Forgive and Find Joy

Why do we assume there is something wrong? We need to blame either ourselves or someone else for situations and events. We take a defensive stance when confronted with another's misunderstanding of what is happening. Often we shift the blame to the one who is confused, angry or upset. Why?

Somewhere we have been taught anything that does not make others happy is our fault. We are not good enough. We are somehow broken. Our ideas cannot be good enough or everyone would just simply agree. When our judgement is questioned it triggers the response of defending our worthiness. We find ourselves lashing out or withdrawing into silence. We seldom open to discussion on these alternate opinions or ideas, afraid we may see a different point of view, thus making our point wrong. But is there a wrong or right opinion to anything that happens in life? Is life not just a perception?

One of the biggest reasons I have found for this push and pull between us, is the need to feel we are in control. Our subconscious has been programed to believe others are either better than us or beneath us. Therefore we need to defend our position on the ladder of life. But is there anyone who is better or beneath anyone? Is there a need to defend our position, if we are all equal? Is it not acceptable to understand another's point of view without feeling there is something wrong with us?

As is my usual Easter custom, I sit in meditation and consider forgiveness. Forgiveness of self and others. More and more I find myself asking, "What is there to forgive?" This ritual shows me how I am taking life too personally. We are here to experience. Those who push our "Hot Buttons" or illicit hurt or anger, can be appreciated rather than defamed for they are showing me where I still have the belief, "I am not good, worthy,  smart or important enough. Those beliefs have nothing to do with anyone else but me. I need in times of feeling a need to forgive someone else, to realize I created this experience to teach me more about who I think I am.

So then, what is left to forgive? I have long since forgiven the bullies, abusers, and naysayers in my life. I have even found a place of gratitude for the strength they have given me. Do I need to forgive those who disagree with my perception of life and what should be? No, they are entitled to their opinion. I can be grateful for the different aspect they have on a particular idea, for it broadens my mind.

Forgiveness of self is all that is left. Forgiveness for those times when I have responded without opening my mind and heart to what another feels in a situation. Forgiveness for self for those times I have made an assumption without hearing the whole story. Forgiveness of self for thinking I am not worthy of all that is good in life. Forgiveness for desiring control when control is not appropriate or necessary. Forgiveness for some and any belief that allows another to push those old buttons of the past, when the past is gone. Forgiveness for thinking I should be able to control the future when there is a greater power within me who will guide me if I just drop the pretense that my ego is all there is to guide me. Forgiveness of self for looking either up the ladder or down, when in truth I know we are all equal, all one, with a unique set of qualities and ideas that make the experience of life, rich and textured.

As I conclude my meditation for this year it comes to me that most misunderstandings are based on assumption, creating a story without allowing ourselves to hear the truth from others. We are so afraid of the truth that we shut out those who we presume have wronged us and create a story that gives basis to our right to be angry, hurt, and disgruntled. If we could instead create a story that says I am enough, they are enough and together we create a beautiful world, the need for this Easter custom could end.

Is it not enough that one man died on the cross, must we carry that hurt, burden and sacrifice as well? To do so negates that which we were taught in Sunday School, that Jesus died on the cross to forgive the sins of man eternally. Can we not remember this and forgive without pain and suffering?

For in forgiveness we find the joy we are seeking.

Surrender

Having had a week of sitting in emergency rooms, hospitals, hotels, and long drives, I have had a lot of time to think. Believe it or not, my thoughts continually gravitated toward gratitude. I also found myself in a state of complete acceptance. At first there was panic over the unknown, and doctors who sometimes don't remember to listen to their patients. Feeling alone and desperate to ensure my daughters safety, I lost my usual strength and foundation. In a moment feeling no support from angels or humans, I let myself totally surrender to the Will of God. In one deep breath, I released all that is and ever was. In that moment all the support I desired and more showed up for me. Doctors and nurses began to listen, friends reached out to be there for my daughter. In exhaustion, I was given the energy to do what needed to be done.

What came out of that moment of surrender, was spiritual organization, aligning everything we needed to make the best of an unfortunate accident. And even as I say unfortunate, I ask, "What good has come of this?" For me it has been about giving up control, letting go of the need to make things right, accepting once again, there is a reason for everything. I hear the words, "slow down, let me do the thinking, planning and creating. All you have to do is be in the moment." I am so glad I listened to those words, for I could never have found a hotel in a city with no rooms, let alone find a place that would cater without being asked to a girl just our of surgery and in a walker. I could never have flowed with ease through all the hoops of picking up walkers, pillows, new shower heads, and paraphernalia needed for a newly handicapped girl. Somehow this was all done for me, and as I stayed fully in the moment, clear directions were given each step of the way. Not just friends but strangers quietly and eagerly went out of their way to ease our journey. I feel so blessed.

Somehow, what may have triggered guilt, anger and victimization, has resulted in even more gratitude for life, more acceptance of people and circumstances.

It is ever more clear to me that we do not have much control over the events in our life. We like to think we do, and perhaps that is what creates most of the problems we encounter along the way. We have gotten too attached to an idea that we are co-creators, leaving little room for the original creator to work the miracles that give our life depth, meaning and comfort. In any co-creation there must be a director, a lead player, and supporting roles. At what point did I decide I wanted to be all three? In even my most spiritual moments, I see now where I still held on to the role of director much too tightly. I believe most of do.

