Category Archives: Book

Cosmic Dance: Chapter Eight

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Chapter Eight: Cosmic Dance

Stepping into the Extraordinary

Photo by Thomas Kelley on Unsplash

With each new day, we choose to live as authentically as possible, ignoring old beliefs. Stepping into the new, creating a life we were meant to enjoy and accepting beliefs of a new era.

The first step towards happiness is often the most difficult, for we cannot let go of our old beliefs. Let’s go now…witness the shift towards happiness. Once the first step is taken, the taste of freedom shall be ours, and we will not go back to the way we were. The next step towards happiness is easier, the next even easier…and so on.

With a new outlook on life, everything will taste sweeter, smell better, and feel freer than ever before. Listen to the voice within…it says, “Now is the Time.” Take a step towards happiness and one day declare “Ani Po.”

(*Ani Po is Hebrew for “I Am Here”)

Stepping into the Canvas is about taking the first steps into the Canvas of Life. It is said that God is the Creator and nature is the Canvas. While remaining in darkness in a world of technologies, distractions, and light-speed evolution, Truth is laid before us, falsely, by our collective whole.

This chapter is an invitation to step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. We are not meant to be suppressed and controlled, fearful and miserable, alone and scared, hateful and destructive. No. Instead, we are meant to be free. Free to Love unconditionally, creating the life we were meant to enjoy. Instead of dividing and conquering, we shall come together as One.

It is time to choose:

· Stay in misery or choose a path of happiness.

· Listen to the voice within or listen to the others without.

· Move towards an active side of infinity or stay on the inactive list.

· Accept positivity or remain in negative beliefs.

· Everything is merely a choice, and every choice needs action.

Imagine, for a moment, that Creator has given you a clean Canvas to paint whatever you desire. What would be on this painting? This is your opportunity to paint The Best You Now…grab the brush and start painting already. You know what you want!

If you can think of it, you can create it. If you can create it, you can paint it. If you can paint it, your dreams will come true. If you make a mistake on this Canvas, allow yourself to paint over or scrape away the excess. The only rule of painting is to apply your whole Heart and Soul when approaching the Canvas of Life. Applying this simple rule…dormant forces shall come alive.

Stepping into the Canvas as a Work in Progress, allowing colors to be misused, strokes unorthodox, and an occasional redo to take place. The Canvas of Life teaches us we are not perfect, and in our imperfections, we are. We are presented with a new opportunity to make it right with every mistake. Master the painting, master the self.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Clearing the Canvas

With each new day comes an opportunity for letting go, allowing room for a brighter future. Whatever baggage we carry shall keep us from enjoying the freedom of No Baggage. With more baggage comes more clutter in the Canvas of Life.

Letting go of baggage requires wiping our Canvas clean and beginning anew. With each new day another opportunity, so shall it be. What a great time to plan… the time is now.

The Now presents a perfect time for evaluating the mind or body and equally exercising Spirit. Along with our regular goals, it is a good time to re-evaluate the spiritual path at the start of each new day. Not meaning we become spiritual, judging more of ‘the others’ because they have not taken this same path we have chosen. No…it means we see with eyes of Spirit versus eyes of flesh; from finite to infinite, human to divine all around us. Are you still clinging on to past beliefs of anger, fear or anything related to negativity? If so, the chances are that your goals will be self-sabotaged anyways. Time to clean house!

Taking personal inventory of life:

• Forgive oneself for past behaviors.

• Ask others for forgiveness.

• Stop trying to figure things out.

• Follow gut feelings always.

• Center oneself in the heart of Compassion.

The last of these is crucial as it will aid the other four. When we center ourselves with Heart of Compassion, everything begins aligning with source energy. We vibrate naturally at levels of Love: eliminating all self-defeating beliefs; letting go of pent-up regret; following, effortlessly, our dreams; flowing peacefully as that of a river; finally seeing our Brothers and Sisters as One.

