Eiman Al Zaabi's Blog, page 2

The Self in Reflection: A Winter Practice

Dear Beautiful Souls,

Winter is a quiet, peaceful season. The sun is low in the sky, and the light is soft. In cooler parts of the world, many plants lose their leaves
and stop growing. The landscape appears inert and lifeless, but in truth every living thing is gathering its strength for the season to come.  

Consider the tulip. It grows and blooms in the spring, and it stores up nutrients and energy during that time. The rest of the
year, the plant goes dormant. Above ground, it appears that nothing is happening. Yet below the soil, the bulb is converting the stored resources into new growth for the following spring. The
wintertime dormancy is private and invisible, yet it is essential to the plant’s future vitality. 

We humans naturally follow similar seasonal cycles, although modern life makes it easy to lose touch with this fact. This month, I invite you to
take the time to go inward and center yourself, just as nature does. Winter is an ideal time to realign yourself to the truth and to what you desire in your life. To do this, I
suggest a two-step process of inquiry and reflection. 

Practice contemplative inquiry. Contemplation is far from passive; it is the active pursuit of truth and meaning.
When we contemplate, we look fondly at something and ask questions in an attempt to understand it. We can practice contemplative inquiry when we try to understand the meaning of a poem, or
when we appreciate the natural world, noticing the leaves, the sky, the flying birds. We can practice contemplation with ourselves, as we seek to understand our psyche and ask
questions that open doors to new perceptions. We follow the trail of discovery as each question leads to further questions. 

Reflect on what you discover. Be receptive to the insights that may arrive in contemplation and the answers you may receive
from your inquiry. What is important to you? How could you live more authentically? What actions can you take to align yourself with the universal truths?  

During the dormancy of wintertime, the tulip bulb readies itself for growth. Because the bulb contains everything the plant will need, it does not
require perfect weather or soil. By nature, it already carries what it needs to thrive. The same can be true of us, when we take the opportunity to purposefully prepare ourselves. 

Tulips are intriguing in another way: long before they push above the soil and share their blooms with the world, their true, intended form is already encoded and perfect within the bulb. This,
too, is true of us. Every soul comes with its own fingerprint, a unique blend of God-given gifts and talents that prepare us to add to life in our own unique ways.  

We live in challenging times, with accelerating change and widespread upheaval. Each of us is called upon to contemplate how our unique gifts can be
applied not just in our immediate circles, but more broadly. Each of us has a vital role to play in restoring peace and harmony to the world.  

The Divine has placed you on earth for a reason. As you contemplate, inquire, and reflect, ask yourself, “What are the unique qualities and
abilities that I have to offer? How can I be a force of good right here, right now?” 

A purposeful life is the most precious gift you can give to yourself and to the world. The dormancy of winter can be a time to look inward and
prepare yourself for a beautiful season of growth and bloom. It’s an opportunity to discover your unique role and fulfill the intention of your creation.  

 

Action item: To prepare for full bloom, consider
the following:  

What is my deepest desire?  

How am I already living it? Where do I see examples of it in my daily life? 

What have I achieved so far that has moved me toward that vision or desire?  

How can I give myself permission to live the dream? 

How can this dream bring me to live in truth? 

How can this dream allow me to make greater impact? 

In what areas do I need to grow in order to be in that space? 

What would the theme of next year be in order to bring me closer to my vision? 

What are the next foreseeable steps I can plan in order to make next year a year of growth? 

Share your experience in the comments below. 

 

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Journal, a valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Moving Authentically toward Your Vision

Dear Beautiful Souls,

It’s disorienting to realize that we live in a world of illusion and deception. We are inundated by fake news – and by
false counter-accusations of fake news. In every realm of life, from politics to spirituality, someone is ready to manipulate us or sell us something.  

What can we trust? Where does the truth lie? How do we make our way? How do we know when we’re headed in the right
direction?  

Now more than ever, it is essential to have an authentic vision and move faithfully toward it. We can do this by paying careful attention to
four aspects of the journey: 

1. Aligning to Source  

It’s tempting to think that we can set our course by listening carefully to our own minds and hearts. That is important, but it’s not enough,
because we humans are at the mercy of the ego. When we pursue goals and dreams motivated by ego, we will run into all kinds of problems, because we are seeking recognition or
reward for our work in order to boost our self-image. Our ego-based needs also make us vulnerable to influence by other people.  

But when we align to Source, everything
is between us and God. No other human has any input in this relationship. We set aside the ego and surrender to the Divine. This keeps us in touch with the truth and maintains our intentions
on the highest level. We act selflessly and give from the heart.  

2. Identifying Your Values 

To live authentically, you must identify your soul’s unique ways of being. Each soul comes imprinted with its own signature blend of states – positive emotions and frequencies like freedom,
variety, beauty, joy, and service. These are your deepest values, as personal as your fingerprints. Together, they form a holistic picture of the life the Divine intends for
you.  

