Welcome to my blog...

I'm using this blog to share articles I've written for a column for an online newspaper.

The title of my column is Spirit Corner.

http://elkridge.patch.com/columns/spirit-corner

I welcome comments and feedback on anything I've written.

And I also invite you to please feel free to share your thoughts and stories of inspiration.

The articles below appear in their unedited form as opposed to being slightly edited by the time it is posted in the newspaper.

Peace.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Letting Go

We’ve all heard the following phrases at some point or another: “let go and let God,” “detach with love,” and “attachment is the cause of suffering.”

Why is that we hold onto things so tightly and have trouble letting go?

How many times has someone wronged you in some way, and you suddenly become consumed with getting that person back. Your mind becomes clouded, rational thought flies out the window as you have one purpose. That purpose is to exact revenge in some fashion.

When we’re in this state of attachment, we are unable to think clearly and see the reality of the situation. We end up telling ourselves a story about what happened which may be completely off base. And the reality is the person who slighted you may have done it by accident and was unaware of their action. Or if it was done purposefully, we may not fully understand the problems that individual is dealing with which caused their negative behavior.

Staying focused on returning their misdeed only serves to exacerbate the situation by keeping you mired in negativity.

How about the instances in our lives when there is something that we really desire and want to have, such as a job for which we’ve applied, or the affection of someone we find attractive?

Many times, we end up obsessively fixating on the object of our desire, and subconsciously, we are causing what we want to slip further away from our grasp. By staying attached, we end up pushing things away. This is the opposite of what we want to happen.

However, letting go doesn’t mean not caring anymore, being a doormat or being nonchalant about everything. Letting go simply means you’re allowing doors of opportunity to open, you’re allowing the energy of creation to flow, and you’re allowing the energy of forgiveness to heal a situation.

The reason we hold on to things so tightly is our ego. Our ego is afraid of losing its control, as ego thrives on negativity, conflict, strife, and obsession. These unhealthy states of being give ego its power. And when we’re in a state of peace, calm, understanding, and forgiveness, the ego melts away as it no longer has purpose.

Of course, letting go is easier said than done. And as with all disciplines, it takes practice. And the good news is that there are plenty of opportunities out there in our day to day lives which give us the opportunity to exercise our natural ability to let go.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

New Year Manifestation

With the New Year arriving, many of us make New Year’s resolutions to start the year off in a positive frame of mind with specific goals we wish to achieve.

However, the reality is that many of the vows we make fall quickly by the wayside, as we have trouble keeping them, and the ideas we created to start off the year dissipate without ever actually manifesting. Why is this?

This happens because we come up with great resolutions in our head, and that’s exactly where our ideas and resolutions end up staying.

Instead of making the same old vows in your head, write out all the things you wish to do and want to manifest for the upcoming year.

By writing your manifestation list down, you are getting the thoughts out of your head and putting them on paper to show the universe that you are serious in what you intend to create and accomplish in the upcoming year. You are actually creating a contract between you and the universe when you put your resolutions in writing.

Feel free to write down anything you want to do or wish for, such as beginning an exercise program, creating a new relationship, or getting a new car. The important thing, however, is to be very specific and detailed in your lists.

For example, in reference to starting an exercise regime, write down all details surrounding your new undertaking. Such as first discussing it with a doctor, listing what exercises you plan on doing and for how long, and how you plan to keep track of your exercise program so you can see your progress in action, etc.

For the resolution of creating a new romantic relationship in your life, be very specific about listing the traits you want in a potential mate. Such as indicating the individuals age range, his or her personality, how that person’s relationship is with his or her family, employment status, health status, that he or she is single, etc. Also, write down how you plan on going about meeting new people.

For the new car, the same details apply. Be sure to cover all the bases on the exact specifications of your car (new or used, make, model, color, amenities, etc.) And also write down how you intend to get that car, such as listing a schedule of saving a certain dollar amount each week to put towards a down payment.

The New Year is looked at as a time of out with the old and in with the new. Now is the perfect opportunity to do away with the old way of making New Year’s resolutions, and instead usher in the new creative way of manifesting your desires and wishes.

Happy New Year!