Roaming In Nowhere

By Jim Koury, Seeker of Inspirational Forces
© 2015 James R. Koury.  All Rights Reserved.

As we progress through our lives certain situations are presented to us that are meant to teach us invaluable lessons about ourselves.  However, the value of the lesson is dependent upon our willingness to embrace the knowledge to be gained from the experience.  By living the lesson learned and implementing it in our daily lives it creates self-assuredness and confidence. We are propelled forward to decisive victories that bring us one step closer to unison with our higher selves,

There are times however, where we feel we are trapped by our circumstances at the moment or we just feel like we are stagnating and not really moving forward and are simply roaming in nowhere.  However, while it may not seem like  it, It is at this time that the most personal growth and self-reflection is occurring.

A friend of mine posted the following quote on my Facebook wall that really rang true with me,

“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere and sometimes in the middle of nowhere you find yourself.”

This quote made me realize even more the importance of using these times of “nowhereness” to our advantage by capitalizing on our gifts that we were born with.  To do so will bring us closer to finding ourselves and knowing our higher selves.  But I hear some of you saying, “But I have no gifts.”  This is an erroneously false statement!

We all have gifts that we utilize each and every day that we were born with and into which we place all our heart and soul.  The issue lays with recognizing the gifts and deciding to use them to our advantage to become the best person we can become.

Whatever the gift may be – healing, tarot, intuitive thought, art, writing – we must make a decision to use it to better those around us as well as help others realize their importance in society.  To not do so will create a degree of internal conflict that will be ever present until we consciously decide to embrace our gifts and use them to make the world a better place for all human kind.

So while it may appear that we are wallowing in a void of nothingness and feel like we are in the middle of nowhere with no visible clear direction in sight, it is our feelings of loss and confusion during this time that will bring forth many of the answers we seek.  We must explore all facets of ourselves and decide which of our gifts we are to focus on the most and will, as a result, be the predominant force and overriding energy in all that we undertake.

Do not lament your period of time in the land of nowhere.  Seize it, live it, and explore things you would never have thought of doing before.  It is a time that the universe accords all of us to enjoy ourselves a bit more and to use the creative energy that is within us all to the benefit of the broader good.

All we must do is simply decide to awaken to our gifts with a humbled heart, and play a role in bettering society for all its people for generations to come.  Awaken today…

Vacation Within Yourself

By Jim Koury, Seeker of Inspirational Forces
© 2015 James R. Koury.  All Rights Reserved

While perusing Facebook one day as I usually do I noticed a post by a friend of mine that said “Taking a trip inside of your own mind is the best vacation that you can take.”  I shook myself when I read it, sat back in my chair and said “Wow!”

After thinking about it more after my initial exposure to it, I would have to say it probably is one of the most profound statements I had ever seen on Facebook.  It just rang so true with me given this amazing journey of self-exploration I have been on the past 19 months. 

The key to understanding who we actually are and finding the ability to connect  with our higher selves is discovering the knowledge that the answer to who we really are has been inside us all since the day we were born.  What better way to get inside ourselves and begin to set in motion the journey of self-discovery that awaits us all if we choose to embrace it is to vacation within ourselves!  Such an amazingly simple concept but yet so hard to understand and accept.

Many of us at one time in our lives looked outward for life’s answers thinking that living life would produce the knowledge we seek.  Most times this quest ends in a disappointing fashion with our frustration levels increased and still having not found that which we set out to find.

At some point many of us are influenced by someone or something we read or listened to that sparks the fire of self-knowledge that begins us on an amazing path of self-discovery.  Once lit the fire cannot be put out.  Once the flames are fanned by this initial burst of energy, there is no stopping our progress toward the ultimate goal of knowing our higher selves.  We begin to take vacations within ourselves because we understand that the knowledge we outwardly sought had been inside us all along.

Sadly some live their lives without ever getting on this journey within themselves.  They have opted to stay home and not vacation because they are comfortable with their familiar surroundings.  Their sense of discovery has been muted.

Once we begin to embark on the path that has been revealed to us many people will be presented to us along our way to help us to understand an issue, find a solution to a challenge or just provide further knowledge and wisdom about life and its many wonders.  I have spoken at great length about many of these people and how they helped me.  Recently I have met yet another individual that would help crystalize my vision more about my life’s purpose.

I have been unclear as to what this purpose is and how I begin to embrace it.  We cannot embrace something until we know what exactly it is we want to embrace!  Additional information we seek will be presented to us once we make an expression of desire to embrace our purpose.  I expressed that desire and it was not long before my newest experience was placed before me.

