Take baby steps

Think about one thing you have wanted to do but have not been able to do it?

Ask yourself why you are stopped?

Are you waiting to have ALL the answers before you act?

Pick one thing you have been putting off and take the first step towards it. 

Just take one step and see what opens up for you.

 

 

REMEMBER TO BREATHE

 

I love this inscription of Xingqi, please read it and meditate on it today:

 

To circulate the Vital Breath:
Breathe deeply, then it will collect.
When it is collected, it will expand.
When it expands, it will descend.
When it descends, it will become stable.
When it is stable, it will be regular.
When it is regular, it will sprout.
When it sprouts, it will grow.
When it grows, it will recede.
When it recedes, it will become heavenly.
The dynamism of Heaven is revealed in the ascending;
The dynamism of Earth is revealed in the descending.
Follow this and you will live; oppose it and you will die.

Another example of FLOW

 

How do you get into the Flow?

believe it or not you PRACTICE!

 

 

Flow is the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In essence, flow is characterized by complete absorption in what one does.

We can never be complete absorbed in something unless we love it or we practice it.

I am giving you an assignment for this week.  Create a Mandala of all the things you like, things that get you into the flow. 

You can simply draw a circle on a piece of paper and fill it in with written words or draw on it.

You can create a circular collage with pictures of things you like to do or with words that represent the Flow to you.

Do whatever moves you but the goal here is that you do something!  Allow yourself to get into it and practice.  Practice being in the flow.  Here's an example of the assignment I am giving you.  Someone did this on their computer.

 

Morning Insights

Michelle--thank you for asking us to do our gratitude list; I did mine last night and IMMEDIATELY felt a shift within me. On our Friday night kick off, I told the group that my issue is trust...and so my word is TRUST.  Amazing things have been happening in my life.  Not "waiting for the other shoe to drop" is a feeling I can get used to!  This morning, I was driving for about an hour...driving and pondering.  I went back to trust and renewed my intention surrounding it.
I TRUST my body to find its perfect body weight...and stay there.
I TRUST that I will meet the man I'm intended to be with--at the right time for us both.
I TRUST that my business will continue to grow & thrive.
I TRUST MYSELF. (as I wrote this line my face did the ugly cry crumble...but I think that is good--I am now recovered, just some tears that I trust will stop in time.--I am going to do it again)
I TRUST MYSELF!!!  (I did it!)

Driving home, I was talked to my Twin Soul, Gina.  I told her I want to allow for the good & not feel guilty because of it.  She said "Try feeling gratitude every time you feel guilt. I think amazing things will happen."
REPLACE GUILT WITH GRATITUDE??
I TRUST that I can do that.

Thank you all for allowing me to share & be a part of your Journey.
Julie

It feels good to be grateful!

Thanks to all who shared what you are grateful for...it makes me more grateful.  I looked at the list and said, "ah that is a good one, and that one, wow!  Didn't it just make you feel good when you read other people's gratitude lists?  Let's continue this today to allow more people to participate.

When we "see" ourselves as blessed an immediate reaction occurs within us.  A shift happens.  When I read Anna's list my energy shifted to a higher place - I felt the possibility of the group, when I wrote my list it shifted again just a bit more, then Aubrey's came in and I felt the power of the group, then Dee's and felt the grounded-ness of the group, with Teri's I felt the joy of the group, with Julie's I felt the excitement of the group, with Joe's I felt the music and rhythm of life come into the group and with Karen's I saw the synchronicity of all things come into the group.  We are in the flow...let's keep it going. 

If you haven't posted or replied all yet please do, it's a gift to yourself and the group and for those who have posted continue to feel that gratitude, tap into everything everyone has posted bring all that gratitude into yourself and your life.  And you can always re-post today :)

Gratitude allows us to be in the flow...

It's all in your perspective...right?

 

Sometimes we just need to get in touch with how blessed we are

 

 

Write up a list 10 things you are grateful for today!

Just Breathe - Feng Shui 5 Elements Breathing Exercises

Today's simple reminder is to breathe... 

Breathe

by Leo Babauta

 

Breathe.

 

Breathing can transform your life.

 

If you feel stressed out and overwhelmed, breathe.

It will calm you and release the tensions.

