Financial Freedom: Day 1

Happy New Year Readers!
It is 2013, and we have survived.
 Now, let us take this year to THRIVE.

I've entitled this post FINANCIAL FREEDOM because that is what I want in my life.

Of course I am going to throw down my New Year's plan (notice I purposely left out the word resolution).

1. 365 Days television free
2. 365 Days substance free such as weed and wine.
3. Consciously reprogram my mind.
4. Blog daily
5. Journal daily

Everything is Possibility

"Consciousness chooses without any signals.  It chooses without interaction that represents an exchange of signals.  Consciousness is non local; it is everywhere and no where."1--- Dr. Amit Goswami

The material is ether.  What I think to be solid is not solid.  The world I see, the people in it, my perceptions, what happens to me is created by consciousness.

Journaling:

Here is a fun thing.  I like to flip through my previous journal entries.  I ask, "What information do I have for myself right now?"  Then I open any of my journals and read what I wrote.

Today this is what I found:

Abundance and the law of Detachment
As I let of of the need to arrange my life; the universe brings abundant good to me.
Om Anandham Namah=My actions are blissfully free from attachment to outcome. 

This expert comes from the 21 Day Chopra Challenge.  I took this as a sign, and I mediated for a while.  I used the centering thoughts and the mantra. 

I also worked on opening and strengthening my Chakras.  I opened each one and breathed into it.  I envisioned my chakras expanding and contracting with my breath.  Then, I imaged myself connected to the earth through my root chakra.  I saw a beam of light shoot through my crown and out my booty down into the earth.  i saw little flecks of sparkle dust bounce into my energy field.  Little pieces of dirt or rather chips and dark gunk began coming off my chakras.  It was as if the sparkles were cleaning my colors. 

Every since I learned that I am an empath and there are others like me, I feel stronger.  I don't feel crazy anymore.  I just have to learn to control it.  I have clean my energy and use a shield. 

When I lived in southern California, I unknowingly used a shield.  I used to imagine myself with a circle of love and protection around me.  I saw the beam of light going through my apartment complex.  When I moved to Stockton, I stopped using my talents, which I didn't realize I had, but I kind of knew if I am honest with myself. 

Everyday, whether I leave home or stay home, I must meditate to work on my chakras and strength my shield. 

sources:

1. "Dr Amit Goswami 'Consciousness, Quantum Physics and Being Human'," Interview by Iain McNay on Conscioustv.

Empathy

A new subscribe came to me.  She asked for my friendship.  I checked out her channel and watched some of her videos.  It lead me to a whole new group of videos about empathic people.  I causally clicked on one of the videos and it gave a description of an empathic person.  It was me.  I am totally tripping.  I cried a little. It was like that is it.  That is why I feel the way I do.  That is why I feel vibrations.  That is why?  I am not too sensitive.  I feel, and it is okay. 
I'm all weepy right now with the revelation. 

Last weekend, I came across this PhD program in the History of Consciousness at UC Santa Cruz.  I was intrigued by it.  Maybe Consciousness is something that I need to look into?

I am so filled with joy at how successful my students are at expanding their writing. 

End of Fall 2012

I am grading my last set of papers to return to my students for the last day of class.  They will create a portfolio of their work and write me a letter about their writing process for tomorrow-The Final Exam!  I will miss my students this has been a fantastic trip.  I've enjoyed every moment with this group.  They arranged a party for the final; I am bring my vegan fried rice, which means I have to get up at 3:30 am to make the rice let it cool, shower, pack, and hit the road.   

I am surprised that I have not had any email questions.  The second drafts of their persuasive papers were outstanding.  Some of the students' writing skills grew like tall strong trees.  I am so happy.  I truly feel that each one of my students are able to handle the next level of English.  I feel that each one of them will do well in their classes because they have learned to annotate their texts; relate, reflect, & respond (oh, snap--I just reinvented the 3R--Yoooooo) to texts; and to allow the creation of content without self-editor.  Yes, these are the things that I see in their work. 