We can exercise our mind and body as much as possible, but an emptiness remains without faith. Our mind allows us to think, our body that clears the way, but it is Spirit that drives us effortlessly along the journey of life. The weaker the Spirit, the more difficult our journey; the stronger the Spirit, the gentler it becomes.

When we focus our energy towards constructing a passionate, meaningful life, we are tossing a pebble into the world, creating a beautiful ripple effect of inspiration. When one person follows a dream, tries something new or takes a daring leap, everyone nearby feels that energy, and before too long, they are making their own daring leaps and inspiring yet another circle. ~Christine Mason Miller

While the pilgrim chooses to paint over the Canvas of Life, masking His past expression of life, the Warrior wipes the Canvas clean, allowing a new perspective on life to present itself in Her painting.

We often worry about cleaning another person’s home, when our own dwelling needs attention. What good is cleaning another, when ours remains neglected? ~Muhamad Yusef

Stepping into the Canvas with a Clean Canvas, clearing thoughts of doubt, anger or fear; Centering on faith, everything returns to the way it was before ‘the beginning’…allowing us to declare, “All is Good.”

Photo by Bianca Ackermann on Unsplash

Falling into the Canvas

It is not enough to take part in the Canvas of Life, but more important to fall into the canvas with whole heart and soul. What does it mean to fall into the canvas? It means not just stepping into the canvas while actively participating in it, but being an active participant with the continuous intention of actively participating in the canvas AND creating a life most Desired while enjoying every aspect of the canvas.

From darkened clouds painted on canvas to neon fluorescent and radiating colors, we create lives as we choose, not as others choose. Whenever a painter paints, it is through personal interpretation of the Universe, but when others analyze Her work, they attach their interpretation.

If we only see one side of the painting, we miss the Creator’s intent. See the beauty of all varying colors/varying interpretations and lose yourself in the many mysteries that lay before you within the canvas.

Where does one begin? Put down the blackberry. Hang up the cellphone. Stop texting for a moment. Just sit and’ be’ for a moment, allowing True Nature to fill your soul. Can’t do it?! Then take a weekend and spend some needed time in the woods. Maybe it is time for a retreat?!

It is about taking time to enjoy the beauty of nature…returning to Mother Earth, and being One with It All. Many will oppose this idea but eventually need some necessary downtime or, as I like to call it, ‘Me Time.’ We access keys to multi-verses during’ me time, bridging gaps and finding missing pieces to unanswered questions between the Universe and us.

I like to escape to remote locations, preferably somewhere I have not been before, take only the bare necessities…often only water, paper and pen. Whenever a retreat calls my name, there is usually a whole mind and body preparation. Focusing on what enters my body: food, thought, words of another while often fasting for at least two to three days, mind, body and Spirit align…preparing my Spirit for a weekend, week or however long is necessary. As I center myself in practice, the world becomes centered within this practice. Have you ever prepared for a retreat? Or do you show up? No right or wrong answer. Some say that preparing for retreat allows us to center ourselves within the quiet time that we seek. Our mind chatter is silenced, and answers begin to flow.

Stepping into the Canvas, choosing to fall into it with whole heart and soul. Lend a hand, an ear or a friendly smile. Do what you want today, not what others say you ‘should’ do. Stay away from the trap of pleasing others, but please only yourself. Today I will not only step but will fall into the canvas.

Photo by Martha Bergmann on Unsplash

Seeing Beyond the Canvas

Seeing beyond the canvas is about seeing life as something far greater than our conditioned lives. We were taught happiness comes from going to school, establishing a career and living the American Dream by purchasing our own home. While achieving all of this, something remains missing. What is this void we all yearn to fill? It is the void of Truth. The void of Truth is an empty feeling when we continually seek more of something, yielding a false sense of goodness.

We get a house, a couple of cars and maybe some nice little toys. We are happy for a moment but continue to battle bouts of depression, anger, fear and sadness. Something is still missing.

