Walking My Talk

A friend posted this on their Facebook page and although I don't usually re-post, but it really did interpret how I am working towards living my life, taking each step forward in my life.

It's a long journey back to a place of peace, but I have to admit, that it is a worthwhile venture. This is not a challenge to me, or a mission, it's a choice. I need to find my own inner peace, my place of sanctuary, my sense of balance, that place that is the right of each and every person.

My daily goal will be as written, but not limited to one person. I have had on my wall in my bathroom 'Life's Daily Instructions,' and I can honestly say that each day, I pick one line and try and accomplish that for the day, with an open heart and not asking for anything in return. I have been doing this for about 20 years.

There is so much good in the world, many kind and generous beings, I believe that it's my turn to appreciate, to be content, at peace, to let go of Ego, and to let go of the Attachment.

I plan to surround myself with those who inspire me, those that motivate me, those that rejoice in life itself and I for them. It's a shared experience.  Life is a shared experience.

There are songs and poems that read, "live like you are dying.' The truth is that we are all dying, so really, that's the only way to believe. The truth is though, that for many, the opposite of this choice becomes a way of life. Most of us live as if we are invincible, like we will live forever. Nobody knows how long they will live or how active or healthy they will be. With this state of mind, it gives us an opportunity to open ourselves up to really and truly living life.

Over the summer, a friend had a massive heart attack. She is 42 years old and was thought to have been in excellent health. Due to the circumstances of her attack, she may lose part of or all of her foot. There will most likely be other effects due to her condition. That is, if she receives the heart transplant that she requires.

This is not as uncommon as one may choose to believe, whether it be a heart attack, a stroke, cancer, diabetes, a car accident or any other unthinkable circumstance that may arise, but it is not.

We can choose to take the opportunity to live life. To enjoy life. To do what we can to enjoy life each and every day, because each day is truly a gift. Live in the present, enjoy the moment, live in the now.

I, with all honesty, do not feel that we need to 'live like we are dying,' perhaps because I don't really know what that means. I, instead, am going to make an active effort to live in the moment, live each day because it's the best day, we only ever have today. Spread your wings, for goodness sake, fly, swim, whatever it is that makes your heart sing, do it!

AND if I ever lose my way, for but a moment, an hour, a day or more... I will pick myself back up, brush myself off and continue on my way. For it is not to begin again... Life is a continuous journey and from what I have experienced, there is no path that is void of bumps, turns or round-a-bouts, each is only set along the way to teach or perhaps experience from a different perspective, but always to help us to grow. With growth we move forward.

Be kind to one another. Spread the word. What a wonderful world it would be.

As Luck Would Have It...

The Luck of the Irish.... I don't believe in Luck. I must have as a kid because I remember searching the grass whenever I could for 4-Leaf Clovers. I am not sure when I lost touch with the belief but I do know why. Simply put, by giving something up to 'luck' we are giving away our own personal power. I do believe that some people have more good fortune than others, but this may be because they generally have a better outlook. It's often said that we are what we think. I do believe that it goes deeper than this, to no only think, but to truly believe.

I would then put the luck and karma in the same spectrum, perhaps because I struggle to understand either. Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect. Karma originates in ancient India and treated in the Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh religions. I wanted to put this out there, because, I am a practicing Catholic, and the Catholic religion is not based on Karma. Although I respect each religions own uniqueness and individuality, I don't typically pick and choose which parts of any religion that I want to take with me because it suits my current needs or situation. Having said that, I do believe in a cause and effect. How you live your life does determine what kind of life you will have. I just do not understand how it's Karma that determines the outcome. Where does the opportunity to change, to make a better life despite circumstance or opportunity come into effect with Karma. Why would we even want to change if something was always going to come bite us in the butt, no matter what, based on the laws of Karma.

Luck is fortune (whether bad or good) which occurs beyond one's control, without regard to one's will, intention, or desired result. I just believe that we make decisions based on what we need to know, where we need to be and who we need to met or be with, at this moment in life. I understand that this can be challenged, that somebody always wins big because of a lucky charm or horseshoe up their wazoo. But perhaps it is do to the positive energy or connection, based on committed positive thoughts.


Newton's third law of motion, I believe, translates the law of Karma into our universal process, whereby causes lead to effects. Newton's third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

I believe that each and every one of us makes our own opportunities. Which makes me laugh as I would then say that currently, I would say that my opportunities are challenged at this time! Perhaps I need a horseshoe or a lucky clover to guide my thoughts in the positive direction and bring in a home run! 

