So it is with our spiritual life. We find ourselves in uncomfortable situations just like the wind. No way around it, just have to endure it and get on with whatever needs our attention in the moment. The wind will eventually die down and we can have peaceful moments. Until then, we endure as best we can.

At the same time, we look to others who have been doing a great job at whatever we are working on and we see how they accomplish their goals. We pray about it and get our focus . . . “Ok, this thing is going on and I don’t like it. What is my first step?” Then allow the guidance to come. Maybe it will appear as a call from a friend, or a synchronistic video on the phone, or a deep feeling or knowing.

Then, even if it feels uncomfortable, we do that first step. The next step will reveal itself as well. That is if we don’t get so caught up in resenting the wind for being a blow hard and miss the clue. Even if we miss the clue, we can take a breath and ask again for guidance.

Divine Presence is present. When we reclaim our presence in the present moment, Divine Source is already there! How cool is that!?! That

Divine Presence awaits our attention and gladly offers us directives and insights. Not have-to’s and judgements! We are the ones who are quick to judge or justify ourselves, are we not?

I tell ya, my own judgment of how poorly I’ll do something really slows me down. If I let go of that, breathe, and know that Divine Assistance is already waiting for me, I relax and move forward effortlessly. Even if the task is tricky for me like something on the computer, I’m frequently amazed at how effortlessly I can find an answer or intuitively figure it out—when I access Divine Assistance FIRST! So, what’s the outcome we hope to accomplish? What’s the feeling that would come with that accomplishment? We ask for guidance about that.

Then those delightful, serendipitous moments, like doing that drawing, bring joyful fun to an irritatingly windy day!!

It started with a “what if?” What if we left it alone? Hmm. Didn’t feel or look right in our mind’s eye. What if we had a retaining wall? Yes! Let’s run with that!

Is there a situation in which you might be feeling a bit stuck? Ask yourself—what if I did this? And visualize or imagine yourself doing that.

How does that feel? Unpleasant? Then that’s not your answer. Ask again and visualize or imagine yourself doing it again. Do you see any possibilities that feel good, right, true, and fair? Then that’s the opportunity you could create for yourself. Then visualize or imagine yourself experiencing the good, right, true, and fair result. Does it fit for you? Not sure? Visualize just the next right step in that direction. Does that fit for you? If so, take that step and then take a new look—do a new visualization from this perspective.

We don’t have to have all the answers up front. Spirit leads the way if we open to the next step. Spirit abides within our imagination and leads the visualization/vision and grants us strength and confidence to take the next step. Spirit fulfils your vision of “What If?”

Yet, do we consider ourselves and our own needs in this world today? What sort of spiritual nourishment blesses us and allows us to flourish? Quiet time alone or spiritual discussions with others of like minds? Maybe it’s reading something spiritual that soothes the soul. Maybe what I need today doesn’t fit for me tomorrow.

What does spiritual flourishment look and feel like? It feels soft and yet powerful. It feels connected without neediness. It looks like a sweet smile and a warm handshake or hug. It feels like a deep connection to Divine Source that lights a spark within the soul that no external circumstance can extinguish.        Take a moment and notice within your own self. How does the inner being feel? At peace or irritated? Energized or drained? Maybe it just feels numb. Stress and worry steal our inner glow, so if you feel nothing or as if you are not flourishing, you might be dealing with stress without the spiritual support you require.

So, how does one obtain the spiritual support in order to flourish? First of all, the true spiritual support comes directly from Divine Source. You may find prayer connects you with that support from Divine Source. Perhaps it is walking in nature that connects you to Divine Source. Sometimes our creative self opens a door to the Creator. If you aren’t feeling it, try something new!

Divine Source is ever-present and resides within you and around you. This is truth. Do you feel the truth of this? If not, take a breath and ponder the possibility of Divine Source taking notice of you! You hold within you a spark of love and light that cannot be dimmed or disturbed! Life can dim and disturb our emotions and our thinking, but our inner light steadfastly shines.

Sometimes, when looking for our inner light, we recall mistakes we’ve made. This shuts down the flourishing process. The light within didn’t make any mistakes! The human form took a step that led to a learning event. Even in this, the inner light remains connected to Divine Source and still glows! Release the need for perfection. Allow self to rediscover the inner light by just looking for it. Divine Source is already there! Sense it? Yes! Now feel the flourishing!

