Posts filed under ‘Relationships’
Spirit Bodies
I was reliving an experience I had in my intuitive meditation class last week. We were asked to postulate sitting our bodies in a chair as if they were separate from us and stand with our hands on their shoulders. As I approached my body, I began to cry.
At the end of the exercise, I received validation from my teacher that my tears were confirmation of my connection with spirit. Just as many of us get “confirmation chills,” I have been learning that when I see the spirit in others, I cry, that is my confirmation sign.
So this morning, as I was reliving the experience during prayer, I received the following message. It was powerful and simple, and I thought I would share.
“When our spirit bodies connect, we want to celebrate what they do, or don’t do every time, as it is a gift to have recognized one another.
To let that energy flow, to not control it, to be open to the message, for there is always a message. Some are subtle, some are not. Prepare yourself to listen with an open heart and a quiet analyzer mind, and you will hear the divine wisdom meant for you at the perfect time.”
My message ended with “namaste.” So I decided to research the origin and meaning of the word. I loved what I found so much that I decided to share that too.
“Originating in India, the gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. To perform Namaste, we place the hands together at the heart charka to increase the flow of Divine love, close the eyes to help the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart, and bow the head. It can also be done by placing the hands together in front of the third eye, bowing the head, and then bringing the hands down to the heart. This is an especially deep form of respect.
Nama means bow, as means I, and te means you. Therefore, namaste literally means “bow me you” or “I bow to you.”
For a teacher and student, Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of ego-connection. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom.
The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow—the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart.”
Namaste my friends, Namaste.
Women and Politics: A New Conversation
I attended an event with Marianne Williamson this weekend called Sister Giant, and my life will never be the same. I learned so much. I learned that the US incarcerates more of its people than any other nation in the world, or any nation in history. Think about that for a moment. I learned that our military budget is almost twice that of all other nations of the world combined. Let that resonate in your soul for a minute. I learned that we have 300 million people in this country, 46 million of which live in poverty and 16.1 million of them are children of these United States of America. Let that sink into your heart. Further, I also learned that 17,000 children on earth die of starvation every single day, we are the only species systematically destroying its own habitat, and two billion people – almost a third of the world’s population – live on less than 2 dollars a day. And there’s so much more to talk about.
Albert Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” So brilliant! We need more than a new politics; we need a new worldview. We need to shift from an economic to a humanitarian organizing principle for human civilization. And women, en masse, should be saying so.
For those of us who have spent the last 10, 15, 20 years or more pursuing self-growth, personal growth, spiritual or transformational work…our time has come. Our time has come to take all that we have learned, all that we have accomplished and bring it forth into the world. Into a time a great healing. It is time to start a new conversation of possibility, a shift in perspective that we have yet to see, but we the American people are ready for. To merge love and healing with politics. Politics are the possibility for peace on the planet. They are the means to the end, but only if we come from our hearts, use our voices, and speak our truths. Do I have all the answers today? No. Will I in 2024 when I run for Congress? Probably not. But I’ll be aligned with what feels authentically right to me, and I will be working to put human beings before profits, and by God, as Marianne Williamson says, “Our babies will be fed!”
I am thankful to be in this place, at this time, thinking these thoughts, in this body, with such wondrous emotions! I am grateful for it all.
After sharing my experience and my commitment with my best friend Elizabeth, she said, “We are united sisters standing tall, seeing and speaking the truth with compassion and conviction. And as we stand tall we free ourselves from all suppression and oppression igniting a new paradigm that is for the goodness and well being of all concerned. And so it is!”
And so it is!
Journey to Purpose
I had the privilege of attending the recent Manhattan Beach TEDx Conference Journey to Purpose: Dream. Educate. Thrive. I felt so inspired listening to the speakers that I’ve walked away with a new purpose myself…to cause a transformation in education, to work to move 21st century students out of a 19th century education system, and to put creativity back into learning so that every young person is able to critically think for themselves and develop their innate talents and gifts. But more on that later.
