Spiritual Awakening: Finding Your Spiritual Hide Away!!!!
Thank you to Dorit G. Pappelbaum- The Connector for inspiring me to write this blog as she posed a question of what is you favorite place to get spiritually connected.
These are the Banawe Rice Terraces in The Philippines which have become a spiritual destination for many seeking to get away and find their authentic self. While in The U.S. Peace Corps I wanted to venture to them, however I never made it them. I can imagine myself feeling the energy of this magnificent natural wonder and being totally centered and grounded and using the experience as fuel to propel me further in my spiritual awakening.
This is the Botanical Garden in La Union, Philippines which I did get to visit. It was a great hideaway day as I journeyed from the town square to the Botanical Gardens walking about 18 KM to the top of the mountain where the botanical gardens were located. Along the way I stopped to speak with people along the route. There was a farmer walking his Caribou and I asked if I could help and he said okay and as a result I overcame a fear of getting near this big animal. In an effort to hideaway I had a breakthrough and realized that by getting centered and grounded and finding a spiritual hideaway that you can connect with your inner being and overcome obstacles that may be holding you back. In stretching myself I enhanced the mind, body, soul connection. It was in taking action on a decision to go to the botanical garden that I enhanced my spiritual awakening.
Spiritual Awakening:Spiritual Lessons From Sports!
Lessons Learned From Vince Lombardi
One of my favorite coaches( though I never saw him coach) is Vince Lombardi. Vince once taught a very important lesson that anyone who has had a spiritual awakening should know and that is to do everything with enthusiasm. Enthusiasm and passion are ingredients that lead to success. When you are fired up about something it shows and comes across and many people respect that as it shows that you are being authentic. Vince’s Green Bay Packers were taught to be winners on and off the field. His players had a spiritual connection as they knew they were all interconnected and together they could accomplish more. Their spiritual awakening came in the form of winning and the knowledge that it took stepping into their power and using their talents for good that would bring them together. Vince was an action taker who spoke his truth and wasn’t afraid of what others thought. His belief that winning wasn’t everything that it was the only thing taught people that regardless of what you do you should do it great with a winning attitude. Vince’s message of what it takes to be #1 has been used to help many people make a spiritual connection and led to many spiritual awakenings.
When the owners of Kentucky Derby Winner Orb were picking out names do you think they were having a spiritual awakening and knew the definition was jeweled sphere of king or queen: a small sphere usually made from a precious metal set with jewels and with a cross set onto the top of it that forms part of a sovereign’s ceremonial regalia. If they did maybe they should have given jockey Joel Rosario a whip with a crowned jewel to symbolize the spirituality of the horse he was riding. Today Orb will compete to win the second jewel of The Triple Crown, The Preakness Stakes. There is something magical and majestic about a horse be it when they are racing or simple out grazing. I remember when I was a child going to the stables to work with the horses and to ride and there was a magical feeling as I connected with the horses. There was a sense of being filled with a light of joy that brought out my own joy and the joy in others. It was at that point that I realized we are all on a quest to find our magical orbs.
If you look closely at this photo you can see some orbs of light and if you look deeply into the horse’s eyes or the jockey’s eyes you can feel the joy they experienced. They found their magical orb and hope to use the magic to propel them to a triple crown. How are you using your magical orbs?
Look at this orb and you can see all the energy that brings the matter together. There is something magical in seeing a perfectly formed circle symbolizing that our life is eternal. I noticed the color purple immediately as purple is one of my favorite colors for what it represents, royalty, purpose, and passion. What color do you use to get centered and grounded and find your magical orbs.
Spiritual Awakening: Finding Joy With Pints Of Ice Cream!!!
As I watched All-Star Celebrity Apprentice and observed Penn Jillette and trace Adkins work on the task of creating a new ice cream flavor for Walgreens I saw their passion for their charities and saw some joy come through as they are the 2 finalists for All Star Celebrity Apprentice. Penn came up with The Magic Swirtle and Trace came up with Maple Macadamia Mash Up. Yesterday I went to Walgreens and bought a pint of each to support their respective causes. Penn has adopted Opportunity Village and Trace had adopted The American Red Cross. There was a sense of joy in making my purchase. I personally like the Magic Swirtle over The Maple Macadamia Mash Up, however both were good. If some gifted me many pints of each I wouldn’t turn them down. As I made my purchase I found another source of joy as on the check screen Walgreens asks if you want to donate to The American Cancer Society. As you know I do a lot of fundraising for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life as evidenced by my personal fundraising page at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogglederman.
