Serenity Pathways

Archive for the ‘Intentions’ Category

Who knew after a lot of work the “pause” in our normal routine would be so refreshing. We had our (now after three years) “normal” company for Labor Day weekend.  To get ready we  did more than usual.  You know how it is and what you think you have to do when you have six additional people coming to your house to stay for 4 days!  This summer was odd; we had not done as much work outside as we usually do, so we did more than the usual weekly clean up in preparation. With the rain and rapid growth on the outside there was a lot to be done!  Plus we decided to paint one of the bedrooms.

Although it’s still very hot here in Florida, I knew that after this weekend I’d want to get back into work without thinking about changing my house into fall. (Yes, I am one who likes to decorate for the seasons down to my couch pillows.)  So I did that too!

The weekend turned out to be a much bigger “pause” in our normal routines than I had thought it would be.  We all had so much fun together and in small groups.   The planning paid off so it didn’t feel like we had to work at all for everyone to feel comfortable. It seemed like a luxury to spend that much time relaxing and just having fun!  I am always amazed at the magic of taking a real break – a pause from everything else.  I’m the Queen of mini pauses and quick breaks but every once in awhile taking a big pause really refreshes.  I didn’t worry about what I had to do this week or what I wasn’t doing. I know that’s the key!  Things moved with ease and my week has fallen into place easily!

Try hitting  the “pause” button!  Take a quick pause and work up to the longer ones. Don’t forget to hit the pause button on the “what I have to do” thoughts too!!!

Post your favorite way to pause,

Bonnie

PS If you want to hear more about “the magic of the pause button” tune in on Tuesday, September 14 at 6:00 PM ET to blogtalkradio.com/lea-yekutiel.  If you can’t make it, the recording will be there. There are other great shows to list with wonderful guests, too.

I felt invisible forces around as I visited with friends and family during my time in New York while staying with my Mom as she was recuperating from surgery. I noticed certain people seemed to be controlled by something no one could see. Some people were very focused on what was “wrong”. What was wrong with… you can name it: the church, politics, who was donating money to the wrong cause, what some friend’s and family member’s teenagers were doing (no, don’t ask) and more! It was also fascinating to watch and listen to how each person reacted as the conversations continued. It may have seemed to a casual observer that some people were bystanders rather than being in the drama of the conversation. However, if you listened closely, those people were compassionate but had a lack of judgment. So what invisible force was leading them by the hand?

Why such a big difference in people’s ability to perceive and react in such different ways? The obvious answer is: our beliefs. However, I was reminded about a question in a recent study group I attended. The question was: how are our beliefs influenced? Think about this for a moment. Have you ever been in a stadium when someone starts “the wave” and all of a sudden everyone in the stadium of thousands is moving? It’s an energetic connection that happens as the person next to you starts moving. The same is true when you’re on a project and everything just falls into place. There’s an invisible connection that occurs from one person to the next, and it’s not a thinking or talking experience once it has been set in motion. And it’s not an accident or coincidence. The intentions and thoughts create an energetic field of connection between each person or event.

Quantum scientists refer to this connection as a “morphic field.” You can liken this to a blueprint connected to whatever the focus is. The blueprint is fluid, moving and growing or not. There’s a “field” connected to politics, a field connected to disease, a field connected to religion, and a field connected to a party you are planning to have – just to name a few. There is NO judgment to the field itself; it’s just a collection of energy. For a moment, think back over the last few years. Have you felt worried or scared after you heard the news or talked with your friends about the economy? There is a “field” surrounding our economy and many times it’s a field of fear. When you tap into that field you may feel uneasy or think that things will never get better. Just a few more examples: there is a field of connections or morphic fields around prayer, God, sports, or the TV show So You Think You Can Dance.

What field are you in? When you feel an emotion or pinpoint a belief, ask yourself “Is this me?” Is this a commonly held belief in society? Is it from how I was raised? Are these my true feelings? Do I want to keep what I believe or let it go? Let go of what isn’t yours!

When we were discussing this in our study group the question was asked about the old saying “better safe than sorry”. I asked myself what percentage of that belief is from society. What is from my family? What percent left is mine? I let go of the society and family energy. A very small portion was my own perception of this saying, which to me meant being safe not sorry is living with limitations. I want to live without limiting myself from the many possibilities available to me. Yet others brought up that keeping their belief was a good thing for them because it kept them from doing dangerous things. Most importantly, just check in with yourself and see where the belief is coming from – from others or is it truly your own. You can decide either way if it’s worth keeping or changing. Wouldn’t you hate to think you were really controlled by outside invisible forces rather than making choices yourself?

Let go of what isn’t yours, have fun and enjoy the rest of the summer,
Bonnie

Just a  thought to take the pressure off yourself today. There is no way you can do it all. There is just no way! So what do you do?
Let go of:

• Perfectionism-this is self abuse

• I shoulds

• What will people think

• Thinking if you don’t do things they will go to ……

Instead go inside and ask?

