Pay It Forward

Yesterday was a bit of a challenge and I am learning to see challenges as opportunities. Such opportunities can show us how far we are on our path, or where we have yet to clear, cleanse and bring to a higher vibrations. 

For the majority of the past month, I've pared down my focus to a couple of areas of my life that I've closed off for years. These aren't visible to anyone and yet they are tangible. In fact, I was completely unaware at how I pushed away receiving. I've been consciously practicing being open to receiving fantastic gifts from the Universe.  

Beliefs can become engrained within us very easily; over time they can be reinforced with what we believe we experience. Outside circumstances seem to solidify them even further confirming their validity. 

However, like water, beliefs take the form of whatever container they fill up....to change one's reality, one can change his/her belief. That's where my focus has been, changing the way I believe and how I react to outside circumstances. 

Yesterday was not an easy day, there were multiple invitations to jump into the old beliefs and reactions. I found out a couple of things that really rocked me and I was steps away from falling into the blame, misery, victimhood perceptions, that I had become so accustomed to. And then I took a deep breath......and I shifted......and I realized that I am always supported, loved and cared for. I have everything I need, right here, right now. I looked directly at my fear, thanked it for being there. I already knew the lesson and I accepted it. I cannot change people. I can change my reaction to them and I how view them. I can see them as teachers, bless them and move on. That's what I did. I thanked these persons for what they offered me, cut the cord to the density, filled up on "light" and affirmed that ONLY high vibrating people, ideas, and experiences are allowed into my field. 

I treat my "spaces," my home and my body as sacred. I've worked very hard to pare down my physical objects and likewise, I've pared down emotional debris and baggage as well as limiting beliefs. The "major" of the overhaul is complete, though like my home, I am still very attuned to what shows up. Clutter, I am convinced, multiplies as fast as baby rabbits. So too old beliefs will keep flowing to the top to be skimmed off. And the more vigilant I become about keeping my inner and outer spaces, clear of debris the more expanded my space becomes. It's a daily thing with me, home and body. If I notice a stray or lower vibrating emotion, I work with it, get right to the core of it and clear it out. If it's physical clutter I do the same. I handle ever piece of mail, every dish and every object in my home with reverence. If it doesn't need to be here, I bless it and move it out. I've pared down a lot and though I still have more to go, I've gained back tremendous territory. I can sense new, creative space arising as a result! I am rewarded with expansion, openness, awareness and a whole lot of love and appreciation. What a GREAT experience, what an EXCELLENT way to live! 

I have come to believe that clutter (inside and out) is a result of a  emotional debris that has built up. It takes great courage to clear it out. It takes determination and bravery to be face ALL that we've accumulated and are now housing. It takes great strength to accept responsibility for it and even greater strength to initiate change. 

Right about the time that you think you are done, you can't take one more step, the Universe steps in............ and the person in front of you at Starbucks pays for your venti latte. And then you realize, all that hard work, all those decisions to choose the higher vibrating thoughts and beliefs have created a new opening. Here's your confirmation that you are loved, supported, blessed and cared for.

I don't know who this person was, but her/his kindness and generosity was the perfect confirmation.

I wrote this post because I want to "pay it forward". If you felt like your burden was too much, that it was too hard to shift gears, let go of old habits, beliefs and ways of being in the world, let me remind you that there are better things waiting for you. 

Roll up your sleeves, do the work. Have a good cry, throw yourself down on your bed and let your eyes empty out the emotions that have been buried, suppressed and hidden for whatever reason. 

Claim your truth and who you really are, no matter what that means for you. Go to your core and connect with the light of your soul. Resonate there and feel the freedom that you were always meant to feel. Constriction and any lower emotion is there, like clutter; it may have served a purpose at one time but if it feels heavy, it's likely time to let it go. 

When we take care of our inner and outer spaces, clearing out what no longer serves and supports us, we make room for ALL that does. We create a wider, magnetic pathway for the good that we want to experience. And when we are full up with that.... the good overflows and and radiates out in all directions. That's when we are "guided" to buy lattes, or treat someone to lunch, write a letters, make a phone calls, paint a picture, spend time with a friend, sing a song, and give our time, talents and joy to others because we want to, it just feels great!

