a franticness to it - and I immediately knew why. 

I have been told something along these same lines various times over the last few years by various holistic health practitioners and each time it surprised me and it didn't.  I know I can be very much in my head, thinking too much, over-analyzing stuff, trying to come up with an answer for everything; but I truly thought I'd been able to make the shift to listening more to my feelings and not being "in my head" quite so much.  Guess I'm not quite there yet. 

So what will it take to get out of my head and truly start living from my heart?

Well, for one, I need to trust my intuition more... listen to what my heart knows and not question it with my head.  I've always known that when I do this it ends up being exactly the right thing.  It's when I let the questions and fears in my mind get in the way that things go wrong.  My body and my heart know what it is I need to live, and live well, and my input is not required for that to happen. 

I have a friend who does this... she does not try to live her life, she lets life live her... and this is so beautiful to watch.  I know I have much to learn from her, and I am realizing just how fortunate I am to have had her put in my path at this very time in my life.  It is by watching her that I have discovered some very great truths, and I know that the more I watch, listen and learn, the more I will be able to stop living in my head and start truly living.  And for this I will be forever grateful to her ♥♥♥

Believe

How often do we stop to think about all the little (and big) things in our lives that happen for no apparent reason?  Those things we just can't explain that we put down to "coincidence"...

Well, I don't believe in coincidences.  I believe that in one way or another we bring on everything that goes on in our lives.  Now I'm not saying that when something bad happens we're the ones that made it happen.  What I mean is that we have far more control over what happens to us, and the direction our life takes, than we give ourselves credit for. 

A lot of it has to do with our thinking.  Ever heard of the power of positive thinking?  Or the expression thoughts become things?  Although these are commonly bandied about, how often do we actually stop to think about what they might actually mean?  Probably not often enough.

What if we had the power to make our every dream come true?  What if we had the power to heal ourselves?  What if we had the power to be all that we wanted to be?  Then what?  What would we do with that?  Would we do anything or just turn the other way and pretend we didn't know?

I think we are powerful beyond measure... and that can sometimes be a frightening thought.  And maybe because it is so frightening we choose not to look too closely at it or think too deeply about it.  However I know that if we did, if we allowed ourselves to believe in our own power, a lot would change.  I've seen it, I've felt it, and now I try to live it... every day.  Some days, of course, it's easier to believe in my own power than others; but ultimately, even on the difficult days, it's worth the effort. 

So what if, just for today, you thought about one thing you would like to see happen, and believed that it could actually happen?  Try it... see what happens... you may become a believer... just like me.

A being of light

As I watch her feel her way through this journey that is uniquely hers, I stand in awe.

This being - from whom light radiates, shining bright for all those who have lost theirs somewhere along the way - is a true blessing. 

Learning with each new experience, she lets the knowledge fill her to overflowing, spilling out so that others can learn as well.

Her courage carries her, always to new heights, and her humility keeps her grounded, no matter how high she climbs.

Slowly she dances towards her Knowing, and as she does she takes us along with her, teaching us with every step... about life, about love, about kindness and generosity... and we become better people, just by following along with her.

Peace

Some people long for peace.  They see it as some distant objective, possibly attainable through much hard work and effort, but not really probable.

Some people strive for peace.  They are the ones who do the hard work, diligently, believing that peace is indeed within their grasp.

Then there are those who radiate peace.  These people have a calmness about them, a beauty that shines from within; the warmth of their smile draws you in and near them is where you want to stay.  The goodness in their soul is obvious and, if you listen closely, you can almost hear it calling you to come sit by it and find peace for yourself.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to have encountered a person such as this would do well to follow them closely, as it is from them that we will learn what peace truly is and then, heeding the call of their soul, be able to find some peace for ourselves.

The healing power of friendship

When two people are friends, real friends connecting with their hearts, healing comes naturally.  

There is an amazing energy that swirls around them and surrounds them so that healing can happen spontaneously.  

It is not something that needs to be made to happen, it just does.  

And it does not subtract from either person; it adds to them and grows them, making them stronger and better able to deal with what must be faced.  

Those of us who are wise enough to allow these friendships into our lives will reap the benefits immensely and we will never be the same again.  

It is up to us to see the gift that these relationships carry with them, and to fully embrace their presence in our lives.  

For it is through loving friends that we can truly see ourselves and what needs to be done, and then have the strength and energy to do it.  

With immense gratitude for the wonderful friends who surround me  ♥♥♥

Honouring something big

Every once in a long while, something big happens that just blows me away.

It's just so huge that it actually pulls me along on its current, carrying me down its stream into places yet unknown; and all I can do is let myself be transported away.

Those times, although few and far between, stand out in my mind because of the power they exert over me at the time, and because of who I become once they're done.

And they usually originate in something somebody says or does.  In those times it feels like I am suddenly a part of something a lot bigger than me; a lot bigger.

Those are the times that restore my faith, that fill me to the brim with love and thanksgiving.

I find myself in the middle of one of those times right at this very moment.

And I am in awe.

It can be a frightening place, if I let it be, as the direction I'm headed in is totally unknown; yet a part of me longs to follow it, to just let it run its course and carry me away.

So I wait, and watch.  I watch myself as if from a distance - I watch my feelings, my actions and reactions - and I watch as the beauty unfolds all around me.

To those who bring me to those wondrous places I say thank you.

Indeed, thank you for your trust, thank you for your open heart, and thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey.  It is an honour and a privilege and I will be forever grateful for the trust you have placed in me.  ♥♥♥