consciousness, courage and cuticles

Back two weeks now and almost starting to feel normal again -- I mean the new normal! I am so much more aware of my behavior (for better or worse) than ever before. Instead of living for what's coming next I am living for what is happening now. Instead of flipping out over minutia I am seeing the big picture. Instead of feeling "I should" I am feeling "do I want to?" This whole existence is so simple and freeing yet to get to it does not have to be difficult. You don't have to sleep on the floor of an ashram in 110 degree heat or sit on a hard bench for hours on end in South America. That's why you have me!

Living consciously is a choice. Living consciously means I am in alignment with my greater good. Living consciously means I know when I am and when I am not in the groove. Its like your life is one big jigsaw puzzle and either the pieces fit perfectly or they don't. We all know when you try to jam a puzzle piece in (that'd be your ego) and it doesn't fit. That little nagging voice (no, not the one that tells you to step away from the new Spring bags and shoes); I mean the one that says "this doesn't FEEL right -- something is OFF here. That voice is EVERYTHING. It tells you how to proceed. The key is to LISTEN!! Yes people, its that simple. In order to listen you have to slow down, be quiet and check in. How else will your inner voice be heard? Put down the IPad, Blackberry, laptop, People Magazine and be heard!

This is a very scary and courageous way to live. It means going off the grid for short periods of time on a daily basis. I don't want to frighten you but its called meditation. Yes, the M word. If the word intimidates you call it "quiet time." Its a cure all for so many things (anxiety attacks, road rage, overeating, maxed out credit cards). You should see how beautiful my normally ragged and chewed cuticles look. Every time I unconsciously find myself zeroing in on a good hangnail I stop, take a breath (or two or three) and relax my body. It takes the urge away. Please don't hesitate to stop me on the street and ask to see my hands!

This having been Valentine's Day week I want to remind you all that EVERY DAY IS VALENTINE'S DAY IF YOU KEEP YOUR HEART OPEN.