The Magical Guide to Bliss: Daily Keys to Unlock your Dreams Spirit & Inner Bliss

PROLOGUE

Congratulations! If you have bought or been given a copy of The Magical Guide to Bliss:

Daily Keys to Unlock Your Dreams, Spirit, and Inner Bliss, you had better get ready to embark on the adventure of your life. What sets The Magical Guide to Bliss apart from all the other books of its ilk on the market today is that the featured star of this book is you—a unique creation of God. Just think, no one else in the entire cosmos is like you—you are a completely distinctive individual, right down to your feelings, intellect, body, and soul. Yes, soul…because therein resides the Holy Spirit, at the core of your very existence, just waiting to accompany you on your journey to achieve not simply mediocre or even good things but great things.

Because God created each of us in His/Her own image, we consist not only of “star stuff” but also of “God stuff.” And in His/Her great love for you—God’s unique creation—God wants everything good in this existence to happen for you. Have faith; it is just about to happen. If you don’t have faith, do not fear: Meg Nocero and The Magical Guide to Bliss empower you to explore your uniqueness and ultimately find faith—in yourself, in every fellow human being, and in your Creator.

Because Meg shared such an uplifting relationship with her mom—my late wife, Mary Jo—you will have the benefit of not one but two perspectives from two unique human beings who interacted in dialogue all their lives in the exploration of what it means to be human. The greatest human activity occurs in regard to your relationships with not only loved ones but also the very cosmos and, ultimately, God.

So get ready for the great ride of your life with Meg as your guide to discover the magical bliss of becoming one with your own sacred nature, the foundation on which your unique identity as a human being will unfold like the petals of a beautiful rose coming into bloom. From the day that you were born, you were meant to travel in that world, and there you will find your true self—not your false self—and your bliss will be complete. In this newfound bliss, you will transcend the old and find a new, magical place in relationship to the ones you love the most in all of their individual uniqueness.

You will be back home where you were meant to be from the start—far from the stresses of the world that do not allow you to understand your specialness as a human being. This true discovery of your humanity, guided by what you will read in The Magical Guide to Bliss, makes full circle in you that which you will share with your Creator—a circle with no beginning and no end—whose center is everywhere and whose periphery is nowhere.

So as you come full circle, get ready to experience the true bliss of becoming. Enjoy!

Dr. Michael Nocero Jr., MD

FACC, MACC

Cardiologist and Former Chairman of the Board of the American College of Cardiology

November 2014

Introduction

When I first published The Magical Guide to Bliss in 2015, I knew that my life was about to change in a profound, scary and wonderful way. I knew that a much needed transformation was about to happen as I allowed myself to be vulnerable. I knew that if my words were to retain credibility, I had to open my mind to see my life in a new way. As I followed my own guide, I realized that bold moves were required. Unhappy where I was, my soul pulled me in a different direction. Paying attention to synchronicity and in need of clarity, I sat down ready to write a new mission statement and out came just two simple words:

I QUIT!

I QUIT a place where I am no longer able to develop my talent.

I QUIT fear and wasting my time on things that no longer deserve my attention.

I QUIT seeking and needing approval from others to define my worth.

I QUIT beating myself up mentally and sabotaging my own peace and freedom.

I QUIT not loving and believing in myself and my purpose.

I QUIT not paying attention to the signs that show me the way.

I QUIT and SURRENDER to love and bliss!

I realized that quitting was not a sign of failure but of success. To know when it is time to move on and have the courage to step out on your next adventure into the unknown, even though terrified, is such a badge of honor. Such a gift to yourself. Such a gift to the world. My guide has brought me to this place, a place where I can continue to heal and to learn. Open to ask, believe and receive life under any circumstance. Grateful for everything that has led to this moment in time. Ready to discover the endless opportunities just waiting to be explored.

Now, practicing what I preach, you can be sure that if you decide to do the same because it is time, I will be right there with you as you look to the pages of this book for guidance. I will be cheering you on, supporting you through the challenges, inspiring hope and celebrating your accomplishments along the way. It has been an incredible magical journey so far and the best is yet to come when you step outside your comfort zone- there is where the magic happens. If you stay where you are, you are guaranteed that nothing will change. But if you go and seek, you shall find that the possibilities of this next adventure in life are endless!

