Often when we think of "thriving" we think of going at the fastest pace we can in order to accomplish the most tasks. Many of us take on too many tasks, not only in the attempt to have a rounded and balanced life, but also in competition with others. We keep ourselves on a mad pace of trying to earn enough income to buy the latest gadgets and hold ourselves in a "having more is better" lifestyle. The problem that seems to arise is that we don't actually feel fulfilled with all this running around, even though we may accomplish quite a bit. For the most part we are left feeling tired and run down physically and mentally accompanied by the feeling that something is missing. Which can cause us to feel we have to add more to our already full plate in order to find that feeling of completeness and satisfaction that seems to be hanging just out of reach.
When we find ourselves living in this frantic state of grasping for happiness and contentment, searching desperately for that something that will fill the void; we need to stop-breathe, and look within. In doing so we can see that we are not living authentically. We are not living up to our spiritual needs; our purpose or path. We are short changing our ability to THRIVE. So, how do we THRIVE? To truly thrive we need to feed our soul's desires. Not our fantastical wishes-- But our true spiritual desires, our purpose or path. We work from our heart and not from our ego finding not only more contentment in life but a feeling of thriving as we participate in our soul purpose. Each of us is unique and each of us has gifts to offer the world. These gifts from the heart is where we find the feelings of genuine happiness because we are living authenticly. We are being true to our genuine nature. To truly thrive is a practice. We begin by: *Eating fresh foods and drinking plenty of clean water which keeps us hydrated and rids our bodies of toxins. This not only helps our body stay healthy but also helps balance our brain chemistry keeping us vibrant and radiant, and viewing the world with a more positive perspective. *Exercising to keep our blood circulating, our lymph system clear, our body toned and our mind sharp. *Taking regular walks in nature is important. As we reconnect with nature we are experiencing one of the most healing things we can do for our spirit, mind and body. *Engaging in mindful activities such as qigong, tai chi, yoga, and meditation can help us re-wire our brain helping with depression and bringing clarity to our days. My practice of meditation, Qigong and Reiki has shown a light on many precious gifts. I have more knowledge of how to be true to my authentic self. I am more aware of my choices in my interactions with other people. I have a clearer picture of my purpose and path and how to follow it and in doing so my soul is fed, my heart is fuller, I am more at peace with my thoughts and more patient with the challenges that arise in daily living. Each of us has special and unique gifts. Isn't it time that you open up your gifts to yourself? You deserve and have a right to these gifts. They were given to you at birth to serve you in this life. To show you your purpose which will be the doorway to your authentic self. The self that has the answers to finding your happiness--from within. You have a place in this universe, and the unique gifts that are the way to your happiness. May you blossom with each moment and THRIVE. *Joanie Lane is owner & operator of a "A Positive Light" meditation & spiritual center. For more information on Joanie and the center visit www.apositivelight.com or her blog Joanielane.com **These are original writings by Joanie. Credit has been given to any quotes by others.
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What if you already had everything you thought you were looking for?
I have read articles on how to "reinvent ourselves" or "be who we want to be". This seems to suggests that we are not already acceptable just being who we are. That there is something missing or lacking. That maybe just being "me" is not enough to be happy. As if there is a goal to strive for that says once we become something else that society has led us to believe exists beyond ourselves, and we change ourselves to fit the mold that our ego has designed, then we will be satisfied, content and happy I disagree with these articles. I believe we are born in connection to the infinite self, or Devine spirit, and we are enough just being our authentic self. If we are not living authentically, that is from our true nature, then we are not living fully and on purpose. Therefore if we feel unhappy or unfulfilled this is why; we are no longer being true to who we really are. When we allow ourselves to believe that happiness is a goal, that it only exists "out there somewhere" then we set ourselves up for continued unhappiness and disappointment. The 'goal line' of happiness does not exist. There is no finish line. This elusive goal line will never be crossed. It is a mirage. When we separate from the Devine spirit that is within each of us we separate from our authentic selves. When we separate from our authentic selves we no longer think from our heart, which is our direct connection to our higher selves ---our Devine spirit. And the result of this disconnection is a feeling of being incomplete. We feel a void, a longing and we begin the endless search for what is missing. And rather than look inside we seek the fulfillment outside of ourselves through material objects, careers that our heart doesn't feel at home in, and relationships that do not allow us to be authentic. What happens when we feel that we are not enough? This is when the ego takes over and convinces us that it is our higher self. That it knows best how to "find" happiness. When we separate from our authentic nature we are rejecting the infinite self, and in order to be happy, the ego takes the helm to help us find the stability that provides happiness. The happiness that the authentic self already experiences when we remain connected to the Devine. This isn't to say that when we are unhappy we have cut off all connection to the Devine spirit. And it isn't to say that when we are connected to the Devine we won't experience disappointment. But if we find that the majority of the time we feel unhappy and unfulfilled and as if there is more "out there", then this is a convincing indication that we are thinking with our ego and not with our heart. Fear is another indication that our ego is in control. Often we are controlled by fear and the ego runs wild trying to control people and situations in our life. As if we have power over things that have never been within our control. This causes some serious unhappiness. So, how do we find our way back to our authentic selves? My practice teaches acceptance. The saying, "it is what it is" is right on the beam. In the AA 12 steps it's part of The Serenity Prayer......"