"Up Where You Belong"~Joe Cocker

Does a song ever appear in your mind clear out of the blue?  This happens to me fairly often.  I used to wonder, "Where did that come from?   What made me think of it?"  I know I had not recently heard it  and nothing just happened that could have created a memory of it.  If I don't know all the lyrics, I've learned to find them, because invariably there's a message in the song that I need a reminding of or need to learn! It seems to be one way that Spirit teaches me.   This is the case yesterday with Joe Cocker's, "Up Where You Belong."

Verse 1:

Who knows what tomorrow brings
In a world where few hearts survive
All I know is the way I feel
When it's real
I keep it alive

The road is long
There are mountains in the way
But we climb a step every day

Chorus:

Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world we know
Up where the clear winds blow

Verse 2:

Some hang on to used to be
Live their lives looking behind
When all we have is here and now
All our lives
Out there to find

The road is long
There are mountains in the way
But we climb a step every day

(Chorus)



I realized after reading the lyrics,  I once again had fallen into focusing on the past and worrying about the future!  This, of course, always dilutes the present moment and generally provokes fear and dis-ease!  It is impossible to experience Love on any level with this mindset! 

Love does lift us up where we belong but we have to make the conscious choice to be in Love and not fear!  This sounds so easy doesn't it?  That is, just make the choice!  I've found that certain times it's easier than others.  It depends on the circumstances involved.  Yet, ultimately, it is always a choice. 

For me to switch from fear to Love, I know it is time for me to... "Be still and know I AM, God" (Psalms 46:10).  I've found this to be a very powerful mantra in meditation.  I repeat it until I feel His Love which lifts us up where we belong!

Blessings,
Denna




My favorite "MiniGems" on "Living in the Now!"

www.twentygems.com

www.twentygemsworkshops.com

www.YouTube.com/twentygems2020

Denna J. Shelton, Copyright 2013

Disappointment, The Nurse of Wisdom

"Disappointment is the nurse of wisdom." ~Sir Boyle Roche



I will be the first to admit that I become easily

disappointed.   This is probably due to overly high expectations.  However, I 

have painfully learned that a degree of disappointment is part of the human

experience.  It is not pleasurable--no one enjoys disappointment and it 

always brings up the question:  Why? 


It is the "why," asked not in victimhood, but in a desire to learn and grow 

that holds the gift in disappointment.  In my disappointment, if I withdraw

momentarily to re-evaluate, re-assess, and re-group, I can usually discern 

the lesson from the dissapointment and then charge forth with

new wisdom.   I  have a grateful heart for the gift in my disappointment: 

personal growth!  This lies in every disappointment, if you allow it. 

My Favorite Gems on Dissapointment

www.twentygems.com

www.twentygemsworkshops.com

Denna J. Shelton, Copyright, 2013

Stress-free Mom and Calm Baby

Having gone through two pregnancies myself, I know this is a very special time for a woman and her family. It is a time of many changes in a woman’s body, in her emotions and in the life of her family. As welcomed as they may be, these changes often add new stresses to the lives of busy pregnant women who already face many demands at home and at work. I know from my personal experience that there is an amazing difference in a newborn whose mother was extremely stressed throughout her pregnancy vs. a mother who was calm. Meditation during pregnancy can be the solution.


Studies have shown that regular meditation increases serotonin; a powerful “feel good” hormone which contributes to feelings of happiness and contentment which can help mothers avoid pre-natal and post-natal depression. Recent research suggests that meditation while nurturing your baby is a contributing factor in having a peaceful and content baby after birth.

Many people shy away from meditation because it uses valuable time and can be frustrating if you don’t experience quick results. “Twenty Gems, Journeys to the Self” provide the benefits of meditation during pregnancy in a short and gratifying process. Each visual meditation leads you through an 11-minute journey of skillfully combined imagery of nature scenery, mesmerizing graphic animation and soothing music while instantly relaxing and healing, where you emerge feeling calm and rejuvenated. The optional positive affirmations throughout encourage healthy self-esteem, self-acceptance, and empowerment.

Here’s what a few have said:

“I have been looking for weeks for a DVD with beautiful images that could provide relaxation. Finally during a flight on US Airways I discovered TwentyGems which was showing as the boarding video. It is exactly what I’ve been looking for. You must let other pregnant mothers know about this production. By the way, it was the most relaxed flight I’ve ever taken.” – Kayla

“My two-and-half-month old son is a very colicky baby who cries a lot. I placed him in front of our television with TwentyGems and he went from a fussy state to cooing with delight. He watched the whole 44 minutes!” – Theresa, Atlanta, GA

… “As a psychologist, I have seen many similar products and none compare to these. The caliber of the spoken words and dynamic, exotic, and serene visuals is unlike anything else. I would highly recommend these materials to anyone who desires to slip into total relaxation and feel better than they thought possible.” - Kathleen Nickerson, PhD, Laguna Beach, CA

“I agreed to baby sit my four month old grandchild on a day I had so much to do. I placed him in his swing in front of TwentyGems hoping to occupy him for a brief while. Much to my amazement he watched the entire 44 minute loop twice! He was totally entertained while joyously interacting with these beautiful visuals!” – Jolene, Kansas City, MO

Watching TwentyGems only eleven minutes a day on a regular basis as meditation for pregnancy will help your body and mind to work in harmony not only as you prepare for the birth of your new baby but also for a content baby after birth.

