I welcome you all to my inspirational blog

...it all started with this inspirational blog that led me to writing my book:

"It’s not about putting your foot behind your ear -Living an Inspired Life/A personal journey of transformation through yoga"

I will on a regular basis post excerpts of my forthcoming book on this blog. Feel free to follow along, enjoy my writing, and give me feedback. Come, be my travel companion on this inspirational journey!


Sunday, December 26, 2010

where the wild things are....

... right in my neighborhood - encountered these guys on my morning walk today


Friday, December 24, 2010

A Wonderful Merry Christmas to All of You

What is Christmas?  It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.  It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.  ~Agnes M. Pahro

What do you REALLY want for Christmas?

The answer to this question will change over the years as we grow older. From all the material things that could not bring us REAL happiness, we may have finally arrived where we can clearly see what matters.

What do you really want for Christmas this year? If we are coming deep from our hearts, in thinking about giving this year, could we seek to give more grace, kindness and gentleness? Could we spread the joy that comes from being deeply rooted in a belief system/faith? How about opening our eyes and hearts to receive true beauty by being mindful in every moment, appreciating all the little things that we so often overlook? How about cultivating an attitude of gratitude?

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as being quiet and listen and opening our hearts to allow love to enter.  SSP

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.

Love, Peace and Blessings to all of you

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Giving, Being, Receiving

Most of us want more in our lives, more appreciation, more attention, more love, more money, more happiness, more time. …
The more we are willing to give the more we will receive.. But we have to begin by giving to ourselves.. Give yourself more time; give yourself more attention; give yourself more love; give yourself more of what you want from others or from your life in general. Then decide how to offer the more that you are and have to the world and you will receive even more back in return. In Reiki we learn that in order to  pass the Diving Healing Energy on to others we, ourselves must be filled up with it first, then the “overflow” will go to others as well.  SSP

"Let the waters settle
you will see stars and moon
mirrored in your Being."
-- Rumi

Monday, December 20, 2010

How are you ?

“I am fine” is what most of us say. But are we really? Is it just a polite Question/Answer game?

For the most part it seems people don’t really want an honest answer to that question. I noticed that when I first came to this country. Someone asked me how I was feeling and I started my answer only to  be interrupted. So I realized quickly to just do the polite thing and give the answer that was expected. However, each time I do ask the question and someone answers “just fine” and I ask them “are you really?” more often than not people seem surprised and happy that someone really cares and they will tell me how they feel. Most of the time things are NOT so fine.

On the other hand I was also intrigued by the q/a and the answer of “I am fine” that a lot of times when I do give that answer suddenly I DO  feel fine, even though I may have been in a grumpy mood before.

I am not saying to be “fake”, but next time someone asks you  how you are, think for a moment. And do the same when you ask someone how they are doing and maybe give them  the gift of your presence, listening and care.

Some of my closer friends have picked up on my “concept” without me even really introducing it, but they KNOW that I care and that I really want to know what they are truly feeling and so oftentimes I get an “okay”, “not so good”, or a “medium” as an answer and I know there is something they may want to share. My friends know that they can always tell me how they really feel and I feel honored by their trust. I feel equally blessed when they give me the same gift of letting me share how I truly feel.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Gratitude for living in Paradise...





Relaxxxxxx....

This is a beautiful slideshow of nature with great quotes......

http://www.naturesinspirationmovie.com/?cm_mmc=CheetahMail-_-FR-_-12.17.10-_-NATIMovie

Thoughts on Anger –

A friend and subscriber to my Daily Inspiration emails asked me to write about anger – here you go:

First, I think we have to analyze where the anger comes from. In many cases the source is the feeling of not being in control, which results in fear, which results in anger.
Once we can pinpoint the source we are better able to deal with it.

I find it important to be able to safely express that anger – vent; asking a good friend to just listen; by saying things out loud we can – most of the time – find the source and therefore solutions.
Personally, I rarely get angry. If you are like me anger can take you by surprise. I learned that it is important not to beat ourselves up over it. Anger is ok, we can’t always be cheery, compassionate and happy.

