'Being' is Abundance

The Turkish Tailor

There was once a pauper who cleaned the lavatories at Pennington Station named Albert. He lived a simple life of working, sleeping and eating. Albert also liked to enjoy his life and did so abundantly with wine, women and song.

One evening, as Albert was leaving The Drunken Duck Inn, his favourite after-work destination, he noticed a light emanating from the end of Cock's Lane next to The Elusive Camel, a fancy place with fine patrons and delicious food Albert once frequented. Now though, as Albert was too ashamed to return there. He had once made a fool of himself by consuming too much mead and ale with certain unsavory consequences resulting.

It was not a long walk to they alley's end to satisfy his curiosity and when Albert arrived he was astonished to see a diminutive wizard sitting on a large silver pawnbroker's ball inside a lean-to market stall filled with hundreds of burning candles. And in front of him, apparently for sale, was one pair of gentleman's slacks.

Feeling somewhat obligated now as he had shown such interest in the little wizard with his candles and candle-lit market stall, Albert ventured even nearer to inspect the wizard and his goods. "I thought you'd never arrive" said the little wizard with a knowing smile. "But I knew you would" he said. Albert burped the gas of his last ale from The Drunken Duck and nodded at the wizard. The slacks were made of a soft fabric the likes of which Albert had never imagined. They glowed in the candle light with a shimmer and an unmistakable look of quality. Were they cream coloured thought Albert. Or were they silver like the scales of a fish or a light blue as blue as Topsham Harbour on a sunny day though Albert to himself.

 "How much for the slacks?" asked Albert. "Whatever you can afford" replied the little wizard as Albert reached into his warn pants to find he had only one last shilling to his name. "I have only a shilling" he said to the wizard embarrassed, to which the wizard replied simply, "That will do."

Albert could not believe his luck and snatched up the slacks not knowing whether they would fit him or not. He quickly walked home excited with his great luck reassuring himself along the way that the glowing slacks would do him just fine.

When Albert arrived home, his kindly mother did not ask where he had been for she knew by Albert's gate, and the slur of his words that he had been to The Drunken Duck as was his habit almost every evening. "Your supper is on the table" she said to her son in a tired, but loving way. Before Albert even understood her words, he plunked his new treasure down on his mother's lap with a smile. "Look Mammy" he glowed. "The finest slacks money can buy" and then he recounted the tale of his encounter with the little wizard and the impossibly small price he had paid for such fine slacks. "We shall have to pin them and deliver them to the tailor's for you. My eyes are not what they used to be" his mother continued. "Such fine slacks are surely worthy professional stitchery - there's no sense wearing such beautiful and slacks if they're a bad fit" his mother remarked, as she reached into her sewing basket. By morning, the slacks were pinned and set by the door in a neatly folded paper bag for Albert to take to the tailor's on his way to work.

By mid afternoon that day, Albert was still so excited with the prospect of wearing his specially-fitted purchase that he left his duties in the lavatories of Pennington Station and rushed down Spring Street, up Sussex Gardens to arrive in jig time at the little tailor shop on Southwick Street to collect his slacks. He pushed open the door of the narrow shop and at once the tailor recognized him. The little bald Turkish man jumped up to explain excitedly that he had never in his life seen such fine slacks. "The linen, why it is sewn with silver thread. And the lining is like no other silk I have seen" the little tailor continued. "It was an honour to work with such fine craftsmanship. I cannot bring myself to charge you a tuppence for my work for I enjoyed it so". This was remarkable luck for Albert.  His last shilling was used to purchase the slacks the evening before as he had just that moment remembered.

Albert excitedly left the narrow tailor's shop and the balding Turkish tailor and hurriedly made his way to The Drunken Duck Inn where he knew he could add perhaps a few more libations to his slate before Friday's last call. Upon his arrival, Albert assumed his regular seat at the bar, ordered a pint of bitter and carefully opened the crisp white paper parcel containing his newfound treasure. Indeed the slacks were as wonderful and exotic as his foggy memory allowed him to remember. As he unfolded the slacks, they cascaded against him as though they were a long-lost lover causing heads to turn as they fell, and his fellow patrons to gather around him. Indeed these were special slacks and all who knew Albert agreed. As Albert admired the slacks stroking the fine fabric as if it were a prize winning Persian cat, he pulled his hand away abruptly shouting "Ouch" as his finger was pricked by what he knew must have been a pin mistakenly left in the side seam by the Turkish Tailor. Instinctively, Albert squeezed his finger producing a small droplet of blood which then fell upon the slacks. The droplet of blood did not however stain the slacks and instead rolled off the garment like rain shedding off an oilcloth raincoat. How lucky Albert thought as he continued admiring his treasure.

