I would be a liar to say I don’t get upset when days are altered. With daily routines, rituals, and patterns that bring peace to my being, it doesn’t take much for the human side to be thrown off course.

Recently at the local gym the steam room goes out, causing great distress on its members. Trying to overcome the fear of not being able to meditate, clear my head, or just be…emitting toxins from my body, I recognize my angst of not being able to use the steam. In my angst I look to another gym, hoping they’ll allow me to use their facility for a week. To my surprise their steam room is out as well. The irony here is not so much that the steam rooms are both out, but that I have found anxiety in something so small.

With our busy schedules it is very easy to get knocked off course…off our course of peace, love and compassion. When our day is complete…work is done. We must tap into our reserves…especially when there may be young ones waiting for us at home. They do not care about the mundane schedule, the busy day, or the many difficulties endured…all that matters to them is you are home. Your undivided attention…that is all they seek. Dig deep, give them everything you have. Change your schedule; check the emotions at the door. They grow up so quickly! Ask any parent as they will say, ”spend every moment with them…they grow up too fast!”

So instead of the steam room, I retreat to nature once again.  There are many alternatives to finding peace and quietude. Nature can play a key role in finding peace…20 minutes per day is equal to a whole week retreat.

During my self-discovery, I uncover more growth opportunity.  I discover that even though I am calm and at peace, there are moments that still bring angst into my day. I am okay with this as I grow forward. My wish for you today is…whatever troubles you, whatever brings angst in your day, may you sit with it, embrace it, and allow it to grow into something brighter.

The irony to my lesson was that as soon as I released the angst of what I thought should be my plan, the steam room miraculously was fixed.

The Irony of Man is not a new problem, but a repeating cyclical behavior passed down from generation to generation. Aristophanes referred to this as eiron, Greek word for Irony, and applied its usage to any shady or annoying characters. The Irony in itself was that Aristophanes himself was a ’jokester’ and often annoyed others within his time. Classic case of projecting shadows onto another.

Carl Jung proved the shadow effect to be that of projection of oneself onto another: In some cases we see positive in another, wishing we could be more like them; In others we see negative aspects of ourselves we do not care for, commenting on them as ”Ironic” or as Aristophanes called annoying.

The first example is self-explanatory as we want to be more like that which we desire to become, thereby causing a natural gravitational pull towards positive people in our lives. The second is not so clear.

Our thoughts and attitudes need persistent training in a world so intent on convincing us that we are who we are not and that we are not who, in fact, we are. ~Debbie Ford

While projecting Shadows, we not only display judgment through bitterness but also express malicious verbal accusations of another. Failing to realize we are merely looking into the mirror with our own reflection projecting onto others, we find disgust with not just them but subconsciously ourselves. Those who remain in their own shadows either stay in darkness or turn towards the light.

We can chase our shadows of doubt or we can turn our attention towards the source of Light, leaving our shadows behind us forever. ~Joseph

Our shadows have ability to shine brightly, as the source of Light, through which awareness and mindfulness is achieved. Remain in the shadows and that is where we remain. Turning attention towards source energy, we receive lessons of acceptance for all (you, me, he, she, we, they): Acceptance for all ironies of life, finding humor in the ironic behavior of man.

Isn’t it ironic that we pay for gym memberships when we could easily walk outside, getting more fresh air, vitamin D and an over-whelming feeling of well-being? We pay for ’Coaches’ to tell us how to live, when we need only sit and ponder our lives. We want to get healthier but are unwilling to make changes in diets or lifestyles, instead paying someone to keep us on track. We have known health issues, but fail to change our ways…further paying someone to aid us with our health…usually in the form of a convenient pill. Our lives are filled with ironies.

Is it a case of laziness or subscribing in a belief of doing something every moment, forgetting to reconnect with the Canvas of Life.  The Canvas of Life has no rules, but has consequences.  We can choose to take our time while painting our canvas or we can rush through it, splattering paint everywhere with little care in how it falls. One can yield a peaceful, tranquil moment while embracing the Canvas and the other yields chaos, angst often misery.  Misery brought on by deadlines and timelines…always living for the clock… missing the beauty provided by the Canvas.

While our moments may not always be what we expect them to be, it can be enjoyable no matter what. The Irony of Man does not have to complete the cycle anymore. We can actually break the cycle of Irony and begin a new cycle: a cycle that includes awareness, forgiveness, gratitude and Love. Wait no longer…change our worldly view. Turn from the shadows of darkness and turn towards the light.

If all we have in our hearts is Love, there can be room for nothing else. ~Joseph

While the Pilgrim subscribes to the Irony of Man allowing the cycle to continue in his lineage, the Warrior (Ani Po) subscribes to a new irony…one of serendipity. On a personal level it can change with a single thought. On a global level, same thought. We find in ourselves, and in others, that not one human being is perfect. In this recognition we find perfection in all the imperfections.

Have you ever wanted to do something in your life, but didn’t know where to begin? or possibly afraid of stepping out of the comfort zone? We all have this burning desire to do something that makes an impact in our lives. Some are fortunate to live the dream at any early age, but for many they will die without ever playing their music. Wayne Dyer often speaks, ”Don’t Die with your Music still in you.”

It is my turn.  Not knowing where I am going with this, I take the first steps.  Feeling naked and vulnerable I move forward into the unknown. Most people do their due diligence and take years to research without ever lifting a finger towards their dream. Equipped with only the basics, proceeding forward…living the Dream.

Often times we set out on task not knowing the direction, but we have a result in mind…ever wonder in awe about how it got finished? When we establish end results, details automatically get filled in. The details are not necessarily filled in by our own works. See the end…but then trust that Universe will take care of the details…she always does.

I hope the writings on this blog inspire many, spark fire within others and help those lost be found once more. The messages will be raw and unfiltered (for now) and will grow into something that which I have not figured out. Waves of Gratitude and Love are sent to those who support me on my journey of life and so it begins.

With only an idea in my back pocket and intent in my Heart, I set out on a journey of a lifetime…dropping seeds of Hope, Love and Peace…for I am a work in progress.

Stepping into the canvas with new light of serendipity.  As our habits become old, we acquire habits of new. Whatever troubles you through the day, bring thanks to your being…let it go, trusting ‘all is good.’ Stepping with our own angst, we begin walking in a new light. Have a glorious day and may your day be filled with new habits of Love and Light. With every step, every thought…may it be aligned with the seven generations. With our ability to alter the cycles, we align our thoughts with that of source energy. Focusing on our shadow, we remain in darkness: focusing on Light, we Shine On into another day. Shine On…we are a work in progress.