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

This is my experience: 

The absolute best gift we can give ourselves and others is to honor whatever passion, joy and truth we have in the depth of our being. To love every part as it is. To allow healing and changes as they occur within that love, to naturally happen. Ah, what treasures to behold. As an opening to a wider consciousness takes place, we may find that we are forever supported by life itself. We are the creators, first by our initiation and then by letting go. The contradictions of the universe are many. By being respectful to who we truly are, by honoring what we promise ourselves and others, virtues holding any soul to a high standard, is a privilege. Not a standard of a "high horse", but a place of love. Honesty and integrity are tools on such a journey. The light inside may then be brought forth, so all else can fall away. In the shadow of our being may we love love love, not only in the light. May forgiveness be the door we walk through, to find what is hidden within such a blessed act of Grace.

All is here, in this moment of existence. All is here.

As advice is given in a moment of openness, the best way to receive it (in my experience) is to listen carefully, but not take the words literally. Instead, let them inspire. Let the words bring the best out of our own expression. It means meeting another soul on equal ground. The ego can diminish as our soul is free to speak from such inspiration, brought to the forefront by the truth of another. A truth, by the way, that is the same at the ultimate core, only different in its outer form. 

Everyone is a student and a teacher, for the journey of life is one of learning and sharing. Leaders will see leaders in the eyes of those following them. Followers will be touch not only by the strength, but by the vulnerability and honesty of any leader who have overcome their need to dominate, and found a way to truly serve. 

We are different, yet the same. We have different ways to contribute, through the depth of our heart, our skill, passion and joy. As we recognize such expression, in ourselves and others, the steep walls of separation may fall away. Helping us, meeting as one.

And so, beyond the outer edges of body and mind, revealing the infinite, the ego may find the courage to step aside. Surrendering, like leaves to the current, opening itself to a wider depth. Light can then lead the way. Rose pedals, red like the color of love, filling the spaces in between. Forever equal, magnificent and tender, it's time to fully celebrate,

and come home. 

To live a life of constant surrender, is an act of Grace. To follow the passions of heart. To let go of all effort. To just turn up in life. It requires much of the ego yet very little of the soul.  

Integrity is needed, and openness. Without courage, it is hard. Without willingness, impossible. Without love, probably doomed. 

When action comes from inspiration, rather than strive, much can be done with such ease. To allow emotions fully is a path to a glorious state of forgiveness. A birthright every woman and man came to this earth with. 

And so a life of inner peace can evolve and deepen. Not as a constant. Not as a rule. But as a core of each experience. Involved, passionate and completely alive, naturally spreading to others around.