What are you dreaming about to bring into your life?

Do you have some secret longing locked away in your heart? Perhaps it is something that you have always wanted to do, or some place you have always wanted to visit. Maybe it is a different kind of work than you have always done, that you feel would satisfy you more and bring more to those you work with or a larger community. It might be something as simple as visiting your local museums, getting out in nature more often or learning to cook, paint, knit or learn a sport.

I know that today many of us are so busy with our lives that some days we barely have time to catch our breath…in fact if it wasn’t automatic most of us would just stop breathing altogether.

But how does this make you feel?

I can tell you for myself when I get into one of those really busy times that feels like a whirlwind, I get pretty exhausted. It might be exhilarating at first, but then there comes this sense of, what am I doing, and does it really matter? It also takes me to a place of evaluating what really is important in life, and whether or not I am living that.

I recognize that times come when things just happen and we get a bit swamped…I have had a week like that and it is only Wednesday morning, but I am speaking about when it goes on and on and anything non-essential gets put to the bottom of the list, and often those are the things that really nurture our spirit and heart.

But is this quality living and what of those secret dreams and desires for something else in our lives?

For me I have recently jumped into one of those long held wishes and I have experienced a part of myself that feels more like me than almost anything else I have done in my life. I always felt a pull to artistic work but felt that I did not have any talent in this area so I never pursued it. I appreciated art, and beauty in any form has always been important to me and something that fed my heart. But to do something along those lines…I never even attempted it since I felt I had no ability. I also was caught up in the busy-ness of life, and so if an inkling came to take a pottery class (at least I would not need to draw anything) or something else along those lines, well I was just too busy.

This all changed for me around the beginning of the year when I started a collage, my first “art project” probably since elementary school. On one of my many visits to the art supply store I was told of a collage class that was starting in about a week, and so I emrolled. It has now been about five weeks and I am having such a wonderful time with this, it has opened a part of myself that I always felt was there but never had let out.

What has been equally important is the opportunity to take a look at the blocks that I had allowed to prevent me from exploring something that I had always felt pulled to do.

Why would I not pursue something that I always wanted to do?

I have seen that I carried some very false ideas about creativity, talent and being able to learn something new. Somehow I had the idea that you either had talent to do art or you didn’t. In hindsight it seems ridiculous since people go to art school to learn how to create art.  I never put being an artist in the same category as being a doctor, lawyer, even a chef…These were all something that one could say I want to be a _________ and then go to school to learn how. But somehow art seemed different to me.

I realize now that there had been a part of me that assumed we innately know certain elements of what we wanted to pursue. It never entered my mind to consider going to art school because I love art and learn how to be an artist. Somehow more creative careers didn’t have the same approach, in my mind, but they do in reality…we can learn just about anything if we really want to and are willing to make the time and take the risk.

I share this in hopes of inspiring others to take the leap to explore what it is that has slept in their hearts for far too long and is time to wake up. There must be a reason that we carry certain dreams. Imagine it is because we are meant to experience them, that they are an integral part of our being and a necessary part of our self expression and development.

We all want to live more authentic and fulfilling lives and this just might be one way to come closer to that experience. What have you been dreaming of?

I have been really involved creating SmartLifeways, a web site dedicated to informing and inspiring people to live in a more sustainable way. I will be offering sessions in “greening” your life – from your kitchen, office and all around your home – for those of you who maybe don’t even know where to begin or are ready to take the next step.

I came across this beautiful writing from Rudolf Steiner whose work has brought us Walden School, Anthroposophical Medicine and Biodynamic farming-he was a busy man. This was written in 1910 and I find it extremely relevant for today.

Hope you like it …..

“We must eradicate from the soul all fear and terror of what comes toward us out of the future.

We must acquire serenity in all feelings and sensation about the future.

We must look forward with absolute equanimity to everything that may come.

And we must think only that whatever comes is given to us by a world-directive full of wisdom.

