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Posts from the ‘Spiritual’ Category

Jul 4

Steps to Freedom

Living in the “Land of the Free” and feeling free might be considered as an automatic compliment to each other. In an ideal world that concept would be true. For any of you living in this country or others where feeling free is not your experience here are some tips toward gaining a feeling of liberation.

First, think about some things that you want. Then, design some goals one at a time using this process. Clarify what lifts you up or makes life flow with ease as you come up with a goal. Next, design the steps you can take to accomplish the goal. Break it down into realistic, attainable steps. Determine what, if any, obstacles are in the way or may get in the way. Come up with a plan to remove the blocks or view them from a new perspective that can support your goals. Now do the action steps and clear or re-frame any impediments. When you realize your goal take time to celebrate and find a way to reward yourself for making it happen!

As you become more tuned to what you want based upon what is truly meaningful to you, freedom becomes the lift to give you flight. You begin to feel as if you are effortlessly gliding. Wishing you a glorious and liberating trip!

P.S. If you get stuck, please call on me for assistance. http://www.shellyoconnell/contact

Feb 10

Nourishment

Beyond the physical need for sustenance there is a hunger. It is an aspect of us that transcends the feeding of the body and the mind. We could term it our spirit, perhaps even our soul and it requires nourishment too.

We can provide food for the body and stimulus for the mind but without fuel for the spirit we can feel stressed out or wonder what is missing from our lives.

Nurturing our spirit renews us while bringing forth our essential light. Nourishment for the spirit and soul can be anything that lifts us and lets us shine. A walk in nature, observing the wonder of children, laughter with good friends, art, dancing, a faith practice are all examples that may nourish us.

The challenge is in discovering what gives you nourishment for your spirit? Once you do, make it a priority for your day. Every day that you give to nourishing your self brings you moments of beauty and deep contentment.

We could all use a bit more of those qualities. What will you do today for nourishment?

 

Jan 21

Respect Women, Respect Life

“If the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the woman is intact, so too is that of the family, community and society.” – Ancient Indigenous Proverb

This ancient proverb gives me hope because it tells us that the overall well-being of females directly influences all of existence.

Clearly there is much work to be done to have all females, young and old, be in good health in their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects.

That is why women all over the world march today. They know that respect, care and kind regard are the minimum qualities that must be restored to them.

When the welfare of the women is honored, men and all beings in our world will also be well. In fact, these four essences being intact for females ensures that the entirety of life is glowing.

I know that the road has been long and filled with peril, but today there is confidence because the women raise up their knowledge of what is needed to restore wholeness and harmony.

A proverb is by definition: “a simple and concrete saying, popularly known and repeated, that expresses a truth based on common sense or experience.” This tells me that the ancient Indigenous proverb written above is known as true, which means that at one time the women’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being were intact. If it was once, it can be again.

To everyone today who is: marching, holding space, doing ceremony and embracing intentions of respect for the women, know that your efforts bring a restoration of harmony for all.

Thank you.

 

Jan 20

Miracles

A new day and with it a new president. There are those who are in celebration and those who are in grief. To the ones holding hope and expectations for a brighter day and to the people with concern or fear, let us both remember that we help guide the outcome. We do this through our action and our inaction. Our words, behavior and very thoughts are at this moment helping to create our nation’s and the world’s reality today and in the future.

No matter where you stand regarding President Trump own up to what lies within you. Consider how to move forward for the well-being of all. Challenge your self to lift up the human dignities of kindness, respect, love and compassion not just for you and those of like mind but for everyone.

Think about the person most important to you and how you would like them to be treated everywhere they go by all that they meet. That is the guideline for how to treat others even those who are different from you. Count it as your measure of how well you are doing.

With that in mind let us begin to offer kindness. It is a simple matter to extend kindness. A genuine smile could help to lift someone. Kindness speaks of our shared experience as humans. It is something that each of us has sorely needed in our darkest times. I know it is within all of us  and if we seek hard enough we will uncover it for use. We all need each other to extend kindness; it is the basis of hope and that is where miracles begin.

Start in small ways or in epic ways, but start today.

Oct 24

Water is Sacred

“Water is sacred. It is the first medicine. Without water there would be no life.” These are only a few of the statements and teachings about water that were offered by the Native American Elders I’ve been blessed to encounter.

Their reverence for water compelled me to view my use of water in a whole other way. Prior to their teachings I had not given much thought to water and its role in my daily life, let alone the impact of water on all of life. I would say much of my limited awareness was related to water always being there. In my corner of the world water was clean and easy to access. What would happen if that changed?

Right now in the United States there is a major threat to the purity of water. Indigenous people are gathered to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) because it threatens water sources, including the Missouri river. The same people who are implementing the DAPL have already had a devastating spill in another area.

The protesters have been maced for their stand against the pipeline. One journalist was brought up on charges of trespassing for reporting what is taking place there. Those charges were thrown out by the judge, but those gathered still face fierce militant opposition.

I’m writing to bring more awareness to the issue of safe water. Think for a moment how life would be for you if the water was contaminated, or if it were not freely available. What would you do without water?

We can all offer our support of clean and free water. Please take time today and in the days that follow, to offer thanks to the water. Pray in whatever way is yours and if you don’t pray send a thought, that the water always be pure and freely available not just for yourself but for all of life. I ask that your also send love and peace to the those gathered to protect the water. Visualize a quick and peaceful resolution that protects the sacred water for “without water there is no life.”

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin

 

 

Aug 16

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The Importance of Ritual

All around the world and throughout time people have been engaged with ritual. Whether these ceremonies are elaborate or disarmingly simple they play a vital role for the human psyche.

