A New Year's "Light" Show

After the magical days of Christmas holidays…when pine-scented boughs and cranberry candles perfumed the air and glittering lights whispered their grace-filled secrets into our happy hearts…decorating our spaces with joy and celebration…

after these magnificent days have passed and things have grown so very quiet and restful the steady, sure-footed march of the New Year alights on our doorstep, enters our homes and slides into our hearts.

It’s time…to renew and redirect our energy to the wonderful life we have imagined and make the changes that were placed on hold as we made merry and felt merry and loved the "merry" of the holidays.

Now, there is a NEW JOY that awaits us and it is born of reflection and inspiration and discipline…our New Year’s Resolutions.

Much has been said and advised about NYR’s…suggestions that we examine our lives, compiling a list of every changewe can imagine…suggestions that we make NO resolutionsand not place ourselves under that kind of stress... even a suggestion that we only try to improve ourselves by one percent in the category we identify as “most needed” or, even better, “most desired” and, thereby, let our accumulated steady, slow progress become its own source of motivation.

This morning in the quiet moments when I found myself awakening a different thought occurred to me.  

I had been searching for a simple resolution…one that would be easy to hold onto and yet would change my perspective and this is what arrived in response to my request:

As you go through the day and encounter many moments…some relaxing and some difficult and challenging…as you go through the day, just take a moment and imagine how your Higher Self would respond to what is happening. Do not put any pressureon yourself 

TO DO what Higher Self would do. Only IMAGINE it and TAKE NOTE.

This sounded wonderful to me…and it feels instinctively that just choosing to put myself in the place of imagining a Higher Response would do some subtle, behind-the-scene work for me even while I went busily about my day, impressing my consciousness with a more beautiful, more loving, more joyful way to navigate it…and, most importantly, a way to be my own SOURCE of happiness and satisfaction.

And it actually sounds and feels quite practical, too, to become, on a continuing basis, the ANCHOR for my joy.

So I am going to give it a pop!   This means I may pause a few seconds before I react and respond to what is going on…allowing myself the time and perspective I need to call up a Higher inspiration than what would automatically appear on my default button.

It will be very interesting to take this journey and, no doubt, it will have its own BRILLIANT  LIGHT SHOW as I enter into this universe!  

                            Marie Helena 

                                                                                      
                                                                                                  

Deconstruction

Any habit needs all its parts in order to function. If some parts are missing, the habit is disassembled. 

       Carlos Castaneda




Mountains are so difficult to climb.  And yet we line our imaginary landscape with images of ALL of the momentous (and mountainous) changes we are going to make in our lives.  And it feels virtuous to conceive of such worthy undertakings.  Virtuous...and exhausting.  So exhausting we may never even get started.


I love Carlos Castenada’s solution.  It’s simple and realistic...and encouraging.

Break the stronghold of an addictive practice by changing one thing.  ONE thing.  Can you flex that much?  I’m betting YES and, if you do, you get an influx of dopamine as you celebrate loosening the anchor that’s been sapping your emotional and physical energy.

It feels really good to take action.  And, if the action you take isa creative experiment to possibly prove Castenada’s theory to yourself, you become a practicing social scientist with the possibility of gaining important information about how to change and improve your life. 


There is an exciting energy at work here. 

Take charge. 

Change your story by changing its details. 

Then watch how things rearrange themselves when you uproot an essential element.  

ENJOY the rollout of how the carefully orchestrated habit starts to unravel when you choose to loosen the strings.


This could prove to be life-changing, initiating a new practice that is easy enough to do and important enough to shake up old ways and trade them in for more creative and satisfying possibilities.  

    
ONE thing.  A three second decision. GO.



                                                        Marie Helena



image from pinterest
No Thinking Only Daydreaming
Shell  Rummel

Dolce Far Niente

In the midst of the holiday season when so many preparations are being made…Christmas trees bedazzled with shimmering lights, ingredients assembled for an array of culinary pleasures, on-line shopping planned to catch the latest sales, spotlighting of porches and roofs with illusionary reindeer…

In the midst of all of this, does it seem strange that I would wish you Dolce Far Niente... 

