If we decide to move away from fear we create fear to move away from but if we consciously choose to move toward love instead we create love to move toward. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out which method would create a more pleasant experience.

Yet, our habitual, knee jerk reaction is to run away from fear. Our bodies are even hardwired to do that but you can begin to make a conscious choice moment by moment until moving toward love becomes your default setting.

How do we do that? The first step is to notice fear from a place of emotional neutrality. “Oh, I notice fear is present.” Just notice, avoid judging or reacting, just observe.

The next step is to make a new choice. How can you celebrate or appreciate whatever is seemingly creating your fear? You may not be able to do it at first but with practice you will be able to do it with ease.

It helps if you begin the practice of gratitude and appreciation before fear shows up. Take you top ten fears and find something the appreciate and celebrate about each one.

Examples:

Fear of death – I can use that to appreciate each moment of my life, stay in the moment and to be grateful for everything I do have

Not enough money – when you get a bill you can celebrate it’s arrival (This one takes practice), give thanks that someone trusted you to pay this bill, give sincere thanks for the money to pay this bill and really feel that. I actually made a special box for my bills decorated with hearts, dollar bills, fairies and angels. I displayed it on my desk and before long my finances changed.

Being abandoned – give thanks for the reminder to spend time opening up to your connection to your spirit and really feeling the sea of love you swim in.

I think you get the idea. Have a love fest instead of a marathon running from fear.

With love, an awareness of fear and choosing gratitude,
Susan

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Fearless Friday: so what about love?

Impatients by the pond

Plumerias, they smell so sweet

Bananas almost ready for picking

With incredible gratitude for life,
Susan

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Wordless Wednesday: nature

With love and aloha,
Susan

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Oils spill and creating what we want

Hopefully I will be able to see the ocean and Mauna Kea from there. Right now here is my view. I also ordered an awesome angel in the moon weather vane for the top.

With love and aloha,
Susan

PS. My latest class Art Of Allowing is now a reality. It took two years to create and I think it was worth the wait. Until midnight Sunday the 27th I am offering a Charter Member Rate. Please check it out.

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Wordless Wednesday: finding peace during construction

Title: Solstice Ceremony
Time: Monday, June 21st at 9:30pm Eastern
Listening method: Phone + Web Simulcast

To attend, visit: http://attendthisevent.com/?eventID=13606896

I love doing ceremonies and this one sort of sneaked up on me. I have been so focused on daily life I lost track of the date. So I hope even with the late notice you can attend. I will be using the energy to send love and healing to all the planet but especially the Gulf region.

This is a wonderful time to set your intent to allow magic and miracles into your life.

And here is the replay of last week’s free webinar:
Personal Freedom: Creating the Life You Deserve

http://attendthisevent.com/?eventid=13014192

I also thought I’d let you know that a project I have been working on for two years has finally spread its wings and flew.

I’ve just opened charter membership to the brand new Art of Allowing Video Learning Series. You can learn lots more here:

http://www.artofallowingclass.com/join

Note that charter membership rates will end at midnight on June 27th(PST)

With love, aloha and a sense of excitement,
Susan

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Solstice Ceremony

She and I have journeyed far together and I have decided my next book will be all teaching stories. Here is the first of many to come.

The Grandmother, the chief and omens

Grandmother pulled her robe closer as she looked up at the stars. It was a cold night for early spring and she wondered what the crops would be like this year.  She loved sitting outside watching the village sleep. She heard the gentle stirring of the wind as it began its morning journey across the land. Off in the distance the coyotes sang and an owl flew overhead.

She felt his presence as he stepped out of his Hogan, silently said his prayers and began walking toward her. Something was deeply troubling him. Perhaps he too felt the quiet whispers of the changes to come.

The horizon was just showing the first signs of light as he approached. Grandmother’s cooking fire was just springing to life as he settled onto the bench he had made for her as a boy.  What a gift watching him become a man. She was grateful he had turned into such a kind and loving leader. Grandmother handed him a cup of tea and slowly stirred the porridge.

They sat in silence, comfortable in each others company. Grandmother heard the owl again and pulled her robe a little closer. Death was in the wind or was it?

“What troubles you my son?”

