Sunday, July 31, 2011
New Beginnings
New beginnings sometimes catch us unaware. They can sneak in when we are not looking and before you know it your life has changed completely. Today I am enjoying one more new beginning, and it is exciting. The journey is taking me to places I hadn't expected and I am delighted by all of it. I invite you to watch as my journey unfolds. My new website is up www.joyhereandnow.com and I will be starting a new blog soon. Please stay in touch. In Joy, Barbara
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Good Intentions
There are many times in life when we act from our good intentions, but who does it serve. Sometimes we see someone that is having a challenge in some area of their life and so we look for ways to help them. Good intentions. Occasionally we will notice something in our community that we think should be fixed and we go about making the necessary changes. Good intentions. Sometimes it is a family member or maybe it is friend or work associate, we look at their life or their work and we can see areas that would be better served if they simply made a few changes. Good intentions.
We see these things or people that need fixing and from our generosity we go about telling or showing them what to do. Or in some cases we may simply change things on our own. I know from my own experience that I mean well when I do this. There is no intended malice in doing this it is merely good intentions. So, who is served by these good intentions? Have you ever really examined your good intentions to see who you are really serving?
Have you ever been surprised when you do this good thing or offer this good advice and suddenly you have lost a friend? Have you ever had someone get quite angry with you when you offer your sage advice? Why is this, do you think?
Imagine for a moment that you are going about your life, and you feel it is going quite well, and all of a sudden a couple of your friends start planning ways they could improve you. Maybe they haven't spoken to you about your failings as yet and they are going ahead with a plan to really improve you and your quality of life. How might this feel to you when you find out? Would you welcome it as a loving gesture on their part? Would you resent their presumptions?
Something to think about. Never assume you know what is best for someone else and you will probably have many friends and a happy life. Good intentions, best to use with caution and clear communication techniques.
Love and Blessings,
Barbara
We see these things or people that need fixing and from our generosity we go about telling or showing them what to do. Or in some cases we may simply change things on our own. I know from my own experience that I mean well when I do this. There is no intended malice in doing this it is merely good intentions. So, who is served by these good intentions? Have you ever really examined your good intentions to see who you are really serving?
Have you ever been surprised when you do this good thing or offer this good advice and suddenly you have lost a friend? Have you ever had someone get quite angry with you when you offer your sage advice? Why is this, do you think?
Imagine for a moment that you are going about your life, and you feel it is going quite well, and all of a sudden a couple of your friends start planning ways they could improve you. Maybe they haven't spoken to you about your failings as yet and they are going ahead with a plan to really improve you and your quality of life. How might this feel to you when you find out? Would you welcome it as a loving gesture on their part? Would you resent their presumptions?
Something to think about. Never assume you know what is best for someone else and you will probably have many friends and a happy life. Good intentions, best to use with caution and clear communication techniques.
Love and Blessings,
Barbara
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Power of Love
Today I was contemplating the power of love to shift consciousness. When attacked personally by the people around you we often move into a place of reaction and a desire to defend ourselves. Am I right? What if instead we stood in a consciousness of love and acceptance. Accepting that what people think, or what they say about us is actually about them and not about us. How might that change the way you feel about what happened or what was said?
When we accept what is happening, rather than defend against what is happening we become more powerful. In the moment that we look at a situation or a person with acceptance and compassion we remove ourselves from the place of being a victim. We begin to see a bigger picture and no longer take it personally if someone says something behind our backs to someone else, or maybe they say something we find hurtful, or something that is untrue.
The truth is, people rarely see us for who we are, but rather, they see us from who they are and where they are. It is important that we learn to love all others, most especially those who are intent on bringing us harm. It is through love that we are fully able to live in integrity. Living in integrity requires a deep commitment and will bring us a true sense of contentment. Learning to listen to our own hearts, our own consciousness will bring us peace and a true sense of freedom. Living in an attitude of trying to please others brings us pain and suffering.
Remember, "What people think of you is none of your business", from A Course In Miracles. This is one of the most important statements ever written. Learn it and live by it, you will be very grateful you did. Freedom and joy come when we stand in our own Truth without expectation of those around us and their thoughts, ideas or attitudes. Love yourself and love your life, this will bring peace to you and to the world. It is really our only option anyway. No matter what the challenge may be Love is always the answer. Have a great day and know you are loved.
In Joy,
Barbara
When we accept what is happening, rather than defend against what is happening we become more powerful. In the moment that we look at a situation or a person with acceptance and compassion we remove ourselves from the place of being a victim. We begin to see a bigger picture and no longer take it personally if someone says something behind our backs to someone else, or maybe they say something we find hurtful, or something that is untrue.
The truth is, people rarely see us for who we are, but rather, they see us from who they are and where they are. It is important that we learn to love all others, most especially those who are intent on bringing us harm. It is through love that we are fully able to live in integrity. Living in integrity requires a deep commitment and will bring us a true sense of contentment. Learning to listen to our own hearts, our own consciousness will bring us peace and a true sense of freedom. Living in an attitude of trying to please others brings us pain and suffering.
Remember, "What people think of you is none of your business", from A Course In Miracles. This is one of the most important statements ever written. Learn it and live by it, you will be very grateful you did. Freedom and joy come when we stand in our own Truth without expectation of those around us and their thoughts, ideas or attitudes. Love yourself and love your life, this will bring peace to you and to the world. It is really our only option anyway. No matter what the challenge may be Love is always the answer. Have a great day and know you are loved.