Once you recognize your soul’s signature states of being, your soul will thrive as you seek opportunities to live in those states. Your values serve
as directions on the compass, showing you which way to travel.  

3. Expressing Your Soul’s Uniqueness 

Your values tell you how to be in the world, but they don’t tell you what to do. To discover that, you must find your soul’s unique ways of expressing its beauty. Every soul carries a unique blend of God-given gifts and talents. The
soul naturally seeks ways to express this uniqueness in the world.  

It is during childhood that we are most in touch with our innate gifts. As a child, what did you most love to do? What were your favorite
realms of imagination? What has your soul always longed to express? 

Not every expression of the soul will reach the level of your full life purpose. Yet as you pursue your own particular talents and
abilities, you fall into your home vibration that allows you to fulfill the intention of your creation. Being aware of your gifts is essential to moving forward.   

4. Articulating Your Vision 

When you align to Source and get in touch with your unique values and gifts, you have taken the first steps toward living an authentic
life. The next step is to articulate your vision. This could be as concrete as
knowing exactly what you intend to achieve, or it could be as simple as a sensation or an abstract image. What is important is that you feel you are weaving
threads together to create something larger. Once you have your vision, you can practice prayer and surrender to remain in a constant state of alignment with the Divine,
crossing the milestones as you go.  

As we travel along the path, God will keep us authentic. Our life lessons are the signposts along the way. To progress, we must
have an open heart and a learning mind. We must be willing to step back and reflect on the message behind each situation. Life is based in truth, and when we follow a path
that diverges from the truth, life will bring us back. Trust this process and learn from it. 

When we align to Source and create a vision, the path ahead becomes clear. Our deepest goals and
dreams naturally come to fruition as we seek out our intended states of being, express our unique gifts in the world, and experience the profound relief that comes from knowing we
are always guided by the Divine. 

 

 

Action item: I'd like you to take the time to freely doodle in your
journal. Let this be a time of exploration. Our soul communicates when we are open and relaxed. See if you can let your inner self communicate what needs to be revealed to you at this point in
your life. You may notice that you draw a moon several times, then you notice that you have drawn a lake in the same scene. You'll be able to see that perhaps your soul is trying to tell you that
you need solitude time or that down time is essential for your well being. As you do this, you will be able to feel into the symbols and make a sense of what they are trying to tell you. Listen
and then take action accordingly. 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender
Journal, a valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Pausing to Reconnect with Your Soul

Dear Beautiful Souls,

Each of us, no matter what our path, faces challenges in life. It’s easy to feel alone in our difficulties, but in truth they are universal to
the human experience. At some point, we will grieve the loss of a loved one, a home, or an important relationship that has ended. Many of us make our way privately through the darkness of anxiety
or depression. And we all feel daily dissatisfactions of one kind or another. 

In our quest for happiness and well-being, we may approach these challenges as if they are distinct problems that we
can solve by ourselves if we just discover the right strategy or remedy, make the right change, or improve ourselves in some way. But these are not
separate issues defined by their specifics; they are all the outcomes of a single underlying process: disconnection from Source and our own soul. 

Struggle is not the problem; indeed, challenges and even chaos can strengthen us, just as a tree on a windy hillside develops a stronger
trunk. The real problem is in forgetting your roots and distancing yourself from your true self. When we feel we are at the mercy of life, without control or
influence, we can become fearful or hopeless. When we reconnect with the soul, we gain access to a deep well of strength and a profound source of guidance. 

Challenges such as loss, anxiety, or dissatisfaction can be an opportunity to create a new reality, but only if we understand them fully. Yet the
clamor of daily life can make it difficult to hear the voice of the soul. Our habits and everyday routines can blind us to new possibilities. There is tremendous value in taking a thoughtful
break to reconnect with the soul and investigate what really matters to us. This kind of pause can reinvigorate us, and it may even dissipate some of our struggles.  

Connecting with the soul requires us to attend to its three primary needs. First, the soul longs to find and connect to the Divine.
Second, the soul seeks its own distinct ways of being in the world – states such as love, joy, freedom, compassion, truth, beauty, serenity, peace, and trust. Each soul comes with a
signature blend of these states, and the soul seeks ways to express this uniqueness. And finally, the soul yearns to find ways of expressing its beauty in the world.
Every soul comes with a figurative fingerprint, a blend of God-given gifts and talents. Ways of expression might include finding the courage to speak your truth about a
certain situation, or creating a peaceful and loving home. 

We take the first step in meeting the soul’s needs by creating practices to nurture ourselves at every level: physical, emotional, mental,
social, and spiritual. The first four levels of self-care are relatively familiar to most of us; we’ve all heard about the importance of nourishing the body
with authentic food and loving or building a strong network of friends and family. But many of us neglect to care for ourselves spiritually by cultivating the
daily practices that nourish the soul.  

Stepping back from daily life to attend to the needs of the soul is not a matter of escape. Indeed, you cannot fix your
life by abandoning it in search of something better. The reality you live and breathe right now – in the midst of your troubles and suffering or your joy
and happiness – is your spiritual path. It is the reconnection with the soul, not a disconnection from daily life, that transforms us. 

