Turning empty news boxes into flower beds - Part 1

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 47

I picked up a really cool article recently from a follower on Twitter regarding a street artist named Posterchild. He's turned unused newspaper boxes in Toronto into planters for flowers. Click here to read the article.

It took someone with quite an imagination to see these empty boxes as potential for adding beauty to the Toronto community.

What about your imagination for turning those abandoned areas in your life into 'beautiful flower beds'? Perhaps there were vibrant aspects of your life; talents that you used to help others but now remain dormant. Consider using some imaginative power to put those talents to use once again and beautify your life and community. Get your creative juices flowing! It only takes the initiative, the will and one idea to get the ball of beauty rolling.

If you're daring enough, like Posterchild, you can also use some unconventional methods to create a new trend. Posterchild's trend may catch on in other parts of Canada and U.S. Who knows, this may be a start of something new.

What about your life? Start a new trend and improve and beautify your life.

Mental Exercises - Part 1

Getting my body back - Day 64

Physical exercise does well for the body but mental exercise does even better, not only for the body, but for all areas of your life.

You assess situations and people from your perspective on life and from the way you think. Mental exercise brings you to the point of being in control of what you allow to enter your mind, the way in which you receive this information and processing of these thoughts and images.

You may have never been taught in school to train your mind and perhaps you've never been taught by your parents to do the same, as well. Most people are consciously unaware of how whatever they're putting in their minds is affecting their entire life.

Not because other people are doing something mean that it is right, and furthermore, not because society's behaviour is what is termed 'normal' means that it is right for you and who you desire to be. For example, jogging may be perfectly okay with some folks as a form of exercise but it may be detrimental to your knees and therefore do more damage to you than helping you. It all comes down to what you desire to achieve in your life.

When your mind is not disciplined, the result ends in confusion. Your mind (thoughts in your mind) sends messages directly to your brain and then to your body. Where confusion exists a mixed message is sent and your life has no clear direction.

When your mind is clear on the direction you've defined in your thoughts everything else falls into place.

Fuelling words: I exercise my mind daily to achieve my goals.

As I go about my daily activities, I am consciously emphasizing each bending movement, tightening leg muscles as I go up each step and incorporate stretching in between my activities.

Enriching your life - Part 4

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 46

Every well-nurtured plant or tree gives off the appearance of love, joy, peace and satisfaction. Look at the deep green sturdy leaves of young plants and you'll have that sense of well-being. Any plant that's under-nourished and has droopy leaves is a concern for the gardener.

When you allow love, joy and peace to enrich your mental awareness, satisfaction fills your inner being and your perspective on life changes as you see the beauty in everything and everyone. You are able to look pass the ugly and see the truth of everyone. The truth that we are all one, we all are made up of the same God substance and are of God and from God. You feel less irritated and respond differently to adverse conditions if they come your way.

In the process of your coming into more awareness of love, joy and peace, if you revert to old ways for a second, you're able to remind yourself who you are, change your mindset and act and respond from a place of love, joy and peace. As this becomes your conscious daily practice, it becomes your conscious and subconscious daily way of being.

Experience the essence of life - Part 4

Getting my body back - Day 63

Breathe in life, exhale stress and tension. Feel the air as the freshness travels through your nostrils filling your lungs and relaxing your entire body.

Breathing deeply gets your bodily functions pumping and releases toxins from your body promoting fat-burning.

Shallow breathing cheats you of the benefits you get from deep breathing and is the result of bad breathing habits and busy schedules.

When you slow down or stop and focus on deep breathing, you're allowing yourself to reconnect with nature, with God.

As you breathe in, visualize inhaling new life, greater strength and positive energy. Exhale and release heaviness, depression and negative feelings.

Deep breathing helps to clear your mind and allows you to focus your attention on whatever it is you're working on.

Fuelling words: With every exercise move I make I take a deep breath allowing oxygen to flow to my muscles.

Now that the good weather is here, incorporate exercise into your daily routine even as you go outside and are working around the house.

Enriching your life - Part 3

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 45

If you've ever walked through the woods, you may recall experiencing a sense of peace among the trees. You've felt the cool gentle breeze as it brushed across your face and witnessed the swaying of the trees as the wind blew gracefully through the leaves.

Your senses were so in tuned, every sound enhanced; the chirping of the birds, the rustling of the leaves, the cracking of a branch. This peaceful atmosphere drew your awareness and allowed you to become one with it.

As you took a deep breath, the freshness of the air filled your lungs and it was as if you're breathing in the peacefulness of the woods as your body relaxed under the spell of its tranquility.

Take the time each day to mentally take you to that place and experience of total peace. Be totally aware of the peace that lies within your being and become one with it. Become so in tuned to inner wisdom as you listen deeply. Relive this experience often until it becomes a way of life. Bask in the feelings of peace and let it overflow your life enriching you through and through.

Experience the essence of life - Part 3

Getting my body back - Day 62

Enter into the realm of peace. Choose the essence of peace as it is also the essence of life. Let the peace of your soul calm your mind to experience peace. Feel this peace as it moves through every cell of your body, relaxing all tension and relieving all stress.

See peace as it moves through your veins feeding every blood vessel and nourishing your body cells.

Experience peace as it rests on every thought, enters every adverse condition that you're facing, dissipates confusion, calm every storm.

See the power of peace in its quiet strength shift and move every obstacle, resolve every issue and concern, heal every hurt or injury, mend all brokenness.

See peace as it rests with every decision, small and large and brings clarity in times of obscurity. Let peace like a river flow through your being, refreshing and rejuvenating every part of you.

