Hydrangea

 

I cross stitched this piece a while back and only just got inspired to finish it as a pillow. Isn't it stunning?
I feel great joy and appreciation when I see it, as it reminds me of when I use to grow the most abundant hydrangeas in magnificent colours, much like these.
Life is good!

My first tote bag!

 

I am so excited about this bag which I sewed this past week.
I love the fabric pattern, the button, the shape of the bag and the feel of it.
I enjoy the weightlessness and softness of carrying it most of all.
I mean, what's not to love about a bag I so obviously adore?

Bucket List revision

My Bucket List has evolved from whatever it was I previously posted here.

It is not about having, being and doing a bunch of stuff. Being there done that.

Rather it is about living in the moment.

It’a about being aware that I am sitting on the rug with my back against the sofa, in the soft light of my reading lamp, with the MacBookPro on my thighs as I type my current thoughts to this popular overrated list (bucket list).

Who the hell cares anyway what the contents of the list looks like? What does it matter if it has one thing or a thousand things? The only thing that really matters is are you enjoying your moments?

That’s it period.

A notebook of mine fell to the floor the other day, as I was unpacking them and it fell open to a page where I had written “Will I be moving to California this year? (2010)

I smiled as I read that. It is now 2012 and I am here.

Everything is perfectly orchestrated by the Universe, no matter what it may look and feel like. 

I only ever want to say and mean: I enjoyed every moment of the ride.

An excellent discourse on meditation

 

I had my pupils dilated today, so I'm listening to videos for a few hours.

I really like this one about the benefits of meditation. I am once again, inspired to practice

meditation on a daily basis.

Question your beliefs

 

I watched part one of Guide to Happiness  this afternoon and I'm looking forward to watching the other five parts.  Personally I'm always making a list of reasons as to why I have this or that belief. 

Finding Relief

 

When Relief has gone missing, I usually have to stop everything and give my undivided attention to finding it again. Changing these gears is the most difficult part of this whole process: Stop whatever it is I'm doing. Be still. Ask myself what will feel better now?

And then do that. It really is that simple.

Some of my relief actions include but is not limited to:

Practicing the corpse yoga pose, drinking hot tea, breathing deeply, going for a long solitary walk, playing uplifting music, cross-stitching, phoning a loved one, journaling, creating something delicious in the kitchen, eating a good piece of chocolate, perusing my cross-stitch stash, writing lists of appreciation or just being.

It is good to feel good!

My ABC's...

 

Ah
Bliss
California...
It's how I've been investing my time since my last post here.

My expectations

1.Listen to my own voice.
2. Honour my own feelings.
3. Respect my own self, first and foremost.
4. Give love and kindness to self.
5. Nurture self.
6. Compliment self.
7. Treat self with reverence.
8. Give up humility.
9. Know my own power.
10. Be present always.

Celebration

Celebration is possible if each moment brings you something new.
~Osho~

Refocusing

 

When my life gets too hectic, I refocus by spending time alone:
Nothing to do.
Doing nothing.
No conversations either; not email or spoken.
I find that cutting off all external chatter is the most effective tool for me to employ.
This is followed by practicing some deliberate deep breathing, taking a long solitary walk, meditating for fifteen minutes or just being in stillness.

Staying positive

 

is essential for joyful living. I define joyful as a feeling of utter wellbeing.
The attitude is an inside job to begin with and it is maintained throughout.
Ah yes, the maintenance! How is that actually performed?
Focus.
Purely focusing on what IS Wanted.
-What Do I Want Now?-
There are advantages to every situation if you seek them out.
If you expect to find the good- you will.
It works a bit like a magnet:
Expect a solution, think of what is wanted and this or something better must show up.

Blissful thoughts

 

A hot bath in an old fashioned claw footed tub.
Hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Smooth dark chocolate.
Aperol Spritz.
Reading poolside, alone.
Solitary Walks.
Knowing I am never alone.
Lavender plants.
Finding seashells on the seashore.
Living on the West Coast again.

The Journey

I am always on my way to something more.

Commitment for the present.

I am committed to the following daily practices:
Exercise. Drink plenty of water. Practice Yoga postures.
Daily Meditation.
Read for 3 hours a day.
Anything Else After.

The Universe is always answering...

The Universe is always answering our calls.
Always.
The only time we may not hear is when we are not paying attention or when we are not in the vicinity of the answers.
Could the U be any more supportive?

Hand writing my way to clarity

Today I'm appreciating the luxury of writing, using a smooth gel pen in my favourite colour and good quality writing paper. These tools are really essential for connecting with my IB. When meditation is not possible, the singular, physical act of writing with a pen is the next best way for me to allow the strengthening of my connection with non-physical.

Metta meditation practice

I’ve resumed the practice of metta meditation which I first learned from Sharon Salzberg  many years ago.

It evokes such a powerful feeling of joy and wellbeing that it’s hard not to want to practice this on a daily basis.

Here is what works for me:

Get into a meditative position and state; sit comfortably and quiet your mind.

Follow your breath for a few minutes.

Focus on your heart area.

Recall an unconditional loving experience you’ve had or imagine one.