I think we all do these things anyway, without expectations. But let me just say, that I adore the many surprises that have been flowing into my life since consciously opening and allowing the Universe to share, on even greater levels. I am always happy to give and I am now learning to receive with equal enthusiasm. 

What is your favorite way to pay it forward? What unexpected "gifts" do you love to share? Do you keep a gratitude journal? What delightful, unexpected surprises have you received? 

Swoot Tags!

I adore making tags. This is a quick way to feed my creative expression and experience completion, which feels good. Not all of my projects are so easily wrapped up so I celebrate when I find one that can be. I still make a grand mess, but clean-up is minimal. 

Pryce and I had discussed our ideas for Valentine's Day. She very much prefers commercial Valentine's, {she's into the holographic animals} and I very much prefer homemade. She was not interested at all in tag making but she's been right in the thick of the on-line mixed media class, A Year Of Painting {and WOW, can the girl make an awesome mess creation}!

I think these tags are super cute and anyone that gets a gift from me has probably figured out that I'd rather make tags than buy cards. I also love that the possibilities are endless when you combine washi tape, stamps, colored inks and pencils. They take up very little room, can be popped in a glassine envelop with a little tea bag or treat, and later they can be reused as a groovy bookmarks. 

The tea-dyed tags that I made awhile ago are still my favorite. I didn't flatten/iron them out so they are wabi sabi wrinkled, which I think is an endearing quality. 

Like Christmas, I'm a bit old-fashioned when it comes to Valentine's Day. I prefer the heartfelt and homemade to commercial: love notes and hand written poems instead of boughten cards, books instead of candy, and big a$$ diamonds! Ha! I just had to throw that in there.

What is your favorite way to "spread the love"? Please share in the comment section below!

Bringing in the New!

I'm super excited to share this post! For the first time ever, I've recorded myself, loaded the video to vimeo and youtube and now I'm sharing it on this blog. This is giant step for me: 1. I'm "putting myself 'out there'" 2. Exploring details in the world of videos, links, and technology 3. Facing fear, moving through it and releasing limited beliefs 4. Ready to share some insights and information that comes through so easily, that it's become a second language to me!

I've created a youtube channel, you'll find it here: Robyn's Youtube channel

I've created a nine star ki blog and I am considering posting insight and information here. I'd love your feedback. Would it be easier to have one website that lists everything or a separate one for ki information? I'm pondering that one and I'd love your thoughts on this. I'm open to the idea of  building a website or attracting a gifted website designer that would like to co-create work with me! 

I'll be taking some time this winter and into early Spring to create on-line classes, workshops and videos so please, please, share this information with those who you think would resonate with the ideas. I know we are all very busy and there's SO much information available. I believe that nine star ki offers us unique insights that can be valuable in grounding, aligning and really understanding themes that we are working with. I also feel that by following it we do become more aware of our beautiful world, the natural elements and the energies that are always present. 

I'm absolutely delighted to be sharing with you! Thanks for taking the time check out the blog. 

~RJ

Reminder from the Universe

One of the practices I've been doing on a daily basis is tuning in and aligning with Source and Soul. I've asked for signs to know I'm on the right path. Just reminders, head nods, and various confirmations, here and there. 

Then sometimes I forget to ask. I don't take the time to ground my energies or really "connect" and tune in. And then, that's when the Universe, smiles, winks and places one of these in my drink. 

"I am beautiful. I am bountiful. I am blissful."  YES, YOU ARE! Just thought I'd pass along that little reminder.......on behalf of the Universe.

Another Start?

2014~4 Tree Year

How are those resolution-less days of January working with you? For any of you who feel like the boat left the harbor and you missed it, I have excellent news; we all get a second chance!

