“I slid back to the OLD ways of DOING”

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Sep
8

“I am faith-filled and fear-free because I know what to do without doing anything at all. You don’t have to do anything to get your good in life. You must, however, be open to receive it. For some of us, receiving is much more difficult than doing (giving) because we think we know what is required to earn our good.  Earning puts you in control. Your doing is motivated by the belief that the more you do, the more you will get.  Receiving means trusting that God is aware of what you need, desire and deserve.

Deserving is a function of Being:  Being open, Being clear, Being grateful, Being focused, Being committed, Being Faithful, and Being willing to receive. Being is a state of consciousness developed through unwavering faith and trust. You trust that you will always have what you need, and that is the foundation of your faith.”  Iyanla Vanzant

I said to the cashier at Longs Drug store, as I was paying for my purchases, “You have a beautiful smile.” She smiled and said, “Thank you.” It just popped out of my mouth and I said, “It takes one to know one.” She replied, “You took the words right out of my mouth.” And we both giggled as I walked out of the store. Learning to give and receive compliments is an important part of our spiritual growth. I enjoy receiving and giving compliments and often give compliments to strangers.

Last night, I was fortunate enough to be in the presence of spiritual teacher, Ram Dass at the Makawa Union Church. What a beautiful humble soul who practices living in the present moment and loves everything.  He said, “I even love my negative thoughts.”  When asked what he meant by that and how to do it, he said, “I just LOVE them to death.”  He also talked about the importance of receiving.

After the talk, dinner was served. There were two women sitting at the table with us and one of the women was stunning with beautiful long red hair and blue eyes.  I decided to tell the woman that she looked stunning and as we said goodbye, I quietly whispered in her ear, “You are stunning.” Her face lit us and, of course, she said, “Thank you, and it takes one to know one.”  

WOW, yes it takes one to know one. What we see in others, the positive and the negative, or the light and the dark are all a part of us. I love it when I see the beauty and gifts in someone else because they are also in me.  I am not as thrilled when I see something I don’t like in another because I know that is also in me and it is called my “shadow.” At first I may think, “No way, that is not in me.” But, in the long run, I am grateful because I want to know, embrace and love all of me, the light and the dark. People in our lives are mirrors and unless we accept and love all parts of ourselves, we will not be whole and spiritually healthy.

Many people have a hard time receiving compliments and often don’t believe the person giving it to them.  It may be a sign of low self- esteem and an inability to receive. They may feel embarrassed or not worthy to receive the compliment. They may think to themselves, “If they only knew the real me, they wouldn’t think that” or something like that.  It’s hard to just say, “Thank you.” I challenge you to notice how you feel when someone gives you a compliment and to practice taking it in and just saying “Thank you.” I invite you to receive all compliments, gifts, smiles – anything that is given to you. I invite you to accept them all gratefully and graciously. Once you receive the “little” things, you will easily be able to receive the big things.

I have had some powerful lessons this week I would like to share with you. As I have shared in my past blogs, I knew how to DO things by pushing and making things happen. I liked being in control, even though I really had no control at all and it was only an illusion.  For the last year and a half since living in Maui, I have learned (after some resistance) to “BE” which means to live in the present moment,  to be comfortable with the mystery of not knowing what is next,  to receive, to trust the process as it unfolds and to allow and trust God to bring things to me.

Today, God is inviting me to practice something new and that is to DO and BE at the same time. I will make mistakes, perhaps go back to the “old way” of doing things, but it will not feel good and I will quickly realign with source energy.

That is exactly what happened to me this week. I slid back to the “old ways” of DOING. I spent hours on the computer, felt stressed and didn’t take the time to go to the ocean or swim in the pool-things that are nurturing to my soul and keep my vibration high. I prayed as I couldn’t get back to sleep in the middle of the night because my mind was like a blender, “Lord, I don’t know how to do this, I need your help.”

My prayer was answered.  My friend, Kati, gave me an angel reading over the weekend. The messages from the angels were very powerful and empowering in regards to my future.  As Kati and I discussed the meaning of the cards I chose, it became clear to me that I was operating from the old paradigm and belief system.  The angels said that I needed to simplify my life and that I was spread too thin.  At first, I felt discouraged and felt some self-condemnation that I was back there again-DOING TOO MUCH. I hadn’t realized it until then that I had 7 “projects” on my plate that I was involved in. They were all good and I loved doing all of them.

