As we stand on the threshold of 2011…

Be prepared for the future but don’t plan. Everything can change in the next second so what’s the point? Don’t set goals, you’ll only be disappointed. Instead, have purpose, even if it is merely to have fun and do only that which makes you happy.

If you always feel the need to do something, do nothing and if you generally do nothing, do something. The change will set in motion more than you can imagine.

When you ask someone for advice, remember that you will get their version. Make it your own before choosing to follow it.

Eat because you enjoy it but never eat anything in excess. Moderation and consistency with food and exercise are the greatest gifts you can give your body. Strive to be happy and healthy and not for the perfect look because the look of beauty and sports magazines is not healthy. (continue reading…)

There is a lot of literature out there promoting a journey “back to spirit” and getting “back to soul”. The irony of this journey is that this isn’t a journey at all. Spirit or soul is the very essence of who we are. We are of it and we are it. Soul is right here and just is.

So what is the meaning of life then? Soul has chosen a physical experience. It has created all that is in order to experience it or, more accurately, in order for it to experience itself. Let me explain. In the beginning there had to be something because nothing can be created from nothing, right? I think all belief systems agree there. This something was all that existed so it could not experience itself because it had nothing to experience itself with. So, in order to see its reflection it needed to create a mirror. I believe this still ties in with science, quantum physics and most religion. (continue reading…)

Everything stands still when we have no passion. The world around us appears to stick in a pattern – a frustrating, dull, repetitive pattern. So we plan and push things to get the wheel of life spinning again. We push so hard and plan the next move but nothing happens and then the frustration grows. After pushing and planning for what seems like forever we collapse in a heap of frustrated despair, ready to give up when … the world starts moving again.

These moments are important indicators of how to approach life. Zen doctrine speaks of being “goal-less” and “going with the flow” but this doctrine needs careful interpretation. Self-awareness brings with it a broad, overarching Soul purpose – a reason for living that is so non-specific yet motivating. The broadness of this purpose is important – it is not something material but an inner desire so deep it exists regardless of what is happening around you. It rests deep in your subconscious; an unwavering light that the darkness can never put out.

When Zen speaks of being “goal-less” it does so in the context of being aware of this Soul purpose because then all other goals and planning become immaterial. Once in touch with your Soul purpose, whatever you do will be another step towards reaching it. But my point is that there still is purpose; you are still moving towards something – you are not some free agent just floating through life. What is also a relief to understand is that this purpose should never overshadow the golden rule of life to have fun. You may choose not to achieve your purpose in this lifetime – this is the power of choice that we have given ourselves.

“Going with the flow” also needs some explanation for the purposes of this discussion. Think of a stick floating on the surface of a river. The river is flowing in a direction – towards the sea. It always flows in that direction until it reaches the sea – its Soul purpose. And so the stick also always heads in that direction. It may choose to get stuck between some rocks for a while until heavy rains lift the water level and it moves over them. It may also choose to take the slow route by following the inner edge of a bend in the river where the current is slower and the reeds are thicker. It may choose to beach itself during a storm and stay there for years before the river gets to that height again. But in all cases it is still going with the flow but it is sometimes choosing to resist the push of the river. That is the “stuckness” that we feel: the river is flowing around us but we have chosen to get caught in the reeds.

So, I have mentioned passion, Soul purpose in the context of being “goal-less”, and “going with the flow”. These are the elements of happiness. Think of it this way: you know you are going to eventually get to achieving your purpose (getting to the sea) because you have the faith that you are heading that way, a knowing that every river does; you have the choice to follow any route you want to while floating on that river (you can even beach yourself) but you will always be following that river to the sea; in making those choices you may make things more difficult for yourself by getting caught in reeds or behind rocks but it is always your choice; and, your passion for floating on the river will ensure that you will continue floating no matter what. What I’m saying is that understanding your Soul purpose is the greatest gift you can give yourself because it makes every event in your life worthwhile. It also allows you to have fun along the way without the stress of having to plan and analyse your every move.

You already know what your Soul purpose is, all you have to do is listen. Use this time in the holidays to listen; to slow down and just float on the river of life, without the bother and stress of planning. Despite your best efforts, 2010 will take care of itself … and you will continue to float with the river. Have fun in 2010!

Recent events in my life have brought me to a stark realisation and these events have not been limited to a particular part of my life either. I have realised that it is most important to reveal your truth to yourself and stay in integrity with yourself, because then sticking out the difficult times is less traumatic. I’ll put it in context for you by telling a story:

There is a boy who is very popular at school because he always goes out of his way to have people like him and to impress them. He busies himself with helping people with their homework, studying hard to achieve good results, doing favours for people, even some he does not even like. This keeps him happy because his need to be liked is being fulfilled. However, he still feels hollow inside and unappreciated. His efforts to help are hollow and untrue to who he his and this fuels the need to be liked even more. Eventually he finds himself surrounded by people he cannot relate to and who do not understand him…lost in the need and so lost to himself. His life is pointless and unsatisfied.

So he decides to find out who he is but the truth scares him so he stays in the hollow space he is in. However, he now knows that this space is not his truth, even though he doesn’t fully understand what his truth is. This is enough to trigger change, which culminates in depression. Everything at this time appears dark and upsetting leading to irrational thoughts and random emotion. He is truly feeling lost to himself.

Yet there is a spark…a pilot light burning deep within him, guiding and comforting him. He has a choice: remain in the space he is in and continue to be plagued by the glimmer and spend his time dodging it, or turn to the light and ignite the flame. He chooses the flame.

His truth becomes clearer over time and all along he experiences events in his life that appear to discredit this truth. They are difficult times that lead to doubt, concern, upset and discomfort. Yet the flame is intriguing; he is mesmerised by its light and so he continues to follow it.

Now, years down the path, he is faced with situations that involve sabotage of his work, a broken heart and financial insecurity, yet he remains calm. His reactions are not explosive, nasty and vengeful. He is driven by purpose; a knowing that is now a raging fire that no amount of darkness can put out. Despite the chaos he sees peace. Despite what people are saying and doing around him, he knows with defiant certainty that the flame is all that matters and, because the flame burns so deep within him, it cannot be taken away. Although he may be discredited and heartsore, his path remains true…to himself and his purpose.

Never give up on you. It is the one thing that can never be taken away. And don’t be concerned that you may not have found your pilot light because it is there, burning faithfully, waiting for you to turn up the gas when you are ready. You will know when you are ready and it will be a time when you are cold and miserable for that is when the need for warmth is greatest; a warmth that will come from within.

Once again I give credit to my friends at TUT… A note from the Universe for this inspirational message: “No matter how things appear; no matter what you’ve overheard; and no matter how many people think otherwise… nothing can stop you, no one can hurt you, and you and I still have forever and ever”. You’re in your truth, just stop lying to yourself.