The true power of yes: another baby step toward enlightenment

Dear Friends,

Did you know that the simpliest of things can change your life and invite miracles?

Namaste.

The true power of yes: another baby step toward enlightenment

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The Age of Aquarius

The Fifth Dimension encouraged us to “Let the sunshine in” forty years ago.

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius ... Aquarius!

Let the sun shine ... The sun shine in. - Fifth Dimension

While there is much contention about when the Age of Aquarius actually begins, many suggest it has arrived, representing the birth of a new age of humankind. When I look around I certainly see lots of change, and I’m not just talking about an economic downturn, banking system failure or wars. I’m seeing a fascinating, exciting and an encouraging shift.

Over the last few years, I have seen people turn inward for answers and explore their soul’s purpose. A recent study by Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut reveals a movement away from traditional religions and an inward move towards spirituality. I hear many people asking those age old-questions, “Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose in life?” I certainly can relate to these queries, as they were the impetus behind launching my spiritual quest years ago.

Before our souls came to be in their present form, they made a spiritual pact with our higher self, about what we want to accomplish in this lifetime. We set goals on what we would like to learn, what we would like to experience, perhaps even who we would like to experience life with. At the soul level, we know our mission, and for those who desire to find purpose in life, we search our soul to find it.

One of the clues to our life’s purpose is found in inspiration. When we are inspired, we are connecting to the essence of our soul before it came to be in this lifetime. We are connecting to energy that already knows our destiny. Popular new thought author Wayne Dyer PhD., suggests this is why we can find clues to our purpose in inspiration. When we are inspired by something – know this is a hint to what we are to do with our lives.

We all have come into this lifetime with an extraordinary purpose. It is no coincidence that we walk this planet together at this moment. Every person has something to contribute; we all have skills, talents, and gifts to serve. Every person’s destiny is momentous, critical, and a key to the shift occurring today.

You may ask, “What is that purpose?”

Our primary purpose is very simple – we are to be authentic, go within, find that Light and shine it. The spiritual Light I am referring to is the essential awareness of Spirit that dwells within each of us. As each of us turn inward and become more aware of the Spirit within, we understand that religion is a pathway to Spirit, and Spirit is the Truth, not the religion. While I now know there are a hundred different ways of worshiping God — all of them good – it’s our connection to Spirit that is the key.

As we increasingly access the light of consciousness, the more we will light the way and inspire others. This is the primary reason we are all here.

It seems to me we are currently standing shoulder-to-shoulder with unlit candles clutched in our hands … waiting to catch the blaze of a neighbor’s flame. Why wait? Ignite your fire – so that you can inspire others to do the same.

We all have gifts and talents to serve. We sing, preach, inspire, love, paint, sell, build, write, dance, and so on. What are your gifts? Are you inspiring others with them?

It would seem that the challenges we currently face have ignited a shift. I am trusting that this economic turmoil will be one of those serendipitous events; an event in which a greater good will be revealed.

We are all vital to this exciting project called human evolution. Whether the Age of Aquarius is here or not, there is shift happening. Don’t take a backseat. Be a part of it. Be willing to use your talents to serve. Be willing to inspire others, go within, strike that match and hold your candle high.

Light,

Alex Marcoux

Alex Marcoux is a three-time published novelist. Her titles are A MATTER OF DEGREES, BACK TO SALEM and FACADES. She's also a screenwriter and currently writing her first practical spirituality self-help book. She's an inspirational speaker and conducts workshops on writing, creativity, and spirituality, all of which encourage people to take their creativity to a new level.

A short film based on her second novel, BACK TO SALEM was produced by Atlantis Moon Production in 2008. The feature screenplay is in development. More information is available on Alex at http://www.alexmarcoux.com

Seeing in the Dark
When our eyes adjust to the darkness, things become clearer.

Last week the Pope urged Catholics to consider an electronic fast until Easter; asking followers to abstain from text messaging and surfing the web through the five-week Lenten period. I have to admit - I smiled at the thought since my kid recently had almost 15,000 text messages in a month.

