I was in mass this past Sunday, (actually I was singing mass this past Sunday when I announced the wrong Communion hymn.)

It was sort of embarrassing, but the song was all about forgiveness, so I was hoping the congregation would catch on

You see the words right before Communion caught my attention in a way that they never had before. “Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” I usually think of my Auntie Dot when I say that.  Since I was little, her commitment to those words were all I could think about for the past 30 years without fail. I’ve always wanted to ‘get it’ the way she ‘got it’.  I’ve learned you can’t have someone else’s healing though.

Something shifted this week. “… Only say the word and I shall be healed.” I got really curious about that word. What exactly is that ‘word’ and is that ‘word’ the same for all of us?   Are we kneeling down waiting for some mystery word?  Or, are those words different for all of us?  Do we each have our own secret password?

My next thought was, well I wish I knew what Word to ask for. What is that dang WORD?  I thought about it so long that not only was Pat my music director whispering, “Maria, Maria”, but so were some parishioners.. It was time for communion and people wanted some music.

After mass, I really began to think about it. I thought about day to day life, and the words that heal you are not necessarily the same that heal me.  We all hear things differently, and are going through different things at different times. We all have a unique perspective on the world, and what “the body of Christ” means to each one of us.

Maybe those are the words?   I mean, it makes sense, as those are the words that come right after, “Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea”, (Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul will be healed.)

The Catechism doesn’t speak to it. I mean where does it say what the words are? Are we supposed to guess? Is that why most of us read self-help books by the dozens? (okay, hundreds?)

I do believe that ultimately,  healing words are born out of love and compassion. They all stem from the One Source, and  the words that heal you today are not the same that will heal you tomorrow.  I know I need to hear the message of the body of Christ in new ways all the time to increase my understanding and heal new layers of my soul’s experience.

We are ever changing and ever expanding. We need to continue to hear the word of God in new and refreshing ways.  This message comes in conversation with others, in receiving the liturgy, meditating on the Word and through our own voice, for that is ultimately the Voice that God speaks to us through.

So, let me ask, what does the Word means to you?  And if God could give you a perfectly designed Word or phrase to heal what it is that you are going through right now in your life, what would it be? If you get quiet and give Him a chance I’m sure the perfect words will be there to heal you.  Why not humbly ask for those Words right now?

Just make sure you announce the correct hymn, if you’re next up at the pulpit…

There is so much talk these days about mindset and aligning your thoughts to attract success in business, family and health.

There is also a lot of talk about Yoga. I live in New York City and people are constantly running around with mats on their backs off to Yoga. Yoga in Times Square for heaven’s sake. It’s amazing!!!

So what if we could combine the rage for yoga and the science of positive thought and mindset alignment…. What would you get?

You would get Naam Yoga.
(Seriously)

What if you could get a complete physical workout? A Life Coaching Session? And a Complete Spiritual Tune Up all in one class?

Well you could, with Naam Yoga. I’m not kidding here.

Naam is the best kept secret!!!

(and I don’t think it should be a secret anymore)

NAAM Yoga is recognized by the Yoga Alliance as a Yoga Therapy.

NAAM is proven to relieve:

• Chronic pain
• Emotional disturbance
• Manage stress and burnout
• Reduce anxiety and depression
• Restore Neuro-immunoendocrine balance.

Naam Yoga is a complete healing system that is fun, simple and highly effective. It produces noticeable and measurable physical, emotional and mental changes within the body, that in turn relate to improving your life.

Naam is the relationship that we have with a loving Consciousness, because it connects us to the Word, our Truth and our own Innate Intelligence.

Our words are our most powerful tool in working with our mindset, because they create everything in our lives.

Naam= the Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” God sits at the tip of your tongue. The power and effect of any particular Word depends upon whether it comes from your head or your heart.

Naam Opens your Heart.

We create our life by the things we say and don’t say. We speak our thoughts. If thoughts are invisible than the best way to heal them is through the Invisible power of Sunlight and the Logos.

Naam touches the subconscious mind and replaces negative thoughts with the Grace of the Divine.

A Naam Yoga class consists of the following components. Each element can be practiced on its own, as its own complete tool for self-healing.

Naam Yoga will shine its bright light on whatever darkness is in your life and make you SHINE!!!

