I think about what is going on in the world ‘outside’ of me. It seems very surreal out there. I grew up in a more peaceful world, or so it seemed. I have learned that the world ‘inside’ of me is the most important place for me to live, move and have my being-ness. It is also the best way I can contribute to the outer world. By remaining in peace and in my joy as much as possible, which can sometimes be challenging, I am making a difference. We are energy. What we give out, we get back. I refuse to live in fear, motivated by what the ‘outer world’ dictates. One by one, as we collectively take our power back, this world will shift. As you live from the ‘inside out’ from a place of peace and love, your personal world will shift, as well as your perspective on the world you live in.
I love my life. I am grateful for the joys and challenges that have made me who I am today. Although I have always wanted to help ‘fix’ things for certain people in my life, I now realize that is their responsibility. We each have our own path to travel, yet we can show up for others with loving support. My best contribution to the world is by being a living example of love, peace, joy, integrity, courage, really just by being my best ‘me.’ As we each hold a space of love for ourselves, each other and our world, we can be the change we want to see in the world. Think back to when you were very young. Remember the simple joy of just being you, the innocence, and wonder with which you viewed life.
“If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. Minister, Civil Rights Activist (1929-1968);
British Street Artist Banksy
Hope carries a vibration of optimism for the expectation and outcome of change. It is obvious that our world is quickly changing before our eyes. Even though there has been ongoing devastation around the world that has presented untold challenges, there is also a feeling of hope that people carry in their hearts. As world events continue to bring waves of change, we as a world community are coming together, to assist our fellow man as never before. There are no borders where love and compassionate support are concerned. We are all the child, the mother, the father, sister, brother and family member who feel compassion. We hold on to hope when others are in pain or suffering. Everyone wants to be happy, safe, healthy, abundant and whole. We all want for the same basics in life, and in that way we are no different. It is in that same-ness that we forge a bond of hope for our brothers and sisters around the world. It is that bond of hope that can bring the end of separation and allow change to carry us and our planet to new heights of awareness and peace.
Hope is a beautiful thing. Carry it close to your heart in the expectation of the magnificent changes that can and will occur from a place of love. Hope is energy. You are energy alive, border-less and free. Emily Dickinson wrote in a poem that “Hope is the thing with feathers/ That perches in the soul.”
I love this lighthearted article from Alan Cohen about death (just changing your address) and his new spin on Facebook. I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did!
Alan Cohen * From the Heart * April 2011
Eternal Life through Facebook
I was surprised to receive a Facebook friend invitation from Eric Butterworth, a respected author and minister who introduced me to the new thought movement many years ago. The astounding element of Dr. Butterworth’s invitation is that he is dead. He passed away eight years ago. How he found his way onto Facebook is a matter of great interest to me.
The Internet and Facebook bear huge metaphysical lessons. In truth no one ever dies and we are capable of communicating inter-dimensionally. In the movie The Last Starfighter, a young Jedi-like disciple grows sad when he learns that one of his heroes has been killed. His mentor tells him, “He is not dead. He is just battling evil on another dimension.” On a more earthly plane, a friend of mine told me that his mother had just passed away. When I offered him my condolences, he explained, “She really just changed addresses.”
Just as the essence of a person never dies, neither do relationships. All real relationships are eternal. You might break up, get divorced, move away from each other, or one of you might pass on. None of these logistical shifts diminishes the relationship. Only the love is real. Everything else is just story line. A Course in Miracles tells us, “Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists.”
One of my favorite John Denver songs is Annie’s Song. When I attended one of John’s concerts, he mentioned that Annie’s Song is the most popular of all of his compositions. “When I went to India, people would stop me on the street and sing to me, ‘You fill up my senses. . . .’” he recounted. When I read John’s autobiography, Take Me Home, I learned that he wrote the song for his wife Annie, from whom he later got divorced. Initially I felt sad that such an exhilarating romantic song yielded to divorce. Then I realized that the love John expressed when he wrote the song was genuine. What happened after that is less important than the passion that flowed through him at that moment. Though the marriage ended, the passion that inspired the song is eternal and available to anyone choosing love at any time. Forms of relationship may change, but the energy that joins people in their finest moments cannot be destroyed.
I met John Denver when I was walking along a remote road on Maui. Driving a rental car, he pulled over and asked me if I wanted a ride. I was enjoying my walk, and much as I would have liked to ride with him, I told him thanks but I would continue walking. I took John’s hand and told him how much his music had inspired me over many years. He smiled, told me, “Thank you,” and continued on his way. A few years later I learned that John had died in a small plane crash. Upon hearing that news I was so grateful I had that moment to touch him and say thank you. Like John’s music, that moment is mine forever.
If you have gone through a breakup or divorce; or parted ways with a friend; or experienced the death of a loved one, take heart. The precious elements of the relationship are yours always. People and circumstances come and go, but your connection in Spirit is inseparable.
That’s why and how dead people can friend you on Facebook. They don’t really go very far from you, just behind a curtain. You can’t touch them with your fingers, but you can touch them with your mind and heart. That’s why I’m establishing an alternative to Facebook. I’m calling it Faithbook. We’re making a movie about it called The Spiritual Network. On Faithbook you are connected to everyone everywhere all the time and you don’t need a computer to communicate. There are no annoying ads or silly games, and the organizers don’t keep changing the rules. You make friends only by the Law of Attraction, and messages that you would have to block on Facebook never get to you on Faithbook because they don’t match you. You can easily communicate with departed loved ones because on Faithbook no one ever dies.
All relationships offer us the opportunity to discern between reality and illusion. We make up all kinds of stories in relationships that cause us pain and sorrow. The relationship journey evolves from the stories we made up to stories that are true. Contrary to what soap operas, romance novels, and movies tell you about relationships, the only real purpose of relationships is to experience deeper love. That love does not depend on what our bodies are doing. It depends solely on what our heart and minds are doing.
When Facebook became popular I resisted joining because I did not want to spend any more time on the computer. Now I like it. Where else can you get messages from dead people you love? In the old days you would have to go to a medium to get messages from the departed. Now you go to social media. It’s kind of cool when you think about it: No one ever dies. They just move to Facebook.
Alan Cohen is the author of many popular inspirational books, including his newest book of uplifting messages, A Daily Dose of Sanity. Listen to Alan’s weekly radio show Get Real on Hay House Radio at www.hayhouseradio.com, and join him for Life Coach Training beginning in September 1, 2011. For more information about Alan’s books, programs, or his free daily inspirational quotes via email, visit www.alancohen.com, email info@alancohen.com, or phone 1-808-572-0001.
Here is the replay link to my April 13, 2011 radio interview with Deb Scott on The Best People We Know. Deb is the bestselling author of ‘The Sky is Green and the Grass is Blue‘ which talks about how to turn your upside down world right side up. Deb and I had a great talk on this interview about Living in Courage. I hope you enjoy it!
Children are courageous teachers and encourage on so many levels. I find this video refreshing and inspirational. Yoga Bubble jvg music album was released March 17th, 2011. Thanks to yoga music teacher Jason Victor Gubbay for the magical music. The video was shot live at Bondi Junction in Sydney Austalia. Yoga instructor Suzanna helps guide the children in fun hatha yoga postures/asanas and savasana. Watch the baby on the sidelines trying to follow the poses!
I am honored to be featured in Life By Me this week. I would like to thank my wonderful friend Chris Cade for recommending me to Life By Me. Chris is featured on their site as a writer, speaker and empowerer. I am listed as writer, joyful experiencer and courage advocate. In fact I like the sound of courage advocate so much I think I will call myself “The Courage Advocate.”
Life By Me posts only one question “What is most meaningful to you?” Every day there is an original answer from all people such as Gary Zukov, Michael Beckwith, Judith Orloff, Dean Ornish, Leigh Taylor Young, Seth Godin, Marci Shimoff, Jack Canfield and many others. It is a wonderful space to get lost in…a real gem.
Click the link below to read my answer to the question “What is most meaningful to you?”
