What Is Your Constitution?

I believe we are here on this planet to know, love, and fully accept ourselves. When we know, love, and fully accept ourselves, we can know, love, and fully accept others - creating a conscious state of oneness. When we speak our authentic truth, we give others encouragement to do the same. When we understand our constitution, we become more aware of those around us, empowering ourselves to choose experiences that align with who we are and who we desire to become.

Constitution can be defined as:

· (n.) The aggregate of all one's inherited physical qualities; the aggregate of the vital powers of an individual, with reference to ability to endure hardship, resist disease, etc.; as, a robust constitution.

· (n.) The aggregate of mental qualities; temperament.

· (n.) The state of being; that form of being, or structure and connection of parts, which constitutes and characterizes a system or body; natural condition; structure; texture; conformation.

Understanding our unique Constitution is vital for our individual and collective evolution. Identifying our natural condition, the character of our BEing, and our vital powers or beliefs, is essential awareness that can bring about transformational change in our lives. Owning, accepting, loving, and embracing who we are can help us make better choices in our relationships, experiences, and endeavors.

Join me this week in identifying your own Constitution by asking yourself:

• What are my natural tendencies?
• How am I made up?
• What experiences, relationships, and activities do I need in my daily life to thrive?

As an example, here are some aspects that make up my Constitution - the elements that have always been a part of who I am and who I strive to become.

Jennifer's Constitution

...values authentic, honest communication.

...thrives when connecting with others, nature, and all things.

...feels aligned when building communities.

...driven to make a big positive difference.

...centers when the body-mind-spirit is in harmony...

...appreciates positive affirmation and verbal support.

...needs consistent, moderate exercise to feel in balance.

...connects to higher and true self with yoga & meditation.

...rejuvenates with healthy, whole, alive food.

...finds joy in beauty, nature, and friendship.

...loves to write.

...thrives when helping others be their best.

...seeks out connection - with life, mysteries, synchronicities, & all things.

...sensitive to sugar imbalances in the body.

...embodies strong opinions.

...craves learning and awareness.

...defaults to using mental reasoning and processing.

...needs organization and aesthetic spaces to be productive.

Striking The Balance

October is one of my favorite months of the year - a transitional time where the mountains turn into a patchwork of colors, the air is crisp and the cooler temperatures invite us to bring out our sweaters and settle into the coziness of fall. It is also my birthday month, a time where I reflect on my life and how I have been able to strike the balance of raising and caring for my family, aligning my work with my higher purpose, and following my heart as I strive to walk an authentic and inspired life. It is a month that is governed by the energies of Libra - the symbol of the scales - the ruler of balance.

The forces of Libra invite us to look at how we are effectively utilizing our strengths, living our ideals, and organizing ourselves so we can truly be in harmony with our purpose and paths. It is a time ripe with opportunity to put things in order, to build upon the foundations which have been laid by our past activities or ideas, and to make right use of our intelligence (intellectual, emotional, and intuitive) to make decisions that are in alignment with our values and vision.

Probably the most important influence of Libra is the opportunity we all have to become "master builders", using the talents and abilities we have been given to bring light and love into form. This expression can be seen in building friendships, partnerships, families, organizations, and communities. This expression can be seen in the ideas we initiate, the projects we start, the products we design, and the services we offer. Whatever our expression, we have the capability to tune into our Source, whatever we call it, and ask for it's essence to guide and direct our choices in a way that not only serves our highest and greatest good but the highest and greatest good of all.

Join me in taking a moment to reflect on these ideals by asking yourself:

• Do the activities that occupy my daily routine express my ideals and values?
• Am I using my strengths to the best of my ability in my relationships, work environment, and personal endeavors?
• Are my actions and choices aligned with who I strive to be?

Harnessing The Harvest Moon

The Harvest Full Moon occurs today, September 12, 2011 in Pisces. It is a sacred time when farmers used to harness the soft orange radiance of the moon's glow to cast light on their harvest, picking the fruits of their labor.

The full moon also signifies the end of a cycle, a beautiful opportunity to reflect on aspects of our lives that are helping or hindering us from BEing all we came here to BE. Given this meaning, I invite you to harness the energies of the harvest full moon into your own life by asking yourself:

1. What is the fruit of my labor that wants to be recognized or honored? ( a project, a decision, a way of BEing).
2. Once identified, how can I honor or celebrate my own bounty and greatness this week?
3. What one action step could I take to really nourish my body, mind, and soul this week?

