Living with Courage

Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day.

It takes such courage to fully be ourselves, doesn’t it? We each have unique gifts which we bring to this World, but their manifestation can only happen when we are willing to move through our fears and courageously express ourselves. Our truest expressions take myriads of forms, and when it doesn’t look or sound like the norm, society can be discouraging. Whether the judging voices come from the outside, inside, or both, there is a need to disengage from the criticism to allow for a blossoming of our Beautiful authentic self to emerge. Only then can we live our highest purpose which in turn is of service to the planet.

What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

Somewhere inside of you, there is a voice wishing to be heard, a heart’s desire pleading to break through and be ushered into consciousness, if only you would have the courage to own your authority and give it wings. Peeling back the layers of other’s beliefs and opinions isn’t necessarily comfortable, but it’s the only way we become free to blaze our own trail. Living with doubts and allowing fears to keep us from being our truest and best self causes anxiety which with time will turn into regrets. What would you do if you knew you could not fail? What if you lived in a World of infinite possibilities and your ability to create yourself and the life you want was limited only by your own beliefs?

If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.

We all have so much more inner strength than we give ourselves credit for, and need only have the courage to tap into it. Set yourself on the adventure of being 100% authentically you. Resolve to tune out naysayers, instead speaking words of encouragement to yourself. You can. You can, Dear Reader. I know you have it within to be uniquely you as you bring forth your talents and share them with the waiting World. Life is Art, and all art has its admirers and critics. Life is Art, and being authentically you makes it all the more Beautiful.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

Making Friends with Hard Work

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.

“I just don’t have your discipline,” my girlfriend told me. She does have it within her, I suspect she’s just lost the drive. Her passionate fire has been doused by years of hard work without heart’s song. When we follow that which has meaning, the spark fuels us in our endeavors, allowing us to make friends with the hard work required to step into our vision with greater ease and grace. The path can hold its challenges, but life is about expansion and growth, only made possible by forging through fears which might otherwise hold us back, rising to meet the day-to-days of it all, and trusting that we have it within to succeed. Setting oneself to task and rising to meet the demands is an important part of our ultimate growth in life, one which allows us the room to discover that we have greater abilities, and more discipline, than we know. Discipline doesn’t sound very fun, but it bridges the way between our heart-centered goals and ultimate Amazing accomplishments.

There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.

We are all Artists, architects of our lives, and once a heart’s song is heard, we can begin to envision how doing the work we Love can be manifested into new forms, allowing ourselves to be of greater service to this Beautiful planet. Life is meant to be fun, and doing what brings joy smoothes the path and allows us to be better participants in the discernment dance required for success. You know the discernment dance, right, BeLoved Readers? Once goals are in place the temptations can arrive, and unlike opportunity with its subtle knock, temptations tend to demand attention by leaning on the doorbell. Balance is such an important barometer here, don’t you find? We can balance work and fun, but keeping priorities in check has its rewards.

There is nothing noble about being superior to some other man. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self.

Is it possible to use the energy of competition and comparison constructively? We are all Beautiful miracles, with incredible potential. Energy lies within us, awaiting our actions to assist in propelling us towards our best lives. We can always try to be a better version of ourselves, which is the best kind of challenge. Rising up to meet the goals only to do it again is exhilarating! Bringing forth greater versions of ourselves not only lifts us higher, but serves as an important mirror for those around us, as well. How does having greater discernment and discipline serve your life, Dear Reader?

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

Creating an Altar

While the altar often has a religious connotation, and most altars do have a spiritual element, one need not be religious to benefit from having one. There are many types of altars, but they all allow one to set up a personal space devoted to a particular focus. I have created altars for many years and have really enJoyed having an area devoted to my inner processes which allows for personal reflection. Whether you wish to make an altar for devotional practices, or to set aside a place for personal symbols, it is a Wonderful practice which will also Beautify your home or garden.

Creating an altar begins with the intention, and deciding how you wish to use the area. Once you have decided if you want to build your altar around a particular deity, saint, as a personal reflection space, or something else which has heart and meaning for you, find an area which will hopefully not be disturbed, with consideration for children and pets. I like to cover my altar with a cloth, but you may wish to paint or simply clean your altar. Use your intuition to decide which items belong on your altar, and know that these may change as you change. You may wish to include photographs, drawings, paintings, objects found, or gifts you’ve received. It can be as simple or detailed as you desire. Allow your altar to become a multi-sensory and Beautiful expression for yourself.

