But what is clarity? Sure, you can decide “once and for all” that it’s time to finally pursue that dream or passion. Or, you can make a resolution that “this year is the one” for whatever it might be you’ve been putting off, shelving as a hobby, or dabbling with for most of your life.

That’s all well and good. And isolating the idea, placing it in front of you as a singular focus is important. But, how long will it last? Are there emotions, feelings or other inclinations immediately brought to the surface simply by stating this intention? For most everyone, this is the instant side-effect of stepping forward in faith, confidence, and giving the universe the ultimatum of your newfound clarity.

This, too, is how we inhibit and defeat our potential, without any extra effort – and without being conscious of it. The mind and ego are in constant battle to keep you “safe” (which essentially means stalled, blocked, or small and unsure), so when you’re intent on this clarity, it’s important to realize that your old friends and lifetime companions, defined as “beliefs”, will have something to say about it. So, immediately, you have new choices to make, and your resolve may need a stronger foundation upon which to base the next step in your journey.

True and complete clarity is possible only if you allow the simplicity of what it is you desire to be all that is given any energy of thought or consideration. It requires that you empty your creative space entirely of conflicting requests, so that the purity of your singular focused intention will have plenty of magnetic potential to manifest as quickly as possible.

This, of course, is generally easier said than done. It really depends on how you’ve lived your life thus far and how much mental or spiritual “baggage” might be impeding your ongoing efforts to simply be and approach your journey with ease, grace, lightness and joy. Notice what rises to the surface. Be with it and perhaps take the time to finally address the underlying energy that keeps it anchored in your body, mind, or spirit. Isn’t it time to let it go?

If you live in a consumer-driven, or materialistic culture (as we do in the West) then the effects are even more dramatic. There is an overriding conditioning that handicaps much of your mental and spiritual clarity by default, and your first steps must be to unwind that blindfold, enabling you to ease up the constricted mind, body, and spirit. It’s important to reclaim the power you’ve given away to objects, circumstances, or other influences in your life…

Thus, clarity can be achieved! Then, witness how easily people, places, and events manifest to aid you, urge you, and entice you to expand, explore, and dive into what it is you truly desire to experience in this lifetime.

Steve Pavlina has an excellent blog post about this topic: 11 Ways to Gain Clarity

Wayne W. Dyer
from Wisdom of the Ages

There’s a natural process in our lives that goes by many names. Much like our individual cells go through transformation and die, being replaced by the new, updated version, aspects of our personalities, spirituality, character and such also “die” and we are born into a new experience, expanding on what and where we were before. But it certainly doesn’t always feel like we’re getting anywhere…

If you base your self-assessment on what you see in front of you, what you are currently experiencing, then you might not be seeing much of the bigger picture. With every step forward, as ever, the growth and understanding reverberates out and everywhere around you. Subtle changes happen all the time, and even with every thought. However, just as one can build a callous on their finger from continuous guitar playing, you build beliefs and define perceptions.

If, say, for the past 10, 20, or 30 years you’ve observed and understood something in a certain way, it’s pretty much set in your DNA. Now, say you’ve come to a realization about whatever it may be, have that “ah ha!” moment, and are forever changed in this regard. You start to see things differently, but frustratingly, much of your life remains exactly the same! That’s madness, so why bother?

Simply put, without patience and perseverance, no new beliefs (and thus experiences, manifestations, awareness, etc.) will ever take hold, if it is your intention to do so. The energies that surround your experience thus far are a sum of all that you have been and done from day one. You may have some energetic blockages within and without, and those will continue to underlie what you experience with your senses, day to day, until you make that concerted, focused effort to shift it, release it, and let it go. As you’ve probably heard, in various ways before, there’s no good or bad energy… It’s all just energy, and really up to you what to do with it.

