Love is a bridge to infinity

So much is written about connecting through vulnerability. The fear that stops many from experiencing vulnerability is the fear of “not enough”.  We think: how will you possibly accept me and love me for who I am if I don’t even fully know who I am or have the ability to love the facets I don’t quite understand.

Yet, we know that connecting through vulnerability is powerful and moving; perhaps the underlying fear is that we will be moved to a place that is unfamiliar with variables that we will be unable to “control”.  To be vulnerable is to trust fully in the moment and allow flow to bring us to “that place” of orgasmic amplitude.  The place where passion resides and anything can (and does) happen.

I have been online this week, quietly absorbing messages and insights and reflections.  The volume of work available felt comforting to me, a wonderful affirmation of the joy of learning and gently stretching into the expanse of World.  I felt the desire to participate as a student, mind and heart open to absorbing and filtering and processing.

In a week full of work with clients, balanced by hours with Ocean, one might say I have been immersed in clarity and flow.  An invitation from Universe to gently stretch into new space.  I graciously accepted this invitation—allowing curiosity to open doors previously bolted shut.

Each session with a client is also my own journey within.  Each client asked in their own way: how do you even allow yourself to dream, let alone allow those dreams to become your reality.  This questioning inspires me to re-visit the truth of living within alignment and to embrace the reality of infinite possibility within each moment.

The answer in words:  trust, faith, and the ability to open your heart to the moment as it is presented to you.  Allow fear to inspire, love to guide, and Source to surprise.

The answer in example: my story of making love in the moonlight.

Every night I fell asleep in my v-berth on the boat, moonbeams cascading down the mast through the hatch above my head, onto my bed.  Every night I slept bathed in moonlight.

For perspective, as a young girl I would look to the stars, pick out constellations, and wonder about space travel.  As a woman, I used the cycles of the moon in my energy work and taught my children about constellations and the importance of allowing the sky to reflect to you.  I even sent my children to space camp so they could have the opportunities to explore and experience World in ways that had not been available to me at their age.

My favorite evenings were full moon celebrations and new moon rituals and shooting star sightings.  So, to sleep bathed in moonlight every night was like being wrapped in ethereal love—a sign from Universe that this was absolutely right.   Having just stepped out of a life of chaos, abandonment, and abuse, and onto the dream of this boat, I didn’t understand earthly world much, but as moon wrapped me nightly, I did know I was loved fully and my presence mattered.

After many nights of being wrapped in moonlight, I began to wonder what it would feel like to be wrapped so comfortably in a lover’s arms.  I wondered what it would feel like to make love in the moonlight…what type of person would I need to be, and would this lover who would resonate with that person even exist.  So far out of my realm of possibility, I could only wonder.

Still broken and bruised in all realms, my mind said that would be most impossible and quite unlikely because I am not about to allow it past fear, doubt, and barriers.  Don’t even try.  End of story.

But moon continued to hold me in the highest possible light.

Living on a project boat alone with my two children was a dream come true that increased in depth as I did the internal work to release resistance and to heal and grow and learn.  Years passed—five to be exact–during which I discovered the power of magic and how to move energy internally to magnify the magic.  I learned how to tap fully into flow, and to allow the current of life to guide me.  My resistance was strong, and it took a while to learn to align with truth and become confident enough to create from and share it.  A gentle process of opening my heart to the moment as it was presented to me.  Gradually, my life truly became as magical as I allowed it to be.  I lived magic.  Every moment.

Making love in the moonlight was no longer in my mind and time was no longer relevant as a space holder.  There was no reason to hold space, because life was beyond delightful and every moment contained something to feel gratitude for.

So, when love entered my life, it was very unexpected because it wasn’t in my mind, and I hadn’t “asked for it”, although I had invited it in.  With great ease and joy, I received love into my space.  And when moon shone, our hearts lept in gratitude, together.  There was overflowing abundance in each moment, I felt such gratitude. That gratitude opened my heart to the moment as it was presented, beyond fear, past self-limiting anything, to the glorious experience of now.

I didn’t share my heart whisper with him, because it wasn’t at surface, so, on the night he opened the hatch and moonlight poured in as he bundled me into his arms as he kissed me, all I could feel was that moment.  Making love in the moonlight was the most beautiful experience because in those moments I felt my past colliding with my present, collaborating with my future.  Gone are expectations and limitations and fear; replaced with the knowledge that everything truly is possible, when we allow it to be.