Since my recent move I have been excited about creating a new altar but was having difficulty in deciding where to put it. I decided to place my altar near the tree outside, which, with its four outstretched arms reaching towards the sky, would lend itself perfectly to becoming a personal reflection space. I placed a white durable cloth on a round table beneath the tree, upon which I placed candles and objects which represent each of the elements (earth, water, fire, air and spirit). I added a few special treasures found and gifted and my new altar space was born! I know that as the weather changes, it may have to be adjusted as well, but for now I have a Gorgeous area which has special meaning and is a gift to myself. How have altar spaces made their way into your life, Dear Reader?

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

Pura Vida

Since arriving in Costa Rica, I’ve been curious about the expression “Pura Vida” which I saw splashed across billboards, towels, t-shirts and heard often from the locals. While I knew that pura vida translates to “pure life”, I came to understand that the meaning encapsulates a Beautiful mentality of the tico culture. Pura vida is used as a greeting to mean both hello, goodbye, all is good, and even thank you, rather like the Hawaiian “aloha” or the Australian “no worries”, but holds even greater meaning, as it also encompasses the philosophy of living in balance, good spirits, and appreciation of the Beauty of the moment. While contextually it holds other meanings, such as “full of life”, “this is living”, “going great”, “cool” and even “f#ck it” this Lovely expression’s meaning is a mindset which recognizes that life is short and that it’s important to see the good in the grander scheme of life, in appreciation for community and the ability to persevere.

“But where did the expression come from?” I asked repeatedly, “Who started it?” With some research I’ve learned of a couple of theories about the origin of “Pura Vida” as the Costa Rican emblem. Wikipedia and other sources all agree that it began in 1956, some saying that the expression got its start from an exchange between surfers and the locals. According to Jose Melendez, a Costa Rican journalist who has done extensive research on the phrase, the expression arrived when the film Pura Vida arrived in Mexico in 1956. The main character in the film is an eternal optimist who cannot seem to get anything right, but maintains a great attitude of pura vida, the pure life which arrives with a positive mindset and appreciation for the good.

Pura Vida is a mentality of living in a flowing way which allows an appreciation for the Beauty of the moment and the gifts it holds. The expression carries the knowledge that all is in harmony and should be appreciated. As I sat on a Glorious sand beach where the lush greens of the mountains meets the clear blue of sea to watch the Sunset’s orangey glow across the sky I looked up at a local couple walking, “Pura vida,” they said, smiling. It is in these shared moments of Gratitude for the Beauty which makes its way through our lives that real understanding and appreciation for the saying will stay with me for the rest of my one precious, magickal and pure life.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

The Mindful Journey

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

“Oh my gosh, Kassie!” I proclaimed to my friend’s back as I watched her lithe form climb over the creek bed’s wall before us with ease and grace. I followed suit with less finesse, pushing any fears stirring in my mind aside. As an avid hiker with a curious and adventurous spirit, I am usually game for venturing a new path. Yesterday I found myself on a hike with a friend who likes to journey where there are no paths. Aptly nicknamed the “Rugged Faerie in Boots”, Kassie’s daring nature and agility is an Amazing thing to witness, and I appreciated the conscientious way she pushed me out of my comfort zone. Breaking through fears is such an important yoga in life. In order to grow and expand, we must mindfully push ourselves through our limitations, boundaries and comfort of everyday life.

Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.

While knowing our limits can be healthy, we must be careful not to allow self-limiting belief systems and fear of the unknown to confine our lives and keep us stuck and doubting of our own abilities. When I hike, it is usually along paths like the one pictured above; there are some steep hillsides, but it is all part of a journey within my comfort zone. During my hike with Kassie, I stepped outside the safe and predictable into the unknown, pushing my own perceived limitations. “You may want to know that you can do this,” she reminded me as she descended down an insanely steep hillside from which one might actually get vertigo. “Oh my gosh!” I exclaimed again, as I stretched my arms out for balance and cautiously edged my way down the unbeaten path, moving through my fears to the grassy knoll below.

The difficulties you meet will resolve themselves as you advance. Proceed, and light will dawn, and shine with increasing clearness on your path.

You know what? She was right! I can do it! And, as we traversed creek side and rounded the rocky, fern-lined path, I had to stop to admire the incredible Beauty of the expedition. Look what I could have missed! I highly recommend looking at self limiting beliefs. It is incredibly empowering to daringly break through. We are here to learn and grow, and can only do so through courageously exploring. So, let us go forward, towards those secretly longings of the heart, towards the light together, mindfully pushing through. What is standing in your way, Dear Reader?

