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Visual Inspiration: You Will Recognize Your Path

Valerie Rickel

“You will recognize your own path when you come upon it,
because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need.”

—Jerry Gillies

I enjoyed creating this Visual Inspiration for you, in keeping with our theme of the month, “Life Purpose.”

I took this photo at sunset in Upstate New York on an early spring day. It is of an old farm road, which is flanked on both sides by farm fields dotted with lovingly preserved historic oak trees. It is truly a breathtaking place to visit and sure to make any passerby take pause to drink in its beauty.

I love this quote, because I have found it to be so true in my life. I always know when I am on my purposeful path, because I will suddenly find myself gifted with an unstoppable flow of energy and imagination. Do you find that to be true, too?

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with our community ♥

Path

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with lots of energy and imagination!!

Soulfully,
Valerie

© 2013 Valerie Rickel. All Rights Reserved.
 

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Visual Inspiration for the Full Moon

Valerie-Collage-Moon

Today, I offer you a little something special in honor of our gorgeous July Full Moon… It’s a “Visual Inspiration” to help inspire your day… and night!

I had fun creating this Visual Inspiration. This photo was taken last summer at a lake in the Adirondacks of New York. A friend and I were driving home after dinner one evening, and, when I caught a glimpse of the reflection of the full moon on the water between the trees that lined the road, the photographer in me shouted out to my friend, “Stop the truck!!” We walked quite a distance to find just the right vantage point for these photos. A city girl by nature, I was in awe of the moon’s beauty reflected in the peaceful, still lake that night. Blissful!

Happy Full Moon! Enjoy ♥

Rumi Quote

Here are some fantastic books on the subject of the moon:

“Moon Watchers Companion” by Donna Henes

“The Moon Book: Fascinating Facts about the Magnificent Mysterious Moon” by Kim Long

“The Moon: Myth and Image” by Jules Cashford

“The Moon” by Michael Carlowicz

Soulful-Musings-Icon

If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love to have you leave a comment below!

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a blissful and purposeful day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie

© 2013 Valerie Rickel. All Rights Reserved.
 

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Guest Article: Living On Purpose by Dan Millman

Valerie Rickel

There is no path to Happiness. Happiness is the path.
There is no path to Love. Love is the path.
There is no path to Peace. Peace is the path.
-Dan Millman

It’s my pleasure to share a guest article with you today by best-selling author Dan Millman. Dan is well known for his “Way of the Peaceful Warrior” work and his book by the same name, as well as his other best-sellers, “The Life You Were Born to Live,” “Living on Purpose,” and his newest book, “The Four Purposes of Life: Finding Meaning and Direction in a Changing World.”

Today, I offer you a double dose of inspiration. I’ve created a Visual Inspiration for you, too, with one of my favorite quotes by Dan Millman. Enjoy! ♥

Dan Millman - Way of the Peaceful Warrior “Living On Purpose”
by Dan Millman

Years ago, I met a peaceful warrior in an all-night gas station. His name was Socrates, and he once told me, “I’ve noticed three kinds of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch what happens, and those who wonder what happened.” Back then I was a skilled athlete, making things happen. But outside the gym — when I faced real-world dilemmas and decisions — I mostly watched and wondered. And I was not alone.

Many of us live our lives by accident — stumbling into relationships, wandering into careers, searching for meaning, hoping and praying that we’ll get lucky in love, find our fortune, and stay healthy. I spent years like this, living at random, until I learned to live on purpose. My education began the first time I asked Socrates a question. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “It’s the House Rules.” The “House” is Life, the Tao, the Universe, Reality; the “Rules” are universal laws or guiding principles. The House Rules presented in my book, “Living On Purpose,” — distilled lessons from the school of life — provide reliable strategies for living wisely and well.

Purposeful living embraces both reason and faith. Reason provides clear goals, while faith and intuition teach us to trust the process of our lives. The Taoist sages remind us that flexibility overcomes rigidity — and just as a rushing stream flows around obstacles, so must our purposes adapt to the changing tides of life. Therefore, the House Rules are not rote formulas, but flexible reminders. In living on purpose and acting on principle we become like bamboo — strong yet supple — yielding to the forces we encounter, then snapping back on track.

Dan Millman

My responses seem to come not so much from me, but through me. I do not, however, channel any discarnate warrior-sages from the fifth dimension, chat with God, or transcribe the dictations of astral guides. I claim only a gift of expression, an intuitive ability to apply the House Rules, and an open heart. As the proverb goes, “There are no secrets where there’s love.”