Living infinite possibility is a journey of gratitude and trust.  We may read and study…but only when we apply full presence to living, will we experience.

If you are ready to experience magic, may you allow me to guide you.

When you whisper, it is answered.  When you allow Universe to delight you, it will.

This article was inspired by: Sandi Amorim: 14 Quotes to Fire Up Your Genius, Julie Daley: Awaken the Wild, Pema Teeter: Writing and the Safety to Heal: How do you Know When a Story Matters.

Much peace and abundant love,

Joy

Reminder: Experiment. Explore.  Experience.

If we know the divine art of concentration,

if we know the divine art of meditation,

if we know the divine art of contemplation,

easily and consciously we can unite the inner world and the outer world. – Sri Chinmoy

We live in a world in which we are consistently bombarded with nudges to search, seek, create, be, do, move.

Some of us are afraid if we sit too long, we will become complacent and “forget to live” so we are constantly on the go.

Some of us feel scarcity in all realms and think the way to abundance is to labor extensively, intensively.

We are left feeling exhausted: our physical and mental space cluttered with layers, our connections draining, our creative expressions stale, yet we cannot figure out why. We are listening to World and giving it our all, only to feel that something is missing.

As Alex Blackwell cautions in his article The Art of Losing Yourself “The busyness of our lives can lure us into thinking that activity equals progress.“

We wish for the experience of inner peace, in this moment, as we are.

Lori Deschene sums it up well in this passage from her article: “This Moment is Worth Savoring”: “So much of our language about the things we enjoy in life revolves around getting ahead. We wonder where our relationships are going. We plan to move forward in our careers. We talk about maintaining momentum with new projects. None of these things are necessarily bad. We naturally crave growth to feel a sense of purpose and progress.”

May I present you with another way to consider?  As a single mother of two children, at the beginning of living my dream of being a location independent solopreneur –my days are full.  Children’s activities, solitude in nature, clients, writing, household duties, and connecting with loved ones could potentially take my entire day and if I add to that movement in all realms, wow, scarcity could set it in and peace could remain elusive.

I choose to honor organic growth as I create from abundance.  Organic growth is honoring natural cycles, patiently cultivating and nurturing and gently stretching.  Organic growth allows us to release our urge to hover, and to invest our energy into celebration of the process.  We are able to access an abundance of time, energy, full creative expression, and resources because we allow our beings the necessary period to Feel it all.

And, let us remember our purpose.  While mothering my children is a blessing and all else allows me to experience extraordinary on a daily basis, none of that is my purpose.  My purpose is to be love.  Not: love on the go, love when I have time, love if it fits onto my to-do list.

We live our purpose when we invest full presence in this moment.  We are able to invest full presence when we are aware.  We are most aware when we allow our senses to absorb the stimulus around us.  We are able to absorb the  stimulus when we are moving slow, savoring all that is presented to us, and allowing gratitude for all that we are presented with.  This is an organic, full of ease practice.  A gentle heart opening.

When we honor this practice,  we are still creating, doing, being, moving; our beings are exploring, our world is expanding.  However we are feeling enriched and enlivened because we are not reacting to life, we are investing into living.

In such a way, we are able to experience inner peace in this moment, regardless of external circumstances, and that inner peace allows us to live infinite possibility.  We are able to fully enjoy the experience because we are fully vested in the experience. 

Move slow and savor; allow World to delight you and it will.

What is one practice that you may begin today, to allow your senses the delight of absorbing the moment?

Much peace and abundant love,

Joy

Reminder: Experiment. Explore.  Experience.

(Please)

Let go.

Release the weight that renders you motionless.

Loose the ties that bind.

Remove the clutter from your space.

gently stretch. (mmm…divine…can you feel that?).

Look to the sky.  (Yes, right now, where you are).

Accept the invitation.

Decline the drama.

Unfurl your heart whispers.

Let silence answer your questions.

Trust.

Embrace expansion.

Appreciate the moment, as it is.  And all in it.

Fall in love.  Yes, Fall. in. Love.

Forget balance, gravity, the laws of earth and send your spirit soaring! (How high can you go?  I triple dog dare you!).

Establish boundaries and honor them.

Say “I Love You”.  When you mean it.  Simple, direct, genuine.

