Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius

Today begins Mercury Retrograde in the sign of Aquarius until February 20th. Mercury governs communication, and Aquarius is associated with groups, friends, hopes and dreams. During any Mercury Retrograde, it is time to revise how you communicate and to reconnect with your intuitive insights. And this Mercury Retrograde because Aquarius is all about community, friendships and relationships will therefore shine a spotlight on your relationships. It may trigger things from your past, reignite heart wounds that you need to heal and it will make you examine who you have chosen to hang around with and what your relationships say about how you feel and think about yourself. It will show you what you need to change in those relationships and in some cases who you need to let go of. And, this retrograde will also offer a deeper understanding, new clarity, and awakening into how you can create positive change. On a deeper level, you will most likely will be given opportunities to revisit your Higher Purpose and your role in the world as it relates to the greater good. You will be given the opportunity to re-evaluate who you work with and for and whether that work is in alignment with your highest good. Today, as you reflect on your long-term plans, you might just want to rethink your relationships. You might want to see where they are out of balance and where in some cases it is long past time for you to let go. After all, everyone in your life is a reflection of who you are and what you think about yourself. And since we are all shedding old beliefs, old limitations and old habits, your relationships also need to change. Today, allow yourself to slow down and look inward because all the answers that you seek are right there.

Just for today, my consciousness is filled with healthy, positive loving thoughts that are reflected in all my experiences. I do not have to earn love. I am loveable because I exist. I recognize that everyone in my life is a mirror of who and what I am. I attract only loving people into my life for they are a reflection of who and what I am. I cannot change other people. They must do their own work and they will do it when they are ready. I am willing to let go of all relationships that no longer serve any purpose in my life. I am safe. It is only change and out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.

Slow down. There is no rush.

Some things just take time. This can apply to relationships, business, and in my experience, it especially applies to spiritual awakening. And many of us have been experiencing awakenings which are meant to propel us forward. And, once awakened we want to get out of where we are right now, in a hurry. We want to make change now and quickly! However, rushing your development, the changes that you need to make, can result in you taking one step forward and two steps back. Today, in the shadow of Mercury Retrograde the Universe wants us to slow down and stop pushing to make things happen now. Today, if you notice that you have a tendency to rush your process, to hurriedly make big decisions consciously slow yourself down. Once you realize that the timing of your expansion, or growth, or awareness is perfect, you will relax. Today, recognize that the journey is just as important as the destination and that change takes time and cannot be rushed. Life becomes easier and far more fulfilling when you slow down and let things happen instead of pushing yourself to make those things happen.

Just for today, I allow myself to slow down and stop rushing. I trust in the perfection of divine timing and allow my life to unfold as it should. I have plenty of time to do what I need to do. Time expands for me. I slowly breath in and out and I find myself relaxing with each breath. I am a beautiful flower blossoming more each day. I delight in my world and my world delights in me. Everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Full Moon in Leo

Today we have our first Full Moon of 2021 in the sign of Leo. And although it is our first Full Moon in this calendar year, in the astrological year, this Full Moon is one of the last, bringing any issues that you haven't dealt with to the surface so that you can deal with them and begin another new year. And, because this Full Moon is in the sign of Leo you can expect drama, passion and heartfelt healing. This is one of those Full Moons that may feel like a mixed bag of tricks and perhaps a bit chaotic. You may feel knocked off guard, surprised, awakened or perhaps confused or uncertain about something you were once so certain of. Information and feelings may come to the surface that challenge you, or you may notice the unraveling of hidden emotions and feelings that were once neatly tucked away in a nice neat compartment. All of this surfacing of old outdated beliefs, feelings, habits and relationships are being surface so that you can deal with them, let them go and begin anew. Today is also known as the Day of Miracles. This is a once-a-year conjunction between the Sun and lucky Jupiter. Jupiter aligning with the Sun is considered a fortunate energy, and a fantastic time for signing new deals, launching an event or business, or experiencing synchronistic opportunities from the Universe. However, today under the influence of this chaotic Full Moon energies, it may be a little harder to connect with that abundant energy, but it does not mean it’s not there. If you keep your mind open and your vision expanded, you may just be able to find the little jewels that the Universe has to offer you. Today, pay attention to the signs of the Universe, and keep your sights set on the bigger picture. Know that if things are confusing, they won’t be that way forever. Clarity will soon dawn, and in time, you may even be able to look back on these events as necessary for the next steps of your journey. Today recognize that there are always obstacles in your path, but the courage and determination that Leo energy brings can remind you and me that we always have the power to make the best of whatever situation we find ourselves in. Whenever we have strong energy, like we do with this Full Moon, it is easy to fall victim to our fears and to old, familiar habits, even if we know they are not the best for us. It takes courage to rise up from your fears and to remove yourself from your comfort zone. It takes an inner strength to face adversity and to look at the bigger picture. They are definitely no easy tasks, but under the bright Leo Full Moon, you will be guided as long as you have the courage to take the first step. Sometimes taking that first step is the hardest part, but also the most rewarding. Today, set your intentions to take that first step forward, it is time for profound change in your world. Allow it to happen and remember, suffering is always optional.