Get Over It

It is a new day.  I still feel uneasy, but I must go with the flow.  Do you ever have those days when you wish you could reach out to another person for comfort?  I do.  I use to eat those feelings away.

Now,  just feel it.  The reason behind "allowing" rather than "suppressing" is if I allow myself to feel this pain, then I can release it.  I don't have to work to suppress it.  I can just let it go and move on to the next lesson.  Why bother with trying to figure out why a person behaves in a certain manner?  To do so is energy wasted in the past.  What another person does/says/lives/ is none of my business.  I will never know "why?;" he probably doesn't even know why he treated me in such a callous manner.  I forgive my boss, so I can move on to joy.

So, looking at the situation with work, I must ask myself, "Where is the good?"  "What is the lesson?"    

Gratitude

I am grateful to see.
I am grateful that I have the opportunity to teach writing.  I am grateful for my family.   
I am grateful to know that it is not a match.  I am grateful for the understanding and the knowledge.  I am grateful it hurt because I breathed through the pain.  I am grateful.

I am grateful to have the time to write about writing.
I am grateful to have the time to make videos about my life experience.
I am grateful to connect with other people.
I am grateful to be in nature.
I am grateful for the banana I ate today and the coffee I drank.
I am grateful that I learned to play the guitar.
I am grateful for the guitar.
I am grateful for music.  I am grateful for my life.  I am grateful to vibrate at this frequency.   
I am grateful.

Bonus--Happiness and Humanity: Day 22

I could not believe it when I check my email this morning and saw an extra bonus meditation. 

To the healing of the world today, I can contribute and open heart.  I remind myself to greet each person with love rather than fear. 

The meditation:
I was not focused for this meditation because it came so unexpectedly.  I meant to meditate today, but I was thrilled to see the additional guided meditation in my inbox this morning.  All day today has been a meditation in healing the world.
It was difficult for me to stay focused.  I kept thinking about: my students; the materials they need to be successful; grading their papers; how I can create my own critical-reading bookmark.  Then I finally brought myself to the mantra, "So Hum."  I breathed in the "So" and exhaled the "Hum."  I noticed the rise and fall of my belly.  I noticed how the mantra took on a musical quality.
My mind went back to my students, and the materials they need.  Finally, I quieted down again, and went back to the mantra.  The bell rang.

Living Abundantly: Day 21

It is the last day of the Chopra 21 Day Meditation Challenge.  These are the last messages for this challenge:
1. Centering Thought:  Every moment of everyday, I live my life abundantly.
2. Mantra:  So Hum (Sanskrit)= I Am (English).

Has meditation had any impact on my life?  I must answer that question with, "yes."  
I've turned my attention inward and have stop searching for "it" in the external world.  I've gotten into the daily practice of writing.  I have become more productive and yet I expend less energy.  My diet has improved.  I understand that it is carbohydrates that I crave.

I've learned more about the plant-based diet.  The universe sent me John McDougall's information on a high carb diet.  My weight is releasing and it seems like my body is going through some positive changes. 

Would I recommend meditation to others?
For sure, I recommend that everyone meditates.  It helps to quiet the mind, to allow thoughts to float by, and to connect to silence.

Will I continue to meditate?

Yes, I will continue to meditate.  At the beginning of this year, in January, I said this year is about manifesting, meditating, and music.  I am beginning to see that all those desires that I have or wants are already here.  I see that I am living the life that I want to live.  I am teaching writing at a community college to developmental writers; This is so awesome because I love going to work.  It is like a dream to have my job.  I am now writing, and I have the time to write.  The guitar has opened music up to me; I experience it on a deeper level--vibrational level. 

Living Luxury: Day 20

Had a great morning!  I made it to the gym.  Yes, I actually got my backside to the gym instead of  drinking coffee all morning then going for a walk.  I did two classes, zumba and yoga.  At certain points in the yoga (sun salutations), I began to let go; I felt the strength of my body.  There was flow to my movements and an ease with my breath this yoga practice.

