Archive for ‘Daily Inspirations’

April 15th, 2013

Use Magic to Find Meaning In Your Life

There is something magical about this moment.

It’s the only one you’ll ever have.

Whether you’re grieving over a loss, bored out of your mind, or simply enjoying the ordinariness of this moment, if you can take the time to appreciate how fleeting it all is, you’ll find meaning in your life.

As I sit here on the bare floor writing pen in hand, I am listening to the rain while observing my 7-year-old mini lop bunny hopping around me and pushing his soft nose in my chubby knees. It’s a thing to marvel at. Maybe you don’t find anything magical about a person and their rabbit journaling maybe self-indulgently about their life. But that’s just because you don’t see what I see.

Magical moments are not simply ones that make dreams transpire out of nothing, but being able to notice the moment without being so busy you let it all pass you by.

When life feels uninspiring and void of meaning it’s because you’ve drained it of its magic. You tell yourself:

“I know everything.”

“I’ve seen everything.”

You’ve become closed to age and time. And being the weary-traveler, you shut yourself out to anything new, any potential for possibility in your life.

When you shut out magic, you open the door to a meaningless life.

Your life isn’t meant to be strictly a huge to-do list of insurmountable tasks and brag worthy accomplishments. It’s meant to flourish, to savor, to share love and joy, to teach and to live. When you’re closed off to chance and live by the book, you leave little room for all the good things in life like hope, courage, and faith.

According to Dictionary.com, magic is:

“the art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.;”

What appears to be deceptive is our own mind. In order to allow magical moments in we need to adopt the child’s mind, the ability not to know everything. And be okay with it. When we assume to know everything and make our way only with numbers, statistics and research to back it all up, we don’t leave room for chance. And chance is where things like magic, luck, serendipity and pure joy comes in.The reason why we won’t move forward unless we got a lot of left-brained thinking to back it up is fear. Being vulnerable reminds us of being shamed as a kid or foolish as a teen and no one wants to regrettably say, “I should have done that instead.”

But the only way to build up a meaningful life is to open yourself up to vulnerable moments. It’s walking in the rain without an umbrella. It’s moving courageously in the direction of your dreams rather than waiting for the “right” time.

If you’re truly searching for more meaning in your life, you’re going to need to get good at listening within. You’re going to have to forgo the outside chatter that says, “You’ll regret that,” or “You’re making a bad decision,” or “You’ll never do it,” and you’ll have to do it anyway.

You’re going to have to sit still enough to hear and appreciate that inner voice. You’re going to have to take chances when you were to fearful to do so in the past. It will take courage, patience and a lot of doubtful moments. But if you continue on the path despite all obstacles, you will find it. You will again return to the space that I’m currently in-quiet moment, wave of acceptance, gratitude and an unwavering openness to the unknown, fear on your back and eyes set forward.

It’s no way an easy place to be. But I promise you this…here you will find meaning.

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April 10th, 2013

5 Creative Ways to Banish a Bad Mood

{via Etsy shop TiffysLove}

{via Etsy shop TiffysLove}

Some bad moods come and go like dark clouds on a wishy washy weather day. Other moods linger like negative friends, draining your sunshine.

Since I’ve had a few of the latter ones lately, I thought I’d share with you a few tricks I’ve learned (and continue to learn) to shake off the doldrums. Whether you’re suffering through a bad day, a bad week or just a bad moment, these tips should temporarily lift those gray clouds and bring you some much needed relief.

1. Practice the art of healthy distraction.

When suffering, some of us numb through food, drugs, video games, etc. Those temporarily aids often end up being destructive. Not only do they teach you to avoid your problems, but it also makes you rely on unhealthy ways to self-soothe. But distraction is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes to get out of a funk, you need to change your energy, your environment, your state of mind. Try engaging in an activity that requires your full attention. Swimming, hiking, tai chi and yoga do it for me. It refocuses my mind on the present moment and releases me from any problem burdening me.

2. Practice the art of letting go.

Stress can wreak havoc on a person’s mind, body and soul. When you already deal with illness on a daily basis, any extra stress will compromise your health. And that’s one way to worsen a bad mood-make it permanent. Instead learning how to let go of insignificant worries will go a great deal to shift your overall mood. How do you do it? Imagine every single problem you have right now as a balloon or leaves in a stream and visualize them drifting away. You don’t need to control everything. Even if you tried, you couldn’t anyway. Let things be as they are supposed to be.

