We recently finished our book, SOUL SOLITUDE: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up, and it has gone to the printer's. Hooray!

This book started life as a small book--almost a booklet--I had in mind to share what I had learned about side-stepping the busyness of life to focus on spiritual living. Finding peace, joy and contentment when we're running as fast as we can is almost oxymoronic. Then, like Topsy, it grew.

As Charles and I discussed the important issues underlying our rush-rush world, the book evolved. SOUL SOLITUDE will help us understand the adapted, adopted and inherited "scripts" we may be operating from that keep us from experiencing that peace, joy and contentment. And, how to release and replace them. That's the important step.

Since writing the book, I have returned to enjoying what was my first career in life: music. Two years ago, Charles and I were enjoying some time with me playing the piano and him singing. My piano was the one I had had since I was twelve years old and it was quite worn out. Having lived through my eight hour days of practicing and my entire music degree program, it was tired. Saying nothing, Charles took note of the piano. He also had the thought that he would like to give me a wonderful gift.

Now, Charles did not know that I had promised myself a grand piano by the time I turned sixty. Not just any piano, either. In my mind's eye it was a beautiful, shiny, dark baby grand sitting by a window with lots of light streaming in.  Here is an example of manifestation: Charles went home that day and he had a message from a former member of his chorale: "Do you know anyone who would enjoy my grand piano?"

Long story short: the piano is a beautiful, shiny, dark baby grand and it is now sitting in my living room.  With the book finished, I mentioned to Charles that there were lines in the book that suggested songs. And, away we went! What a joy to be creating music again, writing, playing and singing. We plan to create an album of our new works to accompany the SOUL SOLITUDE book.

Life is about flow and my choice is to co-operate with it. How about you?

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Founder of Spiritual Living Network
Co-Author, SOUL SOLITUDE: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up
http://www.SoulSolitude.com

NONE OF US IS AS SMART AS ALL OF US
by Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
www.Rhoberta.com

Weu don't have to know everything, or have experienced everything to justify our existence. I know you know that. That's the great joy of community: we learn, grow, develop, explore, discover and uncover ideas, opinions, thoughts and beliefs together. And, that is important because...none of us is as smart as all of us!

I was working with a coaching client recently who was feeling somewhat inadequate about completing an important task. She said she just didn't know how to do a required step. I asked if she knew anyone who did know. Her response was:

"Oh, yes, I do, but I would never ask. I wouldn't want to impose."

So, my next question to her was:

"How do you feel when someone asks you for help with something that you do well and they don't?"

She told me that she felt validated and pleased and was only too happy to help. Of course, I then asked her why the person she needed to ask might not feel the same way about her request. She had no answer.

None of us is as smart as all of us. Reach out. Ask. Learn. Share. That's what community is all about.

And, that's what Spiritual Living Network was created for. Join in our Sunday chats, now at 6:30 PM Pacific Time each Sunday evening. There is also a Monday chat at 9:30 AM Pacific Time on Mondays for those in Europe.

Join in. We want to hear from you.

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Founder, Spiritual Living Network

Co-Author of Soul Solitude: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up
http://www.SoulSolitude.com

ARE YOU SPENDING OR INVESTING YOUR TIME?
(C) Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Founder, Spiritual Living Network

It's a big question when you stop to think about it. Are you actually consciously deciding how to invest your time wisely, or, spending time without much thought? Sometimes, we just "veg" out, hang out, and do nothing. Good things to do--if it was a conscious decision.

I'll bet you've had the same experience as I have with sitting down to watch something particular on television and then, just staying tuned for the rest of the evening. Just sat down and stayed there. Of course, that is a very simple example.

Perhaps, you've spent time at a job you don't like. Certainly, we sometimes have to do something to create income, however, we can be actively creating  or preparing ourselves for something else while we do it. Too many people become complacent in jobs that suit neither their values nor their talents.

How about you? Are you investing time...or simply spending it?

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Founder, Spiritual Living Network
Co-author of SOUL SOLITUDE: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up
http://www.SoulSolitude.com

Founder. www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com

Gratitude IS the attitude of altitude. Every day needs to be Thanksgiving Day.

Being thankful is a good way to begin each day. Even before you open your eyes in the morning, spend a minute or two in gratitude, reflecting on all things large and small for which you are thankful. This provides a positive framework for the day and assists in keeping the day’s events in perspective. Sometimes, it is easy to become mired in the small details of daily living and forget the bigger picture. We all need some altitude adjustment!

