Ever-Present PEACE

“Make Peace with where you are.”

This is one of the most important things we can do says Abraham-Hicks, a teacher of co-creating the life you desire. One of the key points she makes is that the Universe is like an ever-flowing river and everything we ever want is downstream.

When you make Peace with where you are—even when you are in debt, in anger, in a bad relationship, in an unfulfilling job, in an unpleasant situation—you disarm yourself from what is happening and engage in the power of the stream of potential in that moment.

Making Peace with where you are means simply to let go of the struggle. You don’t need to control anything. You just need to trust in the current. It is not necessary to do all the work. It is not necessary to paddle upstream. For one, nothing you really want is upstream, everything is downstream. Two, you feel better when pull in the oars and simply float to a better feeling place.

Making Peace with where you are is to recognize what is happening without judgment on anyone or anything. You ride the storm; let the wind and rain blow through like you are a lighthouse. By embracing the sunshine and the rain, the blue skies and the fierce winds, you allow life to unfold in a natural, effortless way.

When you make Peace with where you are your perception shifts. You expand your awareness and experience life authentically. Something wonderful happens to you. A light goes on inside you that cannot be turned off. Healing occurs. Growth takes place. Like a Lotus flower, something beautiful emerges from deep within you. A glimpse of joy, compassion and forgiveness appear. Standing beside the worry, the fear, the angst, the powerlessness is a feeling of calm, a pillar of stillness.

Peace is not a destination; it is a state of being.

When you find yourself out of the moment, stressed out, in a bad spot, saddened, frightened, worried, lost…stop yourself. Breathe in and out with awareness. Accept what is happening. Become an observer of yourself. Feel the emotion, but don’t become the emotion. Make Peace with where you are. Say to your self, “Here I am. I am here.” Acknowledge your position. “Okay, I am angry.” “I am worried about the future.” “I am afraid of the outcome.” " I am overwhelmed in the situation."

You will be surprised to find that although the circumstance is the same, your perception will dramatically change. By purposefully acknowledging your position and your state of being, you get unstuck, you allow an opening so that you can now take appropriate action.

One of the greatest perks to practicing this powerful exercise of making Peace with where you are—and it does take practice—is that once you experience this new state of being, this profound insight; once your heart and mind are opened to the ever-present Peace, you can never go back.

Oh, you might slip into the abyss; you might spiral down to misery, you might jump onto the bandwagon of doom and gloom, you might get sucked into negative patterns, you might get all caught up into the demise of a situation. But I guarantee that the new found Peace in you, like a Gorilla in the room, cannot be ignored for long.

You may not be able to avoid challenges or unpleasant circumstances, but by making Peace with where you are, you will find that instead of dwelling in your despair, you recover more quickly.

For me, everyday I get better at making Peace with where I am.

I am here. Here I am. And you know what, the Joy is always there!

Keeping the light on,

Mags

TAPAS Now in Northport

Here’s a little bit of trivia: the word "tapas" is derived from the word "tapar", which means "to cover." Why? Because tapas were originally small pieces of bread topped with a slice of cured ham that bartenders used to cover your glass of wine, reportedly to keep the swarms of fruit flies away.

Today, the concept has evolved to include little dishes of hot, cold and marinated foods which still should be complimented with a favorite beverage of wine, beer, sangria or even sparkling water.

In my home town of Northport, you can find a fantastic assortment of inexpensive tapas at the Batata Café. Originally a chocolate and coffee house, this eclectic little bistro has turned into a hotspot for lunch goers because of their incredible menu of fresh baked pastries, breakfast burritos, wraps, paninis, salads, soups and desserts.

Now you can wine and dine on delectable little gourmet meals for dinner. The ambiance at Batata changes from earthy-crunchy casual to cozy and romantic as the evening unfolds with candlelight, music, white tablecloths, extremely attentive table service, and, of course, a menu of deliciously unique Ba-tapas.

Two visits by me so far; one on Valentine’s day with three other couples and the other with a bunch of girlfriends. My favorite tapas was the mussels in coconut milk broth w/fresh ginger and lemongrass & served with grilled crostini; although the pan seared crab cakes served over mixed baby Green salad with Lemon Aioli is a close second.

