A Common Path

Set Some Goals, You Big Chicken!

2009-09-11T11:10:00.001-04:00

Setting goals and not allowing myself to be sidetracked may not seem like courage, to you, but to do some of the things that I need to do requires me to get some back-bone and leave behind the wish-bone.

What do you need courage for? Why do you need to be brave? What goals would you like to see reached? What would make life better for you?

If you can’t answer that question, then I suggest you give it some thought. You must have some dreams floating around back there somewhere! What would you like to do? It can be personal, professional, relational, whatever. Set that goal and then decide that you will reach it, no matter what.

When you get that do or die attitude, you find yourself overcoming obstacles that you never thought you could. You will look at yourself in the mirror and say, “I can’t believe how brave you were! I can’t believe how courageous!”

Now of course you’ll know you were just being stubborn and not letting go of that goal. But then you’ll know; courage by any other name will smell just as sweet!

Making a Slap From Life into a Gift!

2009-09-09T14:17:00.005-04:00

Have you ever had life slap you across the face and then laugh? Oh come on! We all have! The thing is, what do you do when this happens?

Many people just shrivel up. The let their mind go on a rampage and start telling them all sorts of silly things. They listen to this drivel and start to become depressed. Their life starts to really fall apart and they begin to feel as if they are no good and life is not worth living.

Let's say that your car breaks down. No you don't have a lot of extra cash and there are bills to pay. If you get the car fixed, some of the bills won't get paid on time. Maybe you don't even have enough to get the car fixed bills or not.

You start thinking things like how your credit will go bad. You'll have to walk to work, fifteen miles uphill both ways in the snow. Your kids will hate you because they will have to quite soccer and other after school stuff. Your house will be repossessed and your mate will leave you.

Or, you can tell that voice in your head to shut up and start thinking. What bills have a grace period or can wait a week. Is there overtime at work that you could put in? Would your mechanic be willing to let you make payments; say half down and the rest next pay day?

Thinking negatively will only bring you down and stop you from being productive. Thinking positively will help you to see the possibilities. The law of attraction says that what you think about your bring about. Think negatively and bad stuff happens or lingers. Think positively and things get better.

Everybody want more money, a better life, to be more successful. They way to do that is to not let life slap you down. Next time something happens, don't let it get to you! One of my Principles is that no matter what happens, you always have a choice. If nothing else you can choose how you think about something.

Next time life slaps you, use that slap as a motivation to look at how you can handle things better. What can you do? What can you learn? It will make you a better person and help you change a bad habit into a good one!

Steve
A Common Path
Life Change For You

A Labor Day Belief

2009-09-08T07:53:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was labor day, but, unfortunately, many people in the US and the world are not employed. There is no labor except the labor of trying to keep life and limb together.

Some can't get a job because there aren't any in their field. The job market is closed. Some can't get a job because in this tight market, the people doing the hiring can afford to be very picky. If you are a little too old or not just right, then they don't hire you.

I know how this can feel because I've been there. In a few minutes or a few days you begin to doubt your self worth. You begin to wonder if you might just dry up and blow away and no one will care. This is what I want to address.

I used to be in a position where I hired a lot of people. Those who came in full of confidence got my attention.Those who came in looking like they believed themselves to be a victim or like they believed they would never get the job, usually didn't. I needed someone that could do the job and I would not have to baby-sit or spend time motivating.

Don't stop believing in yourself! Who knows what the Universe has in store for you? No, maybe you won't get the job you were hoping for, but that doesn't mean that your life is now over. What can you learn from the experience and what might be around the next corner? Believe that you will succeed and you will have a much better chance of actually doing so. Your life can change. You can have a useful and prosperous life. Believe it will happen and act like it is happening and it has a much better chance of becoming reality than if you sit on the couch mumbling to yourself how life isn't fair.
Steve
A Common Path
Life Change For You

Setting Goals; Taking Control

2009-09-04T16:14:00.001-04:00

So, what are your goals for your life? What! You don't have any? How do you expect to get where you want to go without knowing how you're going to get there? Oh, you don't know where you want to go.

Sit down with a piece of paper and a pen or pencil and start writing all the things you would like to do. Don't think about them, just write; write as fast as you can. When you just can't write anymore, stop and read over what you wrote. throw out the goofy ones; you know, drive a Ferrari naked through downtown. Now, what's left?

Take one or two of those things that are left and really think about them. Do you really want to do them, to accomplish them? If the answer is yes, then start thinking about how you might get there from here.

My wife and I once climbed Mount Whitney, in California. It's a tall mountain, let me tell you. It is so high that the air gets a bit thin and it is hard to breathe and walk near the top. You know what? I didn't jump from the parking lot to the summit. I walked up. As the trail got tougher, I stopped more. I had specific places that I wanted to get to before the next rest stop. That's how you do it! Just pick a place to get to before you stop and look the whole thing over again.

Another good trick is to tell someone else about your goal. Then, even if you don't feel like it some morning, you have someone who is expecting for you to make it. Tell somebody obnoxious and it will drive you even harder just to keep them from saying," I knew you couldn't do it!"

Set a goal, take control. It's a good mantra for life. Try it. You might not like the struggle, but you will like the results!

A Common Path
Life Change For You

Traditional Wisdom; Where Did it Come From?

2009-09-02T13:52:00.002-04:00

Now, let me ask you this. What are the things you do or think that are so ingrained in you that you have no idea where they came from. Let me tell you a story as an example.

A young woman was making Christmas dinner and she was making ham. She cut off the both ends of the ham and then put it in the roasting pan. Her daughter asked her why she cut the ends off.

"I don't know; it's what your grandma did." She answered.

The little girl went out into the living room and asked her grandma why she cut the ends off the ham when she cooked it. Her grandmother looked off into the distance for a moment and then said, "You know I guess I always did it that way because my mother always did it that way."

The great-grandmother was going to be present later that evening and when she got there. The three women, little girl, mother, and grandmother all cornered the old woman and asked the question.

"Mom," the grandmother said. "why did you cut the ends off of the ham when you cooked it?"

"The old woman smiled and answered, "My pan was too short."

We all do things that we do because we follow traditional wisdom or we are trained that way. Often times we are not even sure why we do them. What I want to ask you is what those things are in your life.

Notice the things you do out of habit and maybe even write them down. Why do you do them? What is the benefit to you? Are there ways to do what you do that is different from your traditional wisdom? Do you find yourself getting into trouble because you do things the traditional way? Don't be easy on yourself. Question everything, especially the authority of those who may have given you that wisdom in the first place. Then change. Change your habits. Change your thinking.

Steve
A Common Path
Life Change For You

Can You change?

2009-09-01T05:00:00.002-04:00

Can we ever be perfect? I don't think so. This life is a journey, not a destination, and we never stop learning, or shouldn't, until we breathe our last breath. Some people think they are too old to learn or change. Others think that they are incapable of changing. This is nonsense!

This past week-end, we had some friends over for dinner and some reiki. We enjoy treating people, but we enjoy more having the conversation. The couple that was over are friends that we feel comfortable sharing our beliefs with. Anyway, during the conversation something was said, I don't even remember what now, and it caused me to reflect on myself. I realized something I wanted to change and I have been thinking about this for most of the day today.

Everyone I know has aspects about themselves that they would like to change. They are too dependent on others or they are not assertive enough. They think they are lost causes on a one way road to oblivion. They see no hope of anything better than what they have right now. Their dreams have died and, for the most part, so have they. Does this describe you? Why not take just one little thing about yourself and see if you can't, over the next two weeks change it. It might not change completely, but it might improve. If you can do it with one, then you can try another.

Take stock of who and what you are. No matter what the situation, you can be better! You can have the life you dream about. It takes work. The old saying, "there ain't no free lunch," is true, but it may not be as hard as you think!

Life Change For You
A Common Path

What Would You Do to Become a New Person?

2009-08-31T15:14:00.002-04:00

What would you do to become a new person? Some people resort to plastic surgery. Some people move to a new town or get a new job. Have you ever tried just staying where you are and changing?

Have you ever gone on vacation and tried to change your personality so that you could play at being someone else? Perhaps you would like to be more assertive or, at least, not so shy. This can be lots of fun! If you are going where no one else will know you, you can change your name, anything you want.

It might be the best thing to totally change who you are. After all, you do have some good qualities. However, we each have things about us that we could change to benefit ourselves and the world.

One way to make a change is sort of like using the vacation game. I’m sure you have heard the old “fake it ‘till you make it” phrase. Well, to some degree, this is ok. Sure, it will feel a little phony to you and, this is the bad part about it, but it does help you to try on a different trait to see how it fits. If you don’t like the changes, you can let them go.

Another way to make a life change like this is to consciously work at changing some trait that you want or don’t like. This is not the same as faking it. In this method, you simply work at the trait you want. Let’s say that it is to become more assertive. Instead of faking that you are assertive, you work at small things at first and then larger. You remind the waitress that she forgot your water, or you speak up when someone steps in front of you in line. At first this might seem uncomfortable, but, as time goes on, it will become more of who you are.

You can have a better life! Many people have overcome great personality issues to become something much grander than they ever believed they could be. You are no different! The success you want, the better life you want is there for you if you will try. What will it take for you to move out of your comfort zone and make a change?

A Common Path

Life Change for You

Are You Positive or Negative About Your Life?

2009-08-28T12:05:00.001-04:00

In the New York Times, this morning, there was an article about consumer spending and earnings. Basically, it said that earnings were flat and spending had increased a little due to the cash for clunkers program.

How’s your spending and earnings? If you are like most people, this article was written about you. You earnings are the same, or maybe less, but you spend about as much as before or maybe a little more. You have to live and that means you have to spend. What I want to know is if you feel stuck in the whole thing?

There are two ways to look at every situation in life. You can look at them negatively or positively. If you look at your current economic situation in a negative light, things seem pretty bleak. There aren’t many jobs out there so if you are unemployed, getting a job doesn’t look good. If you are employed, but would like something better, there isn’t much better to look at. Prices keep going up and you begin to wonder just when you will slip under the water and drown.

If you look at things positively, you see that the economy, like everything else in life cycles. Just as we, in the northern hemisphere, are seeing the last of summer and heading toward fall, so the economy is in the depths of winter, but spring may be just around the corner.

What sort of outlook on life do you have? Do you see things as being pretty bleak, or are you excited about the opportunities that may lie ahead. Taking control of your life and changing it so that it is better is a matter of how you look at things. If you always look negatively at things then you will look negatively at your life and your ability to change it. If you look at life in a positive light, then you will have no problem seeing the wonderful change that can be yours!

Anyone Can Change Their Mind

2009-08-27T13:43:00.002-04:00

I said that I have moved my blog over to Wordpress, and I did, part of it. I decided, since I already have this blog, I could use it for something slightly different.

In the past, I have posted some fairly general posts. I may be a little more specific here and I invite some conversation. Don’t be shy! Let’s discuss things.

Speaking of change, I realized something this morning. I was looking at my porch where I have deposited all my camping gear from last weekend, because it was sopping wet. I needed to set it up again so it would dry out. I thought, “I have to set that stuff up and then get it put away.”

What I realized was that I didn’t “have to” set it up, I wanted to. Now there is quite a difference, at least in my mind. I wanted to set it up and then put it away because I didn’t want my porch to look like the Beverly Hillbillies lived here. I wanted to have pride in my home and so I “wanted” to do what needed to be done.

What about you? Is there I difference for you? What do you do that you hate because you feel you have to. We don’t have to do anything except die and pay taxes, and you can not pay taxes, at least for a little while.

Don’t be a woos! Own up to what you want and dump the rest. It’s your life! Live it your way!

A Common Path

We've moved

2009-08-26T07:00:00.000-04:00

We've moved back to our original digs. Sorry for any confusion. It just worked out better this way! Come see us at:
acommonpath.com/blog

Finding Your Life Love

2009-08-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

I have spent nearly all day sitting at my computer. It really isn't a good thing to sit there all day, but I was learning something about a subject that I absolutely love. It is so interesting to me that it was hard to stop. Do you have anything like that in your life? The answer is yes, whether you know it or not.

We all something inside us that makes our heart beat a little faster and holds our interest like nothing else. It is different for each person, even if the subject is the same. We may both like writing, but I like to tell stories and you love to write technical manuals. Whatever it is, we all have that something inside us. I firmly believe that it is put there by the Infinite to be expressed out into the world.

How do you find that special thing? Some people are lucky and it comes naturally to them. Others really know, but down-play it to the extent that it isn't immediately noticeable. If you are not sure, take a moment to think about the times when you are upset, or maybe just want something to do. Do you gravitate toward the kitchen and bake something? Perhaps you go out and mess around in the flower garden. Once you have that special thing you do, start thinking about the specifics of that activity. What is it precisely that you like about doing that activity? Keep narrowing it down and you will eventually come to the real truth of the matter. You love to create edible master pieces, or flower gardens, or high performance cars. Whatever it is, that is your heart's desire, your love in life.

If you are fortunate enough, you make a living doing what you love. If you cannot do that now, is it a possibility in the future? What would it take to get to that point? If you are able to get to that place, your life will become one long symphony of excitement and fulfillment.

A Common Path

How to be Miserable, How to be Happy

2009-08-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

I just got back from a few days of camping. It was a wonderful time and my wife and I really enjoyed ourselves. We visited a wonderful little town called Sacket's Harbor, NY and met some nice people. Some were shop keepers and some were tourists, just like us. It was so nice to meet people who were interested in life and had a bright outlook. We also ran across some not so good.

We had no neighbors on one side of our campsite at first. All was calm, except for the campers across the street with three barking daogs, but that's another post. Then, we came back to camp and there was a tarp and other paraphernalia in the site next door. No one showed for several hours, but then, just as a summer storm can come up out of nowhere, they arrived.

It was only a few minutes and the dogs across the street started their clarion call to announce some other dog lover walking by. Our new neighbor, the male one, started in about, "F-ing dogs and their owners." I didn't think too much about it since some of my own feelings were pretty close to his, although I didn't say them out loud and I refused to let those thoughts control my life.

We went down to the beach for a swim and were not there more than a minute or two when Happy Gilmore, as I had dubbed him, and his lady friend came down to sample the waters of Lake Ontario as well. Right away there was a constant and loud discussion, on his part, about someone they knew and how this person had the gall to have the money to buy some piece of property cash. Then, when his friend suggested that he could have been a little more friendly to the people on the other side of him, apparently they had said hello, he went into a long diatribe about being nice to people when he didn't want to.

In this life, we each must decide if we are going to be happy or not. It doesn't matter our circumstance or situation as much as it does our decision. There are some very happy people in situations that most of us would find unbearable. There are also some very unhappy people who have more than we could ever dream of, and yet, they are miserable. The answer to being happy in this life is a simple one; decide to be happy!

I can tell you from experience. I was once nearly as bad as the guy I mentioned. My wife has always been a happy sort. After years of my being miserable, I realized, or was taught, that I was ultimately responsible for my own life and happiness. It wasn't up to anyone else. I had no one else to blame, no one else to look to. It wasn't my wife's job, my employer's, or anyone's. I could be a grumpy miserable jerk for the rest of my life, or, I could decide to lighten up and put a smile on my face.

I still have my days. I get out of bed and things don't go right and I just can't seem to get it together, and I start to get grumpy. However, I now realize that all I have to do is decide to let go of all that nonsense and decide to be happy. It isn't always easy and sometimes it takes a while, but it works!

