Love Is All You Need

I have a million and one things to say, two and a half weeks worth of sightseeing adventures to describe, and many pictures that capture my experience to upload...but tonight - I feel more inclined to be reflective. Today is my three month anniversary in this great nation...91 days ago I got on a plane to take me 3,970 miles across the planet - worlds away from my inhabited existence, from amazing friends and family, and from the confines of limited understanding and awareness. The days have passed more rapidly than anticipated, the people met have been more welcoming than expected, and the feelings of wellness, inspiration, and connectedness have been more powerful than imagined.

I believe in magic. I believe in magical places where the soul feels grounded and free and liberated to step outside itself to look back at a life well-lived and forward to a future of dreams fulfilled. And for me - taking one giant leap into the unknown was exactly what this doctor ordered. It occurs to me, however, that while my spirit awakens and consciousness soars, I am far away in physicality from those who've made my life worth living. So, for those who read this, and for those who don't even know of its existence (but who will be lifted higher by my loving energy nonetheless) - I thank you for all you are, for all you give, and for the love you inspire in me.

A very amazing woman, and dear friend of mine sent me this quote/poem while on my journey - and I've come back to it so many times over the last three months. The author of the famous quote, Marianne Williamson, is one of the leading spiritual teachers devoted to transformational wisdom - she is a changer of the world, and someone who lifts fellow spirits into a higher level of consciousness...

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people
won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

It's a profoundly life-altering experience to work on letting my light shine - because it's about having unwavering faith in the mind-boggling secret of life...trusting that I'm exactly who I wanted to be, where I most wanted to go, doing what I most wanted to do. It's taken a really long time (28 years to be exact - and a few previous lifetimes) to finally grasp that there are no "should's" and that my power to change myself or even this world doesn't lay a great idea away, an amazing donation away, or even a great editorial away - my power is only a thought away. It's brilliant in its simplicity. Our greatest tool, our true success, is the power of our thoughts.

Stories of my bridge brigade, my walk along the South Bank, my flight of 1,000 steps in St. Paul's Cathedral, and Viva's transformation will come shortly, as will the photos I've logged of my adventures...so stay tuned if you're so inclined.

But for tonight at least (if only for tonight), please see yourself as "powerful beyond measure." You have a light that shines into the darkest corners of the world, and there is no one you have to be other than who you already are. There is nothing you have to do other than what you face each day...You are the change you wish to see in this perfect world. And love is all there is... (see below)

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