Life Flows On Your Thoughts

How does your life flow? Do you go through life in fits and starts? Does it seem as if you're jumping from one situation into another? We have a tendency to create drama even when there's no call for it. I have found myself, at times, focusing my thoughts on negative outcomes in order to 'be prepared' for that anticipated eventuality. More often than not, that sort of 'preparation' brought about the focused upon outcome. But recently I've been pleasantly surprised by events because of my change in focus. I still will delve into the negative anticipation of an event on occasion, but I no longer maintain focus on the negativity. Instead I channel my focus and energy on the outcome that I desire to experience; I focus on already being in the situation that I desire to be in. Consequently, outcomes have become quite positive and in some cases even unanticipated. This is a testament to the practice of living in the now. I keep reinforcing the fact that FEAR (Future Events Appearing Real) presents an illusion that prevents the creation of the actual outcomes we desire. What we focus on is what we create. Fortunately, creation requires sustained focus. So the occasional negative thought does not necessarily translate into the outcome. However, continued focus on a fear can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. So how do we avoid creating what we don't want? Well, take out the "don't" and focus on the desired outcome. 'Wanting' implies lack and wanting something does not provide anything. It focuses your thoughts on what you do not currently have. Being grateful for what you have now expresses to the universe that you are ready for more to be grateful for. Feeling grateful places you in a positive vibration, whereas wanting is a negative energy that sucks the life out of the present moment. If you're going around constantly thinking about what you don't have, you aren't providing any energy towards attaining the thing you desire. You are only providing energy to the 'want'. Wouldn't you prefer to put your energy to better use? Life definitely flows better when you aren't constantly thinking about all the scenarios that might happen (and haven't).

Gratitude is an Attitude for every day

Thanksgiving Day in the United States is a holiday celebrated by the majority of people in the country. The original intent has been overshadowed by commercialization and modern traditions. However, my intent here is not to rant negatively, but to focus on the Attitude of Gratitude that seems to be celebrated only once a year in this country. We have so much to be thankful for EVERYDAY. A beautiful sunrise. The smile of a friend, spouse, lover, stranger. Friendship. Family. A roof over your head. Running water. Electricity. FREEDOM. Power of choice. It goes on and on and on.... Taking things for granted prevents us from activating the The Law of Gratitude (The more you give, the more you will receive. The more you assist others, the more you will assist yourself. The power of this Law works in your day-to-day life.). It doesn't hurt to take a moment every now and then to reflect and give a silent Thank You for what is transpiring in that moment. When we focus our attention on what we are thankful for, we raise that positive vibration into the universe and are thus helping humanity in general. Quantum Physics has demonstrated to us that what we think and focus on becomes our reality. Maintaining a positive vibration no matter the circumstances in life helps us all; therefore, your gratitude becomes "the gift that keeps on giving". That's easy now, isn't it? So let's keep this attitude going everyday. You have a choice to see things in a different way, no matter what the circumstance. Be thankful for the lesson and the opportunity to learn. We are here to experience life, so let's be thankful and grateful for this wonderful experience. Thank YOU for sharing and being. Namaste.