Deal with everyone and every situation out of the place of peace and experience true essence of life.

Fuelling words: I envision peace in my body as I breathe deeply.

As I go about my daily activities, I am consciously emphasizing each bending movement, tightening leg muscles as I go up each step and incorporate stretching in between my activities.

Enriching your life - Part 2

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 44

Whenever your seedlings are growing well, it's almost as if they're joyful because their leaves perk up and they're nice and sturdy. You could tell by droopy leaves that something is just not right.

You enrich your life when you experience joy. You can experience joy even when your outer world is experiencing adversity. Feeling joy comes from your decision to be joyful. Choose to feel joy.

How do you experience joy when things look bleak?

Stir up the feelings of joy in your inner being. Shift your mind from whatever conditions you may be facing. If your situation feels overwhelming making it appear difficult to stop thinking about it, put on some music that makes you happy or watch a comedy or just have some fun with your children.

Your life is more than your current condition. Know that this too will pass and be joyful in that inner knowing. The more you focus on joy the more joy comes to you; you will draw more joy to you.

Joy adds an extra 'pep in your step' and gives you the energy you require to get you through your days in a healthy mode.

Experience the essence of life - Part 2

Getting my body back - Day 61

Experience the essence of life through your body. Love every inch of you. With all the media hype about the way you should look, the size you should be and if you're not there you're less than perfect, many people have a difficult time loving themselves. The message sent is that you're less than perfect if you're not dressed a certain way or weigh a certain weight.

Experiencing the essence of life does not mean that you stop enhancing and taking care of your body. It means that, in addition to improving your health and maintaining your weight, you enjoy and appreciate every cell in your body. You appreciate all the work that your body has to do to keep you alive despite the way it's treated at times.

Listen to and enjoy the beat of your heart. Perhaps you'll hear a new song in its rhythm. Feel the smoothness of your skin or feel the texture of your hair as you pass your fingers through it. Feel the movement of your body as you walk.

For all of your body was created by God and is of God and is made up of the substance of God. Appreciate God in your body and experience the true essence of life.

Fuelling words: I love every inch of me. I'm alive and full of God in every cell of my body.

Now that the good weather is here, incorporate exercise into your daily routine even as you go outside and are working around the house.

Enriching your life - Part 1

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 43

Every gardener knows that nutrient-enriched soil produces healthy crop. Similarly, an enriched life promotes a healthy life style.

How do you enrich your life?

Choose to love. Decide to experience love from your inner being, for you are surrounded by the Spirit of love. Connect with this love. Be always conscious of love. Act and live out of love. In every situation, ask, "What would love do?" Consciously feel the feelings of love; for yourself, your family and others around you.

As you connect with this love, allow the warmth of love to fill and saturate your inner being. If you sit in front of a camp fire you feel the warmth of the flames, but if you move away, you begin to feel cool. It is the same with love. If you remain consciously connected with the Source of love, you will constantly experience the warmth of love and thereby enable to express that love to others.

Enrich your life with the warmth of love.

Experience the essence of life - Part 1

Getting my body back - Day 60

Life can become so distracting that we miss the essence of living and before you know it you've not truly enjoyed the beautiful moments of life. Life has gone by and you look back and wonder what happened.

Have you ever asked the question, "What is the meaning of life?" Every aspect of life is to be enjoyed to the fullest; every moment to be lived in joy. Moment by moment, find the true essence in life even in the midst of your adverse conditions. Ask the questions, "Where is the good in this situation? Where is the diamond in the rough? How can I see beauty in the ugly and light in the darkness?"

When you begin to ask questions, be open to receive the answer and when it comes, focus on it. The answer is your 'hope nugget' to carry you through whatever it is you're facing. It is the essence of life for you at that time to return you to a place of faith and peace regardless of what you're going through. It is the peace that you'll experience, knowing that you're soon to manifest the way out.

It is the simple things in life that reminds us of the true essence of life that brings us back to the real reason for living.

Fuelling words: I appreciate the simple things of life - walking, moving my arms, seeing the beauty all around - for these are the true essences of life.

Now that the good weather is here, incorporate exercise into your daily routine even as you go outside and are working around the house.

Defining who you are

Tending the garden of your heart - Day 42

You are the gardener in the garden of your life. It is you who are steering your ship in the direction you desire for it to go. The deciding factor is not your external circumstances for your external circumstances are results of your decision, whether consciously or unconsciously.

We've been taught to respond to our lives according to what the external issues present to us. But in order to master your life, you need to adopt a new mindset.

1) Declaration - I am the master of my life.
2) I create and recreate my life because it is in my power to do so with the guidance of the Spirit.
3) I choose to live my life in the grandest way that represents who I choose to be.
4) I feel the feelings of my inner being.
5) I am honest about my true feelings regarding who I am.
6) I decide to design my life in the truth that represents me.
7) I allow my thoughts to focus only on those things that come in alignment with the person I declare that I am.

Use these tips as guidelines to create and recreate your life, define who you are and truly design the garden of your life.

The role of your body

Getting my body back - Day 59

Your body plays a vital part of your life but it is not the one that gives the instructions and the deciding factor of who you are.

Your body's role is the physical expression of who you have decided to create yourself to be. It is the outward display of your inner declaration of your godly design.

Your body responds to and expresses the message you have sent it whether consciously or unconsciously. You are the commander of this ship and the cells in your body responds to the direct message you've sent it.

Whatever you've decided that you desire to project in your life, whether consciously or by default, your body will do as you instructed it.

