This is a daily note from the Universe over at www.tut.com.  Mike Dooley is the genius behind these.  He is a wacky, clever and gifted writer!  This one just made me grin ear to ear.
If you sign up for these at his website, they will be personalized just for you and one will arrive in your inbox about every week day.

“Did you know that whenever you feel love, you literally begin to glow? You probably did.

But did you know that the glowing is actually made up of zillions of minute sparkles? And that these sparkles receive as much energy as they create? And that because of this energy exchange you completely stop aging and look younger? Abundance is immediately drawn to you? Healing powers fill you? Muscles are strengthened, pounds are shed, and your vision improves? Lingering questions are answered? New friends are summoned? Old friends are poked? Problems are solved? And maple syrup tastes more maple-y?
All when you feel love.

It’s true -
The Universe”

What if we believed all things were unfolding for our good — not just some of our experiences but ALL of them?  Well, what if we did?  That would eliminate all anxiety, fear and worry.  It would essentially rid us of all suffering.  But it would require something of us.  We’d have to suspend all conclusions.  We’d cease inserting a period into any experience.  We’d remember that life is in perpetual expansion and because of this the nature of all things is continually unfolding.  We know this to be true, now couple that with believing that everything that happens – happens for our good.  Imagine for just a moment what that would feel like.  Do you feel the peace, the ease and the profound relief wash over you as you rest in that knowing?

in a world where we can choose to adopt any belief we want to, why not choose the ones that work for us and with us.  Everything about this vast Universe moves with grace and benevolence.  The whole of nature moves towards balance and well being.  This is proof that all that does unfold is for the well being of everything.  Knowing this, there are no longer any reasons to suffer over anything.  Next time, should you find yourself beginning down the trail of suffering, take pause to remind yourself, everything unfolds for your greater good.  You may not see the bigger picture in this red hot moment but you can trust the truth of this knowing — everything unfolds for my good — and rest there.   No longer will you walk through darkness.  The belief that everything unfolds for your good will illuminate all your paths and prove itself true for you again and again, if you just let it.

Should we suffer needlessly again, it is because we’ve reached a conclusion that counts against everything unfolding for the good.  We’ve inserted a period into that experience —- forgetting momentarily how life is in constant flow.  We can re-join that flow right now.  Close your eyes and take a deep breath and sink into knowing that all things are unfolding for your good.  Stay there long enough to feel how it feels in your body and before you open your eyes remember you can take this feeling with you wherever you go.  Know that you need not suffer a moment longer as long as you choose to know with every fiber of your being that everything, absolutely everything is unfolding for your good.  Let that be the gift you give yourself this holiday season.   It truly will demonstrate itself to be the gift that keeps on giving.

Just for a moment…

Be still

and know that I am God

Be still

and know that I am Peace
right along side any state of war

Be still

and know that I am Joy
even amidst your sorrow

Be still

and know that I am Faith
in between the spaces of your doubt

Be still

and know that I am Limitless Possibilities
right next to your fears

Be still

and know that I am Clarity
right beside your confusion

Just for a moment…

Be still
Breathe deep
And know that I am God.

©heartsdeesire

]]> http://simplyblessed.heartsdeesire.com/2009/11/25/be-still/feed/ 8 Beth/Bethie stillness http://simplyblessed.heartsdeesire.com/2009/11/05/the-sophies-choice/ http://simplyblessed.heartsdeesire.com/2009/11/05/the-sophies-choice/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:38:21 +0000 heartsdeesire http://simplyblessed.heartsdeesire.com/?p=2259 ]]>

Sophie’s Choice, as some of you may remember was an American film from the early 80s.  Since then the term “Sophie’s Choice” has come to symbolize a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” standard of choice.  It’s really the no-choice.  As in the movie, Sophie must make the choice between her son living or her daughter living, choose one and the other must die.