My body is use to the movements because I have been practicing the yoga postures at home alone.  It is important to stretch because stretching maintains flexibility, strength, and balance.  These are all great physical qualities to have has one moves forward in age.

Please note that the mantra in the email for the Day 20 is Sat, chit, Ananda, but that is not the mantra on the guided meditation.  Below you will find the actual mantra in the practice of Living Luxury.

Chopra sent the following messages to us today:
1. Centering thought:  Today, I treat myself to moments of luxury.
2. Mantra: Om Varnum Namah (Sanskrit)=My life is in harmony with cosmic law (English).
 

Living Love: Day 19

I'm still full from Thanksgiving.  Today is a light day.  I did some yoga and a silent meditiation.  thne, I danced my butt off to the Smiths, Louder than Bombs.  It has been a long time since I just turned on some music and danced around. 

I am happy. 

Chopra sent the following information for us today:
1. Centering thought:  Today, I remember to love evrything and everyone I come in contact with.
2.  Mantra: Sat, Chit, Ananada (Sanskrit)=Existence, Consciousness, Bliss (English). 

Living Unity: Day 18

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I called my mother up the first thing this morning to tell her how thankful I am that she is in my life.  Yeah!  I love my family!

For my brother, I created a delicious and mostly vegan meal.  He ate meat (chicken & macaroni).  All the sides were plant-based and animal free.  I should up load some of the photos tonight. I thin I will do that.

My mother came over with meat and a banana pudding for my brother.  She dropped it on the stairs.  She cried a little on the stairs.  I was about to start my meditation.  So, the sound of her cry really scared me.  My heart jumped, and began to pump in over time.  I quickly pulled the ear-bugs out of my ears, and I ran to the door.  I opened it.  There stood my Mom with her lips turned down and a squashed pound cake tin in her hand. The tin was filled with a rich yellowish custard, bananas, and vanilla wafers.  I recognized it immediately.  One of my childhood favorites. 

"I cannot do the stairs with my leg.  Take it," Ma sighed.  I took the squashed tin from her hand.  "Throw it in the garbage can.  I was trying to bring your brother some pie and meat."  She turns and walks down the stairs.  My brother goes after her.

So what was the pie about?
Ma was upset because my niece, Charrlie, did not come over for Thanksgiving after she confirmed she would come.  Ma was upset because she cooked this meal for Charrlie.

Chopra Sent the following for us to focus today:

1. Centering Thought:  I celebrate my unity with all life, knowing we are all one.
2. Manta:  Tat Tvam Asi (Sanskrit)=I see the other in myself and myself in the other.

How do I define Unity?

I define unity as one.  it is a coming together of two or more things into a one.  My definition of unity can be extended; it is also community and collaborative.  Unit can be the effort of many focused towards one objective.  But, I come back to one.  

Living Carefree: Day 17

Focusing on the thought that everything is as it should be and relaxing in that thought is the task for the day.  So far, the day is flowing.  I love it when I am in flow and everything works; I am not fighting anymore.  I don't mean physically fighting.  I mean fighting with life or struggling against the current.

Chopra sent these messages to us today: 
1. Centering thought:  I move through my days light-hearted and carefree, knowing all is well.
2. Mantra:  Sat, Chit, Ananda (Sanskrit)=Existence, Consciousness, Bliss (English).

The question is, "How do you feel when you wake up?"
My response:
I can tell you how I felt today when I woke up; I cannot recall the general feeling of each day when I awake.  Lately, I have been feeling excited about the day.  This morning, I felt snugly and comfy.  It rained last night.  The room was the perfect temperature, and my bed was just cozy enough.  Both of my cats were in the bed with me.  Baby gently nestle next to the pillow at my head and Rafa laying by my legs almost wrapped in the blanket.
In my current state of mind, I feel like everything is going my way.  I am happy because I got the extra classes that I wanted, so I will have a full load next semester.