Miami, August 2017

***

The Sunrise of My Soul’s Bliss

My world changed in minutes - everything I knew about love I thought was gone,

When she breathed her last breath, did I sing my last song?

Closed off in my closet, let the darkness settle in,

Then the ringing began, like a shrieking alarm-it made my head spin.

When her words of love came through me, as I wrote I came alive,

Hope permeated that space where I thought I wouldn’t survive.

Little by little, with each insight, on this journey I felt strong,

Like a channel, I found my way back to surrender and move the process along.

Then at the end of the tunnel, the light trickled in,

Empowering me to move forward, my next chapter did begin.

With my Magical Guide now by my side,

Bliss was just waiting for me- no longer able to run and hide.

The tiara now placed on my head for all to see,

Finally the pain began to subside and my dreams promised to set me free.

I left that dark place, looking back I had come so far,

Was I even closer now to embracing my own star!

One day, one passage, one more daily key,

Moved me along a path- seeing the most authentic me.

Now open to life's beauty, a living miracle for all to see,

Helping others tell their story, embolden awareness of this mystery.

Grateful then, once I connected from a place of love,

These words heav’n sent came from a place above.

Bringing with them strength and power, like the rising of the sun,

And like the blossom of a flower, possibility returns and brings such fun.

My soul now on fire, the light turned on from within,

With The Magical Guide to Bliss, ready for the next magical key, the transformation now begins!

The Format of The Magical Guide to Bliss

The title, The Magical Guide to Bliss: Daily Keys to Unlock Your Dreams, Spirit, and Inner Bliss, is self-explanatory. This book is exactly what the title says it is: a guide to bliss. All guidebooks share common goals: to demonstrate the best way to reach a specific destination by outlining the journey, to describe the terrain, and to warn of pitfalls commonly encountered along the way. However, this destination—bliss—is an abstract and elusive one. Bliss is not a place but a state of mind, and to get there, you must undergo a transformation on every level. This metamorphosis is signified through the butterfly illustrations featured throughout this book.

To guide you to this elusive destination, bliss, I describe the journey in 366 steps, one for each day of the year. I chose a specific concept for each month and illustrated its various aspects in the day’s featured issue and my reflections on it. The format for each daily meditation is consistent: a title summing up the issue to tackle, a relevant quote from an inspirational author, my reflection on the subject, and suggestions for addressing the issue. Each day’s meditation culminates by presenting a magical key that will help unlock the doors you may encounter on the road to bliss. There is room below the entries on each page of this book. There I invite you to journal, draw, and reflect on each meditation as you allow bliss and your creative side to take flight.

How to Use The Magical Guide to Bliss

The Magical Guide to Bliss is written in a modular format, with a chapter for each month of the year and an entry for each day of the month. You choose how you would like to read The Magical Guide to Bliss. If you prefer, you can read it straight through from beginning to end, perhaps even according to the calendar format, reading each meditation on its particular day of the year. However, you can read the entries in any order. I chose this modular, daily presentation to provide a condensed, easily accessible format for even the busiest person. Although each entry stands on its own, there is a progression of the concepts from January to December, so reading The Magical Guide to Bliss straight through will deepen your understanding of how the various elements fit together.

The Content pages present a summary of the various concepts introduced in each chapter’s month and the specific issues considered for each day of the year. Select sources for the quotations that precede each meditation can be found in the bibliography section, which also serves as a suggested reading list. Finally, the index at the very end of the book provides an alphabetical listing of the authors quoted throughout the book.

So let’s begin our journey to the bliss of enlightenment, taking it one day at a time!

CHAPTER ONE: JANUARY

CARPE DIEM: SEIZE THE DAY!

January, the first month of the Julian calendar, is known in Western culture as the time of year to begin anew. Characteristic of January’s association with fresh starts is the time-honored tradition of the New Year’s resolution. The Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Ellen Goodman aptly stated that “we spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year…we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws but for potential.” This sentiment is exactly what is meant by the title of chapter 1: “Carpe Diem.” Seize the day, indeed, but also seize the possibilities for the future. One cannot seize something that does not exist, so this month, take hold of what you have. Resolve to realize your potential rather than focusing on negatives or lack.