Walking in the flesh, Orgasms lasts a mere Second. Walking in Spirit…an Eternity! ~Joseph

The void is our lack of happiness or self-actualization of being’ On Purpose.’ We must learn to accept happiness no matter the circumstance, seeing silver linings in every cloud. Have you ever noticed some successful people and their lives painting a perfect picture? At first glance, they seem to be happy whilst having it all. As we look deeper or time unveils, we hear of a terrible breakup or separation. They were never really happy or had addictions to prescription drugs. A small population has it all but, more importantly, has found happiness and lived on the heart level. At this level…All Things are Possible.

Some have nothing to call their own, but they have everything they ever need. How can we learn from those who smile at times of tragedy or lack in every other sense? These people have nothing but have everything…and more.

Never look up to the people who have the painted-perfect lives, because try as they might, can never see beyond the canvas. ~Moira Hallsom

It is possible to have it all: the big house, loving family, and more money than we know what to do with, but meaningless without finding happiness. People try to buy happiness, but as I stated earlier, “As we walk in the flesh, the Orgasm lasts for a mere second.” Walking in the flesh focuses on meeting the lower of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Physical pleasures, while walking in Spirit focuses on higher self-actualization needs. Finding happiness, enjoying all that life has to offer. Once established, we can co-create the life we want…giving our life away.

Stepping into the Canvas, we admire the beauty Creator has painted, accepting it for what it is while co-creating a painting to our desires. Seeing Beyond the Canvas sheds light on painted pictures and their imperfections. When we see the canvas for what it truly is, we accept them as imperfectly perfect as our own but enjoy the beauty that life has to offer. Focus on our Canvas, Painting that which we most desire.

So, where do we align ourselves? Do we align with the material gains and the flesh? or do we align with the Higher Self of Spirit, obtaining all we ever dreamed of? Dare to step into the Canvas today, living the life meant to…taking an active role in creation.

Spiritual Exercise: Cosmic Dance

Try to lighten up and go with the Flow for the coming week or month. It may take throwing out those lists or agendas for the day. It may take a little practice, but assuredly it gets easier as we go. Here are three easy exercises to try:

1. Going with the Flow

Often I am in a situation where someone else has a differing idea or plan for the day. I could dig heels in and declare it to be my way or not at all, or I could look at the big picture, weighing if the present idea fits into the picture. In doing so, we are collaborating with others and allowing their input. What about those who insist all the time? Will it hurt anyone to let them take charge?

In letting others share their input, the day will go easier. However, if the bigger picture dictates the idea will prolong the day, calmly speak your insight. I used to be in charge of many things…what an illusion! Now, I just let it unfold with joy and awe. Consistently adapting and reconfiguring self-agenda to fit the greater.

2. No Agendas

One of the greatest lessons I found was letting go of expectations and agendas, allowing things to unfold. With an idea in motion, the possibilities are endless. Focus is not meant to be on achieving it but on witnessing it along the way.

We used to plan every second of vacations or trips, maximizing our time away. We found these to be tiring and cumbersome…until we stopped planning. With minimal plans, the trip turned near miraculous. Give it a try…you may think it was the best vacation ever!

We put our heart and soul into everything we do…including the agendas of the day. With expectations comes disheartening conclusions…unless we remain unattached to outcomes.

3. Without judgment

Without judgment leads to non-attachment of self and others’ beliefs or actions. Allowing things to unfold naturally, we in turn flow with the current of life. As we are not perfect, nobody else has mastered perfection. It is through our seeing the imperfections as perfectly as we can, allowing them to “just be.”

As we accept all as imperfectly perfect as it was meant to be witnessed, we attain a level of perfection (sort of).

Just for the day or week, refrain from pointing out another’s flaw or mistake… readjust the sails to the day. See not the imperfections but the perfection of the day, and it shall be made so.

The Cosmic Dance is about inspiring and being inspired. Holding judgment or doubt hinders our ability to see imperfectly perfect as we have been created. Stepping into the extraordinary, clearing the Canvas, we fall into the Canvas of Life…allowing faith to be our guide. By faith, we shall move forward. Forgetting everything we have learned thus far…we see beyond the Canvas.

