1 Minute Mantra

A mantra can be simply defined as a word or sound repeated to aid in concentration and creation.  A simple repetition of a word or phrase for a particular duration is such a powerful tool in manifesting what you wish to experience in a given moment, hour, day, week, year, or lifetime.  Mantras have been used for thousands of years in countless ways.
When we repeat a certain word or phrase, we begin to fall into the present moment and within that moment, we are making our mantra our most dominant vibration.  Through the Law of Attraction, we are then manifesting it into existence.  This simple tool can have the most profound impact on your day and the best part is, there is no specific time of day, nor specific duration for the effectiveness of your mantra.
Lately, I have been trying out this 1 minute mantra every morning and continuing it throughout my day when I feel myself slip away from my desired intention.  Truthfully, all it takes is 1 minute a day to deliberately create the life you wish to live.  Your most dominant vibration, or thought, will create what you experience.  Lastly, keep your mantra simple; maybe a sentence at most or even just one word.  If we were to repeat "love" for one minute straight, we will experience love on many different levels throughout our day.  Try and avoid "outcome" based mantras :) and if you use outcome based mantras such as, "I will get an A on my exam" which is one I used, be sure to not have an attachment to your desired outcome.  Life happens and it is preparation that will be the leading energy into success of our desired outcomes.  In all, take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, and repeat your mantra.  Enjoy everyone!  Happy Monday!

"Everything that happens to me is the best possible thing that can happen." - Mantra for happiness

Walking with goat heads

There is something to be said about the power of the outdoors.  Yesterday, I found myself being pulled to go out to Kolob Canyon.
As I began my hike, the awe striking sandstone structures enveloped the valley in which I was passing through with the smell of ponderosa pine trees and radiantly colored aspen trees lining the path.  Grounded is an understatement as to how I felt walking quietly through the valley with my head gently moving side to side admiring the surrounding space.  In that moment, I felt the need to take my shoes off and for the next 8 miles I was introduced to mindful walking.
Mindfulness can be defined as a state of being conscious or aware of something.  In short, I became aware of how and where I was stepping during my barefoot hike.
The how:  How I placed my foot with each step generated a heightened state of awareness to my surroundings.  I asked myself, "how should I step?" which then led me to step with a sense of softness while also absorbing the terrain.  Keep in mind that when we have shoes on and are walking out and about wherever we may be, we never really focus on how we are stepping, we sort of just step unconsciously and trust in our ability to move; we also know that our shoes will protect our feet from any harmful objects beneath us.  Focusing on how we step brings us into the present moment and out of a place where our worries and troubles of the past/future lie.  With each mindful step, we draw closer and further into pure bliss-filled presence.
The where:  Where I placed my foot was in direct correlation with how I placed it.  When ones shoes are off, we immediately become more vulnerable to our environment.  Heading back to the how, remember that I was walking with awareness of being soft and absorbent.  Where I placed my foot took even more awareness as to what was around me.  I soon came to realize that I had no control over what was around me but what I did have control over was how I maneuvered in-between the terrain.  Absorption was such a unique concept to experience during this hike because it taught me to not only soften my feet but to soften my entire body.  A sense of lightness encompassed my physical vessel as I continued forward.  Even with such a light absorbed state of being and heightened state of awareness, I still had my fair share run-ins with goat heads that pierced my feet.
The goat head:  Many of us have probably experienced this at one time or another in our life and we could all agree that it is not the most pleasant feeling.  As I stated above, even with mindful walking, I still came across some hidden goat heads that gave me a little jolt of discomfort but like any discomforting experience, we stop what we are doing and take care of it...or do we?
This final passage is designed to put my entire story together.  The goat head was the pinnacle moment of a wonderfully designed realization.  Let me break it down for us.  As I journeyed with bare feet, it obviously created a state of heightened awareness which generated mindful movements.  Before we go any further, for these next few moments, let us pretend that our bare feet symbolizes certain aspects of our life.  The how symbolizes the tool we use to move through life, more so, how we think.  The where is the placement of the how or are thoughts.  Sometimes in life, we keep our shoes on and forget how important vulnerability is in our ability to be present.  Yes, vulnerability is not easy, in fact, it is extremely difficult for some.  It takes an act of courage to be raw and true to yourself and to face your discomforts in life.
Our discomforts are symbolized by the goat head.  At any point in your life, if you ever stepped on a goat head, what did you do?  I can probably tell you what you didn't do.  You probably didn't keep walking with that discomfort or put a bandaid over the goat head right?  That just does't make sense.  Why would we continue to walk with such pain and discomfort?  Instead, we probably had a quick moment with a few curse words, stopped, became present with what was causing us this discomfort, pulled it out because we understand that by releasing this we will relieve ourselves and then keep moving forward.
We are always in a state of vulnerability to our environment but it is being okay and present with feeling vulnerability that is one of our greatest teachers.  Sometimes when we walk on our path of life, we step on a few goat heads along the way.  Remind yourself this, if you wouldn't continue walking with a goat head in your foot, why would you continue to walk with a goat head in your mind.  Discomforting thoughts are temporary, just like these goat heads and no matter how many bandaids you put on top of the goat head, the source of your discomfort will always be there.  So, I invite you to take your shoes off, face vulnerability head on, walk with mindfulness, move with awareness, and be courageous to look at pain and discomfort head on and pull that goat head out.  When our path is smooth, enjoy it; when our path is rocky and filled with goat heads, learn how to maneuver through it with mindfulness and most importantly enjoy the journey.

