About a month ago His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama spoke at Western Connecticut State University in conjunction with Do Ngak Kunphen Ling: Tibetan Buddhist Center for Universal Peace which is located in Redding CT. It was a remarkable day! Here is the long awaited lecture for you. Enjoy!
Energetically!
~SHC
I was reminded of this post last night so I wanted to share it again….
I regularly post on Facebook and Twitter about language. My strongest coaching tool is helping my clients become aware of their self talk. As we all know language has power and how we talk to ourselves can make or break our self-esteem. That said, here is a list of words to become aware of in your speech.
Should: The best thing to say about this one is, “Don’t should on yourself” When the word is used there usually is obligation places on the act on which you feel the need to follow through. Now here is a tough one… Only do the things that you want to do. For example “I should go to work.” Sure work is not necessarily great everyday but we want to make money to pay our bills. Hence you want to make money so you go to work. We get something out of everything that we do so I invite you to look at your motives and find the want in what you’re doing. Then once you can find your want versus your should you are able to remove the obligation and guilt that comes along with the should.
Need: Listen to how often you use the word need… When we need something we do not approach it with the same energetic strength that we would had we approached it with a want. Again with the want 😉 We follow through with our goals when they are a want versus a need. Our obstacles block us when obligation strikes us. Look again…
But: ” I wanted to go swimming today but it was rainy and I thought twice about it.” When you use the word but in a sentence you negate what is initially said. So by looking at the sentence you really did not want to go swimming because it rained and you changed your mind. In a sentence like this the but is really quite innocuous. Though when used in a sentence like. “I thought your show was fantastic but in the second act…..” So you really didn’t think the show was fantastic. I simply invite you to look at what and how you are speaking to yourself and others. Do you want your anabolic phrases to land on their own merit or would you rather land on the down note.
Can and Can’t: These 2 words are simple. You are saying I choose to and I don’t choose to. Now sometimes we are physically unable to do things and if we were able to choose we would. Like say for instance fly on our own accord. That said if you are, let’s say invited to a party it is completely ok to say you are unable to go due to a prior engagement but (and yes I just used the word but on purpose) if you can’t? No. You are choosing to go to your prior engagement. Everything you do in life is a choice. Be empowered with your thinking and choose how you respond. Be the cause of your life not at the effect of it.
Again back to the shoulds, needs, can’ts and buts…. How do you want to approach life? Empowered and anabolic? To quote one of my favorite children’s poets Shel Silverstein:
“Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child.
Listen to the DON’TS.
Listen to the SHOULDN’TS,
the IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS.
Listen to the NEVER HAVES,
then listen close to me…
Anything can happen, child.
ANYTHING can be.”
Listen to how you think….
Energetically,
~Sarah
I’m sure everyone is thinking that I’m going to bog about hurricane Sandy that hit the eastern seaboard the past couple of days or maybe even this contentious election campaign that’s going on right now… but no. To start here’s a little back story about me. As some of you may or may not know I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 11 years ago and to this date I have done very well with no true “Relapses” in all that time. It even stayed away from the stress and side effects when I went through months of cancer treatment. Yeah I know I was spanked hard in a short period of time…..
That said I have had during this past month my very first relapse since I was diagnosed (I think). I truly count myself very lucky… With all my meditating and lecturing on living in the moment I believe I was as prepared as I would ever have been. There’s more…I also live with migraine. (I don’t say suffering because as we all know pain is inevitable but suffering is optional.) My neurologists don’t think that there’s a connection but they can’t say that they’re not connected to my MS. I have changed my diet, meditate, receive regular acupuncture, swim (due to back surgery 2 years ago), I’ve tried reiki, not taken meds and taken meds. All this to say that if there is a healthy possibility that it might alleviate my pain, I’ve tried it or do it. I finally gave in to Botox treatments after regularly living with about 20 migraines a month. (this is the condensed version :-))
Now put that on top of an MS relapse that takes its form of severe vertigo and nausea with excessive Restless Leg Syndrome. My world has been tossed sideways. I haven’t blogged in a while due to these given circumstances. I am reminded to be gentle, to keep moving forward. To say no to certain things And to say yes to others.
