In every moment of the day we have an option for how we choose to respond. We can either open our hearts up to the unknown and welcome a new experience that promises Love, or we can close our hearts to the possibility of Love out of fear. This might be as simple as the choice to say hello or not to to a stranger. It might be a rather difficult choice of how to respond to someone who has hurt us in the past, or whether to invest a thousand dollars in doing a favor for someone else. There is no right or wrong answers form without, only from within. Does the responds you gave or will give in that moment help you to feel inspired, joyous, and full of Love? Or does it simply leave you feeling dry, cynical, and empty?
Recently I watched a very inspirational movie called Miracles from Heaven. A major theme thorough out the movie was faith in a knowing that things will work out for the best. The movie leads us through a mother's lose of faith as her daughter gets deeper and deeper into illness. It seems like her daughter is on the verge of death, when a miraculous healing occurs. This is all based on a true story. I know that this miracle is possible because there is no reason why it should not be if you know Love is truly all around us, waiting for an opportunity to help us in our lives. However, we have to be open to it. In Miracles from Heaven there were also many smaller everyday miracles that came in an act of kindness, a personal sacrifice for another, and Loving celebration. By choosing to allow these miracles in our lives, the more the miracles in our lives will grow. This is what I am focusing on in this article.
Why Do We Want to Allow For Miracles Within?
What would be choosing the miracle for me: responding with a smile and a hello when I meet that stranger's gaze; letting my mother have her opinion without any words of protest or anger; thanking my friend for his/her advice and moving on. Choosing a miracle to me means opening myself up to the good in a situation regardless of whether it seems to be a pleasant experience or not. How can I grow a miracle inside me, so that it might create one on the out side? Maybe that stranger will say hello and smile back. Maybe my mother and me will share a close moment together where we both end up laughing. Maybe my friend's accusing advice will lead to some really helpful suggestions, and then opportunity.
In the worst cases of not choosing to allow miracles to grow from within we can find ourselves in mental illness like depression, stress related illness like heart attack, or at the most extreme, death by suicide or illness brought on by a chronic negative mental state.
Last week I talked about how stress can cause serious physiological repercussions like heart attack. Look in the “Why do we want to heal ourselves section” to learn about the sicknesses induced by stress. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-healing-yourself-of-sickness
Here is an article that talks about some of the reasons why suicide is on the rise, all of which might be preventable if one can witness life within and without as a miracle and not a curse. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201004/the-six-reasons-people-attempt-suicide
“Smile believe, smile know, let the miracle withing grow!” :-)
How Do We Allow For Miracles Within?
- “Smile believe!” In the beginning of seeing life and its various situations as miracles that help us to move forward with a healthy and productive attitude that will lead to success and Love it can be rather difficult to see the answers within. I know that I believed I was a pretty useless awful person when I began, and when I have to begin again from time to time.
- However, I did and still do have Jesus Christ and the church to believe in, which really helps sustain me through the really tough times when I feel depressed. If you want to know about Christianity more, I recommend the book, Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. It is a very thorough 40 spiritual journey, the language is rather accessible, and the concepts are applied to real life circumstances. Here is a description of his book and reviews: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56495.The_Purpose_Driven_Life Of course, there are many churches around that are always happy to talk to potential new Christians. Visiting a local church might give you the community support to help you believe in the miracles that are all around.
- Sometimes one friend can make all the difference, if they truly inspire you. I know for certain that without meeting my friend, Dani Litz, and being shown greet kindness and appreciation from her that I would not have the strong momentum of being a witness to the miracles that I do today. She showed me her incredible energy in generating miracles from within to without in her smile and laugh, actions fearless in Love, and gifts to others from her heart during my visit with her. If she could do that, and she believed in me, I knew that I could live in a similar way. Do what you can to surround yourself with people that see this potential in you! I have found many people like that in church, mostly older folks attending daily Mass, priests, or from church groups. Many can be found at yoga studios as well. Besides these places, you might try charities, and volunteering at places like nursing homes. But if you befriend someone, truly befriend them, everyone can be a wonderful source of inspiration! In order to make a friend wherever you go, and feel this inspiration, you might gain insight from one of my earlier articles, “How to Love Yourself by Loving Others. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-loving-others :-)
- Something else that really helped me believe in miracles were affirmations, mantras, spiritually uplifting books, and individuals. Dani actually introduced me to them, and from her introduction I was able to start a self study of different inspirational materials and individuals. I found many great individuals in this field, but three that really connected with me were Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, and Brene Brown. Here is an earlier articles where I explore affirmations and inspirational individuals. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-make-2016-a-great-year-how-to-love-yourself-with-healing-and-hope
- However, I did and still do have Jesus Christ and the church to believe in, which really helps sustain me through the really tough times when I feel depressed. If you want to know about Christianity more, I recommend the book, Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. It is a very thorough 40 spiritual journey, the language is rather accessible, and the concepts are applied to real life circumstances. Here is a description of his book and reviews: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56495.The_Purpose_Driven_Life Of course, there are many churches around that are always happy to talk to potential new Christians. Visiting a local church might give you the community support to help you believe in the miracles that are all around.
