Welcome to the inside of my head!!!! My journal is a place where I let my thoughts off their leash and they get to run free. Unafraid of what others might think, feel, or say. Here I will be sharing with you everything that is important to me. That could be anything from the state of our beloved planet to my new favorite nail polish. Do your thoughts have a playground where they can let loose and be free? I invite you to "gift" yourself and your thoughts by keeping a journal. You never know what new and fun things you might find in there.Tomiko

2009-06-12

I am on fire! As I was returning from my latest work trip in Montreal the other day, I was "assaulted" by a number of enlightened messages. It was crazy! Just as I would grab my phone so that I could type in what I'd received, another would come. The couple next to me must have thought I was crazy. Picture this - me sitting there quietly contemplating and looking out the window at the gorgeous clouds, then I would snap out of it, grab my phone and ferociously type away. The messages were coming that strong.....

One of the messages I received was "Follow the path of least resistance". I already knew of this saying, but it came to me in a way that was crystal clear and spoke to some areas of my life where I was struggling. However "resistance" is showing up for you - you've stayed in a relationship for longer than you know you should, you're working at a job that you can't stand, you keep friends in your life that don't lift you up - I suggest taking a look at why you're allowing these things to exist in your life. What's the payoff? Why would you continue doing something that makes you miserable?

I am currently contemplating making some changes in my life. I've rationalized so much over the years why I shouldn't make the change my spirit knew full well I needed to make. Then I got this message, "follow the path of least resistance" and it seemed like a boulder was lifted off of my back. I felt so light (figuratively and spiritually) and empowered. And the choice I came to no longer scared me like it once did. "Can I do this?" "Will I succeed?" "What will people think?" "Who will I be in the world?" All of these questions and more have kept me stuck and still for far too long.

So I am choosing a new path, a smoother path, a path that lovingly pulls forward instead of dragging me kicking and screaming.

Which led me to an even deeper realization - MY PURPOSE. I am giddy with excitement because I've found my purpose (or at least claimed it).

My purpose in life is to inspire, empower and encourage. There I said it. Now you may say, "Well, of course. You've been doing that for years". BUT, my thought on one's purpose is that everything one does, and I mean everything, should support and filter through that purpose. So I received clarity around the things I was resisting because I realized that they were NOT in line with my purpose. TADA!! : )

So I have been on a mission for the past few days breathing life into my newly-claimed purpose and I feel great! I guess you could say my eyes and spirit are now wide open to all that I can and will do. Exciting times!

I wish for each and every one of you lovely ladies to find your purpose. And don't beat yourself up (again) if it doesn't come to you right away. Surrender and trust that it will come when you're ready. Because once you know, you can't not know and that's a tremendous responsibility. And one that I encourage you to take on with light-filled enthusiasm.

I have to get back to my work. Wait, I want to change that. I have to get back to my purpose. Ahh, I like that way that sounds.

Blessings!

2009-06-01

I’m writing this on a plane on my way to Hawaii. My sweet husband is sitting next to me and I couldn’t be happier. As I look out the window at the landscape of clouds, I can’t help but exhale. AHHHHHH!!!

I am especially happy because this is both my husband’s and my first trip to this tropical paradise. Thoughts of turquoise water, white sand, and salty breezes are making me giddy with anticipation. My mind is already there and my body can’t wait to catch up.

This vacation is bittersweet. While I’m thrilled to go on this romantic adventure, my thoughts keep turning back to why I soooooo need this vacation. The past few years have tossed me around quite a bit. Fertility issues, growing pains in my marriage, the deaths of my sister and stepfather, stalls in my career, and backlash from our current economy have reduced me to tears more times than I can count. As I said in my previous entry, the BAMs just kept on coming. I would just catch my breath and another one would come right along. Whew!!!

But my spirit is a funny creature. No matter how many times I fall or get knocked down, I’ll be damned if she doesn’t find someway to bounce back. Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes the “bounce backs” take some time, but bounce back she does. When I’m in the eye of the storm and cannot see the light of day, I get a loving nudge from my spirit. At times, I wish my spirit would just let me sulk a bit. Allow me some time to wallow in self pity. Go to the depths of depression and despair. You know, a good, old-fashioned spiral. But NO, not this one. She knows better and therefore I know better.

And that is the lesson. We do bounce back. ALWAYS. Seriously, think about the worst you’ve felt in your life. Go ahead, think about it. I’ll give you a minute…….

If your spirit is like mine, I will bet money that you still don’t feel that way. At the time, you didn’t think you’d survive the pain. But you’re still here – wiser and more empowered because of what you went through. If I/we could just remember our “bounce backness” when troubles arise, we just might save ourselves from unnecessary suffering.

I say we activate our “bounce backness” as soon as the issue arises. Allow the lesson/blessing to reach us that much faster. Lesson learned. Blessing received. Time to move on.

So while this vacation is indeed bittersweet, it is also a reminder that life is what we make of it. It can and will be whatever we think it is. I continue to receive the lessons and blessings from my recent obstacles, but my spirit and I are “bounce backers”. We won’t be held down for long. We have too much living to do!

I think I just came up with another slogan for the Goddess Gathering – “Tomiko Fraser’s Goddess Gathering & Activate Your Bounce Backness!” : )