Our Minds: Random Thought Generators

Over this past weekend, I was introduced to another way of perceiving the human mind, which has helped me immensely to reframe the way in which I think and react to my thoughts. 

As so beautifully described by Reiki Master Bashir Kevin Cates, our minds are merely "random thought generators". Each and every thought should be considered a living entity, one that is born, has a life, and dies. What determines the life span of our thoughts, is how much energy we "feed" them. The more energy or emotion put into a negative or positive thought, the larger this living thing becomes, and the longer it lives. 

It is very possible to restructure the way our minds generate thoughts, so that we are not bombarded with those that do not serve us. It all comes down to which thoughts you choose to give life to. 

Change Has Come At Last!

'Change has come to America'

Make a CHOICE and have a VOICE

Journey for Growth

Over the past three weeks while I have been attending my holistic healing school, a new world full of bright light and vivid dimensions has opened up before me. While going through my massage and body work training, I have been given the opportunity to deeply connect with myself and others in an almost surreal way.

Each week I have been given the gift of surrounding my self with like minded people, who are all so beautiful because of their vast differences. These free spirited beings have come together for the same crusade... to simply nurture and heal, and to teach others how to do the same. Our passions are unique, yet we all flow harmoniously together, each person balancing the other.

At times I am overcome by this sense of unity and it fills me with a rooted sensation of belonging that gives me purpose. The next few months will be the catalyst that determines how far down the "rabbit hole" I am willing to venture. The warrior within me is crys out to learn more and explore the areas in which I was once fearful to go.

Each day builds upon the next and at times it feels like tomorrow doesn't come soon enough.

Power Within

There is an intense and vast supply of energy that resides within us all, and the ability to heal and soothe the wounds of our bodies and souls. Every ounce of life, even when broken down scientifically, is simply energy.

Our bodies are constantly emitting vibrations, energies, and frequencies at all times. This "majestic transmission" is what connects us to the world around us and allows us to connect deeply within ourselves. 

The power of touch is one we can all relate to and find a sense of truth in. When you hit your head or fall down, what is your first instinctual reaction? To touch the place where you feel pain or discomfort because that sense of touch some how unexplainably gives relief. When the stresses of our day wear us thin, a simple hug or embrace can lift our spirits and instantly improve our perception. It is that simple touch and energy exchange that brings us all a sense of belonging and empowerment.

We all have a natural ability to heal ourselves and each other by simply using the power of touch and our intention. For the past few years I have thrown myself into the murky waters of the unknown and rejected rituals of our ancestors. The practices and teachings that have been torn down by modern day man, I find to be profound and true. Every single one of us has the ability to impact and improve our own lives and the lives of others by simply looking within. 

My life as a whole has been one filled with immense joy and satisfaction because I have intuitively surrendered myself to the unknown and unexplainable. As my journey in this life moves forward, I will continue use the power of touch and energy to heal as many as I can.

Thankful

On this day of my birth, I can come to realize the many wonderful and amazing gifts I already have in my life.

The personal changes I have made, the friendships I have solidified, and all the new relationships I have gained, invoke in me an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Never before in my life have I been surrounded with so much love and positivity.

This year especially, the generosity and thoughtfulness that has gone into making my day special, has been an emotional experience for me. Usually I tend to brush off my birthday as just another day in the scheme of things, but for the last two years now, I have come to appreciate what it truly means to celebrate life.

To all my family, friends, loved ones, and my soul-mate... thank you and I love you more than you could ever imagine.

R.I.P. Evan Tanner

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight titleholder Evan Tanner was found dead in the mountain area near Palo Verde, Calif. on Monday 9/9/08. He was 37 years old. 

Tanner had trekked into the desert on a journey to "cleanse" himself, according to Douglas Vincitorio of Tanner's management team. "He went out to the desert to do a 'cleansing' as he called it. Kind of like 'Survivor Man.'" These short trips were not new to Tanner, said Vincitorio. It is something that he has done numerous times over the years.

"What we were told is that his motorcycle had run out of gas, so he went to walk out in like 115 to 118-degree heat," said Vincitorio. "He was miles away from his camp. That's where the helicopter found him. Right now, they just think that he succumbed to the heat."

On Aug. 10, Tanner wrote a blog on Spike TV's website, proclaiming his desire to start an adventure in the desert east of his new home in Oceanside, Calif. An avid outdoorsman and wandering spirit, he wanted to escape civilization for a while.