Just for today, I go within and connect with the parts of myself that already know how to heal. I am willing to take the first step in making profound change in my life. When I am willing to change it is amazing that the Universe brings me everything I need to make those changes. I recognize that awareness is the first step in healing and changing. I become more aware every day. I have the strength and courage to make changes in my life. I am safe and all Life loves and supports me. Everything is working out for my highest good and so it is.

Look for the good in your life

As humans, we seem to have a built-in bias to see what’s not working, what needs fixing, what doesn’t measure up to our standards. In fact, most of the times our eyes focus in on what’s wrong-on the negative. And, although it’s not bad to see the negative because it stops us from falling into pits by looking out for potholes. But, if all you focus on is "negative" then, you can bet that is exactly what you will find more of. Today, however, it is time to look for the good, instead of what's wrong and to widen your vision so that you can see the bigger picture. Seeing the good doesn’t mean you don’t see the bad, too. Instead, it means that you allow yourself to see it all, the big panoramic view that acknowledges that you are more than any mistake, flaw or misdeed. Today, begin to cultivate a new habit- a habit of looking for the good. Today, if you should catch yourself looking at the world—or at yourself—with a narrow, negative view. Step back mentally and spread out your awareness. Allow yourself to see with the eyes of your heart. Look for something that’s working, something sweet, something lovely, something that opens you up. Look for the good in people. Look for the good in the mirror. Let looking for the good become a new default for you, and give yourself credit when you’re able to hold whatever’s happening with a big perspective and big heart. Remember what you see depends mainly on what you look for.

Just for today, I choose to see clearly with eyes of love. I love what I see. When I choose to see the world through eyes of love and acceptance, I am able to see that all is truly well in my world. I recognize that it is my mind and my thoughts that create my experiences and that I am unlimited in my ability to create the good in my life. I know if I focus on what I do not want that is exactly what I will get more of. I am safe and life supports me in every possibly way. And so it is.

Self discovery

One of the benefits of last year and perhaps the beginning of this year too is that we have been forced to look within and begin to discover who we really are. And although it sounds counterintuitive to have to learn to know yourself, that is exactly what we are intended to be doing right now-exploring the unknown and unseen within ourselves so that we become in alignment with our soul's purpose. Today it is time to begin to discover what you are passionate about and what you want from your life moving forward. Sounds simple right? Not so much, since we spend so much time distracted, blinded and deafened by ego, fear, will and stubbornness. Today it is time to make space to explore what is in your heart, not your mind, but your heart. Your ego is steeped in old, dated, unexamined stories and beliefs that keep you fearful and suffering. It wants to defend your need to stay where you are right now and to suffer. Today, find the courage to get to know the conditioned parts of yourself that constrain you and keep you stuck. Be gentle. There’s no need to judge it or shame it; all those parts of yourself are welcome, and all is okay when held with compassion and patience. Today, recognize that you have access to knowing yourself. You just have to move through the layers of yourself under habits of thinking, avoiding, running, being busy, working, working working and keeping yourself distracted, instead of meeting what is—your beautiful, joyful true nature. Today, give yourself time to really listen to your inner self and begin to understand that knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.

