Mark Nepo – Feeding Your Heart

No matter how dark,

the hand always knows

the way to the mouth.

-Idoma Proverb (Nigeria)

Even when we can’t see, we know how to feed ourselves. Even when the way isn’t clear, the heart still pumps. Even when afraid, the air of everything enters and leaves the lungs. Even when clouds grow thick, the sun still pours its light earthward.

This African proverb reminds us that things are never as bad as they seem inside the problem. We have inner reflexes that keep us alive, deep impulses of being and aliveness that work beneath the hardships we are struggling with.

We must remember: the hand cannot eliminate the darkness, only find its way to the mouth. Likewise, our belief in life cannot eliminate our suffering, only find its way to feed our heart.

The above excerpt was taken from “The Book of Awakening”, by Mark Nepo. A reminder to look within. Trust your inner self, keep faith and love at the forefront of all life decisions. May you always tune into your heart. Stay blessed xo

The Divine Essence of Nature

Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things – Lao Tzu

The year 2020 was a period of inner awakening and reflection. Not a single person anticipated Covid-19 or a global lock-down. Life was placed on pause for all of humanity. Visiting your family, going to work, dramatically shifted. Communicating via online resources, is how everyone stays connected. Social distancing and masks have become somewhat the norm for the mass.

We are living in a new timeline on Earth and unaware of what lies ahead. We may be fearful of what is to transpire, however life can only get better from this moment forward. There are also many blessings from Covid. I often question, how did this all happen? Has Mother Earth been trying to get our attention all along? What comes to mind is nature, how can we learn from the elements of the earth? If we listen intently, they speak to our soul.

Moon

First and foremost I am a Moon child, born under the sign of Cancer. The Cancer sign is governed by the moon. The moon is Yin energy, associated with the Divine Feminine. When a Full Moon occurs, it is a time of retreat. The themes of forgiveness, self-compassion and surrender are apparent during the transition to the full-moon. The luminous moon is an elixir of dark and light. As the moon enters different phases, human beings feel the gravitational pull as well. The moon is asking you to honor where you are, and nurture your being.

Sun

“Here comes the sun, and I say its all right” Beautiful lyrics sung by the infamous Beatles. The sun is known to have masculine Yang energy. It is that inner fire within your soul. Correlated to the solar chakra, which represents confidence, will-power, strength and more. Do you ever notice when the sun shines, it brightens your day? The sun gives light to the earth, helps with growth and vegetation and showers us with vitamin D. The sun can be seen as a force so powerful, one can not comprehend its magnitude.

Water

Water fluid, ever changing and representing the veins of Gaia. Water represents our emotions. The veins of water are oceans, lakes, streams and rivers. With Covid how have you been, emotionally and spiritually? Are you able to flow with everything or have resistance. The more you can flow with life and surrender, it creates space for change. Remember, water represents 70% of your body. The more water you drink, it aids with nourishing your inner temple.

Nature always wears the colors of the spirit –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Air

Historically the element of air is associated with new beginnings, creativity and intelligence. When the forces of wind are roaring in the air, Mother Nature is trying to get our attention. Could it be the wisdom of our ancestors speaking to us through the wind? Perhaps, whispering messages for us to decipher or understand. Have you ever heard that expression, spring is in the air? Air is what we breathe in each day, gives us vitality. Spring air brings in expansion, similar to all seasons. The question is, are you listening?

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter — Rachel Carson

Fire

Fire is depicted as a masculine energy, providing light and transformation. It starts out as a flame and has the capacity to burn anything which comes in its way. Fire represents strength as there is a power in the flame. It could be seen as a destroyer of the darkness. This element takes out the old and brings in the new. Fire is a force to be reckoned with.

Earth

Earth energy is stillness, life and rebirth. It is grounding, nurturing and wise. By planting your feet outside on the earth you are healing. There are many who noticed a shift during 2019 and the beginning of 2020. On a personal level, my soul felt tired. I was feeling lethargic, sensed I needed to rest. I was not angry when Covid occurred. I recognized it as a time of healing the spirit. SELF-CARE became a priority for many. There were many signs that Gaia was tired. During 2019 Mama Earth, experienced wildfires in Australia and drought along with floods in the USA. The fires may have been her anger, the floods her tears. We needed to listen. Earth, if you interchange the words – becomes Heart. One could assume, the Divine Earth is the heart of everything.

What have you Learned from Covid?

The earth is the foundation to everything. My firm belief is that we needed to go back to basics. Be love, shine love, be an expression of love. Nature is our source of healing, by being outdoors our senses are heightened and soul expanded. Family time is something to never take for granted. The value of making your meals and sitting with family is golden. Memories that are irreplaceable. Many realize that they require less to be happy. Relationships have been tested and jobs as well. However, there is balance.

In hindsight, could it be possible that collectively a break was given to us, to reflect? To converse with your inner self and higher power? I am a firm believer that everything happens for our highest good. There is much to learn from 2020 on an individual and collective level. Gaia is teaching valuable life lessons, we were finally listening to the frequencies. The strongest energetic vibration is love.

We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature — Henry David Thoreau

The Pilgrimage – Paulo Coelho

The good fight is the one that's fought in the name of our dreams ...

