Final Draft is not final: Revising your story.

Your life: What a story to tell. 

In the Joyous Living Journal, March 8 is titled, The Script of your Life.  Rewriting your life story can be quite an undertaking, especially if not ready for it.  Imagine everything that you are, everything that you thought you knew, all being completely topsy-turvy.  How would you be in the world if everything was turned upside down?  When you are living with remnants of thoughts that do not serve you, seeking out a change to living may start to look alluring.  It can take on a life of its own, when you decide that it's time for a change. Once you make that decision, your world starts to come into a different view.  When you begin to come from a different reference point, your peripheral vision begins to expand and you start to look at life as you have never seen before.

A shift in perception occurred in my own life recently.  I attended a one-day event as a guest from a friend's invitation.  I wasn't really sure what to expect, I went with an open heart and willingness to experience whatever happens.  It was a group of about 16 people.  As the introductions of each participant occurred, I felt at ease.  Then, as the facilitator, from the Academy of Intuition, Ghazaleh Lowe, began to question the participants, I felt the stirring occur.

As the day went on I was in a lot of physical pain.  My headache was huge and all my cells felt on fire.  It was an uncomfortable experience to say the least, however I knew that something was really happening, something was really changing.  All these years living with an unresolved emotion were pouring out of my body, and pain was the by-product of suppression.  The emotion revolving around the judgment I have on myself as a special needs parent, and regarding the label of Autism was the subject of my stirrings. The past suppression felt necessary so they wouldn't get in the way of my advocacy.  However, this was the time I choose to release them.  At the end of the day I was physically exhausted, and I needed rest.

Over the course of the days following, I was in an interesting place, moving through life in a more profound contemplation and introspection.  Did I really change?  This is the question I am left with when in contemplation.  What I have found is that the question has to stop being asked, and at some point the answer has to take over, embodied and acted upon.  The really interesting part of it all is that the real answer is two-sided.  Did I really change?  "Yes" and "No."  "Yes," in regards to thoughts, "No," in regards to the true nature of who I am as a Spiritual Being.  All the thoughts in my head can be a distraction from knowing Self, yet Self is always Known.  The action is to remain connected throughout the entire day, not just during meditation or in prayer, in every moment of life, training myself to continually come back to center.  I do not have to remind myself to breathe, my body automatically functions without me having to think about it.  This is the call to action of this training, constantly come back to the Awareness of Now.  Be in a state of constant connection, so the thoughts floating in my mind can be tamed, or become non-existent.

And the end of the group, Ghazaleh asked me, "Are you ready for this?" My answer, "Yes." her response, "Are you sure?" my response, "No."  Being open to the Yes, I am ready to revise my story because this is not my Final Draft.

It's Cool to be Kind: February is the month of Love & Kindness

Looming to spread Love

Traditionally, when we think of February, we think of Love.  We think of Valentine's Day. We think of spreading our love to those around us with special cards or gifts of Love. 

In current times, it has also become the month of Kindness.  Everywhere you look, Kindness is in the air.  My children's school is participating in #26 Acts of Kindness campaign this month.  The school will be instructing the students about what it means to everyone to be kind.  It will encompass an Anti-Bullying week, and an All Abilities Day, arranged by yours truly.  All Abilities Day is day of activities to allow the students a glimpse into the life of a person living with certain restrictions, or special needs.  Our Spiritual Center created "Living in Love" activities where we spread our love creatively.

Next week is the "official" random acts of kindness week per http://www.randomactsofkindness.org and Kindness is in the air.  My daughter has created symbols of love by making rainbow loom bracelets to share with her friends. 

Still in the first full week in February, we all have a chance to participate. Take the whole month to spread love or just pick one day, just one day, to share your love with someone. 

In video below, John Butterill shows us his virtual Photo Walks. What came out of his videos are an amazing connection to others through his hangouts. Photographers throughout the world starting sharing their virtual Photo Walks as well!

Stay Connected. 

Be Kind.

It's Cool. 

If you can, come to the photo walk today at 3:30pm at Salt Creek. 

Fish for Life

Off of the wharf in Dana Point, California there is a wonderful event happening once a month. Volunteers arrive early to the wharf on a Saturday morning to set sail for a special cause.  They are there to create an experience to those who are walking this earth with challenges.  The gift experience is fishing. Guests with special needs and their support guest are treated to a day of fun, excitement and the ability to work through some of their challenges.

Jim Holden is the founder of this non-profit organization and was inspired by his friend, Jeffrey Kutcher, who has cerebral palsy.  Through Jim, the love and passion of an idea took shape and manifested itself as Fish for Life.

Jim says, "We're Spreading the Love One Boat at a Time!"
"I'm hopeful the Fish for Life experience will inspire many others to take action with their calling whatever it may be to help make our world a better and more loving experience."

When we align ourselves in the Love of God, the flood gates of ideas come in the form of an inspiration. As Jim stated when he had his first idea for Fish for Life, "God then blessed me with ideas one after another!"  It is easy to disregard a thought as fleeting, harebrained or something that could be difficult to accomplish.  Once in a while take a look at those ideas.  If they are truly inspired, the ideas come with ease.  Our call is to listen with our entire Soul, heart, and body to catch those ideas and act from that vision. 

If your inspiration comes by way of Special Needs volunteerism, remember, they definitely are the master teachers of this life.  Each one of them teach Love, Joy, humility, and patience.  Volunteering with those who have disabilities will allow the volunteer to show peace, compassion and understanding. Teaching a special needs individual to Fish for Life will be reciprocated by teaching the volunteer about living life. This in turn may create an environment in the volunteers life of Joy and Peace. Fish for Life, Fish for Love.  Namaste.