Daily · Inspirations

For a number of years now, I have had a sign above my desk that reads. "If you want to hear God laugh, tell her your plans for the future." This idea has particular applicability when I forget that I am not the sole architect of my life trajectory. Although I firmly believe that my beliefs, thoughts, and actions help to create my reality, there is a power at play in the universe that has the final say. When I either try and deny what actually is, or force my own version of reality (the way things SHOULD be), the results are usually disastrous and the happiness that I think is within reach, somehow slips away.

There are times when I get so enthusiastic and wrapped up in my plans that I forget that there may be another destiny that awaits me. Thankfully, when things don't materialize the way I have determined they should, I am usually surprised and blessed with something that is ultimately better than the blueprints that I created. I still need occasional reminders (sometimes not too subtle) that I would be better served by relaxing into what is meant to be and let go of my concept of what SHOULD be.

Just for today, take a good look at how you may be try to force reality to suit what you believe to be the best for you. Try to relax into the great "what is." Trust that there is an infinite creative power and intelligence at work in the universe that will help you design a life that exceeds your most positive dreams. Trust that God has your best interest at heart. Trust and believe that you are attracting things to you. Trust that God too believes that you deserve the best that the world has to offer. And so it is.

I was facilitating a discussion yesterday of new students at the university in which I got to questions them about their hopes and dreams and fears about making a transition to higher education. As I have written many times before, I really love working with this population of student because of how impressionable they are and because they remind me of our unlimited potential. And I am a great believer in the educational process. God knows, I would not have committed myself to life-long learning if I didn't feel that education somehow compels us to be more and do more. However, for all the good that education does, I always felt that our educational system was falling short in teaching our students the really important things about how to be in the world.

Would it not be amazing if there was a mandatory curriculum that included how to love yourself and how to love others? Would it not be amazing if we taught students to believe in abundance rather than limitation? Would it not be amazing if we taught students how to overcome the barrage of negative programming that brainwashes them into believing that they are somehow not good enough or worthy of all the good the universe has to offer? Unfortunately, more often than not, young people are rarely exposed to these ideas and at some point may be fortunate enough to stumble on them on their own. And if a child doesn't learn about love and caring and compassion at home, do they learn it at all?

Just for today, connect with the notion that we are all teachers in our own right and that we are role-modeling our lessons to countless others in our sphere of influence. Take some time to focus on the lessons you are teaching.... Are you teaching self-respect, caring, compassion and love or are you teaching something different? Are you a conduit of good energy? Remember that you don't have to have a college degree to teach the things that are most important in life. Remember too that we are all simultaneously teacher and student and we are constantly learning about love. Above all, remember that your sphere presence is an amazing gift to the universe. And so it is.

I called my sister last evening to catch up with her and find out how she's been. In typical Deborah fashion she indicated that she is "deliriously happy." Deliriously happy... I love that. We then talked about how as Will Rogers stated many years ago... people are generally about as happy as they make up their minds to be. We talked at length about what it would be like to live in a perpetual state of happiness and why it is that we don't decide to be happy all the time. One of the thoughts that I shared was that many people adopt a consciousness of limitation which dictates that there is only a given amount of happiness to which we are entitled.... that there is only so much joy to go around. The question lingered long after the phone call ended.... Why can't we be happy all of the time?

Ironically, earlier in the day, my friend Karin was confronted with a person who was being "scratchy" with her and she told me that the interaction had the potential to ruin her day. However, she made up her mind to not allow it to get to her and decided to have a good day anyway. Both of these incidents reminded me that we choose how we are going to make our way through our day. Although we can start out the day determined to be happy, things can happen to us or around us that could potentially pull us off our game. I guess it is at these times when we need to be mindful about how we are going to respond to the energy around us.

Just for today, take some time to think about the happiness that you allow and create in your life. Think about what it means to develop a habit of happiness. Think about what it would take to develop a happiness response to everything that happens. Remember that in spite of the energy that presents itself to you throughout your day, you can decide to stay happy. You will find that the more you allow happiness into your life, the more you will attract people and situations that will perpetuate happiness. Above all, remember that you deserve every happiness... not in the future.. but in the here and now. And so it is.

