A mala is used in many religious traditions to count the repetitions of prayers or devotions, and often consists of 108 beads. Choosing one is a very personal experience, and not always easy – at least it wasn’t for me, as I didn’t find the mala that ‘fit’ me until the third try.
It’s worth the search though because when you do find the right one, it becomes a physical reminder of the power of awareness.
Every year at this time I review my journals, I complete the year and make space for what’s next. This year, 2012, has been a year of challenge, opportunity and deepening; more than I thought possible.
As I reviewed, it occurred to me as a mala, 108 insights or moments of mindfulness that have had a profound impact on my life.
I share it with the hope that some of these thoughts also make a difference for you.
1. Silence is the best antidote to the busyness of life. New thoughts emerge effortlessly in this sacred space.
2. Imagine living as if wherever you are is holy ground.
3. When the muse wakes you up at 3am, pay attention.
4. Feeling hunger is a good thing. It reminds us that we’re alive.
5. Freedom from responsibility is not the solution. Choosing your responsibilities mindfully is.
6. It’s ok to want what you want. Stop making your wants wrong.
7. Get clear on your non-negotiables. It’s highly likely they’re related to your values.
8. Question everything. Believe only that which feels good.
9. You have a gift that is uniquely yours. How are you offering it?
10. That slow burn in your belly will not fade away. Nurture it.
11. Why do you want what you want? Internal or external reasons make a world of difference.
12. Suppressing your feelings has a cost. Are you willing to pay the price?
13. “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.“ – Leonard Cohen
14. We’ve been taught to ignore our desires. What would happen if we gave in to them?
15. “My soul is from elsewhere, I’m sure of that, I intend to end up there.” – Rumi
16. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Being good at something is just the tip of the iceberg. Go deeper.
17. A good idea isn’t good if it keeps you from getting what you really want.
18. Rumi is a balm, Hafiz a companion, silence my solace.
19. Love and acknowledge more.
20. Where do you need to say fuck it?
21. Say what there is to say.
22. Don’t wait for some official beginning. Just start.
23. Questions lead to growth. Always and all ways.
24. A few words + a question mark = the space of new possibilities.
25. What path always leads to your centre?
26. If you’re alive, you’re on the path.
27. Take your soul for a stroll. Only you know what that looks like.
28. Sometimes it’s hard to choose, but there is always a choice.
29. Walk out of your head and into your heart.
30. When your soul stirs, take note.
31. Quiet eyes are sometimes necessary.
32. You are a force to be reckoned with. Unleash.
33. “It’s rigged – everything in your favour. So there is nothing to worry about.” – Rumi
34. Face your dreams and release. your. muse.
35. Sometimes you can’t see where you’re headed even though the path is clear.
36. You know more than you think.
37. “I have fallen in love with someone who is hiding inside of you.” – Hafiz
38. Stoke your internal fire.
39. Thoughts come and go; you’re the one that gives them weight and meaning.
40. Now’s the time. Wake up.
41. Stop trying to survive your life; surrender.
42. Shift your view from what’s wrong to what worked.
43. Your longings are there to seduce you. Let that be ok.
44. Stop looking back. Review is good; obsession is bad.
45. You’re on the right track, even when you’re not.
46. Anchor what feels good. Let go of the rest.
47. Puja is good for the soul.
48. Be still.
49. Visit your Self more often.
50. “It is not possible to complete yourself without sorrow.” – Hafiz
51. Your restlessness has a message. Listen carefully.
52. Stillness and breath are almost always the best solution.
53. What is yours to give freely? Stop waiting for the right time. Give it now.
54. Holding back serves no one.
55. “It’s the still small voice that the soul needs; not the deafening blasts of doom.” – William D. Howells
