blog

Try Again

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:37:34 +0100

~One from the archives. Enjoy!~

Try again.
When it seems hopeless
and out of reach,
frustrating and maddening,
and not in your control,
Try again.
When it strikes fears -
of failure, of success,
of the unknown, you won't know
how it be will unless you
Try again.
When you don't think
you have enough strength,
stamina or smarts,
when you're ready to
cover your head,
Try again.
When others are telling you
that you can't but
there is a little voice inside
saying "you can",
Try again.
When you tried one
or one hundred times
the number doesn't matter
find the courage to
Try again.
Don't let it beat you,
don't let it make you quit,
don't find excuses or
ways to hide,
you have all you need
to win because
you made the choice to
Try again.

Take Control Of Your Karma

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:49:20 +0100

One of my favorite cards in my tarot deck is the Wheel of Fortune. It is the one of the Major Arcana cards, which means it is a card that indicates an important life event. It is usually depicted as a wheel spinning around. The Wheel of Fortune means the destiny wheel is constantly turning and, if we don’t like what is happening, we should wait because change will come around.

Many people think Karma is cause and effect. For example, if I do something “good”, good comes back to me. If I do something “bad”, something bad comes back to me. I often wonder if it is more of a flow. In other words, is it like the Wheel of Fortune? Is life always in a constant flux and change? Do we interpret whether it is good or bad karma? Maybe we should go with the flow rather than feeling like it is imposed on us.

Life is a continual turn of situations and events. Every day we change and experience new life lessons. They may be subtle or dramatic depending on how we react to them. The key is our reaction – this is what interprets those life lessons and creates or dispels karma.

For example, when a relationship breaks up, some may see it as the end of the world. It’s a drastic change and some may say “Why me? I was good to the person and I loved them. Why did this relationship end? What did I do to deserve this?” On the other hand, some may say, “Well, it’s awful that it ended. I’m going to miss that person but life will go on and I’ll meet someone new. I’m going to take some time on my own and at some point I’ll look for someone.” Two different reactions, right?

The first group may see this as bad karma. Maybe they will review all their past relationships and decide that based on actions of the past, they deserved this breakup. They pinpoint where they may have caused suffering so therefore, now they deserve it. They will think of all the ways they should have acted in a different manner and they’ll generate feelings of sadness, guilt and upset.

The second group may look at it as it’s just a part of life. Is it good karma or bad karma? It could be either. However, this person may say that it’s just karma – they were in a relationship, it didn’t work out and the person is determined to be positive and move on. They do not get caught up in what happened in the past – they chose to change their future by taking care of themselves and moving on. They reflect, they improve, and they see opportunities. It’s a much different experience.

Instead of getting caught up in the idea of karma and it imposing its will on you and you being out of control, think about how you are riding the wheel of karma. Even though you may not be in control of the situation, you are in control of how you react. You are in control of what you do with your karma. Wouldn’t you much rather sit in a place of power? Make sure to take that karma, learn from it and move on. That will continue to keep the Wheel of Fortune moving, instead of stopping and getting you stuck in a rut.

~Copyright 2010, Mary D'Alba (Spiritualitygirl)~

You Hold Someone In Your Hands

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:40:06 +0100

You have to be careful
because everyday
you hold someone in your hands.
You may be giving them
feedback on an idea,
an opinion on a problem,
good news or even
bad news. But whatever
you give them, you have
the choice in your delivery.
Do you want to be soft
or blast them with hardness?
Do you want to be coy
or give them the facts?
Do you want to lie to them
or cushion them when you
have to tell the truth?
You hold someone in your hands.
You can squeeze or cradle
this person in a split second.
So remember, be careful.
You hold something, someone
precious, no matter who they are.

~Copyright 2010, Mary D'Alba (Spiritualitygirl)~

Falling

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:44:35 +0100

I felt myself falling -
there I go!
Too fast -
I can't grab onto anything!

