:: Aham Prema ::

Simple Keys to Living Your Life As Art

2012-01-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

Uncover your natural artist within with these simple shifts.

The most incredible artists have a passion for making their art.

They enjoy the process and simply allow something to emerge from their inner creative nature.

We all have passion available to us, but many aren’t connected to it at all. By simply making our inner life a priority and allowing enough attention to discover and develop it, we can connect with our creative energy more deeply than ever before.

Be aware. Everything you do is already creating. Even when you drive along the freeway. Start with realizing you already are an artist and allow everything you do to be a part of your art form. Create your life in your ideal ways. Keep your eyes open and pay attention to the mysteries and miracles before you every day. It is a great opportunity that you have to be aware of this and consciously create each action as a deliberate work of art.

Enjoy the dance of it all. When you drink water, why not drink it happily and give thanks for the replenishment to your body rather than dreading the plain taste. It creates a much more fun experience to have this type of open-minded attitude and appreciation for the events you experience in life.

Develop your inner artist. Begin by uncovering the innate talents you have. Have an open mind and be gentle with yourself. Explore what you are attracted to and continuously nurture yourself in these areas. Take your creative projects to new levels. Educate yourself, look for new opportunities, and connect with others who have the same interests.

Stay on top of it. Make it a priority to check in with yourself each week. Give yourself this space to integrate everything going on in your life. Follow up on goals, sync with current things going on, look at present opportunities, and allow time to refresh again. Connect with various parts of yourself, what you want to do, and connect them. Consciously create your ultimate dance with time. Make sure those you are dancing with are enhancing to your experience, rather than draining it. Keep mentors close and be a mentor to those you can.

by Danielle Crume © 2012

Originally Posted 2/4/09. Refreshed 2012.

How to Process Emotions and Find Their Value

2012-01-03T20:25:00.000-08:00

Step-by-step instructions on what to do with feelings. Key information that has to be easily referenced!

By honoring your inner feelings and emotions, you quench your deepest thirst. These arise as golden breadcrumbs indicating an opportunity for alignment with your greater self. However, they are not always the easiest to deal with.

Here are simple steps to processing your emotions – to get through them rather than “stuffing them”. Reap the rewards of these divine hints.

Grab a pen and paper and get to a quiet space. Go to the bathroom if need be. Center yourself and create a compassionate space for your healing.

Write down what made you feel blue. Who or what upset you? Outline notes about what triggered the emotions.

Vent/express the emotions. In a healthy, safe way, let the feelings out! Get to those feelings that the innermost part of you felt in the situation. You can cuss if it helps you to uplift them from your inner being (this actually pumps out your lower chakra). Act as if you are talking to that person and say the harshest things you want to say – on paper. Let it all out - anger, frustration, and sadness. You can punch a pillow, exercise, cry, talk it out, create art - whatever works best for you, as long as you have the intention of letting these emotions out of your body and physically release them.

See the reflection. What opportunity has been given to you today? Why did God bring this into your life? What did you want to learn here? Usually if you go back and look at the things that you said in #2 and #3, you’ll find that you’ve been doing these exact same things on some level to someone as well, possibly yourself. When we aren’t seeing what we are doing, the world acts as a mirror to reflect to us what we are doing - to help us see. If you are open, you will find it.

Own the mirror. Accept what you have done and determine how you will be better next time. If necessary, make agreements with yourself or others about how to handle these situations or feelings in the future. True compassion is beyond forgiving - its actually giving thanks to the people who have helped you to learn about yourself.

Clear it out. Apologize to the person who has reflected this to you. Sometimes, it may be yourself or your inner child. A true apology has nothing to do with rationalization. Simply speak to the pain that you have caused, acknowledge it, and if possible make amends. Take action to better yourself.

As you continue to work through emotions, you may find that many of them clear out and you are not triggered as easily any more. After repeated use, people often heal miraculously from their dis-eases, look years younger, and you may see a sparkle return to their eyes.

by Danielle Crume © 2012

Originally Posted 10/29/09. Refreshed 2012.

Feel Great Being Grateful

2012-01-03T20:15:00.000-08:00

Gratitude is the easiest way to really be happy. We’ve been taught this so much that we don’t value it anymore. However, giving thanks not only improves your living, it heals feelings, and allows joy to be a regular force in your life.

Sure it sounds easy. But so many of us are numb to the feeling of being thankful. We take for granted the soft pillow that comforts our head and the clean water we have for a bath. Small things - sure, yet huge conveniences and benefits. We’d definitely notice if they were gone!

Not until my own personal experience with this lesson, did I know it so well myself. About a year ago my mom’s house was in one of the California wildfire areas. She got her favorite items and animals and evacuated her home. The firemen decided it was too dangerous to protect the canyon where her home is. They let the fire go free in the whole canyon. My mom was devastated. I was stuck at work and longed to be there to support her. I felt sick to my stomach and overwhelmed with despair.

Although I knew I should be thankful that she was alive - and I definitely was - it was very difficult to actually feel that way given the circumstances. I had a deep gratefulness in my heart, but was more overwhelmed with feeling hopeless about her challenge. My mom had no insurance and would have to rebuild from nothing. I was so sad to see her go through the stress of this situation and wanted to care-take her and protect her from the pain.

A coworker gently nudged me enough to look at the situation again, with an attitude of gratitude. And although I had already told myself this and wasn’t able to really feel that way, somehow she triggered me to reach that point of really opening to feeling very thankful. Pausing in that feeling allowed a shift which released the yucky heavy stomach I had. My heart began to glow with joy. I felt it sing; “My mom is alive! Thank God she is alive!”

The best thing I could offer to my mom in that moment was a reminder to be thankful for what she does have.

Her house did not catch on fire. It came up to the edge of her barn and caused severe damage in her canyon, but her home and her things were untouched.

I will never forget this lesson - as simple as it many seem. It was one of those that actually shifted my awareness and freed me up. I know the true power of being thankful first hand and live differently because of it. Every day I live in gratitude for much of it, which I find is a very enjoyable way of living. I see benefits and opportunities and feel more joyous. When I don’t feel grateful or I feel down, I tune into myself to look at why and process the emotions.

Studies have proven that gratitude increases the experience of feelings of happiness and positive emotions. They’ve also proven that being thankful increases your physical and mental health - and leads to increased energy throughout the day.

You Know The Secret

Just as “The Secret” made famous, there is a universal law that happens – whether we pay attention to it or not – that says “whatever you invest your energy into, manifests”. Whether you worry or work hard, both are creating your reality. If you worry about your greatest fears, they can come true. If you instead channel your energy into vision, love, and growth - that is what you experience.

Knowing this to be true, why not channel your energy into focusing on the things that you are grateful for?

The Lost Mode of Prayer

Giving thanks is actually a form of prayer to many of the ancient cultures. This is the method used in the shamanic rain dances. As they dance, they call the rain through feeling thankful for already receiving it. They envision tall cornstalks that have grown from the plentiful rain and express the gratitude they have for the harvest. This is how many have traditionally called the rain to water their crops.

The state of thankfulness is a powerful method of attraction - much more so than being in a state of needing or wanting. When you say “I want peace”, you confirm that you are in need of peace, rather than already having peace. When you say, “I am peace” or “I have peace”, you are actually creating the peace itself by being it. Affirmations are used by millions of people around the world. These statements and ways of thinking open you up to truly creating that which you seek.

Affirmations can be hard for the critical mind as saying them can feel elementary or too basic while repeating wishful thoughts. If such is the case for you, a better form of this awareness is available through songs with affirming lyrics. By singing or following along, you affirm the powerful words. As such, be selective of what you allow to be running in the back of your mind. It makes a big difference on the feelings you have.

The original intention of Thanksgiving by the natives was to be in the state of thankfulness for all of the food they were blessed with and were able to harvest. By emanating this thankful essence and attitude, they attracted more blessings into their lives.

Isn’t that who you like to help? Those that are truly grateful?

The Power to Transcend

Being thankful is great way to lift your fear into love. Give thanks for the opportunity to learn. See it with true compassion.

Bring Gratitude Into Your Daily Life

As you give thanks, open your heart and allow it to pour out gratitude.
As you open your eyes each morning, give thanks for a new day.
As you take a take a bath or shower, reflect on the past day and give thanks for the opportunities and blessings.
Every morning note five things you are thankful for. They can be anything from “a home” to “a nourishing place to center myself and love my family”. Whatever your style. Just note the things that you are genuinely feeling grateful for at that moment.
Give thanks for each meal before eating it.

www.gratitudelog.com is an online community in which people share their five thankful things for the day. If interested, you can connect with others there who are in the healthy habit of giving thanks.

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Originally Posted 12/16/09. Refreshed 2012.

Giving Thanks in the Morning

2012-01-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

One of the most powerful exercises I do in my day is to give thanks in the morning.

At times giving thanks naturally arises for me. At others it doesn’t. It’s been those times that I’ve been far from feeling thankful that I’ve really come to understand its significant importance on another level.

Now it’s a key part of my “daily do”. I have a regular morning routine that I play with to help me get off to a great start. Giving thanks has the greatest consistent effect over any other part of my morning “get ready” rituals.

