Friday's Purposeful Question

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Author and teacher Byron Katie says that when you question your stressful thoughts, the freedom that comes out of that graces the world for all of us.

The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your questions. So, what questions are you asking?

“Where in my life am I not following my dreams and desires?”

“Why not?”

“What am I willing to do to shift that?”

“Life is an unanswered question, but let's still believe in the dignity and importance of that question.” ~ Tennessee Williams

Live in Harmony and Be A Blessing

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Look at your life. Is what you think, what you say and what you do in harmony?

If not, why not? 

What is the disconnect? 

What are you going to do to reconnect?

If so, have a blessed life and continue to bless others.

Be A Cheerful Giver

"No one can become rich without enriching others. Anyone who adds to prosperity must prosper in turn." ~ G. Alexander Orndorff

Giving comes before Receiving... both in the alphabet and in life. You can have everything you’ve ever wanted — business and career success as well as financial prowess — if you give enough people what it is that they want too. Figure out that formula, and you’ll always prosper.

This reminds me of one of my favorite prayers which says "that it is in giving that we receive". This is so true. Never have I received so much as when I willingly and purposefully give to others.

When was the last time you gave from the heart – not expecting anything in return? 

If the answer is today, then keep it up! 

If the answer is not lately, then what are you waiting for?

Just for today, be a cheerful giver and reap the benefits!

Quit Fixin' Other People!

"Everybody talks about wanting to change things and help and fix, but ultimately all you can do is fix yourself. And that's a lot. Because if you can fix yourself, it has a ripple effect." ~ Rob Reiner

This is so cool and so true!

Have you ever noticed that when you share your issues with someone, they immediately want to try and “fix” you? As if you are broken and need fixin’!

It is when you are going through something – some issue, some crisis – that you need to just be with it and allow the lessons and blessings to evolve.

So, just as you don’t need fixin’, neither does anyone else. Allow them to walk through their pain because they will never learn the lessons they need to learn. And if you don’t learn the lesson this go-round, you have to take the test again until you do learn the lesson.

So, just for today, quit fixin’ other people and fix yourself!

Love... And Do Whatever You Want

“You will never be commonplace if you are vigilant in love.” ~ Elizabeth of the Trinity

What would your life look like if you just love? I don’t mean the warm fuzzy feelings; I mean love as a verb. 

To love is to be patient, to be kind, to be tolerant of others, and to not hold wrongs against anyone.

What would your life look like if you lived this kind of love every day?

Think about it. Now, think about it some more until you can get comfortable with the idea.

Are you getting comfortable?

So, just for today, go out and love – as a verb!

“Just as a flower gives out its fragrance to whomsoever approaches or uses it, so love from within us radiates towards everybody and manifests as spontaneous service.” ~ Swami Ramdas

Friday's Purposeful Question

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your questions. So, what questions are you asking?

“What can you be so thankful for that it will change your life?”

“You can tell whether a woman is clever by her answers. You can tell whether she is wise by her questions.” ~ attributed to Naguib Mahfouz

Heed Your Silent Instruction

“Let us accept the invitation, ever-open, from the Stillness, taste its exquisite sweetness, and heed its silent instruction.” ~ Paul Brunton

Okay, this is right up my alley! This wonderful thought has two of my favorite things – stillness and silence. It’s about taking time to fall still and hear what is yours to hear. I have said this many times, but you cannot hear what your inner guidance, your Wise Self, your Spirit has to tell you if you do not take the time to fall still and be quiet.

What you will receive is silent instruction. It will not come at you loud and booming, but silent – in a whisper that only you can hear. What tends to happen if someone speaks to you in a whisper? You answer back in a whisper. Is that not so?

Just for today, whisper and heed the silent instruction.

Give Thanks and Change Your Life

“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

This is a wonderful thought! Giving thanks every day sets in motion a shift in consciousness and a shift in universal beingness. Have you ever been around someone who is grateful for everything? And have you ever been around someone who complains about everything? Which person would you rather be around all the time? Uh-huh!

Imagine you are the person who gives thanks for everything everyday. Then, you are the kind of person you and probably most people would want to be around. And the more you give thanks, the more you will have to give thanks for. Pretty cool, huh?

So, just for today, give thanks for the smallest of things.

Fear the Bear, Not Your Dreams!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10

This is the Scripture verse I received this morning in my inbox. What a comforting word of wisdom!

None of us were given a spirit of fear. We are meant to use our fear muscle for clear and present danger, not for day to day living.

If you encounter a black bear, by all means, allow fear to take over as it will help you to get away from the danger. But there should never be this level of fear when living out your dreams and desires. And if there are, then perhaps you need to stop, take a breath and ask:

“Is this really MY dream, or am I living someone else’s dream?”

Just for today, have faith in your dreams and leave the fear for the bears!

You Were Created For Such A Time...

We read in the wonderful Book of Esther:

And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14)

You have come into this human existence at this time and in this place for a special purpose. What is that purpose?

What makes you sing?

What makes you cry?

What breaks your heart?

That is your purpose. Discover what needs healing and go out and do what you can. Even the smallest of efforts combined can change minds and hearts.

“And seeing the crippled, the beggar and the beaten, the seeker cried, ‘Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?’ And God said, ‘I did do something. I made you.’” ~ Sufi Teaching

Friday's Purposeful Question

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Author and teacher Byron Katie says that when you question your stressful thoughts, the freedom that comes out of that graces the world for all of us.

