July 31, 2008
How do we keep from allowing other people's expectations to become what we expect of ourselves? I was recently made aware of some people overlaying there own standards on other people, rather than just accepting and enjoying what is. This was very low key, so there must be something I really need to learn for it to have stood out so starkly to me.
July 30, 2008
Today was very intense for a couple of the engineers at work. Actually the situation has been going on for some weeks. I determined to stay calm, kept sending out an active peace, and took what ever I could off their plates. There is a lot at stake and I pray for the highest good for all concerned. Beloved Archangel Michael, I call on your aid and the aid of your angels, as you see fit, to cut away all negativity, all destructive lines of force and to help each one see a means of empowering themselves in these types of situations.
July 29, 2008
Understanding - Knowing what is meant. Being of a similar or complimentary consciousness. Comprehension. Reconciliation of differences.
Communication - Transferring information with mutual understanding. Create understanding. Convey meaning. Provoke collaboration and cooperation.
Effective listening - Genuine interest. Ability to briefly clarify what is being heard. Attentive to the message more than the words. Actively seeking the other person's perspective.
Being open - Receptive. Willing to explore. Willing to go beyond personal beliefs. Willing to communicate and listen. Relax into new knowledge.
July 28, 2008
There is peace in having friends that understand, validate and make you laugh. Especially that make you laugh.
July 27, 2008
May there be a very special blessing for everyone over the age of 80 years old and especially everyone 90 years old. They face so many changes, not always, but generally with dignity and courage. Their friends die. Their bodies try to limit them. Yet they persevere. My dear mother prays for everyone in the family multiple times a day. It's sort of the job she has adopted. We are very lucky to have her. And this from a daughter who insisted on seeing my birth certificate, because I just couldn't believe I was related to someone who simply refused to accept that I was so vastly different from her. But I declared peace decades ago and have enjoyed a loving friendship since. In honor of my mom. - peace to every 90 year old today. May each one be enfolded in the arms of Mother Mary, whom my mother has always been devoted to.
July 26, 2008
Progress. YEAH! All my life being around a group of people has drained me. I tend to give people energy and draw energy from nature. I seldom attend or give parties. Other people in my family draw energy from people and don't have much interest in nature. Well, the work I've been putting into my personal growth is paying off. Today I had 8 family members for a back yard barbecue and I feel energized. I held my peace through out what for me has been a very full day. It's 90 degrees F for a high and the pulley on the swamp cooler (air conditioner in a dry dessert climate) broke. I had commitments at work. I chose to still make a couple runs to the airport to pick up out of town guests. With all my housecleaning, I hadn't gotten to the back porch. Hosting the barbecue was sort of impromptu, so I had grocery shopping to do, as well as food preparation. Before I would have been hipervigilent about meeting everyone's needs and appearing efficient and prepared. Now, in a good sense, I didn't care. I had already accepted that I hadn't been able to complete the preparations. I just focused on being present as myself and letting things flow. People pitched in to help and I don't feel stressed or drained. In fact, although tired, there is a sense of energy flow. One guest fixed the swamp cooler while I was at work. That same guest cleaned the back porch while I picked up another guest at the airport. Everything else flowed smoothly. I actually got to socialize in a relaxed manner. Tomorrow will be the planned sit down dinner for 17.
July 25, 2008
Laughter Yoga (Hasya Yoga) is a physically oriented technique that uses a blend of playful, empowering and otherwise "tension-releasing" simple laughter exercises. With gentle yoga-breathing and -stretching exercises, rhythmic clapping and chanting of Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha in unison a simulated laughter turns into real laughter. Laughter Yoga is done as a way to improve health, increase well-being and promote peace in the world through personal transformation. It is non-religious, non-sectarian, and non-political.
The Laughter Yoga method is the brainchild of Dr. Madan Kataria, a family physician from Mumbai, India who started the first laughter club in 1995. He has been the catalyst for the creation of over 5,000 Laughter Clubs in 40 countries, mostly free and public. (Wikipedia)
http://www.laughteryoga.org/ Dr. Madan Kataria's Message for World Laughter Day May 4, 2008. Today is World Laughter Day and a very auspicious day for the whole planet. Our mission is to bring good Health, Joy and World Peace through laughter. Thousands of people are gathering around the world to show solidarity and commitment towards this goal.
July 24, 2008
Create a peaceful getaway. Most of us are working on deeper inner peace. However, there are those who never really think about inner peace. To help them become aware, we might try creating a place for them. I work in a two story building. There is a place under the stairs, that is out of the way and has huge windows. I've placed a chair there. If the facilities owner of this building agrees, I'll place a screen there and let the building occupants know it is a peaceful getaway for a few minutes from the stress of the day. If you choose to do something similar where you are associated with a group of people, remember to keep it universal.
