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When the Storm Ends

15 Oct

A New Beginning Opens Up

I can breathe again!

With the end of any challenging experience brings the opportunity for a new beginning and direction in life.  We aren’t defined by the challenges themselves or if we make mistakes, we are defined by the changes we make as a result.

My recent challenges have finally levelled off and in the last couple of weeks I finally had the chance to exhale.  My renewed sense of awareness, focus and direction are creating a sense of peace that feels like I am in a state of relaxation all day long.  I don’t know if it is just that my mind and body have finally de-activated the “All Systems Alert” button or if the new beginning is the major cause but what I do know is that my new normal is feeling fabulous!

The Storm itself is meant to cause upheaval and depending on what your life lessons are and where you are on your path that upheaval could be either minor or major.  If you are too far off your destined path the major storm can be quite stressful but the storms themselves open up opportunity for growth and transition that you may not have reached without it and hopefully the wisdom you gain is used to your best advantage.  The storms should NEVER be wasted and what ALWAYS comes with them is the opportunity to change things to your liking, you always have a choice.

I’ve experienced both minor and major storms and “God willing” there aren’t many more of the major ones destined but honestly it feels like my latest one really cracked me open and as hard as it was to deal with I really like the end result.

Along with my new beginning came a greater appreciation for the parts of life I used to rush through, I used to get so stressed about making everything I had on my plate fit into my day whether it took up all of my “ME” time or not.  I crammed as much as I could in my day in order to whittle down my ever-growing “to do” list but I was depriving myself of a much needed decompress time at the end of the day and I’ve been doing this for many months, maybe even a year.  No wonder my new sense of peace and direction has me feeling like I’m in a state of relaxation all day long, it makes sense that unwinding from that much lack of self-preservation feels so cathartic.

There were so many benefits that I’ve been able to take away from all my experiences and digging for the deeper strength has been the hardest task but I definitely learned that no matter what if you have to go through something difficult, don’t do it alone!  Regardless of how strong you may think you are, vulnerability is the key to finding the new path.  It doesn’t mean you are weak, actually it is probably the moment you are most open because when you are vulnerable you don’t have the fight left to resist.  Resistance is what prevents you from embracing change and during the storms is the time when the most change is needed.

If you are currently in a storm in your life (minor or major), neither are easy, keep reminding yourself that it will eventually pass and when it’s done there are many gifts on the other side waiting for you.  Embrace them for all that they offer, stay open and mindful that you don’t resist.  You have more inner strength than you probably realize and when you dig the deepest the biggest rewards will follow.  The rewards may not look the way you had envisioned, they will likely be better and bring you a greater sense of peace, as they did with me.

adversity #2

 
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Posted by on October 15, 2013 in Blog

 

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All Good Things in the Right Time!

31 Aug

Allowing the Universe to Set the Pace

I have my beliefs that I follow, one of them is having faith that things work out as they should and when they should, fighting or resisting the natural flow is pointless and usually very frustrating so it’s better for me to do what I need to do and allow the Universe to respond and set the pace.

I have many life goals that I want to achieve, all of which I have initiated and the most important aspect that I have to remain true to, is faith that the Universe will present the right opportunities when the time is perfectly right and not to try to force anything ahead of what is already divinely arranged.

The Universe provides us all with what we need but knows when the time is right and when we are most open to receive, accept and embrace.  I think there are definitely times when we don’t realize that we aren’t fully open and could be blocking ourselves in some way that isn’t easily recognizable for us so that we could change it.  I know that there have been a few times where I’ve thought “I’m ready” but things aren’t happening the way I’d hoped or when I’d hoped.  What I’ve realized much later is even though I thought was ready, it turns out I wasn’t, I just thought I was and thought I knew better but that was the ego thinking  (EGO:  Edging God Out – as in removing faith in what you cannot see)

I’m not over the top in my beliefs and everyone has their own right to choose, I’ve learned what works for me and what doesn’t and I have adjusted and lived my life accordingly.  Everyone should have the right to choose their own path and not be forced or coerced down one that doesn’t fully feel right or aligned with their inner core.  As much as I’d like to at times help or direct someone I care about down a path that I feel is best for them it is not my place to do so and I don’t walk in their shoes every day so I am not aware of all that occurs within, nor do I have the right to judge which path they choose, that is the beauty of “free will”.  Live and let live, I know I don’t like being told how I should be doing things so why should I expect that anyone else would.  I am always open and appreciative to hear the opinion and/or advice of others I respect and admire but the final decisions are ultimately mine to make.

