When the student is ready – the Teacher Always Come

  Are you growing and moving along swimmingly on your journey or with a lot of resistance?  When we find ourselves experiencing resistance, I like to think of it as the grand opportunity to learn and experience from a different perspective.  I know it doesn’t always feel good. I also don’t believe we enjoy knocking our heads against a brick wall all the time.  Eventually we begin to notice the pain or that we are not getting anywhere and then start to pay attention.  I’ve always believed that when the student is ready the teacher always shows up.  But we sometimes don’t recognize when we are in student mode.  Having resistance isn’t always a bad thing either.  It’s the red flag for slow down, caution ahead!  But it’s our human nature to push full steam ahead because we want to plow through the muck.  You know, that muck is meant to slow you down from doing MORE damage.  Aaahhh eventually we get there.  When you are walking through life and it appears that the scenery hasn’t changed, the people may have (sometimes not) but the situations haven’t or that there is that inner void of “something’s missing”  then you may likely be in student mode.  You can pretty much expect the teacher to show up shortly thereafter.  So I caution those who are finding themselves in “student mode” to really pay attention because this is an opportunity to really change your life for the better and likely through someone you least expect.

Life is a teaching atmosphere – no qualms about it.  And the sooner we understand that the better off we will be.  The Syllabus goes a little something like this……. 1) there will be varying degrees of learning - meaning every angle you can think of, 2) You are guaranteed mistakes - don’t worry you will have time to make more to learn from, 3) If you fail to participate, you will redo the class lesson - again and again, 4) MY FAVORITE!! <grin> You are responsible for your own efforts and what you contribute and 5) Repeat number 4 over and over until you are clear and 6) You can’t go to the next level until you do 1 through 4.  <smile>  Ok, I know it seems rough but I have to laugh because some of you already know what I am talking about and are already in the amen choir on this.  These are just to name a few of the requirements but I can’t leave out the benefits which includes but are not limited to: 1) Creating the very best experience that one can imagine and actually enjoying your life, 2) Having fun during the lesson, and 3) Taking away knowledge that benefits everyone while taking yourself to the next level, etc..  Now this is music to many of our overworked, under-paid, over-stressed, under-appreciated, and losing faith in the economy, wondering what’s going to happen next ears!  But hold on a second; don’t drive off the road yet.  We must ground ourselves with the knowledge that like it or not we are “learning” from the very experiences we are having and that fortunately change ALWAYS happens.  But we must shift our energy (although in some cases it feels KO’d in the 3rd round) to the perspective of moving ahead with strength and determination, otherwise we are letting ourselves down.  No one will do it for you, for me or anyone else.  But yes We Can Do It - each of us can make it if we try!

When we think of Life as a school and I’m sure many of you have heard this many times before, we immediately skulk and think that we are in for the worst.  Why?  Because of how we have witnessed other’s not use their power of creation and lean towards the negative outcomes or we contribute to the negative by our own thoughts, beliefs and actions.  We thereby shoot ourselves in the foot from the start of having what we want.  But I find it interesting that some are amazed when those who refuse to buy into that thought process or let their “situations at the time” get the better of them - go on to do great things.  We unfortunately tend to think only the “select few” get those privileges to overcome or they have some special favor with God or in some folks mind perhaps sold themselves to the devil.  Hardly!  I say we ALL have this ability to overcome and God/Spirit has no favorites.  Some of the most difficulties others have experienced and have sacrificed for  - have brought a greater awareness to the rest (I hope) of us and inspiration for change - for the better.  Helen Keller once said, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow” and she is so correct.  Those who overcome and learn from their experiences and take themselves to the next level do just that – they don’t lose faith; they persevere and are determined to overcome.  I think of times when it’s been really difficult as a single Mom of five and my mind goes into this state of “Failure is not an option” and I keep pushing.  I know its hard for many folks right now but this too shall pass and change.

Being the student is a big transitional role because if you give up or give in to failure, you have to not only redo the lesson, you may have to at a larger expense (financially, emotionally, or physically).  So when you find yourself being in the student role, take stock, review your lesson and thank your teacher.  They have afforded YOU an opportunity to grow and move forward.  Some of the people you least expect are offering themselves as a mirror to help you – help yourself!  Once you know, you can never have that knowledge taken away and it will be a platform for greater things! I heard somewhere that those who learn - teach.  We are all students and then teachers.  So ring the bell – class is in session and for those who are graduating – may you go on the master your next level to become a teacher to someone else in need.  Pay it forward!

