Is Your Ship Sinking??

Have you heard the phrase rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic? It means we are spending so much time arranging and re-arranging our outward conditions while we are slowing sinking into the abyss of unrecognized fear and outdated beliefs. It happens when we are attempting to ‘fix’ what isn’t working. Some time ago I worked with a client that was having trouble in her marriage. Rather than seek counseling or face the truth about their relationship, they went on vacation in Italy, racking up a great deal of debt, physically and emotionally.
It is difficult to stabilize on unstable territory. Eventually, we have to go into the dark to do the deep work and face the fears and beliefs that are holding us back.

I see this happening frequently in today’s economy. There is a reason for the shake-up. The Universe is giving us the opportunity to empty down to the core to find the real truth for ourselves.

Eric Butterworth says, "There is only one way by which you can achieve prosperity. It is to take charge of your mind. You may be looking for some magic formula, some new metaphysical cliché’ that will change things. But if you want to change our life, you will have to alter your thoughts."

I believe in order to alter our thoughts we have to get to the core of what we believe. Doing our inner work will remarkable change our outer circumstances.

I am Willing to Receive

I talked with a friend the other day that just had major surgery. A challenging part of healing is to receive care from her husband. He has been taking care of her and making sure she is comfortable. On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer. Of course he should take care of her. But when you are used to being the person caring for everyone else, it becomes a challenge.

I had that experience last week when I visited my friend at the coast. I found it difficult to have her prepare our meals and clean up. It took a lot of energy to sit still and not help.

Receiving is a spiritual practice and prepares us for receiving even more of God’s blessings.

I am Grateful

I am grateful for the ability and freedom to write, for extraordinary courageous and handsome husband Laurence, for my family and friends, for my spiritual mentor and spiritual teachers, for my amazing clients and their willingness to show up,for our new President and his family, for my spiritual journey and connection with God's Grace. I am so grateful God is so gracious.

Letting Go

A client recently shared that she realized she was hanging on to old hurts. It's so hard to let those go. I was talking with a friend over the weekend and realized I still was holding on to hurt feelings from another friend. Hanging on to old pain just multiplies the pain. I heard myself tell the story AGAIN of what she said. This time it was the last. I decided in that moment I don't want to repeat this story any longer. I accept as I let go of this old hurt just as I watch this tree outside my window let go of its leaves. I make room for newness in my life. I am grateful for my spiritual path and the practices along the way.

Rejuvenate and restore

I went to the coast to visit a friend over the weekend. I forgot what it is like to take the time to rest, relax and rejuvenate. Life is so full. It takes commitment to schedule time away from all the activity of life. I plan to make it a regular practice...

Don't worry--just pray

I've talked with so many people that have voiced their excitement about our new president. In the next breath, they whisper 'I hope he'll be ok.'

We all worry. I have trained myself (ok, I am still training myself) to visualize what I want instead of what I don't want. One way that helps is the Prayer of Protection. Rather than seeing all the bad stuff that can happen, this prayer allows us to send light and love. Try it. Let me know what you think.

The light of God surrounds you,
The love of God enfolds you,
The power of God protects you,
The presence of God watches over you.
Wherever you are, God is.

Pray the Devil Back to Hell

I read an amazing article in O Magazine (Dec) about a documentary about a group of ordinary Liberian women who managed to stop the country's 14-year civil war. Pray the Devil Back to Hell tells the story of Gbowee, a mother of five, who realized the war kept her children in poverty their entire lives. She took action with street marches and prayer vigils and created a movement that stopped the civil war.

What an extraordinary example of what we can do and how every action can make a difference in the world. When I have the listing of when the movie will be back in Portland, I will let you know.