"Dream as if you have forever.  Live as if you only have today."

Over the last several months leading into 2010, many changes have been happening globally, nationally and personally that all of us can't help but notice.  Any time a new decade begins, it brings with it the chance to re-create what you have known.  Many people I speak to have felt the need to change things in their lives, physically move someplace new, careers have ended, relationships have been broken, ties with people have been severed and overall many seem as if their life is just not a "fit" for who they have become anymore.

We began our year with the tragic event in Haiti, which has brought the world to its knees as of late.  The earthquake in Haiti was extremely significant in many ways.  Before any great order comes chaos.  When any tragic event happens, either globally or personally, there are always two by-products.  First, we are left with a sense of gratitude on many levels.  Gratitude for what we have in our lives that we have taken for granted, gratitude our loved ones are safe and gratitude that the event was not worse than it was.  Secondly, a heart opening occurs personally and globally.  I have found that any Earth shift that occurs, such as an earthquake, serves to bring us together in unity, as one, as it is meant to be.  Our hearts open personally and drive us to want to help in some way, give of ourselves, our time and our unique gifts we have been brought here to offer. 

As a result of our individual hearts opening, it opens the heart of our planet as well.  We are all connected by our choices.  When we make a choice it draws us to the events and people we most need to grow, learn and move forward in our lives.  We can choose to learn and grow from the person or event, or chose not to.  It is always up to us. Our choices affect the lives of those around us.  It cannot be helped.  That is why we belabor over our choices when the time comes to make one.  We know, in our heart of hearts, that each choice matters on a scale that goes beyond just us individually. 

We are entering a time where we are being called to live from our hearts rather than our heads.  Remembering and holding true what we love, not what we regret.  We are in a new time.  A time where we are in the process of creating a new world to live in...a new reality.  What we hold in our hearts dictates what we hold in our minds.  Always remember that people can mess with your head but never your heart.  We have been taught to think, logic and analyze to come to the right choice and then we try to get our hearts to follow.  This way of being is not serving us anymore.  We are now in a time where we must learn to follow our hearts guidance and use our heads as they were meant to be used, as a tool to back up the hearts calling. 

When we compromise what is in our hearts for the path that "makes more sense" or is the path of least resistance, we feel it on a subconscious level.  Making the harder choices of what is best for us rather than what we want leaves us with the fear of the unknown, the uncertain and the impending consequences of that choice.  Unfortunately pain is our motivator and moves us in the direction of our highest good.  When we make a choice that is not our "highest" choice, the one that will lead us in the direction we may need to fulfill our purpose, the pain around that choice increases until we "make a choice" to be on our highest path.  You may have noticed this in your life in the form of certain circumstances that always seem to be a constant such as attracting the same types of people into romantic relationships who hurt you the same way over and over again, money challenges that persist, career stops and starts or even personal habits (substance abuse, smoking, overeating, etc.) which leave unwanted results. Pain is almost like a safeguard, if you will, making sure at the end of this journey called life we end up where we are supposed to be.

In order to make more empowered choices so you can live fully from your heart:

1.      Stay focused and visualize only what you want and truly desire in your life.  What kind of life do you choose to create going forward?  Write it down and re-visit this new life you are creating every day.  Remember, what you think about you bring about.

2.      Be constantly aware of how you are feeling in every moment.  Keep your spirits up.  Emotions are the language of the universe and are the fuel that moves your dreams and choices forward.  Make a list of the things you can do that always make you feel better.  Do something on this list every time you feel down to lift your spirits.

3.      Keep foremost in your mind the things you love about your life and for which you are most grateful.  Take with you the lesson from the events in your life that caused regrets and hurt and leave the experience behind.

4.      Be fully present in the here and now and live your life day to day, moment to moment.  Your best is different every day so be kind to yourself, be aware of your needs and nurture yourself.  When you are the best and healthiest you, you are the best for everyone around you.

5.      Pray you make the highest choices for your highest good every day.  Although at times we feel very alone in this thing called life, we are never, ever alone.  There are unseen forces that move us and surround us that get us through the times we are in dire need.  We all know this in our soul of souls.

Remember...."Love is the most healing of graces."  (Carolyn Myss)

Happy Valentines Day!