With Love and Gratitude always, J

"Learn to be enjoyed and everything you do, you will enjoy" - Jace Balbach

The Monday's

Have you ever experienced having "A case of the Monday's?"  I can definitely say I have.  Why do Mondays tend to have such a negative context?  Why do we feel so unmotivated and unhappy on Monday's?  I am merely speaking on behalf of what I have experienced in the past and observed from my peers.  So what can we do and or remember leading into the start of our week?  Well, let us start be understanding what it is that may be causing this context of low vibration thoughts and feelings. 

Firstly, I believe sometimes we get caught up in focusing on the future which creates anxiety leading into the start of our week "I have this to do and that to finish and this person to meet up with, company softball game that day oh and I have a presentation the day after" and so on which can be overwhelming and generate a lack of motivation.  So much is already running through our minds before it has even happened yet that our happiness level may decrease.  But I get it, we need to be aware of what is to come but that is just it, be aware of it, don't let in define your experience.  If I may recommend something, it is this, forget about tomorrow and focus on what you can do NOW in THIS MOMENT that will prepare you for tomorrow.  If we worry about all that we need to do but we are not taking the initial action steps into preparing for it, what are we really doing?  yes, you guessed it, WORRYING, that's all we are doing. Be aware of all we need to accomplish but dedicate time to preparing for it.  Worrying about the future is as useless as wearing sunscreen during a hurricane.  

Secondly, let us discover ways that will amplify our mental and physical bodies before we go about the start of our week.  Below is a list of a few things I keep in mind while heading into a busy but always fun work week:

- Give yourself plenty of time in the morning (don't feel rushed) maybe wake up 10 minutes earlier than usual

- Take some time to reminisce on things/people you are grateful for (your health, your job, your breath, your family, whatever it may be) *Meditate

- Hit a workout before you go to work (High Intensity Interval Training) is best to jump start your day.  When you physically elevate yourself early, you are sending signals to your body that this is how today will be, "high octane" "empowering" "energizing" "fulfilling" etc.

- Do something that makes you happy, whatever that may be :)

- Wear your favorite work outfit.  Something that has helped me is that when I wear something special, it makes me feel special.  Remember, YOU ARE SPECIAL 

- Lastly, carry this mantra with you throughout your entire day.  Set an alarm every 30 min or hour that has a reminder on it that says, "state your mantra."  This mantra goes as followed, "Everything that happens to me today is the best possible thing that can happen."  Feel free to create whatever mantra you wish.  I chose this one because it has impacted me most!

Have whatever day you CHOOSE!  Be kind to yourself and others.  Peace and Love to you always and in all ways.  Namaste my Brothers and Sisters.

"Today is a new day and I, not events, will create my own happiness"

- Jace Balbach

Inner Self

"The greatest journey you will ever take is the one that begins within".

I think we can all agree that life is whatever we choose it to be but, too often we become attached and drawn to circumstances outside of ourselves thus leading us further and further away from what truly matters, our inner self.  I speak on behalf of what I believe to be true so if you do not feel this way, I honor and accept what you believe and I hope you all will do the same :)  After all, we are brothers and sisters of the same Universe!