Ritual allows us to step out of ordinary time. We pause and connect to something much larger than ourselves that also dwells within us. During ritual we seek the stillness that encompasses all. In essence we are creating a conscious awareness of the sacred.

This cognizance is easily observable in shared rituals such as: marriage celebrations, baby showers and even with funerals. Communities mark events as important by creating a formal way of acknowledging and experiencing that revered connection. Some rituals are done alone and may not be visible to others. Praying the rosary or lighting a candle can be solitary rituals.

Regardless of how many people are involved or the intricacy of it, ritual gives us space to offer our celebrations, our gratitude and our hope. It has the power to calm us and bring us to our center when chaos holds sway. The promise of returning to such a dwelling is why ritual continues to be practiced in its many forms.

If you don’t already, give yourself permission to incorporate ritual into your life. Discover some that resonate with you or create your own. Let the practice of ritual direct you in entering the place where connection, peace and hope reside. You will be glad you did.

Aug 2

The Shoulders We Stand On

I’ve been giving some serious thought to a concept shared with me many years ago by a Native American Elder. They said, “We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us.” At the time I likened this to my upbringing that taught, “respect your elders.” I did my best to honor and care for them.

Interestingly, the teachings continue to deepen and unfold as you move through life’s cycles. This specific one has returned to me as I look around and observe life today.

Surprising to me is the realization that I am now one of those who has the next generations standing on my shoulders. From my place in life, I also see at least two generations living here on whose shoulders I stand, so do you. Recognizing that I have new ones standing on my shoulders has prompted me to look at myself and my life.

I’ve wondered what kind of foundation I’m creating for them. Will they be standing firm and strong or ungrounded and shaky? Is there a recognition of the beauty that life holds? Do they feel a part of a healthy community that values each being? Are they respectful of all life, including Mother Earth and her creatures? Do they feel supported in their endeavors? Are they growing and blossoming? Is the world they inhabit one of kindness? Do they see with eyes of compassion? Can they say that they love and honor themselves? Are they happy and wanting others to be happy too? Do they offer gratitude for what life has given them?

In all honesty, I know that there is work to be done for them to thrive and make the world a better place. That work starts with me and with you. Let’s observe how we are in the world and how we are with ourselves. Is there room for improvement within us?

My plan is be be kinder, smile more and share of myself in a compassionate and loving way. Additionally, I can teach what I’ve learned by living it each day. I will strive to create an open environment that supports and encourages the next generations, two of which are here for me.

Perhaps you have more or less in the way of the next generations living here, based on where you are in life. In truth, we all have responsibility to the future generations for our actions because we are shoulders that they will stand upon. Together we can bring joy, love and beauty to them by our conduct today. I invite you to join me.

Aug 1

We Are Powerful

We’ve been sold a story. It goes something like this: you are small, you are weak, you’re just one person, what difference can you make? Besides you are unworthy, you’re too this or not enough of that. You’re broken, a victim, so shut up, stand down, be submissive and struggle through.

The main intention of this story is to draw attention to our powerless over our own lives and over the events taking place in the world. If we believe the prescribed narrative we spend our time focused on our lack or smallness. In doing so we become saddened, frustrated, depressed, angry and hopeless. Our individual realities grow bleak as does the world’s condition. This particular story goes round and round upon itself with never a happy ending.

Fortunately, that story is false! It was concocted to keep us from remembering our truth. Pulling away the veil of illusion, we see clearly that we are powerful beyond measure! We are strong and vital. We effect change every moment by virtue of our being here. We are whole. Our bodies are made of the same substance as is contained within the stars of the Universe. We are indeed magnificent!!!

Claim your power now! Use your voice, stand up and be bold. Think about what is right and just for all. Let compassion, love, hope and kindness be your guides. You can offer these and like qualities silently or with actions each day.

Set intentions for the world through prayers, meditations, or with wishes. Focus your mind, heart and emotions on what you’d like to see for all. Send it out into the world with love. Start and end your day in this way. Know that it will be made manifest.

Quick, tell the others.

 

Jul 15

Finding Bliss

Thoughts on finding Bliss: 
Today’s treasures are not to be missed.

Splash, whirl, dance and play,
Celebrate with abandon this special day.

Release your burdens for a time,
Take my hand, as together we climb,
And reclaim all that is sublime.

There will be time to drink from life’s bitter cup,
But today let bliss take you and lift you up. 

 

Jul 5

What If…Musings

Today I have been occupied with “what ifs”. Rather than allow my mind to take me on an aimless and futile journey; I called on my inner wisdom to direct the introspection.

The following “what ifs” are not unique, new or even original. They have been around as topics of contemplation and discussion for millennia. I offer my thanks to those who have introduced them, studied them and sought to apply them to their lives.

And now the musings. What if the Universe really does have my back? What if everything I need is always provided? What if all I have to do is ask? What if this moment is perfect? What if there are signposts to guide me along the way? What if beauty is love and love is beauty, as my dream the other night revealed? (Note: I define beauty as the representation of the Divine.) What if we are all one? What if the world is headed to a more peaceful existence? What if the assistance I seek is already present? What if I am the one I’ve been waiting for?

The list could go endlessly on, but what if I take the time to reflect upon each one currently listed? What if you did too?

I could have listed other “what if” questions that take me into doubt, fear or anger. Instead, I decided where to focus my awareness. My experience is defined by wherever I place my attention.

On this day, my choice of “what ifs” gave me an consciousness of the magnificence of life. I discover unity, compassion and faith when I come from my inner knowing. The key I believe is perception.

 

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