Make a meal of fresh produce and celebrate the harvest, the bounty, the nourishment as you eat.

Drop the excuses.

Connect. to life enriching, spirit enlivening.

And disconnect. from all else.

Dance.  (You know how).

Share.  Generously.

Recycle. Everything.

Believe.  because it is always possible. (if you tell me it’s not, I can’t hear you).

Tell your story.  not the one in your mind, but the one your heart.

Respect.  Revere.

Laugh.  until your abs speak to you.

Allow World to delight you.  and it will.

What might you add to this list?

For added inspiration, here is list of positive quotes by JD Meier. 

Much peace and abundant love,

Joy

Reminder: Experiment. Explore.  Experience.

What I wish to share is from a vulnerable space.

In the span of the last seven days, a huge wave of “something” crashed into my little life. Already in an adjustment phase of settling into this move, in the throes of doubt spurred by a relationship that began to slowly unwind to this last thread of almost non-existence, this wave full of “new stuff” knocked me over and nearly knocked me out.

I love the power of the ocean, her surges and her currents and the thrill of navigating it all. In the midst of external and quite frankly concentrating on the importance of breathing (because in crisis mode, I tend to ‘hold it in’ instead of allow full breath to tap into flow), I temporarily forgot *love* of anything. Blinded by doubt, I forgot who I was and what I was capable of…and only when I went to the ocean last night to celebrate Full Moon, did I fully remember.

(Note to self: when in “crisis”, remember the importance of celebrating the magnificence of the moment…Full Moon rose, and I wished to accept the invitation to dream!).

This is not about external and how it can be overwhelming. It is about experiencing peace in the midst of that external. Today I reflect to you that *we are* that peace. When I allow external to derail me, it is only because I have forgotten that I am not of external at all….I am of energy and flow and full breaths and expansive space. I am of butterflies and glitter and blossoms and fragrance so sweet it invites others into my realm. I am those “others”. I am nothing and everything simultaneously.

A wave can knock me over only when I am off-balance. It is not for me to be upset with the wave, nor is it for me to be upset with my self. It is for me to stand back up, allow sunshine to dry me off, wind to carry my heart whispers, and beauty to fill my vision. It is for me to thank the ocean for the reminder of power and beauty and the thrill of being alive and the ability to Feel all that I am capable of feeling.  It is for me to look into my life and re-align… lovingly, joyfully.

Some people choose to numb their hearts. I understand this coping mechanism. I have used it in the past. It ultimately doesn’t work for me to close my heart to a situation, because in essence that is closing my heart to flow and flow is my essence. When I find I am “unable to breathe” I do not close my airways, I do what I can to open them to breathe fully. Same with heart wounds…

We think we cannot change external, but we can.  While my grandmother’s health is precarious, and my children require a chaperone and cook (*grin*) and my career offers daily opportunities to learn; disengaging my mind allows my heart full access to faith, gratitude, and love.  External no longer seems an obligation to deal with, but an experience to invest in fully.

So, I found myself at the beach last night, to celebrate the full moon with my children. “The full flower moon—a time when buds have transformed into blooms, reminding us is it time to do the same”-Jamie Ridler (check out her full moon dreamboards—a wonderful practice that I highly recommend). I brought my drum, my barefeet, my hula hoop, and my spirit. And, ironically, as I walked at water’s edge in my sundress in the moonlight, a wave came right up and soaked me from midway down. And I could only laugh…thank you for the affirmation…and keep on walking…

(I love when my clothes are soaked with saltwater–to me it is a symbol of immersion into flow).

It is my goal to invite you to open your heart fully, for this moment truly is a gift, and we can only delight in the full glory of it if we are fully present to it.

How may you best honor this season of abundant blossoming?  What creative expression is bursting inside, just waiting for the opportunity to bloom?

Thank you for your presence.  May you experience the joy of allowing your heart whispers to roam and return a reality.

Much peace and abundant love,

Joy

Reminder: Experiment. Explore.  Experience.

Sometimes our palette becomes so familiar to us,

we forget that we can mix colors, add texture, and enjoy the process as we create anew.

As a child of abandonment raised in chaos, I established a tendency toward perfectionism very early-on. Thinking that if I was “perfect”, it would establish order; if I could present you with “perfect”, you would stay.

