Flying.

Flying.

by kimberly gruber ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It would be so cool to fly. I would love to soar over treetops and just watch the world pass by below me. The only noise would be the wind against my face and the very distant sounds of life doing what life does. I imagine things looking better sometimes from this vantage point. I could focus just on my flight and looking at the big picture and all the possibilities below me. No heavy baggage would weigh me down. I’d be so engaged in excitement and wonder that there would be no time for all the “whys”, “what ifs” and “whens” that burden me when my feet are on the earth. Seeing the world from way up above would remind me of how everything is connected. I’d be reminded that trusting in the process and the progression of life would be more fruitful than sweating the ups and downs of our everyday existence.

When in flight, I would realize the importance of taking the time to look at the beauty all around me. I would notice the many things that are actually working. I would see the things that are not working despite our best laid plans and find the courage to bring about change. If I’m flying high enough, I would hear life below me, but it wouldn’t drown out my own voice or the voice of the Divine telling me to enjoy the ride and trust. The voices would encourage me to trust from the bottom of my heart and not try to figure out everything on my own. I would remember how the Divine delights in my ability to fly and is the wind beneath me keeping me in flight. And if I let the wind take me, it would help me avoid all the sideshow distractions that can cause turbulence during my flight. I can’t continue to fly if I let others pull me down. Getting out of my own way helps keep me soaring too.

I know if I was flying, I would feel free. I would twirl, dive and be so excited by all that I can do when unencumbered by the weight of gravity. Excitement would replace the worry in my heart because I’d be in the moment marveling at my tricks and how good this freedom feels. Maybe while in flight, I could take notes. I’d want to remember how much I can do when I feel free. I’d want to remember the abundance of all I see and how I am not alone. I’d want to remember to be in the moment more, marvel more and remember to drop what binds me to the ground. I’d want to note how the positive energy that comes from feeling free is real. I’d jot down all that I’m grateful for and hold that in my heart. I’d be at peace with being human doing my best to twirl, dive and use all my tricks to build a beautiful life for me and those around me.

Taking flight and soaring using my own resources and talents is where I want to be. But I have to remember, it is up to me to fly. It will involve trusting in the Divine, courage, a flight plan that’s flexible, support from others and the ability to dodge the negativity that comes from non-fliers and sometimes from me when I stay chained to fear. When I fly high and soar freely in the sky, I do so because I feel worthy. I’m not putting on a show for anyone else, I’m just doing what I was meant to do. If I remain present as hone my craft, then it’s impossible to miss all the sky waiting to embrace my flight so I can do my thing. Because flying makes me feel free, let the sky be filled with other fliers too twisting, twirling and diving in ways that only they can do. Fly beyond the rainbow fellow bluebirds, fly.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

  1. If you were flying high above the earth, what do you think you would notice and why?
  2. How do you see your life as being interconnected and how has that supported you or hindered you?
  3. Why is being accepting of “the process” of life important to our personal growth?
  4. How does feeling free create a positive energy that becomes real? How can you manifest this energy into your life?
  5. Do you take the time to marvel at the miracles and abundance? What intention can you set to help make this happen?
Put up your sail.

Put up your sail.

by kimberly gruber ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The beauty of a new day is that it can be a new start. Maybe even a “do-over”. So, if that’s true, then a new day is full of opportunity. It’s a chance to make things right, to try something new, to see things a new way, to let something go or to just be grateful for what is. We could also see a new day as a reminder of all the choices we do not have. It is a choice to see abundance and a choice to see lack and what we decide to focus on is typically related to how much fear we invite into our daily thoughts. When in fear, we try to take charge of what is not controllable to alleviate our worries of what could be. We participate in this exercise of futility even though we know that what lies ahead is out of our hands. It’s tiring, stress-inducing and leaves us on edge. Breaking this habit is a life-long endeavor because we want those we love and the world to be safe. Change can be hard too. But if we take a cue from nature and women, new life and change is born everyday despite uncertainty – it always has and always will be. Whenever anything is born, renewal is certain and so is opportunity. Stand in that corner when thinking of what could be. Let go of the habit of trying to control future outcomes so you can focus on what is happening right now. Allowing life to unfold and accepting change means we stand with open arms alert to all the opportunity that each moment of renewal sends our way. Imagine it raining down on you now.