Our inner self is and can be interpreted in many ways but to make it simple, it is the "self" that is metaphysical; "meta" meaning (beyond) and physical meaning what we experience with our five senses.  So together metaphysical means: beyond our physical body.  This definition is one that resonates most with my understanding of it.  Keep in mind, metaphysical is defined in other ways.

Yes, believe it or not, we have a body within our physical body.  This is also known as our spirit, soul, Buddha nature, Christ nature, inner self, true self, essential being, divine self or whatever you wish to define it as.  We define this aspect of ourselves with what fits our belief system.

So there is one question we may or may not be asking ourselves at this moment... how do we connect to our inner self?  I wish I could give you "the way" to do it but that would be irresponsible of me to do because there are countless ways to do such.  What I can do is offer you are methods that have guided me to a deeper connection to my inner self.  These specific styles may or may not work for you.  One thing to keep in mind is that the "right way" is the way in which works for you and fits your belief system.

Here are 2 methods/thoughts with explanations of how I have taken the journey within to deepen connection and understanding of my inner self.

1.  Meditation:  This can be a very complex concept for some but to put it simply, meditation is the practice of being present.  What I mean by being present, is out of the three tenses (past, present, and future) present is what is happening here and now.  As you are reading this, you are being present with this information.  Now take this feeling and experience and turn it inward.  Personally, I meditate 2x/day for 10-15 minutes in a seated position.  If you have not practiced this seated position before, maybe start by sitting in a chair with an erect spine and your hands resting on your knees facing up (receiving) or down (grounding).  In all, find the most relaxed position you can in a quite space preferably.  You could also lay down, tuck your shoulder blades underneath you and begin there with your legs extended and relaxed.  Nonetheless, start by closing your eyes and directing your focus to your breath.  Start be inhaling through your nose, feel your breath, and then exhale.  At first, just let yourself BE.  Have no specific focus or goal in mind.  Set a timer on your phone for 10 minutes or less to start.  As you allow your breath to flow in and out, keep your attention on the sensation of breath.  Your mind may be going a million miles an hour or you may be thinking about something in the past or future.  Envision your thoughts as clouds in the sky, they are there but just like clouds, the come and go, just as your thoughts do.  An important thing to remember is to not control or stop your thoughts, let them come in and out just like your inhale and exhale.  Remember, there is not "right way" to do this.  Lets start here for now and in following posts I will dig deeper into other ways to meditate.  Keep it simple and know that merely taking a seated position and breathing is enough.  With practice and time you will begin to experience a great sense of connectedness to your inner self.

2.  You are not your thoughts or emotions:  One extremely important thought for strengthening connection to our inner self is understanding what we are not.  We all create thoughts and experience emotions that shape our day to day lives.  When we have a thought about ourself, good or bad, we tend to let it gain power over us and let it dictate what we will experience throughout our day.  More so, we let our MIND or EGO solidify this thought into our being which is ridiculous when you think about it.  Our ego is the inner dialogue we hear but have you ever thought about who is the one listening to that dialogue?  The listener or observer rather, is what we can define as our inner self.  We are not our thoughts, we are the observer of those thoughts. I hope this is beginning to make sense.  When it comes to our emotions, sometimes we become so attached to them and forget that they are temporary.  A beautiful example of this is depression.  I have personally experienced depression and what I have come to realize is just that, an experience.  We are not our emotions i.e, we are not depressed; we are merely temporarily feeling this emotion.  This leads me into my finishing statement that we are the feeler of our emotions.  The feeler can be viewed the same as the observer which is part of our inner self.  Simply put, our inner self is the listener, observer, and feeler.  When we begin to understand this more, we will start to connect with our inner self and realize that our thoughts and emotions carry very little substance due to their impermanence.

I hope this entry about inner self was one that shed new light into your lives.  Whatever happens today, just remember, it is only temporary.  If you are feeling and thinking good, begin to feel and think even better.  If you aren't feeling or thinking good, take a few deep breaths, take a moment to reflect on what your grateful for, and remind yourself of your impermanent nature of thought and feeling "like clouds passing through the sky".  Smile, laugh, live in humility, be kind to yourself and others, and from one vessel of light to another, namaste.