The next time you are in Northport, why not stop by the Batata Café to try it for yourself; tell Nicole Nappy, your culinary host, that Maggie sent you!

Sharing in light and culinary delight,

MagsJoy

The Love Cycle of Parenting

Every parent comes to a fork in the road when they must let their child go down their own path as they must continue on theirs. It is a fearful time. Not only a fear of the unknown, I believe it is much more a fear of separation or loss.

In truth, life reveals that in branching out, no matter where life takes you, what remains parallel is the very thing that brought you all together in the first place--love.

And love always trumps fear!

Below is poem that I created as an edited version of a letter I wrote to my oldest daughter. I offer it here as a kind of dedication to parents and children alike--For all the strength it takes a parent to release their child into the world and for all the courage necessary for a child to fly on their own. May your unbreakable love bring peace and encouragement.

The Love Cycle of Parenting

by Maggie Kalas

You are my child.

With God’s help,

I have brought you into this world

and you are precious to me.

You are not my possession.
You are someone I do hold dear to my heart.

I love you.
It is not just three words

but a truth that cannot be broken.

You are like flower; delicate, exuding beauty,

yet an amazing strength lies unseen within.

You shine in the sun one day and then the next,

you must return to your roots for new growth.

Like magic, you emerge again; even more majestic.

I once planted the seed, but now,

I am only the observer; amazed and in awe.

I do not judge.

I rejoice when you are in full bloom

and mourn when you are wilted.

I sprinkle a little love with hope

and reach out to caress your drooping spirit.

If your thorns prick me, I may weep,

but I am forgiving; I know your thorns protect you.

When you are sad, I am sad

because I long for the joy of your light.

I love you; it is eternal and ever present.

Even in the cold of darkness, a warm light remains lit.

You are the light in me as I am the light in you.

We are one in this light.

No time or distance will ever separate our bond.

You are free to be you. And I believe in you.

My purpose at one time was to feed you,

nurture you, love you and protect you.

Now you are matured in your skin

and must live life in order to grow.

Loving you is all I can do now.

And, I do love you.

The rest is up to YOU!

A little secret…

everything you will ever need

is already within you.

Know thyself.

Consider it all joy,
Mags

Rediscovering Your JOY

Keep it simple. That statement says it all when you consider every area of life. Opening up to simplicity is a powerful step toward expanding your personal life experience.

Here are seven simple steps for living from your JOY center:

1. Love (always begin with self-love)
2. Appreciation (recognizing through love)
3. Responsibility (acknowledging your role)
4. Desire (knowing what you want)
5. Focus (directing your point of attraction)
6. Allowing (opening to change; receiving what you desire)
7. Being (your natural state; path of least resistance)

Change begins with one simple step. I just gave you seven.

Mags

GET UNSTUCK AND GET GOING

We all have a little "procrastinator" in us-- putting off those things we just don't want to do. But what about the things we DO want to get done and yet, we still find ourselves not doing them.

If that sounds like you, perhaps it's time to get unstuck. Here are 10 things you can do to encourage positive growth:

1. Deciding To Do 'It' And The Willingness To Take Action
2. Purging/Cleansing/Releasing Physical, Mental & Emotional Baggage
3. Daily Meditation And Prayer
4. Balanced Nutrition/Supplements/Herbs
5. Physical Exercise/Yoga/Breath work
6. Goal Setting
7. Personal Accountability Plan
8. Psychological Therapy
9. Personal Development or Success Coaching
10. Books, Cd's, Workshops & Seminars relating to the above

Change can often be difficult. However, with the right tools, change can not only be easy, it can feel really good...and maybe even be fun!

It all starts with step number 1 -- then you can pick and choose which steps suits you next!

Keeping the light on,

Mags

Living a Life of Authenticity

For the past few years, every week or so, I have been going to a bible fellowship with several ladies in my community. It has become a place of comfort for me, as my fellow students and teacher are also my dear friends. We gather with great intentions to open our hearts to God, to seek out personal healing and to, perhaps, marvel in a moment of peace from our all too hectic lives.

