Life and Love by Isabell Kratz Tindale

Anger

2009-06-28T05:44:00.000-07:00

"Don't sin by letting anger gain control of you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry." - Ephesians 4:26-27

It is almost an instinctive reaction to let anger well up inside of me when someone says or does something that I find insulting. While this is a violation of my boundaries, I don't have to lower myself to the level of emotional abuse. I can remain above it, and decide not to take it to heart and not to retaliate.

I need to take a detached view of what is happening and cultivate an attitude of peace and serenity. I will not let myself get involved emotionally. And I need to do it before the steam of the argument builds up, otherwise it might lead to an explosion. "Time out" is sometimes necessary, like leaving the room or even leaving the house. If I let anger take possession of me and dicate my words and actions, I will lose control and inflict damage onto myself and others, even innocent bystanders like children. These traumas can take a lifetime to be undone.

If I refrain myself from harbouring vengeful thoughts, I am doing myself and others a favour, because resentment can build into a storm. It can turn into a savage attack on another human being, leaving deep emotional scars on all those involved at the time. What sort of person do I really want to be? I need to make this decision right now, not later. Do I want to be loving, caring and have a good life? Then I need to plan things accordingly, and maybe it is time take action...

"And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." Matthew 5:30

All the best,

from Isa

Painting by irmastarr

Start Every Day with Hope in your Heart

2009-06-22T16:34:00.001-07:00

“There is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” - Leonard Cohen (Anthem - from his album The Future)

Let the light come in through the cracks of your being. Allow the positive energy of hope to infuse you today. Bask in it, bathe in it, let it penetrate every pore of your skin.

Hope is at your fingertips. Forget your regrets about yesterday, and forget your worries about tomorrow. Become totally lost in the present. That's where your point of power is, right here, in the now.

Every day brings with it unlimited possibilities, new challenges and choices that are yours to make. Allow the grace and beauty of a new sunrise to touch your soul. Remove your shackles, let go of yesterday's sadness and grief. There is so much love and joy around you, but it's up to you to allow it into your experience.

Hope is an expectation in your heart of good things to come. No matter what problem you're facing right now, you know that it will get better. You trust the Universe to be on your side and give you the answers you need. You trust that no matter how desperate a situation is, improvement is always possible. You trust that after the rain, there will be sunshine again...

Hope is a burning flame that will never go out. Hope is life itself, it's what keeps us going, no matter what we're going through. Our wishes are there to come true...

Bye for now,

Isa

Painting by Peter Rowntree

You have the Power to Change your Life

2009-06-19T05:23:00.000-07:00

By recognising that we're powerless over other people and their behaviour, we regain our power over our own lives.

I might not have the ability to change others, but I can change my life, and I can change my circumstances, by modifying my outlook on them and taking action accordingly. These choices belong entirely to me, no matter what anyone else says or does.

Improvement begins once we stop attempting to control the uncontrollable. Then our real power emerges. We have the power to change our lives. These choices are in our hands, at any time. Decisions are never perfect and always involve a risk, but this is the nature of life itself. If we knew for sure that our decisions were 100 % correct, it would take away the excitement, wouldn't it? Change brings with it hope and positive expectations.

Don't look back. Follow your gut feelings. Decisions are not always made overnight, they take time to grow and develop. But you'll know within yourself when you're ready to take the plunge. This is your life, so make the most of it...

All my blessings,

from Isa.

Butterfly Woman Painting by Amethyst Wyldfyre

What's the Worst that Could Happen?

2009-05-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

We humans tend to worry about everything and anything. We envisage the worst possible scenarios. We forget to enjoy the present moment, while obsessing about things that haven't happened yet and that might never happen.

Let's imagine that I quit my job, because of the stress and dissatisfaction I was experiencing at work. After a while, when I've used up all my savings, I begin to worry: "What if I can't afford my house, my car or my credit repayments?" "What if I lose my home?" But what if I don't? These things might not necessarily occur. But as long as I concentrate on the lack of job and the lack of money, these aspects will prevail in my life, because my thoughts keep me stuck in a place of fear and anxiety.

I need to ask myself, "What's the worst that could happen?" and how I would react. Surely, it would not be the end of the world if I lost my car or my credit card. As I focus on the positive aspects of my life, I will have a sense of relief and will begin to feel better. For instance, because I have a healthy body and mind, I realize that I am rich compared to a lot of people who are not as lucky as I am. Like the saying goes, "I complained that I had no shoes until I met someone who had no feet."

