" Rest ... "

“ ... You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best

I've been gone for a month

I need home for a rest ... 

There so-called vacations

By the light of the moon she'd drift through the streets

A rare old perfume so seductive and sweet

She'd tease us and flirt as the pubs all closed down

Then walk us on home and deny us a round ... “

~ Spirit of the West ~ Rest ~

***

Rest is not what most people think it is.  It isn’t recreation like hiking, watching TV, gardening, reading or getting wasted.  They may provide a restful space, but they are not rest.  

Rest can be defined as a kind of waking sleep, experience while you are alert and aware, like a bridge to sleep.  We achieve rest and sleep the same way, by allowing it to happen.  

When we rest, we allow our bodies to dissolve stress.  The body’s relaxation response can lead to physlogical changes, similar to yoga, meditation or a day on the beach.  

And the spiritual benefits of resting is profound.  When you slow down and get quiet, you can actually begin to hear you own inner knowledge.  When we make space in our lives, it helps us to make sense of life on life’s terms.

Having the ability to take a few conscious breaths, during which you focus on your inhalation and exhalation or the space between breaths ... 

Having the ability to make a statement and do nothing, does something for you.  Having the desire to put boundaries around so you can claim that time ... 

Most of us need to learn how to rest.  The more we integrate periods of rest and silence into our daily lives, the bigger the payoff will be.  And  during crisis, more rest and silence are called for.  It is similar to preventive medicine.  So important to make it intentional and make it a sacred time.  

The yang lifestyle can cause damage to our quality of life.  So this activity of REST, allows us to restore our body, mind and soul.  Concentrated rest confronts stress in both ways.  It reduces the demands of the situation  and it reduces our energy for that demand.  We have an opportunity to reflect, strive for balance, and again hold reserves for life’s emergencies.  

Properly developing a discipline of concentrated rest requires both inward and outward changes. So, stop focusing on what you don’t have and start enjoying the things that you do.  And plan your rest.  It is hard to simply be but test will come only from intentional planning and planning rest will come only if it is truly desired. 

Fortunately, we can decide that we are not a victim of time demands, we are creators and acceptors of them.  We can take responsibility of our life.  And so, we are as busy as we choose to be.  Embrace simplicity of a life that focuses on your values and not your possessions.  That concept in itself, will slow things down.

Remembering that rest is not a sign of weakness, but a vital choice to only further enhance your overall growth.  Living is when we starting enjoying rather than just producing ... resting included.

www.walkstrong.ca

" Pause ... "

“ ... As the world bears down on my shoulders

I find the fear doesn't subside ... 

I don't know how I've lasted this long

I wish to pause this moment

'Cause as I cry I start to realize ... 

You give me strength

You take away my fear

There was a void in my heart that only you could fill ... “

~ Kjwan ~ Pause ~

Ever observe the reaction of people when you tell them you meditate.  Just take notice ... either they are curious, stay clear of you ... or think you may just be a flake.  

Regardless, mindfulness has changed the way I live.  

Just three years ago, I was in the middle of the intense Gerson Therapy, working hard to rebuild my body and get healthy.  My practitioner spoke to me about meditation.  I remember my response ... oh yes, I meditate already ... yup, total and complete bullshit.  I was operating from a level of conditioning  that I no longer strive for.  

A basic quietness, practiced for minutes in a day ... to help cope, deal and manage life.  At the deepest level available.  A connection within.  Listening to your higher self.  

I still get anxious, I still get scared, but I am aware of this new level of training.  Helping me become present, centered and more mindful than imagined.  

With such a glowing review, you would think that the meditation bandwagon would be full.  Not so much.  From believing that meditation isn’t for “me”, not having enough time, expectation to “clear the mind” of thoughts, reach nirvana and having to “do” meditation ... what we resist the most, we simply need the most.  

In the beginning, the idea of sitting in silence, doing nothing was terrifying.  I told my teacher that I could not observe my thoughts.  The ones that were dark and full of despair.  My teacher told me that those were the ones I would learn the most from.  Three plus years later ... it is still an enormous process.