It’s simple. I just take a few moments out and check in to what I’m naturally feeling thankful about – and then magnify it. Sometimes I have to search deeply and may come up with things like “I am thankful for being in this nourishing space with my loving family." At others simple things will pop up quickly, like “I am thankful for having the space to take a bath this morning."

I’ll tune into the first five things to arise and feel my heart expand with thankfulness for each one. I usually do this in a quiet space such as driving in the car or in my home before leaving for the day. The bath is the best. Sometimes I like to write them down on a list in my daily planner.

It greatly impacts my attitude for the whole day. On the days I’ve forgotten to take time out and feel thankfulness, I often notice at the end of the day that I’ve felt distant or disconnected. My day can feel more like a struggle I have to push through than a delightful experience that unfolds. When I take time out for giving thanks, I take a more artful approach naturally.

By exuding gratitude, my whole being is naturally shifted into a different state. I feel more grateful and am more aware and present. My perspective is much more open and receptive. My attitude becomes more playful and fun.

So just a little reminder for us all to give thanks! …Even our logic can justify it. =)

by Danielle Crume © 2012

Originally Posted 10/14/09. Refreshed 2012.

Being Happy - From the Inside Out

2012-01-03T19:25:00.000-08:00

I've always been a people watcher. As a young girl, I openly looked at everyone I came in contact with, wondering who was the happiest? It was a little disheartening during my exploration to uncover that it seemed that almost everyone had a significant amount of unhappiness and troubles in life. I guess I wanted to live a fairy tale. Some people, however, had a great time with life even through its challenges.

I noticed that those who were happiest usually had a sense of humor about their experience. They weren't richer, more beautiful, or better off. They were just happy with what was and were strong in rolling with it. Everyone goes through hard times.

Being truly happy is not by getting somewhere or accomplishing something. It is a part of who you are. It is your character, your essential being, the fabric of you. Children are often born with a knowing of it, but many of us lose touch with this understanding along the way.

"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be"

Happiness is a personal thing. And we're all different. That being said, these are recurring characteristics of those who are consistently happy:

Have Preferences Instead of Needs. Ask for what you want, but don't be unhappy if you don't get it. Go with the flow and make the best with what is.

"Do not spoil that which you have by desiring what you have not;

but remember that what you now have was once

among the things you only hoped for." ~Epicurus

Enjoy the Journey. Keep going for what you want, but don't require a certain outcome to be attained before you allow yourself to feel happy. Enjoy the whole time through. Continuously strive for goals and growth - and treasure each step as part of a beautiful experience. When you enjoy each step, you are excited to move forward and thus grow exponentially faster than the average.

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.

If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." ~A. Schweitzer

Be Fulfilled with Faith. Whatever form it may be that fills your soul, know what it is for you. If you have found and connected with your faith, treasure the blessing. If you have followed a crowd into a practice - but don't find it fulfilling or haven't found what feels right for you - explore all kinds of faiths, beliefs, etc. Those who have connected with their spirituality have a deep sense of purpose that fills their cup regularly and are not in need of anything outside to complete them. So if this isn't your case, enjoy the journey of uncovering that and moving into living it. Just keep following your curiosity and allow your heart to guide you. Often times all you have to do is stop being in your own way. It's always been there. Just open up and be ready for it. Nearly all forms of organized faith believe some form of "Ask and you shall receive." You've always been invited.

Trust. We are given all we need. We may always think we won't make it through, but we have, haven't we? Everything is fine in this moment. You've made it here. There are those who are suffering greatly - and the more we can grow our collective consciousness, the more we can improve conditions and resolve root issues that so that the world is a safe and abundant place for everyone. If each of us worked on ourself, that's all it would take. As we grow, we can easily help many others who aren't getting enough. Begin with practicing to trust in your daily life. Trust that everything that comes to you is for a reason and that all you "need" is within reach. This goes hand-in-hand with heartfelt faith, so begin cultivating your faith if this seems unfathomable. If you are already in connection with your spirituality, step up to living it - with true trust. This doesn't mean to act ignorantly at all. It means to get up and dance with life. Stop fearing it. It really is all happening perfectly. Not always wonderfully, but always perfectly for where we are at.

"Each problem has in it an opportunity so powerful

that it literally dwarfs the problem." ~J. Sugarman

Give Thanks. Receive everything with gratitude - even challenges. Start each day with giving thanks and your entire experience will significantly shift for the better. It's not only proven scientifically, but supported by many of the most successful people in the world in every sort of realm. Feel GREAT by being grateful.

"The single greatest thing you can do to change your life today

is to start being grateful for what you have right now." ~Oprah Winfrey

Select Your Experience. You are not a victim to anything. You experience whatever it is you focus your attention on and invest your energy into. Instead of fear, choose to focus on loving outcomes and that which you prefer rather than fear. Don't give into dramas. Release them and LET GO! It's amazingly freeing!!! Don't worry about others and stop judging them. Look at the things you see everyday that are vibrantly displaying something that is not your preference, give thanks that you've seen it to know more about what you do not want, and then reflect on what it is you do want instead. Focus on CREATING that what you prefer rather than REACTING to that which you are not interested in or refuse. These irritators and attractors are divine breadcrumbs. Notice them, take note, and adjust your experience accordingly. As you make these adjustments, you feel happier - and attract less from your fears. A basic part of life is facing our fears and growing beyond them. When those times come, welcome them, stand up, and be your best. You'll get through them fine. We are only faced with what we are prepared to work on. If we aren't ready to grow beyond them yet, we keep facing them until we learn to grow beyond them. These are the basic patterns of life - the divine dance. As you notice the challenges become easier, select your next level of growth - and keep going!

"All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within." ~H. Friess

Know Your Story - and Then Move On. We all have a past that was not what we'd define as ideal at the time. So own up to it, be aware of it, and take new steps in light of it. When you do that - when you give life your all - you consciously create one that is in alignment with who you are now. Fully participate by checking in with yourself and adjusting your conditions as necessary.

"What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret

than our willingness to choose life."~Leo Buscaglia

Have Compassion for Yourself - and Others. I'd really like to list this first as this was one of my biggest lessons, but I think it makes more sense to be here, logically... so here it is. Be your best - and lighten up on yourself knowing that you are giving it your all. So many of us are so damn hard on ourselves that we are stuck in think layers of guilt - paralyzed in life. Many of us have an inner voice (yes, we talk to ourselves in our heads - know it!) that is extremely critical and downright abusive. This happens. Its not your fault. Its part of our collective consciousness. So choose to rise above it. Make a commitment today to love yourself and be your best friend. Your entire life will change significantly and it will be much more enjoyable. Many of us, women especially, seek a fulfilling relationship from others. If we can give it to ourselves, we can truly be a delight to others - adding to their experience, rather than trying to pull them into ours. Be love. The more you love yourself, the more you can really love others. You can love them with Pure Love rather than one fueled with selfish motivations. The more you love others, the more you will love yourself. Get in the love cycle guys. It's much more fun than the one you've probably been stuck in... Be at peace with trying your best, honoring your needs and feelings, and being love.

"Every object, every being, is a jar full of delight." ~Rumi

Honor Your Feelings. When things feel bad, when you are sad, or feeling down, don't shy away from the truth. Take off the rosy colored lenses and be openly honest about what's going on. Tune into you. These feelings are divine sign posts. Honor them by looking at them and see what needs adjusting. This is a great way to truly being happy. We have our own guidance system built in. Make sure to check on it often. Emotions rise. Stop and tend to your feelings as soon as you can. Give yourself the conditions to compassionately deal with them. We all are faced with sadness. Life is constantly changing and its hard to let go of things that we treasure. However, we can still be sad without being unhappy. As we grow in awareness of the beautiful cycles of life, we can grieve with gratitude for what leaves us or the challenges we go through. Its a way of blessing it with love and letting go. With a solid foundation, these things don't take away our happiness. We can be happy with the process and what is to come from the changes. We can even be happy when we are sad - happy because we are feeling our emotions rather than thinking our way out of them. It says a lot about how much we've grown!

"There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year's course.

Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness,

the world 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness." ~C. Jung

Speak Your Truth. Be who you are. Be totally you. You are a gift from God, as we all are. So please, be you. As they say, "everyone else is already taken". But seriously, there is magnificent beauty in who you are. Allow it to unfold and share your authentic being with the world and with your loved ones. We need you. When faced with challenges, stand up as who you are and share your feelings and perspective with others. Live your truth. It's much more enjoyable, very freeing, and lots of fun. We are all different pieces of the puzzle - each one essential and equally a part.

Have Fun. We all have our own funny characteristics and likes. I love to play games. I consider it a very serious part of my day to retreat into something fun. It's healing and reenergizing. I love it. Be goofy if you like to be goofy. Be dorky if you are really a secret dork inside - or possibly even a very obvious one :). Enjoy your life. Spend time with those who make you laugh. Sing out loud even if you sound terrible. Watch your favorite comedian at least once a week for a few moments. Live your life as art - and share that pleasure with others. Squeeze smiles, laughs, and fun into every moment you can. Lighten up and don't take it too seriously.