Relax. Stop worrying. Remember that when you're down, you can only go up. When things are bad, they can only get better. Improvement is the natural order of the universe. There is always hope, no matter how desperate your situation seems to be right now. Ask your Higher Power for guidance. In the meantime, distract yourself to take your mind off of your troubles. Go for a walk, spend time with your kids or with friends, read a book, watch a movie, do some cooking or cleaning. Be playful and cultivate a sense of humor!

"I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have... I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time." (Philippians 4:11-12)

All my love,
Isa

Painting: "Carefree" by Nancy Davidson

Forgiveness

2009-05-23T09:24:00.001-07:00

In his heartbreaking book "The Tears of my Soul", Sokreaksa Himm recounts how his entire family and himself were led to execution by the Khmer Rouge in the late seventies. They were marched to a shallow grave in the jungle and hacked to death with hoes by a group of ruthless brainwashed thugs. Miraculously, he survived the ordeal (he was only eleven years old), buried by the bodies of his father, sisters and brothers, including his baby brother, while the soldiers walked away, laughing... Later while hiding in the bushes, he watched his older sister and mother also being butchered and thrown into the grave. Along with an older sister who was in a different village at the time of the massacre, and was spared due to a spelling mistake, Sokreaksa is the only member of a large united family to survive the Cambodian killing fields.

Sokreaksa was from a traditional Buddhist background, and for a long time he could not come to terms with his ordeal. The concept of Karma only made him feel worse, as he felt that he was being blamed for what had happened to him and his family, due to something he did in a previous life. He finally turned to God and Jesus, because he felt that above all he needed forgiveness if he was to continue living. He found that Jesus offered him the unconditional love and forgiveness he was seeking, in order to find hope and a renewed purpose in life.

Here are some quotes from Sokreaksa's mesmerising book, that I read in one sitting:

"The people who killed my family were evil, and they should be punished... Yet I needed to forgive them - not for their sake, but for my own. As long as I was unable to forgive, that fire burned in my heart."

"My refusal to forgive meant that I never gained internal peace, and that ball of fire continued to consume me."

"As I gave up my desire for revenge, and pulled out the root of hatred, anger and bitterness from my heart, I was journeying towards forgiveness, and the healing of my soul and the wiping away of its tears."

"I couldn't do this for myself... I needed a power outside myself, and that power was the love of God."

"Forgiveness has released me from the emotional torment that burned within me for years, and now my heart is lighter and my spirit has peace."

Isa

Cambodian painting by Hor Many

Stop Playing the Game of Blame

2009-05-16T01:54:00.000-07:00

We can achieve so much just by changing our thoughts. This is something we can all do, regardless of our personality or level of education. All we need is to be willing to give it a go. Right now, we can decide to stop playing the game of blame, to stop being a victim of people and circumstances.

When something goes wrong in our lives, it's a spontaneous reaction to blame others. But pointing the finger at them is not going to change anything about our predicament. On the contrary, it keeps us stuck in a place of feeling miserable and sorry for ourselves. Sometimes, it's a relief to have a good cry, or to beat a pillow, pretending it's the person or event that we hate. But in the end, we need to figure out how we can improve the situation ourselves, because others will not do it for us, no matter how much we complain to them and accuse them of wrongdoings.

Once we realise that we can change for the good and release our animosity, it's incredible what we can accomplish. We can take our power back into our own hands, instead of handing it over to others.

Blame yourself and you will foster shame, regrets and low self-esteem. Blame others and you will end up hating them. But what happens when we stop playing the game of blame? What happens when we stop blaming anyone for anything? Miracles of acceptance and forgiveness, miracles of love. Joy replaces resentment in our hearts, and hope replaces despair. We'll finally feel at peace with ourselves and others, and reap the rewards from our new way of thinking. These are the true prizes in life: treasures in heaven, which cannot be destroyed by rust or moths...

All my love,
Isa.

Painting: "Australian Outback" by Vitbich.

Self-Mastery is the Goal that God Wishes us to Attain

2009-05-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

In her breathtaking novel "Twilight", Stephenie Meyer introduces her controversial character Edward Cullen, a "good" vampire. Edward talks a lot about his determination to overcome his urge to drink blood. A model-looking Adonis, he is madly in love with Bella Swan, an ordinary human teenager, but thirsts for her blood, as she gives off the most delicious scent, like the bouquet of an exceptional wine...

