Guided into the Light out of Solitary Confinement

Greetings my gentle readers to this weeks’ “Be Yourself, Often” blog. Yes, that quiet reflective time that we all need and value within the chaos of the week and day, existing within that busy walled city that we tend to call society. Full and fraught with challenges and demands and expectations and where at the end of the day, there runs the risk of being very little you in there.

The past 2 weeks and in my new weekly radio show “Prescribing Spiritual H.O.P.E.” on every Tuesday at 9pm Eastern Time URL: http://www.spreaker.com/show/tuesday_prescribing_spiritual_hope ,

I have talked about barriers and the identification, awareness and impact of what these mean to you. You really are a walled city within a walled city that can withstand almost any attack that you have been told might happen, by selling you the soul of FEAR, but is that really what there is on the other side of that wall? Are you going to end up on Channel 5 news as a statistic on a government chart and have been attacked by some unknown machete-wielding cannibal wearing a panda suit? Omg…lets get the locks, put 2 batteries in the Taser and screw the stun setting! Lovely purple paranoid people eaters unite.

Interestingly, we can (and often do without calling it such) fear ourselves and hurt inside so bad and that can dampen the Light that we emanate so much easily that the external forces.

In regards to that internal strife, Coldplay recently reminded me of an excellent set of lyrics from the song “Fix You”.

“When you try your best, but you don't succeed

When you get what you want, but not what you need

When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep

Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face

When you lose something you can't replace

When you love someone, but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below

When you're too in love to let it go

But if you never try you'll never know

Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down on your face

When you lose something you cannot replace

Tears stream down on your face

And I...

Tears stream down on your face

I promise you I will learn from my mistakes

Tears stream down on your face

And I...

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you"                                        K.Batchelor/Coldplay

The point is, bad stuff does happen and happens to good people. We ourselves can be the architect of our OWN walls and even if there isn’t that “prison” around us, we still place ourselves in solitary confinement. Bad stuff happens more often than winning the lottery for sure, but will and do you let it control your life? Does the societal dictates themselves and selling of media actually confine you?

Awareness is key here as there is no right answer for any particular person or family. We live on a world that is robust with miracles and sin, all in one homogenized package. Cant separate the fat from the milk. Again, as we discussed last week, this is the awareness, valuation and what does it mean to me piece. How stifling are the wall and rules and dictates and challenges on us and what are we prepared to do about it?

We are and cannot be expected to do anything more initially than be aware of ourselves. What we do, say, feel and think and how they translate through to others. That is the first and most critical step to tunneling under the wall and approaching the real Light that burns brightly within us. That light is the true spiritual essence of who and what and why we are. It is peace and the light feels like a mothers embrace.

That Light is the true core of the humanities and miracles that define who we are and reflects a state of being, and that is being at peace and at ease. It is in touch with all and being at ease with all. It just is, and it is Good.

I don’t believe we can touch that spiritual light in our walled cities and walled obligations and false idolatry that is rooted in BMW (Biatchy, Meany, Whiny) philosophies. To tunnel under the walls and at the same time within and yet outside of ourselves is to be at ease. At ease prevents and is the opposite of the dis-ease that exists all around us. Perhaps we can use these skills to also take us our of solitary confinement as only we can fix ourselves, with a little help from our Friends. 

Perhaps my friends, these steps may help arrest, decrease or make less critical the disease that inherently afflicts or minds and bodies. That we can live and learn, even in times of challenge. For we can only know ourselves, but to know us is to radiate ease, which inherently will help others, quest their own journey. All because you choose and chose to find and be yourself, often.

                           --- Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure   July 2012

Escaping the Barriers that Bind Us

Greeting my gentle readers yet again to another week of the “Be Yourself, Often” blog. A time to step back and appreciate the steps that you have taken through the week, identify them and recognize the fingerprint that is yours embossed all over the week. For some people that may sound very scary and others it is a joy and triumph. So what defines and delineates the two?

Last week we talked about identifying the barriers that exist within us and more often than not are made and owned by us. We love and hate our walls that we have created, all in one felled swoop. They channel our existence and work and at the same time seem to hamper us from the activities that we long and desire.