July 23, 2008
Dominion over the earth. Perhaps an element of this is to recognize that our consciousness shapes our circumstances and environment. This seems far better and more harmonious with inner peace than believing that circumstances and environment have dominion over us.
July 22, 2008
I haven't yet internalized what I learned today. It's still too ethereal for words. So a blessing, instead. May active, infinite peace (balanced with Divine Love, Wisdom and Power) surround, infuse and radiate from each one of you.
July 21, 2008
It's one thing to face and overcome a fear. It's another level of consciousness to recognize that no fear has any power. And still another level to actually believe that fear in general has no power.
July 20, 2008
Working hard outside on a humid day with no breeze. Oh, how I appreciate the wind when it blows.
July 19, 2008
It was so weird today. There was no reason to get rattled. But somehow, suddenly, I was trying to do three things at once and actually got worried about getting rained on. Instead of just stepping back and not doing three things at once, I let it just build up and irritate me. How silly.
July 18, 2008
As I let go of responsibilities for things that are not mine, it becomes easier to accept responsibility for who and what I am.
July 17, 2008
We've been having some delightful rains and they've opened our forest again. I took a little hike at lunch and sat under a lovely Vanilla Pine Tree. I've been trying to meditate deeper and quiet my mind, so I practiced a bit. It was so lovely to listen to the birds and the breeze in the trees. It was a good thing I pampered myself; because later this afternoon that slimy fear, that I've been avoiding since July 13th, came out in an exhausting dry heaves kind of episode. An old body memory of something horrendously unpleasant. Anyway, it's gone and I get too sleep soundly and recuperate. My peace seems deeper, more enfolding, yet more a part of me. It's a very nice feeling.
July 16, 2008
Why does it bother me? If I say I don't care and I see no value in it, then what was it providing me that it bothers me to have it taken away? There's less responsibility, more freedom, less stress. I had the illusion of something I controlled, because it was a responsibility I owned. Was there some identity of self involved? Somehow the types of duties I perform at work are defining what I think of myself. That's not the way I want it to be.
July 15, 2008
Spiritual identity? If you get to know someone, you usually know their reactions to various situations, what they like and dislike, how they feel and what they believe. But all these things can change. What would you know about them, if you knew their spiritual identity? What is the definition of spiritual identity and how would you get to know about someone's spiritual identity?
July 14, 2008
There's a music in our soul that reaches up for who we are. Nothing on this earth can silence it. But, are we listening?
July 13, 2008
Let every child who hid in terror last night, be enfolded in the true knowledge of love and security. May every woman who took a beating last night, recognize that it is ENOUGH! This is no longer acceptable. May every man or boy who feels like crying, not hesitate. May the divine feminine in each and every person be set free to raise the all.
July 12, 2008
Even facing a huge fear seems like just another day at work. It was triggered a couple days ago. I look at it for a while. Then I do something else. Then I look at it some more. Then I pamper myself a little. Then I get in touch with it again. This is a slimy one and is hard to pin down. But I seem to be at peace with the idea that I will indeed work thru it and get beyond it. May each of you also know that you are more than equal to anything you're facing right now.
July 11, 2008
I'm still so relaxed that my peace is holding strong among potential disturbances.
July 10, 2008
While on vacation, I gave a short presentation on regaining inner peace.
- Look at feelings and the beliefs behind them.
- Identify triggers.
- Look at the drawbacks of allowing the cycles to continue.
- Ask yourself if you would defend these feelings and beliefs.
- Then ask yourself if you DO defend them.
- Look at the results of harboring these feelings and beliefs.
- If you’re willing and ready to surrender them, then create a short action plan using what ever tools you have. Create a prayer, a mantra, a visualization – whatever works for you.
July 9, 2008
The sunset this evening was beautiful. I have been drinking in so very many gorgeous natural scenes every day. I send my gratitude and love to all the elementals. They work so hard to create harmony and beauty; to help us relax; and to bless us with peaceful and joyful feelings.
July 8, 2008
The first night of my vacation I attended a laughing yoga class. What a great way to start. I highly recommend it, if there are any offered in your area. The person who started them apparently said something along the lines of he wanted to bring peace to the world thru laughter. Try just saying Ha Ha, Hee Hee, Ho Ho right now and see if you can keep from laughing.
June 23 thru July 7, 2008
These postings come from trying to put into words what I learn each day regarding peace. They are based on experiences, observations, books, movies, prayers, questions that come to mind, thoughts I notice; anything that is used to teach me.
It is quite likely that I will be unable to access the internet with the correct software to update this site for the next two weeks.