Staying present allows us to feel less controlled by our environment when we notice “what is”. And “what is”, is always changing. Some changes bring about pain and loss. But knowing each day starts a new moment, we can be certain that our pain will lessen and calluses will develop. Renewal shows us that opportunities will arise, dots will connect and new paths will light up just for us. We can always look back in time to see how things unfolded and connected but have never been able to predict our stories. Change and uncertainty mean that every experience we have will always be different and worthy if we choose to see it this way. When circumstances change, something new happens. Staying present allows us to notice the newness and see more good, more opportunity. Choose to step into the river of light from the Divine which is always in constant motion just like the water here on earth. To refresh and renew, we have to swim in changing currents and tides because that’s how we learn to see the world in new ways. That thought may evoke fear or sound like a blessing. It may heighten worry or invite excitement about adventures that await. Choosing your mindset about what might be is a tool that could assist you in your quest to stay present or force you to burrow under blankets.

Can you trust that where you are now is where you are meant to be? Do you believe there are an infinite amount of possibilities that swim in the ever-changing river of uncertainty? Because if you submerge yourself in these thoughts, uncertainty becomes more like a friend waiting in anticipation for your arrival. Control is elusive but dreams stay alive in your mind if you see life as delivering unexpected paths, doorways and people to place their hands on your back. Dreams of what may be can only occur if you take chances, say “Yes!” more than “No!”, and ride in your boat with the sail up trusting that the changing winds will steer you on your next course. You still need to navigate at times, utilize your rudder to stay on course and be inspired by the other boats that float along with you. Winds will whip, rough water will toss you around a bit, but just hold on, stay focused on what is happening right now and trust that beautiful, calmer water is ahead. Embracing uncertainty is not for the weak because every time you try something new and sail into a different waterway, the cycle of discomfort will repeat. Put your trust in the Divine, your capabilities to do hard things and the people who support you along the way. This is how you become captain of you own vessel growing wiser and appreciative of all that awaits you on distant, unknown shores.

Stay in the moment savoring all the beauty around you, be in awe of all you know, all you’ve learned and don’t let your need to think on future events steal the joy of what is right now. Keep track in your navigational notes of all the moments for which you are grateful. Re-visit what you’ve noted as a as a reminder that uncertainty can be OK when you forget that lesson from time to time. Plan for rough sailing but don’t let that stop you. Close your eyes, lift your face to the sun and try to find contentment in letting go of something that you could never hold in your hand or change no matter how hard you try. Trust in the universe, your compass of truth and the winds of change where miracles and opportunity wait just for you.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

  1. Do you have the habit of trying to control future outcomes? Why or why not?
  2. Are you able to recall a moment when opportunity “rained down on you” at some point in your life? Looking back, connect the dots and recall the series of events.
  3. Recall a new experience that made you see things differently or broadened your perspective. What was the event and why did it bring about a change in you?
  4. Have you ever put your sail up and let the wind take you someplace new? If so, what feelings were evident during your travels and why? If not, what would it take for you to let go of the need to always steer your own ship?
  5. It’s common for us to miss out on joy because we are not in the now. Develop a practice to steer yourself back to the present. Record some ideas as to how you plan to do so.
Paths of light.

Paths of light.

by kimberly gruber ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Moving forward can be hard sometimes. We can get tied to our past making it difficult to take the next step into uncharted territory. It feels safer and easier when you’re familiar with the terrain even when it causes you pain. We are creatures of habit that find comfort being in that cart that remains fixed to the track so we don’t have to think too much. Thoughts may become embedded in the tracks and grooves of our brain and flow through us without our permission all the time. These thoughts may remind us of our worth or tell us we are not enough. They tell us to stay steadfast or tell us to run in fear. These grooved paths may be bordered by light or drain the light out of us.

Thought grooves originate from our past and how we chose to handle experiences or how we were taught to handle experiences. Patterns of thoughts repeatedly reinforced by us or by others determine the depths of our grooves. Humans tend to fall in line looking for the same paths to make sense of our environment. This is great when the thoughts are true and we believe them. Give me the paths of “You Are Worthy”, “You Can Do This” and “You Are Amazing” all day long. These routes are lined with angels of faith that illuminate the path for us and guide us to our next life adventure. The path of fear and self doubt are slippery, dark and painful. When we travel these grooved paths, we often tumble down the rabbit hole of shame littered with anxiety, worry, over-thinking, sadness and regret. It’s tiring, lonely, all-consuming and takes our focus away from all the possibility and new trailheads beckoning us all the time. It’s too dark on this path to see the truth of our potential and all that could be.

