tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28186908854305284052024-03-13T03:04:59.517-07:00A Beautiful Placewaking up to the wellness within
a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-45987831730021568722015-12-19T08:48:00.001-08:002015-12-19T08:48:50.702-08:00Love In The Moment
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Love In The Moment</div>
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by A.M. Stewart </div>
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Love in the moment is un-scripted, it
has no rules, and no agenda too</div>
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Will you stop to ask what is required
of love in the moment?</div>
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it does not come bathed in your to-do-lists, the shoulds, the ought to's
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love in the moment has told me:</div>
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to slow down</div>
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to stop work for today</div>
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to sit in the sunlight</div>
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to read a book
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to love myself for no reason</div>
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love in the moment has told me:</div>
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to clean my house</div>
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to play with children</div>
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to do my work</div>
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to not be afraid of difference</div>
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love in the moment
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is my only compass</div>
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it does not come with a list</div>
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it does not come with rules</div>
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it does not dwell in a book</div>
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love in the moment feels gracefully
humble</div>
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and teaches me new things</div>
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allows me to be flexible</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iWvLlq9qFoQ/VnWJf3ACrPI/AAAAAAAAAs4/0XXab_Mk-I0/s1600/IMG_0467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iWvLlq9qFoQ/VnWJf3ACrPI/AAAAAAAAAs4/0XXab_Mk-I0/s320/IMG_0467.jpg" width="320" /></a>and is all encompassing</div>
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love in the moment is new and fresh</div>
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it's often not what “I” had in mind
…</div>
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love in the moment sometimes means:</div>
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boundaries</div>
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rules
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and consistency</div>
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love in the moment sometime means:</div>
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no boundaries</div>
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no rules</div>
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and inconsistency
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nbi8OIAxPX8/VnWJhqPgTXI/AAAAAAAAAtI/owotxf_AhxU/s1600/IMG_7407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nbi8OIAxPX8/VnWJhqPgTXI/AAAAAAAAAtI/owotxf_AhxU/s320/IMG_7407.jpg" width="240" /></a>love in the moment is here<br />
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in this moment</div>
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but if I do not stop to ask ..
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I may not hear love in this moment</div>
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love in the moment</div>
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is sometimes</div>
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my hurt ego</div>
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love in the moment
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is sometimes
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a different point of view</div>
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love in this moment always shows me
what to do</div>
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I am love in this moment</div>
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because I cannot be
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separate from love</div>
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I am love</div>
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we are love</div>
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we are love in this moment if we choose</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_j0wmd8WYHo/VnWJhsmqJkI/AAAAAAAAAtA/_mtxb6HyKwg/s1600/IMG_5468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_j0wmd8WYHo/VnWJhsmqJkI/AAAAAAAAAtA/_mtxb6HyKwg/s320/IMG_5468.jpg" width="320" /></a>and when I fail to choose love in this
moment</div>
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there is another moment</div>
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and another moment</div>
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moment by moment</div>
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we can be love in this moment</div>
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and when I fail to choose love in the
next moment</div>
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alas, it is okay. It is okay. It is
okay, okay, okay, okay.
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Because love has not left me. It has
not left me. </div>
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It has not left me.</div>
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I am Love</div>
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Here I am love in this moment again.
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a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-33031382932249729322014-11-18T05:41:00.001-08:002014-11-18T05:42:26.180-08:00Infinite Love ... and .. Deer<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
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This morning I was feeling kinda bummed
and lonely – because my running buddy couldn't make it to our run
in the woods. Then I remembered the infinite Love Spring living in
me, that is me and everyone and everything else. I began to feel full
of love and comforted in a deep way.
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At that moment, I looked down and saw
this perfect leaf with a heart shape somehow cut out in the middle.
“Amazing,” I thought, “Just amazing.” Knowing absolutely this
was not a coincidence.
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As I proceeded on my run through the
woods, a large deer ran across my path. I looked over and there was a
family of deer, about 6 or 7. We ran side by side for a moment of
magic and magnificence. Then they disappeared. I'm not sure if it was
the pregnancy hormones or just that I was in deep recognition of the
connection to this Pure Love – but I wanted to stop and weep.</div>
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As a surge of emotion filled my spirit,
I instantly felt grateful and in awe of the magnificence of the
absolute perfection of Life. All my thinking about what needed to be
changed and fixed, all the thoughts about what was imperfect
disappeared. It was replaced by an absolute knowing that ALL is
perfect as it IS already. It didn't need me to do anything – or to
make it any particular way – because it's all just perfect in and
of itself.</div>
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Even the things I had seen in the
moment as sad or imperfect or needing to be changed instantly
transformed into being ok the way they are. The beauty and perfection
in the mess of it all, if you will.</div>
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In this moment I saw very clearly, the
depth of gratitude that exists for all of Life's waves. It is in the
recognition of where the source of Love dwells.</div>
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And it is true, we have many moments
where action is required. But if we do not allow the action to come
from that place of love and gratitude, it serves no one and nothing
well.</div>
a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-31673378488399912592014-11-07T08:28:00.000-08:002014-11-07T08:36:39.124-08:00What if Love is always there?
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By A.M. Stewart</div>
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One Sunday afternoon, my husband and I
are catching up on some house work. As I'm folding laundry, I look
outside the living room window. I can see my son Tosh playing on his
swing set. The leaves are falling and blowing swiftly through the air
as the months have changed into a new season.</div>
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And in this moment, my heart feels so
full of love. And 'something' is in recognition of this ever-present
love. It's perfect and beautiful. And there is no effort to 'do'
anything, except to acknowledge the presence of this love. There is
no need to create or make it – because it's just always here.
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Sometimes I feel like we can get into
these habits of busying ourselves. Like the weekend has to have so
much production, every ounce of time needs to be taken advantage of,
every possible 'thing' to do needs to be considered for the sake of
making memories with our family and for our children. (I almost feel
exhausted just writing about all that!).
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But what if the truth was, by doing ALL
that – we're actually distracting ourselves from fully recognizing
the love that is ALREADY present. We don't need to organize or create
it. It's there for us to enjoy anytime, anywhere, doing anything …
what if we recognized this? What if we could let go of some of our
personal thinking about life? What would we experience next?
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What if Love, Peace, Joy, exists within
us always. Like, always always. Like, it never leaves! Even in chaos
it's there! Would we begin to Trust that more than our personally
created thinking about life?