Give yourself credit for how far you have come. Don’t discount the little achievements, but don’t also keep score. If you’re temporarily stuck in a dark space, be in that space fully, and go through it. For you wouldn’t know or understand it as “dark” without the light that completely surrounds it. –tb

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Going Through the Opening
Contracting before Expanding

Sometimes our lives contract before they expand. We may be working hard on ourselves spiritually, doing good in the world, following our dreams, and wondering why we are still facing constrictions of all kinds—financial, emotional, physical. Perhaps we even feel as if we’ve lost our spirituality and are stuck in a dark room with no windows. We may be confused and discouraged by what appears to be a lack of progress. But sometimes this is the way things work. Like a caterpillar that confines itself to a tiny cocoon before it grows wings and flies, we are experiencing the darkness before the dawn.

When things feel tight, it’s easy to panic or want to act in some way to ease the feeling of constriction. We might also spin our wheels mentally, trying to understand why things are the way they are. However, there is nothing we need to do at this time other than to be patient and persevering. We can cling to the awareness that we are processing the shift from one stage to another, and the more we surrender to the experience, the more quickly we will move through the tightness into the opening on the other side. Just like a baby making its way down the birth canal, we may feel squeezed and pushed and very uncomfortable, but if we remember that we are on our way to being born into a new reality, we will find the strength to carry on.

Even as we endure the contractions, we can find peace within ourselves if we remember to trust the universe. We can look to the natural world for inspiration as we see that all beings surrender to the process of being born. In that surrender, and in the center of our own hearts, is a willingness to trust in the unknown as we make our way through the opening.

Source: DailyOM.com
Image: “Second Door, Masons Lane” by Neosnaps

Seeing Your Perfection
Letting Your Light Shine

The people that arrive in our lives are an amazing, dynamic resource for us.

If you’ve learned to not take anything personally (check don Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements), then the reactions of others toward you, their insights and thoughts about something that concerns you, or their opinions about you are very telling and powerful – given the right perspective.

Remember, that what people say, interpret and perceive is from a very unique perspective: theirs.

Everything and everyone around us is an indicator of some sort. More specifically – speaking in energetic and metaphysical terms – they are an indicator of your current vibrational level.

So, what does that mean, guru?

Well, consider that everything is energy, and that we, as our physical reality selves, are all vibrational beings; a multitude of universal energy, currently focused consciously into your individual self for this “life time”. So when we refer to a vibrational level (check Abraham-Hicks publications), this reflects our level of understanding, growth, harmony, and/or alignment with our higher (and deeper) selves – that which is ultimately inseparable from “all that is”.

The energy that binds and intertwines us, when you’re centered and silent, makes itself known. That’s the part of us that in a vibrational sense, indicates our level of distance or disharmony, based on how much we live (and limit our lives) in our minds and ego, as opposed to the knowing, graceful and completely-at-ease nature of our souls or spirits.

So back to your best friend. Also, consider your current “worst enemy” in the same regard…

We learn to trust (and/or hate) the opinions of those closest to us. Quite often, our friends will have a hard time saying anything that may put a strain on the relationship. Or, they may say something outright hurtful (to you) in a moment of random honesty. They may warn you about avoiding a certain course of action, being careful, or buying an item you’ve set in your mind as something you’d love to acquire or experience. They may offer an opinion about a person who has come into your life that you’ve taken a liking to. They will comment and critique something you’ve created or shared. Whatever it is, you can heed their words, but more importantly, heed your own emotions, reactions and feelings toward what was said and shared.

It’s all part of learning to listen to, and developing your intuition. Remember that?

The universe wants nothing more than to manifest for you all of your heart’s desires. However, given that we live in amongst the influences of so many, a lifetime of learned filtration and mind manipulation, egoic bombardment, emotional turmoil and all of those fabulous inputs to our senses, it takes a little something extra to step outside the noise to gather your true inspiration, intention, and ultimate manifestation.

And really, it is all so very simple. Start by opening and listening with your heart. The brain/mind/intellect is excellent. But the real influence comes from a deeper, quieter (even non-physical) place. That’s the voice that really guides you.

