FINDING THE PERFECT PLACE

Just finished with a frustrating yet fun day of looking at real estate. I have found that Florida doesn't like big dogs. Every condo I was interested in has a 25 lb limit on the dog. Twenty five lbs is hawk, owl or coyote bait in Colorado and would be a midnight snack for the bear Sharmin tried to chase this past summer.

I did find two places that interested me. One was not on the island but about a 5 minute car ride to a new county beach that has not yet been discovered by us tourists. The condo has beautiful views of the river from the lanai and the complex has a river beach. It's big by my standards which makes me suspicious of why it is in my price range. My realtor is going to do some digging to see if it is just because of all the competition or if there is a hidden reason it is cheaper than one would think. The other place I liked was a small house here on the island. I was not actually looking for a house but with the pet restrictions I figured I had nothing to lose. It's an older house but has a nice size lot and is 1 block from the beach and 1/2 block from the bay. It's in my price range because it only has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. But for me that's enough. Plus I'm sure any of my friends or relatives who want to hang out a block from the beach won't mind the 1 bath. I don't think I can go wrong buying a place on the island. But since it is only day one of looking I still have a few more places to see. Tomorrow I look some more. I know I'm supposed to put my roots into Florida sand and I also know that the perfect place is just waiting for me to find it. I'm keeping the faith!!!

TRINITY OF LOVE

    It's Christmas Eve, a time when I become nostalgic, remembering Christmas pasts that still hold a special place in my heart. I don't remember a Christmas when I was a child that was not special. I was very blessed to have parents who loved me and kept a loving, traditional Christmas. Then I grew up and moved away and soon my Christmas's became different, sometimes good, sometimes okay and luckily seldom sad. For many years I spent them with someone in my family, then I met my husband and we began our own Christmas traditions. With my own home and husband I started new traditions that lasted for sixteen years. After he died I changed my traditions again. Over the last four years I have celebrated Christmas in Mexico or Florida, none with my biological family. Instead I created a family wherever I went. This year I do the same. Tonight I plan to go see "The Blind Side" at the movies, then come home and drink eggnog and watch "It's a Wonderful Life" and the "Christmas Carol." Tomorrow I spend the day with a dear friend and her husband as my family. Maybe a new tradition, maybe a onetime moment. Doesn't matter whether it is for years to come or only for tomorrow. What matters is the feeling of Christmas inside, the feelings of love, hope and faith. The Love of a mother for her son on his birth, the hope of a savior who would bring love to the world and the faith that when we trust in God, love will prevail. For all of you I send this trinity of love to you. May all of you have a wonderful Christmas filled with family, friends and most of all, with love.

FAITH

    As a friend said to me yesterday, 90% of everything we worry about never happens. That is so true for me. Two days ago I found the "perfect" place to stay once I move from the current condo. It is a wonderful house half a block from the bay and 1 block from the beach. It has a fenced in back yard for the dog and it has more space than I will ever need. We pulled up to the house and there on the door was a mermaid, my icon, and the landladies were kindred souls. The house was just waiting for me at a time when all the rentals that allow animals were already taken. But I knew the perfect place was out there. Oh I didn't know the exact place but I knew that I would find someplace nice. You see I have faith. Faith that when one door closes another one opens. For faith is the best way to navigate life. I believe it is my faith that brings these golden opportunities to me. All I have to do is listen to my internal (eternal) guidance as it reminds me all will be well, no matter what the circumstance. Now I can relax and enjoy the holidays. A celebration of faith.

PRIORITY

    Distraction is my nemesis, especially concerning my novels. I have allowed all the outside disturbances of travelling, settling in and exploring, travelling again, now finding a new place, to distract me. So as much as I love writing my blog each day, I have decided to cut back on the number of them. Starting today I will only write this blog on Monday and Thursday. The rest of the week I will concentrate on my novels, for they are my true passion and creative outlet. I must prioritize my time and move forward on the revisions of my second novel and the creation of my third. To give you a taste of this passion, here is the first scene in my current project, The Luminarian Prophecy.

