Happy Thursday beautiful hearts!  I found a post by coach and author, Jim Rohn the other day on Twitter entitled- "A Good Life Contains These 6 Essentials."  For todays thoughts on gratitude,  I'll defer to this article published in Success magazine back in September 2014.  

Here's what we must ask constantly, "What, for me, would be a good life?" And you have to keep going over and over the list—a list including areas such as spirituality, economics, health, relationships and recreation.
So, what would constitute a good life? Jim Rohn has a short list:

1. Productivity. - You won't be happy if you don't produce.  The game of life is not a test.  Yes, we must rest but only long enough to gather strength to get back to productivity.

2. Good friends. - Friendship is probably the greatest support system in the world, so don't deny yourself the time to develop it.  Nothing can match it.  It's extraordinary in its benefit.

3. Your culture. - Language, music, ceremonies, traditions, dress.  All of that is so vitally important that you must keep it alive.  The uniqueness of all of us, when blended together, brings vitality, energy, power, influence, and rightness to the world.

4. Spirituality.  - It helps to for the foundation of the family that builds the nations.  And make sure you study, practice and teach- don't be careless about the spiritual part of your nature because it's what makes us who we are, different from dogs and cats, birds and mice.

5. Don't miss anything.  - My parents taught me not to miss anything, not the game, the performance, the movie, the dance....Go to everything you possibly can.  Buy a ticket to everything you possibly can.  Go see everything and experience all you possibly can.

6. Your family and the inner circle.  - Invest in them, and they'll invest in you.  Inspire them, and they'll inspire you.  Take care of the details with your inner circle.  

Make sure in your busy day to remember the true purpose and the reasons you do what you do.  May you truly live the kind of life that will bring the fruit and rewards that you desire."  ~Jim Rohn

As you move through this day, be sure to ask yourself, "What, for me, would be a good life?" 

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

Happy Wednesday beautiful hearts!  For today's Words of Wisdom, I turn to the infinite wisdom of this Iroquois prayer.  As spring reawakens throughout the lands, we have much to be grateful for.  Gratitude for Mother Earth who continually renews and recycles the magical rhythms of our lives.  May you return many thanks back to the Earth today.  May every thought be one of gratitude.  
May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

Thanksgiving
We return thanks to our mother, the Earth,
which sustains us.
We return thanks to the rivers and streams,
which supply us with water.
We return thanks to all herbs,
which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.
We return thanks to the moon and stars,
which have given to us their light when the sun was gone.
We return thanks to the sun,
that has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.
Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit,
in Whom is embodied all goodness,
and Who directs all things for the good of Her children.
~ Iroquois ~

Happy Tuesday beautiful hearts!  Today I want to talk about one of the 5 Klesha's, Avidya - translated to mean ignorance.  The Klesha's can be viewed as a means of liberation.  How can you be liberated from ignorance within your own life?  Within this field of liberation, the above Sutra reminds us that what we perceive to be true with our five senses is not always as it seems.  As we break down each thought, we can see our vidya, or wisdom increasing.  If we simply plow through this information and do not implement it, how are we supporting the enlargement of our spirit?  How are we feasting on the richness of a harvested heart?  Here we go loves!

Sri Patanjali has been dubbed the "Father of Yoga," although he is not the creator of this ancient practice.  The origin of his life is said to have begun somewhere between 5000BCE and 300CE.   According to the research of Reverend Jaganath Carrera, "Sri Patanjali never forgets theory without practice will never truly satisfy us- and it is in this that we can find evidence of his great compassion."

As we delve into this sutra, we begin to see how our projections of 'impermanence' and 'permanence' disorient our connection to the universe.  As you explore this notion in your own life, how have you projected an eternal/permeant  belief about the ever changing nature of your life?  Perhaps as you look to nature, you begin to notice the cyclical evolution of each season.  These natural seasons become metaphors for our day to day lives.  Nature helps us to foster compassion for the life and death cycle of the natural world.  What thoughts have you surmised about your life that keep you stuck in ignorance?  Imaginably our thoughts slide into quicksand thinking..."This situation will last forever...My heart will never be the same...I can't endure my financial situation for a second longer...My relationship with this individual will always be like this...My body will always look like this."  How does buying into the judgements of the mind keep you on a habitual cycle of impermanence?  