I struggle with the concept of lent. I've always believed that God wants us to live abundantly. But an incident which occurred the week prior to the papal call to action got me thinking, 'Maybe the Pope is onto something!'

It was Thursday evening and my son and I had just finished cleaning-up after dinner.

"I'm going downstairs," my son said.

I knew he was going to play Xbox. I headed the opposite direction to check email in my office and get ready for my evening class. While sitting at my desk, the power surged and my computer screen went black. The typical white noise from the house was gone, and the only light came from the windows. Outside, the last rays of light emanated above the mountain peaks, west of our home.

Everything was silent, peaceful and still.

The stillness was abruptly interrupted by the pounding of my son's size 11 feet, scurrying up the basement stairwell, followed by, "Mom?!? There's no electricity!"

I smiled and headed for the pantry where I found the flashlight and lighter. The house wasn't completely dark, but I knew it was only a matter of minutes before darkness would take over. I lit a candle at the kitchen table, where my son now sat and went around the house lighting a candle in each main room.

When I returned to the kitchen, I found him sitting by candlelight trying to play his Game Boy, a battery operated electronic game I hadn't seen him play in years.

I must have made an audible sigh of disapproval because he looked at me and said, "What?! There's no light. I can't read! No TV! No Xbox! No computer! What else can I do?"

"Get the Uno cards," I said.

Within five minutes, the two of us were sitting on the floor on opposite sides of a coffee table. About a dozen candles illuminated the room and my son's face was beaming as he dealt the cards. I didn't worry about when the electricity would come on. I didn't worry that the furnace wouldn't work without power... it had been a glorious Colorado day with temperatures in the 60s.

We played, we laughed, and we talked. In those moments, both of us experienced the now. We had a sabbatical from the craziness of life - no phone - no computers - no electronics. Everything was simple and life's priorities became much clearer. While that power outage initially seemed to be an inconvenience, it turned out to be a blessing. To me it was a sign - a serendipitous event, something that started as a nuisance, but ended bringing great joy and insight.

I have to admit - when the lights came back on - I was a bit disappointed.

Suddenly, although still horrified by the idea of living without electronics for more than a day, I came to a realization. Maybe living a more simple life and making do with what we have, looking for the opportunities in the midst of "darkness" isn't such a bad thing.

Downsizing, making do and making lemon-aid out of lemons is in essence what the economy is forcing us to do. And I hate to say it, but perhaps it's happening for a reason. Could it be another serendipitous event in which we can expect to find some unexpected good? Could it be the impetus we need to turn inward, to go inside ... to grow spiritually? I've heard many people say the tough times are helping them look at things in a different light.

Some of my friends who have had trouble finding full time employment have actually started reevaluating their purpose and/or pursuing their dreams; dreams which have been put off because they've been too busy working. Many are retraining or starting new businesses and pursuing new passions they now have time for. Often, much to their surprise, while they may not be making the income they once enjoyed, they're finding fulfillment in following their purpose.

Another thing I've noticed, at least for myself, I'm beginning to live within my means. For me this means more dinners at home with family and friends, less time at Starbucks, more time sitting on my patio with a hot cup of coffee watching my dog chase squirrels. Boring? Maybe ... but at the same time I'm living in the moment and realizing I don't need so much stuff.

I know of one company that says although business has been slow, they're finding new and creative ways to use the staff's time. They are reaching out to help the community. This would never have been possible if they had the workload of the past. The company president even went so far to say it has helped employee moral during difficult times.

Are you noticing a theme here? In all these scenarios, some inconvenience, strife or even tragedy led to an unexpected good. In all cases - by slowing down, by being deprived of something, people are able to live in the now, seize the moment, and are watching the good that's come of it.

Like I said, I think the Pope is on to something. Could it be that many of the distractions we thought we needed to make us happy are actually tearing us away from being fully present, appreciating all that we have, and finding new ways to fulfill our dreams?

At first, when the lights go out, the electricity goes off, we often momentarily fumble around in the darkness ... but our eyes adjust and we begin to see.

More infomation is available on Alex at http://www.alexmarcoux.com/