The Scariest and Most Important Turning Point in My Life

There are many crossroads throughout our lives, but when we choose to live mindfully we know those crossroads are turning points and a time to push past the fear and walk tall into the abyss of the unknown, for it is than that our light truly shines, no matter how apprehensive we are.

My Story

I never dreamed in a million years that I would walk away from my successful corporate job and never look back.  I had built a strong career, I earned a great income and I had a lot of nice things; even though that appeared to be my dream life, I was very unhappy. But when an unexpected job loss came, I knew this time things had to change, it was time to go inside to uncover the real me.

Up until this momentous transition, my life revolved around the importance of my title, my job performance, and how much money I made. If a job ended I never gave it a second thought, I just invested all of my energy into finding another. Even though I was very successful, underneath I was aware that I didn’t ever feel like I was where I belonged but I had no idea why or what to do about it.

Initially I thought I was just going to change the direction of my career; instead I chose to rip my life back to the “studs” for a complete renovation.  I was ready to stop having headaches, toss my watch aside and feel good about my life. Transitioning from living my life for an income to making a life has been messy and taken me out of my comfort zone, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Now my life is about taking risks, living my life my way and knowing that I will never compromise my values again.  My life is richer and I have never been happier.

For years I believed that my life was the way it was and there was nothing I could do about it.  After several years of being awake, I now understand that I can choose who I want to be and what kind of life I want. Living in a state of awareness has been an inside job that defies everything I’ve ever been taught.  I truly love the woman I am becoming, it is work every day, but it is a job I’ve never enjoyed more. Since I chose to feel good and enjoy my life by following my passion, my life has changed and improved a million fold.  I owe a great portion of that change to gratitude and love of myself and my life.

A life of consciousness will always be filled with twists and turns, but when we know that we have a choice, we feel stronger and more alive. Every situation, no matter what it is, has been a part of the process of change necessary to be where I am at in my life today. When I feel blue or I’m hard on myself, I stop what I am doing, take a deep breath and reflect on how far I’ve come and where I am in that moment. I am amazed and proud to say that I’ve become a brave, courageous, compassionate pioneer of change.

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards. They try to have more of what they want so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You first must be who you are, then love what you do, in order to have what you want.~  Margaret Young

Thank you for stopping by.  Love and blessings

 

Are Americans Ready and Willing to Wake Up?

Whether you’re on a path to consciousness or ready to take a leap of faith, it helps to see situations from all perspectives. When you live from the wisdom of your heart, it is natural to see the gifts in everything.

 

 

The Art of Listening with Your Heart

Listening with your heart requires that you sit silently and listen without judgment. This way of listening compels you to be supportive and to help someone to reach inside to find the answers they are seeking themselves.  It isn’t easy, but it is a great way to empower yourself and the other person.

A few years ago I took a day long workshop focused on learning to listen with your heart.  It sounded simple, but it isn’t. We have been taught to listen half-heartedly waiting with bated breath for the moment when there is a break to inject our opinion and advice.

In my workshop, when the person we were paired with spoke, we had to sit silently, look them in the eyes and be fully present while they spoke.  When they were finished, the lesson was to empower them with praise for their willingness to share and provide support without telling them what to do. It was a lesson in humility because we believe that we can solve someone else’s problems or steer them in the direction according to how we’ve handled situations and how they could improve the way they’re handling things if only they’d listen to our sage advice.  That approach can only makes things worse and drive people apart.

I learned a lot that day. Now, when someone wants to share their situation, I ask if they want my perspective before I jump in knowing that they may not accept or believe that it is the way to go.  Listening with your heart is showing respect, compassion and kindness just by being there.

Most people just want someone to listen while they sort through the challenges they are faced with.  You don’t have to agree with their method of handing a situation furthermore you really don’t know what someone else is going through. Once a person vents and gets everything out, they can and should come upon solutions themselves. Don’t take it personally, it is never about us, it is about learning to go above and beyond to be conscious and caring.

Thank you for stopping by, Namaste

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Life without Borders

One day at a time is the way I’ve been able to break the habit of putting borders around my dream, it is work, but it is so worth it because when we hit our stride and go beyond where we’ve gone before, the feeling is magical then nothing can stop you.

Rather than being focused on obstacles, our perceived limitations and who we are through the eyes of everyone around us,  we can create a visual of ourselves as powerful creators with the capacity to be whatever we want to be, but we have to work for it.  It takes determination and drive to reach higher than you have before to achieve what you were brought to this planet to do.  I know first hand because I’ve done it so I know that all of the struggles, efforts and pushing myself works and is so worth it.

The limits or restrictions we have are created in our mind and can be un-created with effort and belief in ourselves. Hesitation and doubt are just catalysts to push ourselves beyond our comfort zone and go for it.  I do and have done it most of my life not knowing that I was breaking the bonds of my limiting beliefs.  But as I look back I can see that I wouldn’t be where I am if I hadn’t taken all of those leaps.

This week I made major progress when I took a leap of faith and it paid off, the feeling of that accomplishment is life-changing for me and can be for you.  I hesitated, made excuses and doubted my abilities, but I pushed through the fear of the unknown thinking, what is the worst that can happen?, and it didn’t.  It was so much better than I thought.

