The Universal ComEd

Ever say or think, “The lines of communication between God/the Universe/my creativity, etc., are closed.” or that, “They are now open.” Well, I’ve got news for ya. Those lines are always open. Spirit broke it down to me like this:

1. God is like ComEd. Just go with it. I hope you’ll see and appreciate the humor of this analogy as I did. OK. So, God (the Universe, Spirit, Divine Mind – pick whichever works best for you) is, owns, has and shares all power.

2. Guess what. You will never have to pay a bill. In fact, you’ll never be sent a bill. In fact, (hold on to yourselves for this one) there is no bill to pay. There is no Accounts Receivable Department. The power is available to the Universe (duh) and since you’re a part of the Universe, it’s always available to you. You don’t have to earn it, or call for a special hook-up or make an appointment (only after speaking to untold numbers of agents and customer service reps and being in the “Q” and listening to mind-numbing music for hours) to have it turned on. The power is always on – you just have to realize it. Perhaps the problem is that because it IS always there, we don’t recognize it. We think we must have to DO something to keep it runnin’ otherwise, it doesn’t work. No. That’s your human mind doing a bit of creative thinking again. I love creative thinking. Make it work for you and realize when it’s not.
NOTE: At this point, you can dig out your copy of The Secret or one of L. Ron Hubbard’s books or one of the scazillion self-help, self-actualizing tapes or books that you’ve bought or been given. If one in particular comes to mind, check it out. Otherwise, continue reading this missive if you like. This isn’t a new message, it’s just repositioned. Why? ‘Cause this is about The Power, OUR Power and the Users Manuals is part of our DNA. Folks have been speaking and writing about it for ages. If you are getting a message, a "hit" about your own power right now, click out of this site and get into that. Bottom line: you ARE the Power. If a switch has already flipped for you -- go with it! Give yourself permission to be the being of wisdom, love, majesty and power that you are.

Still there? Cool. And welcome! Read on.

3. Breathe. It may take a minute to work through all the self-talk and dogma speak about limitations, unworthiness, privilege, us vs. them, etc. Think of it this way, if human beings owned the power, some greedy, scared-to-death little people might limit how much others could have. They might determine who is worthy and who is not. They might tell you what you have to sacrifice for the privilege--and doing so in a way that you'd always be operating from a place of deficiency and lack. They might even say one group can have access and others can't because of the way they dress, bow, where they were born, who their human and historical Moms and Dads were. Yeah. That is the creative thinking of people who know of the concept of power, but have no active relationship with Power. These are people who covet man-made power and use what they have in punitive ways to create a divide, to promote darkness for some and dimness (vs. light) for others. These people have not flipped their own switches. They are operating from darkness themselves while pretending (or maybe honestly thinking) that the faux, temporary, conditional power is the Universal Power. They project a voice like that of Gollum (a.k.a. Golem) from the Lord of the Rings) saying, “My precious. My precious.” in that creepy voice, with a skinny, dirty hand and gnarled fingers trying to snatch power from Mr. Frodo. Here's a link to images of Gollum. An unattractive fellow. http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&rlz=1T4SKPB_enUS391US391&tbs=isch:1&q=gollum+lord+of+the+rings&revid=206200157&sa=X&ei=tMcZTfK3OoSUnQeShs3SDQ&ved=0CDQQ1QIoAA&biw=1345&bih=528

Turn away from the Gollums (internal and external) and realize you’re not wearing a ring of power. It’s not something you can put on and take off. No one else can give it to you or keep it from you. You ARE the power. By the way, sometimes the Gollums in our lives are quite attractive and that's part of their strategic distraction. Their surface beauty and power may present themselves as money, position power, sex, belongings, etc.

4. Search your DNA, touch your wisdom to remember the Truth that Divine Power is: universal, unlimited, inexhaustible, totally in-the-moment appropriate (in other words, it’s exactly what you need, when you need it and even present before you know you need it) available to all – all the time, immutable, exciting and the manifestation of Divine Love.

5. Now that you remember The Power, what it is, how and where it is and whose it is; now that you remember who you are and that you are The Power, now what? Here’s the kicker. Sometimes we forget we have and are The Power and, therefore, that it’s available to us all the time. Sometimes we thrash around in darkness, cursing the darkness, stumbling and stubbing our toes, not realizing all we have to do is flip the switch of our thinking and speaking to be in illumination and to be illuminated. Sometimes we believe the hype that we have to go to a special storehouse to get a special brand of a man-made bulb and, because we’re trying to get it from another human being who’s spewing the dogma of limitation, we believe the privilege is limited or can only come in a certain package or wattage. Sometimes we believe we’re 1000-watt bulbs, or 100, or 25-watt bulbs or worse, night lights. Sometimes we content ourselves with believing we're only as powerful as candle lights and spin it so we say it’s romantic as we squint and try to read the book of our lives. You know what that sounds like. It's the language of dogma.

Instead of this misthinking, know you’re phosphorescent white light. When you show up in all your power, some people – even you – may be temporarily blinded. We’ve been taught to look away as if we’ll sustain some kind of spiritual retinal damage. This Power is not an eclipse. You don’t need a box with a hole in it or special glasses to see it. You ARE it. Look at it. Look at yourself fully. Yes, you may squint for a moment. But keep looking and you'll begin to see -- in every way.

Lifework:

1. Flip your switch.

2. Live in the light, which is your Power – which is you being fully you.

3. Take all the actions that you can now clearly see.

4. Share your Power with others. Allow your light to first help them see shadows (not seen in total darkness), then the full spectrum of their own beauty, light and Power.

5. Thank God, the Universe, yourself and all creation (all the same thing, by the way) for simply being so powerfully, unrelentingly, lovingly and freely the Truth, the only reality.

6. Celebrate!!!!!!!!!!

I love you.

Heart Soaring!

A couple of months ago, I wrote a posting entitled, “Heartbroken.” It was about being betrayed in love, hurt and your heart being "broken" by a loved one.

Today, the title of the blog is Heart Soaring! This is about the experience and feeling you have when someone you love walks and talks within you, on and in the same wave and vibration of love. When you finish one another’s sentences and thoughts. When you are of one mind, stand in agreement, see one vision, hold one commitment – when you are not waiting to exhale, but are inhaling together and then in a complementary fashion while being totally independent and appropriately interdependent.

What?! What does all that mean, Gloria? It means that you and a loved one are looking at or feeling one another in such a way that you’re like, “Yeah. Yeah. Yeah!!!!! That’s it. That’s the ticket!! At last!!! SOMEone understands and agrees and is with me. I am NOT alone. I am no longer praaaaying that they get it. They’ve got it. And man-on-man DO they ever have it! I think I’ve got to throw up both my hands, shake a tail feather, give a high five to God and all of Creation. I can breathe!!!!!!!!!!” And while you’re experiencing all of that – your loved one is experiencing the same, identical thing. It’s like being at a restaurant and they bring one decadent desert and two spoons and you both dive in and just enjoy the deliciousness of it all.

