Manure

Today's Reminder is: 

"It is said: "Manure happens." This is not so. Manure is the result of a natural process. We all create manure. 

It is important for you to realize: manure is a useful substance. It is a natural fertilizer which helps things grow. Our purpose as spiritual beings is to Grow. Are you using yours?"

Living things are self-organizing energy transformation systems.  What does that mean?They take from their environment the raw materials and energy they need for their own well being. They build relationships with others and their environment. What they can not used is excreted. 

Yet that 'manure' can provide the basis of new life, more materials, and more complex organization, and,yes, sometimes new ideas and new frontiers. Your manure is an important resource. If you don't use it then some one else will.

Not Etched in Stone

Today's Reminder is:

"Just because your 'Truth' works for you, does not mean it is etched in stone for all Eternity."

Truth does not need a stone to be understood as self-evident. Truth is not unyielding nor unmerciful. Truth is the Soul of Compassion. When we embody Truth, it works for us. Yet stones are worn away into dust taking with them the ephemera of past truths etched upon them.

Times change. Things evolve. Knowledge is gained. Understanding is enhanced. Wisdom comes. A student arrives a teacher departs. These things must change as it is their nature. So must you and your 'Truth' change and evolve or be worn away to dust.

Here?

Today's Reminder is: 

"You are here. Are you Now?"

Sometimes we "wander off" into the past that was or a past that might have been. This can have deleterious effects to your present circumstances.  You cannot change the past. Ever.

Living in the here and now will probably allow you to respond in more appropriate ways to current circumstances.

Let go of the past. Live in the present. Plant seeds for a joyful future. 

Are You Willing?

Today's Reminder is: 

"To be loved, you must be willing to be Loved. The same is true for being hated."

Never doubt that you have the power to choose what you will experience in your life.  You have the power to accept love... 

But what about hate? 

It is no different than love-- except it is a "negative" emotion which usually comes with hurt. It seems that we mistakenly believe we have no control over being hated. That is not true. 

To really feel hated one must accept that the person hating you is somehow justified in feeling the way they do. In other words when you feel hurt because someone "hates" you it is because you have accepted their judgement of you. The hurt can wound you even if it is untrue because some part of you believes it is true.

When you do not accept another person's judgement of you, you cannot be hurt emotionally by them. That is not to say that "haters" can be ignored but the emotional damage they might cause you can be stopped. Once you stop accepting their judgement of you, you can make clear decisions on how to deal with them.  

The Price of Freedom

Today's Reminder is: 

"You will never know the price of freedom... Until you lose it."

We all give up our freedom to a certain degree to have a job, maintain a relationship,  or fulfill legal or contractual obligations. Sometimes certain choices we make have a great impact on our ability to make choices for future action. One morning we might wake up to find we do not have control over our present or our future. Why?

"Teachable Moments" sometimes come at horrific costs. Experiential wisdom  is usually 20-20 hindsight. Looking back at past events and learning from them is not as wise as looking at current or possible future events. Being aware of the present is a safer way to learn what is a wise course of action. This is not to say one should ignore history but one should not focus only on what was.  Remember -- If you are facing backwards it is certain you'll learn the lesson that is coming at you "in the end"-- That might be painful.

We occasionally have people or events that appear in our lives that are "toxic". While it might be comforting to say "Karma will get them." Isn't it better to take action to move away from people or events that do not bring you Joy? Or is your lack of motion a sign that you feel you deserve to suffer at the hands of others? 

This reminder should make you ask yourself: "How have I given up my freedom? To Whom? Why?" Then act as maybe appropriate to regain your freedom of choice. 

Serve

Today's Reminder is:

"We serve what we deserve."

Consider this reminder for a moment... break it into thought filled pieces. 

We Serve?
If we serve we are taking action... but to serve also means that we are in the service of "some one or some thing.

What?
What? What is it we serve? Our belief! How do we serve this What? 

We deserve.
What do you deserve? Really?

The interesting thing here for you to consider is: If we change our belief what we deserve changes as well.

Fetch!

Today's Reminder is: 

"You are playing Fetch with the Infinite: Who is throwing? Who is Fetching?"

 You give to Life. Life gives to you.  The pattern of that giving weaves and floats like an intricate dance. Sometimes fast. Some times slow. Sometimes like the fall of a brick or the floating leaf. Giving images and memories. Taking words and songs. That is the game we play with life and circumstance. Does it matter who is throwing? Does it matter who is fetching? 

Even if you do not want to play, you cannot refuse. The rules of this place do not allow it. 

Life always responds to you.

Empty or Full?

Today's Reminder is: 

"Who is better? The One who tries to fill their own emptiness or the One who tries to empty their own fullness?"

 The answer to this question should be obvious. Emptiness is a state of  being that excludes the possibility of anything but emptiness. There is no thing or collection of things which can fill that void. So what value is there in trying to fill a void which can never be filled?

On the other hand, if one were in a state of "Fullness" they could give anyone anything and everything and still be full and complete. You do not lose anything by giving of your fullness because the cup is always full.

It's your choice. Empty or Full?

Got Spice?

Today's Reminder is:

"Always set aside a portion of your income for spices. Spices can make even the dullest life livable."

 It seems simple. You have a limited budget and You have to live within your means. Beans and rice seem boring... but add a little spice and suddenly not only does the meal become eatable but life becomes livable. "Spice" can be any simple thing that makes life better. Salt, pepper, hot sauce, garlic, oregano, parsley, thyme are all spices. But a kiss, a hug, a smile, a greeting, a laugh... these are spices too.  Are you using them?

Who not What

Today's Reminder is:

"Accept responsibility for who you are, instead of what you've been."

If you focus on "what you have been" you are focusing on the past. The past is gone. It cannot make the present any different. Focusing on the past can lead you into the same problems you had-- the ones that gave you this moment. Showing remorse for the past of itself does not change behavior.

Accepting your "ability to respond" as who you are in this moment means you have the ability to make this moment and each succeeding moment different. Do you want a new future?  Accepting the responsibility for who you are acknowledges you have the power to change. Do you dare to grab a new future? Showing remorse for the past and accepting that you are responsible for your behavior now and always is the first step in not repeating the same mistakes. It is also the first step in making your life different.

You must be willing

Today's Reminder is:

"To be loved, you must be willing to be Loved. The same is true for being hated."

 Not feeling loved? Love is something we must accept for it to become part of our life experience. Ask yourself: Am I willing to be loved? Am I willing to accept love? Only you can answer that. If your answer is "yes but..." then look at it again... That but... means that somehow and in some way you are putting a fence between you and being loved. Remove the fence and you open yourself to love.

Do you feel you are hated? Hate is something we feel when we accept the bad things other say to us or do to us. But to feel hated we must feel in some small [or great] way that the hate is justified. You are free not to accept the hate directed at you and you are free to defend yourself against unjustified enmity. You don't have to allow yourself to be bullied or abused. If you are unsure get help.