Mindfulness isn’t for the hippies and tree hugger only.  Or for certain races or types of people.  It isn’t in your DNA or you have to be “good at it”.  It is about trying.  Our monkey minds will distract, destroy and delete information.  Yet with the use of breath work, visualizations and mantras, you notice your thoughts, without judgement and ... stillness arises.  The pauses between the thoughts become greater.  

And in that pause ... PEACE ~ CLARITY ~ CALM ... 

Forget the candles, chant, hums and incense.  

Pause and quiet the mind.

www.walkstrong.ca

" Purpose ... "

I saw an angel hit the ground
Fly to nowhere above sky
Cross another cold state line
Purpose almost hard to find

Climb a mountain reach the sun
Face the storm and lightning thunder
Seem I never found it one
Purpose really hard to find

Another time to stay
Almost fine the way

You believe of what you say
You believe of what you learn
If you fine these one
Many life will come into you

~ Stand Up ~ Purpose ~

***

I believe that once you have served your purpose, your time is up.  Regardless of age or circumstances, I believe we are all here for a reason.  And some may feel that reason  is connected to God, or to do God’s work ... so what is your purpose?

Not really a question that is asked in a daily conversation ...  

Soooooo, how are youuuuu? and whaaaaaaat’s your purpose?

We don’t usually think in this way and thank goodness, most of us don’t talk this way.  Yet we don’t think about purpose, we think about the things we need to do, the things we have done, the things we may miss out on, and the people we do the things with.  Does that about sum it up?  So where in all those thoughts does purpose fit in?

Well that is entirely up to you.  You can take ANY opportunity ... abandonment, death, illness, loss ... and ask what is the blessing in this ordeal?  And is it really an ordeal or is it an adventure?  And does this line of questioning annoy you?

Probably ... because I have had some say, it is easy to write inspirational thoughts when you are in a good place.  But here is the catch, we can be in a good place because it is available to us, always.  Period.  But we have to want it … leading you to your purpose ... trust me, from experience, it happens.  

Having had to attend a few funerals this year, as well as say goodbye to all but one fellow “patient” from the Gerson clinic in the last three years … accepting ANY death can be, well, unbearable.  When our loved ones pass on, sadness amongst other emotions, is natural.  But I know what that sadness is for me ... for what I will miss in that person.  I also believe that as difficult, tragic and overwhelming the loss is, there must be some purpose that had been reached.  I don't have to LIKE it but I trust the process and have faith in the journey we think we control, but don’t.

And that is the power of purpose.  It is what gives us strength to carry on through transitions and changes.  This shift is towards our ultimate goal and the path that fits ...

So the next logical question may be … how do I find or know my purpose?  Well it seems that the more we dedicate ourselves to a cause greater than ourselves something happens … we can add our values, strengths and passion to figure out how combined can be put into service … purpose.

I use to believe that there had to be a grand gesture to signify my purpose.  And still working towards meeting a purpose, at times, my thoughts change on why and how and where I am, what I can share and how it impacts, anyone.  

Yet, I’ve realized that the gesture doesn’t have to be grand.  It is possible to experience small adversities that provide opportunities for progress.  And within these small adversities, my purpose lies ... because suffering is an opportunity to reflect on the mistakes of my own mind and to reform myself.  

Perhaps that is when our purpose has been fully met …  

www.walkstrong.ca

" Respond/React … "

Bring it back to Respond/React

Then bring it back to Respond/React to this

Bustin thoughts that pierce your mental

The fierce rippin your sacks and

Simple as addition and subtraction ...

Bring the international charm, see a squad I harass

REACT, you best adapt when I sling this rap ...

~ The Roots ~ Respond/React ~

***

When something happens in our life, it is hard not to act in a conditioned way.  A way in which we react out of habit.  A way in which we give up our freedom because we are not making a conscious decision.  And just how do we do this ... by reacting rather than responding.

