I have this pink flowering plant in my back yard that attracts butterflies. Every summer we see monarch butterflies visiting this particular plant. Even though I've seen it so many times, I'm still impressed by how beautiful these butterflies are.
Well, after reading Dr. Wayne Dyer's new book "Inspiration", I'm even more fascinated and impressed by these amazing creatures. Dr. Dyer talked about how the monarch butterflies, with tiny little brain and paper thin wings, were born in Brazil and somehow they remember how to migrate thousands of miles and then return to the exact same branch where they were born. He also talked about his own "in-spirit" encounter with a monarch butterfly that he was convinced to be his old friend Jack who loved the monarch. The butterfly stayed with him for hours and he even took a picture with the butterfly on his hand (that's the photo on his book cover).
While I was reading the book, I realized that I hadn't seen any monarch in my garden this year. The summer was kind of rainy and cool, which was disappointing, and now I felt even worse. Then, one day while I was getting ready to go somewhere with my kids, I spotted a large monarch butterfly hovering over my flowers. Even though I was in a rush to go out, I decided to grab my camera and go outside to take pictures instead. I'm SO glad I did. That was the only time in the whole summer I saw monarch in my garden this year. I must've missed them every time they came. I couldn't get the monarch to pose WITH me, like Dr. Wayne Dyer did, but at least I got some pretty good shots, and here is one of them. (go to my other blog to see more photos I took)
I was deeply saddened by the passing of the world famous wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin. I was not that familiar with him before, except that he was the Crocodile Hunter. After watching several tribute programs to him on Animal Planet, I have the upmost respect for him. He said in an interview that, he wanted to be remembered for his passion, his enthusiasm and wild life conservation. He said "I was put on this earth to save wild life". He found his passion and life purpose since he was just a little kid, and he lived his purpose till the very end. Blessed are the ones who know and live their passion and purpose. You don't see that every day.
When you "live on purpose", your life is aligned with your core values and life purpose, you have clear priorities, you feel inspired & energized to pursue your vision and dreams, and everything seems to fall into place. You can't wait to get up every day to do the things you love. As Dr. Wayne Dyer said, living an inspired life means you live "in spirit". So, how do you live an inspired life?
A Chinese proverb goes "You cannot make something happen, but you can create a space in which what you want is more likely to happen." What can you do to create such a space? Dr. Wayne Dyer offers this "12-step program" for living an inspired life.
- Unclutter your life -- get rid of stuff you no longer need
- Clear your calendar of unwanted and unnecessary activities -- learn to say no
- Be sure to keep your free time free
- Choose to take time to do things that keep you inspired
- Return to the simplicity of nature -- spend time outdoors
- Keep a distance between you and your critics
- Take some time for your health
- Don't forget to play
- Slow down
- Remove any debts from your life
- Take your attention off what everything costs, but instead focus on their values
- Remember your spirit -- who you really are
Labels: being mindful, conscious choice, de-clutter, fun, Higher Self, inspiration, inspired action, Intensive Self-Care, intention, learn to say no, priority, self love, setting boundaries, spirituality