In the past, when I was doing TOO MUCH and had a lot on my plate, it was coming from a place of fear and under the fear was inadequacy.  When I am all over the place and I can’t focus on one thing and what is important, my energy is diluted and I feel exhausted and stressed with all I have to do. I had to ask myself, “What am I afraid of?” Even though I have already written a book and knew the process, I think I felt some inadequacy because I wasn’t sure HOW I was going to move forward. I reminded myself, “You just have to do the next right thing and the HOW is not up to you, but to God.”

The message that I needed to hear was that I am to focus on what my heart’s desire is and the vision for my life.  I was being invited to ask myself, “Which project aligns me with my vision and heart’s desire?”  I was being invited to FOCUS, FOCUS and make choices that would be for my highest good and for the good of all involved. I was being invited to go within and ask my higher self what I really wanted. 

My deepest desire is to BE the star that shines brightly to lead others to the God within. I asked myself, “What do I need to put aside for a while so I can FOCUS on the vision for my life and heart’s desire?”  At this time, I know God is calling me to FOCUS on finishing my new book because this will be the vehicle to share my faith and how trusting in God and following my heart has led me to paradise and living the life of my dreams. I have made a commitment to myself and God to work on my book daily. I was also inspired to ask Spirit before each activity I embark on, “Is this for my highest good?” I heard the small still voice of God say, “I like when you do that.”

Being a Libra, I need balance. I want to balance DOING with BEING. I want to live my life in peace, ease and grace. My intention is to be peaceful, to love and to serve.

 “Balance is the key to my serenity. I attain balance by listening to my inner wisdom and to the wisdom of others. There is no situation in which I cannot find a point of balance. There is no circumstance in which I cannot find inner harmony. As I ask to be led into equilibrium and clarity, I will find that my answers come to me. I am wiser than I know, more capable of right action and attitudes than I yet believe. In every event, I see the balance point of God’s action through me.”  Julia Cameron – Heart Steps

I am back on track, I know what I need to do and I am doing it!  I am simplifying, focusing and making choices that align with my heart’s desire and vision for my life. We all have choices that we must make in our lives. God’s desire for us is to be happy and free. It is our job to free ourselves of the past and all that holds us back from receiving God’s good in our lives. You are deserving and so am I.

“Life isn’t about pedaling faster to keep up; it’s about soaring beyond the limitations you’ve been taught to have. Passion is the voice of God calling you to awaken to your true purpose. If you celebrate your heart’s desires, you’ll deliver life to everyone you touch” Alan Cohen

MY GOD IS LOVING AND GENTLE

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Feb
8

After thirty years in the city, I finally left Los Angeles in 2002 and moved to Palm Springs. I loved the energy of the desert and the quiet surrounding of the mountains that were was so peaceful and serene. It was a new life and the air was clean. The only highway to civilization ran through the middle of the basin and nothing but two-lane roads etched in the sand connected the patches of houses and newly developed communities throughout the valley. 

I kept my job and commuted back and forth for several months while I looked for work locally. My mustang convertible enjoyed the open road and it was my thinking time. I had my repertoire of music to get me through, some CDs to pump me up in the morning, others to chill me out on the way home. 

I had only been living in the desert a couple months when driving home one night I experienced my first sand storm. The wind had become very strong and I learned later that wind gusts of up to 50 miles an hour were reported that night. I got off the freeway at my turnoff and started on the two-mile stretch home. The wind grew fierce as I made my way into the desert. My visibility became less and less and I couldn’t see in front of me nor could I see the cars coming in the opposite direction. I was now only driving about 10 mph, too afraid to pull over for fear of being buried alive or hit from behind. I couldn’t tell if I was driving straight or if I was even still on the road. The wind was howling so loud I couldn’t hear anything else. The sand swirled all around me and I could feel it coming in through the windows and the creases in my top. I was shaking and began to cry. All I could do was keep moving. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and screamed in a rage at the top of my lungs, “I could use some ——–help here!! 

All of a sudden, silence. The wind stopped and the road completely cleared in front of me. I could see all around me. It was like it never happened! Still shaking uncontrollably, I made my way home. I had just experienced my first sand storm. 

Though I didn’t grow up with this God, the God of my understanding is a loving and gentle God. One more time I was shown how loving and patient my God is. No matter how upset or impatient or even irreverent I may be, I am constantly being shown how much I am loved. No matter how afraid I may be, I will always be taken care of. The solution or answer may not come when I want it or when I think I need it, and it’s never in my time. But it’s always on time!