I was not perfect, but I was a lot of things: well-rounded, well-educated, well-mannered, well-versed in spiritual practice…and scared to even entertain the idea of a box of 64-color crayons because those around me barely colored at all, so using anything beyond the “norm” of a simple eight-color box would put me on the precipice of innovative.  To experiment in any way would set me apart, and by mere definition “apart” is separate, thus (in my mind) was potentially as devastating as abandoned.

I understand that in childhood, perfectionism was my way of trying to control external events because I didn’t have the internal trust to know with great certainty that all would be well.  This eventually led me into areas of life that were not particularly interesting nor fulfilling to me. I was ‘well’ at everything, yet dying inside.

Each time I chose to color “my way”, I was allowing a bit of my Spirit to rise…until eventually I became *joy*.

It is with gratitude, wonder, and awe that when I became a mother and introduced art to my children, I would provide them with myriad supplies and allow them to experiment with free-form art.  I mirrored for them that ‘art’ is not necessarily a tangible product (it may be) but a way of living and creative expression is the process of allowing our heart whispers full reign to breathe, roam, and become reality.  You take the supplies you are presented with,  add some of your own favorite tools; mix in a lot of faith and imagination; add a bit of spunk, and moxie; then, celebrate each moment of creation.  This is how my little family creates and lives.

Now, when I find perfectionism present, I know that is my sign that I am in unfamiliar territory in life and about to revert to a simple eight-color box because it seems familiar, predictable, safe to me.  In essence, “stuffing my spirit” back in the box.  When I am afraid to make a mistake, that is mind telling me I’ve ventured “too far into vulnerability”, while heart is open fully, reaching for the bigger box, mixing colors and lightening space with bold, daring strokes.

While those who know me well would tell you that, in general in life, I “play” big  (that would be accurate), I know that in recent months, I began to shrink (for me).  As I created new and different, I cared what people thought (those who have been creating “longer” or “better” or “successfully”) and they generally didn’t agree with, or understand, my way of creating. Creating what, you ask?  Relationships, movement, career, travel plans, this moment, life…

Fortunately, I love to learn, and Universe presents my lessons in ways that I may best receive and understand.

I would like to share this story of illustrious change:

I love to play with color, in my space (have you noticed that since my move, my Flickr photos on the sidebar are no longer “just” beachy blue, sunset gold, but also now vibrant green and lush terrain with flowers and growth?), my clothing, my hair.  A few years back, my hair was jet black, red, and pink; since then, my daughter has asked if she could color her hair.  I consistently said no.  I believe the reality is that I must have cared what others would think (yes, I live an unconventional life, so why hair color would trip me up, I really cannot explain!).

This week, my daughter had a birthday.  All that she truly wanted (her heart whisper) was to color her hair.  I said no.

Then, my grandmother was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital for a complicated surgery…a woman who based her life upon what others thought, yet was often entertained  by the stories of my latest creation (adventure)…I have a feeling I colored life like she wished she had the ability to.

I have released a lot in these past few days, layers of guardedness and protection and barriers to flow.

I colored my daughter’s hair–pink and red under her lovely blonde layers.  (And bleached some highlights into my son’s).  One might use “unbridled joy” to describe their reaction.

The truth:  My grandmother is in the hospital struggling to recover.  I called her and told her I colored my daughter’s hair pink and red.  Because of the tubes and her condition, she couldn’t speak, but I think she shrieked (ha!). Because it takes six weeks for the color to fade, and I know that the thought on my grandmother’s mind is ‘what will the cousin’s think’ and I bet anything she is now concentrating on recovering because it matters that much to her.

And, I am left to ponder this thought:  Is “fearless” the absence of fear, the presence of great faith, or the point when one is tapped into flow and truly trusting the Divine plan.

Your pain is the breaking of the shell
that encloses your understanding.

Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its
heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.

And could you keep your heart in wonder
at the daily miracles of your life, your pain
would not seem less wondrous than your joy;

And you would accept the seasons of your
heart, even as you have always accepted
the seasons that pass over your fields.

And you would watch with serenity
through the winters of your grief.

–Kahlil Gibran

I leave you with this quote from an empowering article “Risk Being You” by Raam Dev: “There is nothing worth avoiding who you are because who you are is worth more than anything you could risk.”

Thank you for your presence.  May abundant color, texture, and light be yours to create with and enjoy.

Much peace and abundant love,

Joy

Reminder: Experiment. Explore.  Experience.