Our ego can get the better of us at times because it inflates and infuses our thoughts into an over-exaggerated belief of self-prominence and knowledge.  What I’ve usually discovered later down the road in hindsight is usually very humbling and expands my awareness to a greater degree.

I believe the best course of action is to lay the groundwork, let the Universe respond when the time is right and be open to waiting for it and taking advantage of the opportunity when it presents itself, you will “feel it” when the opportunity is right, do not hesitate, seize the moment.  Trusting and believing that things will happen as they should and when they should is the key to enhancing your patience.  If something doesn’t go the way you’d hoped it usually takes you into a newer and better direction, one that turns out to be a better plan that maybe you never had thought of or considered.  Every single time I have maintained my belief and faith I have been rewarded with more opportunities than I could have imagined and that is enough of an indication for me to stay on the same track because it works great!  I don’t need to push the boundaries because things always tend to even out in the end so putting myself through additional stress trying to push or force something to happen is pointless.

faith quote

Like I said earlier I have many life goals that I’ve initiated, I have many hopeful desires for life direction that I will continue to focus my strongest thoughts on and I will do all that I need to achieve them but without force because the Universe will present the opportunities and if it isn’t what I’d hoped for, I know it will be something better, experience has taught me that lesson.

Remember your thoughts (positive or negative) are just as strong an influence on the direction your life goes as anything in your life and what you most think about will show up in your life so be very aware of what thoughts you have in both your conscious and sub-conscious mind.  In my opinion it is the sub-conscious mind that has the most power (the sub-conscious runs continually), you can say to yourself consciously that you wish and desire things one way but if you feel deep down (sub-consciously) that your thoughts really don’t fully believe than you could be your own downfall.

As an example to illustrate this theory, I myself utilize this same thought process but I also read it as an excerpt from one of the contributing writers in the book “The Secret”.  A woman spoke of having issues with her weight her whole life and when she started to utilize the theories in the “The Secret” that changed.  Her sub-conscious thoughts used to fully support her reasoning for having difficulty with controlling her weight, how she couldn’t lose it no matter how many different diets she tried or how much exercise she did.

In case you aren’t seeing what the common denominator is here she kept reinforcing negative thoughts that backed up why she couldn’t shed the unwanted pounds:

–         I tried exercise but can’t lose any weight

–         Everything I eat goes to my waist

–         I’ve tried all diets and nothing keeps it off

All of her inner responses and sub-conscious thoughts were reinforcing and allowing the negative to keep operating against her with excuses as to why it wasn’t working, making it ok to fail and justifying it.

It really does all begin with changing your thoughts as to where you can progress to and having faith that things will go in the direction you want.  So she changed her thoughts and reinforced them with positive ones

–         Exercise is taking off the excess I want to discard

–         Nothing is going to stick to me

–         This new diet of moderation with occasional reward is working

By the end of the story the woman had said she was down to her goal weight and maintaining it because of this change of thought process and that was within not only the conscious but sub-conscious mind.  You need to have both on board to be able to effect the change you want to see.

The same enhancement of thought goes for everything in your life including your faith and state of being and even though I’ve had my moments of doubt (which I believe everyone has at one time or another, it’s only natural and human), but bringing myself back to center and positive thinking will bring a much more relaxed state of happiness and healthy living.

