What are you forgetting about yourself?

As we get older and more responsibility appears at our feet, it is very easy to start sacrificing aspects of what you do or enjoy in order to get other tasks done. I can only imagine what this must feel like having a family to contend with as childrens needs will almost always come first.
One thing that interests me however, is how certain aspects of ourselves are dropped without us even knowing it. When was the last time you read a good book or listened to your favourite music? How much would you consider this a frivolous time waste or a luxury of spending time in a way that you don't have?
It amazes me how many times we allow this to happen, until one day we wake up so to speak, and find ourselves with a lost sense of self. It happens. It then takes effort to revisit what made us excited about the world, and in doing this we see how many small pockets of joy we discarded in order to look after someone else or just get the job done.
I've attached a link which reminded me very strongly of the importance of retaining aspects of ourselves that bring us joy. In this case it is music, and the simple act of hearing some songs that were from a mans youth, puts him back in that state of happiness.
It's very easy to let things slide and give up joyous things unconsciously. It's even more important to salvage these jems and ensure they're part of your every day being so you remember who you really are.
LINK - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKDXuCE7LeQ (and if that doesn't work check out the side bar for the youtube video of 'Old Man in nursing home reacts to music from his era'.

Spiritual Energy of the Year - AWAKEN

(image courtesy of the www.innerexpansionblog.com site)

Over the last number of years I've subscribed to this link from www.innerexpansionblog.com
The Inner Expansion Group have been around for quite a number of years, and I've had the chance to attend some of their workshops when in Dublin. Every time they've been uplifting and particularly helpful in assisting with clearing and focusing energy. Previously they sent a newsletter containing the energy of the day and month, but now they've made it available to a wider audience online.
This is one of those sites that is down to earth, practical and uplifting all at the same time. Understanding how energy works and how you can best use it can be particularly helpful as you can use the energy at the start of the year to get a grip on where you are and what you would like to change in your life.
There are many positive sites out there on the web, but in this case this is one of those sites that I just keep coming back to as it is spiritually uplifting every time.
So this year is all about AWAKEN. Go to the site to get all the info on it and find out what kind of energy the month holds. I hope you get something from it too.