14- Appreciation of Conscious Music

“Conscious music is the bridge to Divine frequency.”~Sonia Choquette

I still remember the first time I heard them. I put in the CD for a long drive down the coast in So Cal. Almost everyone you meet in Cali has a band so when I asked for the CD I wasn’t expecting that much. I don’t know about you but the first few times I listen to a record I am focusing on the feeling and not so much the words. By the second listening the words came pouring through and I was mesmerized by the passion and truth being spoken.

That was almost two years ago and I still feel overtaken with joy and appreciation as I listen to the words and music of Warstories. Evan Robinson’s song writing, voice and musical arrangement does not fall into popular music. This stuff is leading edge and moves you within. Check them out at www.warstoriesmusic.com .

In April I went on vacation to the island of Dominica in the Caribbean. I had a free afternoon so I went and sat down by the ocean with my ipod. I had just downloaded the new album by Live, Songs from Black Mountain. The evolution of this group over the past 15+ years is really remarkable. As one of their songs, Wings, came on I became overwhelmed with gratitude and clarity. I don’t know if this is legal but I am going to put some of the words below……..

Weighing on your mind
Like a ball and chain
Like a destiny to run from.

Division in your soul
Keeping you from hope
I can’t bare to see you crying.

The weight that lays on your shoulders
Could be the wings that carry you home.
~Live

As I listened to this song such a feeling of well-being flowed through me. I felt in touch with a Divine frequency. I just sat there and felt like I had truly gotten whatever this group was intending to share.

Lastly, and this may seem like an odd choice but stay with me, is an album that received so much negative press when first released I didn’t actually hear any of it until almost a year had passed. The first song and video released were controversial and not well received. The name of the album is Stripped, by Christina Aguilera. This was as “popp-y” of an artist as there is….yet when you dig into the words and feelings in some of these songs I challenge you not to be moved. The songs, Keep Singing My Song and Soar are amazing. Check out some of these lyric…..

I woke up this morning with a smile on my face
Nobody is going to bring me down today
Been feeling like nothings been going my way lately
I decided right here and now that my outlook is going to change

I am going to say goodbye to all the tears I cried
And every time someone hurt my pride.
Feelin like they wont let me live life
And take a look at what is mine

I see every blessing so completely
I thank God for what I got from above
~Singing my Song~
~Christina Aguilera

This is a 6 minute song that brings you back to appreciation and gratitude in a hurry.

I wouldn’t say music is a major part of my life. I would say that as I have become more clear about who I am and how I want to feel on a moment to moment basis I have been blessed to attract some amazing groups like Warstories and Live. I have also been able to find the nuggets in our pop artists that so few do.

Much Love
8-31-8

Day 13- Appreciation......

Every speaker, teacher, author and preacher who has come into my life these past two years have all agreed upon one thing. Appreciation is the fastest way to line up with your desires.

I am no Biblical scholar but one thing that stuck with me over the years of learning about the teachings of Jesus was that he always gave thanks in advance. It was as if he saw the ‘miracle’ as complete before it happened and he was in a state of constant appreciation. One of my favorite phrases is ……

Judge not by appearance.

So for fun I am going to write 7 rampages of appreciation over the next 7 days. I will either post them all or post the feelings of them. I am sending a few letters to some friends and I wouldn’t feel good about posting that so I will let you know what shows up in that process.


8-30-8

Day 12- Words.....

I have been talking to a couple of friends about my experiment and I have noticed that words really carry different meanings for different people. The few of you that read this are all getting different meaning from it. As the author of this it is my great wish that the feelings of appreciation, love and peace flow through. What you get from it really depends upon where you are coming from.

The word “work” has really charged some interesting conversations. Some have responded that I am looking to sit on a rock, meditate and have money fall in my lap. It makes me smile because this is not my desire at all. I have noticed others have linked the words “work” and “worth”. So if I am not going to work then how do I fell worthy? Interesting concept, huh?

