My Life as a Glamorous Author
| When we use humor, spontaneity, and play, we embrace life with a new perspective-one that sustains a positive flow of energy through us no matter what is happening in our lives. These elements help dissolve our negative patterns such as control, fear, and self-consciousness. Most importantly, they encourage us to play with the possibilities while fully expressing ourselves.
I was reminded of using these spiritual principles on the day of my book signing in Ann Arbor on Thursday. After working all morning and preparing for my trip, I learned that a shipment of books that I had sent to a distributor had arrived dented, torn and covered in oil. They needed the shipment yesterday so I quickly packed another box of books and this time chose UPS instead of the US Postal Service. THIS TIME, I also remembered to insure them. I arrived home just in time to meet my dad who was driving with me to Ann Arbor. As I opened the door excited to see him, my golden retriever dashes through the doorway deciding that this would be a great time to explore the neighborhood. As I chased her through several backyards, I finally caught up to her. Success….but then I fell. Did I mention I was wearing white pants? After a wonderful drive with my dad, I arrived at the bookstore ready to greet the 1100 people who had responded on Facebook that they were attending the signing; however, that 1100 turned into a mere fraction that included my dad. Fortunately, I could still videotape my presentation….except that my camcorder chose that moment to die and the backup was 200 miles away. The presentation went extremely well and just as I was letting out a sigh of relief, a young University of Michigan graduate student decides to ask a question. I didn’t realize questions could actually last 15 minutes. Isn’t there a time limit, or a rule of etiquette about asking questions? By the time he was finished, I had forgotten what his point was; yet, answered him with a smile and the first thing that came to mind. I finally made it home around midnight, happy in my heart even after my dad pointed out that after gas, dinner, and the earlier loss of books, my profit was the change in his pocket, this day was perfect just as it had unfolded. Being flexible, keeping a sense of humor, and allowing spontaneity and play, sustains the flow of light energy through us supporting responsive rather than reactive choices. |
Personal Integrity: A Higher Order of Being
| Having a foundation of personal integrity cultivates life-enriching relationships with ourselves and others. Like the links in a chain, integrity is the strength we have that holds us to a higher order of “being.” Personal integrity aligns our thoughts, words, and actions with the powerful flow of energy that is who we are. In aligning with this energy, we must hold true to ourselves, open our hearts to new information, and make impeccable choices.
Recently, I had the opportunity to have a heart to heart conversation with my daughter concerning several lies she had told to cover up a series of poor choices she had made. What she needed to recognize was that her choice to lie and deny any accountability for her actions was out of integrity. It was also important for her to see that she engaged in this behavioral pattern most often when she became insecure in a relationship. Through recognizing and arresting the pattern early, she would more likely trust, honor, and stay true to herself in future relationships. It’s not always easy staying true to ourselves and our word. However, our word is law in the universe and one of the most precious and powerful forces we have. When we commit to consistently keeping our word, we see ourselves and are seen by others as trustworthy. In the case of my daughter, my frankness may not have endeared her to me at that moment, but my integrity overrode any fear that I had of her being upset with me or of losing her love. Following my heart, my personal integrity was strengthened and ultimately, this would promote a deeper trust and intimacy between us. The path of truth builds integrity. We can channel the power of our word when we live a life of honesty and impeccability. In keeping our covenants and embodying sincerity, we see that we are worthy of trust and can incorporate it into our everyday experience. |
Cultivating Open and Compassionate Communication
Cultivating clear, open, and compassionate communication promotes a deepening of trust and intimacy with ourselves and in our relationships. Amidst the stress and complexities of life, even the closest of partners, friends or colleagues at times feel misunderstood, disconnected, or not heard. All the more reason, to practice speaking our truth from our hearts.
First, we must feel safe with another person to be vulnerable and express our inner truths without fear of judgment or criticism. Revealing our insecurities and vulnerabilities is something we may find difficult because it requires us to confront and see ourselves for who we are. We have to be brave enough to delve deep inside and express our being to our another rather than the patterns, roles, or identities we play out everyday.
Second, we need to listen more responsively and speak less reactively. We will find that our partners or friends will be more open if we respond meaningfully and support their need to be heard. We lovingly communicate by taking turns sharing and listening to each other with non-judgment, acceptance, respect and without interruption.
Third, keep a sense of humor and stay lighthearted as much as possible no matter how difficult. Play with the differences and delight in the exploration of new territory.
Fourth, we have to be aware of our own feelings, needs and desires so that we can articulate them clearly and ask for what will support us. We can ask ourselves, “What am I feeling right now that I need to communicate to this person.” Then we have to pause until we are able to speak clearly from our heart.
Finally we need to accept another person’s viewpoint even when it differs from our own. We can communicate our acceptance by saying, “Wow, what an interesting point of view,” “I never looked at it quite that way,” or “Can you tell me more about this?”
The more genuinely we respond, the more we show that we acknowledge and value another person’s being.
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Welcome to Story Road
The Story Road blog is designed to awaken awareness around four areas: social issues, everyday life experiences, personal growth, and the environment. The blog's primary intention is to be another means of facilitating the collective evolution of positively changing the world from within. In the words of Eckhart Tolle, the pollution of the planet is only an outward reflection of an inner psychic pollution: millions of unconscious individuals not taking responsibility for their inner space. Are you taking responsibility for your inner space? Let us know what you think.
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