" Dear God ... "

“ … Dear God the only thing I ask of you
When I'm much too far away
We all need that person who can be true to you 

And now I wish I'd stayed

'Cause I'm lonely and I'm tired

I'm missing you again oh no

Once again

Some search, never finding a way
Before long, they waste away

I found you, something told me to stay
I gave in, to selfish ways

Once again… “

~ Avenged Sevenfold ~ Dear God ~

***

“ I guess you’ve found God now “ was recently said.

Initially perplexed, I answered … “ I am learning to let go of fear with the intention to live the rest of this life with purpose and clarity “

You should have seen the expression on their face. ... 

Naturally during times of illness, great pain and suffering, we may gravitate toward a spiritual practice, as it provides a way sometimes to heal the grief, sadness and bitterness all held up in our hearts.  Spirituality can be a means to cope.

Yet personally speaking, it isn’t about have a better connection with God. It is about having a better connection with Life.  Not believing that a Divine being out in the Universe will grant me immortality, rather I’ve been exploring the dysfunctional relationship I have had with life  …   

Each moment, each day, dealing with what comes up … and realizing that when I face a type of suffering, my faith is tested.  True faith begins with detachment becoming open to whatever arises, the unknown.  An opportunity in the face of this unknown to experience a special kind of peace, that there are infinite possibilities.  Faith is about letting go of certain outcome, a certain solution. Faith is about trusting the process.  Faith is believing All Is Well, regardless of what is.

This comes at a time when acceptance is necessary.  That a certain solution may not exist.  That you don’t have to figure it all out in this moment.  And that maybe there really is nothing TO figure out.  Shifting to a place of being, and tired of doing.  I often think of cancer or any severe illness as a type of dance.  Hoping to take the lead and be in control but not knowing it could switch in a moment.

And so spirituality allows me to shift to a place of acceptance … to manage, cope, deal and thrive, despite of this challenge.  Great words to live by and a guiding mantra recited within every day.  As I said recently to family, no one said this was going to be easy.  Yet having the ability to let go during times of darkness is where my faith truly prevails.  

“ … rather than being better. today. be there for yourself. when you wander or feel stagnant. know your path and you are one. and just like your breath. up and down. your path is about learning. to love. you. unconditionally. so today sweet soul. trust what is within you. enjoy who you are. more than enough … “

www.walkstrong.ca

" Starting Over ... "

It's been so long since we took the time,

No-one's to blame,

I know time flies so quickly,

But when I see you darling,

It's like we both are falling in love again,

It'll be just like starting over - starting over,

Why don't we take off alone,

Take a trip far, far away,

We'll be together on our own again,

Like we used to in the early days … 

Let's take our chance and fly away somewhere alone …

~ John Lennon ~ Starting Over ~

***

There are many reasons we must hit our reset button in life … death, birth, divorce, marriage, layoff, end of friendship, relocation.  But what if your current life is sucking you dry, every minute of every day.  What if you just start over by choice??

Now why would I start over you ask … because simply put, you are unhappy.  And maybe you feel a sense of guilt, or ungrateful because what you have, you don’t really want.  You find yourself years later either in the dead end job or jobless … with a collection of material wonders only to be penniless.  Sounds extreme, you’d be surprise how many identify with this.  So what do you do … you hit the start over button again.

Perhaps a scary thought, but even scarier if your life is full of regrets.  It really is about creating the life you want.  And you are only late if you are six feet under.  Besides, there is really only one thing you have to do … give yourself permission to change.

So, begin by looking at what you really wanted to be when you grew up and you will find a common thread, theme or tendencies in your present life.  Personally, I’ve always wanted to help others.  And I’ve found there is a fine balance between helping others and hindering yourself in the process.  Yet, it doesn’t halt me from doing what naturally feels good.  When you realize there is no security in anything, all is impermanent, why not make the most of it … life that is.  

… allowing is so powerful … 

We are very good at hiding our own brilliance.  We are often afraid to stand in our truth, stand in our power.  We sabotage ourselves thinking we are not good enough or don’t deserve it.  We beat ourselves up every single day.  Hence some of the best and simplest advice I’ve received is the only way to begin is believing you can.  Believing that if you lived in your most passionate self and allowed yourself your full potential, you would have lived your purpose.  

www.walkstrong.ca

" Drive My Soul ... "

When you are gone

Will I lose control? 

You are the only road I know

You show me where to go

Who will drive my soul? 

You make the street lights reappear

I feel bright when you stand near

I know what I am when you are here

My place becomes so clear

Will I lose control? 

You're the only road that I know

You show me where to go

Who will drive my soul? 

Drive my soul

~ Lights ~ Drive My Soul ~ 

***

I strongly believe in Divine Guidance and I know it can come as a song on the radio, a conversation with a stranger, an article I have read, voices in my dreams or inspired ideas.  Simply a message.  But what is not so simple is knowing if it is truly a message from the Divine.

Over the years, I have awareness in seeing it as a natural part of my daily life ... I recognize, trust and act on this guidance.  Yet my ego does like to mess me up time to time and settle me in a place of confusion.  

Thankfully there is a great deal of resources around me as well as online.  Doreen Virtue, Ph.D speaks clearly in her book called Divine Guidance about this very thing.  Distinguishing true guidance from false guidance and how to more fully open up your channels to receive Divine messages.

