Your life is important

This is part 28 of my 'Led By Heart' series for the 31-day writing challenge. You can find the list of all my 31 posts here. Click here to check out the other participating blogs!

That's right, your life is important.

You and your life matter.

Did you know that? Do you know that? Do you live that?

I know I used to listen to people sharing their grand dreams or talking about how they've created something wonderful and helped lots of people, and I used to think "Well, that's awesome, but that's THEM. They could do it. People like them - whatever that means - can do things like that." But somehow I never included myself in "their" category. I viewed my life as little and isolated and, yes I can just say it, insignificant. My little life, my little self, doing my little thing, nothing that important really... But believing this is believing a lie.

When you think of it, this attitude is simply irresponsible. It can lead to idleness, lots of wasted opportunities and ultimately a life of regrets. I've said it before and here it comes again: you have a destiny to fulfill! You've been given certain gifts and abilities so that you could USE them; the most important one being your ability to LOVE. So claim your responsibility for it. All of your gifts, everything. Share it, spread it, give it freely, create some more!

And if you're still wondering, no, I'm not saying that we should just all come up with some ambitious scheme to change the world.

But we have to realize that it all starts with each and every one of us. And I've met far too many wise, insightful, loving and caring people who were constantly playing it small, not believing in themselves and in all of those amazing things they had to offer. And so they could have become true pillars of their family and their community, but they viewed themselves as little. One thing you have to keep in mind: if you don't believe in yourself, nobody will.

Don't waste it. Whatever it is that you have to share, to contribute. Don't waste it. And yes, I'm talking to YOU! You are not by any means excluded from this. If you think there's nothing in you good enough or worth sharing, I urge you to think again. Can you love? Can you help? Can you listen? Can you care? Then you have the exact qualities this world needs most.

Do you know that God wants you to be His agent? He wants you to extend His love and blessings to as many people as possible. You can work undercover if you want. But know that if He thinks you have what it takes (which He does), you HAVE what it takes!

By acknowledging that your life matters, you acknowledge that for others, too. You can make a difference; if you don't know where to start, simply ask for guidance, trust that still small voice within you. Know your gifts and dare to use them. Dare to aspire to something greater. Whatever 'greater' means to you.


So, what does it mean to you?

What do you put first?

This is part 24 of my 'Led By Heart' series for the 31-day writing challenge. You can find the list of all my 31 posts here. Click here to check out the other participating blogs!

I really like the idea of saying "It's not a priority for me", instead of "I'm just so busy, I don't have time for that." Why going to the trouble of coming up with all the excuses when most of the time the truth is plain and simple. We make time for who and what we want. 

What are you putting first in your life? And is it really what matters most?

It seems to me that the biggest lesson yet to be learnt for me is how to balance it all. All the parts and aspects of my life... I think it's time to set my priorities straight, so that it would no longer be about what I want right now, but what matters most to me. Let's make it priorities over conveniences.

I believe that that's how we change our lives - it is only when what we truly want most is firmly placed in our hearts, that we'll be able to make better moment-to-moment decisions, plan our day in a more meaningful day, and very plainly: be happier.

Our priorities are not what we say they are, they're reflected in how we live.

We always have time for the things we put first. Let's begin finding ways and stop making excuses.

And this is my (renewed) list:

My spiritual life.
My relationship with God, with myself and the world. Seeing Him in everyone. Creating a life filled with peace, trust, love and forgiveness. Helping people. Sharing what I've learnt along my journey.
Creating memories and having experiences, not more things.

My relationship with my man, my family and friends.
Always making time for them. Supporting and encouraging. Caring.

My job.
Finding one. Becoming financially independent. Making a difference. Doing something meaningful, useful, helpful. Doing what I love. Being proud of my work. Staying curious, humble and keeping a beginner-mentality.

My hobbies. 
Writing, drawing, exercising, cooking, reading, traveling, dancing, arts, films, languages...
Caring for the environment. Having an 'green' lifestyle.

(to be modified... & continued...)


What's on your list? :)

Led By Heart: an entire ocean

This is part 19 of my 'Led By Heart' series for the 31-day writing challenge. You can find the list of all my 31 posts here. Click here to check out the other participating blogs!

Today, I leave you with my favourite quote from a Persian poet and Sufi mystic Rumi.

His wisdom and insight never cease to amaze me...

Although it may seem simple, do take the time to meditate on this truth. See where it leads you...