Love and Adventurous Blessings,
Antonia

Gently Progress to Success

Start wherever you are and start small.

As we still the mind, the heart speaks of dreams wishing to be fulfilled, allowing us to strive for a greater good and grow with the continuous flow of life. But, how can we best achieve this? In a recent post I wrote about Standing at the Crossroads, and the process of letting go of what is no longer working in our lives, while embracing the new. The desire to simply leap across the divide between where we are now and the dreams of where we wish to be can be so great! But, the best route is to take slow, steady steps towards the goal. There can be many different types of obstacles which keep us from moving with consistent determination towards our goals, but by giving ourselves permission to proceed in gentle “baby steps” we can get there realistically and compassionately.

Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.

Nature does a remarkable job of patiently getting everything accomplished in slow, gentle steps. If we try to move too quickly, we risk procrastination, frustrations, or some form of burn out which will more than likely stagnate the process. Making life changes and following dreams takes a great deal of courage. By implementing small changes, allowing for the unfolding and reassessments along the way, we can evolve as nature herself does, patiently and successfully. In a recent conversation with Career Coach Tarra Christoff, she said that she calls this process “turtle steps” and reminded me of the Aesop fable about The Tortoise and the Hare. The slow moving tortoise challenges and beats the fast moving hare in a race, because, as the moral states: “Slow and steady wins the race.”

Have a bias toward action – let’s see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away.

With the goal firmly in mind, we shall move forward in more easily achievable steps, thus increasing the likelihood of arriving at the finish line. You deserve to have your dreams realized! I find it helpful to think of myself as the deeply rooted tree by the flowing river; I stay grounded and focused, yet flowing, trusting in the process while making it happen. Taking manageable steps in a disciplined manner can lead to big results. Nudge yourself along, stopping to celebrate the successes along the way. As Lao Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” What can you do today to move yourself toward your goals?

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

Time for Some Self-Love

To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.

I’m going to tell you a secret! Shhhh… just between us, okay? I don’t even remember who told me to do it, but she (yes, it was definitely a female) said it would feel awkward at first.. and, she was right. However, I am very grateful that I began and kept up with the practice, as it has improved my life from the inside out; which is the order of things, our being the creators/creatrix’s of our lives. “Simply look at your reflection in the mirror,” she told me, “and, tell yourself, ‘I Love you!’ whether you mean it or not.” Hmmmm… yes, well, as I mentioned, it did, in fact, feel a bit odd at first, but I continued to do it once or twice a day, everyday. It really does make a difference, which is why I am confessing this little secret to you. I believe that while the only constant is change, the times of late have been a touch more challenging for many people, and, thus, require more self-Love. By beginning each day with a smile and proclamation of Love, the self is given extra reassurance it will welcome.

He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.

There are other things which we can do in self-Love, to tend the body, mind and spirit in a conscious manner. I made a Bliss List which includes laughter, meditation, music, movies and many other things which can assist one in raising their vibration, quickly shifting a difficult day or moment. How we perceive our life situations begins within us, and our minds, so it is up to us to use tools to get us through these shifts and changes which might otherwise bring us down. This too shall pass. All is a constantly changing energy, taking new forms along the journey of life. If it’s Amazingly Gorgeous, drink it up and cherish the moment. If it’s feeling a little intense, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s all about to get really Beautiful. Then make it so for yourself. You so deserve it.

I to myself am dearer than a friend.

It’s time for many of us to be gentle with ourselves, appreciate the questions, and know that there are times when it’s okay not to know the answers. Let go. Surrender into the ‘not knowing’ and trust in the process. You are a shining and Beautiful soul, and you will be cared for. It all works out perfectly. It could be no other way. It’s all just a part of the ever-unfolding circle. So, go, now, to the mirror, and look at that Amazing reflection of Beauty and Perfection, and repeat after me, “I Love You!” Oh, yeah, sometimes I wink, too. Life is a rollercoaster, may as well Laugh and Love through it, right? That Love begins with you. What practices have you found, Dear Reader, to assist you through in self-Love?

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

Something Better This Way Comes

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

If there was one quote that summed up my life of late, the above nails it perfectly. I have been calling it the “spaghetti method,” in essence, throwing all I possibly can to the wall to see what sticks. Ha! The planting of seeds throughout not only Spring, but Summer as well, asking myself, “What can I do?” then setting to work to make it happen, knowing that as long as I do all I can, to the best of my ability, from a grounded and balanced place residing in faith, all will work out. Well, it’s been my experience in life that all does work out, and while it doesn’t always look like what I think it should, it’s for the best in the end. It’s in the darkest moments that the stars shine brightest and Beautiful Blessings can be counted. But, it’s all shifting. Can you feel it? The seeds are sprouting.

