Walking In Faith Through Life’s Ups And Downs
Most of us go through life like it is a roller coaster ride. We have our ups and downs, our good days and our hard ones. Sometimes we catch ourselves saying things we probably shouldn’t, or reaching for that chocolate chip cookie even though we promised ourselves we wouldn’t.
Temptation is everywhere. That little voice in our head tells us to go for it, even when our gut or intuition says it’s not a good idea. It can leave us feeling torn and unsure of what the right choice really is.
And then, on top of all our personal ups and downs, there’s everything going on in the world around us. Lately, it feels like we’re living through constant upheaval: wars, natural disasters, political division, economic stress, runaway technology, and so much uncertainty about the future. All of it adds to the pressure we already carry.
It’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed or tempted to numb ourselves with distractions. When everything feels unstable, it’s easy to lose our sense of direction or forget the spiritual tools that keep us grounded.
That’s why staying connected to faith, however that looks for you, is more important than ever. It becomes an anchor in the storm, something solid to hold onto when everything else feels like it’s shifting.
Faith helps us pause, speak with care, and make better choices. It gives us insight and direction. When we turn away from it or get stuck in negative thinking, that’s usually when life starts feeling harder and more complicated.
Echoes Of Love In Every Clasp And Chain
The jewelry we inherit is more valuable than it seems. A gold ring passed down from a grandmother, a locket that once rested against a mother’s pulse, or a watch that marked the minutes of a father’s days. Even after they’re gone, these objects keep on humming, full of loving memories.
It’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t experienced loss, but wearing that old ring or putting on that familiar chain feels like stepping into another time and place. And for a second, you see them.
Maybe the piece fits your ring finger or wrist a bit differently than it did theirs, but it still connects the past with the present. Their jewelry isn’t just a piece of metal or stone; it’s a fingerprint, a story, a fragment of a laugh, a favorite saying captured in something lasting you can hold.
Some days, their jewelry and other personal belongings are a source of comfort. Other days, it serves as a stark reminder of heartache and loss. Either way, it shows that love isn’t just some fleeting thing.
Love lasts in the smallest details: the things that touched their skin and caught their scent. The soft click of a clasp. The nice weight of it against your collarbone.
They say you can’t take anything with you, but maybe that’s not the point. Maybe the real magic is in what’s left behind: a ring, a pendant, or a string of pearls. Little things that are full of love keep us connected to the people who matter most, even when they’re now on the other side.
When I was a little girl, my grandma used to let me wear her fake diamond earrings. They were the only piece of her jewelry she ever let me touch. I always had to give them back when playtime was over. It felt special, like she was letting me borrow a little piece of her magic. After she passed away, my mom gave me Grandma’s earrings.
Spirit’s Three-Step Remedy For The Scattered Mind
I love to meditate. It’s my sacred coffee break with the cosmos — the moment when I trade phone pings and to-do lists for the whispers of spirit and the soothing hum of the universe.
Before every session, I set an intention. Usually it is a question I’d like spirit to answer. I think of it as sending a “text message” to the divine and waiting, phone in hand, for the soft chime of truth.
Today’s intention led me straight to the heart of a puzzle that troubles many parents, teachers, and sensitive individuals: Why does Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) seem to be skyrocketing in society?
In classrooms, offices, and even yoga studios, more of us are struggling with scattered focus and mental fatigue. Studies now suggest that our screen-filled, high-pressure lives may be pushing hidden attention problems into a full-blown pandemic.
I felt compelled to ask, “Is there more to the story than brain chemistry and prescription medication?”
After a longer than usual session, I emerged with a couple of journal pages full of insights that felt refreshingly simple, yet profoundly wise.
The first thing I saw in my meditation was a vision of life in the pre-internet age before we had smartphones.
I saw in my mind’s eye neighbors chatting on porches, children riding their bikes in the street until dinnertime, and evenings lit by conversation instead of blue screens. The pace was slower, and people’s nervous systems were calmer.
Holding On To What Never Changes
Nature always inspires deep thoughts in me. There’s something about pausing to watch the wind rustle through the trees or to see the sun gently filter through the clouds that invites stillness and reflection.
Today, I found myself contemplating the constantly changing seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, we are a month away from the summer solstice, and the days are becoming increasingly long and warm with golden light. The trees are lush and full, the air hums with the sound of insects, and gardens overflow with life.
