Passionate Mystic

Stepp'n Into My Soul Slippers

2010-07-02T16:23:00.000-07:00

Billows of life have been blowing in the window of my soul, stirring my dreams and beckoning me to follow my heart on a new venture. In order to keep my focus clear and my dreams alive I am choosing to stop posting on Passionate Mystic.

I will always be a Passionate Mystic, it is just who I am, but my soul is calling me to start anew. My desire to bless woman and inspire them to come home to the heart of who they are, has birthed a new blog and new website.

I would be honored if you would choose to follow my inspirational stories on my new blog: http://www.mysoulslippers.blogspot.com/

Thank you for taking the time throughout the last year to read and expand with me.

A blessing to my Passionate Mystic readers… May the sunshine of your soul illuminate your path with boundless wonder. May you freely gather the treasure of life that blossoms beneath your feet. May your heart be an ever-flowing vessel of love spilling goodness to those who rise to meet you. And may your days and your nights be full of the luminosity of YOU!

Oceans of Love,

Colleen Laukka

Say What You Need to Say

2010-06-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

I was driving to the store this morning when the song by John Mayer, Say What You Need to Say, came on the radio. I’ve heard the song before and never paid much attention to it, but today was different. I was listening to the world around me. At first I thought, “how redundant” and as I continued listening I pictured all the people this song was inspiring and I thought, “brilliant lyrics, simple but profound!”

I was still singing the song softly as I walked into the grocery and greeted an older woman dressed in pink. I thought to myself, “My she looks pretty!” and the lyrics spoke to my heart, “Say what you need to say.” So I spoke up and told her how pretty she looked in pink this morning. Her face brightened and we had a genuine moment of connection. It felt so yummy! Reminding me how easy it is to use my words to encourage others. We were both examining the oranges and I saw her struggling to find the perfect orange to fill her sack. The lyrics played softly in my head, “Say what you need to say.” So I shared my knowledge of picking the perfect citrus by looking for the heavier pieces that indicate a juicy piece of fruit. She was pleased with her new found knowledge and I was reminded that life has gifted me with knowledge and wisdom and I am expected to share it freely with others, and that holding back my wisdom is being selfish.

When I arrived home I heard from a friend in the midst of a challenging divorce and she was questioning me how she was going to move out of her house without stress, with her soon to be ex-husband still at home. The song lyrics still fresh in my memory spoke loudly “Say what you need to say”, and gave me an answer. I reminded her that her thoughts about this situation where overwhelming her with fear and causing the anxiousness she was feeling. I suggested she replace the negative self talk and say, “In a relaxed and easy manner and with God’s Divine Grace I peacefully move into my new home.” She asked me to repeat it again so she could write it down. The words were like balm to her troubled heart, reminding me that the way we talk about a situation will not only effect our moods but our outcome.

A few hours later I was meeting with a friend and she was editing some of my work and made a comment about my poetic writing and it threw water on my flame. As I was driving home the lyrics came to my rescue, “say what you need to say” and I immediately smiled at myself for allowing doubt to enter my heart and stated with great fervor for the Universe to hear, “I am an original and I am following my heart and it is stirred by a noble theme. My pen has been anointed with grace and I will ride forth victorious for God has blessed me forever!” (Psalm 45:1) amen, amen and amen!!! (a big happy sigh!) My smile broadened as I said what I needed to say to calm my fears and put me back in the flow of grace. Thank you John Mayer for inspiring me today by saying what you need to say!

~Colleen Laukka

I can trust my heart

2010-06-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

(image credit)

I can trust my heart. I know this. But there are times that I allow my mind/ego to lull me into a forgetting and I fall off the wagon hitched to my heart. I become so preoccupied with figuring things out through analysis that the gentle pull of the reins of my heart get ignored. In the process of falling off my heartwagon I sustain bruises and begin to accumulate mud on my shoes until finally I trip and twist my ankle. Battered from choices that easily could have been avoided I climb back into the safety and ease of my wagon. As I recover, I smile at my choices and my desperate attempts to make things fit in my life that the soft nudging of my heart had earlier said no to.

“But what if”, the mind says and “You never know”, “Just try, what is the harm of exploring this choice?” I have learned there are truly no mistakes, just detours and lessons learned. Life will continue to offer me choices and confront me with decisions that will need to be made. I can choose the easy or the hard way. Both are valid choices. Both come bearing gifts.

I have learned that sometimes my soul just needs another lesson and I choose the hard way. It is all good and as I embrace the perfection of my imperfection I round my wagon up for a needed rest. I find myself at a plateau, a place of calm, a stretch of expanse that allows me to view with crystal clarity lessons learned, the energies I am ready to release and my renewed belief that, YES I CAN TRUST MY HEART!

~Colleen Laukka

My path or yours?

2010-04-21T11:44:00.001-07:00

I was returning from my walk yesterday morning, when a group of boys crossed my path and jumped a small fence in my neighbor’s front yard to reach the sidewalk before me. I was watching the boys with great intent; it would be more descriptive to say I was glaring at the boys and watching their every step. My son’s snowboard had been stolen from our front porch last month and I was eyeing the boys with great suspicion. With my eyes on their path instead of my own, I tripped over the uneven pavement and catapulted myself into an unpleasant encounter with the sidewalk. As my hand scraped the cement and I felt the stinging sensation of a fresh wound, one of the boys turned around and with great concern asked, “Are you o.k. Ma’am?” I was fine, though red-faced and eating humble pie for judging the boys so harshly.

I sit here in this moment and smile at the thought of how gracious the Universe is with me. I desire nothing more than having a pure heart, a heart that sees others with great love, completely free of judgment. The Universes obliged me with a stinging reminder that I am to keep my eyes on my path and allow others to freely walk their path. A friend told me once, that I could only judge others as harshly as I judge myself. So as I reflect on this, I ask myself, “What am I eyeing with suspicion in my own heart?” “Where do I see that I am up to no good, when I am just out having fun?”

Life is always presenting us with opportunities to become more aware of who we are and how we are showing up in the world. Life is forever unfolding, just as we are. So... I give myself a big hug and allow myself the space and the grace to learn this lesson with renewed love for myself and all that I encounter along my path.
~Colleen Laukka

Magic came a Knock'n!

2010-04-15T23:34:00.001-07:00

Have you ever just really wanted something and the next thing you knew there it was, with no struggle or effort on your part?

Well today was my day. I have been busy doing school work and have not posted on my blog for a while, but today was so magical that I just had to share!

Today I had a paper due and I was busy writing and because earlier in the week I had been on a cleansing fast, I had little food in the house. I was tired of my filtered water and wanted something sweet and juicy and crunchy and had my heart set on an apple. A short while before magic came a knock’n, I had mentioned to my son that I was in the mood for something juicy! He offered to go to the local smoothie shop and buy me a smoothie, but I declined and said, “No, I want a juicy apple!” He continued to extol the virtues of a smoothie and why it would satisfy me more then an apple, but I remained resolute and said, “No! I want an apple!” And then found myself saying out loud, “Hmmm, an apple would taste so yummy right now!” And I pictured myself biting into it and enjoying the sweetness.

