Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Live With Intention

I've had this poem by Mary Anne Radmacher for probably 8 years now. I just love it! It's currently "living" on the side of my refrigerator. And for months now it's been calling me to post it here and expound on it. So... here goes..... (her words are in green)

Live with intention.

Do you have a mission statement for your life? What are YOU about? What's important to you? What makes you "tick"? What is your purpose here?

Walk to the edge.

Be willing to take risks and to step outside of your comfort zone. Stretch yourself. Dare to develop your talents, skills, and abilities to their fullest.

Listen hard.

When you talk to someone, really listen - deeply - to what is being said. Listen to what's NOT being said. What is their body language saying? Listen for the feeling underneath the words. What's being said in the silences?

Laugh.

Lighten up! Don't take things so seriously. Stuff happens. If you don't like it, use your energy to change it instead of complain about it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Find SOMEthing positive about it. Do whatever it takes to find joy in your life.

Practice wellness.

Take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritual. Give yourself what you need to be your best self. Don't give yourself away until there's no you left. If you're going through a rough time, be gentle with yourself. Don't wallow in self-judgment or self-pitty. Do what you can with what you've got. Give yourself what you need to bet better.

Play with abandon.

Fully engage in whatever you are doing - without inhibition or restraint. GO for it! Let yourself loose! You ARE the lead player in your life.

Continue to learn.

Keep your mind open. Be willing to think outside the box. Examine each of your beliefs periodically to see if it's still something you "believe" or if it's just a thought habit. Does it serve you now and enable you to succeed in life, or does it limit you? Be willing to learn - expand yourself - on all levels, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.

Appreciate your friends.

Friends are gifts from God. Don't take them for granted. Tell them how much they mean to you. Cherish the time you spend together. If you haven't spoken to an old friend for awhile, call them to say hello and catch up. Don't wait until it's too late.

Choose with no regret.

When you make a choice, MAKE IT. Don't be wishy-washy about it. Decide with your whole heart, mind, and soul. Then don't look back.

Do what you love.

Life is too short to put off doing things that fill your heart with joy. Don't let excuses stand in your way. "Some day" is today. Listen to your heart. Find a way to be involved in doing that thing you love doing.

Live as if this is all there is.

Right now, in this moment, this IS all there is. Make the most of it. Appreciate it. Wherever you are, be fully present - in mind, body, spirit. Don't let life pass you by.

Mary Anne Radmacher... author, artist, and inspirator... has been writing since she was a young lass. Her commitment is to writing that reflects the passion and possibility treasured in every day. Her writings are inspirational and are partnered with original and handcrafted art. www.maryanneradmacher.com www.facebook.com/maradmacher

Here's to continuing the Journey.... Living with intention every day, in everything we do.

-Becky

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Soul Song for the Ocean - a response to the Gulf Oil Spill

There's been a lot of finger-pointing and blaming and complaining about this oil spill. And yes, choices were made that did not have pleasant results.... and that were perhaps beneficial (in the moment) to some, and not beneficial to others.

However, blaming doesn't solve the issue. Neither does judging or complaining.I've been searching for the right way to respond to my readers on the Gulf Coast Oil Spill issue, and was inspired with the idea of creatintg a Soul Song fo the Ocean.

I've always been in favor of "going through the back door" as I call it, or "killing them with kindness" some people would say.

In other words, in this situation, send love - unconditional love - to the Earth, to the Oceans, to the families involved in the tragedy, and yes, even to the ones who made decisions that led to all this.

Sending the energy of Love will do more good than sending the energy of hate - which is what we're doing when we criticize, judge, blame, complain.

Yesterday morning, as I sat down to play it, I asked, "What do you have to say? What is your message? What is the Truth?"

From the music, here is what I got...

It's up to you.
Open your heart.
Open your vision.
Speak from your heart.
Come home - back to love.
Have compassion for yourself, for others, for the Earth.
Let go of everything in your life that is not based on Love - on Unconditional Love.
Let your thoughts, words, and actions reflect this Love.
Keep your vision connected to your heart.
We are all connected.
It's up to you.

Here is the link to listen to the music: (accompanying visualization exercise is below)


MP3 File

Visualization Exercise while listening:
  • As you listen to the music, visualize healing energy going from your heart to the Gulf Coast and to all the people directly affected by the oil spill.
  • Visualize healing energy swirling through the ocean, clearing the toxins and helping to restore ecological balance.
  • See healing energy circling the Earth and all it's inhabitants, healing us of the toxins that still lie in our hearts and minds.
  • Send prayers of healing and clarity to those in charge of making decisions that will affect the outcome of this.
  • Ask that the Highest Good for all concerned be done.
Here's to continuing the Journey.... sending the energy of Love in all we do, say, and think....

-Becky

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Where there's a will, there's a way

Think you've got it hard? Watch Barb find creative ways to overcome her obstacles. She gives new meaning to "where there's a will, there's a way."



You may not be able to always choose what "cards" you're dealt. But what you DO with them is totally up to you.

Take some time to reflect on your own life....

What "obstacles" are you allowing to slow you down, get in your way, or even stop you from having, doing, or being all that you desire?

It all comes down to one question, really. Would you rather feel defeated or empowered?

Where there's a will, there IS a way.

Always.

Here's to continuing the Journey... choosing empowerment over defeat... finding creative ways to overcome life's obstacles.

-Becky

P.S. Thanks to Vicki, friend and subscriber, for turning me on to this video!

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Tell Me Why - Tribute Continued

Continuing the Tribute from Memorial Day....... The 2nd video, "Tell Me Why".....
(please watch the video 1st, then read comments following- will make more sense)



The answer to "why" lies with each of us.
As we go about our day at work, at school, at home.... in each moment we have a choice....
  • to love... or to hate?
  • to bless... or to curse?
  •  to give... or to take?
  • to trust... or to worry?
  • to be kind.... or to be mean?
  • to pass judgment... or to forgive?
  • to keep holding that grudge.... or to let it go?
  • to stay in peace... or to get caught up in fear?
And when we choose one choice over the other, we are acting on our heart's answer to "why".
A world where people live in peace will be possible when WE - you and I - choose all of our actions, thoughts, and words from a place of peace, not war.

What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments.
Here's to continuing the Journey.... choosing peace in every moment.
-Becky