The Bigger Picture May Be Hard to Swallow

"It’s like Mahatma Gandhi gets put in jail and they give him a lice-infested uniform and tell him to clean the latrines, and it’s a whole mess. And he walks up to the head of the guards and he says, in total truth, “Thank you.” He’s not putting them on or up-leveling them. He’s saying, “There’s a teaching here, and I’m getting it; thank you.” ~ ram dass

I have come to know that in most cases the experience I am having at any given moment is just one piece of it All. And I also know I will never fully understand the entire nature of how and why different things manifest into and out of my life. Knowing this is the cornerstone of Unconditional Trust. I hope you won't find this hard to swallow.

What is the relationship between Unconditional Trust and Gratitude?

To become aware that all is well no matter your present circumstance is to experience Unconditional Trust. Actively living Unconditional Trust frees up thoughts and feelings from fear and lack and doubt and let's them soar toward compassion, wonder and new possibilities.

Having experienced loss on a grand scale (the death of my husband) and now more recently in several much smaller ways - a broken necklace, a busted computer, and the real loss of a job - I see there has been a shift. In the past my response to the sudden upsetting of my apple cart was sadness, anger or fear of future or failure. Within this new paradigm my response is that of the witness. I am more reflective. 

I catch myself before things get too far gone. I stop and question the truth of the thing. I look for real places where I can be grateful as life conspires to grow me up. And the best thing is the more I shepard myself toward this new knowing the more automatic it becomes. 

One by one I consciously wash away these reflexive emotionally charged situations and replace them with gratitude. Some may see this as giving up or giving in.  I am not giving up, I am getting on with it! This is an acceptance of what is and an active form of compassion for myself and all others. 

Conditions I see in front of me are only one piece of it. I experience Peace knowing this. So what is the relationship between Unconditional Trust and Gratitude? 

I think they are the same thing...

What do you think?

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The Rush of Simple Pleasure

I felt there again. It was so sweet, that connection to one's I love. We had dinner, my dear friends and I. We discussed all sorts of real and true things about our daily lives, but nothing heavy, nothing too deep. Just regular sharing and regular joy. 

Their, now 2, baby's care came first as we juggled conversation with eating and with all other things. We were together in my home feeling...good. 

The keel is evening out as this is the life I picture for myself. Loving people sharing a lovely time. Closeness and warmth - no dramas, no tears for a change. 

Just the pleasantness of good food, your company and me. I am steeped in gratitude for awareness of this simple pleasure.

What makes up a simple pleasure for you?

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Permission

A few synonyms for permission are: authorization, consent, leave, authority, sanction, license, dispensation, assent, acquiescence, agreement, seal/stamp of approval, blessing, clearance, allowance & empowerment.

Who gives us permission?  I have come to realize I have the power to give myself permission. Permission to love. Permission to heal. Permission to feel ALL the feelings that arise, not just the good ones. I know when I assent to this I burn off those parts of myself that hold me down. I also give myself permission to focus on those things that make me come alive so I can fly higher than I have ever flown before. Even if I do not know how...I allow it! 

Where can we go to get permission? I go to the dreams of my best life to get permission. I want so much to feel joy and have meaningful relationships. I give myself permission to feel and have all that I desire.

Why do so many of us feel we need permission? In the past I needed external approval to wash away the voice in my head that tells me I cannot have that, I do not deserve this, I am not worthy.

Now, and from this day forward, I give my permission to claim that which has always been *unbelievably* mine - a life filled with love and happiness. This is an internal thing. It is part of my foundation from which all other choices can be made and which supports my core of peace.

So it seems permission is very important. It allows so many things too manifest. 

What are your permissions? And if this is too tough a question. Here is an easier one. 

What will you no longer allow?

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Going Deep

Everything starts with awareness. 

You can choose to be aware in any moment. 

Every moment is a new beginning. 

There are a myriad of moments and new beginnings in every day. 

This is one recipe for unlimited possibilities. 

On your mark. 

Get set. 

GO!

What is your first reaction to these ideas?

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Love & Power

I will give you my love, but I will not give you my power. I never made that distinction before! They are not the same and cleaving them like this feels true and right. 

For a brief moment I thought I had to get permission to love. But then I came to understand there is no need as love is a giving. 

And so, bringing with it Freedom and Joy I can say, "I love you." I can give you my love, but I do not have to give you my power. 

This kind of Love is no longer a makeshift lean-to, an add on or a form of currency. This kind of Love has a broad and sturdy foundation and is not subject to storms and high winds. It is upon this kind of Love anything can be built. And that "anything" can stand for eons. I am replete.

Got any revelations of your own?

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Homecoming & My Practice

I just got back from a delightful trip to Baltimore. And after four straight days of loving, embracing and renewing connections with family and friends I dearly cherish and being equally embraced and loved by them - I am having a tough time being at home again. 

A vast difference has been shown to me and it is causing this feeling of über darkness. I feel weakened and wounded and completely undone... again!

These folks from my hood know me so well, have my best interest at heart and accept me just as I am. Among them I feel myself and sooooo connected again. Visiting with them reminds me how much I miss having *special & deep* connections in my daily life.

This morning when I awoke, this evening when I left work and right now --- relentless and giant waves of tears are showing up. And even though I know I am graciously supported at all times and in all ways, I am unable to stop them. It is during times like these I am reminded that "being conscious" does not mean everything will always be rosy.   

Showering and getting ready for work this morning I made a choice - I had to - so I could function. I chose to know I am completely supported and I am always graciously provided with everything I need. By shifting my consciousness to this awareness I was able to get on with my day. 

Now at home - alone - I can let these tears fly accepting them and praying the pain that accompanies them will be moved along like loitering kids off a dimly lit street corner. "Go home you trouble makers!" Find a space that brings you comfort and rest there a while. 

If I can only find what false beliefs are back of these tears then I can burn them off and with them a harmful piece of me. Then I can rest. Then I can emerge better than before. 

So my plan is to allow this latest grief tsunami to explode and dissipate while I simultaneously practice knowing "all is well." And I really need to practice cuz I am in the depths here tonite. This is a very heavy lift right now. Writing about it and doing it are two entirely different matters...here I go!

What do you do when things get really rough?

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A meditation on Beauty

Look at the beauty all around you. Or just look at one thing that is beautiful to you. Really take note of each bit and piece of the thing that is beauty to you. 

Now - close your eyes and recreate the thing - see the shape and the texture and the variations of color and hue. Breathe softly in and out as you carefully review all the bits and pieces. Take your time. Don't miss a thing.

And finally - feel the beauty. Become it if you are able. Breathe softly and notice the sensations of beauty as they arise within you. Allow yourself the option to invent and then have these sensations. Feel it. Notice yourself feeling it. Then feel it again. Let go and float inside the beauty.

These sensations are just as real as the thing you admired as beautiful. Only now they are part of you. You ARE the beauty. 

Just a thought. Give it a try!

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