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FE9WqypPIY/VFzw3ZdRLKI/AAAAAAAAAg8/yYBF0rbfE9Q/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FE9WqypPIY/VFzw3ZdRLKI/AAAAAAAAAg8/yYBF0rbfE9Q/s1600/images.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a>I can tell you personally that when I
trust it's there, Life flows so much more effortlessly. And is a JOY.
Even while washing dishes! But when I forget this, I create a lot of
misery for myself and sometimes for those around me.
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As LeVar Burton (Reading Rainbow) would
say, “But you don't have to take my word for it!”
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In other words, see for yourself. What
if Love is always there?</div>
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<i>If you are interested in individual or group Spiritual Coaching, please contact me at amstewartview@gmail.com</i></div>
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For several years I have worked with individuals and groups helping people gain a deeper understanding of how and where our experience of life is being created. This approach is universal, meaning that it does not interfere with any particular belief system, religion or personal background. You will find these psychological Principles are the 'ingredients' to all life. </div>
a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-82750748638125613372014-03-12T19:13:00.000-07:002014-03-12T19:36:49.439-07:00Love in Loss: A personal story of pregnancy lossThis is my personal story about pregnancy loss. On January 26, 2014, we lost our second child. <br />
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The morning after the Doctor told us our baby's heartbeat had stopped in my womb, my 3 year- old son must have known. He slept in bed with us that night. When we awoke in the morning, he held my face with both his hands and kissed my lips over and over.<br />
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Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss. Like he knew. And was saying to me, "Mommy, it's ok. I love you."<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GFARJK0Gmk/UyERyyx0qwI/AAAAAAAAAVY/1lY0teljhmA/s1600/baby+angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GFARJK0Gmk/UyERyyx0qwI/AAAAAAAAAVY/1lY0teljhmA/s1600/baby+angel.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The painting I was moved to create </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In days that followed, my son and I lie in bed as he started to talk about the baby in Mommy's belly. I told him very gently the baby had gone to heaven to be an Angel. And very matter of fact-like, he repeated everything I told him.<br />
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I don't think there is a right or wrong way to experience sadness or a loss. I think our thoughts can tell us there is. That we 'should' be going through certain steps of grieving - which is okay too - but not necessarily a 'have to.' <br />
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Something that I was quite surprised by were my feelings and 'state of mind' throughout it all. I noticed myself expereincing - even in the midst of this sadness - great peace, happiness and joy. I noticed myself being quite judgemntal of those feelings too. Conditioned thoughts arising, saying, 'No, wait - you're supposed to feel sad right now!!'<br />
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And don't get me wrong, there were many moments - and days too - of shitty. To which I replied, "Who cares! So what, you know, it's just a feeling." The feeling really doesn't say anything about the true nature of me .. so essentially, I got to enjoy the momentary misery. Maybe it's not the "normal" response but it certainly felt "natural" to me. <br />
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Sitting quietly in my living room one afternoon, I realized my thoughts and my personal mind had this tendancy to bring back and hold onto the painful thoughts and feelings. But when I just released them - I immediately felt comfort. Joy. Peace. "Interesting," I thought. It seems slightly exhausting to hold on to these sad thoughts. So I just let them go. And let them come. And then let them go again.<br />
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What always seemed to surface was this calm feeling. This eternal space of Love. And it said, "You're okay." And I deeply felt it.<br />
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Sometimes it can be as though others, unknowingly, project their feelings onto you. "Poor you" .. you know? I recall a time when a friend was telling me his car had broke down so he had to take the bus. Immediately I said to him, "I'm sorry." (assuming this must be bad for him) His response was blunt and loving, "No - I like it," He said, "I get to meet lots of people."<br />
It's all very innocent, this projecting thing ... <br />
<br />
I recall having many insights throughout this experience, many moments of seeing the true nature of things. One of the most powerful ones was when I allowed myself to look further into the heart of 'me.'<br />
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A mentor of mine asked me one day, "WHO has this happened TO?"<br />
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Talk about a mind-fuck. I reflected on this question and went deeply into a space of nothingness and everything-ness that appeared untouchable - unbreakable - totally absent of my self-created identity and ideas.<br />
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I discovered that only my identity (ego, thoughts) that I created could be 'hurt.' And behind all that - the truth of what I am: This energy, this resiliency, this source of ultimate Love - wherever you believe it comes from - is, well, unbreakable and always whole.<br />
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A wash of relief came over me. A realization of true and total freedom filled my spirit. And this challenging, heart-breaking experience transformed in front of my eyes into living beauty. Gratitude for all life bursting.<br />
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And it was there that I met Love in the midst of loss. <br />
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<br />a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-33307130516871063182014-01-23T15:22:00.001-08:002014-01-23T15:23:21.894-08:00Anything is Possible<span class="userContent"> By A.M. Stewart </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="userContent">Somehow I am always taken care of<br /> Anything Is Possible<br /> Somehow Love always answers the question<br /> Anything Is Possible<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> Somehow Gratitude comes back into my heart<br /> Anything Is Possible<br /> When nay-sayers thrive and can’t see the light<br /> Anything Is Possible<br /> When hope comes rushing in with a blanket of faith <br /> Anything Is Possible<br /> When my hands are guided gently back to Love<br /> Anything Is Possible<br /> When a desire to see more fills my spirit<br /> Anything Is Possible<br /> As I rest at night and trust in the Unknown<br /> Anything Is Possible<br /> When I believe anything is possible<br /> Anything Is Possible<br /> <br /> Anything is possible<br /> Anything is possible<br /> Any. Thing. Is. Possible.<br /> I welcome into my Heart.</span></span></span></div>
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a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-35042017871252382542013-10-30T07:14:00.001-07:002013-10-30T07:14:42.658-07:00Butterflies are Always FreeBy A.M. Stewart<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwIX9RkrFFQ/UnERycDm44I/AAAAAAAAAQE/aeIkxqUCTW8/s1600/DSC_8040n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwIX9RkrFFQ/UnERycDm44I/AAAAAAAAAQE/aeIkxqUCTW8/s200/DSC_8040n.jpg" width="200" /></a>There was a time I remember feeling so small like I existed
without a voice. I remember feeling like I didn’t even know ‘me.’ I remember believing
the lies were true. I remember the stories I made up about weekly bruises that
suddenly appeared on my limbs. I remember wanting someone who would love me –
just for me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Then realizing, maybe, I didn’t even love myself. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember the moment I spread my wings. And the moment I
noticed that I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had</i> wings! It was the
moment I decided I would no longer accept abuse. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happened quite unexpectedly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For many years, I prayed for him to change. For him to treat
me better. For him to respect me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
him to have an awakening that would show him how to truly love me. For him to
wake up! There I was, watching, waiting, wondering if the butterfly would ever emerge
from its cocoon. I could not see that I was in a cocoon too. Held captive only by
my thinking.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I always thought I would be able to say or ‘do’ something
that would change his thoughts and behavior. That maybe today was the day that
he would show love and compassion. And true, maybe we can have an affect on
others with our words and actions. But it is not up to us to change or ‘fix’
anyone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The change I desperately desired did not occur within him. It
occurred within me like magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rabbit suddenly popped out of the hat.<b> There it was, my strength and Wisdom