Use the light of the Full Harvest Moon to cast a beautiful orange radiance on your life. Soak in the gentle glow as you celebrate all that you are and all that you are in the process of BEcoming.

Shine The Light On Your Inner Self!

Today we celebrate the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. It is a sacred time when the light of the sun shines forth its radiance to help us turn up the vibrancy within ourselves. This celebrated event encourages us to acknowledge the beauty, wisdom, strength, courage, and uniqueness that makes us who we are. We can pause, reflect, and take notice of the way we are living each day, making sure that our choices reflect the vision and goals we have for ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Our obstacles of life are mostly rooted inside of ourselves. They take the form of unchecked habits, undisciplined choices, and automatic beliefs that have been shaped by the thoughts, feelings and behaviors of the past. These internal obstacles manifest as external ones, for we attract what we are. Because of this, we can use the potency of the light that streams into our planet today to help us see how we are limiting ourselves. Then, we can witness what changes in perspective, habits or beliefs are necessary to free ourselves so we can truly BE all that we were created to be.

Today also marks a time when our Sun enters the Zodiacal sign of Cancer which gives us an opportunity to build a new household of consciousness. In his book, The Forces of the Zodiac, Carl Japikse reminds us that "the forces of Cancer serve as midwife to the emergence of new life - new hopes, new potential, new qualities, new understandings, new skills, new projects, and new directions in self-expression." What a wonderful opportunity to check ourselves half way through the year to ensure we are working towards the life we want to live.

Join me this powerful week as we contemplate the following questions that will help shed some light on your inner-self:

• Do I have a personal and/or professional goal I want to achieve this year?
• Am I doing something each day to work towards these goals? If not, what daily habit or action step can I take to help make my desires a reality?
• What unchecked habits, undisciplined choices, or automatic beliefs are holding me back from experiencing total inner and outer happiness?
• Looking back on the summer of 2011, what did I experience that brought me great joy and fulfillment?

As you speak your truth and live a life that is congruent with your passion and purpose, you add to the raising of consciousness within yourself that directly influences the healing and expansion of our collective human experience. Trust your intuition. Honor your magnificence. Shine your light. Have a positively powerful week.

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME...

... that I can be anything I wanted to BE.
...that I am special and unique.
...that I have a presence that comes with me wherever I go.
...that my voice matters and expressing it is important.
...that I am beautiful, inside and out.
...that I am worthy and worth it.
... that no matter what I do or say, I will always be loved.
...that family is vitally important and it needs to be cherished and nourished.
...that I am connected to everything.
...that I am guided by Source, whatever that means to me.
...that my attitude and outlook on life is a choice and choosing a positive one will shape my experience.

My mother taught me how to love, how to nurture, andhow to give.

I offer her thanks today for shaping me, teaching me, and loving me as I strive to teach my children, and my children's future children, and their children's children...

...how to love, how to nurture, and how to give.
...that attitude is a choice and choosing a positive one will shape your experience.
...that you are guided by Source, whatever that means to you.
...that you are connected to everything.
...that family is vitally important and it needs to be cherished and nourished.
...that no matter what you do or say, you will always be loved.
...that you are worthy and worth it.
...that you are beautiful, inside and out.
...that your voice matters and expressing it is important.
...that you have a presence that goes with you wherever you go.
...that you are special and unique. And,
... you can be anything you want to BE.

A WISH FOR MAY

MAY you find comfort in the mystery of life, trusting that everything is unfolding in perfect Divine order.
MAY you connect to the higher light within you, following its direction as it guides you to the people, experiences, and circumstances you need.
MAY you give yourself permission to BE with whatever IS.
MAY you notice the signs and synchronicities that grace your path.
MAY you sprinkle love upon yourself, fully accepting all that you are and all that is BEcoming within you.
MAY the month of MAY germinate your seeds into beautiful bouquets of delight, peace, and joy as you step into the best version of your SELF and your CREATION.

Finding Comfort In The Unknown

When we are out of sync with our life purpose, the Universe provides subtle nudges that invite us to change our course. When we ignore them, they turn into wake-up calls that beckon us to shift.

All around us, change is happening. In fact, it has become a cliché that "the only thing that is constant is change itself." Surprises, unexpected events, opportunities, victories, and losses are all a part of being human. Despite this, it appears that we are living in a period of history where change is actually speeding up (documented by scientists studying the earth's rotation, planetary alignment, and quantum forces upon the planet of which we live).

