Wash your windows...Rinse away the EGO and let your "Spirit" shine!

Regardless of religious affiliation, or lack thereof, most of us agree that people have a “spirit” and that the “spirit” is the source of all consciousness, and the source of awareness that lights up the mind. It is the part of us that is open, free, and innocent - seeking new experiences and shining with pure joy. When we live through our spirit, we are BALANCED and in harmony with ourselves and the world around us. But as soon as we enter the world in the physical form, social conditions that surround us begin to chip away at “spirit”, creating self doubt, a need to “conform” and it is this that drives us further from our true “spirit’s” desire to express itself and strive.

These conditions begin to empower the EGO and as the EGO takes hold we lose a portion of our pure “spirit”…….”spirit” that wishes to express and be free without constraint. This overtaking of the “spirit” by EGO leads to the “spirit’s” loss, in part, of its conscious leadership of our experiences in life. The EGO asks for its own gratification both physically as well as emotionally. When this happens we experience racing thoughts that clutter our minds……..constantly filling our hearts and minds with questions, doubts and fears. All of that chatter suppresses our true “spirit” and we drift further away from our hearts desires.

Like a snowflake falling gently to the ground, the “spirit” is blown in many directions by the EGO and it slowly melts along the way. The act of being tossed and turned while simultaneously melting leaves us far from that first day of life….when the “spirit” was pure and in charge.

When we are born, it is said, we have a clean slate…..a fresh perspective….we are an open book. But our”spirit” although strong and stable, can be delicate and vulnerable in the shadow of the EGO and like a window (after all it is the window into our souls) it can become streaked……streaked with greed, lust, conflicting emotions and thoughts.

So the question becomes…..How do we move away from EGO, back to “spirit” and live a life filled with pure joy and BALANCE?

How do we “wash the window?”

This is an introspective journey that takes time and is done with calculated thought and effort. We must seek ways to clear away emotional obstruction, attitudes and preconceived notions. We must learn how to return to “spirit.” We can meditate, focusing on the “letting go” rather than the “holding on to” ingrained thoughts and ideas. We can dig deep inside of ourselves and feel rather than think about what it is we want in life and how we can achieve it. We can begin to listen to the inner voice that is guiding us, our “spirit” voice, and disregard the rebuttal voice, the EGO voice, that sabotages us and fosters self-doubt

Take a moment each day to focus on one small thing you would like to change about the way you experience your life – a moment to identify one thing you would REALLY like to do, regardless of what the EGO is telling you or the fear it may create. It can be as small as wearing a shoe with an outfit….because your “spirit” sees it as the right choice, suppressing the EGO’s voice that would normally drive you to change it 3 or 4 times. Or, it could be as huge as removing someone from your friendship circle because they really are no good for you….perhaps they enable your alcoholism, perhaps they continue to feed your EGO and assist in the suppression of your “spirit”

You will find, throughout this process you will become more self-aware. You will experience more joy in your life. You will become more empowered, more certain of yourself…. your true self. You will begin to live in harmony with your “spirit” and by doing so you will radiate, BEAM with positive energy. And all of this will lead to living a life that is becoming more BALANCED and this will lead you to a heightened sense of peace as you walk through the rest of your life.

Autumn in The Heartland

Autumn in the Heartland
The leaves are changing, the landscape bleak
Autumn in the heartland, colors at their peak.

Pumpkins and hay stacks and corn stalks abound
Witches and goblins can even be found.

Birds over head flying in form
Animals seek shelter trying to keep warm.

Yes, it’s autumn in the heartland, some call it Fall
As Mother Nature prepares to let white snow fall…

To cover the branches and make brittle the trees,
To blanket the earth with slumber and peace.

The waters will freeze and the icicles form,
The sun will beat down unable to warm.

The days will grow shorter as the temperature drops
And the seeds sleep below where once there grew crops.

Yes it’s autumn in the heartland a time of transition
When moms and their children bake cookies in the kitchen.

Each year leaves change color and start their great fall
What magical magnificence Mother Nature has for us all

Lesson from the Geese

As the leaves begin to change color, the air takes on a crispness and nature gears up for the next season – have you ever paid attention to geese flying in formation overhead on a brisk autumn morning beneath a golden sunrise? There they are …just picture them – majestic wonders of nature on an ancient mission to vacation all winter in a sunny climate. Perhaps they are enroute to Palm Springs!!

Notice as they fly over head… they have picked a formation. As you gaze up at them , look closely, although they have picked a formation, they HAVE NOT picked a steadfast leader… the leader intermittently changes as they fly off into the distance. It is as if they are performing a choreographed routine ....one up front… then another....THIS one dropping back to gave way to THAT one.....and all the while it is done with the elegance and cooperation of a beautiful ballet. I don’t think they give much thought to who is leading …who is following…I don’t think they much care. I believe what is important to them is that the entire flock, as an entity, arrives safely and intact to its final destination. There is a sense of oneness, of social responsibility, unity – the individuals working together to protect the safety and well being of the whole. They have created a symbiotic relationship that shares leaders and followers........giving everyone, who wants it, equal opportunity to command the lead. There is beauty in this simplicity, a sense of wisdom to the effort and a true commitment to the overall well being of their micro society.

Perhaps our politicians can take a lesson from the geese.

Picture a congress that actually works together in planning, legislating and decision making. And what if whether freshman or veteran all members had the opportunity to chair and lead on various committees and task forces……based upon their expertise, experience and knowledge…true equality within the common collective in an effort to have a smoother running system of government that can work FOR all of us. It truly would be something to experience a congress that paid attention to you and me rather than the lobbyists or other outside influencers. A Congress that votes on issues along CONSCIOUS lines and not party lines or interest group pressure.

And what if we had a president who could awaken every day with the knowledge that the collective is happy and running smoothly......

Why can’t we work together? Why do we have to fight? Why can’t we recognize that every citizen has rights – gay, straight – black, white – male, female – and those on BOTH SIDES of every issue??? Why can’t we Balance out our ideals and meet in the middle to bring together the best of all of the ideas?


Why is so much time spent on distancing and separating ourselves ……Why can’t we be more like the geese?

The geese have survived for millions of years working together through mutual respect, unity and an understanding that if they don’t look out for one another….they may become extinct.

Will we eventually become extinct if we don’t begin to learn the lesson from the geese??