When we set the right intentions and choose our focus carefully, even a short retreat can give us an entirely new perspective on
life. It’s an opportunity to gather yourself and realign with your own soul. It’s about listening in with the intention to make a real change. You can take this
retreat on your own or with a trusted facilitator. Either approach can be effective, as long as it begins with a genuine desire to connect to the universal truths and open
up to new ways of looking at reality. 

So I invite you to shift your perspective on your challenges, and take a holistic approach to health and well-being – one that begins
with pausing to attend to the needs of your soul. When we do this, life flows more smoothly, and we expand into our natural state of joy. 

 

Action item: Set aside
an afternoon or a weekend to explore the needs of your soul. Bring to
mind a challenge you are facing. How does the problem shift when you think of as a symptom of disconnection from your soul? What steps could you take to nourish yourself and care for your
soul? Share your experience in the comments below. 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender
Journal, a valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

A New Way to Achieve Your Dreams

Dear Beautiful Souls,

Do you have a dream that you’ve never quite managed to realize? Perhaps you’d like to settle in a house in the countryside. 
You’ve imagined every aspect and held your vision in mind, but the reality hasn’t yet come to fruition. The experience can be disheartening. Frustration may build up, leaving you feeling
hopeless. 

We are often advised to visualize the manifestation of our dreams in great detail. Some coaches advise using all the senses, bringing to mind the
sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures. Others suggest making a vision board with images representing all the specifics.  

These techniques do have value, but they can also work against us. We may become too attached to a certain outcome, too invested in a particular way
of achieving our desires. When we get hung up on a mental image, we may unwittingly keep ourselves from creating a life of contentment and fulfillment. 

 

In truth, there are many paths toward realizing our dreams. When we visualize just
one and then focus on that, we may pursue a dead end and fail to recognize any of the paths that would actually take us there.  

We humans are not powerful enough to make the space for our dreams to come true in any form at any time; that is the
purview of the Divine. But we do have some tools for navigating life skillfully. Our dreams and desires are not fixed mental images that seek to be realized. Rather, they serve as
indicators. They point us toward the states of being we'd like to achieve by pursuing a certain dream or goal.  

The soul seeks situations and environments in which it is being its fullest self. Ways of being, for the soul, may include freedom, compassion,
truth, beauty, serenity, peace, and trust. Each soul comes with a unique signature blend of these states, which define its distinct essence. To thrive, you must identify and cultivate your
intended states. 

While we may not be able to see the destination encoded in our dreams and desires, we do have the ability to discern our intended states
of being. These can guide us, just as a compass does. We may not know what to do, but we can figure out how we would like to be, and that insight can lead us in the
right direction. For instance, a dream of living in the countryside might be rooted in an intended state of serenity or connection to nature. 

So next time a desire bubbles up into your consciousness, ask yourself this question: “Who would I be if this desire was fulfilled?” The answer will provide you with an
indication of the state your soul seeks to be in. That state becomes your North star while guiding you towards a better life. Your dream, the mental image, then becomes the vehicle to achieving
that state. 

 

When you’re pursuing your dreams, openness and flexibility are essential. It is key to trust in
the Creator who has imbedded unique qualities in you. Always remember that the Divine is guiding you and caring for you. Your role is to seek opportunities to be in
your intended states and express your soul’s beauty in the world. For example, if adventure is one of your states, you might go skydiving, travel to the Amazon, or simply go to an
adventure park nearby. As long as you are able to fulfill this need inside of you, you are feeding your innate nature the life it needs to sustain itself.  

Even when we are on the right path, the way will not always be smooth. We are called upon to maintain faith and acceptance of what comes our
way. While it isn’t always clear to us why our lives are unfolding as they are, and certain moments may be painful or distressing, we can take comfort in knowing that all is as it should be.
Creativity requires a certain amount of challenge to flourish. Life is always providing us with whatever we need in order to grow. Pleasure and pain are the two
forces for change, so embrace them, and you will grow into the life of your dreams.  

Let go of the specifics of your dreams and desires, and focus instead on gaining clarity about your intended states of
being. That is the first step in achieving your dreams. Once you achieve that clarity, make a commitment to yourself to pursue those states that most fulfill your
soul.  

As you do that, stay open to the form your dreams may take in reality. The intended state of serenity, for
example, will be fulfilled at some point, but the reality may not look like you first dreamed. It may come about when you are ready to make the decision to move to the countryside. Or
it may be that life forces you to scale down, and you choose to live in a tiny home on wheels. This could be an unexpected opportunity to live the peaceful life of
your dreams by going wherever you want. The simplicity and freedom of that life might make you feel more serene than the responsibility of maintaining a country home. 

Always let your innermost desires be your guide. It is the soul’s essence, not your limited human imagination, that will lead
you toward true happiness. This is the journey that will fulfill the intention of your creation. 

