Month: November 2024

Root Down To Rise Up! 🌲

On By Heather Wiest

Root down to rise up. Humility initiates gratitude. In fact, the root word of humble means “ground or earth.” To be humble, then, is to be grounded, which naturally leads to a more calm, present state. We not only feel more grounded in our own selves, but also in our connection to others. When we are humble, we feel less compelled to control everything or to prove ourselves to others, which makes it easier to settle down inside and to have more inner peace. When we rest in humility, gratitude naturally follows. What are you grateful for? The power of gratitude never wanes. Say it when you feel and believe it. Say it when you don’t. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. When the root is deep there is no reason to fear the wind.

“The forest is your friend. It tells you that all is well. Look around. See the tallest tree. See that it has weathered every storm, and millimeter by millimeter, ring by ring, continued its growth over centuries. Know that you have grown that way, too. Rise slowly when it’s time. Find your path. Feel the earth beneath your feet, supporting you, giving you strength, filling you with grounded energy.” ~ Melody Beattie

“The only block there can be in your channel is self. Keep that out, and know that My Spirit is flowing through. Therefore all must be the better for coming in contact with you, because you are a channel. See this, and you will think it natural to know they are being helped, not by you, but by My Spirit flowing through you as a channel.” ~ God Calling, Self Kills Power

Quiet Revolution, by Danna Faulds

Mine is a quiet revolution.
No fireworks light the sky
proclaiming liberation, just 
the sure sense of presence
filling me with stillness.
I can’t seem to worry 
anymore, can’t make myself
rush to finish what I once 
deemed so important. Instead,
I stand awestruck before the 
sunrise, grateful for another
day to love and be loved —
so simple and so humbling.

May you be grounded and grateful. Root down to rise up. 🌲 Be an open vessel for Spirit to move.

When the root is deep there is no reason to fear the wind.

Inhale PEACE, exhale GRATITUDE.

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Þetta Reddast 🇮🇸

On By Heather Wiest

Þetta Reddast (pronounced thet-ta re-dust) means it’s all going to work out in the end. Go with the flow and everything will be okay.

Icelanders know (and have a knack for reminding the rest of us!) that…

We are all connected to nature.

Change is inevitable, but stress is optional.

Joy, calm and humor are always available.

Nimbleness, not rigidity, reveals stability.

We recently returned from our amazing Let There Be Light — Be Awed in Iceland Yoga Retreat with Hanan & Heather, November 7-13, 2024. We witnessed God’s stunning creation in this land of fire and ice. Our gutsy group of adventurous retreaters experienced rainy days with gusty winds (up to 60mph!), taking in all of the sites and elements of this wonderland. Our chances were supposedly “slim” to see the Northern Lights due to rainy conditions and cloud cover all week, but we prayed in faith to see the striking phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis. And, God showed up big time and graciously answered our prayers! Do you see the angel wing? ❤️

Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.

Psalm 65:8 NLT

Upon landing in Iceland, we embarked on our journey to see the Reykjanes Lighthouse, Gunnuhver, and enjoyed several hours at the luxurious Blue Lagoon. In the days following, we toured the Golden Circle sites, including the Kerio Crater, Pingvelir National Park (where you stand between two continents), the Fontana Wellness Geothermal Bakery and healing waters, Geysir, and Gullfoss Waterfall. We visited the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Reynisfjara Black Beach, and Solheimajokull Glacier. Many in our group added in additional experiences, such as glacier hiking, spa days, horseback riding, and exploring the city of Reykjavik and the town of Selfoss during their free time. And, of course, we offered a variety of yoga practices for guests to unwind and soak in the goodness of their experiences. Enjoy a sampling of photos in the following slideshow…

Hanan and I are beyond grateful to curate unique retreat destinations and experiences. All of our offerings are divinely put together as we seek God first and pray for every detail. Each person joining us contributes such a beautiful piece to the collective whole, and we always come away in awe and wonder of God’s provision and blessing. Our next international retreat will be in Portugal September 2025. Are you being led to join us in travel and adventure? The Sacred calls us into the Wild, and the Wild calls us into the Sacred. –Victoria Loorz

Wait quietly in my presence while My thoughts form silently in the depths of your being. Do not rush this process, because hurry keeps your heart earth bound. I am the Creator of the entire universe yet I choose to make my humble home in your heart. It is there where you know me most intimately; it is there where I speak to you in holy whispers. Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can hear my still small voice within you. I am speaking to you continually…words of AWE & WONDER. Tune your heart to receive these messages of abundant blessing. Lay your requests before Me, and what in expectation.

Adapted from Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

Out Of Alignment

On By Heather Wiest

There are many stories of spiritual masters embracing the presence of an annoying student in their community. There is even one story that documents a teacher paying an irritating person to live among his students. From an everyday perspective, this is difficult to comprehend. We generally work hard to avoid people and things that we find annoying so they don’t bother us.

From a deeper spiritual perspective, however, irritation can be an important teacher and indicator that we are making progress on our path. Being able to remain centered and awake even when we feel uncomfortable is much more impressive than doing so in an environment where everything is to our liking. ~ Things That Annoy Us, Madisyn Taylor

When was the last time you were annoyed by something or someone? With whom was your last argument? It’s really easy to recall, right? Annoyances and arguments often trigger us OUT OF ALIGNMENT, out of our stability, ease and peace.

I am learning to notice when I am out of balance sooner by stating this intention: I witness when I’m out of alignment. I choose to see love and peace instead. I step back and let the Divine lead the way. 💞

The emotional trigger that begins an argument may have little to do with your present situation, but has dug up a wound. When we find ourselves in an argument, we may feel like we are losing control of emotions that have taken on lives of their own. When we can become aware that this is happening, taking a deep breath can help us step back from the situation. Once we can separate ourselves from the heat of the moment, we may find that the emotional trigger that began the argument has little to do with the present situation, but may have brought up feelings related to something else entirely. Looking honestly at what caused our reaction allows us to consciously respond more appropriately to the situation and make the best choices. ~ Stepping Back from Anger, Madisyn Taylor

We spare ourselves, and those closest to us, drama and pain when we practice awareness and a quick comeback toward love and equanimity. However, it’s important to honor our feelings. “True healing occurs when you give yourself permission to feel whatever feelings live below the triggers. Feeling the pain allows it to pass through you, and strips away its power.” ~ Gabby Bernstein

Steps to Reconcile = to restore to harmony, to settle differences, to make consistent

  1. Make the first move (shows maturity).
  2. Handle with humility.
  3. Remember, you own the offer, not the result.

Who do you need to reach out to?

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work, so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” ~ James 1:2-4, The Message

I choose to see love and peace instead of annoyances and arguments. I step back and let the Divine lead the way. 💞

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