So, what can we do about it? How do we find comfort in the change? Can we find inner peace in not knowing how events, decisions, projects, and plans will work out? Can we trust that our lives are unfolding and evolving exactly as they are meant to?

I believe the answer is YES.

We have a choice... We have a choice to resist what is happening to us or trust that clarity in the midst of confusion will be revealed at just the right time.

We have a choice as to how we perceive the events that are happening to us. We can allow them to shake us up, stress us out, and take us into a state of confusion, doubt, fear, and worry. Or, we can allow them to help us grow into the evolving human beings we are meant to be. The difference between which way we lean can come down to how stable, secure, and safe we feel inside of ourselves.

We can learn to access this powerful inner state of peace by turning within, by quieting our monkey minds, and by finding serenity in the silence that resides within our cells. With practice, we can quickly learn how to slow our breath rates when we feel stressed, we can learn to access our heart's intelligence when we feel scared or afraid, and we can learn how to find comfort in the mystery of our lives as they unfold, change, and evolve.

This week, I invite you to begin your own practice of inner peace. Here are a few steps to get started:

1. As soon as your feet touch the ground when you get up in the morning, say "Thank You" to your Source, to the day, to the unfolding events that are helping you become the best you can be.
2. Then, go to a quite place (a chair, a couch, another room) and sit comfortably for 3 minutes. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Literally, feel your body inhale and exhale, breathing in clear, light-filled, pure air, and exhale tightness, tension, and any thoughts or ideas that are not serving the best person you can be.
3. Continue your conscious breathing and place your awareness in your heart space. Bring in a memory that fills you with joy, happiness, or peace. Connect to the feeling this experience brings you. Allow this feeling to fill all of the cells of your body.
4. With time and practice, you can extend the duration of your conscious breathing and heart centered awareness that will allow you to access this space in times of change, stress, and the unknown.

CULTIVATING CONFIDENCE IN OUR CHILDREN ... AND OURSELVES

How do we teach our children to believe in themselves? How do we empower them to make positive choices when we are not by their side?

These parenting questions occupy my mind as I work on cultivating and nurturing the consciousness in my children.

I believe parenting is a giant experiment, one that requires us to model the behaviors we wish to see emulated while trying different techniques that work for the unique personality of each child AND parent. There is no cookie cutter solution or instruction manual that tells us how to do it which beckons us to share what works with one another. Different approaches work for different people at different times.

In my opinion, we must first begin with our own awareness. Ask yourself:

• What values, principles, and behaviors am I passing onto my children?
• Are these messages shaping positive, empowering behaviors? Or,
• Are these messages limiting the potential of my child's expression and gifts?

Seriously, ask yourself these questions. Look at the answers and if they are not the ones you want, change them. You have that power and you can change what you are modeling at any time.

As I shared in a previous writing, one of the greatest rituals that we incorporate into our daily parenting routine is the 5 Most Important Things. This bedtime ritual helps to form a positive foundation that empowers our children to make positive choices on their own. I often hear my son referring to them unexpectedly and in the appropriate context, which shows me they are helping to shape his belief structure and behavior.

Here are our 5 Most Important Things:

1. Always Be Your Best.
2. Speak Your Truth and Shine Your Light.
3. You Can Achieve Anything You Put Your Heart and Mind To.
4. Mommy and Daddy love Riley, Hadley, and Each Other No Matter What.
5. You Are What You Take Time To Become.

These 5 principles have come from within us, from past generations, and our lineage into a form of communication for our children. If you resonate with this ritual, I encourage you to create your own 5 Most Important Things... and have your children help co-create them with you. Then, share them with others on my Executive Awakening Facebook page (just search for the Executive Awakenings page and LIKE it on Facebook, then post your 5 Most Important Things).

I Have A Body But I Am Not My Body

Thirteen years ago on October 8, 1997, I had an out of body experience. I was studying as an apprentice with a healer and spiritual teacher that included dream work, intuitive development, participating in week-long vision quests, and experiencing incredibly profound insights in the field of consciousness. At that time in my life, I was living on her property, working her organic garden, running my non-profit lacrosse organization, and doing computer consulting for income. In the evenings, when I did not have a group session to attend to, I coached or played lacrosse.

