I'm starting to learn that the way the mind behaves will never change. I used to think something was wrong with me, and there must be a way to fix my doubtful, fearful mind. I thought with enough meditation and self awareness, or enough self-help books, I might one day be rid of so many critical thoughts attempting to derail my plans.
Read MoreYou never told me when it would be the last time. For years I woke up frustrated and tired, anxious to get a good night’s sleep in my own bed, without thrashing legs and midnight dreams.
I taught you how to need me less. I gathered you and tucked you back into your own bed. Go back to sleep, you can do it, it’s all ok.
Read MoreThis skill to discern what feels "good" and "right" to us, has beautiful and amazing ramifications. When we are aligned with our own truth, we walk and act with confidence. We know what to do because we know who we are. We understand that others may not agree. We know that not honoring ourself will make us feel worse and not better.
Read MoreLove is expansive. There is no end to how much love you are able to give or receive.
Sometimes when we have so many myths about love, it helps to take it in baby steps. Let love in slowly, and see how you feel.
We have been taught to charge ahead at all costs, to abandon our own self care, and to run ourselves ragged until we reach the desired result. We demand so much of ourselves in any given situation - we demand smiles and happiness despite feeling grief. We demand results despite never being here before. We demand immediate relief in the face of hardship.
Read MoreOur hearts speak to us all the time. Our minds question and complicate. Our heart asks that we do the next simple thing - like getting a hold of a camera and taking some photos.
Read MoreLike nature, we are part of a larger Universe. The same energy that created the plants, trees, and cosmos, also created us. And everything in nature is constantly growing and expanding - including us.
A tree's sole (soul) purpose on earth is to grow - despite storms, broken limbs, damaged roots, drought, or infection, the tree grows. Branches reach toward the sun, even in the most desperate conditions.
The outside world and circumstances will not change for us - we will always be faced with challenge, pain, failure, illness, injury, setback or disfunction. Our reaction to life is up to us. How we handle our darkest moments teaches us a lot about who we are and what we welcome in.
Read MoreDo you believe in manifesting? Manifesting is the practice of creating something tangible with your thoughts. If we think about something enough, it will become our reality.
Read MoreWhen in doubt, fear, turmoil, angst, worry, aggression, impatience, sadness, overwhelm, or despair.... add love. Love is ALWAYS the answer.
Read MoreWhen something challenging arrives, fear tries to take advantage of our vulnerability. Our inner voice might say things like, "You can't do this." "It's not worth it." "No one cares anyway.” Courage is hearing the voice of fear, and making the decision you know in your heart anyway.
Read MoreLove is our truest nature. The path of yoga points directly to love, as the source, the center, and the essence of all beings. Imagine, all the texts, practices, and years of history, all leading us to love. Love is so simple yet at times impossible to put into practice. Before I get to love, I often arrive at denial, judgment, blame, and self-rightousness, until finally landing on love.
Read MoreOn our road to change and growth, on our way to happy destiny, we experience challenge, loss, rejection, and even tragedy. Persevering ignites our worthiness and sends a message to the universe that we are in this to win it. We are not giving up. We may need to remain open to alternate routes, and an outcome that we hadn't considered. This doesn't mean settling, or throwing out our plan; it means staying open to receive all the gifts that are in store for us, not just the idea we have in our mind.
Read MoreMeditation is a state of mind, one where we are fully present and fully able to experience the current moment. Rather than think of meditation as something you do, think of meditation as something you are, as a result of presence. By practicing presence, you arrive in a new awareness, and this loving awareness is meditation.
Read MoreKnowing we are the drop and also the entire ocean is a reference in yoga to the idea that we are both a human being, with our own experiences, beliefs, and choices, and also a part of everyone and everything. We are human and divine. The divine part of us is connected to the divine part of everyone else.
Read MoreDuring any period of discomfort, there should be an awareness of your greatness; you might feel sad or lost right now, but you also know you are capable. You know you are strong. You know this painful spot might be motivating you to take brave action.
Read MoreEach of us has unique gifts that are ours. Gifts erupt from our soul and show up as kindness, laughter, food, helping, talents, and passions. Gifts also come from our experience, and they might be messy, tragic, and full of pain. When we offer our true self, we offer it all. This doesn't mean we have to bare our heart to every person we meet. But we don't have to be ashamed of the parts of us that may or may not receive validation according to the norm.
Read MoreWe've all been there - we'd rather feel sorry for ourself than take the steps necessary to be forgiven, and to grow. None of us are perfect. We want to own our mistakes in order to learn. We don't want to be so full of pride we can't admit when we've done something wrong, and we also don't want to be so full of unworthiness that we can't pull ourselves out.
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