There it is! The answer on how to be miserable or happy lies in your own decision. If you don't think it is something so simple, give it a try. Remember that I said it wasn't always easy. For some it can be a real battle, but in the end, that's it. It takes practice! Like anything else, it is an acquired response to life. You decide!

A Common Path

Finding Your Treaure

2009-08-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

I was sitting at the computer and my grand-daughter came in and said she had some treasures for me. She had a little purse that we have given her to play with and she proceeded to give me her treasures one at a time. They were blocks, but she told me what each one was.

We all find treasure in the simple things that exist around us. There was a book written by Russell Conwell called Acres of Diamonds. The idea is that you need not look in some far distant country for your treasures; you only need look around you. The interesting thing is that what I think are treasures and what you think are treasures may well be two very different things.

I once heard a person promoting the Law of Attraction say that there was enough abundance for everyone. Now I don't think this means that we can waste natural resources, some things are non-renewable. What I do think is that there is plenty for us to go around because we don't all want the same thing. My son would really like to have a Ferrari. I am sure there are lots of others who would like one as well. If you gave me one, I'd sell it. I have no use for something like that. there are two problems with finding our treasure.

The first problem is being convinced that what everyone else thinks of as treasure is what you should think of as treasure. If the whole world seems to say that having a Ferrari is what every intelligent person has, it is hard to go against this flow. Look around you and notice how many things you have that you really don't use that much, but somewhere along the line you were convinced you needed it. It takes some real strength of character to not get caught up in the world's material wealth game.

The second problem is that many of us don't know what we want. If you sat down right now, could you name ten things that you actually want. I'm not talking all material things here either. Maybe you want more time with your sister, or a little peace and quiet. I teach meditation and sometimes I will have people say that they didn't realize how much they needed that time to unwind.

Take some time today to list out ten or twenty things that you want. Again, these not be material items, just things that you would treasure. Maybe they are career oriented or they might be relational. Once you have your list, take inventory of the things you have and see if they conform to your list. If not, why do you have them. If so, did you notice that you had this treasure, or did it escape your notice?

Finding your treasure is a simple as knowing what you want and not being influenced into thinking that something your don't want is your treasure. Don't allow yourself to be manipulated by advertising or people. Find your treasures on your own and they will mean more to you!

A Common Path

How to Become Who You Are

2009-08-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

My wife is a Reiki Master and I am a level II practitioner. We try to give each other treatments, when we don't have anyone else on the table. It isn't often, maybe every other week or so, but we try. Today was my turn.

I won't bore you with the details, but I got some real revelation about myself. It had to do with becoming part of the Infinite and becoming who I am. I know I write about this stuff all the time and you would think I have it down. but the truth is, we are all human and we all struggle. I sometime fall back on old ways and need reminding.

To do this, the first thing you need to remember is that you are part of the Infinite. You are not an isolated little glob that no one notices, but part of the Infinite Source of all things. You may feel like an insignificant glob, but that's your feelings, not the truth. Finding that part of the All that is our part is not always easy, but with a little reflection, some honesty and a taste of what you would like from life, it can be found. Once you do that, you need to start being it.

Now it may take a fair amount of Energy to make this happen, but remember that Life Energy flows from the Infinite to you and through you. The Energy, Prana, Chi, Ki, whatever it is you like to call it, is there for all of us. Through the ages, people have learned to tap into this Energy. They have done it through Yoga, Karate, Tai Chi and others. Anyone can do it. First you must believe it is there for you and then you reach out and begin to use it.

Now, take some time and sit with the idea that the Infinite is all around you and runs through you like a river from the Universe. Once you begin to see the Source as more than what many people call God, you can begin to see your part in it. You are created by the One, by God, to represent who and what the Infinite is in this world. That's your job!

Once you have some grasp on that, you can begin to tap into the Energy. Again, sit with the idea that this Energy, this Prana exists and is there for you. Next, begin to feel it. I suggest you simply reach out your hand and try to experience it. It may feel like a gentle breeze or it may feel like tingling in your hands. You might try holding your two hands close to each other and see if you sense a slight resistance or heat. begin a daily practice of reaching into the Energy field and your sense of it will grow.

To become who you are is the only way to live life in any sort of fulfilling way. The frustration we all feel from time to time is simply our spirit's realization that we are not doing our job, not being that part of the Infinite we are created to be. When we feel antsy or run down, it is often because we are in the Energy field, but not using it and so our spirit and body sense the lack of movement and action. I would bet anything that if you try these simple suggestions you will soon find a sense of self growing that was not there before.

A Common Path

Three Understandings To a Super You

2009-08-19T07:00:00.002-04:00

There are three things that, if done, can turn your life inside out and right side up! It takes a little work, but the results are well worth it.

The first things to understand is that the Infinite, the Universe, is so much larger, so much more than you or any of us have ever imagined, and you are a part of it! We cannot conceive of the greatness of it. We are a part of something so big, so powerful that if we understood half of it, we would be more than some comic book super-heroes. When we understand how great the Infinite is, and that we are a part of this awesome existence, it begins to change who and what we are.

Imagine that you were suddenly told you were royalty. You wealth suddenly when from an average income to being more than you can fathom. You power moves from the average person on the street, feeling a victim to life, to being in control. You every whim is something to be carried out at the fastest possible time. This is only a small portion of what you really have as a part of the Infinite.

The second thing to understand has already been alluded to. You are not a victim. We so often think that we have no control over anything and that we are at the mercy of life. We work a job we hate, we don't have the education we want, we don't have the health we want, we don't have the partner we want. Many of these things, and more, cross the minds of the vast majority of people. Are you one of them? You see, you are a part of the Infinite and as such, you are not a victim, but a participant.

We feel so victimized because we feel that we have no say, but this is not the truth in any way. We are a part of the Universal movement. We are a part of the Infinite Source. Does that sound like a victim to you? Once we begin to understand that we are not victims, we can begin to move toward those things we wish to do and be. We can make plans to move from where we are to where we want to be. Leaving the victim mentality behind is not easy. Much of the world works overtime to convince us that we are the victims we have always thought we were.

The third thing we need to understand is that we are responsible for our lives and happiness. Now I know this sounds scary, but it really isn't. We are the ones who have kept us in this downtrodden state. We are the ones who have believed and told ourselves over and over again that we were victims. Now don't get me wrong, we are not responsible for every little thing that happens in our lives, accidents do happen and we have no control over others. We are responsible for our reactions to life.

When things happen to us, we can become sour and unhappy, or, we can learn from the situation, we can become better for what has happened and let it make us stronger. In every situation, no matter how bad, there is always a choice. If nothing else, you have the choice of your own thinking and response to the situation. Let's say your boss chews you out for something. You can get mad and quit or go off and sulk or you can learn from the situation. What set him or her off? Did you do the job right, or does your boss have a point? Are you going to let this chewing out ruin your day and your life?

Your life does not depend on someone else. It depends on you. You are responsible. You can be happy whenever you want! You can feel successful whenever you want! Does that sound bad?

There are many more laws and principles to life than these, but if you start to live by these three principles, or understandings, your life will take on a new luster that it didn't have before! Take some time and think about it. Do some reading and see if others do not say the same thing. Then go out and turn your life right side up!

A Common Path

Changing the Jerk Within

2009-08-18T07:00:00.001-04:00

Whenever I do marriage counseling, I tell the couple that if they think they are going to change the other person, they had better reconsider both the marriage and how much it means to them for the other person to change.

Ultimately, we are responsible for our own life and happiness. This is one of the Principles that rules my life. I recently had a minor set back with someone close to me and it started to bring me down. I caught myself and recited this Principle a few times so that I would get it in my stubborn head. What happened was something small, and yet, had the potential to blow up into something big.

When I recited this Principle, I remembered that the only person I could really affect was myself. I could not change how the other person felt or how they reacted to what I had said. All I could do was be at peace with the situation within myself. I went over what happened and what was said and worked it out within my mind and spirit. I could not change what the other thought about it. I could explain the process I went through and how I felt now, but I could not change them at all. They could either accept what I had to say or reject it and I could not make either happen.

You may be convinced that the other person is a total jerk. There is nothing you can do about it other than to work on the jerk closest to you; which is you. If things are going badly, you can control what you feel and say, but not what the other feels and says. So much of the worlds problems could be simplified if not healed if we would remember this small Principle.

When we run across a situation where we are at odds with the other person, we have a few choices. We can get angry at the other and allow all communication to end or, we can try to work it out, believing we are right and they are wrong , and all we have to do is convince them. Another tactic would be to try and understand what the other person is saying and why they are saying it. Now if we take this approach, we are better off to listen to what they have to say and then process it in our own mind until we come to some sort of amenable ownership of it. If we make peace within ourselves, it will be much easier to make peace with others.

Who do you have a hard time with? Is it a significant other, a boss, co-worker, family member? Who ever it is, try this simple Principle. Don't try to change them in any way. Make peace with the situation within yourself. I am not suggesting that you always let the other have their way, you may decide to terminate the relationship. You may decide that there is no other way and walk away from the situation and the person. All I am suggesting is that you do not try to change them, only yourself.

A Common Path

Irreverent Intentions

2009-08-17T06:51:00.004-04:00

It was suggested to me that I have a rather irreverent way of talking about the Principles and our lives in the universe. I have little doubt that my purpose is to teach spiritual laws or Principles. It is what I was created to do. What I don’t want to do is try to teach Principles to those who either know them already, or have some sort of pseudo self importance that makes them not only immune from the truth of the Principles, but gives them the attitude that they don’t need them.

This is the last day of my little intention experiment. I don’t know how many people are reading my blog or how many are participating in the experiment. What I do know is that it has been a productive time for me. I have had my sense of call strengthened and my determination, my will, to see it happen. There is nothing better than to have a sense of purpose in life.

I would suggest that, if you have no sense of purpose, you use your intention to gain it. Each day, intend to find your purpose in life. You will only feel complete when you find that sense that tells you there is a reason to live each day. The Infinite will deliver it! It may take time as you need to do some self discovery or it may come to you in a flash of insight. The point is to find your purpose.

The second suggestion I would make is that if you or someone you know has a hard time with spiritual laws and principles that you not only read this blog, but engage in it. We can have some good conversation if you will allow it. I may be a little irreverent, but I will be delighted to help anyone become more in tune with their spiritual song. It is the common man or woman who will change the world. Let us be about it!

A Common Path

Tapping the Infinite Keg

2009-08-14T10:53:00.001-04:00

What are our limits, as humans? One of the Principles is the we determine our limitations. No matter how much we may not like it, this is true. We tell ourselves that we cannot do this or that. You might think that someone else is stopping you, but in reality, they are the roadblock that you have the choice to go around or not. You determine you limitations.

The question is, what if we had no limitations? What if we tapped into the well of the Infinite and could do whatever we wanted? It reminds me of tapping into a keg of beer. You tap the keg, pull that first glass and get little but foam. You taste the beer and its good so you get another. This one has a lot of foam still, but not as much as before and you get more of the beverage. The next glass is all beer and it tastes good and goes down smooth. You begin to feel lighter in spirit and more friendly. By your six or seventh glass, you begin to think how fun life is and what you might do. Somewhere along the line you begin to think, to know, that you are invincible.

Now tapping into the Infinite is so much better than that. You get the same feelings, but no hangover and it is not a false sense of well being, but are real sense of all being right and your place in it as right. You begin to know your strengths and your talents. You begin to serve others through your abilities and you have such a sense of euphoria that nothing in life can get you down.

Why not tap into the keg of the Infinite, the Source? Why stand on the sidelines feeling like a wallflower, or worse, the worlds biggest loser. Why not drink your fill of what awaits you, if you only will?

A Common Path

Skinny-dipping in the Infinite Pool

2009-08-13T09:37:00.001-04:00

One of the Principles that has been given to me is that we are all part of the Infinite. Now many would take that to mean that I believe that we are all a part of God, and they would be correct, to some degree.

I do believe that we are all a part of what the God-Head is, but that has little to do with what most “religious” people think. I do not believe that we are God, nor do I believe that God exists as some super-human grandfather type. I believe that God is much bigger than that.

I am currently reading a book entitled, “The Field” by Lynne McTaggart. I can hardly do the book justice as it is full of deep thoughts and information, but the just is that there is a huge “field” of energy, information, and activity that we are all a part of. Read the book! Anyway, I believe that this “field” is a part of God and science is proving that we are a part of the field. That, my dear friends, means that we are all a part of God, or the Infinite.

In my meditation practice, it has become my habit to immerse myself in this field or in the Infinite. I sometimes ask questions and wait for the answer, which I nearly always get some impression or other, if I listen. I sometimes come with no agenda at all and simply sit in openness, trying to be as honest and as open to the Infinite as I can be. It is in these times that I begin to feel an overwhelming sense on oneness with the Infinite and all things. This sense of unashamed openness to the All is a far cry from the guilt and shame I was taught as a child to have when approaching God.

I don’t know what your habit might be in this regard. I don’t know if you pray or meditate, sit on a rock or ignore the whole thing. I can tell you that becoming aware of my oneness and participation in the Infinite is a continual eye opener. Try it; you might like it!

A Common Path

Intention-Day 10

2009-08-12T09:21:00.000-04:00

Today is the tenth day of my little intention experiment. I don't know how many people are doing this at the same time, but I am having a ball doing it. Things have certainly been going well.

My intentions for this experiment have been in the area of my business. My business, as I see it, is to live and teach the spiritual principles that have been given to me. Sometimes, it seems I get bogged down a bit and find it hard to know what it is I should do next. Not this week!

Each night I have tried to spend just a little time, a few minutes, reviewing my goals and setting intentions for the next day. In doing so, I have slept better and I have awakened in the morning sure of what I wanted to do and excited about it. This by itself is worth the effort. I have been more productive and happier. I have been able to live the principles with less conflict and stress.

What about you? Have you had any success in your intentions? There are just a few more days left. Set your intentions early, the night before, if possible. Let them percolate in your mind a bit and then go after them!

A Common Path

Creating Your Life

2009-08-11T12:55:00.001-04:00

I talked to my daughter who lives in a small town in Michigan today. They were hit by a huge storm on Sunday that nearly wiped their little town out. No power for four to five days, some homes destroyed, a lot of damage and many trees down, is the damage. Many of the local stores and businesses are closed due to the power outage. Just before I hung up the phone, not wanting to run her mobile phone down, since she can’t recharge it, she said that everything was fine, all her friends were alright and that they would be fine.

How many times are we hit with life’s disasters and we feel like out world has come to an end? I just heard a story very similar about fires in California. The news interviewed one couple who had lost their home and they were devastated saying they had lost everything, another couple who also had lost their home said they had everything they needed, they were safe and their family was fine.

We create the lives that we live. We create them with our thoughts and our beliefs and actions. When life throws us a curve, we have a choice to fall prey to the thing confronting us or we can look for the positive and know that things will work out. The interesting thing about this is that whatever we think is usually how things turn out. If we think everything is ruined including our lives, that’s how things turn out. If we think that we will be fine and, some how, everything will work out. We are right, they do.

What about your life? Do you see things as total disasters, or minor hiccups that will work out fine? Whatever your answer, know that you have created your life by your beliefs, thoughts, and actions. You are responsible for how you react to life. Make it a good one!