Everyone who was part of the final task on All Star Celebrity Apprentice seemed to exude joy in what they were doing. I have a suggestion for everyone go out to Walgreen’s buy a few pints of the ice cream designed by Penn and Trace and invite a few people over for an All Star Celebrity Apprentice Watch Party set up a jar for Opportunity Village and The American Red Cross and then on Monday send each charity a donation with a note and your business card say that the actions of Penn and Trace brought you joy and you wanted to support their efforts.
Spiritual Awakening: Bethany Hamilton Inspires Beyond The Surf!!!
As I found the movie Soul Surfer on TV the other night I was intrigued and I watched what turned out to be an amazing inspirational story about Bethany Hamilton. As Bethany began to understand the impact she was making on the world far beyond the reaches of the surf she became in tune with her spirituality. The shark attack that took her arm was a tragic event that set in motion events that would not only transform Bethany’s life but would also transform the lives of those who followed Bethany’s Story. One of the most poignant scenes in the movie for me was when Bethany traveled to Phuket, Thailand to help World Vision after The Tsumani to help rebuild and help the villagers. She took a surfboard to the water and continued to motion to a little boy to come to the shore line. The boy was afraid and hesitant but eventually trusted Bethany and he got on the surfboard and then other villagers followed and began to regain their strength and confidence. Bethany would return home to stacks of fan letters explaining how she had inspired so many simply by getting back on her board and trying. Bethany would train for The Surfing National Championships and though the judges didn’t count the final wave as they determined she stood up after the horn all the competitors counted it. Bethany would win The National Championship The Next Year.
Bethany shares her story and the role that her faith played in her moving forward. Today Bethany is 23 years old and continues to inspire beyond the surf. Bethany proves that your faith can help you to overcome any adversity that comes into your life. Her positive message is empowering and inspiring many. Thank you to Bethany Hamilton for inspiring this blog entry today.
As I chose the topic for the day I pondered the days events a phone from a rabbi about a new congregation where spirituality would be the focus and the power of each individual would be explored. Then I found this video by Chelsea Flowers and the idea for today’s blog was born. Like a pebble that hits a pond we make ripple that can positively effect the ecosystem and when another pebble is added the positive vibration grows and like that pebble we add value to our universe.
It is when those seeds are planted and then harvested that a community is feed and nourished. Jesus showed the world the power of one and he left his legacy within each of us as divine children of GOD. As divine children of GOD we have a power, a divinity inside of us that can fuel us and so others the power we have to positively effect our lives and the lives of others. It is in recognizing our divinity and the divinity in others that we enhance our personal and professional lives while also enhancing the lives of others. The power you have is greater than you can imagine.
As the day unfolds things of things you can do to make a positive difference in the world and show people the power of one. You can share a smile, a kind word, hold the door open for someone, make a donation to charity, find something you no longer use that can benefit someone and give it away, or print up your business card with a positive affirmation on the back. Sometimes we can make a difference by doing something simple. I always recommend that people visit websites like www.feelthehugs.com and get a gift for no reason and send a note that says just because.
Spiritual Awakening: JDOGG’S Inspiring Power of 1 People
Marc Buoniconti was left paralyzed after a football injury. He didn’t allow this setback to deter him and with the help of his father Nick he started The Miami Project To Cure Paralysis.
Eric Le Grand is a former Rutgers Football Player who was left paralyzed after a play on special teams went awry. Eric’s courage and his mantra BELIEVE has created a new awareness in the development of research to find a cure for paralysis. Eric was an ESPN Arthur Ashe Courage Award Winner.
Lisa McCourt, Writing Coach, Joy Trainer, and Best-Selling Author (www.LisaMcCourt.com)
Spiritual Awakening: Let’s Get Juicy And Scrub Our Souls!!!!
Thank you to Lisa McCourt for this guest blog. I hope that it helps you on your continued path to a spiritual awakening. Remember it is when you cleanse and stay centered and grounded that you find the most success.
SPRING. IT’S TIME FOR A SOUL-SCRUB.
I’m needing a soul-scrub. Maybe it’s spring in the air; maybe it’s just that I’ve let too much psychic debris accumulate in 2013; maybe it’s emotional triggers stirred up by media coverage of tragic events. But I’m definitely wanting to release some of the build-up in my life right now. I’ve started pulling clothes out of my closet to give away . . . I’ve started unsubscribing to email lists . . . I’m purging my kitchen of foods that don’t nourish.