Guess the question from the response:
If I lived light-hearted and carefree, my life would improve because I will not second guess myself; I will seek my answers from within.  My life would improve because I will seek adventure by living light-hearted and carefree.  I would be the action rather than the passive spectator.  My life would improve because I will live without the constant fear of the unknown by living light-hearted and carefree.

Living Gratefully: Day 16

I was thinking about gratitude this morning.  Thanksgiving is just a couple of days away.
Chopra sent the this information for us to contemplate for the day and the meditation:
1. Centering thought: "Today, I remember to be grateful."

2. Mantra: Om Vardhanam Namah (Sanskrit)= I nourish the universe, and the universe nourishes me (English).

Here are my responses to the questions after the meditation today.  See if you can guess what the questions are from my answers. 

In my life I am most grateful for my family (I include my friends and animals in family). I am grateful for my mother who takes care of me when I cannot take care of myself.  I am grateful for my education.  I am grateful  for the time I have to do this 21 day meditation challenge.  I am grateful that I have a place to live.  I am grateful for my job, which allows me the opportunity to do what I love teach writing.     

Question 2:

My answer:  When I am in a state of gratitude, I feel joy.  I feel security.  I feel love. 

The Meditation:

At the beginning of the meditation I opened my eyes twice.    I focused on the mantra, and found myself relaxing deeper and deeper.  I concentrated my breathing in and out.  I went back to mantra and stayed with it until the bell.  I had a deeper meditation after I got over the initial fear.  When I feel overwhelmed, I open my eyes.  During this session, I just stuck with it.        

Living Sychrondestiny: Day 15

Just the title of today's meditation has me wondering, "What does Sychrodestiny" mean?  By looking at the parts of the word, I guess it to mean same time appointed.  In the email today, Deepak Chopra defines synchrodestiny as "harnessing the power of everyday coincidences to help you realize your long-held dreams."

Chopra sent this information for us:

1. Centering Thought: "As I live in present moment awareness, I live the magic of synchrodestiny."
2. Mantra: Aham Brahmasmi (Sanskrit)=The core of my being is the ultimate reality, the root and ground of the universe, the source of all that exists.

Meditation:

I don't want to share my meditation experience today.  It must not be spoken.

I will tell you that while I was out for a walk this morning, a breeze came over me as I was thinking about the unknown.  Images of familiar faces popped into my mind, I saw myself engaged with others.  When the breeze came it was like someone removed my hood because it came down.  It do not come down like a wind blew it off; my hood came down as if someone lifted it gently from around my head to see my face. 

I accepted the energy.  I'm still feeling it.  I must write in my personal journal about this so I can release it. 

Abundance and the Law of Dharma: Day 14

Chopra email the following for today's meditation:
1. Centering Thought:  "There is a way I can fulfill my true purpose in life."

2. Mantra:   Om Varunam Namah (Sanskrit)=My life is in harmony with cosmic law (English).

The question after the guided Chopra mediation asks, " How do you experiences joy in your present work?"  My response:
I experience joy when I wake up in the morning to go to work.  I am happy to go to work.  It is my dream to teach English at a community college.  I love being with my students talking about writing, talking about their papers, and talking about life.  I love when we get deep in conversation. 
It is joyful to hear students speaking to each other about their papers.  It is joyful when I see some one's eyes glimmer because they learned something new or figured something out.  It is joyful to be the person facilitating a person's growth as a writer.   

I can move closer to joyfully living my dharma by focusing my intention on writing.  I can put all of my energy into writing.  I can write about writing.  I can teach more.  I can collect data about writing.  I can survey my students to find ways to communicate my message of  mental liberation through writing.  I can read more books.  I can get more training teaching writing.  I can go to workshops.  I can pursue a PhD in rhetoric and composition.  To move closer to joyfully living my dharma I can love and accept writing.

