I've started to become more aware of how I am listening to others. Am I listening to respond, or am I listening with no need to respond?

If you are doing the latter of the two you are actually listening. If you are doing the first of two, you are getting ready to pounce with your "me too" affirmations. 

By nature I am a problem solver. I've been lovingly called "MacGyver" by those who know me best. This bodes well for me in situations where I logically need to figure out a solution, but not so much when people are sharing their feelings.

Giving an unasked for solution will most likely be overlooked by the confidant, because its not a solution that they seek, its connection. Wait for the "what do you think" before offering your thoughts. If this invite never comes, then its not necessary for you to offer. 

Listen with the intent to listen. Respond when asked to respond. Try it! <3

How often have you said "It can't get any better than this"? Using that term means you have settled, with no further expectation that things can get better than this. 

Instead say, "how can it get any better than this"? You've now just invited God, Creator, Universe, Higher Power, Source to show you how it can get better. 

Through many generations of "brain washing" we've been taught that what you have is all there ever is. This is not true. You can ask for more and it will come to you, IF you ask with pure intentions. Should your ask have any malicious intent, you won't receive it. Should your ask be to cause someone else harm, you won't receive it. What you WILL receive is the negative energy that you are putting out into the universe, better known as karma. 

Jealousy, unhappiness, regret, are all negative energy and is what you will attract. Confidence, joy, peace, are all positive energy and is what you will attract. When choosing the life you want, choose carefully which feelings and thoughts you want to bring along with you. Examine your life to see what I mean by that. <3

In the book, As A Man Thinketh, by James Allen, he uses the word character 24 times. 

This is one of my favorite references to character:
"The aphorism, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he”, not only embraces the whole of a man's being, but it is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts."

I base my personal actions on one simple question: "Do I do the right thing even when no one is there to see or hear?" If you can answer yes to that question your character is obvious. If you answer no to that question your character is obvious. 

How you live your life isn't suppose to impress others, it is suppose to impress yourself. If you are unhappy, that is all on you. If you are angry, that is all on you. Anything you feel, is all on you. It's all in your mind and has nothing to do with anyone else or how you THINK they make you feel. You decide those things. You and you alone. 

Change your mind, change your character.  <3

Having my son as a house guest for two weeks after being single for 20+ years gave me another perspective on soul searching.

Being single allows me the luxury of having my personal space exclusively to myself. No one to answer to. No one else's needs to accommodate. My focus can remain on ensuring my connection to my energy sources stays strong.

It occurred to me while having my son underfoot that it is a real struggle for people in relationships to remain committed to their inner peace.

Having routines disrupted, decisions challenged, and giving time to others forces us to put our needs last...why is that?! Why is it important that everyone around has their needs met and we think that we'll somehow get to our own needs at some point?

My son's visit had me reassess how I'm approaching "me time" in my latest book. It is NOT as easy as saying make a routine and stick to it. We shouldn't be made to feel like we have limited chances to find our soul. Every moment you are breathing is a chance to find your soul. It's the ability to stay on that course that needs the self-discipline. <3

From birth to age six our upbringing shapes us for the rest of our life. What we store in our subconscious for those six years will surface as an adult and dictate how you make decisions. 

If you were told a lot of "no's" and made to feel fear during those six years, you will limit yourself. If you are told a lot of "yes's" and made to feel valued, you will push yourself to do more, to be more.

Ever human is capable of achieving more than their mind allows them to think they can. Any reason that you come up with to not excel in life is there because you were taught to be that way. Thankfully it can be untaught. 

Because we are raised with the disease to please, our mind gets locked into what others need before we meet our own needs. The training it took for your mind to believe this will also take training for your mind to overcome this. 

You matter. You are worthy of anything you desire. You are lovable. Forget what anyone else has told you about that and know that you have the power to change everything anytime you want to. <3

Meet Nox, the newest member of the Longstreet clan. I'm unsure what the pronouns are at the moment.

This little cutie made a one hour drive down a major highway under the hood of my car!! When I reached my destination and heard the cries for help I was devastated of course. The thought of opening the hood and finding hurt and pain was more than I could bare. 