It is so very easy to have a practiced, reflexive (often negative) reaction, even before someone utters a single word. This is something I’ve personally experienced, in varying degrees (as we all have I’m sure) and have learned to be more watchful of nowadays. There are lessons and guidance all around us, all the time. Use it to your advancement and solace in life.

Image: “Saint George’s Lights” by Jason Pratt

I’d spent the last few hours wandering the Seawalk/Seawall, getting in a good dose of ideas and insights from a few podcast interviews.

I happened across a fish & chips vendor. Hadn’t tried that in a long while. The owner (I’m assuming) was working away. Bit of a surly chap, but proud of his product.

“This your first time?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Oh, you’re gonna like it. It’s a nice, light batter.”

And it was. We continued the conversation for a bit, upon noticing a customer bring back a few bottles of vinegar. He commented on the fact that somebody stole two of his salt and pepper shakers. I examined one and noticed an interesting design, like a small glass mug. He said that he gets them for a buck each at the dollar store. So, not a major loss. But the principle of course is key. “They’d steal your teeth if you gave ‘em a chance.”

I don’t know what that means.

I suggested that they are of a neat design and maybe he should sell them himself, for a buck-fifty each, since clearly somebody else thought them interesting enough to take them home, with the added bonus of salt and pepper. He chuckled with a “yeah… might be a good idea,” and wandered into the back to check on my food, grunting a command to his young employee (his son most likely) on his way.

Now, it’s not necessarily a million-dollar idea, but I’m trying to make a point.

When you’re stuck in a cloud of routine, filtering everything that comes at you – limited by that which you’ve allowed yourself to become thus far – you may be missing opportunities that show up, and then walk right on by. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, as everything does happen in accordance with the “right time” for you, on your journey. So don’t worry. The universe has no reason to deny you anything you want in life. That’s all your doing…

Keep in mind that you’re always attracting gifts, challenges, lessons, teachers, and students into your life, because it’s in your nature to expand and grow, whether you acknowledge, accept and implement it or not. Keep ignoring something, especially when it’s only YOU that is wanting to grow past it, and it’ll just keep on nagging and reappearing for you.

Remain open to possibilities. You have a singular perspective, and while it’s always most important to trust your own feelings on an issue, it may not be in your best interest to develop a “No!” knee-jerk response to the ideas introduced from without.

Image: “Idea’s Interrupted” by Capture Queen

I found my favourite cafe table today, unoccupied, and so I scored the best vantage point in the whole place. I get to see people interacting, walking, entering and exiting. Traffic buzzes by outside. In the evenings, the table is one of few well lit as a hanging light happens to be placed in just the right place to illuminate this small area of solace and contemplation.

I dove into some sudoku and crosswords, munching away at a muffin that left something to be desired. I have yet to find the perfect balance of amazing pastry/treat and coffee. Seems it’s either one or the other.

Today I noticed a few young lads sitting at a larger table, usually used for group or company meetings. One had a laptop, the other an iPhone or something like it. I’d guess they were between 7 and 10 years of age. Found it a bit strange as there didn’t seem to be an adult around that they belonged to.

Sitting at my funky little table, a couple of women were at the table next to me, engrossed in what seemed a very important conversation. One who spoke as I sat raised her hand to her cheek to obscure her mouth from view, as if I’d be listening in or something. Found that amusing. I’m sitting at the next table. I can hear them breathe if I listen hard enough. Regardless, I don’t intentionally eavesdrop on folks. But it’s close quarters. You’re bound to hear stuff. Once I’m done with the muffin, I insert the earbuds and listen to music, podcasts, or something of educational or inspirational value.

Anyway, one of the boys walked over to the covert-speaking lady, who hardly let him utter a word before telling him that “It’s not your time yet… this is my time until 4:10, OK?” (4:08 was the current time) I really didn’t know what to think, and fought back laughter. Must focus on sudoku.

Seriously?