During the Meditation:
I was not focused at all today.  i opened my eyes twice.  I lost he mantra, and I allowed my mind to wander; both times that happened I opened my eyes.
I feel like I have found my purpose.  I feel like I just have to live it more.  Maybe that is why I was so resistant to meditation today.  I was up around 6:00am and I waited until now almost 7:00pm to do the meditation.  I just did not want to meditate today. 
But, I am glad that I did.  I am staying the course.  

Abundance and the Law of Detachment: Day 13

Trusting in uncertainty is not one of the areas that I have a large amount of strength.  Until this meditation challenge, I have tried to control the outcomes of situations in my life.  I have tried to predict the future to the point of obsession.  I've praised luck for good outcomes and renounced luck with bad outcomes. 
Today as I drove to work, I thought about the mental work I did yesterday.  The bottle symbol that Chopra used represents the letting go of a message sent.  The bottle is out of one's control. 

I must do the same with the intention for my goal.  To practice this, I spent my time today focused on writing.  I let go of the other chatter in my mind and just focused on:

• writing
• teaching writing
• language
• the meaning of communication
• how do we form the abstractions--symbols, images, and sounds our minds into a string of assigned markers of representation?

Chopra's Message for today:

1. Centering thought: "As I let go of the need to arrange my life, the universe brings abundant good to me."
2. Mantra: Om Anandham Namah (Sanskrit)=My actions are blissfully free from attachment to outcome (English).

On of ideas that Chopra writes about is, "Detach from all expectation of outcome by allowing everyone and everything the freedom to be exactly as they are."  I was tripping on this statement because in the Starbucks (yes, I got coffee) this morning, I was talking to one of my students about accepting people as they are.  I said, "We can only do, and be what we are.  No more--no less."  I am in tune with the meditations. 

The Meditation:

A question after the Chopra guided meditation asks,  "how would they [the symbols of abundance] enhance my life and the lives of others?"  My response:

Books filled with my messages would enhance my life because it will be a relief to get this information out of my body.  It would enhance the lives of others because they can learn how to write.  They can learn how to express the wordless inside of their minds with other people--to send messages using words.  Others will learn how to communicate better, and find strength in defining their own realities rather than having their realities dictated to them by someone else.  My students will learn to speak and tell who they are if they so desire.  It is the emancipation of the mind for a better society.  It is taking responsibility for one's education and for one's life.  These are the ideas I will share with others while helping them improve their writing.  More books, filled with messages I've written, will enhance the lives of others because the books will teach people how to free themselves from animal products.  They will teach people that we do not need to consume animals to survive; we can use plants and thrive.  People will learn how to create a transitional plan, take action in executing the transitional plan, and cook vegan recipes.  People will learn not to kill and that will be good for all the creatures--all of the "others."

The home will enhance my life because it is an oasis where I write my books, create lesson plans, and design courses for "others" to learn.  Others will reap the benefits of my home because the work I create there gives people tools to help change their lives and liberate their minds through writing.

A job I love will benefit my psyche because I'll be happy to go.  It will give me money to travel, write, teach, see the world, and meet people.  A job I love will enhance other people's lives because my happiness will spread to them.

A fuel efficient truck would enhance my life because it would be fun to drive a truck.  I see myself going to festivals in it and selling kale chips.  kale is great for everybody, so the lives of others will be enhanced by the fuel efficient truck.  I'll grow my kale in my vegetable garden at my home where I create my books on writing & veganism, and work at a job I love.

How do I see wellbeing?
When I am practicing the guitar, I feel happy.  No, not happy.  I feel a release of energy when I play my guitar.  A release of pent up-explosive energy.  It feels good because I get to let it out--emotion.  When I am eating a good meal, I have the feeling of wellbeing.----

I am not answering the question here.  Why am I being evasive?  Do I even know what wellbeing means or even the emotion?