On that night, I was playing in a lacrosse game against a rival team. I was in a competitive mode and wanted to crush the opponent. Within an instant, I made a fake as I drove to goal and immediately heard a pop in my left knee, a sound I knew all too well. It was the third time I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). This time, instead of going to the doctor, I came home to my teacher and had one of the most amazing, memorable, transformative experiences of my life.

Lying on her couch with my eyes closed, she held my hands and guided me into a deep relaxed state. Energy moved through her hands and into my body as I said out loud, "I will accept whatever experience I need at this time." Within a few moments, I began to describe a scene I was living. One moment, I saw myself on an operating table, surrounded by doctors and nurses. Then, immediately, I felt myself leave the body, floating up and looking down on the scene. Instantly I had this visceral realization that I AM NOT MY BODY. My identity was my soul - or whatever part of me was viewing the scene from above. I could observe, notice, and feel. However, my body was lying on the table as a casing, a vehicle, an instrument for living a human life. I deeply connected to the idea that 'my body is a gift and has a divine purpose, but it is not all of me. In fact, my body is not me.'

With this realization emerged a mantra, "I have a body, but I am not my body".

The session continued with an unforgettable healing of the knee. I saw the tear of the ACL with vivid clarity and then felt and sensed the molecules and cells line up in perfect harmony. Within 24 hours, I went from a swollen, torn, ACL to a healed, strong knee. It was a remarkable and unforgettable healing that absolutely shifted my perspective on life and what our body, mind and spirit is capable of. Our bodies have their own intelligence: they know how to heal, they know what to do, they know how to support our desires, if we will listen and honor them. Note: I will expand on the details of this experience at a later time.

Fast forward almost thirteen years to today. Here, I sit at my desk, 6 months pregnant with our second child. The body has expanded to unimaginable proportions and my baby girl is having a party in my belly as she flips, kicks and changes position while I write. I do not recognize myself with the weight gain that has occurred and I find myself dancing with an attitude of complete acceptance to self-judgment. With my first pregnancy, I gained 70lbs and delivered a 6lb baby! With this pregnancy, I have been exercising, moving, and eating well and yet, it appears I am on track for the same expansion. The lesson to me, and to us all, is to surrender, yet again to the body's intelligence. It knows what to do. I am reminded again that "I have a body, but I am not my body".

One of my lessons in this lifetime is is to bring love, trust, and acceptance to this body. It is a beautiful gift that I have been given. My body enables me to move, to express my ideas, to participate in activities that bring me joy, to observe and interact with nature, to play, and to give birth to life. It is a part of me, but not all of me.

This week, please join me in bringing a deeper sensation of love and acceptance to our bodies. May we individually and collectively shift from judging our bodies to embracing their gifts, honoring their intelligence, and allowing their unique beauty to shine. May we disengage from the cultural imprinting that tells us we have to look a certain way to be loved and admired. May we fully accept and bring gratitude to our bodies - realizing that we are NOT them.

Exercise:

1. In your journal, write a list of all the ways your body allows you to express yourself in this life. What gifts does your body give you on a daily basis?
2. For the next 7 days, read this mantra upon rising out of bed in the morning and just before you go to sleep.

"I have a physical body, but I am something greater than the physical body. The body is important to me - it allows me to act in the physical world and be productive. The body can be tired or rested, sick or healthy, but I am able to observe these changes and even direct them. The higher self, the real me, is greater than the conditions of the physical body. It is the source of vitality within me."

Happy St. Patrick's Day and remember that this Saturday is the Spring Equinox, a very powerful time to align yourself with your passion and purpose.

Awakening into Oneness: Part II

This week, I strive to share continued insights and reminders that I gained from attending the Oneness Experience, a certification process for becoming a Oneness Blessing Giver. One of the key themes that deeply resonated with me was the importance of "Getting Out of our Minds".

For most of our human existence, we have been taught and culturally conditioned that our intellect is one of the most important tools to sharpen, attend to, and grow. We are taught the importance of learning - the acquisition of knowledge and information. We are encouraged to go to school, to get good grades, to test well, and to demonstrate our smarts in everything we do. We are rewarded for our wit, our ideas, and our analysis of situations with respect, promotion, and admiration. The more we are rewarded, the more importance we place on the use of our minds.

