Author Archives: Kim Abundant Life Tarot

Freedom Consciousness: Part Five – Freedom to Be Your Authentic Self

Posted in Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Law of Attraction, Manifestation, New Thought, Spirituality by
Image courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography, published on 01 November 2013 Stock Image - image ID: 100214130, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography, published on 01 November 2013 Stock Image – image ID: 100214130, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Your light wants to shine through, but your filter system is cluttered with debris. Debris of people pleasing, of being okay with being dissatisfied, of compromising. The debris gets caught up in your Authentic Self filter and is making it difficult for your Light to shine through.

When we are belittling, minimizing, downplaying, or oppressing our (or others’) life’s desires for practicality and familiarity, we are cluttering our filter. You want your Authentic Self filters (belief systems and actions) to be un-gunked as possible with debris that is not serving you. Your Light will always try to shine through, but help it out by releasing the beliefs that limit or bound you.

Are you free to be who you want to be? Are you allowing others to be who they want to be? What or who is dimming your inner Light?

We have to be gutsy in our journey to bliss. To be gutsy is to sometimes be the unpopular voice in the room. We have to be our own advocate and the voice of the voiceless. We have to stay focused on that which we truly want, versus focusing on the worldly noises and distractions.

We are blessed to be on life’s journey to fall in love with ourselves, others, and life itself. When we find ourselves not at peace and unhappy, we need to see why we are choosing a less vibrational match than what we truly want to be aligned to. Too many times we are surrendering our power to the external, which leads to our unfulfilled potential and untapped power. If we are relying on others to shape who we are or how to feel, we are simply going through life on someone else’s direction and not our own. We came to this planet to direct, guide, and steer our life – there is joy and everlasting peace in that freedom!

This is YOUR life! Stay grateful for what is making you happy and aligned. Stay present and remember to set your intentions (write, say, and believe) to what you’d like more of in your life.

If you are not investing a few minutes each day in joyously imagining, visioning, writing about how your Authentic Self, you’re missing out, my dear ones. Aren’t you worth it? Your Authentic Self craves your attention and direction.

Imagine a life where you wake up, and you say what’s on your mind, feel how you want to feel, do what you want to do, and be what you want to be. Now, think about things that keep you from shining your inner Light brightly. Are there people who cause you to shrink or retract your Authentic Self? If so, imagine who you would become without those things or people who are not in alignment with your freedom flow. This is how you can assess whether or not people or situations need to manifest into something that IS in alignment with who you really are and what you’re about.

So many times, we are reacting to external circumstances, not ever taking time to set intentions for what is to unfold. That constant reaction inhibits us from being free to be our Authentic Selves.

We try to change external situations to align with internal desires – and we’re hurt when nothing we want manifests or lasts. Your power is in the Internal First, the External will follow.

There’s no room in this human life experience for incessant people pleasing or niceties, especially if it’s compromising your Authentic Self. You want don’t feel like doing something? Don’t. You want to cut all your hair off or grow it long? Do it. You want to be creative and wouldn’t mind being paid to be, be it. You want to be more spiritual or you’re not feeling too enlightened, let it all hang out. Do you. Be Authentic, and the rest will surely follow.

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley  

Whew, When Life Happens…

Posted in Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes by
Image courtesy of Photokanok, published on 06 February 2012, fromhttp://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Image courtesy of Photokanok, published on 06 February 2012, fromhttp://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Well, dear friends, I am back from my writing hiatus. I took a break – at a time I probably should be chronicling every moment. But, let’s face it – sometimes one has to be in the mood to write, and I wasn’t, so I didn’t. My life is under construction right now and moving homes, releasing loved ones, and allowing the Good to come in, took up every bit of my focus and energy.

I am ready to get back to writing and I’ve missed you all so much.

Over the coming days and weeks, I will wrap up the Freedom Consciousness blog series, delve into what the Universe had in store for me, and Recommendations and Shout Outs. Throughout my moving process, I remained inspired by inspirational Podcasts and I have to share some of them with all of you.

My life over the last couple of months has been a hurricane of change. Ready to start anew and I feel renewed. Loving the journey, loving the Now. No matter what. Blessed be.

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

14 Things to Start Doing for Yourself

Posted in Goals, Inspiration, Relationships by

I love a list and this list on Whatcherlsaid’s blog has wonderful reminders and new information on how we can live our best, most fulfilling lives right now. Enjoy!