   Summer is still in swing for some of us folks here in the South, but it’s soon to come to an end in a little over a month.  In my district, the children start school the first week of August and I suspect the same or shortly thereafter for other surrounding counties, so for us…..it is almost literally the end of summer as we know it.  But for those of you northerners or folks west of us, enjoy the time with your families, have gratitude and make it a priority to prepare for the months ahead. 

Why? Well this coming year (2008-2009) is going to be a challenging year “I predict” for education across the board.  We will see more education treated more as a ”luxury” than treated as a necessity and bases for all.  Believe me I cringe at the thought of that reality as I am a student like many of you reading this and have my own educational expenses.  There will be lots of disappointing news to surface as far as the educational system in our country in the news this year BUT solutions will be forced (by parents, civic leaders, educators, etc.) to be found or shall we say -  not let this one slip through the cracks.  Thank God for that!  Believe me, as a country we are very blessed and WE CAN DO ANYTHING TOGETHER to improve our educational system if we work as a single unit (parents and educators, politicians and communities).

However, we as parents (and I know some of you single parents like me will feel it perhaps the hardest) will need to saddle up with backup plans to assist our kids with all the help they need this year and coming years ahead to keep them competitive.  Take advantage of tutors, online study guides, library resources and the like to enable your child to excel.  We often think that one resource - the video and computer exposure as a negative thing.  It can be if not utilized productively.  But many children are learning and improving via this medium.  For example, I ran across a recent article on this and you can visit the site by going to:  http://www.xplanazine.com/2008/04/improve-reading- skills-with-computer-and-video-games.   I know for me personally, this was a helpful with one of my kids in generating the interest and confidence for them to pick up the books and run with them.  

If a child is having problems reading and comprehending (which personally I feel is the foundation of alot of our issues with education in the grade school stage in our country), a child can become frustrated and discouraged and loose interest in reading the books from the start.  So in some cases this may be a helpful solution if the software/programs are designed this way.  So go with your intuition first and also consider thinking outside the box and apply logic and common sense – believe me you won’t go wrong.

Finally, for those parents who pack lunches everyday as I do, please…..please…….please………make sure the food is clean and handled properly.  I foresee problems or more of them shall we say with bacterial contamination with food surging in the cafeteria’s.  So this goes out to those food service folks to take EXTRA steps to handle food properly, maintain food at proper temperatures, etc. to avoid more outbreaks with strains of E.coli and other bacteria.  I’d love to be dead wrong on this one because I know what a hot mess this can be with a whole lot of sick-stomached kids at school and at home.  So a heads-up on preventive measures for that.

Lastly….yes I know I said I was finished <smile>, Parents we should do some heavy talking with our children about respecting their peers, their peers cultural differences and learning to appreciate the richness of diversity this country has.  Unfortunately, I see more negative acts towards one another in this regard with the kids in the schools across the country as we approach the elections/end of the year.  But we can do something about that if we are “conscious of the energy” at work.  Believe me the dominant energy always takes the lead and we can shift that energy at ANY TIME if its not to our liking.

In the meantime……enjoy the ride! 

I hope this blog finds those who come across it in good spirits, harmony and in balance.  If not, perhaps this is timely that you have found your way to my page.  It’s been an interesting few weeks of observation and learning for many people including myself.  Of course, I try to contemplate over things, analyze them when necessary and take away from the experience what is most prudent to my advancement.  We all should do this for ourselves and if you are one who does not, perhaps now is the time to implement a new approach to growth.

The past several weeks have been interesting because prior to now a lot of individuals have been having intense struggles with learning to release and let go.  I say this not because it’s “a new thing”, on the contrary.  Releasing and letting go has been a huge part of the ebb and flow of life since the beginning of time.  What I find interesting is the intensity of it recently and also the synchrony of me having to speak at a private event this week to a large group of young folks on this topic among other things.  Ironically, the last several weeks have been personally experiential to the subject matter as well.

It seems countless individuals I know personally and professionally have been taking the same train ride.  I was just discussing over dinner with some friends about accelerated learning and someone stated it seems everything has been kicked into high gear in this regard.  Actually, I totally agree.  Personally, I have felt kind of shafted in this regard of learning at times and believe me I can laugh about this now.  It seems my learning’s have always been intense, fast and hard in many ways BUT it’s helped me be who I am today as well as for what I am being groomed to do later.  But again, as I’ve often said, it’s not the path that everyone must take, have to take or need to take.  Everyone is groomed and primed differently to handle and deal with certain things for a reason. 

