Today's entry is very simple. It is summer in one part of the world and that invites us to live in greater simplicity. In another part of the world, it is going into winter, and that invites introspection and one to slow down as well. Either way, the season invites rest.

Are you too busy? Feeling overwhelmed?

Then rest! Take time to:

REST.
REFLECT.
AND REPLENISH.

That is what I am doing right now. 

Last night I gave myself permission to let go of tasks and goals I had set out for the year. It felt instantly freeing. Instead, I thought to myself - "Let's just see where things go. Let me be open to whatever presents itself." So yes! Just:

REST.
REFLECT.
AND REPLENISH.

If you don't take time to rest, you can't reflect. And if you don't have time to reflect, you won't be able to figure out what you need to replenish - and make your life better, more peaceful, and joyous. 

It's really that simple. Try it!

Want some tools to help you on your journey? Check out:
GIFTS 4 U!

Are you one of those persons always in motion? Always trying to get from point A to point B?

Have you spent most of your life acquiring things - degrees, trainings, certificates, collectibles? 

Is life always about "more this" or "more that?"

Is it about traveling to every state or as many countries as you can? Or learning more languages? Or getting better at a game - a sport - or something?

Are things always a means to an end?

We spend a lot of our lives working towards something. But what I am coming to realize more and more as I get older is - that it's not about the destination. It's always about the journey.

Now, looking back at my life, I am seeing more deeply that "less is more."

If I could do some things again - I'd certainly acquire less. Now, I am consumed with establishing a more zen like life - with less material things - less striving - and less "to do" things on my list. But it's not easy. There is the continual matter of what to do with stuff. There is an overwhelming urge to simplify.

It's the journey that matters. It's what shapes us and makes us who we really are.

But here's the thing. It's never too late to change.

Stop. Slow down. Simplify. Savor and enjoy the journey. Don't worry about getting anywhere! It's all about the ride!

For more simple practices, visit:
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Recently, on a walk, I was almost oblivious to the beauty surrounding me, worrying about something that I can't even remember right now. And then, out of nowhere - I felt this message, very clearly, in the depths of my soul:

What was, was.
What is, is.
What will be, will be.

I sighed.

What does this even mean, you might ask? I certainly did.

I cannot change the past - or maybe even what is happening right now. Whatever happens will happen regardless of what I may or may not do. I could influence some outcomes and change my life and its direction - but I can't be assured of any of those things.

What I can change is my attachment to whatever happened in the past - whatever cards I am dealt with now or in the future. 

I can look at things with dispassion - and accept them as they are - without attachment. I can also consider things from a non-reactive place. I can change my perspective of what happened in the past or what is occurring right now.

I know, it is easier said than done.

I can also strive to be the best person I that I can be - live the best life that I can - and not beat myself up for whatever happens or what I consider my failings to be. Because, after all, we all fail. 

How many of us live and re-live past infractions over and and over again in our minds, as if we could possibly change the outcomes? I know I do. But here's the thing. We can't go back and change what happened. But we can look at it differently. There are always lessons for us in every experience or past event. There are lessons we are learning right now, it this moment. And others that we have yet to experience and digest.

I felt I was also being reminded to live in the present moment and to let go of the past and future. For really, now is the only moment there is. To really live this way, would be to live in a way that is unencumbered. 

Maybe you need this message as well:

What was, was.
What is, is.
What will be, will be.

For more simple spiritual practices, and free gifts, visit:
Gifts 4 U!

I have this yard stick, or as a dear soul friend today pointed out - a litmus test - that helps me navigate this often confusing and turbulent world.

We live in times filled with misinformation, violence, and division. If I chose to focus on that, I would constantly live in fear and erode years from my sanity and life.

How to decide what is real?

How to know whether to trust or believe in anyone, most especially, those in leadership or seeking it?

The answer for me, is very simple. It contains the essence of every ethical, spiritual, and practice traditions:

Are the words and actions rooted in Love?

I look at the information, I consider the character of a person and what and how they are presenting their information - and:

I simply ask myself whether what they are saying or how they acting - is in alignment with love.

Does it engender love - or at least strive to? We may not always succeed in all of our endeavors, but what is our intention in the long run? Is it to be a better person and make this world a better place? If it is, it will be evident in the overall pattern of what we say and do over time.

I apply this yardstick or litmus test unconsciously now, almost all of the time. This is how I decide what to read, who to spend my precious time with, and what news to pay attention to. Important news information and messages need to be delivered - but how is it being delivered? Is it in a way that is meant to inform, or in a way that will sow more division among us? 