Here is a sample,” I AM Harmony” from Volume 1. Experience it for your Self…

Click here for more TwentyGems video samples or Click here to order

Copyright 2013, Denna J. Shelton

Leaving the City of Regret by Larry Harp

I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly.  This trip was going to be unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it.  I'm talking about my annual "Guilt Trip."

I got tickets to fly there on Wish I Had airlines.  It was an extremely short flight.  I got my baggage, which I could not check.  I chose to carry it myself all the way.  It was weighted down with a thousand memories of what might have been.   No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City International Airport.  I say international because people from all over the world come to this dismal town.

As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel, I noticed that they would be hosting the year's most important event, the Annual Pity Party.  I was not going to miss that great social occasion.  Many of the towns leading citizens would be there.

First, there would be the Done family, you know, Should Have, Would Have and Could Have.  Then comes the I Had family.  You probably know ol' Wish and his clan.  Of course, the Opportunities would be present, Missed and Lost.   The biggest family would be the Yesterday's.  There are far too many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share.

Then Shattered Dreams would surely make an appearance.  And It's Their Fault would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had failed in his life, and each story would be loudly applauded by Don't Blame Me and I Couldn't Help It.

Well, to make a long story short, I went to this depressing party knowing that there would be no real benefit in doing so.  And, as usual, I became very depressed.  But as I thought about all of the stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this trip and subsequent "pity party" could be cancelled by ME!  I started to truly realize that I did not have to be there.  I didn't have to be depressed.  One thing kept going through my mind.  I CAN'T CHANGE YESTERDAY, BUT I DO HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE TODAY A WONDERFUL DAY.  I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as encouraging.  Knowing this, I left the City of Regret immediately and left no forwarding address.  Am I sorry for mistakes I've made in the past?  YES! But there is no physical way to undo them.

So, if you are planing a trip back to the City of Regret, please cancel all your reservations now.  Instead, take a trip to a place called Starting Again.  I liked it so much that I have now taken up permanent residence there.  My neighbors, the I Forgive Myselfs and the New Starts are so very helpful.  By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy baggage, because the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival.  God bless you in finding this great town.  If you can find it--it's in your own heart--please look me up.  I live on I Can Do It Street.

I AM... Enough

Are you enough? This is a question I frequently asked myself consciously and probably unconsciously. The answer to that question on one level or another was often "i" am not enough. This belief either drove me to the point of physical or emotional exhaustion or often stopped me dead in my tracks. I discovered to truly remember who and what I AM determines if I AM... Enough!


There is an aspect, a small "i" that will always want to prove to myself and others that I am enough. This aspect, no matter how hard it tries, no matter what it does or doesn't do, very rarely feels it is enough. I also know that "i" can't control this aspect. (Living in a culture that values productivity above all else feeds it.)  I've learned to accept it. I no longer run from this part of myself but surrender it to a greater part of me that lies within and without. I allow this fearful aspect that shouts.. "Not enough, not enough, not enough," to be embraced by my own compassionate nature and by a power that is larger than me. There is no greater freedom.

In my daily prayer/meditation I state clearly that I surrender all aspects of myself to the "I" that is greater than me. I lift those frightened places within me to Light and Love. I state that I align "my" will with "My" will and ask for Divine assistance for my day. This is something I just have to do on a daily basis! If "i" do not, the proverbial... "Not enough, not enough, not enough," raises its ugly head.

I often journal the messages that come through from the "I" when the smaller "i" quiets itself to hear. The following is what was received after a particular plea for help for feeling I was not enough...

"Know that you’re more than enough just as you are. There is nothing you have to prove to yourself or anyone else to claim your worthiness. You were created in the image of God-I AM with your own individual expression and unique gifts.  Your own personal gifts are enough! It does not matter what gifts others have. Focus on yours! You have everything you need within you to create a purposeful and rich life.

What undue pressures you put upon yourself! Do your best each day and know it is enough. Some days your best may seem better than others. Knowing you are enough does not have to be based on how much is accomplished on a daily basis. Each day you are enough. When you remind yourself of this, you will feel confident and self-assured. You will feel lighter and more joyous! Those around you will sense your joy and will feel more joyous themselves."   *

Are you enough?  The truth is, you are! Everyday and every moment, if you have to, surrender the aspect of yourself that says differently to that greater part within and without, to the power of Love, the Creator of all, I AM.  You are enough.  I AM... Enough!

Copyright 2012, Denna J. Shelton

*TwentyGems, Journey to the Self, (Gem #15) soon to be released.