"Happiness is not in the mere possession of money;

it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort."~ Franklin Roosevelt

Nurture Your Relationship with God. Develop it, treasure it, make it a part of your daily being, and relax into it. Remember you are a soul having a human experience, not the other way around. Think of life as a Harvard of experience and growth - and every day give thanks that there is so much beyond here and that you are so much more beyond your body. Have fun while you've got it and make the most of this experience as well. Indulge in your personal relationship with your Creator and the life you have been given today. Savor the gifts of the Divine.

Be in Service. A secret of the manifestation masters - the creme of the crop lesson in these teachings - is that you can reap rewards exponentially faster by giving others what it is you seek. By focusing on another, you can much more easily find the way to what it is you are seeking. Now, hopefully your motivation is simply to give back... but whatever it may be to get you started, leave a legacy and participate in the world. Give back and make life a little better each day. One very simple way is to smile at a stranger. Such a simple act, yet greatly changeable. Be in the habit of smiling. A huge way to assist the growth of the collective is to dedicate service to those you can help. If your skill is cooking, cook for an elderly family member and share a few hours with them. If your skill is financial calculations, help your mom get ready for her taxes. If we'd all just give back at home that would make a huge change. If you can reach farther and give back where others aren't reaching enough yet, that helps greatly too. If you can do both, great!

"Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within.

It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy;

it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves."

~Helen Keller

As I continue to grow and get even more curious, I often become the subject of my own studies. In the last ten years I've made significant changes in my life to go for everything that I've dreamed of. Not everything is always "going great," but I am greatly happy - from the inside. It was tough and took strength to be brave enough to expand beyond my limits and do some of the hardest things for me, however, a much better self relationship has ensued. I am grateful and enjoying the blessings of this foundation in my life.

I've also had my share of hardships and adversity. My life hasn't been a cake walk. However, I don't let my challenges keep me down; rather, each one builds on and adds to my character. Through the experiences, I grow. Although some were extremely painful, through them I chose to transform. I stood up, faced them, and dealt with my feelings. I went for love and growth beyond the pain. Not right away. I allowed the healing process to flow naturally, but I did make sure I got back up - each and every time. Mistakes we make and challenges we face can often spark amazing changes that will last us a lifetime.

Please share your experience or favorite quote. What makes you happy?
To our happiest year yet, with lots of Love!

by Danielle Crume © 2012

Originally Posted 1/5/10. Refreshed 1/3/12.

The Essence of Autumn

2011-09-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

Goodbye summer. Thanks for the wonderful times!

Friday, September 23rd marks the beginning of the fall season, with the autumnal equinox. The equinox has been celebrated since ancient times as having great significance. On this day, the length of day and night are exactly equal. Nights will become longer as autumn passes.

The essence of each season is a reflection of what is going on with us. Read these keywords and see if you can see similarities to the cycles you are personally going through.

As summer transitions into fall, plants are supple with life. The fruits of our labor are now ripe for the picking.

Family gathers, giving thanks for the season's harvest. Refreshing cool breezes return. Leaves fall as mother nature clears off her branches.

This season involves a lot of activity and visible transitions.

Autumn is the season of culmination, celebration, and space.

If you've been diligently working, you've brought forth a bountiful crop. If you've been focused on growth and your ideal creation, you'll have your most rewarding harvest yet. You can see much growth has taken place since originally setting your goals in spring.

It's a perfect time to celebrate and feast. Give thanks for the gifts you've been given! There is always so much to be thankful for. Start with the little things and then connect with how awesome the big things are as well. Feel the joy of thankfulness emanate from your heart. Pause and congratulate yourself on all the work you've done, this cycle and throughout life.

If things are not going as planned, it's a natural time to become aware of what new opportunities are arising for you and what changes you would like to make. What can you improve? Stuck in the same-old, same-old? Are your relationships, job, or creative projects in a rut? Release things that are not up to par so that you leave room for new opportunities to come in. Letting go of the excess can create space for the things you want more of. It's an ideal time to release things that we are not fully appreciating.

The last nights of autumn are the most mystical of the year. They are ideal for meditation and depth of connection. During these times it is much easier to pierce the veil and feel a deep connection.

As the leaves fall, it is a perfect time to review the fruit you've grown in the past six months (since last spring). Can you see anything that needs to be weeded out? Clarify what you're creating and adjust what you can to make it your ultimate experience.

Bask in the time of your harvest. Soon the reflective months of winter roll in and complete the cycle.

Enjoy the harvest of your efforts! Celebrate and give thanks! Let go of what is not your ideal.

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Originally Posted: 11/18/2009
Last Edited: 9/20/11

Love Is

2011-09-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

“…And the greatest of all these is love.” ~Corinthians

You could explore and study love for your whole lifetime and still never fully understand it. You may only catch a glimpse of its fascinating possibilities. Love is one of those expansive eternal forces - far beyond our senses’ ordinary perception. It is something many dream of, imagine about, and wait for.

Some say love is the essence of all there is and that love is the answer. Some say love hurts or it doesn’t even exist.

Some prophets say that there is only love or fear at the root of everything - and that love is the only truth.

We all have different versions and understandings of love - which evolve throughout our lifetime. They may range from a feeling for a soul mate to one about a favorite shirt. Love can be a sweet nickname or a feared word. Some express it with tenderness, others with strength.

Some say I love you to everyone. Some reserve it only for “the one”. Others never say it at all.

It can be as simple as kindness and enjoying life together. It can be overwhelmingly complex.

Love can feel like a glass of cold water in the middle of the desert or a warm blanket and hot chocolate on a stormy evening. It can feel like an endorphin rush or a gentle knowing in the heart.

Throughout history our ideas and expressions of love have shifted, transitioned, and changed.

Ancient Greece, for example, established 3 forms:

Agape: a sacred love such as that for the divine or of a mother for her child. Love of the soul.
Eros: a passionate love, admiration of beauty, and sensual desire. Love of the body.
Philia: a virtuous love or loyalty to family and community. Love of the mind.

What is most interesting to me, however, is how we hold it today.

As young children, we buy into the fairy tale. We’re told that there’s a prince and a princess and all they want is to be together. Then they live happily ever after. However, if you look around now-a-days, you most likely see relationships that are far from that fairy tale we once believed in so deeply. You may find one here and there, but its more rare than finding $100 on the floor.

Throughout time pain often buries in the hearts of lovers and they slowly build up walls of defense. Games that were once playful and flirtatious may change into real stabs at the heart. Pairs that were deeply connected may become numb to each other and distant, at times even enemies.

These dramas of relationships are often rooted in an opportunity to develop communication and compassion. Before the opportunity is realized, it can be a struggle and feel very tough! A wedge of separation is almost inevitable. Many couples never get back to the original pure, gentle love they bonded with. Some stay together for the sake of something or another and live well enough to the end. Others may stand up and say “enough is enough” or simply give up from the overwhelm of pain. The cycles often continue again with a new partner, however the pain has temporarily reset it’s accumulated balance. The patterns continue to collect more pain until they are resolved at the root. How can we expand beyond these roles of our modern day relationships?

When we clear out the emotional baggage of our past, the wounds from growing and life, we expand our capacity and quality of life greatly. As we love, life expands into dynamic layers that add flavor and color our experience.

What is love to you? How do you hold it in your life right now?

Is it something that is purely based in feeling that shifts with your emotions? Is it something you only give to those who have earned it, some kind of reward? Is it a person you hold on to out of fear to comfort you from being alone in the world?

What is your ideal partner composed of? Are these chosen qualities simply for your benefit? Or do you truly care as much to love them for being them?

At it’s greatest, love is nourishing, completing, and the ultimate in life. But why do we seek this feeling of completion in the first place? Are we missing something to begin with? Can we get this missing piece from inside of us? Can we fund this debt of love that we feel through internal sources? Or do we need to get it from something or someone outside?

These questions became alarmingly necessary for me during one of those times I hit the limit on my love “loans”. I awoke one day to realize I had overwithdrawn my available love balance from everyone else. I saw a new angle and understood how much I sought love from my partner and outsourced that as “his department” on some subconscious level. I thought, “I’ll just love him and he’ll love me and it’ all good and fun”. In shifts of our relationship, I saw that there were big pieces missing out of this equation: a deep loving relationship with my self and also with God and spirit. Without these wells of nourishment, my partnership had become a push-and-pull type of relationship, seeking of neediness and comfort. The accumulation of pain became unbearable, we lost sight of who we were, and we gave up.

When my capacity for love felt it’s lowest and had become buried under fear and hate, I didn’t feel like loving ever again. I almost decided to live a numb life at that point - love felt way too tough. I had no desire to deal with the inevitable pain it brought as I learned to grow into it. I suddenly realized how selfish my love was and had always been. I couldn’t love others as much as I wanted to because I needed to increase my entire capacity to love.

During this time, I found the phrase “Aham Prema” in a friend’s book. It was a beautiful book about mantras. Mantras are sacred Sanskrit formulas specifically tuned to activate chakras with great effect. They are mystical ancient resonances that invoke an increase of spiritual energy and abilities. Sanskrit is an energy-based language with great meaning. One of man's most ancient languages known, there are fifty letters in it’s alphabet, each corresponding with a petal of a chakra. Chakras are spinning wheels of energy in the body that look like flowers with petals. When you are healthy, they are vibrant and spin in balance. When you are not well, they become dull and spin at a slower rate.

