Laura Grace

The name “Gandhi” is synonymous with non-violence. His ability to unite the people of India in their search for control is unparalleled. The name “Mahatma” in Sanskrit means “Great Soul.” This great soul’s wisdom shines through the ten quotes I have selected from Gandhi’s library of wisdom.

Why am I sharing them with you?

Because navigating the waters of our daily life is sometimes challenging, and during the holiday season, they can be downright choppy. Below are some of the “Great Soul’s” greatest quotes. May you find direction and comfort in them as you sail through this holiday season.

1. Freedom During the Holidays

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

2. Happiness with Friends and Family

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

3. Keeping the Faith

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.

 4. Forgiveness and Letting Go of Past Resentments/Family Healing

  An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.

 5. You Are in Control of Your Experiences

Nobody Can Hurt Me Without My Permission.

 6. Celebrating the One-ness of the Holi-days

God has no religion.

 7. Putting Our Best Foot Forward

Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.

 8. Changing Ourselves, Not Others

We must be the change we wish to see.

 9. Reaching Out to Others

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

10. Unconditional Love          

Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love.       

Another Day of Loving

Even the thought of giving,
the thought of blessing or a simple prayer has the power to affect others.
~Deepak Chopra

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. How will you approach it?

For the past several years, my husband and I have celebrated this day of gratitude very simply: hiking in the morning, feeding the homeless in the afternoon, enjoying a candle lit dinner on our deck which faces the Pacific Ocean. Yes, we are very blessed. And yes, we appreciate our amazing ocean view. But more importantly, despite our OFG’s (challenges disguised as “opportunities for growth”), we are grateful for our life together.

This Thanksgiving will follow the same course. As we sit down to savor dinner, we’ll share praise for the life we’ve co-created; the ups and the downs, our children, beloved pets, home—everything that comes to mind in that precious moment.

Kahlil Gibran once affirmed: “Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.” I don’t know about you, but for me, doubt and fear rear their heads most easily upon awakening. When I wake up, I can either lie in bed for a few minutes letting these creepy characters control my day—OR—I can choose to focus on what I appreciate. The latter sets the tone for my entire day.  Just this morning, after having spent 15 minutes reflecting on all of the good in my life, my heart continued to expand with gratitude as I hiked around my funky sea-side town:  I saw a caring dog owner hug her aging retriever before getting into her car; a man bent down to comfort a crying child at the beach; an elderly woman who is almost blind thanked me for taking the time to stop and chat with her.

Would I have witnessed as much love had I simply jumped out of bed instead of taking time to count my blessings? Probably not.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let us practice giving thanks so we may create another day, another week, of loving. Here are some steps for extending today’s love into the rest of this week and beyond:

Wake Up with Gratitude

Each morning, before you get out of bed, call to mind everything—anything—that you appreciate. This is not a time to be picky. Silently (or out loud) say “Thank you!” for your body, comfy bed, beloved pets, people who deserve gratitude…etc.  I love how my Zumba instructor, Sally, ends every morning session with the yoga sun salutation “hands-up” pose.  As we stretch our arms and hands to the sky, I am given another opportunity to say “Thank you, thank you, thank you” for my life.

Slow Down So You Can Count Your Blessings

Between interruptions from our personal communication devices, running errands or simply having to stand in line, moments like these can raise our blood pressure, create anxiety and trigger irritation. But these can also be the best times to practice shifting from aggravation to appreciation. Try this: the next time you’re running late and your heart rate quickens, take a deep breath and call to mind one person that you appreciate. Just one memory of kindness can trigger an instant that “All is well.” Practice maintaining that feeling so the “instant” expands into an “experience.”

Share Your Great-Fullness

This isn’t about bragging. It’s about telling one person what you’re grateful for—today. There’s a good chance they’ll catch your “great-full” vibe and pass it on. If not, you’ve still spread some gratitude and that’s always a good thing.

Bookend the Day with Thanks & Giving

Did I mention how Thomas and I end our Thanksgiving dinner? Simple: with intention. Since we begin the meal with thanks, we love to bookend it by setting our intention until the next Thanksgiving. It usually entails something that smacks of hope, discovery, creativity, vision, faith and trust. What better way to create another loving day?

May you enjoy a Thanksgiving filled with infinite moments of love and joy.

The Awakened Glimpse

In the 2000 film The Family Man, Jack Campbell (Nicholas Cage), a successful and talented businessman, is happily living his single and lavish life in New York City.  From outward appearances, he has everything—or so he believes. One day he wakes up in a new life in New Jersey where he’s married to Kate (Téa Leoni) and has two kids.

As the story unfolds, Jack discovers the power of love surpasses all the wealth and supermodels he used to enjoy.  Because Jack is happy but confused, an earth-angel named Cash (Don Cheadle) explains that he is being given a “glimpse.” The glimpse is what could be—depending on Jack’s choices from this point forward.

I love this movie and have seen it at least 5 times. It’s a powerful reminder of the beginning stages of our own spiritual journey.  When we first step onto the spiritual path, it feels as though we are being lifted higher, almost effortlessly.

Marianne Williamson once described the first steps of our spiritual excursion as “…being lifted to the top of the mountain.”  From way up here we can feel the winds of love caressing our skin and see the rays of light illuminating the sky. Like falling in love, we are alive with excitement and anticipation. No longer asleep and dreaming in black and white, it’s as though we’re awake and witnessing everything in Technicolor.

But as Marianne also explained, we don’t get to stay there. We must start at the bottom. And there are no short cuts.

The top of the mountain is the preview and motivation that our higher self provides. How else could we possibly remain inspired when we slip or fall from the rubble of projections, resentments and negative patterns?

I remember witnessing my own zenith of zeal 18 years ago.  I could feel the heavy load from a lifetime of veils being lifted from my vision. Signs from the universe were everywhere; “random” coincidences in the form of billboards spoke to me, certain license plates affirmed a deeper truth and radio lyrics answered my deeper questions.

I was positive that I was on a special “spiritual fast-track” and nothing was going to stop me.

But a year later, the miraculous mission began slowing down. It didn’t stop but the effortless momentum definitely dwindled.

At first, I didn’t realize that, like Jack, I had been given a glimpse of what could be. As I continued my trek into the light, I began to understand that in order to sustain the pinnacle of joy I would have to acquire a lifelong practice of dropping my judgment, forgiving old resentments and facing some very tenacious dragons.

My daughter, Alexis, is getting a glimpse of the summit right now.  She is experiencing universal synchronicities daily and tasting the divine elixir of BEING AWAKE. Like young Tabitha in the TV series “Bewitched,” Alexis is beginning to harness her inner power and cast her spells of healing, love and light.

So what’s the point of this blog?

Simply this: The glimpse is the persistent reminder to KEEP GOING.  At times, the ascent may feel very steep and we may become cynical—or worse—tempted to give up.  During such trials, REMEMBER THE GLIMPSE. Whether you’ve been spiraling up the spiritual mountain for 3 weeks, 3 months or 30 years, the Glimpse, like the North Star, is the consistent, radiant light, guiding us, one step at a time, back “Home.”

(Dedicated to my amazing daughter, Alexis.)

Will you follow your heart today? Can you afford NOT to?