A New Way to Be In a New Day: Depression and Manifestation

Posted in Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, New Thought by
Image courtesy of Evgeni Dinev, published on 08 December 2010, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of Evgeni Dinev, published on 08 December 2010, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them – Albert Einstein
Podcast Recommendation to listen to in conjunction with this blog post: Think, Believe and Manifest Show with Constance Arnold, Sunday, August 31, 2014, titled “Depression and The Law of Attraction.” Constance gives tips for people experiencing depression, how depression impacts manifestation, and how to move from depression to a place of wholeness and happiness – a must listen-to Podcast, even for those who are not depressed.
Albert Einstein’s quote is a poignant reminder when we dwell in our problems, we stay in our problems. We have to shift our attention to what feels good, which is where the solutions lie.
There is nothing in this world so grave and depraved that requires us to live in darkness, despair and suicide contemplation.
A few weeks ago, my mother declared she was in a good mood and it was because she chose to be. When she woke up that morning, she was in a bad mood, but she told herself she was going to decide to be in a good mood instead. When I called her the next day, she reported she was still in a good mood. I expressed to her how good it was to hear her say she decided to be in a good mood. She shifted her focus from her sour feelings to feelings of joy and gratitude. The key words are choice and shifting focus.
We, as humans have the ability to choose and the most powerful choice we have is to choose how we feel in any given moment or situation and not to be a victim shrouded in negative emotions. I know some will argue depressed people do not choose to be depressed – but I beg to differ. Please understand to know a depressed person is to have been one. I can say with certainty that depressed, downtrodden people have the ability to choose.
We have to move from victimhood to victory. We do that by reclaiming our power of choice.
In my early teen years, twice I tried to kill myself. I didn’t feel worthy of love. Through counseling and deep soul searching, I was able to reclaim my self-worth. I was blessed with teachers, counselors, family and friends who reminded me what a wonderful person I was – even when I chose not to feel so wonderful. In time, I  found the inner strength to validate my self-worth from the inside out, instead of the outside in.
Before it was too late, I came to know God’s love. He had plans for me and I had plans to co-create with God. I began to lean on God’s love during the darkest of times. He revealed I was in a season of darkness, and it was time to move towards the light.
I shifted my focus from what made me sad, to what gave me glimmers of hope and happiness. I made a choice to reach out for help. I chose to feel a little better each day, even though most days were bleak and physically painful to endure. Through the tears, I found a few tucked away smiles. Laughter was like gold – the more I could laugh, the better I’d feel.
I was diagnosed with all sorts of issues – clinical depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD. The doctors prescribed medications that numbed me to any feelings. I suppose numbness was better than deep and chronic sadness, but I wanted to feel again!
By age seventeen, I was no longer going to allow the depression to be my future story. Against doctor’s wishes, but with their close supervision, I weaned myself off antidepressants and I continued to see a counselor who taught meditation techniques.  My life has never been the same since I made the choice to live.
I am not minimizing depression, but I do have to remind people to we all have a choice. Life can sometimes be dark and lonely, but that is still a choice to feel that way. Instead of seeing light, you’ve chosen to see darkness. Instead of feeling just a bit of gratitude and peace, you chose to feel anxiety and pain. You can choose differently in any given moment to feel a little bit better and if you can’t, then by all means, choose to reach out to someone to help throw you a lifeline. I knew I needed to choose a new way of coping, because I wanted to be able to feel ALL of my emotions, ALL of the time.
I know people who benefit greatly from antidepressants – and I am not saying to wean yourself off like I did or to feel shame for taking them. Medications are a blessing for those who need them. Over time, I grew to a point where I knew I did not need them anymore. I could trust my feelings again to guide me.
I decided to reclaim my power over my body, mind and spirit, instead of relying on doctors to tell me how I feel and drugs to numb the very gift that makes me beautifully human. That choice I made still resonates with me. I marvel at my seventeen year old self’s courage to tell the doctors no more pills. I was taking control of my life ship, no matter how stormy the waters got.
Today, I love myself, no matter what people or circumstances have to say about me. There are times when I’m stressed or down, but my happiness base line never dips to a point of self-loathing and self-harm.
My peaceful resolve and abundant happiness stemmed from great pain, so, I know of what I speak. Some people assume I’ve had it easy because of my sunny disposition I hold today. What they don’t know is a series of choices got me to where I am – not easy-living.
When you or a loved one are having a rough time, remember your/their freedom to choose how to feel in the next moment, which will lay down the foundation for how one will feel in the next moment, and the next. No matter how bleak a life situation may seem, remember your power to choose – moment to moment. Remember God is love and you remain eternally worthy of It.
*Not every depressed person is suicidal, but it can be a slippery slope. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please reach out for help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. Suicide attempts are a cry for help  – listen and take swift action.