I was too busy to go shopping so I contented myself with a glass of water instead and immersed myself in my schoolwork and the next thing I knew, someone was knocking on my door. When I opened my door I was greet by a man with an apple in his hand and he sliced it open and handed me half of it and proceeded to sell me on why I should purchase his produce. I stood there with such astonishment and a knowing grin as I bit into the apple and juice began running down my arm.

I don’t know about you, but I have never had a produce man come to my door, selling apples, especially in APRIL! And, but of course I purchased a bushel of apples from this man! But the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would say, I didn’t have cash at home and he mentioned that he could take a debit card, but his machine would not work for some reason. So I said, “Well, I guess the Universe wants to me have the apples for free!” And without a beat he said, “They are on the house! Next time we are in town you can purchase apples from us” So how is that for magic!

A profound lesson for me, teaching me that the Universe does deliver! When I have a clear vision, magic does come a knock’n and just finds you!

Dear Papa!

2010-02-11T13:04:00.001-08:00

Warren (Bud) John Laukka. July 14, 1933 - January 22, 2010.

I wish you could of known him. You would have loved him… just like I do.

It is difficult to say goodbye to my Dad. Even though I can snuggle up to the memories and be warmed by the embers of love that are still burning brightly in my soul, I will no longer be gifted with the touch of his hand. But I will be embraced by the light of his love. For love is the gift that binds us eternally and keeps on giving. The gift of love goes on and on and on....

Dad left some big “Soul Shoes” behind. I can see him, with a twinkle in his eyes and a heart full of love calling me to carry on his legacy of love.
I stand with a heart overflowing with love and tears running down my face, with a resounding YES! I will continue the Legacy of his Love that was so freely shared, and it will continue for generations to come to bless my children and my children’s, children’s, children…. and to all who may grace our lives.

“LOVE ABOVE ALL IS THE GIFT OF ONESELF”
~Jean Anouilh

Oh my gosh!, as I got to this point on my blog post a song started to play out of nowhere on my computer. It is a song that I have never heard before. I know it was a message from Dad trying to comfort me and “sing me a song” to let me know that LOVE will “get my feet back on the ground” and let me know how proud he is of me. He is telling me "not to hide" my light. "let me look in your eyes" he sang, "you shine so bright." That he would "hold me like the starry skies." He would often say things and his "words would come out wrong", but with a heart full of love! The song was so sweetly perfect and so my Dad!!!
(The mysterious song came from a myspace sight I had opened earlier to find a Sandi Patty song)

I was sobbing as I listened to the words and felt my Dad speak to me through this song.

It was a beautiful experience, even though this type of music is not the music that I am attracted to, the message was clearly from my Dad!!

Honey Let Me Sing You a Song (click to hear)

Maybe I'm blind, maybe I'm blind
Oh I couldn't see you shine
And shimmer right in front of my eyes
Front of my eyes, oh no

I never saw light, never saw light
All I saw were faded mirrors and dim reflections but,
You shine, you shine so much brighter, Oh

CHORUS:
So honey let me sing you a song,
And listen to my words as they come out wrong, but don't
Run away, run away, this time.
And honey let me look in your eyes
You can open them one at a time, but don't
Look away, look away, this time.

Open your mind, open your mind
To know that you don't have to hide
So please don't leave me
Don't meet me outside, leave me outside, oh no.

Oh, and honey I'll try, honey I'll try to hold you
Like the starry skies, we lie beneath tonight,
Cause you shine, you shine so much brighter,
Oh oh oh oh

CHORUS:
So honey let me sing you a song,
And listen to my words as they come out wrong, but don't
Run away, run away, this time.
And honey let me look in your eyes
You can open them one at a time, but don't
Look away, look away, this time.

Oh I'm walking on a wire, cause you're all I want now
So don't feed me to the fire, and I won't let you down,
And please don't hide, these things we say tonight
Can help us get our feet back on the ground

CHORUS:
So honey let me sing you a song,
And listen to my words as they come out wrong, but don't
Run away, run away, this time.
And honey let me look in your eyes
You can open them one at a time, but don't
Look away, no, look away, no, look away, don't look away, oh

And honey let me sing you a song,
And listen to my words as they, come out wrong, but don't
Run away, run away this time
And honey let me look in your eyes,
Oh they burn like fire, but don't
Look away, look away, this time.

And don't, look away, look away this time.

Don't look away, look away, this time.

My life is so magical! I can’t stop crying. Thank you Dad! I love you so!

Love is all around

2010-01-20T13:06:00.000-08:00

Love. Do you feel it? It encircles you in its embrace of simplicity. Moment by moment love is there in the space that surrounds you, in the cells that have formed you, in the breath that sustains you. Love is all around you, as the lyrics to a Wet Wet Wet song describe:

I feel it in my fingers
I feel it in my toes
Love is all around me
And so the feeling grows

It’s written on the wind
It’s everywhere I go, oh yes it is
So if you really love me
Come on and let it show

I love that song! It is another choral reminder that love is abounding and to open my heart and share it freely. I often end my personal correspondence with the words “Oceans of Love” because it reminds me that I am literally swimming in love and gently washes me into it’s presence.

I recently started an online journal where I daily record my gratitude’s. I have kept gratitude journals in the past, but for some reason, seeing on one page, multiple days strung together with grace, synchronicity, and delight has exposed the underlying current of love that is flowing effortlessly through my life. It has blessed me with profound gratitude for my life, just as it is at this very moment.

Love is not complicated, it often come disguised as the simple things in life. Like a text from a friend that lights my morning with sunshine, a new online connection sparking a new idea, a friend who offers to help me promote my new Meetup group, a feeling of deep peace during my meditation and receiving a “I Love you Mom!!” from my daughter on Facebook.

It is important to acknowledge the love that encircles us daily, it doesn’t matter the form, it could be a prayer of gratitude, an actual journal that you write in nightly, an online form that allows you to see your days strung together with love, or even a message written in the sand. It is the expression of gratitude that counts, not the form. The more your heart truly sings with love and joy and peace the more your outer life will mirror the richness of who you are.

Remember, not only is love all around you, YOU are LOVE.

A mantra for the week:
I allow love to flow in me, through me and as me! For, I AM (deep breath) LOVE.
~Colleen Laukka

Good Morning Beautiful!

2010-01-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

Every morning when I wake up, the first thing I say to myself is “Good Morning Beautiful!” And now, that the Italian language has captured my attention, I also say,
“Buongiorno Bella!” It makes me smile and reminds me, that the love that I am seeking can only come from within.

