Becoming Aware

If we see everyone outside of our self as mirror, reflecting back to us how we see the world, our belief system, values, judgements, etc... then why is it so how to change (within us) that which we see as unacceptable behaviour... ??
BEcoming aware of this.. that what you do, what I see as "what you are doing, being".. is just me and how I am being and doing...
This is a belief that keeps coming up and it came up again by reading someones blog recently - but it is not new to me. In order to know oneself, there has to be some sort of "other" for us to get it.
I believe we are the reflective souls of the Divine Being. In order for God to know God, there has to be something to reflect back to God (hey, substitute any other Word here). So here we are.
If I learn about myself by being in relationship to "other", anything outside myself, then why am I setting this up to see stuff I don't really want to see... unless it's something I DO need to see, and experience, in order for my Soul to grow and develop into a better spiritual Being... mmm, so do I need to experience illness in order to appreciate health... and do I need to experience deep sadness in order to appreciate deep joy?
If I am surrounded by rudeness, I should take a look within myself.. eliminate any rudeness I may have.
If I see inconsideration, I need to be more considerate.
If I see grief and sorrow, I can be more compassionate.
Be more trusting, more humble, more tolerant, more accepting... If I see a wrong-doing - go out and do something kind.
Love more.
My lesson this month seemed to be more about Trust. Trusting that the Universe will provide, trust that I CAN let go... in letting go, in not resisting and judging.. a shift can occur to allow the Universe to provide. This is a lesson that keeps repeating itself.. this path of growth in learning to trust. I have become more aware.
I think this Awareness is key.
When I am aware and see I can change and grow.
I'll get back to the "reflection" part again with more thoughts on that matter :-) because it intrigues me.

Harvest gratitude

Canson came out with a new Mixed Media sketchbook with thicker paper and I love it. The Bic markers bleed through so the heavier paper is great.. also, I plan on doing some collage work in it. Good stuff :-)
This mandala spoke to me of being Thankful. The Harvest colors reminded me of the autumn and autumn reminds me of Thanksgiving. Being grateful has been a message for me this past week.. ok, weeks. More than a few times the message would come through astrologically or in one form or another - that the easiest way to change my "attitude" is through gratitude.
OK, I get it, but why do I forget it?? When I am in the thick of it, I find it difficult to stop and say to myself, "ok, let's find all the things I am grateful for"... no, I am too engrossed, too STUCK!
And then - as if by magic - it all shifts... no, not really, I have to do the work and it seems the "work" that works best for me is to create.
Simple.
Art moves me out of my small self to a more open Self. Mandalas and doodles or "Zendalas" do it best and this one spoke to me of remembering to be grateful.. be thankful for all the good stuff and there is sooo much of it!
When I move into that energy of gratefulness, I am more accepting of myself and everyone around me and the way things are.
Self-acceptance is a wonderful thing. Once I move into that space, everything else seems to fall into place.. it's all ok. It's all the way it is supposed to be. Let it be. See it. Feel it. Enjoy it. Even the challenges turn out to be heart-opening, mind-expanding experiences, so allow it and stop resisting. Because that is what it is - the resistance- that causes the pain, the fear, the worry.
So many times experience has taught me that I am being taken care of. The journey of life is just one gigantic and continuous journey of love and it is ALL going to be just fine. We are where we are supposed to be. I am already who I am supposed to be.. It's that moment thing.. the being.. the NOW.. and it's all just fine....
and life becomes once more filled with Thanks and Giving.
Sharing.
Trusting.
Full.
Blessed.
Loved.