Life is like a box of chocolates sometimes, especially if you “love” chocolates <smile>.  Me on the other hand, I don’t necessary adore them like most folks do but I appreciate the diversity, flavors, colors and textures that it comes in.  So in that respect, I appreciate chocolates <smile>.  So what about those things that we love and adore, perhaps even obsess with or have such a strong tie to that it could be toxic to our own welfare, despite the pleasure that we derive from it.  How does one let go or release these things?  That’s where the decision can become…shall we say…..a struggle.  When you find that you are not in balance or have inner peace then it’s time to re-evaluate whether certain circumstances, situations, or people are contributing to that.  I say contributing because we are always our own gatekeeper.  And at the end of the day, it was us who allowed the situations, persons or circumstances into our experience.  I personally believe it starts at home first.  In other words, one must look at themselves and ask where I am projecting this energy in my life that I now find I am experiencing it in my environment to now have to release it and let something go. 

If we all take a hard and honest look at this first step, then it makes the healing and next step of releasing and letting go easier.  When we are in love the dynamics are very different but the same principle should be applied but to one’s self first.  In other words, if you are in a toxic situation where there is an imbalance amongst other things, then you have to ask yourself where your love for self is.  If you are not respecting, loving and expecting the best for yourself, then how can you expect another person to fill those shoes and be a compatible partner or vibrational match to you?  I’ve had to ask myself that question and had the painful realization that even when a situation isn’t toxic, there can be levels of imbalance that would pose the question of “If I truly loved myself – would I allow this or that?” and had to let someone I loved go.   

But hold on to your pantyhose, it’s not all that morbid in retrospect because when one can truly love themselves enough – enough to know they deserve better,  enough to LET GO of what doesn’t work to ALLOW IN what does and can, enough to forgive themselves or those who have wronged them, enough to be grateful for the experience and to do it differently next time, enough to say that despite how bad I want it – it’s not good for me, enough to trust in knowing that they will have what they deserve, and enough to not allow pain, fear, discomfort or loneliness to beguile them from their point of focus because in truth – when one truly loves themselves enough – you get that energy back 100 fold.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s regarding the affairs of the heart, health or business matters. 

You see, energy doesn’t discriminate nor has favorites.  On the contrary, energy is attracted to more of the same even with the best intentions.  When we are in the bowels of negative energy or allow more of it into our lives by the choices we make then we allow more of the same.  It can destroy any positive promise of tomorrow based on the negative choices and actions of today.  We only have now time and if we are blessed to be on the other side of it (meaning to see tomorrow) then we can review in hind-sight, learn from the experience and continue to strive to be better.  

Today, our world in which we live in is teaching us/demanding that we learn to release and let go – it is vital and necessary, especially when we engage in negative thought patterns, habits and even practices.  It is even more necessary to let go as a general rule of thumb because we then allow the highest and best into our experience. So ask yourself while you are releasing and letting go next time – Do you really LOVE YOURSELF ENOUGH to do so and if so watch how it becomes easier to release and let go as you move through your life experience no matter how difficult or painful. 

What I know for sure about Releasing and Letting Go:

1. I know that in doing so, it takes great courage and strength to face your fears or insecurities with an uncertainty of what is to come;

2. Releasing and Letting go means, ALLOWING.  It means allowing that which you deserve and desire in the best way that is can possibly manifest in your life.

3. Releasing and Letting Go also means TRUSTING.  It means that you will not try to control that which you cannot control or fear what you cannot control and trusting that you will get your heart’s desire.  

To all the women who carry the role and title of mother – Happy Mother’s Day to you – You are Loved – You are Appreciated – You are Noticed.  I wanted to post my words of respect to those Mom’s who give selflessly to their children and families everyday.  I honor you because I know as a mother it takes love, patience and sometimes fortitude to show up everyday.  Being a Mother is a loving sacrifice that one chooses.  There are days you may not feel much like Mom but you do what needs to be done – you show up – you are there.

Today, although typical of any other sunday except I decided to give myself the day off.  It’s important to just stop and breathe.  Many of you Mom’s out there know at times it’s difficult to do this but you must at least try if only for one day or one hour.  Me, my life is like a whirlwind literally at times and my days start at 5:30 AM and ends… well it ends later than I would like at times but that’s what it is like in my world of Motherhood at least for the moment.  There are days that I reflect back to my maternal grandmother and how she LOVED her children, grandchildren, the neighborhood children – children in general and she never complained about her role as a Mother. 