Down the hole,
so far down,
the walls are passing by me,
as I feel myself going faster and faster.

My mind is screaming -
"How do I stop?"
"What will meet me at the end?"
"What's going to happen to me?"

And then I feel it -
I landed.
I open my eyes, I touch my body,
I am still here.

I stand up and dust myself off.
Maybe a few bumps or bruises,
maybe even a break,
but it can be fixed. I am here.

I walk away,
knowing that whenever I fall,
however I land,
I can get up again.
Because I do it - everytime.

Healer, Heal Thyself

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 03:44:46 +0100

I have a really good friend of mine who has been going through substance abuse issues for the twelve years that I’ve known him. It’s been one drama after another: between homelessness, fights, hospital visits, jail, several rehabs and conversations where I can’t even understand what he’s saying to me because he’s so drunk. It’s painful for me to watch. I’ve offered help many, many times with Reiki or some other modality that I know. Every once in a while, he’s taken me up on it but more often than not, he’s declined, saying he’s fine. It’s obvious he’s not but I can’t force help on him, right?

I have this problem where it pains me to watch my friend go through these problems. If only I could help him somehow, he would be so much better, isn’t that true?

It’s even more difficult for me as someone who considers herself a healer. It’s one of the things I feel a deep connection to and I’ve seen it do wonders for people.

It finally clicked as I watch my friend go through another rehab. Everything I learned in Reiki, Shamballa and all the other healing modalities doesn’t matter - the help is only good if the person who needs it wants it. They themselves do the healing – you are only the conduit. The only way his healing could occur is if my friend initiated and wanted it himself.

I intellectually understand this concept but when my friend was suffering, hurting, becoming someone I couldn’t stand, I couldn’t comprehend this concept. I offered help but realized I offered with conditions. If only he would do this, if only he would do that, no I wouldn’t give him money to do this, etc.

I had to step back and ask myself, as one soul to another, would imposing my will, my idea that my help could somehow change him, would that really do it?

Nope. I am not that powerful.

His will was what was going to do it. Once he got to the point that realized he was about to be homeless again, jobless, lose everything, his health was about to collapse, he said to me, “I’m going to rehab.” I hope this time will be different. And so far, 60 days later, it seems to be.

I should thank him because the experience taught me a powerful lesson. As a healer, it is not my place to impose my will on anyone, no matter what my relationship is with them. Who am I to mess with their karma? Who am I to stand in the way of what their path is? There are some situations where there needs to be an intervention but most of the time, it’s not my place to step in the way.

As a healer yourself, because whether or not you realize it, just by being you, you are a healer, you must decide when someone comes to you if they are asking for help or just venting. Maybe it’s as simple as asking whether or not they need help. Give them the opening to come forward and give them the choice to say no.

Your role as a healer is to create the healing when it is asked for, not when you think it is needed. Offering a kind word or a shoulder to cry on is wonderful but don’t judge if it doesn’t go any further than that.

Take a look at the people in your life – are you trying to heal them when they’ve not asked you to apply? Yes, you are right, it would be better for them to get on the path but if you force them on it, they won't stay there. And what will that do for your relationship and their self-esteem when they can't finish what you started?

If you take a step back, you may see the relationship change because you’re being open to the person, not trying to make the do something they don’t want to do.

Use that healing energy on yourself – place the effort within. The more you create healing and love within yourself, the more you’ll see it in others. You’ll be a better healer when those who need you do ask for help.

The Timing of Spirit

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:27:05 +0100

I sit in the quiet,

I listen for the sound,

I wait for Spirit's touch,

for angels to gather 'round.

I want to understand

why I am on the road I am

I want Spirit to guide me

I need to make a plan.

Spirit tells me "Hold on."

"You must have patience", they say.

"It's important not to rush decisions

or give things away."

"But I want it to happen now!"

I exclaim, frustrated with my plight.

"I want my plans to unfold,

why can't you give me clear sight?"

