Positive Thinking Vs. Unconditional Love

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012

I strive to crank out positive thinking and positive energy as much as the next person. Everything happens for a reason. Here we grow again! I will survive.

What if while you’re exclaiming one of those cheerful sentiments, you’re absolutely furious with yourself for even having to deal with such a matter in the first place? What if you think you should know better by now? What if you think things would be better if you had just tried harder? What if you’re judging yourself up, down, and side-ways?

Let’s set positive thinking aside today and shift the focus to being easier on ourselves and each other. No matter what. Compassion.

Positive thinking is a set of words. Love is a feeling. Love is a state of consciousness.

In the face of challenges, expressing unconditional love for yourself and others is the ultimate form of positive energy.

Two questions arise out of that statement. What gets in the way of unconditional love? How do we feel it and express it more often? 

Answer #1: What prevents us from expressing unconditional love is the part of ourselves that buys into the illusions of the physical world. In short, the good ol’ ego.

Our ego isn’t the real us, but it is part of us. Our ego is the busy part of us that is entrenched in our physical world’s collective belief system (the “dream” as its been called) that to feel good about oneself and others, “good” things must be happening. Acceptance and love hinges on what we do and what we have. Therefore, let’s get crackin’! We alone aren’t enough. If we’re going to be accepted and loved, we need to host another dinner party soon, damn it.

Lord knows that the voice of the ego can even pop into the heads of the most positive people at any point. When you get out of bed in the morning, it might be standing there at the foot of your bed with its arms crossed looking completely unimpressed. “Well, look who’s finally up.” You have a shower…you get dressed…and then you might hear another editorial comment come you way….”If you were 15 pounds thinner and got some new clothes, you would turn some heads again…and hey, it’s about your hair….you need new highlights if anyone is going to think you’re attractive and interesting…just saying.“ As you get into your car, you might hear that voice again… “You still driving this piece of crap? At this point in your life you really should have a much nicer car.” As you go about your busy day your ego chimes in once and while…“I can’t believe you forgot to copy yourself on that email…when will you ever get your act together?” “I know you don’t want to, but you have to go out for lunch. Everybody else is going! It won’t be a good look if you don’t go.” “I can’t believe you made that lame joke to your boss just now – why do you always mess up when it counts?” “You’re leaving? To go to yoga? Hey, doing those weird poses isn’t going to get you ahead in life!”

Being hard on yourself. Doing stuff only because you think you should. People pleasing. Trying to measure up. Thinking you don’t have enough. Not feeling that you are enough just the way you are.

Let’s be honest, even if you’re a positive thinker, negative self-talk makes you bitchy.

Expressing love isn’t about eradicating our ego. To have an ego is a natural part of the human experience and to push it away makes it stronger and to judge it isn’t an act of unconditional love. Our job is to  love all parts of us (yes, even the ego) and then be discerning about what voice to believe.

Which brings us to answer of the second question…

Answer #2: To feel and express unconditional love is a constant act of consciousness. Remember who you really are.

Our true nature is love. When we come into this world we’re present, excited, and playful beings. Even when a baby is screaming it’s head off, it’s a primal reaction (rather than emotional). No one ever looks at a crying baby and says, “That baby is being so bitchy today!” Babies captivate practically everyone on the planet, but have you ever wondered why? Yes, they’re cute, but that’s not entirely it Have you ever wondered why almost everyone on the planet loves being around babies? It’s the same reason people love having pets – they don’t give you attitude! It goes a bit more beyond that, but that sums it up – we just can’t get enough of  the peaceful and joyful state that exists without any judgements, expectations, or attachments.

You might be skeptical right now. You might be thinking, “Of course it’s easy for babies to be joyful and peaceful because they don’t have to go to work! I’d be joyful and peaceful if I didn’t have any responsibilities and my day consisted of eating, pooping, and drooling!” Yes, it does come easy to babies as much time hasn’t passed since their birth and so the illusions of society haven’t gotten at them and the  voice of their ego hasn’t led them away from their true nature yet.