I didn’t know much about mantras, Sanskrit, or chakras. I had just a faint understanding of what they are. As I visited my friend that day, I felt attracted to her new book and read it a bit. There were several mini-chapters on various topics of truth. Love was deeply on my mind with the pain in my heart, so I was drawn to the mantra about love. Aham Prema is the mantra that means “I AM Divine Love”. I read about it and opened up to it.

After reading the beautiful story and the mantra, I felt my strength re-emerge. I knew I wanted to dig deeper to find the love that was still inside there somewhere. It was an internal shift of nothing more than intention, but at that moment of awareness, it was remarkably powerful. I stood up and made a deeply heart-felt commitment to expand into understanding what love really is. It couldn’t possibly be this selfish form that I saw - everywhere.

In divine timing, it sparked something huge for me. I decided to grow beyond what I could conceive. I wanted to love more then I really knew how. This mantra triggered me to open to the highest form of love I could imagine – and beyond. I began to sing it and focus on it during my toughest times.

I actually became the source of what I had previously always unconsciously sought in others. I didn’t see any live examples or templates of what I wanted to be, so I envisioned and defined what I wanted and opened up to how I could expand into all of that. I created my ideal love, beginning with me. I learned to be the love I longed to feel.

I found that I first had to develop my understanding of love with myself and with God so that I knew how to share it with others I cared for so deeply. I developed my personal relationship with God to be one of my best and it was an amazing development. These tools carried me through beautifully and transformed my life. With the intention and my constant attention (which was naturally available through the pain I was in), I leaped.

It was a tough expedition. There are definite reasons that I was the way I was, and I was very accustomed to those ways. Breaking habits can be very tough.

I continuously expand my love as best I can while enjoying the journey of it and being patient during the stumbles. I am continuously growing and as I do, the more I see I can grow.

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love." ~Rumi

The ultimate form of love. Throughout my exploration of love, I uncovered and defined my ultimate idea of love. Here is the compilation so far:

Love is an essence you feel and connect to, a gift from God. It’s one of the greatest gifts of life, yet it can be one of the most challenging to open up to as well.

It is not a feeling or a thought, but a state of being from which feelings and thoughts arise from. It is the very nature of our soul and who we are. It is far beyond ideas, reactions, and opinions. When tuned into it, love radiates and emanates from you unto all you come in contact with. This flow of energy provides an internal state of bliss which is one of the greatest tools of developing a great attitude and fresh approach. It helps to dissolve the painful obstructions we often feel block our paths. It sparks breakthroughs and draws in more than you ever need. It enhances, cherishes, and heals. When we are vibrating with love, we are open to see and experience more fullness of life. We enjoy the infiniteness of our experience.

Love is compassion in action. It is a sincere caring and accepting presence with those you come in contact with. It begins with a love for yourself in which you practice expanding your love. As you master it, your well of love begins to fill with enough to share with others, at no detriment or cost to you. When you reach the times where you need attention, tune in and love yourself – tend to and fill your well.

In loving friendships, we share our experiences and essence. We assist each other in discovering truth, growing, dealing with our feelings and healing them, and developing our specialties. A passion is shared in nurturing those actions that are felt strongest in each friend’s heart. A warmth and service binds these friends in dynamic compassion, exuding sympathy, empathy, wisdom, and gratitude. We care for each other in times of need, in forms as simple as listening. We are unconditionally there when our friends need us most.

I find that when you really come from love, there is no such thing as selfishness. True love is a real caring for another person that has nothing to do with what is better for you or jealousy. It is totally about what is truly best for them. We often can’t reach that place until we’ve given this love to ourselves.

Once we are full of love, then we can really give without any expectation or need at all.

“Only from the heart can you touch the sky.” ~ Rumi

Above All, Love. How can you open more to it in your daily life? It’s a fascinating exploration. We don’t all have to be Mother Mary or Mother Teresa, but we can all love more.

Be aware for the day, all day today about what love is to you.

How much do you love?

How much to you express it to the world?

When you say “I love you” do you long to hear it said back? Is it a genuine expression or a trigger for attention?

Who is the most loving individual in your life? Spend more time with them as a way to remind and refresh yourself on how to embody more love and have fun!

Enjoy Love!

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Originally Posted 07/2009. Refreshed 09/2011.

How to Embrace It All...

2011-08-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

No Matter What Form Life Takes

- Found this in a newsletter by Denise Linn. Love it. Enjoy. :) -

1. Ask yourself: "If there was value in this experience what would it be?" This simple question can help you turn around even the most difficult situations. Research has shown that people who have undergone horrific events in their lives are more likely to survive and even thrive in the ensuing years if they have found some value in their experience.

2. Choose It: Okay I know this sounds crazy! Why would you ever choose to be out of a job, break an arm, or have an accident? However, if you can't change it, then choose to accept it and find value in it. When you act as if you have chosen the events in your life, it moves you out of victim energy and allows you to feel more in control of your life.

3. Laugh: Look for what is amusing or humorous in every situation. It might not be easy at first, but there is always something, if you look hard enough. For example, if someone thinks you and your dog are homeless, laugh about it and be grateful that you are not. Laughing eases the tension and helps you to embrace what is.

by Danielle Crume © 2011

My Love Wish List

2011-07-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

There are very few couples I look up to today. It seems more and more are unhappy, unfaithful, and/or non-existent.

A woman that I look up to a lot, not only because of her sweet and loving personality, but also because of her success in love, marriage, children, and her career, recommended I write a love wish list.

She says that this was what she did just before she found her husband. They have been married for about 20 years, have three amazing children, and are a great team together. It's so fun to hang out with them to see the possibilities that are out there. So she told me to make a list and she'll have to interview whomever I date to make sure they are the one.... =P

I've made these before but I thought it would be a good time to make a completely fresh, new list. It's worth a shot. :)

My Love Wish List (Qualities of My Ideal Partner):

Loyal
Loving
Great with AJ
Laughs at life
Affectionate
Intelligent
Funny
Open Minded
Confident
Sexy
Handsome
Attractive to Me :)
Caring
Inventive
Family-Oriented and Focused
Motivated
Dedicated
Handy
Friendly
Provider and Guardian
Sweet
Masculine
Strong
Steady
Spiritual
Honest
Responsible
In Service to Others/Charity Work
Successful
Wants a Kid or 2
Enjoys a Close Partnership with Me
Gets Along Great with My Family
Stays Connected with Me Throughout the Day
Great Communicator
Patient
Happy
Witty
Pampers Me
Romantic
Treats Me Like a Lady
Thoughtful
Ready for Me
Available
Local
Shares Everything with Me (Willingly, No Secrets)
Hard-Worker
Goal-Oriented
Adventurous
Spontaneous
Takes Me Out - Eat, Fun, Trips...
Buys Me Jewelry
Mature
Fun to Be Around
Understanding
Adores me
Silly
Cuddly
Independent
Honors My Boundaries
Makes Things Happen
Eager to Learn
Committed to Our Relationship and Family

A lot to ask for... Just means I have to be ready to give all these things myself :) I'm working on it....

Any suggestions/feedback?

Love!

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Thank You God!

2011-07-16T23:35:00.000-07:00

Dear God,

In the times I feel most alone, I treasure your strong, steady presence.

Thank You!

In the times I feel all is wrong, you remind me that everything is divinely right, I just may not see it clearly.

Thank You!!

In the times I feel lost, you show me the way back to Love.

Thank You!!!

I Love You <3

by Danielle Crume © 2011

What Makes Your Heart Sing?

2011-06-21T23:11:00.000-07:00

Have you found what really makes your heart sing?

Simple things can make you feel joy emanating from your heart. Tune in to what things do this for you - and then make sure you are doing them!

Notice your heart's meanderings and follow them to see where they lead. You may discover treasured joys that you aren't enjoying in your daily life.

Allowing your heart to sing a little bit every day is very healthy and makes life much more enjoyable. I enjoy life so much more when I work hard and play each day.

Here are some examples of things that make my heart sing:

Playing games
Writing
Eating out with my family
Exploring new places
Developing creative projects
Listening to music
Enjoying Coffee and tea :)
Walking

Each day I give myself the reward of enjoying one of these, even if only for 20 minutes. Usually, I sprinkle them throughout my day. For example, I treat myself to a cup of coffee in the morning because I really love it. I spend some time writing before entering the world - before even thinking about my tasks. I work hard then have some tea in the afternoon. After a shift of work, I take a walk with AJ around the block and enjoy him. At the end of the day I may retreat into some games, a creative project, or venture out with my family. On Fridays I take off the day as much as possible to really have fun with these and treat myself to a super chocolately milkshake!

These help me to get in the mode and make it more fun. I find that when I keep these in balance with all the tasks and work that I do, I feel more vibrant and motivated to keep on. They keep life exciting and give me that drive to wake up every day, even if only after a few hours of sleep.

