She [He] Let Go

She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go.
She let go of fear. She let go of the judgments. 
She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head.
She let go of the committee of indecision within her.
She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons. Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.
She didn’t ask anyone for advice. She didn’t read a book on how to let go. She didn’t search the scriptures.
She just let go.
She let go of all of the memories that held her back. 
She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward. 
She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.
She didn’t promise to let go. 
She didn’t journal about it. 
She didn’t write the projected date in her day-timer.
She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper. 
She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope. 
She just let go.
She didn’t analyze whether she should let go. 
She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter. 
She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment. 
She didn’t call the prayer line. 
She didn’t utter one word. She just let go.
No one was around when it happened. 
There was no applause or congratulations. 
No one thanked her or praised her. 
No one noticed a thing. 
Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.
There was no effort. There was no struggle. 
It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad. 
It was what it was, and it is just that.
In the space of letting go, she let it all be. 
A small smile came over her face. 
A light breeze blew through her.
And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.

(The author of this poem is unclear.  A few sites list Ernest Holmes as the author, another Jennifer Eckert Bernau, and still another Rev. Safire Rose.)

How does this poem resonate with your soul? Just this breath, just this moment, just let go. Sweetly Surrender. ♡

LET GO
Let go of the worries, and the imaginary tragedies that unfold in your mind — and just breathe.
Let go of the concept of easy — nothing is.
Let go of wanting to keep things just as they are — be open to what happens next.
Let go of what you want — and be happy with what you have.
Let go of who’s letting you down — and start focusing on who’s building you up.
Let go of what you thought your life was going to be like — and embrace how it is with a great big YES!
Let go of every single notion that you are less than, imperfect, not good enough — and accept yourself unconditionally.
Let go of how the story was supposed to end — and trust that this is just the beginning.
Let go of hoping for the ideal — and become best friends with what it means to be content. ~ Shawn Fink

“THIS IS A TIME in your life when you must learn to let go: of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete. Take time to bask in the Light of My Love. As you relax more and more, your grasping hand gradually opens up, releasing your prized possession into My care.

You can feel secure, even in the midst of cataclysmic changes, through awareness of My continual Presence. The One who never leaves you is the same One who never changes: I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. As you release more and more things into My care, remember that I never let go of your hand. Herein lies your security, which no one and no circumstance can take from you.” ~ Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, March 24

Allow yourself to receive these intentions:

I completely relinquish control. I sweetly surrender.

I let each moment unfold as it will. 

Peace washes over me. I feel my body deeply rejuvenating itself. 

My body is light, my mind at peace, and my heart is unconditionally open. ♡

Let It Go
Let go of the ways you thought life
would unfold; the holding of plans
or dreams or expectations — Let it
all go. Save your strength to swim
with the tide. The choice to fight
what is here before you now will
only result in struggle, fear, and
desperate attempts to flee from the
very energy you long for. Let go.
Let it all go and flow with the grace
that washes through your days whether
you receive it gently or with all your
quills raised to defend against invaders.
Take this on faith; the mind may never
find the explanations that it seeks, but
you will move forward nonetheless.
Let go, and the wave’s crest will carry
you to unknown shores, beyond your
wildest dreams or destinations. Let it
all go and find the place of rest and
peace, and certain transformation. ~ Danna Faulds

Just this breath, just this moment, just let go. Sweetly surrender. ♡

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15 years ago I stepped into my first yoga class at L.A. Fitness. I was faithful at working out to stay in shape, and to relieve stress from my social work career, but something about the dim lit yoga room drew me. I was feeling a shift at 30 years old. Priorities were changing as we thought about starting a family. I longed to try something new.

The yoga class was powerful, sweaty, and challenging. I totally felt at home! I was in tune with my breath, focused inward, and all the unnecessary layers of the outside world vanished. During the final resting pose, savasana, I felt so alive, calm, clear, and balanced. I felt like the true me — unmasked and unbound! It was love at first savasana. ❤️  Yoga continues to be my moving meditation as I connect daily on the mat — body, mind, and spirit.

In yoga asana, we participate in savasana, or corpse pose at the end of each practice. It symbolizes our death as we lie down, and new life as we arise — listening to new insights about our connection with the body, mind, and spirit. Make time to JUST BE and listen to the still, small voice inside. Accept yourself for who you are outside of your life roles, responsibilities, and contributions. Rest times provide valuable insight. They allow us to put to death what no longer serves us, being able then to fully experience the joy and liberation of new life.

