The mystery of our emotions and what they are teaching us is one of the greatest of life's lessons.  Mastering our thoughts is such a challenging task that the power of the mind and its role as leader and guide of the body and emotional system cannot be undervalued.  We can be flooded with a wide variety of feelings that take us into varying experiences of this reality in our here and now.  Most all of our discontent and pain, fear and anxiety is birthed from our thinking mind.  Very often none of these perceptions and imaginings are even real, rather possibilities that usually live in the past or the future.  When we tune in to what it is we are feeling, we are usually able to identify the thought that has contributed to that state.  The more we can become aware of these thoughts and look at them in neutrality rather than from the emotional response, we are able to question their validity and truth in our lives. 

Once we have practiced the art of observing our thoughts, we can then identify them as "things" that we are choosing to either hold on to or let go of.  They are not us.  The thought is not the person or the consciousness, it is rather a creative choice- something to take a hold of or choose to release.  When we are able to see that we choose which thoughts we entertain and engage with, we also must see that our consciousness lies beyond thought.  It is the witness and observer within our being that sees how we are relating to our circumstances and patterns of thinking.  This is where our power can build and we can find the strength to take a hold of what lives within our minds, for we see that we have that choice and it is something we are choosing and creating for ourselves in every now moment. 

When we are feeling anxiety and fear it is never because we are remembering or imagining thoughts of love and empowerment; it is rather when we recall an unsettling experience from the past or a possible negative outcome in the future.  When we are feeling relaxed and at peace or filled with joy we know that we are abiding in a state beyond negative thought forms, and rather not holding any thought at all, or choosing ones that feel good and nourishing to the heart.  The heart is the second factor in self-awareness and the power of thought.  The heart has a memory and communication all its own and is meant to work in sync with the mind; the mind being the masculine power of consciousness and the heart the feminine- when they can align with one another there can be felt a level of knowing within a person that is not experienced from mind (thoughts) alone.  When the heart engages with thought there is the possibility to enhance one's intuition in holding on to truth and allowing all else to be released. 

When we speak of truth, what is it we mean?  It is what is real at a soul and spirit level of a person.  It is not built upon circumstances and happenings in the outer world; it is rather what speaks from the universe within you- informing you as you walk your path of life.  Truth can go beyond words or intellectualized thoughts to knowings that need not be articulated, rather felt.  When there is knowing that arises from heart and mind alignment, it will lead to feelings of peace, safety, being loved, forgiveness and hope.  When the heart is opened and able to be heard, it will not speak words of fear or anger.  It will allow you to face and feel through what you must to release traumas and then get to the truth that awaits you, which is joy.  Joy is more than happiness- it is feeling that natural state of being that is free from the lies of fear, separation and confusion.  Presence alone is free from our mind chatter of fear and negative possibility, separation with others and competing agendas- it is one of unity and love.  If you can see all that has entered your world as teacher to you for your soul's evolution, you can know that you have been cared for and guided through it all.  If you can know that everything you experience has been created by your inner world and the contracts and mission you came to live out, then there is nothing but growth and expansion for your highest good.  When all is opportunity for you to remember more of who you are and engage with the Source within you, there is nothing to fear. 

When we feel confident, loving to ourselves and others, connected to humanity and the earth, able to see beyond differences of opinion and beliefs- we do not feel alone.  When we don't feel alone, we don't fear abandonment, being good enough, or being found out for not being "perfect" in the way we have been taught that exists.  We can relax and flow with the rhythm of life and spirit- and trust that all is for our highest good- and good is all there is.  When we feel the truth of love within us- when it is known- it becomes clear that fear, and all that goes along with it, is a lie.  It does not live where love does.  We get to choose what we align our thoughts to, but this is again the thinking of the mind and the heart- the within- learning to integrate and empower us to freedom.  This can begin with simply being still and listening to your heart- see what it has to say to you; bring a question to it and remain still and quiet long enough to hear the truth it answers with.  When you hear from your heart you know. 

As we use our emotional guidance system to reveal to us patterns in our thinking that leads to different emotional states and moods- we are given the tools we need to see what within us needs a second look-  What needs some time and attention- some love shone upon it- so that it can heal.  The limitless love that we have access to within ourselves can heal all wounds.  We have not been left powerless and helpless in an unpredictable world all alone.  In fact, we are all called back to joy- all of us- because we are all on this journey together.  We have become addicted to uncomfortable ways of being after multiple traumas, deception and negative programming- and we have forgotten that we do not have to remain in that state.  Joy awaits us within and it is the truth of who we are.  As the heart and mind integrate and we listen- new paths unfold and the emotions we have grown accustomed to for so long can fall away.