The Sweetness of Doing Absolutely Nothing!

And yet, what more perfect time to just BE in the midst of all of these treasures?

Time moves so quickly now as we hasten to finish our self-appointed tasks for the holidays and, if we don’t pause to take in the ambiance and flavor and spirit of these moments, they will be gone before we know it. We will be left with crumbled Christmas wrappings to clean up, dishes to wash from the fabulous dinner we have prepared and an exhausted body for our reward. 

So let’s imagine another dimension to our celebration.

I invite you (and myself as a reminder as I write this), to not miss a single breath of this breathtaking season. To allow the brilliant red poinsettias to nourish and sustain us with their glorious color and powerful presence. To honor the trees populating our landscape outside as they abide winter’s passing and keep their spring secrets warm inside their roots for us. To enjoy the delicately flavored herbal tea and gingerbread one sip and one small and succulent bite at a time as delicate snowflakes descend outside our windows. To watch the faces of the young and young-at-heart as they embrace the magic of families gathering and the waves of joy layering the room as gifts expected (and surprised) are revealed.

Let us all fully embrace the beauty of this season, honor its festive and joyous rhythm and reverence the  MAGNIFICENT MOMENTS  being given to us!

                                Marie Helena                                                                                             

For our experience to feel whole, our body must be allowed to permeate our experience, BE our experience, entirely. And our awareness must be released from living in our heads and allowed to flow into EVERYTHING.

Meredith Murphy

EXPECT WONDERFUL

Harold and the Purple Crayon

a reflection on a book by Crockett Johnson

There’s a Harold in all of us.  But, sadly, he often gets lost when we grow up. Harold (the innocent, all-powerful, all trusting child) is untouched by the “lessons” we are supposed to learn…That we have to be careful…and safe…and do what we are told to do.  Harold knows that he already has everything he needs. To him life is simply a wonderful adventure and he creates whatever he wants to bring into his world by drawing it with his purple crayon and then letting the fun begin.

On a purely intuitive level, Harold knows that he is creating his life. He embraces this gift and is grateful, making choices that are delightful, supportive, adventurous and full of bliss. He is happy and hopeful and his purple sketches reflect these beautiful treasures. So he draws more of “happy” and “hopeful”.  

This delightful creature is not just a fantasy. He is accessible to all of us. Ideally, the journeys of our lives will ultimately lead us back to the realization that Harold is still in our hearts, waiting to be let out to play.


I went for a walk tonight and heard the melodious crickets chirping with
the rhythm of life so I am going to draw more crickets and more musical
notes.


I received some beautiful emails from my friends this week so I am going
to draw more friends and more email messages.


I saw the powerful waves at Grand Haven last week wash majestically over
the pier and so I am going to draw even bigger waves. 


Thank you...is the message of my heart. Thank you…and I’ll have more.  

Harold, the magical creature, is our child heart's manifestation of our desire for connection with the beauty and hopefulness of life…a dream we all share.  

What could the purple crayon do for you?

                                     Marie Helena 


"Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."

Pablo Picasso

The Best Christmas List of All

 

It's December and time for our Christmas to-do lists. 

Some especially ambitious individuals have started on their lists many moons ago.  But for those of us who kick into high gear after Thanksgiving...it's time to get down.

And I bet you have LOADS OF ITEMS on your list: 

 buy a Christmas tree (and decorate it), 

 shop for presents,

 plan a holiday party, 

 balance that budget so finances will work smoothly,

 try some new holiday recipes...

oh, and clean the house (including those jobs you've left undone but now have to do because out-of-towners will be staying with you).

I'm guessing you might be exhausted just thinking about these tasks and that's nothing compared to theEXHAUSTION you feel when you start trying to complete the tasks and keep on trying...even when you are stressedand tired...and in need of sleep and relaxation andnourishment. 

In other words, when the concept of BALANCE has gone completely out of your life.