Not an injury to be found, thank goodness. I have no idea how she/he held on for what was obviously a harrowing ride. The name Nox is short for Equinox which is the make of my vehicle. 

Its a Calico which I've learned signifies luck...well, we know that is the truth! Most Calico's are female, so we'll find out at our vet appointment next week if that is correct. 

My dog Max is aging and I'm unsure if he'll make it through another winter...the cold causes him many aches and pains. I was adamant that after Max there would be no more pets! Man proposes and God disposes for reasons that we may never know. 

I am a dog person, owned three in my lifetime, but no cats! I trust that Nox has come to me to share her/his wisdom for the next part of my journey. Questioning her/his existence serves no earthly purpose, accepting and moving forward is all that can be done. <3

It took fifty five years on this planet for the truth to be revealed to me. Question is, why couldn't the truth be understood while youth was on my side? It would have made things so much easier.

The truth is, you don't have to settle. You don't have to lock into situations of unhappiness. You don't have to live a life of discontent. You don't have to please others. You don't have to "put up" with other people's nonsense. You just don't.

Having the aha moment that my soul deserved much more love and adoration than I had provided was a bit hurtful. How is it possible to be so oblivious to the needs of oneself? Well, it is because we are taught that we have to be caretakers of how others feel about themselves. Much time is wasted doing this.

We need to be taught to be caretakers of our soul first and foremost and THEN provide the same to others. This isn't the norm though, because we fear that others will leave us behind so we pull them down with our nonsense. We feel obligated to not leave people floundering so we put ourselves on hold. And because the majority of us do this, we live in a never ending cycle of love & hate, anger & joy; peace & chaos. 

It is not selfish to care for oneself first. It is only selfish if your ego is behind your intentions. Do all things with pure intentions (without ego) and you will live a life with inner truth and inner peace. <3

It is impossible for good and positive things to remain in your life if you don't make space for them. They can certainly flow to you, but won't stay if you aren't willing to make room for them.

Making room means changing something. Changing is very hard to do and is why we can't keep the things that we really want in our life. We revert to old habits or old ways and then we yearn again.

What I know for sure is that if you are not ready to take accountability and responsibility for what you want, you will be unable to keep it. Getting your desires is one thing, sustaining them is another. 

Clean your mind and your heart of things that no longer serve you. Replace them with what you do want. Make sure you revisit your spaces to give them a good cleaning every now and then. If its collecting dust, its got to go to make room for what you will need on your life's journey. <3

As A Man Thinketh - James Allen - 1903

"The aphorism, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he”, not only embraces the whole of a man's being, but it is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.
As the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them. This applies equally to those acts called “spontaneous” and “unpremeditated” as to those which are deliberately executed.

Act is the blossom of thought, joy and suffering are its fruits; thus does a man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandry.
“Thought in the mind hath made us what we are by thought was wrought and built.
If a man's mind hath evil thoughts, pain comes on him as comes the wheel the ox behind.
If one endure in purity of thought, joy follows him as his own shadow – sure.”

Man is a growth by law and not a creation by artifice, and cause and effect are as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things. A noble and Godlike character is not a thing of favor or chance, but it is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long cherished association with Godlike thoughts. An ignoble and bestial character, by the same process, is the result of the continued harbouring of groveling thoughts."

Why am I here? What is my purpose? Who am I?

These questions that are asked by you are asked by everyone else. You're not the only one wondering why we are floating around on a perfectly round shape in space. From afar we must look like an anthill with all of our busyness going on each day. 

It can get mind boggling to try and find the truth which can lead to a sense of fear when no answers are forthcoming. No one has the answers for the bigger picture, but we all have answers for the role we must play in the bigger picture. 

Our roles are exactly the same for you and me. Love everyone as you love yourself. If you are unable to love yourself, this is where your purposeful work begins. Love yourself first in order to be able to love others. Not an easy task for us complicated beings. 

Whatever anyone has taught you about hate...unlearn it.
Whatever anyone has taught you about racism...unlearn it.
Whatever anyone has taught you about status...unlearn it.
Whatever anyone has taught you about wealth...unlearn it.

WE have used our power to create the discontent felt in our world today and we can use the same power to uncreate it. Love IS the purpose. Love IS is the answer. Love WILL lead the way. Trust me on this. <3