Living In The Moment: The Art of searching less & finding more "special" moments.

Often on our journey we miss the beauty of the journey because we simply fail to see it. It becomes easier to stop paying attention as we start our day on our daily walk and interaction with the world but easier doesn't always mean better.

Our lack of awareness leads to many things, including missing all the wonderful moments we are searching for on our pursuit of happiness.

Many ancient practices for centering warriors and peaceful walkers alike focus on focusing in on the moment. Some call it "the zone", others "being locked in". No matter the name You give it know that its ability to multiply Your ability to produce results, peace and happiness are incredible and readily available to You. If, You choose, to create the habit of enjoying each moment. Seek less, find more.

Here's an exercise I've been utilizing over the past few months to help myself build up my habit of being in, and enjoying, a moment.

1. Sit somewhere.
 - I find a comfortable place to sit where I will be uninterrupted by internal or external forces that
need my attention.

2. Close my eyes.
  - Once I've found my spot I close my eyes to tune out the visual distractions around me.

3. Focus on listening.
  - Take in each sound You hear. How many are there? What are they from? Is there one that is particularly enjoyable to You? If so focus on it. Then switch your focus on the joy you feel. I let that good feeling grow about me.

4. Enjoy! 
  - Now, I focus on the joy I feel in that moment.

5. Attitude of Gratitude.
  - Once the moment has passed I give thanks for that moment. Sometimes this brings about another joy filled moment right away or sometimes I've got to sit a while and simply enjoy the moments in between.

6. Open my eyes.

Hope it helps you to remember how special the moments we are blessed with are.
Thank you for reading.
Until next time,
peace.
M.


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Dr. Maya Angelou. Thank You. (My Tribute).

#RIP #DrMayaAngelou

Wednesday May 28th 2014 We lost an icon. An inspiration. A Phenomenal woman.

As we remember Dr. Maya Angelou, let Us remember Her inspiring words in times where we are at Our lowest. I pray her words echo in those moments where rage looks to seep in, where despair hovers over Our hearts or where anger looks to block out the warming rays of love. Let us remember Her example and Her inspiring words.
when We do not want to go forward, when fear tempts Us to be still or when darkness threatens to blot out Our light.

When We fall for the umpteenth time let Us remember to stand up and give thanks that We can say "Still I Rise." When we fail let Us remember that there is so much that "we can endure, dream, fail at and survive." When we come upon things in life that We do not like, instead of complaining let Us remember that "if you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."

Let Us remember that "courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently," and that "making a living is not the same thing as making a life." Let us remember to continue to shine bright, to be a light and "be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud."

I pray that We are able to remember that forgiveness is "one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself" and that "love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."

Let us remember that it takes courage to dream and "the desire to reach the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise and most possible." It is most possible when we care about others because "people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Know that "nothing will work unless You do" and that even as we pursue Our dreams that we never lose sight of what success really is: "liking Yourself, liking what You do and liking how You do it." I hope We remember that "surviving is important, thriving is elegant," and that We continually aim to thrive and "have enough courage to trust love one more time. And always one more time."

Thank You Dr. Maya Angelou for Your wonderful contribution and Your amazing inspiration. But it's no surprise, after all You were a woman. Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that was You.
Me.

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"The Only Place I Chase Pain Is..." (#LearningToLove)

This wasn't always the case. Luckily, thankfully,

I'm finally #LearningToLove

Relationships are places we go to amplify whatever we are feeling. When we seek them in search of something that we don't yet have or with something that we don't quite desire we end up causing ourselves - I ended up causing myself and others - pain. And when we don't learn to acknowledge this pain we end up seeking it instead of seeking the amazing & transformational power relationships are meant to have, and that is to amplify the wonderful array of feelings & emotions we are meant to enjoy. Without a doubt challenges will arise and are a part of every relationship but they shouldn't habitually bring pain nor should we - should I - expect it in our relationships. At least that's my conclusion. And why now the only place I chase pain is in the gym, or during hill runs or track sprints (gosh darn those things hurt!) and not in my relationships.

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Poem - Jigga What? (Moment Of Clarity/Song Cry) or 'How I felt after seeing Jay-Z in Concert'

In my mind for awhile
No brother was any bigger
But I was all confused when I went
To see my brother Jigga
He had a bunch of white folks
Chanting out the word 'nigga'
My big brother broke my heart
Damn go figure
That my moment of clarity
Would come when I went to see Jigga
And I can't see 'em coming down my eyes
So I got to let my words cry
I can't see 'em coming down my eyes
So I'ma just let my words cry
Out that what I saw was bullshit
And I'm having a cow
Confused as hell
Trying to figure out how
We've gone backwards so far
And so gosh darn fast
Don't believe me?
Listen to rap music
Where I hear repeatedly on the radio
About 'niggers' & 'bitches' & 'gettin' ass'
Oh, and fast cash
So fast that we're taught
To use rubber bands as wallets
Cause it's made to quickly
Snap from our pockets
But now I'm stating the obvious
On one hand there's a president
Who is a 'minority'
But on the other we turn words of hate
Into the majority
A new form of slavery
With a new kind of master
And if we don't start paying attention
We're headed for disaster
For a terrible mess
For a repeat of history
Because the direction we are going
Leads back to where we used to be
Or maybe that's just me
My brother Jigga
Came to my home town
Sold out the ACC
And during his show
He confused the hell outta me
Now I'm searching for answers
Sad, working to figure out 'why'
But since
I can't see 'em coming down my eyes
I gotta let my words cry (words cry)
I can't see 'em coming down my eyes
So I gotta let my words cry…

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