Today is the beginning

On January 20, 2017January 20, 2017 By Moments with MillieIn Essay7 Comments

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Today…

Today is the beginning of change.

Regardless of where you stand under the political umbrella or convictions, we can all agree that change is coming. For the past few months we have witnessed friends and family battle their beliefs with hate and nastiness. Social media, the news, and other forms of communication have used this election as a means to cause fear and hatred across the world. I have been shocked and appalled at the many who have chosen to discard a friend because of his or her political choices.

But, isn’t this country made from diversities? Aren’t we here as a melting pot of cultures, beliefs, ethnicity, and differences? Isn’t it in our adversities that we resort to greatness? This country is not black or white. It isn’t left or right wing. It isn’t made up of one choice or religion or group. It’s made up of gray areas such as me, a Hispanic woman, or my children who come from Europe and have all shades of skin colors. Or, some of which are gay and others who suffer from mental illnesses. I believe we, as a whole, complete this nation. Until this election I had never, ever, witnessed such tremendous division in our country. And, today, I wonder what makes America great?

It’s the compassion we share. It’s the humility we exude. It’s in helping others, here and outside the country. It’s in forgiving. It’s in the lessons we learn from others who aren’t like ourselves. It’s in altruism, empathy, and kindness that we make this country one of the greatest in the world. It’s in the people who fill every square inch of our boundary lines in a map that make the United States of America a union.

For eight years I heard, read, and witnessed a million comments about our President. Some I took rather personally, others I learned from. But, what I found was that in spite of the hatred and opinions, we had a pretty successful course of events. No one is perfect and neither was his administration. He truly endured a legacy of anger and discord. Anyone who goes into that office has to have thick skin. And here we are again. In another four years we will be right back here arguing and fighting our beliefs.

Here is what I know to be true: We are a nation united by its citizens from all parts of the earth. This new President was elected by this country. There is no doubt that division has been seen loud and clear. I hadn’t a clue, in my oblivious hippie state of being, that we had been so suppressed by anger, bigotry and hatred in this nation. News to me! However, it’s out there now. The lack of understanding and accepting is astronomical and perhaps daunting. It’s disturbing to experience all this fear and anger that is being passed on to the younger generations.

Trump is a powerful lesson for us all. Whether you voted for him or not, he is going to be a clear starting point for this nation to start healing from years of keeping quiet over prejudices and bigotry. Religious groups have spoken and I feel it is time to take notice that the division is being magnified throughout the world. We must stand together in spite of what we believe. Together we stand, divided we fall.

I only hope that those protesting can do it in a quiet and sensible manner. That those who are mourning for this change can heal from the disappointments. That others who are yelling and rubbing their victories can also learn from diversities. I ask that we join together in sending this new leader healthy and compassionate vibes because he will need it. We are being instructed to stand together in something powerful of a historic phenomenon. It won’t be easy and those who think that victory has concluded will see many incredible changes that will make them question their choices and faith. Today is the beginning.

It starts here with us…with the black, white and gray. We make this country a privilege to live in. We are learning from each other how we act and react. Let’s do it civilized and with optimism. Those who are heartbroken, I feel for you. I understand. I also believe that in this space and time there is work to be done in many facets of our evolution. In our spirituality and beliefs we hold the key to this great change. What an opportunity to utilize all that we know as healers, lightworkers, and spiritual trail-blazers! No other time in history could we have been given such a tremendous challenge to show how love and forgiveness can transform the world. Our hope, our desires, and our hearts can turn challenges into miracles.

God bless America and all its beautiful souls! I love you.

Making Gracious Decisions

On November 15, 2016November 14, 2016 By Moments with MillieIn Essay5 Comments

A friend and co-worker yesterday came into my office in the morning, “Hey, girl, I brought us soup for lunch. My mother made a huge pot and I wanted you to have some with me later.” I was deeply grateful. Such loveliness and she’s just amazing.

Lunch time arrived and she heated a pot with the soup and called me when it was ready. I got my giant bowl, in full gratitude, as it smelled delicious. As I sat down with the first spoonful I saw the peas. Now, for those who don’t know this, I hate peas. It’s the only vegetable that I cannot even entertain. I am usually pretty graceful about taking them out but the soup was full of them. (Had it been split-pea soup I would’ve had no problem because they would have been blended). There, in my bowl was a pool of them surrounded by other veggies that I do like. I was so touched by her gesture that I took a giant spoon and swallowed those suckers along with a huge smile while patting my heart. The first bites were painful and I became aware of all the textures in my mouth. I tried not to gag on my own thought because it was truly a yummy soup. I was forever present in that experience. With each mouthful I gave gratitude and love to her and her mother for sharing their meal with me. I am forever astonished at how those peas stopped being an issue and I ate every bit of that bowl.

Here is the thing: we might not like what we are served at all times, but we have a choice in seeing the generous heart or lesson behind it. We can pick and choose what we want out of a situation. We can respect those around us who mean well in their beliefs and choices. We don’t have to like it, but we can choose to swallow it with love and light. Life is about making gracious decisions without hurting others intentionally. Life is a kaleidoscope of experiences, obstacles, challenges that join us to one another. Today is peas, tomorrow is something larger. My actions speak volumes through my reactions. And so do yours!