Living in Gratitude

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CHAPTER BOOK: CHAPTER SEVEN

Living in Gratitude

Illusion of Self

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

There comes a time in everyone’s life when self-evaluation takes place. We recall our earlier years within the morning of our life, not necessarily accepting where we have traveled or what we have done. As we look back, we choose to move forward in a different direction…a direction leading towards purpose. What is that purpose? Only we have that answer. What is that purpose for you, the reader? Often the answer is “I don’t know.” Do not worry the answer will present itself with time.

The truth is we have lived our whole life on auto-pilot, never really paying attention to details of life…only taking them for granted. It is time to reclaim our lives; it is time to make the change. Making changes, we see for the very first time. Committing to being present in our days, being present with our choice to be on purpose — wow, that is a lot of being!

Accepting our Path

We all come to a point in our lives — a point of self-reflection — contemplating where we have gone and what we’ve contributed in life. It is the transition everyone must go through, taking us from the morning of our lives to the afternoon of our lives. Carl Jung often referred to this as the shift into the afternoon of our lives. Those who transition find happiness and live happily ever after, but those who do not…go on miserably.

The mid-life crisis is labeled for such an event. A time when we must change the way we see things in life, letting go of our past experiences and what we have already learned. Letting go lighten the load as we embark on a new beginning of our lives. Again, those who make the shift find happiness. Those who do not let go of the past will continue a “living death.” A living death is where we take up space, breathing in the air while slowly decaying away.

As long as we are green, we are growing. Yellow, we are a dying fellow. Brown…we are down.

~Cal (at five years of age)

Shifting into the afternoon of our lives, we instinctively look to fulfill a purpose, a purpose that many struggles to find. Sages, gurus, yogis and other enlightened beings often say we must “go within” to find our purpose. The formula for finding purpose is so simple that many will shun the idea. Is there a yearning to do something wonderful within this lifetime? Is there an idea to explore since childhood? Chances are, this is the answer we are looking for.

What is it that you would love to do? What if you won a million dollars or there was unlimited funding? What would you do if there was no worry of financial responsibility? Is it dancing? Singing? Helping others? Opening a restaurant? Whatever speaks when given the possibility of unlimited resources, chances are it is an inner calling.

The dilemma comes with societal conditioning. We have been conditioned to think we need to make more money, have a “real job,” or have a respected place in society. We can do this, running the risk of sacrificing our happiness, or we can focus our intent on our happiness, running the risk of sacrificing our monetary returns. The chances are the latter will not occur, for when we are driven by passion — abundance just flows. Do we focus on money or happiness? It is possible to have both with emphasis on happiness or quality of life.

If you love what you do, you will profit from your success.

If happiness is not present while making the shift, then it is time for a change. Change towards happiness is always a good idea — make it now. Our world becomes clearer, easier, and blissful — making a leap from inactive to the active side of infinity. Synchronicity becomes more prevalent in our daily activities, continually sparking ‘aha’ moments. Taking this leap may require a bit of labor and faith. Do you know of someone who has made a significant change in life while going against the grain of what everyone else suggested they do? These are the Warriors who decide it is time to be happy once and for all. Everything on the line, they leap.

Once a man has committed to a way of life, he puts the greatest strength in the world behind him. It’s something we call Heart power. Once a man has made the commitment, nothing will stop him short of success. ~Vince Lombardi

We return now to a lesson from Ani Po…

Pondering the thought of standing firmly in Her beliefs, Ani Po reflects on the changes she has made in Her life. From pilgrim to Warrior, with a single thought…Her life changed forever. Realizing She has stepped onto the path of Warrior, She knows She can never go back to the way it was.

With further reflection, She recalls a friend transitioning to the afterlife…

Now in hospice care, the family says, “He has suddenly become ill.” Ani Po knows differently and has known that he has been dying for some time. While we are all dying, this man gave up on living about ten years ago and followed a path of Darkness. Ani Po, for years, tried to get him to see Light but with no success.