Self-love is the foundation of creation and the mortar between the bricks of life. Self-love cleanses us with grace and allows us to see our beauty, beauty that soars beyond societal standards and comes from the soul. True self-love is the opposite of narcissism, where one can’t take their eyes off themselves and feels superior to another. Self-love is wholeness. It allows one to say, “I am perfect just the way I am and so are you.” In the presence of a person, who has fallen in love, with who they are at a core level, there is a sense of comfort. One feels safe in their presence and connection happens easily. Self-love fills our vessel to the brim where it is spilling forth and we can share from fullness and not the need to be filled. Of course we crave connection and companionship, I sure do! But without self-love, a relationship with another is comparative to a band-aid. It never goes beyond the surface. We are looking for another to heal our boo-boos. Self-love allows us to forget about ourselves and be open to being and sharing and connecting on such a deep level that it is mind blowing, literally, because you cannot love from the mind. The mind separates, the heart connects.

So how do you nurture self-love? I would love to hear what you are doing to promote self-love in yourself and others. Imagine a world where we all loved ourselves and all judgment was gone. No more wars, petty disagreements, judgments, comparison, gossip. Ahhh….Heaven on Earth!
~Colleen Laukka

The gift of emotions

2010-01-11T16:28:00.000-08:00

I’ve been swimming in emotions lately. Sometimes, I have found, that I just need to cry. As my tears flow, they wash away stagnate thoughts and beliefs that I have carried for eons of time. Tears water the garden of creation that resides deep within and allows my soul to bloom, flourish and thrive. Emotions gift me with the ability to feel deeply, love deeply and live a deep and meaningful existence.

Have you had a good cry lately?

~Colleen Laukka

Fresh New Energy of 2010!

2010-01-01T13:31:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!! I feel a fresh new energy with 2010 and it feels as clean and pure as a snowy white field, enticing me to spread my wings and share my angelic imprint with the world.

What are you feeling today?

My word for 2010 is “Connection”. Last year it was “Courage”. As the confetti settles, I reflect on the year passing and I see how “Courage” has come to my rescue over and over again throughout the past year.

I don’t know about you, but I am ready for a new year. I am ready to say hello to the radiant beams of love that 2010 holds. I am ready for “Connection” on all levels with all beings and beyond. I am ready to connect with the fullness of my beauty, my talent, my goodness and even my shadow. I am ready to embrace all of life and allow myself to step into My Soul Slippers and feel the Empowerment, Guidance and Grace that accompany my new footwear.

What do you want to create in 2010?

I am getting ready to launch my new Spiritual Life Coaching practice. I am going to call it “My Soul Slippers”. My mission is to guide woman home to the heart of who they are. This “home” is where the welcoming presence of love resides and where we see ourselves, as we really are, a perfect expression of God.

Wishing each of you a year full of soul, where you are home no matter where you roam, because home is the heart of who you are. ~Colleen Laukka

(LOL! I just took the above picture in my backyard. My symbolic gesture for 2010. What magic awaits us!)

Winter Solstice 2009

2009-12-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

In honor of Winter Solstice 2009, the longest night of the year I pray:

Dear God, I am ready to venture into the new. I am ready to experience the mysterious, the beautiful and the holiness of who I am. I no longer want to remain a mystery to myself, living without the spark of life ignited to the full flame of glory. I no longer want to quiver in my soul shoes hiding in the shadow of my soul’s brilliance. I am ready to fully embrace who I am. God, I pray for the courage I need to explore the unknown vastness of my own soul.

"Awake my child and take on My Glory, and I shall abide in you and you in me."

With trust I take a deep breath and plunge heart first from the crest of my ego into the velvety darkness of my soul.
Is there a beginning or an end to this darkness I wonder?
The vast pool of nothingness swirls around me and seems to swallow me whole. The canopy of the ego is slowing my descent and entangling me in fear. I open my eyes but cannot see. “Am I alone? Is there anyone there?” I cry out for light as I am suspended in the darkness. A cradle of stars appears through the blanket of darkness and calms my fears and rocks the expanse of emptiness within. The gifts of the darkness begin to emerge, as the light of my goodness is no longer blinding me, revealing to me what is ready to be healed and released.

Illumined by the embrace of peace, I fearlessly release the strings to the ego, I take another deep breath and enjoy a free fall of complete abandonment into the vast expanse of joy that is within me. A kaleidoscope of delights swirl about and I desire nothing more than to be lost in the moment. No matter which way I turn there is nothing but beauty before my eyes. I take my breath away. My mind is filled with awe as I remove my shoes; for I have entered the holy of holies, the Promised Land of my soul. ~Colleen Laukka

Don't be afraid of the dark

2009-12-14T13:29:00.001-08:00

Don’t be afraid of the dark….

This past week I have come face to face with my shadow. It plunged me into darkness I was not familiar with. I have been so ‘good’ at cultivating a spirit of joy in my life and it has carried me on the ‘wings of angels’, so to say. So much so, that I wasn’t being authentic with things that are not ‘right’ in my life. I was putting perfume on the ‘shit’ and calling it good. I have been reflecting on this and embracing my sorrow and asking it to speak to me. I am being taught that the ‘shit’ in my life can become fertilizer when I move through it and not sit in it. Just as the seedling that bursts from its shell is enriched by the rich dark soil as it moves towards the light.

I had the privilege of hearing James O’Dea speak on Sunday. He is an amazing man of presence. His talk was about our luminous intelligence and how we are the light of the world. He went on to say that it is better to light one candle than curse the darkness and that we were born to end the cursing of the darkness.

James was talking about really letting our light shine out in the world because we are made from the very same substance of the stars themselves. But what I needed to hear was “Don’t curse the darkness”. The darkness, I have found, is rich with lessons of rebirth, restoration and resurrection. ~Colleen Laukka

...Faster than a speeding bullet

2009-11-12T11:11:00.000-08:00

When my oldest son was 4 years old he believed he was superman. And why wouldn’t he? He had the cape to prove it and he did move faster than a speeding bullet. One day, donning his blue cape with the large red S on it he “flew” by me with his heart a blazing and said, “Mom! I’m running so fast my spirit’s behind my body!”

Today his words echoed down the years and made me smile as they called me back to presence. As my soul journey continues to unfold I find myself desiring to “save the world”, you know, sigh…be a superhero. Desiring fills my being, and leaves me feeling empty, because I feel like I’m not doing enough. I begin to feel superhero challenged so to say.

But presence reveals to me my greatest contribution to this planet is being. I AM the magnum opus that I’ve been trying to create. Desire for me signifies that I am lacking somehow, that I need to create something to validate my existence. Relaxing into being allows life to unfold naturally. It allows creations to birth from the fullness of presence and not the emptiness of desire. Presence allows me to feel complete, whole and able to leap tall buildings (my ego) in a single bound and soar into the sunlit sky of freedom.

