Happiness

The Perfect Life

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Does the perfect life exist? Are you still searching for it? Can it be found? If we change our perception of what we are looking for we might just find it.

We find it when we stop looking for it and change our perception of what it really is. Each one of us has the potential to live our own perfect life. I am not talking about the one you think you can find without pain, without feelings that make you uncomfortable; the one that you think will be free from all suffering. Life is not meant to be lived without feeling and some of them will be uncomfortable.

We find our way when we let go of searching for this illusionary perfect life and we stop living in the future, thinking I will be happy when… In addition, we must stop living in the past and be holding onto emotions that are ready to be released. We must stop reliving the stories that do not allow us to move forward in life.

We begin to find our way when we learn to navigate uncomfortable times because we all experience them. We begin to find our way when we learn to be with our uncomfortable feelings and release them without being stuck carrying them around for years. We begin to find our way when we stop beating ourselves up for not achieving this imaginary perfect life. We begin to find our way by bringing our attention back to the present moment and loving ourselves just as we are; the imperfect, perfect human being that we have become. Wake up to who you have become. Now begin to uncover the perfect life you have hidden underneath that persona.

 

In Times of Uncertainty (Part 1)

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It is easy to be upset by someone who is doing things that we do not agree with and many of us could probably name someone like that now. They make us feel out of balance emotionally, physically or both. For instance, emotionally we might worry, feel angry, frustrated or fearful. Physically we might get a headache, feel nauseous, become ill or even experience pain in the body. Each one of us experiences these imbalances in different ways. Have you ever noticed or thought about how you experience an imbalance in your life?

It is important to recognize that when this happens it is not what the other person is doing that causes us to be this way. It is how we are reacting to what that person is doing. Our reaction is formed from our experiences in the past and other factors that influence how we experience and operate in this life.

If we are not aware and awake to these feeling and sensations, we will feel like we do not have control over them. Please remember that being aware and awake to them is very different from just experiencing them or being absorbed in them. We all have the right to feel our feelings. However, being awake and aware of them means that you able to be with them, not overwhelmed or controlled by them. You must come to a higher understanding of what you are experiencing for this to happen.

A different perspective is to know that no matter what someone is doing, that person is doing the best that he or she can do in that moment. That does not mean that what they are doing is okay or right. It just means that they do not know any better. In life, when we know better, we do better.

Look at your own life. Most of us have done something that we regretted or that was wrong. Once we finally realized it, then we made every effort not to do it again. If someone is still doing terrible things it is because he or she cannot see or does not understand what they are doing is wrong. In their minds, it is perfectly OK and they feel they do not have a choice, even though others see it differently.

Part 2 will be posted tomorrow and is about learning how to stop reacting and how to start responding so that you can take proper action when needed and stay more peaceful in times of uncertainty.

 

 

Finding Lasting Happiness

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We live in a world where many bad things happen daily. Moreover, let us be honest, sometimes life just does not go our way. With so many things happening that we do not like, how can we be happy? First, you must ask yourself a question. Where do I look for my happiness? Honestly ask and answer this question before continuing on.

Many people think that getting the right job, having lots of money or being in the perfect relationship will finally make them happy. Only to find out later that you cannot buy something and find lasting happiness. You will not find it by taking a vacation. It will not suddenly show up because you fall in love or see the perfect sunset. Happiness is not something that needs to be found because it is already a part of you. This is why it cannot come from anything that can be taken away from you and no one can give it to you.

The only person who can take away your happiness is you and the only way to find it again is to begin exploring who you really are. No one can make you want to do this and only those who feel a strong calling will begin this exploration. However, to those that do, I can assure you that you will not regret the many gifts that come from such an exploration.

If you are reading this, you are ready or you have already started. Please explore my blog or ask for help with this exploration and know that you cannot fail or make a wrong turn. Remember in every failure is the seed of success and in every problem is the seed of opportunity.

No More Change Just Let Go

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I find that many perceive and think that letting go means they have to change. Moreover, of course, we do not like change; we like to stay in our comfort zone even if our comfort zone is uncomfortable. I mean who likes struggle, suffering, and pain, which we often unconsciously associate with change. The truth is change is not required, only reconnecting with our True-Self through awareness is needed.

