The Spirit of Aloha

June 10, 2014

Dear Friends,

In February of 2010, I was a guest speaker at the Unity Church of Maui. While there, I learned something new about the word, "Aloha." I discovered it is much more than a simple greeting that has come to mean both “hello” and “goodbye.” It is also a word that reminds people to practice a beneficial way of life––a way of life they call, "The Spirit of Aloha."

The Spirit of Aloha has a very admirable code of conduct. And I love how closely this code of conduct parallels many of the principles I teach for living life in the divine flow. Here, now, is that code of conduct, along with its divine flow counterparts. I'm presenting it to you as it was presented to me––by using ALOHA as an acronym for the code:

“A” stands for “Akahai,” 

which means kindness. 

As it happens, expressing loving kindness is one of the key ingredients for living life in the divine flow. “A” can also stand for “Ala,” which means watchfulness and alertness. Here, too, there is a parallel, because being in the flow of life requires you to pay attention to what’s going on around you and within you.

“L” stands for “Lokahi,” 

which means working with unity. 

When it comes to living life in the divine flow, it is always necessary to work as one. Remember, we are all in the same boat, and to get down the stream to reach our dreams we need each other's help.

“O” stands for “Oluolu,” 

which means agreeableness. 

This is related to the principle of non-resistance, and being willing to follow the flow even when you don’t understand where it is leading. “O” can also stand for “Oia’i’o,” which means truthfulness and honesty. Once again there is a parallel, because to live life in the divine flow you must always be open and receptive to a higher truth, and be willing to let go of your need to be right. In other words, you must be honest enough with yourself to admit that what you currently think is true, might not be.

“H” stands for “Ha’aha’a,” 

which means humility. 

Here is a very direct parallel, because a sure way to block your experience of the divine flow is to get caught up in pride for any length of time. That particular expression of the ego can greatly interfere with your ability to sense divine guidance.

And finally, 

the last “A” stands for “Ahonui,” 

which means patience. 

And yes, following the divine flow often takes a great deal of patience. As you take one divinely guided step after another, you must always remain centered in the now moment, and allow things to unfold in their divine time.


So there you have it: “ALOHA”—not just a simple greeting, but a beneficial way of living . . . a way of living that keeps you in the divine flow of life, and helps you move forward in life with grace, ease, and continual feelings of peace and joy.

Aloha!

Steven

© 2014 by Steven Lane Taylor
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

The Joy of Life

May 27, 2014

Dear Friends,

No doubt about it, life can—and undoubtedly will—have its challenges. For a variety of reasons—some self-imposed, some not—there are bound to be times in your life when you experience some fairly undesirable situations. Metaphorically speaking, you may suddenly encounter rocks and rapids, instead of calm and tranquil waters.

In those circumstances you may experience fear, sadness, disappointment, or anger. But believe it or not, underneath it all, there will also be . . . joy. Not joy in the typical sense of feeling elated in the moment, but the joy of your inner Divine Spirit. It's the kind of joy that embraces all of life and living . . . not just the peaceful parts.

Consider this: When you go to an amusement park, don’t you choose to go on the scary rides as well as the more pleasant ones? Why is that? Isn’t it because you feel fundamentally safe? And isn’t it the combination of those contrasting experiences that brings you pleasure—even joy?

So it is with your Divine Spirit. To your Spirit, life is one big amusement park. And since your Spirit is eternal and indestructible, it always feels safe enough to enjoy (to have joy in) the experience of life as a whole.

Are you experiencing some kind of stress or distress in your life right now? Then remember to take a moment to affirm who you truly are at the core of your being. In prayer and meditation, consciously connect with your inner divine essence—your eternal Spirit—and get in touch with the unending joy that resides there. It’s the joy of just being alive and in the world. And it’s a joy that is there no matter what kind of ride you happen to be on . . . or what part of the stream you happen to be in.

Steven

© 2014 by Steven Lane Taylor
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

About Heart and Home

May 16, 2014

Dear Friends,

Once again, wildfires are racing across Southern California, scorching the earth, and destroying dozens and dozens of homes. And once again, I have seen television interviews with families who have lost their homes in these all-too-frequent fires.

It is nice to see that all of these people recognize that, in the largest sense, life is not about things. It is about love. And even though their houses—and all of the things in them—are gone, each of these families feels extremely grateful to still have each other. They feel blessed, in fact.

The loss of one’s home, however, is not something to be minimized. It is still a very real—and very significant—loss. And grieving the loss of one's home is both understandable and appropriate.

A home, as you well know, is much more than bricks and mortar, wood and shingles, stucco and tile. It is much more than a structure, a shelter, or even—in some cases—a work of art. A home is a box of memories, containing cherished mementos, souvenirs, keepsakes, heirlooms, and irreplaceable photographs.

All of those treasured things are physical symbols of the people and the experiences in our lives that we hold near and dear to our hearts. Although the memories themselves remain intact, it is still understandably tragic when the “memory collage” one has spent a lifetime constructing, has been destroyed by fire, wind, water, or a shift in the earth itself.

To each of you who have recently lost your home, a loved one, a beloved pet, or anything else that occupies an important place in your heart, know that you have the entire Universe working on your behalf to help you restore your sense of wholeness, recover your sense of peace, and rebuild whatever it is that needs rebuilding.