Change is everywhere. It’s evident in the ripening of fruit, the intense afternoon heat, and the subtle shift in the season’s energy toward harvest.
It’s not just nature, either. Our lives are constantly evolving, too. Relationships shift, careers transition, health fluctuates, and dreams reshape themselves over time.
No matter where we turn, we hear messages such as “Change is inevitable,” and “Don’t be afraid of change.”
Yes, change is necessary. As spiritual beings, we are meant to continually grow and evolve. Change challenges us, stretches us, and teaches us.
But let’s be honest — sometimes it’s also deeply unsettling. This is especially true in times like these, when the world feels uncertain, divided, and fragile.
The Sublime Joy Of Solitary Bliss
There’s something truly magical about solitude. I’m not talking about loneliness or feeling isolated. I’m talking about that golden, nourishing moments of ‘me-time’ when you can just be alone in peace with yourself — and only yourself.
For me, taking time out from the noise and chaos is not just a preference. It’s a sacred necessity. I mostly like to do things on my own, at my own pace, without interruption. Whether I’m meditating, walking in nature, or simply brewing a cup of tea, being alone allows my heart, mind and soul to breathe!
Some people thrive in the company of others. They feel alive in the presence of connection and togetherness. And I respect that. We all walk different paths, and what nourishes one soul may not nourish another in the same way.
But for those of us who find peace in solitude, the inner sanctuary is a silent temple — where we commune with the divine, reconnect with our essence, and return to the world feeling centered and whole.
Solitude is not just a lifestyle choice for me — it’s the grounding force that supports everything else in my life.
When I am peacefully alone, I can focus better, think more clearly, and become truly aligned. My energy is mine. My time is mine. My thoughts are mine. There’s no need to filter, explain, or adjust to anyone else’s expectations. It’s just me, myself and the universe — and in that space I feel centered and complete.
What It Really Means To Live A Spiritually Aware Life
It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do for a living. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, how popular you are, where you live, or how attractive others find you. None of these things define your true worth, and none of them guarantee the fulfillment of your life purpose and soul plan.
In the end, your spiritual wealth transcends any bank balance. The only bling that really matters is how much your soul shines from within!
Many of the most beautiful, caring, thoughtful, compassionate, and charitable souls walk quietly among us — unrecognized by the world’s superficial standards of success. They may not be rich. They may not be famous. They may not wear designer clothes or have thousands of social media followers. And yet, they truly shine!
What really matters is how you treat others, how you live your life, and how you embody your higher self and the light of of your soul in everyday moments. That is what counts in the eyes of God, Source, Spirit, the Divine. The essence of your spirit, not your resume or your reflection in a mirror, is what will leave your legacy in this lifetime.
The essence of this truth echoes throughout the world’s spiritual traditions, reminding us that attachment to wealth, superficial pleasures and material status can become hindrances to our spiritual journey and soul growth.
In Hinduism, for example, the Bhagavad Gita teaches that only those who see the divine in all beings and remain unattached to sense pleasures will find lasting peace. Similarly, in Buddhism, the Dhammapada warns that wealth can ruin the foolish, and the desire for wealth becomes an obstacle to enlightenment. The Buddha taught that spiritual liberation requires renunciation of attachment and the cultivation of inner clarity.
When Communication Breaks Down In A Relationship
So often callers ask me why they have trouble communicating with their partner or spouse. There’s often some kind of miscommunication going on in many people’s relationships these days.
And these misunderstandings quickly snowball into something bigger if they’re not addressed early on.
When someone contacts me for a reading with this kind of question, I go in and do the work to get to the root of the problem. Superficial answers are never good enough when it comes to the people we love and care about.
Because let’s face it, love and relationships are vital to our happiness and sense of belonging, but they are rarely easy and straightforward. They are worth the effort when the connection is real.
The first thing I always check with this kind of reading is if there’s any infidelity or dishonesty. It’s uncomfortable and dangerous territory, but we always have to rule it out because it’s so common these days.
If one person isn’t being honest or cheating, it throws everything else off balance. There’s no point in doing deep relationship recovery and healing work if the foundation of trust and integrity is crumbling.
Once that’s clear, I tune in to see if there is what I call a “love cord” connection between the couple. This is my way of checking to see if their souls are karmically connected.