charity
Spiritual Awakening ‘Turns On The Light’
What exactly is a spiritual awakening, and is there a way you can tell if you are having one? Here are some ways to be aware of what is happening to you.
The first sign is usually when you are no longer living in a ‘dream world,’ where you used to see everything through your human ego and you were overly focused on the future and your past. This is a clear sign that you are becoming more spiritually aware. You have a greater awareness of your individual self and the connection between that and everything else. Things start to come into better focus in your life and make more sense.
When you closely examine various religions and faith traditions, there is usually a common thread that describes this state of heightened awareness as nirvana, enlightenment, or awakening. This new consciousness happens when you stop being the observer, and instead ask yourself, who is observing?
Many people go through life on ‘autopilot,’ because that is what they were taught, or they simply fell into a routine without giving much thought to who they really are, or what they truly need or desire to make their life meaningful. Asking such questions about yourself is important for your personal growth and self-realization. It is ‘turning the light on’ so to speak. The first step in growth is always the awareness of the present moment followed by an impulse to change something. Continue reading
Choose Kindness – A Message From My Guides
In these times of uncertainty, worry and fear, we urge you to step back and let kindness prevail. It is more important than ever to take a breath before reacting to what might normally seem to be an insensitive comment, or blatant oversight.
Even people who are usually even-tempered and relaxed can currently be on edge after months of sheltering in place, and it is impossible to understand what every individual may be going through right now, or how difficult their circumstances might be day-to-day. This does not condone their negative behavior, but it does give you an opportunity to rise above the fray, before responding in kind.
Keep in mind that, although everyone is currently in the same boat, each situation is entirely different. One person might have very limited finances, and truly worry about putting food on the table. Another might be a single parent, with children to home school, in spite of having to leave their home every day to also work as a first responder or an essential service worker. No two sets of circumstances are alike, and to each individual their personal challenges will be of paramount importance.
Listen before reacting. Pause. Try to empathize with the other person’s point-of-view, instead of the way it is being presented. Try to see past a short-tempered response, or erratic explanation. A smile and a patient ear will often diffuse a tense situation.
The good news is that the circumstances in your world are gradually improving, and there are many positive occurrences on the horizon. The Sun continues to rise every day, while thousands of scientists and medical experts are working around the world to bring about vaccines and treatments to fight this latest suffering. Millions more have ramped up their service in offering medical, emotional and financial support to those in need. Each day, there is another glimmer of hope in many different parts of the world.
Let Us Not Wait Until It’s Too Late
In a deep meditative state, I was contemplating how people are doing things differently because of the current state of affairs with the Covid-19 pandemic. Most are being highly cautious to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. They are wearing masks, staying at home and doing various things to bolster their well-being and immunity.
The response is typically similar when there is a diagnosis of a serious illness, such diabetes, heart disease or cancer. The afflicted person often immediately makes changes to their lifestyle, for example changing their diet and eating healthier foods.
When there is a war, or a crime wave, or a terrorist attack, people become more vigilant and practice better safety precautions, while having a greater awareness of their surroundings, also known as situational awareness.
I was reading for somebody recently, who lives in a condo community. She described how none of her neighbors ever spoke to her, although she went out of her way to always be friendly and talk to others. Apparently, they were often very short with her.
But then many of the residents became victims to criminal activity, such as delivered packages stolen from their door. Suddenly, she noticed, more of her neighbors started to talk to each other, and more of them wanted to be friendly with her. In fact, they even started to meet in the park, to talk and discuss the safety of their shared living community.
Kindness Begins With Greater Self-Care
In a world where you can be anything, be kind. And kindness starts with being kind to yourself. When we are not kind to ourselves, we cannot be kind to others, and others will also be unkind to us! When we are not kind to ourselves we allow that type of behavior, be it from a spouse, sibling, friend, or relative.
So, kindness really starts with us. When we are kind to ourselves, the domino effect is that we are happier, healthier and more energized. When we are not carving out time for self-care, we are not being kind to ourselves, and cannot truly be kind to others.