John's nephew Lyle came to visit this past weekend. He is an amazingly creative young man who is about to enter his senior year of high-school. As Lyle lives in a very small and remote town located several hours from a major city, he finds it challenging to express his creativity and passion without standing out in the crowd. Although it is distressing to think about how lonely it must be to feel like you are the only one who doesn't fit in, I am exceedingly proud of him for asserting his style and unique expression and personality no matter the cost. Somehow, Lyle has discovered that it is more important to honor who he is and how he expresses himself than it is to fit in and become a carbon-copy of his peers.

This situation with Lyle has me thinking about the messages we receive about who we are as individuals and how those messages tend to reinforce the notion that we should somehow be other than. I think about the impact of those messaged on people who haven't developed a self-love that serves to reassure them that they are perfect the way they are. I worry that the constant barrage of negative feedback can weaken the defenses of even the strongest souls and can erode self-esteem. And I pray for divine intervention in the lives of those struggling to develop a healthy self-concept so that they may believe that they are worthy.. that they are okay... that they are loved.

Just for today, think about someone within your sphere of influence who may be needing some love and support in developing a healthy sense of self. Shower them with your love and positive regard. Work to recognize how you may be unknowingly contributing to their struggle and then redouble your efforts to let them know that they are worthy of all the love in the world. Above all, work to remember that you are perfect the way you are and you don't need to do or be anything other in order to be worthy of love. And so it is.

I used to be obsessed with things that happened in the past. I would lay awake at night and replay conversations or situations from the day (or previous days) that had not gone well. I could literally fall asleep thinking of all of the things that I could have or should have said or done which would have created a different outcome. As one regret would fade into oblivion, another would be there to take its place. Rather than emotionally experiencing the situation once, I would relive it full force again and again.

Another one of my pastimes was to worry about the future. "Ah... let's play a game of 'what is.' The game of 'what if' consists of.... well, to put it simply.... worrying. "PANIC NOW! BEAT THE RUSH!" Even though 99% of the things about which I would worry would never come to fruition, I would spend hours spinning a potential situation into the worst possible outcomes. The problem with this kind of mental pastime is that it causes fear and pain and does not lead to the creation of anything good and positive and wonderful.

Of course, obsessing about the future is just as useless as obsessing about the past. The only real power we have is in the present. If you find yourself dwelling in either the past or the future, use your mental focus to gently bring yourself back to the present. Bless your past and prepare for your future, but use your energy in the "here and now" to create the life that you fully desire. Your "present" is waiting. And so it is.

If you are anything like me, from time to time you might have a difficult time separating your "wants" from your "needs." To clarify, I define a need as something essential to stabilizing my personal foundation. Needs frequently involve other people, which can get interesting. You see, I have been known to have a hard time communicating what my needs are. Sometimes I think that the other person should somehow know what I need without me saying it. Sometimes I don't clearly communicate the need because I am afraid of the other person's reaction. In both of these situations I am often left frustrated with myself, with the other person and with the need itself.

When you have a need that requires someone else's participation, it is critical to express that need clearly and succinctly. Never assume that they will be looking out for your best interest or highest good. Even in the strongest relationships the other person may be too involved in getting their own needs met to pay close attention to yours.

Bottom line... communication is the key to getting your needs met when others are involved. And it is important that you get all of your needs met so that you may continue to grow and unfold into the magnificent being that you are. And so it is.

I can hardly believe that we are about to kick off yet another school year at the university. Although I enjoy the summer months when we don't have many students on campus, I find that the energy that young people bring to my work is the fuel that keeps my passion for this work alive. I love the fact that on any given day, I can make a significant difference in the life of a student. In fact, my job is so gratifying to me because there are abundant opportunities to help my students unfold into the magnificent energies that they are meant to be. Whether helping someone through an emotional or academic crisis or helping someone clarify their life's purpose and career direction, I approach each interaction with the intention of sharing my love, care and compassion.

Like many of my colleagues, I share the belief that we are helping to create the leaders of the future. Accordingly, we feel it our duty to help them develop a tool box of knowledge and experience that will help them build a better tomorrow. Unlike some of my university counterparts who are focused on helping build proficiency within a specific academic discipline, my work within Student Affairs allows me to educate students about how to live, thrive and prosper in our world.

