memories
Spiritual Growth In Being Wrongly Blamed
We all tend to be terribly upset when blamed for something we haven’t done, or said. I have also found myself in situations of being blamed unfairly. This made me wonder… if everything happens for a reason, as many spiritual teachings suggest, then what is the lesson here?
My conclusion is that, perhaps, we can help ourselves by acknowledging the lesson in the unpleasant situation, as well as forgiving those who knew no better, in order to let them off the hook. Seeing things in this perspective can shift us to a place where we feel we’ve learned from the experience, and that we don’t need to attract the same pattern again. Continue reading
Finding Serenity
What is spiritual serenity, and how does one get to such an enlightened place? I’ve put forth this question many times throughout my life, and I’ve also had it asked of me. People hear what I do for a living and they immediately assume I walk around chanting Buddhist chants, or waving sage throughout my sacred space 24 hours a day. If only!
I don’t have the answers any more than the next person does. There are some things I have learned and seen, as I am sure I have yet more to learn and see. It is an endless cycle of not knowing and then knowing, the same cycle we all go through. The same lessons. It is only in how we apply them that we become different. We grow differently and start to use parts of ourselves that perhaps someone else, who is growing ‘at their own pace’ may not be using yet. And that is okay. Continue reading
Shine Your Light!
We all have a soul light that is eternal and bright. It shines through our physical being when we are aligned with our authentic self. We are all individually created to be different from one another. If we can remember that, especially when others appear to reject us, we’ve accessed the key to unlock our soul archetype.
When we compare ourselves to others, we get off track and can try to muster up a fictitious self that becomes impossible to uphold. It creates expectations that trap us, and can actually prevent us from shining our own, unique light into the world.
Have you ever felt like you are different, or don’t fit in? The first step to finding your authentic self, and tracing back to who you are as a unique soul, is to detach from others. Sometimes there is a feeling of loneliness associated with this, but if you keep moving forward, and through it, and trust in what’s unfolding, you will land in a place where true confidence resides – the kind that can never be taken away. You will gain a self-respect that will allow your gifts and talents to flourish. Continue reading
Do It Anyway
Recently, I posted on social media about my daughter’s graduation, when she was awarded a degree in Psychology with high honors from a well-known university. I was really proud of her, and wanted to share it with the world.
Many friends and family commented on the post, with congratulatory excitement and kind remarks. But later that day, I noticed there was also a hurtful comment on that same post from my mother.
In the post I had misspelled the words summa cum laude and my mother’s comment read, “Ask your daughter how to spell summa cum laude.” That was it. It seemed short and cold. My heart sank. Not only from the public embarrassment of her comment, but more so from the insinuation that I lack intelligence. Continue reading
Happiness Comes From Your Own Actions
People are too often stuck in a dark place in their lives, thinking that only a relationship, or financial gain, or a new job or house, is going to bring them happiness. The Dalai Lama says, “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” Take a moment to reflect on this statement. It is the simple truth, yet so many of us have a difficult time relating to the simplicity of it.
We have been brought up in a world where it is often believed that happiness is only achieved through external or material sources. But you and I are each responsible for our own happiness. This is a difficult statement for many to comprehend. How can that be? I have nothing. I am alone. I do not have a job. I do not have money in my bank account. I do not have a soulmate to love me.
The answer is very simple. No one else is responsible for your life, or your happiness. You are the sole creator of your reality. Do you choose to be happy, or miserable? Continue reading
Spiritual Hindsight Is Twenty-Twenty
As a teenager, I knew I had psychic abilities. I just wasn’t able to label it.
I think having intuitive abilities, such as knowing things before they happen, seeing auras, and sensing negative and positive energy, is something we all can do. I just had a real knack for tapping into that part of my mind, because I spent a lot of time by myself in the outdoors, or in my bedroom, and steered clear of drama and human chaos. Also, I hardly ever was exposed to electromagnetic poisoning by way of modern technology.
I was not raised Catholic, but while on a walk one day, I found behind a church a lineup of saint statues. At the end of the row was Mother Mary. I remember very clearly sitting in front of her sculpture and seeing an angel next to her. I prayed, as I was taught to do from a very young age, to be shown what I will be doing in my future. I wished to see who I will be, or at least get a glimpse of what lay ahead for me. Continue reading
The African River Man
During the time of my ukuthwasa (period of initiation to become a traditional healer or sangoma) some decades ago in Southern Africa, my mentor and some other village elders would join our group of ithwasa (sangoma trainees) by the campfire and discuss other spirits. That is, others in addition to those of our ancestors.
We heard many tales of other spirits who control the rivers, oceans and lakes, as well as those who live in the sky and control the rain. There were also stories told of sacred places where spirits inhabited mountains, trees and rocks. I loved hearing those stories from various individuals whom have had unique experiences and felt they had seen and communicated with those various spirits. Continue reading