Use your body as the tool to express your divine inner creativity. Use your body as a light to others. Use your body as a symbol to elevate others to fulfill their highest potential. Protect your body as it is the medium to showcase the inner light that dwells in you that others may follow.

Fuelling words: My body carries the rich treasure of divinity within my being, therefore, I care for my body, that the full light of the presence of God will be experienced and shared with others.

Working out in the garden can give you the extra exercise required to reach muscles regular exercises may not reach.

Expansion of love

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 41

Mother Nature's love nurtures plants and trees endlessly, and because of this love plants and trees can do what they were planted to do. Because of this sustaining love, vegetable plants and fruits expand this love to feeding us, as well as, the animals.

In the same manner, God's love sustains us and if we connect with this love we experience growth to the point of bearing fruit. This fruit we share with others becoming a source of nourishment and sustenance for them. This love does not just belong to our loved ones but expands to encircle any and everyone with whom we come in contact, recognizing that we are all one in God, treating others with love and respect. Love extending even to those who don't think highly or kindly toward us.

Our normal tendency to others who ill-treat us is to respond unkindly, as well. But true love understands that as you do to the other you've also done so to yourself.

Decide now to let true love abound in you to the expansion to and the inclusion of others unrelated to you.

Mind, Body, Soul - Part 6

Getting my body back - Day 58

Once you've decided to live in oneness with the Spirit, seeing yourself as one and the same with the Creator, you are free to create and live your life in harmony with the Creator and with the Spirit's guidance.

You consciously make the decision to be and live in one with the Spirit, you declare this daily. You be it every hour, every minute, every second of the day, every day. You choose this highest experience in your life because it is who you are and who you were created to be and experience.

See your life from a new perspective, removing all limitations, restrictions and boundaries you've put on yourself that is a direct violation of who God created you to be. For you are God's greatest expression of himself, in your life, as you create the life you were given to live, in honour of your divine self and in honour of God's glory.

Express divinity in all of your life from the inside out.

Fuelling words: I honour my body and honour God as I care for this outer temple.

Incorporating exercises into your daily routine consciously engaging the muscles - housecleaning, sitting at the computer, etc.

Love conquers all

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 40

Every gardener will go to great lengths to care for his or her garden. Even though gardening is hard work, the gardener joyously toils knowing the harvest time will come and then he or she will celebrate.

It's the gardener's pleasure to sit and feast on the fruit of his or her labour, and is proud to show off the garden and its fruit. No matter the thorns, the tilling, the weeding, the gardener keeps keeping on, taking joy in knowing that all the work he or she has put into this garden will soon pay off.

As you express your nurturing love to others, regardless of the obstacles, the struggles, keep keeping on. Know that all your work will not be in vain. One day you will enjoy the fruit of your labour.

If you have children you nurture them will your love, your instructions, daily reminding them and instructing them in the way that is best. Even though at times they may not listen, you keep keeping on; disciplining, loving, guiding. One day you will enjoy the rewards of your love.

What about friends, other relatives, husband, or wife? Let your love outshine every obstacle. Yes, you may disagree, after all you have your own mind, and they have theirs, but let love reconcile you. Let your love be more important than your disagreement. Have your disagreement because it identifies who you are, but let not disagreements separate your love.

Agree to disagree, but agree to agree that love will always conquer all. Once you've settled that in all of your relationships with others, it does not matter what comes your way. Deal with the issue in love as much as is possible but determine to let love be the final outcome. See others through the eyes of love and then your perspective on your disagreement or indifference will change. Let not your mould hill of disagreement turn into a mountain too hard to climb. See love and love will bring down every mountain turning it into rubble.

Mind, Body, Soul - Part 5

Getting my body back - Day 57

How do the soul, mind and body become one with the Spirit?

1) First of all, you set your intentions on being one. Decide that you are one with the Spirit. Know that you are one. Make a mental decision that you are one with the Spirit.

2) Become in tuned to the inner voice. In order to become acquainted with and recognize the inner wisdom, you must spend time listening. Listen in the silence, in quiet meditation, letting your mind become quiet as you turn your ear inwardly.

3) Train yourself to listen. Listen as you go about your daily business.

4) Invite and allow the Spirit to be involved in your daily life. Speak with the Spirit and allow the Spirit to speak back to you in whatever way the Spirit chooses; whether in the still small voice, an idea or through others. The Spirit is not confined to prayer time in your bedroom or on Sunday at church. The Spirit is available at all times, anytime, anywhere.

When I worked as an insurance claims assistant/adjuster, time constraints and organization was essential for keeping up with the changing demands of my job. Sometimes my co-worker would walk into my office and ask, "Talking to yourself?" and I would answer, "Yes," and I'd also add, "I'm talking to my files."

As you can imagine, she'd look at me really strange. That's okay; I could be 'weird' that way. But I'd rather be 'weird' that way and get the answers that I'm looking for, because while I'm supposedly 'talking to my files', I'm listening inwardly to the direction I'm receiving to effectively carry out my job.

I did my job from the inside out. I dealt with clients from the inside out. I felt their need and worked with them to help them get what they needed. So if being a little bit 'weird' caused me to be compassionate toward others, then, count me in.

If I got frustrated during the day, I'd stop, get up, perhaps go to the bathroom and come back with a fresh perspective on things. That's being one with the Spirit. That's working with the Spirit. Always asking how do I do this, help me with that, raise me above this feeling.