Yes, when I speak with students individually or collectively, I try my best to remind them that love energy is what will ultimately determine the kind of life they will create for themselves. The basic truth about life is this... The more love you allow.. the more love you give... the more love you demonstrate not only for others but for yourself , the greater the chance that you will co-create a life that will exceed your wildest dreams and fantasies. Your love ultimately determines who you are, and what you create. And the more of us who focus on the perpetuation of love, the better off will be our relationships with ourselves, with each other, with society and with the world.

Just for today, spend a minute or two getting in touch with your love energy. Remember that although it is important for you to share your love with others within your sphere of influence, it is most important that you open to the love you have for yourself. Flood any darkness in your spirit with your love. Remember that it is your love that will ultimately create your experience. Agian, it is your love that will ultimately create your experience. For your love has the capacity to heal your life and to heal the loves of all you touch. And just as is the case with my students, your love is a part of a larger collective energy that will help heal our world. And so it is

I used to be obsessed with things that happened in the past. I would lay awake at night and replay conversations or situations from the day (or previous days) that had not gone well. I could literally fall asleep thinking of all of the things that I could have or should have said or done which would have created a different outcome. As one regret would fade into oblivion, another would be there to take its place. Rather than emotionally experiencing the situation once, I would relive it full force again and again.

Another one of my pastimes was to worry about the future. "Ah... let's play a game of 'what is.' The game of 'what if' consists of.... well, to put it simply.... worrying. "PANIC NOW! BEAT THE RUSH!" Even though 99% of the things about which I would worry would never come to fruition, I would spend hours spinning a potential situation into the worst possible outcomes. The problem with this kind of mental pastime is that it causes fear and pain and does not lead to the creation of anything good and positive and wonderful.

Of course, obsessing about the future is just as useless as obsessing about the past. The only real power we have is in the present. If you find yourself dwelling in either the past or the future, use your mental focus to gently bring yourself back to the present. Bless your past and prepare for your future, but use your energy in the "here and now" to create the life that you fully desire. Your "present" is waiting. And so it is.

Having grown up the best little boy in the world, I made a life out of trying to please others. Throughout my childhood, I worked to seek the attention and approval of other people, often neglecting my own wants, needs and desires. Rather than being directed from internal stimulus and a strong personal foundation, I looked to others to inform me about who I was and who I was supposed to be. Rather than seeking happiness, I tirelessly worked to make other people happy. It took many years of reflection, work and pain to move to a place where I have deservedly become motivated by internal forces.

Sadly, for years, I lived with no direction of my own. I looked to other people to help define who I was. And I sacrificed my dreams of who I could be partially because deep down inside, I didn't think I was worthy of the best. In short, I learned to make do with less than the best. Unfortunately, it became a habit to settle for less than the best. In fact, there are still times when I have to remind myself that I deserve more... I deserve better... I deserve the best. Fortunately, I have had the epiphany that I am worth all of the good the universe has to offer... without guilt.. without arrogance... without regret. And when I connect with the understanding that I am not treating myself or being treated by others with the highest level of respect and love, I realize that I must bring about a change. For again, just like you.. .I deserve every wonderful thing the world has to offer. I deserve every happiness.

Just for today, take some time to think if you have settled for less in any area of your life. Are you demanding the best? Are you demanding to participate in love-based relationships? Are you spending so much time trying to be and do the best that you have lost sight of the fact that you deserve the best in return? Think about your relationships, you work situations, your physical and your emotional environment. Are they supporting the notion that you are worthy of love? If not, how can you change your energy in order to bring about a more positive reality? The truth is, today is a perfect day to demonstrate your love for yourself by working to create your best life possible. And so it is.

How many times have you heard yourself saying, "I should have listened to my inner voice," or "Something was telling me that something wasn't right," or "I had a feeling this was too good to be true." All of these are examples of unheeded inner guidance. This guidance or voice can come internally through energy impulses or feelings (both positive and negative) or externally through synchronistic signs or "coincidence" that seems to be a signpost for how to proceed. The reality is, we are all tapped into a higher source that can, and does provide us with insight and direction. The problem is, we don't always take the time to listen to what is coming through or we don't pay attention to the feelings or signs that we get.

