trait
The Joy Of Being Your Authentic Self
Many people feel forever discontented, because they are constantly trying to find ‘happiness.’ However, like love, there is no real limitation to the experience of joy and fulfillment in our lives.
Joy is not something that we find outside of ourselves, but rather the unconditional expression of our authentic self. It cannot really be found through chasing ‘happiness.’ Joy comes when we are free from fear, worry, resentment, blame, guilt, criticism, and judgment – whether it is the practice of these things, or the fear of them.
True joy comes from just being yourself, which requires that you learn to accept yourself as you are, with all your unique quirks. Without this authentic expression of the self, we will always feel incomplete.
The Univeral Law of Attraction states that we attract our life experiences based on our state of consciousness and our energy frequency. Joy is a state of consciousness that is limitless, because your authenticity is unending and expansive. In other words, being joyful brings about more joy!
The trouble with chasing happiness is that it becomes a frustrating ‘wild goose chase.’ We try and manipulate circumstances, or we rely on chance, or other people, to bring us fulfillment. Neither works. Have you ever tried to change another person? How did that go?
There are two caveats to this. First, true joy does not mean that you are happy all the time. Yes, you experience happiness more often, because you are aware that whatever negative feeling you may be having is only temporary.
Some people try and feign happiness thinking that these universal spiritual laws can be tricked. There is no twisting of spiritual truth. There is no amount of ‘happy thoughts’ or positive thinking that can shift one’s inner reality. Only true authenticity brings joy.
Spiritual Connections
We need to ask ourselves questions about spiritual connections with other people more frequently. What kind of connection do you really have with the people in your life?
A spiritual connection with someone else is something very special and important for our soul growth. So, how do we know when there is a spiritual connection?
Attraction – You feel an immediate, intense attraction to them and really do not understand why.
Familiarity – You feel at home or comfortable with the person. You feel like you have known them forever. This feeling is usually mutual. You just met and cannot explain why you feel this way, but you just do.
Indescribable – When meeting someone you are beyond words. You have this feeling that your connection with them is profound and indescribable. Sometimes it is overwhelming. You can’t tell if it is right or wrong, good or bad. You don’t understand what it means, you just know it somehow feels significant.
Fascination – You think about them often, having random thoughts of them throughout your day. They linger in your mind constantly. You may even feel somewhat obsessed with them.
Happiness – You instantly smile when thinking about them. You feel care free and happy. Having them around changes your mood for the better.
Are You An Old Soul?
An ‘old soul’ is a person who wise beyond their years. It is someone who has a deeper understanding of human nature and the world we live in. I also believe that an old soul is a person who has learned valuable life lessons from their past incarnations or former lifetimes.
How do you know you are an old soul? Well, if you can see the bigger picture of things, and you are always wanting to learn more, then your current lifetime is probably not your ‘first rodeo.’ Old souls are typically highly intuitive and empathic. Their psychic senses are heightened, and they understand who they are in this life.
Old souls are attracted to wisdom and truth. They are not much for superficial lifestyles and trivial pursuits. They are not materialistic. Instead, they focus more on the beauty and simple joys of life, instead of the indulgences of material wealth and luxuries.
They feel the need to follow their own path in life, seeking their own truth and understanding, free from the opinion and views of others. They want to understand more about life and what makes things tick They live their lives the way they want to, and they find purpose and inner peace on their own terms.
Our Loved Ones Are Always With Us
Several months ago, I found myself traveling near the city in which my grandparents bodies were laid to rest. I decided to drive the few extra miles out of my way, to visit their gravesite.
Pulling up to the cemetery, I realized I hadn’t been there in so long that I couldn’t remember where the grave was. Finally, I located it. I grabbed a folding chair from the back of my car and sat down under a tree close to their tombstone.
Immediately my awareness was overflowing with the presence of their voices. I could hear both of them talking to me, just like when I would go to visit them during the school holidays. It felt like they were alive again, and right there with me. I was literally hearing grandma talking to me. Just the way she did in life. It as if she was right there! I could hear my grandpa as well. It was very comforting.
They were very pleased that I took the time to come visit them. They are very much together now and happy in their new existence, after they had been separated between this life and the next for well over 15 years.
They are still with us, just in a different dimension. If you listen carefully, you may just hear them talking to you. Our loved ones, who have crossed over, continue to be with us. They love it when we take the time to communicate with them, or honor them time in some way. It shows that we love them, and still value and appreciate them.
Finding Love With Online Dating
I believe in the power of romance and love. I believe in soulmates, synchronicity, and love at first sight. I could not practice my job properly if I did not believe in such things. And is this not what many of us are dreaming about? The knight in the shiny armor on a white steed, coming to save the damsel from her misery?
So, let’s talk about online dating.
We all know the dangers and the threats of dating online. Many of us know someone who was deceived, or even got scammed. It can also be a very frustrating or disappointing process. But it is not impossible to meet your soulmate online. I personally have witnessed many success stories. But I also know of some incidents of ‘love makes you blind,’ as well as lonely, bankrupt and insecure.
I often get asked to do a reading about a person someone met online. It is important to be cautious and careful. For example, if you only connected with somebody online, you have not actually met anyone yet. The best way to be sure is to actually meet them in person, or at least have a video call with them. It is best to meet the person in a public place first. Inform your friends or family where and when you are to meet, and who the person is.
What Is My Gift?
Recently, during a reading, someone asked me what her ‘gift’ was. When asked why she wanted to know this, she said, “Because I don’t want to continue studying or working, unless I know I am going to succeed and be really good at it.” My jaw dropped.
To me that is like saying, “I will only get married, and have a children, if there is a guarantee that it will all work out!” Even if you have a so-called ‘gift,’ it doesn’t mean you will be ‘successful’ at it in earth plane terms. Jesus, Buddha, and many other spiritual teachers, did not become rich and famous in their lifetimes. They used their ‘gifts,’ talents and lives for the greater good, because they believed in what they were doing.
In my days as a performing artist, I saw many gifted, brilliant dancers choosing to abandon the dance studio to raise children. I saw mediocre or physically challenged dancers, with no family support, work, and work, and work, to become brilliant dancers… while others thought they were simply ‘gifted.’
Sadly this idea of having a special ‘gift’ has become a cash cow for the self-help industry. Tell someone they have a gift, and they will hand over thousands of dollars to attend workshops and seminar to develop their ‘gift.’ And the so-called teacher gets to feel good for getting others hyped up about having a gift, for which there is no evidence, and therefore they cannot be held accountable when nothing materializes.
Your Spirit Animals
Many wisdom traditions and cultures features some form of animal symbolism. Animals are thought to be guides, teachers, messengers, or protectors for a person as they journey through life. They are referred to as spirit animals, familiars, animal guides, power animals, or totems.
Our spirit animals provide guidance or insight when we most need it, if we are paying attention. These animal guides can appear in our lives in many unexpected or interesting ways. Typically, an animal that appears over and over, or that one feels a special affinity to, should be considered a possible spirit animal.
There are animals that are life-long guides, which are typically more reflective of our own personality and unique gifts. Those animals that show up briefly, or only at certain times, are thought of as messengers or wayshowers to help us along our path. They often provide comfort, or convey an important message.
We can also call on animals to empower us in times of need, when we need a particular quality or inspirational or healing energy in our life, such as strength (lion), joy or playfulness (dolphin), vision (hawk), awareness (eagle), or peace (dove).
To discover your totem animals, think about animals you have always been drawn to, especially as a child, and consider the qualities of these animals. Then consider how these might apply to you, or how they have played out in your life.