Silver Linings

Around five this morning, I woke and could not get back to sleep. I lay in bed reflecting on my writing and the reason it was stifled. The block occurred after our writing group’s last critique. Although constructive, the feedback made me question the purpose of my story. After several re-writes, critiques, and versions, it morphed into a different story – not the one I wanted to tell. 

I have always said we learn what we want, by knowing what we do not want. It seems counter-intuitive, but it works. When faced with diversity, remember there may be a reason. Many people are alive today because on 9/11, they over-slept, were in a traffic jam, or at the last minute – had a change in plans.

It is a mindset and challenge – to see positive outcomes from negative situations. Here’s the rainbow that appeared today, after seeing a silver lining …

Silence

Clouds fill the sky

Light floats on water

Everything is quiet

Alone with my thoughts.

Birds chirp good night
Leaves are ever still
Nightfall is near
Peace lies in my heart.

Silence fills the air
Nothing is stirring
Breath comes gently
Serenity is with me now.

Quiet Moments

It is said 2011 is a year of consciousness. Taking time for quiet moments raises inner awareness.

 In the LA Times Sunday Conversation, Deepak Chopra was asked how people can make their New Year’s resolution stick.

He replied, “Take five or ten minutes of quiet time and ask yourself simple questions:
*  Who am I?
*  What do I want?
*  What is my life’s purpose?
*   Is there a contribution I can make to my community or to society?
*  What kind of relationships do I want to have?

*  What is my idea of well being, and how can I achieve it?

I don’t ask that you even know the answers, but if you start to do this kind of reflection, it has a very interesting way of not only moving you to the answers but of changing your behavior. Reflective self-inquiry spontaneously leads to change.”

It is easy to be pulled into the multi-tasking, fast-paced world we live in. Make a point of claiming time just for you. Sit comfortably. Be aware of your body and surrounding. Quiet your mind. Feel your breath.

Quiet moments enrich our lives, our relationships, and our world.

1111 - The New Year

The time 11:11 intrigues me. I looked it up one day and learned it was a sign from angels, to let us know they are with us.   I didn’t think about the significance of this year, until I woke up New Year’s Day and realized it was 1/1/11!

Jan 2nd was a rainy day, so we lounged by the fireside watching TV.   The shows were motivating and correlated spirituality of the New Year.   Oprah’s exciting new network is devoted to inspiration, self discovery, and connection to the world. One show called Miracle Detectives investigates sightings of angels. Hospital staff discovered light images of angels recorded on security cameras.  The next day, a near-death infant recovered miraculously. 

We watched Iconoclasts on Sundance which pairs two celebrities, who appear an unlikely duo.  This episode featured Deepak Chopra and Mike Meyers discussing the connection between comedy and consciousness.  They noted how one measure of enlightenment is your comfort with paradox, or contradiction or ambiguity.  A sign of expanding consciousness is a loss of self-importance, which means you can laugh at yourself.   Mike said, “Pain plus time is humor.”  Deepak explained, “When you can look back at your suffering and pain with experience, you can transcend it.   Humor is humanity’s device to escape suffering.”    It's funny, Mike's latest movie is: The Love Guru and Deepak's recent book is: Why is God Laughing?

Another topic of theirs and joint experience was synchronicity. According to Carl Jung it is, “the coming together of inner and outer events in a way that cannot be explained by cause and effect and that is meaningful to the observer.” 

Today, I looked up 11:11 and read “finding 11:11 frequently creates synchronicities in your life. 2011 will have great significance and consciousness will evolve in full swing January 1, 2011.” 

1111, Angels, Synchronicity … Divine confirmation we are all connected, gaining inner consciousness and concern for the world.

Ask and Believe

I wanted to find a gift to protect someone while traveling to Pakistan. I knew the Chakra Shack would be the perfect place to find it. I was right. What I didn’t expect was to have a reading. The first thing the psychic said was, “I see a lot of books. Are you writing?” She drew the top card from the Tarot deck. “It’s the World card. You have something that people around the world can benefit from. Through creative writing, you can inspire people.”

She told me many other incredible things. She asked me what my connection was with angels. Then she said the light behind me looked like wings. The next day was the third anniversary since my Mom passed away. I asked the psychic about her. I said, “In the beginning, there were several signs from my Mom. As time went on, the signs diminished. “

The following day, I read the memorial I wrote for my Mom, lit candles, and bought sunflowers – her favorite. I found a ladybug on my curtain in the bedroom. It is a sign of luck and love. The sunset that evening was extraordinary – it had wings behind it!



Later that week, Peaches and I were out front. I stepped onto the little dirt road and said, “Animals – Come out, come out, where ever you are.” The next morning, deer were feeding in our backyard. We hadn’t seen them there in almost 4 years!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Verbalize your wishes and dreams, then believe … they really do come true!

 
 
 
 
 
 

Inspire

I love the synchronicity and mysticism of spa experiences.  In New Mexico, I picked the Miracle stone from a basket of stones inscribed with messages.  It popped off my heart chakra after a hot stone massage.  

Recently, at a spa in Colorado, I was given another stone.  It is an affirmation that I am on the right path. 

   

The Hills are Alive

We drove 3 ½ hours from Denver to Snowmass Village admiring expansive hills and pine covered mountains. In Glenwood Springs, Mount Sopras’ grey peak emerged from red rocks and green vegetation.
 

Friday we climbed a winding trail for almost an hour. Most of the flowers had passed preparing for the early fall. But the hills were alive with scents, sounds, and sights.

  

At the top, our reward was a 360 view of Snowmass Village and striped Mount Daly, while standing on a stone labyrinth with yin and yang in the middle. The breath taking scenery in the sacred spot was relaxing, and at the same time energizing.

We’re alive – love life!