Patterns and Systems

What is a pattern anyway? I find that a pattern and a system are very similar in their nature. Each offers us a way in which something is taken from inception to completion. Awareness and intention are the key factors which are usually the biggest differences in the two examples.

A system is set out prior to the inception of a series of events and takes us step by step through a process to the completion of something or a series of events, to an end product or goal. It has been created with the foresight of things that could possibly lead us astray of what we want and keeps us on a direct path, so to speak, in the correct direction – to achieve what we set out to accomplish. It is a formula that can be reproduced and followed by anyone with the desire to do so. This has awareness and intention which are extremely clear and forthright.

A pattern can be the same as the system, but many times we are unaware of the patterns we have created in our lives – many patterns we fall into because our focus is so strongly on something else that demands our attention. Once the ‘demand’ is gone a vacuum is created that causes us to see the patterns we ‘fell’ into and we feel our life is willy nilly, random and undoing instead of supporting and purposeful. Know that by remembering the simple things in life you can rebalance this feeling. Remember to care for your body, rest and good food are important – REGULARLY. Doing something that feeds your spirit, daily – whether it is important to your friends, spouse or family, it needs to be just for you! Quiet time is always good in whatever fashion you find your peace, alone. Figure out a way to live your purpose or dharma each day a little bit.

In bringing awareness and invoking intention into the patterns of our lives we effect a positive change. When changing patterns it is extremely important to understand that you are not really changing them as much as replacing the old pattern with something new that works for you more efficiently, more healthfully, and more spiritually. As you practice the new pattern it will become easy and will keep your focus forward on what you want to create instead of backward, focusing on what you don’t want or what you are trying to change.

A Prayer

"I ask for blessings and the highest healing good for all in whatever form that may be needed. May they be supported in what ever is needed this day! May their lives be full of peace and prosperity as each seeks to have a more meaningful and spiritual life. May they know that the whole world supports them as long as they are true to the greatest part of themselves. Amen."

Dream a Little Dream

Have you ever wondered why so many people play the lottery even knowing their chances of winning are minuscule? Because for only one dollar they get to dream. We used to do this sort of thing as kids all the time. I for sure was accused of daydreaming in class all the time. We did it with our friends, dreaming of far away places that we wanted to visit or do things that seemed all but impossible, yet in a dream the were so real you could taste it and feel it!

Fast forward to our daily lives as grownups and something drastically changed...we got 'responsibility' and somehow that replaced, for many, the ability to dream. Trust me when I say you absolutely can have both. As a matter of fact it is vitally important that you have both. The latter being extremely important! Without dreams of what can be and what we want to be, how is tomorrow going to shape?...very much like today was. There has to be forward thinking, dreaming, in order that our tomorrows are progressive, better than today, and more joyously filled with occurrences that we want.

Our dreams of what we want to create for ourselves are the current that pulls us up by the boot straps when the weather or situations get us off track. They have the ability to keep our boats moving on the correct course...'moving on course' being the key words here. At this time of year it is easy to get caught in the 'dark day doldrums', but what a wonderful time to sit by the fire or in a cozy blanket with pen and paper in hand writing some of your dreams down and figure ways that you will affect those dreams a little bit each day!

Have fun with this exercise. You will be amazed at the results if you post those dreams somewhere you will see them and read them each day. Keep them in your focus and they will manifest!

Living Life To Its Fullest

What does this mean? How do we get to the place we feel that we are living our lives to the fullest?
Living life to the fullest comes like all the other things in our life, through making choices and setting intentions. We have at every moment the ability to make choices. To do things differently than we have in the past to gain different results. To choose to be happier in what we do or change what we do to affect this change. To step up to the plate and do the 'things' we say we want to, but seem to find every reason not to.

It is our human challenge to find ways to live our life to the fullest. I have found that in giving of myself whether that is helping a friend, someone I don't know or even teaching, my heart soars. In working on building my passion, sharing with all of you ways to 'stay positive' again this to me is fulfillment. Find your own way to make your spirit soar. It doesn't have to be complicated or take a lot of time. It just takes making an effort to make a difference in this world in your own special way.

A very dear friend of mine spends time as a hospice volunteer and his perspective gave me great insight to living life to the fullest...he said from interacting with these people at the time they are making one of the largest transitions of their lives gave him a way to have their hindsight as foresight. The realization that there are four stages to our lives, growing time, learning about ourselves, sharing of ourselves with others, and the 'golden years'. If each of these stages is lived to the fullest when it is our time to make that ultimate transition our 'bags' will be packed and our hearts full.

"To give beyond reason. To care beyond hope. To love without limit. To reach, stretch, and dream inspite of your fears. These are the hallmarks of divinity - traits of the immortal - your badges of honor, and your ticket onward."

Sentient...able to suspend judgment

Horses, what amazing animals! I experience each day the spirit, knowing and beauty these animals share with us. It also amazes me how many people have horses and are not yet able to see the amazing brilliance they have. I watch handlers 'tow' their horses around unable to get the understanding of what it feels like to move a balloon instead of a 1000 pounds of lead. With that said I also understand that we cannot understand something that has not yet been shared with us and we cannot see what we are not looking for.

There are ways to teach our horses and learn for ourselves, in very small palatable steps, with grace, peacefulness and reassurance that allows our horse to maintain his dignity while keeping him in a 'learning' frame of mind. This actually applies to us also. When anyone, horse or human is unsure of what will happen and afraid or unsure of who is teaching there is no way that positive input will come of that situation without being tainted with some negativity . When being introduced to new ideas or information the most ideal learning situation is in a calm, reassuring setting with the ability to ask all the questions we would like and not be judge for asking but commended. Horse's ask questions naturally, accept we do not understand that they are asking questions. We take their question asking as being 'bad' or 'uncooperative' - judging them, when in actuality they are usually 9 times out of 10 asking us a question...do you want this or this?

Suspending judgment is an amazing exercise and brings us closer to being sentient beings ourselves. I challenge each of you to work on suspending judgment in your time with your horse and carry that out into your day. To observe what happens and use that input to make different decisions without judging yourself or whatever it is you've observed.

As in all my posts I love to hear from you if what I have written helps you in some way. Email me at spirittools@earthlink.net

Walking Your Truth...Simple yet not easy

What is it in our human makeup that causes us to believe that by ignoring important decisions that need to be made in our lives, that somehow we can be truly happy and that those choices will magically disappear?

I know that when we stand at a cross road of life with decisions that must be made, knowing the profound effect on every life that decision will touch, our tendency is to hesitate or even put the decision aside, telling ourselves it really isn’t that important. I know what it is like to stand on one side of a crossroad and know with all your heart that the decision you are about to make will hurt, you will feel sadness, there will be a feeling of a hole in your life and you will mourn the loss. What I also know is once you’ve step into and beyond that decision, and you feel all of those feelings in earnest, and are grateful for the gifts that were bestowed upon you in the time you spent in that part of your life, the feeling that will begin to grow in your heart as you move beyond, is one of relief and eventually peace. These feelings present themselves due to our inner knowing we all have, that finally things are set in their right order once again.

This has been a year I will never forget. It has been a year of crossroads so many I have lost count, nor wish to count. I stand looking at the end of this year with immense gratitude for all that has been given to me and all that I know I have given myself. My heart is touched greatly by the human spirit and I am looking forward to the following year with anticipation of the amazing events yet to unfold.