That feeling alone has helped me to ascend to a new level of self-confidence and knowing that I can do anything if I just get out of my way.

Be an inspiration this week, make yourself go beyond what is easy. The effect you’ll have, not just on yourself but on the people around you, will be transformational.  So many people are held back by beliefs they’ve held all their lives, show them anything is possible by believing in and going for the impossible.

Namaste, thank you for stopping by.

How Come Your Life is Not a Journey but a Series of Triumphs

Up until a week ago I thought I was on a grand life journey with something amazing to achieve by the end of it, that is what we’ve been made to believe. But Alan Watts offers another way of looking at our lives and I, for one, am very intrigued.

Rather than choosing to live as though we are on voyage with a grand ending, consider living each day with whatever teachings it brings without a finale but many aha moments. It will transform the way you live your life. I am now on a path to just live each day not knowing what milestones will come.  At the end of each day, I know I did my best and I am pleased with however it ends.  It takes the pressure off of having to focus on a life end outcome bringing more satisfaction to the way my life is.  I am excited to live in the mindset that every day that I am alive is a triumph, rather than see my life as a series of hits and misses while trying to achieve a big finale by the time I leave this world.

Your Heart’s Wisdom – The Power of Belly Breathing

Several years ago I learned to breathe through my diaphragm the way we breathe when we are born, it literally changed my health.  The heart’s wisdom is only improved when we take the steps to create a healthy environment for it to live in. Along with bettering your overall heart health, diaphragmatic breathing also improves many other vital functions and helps your body to become stronger and more able to withstand the daily stresses of life and even reverse some already present medical problems.

Here are more facts supporting breathing through your diaphragm instead of your lungs. I’ve also included informational resources for you to read to understand the process and benefits.

To help you realize the importance of deep diaphragmatic breathing, here are 12 benefits to regularly practicing this healthy habit:

1. Reduces the risk factors for heart disease such as lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), raising good cholesterol (HDL), lowing blood pressure and stabilizing blood sugars
2. Cuts chances of cancer by as much as 400%
3. Reduces negative stress by lowering the stress hormone cortisol)
4. Helps reduce cravings for processed carbohydrates (junk food)
5. Cuts chances of diabetes by strengthening the insulin beta receptor sites
6. Improves quality of sleep by improving stage 1 and stage 4 sleep cycles
7. Lengthens the cell’s life span by cleansing the cells more thoroughly through increased lymphatic flow
8. Slows the aging process by increasing the secretion of human growth hormone (the anti-aging hormone)
9. Optimizes the immune system by strengthening T-cell formation and improving lymphocyte production
10. Improves your mood by elevating the “feel good” hormone, serotonin, and other positive endorphins
11. Improves mental focus and concentration by increasing blood flow to the Pre-Frontal Cortex of the brain
12. Improves the quality and effectiveness of meditation by changing brain wave activity from the more stressful beta wavelengths to more relaxing and healthier alpha and theta brain wavelengths.

Here’s how to reap the amazing benefits of deep diaphragmatic breathing.· Sit in a comfortable chair with your eyes closed and inhale very slowly thru your nose using your diaphragm (your belly should expand while you inhale with little or no chest movement).· Once your lungs are full and your belly has expanded, hold your breath for about 6 to 12 seconds. ·Then slowly exhale thru your mouth making sure you use your belly to push the air out.· Once your lungs are empty and your belly is contracted, repeat the cycle.· Your goal is to complete 10 cycles· (inhale, hold, exhale) or 8 to 10 minutes of deep diaphragmatic breathing a day.The best times to practice this type of deep breathing is first thing in the morning and right before you go to bed.· To enhance the benefit of deep breathing, I suggest visualizing your goals or picturing your ideal life while practicing this habit.· Personally, I pray while practicing deep diaphragmatic breathing.

For the next 30 days, I challenge you to practice deep diaphragmatic breathing for at least 10 minutes a day everyday.· This is one of the best prescriptions for improving your health and optimizing your wellness.· Good luck and good breathing. (from http://www.samvarner.com/physical-wellness/deep-breathing.html)

Mainstream medical professionals are promoting the natural and simple process of slow, deep breathing for ultimate health and peace of mind.

Here are a few resources to help you to learn more about it:

From Harvard Health Publications:

Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response

http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response

From Psychology Today:

The Science of Slow Deep Breathing

Learn about the powerful health benefits of slow deep breathing

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-neuroscience-mindfulness/201602/the-science-slow-deep-breathing

From the Chopra Center:

Breathing for Life: The Mind-Body Healing Benefits of Pranayama

http://www.chopra.com/articles/breathing-for-life-the-mind-body-healing-benefits-of-pranayama

Thank you for stopping by, namaste.

His Message Will Make you Want to Save the World

 

 

It is my intention as a photographer to use my skills, talent, love of nature and life to be a part of saving this planet from the destructive path we are on.  So I look for ways to share my passion, I found this and knew it was just what I was looking for.

This less than five-minute video is a beautiful short to inspire, motivate and fire us up to be the change that nature needs. Just double-click on the link below to watch.

Winner of the Film4Climate competition organized by the Connect4Climate Program of the World Bank