Now there may be a slight difference between the words yet in practice there is a massive difference.  Reactions are defensive in nature ... uncomfortable, emotional, and out of control.  And these very emotions without reason drive us forward unproductively.  Responding is full of thoughtfulness and reasoning.  Responding is guided less by emotion and more by logic.

So where is the difference ... mindfulness

The easiest way to be mindful is to focus on your breath.  Maintaining balanced breathing rhythm is essential as this allows us to regain our concentration.  This breath brings awareness of our body, how we feel, where we hold pain, discomfort, tension.  With focus on our breathing, we also bring our body into a steady state which calms our systems down.  With each breathe and raised awareness, we bring ourselves into control and release tensions. We let go and become more centered in who we really are and want to be. Releasing tension returns us to our principles and calmer ways of interacting.   

With self-awareness training, we can become aware of these automatic reactions that rule our lives and earn to put conscious effort into deciding for ourselves before we act.

Our goal is to take the time to think, make a rational decision, and respond with a purpose.  Personally, meditation has given me the ability to stop reacting automatically to things in my life.  To think things through.  To give the space I need.  By giving conscious awareness of this process, I can choose my response to situations as they arise … conscious awareness ~ conscious effort ~ conscious decision ...

Between stimulus and response there is a space.  

In that space is our power to choose our response.  

In our response lies our growth and our freedom 

~ Viktor E. Frankl

" Put Me In Coach … "

Well, beat the drum and hold the phone

the sun came out today!

We're born again, there's new grass on the field.

A-roundin' third, and headed for home ...

Anyone can understand the way I feel.

Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;

Don't say "it ain't so", you know the time is now.

Yeah! I got it, I got it!

~ John Forgerty ~ Put Me In Coach ~

***

Over the years, we probably can count the number of counsellors, psychiatrists and coaches we have encountered only to find ourselves where we started.  Little to no results.  Disappointment and having to start over again.  And of course you think it is your fault.  You didn’t have the determination, strength, stamina, personal fortitude ... but what if there is more to it?

... the essence of helping others is 

to influence them to pursue their best interest ...

Usually it is word of mouth.  You look for help, you ask a friend and you get a reference, therefore they must be the expert ... beware ... a true indication of their nature is if their thoughts, behaviour and actions are in alignment.  Do they truly practice what they preach?  

From personal experience, lip service and personal friendships can cloud judgement so do your research and be comfortable with who you choose.  They may have good intentions, but they may not be right for YOU ...

You cannot transmit wisdom and insight to another person. The seed is already there. A good teacher touches the seed, allowing it to wake up, to sprout, and to grow 
ॐThich Nhat Hanh  

" Thank-You … "

And so today, my world it smiles

Your hand in mine, we walk the miles

Thanks to you it will be done

For you to me are the only one

... Inspiration's what you are to me

Inspiration, look and see ...

Happiness, no more be sad

Happiness.... I’m glad

If the sun refused to shine

I would still be loving you

Mountains crumble to the sea

There will still be you and me

~ Led Zeppelin ~ Thank-You ~

***

This time of year we tend to look back at what we have endured.  2013 ... what a year, filled with highs and lows, joy and sorrow ... and made it through.  And, this year, I wanted to give thanks for all that I appreciate.

I am thankful for ... 

God
family’s love and support

the generosity and kindness of friends

my husband’s compassion

humility

forgiveness

second chances

my sense of humour

the lessons

a warm bed

roof over my head

meditation

yoga
writing

working from home

music

our band

my MacBookPro

Skype

good healthy food

LIFE ...

... Really the list goes on.  I genuinely believe that the happiest people are those who are grateful.  So this year, that meant an adjustment.  This year, I learned to be more grateful.  And I am, I am grateful to be alive, because things don’t work out they way you expect them to.  

Instead, I wanted to stop taking things for granted and see them as blessings.  I wanted to foster an attitude of gratitude in whatever circumstances.  I wanted to be grateful for each breath, each day.  And although, I still have many slip-ups, I can honestly say I’m a much more grateful person at the end of 2013 than at the beginning.

