Awareness is described as consciousness and knowledge.  It is the key to everything, from appreciation to change.  Think about it; how would you ever be able to derive pleasure from the beauty of a warm, gorgeously glowing amber-colored fading sunset, the sweet, mesmerizing melodious songs of the spring birds at dawn or the grounding experience of feeling the warmth and texture of a pristine sandy-white beach at the foot of a sensually beautiful bluish-green body of forever-extending water without awareness?

Awareness also serves us as a catalyst for the desire for something more, something new or something different.  Being aware of the contrast of what we are experiencing in our life that we cherish, love and makes us feel complete versus what is in our experience that makes us feel sad, uneasy or unsettled, is the spark for action.  We may not know what action to take at this point, but we do know, by using our feelings as our barometer, that we are not satisfied, happy or flourishing where we are.  As humans, it is natural for us to always look for more.  More pleasure, more fulfillment, more fun, more experiences, more money, etc.  This is not a bad thing.  Our lives are meant to be enjoyed.  Life is a miracle, as is this earth and everything it offers.

Now that the awareness of “what is” and the awareness of “what’s next” has been unlocked, it is time for the awareness of knowledge to step up.  Alleged knowledge may be found around every corner and shows up in forms of advise from people you may or may not know and media in all forms, screen, print and airwaves.  Some of this alleged knowledge, especially in the form of tangible evidence and time-tested concepts is authentic and true and can definitely make a difference in areas of your life.  Other portions of this knowledge is simply other people’s opinions, some of which you will resonate and some of which you will not.  The responsibility and choice of embodying this knowledge must be yours.  What works and is right for one of us does not always equate to what is right for the whole.

So, how do you decide what is right for you?  Again the answer is awareness, awareness of who you are at the core of your being, awareness of your values and awareness of what you require to experience in order for you to become who you are meant to be.  No one, other than yourself, has the answers for this type of awareness.  This type of awareness actually has its own special set of keys, which again are unique for every individual, but my favorite, because of the amazing insight I have received from it, is journaling with the core of who I am, my soul.

People journal in different ways for different reasons, but what has worked for me when I need to receive awareness for something in my life is to journal in a question-and-answer-format.  When I come to a fork in the road and am not sure which way to turn, I ask the question, addressing my inner wisdom, i.e. God, who I personally believe resides in all of our souls and is at the tips of our fingertips every time we take the time to tap in.  After the question is written, I then let the answer flow out from my pen, and the result is a magical, divinely-inspired individual road map for my greatest good that frees me from all further confusion by the sheer feeling of knowingness, lightness and inspiration.

I invite you to create a space for yourself that is uniquely calming, comfortable and beautiful and gift yourself some time where you will not be interrupted and give this type of journaling a try in your own space of love, openness and trust.

http://blog.morningcoach.com/2010/11/30/how-happy-are-you/

http://blog.morningcoach.com/2010/11/27/anticipation-the-holidays/

http://blog.morningcoach.com/2010/11/18/can-you-ask-for-help/

http://blog.morningcoach.com/2010/11/10/accepting-compliments/

We cannot control what other people do or say or how they treat us.  We can, however, control how we react to these situations.  I ALLOWED myself to leave my state of well being and for what?  What good did that do me? Absolutely not one thing.  However, it very well could have affected my co-workers as I was not happy and fun to be around.  Did it affect the people that offended me?  Not in the least.

In addition to altering my current state, I was also putting a damper on what good would come to me in the future.   Everything in our world is made up of energy, including our thoughts.  When I went from my smiling and happy, glad-that-it-is-Friday self to a teary beaten-down version, my energy shifted from positive to negative.  I can’t say that I am all that knowledgeable in the field of science, but I do know that like attracts like.  In other words, my being hurt and sad (negative energy) can only attract more of the same negative energy into my life.  However, if I CHOOSE to let these hurts slide off by back, like a Slip N Slide, I can remain in my good mood, (positive energy), and then can only attract more positive energy, aka happiness, opportunities and positive experiences.

Thank goodness I have the ability to CHOOSE how I react to all situations.  I can choose to be a victim or choose to look at it from a different perspective and possibly learn something.  I don’t know if I have the lesson figured out yet, but I am going to choose the positive side of life.  Have a great weekend and keep smilin’.

Big Hugs,

Leslie

As I thought about it, I became a little sad. Fall has always been my favorite time of year, but now that my kids are older, I have not partaken in the ritual trips to the apple orchard,  the pumpkin patch or the haunted house, nor have I even pretended to have any talent in a flag-football game  while listening to the rustling of  the golden yellow and vivid orange leaves underneath my feet while running for the pass.  What have I possibly been doing with my time?  It is almost Halloween for goodness sake!!

Then it dawned on me – I have been acting like a grownup.  I wondered why.  No one told me I had to.  It is not like things I am accomplishing can’t wait. Why am I putting off enjoying life and letting the little girl in me have her fun?

It is very important to live in the now and appreciate what is around us.  Sometimes, we get very focused on the task at hand until someone or something gives us a swift kick in the tush to open our eyes and see what is going on at this very moment outside of our current focus. Fun and connecting to nature are integral parts of life and support creativity.

So, at this moment, I am going to call that very same girlfriend back, whom I just told I could not come out and play, that I am on my way.  Life is way the heck too short to not do the things that we love to do and let our inner child out.  My child is going to run through some leaves!!!!   Do you know where YOUR inner child is?

Happy Fall,

Big hugs,

Leslie