:: Aham Prema ::

Gratitude is the easiest way to really be happy. We’ve been taught this so much that we don’t value it anymore. However, giving thanks not only improves your living, it heals feelings, and allows joy to be a regular force in your life. Sure it sounds easy. But so many of us are numb to the feeling of being thankful. We take for granted the soft pillow that comforts our head and the clean water we have for a bath. Small things - sure, yet huge conveniences and benefits. We’d definitely notice if they were gone! Not until my own personal experience with this lesson, did I know it so well myself. About a year ago my mom’s house was in one of the California wildfire areas. She got her favorite items and animals and evacuated her home. The firemen decided it was too dangerous to protect the canyon where her home is. They let the fire go free in the whole canyon. My mom was devastated. I was stuck at work and longed to be there to support her...

Here's another lesson for me... and as I explore it more deeply, I write myself instructions, and share it with y'all =) As always, the key is balance.  Most of us are great at either giving or receiving, but not at both.   If you give more than receive, you feel drained, resentful, and experience lack. If you receive more than give, you won't enjoy what you have and may experience boredom. Balance comes from giving as you are guided to, without fear, and receiving with joy and gratitude.   This applies to all kinds of things, not just presents but also presence - in things such as service, time, and love. How much do you give to others each day?  Do you hoard what you have?  Do you give it all away?  Ideally you'd give away that which you do not need or which would benefit someone else more than yourself, keeping that which you most treasure for you.... and loving it like crazy. How much do you receive each day?  When you do re...

Breathe in and out.  Let go of your busy mind for just a moment.  Step into the sanctuary of your heart for a quick replenishing and refreshment. I AM Peace Centered and still inside regardless of the hustle and bustle outside. Love I emanate joy through the jealousy and hopelessness I encounter in my day. Strength I rise consistently through my adversities, applying the wisdom they bring. Abundance All I ever need, IS. Once again, I remind myself: All I ever need, IS. From here, I enter the game again... connected =) by Danielle Crume © 2010

Last week on a morning when I had "bad news" looming over my head, I got a nice treat that was unexpected. My article My Favorite Writing Habits and Approaches was featured in the Mom Bloggers Club newsletter. It is sent to approximately 6,400 moms who love to write - just like me. :) It was a wonderful surprise at a time when it was especially meaning. It was funny how happy it made me feel inside. Yay! I actually got three unexpected surprises during that tough week. Each of them were key in my shift forward and meant the world to me at the time. I'm sure my mindset helped to attract them. Rather than worry, I went full speed ahead and trusted as much as I possibly could. Here's to more "unforeseen" happy news during these crunching times! :) by Danielle Crume © 2009

Simple sights seen in my eyes… with many layers of meaning . When one candle is already lit with a healthy, steady fire, it is easy to light another – at no cost to itself. However if this candle gets too close to another with a weak flame, it may extinguish itself. Sparking a new flame requires skill and tools. A balance of space and strength ensure a steady fire. The intention held when lighting a candle is a very powerful gift and prayer. The lit candle invokes a subliminal reminder of this intention. As one is more present, these reminders can be delightful to find. A candle has a lasting power… in its essence. Danielle Marie Crume

Look at each day as a blank page. Before making any marks on your canvas, consciously choose what you write, draw, paint, or cut. Have a great palette near with all of your favorite colors. With each stroke, make sure you are enjoying the experience and having fun. At the end of the day, look back at it and make sure you are happy with what you created. Can you do better? Repeat daily. ~Danielle Marie Crume

This is a long one, yet essential to have in the collection... I learned about this in my Philosophy class and it is one of the most interesting things I will take from this semester. It is a perspective I hadn’t seen yet. I don't totally agree with it, but reading it was eye opening and a great experience in many ways. Great info for anyone interested in any kind of wealth (everyone?) :). Andrew Carnegie was the Bill Gates of his day. He built a huge fortune, from the ground up. Near the end of his life, he wrote a very interesting article titled, “Wealth”. In it, he discusses the only thing anyone should do with their weath. He is talking about huge amounts of accumulated wealth, however I find that there is wisdom that applies to all types of wealth (and all sizes) found within it. He says the other two options are detrimental to all involved, and why. He also discusses that giving a quarter to a “street beggar” is one of the worst actions he’s ever seen in his life. I ...

The Ancient Method For Creating A Life of Abundance Written by Alex Shalman. I found this on Dumb Little Man, Tips for Life. My good friend Rabbi Johnny Shippel shared a very interesting and thought provoking concept with me this weekend. He asked me which paradigm I thought was better to have, the cup half empty or the cup half full. Without giving it any thought I played right into his trap! "Half full" is what I said. With a grin he replied, "neither". This confused me a little bit since I know myself to be a very optimistic person and couldn't imagine anything other than a cup half full as the Ace in this deck of cards. You're supposed to work with what you have, right? The next words that came out of his mouth have intrigued me for the past couple of days. Instead of thinking half empty or half full, if you were to pour the contents of the cup into a smaller cup, you would now in possession of one full cup. Lowering Your Standards For The Win? The first...