I’ve had a rough couple of weeks: participated in several job interviews that resulted in rejections. Thought the interviews went well, but for some mysterious reasons, my prospective employers weren’t impressed with my forty years of professional experience.

Moments like these, tempt my dark side to spiral me into a full fledged depression. It’s so easy to beat myself up and wallow in a painful past.

Fortunately, over the years I’ve also learned to listen more to my positive voice. In times of personal challenges, troubled waters, and adversity, I speak affirmations and revisit pleasant memories which function as healing meditations.

There is a special place in my mind’s eye that I return often to at a seaside observation park in Crescent City, California. A ships’ mast with a guardian anchor juts up from the center of this roadside turnoff area. Closer to the waters edge, a cement alcove rests on the top of huge, black boulders covered with green multi-colored ice plants, which gives observers an unobstructed view of the majestic ocean below. It’s all further framed in flowers blooming orange, white, pink, and purple.

I recall parking my car, breathing in the salt air, and sitting on one of several old wooden benches that line the vantage point. Surf sounds crash endlessly against the rocks. White cap waves leisurely roll in with sea foam lapping voraciously at the sandal-colored beach.

Sea gulls flutter in a mass of white, emanating excitement like a receding stage curtain, My eyes are drawn to a middle aged man who huddles down the beach, planting two drift wood sticks in the sand. Soon he extends several long strands of string to the sticks, which help launch his red, blue, and white kite sail.

In the distance, surfers bob up and down on their boards for a quick ride on a few powerful waves. The sun warms my face and the wooden bench. Water music soothes, stimulates, and mesmerizes my senses.

Time actually seems to stand still; peacefulness lifts my soul. Stress and heartaches vanish into the bluish-green waters of the Pacific Ocean.

In this sacred place of harmony and balance, I recite My Purple Flame decree. I hope it will nurture your spirit as often as it does mine:

Purple Light we all adore

  Now blaze within I implore

Raise joy from the start

  Warm my face and heart

I am this Purple Flame

  I make a simple claim:

Surround me with your Light

  Glow peaceful thru the night

All I want and desire

  Release into your holy fire

As Love-Light flows divine

  To humbly remain forever mine

In Your Name breathe power

  For healing justice every hour

Holy Spirit shines violet bright

  Lift us on wings tonight.