A Time for Inner Renewal

Our hearts search for renewal, too. Our souls seek awakening, too. Well, our hearts and souls seek this renewal and awakening every day as the day dawns. Yet, it’s easy to get distracted by life and simply move from this task to that task. Yet, this adds a dreariness to our soul that otherwise is unnecessary! We feel heavy – okay some of us put on a few pounds over the winter, but this is a soul weary of which I speak. Do you feel it? Many of us do as there are lingering uncertainties of our world hanging over our heads.

Let’s think about that for a moment. Well, actually, let’s not think about that for a moment. When has there never been uncertainty in life? Maybe at 4 years old and playing in the sand box. The only uncertainty then was, would I hear mom call us in for cookies and milk. (Wouldn’t want to miss that!)

Life holds uncertainty. That’s the thing about life! We live each day as it comes and do our best with whatever circumstances unfold. We do this every day. We do this without thinking. So, if we add spiritually awakened awareness to the process, the distress falls away. Let me say this a different way. If we awaken to the dawn of Light within our soul, uncertainty falls away. Our opportunities for choice come to the surface and with that choice comes awakened power to move forward fearlessly.

Certainly, there are many things we have no choice about. Hurricanes, earthquakes, or storms on the political front. Yet with an awakened soul, I can choose what action to take to best move forward in whatever circumstances prevail.

Let’s do some awakening!

Take a deep breath. This breath reminds you that you are alive! Noticing the breath and honoring your self as being alive begins the awakening process. Might want to say, “I am.”

Next, notice your body without judgment. It’s here! You are here! You are alive! You ARE! The conscious awareness that is YOU exists! Glory-glory! You are a significant part of the cosmic jigsaw puzzle called life. Say, “I am here now.”

Now, notice within you the spark of light that exists beyond your breath, your body, your consciousness. Perhaps this light appears as many sparkling lights within your energy field. (Rather than seeing this light, you may feel it, sense it, or perceive it!) Say, “I am awakening.”

With this perception, ask Divine Source to shine Divine Light upon you – all of you – breath, body, consciousness and light being. You might say, “Divine Source, please Light me up!” Divine Light of Love pours into you from the ethereal realms. This Divine Light embeds itself within your own light. Your breath now conveys this light throughout your body and your consciousness awakens in a bright new way! This Light brings choices! This Light leads the way! This Light transcends fear! This Light heals! Say, “I am Light.”

By having faith, hope, and love, we open ourselves to the opportunity to find the lucky stuff!

Fear happens because of what is happening. Faith feeds on love—given and received from heaven (and heavenly helpers) and feeds the hope within us no matter what happens. When those 3 qualities activate, luck happens! Well, maybe not luck. Maybe happy happenstance happens. Or maybe miraculous moments manifest as a result of Faith fed by Love which in turn feeds Hope.

Looking at your own Hope, what comes to mind? What hope finds its way into your awareness. Hope for better health? Hope for stronger more meaningful relationships? Hope for more stable financial abundance? Hope for opportunities to be of service? Hope for sunshine and good weather?

Whatever Hope you discovered, or selected from the above list, notice where that hope resides? In the mind, the heart, the gut, the whole body, the soul—all of the above?

Send your love for that outcome to that part of your being or to the whole of your being.

To send Love, first pay attention to the love for that outcome and recognize the feeling of enjoyment of the outcome. See yourself being filled with that outcome and how much you love that possibility. With that, now link to Divine Source who Loves without end and without restriction. Ask for that Divine Love to pour into the enjoyment of that outcome.

Did you notice what happened to your faith in that moment? It expanded and became solid. You felt the truth of it, even if you didn’t know how it might happen in your life. Your faith came alive! Your faith in the desired outcome and in Divine Source!

Let’s take the example of hoping for abundance. Let’s notice the enjoyment of having abundance and feel that joy in the heart space. Now feed love to that joy in the heart space by noticing how much we would love that! Next, we recognize that Divine Source would LOVE to see us living abundantly. Receive that LOVE, too into the heart space. And feel our faith lock in! Now, our faith allows us to act profitably towards our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual being while Divine Source assists. Abundance happens! (Switch to a different Hope. It works!)

