Day two (today!) is another preliminary day–the commitment and dedication. The commitment is important so that you know what you expect of yourself. It sets your mind to fulfilling your expectations, and then you also have a gauge for monitoring how well you keep your commitment. You will notice that I and the Guest Journeyers commit to 40 consecutive days. You need not do that. 40 days can feel like too much, or you may not think you can commit to a daily practice. Commit to what you can do. Stretch yourself within reason. If you feel that you can commit to every day, by all means, do it; if every other day (even days/odd days)…do that. If you can only commit to once per week…do that. If you can commit to the first three days of each round…do that. The important thing is to make the commitment, then keep it.

With the dedication, we move out of our own little mind, our own little life, and “send out” benefit to more than just ourselves. You will see below the different styles, hear the different voices. May they assist you in finding/hearing your own (or going deeper if you already do!).

Steve

Commitment

I hereby commit to join in the spirit and activities of the 40 day Journey of the Heart. I will dedicate the time required each day to contemplate the guiding thoughts for the day, and to express in writing, drawing painting, etc. my feelings, thoughts, and responses to the guiding thoughts. Further, I commit to posting these responses on a timely basis. I take responsibility for renegotiating any commitments that I am unable to keep.

This commitment is to myself, to those on this journey of the heart, and to all those throughout the world who may be touched by this journey.

Dedication

I dedicate this Journey of the Heart to all those in pain, that they may know freedom from suffering. I dedicate this journey to all my ancestors, my brothers and sisters, my families, and to all others who show me the way. I dedicate all merit from this journey to the benefit of all sentient beings, including all our non-human brothers and sisters.

Mary

Commitment

The guidelines suggest that a participant can commit to a day each round, or to alternate days. With a big “gulp” and some deep breathing, I’m choosing to commit:

• • • • • • • • • • to taking time daily to remember “why”,
                  • to recall this commitment,
                  • to reflect on the Guiding Thought, and
                  • to submit a contribution for each of the 40 days.

Dedication

I dedicate this Journey, first and foremost, to my higher Self. As stated in my “why”, this Journey frightens me. My first Journey here was the Journey of Courage. So, I’m committed to another thing I sometimes suggest to others, “be afraid and do it anyway”! I’m also dedicating this work to Susan Billmaier, Steve and Lita. Your encouragement has served as impetus for me to jump into the ocean of this Journey. I also dedicate this Journey to the Divine, which is beckoning me to “go big” in my life. Finally, I dedicate this Journey to all those, known to me or not, who might benefit from bearing witness to or who might be touched in any way by the Journey. And so it is.

Lita

Commitment

With this Journey of the Heart, I commit to respond to the daily guiding thoughts with an open heart and mind for this 40 day period. I commit to being open to the new and creative impulses which will arise from the silence of my heart. When the opportunity arises for me to respond to those journeying with me, I will do so with lightness of being and full respect.

Dedication

I dedicate this Journey of the Heart to the very Heart of the Universe and to any sentient being committed to heart work, whether it is with conscious or unconscious intent.

Susan

Commitment

I commit to connecting with my heart for a minimum of 5 minutes for 40 days on this Journey, and drawing/painting/expressing! I am committed to feeling and knowing my heart’s joys and deepest desires which lead me on my path of Highest Purpose! For this time on this Journey, through directing my mind-heart-will toward Divine Love and Light through contemplation and meditation, I commit to gaining a deeper relationship with my Heart of Love, and with All of Life.

Dedication

This Journey of the Heart is dedicated to the Divine Mother in all Her forms. She is the wisdom, the comfort, the compassion that directs energy into its right (highest good for all) space and time. I dedicate this Journey more specifically to Maa Saraswati, who presides over art, science, language, wisdom, creativity: may I serve All with Her guidance.

I dedicate this Journey of the Heart to all those in pain, that they may know freedom from suffering. I dedicate this journey to all my ancestors, my brothers and sisters, my families, and to all who show me the way. I dedicate all merit from this journey to the benefit of all sentient beings, including all our non-human brothers and sisters. (yes, I copied Steve’s dedication. I love this.)