 

 

Action item: Bring to mind a longtime dream or desire that you haven’t yet
achieved. What states of being does it imply? Who would you be if that dream was fulfilled? Look for ways to pursue these states in your life. Share your experience in the comments
below. 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender
Journal, a valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Are You Neglecting Your Self?

Dear Beautiful Souls, 

What does it mean to practice good self-care? Many of us pursue a certain way of life with the intention of nourishing ourselves. We feed the mind by reading and
taking classes. We care for our bodies by eating healthy foods and exercising. We learn to say no to unwanted commitments, and we make time to rest. But many of us still don’t feel satisfied,
relaxed, or fulfilled. 

That is because we have not been listening to our true needs. We may believe we’ve been taking care of ourselves, when in fact we have been
neglecting ourselves. The outside world distracts us with all of its conflict and chaos; it beckons us with false opportunities for self-soothing. We forget that we are humans with a
role to play here on earth. Our lives tip out of balance as we neglect the being-ness within us that craves something more from this life. 

To be truly happy, we must recognize the desires of the self that lies within. Of course we should take care to meet our physical, mental, and emotional needs, and
to tend our relationships. But to be truly fulfilled, we must also nourish ourselves spiritually. This is where so many of us let ourselves down. It is the missing piece.  

Each one of us carries compelling dreams and desires. There is a part of us deep inside that is driven to seek certain states of being, such as freedom,
truth, exploration, serenity, joy, and connection to the Divine. That is the aspect of the self that generates our innermost desires to gives us a reason to live.  

Even if we sincerely intend to care for ourselves, a form of self-neglect can take hold when we do not pay attention to what's bubbling up inside of
us. Nothing will truly satisfy us unless we are tending to the needs of the soul. Losing your inner self is like dying with your eyes open.  

When you listen to the soul’s desire to pursue its unique ways of being in the world, you can achieve something far beyond a healthy body and a calm mind. It is
possible to enter a space of total bliss, expansion, and fulfillment. But all of that can collapse the moment you deny the self its desires. You may judge your dreams to be
silly, intangible, or unattainable and come to see them as a source of shame. You may fear that if you follow them, you will rock the boat or disappoint the people who matter to
you.  

Most distressingly, you may fear that your dreams will upset your Creator, when in fact you have been placed on this earth for the purpose
of fulfilling them. Each soul comes imprinted with its own ways of being in the world. Your unique states allow you to reach a level of flow and mastery in everything you do.
They enable you to give your best to the world. They are the essential ingredients for a life of joy and purpose.  

If your dreams seem overwhelming, don’t worry. It's not your job to bring every one of these desires to fruition. Rather, your responsibility is to
acknowledge them, listen to their messages, and let them inspire your spirit. The role of the Divine is to give you opportunities to express them to build a life of meaning and contentment. So
give yourself space to become the dreamer, the container that will tenderly hold the beauty of your dreams. Feed them ideas. Nourish them with
your willingness. Then take actions that will give them form.  

It’s important to note that your deepest desires don't point you toward a destination of some sort. Don't be fooled by the mentality that if you
achieve such-and-such, you will be happy. The deepest whispers of your inner self point you toward states of being in which you will thrive. There is no goal, exactly, but instead a life
that is designed in a certain way to provide you with the opportunities to be in those states.  

To hear these whispers of the soul, you must take the time to pay attention and figure things out for yourself. I assure
you that you will emerge clearer and more balanced if you give yourself the gift of distraction-free time. 

Sometimes our dreams require some interpretation before we find the states of being that lie beneath them. Ask yourself why you want what you want. Suppose you
daydream about wandering in the mountains, when in reality you live in the city and you have to work hard to earn a living. Your inner self is pointing you toward a state that you need to
acknowledge and fulfill. It might be adventure, exploration, peace, or freedom.  

Then give yourself the opportunity to explore this state. You may not be able to see right away how to reach it. Perhaps it seems impractical to move to the
mountains. But you can take small steps like spending time in the park or taking a weekend adventure to experience what being in freedom would feel like. Once you know the state
your soul longs to be in, the means by which you achieve that is an open sea of possibilities. 

Modern-day life has boxed us in a certain way of living that does not necessarily match who we really are. All of our technologies and inventions do
not guarantee that we will thrive as humans. They may even destroy our humanity that in its essence is a balance between the impulse to create and the need to coexist peacefully
with everything that surrounds us. So let's not neglect the self that wants something grander and more harmonious.  

Living in our intended states of being feeds our soul. No amount of food or water, no worldly possessions could provide us with such nourishment for
ourselves. True happiness comes from the bottom of our hearts. To find it, we must pay attention and then let go of the doubts and judgments that limit us.  

 

Action item: Take time to listen to your deepest desires. What states of being lie beneath them? Then
notice opportunities – small or large – to explore these states. How does your life change? Share your experience in the comments below. 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender Journal, a
valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Toss Your To-Do List and Make a To-Be List

Dear Beautiful Souls, 

Take a moment to consider this simple question: Why do you do the things you do?  