Here is what you can expect in a full length class (60-90 minutes):

• Tune In (Aligning your Heart and Mind with the Divine)
• Pranayama (Breath Control)
• Seed Sounds (Healing through Sacred Sounds)
• Naam Yoga Health Series
• Naam Yoga Kriya (Set of exercises for specific healing benefits)
• Relaxation
• Meditation
• Personal Prayer
• Tune Out (This is when we take our practice off the mat and Yoga really begins)

Ok, so it’s your turn!!!! I invite you to try it…

The following series is so effective in balancing your Nervous System, boosting your energy and your metabolism. It is a complete health series in just 15 minutes a day!!

I’m sharing it with you because I want you to put Naam Yoga into action and experience the benefits first hand.

I am inviting all of you to take the 15 Minutes in 15 Days Challenge!!!

What you’ll need:

1. YOU
2. A timer (an iPhone, Blackberry or Smart phone keeps perfect time)
3. 15 minutes (preferably in the morning or when you need a pick me up at work. Great coffee break replacement!)
4. Optional- a notebook so you can keep notes about your progress
5. Buddy, to keep you motivated and accountable.

What you’ll do:

1. 3 minutes- Lie down on your back…Put your legs and feet up in the air and SHAKE. (optional gently move your head side to side) I call this “Shakey Shakey.” With your hands and feet up toward the heavens, you are automatically surrendering and absorbing prana at the same time. You are increasing your circulation and reversing your blood flow. You are helping yourself get ‘unstuck’ and warming up your body.
2. 3 minutes- Breath of Glow… Sit cross legged or in a chair. Exhale through your nose, when you do, snap your belly in. Continue rhythmically without forcing the inhale. Let that part take care of itself. I recommend Track #1 on the CD Naam Lounge. It is important to remember that you are consciously moving the belly IN as you exhale through your nose and then, gently releasing your belly so as to let the inhale happen naturally and effortlessly. The true center of a human being is located below the navel. This area will allow you to get in touch with the origin of your being. It also helps with diabetes, brain, liver, kidney, asthma, tuberculosis and sinus problems.
3. 3 minutes- Frog Pose… You’ll start in a squat on the balls of your feet and your fingertips touching the ground. Now, inhale and straighten your legs leaving your finger tips on the floor. Look directly at your navel (you can use a block or chair if it’s difficult to remain touching the floor as you straighten your legs) Exhale through your nose back to the starting position, looking straight in front of you. Frog pose allows us to push ourselves to our maximum. The vertebrae and joints are pulled away from each other so that the pressure between them is balanced. It massages the pelvic organs, flushes the lymphatic system, balances the nerves and prevents breast and prostate cancer. It is a wonderful exercise with many benefits; you will want to work up to 11 minutes.
4. 1 minute- Adho Mukha Svanasana. Downward facing dog. (your hands will be on the floor shoulder width apart, fingers spread wide apart. Feet are on the floor, heels stretching toward the floor and hips up toward the ceiling.
   1 minute- Plank pose. (hands and feet stay where they are for the most part, you will lower your hips so that you are parallel to the floor)
   1 minute- Dhanurasana. Bow Pose. (after slowly lowering yourself down from plank pose. Lie on your tummy, reach around back for your ankles and lift up. This is a wonderful heart and chest opener and also strengths the back).
5. 3 minute- Savasana. Corpse pose. That’s right, lie down on your back and rest, palms facing up. Breathe through your nose. Staying completely still in this posture for the full 3 minutes will give you the most benefits.

Do not skip this part. This is quite possibly the most important part of the entire series.

Music is a powerful motivator, so I encourage you to put on your favorite tunes to guide you through.

I would recommend track #2 on Naam Lounge, as it is the perfect rhythm for Breath of Glow and the other exercises.

If you are advanced you can add Mantra to increase the healing and strengthening qualities of this series. I would recommend, Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung or Wahey Guru, both found on The Healing Beat of Naam.

Please consult your doctor before trying this or any exercise. Know your limits and make adjustments accordingly. As time goes on you will understand each exercise more fully and go more deeply within yourself.

This simple series is a complete workout and promotes overall health. I do this every morning and so do my clients….My teacher Gurunam, Joseph Michael Levry, Master of Naam Yoga has recommended each one of these exercises as the crowning components of Naam Yoga and to be done every day!!!!

Join the growing International phenomenon of Naam Yoga with this wonderful series.

Bring Harmony, Health and Happiness into your life, instantly with this 15 minute series.

Open your Heart and Have Fun!!!

