On The Practice of Radical Acceptance

What is it that just "gets your goat"? A neighbor, relative, or coworker? Traffic? Screaming kids? These all have one thing in common; they are all out of our control and fighting them steals our peace and our joy. 

Wouldn't we all be a whole lot happier and more at peace if we learned the practice of radical acceptance as described by author, psychologist and meditation teacher, Tara Brach? To accept people and circumstances as they are. To live and let live. I've been getting another lesson in this recently. We have to make a conscious decision to accept things and people as they are, not as we would have them to be. 

Personal Story

I love summer and the opportunity to go to the "private" pool here at my complex. For me, it's downtime. Time to rest, soak up the sun and read. What I don't love are lots of loud screaming grand kids, people who talk on the speaker phone like they are at home, and loud grandparents. 

Many people are simply unaware or don't care how loud they are, but I consider it a lack of respect for others. I know there is no controlling kids but there are rules that are not being obeyed and this "gets my goat". After my attempts to bring attention to these situations failed miserably, I have come to the point of "radical acceptance." Some things you just have to accept, regardless of what you may want or think. It's called letting go of control. 

Dealing with Frustrations 
Life is full of things that are out of our control such as the stock market, the weather, strange unexpected occurrences, aches and pains, and relatives, to name a few. Many of us struggle with a chronic condition such as arthritis, migraine, anxiety, or depression. We have relatives that don't want to get along with us and the weather seems to have gone haywire along with the rest of the world. As long as we fight against what is, we will not have peace in our relationships or peace within. 

A Phrase to Remember 
Years ago, I had a dear friend whose favorite expressions was "It is what it is". I thought that was so profound. She had learned, or was trying to learn was to surrender and to accept things that were out of her control. Learning to surrender is a process because it can be applied to so many aspects of our lives at different times in our lives. Life continually gives us "opportunities" to practice. 

If we want more peace on a daily basis, we must learn radical acceptance - of our conditions and of the people in our lives. But let me take this one step further - deeper. More importantly we need to learn to practice radical acceptance of ourselves. 

Accepting Ourselves
We must also learn to embrace every aspect of ourselves: flaws, imperfections, personality traits, flabby thighs, balding head, and all. Sure this blog is all about growth and spiritual development, but let's remember to love ourselves along our journey to healing and wholeness. I think sometimes I focus more on the things I want to fix and change about myself, rather than treating myself with loving kindness. What's worse, I probably do that with others as well. Smack me, would you? 

Some traditions say we are perfect just as we are and I've always disagreed with that concept but maybe - just maybe - what they really mean is "accept ourselves the way we are" and in that way we are perfect. Make sense? This is a HUGE change of perspective for me. How about you?

For Reflection

What is stealing your peace and your joy? What do you constantly complain about? What frustrates you? This week let's practice radical acceptance. Let's stop complaining about what is and start replacing these thoughts with thoughts of gratitude and loving-kindness. There is always another way to look at things. 

If this post resonated with you, do join our community by entering your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my free e-guide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". Also check out my collection I've curated on Pinterest on a variety of related topics such as health and wellness, mindfulness and meditation, great recipes, and much more. Click here to explore. 

Until next time, stay tuned for more on surrender and radical acceptance and remember, 

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

Three Keys to Enjoying the Abundant Life

Are you living the "abundant life"? What is your definition of the "abundant life"? Recently, a friend asked the question "What is the abundant life?" and I think she meant she needed more money, but living the abundant life is about more than money.

Jesus said "I came so that you can have life and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10). What does this verse mean to you? I think most of us have realized by now that material possessions and more "stuff" will not bring us the fulfillment our soul craves. Money is great and takes care of many of our earthly problems, but it is not the answer to the cry deep within our souls. What happens when a relationship ends? You lose your job? You encounter a health problem? You make a poor decision? What then?

My Definition
I think of the abundant life as this: a life full of joy, provision, inner peace, harmonious relationships, good health, and personal fulfillment and not necessarily in that order. It's about having more of all of these in our lives, not just more money. Money can only do so much and besides, how many of the rich and famous are miserable and turn to drugs and alcohol for relief from their inner pain? One of the reasons I write this blog is for personal fulfillment and giving back as well as to encourage, educate, and inspire others.

The good news is there is a path to achieving this abundant life but it is probably not the path you would think. So today,  I am going to share with you the three-step process that is promised to bring us the abundant life we desire.

We each have challenges. They may be different but each person, as they say, is fighting their own battles. The key to living the abundant life has less to do with our circumstances and more to do with our perspective on our circumstances. 

If you've read my book, "The Power of Faith", you know I've been through quite a lot and, like many of you, I'm still going through some tough stuff. As I often told my mom, "It's always something, Mom. That's life. Get used to it." We have to adjust our expectations and our focus if we want to keep our peace. 

If we think life is supposed to be a bed of roses, remember what Jesus said "In this world you will have troubles, but take heart for I have overcome the world," (John 16:33). Despite the seemingly never-ending onslaught of problems, it is possible to live a life of joy, hope, harmony, and abundance but we have to do our part to make it happen. 

The Apostle Matthew exhorts us to "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matt 6:33). In other words, when we prioritize the spiritual over the material, God will take care of the material. Kind of puts a different spin on things, doesn't it?

Here are three keys I've learned that can put us on the road to the abundant life:

1. Do the right thing.
The first key to living an abundant life is to do the right thing in every area of your life.  This means in our finances, our health, our relationships, on the job. We each have a conscience and we all know what the right thing to do is in most situations. 