Then say these words while you experience the love of Source showering down upon you:

May I be happy.

May I be well.

May I be at peace.

Next, think of someone you love and say:

May you be happy.

May you be well.

May you be at peace.

Next, think of someone you feel neutral about and say:

May you be happy.

May you be well.

May you be at peace.

Next, someone you dislike:

May you be happy.

May you be well.

May you be at peace.

Next those present in your immediate environment.

In your town, city, state, country and finally the world.

Each time you radiate unconditional loving kindness in ever increasing circles until you have encompassed the entire universe. 

Rest in this place for a few moments before arising out of this meditation which should take no longer than fifteen minutes.

Feel Good movie of the week

The Women on the 6th floor is an adorable French movie which was very funny and charming.

I loved how everyone wanted what was best for themselves and they all found it in the end. 

I really loved this film because I didn’t have to suffer along with characters, or get mad or any of the negative emotions movies tend to induce.

I decline to participate in any kind of unpleasant drama -be it real or imaginary, so this was the perfect film choice for me.

How can I make the best use of my time here?

This question came from me during my meditation this morning.

The answer came quickly on the heels of the question - Enjoy every single interaction, be it a thought or a manifestation. If it is unwanted, move on to the next. Do not spend anytime dwelling on things that are not wanted.

I found myself aborting the meditation process, eager to put this bit of insight into practice. It is now eight hours later and so far things are going swimmingly well.

Let’s see how I do with this bit of mind training tomorrow.

Ficus Tree

 

Now that I no longer own this tree, I wanted to remember how delightful it was to me.
I bought it as a wee plant in August of 2005 and grew it to this size - April 2012.
I changed out the pots twice, each time increasing the size.
This ficus required very little physical care from me.
I watered it twice a month and showered it with praise the rest of the time.
I use to sit across from it and appreciate the richness and abundance of leaves.
The tree was a living reminder that there is a never ending source of wellbeing available to all of us, at all times.
We have only to focus upon it and it will be there.
There is only a source of wellbeing - Abraham-Hicks

How do I feel now?

It is empowering to know that I am the creator of my own experience and all I really ever have to do is decide how I want to feel in any given moment. 

This feeling determines how I live and move and have my being in this world.

You see, the world in and of itself has is quite meaningless. I give it all the meaning it has for me based on how I feel.

It's good to pay attention to how I feel in every moment.

Spring cleaning

Guidance from Eileen Caddy

Make Room, Make
 Room for the Very Highest

Cast all the old aside to make room for the new. How can you
 expect to usher in the new if you insist on holding onto the old. Make room, make
 room, and have a good spring clean from time to time and see what there is you
 can cast forth of the old and never be tempted to hold on to anything which is not 
of the very highest. This needs to be done with thoughts and ideas as well as material possessions. 
Don't just throw out the rubbish, but also those things which clutter up the mind 
and stop it from expanding. Take time to go through your material possessions 
as well and sift and sort what you have and cast out anything which you do not use. 
It is right to have all that you need, but again let Me remind you not to hoard. It 
is far too easy to accumulate and then wonder why you feel burdened and bowed 
down and can't move forward and upward.

Alphabet Game

Adorable

Beautiful

Cheerful

Delicious

Eager

Fabulous

Glorious

Harmonious

Incredible

Joyous

Knowing

Laughing

Magical

New

Outrageous

Powerful

Remarkable

Scintillating

Talented

Unique

Vivacious

Wonderful

Yielding

Zesty

Bridge to my Vortex

The time it takes for me to get into the vortex or to move into the reality I want depends upon my decision and action to get in or not.

I've decided. 

I'm now in.

The relationship I seek is to be at ONE with me and I believe in the reality of this 100%.
I believe the vortex exists and it is always being shown to me through the easiest path.

I believe in the financial stability of the world 100% because I've always received everything I want when I want it.

I believe in my personal economic stability 100% because again, I always have enough. 

I believe in the wellbeing of my body 100% and when I am not feeling 100% I know it is temporary
I believe that I know these truths in the core of my being.
And what I've come to know in the past 12 hours is that the bridge is simply choosing to believe that I am in the vortex and I am there!

If I need some evidence of it, I can look towards my feelings and check in with my current reality which is really a manifestation or reflection of how I am feeling.

If I am not pleased with it, all I have to do is change my feelings and the reflection will change.

Books

When I am not doing other things, I read books and blogs about books.
Here are two I've bookmarked:
Savige Reads by a chap in his late twenties...
My Porch where most of the books are of my liking and Thomas has lovely photos of piles of books which I can never really tire of looking at. Piles of my own books aren't as intriguing as those belonging to others.

I'm also enjoying the mysterious and exquisite paper sculptures found at various libraries in Scotland.

I source my books from PBS, amazon, my local public library and DailyLit where I am currently reading The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.

Atiśa Dipankara Shrijnana

The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.

My assignment

When I was 5 years old, my mom told me that happiness was the key to life.
When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy”.
They told me I didn’t understand the assignment.
I told them they didn’t understand life.
– John Lennon

Self-encouragement

The encouragement of self. Not others. Self.

Self encouragement is a great tool for moving out of 'blah' moods. 