revealed!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was in a Yoga class where I had an insight that changed
my life forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <i> </i></span><i>I wasn’t expecting to
see </i></div>
<i>life differently. I wasn’t expecting to hear anything. I wasn’t expecting any
change. </i><br />
<i>On that day, I listened to words that spoke to my heart, to my essence,
to my Wisdom, to God within. <b> </b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>They were words of freedom. Words of truth. Words
of simple joy.</b></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m sure I had probably heard these words before but in that
moment they were truth. They were new. They were a gift only I could open. I
was finally ready in that moment to listen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Yoga teacher said, “We cannot change the external world,
we can only change ourselves from within.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ntf926qy6E/UnETdpgASxI/AAAAAAAAAQY/YCsssUNcqPM/s1600/DSC_0017n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ntf926qy6E/UnETdpgASxI/AAAAAAAAAQY/YCsssUNcqPM/s320/DSC_0017n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At that moment I knew I wanted to love myself. I knew I would
no longer accept or tolerate abuse. I knew I had to leave. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We never know what will spark a moment of deep realization
or insight. The Yoga teacher’s words were poetry to my heart. They were words I
already knew. But now I was ready. Now I saw the strength within me. Now I could
leave my cocoon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, anything was possible – even starting all over. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you happen to be stubborn like me, you often have to go
to the very bottom to discover you have to pick a different direction. You may,
like me, just want to know for certain, ‘Is this really the bottom? Are you sure
I can’t go any further?’ There was no more space in my cocoon. The only
direction left was ‘out.’ </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>And so I flew!</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We fear change so much in life. We think we’ve got to hold
onto whatever we have forever – even if it’s bad for us. Even if it’s killing
us. All of a sudden we can find ourselves wearing a bikini in snowy weather
shocked, wondering, ‘What happened? I’m freezing … where are my pants?’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Yes the weather has changed. And when we
resist change, we often create more problems.
</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Observe how nature gracefully accepts change whenever that
should occur. Everything happens right on time, flawlessly, like a joyous dance
between lost lovers. If Fall comes early, the leaves do not try to cling
desperately to the tree. They joyfully surrender to the present moment of
falling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing is late. Nothing is early. Nothing is resisted. It’s
all peacefully accepted as the Truth. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we relaxed just
a bit and enjoyed the changing seasons of our lives?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The season of my life changed in a matter of seconds. After
hearing the Yoga teacher’s words, a burden lifted from my shoulders. I no
longer felt guilty and ashamed of my sad marriage. I no longer felt like I had
to fix it or the other person. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>I discovered, in fact, I was free. </b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I discovered I no longer had to lie about the bruises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I no longer had to accept being verbally put
down every day. I no longer needed to play a victim role. I no longer had to
pretend life was wonderful. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could just be me. So I grew dreadlocks and made a plan to
leave someone who chose not love me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>I chose to love myself.</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>For the first time in my life I listened to my heart. I
listened to the voice deep within my soul. And I took a courageous step onto a
path I could not see. People and opportunities began to show up in my life to
help me because my eyes and heart were open. </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I began to trust that I had Wisdom I did things I never
thought I’d have the courage or strength to do. I took steps to free myself
from an abusive person. I made decisions that felt right to my soul. I stood up
for myself when people close to me questioned why I was leaving my marriage. I spoke
my Truth with love and courage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the midst of my abusive relationship, I received a
gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a box a friend made for me.
The front of the box said, “Butterflies are always free.” A simple message of truth
about who we are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After emerging from the cocoon, there were many moments this
butterfly had to rest. And still does. Learning to fly again can sometimes feel
like a bumpy endeavor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>We are all meant to fly free.</i></b> To be contained only by the
love of our hearts. And when I least expected it, I uncovered this freedom dwelling
in my soul all along.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emAM7rVaMxo/UnESMumug0I/AAAAAAAAAQM/sXxxPHtpTBg/s1600/fern+free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emAM7rVaMxo/UnESMumug0I/AAAAAAAAAQM/sXxxPHtpTBg/s400/fern+free.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-8650767733549082012013-10-18T09:45:00.001-07:002013-10-18T09:45:42.797-07:00Connected to Love
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by A.M. Stewart</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QaTMWsj2SHE/UmFk9-Qs2VI/AAAAAAAAAPk/LT79LeTfLXI/s1600/heartrockw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QaTMWsj2SHE/UmFk9-Qs2VI/AAAAAAAAAPk/LT79LeTfLXI/s320/heartrockw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are always connected to Love, because Love is who we are.
Whether we realize this moment to moment or not - this is a truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people may use many words in place of ‘Love’
like God, Wisdom, Energy, Source, the Supreme, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we’re all talking about the same thing
here, let us not get lost on the sound of words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve noticed this connection to Love at many different
points in my life. During situations one would think not possible. One in
particular comes to mind: when visiting my Mom the week her husband passed
away. During this sad time of loss, I noticed my Mom continuing to care for all
the flowers she had been given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Carefully, gently and peacefully she replaced the water, then arranged
them in such a pleasing way. Her care and gentleness for the flowers was simply
a deep connection to Love expressing itself in this way, in that moment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I noticed this connection recently when feeling particularly
overwhelmed and sad about life. I realized I was ‘feeling’ alone. The moment I
noticed this – and said it to myself – something profound happened. My
connection to Love – to God – answered back, “You are never alone. Even when
you’re alone, you’re never alone – because you are connected to this infinite,
universal energy of Love, of God, of Wisdom.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This deep realization was immediately comforting to me in
that moment. It’s exactly what I needed. And it came from inside myself – no
one else ‘told’ me this. In that moment I recognized this Truth, this
connection to Love that never disappears. What an absolute gift. We are always
connected to Love – because Love is who we are. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zcxur1xkNYA/UmFlUKwch5I/AAAAAAAAAPs/OWG1lJGdAak/s1600/DSC_5805n+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zcxur1xkNYA/UmFlUKwch5I/AAAAAAAAAPs/OWG1lJGdAak/s320/DSC_5805n+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-46782010184412580882013-08-19T14:10:00.000-07:002013-08-19T14:18:05.435-07:00Where Did the Wellness Go?By A.M. Stewart<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dL5GZgusEuA/UhKFBU0YkiI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/RsTbtygZt94/s1600/DSC_6578wn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dL5GZgusEuA/UhKFBU0YkiI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/RsTbtygZt94/s400/DSC_6578wn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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--</style>It recently occurred to me that it’s absolutely 100% OK to
be in a low or bad mood. In fact last week I felt like shit. Yes, basically the
entire week I was in a feeling state of funk. Maybe you have had times too where
you didn’t feel well or something just felt off, not quite right. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think in times like this it’s helpful to know that your
wellness didn’t ‘go’ anywhere. You might feel as if it took the next train to
Napa, but in fact, your wellness has remained. It can’t ‘go’ anywhere because
it IS you. It would be like saying ‘my heart has literally stopped beating.’