Now is the time to close the door on the past and begin a new chapter in your life. But sometimes that is easier said than done. Remember, the caterpillar struggles on its long journey from a nymph. You must take all necessary steps on the path to complete the transformation from a grounded caterpillar into a soaring butterfly.

There is no time like the present. Are you ready? In January, seize the day!

January 1: Pursue simplicity, clarity, and authenticity today and every day.

Whether we want them or not, the New Year will bring new challenges; whether we seize them or not, the New Year will bring new opportunities.

~Michael Josephson, American ethicist and founder of the Josephson Institute of Ethics

To move forward in the New Year, repeat the following mantra: simplicity, clarity, authenticity. Eliminating the clutter and clarifying what is important in your life are crucial tasks to successfully making a new start. Review the past year and be completely honest with yourself. Ask yourself, “What has worked for me? What behavior do I need to change? How can I make informed choices that elevate rather than depress my spirit?” Instead of playing an actor’s role in which you are subject to the dictates of an all-powerful director (otherwise known as fate or God), this year, resolve to become the screenwriter and tell your story the way you choose to tell it! Become the change you want to see in your world.

Challenges will inevitably arise, but as you pursue simplicity, clarity, and authenticity, so will opportunities. Once you release old resentments, learn from past mistakes, and embrace future success, you will be ready to enter a new phase. Stand in gratitude for the blessings you have already received and for those still on the way. In a state of appreciation, you are open to receive the grace, the strength, and the favor that empower you to realize your dreams and fulfill your life’s purpose. Each New Year, as the picture becomes clearer, simpler, and more authentic, you will begin to seize every opportunity that enriches your life’s purpose. May The Magical Guide to Bliss light the road on your journey to fulfillment and shower you with blessings along the way!

Magical Key to Bliss: Get ready to seize the day—today and every day!

January 2: Make your masterpiece glorious!

We can be tired, weary, and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power, and strength.

~Charles F. Stanley, American author and pastor

You are an artist at work, and the world is your canvas. You pay attention to and experience a beautiful life precisely because that is your focus. Seek happy places and commit their details to memory to use in your masterpiece. When you are tired, weary, and emotionally distraught, rely on these details for the sustenance and optimism you need to continue your journey. Look to teachers and guides for help in making crucial choices as you refocus your life’s direction. Seek a mentor. Seek love. Seek energy, power, and strength. Once you stop running from your fears, everything you are looking for will magically appear. Take a mini soul retreat in nature with God to remind yourself that angels guide you and dreams come true. Your life is a living prayer for which you must be grateful. You are the blessed body through which magic and miracles occur. Bright, joyful colors infuse your spirit, and you are once again renewed as you acknowledge that you are an artist at work on your greatest masterpiece, YOU!

Magical Key to Bliss: Take a mini soul retreat into glorious meditation.

January 3: The future is completely open.

The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment. There is always potential to create an environment of blame—or one that is conducive to loving kindness.

~Pema Chodron, author and Buddhist teacher

Today and every day, you are the one who sets the tone for your life. Everything that has happened in the past is done, over, kaput, finished. A time machine is not available, at least not yet, to take you back in time for a do-over. So let it all go! Instead of dwelling on past losses, seize what you have gained: the wisdom of the lessons learned through experience. Gather all the confidence you can muster and move forward. The future is completely open. That fact alone is beyond exciting! As long as you live and breathe, you have time to write the best chapters of your life. You decide whether those chapters are filled with anger and blame or with love and kindness. Today is a new day in your journey; unwritten chapters await you. Decide now to inscribe wonder into what has not yet been written. Redirect the present moment with all that is good, trusting that the future will unfold accordingly. Declare, at this moment, that you will become a force of love, hope, and joy, and know that the associated rewards for doing so are already yours. Are you ready to experience what awaits you with an attitude of optimism, love, and kindness? Away you go!

Magical Key to Bliss: Get a pen and paper and write out your vision statement.