LIVING OUR QUESTIONS-OPEN TO SPIRIT OF WHAT YOU LOVE

Good Morning Friends, Could you take a moment to think about what it is you love?(stop and breathe) Can you feel the effects in your body? Where do you feel it? This is called conscious embodiment.  That’s what the people at McDonald’s are aiming for when they flash a Big Mac on the screen at night, hoping you will run out and get one. They get your autonomic responses going (salivating) hoping you will hop in your car, driven by your animal brain and its cravings, to the nearest drive thru. IT WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU! Well, why not use that same response to keep yourself feeling good as much as possible. I feel this when I watch my daughters and daughter in law mother their babies. When I think of my grandchildren, my heart softens, I feel an opening in my chest, my jaw relaxes, I feel the embodiment (in my body) of the vibration of love.,..flow, gentleness , warmth. I feel touched and open to life. I feel this when I look at a piece of art or hear certain music. I recently attended a concert by a dear friend who sang the theme song from the movie Pocohontas with such passion and love that my whole chest opened up and I wanted to sing along right with her(I restrained myself–lucky for everyone since I cannot carry a tune) BUT THE FEELING WAS EXHILARATING. Sometimes when I am a little out of sorts I play a word game– I think of words that make me FEEL REALLY GOOD.  GRACE-ELEGANCE -BEAUTY-SIMPLICITY- INTELLIGENCE-INTEGRITY-EASE-AUTHENTICITY-CONFIDENCE-GENEROUS-SEXY  just to name a few. It’s a little trick called a word shower and they just happen to be my core values.  I am now feeling AMAZING! HAVE SOME FUN WITH THIS. PLAY PLAY PLAY–NOBODY HAS TO KNOW, IT’S ALL GOING ON IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR OWN MIND.   ENJOY.  Cynthia    PS  THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS, SO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU LOVE

LIVING OUR QUESTIONS–ARE OUR INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS REFLECTIVE OF OUR CONNECTION WITH SELF.

At times I wonder about the judgment I sometimes have for those closest to me. On occaison I have judged one or more of “being selfish” which immediately sets me up to be “better than”. After all I am so kind, generous, loving and COMPROMISING! What’s wrong with them? Is there something wrong with them or the lens through which I choose to see them?  What if they are better at advocating for what they want and need  expecting others to do the same for themselves.  What if I am only calling them selfish(of course in my mind ONLY not that they can’t see by my tight jaw and smile) because I cannot or will not get clear in situations about what I really want?  I might have to hold my ground when Iwould prefer the absence of conflict. Is it just easier to call them selfish?   According to my standard of judgment, if I asserted myself,  wouldn’t that make me “selfish” too? Can I treat others any differently than I treat myself? Let me know what you think and HAVE A GREAT LABOR-FREE DAY!

LIVING OUR QUESTION– WHO AND HOW DO WE TOUCH?

I heard a quote yesterday by Peggy Tabor Millin that resonated with me. ” We never touch people so lightly that we do not leave a trace.” I asked myself what would happen if I lived with more awareness of this thought. How would I interact with the grocery clerk, the station attendant, my waiter or waitress that was serving me? The seemingly anonymous people in my life that I only brush up against in passing—would I look more deeply into their eyes, would I smile readily, not fearing they may not smile back or even acknowledge me? I wondered if I became more intentional about extending the feeling(or vibration) of love would they FEEL it, would it make a difference?  There was an author on television the other day who wrote about the rules of civility and he said there is one principle in which all ethical systems are based: “We ought to treat others as ends in themselves rather than a means for our own satisfaction of our immediate needs and desires.”  As I thought more about this, I felt something stir within, perhaps a new standard to  which I would be willing to hold myself accountable especially when I am rushed.   I want to be more conscious of how I touch others, more intentional in each interaction no matter how lightly and that it is  I WANT TO EXTEND THE TOUCH WITH LOVE .

LIVING OUR QUESTIONS–STAYING FOCUSED ON WHAT I WANT

Sometimes I distract myself with stimulants, shopping, people, alcohol, overscheduling of activities—-anything that can keep me moving in the opposite direction of what I say I want. Staying connected to my Deeper Guidance  will always PROVIDE the next step that moves me in the direction of my intention, even if it is standing still while I get aligned more fully. I CHOOSE TO MOVE AWAY FROM IT. The interesting thing about it being a choice is that I do not always recognize the choice until after I have made it and am steeped in the consequence of it.  At that point I am wondering how I left myself, my DEEPER GUIDANCE, my knowing, the feelings of confidence and joyous expectation that accompanies the feeling of being connected.  I back track to the place where I can remember feeling connected and focused. I see that I was a bit uncomfortable with the sense of peace–realizing that the feeling of being anxious is like an old friend, so I do(quite unconsciously I might add) what creates that feeling–I trade a soothing cup of chamomille tea for a hit of very strong coffee. Wheee–that gets it going, but shortly there after there is a bit of a crash and it is NOT peaceful. ( DO I HAVE ENERGY CONFUSED WITH ANXIETY?) Then the feeling of anxiety is back and although I do not like it, I KNOW IT. This then is the focus. I watch my thoughts and how they interfere with my desired focus. I am lost to the race. Somewhere down the line I take notice of  what IS, and the distance from where I WANT to be. I then attempt to move back into the connection with my DEEPER SELF. This entails the  stopping of some behaviors–for me stopping any stimulants, taking time to meditate, walk, write or find quiet time. This immediately begins to turn things around. The first point of reconnection feels good. I then expand that feeling by continuing to do the things that support the guidance and connection. Getting use to the feeling of being peaceful is an inside job that even though I say I WANT, apparently I need to gain a tolerance for. Who would have known? Blessings and PEACE(as much as you can tolerate)!

