Operation You

Jump-Start!

2012-01-26T12:33:00.006-05:00

Walking to my car inside of the parking garage at the university one evening, I saw a young male standing near his car; the hood of his car was up.  He said he needed to jump-start his car. I offered, but I told him that my car battery was under the back seat. Even though he was anxious to leave, he opted to wait on his friend because we didn't want to deal with removing the backseat in my car.

Recently, I began to worry about something that I had no control over. I had to reach out to my family and friends for reassurance that everything was fiine at that particular moment.   Just like that young man in the parking garage, I needed a jump-start to remind me that ALL is well.

At different times of our lives, we need a jump-start to remind us how blessed we are. When I've just come through an experience where I've learned something that allows me to truly live my life the way Divine Presence intended for me to live, I have the opportunity to see someone else's experience and challenges with love, offering unlimited support.  You see, we are all connected, and we have the ability to recognize the beauty, strength, and courage in each other.  So, when I'm feeling a little unsure, I know I'm loved. I know my jump-start is coming, and I expect it.  I know where to go and ask for my jump-start, if needed.

Do you need a jump-start? Well, here it is; peace, love, joy, beauty, prosperity, abundance, well being, perfect health, and wholeness are yours. I know this to be the truth because these attributes are of Divine Presence, and you are IT's Expression.

God Appreciates You

2011-12-22T12:34:00.005-05:00

I started to write a topic about love. Then Jannah, my daughter, chimmed in with her idea of what I should write and the title. Listening to Divine Guidance, I typed exactly what she said.

Love and Peace loves you.
Love and Peace loves you and everyone.
Everyone appreciates Peace and God.
Love and Peace loves you and carries you.

Jannah and I love everyone, and we love you. Happy Holidays!

Light Moments

2011-11-25T13:35:00.003-05:00

My brother told me recently that he doesn't ask anyone for help because he doesn't feel comfortable with others thinking he owes them something for their help. I listened closely and tried not to interject my ideas. I have to admit it was difficult to remain quiet, but I did. We then started discussing how he seldom has a bad day. He said, "Every day I wake up is a day to be happy so since I awake every day, I'm happy." I smiled. I am excited to hear his words echo in my heart.

Instead of focusing on his perception regarding "receiving help," I am thrilled that I am able to appreciate with love my brother who is happy every day he wakes up. I choose to celebrate his life by accepting his growth and evolvement as is.

Sometimes we don’t need to project our ideas, beliefs or even truths on to anyone. All we have to do is listen sometimes and allow Divine Love, Intelligence, and Beauty to shine through. I see my brother’s little light shining so brightly. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! This was my lesson.

Veggies & Me

2011-11-08T23:12:00.002-05:00

Greetings!

Well, I've made some progress on my weight loss. It's not the progress I anticipated, but it's progress.

I woke up with food on my mind this morning - the kind of thought that spiraled into the urgent need to put the first thing I saw into my mouth. I needed it fast. I needed to eat it as I walked toward my front door and into my car. Before I put the key into the ignition, that banana was long gone into the darkness of my stomach.

My morning ritual includes a 32 oz glass of water with lemon, alternating it with Himilayan sea salt before I work out. On this day, the water seemed to add to the hunger pain in my body. So, that banana didn't have a chance! On a normal day, a protein shake and a green smoothie would be enough for me after my workout.

Eventually, my mind and body became in sync, and I rested in the rich taste of my green smoothies, my raw spinach dip with celery and flax seed crackers, and my acceptance that I am one with the Divine Creator! I am whole, perfect, complete, love, joy, and peace, and 75 pounds lighter.

I see in you what's in me. What I am, you are. What you are, I am. We are connected through, by and in love. We are the manifestation of Goodness, including the veggies! So, I support you in every endeavor that allows your transformation.

Peace and Blessings!

My Reflection

2011-10-20T18:02:00.003-04:00

On October 19th (my wedding anniversary), I started a new weight loss challenge. Even though I've done many prior to this challenge, at this moment, I am at peace and in true harmony with the Universe. The notion to lose weight is just part of my inner transformation.

You may ask how I know I am successful already on this journey of transformation. The answer is because I no longer live with doubt and in fear. Oh sure, I have moments when negation seems present in my mind. But, something good always surpasses negation, and now, I let it. I am the Divine Expresson of God. Divine Intelligence manifested me and you. I see myself as God sees me.

I saw a reflection of my ego, finally. I recognized the negative thought patterns, and I became comfortable allowing the thoughts to drown me. You see, the minute my mind became disease free, the need to lose weight became a natural thing to do, not my ultimate destiny. I began to live in universal harmony, and this way of living causes overall transformation. This way of living became my destiny. My reflection is love, confidence and strength now, and I see it everywhere.

Exodus Health Center is truly a wonderful platform for healing and for obtaining hope. Dr. David Jockers is so instrumental in teaching me about natural healing of the mind and body. This is one of the platforms God has gifted me to assist with my weight loss and overall transformation. It's amazing, and I'm grateful.

I see myself 75 pds. lighter. Yes, I am sharing this information. sigh.

I will keep you abreast of my progress inside and out. I hope it encourages you. I hope you encourage me.

Peace!

Calling Truths

2011-10-05T01:03:00.005-04:00

Where do I begin? What do I say in this place of inspiration?

How are you?

So many things are happening around me. I'm ready to share them.

I've used Operation You as a place to inspire you and me through encouraging words and truths. I love it. But, now I'm ready to go past the surface and share with all of you the organic substance that makes me, me. I've grown to become the writer that wants to share deeply the attractive and the not-so-attractive things about me, which I know it will take courage to face. Come what may, I surrender to these truths, and I know that my journey is one to share because I'm no longer afraid to share it. I know that you will encourage and inspire me. We will encourage and inspire each other.

I am in my next to the last semester, and it's been a long, long, tedious journey. I finally graduate in May 2012. I'm unemployed and have been since June 2012. I'm at peace with my "new place" of faith. My source, the only source, the only cause is God! There are times I have to be reminded of this truth. I can laugh now. However, when it happens, it's not a laughing matter to me. I think now that maybe it should always be a laughing matter because it is my over thinking that makes me act like I'm grasping and surviving for my basic needs. All of my needs are always met.

Welcome to this new place of trust and peace.

Thank you for communion with me. I look forward to sharing with you.

Let's talk about Faith

2011-08-11T09:44:00.003-04:00

"You must have faith, Vickie." These are the words that I've heard so often growing up in Greater Faith Tabernacle Church of God of Christ. I tried to have faith with all of my might. The more I tried, the less I had faith. Thoughts of doubt would arise causing me to worry and then I would worry that I had negative thoughts. What a vicious and an exhausting cycle.

The people who claimed to have faith or who actually had faith seemed so positive and sure about their faith. But, I wasn't sure. I would speak of faith and think one last time about doubt before I tried my hand at having faith again. I became so engrossed in making myself believe I had faith that I focused on convincing myself instead of focusing on what I had faith in. This cycle went on for many years right into my adult life.

I realize now that Faith is the realization that we are more than what we see and experience. We've all heard and relished in this beautiful scripture, "Faith is the things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." Faith is just knowing and realizing that we rest in a place of peace, love, joy and security. These things of beauty are always here and available. The Universe is peace, love, joy and security.

Faith is accepting that there is a Presence that makes the wind blows and the sun rise. We don't have to convince ourselves the sun will rise. We just know it, expect it and accept it. So, we don't have to will anything. When we plant a seed in the dark soil, we know the effect will be that it pops through the soil. Life is always moving and grooving! We recognize this groove because we are life.

Our acknowledgement that Divine Presence "IS" is great faith. We don't have to do anything but just realize, know and accept that we are greater than anything we see. The cause behind our existence is the same cause that produces what we see.

Listen within by standing or sitting still for some time. It may sound like noise at first with all of the mind conversations, but then just beyond that, you will see, hear, feel and know that you are full of faith because it is the realization of what you see, feel, and know! You know that you are alive and well and you are full of love. You. That’s faith! That's trust!

Love, Liberty and Love!

Blessed I Am

2011-06-23T09:05:00.001-04:00

Blessed I am to hear the sounds of the wind

Blessed I am to see the sunrise above my head

Blessed I am to hear the thunder that boost my soul

Blessed I am to feel the presence of love when there is no one around

Blessed I am to breathe the unlimited air

Blessed I am to sleep with joy

Blessed I am to smile within, reflecting outwardly

Blessed I am to say I love you as many times as I can

Blessed I am to give beyond my understanding

Blessed I am to know the truth about life and love - One Source - One God

Blessed I am to kiss a flower that responds with another one to kiss

Blessed I am to listen to others with love, compassion and in unity

Blessed I am to know peace and to live in peace

Blessed I am for the courage to be me

Blessed I am to know who I am - I am forever evolving

Blessed I am to to be free to share my blessings with humility
Blessed I am for you

Blessed I am for you to share your blessings with me

Thank you!

Peace and Blessings!

Confidence

2011-05-19T18:32:00.003-04:00

Hi Everybody!

How are you? I know this post will find you in sheer joy and happiness!

It has been well over a month since my last post and I am just so thrilled to have the summer off from school so that I can continue to do what I so love to do, which is to share my hope, understanding, awareness and love with all of you!

Sometimes I feel so confident about my Divine Purpose on this earth that I wonder if I am humbled enough or show humility while being so confident. I asked how do I remain confident about my Divine Self but also balance with humility. Well, during yesterday's meditation the language of love filled my heart. I now understand, feel and know that humility IS confidence! With Divine Guidance, humility will always be at the center of my life. Humility is the confience to accept the truth about who you really are - love.

To open our hearts and minds is to rest in love. To surrender to peace is to adore and be grateful for life. To understand our true nature is to accept that we are Divine, Beautiful and Extraordinary because we are created in, with and through these wonderful attributes!

How great it is to be you.

The Melody

2011-04-04T09:48:00.003-04:00

There is a melody that is forever flowing, forever listening to the sounds of our hearts and creating beauty that lifts our souls. This melody can be heard by ALL if we just listen closely. No matter how distant the melody seems to be, it is always there to hold us up even when we don't realize what's holding us.

This melody is love, peace, joy, beauty and calmness all in ONE! One power, one sustainer and one provider that is omnipresent. The birds can't help but to sing to this melody. The wind can't help but to move with this melody. The ocean can't help but to be immersed in this melody. We, spiritual beings, can't help but to listen, sing, move and become immersed in it!

Even when we experience difficult times, the melody is soothing to us. So, when you need comforting or just want to listen to a song, listen to the beautiful melody of your soul, heart and mind. You will recognize this melody because it will comfort your entire Being and you will know your reality, which is you are a Divine Expression and it is perfection.

This melody may sound quiet at first, but then you will realize that the quietness IS the melody and it is beautiful!

Allow yourself to become immersed in the melody, always. It is your peaceful haven.

Gifts

2011-03-10T14:14:00.006-05:00

The eyes I feel, the ears I receive and the touch I witness are true Love from that which is greater than us. The Divine Intelligence is always watching, always feeling, and always hearing our wants, needs and desires for these things are implanted within us by Divine Love and Intelligence. All we need to do is become aware of them. The minute we become aware, love, peace, joy, abundance, prosperity, creativity, health and wholeness bud in our lives like a delicate flower pushing through soil. To put it another way, these wonderful gifts are actively waiting for us to accept them. They are always there. We must nurture our souls and push through the thickness to witness the sunshine of love.

You choose whether you want the outpouring of these wonderful gifts to go into an oversized bucket or a small coffee cup. Yes. What you imagine is your destiny so think big, be big, love big, give big and receive big.

How great it is to be loved and how great it is to love! The cycle of love never ends.

"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

2011-02-12T13:12:00.011-05:00

I've been such a busy bee. I did not realize it has been almost a month since I last posted. Wow!

Today, creative expressions flowed through me so fast that I didn't know what I wanted to write. But, when I saw this gorgeous photo of a bridge (Se'Lah's eye for beauty), I knew I would write about this colloquial term, "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

I've said these words so often in my life that I've never really thought about what they mean to me. After a few moments of comtemplation; actually, these words represent my idea to deal with or face a specific problem when it arises. Am I expecting a problem to arise? YES! Really? Yes.

