The day I stopped running

Today I came home.

I stopped running – from my life, from my emotions, from my fears.

I resisted the urge to do something – ANYTHING – but sit.  I resisted the urge to find a reason or an excuse to keep running.  To keep myself busy.  To keep myself occupied.

Instead I sat down on my cushion.

And I came home.

I came back home into my mind, and into my body.

And I smiled.

I felt peace, and comfort.  And I found the home I had been looking for.  And it was within myself.

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Everyday Wisdom #87

Never let a day pass without looking for the good, feeling the good within you,
praising, appreciating, blessing, and being grateful.
Make it your life commitment,
and you will stand in utter awe of what happens in your life.

From The Secret Daily Teachings by Rhonda Byrne

Everyday Wisdom #86

Focus on the positive

Take two minutes every day to write down every detail you can remember about one positive experience that occurred over the past 24 hours.

As our brains can’t tell much difference between visualization and actual experience, by rehashing a high point in the day you double the effect of that positive experience.

Overall, this leads to greater life satisfaction and meaning.

From:  Achieving Happiness Despite Everyday Challenges by Shawn Achor

Edited to add this great tip from Pocket Perspectives

Be sure to try the idea of taking some time to actually “feel” that sense of positive, let go of the actual experience, and rest in that positive felt sense for at least 20 seconds, longer if you can…I use that feeling as an “object” of meditation…to let it linger and keep bringing it back…kind of like the breath, but the feeling.

Simple and beautiful, and profound ♥

only here only now

I often refer to “peace.”  I say that peace is “always there.”

Sounds good and works so seamlessly when life’s ordinary ups and downs knock you sideways.  Stuck in traffic and late for an appointment?  No problem.  Just take a breath and feel the peace of acceptance.

But when you confront real loss, the kind that takes your breath away- a child dies, a parent disappears into dementia, a marriage unravels- what does it mean to say that you should seek the “peace that is always there”?  How exactly does that work?  What possible consolation could exist for such loss?

I don’t know the answer.  But this I believe.

If I can spread my arms wide and hold that terrible loss in my embrace, if I can stop all the avoiding, all the thinking, and just let that howling grief come in, I will feel for a moment nearly undone…

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An open blessing

May you be blessed today with happiness,
with joy, kindness, and good fortune.
May you be blessed with good health,
and the comfort of true friendships.
May you know peace and contentment.
And may you know that you are loved.

Love & blessings,
Meg

Every great dream begins with a dreamer

Everyday Wisdom #85

You are what your deep, driving desire is.

As your desire is, so is your will.

As your will is, so is your deed.

As your deed is, so is your destiny.

~ Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 

The kindness boomerang

Today I experienced the most beautiful act of kindness.  I’m still so humbled and touched by the experience…

It started with the theft of my son’s scooter.  He had left it sitting out the front of our house, and when he went back out today he discovered it was gone.

The temptation was too much for someone walking past.

Obviously it was disappointing – for both of us.  My son uses the scooter everyday.  Since I wrapped my car around a tree earlier this year, we have been without a car.  So the scooter was used everyday going to and from school.

And with his Aspergers Syndrome (and related issues) it was difficult for him to comprehend what had happened to it.

Well we got on with our day.  We baked a cake for a friend, and took it around to her this afternoon.  

While we visited her daughter went out to run and errand, and when she returned, she’d bought my son a brand new scooter.

Words can’t even express our gratitude for this unexpected act of kindness.  It meant the world to both he and I.

And it has strengthened my resolve to continue spreading kindness and love in the world.  I know first-hand what a difference it makes. ♥

 

Be kind to yourself today ♥

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
– Buddha

Today, take some time out to be kind to yourself.

So often in life we spend time looking after our families, our friends, our neighbours, our pets…. and yet we struggle to extend the same love and kindness to ourselves.

I am aware of a lot of people around me going through a hard time at the moment.  And I must admit I have been through a very tough time myself this month.

To all of you I send my warmest and deepest blessings and love.

Remember to great yourself gently, and with kindness.

Today spend time nurturing yourself.

Do the things that make you happy.  Have a long hot bath, chat with a dear friend, watch a movie that makes you laugh.

But most importantly – just be kind to yourself.

All the goodness you put out into the world starts with how you treat yourself.

“Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.”
– Veronica A. Shoffstall

I found this so timely today ♥

Cauldrons and Cupcakes

“I made a nap this afternoon. I made it out of two pillows, a bed, a sheet, a blanket, and exhaustion.”
~ Jarod Kintz

If you’re psychic, or intuitive, or creative, or a writer, or an artist, or a meditator, or a musician – if you have a passion or a skill or a hobby, or if you’re just in pain – then you need to read this!

Have you ever been in love?  You know, that walking-on-air and the-whole-world-is-beautiful kind of feeling…  In that space everything comes together for us, we see the world through rose-coloured glasses, we’re totally inspired and life just magically flows.