Luck? Maybe. Or miraculous manifestation happened!

Just today, I was going to have lunch with Phil and as we walked past a neighboring table, I noticed the older lady had the sweetest smile as she waited for her food. The person she was with seemed lost in her own lunch and yet this lady was graciously sitting and waiting with a lovely smile as she just seemed to embrace the moment. She was not looking at anyone or anything in particular—just enjoying the moment. I leaned toward her as we walked past and I said, “You have a lovely smile.”

It was as if her energy ignited. She lit up. She didn’t smile any bigger, but there was a beaming from within that was visible (at least to me.) It made my heart sing and I felt as if I was beaming, too! A simple thing as a kind word blessed us both.

It may have been a kindness to her, but it was a kindness to me as well. A gift given and a gift received all at the same moment. Divine Source amplified a simple comment into a brilliant burst of Light.

A kindness withheld reduces the light. If there is a kindness to be spoken or achieved, do it. Do it for the other person and do it for the self. The self becomes richly blessed by a kindness offered to another. This kindness offered opens channels of light between two strangers perhaps, yet opens greater channels of light between the self and Divine Source. Within these channels, blessings flow. Light expands. Love grows. Light shines.

Yes, it’s a great challenge to be kind to one’s self directly. It’s a challenge we all accept as we step into being a greater expression of Love and Light in our journey here on Earth. Taking the step of kindness towards others aids us in this discovery of sacred self and honoring our own sacred self.

We are all in this together. What blessings we bestow amplify and brighten the journey. Ready for the deep truth of this? Truth is, that lady’s smile I saw reflected back to me the smile within my own soul. By acknowledging her smile, I acknowledged my soul’s joyful expression. What ever beautiful thing you notice, what ever kindness you bestow, reveals the beauty within your own soul! Take notice. Holy Wow!

So how do we engage the spiritual self? Each of us may have our own unique way to engage the spiritual self, yet here is a first step to awakens us to our spiritual self! Take a breath. Inhale and exhale. This action happens normally without our attention. When we put our attention into the breath, we recognize our own life. We exist. As we relax and allow the breath to breathe us, we then have the capacity to notice everything else.

What did you wear today? You chose that. Did you choose it out of fear? Did you choose it because it appealed to you as you looked through your closet? Did you choose it because it was the warmest thing you could find for a cold day? The choice derived it’s existence from the goal for the day. Did you choose to be warm or did you choose to look good or did you choose your clothing for some other reason?

After noticing your breath, notice your goal for the day. No goal? Then fear drives every choice and every response. Clothing will be chosen to please others or to impress others and may not fit the purpose of the day. You might end up cold, uncomfortably warm, or restricted in some way.

Activating the spiritual self begins with the physical self, the breath, and then activate the spiritual realm by choosing the purpose for the day. Self-awareness then activates spiritual awareness. You exist. You embody safety and sacredness. Breathe and awaken the goal of experiencing vitality, joy, gratitude, compassion, generosity, hope, and expanded awareness. Your purpose holds profound consequences.

Well, it doesn’t have to be this way. We can be giving and celebratory without burning out. Lists can be helpful so we don’t have to try to remember every little thing. Yet, try this even more powerful tool/technique . . . Bring a new level of awareness into play. We’ve talked about awareness and expanded awareness before. This ramps that up even more. When we are in the state of elevated expanded awareness, the little things remain the little things.

Awareness asks us to notice something nearby. This moves us out of rumination or feeling distressed because it brings us present in this moment and aware rather than caught up in overthinking and fear.

Expanded Awareness invites us to notice Divine Energy within our being and around us. Divine Energy holds great power as it is from this energy that all things exist and move. Expanded Awareness allows us to focus our intent and create change in the world around us.

Elevated Expanded Awareness invites us to notice, with gratitude, the harmonic of Love that moves in us, around us, and through us. We know gratitude holds great power for amplifying energy and intent. When we use this gratitude as a lens to look through we notice the harmonic of Divine Love . . . Holy Wow!!! Divine Love exists everywhere in every thing! Divine Love shines through the darkest days and the longest nights! Divine Love flows freely through our own bodies bringing us renewed health and vitality. Notice Divine Love with deep gratitude and healing happens! Maybe not fully in this moment, but even in this moment, we feel better—more connected, more alive, more joyful.