Every day we are faced with situations and decisions, and it is up to us to do what is right. The problem is we often fail to do it for one reason or another.  We get sidetracked by our feelings and emotions, our egos, other people, temptations and distractions, laziness. The list goes on. Allowing these to control us will prevent us from making good decisions and living the abundant life we desire.

When we have a choice before us, one of the ways to determine the right thing is to do is to notice which path is harder. The right thing is usually the harder thing. When we do the right thing, it will lead us into peace in the long run.

Notice the phrase "in the long run". We have to take the long view when making decisions. When we act out of emotion, without really thinking things through, we often make poor decisions. Something might feel good in the heat of the moment because it feeds our ego, but what about the lasting effects of that decision? Take time to evaluate "the long run". 

When I need wisdom and guidance, I turn to the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. Or I ask myself "Who in the Bible had a similiar situation and what did they do?" "La condition humaine"  is still the same and people are still dealing with the same kinds of problems they did back in Jesus's day. I can't understand why some people think "the Bible is outdated". It is not. The principles of life and the problems of humanity are universal and timeless. 

If we want to do the right thing, it would behoove us to ask God about it. His advice is reliable. Not everyone else's is. In fact, we can drive ourselves crazy asking everyone their opinion. When was the last time you asked God for his opinion on something? 

2. Work towards peace and unity. 
Peace is an integral key to the abundant life. There are a lot of things in this world that can steal our peace, if we let them. Relationships can steal our peace. Unfair treatment can steal our peace. Our own thoughts steal our peace.

What we often fail to realize is that Peace doesn't just happen on its own. We have to work towards it and it has to be a joint effort with those around us. This is what unity is all about. Everyone needs to be on the same page. We will never achieve peace by refusing to change, trying to blame or control others, digging our heels in, or isolating ourselves. 

Personal Story 
As a child of an alcoholic father, there was no peace in our home. I learned that chaos was the norm and so I allowed that into my marriage and my dating relationships after that. Recently I came to the sad realization that most of my family members don't care about working towards peace either but you know what - we can't control others. All we can control is ourselves. And that in and of itself brings peace. 

One evening while I was soaking in the tub, the Holy Spirit said to me. "Whatever you bind on earth, shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you allow on earth, shall be allowed in Heaven." (Matt 18:18).  It was a revelation! I needed to stop allowing other people's behavior to steal my peace if I wanted to live the abundant life. This is the importance of memorizing scripture, so that the Holy Spirit can bring it to our conscious awareness when we need it. 

I have found that a major key to peace is to set firmer boundaries with others. If I am overwhelmed, I need to say no more often. If I am being treated poorly, I need to stop allowing it and confront the other person. If someone does me wrong, I need to put a stop to it immediately - not let it go on and on. In the past,  I have made the mistake of allowing mistreatment from close relatives and boyfriends. This is both enabling and unhealthy. It sends the message "It's okay to treat her this way." when no , it is not. It does not matter who it is, we should not tolerate verbal or emotional abuse from anyone.  If someone is not willing to treat you right, let them walk away and live in peace!

When we achieve peace in our hearts, and in our minds, then we will begin to experience that delicious feeling everyone is searching for - Joy!

3. Keep the joy flowing. 
First let's be clear: joy is not the same thing as happiness. Happiness depends on our circumstances which may not always be pleasant, but we can still experience Joy. How?

First, we have to make sure we have done steps one and two. We are doing the right things which means keeping our consciences clear. We do not harbor bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness. Even then we don't always feel joyful. When we start to feel down, lonely, hopeless, frustrated etc, there is something we can do to feel joy when we remember that joy is a gift from God alone.

God wants us to have joy and he gave us a way to access that joy. It involves turning our focus from our circumstances and onto a holy, loving miracle-working God. No matter what has happened the day before, I start my day by singing and praising God. This is called WORSHIP.

Worship brings us into the presence of God who is the source of all joy. Worship lifts the heaviness that may be trying to take us down. Worship dispels darkness and brings in the light. It is a spiritual principle. I do not understand exactly how it works, but I do know it works. It may be the last thing we feel like doing, but when we praise God we get his attention and he sends his angels to assist us in our time of need.

When we choose to uplift the Creator of the universe, we lift our energy to a higher vibration if that language resonates with you. Expressing gratitude also raises our vibration. Praise and worship remind us that God is with us and that we are alive on this earth for a unique purpose. Hope is restored. 

Despite the difficult circumstances we all have to endure, we can still have joy because we know and trust Who is really in control of our lives. God has a good plan for each of us and although the plot may twist and turn, we can trust that the ending will be good.

So there you have them: the three keys to living the abundant life. The kingdom of heaven is within. All we have to do is follow these three steps and most importantly - BELIEVE - that it is possible for each of us to enjoy the abundant life. After all, that is what Jesus died for us to have!

For Reflection

Where would you like to see more abundance? Your job? Your finances? Your relationships? Start by doing the right thing, even when the wrong thing is easier. Choose peace over strife and finally start giving God praise for all your blessings and watch the abundance flow in. 

If you enjoyed this post and would like to join our blog community plus receive a copy of my free e-guide entitled "How to Develop a Spiritual Practice", enter your email in the box provided. Feel free to share with a friend and leave a comment below. I love to hear from you and appreciate you taking time to read and comment.  

If you'd like to learn more about how to find the abundant life, check out my true story of how I went from stress and anxiety to peace and joy. "The Power of Faith: a journey to healing, wholeness, and harmony." Ebook format available on Amazon and your favorite online bookseller as well as hard and paper-back copies. 