It feels good, but it’s not enough. I need a top-to-bottom, emotional rub-down. In case you’re resonating with any of this, I invite you to join me in a 21-day spring-cleaning event on all levels. I’m asking my wisest guru friends for advice. I’m culling from my own workshop practices. And I’m spending time in meditation every day, inviting Universe to guide me in a grand scale Let-Go.
Here’s how it will work: For three weeks, starting today with this newsletter, I’ll give you the best practices I can dig up for releasing all that doesn’t serve — physically, psychically, emotionally. I’ll send you two more installments over the next two weeks.
Let’s start by deciding to do it. Set the intention with me right now that you’ll be lighter, freer, far more clear and vibrant — just 21 days from now. Know that it’s entirely possible, with just a bit of effort and commitment. You with me? Let’s go.
Each day it seems I find another inspiration. Yesterday was no different. As I watched The NFL Draft and saw Joe Andruzzi take to the stage to honor those killed and injured at The Boston Marathon while also making the pick for The New England Patriots I listened to his inspiring words and found then to be moving. As he presented The Patriots Jersey to the commissioner as New England traded their pick to The Vikings I though wow what a courageous man. Joe Andruzzi is battling cancer and yet he was running in The Boston Marathon and when the explosion he put himself in harms way and helped others. As I read more about Joe I realized it was a natural for him to help those injured as his brothers were on the scene on 9/11 as firefighters. Joe’s courage and willingness to give now drafts all of us to inspire.
The 617 signifies The Boston Area Code. Boston Strong has become the rallying cry for a city to come together and triumph over the adversity that they faced. It would be awesome if we all headed the call of being drafted to inspire and followed Joe Andruzzi and others who are showing great strength and shining their light for others to see.
Spiritual Awakening: Opening The Inspirational Funnel!!!
As I emceed The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Coral Springs I witnessed many opportunities that opened up the inspirational funnel. This particular moment was when Kids of Love honored Aaron who was celebrating his 6th birthday. Aaron is a cancer survivor and when he took the microphone and said “Hello, I love you,” to the crowd you could feel the inspiration that he exuded. Through out the night seeing his smile and all the survivors kept the participants inspired to keep walking as they celebrated those who have survived cancer, remembered those lost to cancer, and fought back by raising funds for research, education, advocacy, and services. As of Saturday morning over $129,000 was raised.
Through out Relay For Life there were many times that the inspirational funnel was opened. Just after The Luminaria Ceremony, where candles are lit in honor or memory of those affected by cancer a family arrived at Relay For Life. They were on the way back to their hotel to rest and make funeral arrangements as their mom had passed at 10:05 PM that evening. They saw The Relay as they were driving by and they stopped by to see if they could purchase a luminaria in their mom’s honor. The answer was don’t worry about a donation we will be happy to help you remember your mom. They were brought to the stage where DJ Willie told their story. They walked down the stairs and everyone that was at Relay joined in a lap with them. We stopped close to the start/finish line where I had everyone make a circle and I led a prayer for the family. The family thanked us and continued to walk for a while. I kept thinking if this doesn’t open up a funnel of motivation what do you need? At that point I walked over to the luminaria bag I had purchased, with the money collected at my pool area, to remember my mom and I sat on the track and realized my mom’s presence and a sense of pride for doing what I was doing while motivating others to take action to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.
Today’s blog entry was inspired by a song that I hold as one of my anthems Boston’s More Than Feeling reminds us to rise above all expectations and to take action on our feelings. Through our spiritual awakening we are able to move forward in a positive direction of our goals and exceed them. What feelings are you having and taking a positive action on?
The Black Eyed Peas paid tribute to Oprah with their song I’ve Got A Feeling. As I listen to this song it reminds me that we have a power to make everything good simple by getting centered and grounded and bringing the right energy and vibration to the situation. It is when we bring the proper energy to our calling that we have a great day or night. By allowing our feelings to come alive we can help our community realize dreams by keeping our emotions positive and thus creating fellowship and thus becoming of service and value.
As I emceed The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Coral Springs I witnessed many opportunities that opened up the inspirational funnel. This particular moment was when Kids of Love honored Aaron who was celebrating his 6th birthday. Aaron is a cancer survivor and when he took the microphone and said “Hello, I love you,” to the crowd you could feel the inspiration that he exuded. Through out the night seeing his smile and all the survivors kept the participants inspired to keep walking as they celebrated those who have survived cancer, remembered those lost to cancer, and fought back by raising funds for research, education, advocacy, and services. As of Saturday morning over $129,000 was raised.