3. Practice the art of patience.

These last few weeks I have been agitated because I’m impatient. I’d like to move sooner. I’d like to be healthier right now. I’d like to know what I don’t know. I’d like everything I ever wanted to be done in this moment. When I get like this, I’m reminded of a 2-year-old child. It’s normal to want everything right away, but obviously life doesn’t happen this way. If you’re in the creative process, for example, you may become frustrated that you’re not where you want to be. Or you may be an impatient bee like me and want everything to happen right now. How do we get through it? Practice. When the 2-year-old in me screams, “I want it now!” I respond with the following: “Life unravels in divine order.” I heard a similar phrase by Deepak Chopra and while it seems like a silly practice, it works. It reminds me that everything has happened in my life when it should. In order for life to continue to work this way, I need to stand out of the way.

4. Practice the art of present-mindedness.

Sometimes all it takes to get me out of the chaos in my head is breathe. Breathe calm in and stress out. It could be 15-minutes of meditation or just a simple reminder to take a deep breath. When I take the time to do that, I remember that nothing is as important as this moment.

5. Practice the art of self-indulgence.

Remember when you were college and had to pull occasional all-nighters? There was gold at the end of that rainbow. Even though there would be weeks when you would be head in a book, had no social life, and smelled like a rat, eventually life would return to normal. You knew you could get over that hurdle because the end was coming. Why not create an artificial end by practicing the art of self-indulgence? Set up a special day to look forward to in between work stress, test stress or any daily stress. Make a date with your friend, your spouse, or do something on your own. Having that gold to look forward to will make whatever storm you’re currently in seem much more tolerable.

What draws you out from an Eeyore to a Tigger? Is it deep breathing, surfing, playing with your kids/furry kids?

 

 

 

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April 3rd, 2013

The Power of Creativity

{Queen Anne Lace Settee from Joss and Main via Pinterest}

{Baxton Studio chairs from Amazon.com}

 

{Boja pendant lamp from Ikea}

I’ve been in the process of buying our first home so forgive me if this platform has been sparse lately. But don’t forgive me for neglecting creativity.

Creativity is the undercurrent of this blog. It is the root of anything worth its beauty and within its process contains the very essence of life itself. It doesn’t matter if you’re uber creative and masterfully write, paint, or craft for a living. It matters only that you try.

Every person is creative. The need to make something out of nothing stems from a sacred place. We were all “created.” Anyone who has temporarily put down a paintbrush and taken up their computer instead has nostalgia for the first time they created something.

For you who sit and work and live and tend to your children, but do not tend to your own creative garden, this post is for you.

If you are harboring fear, anger, resentment, jealousy, discontent, boredom, lack of meaning in your life, you may be neglecting your creative self.

There have been many people I’ve met who are creatives at heart. They are dramatic and over-the-top, fun to be with, energetic, passionate. But the energy that could be spent on their creativity gets transformed into obsessively worrying, overworking, or an unhealthy focus/obsession on others.

Why would we miss the chance to paint or draw or be out in nature? We deem it unimportant. The older we are, the more we lose the voice that tells us this is important too.

I love what author and speaker Dr. Brené Brown says about creativity on her website and in her book The Gifts of Imperfection:

 “I’m not very creative” doesn’t work. There’s no such thing as creative people and non-creative people. There are only people who use their creativity and people who don’t. Unused creativity doesn’t just disappear. It lives within us until it’s expressed, neglected to death, or suffocated by resentment and fear.

What have you given up as a result of neglecting your creativity?

Is it your life, your freedom, your sense of meaning, your self?

I’ve learned that when I choose to watch TV or internet surf instead of create, my personal and professional life takes a hit. The only way I can continue to grow, to feel purposeful, to feel grounded despite the chaos of daily life, is to partake in an act of creativity.

I vow to take up a creative task daily.

What will you start to create today?

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March 26th, 2013

The Importance of Play in Inspiration

{Etsy art by spunkyfluff}

{Etsy art by spunkyfluff}

Many people get caught up with words like, “progress,” “certainty,” and “maturity.” They worry when they don’t know what they want to be when they grow up. They beat themselves up when two steps forward leads to one step back. They are self-critical and ashamed when they are “acting immature.”

