Greetings and blessings Beloved Ones,
 
As we embark upon this new month of October and the fourth quarter of 2009, I am encouraging efforts to strengthen your spiritual practice. Who knows what amazing good can come forth in our lives before the end of this year of spiritual mastery. (2009 = 11 in numerology, which has to do with spiritual mastery.)  Our spiritual journey is unbounded, ever-expanding and evolving. Each day our awareness grows and so does our understanding. Our ability to meet, overcome and simply avoid certain experiences is infinite. In this building process of personal spiritual evolution we know that practice makes perfect. Therefore, we are constantly incorporating new levels of understanding into our new levels of expression. By "expression" I am referring to how we live and express ourselves in this world on a moment by moment basis.

Sometimes I hear an inner voice that simply says, "Back to basics!" After all of these years of spiritual discovery and practice it is funny to watch that little bit of ego that comes up with the "who me?" And it is indeed ALWAYS me who goes right back to the very basics of spiritual practice and study for a good tune-up! Perhaps this is just my experience, but I find that what starts as a strong consistent spiritual practice can sometimes transition into me skipping steps here and there, taking a few short cuts, and then noticing that I am not expressing at my very best and blessed.
 
This process reminds me of athletes who train for competitions. They have goals to attain. They are competing. The pressure is on for them to both train and perform at their very best. Then when the pressure is off, most are not training at the same level during the off-season. They can still play their game leisurely, but their performance ability pails in comparison to their level of ability when they were in training doing drills, practicing multiple times a day and consistently contemplating their strategy and performance. (On the other hand, I have heard that some of the truly exceptional athletes actually train year-round.) What if you consider yourself a spiritual athlete for this journey called life? That's right, there would be no off-season dear hearts because life is a year-round type of thing.
 
Now keep in mind that there is absolutely no pressure or stress in spiritual discovery and practice. Your spiritual journey is meant to be one of joy and ease. Every step that you take to experience more God, more GOOD in your life is a part of this wonderful process. Every prayer, affirmation, meditation, study, consultation, retreat and time of fellowship is to experience the glory of God/GOOD. I love sitting in meditation. I love the peace that comes over me when I sit in the silence acknowledging the Presence and Power of God in, as and through me. Your practice can simply be sitting and breathing in the idea that "God is here" and within seconds you will feel great and ready for the world! I certainly have time for that multiple times during the day. A prayer of "God is working, making all the crooked places straight" is enough to bring a smile to my face.
 
Affirm: All is well! Give yourself the gift of 15 minutes to drink in the words of an inspirational book or magazine. Reach out to spiritual teachers and practictioners when you are seeking support, guidance and uplift. Surround yourself with spiritually-minded others, positive people in whatever format feels good for you. A church or spiritual center may be a great resource for you, and so can a hair salon or barber shop, living room, lounge or poetry spot where positive ideas are exchanged. Anywhere, any time can be a venue for fellowship. Remember, wherever you are YOU are the common denominator.
 
Let us set and express great intentions for ourselves and for the world in this fourth quarter of  2009. Please share your thoughts and this article as you are so inspired. You never know how much this one action can inspire and uplift another.
 
I do believe that we are spiritual athletes on this journey called life. So, go team GO!
 
Love,
Shawna Marie Aarons-Cooke
Author, Prosperity NOW!
Founder, Healing Truth Center