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Are you creating a beautiful life?

Live Life Vibrant Posted on May 4, 2022 by SusanMay 4, 2022

The concept of a beautiful life seems to be pouring into mine. I purchased this rose just before Easter, almost 3 weeks ago and although the outer petals are a little frilly, it remains happily gracing my windowsill. Beauty is not just the flower or the painting on the wall. It is joy at the bird’s song, making new friendships, running a well-kept store, championing what we believe in.

Gregg Braden recently announced his scientific understanding that “beauty is a force of nature.” That means there is a tangible power in our creativity and our ability to influence the world around us. He continued with his practice of the Wisdom Codes, prayers and exercises to align us with the language of the heart.

Nicholas Roerich, in his book Shambhala, In Search of the New Era, writes on the power of beauty in raising our culture. “With every affirmation of the beautiful and of the highest, we are creating the quality of the future life.” With joy and enthusiasm, he says, “If we shall take from life all expressions of beauty, we shall change the entire history of humanity.” He continues with the idea that positivism (as he calls it), aims “to draw heaven to earth.”

And Van Gogh is quoted as saying, “I want to touch people with my Art, I want them to say, ‘you feel deeply, you feel tenderly.’ ” That tender place between us, that heartfelt communication, is yet another example of our collective beauty.

As I continue to meditate on Blue Heaven, my place of beauty and creativity, I am asking myself if I am indeed creating the beauty that I am dreaming of…..with my thoughts, my actions, my daily expressions. I’d love to hear from you, my readers, how you are creating your beautiful life?

Robin’s message

Live Life Vibrant Posted on March 21, 2022 by SusanMarch 21, 2022

On Saint Patrick’s Day, I was listening to celtic bagpipe tunes and happily preparing for the arrival of a couple of friends. I saw one of them drive up to my cottage and I went to the door to greet her. As I opened the door, I spied a big robin redbreast sitting on the fence right across from me, about ten feet away. He sat straight and tall and was looking directly at me. I was too moved by his presence to take a picture (this is the best likeness I could find).

I began by thanking him softly for heralding the arrival of spring. He remained still as a statue and gazed at me intently. My friend started opening and closing her car doors just a few feet away and still he did not move. As she rounded the corner to come to my door, he continued his stance and we were both able to greet him.

I was not just glancing at a bird from a distance, this was clearly a direct message. In general robins do signify spring and fresh new beginnings, something new or exciting, and always joy. It is also said they represent strength, faith in the future, friends and family and community.

Even though this robin arrived days ago now, I am still meditating on the imprint he left on my life. It was a firm reminder to fill my life with joy despite worldly conditions, to create a vision beyond the obvious, to see the new world dawning. I am in the midst of contemplating and redefining my work and meditating on my original business name from about 24 years ago: Blue Heaven. Very simply it’s about bringing heaven to earth each and every day, but there’s much more to explore. To be continued.

May your days be filled with the joy of spring.

Another Word Arises!

Live Life Vibrant Posted on February 15, 2022 by SusanFebruary 15, 2022

In my New Year’s blog, I wrote about my word for the year, Arise! I also commented on how time seems to be speeding by, how fast things are changing and how the unexpected has become an everyday experience. A friend of mine recently expressed it eloquently by saying, “Every day I awaken to an entirely new chemistry.” She was talking about a healing process she is going through but the more I thought about it, it seems to apply to the whole universe we are living in and our relationship to it.

Meditating on this idea and wondering what I should be doing about it, I recently went on a shopping trip, looking for nothing in particular, but thinking I might find something. I found myself trying on a pair of boots which were surprisingly comfortable, which is a miracle in itself. As I took them off to decide whether to buy them, I wondered what the brand was. I looked inside and there was my next word:

The Italian expression andiamo means: let’s go or hurry up! As a longtime aficionado of many things Italian (ciabatta, aerobics instructor, olives, hairdresser, wood-fired oven pizza, doctor, novels and movies, painting of Positano, meatballs, scenes of Tuscany, I could go on), I knew I had found the response to my question and of course I made the purchase. I’ve also discovered that the word is sometimes used as an exclamation of joy when something unexpectedly good happens. So the answer is clear: Take action, move forward and remember to embrace joy at every juncture, no matter the nature of how things may appear.

I also want to express my joy and appreciation for all your comments to my recent blog questions. Where could I find more inspiration than in the words and experiences of my thoughtful readers? Grazie!

Shifting Realities

Live Life Vibrant Posted on February 6, 2022 by SusanFebruary 6, 2022

Where to begin? The Lunar New Year has brought us the Year of the Tiger, beckoning our courage and fearlessness. The approach of Valentine’s day encourages us to express our love. Days are getting longer and somewhere in the future, Spring approaches. Simultaneously winter storms are a fierce reminder to stay in the present.

Outer events across the planet toss us one way or another. Is a situation right or wrong? Do we have a right to judge? Do we know all the facts? What’s the rest of the story? How do we measure our well established opinions against a world changing and transforming before our eyes? Are we called to speak or called to prayer?