Many of us are so busy with life that we don't ever find out what makes us happiest. Many others know well what brings them joy, but don't get around to it very often for one reason or another.

So, what makes your heart sing? And how much do you really get to it? =)

Enjoy!

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Originally Posted 6/6/09, Refreshed 6/21/11

Summer Summer Summer Time!!!

2011-06-21T23:00:00.002-07:00

Summer: Season for Birthing Ideas & Nurturing Them.

Summer is the season of light. Plants blossom all around. It’s warm, vivid, and bright. The days are long. We feel more alive than ever. Play comes naturally. We find ourselves outside more.

The beauty of the summer season provokes fun, exploration, and vacation. Walks, bike rides, milkshakes, and ice cream come to mind.

What does summer feel like for you?

In the yearly cycle, the potential that we dug up during winter and planted in spring is now coming into fruition and growing. During summer we tend to the nourishment of our projects.

Some of the seeds you planted are already showing in recognizable form while others are just about to sprout through the soil. Nurture and develop them for the harvest in fall when you will see the supple fruits of your labor ripening.

There are several ways to make the most of summer and thrive off the enjoyment of it’s most beautiful characteristics:

Wake up early and go outside to enjoy the sunrise.
Bring some flowers in and keep plants around your living spaces.
Open your windows and allow the fresh air in.
Pause and enjoy the richness of flowers in full bloom.
Enjoy your playfulness and be spontaneous.
Take a trip to the beach... and go in the water.
Listen to the beautiful sounds of summer while letting the sun warm your face.

Each of these serve as a great opportunity to rejuvenate and inspire your self.

Continue to nourish your projects and have fun watching them blossom.

Enjoy your summer!

Love!!! =D

by Danielle Crume © 2011

[Originally Posted 6/22/09, Revised 6/22/10, 6/21/11]

Universal Fears and Mirrors of Relationships

2011-06-07T13:25:00.000-07:00

My notes, adapted from Gregg Braden's book Walking Between the Worlds, one of my most life-altering reads from my all-time favorite author.

The Three Universal Fears

Your charge of universal fears, though often unconscious, is your promise that you will create patterns of relationships showing you these fears.

With few exceptions, our experiences of pain, suffering, illness, disease, and emotional trauma have their roots in these core universal fears.

These are the three basic underlying fears many of us experience:

1. Abandonment and Separation
We feel left or abandoned by our creator without explanation or reason. We feel alone. (Ex: "our father who art in heaven" vs. "our father who is everywhere").

Expressed as: relationships where you are devastated when they fail, always being the one who gets "left" in the relationship, and/or being the first to leave a good relationship so that you are not hurt.

2. Self Worth
We are not "good enough". Not worthy of our greatest dreams, highest aspirations, or deepest desires. There is a doubt from deep within that we will never have these things because we collectively question our deservability.

Expressed as: issues of low self esteem and/or creating relationships of career, friendship, and romance that match your expectations of not being good enough.

3. Surrender and Trust
We believe this world is not safe and we must live in suspicion of the processes of life.

Expressed as: inability to surrender to our experience and/or relationships that mirror our expectations of this world being unsafe and unworthy of our trust.

Our universal fears appear so well disguised and accepted, that it is often easy to overlook them or to rationalize them as something else.

The Seven Essene Mirrors of Relationship

These mirrors will be presented to everyone through the relationships of their lifetime. Relationships are the temples of today. Through these connections we have insights into ourselves and our personal development. They show us where we are at with our Universal Fears. With their insight, we can release our fears and heal ourselves.

Subtle mirrors will be recognized and resolved before the powerful mirrors of even greater subtlety are acknowledged.

Emotions that lead to compassion are mastered, in sequence, through consciously acknowledging and mastering these seven mirrors.

Recognizing what the sequence is saying to you, and why you repeat similar patterns with different people, may be your most powerful steps toward your highest mastery.

Written in order from least to greatest degree of subtlety.

1. Reflections of the Moment
Many mirrors are presented to you through interaction in the moment, not hours or days later, so that the correlation between the pattern and the outcome can be recognized. This is popularly known today as "being in the now". If we are seeing our mirrors, then they are current patterns, happening now. The mirror becomes our moment of opportunity. Through these reflections we can become aware of our charges and remove them.

When you find yourself reacting with a charge to something, there is a good possibility that you are experiencing a powerful opportunity to know yourself on a deep, yet subtle level.

If you find your response is particularly strong, Bless that moment. You may be experiencing the first step in a powerful series of initiations that will lead you to the greatest levels of personal mastery, the mirror of the moment.

2. Reflections of Judgment
Those qualities that you judge will come into your life. Upon recognition and compassionately allowing your relationships to demonstrate their mirror to you (rather than resisting or getting even) the attraction will fade. Once the pattern of judgment is addressed at one place on one level, in one relationship, its echo fades on many other levels and these triggers will cease to exist. The mirrors of judgment are subtle, elusive, and will possibly not make sense to all who become aware of them.

3. Reflections of Loss
As you journey through life, pieces of your life may be lost, innocently given, or taken away by those who have had power over you. These are your compromises, exchanged for surviving your experience. When you desire to love and give of yourself you may find nothing is left. Calling back those pieces of you may be your highest expression of personal mastery.

An expression of this may be felt with people you bump into during regular daily interactions. You may catch the eye of someone and feel a magnetic spark of attraction or feeling of familiarity. This is a charge of our compliment a match to our lost pieces, or voids (what we have given up). If this happens, make contact and during the conversation ask yourself, "what do I see in this person that I have lost, given away, had taken away, or forgotten within myself?"

There's a good possibility you have just found someone who has the potential to show you something of yourself that you have sought for years or possibly lifetimes.

4. Reflections of Your Most Forgotten Love (Greatest Fear) The part of yourself that you have least remembered, the part that you hold most dear, is your forgotten love. Addictions provide you with the opportunity to experience your greatest fears as you drive away the things that you hold most dear.

The gift of addictions is that you can see your greatest fears and identify that which you have a charge on.

5. Reflections of Father/Mother/Creator
If you are to list the positive and negative qualities of your caretakers as you remember them, there is a good chance that the way you perceive them mirrors your belief of how your creator views you. Try writing down a few positive and negative qualities of each of your caretakers now and reflect.

By virtue of healing your illusions and relationships with your earthly mother and father, you heal your perception of your relationship with their heavenly counterparts.

See perfections in the perceived imperfections of life.

6. Reflections of your Quest into Darkness
With few exceptions, nearly everyone will experience a "dark night of the soul" at some point in the course of their lives. This is an experience where you are drawn into a situation or circumstance representing what appears to you to be your worst fear. This awakens a dormant force that may become your most powerful ally, a gift toward highest levels of mastery for you in this lifetime.

You will be asked to draw upon every particle of wisdom available to you, from the depths of your innermost experience, to negate the power that you have given to the fear.

To know ourselves in our greatest darkness is our opportunity to heal that part of ourselves that we least choose to experience. To find our balance, we must know our extremes and embrace both to heal the judgment of our experience and to find the power of our truest nature.

The quest into darkness does not have to hurt. The pain, if any, is our mirror of the degree of charge that we have placed on "not losing" the things we hold most dear in life.

My personal Dark Night led to the single largest jump of growth in my life. I'm now extremely grateful for it as I have formed an incredibly loving relationship with myself from the experience of it. I am now free of the fear that led me and I'm enjoying myself on much greater levels.

7. Your Greatest Act of Compassion
Through the mirror of ourselves, we are asked to compassionately allow perfection in each expression of life, regardless of how the experience is viewed by others. The greatest act of compassion that you may ever be asked to demonstrate may well be compassion for yourself, in your choice of life conduct and expression.

Your view of yourself in anything other than perfection will reveal your greatest doubt (universal fear of least trust) in the perfection of your experience. Your actions to change yourself born of anything other than the love and respect for the gift of life through your body will reveal your greatest question of esteem (universal fear of self worth) in the perfection of who you have become to be.

Each one of the seven mysteries is sequential, building upon the realization of the one previous to it, through each you heal your universal fears.

In doing so, you prepare for yourself the path that allows compassion to be a force in your life.

Love,

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Originally posted: 12/31/07. Refreshed: 3/9/10 and 6/7/11.

The Golden Gift of Suffering

2011-05-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

All that we perceive as suffering is really a gift. When you understand this, you can dance with it. If you don’t know what the struggle is for, it can make it really hard to keep going. Pain truly is a wonderful opportunity to heal imbalances or mistakes, move toward wholeness, and know your divine connection. Not saying it’s easy, but with the right tools and attitude, it can be much more enjoyable.

We are here to learn, grow, and experience. Throughout life, lessons never cease. Sometimes we open to them easily and learn them naturally. They can be fun explorations.

Sometimes we seem to learn the hard way and really struggle with our lessons. In my experience, I find we are continuously given chances to learn our particular lessons. When we seem to be stuck in an area or on a particular level of understanding about a topic, the opportunities seem to get more and more in our face (A.K.A. painful) – until we can’t miss them.