She talks about the difference between true higher guidance and false lower/ego guidance.  Here are a few to consider:

• True Guidance is supportive and motivational
• False Guidance is fearful and inspires doubt

• True Guidance is consistent
• False Guidance switches impulsively

• True Guidance refers to your life purpose or mission
• False Guidance refers to competition with others

• True Guidance wants joy in the present
• False Guidance wants to delay happiness for the future

• True Guidance is strong and powerful
• False Guidance is insidious and sneaky

• True Guidance is familiar
• False Guidance is out-of-sync with your lifestyle

• True Guidance speaks in second person
• False Guidance uses the word “I” constantly 

• True Guidance empowers you
• False Guidance weakens you

• True Guidance comes suddenly and completely in response to prayer/meditation
• False Guidance comes gradually in response to worry

• True Guidance never puts you above or below others
• False Guidance says you are better or worse than others

Ultimately knowing that Divine Guidance is available to us at all times is comforting ... these messages are always loving, uplifting and peaceful.  Our willingness to receive and be open to hearing in a way that we can understand is the key.

I have been told to have the intention to receive guidance that is for my highest and greatest good and trusting that the answers will come.  And of course be grateful for the Divine assistance.  Regardless, you have to just believe intuitively what is right for you ... 

" The Power ... "

I've got the power!

I've got the power!

Hey, yeah! ...

It's gettin', it's gettin' it's gettin' kinda hectic

It's gettin', it's gettin' it's gettin' kinda hectic ...

I've got the power!

I've got the power! ...

Quality, I possess

Some say I'm fresh

With my voice close to the mesh

Of the microphone that I am holdin'

Copy written lyrics so they can't be stolen

If they are: Snap!

Don't need the police

Don't try to say them, your voice'll sink

So please, stay off my back

Or I will attack, and you don't want that!

I've got the power!

~ Snap ~ The Power ~

***

Recently I read a bird analogy which made sense ... chickens peck, turkeys struct, birds fly but eagles soar.  Which one do you want to be?  Considering chickens hang out in groups, have wings but don’t fly and will eat whatever is placed before them, I’d rather be an eagle.  Eagles fly higher than any other known bird, build their nest up high and are very selective about what I eat.  

Realization: Embrace the powerful being I am

Next, seek out the company and support of other eagles.  So very important ... why?  Well if eagles stay on the ground too long and hang out with the chickens there is a possibility they will take on the behaviour of chickens ... and not only will the eagle no longer soar, but she may forget how to fly.  

Realization: Embrace the fullness of who I am

For me, when I think of an eagle I think of how powerful this bird is and it makes me think about what exactly does it mean to stand in my OWN power.  So perhaps it is about exercises our OWN gifts.  We all have gifts, it's a matter of choice ... if we choose to share with others.  Believe that operating in your gifts without fear or reservation can be the most powerful moment, considered a calling or gift from the Divine.  

Realization: Embrace the gifts of which I have

External pressures such as relationship challenges, personal failures and feelings of betrayal, can erode our internal sense of power.  Isn’t it true that the people you are always trying to please are never satisfied?  They constantly demand proof, actions, and personal favours to recognize your gifts.  

Realize that those that value your power will also value your use and protection of that power.  As we learn to stand in our power, we recognize that we must be good guardians over the gifts within us.

Surround yourself with people who inspire, motivate and value you will help you ~ they step up your game in your overall life.  Hang around people that aren’t so comfortable is the fastest way to get out of your OWN comfort zone ... because the more you fly with the eagles, the less you will be concerned about the actions of chickens.  

" Angel ... "

Spend all your time waiting

For that second chance

For a break that would make it okay

There's always one reason

To feel not good enough

And it's hard at the end of the day

I need some distraction

Oh beautiful release

Memory seeps from my veins

Let me be empty

And weightless and maybe

I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of an angel

Fly away from here

From this dark cold hotel room

And the endlessness that you fear

You are pulled from the wreckage

Of your silent reverie

You're in the arms of the angel

May you find some comfort there

~ Sarah McLachlan ~ Angel ~

***

When I was younger my friends use to laugh at me when I talked about angels.  I would tell them that we all have a guardian angel, and some of us had more than one if we were fortunate.  My friends use to humour me and ask me if I could see them, or if they were communicate with me.  I would play along, a bit embarrassed as to being the only one at that time who really believed in them.  Secretly I felt connected to them.  I still do to this day.

As foreign as it may sound to some, Angel Therapy is readily practiced.  Angel Therapy is based on the view that communicating with angels is the key to healing.  Therapists believe that to help heal their patients, we can get in touch with the angel who guides the patient in the right direction.

This type of therapy intends to bring you back to your spiritual path in a way that is non-threatening and non-judgemental.  And not to be confused with replacing your chosen faith, this is a non-denominational spiritual healing method that involves working with a person’s guardian angels and archangels, to heal and harmonize every aspect of life ... and helps you to more clearly receive Divine Guidance from the Creator and angels.

You may or may not believe ... but there are probably many events that cannot be explained, or people that have come into your life for a purpose, only to leave without a trace.  Perhaps it is a coincidence, or just is, but I believe we can feel their angelic presence enfolding, guiding and helping bring comfort, healing and wisdom to us even when we are not aware.

Personally, it has brought me comfort, knowing that the angels are always there, offering their protection and bringing in the love and joy that surrounds us.  The sessions I have experienced have empowered me to be able to manifest what I truly want.