Life is like riding a bicycle – in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.

The winding down of Summer is such a Gorgeous time of year, as the high temperatures begin to cool here in Sunny Northern California, preparations begin for the next season of harvest. I am very excited about it. Watching that which I’ve worked so hard for beginning to show promise. That doesn’t mean that the work is over by any means. We shall continue in a Beautiful forward moving flow towards the goals. But, I have noticed that the pieces of the puzzles seem to be forming into a Gorgeous picture, promises of the gifts to come. Don’t fret about that which doesn’t ‘stick’, remind yourself instead that “Something better this way comes!” So, I give thanks for that which is to come, stay balanced, grounded into Mother Earth, trusting and yet continue to do what I can each day. My success is up to me, right?

What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step.

Eye on the prize, Baby! Yes, we are the Co-Creators/Creatrix’s of our lives, the storytellers of the tale, so having goals clearly set, and a plan of action on how to accomplish these goals is of great importance. Then, we can move towards the goals, inch by inch, to our successes. Taking the next step, making it happen. I also have found that I am getting support in the most Wonderfully unexpected ways. It’s Beautiful and so appreciated, as people come forth into my life, both new and old friends alike, each a gift in some way. We’re all mirrors, representing Beauty or shadow, both a reflection needed to assist in the manifestation of the story, or puzzle. It does fit together. Can you see it coming together, Dear Reader? Stay grounded and centered, do what you can and keep your focus, because it’s very close, and it’s going to be Amazing!

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

Letting Go for Better Flow

It all depends on whether you have things, or they have you.

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time and energy assessing and reassessing the material possessions I’ve chosen to keep in my life. What has true meaning and brings me Joy? What’s worth keeping and what would serve other’s lives through my willingness to let them go? While I understand all too well the reservations one might have for not wanting to go through possessions, reassessing, getting rid of things and clearing the clutter, there are so many excellent reasons for pushing through any resistance you have and doing so anyway. First of all, let’s look at it from an energetic perspective: everything is energy and clutter is low vibrational, stagnant energy which decreases our ability to focus, is stressful and draining. This stuck energy is thus reflected in our personal, and professional lives, negatively affecting our psyche, creativity, and general flow in life. I promise that once you begin getting through any clutter you’ve accumulated, you’ll quickly begin to feel happier and lighter, as you raise the vibration of your surroundings and yourself.

If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.

Does your outer environment reflect your authentic self? There is a connection between our personal environment and our inner selves. You’re not just going to face your physical stuff, but come to a resolution with your past and incomplete processes. YAY! Good for you for being willing to face those old college papers, remnants of relationships past, and anything else you’ve understandably been hesitant to go through and let go of. You shall no longer be a victim of your possessions and stuck environment. By clearing clutter and removing that which you’ve been hanging onto, you’re putting yourself in the driver’s seat and taking back control of your life.

The old adage ‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ is so simple and so true. If you have to spend a great deal of time looking for things, you’re wasting time and energy, which will end up in frustration and feelings of irritation. If things are organized and systematized, not only will you feel in a flow, but the results are a better alignment with the principle of prosperity and abundance. There is also a Beautiful flow about completing one’s processes, as you’re continuing to move in a positive forwardly and organic direction, rather than staying stuck in the past. With this flow, you’ll feel better, expend less energy and experience greater harmony within yourself and environment.

One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach.
One can only collect a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.

If all of this hasn’t convinced you to tackle those piles of papers, boxes, or hodge-podgy drawers, then I’ll ask you to do so for the environment and your fellow Soul Siblings. As we’re all connected, your decreased clutter and ease of movement on a day to day level will reflect greater peace throughout. Also, giving Rocks! It’s also very green! Loading up your car with all of the stagnant energy in your environment and taking it to local libraries, or other charities is such a great feeling. As much as I Love books, for example, a recent large donation to a local library brought such a Joyful feeling as I thought of how many people could now enjoy them! Or, sell what you can and reinvest the money into something which makes you happy and adds value to your life. And, when you return to your organized, higher vibrational home, you are going to be Amazed by the wonderful results rippling out from your life into the World at large! Happy clearing, BeLoveds.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia