Kindness as a Core Quality of Happiness

I believe in being kind. In every interaction I take, be it with friends, strangers or those who are less than kind to me, I try to be consistently kind with everyone.

I believe this is a big part of why I'm happy. In holistic studies - be it buddhism, spiritualism, yoga or others - there is often the concept of the mirror. One way that I like to teach it is if the mirror is explored we place a mirror up to ourselves as we speak to another, thereby, speaking to another as ourselves. We then treat ourselves AND the other with kindness - thereby loving ourselves and the other both separately AND as one.

Think of how loving, kind and happy the world would be if we all treated ourselves and those around us with kindness. Now how about we make that happen one day at a time? I'm in:)

I wish her peace, a poem by Jenifer Shapiro

I wish her peace

That deep peace that holds you in its womb and reminds you of yourself.

I wish her love

The love inside, not outside. The sustaining love that binds our journey to Spirit.

I wish her forgiveness

For when we forget to forgive our path is stuck in mud so deep there is no choice.

I wish her solace

Deep in the heart of God, solace that cures her anger, greed and resentments and washes her of her hate. There is no living when hate is present.

Everyday Reminders

Today I watched a film I'd never anticipated called 'Lifted'. The story runs many layers, from Spirit to family to addiction to the presence of war. What lifted me the most was it's ability to remind us that Spirit is all around us, and through tragedy of loss we can remember that our loved one's bring us not only the every day experience of their love, but the lessons that open our hearts and remind us that part of our being here is to love one another without reservation.

I had an interaction this week with a person so filled with pain she couldn't see past herself. Every interaction became one about power. How she could win and not feel someone was taking advantage of her. In holding so tight to this, she couldn't even see the love before her. Everyone became the enemy because her need to save herself became more important than opening her eyes so she lashed out violently, insisting her boundaries be met.

I've seen this map before, it always causes my heart pain. There is no getting through to a person who chooses not to hear love. We can scream it at the top of our lungs but love cannot be forced. This is one reason why sometimes it takes coming to our knees to feel it. In those times our harsh boundaries are down and we let it in.

I pray for this woman and hope she finds solace. I also made the clear decision to end interactions with her for my heart, my love, is meant to be shared and grown and I choose to surround myself with others who choose love rather than drain my energy with those who choose hate.

Already Here

You called for me, and I stood in front of you wondering why you couldn't see me.

You crumbled, imagining you were alone and I'd left, yet I was right before you.

My love so bright you couldn't see it.

You went to that part of you where no love can live. The part I can't understand in another so beautiful and wise. Beyond shadow to blackness.

I sat before you waiting. Knowing when you came back, you'd see me again. Sitting where you left me, loving you.

In the darkness, I felt you awakening. Slowly coming home to yourself and back to me.

When the sun rose and you looked at me, I knew you could see me again, here, loving you.

And I took a deep breath, honoring the darkness you choose as separate from my soul while the heart that returns is so a apart of it. That you can be both partner and stranger in the same day and that I'll be here as long as you come home.

Set Me Free

Set me free

Free to howl loudly, be it with the moon or in my bed

Let me run

Wildly, without remorse, without a path, only through the guidance of a clear heart

Open my eyes

To the core elements of this existence, love, passion, fear and flow, to remember myself in the world around me

Hold me close, then let go

And I'll fly through the knowing you are here and I can be anywhere and feel you near

Set Me Free

And in my heart, I'll follow myself home.

Slowing Down

It's easy to tell a client's activity level in their language and breath. Rapid chest breathing indicates overwhelm and dissatisfaction with life. Language of pushing - ie. I need to, I should, I have to - shows me just how much the individual is forcing themselves into a life they don't want.

Today, I encourage you to use some opening language in your life and self-talk.

I can, I want to, I love to, I choose to.

Say these words to yourself and notice the inner power they invoke.

Now try I should, I have to...and notice how your energy dissapates.

Even when we don't want to do something, if we do it, we are making a choice.

By practicing empowering inner language, we can make our choices more consciously.

In loving light,

Jenifer

Taking Positive Risks

The universe will reward you for taking risks on its behalf.
Shakti Gawain

Ahhh, I love this quote, a reminder that risks are both part of our life's path AND that we are constantly supported as we consciously take them.

So true, what risk do you wish to be supported for today?

Enjoy it, receive it, and live it.

Hugs and love, Jenifer