gratitude
The Hidden Blessing Of Dysfunctional Parents
For those of us who grew up with dysfunctional or abusive parents, the journey of healing is not a straight path. It twists and turns through shadows of anger, grief, and longing.
But, within this curse always lies a paradoxical hidden blessing or two. Even the most wounded parents can be our teachers and a source of inspiration, not because of what they gave us, but because of what they could not.
Yes, dysfunctional and abusive parents can be an inspiration. Not in the sentimental sense of gratitude for their suffering, but in the clear-eyed recognition that their brokenness became the rich soil in which your awareness grew.
A damaged parent can inspire you to live more consciously, to love with intention, and to stop the cycle of ancestral pain that shaped them and you.
They can inspire you to use their example as a guide for what not to do, what not to say, and who not to become.
Their absence of nurturing can ignite within you the sacred resolve to be present and compassionate. Their harshness can awaken your gentleness. Their coldness can teach you warmth. The rejection you endured can remind you daily to make every person you love feel safe, seen, and cherished!
Even if your parents were never healed, you can be. Even if they never awakened, you can awaken. Their story does not have to become your destiny. You can use their limitations as fuel to create something better, purer, and truer.
Heal Your Life With The Great Law
Do you have a lot of recurring drama in your life and the same negative situations repeating again and again? Do you keep attracting the same kind of toxic people and energy thieves into your life?
If so, you may benefit from learning more about the laws of karma and how to apply them in your everyday life, as these universal laws can transform your life for the better if we honor them in our spiritual practice and daily life.
Hindu and Buddhist spirituality recognizes 12 Laws of Karma. The first and most important of these is The Great Law, also known as the Law of Cause and Effect. This fundamental karmic law has helped me a lot to uncomplicate my own life since my spiritual awakening.
The Great Law teaches that whatever we sow, we shall reap. Every cause has an effect. Whatever put out into the world will eventually come back to us. Even the good and bad things we wish upon others will return to bless, or curse us.
Once we understand the role of The Great Law in our life, we become more aware of how we can eliminate negative patterns in our life and begin to attract more positive, new things.
The energy we emanate each day in the form of thoughts, wishes, fears, desires, attitudes, and beliefs will determine what will return to us as manifested experiences, events and circumstances.
Intention is everything in karmic law. For example, you start dating someone, but you live in fear of that person leaving you, or betraying you, so you are emanating an energy frequency of fear. In the end, it is very likely that you will lose that person. Fear attracts fear, love attracts love, and gratitude attracts gratitude. It’s that simple.
Embracing The Dark Season With Isa And Jera
This time of year, when the air first sharpens and the trees begin to release their golden leaves, I feel a familiar stirring in my heart and soul.
Early fall has always been more than just a change of weather to me. It is a threshold, a sacred gateway that leads us from the brightness of summer into the deeper mystical wisdom of the dark season.
There’s a particular magic in this in-between time of the year…where light and shadow meet, and the veil between worlds begins to thin.
Fall is not merely an ending; it is an invitation inward. It asks us to reflect, to release, and to realign with the deeper currents that move through all things. Just as the trees surrender their leaves, we too are asked to let go of bad habits, limiting beliefs, or self-imposed burdens that no longer serve our highest path.
Our ancestors knew this well. They did not simply mark their calendars this time of year…to cover the pool or reorganize their closets, like we do. Instead, they were in deep sync with the rhythmic cycles of the year.
In the North, they honored the harvest with gratitude, they stored up sustenance for the long winter months ahead…and they carefully consulted the runes. The runes were for them living messages from the gods that spoke of fate, nature, and the mysteries of life.
As an spiritual advisor who works with the runes, I often remind my clients that these symbols are not relics of the past. They are very much alive, pulsing with energy, ready to guide us if we open ourselves to their voices.
Need Help? Just Ask Your Spirit Guides!
Talking to our spirit guides is one of the most beautiful gifts available to us at any time, day or night. Sadly, so many people are not even aware of this powerful resource, while others neglect it, not realizing how helpful it truly is.
Why do people not reach out to their guides? For some, it may stem from disbelief. They doubt that spirit guides exist or assume such beings only assist those with psychic abilities.