The Gift of Presence

2009-11-07T07:09:00.000-08:00

I was thinking lately how I would define presence to another and today I decided it would be, “Living in the love that I AM”. Mmmm! Doesn’t that sound yummy! This week I have been practicing living in presence and when I became aware of being scattered I would pull myself back to presence by narrating everything that I was doing. In essence I was giving myself permission to be while doing. For instance I found myself scattered while doing laundry and repeated to myself, “The only thing I have to do in this moment is load the washing machine” then I would move to my next step and say, “The only thing I have to do in this moment is put the detergent in the washing machine.” Followed by, “The only thing I have to do in this moment is shut the lid on the washing machine.” Etc. As I continued to narrate each thing that I was doing I felt my mind quiet and profound peace enfold me. It sounds remedial and tedious but it worked like a charm for me. Even when I’m not in full out fear mode I can feel myself being scattered in multiple directions and my mind starts telling me that I should be doing something else or that I forgot to do something earlier. As I become more conscious I can feel an underlying agitation or anxiousness with the present. My mind with it’s continual chatter tries to keep me anywhere but in the present moment.

Eckhart Tolle says:
Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry--all forms of fear--are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of nonforgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence.

My mantra this month is:
I choose presence. I choose a life full of the richness of love, the richness of connection and the richness of being.
I choose to allow presence to come forward in me, through me and as me.

Join me will you and let’s start gifting the world with our presence. One by one, by being the peace that we are, we can change the world!

~Colleen Laukka

Why Courage?

2009-11-06T19:01:00.000-08:00

“Only when we are no longer afraid, do we begin to live”~Dorthy Thompson

Courage allows billows of life to push past our curtains of darkness and entice us with passions unexplored. Courage untangles us from the twisted sheets of slumber and allows us to swirl on the dance floor of life. Courage allows us to say goodbye to the sorrows of yesterday and hello to the sunlit skies of today. Courage allows us to plunge heart first into our own magnificence.

Saying yes to courage transforms our life from a battlefield into a playing field. The light of courage allows us to ‘play’ into the night without fear. Courage allows us to venture into our shadow and dispel the beliefs that have held us captive. We are no longer at war with ourselves because we left our old stories back in the trenches. Life has awarded us a purple heart and stands as a reminder that our courage comes from within.

Carl Jung reminds us the most courageous thing that we can do is to accept ourselves completely. The good, the bad and the ugly because we realize the bad and the ugly are only an illusion. We so often reserve the title of courage to the heroics of a soldier, a firefighter or someone who defends and saves another.

But real courage is becoming the hero of our own life and stepping into our role as a creator. As a creator we no longer allow fear to color our choices because courage is our paintbrush. The time is now. Courage is calling our name. Will we answer the call or will we put it off, once again, until tomorrow?

I have found that one person’s fear is another’s fun. My friend, Julie, loves to sing Karaoke. I on the other hand do not have a trained signing voice and the thought of intentionally singing into a microphone in front of a group of strangers has never been my idea of fun. In fact I would tremble at the thought. Why would I place myself in a situation where I could look foolish, be made fun of and possibly be laughed at? But because of my overriding desire to be the courageous creator of my life, I knew it was something I had to do. It was time for me to conquer the fear of looking foolish. Last week, mic in hand, I boldly sang These Boots Were Made For Walking. (At first glance not a real Passionate Mytic type of song. LOL! But I was walking all over fear and showing 'em who is boss!) Singing karaoke took courage for me and required me to take bold action. For others karaoke doesn’t require any courage at all. Since our fears are nothing but our stories, it doesn’t help us to compare ourselves to others. We must conquer our own fears and shine our own light.

(My shining moment ~ watch out Barbara Streisand!)

One of my favorite poems is by Matthew Arnold, Self- Dependence about a sailor who is ready to give up his stories and desires an expansive existence. He cries out to the heavens and the heavens counsel him to stop looking around and pining to be someone else. The heavens explain to the weary sailor why the stars and the waters are so vast.

“Bounded by themselves, and unregardful

In what state God’s other works may be,

In their own tasks all their powers pouring,

These attain the mighty life you see.”

It is time to pour our power into our own tasks and create the mighty life we desire. It is time to stop comparing and wondering why we weren’t born with another’s beauty or intelligence. It takes courage to be boldly, fully and fabulously who we really are.

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.- Anais Nia

Courage is expansive; it broadens our horizons and opens us to the land of limitless possibilities.
One of my courageous mantras is: Oh yes I am! Oh yes I can! For instance if I hear myself saying, “I’m not a public speaker.” I recite Oh yes I am! Oh yes I can! Or I’m not radiantly confident, “Oh yes I am, Oh yes I can! I’m not a Karaoke singer…O.K. maybe I’m not, my heart is not drawn towards Karaoke but my heart is attracted to the courage it takes to sing it. And who knows one day I might really desire to fully step into my Karaoke diva.

Courage is a soul quality. The Nike commercial (click on link to view) about courage always gives me goose bumps because it reminds me that everything I need is already inside of me. Enjoy!

And until we meet again…Love Boldly ~ Live Boldly ~ Act Boldly

~Colleen Laukka

The mind questions...the heart knows

2009-10-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

This was played out in my life last week with such magic I just had to share!

I was in California at a heart-awakening seminar and on the last day we were asked to go out in the neighborhood and share our awakened hearts in any manner we chose. I chose to share flowers and picked bright yellow gerbera daisies with the intention of spreading some sunshine.

I felt conspicuous and a little goofy walking down the street with the flowers but proceeded with an open heart to one by one give away a flower. The majority of the flowers were accepted with surprise and genuine gratitude. I entered a fast food restaurant when my mind reared up and said loudly, “Whoa, little Miss Sunshine these people are eating here and do not want to be bothered with your flowers!” I obeyed like a good little captor and immediately exited.

I walked through a park and then proceeded through the neighborhood giving a few more flowers away and having a few people kindly turn them down. It got me thinking, “Who wants these long stem flowers anyway? They are so cumbersome and everyone’s hands are full.” It was about time to return to the seminar and I was left with a few flowers. I thought about leaving them on someone’s doorstep and even contemplated tossing them in a dumpster when my heart kicked in reminding me of my intention.

So I rounded the corner and proceeded back to the fast food restaurant where I originally allowed my mind to override my heart. I walked in with my heart wide open and stood before a booth of three women and said, “Each of you beautiful women are so flower worthy and I would like to gift you with a flower.” As I handed a flower to the first woman she filled with emotion and said, “You don’t know how much this flower means to me. I have never received a flower from anyone, ever! A pot of gold wouldn’t mean more to me then this flower.”

The second woman spoke up and said, “God sent you here! You don’t know what a miracle it is that you are here at this moment. Just minutes ago we were discussing how God brings little surprises into our lives to show us how much he loves us.” She nodded at the woman sitting across from her who didn’t speak English and explained that they were counseling with her because last night she tried to kill herself.

Tears streamed down my face as four strangers connected by the heart of all that this is, stood in the presence of love. A love so expansive that it knows all as one, and where all are friends.