When you’re a busy adult, exuding that same joyful and peaceful state is an act of awareness. Can you have your job and your responsibilities and face all the challenges that come at you in your adult life, and see the ego for what it is and know that despite the illusions of the physical world, we are here to express love for ourselves by being mindful that everything that unfolds is an opportunity to remember who we really are.

We’re not here to be positive. Being positive is like a bonus round on a game-show. Our one purpose is to express love in this physical realm in the midst of all the worldly dramas. We’re here to observe and take part in events and situations that give us and others opportunities to remember who we really are! With that known, we see the perfection in everything. Trusting that perfection, knowing that we come from love, being exactly who we really are and expressing love unconditionally are the only true obligations we have to fulfill in this life.

Positive thinking is wonderful, but when challenges come our way, I’m more interested in how we feel about ourselves and others. Can we choose compassion each time? Can we reclaim our true nature and seize the moment to express unconditional love? If you have an upbeat slogan or cheerful sentiment to go along with that, all the better.

Big Unconditional Love,

susan

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Accepting The Flux Of Life

Thursday, August 16th, 2012

I recently walked along the shores of Lake Huron with my mother. We were on a beach just north of the little town of Kincardine where her parents owned a cottage and she enjoyed many summers throughout her youth. Like other times before, we walked to the familiar point on the beach only to find that my mom’s old family cottage was no longer there.

The ol’ disappearing act strikes again. Something or someone exiting stage left.

Ah, the flux of life.

As my mom and I walked back to the car, she was graceful as she flowed with the flux. Indeed there was sadness, but I could sense her flowing nonetheless. I saw the peacefulness that comes when one doesn’t attach to stuff always existing like old family cottages waiting for you to come look at it every few years.

No attachment to external circumstances because flux happens.

Look back on your life so far and it’s one shocking beach walk after another. The conditions of our lives in constant flux.

Ships coming in (at last!) and being lost at sea…without a paddle.

You were thin and then you weren’t and now you’re somewhere in between. Or the other way around.

You had lots of money. And then you didn’t.

Friends came. They stayed for as long as they are supposed to. Some friends left…some are still around…for now, anyway.

You were overwhelmed and scared. And then you could do it with your eyes shut. (flux can be positive too, by the way)

You owned a home. And then you were back to renting.

You had great hair and then your hair stylist moved far away and you’ve never quite gotten your lid back to looking that good.

You were in love. You were alone. You were in love again. (And so on…)

You were in charge. And then you were de-throned.

You had a booming business or career. And then you didn’t. And then you reinvented yourself.

You were hip, you were cool, you were happenin’. And then one day you found yourself watching Much Music and couldn’t identify one band or artist that was on the screen. And you feel really old at the mall now.

Oh, you want more flux? Night to Day. Winter to Summer. New Moon to Full Moon. High Tide to Low Tide. Flux is the nature of things.

With all this flux around us, it’s interesting how we think we can or should be able to avoid it. Flux just isn’t something that happens to me.

Show me a life with lovers, level of wealth, number of friends, worldly possessions, and professional endeavours that haven’t changed and I’ll show you a woman in North America who hasn’t heard of the book, “Fifty Shades Of Grey“.

And yet our suffering stems from the illusion that something or someone in our lives can or should possess staying power.

Staying power is a myth. Security is a myth. What outside of us is truly secure in this life? Tell me that one and I’ll send you a free copy of “Fifty Shades Of Grey“.

Our reaction to flux often reminds me of the reaction Canadians have at the glimpse of the first snow fall of the winter. Even though we are aware that winter is a reality about our climate, when we see those first few flakes falling to the ground, it catches us off guard each time. “Oh my God, it’s snowing! Come over here to the window, check it out!!!!” Cue the mad scramble for snow shovels, snow blowers, snow tires, and non-freezing windshield wiper fluid.