It is a simple practice for me, and I share it with you in hopes that it may be useful. If it resonates, great - and if it doesn't that's fine too. You might have a better method, and if so, I'd love to hear about it. I am always in search of good tips and better ways to live my life!

May our words and actions, always be rooted in Love!

May we live in such at way that at the end of our lives, others will say, that we lived it in alignment with Love.

For more practices, visit:
Gifts 4 U!

There are days that are filled with good things. Those days are easy and bright.

And then there are days that are challenges - filled with anxiety and fear. And perhaps without even a ray of hope or sense of possibility.

And in those days, we must especially hold on to hope - grasping it as tightly as we can. Yes my friends - despite everything - we must:

Hold on to hope.

As I went to a park near where I live this morning, feeling all kinds of things, this beautiful instrumental piece came on the radio, and it just happened to be titled, "Hold on to Hope." I sensed immediately that it was a message for me sent from the Beyond.

Holding on to hope may not always be an easy thing - but it is a necessary thing. Hope gives us life. It helps us put one foot in front of the other when everything else seems challenging and bleak. We can even turn it into an affirmation, to repeat over and over again until it becomes ingrained in us:

I hold on to hope.

I used to come down to the river every day for years, when I was going through a challenging period in my life. Today, I was reminded how this beautiful spot was teaming with life - cardinals dancing in the air, birds of all kinds chirping, the riverbanks containing the inevitable flow of the river, the magnificent greening everywhere of a gorgeous spring. In the midst of all this beauty and life, I asked myself:

How could I not hold on to hope?

I thought of the birds eating seeds off of the pavement - oblivious to the news and all the frightening things going on in the world that can fill me with anxiety and dread. They do not concern themselves with such things. They simply live in the present moment. There is a lesson in this for me. Whatever might scare me is not permanent. It too shall pass. Every day is a new day. Every day the sun sets but it rises again with its promises of new beginnings.

Hold on to hope.

This was my message for today. This is truly a message for all of us. I hope it speaks to you.

To hear this beautiful piece, click here:
"Hold on to Hope."

For FREE gifts to support your practice, click here:
​Gifts 4 U!

I have the power to change.

Read that again.

I have the power to change.

To change what?

EVERYTHING!

But first of all, I have to power to change myself - and the direction of my life. Because I can make choices.

I can change what I allow into my energy field, what I focus on and dwell on - what I read - who I spend time with. Even the direction of my life. Yes, especially that. I can end what does not serve and always begin again. Every single day. The list goes on.

Even well known figures like Nelson Mandela and Viktor Frankl who were incarcerated, have written about what enabled them to survive. It was ultimately about changing their thoughts and seeking and finding meaning in their lives.

You may not believe you have the power to change. I'll be honest and tell you that at times, I don't either. But we can "change" that by converting our long held beliefs into a simple mantra:

I have the power to change.

Commit to saying this to yourself several times a day for a week, and let me know how it goes. Many blessings to you in this endeavor. Together, we can change the world - one person - one action - one thought at a time.

Dive further into simple practices with these Gifts 4 U!

​

Recently, I heard Marie Forleo,  the marketing guru, speak about a mantra she uses that is life-changing for her.She was able to reverse all sorts of situations, attitudes, and outcomes, by simply by saying to herself, something like:

"I don't do overwhelm."

The key is to implement the words at the beginning of the sentence: "I don't do..." and then finish it with whatever speaks to you in a particular moment or situation.

I immediately asked myself, what would speak to me in this moment? What do I want to most let go of right now? I had an instant response:

"I don't do fear."

I went around repeating this mantra over and over again, particularly in anxious moments, and I found myself slowing down, becoming more calm, and being able to handle situations that normally paralyze me.

"I don't do fear."

What speaks to you? What do you need to let go of? Where do you need more strength?

Simply say to yourself - "I don't do....(and fill in the blank)."

I don't do anxiety.
I don't do bullying.
I don't do undermining.
I don't do ignorance.
I don't do intimidation...
I don't do lack.

Say whatever your sentence - your mantra is for yourself - and do it out loud. For more effect, pair it with a gesture, as if you were pushing something away or breaking chains.

I guarantee, as Marie Forleo pointed out, you will let go of whatever limitations you need to let go of in this moment.

Try it! It may be very freeing!

For more information and gifts to support you on your journey, visit:
​GIFTS 4 U!

