Monday, August 31, 2015

#BackToWork

With all due respect and appreciation for times of reflection, relaxation and introspective examination, last week was all about getting back to work.

There were workouts, video production, travel, song writing, studio recording, a very interesting photo shoot with a dragonfly, strategic marketing development sessions, contract execution, more travel, vocal practice, song learning, and a gig. It was a pretty full week.

My view in the studio...

With Russ and Joey


With Russ and Robbie



Yes. I can get hair done, have a production meeting,
 and color at the same time... LOL

With Vincent and Russell at NYGMS

L to R: Harvey, Bobby, Me, Jim, Doug, Bill, Chandlar, Paul

I feel good about everything happening, and there's a lot happening!

This week, as I plow through the ever-mounting pile of tasks, I'll keep a steady pace and remember to enjoy the process as I go. I know that if I keep balanced and make sure there's room for laughs and quiet thought (or pictures of dragonflies), I'll get an amazing number of things done AND feel rested and strong as well.  :)

Here's wishing us all a successfully balanced back to work/school week!

"Namaste" - said the dragonfly...

Namaste,
T
"Namaste" - said the chick singer...

Monday, August 24, 2015

Loving Spoonful...

Sign me up for Hogwarts! I have taken a workshop in "Spoon Bending" and have successfully bent spoons.


It was an exercise in mind over matter. The greater purpose was to help us realize the artificial limitations we place on ourselves and provide practice in breaking these barriers. (If I can do this to forks and spoons with my bare hands, imagine what I can do to heal my body and soul!)

If you look up "spoon bending" and the related "psychokinesis" you'll find much criticism, skepticism, and evidence of trickery from illusionists.

"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. 
For those who don't believe, no proof is possible."
- Stuart Chase

I don't know how we did it exactly, but almost all of us in Ron Nagy's class did in fact bend our spoons. We used our minds and gentle pressure from our hands. We had been instructed to bring our own stainless steel or silver plated spoons. I brought some new and used stainless, and additional silver plated ones were provided to me after I had already bent my own.

With Ron Nagy

Spoon Bending Work Playshop

Here's the thing... It doesn't matter to me if there is or is not scientific proof or explanation. If the outcome of the exercise is our enhanced confidence in our own abilities to Heal and Empower ourselves, then it is real. If we use that confidence to positively improve our health and well-being, then we have been effectively guided toward love. Therein lies a miracle, a change in perception for the express purpose of our highest good.

"Whether you think you can, 
or you think you can't - you're right."
- Henry Ford

"Man is what he believes."
- Anton Chekhov

There were more workshops in Spirituality and Healing as I immersed myself in studies on those subjects over the weekend at Lily Dale, the "World's Largest Center for the Science Philosophy and Religion of Spiritualism." Click here for Lily Dale's Home Page. I AM always grateful for the healthy dose of peace and serenity I experience there. This quote from A Course in Miracles was mentioned by medium John White, who also reminded us that there is only love and fear - and only love is real.

"Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists."
- A Course in Miracles

Our personal journeys toward our greatest potential are filled with the most amazing moments! Self empowerment and the awareness of pure love can feel absolutely magical. It feels like we're at the place where illusion ends and the real magic begins... Thank you - to all who bring loving spoonfuls and help us on our way.

Namaste!
T

Monday, August 17, 2015

Like Magic...

I was tired. I didn't know how I was going to muster up the strength to get through the whole, four-hour-long, high-energy gig without anyone noticing my exhaustion.

A friend had sent me a selfie as I was leaving the house. I tried to send one back, but none of them were coming out well. I thought, "Geez, I look terrible." I was wearing my fatigue outwardly.

But then something amazing happened. After the long drive through the beautiful Hudson Valley and a very pleasant encounter with the nicest valet guy ever, I began to feel a little better. Upon greeting the other singer and some of the musicians, we started kidding around and laughing. By the start of the gig, I felt a LOT better. The crowd turned out to be the sweetest group of lively, friendly people, the staff was smiling and happy, my bandmates were the greatest bunch of guys (besides being awesome musicians), and I was absolutely thrilled to be a part of the whole event family. I had a fabulous time! No one would've guessed that I had started off the day so sluggish - including me! LOL.

"We cannot live only for ourselves. 
A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow man."
- Herman Melville

L to R: John, Chris, Me, Paul, Harvey, Doug

Being a part of that fellowship was truly energizing - such an uplifting experience. I drove home with a profound sense of happiness and an energetic spirit, grateful to have been surrounded by such wonderful, positive energy. Also, I was reminded that we are exactly as we believe we are. Somewhere along the way, I had stopped thinking that I was tired and started thinking that I was going to have a lot of fun.

"Every thought we think is creating our future."
- Louise Hay

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. 
The mind is everything. What we thnk, we become."
- Buddha

"The words, 'I am...' are potent words; be careful what you hitch them to. 
The thing you're claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you."
- A.L. Kitselman

I'll listen carefully to my thoughts this week. If I start telling myself "I am tired" or anything I wish not to be, I'll replace it with something more like, "I am going to have a great day!" It's just a thought, after all. It can be changed - like magic.


Namaste,
T

Monday, August 10, 2015

Oh, It's Nothing...

Louise Hay's calendar for Aug. 9, 2015

I'm taking a cue from Louise Hay and Bentley today...

Bentley practices Qigong
:) Have a Blessed week!

Namaste,
T

Monday, August 3, 2015

Adventures with Trees and Buddha

Last week began with a tree climbing adventure with Russ. It ended with a story about Buddha. Somehow, it all ties together in a way that makes perfect sense.


On Monday, we ventured into the trees on aerial obstacle courses. Our successful journey involved balance, strength, and conquering fear.



At the end of the week, I was asked to embark on another adventure of sorts. I was specifically asked to enter a potentially challenging situation and to meet any negativity with grace and love. It felt as if I was being tested, both mentally and spiritually, to see if I was able to take the "high road."


That journey also required balance, inner strength, and the complete abolition of fear. I became determined to simply stay on a course of positive energy, remaining focused and impervious to any outside influence. Mission accomplished.




The next day a friend of mine shared a story he knew about Buddha. I've since found several variations online. It goes something like this:

Buddha, having gained many followers at the time, encountered one specific traveler who seemed to be determined to make him angry. The man shouted offensive remarks, insulting Buddha and dishonoring him in front of his followers. Buddha remained calm and unruffled. He returned only kindness and love to the traveler. This continued for several days until finally the rude man asked Buddha why, after days of ridicule and verbal abuse was he still nothing but kind to him.

Buddha replied with a question: If someone gives you a gift and you do not accept it, to whom does it belong?


The point is that if someone is mean to you, or gives you the "gift" of rudeness, you do not have to accept it. Then the gift still belongs to the giver. We do not have to upset ourselves or stress out when others give us unwelcome gifts. We can simply choose not to accept them. No one has the power to anger or upset us unless we allow them to. That choice remains ours and we are empowered by it.

What gifts are we accepting from others? What gifts are we giving others?



I am reminded that there are all kinds of adventures and challenges in this life. Just as there are those of a physical nature, there are those of a mental and spiritual nature as well. We can embark on each of them with a sense of balance, strength and Love. If we choose to strive for balance, strength and Love in the face of all challenges, we'll be doing pretty good.

Namaste,
T
xoxo

P.S.
It occurs to me that sometimes the most loving thing to do, is love ourselves enough to remove ourselves from harmful situations. Blessed journey...