What Goes Out, Comes Back In

One huge idea at the Oprah weekend was the law of motion and the law of energy- what goes out, comes back in. She stated this something she "knows to be true. It is law."

I am a believer in karma  but had not really connected it to this idea of law. It made me think. What am I putting out there in the world? How am I influencing what my children put out into the world? I thought about people in my life and what they are putting out there.

There are people that live on the negative side. You know those people- anytime you ask how they are doing there is some story of doom and gloom.

There are people that live on the positive side. You know those people. They can find light in most situations and live life on the bright side. And it's not fake. It's honest.

In my own life I have too much evidence to doubt this concept. I can think of very specific times in my life when I was not in a good spot. I was negative about school or work or personal relationships. Unpleasant things seemed to pile on. Was it because I was putting negativity out there and that's all that was available to come back to me?

I see it like this. I have a closet of clothes that I have picked out. I can't expect to one day have designer clothes when I haven't put any in my closet as an option. Energy works the same way. I only have access to what I have put out.

I think of life lately. Just in the last month, we went on an incredible vacation that we were invited to. We received a free piano from a friend. I was talking to Josh about this last night.

Whenever I feel my self sliding into a place that is not my best self, I have an experience that pops me right back to positivity. Recently it was this life changing weekend which was followed by Hawaii and the piano. When I am right with myself, positive things happen for me and my family. Deepak said, "when you desire from your true self, the universe will answer. This does not happen when you desire from sadness or grief or envy or anger or frustration, only from your true self."

Two months ago I was in the attic and brought the keyboard down for the kids. On Veteran's Day I went back up and found my old piano books. I spent 30 minutes playing (or at least attempting to play) and it was pure joy. I hadn't stopped to think that the keyboard could be for me too I walked downstairs and opened up the community center guide looking for lessons for me and the kids. Sure, we didn't have a piano, but we had a keyboard. Then I let my mind wander and thought about having a piano. I even researched the cost- WAY OVER ANY CURRENT BUDGET. Then a month later I am offered a free piano. I desired from a place of truth and look what happened! I didn't even realize I was putting that desire out there. I didn't even realize it was a desire!

I have several stories like this that support this theory, both positive and negative. One thing I do know is that you can't just say the words. You have to do the work to be in an honest place with yourself and those around you. You can't just say you want things to be different. You have to make them different.

So, I ask myself- what am I putting out there in the universe?What did I do to be gifted the amazing trip with my family and friends or to be offered that piano that has already brought such joy to our home?

I am pondering...
I am wondering...

Hawaii

This summer we were invited by friends to join them in Hawaii for Thanksgiving. Four months after our
invitation we found ourselves in a villa on Lanikai Beach in Kailua for 5 nights- SAY, WHAT?!

Ryan got invited by the pilots to check out the cockpit- an amazing start to our vacation!

This picture was taken within 5 minutes of arriving at the house. The kids threw open their suitcases and pulled their suits on and RAN into the water. I wasn't far behind them.

This is a view from our backyard. Our BACKYARD! This house was straight out of a magazine. Most mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise over the 2 islands out there.I would stand in awe and know that I was a tiny part of the population of humans who ever got to see this sight. With every breath of those 5 days I lived in a state of gratitude. At one point my cheeks hurt from smiling.


To say the kids had fun is an understatement. A typical day went something like this:
eat breakfast
swim in the ocean
have a snack and soak in the hot tub
back in the ocean
lunch
soak in hot tub
swim in ocean
snack
hot tub/pool
dinner
either one more swim or showers and low key time

We had a total of 3 outings- 2 for shaved iced and shopping and 1 for a luau.We played in the waves and kayaked and paddle boarded. We ate and drank and laughed. The ocean was so warm and the sand felt like flour on our feet.

Haley with the roasted pig and Ryan getting a tattoo from a chief!









The sunrise looked different every morning. The beauty of how it changed every minute had me captivated.









The house was like nothing I had ever seen in real life. This is the view from the front door. I felt like royalty.

I did an excellent job of being in the moment and soaking everything in on this vacation. I was filled with gratitude and happiness every day. I mean, what was there to stress about?

I did feel a bit worried about Josh's health. He had been ill for 2 weeks before we left. The Dr. initially treated him for strep, but while we were in Hawaii we found out it was mono. Poor guy! Good thing the nature of the trip was relaxing. He slept a lot and was able to be with us without wearing himself out. After all, we hardly went 100 feet from the house!

Each evening, as everyone went to bed, I would walk out into the back and stand in the night. I'd stare at the stars and listen to the ocean and take deep breaths. In the last year or so it has become totally clear that I feel most spiritual when in nature (ok and beach villas too).  One of the nights, as I stood out in the dark I felt compelled to take a swim. So I did just that. At 11:00 at night I found myself swimming in the ocean, staring at the stars and splashing in the warm waves. It was a moment I won't ever forget.

We will forever be grateful for the invitation and generosity from our friends. It was an incredible, magical time. The Russell family adventures continue! Who knew Hawaii was on out list? We are SO GLAD it was!

Oprah- A Life Changing Weekend

The phrase "life changing" does not mean that all aspects of your life change all at once. I have learned that life changing events happen all of the time. Anything that happens, or that you do, that changes your path, even by one degree, is life changing.



Well, I experienced a life changing weekend when I joined a few close friends and attended the Oprah "Life You Want Weekend." This weekend was held at the SAP and included:
Friday night opening with Oprah (over 2 hours)
All day Saturday with Deepak Choprah, Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love), Rob Bell (controversial pastor), and Iyanla Vanzant (regular on Oprah). Each of her "trailblazers" spoke for over an hour, sharing their journeys and what they have learned.
In between speakers we would do exercises in our notebooks and 10,000 of us even did physical exercise with coaches from Soul Cycle. AMAZING!





Oprah was there the whole time. During our reflection time, she was out in the audience peeking over shoulders and asking questions.







I am writing about the agenda, but what took place over that 24 hour period was truly magical. Each speaker was dynamic and relatable- even Deepak, whom I see as a living God, was a human like the rest of us. :) Each person shared poignant stories and enlightening ideas. Tears streamed down our faces the whole weekend from feeling inspired, or hitting a point home that was personal or making something clear that was not before.







The overall themes were gratitude and purpose. We meditated 2 different times and it was completely peaceful and moving.


We all had unique experiences, equally profound.

I have talked and will continue to talk the ear off of anyone who asks me about it.

I will forever regard that experience as one that affected all aspects of my life for the better. I am grateful to have had it. Forever grateful.