Every situation and experience contains a gift. Regardless of the outward appearance, there is always some hidden (or visible) gem which makes things a little better, I fell on my backside this morning. The ice, combined with tennis shoes I was wearing contributed to a heavy fall. As I lay there, looking up at the sky, i noticed that although my butt was as sore as could be, the back pack I was wearing cushioned my head and upper back, making what might have been a much more serious situation, less painful. Life can be like that. Although seemingly negative or difficult situations can seem to throw us out on our butt, we are somehow cushioned and protected where we rally need to be.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Be Grateful for All You Have
Give Thanks for The Challenges You Receive
They Make You Realize How Capable You Are

There are times when you know what to do, know what you SHOULD do, know what you need to do…but just don’t want to do it. It’s times like this when you have to step back, and put your ego (the part that is tempting you to do something which probably isn’t in your highest interest at this time) on hold. These are the times when you have to listen to that inner voice, and trust that you are doing the best thing for your highest good. Sometimes it seems to take every bit of physical strength to do this. But you know, deep down inside, when you trust yourself, and listen to that inner wisdom within, you are guided, protected and cared for. And things just seem to work out that much more easily.

A lecture I listened to yesterday talked about gratitude. Actually the idea behind the talk was to be grateful for challenges; without them we wouldn’t see how strong and capable we are. The Universe never gives us more than we can handle. Mother Theresa said it well. ‘It is said we are never given more than we can handle’, she stated. Then she stopped, took a deep breath and smiled. ‘Sometimes I wish they didn’t think I could handle so much’, she added. Anyway, sometimes I feel like there are so many challenges that once I get through them, I will be that much more aware of my strengths and capabilities. In actuality, however, I am already strong and capable. I just need to hold that idea in my mind, and be grateful for the opportunity that will allow me to get more in touch with my abilities and power.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about manifestation, and how our mindset/thoughts create and affect ones reality. In his book, ‘How To clear the Negative Ego’, author Justin David Stone, talks about how we are constantly being tested. Every thought we think stems from either Love or fear. Every time we focus on the latter, we lose our connection with spirit. The I Ching is a manual for self-development. When we use every opportunity as an opportunity to do learn and change, as necessary, we are ultimately given the assistance we need to overcome or change any situation, regardless of how challenging.

I have been much too self absorbed lately. I think this is largely due to the fact that my Virgo rising tendency causes me to over analyze and re-access almost any decision I might make. I also realize that I need to be of more service to others. There are so many opportunities to help others. The action need not be huge, just heartfelt. When you do something to help someone else, you create a ripple effect which, touches everything and everyone around it, like ripples in a lake. It has been said that when someone does a good deed, it blesses, not only the person being helped, but also anyone who happens to see it. Anyway, I am going to go out and be of more service. I have already started with more volunteer work, however, there is always room to do more.

Everything happens in Divine Order. By allowing oneself to release limiting habits, lifestyles and ways of thinking, we can create space for self-development and growth to continue. When an obstacle presents itself, willingness to see it as a gift, and to step back, allows us to receive the action (or non-action) needed at that time. We need only to remain open and receptive to Higher Wisdom (or ‘The Sage’, as the I Ching calls it).

Listening to a talk on gratitude today made me aware that expressing this emotion (gratitude) generally raises one’s vibration. This enables the individual to be more appreciative and (as a result) more receptive to Divine Insight and Inspiration. There isn’t a specific format for expressing this, nor is its expression limited to one particular subject. It can be for the smallest thing. However once experienced, it becomes easier and easier to find more things to be appreciative of.

Today allow yourself to be grateful. See how doing this affects your experiences and interactions.