Coloring Outside the Lines

As little children we were often gifted by family and friends with coloring books.

These books had very distinct pictures of people and places and things. The guidelines, no doubt, helped us learn about the many aspects of life and told us what to expect from our surroundings.


We were instructed by most of our supervising adults to color carefully inside the lines …and we learned to do so. This served us well for a time…but life proved to be much bigger and bolder and more complex than that original coloring book.

Coloring inside the lines is a careful response to what we have learned to expect. Stimulus…and reponse. Coloring inside the lines is often our goal. So precise, so clear…so easy to understand.

And we often carry this preoccupation over into adulthood into the world of interpersonal communication…anticipating that the people in our lives will fulfill our expectations. When they do, we know exactly how to proceed…what “colors” to choose, what the “picture” should look like.

But… when the people and circumstances and events in our lives don’t look like the pictures in our coloring books (our images of them), we can’t use this childhood process.

Coloring inside the lines won’t work because the people, places and things won’t stay inside them.

And this is not a bad thing.

In fact, it’s a wondrous, challenging thing. Admittedly, sometimes it is very, very difficult…and sometimes very messy. We have to color outside the original lines. We have to see what boundaries will fit each picture (and try to honor and respect them) and we can’t determine that ahead of time. We have to watch where the borders are each moment for they are constantly moving. We have to see how the whole picture itself looks and how it meshes with ours.

To put this in human terms:

If we have a certain image of someone or something and then we see that based on what is happening, the image we have is not holding, it is very natural to be distressed. But the problem isn’t with the person or thing or circumstance; the problem is the fact that we are holding onto our old coloring book with a very structured mind picture we have created.

In doing this we are missing the opportunity to see what really exists in this LIVING work of art.

We are missing the opportunity to learn something new from each other.

We are missing the opportunity to be brave and adventurous...to engage in life and be fully present in that Moment.


If we only color inside the lines, we are missing out on one of the most profound and moving opportunities of life.

Let's redefine our creation to include the bold and bright colors that rush headlong into each other alongside the soft and gentle hues that open channels of converging energy with their loving interactions.

All are brilliant and beautiful. All tell the story of how we come together and, sometimes, stand apart.

Perhaps the ENGAGEMENT with this colorful, messy, ever moving picture is an ART unto itself.

 

 

 

originally published June, 2011

Special Delivery

 
Messages of beauty and love and inspiration often enter our consciousness through the written word. 


Often this occurs, for example,  when we read our email, the Internet, Facebook or LinkedIn discussions.
 
 
When we encounter something which INSPIRES us or fills us with JOY, why not consider copying the message and printing it...perhaps even in a beautiful font using color and a lovely image...and sending it on to someone to let them know you are thinking of them?  This gesture which may seem so small can be immensely profound in the emotional payoff it provides.

 
This afternoon I had a lovely chat with a young woman who told me this beautiful story.  For a very long time ALL of the mail she had been receiving was filled with bills or bad news.  I had not been aware of this, but a few months ago because of a deep-hearted conversation we had I began to send her messages of inspiration and encouragement every day through the mail.  These were clips from beautiful selections I read on the Internet and copies of my blog posts.

 
Today when I visited with her I was thrilled to see that she was radiant...glowing...so strongly in-her-power.  She told me that she had been reading the messages every day and saving them in her carefully arranged notebooks and commented that whatever message she received was always something she needed to hear THAT DAY. 



This is, of course, how SPIRIT works...bringing into our consciousness what we need to learn or remember.  Of course, we have to NOTICE how these messages arrive and, in this case, the messages arrived via the US mail...SPIRIT's special Love Language for this wonderful person.

 
She explained to me that the GIFT of the messages was that she had learned to RECEIVE.  Every message was filled with Hope and Love and they opened her heart.   She began to EXPECT the love offerings and trust that they would come...she acknowledged and enjoyed them... and they helped her with other life transformations she was in the midst of undertaking.

 
Sending the messages to her is a small gesture in the grand scheme of things but LIFE CHANGING in the big picture.


 
Love, in every expression, always works miracles.
 
 


image from inmyownstyle.com


 

The Witness

Sometimes in the morning we awaken with the most beautiful of intentions about how we will walk through our day in the image of grace and love. 



Hope runs high in our hearts about the wonderful way we will navigate all interactions.  But sometimes our unresolved emotions...still perking on the troublesome hot plate of our experience...spontaneously  flare up before we have been able to answer with conscious intention.

