Relationship Reflections November 20, 2008

“Relationships constantly call us to create, express and experience our higher self and higher vibration.” ~ Colleen Hoffman Smith

It’s interesting how people come and go in one’s life.  Sometimes we’re fortunate to have them in our life for a long time, sometimes for a short time.   Regardless whether it’s minutes, days, months or years, each person impacts our life in some form; there is value in every encounter and it brings learning that we carry through life.

If we’re blessed, we have friendships that last a lifetime.  I have friends in other provinces and countries who I consider my closest even though I don’t see them often, or we may only talk once a year or two.  A quick email or a phone call connects us instantly, transporting us back to the times and experiences that we shared together, instantly recreating that bond. 

Then there are friendships we seem to stumble upon (although The Universe always has a plan and nothing is by accident); these are people who impact us in great ways when we least expect it.   They breeze in and out of our life so quickly that it seems like a blink of an eye.   I’ve had such an experience recently where I learned a lot about myself and am forever grateful that this person held up that imaginary mirror  so that I could see in my reflection where I was not being authentic or open.  I had thought I was doing great work to open my heart but the mirror showed that my defences were still in place, my protective barriers were up. 

We put forward a face to the world and sometimes this is not the truth of who we are.   The commonality of us as humans is that we all desire Love and we all have our fears.  And this is where the real work begins…

Namaste

Enjoy the message in this song/video by Natasha Bedingfield.  The lyrics are below http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggQAaHJxwwk

I BRUISE EASILY
My skin is like a map, of where my heart has been
And I can’t hide the marks, but it’s not a negative thing
So I let down my guard, drop my defences, down by my clothes
I’m learning to fall, with no safety net, to cushion the blow

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There’s a mark you leave, like a love heart, carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can’t scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily

I’ve found your finger prints on a glass of wine
Do you know you’re leaving them all over this heart of mine too
But if I never take this leap of faith I’ll never know
So I’m learning to fall with no safety net to cushion the blow

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There’s a mark you leave, like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can’t scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily

Anyone who can touch you, can hurt you, or heal you
Anyone who can reach you, can love you, or leave you

So be gentle
So be gentle
So be gentle
So be gentle

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There’s a mark you leave, like a love heart, carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can’t scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily,

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There’s a mark you leave, like a love heart, carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can’t scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily

I bruise easily
I bruise easily

You Start at the Beginning November 12, 2008

My Dad was a self-employed plasterer/drywaller most of his life.  My brothers used to help him at jobs on occasion.  One time, my brother Duane felt a little overwhelmed by the work ahead of him and asked, “Dad, where do I start?”  And the reply was, “You start at the beginning.” 

Mary Kay, the cosmetic queen, used to say that you eat an elephant one bite at a time.  Break whatever it is you’re faced with down into small bits and work at it slowly.  That’s how things get done. Keep the end in mind, I believe that was Stephen Covey’s words.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling overwhelmed these days.  Mostly it’s because of expectations I have for myself and my life, and I feel I’m not meeting them or accomplishing all I wish.  So the retreat time I took away was to refect on what it is exactly I want to do, what is my purpose, and who will be joining me in that journey. 

So, how do we go about tackling a seemingly overwhelming life to-do list?  Step back, take time, meditate, find clarity and decide what is most important in this moment.

One of my favourite to-do list activities comes from Abraham-Hicks.  They call it the placemat process (because Esther Hicks wrote her list on a restaurant placement); I call it the Universal Manager’s to-do list.  Take a piece of paper and draw a line down the center.  On the left side write “My To Do List for Today” and on the right side write “Universe’s To Do List”.  On the left, write only those things that you wish to accomplish today that require action (a phone call to a client, an errand, that sort of thing).  On the Universe’s side, write all those things running around in your head whether they are short-term or long-term activities and goals.   I have found two things happen when write this daily lists:

1. It takes a lot of pressure off of me because I know I need to focus on only a few things and the Universe will take care of everything else in good time.  

2. The Universal list seems to get accomplished much faster than I anticipate!  Because I’ve let go and put it in the hands of my Universal Manager.  I have faith it will get done and it always does, in a timely manner.  It’s important to note though that these items must be things I truly want.  It must be in my vibration, it must be authentic for me.

Try this activity… you can learn more about it in the Abraham-Hicks book Ask & It is Given (or the audio book processes)