On Meditation

Inspiration: To continue to "breathe" through the noise with ease.:-)

Each morning, I start my day by sitting, noticing, breathing (I guess meditating). Yesterday I awoke later than my usual time of around 6am. The light was already passing through my window and the street noise was beginning. Either way, I was committing myself to my seat.

Perched up on about three yummy, velvety pillows to support my lower back, I began to breathe. I began to let the thoughts and prayers move in my minds eye. Then it was time to invite in everything. To hold a space for all of it. As I began to deepen into a more peaceful state, I heard the cleaning lady from upstairs (I reside in a brownstone) make her way down. She began to have a conversation with my landlord who had just walked in from his morning dog walk. I say " breathe Denise breathe." Then, about five minutes later it happens...What always happens at 9:30am on Mondays. The vacuum cleaner in the hallway.

I was ready to scream!!! Instead, I turned inward to remind myself that this is part of the practice. To let go of distractions. What a perfect way to practice, right?  So I breathe more deeply, surrender more fully. But the vacuum cleaner is now outside my door, which is right near where I sit. My blood was starting to boil. Again, "breathe Denise breathe."

This is how much of life is. Noise and distraction. But there is the gift: Can we remain peaceful in the midst of the chaos? Can we stay true to this present moment? This is what meditation is for. To create that space, that pause for everything to be as it is. For guidance and answers to flow our way (that is the wish anyway, and often it does). But on this particular Monday morning, my sitting was less than divine. A gentle reminder for me to embrace perfection in the imperfection. So perfect.:-)

So the next time you sit, sit with an open heart, an open mind and just breathe in the fullness of who you are.
Think about it and have a blessed day !!!

With Love, Denise

A "DIVINE" Conversation

Inspiration: To continue to know and believe, thought know no distance...:-)

For some years now, I have been thinking about my ex sister-in-law from California. We were both married to identical twins and spent many Friday evenings together at our local Laguna Beach hangout. At the time, we weren't very close. This was because of me, my unhappiness in my situation.

During the last few months of my living in California, we became closer and I really enjoyed spending time getting to know her better. Mainly because I was finally at peace after having made the decision to leave and start over again in NYC. At 36 years young, I felt that I had to be true to myself and not stay where my "SOUL" was not happy. The year was 2003.

We had spoken only once since then, after I received a lovely card and picture in the mail. This was in 2004. She will never know how helpful and "heart-shocking" that conversation was to me. It helped me change the course of my actions in the final dissolution of my "starter" marriage (meaning warm-up for the right ONE). I was so very grateful !!!

So here it is 2012. I have been thinking about her a lot recently. Wondering if it would be "cool" to connect with her at some point since I last knew she was also looking to get divorced from the other twin. I just kept on hoping she was well and happy.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned her to a friend and said something to the effect of " I really liked my ex-sister in law. I wasn't nice very kind to her a majority of the time (could you believe) but we bonded as my stay in California was coming to a close." A week later after coming out of yoga class, I see an email message from HER !!! I was like WOWWWWW! Thought knows know distance...

We have since spoken and I so look forward to continuing the dialogue and seeing her again in the future:-)...The "BIG" message is that you should never underestimate the creative power of your thoughts; coupled with pure intention and complete surrender for the highest good of all concerned.

Think about it for a moment, and have a blessed day.

With Love, D

Is It " The Best EXOTIC Marigold Hotel?"

Inspiration: To continue to be in awe of the "magic" of exotic lands. :-)

This past weekend, I took myself on a date to see the limited release. "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."  The main star of  the film is the fabulous Dame Judy Dench. She is one of seven retired, elderly who venture to the land of India for change and inspiration.

Upon arriving, the guests are greeted by the uplifting, hotel owner Sonny (played so well my Devi Patel of Slumdog Millionaire fame). The hotel is a bit run-down and in need of work, to say the least. It is not quite what the retirees had expected.

Without giving too much away, Sonny tells one of the guests when she wants to go to another hotel:

" In India we have a saying, everything will be alright in the end. So if it is not alright, it is not yet the end." 

As the movie progresses, it's characters begin to see the beauty that is all around in the ordinary and mundane. How life pulsates with color and experience... So it is with us. We desire and ask for change. When this occurs, we may experience feelings that run counter to our expectations. But as long as you can stay true to you, your path, the more you will begin to enjoy "the dance of life".

So if you get a chance, check out this inspiring flick. It makes you believe in MAGIC again!!!


Think about that....and have a "wonderful" day.

With Love, Denise

The Infamous Ryan O'Neal of "Love Story" Fame

Inspiration: To continue to honor and bless every person and situation with compassion.:-)

Celebrities. At one time of another, many tend to write a book about their life. Ryan O'Neal can now be added to that list. He is the father of infamous child actress Tatum O'Neal and life partner of divine "angel" Farah Fawcett (who has passed over).