As I went to bed that night I was filled with such profound gratitude for being used as a miracle in another’s life, that I found myself repeating, “thank-you, thank-you, thank-you”. Peace filled my heart as I understood the two-fold lesson for me. First I was being called to trust myself and allow my heart not my head to lead. Trusting in God has always been second nature to me, but self-trust has been hard earned and at times still challenges me. But without self-trust I limit my ability to be used by God. Secondly I was being called to see the magic that is already swirling in my life. It is time to trust that I am guided, that my life is unfolding in divine perfection and that all is truly well.

~Colleen Laukka

When the Wheels Start turning...

2009-10-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

My dad used to say, “When the wheels start turning, the dogs start barking.”

But what happens when the ‘barking’ comes from within? When the ‘dogs’ of fear and unworthiness start nipping at your heels? I thought I had trained my ‘dogs’ sufficiently enough and mastered their barking but have found when the winds of change are blowin’ my dogs start a barkin’

So why is that? Why does change have such a charge for me?

I have found with change and new adventures comes expansiveness. And until I can embrace and fully move into my new more expansive “real estate” things feel strange, my own voice echoes in the larger space and can frighten me. I don’t feel at home. I tend to want to crawl under the covers of my insecurity to feel safe again, which gives me an illusion of control. And control stems impatience, which robs me of trusting the continued unfoldment into my highest good.

Fear drags me into the slums of the emotions. But when I move into love, the penthouse of emotions, I choose a completely different neighborhood. The valley below transforms into a spectacular, unobstructed view reminding me of how far I have come.

So how do I, a Passionate Mystic, “Resolve to Evolve”, in the words of Michael Beckwith, from fear to love? Below are a few things that I do that help me when I’m in the clutches of fear:

1. PRAY. I pray! I call on the assistance of heaven, God, my angels, my guides, my helpers. I send a SOS to the heavenly realm for a rocket booster of love to launch me out of the world of fear.

2. COMMAND. I command my soul to take charge by saying, “Soul shine through in all I do”.

3. LAUGH. I grab my fear by it’s tail of emotion to find out what thought is at its head. Fear always follows negative thoughts. Once the thought is located I dispel its illusion of power with laughter. I’ve realized it is really only a thought that is holding me in fear. That thought alone, is so ludicrous it is laughable. The only power it holds is the power I give it.

4. VOICE. I use the power of my voice and say a mantra with firm conviction to counteract any negative thoughts that try to stop me such as ‘I’m not a public speaker’ I recite, “Oh yes I am! Oh yes I can!” ‘I’m not radiantly confident’ I recite “Oh yes I am, Oh yes I can!”

5. MUSIC. I listen to uplifting music that allows my soul to take charge again and not my mind.

6. BREATHE. I do deep breathing with an audible out breath to cleanse my system and stir up the power that resides within me.

I would be honored if you would leave a comment and share with me what you do to evolve from fear to love.

~Colleen Laukka

Intensity vs. Flow

2009-09-28T11:23:00.000-07:00

Intensity vs. Flow

I’ve been on the path of bold action, which has encompassed me in a swirl of activity and self-imposed internal pressure to achieve and to achieve it today! My deadlines, I have found, have caused me to forget to have fun and stifle my flow! So how do I, a Passionate Mystic, support my desire to achieve and yet stay in presence so I can allow spirit to flow and create with ease? With my laid back personality I have realized that I do need a deadline to accomplish anything. Otherwise I am always putting it off until tomorrow. Like Steve Pressfield says in The War of Art, “We never tell ourselves that we won’t write that symphony, we just say we will start it tomorrow.” Since I like to live in today, tomorrow never arrives and I end up not achieving anything. So there lies my dilemma.

Whenever I ask a question, the answer always unfolds through my life experiences. This morning on my stroll through the park I was compelled to sit on the benches and take a moment to just be. I closed my eyes and allowed the stillness that surrounded me to awaken my presence. When I opened my eyes I was staring at the playground and initially wished the chairs were facing the opposite direction toward the rolling green lawn and the trees. The wish burst into an understanding that I was being called to play; I was taking my creations too seriously. It was time for me to schedule in a daily ‘playbreak’ with things that I love to do. Even 15 minutes of joyous dancing has a way of inviting the creative muses back in and relieving the stress hormones that stop the flow. I also realize the tremendous benefits of getting a ‘sunbreak’ getting outside and allowing nature to speak.

After my walk I did a quick milk run to the grocery store and found myself trailing behind a little boy. One of his hands was safely holding his daddy's and the other hand was dragging a loaf of bread. The loaf of bread was almost as big as he was. It was a picture perfect moment; one that made me wish for my camera so I could of gifted them with the beauty of what I saw.
They must of felt the rays of my smile as they turned around and shared with me that they were going to feed the ducks. The little boy did all he could to hold up the loaf of bread and repeatedly say, “ducks” with a knowing smile of the adventures before him.

The Passionate Mystic side of me went home and looked up what spiritual energies a duck represents. I went to my favorite site on the internet, Animal Totems and found out that “Ducks are graceful as they glide through the water reminding us to be gentle with ourselves as we heal, learn and grow into our perfected self.” A welling of gratitude filled me for divine synchronicity that was calling me to remember to be gentle with myself and to take frequent ‘gentlebreaks’ as I create and grow and evolve into the Courageous Creator that I am.

~Colleen Laukka

The Butterfly Effect

2009-08-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

Do you remember E. F. Hutton’s campaign slogan in the 80’s? “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.” Well I’ve been asking God to help me be more sensitive to my inner E.F. Hutton, my inner advisor. I always hear my inner advisor but I do not always follow through and seem to get myself entangled in needless events.

My request for sensitivity has turned my life into a science experiment. I’m finding that not only am I the scientist, but I’m the guinea pig as well and have experienced first hand the Chaos Theory aka The Butterfly Effect that in short states: that a very small event can cause a very complex event.

Over and over and over again this week my inner advisor has given me some great advice. I have seen first hand the complexity that can occur from not following through with what seems to be inconsequential advice, advice not large enough to make a difference in my life. Oh, what a fool this mortal is! This week, if my life were a movie it would be Shakespeare’s, “Comedy of Errors”.

In my frustration, I have found the humor in it all. God has a great sense of humor and I, his ready student, am ready to listen!

~Colleen Laukka

My Call to Focused Action

2009-08-15T23:06:00.000-07:00

An inspirational quote is like manna from heaven bestowed by another’s soul. I use them as part of my soul nourishment program. They energize me and give me sufficient calories to continue the leadings of my soul.

On the day of my birthday I found myself being drawn to my favorite bookstore and collecting a stack of books that spoke to me. The first one I pulled out captured my allotted time by its grace filled pictures and quotes of wisdom. It was appropriately titled, Timeless Wisdoms.

Our birthdays are the day we are supposed to be celebrating another year of life. But I was momentarily overcome with a sense of failure with the fact that I had not yet created my wildest dreams. As synchronicity would have it, one of the quotes in Timeless Wisdoms was the morsel of light that shined through my darkness and renewed my belief in my lofty imaginings.

Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplacable spark. In the hopeless swamps of the not quite, the not yet, and the not at all, do not let the hero in your soul perish and leave only frustration for the life you deserved, but never have been able to reach. The world you desire can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours. ~Ayn Rand

My fire was burning again, but the question of how to bring my lofty imaginings into my here and know still loomed large.

As synchronicity #2 would have it I stumbled upon Ayn Rand’s book, “The Virtues of Selfishness”. She kicked my mystic keister as I found the answer I was seeking. Her book is a powerful call to consciousness. I didn’t agree with everything that she professed in her book, but I did highlight it profusely as her words continued to illuminate my soul. A few passage from her book that stirred the power of the divine within me were:

“Thinking requires a state of full focused awareness. The act of focusing one’s consciousness is volitional…The choice to think or not is the choice to focus or not. Existentially the choice to focus or not is the choice to be conscious or not…Nothing is given to man on earth but a potential and the material on which to actualize it…Man has to discover how to use it (his potential) and keep it in constant action…Everything he needs or desires has to be learned, discovered and produced by him–by his own choice, by his own effort, by his own mind.” I would add to that–in conjunction with his soul.

I am being called to action, and to focus, and to utilize the power of my mind in synergistic union with my body and soul. It is time to be the creative genius that I am.

The magic continues as Synchronicity #3 brings me “The Seven Day Mental Diet” by Emmet Fox. Isn’t life fun!

~Colleen Laukka

Julie and Julia

2009-08-12T22:03:00.000-07:00

I just saw the movie “Julie and Julia” and loved it!

The movie soulfully portrays Julie stepping into her life one Julia Child’s recipe at a time. She shares her “meltdowns” with the world via her blog with a simultaneous storyline of how Julia Childs became Julia Childs.

I have never been a big fan of Julia Childs but after seeing the movie I joined her fan club, the woman was amazing! She was fearless and full of passion and besides she loved butter as much as I do! (Not to leave Julie out of mix, because she created a whole new reality by following her passion and if she had a fan club, I would join that too!)

After watching the movie I Googled Julia Childs to learn more about this formidable character and found a quote of hers that summed up her life:

"It's a shame to be caught up in something that doesn't absolutely make you tremble with joy!" —Julia Child, in Fitch, Appetite for Life, p. 480

Ding! Ding! Ding! I would like to purpose a toast to all my soul-full friends out there: “May your life, your choices, find you trembling with joy!”

Walking Weightless

2009-08-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

Walking is my personal therapy. With each step I take I feel myself instructed, inspired and healed. Lately I’ve been walking with hand weights, but Sunday morning I chose to turn my hour into a walking meditation. I walked slow and effortless and allowed myself to be fully present with no intentions and no expectations. I felt like a loved child, who was allowed to experience the world with unabashed freedom.

I shared my experience with some friends and I had to smile when I heard myself speak the words, “I was walking weightless this morning”
The profundity of the metaphor made me laugh out loud.
To walk “weightless” in the world, with no stories of the past to trip over and no expectations of the future to blur the path of today. Ahhh! That is how I want to walk every day...weightless!

~Colleen Laukka

I AM THAT I AM

2009-08-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

Animals intrigue me.
They just are. All they know how to do is to be. They don’t struggle to find their purpose in life. From day one they are connected to source, which allows their authentic nature to just flow. Animals move from their soul essence. They aren’t burdened with a mind that causes them to question themselves.
If a spider were to envy a birds flight and start pining away to be a bird he would find himself building a nest, because that’s what birds do. His web of intricate, geometric designs would never be and he would find himself tangled in his own misguided creation.
Awakening from my soul slumber has allowed me to untangle myself from my bedcovers and dive heart first into the silky darkness of my soul. Within I have found my connection with God and have transformed my life. I still feel moments of self-doubt and envy, but they are just that, moments. I no longer have to dwell in my ego mind. I have learned that my mind is a mighty tool, but a poor master. The mind keeps us searching outside of ourselves for an answer and the soul draws us in to reveal our fullness.For I have learned that I am that I am and that is enough.

~Colleen Laukka

The Waves of Validation

2009-08-05T20:42:00.001-07:00

I’ve had to question myself lately, “Am I riding the waves of validation or am I dwelling in an oasis of peace?”

It seems I’ve been craving encouragement, needing to hear from anyone outside of myself that I’m doing great and that I’m on the right path.

I had to stop myself and bring my hands to my heart and breath in the love and the in-courage-ment that can only come from within.

It is always wonderful to be validated by another. However, to depend on validation from another to lift my spirits, only brings me crashing to the shore when it isn’t there.

It is time to stand fully in my power and be that peace that I AM and know that all is well.

~Colleen Laukka

The Language of Life

2009-08-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why some people live a life full of magic, wonder and prosperity and the rest of humanity leads a pedestrian existence, filled with monotony and one paycheck away from poverty? I’ve been playing with this Rubik’s Cube of a question for years. I would scrutinize the seeming “magicians” background, their education, intelligence & work ethic; twisting each characteristic on top of the other hoping they would all line up with the answer. However, the puzzle remained unsolved. I would come close, but one color was always out of alignment causing me to toss the cube in frustration. I allowed the question to remain unsolved but continued to observe and waited for the answer. The mystery was revealed to me through two unrelated stories.

My friend told me a story of his Italian Grandfather that at the age of fourteen came to America, through Ellis Island, alone, and with only a few dollars pinned in his pocket. He did not speak our language, yet was solely responsible for finding a job and securing passage for his entire family. One by one he accomplished the seemingly impossible until his family was together again in America. This story was awe inspiring to me but also vexing. What does a fourteen year old have over me? I speak the language but still seemed to be stifled in my ability to create “magic”. What was I doing wrong? More importantly what could I do to make my life right? One morning as I was walking, the colors on my Rubik’s cube all stepped into alignment and the puzzle seemed to be solved. My friend’s grandfather did not have a language barrier. He spoke the Language of Life, which trumps every seeming obstacle. The Language of Life is Passion, Purpose and Presence.
He had Passion, a blazing fire that kept him warm into the late evening hours as he created a way to bring his family to America.
He had Purpose, a bright beam of light that woke him each morning, illuminating his path.
He had Presence, which kept him focused on the task of the day.
I threw my hands in the air and began to celebrate the solving of the mystery when
suddenly I saw my metaphorical Rubik’s cube tumble out of my hand. The colors on the cube rearranged themselves and alerted me that there was still a missing facet in The Language of Life. I relaxed into the knowing that all would be revealed.

A few evenings later I was watching an early version of the movie “A Christmas Carol” with Albert Finney. I turned the movie on, even though it was July, to call on the creative muses to help me with a project. I was enjoying Scrooge’s life review when the Ghost of Christmas Present started to sing, “I love life and life loves me”. I lit up like a Christmas tree. That is it! Love! Love is the mortar between the bricks of life.
Love is the binding agent, that creative substance between passion, purpose and presence. We must remember to surround each action with love. Passion, purpose and presence alone will not build a stable life. Scrooge had passion and purpose. His chosen purpose was to hoard his money and he did it passionately. But up to that point he never tasted the “milk of human kindness” also known as Love. Scrooge saw if he continued on his passionate path without love his death would be the nicest thing he had ever done for anyone.

