No Pain No Gain

In Poor Richard's Almanac: The Way to Wealth, Benjamin Franklin wrote "There are no pains without gains."

I reflected on this phrase as I was running this evening; my body desperately screaming at me to stop - but I forged on - through the pain. OK, I'm a wimp! The pain wasn't that bad and it eventually went away (after two 800 mgs of motrin). Just teasing - no drugs.

After a bit, I reached the Runner's High! OMG! Yesterday and Today!!!! I had forgotten about the high and am I addicted now. Now why was it I gave up running? Well, when I finished my run, I definitely felt the burn. After a workout, you're supposed to stretch. At least I thought muscles and tendons were supposed to stretch and bend. "No pain, no gain." If... I... could... just ... reach ... my ... toes ... and ... pull ... my ... leg ... behind ... me...

What made the night so enjoyable however was watching the geese and ducks take off at sunset and follow the Rio Grande South. I could have sworn they were calling me to fly with them ? as high as I was. I bid them adieu and finished my run.

I know that whatever pains of experience come my way, I'll manage through and be triumphant! Right now I just happen to be learning my continual lesson of patience. Pacing oneself is the key to any situation; running a race or trying to attain other goals in life. Reminds me of The Tortoise and the Hare.

I think I'll practice patience by curling up on my couch downstairs for the night.

Namaste,
WS

Ecstasy of Rebirth

I made a commitment to run a marathon this year. So to gear up for the run, I decided to re-evaluate what I needed to change in my running habits. Those who know me personally are well aware that once I say "yes" I go all out and there's no holding me back. These same souls often walk with me - well, uh, I walk, they run to try and keep up with me. Unfortunately, getting back into the running shoes after some time lapse I knew that I needed to hold myself back to prevent injury. What a chore!!! But I succeeded in making this change. I guess you can say I'm a born again runner! And boy does it feel great! I'm ecstatic, can you tell? Maybe I'd better wait and see if I can crawl out of bed in the morning...

This one small goal is just the beginning of a few rebirths I'll be experiencing this year and next. And I'm looking forward to them all - pain or not. I can choose to remain stagnant and not move forward because I might get hurt, but if I remain where I'm at, I may never experience the thrill of learning something new or attaining my dreams.

See you at the finish line!

Namaste,
WS

Happy Thanksgiving

May you be blessed in abundance today and always with love, joy and peace!

Namaste,
WS

Field of Plenty

Just like the Christmas tree is prevalent during the Christian holiday season, so is the symbol of the Cornucopia during Thanksgiving. The original depictions of the goat's horn filled with food and flowers; representing abundance.

Thanksgiving is a time of year where many give thanks for all of the blessings bestowed on them in their life (or past year). However, we should be giving thanks all of the time for the Field of Plenty; and we do have plenty to be thankful for - not just one time during the year.

We can choose to look at what we don't have, but in order to move forward in life, we should be giving thanks for what we're about to receive - before we receive it - not after.

Be grateful for what you have and for what you're about to receive - whether it's a dream not yet attained or the food on the table. Live life as if you've already been given the gifts of your dreams Giving thanks for your dreams and goals will help you attain your life's desires.

I am grateful for everyone of you who have touched my life. I have learned much from you and am thankful for the lessons you've brought me.

May you all rejoice in the Field of Plenty.

Namaste!
WS

Faith

I was recently privy to a conversation about Faith and what the participants believed Faith was. Is Faith something we are told to have when we have no scientific means to back up our beliefs? Perhaps Faith is trusting in someone because that person has never led us astray? What happens however when we place so much faith in what others tell us we later find contradictions to what we were told?

Whether our religious background is Christian, Muslim, Buddhism, etc. we are taught to believe and have faith in whatever doctrines we are given. We are told that these doctrines hold the truth of our existence. However, we can find truth by sitting quietly and focusing on our breath. In doing so, we learn to listen to the truth within – without external stimuli. By letting go of outside chatter, we are able to experience the beauty of the wisdom that lies within.

If you are uncertain about having faith in yourself, try sitting quietly for a bit, focusing on only your breath. Then tell yourself something you know to be true; I love so and so, or my cat is adorable, or the world is round. Listen to your body and feel what your body’s response is to your statement. Perhaps you felt warm, or happy. Now tell yourself something you believe to be false and again listen to your body’s response. Maybe this time you felt uneasy, or tense. Finish by emptying your thoughts once again. Now imagine a beautiful white light filling your body full of love and compassion. In doing so, we inadvertently extend this love and compassion without.

