Smoke and mirrors

When there are lots of smoke and mirrors around us, it becomes hard to determine what is real and what is not. Therefore, whenever that happens it leaves us confused, uncertain what to do or where to go next.

However, when it is the universe holding up the mirror, chances are we are surrounded by smoke and the universe is showing us a way out!

The esoteric, or even spiritual perspective says that everything we come across in our lives is of our own making, as we are creating our lives as we are living it ~ second by second ~ through the choices and decisions we make. This means that anything we encounter is telling us something about ourselves and our lives. When good, pleasant things cross our paths, it ensures us that we are doing just fine! When trouble, difficulty or ‘smoke’ becomes part of our lives ~ however temporary ~ it invites us to take a look at something inside ourselves we may want to change or release.

So rather than complaining about whatever has entered our lives unbidden, we could benefit from recognizing it as a mirror being held up by the universe in an attempt to show us how we can make our lives easier, more productive, and more fun.

The concept is as easy as it is unpopular…
After all, it is much easier to point a finger at some cause for the trouble we are encountering. The downside of doing so is that we would accept neither responsibility for it, nor place ourselves in a position where we can actually do something about it.

By accepting that everything ~ and I mean EVERYTHING ~ in our lives is of our own creation, even when we don’t understand how we got ourselves into that mess, at least we have the power to change it.
In other words, with that acceptance comes empowerment.

Often whatever the universe’s mirror is showing us is much more immediate than “perhaps you were unkind to that person in another life-experience”, or “karma”.
It is more like if you are bothered by the ‘lack of cleanliness’ of a place, where do you lack purification within yourself? Do you stuff yourself with ‘junk-food’? Or are you accepting anything other people tell you as truth, even when it is not your truth? Are you ‘eating’ the demands and attitudes of those around you?
Or when you are going some place and all traffic lights turn red when you drive up to them, do you really need to go there right now? Or is the mirror the universe is holding up to you telling you that even though it is on your ‘list of chores’, now is not a good time to do this?

In the energy of this point in time, when we find ourselves surrounded by smoke, it is time to look for the (universe’s) mirror to find our way out!
.
.

It is not my fault

We are all doing it to a certain extend; when something happens to us that we are not thrilled about, we are quick to find a reason why whatever happened wasn’t our fault. Of course there are some instances where we will take responsibility, for instance when we have made an honest mistake. But there are a lot of things that may happen to us ~ let’s say in the course of a week ~ that ‘cannot possibly be our faults’.
For instance when we got cut off in traffic. Or that time when we got lousy service in a restaurant as they were serving everyone who came in, except us. Or when we stumbled over a loose tile on the sidewalk, when there are extremely long lines in front of the registers at the super market ~ or when it rains and we get soaked…

As it turns out, we can be quite creative in explaining why what happened wasn’t our fault.

However, if it were true that all those kinds of things are happening to us without our input in any way, shape or form, then this would mean that for the most part we are at the mercy of other people’s decisions, other people’s actions, and our own needs and desires become inconsequential. We are leaves in the wind, blown in whichever direction the wind blows today…

If we accept this as truth ~ and are okay with it ~ then there is no problem. We’d best keep living our lives the way we have up to now, and don’t rock the boat.

If we feel that we are missing something, that there has to be more to this, then there is good news on the horizon!
More and more it is becoming clear that we are designing our own lives up to the most minute details of what is going on. The good news is that we can do a lot about situations we encounter. The bad news is that ~ in a sense ~ it is always our fault.
Not from a guilty point of view, but more from a let’s pay more attention perspective. Becoming more aware of the signals we are receiving from life as it happens. Being more alert to our inner voice that tells us to do our shopping earlier rather than later ~ for us to find that there are no lines in front of the registers at all…

And when every once in a while something doesn’t quite go as planned ~ while it may not be your fault ~ we did create it into our lives, and it most definitely does have something to tell us!
.
Artwork by Anne Claire  www.womandala.me

Why? (part two)

If we look at why we do, say or think the things we do, perhaps the most important objective is to observe the impact our actions, words and thoughts have on our lives, and yes, on the world in general.

From a spiritual perspective our thoughts, words and actions create our lives. And while that starts with just our own lives and our immediate environments, the spiritual perspective sees it as energy that moves out from us and ultimately affects the World on a global scale.
Therefore, it is in our best interest to create the best life we can muster for ourselves ~ perhaps not from a material or monetary perspective, but rather from a perspective of harmony and peace.

And as soon as we become more conscious of our impact on our lives (and the world), the way we answer the ‘Why?’ has a tendency to change.
No longer are we reacting ‘blindly’ to what people around us do or say.