Stay tuned for more tips to help us all find more peace and joy this season!

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

This material is copy-righted. 

How to Know When God is Speaking to You

If you're a parent, you know how frustrating it is when your kids don't listen, right? You keep repeating yourself and it seems no one is paying any attention. I think that is how God feels about me sometimes when I run from one thing to another and don't bother to tune in to that still small voice, or worse yet, ignore it. 

     
Realize God is still speaking to us today. 

So we know that God spoke to people back in the days of the Bible. But God still speaks to his children today. He wants to be in relationship with you and me and what does a good relationship require? Communication. Regularly. A relationship can only grow based on the amount of regular and healthy communication. 

God speaks to Each of us Uniquely. 

As I recently explained to my youngest son, God speaks to each of us uniquely. He speaks in ways only we will understand. It doesn't matter whether someone else understands, what matters is that you know that God is speaking to you PERSONALLY .

Personal Story 
This happened a few years ago but first, a little background. Over the years, being a pretty decent dancer myself, I have dated several men who were also good dancers but none of them turned out to be marriage material and all ended in heartache. 

So there was this one guy I had been dancing with on Friday nights who is a really good dancer. I felt like I was in heaven when I danced with him. One friday night, we danced to a particular song and those few minutes were memorable.

That weekend, the same song played on the radio, and I started dancing around my condo like Liza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady". All of the sudden, the building smoke alarm system goes off chirp chirp chirping and snapped me right out of my revelry. It was quite the rude awakening, you might say.

I knew what it meant immediately."Stop thinking about that guy. You know where it will lead if you go down that path again. Danger, danger." The message was LOUD and CLEAR. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed, but I knew that the message was to protect me from making the same mistake again. Where our thoughts go, eventually, we go. 

Now you might laugh it off and say it was just a coincidence, but I know when God speaks to me. And there are no coincidences with Him. If you could have been there and heard that alarm go off, it would have scared you smack into obedience too.

Slow Down and Make Time  

A relationship with God is quite similiar to any human relationship. And that requires slowing down and making time. The problem is many of us are in way too much of a hurry to slow down and listen. We are so preoccupied with our plans and our agendas, we care little for what God's plans and agendas may be. 

God is still speaking to you, too. The best way I can describe it is a strong sense or prompting in your inner spirit. It is easy to dismiss and disregard, but God is trying to guide you and protect you. Start paying attention to that "still small voice". It's almost like a faint whisper sometimes. It's a sensing of someone speaking inaudably.

For Reflection 
Ever have something like this happen to you? What was the message? Did you listen or ignore it and what happened then? God is still speaking to us today and He will use any method to get our attention, even smoke alarms. The question is will we listen and obey, or will we not.

If you'd like to learn how to find your spiritual path my free e-guide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path" will help you along.  Enter your email address in the box provided. You'll also receive my weekly posts. If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment and do share it with your friends. And pop on over to Pinterest to check out all the goodies I have collected there for you. https://www.pinterest.com/arielpaz/

Stay tuned for more on igniting the power within and discovering your destiny!

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

Part 4: How to Be More Kind and Compassionate to Others

 I've heard it said we are practicing something all the time. The question is: what? Are we practicing kindness? Compassion? Attentiveness? Or something else? This week I am sharing on the three keys to help us all become kinder, more connected, and more compassionate. 

Becoming more mindful is an intentional process that helps us to identify and eradicate negative thoughts that drag us down the depressive, anxious rabbit hole. It helps us to have more self-compassion and less shame and guilt. Instead of shaming ourselves and others, which shuts down the brain centers responsible for growth and learning, using kindness and curiosity releases chemicals in our brains that turn on these centers of learning. 

Practicing mindfulness also can help us find more happiness and joy in our lives and who doesn't want more of these? According to neuroscientist, Dr. Richard Davidson, "Happiness can be trained because the very structure of our brain can be modified." Turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks. 

This week I'm sharing on the three pillars of mindfulness which are key components to living mindfully. 

1. Intention

Intention helps us identify the "why" behind our actions. It helps us gain clarity on what is truly important to us. Getting really clear on our intention helps us become people of integrity where our actions align with our hearts and our values. Another word for intention might be motivation. Intention helps us reconnect with how we truly want to respond. Simply setting an intention for the day can help us feel happier, more connected, more patient. 

2. Attention

Focus on the present moment by avoiding distractions such as being a slave to your phone or mindlessly watching the boob tube or playing video games. I've heard it said that time is our most valuable commodity but I believe our attention - our presence - is the best gift we can give to an adult, a child, and even a pet. As I used to say to my class when I was a yoga instructor "Today is a gift. That is why they call it the present." And the present moment is truly a gift, never to be had again. 

Multi-tasking is not all it is cracked up to be. I used to pride myself on being a multi-tasker and now, I pride myself on staying present and focused. My, how times change. 

3. Attitude 

Ah, attitude. In this case, the how of mindfulness. The key here is to have an attitude of kindness, curiosity and unconditional love instead of shutting down, imploding or exploding. A good counselor uses these when working with clients. Let go of judgement. Be kind if your mind wanders which is does like 47% of the time. Be curious when it jumps to the past or the future. Stop the self-loathing thoughts and replace them with loving thoughts. Remember, we are all doing the best we can. 

For more on this topic, check out "Good Morning, I love you" by Dr. Shauna Shapiro. 