Not possible. Only if you were physically no longer with us in form could that
be possible. The same is true for your Well-being.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You happen to be a ‘package deal.’ Yes, the moment you were
born you were given innate wellness, Wisdom or some say Source and lots of
other terms that we could use to describe this gift.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what happens when we feel as though we are not well? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was listening to a mentor speak the other day, and she
shared something that hit me to my core: she said, “Sometimes we see our
wellness and sometimes we simply do not.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is deeply true and important to remember, especially
when we happen not to ‘see’ or feel our innate Well-being. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other day, I was at a friend’s house. She had just moved
into this new house. She spent a while looking for the outside spigot on her
house but just couldn’t find it. We were standing together looking for the
spigot, I looked down and there it was plain as day! The spigot in plain sight.
No more than 2 feet away from us. She totally missed it even though it had been
there the entire time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We do this same thing with our Wisdom and Well-being. We
sometimes innocently believe that it is no longer part of us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we think we no longer have it – and can
sometimes think there may even be (gasp!) something wrong with us! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The low feelings and moods we experience can be like clouds
moving across the sky. The sunshine is like Wisdom and Well-being. Sometimes
the clouds move in front of the sun. But the sun doesn’t actually disappear.
Sometimes it just appears that way because all we’re focusing on are the rain
clouds, so in that moment, that is all we happen to see. But behind the clouds,
the sun remains. Our Wisdom and Well-being always remains.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was having my not-so-good week I recognized my
feelings were off. I was seeing the rainstorm. So I chose not to make a big
deal of them. I chose not to deeply trust what I happened to be thinking while
I was in those low moods. I chose to react less and do as little as I possibly
could in those low moods because I knew my feelings were low. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose to be OK with not feeling very OK.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I know my feelings are off, I know I probably shouldn’t
trust the quality of my thinking. It is not the Truth about life or who I am.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I feel calm, neutral, clear and open I naturally
connect to Wisdom and Well-being. It is in this place I discover Truth. There
isn’t anything in particular to ‘do’ for this to arise. It just IS. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes it’s just OK to be in the moment. Sometimes we may
have to get out of our own way. Maybe simply noticing that we’re having a lot
of thinking about things and life is helpful. Busy and wrapped-up thinking will
surly distract you from seeing and feeling your wellness and Wisdom. Maybe we
could be honest with ourselves and look inside to see how we’re creating our
feelings and experience of life. Maybe. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The depth of our understanding of life is limitless. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it’s nice to know the wellness within us hasn’t gone
anywhere. Even if, momentarily, innocently, we may believe it has. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnfsIggkJZQ/UhKFDpjJJhI/AAAAAAAAAOY/tn3_uBOP7PE/s1600/floweropensm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnfsIggkJZQ/UhKFDpjJJhI/AAAAAAAAAOY/tn3_uBOP7PE/s400/floweropensm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-67218132961010670302013-08-04T13:02:00.002-07:002017-01-02T09:17:02.997-08:00Granny's Love Doesn't Cost a Thing<style>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>By A.M. Stewart </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Watching my Granny create hundreds of
crocheted pieces of art, then effortlessly give them away made little sense to
me as a 7, 10, and 12 year-old child. “You mean, you just spent all that
time making that and your just going to give it away,” I thought.</span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-svmXnIMJ08k/Uf6ukY4qJWI/AAAAAAAAAN4/FN1qy3RTGsI/s1600/528099_498828730131422_1596581698_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-svmXnIMJ08k/Uf6ukY4qJWI/AAAAAAAAAN4/FN1qy3RTGsI/s320/528099_498828730131422_1596581698_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Often Granny will give anyone, really,
anything for any reason. A friend coming for a visit. A person she hears
of that is ill. A new Mother-in-law joining the family. My 5<sup>th</sup> grade
teacher. It doesn’t matter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">She gives her love away freely,
beautifully, with no expectation attached, without conditions. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">I didn’t
understand her love until I got older and found myself doing the same thing,
but in different ways. </span><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Turns out, the love-well never runs
dry.</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">I learned this lesson so deeply from my
Granny – but only through her actions. I don’t ever remember her saying
to me, “We give because we love,” or something mushy like that. She taught me
the meaning of life by the love she painted. By the clothes she ironed. By the
crocheted gifts she made every student in my 3<sup>rd</sup> grade class. By the
snacks she gave us when we returned home from school. The breakfast she made,
the clothes she laid out for me. Her arms wrapped tightly around me in a
rocking chair. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">All with unconditional love just flowing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">She even taught me her delicate art form.
It was the summer she helped me crochet my very first project: a small, square
pillow, when I realized the tedious nature of the craft. After it was complete,
I was beaming with pride and excitement for what had been created. Then, for a
moment, I reflected about how much effort and time was poured into this
creation … pausing, then noticing:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Granny gives away most everything she
makes to others … “Wow,” I thought. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Then came
the question, “Why?” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">At that time, I couldn’t understand why -
or how - someone would give away all their energy, love and hard work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"> </span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia";">For so long I believed my love-well
could run dry.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "georgia";"> That if, during a
dry summer, I gave too much love away, I’d need to wait till spring to give out
more. It wasn’t until I understood <i>unconditional love for myself</i>, that I
noticed somehow the well never completely runs dry.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><i>When I began to see that love <b>is</b>
me</i>, I realized giving love away required no effort because it was simply a true
expression of myself. Each simple, small act could bear the fruit of love –
even if I was in the midst of a troubling situation – <i>love is there, it <b>is</b>
me, we are inseparable. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">There was a time (even occasionally now!)
my thoughts told me it was difficult to love – because of my past, worry about
the future or whatever baggage I happened to be believing at the time. So that
was my reality: ‘sometimes it’s hard or impossible to give others love.’