Since I am writing this for me and anyone who reads it is a mirror for my issues let me clarify “my” meaning of these words. First there is “work”. To me the word work is synanamous with hard, struggle, motivated action…..the word feels slow to me. In my opening post I referred to playing to prosperity. The next is “play”. To me this is inspired, peace, ease, joy….inspired action.

These are just words and my interpretation of them. My great wish is to live a life of inspired actions. The feelings of joy, love and excitement flowing through my actions. This experiement is really about me trusting myself and something greater to add to the lives of those I touch. I have no desire at this point to sit on rocks and meditate all day. The joy, the contrast, the excitement is found in the action….the work of life.

I have a friend who is engaged in his business 10 to 12 hours a day. He is inspired to take action and assist those he interacts with. That is the type of life I desire. And that is what this is all about. Trusting that the friendly Universe has a greater plan than I can know and just going with it.

“Follow Your Bliss.” ~Joseph Campbell

Much Love

8-29-8

Day 9 - The Road Less Traveled.....

A little over 2 years ago I went through a horrific break-up. Well, it felt horrific to me. I thought I had met my soul mate, the one I was going to be with "forever". And then one day it all ended and it was over.

I remember the feeling of wanting to run away. I remember the feeling of not knowing where to turn. I remember the fear and anxiety that filled me. I look back at that guy and smile. If someone would have told me what a catalyst that break-up would be in my life I would not have believed them.

Fast forward to this weekend. I spent a full day with an amazing women, in an amazing city. As I was driving home I was replaying the last 24 hours and I felt struck by a conversation we had. I love how others in my life can act as a mirror and show me things I could never have seen on my own.

So, the road less traveled. I remember being at that choice point after my break-up and I decided to be someone totally new. I had always had a strong desire for freedom, adventure, travel, mobility. I decided during that time that I was going to make those aspects my dominate desire. I was going to look for those essences in all areas of my life. I had no plan of action. I just told the Universe that I was going to be open to whatever was put in front of me.

The first thing I remember feeling was that I needed to cleanse my lifestyle a bit. I started giving stuff away. I was a serious pack rat and a lover of things. I believed my things defined me and I needed to keep accumulating more and more to prove my worth. After asking for guidance I received notice to start giving stuff away. And I did.....tv, clothes, shelves, you name it....I gave it away. My goal was to reach a place where I could be mobile enough to move in one car load....and I am there.

Next I started hiking and exploring like a madman. I would travel to a new part of CA every chance I got. I started hiking 2-3 times a week. I signed up for a half marathon (still don't know why I did this I had never ran longer than 20 mins before). I became more interested in experience than anything. If I could do something new, something that pushed me I would.

I just kept following the flow of this. The more I noticed freedom, adventure, and mobility showing up the more they did. I started to play with the belief that the Universe is friendly and totally supportive. Angels started showing up from everywhere to support me. I ended up living with two people who became my best friends and I felt like part of their family. It was truly magical how it all unfolded.

Now for the mirror part. So when I meet new friends and tell them of my lifestyle the looks and responses range. I have become aware of two things. First, my need to defend my lifestyle or actually lack there of. I get it. I get why it seems strange and why it doesn't make sense to most people. Why would a highly functioning adult in his 30's not want a house...furniture....even a bed??? And I have no desire to defend it....in fact, I love the questioning of it because it causes me to go within for the answers.

Second, it has taught me how to better understand. I now know I cannot look at the "facts" of someones life and know what's going on. I could ask 7 of my closest friends what their take is on my lifestyle and I would receive 7 different answers all based on their beliefs and perceptions. It is so amazing to see this in my life and notice how often I do it.

So I will say this. I live my life the way I do because a few years ago I decided to walk the road less traveled. I decided I wanted to live authentically and really know myself. Know that I could find happiness and comfort and support without things. Know that the amazing Universe is friendly. And most importantly after two years of this I know I could have found it anywhere, living anyway. I have found the aspects within me and need not change a thing to experience it.

Sent with Love,

J

Day 7

Neale Donald Walsh, author of the Conversation With God series, teaches that the moment you choose to "be" something everything unlike it will rush into the space. James Ray, author and speaker, teaches his students about the Law of Duality. He teaches that in our 3D world there must be black to experience white, there must be up to experience down.