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change".....There is a wonderful freedom that comes with acceptance. We can let go of our ego and just be. Allowing our true selves to flow with the nature of things. There's that connection to the Devine again. There is a balance one experiences in becoming aware of the connection we all have to each other and all sentient beings. Indeed of the planet. This interconnectedness includes our awareness of our authentic self, or Buddha Nature, as some call it. My practice also teaches equanimity. Keeping a mind of indifference, balance or a middle way. This equanimity comes from the mind training of meditation. Through the practice of meditation we can actually change our nervous system, a nervous system that has been programmed by the ego to react to life with fear and feelings of inadequacy and regret. In meditation we can begin to find peace of mind through the awareness that arises when the mind and the body settle, letting go of our involvement with our thoughts, and just allow our awareness to grow. This practice can help us become aware of when our ego is at the helm striving for happiness outside of ourselves. In this awareness we can practice acceptance, "it is what it is", and bring ourselves back to center to anchor once again in our heart; our connection to our authentic self, our Buddha nature, the infinite, the Devine. "When you stay on purpose and refuse to be discouraged by fear, you align with the infinite self, in which all possibilities exist." — Dr. Wayne W. Dyer *Joanie Lane is owner & operator of a "A Positive Light" meditation & spiritual center. For more information on Joanie and the center visit www.apositivelight.com **These are original writings by Joanie. Credit has been given to any quotes by others. Do you have a boundless nature? I asked myself this question the other day and gave it some deep thought. Do I put boundaries on myself and if so to what degree?
I remember as a child looking up at the sky and thinking, "does it ever end?" A child's curiosity is naturally open and boundless and they learn to put up boundaries as they go through life. It most likely begins with the boundaries parents put on their children to keep them safe and those boundaries expand as the child's curiosity takes them further in the discover their world. Using boundaries as we step away from our family and out into the world supports a sense of safety and security that humans naturally seek. As cavemen (and women) we had many dangers to be aware of in order to survive and placing boundaries on ourselves kept us safe for the most part. Some of these boundary instincts have become hard wired into our brain. Without going into a long medical explanation of which part of the brain reacts to danger triggering another part, triggering yet another...... let's just say, "Yes! We get scared!" But the question remains; do our fears keep us bound to a small world? Are we letting what we perceive as possible dangers control us and keep us from exploring? When we corral our lives into a safety zone simply because of what might happen are we being fair to ourselves? We are given this gift of life which is fairly short, and we don't need to keep it small. If we are letting our fears take away opportunities for exploration and growth we are short changing ourselves and lessening our opportunities for a happy and fulfilled life. I think a terrific question to ask ourselves is; Do we keep ourselves curious? Curiosity can open up our boundaries. Being curious rather than afraid can turn our view of situations, people and activities from a place of smallness to a great open space of possibilities. Do we allow ourselves to open up to the world and live our life fully by exploring? Do we seek answers to our curious questions, and do we allow ourselves to experience new adventures? But how do we change the habit of living a small fear filled life? One exercise that we can practice is to pause and notice the space between things. The space between the branches of a tree for example; notice how, though they may be connected by the tree trunk, there is a boundless space between them letting sunshine in and room for the spring growth of new leaves to expand outward, reaching for more space. Taking notice of the furnishings and artwork in a room, noticing the individual flowers on a cherry tree,......by practicing this we begin to become aware of the "no-thing-ness" between things. We also begin to notice that space is the constant, and things come and go within that space, opening us up to the freedom to be curious and boundless. This boundless space, as described in the fourth verse of the Tao Te Ching, is called "the Great Mother: Empty yet inexhaustible, It gives birth to infinite worlds. It is always present within you. You can use it any way you want. It is boundless." Li Po's poem below reminds us to open up to the boundless space of awareness. May we live life with a BOUNDLESS nature. "The birds have vanished into the sky, and now the last cloud drains away. We sit together, the mountain and me, until only the mountain remains." ~Li Po *Joanie Lane is a Meditation Teacher, Reiki Master/Teacher, Spiritual & Life Coach, and Healing Movement Qigong Leader. She lives in Kelseyville, Ca. at her meditation center "A Positive Light". Visit her website at apositivelight.com **These are original writings by Joanie. Any quotes by others that have been included have been identified. |