Up and down the roller-coaster we go! One day up and one day we are down…we see suffering, we witness paradise. How we see the world is often a mirror image of what we see in our own mirror. To see paradise in the world, we must be able to see the divinity in the mirror of our soul.

To look into a mirror, can be scary.

One will see the true self, aged and worn.

Look past what we see,

find the beauty others see.

Why do we see their beauty,

but fail to see our own?

See what I see…for I see a divine being who is loved.

Look into thy mirror,

see the magnificence.

 

Look into thy mirror, see the beautiful creation.

The person staring back, either be friend or fo…the choice is ours.

The person staring back,

creates heaven on earth. Or, the opposing, if that is what they choose.

See what I see…for I see a divine being who is loved.

Stepping into the Canvas of our own reflection, seeing the Canvas of Life as we see fit.  We can choose to see grief and sadness or happiness and exhilaration as our guide.  While Pilgrim sees only the surface, Warrior sees deep within the soul.  Seeing deep within, she Loves deep without. Looking Beyond the Canvas of Life…we see a mirrored paradise…as within, so without.

Beauty Within 

It is said that our biggest enemy lurks within our own mirrors, sabotaging our true self from being loved. We gaze upon the mirror, judging relentlessly. The beauty is…this same mirror holds our greatest ally captive, we need only see Her in her truest form.

We  return  to  Ani  Po,  as  she  recently  visits  a  Pilgrim,  which  we  shall  know  him  as  Tidak Sini. This next story came to me in a vision. I entered a friend’s house, only to witness him covering all of the mirrors in his house. He was painting them so he no longer had to look at the pain and suffering.

Instead of embracing the pain and suffering as a guide to a more happy life, he covered the reflection of his past…never allowing the pain to be healed. Shortly after this vision, I experienced it first hand as I witnessed a friend doing this very thing. Part allegory, part real…I hope the message is understood…

Note:  Tidak Sini is Malay for ”Not  Here.” Ani  Po  is  Hebrew  for  ”I  am  Here.” While  the Warrior shall be called Ani Po, it seems only fitting to call the pilgrim Tidak Sini (not here).

As  Ani  Po  entered  Tidak’s  home,  She  heard  a  whisper…”Be  Open…Go  Beyond.” At  the sound of the wind, She knew this visit was no mistake.

Ani Po: ”Hello friend! What are you doing?”

TIdak: ”Nothing, just covering up all the mirrors in my house.” Ani Po: ”Why?”

Tidak: ”Because  I  am  tired  of  seeing  my  face  in  the  mirrors.   I  have  done  so  many  bad things in my life and ashamed. I judged people, called them bad names, and deliberately harmed them.”

Ani Po: ”I  am  sorry  to  hear  this.” Reaching  forward,  placing  hand  on  His  shoulder,  as  to say it was ok.”But you are human and we all make mistakes.”

TIdak: ”But I cannot forgive myself for what I have done.”

Ani Po:”Would it make you feel better If I forgave you?  Have you thought about going to your abused and asking for forgiveness?”

Tidak: ”No! I cannot.”

Ani Po: ”You could ask ’Great Spirit’ for forgiveness. Once we step into the Light of forgiveness, we are forgiven. Return to the old ways and we shall not. Removing paint-covered mirrors, only allows the true self to be seen. Why not remove the paint, ask for forgiveness and learn to Love the enemy within? See the enemy within as ally, and the enemy without shall become one too. What or how we see ourselves is how we see the other pilgrims around us. If we see only disgust within ourselves, chances are we see the disgust all around us.”

Tidak: ”So, are you saying I should learn Love within to have Love without?”

Ani Po: ”Exactly what I am saying.  Our inner beauty is exactly that and it takes a bit of chiseling to uncover the many layers of paint we have applied to our mirrors. When I walked in today,I heard a whisper that said ‘Go Beyond.’ I think that message was for you, going beyond what you see…”

Ani Po knows all too well…we can cover the mirrors for a temporary fix, but eventually looking deep within our souls, unlocking our true-self.

Stepping into the Canvas of our own reflection, seeing the Canvas of Life as we see fit. We can choose to see grief and sadness or happiness and exhilaration as our guide. While Pilgrim sees only the surface, Warrior sees deep within the soul. Seeing deep within, she Loves deep without.

All We Need Is Love

With so many holidays set aside for self reflections, we autonomously focus on what matters most…Love. Valentines’ Day is a time to celebrate one’s Love often expressed to another. It is also the second largest Hallmark moment, next to Christmas, and is often accompanied with greeting cards, flowers or even more extravagant gifts.

The origin of this festival had an entirely different meaning prior to the 5th century.  The earliest recordings state that the February festival was a time of an ancient fertility festival, dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus, as well as the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. This festival was eventually banned by the Catholic church in the early 5th century.  Pope Gelasasius declared it a day of celebration, honoring patron Saint Vincent. The irony here is that many would still consider honoring a person as a form Idolatry, stemming from Paganism. Just as the Church deemed the fertility festival Paganism, they asked its followers to honor a Saint. In many eyes, both would be considered Idolatry.

Regardless of the detail, it does remain a festival of sharing Love…and there is no greater gift than sharing Love. However, should it be reserved for only one day? Can it be extended throughout the year? Can we adopt a belief system that shares Love and not hate? Can we all hear the sounds of John Lennon, as the Beatles sing…All we need is Love? Everyday should be Valentines Day.

Today, I challenge you to share Love with all your encounters as if it were Valentines Day.  Love does not have to be physical, but merely a kind thought towards someone. Sharing Love with another can change the whole day. Sharing Love with those closest to us…and furthest away if possible. It is not reserved for any one person or any one day, but it is meant to be shared by all…for all eternity. Love is the answer to all things.

Stepping into the Canvas with Love over-flowing.  Sharing our day in Love, we set a tone for a new beginning. A new beginning, filled with Love, Peace and Happiness…not the lack of. It is not reserved for some…but All-Inclusive. When we learn to Love freely, we learn the meaning of Agape. Love unconditionally and you shall know true freedom…

Darn near perfection…beautiful just the way you are.~Ani Po

Nobody is perfect or are they? Is it our perception or judgment that declares an imperfection? Truly I say to you, we are all perfect in our own ways and we are beautiful as the next.

Looking beyond the mirror of things, letting go of how we should be or things should be…we come to a place of accepting. Accepting others, accepting the self…as imperfectly perfect as we are. I am not perfect, but I am…so are you!