 

If you are worried about something coming up, or caught up in something that already happened, breathe. It will bring you back to the present.

 

If you are discouraged and have forgotten your purpose in life, breathe.

It will remind you about how precious life is, and that each breath in this life is a gift you need to appreciate. Make the most of this gift.

 

If you have too many tasks to do, or are scattered during your workday, breathe.

It will help bring you into focus, to concentrate on the most important task you need to be focusing on right now.

 

If you are spending time with someone you love, breathe.

It will allow you to be present with that person, rather than thinking about work or other things you need to do.

 

If you are exercising, breathe.

It will help you enjoy the exercise, and therefore stick with it for longer.

 

If you are moving too fast, breathe.

It will remind you to slow down, and enjoy life more.

So breathe. And enjoy each moment of this life. They’re too fleeting and few to waste.

 

Here's a great Breathing exercise:



Be Aware

”Spokes are connected to make a wheel;
yet it is the hole within the hub that moves the bike.
           

Clay is molded to shape into pot;
yet it is the emptiness within that makes it an utensil.
           

Doors and windows are cut to make a room;
yet it is the inner space within that makes it livable.
           

Therefore, advantage comes from what is;
usefulness comes from what is not.”  - Lao Tzu

In Taoist regular breathing, your belly expands as you inhale and shrinks when you exhale. In Taoist reverse breathing, you do the opposite-shrink your belly when you inhale and expand your belly when you exhale. Taoist reverse breathing is sometimes called prebirth or womb breathing, because it is how babies breathe chi in and out of their bodies while in the womb.

The goals of Taoist reverse breathing include becoming aware of and controlling the subtle physical and energetic movements of your body so they deliberately occur in rhythm with your breathing. Every physical part and energetic function within your body and etheric body or aura will move in coordination with the expansions and contractions of your belly.

 

Taoist reverse breathing opens, strengthens and stabilizes the aura and is integral to one aspect of what Lao Tse called "Breathing from the Heels," which, within Taoism, is considered to be the only truly complete breathing process.

 

Practicing Taoist Reverse Breathing is one way to become more aware.  The following 4:40 second video will introduce you to this practice.

 

Cranes

Realizing that we cannot control everything

This was #1 on the list of things we can do to let go of resistance - realizing we cannot control everything.  Easy, simple - right???

Teri shared a post today about Derek Lin. Derek is Taiwanese-American author who has written several books based on the Taoist philosophy. Teri's post very helpful to me tonight.  I wanted to ask everyone to focus on this today, along with the concept of Wu-Wei.  Here's what Teri posted:

"I think it was Derek Lin who likened the Tao "being like water" idea to surfing. It is not that we necessarily "go with the flow" like a river, with it taking us wherever it will (at least not always). But it can be more like surfing, where you have a goal to get to a certain area of the beach, more or less, and you ride the power of the waves to get there. If you fight the waves, you will fall. But if you accept them, you have a great time getting to where you are going. Of course, if your goal is to go in the complete opposite direction of the waves, you are in for some strife;)"

Wu-Wei is one of the leading concepts in Taoism. Wei refers to any intentional or deliberated action, while wu carries the meaning of "there is no ..." or "lacking, without". Common translations include  "effortless action". 

 

 

What a great vibration to align to "effortless action"!

 

Derek Lin has also shared that the concept of Wu Wei is often misinterpreted. Imagine what you would do if you were surfing. You wouldn't want to fight the wave - that would be foolish and futile. This may be the part where people get the idea that wu wei means going with the flow. They may not understand the other equally important part, that you also wouldn't want to stand motionless and let the wave wipe you out. That wouldn't be smart either.

What you really want to do is ride the wave. Move with it, not against it. Make use of its tremendous power. Exercise skillful control of your body and the surfboard...It is the same with life. You don't want to waste your energy in a useless struggle against the way things already are. At the same time, you also don't want to be a couch potato. People who are apathetic and indifferent won't stay on the surfboard for long.

Anticipate and take advantage of changes. It takes practice, but eventually you get good at it. To other people, your actions and progress in life seem natural, graceful, and almost effortless.

The art of surfing is no different from the Tao of living. This is the true meaning of wu wei.  To view Derek's full excerpt on this topic please visit: Derek Lin - Understanding We Wei.

