This is my experience: 

A choice can be made in each and every moment. Living in gratitude may be cultivated, despite challenges and other happenings in life. There is no shortcut to a place of such joy, however. To preach it without its true meaning, makes for an artificial idea. Ideas are great, but they go no deeper than the head, which is on top of our shoulders (of course). To be genuine we have to fully feel what is obscuring, covering, holding back the deeper light in us. Out heart has to open and our heart will love, regardless. This is a choice; our journey to this place inside. Rewarding every time, to come back to such freedom. I still get tangled up in fear, anxiety, expectations contra disappointment (of things not turning out the way I wanted) but with awareness the road out is never long. Intense perhaps, but short. And the heart can open like a flower, filled with love, again and again and again. What a wonderful life.

A Happy New Year to All!

Love J

As we speak and connect to others from an honest and genuine place, it is felt. We can "learn how to be", but the best way, I feel, is to express our own uniqueness with less need to impress or achieve, and more sharing who who we truly are. Ironically, this is when we "perform" the best. This is usually when others can truly hear us, not to mention appreciate us. This is what I saw in my son's end of year speech yesterday. I encouraged this, and he delivered. Naturally. Without putting on a show. Only he and what he felt at this particular time in his life. It was felt by everyone, I think. The feed-back was phenomenal. When someone speaks from the heart like that, it is felt. The words have more meaning because so often we can relate then, in one way or another. 

Love love love and Merry Christmas!

Jeanette

An old stubborn part of my mind is chasing something. An acknowledgement, from the outside world, which is not needed to feel fulfilled. This part believes it is, though. It thinks I need permission to be free. I know of it as an illusion, but find it hard to shake. It's as old as my life's journey and beyond. And in the wake of not finding such acknowledgement, resentment awaits. Like a harsh wall, threatening to rise between me and others. Then again, what is different nowadays is that I'm not blind. I see it, taste it, feel it, and aim to let it go. Intensity only means that I am meeting its ugly face, surrendering to love once more. An inquiry as old as the universe, but also as false as fake smiles. Oh, life - a journey ongoing, everlasting, but oh so beautiful. 

Love, always at its core, embraces. 

Happy December everyone!

Jeanette

Life has brought me in all sorts of directions lately, so I haven't had time to write on here for a while. As for this moment, the sun is shining and I have a few insights to share. 

Yesterday I felt nausea and was suffering from quite a throbbing headache. I was tired, but also I felt drained. I knew I had to take it easy, but not by using any form of media or other lazy stimulant. So in the afternoon I lay down on our outside couch, and totally relaxed. I was comfortable. Birds were singing and the air was warm as I began to breathe, deeply and consciously, to release any tension. So much so that I eventually couldn't feel my physical body at all. Instead I became aware of my authentic presence inside my body, a part which I sense is eternal. 

I lay absolutely still, not even a fingertip was moving. The sense of reaching beyond any pain or discomfort was now pertinent, in particular as I asked the angelic realm for assistance. The only thing still moving was my own breath, deeply and gently, in and out of my body in even, relaxing waves. After a few minutes of this a tingling was felt, and after that I lost track of time. Still, I had to pick my son up in town so the alarm was already set for just after five, which meant I had 35 minutes up my sleeve. 

I stayed in this position for the entire time, just to open my eyes as the alarm went off; the headache now gone as well as the nausea, completely and utterly. A feeling of healing and vitality filled my entire being and as I rose, the discomfort didn't return. It was over.

This reminded me of the tremendous power we have within; as we open, as we let go and become still. How glorious! For it is free! Available at all times and part of who we are! It may take a bit of practice to connect in this way, but it is there inside everyone. I'm sure of it. To stop and stay still may sound so simple, but nevertheless. In my experience it is deeply profound.

Worth a try! Any day!

All the best, 

Jeanette