I love money. I love everything that it can create, but I realize that accumulating money cannot be my purpose. Money alone will not create that magical life that I desire. Only love blended with a passionate, purpose driven life, full of Divine Presence will create magic.

~Colleen Laukka

Soul Slippers

2009-07-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

This week my footwear was called to question. My host didn’t believe I was wearing “appropriate” shoes for our desired destination. Before I left my home I glanced at my reflection in the mirror and deemed myself perfectly lovely. Disrespect wasn’t my intent with my choice of flip-flops and I found that despite my best attempts to fit in, I was not found suitable in another's eyes.

In this simple encounter I was being called to examine my walk through life. I heard the voice within say: “It is not the shoes that you walk in that matter; it is how you walk in your shoes that make a difference.” Was I making a difference? How was I walking in my shoes? Was I walking in love and power and grace? Who knew that flip-flops could be the grounds for inspiration? I continued to walk in the light of the message throughout my day and allowed it’s rays to filter into my soul. God was inviting me home to a place of comfort, where I am loved exactly as I am. When I spend time alone with God and go within I am “home” and I see myself, as I really am, a perfect expression of God. When you are “home” you are wearing your soul shoes or as I like to call them, “soul slippers”. Slippers are footwear that symbolize the cozy comfort of being home. God is calling us to put on our soul slippers, not our mothers or our fathers or our sisters or our brothers. We are all a unique expression of God with slippers perfectly woven from the essence of our soul. Just as none of Cinderella’s sisters fit in the golden slippers that were meant for her. Borrowing another’s shoes will only gift you with blisters caused by ill fitted shoes, which will slow you down and rob you of the joy found in your journey. One of the signs that you are walking in your soul slippers is that fear is no longer your constant companion. Fear in itself is a valuable tool as it is calling you to a place of safety. As you assess your fear, ask yourself, “Am I in mortal danger?” If the answer is yes, than take the appropriate action you need to get to safety. If the answer is no, know that fear is just calling you once again to the safety of “home”. Indeed there is no place like home, the home within your heart, where your soul slippers await and where you will find the nourishment you need to quiet your fear and bring you the peace to confidently walk your path. ~Colleen Laukka

When the student is ready...

2009-07-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

I have told God that I am ready to walk a path of openness. I have chosen an open heart no matter what I experience and I have chosen to view every situation as the gift that it is.
“I am ready to be guided; I am ready for my teacher.” With that bold declaration I was told to leave behind my iPod as I take my morning walks. I adore my iPod. Music fills me and soothes me and speaks to me. The thought of leaving behind my portable “sunshine” sounded like darkness to me. Nonetheless I listened and opened myself to a new dance partner called life. In my silent walking I heard the anthem of the dove calling me to presence, the symphony of the crickets calling me to harmony, the synergistic dance of the breeze through the leaves calling me to connection. I began to feel my soul becoming entrained to the heartbeat of the universe.

Without my electronic muffler I also opened to the wisdom of the ages. I found that wisdom knows no age, as I encountered one who wasn’t allowed to venture any farther than the end of his driveway. He stood there with his spirit spilling out of his small frame waiting for me, knowing that I was coming. As I ventured down his lonely cul-de-sac, he was waving to me, holding something in his hand. As I approached I saw that his little fingers were wrapped around an apple. He was bursting to share his newfound knowledge with me as he asked, “Did you know that there are seeds in this apple and if you plant them an apple tree will grow?” “Really?” I said encouraging him to go on. “Yep”, he said “Everrry apple has seeds in them.” “Wow”, I said, “That’s amazing!” His head shook in agreement as every ounce of his body vibrated with joy. He then placed the apple in my hand, gifting me with his treasure. The seeds of his gift will live on in my heart forever. I was taught from a master what joy looks like and how everything in universe is filled with wonder and awe. The lesson my little Johnny Appleseed taught me that day continues to sprout new branches of understanding.

The next day rounding a street corner the air swirled with the magic of Merlin. A knight in training, with his cape flowing and his Excalibur raised to the sky stood ready to conquer his enemy in the form of a Styrofoam cup. He wanted to share his quest with his parents who were unloading the back of the car with what looked like a new television. He cried out for attention, “Mom, Dad look!” But Mom and Dad were busy. Undaunted, he cried out again, “MOM! Look!” No response from Mom. One last time he called out, “DAD! Looook!” Nothing. Unwavering in his courage, determined to defeat his foe he brought his foot down and stomped on the cup. The cup succumbed to his strength and was broken into pieces. He now had his father’s attention who turned around long enough to say, “Now pick that up!” My heart broke for my gallant knight, as I went into judgment and wanted to call his parents to presence. But I quickly realized my error. My own parenting had many lapses of presence as I raised my young children. So I dropped my judgment and became present to the play of courage I had just witnessed. My fearless knight taught me about courage in continuing my quest even when those closest to me do not share in my enthusiasm. I saw how owning my sword of power could cut away the illusion for my need of validation from others. For I saw that in following my “magic” I could be helping others in ways I’m not even aware of.

A few days later I had the great honor of witnessing a young boys first ride to freedom. His father was running behind his two-wheeler and as the scene unfolded I understood that the bike was newly released from its training wheels and it seemed as eager as the little boy to fly unfettered. The little boys face showed the determination of a champion. As his Dad let go, the bike began to wobble but the two found their sense of balance and zoomed off down the road with the little boy shouting, “I’m a wock staw!” “I’m a wock staw!” (rock star) I laughed out loud and cheered him on and saw clearly how good it feels to be free of props, or another’s support to keep me balanced in life. Indeed I learned that we shine like a star when we find our own power!

My iPod and I are still friends but I haven’t found the need for her daily companionship.
The harmony of the universe sings in my soul and has revealed that my teachers have always been around me. Dropping my defenses has allowed my walk to transform from a tightrope to a golden path, paved with connection, teachers and abundance.

~Colleen Laukka

Free to Shine!

2009-07-04T12:10:00.001-07:00

The golden bells of freedom ring for you today. Do you hear them ringing? Do you hear your soul singing? Let their vibration of love and wisdom fill you with Divine Presence. For the bells of freedom are calling you home to the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey, right within your being. As you open your heart and hear their clarion call, what is it that they are calling you to set free today? Is it fear? Is it limitation? Is it low self worth? What is it? Whatever it is set it free!
Are the freedom bells calling you to pardon? Is there someone who needs your forgiveness? Could it be you? Do you need to forgive yourself for past mistakes?
Set yourself free by forgiving all, especially yourself. What are the bells calling you to freely express in your life? Is it the freedom to be fully and freely you?
Is it the freedom to trust yourself? Is it the freedom to embrace yourself exactly as you are? Is it the freedom to shine?
Remember you always have the freedom to choose.
Today choose freely. Today I choose_____________. (love, joy, peace, etc) Fill in the blank with your hearts desire. For you have been endowed by the creator himself with the freedom to choose. Let’s use our freedom to create a life of love and joy and peace. Today I freely choose.
The bells of freedom ring in my heart and I freely choose_____________. Whatever you choose, choose it with love, choose it with presence, choose it with grace, because the choice is yours….Today I choose to shine, what do you choose?