Hmm, I started this experiment off strong. Two days of total bliss and joy. I was beginning to think this experiment was going to be a walk in the park. The more I have focused on ease, joy and playing my way to the life I desire.......the more challenges have been showing up. And oddly this excites me. I know what waits on the other side of this. I have experienced breaking through many barriers this past year.

One of the tools I use is a process called "The Work". The originator of this process is Byron Katie. This process is not for everyone and I must admit at first glance it seems way to easy. I mean really......4 questions and a turnaround??? I invested 10 days digging into this 'simple' process with her and I came out on the other side totally different.

If you are interested in learning more go to www.thework.com. Take a peak and see if its a fit. I will tell you that should you decide to explore Katie's teachings you will learn why she calls it The Work. It is an amazing process to know yourself.

I will get into this more deeply a little later and share my findings around my own concepts.

Much Love.....

Day 5 - Resistance

It's no surprise that when you attempt to take your life from one level to the next that there may be some challenges that pop up. After investing a lot of time alone these past few years and getting to know myself I can feel resistance showing up at it's earliest forms. Which I love so I can deal with it and feel good again. It has also made me extremely sensitive.

This morning as I awoke I noticed I had the thought that I may be fired.......where did that come from? It made me laugh. The thought instantly seemed ridicoulus and I knew it wasn't true and if it was......so what? The interesting thing that stuck with me was the feeling. So I got up and dug into this more.

It stems from this idea that "it can't be this easy". I have been focusing on what brings me joy for the past 5 days and already I have had some interesting results. I received a very nice gift out of the blue yesterday, a check for over $500 the day before, and tremendous feelings of peace at work. I have perhaps the most intense month of fun I have ever planned coming up in Sept. And I was able to schedule a fun weekend in Vegas coming up.

So, what's the problem right??? For the last two years I have been the one who showed up for work early and left late. I have worked more open to close shifts (12 hrs +) than I care to remember. And even in the short time I have been running this experiement I have felt guilt around showing up on time and leaving early.....twice this week!!!!!!

There is a vibration within me that is so strong revolving around 'work being hard' or 'having to work hard for success' that it is really affecting me. I feel like I am in 'hard work" detox. Like an addict coming down I feel all the effects.

I am open to this resolving itself and I am sure it will. I will go do what I always do when I have a perplexing belief hiding under the surface of my conscious mind......I am off to move my body. Somehow by working out, running, yoga, hiking, ect.....I am able to quite my mind enough to allow the issue to surface and to then feel tremendous peace. Just writing it brought a smile to my face. So I am off to hike for two hours before work tonight.

Make It A Great Day and Much Love.

Day 4

It's interesting that I asked for a life of more ease and play......I have no Internet connection at my new place. I didn't realize how much time I spent on the net until I don't have it in the late hours of the night. Can you say addict??? :-) All is well. I will be posting over the weekends and have been keeping a list of day to day observations. Below is something I wrote a day ago....


8-21 Day 4

Dear Universe,

~I want to believe I can experience prosperity and ease.

~I want to experience that prosperity can come from unexpected sources.

~I want to believe that my life can flow perfectly through ‘play’ and ‘ease’ rather than only through hard work.

~I want to experience joy and from that allow the next steps to show up.

~I want evidence that ‘joy’ and ‘play’ are more effective than hard work alone.


I am asking for observable and quantifiable proof that I can attract more prosperity within the next 7 weeks.

I am open to this prosperity arriving and taking the form of:

~unexpected dollars coming into my life the next two months
~unexpected gifts coming my way the next 60 days
~clear inspiration leading me to new opportunities
~a feeling of peace
~inspired actions bubbling up within

I am ready to see things in a different and delightful way.


J Krauter
8-21-8

Day 1

I received this quote early this morning.....