I just couldn’t help myself. I had to share this story with you.

Most of you know I have the amazing experience of singing on Broadway these days. At Ellen’s Stardust Diner on Broadway and 51st, (home of the world famous singing wait staff), that is. Hey it’s close

I just had to sing a song from Wicked the Musical, when the most adorable little boy requested “Defying Gravity” from Glee.  I felt it my duty to give him some music appreciation and back-story on Elphaba, or the green witch as we all know her.  I started by telling him that the song is in fact, not from Glee.

I sang “The Wizard and I” from the show, mentioning Stephen Schwartz the composer and that the real life Tony award winning Broadway Musical is just a stones throw away.  Like a half a block away…

Here’s the link:)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZyQwjVRT5c

(its ok to skip the intro

I personally love singing this song because it is about Elphaba, the wicked witch, as most of us know her and the beginning of her personal journey through the practice of visualization.  The infamous green witch sings about her dreams, desires and creating a partnership with the Wizard. It seems to run parallel to most of our own desires to have freedom, flexibility and fun in our own lives.

Elphaba desires to be seen for all the good inside her and not be judged by her outside appearance. She believes that by having this friendship with the Wizard, other people will recognize the good in her too.

She hopes they will be able to see past her green exterior.

I like to take it a step further.  When we are friends with Christ and creating from a place of partnership with him in our lives, we too become degreenifyed.

The lyrics read like this…

“He’ll say to me, I see who you truly are, a girl on whom I can rely..

And that’s how we’ll begin, the Wizard and I.”

Half way through the song, I see a younger guy, musical theatre geek type, (whom I love PS) filming my every move and lip-synching every word.  He is the type of guy that loves the fantasy and friendship that music theatre

provides. A safe-haven to live vicariously through the characters instead of going out there into the often unsafe non-showstopping finale of life.

So, I  got to the bridge of the song, where the music gets inspiring and the lyrics read like this…

” Unlimited. My future is unlimited.

And I just had a vision almost like a prophecy; I

know, It sounds truly crazy and true the visions hazy;

but I swear someday they’ll be.

A celebration throughout Oz, that’s all to do with me.

And I’ll stand there with the Wizard feeling things I never felt.

And though I’d never show it, I’d be so happy I could melt.

And so it will be for the rest of my life and I’ll want nothing else till I die.

Held in such high esteem. When people see

me they will scream, for half of Oz’s favorite team. The Wizard and I.”

Are you proclaiming your partnership with Christ in the same way? Is there joy and excitement when you think of having the Son of God on your side?

I was thinking to myself while singing; that’s exactly how I want to be seen in life. For me the vision is being with Christ in Word, Action and Deed, and stepping into the Unlimited potential that is available in Christ.

Elphaba simply wants the freedom to express her gifts and be seen for who she is.

Most of us want that. To have the freedom to express who we truly are.  We want to be seen for who we are.

We also want to be free to find it.

Do you think others see you for who you truly are?

What part of yourself might you leave unexpressed?

What would it feel like if people knew the real you?

And would you like some more Sprite?

Wow, I almost forgot I was working in a diner and had to go back and settle up with little Johnny shall we call him.

You see, I know who I truly am is not a waitress in a poodle skirt selling burgers at a 50′s Diner, but that’s what people see.

So, little Johnny, sounded somewhere between a Senator and Harry Potter, when he said, “That really was a great performance.” And critiqued it like Ben Brantley might in The Times. This 8 year old sees ‘green’ so to speak- he doesn’t see who I truly am and most people don’t see others for who they truly are.

Wait, back to the diner…

So I left the table, feeling good about the music lesson and compliments and bumped into the filming theatre geek I adore.

He and his girl friend, (those words are separate for a reason) asked if I would settle a debate for them.

I say “Sure!!!” I had wanted to connect with them since I had visions of him posting this whole performance on You Tube or something. I wanted to intercept the footage really.

They said ok, in a very obvious British accent. “We want to know if we should go to Wicked for the 3rd time in a row, or get our hair done?”  Not a consensus question you hear everyday but as I started talking to them, I began to see I had a chance to use my gifts and be seen beyond the music. Music was my motivation tool.

You see, even if they had the most amazing hair, I’d say “I love Wicked as much as the next guy, but please take the message of the musical to heart and go out there and be Unlimited.”