CHAPTER 1

    It's coming. I can sense it. Anticipation surges through my veins like the cool water surging beneath my belly. Flat against the board, I concentrate on my ultimate pursuit. The perfect wave.

    A nudge from behind sends my heart into my throat as fear pulsates up my spine. Visions of my supreme nightmare dance through my head. Old timers call them the men in grey suits, I call them sharks. Taking a giant gulp, I glance over my shoulder. A long snout, framed by sharp white teeth, materializes beneath the blue green water. Head bobbing, its entire body thrusts into the air. A gleeful sound escapes the open mouth and combines with my laughter as it glides across the ocean like a long board on an epic swell. A smile creases my lips as I say, "Very funny, Wiley." His twinkling eyes reemerge and his dolphin laughter echoes off the surf, taking immense pleasure in his joke. Like Wile E. Coyote, my favorite cartoon character, my friend is the ultimate trickster. Especially in the early morning when the surf is high and we have the ocean all to ourselves.

    Tag number 2256 glistens from his right fin, identifying him as a member of the local pod my mom studies. But more importantly, he's my pal. Much easier to be friends with dolphins than humans. They don't judge. Popular or loner, normal or different, his friendship is blind. He just likes to tease.

    As he disappears into the vastness of the Atlantic once more, my attention draws back to the waves and I paddle forward in quick even strokes. In one fluid motion, my chest and head rise from the board and my feet fly up from beneath me. Arms flapping like bird wings, I search for the perfect balance spot as my feet tap a classic cross step along the length of the deck.

The wave thrusts me forward, just ahead of the soup, and I carve a path into the perfect spot. I ease up. Like walking on water I glide towards shore. My feet skip across the board with a choreographed dance I've performed hundreds of times before. Every nerve, every cell is amped.

In too short an order, the ride ends and my toes shift with the slightest twist, the board bouncing above the chasing wave. My feet sink into the calm waters and the final surge slips by. I savor the final morsels of the ride for it is time to call it a day.

I pop the leash from my ankle and grab my board before spying---down the coast---the tanned six-pack abs and sleek chest of 'Mr. Perfect Surfer.' As if he's climbed down from a billboard for Ron Jon's Surf Shop, his long tanned legs maneuver across his board like a pro. At the shore he steps out of the surf and waves. My stomach jumps as I return the greeting. I take a deep gulp of air and push the sensations down before jogging to his exit point. His toothy grin greets me then his face turns serious as he trots forward. "Hey, did you see that dude out in the water?" The wind captures his words and blows them at the highway.

    "What?"

    "That dude?" He points towards the line where two guys float in the lull, straddling their boards. The obnoxious floral trunks announce their old timer status for they will never acknowledge that the Hawaiian look went out with the movie "Endless Summer?"

"You mean those two geeks we call our dads?" I say.

Rain shakes his head not taking my bait. "No, this dude was scuba diving right under me. He came up and tried to grab my board." His wavy blonde curls bob up and down as he continues to point. I'm reminded of Wiley.    

    "Sure it wasn't the dolphin? He was teasing me again this morning."

    "No it was a scuba diver." He jogs next me, his board tucked under his right arm. "One minute he was there and the next he was gone." His eyes wander over the waves. "He must have come in down shore since the only boat around is that yacht out on the horizon."

    I squint, following his finger out over the foamy surface, but nothing catches my eye except the frothy white surf against the turquoise backdrop. "Maybe he was trying to catch a ride," I say with a laugh.

    He frowns with concern. "Hope he's okay." As if a switch clicks in his brain, my surfer friend's focus shifts and without a backward glance he changes the subject. "Do you think it'll be okay if I leave my board in your Mom's office again today? I'd rather not wait for Dad."