Life is supposed to be fun. You said, "I'll go forth and choose. I'll look at the data, and I'll say, yes to this, and yes to this, and yes to this, and I'll paint a picture of the things that I want, and I'll vibrate about them, because that's what I'm giving my attention to. And the Universe will respond to my vibration. And then I'll stand in a new place where a whole new batch of yeses are available, and I'll say yes to this, and yes to this, and yes to this." You did not say, "I'll go forth and struggle into joy", because from your Nonphysical Perspective you know it is vibrationally not possible. You cannot struggle to joy. Struggle and joy are not on the same channel. You joy your way to joy. You laugh your way to success. It is through your joy that good things come.

Gotta love it, huh? I received this after 1.00am this morning. So I asked myself when I got up this morning....."What would bring you joy today?" So here is a bullet point list of my day......

• Went to the best breakfast place in North County San Diego....Swami's. Awesome food. Surfer type atmosphere. I love it.
• Sat on the cliff over looking the ocean while I made some necessary phone calls.
• Went hiking in San Elijo Hills, once I reached the top I sat on a rock over looking a lake and meditated.
• Ran some errands, all the while driving along the 101 and appreciating the ocean.
• Now I am heading to San Diego to eat with some friends and attend the Warstories CD release party.
• At around midnight I will drive back to LA, which is my fav time to drive since traffic flows so perfectly.

So my focus all day has been on what makes me feel good......what do I want versus thinking about what I don't want. Which is surprisingly more work than I had expected. I must admit this joy stuff is easier for me on my days off, and being in San Diego certainly helps.

So I received two questions to answer for today and I thought I would answer one now and the other throughout the rest of the week. The question is.....What is your unique, personal, definition of prosperity?

To me prosperity is the feeling of fullness. I have been working with my prosperity consciousness for the past 2+ years. When I started I was living off credit cards.....and I mean that, day to day expenses. I lived in fear; constant, consistent fear. It was an ugly way to live. And I thought if I had more money it would all be better. I remember I was earning half of what I now earn and a thought came to me like a shout in the night......"how do you expect to handle more dollars if you can't handle this amount". In that moment I decided to make some changes. I invested in a prosperity class.....with my credit card :-).

And now I don't equate prosperity with money. I see money as a part of my prosperity. The feeling of fullness I get from a hike, the beauty of the ocean, the feeling you get when the one you have been waiting to text you does......those things fill me as much as any dollars flowing my way. So to me prosperity is a feeling of fullness, a knowing that the Universe is friendly and I am supported regardless of what appearances tell me.

Much Love......

What did I do?????

That was the thought running through my head as I was driving back to San Diego tonight. Actually it sounded more like this, "Why oh why did I send out that email?" and "They are going to think I lost my mind".

Then I checked my email.....the support and love that flowed through was really quite touching. I am grateful for the quality of people I have attracted into my life over the past few years. What a joy you all are.

So my big experiment starts tomorrow. I decided to kick start it by attending a seminar today titled, "The Art of Allowing". It was 5 hours of bliss. The speakers name is Esther Hicks. Her website is http://www.abraham-hicks.com/ .

I am not going to lie, I was a little stressed out this weekend. How does someone do this? No plan, no preparing, no itinerary. I have some personal references who have stepped into joy and allowed there lives to unfold. My friend, Elyse, spent most of the summer vacationing and her business brought in the largest profits to date in July. Jerry and Esther Hicks seem to spend much more time playing than working and they are multi-millionaires. Byron Katie gave away two of her homes long before she was a millionaire because she thought it might be fun....(yeah, you read that right). So it's possible to achieve the life of your dreams without struggle or hard work.

First, I should make something clear. I would like to give my definition of work and play or inspired action. Work feels hard, it drags on, you dread it, it puts an ugly feeling in your gut and you have to force yourself to do it. Inspired action is much different, it comes from a higher perspective, it is easy, joyous, light, free flowing. It still requires physical action it just feels easier. The group listed above only takes action when they feel inspired. That is the group I am interested in.

So the best advice I heard today from the speaker......

Get Happy!!!

That was the advice after the 4th person in a row wanted more info on ways to get closer to their intentions or goals. Joy will bring you into alignment with your desires.....not struggle. So for the next few weeks I am going to list the ways I get happy and the thoughts I am dealing with that stand in the way. What fun!!!!

