Courageous Love

When you allow love to reach the depths of your soul,

You begin to heal the fragments of pain that tend to sneak

in and attach at the core – trying to disrupt the joy that resides there.

Unconditional love requires great strength, courage, and perseverance.

The reward it brings is sometimes beyond the realm of reality,

Almost bordering fantasy, but well worth the experience and

trials of the journey.

A refreshing light inside – lending a dream to the dreamer

and a pallet to the artist.

The reality of it is there if you allow it and BELIEVE.

My Place of Tranquility

A Continuum of What Is…. 2011 into 2012

As the calendar year comes to a close, I am not looking at it as an end or a beginning, but as a continuum of what is. I have no resolutions to make, just reflections observed on a moment by moment basis. All I have is right now. Right now… I will live out loud, love with a fierce passion that radiates to all, be humble and compassionate and comfort those who need an extra hug or kind word. I will be me in the most authentic way the moment brings. Right now… I will take care of my mind, body and soul with the same love, compassion, and care I do others. I want to thank each and everyone of you for being a part of my life and my journey each and every moment we are on this planet together.  Love, Light and Peace to all this New Year’s Eve.

N.

The Soul Connection Unveiled

My moony, soul sister Laura Oct. 2011

Time and distance won't make a difference when souls are connected.

I had a great conversation with a friend today about “soul mates.” This friend was introduced to me over the summer through another mutual friend and although we grew up in the same town we attended different high schools and didn’t really know each other back then. Since becoming friends, the friendship has become a mutual growth of trust, respect, love and certainly a soul connection.

It is my belief that we are here to have many soul connections and not just ONE “soul mate,” throughout our lifetime on this planet. When you open your mind and heart and become your authentic self and you drop the veils of obstinance, you allow another person a deep, karmic relationship that flourishes and feeds the soul. Allowing this light and energy in your life is an amazing thing.

The plurality of these connections doesn’t detract from any one of the relationships. Each one forms for its own purpose, whether it be to enlighten either person, kindred spirits on a similar journey, or a deep connection of love. The possibilities and reasons are endless.

In today’s society we tend to get bound up by “life” as others dictate what  it should be. We put walls up around us to protect our hearts and souls. In religion we are taught to trust God, but there are many who struggle with living by these convictions. I see and hear a lot of people talk about it, post about it, but when it comes down to it, they are still hanging on to the control in their lives. They still have their “walls” up and it blocks them from the good things that the promise they believe in has for them. This is not a judgement on my part, just an observation. Sometimes I just want to shout out LET GO!

When you can really let go, project love, live honestly, faults and all, and be humble and compassionate, the many gifts you receive in return will be overwhelming abundant.

As I told my friend this afternoon, I have many soul connections. I am grateful for each one of them. I love each one with my entire being. I feel so fortunate to come to this place in life where the veil is lifted and life is really what it is!

Love and Peace to all of you! Each and every one of you are a special gift in my life that I have the utmost respect and appreciation for!

Natalie

Sharing Gratitude

Being grateful is an amazing thing to share with others, it can be infectious and rewarding. Today it made me smile a couple of times. I went to lunch with three of my favorite inherited siblings, Mitch, Beverly, and Judy. Please if you read this keep them and their mother in your prayers. She will be coming home from the hospital, but will be under the care of hospice. Ok on with my story. I had planned on coming home to “rest” some more, I have kept a cold at bay for several days now, but drove through the parking lot and decided to go into Hobby Lobby. I needed to find an ornament for an ornament exchange next month and of course I always have to check the beading/jewelry making section out too! While I was in the ornament section I noticed this woman picking ornaments and hanging them on one of the artificial trees. She tried to engage a couple of people passing by in conversation about the ornaments, at that moment I really didn’t think anything of it. As I pick my ornament and am leaving the aisle, she says to me “I have a hanging light I am trying to decorate. What do you think about these ornaments?” The lightbulb went off and visions of my mother whose children all live far away came rushing into my head. I smiled at the woman and started helping her arrange the ornaments on the tree as if they were hanging on the light. I think we spent the next 15 minutes finding just the right ornaments for her to take home. Honestly, I don’t think it was about the ornaments at all. I think she wanted some conversation and company. She was happy and left to make her purchases. When you can stop and see what is going on around you and take your time to make someone else’s day a little brighter you are sharing the gratitude. At that moment my heart was filled with gratitude and love. I was grateful I was in that place at that time to give of myself. There are no coincidences.

