My week has been odd. I wrote a blog entry last Saturday and the program has not allowed me to publish it all week. Further, there were no comments posted on my last blog. I was waiting on two important work emails for over a week, and was unable to get in touch with a dear friend.

When multiple incidences like that occur, I pay attention. There was a day or two in the middle of the week that I felt sad. I let the sadness bubble up and simply sat with it. Yesterday I woke up clear and reconnected to myself.

Wouldn't you know it, when I turned on my computer there were the two work emails and a note from my friend! This morning my brother-in-law shared that there were comments on my last blog that were not showing up on the main screen. And I have high hopes that the program will let me publish this blog entry without a hitch...

Lately my outer world parallels my inner world with uncanny accuracy and immediacy. It seems clear to me that I was disconnected within - probably just sitting on some feelings that needed to surface - and the world was just being a mirror...

When I started my journey as a spiritual student and teacher fifteen years ago, my goal was to teach people spiritual principles so that they could become more fulfilled and inspired.

My heart still wants everyone to be blissed out most of the time, but I'm noticing that more and more people are just stressed out from daily life.

My goal at the moment is to help people get their lives back - get their energy back!

It is becoming increasingly clear that the more we are plugged into our spiritual core, or the more energized we are, the more buffered we are from stress. I'm finding in my own life that when my energy is low or depleted, I react to situations with less patience and deliberation than when I'm well nourished from within.

Further, it is our reaction to challenging events that cause stress producing chemicals to be released into our bodies, not the event itself. I know we have all heard this a thousand times, but are we getting it?

As a nation, we are becoming more addicted, more obese, and have more stress related illnesses than ever before. Have we forgotten that we are in control of ourselves? That we can be proactive and leave the house full of life and energy? That we can stay connected to this internal source by breathing mindfully throughout the day? That we can choose to do less and just be sometimes?

Do you think it's possible to be calm in the midst of chaos or must we always lose our vital energy to the pace of modern day life?

Have you ever had the experience of seeing something so spectacular that it took your breath away?

The other day my sister Kristine was talking about being in New York City after their biggest snow storm in ten years. "We took the subway to Central Park, and just as we were about to enter the park I looked up - the whole city was covered in white, even the buildings, and there wasn't a soul in sight." She went on to describe that her breath "left" and all she could do was stand there in awe.

I believe that this is the experience of timelessness. Great Yogi masters teach that at a point in meditation your breath stops for a moment as you join with all that is. How brilliant that a moment of pure captivation can transport us into eternity.

"I think it pisses God off when a person walks by a field of purple flowers and doesn't notice."

This line from The Color Purple brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it years ago. I've been thinking about it a lot recently.

Think of all the life around us that goes unnoticed. I wonder about when I'm not appreciating myself, when I forget to appreciate my loved ones...

What if the life in all matter dances when it's noticed and weeps when it's ignored, or worse, judged? I wonder what would happen if we started to think in terms of hurting life's feelings when we forget to appreciate it?

Attention and appreciation lead to inspiration. Perhaps that's God's way of thanking us.

If you could sit where I sit
You'd see your brothers and sisters anew

Appearing like catepillars inching along
The butterfly waits to sing its song.

The clouds drop pearls of cleansing rain
The mother cocoons her child in pain
Some birds fly high into the sky
Some birds land and prepare to die

In all the change of seasons you'd see
Divine delight and rays of sunshine
Life in death, joy in pain
Clear skies through storms

That's nature's game.

If you could sit where I sit
You'd see your beauty
You'd see your grace
You'd see your courage
Despite a scared face

Feel yourself on the edge of a cliff
The world is waiting

Silently

Grow and die and grow some more
Shed your skin - prepare to soar.

- KK

Each of us has purity deep within. It is our essence. Think of a baby - they have no issues and no corruption of their purity. Their essence extends beyond them, blessing all who are in their presence.

The degree to which we are able to preserve our purity depends upon our upbringing, and then, our level of emotional and physical self-care.

I was blessed to have a healthy and loving family. As a young teenager I fell in love - He was the first person I allowed to contaminate my innocence - in more ways than one:) This relationship lasted until I was a young adult and the toxic patterns continued in other relationships.

The purification of my essence involved constructing huge walls around my self, my feelings, and most of all my wounds. After a significant amount of time I was able to slowly let these walls down.

The only reason I can remain open is because I have learned to take care of myself, trust myself and set appropriate emotional and physical boundaries. I let people in to the degree that they themselves are healthy and respectful. This allows me to love everyone and not worry about whether or not they are trustworthy. It is me who I trust.

Wounds need protection to heal. Innocence and purity is our birthright and sometimes we need to retreat and allow our wounds to heal before we can open up and bless the world as babies do.