A Common Path

A Battle of Good and Evil

2009-08-10T13:52:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was a very interesting day. It was a day of conflicting and energizing powers. It was so highly energized that I would not be real anxious to do it again real soon.

Someone very close to my family was having a very difficult day. The negative energy surrounding this situation had much of my family on edge. We not only felt for this person, but the energy given off, although the person was not physically with us, affected us all. It was a struggle for everyone to stay light.

The opposite was also occurring. Everyone was thinking and praying for this person and the energy of love and wanting the best for them was also palpable. You might say that we were involved in a war of good and evil and it was fairly easy to see that, although it was indeed a battle, good was winning out for us and the evil was slowly being diminished.

When evil or bad intentions and thoughts come your way, have no fear which will win out if you will have the courage to stick with it. If you will give the good a chance to hold its ground, it will always win out. The only time that the bad side wins in when we let it.

A Common Path

You Ruined My Day!

2009-08-07T14:12:00.000-04:00

The last time you were having a bad day, or were down, who was in control? Who was it that made you be down? What was the circumstance that led to that bad day? Want to know the answer?

The answer is that it was not anyone or anything. It was not a circumstance or a person. Well, that’s not exactly true, it was a someone and a person, but not who you would like to think.

The person was you. You were the one controlling your bad day and your down mood. Now I understand that there were probably circumstances that caused the initial problem and that circumstance or other person was not under your control. What was under your control was your reaction to the circumstance or other person. We have little control over others, but we have complete control over our reaction to whatever stimuli comes along. We can be upset and feel like victims or we can be in control, learning from the situation and making the best of it.

How do you feel? Do you feel like a victim of life? You can change that. You can refuse to feel the victim any longer and use life’s ups and downs to teach you and strengthen you. Personally, I prefer leaving the victim mentality behind.

A Common Path

Intention-Day Four

2009-08-06T10:13:00.000-04:00

Well, here we are at intention day four. I don’t know about you, but I have been working hard to keep my intentions. The hardest thing though is thinking about what they will be. I try to not get out of bed until I have my intentions for the day firmly set. I need to be up soon after the alarm, but setting the intention isn’t always easy.

The first problem I have is setting an intention that goes along with my goals for life and work. I can’t set the intention to go hiking all day if I have other goals that need attention.

The second problem I have is setting an intention that is realistic. Sometimes my intentions tend to get a little airy fairy. You know, “I intend to love everyone I meet today.” Now that would be a fine intention, but it is a little unrealistic, especially if I go out shopping or something like that and run across thousands of people. It is far more realistic to intend to smile at everyone I make eye contact with.

Today, my intention is to work on my goals, they tend to become larger than life too, and to accomplish everything on my list for the day. I intend to become a better person by being responsible for my life. What about you?

A Common Path

A New Creature

2009-08-05T14:28:00.000-04:00

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians that if any one is in Christ, that person in a new creature. Now I believe that what Paul is talking about is not some limp conversion experience, but a changed way of life that more resembles who Jesus was. What do I mean by that?

It means that we are to be, to live, as Jesus did. I don’t mean some pseudo religious life, but living in the all of the Infinite. There is quite a bit of difference, in my mind, between what most people think being “a good Christian” is and being who the Christ taught us to be. Either way, do we become this new creature over night?

The answer is, most often, a resounding no! Becoming someone other than who you have been for whatever your life span is takes a lot of work and faith that it can happen. The faith or belief is the hard part. Once that is accomplished, it isn’t too hard to follow that belief and change.

To change your thinking about yourself and the world around you is hard. Most of it is conditioned by the subconscious and, true to its name; it is below our conscious thinking. We become angry about something before we are even aware that we are. We become depressed about something and don’t even realize at first what it is we are depressed about. Once we start to understand that we can change our thinking, we can start to analyze our reactions to various stimuli. We start to become angry and we stop and think about what was said or done and if it really was the way we perceived it, or did we shade it with our own preconceived ideas.

To understand that we are not victims and that we are a part of the grand design, part of the Infinite Source, is the beginning of becoming the new creation. As we evolve from the primordial being we have been and become more of what Jesus and other holy ones have been, we become the new creature we were always meant to be.

A Common Path

Intention Day 2

2009-08-04T15:19:00.001-04:00

I set a challenge yesterday to have an intention each day and after two weeks, we would see how it went. I will probably not blog on intentions each day, but then again, I might.

When I woke up this morning, I planned to set my intention for the day; a plan for what I wanted to have happen. Life jumped up and said that wasn't exactly how things were going to go, however. My wife had a terrible headache and I wound up giving her Reiki instead of doing what I had planned. After she had gone to work, I got down to what I had wanted to do first thing. I wrote in my journal about the things I wanted to do and to accomplish. One of the biggies for me is to help people in body mind and spirit. I teach at church, teach yoga and meditation, and treat people with Reiki.

As I thought about all this I realized that my morning had started out with my doing what I wanted without my setting the intention. The Spirit knew before I did what the day would be about. My intention was already in motion before I had even really thought about it.

How about you? Did you set an intention for today? How did it turn out?

A Common Path

Thinking of Intentions

2009-08-03T13:06:00.000-04:00

I have been gone on vacation for a week. I intended to post a blog each day, but life got in the way and I didn’t do what I intended to do. I have to admit, I didn’t work at my intention very hard.

Intentions are strong things, but they are only strong if we think about them often and work at them. While on vacation, I could have demanded of myself a certain amount of time each day to writing my post. It doesn’t usually take long to strengthen our intentions. Only a few minutes will be enough to remind us and set the intention strongly in our will. I often had nagging thoughts that I should sit down and write, but I soon swept these thoughts away and the post never happened. It is the same with any intention. If we allow those thoughts of our intention to be swept away, we will not work at them and then they are lost. Do you know why so many New Year’s Resolutions never materialize? That’s right! The intention or resolution is easily swept away and not given enough time to take root.

What are the intentions that you have for your life? Have you given them any thought lately? Many people have the intention to do something spectacular, traveling in a new country or making a lot of money, but they allow the intention to get swept away whenever it comes up. Take the next couple of weeks and, every time your intentions come up in thought, instead of sweeping them away, think about them for a few minutes. See if something doesn’t happen. I’ll give you a challenge.

For the next two weeks, until August seventeenth, I will think of at least one intention each day. At the end of two weeks, we will compare results and see who has the most fantastic outcome. Who is up for that?

A Common Path

Healing Yourself and the World

2009-07-30T09:07:00.001-04:00

The spirit was teaching me something that was very interesting to me. I won't say that this is the absolute truth for everyone, nor will it make the pages of Psychology Today, but I think it deserves mention.

Who were the people you were closest too when you were little. Was it mother, father, grand parent? As an adult, looking back, what was this person biggest problem or combined problem if there was more than one person?

Children are incredibly intuitive. In the adult world, we might even say they are psychic, although they have no notion of anything being different. The fact is, without being told, they can pick up what is bothering an adult almost as if they are tuned into the same brain wave length. Have you ever had your child ask you what is wrong when something is bothering you, but you have not let anyone else know? They know!

We tend to want to fix in ourselves and the world the thing that we saw wrong with the person we were close to. For example, my mother was who I was closest to. She was an incredibly bound person in her thoughts, beliefs and even her physical body. Today, my greatest desire is to heal people of feelings of being bound in their faith, their emotions and their physical bodies. If I could do anything in the world, it would be to free people. My wife grew up with her mother being very ill, never knowing if she was going to live or not. Now, more than anything, my wife wants to heal people. She is a Reiki Master and would heal every single person that crosses her path

What are the things you most want to do in the world? What was the thing you felt your closest parent suffered from. If we understand what we want to fix and the motivation behind it, we can have some peace of mind as to who and what we are.

A Common Path

Our Lives, Our Spirits

2009-07-28T18:14:00.001-04:00

An interesting day visiting with some relatives. The interesting thing is the avoidance of any talk about what my wife and I are doing. The reason? Well, I have to guess, of course, but one set are basically atheist and the other are conservative Christian. They know we are into Yoga and try their best to ignore the fact that we are into Reiki.

I really didn't feel insulted, but I was interested to witness this turn of events. People seem so afraid to hear differing points of view or tolerate points of view that are different. I know we all see things through the lenses of our own beliefs and experiences, but we can be adventurous enough to be open to others.

I wonder if our spirits are so fragile to not be able to be open. I think that we are fragile in our conscious selves, but our spirits are much stronger than that. When we listen to our spirits and the spirits of others, our lives seem to smooth out a bit. That has been my experience and continues to be so. The more I live in the spirit, the easier things get. Try it out.

A Common Path

Detour in the Spirit

2009-07-27T11:30:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, I had occasion to drive through St. Catherine's Canada. It has been really strange weather in this part of the country and there was lots of rain. The QEW was closed down due to flooding. We were directed to get off the highway and then we were left on our own to figure out how to get where we wanted to go.

Years ago, I would have been angry and it wouldn't have taken long and I would be absolutely livid. We were not the only ones who had been diverted. There were, what seemed like, thousands of people going in every direction on every main road. It was frustration not knowing where I was, where I was going, or how I was going to get there. At one point, I yelled to a guy going the other direction if he knew how to get to Hamilton. He was as lost as I was. We finally stopped at a Lowes and asked one of the employees. There wound up several of us there listening to this man tell us how to get where we wanted to go.

Through all this, I stayed open to the leading of my spirit. I listened when I was told to turn, I listened especially hard when I was advised to take a deep breath and calm down. The whole episode stayed very low key and, even though we spent nearly three hours driving the streets of St. Cath's we got where we wanted to be. Staying in the spirit turned a potentially ugly time into one of laughter, wonder and sight seeing.

Stay in the moment. Stay in the spirit, your spirit and listen to what it has to tell you. Listen to the voice that sees more than you can see and knows what to do.

A Common Path

Spirit Talk

2009-07-24T11:32:00.001-04:00

Have you ever tried to talk to your spirit? Have you ever tried to talk to that part of you that is linked to the infinite Source? You may think this is impossible, but I assure you that it is not. I saw an interview once with a prominent current spiritual leader and author that anyone who claims to talk with God or hears inner voices is probably schizophrenic. Well, I may be, but I think that anyone who doesn’t talk with their spirit, with the link to the Infinite Source, is missing some very good direction.

The method for speaking with your inner self or your spirit can be a little different for each person. In my experience, the two most common methods are just plain hearing the voice in your head, not as audible words, but as ideas and thoughts, or through journaling.

For me, when I ask my spirit for guidance or direction, I get definite feelings, mostly I my heart center. I can feel if what I am considering doing is right for me or not. Now I know that I sometimes flavor this information with my own wishes and desires, but if I try to stay neutral, I usually get good direction and it often is not the answer I am looking for. Thoughts may come about the specific subject, but it is mostly feelings of the heart.

When I journal, it can be much like Neale Donald Walsch describes in his book, Conversations with God. I ask questions and I get answers, often faster than I can write them. I try to not pause in my writing and simply do my best to keep up. If I pause too long I can feel my own ideas and thoughts coming into play. If I just cruise along as fast as I can, the words tumble out and I have little control over what comes.

However you best get in touch with your inner self, your spirit, I suggest you start making it a regular habit. As your spirit for help on any decision you might have to make. Listen to the answer and then follow the advice you are given and see how it turns out. You may e very pleasantly surprised!

A Common Path

Answers of the Spirit

2009-07-23T14:03:00.004-04:00

What are the answers that you have within you? What do I mean by that? Well, most of us have questions about where we re going in life and who are we. These are the big questions that no one else seems to be able to answer, not matter how much we wish they would. We may ask others for their advice or guidance and ask the question, but they don't seem to really have the answer. Why don't they?

The reason they don't is because we already know the answer and what the other person offers is probably not in line with the answer we have. Now I understand that you may not think you have the answers. We usually don't. We think that the little noise in the back of our heads can't be the answer, but where do you think the answer comes from? The answer comes from the field of knowledge that floats through the ether. Where does that come from? It comes from the Infinite. The All, the Source knows what we need and, since we are part of this Source, we know too. Our spirits, our hearts sing when we entertain the answer and sinks to the bottom of our souls when we reject it. How can we know the answers, how can we understand what the answers are?

I just told you. What does your spirit tell you? What does your soul feel when you think about the question and the answer? Trust this inner voice. Trust your spirit. After all, your spirit is linked to the Spirit of the Divine. How could it not be right? Now I know some of you have done this in the past and what happened seemed to be totally wrong. Was it? What happened? I know I have been through this, but as I look back at those times, I learned a great lesson that has served me well ever since.

The answers for your life are not distant. They are within you. Jesus said that the kingdom of God was in us. The kingdom holds the answers and that comes from inside. Look to the inner guide to help you through life. Try it and test it out.

A Common Path

Change Your Faith?

2009-07-22T14:37:00.001-04:00

I have been in deep discussion with a friend about deep spiritual matters that would make theologians quake. The interesting thing about this discussion is that the very nature of spirituality is changing, and lots of people are thinking about what it is they believe.

I know that there are those who would say that this rethinking of what it is we believe is a bad thing. They might say that doing so is actually undercutting traditional and true faith. We are letting go of the truth and taking up heretical beliefs.

The interesting thing about this is that people have been saying this for thousands of years. When the first person stated his or her unbelief in the gods being the originator of thunder was probably cast out of their society. We started out believing in a very animistic type of faith. Everything has spirit. The rocks, the trees, the grass you walk on and the dog droppings you step in all has spirit. Then we moved to various gods. We changed from believing that everything has spirit to believing that there are various gods who do various things.. You know, the god of thunder, the god of fertility and so on, influenced our lives. After that came the monotheistic God. God sits on his, and I do mean male, throne and ran the world from there. We were completely detached, or at least mostly from whatever it was that this monarchical God wanted. Now we seem to be moving toward a God who may not be male and may not sit on a throne, but is much more intimate with us; allowing us to co-create in the universe.

My background is Christian, so I will speak from that tradition, that's what Jesus was trying to tell us! God is spirit, we are told. We are the body of the Christ, the Incarnate one, we are advised. I see this as a affirmation that where we are going spiritually is a coming to more of the truth. We are not saying that we are God, but that we are part of God. We are inextricably linked. Some might feel threatened by this, thinking that we are taking power away from God. No, but we are taking power from God as we are meant to do.

Anyway, these are very interesting times and discussions like I am having with my friend excite me to no end. The future is bright with possibility! I can't wait to see what happens!

A Common Path

2012

2009-07-21T10:20:00.004-04:00

There's a new movie coming out and the title is 2012. I saw the previews of this movie and it is one about apocalyptic change in the world. There are earthquakes and tidal waves and all the things you would imagine accompanying the end of the world as we know it. It is a shame that we view dramatic change as taking such a dire avenue.

The year 2012 is one that people have been talking about for some time, but especially since the turn of the twenty-first century. I don't know that much about the predictions, but from what I understand, both the Mayan and the ancient Chinese calendars predict a huge change in the world in that year. Many think that it mean the end of the world; hence the movie with earthquakes and so on. What the predictions are about is a huge change in life as we know it, not the end of it.

I have no idea if these predictions are true or not, and look forward to seeing if they are, but I know that we are going through some huge changes in our thinking and belief systems. We once thought that God sat on His throne in heaven and caused things to happen. then we came to believe that God may or may not exist, but science certainly did and had the answers we were looking for. Now we are in a position of melding these two thoughts and saying that God, not perhaps the God on the throne, but the Source of all and science may actually coexist. Quantum physics, or quantum mechanics effectively put an outside intelligent source back into the mixture. The biggest difference in this was that we understand, and are understanding more all the time, that we are part of the mix as well. there is an intelligence out there, and we are somehow linked to it.