As a result, more detailed information about my purpose has been revealed to me in a most amazing fashion.  While I will not get into the details of this newest vacation within myself, I will say that it has profoundly impacted me and has given me additional direction on the steps I need to take to achieve my ultimate purpose – one that drives me and is burned so deeply into my heart that nothing can compel me away from it.

I am excited to embark on this next phase of my journey equipped with this new knowledge I have garnered.  Since leaving my position at City Hall 19 months ago, I have never been afraid to step out of my comfort zone and try new things.  My departure from a well paying municipal job was a huge, if not the hugest, jump out of any comfort zone I had ever known.  The risks have been minimal but the rewards have been great.  I have done things that I would probably never have done if I had stayed in the job I was in.  The vacations I have taken within myself most likely would not have happened either.  Therefore, I have no regrets, as this point in my life ignited a new spark of enthusiasm to learn much more about my direction and life’s purpose.

Yet another new beginning awaits me!  I am charging forward without hesitation, as I know deep in my heart that I am very close to meeting my higher self – the person that I could never have imagined being just a few short years ago.  I can only hope you all can awaken to what is within you and take the steps necessary to find your higher selves as well.

Happy vacationing!

The Power of Universal Inspiration

By Jim Koury, Seeker of Inspirational Forces
© 2015 James R. Koury.  All Rights Reserved

It is a characteristic of human nature that we tend to sometimes lament the lack of inspiration as well as rely on others to inspire us. We seek inspiration to undertake tasks and join movements from sources outside ourselves. When that inspiration does not come we tend to sit back and get comfortable again. We go on about our lives waiting in hopes that someone will come along and inspire us to do what we need to do.

Alas the inspiration sought from others usually does not come or if it does it is a false inspiration because it is based upon someone else’s vision and code of conduct. Inspiration must come from within oneself; from the depths of the soul that resides in each and every one of us. True inspiration, unique to each of us, is grounded in every individual’s internal framework. We just need to dig deep inside and find it and tap into its power.

Inspiration is “a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation.” True inspiration is that which will carry us to heights of achievement and greatness. It is grounded in divine influence. It must be ignited by tapping into the stream of universal power that surrounds us and links us all together as one entity that shall serve the common good. When our inspiration is grounded and motivated by universal power it is an unstoppable force and can benefit humanity in unimaginable ways.

Conversely when one’s inspiration is grounded in harming others to achieve selfish ends no good can come of it and only creates bad karma for the one utilizing negative inspiration. We have all been impacted by these types of people. When we come in contact with those whose inspiration is not grounded in divine influence it does not take long to figure out that this type of person is not who we want to be associated with or have inspire us and motivate us to action. It will only create internal conflict and harm others that come in contact with the aura of this negative inspirational influence.

It takes perseverance and a certain degree of strength to find the inspiration that we need that resides inside us. However, once found and we tap into its power we can use it to inspire others to action and to give them hope and confidence in themselves to achieve that which they do not believe they can undertake and achieve.

Having such influence on others is a powerful responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly. Once others sense and begin to rely on the aura of inspirational forces centered in divine influence surrounding us we have a duty to fulfill the mission that is being brought forth from within us and to impart it to others. Once the fire of divine inspiration spreads the face of humanity can be changed forever for the better.

Existential Purpose

By Jim Koury, Seeker of Inspirational Forces
© 2015 James R. Koury.  All Rights Reserved.

We are born unto this world with an inherent vision of our destiny embedded deep inside of us.  It lays dormant for many years until a fire is lit and crescendos into a steady burn within us to discover it.  Our quest to know our existential purpose begins.

The ensuing journey toward that goal certainly will be an enlightening experience.  It will challenge us to think differently about ourselves and what our mission in life will be.

Sadly, some never embark on a journey into the inner recesses of their minds to truly know who their higher self is.  It is my hope that something is sparked within all of you who read this that will propel you to the point of no return in your journey forward to becoming the outward manifestation of your higher self.

Over the past 18 months I have made many journeys into the inner recesses of my mind.  I have discovered some amazing truths about myself along with many discoveries that sometimes scared the hell out of me.  But once over the shock of the discovery, I began to think more rationally about a solution and what the course of action should be.

There is one thing that I have been challenged with of late and it is related to the perennial question of “why” -- the “why” being that which drives us toward discovering the elusive existential purpose that we all seek  Answering why will come by knowing our existential purpose.  Discovering the path to that end is the challenge. Knowing our purpose will answer all the whys.  But to know the purpose we must know the why’s.  This is the classic and very challenging “Catch 22.” 

Some have said that I think too much and that I should just “be.” I certainly do concur with that.  However, part of my state of just “being” is a need to think about such things in such a deliberative fashion. It allows me to balance each of these differing components to arrive at that “live for the day” attitude that is appropriate for me.