When I no longer believe that thought – <i>and remember the source of love </i>–
anything is possible. </span><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Even, never running out of love is
possible.</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">It’s interesting how situations in the
past can teach us lessons in the present if we are open to seeing and hearing.
Unexpectedly, on a spring afternoon, while running in a park, my Granny’s
unconditional love hit me. I began to recall all the love she poured into my
life. At that moment, I realized she was one of the first people who taught me
about the truth of love and compassion. To this day, she gives that same love
away, with ease, looking as effortless as breathing.</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">But what had created this great moment of
insight into realizing one of my very first teachers in life? It was simply my
openness that showed me a fresh new way to receive life. </span><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia";">A desire to want to understand more. A
willingness to let go.</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Now that I know my love-well never runs
dry, what reason do I have to withhold my love from anything or anyone?
To withhold love, would be to deny who I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><i> </i>I see again and again, I am Love. Every human being is love.</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia";">My Granny gives her love away freely,
beautifully, naturally. It doesn’t cost a thing.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia";">And I am so grateful for it.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8suVE4g-yFg/Uf6vOW_LxGI/AAAAAAAAAOA/x4O09dBhDDg/s1600/430963_580920881922206_716818954_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8suVE4g-yFg/Uf6vOW_LxGI/AAAAAAAAAOA/x4O09dBhDDg/s320/430963_580920881922206_716818954_n.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-13057996561800036882013-07-30T16:10:00.001-07:002013-08-05T06:11:36.282-07:00Resisting Motherhood<style>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
By A.M. Stewart </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can I just admit to you there are some moments and possibly
days I do not like being a mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yikes! I know … I’ve said the words no mother is ‘suppose’ to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I did it. There it is. Now that we’ve
established some honesty here, I’m going to take it further.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are even times I have to bite my lip so hard not to
scream profanities running wild in my brain while my toddler son is hitting me
repeatedly waiting in the check out line at Sam’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes it takes every tiny inch of my will power not to
hit my child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I just say that? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, well, I am in the camp that does not believe hitting
actually helps – I believe the opposite, actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Don’t worry</i> this isn’t leading up to a
lecture where I spew off statistics about the harm in harming your child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll respect you enough to let you decide
what <b><i>you</i></b> think is best when rearing your own child.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to the point, I resist being a mother. But just for
this moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe even just for today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes … I resist the notion that I have to locate Buzz
Lightyear again for the 5<sup>th</sup> time today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I resist the laundry. The dishes. The
constant coaxing to be buckled into a carseat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I resist the looks people give me when my son runs free and wild down
isles of books in the Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I resist
trying to make my high-energy toddler sit through story time, grasping at his
waist, desperately trying to convince him THIS IS a fun time. I resist cleaning
the pee out of our bed and off the floor and then off the couch. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I resist being a mother today. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I resist the tantrums. The kicking. The hitting. The
constant making of food. I resist, even, the sound of a voice saying, “Mommy.”
I resist exhaustion and reading books about snakes. I resist it ALL. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I resist being a mother today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I resist saying all day long, “Can you please use your
words?” “Please put that back” and “”We need to wait our turn.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I resist my accelerated heart rate when an
inconsolable child cannot be consoled while riding in the car. I resist the
feeling of resistance. I resist it ALL.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I resist being a mother today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And when the day is over, my resistance soon
disappears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like those one-day parking-lot
carnivals I’d seen up North, all of a sudden missing like it never once
existed. Like it was all in my head. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my resistance is all tired out from a
long day of resisting, contentment soon takes its place. And all of the things
I once resisted are somehow fine. Then I remember this gift and pleasure. Then I
remember its ok to resist things sometimes too - even being a mother. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And luckily I remember, this life isn’t so serious in the
end. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-69023934456665707452013-07-29T15:57:00.000-07:002013-07-29T15:57:21.600-07:00Live Like a TreeBy A.M. Stewart <br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Live grounded like a tree, its roots stretching far and wide. </span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Be as present as a tree, grateful for each moment. A tree is not partial to the rainstorms or the sunshine, it knows both are essential for its growth. A tree is not partial to the morning or the night, it is in total acceptance of Life's balance. </span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Be like the branches of the tree, bending with the wind, leaves flowing gently with cool air breezes. Live quiet as the tree, assured life is its forever Source.</span></h3>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1dHRhTbSHA/UfbyxsJK-OI/AAAAAAAAANk/f3M5LOWRYNQ/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1dHRhTbSHA/UfbyxsJK-OI/AAAAAAAAANk/f3M5LOWRYNQ/s400/tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-15001346337428473412013-07-25T06:30:00.000-07:002013-07-25T06:30:39.158-07:00A Letter to my son<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-spAkUEAVmw4/UfEnULxYELI/AAAAAAAAANU/uIFzJPzxOLo/s1600/DSC_6333bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-spAkUEAVmw4/UfEnULxYELI/AAAAAAAAANU/uIFzJPzxOLo/s400/DSC_6333bw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Dear Child, <br /> You have eloquently and fiercely reminded me of the </span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Purpose of Life in your 2.5 years of this World:<br />
To Love and be of Joy for the mere beauty of existing; To forgive and
love again throughout each trial and tribulation; To be uncomfortable
and struggle when you cannot have everything and then to quickly be ok
with that too; To be of complete awe and appreciation for the
simple-ness of Life; And to hold no kind of opinion that would affect
your Love for anything. For Love does not dwell inside lines adults
create. <br /> Thank you for teaching me your Wisdom. <br /> Love,<br /> Your Mama</span></span></span></span></h3>
a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-61783624491353302252013-07-22T16:29:00.000-07:002013-07-24T12:57:44.436-07:00What does NOW feel like?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0F4k0nzlAE/Ue2_jE_NO5I/AAAAAAAAANE/TBawhflo2BQ/s1600/DSC_6443smn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0F4k0nzlAE/Ue2_jE_NO5I/AAAAAAAAANE/TBawhflo2BQ/s640/DSC_6443smn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
By A.M. Stewart<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is it the wind against my skin</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That feels like Life in creation?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Or the sun that kisses my lips</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For its complete attention</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The breath in my chest</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spreading to every cell</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is the motion of</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ALL things</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I do no thing</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The connection of</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ALL Life</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I am</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A vibration of Peace</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Among outside chaos</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A moth who stops by to look</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Deep into my eyes</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is it a song ever flowing</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No one but I will hear?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Loud and Looming voice saying,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“THIS IS ALL THERE EVER IS!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In here I know all that’s ever been known</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Faithfully loving NOW</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Throughout all my discomfort</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Faithfully loving NOW</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Throughout all my resistance</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Faithfully loving NOW</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Throughout all my acceptance</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Faithfully loving NOW</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Throughout all my successes</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Faithfully loving NOW</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Throughout all my failures</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Faithfully loving NOW</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This Loud and Looming voice saying,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“THIS IS ALL THERE EVER IS!”</span></span></div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">
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a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-48263558260822124582013-07-12T12:55:00.001-07:002013-07-24T12:57:55.734-07:00The Source of LifeBy A.M. Stewart<br />
<br />
<br />
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSe</style>Become Silent once more</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Choose to react less</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Source of Life is</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Always in motion</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Always unfolding</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On it’s own.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be Still </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Listen</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just. Be. Still.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stop running with your mind</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a second</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the answer </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will arise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your mind is </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Full of fog</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You cannot see </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Path.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wait one second</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This fog clears</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBVqbJLtEec/UeBe9d7X6YI/AAAAAAAAAMw/_MLEqYqtyrE/s1600/nut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBVqbJLtEec/UeBe9d7X6YI/AAAAAAAAAMw/_MLEqYqtyrE/s400/nut.jpg" width="400" /></a>And again </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Assured</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
