InspiringEnergy

I'm a big West Wing TV show fan. Big. 

As time goes by, when I watch these reruns, I'm astounded by the many meaningful messages that can be taken from the program. 

I recently watched an episode where the president's daughter is getting married and they are having a White House wedding. At the same time, 2 nations in the Asia Pacific are about to wage war over oil issues. After much frustration and time spent in trying to find a solution on the part of the US president, and with a room full of waiting guests, he asks the Russian president if his daughter has ever been married, and the answer is yes. At that point President Bartlett (Martin Sheen) tells him that he has to go walk his daughter down the aisle and he is 45 minutes late because he can't get off the phone until he knows that the Russians will not advance their troops. 

While he stands with his daughter before the procession, he is brought to tears by a memory of her at 4 years old running out in between the border of East and West Berlin. She, at 4 years old was able to remind the soldiers and guards of their human connection and they all began waving at her and then at each other.

Our connection, our energetic relationship is one that has more power than we know. When we behave in a human manner, the best way that we can, we are promoting the good, the betterment of all. What are ways that we can do that on a daily basis?

A February Sunday in Chicago, waiting for the snow to fall. A perfect time to consider how we are impacted by thoughts. Having woken too early, I indulged in episodes of Law and Order, followed by CBS Sunday Morning. The difference in the energy coming off of the two program was noticeable.
As I consider how I felt during and after each of these TV experiences, I realize that we spend so much time unaware of the subtle influences on our energetic states. The feeling we get from the various inputs on our experience can have profound effects on what we are able to do, what we are thinking and what we are putting out to the world.

How does we make a significant change, usually by taking baby (small) steps. How many times have we each said - I'm going to do _____? We're excited by something new, we think it will have a big impact on us or we know we have to do something. And for many of us, that moment passes and we are left not doing what we thought we'd do because _____________ (fill in the blank.)

Yesterday I came across a reading book site. Installments are sent in bite size (baby step) portions and before you know it, you've read a whole book. And you get to enjoy just a segment at a time - kind of like eating an orange.

Go to www.dailylit.com to find something new that forces the baby step. Enjoy!

Lately I'm noticing that there's a great deal of tightening, contracting and locking up going on. I know you're noticing it too.

Every newscast, every newspaper is swarming with stories that cause us to hold on tight. But the truth is, that's exactly the opposite of what we need to be doing.

We need to loosen up, need to raise our energy and our vibration, to bring about the good that we are. So what to do?

3 quick suggestions:
Put on your favorite music and move! Dance, be free and don't worry about anyone seeing you, they won't and if they do....they'll want to do the same.

Remember to smile more. As you do it, see how it improves your outlook.

Breath deep. When we're fearful, we take in less oxygen and that tightens us up. Air is free, take it in!

We have power to improve this - baby step by baby step.

Saturday Night Live (SNL) has played a significant role in my world, for many years. (yes, I remember Jonestown and wondering whether it was a joke when the network broke in to report it when I was in college.)

Well they have outdone themselves now. Aside from the brilliance of Tina Fey's portrayal of Sarah Palin, they have also launched Weekend Update on Thursday nights. 

Laughter is critical, humor is so important. At this time in our economic and political situation, we need to laugh and giggle even more. It is too easy to jump into the gloom and doom and fear and dread. SNL picks us right up out of our stuff and brings us to our knees (and maybe even toilets) from laughter. They are providing a remarkable service to the public. Kudos!

It's been some time since I last wrote. 

What I'm finding right now is that I'm obsessed with what's happening in the media. Economics, politics, spin, power and energy. And it's alot of yuch. 

What we hear, what we let in, really does influence us. It can change our mood, our thoughts, and our energy. It can zap us, or it can empower us. 

Just for the record, I'm a big TV watcher. Yes, I know, it's not considered very cool, but I have always liked TV - so I watch it. But honestly, I'm in overload now with the US presidential election. It has become insulting. The energy out of the MP camp is upsetting - fear based, attacking and irresponsible. I find myself upset about the spin that is allowed to take place, and the untruths that are set out. I also find the choice for VP candidate to say it all about John McCain. She is an irresponsible choice - he has shown us that his judgement is off. As Alec Baldwin said on Real Time with Bill Maher, John McCain's time was in 2000, not now. 

I encourage all of us to remember to hold on to the thoughts that bring us pleasure right now. Not the ones where we get an adrenalin rush from feeling competitive or better, but the ones that are filled with kindness. We are being challenged right now by lots of emotional pulls, and we can be helpful by finding the things that make us feel good. So let's do it.

Last night I happened on a movie I'd heard much about - "We Are Marshall". A powerful true story about a college that lost almost it's entire football team in a plane crash. The story continues on to share how the people of the town rebuild, find new energy, come alive again, from what looked like an impossible place.

Watching something so uplifting was energy shifting. I found myself laughing, crying, cheering and feeling better and better.

What movies do that for you?

Find one and watch it!

Feel good!

Natalie

There's something amazing about the Winter Solstice time. I get a rush every year when I realize that we've just passed the date when the days start to get longer again.

Today I went to a Winter Solstice Concert at Link's Hall in Chicago. The performers Hamid Drake & Michael Zerang are AMAZING percussionists/drummers. The concert began at 6 am and lasts for about 75 minutes. The audience was led through a series of improvisations by the two artists that grew and grew in energy and intention. By the end I felt wonderful, energized and inspired. There's something about doing something new, something different, something that takes you out of your normal comfort zone that is so powerful.

When we left the program, the sun was up, the snow was falling and the winds were blustering. It felt just right.

Music can have a big impact on our emotions, our energy and our vibration. I don't know anyone who doesn't occasionally belt out a song when they think no one's listening, just because they feel so good when they do.

Pandora.com is a website that allows you to create your own radio stations, without advertisements, really easily AND it is offered without any charge. Go check it out. Plug in what you want and enjoy listening to ONLY what you want to hear! How great is that?