The simplest reason for any action is to respond to what’s going on around you. A friend sends you a text, and you answer her. Your child skins his knee,
and you comfort him. Your boss asks you to plan a meeting, and so you do. 

Other times, we choose our actions because they move us toward our goals. We’re saving to buy a home, so we forgo the expensive vacation and spend the holidays
at home instead. We’re working toward a degree, so we study late at night even though we’re tired. 

Any of these actions can be positive. Taken together, they can seem to be moving us in the right direction. But sometimes life seems to stall. In spite of
our good intentions, our hopes may not come to fruition. Have you ever wondered why that is? Have you considered that maybe your goals come from a place of "should" instead of real
desire?

The key to living a fully realized life is to pay attention to a third kind of motivation: values. These are ways to be, not things to do. A goal is a
destination; we can arrive there and yet be unsatisfied, feeling unsure where to go next. Values are like directions on the compass; we always know which way
to travel. They define "how: we want to live our lives. Of course our goals and reactions matter very much, but they are always more powerful when they are driven by our values. Our
values express the states we essentially want to be in. Every action, large or small, can be an expression of what matters to us. 

Each soul comes imprinted with a unique signature blend of states, including its own ways of being in the world and its own ways of
expressing its goodness. Of course, each of us has access to a wide range of morals, but within that field lies a smaller set of qualities that especially define the life that we, as
individuals, are meant to lead. Our values are our own intended states of being. 

Values include positive emotions and frequencies. For example, my personal values are freedom, beauty, truth, joy and service. These are the qualities
that I most appreciate in others and seek to cultivate in myself. I consciously design every aspect of my life in order to fulfill these values. I ensure that I have flexibility in
the way I manage my time, I make my environment beautiful, I constantly ask questions in pursuit of the truth, I practice hobbies that bring me joy, and I look for ways to be of service
to others.  

Your values provide a vision for your best possible life. They function not only singly but as a group. Each value contributes its own
complementary piece to a holistic picture of the life the Divine intends for you. Values define the soul’s distinct essence, and your soul thrives in this life
as it finds ways to be in these states. The soul seeks situations, environments, and experiences in which it is being its fullest self. In fact, finding your own unique ways of
being is one of the three major needs of the soul.  

Knowing your values is essential to true happiness and well-being. So, I encourage you to reflect on your values and focus on the ones
that are most important. 

To work for you, your values must be authentically yours. They are as personal as your fingerprint. As you consider your values, let go of any
notions about what other people value or what you think you “should” value. 

You’ll know you’ve identified one of your values when it provides a certain feeling of resonance and expansion. By the same token, you can
sometimes pinpoint a value by noticing what gives you a feeling of “wrongness” and then asking what would be the opposite. If you are offended by someone else’s
callousness or disregard for people who are vulnerable, perhaps compassion is a central value for you. Sometimes seeing what you don’t want will inform you of what you truly do
want. 

Here is a simple exercise to help you clarify your values. You’ll need a piece of paper and a pen. 

Sit in a quiet place and take a few deep breaths. Let your soul expand within your body.  



Think about a time when you felt happy, content, or satisfied. Allow yourself to savor the memory, recalling the sights, sounds, and
smells. 



What word would you use to describe your state of being at the time? Write it down. List all the feelings that come to mind as you recall. 



Repeat steps 2 and 3 as many times as you like. You can also do the same by recalling a situation that you felt offended or upset to give you a clue for what you
stand for. 



Now look at your list of words. If there are more than five, are any similar enough that one word could stand for both of them? If there are still more than
five, circle the five that are closest to your heart. 

When you’ve finished this exercise, you will have identified your top values. Post them somewhere you’ll see them daily. I would suggest creating artwork or creative
lettering to help them integrate into your present life. Your values may evolve as you continue your journey through life, so you may wish to repeat this exercise once a
year. 

By consciously recognizing the soul’s values, you invite into your life tremendous joy and growth in all areas. When you
infuse your life with your signature ways of being, your choices are true to your soul, and every action becomes an authentic reflection of who you really are: a
unique creation of the Divine.  This becomes the first step towards a surrendered life where you align to Source, your values and what you seek to express in this world. 

 

Action item: Take time to identify your top five values. Then bring them to mind at least once a
day. How do you feel as you allow them to guide your actions? How does your life change? Share your experience in the comments below. 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender Journal, a
valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Turn Your Life Inside Out

Dear Beautiful Souls, 

Modern life subjects us to an endless onslaught of distractions. Social media, text messages, and news feeds continually demand our attention. We are in
the midst of a non ending wave of news and attention stealing circumstances. It’s difficult to have a focused, uninterrupted conversation or truly pay attention to our
surroundings. We live life from the outside in, reacting to what comes to us rather than acting from what is within us. 

While we may think of ourselves as more connected than ever before, the truth is that we are increasingly disconnected. The root of the word “distract” is
“to draw apart” – and, indeed, all of this incoming information literally pull us away from what matters most. We lose touch with the reality of
life. We are drawn apart from our true nature, both in the sense of the natural world and in the sense of our individual and collective purpose
on this earth.  

