Feeling a Little Stressed?

Close your eyes.

Take a few deep, cleansing breaths...in through the nose and out through the mouth.

Allow your breathing to return to a comfortable, even pace.

As you breathe, imagine breathing in peace and breathing out stress.

Say to yourself as you breathe...

Breathe in peace, breathe out stress.
Breathe in peace, breathe out stress.
Breathe in peace, breathe out stress.

Continue until you feel calm and relaxed.

Dreaming

Last night I had the most wonderful, yet simple dream. I dreamt I went to the lake this fall and everyone was there. All the family and friends who normally join us. In my dream the lake looked different than it really does. It is beautiful in its own right and yet it was exceptional in my dream.

It was a perfect day. There were many trees around...some evergreens, some trees with bright green leaves and some with gorgeous yellow, orange and red leaves - indicative of the autumn season. The sun was shining through the trees sending rays of light across the ground.

There was a feeling of peace and tranquility even with all the people milling around. I took the opportunity to walk down the hill to the lake. As I made my way down, I couldn't believe what I saw. I stepped out onto this large rock that expanded out into the water. It was perfectly flat on top and I felt very safe and secure walking across it towards the edge.

The lake was a good size and completely calm. There was no movement whatsoever. When I gazed down over the rock I could see that while the water looked somewhat deep I could see all the way to the bottom. It was completely clear and the rays of sun provided just enough light to gaze into the water and see everything.

The entire lake was secluded and surrounded by trees and rocks. Directly across from me was a narrow clearing. I couldn't see the top of it but it reminded me of the clearings we used to sled through in the park when I was growing up. This path was filled with vividly colored leaves...the yellows, oranges and reds of fall. The leaves were thick and completely covered the ground. It had the feel of a waterfall, cascading leaves all the way down the hill.

On my left I could see a tall wall of rocks. Dark, smooth and solid rocks. When I looked at them, I felt an internal strength rising up inside of me. In this area there was a waterfall that poured into a small shallow area and then rolled over the rocks in the lake. There were a few people swimming in that area, they seemed free and happy.

I found a spot to sit on the rock and just took it all in. I could have sat there forever.

I wish I could find the words to explain the amount of comfort and serenity I felt but I can't. It was surreal. It felt like such a powerful dream, like a life-changing dream. I felt a sense of honor to be a part of it.

You see, the season of fall represents a new beginning. The sun symbolizes peace of mind, enlightenment, tranquility, fortune, goodwill and insight. It also represents radiant energy. The lush green trees represent new hopes, growth and desires. They are also a sign of strength and stability. The leaves signify a new found happiness and an improvement in various aspects of life. The fall leaves are a sign of letting go of what no longer serves us.

The rocks signify stability. Stones, like the ones under the water, represent strength and unity. The lake signifies the emotional state of mind so a clear and calm lake demonstrates inner peace. The waterfall is also symbolic of letting go. It also represents revitalization and renewal.

This dream is what I've been looking for. Confirmation that I am on the right path. I told my daughter last weekend that even though things weren't perfect I just knew good times were coming. I had felt a huge shift internally and just knew it was good. It felt like this huge weight had just disappeared. I felt open to all that is good in life.

It is time. Time for all of us to embrace all the goodness available. Seize the day!!

Letting Go - Quote for the Day

Do everything with a mind that lets go. Don't accept praise or gain or anything else. If you let go a little you will have a little peace; if you let go a lot you will have a lot of peace; if you let go completely you will have complete peace.

Ajahn Chah, 1918-1992
Thai Meditation Master

See the Flower

Thank you Marci for sending this story to me. It was so special, I had to share it with others. Thank you Amanda for the beautiful flower picture from Arizona.




One day the Buddha held up a flower in front of an audience of 1,250 monks and nuns. He did not say anything for quite a long time. The audience was perfectly silent. Everyone seemed to be thinking hard, trying to see the meaning behind the Buddha's gesture.


Then, suddenly, the Buddha smiled... He smiled because someone in the audience smiled at him and at the flower...


To me the meaning is quite simple. When someone holds up a flower and shows it to you, he wants you to see it. If you keep thinking, you miss the flower. The person who was not thinking, who was just himself, was able to encounter the flower in depth, and he smiled. That is the problem of life. If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything...



From: Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh

Quote for the Day - If There Is To Be Peace

If there is to be Peace in the world,
There must be Peace in the nations.

If there is to be Peace in the nations,
There must be Peace in the cities.

If there is to be Peace in the cities,
There must be Peace between neighbors.

If there is to be Peace between neighbors,
There must be Peace in the home.

If there is to be Peace in the home,
There must be Peace in the Heart.

—Lao Tzu

You Are...

"You are goodness and mercy and compassion and understanding. You are peace and joy and light. You are forgiveness and patience, strength and courage, a helper in time of need, a comforter in time of sorrow, a healer in time of injury, a teacher in times of confusion. You are the deepest wisdom and the highest truth; the greatest peace and the grandest love. You are these things. And in moments of your life you have known yourself as these things. Choose now to know yourself as these things always."

Neale Donald Walsch
American Author and Teacher

Returning To The Source - Quote For The Day

Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return. Each separate being in the universe returns to the common source. Returning to the source is serenity. If you don't realize the source, you stumble in confusion and sorrow.

Lao Tzu
Ancient Chinese Philosopher

What You Wish To Experience - Quote For The Day

If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another. If you wish to know that you are safe, cause another to know that they are safe. If you wish to better understand seemingly incomprehensible things, help another to better understand. If you wish to heal your own sadness or anger, seek to heal the sadness or anger of another.

Tenzin Gyatso
14th Dalai Lama of Tibet