When I first started to understand that my higher self was trying to help me along the path, it was difficult for me to distinguish inner guidance from either fearful or wishful thinking. But the more I paid attention to it, the more I was able to trust it and rely on it. If an urge or inclination feels joyful or delightful (surrounded by positive energy, light or vibration), it is probably coming from my inner guidance. When I trust and follow these joyful impulses, I believe they are leading me further along the path to my highest good. Conversely, when I feel an unexplained heaviness or resistance or reluctance to do something, I remember to look closer at the focus of my energy and attention as a possible sign that it is nor serving my highest interest.

Just for today, take some time and get quiet and get in touch with the source of your inner guidance. Cultivate that inner voice and act on what comes through. Ask your higher self for direction or answers to something that you have been pondering and then stay open for the answer. Don't be wed to the answer coming across in any specific form. Pay particular attention to coincidence that might arise in reference to the answers you are seeking. Remember that the more you learn to trust this guidance, the more you can use it to help you create a life most magnificent. And once more for the record... You are oh so worthy of living a life more magnificent. And so it is.

I have spent a lot of time lately thinking about the kinds of things that bring meaning to my life. I think about all the things I stand for and all the things about which I am passionate. This line of mental focus always yields the same kinds of results... Bottom line is, I am passionate about serving others and making a difference in the lives of those in my sphere of influence. I am passionate about love and all of the things it brings forth in myself and others. It is interesting to note that I usually surround myself with people who are inspired by love and who share the passion for making a difference in the world. I think this is the case because I really resonate with "giving energy."

To a very large degree, I have come to believe that a person's energy is aligned to predispose them to living to serve or living to be served. Yes, the way a person makes their way through life is largely determined by a belief system that manifests itself in giving or taking. Those who believe in abundance rather than limitation are more likely to share the wealth... to share the love... to share their positive energy. Conversely, those who believe that life is full of limitation are more likely to take from the world and be stingy with themselves and their energy. These thoughts of lack lead to a dark place of greed, entitlement and fear whereas thoughts of abundance lead to joy, contentment and love.

Just for today, think about what your energy, motivations and actions are telling you about yourself. Are you looking for others to "do for you" and fill you up or are you actively working to serve others and share the love? Remember that the paradox about giving is that the more you give of yourself and allow love energy to flow through you, the more you will get in return. When you give because you believe in the abundance of the universe, you attract more abundance to you. Remember too that regardless of the energy that you are currently putting out there, you can make a decision to be even more open to giving and sharing your love. Above all, remember that we are all here to love and be loved.... And so it is

I took some time away from work this past week and due to circumstances beyond my control, our plans to spend the week at the shore fell through and I was homebound.. Although I greatly enjoyed my time off, I was disturbed by the fact that I couldn't seem to relax. I would wake each morning feeling compelled to be productive and thus started each day making elaborate lists of things I needed to get accomplished. Rather than maximizing my time to refresh my body, mind and spirit, I attacked my to-do list with a fervor that surprised even me. When John suggested that I consider shifting into a lower gear, I realized that I had forgotten the purpose of vacation was to relax. I am both amused and annoyed by the fact that I needed to be intentional about simply "being" rather than compulsively "doing."

Fortunately, once I was able to acknowledge the fact that I was continuing to operate life on full-throttle, I took some time each day to get myself back to center. I meditated, I prayed, I read, I watched movies and I napped.... all of which allowed me to shift into a different frame of consciousness.... all of which allowed me to engage in slow-down therapy and seek my balance. The more I sought to relax, the easier it became until finally, the relaxation response felt automatic. I was finally, (the day before returning to work), able to simply allow myself to be. I find it interesting that although I had a difficult time getting back to this place, I realized that our natural state is relaxed rather than frenetic... our natural state is peaceful rather than crazed... our natural state is love-based rather than fear-based.

As I make my way back into my work world (which, by the way, I fortunately adore...) I do so with a commitment to remember balance, to remember to pay attention to my center.. and to spend time each day simply being, rather than compulsively doing. Even if I need to schedule the time I commit to slowing down and dwelling in the quiet place of peace, tranquility, deep thoughts and love. Just for today... join me, will you? For it truly is wonderful.. and so are you.. And so it is

Have you ever heard the expression, "Be careful what you wish for... you might get it?" Because the way the creative process works, we often manifest a variety of things based on our wishes. Unfortunately, when we presuppose that we know what is best for us, we charge head-long into the process of creating something that we feel we want or need. The reality is, we don't always have the big picture. There are times when we might think we know what is in our best interest and thus create something that does not serve our highest good. Fortunately, the universe does have the big picture and often intervenes to save us from ourselves. Yes, there are times when we get disappointed when what we feel we truly want, need and deserve alludes us. At times like these we are not always able to see that what brought about our initial disappointment, is often something muc h greater in disguise... a gift to keep us moving in the right direction.

