September 18, 2016

SCREAMING OVER PRICE

We should make all spiritual talk simple today.

God is trying to sell you something that you don’t want to buy.

That is what your suffering is:
your fantastic haggling
your manic screaming
over
price.

-Hafiz

I originally posted this quote as a free standing post. I love Hafiz and I think his poetry holds its own. But I saw it again on the website today and really wanted to add commentary because I think what he’s saying is so important.

When I read this poem, I think of the things that we say we want. We say we want freedom, but we don’t want to give up the car. We say we want peace, but we keep the toxic person in our lives. We say we want love, but we don’t want to give it.

I believe that God makes a way for us to get exactly what we want. But it may not be in the form we want. We cannot expect to have a new life when we continue to hold on to old things. The reality is that our attachment to things that cause suffering can feel comfortable. We become comfortable in our suffering. It is familiar and we imagine that life without those things or those people will be worse. We think we will be immobile without the car or lonely without the person.

Of course, with perspective, we can figure out other solutions. But in the moment of the decision, the price seems too high. We think the price will take our freedom and security. We’re not really ready to give up everything.

But an amazing thing happens when you let go. Freedom feels a million times better than leather seats, new clothes, and a broken heart. Suffering is a decision. 

Even in death, we have to realize that God didn’t promise eternal life in this form. In a way, the price of life is death. We cannot avoid it and we cannot negotiate our way out of it. If we recognize life as a gift meant to be enjoyed, we stop trying to hedge our bets. We stop delaying and postponing…and we start really living.

So, instead, recognize that the price to end your suffering will always involve letting go. Let go of your attachment to things, people, and even ideas. Let go of false beliefs that you will be able to get something for free. See the lesson in every experience and the gift in every day. Take the bold step to live your dreams in reality. What are you waiting for?

If we live life fully, death then becomes the final let go of our physical form. It becomes the final piece we strip away to achieve freedom in the spirit realm. And maybe we find that the peace there was worth letting go of everything we thought that made us who we are.

Namaste ;)

Photo source: Death Valley

September 18, 2016

WHY ASK WHY?

This morning I was contemplating the folly of asking why. Since I wrote a book of questions (Meditative Questions), I decided to check my book to see how many questions I had asking why. I found only two (both on page 41) asking why you want what you think you want. I can’t argue with those ;)

The reason I think asking why is frivolous is because it usually involves wondering why something has happened. Or why someone has done what they have done. It’s focused on the past. It relegates you to detective…trying to piece together a mystery.

But the reality is that the why usually doesn’t even matter. It’s a distraction that gets you trapped in a cycle of unproductive thought. And it usually doesn’t help you move forward. (A notable exception is if you use the lessons learned from the why to make different decisions in the future.)

So ok, how about an example? Let’s say you figure out why someone has wronged you. Does knowing why change the wrong that was done? Does it help you feel better about why the person wronged you? Doubtful. Does it give you real closure? Maybe (unless you see it for the excuse that it probably is; however, they probably don’t know why they did it either). But could you have gotten that closure on your own by deciding to move on for you?  Yes.

Every puzzle doesn’t need to be solved. And every past decision doesn’t need to be analyzed. Your peace and happiness are worth more. Trust your intuition and be brave enough to move on without the receipts that you think you need. By the time you get the proof that confirms what you felt, you’ve probably wasted more time and energy and allowed the situation (you don’t really want) to grow.

And you will get to a place where you find that nothing is worth your peace. Let it all go.

 

Photo source: At Piece

 

September 17, 2016

UPS AND DOWNS

While out mountain biking today in Cabo Verde, it’s impossible not to think of ups and downs while powering up some incredibly steep inclines and coasting down some equally steep hills (the fun part!!).

Is it more fun to coast down the hill because of the work put in to climb up? I don’t know for sure. But I know that life is this way. Often we feel like we’ve been climbing forever. And then we hit the top of the hill and get to glide. Do you enjoy the glide or do you use that time to figure out how you are going to get up the next hill?

Sometimes it only requires a change of perception to realize we are already where we want to be. And that we already have all we need.

