Move

Mother Nature naturally moves...She rarely stands still...
Even when She appears to be still, some aspect of Her is still moving...
Because our bodies are composed of such a high percentage of water, we are being most 'who and what' we are, when we are moving.

During the course of most of our 'work' days, we find ourselves sitting still, sitting and looking, sitting and talking, standing and talking...
And when we do move, we are often rushing around, off balance and hurrying to get somewhere else where we again will sit still or stand and talk...
It certainly doesn't seem what most human bodies would prefer if they had much say in the matter.

So how do we bring the 'dance' back?
How do we bring flow and movement back into our intense lives?
Well, we can do it right wherever we find ourselves.
My good friend, Jenny Stevning, has created a wonderful program in sacred movement/movement meditation.
She helps her students remember the need to open ourselves up to the concept of simple movements that we can do sitting in front of the computer, waiting for an elevator...
She encourages us to listen to our bodies and allow them to tell us what they need.
The next time you have a cramp or sense some discomfort in your body, ask it what it needs.
Often, what you will hear is, 'Move me for heaven's sake!!!'

Jenny leads retreats for healthcare workers helping them re-member that everyone can dance and you don't have to leave the comfort of your chair.
She recently had a group of 30 staff members of a local hospital dancing wildly by moving their feet and arms while staying seated on their chairs.
The staff were amazed at the 'joy' that they felt as they gave themselves permission to do what they used to do as a child...move with abandon...move with freedom...move with Spirit.
They expressed their sense that it also brought them more connected to the Sacred within them.
They experienced as spiritual.
It opened up places within their being that had remained 'stuck and stiff' for quite some time.
When we loosen our stiffness through dance and movement, it is often followed by the loosening of our 'stiffness' in other areas of our life.

So get out there on the 'dance floor' of your life and start moving...
Become an eagle and fly through the air...become a monkey and remember how to play...
It's way past time to give yourself permission to explore the world of movement and become the dancer that has been asleep within you for too long.

Being Beauty

Mother Nature is incredible in the way that She just knows how to 'Be Beauty'.
Whether it is a feather that falls to the Earth from the wings of a Hawk, or a stone that lies gently on the Earth, She just seems to 'know' how to open to being beautiful.

Beauty is in the 'being'.
It is the light that shines forth from the Divine within.
It is the magic of the Spirit that dwells deep inside.
It is the movement of the fluid nature of the water that is so much a part of who we are.
It is the wisdom of knowing what to do, say, or be.
It is the tenderness of a gentle touch.
It is the courageous power of integrity.
It is the enduring passion of unconditional love.
It is the peace that passeth all understanding.
It is a random act of kindness.
It is a generous heart.
It is a life of service.
It is a healing hand.
It is an open mind.
It is in All That Is.

Getting Other Views

From where we each are sitting, the world looks just it does...
That's because it's the world we created for ourselves.
It appears the way it does because we each have spent countless numbers of years making it just that way.
We have added our particular brand of fears, anxieties, loves, etc.
We have adjusted it when it got a bit too different from our comfort zone.
We added some color when we wanted a bit more of 'zing' to our existence.
But by in large (interesting phrase...), it is only what we have allowed it to be.

Periodically, we get 'brave' and ask for other perspectives.
These requests for opinions and observations from others often bring another view of the 'landscape'.
They give us an opportunity to 'see' from a wider plane, 'sense' from a deeper point of reference, and 'connect' to a more core purpose.
The 'other' perspective does not contain all the old tapes that we 'run' all the time about ourselves and our gifts or lack of them.
The 'other' perspective does often come with the other person's tapes, which must be taken into consideration.

So when you seek the 'other' point of view, consider who the 'other' is.
Seek out those that have a truly large view of the world in which they live.
Seek out those that have a deep sense of meaning and purpose.
Seek out those that have the ability to separate themselves from their own 'stuff'.
Seek out those that will have your 'best' in mind when they respond.
And seek out those that will share wisdom from the heart.

Trading Spaces...