If you ever face a situation in which you did not get something that you were trying to create, take some time to meditate on all of the possible reasons why things played out as they did. Look for the options and alternatives and chances are, you will discover something even more amazing just around the corner. Don't let disappointment close you... Rather, stay open to the wonder and magic that is constantly coming your way. You deserve the best life has to offer. It is important to remember that the best life has to offer may not come in the exact package that you were hoping for. And so it is.

My dentist has a sign hanging in his office that reads, "If you ignore your teeth, they will go away." In a way, I look at this sign as a metaphor for the need to care for and tend to the important things and people in your life. The reality is, anything in which you invest your time and energy will grow and flourish and stay healthy and strong. And anything that goes untended will eventually wither and go away. The more important reality is that our two most precious resources are time and energy. Unfortunately, we have a limited supply of both. Accordingly, it is vital that we take a good look at where we are investing our time and energy to ensure that the things that have the most value to us are not left to wither and eventually go away.

One of the best ways to decide where to invest your time and energy is to take a personal inventory of the things that matter most to you. Some of the things that matter most will be obvious to you but others might not. For example, we don't always pay close attention to our health but it is critical that we not take it for granted lest it take a turn for the worse. Accordingly, if we value our health, we need to invest time and energy in it, in order to maintain it. Likewise, we can have important relationships with family and friends that we might take for granted but when we don't invest the time and energy into maintaining them, they too can take a turn for the worse.

Just for today, spend some time getting in touch with where you are investing your time and energy. Make sure you focus on all aspects of your life including your body, your mind, your spirit and your critical relationships. Are the objects of your attention the things that matter most to you? Do you need to reconsider how you are spending your limited amount of time and energy to ensure that the things that matter most continue to grow, flourish and prosper? Are you remembering to invest time

and energy in yourself as well as in others? The reality is, you are sending messages to yourself, to others and to the universe by where you put your energy. Work to ensure that the contributions of time and energy are serving your highest good.. for you deserve all of the good the universe has to offer. And so it is.

Whenever anything that seems to be a coincidence happens in my life, I usually pay close attention to it. I believe that there really is no such thing as a coincidence so when it occurs, I do a snap analysis of why something happened and what it might mean. This is particularly true when a bit of information presents itself from a variety of sources in a short span of time. A couple of months ago, within a few days, I was presented with information about keeping your body in Ph-balance... in particular, paying attention to the alkaline and acid levels of foods that I consume. I don't want to get into too much detail here but I can tell you that my brief investigation into the issue has me rethinking the way I eat. (If you are interested in learning more about Ph levels in your body and the relationship it has to health, check out a book called, The Ph Miracle.")

Keeping in mind that I am trying to increase the alkaline intake from food, I have started asking myself a question before I eat something. "Is this food helping or harming my body?" I have to admit, there are times that regardless of the answer, I will eat it anyway. At least I am being more conscious about what I am putting into my body. By the way, I am convinced that there are times when pizza or french-fries are good for my psyche.. but I digress.

Taking my lead from being more mindful about what I eat, I have begun to ask myself a similar question in all aspects of my life. The big question has become, "Is this (fill in the blank) serving my highest good?" I was surprised about how mindless I can be as I make my way through the day... acting and responding from habit rather than from a place of mindfulness. Asking myself the question has revealed some important information about everything from my interpersonal interactions to how I treat my body to how I make my way through the day.

Just for today, take some time to practice mindfulness. Ask yourself whether each thought and action you have is serving your highest good. Listen carefully to the answers that come up. Remember you are here to unfold into everything you are meant to be. You have the road map and answers within you... you simply need to ask the right question to set you on the path. And so it is.