Go de-greenify yourselves. I could see the GOOD inside these two lovely people. Now go make yourselves Popular with a new hair do. (Listen to the soundtrack and you’ll get the references)

I realized in that moment, they’d given me a chance to be who I truly am. Someone who motivates and inspires people.  I got them to see how going to see the show again is a way to stay green.  A way to be limited.

Limited in their experiences.

You see, they would greatly benefit from having their hair done, or a mini make over. They were beautiful, joyful spirited people on the inside, but admittedly their exterior was a little green.

There is no more perfect reflection of having been changed For Good than going out and living the message.

There is no better way to be with Christ than to let your light shine from the inside out, and be seen for who you truly are.

I stopped into one of my all time favorite churches in New York City the other day; St. Paul the Apostle on 59th and Columbus.  When I lived in Manhattan, I went out of my way to go to mass there because the message was so clear and contemporary. Also, the music was beautiful and they let me sing with the choir.  I especially loved the new edition. It was simple, yet profound; the waterfall baptismal font.  It was such a reminder that the love of God flows through us and in us, in an unending river of hope and generosity.

In the gift shop on my way out the door, I snatched up a book of Catholic jokes. I just couldn’t resist. I read one joke, laughed out loud and had to buy them so I could share some funnies with you.

Laughter really is the best medicine sometimes, and studies prove the healing benefits of a good belly laugh. Heck, even a chuckle can do the trick sometimes.

So here are a few of my favorites, compiled by Deacon Tom Sheridan,  with a reminder to

laugh a little and not take things so seriously. Don’t sweat the small stuff is good in theory,

and grand in application. I mean, “What would Jesus do?” (looks like he’s be laughing)

Joke #1:

An older nun who was living in a convent next to a construction site noticed the coarse

language of the workers and decided to spend some time trying to correct their ways.

She decided show would take her lunch, sit with the workers, and talk with them.

She put a sandwich in a brown bag and walked over to the spot where the men were eating.

Sporting a big smile, she walked up to the group and asked; “And do you men know Jesus Christ?”

They shook their heads and looked at each other, very confused.  One of the workers looked up

into the steelworks and yelled out,

“Anybody up there know Jesus Christ?”

One of the workers yelled down, “Yeah, why?”

“His wife’s here with his lunch.”

He, he.. Ok a little tongue in cheek and a little true.  How can you show people that you know Jesus

without them having to ask you?

Joke #2:

One year a husband decided to buy his mother-in-law a plot at the Gate of Heaven Cemetary

as a Christmas gift.  The next year, he didn’t buy her anything.

When his wife asked him why, he replied, “Well, she still hasn’t used the gift I bought her last year!”

Kind of funny, and also thought provoking.. Are you giving gifts with the expectations of how, when and

why your recipient should use them?  Think about what gifts God has given to you… He’s always willing to

give you more.. (even if you don’t use them right away, hint hint.  USE YOUR GIFTS)

Joke #3: (and thats all you get:)

While shopping for vacation clothes, the president of the parish council and his wife passed a display

of bathing suits.  She asked him, “What do you think? Should I get a bikini or an all-in-one?”

“Better get a bikini,” he replied.  “You’d never get it all in one.”

Ohhhhh,  he didn’t…  Well, sometimes we do. Sometimes we say things that get that seem innocent

enough and yet they are hurtful.  Sometimes its easy to laugh at someone else’s expense. Some families

have built entire cultures out of razzin’ on each other.   Lets always remember to build each other up, rather

than giggle each other down.

I hope you enjoy these cute little jokes.  Even more so I hope you remember to not take

yourself, and the things around you so seriously. Try smiling when you pray and laugh when

you’re hurting.

Humor is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze.

When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy.

In addition to the domino effect of joy and amusement, laughter also triggers healthy

physical changes in the body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your

energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all,

this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

With that said, I’ll give you one more:

A young and nervous bride planning her wedding was increasingly terrified about her upcoming marriage.

To calm her nerves, she decided to have a Bible verse which had always brought her comfort

(1 FIRST John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; for perfect love casts out fear”) engraved on her wedding cake.

So she called the caterer and all arrangements were made.

About a week before the wedding, she received a call from the catering company.

“Is this really the verse you want on your cake?” they asked. Yes, she confirmed,

it was the one she wanted, and after a few more questions they said they would decorate the cake as requested.

The wedding day came, and everything was beautiful…until the reception, when the bride walked in to find the cake

emblazoned with John 4:18: “For you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband.”