I want to install stop signs at the entrances of all the paths that only reinforce the lies, darkness and pain embedded in my brain. But to do so, I have to explore my past to learn why I choose this path despite knowing it doesn’t ever serve me. It means I practice mercy, understanding and forgiveness starting with myself. It means I’m going to need a good breakfast, a compass, band aids, a strong body and mind to climb out of the deep grooves of doubt that I traveled on for way too long. It may feel like climbing up a mountain in high heels for a bit, but I know there will be hiking boots at the summit waiting for my arrival. The angels of faith leave them there to provide comfort for the weary travelers who are ready to create new paths of thoughts and behaviors. There is always enough light, encouragement, love, and provisions on the well-grooved path called, “You Are Capable”.

Let go of your past so you can keep your focus on what’s going on right in front of you. Mind the stop signs and pump the brakes to avoid deepening the grooves of self-doubt. Hold hands with others in jubilation and anticipation of where the paths of light may lead you both. Use your hands to wipe away the sweat of those who just climbed out of the deep grooves of darkness. Keep an eye out for things that knock you off track and pepper them with the bug spray called, “I am Capable”. Keep it moving, rest once in awhile and use the map of truth that leads to amazing lookouts. Never jump the track when you’re on the well-worn, deeply grooved path of positivity. It may be hard to stay on track sometimes as we can be easily enticed by our darker, habitual path of lies. Stand guard and remind yourself that the hiking boots of light have the ability to keep you grounded in the present and lead you to amazing places. The angels of faith are waiting on you with more provisions to keep you going and are ready to celebrate your arrival.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

  1. Think of a thought or behavior groove that you get caught up in that does not serve you. Why is it so difficult to break away or jump that track?
  2. Fear and doubt are dark paths. How has this path kept you from seeing your full potential?
  3. Do you travel the path of “You are Capable”? What can you do to regularly stay on this path? What knocks you off this course?
  4. How will you practice the habit of installing “STOP” signs at the entrances of those paths that bring about fear and doubt? Is there a mantra you might recite when you start to travel into darkness?
  5. Have you ever “hiked a mountain in high heels” but kept it moving? What encouraged you to keep going?

Your person.

Your person.

by kimberly gruber ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Who was “your person”? Who was your mentor, your supporter or the one who really heard you? Our days consist of swimming through a sea of people and encounters and it often feels like a big blur sometimes. But in all that murk, who caught your eye? Who reflected the light of the Divine and glowed making you stop, look and listen? Who drew you in, gave you center stage and made you feel like you matter despite the world telling you otherwise? The encounter with your person or people may have been short-lived or still on-going, but you know for sure that knowing them changed you.

We all have the ability to be that person for someone else but it does take some work. It requires that you dive completely into your humanity and double down on your strengths. It means you work on your self-awareness to learn about your inherent strengths and leave them on display to share with the world. When we lead with our gifts, people notice and we feels things flow. It feels good and it feels right. We draw in those who need us at that moment in time when we lead with the best part or ourselves. We’re not frightened or worrying about wearing a mask to hide ourselves. We shimmer with a magnetic force that sparkles with all of our beauty and understanding. We’re not over-thinking, we’re just being. We’re in our natural state that was most evident the day we were born when people picked us up and just marveled at our state of being, fresh from heaven. This is why babies are the world’s most perfect mentors because they lead with their strengths – wonder, hope, innocence and love.

Who taught you that we need each other and that our differences in abilities and challenges perfectly compliment one another? If you want to continue this lesson, then strive to understand how the pieces of the human puzzle fit together. Do so by slowing down and listening. Start by taking the time to sit in silence long enough to hear the internal voice inside you that lives deep below the surface where the water is clear, still and safe from the world’s intrusions. When we regularly practice listening to our own inner voice, we get really good at listening to the voices of others. You can’t grab a hold of someone else’s voice if you’re hands are full of things like your ego, fear and righteousness. You have to put that stuff down to truly listen and honor someone else’s story without judgement. It is a practice that requires introspection and patience. Your person was probably a master at this lesson.

