Let's Look at the Positive

My last post was about being yourself and it was in response to other people using our material.

I am currently reading Habitually Great: Mastering the Law of Right Action; a book about awareness of our beliefs and how they create habitual actions, written by a good friend of mine, Mark Weinstein. I already knew that thoughts lead to feelings lead to actions lead to results.

T -> F -> A = RESULTS

But I was missing the link, for me, between the thoughts/feelings and actions. I've been more aware of my actions lately as I haven't been quite so content with the results I'm looking at in my life right now and I realized that some of my actions weren't serving me, but I didn't know where it stemmed from. I recognized some beliefs I had that were initiating these self-sabataging actions such as eating crappy foods, not exercising, eating 1/2 of the batch of homemade peanut butter chocolate chip cookies over the course of a few days...ugh. The thoughts and feelings about doing those things were serving me, but my actions were so habitual it didn't matter!

So with the knowledge of people using our material I looked at all the negative implications for us and for that person. Today, after reading a chapter in that book I had a shift. We should be flattered that people like our stuff so much they want to use it themselves! So thank you for showing your love by using our material!

See the opportunity!

"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken."

This is a quote by Oscar Wilde. It is only fair to give him credit for he was the one who came up with it.

I've recently been confronted with some people who have more or less been copying what Katie and I have spent seven months building and pouring our heart into. It's quite unnerving. At the same time it's a great reminder to me that we all start somewhere and need to start with something. I'm also reminded about how I have given thanks, how appropriate on the weekend of Canadian Thanksgiving, to those who helped me or whose material I used. It's kind of like the difference between plagarism and paraphrasing, just in the spectrum of life rather than literary work.

"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken."

It's such a powerful quote for me because it really brings home the fact that I can only be who I am. Even in times of chaos when I've been grasping to find something I can take hold of and run with; I remembered this. When I was confused about who I was, where I belonged and what I had to give; I remembered this.

My Dad passed along some words to me when I was in University. My Grandma used to tell him, "You can be anything you want to be." I expanded it to, "You can be whoever you want to be and do whatever you want to do."

And so I began to ask myself who I really wanted to be! It took years before that answer revealed itself to me...5 to be exact and in that period of 5 years I tried on many hats and none seemed to fit. Well there were a few hats that fit for a little while. I tried on my last hat just over a year ago when I started blogging. That hat fit like a glove...or a hat... :) However, I didn't realize that at the time. I sort of had to grow into it if you will. Blogging allowed me to be myself. It was original, unique and me because I was writing! I was oblivious to what a blog even was when I first started mine.

One thing I was very clear about when I started my blog, was that if I used anyone elses material I would give them props. It's out of integrity to use someone else's material or ideas and pass it off as my own. Maybe it was the fear of being caught plagarising growing up, or maybe it's one of my core values...acknowlege people for their work if I'm using it to add to my own. I'm getting off track here.

I guess the point I'm trying to get across is very simply seen in my eyes. "Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." Or for me today as I'm struggling with the thought of others trying to be me or my sister...Be yourself, I'm already taken, we're already taken... My lesson in all of this is to just sit with it and trust that my uniqueness cannot be duplicated as it is uniquely mine energetically, physically, mentally, spiritually. Knowing that is more confirmation than I need!

Calm Amidst the Chaos

Since my last post, which seems like an eternity ago, a lot has occurred. Katie and I both helped out at 2 Warrior camps and 1 more Wizard camp. Between Squamish and Sanger, CA, working 4 camps and attending one (which by the way is absolutely indescribable) I'm vibrating at a slightly higher level right now. And by slightly I mean much higher vibration!

As the camp season came to a close and the 'seminar' season began, World's Greatest Marketing Seminar was a pretty intense re-immersion into the real world. Lots of different energies mixing together in an attempt to become one for a matter of 5 days. It was a tough adjustment, but it must have been needed for our return to Ontario.

The Eastern half of the continent embodies a much less enlightened energy than the West...in my opinion. And by less enlightened I mean that the energy in the East is more heavy, dense and more difficult to use to your advantage. There is a certain feeling of 'being stuck' and not being certain of the future that comes with the east. Maybe this is my experience in particular, maybe it's the geographic location of my hometown and maybe it's a mirror of my life. Either of the options put me in a bit of a chaotic frame of mind.

The four corners of the earth, North, East, South and West- wisdom, enlightenment, foundation, life and death...I have been living in the West allowing old parts of me that are no longer serving me to die away to make room for new creations, new ways of thinking and new ways of living. While doing that I was creating a solid foundation for which to live my life. And I guess it's only logical that I head to the east to welcome the enlightenment. Welcoming enlightenment means welcoming all the lessons and opportunities of growth it presents to you.

Maybe coming home to Ontario and being in this energy is the opportunity I've been given to grow. An opportunity to really understand what it means to unconditionally open my heart, accept what is and utilize it for a greater purpose. What is that greater purpose?

I just finished reading a book called 'The Dream Giver' by Bruce Wilkinson. I'm not sure which part of the story I'm at in my life....I know I've been in Sanctuary for a little while, but I'm somewhat feeling like I'm approaching the Giants...the obstacles that seem to get in my way repeatedly. I'm being asked to commit...but to what? I know I've got a dream...I've got many and maybe THAT'S what I need to do...clarify which dream it is that I'm pursuing right now.