The ups and downs do make things interesting. They strengthen us and allow us to experience the feeling of freedom. But if you hold on to the feeling of struggle while coasting, the flavor of the experience will be entirely different.

How you choose to experience the journey is always up to you. I always say choose freedom…which always requires letting go. ;)

 

September 17, 2016

NEW LIFE

Before leaving for my month long trip to Thailand for Muay Thai training, I was inspired to do so by one picture (below). For you see, I was having a really bad day…followed by a sleepless night…and I knew I had to do some things differently. The discomfort was because I needed to let go, and that can be hard because sometimes we fight to hold on to what is familiar. I had to break the pattern of my life. I had to give myself new life.

80994

When I saw this picture, I saw someone fighting through their circumstances…literally and figuratively. Though I’d trained a bit in Muay Thai while living in LA, it had been a while. I didn’t care though. I had a new mission and decided I’d go to Koh Samui…the island I didn’t have time to visit when I was in Thailand in 2010. Before giving it much thought, I was reserving a space at the Lamai Muay Thai Camp. A week later I was there!

Traveling to Thailand from Cape Verde is a much longer trip than from LA. I literally had to cross all of Africa and all of Europe. It took a couple of days to get there. Unfortunately I caved and ate some plane food on the long trip from Paris to Singapore and ended up sick for a couple of days when I got there. (I wish airlines would just sell snacks instead of the preservative filled meals.)

While at the Lamai Camp, I had an awesome trainer I worked with 1:1 (thanks Joe!). I was also fortunate enough to meet some really amazing people along the way. Most of us seemed to be in transition, and I think the camp represented a turning point for us. We were all getting closer to figuring out our next moves. But the beautiful part of the camp is that it made us all very present. Our daily lives were centered around the training.

Another incredible thing happened while I was away a camp…three of my closest friends had their children! I became Auntie three times over to Siham, Paheli, and Makoa! I was fortunate to see the mothers (and fathers) of these now beautiful children in June when they were all pregnant. How amazing that this new life should all arrive at this time.

As I write this by the side of the ocean in Cape Verde, I marvel at how quickly life can change. Though I was only away one month, I returned feeling like a new person in a familiar place. Everything was the same and nothing was the same.

image

Shaking up your life requires leaps of faith. You will have no idea how things are going to turn out, but you have to go for it. Whether inspiration hits you from a photo or a film, you have to go with it. Don’t think too much about it…just do it.  Your life will be richer for having done so ;)

 

Life is the journey. Live it up! ;)

 

August 29, 2016

LIVE YOUR TRUTH

Living your truth means more than just being yourself. It means that regardless of criticism or praise, you remain true to you. Your beliefs shouldn’t require the agreement of others. And you also should not feel the need to have everyone agree with you. Those that agree will find you. Others will drop away without requiring any effort on your part.

 

The reality is there is nothing you could ever do that would make everyone agree with you. By living in your truth, you are able to live an authentic life for yourself — no one else. But a remarkable thing happens when you do that, you inspire others to want to live an authentic life too. Someone who sees you living your truth may be inspired to step a little outside of their comfort zone and try something that they only thought about before. This is the true magic of being you.

 

Everyone is born with unique and beautiful gifts. While society encourages conformity, the brave misfits are the creators. So don’t be afraid to create a new reality for yourself that is in beautiful alignment with who you really are. Like a caterpillar being a butterfly, rebirth awaits you ;)

 

Author note (+photo source): I am so thrilled and thankful to be writing this post from the very resort in Bali where I wrote my first book, Meditative Questions, last year! What a difference a year+ can make! I return to Bali more free and more me and I am in thankful celebration for this beautiful gift of life. I am reminded to keep moving through all that might trouble you as change is constant and a brighter and more beautiful future becomes possible with bold choices! Namaste. Love!
August 26, 2016

WATER FLOWS

Despite obstacles, water continues to flow. Rain increases its power. Because of its constant movement, water can make even the sharpest rock smooth. 

When we face challenges in life, often our first reaction is to stop everything and withdraw from everyone. We may want to stay in bed and resist facing the world. But in reality, there is power in movement. There is power in connecting with others. Separation is the biggest illusion. Consistent action will help you to achieve any goal.