Test these House Rules in your own experience; tailor them to fit your particular circumstance. You will find that they point the way to greater productivity, creativity, and fun, and show us how to live a more spiritual life in the material realm… Continue Reading “Living on Purpose”

Copyright Dan Millman. All Rights Reserved.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on today’s article! Please scroll down and leave your comments below.

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a beautiful and purposeful day!!

Soulfully,

Valerie Rickel, Founder
SoulfulLiving.com




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Visual Inspiration: The Two Most Important Days in Your Life

Valerie Rickel


“The two most important days in your life are the
day you are born and the day you find out why.”
―Mark Twain

Today, I offer you a Visual Inspirational Quote in keeping with our theme of the month, “Life Purpose,” to help inspire your Friday and your weekend!

I had fun creating this Visual Inspiration. I took this photo in the Adirondacks of New York State last summer. It was a warm, balmy summer day, and I was living up the road from this lake in a cabin for the summer. A friend and I were enjoying a lovely, sunny afternoon at this quiet beach cove when suddenly the sky changed, got moody, and then cast the most marvelous rays of pink light on the lake that transformed the water into satin. I can still remember the peaceful, calm, stillness of the moment as if it were yesterday. I felt a shift — a transformation inside of me. It was the perfect day — an important day — an Eternal moment in time.

I love this quote by Mark Twain, so I couldn’t resist putting the two together. I hope you enjoy today’s Visual Inspiration!

I’d love to hear about an important and meaningful day in your life… What made the day special for you? Any insights into “why you are here”? Leave us a comment below and share your thoughts with our community ♥

Mark-Twain

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a perfect and purposeful day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie

© 2013 Valerie Rickel. All Rights Reserved.
 

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Living on Purpose: Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choirs

Valerie Rickel

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”
-Rumi

I’m so excited about today’s Daily Soul Retreat because it brings such an enormous smile to my face, and I know it will bring one to yours, too! Today, I offer you the beautiful Virtual Choirs conducted by Eric Whitacre, music composer and conductor, who has produced musical magic on YouTube.

I think Eric is a beautiful example of a person who is living their life’s purpose, greatest passion, and Highest good. Watch the virtual musical creations he has manifested, and I think you will agree. Inspiring, magical, wondrous… Eric’s Virtual Choirs are awe-inspiring examples of how the internet and the vision of one person can bring the world together in an incredibly harmonious and inspired way. I hope you enjoy today’s videos, as much as I have!


Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir – ‘Lux Aurumque’


Eric Whitacre – Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 2.0, ‘Sleep’


Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 3, ‘Water Night’


Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 4: Fly to Paradise

Eric Whitacre Virtual Choirs
Eric Whitacre’s TED Talk, in which he discusses the creation of “Lux Aurumque.”

 

If you’re feeling inspired, I’d love to have you leave a comment below!

purple-daily-soul-retreat-pAlso, be sure to pick up your special gift of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you haven’t yet picked yours up, click here for all the details.

Wishing you a melodic and purposeful day!!

Valerie Rickel
Founder and Soul
SoulfulLiving.com

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Imagine Your Life as a Painting

Valerie

“Imagine your life as a painting and yourself as the artist.
Every morning when you awaken, pick your color palette
and paint the life of your dreams.”
—Valerie Rickel

I’m excited to offer you a Life Purpose-themed “Visual Inspiration” to help inspire your day!

The quote I’ve chosen for today’s Visual Inspiration is very meaningful to me, as I have recited some iteration of these inspirational words to myself as an affirmation, nearly every morning for the last 13 years, since leaving my full-time career to pursue my greater purpose and passions.

We are each the creator of our life. In every moment, in every second, every single day, we are creating (“painting/writing”) the story of our life.

Every new day offers us a new opportunity to create a life of our dreams. A life of purpose, passion – a life in which we are honoring our Higher Calling and living our Highest Good.

Create the Life of Your Dreams

But, sometimes, it doesn’t seem that way — it can feel as though our life and our destiny are not in our hands, within our control. We may feel powerless — even blocked by obstacles that feel impenetrable. But, there is always an answer, always a solution, always a way — a path or steps we can take to move forward with our lives. Perhaps a dear friend or even a kind stranger will help us.