But it’s all part of the process. According to Care of the Soul author Thomas Moore, it’s neglecting the complexities of our inner child (the part of us that is playful, creative and spontaneous) that hurts us most. He says progress and growth are prioritized in our society, but they are not always necessary or relevant. Sometimes in order to grow or heal we need to take a step back. Sometimes in order to know what we want, we need to honor the child. To go forward, it’s imperative that we look back. He believes that taking care of your soul requires that you accept, nurture and pay attention to all aspects of yourself. And in fact, ignoring or attempting to deny your childhood desires, your inner joy, spontaneity, and your creativity can cause significant suffering.

Who you are right at this moment is a conglomeration of who you were, who you are and who you are about to become. To neglect any part of your soul in disgust, distaste or disdain will work against you. It’s like a critical and demanding parent who controls you into being the person they want you to be. You will never know your true purpose or calling if you continue on that path. The only way to awaken the part of you that asks the following:

Who am I?

What do I really want in life?

What do I want to be when I grow up?

…is to listen.

This means prioritizing play in your life. Respect the time you devote to reading, playing, creating and protect it as well as you protect time spent working. Embrace your inner child’s wants without judgment, criticism and reprimand. You’ve had enough of that in your life and that’s the reason why you are where you are in this moment. I’m afraid the only way you can free yourself from the hold of a stifling past is to release your fears and finally respond to the part of you that you’ve been hiding for so long.

It’s a frightening, but worthy cause.

For today, let yourself be immature,

open your eyes to life as if you’ve never explored it before,

and be okay, just for this moment, with not knowing what’s through that unopened door…

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March 21st, 2013

Inspiring Ideas for a Relaxing Retreat

Monterey

Usually it’s not until days or even weeks later when people lament the end of a trip. They gaze teary-eyes out the window about umbrella drinks and shorts wearing weather after they’ve settled comfortably albeit coldly back into their normal life. But for me, I anticipate the end of a trip while I’m still in it, the hours of time I get to idle away, the luxury of building out a day based purely on fun. I’m always looking for ways to freeze every moment in my memory as if it were my last. This past trip I closed my eyes and actually sang along to Christina Aguilera’s newest song, “Feel This Moment,” in the hopes that it would remind me to live fully and as completely as I could.

After returning from what will be my last trip in awhile, I decided to find ways to bring the vacation home to me. It’s not always possible or necessary to devote a fat amount of money or time to a spendy or luxurious vacay. But it’s very doable and I might add important to sprinkle a little pleasure, joy and ease into your every day. Here are a few ideas that may inspire your own retreat, debt-free.

1. Do what you would do on vacation.

When we’re indulging in a little R&R, we take time to sit and read, sip a cup of cocoa, and daydream that we would otherwise label as “wasting time.” But is relaxing a waste? I think not. Devote a few moments a day or even a week to just be and breathe.

2. Pretend you’re a tourist.

You may be like me and think you know your hometown like the back of your hand. But there are always unexplored adventures to seek. I realized that after my husband took me to a park I hadn’t been to, scheduled a comedy show for us to see, and planned a dinner at a restaurant I’ve never been. There are newness and adventure to explore wherever you are. Perhaps, you just need to give as much time and energy to it as you would if you were planning a “real” vacation.

3. Plan a stay-cation.

Just because you’re unable to travel afar, doesn’t mean you can’t pretend you’re far away. Book a hotel room at a nearby city and have fun playing by the pool and savor the sweetness of being away from home, but not really being away.

I was upset as the last rays fell upon another perfect vacation knowing that I would eventually have to return to the daily doldrums that followed every day life. But since returning I’ve found a ray of sunshine follows me whenever I set aside time to be on a pleasure trip, an inner retreat, or a sacred moment to bring all the joys and revery of a vacation home to me.

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March 13th, 2013

When Your Best Isn’t Quite Good Enough

{Etsy print from lizzylemonsouthsea}

{Etsy print from lizzylemonsouthsea}

From Out of Control to Controlling

I felt out of control a lot as a kid. We all did. We were completely dependent on tall, powerful beings that controlled what we could eat, what time we could go to bed, and what we did. While there is comfort in depending on others, it made me feel trapped, unhappy and unsafe. As a result, I developed ways to carve out a sense of freedom in little ways.

