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The title of this piece comes from a favorite quote of mine. It's from the book "Conversations With God" by Neale Donald Walsh. What it's sharing with us is that whenever you think of it, you are being Healed, right now.
In the painting, I have used stones called Black Tourmaline. Their particular function is to repel negative energy, to relieve stress. The stones are arranged to align with the viewer's chakras. As one studies this piece, the stones repel negativity away, "Healing" the viewer. The red color melting through the black is symbolic of the Love that is always, ALWAYS, just on the other side of negativity and pain.
I have energized this piece with Reiki to send peace to the viewer as they observe it. It's function is to Heal. So even if someone doesn't know or understand it's symbolism, perhaps they will feel a stillness and a calm feeling overcome them.
“Be the change you want to see in the world."
~ Mahatma Gandhi
I smile. A lot. People ask me how I can "be so happy" or "smile at complete strangers" ....but they don't know the Peace I feel while doing it. I take the risk of looking like a complete idiot to some people, and looking like the only person in the world who's smiled at them. It has added to my Inner Peace every single day. There have been times I've left the house in such a funk, only to be turned completely around by giving out a smile at a gas station, supermarket or stoplight. Smiling is the Universal Language of Friendship and Peace.
"In ancient China, the Taoists taught that a constant inner smile, a smile to oneself, insured health, happiness and longevity. Why? Smiling to yourself is like basking in love: you become your own best friend. Living with an inner smile is to live in harmony with yourself."
~ Mantak Chia
I've been told that a smile makes people wonder what you're up to =) Some people may be skeptical, some may be confused...but the smile is always noticed. This world is full of people in a rush, some too busy to even breathe...I've seen vacationers on beautiful sunny California days trying so hard to "be" on vacation that they forget to smile!
"A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give."
~ Author Unknown
It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three to frown. It actually boosts your immune system! Why not save energy AND spread health & positivity at the same time? It also releases natural pain killers (endorphins) and serotonin. Smiling can make things seem easier...I find myself smiling during the difficult parts of my yoga classes. It's delightfully distracting =)
Sometimes the challenge is to not grimace when your smile is returned with a smirk, or a frown [see 2nd Agreement in earlier blog post]...but this is part of the path towards Inner Peace. There is discipline of the mind by smiling at them anyway. By not expecting anything in return, by selflessly giving away such a simple act, it reflects back to your Heart...resulting in Peace. It's the Gift you give both to others and to yourself!
"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day."
~ From P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
I like to use objects from nature to symbolize larger ideas. This painting was created with a sea fan and two starfish. Trees to me symbolize our Soul's Lifetimes, every branch a single Life. I believe we all travel in "Spirit Bands" where a group of Souls will come down together during a lifetime and appear at different stages to help our own Soul's growth. The two starfish represent Souls returning to the same Lifetime to encourage, inspire and guide each other. These two starfish can be anything: friends, lovers, enemies...perhaps a stranger on the street who with one simple act, transformed the other Life's path.
Some people say you can recognize a familiar Soulmate through their eyes... My feeling is that we don't have just one Soulmate. I believe we have many!
“You are a living magnet. What you attract into your life is in harmony with your dominant thoughts."
~ Brian Tracy
The path to Inner Peace can be a rocky one, full of frustrations and doubts. We give fear the most power over us, sometimes without even realizing that it is programmed into our everyday blueprint for living. It is easy to fall back into the reliable gossip and pain conversations that connect us with others.
There are many tools that one can use on the Inner Peace journey. I have added these Four Agreements because they help me on my Path, every day...and in return to the author of them don Miguel Ruiz, I am "sharing with others what I have learned and how to live your life so they can be happy as well."
Adopting these agreements into your Life can be easy for some and extremely difficult for others. But it will change your life. I promise. Remember to be gentle with yourself. That is different than disciplined. We can all have goals, and a tenacity to follow those goals, but when it comes down to it: be gentle with yourself. More than any family member, close friend or lover, it is the relationship we have with OUR SELF that is the most important.
It is not selfish.
It is being True to Oneself.
The Four Agreements
by don Miguel Ruiz
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret.
The Four Agreements © don Miguel Ruiz http://www.miguelruiz.com/
The title of this piece comes from a favorite quote of mine. It's from the book "Conversations With God" by Neale Donald Walsh. What it's sharing with us is that whenever you think of it, you are being Healed, right now.