Another trap that we fall into when we are invested in ignorant thinking is an illusionary viewpoint of seeing the 'impure' as 'pure.'  What does this really mean in your day to day life?  Pure is defined as, "free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind."  What contaminates your sacred infinite self?  Perhaps you notice the chatter of your mind cluttered up with illusionary thoughts of self.  What if you saw yourself the way the Divine sees you?  As I reflect on this part of the sutra, I am reminded that we often cling to the external world to in some way satisfy our internal nature.  As we compassionately gaze further into our lives, how many times have we relied on our financial status, or our titles to provide us with a sense of 'peace' or 'importance?'  What if in this moment we touched our heart center and breathed in the pure light of our divine nature?

The 'painful' as the 'pleasant' is another facet of Avidya or Ignorance.  As I reflect on this part of the sutra, my mind travels back to being a little girl.  I was only 5 or 6 years old and I remember standing on my parents back porch during a super sunny day.  As I was standing there soaking in the rays of the sun, I gazed down and was totally intrigued by 2 wasps that were circling near my toes.  I was so curious about these winged creatures.  I stared in amazement as one of them landed on my big toe.  It only took a few seconds for the tears to sting my eyes as I cried out in pain.  Unknowingly to me, the wasp had just bitten me.  According to Carrera, " This sutra suggests that we can use our intellect to help shorten this painful process by remembering and examining both the short- and long- term effects of our experiences."  To me, this sutra invites the element of curiosity to accompany our judgements of situations in our lives.  
​
The 'Non-Self' as the 'Self.'  When I think of this part of the sutra, I have to chuckle as I think of my beautiful mama.  She has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders.  If I need support, guidance, love, or just a big ole hug, I know I can turn to her.  Just the other day she was complimenting me, and I couldn't help but throw the ball back into her court.  
"Sarah you are such a honey bunny."  
"Well mama, they say we are mirrors for each other, so you might as well turn that into an I statement for yourself."
She giggled out-loud as she dared utter the same words about herself that she had professed to me.
As we help others to recognize their eternal light, we uncover another layer of the 'Self.'  This 'Self' is not governed by the material world.  This 'Self' is equated with 'being,' rather with 'doing.' We are not our possessions, nor are we are experiences.  We are far more infinitely created than the 'luggage' of life that we have accumulated.  We are the unadulterated self who is unified with the Absolute.  

I'm so excited to delve a bit deeper and wade into these waters of truth.  Each line of our life is rich with wisdom.  The wisdom of these ancient texts elaborately encourages us to live in such a simple and connected manner!  As you move through your day, may you be encouraged to notice the habits of your mind as you compassionately explore and awaken.  

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
Sarah 

Happy Monday beautiful hearts!  As you begin your week, may you feel connected and excited about the journey ahead.  The adventure of being a beginner, the excitement of trying something new, or the wonder of being curious.  This short clip by Brene Brown highlights how easily we go down the rabbit hole of 'discharging' our discomfort and pain. 

At times it might appear easier to cast the blame cloud over another instead of recognizing that we must take accountability for our actions and behaviors.  Instead of reacting with blame, can you lean into the vulnerability and be accountable for how you are feeling?  What does vulnerability look like in your life?
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May we support one another in creating new habits.  May we offer compassion and peace.  May we surrender to the vulnerability of living and loving!

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
Sarah 

Happy Friday loves!  As I think about this time of year, I think about nature waking back up to the infinite possibilities of Spring.  The buds and blossoms of the Earth are bursting forth with much passion.  Nature has always been one of my favorite teachers.  As I inhale the breezes of newness, I feel an awakening within my own heart.  A gentle stirring that reawakens the possibilities of my life.  Can you feel this rekindling in your own heart?  