Mother Nature's Correction in San Diego

I am just now being led back to creating an entry here. It has been difficult to capture all the feelings and thoughts flowing through me during the past couple of weeks. Living in San Diego during the recent Wildfire event has brought many challenges, blessings, and lessons. The initial challenge for me was to "walk the talk" of choice. Choosing to view this occurrence just as it is without judging it was especially difficult during the 24-7 news coverage. For some reason, I have been having resistance to writing in this blog for the past few weeks. The intention has been there, but the desire and energy has not. I have given up on forcing myself to do anything I do not want to do or feel like doing. I haven't tried to understand why I wasn't in the right vibration for communicating in this space; I leave that up to the Divine. The only thing to focus on now is that I AM back to this. So I will attempt to catch-up on the past few weeks and provide some pics that will help to illuminate this part of my journey. This one is of the sunrise (taken from Cowles Mtn) the morning of the 21st (Sunday). The fires would begin this day in the east county area (the mountains you see the sun coming up behind). The Wild Fires occupied attention and focus (and continue to do so) during this time. It is very ironic that my previous post was about resiliency and renewal from the previous fire event (Cedar Fires) that occurred here in 2003. Fortunately my friend's rebuilding efforts were not destroyed as her area was spared this time. That can not be said for quite a few folks in this area. Although the Cedar Fires were the largest in our local history, they had the unintended benefit of reducing the amount of possible damage during this event. Kind of gives a new perspective on fire damage, eh? Not to belittle the trauma that has been caused to many, but the fact is these events DO have a purpose. If we come from a perspective of responsibility, Divine purpose, and non-judgement, we can view this event as an opportunity. An opportunity to express our best selves. An opportunity to learn. An opportunity to be more than how we view ourselves. This is a picture of the sunset Sunday evening (21st), taken from Fiesta Island (Mission Bay area). Smoke from the fires was drifting towards the ocean. At this point the fires were beginning to rage out of control and Mother Nature was exerting her muscles via strong Santa Ana winds (up to 70 mph gusts). Those winds drove the fires through the Rancho Bernado, Rancho Santa Fe, Poway, and Ramona neighborhoods. The scope of the fires hadn't really begun to hit home to those in the immediate San Diego area; people were pretty much going about their daily routines. The evacuation calls would go out this evening as these pics illustrate. We went to bed concerned, but not alarmed, as this is the fire season in SoCal. The media hadn't gotten into the full drumbeat of hysteria as yet. The morning greeted us much differently with constant updates of road closures and mandatory evacuation notices broadcast continuously via the airwaves and internet. The air was acrid and dense with smoke. We had to close up all windows and openings to the outdoors, which emphasized the dire warnings to stay off the roads and indoors. The 24/7 news coverage fanned flames of a different sort as our media types raced each other to bring us the latest information first and best. In fairness to them, I personally believe they provided good service to the area. I was pretty addictive to find out and view the latest images and info as it was presented. I normally don't watch TV, but found myself either in front of it or viewing newscasts online. It did get pretty repetitive after awhile and began to get numbing over time. At home I was safe and relatively unaffected, while other fellow citizens were being evacuated from their homes or were fighting to save them. One of the lessons for me during this time was the fact that the universe decides what/when is good timing. I was in the process of finalizing job prospects between two companies and the outlook was very positive in both cases. I ended-up with offers from both companies, but the fires disrupted what I thought the timing should be. So even though I was being provided with great opportunities, I was reminded emphatically that the timing is not on my schedule. These shots are of the sunset on Tuesday (23rd) taken from Rancho Mission Canyon. The smoke was in full flow and made for interesting colors. At this point I was busy helping manning the phone banks of Volunteer San Diego's disaster response team. I also helped at the Qualcomm evacuation site distributing food to the evacuee's. It was very rewarding to see my community respond to the disaster as it did. We were turning volunteer's and food donations away due to the huge response. It was such a great feeling to be a part of the energy of giving that permeated Qualcomm. VSD's phone lines and website were inundated with prospective volunteers and we were hard-pressed to keep pace. In a sense it is unfortunate that it took a disaster to transform the normally disinterested, self-absorbed SD community into a caring, giving populace. But that's my judgement and something I must let go of. Things finally got back into a slight semblance of control on Friday (26th) as the winds began to shift to a more normal westerly direction. The fires weren't out, but we could sense the change in intensity. We began to think in terms of recovery (and that is ongoing now). People were being allowed back into their neighborhoods to assess damage and recover what was left. The news stories were focusing on the heroics and also some of the negativity began to creep back in; life was getting back to normalcy. The majority of San Diegans were physically unaffected by these events and it was evidenced in the return of normal modes of behavior. The fires would not be officially contained until the 29th. So now the community is in lessons learned mode. The 2003 fire lessons helped us to get through this one in a more effective manner, but there is still much to improve. The VSD Disaster Cadre set-up was a big help and I am very grateful to be a part of it. Being of service is one of the purposes of this life (IMHO). The feelings that I receive from helping are more than enough compensation and fulfill the essence of joy of living. If all of us made the effort to give to one another, what would this world be like? So, I am very thankful for the lessons provided during this time. I am continually amazed by the universe's diverse ways of providing us with experiences to grow from. What a wonderful opportunity we have been given to examine our lives and realize that there is more to it than chasing things external to us. Many folks here have been given the opportunity to see their life in a different manner and to realize what is truly important in their lives. What would you deem important enough to keep if you had to evacuate your home in 15 minutes? Who/what is most important to you? Could you start over now? The universe will test you on that someday.

