Living Consciously April 24, 2009

Dear friends,

Once in a while we have a flash of intuition which feels like strong guidance. We simply know to do something very specific like attend a certain lecture or call a particular friend. When the guidance does not seem to threaten our preferred reality, we follow it. That is not always the case when we feel the deep urge to change our lives, however. We may wonder why we are thinking about leaving our job in these economic times. Why would we give up a well paying position to follow a whim. The difference between whim and a real spark of inspiration from our higher knowing, is in its persistence. It becomes an idea that will not go away.

Knowing how to interpret our own inner guidance takes practice. The urge to change jobs may simply be the awareness that we can change how we express ourselves in our current position. It is true that we can make all things new right where we are. Intuition is Life Affirming. It is never a command to destroy or hurt anyone or anything. It is the wholeness matrix prompting us to live up to our potential for health, wealth, love, joy and peace. Whatever we may be currently doing is always an opportunity for deeper creativity and personal satisfaction.

There was a news item about a young man frustrated with the company he worked for because their pollution record was not good. He was going to quit, then got a flash of inspiration. He approached, with much trepidation, the boss he had no personal relationship with and asked if he could start a greening effort in the office. It began with recycling but soon evolved and involved the whole company. They are now totally green and one of the leaders in the corporate world for doing conscious business.

Pay attention to those nudges which persist. There may be a path opening up in your own awareness that will lead you into much greener pastures.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev Carol Carnes

Living Consciously April 27, 2009

Dear friends,

How self awareness evolved is something we do not yet know, however we certainly do know how it feels. Our life is a constant inner dialogue as we think our way through it. We are like a sports commentator, giving a blow by blow description of the action as we experience it. At times we are completely taken in and become overly excited like Chick Hearn who called the LA Lakers games. At other times we are quieter and more measured in our assessment like Vin Scully of the LA Dodgers.

Our inner voice has a personality, a style which produces emotions and behaviours in us. We respond to life according to how we interpret it. If we feel threatened, our body produces the appropriate chemicals necessary for fight or flight. Take the same scenario and view it as an interesting challenge and we marshal our own creative intelligence.

We are quick to affirm or deny with a resounding YES! or a definitive NO! But as a Tibetan monk observed, sometimes we need to rest in the MAYBE. Maybe we do not have all the facts. Maybe there is something here for my own greater good. Maybe this is not about me, but can be of some benefit to others. Maybe I am wrong in my perception. Maybe I can learn something from this person.

Watch your inner dialogue today. If you were sitting by the radio, listening to yourself call the action of your day, would you want to tune in to that same voice for the rest of your life? Would it wear you down with its fear and negativity? Would you be inspired and motivated by its tone and perception? Maybe the commentator needs some coaching.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev Carol Carnes