Seems like a perfect time to rely on the verse, “There is no fear in love; for perfect love casts out fear”,

more than ever!!!

You are exactly where you are supposed to be. Right here and right now. It may not be where you thought you were going to be or how things were going to go. Nevertheless here you are.

And it’s right where God needs you to be.

From the person sitting next to you on the train, to the traffic you’re in when you’ve never been this late in your life; come rain, come shine you’re right where your supposed to be.

God’s got you where he wants you and he’s got the whole world in his hands. In fact our whole world is in our hands. Every line, every finger print is exactly the way it is supposed to be. Every hair is numbered.

God has called us each by name.

Could you imagine if you could hear the sound of Gods voice each time he talked to you?  Well it’s kind of funny. You do. It just so happens to be your voice. Your voice is the tool that God uses to console, uplift, understand, support, guide and comfort you.  Your voice; it’s tone and it’s words communicate in every moment how you feel about where you are, where you’ve been and where you are going.  (It also lets others know too.)

Use your words wisely and start from a place of acceptance. Absolutely nothing happens in Gods world by mistake.

So do your part to make it a place you really want to be. You are going to be there anyway.

How many times has some recommended a book to you, and you say, “You know, you’re not the first person who has told me that,” or “I’ve been meaning to read that book for years now.” ??

Does this sound at all familiar?  Well, I would like you to think about that.  When someone recommends a book to me now a days, I take it as a sign from God, that that is the next book on the roster to read. And read with speed, an open heart and understanding.

For instance, the book “Do the Work” was recommended to me by a fellow MasterMind partner and I instantly downloaded it onto our Kindle… (It’s a free download for all you Kindler’s) I was so into it, that I finished it in less than 24 hours and brought it to the Yankee game on Saturday night to drill the quotes in my mind. (Little to my dismay, Kindles are contraband at the Stadium)

So, I had to check my Kindle in baggage claim. I was a little less than amused by that. However, ever time you get a recommendation for a great new book, one that will change and transform your life and you don’t get it and read it, right away, its like your putting yourself, your business or your family in baggage check. You’re putting your future, your potential and your service to the world in storage. Stop doing this!

When someone told me, that I couldn’t have access to my new found recommended Wisdom, I threw a tantrum. Is this what I had been doing to myself, every time I let years go by before reading a recommended book?

So you may remember that I recently studied and coached with a phenomenal coach and mentor Fabienne Fredrickson who took her business from eviction notices in her tiny New York studio apartment to a multi-million dollar business in less than 10 years.

This really perplexed me for a long time. I mean how does someone do that? Well, as I began neutralize those questions and disbeliefs, I started to really listen to the books she referenced and recommended.  Then I started to purchase them, read them, and study them.   Then, I noticed that this is how she did it.  She not only read the books, she did what they said to do, step by step, following in faith and action what they said to do

I thought, well that is pretty simple. What is so fancy and complicated about that?  To answer my own question, nothing is fancy or complicated about that. Our greatest teachers, remind us to keep it simple all the time. So why would this be any different?

So, since I’ve gained so much from reading books that were recommended to me I’d like to share a little bibliography with you.
I’m going to give you my recent Top 5…

1. The Bible-  That’s right. Almost any book worth its weight will have one or two references to The Bible, and Jesus’ name will be in there somewhere.  My favorite book in the Bible is James, hands down.  Its short, its sweet and its full of practical, actionable wisdom.

-     “Be patient…” James 5:7

-     “Let your ‘Yes’, be yes and your ‘No’ be no…” James 5:12

-     “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.” James 2:26

Ok, so the Bible… It’s at the top of my recommendation list.

2.   A Course in Miracles:

She’s a big one.. Epic in fact, however great Spiritual teachers such as Marianne Williamson, Wayne Dyer, David Neagle, and Ekhart Tolle reference it all the time. (I did my first read/study almost 10 years ago and it really is a game changer)
Here’s the Introduction:

“This is a course in miracles. It is a required course.  Only the time you take it is voluntary.  Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum.  It means only that you can elect what you want to take at a given time.  The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught.  It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is your natural inheritance.  The opposite of love is fear, but what is all encompassing can have no opposite.

This course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way:

Nothing real can be threatened.

Nothing unreal exists.

Herein lies the peace of God.