Edward uses the self-mastery skills that his "father" Carlisle taught him over eight decades to overcome his lust for Bella's blood. This is his weakness, his addiction, and one part of him, the monstrous part, wants to sink his teeth into her, but the other part in him stops him from doing it. It's the good in him, his conscience, the day-by-day abstinence that his father taught him. To Edward, it's a commitment that he's made, and that he doesn't want to deviate from, no matter what... He knows that he would hate himself if he gave in to his urge. He also feels genuine compassion for his victim as well as for her family. He decided a long time ago that he would no longer take any more innocent lives. He almost needs superhuman strength to overcome his strong impulse to throw himself at beautiful Bella and have a feast.

As the novel progresses, he falls deeply in love with Bella, who is very smart and has a good sense of humour, despite being awfully clumsy and accident-prone. This feeling is reciprocated, and Bella can't get him out of her head any more. But Edward is worried and wants nothing more than to protect her from danger. The ultimate act of self-mastery is when he has to suck venom out of her hand, and has to stop in time or he would drink up her whole blood, which would be her death sentence. He needs to do this because of vampire venon that was injected into her by James. James is an evil vampire, the equivalent of a serial and obsessional killer, who stalks Bella and sets everything up to kill her and "drink" from her without remorse. Fortunately, he is thwarted in his attempt at the last minute by Edward and his family of "good" vampires.

As humans we are weak, that's why the Lord Prayer tells us: "Do not lead us into temptation". We are fallible; we never know for sure how we will react to any given situation. Self-control is a Divine skill that we need to practice every day. Just like Edward stops himself from drinking blood, we need to stop ourselves from doing things that are counterproductive, such as getting angry at our loved ones and lashing out at them. We need to be careful not to destroy ourselves with substances that are harmful to us. We need to control our urge to spend money on unnecessary luxuries.

We need to be careful not to do things that we might regret later on. Taking time to think is essential. It won't stop us from being spontaneous. After all, we can always be spontaneously charitable, and give money, time or praise to those who need it the most. Compassion always begins at home, and our loved ones are the people we can practice our self-mastery skills with. We don't have to go to University to learn this.

I believe that evil does not naturally dwell in the world, in people, or in events. Evil is the by-product of the absence of the Love of God. Evil happens because people are not happy with themselves. It also happens because of laziness, distraction and forgetfulness. It happens when we're not focused, when we've lost touch with our Higher Power, our True Selves, our True Purpose in life. Mistakes happen, but we can learn from them. We have good days, and we have bad days. This is normal, and no reason to beat up on ourselves. Every mistake is a learning opportunity, a chance to correct ourselves, to make amends, to choose a better course of action next time.

Once we remember that our goal is spiritual progress and self-mastery, we'll strive to be our very best selves. The secret is to never give up, never get discouraged. There is always hope, always light at the end of the tunnel. You will succeed eventually, without doubt, and you will be happy...

All the best with love and blessings,
from Isa.

Painting: "Eye Vitrail" by Jacques d'Auteuil,2007

Addiction is a Decision

2009-05-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

We humans tend to get addicted to a lot of things that are not always good for us. We tend to destroy ourselves, instead of looking after ourselves. Some are addicted to nicotine, drugs or alcohol. Others are addicted to junk food. Some are addicted to gambling or shopping. Others are addicted to work or dysfunctional relationships.

It doesn't really matter what you're addicted to; right now you've reached a stage in your life when you want to rid yourself of these negative patterns...

In his inspiring book A Million Little Pieces, James Frey explains that addiction is a decision. You want something, so you make a decision to obtain it and to consume it. This decision is repeated over and over until it gets out of hand. As time goes by, the decision-making process becomes out of control; it becomes an addiction. Am I going to do it or am I not going to do it? Each and every time, it's a decision, it's a choice. String all these decisions together, and you have a pattern of behaviour that will determine the course of your life. It will determine what sort of person you will be. Every moment of your life, you have a choice.

Live this moment to the fullest, and make decisions that are good for you. Only one moment at a time, one day at a time.

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference" (Serenity Prayer)
Say it over and over again. Say it every time you have to make a decision.

With love
from Isa

Painting: Original picture from recoveryarts.com

When Someone's Behaviour is Affecting Me

2009-04-22T16:12:00.001-07:00

Believing that I can modify other people's behaviour is an illusion, maybe the biggest of all. No one can control another person's actions or words. Others are not puppets; they have their own freedom of choice.

