Daily Awareness

A top concern of baby boomers

Ask baby boomers what their greatest concerns are and many will likely agree taking care of elderly parents to be either at the top or very near the top of the list.

Increasingly baby boomers are being faced with challenges we knew were inevitable and yet when the inevitable is upon us the reality is often very different than what we thought it would be.

Some boomers are handling the challenges with grace, dignity and acceptance while others are resisting every step of the way.

Aging parents are a fact of life; one we cannot escape. However, how we handle the various situations that are a part of caring for aging parents, which at times can be extremely challenging on many levels (emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially), will reveal much about one's character.

No doubt, if we were to design the scenerio of our parents aging and transitioning we would never want our them to suffer in any way, but sadly they do. I believe our responsibility is to do what we can to lessen the suffering by stepping up to the plate and moving in the greatest space of love we possibly can.

Is it not our priviledge to return the love and care we were given in our formative years? Is it not our honor to respect our elders by not questioning why this is happening to us, but rather to question, "How may I serve?"

Many boomers are on a spiritual quest. One would be very hard pressed to not agree that being in service to our elders is truly one of the most spiritual experiences we will ever have.

May you answer the callings with grace you are given as your journey through your spiritual enlightenment.

What are your thoughts on taking care of our elders? Please leave your comments.

"It's not what happens to you, it's what you do about it."

Years ago I had the opportunity to listen to one of the wisest men I have ever met, W. Mitchell. Out of all the people I have crossed paths with W. Mitchell has left one of the most profound impressions on my heart, mind and soul.

Mitchell has a simple philosophy - "It's not what happens, it's what you do about it."

Wise words indeed. Profound words when one considers what the motivation was for Mitchell to coin this phrase. Decades ago, Mitchell was an average young man, living an average young man's life. Everything changed in an instant with a motorcycle accident. From that day forward life would never be the same.

Given what many would consider insurmountable odds, Mitchell overcame not only his own limitations, but the ignorance of others. He went from ordinary to extraordinary, carrying a message that is well worth paying attention to. Why not check it out for yourself?

How often do we have something insignificant happen to us and yet we act as though it is the end of the world. Then we hear someone else's life story and realize we have it pretty darned good.

That's not to invalidate anyone's experience, but to offer an opportunity to shift one's perception.

Something relatively insignificant can reveal major problems - if we are open to receive

What a blessing some minor (and not so minor) problems can be. Often, they are the catalyst for revealing something deeper that if unattended would turn into a catastrophe.

When we are open to moving in the direction life takes us, we are able to fully respond to what is in front of us.

Recently, I was leaving my mother's home to take care of some business. As I was getting in my vehicle I noticed the 89 year old sister of a neighbor laying on the neighbors driveway. It took a moment for the situation to register, but only a moment to realize this woman was in trouble.

I quickly went to her side and saw she had fallen on her back and needed immediate medical assistance. Within moments several neighbors and motorists stopped to assist. Only minutes later, the fire department arrived.

An ambulance took Jane to the hospital. Concerned about her well being, I stopped into the emergency department at the hospital she had been taken to. Amazingly, due to the fall other, more serious, conditions had been discovered.

What appeared to be one bad thing (the fall) turned out to be a blessing due to the discovery of other conditions.

Jane, a feisty woman with a spitfire attitude, was not pleased she was in the emergency department of her local hospital. Yet, had she not been taken to the hospital, the other conditions would not have been discovered. Conditions that could prove to be life threatening.

How often is this the case for all of us? A situation occurs to which we respond with frustration or anger wondering why it happened. Often, it is the very situation that reveals something even more important.

Rather than resist what is, the best thing we can do with anything in our life is to walk in faith with trust that we are being guided. A trust that will reveal to us important information that we might miss if we constantly try to run the show.

Sure, it's important for us to be in control of our life, yet there are times we must relinquish control and simply be with what is.

Does this mean we should be a doormat to life?  Not at all. What it means is, if on a daily basis we ask to be guided, more will be revealed. More that will show us our true path and nature.

Living Life on Life’s Terms is the Truth about Law of Attraction

Virtually everywhere you turn there is something being said, written or recorded about the Law of Attraction. People by the millions are experiencing a shift in consciousness in very profound ways. They are waking up to their spiritual callings — or so they think.

With the reading of a book or two, watching a DVD or attending a seminar where the message is “You can have it all; You can create the life you want by visualizing, affirming and recognizing the power within,” many are left in a state of ever-deepening confusion when what they so earnestly attempt to attract is not manifesting. Convinced they must be “doing it wrong,” they hungrily search for the answer.

Sadly, many people equate spirituality with material possessions. Spirituality is expressed in many ways. It can be as simple as doing what we are called to do with no attachment to an outcome. If we are called to express through art we do so because to shun our gift is to have our spirit die and deny the world of our expression of beauty. Perhaps the gift of spiritual writing or tending to our elders or tending to the soil as a trusted servant is our deepest calling.

Often what we are meant to be doing and where we apply Law of Attraction strategies are completely different.   Although we may claim what we are asking for is based on spirit, it may actually be based on ego.

Would you rather be useful or right?

