stress
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
Healing With Music And Sound
“Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak,” wrote William Congreve in his classic poem, The Mourning Bride. He seems to have understood that music can soothe anyone who might be be stressed out, overwhelmed, anxious or depressed.
Studies indicate that music and sound heal us in a multitude of way, perhaps even at the cellular level. Long-term patients, nursing home residents, and chronically depressed people have been found to experience healing through sound.
Ancient cultures from Egypt to Japan to Australia used the secrets of healing sound. What these long-ago people instinctively knew, we now attribute to the effect of certain wavelengths upon our brains to calm, relax, and heal. As with acupuncture, these sounds may be able to reset our internal balances and remove negative energies. Continue reading
Happiness Is Here And Now
Too often I hear the lament, “When will I be happy?” The answer is simple – right now!
Our mind is our own worst enemy but it can also be our best friend, if we let it. Understanding simple concepts of universal truths can go a long way towards our mind knowing these truths and accepting them as fact into our world.
One of the biggest universal lies is that happiness is a permanent state of being or, worse yet, that everything has to be perfect for you to be happy. That’s a lie. The simple, universal truth is much easier and also much more freeing. Happiness comes in moments, happiness is where you are right now, with exactly what you have. Continue reading
When Angels Approach
It’s no surprise that angels are always around. After all, they are immortal, timeless, and beyond time and space as we know it. They come to guide and comfort us in the times of our greatest need, without even being asked.
But how do we know when they’re especially near? Do they appear in the ways we’re used to seeing in movies and television shows? Not quite. It’s a little more subtle than that.
Look for the signs. One object automatically associated with angels is, of course, feathers. Yes, they do have wings! If you start to find feathers, especially soft, downy white or grey ones, in places they wouldn’t ordinarily be found, that’s clue number one. The same is true for random sparks, or flames. These can be anything from a brightly colored individual flame to a glowing bubble or orb. Continue reading
A Feeling Better Breakthrough
As a spiritual counselor I have found that one of the most effective ways for me to channel for my clients, as well as bring in the good in my own life, is by recognizing and trusting my feelings. The best way to explain this is when we feel good we are really ‘feeling God’ – the creative or Divine spiritual essence of our nature.
Every human being on this planet has a spirit. This is sometimes called the Higher Self or Holy Spirit. It is this spirit that is each human’s ability to create a life filled with joy and ease. If we are feeling fearful, stressed, or challenged it is often the result of being in some way disconnected to this spiritual self.
In truth, no one can ever really be separated from their spirit, but we can sometimes forget about our spiritual core. When this occurs, it means that we need a breakthrough. We need to remember our spiritual center. The best way we can do this is simply feel better. Continue reading
Signs You Might Be Overstressed
Almost all of us are under stress of some kind, whether it’s from work, family life, financial situations, or countless other sources. But how do when we know when it all gets to be too much?
Sadly, we tend to overlook the very real, physical signs our bodies give us, to let us know that the stress is all too much. If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it might be time to take a look at how to reduce stress levels and get your total health on track.
Pain in our bodies is probably the most obvious sign something is wrong, yet it tends to get ignored until it’s almost too late. Aches and pains, stomach issues, muscle tension, and heart palpitations are among the most common. Also, when we’re under stress, our sleep may suffer. Sleep is crucial to a person’s well-being, and if we’re not getting enough sleep (or too much) the entire body suffers as a result. Continue reading