I have a quote from Mahatma Ghandi that has been very helpful to me, so here it is for you!

"Man often becomes what he believes himself to be.  If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end up really becoming incapable of doing it.  On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning."  -Mahatma Ghandi

Habits are often hard to break, but it's possible to build new habits to replace the old.  Just making small changes can really make a big difference.  Like exercising a muscle to make it grow, small persistent changes can help us grow along our path.  In my recovery, early on I started rituals to support myself physically and spiritually.  Proper nutrition to support my body, prayer and meditation to support my spirit and asking for help when I needed emotional support.  It was a challenge at first, but now eating healthy foods, exercising, and focusing on how I can be of service comes more naturally and is my commitment to myself.  Challenges come into our lives to help us grow into the person we are meant to be. Look at a setback or challenge as an opportunity for greater understanding and awareness.  That is the key.  Be kind to yourself and take one step at a time.

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!