“I feel the presence of death in the village. I am afraid someone I love will die. What if my wife or my son dies? I know I shouldn’t fear death that it is part of life but I just can’t shake this feeling. The feeling of darkness haunts my every step.”

“Are you sure it is death you fear? Did you talk to the darkness before you gave it a name?” The young man looked at Grandmother for the longest time.

“I am not sure what you mean. I feel the presence of death.”

The old woman poured another cup of tea and looked at the horizon slowly showing signs of the sun’s arrival. He followed her gaze and was struck by the beauty of this valley. He was filled with a familiar feeling of gratitude and peace.

Grandmother smiled as she looked at her young friend. They both sat in silence as they watched the sun come over the horizon. In winter and early spring the light always illuminated Grandmother’s place first, at her age she needed the extra warmth. A hawk flew overhead, circling three times before he screeched loudly and landed on a branch not too far away. He looked directly at Grandmother and began to clean his feathers.

“Each new day is an opportunity. We can fill the day with love and laughter, we can share our light and open our hearts to the gifts so freely given or we can walk with fear.  When we walk with love we have no choice but to see the perfection in all of life. No matter what is happening in the moment we can celebrate or deny the experience and bemoan our fate.

“When I was young I was asked to leave my village. I left in disgrace, failing to see the gift and walked with fear for many seasons. One night an old woman came to me and helped me see life through the eyes of love. She changed my life and shortly after that I came to this village where I was welcomed with love.  Since I met her I see the gift and the love in everything. I have learned to talk with the spirit of all things and am no longer so quick to name things. Once named, they are limited.  Did you talk to the darkness or just name it death?”

He thought for a moment before he replied. “I felt something I did not know. It was strange, like nothing I had felt before. It felt dark and ominous so I named it death. My fear spoke loudly and I forgot to talk with my spirit. Yes, Grandmother I named it before I spoke with it.”

“Really listening to our heart, taking time to connect with our spirit and listening is so important in our lives. I watch people read the omens and watch for signs but not take the time to go within. It is by going within that you will find the answers. If you read the signs, if your definition of the omens comes from an external source they may lead you astray.

“The hawk visited us and if I tell you what that means I rob you of the opportunity to ask your spirit what it means for you in that moment. We often deny our wisdom by projecting the past on the present moment. What you learn from someone else is knowledge. When you listen to your spirit you gain wisdom, a wisdom that comes from the heart of the Great Spirit that is filled with love and will only bring you joy.”

He bowed his head and gently kissed her check. “Thank you Grandmother. I will always remember your words and hold them close to my heart.”

He walked rapidly toward the path that led to the top of the cliff. She knew he would spend the morning there finding the voice of his spirit returning with the wisdom of love.

If only more people would take the time to do that what a wonderful world this would be.

With love and aloha,
Susan

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Teaching Stories

With awe, love and inspiration,
Susan

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What an incredible journey Peru has been

Today if you can’t help financially say a prayer, imagine angels bringing clean, clear water to every person on this beautiful planet. Perhaps forgo a cup of coffee and help the people in Haiti and the world today.

Haiti and the aftermath of the devastating earthquake has been in the news a lot. Here is a video from Charity: Water. Wouldn’t it be  nice if every man, woman and child had clean water on this beautiful planet we call Earth?

With love and aloha,
Susan

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World Water Day 2010

Soon the lotus and water lilies will be in bloom and the butterfly Koi will be lazily swimming along.

Enjoy!

With love and aloha,
Susan

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Spring Equinox Ceremony

Too much time is spent complaining about what is wrong in our community and not enough time is spent lifting up what is good and thanking the people that are doing good.

When was the last time you came across a letter to the editor that was positive? Why are our days filled with the sounds of people complaining? And are we guilty of adding to the chorus?

Make a commitment that starting today and once a week for the rest of your life you will sit down and hand write a note to someone somewhere thanking them for what they have done. It could be your child’s team coach or their teacher, it could be the person that waits on you at your favorite restaurant, and it could even be the government official that did something you were pleased with.

Be the change you want to see in your community by also being the person pointing out the good that is happening everyday around us.

One note, the thank you MUST be hand written and sent through the mail, an email or computer generated note will not do. Some of you must be there in the words of gratitude.

With love, gratitude and aloha,
Susan

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Once a Week