Spirit shakes their head,

a giggle about my plight.

"My dear, don't you understand?

The timing just isn't right."

I am frustrated beyond belief

I want it to happen now.

I don't know if I can wait

there is no idea of how.

Spirit whispered, "You want it in

your own time; divine timing is the key.

You must trust, wait it out,

and let your mind be free."

"It won't happen overnight

but when it does happen you'll see

it happened in perfect time and space

it happened when it was meant to be."

So I wait for perfect timing,

Spirit knows what I want and need

I let it unfold with their guidance;

and because of that, I will succeed.

Spirit As Human, Human As Spirit

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:07:26 +0100

I am a Spirit

in a human body

when you tear away the flesh

you see the best

and most sacred of me.

No matter if you hurt me,

love me, hate me or adore me,

I am who I am.

I cannot be changed,

unless I want to change,

I cannot be knocked down,

unless I let you get the best of me,

I cannot be uplifted,

unless I turn my eyes and heart to the sky,

I cannot be who I am,

unless I allow myself to be.

I am a Spirit,

no more and no less,

because a Spirit

is all I need to be.

Sure, I need to meet my human needs

of the life I live, the friends

and family I love and the

quests I undertake,

but all I have to have a balance

with Spirit's sweet song,

and decide who I want to be.

I want to be a part of Spirit

and truly, who I am meant to be.

Spiritual Social Networking

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:30:27 +0100

Okay, I'll admit it. I like social networking.

Yes, I'll read all the status updates, twittering, look at the mobile uploads and do those quizzes (What Goddess Am I, Really?). I have to admit I am quite impressed the Dalai Lama has a twitter.

As I was on Twitter tonight watching different tweets roll by, I thought about how all these sites bring us together. We get to see what people are doing, what they are going through and how they are handling things. We see a glimpse into the personality and pictures and all kinds of pieces of their lives. It's pretty amazing. I've found all kinds of old friends and can stay in touch with friends all over the world.

I love making these connections. As I was accepting a new friend request, I thought about the spiritual concept of us all being connected.

The theory is that all of our souls are connected to each other. From the beginning, our souls broke off from the large, collective soul of "The All" (or whatever you call Spirit/God). So since we were a part of each other once, we are still a part of each other and a piece of the whole.

So what I do affects you, what you do effects me, stranger or friends, older or younger, every move we make touches all of life.

Isn't that the case with social networking? Sometimes we see comments to friends that make an impact. Sometimes we make an impact by saying "Wow, great picture!". We can follow life, friends and be a part of the all just by watching a screen. We can participate and support each other, probably much more than before we were all connected through these sites.

What we have to be careful of is just watching the screen. It's important to not only uplift through our comments but also making a phone call or having dinner with someone. To connect through a computer is a start - life connections by uplifting, hand holding, hugging and laughing - goes a long way.

But the social networking sites make us realize the world can be a smaller place because we can peek into the lives of many different people and share our experiences.

So maybe all these sites aren't such a time waster after all. I don't feel so bad clicking "Like" now because the world wide web is actually weaving a place for us to all connect. Now that I "Like".

This Woman

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 05:02:59 +0100

~One From The Archives - Enjoy!~

Like the Phoenix, she rises again.
the ashes represent her past.
They lie on the ground,
flying away into the calming wind.

Like a Scorpion, she stings.
her needle makes a direct hit.
They feel the pain of her wrath,
her point has been made.

Like a Horse, she runs
moving quickly through the fields.
Her hair blows with the breeze,
her beauty and grace is in her movement.

Like a Butterfly, she flutters.
Her wings, small, yet powerful.
She flies through the air,
gliding across the sky, looking down at the earth.

Like a Woman, she heals.
She restores with transformation,
strength, courage, power,
speed, grace and with an open mind.

All and nothing, beautiful focus,
nurturer and executioner,
power and softness,
this woman embraces her mission.

Make New Beginnings Exciting!