What other people do is none of my business, even though it may affect my life and my happiness... The most important person in my life is me, myself, I. This may sound selfish but it's not. To be selfish is trying to bend others to conform to my expectations. But if I solely concentrate on my own wellbeing and give up expectations regarding others, I am not only being realistic, but I am acting with kindness and empathy. I let others be what they want to be, while tending to my own business of bettering myself.

It is helpful to stop wondering what I can do to about other people's problems, and instead ask myself what I can do to improve my own life. I can improve my outlook and consider my circumstances with gratitude, rather than resentment. I can improve myself by being aware of what stops me from progressing, what sort of resistance I harbour within me. I don't have power over others, but I have power over myself. Instead of wracking my brains about how I will make this person do this or that, I can direct my efforts towards me, and take up an activity that will make a difference to me, such as meditating, keeping a diary, or reading inspiring books.

"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all of the barriers within yourself that you have built against it. It is not necessary to seek for what is true but it is necessary to seek for what is false. Every illusion is one of fear, whatever form it takes. And the attempt to escape from one illusion into another must fail. If you seek love outside yourself you can be certain that you perceive hatred within, and are afraid of it. Yet peace will never come from the illusion of love, but only from its reality." (A Course in Miracles)

Painting: Wheatfields of the Wartland by Patricia Jessup.

Faith is more than a Word

2009-04-19T01:37:00.000-07:00

"Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Matthew 7:7

Now, this is perhaps the most famous Bible quote: "Ask and it shall be given". It is the basis for the Law of Attraction, a term which was first coined by William Walker Atkinson in 1906, in his book "Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World". The expression was then used by Esther and Jerry Hicks in their numerous "Abraham" publications, until controversial author Rhonda Byrne made a multi-million dollar business out of her "Secret", which is really is not a secret at all, as this has been in the Bible for two thousand years.

But why do some people get what they ask for and others don't? The difference lies is the degree of faith that we have. If we ask for something, but believe that we can't get it for some reason, then it will be much more difficult for us to receive it. Example: I want to be healthy (or wealthy or in a satisfying relationship), but deep down I don't think I can achieve this goal because... And now I list all the reasons that stop me from realising my dream (for instance: I don't have enough willpower, or not enough brains, or I'm too old, or not good-looking enough...)

Where does faith come from? It is more than just a word, and it comes from letting go and letting God. Without the help of a Higher Power, no amount of positive thinking will get us anywhere. Only God can give us what we ask for. Nothing is impossible, if we put our lives in His hands.

"I tell you with certainty, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

All the best,
Isa

"Faith Painting" by Bunnell, 2002

Living in Joy a Day at a Time

2009-04-13T05:30:00.000-07:00

In these uncertain times of global financial crisis, it's tempting to fall into the trap of seeing doom and gloom everywhere. It's tempting to worry about our jobs, our money, our future. Everything seems to slow down, work is scarce and we wonder how we're going be able to afford to give our families the necessities they require. What we need to remember is that God will always look after us, no matter what.

I've had a lot of problems and crisis in my life, but if I'm perfectly honest, I have to admit that my Higher Power has never let me down. Everything seems to fall into place eventually, and the money for the bills always appears from somewhere. With six children, it's tempting to panic and think that we won't be able to afford certain things. And while it's best to cut down on unnecessary luxuries, there will always be enough money to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads.

Living a day at a time means stop being a "worryholic" once and for all. Every day when I wake up, I have a choice of what I'm going to do with this day. Why not put fears aside and forget about yesterday's troubles. Why no let go of all the dreads that cloud my mind, all those imagined disasters. Fear is an illusion and has nothing to do with reality. My reality is here, in the present moment, which is for me to enjoy and make the most of it. Why not be playful and laugh a bit more instead of being morose? Lightening up is the best medicine to cure the darkness of depression.

Jesus said: "... No one will take your joy from you" (John 16.22) The joy He talks about erases all our worries and complaints. Darkness is nothing but the absence of light. Only light is real. When the flame of hope illuminates our lives, there is no room for the blackness of despair. Joy is about fully living in the now. It's about being engrossed in all our activities, while being grateful for all the blessings that we have. Once we're in a state of appreciation, things can only get better... There is no time to feel apprehensive or regretful. We feel optimistic about the future, while our days are filled with meaningful activities.

Enjoy the joy that's yours today!

Isa

Painting: "Rainboy Lilies" by Madeline Wikler

A Thought about Prayer at Easter

2009-04-11T04:53:00.000-07:00

Prayer is a wonderful way to communicate with our Higher Power. It doesn't matter how, why, when and where we pray, as long as we're willing to open ourselves to a practice that is there for everyone, not just a few chosen ones.

