Perpetuating Stereotypes

Our thoughts create reality. The more consistently we have a thought, the more likely we are to produce that event or effect. This works in our own lives and what we manifest for ourselves, but it also works collectively - in the collective consciousness of our world. That is why it is so important to begin to change our own minds, but beyond that, to encourage a change of thought in others - because the collective consciousness is so powerful in manifesting what we experience in our world.

It is sometimes said that stereotypes exist because there is an element of truth to them. It certainly seems that some behavior patterns can be true to groups - gender, race, age, nationality, geographic location, or other collection of people. But when I think about how our thoughts manifest our experience, I conclude that those stereotypical patterns may continue, in part, because of our collective thoughts about them. Judgment that we put out about things we disapprove of only creates more of the same...that energy of thought only feeding the situation.

When you look at the child in the ghetto and conclude that they will end up in a path of crime, consider that your thoughts may be contributing to that outcome. Change your thoughts. Put your energy into a path out of that despair - into a prayer that God give them strength to overcome a seemingly impossible situation, into a commitment of your love and compassion. Send gratitude for the fact that it is not you in that place, and RESPECT for those who endure it...because if God doesn't give us anything we cannot handle, then he must have great respect for what those souls are capable of. Give those that you might previously have passed judgment on the respect that God must be giving them through their heavy burdens.

We all have prejudices that have been heaped upon us by society. Because of our varying experiences, we inevitably have differing views of things. That can be a good thing, but we must first choose to let go of our negative views about things we know little of. In doing so and sending love and respect, we contribute to the solution, rather than to the perpetuation of the problems.

In the simple act of changing your thoughts - revisiting your ideas - you can contribute to a more positive collective consciousness, and one that will help change the world for the better. Be conscious of your thoughts, as they hold the key to change. Think in love, and you will be a healer.

Unconditional "Mother Love"

Today is Mother's Day, and I celebrate "Mother Love". It is that unconditional, nurturing love that sees the good in us, it helps us remember our attributes and what we are capable of. Those who have that kind of love from their mothers or others are fortunate, because it is the kind of love and acceptance that makes us better. Let's face it, everyone does not feel that kind of love from their mother, or from the world at large. Sometimes, a mother's love is about their own need to control, or need to feed their own ego.

I raised my children in a wonderful "family friendly" area - where people strove to be the most that they could be, to attain and obtain the best. It was a place where parents were involved in the lives of their children in a big way. In that sense, it was a very nice place to raise kids. But with that also comes the tendency toward "helicopter parenting" that needs to control and maneuver in order to make sure their kids "get ahead"...or the parents whose own egos are put upon the shoulders of their offspring. I will admit it can become contagious. As a parent, I sometimes fell into that trap, of expecting from my children what others expected of theirs, of sometimes trying to make them something they were not, all from the worry that if they didn't do something in the normal way or through a certain path that they would not thrive. I was never really at home in that place, nor were my kids entirely, because something inside told me it did not fit - yet it took me a long time to recognize and declare it.

Within the last few years, I have had many spiritual experiences that reminded me of not only my true nature, but that of my sons. And even though I sometimes wish I could do it over again in raising them, and adjust accordingly, I realize that it is never too late to make those adjustments. I have relearned how to read my sons, how to tune in to who they are rather than who the world says they should be. In my appreciation for my own growth and reconnection to my soul, I am trying to help them find their true selves, blaze their own paths - whether those be conventional ones, or not so conventional. I know that I do not want them to fall into cookie-cutter existences, so I am encouraging a path that might go against the norm. I know that at their young 20's ages, they too are bombarded with pressures of who and where they are supposed to be in their lives, so I try to impart upon them the courage to be different, to be true to themselves, to find their own path and follow their own calling.

Chinese spiritual philosopher Lao Tzu, said,
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."

Whether we are male or female, childless or with many offspring, the greatest gift that we can give as "mothers," to our own children and to the world at large, is the gift to be themselves...to love, accept, appreciate, and celebrate individuality in the world. When we give up the need for others to do things our way or see things as we do, we are giving unconditional love, we are giving "Mother Love" and birthing a better world. We are all aware of a loving mother's ability to heal - to make the hurt go away - and we can give that healing daily to those around us - to strangers on the street - and heal them through our compassion and acceptance. If you do not feel unconditional love from those around you, love yourself unconditionally - see your good, celebrate your uniqueness.

Share the Mother Love today. Feel the difference it makes around you. What you put out will be returned to you.

Happy Mother's Day to all those who share their Mother Love with the world!

