Who do You Become when you are not standing in your truth?

It has been a while since I have penned anything at all.  Feels very much as if I have been on a long sabbatical.  Gathering myself together, gathering the dust of my words which I now feel ready to expedite to you here, right now.

Thinking how to re-introduce myself to this journey sharing my thoughts and penning words of advice and guidance, the above title popped up.  This is a topic I have spoken much about lately when conducting speaking engagements.  Why the subject of truth should be so poignant and important to me you may well ask?  Well it is for the very reason that until we are honest with ourselves, then whatever forms around us, whatever world we create around us, becomes one filled with pain, doubt, resentment, lack of purpose, feeling unfulfilled and unworthy.  Many of those feelings I used to accommodate often.  Many of those feelings used to walk with me day by day hindering me, keeping me stacked in a place which was often uncomfortable and often times, I was never quite sure how to reach out from that place, to poke my head into a space where I could breathe, where I could find out who I was, what I was about and why I was in that space in the first place.

This was a space which I felt held me to ranson, captivating my every thought.  Therefore the process which I moved through was often very slow and painful.  The place where I stood often felt as if I was standing on shards of glass or hot stones, whichever analogy proves to be the most painful in terms of your perception.  Yet, there was a part of me which wanted to move forward, which wanted to experience life from a place of abundance, lightness, fun, laughter and just having that feeling of being liberated to Esther.  A place which offered me the semblings of hope.   A place where I could fully step into me, to discover all the bountiful and beautiful aspects of Esther.  This place which deserved me and which I deserved to be in.  One of the things T Harv Eker says (he who wrote "Secrets of the Millionnaire Mind" ) in his list of declarations is "My inner world creates my outer world" and how true that is.  If Esther did not want to experience life the way she was doing, then Esther had to continue to do work on herself - to go on that inner journey with herself, personal development.  On that journey it meant looking into the windows of my soul to weed out what was in there that was no longer serving a purpose.

It is never easy to face our own truth, yet how liberating it is when we do, and when we can do this, we must do this without judgement of ourselves.    It's about getting to that place within you which says - this is where I am, what has been done has been done, I cannot change the past, but I can change things from where I now stand.  A favourite quote of mine by Louise Hay states "The Point of Power is in the Present Moment."  How powerful.

I would like to ask you to listen in to the ten minute segments on my website http://www.qarmabroadcast.co.uk/8.html
under the banner "London's Burning - But you don't have to burn with it"  This was written when the riots erupted earlier this month.  Yet the messages given here are for all of us to embrace.  When we stop pointing the fingers outward and start taking personal responsibility for ourselves, for who we are, life becomes a magical roundabout.  My favourite quote by Mahatma Ghandi says "Be the Change you want to see in the world."  I keep saying it is often painful having to stand back and reflect on ourselves, our conduct, our behaviour, but then the beauty of life is that we always get another chance to change those patterns.

The quicker we can start with our own selves, is the quicker we can really reach out and positively effect our families, our communities, the world.  How exciting is that?

Much love and until next time

P.S - "Facing Your Truth: Empowering Your Spiritual Walk Seminar" on 24th September 2011 at the Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Kennington, London.  Special guests from the USA will be speaking about Archetypal Dream Work.  Click here for more details: http://www.estheraustinglobal.com/5.html

DOWN BUT NOT OUT - FROM ABUSE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE SUBWAY

Once in a while a story hits our news stands reaffirming to us the tenacity and strength of the human soul.   Stories which serve to remind us of the huge potential, we as human beings have to conquer and rise above what is often insurmountable challenges.   As spiritual beings living a physical experience, these challenges serve and test our spiritual growth.  How we deal with life’s challenges often mould us into who we become.  Dr Wayne Dyer once said something along the lines of  “When we change the way we look at things, things around us change.”

Enrico Thomas, one of New York’s best emerging artists, is one such incredible human being who has triumphed.   Art literally saved his life.  His biological father was very abusive and when Enrico was only three years old he scalded him with boiling water disfiguring his face and leaving him in a coma.  At the age of eight as an escape, Enrico began drawing. He then ran away from home as a teenager to live in a shelter. He later earned a scholarship to the Pratt Institute.   Enrico fought his way back from an existence  which almost destroyed him and is now successfully known as “The Subway Artist of New York”.   Enrico uses the actual New York City Subway map as his drawing paper, resulting in a most interesting collaboration of his signature architectural style with the abstract quality of the subway map.

Esther: Enrico you have an incredible story to share with the world.  What has made you the person you are today?

Enrico: There is an African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child.” So many people have helped me along my journey and have shown me love. The love and patience of all these people, such as mentors, counsellors, friends, etc broke through the darkness of my early life and helped me to love and accept myself just the way I am.

Esther: What is art to you, what does it do to your soul and where does your inspiration come from?

Enrico: Art is a force that comes from a higher source. It uses our bodies and minds to channel the beauty that is all around, below, and above us.  Art takes me away from the gravity of the world and allows me to soar above earthly problems.  It helps me forget my problems. I think we are all good at something and if we open ourselves up to receive the gifts that the universe gives to us so freely and unconditionally, there is nothing that can limit us. Beauty is all around us and it is this omnipotent beauty that inspires me to create the beautiful subway and architectural drawings that I am known for. If we open our eyes we can see much more than we think we can.

New Year Greetings

The New Year is well underway and as always many of us have been looking at how we can empower, transform and makes changes to our lives. 

2010 in its own way had its challenges and successes.  Yet doesn't every year?  More importantly, doesn't this constant evolving from one year to the next, moving fluidly from one time frame into another mean that this journey is about growth.

The more we learn from our experiences and dealing with life's challenges,  the more we grow into who we are now, is the more we can learn to become present in our lives and to situations we experience.  Being in the moment presents us with the opportunity therefore to deal with life differently, more smoothly and more rationally. 

So whatever this present moment in time has in store for you, approach it in the present and you will soon start to see and feel more in control of life, more aware of what is really going on around you, thereby breaking through the illusion of what is.

For this time of year, therefore, I am going to share two very inspiring stories with you about triumph over insurmountable obstacles and life's experiences.

Nothing is impossible.  As Louise Hay states - the point of personal power is in the present.

Much love and light always