Just for today, I am willing to learn something new about myself. No matter how old I am, there is always something new to learn. I do so with joy. I am willing to see how and where I need to change. I know when I create harmony and peace in my mind and heart, I will find it in my life. The inner creates the outer, always. I trust my inner wisdom. It is always on my side. I am safe. I am willing to let go and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Everything is going to be okay

Almost every day I end my morning message with an affirmation that "everything is working out for my highest good"-that everything will be okay. And yet, understanding that concept is different from knowing it deep within your bones that you’ll be okay no matter what. And, when you know that everything will always be okay, you live and breathe it. Instead of seeking control, you seek clarity. Instead of certainty, you seek courage. It takes courage to walk into the future knowing that you don’t have all the details nailed down. Your next step may be right, it may be wrong, it may lead you nowhere, and people may think you’re crazy, but you have to take it at some point. Today, truly begin to accept that you are not really ever in control, no matter how much planning, thinking and ruminating that you do. The truth is, no one ever really knows how it’s all going to look, but you probably have a good idea of how you want to feel and what’s most important to you. And if you don’t, maybe that’s why the details and the things you keep trying to get remain so elusive, maybe it's time for you to stop controlling and to instead surrender. Today, accept that you don’t need to see the details to trust that you’ll figure them out when the time is right, and you don’t need to see your path to know what's in your heart . You don’t need to know exactly how every piece will play out to know what the most important pieces are. And, you don’t need absolute certainty to know that you’ll find a way to be okay no matter what happens. You keep learning, you keep growing, and you can be happy knowing that everything is okay, no matter how your journey turns out. Today accept that you can only control your own actions, and by doing that, you can rest easy, knowing that in the end, you will be just fine. In the end, you will be better off for your experiences. In the end, everything will be okay.

Just for today, I trust in the perfection of divine timing and allow my life to unfold as it should. I trust my intuition. I am willing to listen to the small still voice inside me and when I do I hear all the answers to all the questions I shall every ask. I am always safe, divinely guided, protected and loved. Everything is working out for my highest good and out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.

Sometimes giving up is a good thing

Many of us take great pride in our tenacity, in our ability to keep fighting and keep working towards our goals. However, that tenacity which is seen as great strength may be our greatest weakness. In fact, you might be experiencing a situation that isn’t working for you and wondering whether you should persevere a little longer. You might wonder whether more time will allow you to fix the problem or reach the goal. After all, we take great pride in never giving up. Today, as we all make plans to move forward, make time to process whether it might be time for you to "give up". One sign that it may be time to let go of your valiant effort is that your efforts stop you from enjoying life to the fullest because you can’t stop thinking about your situation. Today, sit down and be honest with yourself if what you want to achieve is even possible. Do not get confused with positive thinking and manifesting-that your positive thinking can create the impossible. You nor I can make anything happen which is not in alignment with our highest good or the highest good of the world. So, today really take a look at what you have been banging away at and making no progress. Recognize there may be a reason why you have not been able to achieve what you want. Perhaps today, you can finally concede that letting go and making room for new things may be in alignment with your highest good. Making the decision to give up might not be easy, but will open the door to new fulfilling and joyful life experiences. Letting go will set you on a path of learning, growth, and expansion!

Just for today, I am willing to let go. I am willing to release everything that no longer serves any purpose in my life. I let go of all expectations. I flow freely and lovingly with Life. I love myself and I know that only good awaits me at every turn. I am safe. It is only change. Out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.