The Lord's Prayer says: "Thy will be done". But what if I said: "My will be done"? Isn't that what I'm doing when I ask God to do what I want? Do I always know what is best for me, or should I let God make that decision?

Would I really be happy if I won the lottery? I know that if I were not happy irrespective of money, winning the lottery would not bring me much happiness. But winning the lottery could also bring a happy person much misery...

This Easter, I would like to remember that prayer is not the act of giving directions to God. Instead, I want to learn His will for me. In my prayer, I ask for guidance and an open mind to receive it, as well as the courage to carry it out.

HAPPY EASTER

Isa

Painting: "Easter Lillies" by Michael Lukyniuk

Letting Go of Fear

2009-04-07T06:12:00.000-07:00

We often seem to attract what we fear the most. For instance, we seem to dread rejection and abandonment. And yet the more we cling to someone, the more this person backs away from us. It's almost an instinctive reaction, whereas when we feel relaxed and confident, we seem to draw people to us automatically.

By letting go of fear, we can change the destructive patterns that have dominated our lives up to now. We can focus on what we want instead of what we don't want. We can concentrate on our dream without worrying about the outcome, the end result.

Example:
- I have been on my own for so long. Am I finally going to find someone?
- I recently started seeing someone regularly. Is this relationship going to work out? Or is it going to be another flop?

These are questions full of anxiety and uncertainty. But as we replace fear with trust, we can soothe our inner turmoil and take things as they come. Whatever happens, happens. Each event is a learning opportunity. As we concentrate more and more on our goal, while letting go of inner resistance, we will make room for the glorious experience that's waiting for us.

Shirt painting by Kls. Woot: "Inspired by Nina Simone's Feeling Good."

What is Resistance?

2009-04-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

A resistance is an opposition to our dream, and it is what stops it from coming true. A resistance is a force that stops the flow of energy, and it usually stems from false beliefs. What is a belief but a thought that we've been having for a long time? The more we think about something, the more it becomes a truth in our mind. If we can let go of resistance, we can allow little miracles to happen in our lives.

Example: "I can't lose weight, because I don't have enough time, energy, willpower, money etc."

"I don't have enough..." is the resistance, and it can be overcome by turning this statement around.

For instance:

- I don't need extra time; I just need to be more aware of what I'm eating, and walk more instead of using the car.

- I don't need extra energy; on the contrary, shedding excess weight will make me less tired.

- Willpower is not really necessary to lose weight; all I need is to remain focused on the outcome.

- I don't need extra money to eat healthy food; I might even save money: fruit and vegetables are generally cheaper than junk food.

One of our biggest fears is the fear of change. The reason why we don't like it is because it makes us get out of our comfort zone. We are so set in our ways that we forget to question what we're doing on a daily basis. A lot of our problems originate from habits that have become counterproductive. But it doesn't take long to change a pattern of behaviour. We just need to stick with our chosen, new behaviour for a little while, usually 21 days. So why not give it a go? There's nothing to be afraid of...

Can you change something in your life today?

Bye for now,

Isa

Painting: "Resistance of Windows and Vase" by Liz Zeisler.

A Voyage of Discovery

2009-03-31T00:02:00.000-07:00

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." by Marcel Proust.

Infinity is something we can't understand, as we tend to shelve everything into into neat categories: people, events, landscapes. But there is more than one way to look at things. The possibilities are infinite. Perception is a subjective experience, and our senses interpret reality in a unique way.

It's not the same from one person to the next. It's not the same from one day to the next. It's not the same whether we're working or on holidays. It's not the same depending on our mood, our frame of mind. With awareness comes a new appreciation of the world around us. Every flower, every blade of grass can be overlooked as mundane and unimportant, or admired like a little masterpiece. The world around us is full of mysteries and suprises. It's there for us to enjoy, and the best things in life are free, such as sunshine, rain, fresh air, and nature...

We can experience infinite pleasure in becoming aware of the beauty around us. If we cultivate a spirit of wonder and appreciation, we'll extend the boundaries of our world. Our world will become infinite. We won't need to travel to distant destinations to stimulate our senses and discover new landscapes.

Today imagine that you're someone from another country, visiting your place for the first time... What would you see? What would you think? What would you feel?