It wasn't long before Albert realized that the Turkish Tailor had not overlooked just one, but all of the pins his mother had used to adjust the fit of the slacks. He knew he would have to remove them as he did not wish to be pricked again particularly in those delicate areas that resided below his waistline. So Albert began to remove the pins carefully, one-at-a-time and placed each one in the glass rail of the bar among the coins, twisted bits of paper, and matchbooks other customers had left behind.

Albert became so engrossed in the activity of locating, withdrawing and depositing pins that he did not notice Sheila a well known lady of the evening approach. "Nice pants Albert" she exclaimed as she pulled up a stool beside him. "You got someplace special you're going? Why do you need to get all fancy-dressed up for?" she continued sarcastically. "Maybe you'd like to come by my place and let be help you try those on for size." But Albert was so deeply involved in the task at hand that he did not even look up at Sheila, nor did he emit more than a grunt in her direction. "Better luck next time Sheila mumbled to herself as she joined another punter down the bar several seats away and well removed from Albert and his busy task.

As Albert continued removing pins from the slacks, the salt and pepper quaffed barman named Smokey wandered by and upon noticing what Albert was doing said, "Be careful of those pins. You want another pint?" Again, Albert was so transfixed with his activity that he did not notice Smokey carefully removing the pins from the bar along with his tips from the afternoon's shift.

When Albert was finished removing all the pins the Turkish tailor had left behind from his new slacks he looked down at his unfinished ale, then at Sheila seducing an unsuspecting and intoxicated customer and decided that he should leave. He didn't really know why for he usually stayed late at The Drunken Duck, but something or someone was calling quietly to him it seamed from within the slacks he held near himself. That can't be Albert muttered to himself as he left for the gents' lavatory where he pulled on the slacks. They were a perfect fit. He left The Drunken Duck wondering about the whispering voice he had heard moments earlier. "I must have been imaging things" Albert said to himself and as he strolled out into the cool night air.  At that moment, a finely gentleman dressed in a top hat and the finest suit Albert had ever seen approached with a friendly smile. "Do you mind good sir, if I ask where you purchased such fine slacks?" Albert gladly told him of the strange wizard at the end of the alley and what a good bargain he was given. "And I didn't have to haggle with him either" explained Albert, as they walked along Gloucester Square toward the Elusive Camel where Albert once frequented. They entered the 'Camel' at the man's insistance. "Come now, I'll buy you a sweet tea" said the man. "We can talk more."

As they approached a round tavern table near the bar, Albert noticed a wizard, the very wizard who had sold him his slacks sitting at the table along with The Turkish Tailor. How strange thought Albert, and what a coincidence that I should once again encounter such an unlikely pair, and sitting together no less, apparently waiting for another to join them. "Come sit" said the man in the top hat as he gestured toward the table where the odd pair were seated. "I'd like to introduce you to my friends, Opportunity and Guidance. "Oh and please allow me to introduce myself properly" the stranger said. My name is Inspiration. Welcome back."

Today is Fairly Significant to Everything Else

Today I commended somebody
Today I thanked somebody
Today I gave space to somebody
Today I gave respect to somebody
Today I listened to somebody
Today I was patient with somebody
Today I accepted somebody
Today I loved everybody
Today I created good energy
What will happen this afternoon?
-H. Alexander Nichols 2015

10 Buddhist Sayings to Help You This Day

Photo: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images.

1. “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.” 

You become what you think about or in other words: what you focus on grows in your life and from what you take your focus away from diminishes.

It means that the mind is directing our life in the way we manifest the life around us by the thoughts and directions we take with our mind. Since everything we created around us is first created in the mind, it is the tool or the interface between our self and the material world.

