Tag Archives: Spirituality

Whatever Happened to That Blog?

Posted in Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Loss, Manifestation, Spirituality by
Image courtesy of “Scenery Of The Wooden Pier In The Morning” by surasakiStock. From http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Image courtesy of “Scenery Of The Wooden Pier In The Morning” by surasakiStock. From http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Ever wonder where a blogger goes when their blog site goes silent? What has distracted them to the point they are no longer posting?

In my case, my blog fell silent for several months because of a tragic automobile accident with my middle child, Daniel. January of this year, I witnessed a drunk driver strike my 13 year old, nearly killing him. The drunk driver was running from California Highway Patrol in a residential neighborhood and traveling 77 miles per hour at impact. Daniel spent a little under a month in ICU and I spent days and nights by his hospital bed. In the first few nights of his hospital stay, we didn’t know if he would make it. Once we knew he would survive, we were then faced with not knowing whether Daniel would be able to walk again. Needless to say, I was not inspired to write a check or even a Facebook post, let alone a blog post, as I was traumatized and emotionally spent.

Through the highs and lows of first thinking I was going to lose my son, to his miraculous recovery, and the turmoil that is continuing to unfold with the legal wrangling, I witnessed so many miracles – daily (more to come on those beautiful miracles!). These miracles reminded me in my darkest hours that God was still there, guiding my every step. Many days I had to lean on God moment to moment, because I had little else to lean on to. God showed his loving ways through loved ones and strangers and I am forever grateful for those angels (and there were so many beautiful angels from my town!) who showed me love when hate could have easily enveloped my heart.

When Daniel was released, I became his nurse and caregiver, a role I was thrown into by circumstance, but one I was grateful to be in. I connected with my son in a way that will forever bind us both, as he had to rely on me for everything.

While I was away, I still tried to stay in writing practice by putting small notes into a journal, spending precious time with and loving on my three kids like I never had before. My family’s life as we knew it had turned completely upside down – which made me reevaluate what was really important in my life.

To all of my followers and readers – I’m sorry I was gone for too long without any explanation. Thank you to those who continued to stop by my blog during this very trying time.

What’s to come on AbundantLifeInitiative.com and KimberlyJoCooley.com (launching soon!):

  • More inspirational posts on Abundant~Life~Initiative and the invitation to contribute to the blog is still open.
  • Inspirational Podcast and Book Recommendations.
  • Video and Live Streaming – I am being spiritually called to share my face and my voice with the world.
  • My new blog site, https://kimberlyjocooley.com/ is my personal blog that will delve more into my personal writer’s life and the behind the scenes of Abundant~Life~Initiative (the discoveries and frustrations that are often left out of the abundantlifeinitiative.com blog posts). I will also list my own tools and tricks for managing a full work and family life, while blogging and writing along the way.
  • Kimberly*Jo*Cooley is my gift to myself – it’s been so long since I’ve focused on my writing. Now is the time. An official launch of Kimberly*Jo*Cooley will be coming very soon!

I look forward to getting reconnected with my blogging community and getting back to my creative roots of writing. It’s been entirely too long since we’ve last connected and I’ve missed you all.

Many blessings to all of you!

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

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While I Was Away…Abundance Abounds

Posted in Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Manifestation, New Thought, Spirituality by
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Image courtesy of Colorful Abstract Lines for Background Stock Photo by tigger11th, from  www.freedigitalphotos.net

This blog post is dedicated to my generous sister, Jennifer, who lovingly blessed me with sharing her laptop computer. My computer crashed this past summer and it’s thanks to her generosity that I’m able to crank out a blog post today from the comforts of my desk at home. I love you Baby Sis and I thank you for all your love and support. 

Hello! I’ve been away from my blogging community for a spell and I’m sorry I left without so much as a “goodbye” or a “see you soon.” I was on hiatus from writing and even checking my personal emails. I only had enough energy and time to care for my two teenagers and preschooler, work my insurance gig, and manage my home. This fall, I squeezed in time to work for the American River Review, a community college literary magazine, which has given me great experience in creating an award winning publication. I attended a much needed women’s spiritual retreat in the great Mendocino County in mid-September. Shortly after the retreat, an ultrasound revealed several uterine fibroid tumors and I had a revelation about the cause of my pulmonary embolism condition (more on that in another blog).

I was not compelled to push through my so-called writer’s block. Instead, I was in a space and season of self-reflection and internalization.

