Daily Awareness

Set your intentions for a more purposeful day

For a number of years I have been in the practice of beginning and ending my day in a manner conducive to creating a more positive experience for both myself and those I come in contact with. Some days I am better at the practice than others.

Those occasions where I do spend a few minutes to begin and end my day in this manner seem to allow my life to unfold with less stress, anxiety and uncertainty.

Here’s what I do….At the start of my day I think about what the day might hold. I think about those things I know I will likely spend time and energy on such as working on a project, spending time with family and friends, appointments I have set and tasks that must be completed.

Even with the best laid plans the day is likely to hold surprises - sometimes a few, sometimes many. By taking a few minutes at the beginning of the day to set my intentions for a positive day, regardless of what happens I am in a much better position to handle situations with grace.

Upon retiring for the night, I take a few minutes to review the events of the day. In essence, I take an inventory of what has occurred.

My purpose in doing this is to see if there were areas I could have been more open, receptive, nonjudgmental, kind and helpful.

It’s amazing how powerful this can be. Perhaps I reacted to a situation in a way I am not extremely proud of, such as being short with someone. By reviewing my day I may find I owe someone an apology or I need to adjust a behavior that no longer serves me or others.

The most amazing thing is by making this a regular part of my day, I have less to be stressed about and more to feel really great about.

If you find that your days tend to be filled with lack of direction, stress and frustration, why not take a few minutes when you wake and when you retire at night to be aware of how you would like to (and how you do) respond to life rather than reacting to it. You can also determine if there are situations in which you might react differently given the chance.

When we are aware of our thoughts, actions and beliefs we are in a really great position to bring even the slightest amount of joy to the day. And in light of all that is occurring in today’s uncertain times, isn’t a bit of joy a welcome friend?

Blessings to you and yours,

Kathleen Gage

Is change that hard or is it you?

Change is inevitable...

Resistance is optional!

Change becomes difficult when…

We resist the inevitable

We cling to the past

We prejudge situations before having all the facts

We want things to be the way they used to be rather than how they are

We lose sight of our purpose and significance

We get into stinking thinking

The opportunity to shift our perception is as close as our willingness to make the shift

Your life will either be a warning of what not to do or a stellar example of what is possible. You choose moment by moment. Choose wisely.

What's in your spiritual toolbox

  When I began my conscious spiritual journey some 30 plus years ago I had a very erroneous belief that if I became “spiritual” nothing bad would ever happen to me.

I read book after book on positive thinking. I listened to recordings of famous speakers (and some not so famous) about how my thinking shaped my world. I became convinced that I had complete control over everything around me, which meant nothing bad would ever happen again.

For anyone who had what I classified as “bad” things happening, that simply meant they just didn’t get it and were doing this “spiritual thing” wrong. 30 years ago I called that, “Having it all figured out.”

Sink or Swim?

The following posting was a contribution for Laura Beth Young. With the many changes and challenges people are currently facing, I felt it a very appropriate message to bring comfort to the heart.

               

"Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck."

(Psalm 69:1 NIV )

trust

Do you ever feel weary and worn, like you are treading water at maximum capacity, yet still drowning?  What happens when we hit these moments in our lives? Do we sink or swim?  I say neither.

Kindess, trust, letting go

When stress levels are extremely high, so are our emotions. We can’t see out of our situation, and begin to feel as if there is no end. We get discouraged; feel defeated, and completely overwhelmed by the raging storm. 

Kindess, trust, letting go

The waves of pressure seem to hit one after the other. For me it has been a long bout with pain, financial pressure, and some major personal disappointments.  Amidst the many blessings in my life, and my strong anchor in the Lord, I still became utterly weary.  I just didn’t have the strength to keep treading, and beating back the waves.

Kindess, trust, letting go

Play it forward for a better world

I received the following message from my colleague, Kevin Boyle author of The Secrets of Sales Mastery. Kevin has a very unique view of business, sales and kindness. Read on to find out what I mean.

Have you ever read the book, "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell? If you haven’t, if you get a chance to pick it up, I highly recommend it. It contains a wonderful message that I wanted to share with you and your sphere of influence...

If find yourself stuck, if you're down, if you need help, all it takes is one person or one opportunity to change your life. 

Never stop knocking on doors, you never know who or what is going to be behind the next door and whether there will be that one person who will change your life forever.

The Sage Age has arrived

When I was first asked to review The Sage Age by MaAnna Stephenson, I was a bit resistant. Primarily due to time constraints. I read a little about the book and realized it was a genre I very much enjoy. I also realized this book is very different than others on the market. Read on to find out why.

Combining the knowledge of physics with intuitive practice is no small task. The two disciplines often use the same words to mean entirely different things. Written for the seeker with more than a casual interest, The Sage Age – Blending Science with Intuitive Wisdom demystifies complex ideas with intelligent analogies and examples designed to appeal to both the scientist and the natural intuitive.