- “Smile know!” This part of seeing miracles in life that can be the most difficult for me over a sustained period of time. To know something is to have moved beyond doubt, and to feel it as true deep down in the core of who you are. This takes a lot of understanding in how I respond to different situations.
- Sometimes will power can get me through. And as I practice this becomes more consistent. In this earlier article, “How to Love Yourself by Practicing Trust, Patience, and Perseverance,” I talk quite a bit about sustaining ourselves in our various practices in life by knowing and waiting. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-love-yourself-by-practicing-trust-patience-and-perseverance Once this practice becomes more consistent it becomes easier to see how you might enjoy the journey if you are open to all the wonderful good that it is bringing into your life. “How to Love Yourself by Enjoying the Journey” is an article that looks into the sweeter sight of self discipline, when it transcends endurance and becomes the miracle of true freedom. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-love-yourself-by-enjoying-the-journey
- Sometimes I need some subtle reminds like remember to smile and be nice even when I don't feel exactly up to it. Smiling and acting positive regardless of how we feel can really bring us to a place of knowing that life is full of miracles. This article, “How to Love Yourself by Looking Through the Lenses of Love,” talks about many different ways that you can help yourself “allow for miracles within.” http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-love-yourself-by-looking-through-the-lenses-of-love
- Some times I need to go back to the points that I mentioned in the “Smile believe!” section above. I have noticed that it is never a linear path. I might go through all these ways of “Letting miracles withing grow” in one day. And there is no reason why we should not embrace whatever we can to help us feel and see these miracles.
- Sometimes will power can get me through. And as I practice this becomes more consistent. In this earlier article, “How to Love Yourself by Practicing Trust, Patience, and Perseverance,” I talk quite a bit about sustaining ourselves in our various practices in life by knowing and waiting. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-love-yourself-by-practicing-trust-patience-and-perseverance Once this practice becomes more consistent it becomes easier to see how you might enjoy the journey if you are open to all the wonderful good that it is bringing into your life. “How to Love Yourself by Enjoying the Journey” is an article that looks into the sweeter sight of self discipline, when it transcends endurance and becomes the miracle of true freedom. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-love-yourself-by-enjoying-the-journey
- “Let the miracle within grow!” This is the intention that helps me stay on track with my practice of living a Loving life. I see good things happening in my life more and more, but when I get off my practice, things begin to grow dim once again. Let's do our best to maintain our practice with whatever works best for us.
- Yoga is one of the ways that I help myself maintain my practice of living a Loving life. Here is a miracle that we can give ourselves in the form of a yoga posture called Savasana. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/january-10th-2016 The key is to still our minds, and just experience the peace of the moment.
- However, it might be hard for us to let go and feel that this moment is enough, because we might not feel that we are enough ourselves. If worries are dragging you down, “How to Love Yourself by Practicing Your Best is Enough” is just what you need. Find the article here: http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-practicing-your-best-is-enough
- However, it might be hard for us to let go and feel that this moment is enough, because we might not feel that we are enough ourselves. If worries are dragging you down, “How to Love Yourself by Practicing Your Best is Enough” is just what you need. Find the article here: http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-practicing-your-best-is-enough
- In last week's article, “How to Love Yourself by Healing Yourself of Sickness,” I helped myself remove the block of a cold from my path by practicing the asana or posture Matsyasana or fish pose. You can read more about this in the “How Matsyasana can help us heal ourselves from sickness” section of the article. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-healing-yourself-of-sickness
- This week I had another block which really made it hard for me to “let the miracle within grow!” It can be really hard to smile, feel positive, and act accordingly when you have a throbbing pain in your back. Fortunately, my yoga practice was able to help me generate a miracle in my life in the form of lower back pain relief and wellness. More about this below.
- Yoga is one of the ways that I help myself maintain my practice of living a Loving life. Here is a miracle that we can give ourselves in the form of a yoga posture called Savasana. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/january-10th-2016 The key is to still our minds, and just experience the peace of the moment.
“Smile believe, smile know, let the miracle within grow!” :-)
How Jathara Parivartanasana can Help Us Allow for Miracles Within!
This is one of the you tube videos that convinced me that I was onto something really good. Brian Trapanier was suffering from lower back pain for 17 years until he took initiative himself to make a stretch routine that would heal his lower back pain. He found Jathara Parivartanasana to be the most effective stretch in his routine.
