Lifestyle
The Last Days Of Mercury Retrograde
In recent weeks, you might have experienced the chaotic effect Mercury can have on our lives, since it went retrograde on August 12th.
Mercury is the planet of communication and technology. So, when Mercury is in retrograde, everything involving communication and technology tend to go haywire: flight delays; errors with online passwords; taxi drivers showing up at the wrong time and place; people arguing over nonsense; constant traffic jams; computer crashes; drama and gossip at the office; misunderstandings with friends; or text messages delivered to the wrong person (who also happened to be the person the text was about).
Mercury passes the Earth in its orbit three or four times every year. As it makes it rounds, Mercury appears to slow down, stop in its tracks and then spin backwards. This retrograde ‘movement’ lasts a few weeks, until the planet turns direct again and continues to move forward. Continue reading
All Aboard The Train Of Life!
I recently heard someone say he was a passenger on “the train of life” and what immediately came to mind was what a glorious opportunity we have to evaluate our own particular role in coming into this existence.
So, let us start at the beginning. First of all we would need the individual who came up with the concept of a train, no more traveling long or short distances by foot or horseback or car, embark on your journey in comfort and ease, knowing there is someone who will endeavor to get you safely to your destination while you sit back and relax.
What manner of being would even venture to come up with such a plan? That would have to be the dreamers, or visionaries. They are the ones who often have their heads in the clouds and envision a better quality of life for us all. There is an abstract thought somewhere inside of them that must find a way of arriving at a viable workable plan. Continue reading
The Protective Power Of Kyanite
I used to work at a beauty salon and spa, where the energy amongst the staff was highly toxic. We were a group of women who ideally could have come together in harmony and make others feel amazing, but that wasn’t the reality.
Initially, I was friendly and open, because I wanted to get along with my co-workers. They all smiled at first and made me feel welcome, but in time they began to show their true colors, which turned out to be less friendly and welcoming.
Eventually it no longer was a place where I wanted to be every day, but the money was great, especially during the holiday and bridal season. So, I had to make it work for the time being.
Every day, I was feeling out of place and exhausted by the time I got home from work, so I decided to do something about it. Continue reading
The Real Rewards Of Paying It Forward
What does it mean to ‘pay it forward’ from a spiritual perspective? On a simple level, paying it forward means we take a gift of kindness and pass it along to the next recipient, almost like a karma chain. We’ve all probably experienced such a gift, whether it was a cup of coffee, or a new car. But why do it in the first place? We’re all told that humanity is selfish, not selfless.
If we look at paying it forward beyond the superficial ‘it feels good,’ we see that it really does make us feel better on a physical and psychological level. Stress and depression rates are much lower for those who regularly volunteer, or perform acts of charity and kindness. Our brain experiences a ‘happiness boost’ almost immediately. Life expectancy is also higher for those who volunteer, compared to people who don’t. Doing selfless things simply does make us feel good. Continue reading
Connecting With Your Inner Bliss
I recently came across an article about spiritual seekers who travel to distant lands to achieve such a state of bliss and inner peace. But in my experience you really don’t have to go all the way to some exotic destination to achieve a higher state of consciousness.
When I am alone, I often find myself in a state of complete and utter bliss. When I am by myself, my energy is my own. I feel centered and complete, as if on my own little retreat. I have always felt this way and I savor the quiet moments of my day.
With a willing heart to carve out some time in your busy day, you can center yourself by being mindful and allowing your thoughts to simply come and go. Simply take a moment of solitude and go with the flow. Continue reading
A Restlessness Of Spirit
“You really don’t seem to live in one place for more than five minutes,” said my cousin in her strong Liverpool accent. These words still echo in my mind from decades ago, when my parents and I spent a couple of years in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Soon after we were moving again! I have continued this way of life in my adulthood, moving to several different countries, and even other continents.
Perhaps I get my restless spirit from my father, typical Sagittarius that he was, just like I inherited his tendency toward alcohol addiction. A lot of moving around is not meant to be harmonious for a Cancerian female, like myself, but I recall a friend of mine compiling my Astrological chart a long time ago, saying that a strong Gemini influence in my chart was the cause of this. I am no specialist in Astrology, but find it fascinating nonetheless. Continue reading
A Flower For Suzy
My best friend and I went to a parade the other day, where we did a lot of walking. Flowers were everywhere. It was fun seeing all the different people who came to this festival. I usually don’t like being around crowds, but it was fun and relaxing on that day.
When we needed to take a break, we spent some time sitting in a nearby park. While doing some people-watching, someone unusual caught my eye. But it was not a human… it was a ghost! A beautiful young lady who was obviously disembodied.
I watched her pick up a flower and walk to the nearby road. It seemed as though she kept doing this over and over. She would pick the same flower, over and over, walk to that same spot next to the road, and lay it down. Continue reading