I imagine it as something a kin to happiness. something like okay.  Something like being content.  I imagine wellbeing to be maybe a little closer to love.  Does love equal happiness?  Yes, I believe so; I don't know it for sure.       

I envision the emotion of wellbeing as a normal everyday feeling in my life.  Wellbeing   

Abundance and the Law of Intention and Desire: Day 12

Intention is a big one.  I am thinking about my intention for wanting to teach.  At first I wanted to do it because it seemed respectable and a safe harbour from the storm.  But, what I am finding out is that teaching is not a safe harbour.  It is hard work pouring one's heart out.

Question: Why do I want to write?  My true intention behind that is a job--money. 
What about communicating a message? What about all that stuff I wrote about writing and messages the other day?  do I believe it?  No, I don't believe it.  I know writing is about messages an a transformative discipline for the individual because writing has helped me transform my own life.  At least, I am focused on what is in my mind, the nature of the world, and how we communicate with one another.   

Excerpts from my journals and notes

I just opened my journal up to any page, and this is what I found:

"September 30, 2012
You are not the thoughts.  You are not the thinker.  You are the awareness of the thought and the thinker.  The awareness is the silence.  This is God.  This is the space where you pay attention to the awareness.  When we get caught up in anxiety, worry, and regret, we are involved as the thinker and not the awareness."

I found a 3x5 note card in my journal.  On it, I have written the definition of intent
Intent-is a force in nature.  To clarify this, I added the following on the 3x5 note card:

• Relinquish need for approval
• Being Independent of the opinions of others
• Present Tense+Feeling+Intention=Manifesting

The Chopra Meditation:

The question I am answersing is "What steps have you taken to manifest that intention in your life?" (Chopra)

Here is my answer:

The steps I have taken to manifest my highest intention was to start taking care of myself.  I made a commitment to finish my education.  At 35, I went back to school and completed my bachelor's degree.  That is the time I fell in love with English.  I went to graduate school  and learned how to teach writing. 

I don't understand how what I just wrote responds to the question.  I am evading the answer, hiding in congenial talk. 

In truth, I have been busy pushing love away from me.  I have not done much to invite it into my life.  I've tried to ignore and pretend as though it doesn't exist while it is there.  I wish to let go and open up without fear.   Give up the control.  I have no control.  This would have to be the first time in my life that I actually seriously tried meditation, or taken the spiritual aspect of life as a knowing rahther than a believing.  So, the real answer is I have taken one step to manifest that intention by participating in the 21 day meditation challenge. 

how will my intention serve others?

This intention will help my family.  It will make sure that my brother has his freedom and is taken care of.  In the world, it will help others to improve their communication and understand the true power of language.  You can free your mind by learning to communicate your message, by seeing language not as some mystical "thing" that only a few can use, but as a tool.  It is a tool for communication that we all have the ability to use.  Language can help you define your reality, so you do not be come objectified by the subjectivity of others. 
My intention will also spread the word of compassion and teach people they do not need to eat animals or kill animals to survive.  We can live off plants.  No creature has suffer. 

The actual meditation:

I was into today session.  I wrote a little about the meditation topic and did the "wants" activity sent in the email. 

I quickly got into relaxation.  I was  concentrating on the mantra: "Om Ritam Namah" (it sounds like "return to me" in English).  My mind wandered on letting go and trusting.  Then I started to feel the pain in my chest.  It is more like a pressure on my chest and my throat.  I felt it.  I kept saying, "let it go. let it go."  Then, I thought why?  Why are you trying to surpress your feelings?  Feel it.  This is what life feels like.  I've been so busy trying to surpress the pressure/pain that I didn't realize that maybe it is not pain, but what life feels like, and it actually feels good.  A wave of energy overwhelmed me.  A heat and tingle sensation covered me.  I beame afraid.  I went back to the mantra to calm myself.  My heart was beating fast.  Suddenly, I just flet okay.   "Maybe this is what life feels like, and it feels good"--is a knew thought for me.  my breathing.  The bell rang.