Well, today I’m not talking about that sort of energy.  I’m going to talk about being at the other end of the spectrum – that place where our battery is flat, our enthusiasm is zip, and no matter how hard we try we can’t think…

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Everyday Wisdom #84

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. 

I am me

I am soft, yet I am strong.

I love deeply, and I hurt just as deeply.

I am funny, and quirky, and goofy,

and I am fragile, and vulnerable and afraid.

I smile readily,

yet I have experienced agony.

I am learning to accept myself,

as I am.

I am me….

and that is enough.

 

Everyday Wisdom #83

Stay in the eye of the hurricane where it is quiet, safe, and peaceful. You can help others and the world best from this centered location. 

Getting into the swirling chaos which surrounds you will only increase fear. Instead, encourage others to join you in the peaceful place.

Your encouragement comes from being at peace and exuding happy, loving energy. Others will be drawn to this energy and it will trigger their memories of being peaceful themselves. Once they see and feel your peacefulness, they will find their way.

From the peaceful place, we can take effective action to help other people, the environment, and all of the issues that need our attention right now. 

Doreen Virtue

Everyday Wisdom #82

Developing concern for others, thinking of them as part of us, brings self-confidence, reduces our sense of suspicion and mistrust, and enables us to develop a calm mind.

Dalai Lama

The world’s kindest traveller

It warmed my heart to open my news page and see this wonderful story – The World’s Kindest Traveller

Prior to finding this story, I saw an editorial piece which was proud to criticize the performance of our Aussie Olympic Athletes.  And it made me sad that that was considered newsworthy (or indeed acceptable).

So it was such a joy to find that article in there as well 🙂

22-year-old Daniel had a string of free flights under his belt so took to Reddit, offering to travel all over the world to do favours for those in need.

During his 11 weeks, he visited four countries and took in several US cities, helping people with tasks such as washing a car for a family whose son had Down’s Syndrome in to moving couches in and packing boxes.

Read the full story here

Love & blessings to you all dear friends 

 

 

 

Pay it backwards

I’m reading a great book at the moment which talks about the “opposite” of RAOK’s (Random Acts of Kindness), and that is basically to pay it backwards.

To thank those people who have made a difference in your life.  No matter how big or small.

It might be the person who was extra helpful to you at the store today.

Or it might be the teacher who inspired you to become what you are today.

There are so many opportunities for gratitude, and to say thank you.

And personally this is something that I LOVE doing.  

A lot of people are quick to complain about things they don’t like – bad service, inferior products etc.  However they don’t tend to notice or value really good service or positive experiences.  So not long ago I made it my intention to always recognise when somebody had gone out of their way to do something nice for me.  If it’s in a service environment, I will contact their Manager to let them know.  If it’s a company, and I love their product, I will send a letter.

It all adds a little more kindness and positivity to the world.

And the more I read this book the more inspired I am to dig back deeper into my past.  And get in touch with those people who have made a difference in my life, and say thank you, and let them know how much it has meant to me.

If anyone else decides to do this, I would love to hear your experiences ♥

 

A picture my son drew for our landlord

I love this!! ♥

Soul Writings

AN EXERCISE FOR CENTERING OR GROUNDING YOURSELF!

Close your eyes:  Breathe deeply, slow yourself down and when you feel ready…………. Slowly

• Imagine the wall in front of you,
• the wall behind you
• Bring yourself back to your center (Whatever that means to you)

• Imagine the wall on the left,
• the wall on the right
• Now Bring yourself back to center.

• Imagine the floor beneath you,
• the ceiling above you.
• Bring yourself back to your center! 

Now Open your eyes and notice how you are , grounded, safe and secure in your physical body!

You could now do a relaxation exercise or a meditation to relieve all stress, all tension and instill confidence, calmness and total relaxation throughout your entire Mental, physical, emotional and spiritual self.

Peace, love, light and blessings!

“White Eagle”

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Everyday Wisdom #81

My favourite 5 ideas for Personal Growth

• Do something every single day that excites you.
• Show some form of kindness to everyone you encounter.
• Face problems head-on and handle them quickly.
• Apologise when you need to and sometimes when you don’t.
• Take your coffee or tea outside in the morning and listen to the birds.

 

Everyday Wisdom #80

Do not fight against pain; do not fight against irritation or jealousy. Embrace them with great tenderness, as though you were embracing a little baby. Your anger is yourself, and you should not be violent toward it. The same thing goes for all your emotions.

Thich Nhat Hanh

 

 

Everyday Wisdom #79

Yoga for comfort

A forward bend – or uttanasana – is really good for generating a contemplative, and connective state within us.  It is also good for relieving headaches and nervous tension.

To achieve this pose, bend forward and reach for your toes.  Bring your head close to your knees.