Resiliency to recreate

I had a chance to spend some time this weekend helping a friend of a friend in rebuilding her home. Her original home had been destroyed in the Cedar fires that ravaged the San Diego County area in 2003. She lives near Julian, CA which is near the Cleveland National Forest and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The area where her home is located is beautifully situated (and isolated) among the hills and what used to be forest. Mother Nature is showing her resiliency in the growth that you can see among the burnt tree skeletons that has occurred in the 4 years since the fires.

It was fun and rewarding to be part of a group of people coming together to be of service to a friend. It helped to be in a beautiful, natural, setting even though it drizzled for a good part of the morning. We kept a fire going the whole day from the brush and deadwood that had accumulated and was still available as a result of the fires over 4 years before (irony indeed). Resiliency was a theme that kept recurring during the time spent helping: Carmen's attitude about the fire and rebuilding, the group's attitude about the rain and getting some work done, the way we had to maneuver the pieces of the roof (Quonset hut) and bolt the pieces together, the way the stars finally pierced through the cloudy sky that evening.

That night I literally slept under the stars. Such an amazing and awe-inspiring sight! To see the multitude of light-pinpoints really me in a state of bliss in the realization that we really are part of a special, incredible, creation. No matter what your beliefs, looking at a spectacular night sky has to hit you at an emotional, primordial level. How can one think of him/herself as "special" when confronted with the representations of trillions of energy producing objects in a relatively small slice of viewpoint? It makes you face the infinite creation power of the divine source of it all. And, WE are a part of that source! We all are representatives of that creative power, here to experience all aspects of ourselves.

We experience our own resiliency in many instances throughout our days. Think about it. How many times have you had to 'adapt' to a new situation or circumstance? Did you survive? Learn? Grow? Thrive? Are you the same person you were yesterday? Really? We are in a constant state of change, whether we want to realize it or not. Cells are dying and regenerating within our bodies at a rate that we do not appreciate. That's just physically.... So what is your mental rate of change? Are you stuck or resilient in your ways of thinking?

Namaste

Flying free

There are times when being who you are goes against the expectations of all around you, sometimes even your own. Recognizing that those expectations do not really have anything to do with you can help put things into perspective. Ultimately, the only person you can answer to is yourself. Once that realization settles into your being, you are set free to live life without limitations.... the way we were meant to live.

I write this as a reminder to myself to recognize that there are no expectations to be met. I have set myself some goals to do certain things at certain times, but my soul seems to have a different time frame to follow. This journey I am on has been one filled with discovery and progressive enlightenment. Getting to the point of Allowing has been a rollercoaster of experience. My gratitude for these experiences expands daily. It amazes me at times the changes a shift in thought can bring about in your life. It also baffles me how easily one can revert to old ways of thinking and acting in a millisecond.

Life is such a gift. It makes you appreciate the divine design to experience one's self in all manner of circumstances. I finally realize the purpose in experiencing the low's in order to truly appreciate the wonder of the high's. Its amazing how we take things for granted until we experience the opposite condition.

But labeling these experiences in such a manner only perpetuates the judgements we place upon them. Experiencing without judging the circumstance provides an indescribable freedom. We humans seem to have a need to label and judge everything. Our cultures have trained us to be so. Think about that the next time you decide to chastise your child for acting or thinking in a manner that is contrary to 'expected' norms. Are we repeating teachings that have been perpetuated for the past decade, century, millenia? Twenty years ago the Internet was an academic exercise. Now we are in the beginnings of true global awareness and this awareness is accelerating despite the "old guard" efforts to hold things to the same ol same ol. Are you perpetuating this type of thinking?