At some point in our lives, our intellect seems to be taken over by mental chatter and distraction, consuming our brain. The tool we have relied on for making decisions and choices somehow becomes clouded with unconscious thoughts, noise, and the voice of our inner critic. I call this our Monkey Mind. The Monkey Mind distracts us and creates a state of disconnection, judgment, and suffering. The Monkey Mind wants us to believe that suffering occurs outside of ourselves and tells us, "because of that, I am this", or "because this person did this to me, I am this way." This is how the Monkey Mind gains power. The truth is this... the Monkey Mind does not want to be responsible for creating the internal suffering we experience. It wants us to blame, judge, and hold onto the belief that suffering is a result of our external environment and world. When we buy into this, we blame others and hold the external responsible, giving enormous power to the problem. We empower the problem rather than empowering ourselves!

How do we catch ourselves in this natural human cycle? How do we shift from blaming and judging everything that appears to be outside of ourselves to becoming responsible within ourselves? How do we end the suffering?

One approach is to realize that THOUGHTS HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY. Thinking is an automatic function of the brain. We are not the one who is thinking!

This is so important to digest and I invite you to really soak this concept in.

* What if you could observe your thoughts all the time without attaching to them?
* What if you could fully embrace that your mind automatically does the thinking?
* What if you could understand that this automatic thinking emerges from lifetimes of experiences, unconscious beliefs, cultural influences, and group mind?
* What if YOU were NOT your thoughts?

When we shift into observation and detach from the Monkey Mind, we begin to witness the Monkey Mind as an empowering tool rather than a disempowering one. By observing our thoughts without experiencing the self-judgment and shame that comes with attaching to its voice, we can then make new conscious choices that serve our highest and greatest good. We then take responsibility and empower the divine wisdom that lives within.

Join me this week in observing your Monkey Mind. Create the space to contemplate these questions and write the answers down in your journal.

1. How active is your Monkey Mind? (Do you experience it's involvement once a day, multiple times a day, or all the time?)
2. When is your Monkey Mind active? (Does it kick-in to overdrive at night when you are trying to go to sleep? Does it kick-in when you have an important meeting or interaction with someone?)
3. What does your Monkey Mind say to you? (What statements or words does it speak inside of your head?)

Receiving Deeksha or the Oneness Blessing is another wonderful way to quiet the Monkey Mind. Come join us in stillness and community at Vie Nouveau on Monday, March 15th, 22nd, and / or 29th at 7:30pm or at Conscious Conversations on Monday, April 5th at the Golden Door from 6-8pm.

Increasing Our Awareness

Monday night proved to be another amazing Conscious Conversations. The new format included; a guided meditation, Deeksha (a.k.a. The Oneness Blessing), and conversation that worked incredibly well. It was a joy to connect with so many beautiful people sharing insights, reflection, and stillness together and the ambiance of the Golden Door provided a wonderfully nurturing environment for our souls. We gave ourselves a time-out from our hectic lives by creating the space to be still and open to receive the energy of the Divine. Thank you to all who attended and especially the 5 Oneness Blessing Givers who offered the gift of Grace to move through them for everyone to experience.

Increasing our awareness is a key step in awakening to our greatest selves. As we become more aware of who we are, what we desire, and what we are naturally good at, our PURPOSE, PASSION, and TALENTS begin to merge. When this occurs, we tap into our potential and are able to live the lives we long for. Increased awareness empowers us to make conscious choices - thereby shifting from reacting to life to creating magical moments and experiences. With awareness, we learn that we have the capacity to become deeply connected to ourselves, each other, and to our world. All we need to do is take a few moments to listen ourselves.

During Monday's Conscious Conversations, I lead a guided meditation called "Increasing Awareness". I thought I would share some key excerpts from the meditation with those of you who could not attend. I invite you to take a moment this week to increase your awareness of Self, your relationships, and your environment.

Awareness Exercise:

1. Create a sacred space for you to reflect and connect with your highest self. Play instrumental soothing music, light a candle, and/or surround yourself with objects that bring you peace. Have a journal and pen next to you. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.


2. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Draw your attention onto your breath and notice how it feels to inhale and exhale. Find your own natural rhythm. Notice what it feels like to be sitting still. Observe your thoughts and allow them to pass by like floating clouds. Invite the monkey mind to take occupancy someplace else. This is your time - your sacred time to connect, expand, and increase your awareness of self.



3. Bring your awareness into your body. What does your body feel like? Notice where you are feeling free, in rhythm, and in harmony with your breath. Notice where you feel tension, tightness or constriction. Simply notice. Ask your body if there is anything you need to be aware of. Invite its intelligence to speak to you. *When you are ready, open your eyes and write down the answers in your journal.


