Recharge & Radiate ✨

The holiday season is filled with lights and all the beautiful traditions surrounding them. Many years ago, as our family was decorating the Christmas tree our daughter asked her Dad, “Do these lights run on a parallel or series circuit?” It reminded me of a quote from Mother Teresa, “Each one of us is merely a small instrument. When you look at the inner workings of electrical things, often you see small and big wires, new and old, cheap and expensive, lined up. Until the current passes through them, there will be no light. That wire is you and me. The current is God. We have the power to let the current pass through us, use us, produce the light of the world.”

In nature, the glow worm produces a constant light throughout its entire body and can turn the light off and on at will, shutting down as a protective measure and relighting again when at ease. An inquiry for you  when, where, and with whom do you shine the brightest? Throughout this busy season take time to recharge and connect to your true source of love & light. Embrace yourself with supportive surroundings and loving people. Be your genuine self. Radiate your own unique light.


Light Meditation

Visualize a tiny light somewhere in the distance. The light may take any form you can imagine. It could be the glowing aura of a candle, a light bulb, a flashlight, a streetlight, any light that enters your awareness. Begin to move toward that light. It may be clear, or obscured by a misty fog that creates an aura around it. As you get closer and closer, the light becomes more significant and more brilliant. Keep your mind focused on the light and feel it growing brighter as you approach nearer and nearer to it, now surrounding you entirely.

Imagine that the Spirit is at the center of the light, and so, all of the Wisdom and Holiness of God are also in that light, which is presently glowing intense and white. Now move into the center of the light and feel it enter your being, moving all around and through you. Feel the presence of Divine Love within it, and realize it is your love. Feel the embrace of the Spirit all around and through you. Surrender to the Love, and become one with it. Savor the presence and the warm embrace as you connect with Love. Understand it will always be with you. Relax, knowing you are one.

Now, feel all the light that was surrounding you, and flooding through you, begin to gather inside your being, as if you are a magnet, pulling all that light inside, so that you become the light itself. You are a being of pure light. You contain God, the Spirit, and the entire essence of Love. Now, collect all the light together, allowing it to focus in the center of your heart space where it settles and glows with the same intensity. You deeply rest, renew, recharge & radiate.

 

Challenging Times Build Our Story.

Challenging times build our inner strength. They develop our faith, refine our character, and GIVE US A UNIQUE STORY. It is always enjoyable to have the mountaintop experiences in life, but we learn the most during the valley times. Challenging times are often the gifts we do not want. As Hellen Keller stated, “character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” Three things to remember and ask yourself: (1) What you go through, you grow through. (2) It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. (3) We all have a story: How are you using your unique story to help others? (4) Are there some new avenues to explore?

“Sometimes, the road ahead is blocked, but clearing the way becomes part of our journey. Learn to tell when it’s time to let go, to surrender, to search for another road, a different path, another dream. But also learn to tell when it’s time to move forward, through obstacles if need be, because the dream is electric, charged by Divine energy and love. If a side trip is beckoning, perhaps there’s a lesson there: an old feeling to be felt, healed and cleared; a new attitude or belief to be acquired; a revelation, a surprise. Remember this: a side trip, with all it’s emotions, isn’t about another person. It’s about you and your journey to healing, freedom, and joy. Ignoring a situation that can take you off center won’t take you to the next place. Going more deeply into your own growth process, going more deeply into your soul is what will further your journey. Everything that happens to you can be used, felt, shaped and transformed to further your journey. This process of growth, of side trips and healing, is your destiny, the magical journey of your soul.” ~ Melody Beattie

“My scars tell a story. They are a reminder of times when life tried to break me, but failed. They are markings of where the structure of my character is welded.” ~ Steve Maraboli

What voice from your past, yours or someone else’s, do you need to silence today? Reflect upon the challenges in your life and be thankful for them. Three great rules to live by: no blaming, no shaming, no judgement. In gratitude, focus on those qualities in yourself and others that inspire you and spur you on!

WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU?

Let’s journey together through a motivating meditation… Take a few deep, centering breaths… Now, reflect upon your ELEMENTARY SCHOOL YEARS and think of your FAVORITE TEACHER. Notice who comes to mind first. Visualize this special person. Did they have a unique voice, smell, distinguishing feature or mannerism? What did they say or do that was memorable and inspiring? How did you feel in their presence? What qualities did/do you respect about this teacher?

And now, fast forward into your HIGH SCHOOL YEARS and choose one YOUTH LEADER, COACH, COUNSELOR or TEACHER who positively influenced your life path. Visualize this individual: their smile, their gaze, their listening ear. What did they say or do that was motivating and encouraging? How did you feel in their presence? What qualities did/do you respect about this leader?

Now dwell upon a CURRENT MENTOR, COACH, TEACHER who challenges and lovingly spurs you on to the next level. Visualize their whole being, their essence—body, mind and spirit. What do they say and do that is heart-felt and wise? How do you feel in their presence? What qualities do you treasure about this respected guide?