Though my life revolves around the Gregorian calendar (and my schedule is certainly reflecting busy days and nights at the moment) my heart and soul follow the Nine Star Ki path, throughout the month and seasons of the year. Around the 4th of February we will switch to a brand new energetic year {and let me just say how READY I am!}

Collectively we've just completed a year in the 5 earth cycle. This means that we've all been working with the energies of the karmic stations, themes that we inherited at the time of our birth. Nine Star Ki uses five natural elements found in nature as a way of organizing and making sense of energies, life themes, challenges, and triumphs. By carefully studying patterns, rhythms, traits and tendencies of tree, water, earth, metal and fire, we are given deep insight about the way our world works. Since we are so entwined within the natural world, the entire philosophy is based on our surroundings and these elements. Even if we do not take the time to identify and recognize them, they are always at play, in one form or another, during each day, month and year.

This week and next are great times for assessing and evaluating where you are in terms of your life path, intentions and goals. We've all been working in themes an structures closest to us, identifying any glitches and working to straighten them out so that we are free to move into higher vibrational experiences, ones more fitting of who we are and why we are here. If you've struggled in one or more areas of your life, it's likely not been the disaster your mind would have you believe; instead it could be an intricate part of the lessons/experiences your spirit/soul have signed up for during your time here. The good news is that the coming year will likely be far different from what you've experienced during 2013.

In this philosophy, 2014 is a 4 tree year. This type of energy fosters education, growth/expansion, exploration and connections. It supports great strides in learning and forward movement. The symbol for this location is a a healthy, mature tree, one that is fully rooted, yet flexible enough to bend when necessary. We can adopt more of the tree energies by honoring our own unique gifts and talents and sharing those with others. This type of energy is flexible and is known to shift and change directions.  Those who are born in 1942, '51, '60, '69, '78, '87, '96 and 2005 are likely to experience energies shifts and changes more intensely than others. (Don't worry, every one gets their turn what is known as the center station!)

As a collective, we'll all feel the pull to learn, expand and grow. Travel is usually a popular theme in a four tree year we'll be more inclined to explore and we are open to new experiences. Accidents can be more prominent as well, especially if we lack ample earth/soil energies to keep us grounded and focused. Four tree carries is a much "softer" essence than the solid five earth that we're completing. If you've noticed an abundance of constriction and feelings of being blocked and held in place, it could very well be related to the five earth energies. They are known to feel stronger just before the energetic shift happens.

I share this for those who are interested gaining insight and perspective. We're close to completing the first month of the new calendar year and we have a brilliant opportunity to recognize and harness the power of an additional "fresh start".  I'm particularly fond of taking time to journal, map or create some type of art piece that allows me to recognize and lovingly release anything that no longer serves us. This creates space and  consciously opens us to new, bright, exciting possibilities that will grow and branch out through the coming year.

Four tree is a bit fast paced, so there will be times of rapid acceleration; things that would have taken a long time to launch, complete/accomplish in years past will happen quickly. Use the time in the next couple of weeks to get your game plan organized so that when the upward rising, ascending energies of four tree open, you'll be ready to "grow"!

Awakening

I'm not a morning person. I'm sure there was a time when I used to get out of bed at the crack of dawn and love it, but it's so far back in my story, that I have not a shard of that memory. I've tried many different programs and techniques to help motivated me. I've come to the conclusion that I HAVE to want to get out of bed and whatever I am getting out of bed for had better be WORTH IT. There's a few things that are worthy of me rising early but I won't mention those, on this blog, right now. For example, meeting Russell Crowe in person would be a good start. Since that hasn't happened, the likelihood of me naturally, blissfully bounding out of my nice warm nest is not on the radar either.

Getting out of bed is lame. It's something that has to be done and most of the time, for me, just one more necessity. It sucks. Awakening is...........different. Awakening happens in the precious, pregnant moments before full consciousness is birthed. It's the realization a shift is about to take place, something big and brilliant has illuminated your space. Something you can't quite grasp yet, but you know you've already signed up and you have agreed to go along for the ride....perhaps you'll even take the wheel? In those seconds, much transpires. The entire day is captured and anchored in a few microscopic breaths, in and out. The choice is made, either through your mind, ego, will, heart and/or soul. How you'll respond to the day depends on how you choose to react. And though you may not even realize how to expand time, the potential, albeit it short if you are a clock watcher, is fertile with potential.

