Clearing the Cobwebs

I've been feeling rather frustrated and annoyed the past couple of days but haven't been able to pinpoint exactly why. I've misplaced my motivation and my direction, just want to sit on the couch with a bowl full of popcorn and watch old movies all day. I've managed to take a couple of walks this week but even those were frustrating thanks to intrusive neighbors and an uncooperative walking companion (yes, Loki, I'm talking about you!). I think I need some alone time, just me, my i-pod and the dark of night. Maybe my mind as well as my body need the cobwebs dusted out.

Today's Daily Om made for interesting reading, something to ponder while I hit the pavement tonight..

January 13, 2011
Removing Obstructions
Allowing Our Light To Shine

When we don’t feel ourselves shining, we can tune inward to find the block that prevents us from shining our light.

There are times when we may not feel at our best and brightest. At those times we can take a look at what we might do to let our inner light shine to the fullest. Because we are physical, mental and spiritual beings, we need to determine where our spiritual light is being filtered or blocked. We can work from the outside inward, knowing that we are the only ones with the power to dim our lights, and as we clear away the layers we can get out of our own way to feel the warmth of our own light shining again.

As vehicles for our mind and spirit, our bodies require proper maintenance. Caring for ourselves is like polishing--helping to clear away the accumulation of physical debris that keeps us from operating at our fullest capacity. A simple shift in our thoughts can positively affect our mental state, moving from complaints to gratitude and applying the powerful light of love to any shadowy thoughts. A change of scenery can allow us to see the world in new ways too.

Once we are free of our restrictions, we can become still and connect to the power at the center of our being. It is always there for us, but when we forget to connect, or siphon our power in too many directions, we cannot make the most of our energy. Starting from the inside out may direct us to take the right steps for our journeys back to the light, but sometimes it can be difficult to find the stillness if our bodies and minds are in the way. As we practice steps to keep our energy flowing freely and without obstruction, we shine our light brightly, illuminating our own paths and making the world around us glow as well.

High Expectations

I thought my horoscope today might resonate with some of you, it certainly did with me.


November 20, 2010
High Expectations
Leo Daily Horoscope

Your high expectations of success may have you feeling apprehensive today. You may have concerns that the goal you had aimed for is out of your reach, leaving you feeling nervous and unsure of yourself. Our goals point the way, but when we have done our work, we must release them like balloons to float out into the world and do their work. We can have hopes for our goals, but ultimately detachment from their outcome will allow us to do what is ours to do and move forward knowing we have done our part. Holding on to expectations and becoming upset when they don't appear exactly as planned means we do not trust that the universe knows better than we might. When we trust in the wisdom of the universe today, we can trust that our dreams and goals, released to its care, will find their perfect places in the world.

As humans, we seek to control everything. As spiritual beings, however, we know that we are cocreators with the universe. When we can accept that we don't have ultimate control, we become willing to work with what life brings us with our best intentions. It can be difficult to release our hopes to the unknown, but the unknown is also full of possibilities we cannot imagine. We may think of only two possible outcomes for any scenario, but there are infinite possibilities in every moment. When we release our expectations, we open ourselves to the best possibility for us right now, today.

Beren and I some errands to run today, then there's housekeeping and holiday prep but in between I'll be logging some treadmill time as well.

Have a Beauty-Full Day,

A Thinking Post: Change

Daily Om
Begetting Change
Same Choices, Same Results

If our patterns of thought and behavior remain unchanged our lives will continue to unfold much as they have previously.

Repeated bouts of adversity are an unavoidable aspect of human existence. We battle against our inner struggles or outer world forces, and in many cases, we emerge on the opposite side of struggle stronger and better equipped to cope with the challenges yet to come. However, we can occasionally encounter trials that seem utterly hopeless. We strike at them with all of our creativity and perseverance, hoping desperately to bring about change, only to meet with the same results as always. Our first instinct in such situations is often to push harder against the seemingly immovable obstruction before us, assuming that this time we will be met with a different outcome. But staying power and stamina net us little when the same choices consistently garner the same results. A change in perspective, behavior, or response can do so much more to help us move past points where no amount of effort seems sufficient to overcome the difficulties before us.

Whether our intention is to change ourselves or some element of the world around us, we cannot simply wish for transformation or hope that our lives will be altered through circumstance. If our patterns of thought and behavior remain unchanged, our lives will continue to unfold much as they have previously. Patterns in which fruitless efforts prevail can be overcome with self examination and courage. It is our bravery that allows us to question the choices we have made thus far and to channel our effort into innovation. Asking questions and making small adjustments to your thought processes and behaviors will help you discover what works, so you can leave that which does not work behind you. To break free from those unconscious patterns that have long held sway over your actions and reactions, you will likely have to challenge your assumptions on a most basic level. You must accept once and for all that your beliefs with regard to cause and effect may no longer be in accordance with your needs.

Stagnation is often a sign that great changes are on the horizon. Courting the change you wish to see in yourself and in the world around you is a matter of acknowledging that only change begets change. The results you so ardently want to realize are well within the realm of possibility, and you need only step away from the well-worn circular path to explore the untried paths that lie beyond it.

Couldn't have said it better myself...

Have a Beauty-Full Day,


45 minute barefoot beach walk