Everything you want is on the other side of fear

We are all born free spirits. Then our environment—our families, schools, religions, and political systems—shape the way we think behave and what we fear. And, fear is a learned practice. Children generally are not afraid of trying, failing, and getting up on their feet again. That’s how we all learned to walk. As kids, we weren’t afraid to step outside of our comfort zone and try new experiences. However, as adults we all fear a lot! We fear failure, we fear success, we fear not being good enough, we fear being rejected, and we fear losing control. Today, it is time to recognize and acknowledge that you are stronger than your fears! Recognize that we all are afraid on some level and that the primary intention of fear is to protect you from things that could hurt you. They began as a defense mechanism to keep you safe, however, now many of your fears no longer serve you and in reality are keeping you stuck. Today acknowledge that you don’t have to let your fears control you. Today make sure that you nourish your mind with positive loving thoughts, knowing that you are the one creating your own world through thoughts feelings, thoughts, and, actions. Be willing to listen to your own stories and realize that they are just that stories of fear that you created. Know that everything you want is on the other side of your fear.

Just for today, I now free myself from destructive fears and doubts. I recognize that it is my mind and my thoughts that create my experiences. I am unlimited in my ability to create the good in my life. I release all fear and doubt and Life becomes simple and easy for me. I feel safe and secure within my world. Everything is working out for my highest good and so it is

Practice new habits

For anyone seeking a change in their life—to stop doing something destructive, to start doing something healthier, to become more confident, to step into the version of themselves—the single best habit to cultivate is mindfulness. Mindfulness is the skill of paying attention on purpose to the present moment without judgment. And, it is the first step to change. It can help you recognize when you are doing the things you want to change. It helps you to understand when you are stuck. It helps you realize what you are really feeling and thinking. From that place you then are able to step outside those emotions of fear and discomfort and look at the situation objectively. From there, you can create change. You can challenge your thinking. You can reframe the situation. You can remind yourself of where you want to go. You can make a plan. However, we so easily live on autopilot and fight the idea that our minds and thoughts create our reality. Today, it is time to cultivate a new habit-of daily conscious mindfulness. One of the foundation of mindfulness is meditation. Many people fight the idea of meditating and create a ton of "reasons" why they can't meditate. Today it is time to stop, stop your old thinking that you can't meditate for whatever reason or rationalizations you have created in your mind. Even a few minutes of meditation can help you remember and build a relationship to stillness by getting you out of our head and into our heart. The more you visit stillness through meditation the more it will permeate you, which means it’s more available for you in your everyday life. In your stillness, you will be able to hear your truth and slowly it will change your life. Today set your intentions to create a new mindful habit. It is your first step towards profound transformation and true happiness. Set your intentions to cultivate the habit of mindfulness.

Just for today, I am open to the new and changing. Every moment presents a new opportunity to become more of who I am. I am willing to learn something new every day. I now flow easily and effortlessly with Life. All is truly well in my world and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Celebrate your uniqueness

Subconsciously, we’re all searching for true meaning in our lives. We think of it as trying to find happiness. And, society teaches us we’ll be happy by following norms that make us the same as others. We are encouraged to seek happiness outside of ourselves rather than connecting inward and being fulfilled by the things we love. Therefore, we seek approval from others to find our value. We look for partners to complete us and we strive to make money to buy us things that we think will bring us happiness and security. As a result of our need to fit in, we forget who we are. We stop living. But rather, we spend our time grasping for an elusive happiness on the outside. Today, it is time to celebrate and begin to value your uniqueness. And that is the lesson of the sign of Aquarius. It wants us to celebrate our uniqueness, which will ultimately benefit the greater good. Aquarius is paradoxical in that it fosters benefiting the greater good while celebrating the uniqueness of each individual. This brings social change by unifying the collective through the expression of diversity and equality. So today, begin to celebrate and value your uniqueness. Begin to notice where you have abandoned your uniqueness so that you could fit in or appear more "normal". Today, acknowledge that we all have differences in a world that values similarity. But by opening your heart and mind and being completely free to explore what matters to you, you will learn who you are. You will begin to value and appreciate your uniqueness!