I have a lot of gratitude these days. I consciously try to smile and say hello to anyone I cross paths with, no matter where I am. It lifts my mood, keeps my attitude in check and never fails to give something back to me. I may not know exactly what then, but the message always shines through and has perfect timing.

My second encounter of gratitude sharing occurred at the beach. I remember saying to Beverly “it is so nice out, I am going to have a hard time not going to the beach today.”  Well, I couldn’t resist and did go to the beach. I walked about three miles total. On my walk down the beach, on a secluded part of the beach, I saw a couple who had buried their legs in the sand. They were having a ball laughing and playing. I was about at the end of where I usually walk and passed them, only to walk about 50 more feet and turn around. Something told me I needed to take their picture for them. I turned around and took my headphones out and asked them if they had a camera and wanted a picture. It is then I found out they were newlyweds and “yes, absolutely we want a picture.” I then went up to where their things were and brought the bag with the camera down to them. I took 6 pictures, making them kiss for one of them. They were very grateful that I had walked by.

It is amazing to me that when you live in the moment and pay attention to the things around you the joy you can share and spread. Living with intention, compassion and gratitude gives life a whole new flavor. I like to call it the flavor of LOVE! I challenge everyone who reads this to share your gratitude and LOVE with all of those you meet. Life is too short for anything else. You are only given this very moment!

Abundance

Today my thoughts focused on all of the things I was thankful for. It was a great exercise in remembering to live in the moment and make do with what is right in front of me. I have enough of everything I need, in fact, I have an abundance of some things I don’t.

I didn’t just focus on the things today, but the people in my life. I am so thankful for their friendships, companionships, and love. This raw food journey, for lack of better words right now, has been an amazing transformation of my mind, body and soul. Each day brings something new to the table, whether it is overcoming an obstacle that would have once been very difficult for me to overcome, to feeling the healthiest I have ever felt and my body getting stronger. My mind is clearer, my heart more open, and I am refreshed.

I jumped into this with both feet, but I started out slow. I started with green smoothies and took care to add new ingredients one at a time. I am now in the creative stage of my raw food preparation.. There is so much to learn, and I am amazed at what I have already retained in this short 2 months.

What came to mind most today was the abundance of love, support, self forgiveness and acceptance, friendship, companionship, knowledge, and health this lifestyle change has given me! I am so blessed!

Starting tomorrow I am going to do a watermelon fast/cleanse. I am planning on 2-3 days as long as my body allows it. I always listen to my body. I have great faith it will all be fine. So far I have had no adverse effects from my diet change! It has all been good. While I am doing my watermelon fast, I am going to work on going through the abundance within this house and figuring out what can be donated, kept or tossed.

Today I am thankful!

Namaste!

The Color of Love

Amazing things happen at the beach in the morning hours. The sea overnight has returned the shore to a pristine state, where previous day’s footprints were what you could see for miles. It is especially invigorating to see the sun as it comes up on the horizon, the beauty it projects across the water and the hues the rays create on the water. Astounding! Love!

Today as I meditated and then walked, I couldn’t help but see love all around me. I sat and meditated for thirty minutes. As I was settling in a couple of people walked by glancing at me. I brought no towel to sit on. I just wanted to sink into the sand. As I was centering, I noticed a man who passed me walk a few hundred yards down the beach and sit in the sand. When this man passed me, I smiled and said good morning. I couldn’t help but think, did he want to see what it looked like to sit and look out at the beauty and colors the morning was creating? He didn’t stay long, but he took a moment.

