Honesty is an interesting thing. The simple act of being honest seems like it should come easy, no? No.
It is not an easy matter to many, myself included. I find that the times that I am in a moment of dishonesty, it is with myself. Being dishonest about what I am feeling or what I am doing. You know what I mean, we all do it. Telling myself a lie to make myself feel better; "It's okay to just procrastinate and do xyz later. It doesn't matter."
However, the plain fact of it is, to me, it does matter. It matters because I am lying to myself. By lying to myself I am physically damaging my psyche, my body, my own self. And by this I mean that energy-wise, I am physically affecting my energy field. Telling a lie immediately changes the chemistry of my body.
What good can come of it?
No good - no good at all.
So then, why lie? Honestly? Is it laziness? Is it fear? Is it habit? Is it excuse making?
In order to live an authentic life of integrity and love I must not lie to myself or others. When a lie surfaces and reveals itself to my body, I will strike it down with the best tool available to me. Honesty. Honestly.
Blessings ~
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Blog Change
I have changed my blog to a new title - Joyful Intentions.
The title I am replacing, Always Choose Joy, did not sit well with me. After reflecting on the title, I realised that the finality in the word "ALWAYS" was just too much. I struggled with it and that is not my intention for the blog.
Therefore I have moved all of my posts from the old blog to this one.
Thanks for following!
The title I am replacing, Always Choose Joy, did not sit well with me. After reflecting on the title, I realised that the finality in the word "ALWAYS" was just too much. I struggled with it and that is not my intention for the blog.
Therefore I have moved all of my posts from the old blog to this one.
Thanks for following!
Lessons From Glitter
During the Christmas holiday I was quickly reminded about what it means to be human. Not in the giving and compassionate way - but in the mother of children on Christmas morning way.
On Christmas morning as I sat with my family and witnessed the JOY of receiving, I felt myself slip into a place that surprised me. I began to panic. My heart was racing as my eyes were darting back and forth from excited and JOYful children to a chaos of wrapping paper and garbage that seemed to be invading every corner of my living room. I was consciously trying to talk myself down from an absolute breakdown. The feeling was overwhelming. All I wanted to do was have order in my house; to clean up the mess. After the presents were opened, the clean up began. Once the wrapping paper was picked up I looked around in disbelief to realise the mess was still everywhere. 3 children and 2 adults worth of new stuff. I began to panic again at the thought of having to find new homes for all the new stuff. (let alone the momentary absence of gratitude for the ability to have so much new stuff! Sheesh!) Pine needles from the Christmas tree were everywhere, the packaging from opened toys was everywhere. There was glitter from my daughters new princess toys EVERYWHERE! I was annoyed with glitter for goodness sakes! My heart was racing...
Then I stopped.
And I breathed. Deeply.
I looked around again at the faces of my family. The JOY on their faces. How would they remember Christmas Day? A day of fun and wonder? A day of JOY? A day of love? A day that mom was anxious about cleaning up? A day that mom demanded order? The answer was obvious.
I chose JOY.
I have 363 other days to clean up the mess.
Blessings ~
On Christmas morning as I sat with my family and witnessed the JOY of receiving, I felt myself slip into a place that surprised me. I began to panic. My heart was racing as my eyes were darting back and forth from excited and JOYful children to a chaos of wrapping paper and garbage that seemed to be invading every corner of my living room. I was consciously trying to talk myself down from an absolute breakdown. The feeling was overwhelming. All I wanted to do was have order in my house; to clean up the mess. After the presents were opened, the clean up began. Once the wrapping paper was picked up I looked around in disbelief to realise the mess was still everywhere. 3 children and 2 adults worth of new stuff. I began to panic again at the thought of having to find new homes for all the new stuff. (let alone the momentary absence of gratitude for the ability to have so much new stuff! Sheesh!) Pine needles from the Christmas tree were everywhere, the packaging from opened toys was everywhere. There was glitter from my daughters new princess toys EVERYWHERE! I was annoyed with glitter for goodness sakes! My heart was racing...
Then I stopped.
And I breathed. Deeply.
I looked around again at the faces of my family. The JOY on their faces. How would they remember Christmas Day? A day of fun and wonder? A day of JOY? A day of love? A day that mom was anxious about cleaning up? A day that mom demanded order? The answer was obvious.
I chose JOY.
I have 363 other days to clean up the mess.
Blessings ~
Always Choose Joy? Always?
In my journey to Always Choose Joy, I have come to make use of several tools. I find that these tools are great in helping my awareness of my current path, reaction to certain situations and understanding how I can move forwards to JOY-ful resolutions and celebrations. The practice of Always Choosing Joy does not come easily some days. I was reminded of this by one of my favorite people - my best friend, eternal companion, and sister.
Last week I was having an especially difficult day and she laughingly reminded me that I was supposed to Always Choose Joy. It made me stop everything I was doing and become aware of my body and how it was reacting to her comment.