In Joy,
Barbara
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Creating Success Today
Hey Everyone,
I forgot my password, ooopps! Anyway I am back.
Success is an inner project and a personal journey. You must find your passion and live it. Discover your strengths and share them. And choose in each moment to release the past. The power of creating is a NOW experience and so you must be present for it to happen. Tony Robbins says, "Where focus goes, energy flows." Where is your focus, where is your energy flowing too? Take notice and correct any issues you may discover. Remember, it is your life and your mind.
In Joy,
Barbara
I forgot my password, ooopps! Anyway I am back.
Success is an inner project and a personal journey. You must find your passion and live it. Discover your strengths and share them. And choose in each moment to release the past. The power of creating is a NOW experience and so you must be present for it to happen. Tony Robbins says, "Where focus goes, energy flows." Where is your focus, where is your energy flowing too? Take notice and correct any issues you may discover. Remember, it is your life and your mind.
In Joy,
Barbara
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Responsible Choice
When I consider my past I am often surprised by where I am now. How did I get from there to here? A place of disfunction, suffering and inappropriate behavior. It was also a lonely place because I pushed people away from me. It seemed that I wanted contact and yet I couldn't handle people being too close. It really was a difficult time, a constant push and pull. As I began to take responsibility for my actions, and my thoughts, well, actually, my life in general, I began to make better choices and have since begun to create a happy and successful life.
So, how do we shift from there to here? It is a simple process and probably the most difficult thing you will ever do in your life. I know that sounds odd but it is true. Taking responsibility is really about acknowledging that everything in our lives has been created in some way by us. Easy enough. :-) Well, it seems easy but the ramifications can be overwhelming for most of us. Imagine the following: I'm responsible for my financial demise, but my boss laid me off, how is that my fault? I have cancer, how is that my fault, I didn't choose this? My partner beat me up, are you suggesting I created this? Well, the answer to each of those questions is yes, you are responsible for all those experiences, however, you are not to blame. Let me elaborate: At some level, probably at a very subjective level, I have a set of beliefs that are creating a vibration that is in alignment with a race conscious belief about lack, illness, victimization, etc. This means that my vibration is in alignment with the experience I am having. The good news is that I am responsible for everything in my life, and at a conscious level I have the ability to shift any and all situations I find myself in. This will require some soul searching but it can be done.
Part of the spiritual journey is about awakening to the idea of the unity of all life. Accepting that there is a deep connection to all that is, including the thing currently happening to us. Being one with everything means that the appearance of separation is an illusion and that by shifting our focus on anything we then change the way it shows up in our lives.
I invite you to think about any particular challenge you may be facing and to see it as your responsibility. See the answer or solution and allow yourself to move into a place of acceptance, acceptance of your current reality and acceptance of an easy and joyous outcome. I believe that love is the answer regardless of the question, ask yourself what would I do from a place of love and acceptance in this experience? Then do what you are inspired to do. I guarantee life will get easier and it will be more fun.
So, how do we shift from there to here? It is a simple process and probably the most difficult thing you will ever do in your life. I know that sounds odd but it is true. Taking responsibility is really about acknowledging that everything in our lives has been created in some way by us. Easy enough. :-) Well, it seems easy but the ramifications can be overwhelming for most of us. Imagine the following: I'm responsible for my financial demise, but my boss laid me off, how is that my fault? I have cancer, how is that my fault, I didn't choose this? My partner beat me up, are you suggesting I created this? Well, the answer to each of those questions is yes, you are responsible for all those experiences, however, you are not to blame. Let me elaborate: At some level, probably at a very subjective level, I have a set of beliefs that are creating a vibration that is in alignment with a race conscious belief about lack, illness, victimization, etc. This means that my vibration is in alignment with the experience I am having. The good news is that I am responsible for everything in my life, and at a conscious level I have the ability to shift any and all situations I find myself in. This will require some soul searching but it can be done.
Part of the spiritual journey is about awakening to the idea of the unity of all life. Accepting that there is a deep connection to all that is, including the thing currently happening to us. Being one with everything means that the appearance of separation is an illusion and that by shifting our focus on anything we then change the way it shows up in our lives.
I invite you to think about any particular challenge you may be facing and to see it as your responsibility. See the answer or solution and allow yourself to move into a place of acceptance, acceptance of your current reality and acceptance of an easy and joyous outcome. I believe that love is the answer regardless of the question, ask yourself what would I do from a place of love and acceptance in this experience? Then do what you are inspired to do. I guarantee life will get easier and it will be more fun.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Love is the Answer
There are challenges that come along, we're alive, stuff shows up, and how we deal with it matters the most. Not just that something happened but how did I respond to what just happened. Some days we do better than other days and it is important that we get okay with that. Sometimes I say and do things that I wish I hadn't said or done; and so today I am saying "I forgive myself now." We're rarely perfect and regardless of how hard we try there are those times when we know we could have done better. Well right now, in this moment, I am choosing to be the best me I can be. I choose love for all those around me and I truly see how blessed I am with the friends, family and acquaintances I have. What a gift. So, here today I am once again reminded that love is the answer, doesn't matter what the question is. How about you, can you forgive - especially you?
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