There’s a Native American philosophy which states “As within, so without.” If we experience faith, truth, love and compassion within, we will certainly experience these without. And the only way to truly find faith is by going within and the answers will appear without.

May you find faith and goodness in all you do.

Namaste,
WS

Don't make assumptions

In agreement three, Don Miguel Ruiz states that we need to communicate with others clearly to avoid misunderstandings and drama. He tells us to find the courage to ask questions and express what we really want.

Not too long ago I had a conversation with a friend and thought I understood what she was saying. However when I responded to her, she was completely taken off guard and offended by what I said. Rather than jump to conclusions, my first step should have been to clarify what she was saying and I did not. Not only did this cause her to be uncomfortable, but with her own misinterpretations of my response she ended all communication with me. We should have taken the time to understand where each was coming from rather than assume we thought we knew. This would have prevented us both from feeling awkward.

Active listening helps us become fully involved in the conversation with the other person. When we ask for clarification, this conveys that we are truly interested in what the other is saying and we are staying present, and in the moment with them.

May you find ways to communicate, effectively and with love.

Namaste,
WS

Don't take anything personally

In The Four Agreements (Agreement 2), Don Miguel Ruiz speaks of becoming immune to the opinions and actions of others.

During my meditation this morning, I reflected again on how words and actions have an impact on us; how we re-act when others say or do things; and how we learn to become immune to the negative behaviour of others.

I looked at my own conduct and how easily I am influenced by others. I have a close friend who's own destructive behaviours were “infecting” my own integrity and the essence of who I truly was. I am having to learn to step back from our relationship in order to re-gain me. In doing so however, my friend has become more afraid of losing me, so rather than let go she is desperately trying to tighten the reigns between us.

In distancing myself, I have learned to watch with an open heart and mind and understand that her fears are not my fears. I can still remain her friend without having to go along with what she says or does. I am just present within myself, deflecting her projections and finding my own power to remain true to my essesnce.

May you always be true to yourself.

Namaste,
WS

Another year wiser?

Today I celebrated another year of my life with many friends. All whom I consider my family. They are who I share my life with daily or whenever we can connect. How wonderful to be blessed with so many people in my life.

As I reflect on the past year of my life, I realize through the many experiences and acquaintances I've met that I've grown in many ways. Each person I've met has made an impact on my life and the impression of the lesson is always of love. Even through the negative experiences, I've grown to know what love is and I'm thankful for all who have touched me.

The lessons I've learned through all who have touched my heart have not been easy, however I'm forever thankful and grateful.

Namaste,
WS

Using the power of your words

"Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love." After reading Don Miguel Ruiz's The Four Agreements, I reflected on this one statement (from Agreement 1) for awhile and realized how difficult keeping our words in love truly can be. Many of us re-act to situations in which we believe we've been wronged. When doing so, our words can come out attacking and hateful when we don't mean it. However, we've let those words loose; now what do we do? We ask for forgiveness from those whom we've harmed and then forgive ourselves and move forward; making an attempt to do our best in thinking about each of our next situations before engaging in negative behaviour.

We can't control how others think or act. When unexpected situations occur, all we can do is control our own reaction towards those things out of our control; whether it be what someone says to us or how we handle ourselves in poor traffic conditions. Every day life presents us with the opportunity to practice showing love with our words and behaviour. And the way I see it, I have a lot of days of practice ahead of me.

May you give and receive love in all you do.

Namaste,
WS

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

There's nothing like waking up and meditating in the light of the snow in the desert. Snow is cleansing, however many get depressed and angry as the winter months "drag" on. We may not know how to control Mother Nature, but what we can do is control our attitudes and reactions towards whatever is "dumped" on us.

Winter is a time of rest(oration). Rather than looking at the negative of our past, we go within and reflect on the blessings bestowed on us during the spring and summer months. A time to replenish our energies. This time also presents us with the opportunity to take a look at how far we've come and help us prepare our paths in honour of our dreams.

May you never lose sight of your dreams and find new ways of staying focused on the light.

Namaste,
WS

Yertle the Turtle

After hearing a colleague make a comment to me about Yertle doing this or that, I picked up a copy of Dr Seuss and read the story of Yertle the Turtle again so I would understand the reference with whom she was speaking.

