Lifestyle
The Empath’s Sacred Gift Of Compassion
Being an empath is more than just having a high sensitivity to the suffering of others. It is also the sacred gift of compassion. Empaths do not only perceive other people’s pain, but we also want to soothe, heal, and uplift them. These twin gifts of discernment and compassionate action are inseparable.
I have yet to meet an empath who doesn’t feel the calling to alleviate suffering in some way. In a world that so often feels cruel and chaotic, our tender hearts are now needed more than ever.
Compassion, both inward and outward, is a powerful force. It can transform relationships, heal roots of insecurity, and reshape the texture of our inner lives.
In leadership settings, compassionate responses consistently foster trust, deep connection, and lasting loyalty. Harsh reactions, on the other hand, often erect walls and breed resistance.
When someone feels seen, supported, and deeply cared for, their loyalty and dedication follow naturally. This principle applies not only in professional spheres but in every relationship we nurture.
I’ve come to see self-compassion as just as vital as the compassion we extend to others.
Empaths especially can be our own harshest critics. We measure ourselves against external standards and comparisons, often coming up short in our inner dialogue. But offering ourselves a warm, non-judgmental embrace opens new doors: to deeper confidence, heightened clarity, and a grounded sense of worth that doesn’t depend on outperforming someone else.
Be Your Own Light In Times Of Darkness
We’ve been facing dark days and challenging times across the world in recent years, no matter where we live. But the future is much brighter than it may seem, and that light of hope begins with you.
With social media and constant news feed updates, mostly centered around negativity, disaster, conflict, or tragedy, many of us feel overwhelmed these days. These are especially not easy times for the spiritually conscious person and the highly sensitive.
Our generation is being bombarded with a stream of distressing information and content, much of which includes falsehoods and fearmongering. Children today are exposed to more in grade school than some of us were after we graduated and entered the workforce. That’s not always a good thing, but it also means they’re growing up faster, and with the right guidance, they can grow up wiser.
When people talk about “the good old days,” they’re usually thinking about how much simpler life seemed in the past. I remember my grandparents saying such things long before there was the internet, smartphones, or AI. So, I guess every generation has its own reasons for nostalgia, and this sentiment is nothing new in the digital age.
That said, some of us today still grew up without television or even radio, and lived through the full evolution of the current digital age. Many elders still feel disconnected from how rapidly things have changed. But there’s beauty in that too. Each generation carries wisdom, and now, more than ever, we need to blend that wisdom with the tools of today to create a better path forward for all of us.
The Timeless Magic Of Nature Spirits And Elementals
As a youngster growing up in the UK, I loved visiting a neighbor, Mrs. O’Leary, whose lilting Irish voice still echoes in my mind. She spoke often of the “Good People” and acknowledged their presence in her home and garden. I recall her taking us outside to witness her making small offerings to these unseen little mystical beings.
Though it feels like a distant memory now, I can still recall seeing them, too. Perhaps they appeared to us because we truly believed, or perhaps because Mrs. O’Leary invited them to show themselves.
Whatever the reason, those moments left a lasting impression. To me, it felt like truly being “in my element,” fully connected to the hidden, magical forces of nature.
I vaguely recall a magical moment in Mrs. O’Leary’s garden when she pointed out to me a tiny, translucent little figure perched on a large moss-covered rock at the base of her prized old hawthorn tree. With delight, she described how this “little person” was waving at us and encouraged me to wave back. Standing there with awe and intrigue, I became aware of what seemed like hundreds of luminous sprites dancing in the glistening water below.
Despite all the cynicism of a technologically driven world, increasingly devoid of the many miracles and wonders of nature and the unseen realms, Mrs. O’Leary and the spirits of nature still remind me of the healing, transformative power that lies in reverence, stillness, and everyday magic.
A Conversation With Your Spirit Guides
When I first began to converse with spirit, I didn’t really know what I was doing. I was receiving these messages and listening to them, but I never really put much thought into it.
It wasn’t until I consciously acknowledged the conversation was happening, that the momentum really started to build. It was then that I realized my guides had been with me all along!
In my experience, the most important step you can take in opening a conversation with spirit is to acknowledge that it is your intent. Your angels and spirit guides are always with you, but they need your permission for them to help you.
Remember to ask them often to be near you and to help you and guide you. When you need direction, ask them for a sign. Then be patient and watchful.
