The Most Important Part of....

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well. And taking care of yourself. And finding ways to contribute, however that looks for you.

This article was inspired from hearing a number of people predicting the future in unhelpful ways. It reminded me of all the power our thoughts have. I hope it's helpful. Big virtual hugs to you. 


“The most important part of our diet are the thoughts we are thinking.”- Russell Delman

I remember sitting on my purple zafu in a circle of humans, in a simple and beautiful big windowed room, at Santa Sabina retreat center in San Rafael, California ---when these words were spoken and landed so soundly in my body. 
I remember ribbons of light dancing across the room.
I remember the stillness. 
I remember the hummingbirds darting and spinning around the pink flowering bushes out the front door earlier that morning.

 And those words are resounding loud and clear these days. 
 

Thoughts are things. 

They are energy. 

They have power.

They create a reality.

And we are not our thoughts.

We are not our bodies either. 

Or a lot of other things. 

We are more than all that.

We are miracles.

We are creators.

Mind your thoughts.
What goes in. What comes out.
What floats through. And circulates again and again.
Pay attention. 
Like how you would keep an eye on a 2 year old playing on the shores of a lake.

If an unhelpful thought roams through, or is spoken to you, or you read. Take a breath.
Settle your body. Scan your environment. What do you need to come back to this moment?
And
Be a titch hawk-like during this time. A gentle loving one.

Take note of the thought. Be kind to it. But don’t let it run the show. 

Don’t let it become solid.

The thoughts we think are part of what creates our reality. 

Part of what become the norms we live by.
Even now. In these moments.
Change your thoughts and you take a step in changing our reality. 

And. 

Be mindful of the words you utter to others too!
Particularly the words and language about what is happening in the world right now.
And most especially about the future.

Because......an important reminder---

The future hasn’t happened yet. 

The future is not the past. 

Nor does it need to follow in any of the pasts footsteps.

Saying that though. Affirming the past as the future. Well, that's a way of making it so. Isn’t it?

Closer to the truth.

The future is ours to create. 

Let’s imagine it in an expansive, creative, big possibilities kind of way.

Your words matter. My words matter. Our thoughts and feelings matter.

Tend your thoughts. Gently reframe any unhelpful stories.
This is a great time to do Bryon Katie's work.

Is it true? 
Can you absolutely know it's true?
How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought. 
Who would you be without that thought?

And-----
Cultivate elevated, life enhancing feelings. And be altruistic. Its great for your immune system. 


Love and kindness. That's what my Mom would say.

I encourage you to limit  mainstream media, it decreases your ability to be resourceful. Read or listen to what’s essential for you to stay well, be basically informed, and support others. 

And listen to things non mainstream. Widen your perspective. Question everything??? Listen deeply to your heart. Listen to things that inspire hope. That inspire generosity. That evoke love and care and sharing.
 

Let's talk for a minute about what you can do with your imagination!

Instead of sharing stories about a bleak future that hasn’t happened yet. We can imagine something better.
Because...
Remember there are no facts or absolutes about the future. Of course. It hasn't arrived yet!

Here is something you can do. Simple and helpful. For both your heart and mind and our future!
Take 2 minutes or 10 minutes everyday to:

Imagine the world you want to live in. 

Feel it.

Smell it. 

See it. 

Touch it.

In technicolor.
(have fun with this)
 

And then begin to live into that future now, In whatever, big or small, way you can.

Our imagination can power a new world.
One where love and kindness are the currency.
Equity and inclusivity are a given.
 And reverence is the air we breathe.

Put that in your pipe and think it!!!

You've got this.
We've got this together.
Love,
Carol

p.s. Casey and I re-branded our journal and we have a free mini PDF available and a five day challenge (15 minutes a day, starting next Monday, if you are interested. Welcome to WonderupRising!!!
p.s.s. I've got a free zoom call coming up soon. To offer some guided meditations and other strategies to bring us back to now and settle our nervous systems. I'll keep you posted.