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Posts tagged ‘Teaching’

Aug 15

Surrender; What’s That?

Often the word surrender is interpreted as quitting or giving up. While it can have that connotation in a siege it has other meanings when it comes to your life. For example, have you ever felt like you were struggling uphill with an impossible load on your back? What if you let some of that stuff you’ve been carrying go? Or perhaps you are doing everything you can to met other people’s agendas. Maybe it is an agenda that they have for your life and you want to please them but the cost to you and your well-being leaves you drained, empty and probably resentful. What would happen if you opened up to whatever uplifts you?

Surrender in these terms is not a passive, “I give up.” Rather it is a conscious and deliberate awareness to take action in your life. It is getting honest with yourself about what is not supportive to your happiness then being open to reframing things or letting them go. At the same time it is vital to notice and then embrace whatever nurtures and uplifts you. In this way surrender becomes the first step in creating a pathway to a life that you love.

Dec 4

Dreaming You into Being

“Once upon a time when the wind was new, I had a dream and created you.” The thought in my mind as I awoke today. It captured my attention. I began to wonder about the concept of being fashioned when the wind was still young.

The topic of whether intelligence, science or something much larger conceived of us is another conversation. No matter if you believe in some omnipresent being behind the design or in science alone, go with me for a moment.

Imagine for minute or two that we were dreamt into being long, long ago. It sort of shifts your awareness to the magnificent possibilities that exist within your being. How could it not? I find it difficult to believe that all of the planning to bring us here would not include absolute radiance!

What if my thought is true? How might if shift your life, your dreams and your space in the world if you knew that you really began when the wind was new? I am hoping that it sparks your imagination toward breathing life more fully into your being. What would it take for you to start living from the ancient, creative being that you are in true reality?

Join me at https://www.facebook.com/coachingbyshelly/ to explore more fully.

Sep 15

Intention

Intention is all about where you focus your attention. It’s the actions created based upon what it is that you want. Consider intention the plan that you have made to get there.

We all know that some intentions get swept away much like the waves erasing writing in the sand. What then makes our intention come into existence?

Commitment and a clearly drawn out strategy ensure the probability of success. Sharing your intention and the design for bringing it forth with another person makes it more real. Adding some measure of accountability to that conversation can make a difference in following through on your intentions.

Intentions are the whispers of our hopes. Follow them.

 

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

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.

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 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.

 

Mar 2

Create more Light, more Love, more Laughter!

I did not arrive at today’s post by saying, “I feel fabulous! Today I’m going to write about sunshine and rainbows.” Nope; I’ll hold onto that topic for another day. Honestly, I’m writing about creating more light, more love and more laughter because my attention has been drawn to the anger I spew into the world.

Just yesterday I was headed down the road when a car traveling at a high speed nearly clipped me as I started to change lanes. Thankfully I saw her in time and corrected. She continued on her way while I screamed, “Bitch, slow the fuck down!” She drew alongside me just in time to see me finish venting my rage. At the same time I looked in her window she was waving a hand and saying, “Sorry.” I watched as she continued weaving in & out of traffic never once modifying her speed.

Where was I headed? Oh you’re going to enjoy this one! I was on my way to yoga class. Yeah, we’ll get back to that in a minute.

About a week or so ago I got up in the morning and there were dirty dishes piled up in the sink. The counters were disgusting! I live with other people who work outside of the home. This wasn’t the first time this has happened. The house standard is: if you cook dinner for everyone then the other people clean up. That morning, as I’ve done in the past, I got angry. I cooked dinner so there was no way I was going to clean up too! I fumed. I told myself I wasn’t going to do them. I started to blame and judge those living in my house who left the kitchen a mess. I began to fall into a victim role thinking things like; “just because I’m home they expect me to do it.” On and on.

Then something shifted. I started to see that dirty kitchen in a whole new way. I thought, “I’m going to clean this up for me. I want a clean space.” I put on some music and started scrubbing. While doing this I was peaceful. The anger, resentment, judgment, etc. had all faded away. I began to reflect on how fortunate I was that I had loved ones with which to share a meal and living space. I began to offer gratitude that I wasn’t alone or lonely. I expanded that to include having plenty of fresh food and water to consume.

Once the kitchen was clean I left for yoga class. On the way there I reflected on the how differently the morning turned out. You see, in the past the kitchen scenario played out as I described but I never shifted my awareness. I carried the anger around all day. I stewed and held onto my anger and righteousness. In fact, I cultivated it until I talked to one of those people I lived with. Then it came out. I slammed them with it and punished them. In essence, I created a wedge between us and I felt justified. What this mindset really does is allow me to hold my anger close while distancing myself from other people.

I thought about my relationship and impact to the whole. What influence or effect does my anger have on the web of life?

I look around and see so much violence, so much judgment and tension in the world. I see people bashing each other in the political realm. Today, I even saw someone comment that they thought a post about taking a contract out to kill a person running for President was funny. Really? When is it ever funny to imagine killing someone?

It is not okay to project anger onto others for any reason. Just because they look, think, act or believe differently from me is no excuse. Diversity is expressed nearly everywhere in life; just look around you to perceive that truth.

The day I attended yoga class after shifting my perspective on the dirty kitchen, at the end of class my teacher said to the room at large. “That’s the thing about yoga. It teaches you to see the places of darkness within you. Then you have the choice to change it.” I agree.

Even though a little over a week later finds me screaming at another driver on the way to yoga class I keep working on the insights I receive. That’s the thing about a spiritual path, it keeps reminding you where your work resides until you fully integrate the lessons. Every spiritual path is meant to grow you in this way.

And so I ask you, where is the darkness within you? Is it possible to shine the light on it, offer love to yourself and others and laugh over your past antics? Will you join me in committing to creating more light, more love and more laughter in the world? I deeply hope you do. The world needs us. I need you. Peace.

 

 

Feb 2

Mid-Winter Celebrations

Today is a day celebrated in many cultures as the mid point between winter and spring. There are a variety of rituals and celebrations that are held both in the spirit of hope and in an invocation of welcome.

Today is significant because it is at this point that the ancestors took time to both acknowledge their journey and fortitude in surviving the long winter and to look toward the coming spring. This pause gave the people time to show their faith that they would see the spring arrive once again. Spring meant that the earth would wake up and the land and her creatures would grow and produce which equated to life for the people.

The ritual ceremonies allowed the people to participate in honoring the cycles of life. I imagine they felt that this celebration was vital in bringing forth the spring and renewal of life. They saw themselves as a part of the whole of nature not separate from it. On a practical note, the preparation, ritual and celebration gave people a tangible relief from the harshness of winter while still being enmeshed in its reality.

I find this sense of optimism and faith expands hope within me today. It is a conscious reminder that yes, the light does return, yes, there will be new growth and new life. Yes, things can begin anew even amidst the dark and cold. Let us celebrate that knowledge!

Whether or not you practice modern rituals marking this day, consider lighting a candle in honor of the light returning. Place the match to the wick in reverence of all renewal of life. Think of the hope it may ignite to see something new and vital grow within you. Remember that even in times of darkness you can offer your knowledge that the light always returns.

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