Fear of Success

On May 9, 2016May 9, 2016 By Moments with MillieIn Essay10 Comments

I don’t consider myself a fearful person. I don’t live based on worrying about things that I can’t control (which is mostly everything in life). But, for a long time I have been hiding a fear that, until a few days ago, didn’t show itself into my awareness. I have been fearful of success. I have stopped myself so many times because of not hurting anyone with my career choices. It wasn’t until a few days ago when I was redoing my blog and giving it a new face-lift that I said to my husband, “It was time to do this. I don’t know why I haven’t taken care of this before.”
My husband immediately answered, “You have been paralyzed by the fear of success.” I pulled away from the computer and looked at him across from the dining room table. He was right. I have stopped growing with my writing career so I wouldn’t hurt anyone else. I feared that if I succeeded others might not love me or accept me. I feared that my success would alienate others who didn’t know their own worth. I feared losing those who had self-worth issues because they would somehow feel less with my success. I fear the idea of what succeeding would create for those who needed me around them.

Here is what I know about success and others: Anyone who can’t handle your joy, progress, abundance, or growth has an issue with their own ego. They aren’t really part of a healthy support system. To me, seeing others succeed is a drug of choice. I love to watch them rise and move forward. I get a high from being able to witness triumph and advances. If I can help them with words of encouragement, I feel like I have had a massive dosage of Oxytocin. I feel their joy and their vibrations. It’s a place I love to be, surrounded by those who move forward and align with their purpose.

I’ve had an inkling about this but sometimes it takes someone else to point it out. Every time someone has given me an opportunity for growth I have stopped myself in the past. I would start with the best intentions and then stop while returning to the comfort zone. I had this idea of what writing could be and not what is it right now (or what it will become). I had this perception, old programming from childhood, that writing wasn’t going to pay me anything. It was a hobby. I wasn’t going to be Hawthorne, Frost, Poe, Mary Oliver or Elizabeth Gilbert. I had to come to terms years ago that it was just a means to get my feelings out in the open. Through the process of writing I have found myself. I have met hundreds of people who are now in my tribe. If I hadn’t written a word none of these folks would be in my life. And because of those unions, I have finally figured out that what I want is to write stories of how the world moves, feels, and survives. I want to share humanity’s echoes and voices while inspiring others to succeed and overcome obstacles.

Success has an egotistical tone to it. The word itself feels mighty over accomplished when you say it. But, the reality is that success is overcoming all illusions of failure. We have no problem accepting failures, disappointments and heartaches. That, we accept without an issue! We actually expect it! Ah…but to triumphantly engage above and beyond what you can imagine…now that is difficult for most of us to conceive.

My husband has witnessed me at the lowest points and the highest ones. He has seen me move forward tenaciously taking what I want when I put my mind to it. He knows me enough to sit across the table and say those words without judgment. He knows me well enough to know that I understand those three words, “Fear of success.”

I have written about it in my journal the past few days. I have moved on through the root of when the programming began and why I allowed it to become a core belief system. I have seen success many times in my life. I have been very successful in many areas. I have overcome obstacles. I am certain you all have as well. But when was the last time that you sat down and said, “I am going to live my life’s purpose without this nagging fear that is paralyzing me?”

We create excuses for not pursuing our dreams. I don’t have enough money, or time, or help…. We can truly find time when we want something badly. You want to write a novel? Get up early enough to write a page a day. In a year you will have 365 pages. You want to be a hat maker? Go for it. Start today with just scraps of materials. You want to climb the highest mountain? Start walking around the block first. You want to paint and get paid for your art? Start selling your work at a flea market or in front of your house then work yourself into selling on Etsy. You want to be a greeting card maker? Start your own line of cards on a blog. You want to teach yoga? Start substituting at a studio on the weekends.

You know the only thing that stops you from achieving a goal? YOU! You stop YOU! You scare YOU. You fear YOU. You don’t fear success. You fear YOU being successful. Fear is a horrible emotion and when we buy into its darkness we refuse to turn on our inner light to dispel it.

So today, I am working towards my goal. I am going to succeed in writing stories from all corners of the world. I urge you to email me and share what you have overcome in this life. I will be more than joyous to write these into an article and share on my blogs. We all have stories. It’s time you inspire another! Live your truth no matter how difficult it feels. Nothing exciting ever happens in your comfort zone. You have to leave it in order to find change and growth!

Please email me at dharma.1111@hotmail.com

Thank you and I love you!

The Art of Getting Lost

On May 7, 2016 By Moments with MillieIn Essay5 Comments

This morning on the way down the mountain into Asheville there was a traffic accident. I had a choice to sit through it or take a road less traveled on an adventure. Yeah, you already know what I did! I took a road into an unknown destination. And, the magic began to appear through every curb and dip into an area I had never visited. I was going down the rabbit hole, and I just knew I would never be the same again. Each scene took my breath way. Today is just lovely!