Let me know what you've discovered!

Led By Heart: what about those Zen cards?

This is part 10 of my 'Led By Heart' series for the 31-day writing challenge. You can find the list of all my 31 posts here. Click here to check out the other participating blogs!

Some of you may have been wondering what I mean by saying I am a Zen cards reader. First and foremost, do not misunderstand the word 'Zen' - it's just a name really (the full name is actually Osho Zen Tarot), as the cards aren't by any means confined to Buddhist practices. Secondly, do not misunderstand the word 'tarot' either. I'm pretty sure that you associate the 'tarot' with a dimly lit tent and an old, corpulent gypsy woman with a colourful scarf and lots of cheap, jingling jewelry, telling your about that tall, dark stranger you're going to meet three days after the next full moon. Perhaps we could even throw a crystal ball and some runic stones in there.

Well, I can assure you that the Zen cards are nothing like that, in fact, they couldn't be further from it. I myself am rather sceptical when it comes to fortune telling. Even though there might be people who are able to tap into that realm of fate and life's paths, it is nonetheless a dangerous thing to do. We're simply not meant to know what the future is going to bring, mainly because we are supposed to create it according to Divine principles ('Love' being the cornerstone and general 'rule of thumb') and God's will for us.

But you may know from your own experience, that sometimes we just don't know what to do. Sometimes we feel lost and can't hear or feel the guidance we need. And sometimes we sense there's something wrong but we just can't put our finger on it, and even when we do know what the problem is, it still could be difficult to figure out what we should do about it. And that's what the cards are for.

The accuracy, objectivity and wisdom of the messages I get never cease to amaze me. That's because it's Him who's communicating to me (and anyone, really) through them. I believe that those who are willing to open up to it without preconceptions and with a desire to learn, can truly find out a lot and make a big step forward on their paths. I am well aware that it's not a conventional method, but it's one that has so far been infallibly leading me to the Truth.


So, what do you think? Have you ever considered giving something like this a try? :)

Led By Heart: home is where the heart is II.

This is part 6 of my 'Led By Heart' series for the 31-day writing challenge. You can find the list of all my 31 posts here. Click here to check out the other participating blogs!

I thought it would be the ultimate happiness, to move to London. To live in England. I've always loved it there, the countryside of every hue of green, the lush, burgeoning nature, picturesque villages with stone and timber-framed cottages, the rolling hills, woods full of bluebells, ancient stone circles, moors, even the bustling cities...

Whenever I walked through those places I felt a deep connection, it was as if my soul became larger, as if it was spreading out further and further around me, it was as if the land I was standing on was emanating a kind of an all-encompassing energy which to me sounded like a most alluring song. And my soul got immediately in tune with it. Sometimes, it would make me forget about the beauty of my own homeland. I thought it would be a bliss.

I thought that 'a change of scenery', a fresh new beginning would mean a brand new life, too. A brand new me. I was convinced that I would finally be able to do everything I never had time for, that my goals would somehow be easier to accomplish, that my story would unfold more smoothly, that I would be free. Free to do anything, free to be myself. Not that I knew what or who I really was.

But then I realized that 'the big move' simply didn't do the trick. It was at the moment when I found myself sitting in our new flat alone, miserable, feeling terribly sorry for myself (isn't that the worst?). In that moment it dawned on me that even though I'd changed my outer circumstances, I physically moved to a new place, I still brought all of my baggage with me. And by baggage I mean... my unresolved issues, me, really. Suddenly I saw the plain fact - that no matter where I go, there I am. I just always tag along. I bring myself everywhere with me. And all my problems, too. And then I thought, what I felt had been lying heavy on my heart for quite some time, that I actually viewed myself as a burden. Basically, as a nuisance which is always present, causing troubles, delays, disappointments, stress. Oh dear... That wasn't really the most uplifting discovery. And it didn't offer any solutions either. I knew I was my own worst enemy - because, to be honest, nothing was/is/will be ever standing in my way, preventing me from leading a fulfilling life or 'making my dreams come true', but me. It's all my work. By what could I do?

I also knew that it wouldn't help to go back home. I would be just as lost there. No, I knew I had to tackle this thing right where I was. I said to myself: If you can't be happy right where you are, you won't be happy no matter where you go. Maybe it will seem better for a while, but soon it will all go back to its former state, you will go back to your old ways, your old mindset. I knew I had to stay here and fight the good fight, but I couldn't figure out how. That's when I became serious with God. I needed Him, and still do, to guide me and strengthen me. With Him, no problem is insurmountable and so I must trust.