It does not matter how well, or bad your life may be, you can always let go, try it just once and see what happens. Even the best life, lived well, can be lived more fully.

Turning Your Life Around

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No matter our circumstances or life /body condition, we cannot give up living life to its fullest. What that means is we continually look for ways to heal our circumstances or body and we find ways to live life to its fullest each day within our current situation.

When we recognize that we are guided and helped by something greater than ourselves we no longer feel alone or forsaken. That may mean something different for each of us depending on our beliefs and conditioning.

The most important thing is to use your awareness and condition to learn about yourself and your life. This will allow your life to expand and become more fulfilling even when it may seem more difficult. The more you are able to do this the better your life will become, because now your problem has become an opportunity. Because of this change in perception, your life will be different and it will change completely over time.

 

We Are All Part of the Divine

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What we tend to forget is that we are all part of the Divine, not just some of us, not just the ones who believe in this religion or that religion. Not just the people who belong to this political party or that political party, we are all part of the Divine. Not just the straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, we are all part of the Divine. Not just someone who is Caucasian, Black, Brown, Red or Yellow, we are all part of the Divine. We must stop seeing just our differences and see what resides in all people and all things, the Divine.

If we do not recognize this in others and ourselves then we are at war within and blocking the Divine. Being at war is what we seem to do the best these days, we have the war on drugs, the war on terrorism, we go to war with anyone or anything we do not like or want in our lives, including ourselves.

What we should really focus on is being better at living life from the Divine and shining this part of ourselves, this light, out into the world no matter who we are or what we believe. Remember today when you feel angry with someone or do not like him or her for any reason at all, they are part of the Divine just like you.

Do you want them to see this part of you or the part that is angry, hateful or mean? The choice is yours in each moment and you can start again fresh each time you slip back into war, just reconnect with the Divine again. If you do this reconnection enough times, eventually you will only act from the Divine with kindness and love in life. This may happen quickly for some and take years for others, but the more of us who reconnect the easier it will be for everyone because we are all part of the Divine.

What kind of world do you want to live in? You cannot rely on someone else to do it for you. You have to make the choice. Will you start today or not at all? Because if you do not start today and at least try your best, then we will all continue to suffer because we are all part of The Divine.

Awaken to the Present Moment

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Today is your day, your best day. Why, because it is the only day you have for sure. Do not compare today to some place in the past that you thought was worse or better. When you do, you have left the present moment and are now residing in the past. Do not look for your peace and happiness in the future, because once again you have left the present moment.

What you seek already lives within you, whether you seek peace, security, happiness, love or the energy to create. It is here in the present moment and nowhere else.

When we are in a state of worry or struggle, it is because we have left the present moment and stepped into the past or we are looking to the future because this moment does not meet our expectations. When we stay in the moment, our worry and struggle fall away. It is only when we want something different from what is, that we suffer. Accepting what is, along with gratitude, brings peace and allows us to create from the field of all possibilities.

Accepting the truth does not mean we have to like it or that it will be perfect in our eyes. Furthermore, it does not mean that it will always be that way. In fact, things are always changing and once we embody this truth, we will begin to allow and co-create something different with the Creative Energy of the Universe.

We must begin to look into the face of what is and trust that all will be well. If we are unable to do this, then we have lost our faith. I am afraid that faith is one of those things that if we try to live without it, we may find ourselves getting lost in life.

How many times have you been worried, struggling in life or endured difficult times? Remember these times and the struggle you have already experienced. That struggle brought you to this place and made you who you are at this very moment. You survived it all and if you leave your struggle and worry behind you will move through whatever challenges you face going forward in life with more ease and grace.

As long as we look through the eyes of our conditioning, we are guided by the False-Self. However, when we see things honestly and look through the eyes of truth, we are connected with our True-Self.

It is through awareness that we begin to see this conditioning and are able to release it forever. This process of letting go or more appropriately said, waking-up helps us to become more connected to the present moment and our True-Self. We are then able to live our lives more fully, with ease and grace, with more opportunities to create from the field of all possibilities.