When you are in a place where you are beginning to sense a bit of tension between yourself and 'the other', consider trading spaces with the other person.
Sometimes, it is helpful to actually move yourself over into their 'space' and view the situation from a different point of view.
If you always just maintain your own perspective, soon you are going to become bored to death...and also you will find yourself alone in the world.
Those that have the capacity to cross over and wear the shoes of another, learn how 'big' the world is and how much there is to come to understand.

Recently, I saw two birds that were having a rather animated conversation.
Periodically in the discourse, each would raise up and increase the volume of their voice.
The took turns back and forth for some time.
Finally, one of them actually crossed the 'line' and went over to the point of view of the other.
Soon, thereafter, the other one crossed over to the other side.
They just stared at each other for a few minutes as if they were seeing a totally different landscape.
They didn't seem to recognize each other and they were speechless.
Finally, they touched beaks, looked up into the sky above them, and then flew off to a nearby tree to feast together on bugs.
Their differences dissipated when they widened their world view.

So it is with us.
Widen your view, and your enemies become your closest allies.
Widen your view and there are enough resources to feed all the hungry.
Widen your view and it becomes impossible to hold anger or frustration in your heart.

Take a moment to physically step into the 'shoes' of another.
Walk around in them for a bit until you get a truer sense of who that 'other' is.
Then look back at yourself and some of your judgments.
How many of them still hold true...?

Who Do You Like to Hang Out With?

Hanging out with like-minded souls can really get your battery charged.
I recently had an opportunity to spend some time with my Spiritual Teacher and his outrageously awesome family.
Wow...I found myself re-inspired to create and re-write my life.
By periodically connecting in with people who are high creation artists of life, it gives one the opportunity to re-member that high creation is something we can all do.
Every day, we either replicate the same ole, same ole, or we clear some new ground to explore aspects of life that have been unchartered territory.
Looking at things we do every day in a new way provides a freshness to our life experience.
Driving to work can become the adventure of a lifetime
based on the way we choose to view it.
Taking a shower in the morning can be transformed into a transformative experience letting go of all that no longer serves you and opening to the gifts of abundance from the Univers.
Filling the gas tank of your car can become an opportunity to 'imagine' yourself re-fueled' for life with new vitality and lots of power for the long haul.
Pulling the weeds in your garden can become the removal of 'old habit' and practices that are taking up space in your life where you could be sowing more fruit.

Whatever you do, do it consciously.
Whenever you are a quart low, surround yourself with others who are high vitality folk who are ready and willing to share their abundance with you...
We live in a Universe rich in resources and plentiful in positive energy.
There is more than enough for all.

Color Your World

Mother Nature creates in all shapes, sizes, colors and textures.
How come we don't tend to follow Her lead?
So many of our creations can take on the same ole' grey and beige appearance.
The key word here is 'same ole'...
We so often find comfort in what has worked in the past, what has served us before...
But the kind of world we currently live in demands something more.
'Same' only gets us what we have already experienced.
It gives us a chance to relive our past but not shift into a preferred future.
'Same' has its place...but 'Different/New' is what is being called for.
What would 'New' look like on you?
Would it mean a change in the way you are in the world?
Would you be more orange?
Would you be less dry and more wet?
Would you create more texture in your life?
Would you feel more and think less...or the other way around?
Trying on a new interior or exterior can be fun and can develop a major shift in your whole life experience.
You will attract different people and experiences.
If you want to attract more creative expressive experiences, then 'be' that way, because, as you know, like attracts like.
If you would like to be bolder, find a way to let the 'bold' have more space within you.
If you would like to have a larger ring of experience, begin somewhere and start spreading your wings and flying the proverbial coup.

What Signs Have You Posted?

All of us, either consciously or unconsciously, post 'road signs' all over our space.
Sometimes the sign communicates 'No Trespassing'...when we really don't want any visitors within our space.
Sometimes the sign communicates 'Proceed with Caution' when we are not in the best place and would prefer to be left alone.
Sometimes the sign communicates 'Welcome' when we are open to access and connection.

'Signs' are used to communicate information about our state of being.
When we learn how to intuitively 'read' these signs, we can be more sensitive in our interactions with others.
We can better honor boundaries.
We can better respect the 'space' of others.

