Okay, I Get It! Surrender...

My primary focus in life has been to evolve as a person and artist; every single day.
Seeking to learn more, serve more, and experience new opportunities and adventures that will elevate my purpose on earth.
Over time, I have discovered practical ways to stay present and achieve balance.
Last year was a time of abundant growth creativity and personally.
Hoping to continue to the momentum, I added another layer to my daily practice of seeking light, releasing negativity, and taking action; I decided to incorporate the action of “surrender.”
To my surprise, the first week of this year was extraordinarily more complicated.
In adding surrender, I somehow lost sight of the fact that I could still, seek light, take action, and be present.
Today, I woke up ready to refocus and remove the “new addition”, and go back to what worked in 2016.
As I turned to my morning reading––currently “The Power Of Now”––I opened my bookmark, and the chapter I turned to was: The Meaning Of Surrender.
Wow; okay, I get it.
God, The Universe, my instinct all said, “You need to learn how to surrender the correct way.”
I reread the chapter and remembered that Action and Surrender can coexist.
In fact, they are both necessary for growth.
Surrender does not mean that I should stop trying and accept that where I’m at is as good as it gets; it simply means trusting that through acceptance of what is, I can further work to seek positive action toward what I want.

Enlightened Thought

While meditating in yoga class yesterday, it occurred to me that people spend a lot of energy and money on “aging gracefully”––in a moment of clarity I realized that the focus should be on “living gracefully.”
That simple, yet powerful switch in my focus allows me the space to evolve into the most enlightened person I can be, as long as I walk (or wheel) the earth.
“I’m not aging––I’m living.”

Life; Evolution and Awareness

Like tastebuds, emotions evolve.
What an exhilarating moment when you no longer desire acceptance;
Instead, finding inner peace, gratitude, and awareness.
The ability to look back into the past with fond memories––without getting stuck there; simultaneously, looking toward the future––without losing the present.

Life Journey

The most challenging journey that I’ll ever experience, is ongoing;
Life––the ability to stay on course.
One step at a time maneuvering through hopes, dreams, goals, fears, setbacks, accomplishments and processing loss;
It’s not about reaching the destination on this adventure.
It’s about seeking joy, becoming enlightened and evolving as a person.

Stay Focused

It’s so easy to slip back into deeply rooted ideas and habits;
They’re safe, comfortable, and familiar––they are also destructive, otherwise we would not have invested the conscious energy in resolving to try something different.
Evolution of the mind and spirit takes conscious effort and dedication.
We all have the opportunity to grow as individuals and expand our potential;
But it requires work to unlock our preset ideas and discover our true selves.

“You are most powerful, most effective, when you are completely yourself.”
––Eckhart Tolle

Saying Goodbye to 2014

Sitting in a gorgeous cabin in the snow covered hills,
I realize how blessed I am.
For no other reason than the simple fact that I have friends and family who share their blessings with me.
2014 has been a year of growth.
It wasn't always easy, nor was it a year full of major victories.
At times I felt like I was in a holding pattern–– every hurdle was twice as high and road blocks kept me changing the course.
I punished myself for things that were out of my control.  
I was angry that I couldn't do more. (A common theme in my life, and a curse that I'm hoping to "resolve" in the New Year.)
I accomplished obstacles that had once been forgotten goals:
going back to school, getting back into acting classes, finding a way (and the time) to stay in yoga.
As with every year, I laughed.  Not nearly enough this year, but that will also be a challenge for 2015.
Loss, sadness and guilt were a major part of 2014.  More than any other year in my life that I can remember.
It's time to let it go.  Saying goodbye is extremely difficult and painful.
However, I've tortured myself enough, and in order to grow––I must forgive myself.
Life is too short, and I have a brightness in me that deserves the opportunity to shine. (We all do.)
So here's a salute to a year of learning, and to the year ahead, may it bring the evolution and opportunity I'm ready for!

Happy New Year!

I love the first day of the year.
Full of hope, fresh energy, and endless possibilities.
I'm that person who sets nearly impossible goals in order to push myself beyond what I think I'm capable of.
With a list longer than Santa's, I work throughout the year to reach new heights.
My mission has shifted in the past three years.
Rather than focusing on crossing things off to say, "I did that!"
My aim is to grow into a more enlightened and evolved human.
Despite natural setbacks, I have continued to surprise myself.
When I release the limitations and leave room for unexpected opportunities,  I remain happy and proud of my personal journey.
2013 was magical, now I'm ready to see what adventure awaits in 2014.
Happy New Year!