:: Aham Prema ::

One of the most powerful exercises I do in my day is to give thanks in the morning. At times giving thanks naturally arises for me. At others it doesn’t. It’s been those times that I’ve been far from feeling thankful that I’ve really come to understand its significant importance on another level. Now it’s a key part of my “daily do”. I have a regular morning routine that I play with to help me get off to a great start . Giving thanks has the greatest consistent effect over any other part of my morning “get ready” rituals. It’s simple. I just take a few moments out and check in to what I’m naturally feeling thankful about – and then magnify it. Sometimes I have to search deeply and may come up with things like “I am thankful for being in this nourishing space with my loving family." At others simple things will pop up quickly, like “I am thankful for having the space to take a bath this morning." I’ll tune into the firs...

Summer: Season for Birthing Ideas &  Nurturing Them. Summer is the season of light. Plants blossom all around. It’s warm, vivid, and bright.  The days are long. We feel more alive than ever. Play comes naturally. We find ourselves outside more.   The beauty of the summer season provokes fun, exploration, and vacation. Walks, bike rides, milkshakes, and ice cream come to mind.   What does summer feel like for you? In the yearly cycle , the potential that we dug up during winter and planted in spring is now coming into fruition and growing. During summer we tend to the nourishment of our projects.  Some of the seeds you planted are already showing in recognizable form while others are just about to sprout through the soil. Nurture and develop them for the harvest in fall when you will see the supple fruits of your labor ripening. There are several ways to make the most of summer and thrive off the enjoyment of it’s most beautiful ch...

This week I approach a big "battle" of life... I have a few challenges (that are bigger than I'd prefer to have) lined up.  Several key triggers are in place.  Here comes the wave!! However, with the experience and foundation I have acquired throughout my journey, I recognize that this is a grand opportunity.  A divine dance ready to play out.... With all the hard work I've got under my Wonder-Woman-style magical (and invisible) belt, I can do this!  I have the faith to own the challenge and the humbleness to get back up and dust myself off if I don't quite succeed as envisioned.  Either way I'm going for it and will do my best.  And I'll grow because of that. So here's the battle plan: 1.   Be Ready and Connect.  Each morning start with a "Me Ritual" in which I shower, put on some music, cleanse off my charges and limited thinking, connect with God and fill my cup, and be READY to rock the day.  I enter the state of being in which the ...

Life is challenging. At times it seems like a test - or perhaps a final exam. It can feel like a culmination of your previous lessons where everything is on the line and every move you make is extremely important. At these pivotal points - and sometimes in our regular daily active life - it can seem impossible to make it. Or perhaps not worth the trouble. But these challenges are the exact things that we need to grow. As we master our smaller lessons, they get bigger and may seem impossible at times. It's important to trust, especially when everything is on the line. Notice it always works out somehow. Check your faith and your "talk" or ideals. While you're at it, step more fully into it. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". ~ Hebrews 11:1 Although you can't always see how everything can work out, you often can see the next step to take. There may be several options and it m...

I have a lot I want to do, yet I want to enjoy it all. I don't want too much rushing or working too hard that I’m exhausted. I’ve learned the hard way that I love balance and free time – and it is very good for me. When life has changes such as school starting or internal shifts in direction, I start over with fresh a clean slate and creatively develop a new intuitive strategy. One that allows me the lifestyle that’s important and has ultimate freedom within it. So this week is one of those times when it rises naturally again for me with school in session and client scheduling to figure out. I am ready to create a new template of time. I find life most refreshing when I am aware of my boundaries from a higher perspective with clarity in direction and then consciously explore and create my preferences in the details. It’s something I do incessantly out of curiosity. My little game with myself. Sometimes I get carried away figuring out what I like ...

Curiosity is one of my favorite characteristics. Someone who is genuinely inquisitive and open to learning more and more is invigorating and exciting to be around. I love information and learning. However, I’ve found that many of us have a tendency to over-consume information that isn’t particularly valuable to us. This habit of taking in excess information dilutes attention and delays progress. Many haven’t even considered there could be such a thing as too much information. Below are some things to ponder on and open to in your exploration of yourself and your lifestyle. Choose your sources wisely. Be conscious of your intention with each information source you decide to look into. Many news teams prioritize banking on advertising with techniques such as focusing on fearful topics to keep viewers glued. Our thinking and mental dialog – also known as our programming or internal script – creates our perspective on life, heavily weighing on each experience we...

These are my treasured ideas for people who enjoy writing and/or journaling: Writing is best when it is lived. Just as is any passion that we feel in our heart. It is a lifestyle, a being. Become it through your practice. To develop your writing and/or passion, first make your presence with it a priority . It is simple. Make time and space for it. But reconsider which time and space works best. Time Find the ideal pocket of time in your usual routine. Whether you develop a little bit of it daily or focus on it once every week, find the spot that is just right. One that flows with your energy. Use this as a "rock" in your flow. Allow other things to move around it; keep it your priority. I prefer mornings when the energy is fresh and it is more likely to be nice and quiet so that I can really be with my self and am not as easily distracted. Space Set up a space customized for developing your passion. One that is attractive to you and draws you in. Place all...

For the times when it seems the world has gone astray, or just after a tough day, a bath is a wonderful nourishing space to retreat. When my shower head broke this winter, I was forced to take baths daily for a bit. This "problem" ended up being a wonderful blessing in disguise. Taking a bath in the morning, even if 10 minutes long, feels great! When we pause and submerge in water, it a provides a feel-great and clear space to connect all around. The best thing is that most of us already have one in our homes. Here are some tips for creating a bath retreat that relaxes and renews: Add a box of baking soda. The minerals in it condition the water to make it softer and naturally more cleansing. Play with temperature. Sometimes a hot bath feels like it hits the spot, sometimes a cool one does. Add some flower petals to dress up the bath while making it feel rich and sensual. You can grab some from outside and rinse them off. Add a few drops of essential oils ...

I'm refreshing a post as I feel it is an amazing one and would love to highlight it again. This was an email I received from a dear friend that was written so beautifully... We all have something standing in the way of coping with our emotional pain. Here are seven ways to break through. Written By Bob Livingstone  We all experience emotional pain in our lives. Someone close to us will eventually die. A friend or lover will betray us. We will lose our jobs or not get the one we really wanted. Many of us have been victims of physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse. We experience racism, sexism and other forms of hatred. Many of us have difficulties with processing these issues.  Last week I was conducting my class on healing emotional pain at the San Francisco County Jail when one of the women asked, “Why has it been so difficult for me to face my emotional pain?” Most of the other women in the group then asked follow-up questions in that same vein. I pondered this...