I’ve been attending my beloved church, Center for Spiritual Awareness (CSA) of West Sacramento (http://www.csasacramento.org/church-services.html). Reverend Georgia’s three part “Path to Wealth” series inspired me to get back on my morning inspirational routine:

Here are some podcasts I checked out while I was away:

  • Summer McStravick’s Flowdreaming September 8, 2015: How You REALLY Use Law of Attraction (https://flowdreaming.com/)
  • Summer McStravick’s Flowdreaming October 13, 2015: Creating Strong Healthy Boundaries
  • Summer McStravick’s Flowdreaming October 20, 2015 Create Easy, Smooth Energy Toward Your Goals…and Ditch that Hard Stuff!
  • Lynn Crocker’s Create Your Reality October 26, 2015 Mastering Your Habits  is the Key to Living a Healthier, Happier, and Fulfilling Life (https://createyourrealityradio.wordpress.com/author/lynncrocker/)
  • Janice Campbell’s Receive Your Life October 1, 2015 Faith in Life, Faith in Yourself (http://www.receiveyourlife.com/)

Janice Campbell’s own summertime hiatus from her podcast Receive Your Life gave me permission to take my own break. Just like her, I needed a break to focus inward and to readjust to new opportunities that were coming my way. Now, I can give renewed and invigorated energy to my blog.

The books I’m reading right now tie in nicely to the above mentioned church services and Podcasts:

A Path to Wealth by May McCarthy. CSA’s Reverend Georgia used this book as a basis for her three part series on building wealth (please see above videos). May provides a fun and easy way to strengthen your bond with God and honoring what it is you already have and what’s to come. A definite must (and easy) read. She reminds us we are stewards of God’s gifts and when we turn to our God Source, we receive all that we need to live a truly abundant life.

Giving Thanks: The Art of Tithing by Paula Langguth Ryan. True tithing comes in many forms, not just the paper money we typically think of when we are giving back. Tithe your time, heart, talent, and gifts and you will see an abundance of time, heart, talent and gifts bestowed unto you. Tithing is the spiritual currency we use to give and to receive. This is a gem of a book that takes the mystery out of true tithing.

Thank you readers and fellow bloggers for reading my blog and always being such great sources of support and inspiration for me. I’d love to hear about what you’ve been creating and manifesting in the comment box below and discuss ways we can further support each other in our quest for an abundant life.

~Your Curator of All Things Abundant, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Cultivating Your Spiritual Practice

Posted in Affirmations, Health, Inspiration, New Thought, Spirituality, Work Life by
Image courtesy of Spirit On Hook Displays Spiritual Body Or Purity by Stuart Miles from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of Spirit On Hook Displays Spiritual Body Or Purity by Stuart Miles from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

There are day to day activities we do that are chockfull of spirituality. Your spiritual rituals and rhythm can be found in your chores, errands, daily commute, daily work tasks, exercising and spending time with family and friends. Oftentimes, we think of going to church, praying, and meditation as the only means to cultivating a spiritual practice. But, when we recognize how natural and easy it is to carve out a spiritual connection, the world seems abound with many spiritual growth opportunities.

Here are some ways to cultivate your day to day spiritual practices:

  • Stay on the lookout for pockets of time you can take to meditate or to think on what you’re grateful for. Book a conference room at work for you to turn down the lights and meditate. It only takes a few minutes for a mindfulness reboot. If you can’t book a room, go to your car, or do a walking meditation around the block on your breaks.
  • Download phone apps, such as Calm or Nature Meditation Sounds to have on hand to easily meditate. Or, consider creating a YouTube subscription to all of your favorite guided meditation or nature sound videos.
  • When you find yourself in a limiting or defeating thought, consider Esther Hicks/Abraham’s suggestion of the Seventeen Seconds Process where you countdown seventeen seconds as you shift your thoughts to something lighter and better serving. Rae Zander and Heather McKay Novak of Everyday Attraction Podcast’s June 5, 2015 show “The Most Powerful Alignment Practices of All Time” discuss the Seventeen Second Process in greater detail (http://www.unity.fm/episode/EverydayAttraction_060515). They sourced their information from the originator of the Seventeen Second Process, Esther Hicks/Abraham-Hicks of http://www.abraham-hicks.com/lawofattractionsource/index.php.
  • Keep Your cell phone or MP3 player full of positive, New Thought, or inspirational Podcasts to listen to on your commute. I look forward to my twenty minute drives to work thanks to the inspirational Podcasts that spark my imagination and inspire me.
  • There’s nothing more spiritually uplifting than calling an old friend to catch up on life and laughs. When you need a pick-me-up, call up a friend and be their pick-me-up.
  • Take a walk. Even a brisk, ten minute walk in the sun is enough time to get mindful and connected to your inner thoughts. Say some affirmations, think of what you’re grateful for, or, clear your mind.
  • Keep a little journal near you to capture random divine coincidences, things you are grateful for, or even ideas and sparks of interest you want to explore. Make sure its small enough to fit in your back pocket or purse so there’s no excuse to be without it.
  • Read spiritual text and holy books. Read all there is – blogs, books, memoirs, poems and journals, just to name a few. Even if you can only manage a couple of pages a day, you will gain some spiritual nourishment and insight to any give situation.
  • Let the music carry you away. What’s your favorite music genre? Why did you fall in love with that type of music? Fall in love all over again with a long lost genre you used to groove to. Spirituality can also be found in singing songs, so sing away.
  • When exercising, have inspirational Podcasts, affirmations (create your own for a powerful experience), or music that allows your mind to run free playing through your earbuds. I like combining my workouts with spiritual practice because I’m a busy lady and I need to combine my activities.
  • Play in the recesses of your mind. Daydream, get lost in your thoughts and fall in love with the Inner You.