I Am a Little Pencil...

I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world. - Mother Teresa

I have just moved forward toward publishing the book I have been working on - off and on - for a while now. There has been a period in which I could not do much writing and I was frustrated about it, feeling like I was failing, but I have now realized that I have actually been working on it more "on" than "off", even if it did not seem so. Events of my life have been telling the story, with me living the book even when I was not writing. The experiences ARE the book - the seeking, the learning, the practicing - all a necessary part of what is being said. It is one thing to write about something from your head, telling others how to be, but the experience of living it, obstacles and all, makes it from the heart. To write this book from the heart, from the soul, I needed to live it fully, and God provided me with wonderful opportunities to "practice what I preach".

I needed to learn to let go of my own fears and just trust Him, knowing that everything we need is provided at exactly the time we need it, and when we are ready to allow it. I needed to clear areas of my life that were holding me back, some of which had been holding me back my entire life, patterns that ran deep. I needed to learn to love me, because the love I give others is not complete until I really love and appreciate myself. I needed to learn that I am deserving, and special, and that I have many gifts from God to share with the world, to help make it a better place. I needed to let go of the effects of a world that beats us up, telling us that we are less, forcing us to conform to its way, which are not always in line with who we really are.

At the beginning of this year, I started hosting a facebook page studying "A Course In Miracles". Its ideas correspond to many of the thoughts on this blogsite, and the ideas that I have been learning since I started down this journey of spiritual awakening. ACIM shows us a systematic path on which to undo some of our worldly conditioning so that we can return to God in a truer fashion, through returning to our own power that is activated by love. It shows us how to release our fear emotions, which include doubt, guilt, judgment, and uncertainty. Although I had studied ACIM previously, going throught the exercises again at this time, after I had cleared many obstacles, has been immensely helpful. Doing it with others through facebook, I believe, has given me an added power. As we seek to grow spiritually, we are uplifted by others who are doing the same.

As I move forward in finishing the book and publishing it, I keep in mind Mother Teresa'a quote and ask to be a little pencil in the hand of God. I know these experiences I have had are through God, and I ask to be an accurate messenger of ideas that will help others find God, find peace, find love for themselves and others so that our world can be a better place. If you have enjoyed this blogsite, please hold me up in the light to help me complete this task in a way that brings light to others.

We are all pencils of God, whether we are writing, expressing other gifts, or simply living in a way that shows compassion and acceptance of others, remembering that we are all One. Find your avenue to be a little pencil, to open to your gifts and share with others. Your life will have new meaning and you will have more joy and peace.

More On Gratitude...

Last week, I wrote a post about gratitude, and very shortly thereafter, a friend shared an idea on facebook for posting something that we are thankful for every day until the end of the month (the synchronicity of positive thought!) It was a great idea for getting us in the regular habit of consciously being grateful for all of the things around us, rather than focusing on negatives as we sometimes do.

Around that same time, another friend suggested a facebook group called "Days of Gratitude" with the concept of being grateful for something every day. This is a group of three women who are promoting the concept of adopting daily gratitude into your life as a way to usher in change, with the belief that by doing their exercises for 30 days, you will see positive changes. This is a simple way to begin to see and appreciate all of the gifts around you, instead of seeing the obstacles in your way.

To join this group or download their book, search fo "Days of Gratitude" on facebook...or go to their website:
www.daysofgratitude.com

Likewise, if you would like to challenge your facebook friends to post something every day until the end of this Thankgiving month that they are thankful for...it is very simple way to get those closest to you thinking in grateful terms. Spread the gratitude and spread the love!

The 2012 Debate

A friend and fellow "spiritual seeker" emailed me last night to ask about my take on the 2012 debate...Will it be a time of spiritual awakening on a large scale?...Will it be Dooms Day? For those who are not familiar with this subject, 2012 marks the end of the Mayan calendar and ancient predictions for this powerful time and what it would bring. Some have come to think of as the potential apocalypse, giving ample opportunity for speculation. This topic is getting increasing attention, because many people feel very strongly about it on both sides, while others attribute it to being merely another Y2K "scam". I will say that, like Y2K, the outcome will be a result of our attention to it. The preparation leading to and attention shown to Y2K meant that a situtation that could have created chaos ran smoothly instead. Many chose to attach to the fear element of Y2K, rather than just preparing for it in such a way that it could go as smoothly as possible. In that fear, many moments of their lives were lost because they chose to focus their energy on how bad it was going to be. It is a testament to how we, as a society, choose to cling to the negative rather than the positive. A quick surf through the television lineup or our news programs makes that very clear.