It doesn't matter the issue; small, medium, large or super-sized. It's a part of my daily life with my children and my husband. It's what makes me who I am, in my uniqueness, and it is what makes you, you in your uniqueness as you yield and become one. You don't lose who you are. You enhance and free you to truly be and experience you.

Fuelling words: I receive wisdom from the Spirit, through my soul, felt in my inner feelings, inspired in my mind, expressed in my body and displayed in my outer world.

Enjoy the nice weather. Go outside for a walk. Workout outdoors. Workout on an exercise ball.

Wisdom to love

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 39

The impartial love of Mother Nature continues to nurture plants and trees whether or not they are growing right or producing fruit. Her love is not because of but in spite of.

We, too, should follow the example set for us in our dealings with each other. Unconditional love looks beyond the fault of another and continues to love. Love is. Whether or not circumstances are favourable, love continues to love. It does not stop loving when another is unkind.

Love, however, should not be taken for granted and f0r a ride. Neither is love simplistic and foolish. As a matter of fact, love is like a deflector. Whatever you do to love comes right back at you, whether good or bad.

The wisdom of love allows truth to prevail; truth to the offender that they may recognize their offense, turn away from it and is set free and truth to the one who embraces love that he may receive more love to continue to give love.

When you encounter any adverse circumstances or offending individuals, search for the answer for what love would do. The wisdom of love imparts to you guidance in your dealings with everyday life.

Mind, Body, Soul - Part 4

Getting my body back - Day 56

Last time, we talked about the glitch in the connection between the mind and the soul by societal conditioning and retraining. We'll continue from here.

In one's attempt to be like everybody else, you lose your uniqueness, inspired creativity and connectivity to your soul and Spirit. Life becomes empty and dull as you try to find your place. Full expression of the Spirit, imparted through your mind, body and soul, contributes to your unique embedded make-up. If you were created to think as another, you would have been given their brain. If you were to feel like someone else, you would have been given their feelings. In the same way, your body and your soul express who you are.

In order to get your attention, the Spirit periodically sends messages to your outer world; in nature, through messengers, perhaps a sign on a billboard or through a cloud in the sky. If the messages are not understood, another may be sent to your body; whether through sickness, through the awesome miracle of life or adverse circumstances. I am not advocating that God puts the sickness on you, but unfavourable events do create opportunities for soberness.

Messages may also be sent to the mind; through your understanding of events or creativity. One or a combination of these avenues may be used with constant signs, symbols and examples to get you to turn toward the Spirit and stir up your curiosity enough for you to reconnect to the Source.

As we yield to the Spirit's call, we find that our perspective on life changes. We become calmer and more attentive to the details of life. The things we've taken for granted in the past, we've come to appreciate them and are thankful for them. What made us anxious, we embrace with peace. What made us worry, we now have the confidence that all is working out to bring us good. What you focused on before now becomes dim and faded as your focus shifts to the light within.

You are unique and your connection to the Spirit through your soul is also unique. My method may not be the same as yours, but as you turn and move forward to the Spirit's light, the way is opened to you to enter in and be one in unique communion with the Alpha and Omega of your soul.

Fuelling words: I allow the Spirit to be expressed through my soul, my mind and my body.

Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.

Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.

Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.

Mix it up, adding variety.

The pruning process of love

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 38

Love nurtures with tenderness and gentleness; however, love also expresses itself in firmness and strength.

Dried leaves fall off of trees and plants when they no longer serve their purpose on them. A gardener prunes a tree, removing dead branches and leaves, in order for it to bear more fruit.

For you to fulfill your life purpose, the pruning process of love is essential. Holding on to things that are hindering you from or that are not taking you in the direction of fulfilling your ultimate purpose, robs you of the joy of life and the joy of purpose.

You are free to make choices in your life and therefore those choices you make should reflect who you choose to be, allowing other things in your life that do not serve your ultimate purpose to fall off or be removed.

Keep this in mind, that which you have pruned, even though it is not currently active in your life, may be used for future reference in carrying out your purpose.

Sometimes the decision to removing the non-beneficial aspect of your life may seem difficult, but being aware that this is part of your growth process makes the transition worthwhile.

Yield to the pruning process today, and as nature shows us, experience the fullness of your fruitfulness, thereafter.

Mind, Body, Soul - Part 3

Getting my body back - Day 55

Our mind, body and soul were designed to work together in unison with the Spirit.

The order

The Spirit communicates to the soul. The soul receives the Spirit's message and communicates it to the mind. The mind receives the message of the soul, which came from the Spirit, and communicates this message to the body. The body receives the message, which came from the Spirit, through the soul, then the mind and finally expresses and manifests the desire of the Spirit in the outer world.

All of this was intended to be a free flow, but there's a glitch in this cycle. See, the Spirit and soul remains in constant communion with each other. The mind sends its messages to the body and the body responds and sends its message in return. But somehow the connection between the soul and the mind was disrupted. How? By reprogramming by society, parents, friends, in most cases, unintentionally.

Babies have the innate ability to know when they are hungry. They begin bobbing their little heads attempting to suckle. They do not need to be told to crawl or walk. They know exactly when it is time. As a child grows, some, if not most, of these natural tendencies are suppressed due to societal conditioning. They are retrained to ignore and disregard their natural instincts.

In some cases, ridiculed by their peers, perhaps called nuts or weird if they speak of communicating with God or the Spirit or following their inner intuition. Soon enough, they no longer pay attention to the prompting of their inner soul and succumb to spiritual deafness, giving more attention to the outer world, their external senses and awareness. The voice on the outside grows louder than the voice within.

Think on these things and tomorrow we will continue from here.