All of our situations are attracted to reflect truth to us to allow growth and experience. Even diseases (actually dis-eases – or lack of ease in the body) have a deep metaphysical cause. “Meta” means “beyond” in Greek. Metaphysical means “beyond physical” or the deeper, transcendent meaning. These diseases are your body’s signal that something needs to change – when you haven’t listened to more subtle clues.

Our destiny is created by us – through our thoughts, words, and actions. We choose to learn or avoid our lessons. Through these actions, we decide our preference of learning – light or dark (easy or hard). Both ultimately serve your soul’s evolution and are brought to you through great love.

Those lessons that we move slowest on often become deeper pains and we build even more resistance toward facing them. To finally open to the lesson, it may take something shocking or ground-breaking to happen. In situations that require the loss of your most treasured things, such as uprooting your family from your home, the depth of the process provides more opportunity to free-up stale energies. A fire may be devastating at the time, however the scorched land has cleared out the ground for new life to grow. The possibilities are expanded with a clear focus. What seems to be the end is a magnificent beginning. This is when we do the things we otherwise wouldn’t do.

As we hit our core lessons, our greater emotions arise. Our most painful time, our rock bottom or dark night of the soul, is often when we grow far greater than ever previously conceived (and possibly desired) before. A lasting change is born from a new, stronger foundation. A whole new level of self is reached.

As we learn our lessons, not only does the pain not hurt as much (because you’ve been broken of the fear of it, gone through it and let go) – it also is no longer attracted to you. The fear is what draws in the lesson. The energy you invest into the fear is what ensures it will come to you. As you release the charge of the fear, you no longer pull it in.

Although it may seem like a pain, lessons are a beautiful thing! We have the ability to learn anything we want! While working on a lesson, set your intention and attention on it. When you are ready, ask God and your guides for help. Be specific as possible and wise about what you ask for. If you’ve asked for help, make sure to be ready to take it in whichever way it comes. And be open to see it – it may not be what you expected at all.

INjoy!

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Originally posted 9/2/09. Revised 5/21/11.

Breaking Limits

2011-05-06T15:21:00.000-07:00

This Easter I reached a whole new realization about what the holiday represents. Christ rose to the occasion, every time. He broke limits - even beyond death! Death was the most unescapable thing in life, yet he did it.

Whatever your beliefs, what this represents is amazing! I love the value of this message. It reminds me of some of my own hard earned lessons.

Have Faith and Trust. Have you figured it out yet that everything works for your greatest good?
Reach for the moon! Even if you miss, you will land amongst the stars. (Love that saying!)
Always keep one foot out of your comfort zone. Those that accomplish great goals consistently expand their mindset. So many of us have stern limits guarded with iron walls that trap us in a comfort zone... because we like to feel safe and comfortable. Comfortable is boring. Stick at least one foot out. :)

Where are you stagnant? Where do you want to be? How can you take a step toward it right now?

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Get Over It

2011-04-29T23:36:00.000-07:00

We all have a past with moments that we treasure and experiences that we wish went completely differently. But that's behind us now and that's where it should stay.

Everyday is a new day. Every decision can change your life. It sounds hokey pokey, I know, and you've heard it before - but it's true! So get a clear perspective. Get over your limited thoughts.

What weighs heavy in your heart today? Think about it. Slow down and do it, now. Or just pay attention and you'll know very soon. I'm sure you know right now.

Why do you let it stay that way? Why do you carry these burdens in your heart for any length of time at all?

God didn't bring you to these challenges for you to keep them inside. You don't have to figure out everything all by yourself. You don't think that, right? You have so many resources available to you. You have got to see the reflection in this situation to soften your heart and find the treasure within this challenge. Do not lock it inside and let it dwell into resentment.

At least take it to God. Make yourself a bath, get in your sacred space, or whatever it is that shuts out every little distractive thought that makes us think we can't talk with God, and connect. Go to that place, sit there all day if you need to, and talk with God. (It actually goes fast once we finally make this the priority).

The worst thing you can do is ignore the challenge all together. Don't do that shit. Go to that place and at least speak to God, if nothing else.

Talk to others as well. Of course there is nothing more wonderful than connecting with God, but speak to the other reflections of God that are in front of your eyes all the time. Those people are there for a reason. Bounce your issues off as many people as you can. Don't feel comfortable talking to others? Step out of your comfort zone and give it a try. Expand it. Guess what? They probably have something to learn from this to and have their own problems too.

If you're brave enough, talk to the people that will tell you what you don't want to hear. You know, those ones that are always telling you to do the opposite of what you want to do. They also have a very valuable side of the truth to show you. So see what it is. Who cares if they judge you or tell you the opposite of what you wish they would have said? It doesn't matter. Let them show you what you can see through them. Be totally open and listen to the messages you can hear come from God through their perspective. Sometimes they say something totally irrelevant but you can get a new idea just by truly focusing and listening to them.

See as many sides of the situation as you can see. Different people give you great pieces to reconcile with your own opinion. Never take anyone's opinion above your own. Hear them out, take it, filter it through your heart, and let it go. See where it can benefit you. Every single person will give you something to think about. Try it with as many people as you can bounce it off of. If you have that intention and you just spend the time, sometimes a five minute conversation can prevent 20 years of suffering over some negative thought or resentful feeling that you would dwell on and let eat you alive. Have a simple chat over lunch or a make a phone call. It can be a random person that opens your eyes to a certain view of compassion that can free you and eliminate that burden that's bothering you so much.

Do you think God wants you to let your heart harden and keep your burdens there forever or do you think God gives you these challenges as opportunities to grow? How do you want to look at your life? Are you a victim who has to endure this vicious life until you get to heaven? Or do you think there's a reason why things happen and a purpose to this life? Do you think we are here to learn and grow? So when are you going to do that?

Do it every day. Be the best you can be. It's a lot more fun at the very least. And remember that you don't have to do everything on your own. Reach out to those around you. Everyone has at least one compassionate ear they can talk to. :)

Have fun!

by Danielle Crume © 2011

The Emergence of the Blues

2011-04-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

From my American Studies 301 Class: American Character. Lawrence Levine writes, a Culture is not a fixed condition but a process: the product of interaction between the past and present. Its toughness and resiliency are determined not by a culture's ability to withstand change, but by its ability to react creatively and responsively to the realities of a new situation. (Levine, Black Culture and Black Consciousness, p. 5, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1978).

Using Levine''s idea as a jumping-off point, below I discuss the emergence of the musical form "the blues" as a response to the situation in which Blacks found themselves in the generations following emancipation.

The blues gradually emerged in African-American culture as a response to their daily life after emancipation. Freed slaves ran into a whole new set of struggles with emancipation. They learned that they were not free to enjoy life at all and had extreme hardships to overcome.

A natural progression from the work songs the slaves sang to help get through their strenuous workdays, the blues creatively expressed their intense individual strife in dealing with the harsh realities of “freedom” being farther than expected.

The blues were very similar to the work songs that the slaves sang. They were an allowable form of expression. They helped people connect with their peers, thus building their community. They helped them to realize they were not alone. They continued to sing about the injustice of the whites, such as cheating.

The blues also displayed a totally new response to their changed situation. These people were marginalized by their lack of options. They expressed changes in their social patterns such as men traveling for work and bearing the oppression of Jim Crow laws. They provided a realistic view of their daily reality. They told the real story, without it being romanticized. Kids could hear the truth. They brought in more individual consciousness than had been in the work songs and were more personalized. The singer responded to himself or his instrument in a back and forth action.

This form of musical expression served as a tool for surviving each day. Known as “Equipment for Living,” hey helped take peoples’ minds off their problems and guide them through them. The blues helped people help each other rise above their difficulties (as much as possible), stay sane, and dance along with their trials.

Religious leaders saw the blues as a threat. They provided some spiritual relief, at times causing the singer to be seen like a preacher. They successfully blended the sacred and the secular worlds, while explaining how life really was. They were the only allowable form of protest.

This is evidence of Levine’s concept because his case point was that they did retain some of their home culture and that their culture was ever changing. Each component of their lives was a blend of combined cultural practices. The blues reveal a culture “which kept large elements of its own autonomous standards alive.” It continued their rich internal life while interacting with the large external society that affected, but did not overwhelm it.

The blues were an amazing creative response to their continuously changing lives.

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Spring Forward: The Essence of the Spring Season

2011-03-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

Beginning. Planting Seeds.

This Sunday spring officially begins! It's my personal favorite change of the year in which the flowers bloom and the weather warms up.

Spring marks the beginning of the annual cycle of life.

Many ancient systems such as the astrological, Egyptian, and Persian calendars celebrate their new year on the vernal equinox⎯the first day of spring.

Held in the cold Earth during winter, seeds and bulbs have undergone changes invisible to our eyes. Bulbs that contain flowers such as daffodils are now blossoming.

Nature reflects what is happening within us. As spring time blossoms, many great achievements are born from a small, dark space. All of the information that you collected during winter is now ready to be utilized and grow.

As spring begins, Earth wakes up from hibernation, anew. The land covers with green vegetation and fresh life is everywhere.

On the equinox, day and night are closest to being equal in length. Over the season, the temperature warms up and the day grows longer. The next several months have brighter days with extra sunshine.