Know what I mean? When you get to this point, you can agree together – because you’re together and I mean really together. It’s spiritual, emotional and mental intercourse. At this point, when you’re in this zone, you can disagree because it’s actually FUN – yes I said it – it’s actually FUN to discover what any disagreement is about, why it exists and then happily work through it to agreement or respect-filled disagreement. The journey is exciting because it and the end are sacred. And whether you have different stops along the journey, you’re always only a heart-beat away from one another.

Now, here’s a secret. Ready? You don’t have to wait for the New Year to expect, find, celebrate and enjoy this kind of connection. As you have been reading this, several New Minutes have passed and a New Moment is already here. There is was and here’s another one. Each is packed full of possibility – possibilities that Love has created, has put into place and that are waiting for you.

I want to thank my birth children, Arik and Lorren, for today’s experiences that inspired this blog. I experience rapid-fire, delicious, yummified GOT-CHA’s with them. A double portion of Love, togetherness, God-presence and God-harmony. Wanna know how we created this? (And keep in mind that my son lives with me here in Illinois and my daughter lives in California.) Read the Lifework so you can be reminded of how to create this in your own life, with your relationships.

Lifework:

1. Begin by meditating, praying and/or thanking God; by consciously connecting with Universal Love. Plug in. If you saw the movie Avatar, remember or the scenes when the Avatars would connect the fibers in their long braids with those of another being. That’s what I mean. Plug in. Become one with Love. This is a deliberate, clearly stated intention and expectation.

2. Next, go and do whatever you’re inspired to do. Stay inside, go outside, walk in nature, turn on soft music, light some candles. Folks, it really, really doesn’t matter WHAT you do as long as you’re aware of and do what you’re led to do. The outcome will be that you are connected with Love and you can feel it. You’re all wrapped up, tied up, tangled up with and in Love. TIP: By stating your intention then allowing yourself to relax, listen and do as you are led, you’ll see how quickly you simply ARE Love. TIP #2: Don’t do this while driving or operating heavy equipment. Have some sense! (-:

3. Commune with Love. BE Love. Enjoy it. You’ll feel different: lighter, clearer, softer, more gentle. Tears may come to your eyes. A smile may come to your face. You may chuckle or sigh softly. You’ll know you’re there ‘cause it’s like being a baby that’s held so gently and lovingly by someone who loves you unconditionally.

4. Allow yourself to think of other beings – human, animal, plants, water, the Earth, etc. At this point, you are actually connecting – Love thread to Love thread – with that being. You don’t even have to wonder if they’re open to it. At this point, the Universe/God/Love is knitting those fibers together. Just go with the flow. Whoever comes to mind, go into the sharing of Love with them. Enjoy it. Feast. Allow it. Don’t try to hold onto it. Let these feelings and thoughts come and go as they will. When you do, it will be divine. If you try to hold on to it, somewhere in your being you’ll begin to think about the lack of it and then you’ll begin to slip off your center, out of the space.

5. You’re done when you’re done. You’ll experience that “That was so good, I need a cigarette.” feeling. I’ve never been a smoker, but, based on what my friends and family who are have told me, I think that best describes the feeling.

Now THAT’S something to be addicted to: Pure, Universal, Godly Love. It affected and impacts everyone and everything it touches. Imagine what your moment, your life, your world will be like when you are in and benefitting from being in that space. Can you imagine it? I don’t know that I’m capable of imagining all the possibilities. There are so many that are waiting and ready to nurture, restore, empower and supply us with our heart’s desire. Possibilities that lift our minds, souls and hearts; our creativity, intuition and energy. Possibilities that cause our hearts to soar.

Won’t you join me? Happy New Moment.

I love you.

Happy Thanksgiving -- Give Thanks Happily

Happy Thanksgiving!

How many times have you said or have had others say those words to you during this season? What images come to mind when you think of Thanksgiving?

For me, I’m immediately transported to a time when our family met at my Grandparent’s home and we all feasted on the mega-meal my Grandmother had been cooking for three days: Turkey, ham, roast beef, greens, string beans, corn, peas, beans, potato salad, yams … . Well, I could go on and on. Suffice to say my Grandmother was born and raised in Tennessee. And our holiday table – expanded by three leaves – fairly creaked with the amount of food that it held. And the myriad desserts – which consisted of at least 5 different cakes (yellow cake with chocolate frosting, coconut, pineapple, chocolate-chocolate and caramel – oh God, I’m salivating at the memory!) and at least as many pies, filled yet another table. And the other kids and I looked forward to taking turns cranking the handle and pouring the rock salt onto the old ice cream maker so we could share in that delicious, special, homemade yumminess. The most expensive ice cream I’ve ever had falls short on the texture and richness of Mama’s ice cream. She cooked for an army and the variety of things on the menu were so vast, that we could eat dinner every day for a week and not have any of the same foods twice. Happy Thanksgiving? It was beyond “happy.” Thanksgiving dinner at Mama’s and Pappy’s was always a joy, a delight. Love was a staple ingredient in every dish Mama prepared. And laughter was an ever-present condiment.

What memories do you have? I pray you’re blessed to have memories like mine. If you have or not, I pray that you will get about the business of making new ones for yourself and others beginning this very moment.

This year, I’d like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. And, more, I’d like to invite you to give thanks happily. I’m combining the “menu” with the Lifework for this holiday.

LIFEWORK/MENU
1. Memory Soufflé: Remember the uplifting, motivating, wonderful things that you have experienced, witnessed and/or helped create this year. What happened? Who was impacted and how? What difference – small to great – was/is the reality?

2. Grateful Beans: Itemize the magical things you’ve experienced. These are things that showed up in your life that you simply cannot fully explain. Yes. You may have expected something wonderful, but what you actually got far surpassed your dreams. It wasn’t good, it wasn’t great. It was supercalafragalisticexpialidocious! (Feel free to sing the song right now – go to youTube you have to, here’s the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b-Z0SSyUcw. Notice what happens to your energy when you make that itemized list. And if you listen to or sing the song … well, just notice and realize you can get this no-cost “high” and energizer whenever you want, wherever you will. And that’s a springboard into higher heights of your life.

3. Thankful Tofu, Tuna or Turkey: Whatever your taste, preference and dietary needs, remember that it’s not only a Spoonful of Sugar that helps the medicine of life go down – or up. It’s being thankful. The activity of being thankful requires that you focus on what you have, what you’ve accomplished, what you enjoy, who you are, where you’ve been – all the positive things that you have or have experienced. It’s even the “positive” impact of “negative” things. Folks, I promise you, Increase time you dedicate to being deliberately thankful. And this is a fast-acting antidote when you’re suffering from the dis-ease of feeling down, depressed and a sense of lack. After about two things, you’ll stop crying. When you get to four, you’ll start to smile. Six brings a soft chuckle. And if you can stand it, by the time you get to eight you’ll find yourself laughing aloud. EACH is a step into “can” and out of “can’t.” Into “will” and out of “won’t.”