The result of one Reader’s Digest report indicated that the two words people most like to hear are ‘Thank you.’ How liberally do you use these words in your vocabulary? Are you in the habit of “catching people doing things right?” A word of thanks and appreciation never goes amiss. Many people seem to have difficulty accepting our gratitude, however, this is not reason for not offering it.

Catching children doing things right is the most effective way to shape their behavior patterns. Emphasizing the behavior we feel is useful and appropriate is far more efficient than condemning the behavior we feel is not. Children, and adults, too, respond more quickly and more favorably to positive, loving care. Letting them know how much we appreciate the ways in which they show care and consideration for us and for others is important. Children, too, will often fail to do what we say, but, they seldom fail to do what we do. Modeling appreciative behavior is a great start!

Consider how our news media would be altered if the majority of the news was taken up with what went right in the world today. What if the letters to the editor were filled with positive, constructive, supportive comments? A commitment to acknowledge what we like in the community by calling or writing the people involved would make a remarkable difference. Gratitude becomes a way of life with far-reaching, uplifting effects!

In ‘The Power of Praise”, Richard Carrothers reminds us that praise, expressing our gratitude for all things, is basic to the practice of our spiritual beliefs. Not in a bargaining frame of mind, but rather as an honest expression of our limited understanding. Try it. In all things, in all situations, in all circumstances, practice thanksgiving and praise. This shift in perspective and perception will change your life.

Let’s cultivate this attitude and practice gratitude. It makes our lives much happier and our world a more positive, forgiving environment for growing positive, loving people.

© Rhoberta Shaler, PhD 

----------------------------------

Today my eldest turns 40. WOW! It seems absolutely amazing to me that it is possible. I still feel 35. So, my second eldest turned 36 on Monday and now they are both older than I feel. Interesting!

Age, of course, is simply a number yet we seem to attach milestones and expectations to the number. By 30, we expect people to be settling down these days. It's much later than it used to be but the expectation is still attached. We wonder what's wrong if that's not happening.

People have a strange set of expectations on the other end, too. If someone is 60, they think they are on the denouement, the decline from the apex of their lives. That just doesn't hold water as SO many people hit their stride at 60, giving their greatest gifts and accumulated wisdom to the world. Research shows that's a very likely time for millionaires to be created as a result.

What are you thinking about your age, your expectations, your life?  I'm interested. Add your comment and let's talk.

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Minds are binary: they must switch from one position to another, from one thought to another. We cannot hold more than one thought at a time even though, as our minds race, it seems that way.

So, I was thinking about that in relationship to someone who was asking me for direction. He would say in one sentence:

"I have a strong faith in Divine Right Order and I believe the perfect result will manifest. I'll stay on course and hold my intention for that result. "

That would be followed closely by:

"What am I going to do? This really has to be handled and I'm unsure of my next step. I've got to do something now."

That's a good example of the binary mind at work. One sentence focused on faith, the next on failure or force. As I reflected this back to my coaching client, I asked:

"Which of these two is actually true for you?" 

Although I just know he wanted to hold on to the idea that both were true, he came to the conclusion that only one could be. One is accepting and allowing with faith and gratitude. The other is worry and anxiety about the next steps, the right course and not failing.  It's a question of consciousness.

He chose to relax and know right down to the bottom of his toes that all was well and out-pictured that result. He gave up the energy drain of fussing and fuming. He chose faith.

Of course, we have resources and can rise to these occasions in the best ways. With some reflection and listening in the quiet, we will have a greater sense of those next steps. I know it's not easy! It is always a choice: faith, or force.  I choose faith!

Rhoberta

Today I'm speaking at a church and my topic is Spiritual Law & Order. Of course, I was thinking about the play on the popular television show and just like that show, the outline is familiar. Things do work a certain way and the more I understand about it, the more it works. Isn't that interesting?

There have been many times in my life where I have given a talk....or, more accurately, performed a talk....and understood well what I was saying and, believed it. But, did I really? It's so easy to say the words and so much more meaningful to bring it to life each day. And, it takes so much attention.

I've given up performance now and what a blessing that is! Tracing back where that came from was easy once I realized that my life had been a performance. An only child, I was fortunate to have many natural gifts, one of which is music. What I was to my parents was a wonderful demonstration of what they owned--me. I remember having migraines when I was eleven and twelve. My mother would stop the car to let me be sick while she was driving me from one performance or demand to another. The performance mattered, I didn't.