Ani Po: “Why are you always so negative? Can’t you find positive in any given situation?”

Friend: “No. I see things as they are, and it isn’t always pretty.”

Ani Po: “ If you cannot find good in any given situation, then you are already dead. Sadly, we think things are horrible, which is the only reality we’ve ever known. Have you ever read The Death of Ivan Illych?”

“ No Ani Po.”

“ I would highly recommend it.”

What if my whole life was wrong? ~Ivan Illych

While Her friend’s health options sadden Ani Po, She respects Her friend’s decision to die, knowing that maybe this is how her friend chose to live his life — alone till the bitter end. The truth is — our world is a mirror image of how we see ourselves. If we are inspired and feel alive, then we live as such. If we feel the world falling around us, we slowly decay until death. It is paradoxical, this two-way mirror, what is reflected on the inside projects outward and what we witness on the outside we allow into our inner thoughts. We all have a choice to believe in negativity or positivity. One promises growth, the other death. While death is imminent, we do not have to leave this place in misery. The two-way mirror can reflect how our thoughts project into the world — negativity begets negativity, positivity spreading positivity.

Are we dying while living in negative? Or merely spreading a not-so-desirable outcome into the world? Seeing the world through a negative lens — reduced to a bleak and disparate reality. Is this real? What is?

Living through the eyes of positivity, living a false reality? Fairy tale of sorts? Can we live in positivity, with lingering past and hidden shadows of self? My hopes through this journey are passing along a necessity of embracing both the positive and negative of life. Seeing as a whole, the Canvas reveals hidden secrets.

Stepping into the Canvas with an indomitable spirit.

The only person who can conquer self is the self. When someone brings negativity towards you, turn up the positivity. Step with confidence today, knowing that your afternoon has arrived and is about to get a lot Brighter. You are a Warrior, and you are no longer afraid.

Finding Light Within Darkness

We cannot understand up without defining down; right and left; in and out; positive and negative. Similarly, it is Darkness that often shows us Light. Within our Darkness Shines a Light of Hope. This is not a duality but a whole — as one cannot exist without the other. Stepping into the Canvas, there is always the potential for Light within the Darkness — a divine dichotomy of existence.

Whatever one’s given situation presents, a possibility to see the lighter side of things is at hand. Even death, as saddening as it may be, there is always good to be found — one need only look closely to find. See the silver lining in every cloud, and paradise shall be yours. Caution: people will accuse you of being crazy or even delusional — stay the course.

Studying history and cyclical patterns on a grander level. Previously we spoke of cycles of the self, but on a global whole, we have greater cycles of hate versus love, us vs. them mentality. We have been trained to claim what was or wasn’t ours in the first place, identifying with our stuff as an extension of self. Gladly we let go, freeing the bondage of what was — accepting what will be.

The majority of people live under one giant bell curve, following the rest of the people while spinning their wheels to remain with the majority. The good news — we are not in this curve, but an outlier of this bell curve and possibly even shifting the curve! Dare to shift the bell curve towards the Lighter Side of Infinity — allowing others to get just one more glimpse of Hope for all Humanity — leaving victim mentality behind for ever.

There is a scientific study that proves victim mentality. If we fill a bucket full of crabs, they will settle to the bottom. Once they are trapped within the confines of the bucket, one crab will attempt to get out. The saddening effect is when the other crabs accept their misery and pull the crab, who attempts to escape, back into the bucket of misery. Similarly, as humans, some think differently and attempt to get out of the bucket of misery — only to be pulled back in. Stay strong — for they no longer have a grip on our actions.

Stepping into the Canvas in Darkness. Allow yourself to travel into Darkness, closing your eyes to that around you. Entering the sacred space within, we see a flickering light waiting to shine — the Light of Hope that will Light the way during darkened times. Be still, embrace the Darkness only for a moment — Now grasp the Light, allowing brighter days ahead — Love, Light and Life.