4. Caring Caramel: We are social creatures. We were created to be social. And waaaay before facebook, our social media was interacting with one another up close and personal. Think of the texture and ingredients in caramel. Know what they are? Two things: sugar and water. Think of sugar as the sweetness of caring and water as the carrier or transporter and expander. It’s the simple things that most often carry the most weight. Remember the last time you let someone know you cared about them. Remember the last time someone let you know they care about you. There are all sorts of ways you and they might have transported or sent that message – phone, mail, email, face to face, smoke signals, whatever! Get your arms around how that felt to give and receive caring. Then replicate it. What will you do to let someone know today that you care about and for them? What will you do to care for yourself?

5. Love Drops: Serve this with everything. It complements everything. There are no negative side effects. There is no limited amount. It doesn’t expire, there’s no shelf-life. It’s more effective than the most powerful yeast – doubling and tripling in size. You do have to knead it, however. And, we do all need it. Don’t even think about anything other than quality love – no substitutes or synthetics. Look for, expect, give and share authentic, organic L O V E, love. When you give and allow others to give a little, it multiples instantly, exponentially. Simply connect with someone and say, “I love you, because … .” Try it. And notice what begins to bubble up.

I’d like to say there were no calories in my Grandmother’s meal. Riiiiiiiiight. NOT! It was soaked with them. But you know what? I wasn’t a single pound overweight -- then. Maybe it’s because our family worked together to set the table, clean up afterwards, and play games inside and outside when we were finished. We exhausted ourselves with fun and love, caring and joy – all, like the food, in limitless supply. My Grandfather never helped cook the food. But you know what? He helped create the environment where it was all possible. He bought all the ingredients, set the standard for a happy, comfortable home and was a colossus of ethics, integrity and safety. And he showed us, through his gentle strength and quiet, observing presence, quick wit and slow laugh how to love and be loved.

What wonderful things are you serving at your table of life that people cannot get enough of? What do you and they need, what are they asking for – verbally and non-verbally? What are you currently doing and what will you start doing today, in this moment, that simply demonstrates and delivers love and caring and helps create a delicious fare of joy and delight?

Create your own menu and enjoy!

I love you!

I see you.

I stand for peace, love and inclusion. A world -- beginning with my intimate sphere -- where everyone experiences being respected, valued, welcomed, heard, appreciated and loved, if they're like me or not.

My race, age, sexual orientation, faith, etc., are all beautiful parts of who I am. I take nothing away from you by being me. You take noting away from me by being you. On the contrary, together, we magnify beauty and love in all it's diversity and wonder. How wonderful that neither of us has to change or earn the right to life, love, care and all the things I've mentioned. I don't have to change for you -- to be a duplicate of you. And guess what, you don't have to change to be a duplicate of me. If we tried, the best we could be would be faux, cheap (or maybe not so cheap) knock offs.

I am authentically me. I invite you to be your authentic self when you are with me. When we are authentic, we ooze, bathe, walk in, speak from and see all with love -- the love of the Divine.

I see you. Do you see me? If not, keep looking. Love is here. God is here. The Divine is here. Then, look for and see yourself.

I see you. Do you?

The Gift of Love: Loving, Being Loved, Being Love-able

Today is the anniversary of the birth of my eldest brother, Tommie James Williams, Sr. He was born in 1942 so, if he were still living, we’d be celebrating his 68^th’ birthday together.

He was so handsome: beautiful brown skin, two deeeeeeep dimples, big brown eyes with long lashes, silky hair. The man was fine. And he was fun. Wacky, crazy fun. I remember he used to just threaten to tickle me by holding up his hands and wiggling his fingers in the air and I’d burst into laughter. I was his “little baby sister.” He asked our Mom to ask the stork to bring me to him. He got his wish. You just have to love someone who asked for you, right? Right.

He had a wonderful baritone singing voice – sounded like Lou Rawls. And whether he was on the basketball court or the dance floor, he was liquid motion – satiny smooth. The man had skills. He was a professional salesman and I used to think he could charm Eskimos into buying ice. Yep, the man had skills.

Like all of us, he had his down side, borne out of choices he made that brought darkness into his life. I know those things and do not deny them. And, what was and is greater than all of that. is all of the love and wonder I felt at being blessed to have been his “little baby sister.”

Today, I’m thinking of my big brother. Thinking of all the times we laughed and played together. The secrets we shared. How he protected me and made me feel so safe. I wanted to just follow him around like a little puppy all the time. He was my hero. And I guess that’s one of the reasons I called him “my Superman.”

Today, I’m groovin’ in the delight of the special gift he and his love were and are to me.

LIFEWORK:

1. Think on these questions: “Who is a gift to me? Who gifts me with love? And who gifts me with the privilege of being able to love them? Who receives my love with love?”

2. Who is the first person who comes to mind when you contemplate all four questions?

3. Do they know the gift(s) they have given/are giving you?

4. If not, what a great gift you can give them by telling them – today. Meet them face-to-face and bathe them with the reflection of love. If they already know, think of this as another opportunity to show & tell them.
[NOTE: If you cannot meet with them face to face, do the next best thing: perhaps a telephone call, a hand-written note. Yes, email and twittering works, but it’s soooo much better to take a little time to be just a tad more personal.

5. Remember to let them know what they’ve done/are doing and how it impacts you.

6. Enjoy this unending, living circle of love. Breathe it in. Breathe it out. Feels great doesn’t it?

7. Allow yourself to imagine and co-create this untapped power source. What things we can accomplish when love is our motivator and best reward.

8. Instead of “waiting to exhale,” look for, inhale, enjoy and exhale love into this precious relationship and in all that you do.

9. Think about it and, in the words of Jean Luc Picard of Star Trek fame, “Make it so.”

10. BONUS: As more people come to mind, guess what. You can repeat this lifework with them! How ‘bout that?! The more you give, the more you – and all of creation -- receive.

11. BONUS TWO: Remember to keep the inner circle of love flowing by giving love to yourself.

I love you.

Sticks and Stones ... and Words

You've probably heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Well, I have a question: What did somebody do or say (or not do or say) that prompted the barrage of sticks and stones – and knives, guns, wars and all kinds of abuse – in the first place? Let’s be real. Sticks and stones can DEFINITELY break bones. And words – weeeeeeeeeellll … . What about words?

What words did people grow up hearing and learn to say? What things were they told yesterday that today influence, motivate, result in the drive-by shooting? Alcohol, drug, sexual and power abuse? The beat-down in the alley? War? What did you or others say and do (or NOT say and do) that hurt and twisted someone sooo much that they are aggressively or passively doing and saying hurtful, twisted things to themselves and/or others today … or tomorrow?