So how can and could we break and address these challenges? Is it even within our scope and mandate, or are we to be mindless sheeple that do as old and all we be looked after by the Great Political and Societal Father? Interesting concept I believe. Foe we do have, as I have alluded to many times the ability to go beyond the obvious and to exercise and stretch our Inspirational and Spiritual wings that we all have. We are far more as human beings than the sum of our parts and there are the unknown aspects of virtues, deadly sins, humanities and more that configure into the Spiritus that is us.

To identify the barriers and challenges and the frustrations of the day that you experience is an excellent first step to manage them. To address and validate or diminish the perspective by changing the vantage point is often critical. Challenging our belief systems through communications with others that are trusted and have the “stuff” we value is often a good step. The walls may still be very real. This is the opportunity then to take it or leave it, cut bait or fish and just piss or get off the pot. YOU have that choice.

There are several questions that will subsequently extend from this scouting and reconnaissance of the wall. How important is that wall? What does it mean to me? Is it hurtful or protective? Can I live with that wall? Do I need to find a way to get around? This is where our peace, patience, silence, humility and serenity come in. Where we acknowledge, accept and do not fight the challenge, but to take it as a learning opportunity, and where we can make the next choice as how to evolve and think outside the box. Anyone who has ever seen a prison movie knows there are thousands of ways to make a prison break. Lets collaborate and build a ladder, or fly out, or tunnel out. Major point here is passivity and giving in and rolling over is NOT mandatory, unless you want it.

The end objective is that which we strive for. Spirituality, comfort and the positive virtues, which help, dissipate like acid the walls that spring up in our human world. That we can actually be at ease with the moment, even when it appears a challenge. That we observe, learn, appreciate and evolve our thought process.

To evolve and know yourself and be yourself is to see the Light that is within us and grow the wings of flight and freedom from the chaos that exists around us. That light is precious and all around us and as you tunnel through under the walls that you have identified, it shines bright with the promise that you can be yourself, often.

--- Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure July 2012

Hurdling the Delusional Barriers

Greetings my gentle readers to this weeks installment of the “Be Yourself, Often” blog. Yes, that time when you can just sit back and make the determination and go through the thought process from the week asking the critical question. Did I let my light shine this week or was it damped and did I have to be someone else? Did I live the dream or awaken from a nightmare?

Last week we took a look at the virtue of happiness that remains embedded in uniqueness. That special shine that we all have, but gets tarnished by the crudola of the days and moments that tend to wear us down and make us feel like a pair of old underwear. Yuck. Why do we let that shine get diminished and allow the subtleties of the insignificant to dampen our light?

In the concepts of the Free Will Covenant, we have the opportunity to make choices, even if we think we don’t. Sometimes the constraints that we find are really artificial. That darn wall that is in your way that is 30ft high made out of metal and barbed wire? Here’s a thought… that fence and barrier may only be in your mind, and driven by your goals, expectations, experiences and fears.

Now that’s an odd that isn’t it my friends? That the jail we consider ourselves to be in may actually be a delusion, and without testing the validity of the situation, the delusional wall bears reality. Perception defines Illusion defines Reality. Hmmm. What do these walls look like? Often they are ego driven or anti-self or punitive for something or installed through environment or such that is very real and very scary.

Feel that you need a certain lifestyle, certain expectations and obligations etc. etc. and have all the material trappings? Dress to the nines and have a BMW is the goal? Well then, be prepared to work, focus on money and enjoy the prison walls that will channel you like a lab rat to try to achieve those outcomes. Not smart enough, not enough “ability” to achieve the position or goal you want? That is likely just negative self-talk.

Lets try motivational interviewing on us to help that light shine and remove the barriers. What drives you and what is important to you? Are you doing it? Why or why not? How can the dream be made to happen? Can I be content with the here and now and maybe leverage to a middle ground?

The opportunities are endless and next week will talk about the Light more. But for now, to focus on the questions and identification of the actualities and barriers vs delusions will set the stage well. The goal? To be yourself, often.