These 'road signs' come in all shapes and sizes.
They are also available on a larger scale.
Within the context of our lives, 'road signs' can tell us a lot about how our journey is proceeding.
We can learn how to determine progress or the lack of it.
The more aware we become of our environment, the more attuned we are to our own progress.
Our outer environment reflects that which is happening within us.
If there is clutter all around, then there is clutter all around within.
If there is chaos all around, then there is chaos all around within.
If there is peace and tranquility, then there is peace and tranquility all around within.
The 'road signs' that are available to us are abundant.
But do we want to recognize them and even more, do we want to act on them.

Often we 'sense' a sign, and 'see' a sign but choose to ignore a sign.
That just means that we will continue to 'be' right where we have been without much progress.
When we grow tired of being who we have been, then we will choose to 'sense', 'see' and 'act' on the signs that have been all around us for so long.
Action shifts the energy of what has been into what it can become.
Action transforms with movement.
Action causes us to move beyond the boundaries that we have previously set for ourselves.
It takes us beyond intention into the world of change and flux.
Flux is a good thing...it means that the world of potentiality is upon us.
It means that opportunity abounds.
It suggests that there can be more joy, more peace, more conscious redesign.

Learn to move in freedom and creation just like the Universe.
The Universe is in constant motion and says 'YES'!!
What do you say?

The Law of Group Good

Mother Nature is truly incredible.
She always considers the Group Good in all actions and decisions that are made.
She has an incredible memory for what has served the Group in the past.
She always considers what will serve the Group in the future.
She lives in abundance, not scarcity.
She honors the process of life and death.
She transforms Herself daily and recreates beauty moment by moment.
She redesigns new forms of being in the world.
She is never the same today as she was yesterday.
She is a true respecter of all that has come before.
She wastes nothing.
She conserves resources.
She shares openly and generously.
She knows where She came from and Who She is here to serve.
She grows deep wide root structures to support Her.
She stretches Herself to touch the sky.
She loves diversity and thrives in it.
She celebrates Herself and all around Her equally.
She acknowledges Her chosen path.
She turns Her face to the sun who sustains Her life.
She quiets in reflection in the peacefulness of the moonlight.
She experiences the rhythms of all life forms and honors the coming and going of all
seasons of being.
She moves gently and tenderly...she moves boldly and courageously.
She finds joy in just 'BEING'.

Mother Nature...what a teacher, mentor, inspirer, supporter, guide, manager, creator, transformer and miracle worker...

Celebrate the beauty of the Earth everyday and especially on April 22, Earth Day.

The Law of Group Action

About a year and a half ago, Kevin Kaiser and Sarah Ingier held an amazing Bliss Retreat in Hawaii.
The wild and wonderful human beings in the picture above, were all present for this amazing adventure.
This picture was taken at the site of an incredible Volcano Cauldron.
The power of the place was something that could be palpated.

The retreat was all about finding your BLISS...not just anyone's BLISS, but your OWN BLISS.
The group 'held space' for each member to have an experience that could transcend the 'ho-hum' and create just pure unadulterated joy.
The two that led the group, Sarah and Kevin, live in this state of BLISS much of the time.
They are familiar with what it feels like, tastes like, smells like...
And, they held an intention that they wanted to support this group in identifying and experiencing this same lovely 'space' of BLISS.

Because we were being led by those that had 'been there' before, it didn't take long until we were each initiating our own blissful experiences.
For some, it was a lifelong dream fulfilled of swimming with the dolphins.
For others, it was the peaceful experience of playing in the surf with the setting sun bouncing light off their shoulders.
For others, it was waking up to the sound of the gentle ocean breeze carressing the palm trees and inviting them into a brand new day.

As each member of the group began to move into a whole new 'space' of possibilities related to how beautiful and blissful life can be, we felt the power of positive group action.
Each of us sensed this 'aliveness' in the other.
Each of us delighted in the joy experienced by our fellow traveler.
Each of us continued creating the intention that the group would find a place of total BLISS and freedom.