Below are my favorite “nuggets” from the day I feel are worthy of sharing for the greater good:
- Rather than wonder what your purpose is, live a life that’s “on” purpose.
- The first follower makes the lone nut a leader!
- Humans are fundamentally curious.
- We’re in a “knowledge economy” and collaboration is vital.
- “Everything works out in the end. If it isn’t working out, then it isn’t the end.” from Marigold Hotel
What’s your purpose?
How To Fight with Your Children
I have the awesome privilege of raising two head strong little girls. My challenge is how to bring them up them without squashing their own inner guidance system. Daily I walk the line between allowing them to find their own way and trust their feelings about things, and arguing why showers and teeth brushing are an important part of good hygiene!
As the mother of 8 and 6 1/2 year old children of the now, I find solace knowing that I’m not alone when my thoughtful efforts to calmly guide my daughters towards positive resolution are thwarted and I am left only with my proudest parenting moments which include shouting at the top of my lungs and the dropping of the f-bomb ringing in my ears. It’s comforting to know that other mommies have daughters who also know everything, and that nothing is ever fair in other households as well.
I know this should make me feel better, but alas, frustrated and annoyed with myself mostly, I sought guidance. The coaching I received was so profound and beautiful I had to share.
“It’s good to remember that there are benefits to sparring with others, for competition brings out your best and unleashes your passion and commitment in what you believe. It teaches you to respect others and to not mindlessly impose your will on them. It is suggested that when you do battle with others you:
- Fight fairly
- Learn from the conflict
- Don’t compete just to let off steam
- Fight for progress
- Fight for higher understanding for all concerned”
The Power of Connection
I received this the other day with a note saying, “Anxious to see how you handle this.” It’s an email that has been floating around the Internet in honor of Friendship Week. The original message wants the recipient to pass the story along, so I am, to my readers. It bring tears to my eyes and reminds me of the power of connection. We never truly know the difference we make in someone’s life. So wield that power carefully and let’s be good to each other. Enjoy the story!
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books.
I thought to myself, “Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.”
I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him
so he landed in the dirt.
His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.
As I handed him his glasses, I said, “Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.”
He looked at me and said, “Hey thanks!” There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen
him before.
He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.
I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.
Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, “Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!” He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I be came best friends. When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to NC State. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.
Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak.Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.
I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, “Hey, big guy, you’ll be great!”
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and
smiled. “Thanks,” he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began “Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.
Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach…but mostly
your friends…I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.”
I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn’t have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.
He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.
“Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.”
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.
I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it’s depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions.
With one small gesture you can change a person’s life. For better or for worse.
God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.
Look for God in others.
Gather for a Cause
I can’t express to you in mere words what a visceral response I had to just the trailer for Miss Representation. This award-winning film is eye-opening and maddening about just how much power the media has in shaping our young people’s perceptions of the world in which they live. If you disagree, watch the trailer. It’s not just TV, movies and music anymore. It’s magazines, video games, online media, social networking, and all that comes along with that. 10 hours and 45 minutes a DAY of consumed media. Much of it is damaging our girl’s self-esteem and confidence, creating body-image disorders, and a sense of uselessness, and a climate for our boys that breeds a false bravado and total lack of respect for women because they are taught to believe it is okay to treat women like sex objects.
In this week’s video not only do I urge you to watch the trailer, but I share some ease ideas to keep the “conversation” going. It’s such an important conversation…watch the trailer and the video blog and let’s chat. What do you think? Please leave a comment.
Movie Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFh5F8cFb3g&feature=share
Friends in on the conversation:
Finding Connection with Appreciation Texting
Get connected with your partner — with Appreciation Texting. Check it out. Based on Michael Fiore’s eBook, “Text the Romance Back: The 30 Day Digital Relationship Transformer,” appreciation texting has the power to bring you and your partner closer, and it’s so easy.
You can always find out more at YouCanPlanAParty.com
Party With Your Girlfriends Differently
Gather the extraordinary women in your life with these easy and heartfelt ideas, and watch what happens. Gathering with a purpose, it’s a new trend that could catch on!
queen of connection | Shelby L. Phillips 