Appreciation: Gateway to Who You ARE | The Garden Pathway, September 15th, 2024
Issue 23, Vol II
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Hello, there, my dear friend! How goes things with you?
The topic of this week’s Pathway is Appreciation.
I started doing “Diamond Art” [What Is Diamond Painting?] while I was going through cancer treatments last year. It gave me something to do that didn’t take a great deal of energy, but I learned early on that it gave me the space to think and ruminate, which wasn’t the best use of my mental energy. So, I started listening to podcasts, audiobooks, and teaching audio sessions that promoted concepts I preferred to adopt (i.e., Lee Harris, Abraham-Hicks, Sara Landon, etc.).
Once I healed, I sort of got away from that practice. Life was - after all - much better, and I got back to really living it!
In other words, I handed the steering wheel back to my human.
Fast forward to the past few months… I began noticing that I was waking in the middle of the night, and anxiety (once again) became a frequent bedfellow.
Needless to say, I have gone back to practices that I know help alleviate the anxieties.
It is said that we teach the things that we most need to learn ourselves.
I believe this is true for ALL of us. Not just those who choose to teach and mentor others.
This past Friday, I reached out and connected with my adult kiddos, and all three were in different states of mental and emotional turmoil. One of them I spoke with at great lengths this weekend, and one of the topics we discussed was gratitude and appreciation.
These are things I’ve been taking a deep dive into myself as of late.
The challenges we face in life are - more times than not - trying to guide us back to Spirit and the truth of who we REALLY ARE beyond the physical body we occupy.
When we lose sight of these things, we tend to experience the greatest challenges in our lives.
The frequency, the vibration of gratitude, and particularly appreciation (aka satisfaction) bring us back into alignment with Spirit and ourSelves (our Source Self).
“Satisfaction comes from one place and one place only, moving in the direction of who you really are.” ~Abraham (through Esther Hicks)
When we are aligned with our Source self, we realize nothing can threaten us or our power.
“When you line up with you, you experience the balancing of your own energy and you come into alignment with the true power of your being. There is no substitute for this alignment. Fro your state of balanced energy, you exprience clarity, vitality, eagerness, physical wellness and abundance in all things you consider to be good and an exuberant state of joy. This is the natural state of who you really are.” ~Abraham
The key to really feeling GOOD in this life experience is by remembering who we REALLY are and stepping into that energy. Consciously choosing to feel appreciation and satisfaction helps us do that.
Why Not “Gratitude?”
Some people use the word “gratitude” interchangeably with “appreciation” and “satisfaction,” and they might be synonyms for one another. Still, I was reminded by an audio blurb from Abraham Hicks this morning that gratitude can sometimes carry with it some resistant energy.
“How so?”
Gratitude has become a lifeline for many people. The “Attitude of Gratitude” is a catchphrase often adopted by those seeking “a better way.”
It’s not a bad thing by any means, but resistant energy can arise when there is desparation or even a degree of fear to make things “better.”
Because we ALL want to feel GOOD.
Why?
Because innately, each of us knows that well-being is our birthright. Our Inner Being (our Source Self) IS the energy of well-being, of love.
Give THANKS Daily
This morning, I was watching a video by Jim Kwik. I’ll share it below, but in it, he talks about giving THANKS each evening before going to bed.
T - Time
We schedule all the important things in our lives. In other words, we make room for them in our day. (i.e., our kid’s soccer game, doctors’ appointments, etc.) but we do not always schedule the things that are most important for our physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual health. Jim Kwik suggests putting these items on our calendar and formally making time for them in our busy schedules.
H - Highlight the Positive Moments
It is easy to go through our days unconsciously by just “going through the motions.” As part of this point, Jim Kwik shares how he will mentally go through the events of his day to solidify them in his mind. As he does this, though, he will think of several things to highlight.
A - Acknowledging Other People
Who are you grateful for and why? Why not tell them? After all, everyone likes to be appreciated.
N - Nature
This may or may not be something that you will do right before going to bed at night, but it is really important. Whether we recognize it or not, each of us is a PART of nature. We are ONE with nature. Going out into nature - in whatever way is comfortable for you - helps us to reconnect with the WHOLE.
I don’t know about you, but I can certainly FEEL it when I haven’t spent enough time out in nature. I start to get irritable. Sometimes, I’ll even get a little “blue.”
K - Kindness
Sprinkle it ALL around! Our world can use so much more of this.
As Jim Kwik reminds us, we never know what is going on in the lives of others.
Just be kind.
S - Savor the Small Things
“The little things ARE the big things in our lives.”
GUS recently reminded me that the Universe is subtle. It is rarely “in your face” or “big and bold.” The REALLY good stuff can pass you by if you’re not looking for it.
“What you appreciate, appreciates.” ~Jim Kwik
Messages from GUS
“What facet of the Universe do you desire to experience and have shown to you through your day? What you expect to experience is what you will experience. Set a conscious intention. Doing so unconsciously, you experience a ‘grab-bag’ of experiences, some of which you would rather not. ~GUS (God/Universe/Spirit)
Weekly Community Reading
I’m drawing from one of my favorite decks, Spirit of the Animals Oracle by Jody Bergsma, again.
Dolphin
Message Through Dawna
We love you so much, but the Human Experience, which was once a joyous opportunity for your spirits to ponder has become something so far removed from joy.
At some point during your species’ evolution, you came to believe that you had to work hard and effort and to “make things happen.” You forgot the joyful process of creation and your power - as a Spirit - to do so.
Your mind, once your most potent tool (servant) to apply your creative energy became your worst enemy and master.
Through this card, we are reminding you that life is meant to be joyful! When you are feeling good, you are in alignment with Truth. The Truth of the Universe and YOU.
The act of PLAY is an expression of this joy, this energy that you innately ARE.
Remember WHO You ARE, dear one. PLAY MORE. LAUGH MORE. HAVE MORE FUN. By doing so, you will remember and give greater expression to the Truth of YOU.
From the Book:
Playful, Sociable, Curious, Communicator, Freedom, Musical, Healing, Breath, Joy, Love, Family, Trust, Wisdom, Peace
If Dolphin is your totem you can be sure that a deeper reality awaits you. Dolphin helps you dive into hidden secrets and will teach you the sacred breath of life.
Dolphin people are natural healers through the strength of their love, endless joy and primordial sounds. Dolphin is the master of the power of breath. They ask us to meditate with long, slow controlled breathing. This practice will energize every cell in your body and mind. Learn to breathe like the Dolphin and they will take you to new dimensions of consciousness. Tension and stress will drop away and playfulness will emerge.
Dolphin represents gentle, friendly power unless endangered. If you have Dolphin medicine it is good to note the strength they gain from their pod. They know a shark when they see one and will gather to protect their group.
Dolphins are messengers from Spirit and if you listen they will bring you guidance, healing and opportunities. Be like Dolphin, go with the flow and live in love, laughter, and joy.
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Until next weekend, my dear friend, take care!
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