Monthly Archives: June 2012

Dance Of The Dog Soldier

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We have all been afflicted with pain, suffering, trauma, or mental distress. We can choose to stay in misery or suit up with a new attitude. Choosing the latter of these, sounds easy but often most difficult. It does not have to be…it just takes courage.

 

There are many survivors, or as I like to refer to them as warriors, who in one way or another are fighting for the ultimate cause. They fight for their own lives. We may start as pilgrims, seeking for something greater, but these folks have been forced to face their life lesson head on, without a choice. There choice comes at time of diagnosis: they can choose to fight; or they can choose a peaceful transition. These warriors suit up every day battling for their lives, making a choice to fight on or throw in the towel. While the Pilgrim chooses to listen to statistics, the Warrior stands firmly in the miracle in the making. The Warrior does not choose to submit to statistics, but chooses to fight…they prepare the sacred drum… preparing for battle.

 

Ani Po knows this dance, as she suits up fighting for yet another day. Assisting others, pausing for reflection… Waiting for the drums to sound. Kneeling with head down, as to pause…waiting for the drum once more. She feels the rhythm of the drum, life force begins to beat through her. Looking to the left, looking to the right stomping, chanting, the dance begins…Note: Ani Po is Hebrew for I Am Here. We journey through life, often asleep…until one day we awaken to a new beginning…declaring I AM Here.

 

As Ani Po prepares for battle, preparing for the day, she envisions warriors who will come to the circle. A circle not for the faint-hearted, but a circle for only the mightiest of warriors. Some may fall, while others will rise to the occasion…and some will just continue to dance…paying no attention to statistics.

 

Each day we are given a choice: we can choose affliction by our sadness; we could embrace gladness; we could live in misery; or we could Live in Blissful Happiness. Whichever the case, it is up to the individual self to choose an outcome of the day. Whether expressing gratitude for a single breath or refocusing one’s intent of a given situation, we are co-creating our days…whether we like it or not.

 

Some are given a choice and some are not. Sadly those who are given a choice, often will choose to lay in misery…without any self-reflection or corrections. Those who are not given a choice of their health…again are faced with choice: choose to Live or choose to accept the sentence laid down before them. The one’s who lay down their sword, do so in dignity…those who choose to fight on…prepare themselves for battle. These are the Dog Soldiers…who ready themselves for battle. Note: A Dog Soldier (WahDeSeh) is a name given by Native Americans to those souls who choose to do whatever necessary, no matter the outcome).
Stepping into the canvas with a gift of Life. In a single breath we are given life, in a single moment it can be taken away. Do we live to the fullest or do we passively wander the Canvas? One is filled with the highest of Life-force, while the other is of the low. Stepping with vigor shall increase the co-creation of our days, but stepping in idleness…again we are co-creating. Whatever we choose, it shall be so. We can lay down our weapons or we can suit up with the other warriors…preparing for the Dance of the Dog Soldiers, declaring…”Ani Po!”



What Keeps You Going?

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We all have daily routines, that keep momentum flowing. However, when that routine is altered we find ourselves flustered and anxious, which can turn into fear or anger. In fear or anger, we often give up or lose interest in our days…potentially leading us to some form of depression.

Letting go of expected outcomes, relieves our stress from our daily routines. Simply recalling why it is that we get up and what keeps us moving forward, this will allow us to easily tackle our daily routines. Whatever the motivation, focus on that and not on what fills our day. Our days are easily bombarded with other negativeness…avoid them or take proper actions to protect yourself from these.
Recently a friend, Thomas, stopped Ani Po while she was working out at the gym. He asked, “what keeps you going?” A little history… Thomas often challenges Ani Po first thing in the morning at 5 o’clock am, challenging her to look deeper within herself. As she pauses for self-reflection, she chooses her answer very carefully.

As Ani Po answers the question, she is immediately reminded of another situation, a recollection of why we do things and who we are as a person. The few lines, tell the story…

Ani Po to another: “What do you do?”

Executive:  “I am a Vice President of a major company.”

Ani Po: “Not for money. What do you do for the world?

Turning to Thomas, Ani Po answered instinctively, “Each day I rise, to serve my fellow-man; Help those in need; Assist where ever I can. I go where I am called….for I am a tool for the master carpenter. I may not be perfect, but I give it my best effort!”

With the only answer being a smile, Thomas asks, “Is it wrong to have a purpose for making a paycheck?

Ani Po answers, “Not at all! However, if the only reason for getting up in the morning is for a paycheck, then by days end that is all you will have. If your attention is something higher than monetary gain, then you shall receive that which you give into this Universe. There is an old saying: Love what you do and it will never seem like work again.”

Thomas continues, “What about providing for a family? Is it not our responsibility to give for our families, thereby causing us to make more money?”

Ani Po, “Are you still falling for the trap established by our dictators? If we subscribe to the collective whole, believing that we must do this or do that to survive, then we will always look to man for answers to our dilemmas. If we instead turn our attention to the Lord, letting go of any expected outcomes, then the answers will come and we shall forever remain protected. Those who lead by Faith, Hope and Love…those are the true leaders…those are the believers…those are the righteous.”

So what keeps you going? What motivates you throughout your day? Are you stuck in the belief that your reality is all you will ever know? Time to change your views! Our lives, if not enjoyed, can be changed instantly…all we need to do is see the life we want, feel the life we want and believe it to be true. In doing so, we shall make the first step into our new reality.

“Not all of us can do great things.

But we can do small things with great love.”

~Mother Theresa

Stepping into the Canvas by Faith. As we step in faith, we immediately receive hope. As we receive hope, our reality becomes embodied in Love. As we learn to Love the Canvas all over again, we begin to Love all there is. In Loving-kindness we find answers to All things and the burdens of today become yesterday’s memory. Let go of the past, look to the future and embrace every moment…in the Now.