We are beginning to understand that we are not useless victims, nor are we the center of our universe, but we are co-creators with the Divine, with the Infinite. We can control much more of our lives and the life of the world that we ever thought. Why don't we see more of this then? The answer is because we are just on the cusp of this understanding and there are many more people conditioned to the old way of thinking than the new. How many people do you personally know that believe they can control what happens to them? They either believe they are victims of circumstance or victims of a God of fluctuating emotions. Some time He loves us, and sometimes He hates us

I believe that the year 2012 could be a changing point in the world by people realizing that the energy of the Infinite is there for them to use to better the world. It could be the end of war and disease. It could be the end of hatred and prejudice. The answers are within our grasp, just as Jesus and the Buddha said. Perhaps we should listen to the new/ancient teaching and move forward.

A Common Path

Personal Lacking

2009-07-16T09:43:00.003-04:00

Jesus said, “Those who know all, but are lacking in themselves, are utterly lacking.” The Gospel of Thomas

The above quote says something quite remarkable. You may know everything there is to know about something, but if you lack in who and what you are, it is worth nothing. We live in the Shadow life instead of the life we are meant to live.

I don’t know how many times I have read or heard the same thing. You can have all the faith in the world, believe in the law of attraction all you like, say your affirmations until you are blue in the face, but if you block all those things with an attitude that you are no good, or that you will never succeed, none of them will work.

We all have self doubts and negative thoughts that inhibit our ability to prosper, but those who never are able to put them in the part of the mind where we keep fairy tales and lies, are unlikely to manifest the things they want in life.

We must recognize these thoughts and feelings for what they are. It takes work, but not as much as you might think. They take honesty more than anything.

We know most of the thoughts and feelings that block us. If we are honest, we can name them pretty readily. It might take a little time to define it down to the real issue, but you know what it is.

Find those thoughts and feelings and deal with them. Allow yourself the freedom of knowing what blocks you from the amazing life the Infinite has for you! Move yourself from personal lack to personal abundance. When you do, your life will prosper!

A Common Path

If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride

2009-07-15T15:26:00.002-04:00

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. This rhyme from the 1700's gives a teaching that I find hard to accept, but have to agree with, nonetheless. What I glean from this teaching is that beggars, or poor people in general, are very good at wishing, but that fact is part, if not all, of the reason they are in the position they are in.

Now I know that you may be bristling, at that statement, especially if you are poor. After all, there are poor people in various places that are poor not because of their thinking, but because they are oppressed, or have some other form of handicap. Yes, I agree, but there are those who refuse to stay in a place where they are oppressed or whatever it is that keeps them down and they manage to get away from it. The thing is, most people believe that they are stuck where they are and there is nothing they can do about it.

I am reading the biography of a woman named Hawayo Takata. This is the woman who is largely responsible for bringing Reiki to the western world. One day, she asked her teacher why he didn't go out and bring healing to the poor. His answer was that those who could afford the treatments, the affluent, royalty, and so on were the people who had the mind set to allow the healing. The poor had a mind set that told them there was no hope except through modern medicine.

I have also read in many places that say that the poor are largely poor because they believe themselves to be stuck in poverty and there is no out for them. There is much they could do to escape their condition, but they don't believe in themselves or anything else enough to help them. They are big on wishing and small on believing that anything can be done.

What about you? Are you living the way you want? If not, what is your mind set about it? Do you believe that you are stuck in the situation with no way out?

A Common Path

Somebody Else

2009-07-14T16:48:00.000-04:00

Have you ever wanted to step outside of your personality and be someone else? Many people play this little game when they go on vacation. They intentionally change their personality, as best they can, and life as if they were completely different people. I've done that before and it is fun! What if you wanted to change your personality permanently?

Some would argue that it isn't possible to change who you are permanently, and I admit that it would be hard, but I don't think it is impossible. Sure it will take some work, but it isn't impossible. The trick is to believe it yourself before you try to get anyone else to believe it. The vacation thing is easy because you are pretending and everyone in on the change knows that it is pretending. When it is permanent, others may question your sincerity or sanity if the change is great.

There are many people who are unsatisfied with who they are and wish they could change. They can! Any of us can change who we are. There is no law against it, as long as you don't want to become a serial killer or something, and no one is in control of who you are except you. I admit that it may not be easy and it might take a great deal of effort, but it is not impossible.

If you could change something, what would it be? If you could be someone else, who would you be? Think about the change and if you really want it, do it!

A Common Path

The Shadow Side

2009-07-13T11:18:00.001-04:00

In all of us, there is a Shadow side. I don't mean an evil side, necessarily, but a side that is not the light we are created to be. In some of us, this Shadow side is minor and we see little evidence of it and in some of us if makes itself known in such ways as depression, chronic anger and the like. Whether this Shadow side is strong or weak, we all would like to see it disappear, or at least not be in such control.

How do we rid ourselves of the Shadow side? I cannot give you a definite answer, but I know some ways to diminish it. The first way is to hand the Shadow over to God, the Divine, the Higher Self, The Universe, whatever it is you see as being higher than yourself. Handing it over is easy, not taking it back is difficult. When you had the Shadow over to the Infinite, you must leave it there. Once done, you can allow the Source to help you make the changes you need to make to change.

Another way is to recognize the Shadow and to continually and diligently work to change or diminish it. Once again, it is easy to say, and not so easy to do. To recognize the Shadow can be difficult since the ego likes to deny that the Shadow exists. Once we have the Shadow nailed down, it become an easier task to work against it. Every time you recognize the Shadow's presence in your life you can take the steps you need to work against it. Now some would say that working against it only serves to make it stronger That the best way is to simply notice its existence and then let it go. I find that I get no where with this technique. If I simply let it be, it remains and stays strong. If I recognize it and then work to diminish it I get further. I suggest you try both methods and see which one works best for you.

The Shadow side is something we all have, but we don't need to keep it. Our lives will shine brighter if we let go of the Shadow!

A Common Path

Look in the Mirror

2009-07-10T16:55:00.000-04:00

Last night Michele and I sat with some friends over dinner and talked about all sorts of things. We had a great time! We got to share our views and beliefs in the safety of people who don't necessarily agree with everything we say, but are open enough to tolerate our views.

While I was talking, I had an epiphany about myself. I think of myself as being positive and upbeat, for the most part. I wasn't always this way and sometimes I revert to that old way of behaving, but for the most part, I have changed. I was reminded that I don't always come across that way. I knew this, but to hear someone else say it, it opened my eyes.

the other thing was when I was asked if I feel trapped in my job and life situation. I said not as much as I used to, but Yes, I sometimes do. This morning, I woke with the realization that this feeling of being trapped is the old thinking, the old way of viewing life and that I need to deal with it.

We all have those sorts of things lurking in our backgrounds. We are often pulled back to our early years and the way we dealt with life then. It may not be how we think consciously, but subconsciously , we may find ourselves living in that past way more than we would care to do. What is it that you struggle with? What is it that blocks you from the full life you should be experiencing but may not be?

A Common Path

Amazing Things

2009-07-09T12:55:00.002-04:00

Some pretty amazing things can happen when you put yourself in line with the flow of the universe, the energy of the Infinite. I can be hard to do; to stop thinking in old ways and start thinking in new ones. The world is so determined to hold us to thinking that there is little we can do or that life is our of control. The truth of the matter is that there is much we can do about things and our lives are only out of control if we allow them to be. Let me give you a couple of examples.

I put out there a few days ago that we need more business for our Yoga and Reiki offerings. A day or two went by and nothing much happened, but then, last night, we got three new clients. That may not sound all that amazing, but it is. Then, this morning, I had another chance to test out the power of the Divine.

When I booted up my computer this morning, it said I had several viruses and that I needed to install my windows again. I bought this computer with windows installed and don't have a disk. I did Reiki on my machine, ran my anti-virus program and it found one virus which it cleaned. My computer is working just fine now. It was tempting and would have been easy to fall into the old, "Oh me, now I'll lose everything on my hard drive," attitude, but I didn't.

The examples could go on and on, but you get the picture. The more you trust that things will work out, the more they will. The more you believe everything is going to hell in a hand basket, the more you are right. We are created to be light and creation. Don't let the world tell you any different!

A Common Path

The Risk of Being Open

2009-07-06T14:08:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, my wife and I were called to do an emergency Reiki treatment of sorts. A friend of ours has been struggling with some health issues and they have very recently gotten much worse. She is supposed to be on an airplane on Thursday and she is not sure she can do it. It is very important to her to be on that plane!

We got to her house, set up our table and proceeded to treat her. She is a Reiki practitioner herself so there was no having to explain all about Reiki and what was about to happen. While doing Reiki, I often get impressions or intuitions about things in the persons life. I usually offer to share them. They don't usually mean a thing to me, but quite often mean something important to the person. I asked if she would like me to share and I did. What I thought it might be about was not it at all. She shared with us what was going on in her life and it really was something much greater than I would have guessed. Had I not been open with her, she would not have been able to share with us. Had she not shared, we could not have been there for her.

We all spend our days and minutes in a tension between giving to others and holding our lives tightly in our hands. When we refuse to let go and let others in our lives, we diminish ourselves. The more we share with others and the more we are involved in others lives and allow them into ours, the richer our lives become. Certainly there are things that must be held in private or in confidence, but often we hold things that are better off being shared. Allow others into your life and see if it doesn't make your life richer. Take the risk. It's worth it!

A Common Path

Being God

2009-07-02T17:27:00.001-04:00

I mentioned yesterday about the Hubble telescope. I spent about an hour looking at pictures taken from it and marveling at our universe. I look at those pictures and I am filled with awe and amazement. It makes me wonder how anyone could not believe in God after looking at pictures like that.

Some might say that how can I believe in a God after looking at pictures of atrocities done to children and other victims of war and greed. I believe it because I also believe that you, me and the six billion or so others on this planet are the physical representation of God, right here, right now. We choose how God will manifest in this time and place and generally, our choices are pretty lousy. Before you get all self-righteous on me, I know that there are many out there who are kind and loving. People who have never hurt anyone and never would. I know, but as John Donne said, no man is and island. We are all somewhat responsible for what happens on this planet. We say that we can't do anything about what goes on half way around the world, but is there nothing we can do?

I look at the pictures of the universe and wonder if there are more tolerant, more humane civilizations out there amongst the galaxies. I hope so. I hope and pray that we learn to be better gods and better people. I believe there is hope for us and for this little dot on a far flung arm of one of billions of galaxies.

A Common Path

The Power of God

2009-07-01T15:29:00.001-04:00

The same energy that causes nebulas to build and they in turn build stars and solar systems flow through us. It flows through everything everywhere. This energy is the energy of the Divine. Do I mean the God of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or any other religion? Well, yes and no. Each of these religions comes from a culture and a mind set of what God is. The truth is, God is far beyond any of us to explain or describe. A few minutes looking at the pictures of the universe taken by the Hubble telescope will convince most people that God, the Divine, the Infinite, is not some grandfather sitting on a golden throne somewhere in a cloud covered heaven. God, the Infinite, the Source of all things is so far beyond religion and yet each of them touches on what the Divine is.

What do we do with the thought that the energy of the Divine flows through us? Is it true? If so, what do we do with it? Taking the creation story form the bible, it says that God created us to be the reflection or image of God. We are to be the visible representation of the Divine. That’s what it says. Jesus himself said we are to be the body of the anointed one, the Christ. How else can we take this unless we water it down so as to keep the power of religion in tact?

What do we do with this energy, this power? Well, I don’t think we have done much with it at all. A few figures in history have used it and they have become famous, or infamous with it. For most of us it remains outside our grasp. Not that we couldn’t, but that we don’t know how. What could we do with it? I’ll let you answer that question. Just sit with it a while and let me know what the answer is.

A Common Path

What is Faith Anyway?

2009-06-30T15:39:00.000-04:00

What is faith anyway, and do we really have it, live it? Many of us say we have faith in one thing or another, but when it comes right down to it, do we really. My wife works in a credit union and just called asking me to pray for her since she is eighty dollars short and she has been through her stuff multiple times. Does she really believe that my prayers will help her find the money? Do I really believe that my prayers will help? I want her out of there and helping me in our business, but we are both afraid that it won't be enough to pay our bills. Is that faith?

Faith is believing that something that is not currently reality either will be or has been and it is something you are so sure of that you live your life according to it. If we take this definition to be true, then most of us live very unfaithful lives. We are afraid of things instead of believing that things will work out. We see a dim future when we should see our dreams coming true. What does it take to live by faith? It takes a determination and strength to live according to our beliefs. It isn't always easy, in fact, it is rarely easy, but it gets easier as we go forward.

My wife will find the eighty. She will be leaving there soon to join me in helping others live their faith. I believe it!

A Common Path

Getting Back to Center

2009-06-29T14:00:00.000-04:00

Well, we had a week of family from Michigan here and the house was full to the brim nearly every day. Sometimes it was nice, sometimes it was a mad house. Then they all left and my wife and I sat in the empty house and both reveled and sorrowed in the silence. We sat in meditation, talked and read. By the time we went to bed, we felt refreshed and ready for the new week.

What do you do when the world gets to be too much and you just need some time to readjust? Do you go for a walk, meditate, pray, read, what? We all have ways of getting back on track. Those who don't find themselves in a never ending frenzy of one thing then another. We all need time to regroup. If you don't, might I suggest something?

Sit alone someplace. If you like being outside, then sit outside. You might have a cup of coffee or tea with you. Start off by taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Then listen; listen to the sounds around you. What are they? Enjoy those sounds; even if it is your neighbors noisy kids. Listen to them playing. Then notice any smells. Enjoy the ability to smell things. Even if they are unpleasant odors, the ability to smell is something of a miracle. Now, as you sit there in the middle of the sounds and the smells, notice yourself. Just notice how you feel. Pay attention to the things going through your mind. Don't think about them, just notice that they are there. You are alive! The fact that you can hear things, smell things, notice things, means that you are alive. In the moment there is nothing you need except your next breath. There is nothing more and the moment is perfect, just as it is.

The house is empty and it is quiet. I love the quiet. I can't wait for it to be driven from the house again!

A Common Path

Living in the Same Space

2009-06-26T08:58:00.002-04:00

Living in the same space as somebody else can be a trying experience! I don't mean living in the same area as others like in a city, I mean living in close proximity to others and having to deal with them! Let me explain.

This last week, my daughter from Michigan is here with her family. While she is here, my other daughter like to come up because we don't all get together very often. My son and his wife also come up for the same reason. That makes eight adults and four children all in the same one thousand square foot house. There are different family dynamics and different child rearing rules. There are different ideas about how things get done and what things are important to do. There are times when feelings get raw and even tempers flair a little. The trick is to learn to respect each other's space without loosing your own sense of space. This includes allowing each other to be who we are and not demanding that we all conform to each other's expectations.

The world is a big place, but we seem to continually step on each other's toes. Wars and hatred stem from this basic concept. Sure, I know this is a major over simplification, but when you boil it right down, this has a lot to do with the turmoil in the world today. We can't tolerate another's religion, or their customs, or their way of doing things. We hate them for their color or their wealth or lack of it. The more we try to allow each other our own space, the more things will work out. Let's allow each other the right be be in our space and not demand they stay out of ours?