I invite you to take a moment to sit on the bench, looking out over the water, enjoying the leaves in all their color. Could you have created that all on your own. Take a deep breath and imagine the energy it takes to create just the right amount of rain, sun, wind, and weather to sustain this view. Do you have the perfect vibration within you to create such miracles and sustain them? Can you marvel at how earth continues to rotate on it's axis, keeping us planted firmly here?

How do we ever believe that we must be the sole creator of our world? How do we even believe we can be? Today I am grateful knowing that only good can come, when we surrender fully and completely to the one who created us for a purpose. I apologize for my arrogance and avoidance. Today I gratefully accept the Will of God, knowing this guidance and direction will never lead me astray. I am willing to play the leading role, or supporting cast in whatever measure is required of me.

In "Don't Change For Heaven's Sake" I wrote a chapter on letting someone else take the wheel. I had seen the power of allowing Spirit and it felt good, but somehow I lost track of that trust and faith. I am grateful to be reminded once again.

Are you ready to play your part, and allow the director to make this movie of life according to the script? I invite you to try it, even if just for a day.

In gratitude and blessings I offer this piece of my life, so you may see how most of our events are similar, even though we are strangers on this earth. We are all learning the same lessons, reaching for the same stars, and being assisted by the same creative energy. May you find the faith to let go, surrender and live in the moment, knowing you are loved no matter what.

Thanksgiving

Every year at this time I am reminded of life on the farm. This was always a traditional weekend of being genuinely grateful. Though there were years we were still combining, there was a feeling of abundance in the air; a knowing that the crop would soon be off and the bins filled.

This year, the crispness of the air, the warmth of the sun and the breeze gently drying the morning dew, reminds me so much of those harvest days. I miss watching golden grain flow from combine to truck, from the truck into the bin. Even better were the years when the bins were full, so we were forced to set up make-shift bins to hold the grain until we could take it to the elevator. The air filled with scents of fall - hay, grain dust, drying leaves, the damp fertile earth.

Today as I stand on my deck, taking a deep breath, I take in that same aroma of fall and give thanks for the farmers who work so hard to provide us with nutritious, delicious foods. I am grateful for those who process and package these same foods, as well as the stores that stock it. We are so blessed with choices. We often take our abundant lives for granted.

Even the turning leaves are the color of gold. Looking over a valley with its opulent oranges, reds, golds and yellows brings awareness of the richness of our lives. Take a moment today to look around you. Go for a walk, taking in the sights, smells and sounds of fall. Even though it means winter will soon be upon us, take this time to be grateful for all the seasons provide for us.

If you are one who has trouble remembering to be thankful for each day, take a dry erase marker or glass writer and put the words "Attitude of Gratitude" on your bathroom mirror or on a window you look out often. You may also wish to write other affirmations of thanksgiving or well-being. This is one sure way of never allowing yourself to take the Blessing of Life for granted.

Remember the more grateful you are in each moment, the more each moment gives you something to be grateful for.

Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving weekend and a year of abundance and prosperity, filled with appreciation for all that life provides.

Are You Ready to Really Live ?

Are you tired of the day to day turmoil and struggle? Would you like to see improvements in your health, relationships and finances? Are you ready to be happy, healthy and wealthy?


Connectioning with your True Essence is the greatest healing and manifesting tool offered to us. "It" has been there since the beginning of time. We have just forgotten, or do You remember?


How would it feel if you could just let go, release, surrender and give up all of your conflict, worries, troubles, anger, guilt, blame, dis-ease and sorrow?


You can. We were all given that provision at birth. In truth, it is our Life Purpose, no matter what else we strive to do in our lives. In fact, in terms of Law Of Attraction and Manifestation of our desires, the only way you can create the life of your dreams, is by living in conscious expression of your True Essence (Higher Consciousness).

Not sure how to do this or where to start? Reading, Meditating, Journalling and Gratitude are the best starters. For more information check out the following websites: http://juliesheaven.ca or http://www.heavensake.ca

Blessings to All





In "Don't Change For Heaven's Sake" I talk about clearing the slate and living from a place of love, forgiveness and harmlessness. These are the keys to connection. You also connect in meditation, through giving unconditionally to others, and in your daily creation of a more peaceful world. We connect so easily but continue to be unaware of the connection. It is the unawareness that gets up into "trouble", in the first place.





Many of you think that in giving up your "stuff", you are not taking responsibility for your life. That is not true. You still maintain responsibility for your actions, but in giving them up to a Higher Power, you are able to resolve the issues without creating more of the same. It has been said that we cannot solve the problem with the same mind that created the problem, so giving it up, releasing it allows the situation to resolve itself in love. Does that sound good to you?





Now, this is not to say that you can go about creating havoc, and harm, then release it to a Higher Power and be set free of consequences. You are still accountable for your thoughts, words, feelings and actions.





Living in Connection is seeking the answers, asking the questions, listening, being aware of the choices between love and greed or power (with a little p) and Power that allows us to do and be more in the world.



Connecting with your True Essence is essential to living a life of pure peace and love.