Me, I am guilty as charged if I am to be completely honest about the complaining but I have learned that it doesn’t change anything – it gives one more reasons to find other things to complain about.  So when I catch myself doing that (and I have to catch myself these days – I have a teenager), I think of my Grandmother and how she would get on anyone who complained about the blessings of children.  Of course she had 19 of them, my mother being the last child and a twin.  So I got to thinking - for my Gra’Mama to do what she did all those years until she died at the age of 103 and not complain – I would begin to feel silly and refer to her words of wisdom and comfort and immediately shut my mouth.  In a lot of ways she could be likened to the character Job.  Although she wasn’t a rich woman in material things, she was rich in spirit, patience and an ambassador of unconditional love.  I do not exaggerate here and for anyone who knows what it was like to be in her presence or to experience her kindness and generosity you would understand why I say this.  Many did and she became like a mother to a lot of people.

  We are so used to giving our all as Mom’s that we forget to take care of ourselves at times.  If you are truly a giving and nurturing person in general, you will understand this issue as well.  Moving on now…..I digress a little….I enjoyed my morning coffee and little tokens, hugs and kisses from all of my children except my youngest.  He waited and hesitantly came to my room and handed me his card he made.  I asked him why we was feeling so shy about it and he said he wanted to give me something more than just a card.  I hugged him and gave him a big fat kiss and said, gimme my card – anything you give Mommy is GREAT because it’s from you.  I opened the card and read it and was tickled pink about his words. 

I asked him if he wrote it all by himself or did his teacher help, he said no I wrote it but she printed it out in a very matter-of-fact and proud way.  Yep, should have known better than to ask him, my youngest is very matter-of-factly at his age and often looks at people with this – why do you ask the most ridiculous question look at times.  I swear he is too old for his age.  He went on in his card about the things he finds great about me as a Mom (as most Kids do which I am grateful) but what stood out was that he described me as cool.  I found it funny because I would have thought that was the last thing he would say considering I try to run a tight ship best I can.  I asked him why and what he thought was so cool about me and what he said hit a nerve but the type that tears one up.  He said, Mom you are always trying so hard and you never give up no matter what - and you never give up on us!

Needless to say I was deeply touched and it made my heart sing and I will continue to live up to those words.  Every now and then I know we Mom’s think – am I doing this right? Is this enough?  I only have one thing to say in closing – keep doing the best you can and keep loving your children as hard as you can.  Trust that you are doing the best you can right now.

• To all the Mom’s who think that your efforts and words of encouragement are falling on deaf ears – NEVER GIVE UP!

• To all the Mom’s who are trying hard and some with hardly anything to work with – NEVER GIVE UP!

•  To all the single Mom’s who feel you are alone – NEVER GIVE UP!

• To all the Mom’s who show up everyday as a parent for your children – NEVER GIVE UP!

• To all the Mom’s who feel their child has fallen by the way side – NEVER GIVE UP!

Be an example of love, persistence and forgiveness and never- ever give up!

    We live in a world where technology helps us do things much easier and faster.  The world has literally gotten smaller – thanks to the Internet.  We can please the physical senses in a myriad of ways.  You can get things done quick fast and in a hurry – immediate gratification and satisfaction as often as you want – when you want – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

But what about our other “sensing mechanisms” that is not hard wired to just react due to effective persuasion of our modern and popular culture (Internet, media, politics, etc.)?  I am referring to the inner spirit – the core of what and who we are.  That part of us human beings that was there before our choice of lifestyle, political affiliation, religion, and must not forget the marketing and media – our choice of Brand products and our favorite news show to deliver the entire story….Ok well most of it.

We are becoming worried, desensitized and more easily persuaded by our everyday environments and are slowly moving away from balance through our connection with Spirit.  Somehow we have become more attached to our physical things and environment in this process.  We have come to identify who we are with what we have, who we know, what we do, and a list of other things you perhaps may not imagine.  Oh yes, I have been surprised many a day sitting on the receiving end of listening and looking into a person’s life.

Are you so attached to things in this world that it’s hard to let go of them?  What does that really mean – letting go?  I’d say it means you are not so emotionally or physically attached to something or someone to your detriment and can resume moving forward in your life.  In most cases when we become so attached to things on the flip side is developing a strong dependency and fear of losing them.  Many people have suffered losses of all kinds – we see this in our housing, employment, the wars, etc.   I too understand on that level and have experienced loss in many ways – the stories I will tell later about that.  But back to the point, one thing I know for sure is that you can’t get back yesterday and do it all over again.  All you have is the present moment that is guaranteed – that very second and each one that goes by is a wonderful opportunity to really appreciate everything and start anew. 