Anger is our “shadow side” that is as important as our “happy side” and it will pass quicker if we just acknowledge it, safely express it, deal with it, rather than suppress it. SSP

In Buddhism it is said that anger is one of the three poisons – the other two are greed and ignorance – and those are said to be the primary causes of the cycle of samsara and rebirth. Purifying ourselves of anger is essential to Buddhist practice. Even highly realized masters admit they sometimes get angry. Not getting angry is for most of us probably not a realistic goal.
Thich Nhat Hanh has a different view: “When you express your anger you think that you are getting anger out of your system, but that's not true,” he said. “When you express your anger, either verbally or with physical violence, you are feeding the seed of anger, and it becomes stronger in you.” Only understanding and compassion can neutralize anger. He suggest meditating/sitting with the heat of that anger. That too may not be possible for many of us.
Buddha said, “Conquer anger by non-anger. Conquer evil by good. Conquer miserliness by liberality. Conquer a liar by truthfulness.” (Dhammapada, v. 233)
Namaste

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Dealing with strong emotions

Dealing with strong emotions

How do we deal with strong emotions such as joy and sorrow, happiness and suffering, love and hate?
Do we feel undeserving of so much joy, happiness, love? Do we fall victims when experiencing sorrow, suffering, hate, anger?

Facing those emotions and putting them into the “bigger picture”, accepting them with a gracious attitude, knowing that there is a reason
for all of them seems to be the way rather than overreacting or denial.

By staying present and centered we will find the lesson in each experience and more harmony will manifest into our lives. SSP

~ Stay in the center of the circle and let all things take their course. ~ Dalai Lama

Monday, December 13, 2010

How do we want to live our lives? From essence or from ego?

How do we want to live our lives? From essence or from ego?

To transform our lives we need to learn to operate from our essence rather than the ego.
Just by spending more time in essence and mindfulness we can learn to speak from essence rather than from ego.

How do we know the difference? The voice of Essence comes from joy, gratitude, love, happiness, peace, kindness, stillness, mindfulness.
The voice of ego comes from criticism, judgment, opinion, separateness.

We have a choice to notice these subtle feelings when we are operating from the essence which is our true self
and the more time we spend in it the more it becomes second nature for us to want to stay there.

It is not just about our own happiness but about happiness, peace, love for all. SSP
----------------------------------------

Meet everyone and everything through stillness rather than mental noise. Eckhart Tolle

Suffering cracks open the shell of ego, and then comes a point when it has served its purpose. ... However, Being is not only beyond but also deep within every form as its innermost invisible and indestructible essence. ... Eckhart Tolle

Saturday, December 11, 2010

LOVE, UNITY, ACCEPTANCE

LOVE, UNITY, ACCEPTANCE

yanni live at the taj mahal india - love is all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu67pzugkMQ&feature=player_embedded#!

Friday, December 10, 2010

“We put medicine about which we know little, into bodies about which we know less, to cure diseases about which we know nothing at all.” — Voltaire

Thursday, December 9, 2010

"The Prayer" again with Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli

...and her is "The Prayer" again with Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli
The Prayer (at the Grammys)
www.youtube.com
This is Andrea and Celine's performance of The Prayer at the 1999 Grammy Awards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmscFwj22vg

Con te partire

Italian Romance at its best:

Con te partiro/It's time to say Good bye -

Andrea Bocelli

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcrfvP11Hbo

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

My most Divine, Sacred moment

My most Divine, Sacred moment was when my mother was dying from lung cancer and was bedridden at home. It was 12-23-1984. She had turned gray and was in extreme agony. I thought she had passed away and I bent close to her nose to see if I could feel her breath. She startled awake and said "I was there". She said that she had seen the most beautiful white, floaty beings. She said she had never experienced such unconditional love before and was now not afraid of dying anymore. She saw a being and she told "him" that "she wasn't ready to go yet. "I can't die so close to Christmas because of my family". She had "come back" to us when I was close to her nose. She passed away on the 27th AFTER Christmas. She was selfless and didn't want her family to suffer during each holiday season. She was my best friend and soul mate. Because of this, I am not afraid of dying, when it is my time........................I would welcome it. She made me realize that death is just another realm of our existence. She gave me unconditional love and hope and courage. (I am reposting this w the permission of a friend)