We start reacting to how what is happening around us makes us feel. As long as we feel good about what we sense and see around us, chances are we are on the right track on our personal paths.
As soon as we start feeling frustrated, angry, or just plain out of balance by what we sense or see around us (or on the news), the ‘Why?’ becomes very personal:
“Why did I bring this into my life?”
“Why have I created this into my world?”

So, if we see a world divided, and we don’t like what we see; then what in our personal lives is divided? If we see people acting our their frustration ~ sometimes loudly, even brazenly, or on a large (global) scale ~ then what are we frustrated about in our own lives? If we see violence; what is festering in our own lives?

Why do we so easily accept the things that ‘aren’t quite right’ in our own lives, while pointing fingers at what is going on in the world around us?

The more aware we become on how we are affected by what others think, say or do; the better we can take conscious steps to counter it by addressing the things we could do better. More harmonious. More balanced and at peace within ourselves.

The least that does is it makes our personal lives better.
Yet why would it stop there? Chances are that when we create better, more balanced, more peaceful lives for ourselves; the world will become a better place!
.
.

Why?

Perhaps the biggest question we may be facing in our lives is ‘Why?’. It also tends to be a recurring question as we can put that particular question mark next to pretty much everything we see, do or think.
Why do we feel that way when someone says that to us? Why de we do the things we think we have to do? Why do we do the things we think others are expecting of us? Why do we say the things we say? Why … ?

While there are as many answers to these questions as there are people, there are some categories to them.
The first category is pretty much called ‘common sense’. If we have a job, we make sure to show up and do the work we will get paid for.
The second category is ‘because’. Because doing it this way gives me pleasure and enjoyment. Because I don’t have to explain or defend myself to anyone. Because this is what feels right to me…
The third category is ‘reaction based’. We are reacting to something that is happening in our life; be it our (extended) family, our environment, our Country, or the World on a global scale. There is a often sense of ‘right or wrong’ associated with this one.
And finally, the fourth category has to do with ‘conscious manifestation’, and is therefore linked to our personal paths. If I want to bring something into my life, I either have to work toward it, or attract it through my attitude about myself, my life in general, and whatever it is I desire to haven my life.

Every once in a while it is a good idea to evaluate where we stand on this issue. To see if the things we do are bringing joy into our lives. To honestly ask ourselves why we are doing things in order to determine whether those things are still serving us, or if perhaps they were useful long time ago, yet have since outlived their reason for being on our lives altogether. And if the latter is the case, the next question becomes why we are still holding on to them? Wouldn’t it be better to release them and make room in our lives ~ and maybe even in our minds ~ for new ways of doing things, new experiences?

Ultimately it boils down to the question: “Are we happy with the way we are living our lives?”
If we are, then let’s celebrate the path we have chosen. If we are not, let’s  see what we can do, say, or think differently to change our lives…
.
.

Random Acts of Kindness

Not too long ago, I had a discussion with someone who felt that there was no way we could have any effect on what is happening in the world today. After all, there are so many things not right at the moment ~ divisions, violence, anger and frustration; not to speak of banks and ‘big business’ in general ~  and how can one person make a difference? And how would ‘fighting the system’ provide us with any sense of fulfillment?

Keeping up to date (more or less) with the news these days, it is easy to see where that person comes from. After all, what can one just person do to create meaningful change?

On a global scale it is certainly hard to see a way to proceed; to make a difference.

Yet when we touch it where we can touch it, right in our direct environment ~ in our very own lives ~ we can make a tremendous difference.

It all starts with giving ourselves credit for being the unique, potential filled person that we are. To not break ourselves down because of something that may have happened in the past, but rather see how we can become an even better person today than we were yesterday. To be kind to ourselves, and to not ‘punish’ ourselves for relatively minor ‘offenses’ like for instance having somewhat cynical thoughts about someone or something. To decide that starting right now, we will stay away from negativity; even though other people may be negative, we don’t have to accept that as part of our lives…

We can take a next step by keeping our environments clean. Not just clean from unwanted thoughts or energies, but also in the most literal sense, keeping it clean from trash. Making sure random stuff ~ even when it wasn’t discarded by us, but moreover by a stranger; or even when we just see it laying in the street ~ doesn’t fail up our personal environment. So we take care of it and discard it is its proper place. Not because we have to, but because we can…

But perhaps the greatest difference can be made by engaging in random acts of kindness!

Like a smile and a ‘thank you’ to the person at the register of the supermarket. Like helping someone cross the street. Like doing the grocery shopping for an elderly neighbor.

There are thousands of small things we can do each day that will help another person. That will make another person’s day a little brighter, happier.
And that will, in return, make us feeling more fulfilled; and make us realize how much of a difference we can truly make!

Let’s start practicing ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ and see the difference in our lives, and in the world!
.
.