Spring offers us the chance to re-awaken our desires that may have laid dormant during the winter months.   Winter is a time for self care and rest.  We burrow in and recharge the fruits of our labor.  Spring on the other hand is a time to reanimate the desires of our heart.  The sun shines more brightly as the Earth resurfaces in shades of greens and blues.  As you reawaken, perhaps you begin to ask yourself, "What do I secretly yearn for?"  

Allow this question to echo throughout your life.  Let it gently glide into your physical life.  Watch as it unfolds like the petals of a flower.  Soft and effortlessly.  Perhaps you'd like to begin moving more consistently to reconnect with your body.  Your body is a temple in which you experience the physical plane of life.  How can you more thoughtfully support your physical body?  

Follow the trail of yearning into your emotional life.  What emotions are you holding onto that either serve you with their presence or cause you to remain stuck.  Marianne Williamson reminds us that we either move forward with love at the helm, or fear as the captain of our ship.  What presence would you like to magnify in your life?  What if you loosed your grip on fear, how could love then show off in your life?  

Follow this trail of renewal into your spiritual life.  Are you nurturing your relationship to your higher power?  Do you set aside time to connect with the Divine?  Are you mindfully inviting Spirit into your life?  Do you offer prayers of gratitude for the experiences of your life?  You more than anyone deserve the grace of God.  

May this powerful question begin to allow you to more deeply inquire about what you truly long for.  Explore your yearnings.  Sit with your desires.  Lean into your life.  Be willing to be transformed.  

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

Happy Thursday beautiful hearts!  This is one of my new favorite documentaries on Netflix.  If you are looking for a cozy way to spend your Thursday night, I would highly suggest this movie about the life of Yogananda.  His life was a series of investments in his connection with God.  He trusted his intuition, he followed his Guru, he became a devotee to living an awake life.  

His prose reminds me of a warm summer breeze, “Plain living and high thinking should be your goal. Learn to carry all the conditions of happiness within yourself by meditating and attuning your consciousness to the ever-existing, ever-conscious, ever-new Joy, which is God. Your happiness should never be subject to any outside influence. Whatever your environment is, don't allow your inner peace be touched by it.” 

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In gratitude, 
Sarah 

Happy Tuesday loves!  Today I am beyond grateful for the breath that we all share.  Our breath is a unifier of unconscious connection.  Our breath unites our joys, it supports our sorrows, it offers endurance for our healings, it provides fuel for our laughter, it ignites our passion, it delights in our abundance, it fuels our physical bodies.  Breath aligns us with source energy.  An infinite wellspring of abundance.  

I attended a training over this past weekend that again reiterated the power of our breath.  As our group sat in session, we connected to the expanding inhale and the contraction of the exhale.  We created a container of thoughtful energy as we began our days.  Each delightful breath circulated new awarenesses.  One of our learning sessions offered this new awareness:

As you create a space for new awarenesses, take 3 deep breaths:
1. Take a breath for where you have been in your life.  All of the moments that have led you to this one.  Breathe in the limitless energy of your life.  Allow yourself to take this breath in the absence of judgement, anxiety, or fear.  As the beautiful Sufi poet Hafiz said, "This place where you are right now, God circled on a map for you."

2. Take a deep breath in for this very moment.  Breathe in the NOW.  Steve Maraboli concluded that, “The value of a moment is immeasurable. The power of just ONE moment can propel you to success and happiness or chain you to failure and misery.” Dear ones you are always supported and surrounded.  This breath gives me goosebumps!  Can you feel your happy breath enlivening your body?  There is never another moment like this in which you are able to savor this graceful inhale and adventurous exhale.  

3. Take a deep breath for what's to come.  This breath is magically exciting, because it offers you the chance to breath in the possibilities of your life.  This gorgeous life of yours is yours for the creating.  Breathing in your power, your right to be here, your connection to your intentions.  Breathe in an infinite supply of  love.  This breath supports the life lessons of Corrie Ten Boom, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” 

Throughout the day I invite you to explore your breath.  Notice how it enters your body?  Feel the subtle energy pulsating beneath your skin.  How does your breath support the movements of your life?  Are you holding your breath, or are you receiving all that life has to offer?   

