:: 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...

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...

Lately it seems we all have had some times where things were feeling tough. I’ve felt painfully stuck in recent times, more than ever, and seen many others reach this point as well. Yes, yes these are the cycles of life. And every cycle has it’s benefits… I know. I have been opening to the blessings of these hard times and the more that I do, the easier they become. Here are some things to ponder on when everything seems to be going totally wrong. A Greater Relationship With God Sad to say, but often times my relationship with our Creator takes a back seat to life and can become a smaller and smaller focus of my day. In times of despair, I am more naturally open to spiritual guidance and connection. Each time I hit a wall, my personal relationship with God is deepened in ways I’ll never forget. It becomes more of a priority in my daily rituals as well with greater meaning. When times are tough, use them to prompt a deepening of your sacred relationships. Th...

Inspired by the heights of my jaw pain after my wisdom teeth extraction, reflections of gratitude for the things we often take for granted. Yes, its repetitive, but slow down and open up to the purpose of each word! :) Every time that you feel no pain in your body, give thanks. Every time that you wake up in a cozy place, give thanks. Every time that you have food to nourish you, give thanks. Every time that you come home to a nurturing space, give thanks. Every time that you get to enjoy a friends smile, give thanks. Every time that you have some love in your heart, give thanks. Every time that you are there for yourself, give thanks. Every time that you make it through a tough part, give thanks. Every time that you get a hug from the youth, give thanks. Every time that the sun brings a new day, give thanks. Every time that you can give to your elders, give thanks. Every time things do go your way, give thanks!!! In Gratitude of All of Life’...

I have been opening to feelings on a greater level. I am learning to honor them as divine signposts rather than seeing them as problems. Why the hell would I do this, you ask? I assure you this decision was reached with reason. This isn’t something I thought might be a fun exploration.     I have realized that as I open to really feeling my feelings, I can feel much more of the beauty of life. As I pay attention to them, my life is more rich and free. I feel a surge of happiness in my daily being naturally when I am clear with what I feel. When I look at the feelings that make me feel bad, it releases those negative charges and I exude gratitude much more naturally. Living from this emanation of thankfulness and appreciation for life makes my days a whole lot more enjoyable and real. "The lightning flashes and the thunder roars and the superior man does not drop the ceremonial spoon." But there’s a reason this was hidden to me for so much of...