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:04:00 +0100

New Beginnings are a positive thing, right? Sure, unless you're like many of us who experience fear when things change. So how can we turn terror to triumph?

For example, you're thinking about putting out a newsletter. You start by thinking, "Wow, it will be great to get out there, meet and help new people and learn lots of stuff", but then you may think something like this twice as much, "Oh, no, what if no one signs up for the newsletter? What if no one reads anything I've written ever? Am I really a good writer? What if, what if, what if..." After those thoughts, you get the feeling of dread and fear.

Whoa, put the brakes on! Where is your mind going? How many times have you started something new and panic has filled your heart, you stomach gets sick and you're ready to lie down with a cold compress?

All right, maybe not quite the above experience but you get the idea.

You can procrastinate writing a newsletter because you are afraid of how it would go. Or, you can put it off until you realized that if you don't make this new beginning, you will never know how it will be successful or even if it will fail. We learn lessons from each experience, whether we judge it be a success or failure, it doesn't matter. It can be a new practice that shapes us, not matter how it turns out. It may actually bother you more to never know if you could accomplish sharing ideas and teachings with others through your writing.

Which one would you rather do? Sit back and say, "Well, I had a bunch of great ideas but I'm just not ready to put them out there" or "What can I lose? Why not! I'm talented, smart and a great writer. I can do it!"

If you look at your life, what are you procrastinating?
The mind is an incredibly powerful organ. Many times, Spirit presents us with something new so we can expand what our Soul's lessons are. We would never grow as a soul unless we change. We need to experience those moments of the unknown. If we lived safe all the time, life would not change. You would never meet anyone who was different, travel anywhere new or put yourself out there to excel at something new.

Let's be honest - life would be pretty boring.

You say to me, "But life would be safe! It would be status quo, I would know what was happening all the time and I'd have a routine!"

Yeah, that works.

Maybe - yes, it can "work" for a while. You know how life happens, though, and as much as you don't want change, it's going to happen.

Hence, we're back to new beginnings. Here are some tips to deal with those times that you have to (and even want to) make change:

1.) Do whatever you need to do to deal with your fear and anticipation. You want this new beginning to be successful. An example of this would be to first sit down and write out all the problems with your new beginning. How it would fail, what would happen if it did?

Now take a second piece of paper and write out the grandest outcome for your new beginning. How would that look? What would that feel like? What resources do you have at your fingertips? How would being successful change you? Go wild; don't limit yourself to what this can be.

Then, take the piece you wrote on failure and GET RID OF IT. Because you are not destined to fail - you are destined to win. Display your success in a place you can see it daily. Remind yourself that taking the risk is a wonderful event.

2.) Surround yourself with people who will support you. If it's not your family, find a supportive group, even if it's online. You can do much of your new beginning alone but isn't it more fun with friends? Make time to correspond with them, see them and support them. Most of all let them know how much you appreciate their support.

3.) Be supportive of yourself if you find things not going quite the way you want or moving at the right pace. It's okay to feel scared or frustrated - that's part of your feelings. Acknowledge those feeling but don't stay in that place. Know that you have all the tools, resources, smarts and drive to make things happen for yourself. It's takes one step at a time, though, so be careful not to jump 8 steps ahead - you may hurt yourself!

4.) Trust that events are taking the time that they need to in order to come to full fruition. We all know in our heads that things do not happen overnight but it can be a challenge to be patient.

5.) Congratulate yourself for all the steps you HAVE made. You may be surprised how far you've come! Give yourself a gift at different points that are important milestones, even if it's just patting yourself on the back or sending yourself a card.

6.) Look at whatever change you do as a fluid process. You may have to switch gears midstream in the process. Be flexible and open to new opportunities within this new beginning. It may just be the changes you need to really fly!

Whatever you do, know that you'll look back on this new beginning as one of the best things that have ever happened to you. You are amazing for having the courage to go through it. Now that's worth taking a chance!