TAS4Me Week Three: Trust Yourself

For the past month or so I have been experiencing the fullness of love and trust.  In doing so I have decided to fall in love with EVERY bit of me.  To get there, I made a mental list of all the things I didn’t enjoy about myself.  Upon reviewing the list I found everything written on the page was from the past, which has nothing to do with who I am today.  However, my past was dictating my life and I was determined to do something about it.  So, I began to take note of my behavioral patterns from as early as I could remember to the present day.  Funny enough, not much has changed.  

Here is what I noticed:

1.     i needed validation for everything and from everyone 

2.     i sought love and attention from my friends

3.     i became complacent or comfortable in certain situations

4.     Biggest of all co-dependency was my "middle name"

5.     i judged myself and others

6.     i continued to do the same things over and over again, expecting a different result (insanity to the highest degree)

In looking at the above list I realize how clever i am.  All i ever wanted was to prove how powerful i am.  The questions "what are you trying to prove and to whom" continued to pop into my head.   It was time for me to let go of my past fully and live in gratitude, praise and love consistently.  A belief i struggled with is one that says "a person must get far down the rabbit hole before the white flag is raised.”  i felt the need to hit rock bottom in order to ascend.   I attracted people in my space who validated my theory.  For the first time in my life I allowed myself to experience the pain and emptiness of getting in my own way. 

Have you ever consulted in a friend in hope to find the answers you’re looking for?  Have you ever found yourself in constant question about your purpose? Are you saddened by situations and experiences in life? At some point in our lives could all say yes to the questions above.  After building an empire down the rabbit hole, i grew weary and bored.  My scientific mind was on a mission to gather all the data i needed to prove the power of intention is real; anything is possible no matter how difficult things may seem and most importantly, the truth of who I am.  The only way i could let go of the pain and struggle was to go through it and surrender. 

The fact is I have a strong and “very” big ego that thrives on small mundane things.   The TRUTH is my higher self (authentic self, the I AM) is even more powerful and is always right.  Therefore, there was never a need to look for anything outside of myself.  All the answers to my questions were already within me.  Once I got out of my own way

I learned…

1.     That judgment on myself is an injustice

2.     Forgiveness in its entirety is the root to happiness

3.     Thoughts come and go like day and night so why get stuck on just one

4.     Trust my higher self and rely only on that

5.     My day is not at random, it is set by how I choose to live it and whose counsel I seek (ego or high self)

6.     Decisions are never made in isolation and they are continuous

7.     Above all else LOVE conquers all things

I am here to tell you there is another way of looking at all situations.  Never give up.  It is very difficult to be in conflict when you are in total trust.  We were all made by love, created with love, and most importantly, we are love so why not extend it.  The beliefs that keeps you stagnant or in fear, let them go.  I no longer have to go deep down the hole to know that I have the power to change my mind, it happens in an instant. Try it, you’ll see how simple it is to just be.  It is time to live in trust and believe that your higher self has everything handled.  Get out your own way.  Live your dream today.  You're worth it.

Note:

(i)              Ego

 I          Higher Self

TAS4Me Week Two: HONESTY

The mission of VIP is to empower young people and everyone in their communities to take a stand for what they believe.  Most of the time we live in a story that is dictated by our past.  Many of us are unaware of this because we live in a dream.  In this dream we create experiences that drives our way of thinking.   Our thoughts are projected out of our minds and into the hearts of those around us.  In doing so, we witness illusions of fear, pain, distress, anger, resentment, animosity, depression and illnesses that causes us to be frail and weak.  None of this is true.

The Matrix reveals to us that we are in control of our own thoughts.  A Course in Miracles (ACIM) states that "it is your thoughts alone that cause you pain (lesson 190, pg 361)." If that is the case, then everyone around you are characters you single handed chose to support what ever it is you want to accept in your life.  Last week we focused on responsibility which is taking ownership for the results in our lives.  This week we will focus on the second virtue: HONESTY.

