"Your security in life depends entirely on your recognition of your divine nature." -- Uell S. Andersen
Look around you. What uplifts your spirit? Wherein do you recognize a more beautiful nature within you, even if no one else on this earth understands? What helps you recognize your own greater nature?
Nothing uplifts your heart and soul that did not begin with yearning. Nothing exists to delight your senses without someone honoring theirs, without them trusting the power of their creative imagination. Same holds true for your joy in the yesterdays.
Consider brilliant fireworks: waterfalls of dazzling, dancing, cascading stars clothed in exploding light of gold, silver, persimmon, green and purple, bursting forth in panoramic glory across ink blue sky, brass bands playing in the background, as vocalists join the night's extravaganza. Consider, as well, the loving hands that created a special picnic hours before, that pleased your belly and warmed your heart.
Every time another human being steps out, refusing to settle for less than they are, something deep inside the human soul stirs, longing for fuller expression. That said, it is also true that creative breakthrough does not happen without serious devotion to the impossible and attention to details.
Ask little Eva. "I just can't do it!" 5-year-old Eva protested to her teacher. Directly before her frustrated whimper, I had asked the assembled tots in Taipei to paint what was in their heart. Anything would do, I told them. It was impossible to fail, I explained, as a way of encouraging the timid.
But Eva was not having it. Shyly, she looked at paint and paintbrush, shaking her head sadly. "I don't know how to do it," she sobbed. "I want to paint a mama pig, but I can't."
How like us! We may have a desire but believe we lack the wherewithal. The following guidelines offer powerful healing medicine for the soul that has forgotten it is here with purpose to express its divine nature:
1. Start small. The trick is to start small, to start with where we are. In her case, Eva began with a dot, a tiny, nearly microscopic pink mark on the bottom right corner of a large piece of paper. Before you could say "go bravely where children have never gone before," Eva's strokes got larger and larger until the pig filled up the entire page. Laughing louder and louder, this little artist entered a state of immersion into what lived beyond her way of reasoning. Bravely, she ventured beyond self-limitation into new frontiers. In her creative voyage of self expression, Eva, the shy, grey mouse, traveled away from the shores of disbelief, into a new harbor where she met an interior bold lion inside herself. Her lion loved to roar.
2. Practice letting go of self-constructions. For Eva, her lion could not be found until she found her willingness to let go of who she believed she must be to belong to the world.
Beautiful outcomes defy explanation. It does not matter what age you are. All that matters is that we muster faith in what is greater than fear, anxiety, our "cannots" and "should nots." All that matters is that we make the fundamental choice to give ourselves what one of my 68-year-old student artists called our "license to become." It is nothing short of the beloved that urges us on to bloom from the seedbed of our embedded desire and, to risk the mixed metaphor, to give a mighty roar.
3. Release fear and whatever stands in your way of focus. When the beloved calls, like Peter, we are asked to push ego aside, all thought of what is possible, stepping boldly out from our little craft smack onto turbulent waters. Our degree of success is determined, to a large extent, not only upon our faith in expressing what is desired but how persistent is our focus. When you place your awareness on whether you will sink or swim, pure intention goes underwater. We cannot have it both ways. Either we cleave to what transcends self-doubt or we waiver and lose our way.
4. Who goes there, in the night? Begin to notice what wakes you up. What calls needs your attention? What calls is the beloved pointing you in the best direction for healing the soul of who you really are.
When I was very young, during a time of loss and turbulence in the world, I awoke with a start, after the household had gone to sleep, by the impression that someone had silently called my name. Looking around the nursery, no one was in sight. This startled me. It was neither the first time nor the last this would happen. It was then that it dawned on me the call was within, from some unknown territory that Carl Jung called the self and I call the soul.
This "something other," is beyond ego, beyond our construction of ourselves, and is the seedbed of all innermost, sincere desire for our license to become. Sometimes referred to as the "2 million-year-old human," when this "being-ness" begins stirring there is no going back. We might try, but it is futile.
Today, well more than 60 years later, I have come to realize that this "other" is nothing less than the beloved, the very life force flowing through each breath, each moment of inspiration and connection with that beyond our understanding. It is the call of the beloved that alone can pierce our defenses, our games, our playing small in a world, which requires the awakening of our soul if humankind is ever to advance.
A tall order, I grant you. But what is the alternative? Staying asleep has gotten our planet into the mess it presently occupies. The clock is ticking.
5. Look around you. Listen. Just now, I heard the siren of first responders arriving at the assisted living facility across the lane. It is the second time today: the first before dawn, the present, at sunset. What message does this send for us today?