First reaction - DEFENSIVE! "What the %*^#? I DO Always Choose Joy - dammit!"
Then came - HONESTY! "Well, maybe not always."
Then came - UNDERSTANDING! "I do not Always Choose Joy initially. Sometimes I must work towards that choice by experiencing other feelings first."
Then came - AWARENESS! "My intention is to Always Choose Joy. Although, sometimes that choice will not be my first choice. It will, however, always be my end result. I will live joyfully in an honest and open manner." (HELLO! New mantra!)
Which brings me to sharing some of the TOOLS I find particularly helpful on my path to Always Choose Joy.
Last week I was having an especially difficult day and she laughingly reminded me that I was supposed to Always Choose Joy. It made me stop everything I was doing and become aware of my body and how it was reacting to her comment.
First reaction - DEFENSIVE! "What the %*^#? I DO Always Choose Joy - dammit!"
Then came - HONESTY! "Well, maybe not always."
Then came - UNDERSTANDING! "I do not Always Choose Joy initially. Sometimes I must work towards that choice by experiencing other feelings first."
Then came - AWARENESS! "My intention is to Always Choose Joy. Although, sometimes that choice will not be my first choice. It will, however, always be my end result. I will live joyfully in an honest and open manner." (HELLO! New mantra!)
Which brings me to sharing some of the TOOLS I find particularly helpful on my path to Always Choose Joy.
- The Hoffman Quadrinity Process (http://www.hoffmaninstitute.ca/) I do not know where to start in explaining my gratitude to this amazing Process. The Hoffman Quadrinity Process changed my life personally, my family life eternally, and my spirit internally. Check it out today!
- Master Dhyan Vimal. This man is incredible, incredible and incredible. My amazing sister introduced me to his lectures and meditations. The most effective tool for myself that I have been using is the Mastery Meditation - an hour-long experience that gives me much clarity and understanding. I can do this meditation with my children since it DANCING! A glorious hour filled with dancing and breath awareness. A true celebration of life and JOY. Look on You Tube for some of his lectures, google his name or visit http://www.dhyanvimal.tv/.
- The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. Great book to help in creativity and self discovery. Pick it up and give a try!
- I AM Divine cards. These cards have become daily practice for me. The messages in the cards always seem to be a perfect fit for what is happening in my life. Barbara Burke, creator of the I AM Divine cards, is a Hoffman Quadrinity Process teacher - double bonus! Go to http://www.luminouscreations.ca/ to order your cards.
- Journaling. Journaling is an integral part of my process. My intention is to journal daily - some days I write a paragraph an other days I write 10 pages. The key is to write - just write - your thoughts, dreams, inner dialogue, whatever! This is a tool that can produce some pretty amazing results and is discussed and used through the Artists Way by Julie Cameron.
I will update this posting periodically as I find more Tools that I find helpful - check back!
Blessings ~
Pay It Forward
‘Tis the season of JOY and love abound. During this season of giving and gratitude, I have come to learn of many stories about good deeds and true respect among human kind. This sparked me to have a candid discussion about gratitude and the act of Paying It Forward with my children. I feel that even though they are still quite young, it is never too early to shape compassionate and loving citizens of the future through my children.
The discussion began with a talk about the meaning of Christmas – that it about giving and not necessarily receiving. That Christmas is not only about the mighty St. Nick but about family, friends and love. Christmas is about helping others less fortunate. Christmas is about compassion to mankind. And on and on….
Then, my oldest son, five-year old Easton, asked, “But why do we have to wait until Christmas-time? Why can’t everyone in the world be nice and help others all of the time, all year?”
Good question. Great question! A question I did not have an answer to. So, we decided to think of ways to Pay It Forward and express compassion all-year long. This is what we came up with:
· Hold the door open for others whenever the opportunity arises
· Buy the coffee for person behind you in line at coffee shop – think Tim Hortons drive thru!
· Donate an item of food to food bank every time a grocery shop is done
· Donate unused household items to less fortunate – do this once a season
· Volunteer time with a charity
· Make cookies and give out to random people – the results of this are awesome!
· Draw pictures and deliver to hospital for geriatric unit
Please feel free to comment on this post and add your own items to our list and begin to incorporate the practice of Paying It Forward into your daily lives.
Blessings ~
The discussion began with a talk about the meaning of Christmas – that it about giving and not necessarily receiving. That Christmas is not only about the mighty St. Nick but about family, friends and love. Christmas is about helping others less fortunate. Christmas is about compassion to mankind. And on and on….
Then, my oldest son, five-year old Easton, asked, “But why do we have to wait until Christmas-time? Why can’t everyone in the world be nice and help others all of the time, all year?”
Good question. Great question! A question I did not have an answer to. So, we decided to think of ways to Pay It Forward and express compassion all-year long. This is what we came up with:
· Hold the door open for others whenever the opportunity arises
· Buy the coffee for person behind you in line at coffee shop – think Tim Hortons drive thru!