Others feel unworthy, thinking their requests would be a burden. Some feel too busy to set aside time, believing they must light candles, perform complex invocation rituals, or use specific divination tools to connect.
None of this is true.
Your spirit guides are always with you, and around you. They are present in your everyday moments, from your morning coffee to your nightly dreams. The only thing you need to do to consciously connect with their guidance is to pause, quiet your mind, and open yourself to communicating with them.
You can speak to your guides silently, in thought, or aloud with your voice. Think of it as a heart-to-heart with a trusted friend. There is no ceremony required, just you being sincere and heartfelt.
Once you accept that you’re never alone and that loving, wise beings walk beside you in spirit, life takes on a more luminous texture. Our spirit helpers are devoted to supporting our soul journey, and they wait patiently for us to ask them for help.
The Manifesting Power Of Mindful Mornings
Mornings are special. The energy of the morning is different than at any other time. When the sunlight is still fresh and gentle, the world is calm and quiet, there is a magic to this time. There is a softness that invites clarity, a gentle nudge from the universe to begin again, to step into a new day with intention and grace.
The first few moments of our day help to set the tone for our experiences throughout. Becoming aware and attuned to this fresh universal energy can be as simple as creating a small morning routine.
Now, I realize not everyone loves the morning as much as I do. If this is the case for you, the idea of creating a morning routine may not sound appealing at all. Starting with small, quick steps can make all the difference here.
Your morning routine is meant to set you up for success. It is about doing things you like in the morning, that get you in the right frame of mind and heart.
Bringing a bit of mindfulness into your morning can set you up energetically to respond more effectively to your experiences throughout the day.
Below is a list of things you can do in the morning to create a personalized routine that works for you. You certainly don’t have to do all them! Just pick one or two to get started and build from there. While consistency is important, if something is not working for you, change it up and try something new. This routine should be fulfilling and meaningful to you.
How To Connect With Your Guardian Angel
There are many angels, guides and guardian spirits in the spirit realm, each one shining with light, wisdom, and unconditional love. These divine beings are not bound by time or space, and they’re always near.
Every one of us has at least one guardian angel whose assignment it is to guide, nurture, and protect us throughout our time here on Earth. Whether we realize it or not, they’re always there, ready to offer their support in whatever form it might take.
But how can we connect with these celestial companions? The first step is to just ask.
Angels are an integral part of the spiritual law that respects and values your free will. They can’t just show up in our lives. They need an invitation. When we make a conscious choice to connect with our angelic guides, we start to create a relationship that is healing, empowering, and deeply personal.
There’s no one correct way to connect with your angels . It’s all about finding what works best for you. What matters most is your sincerity and openness. Some people feel most connected when they speak aloud, whispering their thoughts and questions into the stillness of the night.
Some people prefer to write letters or keep a journal, using the pen as a bridge between worlds. Another really powerful method is meditation. All you have to do is sit in silence, focus on your breath, and let your angel know that you’re open to their presence.
The Four Levels Of Relationship Connection
Every so often, we meet someone who lights us up in an undeniably powerful way. These connections are rare, but when they happen, we sense their potential to become a significant part of our lives.
But that initial spark can sometimes give way to doubt, especially in romantic relationships. As we get to know someone more intimately, we may wonder if the connection we felt initially was meaningful or just a passing fancy?
So, what’s really going on here? What are these dynamics trying to reveal? How can we assess these bonds more practically to determine if we want to be with someone long term?
At the heart of it, there are four fundamental levels on which we connect with others. When deciding whether to invest our energy in a relationship, we must consider all four levels.
A connection based on only one dimension often feels incomplete or out of sync. Typically, we need at least two levels of alignment to feel a genuine bond.
Three levels create a profound sense of harmony. When all four levels are in sync, the connection can feel magical. The connection can feel nothing short of magical.
Exploring our relationships through this lens empowers us to make more conscious choices. We gain clarity about what matters to us and how we experience connection. This approach also helps us cultivate gratitude for the unique ways others connect with us and appreciate the different flavors of intimacy that each level brings.