6. Leave room for your soul to make associations. I am reminded of the period when I lived overseas in a small Swiss village, Thalwil, when, at all times during day and night, whenever a person passed on, the church bells rang, just as it did when a baby was born, or a couple married. The life of its people was marked by bells, a constant reminder to choose what matters most, for life comes and goes when least expected. We get to choose what holds meaning and to invest our lives in that direction, or refuse to budge, refuse to pick up the paintbrush and start small. Becoming bold with who you are need not mean fame or fortune, although it may lead down this street. No, becoming bold in the way you express your life creatively really gets down to one thing: telling the truth about who you really are, without apology or expectation. May your mouse begin its mighty roar!
Love Letter for the Little Mouse Who Wishes to Become a Lion:
Listen here, my little friend! You did not come here, to this earth, to hide who you are in a corner, moving tentatively across the room! Yes, you are very good at listening, at waiting. There are times when this is exactly what is needed. Imagine how much kinder the world would be if more people around you took their time to really hear, to pay attention, to wait in line.
But it is also true that the time comes when it is your turn to step up, to speak up, to express yourself with bold color, words, and all that bring you joy! Do you know why?
Let me tell you a little secret. Nobody has paid attention like you have to what makes your heart happy. Nobody. You are the only one in this whole world that has a clue. You are the only one that thinks the same thoughts, who knows the deep feelings that you have, that gets inspired by what uplifts you, that comforts you when you are afraid.
What makes you think that your observations and your deepest desire do not have value, if shared boldly like a lion in the jungle? They do, you know! We need to hear from you.
Consider little Eva. When she finished her painting, she wrote something across it in words that changed my life, and her teacher's and mother's. Maybe her message would change yours, too, if you let it touch you. What do you think Eva wrote? What message would you like most to hear?
Your turn: Whose boldness has inspired you? Why? What words do you think little Eva wrote? I'm listening! Thanks for forwarding this to all you know.
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i'm fear from anything. Listen me : first fear when my phone rang! i know that funny
2: fear when i study subjects very well, on the same time i'm forget all studies
3: fear when i have exams, oh omg i'm forget all my study
4: i'm play sport, Fear when i have Championship, i don't know play and lose it
i don't know what's solution? DR.CARA
but i don't understand! did Dr Cara saw the my comment ?? Dr not reply with me
i know you saw and replay me
i want Dr. see my comment!! what i do now??!
you give me link and i click it but i write again my words like my comment or another words?!!
i'm very sorry
Looking forward to seeing you over there,
Dr. Cara
meanwhile, fanning!
Be the Love,
Cara
Dear sis Cara, LP, h&h, onethot...we are all together in this maze, I read you all, you may not be able to. "after all tomorrow is another day", wink**...gypsy
The names above and yours truly, came to the café with joy and waited hours to see them publish naught. LOVE with a wink...Gypsy
http://gemsviathailand.com/digital-photography/text-testing/
Love and Peace to your homes.
Paul
Blessings,
Cara
Apparently there has been a glitch in your comments? I do not know what is going on although there was a problem with me getting access earlier this week, which is now working. I know that this is frustrating! Please contact the mod team@huffingtonpost.com and see if they can tell you precisely what is the situation. Perhaps, in lieu of that, time for a relaxing, distressing walk? Wishing you only Good, and know that you are appreciated,
Cara
Be the Love, and do drop by,
Cara
If you are looking for a bolt of lightening, Cara's cafe is one place to find it.
Well wishes....
Thanks; I'll be looking for it!
Cara
Thank you for the warm welcome, and I am very happy to have discovered a place where I can relate on various levels. Have a really lovely evening.
Skye~
Happy Friday the 13th, nothing to complain about, the mods are being super generous so I raise my cuppa tea, cheers to Cara and all.
http://youtu.be/WJenCSk8HZg
Suspictions... I don't need no stink'in suspicions!
So, I agree with you, nothing to complain about.... except for this irritating bald spot!! :)
As for the tea, make mine a cup'a joe raised to wish good cheer and a swell holiday weekend!!!
Lawson
For the spot, shave it off, look at the male shaved supermodels , you could be one of them, easily...Gypsy
Haven't heard that expression in a long time." cup'a joe' ... am a friend of "joe's" myself .
Thank you for expanding on your comment. Appreciate it. No place to respond there... :(
What holiday weekend? Is it a holiday in the U.S. ?
Tried to save you a piece of blueberry pie and ice cream but... you know how it is :)
Actually, just wanted to say hello and wish you all the mostest.
Warm hugs...
