Engage Life with Gusto

I've never shared this publicly before: One of my greatest pains in life has been all the times I did not engage life with gusto. There are many many things that I have been innately drawn to, interested in and rang with intense resonance in my Being, but that I did not pursue with my full energy and desire. And, the thing is, I would have liked to. It's never too late. I think when we put both feet in and really go for it, we are engaging with the full potential of life.

So what hold's me/you back? :
* self doubt
* feeling undeserving
* talking yourself out of it
* habits of staying within your comfort zone

Some of my childhood 'likes' I have pursued as an adult: yoga, nature, native american ways, dance and art. But I still struggle at times with pursuing them with gusto. It's a step, but I'd like to give myself more. And that's really a truth here....you give yourself more when you go full force ahead towards an interest, dream or experience you'd like to have. Going at it half-assed, keeps the experience/the energy & potential in a smaller container.

What it takes to engage life with gusto:
* courage
* self love
* committment
* will power

 Results of engaging life with gusto:
* empowerment
* greater confidence
* connection with self & others
* magic & beauty  (the universe responds as you step forward into who you are)

I'm just touching on this subject here, I know. But, hopefully it will inspire you to claim this life that is yours, live it as fully as you can, and thereby experience all the beauty, fun, and abundance that is available to you. Perhaps choose one thing that you'd like to experience/learn or experience/learn more of, and focus on that first. Maybe there's something you've been wanting to do, a class you've been wanting to take for like the past 5 years and haven't. Let's engage with life now. xox

I was watching an episode of Saving Hope the other night, and my heart opened widely at one monologue: A girl out of her body in spirit form, but returning to it, described how it felt, "I can feel my body. It's calling me back. ....I'm connected to everything, everyone. It's warm. It's wonderful. It's Life." It moved me to tears. To be honest, as a sensitive, open person, life has often felt unsafe, and full of heartache. So this moment in the TV show, was a surprise! Life as warm, connected...etc. yes! XO I'm all up for that. Since writing this post, Saving hope has been taken off the air, but you can get it through Amazon.com and probably Netflix as well. The scene I mention here is in Season 1, Episode 7, at minute 36:51 of the program. Another aspect of being able to fully engage with gusto, is honoring your own radiance. See this week's guided message for more on that: http://www.paintedjourneys.com/weeklyGuidance.html or HERE.

Many blessings to you!
Beth

p.s. Uncover your radiance in my online program, the Chakra Intuitive Intensive. Still 4 spots available as of July 22, 2012!

Meeting the Magic

Life continually brings us opportunities for experience, beauty, connection, learning, and magic. Like the wind meeting the tree, bringing it a new experience of sensation, movement and dance, we too meet with the various elements of life. But sometimes we must do our part to engage with what is brought before us. We have many choices,  many pulls on our time and attention, and so we often must make a slight shift in order to receive what is being given.

This morning there was a beautiful cow in my backyard. It had freed itself from some nearby ranch and was gracefully grazing on our land in the warm golden sunshine. I found out it was there because my cat, Sage, was watching intently out the 2nd story window, instead of coming down for his morning meal.  As the morning progressed, I lost sight of the cow, but knew he was still nearby, given my cat's continued intrigued yet cautious behavior.

I thought about going outside to meet this beautiful creature, but instead I began my routine of checking & answering email. I did not meet the magic of life that was in my own backyard. What if I had gone for a short walk and meet that cow up close, felt his smooth glossy black coat, felt the presence of his gentle eyes looking into mine? I didn't rise up to meet the opportunity life presented to me this morning and so I am left with a 'what if'.

When we push through our routine, our limiting beliefs, our comfort zone, to meet life fully, magic happens. Stepping into the new, the unknown, the unusual, often brings us great unimaginable gifts. Watch for what life is bringing you and engage with life. Reduce the amount of 'what ifs' and you'll increase your joy, creativity, sense of empowerment, confidence, well-being, gratitude and spiritual intuitive connection. I just know it, because this is how I feel each time I listen more deeply, use that little bit of extra will to take that walk, go to that class, or meet that cow in the backyard.

Turns out that cow was rather close. I heard men's voices and the cow ran right past my window! So beautiful. I am thankful for this unusual, magical, beautiful day and I am using it as a reminder to make the most of life's moments, to juice every bit out of every experience, to connect more passionately, fully engage with what is present and meet the magic. For this is the way to fill a life with moments of giving, receiving & be-ing that overflow the heart with thanks & gratitude. ♡