Refining Your Search for Passion

I have many friends wondering what they want to do with their lives, having a hard time figuring out what their passion is. Tonight in talking to a friend I realized, I want to be creative. It hit me like a new thought, with delight, with resonance. But where was this thought hiding? I know this about myself. I have been singing to the daffodils since I was 3. I created a classroom for my teddy bears. In my free time I write, scrapbook, make collages and mixed CDs. And I forgot, I like to be creative? How does this happen? Where does the information go while I'm so desperately looking for any clue to my passion?

It's as if we are looking to the world, for an image, a result that matches what we believe our passion could be. I think when you are trying to find your passion you can't start with the result, but rather you have to pay attention to the first hint of positive emotion a smile, synchronicity, a moment of peace. You are the answer. Look into the qualities core to who you are. What makes you, you? Pay attention to what you love, what you attend to, the things that bring you peace, and the things that rejuvenate you. Your passion will be so obvious you'll wonder how it's possible you weren't able to see it. The answer is that your passion is so core to who you are that you don't see it as separate from yourself; therefore, it becomes invisible to you, and you are hard pressed to name it. Also, your passion doesn't exist in a world outside of yourself, so just looking in the world will never work. You've got to refine your search to include your internal experience as well.

Succint insights

Here are some of the ideas I'm playing with this week.

God shows up In you, as you. (Author of Eat, Pray, Love)
You are the only, Alisha, so let your unique expression shine.

It is not what you Do that gives life meaning, but the attitude with which you do it.
A valuable contribution is a joyful life. (A New Beginning, by Abraham-Hicks)

"When you are presented with an obstacle, remain generous, balanced and correct throughout. Even difficult situations can enrich you if you are correct in relating to them." Brain Browne Walker The I Ching or Book of Changes.

As I breathe and my house exhales the heat it's collected from the day, and the cat cools on the floor, I find a moment's peace. The "accomplishments" of the day now done. And I am soulfully tired, a cotton shirt starched by the hot sun and holding its shape long after I've been taken from the line. I am thankful for the wind that passed me, the water that went through every pore, and happy to be resting against the back of a chair in the shade of night. The pink rays on the horizon folded tightly into the black cool fan of evening.

I wish you peace in this moment.

Beautiful Day

Beauty can be subtle and unexpected. It doesn't always come with trumpets and white dresses down the aisle. A day can be beautiful, but so subtle it's like the sun coming in through the window and creating a stripe on the ground, and on a good day you can sit in it for a while. This is how my day started. I woke up to my own rhythm. I got up found a spot of sun, and laid back down. As I woke up, I called my Mom. We talked a while. I did some dishes, but not all of them. There's no rush. I read a little, did one load of laundry, napped a little, then got ready for the barbeque. I put on my orange sundress I haven't worn in years, that I love. And left for the party. Sitting in the sun in 72 degree weather was perfect. Being in and around friends was comfortable. At 6:30 a friend and I left for a comedy show. I changed into outfit number 2. I felt like me as a kid changing my clothes 5X a day, and there was joy in wearing my second favorite outfit for the day. I laughed from 8PM to 11PM. I held my hand to my heart as the Flight of the Conchords showed their more vulnerable side. This is what I love about comedy. They're fearlessly silly. They put themselves out there showing all the stitching that's not quite right, and allow us to share in the laugh. It's beautiful. It's brave. And so the night ended driving my friend home and watching the full moon escort us, and listening to the song "beautiful day". This day was as gentle as the sun on my shoulders, as comfortable as my favorite shoes, as colorful as my favorite dress. It was perfect without any pomp and circumstance. It was a Saturday and it was a joy to experience. Thank you for this day. May you likewise find the joy in the little and big things, the subtle and bold moments that make up our days.

Just a Little Bit... more congruency

It's funny, I have noticed when I try to come clean and be more congruent instead of the freedom I'm expecting, I find the end of the leash and a sense of whiplash. It's as if in my intent to become more honest the universe echos back with other examples, don't forget about this and this, and this... Here's my most recent story. A friend asked me to kitty sit, which is great except I live in a kitty free rental. The truth is I have never "owned" a cat; though, I do keep a window open and for 3.5 years, one of 2 kitties has slept with me, eaten with me, had a litter box here and came and went as they pleased. One of them often sits like a portrait in the window facing the street. Now, for some reason I feel compelled to ask if I can keep a cat at my house for 3 weeks. So, I walk to my landlord's door and begin the conversation. Shortly I come to find the black and white icon has now decided to take residence about 2 feet away. "That's Snow White, the neighbor's cat," I explain. He tells me about his concern of fleas if I am to cat sit, and I assure him the cat who will be staying with me is an indoor cat, and he never goes outside. (This one to my left though, she can't be accounted for, coming and going from my place as she pleases.) We chat about Summer plans for 20 minuntes while Snow White has rooted herself in place patiently waiting. What's funny about this is in the outside world, she's skittish. She doesn't come to me or let me pet her, but seeing this as an act of congress on the behalf of all cats, she sits riveted waiting for the results. He decides it's all right, if I'm responsible for the clean up. I agree and return home. Their kitchen where we were talking over looks the stairs to my place, and wouldn't you know it Snow White races passed me and in the front door before I could even get a foot in. Come on, it's ironic, and a little funny. She actually never does this. Yesterday as I did laundry and came and went 10 times, she didn't come in until I was settled, and only then did she come through the window. It seems when we try to come clean the universe tries to help us along, and in a jovial way shows us all the areas where we could add a little more congruence. If this happens to you, I suggest you look for the humor in it because there's no shortage of examples of how to be a little more congruent. ; )

New Beginnings

My intention is to take this chance to communicate and connect with others. I will post observations, draw connections I see around me, share appreciations and hopefully we will all benefit from the time spent together on this site. My hope is what you need you will find here whether contributed by me or someone else.

Today I want to share:
The moment before it rains it feels like the air is holding its breath.

I saw a man walking his dog down a neighborhood street. The hill he was on made the far off mountains seems only a few steps away.

I hope you found peace in your day, love in your heart. I hope you felt a sense of connection and a sense of freedom, and through it all I hope you saw yourself as the person you want to be.

We'll be in touch on this journey.