Defining our Canvas

Yesterday, I went to visit an old friend. It is strange because I have not seen him in twenty-eight years. I say “it is strange” loosely, as I know nothing is a mistake. So why did I go visit him? It happened because I merely heard a voice whispering his name.

After hearing his name, all sorts of memories came forward. As joy and sadness assist recalling these stories, I immediately find myself in a healing circle. In healing circles, or talking circles, it is a sacred moment where we share our deepest thoughts to whatever we are called to discuss. Often happens in a group setting. These memories, did just that and I was having my own personal talking circle with others who are thought to be of spirit.

Having the afternoon off, I thought “I have time if he does, I will give him a call.” So I did. Hey Bob, this is Joe…got a minute? “Joe?! From my childhood Joe?!” Yes, that Joe. “Dude, how the Hell are you?”

We talked for a little bit and he invited me to his place of work for a chat. Now my head mind is trying to figure out, as I am driving to his shop. He is a master painter, who creates masterpieces for others. Sharing his gift, he is helping others find their happiness.

So I find his place of business, as I know the neighborhood very well. It’s in the neighborhood we both grew up in. As we meet each other on the street he asks, “so what made you call?” I am not sure, but there is always a reason from my experience. “That is just too weird…not more than five minutes before you called I was thinking about you.” We enter his paint shop.

As we reminisce our past, he excitedly shows me the process of his work. “I am not a fast-food restaurant and my work often takes months for one project to complete. It is a process that cannot be rushed…just like life, we shouldn’t rush it.” I bet customers get antsy? “They do but I remind them the work I do is a symbol of their life moving forward. Have patience, take time to enjoy that which you already have and for goodness sake stop being in such a rush!”

Hearing him speak of his passion for creating works of art, it was just so exciting for me…although I still am unaware as to why I called him. Will I see him again? Will we talk about re-creating more of the Canvas of Life? I am not sure of what time will bring, but waking this am I have a bit more understanding as to why I did call him.

I woke from a dream filled with old acquaintances from childhood. At first they were strangers challenging my authenticity of self, but then became acquaintances whom I rode the school bus with in High School. Have you ever had a dream where one scene was of one group of people, the next scene filled with familiar faces? We were at a dinner party and they were talking about things and challenging who I was and where I was going. I also recall being lucid in my dream and thinking “this is why I called Bob! So that I can spark old memories and retrace my steps as to who I am and further pave who I am becoming.”

I know I have written about this before, as to why the importance of retracing our steps or recalling our past life. As we retrace our steps we ultimately recreate our future simultaneously. The whole purpose of talking circles is the same. So in my single encounter with an old friend, my past comes forward and future is redefined. In a single encounter I am walking in the past and future at the same time, unknowingly at the time…only to repaint the future. Thanks Bob!

After recalling the first dream I immediately recall another. Although I am not sure if this dream happened or it happened in the daytime (I often call this the real world, although I am not sure what is real anymore…Lol). This dream was about finding balance in self. All I can remember is a scene of what appeared to be commercial on a television. I was sitting in a friend’s living room, when a commercial came on about ‘receiving.’ In order to remain happy we are to give, it is our life’s purpose. We cannot just take, take, take…without giving back. If all we do is receive, without giving…then we remain unbalanced, failing to follow natural laws of the universe…ebb and flow, give and take, etc.

While the second recall actually happened first, it carried into the second dream of meeting old acquaintances. It is through our giving and receiving, being authentic, that our destiny is presented. Our purpose does not come forward until we follow the passion within our being. As we move forward in each moment, we are taking each step from the heart. As our heart expands our world expands, as our world expands endless possibilities remain.

I love my dreams. As I sit at my desk recalling these dreams, I remember the conversations of yesterday. Often times for me, not sure if it happens for you, my day time leads into the night time, creating a new reality in the dream world…allowing me to recall my life story. In recalling I am able to re-create the scenery and what the future may hold.

A conversation or meeting with an old friend creates thoughts of a specific time and place, allowing more healing to take place. A later conversation, with another friend, about finding purpose and balance through asking creator to humbly show you the way…well I think that led to the first dream about giving and receiving. I am in awe as the dream world comes to life, outlining the past and redefining the future in a single stroke of my fingers as the words are typed upon this screen.

So back and forth I go in my own thoughts. My life, past and future…what lay in store for the Canvas of Life, what lay in store for Stepping into the Canvas? I am not certain, but the re-write has begun and the definitions of life are about to be written.

As i recall my story, my hopes is that you recall your own. Relive the past, recreate the present and future. It is my hope these words reach those who need most. It is my hopes that Stepping into the Canvas defines the steps we take on a daily basis. Filling our days with purpose, infusing our steps with love. As we consciously move forward, taking note of the birds singing our song, the trees dancing in the wind or the skies changing from night to day…we are a part of the Great Canvas and we are contributing on a daily basis. What is your  contribution for the day?

Stepping into the Canvas defining the Canvas, defining our own…

Defining the Canvas

 

 

 

 

 

Stepping into the Extraordinary

stepping out

With each new day we have a choice to live as authentically as we can, ignoring beliefs of old. Stepping into the new, creating a life we were meant to enjoy and accepting beliefs of a new era.

The first step towards happiness is often the most difficult, for we cannot let go of our old beliefs. Let go now…witness the shift towards happiness. Once the first step is taken, the taste of freedom shall be ours and we will not go back to the way we were. The next step towards happiness is easier, the next even easier…and so on.

With a new outlook on life, everything will taste sweeter, smell better and will feel freer than ever before. Listen to the voice within…it is saying, “Now is the Time.” Take the step towards happiness and one day declare “Ani Po.”

(*Ani Po is Hebrew for “I Am Here”)

Stepping into the Canvas is about taking the first steps into the Canvas of Life.  It is said that God is the Creator and nature is His Canvas. In a world of technologies, distractions and light-speed evolution, we remain in darkness. Truth is laid before us, falsely, by our collective whole.

This is an invitation to step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary.  We are not meant to be suppressed and controlled, fearful and miserable, alone and scared, hateful and destructive. No. Instead we are meant to be free. Free to Love unconditionally, creating the life we were meant to enjoy. Instead of divide and conquer, we shall come together as One.

It is time to make a choice:  stay in misery or choose a path of happiness; listen to the voice within or listen to the others without; move towards an active side of infinity or stay on the inactive list; accept positivity or remain in negative beliefs. Everything is merely a choice and every choice needs action.

Imagine, for a moment, that the Creator has given you a clean Canvas to paint whatever you desire. What would be on this painting? This is your opportunity to paint The Best You Now…grab the brush and start painting already. You know what you want!

If you can think it, you can create it.  If you can create it, you can paint it.  If you can paint it, your dreams will come true.  If you make a mistake on this Canvas, allow yourself to paint over or scrape away the excess.  The only rule of painting is to apply your whole Heart and Soul when approaching the Canvas of Life. Applying this simple rule…dormant forces shall come alive.

Stepping Into The Canvas as a Work in Progress, allowing colors to be misused, strokes unorthodox and an occasional redo to take place. The Canvas of Life is there to teach us we are not perfect and in our imperfections we are. With every mistake, we are presented a new opportunity to make it right. Master the painting, master the self.

Clearing the Canvas

With each new day comes opportunity for letting go, allowing room for a brighter future. Whatever baggage we carry, shall keep us from enjoying freedom of No Baggage. With more baggage, comes more clutter in the Canvas of Life.

Letting go of baggage requires wiping the Canvas clean and beginning anew. With each new day another opportunity, so shall it be. What a great time to plan ahead… the time is now.

The Now presents a perfect time for evaluation of not only mind or body, but equally exercising the spirit. Along with our regular goals, at the start of each new day, it is a good time to re-evaluate the spiritual path. Are you still clinging on to past beliefs of anger, fear or anything related to negativity? If so, chances are that your goals will be self-sabotaged anyways. Time to clean house!

Taking personal inventory of life:

• Forgive oneself for past behaviors.

• Ask others for forgiveness.

• Stop trying to figure things out.

• Follow gut feelings always.

• Center oneself in a Heart of Compassion.

The last of these being the most crucial as it will aid on the other four. When we center ourselves with a Heart of Compassion, everything begins aligning with source energy. We vibrate naturally at a level of Love: eliminating all self-defeating beliefs; letting go of pent-up regret; following, effortlessly, our dreams; flowing peacefully as that of a river; finally seeing our Brothers and Sisters as One.

We can exercise our mind and body as much as we can, but without faith we have nothing.  It is our mind that allows us to think, our body that clears the way, but it is the Spirit that drives us effortlessly along the journey of life. The weaker the spirit, the more difficult the journey: The stronger the Spirit, the gentler the journey.

”When we focus our energy towards constructing a passionate, meaningful life, we are tossing a pebble into the world, creating a beautiful ripple effect of inspiration. When one person follows a dream, tries something new or takes a daring leap, everyone nearby feels that energy, and before too long they are making their own daring leaps and inspiring yet another circle.” ~Christine Mason Miller

While the pilgrim chooses to paint over the Canvas of Life, masking His past expression of Life, the Warrior wipes the Canvas clean, allowing a new perspective on Life to present itself in Her painting.

We often worry about cleaning another person’s home, when our own needs attention.What good is cleaning another, when ours is neglected? ~Joseph

Stepping into the Canvas with a Clean Canvas, clearing our thoughts of doubt, anger or fear. Centering on our faith, everything returns to the way it was before the beginning…allowing us to declare, ”All is Good.”

waterfall jump

Falling into the Canvas

It is not enough to take part in the Canvas of Life, but more important to fall into the canvas with whole heart and soul. What does it mean to fall into the canvas? It means not just stepping into the canvas while actively participating in the canvas, but being an active participant with continuous intention of actively participating in the canvas AND creating the life that is most Desired while enjoying every aspect of the canvas.

From the darkened clouds painted on the canvas to the neon fluorescent and radiating colors, we are to create lives as we choose not as others choose. Whenever a painter paints it is through his own interpretation of the Universe, but when others analyze His work they attach their own interpretation.

If we only see one side of the painting, we miss the creator’s intent.  See the beauty of all the varying colors/varying interpretations and lose yourself in the many mysteries that lay before you in the canvas.

Where does one begin?  Put down the blackberry.  Hang up the cellphone.  Stop texting for moment. Just sit and ’be’ for a moment, allowing the true nature to fill your soul. Can’t do it?! Then take a weekend and spend some needed time in the woods. Maybe it is time for a retreat?!

It is about taking time to enjoy the beauty of nature…returning back to Mother Earth and being one. Many will oppose this idea, but eventually will need some necessary downtime or as I like to call it…’Me Time.’ during this me time is the one way we can bridge the gap between us and the Universe.

Stepping Into the Canvas choose to fall into it with whole heart and soul.  Lend a hand, an ear or a friendly smile. Do what you want today not what others say ’you should’ do. Stay away from the trap of pleasing others, but please only yourself. Today I will not only step, but will fall into the canvas.

seeing that which is good

Seeing Beyond the Canvas

Seeing beyond the canvas is about seeing Life as something far greater than our conditioned lives. We were taught happiness comes from going to school, establishing a career and living the American Dream by purchasing our own home. While achieving all of this something still remains missing. What is this void we all yearn to fill? It is the void of Truth. The void of Truth is the empty feeling we have when we continually seek more of something that gives us a false sense of goodness.

We get a house, a couple of cars and maybe some nice little toys.  We are happy for a moment, but continue to battle bouts of depression, anger, fear and sadness. Something is still missing.

Walking in the Flesh, the Orgasm lasts a mere Second. Walking in Spirit…an Eternity! ~Joseph

The void is our lack of happiness or self-actualization of being ’On Purpose.’ We must learn to accept happiness no matter the circumstance, seeing silver-linings in every cloud. Have you ever noticed some of the really successful people and their lives painting a perfect picture? At first glance they seem to be happy, whilst having it all. As we look deeper or time unveils, we hear of a terrible breakup or separation, they were never really happy, or have addictions to prescription drugs. There is a small population that has it all, but more importantly have found Happiness and live on the level of the heart. At this level…All Things are Possible.

”Never look up to the people who have the painted-perfect lives, because try as they might, can never see beyond the canvas.” Moira Hallsom

It is possible to have it all: the big house, loving family, and more money than we know what to do with, but meaningless without finding happiness. People try to buy happiness, but as I stated earlier”As we walk in flesh, the Orgasm lasts for a mere second.” Walking in flesh focuses on meeting the lower of Maslows Hierarchy of Physical pleasures; while walking in Spirit focuses on higher needs of self-actualization. Find Happiness, enjoying all that life has to offer. Once established, we can co-create the life we want.

Stepping into the Canvas we admire the beauty God has painted, accepting it for what it is while co-creating a painting to our desires. Seeing Beyond the Canvas sheds light to painted pictures and their imperfections. When we see the canvas for what it truly is we accept them as imperfectly perfect as our own, but enjoying the beauty that life has to offer. Focus on our own Canvas, Painting that which we most desire.

So where do we align ourselves? Do we align with the material gains and the Flesh? or do we align with the Higher Self of Spirit, obtaining all that we ever dreamed of? Dare to Step Into the Canvas today, living the life meant to…taking an active role in creation.

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