People who make a difference aren’t shy with their gifts. They stay present, loving, giving and sensible. They glow with the light of just being when doing what they do best. They encourage others to take off their masks so we can all glow too. They work with challenges, get knocked down but see no choice but to rise again. They exude joy when others overcome and find pleasure in life’s simple gifts. They take care of themselves and take care of others. They listen to the ones they care for by asking more questions than giving answers. They brush back your hair when you’re too sad to hold up your own face and match their breath with yours to help you slow down. They share their chocolate cake, put a hand on your back and remind you of your worth. They lead with the best part of their humanity by laughing, crying, loving and listening. If we all have the capacity to exude our humanity, don’t we all have the capacity to be “that person” for someone else? What a powerful question to ponder with implications that could make an amazing, meaningful difference in the life of another. Oh…and sharing a good piece of chocolate cake with someone makes a big difference too.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

  1. Who was that person that made you feel heard and supported? What do you remember most about them?
  2. In order to lead with your strengths, it’s important to become self-aware. How do you work on self-awareness?
  3. What are some of your strengths? Do you regularly use your gifts and how do you know you are doing so?
  4. Do you see value in taking the time to slow down and listen to your inner voice? Why or why not? Monitor how well you really listen to yourself and others without judgement. What occurs when you do well at this practice?
  5. What do you see as the best part of “your person’s” humanity that has made a big difference in your life? Do you see yourself sharing that with others? Why/why not?
Seeds of light.

Seeds of light.

by kimberly gruber ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I am naturally drawn to nature. If you want to learn anything about life, study the home the Divine created for us. One of the most beautiful things to witness is its constant state of renewal and adaptation. The organisms that have lived out their purpose melt into the ground leaving the best of themselves in the soil for the next life to come along and gobble up the treasure. Nothing is wasted. What is not good to pass along to the next generation forces adaptation. Species adjust to their environment to become stronger and more tolerant of what’s going on in the world around them. It’s amazing to consider what nature continues to show us every day. If only we’d stop, look and listen.

Seeds of light come in all different packages. When someone treats us with love or kindness that seed of love could be just the thing we need to direct us toward the light or help us hold on until the wind dies down. Plant those seeds right back into the ground and pray for sunshine and rain so those plants grow exponentially. But what about those seeds that require advanced horticultural skills? Some seeds of light hit us like laser beams. They are words, actions or situations that demand we adapt to new ways and be directed by our own decision-making instead of at the whim of our environment. I would rather be a hearty sunflower than a tumbleweed blown around by the wind of others just bouncing off of the same rocks. These seeds force us to look at our garden, clear out the rocks and weed it to make room for new growth. These seeds can push us to reconsider how we do things. These seeds of light demand attention so they can grow into new ideas or new ways of living. You get dirty working with these seeds because when we grow from pain, it often requires some serious digging.

Pain is a seed of light and our pain can drive us to grow beautiful things. The light pushes us to make positive changes that benefits us as a species. Even when fire demolishes forests, new growth is fueled by all the ashes. When these seeds of light hit us, it is usually a wake up call. It’s a call that usually screams, “Ask for help”, “Let this decompose” and “Buckle up and get ready for new growth”. These seeds can do things like drive us to become more self-aware about what we need to flourish. As we become more aware we are able to healthfully adapt to our environment. We know how to reach towards the light, drop leaves that don’t serve us and learn better ways to weather the storms.

If we don’t adapt and grow, we will feel left behind, lonely and stagnant. That is not nature’s way. Pain is a seed of light that can drive us to grow beautiful things. Love is a seed of light too that when planted, shines brighter than the sun. Plant all the seeds that come from the light. Say kind things, apologize, comfort and have those conversations that can hurt sometimes. Not all seeds are easy to grow and take time. Sometimes the soil is rocky and the weeds can be tough to manage but if you fertilize these new seeds with love, self-awareness and patience, you’re garden will always be growing. Tend your garden with loving kindness for yourself and all the flowers around you. Bloom my friend.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

  1. Recall a time when you were in an “environment” or a time in your life that caused great discomfort. How did you adapt? Was it a healthy form of adaptation?
  2. Have you ever considered pain “a seed of light”? Do you see this “seed of light” as a nudge from the Divine? Why or why not?
  3. Lately, have you been a hearty sunflower moving towards the light or a tumbleweed? What does is feel like to not be a part of your own decision-making?
  4. What “leaves” do you need to drop and why?
  5. “Pain can drive us to do beautiful things”. What does this statement mean to you?
Teach with your life.

