I'm not big on resolutions. As a self help enthusiast, personal development happens year round. Reflecting on the year that's ending is always good however, as it provides continuity and inspiration to create an overall vision for the upcoming year.

This year - 2009 - my vision is to shine like the sun. To get a feel for what I'm talking about, picture the sun emanating from your core with the rays burning off anything in their way. This is a powerful meditation as well.

What I've noticed is that most of us shine like the sun when the conditions are perfect, but when something happens that we don't like, we pull our rays back. What if we were to shine brightly even during a fight with a loved one, or while broke and uncertain of our future?

I've also become aware that the rays become blocked when trying to get something from another - attention, approval, etc. It is impossible to shine brightly and be needy at the same time. For who needs an other's light when you have your own?

My intention for all of us this coming year is to shine brightly regardless of the weather. Here's how:

1. Visualize the sun shining brightly from your core.

2. Notice if the rays are blocked in any area - perhaps there's a block around your heart or a part of your body you have previously rejected.

3. Allow the sun to shine through your blocks.

4. Notice the situations that cause you to pull your rays back, then take a deep breath and allow yourself to shine again regardless of the circumstances.

5. Don't be surprised when people start calling you Sunshine:)

Happy New Year!

The holidays are here - a sacred time to enjoy each other and the magic of rebirth. But many of us are rushing around getting our shopping done and attending parties, only half aware of the magic around us. The word that keeps coming to me is "priority."

When we consciously remember what's important, it's easier to let go of the stuff that's not. What's important to you this holiday season? Is it the spiritual significance of rebirth? Is it celebrating traditions that have been in your family for generations? Is it being with loved ones and en-joy-ing them?

Whatever your priorities are, I encourage you to take a moment and remember them and put them at the top of your list. Chances are there are some things at the top that shouldn't be there.

I for one am going to slow myself down internally. I'll still do many things, but I'm going to make sure there is enough space in between to allow my spirit to fill me up from the inside. This way, when I'm with others or celebrating the sacredness of this time of year, I will be full, present and engaged.

Here's hoping you enjoy all the fun and love that the holidays bring!

I've written before about seasons in one's life. Not only are there seasons of fall (change), winter (death), spring (rebirth) and summer (abundant life), but there are longer seasons, such as seven year cycles.

I just completed a seven year relationship cycle. It has been seven years since my marriage ended. Prior to that was seven years of marriage. I have been aware that another seven year period was coming to a close and felt the ending of another phase in my life. Strangely enough outer circumstances have shifted as well, pointing to an end of an era.

The irony is that I've been trying to get on the computer all morning to write this blog entry, but my Internet connection was down. I little while ago I called Cox and they walked me through a few things, none of which were successful. Finally the guy helping me said, "let's try something else." He had me go to my Internet "Tools" and clear out my browser history. When I tried to get on the Internet after that, it worked. I immediately went to my browser to select "Blogger.com" from the drop down window. Nothing came up. All had been cleared out, like the last seven years of my life.

The organic nature of change is baffling. It's as if everything is on its own time, and despite our best efforts, life moves at its own pace. Change is always bittersweet, but a clear past and open future feels good to me. This is my Spring.

God Bless.

Have you ever noticed that dogs are always happy? To illustrate this point, allow me to describe a typical scenario with my dog Mucci (Pronounced like Gucci). Sitting on my living room floor, he looks up at me with big, relaxed eyes. A noise interrupts his focus. He raises his head, adjusts his ears and waits for more information. Just then my daughter walks through the door. Excited beyond containment, Mucci runs to her, wagging his tail faster than the speed of light, giving her an eager and warm welcome.

This same scene happens every day without fail. There's no rolling of the eyes, grumbling beneath his breath, or thoughts of being imposed upon or interrupted (not that I can tell anyway). Rather, he responds with focused, positive attention. Dogs are always inspired – energized enough to share their enthusiasm with others. This is not to say that they are manic, in fact, for the most part, my dog is quite chill.

Here's my point... We are only grumpy when our energy is low. Have you ever been grumpy when you felt rested and balanced? It just doesn't happen. The moral of the story is not to sleep all day like dogs and then wag your tail at the first sight of someone you love, but to do the simple things that balance your energy. This is different for everyone. One person might enjoy taking some time to be alone, while another might find it energizing to call a friend and chat for a while. Whatever it is that works for you, let's all try to be more like dogs. As my favorite bumper sticker proclaims: "Wag more, bark less."

Like most people, I have a practical side and a frivolous side. While I enjoy beautiful things and have a wonderful, abundant life, I find a lot of stuff over the top.

I was at a birthday party with my daughter over the weekend. The girls were making pottery while the moms chatted about Thanksgiving and other mom stuff. The conversation came around to purses, as one of the women showed us her new designer bag. She told us to "run, not walk" to Saks for the current sale. When asked about the price of her bag, she said, "Well, it's less than a Chanel."

A deep belly laugh forced it's way out of my body as I heard that statement. I'm not sure why and I'm hoping it wasn't rude, because I thought the woman was really nice. But the idea of paying thousands of dollars for a purse struck me as funny.

Upon reflecting on the whole scenario and the insane amount of money that oozes from the area that I live, I was given the intuitive insight that anything beyond being comfortable is like piles of icing on a cake. Not the first layer that makes it yummy, but ribbons of frosting on top of flowers and such. Truth is, too much of it can make you sick.

In a society that leans toward putting money above God, I thought the image of cake frosting was worth sharing. And while I have many nice things and lots more to come, I will always prefer one smooth layer of frosting on top of my cake.