Today is the Solstice--use its power to set the tone for the next phase

Today is one of the most powerful days of the year. It is a good idea to finish up incomplete projects and begin the next phase cleanly. What you are doing today sets the template for six months, so envision something wonderful for yourself. Treat yourself well. Use the energy of the Universe to your very best advantage. Happy Solstice!

Compromising your integrity drains your energy

Integrity is one of your most precious possessions. Every time you do something that is not worthy of you--not repaying a debt, for example--a bit of your energy is caught up in that little lapse of integrity, and held there until restitution is made.

As you go through life it can go one of two ways--you pile up these little lapses, losing more and more of yourself. It can become easier and easier to let things slide. That's one way. You can be successful doing it this way, but it may feel hollow.


The second way is to realize, sooner or later, that the most important work you can do is to evolve out of the old pattern of moral short-cuts into a fuller and freer expression of yourself. That requires getting your personal integrity into the best possible shape. The lapses are not forgotten, as you know. They are there, waiting to be rectified. So, you find the person who loaned you some money ten years ago, and you pay them back. You find the person you cheated and find out how to set that right. You attend to your behavior every day, and fix up little lapses as you go along.


Your integrity will start to repair. You reclaim more of yourself. The possibilities for your life will become larger and more fitting to the person you are. You will find that success is defined differently, responded to differently, and is more satisfying.

Depression can be a stagnation of energy

With mild depression talking and exercise are often advocated, with good reason. They allow the energy that has stagnated throughout the system to begin to move. Talking gets whatever is stuck moving out. Exercise just gets it moving. From the cellular level on out every iota of our being is in motion. A down mood and dark thoughts put a damper on that movement, and the whole structure slows down.

It seems hard to move a muscle, maybe, and goes against everything you may feel, but there's wisdom in it. Talk to someone, keep a journal (that gets the stuck stuff out of your head and onto paper), take a little walk--and do it again tomorrow.

Being conscious is a moment-by-moment activity

Zen Buddhists work to achieve enlightenment--for some, apparently, it arrives in a flash. Tibetan Buddhists view it more as taking the elevator, with stops on every floor. Personally, I experience it more as an endless staircase, and I'm on step one!




Being conscious means being in the present in the moment. We are generally pulled by regrets of the past or anticipation of the future. To the extent that we are in the past or the future we are not here, in the moment. The only one there is.




When totally present, in that rare conscious state, everything is vibrant, brilliant, thrumming with life. It always is--we just don't often rise to the occasion to be in it.



It's the work of a lifetime. And in a way there's nothing else to do.

Suggestions on how to increase consciousness

Every moment is an opportunity to be more conscious. It's no big secret thing, you don't have to be a monk. Even monks struggle to achieve constant awareness. We're just human.

Be aware of your body. Take a deep breath and see where you feel that. Then just observe your breath. Just let it be and see how fast or slow, how it naturally changes. As thoughts arise, notice them and let them go. Return to your breath.

It's the nature of the mind to produce thoughts. Don't berate yourself for having them, just quietly acknowledge (oh, I'm thinking that) and let it go. It may take a while for the thoughts to slow, or maybe they just won't. But if you can take little breaks and turn your mind toward your Self, maybe you'll be a bit more present for the next thing you do.

If you exercise, eliminate distractions, like TV, music, conversation. Slow your movements down. Pay attention to your every move. Feel the muscles tighten and release. Feel all your structure cooperating in the movements. Make each move purposeful, smooth, graceful.

Feel the difference.

Create good energy for yourself and others

What you think affects how you appear to others--if you have negative thoughts you are more closed to receiving input. People find you less approachable, less interesting, and they may avoid or ignore you.

Before you go out, try adjusting your attitude. Pretend that you are in love with every person you meet. Notice the difference in their response. They may spend a few more minutes with you, may ask your opinion more. If you like them, they will like you!

How a good beginning makes for a good result

If you wonder why a relationship or a project isn't working out, reflect on how it began. The seeds of trouble are sown in the very beginning. A flaw may look insignificant but if overlooked it can be enough to sabotage the result. Take a lot of time in the beginning to insure a happy ending.
With a relationship, when you're too drunk with love to see straight, consult friends who see clearly--they're seeing what you will see when the glow wears off.
Some ways to get off to a good start are to visualize how you'd like it to be, make a collage or painting that pictures your great result, make a business plan, talk to a variety of friends with different points of view and find out how they have done it (or should have done it). And, think big!
Mistakes are how we learn. Every situation contains life lessons. Get adept at using your learning opportunities well. Professional help may be a good investment. It may be expensive, but nothing compared to a bad marriage or a failed business!