A Common Path

Running in the Sprinkler

2009-06-25T13:25:00.001-04:00

Running in the sprinkler. Is there anything more fun than that? It is hot here and the grand kids wanted to cool off. I set up the sprinkler for them and they had great fun.

Life can be so complicated and we get heated over things that go wrong. When they do, we just seem to boil in the situation until we think we might explode. There is a way to get out of all that heat however. We can take just a second or two to run i9n the sprinkler of our mind.

When those times come, try to just pause for a few seconds. Let all your cares and whatever it is that is bothering you go. Just take a breath and listen or look at whatever is around you. It only takes a second and you already know how to do this. Remember the last time you just started to stare off into nothingness. That is your mind's automatic meditation pause reflex. All you have to do is do that on purpose. Let your gaze be soft and your mind relax. Let everything go just for a few seconds. When you come back to your troubles they will still be there, but you will feel much better about them.

A Common Path

Being Perfect

2009-06-24T12:33:00.000-04:00

I know I told you that my grandchildren are here from Michigan. It's really good to see them. The things is, I feel they expect so much from me and yet, I realize that they really expect nothing from me. The great thing about children is that they take everyone at face value; at least when they are young.

How often do the expectation we have for ourselves go beyond who we are or who we are even able to be? I find that I do that often. In my Yoga practice and teaching, I expect myself to be perfect. In my Reiki, I want to heal everyone I come in contact with. Everything i do, I want to do it perfectly. I know I can't, but I want to. These feelings of imperfection then cause me to feel like I have failed. I know that I don't need to be perfect, but the world likes to tell you that you should be. We and the world are not near as tolerant as young children!

Do you do that? Do you expect yourself to be perfect? Do you give yourself a chance to relax and know that it is okay to be who you are? Do you give yourself the room to improve and allow the Spirit to bring you to a higher level? That's the only real way to live.

A Common Path

Last Chance Catch

2009-06-23T12:12:00.003-04:00

I mentioned yesterday that my grand-children from Michigan are here visiting me. Yesterday, my grand-daughter asked me to play catch with her. At first I started to say no. I had been weeding the garden and I wanted to finish it. Then I thought about it and decided that I should spend time with her rather than the garden. It was a good time of playing catch and the weeds were still there waiting for me when I finished.

How often do we pass up an opportunity to do something with someone because we are involved in something and decide that it is more important than the person? We all do it and yet other people are far more important than objects or projects. We grow from interaction with people and we gain energy from them. Every time we pass up an opportunity to be with someone else we pass up an opportunity to be with God. Why would we want to do that?

I hope I will get to play catch tomorrow. Who knows how many more times I will have to play? The next one might be the last one! I better make it a good one!

A Common Path

Today's Moment

2009-06-22T10:33:00.005-04:00

What a week-end! A very quick trip to see our Reiki Master and then back again as my daughter, from another state, came to visit for a week They were all there by the time we returned from PA. It has been a whirlwind since with Sunday and having to teach and then father's day on top of it all.

Living in the moment can be hard when life seems to be in a flurry around us, but when those time comes it is most important to live that way! By living in the moment, we can enjoy what is going on without worrying and fretting about how our schedule is messed up or how out routine doesn't seem to work. It helps us to remember that the people in our lives is what is important and not the small details of how we usually get things done. I don't often get to see my daughter, her husband, and our grand-kids that often. Why would I want to push my time with them aside and think about how I can't do my Yoga like normal or my morning meditation being interrupted by inquisitive little ones wanting to know what I'm doing?

By living in the moment, we can enjoy our lives. If we live in the future we are always planning, but never receiving. If we live in the past we are always inspecting, evaluating, regretting, and never living. This moment is the only one we truly have. Why trade it for something that either no longer exists or may never exist? Live just today in the moment and see how it goes. Just for today, try to live each moment and don't worry about past or future. See how it effects your day.

A Common Path

Filling Up With Loved Ones

2009-06-19T14:33:00.001-04:00

My wife goes on vacation this afternoon and my daughter and her family are coming from Michigan tomorrow. I am really excited about having this time with all of them. My days sometimes get a little isolated. When it's not isolated, it's running crazy busy. Even though my wife lives in the same house, we seldom have much time to talk for any length of time. I get to see my daughter a maximum of twice a year.

Who are the people in your life that are important to you? Do you see them enough, talk to them enough? Our lives are short, too short to let people slip from our grasp. We may need to let them go to live their own lives, but that does not mean we have to let them go. We can call, send emails, keep them in our prayers, write letters. Why would we want to let someone we love drop from our lives like old worn out socks?

My intention for this next week is to enjoy my wife, my daughter, my son-in-law, and my grand-kids to the point of overflowing. I am going to fill my spirit with their spirits. That way I don't ever have to let them go.

A Common Path

The Power of God and Minglits

2009-06-18T09:58:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, I read that the US Catholic Bishops have declared Reiki an unacceptable healing method for Christians, in particular, Catholics. Part of the reason is that they say the power or energy is not from God, nor is it a natural, meaning scientific, method. Then, I heard that there were some Reiki practitioners, not many thankfully, that were saying that the Christian church needed to keep out of it and stop trying to Christianize Reiki. Wow! Can any body spell anal?

I have been practicing Reiki for a while now, under a year, and Yoga for about fifteen. I have practiced meditation for nearly twenty. What I found from all these different practices is that there is a higher power and it is beyond religion, beyond our definitions. The Infinite Source is beyond our comprehension and yet we, being the folks we are, need to call it something. We call it God or we call it Goddess. We call it Yahweh or Allah. We call it the Universe or the Inner Self. What we call it makes no difference. Let me give you an example.

Imagine a horse. Now we all know what a horse looks like and we understand horseness. Now the Infinite is much more than a horse, but hang with me. Now let's say that we have decided globally, a miraculous feat in itself, to change the name of horse to minglit . From now on, that thing you ride or have pull a cart or plow with a long tail, four legs and hooves will no longer be a horse, but a minglit. Does changing the name in any way change the creature?

The power or energy that flows through us and everything in the universe is from whatever that thing is that we feel so compelled to name. When we try to claim the power and its Originator as our own, exclusively, we, to some extent, diminish both the power and the Originator, at least for us. The Bishops want to have control. Those who claim that Christians are trying to Christianize it are trying to have control. The Infinite and the energy that emanates from it is bigger than religions or philosophies. Until we can learn to allow for the greatness of both, we diminish our own experience of them. Why would we want to do that? The world has enough problems and enough hatred. Why add to it; especially over something beneficial?

A Common Path

You in the Perfect World

2009-06-17T13:46:00.000-04:00

What would a perfect world look like to you? I have been thinking about this lately, due to some reading and a couple of movies. If you think about what the perfect world would look like to you, you can soon see yourself in it and what your part in it might be. Now this doesn't have to be heaven on earth. I mean the perfect world according to you. Maybe it is the world after some apocalypse, or maybe it is the world after all the problems have been ironed out. Whatever it is, and it should be personal to you, what is your part in it?

Are you the hero of the story, charging off and doing battle with the forces of evil? Perhaps you are the thinking one who is the voice of reason. Maybe you are the spiritual one, guiding everyone on their spiritual journeys. Whatever you think your part might be, it says something about who you really are, deep down inside.

We often feel lost in life, not knowing where we belong. We get stuck in habits of like and work that does not suit us. We just don't seem to know where we belong or what it is we should be doing. If you use this simple exercise of imagining the perfect world, you can get a pretty good glimpse as to who your inner self wants to be. Once you find who that is, you can start working on making that person you see yourself as become a reality. Try it and see if it doesn't help you.

A Common Path

Live What You Believe

2009-06-16T11:14:00.003-04:00

Do you live what you believe? I'm mot asking what you believe, or how deeply. I am asking if you live according to your convictions. It is real easy to say we believe something, but then live our lives in a very different manner.

The first step in answering this question is to determine what it is exactly that you do believe. Give it some thought. What are your core beliefs? What are the things that drive your life? Most people have to think a bit before they can come right down to what they believe. Do you believe in God? Do you believe in a higher self? Do you believe the universe is for or against you? Once you have that somewhat figured out you can begin on the next step.

Do you live your beliefs or convictions? Many of us might have some idea of what it is we believe, but when we look carefully, we see that we don't live our lives according to those beliefs or convictions. If you believe that God exists and cares for you, do you look for that care that comes from a heavenly or supernatural source? If you believe in the higher self, do you expect and demand of yourself the higher life, or do you just float along? Do you believe the universe is there for you and will bring blessings to you? Whatever it is you believe, the big question is, do you live it? If after looking deeply you come to the conclusion that you do not live it, then you have to ask yourself why not and what can you do about it. It is ridiculous to believe one thing and live another. Either you have to change your life or change your beliefs. As a minister, I come into contact with lots of people who say they believe one thing, but live something very different.

What does it take to get you on the same wave link as you beliefs? What would it take to change your life or your convictions? How can you come to integrity in self and spirit?

A Common Path

Be Who You Are, Do What You Do

2009-06-15T11:34:00.002-04:00

How sure are you about who you are and what your life purpose is? Most of us struggle with who we are. We are not sure if we are our parents, or if we are more like some character on TV. We feel all mixed up about who we are really supposed to be. This makes it no easier to determine what our purpose in life is. If we have even a hint of what that is, then we fall back on number one and are not sure that is who we really are in the first place.

Each of us is created with specific gifts and talents that we can use to make this world a better place, to be the reflection of the Infinite in this world. We are good at at least one thing, and if we were truly honest, more than one. However, so many of us feel that we are not quite good enough or that the world will not accept us if we are the person we are created to be and live our life purpose out. What we need to remember is that it is of little consequence if this is true or not.

Those of us who learn to live out our true nature and purpose find life to be an exciting time. We feel alive and filled as long as we are true to our natural being and purpose. We love what we do and we do not consider what the world has to say about us. If we do, we can know that we have slipped into the trap of wondering who we are again. Those who have no doubt about their nature or their purpose care little about what others think about them.

Who are you? Have you say down and come to grips with who you are exactly and what it is you like and dislike? Have you examined your life closely and found who you are? I suggest you do. Once you have who you are determined, you must begin working on being comfortable with that vision. Once you have come to the point of knowing who you are and being comfortable with that, then you can begin to determine what your life purpose is. The who you are is the hard part. Once that is done, the life purpose part may jump out at you. If becomes more obvious because of who you are.

To live life to the fullest, we must be who we are created to be and do what we are created to do. Only then can we be content and happy.

A Common Path

Bright Skies

2009-06-12T13:11:00.003-04:00

This morning started off overcast and a little rainy. I slept wonderfully listening to the rain on the widow of our bedroom. I love to sleep during the rain. When it was time to get up, I was ready to do my Yoga and get the day started. The overcast sky held my spirit down a little, but the yoga brought me right back up again. Now, the sky is clear and bright. The sun is shining and there is hardly a cloud in the sky.

We often struggle to come up to the place where our spirits should be. The thing we have to remember is the Infinite is always there, supporting us and guiding us. We just need to remember that we are a part of the Infinite and, if we really believe it, that should be all we need to bring us up. I was reading just this morning in the Tao about how we can feel like the biggest loser with nothing to offer and still we are nourished by the Great. If we can remember this, then the clouds will soon part and the sky will be bright and clear again!

A Common Path

The Spiritual Side of Life

2009-06-11T10:02:00.001-04:00

Okay, so yesterday was not the best day; at least the start of the day. I know I am breaking some sort of rule by admitting that it was a low morning, but don't you get tired of hearing all those so called "experts" that try to tell you that you should never feel down or discouraged? I do! Then when you do feel down or low, you feel like a total failure. "What's his name never gets down, how come I am?" Well, the truth is, so do they. I have never known any sort of spiritual teacher who did not have a low day. Now, on to the rest of the story.

I decided that I just couldn't sit in my office anymore and I went for a ride down to the lake. I sat in my car for a bit and then got out and walked to a bench that overlooked the water and I just sat there. I enjoyed the sound of the water lapping on the shore and the sights and smells of all that was around me. Within minutes, my spirit was strong again and I was filling with energy. I got some clarification on some things I have been wrestling with and some spiritual guidance. It's easy for me to forget to feed my own spirit!

On a completely switch of topics, I just read about the Associated Press' "expose" on Reiki. The short story is that they made Reiki seem like it was something done by whack jobs and only whack jobs would ever want to have Reiki done on them! This is one reason why I don't read much in the newspapers anymore. It is all about sensationalism and not about trying to find the real or true story. If the writer of the article does not believe that personal hands on touch can bring healing, then he or she obviously does not believe that Jesus or Buddha was able to do it either. If fact, no one who has ever prayed for healing and had it happen was really doing anything nor does getting a hug make you feel better. Only modern pill pushing medicine can! Why without the pharmaceutical companies, where would we be? Don't get me wrong. I absolutely believe that a person should avail themselves of modern medicine. I also believe that holistic methods such a Reiki can bring complimentary healing. I have experienced it!

I guess all this is to say that I believe in a spiritual side to life. My feeling low was helped by a spiritual filling of energy. I have both given and received healing from Reiki. I sit in meditation and my spirit is better for it. There are a number of spiritual things that I practice and they all help me get through life. I feel sad for those who discount anything spiritual.

A Common Path

A Down Day

2009-06-10T12:58:00.001-04:00

I have no idea what I want to write today. My spirit woke this morning soaring ready to go and by the time breakfast rolled around, I was not soaring any longer. I struggled to find energy. My spirit languished and I wanted to go back to bed. Although I am regaining energy and my spirit is feeling more linked to the Infinite, I still feel a little out of it.

When I feel this way, the only thing I know clearly is that I want my spirit to open and find the leading of the Divine. I know it is there all the time, but when I feel this way, like we all do, it seems far away. Sitting in meditation brings a sense of freedom and connection. It is my meditation time that has gotten me feeling better today.

We all have these days and we do the best we can with them. No one is immune, not me, not you, not the Dali Lama. No one is completely free. Why not? The reason is simple, we are all human. None of us are perfect and we all struggle. Life is a journey and journeys have bumps in the road. If life were simply a destination, we would all have arrived. I don't know about you, but I have not arrived, I am still traveling the Path of life.

I am sure that I will be witty as ever tomorrow and will have profound things to say. Today, my spirit seems to want the day of and to regroup. I guess that's not bad is it? Maybe we all need time to regroup so we can fully enjoy the next day. May your Path be blessed!

A Common Path

Longings of the Childhood Spirit

2009-06-09T11:02:00.004-04:00

Think back to when you were a child. What was the thing you liked to do most? Was there some game you liked to play? Especially think back to when you were alone. What would you do when you were by yourself? When I was a kid, I lived in rural Southern California. I roamed the hills around our home with just my dog for company. I would spend countless hours walking those hills. While I was doing that, it was as if I were in a different world. There was a spiritual longing that I just could seem to fulfill. Even now, I can feel the tug at my spirit that I would feel then. I didn't know it as such then, but I do now. Back then, I knew that I felt myself to be in a special almost magical place as I walked God's creation. What did you do?