With that said, after much thought I recently arrived at a conclusion from this reflective period related to understanding “why.”  We must all simply embrace the journey to discovering the existential purpose and don't focus on the why’s.  The universal energy that swirls about us will direct us to each answer of “why” when we need it.  Each answer that comes will propel us toward answering the next question of “why” and ultimately to the state of being that is the full outward manifestation of our higher selves.

Have you thought about your existential purpose?  If not, I hope you eventually do.  If you have begun to embark on a journey into your mind’s inner recesses, then never look back.  Simply forge ahead with the desired goal always ablaze before you.  The universal power that swirls around us shall take care of the rest.  As long as you always continue to have an open mind and accept the results of your lessons learned, the power of unseen universal forces shall direct you to the next level in your state of being.  Your higher self awaits you!

Adaptability

By Jim Koury, Seeker of Inspirational Forces
© 2014 James R. Koury.  All Rights Reserved.

As a new born child we enter the world with a clean slate.  We are not wired to believe one way or another.  We have no preconceived notions about life or those people around us and are often times adaptable to any situation that may arise.

It does not take long for our parents, siblings and peers to begin to plant ideas in our heads to try to sway us, both intentionally and unintentionally, toward their point of view on a particular topic, person, or group of people.  It is because of this natural desire to adapt to situations impacting us that we are somewhat vulnerable and open to both good and bad influences shaping our world view and how we will treat others that are different from us.

Due to our varying personality traits some of us will be more accepting and embrace concepts and ideas that may not necessarily be those we were brought up with as a child.  Alternatively, there are those people that have become entrenched in a worldview that is an excessive adaption to the belief of the opinions of others.

Great movements in our history that rallied the populace around the common good and beneficially impacted great numbers of people are the result of the actions of someone that can adapt to and be more accepting of others and their differences.  The ability to adapt to other ways of looking at situations and solutions to a challenge creates a better environment for positive change to evolve forward.  Not being open-minded impedes that change and often times is dominated by an outlook that pays heed and preference to a particular interest group.

The same two approaches also impact our spiritual adaptability.  Those people who are more adaptable and accepting of others beliefs will have a much healthier spiritual worldview dominated by a philosophy of bettering the common good.  Alternatively, many spiritual worldviews can be very rigid and non accepting of the differences in others and how they see the world.  They are much less open to alternative approaches that focus on the common good and yet embrace those that will benefit a particular interest group or ideology.

We have the ability to choose which outlook is to be nurtured and developed over time that will intimately shape our spiritual worldview.  The speed by which that happens and which alternative is chosen is determined by the power of external forces and other individuals around us that may be influencing us. 

We are all inherent spiritual beings that possess the potential to discover what lays deep inside all of us; our higher selves.   That journey to unearth our higher selves can only commence when we allow our destinies to find us and we are fully adaptable to whatever may be presented to us.  The spark that ignites our evolution forward toward what our higher selves has planned for us can only happen by being open to personal change and by embracing our destinies fully and without question despite any trepidations we may have about our personal futures.

Don’t delay in embracing your adaptability!  Your higher self is waiting for you to unleash its power to transform you into the person you were destined to be. 

Agents of Clarity

By Jim Koury, Seeker of Inspirational Forces
© 2014 James R. Koury.  All Rights Reserved.

We are all born into this world with a roadmap of our existence and evolution through life buried inside.  It is buried inside ourselves because it is the safest place to store such valuable information since it is the last place we look for the answers to all our existential questions.

Until we are ready to breach that sacredly placed seal guarding this internal roadmap we are simply agents of our non-awakened state. Our consciousness has not yet begun to be the engine that propels us forward to the point where we begin to question who we are and why we are here.

Once this happens there is no turning back.  It is like a genie that has been encapsulated inside their bottle awaiting the time when someone removes the seal of their prison and allows them to escape from their captivity.  Once free the genie will not voluntarily return to their solitary state guarded by the protective seal retaining them within.

When we begin our journeys of awakened consciousness people are placed in our paths who are meant to guide us and help us along on our path of life to discover our true purpose.  They are agents of clarity.  Such agents offer us advice and see a perspective we cannot see of a situation since they have a key to enter the sphere of consciousness that many are not privy to.

Who are these agents of clarity?  In my case it has been spiritual individuals who were presented to me in somewhat dire times when I needed help getting beyond myself and my ego based state of consciousness.

My first exposure to a spiritualist was back in my late 20’s when I was living in the Capital District.  I was involved in a business opportunity with some folks whose mother had psychic abilities.  I remember being at her house once and she sat me down and looked very seriously into my eyes and stated, “The hand of God is on you.”