I plan to continue the gratitude attitude into 2014.  Having a blog platform, I hope to express it more often because there is always room to appreciate.

☯ May the new year bring peace, joy and health to you and your loved ones ☯

" Why ... "

How many times do I have to try to tell you

That I'm sorry for the things I've done

But when I start to try to tell you

That's when you have to tell me ...

That's why it hurts so bad to hear the words

That keep on falling from your mouth

Falling from your mouth

Falling from your mouth

Tell me ... Why

This is the book I never read

These are the words I never said

This is the path I'll never tread

These are the dreams I'll dream instead

This is the joy that's seldom spread

These are the tears...

The tears we shed

This is the fear

This is the dread

These are the contents of my head

And these are the years that we have spent

And this is what they represent ...

You don't know what I feel

~ Annie Lennox ~ Why ~

***

The meaning of Life and it’s impermanent nature.  We often contemplate life, death and the purpose of being here ... the why of it all.  Why the happiness, why the sadness, why the struggle, why the heartache ... and I don’t know if there is a solid answer I’ve found to satisfy the why ... I don’t know if the chase for a more promising tomorrow will ever end.

Some day, that goal ... it will all lead to happiness.  But we know better.  We know that we cannot stride through life as if we will live forever.  We know that we cannot treat time as a cheap commodity that we blindly waste.  We know that we cannot hide behind victim stories forever.  We know the signs to wake up and make a change.

So you learn to forgive, you learn to take responsibility, and you learn to let go of anxiety and stress ... but what happens when we make all those changes only to find our problems are still very present and very real?  You learn to live your life with courage, love and integrity.  You learn to slow down and appreciate the preciousness of whom you are and the beauty, wealth, abundance, love and opportunities that surround you.

it’s about what makes you come alive ... 

A blank canvas in front of you, you are the artist of your life 

and you are free to paint any picture that pleases you ... 

and change it at any time for that matter ... 

We may not be able to answer the infinite question of why ... but we can replace it with questions that motivate us ... what do you love in life? ... what would you stand for if you knew no one would judge you? ... what really inspires you?

Believe that the more you can implement your passions, strengths, values and desires into your days, the less you will be asking why because the most valuable knowledge that you will ever discover is, and always will be, within.

" Man On The Moon ... "

Mott the Hoople and the game of Life ...

Andy Kaufman in the wrestling match ...

Monopoly, Twenty one, checkers, and chess ...

Mister Fred Blassie in a breakfast mess ...

Let's play Twister, let's play Risk ...

I'll see you heaven if you make the list ...

Now, Andy did you hear about this one?

Tell me, are you locked in the punch?

Andy are you goofing on Elvis? Hey, baby

Are we losing touch?

If you believed they put a man on the moon

Man on the moon

If you believe there's nothing up his sleeve

Then nothing is cool

~ R.E.M ~ Man On The Moon ~

***

I use to believe I think, therefore I am ... I am what I think, but what I am realizing is what I think is not always so great.  And instead of blaming the tricks and techniques for not working, I am realizing it is my core beliefs about myself.

So who really runs the show ... our subconscious mind has incredible power over our lives.  It leads us to take action that sabotage the best intentions of our conscious mind.  Our subconscious also tells all our the cells in our body how to live, breathe, grow, reproduce and die.  Our thoughts, whether consciously or subconsciously, transmit through our neural network to the rest of our body.  And what drives your subconscious ... your core beliefs.

Think about it ... there are times when we believe that no action will change the outcome ... we don’t have a core belief that we will become the person we want to be.  It simply depends on what you believe ... so so simple, but hard to practice.

WE are not a victims ... 

WE have power over our lives by controlling our beliefs and environment ...

I have written a great deal on the experience of dis-ease.  From my own health journey I have learned that your body tells you what your thoughts and beliefs are, regardless of what your conscious mind thinks.  If your life is full of things you don’t want, know that you’re living out some unwanted and unproductively beliefs.  The idea is if you don’t believe it, your body won’t manifest it.  This is hard to consider that you are solely responsible ... you and your core beliefs.

