Breaking hearts to break free

Sometimes we just KNOW we need to do something. When that inner voice becomes so loud we can’t ignore it. It keeps nagging at us and simply won’t go away. We start noticing signs in everything we do and everywhere we look.

You know what I’m talking about. Call it whatever you want – gut, intuition, knowing, The Calling - it’s the same thing.

And yet we so often ignore it. I have spoken about ignoring it out of fear or limiting beliefs within ourselves. But often we ignore it because of OTHERS. Sometimes we fear that heeding “The Call” might hurt others. We sacrifice, and that is rarely a good thing. It comes back to bite us. Later, when we are the ones feeling hurt or betrayed when, after making the “sacrifice”, life turns in a different direction.

I’m not saying sacrificing is not good or noble. Mother Theresa sacrificed. So did Nelson Mandela. But they followed their inner calling. It is when we sacrifice despite our inner calling that things go pear-shaped.

I believe everything we do must adhere to three basic requirements – is it good for us, is it good for others, and is it for the greater good. For me, the greater good means in the best interest (“right” or pure) of the environment, the world, the universe, and for all concerned.

I also believe that if it TRUELY is that deep inner knowing within us that calls (and not the ego or a “whim”), that it will be for the greater good of all concerned. Our natural state is love, so that Voice will be leading to the path of bliss, even if this may not always be evident immediately.

So sometimes we hear that calling but ignore it for fear of hurting others. But to hurt is a perceived feeling. It is when the outcome of an act or event is not as we’ve expected it to be, so we might feel let down, disappointed or betrayed. But that is only the meaning that we attach to the outcome. The act or the event might still be good or pure – and for the greater good. I don’t have to cite examples here. So we let it be for fear that others might attach a meaning to the outcome of our actions that we have betrayed them; for fear of breaking their hearts.

Sometimes we have to break hearts to allow ourselves and others to break free and follow our bliss. For the greater good. Hearts will mend and grow stronger. Meaning and perceptions will change. But the call might never go away.

Nobody said it will be easy. But it will be good.

Love and light,

Celeste

Ba careful what you wish for!

Be careful what you wish for. It might just come true!

So goes the old saying, and like most old sayings, has is a lot of truth behind it.

I live in the city but have a need to escape it fairly on a fairly regular basis. Which usually happens on impulse. I decide to go (these days admittedly it requires slightly more careful planning around commitments and constraints), see what options are available and suitable, and go. And I am always amazed at the comments from people about how "lucky" I am to "just do it". Yes, I agree, the fact that I do not have small children (in my case, none at all) makes it easier, but I have other constraints.  For example, I do not have a steady income, so if I do go, I have to weigh that up against loss of income (no paid leave for me!). And the kids can go along too, or stay with grandma or leave them behind with Dad (or Mom) if you want. Or go for a shorter period. Whatever! Come to think of it, the people who comment most about "lucky", are the ones who actually have no "excuse" (for lack of a better word). They are usually also the ones who are financially in a WAY better position than I am to go, if they so wish.

And "excuse" is probably the right word. I suspect - and I know not to make assumptions - but I do have this nagging suspicion that most (okay, many) people who voice their envy do not really want to go. Let's just stay with the example of a few days' break (as this may apply to many scenarios) - it involves work! You still have to pack a few items of clothing, travel, sleep in different surrounds, etc. etc. - at the very least. You can take everything and the kitchen sink or you can pack only a toothbrush and clean undies, but you still have to do something. And it may involve risk. The weather might be foul, you might miss your team's game, you might lose out on a good party "back home", traffic, the bedding may not be as nice as yours. It is much easier to have an excuse (work, money, kids, partner....).

My point is, we are rarely "lucky". It always is about choices and options. I have the utmost respect for someone who really longs to do something but simply are not able to, but rarely do you hear these people complain or voice their envy.

The freedom to "just do it" involves a lot of responsibility. If you do it, it is your choice. No-one or nothing to blame.

So next time you say you wish you could do something, think carefully about what's stopping you. And if nothing is, think carefully whether you really wish for it. Because it may just come true!

Love and light,

Celeste

Little voice

Which voice do I listen to?

(Part 1)

Our inner being has an amazing way of telling the truth. That knowing within us. We can put up a facade and ignore it, but that little voice will keep popping up. However, most of people don't recognize it or simply do not hear it. It is drowned by the sounds of the outer life which demands our attention. But hereon lies the paradox. For if we don't adhere to our true selves (the little voice I'm talking about), the outer world can not get our rightful attention. Our best. Moreover, the little voice is also drowned by the sound of that outer, evil, negative voice that sits on our shoulders and pretends to be us. That voice which leads us astray, tells us we are not good enough, it can't be done, and a host of other untruths.

