Innocence, Changes and The Journey!

To everyone who read and sent comments or questions on the last post on Gratitude and Appreciation, a huge Universe of thanks! I appreciate the sharing of your gratitude! There was one question which has sat with me all week that I thought might support others,

Question: Can I still give gratitude for all the bad things done or experienced in my life?
Answer: Yes! Absolutely! Today is a great day to begin, if ready!

The picture above is the beginning of my earliest memories. Yes, awhile back let's just say!
This was a time of innocence, each of us has this point in time. From this point until now there have been many changes and quite the journey for me and for you, right?

I am sure most if not all have experienced, hardships, lost loves, betrayal, untimely loved ones passing over, careers soaring and then crashing, disappointments, missed opportunities, health issues, just to name the biggies. These have been my experiences which were changes from a particular point in time. Changes that needed to be navigated through to get me back on that smooth paved road!

All of these untimely life events, no matter what they may be are part of the journey, mine and yours! What would a journey or trip be without some unknown event to get our attention. Attention for lessons to be learned and in some cases lessons for others to learn.

Gratitude and Appreciation is a piece within the journey; at some point there is an awakening or acknowledgement that becomes an aha moment. Reflection is a power tool that helps to heal, gives the opportunity for forgiveness to ourselves and others. During the time of reflection there may be another aha where if that particular occurrence had not happened you would not be where you are today or be with the person you are today; or better yet- would not have become the person you are today!

Today, looking at my picture of many years ago, I reflected on all the years that has brought me to this day, my birthday! What a ride! What an amazing magnificent journey! The lessons I have learned, the experience over the years, the incredible people who have come into and then moved on their journey, and the opportunities presented to me, I am so grateful! Would I have wished for easier times at certain stages, you betcha! But then I would have missed something along the way...

I AM Grateful for the transitioning out of Innocence into all of life's Changes and for an amazing Journey! May the journey continue in this amazing gift called Life!

When ready:

Reflect over each stage of your life

Write down each change that brought impact

Next to it or under: Write what lessons you may have received

When done, on a clean sheet of paper take each ocurrence and write: I AM grateful for _______

When completed keep the I AM grateful sheet of paper and dispose of the exercise page.

 

May all these lessons and future lessons bring you happiness, joy and a life filled with opportunity and amazing adventures!

 



An Amazing Day!

I wanted to send out a huge heart felt Thank you to each and everyone of you who took time out of your day to wish me a "Happy Birthday" yesterday!  My heart was full of grace and gratitude for your well wishings and kind thoughts... Each of you are amazing!

This year decided to journey to a new town and do some exploring in my new home state of Texas!
Touring historical venues and even staying what is suppose to be a haunted hotel, so I'll post pictures if I capture anything. What fun, right?

Know that your well wishes are being carried with me this weekend as I go on this adventure!

"Thank You"

 

 

 



The Gratitude and Appreciation Waterfall

Time seems to be going so fast for me lately. Do you sense or feel the same way? This week marks the first anniversary of my new chapter in an amazing incredible life. Each evening this week, while enjoying the glow of the patio candles, glass of red wine, I reflected on all events, people and experiences that have transpired in the past year. Double Stixs™: The Nourishment and Gift of Change was published, opportunity presented itself and within thirty days of publication a Change! Imagine that, a change developing to someone who writes and works with others on change! I sensed a change brewing but the timing was way sooner than expected. Don't you find that in most things in life? Perhaps you asked for something, prayed about something and it was received but not in the form, fashion or timing that you expected it! Amazing how that always happens!

This Change resulted in a relocation to a new state - 1,664 miles, a new home, my husband and I began living under the same roof after two years of weekends only due to work, My husband and I both transitioned into a new position, opportunity for book tour, new coaching clients, added "Marti" our new little guy, into our family and purchased a much needed second vehicle. The opportunity also appeared to complete my studies for Reiki Master Teacher!   Each event has layers of stories but for now, I have told you the headlines and shared my life experience of this past year  to let you know how gratitude can open up endless opportunities!  During the final phase of the book editing I began to shift my thoughts and daily practice to giving immense gratitude for the ability to bring a passion, a dream to life. I released any outcomes of my personal life goals and began giving immense gratitude for the moment, focused on the good around me not the pieces that were not aligned or perfect. Each morning gave gratitude for another day to experience and each evening gave gratitude for what I encountered, experienced or received. I really began to enjoy the "now", meaning wherever I was, whatever I was doing, the past, the next 10 mins didn't matter to me, just enjoyed that moment in time. Being in the presence of gratitude sets off an energy and a vibration that one just can't help but feel happy, feel more balanced, a vision of clarity emerges and a sense of peace flows through the entire body.

Living life in gratitude and appreciation brought about the synchronicities that opened up opportunities for me to take action. Confidence in the ability to accept and seize change allowed for the past years events. You too can accept, seize and flourish through change! That's right, you can most definitely have the ability!

Please note that it took me years to be able to describe my life as amazing and incredible! Please do not think that everything is always rosy and wonderful as it is not! Living Life is an adventure and with adventure comes switchbacks, bumps and stop signs! But it is in the moment of those  most challenging times that giving gratitude for the now, even the smallest thing that is going right in your life, can shift and change the balance and energy around. Through the years, even during times of struggle, I acknowledged and knew that life was precious. It's only been the past ten years that even in the times of change or challenges, I view life as being amazing and incredible! This is also the time I began to give gratitude and appreciation for even the littlest things in my life and yes even for the challenges. My experience is that through each challenge I grow, gain new experiences while gaining the ability to shift to view from a different perspective. This is not unique or new, but sometimes it is worth bringing to light.

"Be Grateful and Appreciate each little detail of life, as it opens up the heart to accept each new chapter, bringing synchronicity and beautiful, enriching blessings, allowing the abundance of life to overflow within and around you! ~~ Cindy Lake

Double Stixs™ : Poles of Support:  Gratitude and Appreciation Exercise

Time frame:  30 days

Tools:  Open heart, journal, pen/pencil

Exercise: Morning when first awakening while lying in bed, give gratitude for good night sleep, waking up, etc

Evening, take some time to reflect on the day- write what you are gratitude for and what you appreciate

you may also do this during a mediation or prayer if that is a belief or practice.

Do you journal? if so, this would be great to write down what you are grateful for or appreciate, any shifts, changes, out of the blue opportunities or just plain feeling better than normal and for reference exercise in 31 days.

Do this exercise each day for 30 days. Day 31 take an hour to really reflect on your notes in your journal.

What are you reflecting on? 

Where there any particular areas of your life that were the primary focus

Any changes in that area

Health- any shifts or changes

Increase in happiness, feeling more balanced or just find yourself smiling more

Any unexpected or unplanned events, opportunities or people that showed up 

The last sentence in your journal should be: 

I AM grateful and appreciate who I AM!!!  Yes You! 

You ARE Amazing

" Marti"