My world has been filled with deeply hurting people and seemingly impossible situations. I know God can move in mighty and mysterious ways—my own life is a miracle itself! I have been praying for MIRACLES for family and friends—for physical healing, financial provision, relationship restoration, and spiritual direction. One of these prayers was answered today. I deeply sensed and experienced it in my body and soul before I even heard the amazing outcome! God loves to answer petitions in Divine will and timing, and rejoices when our hearts are devoted to intercession for others and our world. We’ve got to speak to the impossible!
“For with God nothing will be impossible.” — Luke 1:37 NKJV
I will do the impossible for you. The love I have for you is endless. I will intensify your experience of My love as you seek more of Me…
You are opening up more and more. You are becoming clearer each day. Embrace the changes taking place. They are good. They will last. They will take you and your life to someplace new, someplace you can’t fully imagine now because it’s so different from where you have been…Things that used to bother you, hold you down, hold you back, will roll easily off you. Problems that used to plague and pester you, making you feel weighted down, will be lifted easily. You will know and trust that the answers you need will come to you. Your powers will increase. You will find yourself doing, knowing, and feeling things that you thought only certain others could do. You will find yourself gliding through life in a way that brings you joy, and touches and heals others. You will laugh a lot. And yes, you will cry a lot, too, because an open heart feels all it needs to feel. But you will not think twice about your emotions. You will feel them with the purity of a child and the wisdom of a sage. You will see, touch, taste, and feel life’s magic in a way you never imagined. You will love, and you will be loved. And you will learn that it is all the same. You are open now, more open than you’ve ever been. Trust the process and trust your heart. The journey is not in vain. Its purpose is to lead youto love.❤️ ~ Melody Beattie
Reflection: What parts of this reading resonated with you in this moment? This week’s intention revolves around OPENNESS: being open to new experiences, possibilities, adventures, being willing to let go of doubt and fear, and with bold faith and trust, saying “yes!” to your heart & soul’s deepest longings.
Oftentimes, to allow something new in–to create space–we need to let something go. What do you need to let go of? Exhale fully and let it go. Release your grip. Feel the freedom. Let go in order to move forward. Inhale deeply and embrace the openness, the limitless opportunities.
Maybe you can relate to these powerful song lyrics by Danny Gokey.
Tell Your Heart to Beat Again
You’re shattered Like you’ve never been before The life you knew In a thousand pieces on the floor And words fall short in times like these When this world drives you to your knees You think you’re never gonna get back To the you that used to be
Tell your heart to beat again Close your eyes and breathe it in Let the shadows fall away Step into the light of grace Yesterday’s a closing door You don’t live there anymore Say goodbye to where you’ve been And tell your heart to beat again
Beginning Just let that word wash over you It’s alright now Love’s healing hands have pulled you through So get back up, take step one Leave the darkness, feel the sun Cause your story’s far from over And your journey’s just begun
Now, absorb the words of this heartfelt poem by David Whyte.
Sometimes
Sometimes if you move carefully through the forest, breathing like the ones in the old stories, who could cross a shimmering bed of leaves without a sound, you come to a place whose only task is to trouble you with tiny but frightening requests, conceived out of nowhere but in this place beginning to lead everywhere. Requests to stop what you are doing right now, and to stop what you are becoming while you do it, questions that can make or unmake a life, questions that have patiently waited for you, questions that have no right to go away.
Turn inward and listen. What are your tiny, but frightening requests, conceived out of nowhere, but in this place beginning to lead everywhere?
You are open now, more open than you’ve ever been. Trust the process and trust your heart. The journey is not in vain. Its purpose is to lead you to love.
Returning to the intention: Being open to new experiences, possibilities, adventures, being willing to let go of doubt and fear, and with bold faith and trust, saying “yes!” to your heart & soul’s deepest longings.
