"Only when all conceptions of space and time, life and death, are exploded, when the grip of the past and fear of the future become merely conditions of one's past, only then can one live in the present fully." - Alberto Villoldo
For far too long, I experienced the stranglehold of not living fully and completely in the present moment. My life journey seemed fraught with one disappointment, one landmine waiting to blow me to kingdom come and I felt horrible most of the time.
It seemed to take me a very long time until I more fully understood that I was allowing my past mistakes and missteps [as well as toxicity and dysfunction] to define me and control my every waking moment. It was when I FINALLY felt broken by everything that had happened in my life that I finally felt AND grieved all of my losses (whether real and/or imagined) BEFORE I finally began to live -- here and now -- with no apology to anyone.
I am now grateful for all that I have experienced. The simple reality is that the totality of all of these experiences of my life journey has led me to this present moment in my life. I am now freed from the emotional stranglehold of my past. It is from this enlightened and awakened consciousness that I am able to view and appreciate my life as simply amazing.
Having survived what I have lived, I stand within the totality of who I am -- and always have been. I feel; I am grateful; I AM -- right here and now.
Stephanie Doty
Simply Amazing
January 31, 2014
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Meditation On Lovingkindness | Jack Kornfield
I sometimes find myself 'struggling' with this concept, getting lost because others may think (and feel compelled to share with me) that I am a horrible person of the very worst kind.
Although I know what they say is untrue, it is nonetheless disconcerting to hear/feel such unwarranted remarks. Alas, these unkind words -- at least in the past -- placed a stranglehold on my heart (most especially when people act primarily from their insecurities -- all too often at my expense). [God knows my finances are precarious at best.] I do not need anything and/or anyone [by virtue of arrogance and/or stupidity] to jeopardize anything within my small world. However, based on their toxic behavior, I can only surmise these foolish people have become so enamored of themselves, they have forgotten they are not the center of the universe -- ho hum.
I may understand and accept that when demonic idiocy comes my way, it is a reflection of the tortured soul who is acting out the message. More importantly, what is said and/or done by them has little, if anything, to say about me or who I am. On the other hand, these demons of idiocy have become unabashedly convinced of their own truth so that their dark clouds cast ugly shadows in my very small world.
Fortunately, I am learning; I am learning -- that I do NOT have to respond to the toxicity and dysfunction of the demons of stupidity. Perhaps . . . .
This awareness may be the basis of my feelings of gratitude when I read Jack Kornfield and Pema Chodron. Their sage counsel fills me to overflowing with loving compassion -- even FOR the wayward denizens of dim who will always continue to inhabit this world and demand their presence be acknowledged
Stephanie Doty
Simply Amazing
January 29, 2014
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“The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.” ― Marianne Williamson
Stephanie Doty
Simply Amazing
January 28, 2014
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As I've reflected on the more abysmal experiences I've been having with people since relocating to this land of strange, this graphic resonated deeply within my heart this morning. I do feel cleansed -- primarily of any mistaken notion I used to have about the 'eternal goodness' of humanity. Whether I contribute to any insufferable, wretched relationship seems all but inconsequential.
The reality -- at least for me -- simply exists that toxic, dysfunctional people are a crashing bore and these denizens of dim in no way enhance my life -- or even slightly 'amuse' me. I no longer feel even slightly responsible for 'helping' anyone find their way out of their dark selves -- they [and they alone] are responsible for ceasing to inflict their peculiar brand of misery.
So, as I've accepted the value of forgiving myself for my onerous flaws, I now feel bathed by the light of truth and move forward -- with a lighter spirit and avowed sense of renewal and redemption. This 'healing journey' has provided me with a much richer appreciation of just exactly who I am -- and always have been.
With my renewed perspective guiding the remainder of my life journey, I now view my survival of these former floods of abysmal experiences as SIMPLY AMAZING . . . .
Stephanie Doty
Simply Amazing
January 28, 2014
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"Cutting the Ties That Bind" is a profound Healing Session with
great depth. It enables a person to become liberated as an independent
and whole person, relying on their inner source of security and wisdom
rather than the false and binding security of old attachments and patterns.
