Today’s entry was inspired by Frank Sinatra’s song I Did It My Way. As I listened to the lyrics I began to think of spiritual awakening and how each person comes to their own awakening in their own way. I have become an action taker as that is my way and I find that when I take action I feel better and enhance the mind, body, soul connection. We are all unique individuals with our own way of doing something. I believe that you can do what works for you as long as it doesn’t harm anyone. In finding our way we may turn to resources such as movies and books like The Peaceful Warrior that teaches that we can
win our internal battle by embracing our divinity:
By internalizing these quotes and taking action we can answer our calling and affect change in our lives and thus enhance the lives of others. It is when you come alive on the inside and embrace your divinity that you become your authentic self and find your purpose. In finding your purpose you can step into your power and being more comfortable in doing it your way.
Spiritual Awakening: A Breakthrough At Starbucks!!!
As I sat in my local Starbucks on a rainy afternoon today (6/13/13) I overheard a women talking about promotions thus I walked over and introduced myself. It turns out she was a spiritual healer. Her name is Catherine and she is amazing she took time to help me and we made a breakthrough as I was able to utter the words I am aggressive and that is okay. She was able to hone in on the fact that I am holding a lot of my past inside and that until I release these emotions I will continue to go in circles. Thus I take the time to ask those that I may have hurt with my words and actions to forgive me. As I continue on my spiritual path to awakening I learn more and more about who I am. I realize I must first know who I am before I can help others.
Part of the breakthrough happens when we realize that it is fear that holds us back. For me it is a fear of what others will think about me and the fear that success and fame may change me. As I begin to embrace and accept this I am able to make a very positive shift. I share this with you so that you can continue on your spiritual journey and make the necessary shifts for your spiritual awakening.
Today’s blog entry was inspired by The Beach Boys song Good Vibrations as I began to explore the fact that we are all energy and we vibrate at different levels however when the resonance is matched we tend to have a positive experience. Many times it is important to step back and ask am I resonating with this person, are our frequencies in sync, is this interaction serving me in a positive way? If the answer is no then you have two choices change your vibration and make a shift or walk away and come back when the interaction will be more positive. Many time it is as simple as deciding to give off good vibrations. When you give off good vibrations you tend to attract others who give off good vibrations and thus you enhance your personal and professional life. In many cases you set in motion the type of interaction that you will have simply by the energy that you bring to the situation.
Spiritual Awakening: Tools To Finding Good Vibrations!!!!
It only takes 45 seconds to change your emotional state. One tool that I like to use is music. Some of the songs that I use to shift into the positive and find good vibrations are:
Antiqua Libbey – Self- Care APE, E-RYT 500, Sports and Natural foods Nutritionist, author, teacher and healer.
Thank you for this guest post Antiqua Libbey, your support of the mission to help other people excel is greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping readers to stay positive.
Jonathan JDOGG Lederman
Spiritual Awakening: Let The Sunshine In
The following guest post by Antiqua Libbey made me think of this song by The 5th Dimension, Aquarius thus I wanted to use it here to help set the mode for you while reading the post.
Brighten Up Your Life with a Little Sunshine!
by Antiqua Libbey
Living in Alaska sounds cool to most people, but it’s challenging surviving during the dark winters. When the first rays of sun hit my face a thankful smile comes across my face; immediately I feel a sense of relief pour into my body. Standing in the sun beam my breath deepens into my belly and as I open my eyes I experience a whole new view of life. The dark days of winter are over and the sunshine is welcoming me out into the world again.
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: Exercising The Body Safely!!!!
I want to thank Dana Gore for this guest post to help those who are having a spiritual awakening to exercise their body safely.
Awakening to the Concept of Exercise Safety
For many of you, the idea of participating in a health and fitness program represents an image that focuses on thin vs. well, not thin. It’s geared toward the need for weight-loss and requires making significant and unpleasant “sacrifices” in order to finally get permission to like yourself. You may even be reading this right now and nodding your head in agreement, because this has been the story of your life.
