VISUALIZE ABUNDANCE

Visualize unlimited abundance.  This is a daily practice that is necessary in order to stay away from my ever-present scarcity beliefs.  I learned from an early age that there wasn’t enough; enough time, money, attention, love…just enough to survive.  I grew up believing that I didn’t have the right to want more and I should be happy with what I had.  I also thought perhaps I didn’t deserve more; somehow I’d internalized a self-imposed punishment for not ‘being enough’.  If I was enough my parents would be happy and stop drinking, I wouldn’t be abandoned and left alone, my siblings wouldn’t hurt so much.  Eventually, these belief systems overwhelmed me and I had to do a jail break from them or completely give up.  Although they are still back ground music in my day at times, I can now easily turn down the volume or turn the power off.  I have come to recognize the distortion of these thoughts and chosen not to buy into them any longer.

I can now open my hands and heart to receive the unlimited resource that surrounds me.  I choose to focus on having my needs met and acknowledge with gratitude the abundance that pours into my life.  When fear of scarcity rears its head and tells me to hold on to what I have with grasping hands; I will remind myself gently that I can release these old beliefs and trust the loving, generous and supportive universe that embraces me.  I intend to visualize limitless abundance today.

FORGIVENESS

A friend recently posted a story I found very touching. 

"Two friends who were walking through the desert and at some point of the journey had an argument.  One friend slapped the other one in the face.  The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything wrote in the sand:   “Today my best friend slapped me in the face.”  They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath.  The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him.  After he recovered from the near drowning he wrote on a stone: “Today my best friend saved my life.”  The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on stone, why?”  The other friend replied “When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away.  But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.”

I wish to engrave on my heart the many moments of friendship, caring and kindness that I encounter today.  The times when hurt or pain surface, throughout this day, I choose to envision as bits of sand that may irritate and frustrate me, knowing that eventually they will be forgiven, blown away, and forgotten.   I am grateful for the paradigm shift this story offers.

   

STEERING MY WAY THROUGH THE DAY

As I move through this day I will remember that I am not responsible for anyone’s happiness but my own.  This doesn’t mean that I won’t express compassion, generosity, or kindness to others.  However, I will not take on the burden of people pleasing at my own expense.  I will comfort the younger part of myself that quite often becomes guilt-ridden and believes she is obligated to take care of others’ problems.  I will give her permission to let go and remind her that she may be listening to old worn-out mind tapes that can now be safely discarded.  Just as no one else is responsible for my fixing my feelings or rescuing me from my struggles, I can also release myself from trying to take on troubles that aren’t intended for me.    

Today, I choose to focus on my own needs and take responsibility for my own feelings, needs, and behaviors. No one is 'me-er' than me.  I will express care, concern, and love for those I encounter without stripping them of their own accountability.

TODAY'S DANCE

Time goes so quickly at times.  There’s barely a chance to savor a moment.  I guess this is a good thing to remember when it seems as though time is crawling forward.  I want to take time to breathe and enjoy the 86,400 moments of this day.  I will remind myself to remain aware of the sacredness of encounter, the spaciousness of an open heart, the stillness of being centered and the joyfulness of moving with today’s dance.

MORE THAN ENOUGH

Kindness and abundance surrounds me if I only allow myself to see it.  Focusing on what isn’t going the way I want it to go often entrenches me in beliefs about scarcity and limitation.  Not enough resources, not enough love, not enough time, not enough me, not enough you, not enough …  When I dwell in the land of limitation, I begin to make excuses for myself and others, I become resentful and jealous, and I feel scared and needy.    I have already spent enough time stuck in scarcity, now is the time to break free.

Today, I choose to reflect on how much the universe supports my being.  I will notice the kindness of those around me, the tender grace-filled moments I encounter, the possibilities and options for choice I have, the many people who are put in my path to love, support, and teach me, the acceptance and joy of friendships.  I may not have everything I want but I definitely have what I need.  There is more than enough...

STAYING SAFELY CONNECTED

It is safe to discard old defenses that no longer serve me.  Isolating and withdrawing to keep from being hurt only perpetuates loneliness and distrust of others.  This may have been useful when I was unable to set boundaries or protect myself from those in my life.  However, now I can now set boundaries and separate myself from those who wound me.  I can speak up and clarify misunderstandings that are offensive.  I can give myself permission to say no and choose to connect with people I trust and love. 

 

When I feel the old defensive movement to push away inside me today, I will take stock of what is triggering me, ascertain whether or not I am safe, reassure and comfort myself, reinforce any necessary boundaries, breathe, and remain present.  I will not run away from encounters or relationships just because there is discord.  I choose to stay safely connected.

DEALING WITH CRITICISM

When given information that I don’t measure up to another’s standards I have a few options.

·       I can pack up my toys and go home, shutting the door on further connection. 

·       I can become defensive and blame you; point the finger and start a feud.

·       I can consider what’s said and decide whether or not the feedback is helpful to me.  Perhaps I’m being invited to grow and expand myself and although it’s uncomfortable it might be worth exploring. 

·       I can evaluate the criticism and choose to respond assertively, expressing what I think, feel and need.  Perhaps clearing up misunderstanding and hurt and increasing the possibility of acceptance and support.

Today, I have the resources to step away from reactivity and make a conscious, deliberate choice.  I will take my time responding and allow myself the opportunity to evaluate your disapproval.  I choose to build bridges, to find creative solutions, and to open doors.  I am strong enough to listen and keep my heart open.