Be Here Now

Be Here Now - Treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time. Remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift... That's why it's called the present.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Joy is a net of love by which you catch souls" - Mother Teresa

Monday, December 6, 2010

A different Christmas Poem-

A different Christmas Poem-

very touching

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_P6yU_ymFM

Saturday, December 4, 2010

SACRED MOMENTS


SACRED MOMENTS

There are moments in my life where I am so deeply connected to another being that it is hard to even describe in worldly terms. Often it happens during a Reiki treatment when on a level of higher consciousness our spirits meet and connect on a plane that is pure light, acceptance, appreciation and love. Our spirits and souls are engulfed in peace and mutual understanding; no boundaries built by our egos, no judgment or criticism. This is a feeling similar to being deeply and unconditionally in love with someone or the moment when my children were born and there is nothing but awe and the importance of the present moment, or even having the honor and being in the holy presence of someone passing away. Those are sacred moments that I deeply cherish and will forever hold in my heart. I feel blessed to have been gifted to experience those precious sacred moments.

A very special and heartfelt THANK YOU, to my children - without you I would have never experienced the sacred moment of giving birth, to my family and friends who “put up with me and all my craziness” , to those of you who gave me the opportunity to either teach or do a Reiki treatment with them and giving me the experience of deep trust, connection and healing, to the wonderful friends in my live who allow me to love and cherish them and to ALL of you who joined me on my sacred journey to live a life worth living - in peace, harmony, love, joy and abundance.

Namaste – The Divine in me honors the Divine in YOU!

If you would like to be added to my Daily Inspiration email list please email me at kindnessp2@msn.com

Awakening

Awakening –

See and feel everything whether its labeled good or bad with clear, intense awareness, an open heart, love and compassion. Notice more what you usually try to ignore. As you awaken more and more to the wealth of feeling and inner wisdom an unknown passion with feelings of love, sensuality, gratitude and joy will fill your entire being. The intensity of the experience will be a blessing beyond expectations.

Friday, December 3, 2010

THE PRAYER


THE PRAYER - celine dion / josh groban

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhxIjRO6WjI

Magnificent -


Magnificent -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv19yFIVzS8

This is my wish for you


“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.”

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Meditation



Meditation –

When I first started meditation practice many years ago I thought that by doing it all my conditions, suffering, past hurts, would just go away and I simply would become centered and serene.
Over time I realized that sitting means to sit still WITH all of it, allowing it to be as it is, accepting it and not needing to change anything about it. NO, I don’t have to fix anything. What a relief!
By just sitting with whatever it is, being present in this very moment and with consistency, simply accepting it overtime issues dissolve, burn up, strip away.
Awareness is the answer, acceptance and sticking with our practice, turning this awareness inward. That way spaciousness is created as well as clarity, that in turn opens the door to compassion, first towards ourselves, then towards others.

Christmas gift suggestions:

Christmas gift suggestions:

To an enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity.
To a child, a good example. To yourself, respect. ~ Oren Arnold.

Friday, November 26, 2010

What is a True Friend?

What is a True Friend?
First off there are many levels of friendship and the word “friend” is sometimes used very lightly. I believe a true friend is very rare. True friendship means 100% trust in each other, knowing that they would do anything for each other, even if it would mean giving up one’s life for each other. True friends can share EVERYTHING, good or bad; being a real friend means speaking the truth, even if it hurts. True friends will make time for each other when the other is in need of their company. They are likely to be interested in all aspects of each other’s life’s and will not desert each other for other people. A true friend is someone who would stop their own life to come to help despite the fact that there was no incentive or even risk or pain for them to do so. A true friend knows everything about you and still loves you, if not more so. That is true friendship to me and it ranks at the same level with true love which is as powerful as true friendship and the two combined create the ultimate in human relationships. `SSP

"When we open ourselves
to the heart of a friend or lover,
we trust that we are cherished,
loved unconditionally."

"Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit."
-- Khalil Gibran

For even more inspiration please watch: Journeys in Love and Friendship: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQOqK9AcGqU

Sunday, November 14, 2010

थे मगिक ऑफ़ त्रुए लव

The Magic of true love - absolutely beautiful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUTnIScW6CQ&feature=related

The Five Reiki Principles BY DR.MIKAO USUI

The Five Reiki Principles

BY DR.MIKAO USUI


I - Just for today, I will not be angry.

Anger at others or oneself or at the whole world, creates serious blockages in one's energy. It is the most complex inner enemy.

Reiki is an excellent tool to remove anger blockages which have accumulated in the body over years, but it cannot remove the residue of current anger which occurs daily.

Letting go of anger. brings Peace into the Mind.


II - Just for today, I will not worry.

While anger deals with past and present events, worry deals with future ones. Although worry is not always a negative phenomena, endless worries may fill one's head, and each one bores a small hole in one's body and soul. While anger requires a focused Reiki treatment to remove obstacles, worry requires the energy to be spread throughout the entire body.

Letting go of worry, brings healing into the Body.


III - Just for today, I will be grateful.

Be grateful from your heart inward. Inner intention is the important element in this principle. Simple things as thanks, forgiveness, smile, good words, gratitude can improve others life and make them happy.

Being thankful brings Joy into the Spirit.


IV - Just for today, I will do my work honestly.

Support yourself and your family respectably, without harming others. Earn a respectable living, live a life of honor.

Working Honestly brings Abundance into the Soul.


V- Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.

Honor your parents, honor your teachers, honor your elders.

Being Kind brings Love into the Will.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Happiness

Happiness
It is the art of living, the purpose of our existence. Happiness is the true index of quality of life. Without happiness, life is dry and meaningless. With happiness, life immediately becomes fulfilling and wonderful. Happiness is an infectious feeling that immediately lifts the sagging spirits of people. Happy people keep themselves happy because they know the little ways to appreciate themselves and to see the humor and magic in each moment.

Friday, November 12, 2010

ब्रेक आउट ऑफ़ routine

Break out of routine
"One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star."
-- Nietzsche
Where do you need to do some ‘out of the box’ thinking and living?
We are creatures of habit, of patterns. While initially the habits may have served us, they may now be limiting our ability to experience more of life.
What aspect of your life has become routine? How might you bring new life to it? Do some outrageous dreaming! Then do something completely different today.
"When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world." -- George Washington Carver

Sunday, November 7, 2010

अ परफेक्ट डे

A Perfect Day -

http://video.aol.com/video/perfect-day/1520408038 (please listen to this beautiful music while reading my thoughts)

Waking up with a smile on my face because I had happy dreams; opening my eyes to see the sun rise above the mountains and the sky turning into a fiery red/orange. I have a beautiful home, live in the country/state/place of my dreams. I have a lovely supportive family and kind, loving friends. I am healthy, energetic and I live in whatever abundance I choose. I love those who love me and even those who choose not to love me back. I forgive those who have hurt me and I keep my heart open even if that sometimes means to experience pain. I have careers that I am passionate about and one that I can let go off whenever I am ready. I am experiencing love, friendship, forgiveness, joy and happiness if I decide to let them into my life; and when it is time to go to bed I feel the embrace of love and safety and my heart flows over with gratitude. A perfect day!

What is YOUR perfect day?

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Where's your attention?
"Only one thing has to change for us to know happiness in our lives: where we focus our attention."
-- Greg Anderson
What do you usually focus on: problems or solutions?
When our mind dwells on a problem, we stay stuck. But when we can shift to ask how we might achieve a solution to our problem, our subconscious mind, thinking and creativity move into gear. New possibilities open up.
Get in the habit of asking for solutions!
"Every choice moves us closer to or farther away from something. Where are your choices taking your life? What do your behaviors demonstrate that you are saying yes or no to in life?"
-- Eric Allenbaugh
Think In A New Way
Your thoughts guide you to your destiny. If you always think the same you will always get to the same place. Think in a new way and you will be a new person. Give happiness to all and you will live in peace. Create peace in your mind and you will create a world of peace around you.
I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe. - Dalai Lama

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

YOU matter -
Every day is a gift, Every day is a blessing. What matters at the end of the day is that we were able to make someone’s day better, help them on their path to happiness and make them smile. Telling someone that they matter, being cherished, wanted and loved and to never forget that is an incredible gift we can give that does not cost us anything else but an open heart.