–         Be Aware

–         Be Open

–         Be Gracious

–         Be Humble

The Universe will give you what you need when you live in these states of being.  Always remember that things could be so much worse and that breath of life is a gift that shouldn’t go unappreciated.

just have a little faith

 
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Posted by on August 31, 2013 in Blog

 

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Thoughts for Thanksgiving

09 Oct

Thanks and Gratitude

As we all celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada or look forward to Thanksgiving in the U.S. I wanted to acknowledge the many things in my life with honor, thanks and gratitude:

Thank-You for my Beautiful Daughter and Family:

Even though we don’t all always agree for short or even too long of periods at times, I do remember and recognize whether we have agreed or not that there are some very good moments I will always cherish and appreciate.  Everything in our lives happens for a reason, some of our family members are meant to love us, challenge us and/or help us to grow.  There is a specific purpose for their placement in our lives whether we want to acknowledge it or resist it will determine what we are blessed to learn.  I have spent time resisting (and by that I mean being emotionally stubborn) only to discover that once I let things be as they are (give up the fight to be right, whether I was right or not) it became significantly easier on my heart and spirit.   

Thank-You for my Good Health:

I have the physical capabilities to take on any task or challenge that I wish to like participating in sports or parking my car at the furthest area of a parking lot because I am more than capable to walk the distance to the door without getting tired, having trouble breathing or experiencing pain.  I do not have any visual impairments or neurological delays that could inhibit me in any way.  Even though we see our abilities as being a part of our everyday lives it’s important to acknowledge and appreciate that things could be much different and much more challenging and honor those that power through them with true determination and courage.

Thank-You for my Irreplaceable Friends:

Friendship is one relationship that transcends barriers on so many levels, I think especially so for women, because our most meaningful connections are preferred to be at a very deep level and we are innately more tuned to that desire.  I have a select few of friends that are easily the most invaluable because like family, they can also love, challenge and help us to grow but from a different perspective.  Unlike family that are born or married within the lineage, friends are drawn to each other because of similarities in our faith, hopes and desires in life.

Thanks You for my Opportunities:

I have had so many great opportunities so far and I know that there are many more to come.  Opportunities haven’t always come in the form I have expected but luckily I’ve had fantastic signs and in the last 10 years I’ve been blessed to learn how to recognize them for what they are.  It wasn’t always easy for me to recognize even the most obvious sign but once I tuned into my inner spirit (my gut instinct) and starting listening and allowing it to guide me the signs became more abundant and easier to read.

I have had a lot of changes through the last 15 years, some have been difficult, some have been easy, but all have been necessary.  Regardless of whether they were desired or not I am thankful that they came at all and recognize that in the bigger picture they serve a purpose.  Even if I don’t see or understand what that purpose may be in the now, I have faith that eventually the wisdom will come whether it is through my Family, my Health, my Friends, or my Opportunities.

 
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Posted by on October 9, 2012 in Blog

 

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Your Life, Your Choice!

31 Jul

Every Move Counts

We all make choices in our lives every day, some are good choices, some are bad choices, the question is, are they the right choices for you?  Are you being true to the person you know you are inside, and where you envision your life to be going?

We all have positive and negative experiences but I do not believe that the experience itself is the downfall or a valid reason to hold anyone other than ourselves responsible for where we progress or don’t progress to. 

All choices, good or bad, are ours to make, which makes us, the individual, the sole person responsible for where things go from there.  I do believe that we have events, occurrences and situations that help to shape and teach us.  Everything happens for a reason and I believe the opportunity that lies within each challenge or blessing is to create an awareness that we had not yet grown into until that time. 

I’ve had the opportunity to observe many different personalities in my life so far and I know that there are many more out there that have yet to cross my path.  Some of these people I thoroughly enjoyed and some not so much, but all of them have had an impact and brought about a greater awareness for me,  some in areas I hadn’t really explored, and some I wasn’t yet aware of.  I have learned some very valuable aspects of life from very specific people, ones I really don’t think I could do well without.  Regardless of the lessons, challenges or blessings I have experienced so far, the outcome and how I perceive things from then on, whether I’m stuck in a good or bad mindset is mine alone.

