Have you ever thought to yourself, Wow, if only there hadn't been Prince AND David Bowie. They're both so talented and I hate having to choose like that! But that's the way life is, I have to put my loyalties in one until the day I die and that's all there is to it. You've never thought that, right? Why would you? The world is better off for having had two very different and yet equally expressive people in it. Both shared something that uplifted people. Both were true to who they felt themselves to be - but in totally different ways. Both created brilliant music. There was enough room for both. More than enough. And if there hadn't been, the world would've made room because we are all in a constant state of expansion. But somehow we get it in our heads there's not enough room. We convince ourselves that rather than making the world better by adding our unique vision, color, and stripes to it, we're actually elbowing out someone else. Our win is someone else's loss. Or worse still, we will never win because everything is already too crowded so we should give up. This is something I have an inner battle with all the time. I know my work is unique, and rather than seeing that as a good thing, I see it as something I should fret over. I build this inner worry in me and protect it like it's a precious flower, when in fact, it's only blocking the light and putting shadows over the things trying to grow. There is never, ever a need to worry there aren't enough opportunities, clients, fans, resources, for all of us to do what we do. I learned to meditate from other people. No two people taught me the same thing, I took in different things from different people. So if everyone shared something important with me, then surely it's a good thing they all showed up and bravely shared their gifts, even if it appeared someone was already doing what they wanted to (and people were doing it, but not in their unique way). There are so many people who influenced me and got me excited about what guided meditations can do for a person. Two of my favorites are Kelly Howell and Meditation Oasis (by Mary and Richard Maddux). I have never once thought, Yikes, I just wish I hadn't found Kelly AND Meditation Oasis. Life would be so much simpler! In fact, it's the opposite. I'm so glad I found both because both were influential in my healing and expansion. I took in a lot from them, and I then created something different and shared from my own unique perspective. Not only is there room enough for Kelly and Meditation Oasis (and me too!), but there are plenty of people to support and enjoy both. Oh, but what about Deepak? Did his rise take customers away from them? And what about Gabrielle Bernstein and others who make meditations? And what about people who want to be actresses, musicians, artists, business owners? How can we all make it!!?? We can because we are all in a state of flow. Today I might buy a CD from Deepak. Tomorrow it might be from someone I've never heard of before. What we want, need and seek out is always evolving, and our growth is what allows all different types to succeed and grow with us. It's pretty amazing when you think about. So next time you're thinking there's too much competition to do what you do, that there's too many people already doing it, it's been done, that your win is someone else's loss, just remind yourself that these are false perceptions. A false perception would be that because Tony Robbins exists no more motivational speakers are needed. However, it doesn't matter if someone like Tony Robbins is already doing his thing on a massive scale. He's doing it his way, you'll do it your way. He's Prince. You're David Bowie. Or maybe there's no comparison at all. Maybe he's Friends and you're the X-Files. Or he's Avatar and you're the little indie movie that touched someone's heart at the exact moment they needed it. All different expressions are important and welcome. Also, keep in mind he didn't start on the level he is. Young Tony could have just as easily looked around at what other people were doing, let's say Young Oprah, and thought the world just didn't need him trying to elbow his way in there. We all know that's not true of course. The world needed him. The world needs you. The world needs me. Remind yourself of this often. Think of all the different people you've been drawn to, followed, supported and opened up to in order to help you further take it in - there's enough room for everyone to be who they are, do what they do, sell what they sell, and create what they create. Not only is there enough room, but there is a void left when you don't do what it is your heart is calling you to do. Do you ever meditate on trees and how they reflect us, our souls and our spiritual place in this world? I love doing this, and have found so many layers to it. There is first of all the concept of grounding down, receiving nourishment from the earth, while also reaching up, arms wide open to the Sun, the Universe, all that is above. Then there are the natural rhythms of the tree - the death and renewal it goes through each year, the quiet introspection of winter followed by the blossoming in spring. I also like to think of how a tree is a natural part of this world, something that makes the world feel more complete, more whole, more perfect. It reminds me that just as I am, I too am a natural and beloved part of the cosmic collective. It wasn't until I came across this image of a heart, with the veins visible, that I realized this metaphor goes even deeper. To see the veins so clearly looking like tree roots, roots that ground us into our own heart, roots that allow us to receive nourishment from our soul, our source of love, is something I could look at all day. It's also just so beautiful, and reminds me once again that the body is a mystical reflection of the beauty and majesty of the soul. Take a moment today to breathe into your heart. Breathe in from above, just as the tree receives the sun and oxygen from above. Pull in God, your Higher Self, the Love that permeates all of creation, and send it down through your roots, the veins of your heart. Let that flow out through you, carrying your divine connection to everything to all corners of your body with each beat of your heart. And then breathe in again, pulling up through those roots, pulling up from the earth, knowing that you are a child of this earth. You were nourished by food that grew in the soil, by water that flows through the valleys between mountains, and that every part of your body was first a part of the earth, and so shall it all return, because we are truly One with this world, in all ways, above, below, inside and out. "You cannot define yourself in reference to other external coordinates. You must define yourself internally, with your relationship to a higher entity. Think of yourself as a manifestation of some higher thing. Some higher frequency.
You can't see atoms, can you? And you certainly can't see the forces that hold atoms together. There, in the micro-quantum world, lie the answers to everything. We cannot understand it with our biological-rational minds, but we feel it intuitively. Get yourself in alignment with that stuff and you beam like the sun." - Russel Brand "I've learned that fear limits you and your vision. It serves as blinders to what may be just a few steps down the road for you. The journey is valuable, but believing in your talents, your abilities, and your self-worth can empower you to walk down an even brighter path. Transforming fear into freedom - how great is that?"
- Soledad O'Brien |