Choose Love Over Fear

Choose Love Over Fear
by BlackLion

"You are ready and able to do beautiful things in this world... You will only ever have two choices, love or fear. Choose love and don't ever let fear turn you against your playful heart."

- Jim Carrey

I've been practicing the art of play for many years now. Whether through gaming, laughter, or just having a good time. In those moments of exhilaration, freedom and happiness, I have really found myself.

Now, it may be a challenge for many people to believe that play is not just this silly, nonsensical and frivolous pursuit that only children are allowed (if much at all) to take part in. In truth, play is a conduit to your inner wisdom, a wisdom so full of love, joy, and expansion, that it may seem scary just to think about, let alone live day-to-day with.

I have been focusing on my spiritual beliefs for over 20 years, and the quickest, most authentic, and most rewarding practice I've ever taken part in is play. With so many varied and multiple avenues to more playfulness, each practitioner of play will get into this connection in their own way.

So what do I mean by play? Play is that moment when you are truly present, focused on possibility, and ready and willing to go even deeper. That instantaneous thrill of new awakenings, new understandings, and just letting go of all of life's little (and big) dramas. Your spiritual self is always ready and willing and able to connect to you through play, and it is this delicious connection that keeps players wanting more and more.

Yes, but what about work? Play is not the opposite of work. When you are in a playful mood, connected to your inner wisdom, you can accomplish SO much more than when in a grump. You'll be more aligned with creativity, other people, and the world around you in a way that is not possible without this connection. 

The true opposite of play is apathy, and to be honest, most people work in a state of apathy most of the time. People are following the dictates of others who believe that they know better about who you are than you do. A belief that what has happened in the past is a guidepost to what you should be doing in your life. And when you find yourself 5, 10 or 20 years into your career, you discover how lackluster and boring your life has become.

When you choose the playful path, you are choosing to find out what really lights your buttons. Tapping into your natural well-spring of well-being, joy, and love, you are choosing to honor and respect yourself like no other can. When you follow your bliss, enjoy your passions, and become more aligned with the wonder and beauty of the world, you are unstoppable!

To create a better world for yourself, while still meeting all your chosen obligations and responsibilities, tune into your playful heart and align with your highest self. Whether through meditation, yoga, dance, or willingness games, to name a few, you are checking into your present *I AM* consciousness and allowing this fuller part of yourself to shine forth. From this new vantage point, your job will be more fulfilling, your family will be more of a joy, and your life will have a fuller depth of love than ever before.

Sure, we all will get bumped out of this place from time to time, yet knowing that there is a purpose and direction to your life, of your choosing, will encourage you to realign with your inner guidance again and again. Time after time whenever I get thrown out of alignment, I know that I want to get back into this state of pure, positive, loving energy. My reason for being here is to truly find out what my life's purpose is all about. And by choosing Love over fear, I am transforming my life into one that is most beneficial to myself, my family and my world. Blessed Be! ♥

Benefiting From Your Practices

Dancing into my Zen. Photo by G.E. Nelson Photography

Benefiting From Your Practices

by BlackLion

Have you ever been vexed by having so many awesome spiritual tools available to you yet you never seem to really make the time to follow through with them? Or felt frustrated about it and asked yourself: “Why am I not keeping up with my practices even though I know they’ll enrich my soul?”

I’ve been there. Yet I know when I do yoga and dance, I am alive in my body and enjoying the sensual nature of my movement. As I draw and write, new dimensions of reality appear, an agreement between me and Me. Better yet, all my delightful designs, musings and life’s little moments accumulate as gifts, good cheer, and wealth.

I bet you have hundreds if not thousands of people who would love to see whatever you create with your brilliant soul. You meet them every day — your family, friends, neighbors, tribe and community adore you for being the quirky, contemplative, joy-filled you that you are. Imagine a pride full of cherishing co-creators, each of you offering novel outpourings of your imaginative selves. You succeed as the whole of us succeeds.

So, why are you afraid to use your rejuvenating, restorative tools to fulfill your life’s dreams?

Utilize the spiritual tools that give you the leverage to lift yourself up, share your precious gifts, and yes, even accept other people’s money for your skills, creativity, and attention. That way you are sharing your passions, becoming enriched in your spirit, uplifting your community, all while fulfilling life’s basic needs of freedom, love, and hearth. Put the nature of your precious human heart to good use in all of your dealings. Share your treasures. It’s so true! People want to know what you’ve been up to, so go for it!

If someone, even someone you really love and admire, doesn’t see your crazy idea in its full majesty, create it anyway, even if it’s not “good enough" or “perfect enough" quite yet. Be you. Remember that eating nutritious food gives you sustenance and a more fit and energetic body - so why not eat a salad? Moving keeps the heart strong and willing to venture into the unknown, so do a dance in your kitchen. Put yourself out there; be bold. All this can be done as a self-actualizing priority by simply meditating daily to stay in tune with your highest self.

Life is a continuous game of choices, all of which lead to growth, one way or another. You learn from these moments and find opportunities to change and grow and become a champion who lives in line with their passions and joys. Trying to avoid people you find unpleasant because they’ve slighted you in some way is not the same energy as choosing to fill your calendar with enriching activities that feed your soul with people who connect with you.

Those who want to join you on your quest as willing participants are often better partners than ones who may not understand fully what may be in your head or are at least unwilling to shift with you. With trust, you can share yourself with openness and be guided by spiritual vision. Your uniqueness is the quality that they see in you that draws them in. When you are more often than not aligned with that feeling, they’ll see you for the beacon of hope they’ve been seeking. A coincidence made truth.

So, what’s stopping you?

Are you feeling like a failure because your Republican Party candidate action figure set didn’t sell? Or perhaps after finding enlightenment during your ohming sessions at the yoga retreat last month, the yoga practice you intended to become a regular part of your life went on the back burner for the sometimes overwhelming “other priorities” on your calendar. Or just, you know, work...

Maybe you are simply afraid of becoming more, because of all the responsibilities to yourself you’d then have to abide by. Like the promise(s) you’ve made to the Divine to focus on your spiritual life. Or choosing not to eat the last Twinkie™ in the box even if you have already eaten all the other ones. Or simply knowing you can do better next round. All it takes is one choice at a time.

Living is...  (whatever you make of it)

Joyful Heart Association

How many other joyful people are there out there?

I am recruiting for a new way of association. I am looking for folks who are interested in increasing their lives by focusing on happy thoughts, joyful encounters, and mirthful experiences. A place where you can be yourself completely and have fun doing it. A group of folks who come together on their own terms and have fun regardless.

When you are into that mode, find a friend or companion who also enjoys that activity. Then announce it to the group so whomever wants to join in can do so. I especially would love to include more artists, musicians, dancers, actors, and entrepreneurs who focus on changing the world by being a shining example of freedom, love, joy, happiness, and connection.

I know there are many out there who have an interest in uplifting themselves, their communities, and the world ensemble. I look forward to even more of you showing your support. You could share it with world to uplift others, or keep it as a trump for your own delightful purposes. Either way, as you open the world to new creative energies, you will find that the world will encourage you to continue. Consider the universe on your side no matter what you focus on.

Invite me to joyful experiences, and I will join the ones that bring me closer to my source. Consider only those events that are vehement yes within your head/heart/spirit. You will enhance the vibe with your presence wherever you go that feels good to you. Bring your creative, playful energy with you regardless of what others may think or do. You are the creator of your own experience, so you might as well focus on the exciting parts.

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Blessings and Love!
BlackLion
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