mindful living
Feeding The ‘Good Wolf’ Changes Everything!
Since childhood, I have been fascinated by parables, folk tales and fables. I realized at a young age that there is something truly inspiring about a story that not only entertains, but carries a deeper message or spiritual lesson and speaks directly to the heart.
This love of meaningful stories hasn’t diminished over time. I still find myself drawn to stories that offer wisdom, healing, and perspective.
A few years ago, I came across a beautiful Cherokee story — one that spoke volumes to me and offers guidance to many of us as we navigate the emotional terrain of modern life.
The story goes that a young Cherokee boy found himself in a dispute with a friend. The boy felt that his friend had treated him unfairly. Hurt, and burning with anger, he stormed off to find his grandfather, a revered elder of their tribe who was known for his wisdom.
Sitting with his wise grandfather, the boy poured out his frustration, sharing the injustice he felt and the fire of anger that burned within him.
The old man listened patiently, his eyes pensve and kind. Then, with a nod, he spoke:
“I too have felt great anger at those who have taken from me what was not theirs or who have treated me unjustly. But anger wears on the soul like fire on dry grass. It consumes you if you are not careful.”
He paused, then continued, “You see, it is as if two wolves are fighting within me. One is full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. This is the evil wolf. He lashes out, trusts no one, and isolates himself from the world.”
The Ripple Effect Of Radiating Good Vibes!
There have been times when leaving home on a miserable day has felt like a major challenge for me as an empath. However, after completing my errands, I often find myself unexpectedly uplifted, simply by the energy of the people and places I encounter.
Recently, while shopping for a new journal, one particular notebook caught my eye because of the title printed on the cover: Good Vibes. I ended up going back to add it to my cart because those two simple words stuck with me. Some good vibrations are certainly always welcome in today’s chaotic world!
In this particular store, the staff is incredibly friendly, always ready with a smile and a warm greeting. Even the people stocking the shelves take a moment to acknowledge customers, creating a welcoming atmosphere. These small, everyday interactions are still commonplace in the small town where I live in Spain, and long may they continue!
The little notebook and this friendly exchange reminded me that “good vibes” is not just a phrase on a cover, but a very real force that shapes our daily experiences.
As I was driving home thinking about this, I noticed a gentleman who was busy smoothing out some gravel on the country road. He had stopped to have a conversation with the person in the car in front of me.
As I was about to go around them, he said goodbye to the person he was talking to and approached me. My first thought was that he was trying to warn me of a problem on the road ahead or maybe point out a problem with my car. It was drizzling and damp and he was soaked, but when I rolled down my window he just smiled and asked how I was doing.
The Power Of Knowing Your ‘Why’
In a recent spiritual counseling session, I had the privilege of working with a woman who was facing a profound life challenge — stage 2 locally advanced colon cancer.
She spoke with a quiet resilience as she recounted her journey through chemotherapy before surgery, followed by four additional rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy.
There was little emotion in her words, but the weight of her experience was undeniable. It was a story of survival, perseverance, and the sheer will to move forward.
She then admitted that she longed to live a healthier lifestyle, but struggled with unhealthy eating habits. She had gained a significant amount of weight after her surgery, and despite her best intentions, she found it difficult to resist sweets and processed foods.
After hearing her story, I gently reminded her that I could not give her medical advice. Nor am I a nutritionist, and I advised her that professional guidance was essential for her dietary needs.
What I could offer, however, was a way to break the cycle of unhealthy habits. And I could help nurture her mind and emotions and guide her toward a life of greater wholeness and balance.
She lit up with hope. “That would be wonderful!” she exclaimed.
What The Mind Believes, The Body Perceives
Self-talk and inner dialogue play a crucial role in our overall well-being – body, mind and spirit. The way we think and talk to ourselves shapes our reality, affecting not only our emotions and moods, but also our physical health.
For example, if we wake up and immediately think, “I feel terrible. I’m still exhausted. I don’t want to face the day,” our body will respond in kind. We’ll move sluggishly, feel each ache more intensely, and reinforce a state of fatigue.
Negative self-talk can even affect digestion, metabolism, and immune function because the body takes its cues from the mind. When we repeatedly tell ourselves that we lack energy, the body responds by slowing down.