Today’s way of life tends to bombard the mind with stimulation until it is numb to its instinctive search for
purpose and for the Divine. We become passive participants, forgetting that we were brought here for a
reason that requires our active participation. 

Rather than simply reacting to the pleasant or unpleasant distractions that are presented to us, we must choose to act from what is
within us. You can think of this as living from the inside out, not from the outside in. We are called on to return to our hearts, return to God, and embrace the precious gift of
existence. Our souls are hungry for connection with the Divine. To take our true place in the universe, we must seek God in all that we do. 

There is no separation between the present moment and the Divine presence. Everything around you – every plant, every animal
– speaks the story of creation. We live and breathe within that larger spiritual realm. True alignment to the Divine takes place not in some other realm, but here and now,
in the natural environment and in our everyday life. It’s time to embrace the present moment and rejoin the reality that surrounds
us.  That requires us to resist distraction and instead choose to pay attention. Your time, focus, and energy are your most precious
resources. It’s essential to be selective about how you use them. I invite you to reclaim your life by turning away from distractions and committing yourself to your
higher purpose.  

We are by nature spiritual beings who long to express ourselves in this world. Each one of us has a unique purpose to serve. Every soul comes with a
figurative fingerprint, a blend of God-given gifts and talents. Every one of us is meant to add to the world in a way that no one else can. When we recognize our gifts, we express the
purpose imprinted within us by the Divine. 

Prayer is a central component of a purposeful life aligned with the Divine. On a soul level, alignment is the delicate combined state of surrender and
prayer. In alignment, you move and act the same way the rest of God’s creations do, feeling secure because you are aware of the higher power that guides and cares for you. At the same
time, you are in a constant state of prayer, of personal communication with the Divine, to build and sustain connection.  

Alignment means stepping into a sacred circle that only rotates with input from you and the Divine. In that circle, prayer is your input. At the same time, you are
allowing guidance and input from the Divine by wholeheartedly surrendering your actions and listening in. In this way, the Divine shapes your life with wisdom and grace. 

Many of us think that prayer is asking for what we want, but it goes far beyond that. Your relationship with the Divine is not only about
receiving but also about giving. Every action you take is an opportunity to connect with and align to Source, and to express your purpose. 

Here is a simple exercise to help you learn to act in prayer.  

Sit down and take a few deep breaths. Let your soul expand within your body.  



Find a place in your heart that feels open to life. Can you open it some more and become ready to give something to the world, in a
way that feels right to you? 



Get in touch with your soul’s energy once more. Is there anything your soul wants to express? How would your soul prefer to
express it? List your answers.  



What feelings came up for you as you did this exercise? And what actions could you take in the immediate future that would generate
these same feelings or help you overcome them if they were negative? It’s not the scale of the action that matters, but rather the consistent persistence that allows
for change to occur in your daily life.   

When you are in a state of giving, acting in prayer, you live your life from the inside out. You
heed your soul’s eager call to connect with the Divine and then express its gifts. You share your uniqueness, your brilliance, and your light. I invite
you to look within and empower yourself by accepting the privilege of choosing your path. Your life is a precious gift that should not
be squandered in mindless distraction. Let this be your time to awaken and create a magnificent ripple spreads outward from your life to touch every
other life on the planet. 

 

Action item: In what ways do you feel distracted and disconnected from
yourself and the world in which you live? What actions can you take to reconnect with your divine purpose and let your soul’s beauty
shine through? Try the exercise above and share your experience in the comments below. 

 

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valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Balancing Inward Attention with Outward Action

Dear Beautiful Souls, 

In the month of May, we are approaching the longest days of the year. While the extra daylight may lift our mood and make us feel energized, this can also be a time
when we overextend ourselves and become exhausted. That would be true any year, but it can become overwhelming when the world is in such great need of healing. So I invite you to think of
this month as an opportunity to take it easy, care for yourself, and refresh your spirit. 

Achieving true happiness is a matter of balancing attention turned inward and attention turned outward. Self-care matters just as much as caring for
others. In fact, as you’ll see, it is the foundation for all of our other efforts. To make a positive impact on the world, we must first nourish ourselves on every
level: physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. 

By going inward, we get a clearer view of the elements that make up our own well-being. True happiness and genuine
effectiveness both rest on meeting the needs of the soul: to find and connect to Source, to discover our own ways of being, and to express the unique purpose of our existence. 

Finding and connecting to Source frees us from struggle and fear by teaching us to surrender that which is beyond our influence. Surrendering means
becoming more and more discerning of what is within our control and what is not. While it may be unsettling to think that we cannot always determine the outcomes, surrender
has infinite power to soothe our anxiety. What a relief to know that it is not all up to us! 