Enjoy your day,

Isa

Painting: "Discovery" by Mary A. Gravelle

The Temple of the Soul

2009-03-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

"A person cannot live on bread alone." Luke 4:4

What is your body, but the temple of your soul? God gave you this life, this body, and you will remain in it "until death do you part".

Our body is the garment through which life expresses itself in the physical, mental and spiritual. It is up to us to look after it the best we can.

In the physical, we need to include nutritious food, adequate rest and moderate exercise. We need to avoid harmful substances like drugs and alcohol, as they lower our immune system and impair our judgement. As we keep in mind what we really want for ourselves, we will stop putting these chemicals into our body, and allow it to heal and regenerate itself.

In the mental realm, we need to be watchful of our thoughts, focusing on positive outcomes, and never giving up hope. Once we admit that things are getting better all the time, we'll become appreciative of our surroundings and of other people, instead of constantly finding fault with them. At the same time, we'll become more appreciative of ourselves, as we let go of the urge to beat ourselves up.

Last but not least, we need spiritual food, perpetually reminding ourselves that this is not our body, but God's gift to us. It's the temple of the soul, and our meeting place with Him.

Love and friendship,
Isa

Painting: "Contemporary Female Nude" by Aja.

Regrets about the Past

2009-03-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

"Love your neighbour as yourself": what does it really mean? What does it have to do with regrets? And who's my neighbour? Is it just the person living next door, or living in the same street? Of course my neighbour is everyone, as we all live together on this planet.

It's easy to love people who think like us and act according to our expectations. But it's much more of a challenge to love people who are not like us, or people who've insulted or harmed us.

Some people are so stubborn and irritating that we wish they weren't there at all! But we do our best to forgive them, no matter what. We tolerate them, we accept them, we allow them to be what they wish to be... If only we could be so lenient to our own selves! But of all the individuals we interact with, we seem to punish ourselves the most. We can forgive others, but we have trouble forgiving ourselves...

"Love your neighbour as yourself" means that I am willing to accept myself. That is the primary condition under which the good in me, the constructive part in me, can grow and thrive. First I must be at peace with who I am. I am a child of God, just like everyone else is. Everyone is part of the same family: humanity.

I can't love my neighbour if I can't love myself. I can't help others if I can't help myself. Regrets serve no purpose, but to keep me in a place of self-hatred. "I wish I hadn't done this, I wish I had done that..." Condemning myself for my mistakes is just as counterproductive as condemning others for theirs. I am not qualified to make any judgments, not even on myself.

The past is gone, and dwelling on it only interfers with the good I could achieve today. It interfers with the making of the better person, the more fulfilled individual I want to be from now on. Instead of beating myself up about past errors, I will pray for enlightenment to create a better tomorrow, based on yesterday's errors. I will have no regrets, knowing that my mistakes are simply learning opportunities.

Stop regretting, and start living!

Love,
Isa

Painting: "I Love Love" by CLara Fialho

Knowing Ourselves

2009-03-14T03:24:00.000-07:00

"At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want." - Lao Tzu

We all seem to have trouble knowing ourselves at times.
We find ourselves doing things we don't approve of, like eating or drinking too much, or criticizing others. We find ourselves neglecting the things we should be doing, like household chores or important assignments. We even avoid things that are pleasurable, like relaxing or spending quality time with our loved ones.

Truly knowing ourselves entails finding our life's passion, our purpose. But even when we discover what it is, we often neglect our dream. Instead of going after it with consistence and determination, we seem to give up all too quickly, especially when things don't work out the way we want them to. We forget that the secret of real success is to hang in there, no matter what.

We seem to have a dual personality. Deep down, we long to know ourselves and be in harmony with the "I" that God created. The little "i" is the other person in us, the human self. It's the ego that often takes up all our attention, especially when we get caught up in the rhythm of our daily activities. It's time to look inside of us and become aware of who we really are. We are spiritual beings having a human experience, not the other way round. Once we shift our attention to our inner being, the divine part of us, we'll be able to achieve so much more. And it will happen naturally, without stress and without strain...

Best wishes for success and happiness!

Isa

Painting: "Eclipse" by Alma Thomas.

Love is Beautiful

2009-03-04T06:36:00.001-08:00

Love is positive energy. Love is beautiful and creative. Love is patient and compassionate. Love is letting go of fear. This is because the opposite of love is not hate. It’s fear.

It’s fear that prevents us from living in the now and from loving in the now. But we are responsible for that fear, because we are the ones that create it in the first place, and we do so in our minds.

