Love the irony ...

What a crack up!

“A laugh is a smile that bursts”

I love that saying and I have the most beautiful picture posted alongside it on the wall above my computer to make sure I remember to smile & laugh regularly.

How clever, amazing and blatant is our universe. For months and months I have tried to figure out my direction in life from where I’m currently at. I’ve sought advice from various people who have all told me that I already know. "Hello! If I already know, why am I asking?!?!?"

Recent discussions with one particular (and amazing individual) have helped me see that I have in fact known for quite a while where I’m headed. My journals are now making sense and show clarity previously ignored. There are messages I myself have written yet not seen/heard.  It is all so simple and blatant. And I, ‘intelligent’ (lol) person, couldn’t see the wood for the trees.

Who else has been in this situation?  

Love seeing the light :o)

Rain and 2012 !

Yes, I am talking about that moisture that falls from clouds. Or am I?

Some love it. Some hate it. At the end of the day we all need it. But what does it mean; in fact, does it mean anything at all?

If you look into the meaning of rain you will come up with some or all of the following (and perhaps even more meanings):

• usually represents cleansing and purification
• new beginnings
• can represent the release of tension that comes after a storm or a period of crying
• it replenishes and brings fertility (in a dream may symbolise a new phase of personal growth in your life)
  
• water falling in drops from the clouds
• to bestow in a profuse or abundant manner; as, to rain favors upon a person.
• the meaning of the name Rain is 'Abundant Blessings From Above'; origin American

The East coast of Australia (where I live) has had a more than abundant rainfall for the past several years. A lot of people haven't noticed this; they work in offices, live in units, don't travel often and it actually doesn't affect them much on a day to day basis. Others have noticed, some because they work outdoors and others from a more spiritual basis.

I don't know about you, but I don't believe the 2012 'scare' that the world is going to end soon. Quite to the contrary I believe humankind is facing an extraordinary opportunity to grow and change. We have all chosen to be here at this exciting time; to learn to think with your heart (yes, your heart) and to truly love from within.

To me the rain we are experiencing is heralding the start of new beginnings, of change on a global scale. It is cleansing and purifying the planet and its inhabitants; it is trying to persuade those people who are stuck to get unstuck; it is replenishing and bringing fertility. Extreme rain brings flooding, causes destruction of unfathomable extremes ... and what does this bring us? ... OPPORTUNITY ... to rebuild from new beginnings.

2012 is to do with learning to love from a deeper level than most of us have yet experienced. It's about learning to forgive and forget. To love thy neighbour. To think with your heart. To sail into a lush life full of opportunity and positivity. To ascend or raise your awareness and get back in tune with your soul.

So next time it rains wherever you are, stop and think .... and smile as you welcome the opportunities in your life. Remember, to receive a smile you often have to smile first :0)

The value(s) of life

Our lives are so busy we are all guilty of losing track / forgetting some of the most important yet simple values in life. Christmas is a great opportunity to cherish and be grateful for what you have and what you value in your life… and to think of those less fortunate.  It is perhaps also a good time to sift through things that no longer have the same value or meaning to you, to ask for forgiveness and to bless those you need to forgive.

Consider carefully what matters to you. What qualities do you value over others. Make a commitment to stay honest and true to both yourself and others.

Use the gifts you have been given; if you have a beautiful and natural smile, use it - but always with sincerity. Express yourself and your opinions – without being rude. Give to others – but don’t take from others to do so. Ask for help and assistance – but repay the debt. Accept gratefully from others - but never steal. Love and be loved. Make others laugh - but don't laugh at them. Be loyal and respectful to friends, family and strangers - and forgive others if they make a mistake. Be content with your lot - and enjoy giving to others when their need is greater than yours. Contribute to others so your presence in their lives is a blessing to them.

Christmas is often such a commercial affair now ... but it needn't be.  The best gifts don't cost money : love, wisdom, caring, a helping hand ... the list will be as long as you make it.

Be strong and grow beautiful in truth. Love those that matter most to you ... as well as those that don't!

Happy Reflections !

Strengths & weaknesses

Your greatest strength is most likely also your biggest weakness!

Love life!!

Love leads the way

I've talked before of the importance and impact of animals in my life. I know they are with me to share important messages that we, as people, need to listen and pay attention to.

One such message became very apparent to me a few weekends ago - how strong and powerful love is compared to the damage and destruction caused by fear.

My family had a golden retriever as I grew up; given her breeding she was 'supposed' to happily go into water, only she didn't like to. One day while we were out walking, the father of another family picked her up and threw her into the middle of a pond which forced her to swim out. This installed fear on such a massive scale in this dog that it was unsurmountable, unpassable, unconquerable for the rest of her life and she never swam or went near water again.

A thoroughbred horse who came to me following gross neglect and torture was genuinely petrified of moving from one terrain to another. Over time, with love, patience, persuasion and encouragement he has overcome his fears and now moves over such changes of ground with confidence and ease.  One can say with absolute confidence that the depth of relationship and trust thus developed will be long lasting and will only continue to improve more and more with time.

Unconditional love is the way to go - and we're not talking soppy love story boy loves girl stuff here; we're talking about loving your fellow beings from the depths of your core. Drop all judgement and expectations. Love and encourage those around you. Help anyone living / giving fear see the lighter side of life.

With love!

Shadows

Have you ever considered what a shadow really is?

To most they are a shade cast by an object blocking light. But what if your shadow was actually a form of protection for and from your self and for others. "Without a shadow of doubt" conjures up images of someone so confident of their subject matter they need no further persuasion, no convincing - in other words, they need no back up or protection. Is it not a comforting thought to know that wherever you walk your shadow is with you at all times, lending that support that in reality we all need.

Think now of a hollywood gangster movie or cartoon. Picture the 'baddie' creeping down an alley. Given it is often dusk or night, is their shadow not often portrayed as much bigger than them, often in front or behind them? Could an innocent see the 'baddie's' shadow before seeing them and be protected from them? Do you get what I'm trying to say here? How shadows help protect.

As surely as the sun will always follow rain, a shadow will always be attached you. Befriend your shadow and lean on it when you need!

Unquestionable support

I often struggle with being a person. I don't mean by this that I am unhappy with my life, just that I find it easier to relate to animals.  They are who I turn to when I feel low and need comfort. My life experiences have shown me people are not there when I need them.  It doesn't matter what my 'lowness' is caused by, but those feelings of sadness, loneliness, abandonment are real at that point in time.

I have experienced several incidents of social alienation/exclusion. How does one live life with love and joy at times like this? May be you're not meant to! Perhaps it is a time of self revelation, self reflection and possible growth. I guess you have to start by figuring out why the exclusion. While it may be a simple reason, the most likely reason will be a reflection of your behaviour.

This may or may not be a fair response. Your behaviour may not have been intended the way it was received. How often have you been made aware of miscommunication? Or of things said/done in the heat of the moment. 

As the one excluded you will most likely bring up emotions such as sadness and anger. These can cloud the picture and need to be processed before restorative or healing can take place - or alongside the healing. This is where our animal friends can come in. If a person feels alienated from other people, who better than an animal to turn to for comfort. Their open displays of unconditional, non-judgemental love can be of enormous comfort. They can help you heal. Help you process. Help you understand what is going on. Or just be there while you put things on hold.

I know my animal friends have offered me undeniable, unquantifiable support at all stages of my life. They are there for a brief moment or an entire day/week/month/year ... They don't judge me. They don't question me. They do at times ask me not to hold them quite as tight! They not only allow but encourage release of feelings (tears) which are always better out than in.

For this I will be eternally grateful and sincerely hope that in some life time I can give back to them all.