Sunday, September 30, 2012

Honoring Sacred Self




Authentic self love is the greatest combatant to oppression and injustice.
Wisdom of Mary Magdalene


    Attending to our own Sacredness within is an essential step in living an authentic life of service and contribution. I think most of us want to have a positive impact in the world. Those of us on the journey of spiritual and emotional intelligence seek ways to heal ourselves and then offer healing to others. Most of our religious traditions, even though we may not participate actively today, had a focus on giving to others. Growing up catholic certainly attests to this. As a child, I recall our learning about those who were hungry and experiencing injustice and our responsibility to attend to them. My own family modeled outreach on a regular basis to those who needed assistance in our own community. 

   With this upbringing, there was also a insinuation that focusing too much on ourselves was, well...selfish and wrong. As a young girl our religious teachings and stories were about focusing on others, feeding the hungry and clothing the poor. 

   Today I appreciate the learning I received around these teachings. After all, there are poor among us and having instilled within me a care and compassion for others is honorable. Today, I also believe that we must honor our own sacredness and care for ourselves above all us and from this fulness within, we give abundantly to others. It's still risky for me to say this, however, since some still think this is selfish behavior. 

   While it's not a complete departure from the teachings of my religious upbringing, it is a slight departure and a substantial addition. I believe to truly attend to the needs of another and be of service in a profound capacity, I must attend first to my own physical and spiritual well-being. In doing so, I learn to give from spiritual and emotional maturity, completeness that honors my own authentic relationship with the Divine. When honor the sacredness of self first, my motives are clear. My giving doesn't come out of duress or fear of reprisal but of conscious choice and desire to serve. 

When we honor our own sacredness and give to others from this fullness within, we honor the sacredness of others and the difference we make is most profound. To love self is a courageous act of service for all. 

Blessings on your journey. 

www.blessingsfrommary.com


Monday, September 10, 2012

Navigating our spiritual journey



Action with an intention to serve will birth miracles.
                                                                             Wisdom of Mary Magdalene


I know that an intention to serve others connects me to Divine flow and opens doors to experience synchronistic events. When I follow this flow and see these synchronistic events as part of the guidance to serve, I am able to accomplish what I set out to accomplish. Unfortunately, unhealthy ego, old messages and life's challenges can get in the way. My mind can steer me away from my heart and soul's intuitive direction and I get sidetracked.

When we heal ourselves and do the personal work that clears out our wounded history, teaches us to confront our own addictive patterns and opens us to a spiritual connection, we become free and ready to serve. In service we find our Divine purpose, but first we must allow ourselves to heal and find empowerment through our pain. 

The discipline of the spiritual life is difficult. There are ups and downs and the journey is not even, smooth and always direct. If we do not give up on ourselves and continue to surrender what we confront along the way, especially our own internalized shame and fear, a way will be shown. Faith during these times will help. 

Today my intention is to be of service to others and to love myself boldly and unabashedly as I navigate this journey. I give to myself the kind and generous parenting and guidance also the path that I have always longed to receive. In my unconditional love and support of me, I come home to myself and I find my way.

www.blessingsfrommary.com


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The power to create....


One must experience attachment in order to experience the ability to surrender.
Wisdom of Mary Magdalene

“It is easy to be attached to an outcome, but to be free of attachments and surrender to Divine Spirit, this is an art. This is the practice that creates freedom, clarity and abundance. This is the practice that allows for the great spiritual energy to come in and move all things to allow for synchronicity and miracles.

You are wise and courageous to see and own your attachments. In fully embracing them, you are able to fully release them as well.

You must have one to have the other. There must be attachment to experience surrender. They are all one. They are all part of the spiritual journeying. They are a part of the deepening growth that comes over time.

Allow the attachment to connect you to Divine Source in surrender.
We are here for you.”

Today I pray for the courage to LISTEN to my own power to create through intuition and inner guidance. I know that to truly manifest the desires of my heart, I must be disciplined - like a warrior - to release what no longer serves me and embrace direction that comes through my own meditation practice and connection with Spirit. It's not a magical happening, it is mature woman, being willing to give up her own fantasies of how things should look or be in order to change (which is the greatest fear for most of us) my life to honor Divine whispers. Comfort is over rated, but many of us choose what is familiar because of our addiction to comfort, rather than honoring the guidance within that comes to assist us in the right use of our souls.

Caroline Myss writes and speaks so eloquently about Learning to Create. Check her work out at www.myss.com.