I'm finding out that words and thoughts are so powerful, they create our life experiences. I don't know about you but I'm over experiences. I just want to live fully from the overflow of GOOD and JOY!

I think negative thoughts unintentionally. I'm sure that most of us do. But, I now have the key to be watchful of those thoughts. It's called AWARENESS. Although I'm a work in progress; through meditation, I am able to address those thoughts of negation and I'm gently reminded that these thoughts were once used as my survival instincts to deal with perceived problems and issues or to "cross that bridge when I come to it."

We don't ever have to triumpth by crossing over any bridges of problems or issues. The fact that we are living and breathing is triumpth! And we didn't have to do anything! How great is that?

So, from this day forward, let's cross bridges to see the beauty of life and to hear joy whisper to our souls. Actually, if we stay in the present moment, which means that we do not think about the future or focus on remembering the past, we realize that we are crossing bridges all the time and we are crossing them with ease!

Let's meet on the "Two Cents" bridge and explore how wonderful and beautiful it is to flow through life with ease because life is flowing through us with ease, when we let it. I see you on the bridge of joy, peace and love!

Unity - Wednesday's Affirmation

2011-01-19T07:08:00.001-05:00

"I know that I am one with Life. I now understand that Life itself is perfect, complete; that there is a Spiritual Presence and a Divine Unity running through everything."

"I see that the Reality within me is the same as the Reality in all people whom I shall ever meet, and that the Reality within them responds to the Reality within me; therefore in our human greeting there is a Divine Unity."

-Ernest Holmes-

Thank You Dr. Martin Luther King!

2011-01-17T08:57:00.002-05:00

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thank you!

Thank you for being innovative, giving, kind, wise, beautiful, strong, confident, LOVING, and God conscious! I've learned by your actions that it takes courage to be the expression of God, I've also learned that it's an evolutionary act to think outside of the box. PEACE is always the answer.

Happy Birthday!

Why I lied!

2011-01-12T12:00:00.003-05:00

One day recently I spoke to someone about something and told a lie. Me, lie? I couldn't believe I lied. "Why did I lie?" I asked myself repeatedly. There were no consequences for the lie other than the guilt I felt because it did not affect me or the person I lied to. It was something very general and fun, but still, it was a lie.

During the course of that same day, I thought about my lie and I knew that this topic would be the first thing I deciphered during dawn meditation. Well, before I could speak the words, intuitively, the answer came to me like the sun hovering over the Earth. The answer felt warm and peaceful. The guilt I carried up until that point dissipated like mist into the air.

I realized that errors are of the physical nature. What I mean is that GOOD is all that there is. This GOOD is the reality and not an illusion. Our errors are illusions that we, humans, create in order to fulfill the need to express something, like a creative idea, that we ultimately surpress because of belief in lack, limitations, doubt, and yes, fear.

I find more time to do the opposite of what I know I should do. This lie helped me to understand that I need to do exactly what I need to do or else it will be expressed in other ways, whether I like it or not. Our souls have a need to be creative, expressive and loving. These qualities will come through one way or another.

So, if you have experienced something that is resting in your mind as guilt or sadness, close your eyes in stillness and peace and allow your spirit to speak to you. Your spirit is in partnership with GOOD - GOD! We are created in the space of GOODNESS and we live in it, daily. The answers are within. Go on the journey of self-discovery and stay there to create the true essence of your life.

You are the Divine Expression of GOOD! I give thanks for it!

An Harmonious Journey...2011

2011-01-03T10:42:00.005-05:00

Well, It's the wonderful year of 2011! The year of 2011 is just excited to have our presence as 2010.

Even though our evaluation of time is based on a sequence of events, love, peace and joy knows no time. They are forever flowing and they must flow through you. You and I are the expression and the resting place of love, peace and joy. We make the deposits into the world.

The time for us to enjoy our beautiful lives is now. Animals don't wait until tomorrow or next year to live. They don't even wait for the rain season. They live until the rain season returns. Animals live without wondering about tomorrow. They live harmoniously through Life.

The trees grow in the spring and hibernate in the winter. They live in harmony. The ocean flows continuously. If every human put our hands in the ocean simultaneously, the water still flows. It will flow around us, through our fingers, around our wrists.

Our 2011 journey is simply space for us to experience the true essence of who we are, as 2010. The Divine Presence is space in which we live. Don't believe me? Think about actual Space where Earth and all the other planets float. Beautiful Intelligence we call God, provides us the very space for every living thing. That same space is in us, through us and a part of us. We are in partnership with the Divine Beauty.

You are on a journey to experience every facet of life. What a gift! I see great things happening for you in this space called Life. Rest in knowing that "now" is the time for you to feel the expansion within your soul. "Now" is and always has been our power. Thank God for it!

Happy New You!

Happy, Happy Holidays

2010-12-28T12:59:00.002-05:00

Fly into the new year feeling strong and wise,

and with love and peace.

Wishing you the very best, always!!!

Happy New Year!

Walk leaving Peace. Abundance. Love.

2010-12-14T01:05:00.008-05:00

Invite yourself to feel the gound under your feet for this is where you shall walk toward love and beauty. Invite yourself to feel the gravel between your toes for this is where you shall take deep breaths in knowing that soft sand is near.

We keep walking because we don't want to sit down and feel the ground for there is no need to roll around on the rigid ground. We continue to walk because our feet are made for walking; therefore, we can welcome the gravel and rocks. Our destination is sheer joy, beauty, softness, and peace.

Just like we know softer ground is coming, we shall know that abundance, peace and joy are near. We shall keep walking until we see it. The ground will help us to see with strength and confidence that we are carrying abundance, peace, and joy.

We are so powerful that with faith, we can create the sand under our feet as we walk. Do you know what faith is? Yes, it is the realization that all that there is and ever will be is Love! More importantly, we carry love and we leave it as we walk on the gravel and rocks. So, we turn gravel into beautiful sand with our footsteps. So, the next person behind us will walk on soft sand. Thoughts of love, beauty, peace and encourgement creates beauty for others.

So, get behind me as I create beautiful soft white sand for you. You look behind and see the sand you leave, too. I know you are smiling as I am.

I'm so grateful!

Let's Be the Village

2010-12-06T12:23:00.002-05:00

It takes a village to raise a child. It takes God's love to spread joy to so many children simultaneously. The beauty of spreading love and joy is that it never has to stop. Good is always flowing. "We can only give away what we have and we only keep what we can give away."

Through Let's be the Village campaign, Se'Lah at Necessary Room has accepted the gift to love and cherish children by showering them with gifts. The gifts are wonderful, but the act is Divine!!! Will you join in? I thought so...

Peace and Blessings!

Love

2010-11-22T09:35:00.001-05:00

I love myself so much

That I can love you so much

That you can love you so much

That you can start loving me.

Rickie Byars Beckwith

Random Thoughts - Just strolling along with you...

2010-11-16T15:25:00.012-05:00

First, I want to say thank you to Se'Lah and Anyes for hosting such a fabulous and beautiful Random Acts of Kindness for World Kindness Day! Kindness is everyday, all day, and I'm so grateful these ladies brought it forth in my consciousness. Thank you ladies! I will continue to share my Random Acts of Kindness here in Operation You!

This is my second year of graduate school and I've had some ups and downs and all arounds! But, I must say that I'm grateful for this challenge.

When I decided to go back to school, I didn't ponder on the idea. Sure, the idea passed me like the wind a few times during my undergraduate years, but I thought,  It's just a fleeing thought.

I believe it was a Tuesday, and this day, I had been buried in work. Just like a baby who takes her first breath, the wind pushed through my lungs. I gasped for air and said, "I'm going back to school," just like that. I opened an internet browser on my computer, searched for my school, and applied.  I knew I would get accepted. I knew that money wouldn't be an obstacle even though I didn't have any. I accepted and it came to pass. Thank God!

Now that I'm here, I'm glad I didn't take the time to ponder on the idea of attending graduate school or else I may have talked myself out of it. It's a lot of work, but I know it's all for a purpose, and that purpose is to allow the Divine Presence to express through me. It's all about lifting others.

Today in meditation, I received this understanding: Releasing and letting go years of a trained ego that fed on doubt, worry, lack and limitaiton, and fear allows me to see the complete opposite.  Now, I know what IS and has been since Creation. I must affirm the truth daily so I don't re-visit my old thought patterns. Love, faith, peace, abundance, and truth allows me to close my eyes and walk toward the light just by knowing it and feeling it. I'm walking with a smile on my face. Sheer joy!

Bliss is at your heart. Please accept it and smile with me.

Random Acts of Kindness - Recognizing Her

2010-11-02T10:57:00.018-04:00

I am not sure why I drove through Zaxby's, a high-scaled fast food restaurant, on my way home from class. I got out of class the usual time of 9:15 pm and proceeded on my standard route when I pulled into Zaxby's. I thought, Vickie, you are not hungry and you don't eat this food so why are you pulling in here? I scanned the bright menu and ordered a small fried pickles. This should be interesting.

At first, nothing stood out about the young woman at the drive-through window. I gave her my last $10.00 for my $2,00 bill, all the money I had. She stepped away for a few seconds and an understanding began to brew inside of me; she is love and she needs to hear it. She came back to the window and stretched her hand almost inside my car window. I looked in her eyes. She looked in her mid-thirties and her eyes were deep with heavy black eye shadow and eye liner. The woman seemed to use the dark make up to hide the entrance to her soul. Her eyes didn't look spooky, but almost unworthy.

"May I ask you to keep the change?" I said.

She said, "Why?"

"Because I want you to have it."

She questioned my intent through her eyes and said, "We are not suppose to take tips."

I said, "This is not a tip."

Again she asked, "Why? Is it because I'm always here working?"

"I've never been here before," I said.

She said, "I don't understand."

I agreed, "Me either, but I want you to have this because I want you to remember that you are beautiful. You are special. You are here with a purpose - a great purpose. And don't let anyone or yourself tell you any differently. You deserve this [..money] and so much more. You deserve Good. So, don't be afraid to receive it. Ok?"

"You are making me cry," she said in a soft voice as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

Tears also filled my eyes and I became honored to be in her presence.

She returned to the drive-through window with a much larger container than what I paid for. The blackness around her eyes smeared a bit, but I did see the light of her soul perhaps because I looked for it. It has always been there.

"Thank you," she said.

I said, "No, thank you. You have a wonderful evening and beautiful life."

She nodded as tears fell down her cheeks.

I drove away thinking about what happened. Immediately, my ego wanted to question my intent, but I wouldn't allow it. The awareness within me recognized that I didn't have time for my ego to talk me out of the action I took. That's the beauty of listening within. When we are in constant communion with the Divine Presence, we are able to express the Divine Presence without a thought. It just happens.

Something GOOD beyond me knew what she needed and I accepted that. I recognized the beauty, the peace, the love and the joy that is in all of us, and in her and I'm thankful and grateful for the opportunity to have recognized it in her.

This is my Random Act of Kindness.

Sponsored by Se'Lah over at Necessary Room and Anyes over at Far away in the Sunshine. They are hosting their version of A Random Act of Kindness day.

Always Climbing. Always Lifting.

2010-10-25T11:39:00.016-04:00

Hello everyone!

Today is an extraordinary day. There is no particular reason why. It just is!

I'm smiling today even though I could frown. I'm feeling love even though I could feel hate. I'm seeing peace even though I could feel hostility. Yes, I choose for this day to be extraoridnary!

Se'Lah over at Necessary Room and Anyes over at Far away in the Sunshine are hosting their version of A Random Act of Kindness day. I can't tell you how excited I am to join them. As usual, I'm late in joining but I've learned not to make excuses but to just embrace any and everything with such love, peace and humility. This beauty always supersedes negativity.

So, from this point until November 13th (World Kindness Day), I will write about my experiences here in showing acts of kindness. I have a couple situations that already stand out in my mind that are too wonderful to keep to myself. What is the point of climbing if we are not lifting others along the way? We are all connected. We are all one.

Please share your random acts of kindness. You may leave a link to wherever you post it.

Kindness is when you act on the beautiful thoughts you have of others.

Peace!

Things are going well!