We can then see Divine Love flowing in everything and everywhere! Our past conditioning trains us to see what’s wrong. We see what’s wrong with the world and what’s wrong with ourselves. Yet, that’s not the whole truth! Beautiful energy of Divine Love threads its way through everything! You may not be able to see it with your physical vision, yet you feel it when you seek it with deep gratitude. Breathe and Behold! Honor this Divine Love within self and everywhere. Holy Wow!

Sometimes this holds true for our tools for living. What used to work for us in the past, no longer can cut it. Maybe we used the tool of lashing out when we feel dismissed or we use a tone of disdain in our voice when others disagree with us. Maybe we isolate or over indulge.

Truth is, on our spiritual development path, those old techniques don’t really work anymore. We just feel more frustrated. Our spirit calls us to expanded awareness where we recognize it’s time to speak our truth with grace and gentleness. Our spirit guides us towards reconciliation as best we can and guides us away from those that disregard our soul’s journey.

Divine Source supports our journey by bringing these situations into our expanded awareness—even ignorance doesn’t work anymore! (Drat!)

Aaack! What do we do? We take a breath. We ask for guidance. We seek a new way. We seek a new way of being—a new way of experiencing life!

Holidays throw us back into old situations. Yet, we are new beings! We are Awakened Ones! We shine the Light of Love as we walk the sacred path of our choosing. So, what will you choose? Choose now. Choose before the time arrives to trigger the old responses. Your sacred self desires honesty with kindness, and openness with safe boundaries.

A safe boundary exists for one’s self. It’s not about making the other person do or not do anything! What are WE willing to do or be? If trigger points throw us into anger, then the boundary fits between us and our anger point. If Uncle George hurts my feelings, then my safe boundary notices that he feeds on discomfort. So, calm peacefulness ruins his appetite! When in expanded awareness, other’s words hold no power. We see our own worth.

Time for new tools! Tools of Love, Light and Awareness. Through these new tools we empower our new self to shine. We bless and are blessed!

Fall holds a special beauty, doesn’t it? I’m reluctant to say goodbye to warmer weather, but the Autumn colors and fall traditions really warm my heart. What’s your favorite part of Fall? The turning leaves? The pumpkin spice everything? Halloween décor and festivities? Homemade soups? All of it?

I find it interesting that this year, the annual flowers continue to bloom long past their normal times. Our geraniums still continue to bloom while the chrysanthemums are beginning to open up.

Soon, leaves will turn and begin to fall. Trees let go of their leaves so that they can continue on through the harsh times of winter. We enjoy the beauty of their survival process.

We learn from their effortless release of what no longer serves them. What might you be ready to release? What no longer serves you? It might be a bit tricky to discern what no longer serves. We tend to dislike change, so we hang on long after things have delivered their usefulness. We keep friendships going that wear us down. We stay in jobs that drain the life force right out of us. We stick to unhealthy eating because we don’t take the time to discover something new.

New takes energy. Where do we get the energy to start something new?

By letting go of what no longer serves.

Trees release their leaves because there is no longer sufficient light for the trees to continue to feed on the nourishment the leaves bring. So, what do they do? They withdraw their attention away from the leaves. Without the nourishment of the tree, the leaf looses it’s green coloring and turns to yellow or rust, orange or brown or some combination there of. With just a slight breeze, the simply fall away from the tree. The tree has released it without hurt or hatred. It just let go. It just sent its sap elsewhere to support the tree in a different way.

What or whom might you be ready to release? No need to find hurt or hardship. Merely allow yourself to focus your attention elsewhere. Your soul’s nourishment finds a new way fulfill itself.

Refocus upon what brings your heart and soul nourishment to move forward. If a relationship once brought lightheartedness and fun but now feels burdensome and heavy, focus on a different friend. Or, move in different circles to find a new friend. Refocus your attention and the unwanted falls away. With the release, there is energy for something new. Taste something new to see if a new style of food fits for you. Try something new to see if a new plan of action fits better for you.

Remember: It’s okay to “leaf it” alone and let it go.