When I think about these things--the "scripts" we've had written for us and have gone unexamined through life--I know what it took to create an alternate, grownup script of my own. It is one of my own decision, creation and belief. No more performance. No more distance. No more audience. No more barriers. Me enjoying the world and staying awake each moment is it. Nothing more, nothing less.

It's only having walked that path through the manure with many beautiful wildflowers along the way that now allows me to speak to audiences and be with them rather than talk at them.  Also, it is now also possible to translate what I have learned into that new belief script that says, "You matter."  That's a very different motivation for life.

I am so blessed and so grateful.

Rhoberta

Truthfully, is it all about money? I'm all for money. There is nothing un-spiritual about having money or wanting money. It is a wonderful circulation and exchange system.

Where this question came up for me today was that yesterday I took another course to learn more about improving my business. The presenter is a very successful man in terms of money, and hopefully in every way. He suggested many ways to make money that would not work with my value system. His take? If it makes money, do it.  I'm sure he, too, has his limits!

It occured to me as I wended my way home, incubating the ideas presented during the day, that our society seems to give us mixed messages about money:

• We're supposed to be focused on our bank accounts and manage our credit well.
• We are likely impressed by the huge bank accounts of others.
• We seem to enjoy speculating about people with money and how they got it.
• In some circles, finding fault with people with money brightens the day.
• We believe having money will help us, yet seem to think that those with money are unhappy, or, even morally questionable.

What's up with that? Money is a form of tangible expression of  exchange: time for money, service for money, goods for money. That's why it is called "the economy", that exchange process.

What are you willing to exchange for money? How frequently? At what cost to the other areas of life? These are the questions I asked myself again after the seminar. How about you? 

Is it OK for you to have lots of money? It is for me. Let's begin the discussion there.   

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Founder, Spiritual Living Network
Creator of Turn Your Life to Gold with Midas Thinking, http://www.MidasThinking.com

I love the dictionary! Yes, I know, you cannot really love inanimate things, but that book surprises me, supports me, and challenges me. Sometimes, I honestly believe a word is just right for my purpose and I look it up and it is more than just right. It’s precise definition is perfect! After reading the definition, then, I am even more inspired to write.

Today, the word ‘want’ jumped into my mind and I was curious to see what it really means. I use it frequently in seminars in the context of knowing what you want. Somehow, I felt a little niggle that it might not express what I thought it was expressing. So, here’s the scoop:

• WANT -
  • 1. to be needy or destitute
  • 2. to have or feel need
  • 3. to be necessary or needed
  • 4. to desire to come, go or be
  5. to fail to possess in the required amount:

• LACK
  • 6. to have a strong desire for
  • 7. to have an inclination to
  • 8. to have need of
  • 9. to suffer from lack

Some of those definitions would work for me, however, not the first few! How about you?

WOW! Am I needy? Better find out what that means. I looked it up and found it was all about lack. Now, then, this is getting interesting. I clearly wish to affirm abundance and prosperity in every way every moment and that requires clear language. What language would be more affirmative?

Maybe, the word I’m looking for is “desire”. Aha! That’s it! I have desires–things I long for, request, invite. Yes, that’s it. My question to ask now is: “What Do You Desire?” That feels better to me.

Too picky about words? Maybe. Words have vibrations and create mental images for the subconscious mind to manifest. Desire is a much more powerful image than want in my books. How about yours? Will you join me in focusing on your desires? (Now, don’t go there!!!!)

So, I have learned something today from simply listening to what popped into my head. I wonder where that thought came from???!!! There’s no question in my mind so I’ll just keep listening.

Join me?

Many blessings,

Rhoberta

Rev. Rhoberta Shaler, PhD is an international spiritual teacher. Author of more than a dozen books and audio programs, she speaks worldwide bringing practical wisdom for optimal living. Dr. Shaler is a world expert in the Core Values Profile, www.CoreValuesProfile.com an online instrument with immediate insights and impact for finding your innate contribution, drivers and motivators and the strategies you prefer to use. "Optimize life by living it from your strengths!" she says.

Dr. Shaler is the founder of Spiritual Living Network, Your Spiritual Home and the Optimize Institute.  www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com   www.YourSpiritualHome.com   www.OptimizeInstitute.com

You’ve likely seen the bumper sticker about doing ‘random acts of kindness’. Why does it have to be random? Today, I suggest we all commit to doing purposeful acts of kindness.

Do you consider yourself a kind person? I do. But, I’m only a kind person if I do kind things, right? So, that takes some reflection. Do I think I’m kind because I like the thought? Or, am I sure I’m kind because I focus on being kind?

