Have you ever thought about your life as a gift?  As a one-of-a kind present given to you from your Higher Self/Higher Consciousness?  When I was young, I remember having moments of sheer excitement and joy just for being alive. There was this knowing deep inside me that another day has dawned and I have another day to live my wonderful life.  Kids love to have fun.  Each day I was seeing through a brand new lens, so each day held a new gift.  I specifically remember some pivotal magical moments in my life and they gave me great insight. As I reflect back on some of them, I see the bigger picture of my experience and how they led me back to today.

My family and I went to Walt Disney World Orlando (FL) when I was a young girl. I was young, free and looking for magic.  REAL magic. Ha, I totally believed it existed!  I LOVED every minute of Disney World and all of the characters.  I wanted to be Cinderella or Snow White.  They had it so good (that’s what the storybooks said).  They were beautiful and their lives were in perfect order.  I felt the fairytale experience and I cherished it.  I was truly hoping that the characters in Disney World itself were real, as well as the Magic Kingdom.  I was feeling the wonder of a child, the purity and fullness of the deepest depths of gratitude.  I truly believed that my dreams were coming true. I was in great awe of Cinderella’s castle and I wanted it to be my home.  I felt so free and alive. I saw the gift of the moment.

Another incredible experience was on a family camping trip to Timber Shores, located in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan.  It was the most wonderful campground on the planet and a child’s complete delight.  This campground had everything a child could want—a big lake, beaches, boating, woods to explore, horseback riding, swimming pools, beach volleyball, a teen arcade, craft classes, and a nice restaurant. Even the adults called it a dream campground. Counselors came by to lead the campers in a sing-along around the campfire.  We sang camp songs while we roasted marshmallows and made S’Mores.  I remember a pivotal moment on this trip where I felt so alive. I had been taking in all of the wonderful experiences all week long and one night my family was walking around the campgrounds just for fun. It was very dark out and there were other people out walking, too. Something inspired me get up and run. I was so giddy and I had so much excitement and energy that I couldn’t wait to move.  AlI of a sudden, I just bolted.  I ran and ran and ran… I ran as fast as I could.  I ran until I couldn’t run anymore. I was on a high and it was a high for life. I felt SO alive inside and I wished I could feel this way in every moment of every day.  I saw the gift of the moment.

When I was a teenager, I became more aware of my body and the workings of it. I learned about cells, tissues, and organs and how they made up the human body.  I learned about the energy of life and the energy of cells.  My body was made up of cells and energy, how fascinating.  I had no idea what was on the inside of me before that day.  It seemed so unreal.  I always thought I was invincible and never-ending, so how could I be made of something so finite?  I grasped onto the concept of cellular life and the spark at the cellular level.  I studied science and nutrition and my understanding grew. I understood the gift of life at a whole new level, which prompted deep gratitude.  I didn’t even have to tell my body to do this stuff, it just did it.  It’s innate cellular consciousness.  I remember walking to school one day and looking at my arms, hands and fingers in intricate detail. I was admiring the artistry and the mobility of my delicate joints.  Again, I was reminded of what was going on at the cellular level and how everything magically works.  My gratitude grew and I saw the gift in the moment.

As I continued on with life, I faced many challenges and not every day was built on a bed of roses. Sometimes I got lost in the darkness and stuck in the muck…and would eventually find myself in a rut.  It didn’t feel so exciting. I would look for a permanent getaway–a free ticket to fairyland to melt my troubles away! That’s why Disney World was so attractive to me as a child. However, instead of dwelling in lack, I decided to look through a different window and to allow a new thought to permeate. How do I create a new reality that I truly enjoy?  Answer: by seeing life as a gift! It’s a present to me by me. I recalled the gracious gift of life I had as a child–and the beauty it brought forth– I could feel a sudden spark of joy.  I felt it in my cells and the space between my cells. Truth calling out to me and asking me to remember the gift of life that began as a child. And to see the rainbow after the storm. All of life’s experiences are good….they are wonderful and divine.  The “good, the bad, and the ugly.”  Yes, it’s truly a gift when one understands this truth.  Each experience is part of the soul journey.

All of this participation brings me to today. Our lives are built by our days and by our wonderful moments. Today is a new gift and a new opportunity for all of us. We can create in every moment of every day.  As we merge into tomorrow, here are some suggestions to keeping your days alive and full:

• Notice the environment you’re in and observe how you feel. How alive you feel inside. It doesn’t matter what the weather is like—it can be sunny or cloudy, rainy or clear. You’re alive and that’s what counts!
• Reflect on the magical moments that made up your day.  What was great about the day? What happened, who did you talk to? What did you get excited about? What are you grateful for? Who do you love? Who appreciates you just the way you are? What ideas do you have that spark excitement? Sense everything about your day. Create the emotion you want to feel. What do you see, what do you hear, what do you taste? Take it all in, the taste of life.  Feel the heartbeat of life and become sensitive to all that is around you. It’s another day to be alive, to give, to feel, to grow, to enjoy.  Live, laugh, and love.  Turn up the juice and feel the magic. Love this day because opportunity abounds.  Live with passion and purpose. Your life is a gift, it’s a present from you!

Sandy Anthony
Trinity Energy Progression Facilitator/Practitioner