When we are children, we are closer to the Spirit than we are as adults. As adults, we have learned to be skeptical. We have learned to be practical and unmoved by longings of the spirit. s children we feel the pull of the spiritual life in our play. I said I searched the hills and I still search, but now I understand my longing for spiritual things. My wife played with a cup and a marble pretending she was saving someone in a boat tossed to and fro in the grips of life's storms. She is now a spiritual guide and Reiki master. What we play as children says much about what our spirit longs to do. Unfortunately, we often ignore those longings and do what we feel we must or what is accepted.

How about you? What did you do as a child in your alone times? What do you do now? Is your work your vocation, your calling, or is it your occupation, the way you make a living? Can your occupation become your vocation? I know a young man who always loved to build as a child. He went into the building trades, but due to an accident, had to take up another line of work. He now works in the medical field, but he is not happy. Unfortunately, he cannot see that he could easily turn his love of building into something used in the medical field. Instead of building homes, he could build healthy bodies.

I believe that we are created to use our gifts and talents to be the reflection of God in this world. To go back to our childhood and remember what our spiritual longings were then, whether we knew them as such or not, is the key to understand who we should be today. This world could be a paradise if we each would be the image of the Divine we were created to be!

A Common Path

Living in Intention

2009-06-08T15:24:00.003-04:00

This past weekend, my wife and I spent some time working on our combined intention. We each have intentions for our personal lives, but we wanted to have a better understanding of our combined intention. We work together as we strive to teach people and bring healing into their lives. We worked some on Saturday night and then again on Sunday morning before heading off to church. Our intention is to increase our outflow of what we believe is our purpose and to increase our livelihood. We had a very positive confirmation that this is the right direction at church. I won't bore you with the details, but, to us, they were significant!

What is an intention? It is a decision to do something. You intend to do something or make something happen. Some people might call them goals, but, to me, an intention is something different. I have had many goals in the past and many of them never came to be. I learned about intentions when I started practicing Yoga. When I would go to class, I would be encouraged by the instructor to have an intention for my practice. It might be to hold my postures a little longer or it might be to feel peace in each position. Whatever it was, I was to think about and act on the intention for my practice time. I learned to hold my intention firmly and to work at it steadily. This was much more than an illusive goal.

Most people don't have an intention for their life or their day. They get out of bed in the morning and begin the routine that they do each day. They go to work and do whatever it is they do day in and day out and come home to the same night time rituals. They have been on automatic for the day and they often go to sleep feeling as if the day has slipped by without them even really noticing. Those who start the day with an intention seem to work on that intention with focus. They end their day knowing that they either accomplished their intention or they know the reason that they did not.

Do you live from intentions? If not, I would like to suggest that you try it for a week or two. When the alarm goes off in the morning, take just a few seconds to decide what your intention will be for the day. Start off with something simple. Decide to smile more or to talk to the new person at work. Decide that you want to spend extra time working on a particular project or that you will sit with someone you have been meaning to talk to at lunch. If you don't want to take the time in the morning, decide before you go to sleep each night what your intention will be for the next day. Try this our for two weeks. Live each day in some sort of intention. See how it works out. I think you will be pleased with the results!

A Common Path

Are You Serious, Too Serious?

2009-06-05T10:53:00.004-04:00

Do you take yourself too seriously? Do you discount what you do and not take yourself seriously enough? I know that these two things are opposed, but we often fall victim to both ways of thinking.

As a spiritual teacher, it is easy for me to start taking myself too seriously. I begin to think that I have all the answers, or should have, and that I should be respected by every living being. after all, I am a prophet of some magnitude, am I not? Then, I realize that just like everyone else on the planet, past, present, and future, I am on a journey. I learn each day. Some things that I thought absolute truth a decade ago, I now see as false, or at least I view it in a whole new way.

How about you? Do you see yourself as someone who has all the answers, or should have? It is so easy to begin to take ourselves too seriously. The ego mind wants to protect us so it gives us the thought that we know all the answers. If we know all the answers, then other people should be listening to us. If this is our attitude, we have no room for growth. We are on this journey of life and we start to learn starting with our first breath and it should continue until out last. If the ego mind is allowed to give us this false feeling of knowing it all, we cannot learn.

As one person among billions, as one spiritual teacher among thousands, I sometimes wonder why I think I have the right to say anything. After all, there are lots of people out there with higher degrees and huge followings that say the same things I do and some say the opposite. What makes me think I have anything to say? Then I have that voice in my spirit that says, "I created you to be my reflection. Stop belittling yourself and go do your job." I am reminded that we are each created by the Divine to be and image of that divinity.

When we put ourselves down, we stop being that divinity. Have you ever felt yourself falling into a abyss that seems bottomless. It is the abyss of nothingness. The abyss of not stepping up to the task you have been given. I know for a fact that the abyss feels horrible and there is nothing better than to be lifted out of its depths with the feeling that You are being inspired by the Infinite Source. The best cure for this sense of falling and failing is to become who you are. Do not try to be someone else; just be the best you, you can. Open your heart and your spirit to the leading of the Divine. It is the best way to be you.

A Common Path

Wisdom of the Ages

2009-06-04T11:32:00.004-04:00

Why is it that we don't seem to listen, to understand? We have had the wisdom of the Infinite for millennia and yet we do not hear. We have the scriptures of Buddha, the bible, the writings of the prophet Muhammad, the Bhagavad Gita, the Vedas, and countless other works. These writings tell us how we can best live our lives, but we don't listen!

Way back in the sixties, Peter, Paul and Mary sang a song about how many times we must do something before we get the idea. WE know form past wisdom that faith conquers mountains and that being diligent in our work brings results. Yet, today it seems that we look to any get rich quick scheme that comes along. We are ready to believe nearly anything as long as we don't have to believe in a Supreme Being, or that we have to actually work.

One of my all time favorite books in "Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill. IN this book, Mr. Hill gives us some very straight talk. What you think is important. Believing, having faith brings dreams within grasp. Being determined and working toward our goals brings results. Are we so lazy and skeptical that we cannot hear the words? The bible and Qur'an tell us much the same thing. The teaching of Buddha says it again. How many times must we hear it, before we can understand?

We constantly seek the latest fad, the most recent hype in an effort to find the secret. We want to know that latest law of the universe, so we can make our way. Why not seek the wisdom of the ages? Why not go with what has worked for the last several thousand years? It makes sense to me. How about you?

A Common Path

Getting Everything You Want

2009-06-03T11:36:00.005-04:00

I just finished reading an article in Newsweek about Oprah Winfrey. The article is about how she seems to bring on all sorts of people who claim this thing and that, and how people seem to believe what these so called experts are touting. I have never watched Oprah, to my knowledge, but I know the sorts of people that the article speaks about.

I have to say that I both agree and disagree with the article. I agree that the types of people and their ideas should be taken with caution and a grain of salt. I disagree that everyone who is on one show or another or who purports an idea that is out of the mainstream is a charlatan.

As a person of faith and a spiritual teacher I have to say that I have seen people healed and miraculous things happen. I believe that faith, an unwavering belief, that something will happen increases the odds of that being true. I also have to say that I have seen people of deep conviction die or have their worlds torn apart. I believe that the Law of Attraction works, but I believe that there is a higher law and that is the law of the Infinite.

I believe that there is an entity that is God. You may call this entity anything you like. I don't think our name for this higher being has much to do with its existence. I usually call this entity the Infinite Source. The term God has too much baggage for me. Anyway, the Infinite Source exists. What some call the universal energy, or just the universe, is the power of this Source. It is there for us to use. We can bring healing where Doctors cannot or are unavailable. We can do things that are truly miraculous. That does not mean that things always work out the way we want! The Source has a higher plan. There are times when our limited knowledge does not see the whole picture. There are times when we think we know and we do not. We must live our lives in the knowledge that we are unique creatures in God's creation, but we don't have control over everything.

Even thought I treat people with Reiki and prayer, I would never say that they should not be seen by a physician! Although I believe that we should pray for the things we want and need in our lives, I would never say that we should not work toward those goals! WE must use both our faith and our hands.

We, as human beings always want things to be easy. The current fad of believing that things will just appear because we want them to is part of that. So is believing that it is all up to God and we have no part in things or any responsibility. That was the same easy way out thinking. The truth of the matter is that it is both.

We use universal power, mind power, physical power, all of them together to make this world the paradise it is intended to be. To think that only one of these ways works and the rest are unneeded is foolish!

Believe in God. Believe in the law of attraction, the law of faith, the law of flow. Believe that we are a part of this Infinite Source and that we have power that is greater than us. Also believe that we must work to make things better. Combine the unbelievable with the practical and we come close to being who are are to be.

A Common Path

Energy Up or Down?

2009-06-02T10:37:00.001-04:00

Energy flows through me all the time. It flows through me differently when I am giving someone Reiki and different again when I am receiving it. It flows through me differently when I am practicing my yoga. It flows through me differently as I sit in meditation.

Energy flows through each of us whether we notice it or not. It flows through us differently depending on what we are doing and also what our mood is like. Have you ever been in a bad mood and felt yourself nearly depleted of all energy? This energy some call Ki, others call it chi, some call it Prana. I think of it as all these things, but I most often just call it life energy. I am becoming more and more aware of my energy levels and what makes those levels rise and fall. It is important that each of us keep our energy of life as high as possible. It fights off disease, both mental and physical, and it makes us productive and prosperous.

In this day and age, we seem to be in a constant state of no energy. We work too many hours, sleep too little and eat fast food that has about as much energy stored in it as a wet cardboard box, and often tastes about the same. It is amazing to me that we accomplish anything! I know that when my energy is down, I get little done and when it is high, I can't stop. I know so many people that seem to be just one step ahead of falling down in exhaustion. I used to have a friend that said he was exhausted every time I saw him. It got to be a joke between my wife and I, but really, it isn't funny. Seeing someone so run-down that they can hardly put one foot in front of the other is not that funny.

What is it that gets you going? How is your energy level? Do you feel on top of the world, or exhausted? Try to find the things that boosts your energy and do them often. See if it doesn't make a difference in your day!

A Common Path

Not Living Up To Your Full Potential?

2009-06-01T12:51:00.000-04:00

Are you living up to your full potential? What does your energy look like, feel like? Are you satisfied with how things are going, or would you rather some changes were made?

Just today, I found myself feeling sluggish, like I was trying to operate in a universe of mush. Nothing seemed to be going right and I was getting nothing done. Finally, I realized that my energy felt like I was running on empty. I felt like my mobile phone when it gets only one little bar left in the battery. I wanted to get things done, it's just that nothing was.

I took a few minutes and sat in meditation. It didn't take long and I could feel the energy building as if I were at the energy station being filled up. The Infinite felt close and I knew that my spirit was in communication with The Spirit. When I released the meditation and got up from my cushion, I felt so much better. I started getting things done and in fact, got more done in about a hour and a half than I had all morning. I know that when I allow my energy to drop, due to a bad mood, lack of sleep, or any number of reasons, I am much less productive.

Can you tell when your energy is down? What do you do to bring it back up again? Have you ever even noticed how your productivity is linked to your energy field? Test it out! Next time you feel like nothing is going right or that you can't get anything done, take a moment and check how energetic you feel. Then do whatever it is you do to get that back up. I suggest meditation, but I know it isn't for everyone. Whatever you do, go do it and see if things don't get better right away.

Spirit Living, Not Ego Living

2009-05-29T06:03:00.002-04:00

Being guided or driven by the spirit is a much better way to live than by the ego. Our ego's job is to make sure we are safe. The problem is that, for most of us, our ego gets a little carried away and protects us from things we have no need or desire to be protected from. In fact, sometimes, our ego may bring us into harmful situations all in the guise of protecting us. One of the ways our ego protects us is by trying to make sure nothing changes. It is used to dealing with things the way they are and does not want to change; things might be dangerous.

The spirit's job is to give us guidance and direction from the Divine. It is always in contact with the Infinite and works to make sure we do the things that we are created to do, using our gifts and talents. The spirit is adventurous and believes that we will come out fine in the end. It does not fear because it is eternal.

As we make our way in life we often listen to the ego to make our decisions. The ego tells us that we will never make a go of that new business, trying to make sure we won't fail. It tells us that our relationship with that person is doomed and we should walk away now, trying to keep us from being rejected. You get the picture. Our spirit is telling us that we should start that new business because that way is the way to do what we are created to do. Sure, there may be some ups and downs, but it will work out. That guy/girl we find attractive, go for it, we are as good as anybody else and besides if we never try, we will never know.

The ego is necessary to keep us safe, but it should be the c0-pilot in life, not the pilot. Our spirit guides us i an ever increasing amazing adventure. It should be in control, listening to the ego to keep it safe. If we do not live this way, we will always be afraid and block every good thing that comes to us. We are created in the likeness of the Spirit, living in the spirit is the only way to honor this creation.

A Common Path

The Good Side of the Divine

2009-05-28T10:28:00.001-04:00

Okay, so yesterday I slammed religion and said that anybody who isn't open is a jerk. Well, I didn't really say it like that, but if you read it just right, with one eye sort of squinty, you might see it that way. Now today, I want to talk about the flip side of this issue.

As we open to the goodness of the Divine, all sorts of wonderful things happen. The first is that others don't appear to be the enemy anymore. They may feel like a threat, but it isn't because of your thinking, but theirs. You begin to realize that people of other faiths or people of other sects of your own faith are not three headed monsters, but people who see things differently than you do. It isn't that they are wrong or right, just different.

Another thing that happens is you begin to see all sorts of possibilities. God, the Infinite Source just might help you in the things of life. Why you might have guidance by the Spirit of The One. You might have healing or give healing, by the power of the Infinite. You may begin to see the world as a wonderful place to live this life instead of some sort of hell before hell. The universe itself may take on a friendly persona rather than a big empty nothingness. All this happens when you begin to open to the Divine.

Faith in the Infinite Source is a wonderful thing. It is so enlightening, so loving. There is room for difference and room for growth. The Path doesn't seem as dangerous. I suggest that you open yourself to the leading of the Creator and see where it takes you.

A Common Path

Your Religion, Hate or Love?

2009-05-27T14:49:00.001-04:00

What does the religion that you follow look like? Many people follow a religion, but they think about it very little; they know very little about it. To have faith is a wonderful thing and I am all about that! What bothers me is having religion without thinking about what it is all about. Having a form of faith that is not thought out and blindly follows some dogma without knowing why. Tradition, ritual, doctrine are all fine, but we should know what it is we are buying into.

Now I know a lot of people who would say, "well, that's just the way God said it. You don't have to understand it, you just obey!" If that works for you, well, I was going to say that was fine, but it really isn't.

I know so many people from the tradition I am from, Christian, who follow the teachings of the church, even if and when they are contrary to the teachings of Jesus. I know, you want an example. Okay, Jesus taught that we should love our neighbor and be loving to those who seek God. How many denominations are there? Most of those were created because we couldn't get along. Someone wanted to believe this way when the church believed that way and soon there was a split and everybody hated everybody. I know, I am a product of that!

I have had people leave the church I serve because I teach and practice Yoga. "Ah, your teaching an Eastern Religion!" No, I'm teaching Yoga which is a way to deepen your spiritual walk, no matter what faith. I have had people say that I was using the power of Satan when I give Reiki treatments. "Ah, you're using the devil to heal people!" No, I am using the power to heal that God has given us, that Jesus used. He did it better than me, but it is the same.

Our faith can give us a closeness to the Infinite Source that we never knew existed. It can also turn into something hateful and mean-spirited. It can be used for the good of the world, or it can be used to bring death and hate. God is the Great Creator, the Infinite Source, The Divine. There are no boundaries to that love or that creation.

