INSPIRATION – Page 4

As the end of the year approaches it’s time to think about ‘resolutions’ for the new year. It’s also the time to take notice and celebrate your achievements from the last 12 months. Yes, I know it was a challenging year for many but now it’s time to take stock of the successes we’ve had and let go of the failure. Do a little “year in review” for yourself and acknowledge all you’ve been through.

2013 was an awakening year and when one awakens or becomes conscious to a new level it is always disturbing. Why? Because when you awaken you start to see the truth and it will surely hit you right between the eyes that at some level you played a part in all of it. Now this is not the time to feel guilty or beat yourself up. You evolved and grew. There were things that happened that indeed made you stronger. You got through it and now it is time to let it go, move on and resolve to evolve even more!

Living Mind-fully

What are your resolutions for the coming year? Many people make “body” resolutions like losing weight, quitting smoking or being more active. These resolutions are great AND very beneficial for your good health. Have you considered making resolutions to grow and change your spirit as well? Your spiritual resolutions are equally important. Living a mindful life is you creating change from the inside out. It is you taking charge of your journey. Your resolutions could include a daily meditation practice, daily prayer, following your dreams, expanding inner calm & peace, being more loving and living life from non judgement with awareness.

The moment you decide to live mind-fully you begin the process of creating change. As you expand your inner world and find the answers which lie within you begin to live from your own truth. Spiritual resolutions bring you back to your spiritual self and knowing who you are. They also help you with the other resolutions because as your attention turns within you are less affected by other energies that constantly pull you away from what you really want!

Keep in mind that New Year’s resolutions often fizzle quickly and I’ve listed a few reasons why this happens. I’ve also listed positive steps you can take so yours don’t fizzle this year.

There was no plan for taking the necessary steps to reach the goal. Make a plan! If you want to lose weight for instance, what needs to happen for you to do it?
The goal wasn’t realistic and within your control. Be realistic! Make sure it’s a good fit for your life and it’s in your control. If it’s out of your control and not a good fit you probably will give up on it.
The expectation was it would happen over night. Start slowly! If you resolve to meditate each day start with 5 or 10 minutes. If you’ve never meditated you are not going to be able to miraculously sit down and quiet your mind for an hour a day.
Impatience & punishment for perceived failure. Patience and forgiveness are the keys for successfully achieving your resolutions. If you stumble forgive yourself and be patient. Get right back up and try again!
Maybe it’s not YOUR resolution. Turn your attention inward and make sure that your resolution is something YOU want and not based on a picture or concept of someone else’s.

Evolution, which includes growth & healing, is a gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually better form. Spiritually there is no time or space but it does take time to manifest in the physical. To begin the process it’s a good idea to do a little review. What were your new year’s resolutions from last year? What manifested? Where were you successful? What inspired you? In order to know where you’re going, you need to know where you’ve been! Turn your attention within to reflect upon what worked, what didn’t, the dreams that manifested, the changes you’ve made and how far you’ve come in the last year.

Celebrate and honor your successes from last year!

Positive change must be grounded by a strong foundation and your successes ARE that foundation. Building on what you already have achieved instead of betting your success on the unknown starts that positive change, well, POSITIVELY. 🙂 When you know you are and have been successful in the past you trust yourself and there will be no doubts about your ability to do, have or create something NEW in the future.

Come on! What are you waiting for? Build your foundation for the future! Resolve to evolve in 2014! Make caring for mind, body, spirit and soul a priority by resolving to evolve!~Shine Your Light Debbie

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‘Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”~Leo Buscaglia

As we journey through life there are times when seemingly insignificant acts become significant life changers.These life changers are not always found in the “big” things we do but the small random acts that brighten the night, cause big smiles and bring joy to our hearts.

I experienced several of these moments last night and wanted to share so you too can be the cause of an ear to ear smile. It might surprise you to know that the cause of these light up the night smiles were caused by a simple candy cane…or maybe it was something else!

On the way to teach my last meditation workshop of the year I decided to stop and pick up some candy canes to give to those attending. Little did I know that what started out as a simple “it might be nice to give out candy canes” thought would turn into smiles, happiness and joy not only for those who attended to the workshop (myself included) but for everyone I came in contact with.

The Joyful HELLO!

Before the workshop I arranged the chairs and set the energy then placed a chocolate mint candy cane on everyone’s chair. A small gesture to be sure but the result was bigger than originally intended. As everyone entered to take their seats they stopped for a moment and looked at the candy cane. A few asked “is this for me?” A few giggled and said “OOOOO a candy cane!” Regardless of anything they ‘said’ ALL of them smiled from ear to ear. The heavy, palpable energy in the room lifted immediately. A little piece of holiday candy turned into a big HELLO to spirit!

After the workshop I had almost a full box of candy canes left over (of course I bought too many. God forbid someone arrived and didn’t get one. I thank my mother’s programming for this.) and since I didn’t trust myself to bring them all home and not eat them in one sitting, I decided to give them to everyone I came in contact with on the way home.

The girls at the Yoga center, the cab driver, my doorman. In my mind it was simply giving away candy BUT it was much more! As I handed them out with a smile, it caused the people to stop the thoughts running through their head, be in the present, get a hello AND then it caused them to light up with a smile. With this small gift they immediately became HAPPY which in turn made me happy! I acknowledged another human being with a smile and a candy cane and didn’t just pass them by lost in my own thoughts.

All too often there is a sense of feeling anonymous or invisible in this world. We all want our presence acknowledged but have gotten so used to being a part of the crowd and lost in our own thoughts we sometimes don’t take the time to acknowledge the presence of those around us.

A “hello” to spirit creates a healing for the person who receives it for it recognizes their presence. What’s interesting is that when someone smiles, you can actually see them coming back to themselves. If you don’t believe me try looking into someone’s eyes, smile and say hello just to see what happens.

“Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.”~Paramahansa Yogananda

So I ask you, was it the chocolate mint candy canes or was it a “hello” that caused people to light up and smile? Whichever it was, I’m going back to the store and buying more of those candy canes to hand out! If you don’t have the means to buy and give out candy canes, get out there give out smiles and hellos. You may brighten a sad heart AND the act of giving brings happiness to your soul.~Shine Your Light Debbie

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