• What’s really important today?

• How can I play or have fun?

• How can I be gentler on myself?

• What can I let go of today?

Today and this weekend find time to play.
Remember what The Cat in Hat said,
Don’t let this day….
Go without play….
(just kidding about the Cat in the Hat but he would say that ) Bonnie

I remember as a child loving to watch bubbles for fun, I would shake the water (and soda) or stir it with my straw in a clear glass. I didn’t mind a little “shaking up” — it didn’t happen that often then as it does now. I’d watch the bubbles disappear and the liquid become as clear as the glass container it was in. It was like the bubbles were never there and it had never been shaken up at all. Was the water or soda exactly the same after that? Probably not. Although I could see the bubbles were gone, I knew the mixture was different than it was before the “shake up” even if we couldn’t taste the difference.

More Water Shake Ups

Every morning I listen to a brief part of GMA on the TV and get the updates on the devastating disaster in the Gulf. I feel sad and worried. But, I believe it’s time to shake up and change up how we are thinking about this water situation. I know there’s a lot of finger pointing at who’s to blame and what isn’t being done to remedy the situation. It’s easy to blame and equally easy to feel helpless. I think it’s time to shake up our thoughts about this situation. We all have a responsibility in this. Many of us in varying degrees have had a focus on keeping our lives the same. In not believing we have the time to think about or support looking for or utilize more natural resources. In keeping our eyes on the money, material outcomes and how change might affect us. The oil spill has happened. Many times it takes a shake-up for change to happen. As individuals, how can we promote a positive change? If you want to do something that will make a difference for you and for the Gulf, then shake up your old thoughts, emotions and fears… and try something new! These words are from Masaru Emoto who has conducted experiments on the effects of thoughts and words on formation of water crystals. Thoughts can change the structure of water. Emoto has suggested that we say this Hawaiian healing prayer of forgiveness in regard to the Gulf situation. Take a moment right now by reading this with the intention of positive change.

“Now let’s give the energy of love and gratitude to all the living creatures in the Gulf of Mexico by praying like this:

To whales, dolphins, pelicans, fishes, shellfishes, planktons, corals, algae
and all creatures of The Gulf of Mexico
(you could also add all harmed by this)
I am sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you.”

I have received this prayer from several different people. I leave it out and say it during the day when I see it (it’s on my printer) and at mealtime.

With gratitude, love and forgiveness,
Bonnie
PS What relationship would you like to change- your relationship with someone or something? Go into your heart think of the situation and say the same 4 phrase above.

I’d like to pose a question to you…do you feel free or feel  a sense of freedom?  Can you remember those times when you did? When I looked up the  word free I found it  can mean “without a charge”. Freedom can be a “lack of restrictions, free will, or  looseness.” Most people I talk to have the opposite, a  sense of being confined. And, that’s  certainly a reasonable feeling as the hurricane of change and uncertainty still hovers around us. But, when we start to feel boxed in we can choose to slide into a more open and freeing state of mind. It can come in the most unexpected way.

My birthday was this week and I had such a sense of freedom and celebration during the day. What was unexpected and really contributed were  the  Happy Birthday songs. This was the year for the  six musical happy birthdays that entertained me both live and in messages. One birthday rendition  left me in a heap of laughter. It wasn’t that they sang poorly it was just fun and the joy they were having left me smiling inside and out. It was so freeing to hear them sing and just laugh in the moment and celebrate! The bubbles of that laughter keep me feeling free and that lovely feeling of openness  permeated my day.

So very simply put, this July 4th celebrate your freedom. This weekend is a wonderful time to enjoy the moments of being able to do nothing, be with your family and friends or enjoy being with yourself. Celebrate what you have and laugh.

Happy July 4th weekend, feel free it’s all in the feeling, have fun and enjoy the present moment,
Bonnie

I am including a video that had me in tears. Laughing will give you the opportunity not to be bound up, worried or feel restricted. It’s only two minutes. I bet you won’t be able to keep a straight face! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HttF5HVYtlQ (copy and paste)

Ugly Duckling or Swan?

Who thought swans would be the refresher with a message? After going to the dentist, I decided I needed to recharge my batteries and enjoy a bit of nature before my next coaching session. I stopped by a nearby park with a lake and a lovely view. I found a towel in the car. (I had my husband’s car so I didn’t have my beach chair in the trunk.) It was one of the beautiful days of spring before the heat of our Florida summer. I thought it would be lovely to just sit and enjoy some peace and quiet.