Forget all the reasons it won’t work, and believe the ONE reason that it will. ❤️
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. ❤️
“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” ~ Isaiah 43:19 NKJV
✨ Yoga Nidra For New Beginnings ✨ Say YES to Divinely inspired desires. ❤️
I love Jesus, and I love yoga. I love truth, and I love the mysterious. Combining the full Armor of God from the Bible (Ephesians 6:10-18), and the Chakra energy centers of the body in a meditative prayer covering has been spiritually enlightening and uplifting for my personal practice. Enjoy this journey with an open heart and mind as our spiritual eyes are opened! Let’s cleanse, clear, and empower our body, mind, and spirit. ♡
“May the words of my mouth, my meditation—thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, my only Redeemer, my Protector—God.” —Psalms 19:14
“Because you are close to me and always available, my confidence will never be shaken, for I experience your wrap—around presence every moment.” —Psalms 16:8
Holy Fire, establish your divine presence in me—fill me with your supernatural power and strength. Holy Fire, accomplish your divine purposes through me in this world.
Armor of God + Chakra Meditation
Place hands on the feet. Take a few, deep breaths.
Oh Lord, I put on The Shoes of Peace, corresponding to the Root (Muladara) Chakra “I Am.” Color—Red Element—Earth
I am a child of God, Your beloved. My foundation is in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I let go of any fear or doubt, and walk in bold faith and trust. I am grounded, safe, and secure. I seek peace wherever I go. You direct my steps. I am willing to move forward through divine healing and guidance.
Place hands on the belly. Take a few, deep belly breaths.
The Belt of Truth wraps around me, corresponding to the Sacral (Svadhishthana) Chakra “I Feel.” Color—Orange Element—Water
Oh God, Your Truth has brought freedom into my life. I feel my spiritual core stability. I radiate joy, creativity, and balance. As I am intimate with You, I am able to be intimate with others in healthy ways. I trust the divine flow of life. I let Your Spirit move me.
Place arms crossed over the chest. Take a few, deep breaths.
The Shield of Faith protects me, corresponding to the Solar Plexus (Manipura) Chakra “I Will—I Can—I Do.” Color—Yellow Element—Fire
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! When I let the Spirit work in and through me, I have stamina, self-discipline, and confidence. My body is full of energy, health, and vitality. Thank you Lord for this weapon which enables me to thwart fiery darts in the spiritual realm. I am able to encourage and hold space for others as we link our Shields of Faith.
Place hands on the heart space. Take a few, deep breaths.
Jesus, You are my divine center, the Breastplate of Righteousness, corresponding to the Heart (Anahata) Chakra “I Love.” Color—Green Element—Air (Breath of Life)
I love because You first loved me. I forgive because I have been forgiven. I am compassionate, joyful, and connected to others. I can trust and be trustworthy. I am capable of establishing, growing, and maintaining healthy relationships. Hope fills my heart!
Place hands lightly on the throat area. Take a few, deep breaths.
The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is my source of Truth, corresponding to the Throat (Vishuddha) Chakra “I Speak.” Color—Blue Element—Sound / Ether
Out of the heart I speak. Thank you God for the beautiful visual of the top of the breastbone looking like a sword handle pulling truth out of the heart, moving up to the mouth, and into the world as expression. This is the only offensive weapon in the Armor of God! I ask that you fill me with Your Truth, and help me to discern and deny any lies in myself, others, and the world. May my words speak truth and life. Please help me to be an attentive, receptive listener. May my communications be clear, effective, and impactful.
Place anjali mudra (prayer) hands at the brow center. Take a few, deep breaths.
The Helmet of Salvation restores me to wholeness, corresponding to the Third (Ajna) Eye—Spiritual Eye Chakra “I See.” Color—Indigo Element—Light
Oh Lord, thank you for enlightening my spiritual eyes to receive divine knowledge and wisdom. Jesus, You save, heal, and restore me! My wholeness is secure in You. I quiet my busy mind by closing my physical eyes, and tuning into Your Presence, Love and Light. I see the interconnectedness of life, and am filled with vibrant clarity and focus. Your visions inspire me to make a difference and encourage others.