We find ourselves tense or agitated.  Old, unreleased pain colors the words we choose.   Our lovely intention now feels like just so much trouble.

And there goes our beautiful resolve...down the tubes.  Sad.  We had hoped today would be a new beginning.

 And it still can...
 with one easy change in our modus operandi.

And it's really simple to do.  And , if you like a little fun..something colorful and new thrown into the mix...you will love this new approach.


 Here it is:

While you engage in whatever conversations or interactions are unfolding, you will also be playing a second role... as WITNESS to yourself.  Observe everything you say and do...every reaction and response you have...and take note of them.


There is a curious and creative thing going on here...you are now aware of having TWO personas.  You are the person who walks through the interactions and you are the watcher, the observer, THE WITNESS to them,


And just WHO is this witness who can observe what you are doing? 


That's the interesting part.


The witness is your Consciousness...your Spirit...your Higher Self...and just by being able to witness yourself, you can clearly see that you are NOT alone.


You may be undergoing some difficult times.  You may be tense or frustrated.  You may not be living up to all you aspire to be...but you are NOT alone.  Your WITNESS is right there with you, aware of all of your challenges and difficulties...ever present, not judging , just listening to the feelings of your heart.


There is something very beautiful about knowing

that your Higher Self is walking through earth school with you...


that your Higher Self is ever present and observing your experiment in earth school... 


that this life IS an experiment in earth school where you experience
trials and challenges and limiting beliefs...

        
But the ESSENCE of you, WHO YOU ARE REALLY ARE, 
Is ALWAYS present, observing you with Unconditional Love.



Somehow this awareness instills in us a sense of peace and calm, empowering us to take a breath, relax and regroup.  Now we can find the energy to remember our beautiful intention to create our grace-filled day.

We are THE WITNESS...there to offer unconditional love and support to ourselves in every moment of our earthly lives.




 image from mementis.info

Follow the Energy

We often ask ourselves the question: Why can’t I make this thing happen?

Perhaps it is something we want to achieve or acquire…perhaps it is a personal change in our lifestyle, something that appears to be for the good of our health and well-being.

We struggle and struggle and still we fail. Then we end up blaming ourselves for not being strong enough to make this desire of ours a reality.


But Sanaya Roman, author of Spiritual Growth, says what looks like culpability on our part, like weakness and a lack of follow through... may be entirely something else. Things are not always what they appear to be or feel like.


What is really happening in this case is that we are trying to use our forceful will to accomplish our goal. But if our goal or the way we are pursuing it is not for our highest good, our wise will jumps in to intervene with this message from our Higher Self: This is not for your Higher Good. "Create resistance; stop; do not carry through with the action."


In this picture whatever we were planning to do and/or the way we were planning to do it are clearly not in harmony with our life path.


According to Roman, “When it is good for you to do something you will feel a desire to do it; you will be drawn to it because it is something you love and not something you are forcing yourself to do.”


The implications of this spiritual design are astounding.

When we follow this scenario we stop focusing on feelings of failure and disappointment. If something is not clicking for us, we sense there is a reason…a good reason…a Higher Self reason that is protecting and guiding us. So when we hit a roadblock, when our energy flags and we feel defeated, we release our attachment to the goal with the knowingness that it is not the best path for us to pursue at this time.


How do we then know what path is the best choice to pursue? 
We follow the energy of our day. The feeling of vitality and interest which makes us feel engaged and strong.

We hold the knowingness that this focus is the very best direction for our journey at this point in time and that our other goals will be reached at the most perfect moment for them.


This way of thinking lifts our spirits so beautifully and moves us seamlessly into the delightful flow of energy which is filling our lives, often from unexpected places. Our willingness to hear this message and engage and respond brings us exactly to where we need to be.


And we do not have to find this place ourselves.


All we have to do is notice what energy is entering our lives and embrace it.


What an adventure life then becomes when we understand that
EVERYTHING is being done for us and for our ultimate happiness. Our only work is to watch for the signs and signals that tell us what is moving into our path right now and with a full heart enjoy every present moment of that beautiful energy surge (which is already making us feel alive and happy).


Quite a master plan…so ingenious it is hiding in plain sight.


All it takes is the faith and trust that we are loved and supported and cared for and the knowingness that everything we need will be delivered to us… and everything we experience is a lesson for our souls.




originally posted 4/18/11

Mum's the Word

 
It’s almost Halloween 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. 



originally printed October 31, 2011

Bottom's Up!