...and we did...

The power of the law of group action can be one of empowerment.
It can bring those in challenging situations up to a place of hopefulness.
By the group holding intention for each member, greater miracles become possible...probable...

The phrase, 'the sum is greater than the parts' is certainly true for the law of group action.
Try it some time...create an intention with others and watch the magic happen.
What group action is trying to happen?
How can your group make the world a better place today?

Being Empty....

This flower, I am told, is a wild lilly.
Some consider this a weed...
That I cannot comprehend...
One of the things that makes this beauty stand out, is its emptiness.
It holds a space within its central core that is a beautiful container.
It is 'empty' space...a place anticipating being filled...or not.

It might be filled with any number of things but the beauty of it is that is holds this space of possibility as to what may enter.

Within each of us lies a space.
A beautiful inner core where Spirit is instilled.
It makes us come alive.
We can choose to fill this space with many different things.
Each of these things has the power to alter who we are.
Each of them has the power to bring us closer or further away from what we are here to do.

Sometimes we unconsciously open this space within to things that can truly harm us.
Sometimes we get smart and open to fill with vitality and creativity and joy.
But it is always our choice.

So much of the time we don't empty out all the old aspects of ourselves.
We hold onto who we used to be because we are afraid to take the risk of starting over.
We become attached to our familiar way of being in the world.
We learn how to simply 'adapt' to our environment, rather than redesign.

Emptying our own being is just as important as emptying our closets and doing Spring cleaning.
Periodically, it is so important to create space to 'recreate' in.
The simple act of surrendering the 'old' creates just the space we need to re-form aspects of ourselves that we have outworn.

Our world is in need of new ways of 'being'.
Our world is overdue for a major healing.
Our world will heal one person at a time.

Create some space in which to heal.
Make the world a better space.

The Sacredness of Life...

This beautiful moth is similar to the one that was hit by my car on my drive home from
San Diego recently.
When I noticed the beautiful moth on the front grill of the car, I felt a sense of terrible loss, grief, guilt...
I felt like a terrible human being that somehow had been a participant in harming an innocent creature.
When I was in the midst of these overpowering emotions, I noticed that the moth moved.
It's wing was very very broken...actually both wings were broken and it was not capable of flying in any way.
I approached the moth slowly and carefully and gently eased the moth away from the grill that it was trapped in.
I held it in my hand...and we formed a 'bond'.
I sent that beautiful moth a heartfelt apology for the harm I had caused it.
I so wished somehow that the situation could have been different.
What I 'heard' from the moth, was that what it wanted was to experience human compassion.
So I sat in the car with the moth in my hand for some time, sending it love and appreciation for its beauty and courage.
The moth moved occasionally and would stretch its leg...that's about the only part of the moth that was able to move...it's movement brought more tears of grief for the little life that was cut short.
I decided to carry the moth in my lap as I drove to my next destination.
It seemed to rest quietly, again moving infrequently but just enough so that I knew she was still with me.
When I arrived at my destination, I sat in the car and 'asked' her what she wanted and how I could help her 'transition' which I sensed was more imminent.
She communicated that she wanted to be allowed to rest in a warm space in the sun.
So I prepared such a space, placed her gently there, and said a blessing for her life.
I asked that her gift to the world be acknowledged and her life be honored.
When I came back to the spot where she was lying a bit later, she had passed on.
She had 'birthed' new wings that would take her on to a place 'not of this world'.
I placed her beautiful broken body in some flowers on the ground nearby and as I did this, a young girl approached.
Oh, she said, that looks like a beautiful creature.
And I showed her the beauty of this amazing little being.
She looked and smiled.
Then she spoke of her love of all the birds and butterflies and other creatures of the Earth.

The moment brought me to a remembrance of the sacredness of life...of the fragile nature of our existence...
What a gift each moment is.
And what a gift it is to share this beauty.
What a gift it is to acknowledge and honor the life that surrounds us...the life that is within us.
Why take this for granted?
Why disregard its significance?

Why not realize its incredible value...
Why not open to its mystery...
Why not explore its offerings...