Hug With Your Whole Being

Hug With Your Whole Being

A daily reflection from my upcoming book

Joy: There’s No Reason Not To
Lessons from Under My Mother’s Roof
by Todd Keough

This is something my Mom always did. She stands maybe at five feet. When she hugs though you can feel her whole presence her whole energy and all of her love entering into those arms and really holding you. I am exactly the same way I have had people come to me for hugs for years. Friends and strangers even tell people to come to me for hugs. I really allow the energy of my being to enter my arms and then hold the person I am hugging. It is a true gift. It really is about letting go and being selfless an in that one small moment just hugging with your whole being. It really is something we all need that touch and that feeling of warmth and love. Hugging with your whole being invites people in, allows them freedom, gives them the ability to feel loved and held. People need hugs at so many different times celebration, pain, a break up, saying goodbye, etc. If we give half-hearted hugs we really tell the other person well this is just something I have to do or an obligation. If we hug with our whole being we allow them to know we care. This act transfers to so many areas of our lives. Do I give my all to show love and care or do it half-heartedly? I understand some people fear hugging because it can be seen as weird, scary, or even that men do not do that, or what will they think this means. If you put the intention behind a whole being hug of love and care and beautiful energy they will feel that and it will break down all barriers.  In fact I hug most of my clients as they leave and now if I do not they ask for it.

World:
Who in this world needs a whole being hug today? How can I continually embrace the world with open arms and hold it and love it? Reflect, write, and take action.  

Self:
Where is it I need to hug and hold myself with a whole being hug? When was the last time I felt loved and held when someone hugged me? Can I give that to myself How can I get what I need? Reflect, write, and take action.

Prayer:
Beautiful Guide may I feel your presence and arms hugging me. May I be your arms of love in this world and hold this world as you would and as it needs. I pray I hold myself in the same way with love and compassion.

Affirmation:
Today I will find one person and I will reach out and I will hug them and hold them with my whole being. I will also allow myself to feel the energy I need as well. One great big compassionate embrace today.

Things are not as important as people

A daily reflection from my upcoming book

Joy: There’s No Reason Not To
Lessons from Under My Mother’s Roof
by Todd Keough

Things are not as important as people. This seems like a very simple concept but for me it is one of the most important. We have a society where we gravitate towards things and the more we have the better off we are. I think at times we forget how valuable people are to our existence. Things can be replaced or destroyed and we still have the people we need in our lives. It has become far too easy to see people as just another cog in a machine that we get something from. In some ways this is not completely our fault with the way we are inundated with so many images that develop that type of thinking. However, people give us the most beautiful things in life; love, companionship, joy, and a family either of blood or love. I must develop a sense of the importance of people and a deep commitment and love for my brothers and sisters. We are all interconnected and through that interconnectedness we can heal, love, care, and do unbelievable things. When we stop relying on things and begin loving and living in the interconnectedness and nourishment of others we truly begin to live a life of purpose.

World: How do I live in this world?  Do I care for people and see them as valuable and above all other things? Do I use things for their purpose or do I worship them? What can I do to help develop a world of interconnectedness? Who can I reach out to today and see them as they truly are? Reflect, write, and take action.  

Self: How can I give up my reliance on things and be connected to the deepness that lies within me and other people? Where in my life do I see myself as connected to others do I give myself credit for the way I love and am there for others? How can I open my heart to the brightness and light of others and not to the shininess of things? Reflect, write, and take action.

Prayer: God please allow me to see people with love and light and to not put things above people. Allow me to know and feel deep within me the interconnectedness of the world and love others with all of my heart and being.

Affirmation: Today I will look for a way to put down things I use as a means of success and sit in silence and reflect on those I am connected to. I will then reach out to those who are important to me either through energy and prayer or by calling and letting them know I love them.

Don't be afraid to sing

A daily reflection from my upcoming book

Joy: There’s No Reason Not To
Lessons from Under My Mother’s Roof
by Todd Keough

I am not the greatest singer in the world but my Mom never put me down for singing. She allowed me to feel that my voice was worthy of song and that my song brought something into the world. I also remember her singing to me and her grandchildren and hearing that warmth radiate from her voice. Singing allows us to really be in touch with a deep and feeling part of ourselves. It can seem scary to sing or feel silly or awkward because we have been taught that only singers sing. Or we were told we were not good at it. Singing however is a deep yearning from our soul. Singing is connected to the heart and gives us a way to lift our voice to the beauty of creation or to the Spirit or Creator we believe in, it is one of the deepest forms of prayer. We all sing when little and do not hesitate. Singing connects us to the childlike energy in our hearts. Which is beautiful and amazing. Sing, sing, sing.

World: Where in the world does my song need to be sung? Who needs to hear my song? What is my song do I know the tune of my heart or the lyrics of my soul? What would they be and how do I bring that out to the world that needs to hear it? Reflect, write, and take action.  

Self: Do I stop myself from singing out of embarrassment or fear? Can I sing my own sweet lullaby to myself and reconnect to the child within? What song is the child deep within me longing to hear? Sing to the inner child and let them feel nourished and loved by the music of your soul. Reflect, write, and take action.

Prayer: The truth of the world who is both song and music listen to me and help me find the song which resonates within my soul and heart. You know me at the very depths of my being let my heartbeat be the drumbeat I need to crawl deep within and hear the child that needs to be held and sung to. Allow me the freedom to use my voice to touch the child within and the adult on the outside. Give me the lyrics that you want me to sing.

Affirmation: This day I will open my mouth, in fact in this very moment, I will open my mouth and I will sing whatever comes out. I will allow my voice to resonate into my soul. I will sing with the part of me that wants to sing out today.