Once we understand this, we become aware of our negative emotions. We can decide not to give in to them any more, not to feed them, until we clear the passage for the endless flow of love that is always present in the universe.

Isa

Painting: "In Search of Love" (Batik on Cotton - Exotic India)

Life is a Banquet

2009-03-02T07:28:00.000-08:00

Sitting at a long table full of bautifully prepared dishes, I long to eat all these delicious foods, as they are so appetising. I could grab everything and greedily stuff it into my mouth, or I could exercise restraint. I could extend my hand and take what I desire, or I could just take what I need now, and leave the rest for later.

When a dish is passed to me, I decide to help myself to a moderate portion, knowing that I can have some more later on. When a dish passes me by, I decide to enjoy what's already on my plate, knowing that this dish will be passed to me again later on. If a dish hasn't been passed to me yet, I decide to wait my turn, while engaging in an interesting conversation with my neighbour...

Life is full of choices... Life is a smoorgasboard filled with moments, big and small, good and not so good. With an attitude of patience, restraint and gratitude, I can achieve a lasting sense of satisfaction. This sense of inner peace would elude me if I believed I needed to have everything right now. Everything is there for me to take, but do I want it straight away? What good would it be if all my desires were fulfilled immediately? I long for this, I long for that... But in all honesty, what do I really want? Is it beauty, fame and riches? None of these can be taken into the next world...

Life is a banquet, and there is no need to yearn, envy, or grab. Everyone receives their rightful portion when it's their time.

With love!

Isa

Painting: "River Banquet" by Leah Sarat.

Three Spiritual Laws for Peace and Happiness

2009-02-28T04:32:00.000-08:00

PEACE is what we desire... It's our main aspiration: peace in every area of our lives, as well as peace on Earth... Peace for everyone. For a meaningful, peaceful and happy journey on this planet, we need to be aware of three spiritual laws:

- The Law of Attraction.
What we put our thoughts on will increase - dreams precede reality.

- The Law of Karma.
It's the law of cause and effect- we reap what we sow.

- The Law of God.
The most important of all laws. Everything happens in God's time, not in ours. Our purpose in life is to become one with Him, to align our will with His will - to go with the flow of the Divine. We do this with acceptance, joy and enthusiasm (=being with God).

The most important aspect of any spiritual path is to surrender to your Higher Power or God. God has a plan for us, and He will reveal it to us if we are willing to LISTEN.

Life is not about accumulating material possessions and status symbols. It's about being satisfied with what we've got NOW. Although there is nothing wrong with wanting material comfort, this should never be our primary goal. If we trust Him, God will give us what we need.

Whatever we desire is on its way, but it's not our job to find out HOW and WHEN it will arrive... And whether we obtain it or not shouldn't make any difference to us.

It's all about the journey, not the destination!
Isa

Painting: "White Abstract Lotus" by Paul Heussenstamm

Feelings...

2009-02-23T04:31:00.000-08:00

When we are honest, we acknowledge our feelings instead of suppressing them. When we feel sadness, anger or disappointment, we allow these emotions to surface, without panicking...

To overcome negative feelings, we can't just run away from them. Instead we can analyse them, shed some light on them, and figure out what fears and desires they convey. We can then choose to think relieving thoughts, thoughts that make us feel better.

Example: "I am... years old and I haven't found my soulmate yet. I feel depressed, lonely and envious of other people who are in a relationship." At least your feelings enable you to determine what you really want, which is an essential step towards the realisation of your dream. The wish of meeting someone compatible comes from your heart. It reflects a sincere desire to enhance someone else's life, as well as your own.

Don't dwell on why it hasn't happened yet, and how unfair it is that you're still on your own. You are never on your own, because you are with yourself and you are with God. What you did so far in your life was necessary to prepare you for the fantastic relationship that's waiting for you. Now you're ready and looking forward to this moment with joyful anticipation.

In the meantime, you can appreciate what you've got now. You can appreciate the process of looking for someone, finding a match and building a connection with this person, a connection which might evolve into a relationship.

Be patient, positive and persistent, while going with the flow at the same time. Have courage; trust that it will happen. Imagine that it has already happened, and never lose faith that it will become a reality. Dreams become true only because we expect them to do so...

All the best and lots of love,
Isa

Wouldn't It Be Nice If...

2009-02-20T05:40:00.001-08:00

"Wouldn't it be nice if..." is a gentle but stimulating phrase.
It kickstarts the imagination and helps us clarify our desires, without beating up on ourselves or others.