2010-10-19T17:12:00.001-04:00

Last week was such a busy week. I kept thinking, I promised myself that I would no longer take weeks to post to Operation You, for me and for you. But, with school work staring at me everytime I walk by my book bag, my daughter's birthday party that required me to deep clean and cook and crowning two titles of mother and wife on the top of my head, I really was thankful that I learned to take deep breaths and let things be as they are.

If a thought came to me that made me question its nature, I immediately released the negative thought and the emotion went right along with it.

So, now I'm taking a toe-dip in this fresh water that covers this post and I am grateful for learning and knowing the truth, which is there is nothing wrong There is nothing bad. All is well. This is my power and yours.

Treading Water

2010-10-11T19:57:00.009-04:00

I always share with you how powerful we are and that strength that lifts us is within all of us. I share this with all that I am and know this to be the truth. I simply know because it is the only way that I am able to be centered in peace.

My girlfriend asked me, "How are you since you are no longer working?" Whenever anyone asks me this specific question or in general, I take the time to breathe and answer with such deep honesty and awareness. I answered Gwen:

"I feel like I'm walking on water, treading the waves but floating by faith. Even though I sometimes see fog, I close my eyes and boldly tread through it. When there is a wave that makes me feel like I'm drenched in heavy water; still, I tread the water. But the excitement is that the waves die down and the water dries. Then amazingly, I feel cleansed. And if and when the next fog or wave comes, I know I will eventually walk through with my eyes open because of faith and knowing the truth that there's always been good, joy, peace and love forever flowing. It's the law of God! It will never end and it's always accessible to us because it is us. Sinking is only in our minds. We are created to float.

I'm simply here to be the expresson of the Divine Presence and I so accept that!"

Gwen said, "Wonderful!"

I had a date.

2010-10-08T22:03:00.000-04:00

I picked her up from school.

We played in the park for a couple hours.

She fed the ducks dinner.

We walked, talked and laughed.

Jannah and I carried our date well into the evening.

Together we held our make-believed mics, sang and danced.

Now, we chat and comb Pink Poney's hair talking about the last weekend that we will spend together before she turns five years old.

What a date!

Let it shine...

2010-10-05T13:59:00.000-04:00

Pure and simple

the light flows from within

I do have a choice

to shield the light

From my and your sight

But I choose to let it shine

Why?

Because you are you.

if you were here...

2010-09-29T22:01:00.020-04:00

I could take you outside at dawn so you could see
the morning glories open up to reveal your favourite colour.

We could go on a walking meditation upon a mountaintop,
then jump as high as we can, and try to grab passing clouds by their tail.
oh yeah, i think i'd like that ;)

I could take you for a drive down long and windy, country roads.

I'm sure you won't mind if I turned up the bass and volume on the radio,

open all the windows, and let the wind blow through our dreads.

And since we're in no rush, we could head on over to the coast
to watch the sun play hide-no-seek behind the endless horizon.

And when night begins to fall, we could join the girls outside
and create shooting stars with sparklers.

*I'd love to hear what you would do, if you were here*

*My dearest Vickie, I sure wish you were here, but I'm thankful that you are sharing your thoughts more often these days. Your dose of positive was most certainly missed. Love you lots. one love, Se'lah

Inspirational Monday - Live the Impossible

2010-09-27T12:45:00.007-04:00

I absolutely love this photo! It's pure. Bright. Light. Calmness. Beautiful. These are just a few things that this photo demonstrates to me. Thank you Se'Lah!

Often during dawn meditation, my heart is opened and I become enriched with so many inspired thoughts of givingness, joy, love and wisdom. I usually write these thoughts down in my journal because they are evidence of the Divine Intelligence that operates through you and me, if we allow ourselves to operate in that place of stillness.

During Saturday's meditation, I wrote this down in my journal:

I constantly have direct contact with the Infinite Intelligence. It's all the time. I didn't hear this. I know this because I feel it. That's the spiritual communication that is always flowing. I have to stay spiritual to receive the communication and to give it. It's a two-way communication, but it's one. It is all one communication simultaneously. That means I am one with the Spirit. It breathes me. Yet, I have a choice through it. I surrender to it. I surrender my choice to it and I let it be.

There is nothing that we cannot achieve. If we just only realize how beautiful and powerful we are, we would see, know and expect greatness and the impossible ALL the time. The GOODNESS is not just at our fiingertips. It's greater than that because it is everywhere including right there where you are and in each of you. There is nothing stopping us from living our lives fully, but us. We are here to do so. Let's do it!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Joy is always flowing...

2010-09-22T01:38:00.009-04:00

I missed "Inspirational Monday." So, this will just be "Inspirational Today."

My daughter, two nieces and I were on our way home from the Olympic Centennial Park in Atlanta when we pulled into a Wendy's parking lot to take this photo of the sunset. The girls had on bathing suits and were really tired. We had driven about 45 minutes to Atlanta from the suburbs with no air conditioning in my car, but we were on our way to get it fixed. As a treat for dealing with the stifling heat in the car, they played in the park's water fountain to cool off. They had a blast!

On the ride home, everyone in the car was silent until I saw the sun. "Look everybody," I yelled. The inside of the car became lively. My daughter said, "Let's take a picture." So, we did.

For the next few minutes, we were lost in time and space. The sheer joy on all of our faces made me realize that recognizing the beauty is wonderful, but stopping to feel the beauty is a reward in itself. Gratitude and appreciation stayed with us long after the sun finally set. Joy is always flowing and is always available to us. We just have to remember to stand in it!

Peace and Blessings!

Weekend Concept - Breathing in life!

2010-09-18T10:31:00.002-04:00

It's the weekend and it's beautiful here in GA. The high will be 91 degrees, but it's not the July 90's so it doesn't feel as hot...yet. My family and I had breakfast on our front porch this morning and the breeze was wonderful! I wanted to take a picture, but I decided not to delay this post. Today is a good day.

As you can tell, I've been working on my blog some to reflect where I am on my journey. I think I'm liking it but time will tell. I need to do a few more things. So, thank you for tolerating me as I go through this process. It's definitely a work in progress. In fact, if you have any suggestions or comments about my new look, please feel free to share them. And don't be shy!

I accept this beautiful life that is given to me daily. Every breath I take reminds me to be grateful for the next one.

Happy Weekending!

My "Gift of Jewels" is here!

2010-09-15T00:30:00.008-04:00

Yeah! I've received my beautiful Gift of Jewels from Tracy over at Pink Purl. Aren't they just beautiful? Tracy sent me a handmade card that is adorable and this photo doesn't do my bracelet any justice. It is gorgeous and it feels so good on my wrist! I love it. I haven't had the opportunity to wear my bracelet yet, but I so look forward to wearing it soon. Thank you so much Tracy! And thank you Se'Lah for being the instrument to spread love around the world through the Gift of Jewels project!

It's been awhile since I've posted on Operation You and I miss it! My intention was to, at least, leave some inspiration here in between my busy schedule. But, I'm back...again. I plan to make my rounds and I thank you and appreciate all of you who continue to come and visit Operation You!

I'm grateful for all of you!

Because I AM...

2010-08-19T13:52:00.008-04:00

please, say it with me.

I can think positive thoughts Because I AM positive

I can live in love Because I AM love

I can reach my dreams Because I AM created for them

I can feel healthy Because I AM born into perfection

I can see beauty Because I AM beautiful

I can feel peaceful Because I AM peace

I can feel joy Because I AM joyous

I can think goodness Because I AM good

I can enjoy you Because I AM enjoyable

I can practice Truth Because I AM Truth

Knowing the Truth has set me free

We know we are all of these wonderful things because we are Life.

We are real.

We are Truth.

We are powerful.

Negativity is an illusion that we think and perceive.

All of our spirits are connected and we are one with the GREAT Power and Love, God.

One Unity. One Love.

Secret Treasures

2010-07-23T16:00:00.018-04:00

I had to display this photo again. It is perfect for this posting. Don't you agree?

Thank you Se'Lah!

Have you ever looked at one of your old storage bends or one of your old trunks where you got an urge to go in it because you didn't know what treasures you would find? Have you been excited to see something that you've forgotten was in there? This something allowed you to travel in time within and made you smile? And other times you have also asked, "Why did I ever keep this?" It brought memories to the surface you wished you never had retained.

That's how our memories work; some call it our subconsciousness. It is a storage bend or trunk. Every experience and idea are stored in our subconsiousness including the ones we perceive not so pleasant. We have to remember that even when we think we have gotten over something or got rid of something that we don't want to experience again; often, we have held on to it.

We have to totally release anything from our memories that could hinder us from growing and reaching our purpose for being here on this beautiful planet we call Earth. We have to bring "it" forward from our subconsciousness to our consciousness, our present awareness and then we can release it. We immediately replace it with something beautiful like a song or favorite inspirational poem or simply an affirmation. My body trembled as tears rolled down my face as I brought forth some unpleasant memories within my soul. But oh my, once I completed this work, I felt like a feather.

We need to detox from all of those negative things that we forgot we stored. Anytime a feeling comes up that is not pleasant, evaulate the thought behind that feeling and then release it. Practice letting go and replacing it repeatedly with knowledge of the truth until the new thought is imprinted in your soul. A thought of truth is to know that everything around us in Mother Nature continues to operate harmoniously whether our perceived day is bad or good. Mother Nature knows of nothing wrong, of nothing missing or of nothing bad. If something interferes with its harmony, such as man, She adjusts and keep on being Mother Nature.

Our thoughts and the stored thoughts and memories are there to remind us of our experiences but we have the power to change our experience by understanding that we are the power. We are the GOOD. We are born with it and it has always been. There is no convincing of ourselves. We must know simply because we exist.

We are simply here to experience ALL goodness and the Grace that is upon us is simply a deep love and a deep givingness by our Creator. This is called Life. Life grants us the key to ultimate wellness, peace, happiness, joy, beauty, abundance and of course an everflowing power of love! That's what Life is. There is no other. You are the secret treasure. Look within.

This is your destiny and I appreciate you.

Limitless Possibilities

2010-07-21T20:13:00.004-04:00

I was afraid to have faith because I thought, "What if it really doesn't work out?" There was something in me that found it easier to believe the negative thoughts and situations. There was something in my mind that continued to fuel my doubt. It was fear.

Then I understood that to believe is just to believe but to know is true calmness. Knowing that all is well - that we were born into complete perfection - allowed me to see clearly. Knowing comes from acceptance that we are not just here. We are here for a purpose.

I see beauty. I see love. I see joy. I see limitless possibilities. I listen with my heart's ear and I listen quietly and confidently. All is well everywhere. It is such a blessing. I am grateful.

Grounded in Power!

2010-06-17T02:44:00.005-04:00

Sometimes we feel like the weight of the world is making our bodies lean to either side and sometimes we even feel like we constantly lean forward with our backs arched and our heads hanging low. We feel like we can barely hold our bodies up. It's almost like fruit hanging on a thin branch of a tree. The branch almost touches the ground because it is so heavy with fruit.

We may be leaning, however, our base is strong. We have a foundation as strong as a tree and as solid as a tree's trunk which is deeply rooted in Mother Earth. So, take a deep breath and lift your shoulders with me and stand boldly rooted into life's foundation and that is God - Our foundation of truth.

This beautiful Presence that some call God is forever supporting us, lifting us, encouraging us to keep standing. We may have to release some perceived problems just like tree branches release fruit to gain posture. When we release (letting go) these problems, we unfold and we recognize how grounded we are in our foundation and we become true to ourselves. Our roots become stronger and we feel the lightness and bliss of joy!

We have the power. We are the power. Be grateful for the power and use the power to do extraordinary things because afterall, we have come to this life to indulge and share the greatest power of all and that is Love!

Say Yes!

2010-05-27T08:16:00.008-04:00

I pray that all is well out there in blogland.

I want to leave this message for all of you. Say Yes!

Say Yes to change

Say Yes to transformation

Say Yes to love

Say Yes to giving

Say Yes to peace

Say Yes to happiness

Say Yes to joy

Say Yes to receive

Say Yes to creativity

Say Yes to believing

Say Yes to knowing

Say Yes to serving

Say Yes to surrendering

Say Yes from deep within to all that you have come to this Earth to experience because it is truly your journey to finding and loving yourself. You are a beautiful Being that has been created by a wonderful, loving and giving Presence.