It is part of what we must learn in this age, namely, to live out of pure trust, without any security in existence.

Trust in the ever-present help of the Spiritual World.

Truly, nothing else will do if our courage is not to fail us.

And let us seek the awakening from within ourselves, every morning and evening.”

(~ R. Steiner)

In no way has this been an easy transition but there was always a willingness to go through what was necessary for clarity, insight and moving forward out of old patterns that no longer served me. I had people tell me that I was courageous and I didn’t really feel this was accurate since I felt as if I had no choice. But maybe that is where courage comes from…when you see that there is only one direction and you will do whatever is necessary to make your way on that path, that is how I have felt.

While this has probably been the most painful two years of my life, it has also been the most rewarding as well. It sounds so cliche but it is the truth.

Whatever you may be going through persevere and don’t ever give up on yourself or your tomorrow.
Look for guidance and a hand to hold, but if neither shows up look to your power that lies within.
If you have no one to share your secrets and fears, write them down and share them with the universe.
When a hurricane of emotions arise let them rain down with fury, and remember… this too shall pass.
All that we feel are divine gifts and when we can let them move through us we realize this.

We are here to grow and become more of who we are. Just as a blade of grass can make its way through the concrete our spirit can hold us and guide us through anything. Find inspiration and just keep on going, there really is a light at the end of the tunnel-and that light is YOU.
Love and blessings

Sometimes we need to be willing to sit for a period of time with what may be uncomfortable feelings in order to understand our lessons in life, so that we can then receive the gifts that follow…

When going through a challenging time have you noticed how difficult it often is to just sit with your feelings, to allow them to come to full bloom or maybe even eruption? There is a magic in the exploration of what is really being shown to us, since quite often it is something beyond what seems apparent on the surface. Think about it, when you are challenged in almost any way, in a relationship, at work, or even just driving down the road, and your feelings get charged up, isn’t there often a component that you could adjust? Try to linger there when feeling emotionally challenged, a lesson may await you that brings you deeper insight into unchartered areas within yourself that will allow you to live a more relaxed, joyful, satisfying life.

Take for example, driving down the road in traffic, your reaction might be anger or frustration but what can you do about the traffic anyway? What could this situation be indicating about you? Maybe you need to allow yourself more time so you don’t feel the stress of worrying about being late. Perhaps you need to slow down a bit and accept things as they come, especially those situations that are out of your control. Can you use this time as some sort of opportunity for yourself…listen to music you love and be glad that you have this time to really enjoy it, practice breathing in a conscious way, send out a desire that all those surrounding you in traffic reach their destination safely and peacefully. This is a chance to change your immediate, internal reality without being a victim of your external circumstances.

Perhaps you have a situation at work, or in a relationship, that keeps coming up. What could that be saying about you? Perhaps you need to confront a situation that you have been avoiding. Or maybe you need to dig a bit deeper and look at something totally unrelated to this immediate situation, which is just a trigger to bring your attention to something else. It is always interesting how we quite often are given opportunities that we ignore, but they keep returning.

As Pema ChÖdrÖn writes, “nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.”  Why not be observant, and willing to get the lesson sooner rather than later so that you can move on to the next beautiful opportunity life will present you…but be ready to sit with it for a bit to see what is being shown, about yourself.

This is in no way a judgmental exercise about ourself, how we are “bad” or must change. Try to see this as an opportunity to tend to a garden, pulling out the weeds so that more attention can be given to the beauty of the flowers and plants. We are all beautiful gardens that often just need a bit of care to come to our full glory. Give yourself this time to sit and be with yourself, you may discover a treasure calling you, that is you.

“May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are.”

I am not aware of who wrote this originally (if you know please send the author’s name) but it is a beautiful daily thought, or prayer… however you like to define it. When we can remember to remember that each phase of our life can offer us incredible gifts leading us to unthought of possibilities we can allow the unfolding of our lives with a bit more ease.

