January 11, 2011

The significance of 1/11/11?

11:11 has long been toted as the master symbol; a doorway into the higher realms and a higer vibration --a reminder of our acension process. The numbers 11:11 began appearing to me in the early 80's and catch my attention each time they appear digitally.

The flash of 11:11 demands my attention. It gives me pause and an opportunity to evaluate myself on this earth walk. Where am I on this journey? Am I awake or checked out? Am I living an authentic life? These are the questions that come spilling in when 11:11 flashes before my eyes.

Today is an opportunity for us to ask similar questions. My yoga instructor read The Prayer of St. Francis yesterday and I post as a reminder of the choices we are privileged to make each day.


The prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

January 10, 2011

Message from the Cardinals~

I was instantly drawn to my beloved Cardinals as I meditated this morning...waiting. Late yesterday afternoon, there were 6 male Cardinals - 3 adults and 3 young ones - standing quietly on the bird feeders and in the trees nearby. For quite some time, they were motionless. Not feeding, or flying around, or singing; just being. I was struck by their quiet, still presence. Their "beingness" was having a strong impact on me and I keenly felt they were sending a message -- "you're presence is enough".

Now, just imagine for one minute, if we all felt that our simple existence, just our mere presence, was enough? How we struggle to be something better, different, more than, less than....are we not enough? And for those we love and who love us, is not our undivided attention, our full presence, what is most valued?

What if we were to spend a few moments each day still and present? Fully awake, aware, heart open and receptive, deeply knowing that our "being" in the world is enough?

January 9, 2011

The power of prayer~

By now, most of you are aware and stunned by the tragedy in Tuscon that took place yesterday early afternoon. Please take a moment to write in your Intent Heals Journal the names of those who have died, those who are struggling to live, and their families, friends and co-workers. If you are moved, please write your intentions for peace on our own soil amongst ourselves as we struggle to find balance and harmony in political disagreement.

I pray that we continue to cultivate peace within ourselves~

January 8, 2011

Spider Web~

The message this morning was of connectivity; our connectedness to the divine source, to the people in our lives, and to the infinite possibilities that await our creativity and intention.

I heard "where ever you are in your web, the life you are weaving, is exactly where you need to be". Trust that the people in your life, your present circumstances, and the resources available to you are exactly what you need to create your life in this moment.

I looked the spider up in my Medicine Cards and only then realized the sychronicity of today's date and the shape of the spider's body - 8! The shape of the spider is the "symbol for the infinite possibilities of creation" (Medicine Cards, Jamie Sams and David Carson, 209).

Let's trust where we find ourselves on this day of 8 and look across this infinite web of possibilities with appreciation and gratitude.

January 7, 2011

Resistance and fear~

How often do our fears and resistance keep us from becoming who we really are and fully living our purpose?

Last night I had a series of dreams that were about loss of control; being in a car careening down a snowy mountain in reverse, a baracuda biting my thumbs, and walking through an alleyway being stalked and stared at by menacing men. In each scene, I witnessed my dream self 'letting go' and facing the fear. After moving through the fear of being out of control in the car, I waited for the right bend in the road, and a snow bank that could take the impact of the car and then crashed it. I was fine. With the baracuda, I let him bite my thumbs and he let go (I still had my thumbs). And, in the alley, I stared right back at the men with no fear of harm, and kept moving.

When we move into our fears they lose their hold on us and dissolve. For me, at this time, my fear is "loss of control". It is perceived, of course, as we truly have no control. It is an illusion. Nevertheless, the ego is a heavyweight champion when it comes to fighting for the preservation of illusion.

What are your fears? Where are you resisting? Pick one today and move fully into it and see what happens.

January 2, 2011

The first day of the new year I am reminded of my divinity and the second day of 2011 I am smacked right between the eyes! I'm not so divine~

As I meditated this morning, with my journal over my heart, I was mirrored back my own judgement and lack of compassion. It was unsettling to say the least and an eye opener. I had openly judged a young, poor, single mother who, quite frankly, I am angry with. Her daughter happens to be my grand-daughter, who I adore and do not see as often as I wish. Her father is my son who has struggled mightily, and this young woman has not made his life easy by any means. So, quite unconsciously, I had casted her in the "villian" role.

"Does she not need the same love and compassion that you give to your son and grand-daughter?"

The smack between my eyes I was referring to! My God, yes...this young woman needs understanding, love, and acceptance. She is doing the best she can. We all are..in this very moment. We have a choice to do better too, in each moment. But, how on earth will this young woman make that choice if no one will take an interest?

I forgave myself in that moment of clarity. And then I silently apolgized to this young mother.

January 1, 2010

"Be still".