 

 

LIFE TURNS ON A DIME

    Amazing how quickly life can blindside you. Sunday I was having a wonderful morning on my lanai when the phone rang and my landlord told me he had sold the condo I am renting, that it closes on January 7th but not to worry I would be able to stay until the end of February as planned. The news caused me some nervousness but I was glad he was looking out for me. Then yesterday, just as I was about to board my plane to fly home for a few days of work, the landlord called and said the new owner was upset that I had animals and I would not be able to stay after the close due to some new association rules. Needless to say my flight home was not the most pleasant as I was worried about how I was going to find another place in 3 weeks that would allow both a dog and 2 cats (an arthritic dog that doesn't climb stairs very well on top of it all). I spent much of the evening vacillating between disappointment, anger and worry. A call to a good friend to "vent" helped, but I still found myself waking every so often during the night thinking about the problem. Finding a place that takes pets is not an easy task and I spent over a week last February finding the one I'm currently renting. I projected out all sorts of issues and scenarios, none of them ending very happily. This morning I performed my yoga to clear my mind then opened my meditation book to a random page. "Surrender and Release," popped out at me. It was exactly what I needed and caused me to chuckle, which in turn added to my slow move towards serenity, before the feeling snowballed.

    In the whole grand scheme of the world I recognize that my having to find another rental place so that I can enjoy the Florida sunshine this winter is not earth shattering. I thanked God that I am not homeless and if I can't find another place I can pack up my bags and move home. The worst that will happen to me in this situation is that I will be cold and disappointed for the rest of the winter. So I expanded my gratitude list and it grew and grew until I truly felt the peace of Source inside me again. Once I let go, I was able to focus on the solutions instead of the problems. Just a few minutes ago I received a call from my landlady. She has been working furiously all day yesterday and this morning to find me another place. She has found two so far that they are going to look at on Saturday and Sunday and if they are presentable they will have me go by and look at them.

    It's amazing how life can turn on a dime, but just because a situation feels catastrophic at first light does not mean it will be so in the long run. This was a good reminder to me that I need to look beyond my first reactions and take all experiences as adventures. So today I'm off on a new path. I'll keep you posted on where this one leads me.

 

DESIRES ARE MY GUIDANCE SYSTEM

    When I was a child I learned a very serious distortion in my belief system. It may have been taught to me or I may have misinterpreted it but either way it has placed limits on numerous adult experiences. The distorted belief was that I should not have any wants and desires above the basics in life, for to do so makes me selfish and self-centered. As I matured, I often allowed these beliefs to cause me to suppress my true desires because a "good" person is grateful for what is given to them and does not spend time dreaming about what they don't have. In turn, a vicious cycle would ensue, where I would have desires, which in turn produced thoughts of not being a good person, which created self loathing within me. Luckily, some years back I learned a concept that helped unblock these limiting beliefs and today, whenever this cycle tries to raise its ugly head I am able to combat it and continue to soar towards my desires. You see, I am a co-creator, with Source as my partner, in the creation of my reality. With this concept in hand, I can deduce that my desires, if not fear based, come from the Divine Wisdom of the Universe. Therefore, if it originates from Source it must be a part of my built-in guidance system, which in turn, directs me to my highest good. So today, my desires are as important to me as the gas gauge is on my car. I listen to these desires, assess whether they are out of fear or out of intuition, and when they are the latter, I turn my gaze in their direction and step out with excitement and anticipation.

KNOW YOUR STAGE TO STAGE YOUR CHANGE

Below is an article I just completed for a company where I provide business coaching. Thought I would share it with the rest of my readership.

As another year comes to a close we begin taking stock of what's happened over the last twelve months and where we want to go in the future. If you are like me and millions of other people, you are contemplating setting a New Year's resolution. But before you make that decision, I'd like to help you understand why so many resolutions are broken so quickly and how, with a little knowledge you can be someone who succeeds in changing that unwanted behavior.