Let’s not be like Canadians and their annual tizzy about winter. Rather than asking ourselves, Will flux happen?  The question to ask ourselves is, When will flux happen?

The shock of and resistance to flux is stressing us out. Let’s end the war against flux. Let’s embrace that it’s lurking out there to stir things up when it’s necessary and bring on the peace.

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the flux of life.

(Sorry, couldn’t help myself. Loved that theme song.)

Big Love,

susan

 

 

 

 

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5 Ways To Lighten Up About Other People

Thursday, July 26th, 2012

In-laws that make you want to scream. Colleagues that make you want to leave. Friends that don’t share. Neighbours that just don’t care. Parents that don’t get it. And lovers that always sweat it.

We want them to be different. We wish they would do things the way we would. We get fired up. We get let down.

Working with, living with, and co-existing with other human beings can be one of the aspects of life that challenges our peaceful state of mind the most.

Challenging yes. But suffering is optional.

Very optional.

It depends how you choose to view all the shenanigans.

Here are 5 shifts in consciousness that can help you lighten up about other people:

1. What ever is going on, it’s perfect. Years ago all us souls agreed to put on a human suit and came down to experience all kinds of adventures and learn a whole bunch of lessons. Whether you’re deeply involved, mildly affected, or merely observing, all events and situations are unfolding as a way to edge us souls  further along in our evolution. Because everyone is here on their own little missions, what we see each other do or get mucking around trying to do stuff together are the divine dramas that gives us yet another opportunity to remember who we really are (which is joy) and reclaim that true nature in the midst of all the challenges of being a human. We show up to figure out ways to find our way home. Be that source of light we showed up as. What ever it is about that person or what ever happened that has you all in a tizzy is perfect. For them and you. How do I know this? Because it’s happening.

2. No matter what, it’s not about you. We can save ourselves a great deal of suffering by not taking things personally and see it for what it is – a sacred part of their human experience. As much as we kind of dig thinking that that everything is about us, what humans do and think, exists out of what agenda their soul agreed to before they zipped up their human suit and pursued life down here on earth. It’s never about you, but it is always about them finding their way back home.

3. People are always doing their very best. Yes, despite what we expect of the world and what we think people “should” be doing, thinking, or saying, everyone is doing their best. We are all at different points in our missions so based on the information and the experiences they have gathered thus far, this is all they’ve got. You choose the rest.

4. It’s none of your business. Aside from when people are in danger, coming to the rescue doesn’t serve anyone involved well. What other people doing, thinking, and saying is between them and the universe. If you’ve got advice and know “what’s best”, resist the urge to try and fix someone and something that is already perfect.

5. You are here to love. We’ve been conditioned to think that we’re here to do a hell of a lot more, but to find ways to be a source of light in this world is why we come down here and attempt this human experience in the first place. If we can choose to just love each other without any attachment to any of the outcomes that come from their human experience, that is compassion. Acting as if one outcome is good and another is bad is judgement.

It’s all good, baby.

Big Love,

susan

 

 

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Why Meditation Is Everything That It’s Cracked Up To Be

Tuesday, July 17th, 2012

My mind has been swirling and my soul has been restless for the past few days. Not sure why, but I seem to be reviewing the past and fretting about the future – or better yet, trying desperately to predict the future. Ah, the life and times of an amateur  fortune teller. It’s interesting that the pros only focus on the good stuff while we novices tend to like to sit there and scare the crap out of ourselves.

The swirling and restlessness will dissipate (it always does), but in the meantime, all I can do is catch myself drifting away and then bring my focus back to the present moment. It takes awareness. The same awareness that one requires to avoid flatulating in a yoga class. Can I get an Amen?

Make a shift. Be Here Now.

Stressful thoughts always (yes, always) stem from an attachment to the past or future. Think of something that’s stressing you out right now – I guarantee you that it’s something that has already happened or not yet happened. A woman who attended a workshop that I did a few weeks ago challenged me on that point and after she told me that her stressor was the current construction taking place on her street, I asked her if she was standing on her street amidst the construction right now. She smiled and gave me a thumbs up.