Fuelling words: I listen closely to my soul as it inspires me as I move forward to achieve my ideal weight and it leads me on the path that is best for me.

Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.

Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.

Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.

Love promotes growth

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 37

Love promotes growth. Nurturing which comes from the heart of love promotes growth. If you've ever left a garden to itself without care, weeds begin to overtake it, and before long, what was once a beautiful garden or could have been a beautiful garden, has now lost the opportunity to express that beauty. Lack of care gives way to the infestation of weeds and bugs.

Love, God's love which flows through your soul needs to express itself in and through you. It desires the opportunity to nurture you, infilling you and overflowing your being into physical expression. With that physical expression of love into others, they are therefore nurtured. Not only do you experience personal growth and the blossoming of your inner and outer garden, but you allow others to experience the same because of your love.

How do you express this love?

Love requires no instructions of how to love. You just love. You feel love and then express love. If instruction is required, then you need to return to the Source of love, feel and experience this love and you'll be moved from within to outwardly express that love to another.

Therefore, in what form should love be expressed?

In a kind thought, word, deed. Be kind in your thoughts towards others, for if you are unkind in your thoughts, your negative energy is transmitted to them. Without a spoken word, they feel your negativity toward them.

Be kind in your words. The way you speak with others and what you say to others can either uplift them or stomp them down, making them feel smaller than an ant.

Love in your deeds. Whatever you do to or for someone, feel the feelings of love from your heart and the feelings and energy of love will be communicated to their inner being that they are loved and that they are important. In so doing, you empower another to feel good about him or herself and know that they are worth more than they think of themselves.

Make love your quest to receive and experience and then give to others that new life may blossom from you and others with whom you share that love.

Mind, Body, Soul - Part 2

Getting my body back - Day 54

In order to satisfactorily explain the mind, body and soul, we need to first look at the Spirit in simplistic terms.

The Spirit is the central intelligence where omniscience (all knowing), omnipresence (being everywhere at once), omnipotence (all power) exists. The Spirit is not constrained by time. The Spirit is the creator, the circle of life, love, peace, joy, patience, tolerance and the all-in-all, the Source.

Now, let's take a look at the soul. The soul is the part of the Spirit that defines you; who you are in relation to the Spirit. The Spirit gave birth to and continues to give life to the soul. All that the soul knows and desires to be comes from the Spirit. It communicates the desires of the Spirit with respect to the Spirit's desires to be expressed specifically through your soul.

It is important to note that not all expression of desires of the Spirit is the same for each soul. The Spirit's desires differentiate from soul to soul. All soul desires come from the central intelligence of the Spirit.

Out of the soul comes the mind, where thoughts, intentions, decisions, creativity, awareness and consciousness dwell. Your body is the next connection from Spirit, soul, mind. It is the physical expression of you; you in manifested form.

Tomorrow we will make the connection between each; the Spirit, the soul, the mind and the body.

Fuelling words: I understand the Spirit, soul, mind and body that I may allow full expression of who I am.

Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.

Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.

Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.

Out of the bed of love

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 36

Nature has an innate ability to nurture the plants and trees relying on her with the love of sustenance within her soil.

Out of the soil's bed of love springs forth life and life is sustained.

It is out of this love, the love that's embedded within our souls, that our life flows out of, and that which sustains every part of our growth, development and relations with others.

Live your life from love. Whatever you do, do because of love. Develop love for yourself; for in so doing you love God. Develop love for others, for in so doing, you love yourself. For whatever you desire that others do to you, do to them and for them.

Out of the bed of love springs forth flowers of goodness, kindness, graciousness, compassion, tenderness and tolerance. Mother Nature cares for the earth that all may benefit and enjoy the fruit of her love.

Develop your talents and abilities out of the heart of love for yourself, love for others and ultimately love for God.

Mind, Body, Soul

Getting my body back - Day 53

You are a three part being consisting of mind, body and soul. No part is better or greater than the other; therefore no part should be given more attention to than the other. As a matter of fact, each part relies on each other and should work together in unison to bring about a satisfied and well-balanced life.

In today's society, so much emphasis is placed on looking good and the preoccupation with one's external appearance takes precedence over one's soul. With the media promoting outward appearances as the focal point and less emphasis on one's spiritual appearance, it is small wonder that our society seem to disregard the other parts of our being.

Don't get me wrong, I do believe in looking your best. I, too, desire to look a certain way physically, and I strive to do that, especially when I'm leaving my house to venture out into public's viewing. But if that's all there is, then life is being lived on a superficial level and we have yet to know who we are.

We are more than just fancy clothes, perfect body, make-up and perfumes. These are but the passing of flowers in a field.

What about developing our minds, and essentially the core of everything, communion and connection with our souls. The scripture says that God breathe breath into Adam and he became a living soul. The breath of God made Adam alive. If you cut off your oxygen supply, how is your life sustained?

You can have the best looking body on the block, the nicest nails, great hair cut and best looking outfit, but if your soul is empty what kind of life would that be; a cute empty life? How fulfilled would you be? How satisfied would you be? And most importantly, what would be the purpose of your life?

Life is definitely more than fancy clothes, perfect body and external appearances. Though these are important, they are not paramount.

Wear your fancy clothes, get your perfect body, but when it is all said that done, ensure that you are and remain connected to the Source and sustenance of your life.

Fuelling words: I am regenerated and energized today because I breathe the breath of God. My soul is refreshed and I live my life on purpose.

Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.

Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.

Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.