Go with the flow and say Yes! And watch sheer joy and harmony master your life!

Sending peace and blessings, always!

Today!

2010-04-22T13:44:00.005-04:00

Today is the day for whatever you imagine!

The Power of Turning Within

2010-04-14T14:50:00.010-04:00

Just when I think that I have arrived at that "point of no return" is when I find myself revisitng old thoughts and negativity that elevated me to seek out truth in the first place - the truth that is within me - the truth that's within all of us.

I returned from my wonderful vacation where I visited six islands in the Carribean within eight days. I have to admit, after five days, I was ready to leave that cruise ship and get back to my life. I'm excited about my life and I'm so thankful that I can say that I am. It took awhile for me to arrive to this part of my journey where I can say that.

However; when I returned home, I felt a wave of negativity. I know where it came from but it was almost like my ego - my mind said, "I got cha." My Being was just as persisted as my ego. I know that all of the peace, love and joy comes from within my soul and I knew this and I know this now. I have the power and I am the one that deposits the gifts of peace, love and joy into this world. I am created with these gifts and so are you. We are to share them with the world.

So, for three hours earlier than dawn, I breathed deeply and allowed the awareness to come forth. I listened and listened and then I went to sleep free of worry, doubt and fear. Excercising meditation and affirmative prayer are gifts from our Creator. Always use them. That's our power.

Listen to your heart: I Feel Like Letting Go - Rickie Byars Beckwith

My Birthday in Pureto Rico!

2010-04-02T06:57:00.009-04:00

Although this is not a picture of Puerto Rico, I have to say that I'm really in Puerto Rico for my birthday, today April 2nd!!! I'm on vacation. My schedule is so hectic at home that I didn't have time to talk about me going on vacation. But, I'm here.

I will be in Puerto Rico for two days before getting on the cruise ship. Yes, I will be crusing the Southern Carribean for seven days and let me tell you, what a great way to spend time looking within.

I want to say that I got up this morning for dawn meditation and prayer but I didn't. I wanted too, but there is always tomorrow. I got up to get online to handle a few things that I forgot to handle and I'm sitting by large double windows of my hotel room feeling and seeing the sun peek between the buildings. It's letting us know that it is a new day - new beginnings. How we are so magnificently blessed to get so many new beginnings!

If everyone in the world all took a long and deep breath at the same and exact time, we would still have enough air and sun to take a million more! Feel the joy in knowing the abundance that we live in!

Better Basket Blog Hop by Hershey

2010-03-31T01:14:00.006-04:00

I'm so excited Dori From a Yellow House in England pulled my shirt tail to bring my attention to this sweet way of making an everlasting deposit into this world and I'm so happy to do so.

I love baskets and especially when they are full of love. I accept.

Just today, I helped plan and participated in my daughter's Easter Party and yep, she and her classmates ran crazy with their paper baskets looking for those colorful eggs. It's a joy to see, hear and be a part of innocent laughter.

I aim to hear the voices of other children through the Children's Miracle Network via their Hershey's Better Basket Blog Hop. Hershey’s has pledged to donate up to $5,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network. How wonderful is that?

I'm going to pass the torch to others that can help in this effort. Join in to make your deposit into life! They are:

SeLah's Necessary Room

Cam's Journey Wildly

Thank you Dori and thank you ladies!

HERSHEY’S BETTER BASKET BLOG HOP RULES*

Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.

Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.

Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.

Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.

Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section.

You can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.

Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).

Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the donation.

We See You

2010-03-24T21:13:00.010-04:00

We see you.

We recognize you.

We respect you.

We adore you.

We honor you.

We understand you.

We feel you.

We pray you.

We see you.

We. love. you.

Listen to your heart: Yele Haiti delivers Over 400,000 Gallons of Water Throughout Port-au-Prince

Soak in Beauty

2010-03-16T12:04:00.007-04:00

After returning home from a three-hour class thinking about what topic I will select for my school project and while my daughter sometimes sleep soundly in the back seat or listen to her dance music, I can't help but to feel sometimes the pressure on my shoulders to handle it ALL.

Taking deep breaths is equivalent to taking long hot bubble baths scented with lavender. Deep breaths are fast and easy to do and you want to talk about pleasure? It is sometimes so pleasurable for me that I am engulfed in sheer relaxation. Then I'm able to soak in the beauty of all the wonderful things around for us just to simply enjoy.

When I get out of the car and the weather is perfect for viewing the stars, my daughter and I gaze and listen to the stars speak to us in the same way the ocean demands our attention. We can soak in all of Creation. It is our gigantic bubble bath. All we have to do is recognize Creation, speak back to it by showing our gratitude and with our souls, love it!

We are blessed with the ability to soak in Creation's beauty. Take full advantage of it!

Do you truly want peace?

2010-03-12T09:30:00.009-05:00

Sometimes we feel we are surrounded by walls of rigidness, lifelessness and yes, even doom. But understand these feelings come from one place and that's from our minds. Fortunately, our thoughts are not who we are. You've read this statement many times here on Operation You. Writing this statement with repetition reminds me that my Essence is the source that I want to feed my mind, allowing positive thoughts to flow through me. I write to remind you as well.

Peace doesn't come through our minds. It comes through our essence, our being, our souls, our hearts because we are peace. We were born with peace. We generate peace. We receive peace from one source and that is our Creator! Peace is breathed into us every minute of each day.

All we have to do is see peace everywhere we look and we will, without a doubt, feel it because it is within. We are able to see it in others and in any event. The beauty is that no matter what chatter is going on in our minds and what situation or event that is plastered on the television, we can still see and feel peace. Awesome!

I'm so thankful! I leave these words with you from Howard Thurman. Read them out loud because when you do this, you will understand that all there is for us to do is to be open to our purpose here on this Earth. We all have a purpose or else we wouldn't be here!

The Goal of Life is God!

The source of Life is God!

God is the goal of man's life, the end of all of his seeking,

the meaning of all of his striving.

Howard Thurman

(Taken from 40 Day Mind Fast Soul Feast - Michael Bernard Beckwith)

Leap of Life

2010-03-03T06:25:00.012-05:00

Hey Everybody!

Well, it's been a long, long time since I last posted but I do have some exciting news. I've been diligently working on completing my first manuscript. This one is my baby. Sure, I have other incomplete works that are sitting around begging for my attention but the one I'm working on now is my first leap into writing novels. The title is called Stone Cold Secrets and I have an elated soul because I have the opportunity to be creative until my heart is content!

It's amazing how Life takes you on this wonderful and sometimes bumpy ride only to drop you off right where you started. It's the purity, peace and creativity that scurried you along when you were a child. It's the enthusiasm to see what is just around the corner that will thrust your soul forward. You have to make the leap and if you don't, the bumpy part of the journey of Life becomes the reminder of the smooth part. That smooth part of Life's journey is where and what you should be doing to make a meaningful deposit into Life.

I'm thankful for the bumpy part of the journey because it is the piece where guard rails are GENTLY and lovingly supporting us on both sides to keep us going on the path of Life. We will eventually end up right back where we started and that is to love Life, ourselves and others and to give of ourselves unconditionally. My friend, this love is a natural stepping stone to ultimate creativity and that's how our Creator expresses itself through us. We create beautiful masterpieces in this Life and our essence is a stamp on other people's lives along the journey!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Lovin Ms. J!

2010-02-10T21:26:00.009-05:00

She loves to sing

She loves to dance

Her eyes tell what she is feeling within

She is strong and yet meek as a lamb

She is silly and yet the pain of others she understands

She hides her face from violence but she goes boldly towards peace

Her name is Ms. Jannah

I'm soaking in all of her lovin!

She takes photos all day, everyday!

Love Conscious

2010-02-06T06:18:00.015-05:00

I've missed yet another Conscious Friday over at Se'Lah's Necessary Room. I continue to think about Se'Lah and Conscious Friday so I consciously feel like giving a little consciousness in dedication to Se'Lah. Loving Se'Lah is so easy!

Everyday my sincere intent is to consciously check my love status. From minute to minute, I evaluate my words, my thought patterns and my actions to understand my behavior and what place my reactions or responses come from. I ask myself, " Is that ego or love talking?" I began doing more of this looking within after attending the meditation retreat.

During meditation, I'm so excited to understand the clarity that resonates within me. I understand why specific people are in my life and believe me, I write it all down in my journal to remind me over and over again. I discovered that every single person that is in my life is there for a reason and I am in their lives for a reason. When I wrote my chart identifying the names and the reasons why they are in my love, peace and understanding swirled around me like the winds of a tornado. I no longer needed to ask that question, why?

I consciously practice love. It can be so challenging sometimes especially when my mind/ego tells me that this person doesn't deserve my love for whatever reason. I am love. We are all love. To try and separate love from the essence of who we are is like our bodies trying to function without a heart. Love is breathed into us by our Creator. Isn't that just divine? The very breath that we take to keep us alive is love. Love heals us. It challenges us. It feeds us. It showers us with compassion. Love allows us to be thankful and grateful. Love is peace. It is simply our lifeline! It has to be or else we wouldn't be a part of this beautiful creation!

I'm consciously loving you and accepting love everyday. Every hour. Every minute! I know you are too.

"I Love You" Month - Ms. Kim

2010-02-01T14:23:00.011-05:00

For a long time I wanted to write about his spectular woman but there weren't any words within me that could begin to measure the respect, love and admiration I have for her. When you are gifted with a person in your life that strives to see love and only love in everything and everybody, it's only a matter of time before you aspire to see the same love.

Kim has been my "bestest" friend for over twenty years. We have cried together, laughed together until we held our bladders and yes we have even disagreed, but we never once stopped being friends, "sistafriends." Neither of us won't let that happen. My sister Doris who has left this world coined the word, "sistafriend," or maybe she got it from somewhere, I'm not sure. But Doris used "sistafriend" to describe Kim simply because she was closer than our friend.

My sistafriend loves God with all her heart and has the strength and confidence to stand boldly in the love that heals all! I'm so grateful that her spirit chose me and and my spirit chose her to reflect on this gift called life together and we have a great time doing it!

My daughter calls Valentine 's Day, "I love you" day so I decided to call February, "I love you" month along with Black History Month. I wanted to reflect on the people that I love just because...

So, I'm sending love to all of you and all the joy that is within all of you wonderful Beings, I pray that it shines brightly!!

The Simple Things

2010-01-27T09:37:00.006-05:00

I'm excited to join in, finally, with "The Simple Things" extravaganza from Christina's Soul Aperture! I'm elated to be part of recognizing the simple things that make each of our lives so rewarding and incredible! So, here I go...

Dawn meditation and prayer

Deep breaths

The first hug of the day from my daughter

Green Smoothie

A smile from anybody

Snuggling with my hubby

Love

Patience

Rain

My Blender

Forgiveness

Chocolate and Peppermint Teeccino

Dancing with my daughter

Fireplace

Laughter

Raw Food

Joy

Peace

and

Peace

Sending love, peace and joy everyday, all day to you!

Simply knowing...

2010-01-18T21:58:00.011-05:00

I thank you so much for all of the warm hellos, positve energy and love that I'm currently feeling right now as I write this message. I've tried to write this particular post for over a week now and named it "Simply Knowing." However, I'm not sure what or where the beautiful Spirit was leading me when I gave this post the title. You know what's more intriguing about this idea? I have no desire to change this title. I'm not even sure why I chose this photo. I know that it's beautiful. It represents freedom to me.

What comes to my soul right now about this title is, "when you know that you know," no one or nothing will alter what you feel because if you listen with your heart and your soul and remain still in listening deep within, you simply know. You know that "This too shall pass." You know that nothing is greater than the love that is within you. It's your direct connection to an overflow of pure beauty. You know that regardless what your eyes see externally; internally, you understand the powerful winds of peace - love - joy that constantly swirl around you in abundance even when you are not paying attention. These winds are always there, everywhere.

You simply know so go ahead and smile in knowing. Be confident in knowing. Accept that you know and live in peace!

Bosom of love

2010-01-06T21:43:00.008-05:00

She offered to pick me up from the airport on the day I arrived to Palm Springs Airport. I don't know why I was so amazed that she just simply wanted to give of herself without limitations. She greeted me with such a sweet smile and I immediately understood why she volunteered to pick us up from the airport at three different times. After speaking with her, I knew it was because of the road she had taken to get her to where she is in her life. For the first time, I had just met a kindred spirit that embraced life without hesitations. Our paths connected and suddenly we were traveling the same direction on the same road going to the same place. Awesome!