Today I hope you are continually inspired and in awe of your breath and your connection to life.  Take three deep breaths...

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy.
​So let them go, let go of them.
― C. JoyBell C.

In Buddhism there are mental states that cloud the mind.  The 'Kleshas' or afflictions as they are sometimes referred to include feelings such as fear, anxiety, depression, and jealousy.  As Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra shares, “Kleshas cause pain and they are right from the start of life. We are born with Kleshas. And the only way to overcome them is through right knowledge.” The kelshas are five fold as they include; ignorance, ego, attachment, aversion, and and fear.  At best the kleshas become a destructive way of thinking.  

After a recent session with my teacher and friend Shelly, we began talking about how the kelshas originate in our thought processes.  As she likes to say, we buy into an ignorant thought and down the rabbit hole we go!  How do we stop this automatic ride down the rabbit hole?

She drew this diagram for me to get a clear picture of what the kleshas look like in real life.  How do we obtain this 'right knowledge' that Dr. Jayadeva and Patanjali speak of?  As Shelly often shares, right knowledge comes from noticing our shenanigans.  Our shenanigans could be compulsive thoughts, destructive patterns, negative self talk, our attachment to pleasure and our aversion to pain, and the laundry list of shenanigans goes on and on.  

As we sat on the studio floor she began to explain her diagram as I inserted in my own shenanigans.  These shenanigans weren't Earth shattering, but their tangible nature allowed me to see how afflicted I became with just one thought.  

"What's a recent thought you've had about yourself that takes you down the rabbit hole Sarah?  This becomes the 'ignorant' thought of self.  We identify with this thought more than the essence of who we truly are."

"Hmmmm...I have a big rib cage!  I was just noticing that my right rib cage is more pronounced on my right side than my left side when I am in bridge pose."

"Good mama...so the second klesha involves the ego.  You have just adopted this thought and claimed ownership with your 'I Am-ness.'  You are a 'BIG RIB.'

I chuckled out loud as I realized how silly but real this rabbit hole ride was going to be.  

"So next up on the list is that you become attached to your 'I Am-ness.'  You justify and rationalize in this realm.  Your internal dialogue might look something like this, 'I have a big rib cage because I am a bigger boned girl, I also have to buy larger tops to accommodate the broadness in my side body.  Sound familiar kiddo?"

"All too familiar I squeaked out."  I could've expounded much more on this attachment side, but I totally understood.

"So love, the next place you go is to aversion, or perhaps a bit of disassociation.  It is has been my experience as I've watched your practice that you shorten your right side body.  Perhaps this is your attempt to disassociate from your aversion?  Only you can answer this, but how does that seem to fit for you?"

Even as I was sitting on the ground with her, I could feel myself energetically shortening my right side ribcage.  "Holy wow...I never even noticed that?"  

"And then mama, you go straight into fear!  Fear that you won't have a different connection with your side body, fear that maybe your ribcage is designed this way, fear that you aren't small enough, fear that you aren't...fill in the blanks."

I sat there with gratitude, disbelief, and awe.  From one single thought I had constructed a whole story about who I was.  I became so wrapped up in the story that I dissociated from my body.  I became so convinced about my story that I allowed fear to swallow me up.  

How often do you have a thought and then before you know it that thought has lead you to fatality and fear?  What stories about your life take you down the rabbit hole?

Best I can ascertain the Kleshas are now on my daily awareness checklist.  Right action involves being a mindful student.  Mindfulness means offering yourself compassion as you uncover the stories of your life.  Right action also involves being curious.  Curious about the stories we cook up, curious about the shenanigans that we participate in, and curious about our ride down the rabbit hole.  We really are all in this together, so may we feel the support of each other as we become clearer instruments for the divine!  

May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
​Sarah 
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Happy Friday beauties!  I just adore this sweet clip with David Newman and his daughter Tulsi.  What wonder are you discovering in your life?  How can sharing wonder with others increase your JOY and capacity for LOVE?  In-Joy my friends!

May You sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude, 
Sarah