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If you are unable to watch the video here, please click this link to view the video on youtube.

Here is the text for the video:

It is an honor to be here on Earth; when we allow that reverence to guide us, each moment is a miracle.

When we wake in the morning, may we greet the day with gratitude.  Thank you for this beautiful morning.  Thank you for warm sheets, refreshing sleep, a fresh canvas to create upon.

In such a way, we are centered in gratitude and open to love, before we leave the comforts of our bed.

Sometimes we are reluctant to leave that comfort.  Why?  Because we have allowed our moments to be full of obligations, rushing around, busyness.  When we allow gratitude to guide us, we re-member that this moment is a gift.  We treat our gifts with care, with joy, with love.  For a gift reminds us that we matter, to someone, we are loved.

Might you consider that World loves you?  The beauty and majesty of earth is presented to us each day, if only we are willing to see it.  I invite you to take the time to see the magic in the space around you.

What do we do to receive this gift?  We exist, and it is presented to us.

When we allow this moment to be a gift, we allow our hearts to effortlessly connect to infinite possibility.

Within infinite possibility lies faith, hope, dreams, peace…for we know we are enough, we have enough…and this “enoughness” allows us to trust, to stretch, to grow…to be bold in loving, in creating, in receiving.

As we center in gratitude, our vision is lit by appreciation and love: reverence.  When we move from the comforts of our bed, to the joys of the day, may we thank our bodies for being the vehicle that carries us, regardless of external.  We thank our bodies not with mere words (although words matter, when is the last time you told self, thank you for being you?  Powerful.  Transformative).  We thank our bodies by holding them in reverence.

When we hold our bodies in reverence, we treat them well.  We nourish our physical, spiritual, mental, emotional in myriad ways.  Effortlessly.  With joy.  Because we wish to—a very light feeling.  Can you feel the internal shift already?  Try it: thank you for being you.  Beautiful.

As we move through day, may we consider the practice of sending a silent Namaste to All in our vision.  Namaste: the Divine in me sees/celebrates the Divine in you.  When we are able to see the Divine, we realize we are connecting with Divine and this moment is now a wonderful treat to explore, experience.

Gone is doubt and fear replaced with faith and joy and love and gratitude.  Without changing external at all, we have accessed inner peace, and the willingness to allow for full creative expression.  Because we recognize the fullness of the moment as it is and allow that abundance to flow through us.  We share generously and we receive graciously.

Practicing reverence, concepts that previously might have felt foreign to us: presence, awareness, organic growth, unfolding, abundance naturally rise.  Our internal shift naturally extends to our external circumstances.  We honor simplicity, cleanliness, nourishment, movement, creative expression not as a chore, but as a pleasure.  We are not “doing” something to check it off of a list, or because we were told to, we are being it because it feels absolutely right.

In such a way, when we end our day, back in our beds cocooned in warmth and comfort, it is with the same gratitude for waking as we consider now gently going to sleep.  We feel peace as we look back upon our day, and in such a state we fall into a restful sleep.

Nothing to resist, or struggle with, an entire day to embrace and love.

What we love, we treat with care.

Might I repeat: It is an honor to be here on Earth; when we allow that reverence to guide us, each moment is a miracle.

{This article is dedicated to my grandmother.  This past Sunday morning, she was admitted to a hospital –in NY–for a complicated emergency surgery.  Her life holds valuable lessons for me.  A woman of great faith and a huge heart I learned from her the principles of love, joy in service, and music and dancing—the core of who I am.  However, when my grandfather passed away twenty years ago, I watched as her vibrancy faded and she allowed her memories to shadow her ability to wish to live fully.  I never understood it, it wasn’t for me to heal it; however, it became my purpose to affirm Love to World.  We teach what we wish to learn.  It has been an honor to learn this wonderful lesson.  Love has enlivened me and allowed me to be who I am.  I haven’t “lost” love, each precious nugget is integrated into all that I experience and create.  The gifts of clarity and insight that I share allow those who wish, to experience peace in the moment they are in.  My life is a tribute to those whom have chosen to love me.  I live in gratitude}.

Love doesn’t hurt, and this moment is a gift.  When you know that, when you can feel that…freedom is yours.  It is my wish for you to experience that freedom.

Thank you for your presence.

Much peace and abundant love,

Joy

Reminder: Experiment. Explore.  Experience.

