Daily Affirmation

 The Earth is Eden. If we only give back to her as she has done for us, we will know peace and security and love. This is our heaven if only we treat it like it is. 

 Look ma the sun is shining on me
Taking my time to do as I please
Could you believe in heaven
If heaven was all you had
The sun is beaming, radiating
All the love we are creating

--Smashing Pumpkins

 Dr. Wayne Dyer

 Practice the Power of Intention
The power of intention is the power of love and receptivity. It asks nothing of anyone, it judges no one, and it encourages others to be free to be themselves. Remember: You were intended out of love, so you must be love in order to intend.

Poems from the Past

Found some of my old poetry, going back about three years. Figured I'd share it on my spiritual blog because I really like finding my own spiritualism come through in an old poem. I can learn something I wrote about myself three years ago, and it'll affect me in a whole new way than it did when I first wrote it. That is what is remarkable about consciousness ;)

Shuddering, she throws the window closed
As paranoia swings from the tree outside
It won't be sleeping next to her tonight
Under covers she won't hide.

While the world spins randomly around
She's taking in the scenery
Covered in sugar-coated mundane thoughts
Wondering who she ought to be.

Wondering who she ought to be.

-------------------

I lay here, exhausted

Awaiting the sandman to make his rounds

He does not haunt me, but lingers near
Keeping me from drifting off.

So I lay, satisfied
The day is done and the sun is dreaming
Starry skies bring forth questions and yearnings
But I never know the answer.

Which way, is the right way?
I once rhymed years ago and I thought I knew
The path less traveled, it's obvious
So why can't I pick up my feet?

Day to day, I wonder
Where my heart and mind are leading me
I seem to walk around aimlessly
My heart and mind tend to argue.

Rash decisions, dangerous
But maybe just once, it is something I need.
Robert Frost, said it best
If I listen, it could make a difference

if you could run away
if you could find a place
to bury sorrows permanently
to live in peace for eternity
where no one talks down to you
where everyone tells the truth
we'd all be different and the same
no outcasts no racial names
to have tears only flow joyfully
to have blood only spilled for the needy
help our neighbors like our brothers
love our kids, respect our mothers
if you could find a piece of eden
if you ran away to be forgiven
if this hope was untouched and new
could you take me with you?

------------------------------------------

The crescent moon lights up the purple sky

As she stands on the side of the road choking on cries

There's vomit on the sidewalk and tear stains on her shirt
She hides it all until it comes down to this with no comfort
Where she was heading home from isn't the concern on her mind
It's the way she's been treated and ignored while she's waiting for her time
She questions allowed "What do I want?" and "Where am I going?"
The answers cannot be found tonight, and she drives away not knowing.

Tears still form behind her eyes, but she's gained some composure
She'll crawl in bed tonight at home thankful for the day is over
Inside she's strong and fearless, and she'd never let them see
The way she cried outloud tonight showing no mercy
She's got to carry on if she's going to make it in this world
And while it seems so hard especially being a nineteen year old girl
She'll make it through, she's fallen before and always been okay
Happiness stares at her, but it's just out of her arms way
She'll crawl that mountain more than once to gain an inch or two
And greet each morning fresh, beginning again anew.

Spiritual Growth

Just a short list of what God is to me

God is

The sunshine streaming in my windows

The shade of a tall tree of pine

The chilly breeze on an autumn day

The humidity in the month of August

The waves crashing along the shorelines

The raindrops thundering on the rooftops

Pretty shiny things, and dusty forgotten junk

Every vibration, every dream, every moment

Every thought, every intention, every action

The tired mind and the busy bee

God is

Anything and everything you want Him to be

Everything that flows through you is Oneness energy

You Are Only In Control of 1 Person: YOU!

A wise man recently told me that I need to start opening up more about how I feel about things. I shouldn't let fear of what people think squash my ability to stand up for my beliefs and tell them to the world, even if the whole world thinks I'm crazy.

I always strive to tell the truth, but I have found out that I have a great deal of difficulty being honest about my feelings, not just with other people, but with myself as well. Sometimes the truth really hurts, and sometimes it may get taken personally, or someone may be offended by what I say. The important thing I have to remember is to say it from a place of loving. If it comes from a place of love, for oneself and/or others, and it isn't meant to cause harm but only bring truth, it is something to aim for. I just have to remember that not everyone "thinks" the same way I do. Experiences and beliefs take us each down our own path in life. Ultimately we are all on the same path, but every individual walks that path alone, experiencing things from their own personal perspective.

Some things that have gotten in the way of me being honest about my feelings:
1. I know what I am saying is most likely going to upset the other person
2. I know what I am saying is most likely going to anger the other person

The bottom line? I am only in control of one person: Me. I am responsible for my thoughts, intentions, actions, etc... and taking care of this body that I am very much a part of. But I am not in control of others. I can't control if they turn to sadness or anger by the words I say. My intentions behind them are only to bring about truth and understanding. Sometimes people get upset because they were hoping I will say what they want to hear. By not hearing the words they were "expecting," my words brought them suffering. Sometimes people get angry because what I am saying is something they believe too, somewhere deep down. But in their current state of mind, controlled by their ego, they don't want to hear the truth, so they become angry with my words, suffering  yet again.

This has caused me much pain for many years. I have often held my tongue to prevent others from having to suffer. But it causes me to suffer, and therefore I am not really helping anyone. By standing up for what I believe in my heart, and speaking from a place of love, I can accept myself a lot more when those people get upset with me. I have learned that it isn't really me who is upsetting them, but themselves. As long as I speak from a place of truth, love, and non-harming, I am taking care of myself so I can be better to help others. I will always remain sorry, though, that my words did bring about suffering, even if the suffering was out of my control.

"Enjoy your "self". Right here, right now. If you don't, why would anyone else?"

“Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.” Alan Watts 

  

"If we are not aware that we are happy, we are not really happy. When we have a toothache, we know that not having a toothache is a wonderful thing. But when we do not have a toothache, we are still not happy. A non-toothache is very pleasant. There are so many things that are enjoyable, but unless we practice mindfulness and learn to cherish these things, then we don't appreciate them."  Thich Nhat Hanh

 "To my mind, the idea that doing the dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you are not doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in warm water, it really is not so bad. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I hurry in order to go and have a cup of tea, the time will be unpleasant and not worth living. That would be a pity, for each minute, each second of life is a miracle. The dishes themselves and the fact that I am here washing them are miracles! Washing the dishes is at the same time a means and an end that is, not only do we do the dishes in order to have clean dishes, we also do the dishes just to do the dishes, to live fully in each moment while washing them."  Thich Nhat Hanh

 “If you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you haven't done much today.”

"We seem to be going through a period of nostalgia, and everyone seems to think yesterday was better than today. I don't think it was, and I would advise you not to wait ten years before admitting today was great. If you're hung up on nostalgia, pretend today is yesterday and just go out and have one hell of a time." Art Buchwald

"Every morning is a fresh beginning. Every day is the world made new. Today is a new day. Today is my world made new. I have lived all my life up to this moment, to come to this day. This moment--this day--is as good as any moment in all eternity. I shall make of this day--each moment of this day--a heaven on earth. This is my day of opportunity."  Dan Custer

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon - instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."  Dale Carnegie

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”  Dalai Lama

 “As soon as we wish to be happier, we are no longer happy.”  Walter Landor

“Realize that this very body, with its aches and it pleasures… is exactly what we need to be fully human, fully awake, fully alive.” Pema Chodron

"As long as we have practiced neither concentration nor mindfulness, the ego takes itself for granted and remains its usual normal size, as big as the people around one will allow." Ayya Khema

"Don’t worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Robert Thurman

Today's Motto: Be Happy!!!

The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now!! Be here, be happy, NOW!!! :)

Even in your darkest hour, the light is still shining on you. Have faith that no matter how bad things seem, and no matter for how long things seem bad, that there is always good present with it if you look hard enough. Peace is every step. Drop by drop the jug is filled. Don't let your problems overwhelm you. Face them one at a time, step by step. Remember that YOU control how happy you are, and if others put you down or lose belief in you, you are a child of God, the Spirit, and you are always loved. Don't worry... be happy :) 

Today is About Growth

Today is about growth. Personal, spiritual, growth. I need to focus on myself, seeing every moment as a moment to grow consciously with love, wisdom, and light. It is okay to be me. It is okay to feel the things I feel, to do the things I do, to be who I am at this very moment. It's okay. I am a human, I am a spirit. I am not perfect, I am not static. I change from moment to moment, and my only hope is that with each change that comes, I grow and learn more about myself, and I learn to love myself and every part of the universe.

We are all more connected than we realize. From the clerk at the grocery store, to the homeless man on the street, from Obama to Osama, from Mother Teresa to Hitler, we are all connected. From horsefly to elephant, from mineral to planet, we are all connected. I'm going to quote Pocahontas today, from the Disney movie, hehe. She makes some good points though. Let's learn to love and grow and connect, with every single moment we can. 

Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest
Come taste the sunsweet berries of the Earth
Come roll in all the riches all around you
And for once, never wonder what they're worth

The rainstorm and the river are my brothers
The heron and the otter are my friends
And we are all connected to each other
In a circle, in a hoop that never ends