For Reflection

These three items are the foundation for living a mindful, compassionate life. They work in tandem with each other and can be practiced individually. Which pillar will you address first? Which do you have the most problem with? I'll go first. I need to work on attitude - being more kind and curious both to myself and with others who are not so kind. There, now that wasn't so hard was it:)

If this post was helpful, do share it with a friend, leave a comment or two. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this series. And also, consider joining our community by entering your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts and a copy of my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". And do check out all my offerings on Pinterest. 

Stay tuned for more on mindfulness and living in the present moment. 

Until next time, 

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

17 Signs You Need to Strengthen Your Spiritual Muscle

You work out. You go to the gym. Do yoga. Bike. Run. Lift weights. Most of us realize we need to keep our bodies and muscles in good shape so we can handle the physical demands of daily life. What about the mental and emotional demands of life such as a job loss? A pandemic? A health crisis? Aging? The everyday stressors that mount up without us even realizing it? How do we handle those? 

Well, there is something we can do about these unforseen circumstances. Did you know we each have a supernatural power inside us to help lift the burdens of life? I call it our "spiritual muscle" and today I'd like to expand on this concept in a practical and down to earth way. 

What exactly is our spiritual muscle?

Our spiritual muscle is the mechanism or tool that provides internal fortitude to help us get through the trials and tribulations of life with confidence, courage, and endurance. It gives us the resilience - the bounce back - to endure the inevitable tough times life throws at us. When we have a strong spiritual muscle we are less likely to be tossed to and fro by the waves and storms that come our way.

 

How do I know if I need work on this? 

There are signs that alert us to the fact that we need some strength training in this area. Here are some of them:

1.You find yourself talking a lot about your problems to other people, instead of to God. 
2. You use food, alcohol, exercise, overwork to ease stress and anxiety and help forget about your problems.
3. You have a hard time making decisions.
4. You can't stand to be alone and need to have the television or the radio on all the time.
5. You feel stressed and anxious much of your day.
6. You worry a lot.
7. You focus more on accumulating material possessions rather than spiritual harmony and inner peace. 
8. You like to feel in control. 
9. You are often critical and negative.
10. You lack an attitude of gratitude.

11. You have a short fuse. 

12. You complain a lot. 

13. You have not healed from past hurts and pains. 

14. You dwell on the past, rather than living in today. 

15. You get anxious and fearful when troubles arise. 

16. You've lost the joy of life. 

17. You're not growing any more or moving forward in life. 

If you identify with a few of these, not to fret. This is a call to action. We ALL have areas to work on and I believe you were guided to this blog for a reason. We are all on a spiritual journey and our souls each have their lessons to learn. This is why we are here on this earth: to heal and then to discover our destiny so we can help others along their journey. It is an exciting time for sure! 

So how do we develop our spiritual muscle?

We develop our physical muscles by eating properly, lifting bigger and heavier weights, and learning new exercises and techniques. Our lungs, our hearts, and our muscles become stronger and we are able to handle the daily physical demands of life.

In a similiar way, we strengthen our spiritual muscle by digesting the proper spiritual food, experiencing difficult challenges, and learning new skills and thought patterns. In this series, I will be sharing these practices, tools, and skills. 

The goal is the same - to be able to handle tougher challenges without as much stress, anxiety, or fear. When we go through tough times, it is important to remember these are opportunities to strengthen our spiritual muscle - if we respond in the right way. 

For more on how to develop your spiritual muscle, stay tuned. You can also pick up a copy of my true story, "The Power of Faith", available at your favorite book dealer and heads up about my new book on spiritual growth, title still in progress. Am open to suggestions so do send your ideas along. 

For Reflection

Which of the list of items above do you struggle with? What qualities would you like to have more of? Patience? Confidence? Faith? Life is a school and our education lasts a lifetime, with pop quizzes here and there. 

If you would like to join our community and receive my weekly posts, simply enter your email in the box provided. You'll also receive a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Other Offerings

I am also on several other social media platforms. If you are a Pinterest person, check out the collection I've curated over the years on topics such as health and wellness, mindfulness and meditation, diet and exercise, natural healing, and much more. Click here to check them out. 

In addition, come follow me on Facebook and Instagram where I share posts from experts in various fields related to spiritual and personal growth. My handle is 

@ArielPaz08 

Until next time, stay tuned for more on strengthening your spiritual muscle so you can ignite the power within and discover YOUR destiny!

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

Feel free to use and share my content but please acknowledge me as the source. Thank you!

3 Keys to Seeing Your Biggest Dreams Come True!

These days, we have the ability to "super-size" many things in our life: from burgers to burritos, from lattes to fries. People love to super-size, don't they? But what about when it comes to our prayers?

Several years ago, I had the exciting privilege of attending service at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas with my son, Jon. If you are not familiar, Lakewood is what you call a "mega-church". Pastor Joel Osteen has written numerous books and it was dream of mine to hear him in person. That Sunday, he said something that really struck home. He said we need to pray God-sized prayers.

Be Bold and Ask

Now I know we all have dreams, desires and wishes we would love to come true. I also know that many of you are praying folk. As a strong believer in the power of prayer, I have seen God do great things in my life in answer to prayer. A favorite verse my dad had memorized was James 5:16 which says that the fervent prayer of a righteous man has great results and it is so true.

"Oh, but I'm afraid to ask God for too much. He might think I'm greedy."

Really? Luke 11:11 says "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?" and John 16:14 promises us that when we ask in Jesus' name we will receive and our joy will be full. How's that for motivation?