Encompass now these three influential people. Are there any common themes or threads in your teachers, coaches, and mentors? Can you choose ONE QUALITY, ONE WORD that describes them all? Notice what arises first.

Looking at your own life, does this ONE QUALITY, ONE WORD represent you and how you desire to inspire and influence others?

WHO DO YOU INSPIRE?

How do others feel in your presence? What do you say and do that is motivating and memorable? Allow yourself to smile in gratitude and joy for those who have inspired you and for those you inspire.

Never underestimate the POWER OF ONE. ONE PERSON. ONE SMILE. ONE WORD. ONE CHALLENGE. ONE INSPIRATION.

Remember, it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. We all have a story, now use your story to help others. 


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Rules To Relationships ♡

Jennifer Pastiloff, L.A. area yoga teacher and motivational speaker, wrote a blog entitled 10 Rules for Daily Living. She challenged her readers to think about their personal rules for daily life. Here is one of her favorite responses from a 14-year-old:

Don’t take things too seriously.
Make fun of yourself (but not too much!)
Sleep in sometimes.
ALWAYS have a dog.
Be nice to everybody because you never know who is going to be your next best friend.
Just don’t wear shoes sometimes.
Go on a trip somewhere at least every year.
Don’t look in the mirror too much!
Don’t spend too much money on one thing.
Sometimes it’s OK to just not want to talk to people.

We can gain wisdom from listening to youth! As we mature, our aim is to move from rules to relationships. Loving and trusting relationships filled with open and healthy communication develop people of unique, solid character, and humble confidence. What are your standards for daily living? What motivates you internally to live a life of purpose? Make all your moments matter by living meaningfully in this present moment.


Years ago, I asked both of my children to write down their 10 Rules for Daily Living and here are the responses from my then 10-year-old:

Be yourself.
Respect everybody.
Have a good attitude.
Express yourself.
Have fun.
Try not to be mean to your sister.
Smile.
Be thankful.
Follow these rules.
Don’t be a party pooper!

Here are the responses from my then 8-year-old:

Give hugs to your siblings.
Help your mom and dad.
Be thankful for your food.
Be thankful for what God has made.
Be thankful for what your have.
Be thankful for a place to live.
Always trust in God.
Believe in yourself.
Be thankful for your family and friends.
Do not complain.

Here are my personal 10 (well, 11) Rules for Daily Living:

Always choose love. Try to live every moment with authentic love in your heart.
Be gentle and kind, to yourself, and to everyone you encounter.
Serve others unconditionally.
Express gratitude.
Breathe deeply, pray fervently, and meditate daily on inspiring Scripture.
Listen more, talk less.
Smile and laugh often. Cry when needed. Allow yourself to feel and experience emotion.
View everyday challenges as learning opportunities rather than obstacles.
Forgive and let go quickly.
Be your true self and trust your intuition.
Be present and make every moment an adventure…learn something new everyday!


I hope you will take time this week to create and write down your own standards that meaningfully motivate your daily thoughts and actions. Take the time to listen to the children and youth around you and gain wisdom from their insightful perspectives. Let’s move from rules to relationships. ♡

“A man of deep understanding will give good advice, drawing it out from the well within.” ~ Proverbs 20:5 TPT

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Root Down To Rise Up! 🌲

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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Release🎈

This week’s theme is simply the word RELEASE. What comes to mind when you hear the word RELEASE? You may feel a sensation of opening, of letting go, of freedom. Releasing has the power to free you from anything in life that may be bothering you, or weighing you down. You may be gripping onto a stressful situation or relationship, a strong emotion or desire, an unhealthy temptation or personal struggle, an unfulfilled expectation, a difficult loss, or even a big life-changing decision. It’s time to fully let go and release your grip. From deep within the sweet space inside you, a voice can be heard. Its loving words echo in your mind — trust in the natural flow of life, all your needs are taken care of. You are freed from all concerns about the past and the future. Your life is unfolding according to a perfect plan. Receive encouragement and inspiration!

Oftentimes, when we let go of our gripping, our obsessing, our control, we begin to sense a lightening, a unique calmness that encourages us to trust the natural flow of life. Inhale PEACE. Exhale RELEASE.🎈

Allow your life and the lives of those around you to unfold naturally, without force. “If the canvas struggled under the artist’s paint brush, the painting would never get finished. If the canvas is perfectly still, totally submitted to the artist’s wisdom and creativity, something beautiful happens.” ~ Kristy Bassett


Headlong Into Love, by Danna Faulds

I slip into the swift river of grace
the moment I stop trying to control
my fate. The current takes my 
breath away, leaving me amazed
at the release. Use me up, I say.
Smooth my rough edges
until I offer no resistance to the flow.

Within the enclosure of my open heart,
may awareness wake and take aim
at my last attempts to grasp the known.
I pray to give myself over to a strength
that isn’t mine, to be carried by the 
energy of change and evolution.

I pray to tumble headlong into love
and not reach out even once
to try and break the fall.


Today I release my grip on ______________. I am freed from all concerns about the past and the future. My life is unfolding according to a perfect plan. ❤️

“Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.” ~ Ephesians 3:20, The Passion Translation

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