Teach with your life.

by kimberly gruber ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

We are all teachers.  If we truly embraced this role, then we’d wholly embrace all of ourselves.  We’d know that leading with our strengths and sharing those gifts with others is what we were meant to do.  We would believe in ourselves, our worth, our knowledge, our wisdom and understand why we are in this classroom of life.  We would see the beauty of awakening every day knowing we get another opportunity to hone our gifts and use them to teach others about the value of individual knowing.  We would monitor and adjust our lessons by tweaking our talents and approaches so more people feel inspired to learn, grow, understand and feel accepted in the class we offer.  We’d be less afraid of failure and be proud to model the virtue of humbleness because it connects us with our students.  Everyone relates to making mistakes and the courage it takes to try and make things right.  Failure is part of learning.  Teachers know that students have to make mistakes to find their answers in a space where falling is embraced.  It’s why good teachers give out pencils with erasers.    

Exercise your skills daily so you remain firmly planted in what you do well.  Embrace all of you and stay disciplined in feeding your own soul and filling your own cup so you have what it takes to share yourself with others.  The world needs all of you to teach us what springs forth from your light. You’re going to need the energy to keep up with the demand.  Be resistant to those who say you are too young, too old, not experienced enough or that your thinking is all wrong.  Just remember what you teach is about making things right based on your experiences and how you see the world.  There is immense value in teaching your truth to those students willing to listen and learn.  At the very least, those not willing to participate in your lesson can’t escape you modeling courage.  Those students who pick up on your lesson and witness you being brave, just earned extra credit points.

Don’t be diverted by unruly students or class clowns.  Give them their opportunity to participate in show and tell too.  Just stay true to your lesson at hand and keep at it. Those who pay attention will experience your story and get inspired by the homework you provide.  The enthusiastic will get excited by all the new learning and revel in the new bridges you helped create in their brains.  Hopefully, their excitement and the acceptance they feel in the classroom will rub off on those who aren’t there yet.  Nonetheless, feel proud about what you taught and how that positively influenced your students.  This is what drives you to get up each day and repeat the process again.  It can be tiring so take advantage of your vacation time.

In forests, old, wise trees tumble to the earth or give up parts of themselves every day.  They shed their prized possessions so their DNA can spill onto the ground and do their thing.  They fertilize the soil so new seeds get some help springing up from the dirt so they can become teachers too.  This is why it’s important to keep your unique gifts dusted off and easily available while maintaining a firm grip on what you know to be true.  Teach with your life by being bravely authentic, sharing your strengths, making mistakes, growing towards the light and embracing the differences in your classroom.  Do it by word, by example, by action, by integrity, by faith and by love. Graft all these things to who you are for they are the branches that grow from your light.  Always remember your students are watching and don’t forget your number two pencils outfitted with decent erasers.  You’ll need them to encourage sharing, making mistakes and sharpening our gifts to let the world in on what we know.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

  1. What are your strengths? Do you regularly lead with them? Why or why not?
  2. When you live what you do well, people (aka your students) notice. What might people take notice of when it comes to your skills? How do you hone them?
  3. You have to fill your own cup to share your gifts with others. How do you do so? What feeds your soul?
  4. Have you ever been made to feel you’re not experienced enough to offer your insight? How did that feel? How did you react? What would you have done differently?
  5. How has what you know taught something of value to someone else? Do you see the ripple effect that occurred by you sharing your truth, skills or light? Why or why not?
Thank you anger.

Thank you anger.

by kimberly gruber ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Anger can get a bad rap.  It’s gotten a sour reputation because of the way some people use it.  Every feeling we experience as humans serves a purpose.  But we tend to only express gratitude for those emotions that are easy to carry or feel good.  No one ever says, “Thanks anger, I’m glad you’re here!”  But it’s not anger that is the problem, it’s the way some people handle their anger.  If anger leads you to hurt yourself or others in fits of verbal assaults or physical battery, that was never anger’s reason for being. Anger’s reason for being is based on injustice.  You don’t have an anger management problem when you feel anger.  You have an anger management problem when you hurt others because you can’t deal with holding on to the anger long enough to look at it and figure out where it’s coming from.  It’s a hard feeling to dissect but when you’re finally strong enough to make friends with anger, that’s when you are able to see the light.  Anger causes us to look hard at why we’re angry and figure out a way to make it lessen or do something about it in a healthy manner.  Anger forces us to come out from under the covers and shine a light on why we feel the way we do.  Anger often leads us to let go of things we’ve been bearing way too long or question something we were never meant to carry.  Anger has the power to crack forged steel and let the light in allowing the dark cloud of blame and self-loathing to ooze out.  Anger teaches us that our story matters and deserves to be heard.  Thank you anger.