Be Ready to Receive

Now the caveat to asking big, is being ready to receive. Take time to think about how your request will affect your life. I remember two girlfriends of mine who were pining for years to get married. Shortly after they both married, both of them said the exact same thing to me: "The grass isn't always greener on the other side." I couldn't believe it. Proverbs 10:22 says it is the blessing of the Lord that makes a man rich, and he shall add no sorrow to it. In other words, be sure to ask according to God's will for your life or you may regret it.  

Accept God's Timing

As we know, God's timing is S- L-O-W. Usually. There are times when things happen really quickly, but that is the exception rather than the rule. God's timing is not our timing. Just think about all the people and things he has to coordinate to get our blessing to us. I have learned it's often our failure to learn our own  lessons that keeps the blessing at bay. Be patient. Keep being obedient and keep doing the right thing. Get rid of any sin in your life and above all, don't take things into your own hands. Wait on God's timing. 

For Reflection
My question for you today is how big are your prayers? Better yet, how big is your God? What may be preventing you from receiving your miracle? The more we understand how good God is and how much he loves each one of us, the more comfortable we will be asking for his blessings.

Today it is time to super-size your faith. Be bold enought to pray bigger prays and see what God does. I promise it will increase your faith and give God a chance to show you His great love and power. 

If you'd like to join our community, enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Stay tuned for more on how to ignite the power within and discover YOUR destiny!

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

8 Benefits of Cultivating a Spiritual Practice

When was the last time you felt stressed? If you're like most, stress is a part of our daily lives and it is a major factor in many health issues today. Our fast-paced lifestyle and goal-oriented society leaves little time for solitude, reflection, prayer and meditation. Yet, it is these very habits that protect us against the constant bombardment of stressors in our daily lives.

We all have 24 hours in a day and everyone seems to be so busy all the time. Yet, how often do we stop to consider if we're making time for the right things? Often, we're on auto-pilot carrying out our daily routines. What if we're not working on what would make the most difference in our lives? 

Today, I'd like us to press the pause button so we can think about that question for a few minutes. What is really most important in my life? Is it my friends? My career? My family? My finances?

All of these are important but what lies at the crux of being successful in any of these?   Maybe, just maybe, there is something more important above and beyond anything else. By far. And that is...

Developing our relationship with God. 
On a recent visit to Morocco, I happened to catch these devout Muslims worshipping at the 5 o'clock call to prayer. Speechless, I stopped in awe to observe. After, I asked a shop owner about the practice and he said people can pray anywhere. There was no need for icons or statues or candles. The faithful simply took off their shoes and dropped to their knees. Now you might not understand, agree or accept other religions, but this act of  sincere and humble worship struck me. How different would the world be if everyone stopped several times a day to acknowledge God? Think about it.

We are all spirit. As author and spiritual guru, Wayne Dyer, puts it, "We are spiritual beings having a human experience." I have studied most of the major religions and have found several principles they all have in common: compassion, faith, worship, giving, and service to name a few.

Rather than focus on our religious differences, wouldn't the world be a better place if we focused on common ground? This is what is so great about America - freedom to worship who and what we choose. In the end, each of us will stand before God and give an accounting of our lives so let's not wait till then to meet him.

Reasons why we need a spiritual practice:

1. Helps us become more peaceful, resilient, calm. 
2. Improves our relationshipswith others. 
3. Helps us connect to ourselves.
4. Helps us connect to God. 
5. Helps us handle life's problems. 
6. Provides hope in the hard times. 
7. Gives us guidance.
8. Helps us to grow. 
9. Helps us stay positive despite negative circumstances. 

When we put our main focus and energy towards our jobs, our kids, our relationships, everything suffers because our spirit is what infuses every aspect of our lives. It affects our emotions, our moods, and our energy. When we neglect our spiritual self, we are basically ignoring the very core of who we are. Then we wonder why the world is in such a state of turmoil.

Activity vs. Connection 
Sure we go to church, pray the rosary, give our tithes, go to yoga retreats. All of these are fine and dandy, but what really matters is am I developing a relationship with my spiritual self? With God?  Just as human relationships require time and effort, so does our spiritual relationship. If we want to reap the benefits listed above, we must make time to cultivate this aspect of ourselves however that manifests itself for each one of us.

Whether we realize it or not, our relationship with our spiritual self is truly is the most important thing in life, In fact, I would go as far as to say that our human relationships can only be as healthy as we are spiritually. In fact, we can only be as healthy physically and emotionally as we are spiritually.

For Reflection
Do you have a spiritual practice? Is it working for you? Do you consider spirituality an important part of your life? I once asked a good friend this question and her answer was "No comment". I know this isn't you or you would not be reading this blog. What actions can you take to improve your spiritual life? 

If you'd like to join our blog community, enter your email in the box provided and you'll receive my weekly posts. You'll also receive a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Have a great week and remember - keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

All rights reserved. If you'd like to use this material contact me at arielpaz08@gmail.com

3 Ways to Reconnect with the Divine

We are all on a spiritual journey, whether we realize it or not. We were made to seek and know our Higher Power, the Divine, God, or whatever name you want to use. The problem is since many people have been turned off by organized religion, wounded by churches, priests, fathers, and past experiences. I wonder how many people read the Bible these days. Because of this, many of us don't have a clear path on how to connect to the Divine and we lack the courage and faith we need in the challenging world we live in. So this week I am sharing some ways I have found to connect with my Spiritual Power and strengthen my spiritual muscle. Give a read. 