                           --- Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure   July 2012

Polishing the Brass Ring of Uniqueness

Greeting my gentle readers to another installment of the “Be Yourself, Often” blog. A time when can step back. Reflect and mindfully meditate and appreciate on the miracles that existed in the moments of the week. Where we can look and embrace and acknowledge and accept not only the positives in the week, but also the challenges and what we are and were able to learn from the scorecard of the week.

Last week, my radio show “Prescribing Spiritual HOPE” on the ULC BTR Radio Network talked about patience as a virtue, which ties into the fact that we can, and should be not rushing through each thing to get to the next. All that in and of itself tends to do is foster frustrations and feelings of emptiness or disappointment when we realize that the proverbial brass ring that we have been aiming for comes with a healthy tarnish attached to it! I mean seriously, after this time and effort and resources, you expect me to polish the darn thing? Seriously. What a bummer, man. And herein lie the opportunities and “teachable moments”. That new car will rust, the promotion aint attached to sunshine and roses and the grass is only greener on the other side secondary to healthy “organic fertilizer”.

So, what should and can we do to ensure our expectations do not become resentments? I’m still learning at this one my friends, but frankly… would rather be learning and seeing it with an open and child’s eyes than become a bitter spiky bear. This is the wonderful gift that we have which is capturing the myriad of gifts along the path, the nuts and berries instead of looking to the final endpoint. Rarely do things exceed our expectations in this big, busy, chaos driven life. So why DO we expect that perfection? Because we pay for it? Because we have been coddled and if anyone tells us we are NOT perfect, they can be slapped with 1000 lawsuits? Seriously my friend, that is setting us up for disaster. It was recently identified and made international news about a principal at commencement that told the students that they are not special, but through effort could become so.

Needless to say, all the mainstream press quoted was the first have and in fine print at the end of the article stated the second piece of the commencement exercise. But it is very true… we do have the ability to be special, are already unique, but the end goals and hopes (brass ring) will not be handed to you. Just as ordination is not for everyone, like medicine or law… it requires the extra effort to make that ring polished and stand out! Expectations often will drive disappointments, which will bring resentments and dis-ease which will ultimately drive and foster disease. Count me out. A title or position does not denote or define refinement, contentment or happiness. Nope. Its is what you DO with it that drives the DDQ, which is an extension of IQ. That being the Dream and Dedication Quotient and is independent, yet augmented by intelligence. Thus true intelligence does NOT derive happiness and there needs to be that high DDQ, couple with drive and work that determines happiness. It is the people that are not afraid to touch their dreams that see miracles in the moment.

Happiness or not, drive or not, disease or not. Interesting that we have some choice and Free Will Covenant over this, isn’t it? Fascinating.

Point is, if you want happiness… its already there and waiting for you at the nearest flower, person, pet, piece of sky, raindrop or blade of grass. If you expect more and go for societally perceived wins, that are ok as well. Just be real in the moment, be prepared to work and appreciate the small moments along the way. For to really shine and derive and define yourself is to polish that unique specialness that you DO have, and let it shine! And to show that Light to others in a ray of inspiration on a cloudy day is potentially to find and be yourself, often.

                        ~~~ Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure   July 1, 2012 (CANADA DAY)

Intuition, Strength and Fortitude

From: http://www.joelwlamoure.com/2012.06.01_arch.html

Greetings my gentle readers to this week's instalment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog... that time in the week when we can step back from the week that was and plan ahead in the day that is to the week that will be. All along the way remaining focused and grounded in the moment, filled with mindfulness and reflection on the moment.

Last week I wrote about "Why Me?" and the two different ways that people can approach these challenging questions, situations and events that transpire in everyones life. Whether it is a large magnitude earthquake in your backyard or a smaller tsunami off your coast, it is important to stop and reflect on what is important. I addressed the concepts that we tend to only give thanks when things are good and then wail and lament as our events do not happen as we expect. Darn entitlement. 

It is only when we are able to appreciate the mindfulness and Light and Grace and Spirit in the moment that we are able to accept whatever transpires with equanimity. That doesnt mean to be stone-faced about things. It is I believe ok to cry and feel emotions and happiness and joy. To feel those emotions is the gift of being human and associated with love I feel (and one reason I dont offer Kleenex).