Transmutation of self, an outlier is what they are. Metamorphosis of global consciousness, a paradigm shift of realities. ~Ani Po

This Is The Day our Life Will Surely Change

This is the day
Your life will surely change.
What you do with every breath, Every step,
Will determine tomorrow. It may not come,
But continue forward.
Your hands are His.
Your feet walk as Hers.
Your mind shall think like His.
Your Heart was transplanted with Hers. With eyes of Hope,
Thoughts in faith.
Your steps shall be with grace; Actions will be of peace.
Yesterday has passed
Leading to today.
Give thanks for every moment before — And to come.
This is the day your life will surely change.

Changing direction towards happiness — hearing things never heard before — what is that noise?

Those are birds. Listen closely — hear them call our names.

Stepping into the Canvas with an Attentive Ear, listening for the beauty to break out in song. Taking time to enjoy the Canvas — it returns the message — declaring — I AM Here. Be here, Be Now — listen to the Canvas speak your name. Be Here, Be Now — whisper a soft return — thank you — I Love you. In stillness, we are calmed. In calmness, we are freed.

~Ani Po

Ever wonder what your purpose is? Ever wonder what you are supposed to do with your life? Have you taken the time to pamper yourself? Have you taken the time to be still? All questions are answered by taking time to be in the present moment — shall answer all of these questions — If only we took time to be present. Being present, sight becomes clear. Being present, speech softens. Being present, lends an attentive ear.

Stepping into the Canvas, the wind called my name. ~Ani Po

Spiritual Exercise: Living in Gratitude

1. Everything is a Gift

The truth is…everything is a gift, and there is much to be grateful for. Sadly, we have been trained to move forward quickly, missing the opportunity to be present with gratitude. In a single breath, there is a gift. In another, we share the gift…returning and receiving repeatedly. The old cycle of divide and conquer has gone, while a new give and receive has begun. Through gratitude, we are restored, allowing spiritual eyes to paint a brighter day — every day!

Think for a moment, whether obvious or not/ good or bad, seek the silver lining. Instead of seeing the terrible car accident — seeing the heroism that arrives on time, instead of seeing a horribly long workday — seeing a blessing that we have a job, etc. etc.

2. Share the Gift

There isn’t anything to share but joy itself. No matter the circumstance, we can shed Light on a bleak situation. When we find our inner guidance and Light, we choose to share this Light. Not from an ego stance, telling people what ‘they should do’ but instead allowing them to see the choices they may have.

In our gratitude, we give thanks. Giving thanks, we receive more to be thankful for. Shifting the bell curve, filling our lives with happiness…we invite others to receive the same. In our receiving, we are giving to others…in a slightly different manner.

3. Giving is Receiving

In giving, we are receiving. Through our generous or kind acts, we share in gratitude with others. In giving, they are receiving. Through their receiving, we are receiving. In gratitude, there yields more gratitude through the gratitude of another.

There inlay the paradox of Living in Gratitude. As we give thanks for our days, we share the gift with another. In sharing, we are giving it all away. In giving, we are receiving through the Light shared with another. It is a win-win situation!

Start with a daily reflection: think of three things to be grateful for each day. Write them down. As we begin this habit, we grow in gratitude…allowing more gratitude to paint our days.

Here is one example of starting a day in gratitude:

Facing the South, “Good morning to the South and all my Relations, walk with me on this new day.” Repeat this facing the West, North and East. Looking to Upper Skies and Mother Earth below our feet. Finally, we call upon the Self and all Her Relations, asking the same. Each time we call on a Cardinal Direction: breathe in energies of past, present and future relations; breathe out love and gratitude, expanding our field of understanding.

Humbled to our knees, with head resting on the bosom of Mother Earth, “AS I step out kissing the Earth in Peace and Love, I give thanks for this Great Canvas before me.”

Next…do at least one kind of act per day. Through our generous hearts, we give thanks for the ability to share this gift of life. In sharing, we are giving and receiving all at the same time.

Finally, look ahead, seeking additional, creative ways to share in gratitude.