4. Going a little deeper now, connect to the light that shines within you - call this your Higher Self, your Intuitive Self, your God Self, your "I AM Presence" (whatever you resonate with as the name for your higher power is perfect). This is the source that is infused with wisdom, truth, love. This is the place where your purpose and passion are one. This is the voice of your potential. Allow this part of you to become known to you now. What are its qualities? What does this part of you feel like? What does this part of you desire? Are its needs being met? Invite this intelligence to speak to you. *When you are ready, open your eyes and write down the answers in your journal.



5. Shifting your attention from within to your outer world, bring your awareness to the relationships that are predominant in your life today. Invite the images of your loved ones, friends and/ or colleagues who are sharing your energy, attention, and time to come into your mind now. What does it feel like to be in relationship with them? Are you in harmony with each relationship? Or is someone draining your energy and challenging you to the core? Simply notice what relationships are imbued with ease and flow and which ones seem to feel disconnected or in discord. Take a moment to feel the connection you share with the relationships you are in. What is it like to be in relationship with them? Putting yourself in their shoes, what is it like to be in relationship with you? *When you are ready, open your eyes and write down the answers in your journal.



6. The environment we live in, work in, and participate in - influences our ability to thrive and live to our greatest potential. In this state of deep relaxation, allow a deeper awareness of your external environment to emerge now.

Bring your attention to your home environment: is it supporting you and nurturing you? Can you come home to ground, recharge, and manage your daily activities?

Bring your attention to your work environment: Are you in alignment with your passion and purpose here? Are you supported and given the freedom to offer your creativity, insight, and contributions?

Bring your attention to the town or state you live in. Does this location suit your ability experience well-being in lifestyle and livelihood?


As the answers come into your awareness, take notice of how you feel, what you see, what you hear. *When you are ready, open your eyes and write down the answers in your journal.

Wishing you a wonderful week. Please see below for announcements and new resources.

Awakening into Oneness: Part 1

This past weekend, I received my certification as a Oneness Blessing Giver. The Oneness Blessing, also known as Deeksha, is an act of energy transfer by touch or by the power of intent and results in the expansion of consciousness.

"The Oneness Blessing is a non-denominational experience that transfers physical energy, awakening our connection with the oneness in everything, allowing each of us to deepen our relationship with those we love, with ourselves, with strangers and with our creator. The Oneness Blessing initiates a neurobiological change in the brain. There are 16 centers in the brain responsible for definitive experiences like sensory perception, emotions of jealousy, hatred, fear, compassion, love, joy, separation, connectedness, creativity, learning, etc. The Oneness Blessing results in the activation of certain centers and the de-activation of certain other centers thus bringing about a shift in the perception and experience of life." To learn more about the Oneness Blessing or Deeksha, visit: http://www.onenessuniversity.org/.

I came across the Oneness Blessing (Deeksha) in 2007 through a series of rapid synchronistic events. I had signed up to attend the Being Fearless Conference, a weekend workshop in NYC put on by the Omega Institute. The week leading up to the conference, I witnessed one of the most beautiful sunrises in Park City on my way home from the gym. I remember pulling over my car, rolling down the window, and welcoming the sun's rays into my hands that were facing the sun. As I stared at the beauty of the light, I began to notice a pulsing circular golden light that expanded in rhythm around the sun. It seemed as if there was a beautiful golden orb encompassing the sun. Later that day, I went was in a bookstore, when my eyes caught sight of a book called, Deeksha. I had never heard of the word before, but the image on the front cover startled me. It was the exact image of the sun rise I had seen that morning. Trusting the Universe's nudge, I bought the book and began reading it. I was fascinated, enthralled and inspired by the content and description of Deeksha and the Oneness movement. The words spoke to me, supported me, and completely resonated with my life's path. A few days later, I was on a plane to the Being Fearless Conference and noticed a full day pre-conference intensive called, Awakening into Oneness, given by Arjuna Ardagh. It was there that I learned and experienced the gift of grace and witnessed the power of oneness spreading around the world.

At that time, the only way to become a Oneness Blessing or Deeksha Giver was to go to India for a three week intensive training. Having a small child, that journey would not be possible. But all things that are meant to be happen in their own time. For the next 3 years, I attended Deeksha gatherings to receive the energy transfer and even created the Oneness Circle in Park City where I facilitated group meditations and self-discovery processes, while my friend and colleague, Craig Malecker gave Deeksha. These experiences created a new found self-awareness, inner peace, and connection to my inner and outer world.