We were leaving the airport traveling this road in the above photo and I gasped for air as this view of the Creator rested in my heart. At this moment, I knew I was to be in her truck on this very road.

Have you ever had a feeling, instinct or vision where you absolutely knew without a doubt that you were to be doing exactly that thing or going that exact place or experiencing that very thing where so much excitement and joy covered you like a blanket and all you could do was leap inside? Well, I strongly felt it and I knew that the meditation retreat would change my life forever. I rest in the bosom of love now and I'm not going anywhere.

Happy New You!

2010-01-04T22:13:00.008-05:00

After four days of bliss from looking within at the beautiful and powerful being that I am, I created my first purpose statement for my life for 2010 and I will share:

"I will live, love and celebrate life to my fullest potential being grateful for every step and in that I will surrender to my call to peace, giving and joy because I'm the light that God breathes!"

The meditation retreat was more than what I expected. Well, I didn't know what to expect really but it was everything plus more than I could imagine. I left the retreat knowing and feeling the power that we all have within. We are Beings with such abundance. We just need to understand our potential.

So, instead of saying Happy New Year to each other, we said Happy New You!! I left feeling more of myself and the best is yet to come. I will share more about my transformation here in this place. Stay tuned...

Happy New You!

P.S. The photo is of a set of mountains that lined the streets of Joshua Tree, CA.

Happy New Year!

2009-12-28T09:23:00.005-05:00

I didn't have a photo that showed fireworks so I thought I would use the beautiful and glowing rays of the sun to light up the beauty within each of your souls!

I will be away this week meditating into the New Year! I'm sending you all joy, peace and most importantly, the sweet and strong energy that is everywhere and that unite us in viewing the most beautiful fireworks that we have the priviledge of seeing daily and that is life! That energy is the core and the connection to the greatest - the Creator. What a wonderful and exciting gift!

Happy New Year!

Inspirational Monday: Quietness

2009-12-20T14:02:00.005-05:00

Have you ever saw the movie, Nell? I went into my bedroom to locate my slippers and I just happened to catch the beginning of this movie. My husband, a serious television watcher, leaves the TV on even though no one is in the bedroom watching it. So, to my surprise, I watched a movie on a Sunday afternoon, which is very rare for me to watch television period.

I was captivated by this movie because life was so simple for "Nell" in the woods and livng in an old cabin by a beautiful river. She grew up from a child to an adult by herself. Humans came into her life wanting to "give her a better life." How better is simple, sweet, calming and beautiful?

During the end of the movie, she had to present her case to the courts as to why she should be left alone to live her life in the woods. Imagine! But one of the most beautiful things she said to the court and the people witnessing the case was, "What I see different in your world is that people yearn for quiet but don't know how to get it. You don't look into each other's eyes. Don't feel sorry for me." She looked at the people in the court when she said it.

Do you yearn for quietness? If so, look within your heart and ask for guidance to quietness, to peace, if you haven't already. I assure you stillness, peace and quietness are who we are!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Meditating my way to peace

2009-12-16T21:30:00.007-05:00

There's something that I wanted to share with you but I can't seem to remember what it is. Oh yes! I remember. Exciting news is that I'm going on a meditation retreat in two weeks and I can't tell you how excited I am. I'm bursting at the seams with joy! I will be on a resort in a desert surrounded by mountains; nothing but shear peace and solitude. I'm exhaling.

For five days, I will be meditating, taking yoga, eating a raw diet and sending positive energy and love to all of you in blogland! I'm expecting that beam of light to accompany me home and you know I'm going to share it.

Joshua Tree Retreat, here I come!

P.S. I'm working on my site so please bare with me.

What questions do you ask?

2009-12-15T21:57:00.004-05:00

Instead of asking questions like, "Why me?" or "Why does this have to happen now?" or "What have I done to deserve this?" or even, "What is the deal?" Ask questions with a purpose of expecting a solid answer. Ask meaningful questions and then from that point, you will understand that every situation has a meaning for us to grasp so that we understand our higher purpose in experiencing this thing call life.

When we send messages of negativity out, we receive a negative response. When we send messages with a purpose, we receive a positive response that is purposeful! So, after you read this message, ask yourself a meaningful question. The question that I sent out into the Universe today was, "What is my purpose or reason for experiencing life on this earth?" The response I received is currently taking place right before my eyes. I can't explain it, but I can feel and see it happening!

"Everything that God is, we already are; all that God has, is already ours."

Sending you positive energy, always!

Inspirational Monday: Everyday is magical

2009-12-13T23:17:00.009-05:00

The moon peeked through the clouds on our way home last night and as always, my daughter said, "Look mommy, the moon is following us. It's night-night time."

I said, "Isn't it magical?"

She said, "It's so beautiful."

When the raindrops fall,
the snowflakes flutter,
the sun beams its heat,
the clouds bubble in the sky,
the stars beg for our attention,
the moon plays hide-n-seek,
It's pure. It's simple. It's magical.

Take a deep breath. That's also magical!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

"Gift of Jewels" Giveaway!

2009-12-07T08:14:00.013-05:00

Hi everyone,

First, I hope this message finds you in peace and joy! I miss all of you.

Since I am participating in the "Gift of Jewels" Giveaway, I decided to post my giveaway. This is such an exciting event taking place. It's amazing what Se'Lah over at Necessary Room is doing to keep the spirit of love floating around in blogland, but more importantly in the world.

Do you know that we, the people, have a need to help others? Do you know that we find peace, love and happiness when we give of ourselves? Yes, we do!!

So, when you feel things are not coming together quite the way you anticipated or when you are having a "bad" day, try helping or doing anything for the first person you see and watch how your attitude changes. You will smile. You will take a deep breath and relax about whatever your challenge is because at the end of the day, our personal problems are not that deep no matter what they are. I'm a witness!

Our purpose on this earth is not to take anything from it but to release all the good that comes from the essence of who we are. Spread a little peace around the world! Se'Lah is doing that and I can tell she is tickled pink inside!

P.S. Happy Inspirational Monday and you can expect my blogging to pick up by end of next week!

I'll be back...

2009-11-09T22:58:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone,

For the first time in awhile I'm actually stumbling on what to say here in my sacred spot. Operation You has been so good to me and I hope it has been as equally good to you. I have written through the toughtest times and I have written through times where I was gleaming with hope, love, peace and joy.

Unfortunately, I will need to take a a break from blogging, as the articles are coming fewer and fewer. With school and the funnel of life right now, it's been a challenge to supply this sacred space the attention it needs and deserves. With that being said, I will be back and know that I will visit all of you as much as I can.

To all of my followers, thank you for listening, believing with me and practicing peace on your spiritual journey. Remember, I'm still here in blogland and please know that I treasure each of you!

As always, I'm sending positive energy your way and a boat load of peace, love and joy!!

Inspirational Monday: Imagine

2009-11-01T11:22:00.009-05:00

Yesterday was a beautiful Fall day. I walked up Kennesaw Mountain and I was determined to walk on this Sunday afternoon. I didn't mind the sweat at all because I felt the joy of being in a place where I could just be without a cell phone, without papers to write and without demands. I treasure each and every moment like this.

Then I remembered what a very inspiring woman told me on Thursday, October 22nd. With a voice that reminded me of actress, Ruby Dee, and a spirit that still reminds me even at this moment to smile with gratitude, she told me to say during those times of opporutnity, "I need support, lovingly, quietly, and sweetly without crisis." These words resonated within me because at that time, I felt like a cloud was hovering over me. She was a breath of fresh air to me and as I walked up that mountain, I felt her spirit and I dedicate these words to her.

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Imagine
Imagine this

Imagine that

Imagine all those wonderful things that could ignite

In your presence and in your delight

The sun shines with all its might

To remind you of its extraordinary rays of bright

She came like day in the night

Could it be peace? Could it be joy?

Could it be both conjoined?

In your heart, in your mind,

In the depth of you - the divine

The Presence is always there

Supporting you with love, with peace

You cannot be denied – we are part of the divine

The thunder of silence - Feel it!

2009-10-27T09:52:00.009-04:00

I lit my scented Mulberry candles, closed my eyes, took deep breaths and sat in silence for awhile this morning. All the background noise appeared to be the loudest at first such as the roar of vehicle engines, the busy radio and the refrigerator motor kicking on and off. However, they all became faint sounds in the distant because I sat in complete silence.

I came to a conclusion again this morning that silence is definitely louder than noise. It is stillness. It is peace. It is profound. It is massive. It is healing. It is astonishing because stillness/silence are everywhere and in everything including in you. Noise cannot exist without silence. I look at the trees that inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. They are alive but yet they stand tall in silence - in stillness - in peace!

Thank you Presence!

Sending you positive energy and stillness today with all that I am!

Conscious Friday: Healthy. Whole. Complete.

2009-10-23T09:01:00.013-04:00

"I am healthy, whole and complete." Say it with me, "I am healthy, whole and complete."

These words belong to Louise Hay, author of You Can Heal Your Life. I believe the Presence within us gives us the power to relieve our bodies of ailments due to stress and other life events. Dis-ease comes in so many different forms, but it doesn't have power over us. We are Beings with a direct path to peace. It is the stillness that's already inside of us.

Today, I plan to become aware of the thoughts that may have or can create certain nagging physical ailments to my body.

Today, I affirm that I'm healthy and feel the strength in my body. Today, I affirm that I am whole because all that I am is everywhere. It's that divine Presence! I affirm that I am complete because all I need is what I already have!

Let's stay conscious today and everyday in knowing that we are healthy, whole and complete! Feel it. Know it. Believe it. Expect it. Accept it.

Have a Happy Conscious Friday!

Inspirational Monday: Stay in the present moment

2009-10-19T07:51:00.005-04:00

Staying in the present moment is really a challenge especially when we have things that constantly remind us to think. We think about the outcomes, we play the movie reels in our minds and we focus on what things could be instead of what is now. Worry stresses our mind and our bodies. Worry is incessive thinking on a specific subject or many subjects at once.

We can quiet our minds by taking a deep breath and let go. Feel the tension release from your shoulders. Know that if we focus on the real us, the powerful Beings that we are, we can not only overcome our challenges, but we can live to our fullest potential.

Stay in the present moment by not thinking. Stay in the present moment by spending qaulity time with you. When your thoughts begin to go down a path that is familiar to you and that makes you worry, shake your head as if you are shaking the thoughts right out and pay attention to what you are doing at that present moment. Stay in the present moment and accept those challenges with ease because that's when they dissipate.

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Conscious Friday: Codex

2009-10-15T11:21:00.017-04:00

Happy Awarness Day everybody! I'm excited to have a place like Operation You to inform you about events and ideas that could have a major impact on us individually and collectively.

I want to bring to your attention a rather quiet but major campaign that is currently happening across the world. Pharmaceutical companies, worldwide, under the alias name of Codex have invested a lot of money to campaign "on our behalf." They are interested in standardizing the food we eat because they have an interest in our "well being." It appears to me their interest is to keep us sick.

I am determined to get involved to maintain my freedom to choose how and what I consume. Please read the article below or click on aliveRaw.com to read it and to find out more information.

Conscious Friday is the consciousness of Se'Lah at Necessary Room. Have a Happy Conscious Friday!
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Codex (Formally Codex Alimentarious - which is Latin for “Food Code”) is a rapidly moving “legal and political” movement world wide which is geared to severely limiting our health freedoms. (It is driven primarily by world wide Big Pharma people – driven now by the US pharma). It is all under the guise of creating world wide standards for our “well being” affecting anything we consume – food and all nutrients, supplements, etc. This has been an extremely insidious and clever low key campaign which is why few people are aware of Codex and its impact. Pieces of this program have been cleverly inserted as “tack ons” in other important legislation that has nothing to do with Codex.

Among the positions it is actively pushing: (most of which have already been adopted for over 100 other countries):

All foods – including organic - will be irradiated

All nutrients (vitamins and minerals) are to be considered toxins/poisons and are to be removed from all food because Codex prohibits the use of nutrients to "prevent, treat or cure any condition or disease.