Often when we are wrestling with a problem, we don’t see outside of the paradigm of a Sophie’s Choice.  We might see two options and often apart from the framework of our current beliefs lies a third choice.  The one not yet visible to us.  To illustrate an example of this, often creative people, musicians, writers, artists, etc. want to make their livelihood doing what they love but they don’t see how that could happen.  In that case, following your passion may signify losing financial security.  We have even coined a term for it “the starving artist”.  Risk going for your passion and you risk everything or maintain the status quo, bang away at the passion-less job and have some measure of financial security.  That’s the either/or, the Sophie’s choice, the no choice at all.

Yet outside that system of beliefs, lies the third option.  The third choice is not the either/or posture for whenever you are contemplating – to have this, I must risk losing this – you can know instantly you are working within the framework of your own limiting beliefs.  While you may not know what the third option is you can remain open to knowing what it is.   In a world that spins planets, regulates the tides, raises the sun each day and orchestrates countless precise details happening behind the scenes of every living organism, we can begin to see this same Universe can work on our behalf to bring us all the resources that we would ever need and then some.  It requires one thing of us and it’s what we are willing to believe, what we are willing to give ourselves to and what we are willing to open ourselves to.  Okay, that’s three things it requires of us but who’s counting?!

Next time you find yourself smack dab in the middle of a dilemna that you can’t see your way out of, remember – there is a third option, you haven’t seen it yet, you may not know what it is, but you can remain open to knowing and you can begin by questioning any notion that says: to have this I must relinquish this.

This is such a beautiful illustration of why it’s relevent to suspend judgment, conclusions and assumptions about anything.  Judgements and the like don’t reflect the bigger picture.  We don’t always know in the heat of any moment, what is good what is bad.  What is a blessing, what is a gift, what is a challenge in the moment that provides further expansion for us later.  We don’t always know, but we can remain open.  We can lay aside the impulse to make any seeming fact mean anything.  We can trust that the nature of all things is continually unfolding – and perhaps find a lot more ease in this open and receptive place.

Home is where Dorothy wants to return and finds that she always had that power to get back home via the ruby slippers. Yet, when she wakes up in her own bed, she’s told she never left home at all.  She was just dreaming a dream that she had left it.

Home then becomes a metaphor for Who We Really Are, the stuff of God.  And, we, too, can never leave it.  We can only dream a dream that we have left it.  Dream a dream that we are separate and not whole.  But it’s only a dream that we leave home.  We can’t ever really leave home.  We don’t undock from the
“mother ship”.  It’s not possible, not even in death.  So the perception of separateness becomes the dream we are dreaming.

And then we wake up, little by little, in stages at times and remember that Who We Really Are is whole and perfect and so much an integral part of this beautiful, friendly, benevolent, grace filled and peaceful Universe.

I believe that promise of waking up from the dream of separateness, pulses at all times within each of us.  Call that promise the ruby slippers, if you will, but it’s no magic.  It’s real and any moment is a moment to stop what we are doing, take a deep and conscious breath and remember Who We Really Are right now.  We are that beautiful, peaceful, benevolent, friendly, grace filled Universe, too.

Breathing in beauty, I remember.
Breathing in peace, I remember.
Breathing in benevolence, I remember.
Breathing in friendship, I remember.
Breathing in grace, I remember.

I remember, I am home.  I never really left it, after all.  And yes, Dorothy, there is no place like Home.

I had often felt the words: “the world is a mirror” sounded like another spiritual cliche and I would almost bristle at hearing it.  It’s one of those things I asked myself: what the hell does that mean?!

Now I have someone in my life that does appear to be a mirror of sorts.  Let’s call her Rea, short for reality.  I realized she is the outpicturing of me.  The me of two minds on a subject that is near and dear to my heart.

There is the me who believes in the happy ending.  I’ve even seen and felt that happy ending, in my mind’s eye.

Then there is the me who gives myself to the “reality” of what appears to be, in the moment, an undesirable unfolding.  Something that I take to count against my happy ending.  I put my spiritual stock in that other consciousness, the me who gives up her faith in lieu of what looks like the facts before her.

Now my friend Rea is often given to saying things like “let’s face reality here”.  Abraham says don’t face any reality you don’t want to create more of.  I’m sure Seth would chime in similarly and the Field Center states that facing reality is an invitation to counterintend which loosely means to run counter to what you would like to intend about a thing.