We can detach ourselves from false and negative controlling factors
such as parents, teachers, family members, partners, and friends. Also
from various addictions, bad habits and negative emotions.
Benefits?
* The unwanted ties are cut, clearing the negativity and freeing us to experience more love.
* Fears that rule your life can be eliminated.
* When we change, those around us appear to change as well. We experience things differently and
begin to use our own wisdom and inner knowing as a guide.
* Relationships around us improve as we let go of the old conflicting patterns of behavior. Results can be
immediate, profound and ongoing.
* Layers of attachments and patterns are immediately uncovered and finally understood and released
WOWSER
-- this morning's messages from the universe are speaking to and
through my heart. As I feel my gratitude and inner power, I bow my head
in humility and simply offer a prayer of 'thanks for listening.'
I share this with unabashed gratitude and thanksgiving to my Facebook circle of friends and community -- who so often inspire me to continue doing what I am doing -- both from and with my heart. Namaste`
Stephanie Doty
Simply Amazing
January 26, 2014
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I
recall a time when I mistakenly believed that I loved an individual 'to
the moon and beyond -- into infinity.' I subsequently realized my
passion and emotion were wasted on the individual. It was not until we finally met in person and spent time together [we'd 'met' online--deepest of sighs] that I fully realized this man lived his life without a modicum of integrity and that he had
wholly misrepresented his intentions toward me. Alas, this nightmare did become a painful, but
invaluable life lesson.
In the process of healing and self-forgiveness for my egregious lapse
in judgment -- borne of my having chosen to ignore simple, common sense -- that I also learned a great deal about myself -- mostly who I am [and
always have been (unbeknownst to me)] as well as who I am not.
I firmly believe that NOBODY has any conceivable reason or right to cause [intentionally or otherwise] another emotional pain as
this man had caused me. Whether HE ill-advisedly felt self-righteously justified in
behaving as unconscionably as he did was wholly beside the point.
It
took my being emotionally devastated to learn the reality of who he is -- and the equally long time it took me to recover -- that I finally accepted these lessons that I now
consider my most invaluable life experience. I sincerely intend and hope that I shall NEVER again ignore 'red flags' or allow anyone to
cause me needless humiliation and unnecessary sorrow.
What I am grateful for is fully realizing and accepting who I am, as well as knowing that I have at long
last integrated an emotionally devastating and nightmarish experience into the tapestry of my life. I have become more emotionally healthy and stable and now believe that I am a woman of consequence.
Although it took me over 50 years to learn what IS and is
NOT important in life, I have finally learned that I have the option of whether I choose to make necessary changes in my
behavior that may result in my no longer engaging with toxic, dysfunctional individuals. I no longer desire to establish equally toxic, dysfunctional relationships -- intimate and/or platonic.
This has been a painful reckoning and learning experience for me -- albeit, I had the extraordinary opportunity of discovering [and accepting] how I was responsible
for participating in such toxic, dysfunctional craziness.
At the time, self-forgiveness seemed a herculean task -- one I would never accomplish. HOWEVER, when I was at long last able to forgive myself, I experienced the authentic liberation of letting go so I was able to move forward.
I also learned an important lesson about love -- we must first, and foremost, love ourselves BEFORE it is possible to fully let go and love another. I am both awed and grateful to
realize that loving to the moon and beyond (into infinity) is a
simply amazing journey of discovery.
I am
even more liberated by knowing that my capacity for love is not solely
limited to the love I may believe I feel for another -- most especially when I am no longer in that person's embrace. Rather, my love of life itself was and is the divine gift that I experienced at a
time in my life when I could fully understand and accept this gift of
awakening.
And so life is what it is -- simply amazing.
Stephanie Doty
Simply Amazing
January 25, 2014 [revised from January 10, 2014]
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Oh INDEED -- and when we arrive at that
precious moment when we no longer apologize and/or even attempt to
'explain' -- holy moly -- what genuine authenticity does for our spirt
COULD NOT BE ANY MORE LIBERATING . . . . WAHOO!!!!
Stephanie Doty
Simply Amazing
January 25, 2014
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