Not that each day will necessarily be “easy” but neither is a hike up a steep mountain, but the gift we receive when standing at the peak always makes it worth the effort. We get to experience many peaks in our lives when we have the stamina, courage and faith to continue up our personal mountains…..Perhaps one of the most important items to help us keep going is self acceptance.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are, right now in this moment. If you want to change something in your life, that is fine but love yourself and accept yourself right now, and then visualize where you are going with an open heart for you.

I love that this quote is circulating amongst emails, at least to women, how wonderful it is when this amazing vehicle called the internet can be used for inspiration and as a great connection between people who may not have otherwise ever “met”. Try to look at all that is around you in a positive light, see the good and share your beauty. The world will continue to become more beautiful as more of us follow this route.

I am grateful to be sharing this path with you….

Sending love,

Michelle

I just returned home from an all day meditation retreat and those were pretty much the closing words, a bit surprising after meditating all day, but upon a few moments reflection, I realized very fitting. Isn’t it true that any type of spiritual practice is really meant to enhance our life, and hopefully those around us and the world at large as well? However, often we miss recognizing just how incredible our lives are and what a myriad of opportunities exist if we are really willing to seek for them.

We too often pay more attention to a list of complaints, rather than a list of what we have to appreciate in our lives. When we spend more time reflecting on what we have to be grateful for, even if today it is only that you are breathing, or that you can see the sky and the stars-imagine if you couldn’t, our life feels more valuable, more important and we don’t want to squander it.

Spend a few moments right now to appreciate something in your life, really sense how amazing it is that you are on this earth, right now, doing whatever it is you were doing before reading this…how is that you have come to be in exactly this place right now? Can you recognize the opportunities that await you when you see what potential you have? Let yourself be inspired and see what happens……

of course, I would love to hear back from you……..

Now, I am far from suggesting immediate forgiveness in the face of feeling wronged, hurt or abused in some way. An essential part of the process is allowing our feelings to arise and have expression in one way or another. Sometimes  a situation shows up today merely to be a catalyst for unresolved feelings from the past. It is in allowing the feelings to arise from today’s situation that the old buried feelings are then recognized so that they can be released.

Giving ourselves permission, even an invitation, to let these feelings be expressed is also an important element to then come to the moment of forgiveness for ourself and then ultimately the other. Since there really is no “other” in effect we move through this process together, experiencing our interconnectedness and recognizing the important role that all of those who cross our path play in our life. There are no accidents along the way…

Once we understand our lesson and can forgive we may be able to re-embrace the other with a full and open heart developing an even closer relationship, or we may recognize that we must step away, not in anger but with understanding and love for ourself. The end result can vary tremendously in one way, but in another way it is always the same…we gain a sense of peace and can move ahead in our own life with more wisdom and an expanded knowing of who we are, and what greater gift can we ask for than that?

Another aspect of our journey is waking up to the reality that we have been living and to some extent have created. Sometimes our dreams and illusions are shattered as part of this process, this can be a painful but necessary part of our awakening.  Quite often we first recognize the dream that we are living in relation to others and this can be very difficult to come to grips with, however the waking up to the illusions within can seem as if they are more than we can handle. We often have lived in a dream about ourselves, who we have seen ourselves to be and what we have allowed in our lives, for whatever reasons….this can be the most challenging to awaken to but the most essential.

Hang tight and hold on, open your eyes (inwardly and outwardly) and keep your heart open, there is light at the end of the tunnel…YOU!

This is the way of transformation and the truth will set you free so that you can live your life to its full glory and beauty.

We are all on the journey to come to know ourselves deeper and leave behind that which no longer represents our authentic self. As we grow and learn more about ourselves many aspects of ourselves may simply drop away but sometimes we stubbornly cling to that which no longer serves us. I hope that together we can allow these aspects to more easily drop away.

Looking forward to hearing from you in the coming weeks and months.

Try to enjoy your life whatever is happening in front of you, since surely it will change. You may as well feel good inside since this is a gift that only you can give to yourself every day.