Teacup or Tumbler

2009-06-29T09:31:00.001-07:00

In my quest for a soul-full life I had to stop expecting some outside event or person to pour the magic elixir of life into my being and wash away all of my fears. So with great courage I plunged deep into my cup of life to discover I was living what could only be described as a “tumbler” existence. A plastic tumbler for that matter, purchased from the dollar store, and it came with three other matching tumblers. What a deal…or was it? The tumbler that I labeled my life carried little value to me because I only spent a few coins of energy on it and remember there were three others exactly like it. I have found whatever is deemed of little value does not enjoy a gentle journey. No bubble wrap for the tumbler, it moves through life being tossed, dropped and neglected. But my polar soul plunge into the icy regions of the tumbler woke me up enough to realize that it was up to me to value myself and with this value came great gentleness. I started calling myself sweetheart. “Welcome home sweetheart!” I would say to myself as I passed the mirror in my entryway. “Oh, sweetheart you’re doing great!” I would say as I was struggling to learn something new. “I love you sweetheart!” when loneliness sought to overtake me. Gentleness comes from the center of Love, the center of our soul. You treat things with great care that you believe have value. Soon I realized my tumbler had magically shapeshifted and I was “drinking” from a treasured teacup. My “teacup” existence allowed me to look with eyes of love on my past mistakes and see them for the treasured teachers that they are. It allowed me to see my current foibles with gentleness.

My teacup existence allowed my passions to birth. My teacup holds my fiery essence with great grace. The love I discovered within has taken me to the head of the table and has allowed me to drink like a queen from the glory and goodness of my own soul!

May all your journeys be gentle and filled with joy!

~Colleen Laukka

Michael, Oh Michael, Gone too soon!

2009-06-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

It is always a time of reflection when someone passes from this mortal existence, especially when that someone is the pop icon of Michael Jackson. Let's all take a moment or two to surround his family with prayer~~~ Michael was my age and his passing has invited me to look within and call forth every area where I am not being authentic. Each day gives us, as Michael so sweetly sang, One More Chance at Love, one more chance to fully and freely be who we truly are. The real me, not the ego driven contortionist that bends with every whim of society that continually calls us to be whiter or tanner, bigger or smaller etc… somehow society dupes us into believing that we are not good enough exactly as we are! It is time to Heal the World, by starting with ourselves, our image of who we are. For truly We are the World it is time to embrace the Man in the Mirror and Give in to Me (the real me- our soul) because You can’t win at life if you are not truly your divine self. Living an ego driven life “kills” off the true beauty that resides within each of us. Let’s have Michael’s passing inspire us to question: Am I being authentic? Am I allowing my soul and not external forces to guide me? Am I ready to turn on the lights and claim my full radiance and live a life of power? Take a few moments today and listen to some of the Michael Jackson’s songs and thank him for his life (even if you didn’t like him) because at this moment he is your teacher.
(click on the links and listen to Michael sing,especially the one below)

GONE TOO SOON

Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon
Gone Too Soon

Coronation of the soul

2009-06-25T22:29:00.001-07:00

Butterfly
I am a dreamer. My dreams are my nocturnal North Star always guiding me back home to who I really am.
Lately I've been having a lot of dreams of flying, lifting my arms and effortlessly soaring through the sky. The exhilaration of flying dreams always “wake” me up. I feel lighter, more alive and filled with renewed passion to follow my daytime dreams that are refusing to be ignored. I’m working on creating a new reality and when I work from my soul, I feel like a butterfly and my majestic wings feel almost tangible. Upon emergence from the chrysalis the butterfly is undeniably crowned with glory. But In reading about the butterfly I learned before it can enjoy its hard-earned glory and fly it must literally pump it’s life force into the veins of its wet wings to unfurl them.
Our soul, like a silent monarch, waits for us to crown it with power and allow its sweet nectar to spill forth into our life as the emanation of wings, to free us from fear, limitation or negativity & soar into the sunlit sky of freedom. The coronation of our soul allows us to be seen as the truth of who we are. Our earthbound vessels of flesh become less and less a focus and the fullness of our souls shine so brightly that our bodies vanish in the glory of our soul.

~Colleen Laukka

Rainy days and Mondays always...

2009-04-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

Rainy days and Mondays…
Sing it with me… “always get me down". What if the rainy Monday, turns into rainy Tuesday, and rainy Wednesday & rainy…. You get the picture. The sunny skies of Utah have packed their bags and left us with a trail of gloomy rain clouds. I miss being greeted each morning by the sun’s radiant smile & its warm embrace. Where are you sun? Are you ever coming back? One of my favorite Og Mandino books, The Greatest Secret in the World says, “I will love the rain for it cleanses my soul…" Maybe that is what we need to do is to LOVE the rain. With all the love that the rain will be receiving from each of us, she will stop crying her ocean of tears. What the world needs now is Love, Sweet Love. Will you join me in loving the rain?

Rain, Rain

I can smell the rain clouds tumbling in the sky

Overlapping into tomorrow

Threatening to silence the sweet sound of sunshine.

But I can taste it…

Succulent Sunshine

Burning away the mist of gloom

Revealing sunshine in my soul!

Colleen Laukka

Begin Anew

2009-04-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

I don’t know why but I was born angry. I really can’t point to a situation or a person that caused my deep-seated torment with the world. My home life was enviable on all accounts; love, security, & family abounded. But for whatever reason I chose to be impervious to it all. I chose fear as my constant companion and created a frozen barrier around my heart that didn’t allow me to feel deeply, love deeply or live deeply. Every attempt at self-discovery was frozen in its tracks and turned into a shard of ice that would cut into my “illusion” that I was capable of magnificence, love or connection. Khalil Gibran tells us in The Prophet that the pain we experience is the breaking of the shell of our understanding and he even says that much of our pain is self-chosen. I know that as truth and everything is/was in divine order in my life. Life has broken me open and revealed a magnificence, a power & a divine presence that has been there all along just waiting for me to thaw.

ANEW

I'm thawing

Limbs tingle

Itching to explore a new life.

Light melting the frozen prison that held captive my heart.

Baptized in

Pain, fear, loneliness,

Hope, dreams, ambitions

Faith, confidence, love

Embracing all

I dive deeper into my self created ocean

To be lifted by unseen hands...

Cleansed,

freed from the limitations of my past

Ready to begin anew.

~Colleen Laukka