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.

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?

Choices

I have been thinking about the election a great deal lately.  Toronto is holding a civic election on Monday.  As I listen to the news, watch mayoral debates, read brochures from candidates, listen to interviews I'm finding myself confused by the whole event.  It feels like there is no real choice.  None that I feel are good for my city and/or my neighborhood.

Because of this some people are choosing to vote for someone they don't like just so that a person they like even less won't get elected.  The thought did cross my mind to do the same thing and then I thought about the consequences of that type of choice.  Making a choice from fear is a disempowered way to live.  I seems to me that it is more important that we live from our greatest wisdom.  I'm not sure my candidate has a chance to win this election but what I do know is that he will represent our city in a way that honors the values I hold.  I have decided to vote for people who share my values and who I believe in.

I remember it took some time for the Green Party of Canada to begin making a name for themselves and that is happening slowly and surely. It is as a result of the people who share their ideas and values voting for them even if it appears that they cannot win now, they may at some time.  I ask you to look into your heart and mind and pick a candidate that you believe would be best for this city and someone best for your neighborhood.  And if they are not elected and you do not like what is going on you can complain with a clear head, you didn't elect them.  Just something to think about.  Enjoy your day and enjoy your opportunity to speak you mind in the upcoming election.  Remember not choosing to vote is a choice.

A Miracle Today

I was thinking about miracles today and remembering that they really are natural occurrences in the Universe.  Most of us think they are rare and unbelievable but this is not the case.  Miracles happen when we open ourselves up to the clear influences of Spirit.

Daily we receive messages from the Universe and more often than not we ignore them, this is why we struggle as much as we do.  The key to an easy, joyous life is to surrender into the flow and to allow life to carry us forward.  We participate by moving in the direction of our dreams or goals and when we surrender we allow ourselves to follow the path of least resistance.
Food for thought,
Barbara

Say 'YES' to Life

The journey we're on is short and I think sometimes we forget that and we just put in time.  Time until we retire, time until the kids leave home, time until we get married, time until we have a baby, time until we find the right job, right partner, etc.  Does this really serve us and others?  Why not live fully and with real passion?  Why not say yes to living?  I think the thing that stops us is fear, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of people, fear of... you name it.  What if we took a little time and began to live in the idea that the Universe is for us, and it is good, and as a result of this new awareness we began to say yes to the things that come our way.  Provided they don't harm us or another.  I believe we would experience a great sense of satisfaction overall and when we get to the end of our time here we would leave knowing we accomplished a full life.  Personally I believe living fully is essential and truly why we came into this life experience in the first place.  I say try it.  Say yes, more often than not, and see if you experience more satisfaction and success in your life.  Enjoy the ride.

Thank you

Someone once said that if you prayed a prayer of gratitude that would be enough.  I agree fully.  A grateful heart opens us up.  There is a deep feeling of comfort and peace that accompanies gratitude.  It also sends a clear message to the Universe.  The message that I have what I need, that I am comfortable where I am and that life is pleasing to me.  The Universe responds to us with a resounding 'yes', always.  When we are grateful we send a message of well being and the Universe responds by bringing more of that into our lives.  By being grateful for all things we clearly live in the Universal flow and begin to experience more for which to be grateful.  Such a simple act but a deeply important one.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day in Canada and as we sit with our families and friends let us begin in gratitude for our lives, regardless where we are on the path, let us be grateful for the food we share, for the love we feel and for the journey we walk together.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Surprise, surprise

I was thinking today that life sometimes feels predictable.  I would like to experience something surprising.  Something fun and beautiful.  There is great joy in having an experience that is completely unexpected or to be in a situation that is unpredictable.  It has been a while and I am ready for some fun, interesting, and joyous surprises.  I'll be sure to report back on my experience of surprise.

Feelings of the Heart

It is essential that we allow ourselves to feel the depth of our current experience.  Sometimes as we venture onto the spiritual path we think we are meant to give up our humanity and I don't believe this is the case.  In fact, I believe it is the opposite.  I truly believe that our experiences are the reason we came into this plane of existence.  I believe we are here to experience life and that means all of it, the good and the bad of it.  So, today I invite you to look closely at what you feel, do not judge or label any of your emotions, just feel.  Remember if you can feel you are truly alive, and that is why we are here.  Enjoy your day and know that life is worth all the experiences you  have and will have.

mmmmm, autumn

What a great time of year, it reminds me of the end of the day; I've finished my work and now I can settle in for a relaxing evening before heading off to bed.  The busy days of summer are now ended and it is time to prepare for rest, or at least change.  Maybe it is just me, but I love this time of year, things do get busier for me as my teaching and speaking schedule fills up, however, I feel relaxed and peaceful about the days and nights ahead.  Living is kind of like this too.  I've gotten to an age where everything is a little more relaxed, I take things in stride and I enjoy the various aspects of my life much more.  My life is busier than ever before and more satisfying.  Is it age?  Or is it something else?  I know for me that I am more comfortable with myself, less judgmental of my body, my choices, my life to date, and more relaxed overall.  Things seem to be changing and although I have no idea where these changes will take me I have learned to take it all in stride.  At least most days.  ;-)

Change is a constant,  regardless of who you are, where you live, or how you celebrate Spirit, change is there for all of us.  It catches us by surprise sometimes and it always promises something new on the horizon.  I invite you to join me in celebrating this time of change, relaxing into the shift and welcoming what is yet to come.  Life is an adventure and I think it is an exciting one, how about you?