With Love,

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Hibernation

Posted in Health by
Image Courtesy of papaija2008, published on 31 January 2014, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Image Courtesy of papaija2008, published on 31 January 2014, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Hibernation is a survival strategy designed to conserve energy when conditions are harsh. – animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/hibernation.htm

Over the past week, I withdrew from social media, electing not to blog, not to Facebook, and to just Be.

Do humans hibernate? Should they? I think we do – and I think it occurs when external and internal conditions are harsh.

I am in the throws of downsizing, and self evaluating where I am and where I’m going. When I am in stressful situations, I withdraw from the world. I do not post every thought or concern in social media world. I retreat, until I am rested and ready to share again.

Do you hibernate? Do you retreat and if so, what are the conditions that compel you to disconnect? When you do disconnect, what do you do?

We have to share so much of ourselves in our everyday lives, both in reality and virtuality. Sometimes, it feels like we are always turned on and available. And, sometimes, it can be too much.

I will be back to blogging and social media connecting before long, after the harsh conditions of moving subside.

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley  

Look Within

Posted in Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Law of Attraction, Manifestation, New Thought, Prosperity by

All that you desire to be and to have is already within you. Ask Divine Spirit to help reveal more of what you want and then allow the answers and gifts to come to you.

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Freedom Consciousness: Part Four – Freedom to Dream Big

Posted in Goals, Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Law of Attraction, Manifestation, New Thought by
Image courtesy of pixtawan, published on 19 February 2012

Image courtesy of pixtawan, published on 19 February 2012, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

The definition of a dream: A strongly desired goal or purpose.

It takes courage to trust, and trust evolves into faith and knowing. So, for those who are in the shaky first steps of their spiritual journey, it may seem farfetched and ridiculous to dream big. If we remember to first sense what it is we want, believe it will come, then the natural step is to trust and allow the Universe to bring what you’ve dreamed of into fruition.

Where many of us get tripped up is in the trusting and allowing. Some of us may get tripped up in missing the divine signals from the Universe to take action or to be still. While others get tripped up in not dreaming at all.

When was the last time you took inventory of your dreams? Dreams do not have to be lofty, out of reach and only for the select few who can achieve them. Dreams are a strongly desired goal or purpose that you can have. You can first have it in your mind as you daydream about it, then you can later have it in your reality. Finally, you can have it in the memory of experiencing the dream in reality.

What does your dreams say about you? Are they in alignment with the essence of who you are? Or, are they symbols of someone else’s reality? Your dreams should reveal a lot about who you are and where you’d like to be. Are your dreams authentic or generic – soul or ego driven?

You will know when you have an authentic or ego driven dream by how it makes you feel when you think of it. Whenever I think of an ego driven dream, like when I used to desire buying large homes, I felt a slight pang of anxiety from wondering how it was ever going to happen, then worried how I’d take care of and fill those homes. When my dreams shifted to wanting a cozy, warm space, that was perfect for my family and a sanctuary for myself and others, I felt peace and a knowing of already having it in me – my authentic dream.

Dreams that are in alignment with your soul will come to be. Dreams that are ego driven may or may not come, but in time, they may not be sustainable if they are not in alignment with your life flow and the essence of who you are.

Here are some ways to stay in touch with your dreams and to make them a reality for yourself and others:

  • Create a dream journal and scribe every single dream you have. Periodically read your journal’s pages – when you feel good and when you feel less than good. As you grow, so will your dreams, both in manifesting and your faith they will come true. In time, you will see pages of dreams fulfilled and your dreams will also become more tailored to who you are and where you want to go.
  • If you are in the shaky first steps of having faith your dreams will come true, look to your smaller dreams to blossom so you can start to have faith in the bigger dreams. Baby steps in your dream making will help you build the trust and faith in Divine Spirit to hasten your dreams to come true.
  • It is okay to start with small dreams, but don’t remain in a place of limiting your dreams to small ones. Dare to dream big, so the Universe has more ways of getting Its good to you.
  • Action – deliberate, good old fashioned baby steps towards your goal. Leaps are wonderful, but baby steps will get you there, too.
  • Thank God for placing those dreams into your heart and be thankful whether they have manifested in physical form or not.
  • There’s varied advice on whether or not you reveal your dreams to others. I see the benefit in holding your dreams close to you, just as I see the benefit in sharing them with others. It is all in how you feel about sharing your dream. Some are meant to be known immediately by others, while other dreams need to remain close until close to fruition. For me, I do both. Many of my dreams, I share with others so a) my dreams can escape the confines of my mind and b) to encourage others to dream as well.
  • Honor your dreams by acknowledging them, celebrating when they move in the direction of manifesting, and dwell in a state of mind that creates more and more dreams.
  • Do not be a dream crusher to others – instead, uplift others by encouraging them to pursue their dreams and celebrate with your friends on their accomplishments. It is people’s dreams and pursuits of their dreams that makes the world better. And, what makes the world richer are those who support others in making dreams come true.