I believe that the 2012 experience will be determined by how we look at it and what we do to prepare for it. But unlike Y2K, which was an incident of preventing a breakdown that would bring on disaster, 2012 may be an opportunity to create a breakthrough that would bring on a new world and new paradigm. Certainly, it is worth exploring and considering that possibility, or contributing to it, each in our own way.

Below is my email response to my friend to summarize how I feel about 2012. I get this partly from reading about 2012 theories, but mostly from feelings that I have deep inside about it. From my experiences, when we make attempts to get deeply connected, we can feel information in a sense of "knowing" that goes beyond just thinking or intellectual debate. These are simply my thoughts and feelings...you may have your own, or you may find that these thoughts resonate with you as you go into your deeper, knowing state. Here is my response:

2012…I definitely have thoughts and feelings about it and believe that it is indeed a turning point and shift. I have read some about it, but most of my feelings are more from internal things and vibes than anything else. I think that the things that are happening now, with so many people feeling an awakening or a calling, have to do with this energy that is increasing – leading up to that time. I think that we can make it happen in a fantastic way or we can prevent it from happening (“we” meaning the collective consciousness). I think that is why each person that we can touch in such a way as to “get them on board” so to speak, to encourage to open their mind, the more likely we are as a society to make wondrous things happen...to usher in a New World...A New Eden. I think you probably know what I mean…you meet someone and have the urge to share certain things with them…like Reiki, or angel talk, or new ways of looking at God… yet with other people, you don’t have such an urge. I think that once we get ourselves more “in tune” to the new energy patterns, the better we can identify others who may be on the verge of some kind of awakening or ready to connect. I believe many of us are here for that purpose and know it deep down inside….like we came here for this time and this transition and have to help each other awaken to remember that.

I actually believe the concept of 2012 is very much like the concept from the prophecy in the book of Revelation…”one will rise up from the field, and one will be left standing” (to paraphrase a little). Our human brains and religious training tend to make us try to translate that literally, thinking that God will come around and “snatch” up the good people to heaven, and then just leave the bad people behind. But I think it is more of a symbolic rising up…rising to another energetic dimension where the perception shifts to a more peaceful place – and place more in tune with God (heaven on earth). It is "ascension" to a better place within ourselves, and one that will change our lives.

I also think 2012 will feel like “Dooms Day” to many who are afraid of a shift in the old paradigms, or who resist it entirely. They will cling to the old ways afraid of the new, and may feel frantic about the loss of control or power in those paradigms. I even think that things like the economic troubles we are having are part of this shift…an opportunity for us to become less dependent on “stuff” to make us happy, so that we can get back to ourselves…back to our spirit...more truly back to God and our Oneness with Him, but in a new and more meaningful way than we have ever known. Those who embrace the challenge and just get real again and back in touch with themselves will rise above the economic troubles, those who stay fearful or bitter will get stuck. Likewise, those who find peace within themselves will contribute to peace in the world, but those who cannot find peace within themselves will feel the need to stir up and keep angst and trouble going. Their inner turmoil will contribute to outer/worldly turmoil, while those with inner peace will contribute to outer/worldly peace. It is simply a matter of which collective energy we, as individuals, choose to contribute to. If we can reach that magic "critical mass" number, whatever that may be, where the positve and loving energy is greater than the negative and judging energy, then we will arrive at that new place. 2012 and these years leading up to it may present a unique opportunity within elements of the universe which could make the task easier (going with the flow of the universe rather than against it...riding that powerful tide).

I see 2012 as a real opportunity for the world to change – but it is not just going to happen because it is that “time”…the opportunity will happen…the universe will be ready (astrologically, etc)…but we, as a collective consciousness, will have to usher in the new paradigms and the shifts through our own individual shifts.

That’s just my 2 cents worth!

Each of you reading this may have your own ideas about 2012...that it will be a mass awakening...that it will be Dooms Day...or that is is much ado about nothing. But if there is indeed an opportunity for it to be a mass awakening or Dooms Day, which would you prefer, and which would you want be part of? Whether 2012 exists or not, we each have a daily choice of being part of making something good through pure, unconditional love that is not based on judgment or control, or making something not-so-good through our fear-based thinking that generates a need to control and condemn.

Which do you choose? Which have you chosen in your actions thus far today? Which will you choose in your actions for the rest of today...for tomorrow...for the future? Will you simply wait for the world to change or will you be part of that positive change? The choice, as always, is yours.