What words did people grow up hearing and learn to say? What things were they told yesterday that today influence, motivate, result in the gentle holding of a baby? Sharing food with a “neighbor” they may have never met who lives in another house, or on another street, in another city, state or country? Stopping to help someone repair a flat tire or pick up groceries that have fallen out of a broken bag? Saying, “You’re so beautiful.” to a friend or a perfect stranger without any agenda other than to simply let them know they made your heart sing? Why do people do and say things that uplift, celebrate and make us smile? What did a family member, teacher, coach, life partner, co-worker, customer or stranger say or do to someone yesterday or today that will result in that person showing kindness, understanding or patience to someone else (or themselves) today … or tomorrow?

Which seeds are you planting in the lives of others and into your own life? Which words are you saying and what actions are you taking that begin the birthing process of thoughts and feelings? Are you cultivating hurt and brokenness which sprout guardedness, anger, resentment and fear? Or are you cultivating love and wholeness which sprout openness, safety, curiosity, joy and trust?

LIFEWORK:
1. Think before you speak or act. This will help you avoid the self-talk which often comes after you’ve spoken or acted of “should’a, would’a, could’a” … which can go on for daaays, weeks, months, years and lifetimes.
2. Remember that we “speak” with what we do and say and what we DON’T do and say.
3. Before responding to or initiating conversations (with YOURSELF and/or others), check your intention. And, take a leaf from the teachings of my friend and twin, Richard Friend (Friend & Associates, http://www.friendandassociates.com/a/rich.html ). Ask yourself, what impact do you intend and what behaviors will manifest both? Make sure all three are aligned: your intention, your behaviors and the impact of those behaviors on yourself and others.
4. Realize that deliberate thinking and purposeful intention can be the balm for a broken heart, can avoid breaking a heart or spirit in the first place, can help instead of hurt, can uplift instead of tread upon.

I love you.

What the hell?

You know what? Stuff happens. We make plans. Sometimes they work beautifully and sometimes they don’t. We fall in love. Sometimes the relationship works, grows and lasts forever and we’re filled with happiness and joy. And sometimes we have to pray not to hurt somebody reeeeaaaaaaaallllllll bad for what they (and we) have done and gone through. Sometimes life is so delicious we don’t have enough napkins to wipe up nor biscuits to “sop up” the yummified juice . And sometimes the lyrics to Marvin Gaye’s iconic song, “Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) sums up our experience perfectly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJR71e6zTtc&feature=related . I don't know about you, but sometimes I just have to ask, "What the hell?!!!!!!!" And "hell" has TWO syllables! That's hay-yell!

So, what do you do? I mean what are we supposed to think and do? How are we to react when life doesn’t kiss, hug and caress us, but instead smacks us up-side the head, and not too gently? I mean really. When I'm feeling like I'm in hell and having an AWFUL time, sometimes it just plain hurts. And sometimes, I'm doing good to just say, "What the hay-yell?!!!!"

Many people say, “It’s God’s Will.” I’m like, “Really?” What the hell? What kind of God deliberately sets us up for heartache and failure? The God I know and love who IS Love wouldn’t do that? I’m sure because I’m a parent and I know there’s no way in heaven or hell I’d deliberately hurt my children. No way, no how. I believe that God is Love and that’s the bottom line. And since that's so, I believe God is always doing loving things that show UP as loving things. But, sometimes, I just don't see it. (Of course, you may believe whatever you want and you know I love you as you do.)

I believe that myriad things conspire together for our temporary experience to be what it is and I believe sometimes God allows it. I also believe God isn’t standing there, arms crossed, passively. What kind of God is that? I wouldn’t want any parts of that kind of God. I mean, if I were dating someone and they deliberately caused or watched me fall off a cliff and then just looked or waved at me as I plummeted to my death, I’d be asking, “What the hell?!!!!!” And I'd have a few choice words for that person before I hit the ground. So I don’t believe God does that.

Here’s what I believe God is doing while we’re going through our stuff and asking "What the hell?!!!!!" I believe God is looking at everything, arranging and organizing the pieces of the puzzle of our lives so that we can find and experience Love – even as the flame of hell are lickin us to death.

In the midst of this hell, we have the opportunity to realize we are experiencing hell and then choose to actively, aggressively seek and experience Love. Sometimes that means staying in the situation and being and exuding Divine Love ourselves and, by so doing, we experience Love. Sometimes it means leaving the situation lovingly because THAT'S the highest good for us and everyone else. Whether we stay or go, when we are experiencing Love, the flames (pain, sorrow, anger, confusion, etc.) become cooler and cooler until they are no longer burning, but are warming us with the joy, gratitude, peace and thankfulness of lessons learned, trials overcome.

Folks, when I’ve “come to myself” as my Grandmother used to say, and realize I am the co-author of my experience and that I can choose to experience hell or Love, a few things can happen: 1. By pumping up the Love, I transmute/change the situation so that it actually becomes Love; (2) the situation doesn’t change, but my experience in it and thoughts about it does change so that I am experiencing and projecting Love; or (3) the situation stays the same and I remove myself -- lovingly but certainly I'm outta there. Either way, I no longer experience the flames. No, no, no, no. Instead, I experience the reality of the warm embrace of Love.

What ‘cha think of that? I invite you to try it!

LIFEWORK:
1. Acknowledge when things are going well and/or you are experiencing Love and when things are not going well and/or you are not experiencing Love.
2. When you are experiencing Love, share it with others. How? In whatever way feels most Loving!
3. When you are not experiencing Love, look it squarely in the face. Call it by name. And if you're to deeply in it and you can't, that's when you call on someone else who CAN and will stand in the gap for you because they love you just that much. (I can see I'll have to write about that one day soon -- standing in the gap.)
4. When you're burning, get in touch with all the feelings and thoughts you have about the experience, yourself and people and things involved. Express them. Ex: I am angry. I am confused. I’m sad. I’m so bored I could scream! I feel disrespected. I feel betrayed. Whatever your reaction is, look the hell directly in the face. Don’t flinch or turn away.
5. Now bathe everything – the hell (the experience of lack) with Love. Ex: I’ve lost my job. How can this be a benefit to me and others? Ask that and questions like it until you have no more questions. Then, challenge and open yourself up to God. Ask: How will not having to go to that job be in my highest good and the highest good of everyone I’m connected with? Then, be silent. Open yourself up to hear the ever-present answers. If you hear voices and words, or feelings to the contrary, embrace them. Love them. Add them to the question. Don't argue -- that's a distraction and just pulls you further down into the spiraling black hole.
6. Notice the stirrings of different thoughts/feelings. You’re co-creating Love! Congratulations.
7. Continue to focus on Love, knowing that Love is an action word and you’ll be guided to powerful, loving actions that benefit you and everyone around you.
8. Enjoy the process, the journey, and the positive, loving Outcome. Using the example above where the thought and reality are “I’ve lost my job.” look to see how you are led to invest the time, looking for a new job that is better in every way for you; building your network; (how ‘bout this one) getting in touch with your dream and calling, what you’ve known you really want to do and just weren’t doing it and DO IT!
9. Laugh and love. Yes, and eat and pray too!