Honesty is the ability to accept the truth about who we really are and to let go of all illusions.  The truth is nothing but LOVE is real.  Your identity will never change.  You are guaranteed to live a life of success because you said so.  You are capable of having whatever you want in life.  If you want love then love yourself and everyone around.  This week we are going to focus on freeing ourselves from the past, living an honest life (in the moment) and accepting our true identity.

The steps below are a way for you to keep tract of your daily practices.  You will notice steps 1-3 are repetitive from the previous virtue.  They are the most important steps in this process. 

Steps 1: Each morning as soon as you awake ask yourself: Who am I today? You will know if the answer is coming from your true identity.  It will be natural, easy and loving.

Step 2: Go into a meditative state (10 minutes or more).  Envision yourself being who you say you are.

Step 3: Journal about the actions you took to support steps 1 and 2 (this can be done later in the evening).

Step 4: Any thoughts that enter into your mind about the past ask yourself: How is this serving the person I am today? Is this what I want? If the answer is no, then focus your mind on what it is you really want and be honest about it.

Step 5: You are going to be tested every second, minute and hour of the day. Be honest about your willingness to free yourself from the past.  Freedom takes courage.  I know you are courageous and strong.  We were all created from strength.  Remember you have the power within to do all things.  At times you may think the "world" is against you.  Be honest and take responsibility for where the initial thought came from (you).  Finally, if the thought isn't serving the greater YOU,  it is not real and choose something else.

Step 6: Speak the language of love.  Often times when we are having an experience of something 'negative' we tend to want to share it with others through story telling.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  However, sometimes we could get caught up in the story, which then becomes who we think we are.  Give yourself five minutes to wallow in your story.  Once you're complete, shift or choose again.  Choose the identity of LOVE because that is who you are. 

Step 7: Celebrate.  Always take time to celebrate the wonderful, juicy, flavor of life.  You are reading my blog for various reasons and I believe one reason is to be awakened to your authentic self.  I recently wrote on my Facebook status, 'you never know how far you could go until you run.'  Lets run together with LOVE and HONESTY.

Have fun and know whatever you do it is perfect!

TAS4Me (Take A Stand For Me) Week One: Responsibility

Virtue in a pocket (VIP) is dedicated to providing approaches that will uplift the planet one child, one family, one community at a time.  The seven virtues is a tool in which we use to monitor our thinking by taking responsibility for the outcome of our thoughts.  On July 7th, we will begin a new journey called TAS4Me (Take A Stand For Me).    The purpose of this mission is to stay awake to the beliefs that are driving our thoughts and actions throughout day.  In doing so we will take responsibility or ownership for everything in order to make a shift or change in our lives.

Every seed thought stems from a belief which grows with actions.  Today we are committed to growing a life filled with LOVE and responsibility.  To do so we will practice four simple steps (see below).

Week one: Be Responsible in your life and for your life.

1. As soon as you open your eyes in the morning ask yourself this question: Who am I today?
Remember your answer will dictate the course of your day, therefore, know that whatever you decide every thought and action thereafter will support who you say you are.  You will be tested throughout the day to be certain of your commitment.  Remain steadfast in the original thought.  Remain courageous and strong. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

2. Take a moment  to meditate for 10 minutes.  Create an environment that is comfortable and relaxing.  Light a candle or incense.  Sit up straight on the floor or in a chair.  Envision the person you declared to be, observe her actions, explore her dreams, observe how she relate to others, the things she is most passionate about, the people she serves or is in service to, etc.

3. Once the meditation process is complete write down 10 things you are grateful for and one thing you would like to do each day this week that will make a profound difference in your life. It could be as simple as going through the pile of junk mail on your desk, paying pass due bills, serving food at a shelter, read the book that has been sitting on your night stand for months, calling your parents or a friend you haven't spoken to in a while, etc.

4. Share your story.  It can make a difference in another person's life.

Suggestions:

To complete the practices you will need to set aside a half hour each day. 

Do not be discouraged.  If you miss a day journal about it and ask yourself what was more important than taking a stand for yourself.

If for any reason you oversleep and you have to rush to work to a schedule appointment become inventive and do the practices in a way that will work for you. Stick to the commitment you made to your self by doing the practices daily.  You deserve it!!

HAVE FUN!!!!!