1. The Word of God 

First, let me say this. I believe the clearest and most direct way to know and connect with the Divine is through reading the Bible. Even though the Bible is 2700 years old, human nature has not changed. The need for guidance has not changed and neither has the need for comfort, assurance, and consolation changed. All of these can be found in the Bible. There are many translations out there and you can easily check which you prefer by visiting this website. 

Whenever I had a big decision to make, I go straight to the Bible. The book of Proverbs is a good place to find wisdom about all sorts of important topics. Sure you can go talk to a bunch of friends, but you have no assurance that their "wisdom" will be what you need. Other times, I think of situations in the Bible and apply what God said about it to my circumstance. It gives me peace and guides me to making wise decisions. For more on making wise decisions, enter "decisions" in the search box on my blog.

2. Prayer and Meditation 
As I've stated in my previous posts, prayer is talking to God and meditation is listening. Both of these activities are helpful in connecting with the Divine. 

Prayer is powerful and it is even more powerful when we infuse it with scripture. There is supernatural power in prayer. The Lord is required to fulfill his word so when we quote scripture back to him it does many things. Read about the importance of praying scripture here. 

Meditation is listening to God. With our hectic schedules, how often do we make time to just be still and get quiet? This is when we can hear that still small voice inside. There are many benefits to a regular meditation practice. To learn more about meditation, its benefits, and how to do it, read my posts on it here. 

3. Journaling

I have been journaling most of my life. It helps me process the events of the day, connect with my emotions, reduces stress, and much more. Did you know it has been scientifically proven that journaling can also help boost the immune system and decrease the symptoms of chronic ailments such as arthritis, asthma and other health conditions? Read this article for more. 

The key to journaling is to get your feelings out on paper. Many people, including myself, have a hard time expressing their feelings. Journaling is a good start. The next step is to communicate them to others. Journaling also helps us to identify habits and unhealthy behaviors and their triggers. I have used it to help me manage migraine and break bad habits. 

For Reflection:

Getting to know God is not as scary or as difficult as it may seem. These three activities are a great start. Which one will you pick today? Write and let us know and why you chose that. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. If so pass it on to a friend who could benefit. To join our community and receive my weekly posts simply enter your email on the pop up page or in the space provided on this site. You'll also receive a copy my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Until next time, I wish you peace and stillness and remember...

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

How to Find Peace in Uncertainty Times

Nothing is really certain in this world of ours. Everything is in a constant state of flux and turmoil. Just take a look at the stock market these days. It's easy to get off center and start to worry or become anxious.

Envision yourself in one of these scenarios. You've gone for tests and you're waiting for the medical report to come back. You lost your job unexpectedly or your spouse walks out on you. Your child is diagnosed with a serious health condition. As hard to accept as these can be, negative circumstances have something positive to teach us and that is how to live with uncertainty. 

There are lots of situations in life when we don't know what's coming next and we are forced to wait in a state of limbo. Time seems to stand still and we wonder what the future holds or if God is really paying attention to us or if He really cares. The answer to that question is a resounding "YES, He is and He does!" God is totally in control and has a purpose for everything we go through.

Personal Story:
God has allowed many situations in my life that have been extremely painful and uncertain.  If you've read my book, "The Power of Faith", you know I've been through a lot of ugly stuff such as: a bad marriage, an ugly divorce, financial ruin, health issues, rebellious addicted kids, dishonest dating relationships. And that was only the first half of my life. 

Sometimes I look back and wonder why has all this happened to me. But then I look at other people who are a lot worse off and I am so very thankful. In fact, a better perspective is to say "Thank you, God, for bringing me through all that stuff." Trials build our character. They build endurance, hope, courage, and faith.  After all, now I can write about the stuff I've learned. 

We don't know why bad things happen and it's normal to wonder how everything is going to turn out. The good news is we can relax. I know, easier said than done. Repeat after me: God is in control. Just relax. These circumstances may be a surprise to us, but they are not a surprise to God. He knows exactly what is going on. He has us in the palm of his right hand. Picture that for a moment - in the palm of His right hand. Gives you a certain comfort level, doesn't it?

How to Deal with Uncertainty
Now I am not trying to minimize whatsoever the stuff we endure in life but I have learned that learning to wait and trust God in situations is critical to maintaining my peace and joy during the rough patches of life. So what can we do to get through while we're waiting? Here are some techniques I've learned that help me and trust they will help you as well.

1. Set a limit on the amount of time you ruminate on a given situation. Do not let yourself be consumed by whatever is going on in your life or in the world around you. Ruminating sucks our joy and our energy and keeps us immobilized in a state of anxiety. Remember you are in control of your thoughts. 

2. Realize what is and is not in your control. 
Many situations that upset us are not in our control: the stock market ups and downs, the natural disasters, the fires, the viruses. As much as we would like to wave a magic wand and have all be well with the world, we cannot. The best we can do is to try to manage our own thoughts, behaviors, and reactions. This takes enough energy. 

3. Remember you are not alone.
Others have and are going thru the same thing. You are not in this alone. Reach out for support. Don't be afraid to talk to others about what you're going through. I've found that when I open up, others do the same. We are all dealing with something and we all need a listening ear. God is the best ear we could have and his line is never busy. 

4. Don't rush ahead of God and take the situation into your own hands.
It could have disastrous results. Yes, waiting is tough, but if we don't wait on God we could get ourselves into a worse mess. God is directing our steps and His speed is usually SLOW. We want to remedy things NOW but God has something to teach us in our trials. I've learned that many situations in life I think are annoyances are really opportunities for me to learn endearing qualities such as Patience, Letting Go, and Surrender. God doesn't waste anything. 