Janice Campbell of Receive Your Life Podcast reminds us that all of us have a spiritual practice that feeds our soul and it’s up to each of us to nourish our spiritual selves everyday on her May 28, 2015 show, “Your Spiritual Practice” (http://www.unity.fm/episode/ReceiveYourLife_052815). It was Janice’s May 28th Podcast that inspired me to write this post to remind us to honor what it is that moves us and have our being.

Can you find spiritual fulfillment in the mundane, like housecleaning or your daily work duties? It doesn’t take a lot to indulge daily in what makes you spiritually connected and happy.

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Abundant Life Initiative is BACK!

Posted in Inspiration, Spirituality by
Image courtesy of Colorful Hill Slope Covered By Violet Heather Flowers by Serge Bertasius Photography, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of Colorful Hill Slope Covered By Violet Heather Flowers by Serge Bertasius Photography, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Hi Fellow Abundant Life Initiators! As we enter the summer season, I have been experiencing life’s ups and downs, but taking it all in stride and seeing the blessings in everything that comes my way. Downs like getting a gnarly cold, then a stomach bug. Nothing like dealing with back to back illness to make you feel so vulnerably human, raw, and grateful to be alive. The highs of having my kids all under one roof, attending writers’ conferences and fellowshipping with other writers, and bonding with family and friends. Another high is my spiritual, wellness and natural hair journey -wow – feels great to embark on such a personal joyride of ups and downs of learning the ins and outs of one’s self.

I’m sorry I’ve been laying low, but promise to return inspired and ready to impart some fun jewels of information about my own abundant life initiative and exploring fun ways to help others initiate abundant lives of their own.

Stay tuned, stay abundantly blessed, and stay connected.

~Your Curator of All Things Abundant, Kimberly Jo Cooley

The Biggest Myth

Posted in Affirmations, Inspirational Quotes, Manifestation, New Thought, Prosperity, Spirituality by
Image courtesy of thepathtraveler, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of thepathtraveler, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

The biggest myth is God is withholding your good from you…in fact, YOU are withholding your good from you. Specifically, your beliefs are withholding your good from you.

Another myth is God is waiting for you to be deserving. My beloved, you are already deserving – the moment you were created in the Mind of God, your worthiness was solidified.

What you already desire to come into your “reality” is already “real.” When you embrace this knowing, is when your life is forever changed. You have to step in or be that which you want. Not to look at what you want is outside and external of you, but that it is rising up through you.

Do you believe you can receive all your good? If not, look at why you stand in suspended, incredulous disbelief. The “why” of your disbelief needs to be eradicated from your mind in order to empty your hands of useless, fruitless beliefs – in order to make room to fill your hands with the ever abundant belief that all things in God are possible.

All things. In God. Are Possible.

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Stop Worrying About the “How” and Just Be in the “Now”

Posted in Goals, Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Law of Attraction, Manifestation, New Thought, Spirituality by
Image courtesy of amenic181, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of amenic181, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Your job is to generate and to allow your creative thoughts to come, shaping matter into manifestation. To nurture creative thoughts by being fertile ground for them to sow and grow. To be an allowing vessel for blessings to flow to and through you. To be ever present in the now is to slow down enough to savor what is and to be confident in what is to yet to be.

God/The Universe’s job is to handle the “how” in bringing forth the manifestation or your creative thoughts and ideas.