Spirit communicates in many ways, such as using repeating number sequences that constantly show up, for example, or a song you hear again and again wherever you go.
Spirit will try to get your attention any way it can and will typically use signs, symbols and synchronicities that will be meaningful to you personally.
It’s important to be open to receiving these signs and messages, and not to dismiss any ‘coincidences’ you may encounter. Coincidence is an expression of synchronicity in the Universe. Once you start flowing with it and moving with the guidance of spirit, you will likely start to experience many of these synchronicities.
Your guides want you to be in the flow, because it is in this state that you are walking the path toward fulfilling your ultimate potential.
The Mysteries, Messages And Magic Of Meteorites
Meteorites have long intrigued me as one of the great mysteries of the universe. They’ve fascinated me for years, not only because they survive their fiery descent through Earth’s atmosphere in such an epic and awe-inspiring way, but also because of their extraordinary origins.
Recently, I acquired a small piece of meteorite from Campo del Cielo, a renowned celestial fragment discovered by Spanish explorers in Argentina in 1576. It now graces my altar with it cosmic presence, enhancing the energy of my home and sparking some fun conversations!
Their origins are diverse. Some come from asteroids or comets, others from planetary bodies.
However, what I find especially captivating about these “messengers from space” is that they offer more than just scientific insights into the birth of our solar system.
Even more compelling is the spiritual and esoteric significance they’ve held throughout human history. Across time and tradition, they continue to be revered as powerful allies in spirituality and metaphysics.
Many lithotherapy practitioners believe meteorites are gifts from the divine, reminding us of our eternal connection to the cosmos. They are symbols of spiritual awakening, transformation, and divine wisdom.
Ancient civilizations used them for meditation and healing, to connect with higher realms, and to catalyze personal growth. Because they are quite literally “otherworldly,” meteorites offer us a cosmic perspective and invite us to reflect on our place within the grand tapestry of existence.
False Education Appearing Real (F.E.A.R)
I love the acronym F.E.A.R. (False Education Appearing Real) since we all have people, circumstances, phobias and so forth, that can put us into that space.
Fear is an instance of emotion that is triggered by the awareness, or anticipation of danger. It can also become a state of being. Excluding clinical fears, needing professional help, there are many fears we simply impose upon ourselves as a result of life experiences.
One of my fears is acrophobia, the fear of heights. When I get within five feet from the edge of a rooftop, I begin to shake.
Climbing 30 foot ladders has me nervous and when I hiked to the pinnacle of the mountain of Macchu Picchu in 2004, I could not take those last six nervous steps onto the plateau pinnacle rock. This was partly being due to a few other tourists already sharing the rock… and I am a little “accident prone.”
Although I was invited by my partner and the guide, I leaned against the rock debating my fear, shaking a little at the prospect and wishing that I could take those final steps, as I might regret it after I hiked down. Part of me did regret not taking those last steps when we got back to the base.
Yet, a bigger part of me knew I had to acknowledge the feelings in the moment, and since I am not a regular exerciser, I already had accomplished something tremendous by taking the hike to the top and back down the back side of the mountain. On the way I enjoyed the magnificent views and spiritual energy for several hours. Continue reading
What Makes A Spiritual Group Truly Work
We are all different. Each person is a piece of the puzzle that creates a group. All people are raised different. People may have different spiritual beliefs, different educational backgrounds, jobs, nationalities.
Yet, if the common goal is the same, there is no reason why we cannot achieve much more in our world. Some of us simply need to find a way to respect diversity.
Spiritual groups tend to be the especially challenging when it comes to diversity. Too often spiritually-minded people are expected to always agree with everyone about everything, in order to promote goodwill among group members and keep the peace.
But in any group people have to learn how to agree to disagree. It’s always okay to have your own opinion and express how you feel. One must just remember that not all of the group may agree with your thoughts.
In groups people all choose different roles, and the roles may change over time. Most groups have that one person that assumes the role of leader. The leader of the group is often selected by the majority. The leadership role usually fits the personality and consciousness of that individual, as do the other roles in the group.
The leader is usually a person that is able to communicate well with team members and good at listening to people. The ‘worker bees’ are usually good at taking direction and accomplishing the task at hand. Somewhere in the middle are the people that come up with ideas and can present them to the group, and help the suggestions come to fruition.