Imagine if you will, that each of us is given a magical hat when we are born. This hat is not for wearing but rather has the power to attract things to us... to help create the path that we travel... and largely determines what kind of life we will live. The size of our hat determines everything from how much we have to the kinds of life experiences that we attract. From outward appearances, some people are given rather large hats with an intense pull, which allows them to have a lot of great things and experiences. Other people it seems are given hats that barely shine at all and don't seem to hold a lot. No one is born instinctively knowing how to use the magical hat and few people alive know how to harness its power. Accordingly, a vast majority of people pay little attention to their hat and never think about its magic.

The real magic of the hat is that it can and does change depending upon how its owner thinks about it. If the owner believes that the hat can be bigger, the hat grows... increasing in size and magnetic pull. Conversely, if the owner believes that the hat has no magical power at all, it shrinks and both holds, and attracts little of value. One of the dangers of that hat is that the thoughts and beliefs that each owner has about their hat's magic is largely unconscious. Each owner has been intentionally, or accidentally taught or conditioned to believe things that impact the hat's magic. However, once people understand its magic, they can change how they feel about it... allowing it to change and grow and attract more and better people, things and experiences.

The reality is that each of us is the owner of our own magical hat and the magic is controlled by our beliefs about ourselves, our experience and the world in which we live. If we think in terms of limitation and have been taught or conditioned to think that we are "not worthy," the hat both attracts and holds little of value. However, if we think in terms of abundance and unlimited possibility, the hat's size and magnetic pull increase exponentially and helps to create and perpetuate magic in our lives. For better or worse, the hat only attracts and holds what we believe we deserve and expands or contracts accordingly. The only difference between your hat and the hat of another person is the beliefs that you have about yourself and your hat. May your hat grow beyond the current limitations that you put on it.... For you deserve every great thing the world has to offer. And so it is.

John and I frequently talk about the nature of love and fear and it seems that every time we address the issue, we are able to peel back another layer of the onion, taking us closer to the core truth about life. One of the more salient points of our discussion deals with the nature of pain and suffering. In my effort to be the eternal optimist, I tend to down-play the fact that pain (physical, emotional, psychic, spiritual) can serve as an important teacher. I prefer to think that all of the lessons we are here to learn can be learned through joy and happiness and love. John is much more realistic and asserts that there are valuable lessons that can be learned through our discomfort.

I have spent several restless nights struggling with the notion that we sometimes need to sit with our pain in order to learn from it. I guess I have been conditioned to work to eradicate it whenever it surfaces in me or in those that I love. In many respects it is human nature to want to help heal those we care about. Accordingly, one of the rubbing points for me is to allow myself and others the latitude to grow through pain and suffering . Okay, I submit... we can learn from our pain. That doesn't mean I have to like it or enjoy it... or does it? John reminds me that when we refocus on our pain as a vehicle of growth... when we don't try and squelch it, but rather embrace it, the pain takes on a new meaning... a new dimension... a new level of importance.

Just for today, think about how you may have struggled against pain. How different would it be if rather than trying to stifle it or mask it, you simply allowed it to be? How different would it be if you embraced pain as an important teacher rather than something to be avoided at all cost? I am not sure that I will ever be totally comfortable with the idea that pain serves a positive purpose in our lives. Let's face it... pain and fear SUCK! But the reality is, we can choose how we respond to it, in order to learn from it, so that we won't have to continue to invite it back in (in an effort to finally learn the lesson it is meant to teach us). Most important to remember, however, is that love is the perfect answer to all of life's questions. And so it is.

When I work with students and coaching clients, I tend to think of them as both being and having unlimited potential. I find it is important to deal with people as if they have no limitations, no tethers, nothing holding them back other than their own belief about who they are and what they deserve. The reality is, when we deal with people as if they are more than the current expression of themselves, we give them permission to grow and unfold into a state of magnificence. When we challenge people to think about themselves in terms of being "unlimited," we allow them to expand their consciousness of who they are, thereby prompting their minds to discover ways to become more of who they were meant to be.

