Enough Is Enough

Do you know when enough really is?  For many of us this may be difficult.  We have so many options and opportunities in life and it is so easy to accumulate more and more and more . . .

 Take a look around your home.  Do you have stacks of things you just had to purchase and now have no place to keep them?  Have the coffee table and end tables become storage units for clutter?  When was the last time you actually saw your kitchen table? 

We can literally fill our lives to overflowing and for some this may be a representation of abundance.  But truly it is evidence of not knowing when to stop. 

When we remove the external clutter from our lives we clear the channel for good to come to us.  All of our external affairs and circumstances are manifestations of our internal belief system.  What you see around you and manifesting in your life is evidence of the thoughts and beliefs you hold.

Clutter and chaos keep us from moving forward.  These are wonderful tools to keep us living small.  How can one experience clarity, focus, power and presence when everywhere you look there are stacks of things that need to be put away, given away or simply tossed out?

Whether your world is adorned with gifts, knickknacks, magazines, clothes that don’t fit or dirty dishes - - it is the same as your internal focus.  When we harbor resentment, anger, criticism and a right/wrong mindset we continue to trip ourselves up at every turn.  The external clutter will cause you to stumble and fall in the same way the internal ideas and beliefs will hinder your growth and your ability to step into your own greatness.

 Nature knows when enough is enough.  The idea of animals in the wild surviving based on the strongest and most resilient is a great example for us.  Consider a tree outside your home.  When was the last time you saw one with too many leaves for the tree to hold?  The creative process knows when to stop.  When to call it a day and when to rest.

The Japanese practice hara, hachi bu, which means to eat until one feels 80% full.  This could be one reason Japan has the lowest obesity statistics on the planet.

This week as you feel the need to dig in your heels and put your shoulder to the grindstone because you need to do more, be more and have more -  – consider the idea of enough simply being enough.  Blessings on your journey.

DO-IT-YOURSELF

Life is filled with a multitude of opportunities for success and for growth.  As long as we continue to persevere, persist and put one foot in front of the other - - we succeed.  Everything that seems to fall short of success is simply another option life offers us for learning and growth.

Often times we can miss these opportunities by giving up before we even start.  Perhaps we are struggling with fear and find ourselves unable to move forward.  And exactly what is that fear about?  Well, sometimes it is a fear of failure and sometimes it is a fear of success.  This may sound odd, but when we are successful life shifts right beneath our feet and we find we are changing and adjusting to a new identity; one of success.  There is a great responsibility that comes with success, fortune and fame.  For many this idea is too much to consider and it feels too challenging or difficult.  We may find it easier to remain in exactly the same place we are today and just go with the flow.  It is in this decision or mindset one truly fails.

I find myself holding back at times.  Although I hate to admit it I am sure it is fear that halts my momentum and desire to tackle any situation.  I can actually feel my “whatever it takes” attitude turn to mush as I forget important follow-ups, meetings, and taking time for my writing.  I mean, really, what would happen if I became the famous author I have dreamed of my entire life?  How would my life be different than is it today?  Oh, the steps I am taking in this direction are small steps indeed, but if I take time to look down the road at my vision and the end result as I know it today, well, it simply takes my breath away and my heart skips a beat.

I find myself in a constant state of comparison - - I look at other speakers and writers and decide where I measure up in comparison to them.  I create stories about their backgrounds and education and, simply put, offer them the platform I am not willing to step up on by deciding they have more to offer the world.

Somewhere in this arena of brain damage the message comes through, again.  I am reminded of my quest, my dream, my passion and my destiny.  It is in this moment I remember who I am and why I am here.  And it is in this realization I take another step.

It is like a do-it-yourself manual.  As long as you are willing to follow the steps in the order they are designed the end result will be the product you have been seeking.  But if we mix the steps up or bring in someone else to complete the task, then the experience is not the same.

Have you noticed how often you delegate someone else a task, or possibly you wait for them to shine before you can take the steps necessary to accomplish your dreams and goals?  I am not talking about asking for help I am talking about slipping into the background and hiding while someone else strives to accomplish their life’s purpose.  It is as simple as saying, “well that is good for you/them, after all look at their life, education, opportunities, health, physique, well-being and look at mine.

 We were not put on this planet to compete.  We are a part of a grand design in a universe of unlimited wealth and potential.  It is n this truth we can realize there is more than enough for each of us.  We can all have love, success, wealth, health and happiness.  And we can all have it at the level we choose.

Each one of us was created in the perfection of Source (God).  We came into this experience in absolute perfection.  Nothing is missing, everything is right here for each of us.  We don’t have to strive to be perfect - - we already are.  We don’t need to sell ourselves short - - we only need recognize our perfection and the fact each of us was created for greatness.