LIVING OUR QUESTIONS–Are you a holy whore to anything?

Well, it has been some time since I have written. Much family visiting for the summer and it has been wonderful. I recently got in to a discussion about the archtype of the prostitute. As usual, more questions arose than answers. Do we  all have a prostitute within? Is there something anyone of us would whore ourselves for if push came to shove? I cannot speak for anyone else, but I was surprised to find that I have a big one. Mine is the self discovery whore–and she runs my life with a vengence. She drags me here and there with her own demands and I follow like a stray dog looking for some scrap of food to fill my empty belly. I am lured by the new, the surprising, the expansion that is promised for that deeper part of me. I found a wonderful man the second time around who understands this part of me and often even celebrates it. But it wouldn’t matter, because she RULES no matter what. It is a force within that drives so strong and so hard even I stand back at times and wonder ….what the hay? Since it is an archetype, I challenge you to find yours, that thread through out your life that has consisitently lured you, sometimes  in its calling, causing great joy or pain. Usually the painful memory fades as you answer the call again and again, a bit like childbirth–when in the throws of it you are so sure you will never do it again and then you do. This seems like a frivolous question, but look a little deeper, it hold the promise of SELF DISCOVERY. The reason I mention the word holy is because when she takes over with me, she always promises a feeling and sense of WHOLENESS...it feels holy and sacred, both the process and the outcome. Of course it only lasts until she calls again, which is sometimes days, moments or even seconds. Always she calls, I can forever count on that! Be Well.

LIVING OUR QUESTIONS — CAN SELF DOUBT BE USEFUL?

Hello Friends, What if self doubt could be a gentle reminder that I have stepped out of alignment with or am moving in a direction away from what I want or the direction that inspires me? If everything is created with thought, than how important is it to be aware of what I am thinking? I wonder what would happen if I did not feed the self doubt with another thought of greater self doubt, than another and another? I had heard or read somewhere that if we hold a thought for 15 sec (now that is a long time for me to hold the same thought) we receive  another thought of the same nature. I experimented to see if there was truth to this but it proved to be too big a challenge for me. What I did decide was that as soon as I became aware of a self doubting thought when attempting to create something I want, I can use it as a gentle reminder to move back into alignment with what really matters to me.  Sometimes, the reminder is not so gentle or subtle, if I have been entertaining these unwanted thoughts for awhile, unaware of their presence (disconnected and racing in the oposite direction of my stated intention while mentally building a case for why I cannot have what I want). Recognizing my thinking is the first step. This is easy because those thoughts make me FEEL bad. Upon recognizing them, I ask myself this two fold question: What do I want and where is my inspiration(in spirit). INTERVENTION.  This has served to bring me back to center and the direction I want to be moving in. May I suggest you give it a try.  Blessings and Peace, Cynthia

living our questions–Why so much need for Viagra?

Hello Friends, I wonder about this question, when over time I began working with many who have the need for it. It was curious to me because some experts say that we should be able to make love well into our eighties and nineties with no problem. This has not been my experience in some who I serve, as well as the talk I have been privy to socially on many occasions. I thought more about this after working with some who did not wish to use this very effective substance, but felt it a must for performance.Perhaps there in lies the problem. When the heart opens in it’s fullness, the energy travels down to the pelvis, charging and energizing it naturally(unless one is focused on or worried about performing) which removes one from the experience of feeling the heart of self and partner. Is that how the need arose?  It is in the open-hearted making of love that we touch our deepest self. Upon touching that part of us and another, we have created opportunity–whether we seize it or not is another issue. WE HAVE IT. We decide right then and there consciously or unconsciously to feel our heart, allowing whatever is there to be acknowledged by feeling it in its fullness or to move  only to the feelings in our genitals. When we are young–this works for us (well sort of).  If we keep it there, love making becomes a chore, a duty or just a release better done at times with self. However, if we allow our heart to deliver to us it’s full conten (joy, sorrow, fear)  whatever may be there,  on an ongoing, ever changing, ever transforming basis–it can be exciting, mysterious, tender and yes, even scary. It can push us into new frontiers of our own SACRED/DIVINE interior. This is perhaps what our soul–that Divine Deep Intelligence has in mind for all of us. Do you have the willingness, the courage, the curiosity to explore your own HEART? We have as a culture expected to decline in our sexuality (abilities and drive). The “experts” are at odds–some say we have the capacity well into our nineties and others believe it is lost like many other aspects of life with aging. Maybe it would be available at any age if like most of the aging processes we adapted to the changes. In this most wonderful whole, holy and sacred act our hearts must join for our souls to touch. Ida Rolf, the brilliant biochemsist said”The seat of the soul is in the pelvis.” Our souls TOUCH when we make love. We all deserve a joining of our hearts and souls in the expression of our ESSENCE, the most powerful and enriching act of being human. It seems to become  willing to be vulnerable and go with an open heart into this most delightful endeavor can only enhance the pleasure. Please share your thoughts:)