So how do we tell the difference between these two voices and how do we know which voice to listen to?

I'll address it in stages...

Firstly, you need to be able HEAR the inner (good) voice - your Self.

Sometimes it takes years of undoing the things that drowned that little voice. So we need to learn to reconnect with ourselves and our inner beings. To be still, empty and spacious, and to really listen. We can do that through meditation, breathing practices, journalling, connecting with nature, retreats, teachers and gurus, and other practices. These are all excellent practices that support it, but we need to also understand what suits of us individually. Each of us is different, and whilst practices help and can make a huge difference, it is still up to the individual to apply what resonates with them and to adapt it to suit them. And to sustain it.

A Coach can do wonders to guide us with spiritual and inner transformation practices. People sometimes spend years searching...trying many different things, and although the search for Self, growth or transformation is a personal one, and the only way to it is through it, guidance is a gift some people are willing to give, so why not take it?! A Coach can help us explore what really drives us, help identify the clutter in our heads so we can be more authentic and better able to understand that little voice, and support us through implementing and sustaining good practices to make it "stick".

Take a moment to reflect on this and be honest with yourself. Can you hear that little voice? Do you recognize it? And do you listen to it and stay true to it? Or do you boast about "your gut always being right" without really understanding it?

Next up... Part Two.

Love and light,
Celeste

Which voice do I listen to?

(Part 1)

Our inner being has an amazing way of telling the truth. That knowing within us. We can put up a facade and ignore it, but that little voice will keep popping up. However, most of people don't recognize it or simply do not hear it. It is drowned by the sounds of the outer life which demands our attention. But hereon lies the paradox. For if we don't adhere to our true selves (the little voice I'm talking about), the outer world can not get our rightful attention. Our best. Moreover, the little voice is also drowned by the sound of that outer, evil, negative voice that sits on our shoulders and pretends to be us. That voice which leads us astray, tells us we are not good enough, it can't be done, and a host of other untruths.

So how do we tell the difference between these two voices and how do we know which voice to listen to?

I'll address it in stages...

Firstly, you need to be able HEAR the inner (good) voice - your Self.

Sometimes it takes years of undoing the things that drowned that little voice. So we need to learn to reconnect with ourselves and our inner beings. To be still, empty and spacious, and to really listen. We can do that through meditation, breathing practices, journalling, connecting with nature, retreats, teachers and gurus, and other practices. These are all excellent practices that support it, but we need to also understand what suits of us individually. Each of us is different, and whilst practices help and can make a huge difference, it is still up to the individual to apply what resonates with them and to adapt it to suit them. And to sustain it.

A Coach can do wonders to guide us with spiritual and inner transformation practices. People sometimes spend years searching...trying many different things, and although the search for Self, growth or transformation is a personal one, and the only way to it is through it, guidance is a gift some people are willing to give, so why not take it?! A Coach can help us explore what really drives us, help identify the clutter in our heads so we can be more authentic and better able to understand that little voice, and support us through implementing and sustaining good practices to make it "stick".

Take a moment to reflect on this and be honest with yourself. Can you hear that little voice? Do you recognize it? And do you listen to it and stay true to it? Or do you boast about "your gut always being right" without really understanding it?

Next up... Part Two.

Love and light,
Celeste

Little teacher lady

I see her on Sundays. The little lady selling the Sunday paper on the corner of an intersection near where I live. She exuberantly waves at everybody driving or walking past. I have never seen her without a smile - one of those smiles you can see from a distance away and that brightens your day.

Of course I smile and wave back. I don't think many would be able to resist smiling and waving back.

She is modestly dressed in slacks and the T-shirt from the paper for promotion, but never shabby. Her hair is clean and neatly trimmed, and although old age has started showing a slight stoop, she holds herself well. She does not look tired or sad, does not invoke pity.  She is proud and not ashamed. And she shares it with all.

I don't care about the Sunday paper. But I will buy from her - as I'm not buying the paper, but I'm receiving her joy and her presence. Buy the paper, as she does not need my charity in the form of donations. She provides it. The paper is the symbol for what I'm getting from her. The learnings.

She is a teacher. We learn from masters, universities, books, accredited forums, the internet and plenty other sources. Wonderful sources. But we sometimes overlook the best teachers. The ones who show us real, simple life; who teach us to have a simple grateful, joyous attitude, despite obvious financial and probably other difficulties. She teaches how to give and to enrich and to heal.

I think that is real happiness.

Love and light.

Celeste x