YOUR LIFE A-Z:INSIGHT

UNDERSTAND AND COMPREHEND

INSIGHT

INSIGHT is the ability to comprehend or understand something at an intrinsic level.  INSIGHT is not always logical and sometimes it is just plain intuitive.  Having the INSIGHT to understand something at this comprehensive level is a gift that you can train your brain towards.  INSIGHT in to any situation can be gained by asking the simple questions: who, what, when, where, why and how?  These questions will help you gain information and give INSIGHT as to how someone else perceives the issue.  INSIGHT is a great skill and resource to have available when you are communicating, especially about difficult topics.  Choosing an appropriate time to have a sensitive discussion is INSIGHTFUL.   You are acting with INSIGHT when you choose decide to stay an extra day because of travel conditions.  INSIGHTFUL living is making choices that are wise, generous, and astute given the circumstances of all of the pieces of the puzzle.   Sometimes being INSIGHTFUL is to know when to be silent.  INSIGHT is also developed by observation.  Asking questions is a direct way of gaining information.  Observation is equally important but and indirect way to gain information.  What are the facial cues that you are receiving when speaking to someone?  What body language is being exhibited?  Are they distracted?  Being INSIGHTFUL about a problem is to understand a problem deeper than what meets the eye.  Do not be afraid to share your INSIGHT on a situation because it can add a fresh perspective to an old problem.  INSIGHTFUL thinking helps you get out of  your rut.

YOUR LIFE A-Z: WATER

WATER CHANGES EVERYTHING

WATER

WATER is a powerful element that has served each of us in our daily life.  WATER is also a spiritual tool of emotional healing and renewal.  WATER is used in traditional Christian baptism and Holy WATER is used for blessing and protection.  Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz disintegrated the wicked witch of the West with WATER.  Native Americans and indigenous people of all continents use WATER rituals.  WATER is essential for our survival.  We can survive many days without food, but without WATER we die.  Today forward, train yourself to be mindful of WATER. Drink WATER, lots of WATER (sixty –four ounces plus). Each day and be mindful of how you feel after a nice glass of WATER.  Notice how easily it picks you up and refreshes your inner being.  Be prayerful and mindful of water when you are in the shower or bath.  It is a precious resource, don’t overuse it and be thankful that WATER is here to serve you in that cleansing way.   The WATER in your pool is sacred and we take it for granted.   WATER your yard only as it needs it and switch to as much zero-scape as possible.  Be resourceful with this sacred commodity and treat it mindfully with respect and gratitude.  In the same way that Water heals it can destroy, as many hurricanes and floods have proven in our history.  The Taoists say WATER, in its many forms, is a symbol of wisdom.  I say it is wise to use WATER mindfully at all times. 

YOUR LIFE A-Z:ORACLE

ORACLE

Going back to Greek literature we find that an ORACLE was a person who offered prophetic predictions and words of wisdom inspired by the divine.  In researching this word, almost all ORACLES in Greek literature were female, and of the priestess sort.  I joke that men were just too hard headed to trust an inner voice of intuition, spirit, or some wisdom that may not make rational sense.  However, your life is no joke whether you are male or female, the divine loves you and attempts to speak to you and through you in many diverse ways.  The messages of the ORACLE within and actually being quiet enough to hear what the ORACLE has to say is a big part of growing up and becoming the adult you are meant to be.  You can believe you are alone in this world or you can live a more delightful life by inviting the ORACLE of the Divine to speak to you about all or any of those things on your heart.  The ORACLE has wisdom and can show you which path to take when you get to a crossroads.  That sometimes small voice within you is there for a reason and it is important to stop the chatter of the brain and go deep into your heart of hearts and listen.  You do not have to take any action right away as this ORACLE takes time to cultivated and for you to develop trust in the ORACLE and discernment.  Train in listening first. Action comes with practice.

YOUR LIFE A-Z WISDOM

ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE BLESSED

WISDOM

WISDOM requires integrating a value system of reflection, experience, good judgement, and discernment.  It does not come without experience.  WISDOM is a characteristic of living a life with soft eyes and gentle footsteps.  WISDOM allows the wise one to take his/her time in making decisions, speaking his/her truth, and a following a clear path of compassion with fellow people encountered on the path.  To practice WISDOM is to be aware of your thoughts and how your thoughts affect your quality of daily life.  Each day counts.  Each day you make a difference in your life and the life of others by your thoughts, words, and actions.  Awareness of how you impact others and your own quality of life is essential to establishing quality and virtue in living.  If you want to live a better life, seek daily WISDOM.  Ask for compassion and WISDOM. Ask for guidance as to how to make the best choices for yourself and those you come in contact with.  Practice WISDOM with your spending.  You work hard for your money. Choose where to spend it and how to spend it, but don't become cheap.  Buy quality.  Enjoy living.  Enjoy the day to day grind.  WISDOM is enjoying the moment.  Place a slice of lemon in your water and notice your smile and quality of living increase.  WISDOM is in tandem with enjoyment and quality.  If you don't experience enjoyment and quality of life, you are not practicing WISDOM.  Make today a day of enjoyment and quality even if it is as simple as buying fresh flowers for your table.

YOUR LIFE A-Z:NURTURE

NURTURE

Nurture is absolutely essential to growth.  If you just throw something out into the world and do nothing to provide a stable and supportive environment for growth, then not much is going to happen.  Nurturing is a fundamental necessity to attain our hearts desires.  Sometimes a “victim identity” keep us in ruts of “poor me,” “I can’t do what Iwant to do because I am not as fortunate as others.” That way of thinking is lazy thinking.  If you want something then it is important to work for it.  Nothing just happens.  Even those that win the lottery statistically lose it all within a few short years.  It is our inner attitude, our psychological scripts that are just as powerful as our DNA.  They must consistently be nurtured in positive, generous, and supportive ways for our being to let go and allow us tobelieve that change is possible for everyone including, You.

List three things you want to change.  Choose the most important one and create an action plan of three steps each to execute the plan.  For instance, I want to eat healthier.  What am I willing to do now, to start?  (3 things)

1.

Throw away all the crap food in my pantry.  When?  Today after dinner, I will spend twenty minutes going through my pantry and tossing empty calories.  

2.

Prepare healthy lunches for myself at work.  When?  Sunday after I grocery shop with my (3.) new list of healthy lunches.

3.

I will create a new list of healthy lunches this Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

Ok, under each of those listed above, you will need a three-step plan to execute your action positively.  The nurture part is the action of doing positive actions on your behalf.  You can add positive music in the background while you do this list.  You can drink a nice cup of green tea, and/or you can buy some fresh flowers to support your environment as you begin the action of nurturing change.