I love you!

Celebration!

Celebrate good times, come on! The lyrics of Kool & The Gang's iconic song come to mind and are soooooo appropriate for this post!

This coming Wednesday, August 18^th, is my birthday. YAY! I get excited about birthdays – mine and everyone else’s. For me, it’s my personal New Year. I take stock, look back over the last 12 months, and celebrate the things I learned and did that helped others or brought them joy, happiness, satisfaction, success and/or love. I look at things I did that brought myself or others pain. I also look at when I was witness to or recipient to joy and sorrow that I did not consciously have a hand in, and how I responded.

After taking these inventories, I express gratitude for each learning and opportunity – and for the good that was experienced as the good, bad and even ugly. Then I answer the question, “Now what?” I mean this is good stuff. Reflecting on 12 months of deliciousness that I digested easily and sometimes that gave me heartburn. After all of that, how will I use what I experienced and learned to experience each day of the next 12 months even more joyfully, more lovingly, more completely. These things are not resolutions, they are much more than that. They are commitments and covenants I make with myself, with God, with creation. The goals are high – I can do it! And as a wise person once said, if you set your sights on the stars, you may fall on the moon, but you’re still on higher ground.

So, this Wednesday, I have a date. A date with myself. The outcomes will provide the direction and goals for the coming 12 months.

Now, of course, after all that work, I can’t just celebrate for one day. Oh no. I believe in celebrating my birthday for 6 months. Then, I begin practicing for the next 6 – how I will celebrate on the next birthday and the 6 months thereafter. Part of the 12-months of celebration is to celebrate everything, all holidays, all birthdays, all anniversaries – everything I can. Notice the energy of people who are celebrating. Infectious in a totally phantasmagorical way! I encourage you to join me. Let me know what you celebrate so I can put it and the date on my calendar!

LIFEWORK:

1. Identify the things in your life that are special, exciting, that you’re grateful for. Any and all of those things.

2. Identify how and when you will celebrate them. Who’s involved? When and how will you celebrate. Remember to include days and times where you celebrate alone. That’s a very powerful, intimate, celebration that strengthens in ways that may astound you.

3. Simply, enjoy your life. Be grateful and go on a gratitude hunt. What’s in your life to be grateful for? If sorrows or regrets come to mind, acknowledge them, then say, “ And, I am grateful for … .” Always finish with a statement of gratitude, no matter how the statement begins. Notice the change in your energy and subsequent experiences.

I love you!!

Follow up to 8-7 Remember Me Blog

Thank you, all, for responding to the 8-7 post! One of the persons who responded directly to me via email said this:

"My question to you, when all is said and done and the message isn't received by the recipient, then what.? That part always bothers me as much as the event or incident that took place. People are so defensive, they do not want to hear what you say and give them even if it is said in love. I can not say thayt my hurts or disappointments are more than the next person, but I can say that they have caused me to be cynical in some respects to the point that it is hard for me to be open and honest with anyone. "

My response:

Beloved, this is precisely what the 8-7 blog is about. The event and initial pain has occurred. As with you, sometimes we address it with the party involved. When we do, and they don't respond, it feels like we've been slashed again, only this time deeper. Even MORE questions about them and ourselves arise, along with MORE judgment, along with MORE "fight or flight" responses. Both these "natural" responses 'cause us to pull back, retreat from fully living in and giving and receiving love. Part of your admitted cynicism (totally understandable, by the way) and the fact that it is "hard for me to be open and honest with anyone" is the outcome for you and many others. Oh yes, there are other responses too. And many times the final answer is that they all lead to our not living fully in love.

As I said on 8-7, it would be wonderful if everyone showed up and took responsibility, participated actively -- if they played nicely. But, since we are living in a dynamic dimension, universe and planet where we have c h o i c e, sometimes others choose not to show up at all and, even if they do, they do't always play nicely.

So, here we are with this question: What is YOUR choice? I find that when I have an attachment -- particularly an emotional attachment -- to the outcome, it's often more difficult for me to let it go, to honor them and respect their choice. I soul search and mind jog until I'm tired and either shut down or explode. Neither of these options are loving to anyone, including myself. When this happens, a little piece of my heart hardens to protect itself and me from further pain. The LIFEWORK I suggested on 8-7 is meant to free us from attachment to outcome, expectation of the other person or situation, the ongoing impact of disappointment and from all future pain and suffering of choices someone else has made. At one point in my life I would have only looked at it as giving my power over to someone else and the fact that the thought of that made me fairly sick at the stomach. As I've embarked on my "spiritual evolution," I find that the worse thing is that I was fairly sick at the soul. And that resolved in my not living in love. Note I do not say my inability, I was/am and we are always able to live in love, we simply or complicatedly decide not to. Those decisions are both conscious and unconcious.

I say, realize you're in a love coma. Wake up! Choose again. This time wisely. That just means, choose to have your human heart, mind and body reaction to disappointment (or whatever). Then, allow the love that is ever-present in your soul to help you surrender to love. (Aztecs, thank you for that word.) Giving up is not the same as surrendering. I'm not suggestiong that you give up your feelings, thoughts, pain and cynicism. I'm asking you to surrender them to your soul, to love, to Love -- which I call God.

Now, how do you do that? There are many healing modalities: mediation, prayer, therapy (soul, body and mind), journaling, group and individual study, etc.

LIFEWORK:
1. CHOOSE to live in and be Love.
2. CHOOSE to find whatever works for you. You'll know it because there is a simultaneous quickening and calming of your spirit, heart and mind.
3. CHOOSE to give your power to love and healing, not building and maintaining a wall around your heart. This leads to "heart attacks." Ever think about that? Aside from birth "defects," people say our inappropriate diets, lack of exercise, etc., lead to heart attacks. That's true. But what leads us down those paths? Wonder if it's sometimes that we are hiding, masking, building walls made of bricks of inappropriate behavior around our hearts and they, responding from a lack of what is appropriate (mainly love) explode, attack us, trying to get our attention to what we are doing to kill ourselves, our love. Hummmmm ...
4. CHOOSE to look at the choices you are making about self-talk, what you participate in (conversations, activities, etc.), then evaluate whether they are increasing or decreasing love.
5. CHOOSE again, this day, this moment. CHOOSE Love.


I love you.

Remember Me

I just saw this movie today. It was one of my Netflix DVD's. It starts off slowly. Then gets really intense. Quick overview:

Father -- Pierce Brosnan; Son -- Robert Pattinson; other wonderful actors including Chris Cooper (who always grabs and keeps my attention); tenderly and powerfully directed by Allen Coulter. It's a story about the tragedies that people and families experience, their struggle to survive and keep hold of themselves as individuals, the swim from the depths pain to the surface and the experience of the first gasp of air after not being able to breathe for what has seemed like a lifetime. It's powerful.