3.  The Passion Test: by Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood

This is a great book that helps you identify your top 5 Passions and your Life Purpose.  It’s a story and a workbook all in one.  And since I recommend this book all the time, I thought I would share it with you guys too. I had the privilege of being taken through the book by my dear friend, Roger Kenneth Marsh of Major Good Mojo, http://www.majorgoodmojo.com/

I highly recommend doing this work with him if you have any inkling that you are not living fully in your Passion.

4. Do the Work- Steven Pressfield

This is the guy who wrote, “The War of Art” and I have to be honest, this book has been recommended to be about 10 times and I still haven’t read it. So, wait a minute, I take that back.  I just paused writing this article, and made the purchase on Kindle.  So, I’ll be reading that on the Subway to Harlem today, up to teach my girls in Harlem some Yoga.   I’m Doing the Work and going into the battle with the war of art….

5.  The Science of Getting Rich- by Wallace Wattles

Now there are many reasons why I love this book. Partly because you can read it in less than 24 hours, and any book that I can do that with, leaves me with a feeling of accomplishment right there.

Next, it’s a game changer all around that brings the type of richness that we all desire. The richness that can be shared with the world, because it encourages the sharing of your gifts for the advancement of mankind.  Ok, there are a couple of things that I’d like to share with you about this book.

-     “Whatever may be said in the praise of poverty, the fact remains that it is not possible to live a really complete or successful life unless one is rich. No man can rise to his greatest possible height in talent or soul development unless he has plenty of money; for to unfold the soul and develop talent he must have many things to use, and he cannot have these things unless he has money to buy them with.

Success is becoming what you want to be.

Love finds its most natural and spontaneous expression in giving.

You can render to God and humanity no greater service than to make the most of yourself.

You want to get rich in order that you may eat, drink, and be merry when it is time to do these things, in order that you may surround yourself with beautiful things, see distant lands, feed your mind, and develop your intellect; in order that you may love men and do kind things, and be able to play a good part in helping the world find truth.

Get rid of the idea that God wants you to sacrifice yourself for others, and that you can secure his favor by doing so; God requires nothing of the kind.  What he wants is that you should make the most of yourself, for yourself and for others; and you can help others more by making the most of yourself than in any other way.

Oye, there are so many wonderful nuggets in this book… Game changers for the advancement of the entire world really, and honoring the Richness of Life God has given us…

I’ll leave you with two more chunks….

The universe desires you to have everything you want to have.

Nature is friendly to your plans.

Everything is naturally for you.

Make up your mind that this is true.

It is essential, however that your purpose should harmonize with the purpose that is in All.

There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, and fills the interspaces of the universe.

A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought.

Man can form things in his thought, and by impressing his thought upon formless substance can cause the thing he thinks about to be created.

In order to do this, man must pass from the competitive to the creative mind; otherwise he cannot be in harmony with the Formless Intelligence, which is always creative and never competitive in spirit.

My Top 5 of the Month… I’m so grateful these lives were lived, these stories were shared and these words were written down, so we might be able to advance and live in a Certain Way, just as these books suggest.  I hope you will be inspired to do some reading this week!

I literally spend hours of my life each week on the Q train back and forth from Manhattan, where I work to Brooklyn where I live, and it has become invariably one of 3 things; a mobile office, a traveling University and a spontaneous conversation generator.

When the train is above ground, I am making calls, staying connected, answering emails, and underground I am reading or learning new music to sing.  As of late I’ve been reading, “The Science of Getting Rich” by Wallace D. Wattles. It’s a small easy to travel with manual that I could circumvent the earth with, riding on the back of a turtle and still not absorb all of what it has to say.

There IS a Science here, and since both my parents are Ph. D biochemists, I figured I’d join the family trade as best I know how. The Science of Getting Rich seems like a noble science. The more you have the more you can GIVE.  However, I always flap the book over in fear of what people will think of my ‘scientific’ study. I mean, ‘who does she think she is reading the Science of getting rich on the Q to Coney Island.’? Coney Island is not the seat of opulence in New York City afterall. Anyway, this is my current read and exhaustive study.  I actually followed the instructions the book laid out to read it again and again until you understand it. For this gal, who needs a complete perception shift away from resentment, fear and down-right confusion about riches I was willing to give it a try. 

My first and second read I left the pages untouched. No underlining, no highlighting, no dog ears…

On my third read, I highlighted key phrases.

On my 4th read I sat next to a woman, who at the end of our hour long Q train commute together said,

“Can I have that quote?”

