Becoming Our Best

One of the greatest gifts we can give the world, is the best ‘us’ we can become. This highest form of us is beyond the limitations of our physical bodies and egos. Our awareness of it will begin to unfold as we make own inner development a priority, then we will recognize the depth of our internal world. This constant investment of time and energy towards inner work; maybe through meditation, tai chi, and even reading an insightful book, will assist in breaking down the walls that seperate us from others. We will begin to recognize that we are all part of the human family, and that through paying attention we will be called upon to provide service to them. We may be asked from the depth within ourselves to assist an elderly person with a door that may not be unable to open themselves, carry a bag for another or maybe do something for that we may not want to do (like take out the trash or attend a concert) but we choose to for them.

Women and Happiness

The word happiness comes from the Greek word eudaimonia which is a combination of two words 'eu' well being and 'daimon' divine power or guardian spirit. Is to be happy therefore to live well and looked after by a benevolent spirit? The Greek philosophers spent much time and energy in search of identifying how to live a eudaimonic life. It was Aristotle that placed the use of virtue as most important along with external things such as wealth, health, beauty as defining this quality of happiness.

Recently circulating around in the media (Oprah.com and HuffingtionPost.com) are stories of studies concurring the decreasing trend in women’s happiness both in the relation to men’s happiness and over the past thirty years. In some of those studies they based happiness on the balance of aspirations and their attainment. Although the focus is more on this subjective quality of joy, verse that objective desire in one’s life that the Greek philosophers were interested in. These stories brought me to a place of wonder. Had I been missing out on something for there to be this level unhappiness? It brought me to ponder this question of the unhappiness of women with some friends. The responses were quite interesting, we spoke of external influences placed upon women from the media, families and society. We discussed the changing roles of men and women both in and out of the house, with the children and in the work place. We took notice of the pharmaceutical companies marketing anti depressants toward women. It was after all noted, that biologically we have the children, the best milk supply and the powerful mother/child bond. While we have found that we can earn the degrees and support our families, can we do it without sacrificing our heart. Can we redefine our economic focus guiding it away from its two salary desire? Can we bring in some Divine power to assist us in redefining our virtues verse seeking perfection from an imperfect scale? Yes, I believe we can update what is most important to us now by reaching within ourselves with a reverent tone of soul. Opening ourselves up to this living Truth within that can help guide us into redefining what truly is most important. May we each be courageous enough to take this plunge and to support others along the path. For it is together, walking hand in hand that we will make the greatest impact. Let us ride this wave of discovery in the grandest sense of community because it is alone we feel most lonely and lost. Together we can work and stride in the full knowledge that our actions are working toward healing the world.

Love

What is Love? Love is experiential, ever present, all knowing force in the universe that flows into and throughout our lives. We can hold on to the concept that it is somehow separate from us and rises and falls like an emotion, but that would be missing the true grandeur of that which is Love. Imagine if you will, the opportunity to choose to be Loved, to be Loveable. What might that look like? Who might you become? Perhaps it would be best to begin with the simple concept and understanding that it is with and through Love that we come to understand another. It is what brings us together verse the continual separation with those around us.

Sounds appealing to be drawn ever closer to those in our lives, doesn’t it. Being Loved and sharing Love is our birth right. We come from Love, are surrounded by Love and it is Love that flows continually through our lives.


So, how is it that we believe we are separate from the experience of Love and others? There is that ever present question of our times. How important is it to share a glimpse into the critical mind? How rational must we be in relating to ourselves and others? Well, let’s imagine for a moment that there is a balance to life. On one hand there is the continual importance of rational thinking that asks us to use our ability to think freely but there needs also be a balance to this head provoked response that seems to be the constant tool we choose. It is through the heart oriented feeling of Love that has been neglected.

Right here, take a moment and consider your daily life. Consider an activity that has taken place or usually occurs each day. Reflect upon those involved in this event; let’s say at work or on the way to work. Perhaps it is picking up a warm drink; imagine the other people that also want this same kind of drink all waiting together in the rush to get to the office (or the kids to school). Now a typical head response might have one believing that they are alone in life, a single go getter but a heart response would breathe into the surroundings and experience the flow of life, maybe even their relationship with life. A connection to the environment of community and a realization that we are all together along this journey verse the head felt response of the concept of being alone.

Love is experiential. It is something that is often felt in response to a service activity. For example, Love is holding the door open for the elderly person who can not get do for themselves. Love is doing something for someone else that you might not really want to do but you do it for them anyways. Love brings us together and binds our lives into the ever present knowledge that we have never been aone nor shall we ever truly be left alone. Even in those times in life which seem most challenging and grueling upon our character, Love is ever present standing beside us. If we are willing to breathe into this knowledge, breathe out of our head, bring the breath and attention down into our heart. Breathe out of this centered place in our being, continuing the breath even as thoughts try to rise up and block or limit this activity. Breathe, allow the ever present breath to be the gift that it is. Allow it to guide you back into the present moment and into your heart. Let Love be your ever present guide into and through your life.

