Archive
ROSEMARY’S INSPIRATION: Opportunities in Disguise
My “Two-Minute” video for the week: Opportunities in Disguise
PS: Here’s an opportunity for you: Rosemary’s Conversation with The Other Side on July 13 promises to be another great evening. For a sample of the depth and detail of the messages you can expect she has posted some samples on her website: Sample Messages. Go to the link to hear and see how this works and how you can benefit with messages from The Other Side!
MONDAY’S POEM: Awareness and Action
Last Friday I posted a musing on the subject of “awareness.” I’ve been practicing all weekend; have you? It’s not an easy thing. We are bombarded with so much information that it is difficult to be “fully aware” at all times. But how else are we to be positioned for “right action” if we are not fully aware? My poem today is about that:
Awareness and Action
A million bits of information
Streaming from a thousand sources.
Are you aware of seven or nine?
Your unconscious mind
Absorbs it all!
Awareness is a nebulous thing:
Seven, nine, ten-thousand things
Add to consciousness moment
To moment even as we sleep.
Absorb it all?
Nan-in asks Tenno: “Umbrella to clogs,
Left or right?” Ten-thousand bits
Lost in unconsciousness. Ten more
Years of Awareness practice;
Absorb it all!
Practice in Action. It is all
Practice! For what you ask:
How will you ever know
Bliss if you don’t
Absorb it All?
©2013 Richard W. Bredeson. All rights reserved.
Awareness
I often use this word, awareness, as a key word for both my blogs and Rosemary’s. It is a good synonym for “consciousness” and, I’m sure you know by now, we are all about increasing our level of consciousness, our awareness! I don’t think I have ever written about this subject specifically, but several events lately have caused me to pause and wonder just how developed my awareness is!
The other day I went to Radio Shack to replace a power supply for Rosemary’s portable DVD player. I took the player with me to be sure I got the right one with the correct tip to plug it in. I purchased the adapter which we tested in the store; it worked perfectly and even brought up the DVD in the player. I left the store with my purchase and drove off in the car for the next errand. When I got to my next stop I looked around for the DVD player and it was gone. I ransacked the car thinking it had slid off the seat or under a seat. It was nowhere to be found. I went back to the store in case I had left it there. No one had seen it. I retraced my route in case I had left it on the car roof and driven off with it there. No sign of it! Now I was frustrated, confused and upset; how could a DVD player simply disappear. I returned the power adapter to the store. The player has never shown up!
Awareness. My awareness shifted focus at some point in this transaction and I lost a DVD player. I was distracted by my next errand and failed to successfully complete the current errand.
And then again, the other day, I was preparing for my Qigong class. I have this delightful alarm-clock, Zen meditation timer that I began using a couple of weeks ago to gently remind me with a very pleasant chime where I am within the schedule of the class and practice. The timer was not in the bag I use to carry things back and forth to class. I looked everywhere, even the car in case it had fallen out of the bag in transit. A day or so later I decided to look for it in the place I used to keep it before I started using it for Qigong; and there it was! I have no recollection of putting it back in its old place!
These two stories remind me of an old favorite Zen story of mine; in this version it’s called “Full Awareness” and goes like this:
After ten years of apprenticeship, Tenno achieved the rank of Zen teacher. One rainy day, he went to visit the famous master Nan-in. When he walked in, the master greeted him with a question, “Did you leave your wooden clogs and umbrella on the porch?”
“Yes,” Tenno replied.
“Tell me,” the master continued, “did you place your umbrella to the left of your shoes, or to the right?”
Tenno did not know the answer, and realized that he had not yet attained full awareness. So he became Nan-in’s apprentice and studied under him for ten more years.
Yes, I can easily say I have, at least, 10 more years of practice to reach “full awareness.”
I am finishing this post just after returning from my Svaroopa Yoga practice. The opening and closing Shavasana focuses on body awareness; whole body awareness from the tips of the toes to the crown of the head. The guided meditation is a wonderful practice of total relaxation and yet a heightened sense of awareness. Ten years more is not such a long time!
PS: The contemplation for my yoga practice this week speaks pointedly to this subject of awareness:
Real happiness abides in Self-knowledge alone. All else is fleeting. To know one’s Self is to be blissful always. – Ramana Maharshi
ROSEMARY’S EXPLORATION: Storm Surge in Your Life!
Are you surrounded by storms in your life? It seems as if everyone has something going on that feels like a big storm or a series of little storms, but this is how people are describing the transitions and transformations that they are experiencing.
‘Maelstrom’ might be a better word to use, for there seems to be a lot of turbulence associated with the lessons we are all learning these days.
You might not believe it but being in this turmoil is not as bad as it seems, when you look at the big picture of your life. Of course, when you are in the midst of a storm, it’s difficult to focus on anything but the storm. However, if you lift your thoughts and consciousness to a higher level, you will see that there is a lesson to learn in every storm.