 

You've probably heard this strapping toast expressed when friends and acquaintances get together for relaxing conversation and a social  hour. 

That’s when people encourage each other to enjoy the moment with a "refreshing" drink.  

Although the list of fancy cocktails available for social engagements seems endless, nature has its own perfect cocktail which your body absolutely loves.  It's WATER...and, just as all expressions of nature are perfect in design and natural beauty, this "cocktail" is no exception.  

Here is a list of its special attributes.

Its taste is serene and tranquil.

Its texture is smooth and clear.

It goes with everything, naturally harmonizing with any culinary delight.

And, most important of all, your body LOVES it.

Individuals who are aware of these special properties serenely sip two glasses of this cocktail upon arising...before they even have breakfast...helping activate the body's energy channels and physical functioning. 

They know that this liquescent gift  empowers the cells of the body to do their work.

Although it's delightful to sip water all throughout the day, there are also some additional times when it is especially effective:

Thirty minutes before a meal

Before taking a bath

Before going to bed.

Best of all, it is easy to access this cocktail and there is great availability.

I am extolling the delightful virtues of this aquatic dream because I could not believe the improvement in my health and, especially, my sense of well-being since I began to make this perfect aperitif a very important part of my day.

This feeling of wellness and exhilaration is waiting for you, too!

L'acqua è cocktail perfetto della natura!

 

Postscript:

I wrote this blog post last night and this morning, when I awoke from a dreamy night's sleep, I realized that I had received a gentle nudge and a nod of approval from the Divine Universe via Mother Nature regarding the beautiful properties of WATER.

While I was composing last evening I had my television on and was vaguely aware that I was listening to and recording several episodes of House Hunters International.  The interesting thing about this is that all of the episodes were filmed on islands bordering the beautiful, blue-green ocean and, while I was consciously aware of my writing, my subconscious was apparently soaking up the grand expanses of water.  

The Divine result: an extraordinarily beautiful night's sleep, another loving result of opening myself to this fabulous (and free) gift.

You might want to keep this in mind if you are longing for some peaceful slumber!

image from mom5kids.blogspot.com

originally printed January 28, 2012 

 NOTE: 

Several people in my circle have decided to drink only water for 100 days.  They will bless the water before drinking it and offer their thanks and gratitude for its beautiful gifts.  How about you?  Are you in?

10/21/13
 

Blueprint of Grace

Iyanla VanZant, African American inspirational speaker, author and spiritual teacher,  has a lovely BLUEPRINT she follows regarding the way she interacts with others: 
 Acknowledge, 
Affirm, 
Appreciate.




Acknowledge


Every one of us has a basic need to be "seen".  We would like to have our presence recognized and not in an offhand, careless manner as if to say "I see you've come into the room  but I'm busy doing other things."

Even if we are otherwise occupied, we can always look up and smile (thereby radiating love) and let the person know we are AWARE of their presence and will get back to them when we finish our task.

And, when we do have the time and energy for this interchange,  we ENGAGE with them.

We give them our full attention (and if we cannot, we express our intention to do this and explain why we cannot give this energy at this time).  We  honor their feelings and try to understand them. We listen with sensitivity and caring and we help them "see" us and know the substance of our hearts.

Affirm

To affirm is to declare the truth of something.  What a beautiful practice to announce, proclaim, reveal the truth of our heart...something that has touched us deeply and now wants to be expressed when we have noticed something beautiful or generous or loving in someone's behavior.

Expressing "affirm"ation  is an awesome gift which only grows in abundance as the vibrations are shared with the person with whom we are interacting.


Appreciate

To appreciate means  to be grateful or thankful for...to be fully conscious of.  so much of our life is lived on default.  We walk through life unconsciously following the same pathways and patterns.  It is when we bring our full consciousness to something that we are able to recognize the gift it holds for us...the new beauty and wisdom that is revealed to us.  When we are  fully engaged, fully conscious, the appreciation that we express...that we give to someone...is really a confirmation of a gift that has been given to us.


 

Acknowledgement, Affirmation and Appreciation...

What beautiful treasures to bestow upon someone and what beautiful gifts to request for ourselves! 


Knowing the joy these benevolent actions inspire and their stunning potential for enhancing our life we, too, can dip into this wellspring of grace and ask for these beautiful blessings when our heart needs to be soothed and comforted, thereby strengthening and deepening our relationship  with someone important in our life.
 




image from www.rose-gardening-made-easy.com