To do these things and feel, be aware of the colour of the grass, the senses at their normal acuity is something that we do not realise until they are removed or impaired. True friends are the ones that will do whatever to help someone else and will accept the negatives and the positives, all in one felled swoop. That I believe allows one not to be a victim, but rather to take that love and caring as a form of altruistic giving. That altruistic giving (so abundantly found in pets and nature) can then be transformed into strength and fortitude.

If we operate under the premise that things are transient and do not develop a sense of attachment, but rather love people and the moment in the moment, we are able to establish a strong form of connection that leads to intuition and Grace. This is why we in part develop a strong sense of sixth sense which is often dulled by things or plans, but heightened when focused on the person and rooted in the moment. Intuition serves us well when we rooted in a spirit based approach, with the concept that all is meant to be and every snowflake falls in exactly the right place. What may seem random and chaotic is indeed, perfect. That is so counter-intuitive to what we know (and societal all about me rules have programmed), accept and entitlement-driven EXPECT in this world. For gosh sakes, we are playing the protagonist in our own personal movie and everyone else is extras... how disappointing is that bubble when it is so quickly pierced, after minutes to years of self delusion?

Strength and Fortitude are virtues that are energy transformed from the love of others and works in sickness and health, rich or poor and in times of stress and happiness. There is no scorecards, no director that will yell "Cut!" or wardrobe extras running out to fan you and remove the sweat stains. Nopes. We all have this and can tap into that well like a rechargeable battery. Sometimes it does seem so much but if one believes that we are given EXACTLY what we are able to handle in the here and now, that battery can recharge, not drain and die. Sometimes strength and fortitude need a boost. Thats where intelligent concern for others comes in, and intelligent, nurturing form of love and knowing, that sometimes comes from intuition.

To be aware of the battery of yourself and others and know where to give that boost and be willing to accept that spiritual booster will help other and yourself be yourself, often.

                           --- Rev Dr. Joel Lamoure     June 2012   (Fathers Day)

Lightning in our Orbit

From: www.joelwlamoure.com


Greetings my gentle readers to this weeks instalment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. Ah, a time when we can sit back with a piping warm cup of coffee or tea and reflect on the moments of the week that has passed. No matter what, good or bad in the week... the thing to keep in mind and consider is that the week has and did and does continue to fold out exactly as meant to be.


This week I decided to focus on a question that tends to come around quite a bit clinically. Usually it is attached to a whine or lament-> "Why me?" For we are the centre of that universe that we call us that encompasses a sun of various appearances and many, many planets. Depending on the individual, the sun (or suns) usually define around Us, Ego or Spirituality or an Other planet. Any of these are planets in and of themselves, but what of the centre core and being of OUR existence? I think that some people may ascribe to having Pluto at their core, but lets not go there- either the buddy of Goofy or a cold uninhabited ice sphere...


"Why me?" is so integral and central in fact to survival and existence as it is a reality check, a way to ensure we are surviving and moving along and either a pathetic whine or a term of self reflection. Lets talk about those people that use these questions as a form of self reflection. These are the inspired ones, the crazy ones... the ones with the square pegs in the round holes. But they are often visionaries and gentle, spiritual and loving souls. I am so fortunate to know many of these people and they are not rooted in the here and now of stuff, but engaged in a dialogue with the Universe. That they accept with equanimity what transpires and then use that to help others, makes them heroes on this rolling blue marble.


These are the ones that Lightening sadly seems to attract... as they have their feet in the water, head in the air and may be perceived to be "poorly grounded". Now that last bit is a scoietally driven spin on the whole matter as I actually find that these people are the most grounded, and serve as a conduit for some pretty bright flashes on inspiration, but ones that may send a non inspired, non-lightning rod person to the morgue. Ouch.. seeya baby, dont write.

