True You

What would it be like to give up who you or others think you are?  To disassociate yourself from all the parameters you define yourself by, the degrees, achievements and accomplishments you have accumulated over the years, all the things you have done, the story you have built around yourself?

What would be left?  Or, better said: who are you when you are not defined by your story?  How would you describe yourself?  Who are you at the core?  Who is the true you?

Then, from that new perspective, look at your world.  What do you see?

Spring

Spring is here.  The trees are budding and somehow you can feel that the thick of winter is over.  It struck me today how we make New Year's resolutions and was wondering why not make New Season resolutions, commitments that are in harmony with the changing of the season?  

Every season has its own beauty.  Spring is all about the new, the coming back alive, waking up from a slumber, being outdoors, breathing fresh air and sniffing spring flowers.  Animals come out of hibernation and food becomes more abundant again.  Vibrant colors start popping up everywhere.  All senses come back to life.

Maybe this spring you may want to work on expanding your senses?  Spending more time in Nature? Coming out of your slumber? Choosing more vibrant colors?  Eating fresher, less processed food? Etc.  What do you think?

Personal Space

Do you have a special place in your home that is your own?  A place where you can just be, meditate, pray?  A place you go to for a little peace of mind, R&R?  If you don't, I highly recommend it.

It doesn't need to be a whole room.  It can be as simple as a corner and as elaborate as a room or more.  I have a small bookshelf that also serves as a table.  On the shelf I keep self-help/spiritual books that are meaningful to me and on the top I have placed items that have personal/spiritual meaning to me.  Next to it is a chair that I sit in when I meditate or pray, or simply breathe and rest.

This is my "special" place where I recharge my battery, a physical place that feels "sacred" to me and where I am surrounded by good energy.  When you have special place that is yours, you are physically reminded to take breaks and to seek your center.  Over time you will be able to achieve this centered space faster and that the energy vibrates higher in that location.  You will find over time too that just looking at the place will be soothing and peaceful to you.  :)

Handing Over Responsibility

How do you help your children take more responsibility? There probably are a millions answers to this question, that can probably best be summarized like this: With a lot of trial & error and patience!  :)

However, I do want to share one little tip that has really been working for our family (it is the first time we have tried this).  We have been in a new city every day for the last 4 days.  We challenged the kids to find a local, non chain restaurant every night.  They were game and started by consulting the Internet, then each other and finally told us where we were going.

The results have been awesome!  Every night has been a unique, delectable, memorable experience.  Somehow they managed to find very diverse, fun, yummy places to eat at, that we usually would have never gone to.  Three of them looked like holes in the wall...  One had super delicious pizza, even if it was only take out.  The second turned out to be quite upscale with tapas from all over the world and the third was a great burger joint where you could choose from 5 different types of potatoes (yes, we are in Idaho!), bison vs. beef, exotic side dishes and 10 different sauces (my favorite!).  The fourth restaurant was great too.

The lesson: get your kids involved and be open to change.  :)  Have FUN!!!

Set Your Intentions

What are your first thoughts in the morning when you wake up?  Are they ruled by what you think your day will be like?  Are they full of your 'to do list'?  Are you already planning before you get out of bed?

What about starting your day first with a deep cleansing breath, followed by a positive intention for your whole day like: "Today is my day.  Things will go my way."  Choose your own words.  Instead of being ruled by "everyday life" become the ruler of your day. 

Energy will follow.  It is at your command. You start creating your day the minute you get up.  Your thoughts are energy and energy movers.  Make them count for you and see what happens.  :)

When To Help...

Have you ever experienced trying to help someone, without avail?  Though you may mean well, jumping in and helping someone is not always the best thing to do. 

Here are some general guidelines I have learned to follow prior to trying to rescue everyone in need that might be of use to you too:

1. Does the person want to be helped?  During the CPR certification I took last month we were taught that  before you help anyone you need to ask them first if they want to be helped.  That fully applies to all situations, not just to physical ailments.

2. Is the person open/willing to change?  Don't assume that because a person is "miserable" that they want to change.  People are often invested in their misery and they do get something out of creating these types of situations (e.g. sympathy and compassion).

3. Be sure you are doing it for the right reasons too.  Saving someone else may make you feel good, like you are needed and useful, but it gives you a skewed view of the situation and will make you less effective in being able to truly help.  It is best to be in a place of complete unconditional love to help others.  :)

Laughter

What makes people gel and be in harmony together? Nothing works faster than laughter!  It is infectious, bubbly, freeing, calming and releases negative energy.  It is wonderful bonding energy.  :)