Place hands on the top of the head. Take a few, deep breaths.
The Helmet of Salvation restores me to wholeness, also corresponding to the Crown (Sahasrara) Chakra. “I Know—I Understand.” Color—Violet Element—Thought
I am fully connected spiritually, and have access to divine wisdom and understanding. God, I can call on You at any time—and You hear my thoughts and petitions. Through prayer and meditation You show me Your higher purposes, and I notice Your divine work in everything. I desire to know You more! I am calm, centered, and complete in You, Oh Lord.
Just like the Crown Chakra represents our connection to God, I believe Jesus is our connection to God. He is the bridge between God and man. I can know and understand His Presence personally and intimately. This is the source of my higher purpose. When I mentally and spiritually dress myself in the full Armor of God, and cleanse and clear the Chakra energy centers of my body, I feel fully connected and empowered to LOVE, SERVE, and INSPIRE! ♡
Today we practice SIMPLIFYING — looking at our daily life, our priorities, possessions, activities, commitments, habits, thoughts and actions — and taking the time to reevaluate, gracefully letting go of what no longer serves us and establishing new intentions. When we simplify, we release unwanted expectations and stress and open up to increased freedom, joy, and inner peace. As Steve Maraboli states, “The greatest step towards a life of simplicity is to learn to let go.” What, where and how can you simplify? What would make your life lighter and easier? What can you get rid of? Where can you make adjustments to allow for more breathing room?
Take a minute to personally reflect.
Here are 3 practical tips to help prioritize and simplify:
❦ Look for soul stops. Even on your busiest days, set aside several 5 minute breaks to pause, tune-in, pray, and meditate. This helps redirect thoughts, feelings, and actions — even in the midst of the craziest schedule. Try bookending your day with longer spirit-filling stops.
❦ Be keenly aware. Ask God to get your attention. Look for Divine appointments — a text from a friend at just the right time, a song that speaks directly to your heart, a random opportunity to help someone, a funny situation that turns your day around for the best.
❦ Set limits. Pick a time your distractions begin, and tell them when they end. During those hours, do the phone thing, and computer thing, and every other thing you pour your soul into, but when that time comes to an end, shut it down. Disconnect to connect personally and spiritually.
How will these changes add to your freedom, joy, and inner peace?
“Our life is frittered away by detail — simplify, simplify.” ~Henry Thoreau
In life, we tend to have an easier time acquiring possessions than we do getting rid of them. Just as we harbor emotional baggage that is difficult to let go of, our lives can tend to be filled with material objects that we may feel compelled to hold on to. Most people are not conscious of how much they own and how many of their possessions are no longer adding value to their life. They fiercely hold on to material objects because this makes them feel secure or comfortable. While it’s true that the ownership of “stuff” can make you feel good for awhile, it seldom satisfies the deep inner longings that nearly everyone has for fulfillment and satisfaction. It is only when we are ready to let go of our baggage and be vulnerable that it becomes possible to recognize the emotional hold that our possessions can have on us.
It’s not uncommon to hold on to material objects because we are attached to them or fear the empty spaces that will remain if we get rid of them. Giving away the souvenirs from a beloved voyage may feel like we are erasing the memory of that time in our life. We may also worry that our loved ones will feel hurt if we don’t keep the gifts they’ve given us. It’s easy to convince ourselves that unused possessions might come in handy someday or that parting with them will cause you emotional pain. However, when your personal space is filled with objects, there is no room for anything new to enter and stay in your life. Your collection of belongings may “protect” you from the uncertainties of an unknown future while keeping you stuck in the past. Holding on to unnecessary possessions often goes hand in hand with holding on to pain, anger, and resentment, and letting go of your material possessions may help you release emotional baggage.
When you make a conscious decision to fill your personal space with only the objects that you need or bring you joy, your energy level will soar. Clearing your personal space can lead to mental clarity and an improved memory. As you learn to have a more practical and temporary relationship to objects, positive changes will happen, and you’ll have space to create the life that you desire.
“Each of us has favorite items and places that help to calm and quiet us. What stills our mind? A walk in the park, a special place in the city, a quiet room? A rock, a cross, a picture, a lit candle? Use these places and things to find that place of stillness in yourself. Find the power in stillness. It’s a power that comes gently like the morning sunrise or the evening stars. Take time each day to seek out stillness, to find that sacred spot.
Let your mind and soul be at ease. Don’t grasp and grab for the magic and miracles. When you reside in that place of stillness, the joy, miracles, and magic you’re seeking will find you.” ❤︎ ~ Melody Beattie
“Let go of something, somewhere. Use yoga to become aware, to touch what lies beneath the surface of the skin. Is there tension longing for release, a knot of fear so deep and familiar that you believe its part of who you are? Ease into dark corners, locked rooms, unexplored hallways. Gain entry not by force of will, but only by softness. Enter on the wings of breath, and turn the key of self-acceptance to let go of something, somewhere.” ~ Danna Faulds
Your inner smile is glowing golden inside of you all the time! All you have to do is become AWARE of it, and a beautiful thing happens — you begin to sense how it fills you with joy, awakens positive qualities, and radiates your shining light.
You may like to hold Hansi Mudra while you practice this meditation. Find a comfortable way to sit with your spine lengthened for five or more minutes.
• Begin to sense your breath without needing to change it in any way. • Feel a few natural breaths in your belly. Notice a few breaths in your chest and heart-space. • Become aware of your breath already moving and flowing through your whole body. • Now imagine an inner smile in your belly. With each breath feel your inner belly smile expanding and alive within you. • Become aware of the inner smile in your heart-space. Notice your breath expanding the smile in your heart, awakening compassionate love. • Feel the inner smile within every cell of your whole being. Trillions of inner smiles glowing golden in synchrony with each other. Like you are a tuning fork harmonized with the Divine – joy, shining light, and every positive quality – fills and radiates through you. • With a few quiet breaths, send your inner smile out to someone you love. Send your inner smile out to someone you are having a difficult time with. Send your inner smile to all beings. • Stay here for as long as you like. Keep this feeling of joy as long as you can, even when you gently begin to deepen your breath, softly open your eyes, and move into what comes next.
What makes you smile, brings you joy and laughter, ignites your spirit, and gives you the goosebumps? I love an article written by Rebecca Lammersen, entitled, 101 Ways To Get The Goosebumps. She states, “I gage a good day by the number of times I get the goosebumps. Why? Because it is a sign I am listening to my spirit, being guided by her. Goosebumps are the smile of our spirits — we can never smile enough.” So, throughout classes this week I will share with you her 101 ways to get the ✨ goosies! ✨
Listen to a song you love and sing along.
Watch a movie that moves you.
Pay attention to the animals, to the trees, to the birds. Talk to them.
Hug someone you know and love.
Hug someone you don’t know and feel the love.
Go to a park and watch children play.
Listen to what children have to say.
Play with a child.
Play like a child.
Roll down the windows of your car, stick your hand out and waltz with the wind.
Turn up the music in your car and sing as loud as you can.
Sing in the shower.
Make eye contact with everyone you pass. You never know when your eyes will meet a connection.
Sit still and observe. You will see an interaction that makes you break out in the bumps.
Recall your favorite memory and tell someone about it.
Dance.
Have someone you trust tickle your back or your arm.
Hold hands.
Slide down a slide.
Hang upside down on the monkey bars.
Swing on a swing.
Lay in a hammock.
Drink lemonade with a straw.
Have a lollipop.
Eat food that reminds you of your childhood.
Watch Lady and the Tramp.
