letting go of fear

Today I watched this bird chasing after a bug.  The bug was quite large, but not really too big for the bird to eat.  The bug would crawl away and the bird would follow it, take a tentative peck at it and the bug would move on.   This pattern played out for several minutes.  The bug moving, the bird pecking at it, but not really going for it and both moving on.  Suddenly a larger bird came right up to the bug and swallowed it whole in one dramatic bite.  This little scenario reminds me of times when I've been timid or unsure of going after what I really want, and in the end losing it.  Maybe not to someone else, but just letting it get out of reach.  How many times do we hesitate to go after our dreams and aspirations because of fear, self-doubt or opinions of others?  Like that little bird unsure of itself, not knowing it could easily have taken the "big bite."   Today's challenge is to face the fear and do it anyway.

Free Online recovery conference

http://recovery2point0.com/gloriauridelThere is an exciting free online recovery conference coming up at the end of September. There will be great motivational speakers and inspirational talks. Please sign up here on the link posted.

Today I heard a speaker define unconditional love.  This person said that unconditional love is loving yourself without any judgements.  Meaning loving each and every part of yourself.  I find that quite a challenge.  Intellectually I can say I love myself fully, but there are some things that I do have judgement about.  It is a great exercise to open my heart and really feel the impact of that statement.....to love myself fully without judgement.  To accept myself just as I am in this moment.

Try it on for yourself and discover what it brings up for you.  In what ways or areas do you hold judgement of yourself?  Then ask yourself where do those judgements come from?  We are conditioned by society, our families, work, school, partners, etc. etc.  Journaling about this question was beneficial for me.  Finding the voice of love within yourself is a process of self discovery and healing those places where judgement blocks the light of love.

Here's a quote for you that I love:  "Becoming acquainted with yourself is a price well worth paying for the love that will really address your needs."  by Daphne Rose Kingma

Consider Your LIfe

Changes in life are bound to happen.  There is a quote that says, nothing is constant but change.  There are times when I have embraced change, and others when the change seems to come when I don't quite feel ready.  Usually it's for the better, but in the moment of sudden changes, it can seem very overwhelming.  Some changes in life have thrown me off my feet, while others seem like a gentle tap into a new direction.  A dear friend of mine has a simple saying, "you want to move towards something, not run away from something."   It's at those times where I feel overwhelmed with wanting to change, but feeling stuck, that I remember this.  Keeping myself grounded in my practice of yoga, breathing and prayer, helps me to stand in the eye of the storm when all I want to do is run away.  Of course having supportive people around you is also a great source of strength, but finding that inner strength that comes from the Source is the anchor.  As you get older, or are faced with a challenging situation in life, it seems natural to contemplate the direction life has taken you.  I found a wonderful quote from the Dalai Lama that reminds us to ponder this without the "gentle nudges" that life often swings our way, and to be true to ourselves.  I'd like to share it with you:

"There is only one important point you must keep in your mind and let it be your guide.  No matter what people call you, you are just who you are.  Keep to this truth.  You must ask yourself how it is that you want to life your life.  We live and we die, this is the truth that we can only face alone.  No one can help us, not even the Buddha.  So consider carefully, what prevents you from living the way you want to live your life?"

Doubt the Doubt

Over the weekend I was listening to a lecture by Baron Baptiste.  He's a very well known national yoga teacher.  He was talking about self doubt and mentioned the phrase, "Doubt the Doubt."  I really love this!  Everyone, from time to time, has some self doubt, myself included.  I personally think that self-doubt can sabotage you from getting what you really want in life.  The key is to believe in yourself.  It's not always easy, especially if past circumstances have not gone as planned, but it's better to take a risk and have faith than to let self doubt keep you prisoner of the past.  Trust your intuition and learning to hear that "voice" is an ongoing lesson.  Most spiritual teachers that I know of say meditation is the way to find that inner knowing.  Reminds me of a quote that the ashtanga master, Pattabhi Jois is so famously quoted as saying, " Practice and all is coming."  So I plan to use "Doubt the Doubt" as my slogan for conquering self-defeating patterns of thinking and keep practicing.  Try it and see what manifests in your life!

More wisdom from Paramahansa Yogananda

I read this quote to my yoga classes and have requests to post, so here it is.  It's another great reading from Paramahansa Yogananda's How-to-live Series, "To Be Victorious in Life."  Please enjoy!

The Antidote for Can't Consciouness
I have seen persons who, despite ill health, have made up their minds to achieve something.  Their ailing body was always trying to divert their attention, but they overcame that physical barrier and undeterred went on and on, realizing their goal by sheer strength of mind.  And I have seen others with wonderful health, but peanut brains.  No matter how you try to convince them, they say, "I can't do it."  They are stopped by the mental barrier of feeling inadequate.  And some people have both health and intelligence, but they do not succeed because they have spiritual barriers of bad habits.  Whether from physical, mental or spiritual causes, failure starts with the avowal, "I can't do it."  Such is the force of the mind and the vibratory power of words.  When you say to yourself, "I can't do it," no one else in the whole world can change that decree.  You must destroy that paralyzing enemy: "I can't."
There is an antidote for "can't consciousness": the affirmation "I can!"  Create that antidote with your mind and administer it with all your will.

I really love this quote from Paramahansa Yogananda and would like to share it with you.  Please enjoy!

"Break out of the mental cell of ignorance that has you confined.  Think differently.  Refuse to be limited by thoughts of weakness or age.  Who told you that you are old?  You are not old.  You, the soul, are eternally young.  Impress that thought on your consciousness: "I am the soul, a reflection of ever-youthful Spirit.  I am vibrant with youth, with ambition, with power to succeed."  Your thoughts can limit you or they can free you.  You are your worst enemy, and you are your best friend.  You have all the power to accomplish what you want, if you motivate yourself, if you remove the mental kinks that are blocking the flow of conviction."

Anniversary

On November 19, 2012 I celebrated 25 years of being clean and sober.  It is amazing to me that it has been so long.  Back on that first day when I made the decision to change my life, I had no idea that my life could get so good.  At that time, I was so afraid, but also grateful to have found a ray of hope, and have caring people around me who were my strength when I had none of my own.  To this day, I am thankful for all the loving souls along my path that have helped me on my journey to health.  I have a blessed life.  I thank God for the wonderful second chance that I've been given and never take for granted how precious this life is.  My hope is that anyone who suffers from addictions can find the courage and help that they need to turn their life around.  Believe me, I know it's not easy but it is so worth the fight.  Never give up on yourself.