To thrive, we must also identify the situations and environments in which our soul can be its fullest self. Ways of being, for the soul, include freedom,
compassion, truth, beauty, serenity, peace, and trust. Each soul comes with a signature blend of states that define its distinct essence. So well-being is in
part about identifying and cultivating your intended states. For example, if your soul desires to be in contemplation, then you know that time for yourself is necessary for your
well-being.  

Finally, the soul longs to find ways of expressing its beauty. It is here that we become aware of our unique blend of God-given gifts and talents, our
most hidden desires for ourselves and the world. We are drawn to serve and contribute by expressing the soul’s unique gifts. We discover our life purpose and prepare
ourselves to fulfill the intention of our creation. 

Having looked inward, it is time to pause and ask some important questions. What do you need to nurture within yourself? What do you need to let go of in
order to bring yourself back to balance? It may be time to release some of your everyday commitments. But even more importantly, you can practice giving over your worries
and struggles for control to the Divine. 

By filling your cup from the inside, you have nourished your soul and prepared yourself to express its beauty in the world and to be in the soul’s natural states of
goodness and joy. Now you’re ready to turn your attention outward.  

True surrender empowers you to utilize the gift of free will to create good in the world. With the support and guidance of the Divine,
you can confidently speak your truth, and you can set positive intentions and then take the steps to bring your vision into reality. 

This is a time when we all need each other. Each one of us is like a single drop in a big sea. Alone we are quite small, but together we are mighty.
And each drop transmits the energy to create powerful waves and currents. Your sincere actions – even the smallest ones – may go much further than you realize. Every one of us
has the power to make a difference on this planet. 

When the world needs so much from us, it may not feel right to focus on caring for ourselves. But it is from a place of balance, well-being, and even happiness that
we make our deepest contributions to the world. So look both inward and outward. Open your heart and let your soul shine as you do the best that you can do in your
family, your community, and the outside world. 

 

Action item: What can you do to nurture yourself and bring your life into balance? What small actions can
you take to speak your truth and let your soul’s beauty shine into the world? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender Journal, a
valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Spring Clearing for the Soul

Dear Beautiful Souls, 

As the days lengthen, the world comes alive again after the darkness of winter. Seedlings sprout, trees grow new leaves, and flowers burst forth. No matter how long
the winter has been, springtime reminds us that new beginnings are always possible.

The natural cycle of seasons prompts the human psyche toward renewal. This is a fitting time to think about how we could change our lives for the better. We can see
more clearly what no longer serves us, and we feel ready to let go of those things. This is a wonderful impulse – one I invite you to follow.

But spring is not just about sunshine and bright flowers. The season has an unsettled feel as well. The weather is changeable, with gusty winds and heavy rain. While
its restlessness may seem positive and hopeful, filled with life, it can also challenge us. A late frost can kill tender seedlings. Likewise, some of our intended changes wither on the branch or
simply fail to take root.  

What are we to do with the stirred-up energy of spring? How can we make the best of this time marked by chaos and unpredictability?

Chaos is powerful, but it is not random. Its purpose is to instigate evolution. The nature of life is to grow us, to develop us toward fulfilling the purpose
imprinted in us by the Divine, just as the warming soil tells the crocus bulb to unfurl. With this in mind, we can welcome the turbulence that springtime brings to our life.

Starting a new life is not always easy. The energy of spring reminds us that we must let go of the old, get clear on what we want, and then allow the seedlings of
intention to take root in our lives through consistent action.

Sometimes we can see clearly the direction in which we are meant to grow; other times, we must ask ourselves honestly which parts of our life need attention. We can
achieve true happiness and well-being only when we attend to the three primary needs of our soul: to find and connect to Source, to find our soul’s own unique ways of being in the world, and to
find ways of expressing its true beauty and purpose. And we take the first step in meeting the soul’s needs by creating practices to nurture ourselves on the physical, emotional, mental, social,
and spiritual levels. Any of these areas could be the focus for your springtime growth.

Once you’ve identified the starting point, it’s time to begin the journey. Successful change has six key components:

Willingness. If you are not ready to change, you may hold unknowingly yourself back. Check in with yourself
and assess your level of willingness to change. 



Clarity. When you are specific about your goals, your life will unfold toward them. Take the time to get
clear on what you really want and what could change at this time of the year. 



Intention. An intention is a vision of an outcome plus a desire to make a change here and now. Once
willingness and vision are established, it's time to muster up some courage to choose your direction. 



 Taking guided
action. Surrender your intention to the Divine, then notice the signs that emerge. It could be a small
goal or a huge one, what's important is that you keep it simple and manageable without giving room for overwhelm as an excuse not to pursue your goals. 



Keeping the vision alive. Make a practice of recommitting yourself to your intention. Alignment to your
vision is key, a rooted vision comes from states you want to be in (feelings), things you want to express (gifts and talents) or a sense of spiritual well-being (Connecting to
God). 



Dealing with setbacks. When things don’t go as you wish, look for the lesson in the experience. There's
always a message that speaks to your life. It could either be an expression of misalignment of some sort. Meaning you're not making the right choices or your vision is not an authentic
expression of who you are. Take the time to reflect on your challenges and move on with grace and ease. 