are </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
exactly </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
where</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’re </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
supposed</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
to be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be Still.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be Silent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let the voices</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carry on without you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
IT is not Life’s Source</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Heart </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
of </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is Life’s Source.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Heart </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
of </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WWFQeH-HVMI/UeBd0BTCwxI/AAAAAAAAAMg/Zwg89obj2cA/s1600/DSC_6557newsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WWFQeH-HVMI/UeBd0BTCwxI/AAAAAAAAAMg/Zwg89obj2cA/s400/DSC_6557newsm.jpg" width="400" /></a>You</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Knows.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Heart </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
of </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is Still.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Step into this</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moment with me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And leave the</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Busy thoughts behind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then you will Know</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All that you Seek.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-9251945340573934722013-06-30T05:57:00.001-07:002013-07-25T06:31:17.440-07:00Parenting and Being Human: Lessons From A Toddler
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
By A.M Stewart</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I’m watching my son the other day, I begin to take notice
of the seemingly effort-less-ness of his smiling and laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huh, I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He looked to be so joyful for (really) no apparent reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or perhaps, there wasn’t any ‘reason’ my
brain could come up with as to why he was acting so happy in that moment. (I
should mention my son is 2.5 years old.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wonder why he’s so happy, I thought. Then something
profound came to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>He is living in his true state of being!<span> </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WG_o1yIL_IA/Uc-G1lz4NDI/AAAAAAAAAJU/Igv0X_YvKIg/s1600/DSC_6214new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WG_o1yIL_IA/Uc-G1lz4NDI/AAAAAAAAAJU/Igv0X_YvKIg/s400/DSC_6214new.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>There is no ‘reason’ we have to have in order to be happy or
joyful – but for the mere sake of existing – of being – of living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tosh, my son, was simply being -<b> expressing the pure
love that is him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I thought, you know, adults, teenagers, stressed-out
individuals - ALL humans - have this ability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An ability that is so natural, <i>like water flowing down a river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No effort needed because it is who we
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am like every other parent out
there who clinches her teeth as their toddler throws a tantrum in the
Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who (at times) uses all her
strength to hold back from acting on the immediate thoughts in her head as her
child hits her and throws objects at her (currently dealing with this). Who
criticizes herself with loads of judgement when her son comes back from a night
at Grandma’s and behaved like an ‘angel’. (Why can’t he do that for me?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, just because I’m writing this doesn’t
mean I’m immune to being human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, I do find that when I’m open to learning, I do
indeed learn so very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even from my toddler son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Yes, you read that correctly).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Actually, tons of learning happens when I am present with my
child.</i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bi67_FNgb2U/Uc-HLUP0p3I/AAAAAAAAAJc/kAiJzyrQfSw/s1600/DSC_6225new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bi67_FNgb2U/Uc-HLUP0p3I/AAAAAAAAAJc/kAiJzyrQfSw/s640/DSC_6225new.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We visited the zoo several weekends ago with Tosh, our son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we approached the entrance, I glimpsed a
sign that said, <b>“Water is never tired of flowing.”</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Because water is just flowing, surrendering to the flow, much like
children know how to do so naturally.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we navigated the Zoo, I had all these thoughts about what
we ‘should’ or ‘needed’ to cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tosh,
on the other hand, had completely different ideas about how to see the
Zoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>He just flowed.</b></i></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And me, in my innocent thinking, trying numerous times to
drag or coerce him to see the chimps … “Monkeys are over here Tosh,” I
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Here there are - down here, come
on, come on,” I kept telling him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimately
feeling like some kind of monkey drug dealer to my child.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhDVHc-SyL4/Uc-ICiRLYLI/AAAAAAAAAJs/wgBFypD6BRE/s960/1011805_671345956213031_91870679_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhDVHc-SyL4/Uc-ICiRLYLI/AAAAAAAAAJs/wgBFypD6BRE/s320/1011805_671345956213031_91870679_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tosh, on the other hand, was flowing through the Zoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At his pace, through his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Really being present with what came into
view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of wanting to see the monkeys right away – his
vision caught a statute of some tigers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I relaxed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And (for the most
part) allowed Tosh to guide us through the Zoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being patient and present with him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We stopped at the Lions, who were taking some serious
cat-naps, when suddenly, some ants on the ground caught Tosh’s attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok I thought, let’s observe some ants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">When I relaxed, and allowed myself to
experience the flow, I noticed I was having a much more enjoyable
experience.<span> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was was being ‘forceful’ in my attempts, I felt tense
and, well, kinda off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like something
didn’t feel quite right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(by the way, we
did end up seeing the chimps)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So what does all this mean, really?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, I was learning (again, yes, once again) that when I
decided to be open to learning, something miraculous happened: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was able to feel and be inside this pure, love-state.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span></span>Our natural state.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So why, sometimes, does it feel like REAL effort to be in
this supposedly ‘natural’ Love and Wisdom state?</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our thoughts!</span> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without going into too much detail here: we, especially
adults, can have a lot of thoughts about life, about situations, about people,
about the past – just about anything! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Like my thoughts about how the Zoo ‘needed’
to be seen)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>It is only our momentary thoughts that happen to ‘get in the
way’ of us being able to recognize that pure Love-Wisdom-state.<span> </span></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most awesome thing to know is: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>We always have the capacity to feel this love-state, this
joy, this peace, this contentment in life – regardless of what may be happening
situationally or circumstantially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjVbEmOETUQ/UdAj2Zcl2vI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/VGfswQCMvzA/s960/179719_671156499565310_1881830602_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjVbEmOETUQ/UdAj2Zcl2vI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/VGfswQCMvzA/s400/179719_671156499565310_1881830602_n.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For us to experience this love-state (sometimes referred to
this as Wisdom) all we have to do is exist, to be alive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No contract to sign or payments ... </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Love inside you is already and always there. It’s our
gift as human beings.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It may just be <b>our innocent, temporary thinking about the
situation</b> or whatever we’re dealing with in that moment that <b>happens to take
our attention away from the truth of who we are,</b> what is present, what is truly
at our core.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every day my son reminds me of the infinite Love that is
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I observe how quickly his moods change and how swifty he can
move from being placed in ‘quiet time’ to hugging and kissing me the moment he
is released.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The same is true for us adults too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we allowed it.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever wondered what the difference is between
experiencing a good day and a bad day is?</span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s take it even deeper than the surface issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is full of what I call ‘surface issues.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
instance, when you can’t pay a bill, or your kitchen floor floods for no apparent
reason or your tax return is seized by the student loan people (current personal
issues I’m speaking of!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are all ‘surface’ issues, life issues, things that
inevitably come up in life that you really may have no control over whatsoever!
