TRANSITION

Life is an Odyssey and as we pass through its ups and downs we grow and evolve. Individuals change at varying rates with specific times in their lives representing peaks, plateaus and valleys. A major paradigm shift seems to occur for most in the fourth decade of their life ~ the proverbial midlife crisis. Things that once seemed cloudy become vividly clear. We are no longer satisfied with just existing to fulfill the needs and whims of others, we instead want to truly live our lives - the way we see fit ~ FOR US! As we finally realize that our time on Earth is finite we should only be concerned with making it all count.

This is also a time to discover one’s voice - the true inner voice (our innate) that guides us rather than just the voice everyone is accustomed to hearing. We may grow weary of putting ourselves second, third, or further down the line of importance. We selfishly (a conditioned belief) try to assume the number one position in our lives even though it is usually foreign to our conditioning.

Now is ‘our’ time the newly discovered spirit cries to the one who is finally ready to listen. Let us fly together like an eagle with heart and body united, the connection to our soul is reestablished as our wings spread wide and we are free to soar.

An Extraordinary Human Experience

· Love - unconditional love of all earth’s inhabitants

· Compassion - to help in any way possible to alleviate another’s
discomfort or suffering

· Truthfulness - walk your talk

· Acceptance - of others opinions, values

· Service - to improve the lives of humanity

· Humility - leave ego at the door

· Purpose - to find, to know, your purpose and fulfill it

· Gratitude - to be thankful everyday for all you have

· Balance - between home/family, work and play

· Integrity - standing firm in your own values and principles

· Joy - of living this human experience

Do You Want Lasting Change?

· Are the choices you’re making achieving the desired results?
· Do you feel that you are in a rut or that life is passing you by?
· Are you living life on your own terms?

If you don’t like your answer to any of these questions – read on.

Change cannot be lasting if it is only addressed with the conscious mind. Behaviours and habits are ingrained in the subconscious mind. For example, if someone suffers from low self esteem the condition must be dealt with where habits and behaviours reside. To change your life you have to change your mind – your way of thinking on both levels. Most importantly, you have to want to change. The decision must be yours and not that of some other well meaning family member or friend.

The way you think has been for the most part, determined by others through modeling and learned behaviour. Children learn from parental examples and often recreate their parent’s habits unknowingly. They sometimes model themselves after other significant people in their lives, teachers, grandparents, caregivers are primary examples.

To be able to change you must identify why you do what you do. It’s also helpful to clarify and understand your motivation and discovering who you are doing it for. Below are some ideas on getting started.

List the things you want to change. For example this can be about behaviours, habits, situations or just about anything that comes to mind that is within the realm of physical possibility. As Eckhart Tolle says in one of his lectures “I cannot be a heavy weight boxer no matter how hard I try”. (His physique would not be appropriate for this goal).

Set goals and a concrete schedule to achieve them. The best laid plans for achieving goals mean nothing without a reasonable timeline. It is beneficial to set short term and long term goals. If you wish to lose 50 pounds set a goal for 1 month, 3 months and 6 to 8 months. Breaking down a task into smaller steps makes it more believable (to the mind) and therefore, achievable.

Work with a professional to help facilitate the changes desired. It’s always easier when you have the support of someone who believes in you.

"Whatever you ardently desire, vividly imagine, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass." Unknown

Observations from aloft

When I wrote this post yesterday I was flying home from Florida and observing how tiny and insignificant everything looks from 20,000 feet. The patchwork of fields, roads and subdivisions are all dwarfed to a miniscule scale. Waterways twisting and turning appear like blue serpents as they meander toward their destination, and even large lakes appear no bigger than swimming pools. The mountain tops of Tennessee and Kentucky covered with snow give the impression of giant mounds of mashed potatoes.

I wonder how many villages, towns and cities we pass over and how many millions of busy lives are engrossed in their normal daily routines below. From up here, trials and tribulations, worries and daily concerns seem trivial and even surreal. I also contemplate why it’s so much easier to put things in perspective when seen from this vantage point.

More importantly from this lofty observation deck I realize how truly amazing our beautiful Earth is. Her peaks and valleys, lakes and rivers, clouds and sun are all so majestic. How honored a species we humans are, to be able to see all of Earth’s magnificence from this God’s eye view. And it is from here and from my heart that I urge each person reading this to take time every single day to be grateful for the wonder of being alive. Below are some tips to get you started.

3 Simple Tips for Enjoying Life More

Spend time in nature every day. Even five or ten minutes outside can soothe your nerves and put any problems of the day into perspective. You may want to play a little game to enhance your enjoyment of the simple pleasures in life. Choose a colour – green for example. Look around and identify all things green. Really focus and allow your eyes to see the beauty that surrounds you.

Pretend you’re a child again (who cares what others think). Look up into the sky and find shapes in the clouds. There may be a flower, a bird or a butterfly, a clown or even a teddy bear. See how many different images you can spot. Or, imagine what the view is like for the birds flying high above you. Make it fun!

If there is water nearby, a lake, a river, an ocean (even a little fountain will do) listen to the relaxing sound of the water as if it were music to serenade you.

The joyous bounties of life are everywhere, you need only allow yourself to see, hear, and enjoy them.

Only Believe,

Linda

One More Day

One more day in paradise and then its back to the snowy cold of Ontario. Even when its cold (relatively speaking) here in Panama City Beach, Fl. I can still gaze out over the vastness of the beach and gulf; and enjoy the radiance of the sun on my face. The gentle sound of the waves in the background is so......relaxing. The rhythm of the water's ebb and flow lulls me into a meditative, drowsy state as I become more and more at ease.

My life and your life can always be this way - quiet, calm and at ease if we allow it to be. There's no reason to buy into the hustle and bustle that consumes our world. Everyone has the choice to be at peace within themselves, regardless of what goes on 'out there'. We all have the ability to choose serenity and peace of mind...it is indeed, natural.

I know that even after I return home to my regular routine that I can hold onto the peace that I have enjoyed while on vacation. I can hold onto the vision of the tranquil scene that I'm enjoying as I write this. I can visualize it anytime I choose and re-create it in my mind. But with or without a vacation or the memory of a scene like the one described; each of us can be at peace. What choice would you prefer - unease, tension, stress or peace and serenity?

Reflections

It's New Year's Day ~ 2010. I'm sitting on a sunny balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The sound of the waves as they complete their journey to the shore is music to my ears.

I love watching the Pelicans and Seagulls soaring, swooping and diving. As I watch their aerial acrobatics I wonder what it would be like to fly free as they do. The palm trees sway in the cool breeze and the sun dances on the water, shimmering like millions of tiny diamonds. This picturesque scene reminds me of the countless days in my youth when I would walk the beach for hours, so at home in the sun, the surf and the sand.

I guess I never realized how much I missed these elements, the sights and sounds until I was able to experience it once again here today. The vast expanse of the water and sky before me serve as a reminder of how incredibly beautiful our planet is, how wonderful life is, and how much there is to be grateful for.

It's so easy here to forget about daily worries, perceived problems and about all the chaos and violence that brings shadows of darkness to our world. It's so easy here to be lulled into a state of peace and serenity. As I write and take this time to reflect, I wish peace, health, joy and prosperity to all who may read this entry.

Please remember that peace and serenity is available to everyone, even without the beach and the water. It is within each and every one of us and all we need do to enjoy it is connect within, to our own heart center.

Only Believe,
Linda

Clarity for the Holidays

I know you believe you understand what you think I said,

but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard

is not what I meant.

~ Anonymous ~