Another quote of Buddha with a similar message here is “He is able who thinks he is able”. This also shows the creative power of the mind and if we are able to consciously use it in that way – avoiding negative thoughts and utilizing empowering thoughts – we use it in a supportive manner.

2. “All wrong-doing arises because of mind. If mind is transformed can wrong-doing remain?”

This is the core of personal development. It points towards the need to train and develop the mind and to free it from limits and negativity.

The other quote “The mind is the source of happiness and unhappiness.” makes the same point with the special notion of happiness. The mind used correctly – i.e. constructive, empowering, solution- and action-oriented, positive, truth-seeking – can create happiness. But used poorly – i.e. blaming, egocentric, negative, blinded by ambition or separation – it will create unhappiness for us. Training the mind is the key here.

The quote may also point to a transformation by awakening directly, where the mind becomes the servant of the self and not the creator of a self-image (the concept of the ego) as a replacement for the true self.

3. “Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” 

This points to the abundant nature of reality. The abundance mentality says there is enough for everyone, we only have to realize and live by it. It is the opposite of a scarcity mentality, where you have the belief that you always have to fight for your part in a limited world.

4. “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” 

The essence of living in the present moment, the Now, is focusing the mind here and take attention away from thinking about past or future. The present moment is all there ever is to experience life directly. Past and future are only concepts of our mind and therefore are good for learning from the past or conceptual planning when it is useful, but after this there is no need for them. Especially not to dwell in them and get stuck there in the mind by constant thinking loops.

5. “However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you If you do not act on upon them?” 

Action is what counts. It means to be action-oriented and to actually do what we think, to prove what we believe by applying it in reality. Only if we “walk our talk” we are authentic and truthful to ourselves.

To apply yourself and your ideas in reality is like a proof-test for what we think is right and will work. If there is no action and therefore no testing in reality, the words or ideas themselves are of no real sustainable value.

Another quote for this message is “A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker.”

6. “Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.” 

This is the essence of Carpe Diem – to seize the day fully means living wisely. It means to live to the highest truth we know and to rise to our highest values and capabilities.

Living wisely also means not to believe every thought that comes, but to live more from the space between thoughts, from our essence.

7. “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

The so-called Inside-Out approach means to look within oneself to find the inspiration and power to act from this place. It means not to look to the outside world for liberation or happiness, but to take the responsibility for oneself and become that what we are seeking.

His second quote here “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” talks directly about this responsibility, response-ability we have inside.

8. “In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.”

Any perspective we have on anything is only a relative truth. There are always both (or more) sides of any story. An objective perspective or an absolute truth is very hard or maybe impossible to see. But to be aware of this and to be interested to see another perspective from another person can be very mind-opening and valuable.

The matter of perspective (also described in the 7 habits of highly effective people) is a very powerful one and it is the core of most (if not all?) conflicts between people. One things one is right as long one stays in one’s own single perspective – needless to say, the other person has the same reality.

There is a similar quote by The Buddha that fits in here: “In seperateness lies the world’s great misery, in compassion lies the world’s true strength” which shows that if we become able to dissolve the separate perspective to a perspective of oneness with all other, we hold the key to end conflicts and to find solution and agreements suitable for everybody.

9. “If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” 

This quote is perhaps the most difficult one to really understand. In the first place, it is not about the beautiful nature of the flower or beauty itself. What Buddha is talking about – in my humble opinion – is to see and get in touch with the life in a flower directly, without any interference by our mind by mental concepts and thoughts of the flower.

Eckhart Tolle in “A New Earth” talks about the flowering of human consciousness, maybe you want to take a look …

10. “The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.” 

If we are not authentic and truthful to ourselves, we build a wall around us that eventually we have to tear down again. It is then literally a resistance to the reality and our own nature where we can hide some time, but life has a way to show us our own faults in the end.

To be true to the best one knows means to come from our own best knowledge and not buy into something outside ourselves blindly, always asking: is this really true to what I know?

In resonance with this quote also is the final one by The Buddha:

“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.”

Solfeggio Harmonics 528Hz Miracle - Evolution Through Frequency

There are frequencies or vibrations that reveal, heal, enlighten and awaken. The one featured in this audio/video will align your DNA with alternate dimensions and could be helpful in meditation. However, absolute silence under the correct conditions will also accomplish this.

