VALUE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

      Do you value your relationships? Do you realize their importance? Are you able to recognize and reflect on what's really most important in your life? Often we've become so busy with life that we've forgotten what we're living for. It's time to get conscious and pay attention.
      As people get closer to the end of their life, they often undergo a kind of life review. They remember experiences they've had, both positive and negative. They reflect on the wide variety of relationships they've been involved with, from early childhood with parents and siblings, to extended family, co-workers, friends, romantic involvements, to present day relationships with a partner, spouse, children or even grandchildren. It's interesting to note how our view on these past events and relationships may change, the older we become. At that point in life, we're often able to let go of the hard feelings or so-called slights and focus instead on the value those relationships and experiences offered to us.
      So why are we waiting for the end of a lifetime to reflect on the valuable people and opportunities we've already attracted? Why not do your own life review now to acknowledge and appreciate these experiences? This kind of life review can bring us great peace of mind and inspire us to bring even more positive opportunities into our life.
      Of course, it is only the soul who can take such a philosophical approach to life, for our subconscious is often blinded by its emotions and is unable to let go of grudges or feelings of failure. These kinds of feelings do nothing to add to our quality of life. But the soul can help the subconscious to view life in a different manner.
      The next time you're with someone you cherish, let go of all your other concerns and focus on really being there with them. Leave the rest of your day behind you and enjoy the moment. When we're still caught up in our day at work or dwelling on other worries, we become almost oblivious to the person we're spending time with. Get conscious and remind your subconscious that it's time to let everything else go and simply enjoy our friend. It can be easy to carry our problems throughout our entire day until they begin to "infect" the rest of our lives. We start to view everything and everyone with a negative outlook. This is the subconscious' negative emotional reaction to our situation and the soul can help turn this around. Again, remind your subconscious that it's time to enjoy our friend, even with all their different personality issues. Rather than being critical or judgmental, simply love them for who they are. I've heard people who've lost a loved one state that they would give anything to spend time with that person again, and they wouldn't be picking out their personality flaws. And yet, that's what we do sometimes, when we're under stress. Tell your subconscious to let go of that behavior and enjoy people's company instead. This will make your time spent together much more enjoyable for both of you. And time removed from our problems helps the subconscious to heal, reminding it that we do have a life separate from our stress.
      Making time to look over our relationships is very valuable. Think about all the good times you've shared with others. Let your memories flow and remind you of all the love you've experienced. Everyone has someone that they've shared special moments with. This doesn't have to be a romantic involvement. It may be friends or family, co-workers or even a stranger who simply smiled and changed your day. You may remember a viewpoint someone shared with you that affected your life, making you think in a new way. Special holidays, or vacations may come to mind, or even a simple lunch that became more memorable because you were with someone you loved. You may reflect on people who are still in your life, or past relationships you've lost touch with, or even loved ones who've passed on. Every relationship has added something special to our lives and their value lives on in each cherished memory.
      Such memories remind us of the power of love. Have you ever noticed that even during troubled times, the hug of a friend can make all the difference? For Divine Love is the motivating force in the Universe and when we're able to express love with kindness and compassion, we are contributing to the good in our life as well as to the greater good of all humanity. We can make a conscious effort to see the good in others and compliment them. For praise is simply another form of love and can be a motivating factor in our daily lives. Praising ourselves for something well done is actually the soul praising the subconscious, our inner child, for doing a good job. The subconscious responds well to this, adding to our self-esteem, motivating us to even greater things. Don't you feel great when someone gives you a sincere compliment? For the subconscious knows the effort involved in accomplishing something and is happy to be acknowledged, either from someone on the outside, or even from within.
      Be generous with your praise, for people are starving for love. Years ago when standing in line at the post office, I noticed an employee who seemed miserable. She was curt with customers who came to her window, shuffling them off as soon as possible. When I brought her my package to mail, I mentioned how hard it must be handling so many people in such a busy office. Then I gave her a sincere compliment on something she was wearing. It was as if time had stopped. She looked up at me with a hint of a smile and gave me great service. After that, she always smiled when she took care of me and even began sharing her favorite recipes with me. Such a difference, a simple compliment made.
      So remember to express your love. No one can hear "I love you," enough. By expressing your love now, you'll find you'll have no regrets about how you've treated others in life. I had a student who often had phone visits with his parents who lived in another state. He said he'd like to voice his love for them, but he hadn't been raised to express his feelings. So he started ending each conversation with "I love you, Mom and Dad." Eventually he began to hear the same response from them. And when he visited in person, he hugged each one, which was something that had not been done very often. Now it's become a common occurrence. Again, the power of love is enormous.
      So make your life more complete. Value yourself and your relationships. Join us for an upcoming Arche program and we'll help you bring out the best version of you! Wishing you the Blessings of great relationships! SANDY DALIEGE

GRATITUDE

For All the Lives Who Have Touched My Heart,
Opening It Yet a Little Further
So I Might Perceive More of The Beauty that Surrounds Me,
I Am Ever Grateful.

So Many Innocent Moments of Time Spent Together when Suddenly,
The Mask is Dropped and Time Stands Still.

I Am A Keeper of These Timeless Moments of the Soul.

I Hold The Heart of Each Soul, Revealed to Me Through
A Treasury of Sacred Letters, A Wealth of Magnificent Cards,
A Collection of Shared Memories Held Deep Within My Heart.

All Have Revealed a Part of Me Through Their Own Expression,
Through Their Courage to Share a True Part of Their Essence,
Knowing they Were Safe From Ridicule,
Sharing a Glimpse of Their Highest Ideals,
Honoring Me With Their Lives.

What A Privilege Has Been Bestowed on Me,
How Sacred I Hold This Trust.
For Each Truth Revealed Has Made Me Who I AM,
Able to Wrap Myself in Their Beauty,
Adding a Glorious Part of Who They Are to Me.

This Is How We Are All One.

So When I Beseech The Universe on Your Behalf,
Seeking to Grant Your Highest Wishes,
Know It Is I Who Will Also Be Blessed Through Your Receiving,
For Each Blessing You Receive Is Mine As Well.

This Is The Power Of Divine Love that Each of Us Sets Free
Every Time We Treat One Another with Compassion Instead of Criticism,
Remembering to Acknowledge The Beauty of Each Person's Individuality
Instead of Judging Their Differences.

Riches Abound When We Share From Our Soul.

How Grateful I Am For Your Stories.
How Wealthy My Life Has Become As A Result …

SANDY DALIEGE