It's an ideal time to take your realizations from your inward journey during the reflective winter months and apply them to manifest what you want most now. As plants spring to life and flowers blossom, there is no better time to plant new beginnings and allow your greatest potential to emerge. It is perfect timing to set intentions.

Can you feel the wonderful essence of spring?
Spring is in the air! The the sun is shining and soil is fertile. The seeds you plant now will grow over the spring and summer seasons to be harvested in fall.

Gather your seeds and start spreading! You will be amazed to see how quickly the seeds you plant now will grow.

This is the ultimate time to set goals, start new projects, and create on new, greater levels. Get started!

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Originally Posted 3/19/09

Refreshed 3/18/11

:: Spring Begins :: Equinox Exercises for Exploration

2011-03-18T08:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome to spring! It kicks off Sunday with the official equinox.

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

Right now is the best time to connect with the clarity you have learned from the dark winter while it's fresh. The long cold season has left Earth bare and the rain has washed it clean.

The changes of the seasons are reflected in ourselves as well. By making the most of this opportune time, we gain a clearer perspective before planting, fertilizing, and nurturing our seeds for this new yearly cycle. Using this process consciously can make significant shifts in what you harvest in fall for this year.

Exercises for Exploration and Growth

Sunday:
Be aware of what instincts and desires you have all day. Take note of what arises. Just simply note feelings and as you write them down and review, you'll start to see patterns and tune into what's rising with you.

Before the weekend is over:
Make it a priority to create a sacred space for yourself to enter. Whether it be at a beach, mountain, some other beautiful place in nature - or in your cozy home with candles and incense - create a space that feels nourishing.

Take a little bit of time to retreat into yourself and get clear on what you will focus on this cycle. First, brainstorm (and/or heartstorm) all the things you want to do on one level or another. Let it all out.

Over the next week:
Take your notes of what desires arose and gather any other lists of goals that you've had in the past. Review all of these ideas together and see what rises to the top. Pick just a few ventures to invest your energy into - the creme of the crop - so that you can focus on them and still have balance with free-time, you-time, and time for your relationships as well.

Make these goals priority above all the little things that come up each week. Follow up by checking in weekly to make sure they are moving forward, even if little by little. (I recommend your Daily Seed HandBook for this, of course! A new one is launching next week).

One little step a week will move you a great distance when you reach fall. More is even better. Have fun with each of them.

Would love to see your feedback about this exercise.

Here's to the most fun and beautiful time of the year!

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Originally Posted: 3/20/09

Updated: 3/18/11

Rise and Shine!

2011-03-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

Catch the Desire to Rise, Consistently…

There is something special about entrepreneurs. We have a different view on life. We see through a different lens. This lens magnifies opportunity, vision, and possibility. We believe we can do it. We make it happen. We follow through with our steady drive as we develop and reach for our goals.

We find a way to get what we want one way or another. We’re tuned in to our inner voice. We stand up for our ideals and truth, even in the face of fear. We thrive on living life to the fullest.

"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement.

You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand."

- Woodrow Wilson

However, we all have our days. Sometimes it seems we’ve lost some of the air in our balloons. Our motivation engine may need a shot of turbo boost from time to time.

"People often say that motivation doesn't last.

Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily."- Zig Ziglar

Running a business is a lot of work. Being a leader is something few know how to do well. The lessons can be tough and tiring. We must consistently rise above and expand beyond the challenges. We find the way to make things happen, even when they may seem impossible.

Here are some refreshers on how to stay motivated during the cycles of business:

Jump Start Your Morning. Getting off to a great start can impact the energy of your whole day. Make the choice to launch your day instead of running behind it.

Even before the sun rises a select few are working, creating, and jumping forward. These morning ninjas accomplish amazing feats daily long before most of us even start thinking about getting out of bed. They rise with enthusiasm, readiness, and determination.

Rise like a child with excitement for the new day. Reserve some space in your awakening routine for doing what you love best. This will help to lift your energy with excitement. The quiet stillness of the morning is the perfect breeding ground for any project that you’d like to develop. Make it your time and rise with readiness.

Step Into Your Day. Attitude is everything. It colors your whole experience. Having a fresh perspective, youthful wonder, and an open unlimited mind will increase the possibility of seeing opportunities and can brighten your outlook all day long. If you look for opportunities rather than problems, you’ll start seeing new possibilities more often than things to worry about.

Be Ready. Be prepared to jump when you need to. You never know when the opportunity you’ve been working so hard for may arise. So be ready! Even if you work at home, get ready first thing in the morning. Keep your phone charged. Have some cash on you at all times. You may need to act quickly when you meet that perfect person or get that brilliant idea. Do the little things that ensure your freedom to be spontaneous.

Remember Gratitude is Key. Gratitude fuels the fire that burns within. Being thankful for the small things naturally uplifts your mood and instantly shifts your perspective. Feeling thankful for the small things every day keeps us happy and encourages our highest presence. We can become aware of and appreciate the hundreds of gifts we receive each day.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy

Stay Fresh. Find your sources of innovation and frequent them. Change is happening everywhere all the time. Stay with it, know what’s out there, and let it expand your mind. Be open to movies, magazines, books, games, or whatever conduits naturally inspire you. Regularly see those that motivate and uplift you. Make sure to constantly see new information. Relax into these sources and let them take you on a journey. Be open creatively to see where you can be innovative in what you do.

Spruce Up Your Space. Delight your senses in the places that you work and play, both inner and outer. Make them inviting, empowering, and nourishing. When these places draw you in, you’ll find that your productivity flies high. Create the ultimate work space where everything you need is within reach. Set up a sacred cornerstone that you can retreat into when you’re ready for a break. In each of these spaces, place inspirational reminders and sacred symbols. Light candles, burn incense, play music, enjoy your favorite drink, and put on your favorite outfit. Engaging all of your senses will prompt a greater approach to the game of life.

Make Swift Decisions. Drudging over a choice can be very draining. When faced with decisions, make it a priority to make the right choice. Go to a favorite place where you feel most clear and get to it! Walk on the beach to invoke clarity or go to the bookstore to do some research, whatever feels right. Once you set your mind, things will naturally move into motion. However, indecisiveness delays movement and creates waste. So get clear and make up your mind. Make it quick and move on. Doors will open like magic.

Be Balanced. Don’t give up yourself in the process of nurturing your business. Maintain healthy boundaries between work and life. Balance your independence with playing. When you are nurtured, you do your best work. Take breaks every few hours. Get outside to places that inspire different feelings. Listen to the stirrings of your heart. Don’t rush through your days; enjoy the flow. Make time to connect with what makes your heart sing.

Are you ready to play on Friday or do you crash on the couch as soon as you step inside?

Stay on top of the most important relationships and projects. Enjoy your loved ones. Connect and share the gifts you receive. Make sure you are living! That’s what it’s all about and why you chose to be your own boss in the first place.

Outsource some busy work and promote yourself to a daily mini-vacation. Enjoy private time for contemplation and rest.

And All the While, Dance. Business and life both go through cycles. Dancing with them is much more fun than fighting against them. Entrepreneurs learn to dance in the rain. Honor the cycles of your body including your energy levels and emotions. Embrace rest when you need a break. Celebrate the surges of your creativity. Always laugh as much as you can.

Check in often. Make sure you feel happy and be open to how you could be even more so. Mobility and flow are ultimate benefits of being independent. Enjoy them!

by Danielle Crume © 2011

American History - Notes

2011-03-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

“Of all historical problems, the nature of national character is the most difficult and most important.” ~Henry Adams

Notes from excerpts we've read in my American Studies class "American Character", based on the author’s viewpoint. I've found this class to be very interesting. Thought some of you may enjoy reading these highlights. The first part of the class has focused on our past. :)

AMST – Readings and Novels

Readings

· “What is an American” by J. Hector St. John De Crevecoeur

o Letters from an American Farmer in 1782 (French born)

o Romanticizes America – Lacked objectivity (limited view of North Eastern Europe), yet beautiful view.

o The American Character he sees:

§ Opportunists: People who came here wanted more (rich stayed in Europe)

§ American “new man” – acts upon new principles, ideas, and opinions. No outdated rules/laws. Establishing new.

§ Free, hard working, quickness, independent thinkers.

§ Alma Mater – new race of men (mixed blood unlike any other) whose labors and posterity will create great changes in the world

§ Americans love their country. Unity of purpose.

o This character is created because:

§ All new, no set laws, no royalty, – don’t owe anyone

§ Incomprehensible opportunity with massive land, unlimited creativity.

§ Careful to do best as they get what they earn, what grow is own, keep what earn.

§ Not such extreme class differences (more equality). Rich and poor are not so far removed.

· “The Pachuco and Other Extremes” by Octavio Paz

o Los Angeles Mexicanism: delight in decorations, carelessness and pomp, negligence, passion, and reserve – seems to float in the air, never mixing with the North American world of efficiency and precision – yet hovers. Never existing, never vanishing.

o Mexicans who have lived in the city for many years look like other North Americans, yet what distinguishes them is their furtive, restless air: act like people wearing disguises who are afraid of a stranger’s look because it would strip them and leave them naked.

o Pachuco – a spiritual condition, or lack of spirit.

