Y2 – Day 330 – Sugar Withdrawl

As of Friday afternoon, I am off sugar and felt fine till @ today, at exactly 3 days later. Well, I can see why people avoid cutting out sugar. The flu-like symptoms, the headachy, tired bones and extreme exhaustion is enough to make me run into the pantry and down a 5 pound bag of sugar. Especially since I know it would make me feel better in the short run. Of course, in the long run, I need to hold on tight because I want to kick the habit.

I was sitting in front of the lap top trying to wrap my brain around what to write about, when it occurred to me the internet might help here. It seems it is pretty common to experience unpleasant reactions and I am encouraged by some bloggers and statistics that say it might last two weeks, tops. Nonetheless, pretty bad timing on my part. Right before the holidays is not the brightest idea.

I will keep you posted but expect huge mood swings, anger, anxiety and all hell breaking loose. You have been forewarned.

Y2 – Day 326 – The Final Three

Although these are the final three of the twelve, they are not any less necessary or important.

Ten – Patience/Perserverance – Steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity, able and willing to bear, to persist and to pursue an undertaking in spite of counter influences.

Eleven – Awareness – alive and alert, vigilance in observing.

Twelve – Service – a helpful act, contribution to the welfare of others, useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity

There’s a certain composure, poise or aplomb in patience. It is knowing everything is going to be just as it is supposed to be, in its right time. People who stay the course or preserve are patient because they also know the end result will eventually become reality, they are just not sure when or how many hurdles have to be jumped.
The ability to observe, discern and notice every nuance of your body, outer world, nature, others and inner world brings you to a state of awakening. Being aware of your surroundings, feelings and moments is enlightening.
Service is what it is all about. What need of gifts and talents would you have if someone else didn’t need to receive them? Generosity of your time, attention, resources and information is a reward onto itself.

Y2 – Day 325 – The Next Three

Seven – Humility – not proud or haughty, not arrogant or assertive, a clear and concise understanding of what we are, followed by a sincere desire to become what we can be.

Eight – Love – Unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks the other’s  best and highest good, to hold dear.

Nine – Discipline – Training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental faculties or moral character, to bring under control, to train or develop by instruction.

We all have talents that we explore and then gift to others. The humility for me lies in the acknowledgement of our abilities, the refining of them and in the surety that they were bestowed upon us as our purpose.  There is a saying, “attraction not promotion.” Humility does not mean poo-pahing our power, but rather knowing they are endowments given to us and that we have respected enough to research, fine tune and then use to help others. 

Love is unconditional and has no need for a definition.  But love does take on many different guises such as forgiveness, compassion and gratitude.  Love makes us whole and it is always the place to come back to. Love is our truth and also never needs defending or promotion. It just is and it is everywhere if you look.

Disciplining your mind, body and spirit is a balancing act. Occasionally, I am 100% with my food choices but haven’t really focused on my workouts – or, I am meditating every day but feel too spiritual too bother to go walking. Structure, direction and reminders keep me on the straight, steady course.  That is why every enlightened being has had mentors (sometimes for each) to be accountable to.

Tomorrow: The Final Three

Y2 – Day 324 – 3 more codes of spiritualism

First – I want to say we remember veterans all over the world. In our efforts to move towards peace – please join the global peace movement – tonight on 11/11 at 7:11 pm pacific coast time and light a candle, a lighter, a flashlight or your phone and stand outside in the dark, look up to the sky and know there are thousands of bright lights like you, wanting the same thing – no more veterans of war to mourn.

Four – Courage – fitness of mind and the will to face extreme difficulty, mental or moral strength to withstand fear.

Five – Integrity – the quality or state of being complete or undivided, soundness.

Six – Willingness – prompt to act or respond, accepted and done or choosing to do without reluctance.

Courage comes from the French word Coeur or heart. Courage does not mean without fear – it means doing something even in the face of it. Going ahead and acting out fearlessly without fear might be a bit robotic or even foolish. Scared to death and still acting couragesly is real heroism.  Courage to overcome an addiction, a loss, grief, depression, a betrayal or facing a harsh truth, is a slow burn, not a snap decision.  It is a continuous, constant and continuous sort of bravery you struggle within yourself. 

Integrity is having the intention and follow through to say or do something honorable even when no one is looking. It is knowing your truth and sticking to it, no matter what.

There is nothing without willingness.  If you are not willing to be honest, have faith or attain any of the 12 spiritual principles, then stop reading. Willingness is the open enthusiasm we need in order to begin our transcendtal journey.

 

Y2 – Day 323 – 12 Spiritual Principles

A long time ago, maybe a decade, I read something on a wall up in the mountains and was so impressed by it, I wrote it down.  After going through some paperwork, I found this wise counsel written on sticky notes inside a notebook. Basically, it is 12 words with their definitions, yet each word is a law of spirituality. I would like to share them with you, three at a time, in order to fully digest the significance of each principle.

One – Honesty –  fairness and straight forwardness of conduct, adherence to facts.

Two – Hope – to expect with desire, something on which yearnings are centered.

Three – Faith – complete confidence, belief and trust.

And so I ponder, there is nothing without honest appraisal of our actions and in respect to our relationships. Without honesty, your truth, there is no authenticity.

Hope is part of survival.  Without hope, we might as well crumble and who hasn’t?  But with hope, all things are possible.

Having faith in something, whatever form it takes, builds on itself. Skepticism is the opposite and leads to a cynical view of everything.  I have faith the sun will rise in the morning and it will set in the evening.  Sometimes you just have to start small.

Y2 – Day 322 – Sunday Roses

These gorgeous creamy white petaled roses, a hint of pale yellow, edged in dark pink in an ombre fashion are a variety called Farfalla.  The variegation is exquisite and the scent (if only we had smellavision), intensely sweet but understated,  is reminiscent of of the ambrosial  purity of childhood.

Y2 – Day 321 – Princess

Princess Cindi awaits her chariot before Friday night out.  I have officially become one of those people.

She enjoyed dining al fresco at Tu Tu Tango, a tapas bar restaurant at the Outlets, formerly the Block (which I still call it) and strolling through the outdoor mall.  I think Cindi needs Twitter so she can be followed.  What do you think?