Abundance and the Law of Least Effort: Day 11

For the 21 day meditation challenge, Chopra sent:
1. Centering thought: I expect and accept abundance to flow easily to me.

2. Mantra: Om Daksham Namah (Sanskrit)=My actions achieve maximal benefit with minimal effort.

I went to pick up my car and I was an asshole to the rent-a-car woman because I was being charged 5.27 for gas. 

One of the questions asks which areas would you like to experience more abundance.  The areas of my life that I would like to experience abundance are: romantic, financial, and social.  I wish for a loving partnership with a funny man; I really want to be abundant in that area.  Love is important.  If I am abundant financially and socially, but not in the intimate relationship section of my life, I will not be happy or abundant. 
Would I take the job or the man?  I'd like both.

The change I have to make to release my desire into universal consciousness is to shift my focus.  Instead of focusing on the fact that I lack, or that I am not in a loving relationship, I should focus on being in love.  Be what I want to attract. Be love rather than be lack of love if that makes any sense. 
Another change I have to make is to stop trying to control by searching outside of myself for answers, to stop trying to make it happen, to just go with the flow and let my life unfold. 
Another change I have to make is to let go of the fear. 

I started three times today to do the meditation, but for some reason each time I put the meditation off till later.  I wish I had done it early, but now is the time.  This is the path.
Today, I went quicker into relaxation mode, and focused most of the time on the mantra: Om Daksham Namah.  I forgotten the English translation, so I just focused on the Sanskrit. 
Thoughts popped into my mind, but each time I let them go.  I began to watch my breath for a time, then I went back to the mantra.  I was not afraid like I had been in the past.  Yesterday, I really freaked out.  Today, I just trusted.  The bell rang. 

Abundance and The Law of Karma: Day 10

The last few days I have been coming later and later to meditation.  It is my resistance to change.  I still do it.  So far the 21 day meditation challenge has had postive effects in my life.  I'm free of the addiction to TV.  My diet is moving in a high raw direction.  I have not had any wine, and I am getting to bed early.  I am actually sleeping instead of light sleeping. 

This is the Message that Chopra sent for Day 10:
1. Centering thought: Today, I make great choices, because they are made with full awareness.

2. Mantra: Om Kriyam Namah (Sanskrit)=My actions are aligned with cosmic law (English).

Decisioncs and Choices are the hot topic for the day.

This was another hard meditation for me.  I quickly became relaxed, but a wave of energy over came me and I became afraid.  I opened my eyes.  I closed them again, and found the mantra.  I realized I am in the right place, in the right state of being, doing the right thing--I felt overwhelmed by this, and felt a heatwave of energy flow over me.  I was afraid, and I opened my eyes.  I heard,"You are in the right place at the right time, Om Kriyam Namah" I went back tot he mantra.  I was there in a energized peaceful state, and I felt content.  The Bell rang. 

Many of decision I have made in my life have caused pain.  Some have put me in physical danger.  Some decisions have caused illness.
Within the last 7 years, I decided that I would work on my mind.  That was a good decision because I have learned to be in a state of continuous expansion.  The bad part was I expanded to such a state I could barely walk up and downstairs. 
When i graduated, I made a decision to care for both my body and mind.  I also realized that if I were to be a teacher, I have to clean up my life.  Let go of habits that no longer serve me.  Learn how to inspire others to reach their potential using writing as tool for communication.

I can become more aware of my choices by slowing down.  Use my journal and write about what is my perception of reality.  Then let it go.  I can decided my action only. 
I will practice placing my attention on my heart to see check my feelings when I have a question. 

Dulse--Sea Vegetable

I've been mad about sea vegetables.  Make sure you check Sea Vegetables out if you are planning on a vegan diet.  They are full of minerals that the body needs.  You can also use sea vegetables such as kombu to add flavor to vegan soups and bean dishes.