Well, another year has come and gone. And what a year it has been, eh? Is it me or does it seem that time is just speeding by like a bullet? Appears that way, doesn't it?
As with every year, we said good-bye to those we knew and loved in some way, on some level, while welcoming in new friends and family members, reuniting with lost loves, reconnecting with those we had lost touch with and so on.
For me 2009 was a year of intense awakening. While I have been on this path of awakening for what seems like eons, it was 2009 that brought about the spiritual caffeine that really jolted me into a more awakened state. However, I wish to state that my personal expansion in conscious awareness during 2009 was different some how. It was definitely unlike anything I had experienced in the past.
To make a rather long story short, I made some rather intense changes within myself. I faced my worst night mares ... My SELF! And thankfully, have lived to tell the tale!
Though I had always known that our thoughts become manifested ... I had not really taken into consideration the depths in which these thoughts could materialized! And have been for eons! oy vey! What a predicament. As we all know, and in truth, nothing is outside ourselves ... it all comes from within us. This was something I always knew intellectually. But to actually experience it? Yea, pretty darn eye-opening ... to say the least!
Delving deep within isn't something to be taken lightly. I won't lie to you ... It's not easy--no one said it would be. But I can tell you from personal experience, it has been worth the effort. To actually face your fears, to acknowledge all the mistakes you have made (ever made), to take responsibility for all the nonsense that has been mirrored back to you, then to forgive yourself ... to love yourself ... is very intense.
It takes a great deal of courage and strength to really look deep within yourself. It takes even greater courage and strength to literally acknowledge all that you are, have been and continue to be, then taking it a few steps further by taking responsibility, by accepting and Loving all that makes up your Self. It's scary as hell! But I did it! And yes, I will continue to do it. I am, after all, a work in progress--a labor of Love!
To Love One's Self is the greatest Love of All. Why? Again, nothing truly happens outside ourselves without first taking place within ourselves. If we do not truly love ourselves unconditionally...then how can we ever hope for anyone else to love us in this manner?
So what do I take into 2010? Just one thing ... Acceptance. Accepting responsibility for every thought I think, accepting the responsibility for what these thoughts manifest, accepting the forgiveness for those thoughts and the actions it brings about, acknowledging the divine in others who come into my life, accepting gratitude by showing gratitude, and most importantly ... accepting the Love that I am.
So how did all this acceptance come about? It all started when I was reintroduce to this healing method the beginning of 2009. But it wasn't until it came up again and again over the last few months that I actually gave it a go. And trust me when I say, I resisted it with every fiber of my being. However, I came to the conclusion that it was something I needed. I mean, why else would it keep popping up? Yea, that Self of mine is a sneaky little hussy ... ain't she?
Ho'oponopono
Ho'oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness. Loosely translated, Ho‘oponopono means to set things right. The basic concept behind Ho‘oponopono is that you realize the immutable fact that your entire existence comes from within, not from outside of yourself.
I know from my own personal experience that once you truly grasp and get your head around the fact that you are creating, and we are talking literally creating, every single aspect of your existence – from the smallest molecule up through the tallest building, from the most heart-felt Love to the most passionate hatred – then you realize that you can effect change over all of it! Why? Because you know you are responsible for them being there in the first place!
How is all of this done via Ho‘oponopono? By simply accepting responsibility and showing gratitude. Being the skeptic I am, I really didn't think it would work all that well. But I figured I had nothing to lose at this point. So I tried it. I'm daring that way! I made a list of all the people who stood out. I then listed all the qualities that annoyed me the most. Wanna talk long list? I then began seeing a pattern. All those qualities on that list that bothered me were the same attributes I possessed. I only have three words to say at this point ... pot, kettle--black!
Armed with the necessary tools, I went about to first take responsibility for those attributes that had been mirrored back to me. I was responsible ... no getting around it. Next, I set out to ask forgiveness. Finally, I expressed my gratitude and my Love for each person involved.
My results? Inner Peace & Contentment. I really won't know how it affected everyone on my list until I get some kind of physical validation. And even if I don't ever get that validation, I still feel good about what I have done. I mean, it was all about ME anyways ... now wasn't it?
I hope you will join me in 2010 as I set out to consciously work Ho'oponopono each and every day. It's all part of the on-going challenge I initiated on January 1, 2008. It's one of the best methods I have worked thus far. And besides, what better way to work the Say NO To Fear challenge than to face yourself and work from within, eh?
Be the Change You Wish To See In The World ~ Ghandi
And so it is!
I take responsibility for what is reflected back to me. I'm sorry, please forgive me, I love you! I Love You! I Love You!
I am sorry that I didn't accept the lesson when it was presented to me through you. Please forgive me for not appreciating you in that moment. I'm sorry! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You!
I am sorry for not showing you the respect you deserved and continue to deserve. I'm sorry, please forgive me. I Love You! I Love You! I Love You!
I acknowledge and I appreciate your bravery, your wisdom and most of all ... the Love you have and always had for me by reflecting back to me in order for Me to Learn and Grow! I'm sorry for not accepting all of these gifts when you presented them to me. I'm Sorry! Please Forgive Me! I Love You! I Love You! I Love You!
I take responsibility for all the anger and hatred shown to me. I now see how it projected out to you ... to the world we live in. I'm sorry, please forgive me. I Love You! I Love You! I Love You!
I LOVE YOU!
Source:
Louise L. Hay