Creating a purposeful life requires work and may not always be easy. While other times, we may find that things flow and unfold effortlessly. We just need to trust and know that if we are moving toward our Highest Good, doors will open, the right people will show up, and we will find the strength and courage to do the work and make the necessary changes in our life to create our purposeful life.

The photo (top right, in the collage) that I “Photoshopped” to create (“paint”) today’s Visual Inspiration is very special to me. This beautiful white-washed barn stands with several other gorgeous old structures on a lovely and very isolated rural road in the middle of rural New York. It is a place I like to frequent often. There is a sacredness to this spot that I felt the very first time I discovered it. I knew immediately that I needed to tread lightly, honor and give thanks to the land, as I traveled down this special road. This feeling rushes over me every time I visit, during every season, to photograph the beauty there. And, I am often moved to tears.

When I visit this sacred spot and photograph the beauty there, I am living my bliss. I feel it in my body. I feel it in my heart. I feel it in my soul. I just know. This is my passion, my calling, my purpose — to be living in this beautiful region — photographing the amazing beauty that I find here — the beauty that makes my heart sing!

It took courage — a LOT of it — to make the move from Los Angeles, where I lived my whole life, to rural Upstate New York three years ago. It was a move I had wanted to make for nearly a decade. I had a lot of “walls” (obstacles) to break through/go around and a LOT of work to do. And, I may not have ever been able to make the move, had it not been for a wonderful friend, who was a great inspiration, and who made the move possible for me.

I had a dream — a vision for my life — and, while it took quite a number of years to make it come true, I did, indeed, create the life of my dreams.

And, I believe you can, too.

What makes your heart sing? What brings you bliss? What moves you so deeply that it brings you to tears? What does the “life of your dreams” look like?

What can you do today? What colors and brushes can you pick up today, as the artist of your life — to begin painting this picture for your life — to create a life so magical that you will pinch yourself every morning when you arise? A life that brings tears of happiness to your eyes and makes your heart and soul sing with joy. Whatever the answer may be, just do it — DO IT TODAY!

© 2013 Valerie Rickel. All Rights Reserved.

———

I’d love to hear what will you do today — what colors and brushes you will choose – to begin painting the life of your dreams. Leave your comments below!

And, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to pick up your special package of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you aren’t already subscribed, click here for all the details. If you are already subscribed, watch your Daily Soul Retreats for all the details.

Wishing you a blissfully creative and purposeful day!!

Valerie Rickel
Founder and Soul
SoulfulLiving.com

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P.S. If you missed the Introduction to Our “All New” Daily Soul Retreat, you can read it here.




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Every Flower is a Soul Blossoming in Nature

“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.”
—Gerard de Nerval

Every Flower

Enjoy!

Valerie Rickel
Founder and Soul
SoulfulLiving.com

© 2013 Valerie Rickel. All Rights Reserved.
 

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Life Purpose: Visual Inspiration

Valerie-Collage-2-Sunset

Today, I offer you something a little different for our Daily Soul Retreat. In keeping with our theme of the month, Life Purpose… It’s a “Visual Inspiration” to help inspire your day!

I had a lot of fun creating this Visual Inspiration. Deeply inspired by the message of this quote by author Justine Willis Toms, I set about finding just the right photograph and type font to bring this quote to life and convey its beautiful meaning.

Justine Toms with her Husband, Michael Toms, are authors of the classic book, True Work: Doing What You Love and Loving What You Do. Michael passed away earlier this year. He and Justine are co-founders of the highly acclaimed radio program, New Dimensions, which still broadcasts today and is the longest-running independently produced interview program in the history of public radio, featuring leading-edge thinkers, scientists, artists, healers, ecologists, spiritual leaders, and social architects in award winning, deep dialogues.

I hope you enjoy today’s Visual Inspiration… Feel free to share with your friends ♥

Life Purpose

And, if you’re feeling inspired, I’d love to have you leave a comment!

Be sure to pick up your special gift of inspirational goodness exclusively for our Daily Soul Retreat Newsletter Subscribers — a “Soul Retreat Gift Pack” filled with over $300 worth of Ecourses, Ebooks, Audio Workshops and Meditations, donated by our awesome SoulfulLiving.com authors. If you haven’t yet picked yours up, click here for all the details.

Wishing you a joyously exuberant day!!

Soulfully,
Valerie

© 2013 Valerie Rickel. All Rights Reserved.
 

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