Worldwide implementation of unlabeled GMOs into crops, animals, fish and trees.

All animals used for food are to be treated with potent antibiotics and exogenous growth hormones.

Nutrients allowed will be limited to a Positive List developed by Codex which will include such beneficial nutrients like Fluoride (3.8 mg daily) developed from environmental waste. All other nutrients will be prohibited nationally and internationally to all Codex-compliant countries

All nutrients (e.g., CoQ10, Vitamins A, B, C, D, Zinc and Magnesium) that have any positive health impact on the body will be deemed illegal under Codex and are to be reduced to amounts negligible to humans' health. You will only be able to get these with a doctor’s prescription – and that will be subject to rigid guidelines.

All advice on nutrition (including written online or journal articles or oral advice to a friend, family member or anyone) will be illegal. This includes naturalnews.com reports on vitamins and minerals and all nutritionist's consultations.

Mandatory use of growth hormones and antibiotics on all food herds, fish and flocks (All dairy cows are to be treated with Monsanto's recombinant bovine growth hormone.)

The reintroduction of deadly and carcinogenic organic pesticides that in 1991, 176 countries (including the U.S.) have banned worldwide including 7 of the 12 worst at the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pesticides (e.g., Hexachlorobenzene, Toxaphene, and Aldrin) will be allowed back into food at elevated levels.

and more……

Inspirational Monday: Rainbow of Beings

2009-10-12T07:56:00.007-04:00

This morning I woke up understanding more than ever that we are Beings. Activities of this world are only temporary. We are forever. I acknowledge in you what I feel inside of me and that is love, peace, joy and I acknowledge in you the energy that gives our bodies movement -equals life - life to this world!

Every living thing gives this world life and the colorful energies we draw upon for life is the magnificent and beautiful Presence that gives us blessings to feel, see and experience life as we know it! We are a rainbow of Beings. Thank you Presence!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Field of Dreams

2009-10-07T09:58:00.008-04:00

Remember the dreams you had when you were a kid? Remember how big, bold and colorful they were?

I would get lost in my dreams for what seemed like hours. I remember dreaming that I danced so long and so hard that my body would be drenched in sweat. This was one of my favorite dreams because I dreamed of dancing on stage in front of thousands of people. One night I would create a beautiful ballet ensemble and the next night, I would be one of Michael Jackson's background dancers to the song "Thriller." I soaked in the cheers of the crowd and the warm feeling of my contribution in making others smile. Incredible! When I left my dreams and returned to my bedroom window, I felt such a deep satisfaction and I felt full inside. I would then go outside to hang out with my friends with such hope and inspiration. Anything was possible!

Along the way some of us stopped dreaming as adults. Our possibilities became depended on what we perceived as "important" external and internal factors. Some excuses that I've heard my ego say, "I'll wait until I'm debt free. I'm waiting until the kids are out of school. I have to lose weight first. I need the perfect dress first. Wait until I finish school." Does this sound familiar to you?

Dreams are the true nature of who we really are and dreaming provide us with hope, inspiration and joy. So go ahead and tap into your field of dreams. Dream long, dream hard, dream big, dream, dream, dream! Before you know it, that dream becomes reality. We may not experience the dream in its entirety at first, but getting on that path really motivates us to keep dreaming and thus, keep experiencing the true essence of who we really are. We have a right to dream so take advantage of it. Lose yourself in your field of dreams. Feel yourself on "stage" in acceptance of your true self.

I have a secret for you. I'm currently living one of my dreams. It is sharing these types of motivational thoughts with you. I dream big!

Sending you lots of energy to tap into your dreams!

Inspirational Monday: Flying high on joy

2009-10-04T21:11:00.006-04:00

The first windy day came and my husband took our daughter outside to fly her first kite. I turned from my computer screen from the grind of working to look outside of the window and saw this kite flying high in the air. I listened for the beautiful sound of my daughter's voice cheering for her dad to make the kite go higher. It was a beautiful sight to my eyes and a sweet sound to my hears!

I grabbed my camera and ran outside feeling like the sun had lit up my insides. There they were with the biggest smiles on their faces. I snapped a few more photos and returned inside to my desk and to my work. I worked the rest of the day with a luminous smile on my face. The smile reflected the peace I felt within. I was just simply joyful.

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Conscious Friday: My Scented Journey

2009-10-02T16:34:00.005-04:00

I just realized that I hadn't posted for Conscious Friday! Me? I can't believe it.

So, when I realized that I have been absent minded, I thought I need to still post because after all, Se'Lah's Necessary Room gives me so much to think about. She helps me to definitely think outside of my flowery testimonies of peace (smile).

All kidding aside - the first topic that came to mind was the fact that my daughter and I tried to sleep on an air mattress last night and needless to say, we didn't get much sleep.

After tossing and turning for what seemed like a few hours, Jannah decided that the most comfortable spot for her to sleep was on me. Yes, she put her entire body on mine and was sleeping like an angel. Of course, I on the other hand, felt like the weight of a tree was preventing me from breathing. I rustled myself on to my feet with Jannah in arms to go downstairs to my niece’s bedroom so we both could get some sleep since her bed was now empty, which started out occupied.

Then "Mr. Anxiety" tapped into my brain. I began thinking about how much homework I needed to do after being pulled aside by one of my professors who recommended that I allot more time for my writing because she was sure that I could get an "A" in the class if I really make the proper time. Excuse me, did I say I was unhappy with my "B?"

I have bags under my eyes from lack of sleep and a boatload of "homework," which I would rather give the word “homework” the proper name. I'll say it begins with the letter "s" and ends with the letter "t." I'm sure you can figure the word out!

So, in order for me to maintain my self-proclaim Queen of Peace title, I am now visualizing my journey of grad school to be a pleasant road of beautifully scented flowers that take me to a rewarding and self-deserved place. When I visualize the actual destination of this "place,” I will let you know.

I'm consciously devoted to writing! Have I convinced you?

Happy Conscious Friday!

Inspirational Monday: Cycles of life

2009-09-28T08:47:00.009-04:00

The ocean is so magical. I remember when I was in Mexico during my cruise vacation; I was standing on the beaches of Progresso looking at how the water cleansed the very soft ground that I was standing on. As new sand washed up on the beach, the old disappeared into the fast-moving waters. I now compare this water and sand movement to the cycles of life.

Our egos/perception tells us that we have good days and we have bad days, but did you know that happy frequencies and bad frequencies come from the same energy source, which is the energy of impermanence? It is always moving and that's why we perceive days of "good and bad."

The cycle of impermanence is the natural cycle of life. In that, I mean that we need bad days to regenerate in the cycle of life. We need to get rid of the old - old thoughts, old emotions and old feelings. We need good days to understand when we encounter bad days - accepting the new - new thoughts, new mini-journeys, new understandings. This concept is the natural law of life.

However, peace and joy are ALWAYS available to us on good days and bad days because we don't need any external factors to give us joy and peace. Our genetic makeup includes joy and peace. Why, because we are spiritual Beings. So, the next time you understand that it is not a good day, close your eyes and look within to get a glimpse of the joy and peace that you have in the middle of chaos. It's stillness. It's calmness. Its quietness and it is our avenue to escape all drama.

Accept the chaos and move on because after all, it is not permanent. Accept the happiness, enjoy it and move on. Peace, joy and love are ALWAYS! We are these very things!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Conscious Friday: Sending lots of support!

2009-09-25T09:31:00.006-04:00

Photos courtesy of CNN

While waters flood the streets of Paulding and Douglas Counties and other surrounding Atlanta areas, I realized that it is a lot worse than I could even imagine. Although my neighborhood didn't suffer any loss or wasn't impacted like others, the Paulding community did suffer as a whole. Roads collapsed, bridges collapsed, water covered rooftops and large holes became natural ponds.

I know a couple of people who lost everything. We are now helping by donating what we can to the families.

When times like these occur, it is always a natural instinct to be conscious of our surroundings and to be thankful for all that we have, even if we feel it is not enough. We must be thankful and grateful!!

Sending support and lots of love to those who experienced loss during the floods!

Love Thursday: Happy Love Thursday!

2009-09-24T00:49:00.001-04:00

Happy Love Thursday!

The energy of money...

2009-09-22T21:39:00.006-04:00

During these difficult economic times, it's easy to get distracted and focus on what we don't have or what we need to hang onto so that we maintain our level of security. I'm here to echo the words of Dr. Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith. "Money is simply a promissory note. We never spend money - we circulate energy in the form of money. It always comes back to us."

I accept all the energy and its bolt of lightening that lines my pockets of life!

Inspirational Monday: Spreading the inspiration

2009-09-21T11:03:00.003-04:00

Just when I feel like I can't go on, someone or something gives me a dose of inspiration. So, I'm paying it forward to you and sending you a huge dose of inspiration!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Conscious Friday: I am conscious

2009-09-18T07:52:00.007-04:00

Today, I am conscious of her smile

his eyes

her touch

his voice

his nod

a sincere thank you

her holding the door

her laughter

its sound

its color

silence

and I'm truly grateful that I am conscious

of this and so much more.

Happy Conscious Friday!

Love Thursday: Love Shadow

2009-09-16T15:41:00.005-04:00

In the night

In the day

I walk with long strides

Hope, faith and peace in my mind

There is no shame to my pace

It's only time

Time to heal, time to forgive, time to believe

That my love shadow is waiting to be seen

Almost instantly, it is recognized with disbelief

Love Shadow was always there, hanging from my heart's beam!

Happy Love Thursday!

Inspirational Monday: Conversation with Innocence

2009-09-13T23:22:00.011-04:00

It has been such a special weekend. I had a major breakthrough where my body was not reacting to the thoughts in my mind which felt like sand weighing on my neck, shoulders and down my spine. Lightness swirled around me a like a feather blowing in the wind. I smiled with such joy and I was intimately grateful!

My nieces and daughter were painting and drawing while I was making dinner today and needed more spaghetti sauce, one of their favorite meals. So, I took a drive to the corner store and my daughter jumped up from her play partners and said, “Mommy, I’m going with you.” I said, “Sweetie, I’m coming right back.” She persisted, “Let me get my shoes.” I waited for her. I found it odd that my nieces had no desire to jump in the car. A trip to the corner store meant a possible chance to get their favorite candy. Only now I see with my mind’s eye that I was about to have a conversation with innocence.

Jannah and I opened the doors to my car and landed our feet on the parking lot of Dollar General and she looked down immediately and said, “Mommy, what is all of these little white things all over the ground?”

“Cigarettes,” I told her wondering if she had ever seen anyone smoke a cigarette before as I knew that would be her next question.

“Why do they throw them on the ground? We have to protect the Earth.”

“Yes we do sweetheart. Yes we do.” I hurried into the store looking at how my three-year-old daughter studied all of the cigarette butts the aligned our paths into the store.

As we shopped quickly, I thought about how many people do not think that throwing cigarettes on the ground is pollution but yet, a three-year-old little girl thought deeply of how easy it is to use the trash can to “protect the Earth.”

Touched by Jannah’s wise innocence as I acknowledged the lightness I felt at the moment, I asked her, “When mommy feels sad, what should I do?”

“Think about me Mommy.” I smiled at her and said thank you. Then she said, “I love you Mommy.”

“I love you more, Jannah.”

I started the engine to my car and drove while she snapped pictures of me with her instant camera we just purchased.

Wisdom not only comes from the mind, but it also comes in the form of innocence. The energy of the innocence operates at a high vibratory frequency level that is steady, strong, and unwavering and it continuously releases joy, love, happiness and peace into this life. Innocence has its place and we are to cherish it and allow it to remind us that it exists and always has existed in all of us.

Breathe deeply and look within to have a conversation with innocence and then smile with gratitude!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Conscious Friday: Part II - A song for you...

2009-09-11T10:11:00.007-04:00

To all the families and friends that suffered the lost of loved ones on September 11, 2001, this song is for you. I hope you can somehow smile through your lost and live in peace.

Listen to your heart: Return To Innocence...Enigma

Conscious Friday: I want the same for you.