As I headed to a familiar part of the park, I heard the laughing and playful voices of children, many children. I love the sounds of children’s voices but after hearing drilling at the dentist I just wanted quiet. I headed towards the other end of lake. As I sat down on my little towel, my attention was caught by the swans. At this lake you can rent swan boats and you usually see swans, but the swans I saw first were in pairs and they were black! I had never seen black swans before. Maybe I just live a sheltered life. Who knows? They were a beautiful sight.

I enjoyed the swans that, on this particular day, were traversing the water in pairs. Two pairs of black swans and next a pair of swans with black necks and white bodies both perfectly matched. Then finally I saw the white swans. It was lovely to watch them gracefully float on the water. I have never seen birds so gracefully catch and swallow fish. Although I only stayed a short while, I felt a welling up in my heart of joy, just watching the ease and loveliness of the swans.

As many of you know animals can be symbols and represent certain ideas. I thought about the traditional ugly duckling story that recognizes they are a beautiful swan. That is a wonderful metaphor for our ability to really recognize when we accept ourselves we become ‘beautiful” and graceful because we aren’t trying to be something we aren’t. Being yourself is much easier. I also wanted to know more so I looked up the animal message of swans. So here they are: “begin to realize your own true beauty”. Then I looked up black swan: “represents love, both self love and romantic love, happiness in yourself, the healing power of love and miracles”.

I think the message is obvious but maybe not. You choose – no one else does. Are you an ugly duckling or a swan? Be your authentic self without hesitation. Your journey will be easier and more graceful. Remember the healing power of love and look for miracles.

Remember the message of the swans,

Bonnie

Last week during the business, I have to admit that I re-read last weeks blog Staying Out of the Cracks, to remind myself to fill up on what’s working.

I have to be honest one of the cracks for me is writing this blog and having no one post a response.  I get email responses but few comments.  I finally decided that it didn’t matter, what mattered was my sharing my experiences and things I know uplift others. For example, a woman emailed me after last week’s blog and said she shifted her to do list for her mini vacation from the “shoulds” which made her fall in the cracks. Yay, out of the cracks!!! (I know it can also feel like a dark hole believe me.)

I think each of has a gift to share. It may be just listening to someone that will keep them out of the cracks or it may be that small thoughtful thing you do that keeps them from falling deeper in the cracks. You may not even know how something you did fills someone else up. The message I want to share is when you are up looking at the Sun  and filled up share it. During these this time, we are meant to connect, support and be supported. The journey is easier. Celebrate those sunshine moments. If you look up and fill up you’ll find you aren’t alone. There is always someone or something to guide you away from the cracks.

I want to thank those who posted that filled me up as I read the comments from the last blog. Thank you as I am reading your comments and writing, the dark clouds lifted and the sun started to shine outside. For each of you who wrote a comment. I want to thank each of you for shining your light and sharing. You never know who else you may lift out of the cracks!

Looking up at the sun and filling up,

Bonnie

A funny thing happened on the way back home on Sunday. After some quiet contemplation on Easter Sunday, something startling occurred. My husband in his quiet time had asked a question and wanted a clear sign. As we headed the car back to the house, he suddenly turned off into what he thought…. was the park. No, it wasn’t the park, he was thinking about. However, it was a beautiful park next to the “Our Lady of Prayer” a building created for prayer. How remarkable that he found this park and mediation/prayer spot on the water on Easter Sunday.

It was so peaceful, the weather was beautiful and no one was around. The building itself was closed but we walked around this beautiful park. It was very interesting to note in the park were the “stations of the cross” in sculptures that lead up to Easter. As we walked around enjoying the sun and the blue sky, my husband with his odd sense of humor says, “I think I got the answer to my question. I should be a priest”. After we both laughed we got quiet. There was no missing we had been lead there. The real truth and answer that came to us was after the struggle and pain came a rising up-the ascension. It takes faith to know that the ascension is coming.

I thought about how many of us are changing because of “outside circumstances” but it’s really creating an inner up leveling for our own personal ascension. The saying it happens for a reason was very clear that day. But, the best for me is I love how you never know how the answers will show up.

Here’s to leaving the struggle behind and ascending,
Bonnie

We all know it’s always darkest before the dawn – the world is at its most gloomy before the light can start seeping through the waves of darkness. In several faith traditions, this is the week of darkness before the light. “A week” you say? I know it feels longer than a week. I have spoken to many people who have felt that the darkness and chaos started last week (or last year or over the last several years) and I have felt the same way. Even the most grounded, successful and spiritually-trusting people have been challenged. I know this may be a turbulent time whether it’s the small dramas, the busyness of life or the ongoing bigger issues that concern you. How do you find those beams of light, take care of yourself and not drop all the balls you have in the air as you put out fires at home and work, meet everyone else’s needs and take care of your family all while staying connected and trusting? That’s a good question, and it’s one I ask myself and my clients routinely.