In the physical world, storms often come during the hottest part of the day and serve to break the unrelenting heat with a bit of a cool down. The air can be clearer after a storm. Some people relish a good storm with thunder and lightning and others hide in fear. Certainly there are physical storms that must be respected for the force of Nature is very powerful.
In the meta-physical world, the storms of your life are inviting you to shift into that higher consciousness so that you can complete the lesson presented and move on with your life. After the lesson is learned you no longer need the storm!
Look around you and notice where the energy feels turbulent. Is it in a relationship? A job or business? A living situation? Your finances? Your family? Your health?
Then ask yourself if you are focusing on the storm or on the lesson to be learned. They are two different things.
If you find that you are able to see only the storm then you might need to ask for help from someone who can help you get a different perspective. There is no shame in this. In fact, it is only the strong person, who is ready to evolve and grow, who is willing to seek assistance in that growth. The storm can blind one to the other possibilities that are around. It can be helpful to have a guide.
If, however, you are focused on the lesson that is being presented to you through the storm, then you will not be distracted by the storm and will continue to move forward in your personal growth and the evolution of your consciousness. The more you practice keeping your focus on the lesson, the less will be the impact of each storm that invites your growth.
Time is speeding up for humans on a path of evolution and the storms seem to be more frequent and more turbulent. This signals that our growth is happening in huge leaps, not in tiny steps. Think of a baby chick who has developed inside a nice, secure eggshell environment. There comes a time when the chick must work hard to emerge and continue its growth in the harsher outside world. And, yet, the real growth happens after pecking its way through that shell.
You are pecking your way through the shell of old patterns of thought, limiting beliefs, behaviors that will not serve the new you. Keep working at it. You will break through!
See each lesson as guidance about the next step for you. Each storm is clearing the air so that you can see the way forward. Keep working on yourself and your growth will be in quantum leaps and the reward will be great.
Weather the storm today by looking for the lesson that leads you to your best tomorrow.
PS: Are you ready for a shift? Are you prepared for the next storm surge headed your way? If you need answers for questions like “what is my next step?” Rosemary can help. Schedule a FREE Discovery Session with her to be sure you are ready to handle the next storm-cycle in your life! Schedule Here
INSPIRATION FROM ROSEMARY: The Cycles of Life: Promotions, Breaks, Lessons
My video for the week: The Cycles of Life: Promotions, Breaks, Lessons
PS: Are you ready to graduate? Are you prepared for the new lessons headed your way? If you need answers for questions like “what is my next step?” Rosemary can help. Schedule a FREE Discovery Session with her to be sure you are ready to handle the next cycle in your life! Schedule Here
ROSEMARY’S EXPLORATION: How Are You Hiding?
There is a Light inside of you that is the Light of the Universe. Are you shining that Light outward or are you keeping it hidden?
Most of us live our lives keeping the lantern of our Inner Light on the dim setting, afraid to shine too brightly because we worry about how others will react if we do. We play it safe. We don’t want to make waves. Or, if we do make waves, we tend to be cautious about how big they are.
The time has come for each of us to claim our power and to reach out into the world to share our Light. There is nothing to be gained from playing small, from staying dim. We have fooled ourselves into believing that we keep the peace around us by hiding, by staying quiet, by simply existing.
Have you asked yourself recently if you are hiding a part of you from the rest of us?
Even if you are feeling as if you are showing up in a big way, I invite you to turn up the Light and shine EVEN MORE BRIGHTLY.
I see clients who want to express their creativity but feel they have to focus on their job or their business. It’s not ‘either-or’ – it can be ‘and’! Other clients have given away so much power to others in their life that they don’t believe they are strong enough to step out in a big way. You are strong!
This isn’t just about doing your work in the world in a big way. It’s about living life LARGE!
Are you showing yourself to your family as a whole person or are you hiding a part of yourself? Are you helping your kids to grow by being human, with the full spectrum of human emotions, strengths and weaknesses?
I sometimes wonder about the wisdom of letting our kids think that everything has to be perfect, that we are perfect. Now, I’m not into baring every little flaw but it might just be our power that we’re hiding along with our flaws. I posted a picture on facebook recently that addressed perfection and imperfection. “I saw that you were perfect and I loved you. I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you more.” I don’t know who came up with those words but they speak volumes.
It is our so-called imperfections that make us human. We tend to want to hide our flaws and yet those who can love unconditionally will love us more if we are human, like them, because we give them permission to be human, too. This is called ‘emotional authenticity’ and, if you would live a conscious life, this is what you are striving to achieve.
It is also our strengths, our power, our Light that sometimes frighten us because they carry responsibility with them. And our greatest fear is often that others will abandon us, will not love us, will feel intimidated by us because we appear to be stronger or more powerful than they are. No one wants to be abandoned but when strength and power come from the Divine Light that is at our core, then we are not intimidating anyone else unless they choose to shrink from our Light rather than to shine their own Light more brightly.
This is the point. Every time we increase the amount of Light that we shine into the world, we invite others to increase the Light that they shine from their own Inner Light. We are only responsible for shining our own Light. We cannot accept responsibility for what others choose to do.