I am the one of two consciousnesses, of two minds and Rea is the stark image and reflection, the mirror of what this other mind gives its allegiance to.

Yet I have other examples in my life of people who reflect my consciousness that carries faith in the desired outcome.  But who do I pay more attention to but the one who pisses me off with her “let’s face reality” spewings.  I’m mad that she might be right yet I’m mad at my own reflection, my own outpicturing of one part of my consciousness.  Mad at my own ability to create such a good mirror of myself.

Why is it so easy to be seduced by a mindset I don’t want?  It’s a question I’m not even going to answer.  The why doesn’t matter and answering it won’t provide me with greater consistency.  The practice matters and the consistency of it matters most of all.  If I’m going to be inconsistent, of two minds, I’m going to see lots of people and circumstances outpicturing my inconsistencies.  I should thank them, they tell me exactly where I’m vibe-ing.  They invite me to be restored again to One Mind.  I accept the invitation willingly and gladly.

I am free to be seduced by outer conditions and I am free to remain faithful to that which is not yet seen in the “flesh”.  I’ve seen it in my mind’s eye, I’ve felt it, I’ve lived it there.  It lives, it breathes, it walks, it talks.  This is what I choose to be captivated and enamored with.

No one says it better than Rumi:

Close your eyes.

(see it in your mind’s eye)

Fall in love.

(let yourself fall in love with the ideal, let yourself be captivated by it)

Stay there.

(stay consistent)

And if I should see the outpicturing of inconsistency again, I won’t shoot the messenger.  I will thank them, truly, for the invitation to fall in love again with what I believe in.  Should I be held spellbound by anything, let it be by that which is my heart’s desire.  Let me lose myself inside that inner world where it already exists and let the outer world do what it does, I have my own world to attend to.

Follow your bliss, those were the immortal words of Joseph Campbell and oft quoted by Abraham Hicks.  I love its simple message coupled with Abraham’s message that appreciation is what brings us closest to our true nature and Source Energy.   G.K. Chesterton also said: “praise should be the permanent pulsation of the soul”.  I love that quote.  To appreciate, to praise is to follow my bliss.

I’m listening to the cliff note’s version of “Happy For No Reason”, these mp3’s are put out by Philosopher’s Notes.  I highly recommend them.  Happy For No Reason presents several ideas.  The one I like the most is giving out awards daily.  The best cloud award of the day.  The most beautiful flower award of the day.  The kindest driver award today.  The nicest customer service person today.  Or how about this: the biggest raindrop that plopped on my head today; hello, I live in Seattle after all :).  As I was walking outside today, I thought of the prettiest bird song award.  The loveliest red maple leaf award.  The best dog tail wag today.  The best Autumn season ever award.  The most gleeful children’s voices award today.  The funnest laugh of the day.  The chubbiest bumble bee award.  You get the idea, you can tailor it to your likes and make it your own.

The idea is so much about appreciation.  I remember when I first started out with the teachings of Abraham and all I did was practice appreciation.  Talk about an easy method for turning your boat downstream.  What I loved about Happy For No Reason is that it reminded me how sometimes the simplest stuff is overlooked in the busyness of the day.  I forget how easy it is to turn my attention to the things I love and appreciate.  As I get back in the flow of what is the natural pulsation of my soul, I remember again just how good it feels to love, to praise, to appreciate.

Happy For No Reason also quotes a parable that was part of one my very first blog posts here entitled Feeding the Lover, have a look at it via the link, if you like.  It’s good wisdom even today.

Thanks to Ritama for recommending Philosopher’s Notes and Ritama you get my Best Not-Yet-Seen-In-The-Physical Fellow Blogger Award today!  How is that for a mouthful?! :)

It amazes me that Jane Roberts was taking dictation on The Way Toward Health even as she lay in a hospital bed with just a few more months to live.  Perhaps her illness served in some way for the greater expansion of all of us, as Seth offered much in response to Jane’s asking.

Below is a quote from The Way Toward Health and following that my comments.