 

Just yesterday I got   a wonderful idea  about this whole conundrum of how do you get the work done and avoid feeling STRESSED to the max.

 

And here it is.

This is probably going to sound radical to you, but after some reflection I am convinced it's the answer to this problem.

The first premise of this idea is:  Christmas (and all of the preparations that go into the holiday) should be fun.  

Easy enough to say.  But, you may wonder, how can we have fun doing the Christmas to-do list when we are bone-tired...weary...dragging ourselves around?

The answer is not to do it.  DO NOT make yourself do the things on that list when you are not  IN YOUR POWER and have good energy, a  positive disposition and are ready to be in-the-flow.  

Just DO NOT do that list of tasks when your chin is on the floor.

Instead (and here comes the next premise) do WHATEVER IT TAKES  to get you  back to your place of power.  This might mean taking a  nap, relaxing, having a lovely conversation, enjoying  nourishing food for your tired body (and eating it slowly and tasting and enjoying every bite).  WHATEVER IT TAKES.

Then... when you have reclaimed your power (whenever that is)...do something on the Christmas prep list.

 

You are probably thinking THIS WILL NEVER WORK.  There won't be enough time. 

But here's my thought: 

If you've ever pushed yourself to do things when you DID NOT have the energy (physical, mental or emotional) to do them, then I am sure you know there is a hefty price tag on that delightful maneuver.  

And I bet this is when you develop that cold or catch that flu or get so totally out-of-sorts that nobody wants to be around you.  

Then...what good did it do to have the things on your list completed and you can't even appreciate what you have accomplished?

 

I know...I know...this concept will take some reframing of the way we usually tackle our tasks but consider this:  

How wonderful would it be to actually enjoy all of the holiday preparations...to be in such a lovely space that  it felt like you were constantly accessing the joy of Christmas and what it represents?  

How lovely also for all of those around you to engage with the happy, positive person you know you can be!

 

Wouldn't it be worth taking the leap to give this a try and then see how everything plays out?  

And, by the way, this isn't just a wonderful plan for Christmas...I think it's the best way to engage life all year round.

So start making that special list of all of the wonderful things that will rejuvenate you and move you back into that DELIGHTFUL place of joy and power and make that one THE LIST you always remember!

                                     Marie Helena 

image from vickiblackwell.com

The Cart Before the Horse

Ev-er-y-bod-y has heard the old adage..."Don't put the cart before the horse". 

And it makes good sense (as all cliches tend to do).  

However,

The Divine Universe doesn't follow ordinary rules.  

It's  so original...and creative.  

What I've discovered in my life (and I'm sure it's tucked into yours somewhere, too) is that the fabulous, infinitely wise, infinitely powerful Universe LOVES to put the cart before the horse...and by this I mean it provides the solutions BEFORE the problems appear.


Let me explain how this plays out in my life.  


Whenever something is troubling me and I am feeling stuck...not sure how to proceed or lacking the energy or motivation to go to work on the issue...as soon as I take a moment to breathe...to relax...a soundless bell goes off (it's something I just feel) and I gently recall something I had read the day before or a comment someone had made to me recently or, even more frequently, I remember a blog post I have written that reminds me of something important I had grasped and understood earlier but have since forgotten.  And that something I have forgotten is ALWAYS exactly what I need to remember now...today...IN THIS MOMENT.


Sometimes the "direct-tions" are even more direct.


Each day I check my blog's list of the ten most popular posts.  This list is changing moment by moment.  It is based on what posts people are reading and the information is coming from around the world as I know that 110 countries have accessed my blog.  I look to see what is being read each morning and, without fail, it's something I need to be reminded of THAT DAY.


How BEAUTIFUL is that!  Individuals around the world are choosing my posts to read and, in so doing, they are ministering TO ME.  They are helping me become the next, grandest version of myself.


Talk about Love circling back to us!  I send out my thoughts and they come back to me EXACTLYwhen I need them.   


Wow!  What a system!  And that's just one example of how this beautiful dynamic works.