Make a shift. Be Here Now.

When it comes to peeling oneself off the ceiling, returning to the present moment is like jotting down a gratitude list – it’s one of those quick acts of consciousness that can return you to planet earth in an instant which is a fabulous thing when there are other earthlings who are counting on you.

This is why meditation is everything that it’s cracked up to be.

You can meditate anywhere, by the way. If you’re focusing on what’s going on right in front of you, you’re meditating. If you’re walking down the street and that’s where your attention is, you’re meditating. I find chanting and deep breath meditation agonizing and boring. If I need to sit down and write a to-do list, I go and meditate because that list will be done in seconds. I’ve tried meditation CDs – those things are great, because while I’m listening to it, I unload the dishwasher, pay my bills online, and tidy my office. I know, I know…

I like to meditate off the cuff. If I bring my attention back to the part of my life that is right in front of me, I can instantly feel the tension lift, the shoulders drop, and the ground beneath my feet. For how ever long I can stay here, I am connected back to who I really am which is not my thoughts.

Even though it’s effective as all get-out, being present/meditation can be challenging. We humans can so easily drift away in the past or the future. We’re drifters from way back. I’m sure you’ve been talking with someone and thirty seconds into the conversation you are gone – your attention and thoughts are somewhere else. As you are standing there appearing to be having a conversation, you can see their mouth moving…you can hear sounds…but, you’re wondering if you should go ahead with having that dinner party in a couple weeks or hold off until the new sofa arrives.

When you’re in the car, see if you’re in the car. I will often be driving home from somewhere and not one of my thoughts will pertain to the fact that I’m operating a heavy piece of machinery that’s in motion. I’ll pull into my driveway, park my car, sit back, and think to myself, “Now, how the hell did I get here? I hope everyone’s okay!” 

When you’re in the shower in the morning, check and see if you’re in the shower. How many times are you already at that meeting, having that conversation with, sending that email, or doing something on your to-do list? Right now, I want you to consider how many times you have showered with the people you work with. I can always tell when I’ve drifted away in the shower because I’ll suddenly come back to the present moment and realize that I have no idea if I’ve put the conditioner in my hair yet. There’s a true reality check. Some mornings I’m sure my hair get an extra dose of conditioning.

I even find it challenging to be in the present moment when I’m away on vacation. Even though I’m relaxing on the beach or shopping in a big, cosmopolitan city, I’ll start drifting away. Maybe during my next holiday I’ll send postcards that say, “Having a great time! Wish I was here!” Sigh…

It’s certainly a challenge and it does take awareness, but the gifts of meditation (on a CD or off the cuff) are varied and numerous.

It’s rather appropriate that the word, present, has more than one meaning, wouldn’t you agree?

Big Love,

susan

 

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The Opportunity Of Crisis

Thursday, July 12th, 2012

Well, the latest indicator that I’m getting “older” took place yesterday. I had a root canal. To be accurate, I endured the first part of a three-part root canal procedure. The fun is far from over.

I was experiencing intense pain in my bottom right molars while my recent holiday on Vancouver Island was wrapping up and as luck would have it, I had a dentist appointment scheduled here in Toronto two days after arriving home. Yay. I see the divine timing. The universe never ceases to amaze me. 

After taking an x-ray of my molars, my dentist called over to an endodontist in the area who could take me right away and end the pain quickly. Yay again. I feel gratitude. Such abundance, such access. Me and my first world problems. 

The endodontist who worked on my tooth had a fabulous sense of humour and made the multiple needles and drilling in my mouth quite bearable. We had quite the witty repartee going at one point and while lying in a dental chair on an angle that never seems natural, I actually laughed (out loud) a few times. I wonder how many times laughter has been heard from a room where a root canal is taking place. My guess is that with this man, many times. This man definitely subscribes to the philosophy that work can either be drudgery or fun and he chooses fun. Yay Dr. Zareh Ouzounian. I choose fun too. Might as well laugh…it releases good feeling chemicals into your bloodstream that are normally very expensive and highly illegal which really helps if you’re in pain. 