Be the change you desire to be

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 35

An apple fruit comes from an apple tree which grows out of an apple seed. The fruit is contained in the nature of the tree. We know that an apple tree cannot suddenly bear plums because the nature of it, in its entirety, is that of a plum tree. The fruit is a direct result of what type of tree it is from seed to tree. The fruit borne is in the nature of the tree.

In order for you to change you must be the change that you desire to be. As an apple tree is an apple tree from seed to plant to fruit, so you must begin from the clear focused decision on what you desire to accomplish in your life and set your intention on the type of person you desire to be.

This is the first seed of thought, followed by focused attention on being what you desire. You see yourself in your mind's eye, your imagination, your visualization (they're all the same thing) and experience the feeling, deep in your inner being, or as some would say, your gut feeling. Go to that place over and over daily.

Let go and let God. Everything will fall into place. Once you've completed your session of visualization, you consciously release your desire into God's hands; some call it releasing it into the universe. Universe or God, they're one and the same. God is everywhere and the universe is in God.

Allow yourself to experience the feeling of achieving what you desire until it begins to materialize. It is important to note, that as you're inspired to act, the inner feeling or knowing that you should do something, follow that feeling and act. Sometimes, no inspiration comes because the answer may come directly to you.

Gratitude: Remember to give thanks for what you desire to have. This thankfulness is your expression of being grateful for what you have already received. If someone gives you something, you say, "Thank you." Saying thank you is acting as if you've already received what you've asked for.

You don't have to physically have that thing in your hand for you to express thankfulness. Saying thank you is saying to God, "I know you have heard me, I receive what I have asked for and the answer is now here." You keep being thankful until your desire has manifested itself into your outer reality.

This daily practice becomes embedded in your conscious, as well as your subconscious, thereby transforming and renewing your mind.

Visualization to getting your body back - Part 5

Getting my body back -Day 52

At the onset of every achievement lies the deep desire to attain it. It is that deep desire within you that causes you to become determined and persistent in its fulfillment.

When you desire to have something badly enough you give your attention to it night and day until you arrive at the finish line. As you remain focus on your goal, allowing the feeling of achievement to engulf your being, you receive the energy you need to keep moving forward regardless of any obstacles, regardless of how many times you've failed, stumbled or fallen down.

As long as you hold fast your vision and keep visualizing your desire, it will come to you, it will happen to you and for you. Rest if you must, walk slowly if you have to, but keep moving. Don't stop. For a long as you stop, you're not getting closer to your goal. If your vehicle is parked, you'll never get from point A to point B. However, if you're driving, even if you're driving slowly, keeping your destination as your focal point, you will get there.

At the onset of achieving any goal, you're motivated and full of energy, but it is the daily visualization that keeps you connected to keeping the dream alive and pushes you forward to the final end. It is on this journey that you pay attention to the lessons learned and cherish these gems, for these nuggets are the ones you keep dearest to you for future use to achieve other goals and share with others, as well.

Fuelling words: I keep focused on my desire regardless of obstacles I encounter until I reach my goal.

Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.

Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.

Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.

Getting to the heart of the matter

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 34

The kind of plant you get is as a result of the seed sown, whether or not you were consciously aware of what type of seed it was when it was sown. You cannot change the type of plant a seed produces. You would not sow the same seeds over and over again and expect something different to spring up.

Similarly, you cannot treat the symptom if your desire is to eradicate the problem altogether. Whether your symptom is a financial or health issue, fixing it from the external does not produce the permanent results you're looking for.

You need to get to the heart or root of the matter and that begins with the way you think and your connection with the Source. As you engage in daily transformation and renewing of the mind, you are choosing to sow new and different seeds of thought and therefore affect the final result of your desires.

Visualization to getting your body back - Part 4

Getting my body back - Day 51

Working out the butt and full body work out.

Visualization comes into play when you're working on reshaping your butt and your entire body. It is important to place emphasis on the feeling factor. I've used getting your body back into shape as an example; however, this is the basis for any aspect of your life that you're working to change. It takes the same principles; beginning from the inside, from the root of where all change begins, and working outward - the physical expression of the change that took place within.

Feeling your feelings is the driving force behind your visualization to acquire what you desire. Note here, I didn't say what you want but what it is you desire. Wanting leaves you in the state of wishing to have something but not truly believing that you can really attain it. Whereas desire communicates the deeper inner longing of the soul and the clarity of knowing exactly what it is you wish to have.

With desire, because you are so clear on the desired outcome, you are focusing on this final result and are engaged in experiencing the feelings of having that desire, in the now. Specific desire states the amount of money you wish to have, the ideal weight you see yourself at, the kind of car you want to drive, the type of personality you like in a life partner...

As stated in a previous post, our brain does not differentiate between real and imagined, therefore, it is in this feeling of your feelings that you engage the powers of the unseen realm to work on your behalf, in addition to directing your body to respond to the brain's instructions.

Fuelling words: I engage in the feeling of my feelings in order that I may experience, in the now, the achievement of my desired result until it becomes a part of my manifested reality.

Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.

Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.

Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.

Listening to your inner spirit

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 33

How do you listen to your inner spirit?

A plant or a tree's root is not separate from it. A plant's stem or a tree's trunk remain as one with the leaves and roots. Together they are one unit. The tree's life is sustained so that it can carry out its purpose; live and bear fruit.

When we listen to our inner spirit and remain connected, we align ourselves to fulfill our purpose and bear fruit, as well.

Everyone is unique, and what may work for me may not work for you. The whole idea is for you to connect to the Source in a way that is unique to you; a way that falls in line with your deep inner feelings.