Sleeping is unconscious meditation. We need sleep to provide energy for our daily functioning. But it is never enough, and that is why we feel tired, confused or stressed. Meditation, is conscious sleeping and provides vastly more cosmic energy and has more healing power than sleep alone. Therefore, meditation, at least one minute for every year you have been alive in this dimension is indispensable to health, happiness, productivity and more importantly, the functioning and evolution of your eternal spirit-self. It's very important. We should be teaching our children how to meditate from about the age of five years.

Great Leap Forward: Conditional

NASA photo

I attended The David Suzuki Foundation's 'Bluedot Tour' recently. If you have not heard about it, I hope you can attend. Very simply, its premise is to work to institute declarations legislated at the local municipal level thru to provincial and then to the federal government level to enshrine the right to clean air, water and food in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms just as 119 other countries on Earth have already done.

Interestingly, the extra-terrestrial species who have been knocking around Earth for millennia are waiting for this, and also for the end to our wars. They're really quite relaxed about it. They even let us develop, test and actually use atom bombs that upset the apple cart here on Earth but also in extra-dimensional universes; so strong is the universal agreement among truly 'civilized' species not to interfere with other worlds the more advanced species will let us destroy ourselves with wars and neonicotinoids rather than mess about with our timeline.

Sure, they may poke and probe us and there's a bit of inter-species DNA floating about, but when it comes to our custodial responsibility to protect our world from bad ideas, it's really up to us. Should we ever attain peace, the hell on Earth we humans have created will almost instantly abate because we will be shown new technologies that will essentially save Earth in the cosmic short-term, allowing us to achieve inter-stellar travel. We prove we will not kill each other with anti-gravity devices and we're good to go. Suddenly, several universes and a few inter-spacial bubbles will be ours to play in. After all, when our Sun goes nova, it's kaput for Earth. We better have earned the Great Leap Forward by then.

What does this all mean? Simple; We stop killing one another, we prove we can use technology to improve our planet instead of destroying it through wars and pollution, and the prize at the fair we get is a Kewpie doll called Utopia. So, what's more important; Peace or an environment that will sustain Human life? Bit of a cosmic horse and cart scenario me thinks. Cleaning things up would be a good way to hedge our bet though. -AN

String Theory predicts a shift to the 4th Dimension

There has been talk for decades about an imminent dimensional shift, as long as humanity can sufficiently raise its ‘vibrations’. But what does it actually mean?

One view is that we are currently living in the 3rd dimension (or vibration), and heading to the 4th. The 3rd dimension is characterised by mass, weight, volume and the lessons of the body’s 3rd chakra/energy centre, representing self-esteem, self-respect, generosity and ethics. The 4th dimension/vibration represents the 4th or Heart Chakra, and involves learning lessons of love and forgiveness.

How does this ‘vibrational’ theory work? Quantum Physics has possible answers to this question, notably the ‘Modern String Field Theory’ supported by many scientists. One renowned physicist is Dr Michio Kaku, whose books on String Theory suggest that the universe started a bit like a guitar string that has been plucked, creating a series of expanding soap bubbles or dimensions all vibrating at different levels. In other words, the subatomic particles that make up atoms are believed to be made up of vibrating super strings, and the notes they emanate then translate into matter. ‘The universe is a Symphony,’ says Dr Kaku. ‘The mind of God is cosmic music resonating through 11 dimensional hyperspace.’

Interestingly, Dr Kaku feels that humanity is poised to shift from its 3rd dimensional state to higher dimensions, if it can overcome its self-destructive nature. This entails, one would deduce, an increase in our vibrational state. Is this something that will happen naturally, or do we have to work at it?

Certain activities have been known to raise vibrations, such as singing, meditating, praying, keeping healthy, growing through life’s challenges, and just doing things that make us happy. But it can also happen naturally, usually the result of inner guidance, where we are instinctively drawn to certain foods, circumstances or lifestyles, and repelled by others.

For example, at a higher vibration we usually no longer want to eat or drink certain foods, such as coffee, tea or meat, which are dense and can affect the body’s energy. We may start to avoid chemical cleansers in the home, and prefer to wear natural fabrics against our skin.