Identifying unwanted beliefs is a great place to start ... figure out what positive belief you can embed into your subconscious instead.  Challenging your core beliefs can be uncomfortable because to this point in your life, those have been the rules.  But ask yourself, what your life will be like in five, ten and twenty five years if you change your current belief about situation you are dealing with.  What will you have accomplished?  How will you feel about yourself?  Will you still be here?

Master your mind instead allowing your mind to master you ...

It IS a practice ... I am learning as I change my belief, I open myself up for a new one, perhaps one that supports my highest good.  I am learning to consider the feeling of pain in my old belief versus the pleasure waiting in my new beliefs.  It is taking all the courage and strength within me to challenge my patterning and programming, because it is all I know till now ... but as I create new pathways where I begin to re-wire my subconscious, my life is transforming and bringing closer to harnessing my power and living the life I am meant to live ... 

" Inner Search ... "

You've got a right to take what life offers you

don't let others mark out your scope

You better break out from all what chained you up

there is more to be than they said

The inner search needs more than words

Just hear the call for the inner search

You can hear a lot, but to understand

let the confusing voices die first

blow the flickering light out that's in your head

see the one that's always been there ...

Get up for a sense, take your life in your own hands

hear your inner voice leading you to the right choice

That you are is yours, belongs just to you ...

~ Rage ~ The Inner Search ~

***

Sometimes I just need to get my Kali on.  Kali, being the Hindu Goddess of empowerment and shakti (strength).  Sometimes I just need to be strong and stand up for myself.  And this is hard when striving for a non-violent, yogic lifestyle.  

The yogic calm can at times be a mask that is covered with difficult emotions, knotty feelings and desires that feel socially unacceptable.  Yet the deeper I reflect on my yoga practice, I learn to confront those parts of myself that may be suppressed by fear, trauma, or social conditioning.  I uncover what squelches my joy, undercuts my confidence, an sabotages my health.  

So where is the gift in all this ... bringing forth repressed passion and purifying it into energy ... accessing sublimated anger and wisdom that is now owned and channeled to renew my mind, body and soul.

“Invoking deity energy is a way of opening yourself to energies within that can support, protect, and act with a kind of numinous power ... “

The goddess Kali can be found in yogic art and is suppose to have arisen out of the warrior-goddess Durga during fierce battle with demons.  This would explain her association with spiritual and psychological liberation.  Kali symbolizes enlightenment ... freedom from conditioned beliefs, false personal identities and preconceived notions that keep you from recognizing your true identity.  Kali represents the power to release that which is true in you.  

Personally, I am finding that Kali in my daily life often means tuning in to aspects of myself that I normally don’t have access to.  I don't become free just by going with the flow. I become free by knowing when to say no, fighting for what is right, and engaging with the fiercer forms of grace.  So by “getting my Kali on”, I seek out permission ... to realize in those moments when suppressed anger or fear is threatening to overwhelm me, I can look to discover and integrate Kali, my energy.  

You see we seek Kali when we feel like we are living in dissonance with parts of ourselves we may not fully understand or know.  Kali helps us by pointing toward those parts of you that you have rejected, feared, or ignored.  Kali inspires you to transform your identity over again, letting go of the old rigid ideas of who you are, stretching your emotional range, your mind, and life itself in beautiful ways.

So explore your daily dose of Kali and bring an extra dose of ferocity ... just what is needed to keep growing through this wild journey called life.

" Spirit ... "

To live with grace, to ride the swell

To yet be strong of will

To love the wind, to learn its song

And empty space to fill ...

A winters journey from the moon

To reach the summer sun

To rise again, to sing for you

A song that's yet unsung ...

His spirit joined and so was formed

Ten thousand years ago

Between the swan and Hercules

Where even dark clouds glow

~ John Denver ~ Spirit ~

***

It seems that there is more and more information available about detoxifying your physical body.  Cleanses, shakes, supplements and foods.  But what about your spirit?  