The Power of Health

My rant for today:
I was at the gym the other day when one of the members there starting chatting with me.  She mentioned how tired she is of hearing about people having cancer.  Every time she turns around someone else is diagnosed with cancer.  "I know", was my response.  I mentioned to her that we are very focussed on cancer and as a result, it appears to be everywhere we look.  I believe that what we focus on expands.  Our mind is creative, thoughts create things.  Because we focus so much time and money on cancer it is in our faces all the time.  We have walks for cancer, runs for cancer, we buy products colored a certain way to show how much we support cancer research.  We buy lottery tickets to raise money for cancer research.  Cancer is front and centre in all our minds.  Mind is creative, could it be that the rampant growth of cancer in our world today is largely do to our persistent thinking about it?  Maybe it is time to focus our energy and conversations around health.  What might happen if we did a run for health, walked for health and bought products that promoted well-being.  Okay, some of us do but image the impact if every sign mentioning cancer we're taken down and in its place we had a health message.  What if we bombarded ourselves with messages about our health.  What if we focussed our attention on enjoying the vibrant health that is natural to us all.  I believe our thinking creates our experiences, so, let's change our thinking.  How hard could it be?  :-)

Contentment

Hey Everybody,

Well, I took the summer off, for the most part, and I am now back to work and feeling terrific.  I was reading the Taize website yesterday and came across a bible quote that spoke to me.  It was referring to silence and prayer, "I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother." Like the satisfied child who has stopped crying and is in its mother’s arms...”  I was moved by this statement, still am.  I loved the idea of being satisfied and contented and I was wondering how often I have felt that in my life.  How about you?   Imagine a day where you felt true satisfaction.  The peace and love would simply pour forth through you.  What a remarkable thing.  I believe there is too much fear in our world and if we take time in silence and prayer we can begin to still the fears and expand into love.  What a world it would be if we all took time to pray and meditate, time to sit, relax and BE.  Hmmm!  I would love to be part of that world.  And so I begin again today to take time in the silence, today I choose to be peaceful, today I welcome solitude.  

Peace and Blessings, Rev B

human summit project - June 27

Zen and the art of G20 summit protesting


As the G20 leaders hunker down for another day of discussions at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on June 27, there will be another summit going on across town.



And this one plans to be silent.



Participants in the Human Summit will gather at Woodbine Park to partake in a mass meditation as a way to hold a “peaceful alternative for conscious civil engagement.”



Other meditation groups around the world will take part simultaneously, organizers say.



“The Human Summit was born out of the desire to have a civil engagement response to the G-20 Summit in Toronto that is both spiritually and politically conscious,” the event’s website says.



“This meditation will offer a peaceful, non-violent alternative for conscious civil engagement to the residents and visitors to Toronto during the G20 Summit.

“The organizers of The Human Summit believe that the loudest and clearest voice will come from the silence of a large group of people sitting in meditation here in Toronto, while joined in consciousness by tens of thousands of others connected in silence simultaneously around the world.”



The Human Summit will also feature musical entertainment and guest speakers — so I guess it won’t be completely silent. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

March 2, 2010

The world is changing at a rapid pace and many are frightened.  When I listen to the media coverage and the fictional movies I begin to understand the depth of the fear gripping many people in our world today.  But, what would happen if we shifted our perspective?  What if we accepted that their is great change happening rapidly and that it is going to be FABULOUS?  Would we live differently?  Would we experience greater happiness in our day to day experience?  If we lived happily and with great love today might our tomorrow be brighter?  Hmmm, food for thought.

February 4, 2010

I love the experience of being with family, especially if you haven't had the opportunity in awhile.  Family has a way of touching us right at the place where we are ready to heal.  They have an uncanny ability to know exactly what button to push.  When we realize that our family is merely a reflection of a bigger idea we have of ourselves we can release all the struggle we may have had and relax knowing that our families are merely reflecting to us who we think we are.  WOW!  Imagine that.  We are truly divine beings and when we forget, even for a moment, our family and friends mirror for us what is ready to be healed.  I love it.

January 26, 2010

The journey to a sane life begins with responsibility.  When we choose to accept responsibility for our lives we begin to enjoy the benefit of experiencing the power and potential that has always been within us.  If we feel victimized we have given our power over to someone or something, feeling empowered comes from recognizing that we choose our thoughts, our beliefs, our journey and being responsible for all of it brings with it peace. 

Knowing I have participated in the creation of my current experience reminds me that I can choose again and get a different result.  I like that idea, a new choice equals a new result, awesome.  Take a look at your current experience and ask yourself if you, "am I willing to make the changes necessary to change the condition?" and if you are start now to live fully. Yahoo!  Enjoy the new ride.

January 20, 2010

I'm baaaack!  The holiday season seemed to interrupt my rhythm, but I'm okay now.  There is a lot going on right now and I am grateful for this day.  When I read the news and when I see the devastation that is happening in Haiti at this time I become deeply grateful for the life I have.   I am certain no one can even comprehend the magnitude of this disaster and the effect on the people of Haiti.  I think it is time for us to take stock of what is really happening for us and give thanks for whatever it is that we do have.  I believe we should be grateful even for the pain we may be experiencing and send our love and prayers to everyone in Haiti who are now trying to simply survive one more day.  If you knew today was your last day on earth how would you live this day?  Think about it, there may be some changes needed for you to really fulfill your life.