Just the sound of rain is calming as it falls on leaves and even pavement. I clearly remember how wonderful it feels in Manhattan, when for a day the thunder of the storm and the rain on the pavement would quiet out the numbing sound of endless traffic. However, if it continues to storm and rain for too long, I start longing for the sun, almost desparately – a longing that would never come to me so strongly with the sun always out.

The same concept applies to relationships. We need to feel the highs and the lows to make things interesting. When a relationship constantly runs along with no effort, we start to lose our appreciation of it – and that can lead to problems where one or both partners become indifferent and don’t care. So, it may sound crazy, but we need to treasure the hard times of love as much as the easy times. The important thing to remember when you are in the low state is that you will enjoy the high again. It is just the cycle of life, ebb and flow, the change of the season, but played out in our emotional life together.

How do you move through the low times in your relationship?

Are you aware of the wave-like quality of relationships and flow with it with faith that the tide will turn again for the better?

Or do you get flooded with the conflict, and fear that your relationship is ruined forever, and this is just the beginning of the end?

With Love and Light,
Carla

By the way, if you have never heard of the TED Conference, it is an annual gathering where speakers are invited to present for less than 20 minutes on their discoveries, thoughts, and art.  It is a gathering of the most remarkable thinkers, artists, and scientists on the planet.  And all the presentations are available online at the website.  Go visit!  You will be amazed, entertained, and uplifted.

Ciao,
Carla

This year I am overcoming my temptation to go into new resolutions without looking back to acknowledge myself for what I have accomplished. I have been taking the time to reflect on what I considered failures and see the lessons I’ve learned from setbacks I had in 2009, and I invite you to do the same.

So what have I gained from the year just past?

I’ve learned to take a moment to breathe when painful situations presented themselves. Using the Ocean Breath in my everyday life has been quite transforming. I’ve learned to reach deeper into self-empathy instead of beating myself up for not being “more perfect”, to take a moment and lick my wounds when I needed to instead of instantly diving into work. Taking that time has helped me to forgive faster, learn my lessons, and move on. I also learned to really appreciate the work I do, and actually take in the positive feedback I am getting from my clients. And most importantly, I’ve learned to ask for help when I need it and appreciate it deeply. I’ve also learned how much I enjoy sharing laughter with friends and family.

I invite you to look equally at your successes and the lessons you received from what the ego calls “failures”. It feels good to take this time; it actually opens your mind and your heart for the new to come in.

And what do I desire from the year just begun?

For 2010, I want to grow more in self-knowledge and love. I will follow my intuition and allow my creativity to come through more freely, slowing down self-criticism that I often allowed to stop me in the past. I decide to balance my work with play and enjoy the beauty of nature that touches my heart and makes me smile. I want to grow in understanding and loving others and listen more deeply to what they don’t say … I want to support people in expressing all of who they are, physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually and spiritually.

I pray that 2010 bring all of you abundant health, joy, peace and pleasure.

Blessings,

Carla Tara

In these difficult times of financial upheaval and uncertainty about the political future of America… it takes awareness and courage to stay centered in the heart. Awareness that we can connect with the Divine in us instead of being bound by the maze that keeps threading the mill, stuck in the survival sphere.

When the temptation to be discouraged hits me I call a friend who needs support and help her/him shift even for a brief moment to be see that support is available. That simple act of helping my friend actually helped me make a shift in consciousness to see the positive.

No matter how unsettled our life is, it is very precious. Make time to hug and to tell someone you care. Equally important, especially for the givers among us, is to make sure that you cherish the hug and the support that is available to you.

I’m sure there are other ways to shift consciousness. This approach worked well for me today.

I enjoy learning about my friends paradigm shifting moments.

Would you share with us a recent opportunity where you choose to shift your consciousness and intention?

Depression is not a feeling. Depression is often caused by remembering painful feelings that you might not have been able or willing to feel fully, and by looking into the future with no hope for positive change.

Tantric Lovemaking provides the opposite of depression. Tantric Lovemaking is both exciting and relaxing. You are excited about the unknown quality of pleasure and ecstasy that you will experience, and relaxed knowing that whatever happens is what you both contribute to the connection in the moment. So you engage both consciousness and breath to connect with each other and the erotic life force.

Plans are fun, however the addiction to plans contributes to undue stress. If you are not addicted to plans working out the way you want them to, then you have a chance to expand your horizon. You never know – a breakdown of plans might end up in a better outcome than the one you expected. If you let things unfold as they do instead of using a forceful current, they usually are better than you expect and you will be relaxed when they come to you.

Staying in the moment wakeful and present is real living.