The Greatest Gift Of Life

A very big aloha.

My name is Reverend Cindy Palos and I wanted to talk about the gift and the importance of staying positive,

Especially in rather tumultuous times.

I really do feel that we've been going through so much of the challenges of what's going on in the world,

Especially in America,

Politically,

Etc.

And it's so easy to see the anger and the people who wish to fight for probably a very good reason.

And here's the thing,

I understand that.

I understand the desire to kind of like stand up for something like that.

And you have to stand up for what's right.

But there's a way to do it that's positive.

There's a way to do your whole life that's very positive,

Rather than slip into the darkness,

Slip into the anger that can really take over and really can be fed very easily.

And here's the thing,

That anger is really something that all of a sudden grows very easily.

Because there's a lot of social media things and posts that will feed that.

The positive things,

The positive energy is sometimes more silent.

Sometimes it doesn't shout as loud.

Sometimes it's kind of quiet.

Now,

Okay,

So between the positive and the ones that energy that's negative,

There's that middle path.

And that cannot be ignored either.

Because that middle path has a lot of strength,

Of course,

In Buddhism and different forms of Buddhism,

Zen Buddhism.

The middle path is really the path that is taught.

And that taught that is,

It's taught that that's the path to take,

For good reason,

For very good reason.

There's always going to be the ups and downs,

There's always going to be the anger.

And that's always going to exist.

And there are those things and people that love,

Like me,

The positive energy.

And there's going to be challenges that come to both.

But if you're on the middle path in between that positive vibration,

Which is so wonderful,

And the energy that creates the negative vibrations,

That middle path can hold the strength and the energy that really can see you through rather difficult times.

And it also is a path that sometimes can ask you to be present and not necessarily engaged,

Except with that strength that you get from within.

Now,

That's a real gift.

That's a real gift to be able to be constant,

To be able to be on track,

To be able to be centered,

And to know what your real true purpose is,

Without being blown by the winds.

The winds of change can easily blow you in many ways.

So how do these things merge?

How do you deal with the positive,

The negative,

And the middle path?

This is kind of an interesting way of life that we learn through life,

Right?

Of how do we interact?

And the thing is that the negative vibration will want you to join the negative pretty much.

The positive vibration would love that positive energy.

The middle path sometimes isn't encouraged as much.

It's kind of interesting in these times that those with the middle path can stay rather quiet and silent.

But there's a reason for that,

You know.

Through time,

You learn that it's that positive and that negative that can be changeable and really speak loudly.

While the middle path,

That center path,

That centered path,

Is just present,

Just there,

And doesn't need to go with the fluctuations of time.

So it's really up to each person and each individual to choose that path.

To choose the path they wish to take.

And now everyone has their own way of expressing themselves,

You know.

It's so beautiful to watch,

Actually.

You can see people expressing themselves in so many different ways.

Rather creative,

Because social media encourages more and more creative ways to capture people's attention,

Right?

I've seen this.

I'm sure you've seen this as well.

And you see it on ads on TV,

Etc.

They're more and more trying to get your attention.

Spend quite a bit of money doing that as well.

But here we are,

You know,

Just staying centered in the center of everything.

And kind of watching it all and being present.

And not necessarily engaging in either side,

The positive or negative,

But just being present.

Now a good way to do this,

And a good way to build this,

Is by meditation.

It really does,

It really truly helps to get your core base,

Your strength,

Your inner strength,

Through meditation.

Where you can,

You know,

Successfully navigate the winds of change and the both positive and negative things that are happening in rather extreme ways,

You know.

So I think the best way to do that is to just take some time and for us to go inside and be present in this interior energy that is such a powerful force.

And of course we do that by taking a few breaths and just going inside and just immediately realizing as you make that intention to go inside,

You close your eyes and take some deep breaths in.

Ah,

The precious breath in.

Holding for a second or two.

Oh,

And my neck crack just always does.

Breathing out,

Ah.

Breath in Hawaii,

Ha,

Ha is breath.

Breathing in,

Breathing out,

Ha,

Ha.

And then ah,

Ha.

Breathing in,

Holding,

And breathing out.

And just allowing your whole body to adjust to this centered meditation where your body knows what you're doing.

Your mind knows what you're doing.

Your energy of your soul and presence knows what you're doing.

You're being here now.

You're breathing in,

Holding,

And breathing out.

And I always like to encourage you to put a wonderful,

Brilliant white light all around your body.

High above you,

Through you,

Down below you,

On either side of you,

In front of you,

And behind you.

You are now surrounded in a protective,

Beautiful,

Wonderful white light.

And just know that you are in this wonderful,

Safe space where you can travel.

Deeply within.

And with each breath,

Be aware,

How is that body doing?

Check out your feet,

And your ankles,

And your calves,

And your knees,

And your thighs,

And ah,

Your hips,

The base of the spine.

Ah,

Down below at the base of the spine,

Up to the very,

Very top of the spine.

Ah,

Just being completely aligned,

Up to the head,

And that beautiful energy that is there,

The third eye,

It sees all that place inside,

So easily seeing the beauty within,

And the crown chakra.

Now,

Just be present here now.

And in the center of your consciousness,

Experience that middle path.

Experience just being here now.

Allow that to expand as you just be here now.

And you see anything that may be passing by,

Thoughts and clouds,

Just drifting by,

Not engaging,

Just drifting through the energy field of your life.

And through that,

There's this amazing gift of being alive.

Take a moment to just be aware of how precious this gift of life is.

Just be aware of how amazing each breath is.

Breathing in,

Breathing out.

The breath of life is such a wonderful thing.

And just being present,

Being you,

And accepting all of who you are.

You're a beautiful child of the one presence,

From the one source of all.

How precious this child of light that you are,

Is.

Allow yourself to love yourself right now.

Allow yourself to realize how spectacular this presence,

This energy that you have is.

So amazing.

Can you believe how wonderful you are?

Tell yourself that you appreciate being here now with your true self.

Be grateful,

Ever so grateful for this gift of life.

Let that whole energy feed you.

The energy of your soul,

The energy of your light presence,

The energy of the love,

The expansive love that is you here now.

And now slowly allow yourself to come back.

Slowly allow yourself to realize how good you feel.

And slowly let yourself come back into all levels of your consciousness,

And your body,

And your mind,

And your entire being here now is.

Take a moment to remember to maybe jot down a note or two,

Maybe a poem,

Maybe something else inspired about how good it feels to be aware of the truth of who you are.

It's such a beautiful gift to share,

And I am so very,

Very grateful for you taking the time to share it here with me right now.

A huge bow of gratitude.

Thank you.