Author: Kimberly Kingsley

Posted on

In Full Bloom

Today is the first day of Spring – Equinox. As everything in nature starts to blossom, Spring reminds us of life’s inherent resilience. As much as we are submersed in technology and comfort, we are still animals affected by seasonal rhythms.

Often, my intuition gives me messages in my sleep. Last night I kept hearing, “I’m in full bloom,” only to wake up this morning to see Spring Equinox on my calendar.

What does this mean? It certainly doesn’t mean that I’m perfect, or that I don’t have room for any more joy or love. But I believe that it means the time for striving is over, that it is a season of being, enjoying and receiving from a place of fullness rather than lack.

This is the season that life bursts through all the various forms in nature. I’m looking forward to this time of newness and ease, and encourage you ride the wave of life that seeks to effortlessly carry us for a while.
Posted on

Be Where You’re At…

On the mat. “Be where you’re at… on the mat” a yoga instructor once said to my sister-in-law, Amy, who was taking the class. The part that stuck with Amy was the “Be where you’re at” part. She was able to bring that lesson into her life and use it to help her to relax into wherever she was at any given moment.

So often we try and escape from where we’re at. There’s only one thing we ever run from, and that is our feelings. We don’t run away from other people, but how they make us feel. Same with jobs, cities, and everything else.

What would happen if we all learned to just be where we’re at? What if we sunk into those uncomfortable feelings – turning toward ourselves instead of away from ourselves?

I believe it would be liberating, and that we would find the discomfort to dissipate sooner. That our feelings would reveal the right action to take to keep our lives on track. Feelings are the great navigator and are there to guide us through this journey we call life.

So for today, I am going to be where I’m at, despite my feelings of discouragement. Instead of busy myself with external distractions, I will rest and be still and wait for life to lead me. My experience is that when I can do that, the sun comes out quicker and shines brighter.

Posted on

Embodied Spirituality

This Saturday I will be giving a workshop on Embodied Spirituality. One of the things I will be talking about is how a new spiritual era is upon us – instead of seeing our source (God) as “out there” we are beginning to ignite the spark of life that is already within us.

This shift in thinking changes our orientation to the world. Rather than chase the light, we are now starting to be the light. These are exciting times as record numbers of people claim their birthright to be bright, wise and inspired (in-spirit).

I see these people as leaders – literally leading the planet out of the darkness and into brighter times.

Here are some ways to more fully embody your spirit:

  • Cultivate your intuition and follow it wherever it leads you.
  • Don’t be afraid to be your quirky self – there’s only one of you and you’re lovely.
  • Strengthen your will so that your higher self can lead you instead of your habits.
  • Whatever you are afraid to do right now, but know you must: DO IT – Your life depends on it, and so does the future of the planet.

If you read this blog, you are on the path. I’m so proud to be walking it with you.

For more information on the workshop, check my website calendar: http://970.285.myftpupload.com/Calendar.htm

Posted on

Giving Redefined

As a firstborn who got a lot of praise for taking care of my younger siblings, I learned how to give. I also have the firstborn over-achiever streak. Did you know that the majority of US presidents, Supreme Court justices and NASA Astronauts are firstborns? Oh, to have the free spirit of a last born…

Like many of us, I have a soul desire to make the world a better place. I have a vision of what that means as well – books, speaking, coaching… Basically helping people however I can. The more the better.

In truth, the biggest contribution we can give to the world is to simply be open and happy – allowing spiritual energy to flow through us and beyond, like a lighthouse in a sea of darkness.

This definition of giving requires that we say “No” to commitments that spread us too thin. It requires that we are happy and at peace even when life doesn’t look they way we think it ought to. It requires that we just “be” sometimes instead of always doing.

I’m still integrating this new model, and have a feeling it will take some time. Meanwhile, I better go so I can get to work on my new book…
Posted on

Shifting Sand

Yesterday my sister told me about a man who had a spiritual awakening in the sand dunes of southern California. This man has been the “black sheep” of his family (which is really the one who refuses to go along with the herd of white sheep when they are moving in the wrong direction…)

He went to the sand dunes for some recreation and over a couple of days he witnessed the dunes completely shift in form many times. He’d be on top of a huge mountain-like hill and an hour later it would transform into small rolling hills with a sharp edge on one side.