How many of you have had moments when it didn’t look like you would last through the night but you’re still here aren’t you?  How many of you have lost your jobs, homes, loved ones and you are still kicking?  The human will is AMAZING and therefore your attachment to things that can and will fade is mute.  Ever notice how the Human Will is a direct point of reference that defines successful end-result?  No matter whether you look at it from the negative end of the equation or the positive end, the end result is still the same: Positive Energy (thoughts, actions, feelings) + Will = Positive End Result and vice versa with the negative spin.

When you are not attached to “things” you are in a state of grace – I really believe that.  I liken it to a reprieve from that fear of losing something that you have come to believe you can’t do without.  Oh yes, the things (or lies in some cases) we tell ourselves in that regard.  Whether it’s due to lack of convenience and comfort, being alone, it’s all you know, and a myriad of things we tell ourselves. 

I have come to the conclusion that for every person that is conscious in thought - there is equally a unique fear that is created to sabotage efforts.   We all have both sides to ourselves -  positive and negative but we tend to lean more towards the old comfy familiar which is negative.  Why?  Because it’s easier to lose faith and believe that bad things outweighs the good.  All we have to do is not try, get knocked down enough, watch what may appear to be the “special someone’s always getting it all”, or a slew of things we tend to lean toward.  Pick an example, there are plenty of them out there and we just jump on that old negative bandwagon adding more fuel in belief to that fire. 

It amazes me how we are not surprised at those negative outcomes but are shocked at the miracles that happen everyday to those who choose not to give up, learn to let go or never forget how to dream.  Letting go in the sense of attachment to things is a place of balance that if you do indeed lose something that you know it’s not really lost.  We tend to think of our loved ones in this way because they aren’t exactly physically coming back and picking up where they left off.  That is a difficult loss indeed but I don’t believe that we just cease to exist once we shed our bodies.  Not with my experiences or the phenomena I’ve seen.  I know it’s hard for some to believe that or find peace with it because they have no “physical proof”.   Would it be enough if they did?  Would some people REALLY change?  Would you not make “things” a priority if you could get back that person, that day, that year or that hour?  Ask yourself that question and in this moment you have right now – WHAT SAY YOU?

   Hi Everyone!  Catch me today live on Dr. Carmen Harra’s Show on Healthy Life Radio. 

You can call in by dialing 1-800-555-5453.  The show starts at 1 PM PST and 4 PM EST.  You can visit her page at www.healthylife.net. 

 See ya there!

Illuminations: A Road Less Traveled - A Modern Day Seer’s Journal of the Human Experience will be available April 14, 2008. You can pre-order your book now! I will be conducting book signings for my new book very soon, so check back for more details!

Christmas

Wow…I can’t believe it’s finally done - we have a new home! I am grateful and thankful to be able to be here and help others. I can’t tell you the high that comes from giving someone guidance, a push in the right direction or validating their inner voice’s words.

The website change has been on my mind for years. And during those years folks have complimented the warmth, tone, and information of the old site. After thinking about it, that old site has been the same for nearly 4 years. That’s old and outdated when viewing it from the internet savvy techno folks perspective. And on that note, that brings me to the new book. The words in the book might also be considered old wisdom but it’s funny how the things that are true to form in life never changes no matter how many years and people that grace its presence. This book project was like birthing a 6^th child – well almost. Not in the sense of it being laborious to write, on the contrary. I had actually started 3 books and had to put them down for a while.

Unfortunately my role as a parent, adviser, student (as in university) began to take its toll – yes you read right - just love adding more to my plate. No just kidding, but on a serious note, I truly believe in continued education of all types. I had to slow my pace down, take a break and then open myself up to write again. I actually love doing that when I have the time and plan to do more. Oh the stories to share, the humor, the pain and more important the learning. Then there are the the things people have actually said to me. And I mean that in a funny – Ha – Ha kind of way. I said one day, I will write a book about those things alone, really comical the things I’ve heard over the years. But it also is a reminder, as the book is about that we are not alone in this process. Being here is like a process – Your Learn – Your Grow – You Evolve.

And on that note…I will sign out. I hope you enjoy the site and all the things I have in store for it. It will be a work in progress as time goes on and new additions and capabilities will be added. I can’t wait to do more interaction LIVE will all of you in a video format – that’s on my to-do list. Will keep you posted as the timing becomes right for that.

Meanwhile, enjoy your wonderful choice of free will and bring into your focus all that you envision you desire and deserve.

Yours in Spirit,

Christmas