5. Trust God.
Most of us have no concept of how much God really loves us, especially if we didn't receive the appropriate love, attention, and approval from our parents. But God makes up for all that. He loves and approves of us and he is watching over us all the time. 

Put it this way. Take the love you feel for the most cherished person in your life and multiple that by like a thousand (very rough guess) times. God loves each and every one of us and ultimately wants the very best for you and me.

6. Praise God.
Praise comes in many forms. It could be singing, praying, playing an instrument, thanking God out loud, quoting scripture verses. Praise is good for our souls and our spirits. It takes our focus off our problems and puts it back where it belongs - on God. It lifts our burdens and lightens our load. 

Praise also activates movement in the heavenly realms, believe it or not. There is much going on in the spiritual realm that we are not aware of. Something in the spiritual atmosphere changes when we praise God. 

For Reflection

What is it that you are anxious about today? Who or what is stealing your peace and joy? Lent is a good time to draw near to God thru prayer, journaling, and meditation. Spend some time today connecting with the Divine and see how much more peaceful you feel. 

If this post was helpful and you'd like to join our community, enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly emails plus a copy of my free guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path".

Do check out my many Pinterest boards full of helpful tips on exercise and diet, health, recipes, fashion, meditation, tea, prayer, and so much more.  Click here. 

Until next time, keep looking up and do leave a comment or forward this to a friend!

Ariel Paz 

Finding True Peace

On a scale of 1 - 10, how peaceful do you feel today? What is stealing your peace? Worries about the future? Your family? Your finances? Staying at peace can be a challenge in today's chaotic world. People are seeking peace in a multitude of places and through a variety of means. But did you know we have been given the gift of Peace by God himself and that true peace is constant? In this fourth week of Advent, we celebrate what I believe is the most precious gift of all - the gift of Peace. 

Some try to find peace by amassing a fortune or attaining a certain status thinking wealth or notoriety will bring them peace. Wealth can disappear quite quickly if we are not careful. Who and what is popular today can be unpopular tomorrow. The world is fickle. Others try to find peace by drinking away their problems. Food, drink, and material possessions will never give us lasting peace. They provide only temporary satisfaction. Hopefully, you have learned this. 

Others go a more spiritual route. They try meditation, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, yoga and the like. Now I am all for relaxing the body and clearing the mind. But these, too, are only temporary, as practitioners well know. How many times have I gone for a massage or to a yoga class and then, a few hours later, my peaceful feeling is disrupted by an aggravating phone call. It takes constant effort to remain at peace through external means. 

What is True Peace? 

First, let's describe what true peace feels like. True peace is surrendering and letting go of control. It is trusting and believing. It is an inner calmness that resides deep in our souls. True peace never leaves. It does not change with our circumstances or our feelings. 

When the challenges of life muddy the waters, we may doubt and become anxious but when we learn that these challenges are meant to grow us up and teach us to trust more in God and his faithfulness. Jesus said: "These things I have spoken to you so that IN ME you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulations, but I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Did you get that part? IN ME. 

True peace does not come from anything in or of this world. It comes from the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. In fact, it is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. And how do we receive the Holy Spirit? By receiving the gift of Jesus Christ, that's how. Maintaining true peace can only be accomplished with supernatural power which comes from a relationship with Christ. And Christmas is the perfect time to receive Jesus's invitation to "Come unto me all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28-29)

When Your Ship is Sinking 

When the disciples were in a tizzy on the sea of Galilee and the winds and the rain pounded their tiny boat, what did Jesus tell them? He said "Oh ye of little faith,". In other words, Jesus was right there in the ship with them and they were STILL afraid. Don't we know that Jesus is right there in the boat with us? No matter whether we are going thru: Covid, chemo, crisis, or chaos, Jesus is always with us. Now that is comforting. 

Jesus said "I came to bring you peace not as the world gives,". Did you get that? "Not as the world gives." Jesus also promised "I will never leave you nor forsake you." We, who are believers, can count on God's promises. God never lies and He never goes back on His word. Who else do you know that can promise that? Whatever storm we are going through, Jesus promises to navigate us through it and bring us out of it. I know, because, I have been through many storms in my life and I'm still here today thankfully. Glory to God. 

Personal Story
After much turmoil and chaos in my life, (read my true story "The Power of Faith: a journey to healing, wholeness, and harmony") I tried many methods, I've realized there is only one way to hold on to peace. When everything around me is in chaos and turmoil and the ground is shaking beneath me, I hold on to the one person that can handle it all and his name is Jesus. 

Now if you don't know Jesus, you may not understand how this works, and that's okay. You can call him God for now but those of us who have been through the fires of hell know him more intimately. We know his name is Jesus and he is our true peace. 

For Reflection:

So what storm are you going through today? A breakup? A financial loss? An illness? Whatever it is, ask Jesus into your situation. Ask him to give you his peace. Keep your eyes focused on him and not on your circumstances and he will keep you in perfect peace. 

If this post has encouraged you, do join our community and receive my weekly posts. You'll also receive my free guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". All you have to do is enter your email address in the box provided. While you're at it, pass it on. Someone you know may need a little hope this season. 

Need a gift? Consider giving a copy of my inspirational true story, "The Power of Faith: a journey to healing, wholeness, and harmony" available on Amazon and your favorite booksellers. Or my newest ebook, "Take Back Your Life: 5 Keys to Reclaiming Your Personal Power" available on Amazon, Apple, and Barnes and Noble. 