I ask again, what does your religion look like? Does it bring wholeness and healing to a tired and sick world, or does it bring more of the problems it already has? Only you have the answer.

A Common Path

God is a Tyrant, In Some Minds!

2009-05-26T11:37:00.000-04:00

So many people seem to think that God is out to get them! I now many people who seem to think that the Infinite Source is the Infinite dictator instead. How sad!There is so much healing, so much blessing that can come from the Divine that my spirit weeps at all this unnecessary misery.

I was just talking to someone this morning about of co-worker of hers that made an incredible statement. The co-worker said the she hoped God did not give her cancer since she had failed to schedule a specific test. The woman I was talking to was appalled. She was so surprised that for a moment, she was speechless. How could this poor woman ever think such a thing? The sad truth is, there are many people who see the Divine as a tyrant who sits in the heavens waiting for us to make a mistake, to mess something up so that "he" can send lightening bolts of misery down from the cosmos. What a sad commentary on the creator of all beauty and the universe!

I invite all people to think a minute about what sort of being would the Divine be. If you believe in a vindictive dictator who rules with an iron fist, I suggest that you are not worshiping the Divine, but evil. What would you call a human who acted in this way? It would not be good! Understand that the Infinite is just that; Infinite love, Infinite guidance, Infinite Light! Why Put your faith or lack thereof in a being that we would condemn as a human?

A Common Path

We Are Energy, But What Do We Do With It?

2009-05-22T07:41:00.002-04:00

We are energy beings. What I mean by that is that we are created from the energy of the Infinite Source and we are composed of that same energy. We think we are solid material beings, but we are energy. Each molecule is nothing more than energy. Recently, something was brought to my attention concerning this energy.

We often find ourselves feeling frustrated or angry. We feel like we are going to pop if something doesn’t change. That, my friends, is either misdirected energy or built up energy. To relieve the stress, we often do something active or we rely on drugs or alcohol, or the worst drug of all, television. These activities serve the purpose of draining off the excess energy that we have.

Lets’ say, for example, that the energy is misdirected. One of your co-workers comes up to you and says something that makes you angry. They say you didn’t do your job right or something. The anger builds, but you don’t say anything back to them because the only thing you can think of would probably start a fight and you don’t want to get fired. You direct your anger, you energy, down within you somewhere. And there it sits. It not only sits there, but if you don’t do something to drain it off, it builds. When you get out of work you head for the gym to, “work off some steam.” This is misdirected energy.

Built up energy comes when you don’t have sufficient release. Let’s say that you are on vacation at Aunt Mable’s house. She is your kindly aunt of a hundred and seventy-three years and you love her to death, but she is about the most boring person you can imagine. Her two topics of conversation are her knitting and her cat. After two days of sitting on her couch and listening to the same stories about her cat and her knitting, you say you have to run to the store for something and you literally go outside and run to the store. You just have to do something to burn off some of the energy built up!

If we recognize these two symptoms of energy, we can ease the amount of stress we have and head off any bad reactions to them. Try to see when these things happen in you and you will have a much happier life!

A Common Path

Being in the Right Moment!

2009-05-20T17:11:00.004-04:00

Have you ever been going somewhere or doing something and all of a sudden, you felt as if you were right where you were supposed to be? It is sort of like a deja vu experience, only instead of feeling like you have done that thing before, you feel as if you are home, you are in the exact moment!

I have had several of these moments int he last couple of days. Today, I was riding my bike home from the grocers when I felt like i was in the exact moment and that everything was perfect in that moment. I felt at home in the universe and there was nothing I had to do, no where I had to be, nothing to prove; everything was right in the universe!

I don't know what brings on this feeling, but I have been working at developing my sense of energy around me and my intuitive sense. Perhaps this is the key to this magic kingdom. Whatever it is, I hope you find it.

A Common Path

Young at Heart, No Matter How Old

2009-05-20T15:50:00.001-04:00

I met someone last night at my Yoga class. She was an amazing person; so full of life. She is visiting here from another country and came with her host to my Yoga class. The thing that I found most remarkable was her joy of life.

So many times we just go through life existing from one day to the next. We get caught in the rut of everyday, and find that days, weeks, months have gone by and we haven’t even noticed them. What happened to our joy of life?

We often get bogged down in providing for ourselves and families. Many times we find ourselves in what seems to be hopeless situation. As we mature, we begin to take each day for granted as we plod along doing what we believe we have to do.

This young woman is sixteen years old. I remember when I was sixteen and full of life. Do you? Do you still feel that way? Do you still get out of bed wondering what new adventure the day will bring? I pray you do. I pray that the Infinite Source is filling you to overflowing each day and that you are recognizing that it is happening. I hope that she continues to feel that way when she is old. It would be a terrible loss to the world if she does not!

A Common Path

Spiritually Deceived, or Spiritually Fed?

2009-05-19T14:52:00.001-04:00

I have people ask me from time to time why we seem to be going through such spiritual turmoil today. Religious institutions are either crumbling or going through such change that it is hard to recognize them sometimes. People want to know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. My answer is yes.

It is a bad thing because it is so easy to get confused and so turned around that you are not sure you believe in anything anymore and just walk away from the whole idea. That is not good! It is also bad because while we are trying to figure out which way is up, no pun intended, well maybe, that folks with their own agenda start taking over. Look at the countries where people like the Taliban and other religious fanatics, in every religion, are making faith or belief in a higher power something to be feared. Religious fanaticism is able to take hold when the masses are so unsure that they are easily led.

The change we see today is a good thing because it is making many people dig deeper into their faith to see if there is anything of substance there. People are discovering that God, the Infinite, The Source, whatever you wish to name it, is beyond anything they had ever imagined. People are beginning to draw close to the Divine is ways that is stronger, more accepting, and more powerful than ever before.

I believe we are coming into a time of deep relationship with God. We are no longer tied to traditions and rituals that do nothing to deepen our walk, but we are becoming more curious about what lies beyond those traditions and rituals. There is dialog between religions and, except for the fanatics, a willingness to see the other’s point of view.

A Common Path

You Have the Power!

2009-05-18T17:03:00.002-04:00

Life can be so amazing! This last week, I tried to tell people in the sermon I delivered how amazing it could be, but it is so hard to put into words. I am not sure that they were able to glimpse the life I was trying so desperately to explain.

We all get caught up in the ebb and flow of life, but the more we stay in the spirit, in the Infinite, the more amazing life can be. Energy seems to flow all around us and the hard times don’t seem to affect us as much. When we see things from a larger perspective, it is hard to get overwhelmed by the small stuff.

This past weekend, someone close to me got all worked up over something small. It not only took the smile from their face, it seemed to take all the energy, all the life out of their life. I knew what was upsetting them was not that big of a deal, but they let it get to them. I hated to see them get so worked up.

If only I had the power to help people see the life that could be had. If only I had the power to take away the small things in life that bog people down. I wish I could, but it is up to each of them. It is up to you.

A Common Path

Live the Life You Were Given!

2009-05-15T10:06:00.001-04:00

What a glorious day! I have to say that I feel better today than I have for some time. Wanna know the reason? Too bad, I’m telling you anyway!

I have been working really hard on my online business, trying to make is lucrative. I’m not really much of a web master type and so it has been a struggle. Last night, my wife and I sat together in meditation, as we do from time to time, and when our time was up, I felt as if I hadn’t really gotten much direction, but one thing kept coming to my mind.

While seeking the guidance of the Infinite Source, I got that I was putting too much time into the company, and not enough time into just being who I am and being more relational in the world. I kept thinking about that over and over.

I woke up at 3:30am, still thinking about it. Several things started to come together and some stuff really gelled! It isn’t that I think I should give up my business altogether, but that I need to refocus on what is important.

What are you putting your energy into? I highly recommend being yourself and putting your energy into whatever it is that you feel called to do. Put your energy into being who the Divine created you to be! All the Law of Attraction, positive thinking, planning and goal setting in the world won’t help much if you are trying to be someone you are not. Live the life you were given and live it well!

A Common Path

Handling Problems, Two Ways To Do It

2009-05-14T14:18:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had something happen in your life that appears to be a monumental disaster? I know the answer; we all have those times. Just when we think everything is going to be fine, something happens and we have our world turned upside down! I know how it feels, it happens to me too!

Here is what I do. You can take it and use it, or leave it. It works pretty well for me.

When something like this happens to me, I try to boil it down to the most basic elements so that I understand just what I am dealing with. Sometimes it is easy to understand and sometimes it takes a bit of digging. Let’s say that it is having a feeling of impending financial doom. The car just broke down and I have no idea what to do about it. My mind starts to work overtime telling me all kinds of terrible things that might happen and how it will drive me down the trail to ruin.

Now there are two ways to handle this. I might just follow down that trail and begin to settle myself into panic mode. Everything starts to crumble and I am quite sure that life will come to an end soon.

The other way to handle it, the one I try to remember each time, is to hand the whole thing over to the Infinite Source. I might say something like, “the car died, you know my need, I expect and await your answer to this problem.” That’s it! I just hand the problem over to the Divine and then let it go. Sure, I usually have some work to do too, but I only do what is put in front of me. I have to say that it always turns out the same. Something works out and the time I might have spent worrying would have been time wasted.

I know this sounds too easy, but it is what it is. The car dying thing actually did happen to me not that long ago and the result turned out to be great! The experience may not have been the most pleasant things ever, but what transpired while the whole thing unfolded was a great experience. Try it, you’ll like it!

A Common Path

Smart as a Plant, Leaning Away From Bad Energy

2009-05-13T17:06:00.001-04:00

On my walk this morning, I was enjoying the sights and smells of the early morning. It seemed that energy was just crackling from every plant and tree. The sky was beautiful and clear. Everything seemed to be so alive. I was giving thanks for the beauty when I noticed something interesting.

As I walked past a house I noticed that all the plants around the house were leaning away from it. It didn’t seem to matter what direction the sun might be in during the day, which was my first thought, they all were leaning away from the house. Now this house is very unkempt and often smells as you walk past. The yard is a mess and there is a ton of junk on the porch and strewn around the yard. It occurred to me that the flowers and plants around the house were trying to get away from it.

I have seen trees and other plants lean away from factories that produce loud noise and plants die that are around places that seem to harbor disharmony. I have often wondered at this and thought that plants sometimes seem smarter than we are.

It got me thinking about my life. What are the things in my life that I need to lean away from or get away from entirely before they hurt me? We are all subjected to people and places that are unhealthy for us. Some we have little choice to be around them, at least for the moment, but there are others that we should know better.

What about you? If you were as smart as a plant, what things should you be leaning away from? What things in your life bring you no energy or power? What people or situations in your life sap the life from you that the Infinite had given? What needs to change to attract good into your life? We all have the ability to attract good or ill. We do it in ways that are not so easy to see, and some that are. Take a look at your life and see what needs to change. Try being as smart as a plant.

A Common Path

Spiritual Law of Attraction, Becoming Part ofthe Divine Plan!

2009-05-12T11:26:00.002-04:00

How many lives have to be broken? I am amazed and appalled at the number of people I meet and hear about that lead lives which are absolutely miserable. People who endure cruelty beyond understanding and people who relive the atrocities of their lives over and over in a never ending cycle of misery!

Lately we hear much about the Law of Attraction and quantum mechanics. We hear that we are able to influence our lives in ways we never thought possible. We are being taught that we can influence the energy that surrounds us and cause it to bring us good. I agree with this teaching, but find that it lacks one critical point.

There is a movement in the world that is moving us from religious theology that condemns and causes guilt, to one of light and beauty. We are finally coming to a place where we see that God, the Divine Source is not some ogre in the sky, waiting to send us to hell, but a loving entity that flows around and through us. This Infinite Source creates the universe and everything in it and then hands it all to us. What will we do with it?

We are created by the Infinite to be reflections or representations of that Infinite in the world. We are created to be loved and give love, to be creations and to create. We should not have to live with continuous guilt and feelings of being unloved! We have the ability to use the Spiritual Law of Attraction to bring good into the world. Certainly it can be used to make our lives more prosperous, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. We can use this energy to bring healing and wholeness to the lives of others and to the world itself. We can use this power of the Source to bring peace and wholeness to the universe!

There is no need to have these broken lives. There is no need to see people hurting and suffering. We have the ability to heal them and to bring them to the fullness of who and what they are created to be. Let’s do that!

A Common Path

Define Your Life, Refine Your Skills

2009-05-11T13:21:00.001-04:00

Something that came to me this weekend was defining and refining. What I mean by that is defining who we are, and then, refining our skills to be that person to the best of our abilities. It is something I need to do and we all need to do.

We all need to spend time every once in a while defining who we are and what we think we are supposed to be. It takes some deep digging and perhaps even some soul searching to get to the bottom of it all. I know that my purpose in life is to be a spiritual teacher. I do that a few different ways, teaching yoga and meditation, teaching in church, writing and so on. It is easy for me to get off track and following ways that are not spiritual in nature, at least for me. I need to spend time now and then to keep myself on the right track.

The other thing we need is to refine our skills in doing what we believe our calling to be. I know I need to refine my writing skills. I need to hone my speaking skills. I need to study the things that will help me understand so that I can teach others. We must constantly refine our abilities.

Now, the question comes, what are you doing? Have you given thought to who and what you are? Are you staying on track or are you off on a tangent? Are you refining the skills that make you an expert in the field you are called to? If not, spend some time in the next twenty-four hours defining your life and then make plans to refine your skills.

Banish the Skeptic, Open to the Infinite!

2009-05-08T13:41:00.001-04:00

It never ceases to amaze me how, when you ask the Infinite to fill you, you are filled not to capacity, but to overflowing. I have been struggling with some new ideas and concepts and working to improve my business. I asked the Divine to give me some help and suddenly, I was not able to contain all that I was given.

Do you believe that the Divine can help you? One of the most important aspects of this is to believe that it can actually happen for you. So many people have lost faith! No, I don’t mean in a particular church, I mean in any form of higher power. They seem to think that there is no Source to all this, no Other to our loneliness. To believe this way, makes life and the possibilities of bettering it, pretty glum. To believe in the Infinite is to open the gates to the magic kingdom!

Once you have your faith back, it is a much simpler step to bring the power into yourself. It is much easier to attract the Source into your own spirit, thereby, giving you unlimited power. Open yourself and invite the Other to come in and you will be flooded. What if you aren’t flooded? The only reason for that happening is back to the first part; you aren’t convinced that such a thing exists.

Release the skeptic in you and allow the child to believe again! Open to this experience and I doubt you ever feel regret for doing so. Coming from one who was as hard as they come; there is no better life!

Divine Inspiration, Opening the Heart Center and Mind Center

2009-05-07T11:48:00.001-04:00

As is sometimes the case, I went to sleep last night asking the Infinite Source to guide me in my life and business. At 1:53am, I was awake and felt like Neo on “The Matrix.” My head was swimming with information and ideas. I could hardly keep up with it all. I probably should have gotten up and started writing it all down, but I knew if I did, I would never get back to sleep, which happened anyway, and I wouldn’t be able to keep up.