My favorite "MiniGems" on Worthiness...

www.twentygems.com

www.twentygemsworkshops.com

www.Youtube.com/twentygems2020



Gratitude Power

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."~Thornton S. Wilder

Life is more complex and unpredictable than ever. Things are changing so drastically, both personally and globally, that sometimes it's difficult to assimilate it all.  Some of us are deeply concerned about the economy, the threats to our security at home and abroad, the environment, and education.  Others have serious family, work, and health issues or a combination of the above.  It is easy, especially these days, to be consumed with fear and laser focused on the negative.  Is it possible to hold a grateful heart in the midst of all the negativity we are bombarded with daily, primarily through the media?  Perhaps not easy initially, but certainly possible!  And not just possible, but actually imperative for our own well-being and the well-being of the whole.  There is power in gratitude that creates emotional and physical health.

Author and Researcher, Dr. Robert Emmons conducted eight years of intensive research on gratitude.  He found people who view life as a gift and consciously acquire an "attitude of gratitude"  will experience multiple advantages.  Here are just a few:

• Strengthened relationships
• More kindness
• Better able to deal with tragedy and crisis
• Exercised more regularly
• More optimistic
• More alertness, enthusiasm, determination
• More love of self and others

In a study of adults with neuromuscular disease, a 21-day intervention of gratitude resulted in a greater amount of energy, positive mood, a greater sense of feeling connected to others, better sleep duration and sleep quality, relative to a controlled group.  It is also important to note that all the grateful people in the study were grateful regardless of whether special events happened in their day or not.  Again, it was their grateful attitude.

Here are just a few ways of practicing gratitude that I've gathered over the years that work for me.  They have continually proven to shift my perception to the beauty that is all around me even on the worst days:

1. Recording things to be grateful for in a journal which was implemented in the above mentioned study.
2. Deliberately finding ways to thank others in my life.  For example,  "Have I told you lately how thankful I am for you?"
3. Not discounting kind compliments from others.  Pausing and deeply looking into their eyes with a heartfelt "thank you."  (This is very powerful for both parties!)
4. Taking my focus off the past and future and embracing the moments of the day with simple gratitude for everything.  This requires mindfulness--being aware.  (Also really requires a lot of practice!  I'm getting better.)
5. Beginning my meditation/prayer with a grateful heart.  (Much more loving experience than beginning with a plea.)

I believe more than ever we are needing to take a daily, active role in off-setting the negative that is happening in our world today.  Consciously choosing to be truly grateful in a heartfelt way is one powerful way to do just that. When we have emotional and physical health which a grateful attitude can provide, we feel happier. When we are happier, others around us tend to be happier as well.

Gratefully,

Denna

PS  My favorite Gems on Gratitude

Copyright 2012, Denna J. Shelton

Don't Die with Your Song Still in You!

"More important than learning how to recall things is finding ways to forget things that are cluttering the mind." ~ Eric Butterworth




I've found there is one clutter, above all others we must eliminate from our minds if we want to begin living the life of our dreams. It's worrying about what other people think! Worrying about what other people think! If we eliminate this one clutter, then we will be free to follow our dreams. So what can you do to clear the clutter; to stop worrying about what others think? I have two steps that worked for me!

#1 Monitor your "inner speech," make sure it is your own and it matches your dreams!

There's probably a long list of people, most of them relatives I'd bet, who have strong ideas about what you should be doing, who you should become, how you should act and how you should be thinking. If your thoughts are cluttered with what others expect of you, you'll continue to live a life that is not your own. So whenever you hear yourself saying anything like - "What would they think of me," or "what would people say," and "people will laugh at me," realize what these thoughts really represent. They are other people's opinions that you are allowing to prevent you from following your dreams. It was Dr. Seuss who said, "Say what you mean and act as you feel, because those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter." Monitor your "inner speech," make sure it is your own and it matches your dreams!


#2 Step out of your comfort zone and ACT toward you dream. In other words, you must DO, ACT, SAY whatever it is that you need to follow you dream without regard to what others think.

It can be a simple statement to someone you trust about your dream. It may be to enroll in a class that pertains to your dream. It may be to buy a book about your dream. It really doesn't matter what you do, so long as you DO something to get the ball rolling and keep it rolling. There's an old Irish Proverb that says, "You will never plough a field, if you only turn it over in your mind." Step out of your comfort zone and ACT toward your dream. You must DO, ACT, SAY whatever it is that you need to follow your dream without regard to what others think.

What makes you happy? What makes your heart sing? Not the heart of your relatives, friends or co-workers, but your heart? Whatever it may be, you can have that life, that dream if you will only stop worrying about what others think and take the simple actions steps toward that dream.

The world now more than ever is in need of your dream, your song. You have a song to sing! Don't Die with Your Song Still in You!


Affirmation:    "I AM free to sing my song!"


Denna J. Shelton, Copyright, 2012