Posted to FaceBook Feb. 22
We need to get over the feeling we need to get over something (be different than who/how we are), because the feeling we need to get over something keeps us in a place of needing to get over something. But then, if I need to get over the feeling I need to get over something, I will just be remaining in the place of needing to get over something.
If I am LOP to get over 'there', then I am not LOP. If I think I need to be different, do something, change something, fix something, be better at something, improve on something, justify something so that I can LOP, I am not LOP.
So, maybe, there is nothing to get over? Maybe nothing needs to be different than who or how I am right this second? Maybe this is exactly where I am wanting to be in this moment? Maybe there is so much about this moment, and its perfection, that I am not even able to fathom it all? Maybe in this moment, when I finally know there is nothing to get over, and I can feel the perfection that lies in the previously judged imperfection, I will realize I am over it because there was nothing to be over.
Living On Purpose (LOP) is remembering, believing in, and expressing who we really are. This blog is the sharing of the moment by moment experience of practicing Living On Purpose . . . because we all want to feel good.
Monday, 20 February 2012
"There's More To Life . . .
Posted to FaceBook Feb. 20th
. . . than economic success," is what the newspaper article was titled. I was visiting family and I decided to do something I rarely do -- look through a newspaper. The subtitle on this article was, "Time to shift focus from the economy to whether we're happy."
I was excited to see that such an article had found its way into a daily newspaper. (Caveat: It could very well be there are a lot of LOP slanted articles in newspapers these days, and I just don't know it because I am not reading them.) It reminded me of how we so often put, as the Abraham-Hicks materials explains to us, the cart before the horse. Meaning we have things backwards.
We tend to think that if we have a healthy gross domestic product we will be happy, when actually, when we are happy we will have a healthy gross domestic product.
We think if someone will just act the way we want them to then we will be able to appreciate who they are, when actually, when we appreciate who someone is they act just perfectly.
We think that if we could just find our answer about something we would feel at peace, when actually, when we are peaceful we will find our answer.
We believe how others perceive us is who we are, when actually, when we be Who We Really Are others will be able to see us.
We so much want things to be a certain way so that we can enjoy life, when actually, if we enjoy life things just seem to unfold in a certain way.
We want to be right because then we think we will be happy, when actually, being happy is enough 'right' all in itself.
We want the new car, job, health, relationship, home, etc. so that we can be happy and feel successfull, when actually, when I feel happy and successful, the whole process of finding a new car, obtaining a job, creating better health, developing a relationship, designing a home, becomes the never ending unfolding of happiness and success.
I may want people and situations to act a certain way so I can trust them, when actually, when I trust that all is well, no matter how they act, everything already is O.K.
We believe and want our outside world to determine our inside world, when actually, our inside world determines our experience of the outside world.
Most people would not put the cart in front of the horse and expect it to go. LOP is about not expecting our productivity (nationally or personally) to make us happy. LOP is about what we produce from happiness.
. . . than economic success," is what the newspaper article was titled. I was visiting family and I decided to do something I rarely do -- look through a newspaper. The subtitle on this article was, "Time to shift focus from the economy to whether we're happy."
I was excited to see that such an article had found its way into a daily newspaper. (Caveat: It could very well be there are a lot of LOP slanted articles in newspapers these days, and I just don't know it because I am not reading them.) It reminded me of how we so often put, as the Abraham-Hicks materials explains to us, the cart before the horse. Meaning we have things backwards.
We tend to think that if we have a healthy gross domestic product we will be happy, when actually, when we are happy we will have a healthy gross domestic product.
We think if someone will just act the way we want them to then we will be able to appreciate who they are, when actually, when we appreciate who someone is they act just perfectly.
We think that if we could just find our answer about something we would feel at peace, when actually, when we are peaceful we will find our answer.
We believe how others perceive us is who we are, when actually, when we be Who We Really Are others will be able to see us.
We so much want things to be a certain way so that we can enjoy life, when actually, if we enjoy life things just seem to unfold in a certain way.
We want to be right because then we think we will be happy, when actually, being happy is enough 'right' all in itself.
We want the new car, job, health, relationship, home, etc. so that we can be happy and feel successfull, when actually, when I feel happy and successful, the whole process of finding a new car, obtaining a job, creating better health, developing a relationship, designing a home, becomes the never ending unfolding of happiness and success.
I may want people and situations to act a certain way so I can trust them, when actually, when I trust that all is well, no matter how they act, everything already is O.K.
We believe and want our outside world to determine our inside world, when actually, our inside world determines our experience of the outside world.
Most people would not put the cart in front of the horse and expect it to go. LOP is about not expecting our productivity (nationally or personally) to make us happy. LOP is about what we produce from happiness.
Monday, 13 February 2012
This Moment Is Enough
Posted to FaceBook Feb. 15th
A week ago my husband cooked up a lunch for us. Because of our work schedules, we rarely do this, which made it special. I was still in my PJs and housecoat after a very fulfilling morning in my office. The sun was pouring into our dinning room where we sat discussing a book I was currently reading. As we dined I filled with immense appreciation for that moment, and the words gently whispered in my head, "this is enough."
I know that the word 'enough' is often used in the context that something is 'meagerly sufficient to get by.' However, I am using it to mean that 'nothing needs to be different for me to feel like my cup 'runneth' over.'
That experience of lunch being enough, did not mean that I didn't ever want to move on from the lunch, or get out of my PJs, or discuss a different topic. It didn't mean that joy is always about having someone to cook for me, or having the sun shining. It meant that in that moment I was allowing myself to fully appreciate this combination of experiences, I was fully recognizing its beauty. I was not in the future, or the past, I was not feeling like I should be rushing, or doing something more. I was completely at peace, and enjoying, the way that moment was -- that moment was soooo enough!
A week ago my husband cooked up a lunch for us. Because of our work schedules, we rarely do this, which made it special. I was still in my PJs and housecoat after a very fulfilling morning in my office. The sun was pouring into our dinning room where we sat discussing a book I was currently reading. As we dined I filled with immense appreciation for that moment, and the words gently whispered in my head, "this is enough."
I know that the word 'enough' is often used in the context that something is 'meagerly sufficient to get by.' However, I am using it to mean that 'nothing needs to be different for me to feel like my cup 'runneth' over.'
That experience of lunch being enough, did not mean that I didn't ever want to move on from the lunch, or get out of my PJs, or discuss a different topic. It didn't mean that joy is always about having someone to cook for me, or having the sun shining. It meant that in that moment I was allowing myself to fully appreciate this combination of experiences, I was fully recognizing its beauty. I was not in the future, or the past, I was not feeling like I should be rushing, or doing something more. I was completely at peace, and enjoying, the way that moment was -- that moment was soooo enough!
Beliefs that Support Me
Posted to FaceBook Feb. 13
Here's another thought about the first ingredient in LOP -- beliefs. One morning this past weekend I banged up against my belief that "sleeping in, on my days working at home, is what makes great days working at home." The way I banged up against it is I didn't sleep in past the time I get up when I am working outside of my home. Not fulfilling that belief created a rocky, not so connected start to my day.
This is similar to the, "I need seven hours of sleep each night" belief. These feel great unless I don't fulfil them, and then I can feel quite frustrated. These beliefs can be nice guidelines for my life, however, when I have beliefs that dictate my life, and I don't fulfil them, they end up being more of a disconnecting than a connecting with who I really am (WIRA) experience -- and that's not great support.
So, when I bang up against one of these beliefs, I can either change, rearrange, force my life to fulfil the belief, or I can change the belief. For instance, at first I tried to go back to sleep so I could fulfil my "sleeping in on days at home is how I create a great day at home" belief. That didn't work. I then tried reading, thinking I would for sure drift off back to sleep . . . an hour later, still reading. I get up, yes I am frustrated at this point, because now I am not going to have a great day at home. Then I thought, "if I am awake and I didn't fall back asleep after an hour of reading, it must be because, for now, I am done sleeping." That made so much more sense, and it felt better. I cannot say that it is now my belief (the thought I automatically think over and over again), but it was a step in the right direction.
With the busier schedule I have had the last month, I have banged up against a few beliefs that do not support a busier schedule, like: I need "X" amount of quiet time to remain connected with WIRA; I only have a certain amount of energy to spend each day; I have to limit certain things in my life to remain connected with WIRA; and inspiration/listening to WIRA can only happen in the quiet moments.
Yes, all of these thoughts and beliefs may have been an integral part for me learning how to LOP, and be connected with WIRA, and yes they are fine guidelines. However, if I am really LOP in each moment, if I am listening to my guidance, if I am focusing on that which is before me and completely present in that moment, and I am not getting caught up in the exhausting resistance of unfulfilled beliefs, I will be remembering and believing and expressing WIRA -- with, or without, fulfilling a certain belief.
But of course, that's only my belief.
Here's another thought about the first ingredient in LOP -- beliefs. One morning this past weekend I banged up against my belief that "sleeping in, on my days working at home, is what makes great days working at home." The way I banged up against it is I didn't sleep in past the time I get up when I am working outside of my home. Not fulfilling that belief created a rocky, not so connected start to my day.
This is similar to the, "I need seven hours of sleep each night" belief. These feel great unless I don't fulfil them, and then I can feel quite frustrated. These beliefs can be nice guidelines for my life, however, when I have beliefs that dictate my life, and I don't fulfil them, they end up being more of a disconnecting than a connecting with who I really am (WIRA) experience -- and that's not great support.
So, when I bang up against one of these beliefs, I can either change, rearrange, force my life to fulfil the belief, or I can change the belief. For instance, at first I tried to go back to sleep so I could fulfil my "sleeping in on days at home is how I create a great day at home" belief. That didn't work. I then tried reading, thinking I would for sure drift off back to sleep . . . an hour later, still reading. I get up, yes I am frustrated at this point, because now I am not going to have a great day at home. Then I thought, "if I am awake and I didn't fall back asleep after an hour of reading, it must be because, for now, I am done sleeping." That made so much more sense, and it felt better. I cannot say that it is now my belief (the thought I automatically think over and over again), but it was a step in the right direction.
With the busier schedule I have had the last month, I have banged up against a few beliefs that do not support a busier schedule, like: I need "X" amount of quiet time to remain connected with WIRA; I only have a certain amount of energy to spend each day; I have to limit certain things in my life to remain connected with WIRA; and inspiration/listening to WIRA can only happen in the quiet moments.
Yes, all of these thoughts and beliefs may have been an integral part for me learning how to LOP, and be connected with WIRA, and yes they are fine guidelines. However, if I am really LOP in each moment, if I am listening to my guidance, if I am focusing on that which is before me and completely present in that moment, and I am not getting caught up in the exhausting resistance of unfulfilled beliefs, I will be remembering and believing and expressing WIRA -- with, or without, fulfilling a certain belief.
But of course, that's only my belief.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Agreement or Defensiveness
A feeling of agreement means I am relaxing into and believing who I really am (WIRA).
A feeling of defensiveness means I am not really believing in WIRA.
A feeling of defensiveness means I am not really believing in WIRA.
Same Eyes
Posted to Facebook Feb 6.
The eyes through which I see others are the eyes through which I see myself. Every perception is relative to the perceiver. Every perception is filtered through our beliefs, our values, our habits, our degree of faith, our ability to unconditionally accept, and our experiences. So . . .
If I condemn someone, I am looking at myself through the same condemning eyes.
If I am in resistance about another, I will resist parts of me as well.
If I feel others are not contributing enough, I will wonder if I am enough.
If I worry about another, I will worry even when things go well.
If I resent someone's wealth, I will see it as wrong for me to be wealthy.
If I feel sorry for another, I will have a story of woe too.
If I easily become frustrated with others, I will easily become frustrated with myself.
If I don't feel like I get enough attention from someone, I am running short with Me as well.
If I am able to see the value in another, I will be able to find it in myself.
If I know we are all doing the best we know how, I will be more patient with me as well
If I can see someone's abilities, I will see the talents of myself.
If I can give someone the space to be who they really are, I will discover my genius self.
If I can believe when there is no evidence, I will be the first to spot the answer when it arrives.
If I can feel at peace with other's choices, I will be able to believe in mine as well.
If I can love you (because I am a lover), I will see I am lovable too.
If I can let go of controlling the world, I will relax about both me and you.
The eyes through which I see others are the eyes through which I see myself. Every perception is relative to the perceiver. Every perception is filtered through our beliefs, our values, our habits, our degree of faith, our ability to unconditionally accept, and our experiences. So . . .
If I condemn someone, I am looking at myself through the same condemning eyes.
If I am in resistance about another, I will resist parts of me as well.
If I feel others are not contributing enough, I will wonder if I am enough.
If I worry about another, I will worry even when things go well.
If I resent someone's wealth, I will see it as wrong for me to be wealthy.
If I feel sorry for another, I will have a story of woe too.
If I easily become frustrated with others, I will easily become frustrated with myself.
If I don't feel like I get enough attention from someone, I am running short with Me as well.
If I am able to see the value in another, I will be able to find it in myself.
If I know we are all doing the best we know how, I will be more patient with me as well
If I can see someone's abilities, I will see the talents of myself.
If I can give someone the space to be who they really are, I will discover my genius self.
If I can believe when there is no evidence, I will be the first to spot the answer when it arrives.
If I can feel at peace with other's choices, I will be able to believe in mine as well.
If I can love you (because I am a lover), I will see I am lovable too.
If I can let go of controlling the world, I will relax about both me and you.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Evolving Beliefs
They say that a major part of our belief system is suppose to be formed by the very young age of five or so years. And unless I update my beliefs about life and myself, I remain at the level I was when I was five.
I know all beliefs are originally formulated with perfect intention and are completely logical for us in that moment. However, it is possible that by the next day/month/year/decade, that belief may no longer be serving me, and it will be time to update it so that it continues to serve me instead of holding me back and getting in my way.
Updating our beliefs can be challenging because we can become very fond of them -- that's why we sometimes call them our cherished beliefs. We cherish them because at one point they were so right for us, they felt so good, they were so perfect for supporting us in taking that next step in becoming more of who we really are (WIRA). As I evolve and grow and ask more questions and see things clearer and clearer, and understand WIRA more and more, those beliefs are going to need to grow and change as well.
So something like standing up for myself, creating boundaries, taking care of myself so I don't feel like a door mat, might have been absolutely perfect at one point. But I most likely will arrive at a time when I find those once helpful boundaries, that helped me take care of myself, are now actually imprisoning me. I may find I am ready to move forward because I am stronger and clearer and no longer require a fortress to be confident and committed to WIRA, and speak my truth. I may come to a place where I realize that those boundaries are now keeping out the very things I am now ready to have come into my life. And if I am really ready to move forward I will hear the call to walk out past that once desired protection. I will have arrived at a place where I know that my power comes not from those walls I have built around me, but from the strength of me knowing WIRA.
LOP is knowing when a once helpful belief is ready to retire and make room for the evolved new one, so that I can continue my journey of expressing all of WIRA.
I know all beliefs are originally formulated with perfect intention and are completely logical for us in that moment. However, it is possible that by the next day/month/year/decade, that belief may no longer be serving me, and it will be time to update it so that it continues to serve me instead of holding me back and getting in my way.
Updating our beliefs can be challenging because we can become very fond of them -- that's why we sometimes call them our cherished beliefs. We cherish them because at one point they were so right for us, they felt so good, they were so perfect for supporting us in taking that next step in becoming more of who we really are (WIRA). As I evolve and grow and ask more questions and see things clearer and clearer, and understand WIRA more and more, those beliefs are going to need to grow and change as well.
So something like standing up for myself, creating boundaries, taking care of myself so I don't feel like a door mat, might have been absolutely perfect at one point. But I most likely will arrive at a time when I find those once helpful boundaries, that helped me take care of myself, are now actually imprisoning me. I may find I am ready to move forward because I am stronger and clearer and no longer require a fortress to be confident and committed to WIRA, and speak my truth. I may come to a place where I realize that those boundaries are now keeping out the very things I am now ready to have come into my life. And if I am really ready to move forward I will hear the call to walk out past that once desired protection. I will have arrived at a place where I know that my power comes not from those walls I have built around me, but from the strength of me knowing WIRA.
LOP is knowing when a once helpful belief is ready to retire and make room for the evolved new one, so that I can continue my journey of expressing all of WIRA.
Control Versus Creating
When I do life with the underlying goal of being in control, and my objective is to get everything taken care of, there seems to be a lingering fear of stuff that might happen and get in my way of achieving the goal of having everything done. I believe that feeling is what is sometimes referred to as 'the other shoe'.
When I do life with the underlying goal of creating, and evolving, and discovering, and exploring, that 'other shoe' feeling seems to disappear. I seem to be enthralled by the inspirations I am excited to get to next.
I guess that is what 'they' mean when they say "intention is everything." I can go through life either motivated by fear or inspired by passion. You know which one I am going to say is LOP.
When I do life with the underlying goal of creating, and evolving, and discovering, and exploring, that 'other shoe' feeling seems to disappear. I seem to be enthralled by the inspirations I am excited to get to next.
I guess that is what 'they' mean when they say "intention is everything." I can go through life either motivated by fear or inspired by passion. You know which one I am going to say is LOP.
My Truth is True
Posted to Facebook Feb. 8th.
I recently participated in an exercise that was shared with the best of intentions of creating an insightful point. My initial experience of it fell short of the expected insight, however my learning from it did lead to immense peace.
At one point in the process of this exercise I was asked to share my opinion on something. As I am getting better and better at listening to who I really am (WIRA), I went inside and challenged myself to answer as honestly as I could. I wanted to not water down WIRA, to not be looking for an answer I might think they are looking for, to not try and give the best answer, to not try and justify or be worthy, but to just answer honestly.
When I gave my answer I could immediatelyy feel by the reaction it was not the answer they had wanted, not what had been expected -- it was not the 'right' answer. As the exercise continued to unfold it was implied that the answer I had given was evidence of some not so great things about me.
I walked away with a not good feeling from the exercise. It felt like I was being told that I could not trust myself, like I was wrong for trusting my guidance when I had felt very clear and honest about my answer. The feeling I was left with from this exercise reminded me of another time in my life, when I was very young, and I had shared my truth with someone, and they had said that it was impossible.
How can my truth be impossible? How can something that I know is an honest expression of me, be wrong? The answer is, it can't. What was feeling terrible in both situations was I was believing the other person over me. And, not feeling good in these situations is a good thing, I am suppose to feel yucky when I am off my path.
So, I appreciate both instances in my life, for them so kindly reminding me that my work is to trust myself. My answers may not seem like the right answer to others, or they may think my truths are impossible, and they may choose to have opinions of me because of them. But when I am LOP, and honoring My truth, their opinions become observations, and I sit in a place of peace of knowing Me.
I recently participated in an exercise that was shared with the best of intentions of creating an insightful point. My initial experience of it fell short of the expected insight, however my learning from it did lead to immense peace.
At one point in the process of this exercise I was asked to share my opinion on something. As I am getting better and better at listening to who I really am (WIRA), I went inside and challenged myself to answer as honestly as I could. I wanted to not water down WIRA, to not be looking for an answer I might think they are looking for, to not try and give the best answer, to not try and justify or be worthy, but to just answer honestly.
When I gave my answer I could immediatelyy feel by the reaction it was not the answer they had wanted, not what had been expected -- it was not the 'right' answer. As the exercise continued to unfold it was implied that the answer I had given was evidence of some not so great things about me.
I walked away with a not good feeling from the exercise. It felt like I was being told that I could not trust myself, like I was wrong for trusting my guidance when I had felt very clear and honest about my answer. The feeling I was left with from this exercise reminded me of another time in my life, when I was very young, and I had shared my truth with someone, and they had said that it was impossible.
How can my truth be impossible? How can something that I know is an honest expression of me, be wrong? The answer is, it can't. What was feeling terrible in both situations was I was believing the other person over me. And, not feeling good in these situations is a good thing, I am suppose to feel yucky when I am off my path.
So, I appreciate both instances in my life, for them so kindly reminding me that my work is to trust myself. My answers may not seem like the right answer to others, or they may think my truths are impossible, and they may choose to have opinions of me because of them. But when I am LOP, and honoring My truth, their opinions become observations, and I sit in a place of peace of knowing Me.
The 'Buck' Stops Here
Posted to Facebook Feb. 5th
This past week I experienced a not good feeling. I interpreted an experience as someone judging me/having a perception of me that didn't feel good. It felt like they wanted me to be different, that I was not good enough the way I am. I did not like it at all.
I later caught myself doing the same thing to someone else. I was judging them, wanting them to be different, feeling that the way they were being was not good enough. When I recognized what I had done, I liked that even less. I had done/become exactly that which had not felt good to me.
When I realized what I had done the words resounded through my head, "The buck stops here." I had a powerful wave flow over me, a decision, that I never again want to pass on the judgements or perceptions or lack of belief in someone, even if that is what someone is passing on to me. Wherever an untrue story has started, and has been passed on from, it stops with me. I have that option, that choice, that power.
The place of transformation, the 'miracle', can start with me.
This past week I experienced a not good feeling. I interpreted an experience as someone judging me/having a perception of me that didn't feel good. It felt like they wanted me to be different, that I was not good enough the way I am. I did not like it at all.
I later caught myself doing the same thing to someone else. I was judging them, wanting them to be different, feeling that the way they were being was not good enough. When I recognized what I had done, I liked that even less. I had done/become exactly that which had not felt good to me.
When I realized what I had done the words resounded through my head, "The buck stops here." I had a powerful wave flow over me, a decision, that I never again want to pass on the judgements or perceptions or lack of belief in someone, even if that is what someone is passing on to me. Wherever an untrue story has started, and has been passed on from, it stops with me. I have that option, that choice, that power.
The place of transformation, the 'miracle', can start with me.
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