She had already taken out pen and paper and was prepared to write it down.

I asked if she wanted to see the book, know the title or jot down any other quote, and she said no, “just that”.

THAT, was this tiny excerpt that I had highlighted.

“love finds its most natural and spontaneous expression in giving.”

I wrote it down for her with such fullness and joy in my heart. No sooner had I given it back to her, she popped up off the train with thanks and a smile. I had so many questions for her.

•               Why THAT quote?

•               Why NOW?

•               What does it mean to YOU?

•               Who will you SHARE it with?

First of all, this is tiny print, and although it was highlighted in orange, I don’t even know how she saw that quote.  It got me thinking.

Could that be the whole Science right there?

“Love finds its most natural and spontaneous expression in giving.”

So, could LOVE be the true Science? We were so loved by God, that he gave us great gifts and talents. In showing our love to Him, we use them to serve others. Therein lies the key to our richness.

From our returns for using these gifts, we are able to more fully develop and advance as people. Thus honoring the premise of “More life to all and less to none.” which then brings more more riches of in the form of joy, blessings and of course abundance. As Wallace  says, “No man can rise to his greatest possible height in talent or soul development unless he has plenty of money.”

I dare say, ‘No man can rise to his greatest possible height in talent or soul unless he has LOVE, the greatest riches of all.’

If you have been thinking about a how you can truly LIVE in your LIGHT, and you don’t know where to start, I’d be happy to see if I can help and set up a Get Acquainted Session with you…

visit http://lightislife.org or send me an email, maria@lightislife.org

USE WHAT YA GOT

by: Maria Franceconi

The past week, “Use what ya got” has been swirling around in my head. It almost became an infectious mantra, until I really listened. Like, Maria, “USE WHAT YA GOT.” You’ve got it for a reason, whatever IT is. The good stuff and the problems. Use it.

My partner is on vacation, enjoying some much deserved time with friends and it’s given me the opportunity to be in the house, just me and Lily. (my little kitten) Having an empty house is a way to see just how much we have. We have so many things that we don’t Use.

Once I got started on spring-cleaning, I really found some cool stuff. How could I want for more, when I already have stuff to create a better space for us to live in both physically and spiritually?

This one particular thing stands out. I bought this sign at the end of the Christmas season. I thought it was pretty cool.  It looked like it could be draped on the tree somehow, but because it said, FAITH, I figured you might be able to use year round and get more bang for your buck.

Little did I know, to plug this thing in you have to use a USB Cable. I mean seriously? How am I supposed to hook that up to my tree, with regular outlets? So it got put back in the box, moved around and basically begrudged for its power Source.  I stumbled on it as I was cleaning and was actually feeling so in the spirit of cleansing that I was going to toss it out once and for all…

But there it was. F-A-I-T-H.  How quickly I was to dispose of it just like that.  Maybe I should give it, and my personal faith another chance. Once I let go and surrendered to this “thing I wanted being different from what I had anticipated it to be’ I found it was actually quite simple to just plug it into my iPhone charger.  Before I knew it, this beautiful ever-changing light display was peacefully strung up right over my kitchen sink. Just where it belonged.  Someplace that we could see it. (more than we’d like, since we don’t have a dishwasher)

It got me thinking about a couple of things:

1. Have faith that I have everything I need, always.

2. Take ‘What You’ve Got’ out of the box, and “Use It”

3. Display your Faith like an example to the world of its many beautiful colors and designs.

4. Don’t be so quick to throw away your dreams and ideas.

5. Don’t quite before the miracle.

6. Sometimes things have to get messy before the Miracle.

So I encourage you to “Use What You’ve Got.”

Use the talents you have now to make a difference in the lives of others!!!

•                Think about some accessories and jewelry you have at the bottom of your jewelry box, that you seem to forget you have before you go grabbing for something else.

•                Take all those cleaning supplies under the sink and give the house a good thorough cleaning. Use what you’ve got to make a really beautiful space for you and your family.

•                Use your reward points to buy a gift for someone.

Use your phone to reach out to friends, family and fellows that you haven’t connected with in a while to beat the end of winter blues.

Use your breath to give you peace and serenity. Heck, that is the most powerful thing we have to USE in any situation.

If you’re looking for a job, Use your connections.

If you’re looking to be happy, Use a service commitment.

If you want nice skin, Use the lotion you already have. And paint your toes with the polish you’ve got.