April 19th, 1984 (The Way Toward Health)
4:03 PM Thursday

“There are certain simple steps that can be followed, whenever you
find yourself in a difficult situation, whether the condition is one of
poor health, a stressful personal involvement with another, a financial
dilemma, or whatever.

These steps seem very obvious, and perhaps too easy—but they will bring
an immediate sense of ease and peace of mind while your inner reserves
are being released and activated.

I have mentioned these steps many times, because they are so vital in
clearing the conscious mind, and bringing some sense of relief to the
frightened ego.

1. Immediately begin to live in the present as much as possible. Try to
become as aware as you can of present sense-data—all of it. Often, while
you are in pain for example, you concentrate upon that sensation alone,
ignoring the feelings of ease that may be felt by other portions of the
body and unaware of the conglomeration of sounds, sights and impressions
that are also in the immediate environment. This procedure will
immediately lessen the pressure of the problem itself, whatever it is,
and give you a sense of refreshment.

2. Refuse to worry. This fits automatically with step 1, of course. Tell
yourself you can worry all you want tomorrow, or on some other occasion,
but resolve not to worry in the present moment.

3. When your thoughts do touch upon your particular problem in that
present moment, imagine the best possible solution to the dilemma. Do not
wonder how or why or even when the ideal solution will come, but see it
in your mind’s eye as accomplished. Or if you are not particularly good
at visual imagery, then try to get the feeling of thanksgiving and joy
that you would feel if the problem was solved to your complete
satisfaction.”

Love that…someone once so eloquently stated: worry does not empty
tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.  And how often
do we find that present moment awareness and worry simply cannot
co-exist.  Worry by its nature is not present moment focused.

Number 3 of the steps reminds me so much of Neville’s teachings which
is to live in your imagination from the desired outcome as having already
manifested.  So that you are not thinking of it, you are living from it as if it
has already happened in your mind’s eye.

And speaking of solutions – that big desire of yours, do you ever get the sense,
just a little nudge or an inkling that you know the end of that story.  You don’t
know how it’s going to happen or when but you just have a sense, an inner
knowing that says it’s all going to work out.  If you do, then go there now,
live from the end, don’t let yourself get caught up in the worry or confusion
or the endless attempts at figuring out what to do.  Just go there to that
fulfilled state now.  And every time you fall back into doubt, remind yourself
of one thing: you already know the end of this story.  All the stuff in between,
is just stuff, you don’t have to give yourself away to it.  If you are going to give
yourself away to anything than give it to living in remembering you already
know it all works out in the end.

It’s not our work to know how or why or when, our only work is to remain
faithful to that fulfilled state.  Feel the body sense that goes along with that
fulfilled state of whatever it is you are desiring.  For me, it is a feeling of deep
contentment, bliss, if you will.  When a moment comes along and everything
feels like it’s not going in that direction, I go back to remembering that fulfilled
state and the corresponding body sense and I rest there.

We are choosing what we give ourselves to all the time with where we put our
focus.  This moment I choose bliss.

“LOVE is essentially self-communicative: those who do not have it catch it from those who have it….”
~Meher Baba*

Some may have heard of the other kind of flu but word on the streets is that there is another kind of flu which is highly contagious, spreading wildly, reaching epidemic proportions worldwide and with no known cure.  It’s the Love Flu Virus Epidemic.

Here’s what you need to know about it:

Incubation Period: Unknown, sudden onset.

Duration:  Never ending.

Symptoms: increased respirations, increased heart rate, occasional benign palpitations, satiated with the fullness of who you are leading to decreased appetite, given to smiling spontaneously, flushed cheeks due to a radiant glow about you, frequent and prolonged bouts of an overwhelming sense of well being.

Treatment: Shower yourself and others with love liberally.  Avoid hand washing, showering with a friend is optional.

Prognosis: Incurable.  Once exposed to love, you take it with you wherever you go forevermore.  And you are inexplicably compelled to pass it on.

*props to my friend Mj for the quote

postscript: As Patrick Swayze’s character said in Ghost just before he returned to the non-physical realm, “it’s amazing…the love inside, you take it with you”.  I feel your intrinsic love shining through dear Mr. Swayze, may your fans and loved ones know this, too.