2009-09-11T09:07:00.012-04:00

I had the best gift for my pen pal for the "Gift of Jewels" project! I went to her website and knew immediately what I was going to do for her. Yes, it was perfect! I was so excited about sending it to her that I couldn't wait to get it in my hand. I visualized her face with such a sweet smile that it reflected the joy she felt in her heart and her soul. My aim was to make her entire Being glow. It felt so good inside to want something of excellence for someone I didn't even know. That's what we are here for everybody - to give and share overwhelming love and joy with each other.

Anyway, I wasn't able to send that perfect gift even after I waited two weeks for it . I was so disappointed that I really had to work on shaking that feeling and to not allow myself to place blame. I told myself, "Ok V, you just need a plan B that's all." That's all??? It was the perfect gift!!!

The person I relied on to help bring this special "Gift of Jewels" gift to life got sick. I was impatient and then it clicked, "How many times have I apologized because I was not feeling well?" I'm so glad that I became conscious of my selfish attitude and I practiced letting go and acceptiing that plan B will be just as good because it came from the same enthusiasm and the same Being.

My lesson is to call on my personal lessons to accept other lessons. We should be conscious of expecting things from other people based on our personal standards. Our standards are our beliefs - our egos, and we must operate from a place of understanding because there is a chance that someone had to be understanding and patient with us during the same scenario.

I'm conscious of wanting for my brother/sister the same I want for myself and that is peace, understanding, patience and love!

Happy Conscious Friday!

The art of visualization

2009-09-10T12:46:00.003-04:00

Yes, that's me. Can't you see my black and white bathing suit? Can't you see me and my little girl sitting at the picnic table while my hubby sits in the "manly" chair?

I see us. I feel the breeze of the ocean. I smell the freshness of the wind flowing from the ocean. That ocean breeze is some kind of healing thing, I'm convinced!

Without a care - with love- without a doubt, with calmness - without stress - with laughter, I see. I feel. I am there!

Excuse me while I work the Law of attraction thing; feel free to join in!

Happy Love Thursday and happy visualizing for the best you and watch how your life unfold!

Inspirational Monday: Courage to Accept

2009-09-07T09:06:00.006-04:00

I hope that all of you are well!

I can’t believe that it’s been five days since I last post. It feels longer than that, I must admit. Writing here in Operation You reminds me of the joy I get from spreading light and love. You see, one must exercise love and rely on the beautiful light within to encourage others. In other words, I must bring into existence the very words that come from my soul and act on them myself. “Operation You” keeps me honest!

I also realize that it takes a heaping amount of courage to encourage someone and for me that someone is you. Through meditation and prayer, I feel it in my bones that in my essence, encouraging others is one of my gifts to give in this life. With courage and great conviction, I accept!

A couple of years ago, someone (she’s a doctor of metaphysics) that I admire personally and I was extremely excited to talk with told me that I was courageous. I laughed out loud! Me??? “Ah, I don’t think so,” I told her. Fast forward to now. From her perspective, I understand now. I understand and accept with deep humility! It takes courage to travel opposite of norm. It takes courage to look deep within and yes, it can be painful and downright excruciating, but the rewards of cleaning out the cobwebs in order to live our true and authentic selves are astounding! I’m not at my full potential; none of us are, but realizing that our lives are about living up to that potential and bringing it forth is a huge step in the right direction on our journey to peace.

I write from my heart, my soul, my Being this morning that it takes an incredible amount of courage to accept our purpose in this world as we know it. The most extraordinary thing about our journey is that the love, patience, beauty and compassion that carries us - that’s within us – that surrounds us – that created every living thing is the beautiful Presence that’s rooting for us, that’s cheering us on and that is equipping us with what we need to just BE! All we have to do is accept! We already have the courage, just quietly look within.

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Blog Awards: Award! Award! Read all about it!

2009-09-02T15:57:00.010-04:00

This is has been a busy week and I’m glad that the Labor Day holiday weekend is here. Vacation is knocking at my soul too. I’m looking forward to a couple days off where I do nothing!

In the meantime, it’s been a few days since I posted, which I really miss. So, I wanted to take this time to say thank you to the lovely Shell and Gayle for sending me some love and recognition! Now it’s time for me to pass the torch!

Miss Watermelon Award

Shell from Swanofdreamers with such sophistication and sweetness honored me with the “Miss Watermelon Award” and the “You’re An Awesome Girl” award. Shell, you are awesome too! These luscious awards entail providing you with six things that I love and then pass it on to six people. This is not one of my favorite things to do, but I’m so humbled by those that send such positive energy to me. It’s so hard for me to choose. But, here it goes.

Six things I like in no particular order:
1. Encouraging others
2. Taking Cruises
3. Veggie Sushi
4. Writing
5. Surprising others
6. Love to dance

It's a Major Award

“This award is for anyone who likes to smile and/or laugh, and just generally spreads that along in the blogging world we all travel in.”

Gayle over at Planet M Files caused a major smile to come across my face and my heart when she provided me with the “It’s a Major Award.”

You know, I’ve decided to pass this torch to everyone who come to this blog and read something that inspires you to inspire someone else! If you fit the script, then these awards are for you!!! You know who you are so take these awards and pass them on, please!!

Sending lots of love and recognition simply because you are you!

Inspirational Monday: Sending sunshine

2009-08-31T09:33:00.008-04:00

Hey beautiful people! I'm sending a little sunshine to your heart, mind and soul today! Be bold, be strong and be free in the essence of you are because it comes from one and true powerful Source. It is peace. It is joy. It is compassion. It is love. It is respect. It is forgiveness.

You are such an inspiration. Therefore, you will attract inspiration today.

Have a beautiful and inspiring day today!!!

P.S. Forty-nine (49) people from twelve different countries participated in The Gift of Jewels Project!

Listen to your heart: An Inspirational Video 1 - The Law Of Attraction

A Necessary Room Extension "Gifts of Jewels"

2009-08-30T16:53:00.009-04:00

The Gift of Jewels project has been extended until midnight tonight, August 30. 2009. It is such an exciting time in blogland! Please see Necessary Room for more information and to sign up while you can.

It's not just about the gifts. It's about spreading love one person at a time to every part of the world! What joy!

Weekend Concept: This light of mine

2009-08-29T08:44:00.011-04:00

This bright light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!

Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

Today is a fantastic day! Today is glorious day! Today is beautiful day! Today is your day!

I'm so excited about the Gift of Jewels project that I can't wait to shoot my beam of light to the beautiful recipient!

Thank you Se'Lah for shining your bright light on all of us in blogland! We love you!

Conscious Friday: Invitation to consciousness

2009-08-28T07:27:00.006-04:00

Take a few minutes everyday to spend time with you - precious - pure - beautiful you! Feel the greatness within and know that you are mind, body and soul with limitless capabilities!

Close your eyes and breathe deeply focusing on every inhalation and exhalation. Feel your center and your peace! We are so much more than we can imagine. We all have purpose. Stay conscious of that throughout the day today! Ok?

I believe in you because you are the same as me - beautiful presence from a beautiful, divinity of consciousness and peaceful Presence!

Have a sweet ray of consciousness that rest in your wholeness today!

Happy Conscious Friday!

I leave to your heart this astounding message of love. It is so calm and uplifting.

Listen to your heart: Rickie Byars Beckwith "Supreme Inspiration," by d. Sabela Grimes - MediKinetics

Love Thursday: Love the Artist

2009-08-27T05:19:00.011-04:00

Life is your canvas and you are the paint and brush. Let go and have fun with the beautiful ray of colors that you are.

It's so easy to put on the brakes of life because of doubt, fear, worry and confusion. All the colors blend on the canvas and it is sometimes difficult to tell what is the base color or how many layers of color we need to remove in order to get clarity. The beautiful and magical idea is that we go through this process so that we can sort through the "situation" because we are in fact the very thing that is so colorful! We are the colors of life! We are life! Let go of pre-conceived ideas, perceptions and egos and just Be in the beauty that you are.

Our canvas of life display our own unique and incredible piece of work. Why, because we are beautiful souls and if we can just let go and let the Infinite Peace inspire us - work through us - be us - we shall become Masters of Art. We are the artist of life!

Se'Lah at Necessary Room felt compelled to pull us into her canvas of love and life by starting the Gift of Jewel project where we in blogland can experience the joy and power of the written word given to us personally. If you are interested in participating in the Gift of Jewel project, please click here to read more about it and click here to sign up.

Happy Love Thursday!

Garlic - The Natural Antibiotic

2009-08-26T06:53:00.014-04:00

Through my limited experience of healing via the holistic path, I continue to be reminded of how exceptional Mother Earth is in providing all that we need to sustain a high quality and peaceful life and for this, I belly up with gratitude for the knowing!

First, let me explain that I do believe (and know for myself) that all diseases are emotionally based which means that strong emotions and thoughts cause toxins in our bodies (stress) that over a period of time or not, in some cases, causes disease. We must rid our bodies of these toxins through diet, mediation, prayer and forgiveness.

I suffer greatly from sinus pressure, sinus infections and sinus issues overall. As Louise Hay explains in her book, "You Can Heal Your Life," any type of sinus problems result in deep irritation of something or someone. In my case, this is VERY true! Some people say, "That is not true. We have no control over hay fever, flowers and grass that irritate our sinus area." My response, "Then why do some have it and some do not have it? Some people's immune systems can fight the symptoms and others can't." I don't say this to convince you of anything other than to express that if you or having any type of ailment that is hindering you from your true purpose in this Universe, consider the level of emotions and stress in your life as one avenue to explore.

Getting back to the value of garlic, I have taken antibiotics three times this year only to have the symptons/infection return with a vengeance. I siezed my power and began my journey on trying a more holistic approach to my healing and it began with increasing my meditation and prayer time, continuing my excercise program and drinking two cups of Golden Seal Herbal tea a day. But the magic wand is garlic! I read that garlic is a natural antibiotic (among other extraordnary benefits) that also helps with inflammation (pressure)! Click here to read more and then read the ScienceDaily website for really extensive information about the health benefits of garlic.

I began eating one fresh organic garlic clove three times a day, everyday and noticed that my infection cleared within 72 hours, but I felt a major difference in 48 hours. I now eat one clove a day and I can feel the difference in my sinus cavities. I can breathe. I have energy. My joints and ears are clear and there is no sinus pressure. Imagine that! Oh, Don't forget to gargle and brush with baking soda to kill the garlic smell!

I hope you find this information valuable as I do. For me, it's about sharing as much information I can while you are on your journey to peace, holistically!

I'm so excited that our paths are meeting!!

Sending you on your way with a heighten level of positive energy and excellent health, always!

Inspirational Monday: We are excellence!

2009-08-24T08:57:00.013-04:00

"I am intentional; I am on purpose, and from this moment on, I treat myself in the light of this truth."

-Dr. Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith

From this point forward, know and feel that all of the exellence you are capable of displaying is far more greater than you can ever imagine. Discover your potential within by staying present and avoiding excessive thinking and excessive blaming.

I'm learning to let doubtful and fearful thoughts pass by like clouds in the sky. I have a choice to grab them or to let them pass. I choose to let them pass by recognizing that they are there. In this awareness, I'm reminded of the fact that we are not our thoughts. We are soooo much more.

As I previously said, we are limitless Beings and we should practice remembering that our purpose has been within us since the day we accepted with gratitude to experience and paticipate in this life.

Your purpose is to rely on the greatest potential there is and that's you! The Presence within us allows us to potentially co-exist with peace and harmony of this Universe! Look inside and discover what's all ready inside your soul - your gut - your Being and that is creativity, love, peace and joy! These attributes are us if we can just remove those things within our thoughts that serve us no purpose but to make us miserable.

Discover our potential in excellence from within so that we can smile and feel complete joy even when we perceive chaos or challenges within our circles. As everything else, it takes practice. Are you willing to practice so that these attributes surface without any effort? I am!

We are great potential! We are excellence! Feel it - own it - act on it!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Conscious Friday: The joy of pen pals

2009-08-20T22:05:00.014-04:00

It was my bedroom window that became my theater as I held onto the words written very tiny across the sometimes yellow, sometimes gray but mostly white paper that told me the story of my pen pal's life in the Army. I imagined and visualized as much as I could in my tiny mental traveling space the day he went to the Duran Duran Concert somewhere far away in Germany. I held the ticket stubs in my hand.