Through the power of your personal magnetism you are able to affect other people by being a living example. Have you ever been around someone who attracts people like moths to a flame? They seem to have an ability to magnetize people into their sphere of influence. They are almost irresistible because they have fascinating powers to create, persuade and attract anything they want into their lives.
Are you aware you have the capability for the same magnetism? You and I are magnetic by nature. This magnetic force can bring the unformed into form by the use of thoughts, feelings and actions. It is so exciting to know that we have the power to create, and that this power lives in each one of us. Our thoughts are ALL powerful. Feelings create movement and when combined with action can build momentum.
Think about falling in love. You can’t stop thinking about the person. You feel the love for them filling you. By taking action with a willing participant who shares your feelings, you move into a relationship. Movement and momentum carry the relationship forward. The cares of the world seem to drop away when you are with this person. Music sounds better, food tastes better, life is good. I can go on, but you get the picture. Your energetic field is vibrating at a higher frequency because you are happy. Happy = Fast. Unhappy = Slow.
Now think about a time when you were angry, hurt or fearful. The world seemed darker, less friendly, like your mood. Happy people irritated you, because you could not feel happy in those moments. You replayed the scene of your unhappiness, anger or fear over and over in your head like a movie. You may have even temporarily isolated yourself or become depressed over the situation. Your energetic field was vibrating at a lower frequency.
Which feels better? Of course, love always feels better than anger and the family of fear. You are a magnet who has the opportunity to react or respond to every situation. When you come from a place of love, you take the higher road. By making a conscious choice to respond from a place of love and kindness in every situation possible, this creates momentum which will magnetize good things into your life. Your potential is infinite. Your outer world reflects your inner world. The law of cause and effect.
So just as the person who attracts people like moths to a flame, you can create the life you dream of. Love, health, wealth, joy or any of the great qualities of life are in abundance, ready and willing to be magnetized to you. Choosing thoughts and feelings of a higher vibration can be challenging, but with persistence and vigilance it can be done. Over time your outer life will reflect your powers of magnetism, where you have ‘consciously’ become the master of your creations.
Today I am being interviewed live at 1:00 PST by Steve Toth of Real Coaching Radio – TV Network. We are exploring Body, Mind and Soul. I would love to have you join us live. I will have a replay available here as well as on Facebook available after the call. Have a Blissed and Blessed Day.
Real Coaching Radio Network is the largest New Media Internet Talk Radio Network focused on the Coaching and Personal Development industry with regularly presented live daily programming.
Maybe it’s the spring air but just lately I have noticed that wonderful feeling of appreciation bursting within me; whether it is family, friends or total strangers, I have noticed that I appreciate them for simply being who they are and not for who I think they ought to be. It’s as if a veil has been lifted and I am seeing with my heart as well as with my eyes.
I liken it to walking into a beautiful garden for the first time and sensing the smells, colours and beauty all around, seeing the light playing through the leaves and branches of the trees, seeing and feeling it as it simply is. No thought goes into labeling things so there is no association with other worldly images or preconceptions about why it is as it is, just an acceptance that … it is! Without these labels to confuse my mind I am able to concentrate my thoughts inwards and glimpse the true meaning of oneness with the world and everyone and everything in it.
I know that this may sound a bit flowery (sorry about the pun) but I find it hard to describe the feeling in any other way and to do so wouldn’t do it justice. When we unburden ourselves of the layers of preconceived why’s and wherefore’s handed down to us throughout our lives we are left with what is the absolute truth about ourselves and others and it brings peace and harmony into our hearts and minds; allowing appreciation to flow through our veins.
Germinating the seeds of appreciation inside of yourself now will allow them to grow and bloom before eventually self-seeding amongst everyone around you. There is no precise time of the year to sow these seeds and there are no special conditions required apart from allowing, accepting, and appreciating them into your life; but as its spring, why not start your own nurseries of appreciation now, while I take another stroll around that garden.