When words and behavior don’t match

What do I believe when words and behavior do not match?  What is the course of action if an action needs to be taken?  We may notice or experience this in another, but this can be an opening or “in” road to  realizing our own saying one thing and doing something quite different. If we are noticing it in another, it also exists in ourselves. Let’s begin with a concrete example.   Let’s say we are holding ourselves to a high standard of ALWAYS coming from a place of love.  Someone we have an interaction with does  or says something that feels bad to us.   Our mind allows us to excuse the behavior.  We believe that to address this on our own behalf and take action would not be either loving or understanding. We excuse it by trying to “understand it” (stand under–stand down) and do not act in a loving way to our self, often to avoid a possible loss. However, we have just incurred the biggest loss we can, which is disconnection from SELF. If it sounds good (all the right words are spoken, but the behavior opposes the words. BELIEVE THE BEHAVIOR! It will lead to a more authentic response in you and keep you loving yourself.  You can then extend that love to the world. Check in with you first. Being your authentic self can only be the best for you and them. Perhaps your deeper self “engineered the situation” because it had been trying to get your attention for awhile and you could only see it in a situation outside of yourself. IF IT SOUNDS GOOD BUT FEELS BAD–TRUST THE FEELING. Thoughts ?

ACCEPTING WHAT IS–ALLOWING IT TO TRANSFORM

Good Morning Friends, Is accepting what IS “giving up”? How do we accept that which” feels”, “thinks”, “seems” unacceptable? Why should we? What’s in it for us? In our living life, by  our very humaness, we will be asked to accept that which we feel we did not choose. It may not be useful to spend time thinking about we would HAVE wanted it to be, but to begin focusing on what relationship we want to develop with the current situation. There is always a time of grieving, especially if the situation entails the loss of something or someone we have deep attachment to. There are stages: DENIAL ( initial protection from the pain), SADNESS, RAGE, DEPRESSION, AND FINALLY ACCEPTANCE. Sometimes we get STUCK in one or more of the stages. They are not wrapped up in a neat little package, but more a process of going back and forth between the stages. It’s messy and painful. While going through the pain, we have an opportunity to allow a deep, soulful and often times powerful transformation that can  give us an opportunity to move in a completely different direction. If we are able to let go and surrender to the process of what “IS” we can find peace and joy. We must find a way to co-operate with our deepest self for this to happen. That is an individual journey, which we must do our way. We usually must begin to strengthen a relationship with the “knowing” part of us vs just the “thinking” part of us. Again this is choosing opportunity over “crisis”.  What have your choices been in the acceptance of  what “IS”?

LIFE IS THE DANCER, YOU ARE THE DANCE

Hello Friends, in my kitchen on a little chalk board, I have written “Life is the Dancer and You are the Dance.” I have been giving this some thought as I often do when something strikes a chord that goes beyond my thinking mind.  Of course that’s when the questioning begins.  What if I AM BEING LIVED BY AN INDREDIBLE ENERGY VORTEX WHICH IS CONSTANTLY MOVING THROUGH ME? What if I am being animated by a power so great that it keeps my heart beating, my organs functioning and assists me in manifesting all that I ask for and hold my attention to? What if all living things are animated by this and merely translate this energy in its own unique way? What if it is possible to directly experience their translation by merely asking? When  planting my flowers yesterday, I asked that I join with the energy of the essence of the little tiger eye, and be allowed to FEEL its esence. Almost immediately, I felt this wily but gentle energy flowing through my hands, telling me what it wanted, needed and where it wanted to be positioned on the plant stand in relationship to the other plants. It seemed rather strange, and my “doubting Thomas” popped up, but I ignored him and kept my focus on the tiger eye’s wishes. I played with the “asking” all day in different scenarios. It was fun and may I add prety astounding. I have never asked that directly and found it to be EXCITING. Knowing the differencxe between their energy and mine, listening intently to their communication with me has opened up a new dimension. I invite you to try this. Keep asking. What if the more you trun your awareness to it, the more it will become a reality for you?