Mindful Monday: You’re Invited!

Today is my ‘unbirthday’. I’m a leap year baby born on the 29th so I only get a birthday every four years! Meaning I’m only 14 ½ years old wink, wink.

Entering another trip around the sun I have taken time to reflect once again. On one hand it feels like this year has flown by and on the other hand so much has transpired in 12 months.

I am deeply grateful for the love and connection of everyone in my life, including you. Writing this blog every week has become something so meaningful and transformative for me. I love and appreciate that we can stay connected on the journey in this way.

So, thank you!

I have received some truly wonderful gifts this past year - the gift of presence, the continuing unfolding of my soul’s journey, and the gift of inner peace.

I’m very aware that without inner peace, I can’t fully enjoy anything. I’m not present in relationships, experiences, or my body because I am disconnected from my True Nature and the beauty of my soul’s existence.

From what I have shared with you over the years, you know for a lot of my life, peace was something I longed for but never had.

I strived tirelessly trying to find peace on the outside - in my work, relationships, how I looked, success, having stuff. It’s what most of us were taught, right? But the good feeling was fleeting (it wasn’t true peace) and that continued to create more anxiety, emptiness, depression, and angst.

When I first embarked on a spiritual path, I was filled with so many concepts that were hindering rather than supporting my growth. A big one was the belief that when I am happy, I am connected and doing really well on the path. When I was feeling anything other than happy, I was failing as a spiritual seeker.

At some point, I was guided to the truth and for that, I’m grateful.

The truth being, that this belief was actually the ego trying to hold me back and keep me in the confines of my conditioning. It kept me trapped in judgment, shame, and a vicious cycle of trying to be somewhere other than where I was.

What do I know now? Peace is an inside job.

Peace comes when we have the willingness and courage to be in the here and now.

To inquire, be curious and present.
To lovingly hold our emotions and experiences with compassion.
To look fear in the eyes and not run away.
To gain a deeper understanding of our subconscious and shine light on the darkness.
To let go of trying to be perfect. There is no perfect.

Peace is not only possible, but also available to each and every one of us.

I know full well what it feels like to live with fear, anxiety and pain. I also know now what it feels like to be connected to peace and reality of my existence.

There is nothing to fix.

There is nowhere to get to.

This is a gift - to ourselves and to all of humanity.

So, speaking of gifts…I am very aware it is a privilege to be on this path and it is meant to be shared with others.

This being my birthday week, I would like to invite you to celebrate with me!

Please join me for ‘The Greatest Gift of All’, a group meditation and reflection being offered on Thursday March 3rd. This event is by donation with all proceeds going to Ark Aid Street Mission to support the homeless in our London community.

“Your work is to discover who you are and then with all your heart give your light to the world.” – Jennifer Williamson

With gratitude and love,

Diane