That’s the beauty of taking adventures…it’s the getting lost part that’s mystical. There is a true art to purposely getting lost and challenging your spirit to thrive with enjoyment. I live for the excitement of finding treasures through serendipity. I began to see farm houses with mountain views, horses on scenery that belongs in movies, and endless amount of greenery. It was an explosion of wonder and all this so close to my house…and yet…so very far. All of this in a world of its own.

These are the moments my husband refers to as Millie’s Fairy-Ass Moments when the “aha’s,” “wow’s,” “look at that,” “Oh My God!” and so many other childlike words escape me. These are the moments I drive through the curbs yelling, “Weeeeee!” It’s in those specific moments that I am reminded that the gypsy in me is always ready to take flight and explore. These mountains have a way of turning you around even when you think you are going the right direction. The longer I drove the clearer the awareness arrived, “This is what I want to do. I want to write and travel. I want to hear stories from strangers in all corners of the world while giving our little girl an experience of a lifetime.” This morning brought up that confirmation that things need to work towards that so I can get lost without an agenda. I need more of this because it makes me come alive. I need to continue manifesting this awareness into my reality because it is a vital facet of my soul. This is who I am. I have felt stuck for so long that when I do get lost I feel like I find my grounding.

When was the last time you got lost? Do you enjoy experiencing new places or does it cause you anxiety? Can you get up on a moment’s notice or do you need planning? I urge you to take the road less traveled. Don’t have a plan. Enjoy one morning without it. Make time to breathe outdoors, talk to strangers, and share in this space with get to call home.

Stopping the Drama

On September 4, 2015 By Moments with MillieIn Essay3 Comments

I woke this morning sick of my stories, the drama I repeat, and the never ending struggle to find peace among the storms that are not real but living in my little head. It’s sickening. This BEing and just allowing is not for sissies. No one said that the spiritual walk was meant to BE a brisk-cool walk in the park! It takes massive amount of discipline and I don’t follow orders very well…even when it’s from the esoteric world. So…I got up…did my meditation…had to stop right in the middle and said, “F*@k this crap! I can do this. I have manifested incredible experiences in this lifetime. I can let this go and move on without this struggle. This is my own ego creating this shit! I am more than this scene, this stage, and this production!!!” I got up from the sofa, went outside in the cool morning, saluted the four winds and now feel like I can keep going without this intense production that hasn’t aired in any stage but mine.

We have the complete capacity and power to change our thoughts. In those moments I feel the swirl of energy directing me into joy, faith, and love. The heart opens up when I let go of the toxic stories I retell myself. I release shame, guilt and any freaking resentment that has been attached to those one-woman acts. It’s just a shift in perception. I promise.

Sitting with a friend yesterday she said, “I wish I knew what I don’t know!” It’s amazing how those words have stuck out even throughout the night. We have a knowing and certainty at times that guides us into the most amazing places. At other times the same knowing tells us that we are missing something that we should know but we cannot reach it. It’s frustrating. Our humanness battles with divinity and spiritual processing. It’s a constant battle of patience and expectation. But, when that feeling comes up I am aware I have to remember that God is in charged. I have to believe that if I follow synchronicity and make no rash decisions I will be better than okay. I keep my mantra, “Okay, God, this or better!”

Aren’t you sick of your same old stories, drama, struggles, and total bullshit (because it is just crap)? Then change the channel…tune into the mass consciousness of love…for you and the world. Get out of your head. Get out of your way…you got this! Onward and outward, darlings….take one breath at a time and move through your knowing. I like to believe wholeheartedly that mysticism is birthed in those in between moments of not knowing what I should know. It’s in those moments like this morning when I declare enough of the same insanity and drama. I am always cradled in spirit. I see the first step onto the dark stairwell…the rest is moving through blinded faith.

It starts in your backyard

On June 1, 2015 By Moments with MillieIn Essay2 Comments

Whenever we stop thinking in a grandiose way the world will begin to shift. Conscious choices require work outside of our reach. I have heard so many folks stating that they wish they could make a difference in the world: feeding the hungry in Africa, saving humanity elsewhere, etc. But, nothing gets done in their backyards. There’s much to be done here. A smile at a check-out aisle, a sweet word to a stranger, a coffee for a veteran, a muffin gifted to a homeless person…. Rather than think BIG and allow EGO to create a dramatic entrance, why don’t we just start small? Send a card to a friend letting him/her know that they are a gift in your life. Text someone out of the blues with a sweet message and laughter. Leave a bag of sweetness or a candle on a neighbor’s door. You never know how much that person might need that acknowledgment on that day. Follow that tug, pull and push from within that exudes compassion for humanity.

Life begins and ends in our circle of gratitude. Yes, it’s wonderful to think of helping humanity out there, but there’s much that can be done right here. Leave a ten dollar gift certificate on a door of a single mother who is struggling to make ends meet. We all matter! We all can make a difference when we shift our perception to here and now. Let’s remove the grandiose attitude. Sit with a stranger. Share stories, break bread, share a gentle touch, and allow the world to change you while making a difference here. We all just want to be appreciated and loved. Focus on your backyard! There’s much work to be done. We can’t all be superstars. We matter in each others’ lives. Start living life outside of your comfort zone and watch how the magic appears. The AHA moments will blow you away. I love you…have a great day!