However, when we consciously shift our thoughts to a more positive perspective, we cultivate an inner environment that supports healing, resilience, and vitality.
The same principle applies to how we perceive ourselves physically. If we stand in front of the mirror and focus on perceived flaws, our posture and energy will reflect that self-criticism. We may unconsciously choose clothing that reinforces our negative self-image and move through the day with slumped shoulders and diminished confidence. Our bodies reflect the beliefs we hold about ourselves.
Conversely, when we practice self-talk that is uplifting and empowering, our body responds accordingly. By consciously choosing to carry ourselves with confidence, even if it feels unnatural at first, we initiate a shift in both our emotional and physical states.
The Bliss Of Being In Your Element
A former co-worker I hadn’t heard from in years recently contacted me. She asked me how I was doing.
“I’m in my element!” I said. “Working from home, doing what I love, and surrounded by my menagerie of many.”
After our chat, I began to think about what I had just said. The phrase “being in my element” isn’t something I use regularly, so it made me pause and consider its true meaning. What does it mean to be in one’s element?
The saying “being in your element” has its ancient mystical roots. Historically, the concept of “elements” referred to the four classical elements — earth, water, air, and fire — that were believed to make up the world. Each element was thought to have its own characteristics, and people were metaphorically associated with an element that suited their personality or environment.
For example, to say that someone is “in their element” was to compare them to a fish in water — perfectly suited to their surroundings. Over time, this literal meaning evolved into the figurative meaning we use today: feeling comfortable, confident, and successful in a situation that matches one’s abilities or preferences.
As I examined my current life circumstances, I realized that I had intentionally set my vision and manifested exactly the work environment I wanted. This wasn’t an accident — it was the power of focused intention and alignment with my true calling. Continue reading
Living In A State Of Transcendence
Many people may claim to live in a state of spiritual enlightenment, to be fully aware and to have a deep connection with the divine. However, what many believe to be enlightenment is often far from the truth.
There is a veil — a mental barrier — before most people that prevents them from seeing the greater spiritual truths that lie beyond the ordinary world. Although many people long to lift this veil, to look beyond the surface and access a more expansive reality, it can be incredibly difficult to reach this state of bliss.
However, once you do break through, the liberation and freedom you feel is incomparable. It’s a feeling that is difficult to describe with words, but it’s something that everyone is capable of experiencing.
The path to transcendence is a path of spiritual growth and soul evolution. When you reach this blissful state — when your soul has truly expanded — you move to a higher frequency, one that is different from the frequency to which most people are attuned.
For much of my life, I felt like a misfit — a person who didn’t quite fit into the mainstream world. I felt disconnected from social norms and expectations. But today, I embrace that feeling. I’ve come to realize that being an individual, separate from the chaos of the world, is one of the greatest gifts I could have. I no longer need to be part of a particular group or adhere to a particular set of societal standards. This freedom allows me to live authentically and to help others reach the same state of bliss and spiritual awareness.
Reincarnation And The Karmic Journey Of The Soul
Reincarnation — the belief that the soul experiences multiple lifetimes through a continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth — is embraced by many spiritual and religious traditions worldwide. Wisdom traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and various indigenous belief systems integrate reincarnation deeply into their teachings.
For those who embrace the concept, reincarnation offers a transformative perspective on life and mortality. When we believe that our soul consciousness continues beyond this life, death is no longer something to be feared. Instead, it becomes a transition — a doorway to new opportunities for growth and evolution. Reincarnation provides a rich and expansive framework for understanding the soul’s journey.
Whether you fully embrace the concept or explore it with curiosity, reflecting on the interplay of karma and rebirth can inspire greater mindfulness, compassion, and purpose. In this view, death is not an end, but a passage — a gateway to continued exploration and spiritual progress.
Belief in some form of continued existence beyond this life is widespread. A 2011 Ipsos Global Advisor survey of more than 18,000 people in 23 countries found that 51% of respondents believe in an afterlife that includes beliefs in heaven, hell, and reincarnation. Specifically, 7% of respondents said they believed in reincarnation.
In the United States, a 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that approximately 33% of adults believe in reincarnation. This belief is more prevalent among younger adults under 50 (38%) compared to those aged 50 and older (27%).