Of course I thought she was crazy and buried what she said inside.  However, she got me thinking about things a bit and from that point on I always wanted to sit with her and discuss my future.  I was always afraid to do so since I feared she would tell me things I didn’t want to hear.

My second instance was during a time of deeply intense self-doubt driven by fear and worry.  I was in a very dark place mentally but never showed that outwardly – or at least I didn’t think I did.  I was in a period of very stressful financial challenges  and some other things that just wreaked havoc on my ability to make fully informed decisions.

Then one night while in the Gay.com chat rooms, a dude from Albany IM’d me and we started chatting. He told me he sensed within himself that he should reach out to me to say hi and had some inkling that there were issues adversely impacting me that I might need help with.

He ultimately put me in contact with an amazing spiritually based woman who I shall be forever indebted.  She made me aware of aspects of myself that forever changed me and how I viewed the world.  She began to help me shape and mold my true world view as per that hidden deep inside on the roadmap of our lives.  She took the protective seal off and ignited my drive toward self-excellence and to seek answers about me inside myself, where they have always been.

I am currently entrusting my spiritual path to yet another remarkable person that has helped me make more recent life’s decisions.  She has also given me the encouragement to trust my intuition much more and to listen to my gut, as that is where universal power resides and provides its input on important decisions that need to be made.

My path has also crossed with a few other agents of clarity that impacted the way I view the world around me.  They provided their unique, keen insight into who I am and why I do some of the things I do.  Their ability to access spiritual records has provided focus which I did not have before and have given me a better understanding of my personality and what makes me tick.

All of these people have made me realize that the feelings we have in our gut are real and should be listened to.  Sometimes we ignore our gut feelings only to realize later that we should have paid more attention to them.  It is when we begin to rely on our instincts and our gut feelings unconditionally and without question that a whole new dimension is added to our consciousness because we trusted ourselves fully and completely.

Consequences of Self-Revelation

By Jim Koury, Seeker of Inspirational Forces
© 2014 James R. Koury.  All Rights Reserved.

Change and evolution is difficult and challenges us to make decisions about ourselves that we know must be made but are afraid to make; decisions that will allow us to venture forth into uncharted territory that has no path to choose from.  It is a journey that is destined and meant for each of us.

Life is a series of choices.  The choices we make bring us to where we are in life, good or bad.  The final journey to join with our higher selves is one that does require a choice.  What is different is that the only other choice is simply “no.”  Some choices lead us in a new, maybe undesired direction away from our ultimate existence.  Choosing not to venture forth in this instance will not sway the journey’s end at one's ultimate state.  It will simply defer it to a later date.

Self-revelation is necessary to get us to make decisions to move forward toward reunification with our higher selves.  We go through many periods of self-revelation in our life’s journey.  They are the periods where we begin to take the next flight of stairs up to the next threshold, trepidatiously placing our feet on that first step.  On our journeys we must willingly and unabashedly share the experiences learned despite consequences of self-revelation beyond the confines of one's own mind.

What are the “consequences of self-revelation?”  They are the end results that are achieved due to a transition through a period of self-revelation.  It is that which we must share with others in order to assist them in their life’s journeys.

In our journeys to the end result of ultimate existence as shaped by our higher selves, the path may have been riddled with some actions that could, if revealed, be very embarrassing, and/or create a sense of shame and regret within ourselves.  These are our “I should not have done that” or the “if only I could go back in time and do something differently” times of our life. We all have them and we must embrace the consequences of verbalizing these moments and share them regardless.

Hiding the adverse realities of our past only create conflict within us.  They serve no purpose to be harbored deep inside us.  They must be freed along with the good realities that shaped our existence to help others.  Not doing so could result in anguishing self-torment and in the worst case lead to a self-inflicted death.

One of my periods of anguishing torment was my time in my dark closet.  I never would want to re-enter such a repressive and negative existence.  One moment in particular during my days in the closet almost led me to that fatal decision to end it all and put my Earthly journey to rest.  I was at a point where I thought I just did not have the strength to continue and overcome the challenge creating the feelings of hopelessness and despair.

In the end, after wandering for a long time after that particular instance, perseverance and an invisible guiding hand led me through the darkness.  I came to the realization that I needed to take the action I knew I had to take to escape the abysmal place I was in and came out and began to shape a brave new world focused on the real me and not the me others thought that I should be.

What is your brave new world?  Are you willing to endure moments of intense and often agonizing moments of self-revelation that could have potentially dire effects to get to your brave new world?  Make the decision to not fear the consequences of self-revelation.  The power to make this decision is within us all.  Don’t give your power away.  Use it to your benefit and rise above your current level of consciousness and enter the light of your brave new world that has been molded and shaped by your higher self.