The procedure that Dr. Ouzounian performed on me yesterday was a pulpectomy which is the removal of infected pulp – the tooth’s cells and tissues. I learned from Dr. Ouzounian that any procedure ending in -tomy refers to the removal of something from the human body. I did a quick brainstorm of “tomys” and I’ll happily take a pulpectomy over a mastectomy, hysterectomy, or lobotomy. Yay pulpectomy. I gain immense perspective. Can I get an amen? 

I walked home and soaked up the mid-July sun. Ah, the heat is on. Yay summer. I feel grateful that I am not trudging through snow with this amount of freezing in my mouth…one frozen part of my body is enough. 

The client that I was supposed to talk to that day (and had to bail on due to impromptu dental surgery) couldn’t have been more understanding about it. Yay Stephanie. I feel more gratitude. Appearing to a client like a lose canon who forgets phone meetings is what they call adding insult to injury…glad to have dodged the double-whamy. 

And I called my mother twice throughout the day because well, when you’re in pain, you want your mommy. She listened. She cared. She sternly told me that if the tooth abscesses, to get my ass back to the endodontist. Cue the Jann Arden song. Yay for my good mother. (Her voice is what keeps me here.) Of course she called this morning to check in on me. Of course she did. I am loved. 

Despite the title of this post, this particular predicament wasn’t what I would classify as a crisis. Let’s reserve that word for life-threatening situations only. This was more of a challenge. With a crisis or a challenge brings all kinds of opportunity. Yesterday I was given opportunities to marvel at the universe, see the gifts, connect with a like-minded soul, and to remember my true nature (which is joy).

Blessings received. Awareness achieved. Perfection believed.

The chinese character that is used for the word, crisis, is the same one used for the word, opportunity.

They are one in the same when you are wide awake and see beyond the drama.

Everything that comes your way is an opportunity to be the real you. Lightness. Laughter. Wonder.

Find your way “home” to JOY by slowing down and seeing how this crisis or challenge is happening for you.

Yay consciousness.

Big Love,

susan

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Rather Than Change Your Behaviour, Re-Think Your Beliefs.

Thursday, June 21st, 2012

Do you have a habit that you wish you could change?

Do you act out in a way that has you perpetually asking yourself, “When I am going to finally stop doing that?”

I’ve been golfing for many years now. During my ten or so years of playing the game (and supposedly loving the game), I have experienced much frustration, anger, and heart-wrenching disappointment. How do you 4-putt after that beautiful drive????? Feeling those negative emotions, I have had the mouth of a trucker, I have stomped down fairways, and in one particular dark moment, I sent my pitching wedge flying into a pond near the 18th green – sometimes you just know when a relationship is over, don’t you?

Needless to say, I’m not as calm, relaxed, and light-hearted out on the course as I would like to be. Oh, to be in a state of grace in the moments when I look like it’s my first time trying the sport. Even though I’ve become more contained in my angst and responsible for my energy out on the course (ummmm…live well, laugh lots?), I still haven’t completely changed. To this day, I can still get down on my self, my temper can flare, and my sense of humour can exit stage right.

In light of the fact that I write and speak about relieving stress by cultivating mindfulness and seeing things from a higher perspective (that’s my safe way of saying spirituality…shhhhh…let’s keep it between us), I still struggle to keep my cool when playing golf.

What gives? What has to happen for my behaviour to really change? The answer to that question is that I need to re-think my beliefs.

Until I believe that the experience of being out on the course with friends and loved ones is more valuable than the outcome, I won’t be able to savour the gifts of the day.

Until I believe that my self-worth isn’t hinged on me shooting a low score, I won’t be able to laugh off a lousy shot.