I've nailed gotten through the Artist's Way morning pages since last week. This isn't exactly a triumph, (yet) because I've not always completed them in the morning; I've made a hell of an attempt though and this is the FIRST TIME I'VE EVER STUCK TO THEM FOR LONGER THAN A DAY! I do want to recognize and honor that something is definitely AWAKENING within my being.  I have so many ideas to share, my creative vibes are very strong and yet, I'm not feeling like I have the freedom of schedule to open up and let them flow.

It would be easy, after the day I've had to not even take the time to post. Here I am though, showing up to that which is ready to be written through me. I would love to devote my day to artistic endeavors and creative activities and right now.......the linear world is really showing up and challenging that. I've always focused on work, doing what I need to do and what has to be done before I play. I'm aware of the therapeutic benefits of time to play, paint, write, draw and I'm also aware that oil changes, grocery shopping, homework, laundry, dishes and meal preps do not get done by *magic* I'm showing up for all that AND opening to the possibility of manifesting larger dreams. In AWAKENING, all possibilities exist.

 I don't believe in balance anymore, if I did the scales would have toppled a long time ago. Someone asked me recently how I "balance all that I do". And this is close to what I shared: I don't balance. I take time throughout the day to connect with my soul. I find things that feed my mind/body/spirit. I strive for something healthy but I'm not above treating myself to white chocolate/coconut. I tend to the most important, relevant details that have to be taken care of and try to do something artistic to anchor my vision daily. In months like the one I am working with now, where I'm doing a lot of running and organizing I remind myself than when things get caught up (also an illusion) when space expands and I find myself with more *time,* then I start doing the things that I said I would do when I wished I had time to do and....... I DO them. Right now, sleep feels like a luxury and the idea of reading something just for pleasure seems as far away as the planet Mars. I have a number of deadlines and obligations and things that do that have to be done. What's different is that I am now taking time in the morning to create space, to open and truly AWAKEN. Since I'm not a jump-outta-bed-hit-the-floor-kinda-girl, I'm easing into whatever chapters are next in my life's book. Many chapters have been completed. I'm aware that new ones are forming. In the meantime, I'll be hanging out with the morning pages and getting a lot more used to what 5:30 looks and feels like. No expectations but definitely coffee. And My Head is An Animal Album. Over and over. 

If you've read the previous post you'll see my my guiding word this year is SHINE. Just a few baby steps within the year, it's already proven to be a beacon.

Today was a bit rough in places. I felt the urge to move out some excess, intense, heavy, dense energies and so I power walked. It was blistering cold air but something strong was drawing me out of my cozy little cottage and into nature. When I trudged up the big hill, questioning my decision and praying my eyeballs weren't going to turn into frozen marbles, I realized what I'd been missing today *the sunSHINE*. It was warm, golden, and delicious. I let the skin of my face drink it in. I asked my body to absorb it through the layers of clothes that I'd piled on. I opened my heart wide and let the rays melt what ailed me. 

I returned home with inspiration and ideas galore. And before they disappeared into the ethers of my creative waves and I wanted to invite your input. One of my gifts is teaching. I love to share and inspire others. I feel this is often when my light shines most brilliantly. I would love to know what you are into and what you might enjoy learning through me?

 I have selected not to teach at MPCC this semester. I feel very called to teach though, to cheer, to encourage to connect, to bring insight and awareness, to offer experiences that help you uncover, discover and recover your amazing talents and gifts.

I'm in the creation and design process of considering what I can offer and really, the best way to do this is to ask for your ideas. What are you "into" right now? What do you feel called to learn and excited to explore? I am looking into on-line as well as in-person experiences for those of you who would like me as a "tour guide." I don't necessarily consider myself an expert because I  love to explore, right along beside my students. Right now smaller groups and individuals feel appropriate. I have space so I can host a night class or a weekend PLAYshop {because, really, who wants to work?!?} I'm also willing to travel, so for my sweet, far and away friends....let's chat! 

Please share your suggestions in the comment section or on Facebook. If you are new to the blog and would like to follow along, the Facebook link is https://www.facebook.com/robynjohnston. I am very interested in hearing your responses. This will serve as a worthy guide and a channel for my creative energies (that seem to be in overdrive right about now.)