Here is an excerpt from Neale Donald Walsch's, 'Conversations with God':

"Get close to me. Do what you can. Do what you have to. Do what it takes.
Each of you has your own construction.
I am the wind which rustles your hair.
I am the sun which warms your body.
I am the smell of flowers in the air.
And I am the flowers which send their fragrance upward.
I am the air which carries the fragrance.
I am the beginning of your first thought.
I am the end of your last.
I am the idea which sparked your most brilliant moment.
I am the glory of its fulfillment.
I am the feeling which fueled the most loving thing you ever did.
I am the part of you which yearns for that feeling again and again.
Whatever works for you, whatever makes it happen.
Whatever ritual, ceremony, demonstration, meditation, thought, song, word or action it takes for you to reconnect, do this.
Do this in remembrance of me."

End of excerpt.

Once you've found your way of reconnecting to the Source, keep connecting. Make it your regular conscious practice until it becomes your habitual way of life, that you may live your life with purpose, knowing who you are.

Visualization to getting your body back - Part 3

Getting my body back - Day 50

Working out the abs.

After having a baby, one of the first areas a woman likes to begin working out is her abs. This puts me in this category as I recently had my 7th, and is certainly one of my areas I'm working on.

So, how do you use the power of visualization to assist in the manifestation of the desired look of your abs?

It is important to know that whenever you make a decision to achieve a particular goal, whatever aid you require to help you will become available to you. Whether it is in the form of information from a friend, an article that caught your attention on the internet or newspaper, an idea from a television show, or the inspiration to go to the library to check out the informative know-how, it will come to you naturally. Waiting for the inspired idea to bring you to manifestation of your desire will put you on the path that is right for you.

As you work on the abs, whether it's crunches or walking up a hill (which will engage the abs, as well), see in your mind's eye your ideal goal. Visualize the muscles working, tightening and flattening and taking on its new shape and form. Remember, feeling the feelings now as if you've achieved your goal engages you in the creative process, bringing both the unseen realm and the physical realm working in sync to complete the desired results.

Fuelling words: I'm engaged in the creative process with the unseen, as well as, the physical realm bringing me closer to my goal.

Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.

Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.

Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.

Wisdom to know

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 32

Every plant and tree becomes stronger daily as their roots go deep into the soil. Every ring around a tree tells the age of the tree. The tree's bark acts as its protection. With the roots anchoring the tree, supplying it with water and nutrients and the bark with the hard outer protection, a tree is equipped to handle varying weather conditions.

As humans, we have the resilience to weather many different weather conditions in our lives. Some of these conditions we may have allowed to break us and some have made us stronger. When you remain connected to the Source of Life, you begin to see these conditions as opportunities for growth.

Regardless of what conditions come your way, your assurance comes from the fact that you are connected to God. No matter what, you know that you will come out victorious. The mindset you adopt then, as a tree is secure in its place, so too, is your anchored roots sure. You gain wisdom in handling every situation.

Sometimes your instruction may include resting in your position. By resting, I mean be at peace, all is well. Other times, you're instructed to act, and then you act. Wisdom comes in every situation as you listen to your inner spirit.

Visualization to getting your body back - Part 2

Getting my body back - Day 49

Time to work on the legs.

Visualization goes deeper than the surface. When you engage the emotions it causes the entire universe to move into motion on your behalf. There's more occurring in the unseen realm than what we can physically see with our naked eyes.

As you workout your legs, not only should you visualize what your ideal leg and thigh size and shape should be, but feel how you would feel once you've reached your goal. This powerful action is sending this message to your brain which in turn sends the message to your body. A new order has been sent out bringing you the results you desire.

If you're unable to connect with the feeling of reaching your goal, before you do your workout, think about how you felt when you were at your ideal weight. If this is difficult, finding pictures or images of your ideal size can be a great aid to imagining how you'd feel.

I find that being honest with what you desire to manifest brings the manifestation at a faster rate. Because, as you communicate with your own heart how you feel about something, you begin to see what it is you truly desire and it makes it easier to produce the necessary feelings to achieving your goals.

Fuelling words: I feel the joy of achieving the goal that I visualize.

Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.

Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.

Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.

Bloom and let others enjoy your fragrance

Tending the garden of the heart - Day 31

Every flower in the garden has its own fragrance and each fragrance gives off its own unique distinctive aroma. The smell of roses is very different from the relaxing scent of lavender. It is said that the scent of lavender protects insects from eating the leaves of roses. But both flowers add their richness to the garden and bring joy to the gardener.

Similarly, when you let your talents grow and come into full bloom, you allow others in the garden of life to benefit from your rich fragrance; whether bringing them protection or joy.

You never know whose live you my change, transform or save. For this time and era you have been placed to make a difference. You only need to decide that you would allow your innate gifts the opportunity to evolve from seed to maturity. You not only satisfy your needs when you do this, but contribute to the needs of society as a whole unit.

Bloom and let others enjoy your fragrance.

Visualization to getting your body back - Part 1

Getting my body back - Day 48

Okay, mother's week and mother's day is over. I hope you had a great time. I know I did. Now, it's time to get back on track.

We're going to focus on the specifics of visualization when working out. The principles could also be applied to any issue or project you're working on.

Visualization is a powerful enhancing tool used to get your mind and body motivated into action. It sends the message to your brain as the brain does not differentiate the difference between real and imagined.

If you've ever tried imagining that you're happy and excited about something, you may have found your body energy responding to your happy excited feeling. Your brain doesn't know that you're pretending. Similarly when you use visualization in your workout, your brain sends your desired message to the rest of your body and your body, in turn, goes into response mode to the message delivered.