Our spirit is suppose to be perfect and divine.  Yet sometimes we need to cleanse our essence after experiences.  You see each one leaves an imprint and therefore the impact remains, perhaps at a subtle level.  

If we were perfect, we would be in alignment with our true self at all times, even after difficult events.  But we know that this isn’t the case as the life happens and our emotional reactions occur.  We generate thoughts and they mingle into our emotions which create thoughts and patterns ... muddling our spirit.  And our soul expresses itself through our energy field with the brightest presence being our essence.  Hence when our energy field can affect the clarity of our light.

Recognize and Let go of Things That No Longer Serve You ...

Analyze your attitude and behaviours ... how do you view the world?  do you need to take out pettiness and cultivate generosity instead?  try to drop the negative and grow a positive outlook.

Analyze your relationships ... what is causing you stress? can you fix the issue?  are you willing to renew your commitment or is spiritually strong to let go?

Analyze your time ... what activities occupy you?  do you receive strength from what you do?  do yo burden yourself with too much senseless activity?  make more time to nurture yourself.

Analyze unfinished business ... do you have long-standing issues with someone?  can you approach them with love, warmth and honesty?  can you share a solution?  can you let go of grievances?

Analyze your abilities ... do you have unrealistic expectations of yourself?  do you compete against others or yourself?  strive for personal best that are in tune with your talents and let others shine where you can’t.

Analyze what will quiet your mind ... can you make peace with the past?  can you seek joy in the future?  forgiveness allows miracles to occur.

Cleansing our spirit allows us to embrace what is present, here and now, for our enrichment.  We release patterns that clog our aura.  And when we reach inside ourselves for strength to live each day to the its fullest our world shines a little brighter and our soul flourishes.  

" Fragile ... "

If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one

Drying in the colour of the evening sun

Tomorrow's rain will wash the stains away

But something in our minds will always stay

Perhaps this final act was meant

To clinch a lifetime's argument

That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could

For all those born beneath an angry star

Lest we forget how fragile we are

On and on the rain will fall

Like tears from a star like tears from a star

On and on the rain will say

How fragile we are how fragile we are

How fragile we are how fragile we are

~ Sting ~ Fragile ~

***

The fragility of human life.  People pass away every day, but unless we personally lose someone, we may not think about it often ...

Today, I am thinking about an old friend who has lost someone special, someone she loved.  And although her and I have lost touch, she always has and always will hold a very special place in my heart.  She is in my prayers as I am sending her strength, love and light ... may her beloved rest in peace.  

Life, how fleeting it truly is.  Most of us just go through the motions ... the motions of day to day life.  I was one of those people who worked hard to achieve success, acquire wealth and try to fill the aching void in my heart.  I gave very little thought to what is beyond this life.  But that one day came when it hit me and hit me hard ... life is just so unpredictable, life is just so fragile.  Now, I am one of those people who does think about how precious life is.  I think about it daily.  After my cancer diagnosis, I am grateful for each and every day.  I know all to well that in an instant it can all be taken away.  

I know that no material possession will cheat death.  The cycle of life, just happens ... even if you are a bystander you are still in the middle of it.  And sometimes you aren’t fully awake, unable to experience the event unfolding in front of your eyes.  You think it just can’t be happening, it just can’t be real.  And then the healing process begins, you eventually ease back into the regular pattern of life.  The cycle of life.  Yet, there will always be a part of you that aches for their absence.  You never get over it, you just learn to live with it.  

I often think that if we were more expressive, we wouldn’t miss those opportunities to tell our loved ones how precious they truly are to us.  We wouldn’t feel the need to say “ I never got a chance to say goodbye or tell them I loved them”.  

Expressions of love are nothing to be fearful of, they are simply necessary ...

Whatever you need to do to show your love today, please do it.  Because the flowers, messages and tributes written would make any heart melt at a funeral, but the person who would have appreciated them most cannot read them.  Have those tributes be reinforcements of what they already knew.  So if you need to make an apology, do it before the eulogy ... time is too precious for us to take the ones we love for granted.