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A.K.A. external things</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, what is beneath all these ‘surface issues’?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Even in the midst of all these issues, your ultimate state
of Love and Wisdom is still present.<span> </span>Find out for yourself.<span> </span><span> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>When we see ourselves caught up in obsessive ‘thinking’
about things, do you think it’s easier or harder to find a solution?</u></div>
<u>
</u><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<u>
</u><div class="MsoNormal">
<u>On the other side, when you are feeling at ease and maybe at
peace, have you ever had a solution to a problem or question surface
immediately?</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are questions I encourage you to explore for your own
benefit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ‘play’ like this in life a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like, “What happens when I slow down and come
into the present moment in dealing with a tough, tough situation?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve learned a lot in this way of
self-exploration and introspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByKAqQ36QQg/UdAkzVrXfQI/AAAAAAAAAKI/HGHnmc3w9zI/s1600/life+illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByKAqQ36QQg/UdAkzVrXfQI/AAAAAAAAAKI/HGHnmc3w9zI/s400/life+illustration.jpg" width="268" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">I’m not asking that you trust what I write about – more that
you explore it for yourself.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I write is not about a destination that seeks
‘perfection’ rather, simply, an exploration of the understanding of how we
operate as human beings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, there are times I fly off the handle – and have even
yelled (eek) at my son – and my husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having embarked upon understanding this inside-out nature to
life helps me see why I may have reacted that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easier for me to forgive myself for the
stumbles along the way too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Understanding our human-ness has opened my heart to myself and those
around me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Children can be our best teachers.<span> </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span> </span>If we are open to learn.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With Love and Gratitude Always </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4pmsWkcvkQ/UdAqrQe5IfI/AAAAAAAAAKc/WWNDha3pQlE/s1600/DSC_6150new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4pmsWkcvkQ/UdAqrQe5IfI/AAAAAAAAAKc/WWNDha3pQlE/s640/DSC_6150new.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-32240206686150004002013-06-21T08:03:00.000-07:002013-07-24T12:58:12.442-07:00No Need to "be something"It occurs to me that there is so much focus on "self-improvement" these days ... suggesting we are "not good enough."<br />
<br />
I am here to say otherwise. <br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">You are enough. </span></i><br />
<br />
As you are. <br />
<br />
You are made perfectly whole, loving and amazing. Nothing changes that. Or can take it away.<br />
<br />
<br />
Suppose you decided to stop all the 'efforting' and simply appreciate where you are in this moment ... <br />
Sometimes it's like we can be spending so much effort and time trying to swim against the current, really getting nowhere. <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> </b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>~ When all we need to do is relax and let go - and life - the current - will naturally take care of us and bring us right where we're supposed to be. ~</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you also see the benefit of letting go? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Of simply accepting what is, in this moment?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NFCuJ7DNKsY/UcRqyut6mII/AAAAAAAAAJA/wg87GyrJ2d0/s1600/Love+ALLn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NFCuJ7DNKsY/UcRqyut6mII/AAAAAAAAAJA/wg87GyrJ2d0/s640/Love+ALLn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-87352088874198628452013-06-12T09:16:00.001-07:002013-07-24T12:58:12.444-07:00The Fluorescent Buzzing of Life<style>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">by A.M. Stewart</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>Maybe nothing needs to be
fixed.</i></span></span></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Maybe trying to fix
‘something’ is a self-created illusion.</span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Consider – <i><b>you are already
everything you need to be </b></i>– And maybe the situation too.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> Maybe your thoughts about
yourself are distracting you from seeing this.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Like a Hamster spinning on a
wheel in a cage – just remember: the only way the wheel continues to spin is if
you are making it turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Hop off the wheel for a
second - and see something New – or not.</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">At your core – beneath the
fluorescent buzzing of life – is absolute Love, absolute innocence, absolute
Truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>It IS who you are, always.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jdu8_FzH-8/UbiVyRl6KvI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/8JkdYzBdU8Y/s1600/DSC_5246ns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jdu8_FzH-8/UbiVyRl6KvI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/8JkdYzBdU8Y/s320/DSC_5246ns.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I know you’ve sensed this
deeper part of you before, because, after all – it IS who we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you haven’t felt it since
childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you HAVE felt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It never goes away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> Maybe you’ve just taken
notice of the buzz the fluorescent bulbs of life continuously make, momentarily
taking your attention away from the <b>Truth of you.</b></span></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We think there is so much
‘doing’ that needs to be done to make our lives so much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Throughout all your struggle and days of
‘doing ‘– and fighting against the ‘doing’ – and judgment of the ‘doing’ – are
you finally ready to let go of the ‘doing’?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b>After all, all this ‘doing’ isn’t really doing it - is it?</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes, there are certain things
we must ‘do’ in life. I’m not really talking about all that; I’m speaking of
something deeper here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Often we can feel as if we
need to ‘make’ ourselves better (internally) in some way before attempting to
do something else in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You are
already perfect and whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
nothing to perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s already
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Nothing along life’s path can
damage that – or take it away. Maybe you are in a place where you momentarily
believe that it has been taken away or damaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And that’s ok too. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Just remember, when you are
ready, you will stop paying so much attention to all the fluorescent buzzing of
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is only a distraction. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Underneath it all, is you.</span></span></b></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A place where you can
peacefully navigate any of life’s storms with ease and clarity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Maybe your thoughts are keeping you
from seeing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Maybe you are just perfect, </span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the way you are, after all.</span> </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And possess all the knowledge you</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> will ever need. </span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ekIM099Zmw/UbiWaVbUeyI/AAAAAAAAAIY/Oss4PeZRGMY/s1600/gratitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ekIM099Zmw/UbiWaVbUeyI/AAAAAAAAAIY/Oss4PeZRGMY/s400/gratitude.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818690885430528405.post-28333349449295169252013-05-23T07:43:00.002-07:002013-07-24T12:57:21.648-07:00Allowing Love to Exist<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">“This is Not My Pain” Allowing Love to
Exist</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> </span></h2>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Tosh’s Birth Story</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A.M. Stewart </span></span></span></h2>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I kne<span style="font-family: inherit;">w the first time I would give birth would be a peaceful
