Steady the Boat

Steady the boat

Rockin and rollin away

Captain first mate

Or swabby this day

Steady the boat

Rockin and rollin away

Sun on horizon

Darkness fallin rear

Steady the boat

Rockin and rollin away

Breath of wind

Blowin off the stern

Steady the boat

Rockin and rollin away

Calm as seas

Floating along…

~Ani Po

The Illusion of Self

Facing-the-Sun

There comes a time in everyone’s life, when a 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 that leads us to our purpose. What is that purpose? Only we have that answer.

The truth is we have lived our whole life on auto-pilot, never really paying attention to the details of life…only taking them for granted. It is time to reclaim our lives, it is time to make the change. Making the change, we see for the very first time.

Accepting Your Path

We all come to a point in our lives…a point of self-reflection…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. In letting go we 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 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 5 years of age)

Shifting into the afternoon of our lives we instinctively look to fulfill a purpose, a purpose that many struggle to find. Sages, gurus, yogis and other enlightened beings often say we must “go within” to find our purpose. The formula for finding our 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.

The dilemma comes with societal conditioning. We have been conditioned to think we need to make more money, needing to 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. Chances are that the latter will not occur, for when we are driven by our passion of what we love to do…money will become natural. Do we focus on the money or the happiness? It is possible to have both, but remain focused on the happiness or quality of life.  Chances are…if you love what you do, you will profit by your success.

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

Once a man has made a commitment 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 that she has made in Her life. From pilgrim to Warrior, with a single thought…Her life changes for ever. Realizing that 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 who is currently 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 gentleman 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 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 that things are horrible and that 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 Ani Po is saddened by Her friends health options, She respects Her friends decision to die, knowing that maybe this is how her friend chose to live his life…alone till the bitter end. The truth is that our world is a mirror image of how we see ourselves. If we are inspired and feel alive, then we go on living as such. If we feel the world has fallen around us, then we slowly decay until we reach death. We all have a choice to believe in negativity or positivity. One promises growth, the other death. While death is eminent, we do not have to leave this place in misery.

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

Finding Light Within The Darkness

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

Whatever ones given situation presents, a possibility to see only the lighter side of things is at hand.  Even death, as saddening as it may be, there is always good to be found whilst not always easy to find. See the silver-lining in every cloud and paradise shall be yours. Caution: people will also accuse you of being crazy or even delusional. Simply ask them how their life is…and then ask them how that is going. It is time to try something new.

The majority of people live under one giant bell-curve, following the rest of the people while spinning their wheels on how to get out of the bell-curve. The goods news…we are not in this curve…we are on the outskirts 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 forever.

There is a scientific study which proves the victim mentality. If we fill a bucket full of crabs, they will settle to the bottom. Once they are trapped within their confines of the bucket, one crab will attempt to get out. The saddening effect is when the other crabs are in acceptance of their misery and pull the crab, who attempts to escape, back into the bucket of misery. Similarly as humans, there are those who 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 in darkness, closing your eyes to that around you. Entering the sacred space within, we see a flickering Light waiting to shine. This is the Light of Hope that will Light the way in darkened times. Be still, embrace the darkness only for moment…Now grasp the Light, allowing it to brighten the days ahead…Love, Light and Life.

This Is The Day Your Life Will Surely Change

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 your taken the time to just be still? All of these questions shall be answered…if only we took time to be present. Being present, sight becomes clearer. Being present, speech becomes softer. Being present, lends an attentive ear…

Stepping into the Canvas the wind called my name…“Ani Po”

wind calls my name

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 His.

Your mind shall think like His.

Your Heart transplanted with His. 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.

When we change our direction towards that of happiness and positivity, we begin to hear things that we never heard before…what is that noise? Those are birds. And, if we listen closely…we may even hear them call our names.

Stepping into the Canvas with an Attentive Ear, listening for the beauty to sing. When we take 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.

knowing-yourself