If my work has touched you in any way, may you consider donating here.  Due to extraneous circumstances it would be most helpful at this time.

Each dollar amount is graciously received and greatly appreciated.

When we choose love,

We build a bridge.

When we choose forgiveness,

We bridge the chasm.

He loves me.

(He loves me not).

The Divine experience is in choosing to love,

The end result is always a heart opening.

Delicate beauty,

Fragrant desire.

Heart whispers unfolding into reality.

Much peace and abundant love,

Joy

Reminder: Experiment. Explore.  Experience.

An invitation to blossom: Sharing the Abundance, through April 30, 2012.

vibrant hues, varying texture, and experiences

that allow for organic expansion.

This is a photo of my new “backyard”.  If one chose to browse through my Flickr photos (listed on my sidebar), one would see that my new backyard is not at all similar to my “old” one.

For the last seven or more years, I have lived within a very secluded, protected beach community steps away from the ocean (or for the five years when my children and I were recently live-aboards on the boat, actually on the ocean).  My refuge, the essence of my being, the place where I felt able to freely express myself in all ways.

In hindsight, I see that I had built a sacred container–a safe “island” of a place for me to heal, grow, learn, become. Blossom.  And, so I have.

Having stepped out of chaos into peace, of abuse into care, I “needed” that space.  Sacred containers are wonderful tools one may use in connecting and creating, yet let us think of potted plants.  As the plants thrive, the containers no longer hold them and soon the same container that encouraged growth begins to hinder it.  And so it was with the sacred container of my beach community.

There came a moment when I realized that all of my photos were similar in color, in background, in vision–ocean, sunsets, moon-rises, beach (all quite beautiful, and etched into the fiber of my being!).  In cultivating extraordinary in my life, yet feeling plateaued in creating, I came to see that my struggle was within this sacred container…there was no room for expansion, and that discomfort could lead to complacency and stagnation if I allowed it to.

We think that when we (or something) no longer fit, we need to “break” the mold, if you will.  As I share with you on my last day within this sacred container, I do not wish to cut cords or break anything. I hold it all with reverence and gratitude, with love, joy, and peace; for all was Divinely placed and received and is now woven into the tapestry of my life.

I am able to clearly see how each moment, each experience, led to this *now* of intentionality and sustainability that I am currently living.

This awareness is significant and essential when choosing to move forward; allowing the gift of presence to infuse my current choices and creations expands my world beyond my comfort zone and the perceived safety within predictability.  Upon reviewing my past steps, I am not criticizing, berating, or judging my self.  I am looking lovingly at the person I was and at all that I chose to open my heart to and experience fully; in such a way I am learning to look lovingly, with acceptance and delight, upon my self.  It is a wonderful feeling to trust my self as I choose to move forward.

Gone is my fear of playing big, of expansion, of “needing” to know anything; replaced by this delight with the element of surprise, the joy of experimenting, and the ease of practicing unfolding within alignment.

One might say on a metaphysical level that ocean equaled solitude and farmland equals community; that for others my space by the ocean was one of refreshment and now my space by the farmland is one of sustenance.  I understand that moving in one realm is moving in all realms, and I look forward to embracing all that this shift draws into my life.

I would like to share this about my move: the one thing that felt absolutely right was to honor my pace.  I affirmed that this move would be one of leisure and enjoyment (quite a radical concept for me, in the past I tended to love movement yet resist the process of moving) .  This was the first move that I physically did alone, with no external help.  My body (that had been so ill in Fall I was on bed rest) was ready for the experience.  I packed lightly, made multiple trips, stopped to eat fresh nourishing foods, rested, practiced Sun meditations and gratitude, laughed with my children, and even created a bit online.  The words leisurely and enjoyment are too small to capture the essence of all that I felt.

My life affirmation is that I invest in all that is life enriching and spirit enlivening.  When I looked at our belongings, if something wasn’t within alignment of that affirmation, it was donated, recycled, or discarded.  I absolutely believe that our living space is a mirror of our heart space; my new living space is definitely “butterflies and glitter” and conducive to full creative expression and joy.

I cannot help but now look at all areas of my life and apply these same principles that allowed movement to be so full of ease and joy.  What spaces have I outgrown?  What (connections, beliefs, thought patterns) am I clinging to because it used to be comfortable but now no longer fits?  And the flip side is: what new spaces are waiting patiently to be discovered and explored?

