Archive for February, 2012
My Growing Edge. What Is Yours?
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
I often encourage people to think bigger, go bolder, and reach higher. As my business started to grow, I knew it was time to expand my coaching practice – to reach more people – to be more visible. I began to draft my business design, update my bio, and launch a new website. After completing my draft, three things happened: 1. I came down with a horrible stomach virus; 2. A family member was diagnosed with a serious illness; 3 My computer crashed. All of this happened in the span of about seven days. While feeling vulnerable, the voice of doubt came whispering (okay, screaming) in. I had the thought, “Maybe I am not ready and capable of expanding my coaching business.”
When I was done feeling sorry for myself, I realized at that moment I was going to my growing edge. And for that reason I knew it was important for me to help other people discover theirs – because at any given moment, we are called to go beyond the voice of doubt and fear and see what incredible opportunity is awaiting us. It may not always be easy, but it can be simple. It can simple knowing what we are called to do. And it may take getting support to help us create the map to get there. Continue reading…
Celebrate your growing edge in Hawaii. For more details about the upcoming retreat in Hawaii on the Big Island, click here.
Peace, Mary Anne
Shape Shifting Suffering
Monday, February 27th, 2012
In a conversation with one of my spiritual teachers I asked, “When does the suffering stop?” She took a breath and said she wanted to think about it more and allow the question to go in. She invited me to do the same. I took some time during a quiet retreat I was facilitating to sit with my thoughts about suffering. As part of the retreat I invited participants to take time for a contemplative walk in the woods and just listen to what nature had to say. I began walking down a long nature trail that narrowed deep into the woods. After walking for twenty minutes, I found a large tree that had fallen and I sat down to listen to my question about suffering.
I opened my journal and decided to shape shift the question into parts:
When does the suffering stop?
Does the suffering stop?
The suffering stops.
Suffering stops.
Stop.
Nature spoke and in that moment, the suffering stopped.
Mary Anne
What Are You Seeing in Your World?
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
When you look out, what are you seeing in your world?
What is your vision?
What is your mantra?
What are you creating?
In stillness, your creative vision and mantra is available.
When you look within, what are you seeing in your world?
{Photo taken in Egypt by Mary Anne Flanagan}
Morning Sun Salutation
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Each day the light is expanding more and more. As the light greets me each morning and evening, I take notice of the colors in the sky. As I sit on my early morning express bus, I look out the window to watch the sun illuminate before my eyes – and it never disappoints.
Here is this morning’s sun salutation:
{Photo taken by Mary Anne Flanagan}
Listening to All the Senses
Friday, February 17th, 2012
I am the silence that listens.
I am the open field that sees.
I am the wind that hears.
I am the pulse that feels.
I am the air that tastes.
{Photo taken by Mary Anne Flanagan}
Alone to All One
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
Sit on the earth
You are not alone
Sit on the earth
You are not alone
Sit on the earth
You are ‘all one’
Mary Anne
Expansive Love
Monday, February 13th, 2012
When was the last time…
You danced with a flower?
You fell in love with a tree?
You sang to the stars?
You saw the good in every encounter?
You found peace in forgiving another?
You listened to the rhythm of your heart?
Every moment is an opportunity to experience expansive love. When we stop seeking (or expecting) love or approval, we can begin to love ourselves in deeper ways.
As Pema Chödrön says, “The only reason we don’t open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don’t feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with. To the degree that we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else’s eyes.”
Falling in love means loving ourselves first and sharing that love with others. Go ahead, fall in love with yourself, again.
Mary Anne
What Dream Have You Abandoned?
Friday, February 10th, 2012
As I prepare to take another dream and make it a reality, I thought about all the dreams I have put on hold. Are there dreams I have abandoned? Am I ready to revisit some dreams and notice if it is time to shine light on them?
Is there an abandoned dream that is ready to be explored again?
This reminds me of a Lanston Hughes poem: A Dream Deferred
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Listen to your dream(s). They are speaking to you.
{Photo taken by Mary Anne Flanagan}
Earth Wisdom
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
The wisdom of the earth
Comes to me with
Every breath
The wisdom of the earth
Comes to me with
Every step
The wisdom of the earth
Comes to me with
Every smile
The wisdom of the earth
Comes to me with
Every moment
The wisdom of the earth
Is me – here. Now.
Hide-n-Seek: Do You Hide or Do You Seek?
Monday, February 6th, 2012
When you played the game hide-n-seek as a child, did you prefer to hide or to seek?
As an adult, are you hiding or seeking?
Hiders hide. Seekers seek.
And as my friend Clayton said to me, “Finders find.”
Mary Anne