Bat the Cat, a True Story

Easter came early the year that my family purchased and moved into the house next door. In order to share the news with all our relatives and friends, we posed for a picture in front our new home. A challenge for my father, through trial and error he set up the camera to included all of us and the house in the background. Over and over again my father adjusted the camera, pressed the button, and ran back to join the family before the flash went off. The long photo session was decided complete with an almost perfect picture, and I ran off to begin the favorite game of chasing Bat the cat. My whole family began yelling at me to leave the cat alone. I stopped, turned and wondered about why they all said that. I reached out from within myself and moved upward. This was my way of calling upon my Guide.


This is one of those moments while in a conversation people will get that glazed over expression. It’s like they are thinking you are special alright, you’ve been touched by the crazy stick. How is it that when people speak of experiential spirituality others shut down, like how could God exist out side of a church or a book. Funny isn’t it until something major in your life happens like a horrible illness and you actually feel the magic, feel the existence of something beyond yourselves. Well, here I am telling you that we are never alone. We are always surrounded, protected and loved. Literally not just figuratively like in a fairy tale. All of our thoughts, intentions, and actions are constantly being observed and recorded. They all actually matter, you matter. Part of this whole process includes your own Guide some people have called them Guardian Angels. Here’s an analogy, you have been offered an exciting adventure, a journey to a new to you place. Along with this trip, your very own Guide has been provided free of charge. Your Guide will show you the places of interest for you, your highest path for soul growth and development but you do not have to listen to their wise council, there’s free will of course. This very kind, patient, and unpaid Guide follows along side of you traveling with you through your selfish thoughts and actions encouraging them ever higher, to move beyond the self. Which do you choose the Guided or unguided journey?


So, we all have Guides and for some reason I was gifted with the ability to see and hear them clearly as you might see and chat with a family member or work associate. Now, have you ever had gifts that you did not fully appreciate and maybe even threw them away? Well, I too have been guilty of not using my gifts usually due to not fully understanding their importance, but hopefully some of my experiences and stories will help you reestablish your relationship to your Guide and friend.


If you choose to continue reading either in faith, suspended disbelief or out of the need to complete the reading of something from beginning to end, you are all invited.


So, I reached up to and asked my Guide, why is that they all get so upset when I chase the cat? Don’t they know that life is just an illusion and that you can never be hurt of harmed in any way? My Guide responded, well Annie what they were trying to teach you is that once you’ve been down here for a while, the illusion becomes real. Oh, I breathed and in a split second of discovery was full of agony to realize that the cat must think that I’m really trying to hurt him. Ashamed and devastated to learn that I was causing Bat the cat harm, I attempted to reach Bat and apologize. As brave a cat Bat was with the neighborhood cats, he never fully trusted me and he kept his distance. Days turned into weeks and months then Bat the cat got into another fight while recovering from one. He already had front legs fully wrapped in bandages. Why my parents let him out of the house I’ll never know, but my parents took the doubly injured cat back to the vet’s office and returned without him. My parents told me that Bat had run away probably to get away from me and that I should have been nicer to him. Devastated, I asked my Guide if he knew where Bat was and if he was safe. My Guide gave a careful and guarded response but he said yes that he knew where Bat was and that yes he was safe. He assured me that I did not need to worry. Please tell him I am sorry if I hurt him and that if he wanted to come back that I would be even nicer to him. My Guide assured me that I had been much kinder to Bat once I understood how he had been feeling. Well, I asked, why won’t he come back home. My Guide explained that Bat could not come back and that he had not run away. He didn’t, I exclaimed. Well then where did he go? I asked. My Guide took a moment then said that Bat was fine because he was there with them. Bat was on the other side. I asked completely shocked. It was such a surprise that my parents would lie to me while they blamed me for his disappearance. Completely traumatized, I realized that they must have ended his life. My Guide explained that my father had honestly thought that he was doing the right thing in having them ‘put Bat to sleep’. I became enraged. They killed him, that’s not their right. Doesn’t he realize how hard it is to get a lifetime? The right life time that is meant exactly for us?


The truth is that no. So many of us can not nor do not realize how truly special our lifetimes down here are. We waste time walking in a dream like state through our daily experiences missing out on those real opportunities to connect.


While as an adult, I too had to make that terrible decision to end the suffering of a beloved cat whose life we had only mistakenly extended. A choice I would much prefer to be left in the hands of God.