Love your remark i.e. cutting to the cause. You have such a way, my friend, of acknowledging what needs acknowledging. Hopefully, there are blue skies above you as there are here. Just saw my God daughter from out of state. The moment she stepped into my studio she burst into tears at rejoicing in the creative thread we share. I told her about you and she said to thank you so much for your musical heart in the world!
Be the Love with love,
Cara
This is a very long video on awakening but imo it is possibly the best I have seen yet and well worth listening to.
You are Love,
Cara
Most of my families are either atheists or against any sort of organized religion, so it was easy. My Grandfather passed before I was born was a proponent of Jiddu Krisnamurthi,the books are still there with my brother.My father, uncles always joked about the priest and their ways. My mom was more of a theologitian than ritualistic. Highly respected woman. My aunt I often talk about fondly, my hero, I have never seen her to following anything but I know she was not an atheist. I am more like her...
Yes nomad, one dear bud GAB said we are the nomads in here with no particular agenda. Have a fantastic day…you always had good thoughts…LOVE your way. Gypsy.
We are possibly all nomads and just not aware that we are.
Thoughts.. words.. just thoughts.. good... bad.. they carry a certain energy and create form but there is a higher energy ..Ah !! speechless..
Do you like Def Leppard?
Sweltering heat wave here. No wind for sailboats on the lake. Nephew seadooing.. thinking of hitching a ride to cool off. Thank G-d for AC !!
Loving your Light !
'She can deal with stress and carry heavy burdens. She smiles when she feels like screaming, and she sings when she feels like crying. She cries when she's happy and laughs when she's afraid. Her love is unconditional. There's only one thing wrong with her. She forgets what she's worth! Pass this to every beautiful woman you know. Remind her that she's unique. L-o-v-e-y-o-u.
Today is 'love u day' send to everyone u love.'
Long ago, sitting beneath an oak while my little boy was playing on the slide, the thought came to me: "If we are made in the image of the Divine, then that means all forms, all genders, all original design." That single thought changed my life, and my relationship to life. Somehow, I know you know what I mean.
Hugs your way, dear one,
Cara
I made a present for you; and I enjoyed all the moments present when putting it together. You may recognize MOST of the words. I just did what seemed there to do.
http://gemsviathailand.com/digital-photography/text-testing/
Here is another gems From always so generous, Lady of the café.
"Move in the direction that warms your heart. This is life moving through you to restore, renew, regenerate your creative spirit wishing for expression."
Dr.Cara Barker
Please know, I look forward to hearing from you, and will respond person by person.
Meanwhile, may this day be free of roadblocks, and rich with help as needed!
Be the Love, no matter what,
Cara
I am so happy to respond to you, finding you here, and having the breakdown of tekkie world corrected to expedite that very thing. My love is with you as you wander the wilderlands. I do not forget about you, here or gone!
Be the Love, Pema, for you are IT,
Cara
I love that I feel inspired every week when I read your articles. This week I am reminded of an old movie "The Mouse That Roared."
I let my inner lion out years ago, sometimes with trepidation. When I half-heartedly sought to create due to fear, I mewled rather than roared. My confidence and boldness seem to operate on a sine wave, albeit one with randomly altering frequencies. Even when my biorhythms are at ebb, I maintain an inner confidence that I do roar when the time is right. Whether an external stimuli or internal drive precipitates the roar does not matter as much as the willingness to express my boldness.
When I read this "No, becoming bold in the way you express your life creatively really gets down to one thing: telling the truth about who you really are, without apology or expectation." it conjured in my mind a passage from Desiderata that has buoyed my spirit for decades. "You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here." Cara, I am grateful that you are here. I think that truly recognizing ourselves is as powerful as it is important. I define humility as honestly assessing my strengths, weaknesses, virtues and flaws. How I act on such realization is another matter. It's valuable enough seeing myself in as honest a light as I can muster.
All My Love,
little brother
My lion understands yours, it seems, for mine, too, came out shyly for many years. Your mention of 'half-heartedly' sums it up. The good thing is that with each lion baby step, (at first) our inner lion remembers its nature, and recalls that it is a royal beast, after all, in the jungle of life. In that it belongs to the Cat Family, this is deep in meaning that suggests connection, intuition, and nourishing on one's own terms.
Oh, how meaningful are your words about gratitude. When I could not get onto the site yesterday, my frustration was so great that I went for an evening walk along the lake. Shortly thereupon, I realized that I was taking you all with me. For the record, 'we' had the loveliest time. What has come about here, is from the very spirit of Desiderata as it lives in each our hearts. We are truly, children of the universe, and we are not here alone.
So much love and care,
Cara