I am reminded once again of the old Sufi story which I am sure I have mentioned before:

A farmer led a fairly pleasant life but became tired of being so poor. He decided to buy a horse and hopefullylearn to train him and other horses. Upon finally having a bucking stallion in his small corral, his neighbors expressed great joy and admiration for his achievement and perhaps jealously predicted his income would increase. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “Good thing, bad thing, who knows?” As he and his son worked to train the rambunctious horse, his son was kicked in the shins and his leg was broken. Now the neighbors bemoaned the farmer’s fate and doubted he could ever succeed, and he said, “Good thing, bad thing, who knows?” Next the king of the empire declared war and conscripted all the young men to military service. Families all around were crying for the loss of their sons and saw with some resentment that the son of the farmer was exempted for his broken leg. Once again the farmer said, “Good thing, bad thing, who knows.” And as time went on his stallion attracted a herd of wild horses leading to great riches for the farmer. And the farmer said, …..

This is my version of the never-sending story, borrowing the farmer’s response from transformation leader, Srikumar Rao.

As time and reality attempts to shift us back and forth, speed ahead and slow us into the present, lead us to conclusions and then have them shattered completely, just what is it that we hold on to?

Could it be that: It is the truth and reality of our hearts’ understanding. It is our trust in what we know to be real. It is our inner knowing and ability to transcend time and space. It is our ability to be here and at once across the country or the planet when tragedy or events of importance ensue. It is the power of the universe within. It is joy, the motor of life, and our ability to express it to others.

As I ponder these thoughts, I would love to hear your comments.

ARISE!

Live Life Vibrant Posted on January 1, 2022 by SusanJanuary 1, 2022

I am inspired today to reinvent some New Year’s rituals that I haven’t used for awhile. The first is choosing a word for the year. The way time is accelerating, the word could certainly change before we get to 2023, but for now the word is ARISE. Many meanings of course:

Sometimes it’s simply to get out of bed. When I took this picture this morning, it was a crispy blue 5 degrees after a below-zero night taking us into the New Year. It was hard to throw back those warm covers, but the trees were reaching for the sky. Of course Arise can also mean: rise to the challenge, stand up and be the real you, aim higher than you have before, rise above earthly circumstances, stand up for what you believe in, reach for the stars.

Right before Christmas, I had an experience that demanded this word. I slipped on some ice and found myself right on the ground in the snow. Brushing past history aside, I found myself exclaiming, “I am okay, I am okay, I am okay!” and scooting over to my car and getting myself up. I promptly followed with helpful remedies and the absolute knowledge that I knew what to do and was indeed going to be okay. I wasn’t thinking about it, just doing. And I proceeded to go about my day. I said a fierce prayer to heaven intensely aware that I was the co-creator and had to do my part.

As we are arising, we are of necessity letting fall from our consciousness thoughts of judgment, self-criticism, being a victim, and ignoring our responsibiities as spiritual warriors. Every once in awhile, I seem to be reminded rather dramatically that I have been heading in the wrong direction. Aquarian ways of thinking are arising upon the planet and they are meant to be integrated and acted upon in our everyday experiences.

I have to record this incident as a victory to remember. Somehow I knew that I was responsible and I was in charge of my reaction. Days followed with very little soreness and a quick recovery, shoving any doubts aside and reasserting my belief in a world where we are practicing self-care, listening to our bodies, moved by the spirit and inspired by new and never-before-thought-of ideas.

The other ritual I began today is a jar where you add slips of paper recording victories, inspirations, great news, little synchronicities,etc. for the year. The more you recognize them, the more they multiply. I wrote the word Arise and taped it in the jar, combining the two rituals. The idea is to open the jar at the end of the year and celebrate all the good news you may have forgotten, a Victory journal in action. I might not wait until the end of the year, the jar may get too full.

We are all Co-Creators! Blessings and Love for 2022, Susan

What I Want for Christmas

Live Life Vibrant Posted on December 7, 2021 by SusanDecember 7, 2021

Or….What the World Needs Now. I know I’m not the only one but I am choosing a low pressure holiday season. In lieu of cards and most presents, I am choosing: conversations, connections and community. Perhaps I should add communion.

No my name isn’t Pollyanna. I truly believe that when we act in the spirit of oneness, no matter how small the acts, we create a counterbalance to division and attempts to separate us one from another. We awaken within us kindness and warmheartedness. We cultivate generosity and joy.

It may be a chat with a friend finding out how they really are. It may be supporting a local business. It may be meeting someone new, reaching out to connect. It may be taking time to commune with ourselves, finding more authenticity. It’s a spontaneity of spirit. It’s gratitude for this season of light while looking ahead to our visions of what is possible.

I remain amazed to find myself affirming that the future is bright. There are so many indications to the contrary. We remain however the co-creators, the miracle makers, the weavers of destiny.

I send love for Christmas and would be delighted to hear from you. May the Christic spirit enlighten our world.

PS The photo is from years ago, a Montana snowstorm in June!

Coaching at the Crossroads

Live Life Vibrant Posted on August 25, 2021 by SusanAugust 25, 2021

As a Heart2Heart Coach, I am often asked what I do, what does coaching mean, what’s the plan, and similar questions. I usually respond with a description of getting from where you are to where you want to be. Most recently, I’ve discovered that many people feel they are at a crossroads.

It may feel like there are many choices or there are none at all. Confusion may set in. Change may be the order of the day, but how to do it, what direction to head? It may seem like the universe is giving you a very strong message to go in one direction or another, but you find yourself seemingly without the tools, resources or belief in yourself to take the initial steps.

I am reminded of the quote from Yogi Berra who was quoted as saying, “When you reach a fork in the road, take it.” Simple enough in a way, but a little zen. I researched to make sure he actually said it. He did, but he was giving a friend directions to his home. At the point where a fork in the road appeared, bearing right or bearing left would lead you directly to his house. Not so zen after all, but still indicative of the need to make a decision.

There are multiple decisions to be made when proceeding from a daunting crossroads. And I have found that during this experience, support for your progress is rather essential. Friends and family can be most helpful, or sometimes not. This is one of the reasons I’ve pursued my coaching practice. As a more objective observer, I can assist those challenged by the crossroads experience. There are questions to be asked, steps to be taken, obstacles to be overcome and decisions to be made. Usually none are right or wrong but need fine tuning to align with your purpose and life direction.

The crossroads experience comes along repeatedly during our lives. I’ve noticed that when worldly events intensify (have you noticed?) the whole process appears, and may indeed be, more crucial to our progress on the path.

Take joy in the knowledge that the crossroads experience may be challenging but always indicates incoming change and transformation, and your heart will undoubtedly lead the way.

Busy Creating

Live Life Vibrant Posted on July 24, 2021 by SusanJuly 24, 2021

I had to stand still for some minutes to capture this industrious bee in the peachy hollyhock blossom. Sometimes we have to wait patiently for an inspiration to dawn upon us. Trying to create, thinking of the project or fullfilling a worn out vision never seems to work. Being in the moment is a far better approach.

Summer heat has been relentless in my corner of the world this year, starting early in June and seemingly hardly ever letting up. Even the refreshment of a thunderstorm downpouring with rain is slightly overshadowed by the long range forecast. And therefore all kinds of moments are to be relished. The UPS man arrived warm and soaked carrying a small package and exclaiming, “It feels great!” – saluting the longed for rain. The laundry hung outside dries in minutes in the bright sun, keeping the coolest wardrobe items ready for the next day. Moments of busyness with future oriented projects are short, concentrated and fulfilling inside next to the rotating fans. And an afternoon siesta is never out of the question.

And often I just need to be still, delving deeper into the interior castle where all is calm, all is bright. Christmas in July. Celebrating even small moments where I am nevertheless purposeful, grateful and busy creating.

Stay cool, my friends.

Summer Solstice musing

Live Life Vibrant Posted on June 2, 2021 by SusanJune 2, 2021

The sun seems brighter than usual. Some of my pansies have curly edges this year and are waving in the brilliant breeze. Fresh activity is abroad in the land. These were the best of times, these were…..What are we discovering about ourselves?

A certain intensity is prevailing. Whether overcoming or transforming, our inner power centers are being turned up to meet the challenge. Sometimes there appears to be a battle. Warrior-like and full of belief, we charge forward. And then we are tasked with recharging and regrouping. The next opportunity is on the way.

A friend recently found this quote from Helena Roerich, 1929: “Blessed be the obstacles, through them we grow.” I say Amen to this idea. Although kindness and support may be needed to get us through, we are ultimately masters of our lives and ever evolving destinies.

Every time I write a blog or offer coaching or a reading, I too am listening and learning. I join the pansies in sending you great love.

Threads of Creativity

Live Life Vibrant Posted on April 23, 2021 by SusanApril 23, 2021

During slow and sometimes snowy spring, the different expressions under my creative umbrella are presenting themselves as opportunties rejuvenated. It’s surprising, but I did say a prayer. The threads of different parts of my life are pulling together in an updated design and I am happy to respond.

I began Montana greeting cards over 20 years ago, determined to attempt to capture the beauty of our big skies, bubbling creeks, animals, and flowers, both wild and planted. For years I promoted and sold, then just created and gave away, but always loving the process of capturing the moment and creating the cards. I called my business Blue Heaven.

Recently our lively small town has had the opening and re-opening of Gray’s General Store, an inspired project to offer townsfolk a little bit of everything: toys, craft supplies, household basics, socks, candy, frozen pot pies and hula hoops, just to name a few. You can find what you are looking for and often things you didn’t even know you needed.

They also offer a counter by the sunny windows where local artists and vendors can display their goods. The store takes a minimal percentage of the profits and enthusiastically promotes their sales. So voila! my Montana greeting cards are now on display for sale at Gray’s General Store. A most fitting way for this corner of my creative expression to find its outlet.

Read the inspiring story of Gray’s here:

https://www.kulr8.com/regional/livingston-gray-s-general-store-reopens-a-year-later-after-series-of-tragic-events/article_a832c0ce-c222-5c51-b628-5fe79a36d3ce.html?fbclid=IwAR2mWKKXiHPrpEb0tMc_Ix3TzuEYcK4qmpKIAmZ98Eu36bImwnBnEccE3Xs

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