§ Youths who form gangs in Southern cities that can be identified by their language and behavior and clothing.

§ Instinctive rebels. Do not attempt to vindicate their race. Obstinate will-to-be, that affirms nothing except their determination not to be like those around them.

§ Does not want to be Mexican again, at same time does not want to blend into the life of North America. Flaunts differences. Creates own style that spotlights and isolates him at the same time. Exhibits a wound. Persecution redeems him and breaks his solitude. His salvation depends on his becoming part of the very society he appears to deny.

§ Has lost his inheritance: language, religion, customs and beliefs.

o Differences between Mexicans and North Americans – irreconcilable attitudes:

§ The Mexican feels torn from the womb. The history of Mexico is man seeking his parentage, origins. The North American feels he has built his own world and it is built in his image. He is alone among his works, lost in a wilderness of mirrors.

§ The North American avoids reality, has no desire to understand it, is confident in surviving no matter how dark the future may appear and only wants to consider the positive aspects of reality. Mexicans contemplate horror, are even fond of self-destruction and celebrate the dead.

§ North Americans are credulous, love fairy tales. Mexicans are believers, love myths and legends.

§ The Mexican gets drunk in order to confess. The North American gets drunk in order to forget.

§ The Mexican is sorrowful and sarcastic. The North American is happy and full of jokes.

§ The North American considers the world something that can be perfected. The Mexican considers it something that can be redeemed.

§ The North American is concerned of contamination with contact. The Mexican feels there is no health without contact.

§ If the solitude of the Mexican is like a stagnant pool, that of the North American is like a mirror. We have ceased to be springs of living water.

· “The Japanese Are Different From You and Me” by James Fallows

o View of a westerner in 1986

o America: source of pop-culture energy. All new comes from US, they refine/improve.

o Japanese take pride in their economic and social system, but act as if something is wrong with them as a race

o Pure race – avoid interbreeding. Superior to “mongrel interbreds”.

o American virtues: big army, sense of style/rhythm, artistic, raw animal/sexual strength

· “The Significance of the Frontier in American History” by Frederick Jackson Turner

o Response to his teacher’s stance that American culture came from European culture, thesis presented to the American Historical Society at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893

§ Teutonic Germ Theory – in order to understand American culture, you had to understand European (Teutonic) culture. Seed in German/European culture.

o Has become the Theory of American Exceptionalism – (one of most argued about theories) – American culture was formed on the frontier; it is the first period of American History (because of our history and geography, we are different than Europe)

§ Americans are different from other nations because they chose to come here, not chosen. Intentional. Different people from different places that hold some common values.

o He felt the frontier was the most significant. Expansive land, ever receding frontier. Waves of settlers expanding westward.

o Frontier: an area of free land, its continuous recession, and the advance of American settlement westward explain American development. Meeting point between savagery and civilization. Edge of free land.

o Frontier continuously drawn onward by the demand for land and the love of wilderness freedom.

o American character dominated by these forces: perennial rebirth, fluidity of life, expansion westward of new opportunities, and continuous touch with the simplicity of primitive society. Steady growth of independence.

o 3 classes:

§ Pioneer: depends on natural vegetation and hunting. Builds a cabin in the woods with a small farm and a couple animals. Stays until crowded out by neighbors and starts over again.

§ Emigrant: next class that rolls in, purchases land, builds the village with bridges, schools, etc. Lives a plain, frugal, civilized life.

§ Men of Capital and Enterprise: Buys from settlers. Small villages rise to a town or city with colleges, orchards, and churches.

o Traits of the frontier: coarseness and strength combined with acuteness and inquisitiveness; practical, inventive turn of mind, quick to find expedients; masterful grasp of material things, lacking in the artistic but powerful to effect great ends; restless, nervous energy; dominant individualism, working for good and for evil, and withal that buoyancy and exuberance which comes with freedom.

o Creation story for America

o Was worried the frontier was over, that period closed.

· “Life on the Prairie Farms” by E.V. Smalley

o Writer, publicist for Northern Pacific Railroad. Job to lure people to west.

o Life on the farms is lonely and secluded. No trees, cramped abode, neighbors far away. Families must do all themselves.

o Suggested changing to farm villages, building on corners of lots

· “The Limits of Ethnicity” by Irving Howe

o Tend to the roots but remember the tree.

o We’ve defined ourselves by not defining ourselves.

o 1890-1920 immigration boom. Kids of immigrants desperate to be American, want to blend in. Love white bread. Their kids wanted roots. White bread is boring. “What the children want to forget, the grandchildren want to remember.”

o People seeking to define themselves through deliberately excluding the dominant native stock

o Losing passions, words, customs of the old countries

o Reach back clumsily to a past that cannot be regained

o Americanizing process: destruction of memories

o Great weakness to the turn to ethnicity is that it misreads or ignores the realities of power in America. What answers will ethnicity offer?

o Current problems require alignments that move past ethnic divisions.

o Instead of focusing on differences, create a vision of humaneness. Become a mensch – keep one eye on the fading past, the other on the unclear future, enlarge ethnic into ethic, and become a person of the world.

Books

· Giants in the Earth by Ole Rolvaag

o Book written in 1927 by a Norwegian who immigrated himself based on the generation who came before him and broke the prairies. When he arrived fresh from Norway, was sad to see how culture and original intentions were lost in materialism.

o Breaking/homesteading the prairie – one of our cherished myths. Heart of American culture.

o Environment overwhelms individual

o Breaking the land was difficult anywhere, extremely difficult in arid plains – flat, treeless, dry.

o First book to show the truth about prairies, others romanticized it. Tragedy for many people and the land. 50 years later became the dust bowl. Exposed human cost of settling the prairie: lives lost, hardships endured (6 months of winter, locust infestations), loneliness, going mad. High price to pay.

o Constant tug of war between extremes:

§ Movement/mobility and rest/roots

§ Individuality and community. Want land plots near each other to preserve community yet build homes in the middle of it to establish space and independence.

· Per Hansa builds a larger house, includes a stable. “Crazy/showing off”. White washes walls.

§ Retaining the old culture and embracing the new. Giving up old culture yet still use skills derived from it.

o Immigrant Chest – symbolism: storage, altar, coffin, and protection/shelter when afraid. Represents the culture/life they left behind.

o Per Hansa found on West side of haystack, facing west. Saga: hero always dies. He was the most “American”, giving up his heritage more than others: large house, hardest worker.

o Plea for diversity and traditions in American life.

o 2 father lands or none. Yet lost where came from, not part of where are. Old vs. new world. Struggle of immigrants: push/pull – lose self/surrender culture for wealth.

o Immigrants dream: freedom and enjoyment of life.

o Timeless – as relevant for today’s immigrants. Same problems hundreds of years later.

· Bread Givers by Anzia Yezierska

o Assimilation – outer changes, inner ideals stay the same:

§ Ex: Max Goldstein – Appreciates old world plain simpleness of Sara, yet also her new world independence

o Acculturation – inner ideals change:

§ Sara refuses to rip her clothing when her mom has passed, against old values. Rejected them. This was her one good suit.

§ Reb’s new wife wanted him to work and buy her jewelry.

o Sara sees “Real Americans” at college. They are clean, have fun and enjoy life, and emanate a feeling of wealth, freedom from the struggle of bread/rent. Worry free.

o Symbols of people between two worlds:

§ Reb – The Old World

§ Shena – The hopelessness of the Old World, push to emigrate

§ Daughters – The choices

§ Sara – the New World: struggle and ambition, poverty to economic success

“No other nation has so successfully combined people of different races and nations within a single culture.” ~Margaret Thatcher

“You cannot spill a drop of American blood without spilling the blood of the whole world… we are not a nation as much as a world… we are the heirs of all time and with all nations we divide our inheritance.” ~Herman Melville

The American Hyphen – two opposite views

o “Any man who carries a hyphen about with him carries a dagger that he is ready to plunge into the vitals of this republic.” ~Woodrow Wilson

o “Variety is the spice of life… the whole point is to see that the hyphen connects instead of separates.” ~John Dewey

:: Aham Prema ::

Simple Keys to Living Your Life As Art

by Danielle Crume © 2012

How to Process Emotions and Find Their Value

by Danielle Crume © 2012

Feel Great Being Grateful

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Giving Thanks in the Morning

by Danielle Crume © 2012

Being Happy - From the *Inside* Out

by Danielle Crume © 2012

The Essence of Autumn

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Love Is

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Originally Posted 07/2009. Refreshed 09/2011.

How to Embrace It All...

by Danielle Crume © 2011

My Love Wish List

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Thank You God!

What Makes Your Heart Sing?

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Summer Summer Summer Time!!!

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Universal Fears and Mirrors of Relationships

by Danielle Crume © 2011

The Golden Gift of Suffering

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Breaking Limits

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Get Over It

by Danielle Crume © 2011

The Emergence of the Blues

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Spring Forward: The Essence of the Spring Season

by Danielle Crume © 2011

:: Spring Begins :: Equinox Exercises for Exploration

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Rise and Shine!

by Danielle Crume © 2011

American History - Notes

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Being Happy - From the Inside Out