We do, however, dispel more darkness when we shine more Light. Are you willing to come out of hiding to do this?
PS: There are beings you can’t hide from: your angels, guides, spirit guides and loved ones who have crossed over! Oh, you can ignore them; pretend they are only part of your imagination. But they won’t go away because they are here to help you! On June 14, at 7:00 pm, either online (internet or phone) or in person in Annapolis, you can join Rosemary for a Conversation with The Other Side to hear what those beings have to offer you. You can’t hide; you may as well listen! Get more information here.
INSPIRATION FROM ROSEMARY: How Are You Hiding?
Rosemary’s video for the week: How Are You Hiding?
PS: There are beings you can’t hide from: your angels, guides, spirit guides and loved ones who have crossed over! Oh, you can ignore them; pretend they are only part of your imagination. But they won’t go away because they are here to help you! On June 14, at 7:00 pm, either online (internet or phone) or in person in Annapolis, you can join Rosemary for a Conversation with The Other Side to hear what those beings have to offer you. You can’t hide; you may as well listen! Get more information here.
INSPIRATION FROM ROSEMARY: Opportunity and Change
Rosemary’s video for the week: Opportunity and Change:
PS: Do you feel ready for the coming transformations? Are you welcoming the opportunities headed your way? If you need answers for questions like “what is my next step?” Rosemary can help. Schedule a FREE Discovery Session with her to be sure you are ready to step through the doorway of change! Schedule Here
ROSEMARY’S EXPLORATION: Struggling? You’re Not Alone!
It seems these days as if everyone is struggling with something. Career, relationship, family, money, health, spiritual questions, life direction. Are you struggling in some area of your life?
What is our tendency when we struggle? We tend to want to hide behind our smiles and say that we’re ‘fine.’ What a loaded word that can be!
Now I’m not advocating that you go around telling everyone all your troubles because that keeps you focused on your drama, your story, instead of the possibilities that are in front of you. But the most important one with whom you can be honest is yourself. Are you honestly facing your situation? Your needs?
Sometimes the worst thing about struggling is the feeling that we are so alone in our situation, that we can’t share with anyone else. We’re ashamed to be struggling or that we’re in our situation or we’re afraid ‘they’ won’t love us anymore if they knew the real story.
These are natural feelings but they don’t have to keep you isolated. The problem with shame is that it holds you back from learning your lessons and living your magnificence. Fear of the loss of love is a common reason to stay mum about what is going on in our lives.
Can you find someone to help you? Maybe it would help to take a good, trusted friend into your confidence. Or find an expert who can give you information so you can choose a path forward. You might be keeping yourself paralyzed simply because you don’t have enough information to make a good decision. This problem can be solved by getting more information.
I would caution you here from joining a support group that tells the same story over and over which can keep you stuck in the problem instead of helping you to find a solution. If you join a group, make sure that it supports you in moving forward, not in staying stuck.
The real growth comes when you are honest with yourself about your life, your situation and your options. This might require help to discern. A coach, mentor or counselor can be your best friend through a transformational process. Even if you ARE a coach/mentor/counselor, you will benefit from seeking your own support!
No one needs to go through this time of amazing transformation alone! Whether you are looking at this time through the lens of esoteric predictions or astrology or cosmological insights or prophecies, we are in a time of change.
Those who are awake and aware realize that living a conscious life means stepping up to the transformation that is offered. This is not for the faint of heart but the rewards are great.
Reach out to your guides for the information that you need to make the decisions that will help you to leap forward in your personal growth. Use the tools of self knowledge that can help you to understand your Soul Purpose and Journey as well as your personality tendencies. Scientific Hand Analysis, Astrology, Numerology, Enneagram, Meyers-Briggs, DISC. Which tool speaks to you?
Do you meditate? Ask your inner wisdom for the guidance that you need at this time. And find a mentor to hold your hand on the journey. You might even assemble a team of experts to support you.
Are you ready to transform? Are you feeling that you’re struggling? Reach out and take a hand that is extended to you and share the journey. We’re here for a reason. Everyone who is sensitive at all is feeling the importance of these times and knows that the struggles are a part of the process.
Hold onto your hat! Big things are coming. And keep holding onto the hand of that mentor who is helping you through the struggles. You are not alone!
PS: Do you feel ready for the coming transformations? Are you in the flow and ready for that next opportunity coming your way? Or, are you struggling along with so many people these days? If you need answers for questions like “what is my next step?” Rosemary can help. Schedule a FREE Discovery Session with her to be sure you are ready! Schedule Here
INSPIRATION FROM ROSEMARY: Are You Struggling?
PS: Do you feel ready for the coming transformations? Are you in the flow and ready for that next opportunity coming your way? If you need answers for questions like “what is my next step?” Rosemary can help. Schedule a FREE Discovery Session with her to be sure you are ready! Schedule Here
Men and The Goddess 