I didn't know paper could have so much value and power. I would stare out of the window for what seemed like hours as the radio played Cindy Lauper's, "Girls just want to have fun." The words in the letter were magical to me and it was my quiet time. The window "supported and waited patiently" for me to fall all out of the trance.

The pure excitement and joy in sending and receiving words of thoughts are priceless.

A gift that comes in letter form is a jewel. I remember it. So, I'm excited to participate in the Gift of Jewels project and I think you will be excited to. Please join in on this fun. Find out more information by clicking here.

Have a Happy Conscious Friday by staying conscious of your inner child!

Read more about the joy of pen pals at Se'Lah's Necessary Room.

I say yes!

2009-08-19T10:05:00.010-04:00

As the sound and the wind of the water brushed my ears at Niagara Falls in Buffalo, NY, the magfinicent power that came from the rush of the waters made me now realize that this flowing power of water is just another example of what can operate through me.

Just as these waters flow without limit, so can the very gifts that all of us have within. The same energy that beautifully and confidently move these waters without any limitiations is the same energy that moves us. We are limitless Beings.

So, if you feel stagnate, restless, fearful or confused, try stopping for a few minutes and listen to and feel your heart beat. Listen to your breath. Feel the tingle from the energy in your hands and feet, chest, and stomach. What you feel is Life - strong, unwavering and unprecedented Life! We not only have the power to experience whatever beautiful thing we want in this Universe, but we have the love, the peace and the enthusiasm that carries our creativity.

We are limitless just like the waters falling from that cliff and we can choose to avoid our creativity or we can choose to feel and say "yes" to our creativity no matter what it is... Saying "yes" gives us joy, deep expression of our love that's already within, kindness, excitement and definitely peace! Plus, watch the extraordinary things that arise because of this one word!

I say yes!

Sending you so much positive energy, always!

Inspirational Monday: Love

2009-08-17T10:18:00.008-04:00

This photo was taken in Buffalo, NY - Niagara Falls. I felt a sense of freedom and limitless while standing on this cliff.

I am loved. I am love. I love.

These are the words that whispered to my Spirit – my Soul this morning. The sheer feeling of love is a powerful anecdote in helping us let go of fear, doubt and resentment. Love is beautiful and we need courage and determination to practice it.

When I have a challenging time expressing or feeling love because of my ego (my thoughts and beliefs), I’ve learned how to use a tool to help me turn on the vibratory signal of love. I think and feel of someone I know, without a doubt, whom I love unconditionally. I usually begin with my daughter and my husband. I feel that energy until I can barely sit still. Then, I think of that other person, place or situation that is challenging for me and then I transfer that energy – that love frequency – to that person or event. Then I feel it and accept it as our Creator loves and accept us unconditionally.

On this vibratory signal of love, I breathe deeply. I breathe knowing in my core that the love I express, share and depend on to guide me is the love and light that is us, that created us - that shines through us to give this world life!

Isn’t that simply divine? We are light! We are loved! We are love! Therefore, we love!

Please share your light of inspiration. We would love to hear!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Conscious Friday: Forgiveness in practice

2009-08-14T09:03:00.017-04:00

My daughter, niece and I just arrived back from Dollar General picking up a few things for the house. I paid for all of my items feeling grateful that I finally had the funds to support my family's needs.

Jannah is in the mode where she is carrying her favorite things everywhere she goes. For the last few days, she has been obsessed with her movie, Norbit (Eddie Murphy stars in it). So, she carried it into Dollar General.

After paying for my items, I noticed that the male cashier shuffled quickly to another female employee in the store, probably the manager, to whisper that we were possibly stealing a movie. Now, keep in mind that I reached for the movie in the cart and gave it to Jannah while standing at the register. While he was whispering, I said to him, "Excuse me. This is her movie and we are not thieves." He was surprised that I felt his conversation with his co-worker. He apologized and I said apology accepted.

The moral to the story is that I looked at this situation as an opportunity to practice forgiveness. I practice forgiveness so that it doesn't become toxic to my body. I practice forgiveness as it allows me "to eleminate toxcity from my spiritual architecture," as stated by the great Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith. I will not repeat this story after sharing it with you unless it is to help someone who wants to forgive and is struggling with the process. Also, my heart will greet the Dollar General employee with forgiveness the next time I enter into the doors of that building.

No one determines our success but us. We should forgive daily even if the person or group doesn't ask us too. We forgive because it is absolute love and we must practice it and claim it. Why? It gives birth to peace of mind!

Have a Happy Conscious Friday!

Conscious Friday is the brainchild of Se'Lah at Necessary Room.

Off to school...

2009-08-12T09:13:00.009-04:00

With a belly full of excitement, two entry tests taken, writing samples, letter of why I decided to include KSU yet again as part of my life's journey (I will tell you about the letter one day) and dreams that came from deep within, I have been accepted to graduate school! Yeah! Yes, you are looking at a student of the Master's in Professional Writing program!

I begin classes on August 17th. I have to admit that my perception of life will not be as "normal" as it is now but who cares, right? I'm blessed to live out the dream that didn't come from my thoughts but from the very core of who I am.

So, I breathe and exhale and breathe and exhale and I accept!! I'm not sure how much I will be blogging considering I can hardly keep up with everyone now and I'm not in school so we will see.

Thank you for listening and for visiting! It's all about the love!

Presenting: License to Kill (positive view)

2009-08-10T23:33:00.016-04:00

With gratitude, my goal is to share as much information I can with you during your journey to peace, holistically! I often read and study to also share words of inspiration in hopes of enriching and blessing not just your mind and your soul, but your beautiful body that is an intregal part of your Being. The freedom, love and peace that my mind and soul embodies from the words that lay across my lip and the thoughts that charge the computer screen from my finger tips all come from an incredible and devine love within all of us. I'm aiming for this love and only this love to live through me and for me to live as one with this beautiful Presence.

I present to you, "License to Kill." I have to admit, I didn't like the opening of the introduction but understood the profound message after the first sixty seconds. We are spiritual Beings having an human experience - true. However, to completely enjoy the benefits of this magnificent experience we call life, we must keep our bodies healthy. These videos focuses on just that - healthy lifestyles.

Sending excellence in mind, soul and body!!

Listen to your heart: License to Kill (Parts 1-7 are posted consecutively)

Note: My intention is to post this information in an effort to share knowledge of what it takes to live a healthy lifestyle, spirtually, mentally and physically. Video 7 deals with becoming a partner to sell a particular product. I don't sell products and I don't promote business ventures but decided to leave the video on just in case there were questions about how to get involved.

Inspirational Monday: You are my inspiration

2009-08-10T12:37:00.006-04:00

Hello everyone! I'm a little late in posting my inspiration today. There is so much that is going on right now everywhere in blogland and I see that I'm not the only one that have not gotten the chance to blog hop in awhile.

Know that I look forward to smiling, laughing, sending empathy and compassion and receiving such warm and inspiring words here in blogland. I know I will make my rounds this week. Just know that you are my inspiration to keep inspiring, at least, I hope that I am with a sincere and beautiful heart. I pray for those actions to be shown through this avenue of Operation You!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Happy Conscious Friday: Pause and Reflect

2009-08-07T08:41:00.006-04:00

Sometimes we are so busy tackling the things that come up in our lives that we believe need fixing. So, we respond. Well actually, we react.

On this Conscious Friday, my goal is to pause before I react. Pause to reflect and to feel my way by listening to my intuition. I will tell you how it goes.

Have a Happy Conscious Friday!

Listen to more consciousness over at Se'Lah's Necessary Room!

Speaking of letting your light shine...

2009-08-04T13:06:00.011-04:00

I know I keep referencing the wonderful cruise that my family and I enjoyed so much. I can't help myself. I hope to stay on this high as long as I can. And it's so easy to talk about it because there are so many incredible dimensions to share about this valuable time of peace and relaxation. Today, I present "her" to you. She was a celebrity. I heard whispers, "That's the little girl. That's the little girl who danced last night. The diva had arrived!

She danced!

...And she danced! I know you see the light.

When she saw these two gentlemen, she jumped right in. She sang!

She slept...

Inspirational Monday: The beauty of light

2009-08-03T07:05:00.006-04:00

My sister and I were standing on the side of the ship one morning after breakfast and of course, I forgot my camera. We were in awe and I said hurry and take this picture before it disappears. She just sent this photo to me today and I had to share it with you.

It is sheer inspiration to know that the light of peace is shining on us all the time. In fact, that same light - this glorious ray of energy - is in us. Visualize the light coming from your soul glowing on all that you meet today. It is forever glowing! We just have to allow it to shine and be conscious of it when the light goes dim. Let's be positive in every situation. You may have to struggle to avoid the distractions but staying present -conscious of love, peace, forgiveness, calmness and opinions, will surely support you on our journey to peace. We give this world life via our light and that light is our Creator! Feel your way and trust your instincts. That's your light - That's God!

Feel free to share your stories or photos of inspiration. We would love to be inspired by you!

Happy Inspirational Monday!

Letting go!

2009-07-30T11:34:00.014-04:00

This cool photo was taken by Se'Lah at Necessary Room!

This post is about love with consciousness so it represents Love Thursday and Conscious Friday both!

This morning after I meditated; for the first time, I located and was the watcher of the toxins that clouded my head and my sinus cavity. I felt the tension shift from the front of my head, my eyes, to the back of my head, then to my neck and shoulders and finally to the pit of my stomach and from then, I knew it was time to make my entrance into my bathroom. I let it all go literally (smile). It was extraordinary to witness this healing process!

I'm learning that it's an art to letting go of perceived ideas that cause unwanted stress. I'm learning how to let go and let the very love that we have, which is our Beings, work for me by working through me. I'm learning that it is a work in progress and I must continue to practice it every minute of every day of my life.

I'm consciously willing to be still and practice being the very channel that love and peace shine through. I pray this prayer not by my words, but by my actions. So with this said, know that I send love because we are love and therefore, I love you!

Consciously sending you love on this Thursday!

A little taste of Mexico in honor of the Pet Parade...

2009-07-28T14:38:00.029-04:00

Both photos are in Cozumel. Jannah was so curious and really wanted to make friends with the horse. It was almost like she was in a cartoon where she expected all animals to talk. She defintely had a connection!

Well, I'm feeling a little light hearted today after experiencing more challenges today and this week (I know, I know. More you ask?). It seems that I may be attracting these things because I'm anxious for growth. I guess I may need to be anxious for stillness (smile).

Anyway, I thought I would give you a little taste of Mexico by posting some photos since I've been teasing you with a few photos of the deep blue waters that took my breath away at the very sight of it. Imagine as far as your eyes can see, North, South, East and West, deep blue water! Simply divine!

This was my first cruise and let me tell you, it's defintely not my last. My hubby was the only light missing from this fantastic trip. He will definitely be on the next one. Before we got off that ship, my family and I were planning another one. Why not? Law of attraction says, you say it, plan it, expect it, you will get it.... I'm doing a whole lot of attracting because I got to have it!!! Without a doubt!! Enjoy!

P.S. I have more photos of my trip and will post them over a period of time. I took a lot of pictures and plus I want to constantly remind myself of pure relaxation and peace!

We docked in Cozumel and it was overwhelmingly cool to be walking in between both of these ships. I turned around and had to take this photo.

We took a bus ride through the streets of Progresso. My nieces, Jannah and I had to ride on the top deck. Jannah liked touching these trees as we drove through the streets. These red-tip trees lined the streets.

A little ice sculpting on the main deck of the ship.

Jannah getting her relaxation on. We were standing near the ice sculpting party and I turned around and Ms. Jannah just climbed up between these two ladies, said hello, gave them slight conversation as if she were their age and chilled. The ladies got a kick out of her. They couldn't believe she was three!

After a day of fun at the deck pool, mom and daughter slept as the wind touched our souls.

Ms. sassy Telisha, a family friend, smiles for me as we were about to journey to sea.

On our way to the beach at Progresso riding the tour bus.

In Progresso, we had to stop and take pictures of these colorful souls!

Off the tour bus and after baking in the 105 degree weather riding on the top UNCOVERED level, we needed the water.

These "white" rocks were beautiful, on our way to a private beach in Cozumel!

Thanks for stopping by!