One of the most important things was to open the heart center and the mind center to the Divine. It was shown to me that the only way to really attract what I want is to open to the Infinite Source of all things and listen to the leading, the inspiration, telling me what to do. The Law of Attraction works fine as a beginning, but you have to know how to apply the Law of Flow and where to direct that flow. The Law of Flow states that you must release energy out into the world, into the universe, if you expect energy, in the form of money or material things, or vocation, to come to you.

I have always meditated and thought I was pretty good at listening to the inner voice. Not so, I understood. I must practice more opening heart center and mind center at the same time. That’s how all things come in the quantity I want.

I don’t know what you want in life, but I am willing to bet that it is considerably more than what you have. Begin right away practicing opening your heart center and your mind center to the leading of Infinite Source! Where are these places? You already know! Close your eyes and concentrate on the place where all your emotions and feeling come from. It’s right there in the center of your chest, right near where your physical heart is. Concentrate on the place where all your thoughts and inspiration come from. It’s right there in what in yoga we call the third eye. It’s in the center of your forehead, but inside.

Now get comfortable and keep your eyes closed. Open those two areas. Open them to whatever comes. It might be a voice or it might be a feeling. You might get thoughts on how to solve a particular problem. Whatever it is, allow it to grow in the heart center and mind center. Let these two areas come together to make you whole. Allow the Divine to fill those spaces and bring you life in abundance!

In Times Like This

2009-03-11T23:23:00.002-04:00

There are days when you work so hard that time flies by and suddenly, the day is gone and you are not sure where it went. Today has been one of those for me. It is hard not to get discouraged when what I had planned has not come to fruition.

The thing that has to be done in times like this is to move forward and not look back. The Path we Walk can not be let go because something didn't turn out right. If we plan our Walk, and Walk our plan then the Path may become obscured, but never lost. It is one thing to be discouraged and quite another to give up.

What do you do in times like this? Have you a plan to follow? Do you see your Path clearly?

Faith and Action

2009-03-09T12:17:00.001-04:00

Where are we as people? What is it that we want? In times like these, we want security, and the basics, food clothing shelter. Some may still think in terms of getting ahead, but many are just trying not to drown. The concept is the same.

The faith and action needed to get ahead is the same needed to keep one’s head above water. Without faith that things will work out, that life will go on, it is too easy to become depressed and despondent. We have to have faith in order to remain hopeful. We have to have faith in order to have the strength to be active.

Action is the other piece. Having faith that things will work out is great, but if we do nothing about our situation, nothing will happen. You might wonder what action to take. Take any action that is available to you. How do you know you are doing the right thing? Go back to faith! Believe that you will be guided into making the right choices and actions.

Someone once said that life is a crap shoot. You never know what’s going to happen. It is true, we have very little control over what happens in life. What we have control over is our part in it. We can drown in the minutiae of life or we can have the faith to change what we can and act on those changes. Which would you prefer?

Do You Hate What You Do?

2009-03-06T16:59:00.001-05:00

Do you love what you do; do what you love? There are lots of folks out there who hate every minute of the day. They hate their job, they hate their life. I can’t imagine living this way. Actually, I can.

It wasn’t that long ago that I hated every second I spent on my job. I wanted nothing more than to do something that I felt was worthwhile, worth my time. I wsn’t sure what that was, but I knew that what I was doing wasn’t it.

Can you relate to that? I finally decided one day that living that way was quite simply, stupid. I had long believed in what I call my seven principles. One of them says that you get from life in relation to what you put into it. I realized what I was putting into my days was a lot of grief and hatred for my life. I decided then and there that I would do everything in my power to start living my life with a positive attitude and start doing the things that I thought were important. What a difference!

The thing is, you don’t have to start your life all over. You can start right where you are. Hate your job? The next time you go to work, set the intention to have a good attitude about it. Find those things about your work that you can throw your whole self into. The rest of the time, look for opportunities to do something else with your life. When you start looking, things start to appear. Will it happen immediately? No! It takes some time, but it will happen. Put into your life all you have, no matter what it is. If you find yourself doing something half heartedly, either stop doing it or change you attitude. The choice is yours! Why live life in the dumps when you can live it on a mountain top? Walk the Path you want.

Getting and Giving

2009-03-05T13:48:00.000-05:00

One of the Principles that I run my life by is; you get out of life in relation to what you put into it. Now this is not earth shattering news to most people and yet, when times are hard it should be something everyone thinks about.

When times get tough, it is very easy to start thinking in term of, “what’s in it for me.” The problem is, this leads to very narrow thinking and living. It defeats the very thing that you want to happen. As you begin to focus more and more on yourself, you begin to lose perspective of the world around you. In so doing, you begin to miss the opportunities that will most help you out of the situation you might find yourself in.

Let’s say that you are having a hard time financially. If you focus only on your problems and how miserable life is because you are broke, you become depressed. There seems to be no way out. The truth is there are many solutions to the problem, but you have become unable to see them. Opportunities come and go and you are not aware of them.

Conversely, if you begin to look at ways that you can not only help yourself, but others along the way, you become more upbeat and optimistic. Opportunities come and you consider them. You look at the pros and cons and act on them or change them so that they now work for you.

Which type are you? Would you like to see more opportunity than you do now?

Work for Your Dreams

2009-03-04T10:17:00.001-05:00

In the news this morning, there was a story about a Russian professor, Igor Panarin, who is predicting the fall of the U.S. in 2010. He states that he has been here and what he saw was that the people have lost the American dream. I would go one step further and say that most people the world over have lost their dream.

In this time of economic hardship, it is easy to see how people lose their dreams. They see no hope. They are losing their jobs, their homes, and everything they worked for. The problem is, they lost their dreams a while back. When people have a dream, it usually includes bettering their lives. They make choices and work toward the object of their dream. They are not easily swayed by others. They are focused. In doing all this, they often make the lives of those around them better as well. In today’s world it seems that most everyone is listening to anyone who seems to have a little power and taking what they say as gospel. People will hear what this professor Panarin says and believe him. After all, he is a professor, he must know what he’s talking about. They will begin to think in terms of survival. They might begin to stock weapons and ammunition, knowing that professor Panarin can’t be wrong. Their dreams are on hold in favor of reacting to someone else. We listen to the media, the politicians, and anyone who claims some form of power.

Let’s show them for the liars they are! Dream again. Work for your dreams. Not the dreams that someone hypes to you, causing you hardship and them fortune, but dreams that better you life and the lives of those around you. What makes any country, any culture great is having dreams of a better life and a better world and working for those dreams to come true. Find your dream again. Who cares what the economy looks like or what those in power are saying? Have the strength to look toward the horizon and see not storm clouds, but a beautiful sunrise full of promise; promise of dreams fulfilled.

A Time of Testing

2009-03-02T17:16:00.001-05:00

Have you ever felt that things in life get so bad you can hardly stand them? You wonder if you will survive the current calamity. I have found that if you keep one simple secret, you will soon be able to weather these times much more easily.

What is the secret I am talking about? The secret is; no matter who you are or what you are doing, you will go through a time of testing, a time of trial. That’s it. No matter what you are doing, you will go through a time of testing. Usually this testing is equal in its severity as the task at hand is important. If the task is something like dealing with your life’s work, the testing will be hard. If it is something like having to take care of a sick relative, the testing will be light. No matter what the task, there is a time of testing.

Once you have this realization firmly at hand, the time of testing becomes much easier. When I can see it clearly, I find it almost becomes a game. I almost feel like saying to the fates, “come on, is that all you’ve got.” Notice I said almost. It is true, once you understand that the hard times you are going through is a time of testing your mettle, your determination to go ahead, it becomes much easier to handle.

Think about something in your life that has you in a time of testing right now. Can you see what the desired goal, or the task is? Can you see the testing for what it is? Can you release some of the tension you might be feeling, knowing that all you have to do is make it through and you will win? To understand this concept is a great gift!

Life is the Ocean

2009-02-27T11:27:00.001-05:00

When I was a boy, growing up in Southern California, I used to go to the beach quite often. I can remember standing on the shore and watching the waves roll in. Most times they were small, three or four feet high. Sometimes they were bigger and occasionally, they were huge. I had a sense of awe about the ocean. I still do. It is big and fearsome and something I can’t control, but I love it anyway. I would stand there and look at it and then I would run as fast as I could into the water until I couldn’t run anymore. I knew how big the waves were, I knew the strength of the water, but I would plunge in anyway.

Life lived to its fullest is this way. You watch for a while, gauging the strength and the height and then you plunge in. You run as fast as you can and plow into the first breaker that comes. The joy of being one with this thing called life is more than you can bear. You feel like shouting out your freedom as you dive under the waves that threaten to crush you and come up on the other side feeling victorious! Life is meant to be lived this way. Won’t you join me for a swim?

Handling Hardships

2009-02-25T17:59:00.001-05:00

Do you feel trapped in times of hardship? Right now, the whole country, the whole world is going through hard economic times. Everyone is struggling; some more than others. On top of this, we all have to deal with our own personal tragedies. How do you react?

Many people find themselves feeling as if they have no choice, no way out. They slog through each situation until they come out the others side, sometimes worse for wear, sometimes not. Unfortunately, they don’t see that they have choices to make. They simply go through the motions, doing whatever falls in front of them.

This is not taking responsibility for your life! It is allowing circumstances and others to control your life for you. In each situation, there are choices to be had. Let’s say you become ill. You could just go to work, take nothing for your condition, not see a Doctor, and hope that you get well. If the illness is something easy, like a cold, you will most likely do just that. However, if it is something more serious, you may be harming yourself further. Instead, you could seek medical care, take medicine, eat better, get more sleep, exercise, and do any number of things to get yourself back to health. There is a choice.

What about the current economic situation. You can fret and stew, or you can be proactive. Can you look for work, create your own business? Can you cut back on unnecessary items to give yourself more income? You don’t have to just sit there thinking that your lifesavings and your life are going down the drain. You have a choice.

In all hardships there are choices to be made. Ignoring the situation is not a good one. How do you handle hardships?

Do You Have Desires

2009-02-24T16:13:00.000-05:00

Do you have desires, but no dedicated action? Many people have desires and they think that it is all they need. The trouble with this is, without action, and dedicated action at that, those desires will most likely never take place.

There are those who say that all we need do is put our desires, wishes, and hopes out into the cosmos and they will show up like magic. Have you ever tried that? How did it work out? My guess is that it didn’t. I have never been able to just wish something into existence. Now that doesn’t mean that I have not experienced some pretty amazing things! It just means that without some sort of dedication and action, I have never had something show up like magic.

Dedication means to be committed to something. When we are committed, we tend to not let things discourage or stop us. We move toward the object of our commitment or dedication. We think about it. We work toward its accomplishment. We dream about it. Nothing stands in our way as we move toward the goal. That’s dedication.

The problem of desires without dedication is that they soon become wishes and then they become fantasies. Soon they are nothing more than wisps of things we wish were true, but know never will be.

What are your desires? Are you dedicated to seeing them become reality or are they just wishes. If they are wishes, then let them go the way of fanciful dreams. If they are true desires, then move toward them with dedication.

My Friend

2009-02-20T12:05:00.000-05:00

I have a friend who has so much potential that it is almost scary. This person could be so much more than is currently the case. They could offer the world so much and make our lives so much better it is hard to describe. The problem, my friend does not believe it.

This person is so conditioned by the past and by their own mindset that all the wonderful things that could be, aren’t. There are times of depression, times of insecurity, times of self doubt. All these things stop the rest of us from the great benefits we could share if this person would just get off their current mental duff and do what they were created to do. Sometimes, I have to admit, it makes me angry at them. My life could be greatly improved if they would get with the program.

It is not that this person is a genius or works in a high profile job. It is just that they have all this potential! They could be so much. Would you like to know who this person is? They will probably be upset that I have let the world in on their secret identity. I hope they are not too upset and, instead, start doing what they should. Do you want to know?

Go look in the mirror.

Being Happy

2009-02-19T11:53:00.001-05:00

I read recently that, when asked, most people will say that they are happy. The problem comes when they feel secure enough to be completely honest, they admit that they are not happy. They complain that they don’t make enough money, they don’t have the right job, they aren’t with the right partner. There are a myriad of reasons why they are not happy, but they are not.

I believe that the reason they are unhappy is two fold, but relating to each other. The first reason is that they are not grounded in who they are. They feel like there is something missing in who and what they are. Our culture, especially the media, spends a great amount of time and money trying to prove this point to us. Watch an hour’s worth of TV and you will learn just what a loser you really are. You don’t have the right deodorant, your breath smells, you can’t have satisfying sex and you don’t drive the right car. We have a sense that something is missing deep down in us.

The second reason is that we are so separated from the Infinite, the All, that we have lost our sense of purpose. I believe we are all created with certain gifts and talents to use to make the world, the universe a better place. When we don’t, not only is the universe effected, but our own lives feel a sense of loss. We are not completing our destiny, so to speak.

If we begin to discount all the hype about what miserable specimens we are and begin to connect to our purpose, our lives begin to come together. We seem to have a reason to get up in the morning and a reason to go out and face the world. Having faith in ourselves and in Purpose, gives us a freedom to be. What a glorious freedom that is!

Steps

2009-02-18T08:29:00.001-05:00

In all of our lives we have regrets; the big game we missed seeing, that person we were interested in, but never got the nerve to speak to. These sorts of regrets are fine. The regrets that entail how we feel our lives are a waste are not.

Often, we feel as if our lives could have been so much better, or more worthwhile. This isn’t just something an old person thinks. I have known many people in their twenties who said that they had wasted their lives. The thinking continues that something big must happen in order to get things back on track again. It isn’t true.

To get back on track, you have to start moving. It doesn’t take much to move in the right direction. The more we move, the more things begin to fall in line. The fallacy is in thinking that we must always make giant leaps of progress when in truth, it is small steps toward a goal that need to be done. The small steps may look like great movements from the outside, but they are just a collection of small necessary steps. Where will you step today?

Kingdoms and Empires

2009-02-16T12:12:00.000-05:00

It seems that our world, our societies, our cultures, no matter where they are, no matter what country we are in, is in a downhill slide that seems to have no end. Greed and the desire for power has overtaken goodness and care for all creation. The question is, is this true?

It is certainly true that those in power seem to demonstrate the above characteristics. We seem to be at a loss to find real leaders. What about the common man or woman on the street? I hear people and meet people all the time who want nothing more than to live their lives in harmony with others and a life that is prosperous and fair. It reminds me of a friend I once had from the area of Palestine. He told me that the people on the street, at that time, had little hatred for each other. Muslim, Christian, and Jew lived in the same neighborhood, watched each other's children, and even ate together. They respected each other's beliefs and religions. It was the leaders that caused hatred to grow. It was the leaders that had something to gain by people fighting one another. I think things have grown to the state they are now because people began to believe these so called leaders.

It is no different in many countries. We believe that we have to be greedy and care for no one but ourselves if we are to survive. In these hard economic times we feel that we have to do whatever it takes to take care of ourselves and our families. If we have to cheat, we cheat. If we have to steal, we steal. If we have to hurt someone else to get ahead, well, it's a dog eat dog world.

It isn't true. In fact, these so called leaders will find that their empires are built on shifting sand and it will not be long and they will be replaced by someone else. Kingdoms built on dishonesty and greed do not last long. Kingdoms built on the good of all grow to be empires.

Moving on

2009-02-15T22:33:00.005-05:00

It's time to move on from where we are as people and find the life that we are meant to have. It is time for you to become who you were meant to be. What stops any of us from doing what we most want to do in all the world?