Monday, May 14, 2012

Observations of a 9 Year Old...

Just when I think I am alone in my ramblings, my 9 year old daughter decides to hand me a note that she believes would be helpful during a crazy day.  Once I read it, I felt it was appropriate to share here, as she seems to have captured a 9 year old's perspective on my last blog entry.  With her permission, I am sharing it with you all.  I hope you enjoy and are as touched by it as I am.

"Sometimes life can be hard.  But sometimes it can be easy.  Life is the weight of a feather, but when everyone is depending on you, life feels like a thousand elephants stomping on you at one time.  But you can make life easy.  Do the right thing.  Make a change in who you are.  It doesn't matter who you are, or where you live, time goes by.  So make a change in yourself now." - L. Hartel (age 9)

I sincerely do not think that I can add much to her sentiment, except to say that this is definitely an eye-opener for those of us who might think that our inability to take that step towards change does not impact anybody other than ourselves.  The world is watching...so be inspired and inspiring.

Namaste',

Michelle H.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Taking that step...

It seems that everybody I have talked to recently has been on the verge of taking a step.  Either a step towards something (balance, love, career, etc.) or a step away from something (illness, poor relationship, debt, etc.).  In either direction, towards or away, the first step presents itself as very challenging; sometimes appearing impossible. 

The thing that I find most amazing is that everyone seems to know the first step that they need to take, however we find ourselves almost paralyzed at the thought of stepping.  I believe that is because our inherent nature is to be cautious when entering "the unknown".  Will this relationship be right for me?  What if my partner turns out to be someone I don't recognize as the person I am falling in love with?  What if I don't turn out to be who I thought I was?  What will happen when I pick up the phone and call an attorney who is trying to collect a debt?  Will I agree to a payment plan I cannot afford out of guilt and fear?

These questions are ones that we all ask ourselves (or ones like it depending on the situation), either conciously or subconciously.  It is always more comfortable to stay with the known entity of what we are attempting to change.  "Debt is scary and threatening, but it is MY debt and at least I know it."  "I love this person and I know they love me too, even though we fight all the time."  "Am I going to be OK?" 

This comfort in the "known" manifests itself in fear of movement.  Not necessarily physical movement, although that happens too; but fear of energetic movement.  Once you take that first step, you engage the energies of the universe in a delicate dance of accepting the opportunities that it offers to you.  Once you engage in the prospect of something new, such as going to a gym or saying no to the 40th request to volunteer that crosses your desk, you are setting the stage for yourself to keep moving in a direction.  You open the door for more opportunities that align with where you are headed.

The trick is to keep your eyes open to those opportunities and realize that sometimes they show themselves in very sleek disguises.  When the steps forward seem too hard, there is usually a great opportunity lurking beneath the fear.  Don't pass them up.  Be solid and remember, we all get stuck somewhere along the way.  The best news of all is that we are not alone on our journey.  As you are busy looking back at the things you are afraid to let go of, turn your head around and see that there is someone there, just a step or two ahead of you, who is on the same journey.  Reach out to them and partner with them on your quest.  There are amazingly gifted souls who are hovering in your life, unbeknown to you, that are willing to help.  All you have to do is ask.  You never know...they might need to help someone in order to fulfill their own quest's desires.

So be brave.  Reach out for, and accept, help.  Most of all enjoy the journey.  It is the most enlightening part of the process.

Namaste'

Michelle H.

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