If you remove the boulder, even a river will change its course.

Change is inevitable. While we can become accustomed to life going in one direction, this will not always be the case. People change, situations change, we change. As water simply adjusts to various changes, so must we.

Nature gives us all of the cues that we need to live. A living leaf connected to its life source on the tree is flexible and pliable. The dead leaf on the ground is rigid and can be easily broken into a million pieces.

Continue to flow with nature, adjust your course as needed, and be flexible with life. Embrace change and continue to move. Connection with positive forces can propel you forward at a faster rate. Just keep going ;)

 

Photo source: Falling water

August 16, 2016

CHASING FREEDOM

Writing now from Koh Samui, Thailand and reflecting on the life of a traveler. When traveling, I always meet kindred spirits…people that feel more connected to life (somehow) while on the move. From the outside looking in, it probably seems to others that we are running from something…running from life. But as I think about it, we are running to life. It’s almost like for us the freedom is in the chase. Life makes more sense from the macro-level of our global travel.

When I speak to others I meet, it seems like we’ve all tried the normal working life. We may have set up a home base somewhere and maybe some of us even have families. But after a few weeks, the road seems to be calling us. After a month, it’s hard to sit still. The regular 9-5 feels like a trap.

In the context of meditation, I feel that this sounds so strange — why can’t we find peace where we are?  I don’t think that’s it. I think we can. But the adventure is in the exploration. Life is in the movement.

I think back to earlier times in world history when it was more common for nomads to wander from place to place — though, even now, there are an estimated 30-40 million nomads in the world. These groups of people primarily follow seasonally available plants and game. These nomads may also be merchants who travel and offer their goods or services as a way of making a living. There is a familiarity in the movement of these tribes to those of us who love to travel.

But this doesn’t necessarily mean that we want to be traveling constantly. When I travel, I often reach a point where I look forward to going home and recharging. I like having a familiar place to return to. However, I meet others who have been on the road for years, living only with a backpack! Some years ago, I made a friend named Connor who had been hitch-hiking across America for over a year. He worked when he needed to and often slept in nature or in cities. He loved the freedom it provided, but talked with me about maybe buying a camper (or bus) one day to make the movement easier and shelter more accessible.

Those of us who live life this way are a bit outside of the box. Without thinking much about it, we are redefining what it means to live well. While the urge to settle down may sometimes hit us, I think it’s important for us modern-day nomads to continually challenge ourselves to build a life that supports who we really are. For I think we can only be happy when we truly feel free.

Image source: Thailand

August 9, 2016

FOR MOM

Dear Mom,

I love how you read my website and maintain connection over the time zones and oceans. I want you to know that in my blog, I channel messages I feel inspired to share. The mesages may be about something I’ve experienced (past or present) and processed through a different lens…or it could be about something I talked about with a friend or read in the paper. I share hoping that these messages will inspire others who may be going through something they need to understand.

I want you to know that your daughter is…

HAPPY like I’m eating your fresh brownies…

FREE like I felt when I jumped off of that plane that time…

SAFE like I’m hanging out with the martial arts crew after practice…

HEALTHY like I was in your favorite leaf symphony picture…

STRONG like when I was three and kicked that doctor (ha!)…

CONFIDENT like I’m about to walk on stage and take the mic…

UNBREAKABLE like I know I will always bounce back on life’s trampoline…

UNSHAKABLE because my self-worth and self-respect is BEYOND…(you taught me that!)

BOLD like I can just drop everything and pick another country to live in…

AND LOVED because I know you’re always with me and I’m surrounded by the love of our incredible family and ancestors. You know I keep Grams wrapped around my finger ;) <3

So Mom…don’t worry! I’m so, soooo good! And beyond blessed to be taking another journey to grow deeper in spirit and self. I have been given this mixed bag of life experiences so that I can gain greater empathy and understanding. But I will never be defeated. And I always make the choice to never suffer. Ain’t nobody got time for that!! ;) My mission is to keep inspiring others to life their best life. Just like you ;)

 

I LOVE YOU!

 

;)

 

 

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