During these three years, the training matured, fine-tuned, and opened up in such a way that it came to the United States for weekend certifications. Fortunately, this gift became available to me and I jumped on the opportunity to participate this past weekend in the Oneness Experience, a certification training to become a Oneness Blessing Giver.

The Oneness Experience was a beautiful, transformative, loving adventure of self. Emphasis was placed upon clearing up your relationships with forgiveness, love, and compassion. Principles were centered on the importance of "getting out of our minds" and increasing our self-awareness of our inner and outer world. Some of the teachings were basic, fundamental, and core to life. Yet, somehow we forget them and miss living them with consistency and integrity. My teachers, Janet Eakin and Linda were educational and unconditionally loving. They created a nurturing learning environment for me to reflect and deeply connect to my inner self. I am truly grateful to have received the information and teaching from and through them.

In the forthcoming eNewsletters, I will share my key takeaways and insights with you from the Oneness Experience. They are worth paying attention to and will absolutely assist you in living to your greatest potential, as they are me.

Uncoditionally Loving Ourselves

While vacationing this week in beautiful Hanalei, Kauai I seem to dance in and out of sleep as I adjust to the time change. This morning, I was awoken out of my dream state with a predominant thought and realization: ‘My personal awakening and expansion is dependent upon my ability to unconditionally love myself’.

As Valentine’s Day fast approaches, we are invited to romance not only our partners and lovers, but ourselves. How do we do this? How do we equally turn the attention that is projected outside of ourselves to inside towards our SELF? I believe it takes awareness, commitment, and action.

Awareness: How often are we judging, criticizing, shaming ourselves in regards to what we look like, what we say, and what we do? Has the voice inside your head repeatedly claimed statements of judgment, shame, and criticism like; “I am too fat, I am out of shape, I am not good enough, I am not …?”

The key to bringing increased self-awareness into our daily living is to catch the inner critic that takes residence in our head. We can catch it with observation and detachment. Notice what you say to yourself when you look in the mirror, observe how you judge yourself quietly and out loud to others, and detach with unconditional love. A great way to observe with awareness is to write down all the ways you limit yourself, all the ways you judge yourself, and all the ways you tell yourself you are not good enough. Go ahead, write them down in a journal and observe the trend.

As Robin Sharma says, “Better awareness, leads to better choices, which lead to better results.”

Commitment: Make a commitment to your Self that you will stop the inner shaming, blaming, and judging. Make a commitment to your Self that you will blanket your inner voice, body, mind, and spirit with unconditional love. This is a deep act of accepting who you are without having to change anything.

Action: This month, choose to take three actions that will demonstrate your unconditional love of Self. Here are some ideas and suggestions:

1. Read my blog entry, “What is your Love Language?”
2. Identify your dominant love language by reading, “The Five Love Languages” and choose a way that you can honor the way you experience love for yourself. For example; if “Words of Affirmation” is your dominant love language, explore some ways that you can positively affirm yourself this month with mantras, statements, and encouraging words. If “Quality Time” is your dominant love language, identify ways that you can spend meaningful time with your SELF this month. Discover what you deeply desire and long for, explore your passions, give voice to your longings, and write them down.
   
3. On Valentine’s Day, schedule time to romance your Self. Think ahead and plan some activity or gesture that would give you the love, attention, and romance you seek. What would make you feel special? What would nourish your heart? What experience would nurture your soul?

• Receive a massage
• Enjoy your favorite food
• Experience a micro adventure – take a drive, take a walk in nature, do something new…
• Take a bubble bath
• Buy yourself or pick yourself some flowers (depending on where you live)
• Write yourself a love letter and include all of the things you wish you to hear

Please join me this month on a journey of unconditional self-love. Make your Self a priority. Bring awareness to how you treat your Self and commit to shift your inner chatter from criticism to complete acceptance. When we love ourselves unconditionally, we radiate a new vibration of love towards others. It is the ripple effect. So, this month if you are experiencing anything less than joy, love, and freedom with the relationships you are in, turn the attention on your Self and uncover the love that you have been waiting for. It all resides within.

To delight in SELF LOVE, please come to Conscious Conversations on Monday, February 15^th at the Golden Door (located at the Dakota Mountain Lodge) in Park City, Utah. We will be meeting in the Gathering Room at 6pm. I will be starting the evening with a guided group meditation invoking the resonance of self-love, followed by inspiring one on one conversation.