Right now there is a sea of discord and anger as the word “truth” is dismantled into a new meaning by people who want to reinvent its definition to suit their agenda.  Truth-changers are defining someone else’s story to make the world work solely for them.  Truth-changers attempt to prey on anyone who has been marginalized, oppressed or easy to take advantage of.  It happens a lot to children.  When these brave individuals tell their truth, tell their stories, talk about what hurts and try to do whatever they can to make the pain stop, the truth-changers label them. They are usually labeled crazy, irrational trouble-makers and assigned derogatory labels meant to keep them silent and feel “less than”.  Anger is an appropriate response to these actions. It highlights injustice and is there to protect us from being abused, belittled, oppressed and disregarded because it drives us to take action in the name of justice for self and others.  It’s why people raise their hands, open their mouths and march in protest.  Anger drives us to move from the sidelines and into the streets.  Anger moves us to say something despite the fear we feel about being judged or ridiculed. The Divine gave us anger to motivate us to step up for others, ourselves and this planet we call home.  People and the earth are shouting now because of injustice and listening is imperative. Because when you are prevented from telling your truth, your story or your perspective, the anger will not dissipate until you are heard.   Thank you anger.

Anger’s intent is never about clinging to what some believe is power at the expense of another.  That’s fear that drives that behavior.  It’s fear that causes the panic that tells another they are crazy or too loud and disregards a person’s truth.  Anger says, “This is not right.”  Fear says, “I’ll define what’s right” because it’s so scared of losing what it sees as its stronghold on power.  Who has more of what we need right now– the victim that tells their truth coming from a place of “this is not right” or the offender who says the victim is lying and attempt to change the truth so they can be right and keep up the status quo?  If anger leads us to shout, “This is not right” and inspires us to tell our truth despite having those in fear try to keep us silent, then let anger reign. Thank you anger. 

Speak your truth.  You are not crazy, selfish, out of control, irrational or being political.  Those are the words people in fear use to silence your story, your truth.  And if what you have to say causes conflict with another, then have that hard conversation.  Practice speaking your truth at an everyday level.  Be open about what you feel, see, or hear.  Meaningful change occurs when we speak our truth to one person at a time.  Confidence is never about a belief in one’s ability, it’s about being brave enough to have hard conversations. Confident people are the courageous people that disrupt patterns of thoughts, behaviors or just invite others to see things from their perspective or in a different way.  The confident are the courageous innovators that listen despite a lack of agreement and work towards a common solution for all.  They feel fear but are truth-tellers, not truth-changers.  Anger drives them to make things right in our everyday existence and not necessarily fight for being right.  This is what makes friendships, marriages, families and collectively conscious organizations function for the good of all its members.  Thank you anger.

When you tell your story, expect to get dirty.  The fearful fling mud at truth-tellers.  Wipe the mud off your face and keep talking despite how dirty you get.  Thank anger for driving you to tell your story.  Thank anger for giving you the courage to have hard conversations and do difficult things.  Thank anger for teaching you the importance of listening to everyone’s story because you know what it feels like to not be heard.  Thank the Divine for giving us hard emotions that remind us to freakin’ let go of fear because no matter what, we are all worthy and given the capacity to love despite thinking differently.  That’s the love that leads us to wipe the mud off the face of another because you believe in the power of hearing everyone’s truth.  You rock anger.  

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

  1. Think about a time when you felt angry. What happened? How did you handle it?
  2. Anger is about injustice. Does that statement resonate with you? Why or why not?
  3.   Have you ever been labeled crazy, irrational and/or a trouble-maker because you’ve expressed anger? Looking back, were those labels justified or did your anger make sense?  
  4. Confident people are courageous people who speak or act despite fear. Have you ever acted in this manner? Why or why not?
  5. How can you start speaking your truth one person at a time? Create an intention to do so.
Untangle the blob.

Untangle the blob.

by kimberly gruber ♥ 2 Comments

Lately, I don’t even know what I’m feeling. My emotions swirl around inside my body like a black blob leaving me tired, restless, agitated, angry and in a prolonged state of unease. I guess I do have an idea of what I’m feeling. It’s just too much at one time. The black blob is outside my body too and fills the space with a heaviness that is pushing against all who are in its midst. I know I’m not alone in trying to deal with this collection of hard feelings that come at me all at once. I recognize the turmoil in many of the faces around me.

