To some people, BE-ing comes easy. They simply know who they are and aren’t afraid to express it and BE it!  To the rest of us, “who I am at the ‘core of my being’” is something we seek, and explore, and eventually discover or grow into later on in life.  Then again, some of us never come out of our shells.  Some will spend so much time and attention on BE-ing who we ‘think’ we’re supposed to BE that we don’t make time to give who we ‘really’ are any specific thought or attention.

Every single one of us has been raised with some ‘conditioning’ and we learn how to act and ‘behave’, and how to ‘stay out of trouble’ and ‘get approval’.  Then as the years pass and we mature and grow into our independence we may choose to search and discover our ‘true’ identity?  Doesn’t everyone want to simply BE who we really are, and long for the strength and courage to effortlessly BE that, whatever that may BE?  I wonder…

Whether we give our ‘identity’ much conscious thought or not, I wouldn’t be surprised if most of us see ourselves quite differently from the way we’re perceived by others? Perhaps you’re the extrovert in your ‘clan’ but as much as there is the social, outspoken side to you there’s also the quiet, reflective persona that many, if not most, never get the honor of meeting. Maybe it is the other way around and you’re the quiet, humble and somewhat mysterious one on the outside, but within you dwells a dynamic performer longing to shine through ever so brightly.

Who are you really? And why are you here? And why in this specific point in time? If you could’ve chosen any other time in history, and chosen any other family, town and country to belong to, why would you have picked NOW as your time to show up and BE here? What is this all about? What are you here to do or who are you here to BE?

These types of questions have always been roaming around in my head (and soul).  A part of me was always quiet and observant, taking note of the life outside of me, noticing everyone else’s life stories while I was somewhat disconnected with my own.  In a way I didn’t feel like I truly belonged in my family, or in the neighborhoods we lived in or in the schools I went to, or even in the country I was born in.  I remember this lonely feeling of not ‘fitting in’ and almost feeling as if I’d been misplaced.  I didn’t get it.  I felt ‘weird’.  There had to be something ‘wrong’ with ME.  I loved my family, and loved my friends, neighbors and fellow countrymen but I absolutely felt like the ‘odd one out’.

Interestingly enough, I’ve learned to love being the ‘odd one out’ because that simply means that I’m BE-ing ME!  And, guess what!?  Every single one of us is unique and different.  I’ve had the pleasure and honor of meeting so many people, from all over the world who’ve talked about this same exact feeling of ‘not fitting in’ and being the ‘odd one out’.  I guess we’re all much more alike than we think we are:)

What if being ‘odd’ was the norm?  When are we going to fully embrace and nurture our amazing differences?  Life definitely wouldn’t be as interesting if we didn’t have all these different colors to observe and enjoy.  Even though our paths are different we’re all headed the same way.  We’re here to grow and evolve, and shine as brightly as we can while we’re here.  So here’s to BE-ing YOU!  Go out there and bravely BE the ‘odd one out’ and put YOUR colorful mark on the world!

Related Post: “Here’s to the “crazy” ones…”

Lately, I’ve been on a detox diet, mainly for health reasons yet I’ve been catching myself getting excited about the pounds I’ve been losing in the process. I am by no means overweight and this should not even be a concern for me but given that the modern day unrealistic ’standards of beauty’ also meet my eyes from time to time, it is fascinating to note that as aware as I deem myself to be, I still get affected by the messages which repeatedly seem to say; “Thin is beautiful, and we can never be too thin”.

Not to worry, I am not obsessing about my weight in any way and I’m generally not that interested since I’m focused on being and feeling healthy… but… I am interested in ’self-awareness’ and ’self-acceptance’, and so it becomes fascinating to note how women are portrayed in modern day society, through the many channels of media, and even to note that these ‘ideals’ affect me as well, as much as I deem myself to be completely aware of these ‘illusions’. I truly wonder if anyone in today’s western society is 100% immune to comparing themselves to the ‘ideals of beauty’.

Today’s society recognizes all too well labels such as; anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorders, and body dysmorphic disorder. It is said that about 50% of girls between 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight! And, about 80% of 13 year olds have attempted to lose weight. Now that’s absolutely insane! How women see themselves is completely different from how men perceive their bodies. Only about 10-15% of people with eating disorders are men, the rest is women. For women, our perceptions of our amazing bodies are often all but healthy and realistic, and it seems the ‘ideals of beauty’ are getting more and more skewed with the prevalent use of ‘photo re-touch’ softwares and manipulation of any and all perceived flaws. The truth is that the women we see in the magazines don’t even get to look like the women in the magazines!