The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your questions. So, what questions are you asking?

“Are you taking the time to fall still and be silent? How is this quiet time helping you?”

Listen to the Words... Just Listen

“Truth or fiction, you don’t have to believe anyone’s story. You don’t have to form an opinion about what someone says. You don’t have to agree or disagree. Just listen. The more impeccable a person is with the word, the clearer the message will be, but the words that come from another artist have nothing to do with you. You know it’s nothing personal. You listen and you understand all the words, but the words no longer affect you. You no longer judge what other people say because you understand what they are doing. They are only letting you know what is going on in their virtual world." ~ From The Fifth Agreement by don Miguel and don Jose Ruiz

This passage from The Fifth Agreement encompasses three of the five agreements:

1. Be Impeccable With the Word
2. Don't Take Anything Personally
3. Be Skeptical, But Always Listen

Enough said!

Embracing Silence

This week, my Blog Talk Radio segment of Mind Your Own Story focused on working through silence. Sharing a powerful meditation from the Daily Om, I spoke about how we allow noise to distract us from facing our true feelings and healing our pains.

"Our lives are typically filled with noise. There are the noises from the outside world that we cannot control, and there are the noises we allow into our lives. These noises, from seemingly innocuous sources like the television and radio, can actually help us avoid dealing with uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. However, using noise as a distraction hurts more than it helps because you are numbing yourself to what may be internally bubbling up to the surface for you to look at and heal. Distracting yourself with talk-radio, television, or other background noises can also prevent you from finding closure to issues that haunt you...."

Listen to the segment or read the entire meditation.

Listen with the Heart

When we face another person in need and we are not conscious then we do not hear with our heart and do not take the other into our heart. We are left then with only one option - judge, reject, condemn, ignore, accuse. We then stand separate, outside of Love and untouched by Beauty.

Through practice, learn the differences between listening with your ears, with your mind and with your heart so that you can deliberately choose how you will listen to others. ~ The Soul Journey

Learn the art and skill of sacred listening. Learn to listen with more than your ears. Learn to listen with your heart and your entire being. You’d be amazed at what you will discover.

A Rose By Any Other Name...

“The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart.” ~ Anonymous

“A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world.” ~ Leo Buscaglia

“But he that dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose.” ~ Anne Bronte

“Truths and roses have thorns about them.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Just for today, time time to stop and smell the roses. If you can't stop and smell them, at least notice them! I noticed this one and photographed it. So glad I did. 

Friday’s Purposeful Question

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Author and teacher Byron Katie says that when you question your stressful thoughts, the freedom that comes out of that graces the world for all of us.

"Do you actively listen when someone speaks to you or are you rehearsing your rebuttal?" Really think about this one.

“You can tell whether a woman is clever by her answers. You can tell whether she is wise by her questions.” ~ attributed to Naguib Mahfouz

Learn to Listen

Listening is a skill and an art; unfortunately, a lost art. Most people are not taught how to listen properly. You do not merely listen with your ears, but with your whole body – especially your heart.

When I deeply and actively listen to someone, I am drained at the end because listening is something you do with your whole being. Listening is not waiting for your turn to speak or rehearsing your next rebuttal. Active listening involves being fully present for the other person.

Miguel Ruiz’ Fifth Agreement is Be Skeptical, But Learn To Listen. He says, don’t believe yourself or anybody else. Use the power of doubt to question everything you hear: Is it really the truth? Listen to the intent behind words, and you will understand the real message.

In order to understand the real message, you must really listen. You must listen until it drains you.

“Our listening creates a sanctuary for the homeless parts within another person.” ~ Rachel Naomi Remen

Fall Still and Get Wisdom

"To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe." ~ Marilyn vos Savant

I can absolutely relate to this as I acquire wisdom by observation and much inner reflection and meditation. I have found over many, many years that one cannot gain wisdom or heighten their intuition by constant and useless chatter. It simply does not work. All of the great teachers and masters have fallen still and quiet to attain the wisdom they seek.

The Spirit will not yell over your chatter or noise. The voice of the Spirit is like a soft, gentle breeze; ready to speak to you when you are ready to listen.

So, just for today, fall still, get quiet and get wisdom.

Conquer Your Fear, Fuel Your Faith

"If you want to conquer fear, don't sit at home and think about it. Go out and get busy." ~ Dale Carnegie

Fear is fueled by constant fearful thinking. If you want to conquer your fear, then the thing to do is not to think about it; think about what you do want instead of what you fear. Put your faith into what is good and pure and positive, instead of what is negative and dark.

When you are busy doing something that is conducive to what you want in your life, then you are fueling your faith in that thing, and not fueling the fear of what you don’t want. Action conquers fear!

So, just for today, go out and get busy! Fuel your faith and not your fear!

Happy July 4th!

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." ~ Erma Bombeck

Happy 4th! 

Friday’s Purposeful Question

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Author and teacher Byron Katie says that when you question your stressful thoughts, the freedom that comes out of that graces the world for all of us.

The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your questions. So, what questions are you asking?

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well." ~ Voltaire

Look at your life. What do you appreciate about the people in your life, the circumstances and events in your life? 

The more you appreciate your life, the more your life appreciates!