Until I truly believe that I am not my golf game, I will be far away from my desired state of grace.

Going after the behaviour without bothering to re-think the big thoughts behind it makes it impossible to sustain any kind of positive change.

Trust me, I’ve tried.

Change your behaviour by changing what you believe.

Shop Too Much? Re-think the belief that you are what you have. (You are way more than that.)

Work Too Much? Re-think the belief that you are what you do and what you’ve accomplished. (You are way more than that too.)

Are You A Pleaser? Or Out Of Balance? Or Exhausted From Doing So Much? Re-think the beliefs you have about what the world expects of you. (You are here on this earth to shine…if what you’re doing is dimming your light, there is no NEED to be involved.)

Eat Too Much? Re-think the belief that food is love. (You are loved!)

Impatient? Always In A Hurry? Re-think the belief that the present moment is the ugly step-sister of the oh-so-sexy future. (The present moment is all you really have.)

Depressed or Anxious? Re-think the belief that your toxic thoughts are true. (Any thoughts that make you suffer are definitely a bunch of crap.)

Selfish/Self-Absorbed? Re-think the belief that this life is about you. (This life is about being of service – helping others, being a spark of light, and being a source of love. You can still have lots of fun and make lots of money  focusing on those things, by the way…more fun and more money are actually hinged on you believing this.)

Always Striving For Perfection? Re-think your belief that your ego-driven idea of perfect even exists and re-think your belief that things should be a certain way. (The way things are and turn out is perfect because it takes you to the next step in your journey. As Danielle LaPorte would say, “Everything Is Progress.”)

Tight With Your Money, Time or Energy? Re-think the belief that the more you squander or hoard the more you will have. (Be the source of what you want in your life. Generosity of any kind is the most powerful way to attract more of that into your life because it sends a big ol’ message to the universe that there’s lots more where that came from!)

And so on.

Thoughts turn into behaviours that turn into habits. Break habits and break patterns by breaking through to a new way of thinking.

If my self-worth isn’t dependent on my ability to golf, then why would I get upset? Why would I not laugh and have fun no matter what? There’s the connection!

Look at any behaviour or habit that isn’t working for you and challenge the thoughts that lead you down the garden path…or the pitching wedge into the pond. (Ahem.)

Big Love,

susan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Difference Between Pain And Suffering

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

Yes, there is a big difference between pain and suffering. They seem to be two words that describe the same experience, but I beg to well, differ.

I have a friend who has a mother who is extremely fractured. This woman has forgotten who she really is (I wrote another post about that very concept) and grown-up expectations, fears, judgements have led her far away from “home”. With that said, my friend’s mother doesn’t have anything to do with his brother, his brother’s wife, and their two beautiful little boys. I’m not exactly sure what happened in the past (that’s how big and nasty the incident was), but this guy’s mother decided to cut off all contact and hasn’t seen her one son (and his family) in many years.

Ain’t “love” grand?

My friend and his brother (and the rest of the family, most likely) feel pain because of this great divide within their family.

When life hands you challenges like my friend’s family situation, you have a shot at peace, empowerment, and light when you remember one important thing…

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

Pain is both physical and emotional. When we humans get hurt, we feel pain. Life has many inevitable challenges that are painful. Giving birth. Broken Limbs. Headaches. Heartaches. Sorrow.

Suffering on the other hand, is our gig. We choose if and when we suffer.

My friend and his family don’t necessarily have to add suffering on top of their pain.

When we wish life’s challenges were different or gone altogether, we amplify our pain.

When we expect someone or something to be different, we amplify our pain.

When we make the challenges into something more dramatic than it truly is, we amplify our pain.

When we place judgement on ourselves or other people, we amplify our pain.

When we take things personally (rather than remember all things are connected to the journey/evolution of the other person), we amplify our pain.

Suffering is pain multiplied by resistance. 