It may be time to take apart this black blob and really look at what makes up its being. It’s just not fun. We spend so much time trying not to look at those emotions that are hard to feel or make us uncomfortable. We anesthetize ourselves with faulty thinking and use things or do things to keep us numb and avoidant from seeing the truth. Picking apart our emotional chaos and putting it under a microscope is hard work and does not come naturally. We are a species that works very hard to avoid pain even though pain usually has taught us something in the past. So, if we want this black blob to stop hanging around, we have to dismantle it and name all its pieces to try and figure out what’s going on. It’s easier to deal with something difficult when we know what we’re dealing with by looking at all its parts. That’s how we strip the black blob of its power.

Start by looking at your blob of emotion and start naming what’s there, what you’re feeling. Is it sadness, fear, anger, joy, disgust, love and/or grief? Start by identifying just one emotion – name it. Next, describe exactly what you’re feeling. Go crazy with your list of adjectives. It helps. Finally, try to understand why you are feeling the way you’re feeling. Why is this feeling there? What happened that might have led to this feeling? Is there a story around this feeling that I need to think about? Take the time to pause, think and decide how to take care of yourself as you work through what’s going on. This is a way you can take control of what you’re feeling and give yourself the time to think about how you will handle it. Taking time to analyze your feelings helps you make sense of your experiences and work with them. This is self-care at its finest and is equal in value to the air we breath and the water we drink. Honor yourself enough to learn about how your feelings influence your life, the lives of others and whether or not to do something about it.

I know there are emotions in your blob that are way less painful than others. Some are supportive in reminding us to be grateful and appreciative. It just may be hard to see them right now. Seek them out and look at them under the same microscope you used before to identify the hard emotions – name them, describe them and understand their stories. They will speak to you of joy, optimism, love, acceptance, courage, awe and trust. This list could go on. These feelings will work with you to dismantle the black blob piece by piece and encourage you to start rolling up your sleeves and get to work. These feelings remind you that you have everything you need to exercise some control on those days when you believe you have none. They fall under the umbrella of hope which is the rocket fuel you’ll need to work through hard feelings and their sources. Hope has already woven itself into your story because you are here. Have a conversation with hope about how the two of you are going to depend on each other to take back some control, develop some self-awareness and support those around you. Black blobs beware.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

  1. Does the “black blob” create an image in your mind that makes sense? Why or why not?
  2. What part of your “black blob” is hard to look at? Are there emotions present that are creating uncomfortable feelings and angst? Why?
  3. What do you do to keep yourself from looking at stuff that may be painful? How do you “anesthetize” what you are feeling?
  4. Is it hard to name, describe and understand what you are feeling? Being present and practicing this process usually helps. How does becoming more adept at this process help with self-awareness and self-care?
  5. All feelings teach us something whether they evoke pain, pleasure or something in between. Do you believe this? Why or why not? What have you learned?
Fingerprints.

Fingerprints.

by kimberly gruber ♥ 2 Comments

There are 7.8 billion people in the world right now and no two have the same fingerprints. It’s just more proof that we are miracles in the making designed to live out a mission, a purpose. Our fingerprints fit like a puzzle piece with that of countless others to move us in a direction that is better than where we are now. Your life has meaning, a role to play in the Divine order of things. You are a living, breathing unique cell that makes up the body of our planet, each one integral to how well the system functions as a whole. But, if you’re a bone cell trying to be a liver cell, you’ll never leave your true mark on the world. You may even feel the weight of other cells trying to remind you of who you are so you don’t leave a faulty mark or a print that is not yours. You won’t feel in step with the order of things.

Ripples travel present day and from the past tapping you to move in a direction that might feel scary or counter-culture. These ripples were generated by someone who lived out their fingerprint, their uniqueness as governed by the Divine. The ripple may have been a tidal wave costing that person everything. But, they knew that their fingerprint was needed to move us where we must go. The drive to leave their imprint on the world may have caused that brave soul so much pain, but working towards justice is never light work. It always starts with a single movement creating an energy that fuels love if the energy is fed by your unique, loving being. Whatever is in your heart, will regulate your hands, fingers and the prints you leave to bring about love or not.

We owe recognition to the souls who cast huge rocks into the lake. For they felt indebted to those before them to keep the ripple traveling. It is love for these souls and their bravery that moves us to recognize the stone throwers who came before us and all the people that make up the concentric circles that travel from that initial throw. Feel indebted to yourself too, grateful for who you are and in recognition of your gifts, your purpose. Be aware of those moments when the authentic you revealed itself and clicked with an event or an encounter. What were you doing at that time? What were you feeling and thinking when you were 100% invested in leaving your imprint at that moment? What ripples hit you? If it was a virtue that promotes love and you moved it along, it joined the concentric circle created by the courageous souls that came before you. The Divine, along with ripples of love, nudges us to tear down those things that prevent people from telling their story and leaving their mark. Play a part in that revolution.