Along the walk I stopped to talk with a few different people. The first person was a gentleman who comes to the beach each morning with his three-legged black lab. They have been coming for four years. I didn’t ask how the dog came to be without a leg, I just observed the love as this man talked about his experience with this beautiful dog. The dog fetches a stick from the ocean. Simply amazing if you ask me!

Further down the beach the other direction was another woman with her dog. I passed her as I walked, and she commented that she was moving slowly this morning. When I turned around to head back to my starting point I encountered her again, this time I stopped, asked her what her dog’s name was and we struck up a conversation.  She just needed someone to listen to her, to hear what she had to say, what she was feeling. A common human desire we all have, but sometimes are afraid to open our heart to. The intimacy of listening to another person, or having another person know what we are feeling can bring on a fear of being rejected. You have to accept yourself first, before love can enter and stay.

What was really the most enlightening experience of the morning for me is that thoughts, words and descriptions came into my head in waves and then they were gone. Things that described what I was experiencing in that moment. Some of the words I wanted to remember, but they were fleeting. I guess I was in that moment and those words were meant to be left there!

As I was leaving to go back to my car I smiled and said good morning to every person I passed.

Where the shore meets the sea your footprints are washed away with every incoming wave. Your footprints are there for that moment, and then they are gone. Learn to find the colors of love in every person and every thing around you. Walk purposefully every day, smile, give love and be willing to receive it.

A Journey Revisited, but Still Relevant

These writings come from a crossroad in my life. I am not sure exactly what it was at the time, it just was. Each day we experience the choice to live in the present moment or worry about past or future conflicts . First thing in the morning, I try to be still in waking and make the choice to live for that day. Part of this ongoing process has led me to dig up some things I have written over the years and include them within this part of my journey. Would these be considered something of the past? Something to ponder, I suppose. I look it as the universe giving me a nudge in the right direction.

The Journey

 In the intricate
depths, mysteriously hiding,
Is the very person,
you are to become
 
Seeking life’s
momentous challenges,
opening up
the mesmerizing
whole, the sum.
 
The greatest obstacle you
face, is your own fear.
The gripping reality
of what living your life
means.
 
Unlocking door, with keys
found all around,
in obscure places.
Senseless as it sometimes
seems.
 
Once on that journey
of faith and truth,
although anxious, you
may be awestruck
by the light.
 
Settle into living
life, and loving yourself.
Honestly assess the process.
Spread new wings and
keep your goals
in sight.
NJL 6-26-2001
 
Self Evaluation
 
The passion you have
Is only part of
what you were
positioned to
achieve.
 
The inward you
isn’t for everyone else
to examine, judge,
and try to perceive.
 
Judge only yourself
through the
looking-glass,
You may need
to modify
what you see.
 
Love all, “that,”
around you.
Only love,
can set your
soul and spirit
free.
 
Don’t take
things so literal,
for time here is
not a perpetual
pendulum.
 
Forgiveness
will work
wondrous miracles,
In your own life,
and that of others,
This is a
Given.
 
Remember,
you can only make changes
for yourself
and your life’s calling.
 
Be keen,
own your responses,
Attempt
Reacting to keep
others from falling.
NJL 6-28-2001

	

Existential Bravado

Sometimes I look around and wonder why all the pretension. I can’t get past the simplicity of living an authentic existence and how difficult it is to be someone you are not. Why do we try so hard to masquerade through life how we want others to perceive us instead of just being? Is it insecurity? Over-inflated ego? How much control do we have over our actions? I believe we are here to be an authentic force of energy. On the journey to authenticity hopefully we learn the lessons we were brought here to learn. They always seem to repeat themselves if they aren’t learned the first time.

Connecting with others at a high emotional level is important. As a species we avoid the true emotional connection with each other out of different fears, I suppose. When you reach an authentic connection with another person you can feel it deep in your core. Your spirit soars, your soul is on fire. I can’t imagine the joy there would be if everyone could connect with even one person and feel this kind of unconditional love.
When the fear leaves you and you are filled with love and light, the life you were meant to have here on this planet becomes visible. Simple most definitely…. easy, not so much.