Take a look around your house, your office, and your life and within you heart.

And Use what you’ve got!!!

Trust that the abundance is there.

Chances are you are wanting for things that you already have.

Use them!!!!

We all are easily affected by pictures and images. Just take a moment to think of one or two of the images you’ve seen from Japan in the wake of the ongoing disaster. It immediately can change how you feel.  It makes an immediate impact on your psyche, and can change your thoughts and language in an instant. Images are so powerful and contain within them the seeds of destruction, creation and inspiration. The best image we can hold for Japan now and our world in general is the vision of love, community and hope.

We are creating our own reality all the time, consciously and unconsciously.

I have a quick theory about the power of the collective mind holding these mental pictures, especially ones we’ve seen in movies.  If what mental pictures we hold of ourselves come to pass in the physical reality of our lives, then does the repetition of disaster movies being seen all around the world, entering our consciouness compound the reality of them over time?

Was it not a month or so after the release of Pearl Harbor that 9/11 happened?  Have there not been a collection of disaster and doomsday movies that we pay to see, that are followed by incomprehensible realities?

Ok, here is what I am saying. Just as we are sensitive to the mental images we have of ourselves, so too is the earth sensitive to the images we hold for her.

Since we change collective thought only by changing ourselves and “Being the change we wish to see in the world” Lets start there.

With self-image.

It is then that we can imagine what is possible for our world and the healing of our world.

How do you see yourself? What do you see as possible in your life?

Are you creating scenarios of success and celebration in your mind, or are you focused on your own mini-disaster lurking below the surface?

We have a tendency to act, and feel, and perform in ways that match what we imagine to be true about ourselves and our environment. Imagination is a basic fundamental of our mind, and it plays a huge part in creating our reality.

Let me give you a for instance.  And I would invite you to think perhaps of the collection of these subtle thoughts as contributing to the major calamities in our world.  Almost absurd to compare, and yet this is the mechanism that will rebuild and recreate not only our own battered world but our own tethered minds.  It is all contained in the vision we see.

It happened in a rehearsal I was in earlier this week. I have made decisions about what kind of music I do and don’t sing well and this thought takes its form in the physical production of sound when I sing. They are the same notes on the page, but I have imagined myself not to be a Pop singer. It is not true, but this is what I have imagined. I have created this whole story as to why I don’t ‘riff’ so to speak.

So here I am presented with music for a show to be sung in a pop style with lots of riffs, and here I am reading this wonderful book about the limitations of the mind and how we can change that through imagination and a shift in self-image.

I can literally notice and observe my chemistry change along with my attitudes, ideas and beliefs from one song to the next. I sang a jazzy song that I knew, and I was as confident as a lark.  The pop song made famous by Aretha Franklin is on deck, and I panic.   All confidence goes out the window, I sound like crap and can barely finish the song.

My voice hasn’t changed but my thinking has, and that makes all the difference.

You see, I held this belief that “Real singers, are allowed to riff and personalize songs with these creative additions to the melody.  They really owned their voice and since they were ‘real singers’ they could do it. Not someone like me. I held the belief that wasn’t a ‘real singer’ so how dare I riff.

Not ‘riffing’ was a way to play out and prove my false belief and therefore stay in the limiting belief and success bracket as not a ‘real singer.’

The gig is up though. I know what has really been holding me back. My mindset. My thinking. The way I feel about myself. My self-image.

The power, the basic ability is there, if I can just see it as so and believe it as so.  It’s like being dehypnotized from false beliefs and self-limiting ideas.

So, I can choose new thoughts, relax into a new vision of myself singing in this new desired way and ‘Become it by Being it’.

It sounds simple right?

Well, here’s the kicker. The first step is acknowledging that it is our own thoughts about our success that is blocking us that needs to be changed. That nothing outside of ourselves needs to be changed, but rather our own thoughts and perceptions need realignment.

How many times have you fallen victim to your own negative self-image? Or blamed it on something that you absolutely have no access to changing?

How many times have you denied yourself, your inner ‘riff’?  The freedom to be who you deeply desire to be?

I have always wanted to feel like a ‘real singer’. Someone who feels confident to break away from the melody and take creative license and add a unique flavor to the music.   The ability to do that is as simple as changing the image of what is possible and holding a new vision.

Where in your life, will you start to ‘riff’?

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan and their loved ones around the world.  I choose rather to focus on the images of hope, rebuilding, love and peace.