Behavior change is seldom a single event. Most changes occur gradually, and progress in stages. Below is a diagram to help you follow along on this process of deciding, at midnight on New Year Eve, to change you behavior. I will use the example of wanting to stop eating sweets to better demonstrate this process.

If you have not stepped through the necessary stages, whether consciously or unconsciously, the likelihood that you can succeed in changing the behavior on New Year's Eve is very low. Why? Because if you've just made the decision to change, you have only moved from the precontemplation stage to the contemplation stage in the change process. At this point, you probably have had an occasional thought that not eating sweets would be good for you but the thought doesn't hang around and you continue your current behavior. In reality precontemplation is less a stage than a prelude to the first stage of change. During this stage others may be aware that we need to make a change (like our spouses or our doctors) but until we are informed of the need to change or believe it ourselves, we will stay in precontemplation.

But if you have been thinking of changing your behavior on New Year's Eve for some time now, then you are probably in the contemplation stage. In this stage we recognize there is a problem, either because we have gained weight or our doctor has warned us that our blood sugar is too high or maybe our clothes are starting to feel tight. Whatever the reason, this information begins to circulate through our brain, reminding us we might want to behave differently. But often contemplation comes to us by chance and normally it goes just as quickly. The key to successful change is to not miss this opportunity. So if you are in the contemplation stage right now, don't wait until New Year's Eve. Begin asking yourself what is preventing you from moving forward now.

If the answer to the above question is "nothing," and you are ready to start, you have now moved into the preparation stage. Here we shift the balance of our thoughts towards actually changing. This stage usually leads directly to action if we have used the contemplation stage to map our strategy for change. But if we do not yet have a strategy, the preparation stage is the best time to considered all aspects of our wants, modify our expectations and establish goals that fit our lifestyle. Here are some ideas to assist you in this stage. First, determine specifically what you need to modify in your lifestyle in order to succeed. If you can't resist sweets when you see them, eradicate them from your house. If you live with others who eat sweets, ask them to assist you for awhile in keeping them out of the house or at least out of your reach. Think of other items you can use in place of sweets, such as grapes or other healthy fruits that can satisfy the sugar craving, or if you consume large quantities of sweets, just give yourself permission to cut back slowly, one or two servings per day or week and continue the gradual reduction over time. Many people have great intentions and undergo drastic lifestyle changes, like making two or three resolutions at a time. This is counterproductive, for if you try to adjust too many things at once you will become discouraged and stop the whole process. Remember, it is important to establish a goal which works for you, not a goal that has worked for someone else or one that has been placed upon you. There are an infinite number of modifications which can move you progressively towards your ultimate goal. It does not have to be all or nothing, for any change in the direction of your goal is a positive move and only you can decide what will give you the most success.

Now that you are sufficiently motivated, have created a realistic goal and have removed any barriers that might get in your way, it is time to step into the action stage. It is amazing what you can do once you tap into the strengths you have that have allowed you to succeed in other areas of your life. Here are some techniques that can help make lasting change more likely.

1. Stimulus control. Become aware or recognize the "triggers" that keep you in your old behavior. Habitual behavior is by nature automatic, so if you can predict how you will react in different situations you can avoid those situations or prepare for them. If you know that walking by a certain desk where sweets are readily available will be too tempting, figure other routes in the office so you don't pass that particular desk. This technique is about predicting your environment, planning ahead and avoiding automatic behavior by getting ahead of it.

2. Talking Back to Urges. The urge to go downstairs and buy a snickers bar can be strong and unswerving. Learn to nip it early on, when it is just materializing, rather than later, when you have been immersed in the urge for an hour. Telling the urge, "No," or "Stop," as you become aware of it will weaken the neural network response in the brain, thus allowing you to replace your once automatic response with other solutions for your cravings.