How often do we want to be “right” to the detriment of being useful? This is particularly true in times of great uncertainty such as a serious illness of a loved one.

When we believe we have to be right and our way is the only way we are in the space of ego rather than heart.  

When in ego we are likely to believe our feelings are more valid than the feelings of others. We also believe others should do things our way, believe our way and act in a way we feel is appropriate. This leads to resistance, anger, frustration and inability to see what is the highest good for all concerned.

The most loving thing one can do is to know others are entitled to their feelings, beliefs and response throughout uncertain times. Easy to say, not always easy to do.

It is essential to stay very centered during uncertain times. This requires a deep  level of willingness in order to stay at a high level of awareness. It’s about moving in our heart space to be more fully present to the needs of all concerned.

When we move in heart energy we are able to be useful rather than needing to be right. It is in our need to be right we often put everyone concerned at a disadvantage due to subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) manipulating others in order to prove our point is the best point which means we believe our position is the only position.

When you are in the middle of circumstances where emotions are running high, step back, release the attachment to the need to be right and be willing to give others the space to be who they are, not who you think they should be.

The best way to do this is to take quiet time, connect with God, Higher Power, Source, Universe or whatever your guiding force is.

Pray for the willingness to be willing to let go of who you believe yourself to be, asking for the wisdom to be who you are meant to be. It is in this willingness so much is revealed and we are truly able to be useful, loving and compassionate under even the toughest circumstances.

Isn’t this truly what we are being called to do?

Today you can create a miracle for someone you love

What would you do if you knew someone you love had only a short while to live? Would you treat them differently? Love them more? Do more? Or would you know you are doing all you are called to do at this moment in time?

It’s amazing how many people will change behaviors when they hear the news, “Your family member has only a few days/weeks/months to live.”

The reality is, we only have today and yet, we so easily forget. We say, “I can tell them tomorrow how much I care.”

I’ve got news for you, you don’t have tomorrow. You have today.

Whatever it is that you are incomplete in, begin today to create completion. If there is a relationship that requires healing, begin in this moment to start the process. It can be something as simple as a phone call, letter or visit.

If you have been thinking of sending your parent a card or letter just to say you care, what’s stopping you? Why not stop what you are doing and write a short note, put it in an envelope and mail it today?

The miracle you can create in the life of an elderly parent (if you are blessed to still have them) is one that no amount of money or material goods can replace. It is truly a gift from the heart that is only one you can give and one they will be so blessed to receive.

Miracles happen in a moment. Love happens by choice. Blessings abound with each breath we take. Life holds the memories of the moments, choices and breaths we consciously choose. 

Living your passion - guest blogger Christy Strauch

You’ve been laid off: it’s time to start the business you’ve always dreamed of. According to a recent article in Time Magazine, unemployment in many states has reached 10% or higher. Frustrated at not being able to find a job and with no prospects looming, many people are considering starting their own businesses. And they would be in good company. General Electric, Walt Disney, Microsoft and Google were all begun in recessions. The author discusses the critical questions a perspective business owner needs to ask, including: How do I determine if what I love to do is a viable business? How do I figure out if this is financially and psychologically feasible?

The first two steps someone who’s starting a business needs to take are:

1.Decide if you are committed. Are you ready to make the daily commitment to the business? Or do you just want to date occasionally? If you’re ready to make the commitment, then you’re ready to take the second step, which is:

2.Do your numbers to make sure you can support yourself with the business.

Most people aren’t able to just quit their day jobs one day and start a business that will support them out of the gate the next day. Some people can, but most businesses need some ramp-up time. Before the ramp up, figure out the answers to these questions:

1.How much money do you need to live on? Don’t forget your taxes; you might need $5,000 per month to live on, but that means you need to earn $7,000-$9,000 per month to make sure you can pay your taxes.

2.How many “things” do you need to sell to make your monthly expenses?

Here’s an example. Our business owner needs to earn $10,000 per month. She makes organic bath products that sell for an average of $25.00 each. The materials cost $5.00 each, so she clears $20.00 per product. $10,000 divided by $20.00 is 500 products per month that she need to sell.  Is that do-able? What will it take for her to sell this much per month?

3.How much time does it take you to make the number of things you need to sell?
Here’s the next example. Using our same person above, it takes her 30 minutes to make one product. This means that to make 500 products per month, it will take her 250 hours. There are only 176 working hours in a month, so 250 hours is a problem. She will have to find help or outsource the manufacturing of her products to a company.

Here’s another example. A person who cleans houses also needs to make $10,000 per month. He charges $50 per hour, so he needs to work 200 hours to make his $10,000. This won’t work either-he either has to raise his rates or get help or lower his expenses.

If you’re ready to commit, and your basic calculations work out (you can make/sell enough per month to cover your bills), then go out and talk to some potential clients. If you get “positive feedback from the marketplace,” keep going!

Christy Strauch is the author of Passion, Plan, Profit: 12 Simple Steps to Convert Your Passion into a Solid Business. In addition she is president of Clarity To Business and has worked with over 300 small business owners, from artists to real estate agents, helping them do what they are passionate about – and make a profit. Her book is available at Amazon.com Click here to order