· Donate an item of food to food bank every time a grocery shop is done
· Donate unused household items to less fortunate – do this once a season
· Volunteer time with a charity
· Make cookies and give out to random people – the results of this are awesome!
· Draw pictures and deliver to hospital for geriatric unit
Please feel free to comment on this post and add your own items to our list and begin to incorporate the practice of Paying It Forward into your daily lives.
Blessings ~
5 W's of Joy
Definition of Joy: (a) the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: (b) the expression or exhibition of such emotion: (c) a state of happiness or felicity: (d) a source or cause of delight.
What does JOY mean to you? What does it look like, feel like, smell like, taste like? Who gives you JOY? What gives you JOY? When does JOY manifest in your life? Where do you find JOY?How does JOY reveal itself to you? Not easy questions to answer, although questions that when answered, drastically impact a life.
The What ~
JOY means the simple things in life to me.
What does JOY mean to you? What does it look like, feel like, smell like, taste like? Who gives you JOY? What gives you JOY? When does JOY manifest in your life? Where do you find JOY?How does JOY reveal itself to you? Not easy questions to answer, although questions that when answered, drastically impact a life.
The What ~
JOY means the simple things in life to me.
- The laugh of my child.
- A good cup of coffee in the morning.
- A beautiful winter day, admired from inside a warm and cozy house.
The Who & Where ~
JOY is found from within me, as I am the only person who can give myself JOY. I am the champion of what is JOYFUL in my life.
The When ~
JOY is always around me. I choose to live with JOY at all times.
And the Why? Why JOY? Because I am worth it! I deserve a life filled with JOY and experience JOY everyday. I choose JOY - Always.
Be Nice - To You!
Why is it so hard to say nice things about the most important person in your life?
"Who is that?" you ask. Why - it's YOU!
So, why is it so easy to speak negatively about the person you are with constantly and know intimately? Often, when nice words are whispered from deep inside ourselves, TO ourselves, those beautiful words are pounded down and thrown out.
Surely, saying a few nice words cannot be that hard - so why does it feel so uncomfortable? The negative self talk comes from a place where negative beliefs run supreme, and for many, the only beliefs that are listened to. Sometimes for a lifetime. These beliefs can run our lives - but here's the thing. They are only beliefs and not facts. The facts of your life are made by you and only by you.
Blessings ~
CHALLENGE FOR TODAY ~
Go to a mirror - right now - and look deep into your own eyes. Smile at yourself - really smile - and say something nice. Speak in the first person and own your new facts for your life.
"Who is that?" you ask. Why - it's YOU!
So, why is it so easy to speak negatively about the person you are with constantly and know intimately? Often, when nice words are whispered from deep inside ourselves, TO ourselves, those beautiful words are pounded down and thrown out.
Surely, saying a few nice words cannot be that hard - so why does it feel so uncomfortable? The negative self talk comes from a place where negative beliefs run supreme, and for many, the only beliefs that are listened to. Sometimes for a lifetime. These beliefs can run our lives - but here's the thing. They are only beliefs and not facts. The facts of your life are made by you and only by you.
Blessings ~
CHALLENGE FOR TODAY ~
Go to a mirror - right now - and look deep into your own eyes. Smile at yourself - really smile - and say something nice. Speak in the first person and own your new facts for your life.
I AM BRILLIANT! I AM WONDERFUL! I AM PERFECT!
Hugs!
Such an inspirational video ~ a true example of the power of love and compassion in humanity.
Blessings ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4
Blessings ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4
Shine
"Nothing has a stronger influence psychologically on their environment and especially on their children than the unlived life of the parent." C.J. Jung
Ouch! I physically recoiled when I read this quote. The words and the truth of their meaning slammed an awareness of the 'right now' into me.
Too many times are the words spoken:
'When the time is right,' ~
'When the money is there' ~
'When the kids are in school' ~
'When I'm not so busy'.
What all of these excuses have in common is that they are really saying, "I'm scared." And that's okay. It is okay to be scared. It is not okay to be scared into doing nothing. It is not okay to use fear as an excuse to stand still and watch your chance to shine pass you by. Go out and shine!
Blessings ~
Ouch! I physically recoiled when I read this quote. The words and the truth of their meaning slammed an awareness of the 'right now' into me.
Too many times are the words spoken:
'When the time is right,' ~
'When the money is there' ~
'When the kids are in school' ~
'When I'm not so busy'.
What all of these excuses have in common is that they are really saying, "I'm scared." And that's okay. It is okay to be scared. It is not okay to be scared into doing nothing. It is not okay to use fear as an excuse to stand still and watch your chance to shine pass you by. Go out and shine!
Blessings ~
I Am Divine
I Am Divine
Such an incredible tool to assist in daily search for Joy. The I AM DIVINE cards are very simple to use and I encourage all to check out Barbara's website for more information. Blessings ~
Such an incredible tool to assist in daily search for Joy. The I AM DIVINE cards are very simple to use and I encourage all to check out Barbara's website for more information. Blessings ~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