 

Being Okay in Uncertain Times

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Many of you are worried; anxious or even downright scared with what you feel is happening in our country and around the world. Yet I can assure you that you will be fine. Let your worry, anxiousness and fear go. You cannot create what you want from this place, besides life is too short to hold onto these feelings. Where has your faith gone?

When the fog moves in, the sun disappears; however, the sun is still shining everywhere. Whether it is clear or cloudy, the sun is always shining. When you are in the midst of these feelings, they are your fog. With all your attention focused on the fog, you have lost sight of the sun, your faith.

It is important to remember that everything in its simplest form is energy. From the chair you sit on, to the car you drive and all you see around you. This also includes things you do not see, like your feelings, emotions and thoughts. When you feel worried, anxious or fearful that energy goes out into the world and energetically feeds whatever or whoever is bothering you. When you continually or habitually think about what is wrong in your life or you THINK is wrong in your life, you are energetically feeding it. By doing this you can be helping to manifest the very things in your life that you are worried, anxious or fearful about.

“My life has been filled with terrible misfortunes, most of which have never happened.”

-Mark Twain

Anger is one of these feelings and a perfect example of what I am talking about here. Have you ever noticed when you get into an argument with someone, as the other person gets angrier so do you? You are feeding off this energy and they are feeding off yours. What happens when you walk away? How many hours or days do you spend thinking about how angry you are and why you were right and they were wrong? How much sleep do you lose?

Would it be more productive to use all that time and energy toward creating the life you do want? This is why it is so important to pay attention to how you feel and think.

To start, pay more attention to what you feel and think. Once you notice a feeling or a thought that is not congruent with creating what you want, then reframe it, let it go and begin to focus on what you do want. This sounds simple and it is with practice. However, in the beginning it can be challenging. We have spent years honing our skills at holding on, avoiding and resisting. Do not get discouraged if you cannot change overnight. Let go of your expectations to be perfect and just practice. If you forget, it is OK, just start again when you remember. With your unbending intention and ongoing practice, it will become your automatic response. Leading you to a more peaceful and joyful life.

The Path to Peace

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Our suffering, hate and anger is birthed in thought, even war starts here. We must learn to let these thoughts go. Our fear of what might happen will never bring us peace. We must learn to drop into our hearts, why, because this is where our empathy lies. This is where love begins to flow and the suffering, anger and hate begins to dissolve. Too many of us spend our day in our heads, worrying about what might happen or thinking about what has already happened to us. If we continue to listen to these misleading thoughts, then we are destined to suffer individually and collectively.

You may think this is an impossible task. Do you want to follow that thoughts direction or the direction of your heart? If you want to follow that thought, then you are part of the problem. If you want to follow the path of the heart then you are part of the solution. It really is that simple. You have already picked one of these paths. Are you aware of which one you are choosing?

 

A Higher Truth for the New Year

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This will feel contrary to all that you know. All that society has taught you. However, this higher truth can bring you more peace than all your seeking put together. We are so conditioned to think that we are not good enough, that we have to change in some way to become something better; to do more and if we do, our reward of peace and happiness will come.

Have you ever wondered what makes us think this way?

When in fact, what we seek we already have, but we cannot see it because of all our busyness. All the searching you have done, even all the letting go has not led you to the place you seek.  Has it? There is always more letting go; more seeking to do.

So what is the answer? First, begin the New Year by setting aside some time to be quiet. This means doing nothing. It will only be in this space that you will reconnect with your True-Self. Then, throughout your day just be with what is. Do not wish it to be different. Do not try to make it different. This will not be easy at first for many of you, but I can assure you, this intention to breathe the life of each moment has what you seek already in it.

Your thoughts and habits will try to carry you away and sometimes they will. When you wake up and find yourself carried away by them, do not beat yourself up. Remember, you are not your thoughts or habits, and they are not in charge of you. Bring yourself back to the calm and peaceful being that you are deep within and feel the presence of your True-Self once again. This ongoing, even intermittent experience with the Divine presence within is all that is needed to feel and experience this higher truth for yourself.