Keep an Open Heart

I look around at my peers and see a lot of jaded faces, marked by frowns and tired eyes. I hear both men and women say that members of the opposite sex are untrustworthy. Many have given up completely on love, on companionship, on friendship, on intimacy ... on having it all, because of how things worked out for them in the past. Because they suffered, they do not want to risk being happy. Does that really make sense?

It may seem trite, but what we focus on becomes the truth for us, whether it be positive or negative. Why not go for the positive? I have also come to realize that we tend to see in others a reflection of ourselves.

One of the reasons I feel I get along so well with younger people is because, for the most part, they are still dreamers and idealists, as am I ...

In love as well as in life, we cannot base the future always on the past. That is not to say we should not or could not, learn from our mistakes, of course. It does mean that even if someone has betrayed us in the past, the only one we are harming by believing that everyone will betray us in the future, is ourselves. We are also depriving others of our beauty, of our companionship and our love.

Keep an open heart and fill it with your own love, as only by loving oneself can one give to others and be ready to receive love and friendship compounded. Be generous, trusting and joyful and that is what you will attract.

When the right person comes, you will know - there will be a gut feeling; no ifs and buts, no rules. Trust your gut and don´t let anyone tell you otherwise.

www.lorrainecladish.com/

Get out of your own way and thrive ...

I just came back from an inspiring trip to NYC, where I was a guest on a documentary on people who have chosen at some point in their life to follow their hearts and go for their life's purpose and have accomplished it. I was invited as a many times published author. However, I got more out of the documentary than I feel my own contribution was worth. I had the privilege of watching six other accomplished people speak from the heart in front of the cameras, as did I, and bare their souls to the world. That is the only way to truly connect with other human beings: without a mask, without caring what they will think of us because of what we say or do.
Behind the scenes of the documentary is Karen Hoyos www.karenhoyos.com in NYC, a motivational speaker and wonderful woman who helped me understand that even though I have published 15 books so far, I have not yet realized my life's purpose to it's full potential. There are so many more people I can reach from a higher level ... and I am going for it.
The essence of Karen's message that I am now owning, is that by getting out of our own way, we thrive. No amount of analyzing and pondering matches the feeling of being right on track with your spirit.
That which makes us feel alive, on purpose and joyful - that is what we must pursue, in every area of our lives. It doesn't matter if others don't get you. Some will, some won't ... and that's ok. Be present, be here now, don't think too much, and let yourself feel ... Speak and act from the heart, be you ... It works.
Keep in mind that each and every experience, both the apparently positive and the seemingly negative, is a stepping stone for the next experience, and that when you've been down, the only way to go is up.
I have always lived outside of the box, but now I am taking it a step further, and I am getting out of my head and into my heart and not selling out. I almost did, but Karen Hoyos helped me understand that is not an option for me.
That is true for everyone - if you get out of your own way and listen to your heart, to your soul, there is no fear, there is no doubt and everything is possible.
Then, you simply thrive ....

www.lorrainecladish.com