The difference between an ordinary life and an extraordinary life is only a matter of perspective. Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go, they merely determine where you can start.

Change can enter our lives silently and this change can be just as important as change we have worked hard for. Sometimes, without any big announcement or momentous shift, we wake up to find that change has happened, seemingly without us. This can feel like a miracle as we suddenly see that our self-esteem really does seem to be intact, or our partner actually is helping out around the house more.

We may even wonder whether all of our hard work had anything to do with it, or if it just happened by way of grace.  This doesn’t mean that our efforts play no part in the miracle of change—they do. It’s just that they are one small part of the picture that finally results in the softening of our hearts.

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During these Chaotic Times, one thing is extremely important in order to overcome any temporary crisis. In particular, it has to do with YOUR POWER to bring peace and harmony to yourself and the world around us.

For instance, there are periods in life when certain events and situations demand greater inner strength, courage, understanding, and optimism. Furthermore, they may be of a personal, familial, social, political or even planetary nature. For example, as a planet, we are going through multiple crises in which many of us are being tested in a myriad of ways. Each of us is being or will be affected to a different degree. And as a collective humanity, are experiencing concerns which affect the economy, the environment, global peace and stability.

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Our Childhood Experiences can leave wounds and scars that make their presence felt in clever little ways, long after we’ve “grown up”.  If you find you have difficulty having healthy relationships or being successful at work, this may be what’s holding you back from having the life you want. A difficult past doesn’t have to cast a shadow over your life.

Our lives can be forever changed if we experienced a dysfunctional or traumatic childhood. Children who felt the pain of abuse or neglect or the loss of someone they loved continue to suffer even when they are adults. Sometimes we don’t recognize the signs of abuse, neglect, or some other kind of trauma or dysfunction in our childhood. Other times we tend to block out the memories or minimize them because of the pain we feel.

Your wounds may not be your fault, but your healing is your responsibility for living a happier, healthier life. (more…)

CR: I’ve been pondering desire, its essence and its forms. There are positive, the negative and the natural everlasting state of perpetual desire. I think the concepts of desire deserve more than a passing glance. It’s worth contemplating where there is value in desire and different degrees and flavors.

One aspect of desire is that it is instinctive and natural. When we look around at nature, we can see that for survival. All living things, desire food, water, rest and reproduction. Human desire is often criticized when it comes to ones that are connected to expectations, attachments, addictions.

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“Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.” … Ralph Marston

Not Feeling Appreciated?

We all experience times in our life when we do not feel appreciated. Have you ever wondered why we all like to be appreciated? What is it about appreciation that creates value in our life?

William James, well-known psychologist and philosopher, said,

 “The deepest principle of human nature is a craving to be appreciated.”  If we are honest with ourselves, we all want and need to feel valued for who we are and recognized for our contributions and accomplishments.”

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“You must make a decision that you are going to move on. It won’t happen automatically. You will have to rise up and say, I don’t care how hard this is, I don’t care how disappointed I am, I’m not going to let this get the best of me. I’m moving on with my life.”    -Joel Olsen

There is Writing on Your Wall

Our mind is a wonderful tool for thinking, but it also has a vulnerable area known us as the inner critic. Your inner critic gets its voice from something we call the writing on our walls. This writing is from your early childhood experiences. This is true for everyone! You must remember that those who wrote on your wall have also have been programmed down through generations. The others are only able to share with you what they believe, even if they are not your truths. Therefore, there is no Shame of Blame here!

Many of our previous childhood experiences are the roots of our pain and insecurities. They often create feelings of fear, threatening our peace and happiness. Or we feel inadequate, and this social anxiety influences our relationships, quality of life, work, effectiveness and well-being.

Any emotions you had at the time of the event, including any childhood conclusions you came to, are bundled and stored with your original memory of the experience. The mind consults the writing on your walls for every single experience you have in life. The mind looks for a matching template from long ago and you respond to life habitually based on these false past messages, and often without your awareness.

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Life is Based on what we believe. Some say life happens in cycles of 7. Perhaps a shift in our beliefs can also happen using the number 7.

When we look at the bigger picture in life it’s clear how the conditions that end one cycle can become the foundation that begins the next. It’s also clear that between the cycles is a space where neither is present. This is the moment of choice; a moment of opportunity.

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Spring is the season for renewal, we all know that if we keep fruits and vegetables covered too long, they ferment and rot. Often, we follow this same pattern of nature, if we stay stuck in old plans, once who we are has matured and ripened, we can begin to spoil within.

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What seems to be currently setting the bar in our human evolution is our relationships with others. The most prevalent and basic human wound, one we might call “the relationship wound,” is the feeling of not feeling loved or lovable as we are. It is also about not feeling good enough or worthy enough. This is a WOUND of the HEART.

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DS: Christina, while many of our patterns regarding our relationships with others have a positive contribution and ascend us to higher levels of consciousness, there are some others that make us suffer and deplete our energy. I am referring to certain negative emotions and when we have a hard time accepting responsibility for our negative decisions triggered by an external stimulus. For instance, in some cases, when I get angry I may try to forcefully change others, so they can fit my expectations.

CR: Dimitri, to truly support people in their own growth, transformation, grief, etc., we can’t do it by taking their power away (ie. trying to fix their problems), shaming them (ie. implying that they should know more than they do) or overwhelming them (i.e.. giving them more information than they’re ready for).

We must be prepared to step to the side so that they can make their own choices, offer them unconditional love and support, give gentle guidance when it’s needed, and make them feel safe even when they make mistakes.

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