Other temporary symptoms can be headaches, reflecting the expansion of the crown chakra, flu symptoms, as toxins are released, nausea and diarrhoea as the solar plexus chakra releases stored fear, anger and resentment. Muscles can ache, if there are blockages preventing the energy flow, emotional upset for no reason as emotional blocks are released, and breathing problems can occur as the heart chakra begins to open.

Heightened sensitivity is also common, to noises, light, smells, tastes, and people. Similarly, some start to develop telepathy, intuition, see spirits and into other dimensions. To explain this further, it is useful to remember that vibrations operate much like radio signal frequencies. In other words, we will see, feel, touch and perceive only what we have tuned into at any particular stage in our existence. That doesn’t mean to say that other vibrational states or worlds don’t exist.

Fatigue can occur, caused by energy shifting through the spiritual body, designed to heal the physical, mental emotional and spiritual bodies. Temporary sleeplessness is common, in cases where the body is unable to store the excessive energy due to blockage and congestion.

Some report weight gain, which apparently helps to anchor and hold grids of light in the areas around where we live. Body fat becomes crystalline, and distributed evenly around every cell to allow the entire body to act as a tuning fork holding a new vibration.

Experts say that the reason given for this discomfort during the transition process is that our higher frequency, non-physical body is shifting out of synch with our denser physical body, causing temporarily uncomfortable sensations. It is an activation of additional strands of DNA (we only use 2 out of 12 at the moment) at a cellular level that causes these changes. To relieve the symptoms, it is recommended to drink pure water, add crystals to energise the water, eat light meals, some light exercise to allow energy flow. When complete separation is made, the symptoms disappear.

Do vibrations rise suddenly? No. We tend to come and go from one dimension to another, until we start to spend more time in one or the other.

By raising our vibrations, we start to live consciously, and open our connections up with our Higher Self, Spirit Guides and higher Light Beings. We start to receive guidance and information from the universal Spirit, which fills our lives with joy, harmony and inner peace. Most importantly, we are preparing ourselves for a more permanent shift into a higher vibration, to a more enjoyable and fulfilled existence, free of the limits and constraints of 3rd dimensional living.

Alphabet for Meditation

zaraskar.deviantart.com

You might use these words and phrases to help with meditation each morning. You could meditate about a single one each day and finish the list in a month with a day off each week before you start the next month... Or you could do all twenty-six every day. Would it make a difference to your focus, your happiness, your balance and your spirit? Try it for a month and see if it has a desirable effect on your life. Email your feedback me.

Achieve that which you believe

Be peaceful

Cultivate love for every being

Deliver miracles to your life and to others

Experience your feelings

Forgive the mistakes of others and yourself

Give unconditionally

Help others, hurt nobody

Indulge lightly

Judge not!

Keep a light within

Learn a new thing every day

Meditate often

Nurture understanding and empathy

Observe  and appreciate beauty

Pray for strength of purpose

Question why

Radiate positive energy

Share what you know

Trust yourself

Unbridle your talents

Visualize your life's mission

Write everyday

X-ray the ‘truth’

Yearn for knowledge

Zone in, not out

Mind Is The Best Traveller

I visit a temple in Tibet every morning. There, I sit before the sun rises with thirty or so Buddhist monks who have become my friends over the past six or seven years.  We chant harmonious overtones and meditate about gratitude, love and peace.

My friends in the saffron robes have only empathy, compassion and love to offer. There is no judging, there is no envy, anger or hatred. There is just peace, and the silence between ‘ohms’ reminding us of the sacred healing power each conscious moment provides when we awaken and listen carefully from within ourselves.

Some years ago, my yoga teacher played a recording early one morning as we meditated. It was the sounds of my Buddhist friends conducting their morning chanting. She had received it from a former teacher and healer on an original real-to-real master tape that she had years before converted to cassette. 

Later in our relationship, she was able to convert the recording to compact disk, and she gave me a copy. I remember it was one of the first digital recordings I managed to copy onto my computer hard drive, and later to various digital devices. This morning, I beamed its signal to a wireless speaker across the room from my cell phone.

No matter what the format, or perhaps how degenerated the sound quality probably is, I can hear my friends each morning as I meditate and chant along with them. The way I listen over the years has changed, but the peaceful essence and powerful effect it has never changes.