In the midst of the sand and constantly changing landscape, he had the realization that life is exactly the same. No two moments are alike and for that reason and that reason alone he vowed to be present for every one of them.
Posted on

Yogi Times

Yogi Times – one of the most soulful magazines in the country based in LA and San Francisco – sent out an email yesterday saying that they are having financial difficulties due to rising operational costs and low advertising revenue. One of the creative solutions they’ve come up with is a Pay as You Wish campaign that offers a subscription for whatever you’re inspired to pay! It’s a great deal for a great magazine – if you’re a yogi or an aspiring yogi, you’ll love it!

Posted on

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Lately I’ve been receiving strong guidance to be grateful for everything lovely in my life. I know that we are all aware of the power of gratitude, but practicing it is so magical that it’s worth the reminder.

Over the past week or so as I’ve carefully counted my blessings, I’ve become so full inside that I want for nothing. As I look at my adorable dog Mucci (who happens to be my Valentine this year), or the beautiful cream colored roses that I received after doing a talk last night (which I consider my Valentine flowers), or listen to the laughter of my joy-filled daughter (who gives me a reason to make Valentine’s Day a big deal), I can’t help but enjoy this silly holiday.

I hope, whether you have an official Valentine or creatively piece together one that works perfectly for you, that you have a day full appreciation for all the loveliness and love in your life.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love, Kim

Posted on

Assessment versus Judgment

Last night at yoga I had an opportunity to witness the power of assessing versus judging. As I was putting my mat down, a cell phone began to ring – let it be known that I have a serious problem with cell phones in yoga rooms – but nevertheless, I just joked with the man next to me that if it was his he’d be in big trouble.

About ten minutes into class we did our first forward bend. With my eyes now facing the back of the room I noticed a pile of diamond jewelry next to the same woman whose cell phone rang. For an instant I thought about judging her – my mind almost went into thoughts of materialism, etc. But before it did, in a fraction of an instant, I decided to look at the jewelry and simply say to myself, “that’s information” without attaching any emotion to it at all.

Later in the class as we were doing triangle pose, I noticed that the fat on my hips was bulging over my shorts – for some reason I glanced back at the woman behind me and saw that the she was staring at my excess padding!

My reaction was interesting. Rather than trying to adjust my clothes or change positions, I clicked into appreciating and even celebrating my quirky imperfections. I allowed my bulge to stay in plain sight with complete comfort.

This was so refreshing for me, and upon reflection I have to think that the charity toward myself was an extension of my decision not to judge the woman’s cell phone and diamonds.

As we observe others and ourselves without heavy emotional judgement we become free and light inside… I guess the saying, “What goes around comes around” works both ways!
Posted on

Barack Obama

Arizona plus 23 other states will be voting on the presidential candidates this Tuesday. And while I believe in the inherent goodness of all people, I also believe that it is possible to be more or less aligned with this goodness.

It is clear to me that Barack Obama, more than any other candidate I’ve seen in my lifetime (JFK was killed the year before I was born) is in tune with life in its purest sense.

I’ve heard him say recently that it’s more important to be “right” on day one than ready, and I couldn’t agree more. When a person is connected to his or her spiritual core, good decisions flow from that. My own clarity about the nature of life provides guidance beyond what my mind apart from this “bigger picture” could ever know.

For this reason, I enthusiastically support Obama and feel that he has the potential to act as a healing balm for this country and the world. I humbly share this with you, knowing that it is a delicate topic. I respect all the nominees in both parties, but sincerely hope that this bright light is our next leader.

Check out this soulful video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?r=3374&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpol.moveon.org%2Fendorse-o-thon%2Fvideo.html&v=jjXyqcx-mYY

Posted on

Emotion

Do you consider yourself to be diplomatic? Are you able to express your feelings in a way that honors both the person your talking to and yourself?

Sitting on our feelings or emotions (energy in motion) is equivalent to putting a dam up to hold life in check. We all know that eventually the dam will crumble and the energy will come out with such force that it’s destructive.

One of the best life skills we can learn is diplomacy. It is far from fake or syrupy – it is the art of sharing the truth in a way that’s not harmful.

If you have something difficult to say, you might want to write it down first and say it out loud a few times. If it leaves you feeling angry or upset, perhaps the message needs a little more refinement. Work with it until it has a feeling of neutrality – until you’ve buffed away all the hurtful debris and only the truth is left.

Emotions flow on life – we can’t stop one without stopping the other. Express yourself – the world is waiting.