After watching it, I began to think, "What's the most important thing about this picture? What's it's greatest gift and message?" For me, it is:

* When all is said and done, it's ALL about the love. Success, nice. Comfort, wonderful -- and I really do want it! Things (including money), great. But if your heart and mind do not experience love, there's no possibility of experiencing these things at the optimum. Oh you may have a level of enjoyment even a lot of it. But the only way you can experience every drop of enjoyment is when you also experience love. That's it. Bottom line. This blog today is about love -- big picture. You fill in the names. I know who and what I think of. I have a clear picture in my mind. I'm sure about the order in which they rank in my heart.


Let's be real. Things happen in our lives. Alone with joy and happiness, we all experience varying degrees of disappointment, confusion, suffering, pain, tragedy and horror. It's not about a hierarcy. What feels like the end of the world for one may seem like nothing to another. It's so personal. So, don't even bother about trying to understand why something is so important to someone else or try to get them to understand why you're happy or sad about something that's not in their radar field. We all have things that uplife and energize and bring joy. And, in this third dimension, we all have at least one thing that makes us catch or hold our breath or grab our faces (literally or figuratively) like Macaulay Culkin did in the Home Alone movies. Others may dissapoint us, hurt us, scar us; we may do these things to ourselves. But what would you do if you thought you were going to die today. Suppose you only had 4 hours to live. What would you do with those hours? What would you want to say -- or try to say -- to the one that you care for/about? And believe it, if you're still thinking about it/them, you still care.



What would you want to take with you out of this life? Resentment or forgiveness? Hatred or love? Sorrow or joy? Regret or resolve? Uncertainty or certainty? Think about it. Not what do you want to leave behind -- rather, what do you want to take with you? Answer this question: If I only had 4 hours to live and I had the opportunity to address this person/thing that I have unanswered questions about, pain around, etc., so that I could die peacefully, happily and joyfully -- what would I do?

Write your answer to all that out, then speak it, then take action and DO it! If the person you need to reconnect with isn't available physically, emotionally or mentally -- in other words, if they're dead already or if, after you've exhausted all leads and resources, you can't reach them or if when you DO reach them THEY have no interest in resolving, reconciling or healing, you'll have to work to achieve peace within yourself alone. This is waaaaaaaaaaaay hard. It's so much easier when everyone wants to play nice together.

But let's be real, sometimes it just ain't gonna happen in this lifetime. Soooooo, this is where you reach in our out for tapped or untapped resources to work through it to your healing -- your release and relief.

A personal sharing: I had to do this when my Dad died and we had unresolved things between us. It took me 30 days to get through the desire to kill myself (literally, I considered suicide off and on for 30 days. I know that'll shock some people who know me). And it took me three years to get to a place where I could really forgive both myself and him. But do it I did. Know why? 'Cause I was not fully able to participate to the fullest in a love relationship with my children. and that's the most important relationship to me on Earth. They were my motivation to work through it. To breathe and continue breathing, and to live and enjoy life. They were my motivation to "livforjoy."

Sooooooooo, think about a person or people in your life that if you could show up fully so that you're not putting energy into or being distracted because you're guarded, shielded, hurt or suffering, replaying and rehashing the pain; but if you showed up fully, your relationship with them would be so delicious your appetite would be sated for the rest of your life. Let that person/those people be your motivation.





LIFEWORK

1. Look at the things that you're happy, content, joyful about. You get it, whatever is an upper for you. List those people, places and things on paper. What's the upper you experience with and because of them? What's the impact and to/on who or what? What makes it delicious?

2. Look at those sthings that you're not happy, etc., about. Those things that are downers. As with #1, list those people, places and things on paper. What's the downer you experience with and because of them? What's the impact and to/oh who or what? What makes it a downer?

It's very important to acknowledge and honor all your thoughts and feelings. Don't try to rationalize or justify, make excuses for, maximize or minimize. Just be real with yourself. Honor yourself, love yourself enough to admit. Whatever feelings come up, let them. Honor and embrace them. Give them voice. Let your tears come -- they'll serve as part of the healing and joy.

3. Who are your motivators? What do they mean to you? Why are they important to you? What will be the impact to them if you begin to live fully in love? If you do not? What will the impact be to you and your relationship to them if live fully in love? If you do not?

4. Now, here's how you begin to swim to the surface and not stay at the bottom. Ask and answer the question, "If I only had 4 hours to live and I was with the person or in the situation identified in #2 above, what would I and do and say so that when the 4 hours was up, I'd be happy, content, joyful about this person/situation?"

5. Whatever your answer(s), DO IT! You're probably saying, "that's easy for her to say." Yes. It is! And no, I'm not experiencing YOUR pain. But I've had my own and know what I had to do with and for that. It's true, it's easy and fast sometimes and way hard and slow at other times. Can it be done? Can you really live fully in love? Yes.

6. Remind yourself why you're doing all th work. Go back and read (and maybe even add to) #3, above.

7. Hold on to your motivators -- those people and reasons you want to be more fully joyful and joy-filled -- and step into the work. You may have sore muscle for a while, but then, like all exercise, as your muscles build, the "burn" starts to feel good, until there isn't a burn, only warmth. Feel it. That's the warm, the glow of love. Isn't that a song? No? Guess the song is That's the story of love. Well, you get my drift! (-:

8. Build your action plan, then do it. Enlist others as resources ... folk who will help you hold yourself accountable to something that will make a difference in your life and that of others who are important to you.

I love you!

Happy August

What a fantastic month! It just so happens to be the month of my birth. I celebrate my New Year on the 18th. Of course, I celebrate my birth all year long. I believe I should practice for six months before the date and then implement that excellence another six.

What are you doing this month, today to celebrate the opportunity that life affords you?

Lifework:
1. Review your mission/purpose/calling. If you don't know what that is, send me an email and I'll help you identify it. You can reach me at livforjoy@yahoo.com.
2. Take stock of what you've been up to the last six months. List the things that you've invested time and energy in. List things that have had the greatest impact whether long or short duration and things of long duration.
3. Are those things aligned with your mission/purpose/calling?
4. If so, how have they served others, you, the planet and all of creation? How did/do you celebrate them? Do others know about it/them? Would it be advantageous to broaden the network of the knowing?
5. If not, why are you doing them, for how long will you continue, what opportunity did/do they bring?
6. Based on these answers, what will you do (notice I didn't say CAN you do) to get the greatest ROI, bang for your buck? And that means, how will you use these things to bring delight to all of creation, to our host planet, to other people AND to yourself?

I love you!!!!!

