Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Moments


There are up moments and down moments.

They are not there to be rated, just observed.

How I experience each moment can be both as participant and as observer.

When I glimpse a photo of an event, I am moved by the experience of that event.

I am also moved by the intensity of it and by what came before and what came, or will come, afterward.

It is not a judgement thing.

It is just a moment.

I return to where I am now and the moments I am creating at this point in my life.

I am creating new moments for myself out of what came before.

 I am directing myself toward the moments that will come after.

But right now, in this moment, I have all, and I am all, that I need to be.


© 2013 Kathryn Hardage

Saturday, October 26, 2013

The Power of Self-Forgiveness


Have you done everything right?

I certainly have not.

I didn’t realize how certain events of the past were eating at my soul.

Even though I could see how they happened and I felt powerless at the time to do anything else, I still blamed myself.

Once I discovered how large a toll was being extracted from me emotionally and physically every time I thought about it, I realized I had to do something different.

I reasoned that since I was the one reacting, I had the power to change my approach.

First I started with loving myself.

That was a good place to begin.

Then, I explored the idea of self-forgiveness.

Even though things have worked out for the best, I still felt badly.

I decided to feel good about how things have worked out.

I decided I could feel satisfied and happy for others involved.

Perhaps that event had been a catalyst for the ways things are now.

Even with an uncomfortable rift, there are still many good things happening.

I decided my expectations were unfair and unrealistic, because it demanded that someone else fulfill them.

I decided to work with the action I could take and see what new directions I could devise for myself.

This feels like a much better approach.


© 2013 Kathryn Hardage

Relationship to Body


What you want to see as your body is possible.

By looking outward and finding ways you can serve, you begin to embody a better way of life.

Comparing yourself to others is only possible if you are looking at others first.

Our harsh culture of comparisons and evaluations based on superficial evaluations is harmful and unproductive.

By looking inward and finding more ways you can uplift, your concept of body will naturally follow.

As you seek fuller expression in serving others, you will improve your own concept of life.

You will improve in the ways you treat yourself and the body that carries you around.

You will be led to good practices within and without.

You will become willing to take care of yourself in ways that are most appropriate for you.

The only defects are actually defects of character.

As you endeavor to rise above your old practices, you will be led into new, positive ones.

Your body will stop expressing so much tension and stress.

When you start methodically appreciating one aspect of your body and truly love its service to you, you will add to your happiness.

As you let your appreciation of one aspect lead to appreciation of another aspect, you will lessen the tension and stress against that part of your body, too, and it will improve.

You legs carry you around.

Your joints allow you to sit and stand and to adjust your position.

You eyes allow you to see.

Build yourself a body of appreciation.

Relate to what you appreciate about yourself.

You will reshape your entire life, including your body.

© 2013 Kathryn Hardage

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Luxurious Love


I know the comfort of a luxurious love for myself.

I have found it in adversity.

There is more than I ever imagined.

It is deep and it stretches in all directions, as far as I can imagine and beyond.

All this love for me, pouring out from every point in the Universe.

Billowing forth everywhere I walk.

I am greeted by luxurious love.

Deep appreciation and recognition.

Love, acceptance, and invitations

To speak, to comfort, to continually inspire.


© 2013 Kathryn Hardage

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Self Care


Taking care of yourself is an important priority.

The most important one.

Everything flows from your self-care.

Your inspiration.

Your ability to feel refreshed.

Your ability to take care of others.

Your ability to concentrate on your duties and the tasks at hand.

Taking care of yourself means organizing your day in a way that your needs are taken care of right away.

Once you know that you will take care of your needs, then you will be in a better place to take care of other’s needs.

It’s really that simple.

However, our culture does not teach that.

When you sacrifice yourself for someone else, you are not providing for yourself and no one else can take care of your needs.

When you take care of your needs yourself, you are always full, and then you have more to give others.

Self-sacrifice means sacrificing what you don’t need in order to be better able to serve.

It does not mean giving up what is vital to your survival and fulfillment.

Be sure you are looking at the priorities toward your fulfillment.

Then you will be able to take care of everyone else more appropriately, too.


© 2013 Kathryn Hardage

Simple Stories


Attending a funeral for a family member, I was struck by the simplicity and sincerity of family and friends.

A graveside setting showed only a few memories, a photo of the young couple, a photo of the older man, and his ball cap certifying WW II military service.

I have attended family reunions with many of these same people before and felt the same thing.

Although the several branches of this family have many different beliefs and practices, there is still warmth and support for all of them.

The stories that were shared were simple ones.

Friends, neighbors and other people who were touched by his quiet presence expressed their appreciation.

An informal lunch followed at his local hang-out.

Conversation allowed all of us to come together to get to know people we hadn’t met before and to share more stories.

There will be continuing get-togethers for this family who continues, more warmth, more support, continued sincerity.

More simple stories.


© 2013 Kathryn Hardage

Monday, October 7, 2013

Emotions From the Past


The emotions of the past rise up, triggered by a memory or an association.

Even though the memory is from the past, a renewed association may trigger it.

However, I am no longer at the mercy of past associations.

I have new, pleasant and enjoyable experiences with support from friends, colleagues and current associates.

Even though the triggered emotions are just as vivid as when they were a fresh experience, I am able to calm myself by remembering the steps I have taken to establish productive and positive relationships in new settings.

I am able to dissociate myself from the trigger and just look at its results.

I have successfully walked away from the abuse of past associations.

i can walk away from the memory of them, as well.


© 2013 Kathryn Hardage

Breathe and Listen


When you are all lone in carrying out a heavy load because of circumstances, you can get help and change what is happening to you right away.

There is always an answer, always a solution.  It is the same as having the next breath to take in.  You have to let out the old one, because it can’t do you anymore good, in order to have room for the next one.

Breathe in the next breath with the thought that there is a solution.  And then pause, while you continue breathing, of course, and listen for an idea.

Practice doing this until you hear the idea.

Thank the Universe for the idea and listen for the next idea.  Breathe and listen until you feel directed to take action.  Or maybe breathe and listen and be amazed at the connections that begin to happen.

You will have to get in the habit of this new practice in order to see your circumstances change.  The more devoted you become to listening, the more readily you can see your circumstances begin to change.

Keep thanking the Universe for the ideas even before you are aware of receiving them, and following up on the ideas that come to you.  This will create a flow.  It is a different kind of exchange.  Breathe and listen.

© 2013 Kathryn Hardage
www.InspiredPractices.com

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Inner Guidance


When you make your demand, you are saying, “This is a possibility in the Universe”.  And the Universe is then able to bring it to pass, because you have created an opening for good with your desire for good.

Don’t look to a political system to help you advance.  Many spiritual practices were started during adverse political situations. The spiritual guidance perceived by ordinary people led them to take steps which became, over time, which became, in some cases, major religious movements.

We can each follow our own Inner Guidance.  Whether or not it attracts others is irrelevant.  It will guide and protect us, as individuals, and cause us to prosper.

Inner Guidance draw to us what we need and draws us to serve others needs.  That’s the only system we need, our Inner Guidance system.

We can all learn to follow our Inner Guidance.  We will all connect individually with other individuals, who are also experience their Inner Guidance.


© 2013 Kathryn Hardage
www.InspiredPractices.com