And know, too, that even though it may not appear that way to you right now, with the help of The Divine, it is always possible for great good to come out of this time of great grief.

Steven

© 2014 by Steven Lane Taylor
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

An Easter Reminder

April 20, 2014

Dear Friends,

As the saying goes, “You are not a human being having an occasional spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being having a temporary human experience.” And there is no better time of the year to affirm that for yourself than Easter.

For me, the Easter story is a dramatic demonstration and profound illustration of something that I believe is just as true for you now, as it was for Jesus over 2,000 years ago—that you are in this world, but you are not of this world.

Like I often mention, your true essence is Spirit, not body. And unlike the body, your Spirit is eternal and indestructible. Your authentic self is, in a word, divine—an individual expression of that source energy that many of us call God. And you are here for one purpose, and one purpose only: to express your divine nature in the body, and in the world.

And what, exactly, is that nature? Love. Unconditional love. Divine love.

It’s the kind of love that knows no limits . . . the kind of love that forgives—no matter what. It’s the kind of love that Jesus fully expressed throughout his life, right up to the final moments of his earthly existence. And it’s the kind of love that you, and I, and all of us are called upon to express on a daily basis.

Today, and every day of the year, may you remember who you are, and why you are here. May you remember that the journey of life is not about getting somewhere. The journey of life is about being something. It’s about being the love that you are in every single moment of that journey. And it’s about experiencing the absolute joy that your love brings to the journey, and brings to each and every Spirit that you encounter along the way.

Happy Easter!

Steven

© 2014 by Steven Lane Taylor
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

The Ultimate Lucky Charm

March 17, 2014

Dear Friends,

Today is St. Patrick’s Day, a day that brings to mind symbols of Ireland, such as the shamrock. Some people consider the shamrock to be a good luck charm, although they may be confusing it with the four-leaf clover. Nevertheless, whether it’s a shamrock, a four-leaf clover, a horseshoe, or a rabbit's foot, lucky charms are something that many people rely on to experience good fortune in their lives.

The way I see it, though, lucky charms are completely unnecessary. Because—for the most part—a “charmed life” is something that you can consciously create whenever you practice the principles for living life in the divine flow. It’s what occurs naturally whenever you:

• Pay attention to your intuition
• Notice signs and synchronicities, and discern their meaning
• Let go of your preconceived ideas and plans
• Release your attachment to specific outcomes
• See everything that happens as a stepping-stone to your highest good

In other words, “good luck” is the natural result of being attentive, flexible, and positive. Oh, and there’s one other thing that brings luck into your life—perhaps the most important thing of all: Loving . . . loving yourself, loving others, and treating everyone you meet with loving kindness.

And how, exactly, does love help you live a luckier life? Well, it’s just common sense that when you treat others with loving kindness, you are much more likely to experience the good fortune of their valuable assistance. But that kind of luck is simply the result of cause and effect. The true power of love goes way beyond the boomerang effect of action and reaction.

Love is the underlying power that is responsible for the experiences in our lives that we consider to be truly miraculous—a power that works its magic unrestricted by the confines of either time or space.

One single loving intention is enough to set the whole universe in motion, initiating a complex series of events that weave together in a way that no one would ever have imagined possible. It is the power of love that choreographs incredible synchronistic encounters between individuals who have similar desires of the heart, but need each other in order to manifest their dreams.

For example, an architect with a critically ill child may feel inspired to design a hospital wing for children with similar health challenges. At the very same instant, thousands of miles away, a wealthy benefactor may become inspired to finance just such a project. They both develop a “sudden desire” to vacation in New York City, where they just “happen” to encounter each other at a coffee shop. And . . . well . . . you can fill in the rest.

Love is a power that simultaneously inspires minds, ignites hearts, and orchestrates outcomes of incredible beauty. And, like I mentioned in my message for Valentine’s Day, it feels good to love! In fact, it feels so good, you may feel like you are the luckiest person in the world.

So, do you want to live a charmed life—a life of ease, grace, and incredible good fortune? Then treat everyone in your path with loving kindness, and make sure that your intentions are always loving ones.  Because love, my friends, is the ultimate lucky charm.

Steven

© 2014 by Steven Lane Taylor
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

The Benefits of Meditation

February 7, 2014

Dear Friends,

It is difficult to consistently live life "in the flow" without a strong connection to the divine direction that comes from your inner Spirit.  To enhance that connection, I recommend a daily practice of meditation.

But the benefits of meditation don't stop at increasing your ability to be attuned to inner guidance.  As I point out in Chapter 17 of my second book, Further Down The Stream, when you meditate on a daily basis, your experience of life is improved in numerous ways.  What follows are eight benefits you reap when you get quiet, go within, and get in touch with that Divine Spirit that resides at the core of your being:

Here's to the many benefits of meditation -- of maintaining conscious contact with your inner Spirit, and allowing that divine essence to express its nature in the world.

Steven

© 2014 by Steven Lane Taylor

www.rowrowrow.com

Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

I Am Still With You

January 18, 2014

Dear Friends,

Recently, a fan of my work asked me to write something that could be read at the memorial service for her young son, who had just died suddenly and unexpectedly.

Here is what I wrote.  It is what I believe her son would want her to know.  And I am posting it here because it is something that might bring some comfort to anyone who has ever lost a loved one.

© 2014 by Steven Lane Taylor

www.rowrowrow.com

Steven Lane Taylor, LLC