I recently had a conversation with a friend that is studying Buddhism (not because she wants to change religions, but because she is curious about the religion). She said that during a group discussion a question was posed to the Leader, "Do you think that Buddhism is a stand-alone religion or an adjunct to our religious beliefs?" I personally thought that the Leader may have been insulted by this question, but it did pose an interesting perspective on our society. 

Luck, Karma, Newton's Laws... Delightfully curious!

Bullying ~ The Big Secret

Everyone wants to be loved, accepted and cared for. There are no exceptions. Everyone wants friends, which, from what I have read, is what little Amanda Todd wanted most. She was a child and as a society we failed her and many other children that have left before her as well. Unless something changes, we will continue to do so. We are constantly inundated with TV shows, movies, music videos, music artists, you-tubes commercials, photos, the list is long, that are sending inappropriate, wrong and often mixed messages to young girls that this may be ok, even though they most likely know that it does not feel right. She wanted to be accepted. Our new advanced society played a major role in this as well. This is so wrong. Bullying comes in all shapes and sizes and we see it in little ways, such as trying to be funny, and we see it much larger, harder and hurtful. We have to protect these children. There are predators out there and we are making it easier for them. I am so incredibly sad that a child has lost all hope.

My personal belief is that communication and education are key. We can protect our children, we can teach them tools, but we cannot be with them every moment. It's a child's job to seek independence, freedom from the 'chains' (as they see them) from their parents. The most important tool during this period is communication, especially listening. Even when and mostly, when they don't want to talk. A word, a hug, just so they know that no matter what, they are loved and accepted, even when their hair is spiked up and  purple on the ends. This is their individuality. It can be a tough period but knowing that you are accepted within your family and that there is dialogue. Parents need an invisible shield at this time. This is so important, because when something happens, such as bullying, they need to know, without a doubt, that they will be heard, listened to. Teachers, coaches are also important. It's a huge umbrella. It is community and we have to keep our eyes and ears open.

Hurtful words leave invisible scars. But they are not invisible inside. One form of bullying is to emotionally effect another through negative words. I was bullied as a child. To this day, it still affects me. Most likely each and every one of has been bullied at some point in our lives.

My personal experience with bullying is that I was bullied because I was different. I thought differently. It is hard to be accepted when you are different and through the years, it has become increasingly difficult to be unique, to think outside of the box. It matters not the intention of the bullying, it matters how it affects one inside. I was fortunate because, I had a great family support system, even though, my reality, was that I was different from them as well. Having said that, by definition, I am still bullied because I think differently. People don't really believe that it is bullying though, they think that it is ok, sometimes they just think that they are being funny. It's not funny when it hurts or opens wounds that we might have thought were long gone. I do know that how we accept or perceive the words are a reflection of our present state of mind.

I have a core belief that we all experience what we need to as children to experience life as an adult and play an important and unique role in society. I believe that this is God's will; Thine will be done through me.  We are all here to learn. We are all here to teach. With this, as I learn and I teach. This is my gift.  I was uncomfortable with my body. I spent a lot of time trying to hide it.

"Be unapologetic in your positivity even in the face of dire circumstances. Even when it seems that there is no way out, insist that there is one and that you just cannot see it at that moment. Though you may not have an answer now, be secure in the knowledge that there is an answer to every question you can ask. You may need to develop patience to wait out periods of “darkness”. Know that the light always comes." This is at the core of my belief system. 

I have a gift of the ability to sense what is happening with those I come into contact with. Everyone. I do believe that we all have this gift. I am most aware of this and perhaps more sensitive to it. My challenge has been to separate my sense of self from those emotions of others.

My acceptance and understanding of this has been recent. It has sometimes been a lonely road. In the past, I have just said things that come to my head, as an observation, without being accountable. I typically tune into energies immediately. I can't seem to hide from it, although I would like to sometimes. I often ask myself why I can't just have a normal conversation. The answer is because I am picking up on how others are feeling inside. I can feel it. I have always known that this scared people, but to be honest, without understanding it, I really didn't know why. To explain it better is that I tune into their emotions and I do so without thinking or being aware of it. For many years, I carried these feelings and emotions with me. I have now learned to let them go, to separate myself from them.

Too Much Pain

The most difficult of these feelings is pain. Mental pain is one thing, physical pain is a whole other pain. It makes me crazy, I often cover my ears or walk away. The feelings of the mental pain, up until now, have affected me because I have allowed the pain to take me back to my own pain. This is what I have had to learn to do. And it is quite a process, a challenge that can indeed be conquered. I was like an emotionally charged wrecking crew. I, however, perhaps because of this, am able to conceal my pain, thoughts, emotions.


This is what is at the core of my individuality, who I am. For me to embrace this gift is to be whole and inspired.

Just my thoughts on this day.................