Four years in the writing, this expansive new work combines knowledge from the physical sciences and the intuitive arts to present a visionary perspective that harmonizes these diverse disciplines into one body of knowledge.

Love is the New Religion

The following was sent to me by one of my most influential spiritual mentors, Reverend Linda Finley of the Eugene Center for Spiritual Living

Love is the New Religion
From the book The Big Glow by Brian Piergrossi

On the surface of the world right now
there is war and violence and things seem dark

But calmly and quietly, at the same time,
something else is happening underground

An inner revolution is taking place
and certain individuals are being called to a higher light

It is a silent revolution
From the inside out
From the ground up
It is time for me to reveal myself

I am an embedded agent of a secret, undercover Clandestine Global
operation

A spiritual conspiracy
We have sleeper cells in every nation on the planet
You won't see us on the T.V.
You won't read about us in the newspaper
You won't hear about us on the radio
You may never meet us
We never seek any glory
We never wear any uniform
We come in all shapes and sizes
Colors and styles

Most of us work anonymously
Some are more visible in print

We are quietly working behind the scenes in every country and
culture of the world

Cities big and small, mountains and valleys, in farms and villages,
tribes and remote islands

You could pass by one of us on the street and not even notice us
We go undercover

We remain behind the scenes

It is of no concern to us who takes the final credit
Rather simply ensure the work gets done

Occasionally we spot each other in the streetWe give a quiet nod and continue on our way so no one will notice

During the day many of us pretend we have normal jobs

But behind the false storefront at night is where the real work
takes place

Some call us the 'Conscious Army'

We are slowly creating a new world with the power of our minds and
hearts
We follow, with passion and joy

Our orders from the Central Command
The Spiritual Intelligence Agency

We are dropping soft, secret love bombs when no one is looking
Poems
Hugs
Music
Photography
Movies
Kind words
Smiles
Meditation and prayer
Dance
Social activism
Websites
Blogs
Random acts of kindness

We each express ourselves in our own unique ways with our own unique
gifts and talents

'Be the change you want to see in the world'
That is the motto filling our hearts

We know it is the only way real transformation takes place
We know quietly and humbly we have the power of all the oceans
combined

Our work is slow and meticulous
Like the formation of mountains
It is not even visible at first glance

And yet with it, entire tectonic plates shall be moved in the
centuries to comeLove is the new religion of the 21st century
You don't have to be a highly educated person

Or have any exceptional knowledge to understand it
It comes from the intelligence of the heart

Embedded in the timeless evolutionary pulse of all human beings
Be the change you want to see in the world

Nobody else can do it for you
We are now recruiting
Perhaps you will join us

Or already have....
All are welcome...

The door is open ~~

Visit the author's website at http://www.thebigglow.com/

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
-Anais Nin

Becoming Fearless

What does it mean to live a life void of fear? Is there more joy? More love? More trust?

Find out what my good friend and colleague, Julie Blake believes as you enjoy her amazing song.

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Fear is often more a state of mind than a state of condition.

Live with trust, love and joy.

Blessings
Kathleen Gage

Turning our situations from frightening to enlightening

No matter where you turn, fear seems to be a topic of conversation for so many. Turn on the news, read the newspaper, watch television…it’s there.

Gratitude

Truth be told, there is a major shift underway. This shift can be frightening to some, enlightening for others.

Gratitude

The fear comes from the outward evidence that life is falling apart. The fear comes from the uncertainty of personal and professional finances. The fear comes from the unknown.

Gratitude

Yet, isn’t it true that each day is an unknown? With this uncertainty we can live in the space of fear or one we can choose to live in the space of trust. The space of possibility.

This posting is not to invalidate anyone’s current situation or experience, but rather to offer a different view of what is occurring.

Gratitude

Quest for Success

Today’s most influential thinkers, visionaries, authors and heroes share their wisdom and key principles to success, and personal and societal change. These people include: Sir Richard Branson, Russell Simmons, Stephen Covey, Jack Canfield, John Assaraf, Harv Eker, Marci Shimoff, Byron Katie, Wayne Muller, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dahli Lama.

This Quest For Success explores what it takes to live a life of true happiness, personal fulfillment and authentic success. This is an extraordinary journey on that most profound of human longings, our search for happiness and fulfillment, and the wisdom we will need to find it.

Each of us has a heroic path to walk. This is a call to greatness that begins with you. And igniting that spirit, that passion for the possible, is where the journey begins.

“This critically acclaimed PBS series features the essential teachings from the great leaders of our time. This remarkable series is a treasure chest of wisdom with the power to transform your life. My praise could not be more sincere” – Jack Canfield, “Chicken Soup for the Soul”

For additional information visit http://www.questforwealth.org/

To learn about all of Lili Fournier's products, visit http://www.questthejourney.com/products/products.html

The complete list of tour stops is available at: http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/09/quest-for-success-dvd-d...