It turned me into a nerdy perfectionist. I demanded A’s in all of my classes. And when I didn’t get it? I pulled a Cher (from Clueless) and talked my way into one. This may not sound surprising to you. But imagine a C average grade school student who was so shy she would rather fail a class than do an oral report, and you might understand how shocking this was. But getting good grades was so immediately gratifying! There was nothing else in my life that allowed me to get direct and positive results like that. The idea that I could change my world by simply working hard taught me an important lesson about life:

Hard work = Good grades

Unfortunately, I learned after college and graduate school that life itself didn’t work that way. Sometimes you can try your hardest and still end up failing.

What Failure Means In Your Life

There are many moments in my life when I feel like a failure. I feel it when I don’t get a writing job. I feel it when I’m having a bad day. Sometimes I’m overcome with self-doubt when I wake up in the morning. But I never let it stay.

I realized that I am not God. I don’t know why things are happening so why sabotage the gift of what is for the gift I want.

On Super Soul Sunday, spiritual teacher Panache Desai said something so profound that it completely altered the way I saw my life.

He said, “Life is happening for you and not to you.”

It was just a play on semantics, a simple juggling of words. But the idea stayed with me, shook me up and changed the way I saw everything in my life.

Maybe that writing opportunity I didn’t get wasn’t right for me so it fell out my grasp. Maybe that house I was dreaming about wasn’t taken from me, but hidden for me so that I could find the true home of my dreams.

I used it on a trip to California last week and saw gifts bloom like flowers in Spring time. I didn’t hem or haw over lost sleep one night and the next morning I was grateful for the fatigue-I slept like a baby on the plane. I wasn’t worried about being on standby and got first class instead. I didn’t plan our trip to Monterey and found places my husband and I, who have been there multiple times, had never been. In the week that I was there, I learned that by letting go of my own expectations, I made room for life to unfold as it should. And the outcome was more beautiful, and more breathtaking than I could have imagined.

The thing about failure and about being “good enough” is that it’s all in the eyes of the beholder. Maybe what you’re labeling as failure in your own life is simply your life..

unfolding for you

not to you.

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February 19th, 2013

The Key to Having More

{Etsy print by wickedpaper}

{Etsy print by wickedpaper}

Everyone wants a better life. They desire bigger homes with huge lots, more money, a better job. But when it comes down to it. What we’re really after is more love, deeper relationships, a more meaningful life.

And you can easily get all of those things. You just have to focus on what you really want and stop getting distracted with all the other stuff.

Watching Oprah interview Nate Berkus on Super Soul Sunday was a great validation of that. She talked to him about his newest book, The Things That Matter. I love the title for its simple play on words and its breaking down of the stereotype that things don’t matter, that they are superficial. It also brings attention to the things and people that really do matter. Once you get clear on that, you’re that much closer to getting what you truly want in life.

On Letting Go

One of the reasons why we don’t have what we want at this moment is that we’re holding on to something-a memory, a belief, a relationship-that just doesn’t serve us anymore. We hold on out of fear that we won’t get anything better. We hold on because what we know is less scary than what we don’t know. We hold on out of a lack of faith that we can’t get what we want. We hold on because a foggy past can easily meld into an idealistic memory if we aren’t too careful.

I love what Oprah says about holding on:

“Most people are trying to hold onto wanting the life to be what it was. One of the greatest spiritual lessons I’ve learned from anybody who’s sat in that chair [for Super Soul Sunday] is that when you are resisting the reality of what is that is where all of your suffering comes from. You’re wanting the moment, the time, to be something that it can’t be is what causes the suffering. And your ability to transcend and accept that that is gone, and now I must move on and create a new normal is the real great spiritual lesson no matter what it is you’re going through.” [If you want to watch the entire show, Oprah has the full episode on her website.]

Once we let go of what was, we make room for what is. Life is such a gift if we stand out of our own way and let it happen.

On Gratitude

When we focus on what’s not working, life can be a real bummer and love sucker. When we immerse our selves in what’s working, it’s as if the world opens up like a budding flower. Suddenly, you have a lot more than you think you did. Your friendships may not be working or your job may suck, but you have an understanding partner or feel safe and comfortable at home. Every single person can find something to be grateful for even if it’s for this single breath. When you devote time to what’s working in your life, your life grows.

If you want more in your life, you can create a wish list/collage, you can gripe to your friends about it, but don’t forget to work on these two things. If you do so, you’ll be surprised by how much things change in beautiful and unexpected ways.

What matters to you? Is it your family, your health, your pet dog? What are you most grateful for? Let’s share the love and let it grow here.

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