A New Path

I started down A New Path the other day...

...it was a clearly marked and the way appeared to be straight and clear!

But then, an Adversary blocked my path and I had to wait for him to pass.

It started to get a little darker...

...and darker...

...but I could still see the light filtering through.

Then my Path began to twist and turn...

...I had to cross over water...

...and under a barrier...

...but my Path eventually led me to the View from the Top!


My Energy spent, it had me ready to find some a place to Rest and Rejuvenate.

And remember what is truly important...

All the Best,

Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill

"An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox." - Lao-Tzu

Garage Sale

We had a garage sale the other weekend - releasing the old to make room for the new.  It is amazing what attachments we form in our lifetimes to 'stuff' and why.  For me, it is books - which I have found represent my attachment to my assimilation of knowledge and experiences.  I realized that I was holding onto these books, many of which I skimmed over while reading several simultaneously, so that I could potentially 'refer' back to them at a later date.

It's been 30+ years for those Tolkien books there in the picture and I promise you that I have never cracked the cover on those since I finished reading them in 6th grade.  The power of the experience of reading those books as a young boy had stayed with me my entire life - I do remember reading them and literally expanding my consciousness with each page.  Such creativity, imagination and magic - truly life changing for me personally.  And so, I held onto them.  And what is the harm in that?

Nothing really... other than the expansion of today, the new joy of assimilation, the experience of NOW, the book I'm reading today.  There will never be another first time reading The Hobbit, but there will be a first time experience of my next life changing book, story, moment or experience.  I want all of my focus and attention to be available for that experience so that I am as present as I possibly can be.

That is why I gave up my books even though I held onto them for many years... to make room for today.  Give it a try, you may never know what will happen next.... :)

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2011 Whitney Merrill All Rights Reserved

Pumpkins and Dogs

October 2011 Coastviews Magazine Cover
Photo by Whitney Merrill

Look Up

Redwood Sky - La Honda, CA

You're heads down, working hard, no stopping to 'smell the roses'.  Busy, busy all the time focused on getting ahead at work, trying to save for the college fund and for retirement.  Go, go, go -  run, run, run.  If you stop, you're a 'goner' and you'll sleep when you're dead right?

Seriously people, this is not sustainable - for you, for you family or for the environment around you.  And I know that you know it so we really don't need to go there now do we?  But, I would like to ask the simple question: what can you do about it for just yourself? (at the very least)

I've been looking at Google Earth pictures of our World recently - it is amazing what it available for us to See now.  You can see images pictures of people walking on a beach in Australia from a satellite shot on your iPad.  However, I realized that it had me looking down a lot - so I decided to Look Up.

I have found that there is a lot to be learned from looking at the sky.  The tops of trees swaying in the breeze, clouds traveling by, birds on the wing, the moon and planets in rotation and the conscious Universe expanding constantly beyond our view (and minds).  But more importantly, it makes you slow down.  There is just no way to Look Up without pausing for at least a few moments (unless you want to fall down)!

I suggest the following exercise for those of you having difficulty with your rate of speed of life - just look up once per day.  Whether it be when you're getting a cup of coffee, taking your lunch break or getting home from one of those busy, busy days at work - just Look Up, breathe and pause for a moment.  It is a nice view where you are right now, isn't it?  :)

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2011 Whitney Merrill All Rights Reserved

"I have seen slower people than I am--and more deliberate...and even quieter, and more listless, and lazier people than I am. But they were dead." - Mark Twain

Every Moment

Imagine what your life would be like if you were present to the fact that Every Moment was precious, sweet and wonderful.  

 

Where you felt like you were truly experiencing the world around you each day as you woke up, looking forward to new experiences and opportunities (including chocolate chip muffins).

Where every time the horses came by your backyard fence that you wanted to feed them carrots and say 'Hi Horsies!!' at the top of your lungs (no holding back at all).

Where you sometimes inspired, cajoled and persistently 'nudged' those around you to play, to laugh or to run along the beach (just because you could).

Where every tide pool was a magical world filled with yet unfound treasures, all waiting for you to notice them and wonder at their beauty (and give them funny names like Cashmools).

Just imagine what that would be like for you...now that you're all grown up.

(an Energetic Picture of you could be inserted right here)

I suggest that you give it a try (again), if just for one moment.  And remember - you are Wonder, you are Joy and you are Love - Right Now.

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2011 Whitney Merrill All Rights Reserved

"At the center of your being you have your answer; you know who you are any you know what you want." - Lao-Tzu

LOA for Today: True Power

The Pantheon - Rome, Italy picture by Whitney Merrill (2011) Most rarely align with their true power, because it seems illogical to them that there is power in relaxation, in letting go, or in love or joy or bliss. Most people do not understand that their true power lies in releasing resistance—which is the only obstacle to their true power. Most people do not expect their path to great abundance to be one of ease and of joy. They have been taught that struggle and hardship and sacrifice are requirements that must be met before the reward of great abundance can be realized. Most do not understand that the very struggle they deliberately involve themselves in, in their quest for success and advantage, actually works against them. There are so many things that you have been taught to believe that are counter to the powerful Laws of the Universe that it is difficult for you to think your way out. And that is the reason that we present this path of much less resistance. We want you to breathe rather than try, to relax rather than offer effort, to smile rather thanstruggle, to be rather than do. For your true power is experienced only from inside the Vortex. - Abraham Excerpted from the Getting into the Vortex Guided Meditation Abraham-Hicks Law of Attraction

Blast Off, Go!

San Francisco Giants Ballpark

The excitement of a 3 year old prior to a new event (in this case his first baseball game) is something of pure magic, wonder and joy.  Albeit slightly exhausting, being around this energy is truly uplifting.  :)

It also had me remember those 'new times' that I had as a child, constantly creating in a state of bliss.  As an adult, I have seen that many people tend to forget that this is our natural state of being.  We have learned or been taught that life is repetitive, boring or 'not fun'.  Well, this can be unlearned too.

Try going to something 'new' with a toddler or just going along with a friend that is passionate and loves what they are doing.  If they want to 'ride on your shoulders' or just ask for you to join in, try saying 'Yes!' instead of 'No.'  And I suggest smiling for the pictures too - you never know how happy you might look. :)

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2011 All Rights Reserved, Whitney Merrill


"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."
 - Lao-Tzu (Tao Teh Ching)