56. As long as one foot is rooted in the past, the future can not manifest your desires.
58. What is it time to acknowledge?
59. Own your feelings. Empower your truth.
60. Make space for what is yet to be determined.
61. Let go of what no longer serves you.
62. Being responsible for what you want is the way forward.
63. Your life is lived in small moments.
64. Silence is a well you should fall into.
65. Ritual is routine combined with mindfulness.
66. Let people take up space in your heart. It is an ever-expanding organ.
67. What you want to be known for is more important than you think.
68. Your life purpose is what you say it is. No more, no less.
69. Some things are more worth your effort than others. Choose wisely.
70. Act as if you’re already connected. Truth is you are.
71. Making things happen is overrated.
72. A ‘hell yes’ is worth whatever it takes to get there.
73. Do more of what makes you feel good.
74. Creating intimate space is a gift.
75. The back of your mind needs a good cleaning now and then.
76. Walking the talk is more satisfying than you can ever imagine.
77. Trust your gut. It knows.
78. What makes you feel good doesn’t have to work for others.
79. It doesn’t matter what you create. What matters is that you create.
80. Fuck comparisonitis.
81. There’s no book for living a remarkable life.
82. One-size-fits-all is a myth.
83. Take off your armour. You don’t need as much protection as you think.
84. The only way out is through.
85. Ruthless compassion is essential.
86. Being inspired isn’t enough.
87. Your superpowers impress others way more than they impress you.
88. You are more amazing than your inner critic ever lets on.
89. What question does your life answer?
90. Sometimes feeling a bit better is all you need. Stop chasing transformation.
91. It’s all in the view.
92. Love all; cherish the ones that get through.
93. There is no rush.
94. Face the ending and a new beginning appears.
95. Begin each day with ‘how can today be awesome?‘
96. Your way is only one of many ways. Loosen your grip.
97. Your imaginal cells are always transforming.
98. Letting go of the hustle is scary; also freeing.
99. Do more of what feeds your soul.
100. Resolve is more than ‘this shall be.’ Resolve is ‘this IS.’
101. “Rest in natural great peace, this exhausted mind.” – Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche
102. Create an environment that supports what you’re up to.
103. Your word is more than just words.
104. Let self-doubt fall away and be your own Sherpa.
105. Notice your hardwiring.
106. What you practice, you become. “Everything is practice.” – Pele
107. Ask for what you need. You are surrounded by support.
108. Beloved = Be Loved
Sheer poetry, Sandi. Thank you for sharing this. Much to consider and sit with over the next few days.
Annie Sisk Thanks Annie. It felt good to look at my year from a different perspective. Glad it resonates.
I agree with Annie. This post is lyrical, Sandi. And you know what? This morning, as I lit my lamp, I looked at the 4 prayer malas in my puja room. I remembered how my Mom lovingly used them to pray. The last one I got her was made of neem beads from ISKCON…and she was so attached to it. And I thought, I must take a photograph of it and write about it. I am so thrilled to see the picture of the mala.
Hugs! What a wonderful post. And I swear I am glad about my overflowing washing hamper. Love you!
Vidya Sury I love this mala that found its way to me and I especially love the concept of puja which I’ll be writing more about soon. Thank you for being here Vidya, so glad we’ve connected this year.
Sandi,
What a great idea to review your journal. I rarely do so but when I do it’s full of gems. Your first three points here knocked my socks off! Those three actions and insights allow could completely transform one’s life. There’s so much richness here.
I love my mala too. 🙂
Sandra Pawula I’ve been waking up at odd hours recently (hence #3 about paying attention to the muse) and one night I pulled out my journals thinking I might find a couple of good ideas for blog posts. Ended up with many pages of notes and insights I’d forgotten, which this morning’s muse pulled together into this post! Her late night/early morning visitations are proving fruitful 🙂
Sandra Pawula I’ve been waking up at odd hours recently (hence #3 about paying attention to the muse) and one night I pulled out my journals thinking I might find a couple of good ideas for blog posts. Ended up with many pages of notes and insights I’d forgotten, which this morning’s muse pulled together into this post! Her late night/early morning visitations are proving fruitful 🙂
Sandi,
One moment I remember from 2012, that I will cherish, is the moment I first saw you at the World Domination Summit, was looking and looking for you and finally found you, sat down next to you and gave you the heart shaped rock I’d found the week before walking on the beach, the one that said “take me to Sandi,” me having no idea you collected them. One thing I remember so distinctly about that moment is that you were so warm, gave off heat like a fire, and I wanted to curl up in your lap. You are brilliant, and I adore you.
And P.S. I love this post!
Jill Salahub That rock sits on my desk next to my favourite Buddha and reminds me of that moment every time I look at it. Maybe at the next WDS we should curl up in that hammock together 🙂
Un-freakin’-believable! This post ROCKS, Sandi! I could spend the entire day here and not even begin to soak in all the goodness. Thank You.