People that are rooted in Other vs themselves and in spirituality vs dry dogmas tend to gravitate to the ring around the sun and a position of catching some pretty sweet waves. But it does and may happen again. How many prophets have we NOT heard about in the Bible that went on a 40 day magical mystery tour and had their minds fried? How many miracles unsung? There is so much that exists all around us. And interestingly, like in this case DOES attract like in my experience, totally counter to the rules of magnetism. People that are these divining rods of lightning in their darkest hours attract others of the same spirit and capacity to help prevent shorts and destruction of their grid. These saviours that help us are our grounders, yet also have the ability to attract the power from the sky. They understand and have been there.


So, before you ask the question "Why me?", perhaps we should look to the fact that it is as meant to be, be at ease with that and the untapped skills we have. Perhapsby touching those skills, eventually and at ease in this moment you may be yourself, often.

---  Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure     June 2012 

Perceptions defining conceptual reality

Perceptions defining conceptual reality


Original Found: http://www.joelwlamoure.com/2012.06.01_arch.html

Greetings my gentle readers to this weeks installment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. A time where may be able to look at the transpirations and transgressions of the week, sit down and try to come to either sense and/or peace with the events. So much goes on in this very busy world that all too often people are not gentle with themselves or others and there tends to expose roots through events that perhaps we do not wish to see. We can see tragedy in the event or a chance for hope or learnings. All depends on the position and desire and intelligence and insight of the person who is mapping out the elephant in the room!

Happy June my friends!

Last week on Blog Talk radio I was able to address some of the spirituality components of a purpose driven life and what we should look for in life and the mindfulness of the moments that we are to be able to capture and relish along the way. The general concepts of the here and now and now and later as relating to the spiritual and prayer based pinnacle of the pyramid that we have looked at the past 4 weeks. If anyone is interested, the bases of the pyramid were mindfulness, reflection, altruistic giving that allowed a person to grow and develop into a spirit based person, which we truly are having a human experience. Due to family urgencies, I wasnt able to post last week and thank you all for the thoughts, understandings and prayers that came along.

This week we will look at where this takes us and the incredible journey that we have unconsciously been on for millennium and will continue to progress down. It is not the man or woman that defines the situation, but rather the obverse. What do you do with good and bad news? Sadly, I believe we squander both the positives and negatives as often the positives are bound to be our right and expectation. (Insert shudder here) and the bad situations are as a result of bad luck. (See previous parenthesis) But what have you done in the situation to conspire against the spiritual and thus the environmental health of the particular situation? IN my experience, people were often incongruous versus their thoughts and actions and especially their speech. In fact, it can be observed to be a triangle or menage-a-trois of deceit and lies. Sad isnt it? And then people get into their BMW (Biatchy, Moany, Whiny) mobile and truck their disaster to the next willing person that will empathise. Sigh.

We perceive the world is against us creating physical and psychiatric and somatic symptoms that self propagates. Or we perceive the world is unfair because one has been afflicted by a negative psychiatric or medical condition. While I fully agree and personally know how devastating that is, it is WHAT WE DO and our subsequent actions and congruency that will define health. Put your money where your mouth is and say it, feel it, act it and believe it! It actually is that easy when you realize there is a Divine plan and if we can connect with that, there is comfort and being at ease with the moment. It is also a form of inspiration to others. People will flock to you to help (and it always seems to be the right people, interestingly) vs abandon you. However, if you take Communion on Sunday and act negative the next day and then feel victimized the 3rd day with blasphemy and actions contradictory to the Sunday piousness... that is hypocrisy. In my observations across the past 42 years, hypocrisy always loses. Integrity does win and good overcomes evil, although there is a seesaw and some days it doesnt pay it feels to chew through the restraints.

Yet we must continue to practice with our thoughts and belief systems. Why? That will define our peceptions and awareness of the situation around us. And my friend, that WILL begat your reality. Hard choices, hard thoughts but the opportunity to save just one live, and that is yours. Once that is done, only then can we truly be good and help one other person. To see that one other person helping 1 other is one of the most rewarding gifts that I have been given in my life. And I feel that gratitude. It is not about BMW, wins, title, position etc... but about what you do with your live and to hold your head high, even in the face of adversity.

Im still learning...we all are. And what an incredible gift to be in the moment, knowing its exactly as meant to be and believe and be at ease with that and that gift is allowing yourself to be yourself, often.

 ~~ Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure    June 2012