3. Talking Back to Negative Thoughts. Negative emotions like anxiety, anger and depression are triggers for falling back into old habits. The first step is to recognize the negative thoughts as they happen. An example is a thought that pops in saying, "Might as well eat this anyway since I'll eventually fail at this change." Again, when we become aware of this thought we say, "Stop," and tell ourselves positive things like, "I only have to succeed today. I don't need to stress over what may happen tomorrow or in the future." Sometimes recognizing minute by minute successes can be helpful.

Once you have practiced the new behavior until doing it becomes automatic, you will move into the maintenance stage. Some people will restart the preparation and action stages several times before creating the habit they want. Not only is this route normal, it's a good one. The virtuoso pianist had to first practice the piano in order to become a master at it. So too must we practice eating differently. Plus allowing the possibility of a slip takes some of the pressure and self-loathing away and helps us not sabotage our change by giving up completely. If you find that you have fallen back into the old behavior of eating sweets regularly, just move back to the preparation stage, make tweaks to your goals and then step into the action stage again.

Relapsing into old behaviors has been considered a bad thing in the past. But an all or nothing attitude, that either I do this perfectly the first time or I'm a failure, is being too harsh on ourselves Think of a child who is learning to toilet train. How intolerant would the parents be if the first time a child wet their pants (or relapsed) they were considered a failure. Slips and setbacks are not only a part of learning, they are an integral part of it. It is through our mistakes that we learn more about the triggers and blocks and how to tweak the process for more success. You might initially think that eating a piece of pie or buying that ice cream bar, after eating well for several days or weeks, is failure, but in reality it is an incremental success. Remember where you started and how far you have come. But if you beat yourself up for that one indiscretion, you will more than likely consider yourself a failure and stop all together. If you go back to the preparation stage and ask yourself what got in the way and how you can prevent it in the future, you will be much more likely to succeed in the long haul. So this New Year's Eve instead of starting a resolution with the old odds it will be broken, start the stages of change so you can truly start changing your life.

THE GIFT OF SAND DOLLARS

I'm a sand dollar magnet. Whenever I walk the beach I always find one. Today I found eight. As I gazed at the magnificent creature, I noticed the beautiful star on its face reminding me to let Source show me the way. On the back is a beautiful flower, leafy and white, a gift from the creator reminding me that I am loved. They also remind me that if I trust and put one foot in front of the other, God will provide my bounty. Sand dollars are the Creator's masterpiece. They were incredible creatures while alive, they are as magnificent in their death. Just like we humans.

I'LL KEEP TALKING TO THE ANIMALS

    Often I think that living alone makes me focus too much on myself. Oh I have my dog and kitties and since I want to be responsible for them I remember to feed, walk and pet them daily. Actually I also talk to them because they are great listeners. But without a significant other, or a roommate or children to live with, I often think I get too caught up in my own "stuff" and have to remind myself that the world does not revolve around me. But is that true? On closer examination I realize I may be buying into a belief that isn't reality, for if the truth be told my world does revolve around me, just as every other person's world revolves around them.

    Everyone chooses their path based on an effort to satisfy their needs. Someone may choose to live with others because their need to belong is greater than mine, or they may choose to focus on others because they are listening too closely to what society says their need should be and aren't listening to their own truths about what needs are important to them. If it is the former, they are satisfied with their life because their need to belong has been met. If it is the latter, they will continue to feel dissatisfied trying to fulfill a need that isn't their own. Whichever the case, their life still revolves around themselves, for every behavior is a result of trying to satisfy a need for security, belonging, acceptance, achievement, enjoyment or freedom. Therefore, the only difference between those who are living with others and those, like me, who live alone or with pets, is that our basic needs are different. Although I didn't choose for my husband to die four years ago, I did choose to continue to live alone after it happened because I've never been one who needed to belong just for the sake of belonging. If I had really wanted to live with someone when I found myself alone, I would have already gotten married again, or advertised for a roommate, or opened my home to someone in need. But I choose not to because this is not the need I want to satisfy right now. Freedom seems to be my number one need these days. I wonder what yours is? Someday, when I find someone whom I deeply love and trust I will consider cohabitating again, if the priority of my need to belong shifts. Yet even then my life will revolve around me. Until then, I'll just keep talking to the animals.