Be mindful of our collective power! Do not forget those who came before you and worked towards love, justice and peace. We never pay tribute to those we are indebted to by staying in the darkness and wearing gloves because we are fearful of leaving a mark or getting our hands dirty. Whether your rock is a boulder or a piece of sand, throw it because it will make a ripple, a difference in the energy of the lake. Just make sure it’s an energy that promotes positive change so as to not disrupt the love ripples sent out by others and those before you. That’s how you show gratitude and recognition to those who sacrificed for love. Your thumb print is a constant reminder that you play an important role in the march towards peace. Look at your thumb print. It kind of travels in concentric circles.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

  1. Think of a time when “you didn’t feel in step with the order of things”. What was happening? What were you doing?
  2. “Whatever is in your heart will regulate your hands.” What does this quote mean to you? What in your heart now regulates your hands?
  3. What big “stone-thrower” comes to mind for you? How did the ripples they created affect you? How have you moved those ripples along?
  4. It is everyday people that leave amazing marks on others and the world. What mark do you desire to imprint on the world? What “little” ripples have made a big difference on you?
  5. Have you ever been in the presence of collective power? Where? What were the circumstances and how did it affect you?
Heaven’s language.

Heaven’s language.

by kimberly gruber ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Sit in the sun and drink up heaven. The clouds that fill the sky call you to name them into shapes or creatures sparking imagination and discovery. Sometimes, the clouds are so beautiful there are no words to describe their majesty. Just as there are no words to describe your majesty. I’ve heard it said that heaven is so inexplicably beautiful, that humans don’t have the capacity or language to convey its brilliance. Remember, this was your original home. The stars that aligned just right to form you were nothing short of a miracle and only miracles come from places like heaven.

Maybe the words that you heard as you grew up did not inspire feelings of majesty. Those words hurt you, left you feeling less than and taught you the only way to feel worthy was to hustle to please everyone but you. Maybe you tried to be something you’re not because you were made to feel that who you are didn’t deserve to wear the crown of worthiness. You feared making mistakes because you only felt worthy when you didn’t make them. You didn’t learn that only through mistakes do we become learned, steadfast in who we are and wise. You weren’t taught that only in feeling defeated, do we have the opportunity to get stronger and develop a better understanding of ourselves and others. If you were reminded to embrace your humanity, you would have carried less judgement of self and others. It would have been easier for you to see the beauty in being imperfect. The imperfect draw others into their glow because they cover their audience with the light of understanding because they do imperfect too and are perfectly fine with that.

Maybe heaven’s language of love wasn’t spoken much because the language of nonacceptance surrounded you. When you tried to speak your native tongue, maybe no one really listened to your story. So, you dimmed your light feeling more like a mistake than a miracle and did everything you could to hide those feelings, numb them or perform like crazy thinking that you could earn worthiness or at minimum be seen or heard. No one taught you that worrying about what others think does not bring worthiness but only wears you down and makes you angry. Some of your people probably didn’t know that heaven gave us anger to highlight injustice, knowing that when a spirit breaks, it’s light becomes dimmer and can limit it’s potential to shine. You didn’t learn that you can take that anger and use its fuel to stoke your light and the light of others instead of taking the anger out on yourself or anyone else.

If your native tongue of love has gotten rusty and it’s hard to hear your voice, heaven will remind you what it sounds like and how to use it. Heaven put clouds in the sky to highlight the beauty of uniqueness and invite us to become active participants in creating our own masterpieces despite working with broken crayons. Rain clouds keep us humble as we learn to appreciate the lesson of letting go by watching tears drop from the clouds in drizzles or pours. But the clouds that stir our souls, encourage creativity and remind us to use our imagination to make beauty out of darkness, that’s majesty. Please wear your crown proudly.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

  1. Take some time to look up. What do you feel, hear or sense as you gaze at the heavens?
  2. What words have you heard that have left you feeling less than majestic? Comfort yourself with new words. What would say to yourself now or when you were a child that would remind you of your grandeur.
  3. Anger has its place as it often highlights injustice. How have you used your anger to improve your circumstances or the circumstances of others?
  4. How has your uniqueness, one-of-a-kind imagination and perseverance moved you in a better direction or led to a better outcome despite working with “broken crayons”?
  5. Clouds teach us the importance of release as living examples of dropping water they can no longer hold. What do you want to let go of?