Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Speaking into our lives


Do you speak of what you desire in your life? Move from what you want to avoid to what you want. How do you use the power of your tongue, everyday? Speak these words to loving members of your community who unconditionally support you. Use affirmations, mantras, journal, whatever methods speak into your life.

Improving your outlook on life can start with the words you use, everyday. What do you say to yourself when you wake up in the morning? Do you have any rituals for brightening up your day? Is your attitude usually positive?

Your attitude matters and so do your words. The power of the words, I am is a great place to start. I often start my day with the I am ______ mantra. I fill in the blank with what feeling I desire for the day. You can fake it until you make it. Try it out! Speak into your existence. Speak of what you hope for and focus on it. Speak it in your mind, body, spirit and soul.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Spring Forward


Spring is an exciting time to spring forward. What it is about seeing more of the sun and warmer temperatures that put everyone in a better, motivated mood? There is a relief about not having to protect ourselves from the brutal winter weather by being cooped up in warm indoor places. Although it is a fact in the northeast, that there are four seasons, I am not sure whether the transitions are any easier. I am thankful that winter is for reflection and that spring is about the growth of light. We spring forward our clocks and let the light be with us longer.

Easter is a celebration connected with springtime. What stands out about Easter is all the bright colors that come with the celebration. Spring is such a vibrant season. Flowers appear of all shapes, shades and sizes. More outdoor activities get on the calendar. It is easier to enjoy the outdoors because we are not shielding ourselves from freezing temperatures.

All transitions are opportunities. Spring is a time to start fresh and write new goals. It is an opportune time to revamp any experienced delays. A lot of us look forward to spring. More light means we have a better attitude and feel better about ourselves. Phrases like, “spring cleaning” and spring cleansings spring up. The motivation we wish we had during the winter seems to appear, probably because we are more willing to be out and about.

As the old saying goes out with the old and in with the new. With that, I am grateful for winter and certainly have been making room for spring and to spring forward. Some transitions are universal.

Let’s be reminded that the Goddess Ostara offers, “springtime is any time when the light increases within your mind and entire system.” This is a great time to start new projects and give birth to new conditions. Call upon her when you need more light in your life. We all are stars and should be shining all the time. Happy Spring, everyone! Let’s learn to shine in darkness and in light.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Religion and Spirituality


The cultural influence of avoiding religion as a topic of causal conversation is driven by fear and knowing the power religion has not only on individuals but countries. Religion is such a huge influence in everyday life. It has been nice to see the transition of how there are increasingly conversations about the commonalities and differences between being religious and being spiritual You can be spiritual and religious. You can be spiritual despite religion and you can be religious regardless of spirituality. It sounds confusing.

It's an individual choice. Although I grew up in religion mainly due to my Latinidad, I identify as simply spiritual. I have come to realize that my religion is kindness. I would go further to say that my spirituality is deeply influenced by all the religions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Buddhism. The list can go on and on as there are countless religions. I have taken on a lot of the fundamental beliefs, not the practices. Beliefs of compassion like the golden rule, which asks you to treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. Beliefs like being present, oneness and taking responsibility for actions.

Some would agree that spirituality is born in a person and develops in the person. It may be initiated by religion like it was for me or you may seek out religion because of your spirituality. Others say that true spirituality is something that is found deep within oneself. It is a way of loving, accepting and relating to others and the world. Religion is about a specific system of beliefs and rituals that assist with a person's relationship with God. Spirituality is about beliefs and practices that speak to your spirit.

I believe in exploring my inner knowings. In a TIME article by Rabbi David Wolpe, he describes spirituality as, "having feeling, some intuition of something greater, but feel allergic to institutions." Whether you're religious, spiritual and/or both, the important element is choosing to be grounded in beliefs and practices that motivate and inspire you to live the life you want. Life can be unexpected, unruly and overwhelming so choose beliefs that can help you move through the tough and the good times. Beliefs, values and principals that allow you to reflect, grow and comfort you.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Sit with it


I often get asked about sitting through hard emotions. What do you do when sadness hits you hard or when even anger feels overwhelming? Because as a society we are taught to bury emotions/feelings, we do not know how to embrace negative and/or positive feelings. We must learn to listen to our bodies and what these feelings are trying to tell us.

The first step is to let yourself feel. Again, because we are taught to overlook our feelings, we don't even let ourselves feel. Numbness becomes a regular body state because our priorities are on outward outcomes. Perhaps it is time to start working from the inside out as opposed to the outside in. I say, get to know your feelings, what do you feel when happy, sad, or mad?

What feelings do you want to feel? Last year I meditated on love for a month and felt like I was more welcoming, more kind and more open. Once you get in the habit of feeling particularly good feelings you embrace them easily. Now when your feelings and emotions come over you, you can recognize it and make room to feel them. When they are not the best emotions and feelings you want to feel, sitting with them means you are releasing these emotions in the best way you can. This could mean you need to silently scream in a bathroom stall until you get home from work or it may mean that you need to take a long lunch break and cry.

Physically, it is about letting these emotions bubble up and over. It is also about finding healthy ways to let them leave your body. Going for a run might help, or getting to that zumba class. Emotionally, exploring why this is happening now and what may have initiated such strong feelings may help you the next time strong feelings come on.

The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte offers a way to transform emotions. She goes on to say, "Feelings are how you perceive life. Perception informs how you live." Her strategy is to set intentions according to what you desire to feel. For me, when you focus on good feelings you can't go wrong.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Favorite lessons from the Four Agreements


"Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future."-Deepak Chopra

The Four Agreements has been a sanity touchstone for me. The book and principals of the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz model simple living. The Four Agreements has guided me in my growth and has been the seed to most of my blossoming beliefs. I use the four agreements as ground rules for different groups I work with. I also reflect on them from time to time and still learn so much from these ideas.

In keeping my word, I have become more confident in my yes's and no's.. With that I set more realistic goals for myself. I also have become increasingly reliable being that if I make a commitment, it is with 100% effort. As a writer, I continue to play with words and always ask what is my intention behind them. Words have energy and I do my best to "do unto others, as you would like done unto you."

In avoiding assumptions, I like to ask clarifying questions to be thorough and to avoid any misunderstandings. It is important to learn and know what you need and want. Others can not read your mind nor do they want to. Everyone understands situations and conversations differently as we are all unique individuals. The more questions you ask, the more likely some common understanding will be established. Why guess what people are thinking, when we can simply ask. On the other side, I have also learned to make requests for what I need.

When I don't take things personally, I focus on the bigger picture and know that life goes beyond just me. I have avoided so much pain and suffering from living this principal day to day. I have come to understand when others criticize me and try to put their actions on me, that in fact it is about their experience and how they see themselves in the world. We are responsible for ourselves, not anyone else. I am the only person responsible for my feelings and the only person responsible for the decisions I make just like no is a complete sentence.

In doing my best, knowing that I tried whether I succeed or fail, makes all the difference. Your best will look different under changing circumstances. You do better when you’re well and emotionally level. If you know who you are, you know when you are doing your best and when you can give more. In living simply, doing your best not only yields better results, it makes you feel good. I sleep well at night knowing that I give 100% and also knowing that my 100% will look different tomorrow.