How many samples do I need to experience before I find out which one it is I want to buy in to? The chaos that comes with making those decisions only reminds me that it's a period of creation, that there is something brewing for me that is greater than I have ever imagined. Will I remain the eye of the storm and weather the raging currents of anger and fear that keep overwhelming my ego self or will I remain in my Wizard, calm, the eye of the storm, resting in faith that it will turn out absolutely perfect and my call to action is literally around the corner?

As I wrote that I wondered, what is my call to action...what if it's this or that? Already getting caught up in the storm...remain present, remain calm and trusting...allow it to occur and it will pass.

This moment is the only moment that is real...

Wizards and Magic Revived

Almost a year ago today I attended Wizard Training Camp in Ellenville, NY as a participant. My first camp of Peak Potentials and without any prior Enlightened Warrior experience (as most others had). Wizard camp changed my entire being. I became 'Whispering Willow' and realized many truths about myself that would have remained undiscovered; I physically felt different after having attended that camp.

Some believe and others don't, in the spiritual nature of our existence. I do for I have experienced it on many levels. Wizard camp being one of the places I was blessed to have an experience...or many I should say. Over the past year I have grown into something more than what I ever thought I could be. I'm still me, but my thoughts and my actions are greater than I would have ever taken if I didn't have the knowledge I do now.

As I helped set up Wizard camp as a volunteer, last week in Squamish, BC, I had a strangely familiar feeling of 'wow, this is unreal' wash over me. I looked at my good friend Jessica and said, "Two years ago I would never have thought I'd be in Squamish, BC let alone setting up for something called Wizard camp." This has been a common occurrance for me lately as I continue to grow and experience amazing people, places and things beyond my comprehension. The connectedness we all share on this planet is undeniably present and by no accident am I where I am today. I can say I am exactly where I am supposed to be and I am soooooo in my element when I am helping and serving others at these programs and more specifically camps!!!

The synchronicity of it all was unbelievable...so much so it's eerie! I got to tag along with two groups that had some of my dearest friends from Warrior in them, they did the exact same rotation I did when I was at my camp, I got to go through a process with one of my Warrior mates because their group was short a person. It all just fell into place. I was there because of them and they were there because of me. Just as I am here writing for all of you and you are here reading and doing your thing for me.

Maybe you're reading this because you too, have an understanding of something greater, but are not sure how to access it or utilize it. Or maybe you do not believe and my writing is here to challenge your beliefs or lack of beliefs. I don't know what my purpose is in your life until you realize it and understand how my piece of the puzzle fits with yours. Not everything is mean to be understood in this moment, that's why we have a lifetime to experience it.

I set the intention last summer that I was going to volunteer at a Wizard and Warrior camp not knowing where or how it was going to happen and voila, it shows up in even more amazing ways than I can ever imagine. Returning to Wizard camp I realized that I was no longer 'Whispering Willow'. I had outgrown my old Wizard name and into a far more fitting Wizard, 'Whisper in the Breeze'. It's a very fulfilling feeling knowing that things serve you for a period of time, but at any time those things no longer fit, something new is there to replace it; a more fitting version of the old or something entirely different.

My biggest learn from Wizard camp this time around is to stay present and open so that I can be the best me possible for those I am here to serve.

Wow, that's solid...did I just write that?

That is what I am talking about! The deeper understanding of purpose and connection to spirit and each other. My inner Wizard is nodding in agreement and at the same time telling me, "There is much more for us all to learn, you've only just begun the journey. Stay open and present and watch what you are capable of."

And with that... So Be It.

It's a Simple Life

It's been a long while since I last posted on my blog. Being on the road has certainly deterred my mind from this blog and has focused it on Lost On Purpose. It's been so much fun travelling and blogging. I never knew how creative blogging could be. I mean with videos and collages and planning adventures...the fun never stops.

Having said that, it is a different way of living. A simple way of living. One backpack, a cooler, tent and sleeping bags...and a laptop. Coming back to Vancouver was a pretty big wake up call. I over packed big time! But we had no idea what we'd be doing and how long we'd be away; and we still have no idea!

It's taught me a lot, travelling in a car, about what one really needs in this lifetime. TVs are nice, but a total distraction and sometimes a type of substance abuse. The internet is great, but too much time on it robs you of precious time to do other activities that can connect you to yourself, others or nature. A car...it is such a blessing! I am eternally greatful to have a set of wheels that is reliable and big enough to sleep in :) , but proper maintenance is a MUST! I've learned more about cars on this trip that I ever did driving my own.

Clothing can be worn and reworn and reworn...lol...maybe air it out every now and again. You really don't need much and often over pack wearing some things over and over again anyway because, "Why dirty something when you've already got stuff that's sorta dirty?" Shoes! Oh boy...flip flops and runners...on a roadtrip, there is no need for anything else! Who the hell are you going to impress in heels at a campsite?! Guys, I know you like heels, but give us travellers a bit of a break, you're lucky if I put on a pair of jeans and some make-up!

Basically, all that 'stuff' I've accumulated to decorate my non-existent future home is just that...'stuff'. It keeps me from living in the present. When you don't have all those distractions and all those material things, all you have is you and whatever is around you in that moment. And that's all you ever need..it's bliss.