The view from our bedroom window is of sky and forest and mountains. It’s quite spectacular and this morning it was more amazing than ever. The first thing that caught my eye were the stars and one particular star that seemed to sparkle more brightly than the others. It was vibrating. I think it might have been Jupiter. I’m not sure. It is not as important as the realization that came to me in one split second.

We are magnificent and we have been sold a lie for centuries or more. We came to earth as beautiful light beings and throughout our lives we were fed the ideas of being “less than, unworthy, sinners and powerless.” Perhaps all of us didn’t have this experience, but for the sake of this blog I’m talking about many. There must be a reason that Henry David Thoreau wrote, ” The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” However, all the while, we are so much more.

In that moment this morning, I saw clearly. I didn’t care if I lived in this house for a minute, a day or 20 years. It didn’t matter. What mattered was how grateful and present I was now. Everything I could ever need or want was here now, and will always be here now. I have everything and not because of anything I have, but because of who I am. Just as Jupiter is brilliant in the sky, we are brilliant stars, fully supplied, burning brightly. Our only requirement for joy is to stay “present” in this now moment no matter what. Our Power will always place us exactly where we are meant to be. As many mystics have stated, “Everything is ours. We only need to accept it.

As I begin this new year, right now, I will keep this moment burning brightly in my heart, not by remembering it or holding on to it, but by living more present moments. I will do my best to be the star that I am. I invite you to do the same. Be yourself, unlimited, open and willing to be present in your life, to accept all that the Universe has to offer.

I believe it’s already a very good year! If you are not feeling it, I invite you to start where you are and build upon the emotion of gratitude for what is your miracle of being here in this moment.

Happy 2023!

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren, Co-Founding Director CSL Kaua`i and the Institute of Magnificence and Author of “What Do I Need to KNOW? 101 Thoughts That Changed My Life” and “This Thing Called Treatment,” both available on Amazon.