Yes, I travel to a monastery thousands of miles away every morning to relax, listen and meditate. Mind is the best traveller.

Good Vibrations

A number of my favourite writers, philosophers and metaphysicians write about the frequency or oscillation of the energy field of beings and things. Scientifically measurable, this field - the etheric if you will, has immense power and can change the course of your life-experience both immediately and over time. It is worth investigating and learning about for that reason alone.

Stuart Wilde is a being I cannot get enough of. The following is from his blog, StewartWild.com 

The oscillations of the etheric force field around has a pulse, a resonance. The higher your resonance the more freedom you have and the healthier you become, you are less confused and tormented. Your resonance is created by the oscillation of your brain cells that give out waves, the slower the waves, like in mediation the more power you have. Then in part, it comes from the flow of blood in your veins and the rest is diet and how you think and of course emotions. The calmer you are, the less emotion you have, the higher your resonance goes.

Emotion causes your etheric field to take on a zigzag edge, like the blade of a saw. The zigzag bounces energy into you in a chaotic way. When you are calm and the edge of your field is clean you get less of the intrusive fields of information and city pulses that can affect you.

Nature cleans your resonance and so does sea water, and animals and love. Sex can raise your resonance if things are kind and normal, or it can degrade you terribly. Porno isn’t good because it is a slaver’s mentality, possession domination, disrespect.

Drugs and alcohol in small amounts won’t affect things up or down, food… learn to eat less and less, remember every meal you have kills you a little bit. Go ballistic on blowing love at people in the street, the trees, animals, and the kids in the park… blow… blow, the more love resonance you express the safer you become. - Stuart Wilde (www.stuartwilde.com)

Conscious Energy 071 - The Energy of Giving

Many years ago, I had a business friend and associate, a British woman who was older and wiser than I was at the time. As our friendship grew, we would often exchange ideas about life and one day she turned to me and said, "Remember to give until it feels good, not until it hurts." If you are motivated to give to others, the greatest thing you can do to perpetuate your ability to give and be your best in doing so, is to first take care of your own needs. When we give from a place of low energy we deplete ourselves even more and this is not honouring to ourselves or to others. Giving to others can never make up for what you are not giving to yourself. If you want to be an exceptional giver, you will search for ways to maintain your own energy and sense of well-being because from this place of feeling whole your giving will actually replenish your energy and ability to continue to give in great abundance.

We can hold ourselves together and strengthen our day-to-day ability to meet life's challenges. This is done by maintaining balance. Balance is all about connecting at every moment with our Authentic Self. It is not enough to know intellectually what healing, awakening or self-actualization is all about if you are not practicing it yourself. It does however, take time and patience.

In the words of Edgar Cayce, "There are no shortcuts to knowledge or wisdom or understanding - these must be lived and experienced by every soul."

Through daily self-care you take the time to consciously hold a loving connection with yourself. All giving, without tending the preciousness within yourself can quickly transform into non-acceptance of self. So, the more you self-nurture the greater your ability is to sustain an authentic connection with yourself and others throughout your day. For example, If you made the self-honouring decision to meditate at least once a day, you would infuse your being with loving energy. The more you do it, the more you become it. When it comes to 'becoming'  there is always a starting point. It's a choice made to do something which will empower your Authentic Self, sustain you and make you stronger, more confident and more loving. From this point, you begin to have a stronger foundation from which to support your giving nature.

I recommend meditation early in the morning when you are rested and your mind is at its most quiet and calm phase of the day; before life's daily 'massage' begins, before all the distractions of the onrushing day begin to challenge your energy and balance. In the same way that a person learns to play a musical instrument by spending a portion of each day in practice, meditation too can be mastered. The benefits to your overall health and wellness are remarkable and numerous. I highly recommend reading 'Creative Visualization' by Shakti Gawain if you are new to the idea of meditation and wish to explore it further.

Meditation is one way I self-honour myself and replenishing my energy so that I come from a more balanced and authentic place as I interact with the world around me. By looking after my personal needs first, I have the energy to give of myself and to others without feeling exhausted or depleted in any way. By putting my self-care first, everyone with whom I come in contact feels the benefits in the way I relate to them. Think about what activities strengthen your connection with your Authentic Self.