- making the back strong and supple
- helping maintain a healthy spine and nervous system
- opening the hips, increasing their flexibility
- helping improve the functioning of the liver, pancreas, and intestines
- helping digestion
- improving circulation throughout the body
- helping eliminate metabolic waste and toxins
- providing oxygenated blood to organs
- providing relief from stress, depression, and anxiety
- helping those suffering from insomnia
- reducing fatigue, bringing feeling of well being and relaxation
- helping those suffering from migraines and headaches
Let's Practice Jathara Parivartanasana! :-)
CAUTION: If you have severe back ache or pain in the shoulders or hips, avoid this asana or try a gentler version.
I have seen three main variations of Jathara Parivartanasana 1) one with both knees bent 2) one with both legs straight 3) and one with one bent and one straight. The movements are similar, and either one leg can be moved to a side or they both can be moved to the side.
- We will look at performing it with either legs straight like in Savasana or corpse pose (learn how to perform and more about the wonderful benefits of Savasana here: http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/january-10th-2016 ).
- In the other leg position, we will start lying on our backs. However, unlike Savasana, the legs will be bent, so that the knees are pointing toward the ceiling.
- Laying on the back with either legs pointed straight out or bent, spread out the arms, so that they are in line with your shoulders. Take a few breathes and smile to relax your body, bringing awareness to the spine.
- With an inhale press your forearms and elbows against the floor while raising your head and torso.
- Lift both of your legs straight up if you want. Or lift one of your legs straight up if your legs are not bent. You might also choose to bend that leg, so that the knee is pointing up instead.
- If you have both legs raised roll the hips to one side until you touch the ground with you legs. If you have one leg raised, roll the hip of that leg over to the opposite side so that the knee or the leg lays on or as close as you can manage to the ground.
- You can use the hand of the side you are rolling to to gently guide the legs or leg down to the ground. If you are rolling one leg over another do not use the hand to force the knee down. You could use a pillow between the leg and the floor if your knee does not touch the ground.
- If it does not hurt, you can also turn the head in the opposite direction from the roll in order to get an extra twist.
- Remember to relax and breathe. Smile if you feel yourself tensing up and getting too serious. Hold this pose for as many breathes as you would like or are able to.
- Recommended feel good practice: First, only follow these suggestions if they help you relax more. Remember the goal is relaxation. Simply breathing is enough in many cases, but these might deepen your experience.
- As you breathe try thinking to yourself the following sentence with each breath. “Smile believe!” inhale. “1” exhale. “Smile know!” inhale. “2” exhale. “Let the miracle” inhale. “3” exhale. “within grow!” inhale. “4” exhale. Continue this as long as you would like.
- Smiling will help you relax even more.
- Pay attention to how you are feeling. Are you holding any tension or effort in your muscles? Do your best to let it go! Open yourself up to the miracle within that this asana is trying to help you grow inside. You might try listening to some inspirational music like “Ordinary Miracles” by Sarah McLachlan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4j_wrmpMnU
- Once you are done with one side, follow all the above steps on the other side.
- Once both sides are done, bring your legs back to center, and lower them. Place your arms at your sides. Thank your body for carrying you through such a wonderfully miraculous practice, and your mind for allowing you to practice today. Try to remember this process of “allowing miracles within” as you move on to whatever is next for you and smile! :-)
Here is Subhash's version of how to perform Jathara Parivartanasana and his impression on why this pose is so beneficial. http://yogawithsubhash.com/2013/05/27/relieve-lower-back-pain-with-the-reclining-twist/
Do you practice “Allowing Miracles Within?” Please share in the comments area here or on Face Book in the "For the Love of Self" discussion area some of the ways you have practiced “Allowing Miracles Within” in life. Has it helped you see life in a more miraculous way? Has it helped you see situations and others in a different, more inspiring light? Sharing our experiences can help us all reveal more miracles in our lives. Thank you, my friend, and keep doing your best to let miracles grow within your own life!
If there is a topic you are passionate about or question that you would like answered about how to Love ourselves better, I would love to hear it. Please write a comment about it here or on Face Book in the "For the Love of Self" discussion area.
Thank you very much for taking time to imagine the great possibilities of “How to Love Yourself by Allowing Miracles Within.” Writing this article has been a real help to deepen my own experience of allowing miracles to grow within, so that I may spread the good news around. Think of how life could be if we only could see the beauty of a miraculous life and not the curse. I have learned that it is certainly possible! Though it does take a commitment and desire to witness the good. “Smile believe, smile know, let the miracle within grow!” May miracles fill all the days of your life! Aaron Szczurek <3 :-)