Our Wonder-filled, Creative Imagination

I was on a business trip a couple of weeks ago and my son called me. Aside from calling about something really exciting – like the Chicago Blackhawks being in the final running for the Stanley Cup – he only calls with exceptional news – good or bad.

This time – it was before the call about the Blackhawks – he called to say that the lights in my home office, master bedroom and master bath were out. And when I got home it only got worse. The furnace was not working right, so that meant that the AC wasn’t working. NOT good news in the Chicago area, where it was in the 80’s and 100% humidity and sticky, sticky, sticky! I told him I didn’t have a clue as to what was going on and that I’d take care of it when I came home.

Right away, I felt angst. What was wrong? Did I need a new furnace? Was all the wiring going to have to be replaced in my house? How many thousands of dollars was that going to cost? What else would go wrong? Well, I got the answer to one of those questions … the dryer stopped working. So, while we could wash clothes, we had to take them to the Laundromat to be dried. What the hell?!!!!!

I was home for the weekend and had to leave again for the West coast. I was really nervous and decided to just make a call for the electrician to come when I returned -- no need to take bad news and an empty bank account on my trip. Oh yeah. You get the drift. I was ROLLIN’ in fear.

I went on my next business trip to beautiful San Diego. I simply cannot be maudlin there. I mean, really. For me, it’s one of those heaven-on-earth places. And, after spending some quality personal time and work time with one of my favorite people on the planet, I came home on Thursday. The electrician was to come on Friday.

First, I got a free upgrade to First Class on the plane. ALWAYS great news, especially for a 3.5-hour flight. Pampering is one of my favorite past times. When we were about 100 miles from Chicago, we flew into some serious turbulence – you know the kind where the flight attendants have to sit and strap in. Well, I’ve learned that I have the power to control that. I mean REALLY. So, I said my visioning prayer – that the plane and all the air around it was calm and smooth. And I gave thanks for that reality. In less than one minute NO MORE TURBULANCE. Um hum.

Then a thought occurred to me, rather, I heard a small, soft voice said, “Gloria, why do you not have this same sense of calm about the electrical at home? Where is your faith beloved? Put it into my hands. Trust. Allow. Believe. Rely. Relax. Breathe. Be.” Well, I was in a zone. So, I was like, “Well awlrighty then! You asked for it, you got it! You God (and I do me “you” not, “you’re”). Be God.” With that, I went to sleep in my comfy First-class seating.

The next day, the electrician came. Guess what. I didn’t have a wiring problem. It was a service problem. Seems there are two lines that come from the main power source into my home and only one of them was working. So, the electrician spoke to Commonwealth Edison and told them what was wrong. They came out in under an hour and fixed the problem. Everything’s working! The electrician also said he smelled some gas while he was outside. So, I called the gas company and they sent someone out too. That repairman found a gas leak and fixed it too. Everything was repaired within 1.5 hours and all I had to pay was $50 for the electrician’s service call. FANTASTIC!

OK. That’s my story. So, what’s the moral. We have great power – as divine beings – to create healing and calm or hurt and upheaval. Why is it that even when we KNOW that and have experienced our power of healing and calm that sometimes, just sometimes we go to the place of terror, fear, angst, hurt and upheaval? Well, maybe ‘cause we’re human. That’s right. Sometimes, it just ain’t all sweetness and light. And you know what? I’m not beating myself up for that either. I’m grateful to know that I’ve been given the gift of choice – choice of how I will respond, to act or React.

Let me just bottom-line it though. We DO have the gift of choosing where we will place our wonder-filled, creative imagination. And what is our Lifework here? Read on, my love. Read on.

LIFEWORK – when you’re having “bad” thoughts and feelings:
1. When you find you can’t breathe, sleep, eat, think, dream or just be without feelings of fear, apprehension, anxiety, doubt, etc., give thanks!!!! You are in the midst of an opportunity to choose certainty of the Love, bounty and blessing of God, the Universe, the Creator or whatever you call Divine Love.
2. Do not try to push those thoughts and feelings away. Do not try to deny you’re having/experiencing them. Do not deride yourself, the experience, others or anything.

LIFEWORK – when you’re having “good” thoughts and feelings:
1. When you find you’re excited, exhilarated, joy-filled and happy, give thanks!!! You are, again, in the midst of an opportunity to choose certain of the Love, bounty and blessing of God, the Universe, the Creator or whatever you call Divine Love.
2. Do not push those thoughts and feelings away. Do not try to deny you’re having/experiencing them. Do not deride yourself, the experience, others or anything.

Now, here’s a question: Why are the Lifework Steps #1 and 2 the same for both categories? What do you think? Ready? Let me either affirm or inform: Some people believe that life is all one and never the other. In this dimension, we cheat ourselves if we deny any part of our experiences or if we are not able to see the opportunity and reality of Love in every/any experience. The goal is to be able to see and experience fully that Love. Soooooooooooooooooo, if it’s “good” or “bad,” the process is the same:
3. Give thanks, asking for Divine Wisdom that we may learn from, in and with everything.

And what’s our reward? Love, joy, calm, peace. These things are the outgrowths of our seeing, experiencing and choosing them in all of life. In our interactions with others, in relationships with ourselves, in business, in success or failure, in happiness or sorrow, in joy or fear in smiles or tears.

I choose Love. Thank you God for a $50 reminder. What a bargain.

I love you ... Unconditionally!

Heartbroken

What do you do when someone you love and have loved for a long time and/or with great intensity is totally absent from your life? And, what if that absence is about their choice, not because of death or mutual agreement?

I can tell you what I have done. I rationalized, justified, made excuses for, ignored warnings and proofs, tried to see things from the other’s perspective. I went through denial, anger and all the other steps. And, in the end, the reality is the reality. Someone I love, who’s been an important part of your life, someone I’ve grown with and celebrated victories with and cried about defeats with isn’t there. They’re not there because they choose not to be. There’s nothing I can do about it. I’ve already tried everything I could think of, everything friends and family have suggested and everything countless self-help, spiritual, psychological, philosophical and other books have in them. And, still, my love is not here – because they choose not to be.

How about taking it further. What do you do when, IF you have occasion to connect with the person, and the once warm, fun, passionate behaviors that demonstrate love and concern have now been dummied down to polite exchanges, forced smiles and pregnant pauses signaling the inner conflict of, “What do I do and say now?” And perhaps worse, “Get me the hell out of here!” What do you do when you sense they are experiencing slow death in your presence – when you believe they’re dying for you to go away?

One of our many blessings is to be able to choose who we will be with, who we will love. And, while I’ve found that sometimes who we love is beyond our control, certainly demonstrating it is within our control – at least most of the time.

So, here I am today, following a wonderful weekend, squarely looking at an emptiness in my life, caused by an important relationship – at least to me – that’s missing. In fact, this isn’t just now happening, it’s been happening over years and years. It’s just that now, today, I’ve accepted at a deeper, heart level that my love is really gone. Our relationship is totally dead. It will never return, cannot be revived.