Anyways, enough with my ranting… I discovered this great article on Telegraph Online. The author’s perspective is interesting and puts our obsession with ‘youth and beauty’ in a fascinating light. I encourage all women (and men) to read this article. When you’re done reading you may want to take note of other ads and articles on the page, it drives home the overall point. Everything we see is a manipulation of our perceptions of ourself. We, the female version of mankind, spend SO much money just to feel good about ourselves and believe we LOOK GOOD so we’re a prime target for money makers. Yet, when it comes down to it, all we ever need is self-awareness and self-acceptance. That is the foundation of REAL LOVE, REAL beauty and everlasting happiness.

Check Out this Article: Women and Body Image: A Man’s Perspective

Related Post: Whatever Happened to REAL Beauty?

There is no job more powerful than that of a Parent!

As a service professional I found it interesting to discover that aside from necessities (home, car and monthly groceries) most of our lucid financial output goes towards other service industries. I definitely would not want it any other way since I had been disheartened by mass consumption for too many years. To actually get to be alive and personally witness the ‘over-consumption era’ slowly dwindling down is pure bliss for me.

I wonder why people are so afraid of the “current” economy? I was literally terrified of the “old” economy, the one we lived in in the year 2007, which is not that long ago.

The inevitable outcome of our mass consuming ways would surely be the utter completion of our natural resources, and if it had not been for this ‘economic transformation’ perhaps little else could have stopped the shopaholics in their tracks. In 2007, we were actually headed for disaster faster than we could have imagined. Observing the never-ending glorification of the lifestyles of the rich and famous and seeing so many poor souls aiming for that same ‘ideal’ felt like watching a train wreck in the making. I dreamed of the ability of being able to slow down time so awakened humans could actually stand a chance of being able to come up with some sort of a plan. I guess the Universe has a way of taking care of itself and a house of cards, built on ignorance and greed is sure to come tumbling down eventually.

It is not too far fetched to imagine that the international financial recession is the greatest blessing our future generations could have been given. It was critical that the mass-consumption ideology would hit a major roadblock and for us, ‘the eternal dreamers’ who are out to change the world, to be given a platform from which to come up with a plan for creating a fresher, more sustainable world order. Rome wasn’t built in a day and we have a long road ahead of us but the fact is that “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

Happiness can not be found inside of a handbag, shoes or designer jeans… although I do admit that many of those man-created things of beauty do have their unique appeal:)… Still, who needs to have 10 pairs of jeans or designer bags, let alone 20 or, 40 or 100!? Does anyone get that?! I’d love for someone to explain that to me.

Contrary to what we all have been seeing on TV for years and years, happiness is not about getting and having stuff! You can NOT find it by acquiring more and more pointless and eventually useless junk! Yet, this is what the entire western world was lead to believe by large scale corporations and their ingenious marketers.

Capitalism in its old and traditional form is dead! It will never again be as it once was. Our future transactions will more likely be about investing in each other’s services than investing in meaningless, and inevitably deteriorating, materialistic things, and hence depleting our planet of its beauty and splendor. Now, isn’t that awesome?! Hallelujah anyone? I mean, who wants their life to be about materialism and consumption anyway? Isn’t there much more to it than that?! And, isn’t it time we all found out!?

Now, I must say, that a certain level of happiness can be found by using money as the positive and creative energy it can be. Immense happiness can be found by making a difference in the world, by supporting a good cause, by giving to others, strangers, family and friends, and giving to yourself when you take care of you, body, mind and spirit and do what you love doing. And, once again, for the record, taking care of you is NOT about buying you some more stuff!

How you use money affects the world we live in, and creates the world our children will inherit. Money is energy and POWER so set your priorities straight and get conscious with what you are actually creating each and every time you choose to make a transaction. You truly hold the power to shape and change the world.

Every transaction you make has an impact. What kind of an impact are you making? How are YOU using your money? What would you like to do with the creative power it holds? If every transaction you make helps shape the world you live in… what kind of a world are you creating?

YOU are, and always will be a POWERFUL CREATOR of YOUR REALITY!

Go and get creative with your money!!!

This is some of the best social advertising on this topic.

Our perception of beauty has been grossly distorted through constant adjustments and manipulations. There is nothing beautiful about being fake… be a REAL beauty!

Yesterday was an important day in the history of mankind. As I watched the election coverage I couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed at the significance of the moment that I was witnessing. As Barack Obama was announced the next President of the United States I felt tears running down my cheeks and I felt honored to be living this day. Mr. Obama’s speech was beautiful and inspiring. It felt sincere, and honest. These are surely some interesting times that we are living in. Getting to witness such a historic day, a day that undoubtedly changes the course of the future is a privilege. I am not disillusioned in thinking that Mr. Obama alone is to be the world’s savior but I am inspired by his ideals and words of wisdom. In order for us to truly evolve as a human race we all need to get on board the train and adapt a “spirit of sacrifice”. The winds are shifting and together we are watching history in the making, and what a beautiful experience that is when you know you are witnessing an inspiring change take place.