Compassion is the Moment when all Life is Revealed

Compassion is the outstretching of a heart that knows no boundaries.

When we speak of compassion, the world holds many places of opportunities. The realization of compassion would change our world ten fold. To reveal that we are all connected and only love matters would raise the veil between me and them. We would then realize that we are all the same, and that by helping you, I in turn help myself. For only love is true and when we are able to extend ourselves for the benefit of another we choose compassion. When we assist another out of the loving place within our own heart- through the hopes of raising their existence- spiritually, emotionally, physically… this opens the window of the soul. Our soul, their soul, and the soul of all beings open.

We are so precious each and every one of us on this journey down here called life. When we awaken to the limitations in time, to our purpose, and the opportunities that present themselves- then and only then can we awaken to compassion. Compassion is the call of the soul, the whispers of our heart. Compassion brings us up and away from fear & separation. It opens the door to our journey home, within. We are all the same- souls on a journey- each with our own gifts, each with our own shadows of illusion. Trust- being here is the first glimpse of what could be the greatest adventure, full of possibility of development.

We truly are never alone, always surrounded and loved. Love is all that matters and each of us matters. May you come to understand your great purpose. A purpose that sets you apart from others soul’s purposes and yet connects us all, as we each shine brightly standing firmly in who we truly are… Compassion opens the door of your soul and asks you if you are ready to take that walk that the ONE guides you down. That love beacons you to follow. Please know that your soul holds your truth, your path, and your gifts. It is through your soul God speaks and asks you to join the journey of those that are truly awake. Those that are ready for a full breath of why you came. When you look through the eyes of compassion, love will be your best friend and every soul shall light up with wealth of knowing and understanding- only love matters. It is the key to all else that lies before you. Trust, compassion may be a strange concept that some people do not yet know- Compassion- that feeling different from love- it invokes a thirst for a connection, a desire to understand reading beyond actions, patience of earthly behaviors and a realization that beyond each of our perceived hardships & pain, we are all the same. We are all more alike than we are unalike. May peace be our journey and love our goal as compassion guides us – our soul.

We have great peace, those that choose love. We are always supported on this glorious journey of soul exploration. Trust that sometimes there are miss steps yet know we all make the journey back home. Love is where we end up, trust guides us and compassion holds the key. Compassion is like everything else in life, a path, a choice, a window that is a breath of freedom. You give witness to the greatness within you. Yahweh calls out to you- Love and be Loved, know yourself and may your compassion be revealed.

When you wakeup on your journey, that is when it is time to take action. Believe in yourself and open the door to your soul. Breathe deeply, imagine walking in another’s shoes/body/life/experiences- What does it feel like to have their family/friends/body/job/life- this is the road to compassion. A journey of great souls that choose more than just what is offered at face value. Life is more than it appears to be. Life is more that your house, car, or job- it is an opportunity to be yourself fully- your full creative self- all that you are and can be- Right here, right now. Trust you are more than you imagine yourself to be. Through compassion you open the pathways connecting with your higher self, others, even to your soul purpose. You are worthy of greatness, of invoking greatness in and through others. Trust love is the answer and compassion holds the key of this life and beyond. We are all here together, living out our dreams. May we dream of greatness by living from within and enjoying the great journey called life.

Love is our path that we travel. Remember that every decision, every choice matters. What will you choose right now, today? Will it be what your soul asks of you, will you be willing to see beyond this moment? Be able to reach out to another? Will you be willing to stretch your imagination enough to realize that you are more than your physical body? That life is more than a one way ticket home… We are all here able to fulfill our soul’s purpose. Yet so few of us realize that every moment is truly so very important. It is in each of these moments we can choose compassion & understanding or judgments & separation. There are those that we have met on this path that seem to awaken our soul and our purpose, yet we must trust and realize that the truest path for each of us is within our own soul. Your soul talks to you. I ask have you listened to it today. Have you expressed the colors is sends out? How does it dance today? What colors does it play with today? Is it drawn toward any particular pattern today? Does your soul thirst for something or someone? Some place today? Which way does your soul pull you in? Have you listened to your soul lately? Have you expressed your soul lately? Each moment counts! What will you choose right now?

You may say, I do not know what my soul sounds like, and I say, sit, wait, breathe, wait- it shall reveal itself to you. It may start out like a whisper. A voice you may recognize from your childhood. A twinkly from within- a color, a flicker- this may be how it begins. Maybe your soul will beacon you to the bookstore- pulling you, pulling at you to go in. Maybe your desire will clearly be to further on your education- to play joyfully with your children or on to a new job. It is all from taking the time to value the voice from within you. It is what matters most of all. Honoring who you are more fully, trust that it is only love that matters.