As you attend to the needs of your true self, you provide the conditions for authentic growth. Understand that change may happen slowly, or
it may show up sooner than anticipated. It may also come in ways that you may not understand or recognize at first. So let the rain clouds of springtime water the seedlings of change in your
life. Maybe a rainbow will appear in your sky!

 

Action item: Take the time to identify your area of springtime
growth. Then write your intention on a piece of paper and post it where you’ll see it often. Allow some time for the change to take root. What do you notice? Share your thoughts in the comments
below. 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender Journal, a
valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love, 

Caring for The Self During Times of Change

Dear Beautiful Souls, 

These are times of great uncertainty. Each day, we hear news of unsettling developments from every corner of the globe. We never know what the next
moment will hold. The cumulative effect of this turbulence can be exhausting. We begin to wonder: How long can this go on? How long can I go on? In the modern world,
responding to current events is an endurance event, not a sprint. It’s essential that we sustain ourselves. 

One important way to do this is to take a longer view on the meaning and effect of chaos. From our limited perspective, the world can seem
random and heartless. Yet we can take comfort in the knowledge that the unpredictability is a kind of Divine order that we do not yet understand. 

Chaos theory tells us that a force as tiny as the fluttering of a butterfly’s wing can ultimately affect the weather hundreds of miles away. In a dynamic system such
as the Earth’s weather, minor differences in initial conditions can create unpredictable, far-reaching long-term results.  

Chaos is powerful, but it is not random. Although we may find chaos uncomfortable, it is a productive and dynamic force driving growth. It is intended for the
greater purpose of instigating evolution, both on a personal level and on a planetary level. In life, each one of us is exposed to different inputs
that shape us. Whether we experience them as positive or negative, they provide opportunities for us to evolve to our fullest potential. They are part of the Divine’s plan for
us.  

While change and unpredictability may make us uneasy, they come with a beautiful and important gift. Chaos offers us a precious opportunity to meet one of
the soul’s deepest needs: to find ways to express its unique essence and qualities. Every soul comes with a figurative fingerprint, a blend of God-given gifts and talents. You
are born with such gifts so that you can add to life in your own unique ways and thus fulfill the intention of your creation. Times of change and
unpredictability can lead you to your life purpose.  

Each one of us plays a role in maintaining and restoring the balance of the planet. Realizing this, you move into conscious living – a state in which
you can’t help but do good in the world. You realize that your contribution matters, and so you take responsibility for your actions and your impact. You harness
chaos as a force of growth and channel its energy in service of a greater cause. 

Chaos comes with a second important gift: the insight that there’s always an ultimate power that holds and governs the universe. As we seek ways to express
our purpose, we must understand that we cannot predict or control the outcomes. All we can control are our intentions, the choices we make, and the actions we take. Beyond our limited sphere
of influence lies the Divine.  

When we accept this, we access a place of profound security. In times of change and unpredictability, it can be a great comfort to know that it’s not all up to
us. We step into a sacred circle with the Divine in which we take action as we pray for the outcomes we desire. We do not exist in a random and arbitrary context; life is a journey in which
we are guided and supported every step of the way. 

So how do we get in touch with our life purpose – and then navigate the delicate balance between taking action and surrendering? 

First, identify your gifts and talents. What were your childhood dreams? What were you especially good at? What
were your favorite realms of imagination? These are early manifestations of your innate gifts. 



Choose an area of focus. What area of need calls to you? Let go of thoughts about what you “should” care about, and instead ask yourself
what inspires genuine passion. Look for ways to apply your gifts and talents in this area. 



Take one small step at a time. Don’t be discouraged by the magnitude of the problems or the amount of work to be done. It’s not possible to
save the world all at once. Just do what you can. 



Surrender the outcome to the Divine. Once you’ve taken action, let go. Notice what happens, and keep listening. Be open to guidance
about the next steps. 



Care for yourself in the process. When change is constant, it's exhausting; learn how to move between cycles of action and rest. Understand what
your true nature needs, are you an introvert who needs time alone?  Would you benefit from going out and meeting friends in order to sustain yourself through the change?. Whatever that
works for you, create a space where you nurture your physical, emotional and mental self while maintaining a grand vision for your life. 

The unpredictability of world events may be uncomfortable, but it also allows us to view life differently. The universe is a divinely guided system in
which growth is continually driven by the engine of chaos. Your personal evolution is intimately connected with the evolution of the planet. When we accept the truth
that life is uncertain, dynamic, and responsive, we understand that life is our spiritual nest. Within it we grow, we learn, we seek guidance and support, and we fly as we use
challenge as an opportunity realize our fullest potential.  

 

 

Would you like to join our community? Sign up today to get your free copy of The Surrender Journal, a
valuable tool to spiritual discovery. Use the form on the right sidebar to enter your name and email address. 

 

Related Links: About Me | About The Book

 

With love,