Prayer may begin our gathering or end us as we depart; both are equally a blessing. Sometimes we chatter for an hour about life, our kids, our husbands…even political subjects, of which, we all do not agree. Nevertheless, our fellowship is always a treasured joy simply because we unite as one in friendship and Light.

Kathleen--who graciously opens her home, offers warming tea on cold days and a spectacular view of Northport’s harbor on warm days--is always prepared with a new tidbit of insight or higher Truth. Even if she did not formally prepare, she spontaneously follows the lead of Spirit by gracing us with her soft, passionate voice as loving words gently flow from her lips. We always leave feeling uplifted; changed from when we arrived. We come with open hearts and leave with them filled.

This year we decided to follow a teaching from a book called “The Life Model, Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You”. As we began reading, it occurred to me that it may be the most important lesson of the year; especially in these changing times.

The introduction reads, “The Life Model is not just a theory, it is a model...it does not just talk about growing, it gives you practical steps on how to mature...it does not just promote recovery, it identifies specific ways to heal traumas. And lastly, it does not offer casual reading, it challenges you to change and grow and be the person that God designed you to be.”

And who are we designed to be? Simply stated, “We are to be whole.”

Over the next few months, we will be taking our time reading each chapter. Not just to digest its words of wisdom, but more importantly, to deliberately apply this wisdom to our daily lives. For me, as a student who is also a teacher, I will joyfully share its profound message with those who are willing to open their hearts and live a life of authenticity.

In light, always,

Mags

Recognizing Life Purpose

As we kick off 2009, I thought I would share an affirmation meditation written by one of my favorite spiritual well-being teachers, Orin and DaBen:

Recognizing Life Purpose

With each breath in I affirm I have a life purpose.

With each breath out I send my purpose out to the world,

where it may manifest in my life.

This continues automatically, as I breathe in and out.

I now release other people's pictures

of what I should do or accomplish with my life.

I know what I love to do.

I affirm that I can do what I love,

knowing that as I do I am living my life purpose.

I now know what to do that brings me joy.

I affirm that I can do what brings me joy,

knowing that as I do I am living my life purpose.

I decide to do what is for my highest good,

knowing that as I do it serves the higher good of others

and is part of living my life purpose.

I fulfill my life purpose in every action I take.

I follow my heart and my joy.

I release everything in my life that is not part of my life purpose.

Today I take the time to listen to what my heart is telling me.

I ask myself,"What would I love to do today,

that will bring me joy, that will serve my higher good?"

I think of one thing I can do today that is my life purpose

because it fills my heart with joy and love,

and because it serves my higher good.

I make a picture of doing it and carry out this thought with action.
I am the captain of my ship,

and I am guiding my ship exactly where I want it to go.

I am now creating my ideal life

as I find and live my higher purpose.

As we take responsiblility for our own joy, as we live life from a place of purpose, may we all find the peace and harmony that is our divine right.

Blessings for the New Year and beyond,

Mags

Keep the CHANGE!

"If you want something to change, change something!"

If change is possible, why does it seem like one of those insurmountable obstacles? We dream our dreams. We imagine the possibilities of what could be. Yet, we stay in the same place, doing the same things, and wonder why change seems so impossible.

Is it fear? Is it complacency? Is it laziness? Or is it something more? What keeps us in a place of discomfort instead choosing something comfortable? Maybe it is because we get comfortable with the discomfort. The same old, same old feels more comfortable than the different new, different new. Change, even if it is what we want, feels strange. The numb sensation of the unknown can stop us in our tracks like a deer in headlights. We want to move; actually every part of our being is screaming MOVE! Only the body, and our life, stays in the same place, stiff and rigid.

In choosing 'no action', we suddenly realize that change is happening whether we do something about it or not. Most times, it is not the change we would have intended. Like the deer frozen in the road before being pummeled by the tractor trailer, life is moving at you fast so you need to be ready to move swiftly. It's about being flexible and being willing to 'take action'.

KEEP THE CHANGE... DUMP THE EXCUSES!

Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Do something different. Alter your course. Shift your mind. See a new perspective. Become transformed. Take a leap of faith!

Change something. Who knows? You might just save your life!

Keeping the light on,

Mags