I’ve come across some very inspiring individuals that have blown me away emotionally because at the core they are truly beautiful, in ways that has absolutely nothing to do with anything in the physical.

I have come across others that are the polar opposite and fully believe that life and society has failed them, owes them and they are not responsible for any of the bad circumstances or choices that have plagued their lives.

There are various degrees of both of these drastic and opposite personalities but the one thread that seems common to me is that regardless of the challenge we all have the choice to let it inhibit us from personal growth and happiness or let it help us to flourish and experience a better and more meaningful existence.

  • Are you making the right choices for you and being true to your conscious and sub-conscious self?
  • Are you making the right choices for where you see yourself 5, 10, 15 or 20 years down the road?
  • Are you making the right choices for a personal happiness plan ( PHP ) that is in better alignment with who you really are within?
  • Are you making the choices that don’t leave you with regrets when closing in on the last chapter of your life?

I think we’ve all had our moments of making good and bad choices, it’s how we handle them from there that defines us.

 
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Posted by on July 31, 2012 in Blog

 

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Purpose & Passion

01 May

Every Obstacle or Setback Creates an Opportunity

It’s hard to believe that this would be true but it is and believe me I’ve done my fair questioning of “Are you kidding me?”  It is usually through difficulty that we find out what we are really made of and what we really can accomplish.  The question to ask when you are in the midst of difficulty is do I want to find a positive outcome and do better or do I want to look for an excuse not to try and do the same or worse.  It’s the balance of positive versus negative and that can be a battle all on its own.  Some have to work harder than others to find the positive side but I can assure you it’s totally worth it.

Of course it is easiest not to try, there is no effort required for that route at all and unfortunately that makes it the most travelled road but definitely not the most pleasant, positive or purposeful.

I know everyone out there has the desire to have a better life and anything worth having is definitely worth working for.  If things were too easy they would be so attainable that they likely wouldn’t be desired.  This is true in taking the path of “not to try”, there is absolutely no effort required in this route and I’m quite sure that there isn’t one person out there that wants to have nothing, no one says when they are a child that my life goal is “not to try”.  Every child has a dream and just because we are now adults doesn’t mean that you’ve passed the point of attaining a goal you made as a child, teen or young adult.  The only difference is that you just alter the timeline, instead of achieving something by the time you were 25 you now achieve it by the time you’re 35 , 45, 55, etc.  The only reason you can’t achieve something should be because you are no longer on the earthly plane, other than that being an obstacle, there are none.  We only create obstacles to make ourselves feel better for not doing something we really wanted to do and at the end of the day you still don’t feel better.

Some of my biggest setbacks have created the enlightenment that I needed to guide me to my greater passion and purpose.

I can honestly say without a doubt that I wouldn’t change any of the events that led me to where I am today.  Of course some of them were so far from ideal that I was questioning the greater reasoning  behind them at the time, but all of them I can now honor and appreciate because they led me to my passion which then led me to my purpose.  The way I was able to find my purpose was  within, I started listening to my inner spirit.  It had always been whispering to me and I found that it was only when I started to listen and pay attention that it became louder and stronger.

My purpose has led me to a greater form of contentment, peace and balance which has motivated my desire to stay on this path.

If you are looking for a sign that you deserve to honor your and achieve your innermost desires then this is it.

You ARE worthy!

You CAN achieve whatever you desire!

You CAN live a life with purpose and passion!

DON’T let anyone ever tell you any different!

 
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Posted by on May 1, 2012 in Blog

 

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Positively Empowering!

10 Apr

It’s Never Too Late to Re-Write Your Life Story

It’s been a very contemplative week for me, a lot of deep thinking and it’s all due to the power of the positive.  I’ve had the benefit of watching Oprah’s Lifeclass Tour which began just last week and I’ve found it to be a huge opportunity for expanding my own personal growth.  I don’t think anyone is ever really done when it comes to expanding your awareness.  I definitely don’t think that I have things all figured out and I absolutely love that Oprah is putting on this tour and broadcasting it worldwide.  I am so excited to see positive thinking and personal empowerment being spread on such a global scale.  The opportunities we can all create for ourselves have no limits and this tour is a huge reminder of that as well as an opportunity for anyone looking to experience personal growth, empowerment, awareness, motivation and inspiration.  So far there have only been 2 shows of this tour televised and it has already amplified my own thirst for personal growth and empowerment.  It has helped me to continue to remind myself that what I want to project outward at all times is a healthy and positive attitude and that no matter who or what the circumstance is I am going to be strong and not allow anything to interrupt or change that in any way.