I release all that no longer serves me to embrace positive change in my life. ❤️

In This Moment, by Clive Fogelman (adapted)

In this moment invite stillness
With each breath let tension melt away
Give yourself permission to be here
Let the earth receive you

In this moment surrender the body
Float into effortlessness
To spaces unknown
Know that it is okay to let go

In this moment no solutions are needed
Allow the journey to unfold
As you travel through your inner landscape

In this moment breathe into your potential
Imagine yourself unmasked and unbound
Connect with your heart voice
Offering up yourself to the world

In this moment you are free
Feel gratitude for all that you are
The potential that lies within and outside
Let this be the beginning of something new

Revelation, by C. JoyBell C.

I am like a diamond
Born to the earth
The years have covered me in
Grime and mud
Filth and stench
Dirt and dung
But now is today and
I will dance and dance
I will dance and dance
I will dance and dance
I will dance and watch the dirt fall off
I will dance and watch the mud crack
And drop
I will dance and all the filth and grime
Will float away into the air
And I will see myself again
And so will you

May you put to death what no longer serves you and begin to experience the joy and liberation of new life!

“The practice of yoga is part of a gradual process of deliberate internal and external transformation.” ~ Nicolai Bachman

TAPAS, the third of the niyamas, is considered one of the most powerful concepts in the Yoga Sutras. The word “tapas” comes from the Sanskrit verb “tap” which means “to burn.” The traditional interpretation of tapas is “fiery discipline,” the fiercely focused, constant, intense commitment necessary to burn off anything that keeps us from having union with our body, mind, and spirit. It’s the fire that brings about transformation—the willingness, the cleansing, the discipline. This reminds me of the 3 “C’s” of life: choices, chances, and changes. You must make a CHOICE to take a CHANCE or your life will never CHANGE. Tapas is the practice of putting our plan for change into action. When we allow old habits to fall into the fire of tapas, burning away and out of our lives, we allow new, more positive habits to integrate into our body and mind. As we relax into stillness, we become increasingly aware of our true inner spirit, and this is where transformation begins.

Two questions for you: What negative behavior or habit would you like to burn away? What positive behavior would you like to integrate into the deepest part of your being? Let’s put our plan for change into action! Invite in the new, burn away the old. 🔥 [Ephesians 4 22-24]

A requirement of tapas, our internal fire, is to cut through distractions and bring our full attention to the present moment, where transformation begins.

Presence Practice Inquiry:
What’s happening now?
What do I need right now?
Does this serve my highest good?
Does this choice empower me, make me feel light, strong, courageous,
or does it disempower me? ~ Kate Shipp

The Scattered Pieces Will Come Together by Melody Beattie

“Scattered pieces. Sometimes we look around, and that’s what we see. Scattered pieces of ourselves, our lives, a project, a season of our lives. Where is the connecting thread, we wonder? How can we ever pull this together into something that makes sense, something with purpose, something with meaning? There are pieces to every whole; yet each piece is complete. Don’t worry about how they will come together. Work joyfully on the piece that’s before you, the piece that’s in your life today. There are many pieces of you, many beautiful parts. The universe will help you bring all those parts alive. It will bring mirrors to you, people who will reflect those beautiful pieces back to you. Look in the mirror of your life. What pieces do you see reflected? Know it’s you you’re seeing. Then let that part of you come alive. Pull in the parts of yourself, the many beautiful parts that have come alive. Beckon your warrior, your healer, your playful child. Bring together your professional self, your adult, the passionate part of you, the nurturing part. Let all the parts come together. Don’t send any of them away. You need them all. Each is a beautiful piece of the soul, the life, the person you are. Trust. Trust the process. Joy is yours, available for the asking and the desiring—even in the developmental stages–even before the puzzle has been put together. The scattered pieces of yourself, your project, your life. The connecting thread is love. The picture will be beautiful. Wait and see.” ❤️

“Scared and sacred are spelled with the same letters. Awful proceeds from the same root word as awesome. Terrify and terrific. Every negative experience holds the seed of transformation.” ~ Alan Cohen

“Practice is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation.” ~ Ann Voskamp

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures, and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: “And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” One lady’s opinion was that is was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject.
She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her. “But Sir” she said, “do you sit while the work of refining is going on?” “Oh, yes, madam,” replied the silversmith; “I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured.”
The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random, “the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had forgotten to mention that the only way he knows when the process of purifying is complete is when he sees his own image reflected in the silver. ~ Author Unknown

Inquiry by Danna Faulds

“Feed the inner fire with breath, with inquiry, and the willingness to see reality. When the flames consume the edges of your life, invite them into the center, the core of your identity, the innermost chamber where your deepest fears reside. Watch the fire rise, sparks flying, flames lighting the open space that remains when all else is burned away.”