For all kinds of interesting tips and info from exercise and diet, to mindfulness and meditation to the benefits of tea, pop on over to my Pinterest page at https://www.pinterest.com/arielpaz/boards/ 

I wish you and yours true peace this Christmas season. May the Lord be with you, comfort you and give you his peace. Merry Christmas!

 
Until next time,

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

How to Process Stress Without Losing Your Cool

So how have you been holding up all the world events? The wars? Inflation? The elections? Your relationships? If you've been feeling edgy, anxious, fearful, or impatient, this post is for you. And you are not alone.

The Importance of a Spiritual Path

Stress affects everyone and that is why it is so important to consciously cultivate a spiritual path. The more reactive we are to stress, the more important it is to learn, or rather unlearn, old thinking and behavior patterns. 

Everyone is on a spiritual path, whether they know it or not. What's more, everyone needs a spiritual path, not just those who have been abused, addicted, or abandoned. 

We all need healing.   

How can I say this? Because after years of thinking dysfunction happens only in "broken" or "alcoholic" homes, I've seen enough people from seemingly "normal" families have the same kinds of drama and issues. I'd scratch my head and ask "How did that happen? Her parents weren't divorced/alcoholic/addicts or whatever."

Until one day, it dawned on me - each of us is in need of healing of some sort be it from our past or something that was handed down to us generationally. This is what a spiritual path is all about - healing so we can become whole, integrated, and harmonious beings. We are, after all, body, mind, and spirit and we whether we realize it or not, we each have areas we need to heal.  Author Wayne Dyer says "there is a spiritual solution to every problem," and if we look deep enough, we will find it.

The Need for a Spiritual Path 

The problem is that many of us are not aware that we are on a spiritual journey or that we need healing, so we fail to look for spiritual solutions to processing the stress in our lives. Often, people turn from God or deny his very existence. They shy away from any kind of spiritual path because they are hurting from something or afraid of something. Or it could just be their ego not wanting to admit they need to grow in some area. We look to medications, drinking, food, fun, activities, work, and relationships to console them but sooner or later we realize, we must go deeper. The answer lies not in distraction, but in introspection. 

We are thirsty for peace. 

Jesus knew this when he said "I will give you  living water and you will never thirst again." (John 4:13). The organized church has let many down, including yours truly. Hence, the popularity of such alternative ways to healing and peace. Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, meditation groups, and yoga classes are thriving these days. Participants realize there is a spiritual struggle going on underneath the covers of the suffering they are experiencing. 

Personal Story 

We are a three part entity: body, mind, and spirit. An injury to any one part affects the other parts. The Chinese have known this for centuries. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long correlated physical ailments with emotions. For example, a few years ago, I went to an acupuncturist for treatment of an asthma condition I suddenly developed. I had never had asthma in my life and I wondered what was going on.

"Asthma affects the lungs and the lungs store grief," the specialist explained.
"Have you experienced any grief lately?"
"Grief!" I exclaimed, suddenly bursting into tears.
"Yes, I have experienced grief in several very close relationships all in the same year."

The light bulb went on. My body was reacting to the emotional pain I had experienced. Once I gained awareness of all the grief I was experiencing, I was able to process it and the asthma symptoms completely went away. When we bring light to the darkness of the pain in our spirits, we can process the wounds and the emotions, which then allow us to heal at the physical level as well. So how does one know if one is in need of some kind of healing?

Signs of Needing Healing:

1) Physical symptoms and pain
Diseases such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, high blood pressure, IBS, migraine, depression, addictions, and back pain may all have emotional and spiritual roots.

2) Incessant chatter 
Are your conversations self-absorbed monologues (all about you)? Do you focus on the negative circumstances in life more than the positives?

3) Fear of the future
Does anxiety about what may happen steal your peace and joy? Do you feel a need to keep up with every negative news story, gossip, or Hollywood drama? Do you make decisons out of fear?

4) Overdependence on entertainment and other people
Do you always have to be around people? Are you uncomfortable being by yourself? Do you dread being alone? Are you always planning the next activity or event? There is nothing wrong with entertainment but when it becomes a major focal point that indicates a problem. 

5) Preoccupation with any one area of life 
Are you a workaholic? Exercise fanatic? Overly involved with your kids? Is there any area others would say you put too much time into?

6) Inability to overcome addictions 
Some addictions are overeating, alcohol, drugs, gambling, porn, and codependency. In fact, anything done to excess may be an addiction, a way to cover up emotional pain. 

For Reflection:

Did any of these hit home? What do you think is at the root of the issue? If you are not in a spiritual growth group, consider joining one that fits your comfort level.  

My goal is to do my part to help the world heal one person at a time so we can all conquer stress, live in harmony, and pursue our destinies! 

If this post was helpful, consider joining our community by entering your email address in the box provided. In addition to receiving my weekly posts, I am offering my free eguide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". I'm not talking about religion here, so please don't confuse the two. Spirituality is very different from "organized religion" although we may find our path in church for a time and that is quite alright. When you enter your email in the box provided, I'll get it right out to you. 

Also, do pop over and check out my many Pinterest boards on a wide variety of topics you are sure to find of interest. https://www.pinterest.com/arielpaz/pins/

Stay tuned for more positive and practical wisdom on how you, too, can find healing, wholeness, and harmony so you can ignite the power within and discover YOUR destiny!

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz