Author: Heather Wiest

Sweet Surrender ♡

On By Heather Wiest

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

“Safe amid storms, calm amid a world-unrest, certain amid insecurity. The only safe way is the sure way of Divine Guidance. Not the advice of others, not the urgings of your own hearts and wills. Just My Guidance. Think more of its wonder. Dwell more on its rest. Know that you are safe, secure.” ~ God at Eventide

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. ♡

DSC_7170-Edit

Transformation ❦

On By Heather Wiest

Butterflies go through an incredible journey. They start out as larvae, next they become caterpillars, and finally they attach to a leaf or tree and enshroud themselves with a fine and strong cocoon. Then they appear to sleep. But, during this time when they remain out of sight, they are silently TRANSFORMING. Nothing is visible to the eye that observes from the outside. An inner process of transformation changes an earthly caterpillar with its belly on the ground, into an extraordinary creature with beautiful, iridescent wings. The old form must die or be released for the beautiful, new creature to emerge and take flight. With people too, very often inner, silent transformation is continually taking place, mostly beyond our usual realm of conscious awareness. Through healing practices such as yoga, it is possible to transform the worm-like qualities and shed them like an old cocoon. It takes courage and a willingness to grow and change. What old cocoon would you like to shed off today? What would help you transform, grow, and fly? You are free when you are fearless.

Journaling Questions ❤️

How do you want to feel?
What are you opening to?
What are you closing to?
What are you inviting in?
What are you letting go of?
How are you transforming?

Set a fresh intention for the coming week.

There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly. ~ R. Buckminster Fuller

Do you think the caterpillar knows what it will become as it retreats from the world into its cocoon? Or is it a grand gesture of faith, and simply trusts everything will be OK in time? ~ Nigel Coates

Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see. ~ William Newton Clarke

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. ~ Maya Angelou

Just like the butterfly, I too will awaken in my own time. ~ Deborah Chaskin

“Just as the world around us changes and evolves, so do the circumstances and situations in our lives. We live in a universe that is alive, vibrant, and constantly evolving. Change is the way nature, the universe, and the Divine move us through each period of our lives. We are led to our next lesson, our next adventure. There’s no need to deny change, to fear it, or fight against it. Change is inevitable. Just as the earth is in constant motion and transformation, so are we. Growth can be gentle now. Growth can be fun. Breathe in new air. Breathe in new energy. Exhale the past, its feelings, beliefs, and toxins. Let it go. Let yourself be transformed.” ~ Melody Beattie

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:1-2 The Message
Butterfly Meditation 

As you take in a deep breath, start to visualize the ground below you filled with the color of your choice. This color extends 50 feet down into the earth. Now, begin to imagine the energy centers on the bottoms of your feet opening up. As you inhale, visualize the soft color you have chosen filling up your feet. When your feet are completely saturated with the color, bring the color up through your ankles, legs, pelvis and lower back. Each time you exhale, witness the color leaving through your lungs, carrying any tension and stress with it. See the tension dissolve into the air. The color is now reaching your abdomen, chest, shoulders, arms, neck and head. Exhale the color slowly out of your lungs.

Imagine you are a caterpillar. You are crawling on the tree where you live. Attaching yourself to a branch of the tree, you slowly start to form your cocoon. Gradually, you surround yourself with a golden, silken thread until you are totally hidden. You are inside the cocoon, completely surrounded by the softness of silk. You rest in the warmth of the golden darkness. You are not fully aware, so you do not know what is happening to you. However, you somehow sense that in this apparent stillness the Divine is at work. See if you can sense what is happening to you. At last, the cocoon breaks open, and a ray of light penetrates through a split in the cocoon. As the light touches you, it makes you feel a sudden surge of vitality, and you realize you can shed the cocoon that is around you. As you feel the cocoon falling away, you begin to discover that with it you have shed the defenses and supports of your safety net, and your past. You are freer than you ever dreamed you could be! You are now a beautiful, multicolored butterfly. You realize your boundaries have widened, and you can fly wherever you want. You feel light, fearless, and free.

Breakthrough💥

On By Heather Wiest

Springtime is the season of reNEWal — abundant life awakens and is displayed all around us — the warm sun, blooming flowers, birds chirping in song, change in the air. It is the perfect time to BREAK THROUGH OUR BLOCKS. “Sometimes we’re so blocked in a particular area we don’t even consider a breakthrough a possibility. We’re so blocked we don’t even see our blocks. Stay open. Don’t limit yourself. Something that yesterday seemed entirely unfeasible and forever beyond your grasp may tomorrow, next month, next year — or today — become something you can do naturally, something that’s available to you. It can come as a total surprise, in an area you hadn’t considered. Your breakthrough may happen in an area you’ve been struggling with and working on.” ~ Melody Beattie

How are you reNEWing? What breakthrough are you looking for?

Life is more than setbacks, and it’s not static. Appreciate and respect where you are now. But let yourself move to the next level when it’s time. Celebrate your breakthroughs when they come. Listen to that quiet voice, that fleeting thought that says, Why don’t you________? — even if it’s something you’ve never done before. ~ Melody Beattie

Who or what is pulling on you?

What do you think you should do?

Now take it to the next step, the next level. What does your heart & soul lead you to do?

Bhavana Meditation:

Bhavana is a Sanskrit word meaning reflection, contemplation, infusion.

To practice a bhavana meditation, think of a quality you would love to be permeated by, and soak in it.

  1. Think of one, two, or three qualities you would love to be infused with. Ask within yourself, “What would I love to be filled with? What kind of energy? What quality of being?” You could write these words in your journal. Your words might be quite different from one another, such as power, peace, love, excitement, stability, clarity.
  2. Give yourself a chance to love each word, leisurely. Bond with the word; let your body be at home with it.
  3. Develop a rhythm of leisurely thinking of each word and then pausing to feel it resonating in you. Like when you drop a pebble into a pond, watch the ripples. You might think one of your words every ten or twenty seconds, so it takes a full minute to think all three. Get used to this rhythm: the word, the feeling of the word, the sensations and imagery, the silence after the word, then the next word.

You can meditate in this way for five, ten, or twenty minutes a day. You can do this with any quality you love, or are devoted to, or have faith in. ~ Lorin Roche, The Radiance Sutras

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. ~ Romans 12:1-2, The Message

May you be reNEWed in this season of your life. Stay open. Don’t limit yourself. A breakthrough is happening.💥

Letting Go Of Resistance 💕

On By Heather Wiest

When you notice yourself feeling unmotivated, stagnant, or stuck — ask yourself, “What am I resisting?” You’ll probably know the answer right away. It might be a change of some kind — your career, a relationship, a decision to be made, or even an unfinished project. Listen to your resistance. It almost always has something useful to tell you. Oftentimes resistance masks fear, or an unwillingness to move deeper. Once you’ve noticed the area of resistance, allow yourself to feel the sensation of resisting. What does the resistance feel like in the body? Now ask yourself, “What do you have to tell me? What is this resistance about? Why are you there?” Ask the questions and then just wait to see what arises. It may be a feeling, a thought, a belief, or a fear. Feel that you are listening to it. Then ask the resistance, “What would happen if I let this go?” Notice what arises. Then ask yourself, “Would I be willing to let this go — just for a moment?” Notice what arises in the wake of the question. There may be a small sense of ease and peace, or perhaps a greater release than you thought possible. Envision the change, the relationship, the decision, or project in a positive light, with even a sense of gratitude, relief, or purpose gained from the entire experience. Adapted from Sally Kempton, Feeling Stuck? Try Self Inquiry for Resistance.

★ “Show up for what’s up so it won’t keep showing up.” ~ Gabby Bernstein

★ Begin to LET GO OF THE STORIES that play in your head that support the resistance — NO Blaming, NO Shaming, NO Judgement.

★ Remember, whatever you resist, persists!

★ There is FREEDOM and MOVEMENT in LETTING GO. When your think you have surrendered, SURRENDER some more.

You used to think you were powerful when you resisted your emotions, when you held back and didn’t express yourself. You thought power came from being who you thought you should be, instead of who you are. Now you have learned that only when you are who you really are, can true power emerge.  

MELODY BEATTIE

★ Sometimes resistance heightens when we feel overwhelmed. We need to disconnect from distractions to be able to listen to the still, small (BIG) voice inside, seek insight, and receive inspiration and direction.

★ What are your current distractions?

★ What would help balance your life? What would encourage clarity and focus?

★ We may need to step back and reevaluate. Oftentimes our dissatisfaction opens up opportunities for change and expansion.

★ Ask yourself, What is thriving in my life? What else is possible?

★ Be the humble witness of what will unfold.

“What’s the greater risk? Letting go of what people think — or letting go of how I feel, what I believe, or who I am?” ~ Brene’ Brown

DAILY GROUNDING VISUALIZATION

Take 3 deep, cleansing breaths, drawing the energy of the breath all the way down to the lowest part of your body. Imagine ribbons extending out from your feet and rooting you firmly in the earth. Take your minds attention into your heart space and follow that attention with another deep cleansing breath into your heart. Ask your heart what color or combination of colors needs to grow out of the flower of your heart to exemplify the energy of your highest purpose, your most open heart, and your most balanced state of being. Whatever colors come to you, quickly just trust that. Allow them to begin to unfold out of the flower of your heart and circulate within the chest area of your body. Breathing gently, but deeply, feel the warmth or coolness, and the unique subtleties of your unique person. Allow this radiance to spread gently throughout your body. Allow it to rise up through your neck and into your head, letting it branch off at your neck and cascade down your arms as it flows out the palms of your hands. Gently circulate the energy and allow it to spiral down your torso, down your legs and out the soles of your feet, all the while gently breathing into your body, knowing that this energy is the aliveness of your being and represents your receptivity to Divine guidance and opportunities. Continue to allow this energy to move and swirl in its own way through your body. You may linger here as long as you wish. When you are ready, take a few deep cleansing breaths, knowing that you are continuing to radiate your most authentic, and magnetic essence.

Allow, by Danna Faulds
There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream and it will create a new
channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in–
the wild and the weak; fear,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes.

img_7572

Speak Life 💗

On By Heather Wiest1 Comment

What’s the best thing someone could say to you right now?

All too often, we take the people we love the most for granted: our lovers, family members, and close friends. We forget the enormous power of our presence and words. Make a conscience choice to nurture your relationships with verbal communications of love. Be kind and sincere. Ask open-ended questions with an open heart. Listen empathically and non-defensively. Remember, there are no conditions, no strings, no expectations, and no manipulation. Simply, love to love. ~ Joyce Marter

Give the gift of your full presence. Speak words that build up, edify, encourage, and heal. Love big. Love more. Embrace these 50 Loving Sentiments. Remember the expressions that resonate with you, and share abundantly with those around you. SPEAK LIFE. 

1. I am here for you.

2. Thank you. Thanks for all you do for me, and all the ways in which you add value to my life.

3. You are beautiful. What I find most beautiful about you, inside and out, is: _____.

4. How are you? Truthfully, fully and completely—how are you, really?

5. Tell me about your dreams.

6. Tell me about your fears.

7. Tell me your beliefs about life, love, the world, etc..

8. I am thinking about you.

9. I appreciate you.

10. I care about your feelings.

11. You are important to me.

12. I made a mistake and I’m sorry. I sincerely apologize. Please forgive me.

13. I value our relationship.

14. I am grateful and fortunate to have you in my life.

15. What can I do to support you?

16. How are you feeling about our relationship?

17. How are you feeling about me?

18. The qualities I love about you most are: _____.

19. I notice and really appreciate your efforts and growth in these areas: _____.

20. What’s most meaningful to me about our connection is: ______.

21. Great job! Nice work! Well done.

22. These are the ways in which you have touched my life and made me better: _____.

23. It’s an honor to know you and be close to you.

24. I want the very best for you.

25. I cherish the following experiences we’ve shared: _______.

26. I trust you. I trust in our relationship.

27. I forgive you. I let go of my resentments.

28. These are all of the wonderful, positive qualities I see in you: _____.

29. Your greatest gifts and strengths are: _____.

30. I respect you.

31. I respect your decisions even though they’re different from mine, or what I’ve recommended. You’re free to make your own choices.

32. I support you in any and every way that I can.

33. I believe in you.

34. I lovingly and trustingly give you the time and space you need.

35. You can achieve anything you want in life.

36. You are special. You are divinely and uniquely YOU.

37. You are free to be your authentic self in the context of our relationship.

38. I welcome you to be honest and truthful with me.

39. I desire to have/maintain an intimate and loving relationship with you.

40. You elicit the following positive emotions and feelings in me: _______.

41. You are not responsible for me, for my negative behaviors, or my poor choices.

42. What would you like from me or from our relationship?

43. It’s not your fault. I don’t blame you.

44. I support you in taking care of yourself.

45. Your feelings are understandable and normal responses to everything you have been through.

46. I do not expect you to be perfect. I absolutely understand you are a human being and that none of us are perfect.

47. I acknowledge my areas of needed improvement including ABC, and am working on them by doing XYZ.

48. It’s important to me to know and understand you.

49. I come to you with an open heart and an open mind.

50. I love you fully, completely, and exactly as you are.

df3efedd0b5204e45745b0590e30ab0c

What’s the best thing you could say to someone right now?

Lift your head a little higher, spread the love like fire, hope will fall like rain, when you speak life with the words you say. Raise your thoughts a little higher, use your words to inspire, joy will fall like rain, when you speak life with the things you say. ~ Toby Mac