My birth month is June so I always go straight to #6 first in any list to see what’s there.
“6. It’s ok to want what you want. Stop making your wants wrong.” This one screams out to me. 🙂
MelanieKissell Thank you so much Melanie! Sometimes I’m amazed at what I end up writing vs what I sat down to write. The muse works in mysterious ways 😉
ohmygosh Sandi! This is so nice! You should turn these into a card deck – you know – where you could choose a card a day and let its message sink into your life. There is so much beautiful wisdom here!
<3
Lori
Lori What an idea! Between my husband and I, we have thousands of photos we could use and it could be a joint project. I’m so glad this post and its message resonated. xoS
Sandi Amorim Lori Love this idea Sandi – what fun!
Lori This is a GREAT idea!
Carol Hess Lori VickyWhite I can see I’ve got my work cut out for me this year! Might be looking for collaborators there are so many possibilities!
I love this Sandi – how inspiring and what a great reminder for yourself….and us. I always look back on each year too – but now I’m going to go through my journals and pull out the gems. So much goes by so fast, it’s worth savoring the pieces that nourish us.
VickyWhite I know, right? I hardly ever go back and read my journals and I’m still not sure what made me do it! Just glad I did because I now have so many ideas buzzing 🙂
Comparisonitis… I think you’ve just coined the first new word that will be the hallmark of 2013. Love all your inspiration here. I want to sit down and write these all in beautiful calligraphy and then hang them all over my walls.
CarolLynnRivera I’d love to see them in calligraphy! So many creative ideas popping up in these comments! And yes, #80 is right up there as one of my favourites 😉
Sandi, I don’t even know where to begin…each and every one of your insights hit me at the core – so THANK YOU for reminding me the truth I’ve known all along, in all its beautiful hues :).
Sabrina at MyMiBoSo I am blown away by the response to this post. Thank you dearheart, your presence is always a gift.
I’ll remember this moment — being so inspired by the wisdom of my friend, Sandi. You’re on fire with this post, Girl! I’m printing it out and hanging it up where I can see it every day.
Carol Hess Unleashed, on fire and free are my core desired feelings for 2013. Seems like they came through loud and clear 😉
Sandi Amorim Carol Hess You bet your ass they did!
Inspirational Sandi. I want to memorize them and chant them like a mantra – there is so much wisdom here. WIth Lori, a deck of inspirational cards would be a wonderful gift. So glad your muse took you over, a win for all of us. Here’s to 2013 embracing all of this for you and all your community.
SandyMc I’m starting to think the muse should take over entirely 😉
Thanks for the kind words Sandy. I think 2013 is going to be amazing for all us Carnies!
There’s too many good ones here Sandi. No9 grabbed me…then so did all of them. Thankyou
be good to yourself
David
David Stevens I should run another post and get people to vote on their favourite! What do you think? 😉
Sandi Amorim David Stevens I think that to be a terrific idea Sandi…
be good to yourself
This is such a wonderful list of insights! I look forward to the cards!
SarahB Oh my, I guess I should get started on those right away! 🙂
Holy smokes Sandi!
I love your list of insights. I was trying to remember at least three of them before I got to number 5! That’s when I decided to print the list out. Thanks for sharing you journal with us. It gave me more insight into knowing who you are! Happy and Prosperous 2013!
TessMarshall While I do try to be environmental, I love when people tell me I’ve written a post they had to print! Thanks for being part of my 2012 Tess!
OOOOh no. 86 “being inspired isn’t enough” really rang true…and it’s not only about “taking action” it’s something more…feeling “right with yourself”. Wonderful, thank you Sandi for being a part of my 2012 🙂 x
KateBacon I was actually hesitant to write that one down, but it is so true for me I felt it had to be true for others as well! Especially in our personal development world where inspiration is the source of all – I felt a wee bit blasphemous 😉
Much gratitude for you and your writings Sandi. A true inspiration. Love this list.
10. The slow burn in your belly will not fade. Nurture it.
MichaelGarvey So many of us try to ignore that burn, but I’ve learned (although it took me a very long time) it truly doesn’t fade. Nurturing it feels so much better 🙂
Sandi Amorim MichaelGarvey and when you ignore the burn, it hurts more and leaves scares.
These are beautiful. Great inspiration for the new year.