"I'm not just going out into the desert, I'm going out into the desert to hunt for lost treasure," he wrote. "I'm going on a pilgrimage of sorts, a journey to solitude, to do some thinking, and to pay my respects to the great mysteries."

"He will obviously be sorely missed," said Vincitorio. Adding, "I think that Evan would want to be remembered as a very complex man with many layers, not just a fighter."

Tanner was surely a unique personality. He's eclectic spirit and competitive nature will be sorely missed in the MMA community.

Accomplished

In my unending and ever changing process of evolution, I have come to the crossroads of what it means to be truly accomplished. 

When I reflect on those throughout history who have paved the way for a better tomorrow, I can't help but feel some kind of sadness for those who have gone unnoticed and unrecognized. 

These were ordinary people, who did extraordinary things. The people who silently fought for a better life for themselves and others, the ones who lost it all but continued to be resilient, the ones that stood strong and true to themselves in the face of adversity and hardship, and the ones who gave without the intention to receive. 

While other brilliant minds worked hard in the forefront of society to improve technology, medicine, and our personal rights, in turn their struggles, hardships, and accomplishments only created more complications. 

In this day and age, we are taught that our body's natural defense systems are invalid, and in turn Naturopathy has been replaced by the pharmaceutical drug war waged by Western Medicine. In order to treat one disease, we create ten others. Side effects of medications have become far more dangerous than the ailment itself, and our personal health and safety are gladly compromised for dollar signs.

Technology is another unstoppable force that is severely unbalanced. We have created large sports utility vehicles in order to make our transportation needs more enjoyable, but at the cost of our atmosphere. Furthermore, these machines perpetuate the slaughter of people and land, all to obtain the resources that fuel these mechanical abominations. 

It seems as though we as humans have digressed far from what we can be. The evolutionary cycle seems to have come to a deafening halt as we pollute our lives and minds with the clutter that is mainstream society. We are miraculous creatures, capable of amazing feats, yet somehow along the way the notion of our potential was lost as we try to chase a dream that is not our own.

I feel it is important, more than ever, to stay steadfast in what is right, what is truly beneficial for the good of all people and not just ourselves. Those throughout history who shared these same ideals and passions to do right, do not get the recognition they deserve. It is time we look to the past for how to proceed with our future to ensure there will be a future.

Your Higher Self

Hidden away from the rest of the world, tucked safely within the fortress of our minds, are the ideals we have for what our life should be like. Whether you long for your soul mate or to live as your own person, far from the traditional mold of society, we all have felt at some point we were missing puzzle pieces from the bigger picture.

While we point fingers at the rest of the world, many of us fail to realize that it is not the person who broke our hearts before, or the staggering costs of living that force us to spend the precious hours of each day chasing a dollar, that keep us from living our dreams... but in fact it is our own lack of trust in ourselves that keeps us frozen in time.

In order to manifest physically the opportunities, people, and surroundings you truly desire, you must become intricately connected with your Higher Self.

"Your Higher Self is a dynamic, growing life-force consciousness. Your Higher Self is the very essence of who you are and holds the accumulated knowledge from all your lifetimes. It is the wise teacher that exists within you. Your Higher Self knows no limits and is not attached to any role you play. It can heal and evolve you..."

Growing spiritually is the process of becoming your Higher Self. Each and every day your Higher Self communicates to you through your feelings and intuition. Synchronicity and simple coincidences are messages from your Higher Self asking you to realize the power radiating within. It is up to you to listen, integrate these messages, and take appropriate action.

On this journey towards inner peace and enlightenment, it is important to always be conscious, aware, and awake to the universe as it unfolds around you.

Longing To Escape

As I eagerly count down the days until we head up North for an amazing 4 day excursion into the wilderness, I cannot help but wonder how I will muster up the courage to leave my idea of heaven.

Part of manifesting how I wish my life to unfold is to go into the depth my desires not only in spirit and mind, but physically. Feeling the warm rush of wind, burying my hands and feet in the solid and sacred dirt below, standing in awe of the giant mountain peaks that echo a sense of strength and perseverance, touching the flowing river that brings life to so many, and surrendering to the endless open skies above, will all serve as magnificent reminders of a life I need to pursue.

The emotions, experiences, and memories I will create on this trip will become the driving force in my life. Each morning I hope to rise before the sun and welcome it with an open mind and an open heart. I am anxious to let every molecule of my body basque in the sun and I look forward to the millions of neural explosions that will occur as I take in the greatest gifts of all...freedom and endless possibilities.

Some Still Have It Right

There are more than 100 un-contacted tribes known worldwide, with more than half living in either Brazil or Peru. These tribes simply, and intelligently, reject contact with the outside world. The recently photographed tribe above certainly knows about the outside world but rather chooses to live a very isolated way in the Amazon.

The Brazilian Government has known about these tribes since 1910, and actually has had a policy of no contact with the tribes since 1988, in an effort to protect them from illnesses and preserve their chosen way of life.

I must say it is very refreshing to be able to see people living a more simple, centered, genuine way of life. It gives me hope that I too should not fight my desire to live in a similar fashion, far from the chaos that is North American Society.

Flobots

Silence

There is something powerful to be felt when surrounded by silence.

When we block out the everyday noise of car doors closing, keys jingling, phones ringing, and the ever present hum from technology as a whole, we are allowed to be face to face with our thoughts and emotions. The silence brings an opportunity to have a glimpse into our true Self.

For many, simply being quiet or still creates a state in which our fears and inner demons arise, almost suffocating us and forcing us back into the chaos in which we are taught to thrive in. But, it is in this moment of vulnerability and crisis that we truly evolve by overcoming that which shakes the very essence of our being.

Too long have we as humans become afraid of the healing and transforming experience of being lost in the silence. Some of our most profound and life altering revelations come from when we surrender not only to ourselves, but to the quiet, stillness of our souls.

Life unfolds to us in many, many ways. Messages only heard and appreciated from the sounds of trees rustling and the steady beating of our hearts. Please take time to enjoy the silence each and every day.

Life really is that simple...

Too often do we all become distracted by outside influences, that we forget the most powerful, motivating influence of all... OURSELVES.

We are subliminally told every day the things that matter most in our society, but LIFE cannot be condensed into a statistic or census.

The beauty of this world is the uniqueness we all possess, yet the seemingly endless interconnections we all have with one another.

I have found the answers to the most difficult questions are laughably simple.

"What is the meaning of life?" To find MEANING in life.

"Why are we here?" To learn and love from the world around us.

"What should I do with my life?" Whatever makes you truly HAPPY.

"Is there a GOD?" Yes, it resides within YOU.

Life is that simple. We are the ones that like to complicate things.

The Secret

Where has the innocence gone?

Times have drastically changed.

It seems as though the younger generations have taken on the burdens of being adults, while forgetting they are in fact still children.

What happened to the days where time was spent chasing the sun, begging it not to set? Where it felt safe for parents to let their kids have the space and freedom they needed in order to grow.

What was once a pocket full of loose change and special treasures, has been replaced with cell phones and a wad of cash. I sit and watch the youth destroy their bodies and disrespect themselves in order to please others, who are in turn easily influenced by the media and their peers.

In other cultures and countries, ceremonies and special events define one's passage into adulthood, usually defined by a certain age. In our society, sex and drugs have become a "right of passage" for our children and the age in which the experimenting begins is younger and younger. The most disturbing part of this whole dilemma is the children who are endangering their bodies and lives are not educated about the consequences or how to protect themselves.

Parks and summer camps have been replaced by parent-less houses and rehabs. In an effort to halt this dangerous cycle, we all need to do our part to inspire a change so that the youth will follow in our example.

Retreat to Destiny

There has always resided within in me a deep rooted instinct to exist in nature. As a child my most memorable and shape shifting moments have occurred while wandering through the coastal forests and basking in the sun. Whether I was burying my feet in the dirt or climbing to the highest treetops, I have always had an intense connection to the outdoors and fantasized about a life that reflected that of our ancestors, of a life more simple.

My longing to exist in a world not bound by concrete walls and stop lights has driven me to make what some might perceive as "irrational" and "foolish" choices. It has been said "the core of man's spirit comes from new experiences" and living the first 23 years in a society where Starbucks, Western Medicine, and a lack of self empowerment thrive, I feel as though I am long over due for some new experiences of epic proportions.

Within the next couple of years, after taking the necessary steps in order to fully live the life I was destined to, I will retreat. Until then my goal is to harness the powerful light and energies within me and absorb as much as I can here. I am always open to the guidance and wisdom of others, so if you have read this and feel as though you have anything to share with me, I would gladly accept it with an open heart.

Many blessings,

Kim