Your “now” lays the foundation for your tomorrow. If your “now” is filled with worry for the “how” of things you want to create, all you are creating is more worry about not having what you want. We live in affirmative universe, that gives us what we focus on and believe. To effect change in one’s life, one must look at what they believe and are focusing on.

Let your “now” be filled with gratitude and appreciation. Let your “now” be filled with peace and creative moments. Let your “now” have times of respite and reflection. Let your “now” be void of dissatisfaction and boredom. Your “now” should have no room for boredom, dissatisfaction, anger or resentment.

Don’t prematurely pull up your creative seedlings, by allowing doubt, worry, and fear to uproot them. Be like the farmer who tends to his plants, but doesn’t hover over and crowd them. The farmer is patient, all the while knowing that what he has planted will grow in its own time.

The lover lives in the “now,” the worrier lives in the future, and the naysayer lives in the past. The naysayer relies on information about their life from what they’ve seen and only what they’ve seen. The worrier relies on information on fears of what they cannot see. The lover relies on the love they are experiencing right now and will continue to experience. Be the lover. Lover of creativity, lover of life, lover of all there is.

Know that all is truly well and working in Divine Favor for the best life has to offer you. Resolve to enjoy life, right now, and to refrain from needlessly stressing over things, for stressing will never bring what you want closer to you.

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

 

Perfectly Aligned

Posted in Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, New Thought, Spirituality by

To be present in this moment is golden, and what makes life so sweet. Thank you Sheri, for such a beautiful letter to humanity.

Be present. Be aware of the emotions you’re emitting and experiencing. Is that emotion in alignment with your desires for yourself and your life? Or, something else? If you are feeling good, take note, and savor that moment. Blessed Be.

Manifesting and Allowing

Posted in Affirmations, Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Law of Attraction, Manifestation, New Thought, Spirituality by
Image courtesy of Serge Bertasias Photography. Beautiful Landscape of Scottish Nature, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net.

Image courtesy of Serge Bertasias Photography. Beautiful Landscape of Scottish Nature, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net.

What’s manifesting and allowing?

It’s about shaping your inner and outer environment, making your life-force supple and ready to receive that which you’ve created in the metaphysical world with your creative thoughts. Sometimes you have to quiet the mind, exercise and rest the body, and watch your words in order to be an allowing vessel of your manifestations.

It’s about allowing your creations to come through you into the physical world.

It’s about having a grateful heart, for what is, what has been and what will be.

It’s about awareness of your thoughts and emotions. Are your thoughts serving you? Is your emotions trying to tell you something?

It’s about affirming what it is you have and want and releasing what you don’t want.

It’s about knowing there’s a seasonal cycle for everyone and everything. To resist resisting the seasonal changes that naturally come with everyone and everything.

It’s about managing resistance and understanding contrast’s place in your manifesting process.

It’s about recognizing that your here and now was all attracted to you, by you.

It’s about not plucking your fruits too early, before they’ve had a chance to fully ripen.

It’s about surrendering to patience, while persisting in action steps and right thoughts as you are creating your life.

And, most of all is it’s about walking and talking as if you know you are in a loving, supportive Universe, one that is patiently waiting for you to mold it with your very Being and Spirit.

~Your Curator of All Things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

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

I Am Spirit ~Ernest Holmes

Posted in Affirmations, Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, Law of Attraction, Manifestation, New Thought, Spirituality by
Image courtesy of samarttiw, published on 13 September 2013 Stock Image - image ID: 100201296

Image courtesy of samarttiw, published on 13 September 2013 Stock Image – image ID: 100201296

There is a spiritual body that cannot deteriorate. This spiritual body is already within you; as much of it appears as is recognized. Spiritual perfection always responds to your consciousness, but it can respond only in such degree as you become aware of it. It is because this inward perfection is so insistent that you maintain a physical body, and because you are in an individual with volition, you can, as it were, hang a curtain between your physical life and spiritual cause.

Spiritual realization helps you withdraw this curtain. Every statement you make about your body or belief you hold about it that causes the mind to accept Spirit as the substance of the body tends to heal.

Say: I realize there is a Divine Presence at the center of my being. I let this recognition flow through my entire consciousness. I let it reach down into the very depths of my being. I rejoice in this realization. I am now made vigorous and whole. I possess the vitality of the Infinite. I am strong and well. Every breath I draw is a breath of perfection, vitalizing, animating, and renewing every cell of my body. I am born of the Spirit. I am in the Spirit. I am the Spirit made manifest.

-Earnest Holmes, 365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Earnest Holmes, August 12th

~Curated by Kimberly Jo Cooley