When I was a little girl my mom would read me a book about lost umbrellas. There was a town where all the umbrellas went. It was a charming village, very colorful, with cobble stoned streets and beautiful houses. As I remember it was full of magic, miracles and love and the umbrellas were loved and cared for until they found a new home.

The other day I was rather busy and began wondering where the time goes and I was reminded of that story. I had an image of all those moments when I am not present, when I am thinking rather than being fully present in the moment, finding their way to a quaint village. I smiled at the thought of all those lost moments gathered together being cared for until they found a new home. I thought of visiting that village and gathering up all my lost moments so I could savor each and everyone of them. In that moment I allowed myself to be incredibly grateful for my ability to be in time and choose how I want to experience each moment.

Time is such a precious gift, one we often take for granted. The present moment is the only one we really have. Yesterday is a memory and tomorrow never gets here because by the time is does it is today.

I find the quality of my life is dependent on the question I ask myself. I find these questions most useful:

So what is it I want to create with this moment?

What do I want to focus my attention on?

Do I want to be right and affirm my filter system or do I want to be happy?

How else can I see this experience?

What do I want?

What do I really want?

If I want to be happy then I need to tell myself a happy story. If I want to be angry I can judge what is. Life is and then we tell ourselves a story. Our experience really is dependent on our story and not life.

I am in the process of writing a new book and I can feel rushed and overwhelmed or I can savor the experience. The book isn’t the issue – it is what I tell myself. What a gift knowing that is! I can change how I feel by changing my inner dialog and that sure is a lot easier than trying to get the world to change!

With love and aloha,
Susan

How can I see all of life through the eyes of love?
http://susangregg.com/meditation/meditation1.htm

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http://virtualbooktoursforauthors.blogspot.com/2007/06/complete-idiots-guide-to-short.html

At one of my stops Susan Hanshaw had a video entry – I found it quite fascinating and a great way to share meditations and information so I will no doubt try that out very soon.

I just got a contract to write a book about angels, deities, ascended masters and saints. I am certainly learning a lot and am enjoying ‘hanging out’ with all these enlightened beings. Occasionally I may post an entry so you can meet them as well.

I love hearing from my readers and enjoy answering your questions so if you have any topics you would like to hear me discuss feel free to drop me a line. I am off to indulge my fantasy gene and see Harry Potter’s latest movie. Hope you have a wonderful day unless you already have plans otherwise.

With love and aloha,
Susan

“This stuff seems like brainwashing,” said the student.
“Your brain needs washing,” replied the teacher.
http://susangregg.com/meditation/meditation1.htm

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When people begin to work with me I always include this tag:

The Internet is a wonderful place to practice not taking things personally. There seems to be an e-mail heaven where messages go and are never seen again. Occasionally e-mail addresses get blocked and I am not aware of it. I always respond to people’s emails, but if my address is blocked it won’t get through. So, if you ever email me and I don’t respond – try again and if all else fails call me and leave a message.

One time a student get furious because I never responded to his emails. Of course I never got them. I have seen e-groups go up in flames because of an innocent comment that was misconstrued. What a great reflection of life. Nothing in life is truly personal. People do what people do and if we happen to be in the area we get to experience them doing it.

How freeing that realization is. If it isn’t personal we have a much greater chance to remain peaceful, happy and at ease. Each moment in life is an opportunity for us to act or react. We can choose our actions from a place of love or anger and fear. If we aren’t reacting we can actually make our choices based on what we want to create. Spiritual practices take practice. We can make our entire life our spiritual practice if we want to. What a gift!

But I digress – the internet. When I started writing the internet was a bunch of universities experimenting with ways to share information. Then came local chat communities and now instant access to anyone, anywhere on the globe.

For the first time I am actually doing a virtual book tour. And I had a book trailer designed. I think it is a hoot. I get to sit in Hawaii and people all over the place come over to the blog and can chat with me.

Here is the link to my book trailer if you’d like to take a look at it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2FbYlKDcJE

Beside promoting my book it is a wonderful visual meditation. I am getting ready to record my next podcast so if you have any questions or topics you would like to hear me discuss drop me a line.

Have an absolutely wonderful day unless you already have plans to be miserable and if you do, enjoy being miserable! Remember joy is always just a thought away so think that thought!

With love,
Susan

take a moment for yourself
http://susangregg.com/meditation/meditation1.htm

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