The question is not where have we allowed fear to restrain us.  The true question is: where will we allow faith to move us?

Much peace and abundant love,

Joy

Reminder: Experiment. Explore.  Experience.

I am drawn to Alex’s work because he infuses his words with his life message of living faith and being love—two themes that resonate strongly with my own life’s message and purpose.

Alex Blackwell is the Founder of The BridgeMaker.

His first book, Saying Yes to Change: 10 Timeless Life Lessons for Creating Positive Change is now available on Amazon.

Connect with Alex on Facebook.

 J: Hi, Alex, welcome! The name of your site is “The Bridgemaker” . May you share with us the meaning behind these words and your overall vision for your site?

A: The BridgeMaker connects people who are looking to walk by faith, share inspiration, and celebrate positive change.

The meaning of the blog’s name comes from becoming aware of where we are today and seeing where we want to be tomorrow and then making the deliberate choice to cross the bridge to discover the beautiful life waiting for us there.

Joy, my vision is to grow a like-minded community of folks who are inspired to encourage one another by sharing their own stories of personal change. My blog will be here for a long time to come.

J: If I may ask, what would you consider is the source of your power?

A: My faith, Joy, my faith is my source of power. I know there’s a purpose for my life greater than I can even imagine right now. So, I continue to walk by faith on my journey there.

J: I am captivated by the fusion of your intelligence, integrity, and your quietly powerful voice. In a world where “fierce” and “loud” is equated with power, you model that one may be quiet, yet heard; one may create from a place of integrity and enrich others in big ways. May you share with us a little about your philosophy; how did you find your voice and how did this fusion come to be?

A: First, thanks so much for those kind words.

I found my voice by making the commitment to be “real” with myself and with others. I believe to share in an authentic way; we need to move from behind the facades we sometimes create. So, I put my heart out there for all to see, and perhaps by doing so, others may feel inspired to do the same thing.

From a technical standpoint, I found my voice by writing every day. My style today is different than it was four years ago. With most things, the more we do it, the better we become at it.

J: I wonder: when you are creating and doubt surfaces, what resources do you rely upon as you continue to create?

A: I turn to my wife, Mary Beth. She knows me better than anybody. Mary Beth can usually help me pinpoint the reason for the doubt, and then help me silence it.

J: I am delighted with the message of your book, “Saying Yes to Change”.  Change is something I cultivate in my life, yet mainstream seems to fear.  May you speak a little about this book..the message and the process of incorporating these concepts into our lives?

A: My book is for anyone who feels the nudge to change; and it’s for people who are already walking the paths to positive change.

There’s one central concept in the book: You cannot change or heal what you do not acknowledge. When we acknowledge what we need to heal or change, we can begin living a happier, more meaningful life – right now.

J: Your beginning chapter “We All Come to a Crossroads” is so poignant, and powerful.  Thank you for sharing so transparently!  As I consider the concept of crossroads, I wonder when you were conceiving the idea for this book, what was the defining moment that you chose to create this book rather than allow it to remain a dream?

A: Here’s an interesting fact Joy, I actually wrote the first three paragraphs of that chapter seven years ago, and then I put it away. Last October when my brother died suddenly, I was reminded how precious, and short, life can be.

When I returned home from his funeral, I turned back to the book with a new-found passion and reason to finish it.

J: The message of the book consists of ten life lessons—empowering to contemplate and integrate.  What lesson would you say has been most instrumental in allowing for change within your life?

A: The lesson that inspires me the most and makes me feel strong on the days I feel weak is Lesson Nine: Take Down the White Flag.

J: As you continue to vision and create within your life, when you look forward, what is the next “change” you foresee?

A: Joy, the biggest change I see is finding out how I can use this book as a platform to reach more people. I feel a significant energy shift heading my way. Even though this unknown change is scary, I have faith it will lead to good things.

J: It has been an honor to share energy with you in this space, thank you! In closing, is there anything you would like us to know about you, your vision, your voice?

A: Let’s continue to support each other by showing love, kindness and grace in every encounter.

J: Absolutely beautiful, Alex, thank you!

