The Other Side

We are so willing to orchestrate our own demise....

to allow distorted and unflattering visions of us

rule our beliefs and actions.

Why are we so adverse to seeing our beauty, 

our brilliance, our glory? Why does our capability

(and that of our fellows) frustrate and madden us so?

Courage is not evidenced in being an unwavering tower

of 'cool and collected.' It is being quivering jelly that is 

prepared for the consequences of taking a stance that

only we may understand.

When did we allow ourselves to believe the lies

of others--even those closest to us--about limitations

and short-sightedness and assuming our abilities fallow?

Yes, recognizing our innate goodness instead of constantly
feeding our society-influenced surpluses of guilt and shame is a
remarkable concept.  "Imagine....."

We are too innovative, too magnificent, and too glorious

to be sitting around decomposing and self-destructing.

There's nothing wrong with the basic structure; the problem

lies in our perceptions and assumptions, which have been 

trained to damn and condemn.

Let's stop tearing down, and start noticing the integrity and 

value of the structure as it stands.

Detachment

As the illusion of comfort and security continues to seduce,
the call of the wild is finally breaking down my last bits of
resistance to the free-flowing, formless wonder of life.

The unexpected, the unplanned, the undesired, and the
uncomfortable are all an equally important part of the great
tapestry. Detaching from the avoidance of pain, separating
from the notion of 'bad' or 'good' experiences... takes some
hearty practice.

There is just life, in all its gory glory. It is all things equally.
If I want to change my 'luck', I must change my perspective.
Only by assuming that wonderful things will happen as I enter
the Void will those things be allowed to occur, shaping and
embracing my growth. If I fear and despair, I have already
decided what my experience will be.

There will be moments of doubt, desperation, disillusionment...
absolutely. But to ignore the golden moments in anticipating them
destroys the very balance I need.  Visualizing where I want to be--
and being okay with not knowing exactly how I will get there--are
just two steps I am getting comfortable with.

Or, rather, getting used to being uncomfortable with. I bought into
the fantasy that the right ______ and enough of _____ would make
me happy and safe. I feverishly denied my own awareness that the
conforming I did was the means to fulfillment. But I know enough to
know that only I can see my necessary path, and only I can take the
steps that will lead me down it.

We make our own luck.  I decide, I plan, I act, I change my attitude....
and then I bend with the alterations life brings, as the path invariably
changes mid-step.

I detach from expectations....of life, of myself, of others...and I am not
in free-fall. I am lovingly pulled forward into a new realm of endless
possibilities. The more I question what I  have attached myself to, the
greater my life becomes.

Credit Where Credit Due

I have no need of being understood by others

I am not validated by a specific means of income
nor am I only worthy when I am being 'glamorous'

My value is not supported or substantiated by
having many (or any) agree or stroke or praise me,
my appearance, my opinions, or my actions

I do not require a hefty bank account to know
that I have purpose and value to the world

I require no accolades or rewards for who I am;
knowing I have done my best is sufficient

I have much to offer the world, and the only one
who can convince me otherwise is within. I must
make the crucial decision every day to embrace
my greatness and act upon my unique vision

I love my body, my mind, and my soul exactly as
they are and as an integrated, whole, and perfect
system. I am a part of the Universe, and have a
crucial role to fill.

My views and understanding are comprehensive,
no matter how many others disagree or how fervently
they try to berate me.

I embrace a new and positive life for myself, free
from old expectations, negative tapes, and the
condemning criticisms of nay-sayers in the present.

My salvation, my restoration, my transformation are
entirely mine to command, and I choose to move
forward with life.

What's it Gonna Be?

(Taken from the "In The Rooms" newsletter/website)

October 9

Get Off Your Buts

If you sit in the middle of the road, you will get hit by traffic from both directions. -Bryce Courtenay

After spending a day with a small group of friends in New York City, we were deciding whether to go to a movie or go home. As we drove along, each person gave their input. "I'll go with the flow," said the first person. "I'm not attached," offered the second. "I'll do whatever the group wants," added a third. I'm just happy," reported a fourth. The driver pulled off the road, turned to face the others, and half-irritated, half-humorously, announced, "That's enough! Can't you guys come up with anything but new age platitudes? I need to know what direction to drive this car; this is one of those situations in which everyone is just going to have to be honest. Now, let me ask each of you again. What would you like to do?"

As it turned out, no one wanted to attend the movie, so we all just went home-but not before I learned an important lesson in taking a stand.

When you're honest about where you are, you and others have something to work with. If you're vague or withhold your truth for the sake of pleasing others, it's hard to get anywhere. Even if you're upset or feeling unclear, you serve by reporting where you are. Often simply speaking up moves the energy to the next level.

Sometimes all we have to offer is our current experience, and that is enough. Even if we're not in touch with the ultimate truth of the universe, or if our position changes, we do well to give the driver a direction before he has to pull off the road to ask.

I pray to be clear with myself and others. Give me the confidence to know that where I am is good enough.

I make a stand for who and what I am.

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This meditation is an excerpt from Alan Cohen's meditation book, A Deep Breath of Life.