We can use it to express our innermost wishes to ourselves, or we can use it in our interaction with others.

For instance, instead of whining that he never does anything spontaneously, I could say to my husband, "Wouldn't it be nice if we went out together tonight." It sounds much more inviting than saying: "We never go out anywhere." The accusatory tone of voice always makes the other person defensive, but "Wouldn't it be nice" encourages them to cooperate...

If we want to move towards something better and happier, it's vital to make peace with our present situation and with other people. We can't change others, but we can point them in the right direction by using a positive style of communication. Instead of complaining about what is, about what they're doing wrong or fail to do, we can simply say: "Wouldn't it be nice if..."

Instead of saying to my teenage daughter: "Your room looks disgusting", I could say: "Wouldn't it be nice if you kept your room tidy from now on. I can help you if you want me to. We can do it together..." This way I am not criticising or putting her down. Instead I am letting her know what I expect of her, without forcing her to comply with it.

Peace is constructive but conflict is destructive. Conflict always implies a power struggle; one person wants to have the upper hand and dominate the other.

We need to remember that we were made in the image of God, and God is unconditional love; He is pure joy. His love is not subject to any set of rules. I too can love myself and others unconditionally, and interact constructively with everyone. I can achieve wonderful results if I accept what is instead of pushing against it.

"Wouldn't it be nice if..." allows me to put aside the struggle without giving up my vision.

With hope and love,
Isa.

How to Disarm your Negative Thoughts

2009-02-15T01:39:00.000-08:00

We have been told to monitor our thoughts, in order to become aware of them, and stop them in their tracks as soon as they pop up. We have been told that negative thoughts attack the soul, creating havoc by producing negative emotions. We have been told that any negative thought entering the mind should be treated like a hostile enemy, that it should be fought against and disarmed...

But I believe this strategy is not effective. I don't believe you should treat negative thoughts like hostile enemies. I don’t think you can disarm them by fighting them. I believe that the more you try to fight something, the more it will come back in droves. "What you resist will persist", as the saying goes. A more gentle approach would be to make peace with your negatives thoughts. Acknowledge them for what they are, an indication that there is something you need to change within yourself. You need to love your negatives to be able to release them, or you'll create a war within yourself, which defies the purpose of looking for peace. As soon as you start looking for enemies, you turn your back on peace and prepare yourself for battle. Our enemies are our best teachers, and our negative thoughts can teach us a lot about ourselves. It is only by loving them and being grateful for them that we can disarm them...

With love,

from Isa

A Few Principles For a Joyful Life

2009-02-12T02:40:00.001-08:00

FORGIVE - Don't seek retribution or revenge. Forgiveness is the biggest step towards peace of mind.

FOCUS ON THE NOW - Don't look back; don't dwell on the past. Don't feel endless remorse over past actions; just learn from them. Correct any mistakes and make amends to people whenever possible.

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE WITH HOPE - Things will get better. Events have a natural tendency to work out for the best, especially if you put all your trust in a Higher Power.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY - For your life and your actions. Stop blaming others. Always look for the good in yourself and others. Stop criticising and judging yourself and others. Give people positive commands; tell them clearly what you expect of them, in a nice way.

BE OPTIMISTIC - Repeat to yourself: "All is well and all will continue to be well. Good things are coming my way... In God's time, not in mine!" Know that you deserve good in your life.

OUR ENEMIES ARE OUR BEST TEACHERS - We are all the same. Even though we like certain people more than others, we should love our enemies more than anyone else because they let us know what we need to change in ourselves. They point out areas of improvement within ourselves (for instance, lack of patience or tolerance).

ACCEPT ANGER FOR WHAT IT IS - A transitory emotion. Don't fight it. It is normal to get angry, and there is nothing unspiritual about it. Feel your anger, analyse the reason for it, but don't act on it. Talk about it once you've calmed down. Communication is everything.

KNOW YOUR BOUNDARIES - Learn to say "No" to avoid stress and burnout. Sometimes, enough is enough and it's important to recognise when you've reached your limits. It's vital to recognise when others overstep your boundaries and take advantage of you.

SURRENDER TO YOUR HIGHER POWER - Don't fight fate. Let go and let God do the work. Trust your gut feeling, your conscience, God's voice inside of you.

LIVE A SPIRITUAL LIFE - Always remind yourself and others of your spiritual and divine purpose in this existence.

LAUGH A LOT - Looking at the funny side of things breaks the ice and helps us relax.

With love,

Isa