Showing Up For Life

The way we walk into a room says a lot about the way we live our lives. When we walk into a room curious about what's happening, willing to engage, and perceiving ourselves as an active participant with something to offer, then we have really shown up to the party. When we walk into a room with our eyes down, or nervously smiling, we are holding ourselves back for one reason or another. We may be hurting inside and in need of healing, or we may lack the confidence required to really be present in the room. Still, just noticing that we're not really showing up, and having a vision of what it will look and feel like when we do, can give us the inspiration we need to recover ourselves.

Even if we are suffering, we can show up to that experience ready to fully engage in it and learn what it has to offer. When we show up for our life, we are actively participating in being a happy person, achieving our goals, and generally living the life our soul really wants. If we need healing, we begin the process of seeking out those who can help us heal. If we need experience, we find the places and opportunities that can give us the experience we need in order to do the work we want to do in the world. Whatever we need, we look for it, and when we find it, we engage in the process of letting ourselves have it. When we do this kind of work, we become lively, confident, and passionate individuals.

There is almost nothing better in the world than the feeling of showing up for our own lives. When we can do this, we become people that are more alive and who have the ability to make things happen in our lives and the lives of the people around us. We walk through the world with the knowledge that we have a lot to offer and the desire to share it.

copyright :: --Author Unknown

Nine Wisdom Steps From Spiritual Traditions

Each of the first eight [wisdom steps] introduces you to a different spiritual tradition -- Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Native American spirituality, Taoism, and New Thought -- and offers an easy-to-do wisdom practice from which you can benefit. The ninth [wisdom step] departs from this format by focusing on all traditions and their views about service as a spiritual practice. [...] These suggested actions contain how-to directions that will assist you in applying the wisdom practices in your own life. [...]

1. Create a home altar. Establish a reminder in your home that you are linked to a larger spiritual presence that adds richness and wisdom to your life.

2. Meditate and find peace. Learn the skill of turning within and practice the art of stillness that brings peace of mind and bodily health, and leads you to uncover your authentic self.

3. Surrender to prayer. Cultivate the art of directing reverent words of request, praise, and thanksgiving to a higher power as an alternative to worry and fear.

4. Forgive yourself and others. Improve the quality of everyday living by dissolving the negativity of past resentments and opening your heart to more love.

5. Make time for the Sabbath. By designating one day per week as a respite from work, you can deepen your connection with God, become more aware of the blessings in your life, and create more intimacy with family and friends.

6. Let nature be your teacher. Connect to and learn from nature, and establish an awareness that you are part of the grand matrix of life.

7. Go with the flow. Become at one with the universal flow of life, and spend less time and energy resisting its movement.

8. Catch God’s vision of your life. Practice the art of visioning, which links you to inner and universal wisdom, allowing you to discover your true life purpose.

9. Offer yourself in service to others. Assist others in your family, community, and the world, and reap the satisfaction of selfless service.


copyright by :: --Sage Bennet, From "Wisdom Walk"

Story for today

The man who went to Heaven
A man died and because he had been a good person, he went to Heaven, where Saint Peter greeted him at the door.
Welcome! he said. You can enter Heaven right away, but, because you lived such a good life, you can also go and check out Hell first, if you like.
The man was rather curious and said - well, why not - and he went down all the stairs to reach the door of Hell, which opened before him.
Behind the door, he saw many people sitting around tables with delicious food! But they were all very sad, and suffering, because instead of hands they had long knives and forks as arm extensions and they did not manage to put any of this great food in their mouths.
The man went back up to Heaven and said to Saint Peter: Wow, am I glad that I can go to Heaven. That is really some punishment.
Welcome to Heaven, Saint Peter said, as he let the man in.
What did he see there?
He saw many people sitting around tables with delicious food, just like in Hell!And just like in Hell, they also had these long fork and knive extensions on their arms!
But in Heaven, the people weren't crying or cursing, because they were sticking the food in each other's mouths! "Try this", they laughed. "And this!", and they had lots of fun in the process.

Lesson: Happiness comes from making other people happy. Don't be selfish but care for other people, and you will be taken care of as well.

w-h-y?