May you embrace the refining fire inside of you. 🔥 Make the CHOICE to take a CHANCE, creating positive CHANGE. Put your plan into ACTION!

We are all mirrors for each other. The qualities we see in the people around us are directly related to the traits that exist in us. We attract individuals into our lives that mirror who we are. Those you feel drawn to reflect your inner self back at you, and you act as a mirror for them. Simply put, when you look at others, you will likely see what exists in you. When you see beauty, divinity, sweetness, or light in the soul of another, you are seeing the goodness that resides in your soul. When you see traits in others that evoke feelings of anger, annoyance, or hatred, you may be seeing reflected back at you those parts of yourself that you have disowned or do not like. Because we are all mirrors for each other, looking at the people in your life can tell you a lot about yourself. It is easy to see the traits you do not like in others. It is much more difficult to realize that you possess those same traits. Often, the habits, attitudes, and behaviors of others are closely linked to our unconscious and unresolved issues. When you come into contact with someone you admire, search your soul for similarly admirable traits. Likewise, when you meet someone exhibiting traits that you dislike, accept that you are looking at your reflection. Looking at yourself through your perception of others can be a humbling and eye-opening experience. You can also cultivate in yourself the traits and behaviors that you do like. Be loving and respectful to all people, and you will attract individuals that will love and respect you back. Nurture compassion and empathy and let the goodness you see in others be your mirror. ~ Madisyn Taylor

This week’s intention challenges us to see more beauty in the mirror—in ourselves and in others–receiving and reflecting unconditional love, encouragement, and acceptance. ❤️

When we’re in a good mood, we shine like the sun. But if we find ourselves in the presence of a person, or people, in a grumpy mood, it can feel like a dark cloud approaching to dim our radiance and block our positive way of seeing the world. We can remind ourselves that clouds pass, while the sun and stars continue to shine above. Like a lighthouse, we can continue to shine through the darkness, offering our light to help others find their way back to their own. We can send them a silent prayer of peace or a sympathetic smile. If they need understanding, we can empathize without reinforcing the negativity they may be experiencing by directing their attention someplace more positive. ~ Madisyn Taylor

★ You impact the energy of any space, and influence the people around you.

★ When you experience a negative thought or emotion towards yourself, or another—and we all have them—take a deeper look inside and notice what arises. “That’s interesting. What’s that all about?!”

★ Always make a point to impart a positive word and a cheery smile. Know something good is going to happen!

★ Be less judgey and more lovey.

Breath Meditation:

Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly. Breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth a few times. Now continue a smooth, steady breath in and out through the nose, and direct your attention to the area between the heart and the belly.

As you inhale, visualize receiving unconditional love, encouragement, and acceptance. As you exhale, visualize giving it all away with gratitude…UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, ENCOURAGEMENT, ACCEPTANCE.

Exhaling is the most relaxing phase of breathing, so take twice as long to exhale as to inhale. We are blessed when we give away unconditional love, encouragement, and acceptance to others.

Continue to sink into your breath rhythm. Feel it rejuvenating every cell, bringing life to your body, mind, and spirit.

The mind is calmed in the cradle of the heart. ❤️

“When you begin to touch your heart or let your heart be touched, you begin to discover that it’s bottomless, that it doesn’t have any resolution, that this heart is huge, vast, and limitless. You begin to discover how much warmth and gentleness there is, as well as how much space.” ~ Pema Chodron

“It’s no good giving my heart and my soul because you already have these. So I’ve brought you a mirror. Look at yourself and remember me.” ~ Rumi

“Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.” ~ Proverbs 27:19 MSG

✨May we receive and reflect more beauty as we gracefully gaze into our mirrors.✨