When pain comes along in life, and it will. Hold it close. Hear it’s whispers. Hear it’s lessons. Hear it’s call for you to accept what is so the pain doesn’t get any worse.

Be present.

See it only for what it is.

Choose compassion.

Remember that often you are witnessing the adventures of someone else’s human experience…it’s not really about you at all, darlin’.

Yes, pain is a part of life. Your physical and emotional being will indeed get a bit beat up now and again, but your soul is always quite content with the hijinks…it’s been well-planed, well-timed, and comes with great purpose, after all. Even when a mother loses her way and is far away from “home”.

Big Love,

susan

 

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The 3 A’s That Can Change Everything (And Make You A Yoga Master)

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

I was in yoga class recently and that day the teacher started off by stating the focus of our practice. She said three words: Attention, Acceptance, Appreciation.

It might appear that the main objectives of yoga are mastering each pose, achieving perfect balance, demonstrating Incredible Hulk-like strength, and rocking out olympian-style endurance, however, the point of yoga has very little to do with WHAT YOU DO, but rather, WHO YOU ARE. Are you focused on the present moment? Are you choosing to embrace and enjoy the effort? Are you being easy on yourself?

Maintaining a peaceful mindset throughout the challenges of the practice is the point of yoga.

And I believe, the point of life.

How does one manage to be peaceful in the face of challenges? Attention. Acceptance. Appreciation.

Attention. Bring your attention to the present moment. This requires major awareness as we humans tend to review the past and fret about the unknown future. Catch yourself in the act and choose to BE HERE NOW. Beyond being in the moment, attention is about paying close attention to how you view and think about the events, situations, and people that enter your life. It is our perceptions and thoughts that create our experiences. See if you can catch yourself in the act when attaching to expectations (how things/people SHOULD be), making the past into a dramatic story that could be turned into a made-for-TV-movie, making grand predictions of the future (and it ain’t pretty y’all!), judging yourself or others, and any other mind-chatter that gets in the way of shining your bright light.

Get all up in your business constantly. Question everything you think or say. Make sure it’s kind, loving, or at the very least, TRUE.

Acceptance. How much of your suffering comes from arguing with reality? Accepting everything is much, much easier said than done, right? So you may need a bit more than noble intentions. Accepting things and people for precisely what they are stems from your BELIEFS. What do you believe about this human experience? Do you believe  that we are spiritual beings down here on earth with the sole purpose of evolving? Do you believe that all events, situations, and people come with great purpose to edge you along in your evolution? Do you believe that everything and everyone that comes your way is just one more opportunity from the universe to be kind and to shine that bright light of yours?

Answers to those questions often determines one’s ability to accept (and be peaceful) when big changes happen at work, a relationship comes to an end, or when the cursor on your computer screen simply refuses to move no matter how much play with your mouse. Ommmmmmmmmm…shanti.

Appreciation. Even I cringe a bit on stage when I say to my audiences, “choose an attitude of gratitude“. Did you or did you not just gag a little when you read that phrase? But choose an attitude of gratitude, damn it. Love to hate it but do it. Why? Because suffering cannot exist where there is gratitude. Take stock of what you got, baby. Nothing brings one down quite like a mental review of what’s missing, what’s wrong, and how many things suck. It’s amazing how spirits lift and vibrations rise when you choose to focus on how good you’ve got it, how much you do have, and how many things truly are going well. Now, the most powerful gratitude list includes the stuff that challenged you the most…caused you pain, made you crazy, and took you to the proverbial edge because I BELIEVE  those experiences are the ones that have awakened you the most.

Because every thought has a chemical equivalent, these 3 A’s can change your health.

Because your mindset directly influences your performance and success (and not the other way around), these 3 A’s can change the work that you do.

Because your true nature is JOY, these 3 A’s can help you remember and reclaim it. Rock it out no matter what.

Because yoga is all about WHO YOU ARE in the face of challenges, these 3 A’s will make you a master no matter how many times you fall over.

Namaste,

susan

 

 

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