Still, some days I dream of being back home, I imagine myself in my bedroom, with my books on the bedside table... our kitchen and my mum there, our cat. I see our street, my way to the bus stop, even the ugly supermarket where I never liked to go. I picture myself walking on the waterfront in the centre of the town, the river sparkling, the Castle up there on the hill. Sitting in a tea room and chatting with my friends. I even miss that job which I found so exhausting at times (but it was rewarding, too). Now that I just haven't been able to find any work for months. And maybe I secretly don't want to find it because I'm scared and I don't trust in myself...

But I must believe that there's a way through this. I know, though too often forget, that He is with me and that He has a good plan for me - after all, that's why He guided me here. Now, in this moment, and in all those to come, I must choose to remember that it was Love that's brought me here, and to have hope. It will all come together.

And every day is new.

Led By Heart: own up to what you believe in

This is part 4 of my 'Led By Heart' series for the 31-day writing challenge. You can find the list of all my 31 posts here. Click here to check out the other participating blogs!

But what will people think?

I don’t often talk about my believes with other people, not even my close friends. Practically no one knows that I believe in God, that some time ago I decided to walk through this life with Jesus as a companion and friend. It’s all a bit tricky, though, because I wouldn’t call myself a traditional Christian. It’s because I also recognize Buddha and his teachings. I believe we were not given just this one life to live, but tens of thousands of them. To me, that is God’s incredible grace, that if we screw up in this lifetime (which we're pretty much bound to), we’ll get a new chance and then another one... until we get it right and finally learn what truly matters and start to obey the Divine laws and remember who we really are. And what we are is a manifestation of His love, His wisdom, and His playful creativity. We are His beloved children, we carry His essence inside of us and we are never ever separated from Him - we might think we are, we might wish we were, but that doesn’t change anything at all.

I also believe that I am really not who I appear to be - I am not a young woman with such and such education, I am not a former teacher, waitress, girlfriend, daughter, sister, a Londoner. I am a Spirit. I must smile as I’m writing this... That’s right, I said it! I am an eternal Spirit. We all are.

And on top of that, I also believe that animals have souls, too. No one, who’s ever spent some time with animals or had a beloved pet, can have any doubts about that. No matter what the church says, what the different religions say... We humans are not the only ‘soulful’ beings on this planet. And we should be glad that it is so.

What actually prompted me to write all this was my fear. As I became aware that some of my friends will read my blog, I thought: But what will they think? And now I’m sitting here thinking... yeah, what will they think? I just don’t know. It could be anything. Their reaction could be mean, amused, pitiful, resentful, indifferent, or kind, or anything else. Maybe they just won’t care, maybe it won’t change anything. But the point is - why should it matter to me?

Most people are terribly concerned with what other people think of them. And most people also like to claim that they don’t care at all, but deep down they do - and very much so. It’s just “cool” nowadays to say: I don’t care what people think. It’s almost to be expected. It’s part of the roles we play. But we still want to be loved and approved of. We are scared of rejection, of being laughed at. I think that the fact we’re seeking validation in the outside world is one of the main causes of emotional pain. Because the opinions of others change all the time. And if we depend on them, then our emotions are up for a roller-coaster ride. And what if there was no one in our lives who would approve of us? Oh well... No, we can’t get lost in all this. We must be the ones, always, under all circumstances, who likes us, who approves of us, who supports us, who’s there for us.

It’s okay to hope that people will like me, that they will understand me, accept me with all my believes, with my faith, but if they don’t? Then I can’t let that make me doubt myself, try to change or to comply with their expectations. I can’t let that make me like myself less.

So, as a means of conquering the fear of other people’s opinions, I am writing this post. Because I don’t want to limit myself and my writing any longer. I want to speak from my heart, be honest and authentic. And most of all, I don’t want to be worried, I don’t want to pause in the middle of a sentence, lift my fingers off the keyboard and reconsider my words thinking What will they think? Is this okay? I want to be above all that. And as I think of it now, most of the time our fear is based on our projections, on something unreal, inexistent. It appears as a sign that a shift in our expectations is required.

How about expecting that as long as I'm following my heart everything will turn out for everyone’s highest good?

How about pressing forward knowing that it’s all in good hands (in the best hands, actually)?