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounds like an
oxymoron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two opposing ideas that cant
</span>quite exist with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m here to
say otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this moment in time, I
am finally able to put words in describing a deeply moving experience that came through
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is Tosh’s Birth Story:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went into the labor p<span style="font-family: inherit;">repared with the “mantra”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Love for a Baby.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which I told myself I would repeat in times
of pain and discomfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This did not
happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As life often does, ‘it’ has
other plans that do not necessarily coincide with our personal pl</span>an-making
minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What came to me instead was, <i>“This is not my pain.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCrl4H0WHiI/UZ4OP29dAeI/AAAAAAAAAGY/Aw74D1P6UwE/s1600/lotus+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCrl4H0WHiI/UZ4OP29dAeI/AAAAAAAAAGY/Aw74D1P6UwE/s320/lotus+small.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">I repeated this internally throughout the entire labor and
birth process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the only thing my
mind could say – even after I intentionally reminded myself I would rather say
“Love for a baby.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I never repeated
that continually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It always came back to
“This is not my pain."
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I didn’t stick to traditional lamaz breathing either, which
made me feel as though I was going to hyperventilate and die just from
breathing in that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I trusted what
felt best, which was longer, deeper, more “yogic” type of breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It just felt more natural to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easier, more calming.</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aside from the occasional thoughts that surfaced, such as
“How are women doing this multiple times and WHY??!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And “Never the-f*#k again!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- I remained at peace through this process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At peace internally!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In labor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through contractions! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is not my pain” surfaced in my mind during the most
grueling and painful moments; once again allowing me to relax and ‘give up’
control of my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My body was in
complete surrender at moments, allowing another part of my body to do the work
needed to bring forth life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At times, there was almost a ‘limpness’ to my Being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A total relaxing of my mind and body to allow
something greater to occur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was even
able to ‘rest’ during the 23 or so odd hour period of labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even laid down on my side to regain some
internal and physical strength.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, don’t get me wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I did feel much of the pain and intensity; the pressure of my body
searching desperately to find an opening; a resolve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times it felt like thunder in my
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i> </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>But then, once again, I
remembered, “This is not my Pain.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a certain amount of stillness and
peace in my core – even through some of the most tense and painful
moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Doctor (who came in on her day OFF to deliver our son!)
was surprised to find out that I had not taken 1 birthing class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said in all her years she had only seen
one other woman give birth in such a calm, peaceful way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, you read that correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We (women) know how to do this – we were
built to do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not mentioning this part to brag (well, maybe a lil!) I’m
telling this story now for several reasons:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>#1.</b> To let women know this is a possibility!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>To give way for love to exist in such a
peaceful way is a reality; is perfectly possible; is what we’re capable of
doing! Simply so!</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b><i> </i></b> </span>(Please know, if you
have had a different experience – as most of us do – I am in no way judging or
criticizing - just pointing to a possibility.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VG5_UN4mUZw/UZ4mDGqZN-I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/oQ9nZtl0Jpg/s1600/DSC_0599edprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VG5_UN4mUZw/UZ4mDGqZN-I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/oQ9nZtl0Jpg/s320/DSC_0599edprint.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the 2nd reason I’m sharing this story is because I now
understand this deeply spiritual experience I had a little bit more. I am now able to put words on an experience that was once indescribable.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Let me explain:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">There is an energy – </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">a spiritual nature to us
naturally. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our limited ideas about
ourselves and our physical nature tends to get in the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It prevents us from understanding and seeing
more about ourselves at the root – who we truly are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> When I gave up the notion, that it was ‘my’ pain, </span></span></b></i><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>that I was
‘this’ body – something greater happened. I remained. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>~ My essence remained<span style="font-size: large;"> ~</span></b></i></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I no longer identified with the
pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was no longer ‘mine.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pain was just there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it had no meaning, other than what it was
supposed to be. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In total surrender of that pain and my body – my spirit, my
energy remained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And because of this,
it provided a continual source of peace and stillness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Allowing love to exist in the form of my son has been – to
date – the most spiritually moving experience of my life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This one occurrence showed me a depth to myself I had not
previously recognized in that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
showed me a part of myself that was capable of un-perceivable things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are often greater – and can do greater things - than our
thoughts about ourselves allow us to believe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many other 'things<span style="font-size: small;">' happen<span style="font-size: small;">ed during this experience - but this is what I felt most importan<span style="font-size: small;">t to share!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">With Love and Re<span style="font-size: small;">s<span style="font-size: small;">pect for ALL</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-fkHDG44JI/UZ4SUcIGOJI/AAAAAAAAAGo/J-3XjP0sZhk/s1600/DSC_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-fkHDG44JI/UZ4SUcIGOJI/AAAAAAAAAGo/J-3XjP0sZhk/s320/DSC_0208.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tosh Ripple, several hours old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jb0rYQZMdq8/UZ4S4DS-z0I/AAAAAAAAAGw/5rRD569FL4U/s1600/DSC_0282edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jb0rYQZMdq8/UZ4S4DS-z0I/AAAAAAAAAGw/5rRD569FL4U/s400/DSC_0282edit.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tosh, 1 week</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />a.m. stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04113145481375257381noreply@blogger.com4