Now, any time I become consumed by fear or simply upset about a situation, I think of that night in the desert. I don’t believe it was a coincidence. I believe I was being told, one more time, that I am never really alone and I will always be taken care of no matter what. Everything is going to be ok. My only job is to trust, have faith and ask for what I need.  I have to ask myself, “why did I wait so long before I asked for help?”  Thank you God for loving me.

Cheryl Johnson, Radio Talk Show Host “From Maui With Aloha”

THE POWER OF PASSION IN BUSINESS

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May
4

What makes your heart sing?
Are you living your passion?
Do you know what it is?

* Passion is the fire that burns within your soul.

* It may start as a spark or a flame and eventually turns into a blazing fire that can consume you.

* Passion is an energy that infuses your life with meaning, joy, purpose and love.

* Living your passion takes commitment, determination, patience, fearlessness and courage.

* Passion is doing what you love and using your God-given gifts and talents for the good of all.

* Passion is an emotion that helps you go places others are afraid to go, to try things others are afraid to do.

* Passion creates the energy required to do what others think is impossible.

* Passion helps you work through your fear.

*Living your passion wakes you up in the middle of the night and creativity is flowing.

How do you find your true passion? Bill Strickland, author of Make the Impossible Possible offers some clues, writing: “Passions are irresistible.… If you’re paying attention to your life at all, the things you are passionate about won’t leave you alone. They’re the ideas, hopes, and possibilities your mind naturally gravitates to, the things you would focus your time and attention on for no other reason than that doing them feels right.” Strickland believes that only by following your passion will you unlock your deepest potential. “I never saw a meaningful life that wasn’t based on passion. And I never saw a life full of passion that wasn’t, in some important way, extraordinary.”

He goes on to say “When people can answer these three questions clearly and the answers intersect, they become passionate about what they do. Few things are professionally more fulfilling than doing work that you are extremely good at and turned-on about. It’s an incredible feeling when what you’re good at and excited about enables you to make a contribution that truly adds value to the business and its customers! Work ceases to be a vocation and becomes an avocation or a passion. The questions to ask yourself are:

1. What are my gifts and talents?
2. What am I passionate about?
3. What needs to be done?

Many people experience frustration and feel trapped because they are engaged in work that they may be good at but are not passionate about. They may be excited about something, but lack the skills for the job. Or they may need a degree or certification and they don’t have the time or the means to go back to school to obtain one.

Since work is so much a part of our lives, it is important for our well being that it is meaningful and fulfilling. One of the deepest needs of human existence is to know that our lives count for something and we are living our purpose.

We need to know that our God-given gifts and talents are being used to make a difference in the world. We need to know we are helping others and being of service to humankind. We are all searching for what gives our life meaning. Doing what we love often doesn’t feel like work because it is so fulfilling and rewarding. Being our authentic selves at work and being passionate about who we are and what we do can be a spiritual experience. It is a gift we give ourselves and the people we serve. We cannot be truly happy unless we are doing something we love. Following your passion is about doing something that you love and making it happen.

I feel blessed that I’m able to do what I love and had the guts to make it happen. It took courage to follow my heart and leave a secure job of 20 years. Having a daily spiritual practice enabled me to face my fears and believe in myself. I showed up daily and asked for help.

As a spiritual coach, it is my passion is to empower women to connect with the Spirit within and love themselves. When someone asked me what made my heart sing, I had to think about it for a minute. What makes my heart sing is public speaking. I love to speak and share my stories of God’s love and synchronicities that happen so often. I know my stories encourage people and give them inspiration and hope.

Living passionately has its challenges. My challenge has been to keep myself centered and peaceful because it is so easy to get out of balance. A balanced life is important and essential to my well being and spiritual life. When I am so focused on doing what I love and neglect important areas of my life, like exercise, eating right, having fun, spending time with family and friends, I am out of balance and lose focus.
I know I am out of balance when I feel stressed, tired, can’t sleep at night, my mind is like a blender and won’t shut off. Slowing down, breathing, taking a walk, a hot bath, meditating helps me get centered again. So it is possible to be passionate and peaceful at the same time. It takes awareness and a decision to stay connected to my spirit and to what is truly important.

6 TIPS TO LIVE IN PEACE AND LIVE YOUR PASSION
1. Show up: Develop a daily spiritual practice of prayer and meditation.
2. Ask for what you want – expect an answer. Visualize and believe.
3. Be grateful – An attitude of gratitude is the key to make things manifest and to live passionately.
4. Forgive yourself and others –Holding onto anger blocks the energy flow.
5. Have faith – that your life has meaning and you can live your passion.
6. Let go of control – trust the process and surrender to what is.