Just for today, I am my own unique self. I accept my uniqueness. There is no competition or comparison for we are all different and were meant to be that way. I am special and wonderful. I love and approve of myself exactly as I am. I move beyond self imposed limitation into freedom. I am now becoming all that I was created to be. I am safe, divinely guided and protected. Everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is

Aquarius Season

Today we enter Aquarius Season. And under the Aquarian Sun we will be shaken up a bit, so we can awaken, inspire change, and shift the way we have been choosing to see our world. During this re- arrangement of our world and our lives, it can often bring with it a certain level of chaos that comes before real, meaningful change. However, Aquarius is also a community-driven sign, and turning to our community is going to be key during this season. The message that Aquarius brings is that YOU and I need not walk through our own journey or through our struggles alone. While it has been harder to maintain a sense of community during this pandemic, this is a good opportunity to see how you can find creative and innovative ways to create a sense of community with what you is available to you. We all have fought against creating completely new lives since we wanted to go back to our "old" lives, as they were. Today, as we enter Aquarius season, let go of who you were, what you thought was going to happen and what your old life looked like. Know that you are not alone. And know through all of these shifts and potentially volatile energies that you and I are stepping into a truer and fuller power. Aquarius Season 2021 will have its moments of intensity, but it is from this that we will be able to give rise to a better, fairer, and more just world for all.

Just for today, I recognize that in the infinity of Life where I am right now, all is perfect whole and complete. I no longer choose to believe in old limitations and lack. I now choose to see myself as the Universe sees me, perfect whole and complete. I now choose to live with this understanding that I am always in the right place, doing the right thing and the right time. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Step out of your comfort zone

Today it is time to step out of your comfort zone because that is where your new life awaits you in this new year on this new day. Today, it is time to take baby steps out of your comfort zone, no matter how afraid you may feel. We all tend to forget that struggle and discomfort are where all growth comes from. However somehow as adults we just don’t like to try new things because we fear failure. But despite our fear, we need to understand that failure isn’t the end of the road, it’s the beginning. We learn and gain more from failure than we do from success—and way more than if we never took the chance in the first place. Today, recognize that whether you succeed or fail at whatever you’re doing, it will be a hundred times more valuable to your growth than if you never took the chance in the first place. Either you succeed and you grow or you fail and you grow, but trying anything is better than doing nothing. Today, consciously step outside your comfort zone. Taking the first step is always the hardest, but once you do it, the only thought you’ll have in your head is “Why didn’t I do this earlier?” Every second you spend in this world is precious, and you shouldn’t waste a single second of it wondering if you should have done something. Today, Life is waiting for you to take the reigns. So grab them and remember everything you want is on the other side of fear.

Just for today, I do something different. I am willing to step out of my comfort zone and experience life in a whole new way. Each day I stretch my comfort zone a little further. When I make a mistake, I understand that it is not the end, but only part of the learning process. I am safe. It is only change. Everything in truth is always working out for my highest good. And so it is.

Loss and grief

We all have lost so much. And whether you have lost a friend, a family member, your identity, your goals, money or just the illusion that you were in control of what comes next in your life, the result is that you and I are in all likelihood grieving for our losses at some level. And, grief is one of those emotions that has a life of its own. It carries every feeling within it and sometimes there’s no way to discern it. However, it also carries one of the greatest lessons that we as humans must come to terms with-the lesson of impermanence—that everything that comes into being will go out of being. And, no one escapes that lesson. So today, allow yourself to grieve your losses but also take extraordinary care of yourself. Accept that there is so much that you and I can never fully understand. Give yourself time and space to allow yourself to cry, mourn and to then come to peace that nothing lasts forever and that your pain will pass. Like everything else, all suffering will go, until one day it comes again.

The greatest thing about loss is that it helps us grow up. It matures us. It brings wisdom. It teaches us to let go. We learn we can go through hard times and we will come out the other side. And, we will discover that our happiness never really went away—it still exists inside of us—yet, we are remembering it anew. We are all beginning anew.

Just for today, I know that it is okay to be sad sometimes. Sadness is just another feeling. I allow it to be and then it passes away. I have the strength to remain calm in the face of change. Nourishing myself is a joyful experience. I am worth the time I spent on my own healing. I am safe and I am in the process of healing every part of my life. Out of this situation only good will come. And so it is.