This is a guest article from Alan Cohen – From the Heart – February 2011
Directions to Happy Lane
During my Life Coach Training seminar in Ojai, California, I took a walk in that picturesque town. As I strolled along a back road enjoying a striking mountain vista, a car pulled up beside me. A forlorn tourist rolled down his window and asked, “Can you direct me to Happy Lane?” I shrugged my shoulders and answered, “Sorry, I can’t help you. I don’t live around here.” As the motorist moved on, I recognized the humorous metaphor of the encounter: You can’t direct other people to Happy Lane unless you already know the town. You can’t help others find happiness unless you are happy. When you’re familiar with the area, it’s easy to show the way. If you’re not there, you can’t be of much help.
In February we celebrate Valentine’s Day, honoring lovers and relationships. While we tend to focus on the romantic aspects of relationships, ultimately they serve as powerful teaching tools. If a relationship helps you grow in self-awareness and take back the power you give to others to make you happy or unhappy, it has served you well. Your relationship partner serves as a mirror for your beliefs and attitudes about yourself. If you see beauty and love in your partner, that is what you see in yourself. If you see faults and problems, again you are meeting yourself. Wherever you go, there you are.
In the early days of motion pictures, a small group of cowboys in South Dakota got together to watch their first movie, projected onto a sheet on the wall of their bunkhouse. At one point in the film a band of war-painted Indians stormed over the top of a ridge, hooting and hollering, seemingly charging straight toward the audience of viewers. Suddenly one of the cowboys in the bunkhouse rose, drew his revolver, and fired six shots at the Indians. Moments later the lights in the room went on, the movie disappeared, and the audience laughed to find six bullet holes in the bunkhouse wall.
When you resent, resist, or attack your relationship partner, or anyone, you are firing holes in the screen. You are fighting an image in your mind. Rather than engaging in a war with a play of light on a screen, trace the image back to the film moving through the projector in your head. You made up a story and then dove into it. The issue is not about the other person. The issue is about you. With such a realization you are immensely empowered. You cannot change other people to meet your expectations, but you do have the power to change your mind. When you open, grow, and expand your consciousness, your relationship opens, grows, and expands. We see life not as it is. We see life as we are. Thus relationships are one of the best ways to facilitate self-healing and personal evolution.
This principle came to light when I coached an unhappy doctor in Japan. The fellow had been pushed into his career by demanding parents and he hated his job. Yet, due to rigid societal expectations and his parents’ continued pressure, he felt he was unable to leave. When I asked him if there was any other profession he would rather have, he lit up and answered, “I would love to be a party planner.” Stunned, I asked him, “Why would you prefer that over medicine?” “Sometimes I throw parties for my staff,” he explained, “and it gives me a great deal of pleasure to see them happy.” Suddenly the dynamic behind his dilemma became clear to me. I told him, “When you throw a party that makes your staff happy, in that moment you realize that you have the power to make someone happy. The someone you would really like to make happy is yourself. Now turn that power loose on yourself.” He and I explored ways he could take better care of himself and amplify his joy, and he left the session relieved and uplifted.
Likewise, a workshop participant told me, “I am angry with myself because when I was a child I vowed I would become President of the United States by the time I was 48 years old. Now that birthday has come and gone and I see no hope of me achieving my goal.”
“Why do you want to be President?” I asked.
“I would like to free the world of oppression,” he replied.
“Then perhaps you could begin by freeing yourself of the oppression of self-judgment,” I suggested.
This month as you consider your lover, or your desired lover, or any of your relationships, remember that to guide someone to well-being, you have to already be there. If you want more love from your partner, give it to yourself first. If you want more freedom, claim it. If you want more understanding, understand. Then, when someone comes to you looking for Happy Lane, you will be able to point them in the right direction.
Alan Cohen is the author of many popular inspirational books, including the metaphysical thriller, Linden’s Last Life. Listen to Alan’s weekly radio show Get Real on Hay House Radio at www.hayhouseradio.com, and join him for Life Coach Training beginning in September. For more information about Alan’s books, programs, or his free daily inspirational quotes via email, visit www.alancohen.com, email info@alancohen.com, or phone 1-800-568-3079.
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