I KNOW...I am SURE...
that YOU have a heavenly guidance system in place. ..the CART before the horse.  


Maybe  you haven't discovered it yet.  Maybe it's hiding in plain sight...a little heavenly merrymaking and mischief.  PLEASE look around and tap into this awesome, original and brilliant celestial stratagem.  


We are all so very loved.   : )

        
                                                                                      Marie Helena





image from thesaurus.babylon.com

Pilialoha!

What if you had the opportunity to holiday at a beautiful, exotic island filled not only with azure watersand a mahalo moon but also with the dancing,  dazzling ambiance of vibrational  magic!  

What if every move you made there...every sight you saw...or sound you heard...every thought you entertained...or word you spoke...was spontaneously translated  into anenergetic readout for your consideration...a compassionate, loving soul view of how life was unfolding through and around you!


Here you would be privy to the secrets of the Universe...you would no longer be lost in confusion or misunderstanding.  Your heart would sense and know and appreciate the hearts of others, effortlessly extending themcaring and understanding for the challenges they were experiencing...and also extending that beautifulcompassion to yourself for the work of your life journey.


What if that exotic, magical island is where you already reside...wherever that may be?  What if the power of that mysterious island magic is already in you...awaiting your discovery?


Your soul already harbors the magic of that island but the MAGIC is something we must all divine. 


Working with and through our bodies our soul sends us the subtle, sensitive energetic messages of what is truly unfolding... 

the soul view, the compassionate translation of what is behind the sadness, the pain, the outbursts of emotion...an authentic, clear and loving interpretation of our own actions and the actions of others. 


To receive this treasured transmission, however, we must possess an open heart.  A heart that has traveled beyond gratification,  power, acclaim to the search for life's meaning and has asked itself important questions:  

Who created this amazing universe? 
What role do I play here? 
What is the best way to live out that role? 
What truly brings me joy?


Our beautiful, exotic island with its soothing and serene magic dances to the sound of Love...and it is not very far away.  It can be found hidden in the Heart which is generously and lovingly OPEN  to every pulse of the universe.

Pilialoha!

My wish is that we all reach and realize this island paradise in "a bond of love".

                                              Marie Helena 

image from theartfestival.wordpress.com.  

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

Quantum physics tells us that we CREATE our life...that what we focus on manifests itself for us.  So, as creators, it is imperative that we know the foundation  from which we are creating.

Are we creating from old subconscious energy that is stuck...mired in unhealed pain, past hurts, unresolved issues?  Have these become our default engine?  Are we repeating patterns that have clearly not served us well...and yet falling back on the familiar (and, in an ironic twist, the comfortable)?

THIS may be the reason why it is so very hard to change habits and so annoying that we can't.  The old "stuff" is driving our behavior and it's been chauffeuring us around for a long  time.  And we don't like the destination we are delivered to.  It's not what we want, but it is what we get...

Unless...

we make a conscious, fully committed decision to RELEASE the hurts...the pain...the angst...we have been carrying.  At the time these injuries occurred, we were unable to transcend them...that's why they are still here.  But now, as we learn more, we can CHOOSE to free ourselves from the layers of suffering.  What felt to us like insult and injury can now be recognized as life journey decisions of others that had NOTHING to do with us (though our ego would argue otherwise).  Their behavior was all about them...their conditioning, their influences, their pain.  But, because we, too, were life journeying and filled with our own ego struggles, it seemed to be coming directly AT us.

And the cosmic plan becomes even more fascinating. Although what people do is truly about them, paradoxically, their actions function FOR us.

As we grow spiritually, we begin to sense the soul view of how life operates to bring us circumstances and people who will trigger our Insecurities and, thereby, provide us with the perfect opportunity to recognize our own issues and honor them as gifts to help us grow.  

It seems the very best way to advance spiritually is to intentionally release the layers of old conditioning that have caused our reactions through the soul knowledge that all things in the universe operate FOR US.  As Reverend Linda DeCoff says, when we receive the message through our intention (the higher consciousness awareness that we truly want to learn through any situation), the baggage we have been carrying around disappears.