Watch The Wizard of Oz.
Listen to John Lennon’s Imagine.
Listen to Somewhere Over The Rainbow (any version).
Listen to Louis Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World.
Kiss.
Give away something you love to a stranger.
Buy a meal for a person who is homeless.
Give your time and attention to someone who needs to be heard.
Scream.
Cry.
Pick flowers and smell them.
Buy someone flowers and surprise them.
Buy yourself flowers.
Say I love you at least three times a day.
Look yourself in the mirror and say, I love you.
Call you mother, your father, your siblings, your friends to tell them: I love you.
Smile at someone, smile at everyone.
Go to the beach.
Get your feet wet, at least.
Read the obituaries.
Listen to music from around the world, especially the songs with children singing.
Say the Pledge of Allegiance or any pledge or song of loyalty.
Have a conversation with God.
If you don’t believe in God, talk with the sun.
If you can’t see the sun, talk with yourself.
Take the trip you have always wanted to take.
Take a sick day from work or school and go to the pool, to the movies or to the zoo.
Go to a cemetery and read the headstones.
Go to a maternity ward and sit in the waiting room.
Have a conversation with a senior citizen.
Have a conversation with someone who is sick.
Have a conversation with someone who is no longer sick.
Go to Toys R’ Us and walk the aisles and play with the toys.
If you’ve wanted to ask someone to marry you, ask them.
Say yes.
Say no when you really want to say no.
Stay up all night just to stare at the stars and watch the sun rise.
Do a cartwheel.
Go to a race and stand at the finish line.
Cheer for someone.
Clap your hands and go anywhere there will be a standing ovation.
Go to Disneyland.
Read.
Read poetry.
Read The Diary of Anne Frank.
Read any book about bravery, injustice, courage and resilience.
Keep a journal and read it back to yourself.
Look at pictures of your family and your life.
Go for a walk and take each step like it is your last.
Suck on a lemon–it will remind you of your taste buds.
Go for a drive, just to drive.
Pet a dog or a cat (if you aren’t allergic and don’t hate them).
Go to Sea World and watch the Shamu show.
Skinny dip.
Go to a major league baseball game.
Visit the Grand Canyon.
Water ski.
Surf, even if it’s body surfing–catch a wave.
Story-tell.
Watch someone give birth.
Give birth.
Hold a baby.
Go to funerals.
Go to weddings.
Go to any function that celebrates a beginning and an end.
Have an orgasm.
Hold the door for someone.
Read the inspirational emails your mother sends you (sometimes they really are inspirational).
Stand in the rain and don’t move until you begin to shake.
Go to concerts–any type of music. Listen and watch.
Take a hike and sit at the top of the mountain.
Ask people to share their love stories.
Fall in love.
Write a letter to someone you love and read it to them even if they are no longer alive, especially if they are no longer alive.
Speak the truth. The goosebumps will always follow.
Ecstasy exists. It lives in random acts of love, bird seed scattered on cold days, back rubs, words of praise or admiration. It lives within the spontaneous admission of defeat when things don’t go as planned. Ecstasy lies dormant, ready to burst forth when a whitetail deer leaps across the road, or a slice of waning moon hangs jewel-like in the night. It’s easy to miss, simpler to point toward suffering and shrug, choose not to hear that first ecstatic call of a mourning dove welcoming the sunrise.
What makes you smile, brings you joy and laughter, ignites your spirit, and gives you the goosies? Make these a priority and create a personal intention around these ideas.
❦ An inner smile radiates throughout my being, awakening all my positive qualities.
❦ Today I choose to live with gratitude for the LOVE that fills my heart, the PEACE that rests within my spirit, and the voice of HOPE that says all things are possible.
❦ Look through the lens of LOVE & POSSIBILITY! ❤️ What’s the best that can and will happen? 🙏🏻 “For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.” – Luke 1:37 AMPC
✨Love ~ Serve ~ Inspire✨ 