I want to share with you what I know can support you in connecting to the “light” this week or any busy day (or week or year) in your life. However, I hesitate to suggest this to you as I have consciously left it out of my conversations and writings as many of you may consider it a “dirty” word. Here is goes…one of the best ways you can find your way out of the dark and into the light is to meditate. Yes, I wrote it. If Oprah can use the word, I know it’s okay for me to use it, too. But I can hear you now — I don’t have time, I can’t quiet my mind, that isn’t for me — and I really understand. I started out feeling that way also.

Here’s the good news. Everyone can “meditate” because it’s easier and less time consuming than you think. It takes you out of the dark and gives you a peek of light. And, we do it all the time already — meditating is just focused attention. It’s about being open and listening and being present in the moment. I looked up the word meditation and it comes from the Indo-European root med – meaning “to measure”. Meditation has been defined as: “self regulation of attention, in the service of self-inquiry, in the here and now.”

Many simple meditation techniques ask you to focus on your breathing. Focusing on your breathing engages your left brain, keeping it from trying to figure everything out, and allowing you freedom from other thoughts. The key (coming from the Buddhist tradition) is taking your mind out of the mix even for a short time and allowing the space, “the wiggle room”, for the answers or inspiration to surface. (There’s more on wiggle room in the last blog post). So if you stop what you’re doing and focus on your breathing — you’re meditating.

Step it up by using self inquiry-questions before you start such as “I wonder how this darkness and chaos will lift?” Or “What is the most important thing for me to do next?” Or “I wonder how it would feel if I wasn’t ______.” The answers will come either now or later if you give them the chance. Just four easy steps: Stop what you are doing, take a deep breath, ask your questions and then focus on your breathing. Try this for one to three minutes — that’s all! Then notice what is different, the lightness you feel…and keep noticing. Keep noticing what’s different.

Meditation can take place during many activities, not just when you’re sitting still with your eyes closed. It can come when you are writing in a journal, as you do routine chores, or while taking a walk. Just staying in the present moment noticing with your senses what you are doing. It’s all about focusing in the moment…the moment you have right now.

I know how difficult it is to make the best choices in the midst of too much do, in the middle of chaos and drama. I would love to help you! So I encourage you to take a “meditation break” and let the best choices for you and your life come to you in the “light”.

Resources to find some light in your life

Listen to “3 Minutes of Light” Meditation in the Jacuzzi Room.

The Soothing SoundPaths™ to Serenity: The Virtual Spa™ CD (available in CD or downloadable version)

Walking Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh and Anh-Huong Nguyen

The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

One-Moment Meditation: Stillness for People on the Go by Martin Boroson

Transform Stress in 30 Days with One-Moment Meditation®
My wish for you is that you connect to the light of meditation,
Bonnie
PS Post and let us know how “meditation” helped you let in some light. Thanks for posting,when you post it really helps others on the path!

Shifting thoughts have really moved the bubble of reality for me, and for those around me, in wonderful ways. In the last blog, I wrote about being able to shift your bubble of reality and I wanted to share a few stories with you. A teenager I coached recently was angry and very upset – until and her bubble of reality shifted. What changed for her? When she saw the possibility that what had been said to her, although hurtful and downright rude, was really not true! She didn’t have to buy into the hurt and angry reality.

Yesterday I had one of those days, like the teenager above, shifting my bubble. It started out with someone, where I do some contract work, putting their head down and mumbling, “Good morning.” I could hear it was not a good morning. Was it me? Maybe? Or maybe not!

Then later in the day I presented a program to support for staff in their work environment – something I was very excited about.

However, my bubble didn’t shift – it popped. Although the administrator was positive and open, she shared when some of the staff heard about the time commitment for the program I had created for them, they were resistant to participating. I felt I had gone above and beyond in creating this program to support them! So my bubble fell to the floor, popped and subsequently disappeared. I was really disappointed.

How did I let that happen? You guessed it! I didn’t shift my thoughts, when I received the feedback about some of the staff’s reaction and my bubble melted on the ground. I didn’t give myself any “wiggle room” – that energetic space where physical realities change, as Dr. Bartlett talks about in his books Matrix Energetics and The Physics of a Miracle.

It took me a bit to get another bubble in the air, but I did it. The breath that let this new bubble grow and airlift in it’s shift, was looking for what I was truly feeling and then changing my thoughts. I also had a deep conviction and belief there had to be other realities I could shift and move into and let go of where I was. I let go of my attachment to the outcome (will they choose to get involved with the program I created) and let go of the story that what I was offering wasn’t valuable. Whew! What a relief to let it go!

Most importantly, as I shifted my bubble of reality, I feel peaceful and knew that whatever happens happens. Being peaceful is really the intention. When we are in a peaceful state of well-being that’s where where the miracles are.
How are you shifting your bubble of reality? Post and tell us.

Here’s to beautiful bubbles floating in the air with many colorful and wonderful realities. You can choose!

Bonnie