Sometimes people can be unkind not even realizing it. How is that? Well, by playing the part of the victim, or acting like others are responsible for their happiness or contentment. They make others feel guilty, because they are putting their problems upon others, without realizing that it is often their own self-made issues.
Everyone has free will. We are ultimately where we choose to put ourselves. In the end no one else is to blame. Period.
A vital aspect of self-kindness is to employ healthy boundaries when others make us feel bad, because they are sad and unhappy. When we take better care of ourselves and come in alignment with our soul, body and mind, we can recognize this. You are not put upon this Earth to energetically fill up the cups of others. Learn to say no, and learn to stand up for yourself when others try to take advantage of you. This is one important way of being kind to yourself.
A New Breed Of Lightworker
What an extraordinary time in history this present day is! We have the entire world sitting up and taking notice of the many strange, disturbing events that are unfolding before our very eyes. One cannot berate anyone who is currently experiencing extreme stress and anxiety, with all that is happening around us. Instead we must offer our compassion and understanding.
However, there is also an inspirational side to these highly provocative circumstances. We have in our own homes, neighborhood and communities those blessed by the Divine. They are the everyday caretakers who are making these events a part of their own soul’s journey.
They are a new breed of lightworkers, seizing it as a unique opportunity to reach out to others, with little fanfare, and no trepidation or significant thought given to how they could possibly be jeopardizing themselves, or those close to them.
This is a time when exceptional people are stepping outside their own small nucleus of existence, and braving their own fears, in order to serve a higher purpose. How can such a complete selfless act go unappreciated and unrewarded? Maybe the answer is not so simple.
Lightworkers on this plane come in all shapes and sizes. We do not easily recognize them. They do not carry a sign attached to them saying, “Hey, look at me. I am a lightworker.” These are souls who come from every walk of life. And these days some of them are paramedics, doctors, nurses and caregivers.
On The Positive Side Of A Pandemic
These are painful, difficult times. There is a lot of uncertainty in our world and it is so hard to see so many people suffering. However, there are also many beautiful, magical, heroic moments happening everywhere on the planet.
These moments of unity and love, occurring at the same time as so much hardship and pain is occurring, is what will matter most in the end. It is important during times like this to balance the darkness with the light. In today’s post, I wish to therefore focus on some of these more uplifting, inspirational trends of recent weeks.
There is a man in Spain whose upstairs neighbor was in the hospital due to a Covid-19 infection. The man reached up high every night and fed the hospitalized man’s dog on the balcony of his apartment, thus keeping the dog alive throughout the owner’s hospitalization. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness can have the most lasting impact.
In some places, pet shelters have been emptying with more people recently adopting cats and dogs as companions. In the process more animals are being spared euthanasia and given good homes. Many people are now being comforted and loved by their new fur babies during a difficult time.
Nurses, doctors, truck drivers, janitors, grocery store workers and many other service workers are now being praised as heroes. There is a new appreciation for the important work they do. Some wealthy people have donating money, time and energy to feed people and support the unemployed.
A Unique Time For Human Connection
This is a unique opportunity in human history. We have more time now to expand our awareness and understanding, and to take the guidance from the sages of the ages to find peace in a tumultuous situation. One of the most unique aspects of the current situation is related to human connection.
At a time when we are being asked to practice social distancing, we also have a unique opportunity to be connected through social media and video conferencing. I am amazed at the opportunity that the miracle of technology has given us. Many of these technologies were not available 20 years ago.
Recently, I have been seeing stories about the kindness and compassion people are showing during this time. All the communication technology we have at our disposal enables us to connect with one another at a deeper level.
I would also recommend not focusing too much of your mental and emotional attention only on yourself at this time. The current situation is not just about you, and when we focus too much energy on what we are going to do or how this will affect us on a personal level, it only increases our sense of anxiety about the unknown.
If you are currently finding yourself with more free time, also do not just use this as an opportunity to only binge on television or movies. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with watching television or movies, but this is also an opportunity to expand your interpersonal connections in a unique way. This is a time where we can extend our energies on compassion and kindness toward our fellow humans.