Alex has so generously gifted this site with one complimentary copy of his book “Saying Yes to Change!”  Each reader who leaves a comment addressing the question below will be entered into a drawing.  The winner will be randomly chosen Friday, April 20, 2012 at 9pm (PDT).  **The winner of the raffle is Kara Rane.  Thank you to all who left a comment, for the support of Alex’s message and the wonderful opportunity to embrace “Saying Yes! to Change”.**

What is the most important life lesson you have learned, or are learning now?

Thank you, Alex! Thank you, dear reader! *Excellent* indeed :)

Much peace and abundant love,

Joy

Reminder: Experiment. Explore.  Experience.

To celebrate our differences and honor individual path

as we create together

is a beautiful gift of connection *and* expansive freedom.

When I wish for clarity within my own life, I clear my schedule of extraneous everything (making space) and go to the beach.  Walking in silence, I allow nature to nourish my soul and invigorate my senses.  Because I am engaged in exploring World through my senses, instead of “looking for an answer”, the answer invariably gently– softly–rises.  A beautiful, organic process allowing my inner work to be full of gratitude and joy rather than worry or stress.

On this particular day, I chose to walk to the farthest end of the beach, knowing that one of my favorite labyrinths would be waiting for me (an expectation).  When I came to the labyrinth, though, I found that there was major construction directly around the labyrinth (an invitation to release expectation).  Huge bulldozers and teams of men working–loud noise, the rumble in the ground, terrain being loosed and moved.  One might apply the words “less than peaceful” as far as external circumstances.

Before stepping into the labyrinth, I set my intention, centered my self, and began my walk.  Concentrating on each step, I was able to tune out external as I traveled internally.  There were many places that the labyrinth was in disrepair, the exact path worn away or the stones moved, so I found myself wondering if I was “doing it right”, following the ‘correct way’.  As if there is a “wrong” or “incorrect” way to travel?

I allowed this thought to lead my contemplation, with the intent of removing barriers and residual bits of perfectionism that might keep me from “moving” in all realms.  I recognize that it is not “how” do we step, or “the way” in which we step, but that we choose to step.  It is not whether this is the “right” or “wrong” way, but that it is way and we are choosing to explore it.  I was able to release my fear of failure (that had been building up as I have begun creating so many new and different things), and re-affirm my love of life. Gratitude for this realization drowned out external stimulus and internal doubt.  Each step was now full of the intention to open my heart, accept my pace, and enjoy the experience.

And wouldn’t this be a wonderful life lesson?  When I apply this insight to love, creation (a moment or a tangible product), connections (to people and to Earth), I am relinquishing doubt and fear and replacing it with the wonderful affirmation of my purpose: to be Love and to allow World to delight me in myriad ways as I honor flow.

As this relates to my online work, I had a fear of video work.  I felt that I didn’t have the technical skills to create one myself, nor did I have the presence to participate in a video interview.  In the most recent edition of my transformational magic letter, written upon my return home after one week of being unplugged, I shared that: “When I checked into the airport, I shed the light layers and barriers that had begun to form and as I passed through customs I stepped back into the magical world of this moment of full presence in *now*.“   In the full presence of *now* I released resistance and began to explore and learn video production.  I now have a YouTube channel which features my Welcome Video, and “The World That I Belong To” video.  I am in the beginning stages of learning–instead of allowing all that I do not know to intimidate me, I am choosing to enjoy the process of experimenting and creating.

This link is to my first ever video interview: The Power of Presence, Clarity, and Effortless Living with Joy Holland. Transparently, while it is wonderful to share my message in such a way, it felt a bit overwhelming to “play big” and allow expansion.  My way of life is often viewed as unconventional, so to share my world and “my way” required that I be most comfortable tuning out external and allowing my internal journey to be one of love and gratitude (as in the above labyrinth example).  Moving forward, it requires that I accept and honor my individual path as I so effortlessly accept and honor yours.

When fear is present, I take that as a sign that I am embracing new and different as I create my heart truth. I use that fear to inspire me to gently stretch beyond my own comfort zone into this beautiful land of unknown.  It is important to me to not just write words and ideas on a page and circulate them, but to live them fully; to allow them to be fluid and to continue to explore, experiment, and experience.

I would love to know, within your life, what is asking you to be explored and are you willing to gently stretch into that wonderful space?

(If you do choose to view my first ever video interview, I would love to know your thoughts and reflections on the message.  It is a wonderful pleasure to share new and different with you!).

Much peace and abundant love,

Joy

Reminder: Experiment. Explore.  Experience.

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