Now I have a choice. I can truly accept it, step away and pray that some miracle will happen (as I’ve done for years), I can continue to deny it. This last is the equivalent to drugging myself to avoid the reality. The fact is, all actions to bridge the gap and restore the relationship to its once full glory have always come from me – never from my love. They have been met with varying degrees of tolerance, but only that. And, on a couple of occasions when my love has reached out to me for help, it has been for just that, help that’s fueled by my love, not for my love. Most of the time the resulting actions were accepted and then unacknowledged by the one I love. That hurts.

Letting go, really letting go is painful for me. REALLY letting go involves looking at my broken heart, feeling it, holding myself because the one I love surely isn’t going to, and striving slowly ahead through the muck of allowing the one I love to be out of my life – because I love them, because I love myself.

I get to say all the stuff I want to myself, to the Divine, to my absent love – in absentia. I get to cry and wail and bitch and moan and wail some more.

Then, I get to pray to the Divine, sipping air through love that is ever present and unending, learning to breath again as I’m given righteous CPR. This is when the “breath of life” is really blown into my lungs and entire being. What would I do, O God, if you weren’t there? The pain would be unbearable.

It is now that I realize that my broken heart is being massaged with holiness and wholeness is possible again. Oh yes, stitches are there. But I can feel the hole being mended. And the fact that I am loved unceasingly by the Creator sustains me and breathes for me until I can sustain and breathe for myself.

Lifework today:
1. Tell God about the things that hurt and trouble you.
2. Repeat step #1 until you’ve exhausted everything. Believe me; the One who created everything can take your moaning, groaning, crying and complaining.
3. Allow yourself to feel everything – without censorship or judgment.
4. Tell The Divine about all those feelings too.
5. Repeat Step #4.
6. Notice the ache in your heart and the lump in your throat is slowly dissolving.
7. Give thanks and praise for lessons learned, for the opportunity to experience love at such a depth that you could feel the same intensity of pain when it is gone.
8. Just give thanks and be grateful for whatever comes to your mind.
9. Repeat all these steps until your broken heart is truly mended.

I love you.

The Power of our Thoughts

One of the songs I learned at Unity Northwest in Des Plaines, IL contains a line that says, "Our thoughts our prayers, and we are always praying." Love that. The question is, what kind of prayers are you praying? What kind of thoughts are you thinking?

How 'bout this -- and let me know if you believe it's true or not -- we are powerful beings. We have the ability to create with our hands. And those things that we create with our hands are first born in our minds. The concept, the thought, the idea, the belief, the "ah-ha!" moment begins in the mind. Then, we usually speak about it with someone -- sometimes that someone is ourselves. Then, we take action and ta-daaaaaaah! It's done. We've created something and it's visible for others to see, or it somehow impacts others in ways that they experience and/feel.

Do you agree that's how it's done? Cool.

So, the question is, since we can and do create/manifest our thoughts, what is it that we can do to realize that we just have that power, that ability and begin to use it to expand our own, created space -- inner and outer? Ready for your lifework? Here it is?

LIFEWORK

1. Sit down in a comfortable setting and position in a quiet, peaceful place. You'd be surprised where these places can be. I commute by plane and often find the bathroom on the plane or even in the airports can be used. A stairwell, or during your cab ride from one place to another, even on the bus or commuter train when you use your earbuds just to block out the noise. If you can, go out into the open air and feel the sun and the breeze upon your face. It may be more difficult to find these locations, depending upon what's going on in your day. AND, it's doable.
2. Become aware of whatever thought or feeling you are having or experiencing at the time.
3, Engage it. That's right. Have a conversation with that thought or feeling. Begin by addressing it in this way, "Beloved, I am thankful and grateful for you and the experience you are bringing me in this moment. What message of love do you have for me?" Continue having this conversation. You will soon find that you will begin to experience calm. And, even if the thought or feeling is "bad" or limiting, you will soon find that at the heart and core of it, there is only love and it WILL express that love to you.
4. Do not abandon the thought or feeling or try to stop it. It is your partner, your helper. WITH it, ask your higher self (I call that God, but whatever you call it works for you, so do that) what is in your highest good. And, there you will have it. THAT is what you can be about creating by thinking, speaking and doing.
5. Enjoy the process. If you have questions or other thoughts and feelings about what you are creating, engage them in the same way and invite them to help in the creation of what is in your highest good.

There you have it. Let me know the changes you notice, experience and have as you incorpirate this Lifework into your life.

Oh, and by the way, the full lyrics of the song I mentioned are:

Our Thoughts Are Prayers, and we are always praying
Our Thoughts Are Prayers, Listen to what you're saying
Seek a higher consciousness, A state of peacefulness
And know that God is always there, And every thought becomes a prayer

I love you!

So who wins the "Oscar" in your life?

Last night was Hollywood's big' night. You know. Most people on the planet who have televisions and access to the internet know. There were some big winners, some I agree with, some I haven't a clue about. Perhaps the person or movie that you wanted to "win," got the coveted Oscar, perhaps not. Why all the hoopla? What is the purpose of the Oscar? It's intended to acknowledge and honor excellence. Nice, huh? I like it.

So, my question: Who are the Oscar winners in your life -- and do they know it? What do you earn Oscars for? Where is your excellence and how are you acknowledging it, yourself. I'm serious about these questions. What have you done for YOURSELF lately? How 'bout others?

LIFEWORK
For yourself:
1. Identify one thing each day this week that you are doing or have done with excellence.
2. Determine an appropriate (by that I mean it's really going to make a difference to you and touch your heart) award. Did you see Jeff Bridges' speech? When he spoke about his parents, couldn't you just feel that in your heart? If not, go back and read some of my earlier posts on this blog -- particularly Unconditionally Loved. THAT's the kind of significant emotionall impact I encourage you to look for in your award. If it's not there, look for another award -- or even perhaps a different excellent thing you are doing or have done. You need to be rocked to your core with deliciousness about your service AND the award.
3. Enjoy the award! Do it, go to it, speak about it, buy it -- whatever. Make it happen. This is something to be actively enjoyed, not a great idea whose time never comes.

For others:
1. Identify one thing each day this week that one other person has done either for you or someone/something else. You can stick with the same person for five days, or have a different person each day or whatever really works for you. Make it real! They should have done something that you know has really made a difference!
2. Determine an appropriate award that you will bestow on them.
3. Give them the award!

For your award and for others:
1. Identify at least one other person you will share this with. Now, folks, don't minimize this step. This actually intensifies the butterfly effect that you've put inplace by #1-3 for yourself and others above. This is how you "pay it forward" and wake and stir up the wonderful "I love myself and others" parts of our DNA.

Lastly, allow yourself to be swept up in the tide of wonder, awe, deliciousness and Love. GO FOR IT!

I love you ... Unconditionally!