That is all I heard as I "listened". The silence was comforting as I pondered the meaning of these two words.'Being' rather than 'doing' was a concept I was familiar with and have been working on. Was God reminding me of this?

It was not until a phone call later in the morning with my friend did I learn that there was more that followed "Be still". In the Bible,Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God". "I Am that I Am", said God to Moses when he asked his name (Exodus, chpt. 3) also one of most famouse verses in the Torah. And Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, made famous "I Am That".

I continue to ponder.

Are we to hold the possibility that perhaps 'I Am that I Am' or 'I Am That' could hold another layer of meaning? A reminder, on this first day of 2011, that we are to reflect on our own divinity?

2011 Intentions

Dear friends,

What are your 2011 resolutions? As the past year came to a close, I found myself reviewing the highlights and the challenges of 2010. It was a year of unparalleled transitions and new beginnings for me and for my family. I asked Spirit for guidance and a clear direction for 2011. As the old adage goes, "Be careful what you ask for!"

The guidance came in the form of a question similar to the directive given to me in 2004 that catalyzed the auspicious birth of the Intent Heals Journal. This question is just as challenging as that directive was, and I’ve chewed on it for two weeks now.

What if you were to "listen" to God -- your higher self, Spirit, (the unnameable one) -- every morning, and then write and post what you heard?

It reminded me of the movie “Julie & Julia,” in which Julie Powell commits to cook every recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Could I make a commitment of this nature? The thought unnerved me. Trepidation has flowed through my veins daily as I’ve pondered this gentle challenge from Spirit. What if I can’t articulate what is coming through? What if I fail to show up? What if God does not speak to me?

I have keenly felt my vulnerability and insecurity as I reflect on this daunting task.

And yet, isn't this what God asks of us? To move fully into our fears? Shine light on what is dark and scary? Penetrate the crevices and unseen barriers within ourselves that keep us from being in the moment, open-hearted, and loving?

And so, with trepidation in my heart and a pinch of fearlessness, I will listen and write what I hear.

Please join me if you are so inspired. And we can journey 2011 together, exploring both the valleys and peaks, challenging ourselves to be a bit braver and more remarkable.

Testimonials

I was gifted an Intent Heals Journal in early 2009. I started my journal by entering just one name. It was the name of a very dear friend who was ill with terminal cancer. I wanted her transition to be filled with peace and the love of God. She was a Holocaust survivor and I couldn’t imagine any more suffering in her life. As I stayed by her side over the next seven months, I watched my friend become so at peace with her fate. She refused all pain medications, and left this world with grace and dignity. I wrote purposely in my journal prior to her passing, sending my prayers and intentions. But, journaling intentions is not a one-sided, singular act. I, the journal writer, had now become the “receiver”. I was blessed as well. My loss, the empty space one feels, the void, was immediately filled with her deep and everlasting love. I knew in my heart that I had also experienced the power of intentional healing.

Healing:
I used my journal once again to put prayer and love to a very emotional and stressful family issue. I had been struggling with anger, frustration, and resentment at a family member for more than three years. We had both turned to lawyers and it was getting worse instead of better. Everything I tried prior to receiving my journal had not quieted the darker side of myself. Needless to say,
I was not happy with my troubled thoughts. I entered the name of my family member into my journal with a prayer for release and peace. Amazingly, after years of struggle, within two weeks of my journal entry, a resolution was reached and the situation was brought to an end. Once more, I had experienced the power of intentions.

I now use my journal faithfully to record my intentions and prayers. It has become a good friend. My pretty green journal looks a lot more worn, the color has faded and the pages show signs of being touched many times. But, nothing can dull or damage the healing power of my journal.

Lynne LaBombard

Journal Ordering Information

A socially conscious and earth-friendly company in Nepal handcrafts the Intent Heals Journal™. The company's main objective is to provide sustainable development that improves the standard of living for Nepalese families in rural and urban areas as well as preserving artisan practices unique to the Himalayan region. Tibetan refugees benefit from employment opportunities and the company donates a portion of their proceeds back into the community.

Traditional Himalayan paper making techniques practiced for generations are used to create the special Lokta paper for our journals. Raw materials and dyes come from indigenous plants cultivated in managed forests thus preserving Nepal's fragile ecology. This paper is historically used for meditation prayer wheels in Nepal and Tibet. The cover of the journal is hand-dyed paper in a variety of rich colors with a gold or silver Bodhi leaf embossed on the front; a symbolic reminder of the ultimate potential that lies within each of us.

You can purchase these beautiful handmade journals with a silk protective bag for yourself and your loved ones for $12.00 plus tax, shipping and handling.

■Handmade, paper-bound journal
■Size: 2.5" x 472 unlined pages of acid-free, Lokta paper
■Hand stitched binding