This past Monday evening, he was giving a talk and book signing for his new book "Both of Us". An account of his life with the beautiful Farah. So at nearly 7pm, I make my way into Barnes and Noble at 82nd and Broadway in NYC. I thought it would be nice to get a signed autographed copy of this book for my mom . I was thinking (assuming he was) of asking him to write "for Beverly." So I quickly purchase the book and rush upstairs; since it had already started.

To my complete surprise, I hear no speaker and cameras flashing. Then I am told he wasn't speaking and only signing. I was quite agitated, because for almost $30 bucks, I was expecting a brief (at least) reading. I then see line forming and I proceed to go over.  I chat briefly with a couple of fellows waiting as well. Here are the brief dialogues.

Denise: " I thought he was going to speak?"
Guy 1 :" You know celebrities; they are too good for that."
Denise: "OK, I am a bit disappointed but am not going to judge."

Guy 2 : " He has stage two prostrate cancer and even cancelled his talk this am on the Today Show."
Denise:  " Oh, so sorry to hear that."

While waiting online with guy 2, he told me he attended high school with Farah. He was a warm, inviting, happy man that exuded a sense of real compassion and patience. A sense of peace radiated in every fiber of his being...

So now, it's my turn...He signs the book, Ryan O'Neal. What happened to "Your name?" Anyways, he looked much, much older and weathered. His "soul", spirit, felt drained to me. I had compassion for him. After he signed, I shook his hand and uttered these words; " May peace be with you." I then left the bookstore and made my way back home.

The gift I leave you with is that you never really know the story. Many of us tend to be quick to judge. At the core, we are all doing the best we can in each moment...May our hearts grow as we continue to honor the deep self with love and compassionate action.

Have a "wonderful" day.

With Love, Denise

Monthly Wellness News-Healing Addiction

April Wellness

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs004/1102626332239/archive/1109789543709.html

Greetings:

Each month,  I create an inspirational and healing message. If you are interested in receiving these, please email me and I will add you to the subscription. Wishing you all a blessed journey into wholeness.

With Love, Denise

Who Would I Be Without the Story?

Inspiration: Just let go of the old stories we tell ourselves


Everyone has a story...This happened, that happened. I can, I can't ...blah, blah, blah. S--T happens. We have all been dealt some pretty crappy cards. Then again, we have also been blessed. :-)

There are stories we tell ourselves about our past, stories we project onto our future. These stories (mostly subconscious) create the flow and trajectory of our daily life. As an example, If you were deeply wounded in a past relationship, your heart carries an appendage. This keeps you safe, and guarded, from not letting anyone ever hurt you again. This also cuts you off from feeling the fullness of your heart.

 

You may believe,deeply, that you desire union with another. However, there is a underlying core belief that "I never want to hurt again". If you can just allow yourself to FEEL the longing, the loss, your heart will burst OPEN and heal. Once this occurs, you are ready to open yourself completely. When you truly love yourself, with your beauty and flaws and acceptance that this has happened, (hugging your heart), you then create the energetic space for that which you desire.

This can apply to anything. Any situation at all. Let's all let go of our stories and create some new AMAZING ones. As Steven Tyler of Aerosmith fame sings in the song  Amazing; " with the blink of an eye you finally see the light, when the moment arrives, you know you'll be alright" ! Let the divine spark shine from within. Let go of that which no longer serves and invite in new and exciting experiences.

Think about it, and have a wonderful day.


With Love, Denise

Sometimes "the SOUL" just knows

Inspiration: To continue to honor others paths.

A good friend of mine whom I had lost contact with came up in conversation today with a client. Actually we both met one another over a decade ago via this person. We had both received an email around Purim ( a Jewish holiday) saying a donation was made on our behalf. I thought this may have been crap mail, but since my client received the same one, I believed it was authentic.

We spoke highly about our friendship with this individual and how it would be nice to reconnect. Then I casually mentioned, ":It's interesting that this friend converted to Judiasm via a previous marriage and actually turned out to really be JEWISH!!!For years, she tried her best to turn me on to this religion, and I explored for a bit, but ultimately said, not interested.

Anyway, this friend of ours was adopted at birth. A few years ago she found her birth mother. To both our surprise, her real mother was Jewish. She always expressed such a deep connection to Judiasm beyond what I had ever seen. She was, is, so dedicated to it's teachings and esoterics in a "beautiful' way. In my naivety, I couldn't understand this (young and egocentric) but now that I am learning on so many levels, I truly understand.

The SOUL, the deepest essence of our being truly knows. If we could all just tap into our core essence and truly listen, answers to our yearnings and dreams would make perfect sense. I invite you all to tune in, to the longings and questions of your heart. If you are still and open, you will hear the answers in divine right time.

Have a "wonderful" nite.

With Love, Denise