In short, Yertle is the king of some pond in which he decides that if he builds his throne higher, he'll grow his kingdom by his sight. Each time, he stacked more and more turtles underneath him so that he would sit higher and higher without regard to the “little turtles” holding him up. Until one day he finally falls from his mighty throne – flat on his face.

There is a man with whom I work (Not Yertle). Every day he shows up to clean the firm; empty trash; clean the bathrooms; vacuum and whatever else needs to be done; all without complaining. Of course, no one ever stopped and spoke with him. After all, he was just a lonely janitor. Then one day I saw him in the break room eating his lunch so I sat down and spoke with him. He in his broken English and I in my Spanglish were able to communicate enough for me to learn that he had a degree in broadcasting. But because of the economy, he had to accept a job where he could earn enough money to take care of his family. Mr. G is an educated man, yet no one was willing to talk with him and get to know him.

How often do we have our heads so far in the clouds that we forget about all of our brothers and sisters who may not meet our expectations? We are all in the same web of life and have much to learn from one another. How much of our own fears keep us on our self built pedestals? Whether it be the janitor or manager, we're all working together to make the business work.

Earlier today, someone quoted a verse from the bible to me; Genesis 1:28 (I'll let you look it up). I was basically told that we as humans were given the power by God to be the Masters of all creatures. How sad to think that we are able to MASTER anything other than ourselves. By taking the time to observe the behaviour of plants and animals (yes plants have certain behaviours and characteristics), we would gain a little more understanding of the whole web of life and realize we are here together and need to be more compassionate towards all; including what we do to the environment.

When looking towards the heavens, may your feet keep you planted and connected to the earth.

Namaste,
WS

Creating your current pathway

While fasting and meditating this weekend, I was reminded once again to remain present in the moment and focus on my path. So I decided to do that by taking a motorcycle ride north into the mountains and hike a bit. As I was sitting near an open field soaking in the beauty and reflecting on what "remaining present" meant, I heard something in the trees below me. When I turned to look, I saw a beautiful Bull Elk moving up towards the rim.

I silently looked on and was thankful that the wind was blowing my scent away from him. I watched him move along his path - stopping when he needed to - whether because he was alerted to my presence or taking a nibble from a tree.

Elk are persistent creatures. In the winter, they don't let the snow hinder their movements - they continue on until they've reached their goal. They stop and rest when they need to and then continue on, despite difficulties.

I then realized that I have not been persistent in reaching my goals. Mostly because I've used my energy in other areas of my life not conducive for my own productivity. In order to prevail on my path, I need to rest my body and restore my energy, much like this Bull Elk was doing. In doing so I know that I'll restore my energies, allowing room for change and create the positive path that I desire.

I watched the Elk until we were out of one another's sight. I thanked him for his presence and message and hiked back down the trail, watching the path I was on - in a whole new light.

Namaste,
WS

Losing to gain

This morning is a time for reflection and renewal.

At one time or another, we have experienced a loss; loss relationship, loss of job, or even loss of direction. In each of these times, we experience pain and possibly anger. Yet we know if we look in another direction, there will be abundant possibilities waiting for us. We may have to learn what "going with the flow" is all about. We get used to knowing what we want as an individual so we've placed a control on our life, which creates a block to creativity and understanding. We take for granted the beauty presented in front of us, because it wasn?t part of our grand scheme of things that we envisioned.

I would like to believe that if an opportunity arose, I would greet it with a smile and live out the experience. Doing so takes a great leap of faith and that's frightening. I believe that past experiences have caused me to judge where I go with my life from here. Yet in order to grow, we must greet change and uncertainty so that we can experience life to its fullest, removing past obstacles.

We can chose to remain in our comfort zone, or experience the beauty and love of the universe in places we never dreamed.

May today bring you abundant possibilities of love and new beginnings!

Namaste,
WS

Staying Present to see the presents

So many times I find myself thinking ahead and miss the gifts right in front of me. I realized this as I was driving to work this morning. While sitting at an intersection waiting for the light to signal me on, I was drawn to the colors of the trees directly in front of me. They were so beautiful! How many times did I drive that way to work and never notice the beauty presented me daily?

It seems that we are always preoccupied with the future; a project due; the next client; or finding your heart's desire; rather than staying in the moment and listening to your heart and opening your eyes to the gifts offered right in front of you.

Having patience and trusting that the universe has our best interest at hand allows us to stay present in the moment and open up to the beauty around us.

May you enjoy the gifts in front of you, right now!

Namaste,
WS