This is where the rubber hits the road. We can start with kind thoughts…a very good place to start as thoughts are seeds…and, then, find something kind to do for someone, on purpose!

There are no end of wonderful places to practice purposeful acts of kindness. And, there’s a great benefit! You’ll have a much better time, too.

Many blessings,

Rhoberta

Rev. Rhoberta Shaler, PhD is an international spiritual teacher. Author of more than a dozen books and audio programs, Dr. Shaler speaks worldwide bringing practical wisdom for optimal living. She is a world expert in the Core Values Profile, www.CoreValuesProfile.com an online instrument offering unique insights to your "instinctual software"--what drives and motivates you, what contribution you are made to make and what strategies you prefer to you. She works with individuals and businesses to create productivity and effectiveness for all.

Dr. Shaler is the founder of Spiritual Living Network and Your Spiritual Home, www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com   www.YourSpiritualHome.com

Are you thinking of love? Whether you are filled with joy at the love you share with a significant other, or, you are feeling empty and alone, you are still thinking of love. As the greeting card industry makes this into a day for lovers, let’s us make this day to celebrate love of all kinds…and let’s begin with love for ourselves!

Today is the day to take yourself out for your favorite food, wear you favorite clothes, buy the flowers you admire and call everyone you care about and tell them so. Love is in the giving, and you have lots of love to give. You renew that resource yourself!

I want to be clear that I am not suggesting that you do what some foolish myths says “Give ’til it hurts!” That’s the most absurd thing when you really think about it. Giving feels good. When it stops feeling good, it is time to re-evaluate the relationship with yourself and with the other person.

Some folks have been taught to believe that if you just dig deeper, go further and push through resentment you’ll somehow be a better person. That leads to deep-seated anger which won’t stay hidden forever. We give love because we want to. Simple as that. Sure, sometimes, we have to do a few mental gymnastics to remind ourselves of the principles we choose to live from in this moment. It doesn’t always come completely naturally. We may have to undo a few ‘gifts’ from the past to embrace our possible now.

Open your heart today. A heart fully alive understands that only through openness can love be fully experienced. Everything is understood by its opposite. Never be afraid of pain. Embrace love now.

Yours in Love,

Rhoberta

Rev. Rhoberta Shaler, PhD is an international spiritual teacher and speaker. Author of more than a dozen books and audio programs, Dr. Shaler is the founder of Spiritual Living Network and Your Spiritual Home. www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com  www.YourSpiritualHome.com

THIS IS BIG!  Three things we need to do to cultivate our relationship with God...yes, I'm just going to use that word, you can choose whichever other word makes you comfortable...and deepen it at the same time.

The Big Three make all the difference in life. (Trust me. I’ve tried everything.) I recently gave a talk called  ‘Be a Disciplined Wild Person!’. It sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it?

How can you be both disciplined and wild at the same time? I wondered and so I thought about it long and hard. Here's what I came up:

wild = living in a state of nature, loose from restraint
disciplined = imposing order.

Still seem like opposites, don't they?  Try thinking about it this way:

"If I acknowledge that I was born with free will and free choice, I'm wild. whe I learn something that really makes sense to me and I decide to adopt it into who I am and what I do, I'm disciplined. So, I can be a 'disciplined wild person!"  In fact, I think that's what we're likely designed for.

So, the Big Three

• Meditation
• Prayer
• Contemplation

Are you thinking, “Oh, darn! I was hoping one or more of those wasnt’ on the list?” I’m going to make it easy for you. Keep reading!

MEDITATION: It's what we do, the way we think, and the way we read. It simply means to focus your thoughts.

PRAYER:  That's just talking to God. Sit down facing an empty chair if you need to and just talk. Simple! Prayer is building up our spiritual bank accounts for the rest of the day.

CONTEMPLATION:  Although this might sound like something you need to take vows of silence for, it's not. It is to spend time resting in God and simply sitting. Sit, fill yourself with love and think on spiritual thins. Not difficult at all...if you make the time.

So, the Big Three!

Enjoy your conversations with God.

Rhoberta

Rev. Rhoberta Shaler, PhD is an international spiritual teacher and speaker. She is the author of more than a dozen books and audio programs which are available for you by clicking on the 'Buy Books & Audio' link above right.  Dr. Shaler is the founder of Spiritual Living Network and Your Spiritual Home   www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com   www.YourSpiritualHome.com