It is only when we honour ourselves in this way, can we truly feel better.

Feeling better is how we access the higher vibrations which in turn attracts more good feelings. It is a lovely vicious circle to get involved with.

I am doing extremely well. Nothing has gone wrong here. Wellbeing is the only thing that flows. All is well. The Universe has my back. I live an abundant life.

I am good. My wellbeing is assured. The more I relax, the more I am allowing it in. Life is really good and getting better...

Dear Universe,

I think this is the perfect prayer for me by my favorite teachers- Abraham-Hicks.
I applied my favorite hobby to it.

Eileen Caddy on giving thanks

Keep ever on the alert, never cease to give thanks, so nothing is ever taken
 for granted. Learn to appreciate everything and voice your appreciation. Those 
two little words "thank you" mean far more than you imagine. There are so many 
things during the day to be grateful for, but unless you voice your gratitude,
 nobody knows how grateful you are. You can never show your appreciation too
 much. No one ever tires of receiving thanks. When I pour My blessings down
 upon you, when you see all around you My wonders and beauties in nature, give 
constant thanks. When you start to do this you never take anything or anyone for 
granted, but remain ever on your toes, ever alert, ever watchful, ever with your 
heart filled with love, praise and thanksgiving, and as you give thanks you find 
real joy and uplift in life. Open your eyes and look around you and see how blessed you are, see how 
many things you have to be grateful for. It is not something
 abstract. Start right now giving thanks and never cease to do so.

Money, money, money

I'm playing the prosperity game this year, with my wellbeing group.

It is a lot of fun finding delightful ways to spend an increasing sum of money each day.

I especially like the photo of the hundred dollar bills, Ginny took. 

Notice how you can have the money anyway you want it; fanned out or in a pile. Whatever floats your boat...

One of the main reasons I like playing this game is because everyday we get a new pile of money.

This means that we do not have to horde it, save it, stash it away or budget it. Just as it is in God's Universe - there is no lack whatsoever.

This game allows me to give up all lack consciousness and embrace and claim only abundance that has already been given.

Don't you just love it? 

Food is my friend.

After reading dozens of diet books over the years and trying unsuccessfully to put them into practice, I'm coming to realize that taking physical action to fix a physical body is not the solution and never was. The body is just an effect and since it is not the cause, I cannot look to fix my body or my diet or any physical thing. I have got to come into alignment with my body by changing my consciousness and then my body will change.
Wow! That was easy.
Now let me do the work of putting this idea into practice.

The first day of a new year.

This photo was taken today. It's the North Bridge in Concord MA.
This was a beautiful, crisp day, a fitting welcome to a new year.
It's filled with excitement, expectation and eagerness for a year of nothing but awesome adventures.
I can hardly wait to see how it all unfolds for me.

Bye 2011, you have been a great year for me.
I got to do more of the things I love to enjoy, which included traveling, spending time with my biological family, visiting new places, spending more time with friends, exploring more personal interests, creating more fabulous jewellery and learning to treat every day like a vacationer.
I want more of those things in 2012 plus some new things to choose from.

Thanks Universe!

Retire from resistance

About now, I begin to think about what I want to change/add/delete in my life for the new year. I don't do 'resolutions' as much because they are usually broken by mid January…

The thing I really want is to retire from resistance. I want to make that my chief goal for 2012.

I am retired from resistance.

Just saying it makes me feel at ease. As if a whole load has been lifted.

What is this resistance I am alluding to? It is anything that makes me feel heavy emotionally, or when I am not in concert with my inner being. It is when I temporarily lose my connection with Source.

For the next couple of days, I will be making a list of all the things I resist. This ought to be interesting.

The currency of Happiness

I have figured out that me being happy is my currency to the best possible life I can ever live.

So I am only ever focused on anything to do with happiness.

Am I happy now?

How can I be happier now?

What thoughts should I conjure, so that I can feel happy now?

What image or fantasy can I bring to mind, if my now is ho hum?

What can I do now that elicits happiness?

Which food would I enjoy eating more? 

Which book is more enjoyable?

Which movie feels good?

Happiness is not elusive.

It is a decision (to feel good) that must be consciously made in every moment.

  

Harvesting Fun

The holidays are so much fun aren't they? I really love this time of year. Everyone seems excited about one thing or another. It doesn't really matter what the reason is, just to be excited and happy is enough for me.

I've been enjoying the mild weather we are experiencing, it is lovely to see greenery in my surroundings at this time of the year.

I'm loving the opportunities to bake and  cook wonderful meals both for us and for friends. Today I decided to prepare a homemade pancake mix for myself, so that all I have to do is "add water" when I'm ready to whip up a batch of pancakes in the morning!

Hafiz

I adore the poems of Hafiz.

Each time I read them, I get massive amounts of thrill bumps, which I now know to be Source Energy flowing through me.

It feels as if the whole universe is applauding that I too am in on this cosmic joke.

Hafiz made his relationship with his Inner Being or God his top priority and I want to do that too.

I want to come into alignment with my own power and clarity and love because that is who I really am.

We are all Source Energy in a physical body, but to feel it and know it the way Hafiz did, is my ultimate goal.