We Awake Anew: 2015

The first day of a new year is always a reflective day. A day of introspection about how far you have come and how far you still have to go. There is something about this time of year that is inspiring and motivating too. Some say a clean slate or tabula rasa if you will. On a smaller scale each day this this. It's a new opportunity, a clean slate to re-direct or simply be available to live in the moment.

Some people think this notion is bullshit, trendy or maybe unattainable. I feel like a new year is a great time to start this practice. I have realized the uselessness of resolutions. I cannot plan or anticipate what I will be doing next week, let along next November. I can only try each day to be present and enjoy the day I am experiencing, as life has not promised me another.

Dr. Wayne Dyer lists 10 items to help you become and stay present or in his words, live in the NOW:

1. Remember that habits are changed by practicing new behavior. By practicing new thinking every five minutes, you’ll soon begin to master the art of present-moment living.

2. Do an honest assessment of your “problems.” You’ll very likely discover that almost all of your problems are really in your head and not located in reality.

3. Take time to be mindful of everything around you. Begin to look at your entire surroundings in a new light. Observe every detail on every face, every building and every object. If you do this often enough it will become a habit that will facilitate your being alive in every moment of the year.

4. Change your attitude. Begin an attitude-redevelopment plan. That means practice enjoying everything you do.

5. Be specific about what you want and take action. Decide on one thing that you would like to work on and do it today. Work at it daily, rather than making it a long-range objective.

6. Create a self-improvement agenda for yourself. Put on your agenda whatever activities you’ve always thought about but never had time to do. Do them now.

7. Rid yourself of mundane chores that are not really that important. Spend more time making your life a pleasure.

8. Eliminate procrastination as a lifestyle. Instead of talking to yourself about what you are going to do next week or even tomorrow, use this time to start a new task.

9. Don’t give up control of your life to others. You cannot enjoy the present moment if you are busy trying to make everyone else like you. People respect you more when you operate from a position of strength and self-reliance.

10. Feel good about yourself. You are a magnificent human being. Always feel good about that self that you are always with.

Enjoy EVERY Moment of 2015!!

Soul Sunday: BE PEACE

Image: Cambria California Sunset 10/06/13

This blog was intended to share a wide variety of topics. My random thoughts, musings, observations, inspiration, style and more. The concept of inner peace is a daunting one. I am a MAJOR work in progress on many levels, one of which is balance and inner peace. Have you ever thought about how your 'being' impacts those around you? We are all, on some level looking for peace in our lives. See if you can take a few moments to read the following concept and try his suggestion of using imagery to help obtain some peace.

We are all familiar with bed peace, hair peace, world peace, but to BE Peace?

The concept I want to share today comes from a man I truly admire, Dr. Wayne Dyer.

Peace isn’t something you ultimately receive when you slow down the pace of your life. Peace is what you’re capable of being and bringing to every encounter and event in the waking moments of your life. Being peaceful is an inner attitude that you can enjoy when you’ve learned to silence your incessant inner dialogue. Being peaceful isn’t dependent on what your surroundings look like. It seldom has anything to do with what the people around you think, say, or do. A noiseless environment isn’t a requirement.

St. Francis’s famous prayer states it better than I can: “Make me an instrument of your peace.” In other words, St. Francis wasn’t asking God to provide him with peace. He was asking for guidance to be more like the peace he trusted was his Source. Being peace is different from looking for peace.

This principle isn’t about merely choosing tranquil thoughts when you’re feeling frayed and anxious. I suggest picturing a container deep within yourself out of which all your thoughts flow. Inside of this container, at its very center, imagine a candle flame. You need to make a commitment that this flame in the center of the container holding all your thoughts will never, ever even flicker, although the very worst may go before you. This is your container of peace, and only peaceful thoughts can fuel the burning candle. You don’t need to change your thoughts as much as you need to learn to be an energy of peace lighting the way and attracting serene, harmonious thoughts and beings. In this way, you’ll become a being of peace.

As a being of peace, you make a huge impact on those around you. It’s almost impossible to be totally stressed out in the presence of someone who has opted to be peace. Peace is a higher and faster energy—when you’re being peace, just your presence alone will often nullify the uneasiness and tension in those around you. The secret of this principle is: Be the peace and harmony you desire. You cannot get it from anything or anyone else.

Could you 'be peace'? 

Share your thoughts below.