21 posts tagged “inspiration”

I've been battling the flu these past few days, and I think I am finally coming out of the "fog."  I am trying to get back into the swing of things slowly, and I found the below passage a helpful reminder to surround myself with positive experiences.  Hope you have a great day ;o)

The Joyful Flow
Good Vibrations
from The Daily Om

Feelings vibrate, just as all things in the universe do, at a particular frequency. Negative feelings like anger, guilt, and depression vibrate at low frequencies, while positive feelings like joy, appreciation, and passion vibrate at high frequencies. These high frequency vibrations make us feel good. This is why people and places that inspire and cultivate positive feelings have what we call good vibrations.

Good vibrations inspire health, happiness, and optimism. When we are tuned in to good vibrations, our bodies heal, our hearts open, and our minds shift toward the light. We see new possibilities and feel powerfully energized to follow our inner visions. At the same time, we feel relaxed and capable of manifesting these visions without giving in to stress or struggle. Good vibrations put us in a state of perfect receptivity so that we feel it is the energy flowing through us that accomplishes what needs to be done. We feel guided, supported, protected, and nourished within this joyful flow. We sometimes forget that we are allowed to feel this way all the time.

Lower frequency vibrations are not bad in a moral sense, but they are bad in the sense that they simply don’t feel good. Still, they have a purpose, which is to alert us to the fact that we are blocking out the higher frequency vibrations that we need to function well. They are a call for healing ourselves from within. The key to our healing lies in remembering that it is our birthright to feel good and that feeling good is the essence of our true nature. When we are receiving and sending out good vibrations, we are in the flow. When we are not, we can begin to raise our vibration by seeking out people, places, and situations that vibrate at a higher frequency. Whether we need to go on retreat or just call a friend who makes us laugh, seeking out those good vibrations and basking in them is a sacred and loving practice that returns us, time and again, to the joyful flow of the universe.

I love this message ~ The insight we gain from making choices helps us grow.  And even though the lesson may seem painful, I believe something good comes from everything in our lives.  Please enjoy ;o)

Self-Determination
Using Your Power
from The Daily OM

Our lives are defined by the decisions we make each day. When we choose one option over another, whether we are selecting a restaurant or considering a cross-country move, we shape our lives. The decision-making process can be empowering, allowing us to enjoy the benefits of self-determination. Yet it can also be a source of anxiety because decisions force us to face the possibility of dissatisfaction and inner conflict. As a result, many of us opt to avoid making decisions by allowing others to make them for us. We consequently turn our power over to spouses, relatives, friends, and colleagues, granting them the stewardship of our lives that is ours by right. Though the decisions we must make are often difficult, we grow more self-sufficient and secure each time we trust ourselves enough to choose.

Ultimately, only you can know how the options before you will impact your daily life and your long-term well-being. Within you lies the power to competently weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each selection. Even if you feel incapable of making a decision, your inner wisdom and your intuitive mind will give you sound counsel if you have faith in yourself. Try to come to your own conclusions before seeking the guidance of others, and even then, treat their suggestions as supplementary information rather than votes to be tallied. Before making your choice, release your fear of wrong decisions. Perceived mistakes can lead you down wonderful and unexpected paths that expose you to life-changing insights. If you can let go of the notion that certain choices are utterly right while others are entirely wrong, you will be less tempted to invite others to take the reigns of your destiny.

When your choices are your own, you will be more likely to accept and be satisfied with the outcome of those choices. Your decisions will be a pure reflection of your desires, your creativity, your awareness, and your power. Since you understand that you must live with and take responsibility for your decisions, you will likely exercise great care when coming to conclusions. As you learn to make informed and autonomous choices, you will gain the freedom to consciously direct the flow of your life without interference.

And I was inspired by the upcoming release of the film, "The Soloist" with Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.
Against some serious obstacles, the two characters (based on the real life of a LA Times journalist & homeless musical prodigy) find themselves becoming friends.

It makes me smile to think about this film being made today, and reminds me that even Hollywood can get it right sometimes..

For your viewing pleasure, attached are links to a story about this uncanny friendship, the official movie trailer, and a fantastic 60 Minutes interview with the real characters behind the story.

"At the end of our talk, I was so excited I reached out to him in a gesture of goodwill and friendship.  He silently, deliberately, withdrew both his hands behind his back, as if to remove them from even the possibility of a handshake..

...my experiences, especially my teaching experiences, in Iran have been framed by the feel and touch of that aborted handshake, as much as by that first approach and the glow of our naive, excited conversation.  The image of my student's oblique smile has remained, brilliant yet opaque, while the room, the walls, the chairs and the long conference table have been covered over by layers and layers of what usually in works of fiction is called dust.."

Excerpt from Reading Lolita in Tehran
by Azar Nafisi

For 2009, I planned to set realistic goals that were achievable.  And my #1 Goal = Spending time to reduce stress in my life.  Apparently, this is a far more difficult task than I expected, and January has turned out to be beyond hectic for work.

Trying to keep myself on track, I found this article from a Life Coach speaking to the value of nurturing ourselves.  Please take a moment & enjoy this inspirational read  ;o)

Relief For a Busy Mind, Body and Spirit
By Lynise Harris
Source: LifeOnPurpose.com

Have you noticed what happens when we get busy? Often, we stop doing the very things that nurture us and keep us grounded and centered. How many times have you let go of something you really love to do because you felt you
didn't have time? How many days did you miss that leisurely walk, or not finish that book or not pray or meditate that day because you had too much to do? Sometimes we are so caught up in the hectic pace of life that we forget what is really important.

Nurture Yourself

Try this on...What if the very things that you love to do are the very nourishment, food, and fuel that you need to continue your busy life?  What would happen if instead of decreasing nurturing activities during challenging, stressful times, we actually increased these activities?  How would you feel? How would you be?

Here is what could potentially happen:

--You could have more energy to do the things that are important.
--You could be a more pleasant person to be around.
--You could find that you actually enjoy your busy routines because you feel grounded.
--Life could feel more fulfilling and joyous.
--You could have more patience.
--You could feel lighter, more liberated and less stressed.

I challenge each and every one of us to consider the importance of taking time out to nurture and renew ourselves. There is a wise saying, " If you don't take care of you, no one else will."

Here are some nurturing activities to consider:

--Take a long leisurely walk in a beautiful area.
--Go to a nearby town you have always wanted to visit and just look around.
--Take time each day to be silent and appreciate what you have.
--Play with your kids.
--Pray for a least 10 minutes each day.
--Write in a journal.
--Meditate.
--Take a class you have always wanted to take.
--Visit a friend you haven't seen in a while.
--Get your crayons out and color a little or paint or draw!
--Take a trip you've always wanted to take.
--Go dancing.
--Plant some flowers.

Lets all be mindful of the preciousness of our lives and remember to celebrate it each and every day.