And then, it is in this awareness we realize we can do this thing called Life.  And we can do it very well.  In fact, we can step into “do-it-yourself” mode and co-create our lives exactly as we choose.  Each one of us has the inner wisdom and the knowing and the talent to succeed.  The manual for this is unique for each one of us and we only need take it one step at a time.

 And as you continue to see in your mind’s eye the end result, you must know that step-by-step you are getting closer.  There are hundreds of people ready to help you on your journey, but no one of them can interpret your guide, your manual as well as you can.

Life is extraordinary and you can choose this week to take the next step, trust your inner wisdom, trust the process and create the outcome you want.  Just do-it-yourself.

The Little Things

We can seek the joy and blessings of the little things in life, especially when big things are happening.  Many of us, today, are dealing with larger than life problems, challenges and loss.  It is often difficult to keep our heads above water and simply cope.

When I have down times it is usually the result of something significant topping the heap of daily issues and taking the breath right out of me.  The world begins to feel smaller and less kind and my focus draws inward.  This is a time when I do a lot of self-talk and have a tendency to try and work everything out all by myself.

This is natural for many of us, but often leaves me feeling limited and separate from the rest of the world.  In this place, this state of mind it is difficult to “power up” and take on anything, including whatever got me down in the first place.

We all experience dark days where there is sorrow and pain and possibly despair.  We can take a life situation and chew on it, mull it over and rationalize all the past mistakes and poor choices - - but, where does that get us?

How helpful are we to our inner spirit when we attempt to accomplish it all on our own?  For me, this answer is easy - - not that helpful!  I can allow my mood and feelings to go deeper and deeper into sorrow or I can look for support, love, prayer and guidance from God, friends and all that life has to offer.

It is this very circumstance I write about today.  Sitting on my back patio I immediately shift my perspective to the sun as it warms my skin.  As I look around me, I don’t have to go very far to find a gem being offered that is beautiful and simple and a welcome distraction.  As I watch an ant move across the concrete hauling a larger than life load of grain or some crumb I am reminded to put one foot in front of the other and keep going.

I see this magnificent creature pursue, persevere and somehow it appears to even trust the process of life.  It KNOWS it can succeed and accomplish the task at hand.  This is true of all of nature - - it knows how to be.  A simple experience I often forget – how to be.  It is in this place of being that I rest, rejuvenate, refresh my mind and re-energize my spirit and body to continue on.  It is in “being” I find little things surprising me and enticing me as they catch my attention.  A butterfly, the sound of distant laughter and the deer in our complex with wobbly-legged fawns frolicking across the grass are all reminders to let go of any pain and enjoy the beauty and little things constantly surrounding me.

I am taking little steps to change and grow and evolve.  I am taking little moments to reflect and appreciate all life around me.  And I am enjoying the little beauties and reminders of calm moments, happier times, and the abundance of nature with its continuous promise that life is grand and God is Good.

Claiming Independence

The history of our independence is marked by the vote of the Second Continental Congress to approve a resolution of independence of the Thirteen Colonies from the Kingdom of Great Britain on July 2, 1776.

The following day, John Adams wrote his wife Abigail, “The second day of July, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

Mr. Adams was correct on all counts regarding how future generations would celebrate independence in years to follow.  Unfortunately, Congress continued to debate the revision of Declaration of Independence, and the date it was declared was July 4, 1776. 

Regardless of the delay, John Adams predicted our recognition and celebration of our Independence with great clarity and hope.

Today, and every day since this historical event in 1776, Americans have held on to the idea of living free.  We are free in every aspect of the word. We are free to choose how to live, where to live, who to have as friends, where to work and where to worship.

We are free to choose our own opinions and ideas regarding any situation and we are free to choose our attitude toward anything and any one.

What will you do with this great responsibility of freedom?  How will you handle the idea that you are completely at choice?  There truly is no one and no thing that has provided the path to bring you exactly where you are today.  It has transpired in a series of decisions, choices and beliefs that are yours alone.

As this nation celebrates our independence this week, it is a perfect time for each of us to go within and consider our own concept of freedom.  What is taking place in your life that is impairing your ability to feel completely free?

For some it may be a job that seems to be going no where; or possibly working with someone who attempts to hold you small or confine your ability to shine.  It could be a relationship that tugs at your heart strings and prevents you from feeling the freedom of being loved and loving openly, honestly in return.

Maybe you are stuck in a financial bind with a house payment or bills that are tough to maintain.  Are you being managed by your situation or are you choosing to manage your life with the freedom of daily choice?

Wherever you are today, you can choose a different experience for tomorrow.  Each one of us was created at choice.  As we make new decisions, our circumstances change and offer more options.  There truly is nothing that can hold you back or hold you down, unless you have given your permission for this to take place.

My favorite quote from Victor Frankl states, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
Today we can all claim our independence.  We can choose new experiences for every moment of our lives.  Our forefathers gave their lives, energy and passion to the idea of freedom.  We, now live in this experience and can expand it into every facet of our lives - - if we choose.