Love and light - Namaste

Monday, November 1, 2010

Joy

Your purpose in life is the expression of soul qualities which bring joy and happiness. When you are doing something that you think you should be doing as part of your life's purpose and you do not feel joy in it, or it does not take you out of your personality, then you have to question if this is what you ought to be doing. Reflect on something you are doing in your life and ask yourself if it really is aligned with what is most appropriate for you?

Sunday, October 31, 2010


Persistence, determination, attitude....

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Create consciously

"No man has a chance to enjoy permanent success until he begins to look in a mirror for the real cause of all his mistakes."
-- Napoleon Hill
The law of karma is the law of cause and effect. It works unavoidably when there is no consciousness -- when we are not present in the moment. When there is no consciousness, the past creates the future.
The law of Love supersedes the law of karma. It intervenes in the process by focusing in the present. In fact, one could say that Love is being fully present. When anything is initiated in Love in the present, the future of that reality will be purposeful, meaningful, loving and powerful.
"He who is false to present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and will find the flaw when he may have forgotten its cause."
--Henry Ward Beecher
"In my beginning is my end."
-- T.S. Eliot
When you think everything is someone else´s fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy. Pride leads to violence and evil. The truly good gaze upon everything with love and understanding. - Dalai Lama

Thursday, October 28, 2010

दोन'टी थिंक आवे यौर फीलिंग्स

Don't think away your feelings
“When emotions are managed by the heart, they heighten your awareness of the world around you and add sparkle to life. The result is new intelligence and a new view of life.”
-- Doc Childre and Howard Martin
How do you intellectualize your emotions?
Many of us live so much in our heads that we intellectualize our emotions. We analyze, rationalize and explain them away so quickly that we don’t actually experience them.
Learn to honor your emotions at all times by being willing to feel them. Of course, you may need to exercise some judgment over how and when you express them.
"Learning to be aware of feelings, how they arise and how to use them creatively so they guide us to happiness, is an essential lifetime skill."
-- Joan Borysenko
If you love someone but rarely make yourself available to him or her, that is not true love. THICH NHAT HANH

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Om My! Meditation Changes Brain Structure

Brain scans indicate permanent, positive development

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 27, 2010 3:42 AM CDT |
(Newser) – This might already be obvious to enlightened souls, but researchers are discovering that meditation may permanently change the physical structure of the brain. Neural circuits linked to focus, happiness and empathy may be strengthened through long-term meditation, effectively rewiring the brain and "lighting up" certain sections with a life-long capability for stronger activity in those regions, scans have indicated. “If you engage in certain kinds of exercise on a regular basis you can strengthen certain muscle groups in predictable ways,” explains researcher Richard Davidson. “Strengthening neural systems is not fundamentally different."
Changes include ramped-up activation of a section of the brain thought to be responsible for generating positive emotions, called the left-sided anterior region. Monks who have meditated some 10,000 hours demonstrated significantly more activity in their limbic systems—the brain's emotional network—than even novice meditators, indicating that their mind's empathy "muscle" was vastly stronger than the average Individual's. The Dalai Lama has sent monks to various US universities for meditation study. "This is not a project about religion,” Davidson tells CNN. “Meditation is mental activity that could be understood in secular terms.” (Turns out yoga produces some amazing results, too.)

त्रुए Love

True love always brings joy to ourselves and to the one we love. If our love does not bring joy to both of us, it is not true love.
THICH NHAT HANH

Thursday, May 13, 2010

What are you passionate about?

What is it in your life that ignites your inner fire? Rouses intense emotion? What are you enthusiastic about? What makes you forget everything else? Do you have a "cause"?

Take a moment and think about it or better yet before you go to sleep or just after waking up in the morning meditate on it, journal on it and see what comes up. Very powerful self development exercise.

It could be many different things. For me it is yoga and meditation, the best healthiest, cleanest, most nutrient dense nutrition (vegan/raw), saving the environment and all living creatures, helping people to live a healthier, happier, more abundant and harmonious life....