The Experiment......

A 60 day Experiment into the world of ease, joy and appreciation? I know it all sounds a bit airy-fairy......it goes against every mid-west belief I was taught growing up. I am a product of the mentality, the beliefs that drive a community. Here are a few of the beliefs I have been fortunate enough to become aware of.....

• Money doesn't grow on trees. (Isn't it paper? ;-)


• You have to work hard to make it.


• In order to control your world you must have a plan.


• If you are not working hard you a slacker.


• Work hard now so you can enjoy life later (the deferred life plan).


• Hard work is respectable.

Thats just a taste of what I picked up from my hard working tribe. These type of beliefs have driven me for the better part of 30 years. In the past year of my life I have invested some serious time and dollars into looking at these beliefs and questioning them. I see how they drive me and I have asked to have a new set of teachers show up. I believe I am ready for a different set of beliefs.

60 Day Experiment-

Dates: Aug 18 to Oct 18

Objective: To set 3 intentions and do nothing other than hold myself in tremendous joy over the 60 day period. To take action only if the action brings joy. To let go of all planning and desire of knowing how it should unfold. To trust the Universe knows better than I.

Results: How does one define the results of an experiment like this? I thought about listing my intentions and then looking at the physical results at the end of 60 days but that doesn't really feel good to me. This work is about moving internally, not about what happens on the outside. I am not going to list my intentions instead I am looking for an improvement in my feelings around dollars, career and relationships.

This blog is going to be a composition of my experiences with this experiment. I intend to use it to share and document what I am experiencing and anything that works. Who knows what will come of it if anything......it's going to be a personal look into my life which I rarely share so, here we go......

I would like to revisit the quote that headlines this blog:



"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."



Are you doing what makes you come alive? Am I? These are hard questions. What makes you come alive? Do you know? Or are you just like so many of us.....going through the motions and earning a living but what about creating a life?



Tonight I was blessed to watch one of my dear friends do what makes him come alive. I went to a Warstories concert tonight. And in the little club called Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach I watched Evan Robinson of Warstories do what makes him come alive. As he performed one of his newest songs, Heart of Gold, I felt it. You know, that feeling that overwhelms you when an artist and his craft become one. He became the lyrics and the music and the performance all at the same time. It was truly beautiful and inspiring.



I remember going to a workshop by a well known author and watching her. The crowd was mesmorized. And I wrote in my journal, "if you do what you love people will come from everywhere to watch you because we see the truth like a light in the dark night". Maybe a little too poetic but look around some time. Every messenger has an audiance if they are willing to step out on the edge and speak their truth.



Since this whole post is for me I have to ask, "Am I living my truth?" Am I doing what makes me come alive? Am I creating a life or earning a living? It might be too late tonight to answer these questions but I promise I will adventure into these lands.



As for Evan and Warstories.....who knows? I can tell you that watching him perform is a thing of beauty. His heart is in it and his intent is pure. Who knows why some make it and some dont. All I know is I am holding a vision for this conscious songwriter/performer that he will continue to share his gifts.

Fat? It May Not Be Your Fault‏......

"A BIG, FAT PROBLEM Research proves what we've been writing all along: Restaurants are making us fat

America has a weight problem, but a new study shows it's not completely our fault."

This is the headline in a new article put out by Mens Health magazine. So, what do you think? Are restaurants making us fat? One of my favorite teachers is Byron Katie. Her work is based around questioning reality and inquiring into the truth of our beliefs. So I pose the question, "Is it true"?

Restaurants are making us fat. I mean it is the easy way out, right? It's much easier than admitting that we chose the meals or the types of foods we ingest everyday or the lack of physical activity we do.

I once read a quote by a Chinese philosopher who said, "No man gets fat from one meal". Maybe the restaurants aren't making us fat? Maybe it isn't even the food that is affecting our weight? Maybe there are other issues here.....psychological, societal, over-riding beliefs, possibly even spiritual.

Since I am expecting 2 to 3 other people to read this I am going to share these ideas over time. You'll just have to wait for more.......and I leave you with this.....

Is It True that restaurants are making us fat?