The limitations we place upon ourselves are the only things truly holding us back. I am discovering this on a daily basis and have been working to get out of my own way. The path is clear for everyone who makes an inspired effort. It is that in-spiration that helps to show the way. It is only when we connect with our inner spirit that the way to true freedom becomes apparent. Realization that we are connected in spirit and are reflections of the divine gives the knowledge, the knowing, that we are more than the perpetuated illusion that is modern life. Each of us has the ability to choose how our life progresses, or not. Therein lies the free-will given to us, we get to choose. Be aware that you CAN choose, that you have chosen to this point. But now you can be aware of the choices that you make. I've chosen to see all things in my life as the gifts that they are. Everything I am and will be stems from the choices I have made and am making. This awareness gives me the freedom to live in this MOMENT and appreciate it. You can fly free as well.

Namaste

Following "The Way"

This shot was taken Oct 2nd as the sun began its journey from the east. It is looking toward Cuyamaca Peak which is northeast of the San Diego area. I've been listening to Dr Wayne Dyer's Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: Living The Wisdom Of The Tao audio book on my treks up Cowles Mountain in the mornings to capture the sun's appearance over the eastern mountains. The Tao Te Ching is a classic Chinese text written by Lao Tzu which provides a road-map, of sorts, to living the inspired life. I will share some the teachings and perceptions I receive as I go along. A majority of the verses point towards water as an example of how to live life. The patience and the flow of water provide a great metaphor for how to deal with life's perceived troubles. Grasping and holding onto water does you no good, you can't do it. The only way to experience water is to place your hands in it and allow it to flow. Life is the same way; the more you try to force things to happen, the more resistance you encounter. The saying, Going with the flow, takes on more meaning when viewed in this light. I'm learning the difficulty of actually practicing this. It's not easy to just let things happen. The ego wants things to happen NOW. It wants to be in control. But there is a divine timing and rhythm to life. The key is to allow and surrender, understanding that everything is taken care of already.

Here's a shot of me taken this morning at the summit on my 49th b-day after the trek up Cowles mountain trail. The trail up is 1.5 miles long with an elevation gain of about 900 ft. Alot of people run up and down the trail. In the early morning, you'll see a number of people on the trail that make me feel young (looking anyways). The thing we all have in common is being in the moment as we hike up the mountain. That's another way of being in the flow. I'm fairly slow going up compared to most folks and even slower going down. That's okay by me. Sometimes its difficult to let go of comparisons to the other hikers when they are speeding past you. It's just another opportunity for me to allow myself to be me and not worry about other's perceptions.

So much to absorb and chronicle in the next year. One thing I know I'll be doing is learning and growing. So by the time next year's b-day comes along, I'm looking forward to all of us being another year wiser. I'll end here with a quote provided by Dr. Dyer:

"There is no way to happiness, happiness IS the way."

Namaste

Beginning a new journey with appreciation

When I quit my job as an engineer in March this year, I was driven by an urge to express my creativity and discover my spirituality. Here it is October 1st and I've manifested my desires. Granted, appearances to some may seem like I've taken a few steps backward. That's where the illusion of this existence can come into play. I haven't bought into the illusions of this physical realm and have surrendered to the Divine to show me the way. By surrendering, I have allowed circumstances to show me how things fall into place when you follow your dreams and desires. I offer my appreciation daily for the support I've received through my friendships and the synchronicities that show up constantly. Its amazing how things line up when you change you mindset and focus on the positive. I'll expound more on that in future posts.

So now I begin the journey of creating a book which will chronicle my transition into my 5th decade of physical existence. My intention is to capture sunrises and sunsets daily for the next year. This morning's sunrise was greeted atop Cowles Mountain in Santee, CA. I currently reside about 1 mile away from Cowles, so a majority of the initial day breaks will more than likely be from there; but ya never know what the Universe has in store for me. So from here on out, I'll be showing samples of what I've shot and share some of my thoughts along the way.