But now I have to admit that for the first time in my life when I haven’t felt well it was not just me. There is someone else who is concerned for me. I have actually felt that “what if…” What if he sees me sick and can’t handle me this way and leaves. As untrue as I know that to be I still got a little scared. I have learned to function very well with pain. I continue to go about my day even though my world is in constant motion. I am regularly, regularly reminded that so much about life is trusting in oneself. Loving oneself. I do not live my life as a victim… you know what I mean… the “Why me?!” syndrome. Or using my wound as the way I am defined…. I call that wound-ology. My regular response to that is why not me on all fronts. Why not have great things happen too! With everything it’s a question of choice and how you want to handle it. There’s that topic again, choice. I chose to trust and love myself an in turn I chose to trust and love another. And trust that it will all work itself out in the end. Or right now if it so choses…
I know that there are only great things out there for me and everyone else too! So now that the hurricane has moved on… Let’s get back to our regularly scheduled life.
Lots of Love!!!
~Sarah
This thursday and Friday His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama spoke at Westerner Connecticut State University in Danbury CT in conjunction with the Tibetan Center in Redding Ct, Do Ngak Kunphen Ling or DNKL. It was a remarkable couple of days. I had received my tickets and was raring to go but then I came down with the creeping crud and felt that it wouldn’t be fair of me to go and sneeze and cough over everyone. So I was given the opportunity to give my tickets to my boyfriends parents! Lucky for me pictures were sent all along the way.
Although disappointed that I couldn’t attend I was pleased to be able to share this with people who haven’t had the opportunity to experience the His Holiness speak before. So Of Course I was glued to my laptop with tissues and water in hand to view the live stream. It’s supposed to be up on youtube and when I can find it 🙂 I will have it for you. But here is a wonderful article with his complete lecture on thursday about compassion. Here is an excerpt from the article:
“My fundamental belief is that we are all the same as human beings. We don’t need an introduction when we meet because we are mentally, physically, emotionally the same. I find this is a very helpful way of thinking. Whether I’m speaking to 1000 people or 100,000, there are no barriers between us.”
His Holiness explained that when there are no barriers there’s room for trust. Trust is the basis of friendship. On a global level the time has come to develop a strong sense of the oneness of humanity. Then there will be no room for exploitation, cheating or bullying. If others are successful, be happy. Otherwise, if we a jealous, that leads to mistrust, which leads to fear and suspicion and ultimately loneliness.
 |
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at Western Connecticut State University’s O’Neill Center in Danbury, CT, on October 18, 2012. Photo/WCSU |
Everyone wants to lead a peaceful life, but a peaceful society does not evolve only from economic development, it comes about as a result of inner peace in the hearts of individuals. How can we develop such inner peace? Through prayer? His Holiness said that of course prayer has its place, but he feels a need to take action instead.”
As soon as I can find the 2 lectures I will post them! It was a remarkable couple of days!
In the past few weeks the topic of being “alone” has been a big one! There is a difference from being alone vs. lonely. We all have moments through out our lives when we feel lonely but alone is very different matter. I’ve been known to say, “You can’t find the love of your life until you become the love of your life.” If we feel alone and do everything we can to avoid our own company we won’t be very good company for someone else. And in turn if you are entering a relationship so that you don’t have to be alone then you are not at your optimal…. Which is 2 people coming together at their greatest so that they can grow together. Because of this I am re-posting a blog post from 2010.
Here is a video that has recently gone viral on Facebook. I immediately feel in love with it!!!!! When I started to listen to it I recognized the voice as Tanya Davis’ who also created another über favorite of mine “ART”….. Take a look-see.
Lots of Love!
~S
This post created some great discussion so I thought I’d post it again… Enjoy!
I’m sure you all have heard the line,”I want it now, Daddy!” from the famous Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’s colorful character, Veruca Salt…
Often times when reaching for a goal be it personal, spiritual or work related we all get a little impatient when waiting for results. This impatience can inform us as to where we are in relation to our goal or it simply could be Veruca rearing her ugly head…
If we have faith that it, the goal will arrive and you are doing all the steps necessary, (playing full-out as in last weeks post) then place an order with the waiter and trust that it’ll show up. You know how when you’re at a restaurant and you place an order with the waiter, you trust that it’ll be on your table within a certain amount of time. Going after your goal is a bit like that. Doing the work then trusting in the out coming. I mean hey, we all can get impatient about when the out come arrives… But that is usually due to not truly trusting that it will arrive so by having it arrive now! you know you’re not walking down the wrong alley. And it could be that you simply want the fruits of your labor now… No matter what it all boils down to trust.