Letting go of control is a challenge for me. When I was growing up, controlling the situation as much as I could literally saved me.  Today, it's foreign to me to let go of control and yet I know it will benefit me immensely.  I can relate to effortless action and the idea of surfing or riding the wave of life. Thanks Teri and Derek Lin for today's lesson.
 

 

accepting KS and going with the flow

I've enjoyed reading the blogs... thank you all for sharing... I'm reading a magazine now and there is a quote ... every person needs to take one day away... a day in which one consciously separates the past from the future.... a day in which no problems are confronted... no solutions searched for........ my intention for this weekend is to do this.... leaving the chaos behind and going with the flow... namaste.... Karen

Resistance and the FLOW

Why do we fight and hold on in our lives...because we are in RESISTANCE!

It's difficult to be a Warrior-Sage (a wise one) when we are at war internally. 

What Is Resistance?
Most simply stated - resistance is an inability to accept what is. 

Connect to the Yin - Get in the Flow
If Confucianism emphases the masculine side of life (scholarship, intellect, rank, the father, ethics, etc.), Daoism focuses on the feminine side. Daoists say, “Know the masculine but keep to the feminine.” What is the feminine? The feminine is yin and all that represents: soft, dark, moist, physical, emotional, yielding, and eternal. Daoists value these things more than the masculine world espoused by Confucians. The feminine knows how to have power in an inferior position.

The Flow - Water and Daoism

Water is the perfect substance according to Daoism. Water always seeks the lowest point and always takes the shape of any vessel into which it is poured. Water always flows downhill, and it always flows around any obstacle. Water seems to be the weakest substance, but it’s really the strongest. A steady drip of water can wear away a rock, a stream can create a canyon, a glacier (frozen water) can create a Grand Canyon, and water in the form of a hurricane or typhoon can erode the very continents away.

Over the next several days we will focus on the following 12 things we can do to let go of resistance and go with the flow.

1. Realize that you can’t control everything.
2. Become aware.
3. Breathe.
4. Get perspective.
5. Practice.
6. Take baby steps.
7. Laugh.
8. Keep a journal.
9. Meditate.
10. Realize that you can’t control others.
11. Accept change and imperfection.
12. Enjoy life as a flow of change, chaos and beauty.

 

Your mission for today is to accept the chaos

in your life and in your mind. 

 

To open up to letting go of resistance

and going with the flow. 

 

That is your mission for today.

Alignment and Validation

Well, I felt validated today because I chose validation.  I was validated by my ability to trust my intention vs. validation through my work or at work.  Which is funny isn't it.  I wanted outward gratification but the message was to work from within.  I ended up taking Eden for an adventure this afternoon.  Trusted by intuition and inner compass and we had a great afternoon.

How about you????

Kick off to Alignment post today..

I felt a huge release Friday through Sunday in the sense of giving my power to others. I am noticing patterns of relationships that I need to navigate through. As I do this, I see the familiar theme. Being my word is fierce, I notice when the fear rises within me i can breather through and interact through my personal truth. Sunday I watched 2 soulful Sunday programs and decided to purchase the book 'Untethered Soul'. I am currently reading Vortex for 'Cooperative Relationships'. My learning process is watching my 'thrones'/'triggers although giving myself space to feel my feelings and navigate through my interactions yet being authentic. I feel that this class is opening  me up, big time! I have all the answers and process for my destiny, although patience, which is TRUSTING the process of life, will allow me to see what my higher self has in store for me. I have a magically feeling and a deeper stillness that my life is unfolding beyond my imagination . Joy, deeper grounding and creativity are my feelings I choose to align with for today. Namaste

I'm starting to get it...slowly.  So if I want to experience joy, I must feel the feelings of that, to attract it.  Like if Michelle wants to feel validation, she must validate herself-her work-her life-all that good stuff to attract it.

It sounds easy enough and when I look back at certain experiences it is clear that my energy at work directly manifested the circumstances of my life.  I might be off track here, but I think I'm on to something.  Upon truly reflecting, I realized that I have some trust issues; in some ways, I've gotten better in this area, in some ways, I've stayed the same.  I always perceived myself as a trusting person, which is why this was shocking. I trust other people more than I trust myself.  I don't always trust MYSELF!  My Journey! What is showing up on the Journey.  So today, I'm going to trust every choice I make.  I'm going to trust that MY instincts, ideas, and thoughts are exactly as they should be.  I might just be another spoke on this great wheel of life, but my spoke is helping the world turn. If I keep myself stuck in Neutral, by second guessing myself, going back, forth, side, by not being able to make a decision, who am I helping?