Right before our eyes, a paradigm shift is taking place and yesterday’s election results were a significant step towards uniting the United States as a country and towards uniting the world as a whole. Mr. Obama gets the concept of Oneness and he seems to be a genuine and caring person. This moment signified change on so many levels. Last night, people were flocking to the streets just to be with others in celebrating this important moment. It was a day to rise and rejoice.

My impression of our new president is that he understands our interconnectedness as a human race and he understands the need for us to unite and to feel united. He has referred to the concept of One and as he stated in his speech, “Our stories are singular but our destinies are shared”.

The paradigm shift has begun and here we are, living this together. The sooner we realize our connectedness and unity the sooner we will heal ourselves and our planet.

An overwhelming majority voted for Mr. Obama and people made their voices heard. We are ready for change, we are ready for courage. I am excited to see what the future has in store for us. The age of Connectedness is upon us and the election results give us a solid stepping stone.

Barack Obama has the opportunity to unite a fragmented country and he also has an opportunity to be an agent in uniting the world.

Many may have been feeling hopeless and despaired thinking their voices were not being heard, and even thinking that the world was caught in a downward spiral in its mass-consuming ways. Now we have witnessed the power of unity and of acting as One, and have discovered the answer to the following question:

Can we change the course of the future?

“Yes, We Can!”

“This is our moment. This is our time. Out of many, we are One”

-Barack Obama

I am having the most amazing experience in the midst of world turmoil. I can only feel Love; it keeps radiating through me and in me and it is the most amazing sensation. When we are in the NOW with love for ourselves and love for others nothing can stop us. Love makes us feel like eagles, soaring in the sky, invincible and free.

Growing up, I did not always feel loved and I know how painful it is to not feel loved. As I got older I learned that the love I thought I had missed out on had always been with me, it rested inside of me. I simply needed to learn how to truly love myself so I made a choice to no longer rest in the lower levels of consciousness and began seeking a higher truth and learn to forgive and let go of anger. This is when Love began to make itself visible in my life. I learned by observation as well as through trial and error that I could choose to either be a victim or an owner of my life and destiny. Steve Chandler, a coach and author teaches people about Fear vs. Love and about being a Victim vs. an Owner in ones life and I learned a lot from him.

It might very well have been easier (at first) to play the victim, blaming others for the gaping hole in my soul, sitting around, waiting for someone else to show me my own worth. But, that would have meant I would still be waiting so I chose to take a different route.

Intrinsically, we all know our value and when we let go of anger, fear and judgment we begin to see ourselves as the magnificent beings that we really are. Actually, we start start seeing everyone else in that same way. Out of the billions of people that live on our planet no two are alike. No other human being is like you, not in appearance, skills, traits, thought, passion, gifts or talents. How magnificent is that?! We are all so wonderfully unique and beautiful. How could anyone but YOU know and be able to tell YOU how spectacular YOU truly are?

Innately, all of us know our true value but our ego, when young and immature, may have been wounded and hurt, and it clouded our inner wonder with grief and fear. It is your obligation as a mature person to take your inner child into your safe arms, comfort it and show that child how it grew up to become a magnificent, hopeful and loving person. When we love ourselves, we heal, and we love others, and feel how genuinely we are loved by Creation.

The Creator loves you and wants you to become all of which you were designed to be. Your higher Spirit wants you to live up to your fullest potential and excel! Creation designed us in its own image, embedded with the gift of creativity. We were given freedom of choice yet the Creator knows what we are capable of creating, and wants us to use our creativity wisely and lovingly.

You are an important cell in the body of humanity. If you can design yourself to be and become all you ever wanted to BE, and by being a Being that makes a REAL difference while here on Earth. What wonder can you create? What insight and magic can you and only YOU bring to the world?

I am still witnessing a lot of fear out there so I feel inclined to address it once again. Why bother fearing the worst? Fear is so dull and uncreative.

I have heard a few people state that mankind is destined to self-destruct. And, yes, it is true that we do not have the greatest track record on how we have treated one another and our precious planet. But, there is definitely hope for us still. Humankind keeps evolving and changing for the better and YOU are a part of that change. While some of us may resist and remain dwelling in humanity’s lower levels of consciousness, many more will awaken from slumber and find the true meaning of life. At this very moment, in the midst of global turmoil, and financial setbacks we are progressively evolving and being lifted towards light and peace. A paradigm shift is taking place right before our eyes. No matter how we may try and resist, we are destined to become the beings we were designed to be; loving, joyous and peaceful.

Many can feel how they are changing at the core of their beings and may feel unsure on how to deal with these transformations. Rest assured, you are not going crazy but may be releasing the burdens of your ego. Let go of fear and embrace uncertainty knowing that you are being guided towards a brighter tomorrow. In a way you might actually be the prototype for what is to come, the new mankind, awakened to eternal joy, love and peace.

When we finally stop resisting and accept change in an open and loving manner our prior fears seem distant and irrelevant and we allow ourselves to open up and embrace this divine process. Eventually, all of mankind will be fully transformed to collectively rest in the highest levels of consciousness, and the world will be a glorious place filled with love, joy and peace that radiates to and from every living being.

The first step is for YOU to visualize your dream scenario and then create it into existence.

It may seem as if it is very bad “out there” right now. Our global financial system, which we previously took for granted is standing on wobbly feet. The perceptions and expectations we had now seem naïve and unrealistic and fear and panic is spreading across the world.

Choose to not get caught in the grips of fear. We are making this out to be far more serious than it really is. Acknowledge that your beautifully creative mind is capable of making everything seem so horrendous and horrific that it can absolutely scare itself to the core. What we are witnessing right now are fearful people creating fearful actions. Choose to not join their fear party and instead create your own party of creativity and courage. Invite all your positive friends to join you. When fear gets a hold of people their irrational actions can create their worst nightmares into existence. So take charge and conquer fear!

Breathe, exhale, calm your mind, and find your center with its infinite truth and serenity. The worst thing that can happen to you is a thought. Catch your negative thoughts and turn them around. Your thoughts are very powerful when you believe them. They can cripple you in fear and anxiety or they can drive you to excel and transcend boundaries. What do you want to be thinking?

What reasons do you have to be fearful? You are actually watching an exciting time in history, a major paradigm shift in the making and YOU are witnessing it and participating in it. Let people say that this is the beginning of the end as it is an end to a sad and greedy period in human history and the beginning of a brighter and more loving world. You are as free as ever to simply open up and be your spectacular authentic self. Let that authentic self be a creative, courageous and caring creature.

Let us not waste our creativity on finding someone to blame. Let us unite and help each other, support each other, accept and love each other. Let us collectively collaborate and open up to one another. The human mind is capable of spectacular creations. Let us feel our connectedness. We are all here together as ONE.

When we conquer our fears there is absolutely nothing that can stand in our way. The base of our fear rests in our beautiful and creative minds. Expel fear from your mind and invite courage and creativity to come on in. The power to change is within YOU. You can be the change you wish to see in the world. Change your mind, and you will change the world!

What a whirlwind week… These are surely some interesting times that we are living in. Is everyone feeling the excitement? I know I am.

In one of my favorite books, “Fearless”, Steve Chandler quotes Fritz Perls stating “fear is misunderstood excitement”. As the world remains in turmoil and people seem to be spinning in circles, I have no fear, I can only feel excitement.

Earlier today, I watched CNN, proclaiming today, “Frantic Friday” as they reported on the plummeting stock markets, and repeatedly showed clips depicting the global panic. It is amazing how powerful our perceptions can be. The worst things that can happen to us are our thoughts. If nobody watched the news and people simply went on with their lives acting clueless, the markets would probably have calmed down by now. Yet this storm is not meant to settle until the world conquers its fears and we reach a state reflective of accurate perceptions.

Surely, I have many friends and family members who are afraid as my home country faces a very real threat of national bankruptcy. My personal earnings are not overly impressive, and the bills haven’t stopped coming in the door and I have little kids to feed and take care of. Still, I have no fear! Everything happens for a reason and I am excited to be witnessing this tremendous paradigm shift and can’t wait to see what is in store for us all.

These are not times to be fearful; these are exciting times where creative minds in clarity and calmness are to remain open to new ideas and opportunities. Let us not waste our imagination and creativity on worry. Let us for a moment stand in stillness at the center of this storm as calm observers. It is in stillness that one gains the most valuable perspective. When you see calmly and clearly you can not see obstacles, because they do not truly exist, you will only see opportunities. It is in the face of challenges that we become most creative.

Let us summon all creative minds, entrepreneurial spirits and courageous souls in uniting as one, standing together at the center of this storm, finding clarity, and endless opportunities that are simply waiting for their spectacular creators to show up! Be one of the courageous ones who boldly takes advantage of this time in history. We are all here for a reason as we are fortunate to be watching a paradigm shift in the making. A global mind shift is about to take place. How exhilarating is that?!
Be creative. This is why YOU exist. Your moment is here. Be who you were meant to be. Be in the now. Be courageous. This is your time!