I have written before that life, a relationship and/or a goal have no finish line if it’s in alignment with who you are. And if a job or goal doesn’t transpire it’s the beginning of something else so in reality there is no end. Think more about that and wanting it now! may abate a bit…
Or just start signing… It helped Veruca!
Energetically,
~Sarah
One of the greatest gifts we have been given is the one of free will. The freedom to chose any direction we want! I coach a lot about choice. Where do you want to go from here? If you don’t like how you feel make a different choice… What’s another way of looking at your situation?
This “Native Wisdom” was sent to me awhile ago from my dear friend Reverend Mark Delcuze. And then I was reminded again from another remarkable coach, Tara Roth! I believe that things show up for a reason… so Obviously this is something I need to hear. I hope you enjoy it as much!!
Native Wisdom: A Grandfather from the Cherokee Nation was talking with his grandson.
“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.
“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.”
“One wolf is evil and ugly: He is anger, envy, war, greed, self-pity, sorrow, regret, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, selfishness and arrogance.”
“The other wolf is beautiful and good: He is friendly, joyful, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, justice, fairness, empathy, generosity, true, compassion, gratitude, and deep vision.”
“This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other human as well.”
The grandson paused in deep reflection because of what his grandfather had just said. Then he finally cried out; “Oyee! Grandfather, which wolf will win?”
The elder Cherokee replied, “The one you feed.”
Energetically~
~Sarah
My summer view!
I wrote the following except during the summer but never posted it. On the first day of Autumn when the world (or at least my part of the world) begins to forage for the coming months and things begin to slow down I cherish the warmth of summer. How do you enjoy the seasons and time as the weather changes…. What does it mean to you?
“Every now and then I have a day that is simply divine and I do mean divine. You know the kind of day that takes your breath away. I have spent the last 48 hours sitting in the sun, swimming, eating amazing food, playing with my boyfriends daughter (a gift in and of itself), driving gorgeous roads and playing with my boyfriend too. The sound track was also just as spectacular: birds, frogs, roosters, frogs jumping in the pool, woodpeckers, birds flying by to take a dip in the pool, bumble-bees and dragon flies. Did I mention frogs? All of this was a visual feast as well… I have 2 words for you: Humming birds!
All this said it comes down to that I’m so thankful for such an absolutely amazing couple of days that were shared with me.”
My summer was spectacular so I’m looking forward to what life will bring in the coming months!
Energetically,
~Sarah
©Michael Alan Wells
I have bee talking a lot about this recently with my clients recently… It brings such joy!! Let me know how it works for you!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could live everyday like we were on vacation? Well you can! Stop and think about your frame of mind or what you do differently when you’re on vacation. Is it that you turn off all the various and sundry gadgets? Or you take a little bit more time for yourself. What is it? My favorite is that I have no schedule. Now I know that, that is not necessarily possible in our everyday lives. We can’t just jump off the bus because we see an exquisite fountain in a park, but what is it that made us see the fountain in the first place? What is it that sparks us to talk with people who we may never notice in our daily routines? How differently do you breathe? Lots of questions I know. Take some time with this one. Moments in our day are so precious. How can we stop and look up and look out so that we enjoy that moment like we’re on vacation versus our regular routine? Again focus on your breath…. How different do you breathe and why do you do so? Then how can you incorporate that into what you do daily? By allowing the breathe in we can allow for the spaciousness were those moments of spontaneous beauty can happen. I mean we all would love our dream vacation every day… but then again it would stop being our dream vacation then. So how wonderful would it be if we incorporated some of the mind-set into our daily life to make that life as full as if we were on vacation!
So go ahead and give it a try! Live life like you’re on Vacation!
Love and Light
I simply wanted to share this YouTube clip this with you this morning. I was inspired by a friend on Facebook. Pema Chodron is a remarkable Buddhist monk who in this clip talks about Maitri: Unconditional Friendship with oneself. The greatest gift and a direct route to helping us learn from our Karma. She is a remarkable woman!
No Instagram images were found.
Sarah hamilton's Blog 