FRIENDS

    Friends are the most important people in my life. They can be family, people I've known for many years, or those who I haven't known for very long but connect with on many levels. Sometimes, when we've known people for a long time we take them for granted and forget how much they mean to us. Today I met some new friends. A group of like-minded women invited me to join them every Wednesday for coffee. They were very nice to me. But most important of all they cared deeply for each other. They had been friends for years. It reminded me of the many friends I have. All of them mean more to me than I remember to say on a regular basis. So for all of my friends who may be reading this, thank you for being such a great friend. I appreciate you!

TAKING CONTROL OF LIZZIE

    Lately my critic has been very vocal. I call her Lizzie because she comes from my automatic lizard brain at the base of my spine and since my middle name is Elizabeth it is a perfect fit. She's been telling me I'm fooling myself if I think I can write. She says I need to go get a regular job and quit hoping that someday I'll make money from writing. In my head she whispers that I don't deserve to have the flexible lifestyle I have created for myself, that I'm being selfish and self centered. And this morning she told me I needed to pack up my belongings and head back home because moving and changing my life is crazy. I'm trying not to listen to her.

    This week I began working the tasks in the book "The Artist Way." I am currently exploring the negative thoughts that surround my writing. As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist I already know about the power of negative thoughts. But sometimes it's good to be reminded. I'm aware that over the last couple of weeks I've allowed Lizzie to speak her mind too loudly. Today I've decided to take back control. So here's what I'm saying to Lizzie when she tries to speak. "Thanks for sharing Lizzie. I appreciate that you are only looking out for me and my survival. But for right now I'm safe and I'd appreciate it if you would go sit in the corner and shut up." Seems to be working so far.

BEHIND THE WHITE NOISE

    I awoke early this morning to the sound of traffic on the road about a block away. It surprised me because I don't remember hearing traffic sounds in the entire week I've been here. Then I realized why. The fountain wasn't on. My condo overlooks a small lake with a fountain in the middle. I'm usually asleep when it automatically turns on in the early morning and there's very little travel on the south end of this island at 10:30 at night when it goes off. The fountain is white noise. It drowns out all the noise that is located further away from it. If I don't focus on the fountain I can hear either the traffic noise or the silence within my condo.

    My thoughts are white noise in my mind. The chatter of what I call the "committee" inside my head often drowns out the voice of Source. But if I can clear my mind of all these thoughts, at least for a little while each day, I can hear the sounds behind the chatter. Sometimes it is silence, often it is guidance. Either way, the white noise amplifies my limited perspective of life. Only when I move behind it can I step out of my illusions and hear the truth.

IT'S A CONUNDRUM

    I can move myself to the perfect location, buy new things, and find the perfect relationship and for a while I am happy. But sooner or later the place, the things and the people lose their luster and newness and the happiness disappears. The reason? Because happiness comes from within. It's almost a DUH statement. Except for some reason I often forget it. But when I remember, I create an attitude of gratitude and appreciation for what is happening with me in that moment. This produces the internal happiness that cannot be swayed by outside circumstances. And amazingly, when I'm happy, more wonderful places, things and people become a part of my existence. It's a conundrum.

THANKS ANGELS!

    I've been struggling with a minor problem. The pet sitter who was recommended to me was already booked when I got here and I couldn't find anyone else to hire for this month's trip back to work. I could always take the dog to a kennel, but she's so spoiled I hate leaving her caged for four days. I commanded myself not to stress over my dilemma. Instead I asked the angels for help. I often ask for their guidance when I'm stumped. Within minutes I remembered a friend's earlier suggestion. Then I checked airline costs and realized that I could buy a round trip ticket for about the same price as hiring someone to stay with my pets. So I called my niece and made her a proposition she couldn't refuse. Within a few hours my problem was solved. All due to the angels. Thanks Angels!

