ATTITUDE & GRATITUDE INSIGHTS

I think it is safe to say that many people are going through extremely challenging times. For me, it feels like a collective "dark night of the soul". All around me I am hearing tales of woe. Finances stretched to the limit, health problems, emotional issues, sadness, grief. It is taking every ounce of inner strength not to sink into the depths of despair and hopelessness. This seems to be reflected in society in general. Appalling crimes, a lack of compassion on many levels. Power plays, egos banging heads. You begin to wonder, is there any end to the cruelty, the inhumanity, the arrogance? But of course, we know that the media focusses on the bad news. There are a lot of good things happening too. Random acts of kindness, people being driven to make a difference, no longer able to just sit back and watch and do nothing. Anger is not always a bad thing though, anger can bring about powerful change too. We have a choice here. I was reminded of this choice just this morning. I have started to pull a daily angel card again. I find that sitting quietly, with lit candles, in silence, communing with my Creator, allowing my thoughts to soften, helps me to stay centered and focussed and more or less balanced! We have been facing some tough financial times and to add to this, just received notice from our tenants that they are moving out. Our first thought was - "this couldn't have come at a worse time!"

So there I sat this morning, breathing, allowing the myriad thoughts to finally quieten down. Finally it came time to pull my card and it was "Find the Blessings in Your Current Situation"! Well I just had to laugh out loud! Seriously? The card essentially said that worrying makes things worse (of course it does and it serves no purpose anyway), that I should pray, focus on positive affirmations and that healing comes with gratitude. As the saying goes, there is always something to be grateful for. Not only that, but there will always be someone worse off than you.

So hubby and I did just that. Sat down and wrote a list of the blessings we have found from these challenging past few months. We were amazed at how many there were. After finishing the task, we have a deeper respect and gratefulness of all that our life together is. From there we went on to list all the things that we want to achieve over the next year and then moved onto our “wish” list. All the things we want to do, see, buy before we die. Our “Bucket List”. The trick with this is not to start going into the “how”. That ends up limiting you. Just keep it to your list. And from doing all of that, we started thinking about what legacy we wanted to leave, and got the most stunning idea for the beautiful farm we live on. It is such a big vision we are not even sharing it with anyone at this stage!

We often pray, plead, beg for help from a higher Source. We forget that we already have all we need within us. We also forget that the change and the choices come from within. At times we forget to watch out for the many ways that the help or guidance comes. We wait for the bells and whistles and the grand entrances but often our inner/higher guidance comes from a much gentler, softer, quieter (sometimes more humorous!) place and we miss it.

There are some things I can do nothing about and I accept that and I now choose not to sit and stress about something that I cannot change or have no control over. I cannot manifest money from thin air (not quite reached that level haha) but I can change the way I manage our money. I can learn to become master of our finances and to make some serious decisions about doing things differently. What I can also do is focus on the many, many blessings I have in my life and I know deep in my heart that this too, shall pass and that it will all be OK in the end. I also know, that to make it OK is actually, at the end of the day, up to me.

Stay strong!
Blessings
Di

 

The Gift of Being

I recently returned from 10 days in Prince Albert, a small hamlet off the N1 in the Karoo. This was a "proper" holiday. Not visiting family (as much as I adore them, it's not always a relaxing experience as you try and see as much as possible of each other, it can get very rushed). No quick weekend break. 10 glorious days of sleeping late, reading and doing much of nothing besides drinking in glorious sunsets, moonrises, mountains and desert vistas. Oh and the occasional glass of red wine, good conversation and fine dining :)

In Prince Albert people don't lock their doors when they go out. You walk everywhere in wide, quiet, tree-lined streets. People greet you, smile at you. I realized how relaxed and free I felt. There was a sense of pride in the town and it's history. There is in fact a Historical Committee, fondly known as the Hysterical Committee due to the fact that they have hysterics any time somebody dares suggest making changes in the town.

I had time to think. No distraction from TV or newspapers. Didn't have much of an inclination to read either. In these quiet vistas your breathing slows. Your mind quietens. You want more to be than to do. Those wide open expanses seem to draw you back to yourself. Mountains definitely do it for  me. They speak to my soul. Massively impressive, silent sentinels, they certainly put life into perspective as you are dwarfed and awed by their presence.

I began to reflect on my life, where I was and where I was going. A small realization began to bubble to the surface. I  realized I was not always being true to myself. I had moved away from who I was to keep others happy. I was allowing others to influence decisions I had made. No wonder I wasn't "feeling" any of it!

At the core of my being lies a deep love of the metaphysical, the esoteric, yes the purple smoke. It's who I am and I make no apology for it.  I realized in those 10 days that I had moved far away from my core.  I had moved away from my Reiki practice and supporting people in their healing journeys.
I had forgotten how much I love empowering people on a heart-to-heart level.

I felt like that sojourn in the little town helped me reconnect with myself. Spirit works in amazing ways and my path crossed with an NLP practitioner who, with a Mini Transformation process helped me redefine who I am and what I want. I love how the Universe works!!

What I know is that my destiny seems to change. I don't know what lies ahead but I do know that I am where I am meant to be and maybe that's all I can ask for, right now.  Since returning home I have felt a deeper sense of connection. More in alignment with myself, if that makes any sense. And I cannot help but wonder if the flu has kept me bed bound for nearly 8 days is all part of the process. A clearing out, an integration of some sorts. Who knows?

In Prince Albert I was acutely aware of being present. No distracting "to do" lists, places to be, things to do. How often do we give ourselves the gift of being as opposed to doing?  I now realize not often enough.

It's something I am committed to changing.

Until Next Time
Blessings as always
    *****