We are blessed to have the ability to dream. So, I dare you to dream wild, dream often, dream big!

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

References:

“Dream.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 17 Aug. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dream&gt;.

Guest Blogging and Curating with Abundant Life Initiative

Posted in Working with AbundantLifeInitiative by
Image courtesy of domdeen, published on 20 February 2011 Stock Photo - image ID: 10031199, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of domdeen, published on 20 February 2011
Stock Photo – image ID: 10031199, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

AbundantLifeInitiative blog wants to spread the word of abundant living and would like to collaborate with guest bloggers and/or guest curators to reach out to more readers. Here’s my invitation for guest bloggers and guest curators to post on my blog, https://abundantlifeinitiative.com/. Please find the easy submission guidelines below.

I’m available for consultation on various topics and areas, such as all areas of abundant living, spirituality, law of attraction, and the New Thought movement. To collaborate or consult with me, send an email to KimberlyJoCooley@aol.com. I am especially helpful in curating inspirational Podcasts, books, MP3s in all life’s areas that you just don’t have the time or energy to search and sort through. I also curate  style and home trends for the budget conscious Spiritualista.

Guest Curators:

Curators search for and compile interesting, visually tantalizing images and lists that engage/inspire readers. Curators do not necessarily need to write full blog posts, but it is helpful if guest curators have selected images for their post. I am in need of guest curators for the following AbundantLifeInitiative blog departments:

  • Spiritualista’s Guide to Fashion
  • Abode
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Break Bread (Recipes, Beverages and dining tips) Urgent Need
  • Spiritualista’s Guide to Fashion
  • Love and Relationships (with a Law of Attraction or Spiritual touch)
  • Poems and Prose
  • Prosperity
  • Where in the World…(travel and leisure) Urgent Need (posts on local towns, as well as distant, far away destination blogs okay)
  • Law of Attraction and New Thought Movement
  • Recommendations and Shout Outs
  • Your Spiritual Calling

Guest Blogging Submission Guidelines:

I am looking for inspirational blog posts and poems, from an authentic and revealing perspective. The guest blogger can write about spirituality and spiritual practices, dining, traveling, fashion and home décor/living. This blog’s goal is to inspire the reader to live their unique and abundant life.

How to submit a guest post:

You don’t have to write a guest post in its entirety before you submit. Just follow the three steps below to get started:

  1. List a blog title. If you have other working titles, feel free to list those in the post’s outline.
  2. Write an outline of the post you plan to write. If you already have a post in mind, no need to do an outline, just submit the blog post via email.
  3. Email your post title and outline/post to KimberlyJoCooley@aol.com.

If we’ve got a collaborative match, then I will ask for the following items:

  1. A short bio of yourself.
  2. Your personal website information and other social media connections (such as Facebook, Twitter handle, etc.) so followers can connect with you.
  3. If we have an ongoing collaboration, I will set up a user account for you to be able to upload your own guest blog posts to the website.

Want to Work with Kimberly Jo or Guest Blog for Your Blog?

If you’d like to collaborate with me on writing posts for your blog or you’d like to simply exchange content and ideas, email me. I am looking forward to you learning from your experiences and finding ways to initiate an abundant life for all of us.

~Your Curator of all Things Abundant, Kimberly Jo Cooley

The 3 Decorating Words I Live By

Posted in Home by

My 3 decorating words I live by: bohemian, textures, colors. What are your 3 decorating words you live by?

September Four's avatarSeptember Four Interiors

3 decorating words i live by

Just like growing up and figuring out what you want to do with your life, it takes some time to develop a decorating style. It’s easy to go to a furniture store and buy a set — lamps included– but it takes a little bit more forethought to put something together that’s collected, showcases your personality and is functional to your lifestyle.

There are three words that sum up my decorating style and makes it easier for me to add things to my home that will fit. When I’m shopping or DIY-ing something, whatever I come up with will usually fit one of these three categories.

Simple

decorstyle2

I don’t like a lot of clutter or things that are fussy. Simple to me means clean lines, neutral colors and classic silhouettes. I have had the same lamps for years. Their shape is simple and they can be updated with a new…

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