Once we have released our old conditioning through our awareness of the value of the lesson, we are free to create our lives not from the shackles of the past, but rather IN 

THIS MOMENT as a young child looks at life with freshness and curiosity and wonder.  This is the way we enter our earth life...with purity and simplicity...untainted by the values of others and trusting always in what feels right to us.  

Through our dedication to gaining self-knowledge we are FREE

 to make choices and decisions based on what feels "wonderful" (little child wonderful) to us NOW...not because we are in pain..not to "get back" at someone we feel has hurt us...and not to comfort or console ourselves during a dark or difficult moment.

                                                                 

The beauty of the CHILD emerges...the child who so unselfconsciously recognizes love in each moment and appreciates so gratefully each gift of the universe...and it is this awesome, precious "child"  who leads us to the person we want to be.  

                                       Marie Helena 

"A Little Child Shall Lead Them" Isaiah 11:1-10

images from http://sujitheie.blogspot.com/2011/10/amazing-pencil-sketches.html

Golden childhood remember painting moments image

Dreaming

The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.

Henri Bergson

Quantum physics tells us that our consciousness constructs what it is we see before us. Therefore, what we are willing to conceive of and entertain is what we will experience. 


Do you wish to stand before a landscape of beauty and vibrance? 

Do you wish to see individuals generously sending and receiving love in every moment? 

Do you wish to sense Divine intelligence treasuring all of creation?


What are you prepared to comprehend? 


Is it the gift we have been given to live in this magical playground on earth? 

Is this the exquisite design of nature and all of her inhabitants?  


Is it the beauty of every human heart to have the potential to see the world through eyes of love and feel the happiness this brings?  


Can you still dream your child-self's dream of being loved so deeply and so dearly that everything you encounter and experience is a gift for your journey?   


                                                     Marie Helena


image from jefusion.com

We Are Powerful Beyond Measure

I was a part of a global experiment when the waters of Katrina decimated the beautiful city of New Orleans.  People around the world (linked together by the internet which has the potential to be a true, contemporary gift of consciousness and unity) all prayed together for the cleansing of the waters contaminated by Katrina.

Three weeks later I noticed an article in U.S. World Today commenting that authorities were mystified to find that an analysis of the water from Katrina yielded no more sediment than what would be found in an ordinary storm.

And, now, we can pray together for the emotions causing the insurrection of our government to be healed.

We are powerful beyond measure.

                                      Marie Helena

Mum's the Word

 

It’s almostHalloween and I am a holiday junkie.  

The front porch is filled with scarecrows, corn stalks, bales of hay, a black cat and some very big (and I mean big) pots of chrysanthemums in purple, yellow and white. 

 And though I love the color and texture of everything on the porch, the really big deal for me is putting my face right into the flowers and taking in their essence… the touch and smell and coolness…in other words, their vibration!  


I take breaks during the day to go out and do this. It connects me with nature’s bountiful gifts and beauty. It lifts me out of my everyday tasks and says, “We’re right here…just waiting for you to enjoy us.”  Yep, those flowers are smiling. I know it. They love to have someone get right in their faces.  

Which reminds me…I am also addicted to hugging trees. I have a particular tree in the neighborhood that lets me feel its roots straight down into the earth. I used to look around before I approached the tree, but, naw…I don’t look around anymore. I just see that beauty and go for it.  I hug bushes, too. And have been for many years.  

Although I am no gardener, I think that this is exactly the kind of  high  that gardeners feel when they do their thing.  Now here’s a really interesting fact I learned recently about plants and gardeners. If you are raising plants that you will eat, when you tend them with personal, loving care they produce for you whatever your DNA requires.
 

Now that’s mind blowing. And it sure tells you that the universe is alive and wanting to spread its goodness everywhere. 

 So have at ‘em…pumpkins, flowers, trees…the whole works.  They’re just waiting for your perceptive eyes and glowing attention. 

                            

                                                                                             Marie Helena