The child, being a child, wandered away, in a semi-circular direction and ended up near the shoulder of his mother’s friend… “Are you done yet?” he asked. Awesome! She replied, “No. Not until 4:10.” blah blah blah. She then took it upon herself to dress down the kid in front of her friend, going on about how if he would give her a few more minutes then he’d earn some of her attention. This was one of at least four or five times she reminded him of how inconvenient it was that he existed. Perhaps that’s exaggerating it a bit… During one of the little episodes, she asked him to give her a hug, which not surprisingly, he only did half-heartedly. Her friend chimed in sarcastically with “Oh, you can really feel the love with that hug.”

So, I’m confused. The kid must be confused, too. Go away, but come here and give me a real hug.

Whatever the boys did seemed to make it worse. She’d look over to check on one of them, looking at his phone asking “Are you browsing?” a few times. Then, she grabbed the phone away to inspect what he was getting into. At least 15 minutes had elapsed and she was still enthralled in this super-secret conversation, complaining about somebody… possibly a family member, or co-worker. Silly, silly stuff.

The other woman’s cell phone, sitting on their table, rang. She knew who it was, answered it, then ended the short call with a sigh, and “God, any more interruptions? I forget what I was talking about now…” As if it was the phone’s fault, and that it had forced her to answer the call.

These things I find amusing, and disheartening. People blame their kids, gadgets, the rich, God, nature, and whatever else for their inability to focus, or complete a thought process, or for their constant stress and frustration with life. They look to politicians and the mainstream media for scapegoats with which to invest their ire and dismay.

I think the irony is that it’s the kids who could teach volumes if we didn’t have some incessant need to control and destroy their spirits. It’s no wonder they run and hide in their laptops, gadgets and game consoles, or worse, substances and abusive behaviour later in life.

Image: “children’s day” by M@rg

It’s curious that a nice cafe (all windows on the exposed side), situated beside a busy avenue would have doors wide open (mmm fumes), air conditioning (heat) on, and all the lights burning, even on the sunniest of days. But none of that was of real concern.

I made eye contact with the infant, and got the distinct feeling that she was saying “I know something that you don’t know…” Couldn’t help but return the smile, and the knowing of the moment. Cheeky little lady.

The only person not to acknowledge the baby’s presence was a young woman deeply engrossed in her laptop. Not doing anything, but staring at it. Maybe she was reading something important, but her demeanor made me think it was utterly boring, or perhaps she was drifting away into a much more interesting fantasy or daydream. All she had to do was look up, and her day may have changed completely. Who knows.

Image: “Return to Innocence” by Syed Touhid Hassan

Truth is, focusing on the “good” is not profitable, or so they believe. You can flip through most newspapers and find page after page of dark, nasty things in and of humanity that somebody decided it’d be useful, or expected of them to report on. In between all of that, you find advertising. What a weird combination.

You see magazine covers, with the altered, airbrushed, flawless image of what’s “good” and attractive about our physical appearance. These kinds of influences inundate our senses everywhere we go, unless we make an effort and choice to detach and deflect…

I guess the point is that what we focus on expands. Within ourselves, the energy we create and maintain is largely determined by what’s going on between our ears. Thoughts are powerful things, as we all know. Influencing them is key to making any sort of lasting change, and moving in a positive, evolutionary way toward your desires in life. Training yourself to focus on the good and positive aspects effects immediate results, most obviously in your feelings and emotions. Further to that, your body eases up and loosens its tension. Over time, as with anything, habits settle in becoming new beliefs allowing you a more and more effortless existence. It really is all up to you.