Occasionally, we find ourselves desiring to encourage those we care about to take the steps to break free from their limiting past. However, this can be a slippery slope. The reality is, people won't create change unless they are ready to do so and attempting to impose your ideas of how their life "should" work introduces an energy into the mix that could be counter-productive to their growth. Yes, sometimes we can see quite clearly the thought and behavior processes that are keeping them stuck in a holding pattern. But even when we know what steps they could take to dramatically alter the course of their life, we can't force that change on them. They would only resent us for it and ultimately, it wouldn't help them to learn the lessons they are here to learn. The best thing to do in this kind of situation is to love them through it. Even more importantly, i t is critical that rather than focusing on how others should live (no matter how much you love them), to continue to focus on your own path so that you may continue to grow and unfold into all you are meant to be.

Just for today, think about how your thoughts and behaviors might be limiting the people in your life (including you). Think about how you might free yourself and others from any prescribed way of living, loving and being. Remember that we are all unlimited potential and will grow and unfold according to our thoughts, ideas and beliefs and according to our own natural rhythm and tempo. Most importantly, focus on the love that is all around you and the is ready to support you in your becoming. You are beautiful. And so it is.

One of the reasons that I enjoy writing these daily inspirations is that it gets me to focus on my spiritual growth and development. I love the fact that on a daily basis, I can did deeper into life.. to uncover and translate universal truth and to remind myself that one of the goals of being alive is to seek higher ground and pursue higher states of consciousness. When I look at the process of moving to higher consciousness, I am constantly reminded how easily we can get drawn off the path. So much of the stimulation we receive is antithetical to opening to a state of perpetual love and transcendence. Accordingly, it is important to have some kind of mechanism in place to serve as a daily touchstone to keep on my path.

I imagine that there are a variety of ways that people remind themselves of their quest. My mother for example, gets her daily does of spiritual therapy by going to church... my brother by meditating... yet others by carving out some quiet time to read and reflect. The one commonality is we all share the joy and rejuvenation that comes from reconnecting with a higher power. However, for every one of us who are intentional about moving further along the spirit trail, there are countless others who have been lulled to sleep by the mindless trappings of modern day living. I share in my partner John's desire to find a remote tract of land and seclude myself from the madness that seems to be growing all around us. The reality, however, is that it is quite possible to live and thrive in the world by taking the time to get and stay centered in who you are.

Just for today, think about how you best connect with your higher power and make it a habit to spend time in thought and activity that feeds your soul and leads you to higher ground. Pay particular attention to the seductive, mindless stimulus that can pull you off center. Ask yourself whether the energy you are engaging is bringing you closer or pushing you further away from your end goal. When you find yourself drifting into a dead zone, gently bring yourself back to right thinking and action in order to keep on your path. Being mindful is one of the best ways to continue to grow and unfold into the magnificence of who you are meant to become. And so it is.

Sometimes I forget that I am responsible for the importance that I assign to things that happen in my life. And sometimes I forget that I can choose to change the panic level from high to low. When I am making my way through the day (particularly at work) and something goes awry, it is easy to kick into auto-pilot and let the emotions of the moment carry me away. I occasionally lose all concept of the real importance of what I am dealing with until I take a step back, breathe and remember that I can choose to respond versus react. When I back away from an emotional reaction and execute a well thought out response, the results are always good. In some respects, this essentially breaks down to the love-fear dichotomy. In fact, unless you live in a state of perpetual love, our reactions are fear-based whereas our response can be love-based.

Let's move this line of thinking outside of the work arena and away from the reaction-response mode of living. A lot of what we experience throughout the day is based on the importance and priority that we assign to it. And much of how we make our way through the day is a result of conditioning (auto-pilot-reaction-response). But the reality is, by examining our thoughts, beliefs and actions, we can live more intentionally and make different choices. If you find this concept difficult to accept, take a minute and focus on one of the more major problems that is currently vying for your attention. Think about the importance you assign to it and how you can let it impact many facets of your life. Now think about how you might feel differently about this problem if you are facing a real life or death crisis (unless of course the problem is that you are facing a life o r death crisis). How has the importance level of the problem changed? Granted this is a dramatic demonstration of how we can alter our mental focus to impact the importance level that we assign to things.

Just for today, think about how you may be causing undue stress or dis-ease in your life because of the importance and priority to which you have assigned things. Realize that you can make another choice and then make that choice. Watch to see how simply changing your mind... changing your mental focus can help to bring you back into balance. Above all, remember that you are ultimately responsible for the co-creation of your reality and that you deserve every happiness.. now and always. And so it is.