Arms workout

Today, we'll deal with working out the arms. Whether or not you're using weights, focus on feeling the movement and really work the muscles. As you do this, see (imagine) your arms as your ideal size. See the ripped muscles as you engage in the movement. Doing this allows the brain to send the message to the muscles in the arms to take on this new shape. You're engaging your mind, your brain and your body to bring you the results you desire.

Fuelling words: My arms are slender and ripped. My brain is sending this new message to my arms and the cells are working now with this new message to bring me to my goal.

Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.

Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.

Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.

Excerpt from the book - Conversations with God

God's assurance to us.

I feel that I`m being taken on a higher journey in my understanding of life and my spiritual adventure. I share with you an excerpt taken from `Conversations with God`.

``If you have questions, day to day questions... Know that you can call on me to answer them. This is not the only way I speak to you. Listen to me in the truth of your soul. Listen to me in the feelings of your heart. Listen to me in the quiet of your mind. Here me everywhere.

Whenever you have a question, simply know that I have answered it already. Then, open your eyes to your world. My response could be in an article already published, in a sermon already written and about to be delivered, in a movie now being made, in a song just yesterday composed, in the words now being said by a loved one, in the heart of a new friend about to be made.

My truth is in the whisper of the wind, the babble of the brook, the crack of the thunder, the tap of the rain. It is the feel of earth, the fragrance of the lily, the warmth of the sun, the pull of the moon.

My truth and your surest help in time of need is as awesome as the night’s sky and is simply incontrovertibly trustful as a baby’s gurple. It is as loud as a pounding heartbeat and as quiet as a breath taken in unity with me. I will not leave you. I cannot leave you. For you are my creation and my product, my daughter and my son, my purpose and myself.

Call on me therefore, wherever and whenever you are separate from the peace I am. I will be there with truth and light and love.``

Taken from Conversations with God - Neale Donald Walsch

You have the Blue Print to Life

You have the blue print to life and success within you.

As a mom, whether or not you are pregnant now, you are experiencing or have experienced and witnessed the creative process as it unfolded within you- from beginning to the manifestation. You carry a great treasure and hold the key to life within your make up.

For the birthing of a dream from conception to birth, every stage of a baby's development is a measuring line to the growth process of a dream.

God has created your body with such intricate magnificence to physically express the creative process from thought, whether consciously or unconsciously, to action, producing the result of conception and the growing process leading to the final stage of birth.

You are God's magnificent masterpiece and co-creator with him. Your physical body was masterfully put together to express life.

God has given you the blueprint to unconditional love; love that goes beyond fault, the 'in spite of' love, and not the 'because of' love. When you look into the eyes of your little ones you see beyond the snotty nose, dirty diapers and even the cheeky lips.

You have the inner strength to overcome many obstacles and endure many trials. But as you have endured through labour and has pulled up on hidden strength within you to get you through this process, so too, have you pulled up on deep inner strength to pull you through tough times and to sustain you.

You have many lessons hidden within your being and your physical body. Mother, you have touched love and love flows in and through you. Let the soil of Love nurture you as you have nurtured others and enrich yourself.

Today is your special day. Be saturated with the Love of Life, embrace it and let Love be your guide. For out of the soil of Love will you radiate your true graciousness and light. Mother, let your light shine before others. Let the deep waters of your heart connect to the Source today and overflow with refreshing life. Let the radiance of your beauty flow from within. Shine bright, mother and let the warmth of your love embrace the land.

Momspiration: To my dearest mom: you have given me life. You've taught me love that I may express love. Your love is strong and bold. You've molded and shaped me with the strength of your love. Thank you, Mom. I love you. I bless you. I honour you.

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Mother's song by Baby C

How do you embrace freedom?

You've probably heard the term, 'embrace freedom'. But how do you truly embrace freedom?

First of all, in order for you to embrace freedom you must first believe that you are free. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. How do you suppose he maintained his sanity for such a long time and rose to the top to become President of South Africa?

There had to be something greater than his natural surroundings, his circumstances. He was physically imprisoned, but no one can truly imprison one who's free in his soul, whose freedom is not dependent on external circumstances but who has freed his mind and has embraced freedom in his heart and mind and found his freedom within himself.

Freedom must first come from within, then, no one can limit you because you are coming from a place where no human hands can touch and keep you in bondage; the place where the Holy One dwells and where you are hidden in Christ in God - the place where you discover that you are one with the Master Freedom. What bars can hold such a person who is so connected. Who can enter into that realm to hold you hostage?

There is where you find your freedom. Therefore, no matter what your external conditions try to say to you, you shift your mental focus to the inward voice and become one with it. Then, you can truly say to your external circumstances that you are free. Free to live and be. Because he that dwells within, whom you have become one with and heed the voice, has given you the freedom to be you.

It took him Mandela 27 years of preparation for what was to be a major change in modern history. Once you've acknowledged and embraced your freedom, let your freedom be your state of heart and mind regardless of what the external says. As Mandela did, use this time as the preparatory period for the manifestation of your freedom.

It is imperative that you hold on until the inner reality becomes physically visible so that you may be a demonstration and testimony to others that freedom truly exists.

Shake off the shackles from your mind. Let your mind line up with the voice, the creator that is one with your spirit, then you would see your world from a different view point and live the life you were placed to live; a true ambassador of the kingdom of heaven.

Momspiration: I dwell in the secret place of the most high. I abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my strength. I stand firm."

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