Huh. Not bad for a Monday morning before coffee!

Alignment - Starting on the inside

We might need to read this several times today.  I would like for you think about the quote and share your thoughts on it.  Agree, disagree, what the heck is it saying.  Be in touch with the idea of starting on the inside today and aligning to the emotion you want to feel.

I want validation today, it's selfish right, but that is what I want. 
I am going to line up to the emotion of being validated.  Especially at my work place.

What emotion will you line up to...

 

Allow yourself to do what you need to today...

Rest or Movement?

You decide

 

It's in doing the simple things that we can be brought back to our center. 

The following video is just 2 minutes long and provides you with instruction on how to do the warrior pose.  It's simple and won't stress you or your body out. 

I challenge you to watch the video and do the Warrior pose each day this week.

 

Remember it's ok to rest and to give to yourself!

Dinner inP-town with a bottle of Luigi Borca

The Dao

The Dao

literally means "way", but can also be interpreted as road, channel, path.

The ultimate truth is the Dao or The Way.

The Dao has several meanings. It is the basis of all living things, it governs nature, and it is a method to live by.

The Dao is sometimes referred to as the “One”  which is natural, spontaneous, eternal, nameless, and indescribable.

 

It is at once the beginning of all things and the way in which all things pursue their course.  It is the "flow of the universe"

Daoists do not believe in extremes, instead focusing on the interdependence of things. There is no total good or evil or negative and positive.

The Yin-Yang symbol exemplifies this view. The black represents the Yin the white represents the Yang. Yin is also associated with weakness and passivity and Yang with strength and activity. The symbol shows that within the Yang there exists the Yin and vice versa. All nature is the balance between the two.

 

De: Another key component of Daoism is the De, which is the manifestation of the Dao in all things. De is defined as having virtue, morality and integrity.

Immortality: Historically, the highest achievement of a Daoist is to achieve immortality through breathing, meditation, helping others and the use of elixirs.  In early Daoist practices, priests experimented with minerals to find an elixir for immortality, laying the groundwork for ancient Chinese medicine.

Three Jewels are the basic virtues in Daoism comprising Compassion, Moderation, and Humility. They are also translated as kindness, simplicity (or the absence of excess), and modesty.

Thanks Everyone...

Thanks everyone for coming out tonight!  For those of you who are participating that could not make it tonight I will add the workshop content shortly.  We all set an intention for the program tonight:  please share yours if I missed it or didn't convey it accurately here and if you were not able to attend the workshop. 

Karen Z - Abundance

Julie - Trust

Gina - Letting Go and Letting In

Dee - Being

Carrie - Fierce

Michelle - Give and Receive

Teri - Going into the Unknown

Karen L - Letting Go and Fierce

Hello Everyone...I think I actually got on here!!
Looking forward to this next adventure!  Karen

I'm in!!

Pumped up for an amazing workshop, growth and to see what I manifest within this community of peeps!!

What's Next...

Embracing Your Warrior-Sage Energy

90 Day Online and Group Session Program

 Cost is $90 for online program + $20 for in person sessions

You can participate in both or either (online/in person)

 

Warrior = Brave or Experienced Fighter

Sage = One of Profound Wisdom

During this program we will explore:

the Chinese Dao, symbolism, archetypes and our spiritual journey

We will work together to build around our “collective vision”

We will transcend our limiting beliefs

We will embrace life from a place of laughter, healing, wisdom and understanding

We will accept that we have the ability to fight, but as we choose the wisdom path - there is no need to

 Online Program begins Friday, August 16^th

Daily Information will be shared across the Blog and/or Email. 

Added Bonus: New blog has Mobile App!

First in person session will take place on Friday, August 16th, 7 - 9:30 pm

at 7620 Harvard St. Forest Park, IL 60130

To register, contact Michelle Young via:

 email michelle-y@sbcglobal.net, text or call 773-294-9483