A key aspect to this is to realize that even in something perceived as “bad” there is “good”. It’s tough to see – or even care about – that if you’re stressed out, tired, frustrated, or in any other negatively charged emotional state. If this is the case, remember your breath. The simplest of things, used deftly for a mere 10 seconds can change your life in an instant… Focus on the good. –tb

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Focus on the Good
Raise Your Vibration

Everything in the universe is made of energy. What differentiates one form of energy from another is the speed at which it vibrates. For example, light vibrates at a very high frequency, and something like a rock vibrates at a lower frequency but a frequency nonetheless. Human beings also vibrate at different frequencies. Our thoughts and feelings can determine the frequency at which we vibrate, and our vibration goes out into the world and attracts to us energy moving at a similar frequency. This is one of the ways that we create our own reality, which is why we can cause a positive shift in our lives by raising our vibration.

We all know someone we think of as vibrant. Vibrant literally means “vibrating very rapidly.” The people who strike us as vibrant are vibrating at a high frequency, and they can inspire us as we work to raise our vibration. On the other hand, we all know people that are very negative or cynical. These people are vibrating at a lower frequency. They can also be an inspiration because they can show us where we don’t want to be vibrating and why. To discover where you are in terms of vibrancy, consider where you fall on a scale between the most pessimistic person you know and the most vibrant. This is not in order to pass judgment, but rather it is important to know where you are as you begin working to raise your frequency so that you can notice and appreciate your progress.

There are many ways to raise your vibration, from working with affirmations to visualizing enlightened entities during meditation. One of the most practical ways to raise your vibration is to consciously choose where you focus your attention. To understand how powerful this is, take five minutes to describe something you love unreservedly—a person, a movie, an experience. When your five minutes are up, you will noticeably feel more positive and even lighter. If you want to keep raising your vibration, you might want to commit to spending five minutes every day focusing on the good in your life. As you do this, you will train yourself to be more awake and alive. Over time, you will experience a permanent shift in your vibrancy.

Source: DailyOm.com
Image: “Golden Child” by Appfrica

Every time we experience something we don’t want, the equal and opposite desire is instantly created. A part of you must know, conceive of, and record the desire for you to experience what you really want, and based on this experience (which could be happening again, and again in your life) you now know what you would prefer. You may have witnessed how things are never exactly the same, just like this tree here… Every year it expands and grows, but it’s not a uniform experience. Life can toss us around now and again, but you have to know that it’s all working out for you, if that is your intention.

But, why does this crappy thing keep happening then? Well, beliefs are powerful, and largely unconscious things that are engrained into our experience, possibly learned or established at a very early age. But they’re also created by you, with your thoughts. So the trick is to now use awareness as your way out of the skipping-record routine. You have the universal tools at your disposal already: thoughts, and feelings. Paying close attention to your emotions will open up your life experience in ways that can only lead to healing and growth. –tb

Over And Over Again
Having The Same Experiences

There may be times in our lives when it seems like we keep having the same kinds of experiences. The situation or the people involved may be different each time, yet one experience may feel exactly like the last one and the one before that one. Perhaps we left a job where we were unhappy and we find ourselves experiencing similar challenges in our new job. A relationship with a new romantic partner may start to seem a lot like our old relationship and the problems that we thought we had left behind. We may feel disappointed or frustrated and wonder why the same situations and people keep showing up in our lives. The truth is that the same kinds of experiences don’t keep happening to us. After all, the circumstances and the people involved are always different. We keep having the same kinds of experiences.

Subconsciously, there is great value to be had in experiencing life in the same ways until we are ready to have different experiences. Perhaps we feel unworthy of happiness, or worry that we can’t get a break. Our experiences tend to reflect what we believe about life. After all, most of us don’t like to be proven wrong. We may even derive satisfaction in being right or experience a sense of safety every time we confirm to ourselves that know the way the world works. We may choose a relationship partner who is very different from our last significant other and hope that this time love will turn out differently. Yet as long as we hold whatever beliefs we have that limit the good we can experience in our relationships, we will create the same dynamic of limited happiness with any partner.

We bring ourselves and our beliefs to every situation. If we can figure out which of our beliefs are no longer serving us, we can consciously change those beliefs, make new choices, and start having new kinds of experiences that are in line with what we want in life.

Source: DailyOM.com
Photo: “Pacific Spirit” by lawmurray