Do the work that you came here to do and let go of the rest.

What do I mean by that?

One can easily get overwhelmed by all that is going on in the world and consequently in our individual lives as well - overwhelmed by what we see going on in the the macrocosm as well as the microcosm. We may be especially overcome by not be able to control either one. 

Or, can we?

I am not implying that we should drop out of life or not work at all in the traditional sense. We all have our responsibilities and obligations to meet in this life. But, I believe that we can make a difference in both the larger world around us - and the smaller world of our immediate lives. We can have a profound impact on both.

How?

By being the best person we can be. By doing the work that we came here to do. And the best part is, that it's never too late to start.

Each of us is a unique expression of Divine Love and by striving to become the best that we are, we can make a difference. Each of us has a unique role to play and unique gifts to share. There has never been another you - or me. EVER!

We all have a deeper work we came here to do. You know that deep inside.

It's actually quite simple:

Be true to who you are, and share that.

It is all any of us can do.

If you and I - together vow to do this work of being who we are - over and over again - subtle changes within us will occur and lead to other changes that can be more significant. 

We will become more compassionate and love more deeply. That alone will have an incredible impact.

You matter. You can make a difference. Every major change throughout history began small. With one person. One thought. One act.

So, do the work you came here to do - that is, to be truly who you are at the core of your essence - share your gifts - and let go of the rest.

For FREE resources to help you in your journey, visit:
GIFTS 4 U! 

There is no perfect practice.

Read that again.

There is no perfect meditation.

Yes, read that again as well...

Your practice is YOURS. It is unique. Your practice springs from the depths of your soul - your spirit - your heart. It is what you make it be. It is what nourishes you.

What speaks to you and nourishes you - does not necessarily work for me. And that's okay. Because we are unique expressions of Spirit - of God - of the Universe - of Divine Love.

We can certainly enrich each other's lives by sharing our practices or techniques that work for each other. For example, my friend Mary Davis at Every Day Spirit has her routine and I have mine. But we like to share them and talk about them and what is working for us. There are some things she does that I don't do at all. And guess what? That's okay!

What works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for someone else.

You getting the drift?

I have a friend named Joe who plays golf practically every day. I know nothing about golf - except for what I learned watching and reading "The Legend of Bagger Vance." But he comes alive on the - field? Course? Whatever it is you call it. See what I mean?

Maybe you can't sit. Or do yoga. Maybe you like to go on walks, or sit quietly with a steaming cup of coffee or tea. That's enough. It is more than enough.

Start there...

But then go beyond. 

Find your thing and DO it! Why? Because it makes you come alive - it makes you most truly who you are. And that is what meditation is all about!

It will be PERFECT for you! And that is all that matters. You'll change. And in changing those around you will as well.

And maybe our paths will cross and  we'll see each other on a walk or somewhere!

For more info on meditation and some FREE gifts for you, visit:
​GIFTS 4 U!

Pause.
Breathe.
Practice self care.

That seems simple enough - right? Almost too simple.

But I can't think of a better way to start my day. Or, a better way to get it back on track if the train of my life has derailed.

In fact, just last night I was talking to a small group about something similar. I told them how I start my day. How I take two hours for a morning practice.

I know. That sounds daunting.

But I didn't start there. I started with ten minutes. Then twenty, and after I retired I added more time as I found myself more comfortable with it all.

This time includes breathing, affirmations, mantras, asking guidance from a litany of saints and beloveds on the other side, tapping, spiritual reading, offering blessings, and doing Lovingkindness, and not in that order. Some days I spend more time with fewer things. I let my inner guidance select the morning rituals.

But other days, I linger in silence, with eyes closed, and a hot cup of coffee in my hands. Yes, coffee.

I used to drink it afterward, but it's been part of my morning routine for a long time. now. Why? It makes me happy.

When I am traveling, I try to keep to this ritual as best as I can. Sometimes it is hard. So I do what I can, and don't worry about the rest. I don't judge any of it. Or, at least I try not to.

Why?

Because it is only over time that one notices the fruits of the practice - not in one individual session. Over time we change. And maybe, just maybe - those around us change as well..

So if this is all you have time for right now in your life - that's okay.

Just pause.
And breathe.
Because you are practicing self care.
And you are embracing Divine Love, and perhaps a steaming cup of tea or coffee.

Try it.
​All shall be well with your soul.

I have some other FREE simple practices for you here:
Gifts for Your Practice

And a simple course with other practices:
MeditationSimple