It certainly was the story of my life.
But what if I told you that there is a spiritual component that works in harmony with the concept of healthy-living that could shift your entire mindset and therefore, your reality, toward one filled with personal empowerment? Would you have any interest in reading further?
What if I told you that your life may depend on it?
Ok, cool. Now that I have your attention…
When we believe what society tells us – that we have to look a certain way in order to be loved and accepted – we tend to get sort of depressed. We think there’s something wrong with us. That we don’t live up to a standard of existing that warrants us the feeling of being worthy.
I mean, let’s face it…if a celebrity’s imperfections are going to be ridiculed and/or airbrushed away as if they didn’t exist, then what’s to stop the rest of us from judging ourselves? What’s to prevent us from believing that
WE AREN’T ENOUGH?
It’s this perception that influences us to make decisions about our well-being from a place of desperation. This is where we get careless.
Answer this:
When you are unhappy with your body – I mean really unhappy – aren’t you in a mega hurry to Get. This. Weight. Off. Now? Don’t you, just about, throw all caution to the wind and do whatever it takes to get what you want?
Like yesterday?
Most people do. When the girl/guy they desire doesn’t notice they’re alive. When the family matriarch – from her ever-endearing “I’m just being honest” place – asks you in front of your family why you’re so fat? (True example by the way). Or when your friends tell you they’ve booked a last minute trip to Vegas with you and you realize you wouldn’t be caught dead in a swimsuit or an evening gown (another true story – although not mine).
These are just a few examples of the pain that drives our decisions. We’re focused on how much we detest the result of who we are, so we react to it.
When we aren’t at peace within ourselves – when we hate our bodies, we feel miserable. So in a society that makes appealing promises of instant gratification, we make hurried and uneducated decisions to get what we want.
Why should this matter?
Because when it comes to our health and well-being, awareness is our friend.
Do you know how to choose a fitness program based on your level of ability?
Are you aware of any possible contraindications you may have to exercise?
Do you know how to choose a qualified fitness or nutrition professional?
Do you know what “Special Populations” means and if you fall into this category (and why it matters)?
Do you know what proper progression stands for and how it relates to injury?
How to decipher between “good and bad” exercise pain?
These are important topics that come into play when making decisions about our bodies, but are often, and unfortunately, ignored when those very decisions are being made out of desperation.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. There is an alternative.
FACING WHO WE ARE AND ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY
All it takes to move away from the aforementioned perspective and toward one of self-empowerment is the act of facing who we are, how we got to this point, and asking ourselves who we would prefer to be.
Are you happy being someone who constantly reacts to life and feels like a victim? Or would you rather be someone who has their own best interests at heart and treats themselves with the dignity and respect that we are all worthy of?
Self-Worth
What would life be like for you if you cared about your well-being? If you simply became the person who naturally preferred to be active? To be someone who, out of sheer desire, preferred the leafy green salad filled with the delicious nutrients that powered their every cell with the energy of life – instead of the person who settles for the diet food because they are on restriction?
Does that persona seem more appealing? Because it’s not only possible to become that person, it’s a responsibility. It’s our job, as participants in this world, to become living examples of the joy we all desire.
From this perspective, we are more interested in achieving optimal health. We adjust our lifestyles to enable the habits that naturally result in being slim and energized.
We make informed decisions about our well-being because we are focused on loving, rather than detesting ourselves.
Having suffered from eating disorders in the past which caused her weight to balloon to over 200 pounds, Dana realized it was time for a major lifestyle overhaul. Once she discovered Fitness Institute, her life took on new meaning.
Armed with credible information about Exercise Science, Dana aims to bring guidance to the public about how to achieve optimal health in a safe and structured manner. She believes that the body follows the guidance and instruction of the mind and spirit. She inspires her readers to seek inner-peace as a means to well-being in all areas of life.
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.