LIFE IS LIKE KITTY TV

    My two cats are like polar opposite personalities. Anise, the little grey kitty, is under the bed. She doesn't seem to have stepped out from under it since we arrived four days ago. I'm pretty sure she has, probably in the dark of night, for the food has been eaten and the litter has been soiled by more than one cat. It's a shame, for she is missing out on the extra treats I dispense every morning and the marvelous kitty TV outside our lanai. Cayenne, my tortoise colored cat, is the exact opposite. She doesn't mind taking a risk at adventure in her new home. The condo overlooks a small lake and each morning numerous birds fly in to partake of breakfast, or to bath themselves, or chatter with their friends. Cayenne spends her entire morning watching that channel. She has acclimated nicely to our new "digs" and has created her routine based on eating, watching kitty TV, sleeping on various chairs, sofas and beds, and repeating the above.

    Both have choices in life, just like me. I could have stayed under my bed, putting up with the cold weather and living a small and safe life. Instead I have decided to take a risk, adventure out from beneath the bed and start a new life somewhere else. Cayenne has joined me. Hopefully Anise will soon.

TIME IS AN ILLUSION

    Over the last few days I've been feeling like time is running out. Today I paused and contemplated time. According to Wikipedia time is a component of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify the motions of objects. A ticking clock is not time, the pendulum in Greenwich, Great Britain is not time, the dials on my wristwatch are not time. Time is a measurement, time is manmade and time is an illusion. Yet this illusion causes more stress in the world than just about anything else. So I've started a new experiment. Every time I find myself stressed over time, I stop, take a deep breath and remind myself that time is an illusion. Amazingly, after I do, I always have enough time to do everything I want to do. Since time running out is a false mental image I can change my image to believe I have all the time I need. So try this experiment for yourself and see what happens. Remember: Time is an illusion.

GET INTO THE MOMENT

    Thoughts are fleeting. Feelings are fleeting. Whether they are positive thoughts and feelings or negative thoughts and feelings, they are fleeting. But if I want to experience them longer, all I need do is concentrate on them. Putting my focus on a thought or a feeling makes it linger. I don't know about you but I prefer a positive environment over a negative one, so my goal in life is to linger on the positive as much as possible. Awareness is the first step and awareness comes from being in the moment. A great technique for practicing awareness is to set timers or place messages around my environment to remind me. When I see or hear these reminders I ask myself, "Am I aware of what's inside and outside my mind?" If the answer is no, I stop. Then,

I get into the moment.

THANK YOU CREATOR

    It's 83 degrees out, the fountain is flowing in front of my condo, the air is still and moist and I'm heading down to the pool to sunbathe and read, for I've given myself the day off to find my "spot". Today is my first day in paradise. Exactly where I want to be.

    But this morning my ego tried to sabotage me. What is it my ego did? It kept throwing thoughts at me like, "You don't have anyone to share this with," "You're just a fraud," "You've made a huge mistake," "You can't afford this," and on and on and on. Part of me wondered if I'm just too spoiled for my own good, part of me wondered if I'm just out and out crazy. But when I'm tired and I haven't meditated in a few days I get disconnected from my Source and I feel lost. That's when my ego tries to take over. But I don't ignore my ego in these moments. For if I do it just gets louder and makes me feel worse. Instead I use the tools I've learned over the years to bring myself back into alignment with Source and keep my serenity. I thank my ego for making all its comments, then I ask it to kindly sit in the corner and shut up. Then I turned my thoughts and attention to the spiritual practice I have come to love. I read my inspirational books, say my positive affirmations, meditate for fifteen minutes, then write in my journal my gratitude list along with my thoughts and feelings. Finally, I bring myself back to the moment and continue to do so over and over again as the day progresses. For it is in the moments that I know how blessed I am to be where I am, doing what I am, living the life I live and in this moment I say, "Thank you Creator!"