Archive for the ‘Happiness’ Category
Just Like the Flowers, You Too Are Ready to Bloom!
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
I have been noticing the amazing flowers and trees bursting all over the East Coast. As I began to look more at the flowers, I noticed varieties I have never seen before (or if I have, I had ignored their beauty). Looking deep into the colors, I wondered when the seeds were planted. I became curious about the depth of the roots. I noticed so many forms of life fully grown and came to realize that this is the ultimate trust in nature that exists. And just when you think you know when Spring is going to arrive, magnolias trees blossom in mid-March!
How am I like the flowers? Where do/did I plant seeds in the hope and trust that they will fully blossom? How far down are my roots and which ones will I allow to become unearthed in new and amazing ways?
Just like the flowers, I am ready to bloom. What is bursting through the earth in your world? Just like the flowers, you too are ready to bloom.
Mary Anne
Expansive Love
Monday, February 13th, 2012
When was the last time…
You danced with a flower?
You fell in love with a tree?
You sang to the stars?
You saw the good in every encounter?
You found peace in forgiving another?
You listened to the rhythm of your heart?
Every moment is an opportunity to experience expansive love. When we stop seeking (or expecting) love or approval, we can begin to love ourselves in deeper ways.
As Pema Chödrön says, “The only reason we don’t open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don’t feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with. To the degree that we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else’s eyes.”
Falling in love means loving ourselves first and sharing that love with others. Go ahead, fall in love with yourself, again.
Mary Anne
Creating Love Habits
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
Every thought becomes a habit. I want my thoughts to create more happy and peaceful habits. Do something every day that brings you more joy and more peace.
I am creating a vision for myself where what I say and do is in alignment. I am ready to create habits as a writer. When I am asked what I do, I will answer I am a writer. In a recent Poets & Writers magazine, Ellen Sussman shared her views on a writer’s daily habits. Sussman wrote, “But many of us are scared to commit to be a Writer, so we don’t commit to the job of writing. Take yourself seriously. Say you’re a writer. And if you’re a writer, figure out how to do your job.”
It’s easy to listen to the muse in your ear. The one telling you don’t have time. You don’t have enough experience. You don’t enough (fill in the blank). Find one hour every day to create your habit. Devote time for you. How you spend time is your habit. Create your love habit.
Commit yourself to more joy and peace. I am committing to being a writer. My vision is to write every day. I’m a writer – there I said it. Your turn!
Mary Anne
Harvesting You!
Tuesday, October 4th, 2011
Everyone must take time and sit and watch the leaves turn.
-Elizabeth Lawrence
As we begin a new season and a new month, let us take time to welcome autumn’s alchemy. Notice what you are harvesting in your life. What are you drawing up from the Earth? What gifts are coming from the Earth for you to celebrate?
Come celebrate the harvesting of you with a shamanism weekend intensive, a forgiveness telecourse, a free meditation mojo teleclass, a retreat in Hawaii, coaching, and much more. For more information, please go to www.toningtheom.com
How will you harvest more love and peace this season?
Mary Anne
Home in the Catskills — Haiku
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
Summer vacations
When I was a little girl
Spent in the mountains
Loud Irish music
Blaring tunes till the wee hours
And last call for drinks
One sister sang songs
And one an accordion
For our proud parents
All while I sulked
Drinking a Shirley Temple
From smoky tables
Mary Anne
How Do You Nourish Yourself?
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
After just returning home from teaching a powerful and healing Shamanic Intensive, I feel so connected and grounded. I felt nourished by all the participants (the tribe) and the abundance of nature that surrounded me all weekend. I had the opportunity to “feed” myself with friendships, healing techniques, sacred ceremonies, and of course, delicious meals. There was authentic reciprocity with people and nature. The transition back to the city, all my projects, and everyday tasks seem to be flowing effortlessly as I feel so nourished. How can that feeling of nourishment be sustained?
In his new book, Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being, Martin Seligman , writes about new ways to look at happiness: a life of well-being. Seligman identifies four factors that can help people flourish: “positive emotion, engagement with what one is doing, a sense of accomplishment, and good relationships.” When I read that, it made me think about how nourished I felt this weekend because of all of the factors listed.
How do you nourish yourself? How do you tend to your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs?
How do you want to move from nourish to flourish?
One way to move from nourish to flourish is to come to an upcoming teleclass, circle, and/or workshop to connect and thrive. In a city that never sleeps, perhaps it’s time we slow down and nourish ourselves. Visit http://toningtheom.com for more information.
Mary Anne
Heart + Mind = ?
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011
Heart meets mind & feels love. Mind meets heart & thinks love.
How do you want to feel and think love today?
Mary Anne
What Are Your Big Plans?
Thursday, February 17th, 2011
I have a habit of asking, “What’s next?” Once I know that proposals are drafted, workshops are planned, and clients have been scheduled, I get myself pumped with dreaming up my next big idea or plan. So far, my big plans include going on a trip to Egypt as an assistant guide {depending on if there is a safe government transition} and inviting Byron Katie to a Toning the OM event. It’s easier to make small plans then big plans – and usually takes less risk. But as I was reminded last week, there are times we need to “do it afraid.” Putting ourselves and our dreams out into the world can have a big impact and lead to bigger dreams.
As Seth Godin says in his blog, “Shun the non-believers. They won’t be easily convinced, but they can be ignored.
Is there any doubt that making big plans increases the chances that something great will happen?
Is there any doubt that we need your art and your contribution?”
What are you willing to do afraid today? What are your big plans?
Mary Anne
I Love You and Me
Monday, February 14th, 2011
Once we look past the commercialism, the overpriced flowers, and the tacky cards, Valentine’s Day can be a day to celebrate all kinds of love. Buy yourself a bouquet of flowers, write yourself a love note, and take yourself out to dinner. Then when you are ready, invite your spouse, partner, friend, or any loved one to join you in celebrating love.
Before we fall asleep or leave for work, my partner and I exchange the words, “Love you.” It’s more than a tradition; it’s a way of reminding ourselves that we have the capacity to love. I have fallen in and out of love with myself many times. There are days I wish Cupid would shoot an arrow at me to remind myself how loveable I am. To love another person takes courage, commitment, and vulnerability. What would it take to love ourselves? Courage. Commitment. Vulnerability.
My wish for you is that you experience expansive love. As I celebrate love, I am open to receive it as well. If I am to love you, it begins with loving me. I love you. And I love me.
Mary Anne
What Is Today Asking of You?
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
What is this day asking of you? It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily routines of life. We can mindlessly go about our business – getting our children dressed, having breakfast, commuting to work, running errands, or driving our car – that we forget about all the little moments in between that show us the miracles all around us. Are we willing to listen?
What’s new about today? What would you like to see change and are willing to do one thing to make that happen?
I have often heard people say, “It’s the way it is.” Yes, it is the way it is, until it’s not.
How will you listen to this day and all it brings you?
Mary Anne