If something is bothering or interrupting my personal flow of life I find that the best thing I can do is try to find the ultimate reason behind it, look for the positive lesson.  Sure, I could shrug my shoulders, give in and scream out “what’s the point of this?” or say “it’s not my fault, it’s theirs”, but for me I don’t see any benefit in doing that ever!  It doesn’t solve anything, it doesn’t make you feel any better and it certainly doesn’t change things.  So if you’re going to say “what’s the point of this?” make sure that question is directed to “what’s the point of me giving this any energy?”.

One of the key things on the first show that I believe to be a very significant factor in a lot of people’s lives is “what story are you telling?”.  If the reasons you aren’t succeeding or moving forward are because of a difficulty you’ve experienced in your life ( in your past ) then you need to stop telling that story.  It’s something that has caused you pain but by continuing to use that as your story (your excuse) you are the one holding yourself back from being all that you are meant to be.

When you continue to re-tell your story of the obstacles that have prevented you from having the life that you wanted, you are reinforcing that story and giving it more energy to grow and become an even bigger obstacle.  Close off the old story – “Life was tough before now, some of it was very painful, but now I’m going to take charge and I’m going to change it, it’s going to get better.  It’s going to be the life that I want and that I was meant to live”.

You need to re-write that story to suit you better to who you are now and who you want to become.  A good beginning, that I have used, is to simply change my perspective and attitude, it doesn’t cost a thing.  Maybe at first you may not see the changes and it’s not because they aren’t there but it does take some time to learn how to recognize your newfound awareness but it won’t be long before you are able to fully embrace it and begin to move forward.

Start your new story now, don’t wait, don’t leave it for another day.  If inspiration, motivation or both strike you, then you need to strike back while the iron is hot.  I know you are totally worth it to re-write your new story, one that is more positive and of more benefit to the direction you want to see your life go.   The only way to grasp a new way of life is to let go of the old one.

 
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Posted by on April 10, 2012 in Blog

 

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A New Year, A New Day

27 Dec

New Years Resolutions

I’ve always loved the concept of a brand new year, it’s a time to wipe the slate clean, start anew.  Brand new opportunities are yours to discover and accept with open arms, open mind and an open heart.

We all make New Years Resolutions, some last a day, a week, a month or all year, it’s up to you.  We can make those changes at any time of the year but for me it’s always felt to be a stronger resolve at the beginning of a new year.

It’s not all about the party, it’s about the fresh start in a new direction.  The magic in the air at the beginning of a new year is abundant. This is the time to initiate and make your greatest desires come true.

Everyone dreams of what they want, they do the planning and at the beginning of a new year all those dreams have created an insurmountable amount of energy in the air.  Sadly not everyone who has made their resolutions carry through with them which leaves a build-up of energy available for everyone else to tap into and utilize for their own personal endeavors.

2011 has been a year of significant change for me in every aspect of my life.  Letting go of that which no longer serves as well as reaching for new and beautiful things to enrich and align with my life’s purpose.

I have many new things to reach and dream for in this new year and believe me they are all big.  I am so excited and ready for 2012 it’s going to be a big year for everyone.  Lots of big and good changes are my prediction, and remember just because you don’t always see a change as good at the beginning doesn’t mean you won’t see the good at the end.  Everything happens for a reason.

If I can give you all one thing for the new year, please let it be inspiration to reach for all you desire and deserve.

Make your New Year all that you want it to be:

Dream big! 

Have Faith!

Believe!

 
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Posted by on December 27, 2011 in Blog

 

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