The first novel I ever read by Paulo Coelho was The Alchemist. His text spoke to my heart in profound ways. I was hooked! I have read many of his novels and presently reading The Pilgrimage. I feel to some degree, I am on my own individual “Pilgrimage”. Things come to you when the time is right.

My friends we are in a time where our faith will carry us forward. The higher power, universe and angels are by your side. We must remember love, and not let fear influence us. We are all feeling the effects of Corona Virus, however it is a time where humanity must all come together as a collective family. Its time to heal, just as Mother Earth is experiencing.

Taken from The Pilgrimage, I share The Blue Sphere Exercise:

Seat yourself comfortably, and relax. Try not to think about anything.

Feel how good it is to be alive. Let your heart feel free and affectionate, let it rise above and beyond the details of the problems that my be bothering you. Begin to sing softly a song from your childhood. Imagine that your heart is growing, filling the room – and later your home – with an intense shining blue light.
When you reach this point, begin to sense the presence of the saints (or other beings) in which you placed your faith when you were child. Notice that they are present, arriving from everywhere, smiling and giving you faith and confidence.
Picture the saints approaching you, placing their hands on your head and wishing you love, peace, and communion with the world – the communion of the saints.
When the sensation becomes strong, feel that the blue light is a current that enters you and leaves you like a shining, flowing river. This blue light begins to spread through your house, then through your neighborhood, your city, and your country; eventually envelops the world in immense blue sphere. This is the manifestation of the great love that goes beyond the day-to-day struggle; it reinforces and invigorates, as it provides energy and peace.
Keep the light spread around the world for as along as possible. Your heart is open, spreading love. This phase of the exercise should last for a minimum of five minutes.
Come out of your trance, bit by bit, return to reality. The saints will remain near. The blue light will continue to spread around the world.

This ritual can and should be done with more than one person. When this is the case, the participants should hold hands while they do this exercise.

I felt inclined to share this exercise as soon as I read it. Perhaps it can shift the energy we are presently in, raising our vibration and Mother Earth’s as well. Sending love and blessings xo

Your Light is Contagious – Rebecca Campbell

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You have an inner light within you that is craving to be shared by those around you, by the world at large – but mostly by you.

When you share your unique light, bit by bit, you light up the lives of those around you.

And, one by one, you inspire them to light up too.

It’s a chain reaction.

And before long, the world lights up.

Your light is contagious.

Excerpt taken from “Light Is The New Black” by Rebecca Campbell”. A New Age Spiritual guide that will have you answering your soul’s calling. Shine your light xo

The Pursuit of Happiness

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Still a dreamer, yet more of a realist than ever before, I knew this was my time to sail. On the horizon I saw the shining future, as before. The difference now was that I felt the wind at my back. I was ready.
—Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness

In the moment of conception, we enter into this world alone unaware of what is happening around us. We are oblivious to our surroundings, and of all the newness that is about to occur. The five senses—taste, sight, touch, smell and hearing become a journey of discovery throughout the aging process as children. We are at complete peace, oneness with the experience of life.

There is such an innocence and pureness when we are young. Happiness, confidence and self-worth are etched into our core. We are fearless, speak our mind and have no concern to what others think about us. There is a sense of resilience and creativity is what makes the soul blossom. We see at a young age how children are painters, chefs, writers and teachers. As one develops from being a toddler to adolescence and finally an adult there are many twists and turns. We sometimes forget who we once were and what truly made us content.

Let us liberate ourselves from any form of control. Let us focus at the inner drum, where the rhythm aligns with that of our heart. The measure of responsibility, equals to the need for evolution. Just listen, the inner child, let it whisper in your ear.
—Grigoris Deoudis

Are we born happy or do we have to work at it? Is it a conscious choice we make? These are the questions that have been pondering over the past few months. I believe happiness is an internal process and there are times we have to work towards creating it. There are numerous times when I would mask emotions of fear, anger or envy in order to keep that happy momentum. I was not being authentic whatsoever, and felt like I was avoiding parts of myself. I do believe happiness comes naturally when we are in alignment and we follow our hearts desires. When those moments happen, I bask in them and remind myself of the simple pleasures of life.

Our we a product of our environment and does epigenetics play a role in our development? I’m in no way a physician, however believe we absorb characteristics from our family relationships that determine some of our innate behaviours. Becoming an emotionally intelligent adult is clearing those blockages and experiences we endured as children. We are cleansing our spirits as we gain self awareness and personal power. We may blame our parents however there will be a time that you will see them as your teachers who gave you unconditional love. As they say the spiritual journey is coming home to yourself.

As we get older finish our education and follow a certain path, we live a certain way even though internally we have a deeper longing. We get caught up in the routine, work-life balance and forget about the importance of connecting to others. Is happiness in a job, car, relationship, or material status? Is that what makes life meaningful or is there something more?

You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.
—Albert Camus

There is something more! I attended a Buddhist Monk Meditation in February and it gave me the direction I have been seeking, along with inspiration for the remainder of this article. What I learned from that significant meditation is that INNER PEACE = HAPPINESS! Meditation brings you back to your core of who you are and that stillness is the key to your happiness. I’m in the process of applying the principle of non-attachment to situations and outcomes . By just being still is the source to happiness.

Here is insight from the meditation session that has ignited clarity into my life:

We all have attachments, fears unfilled desires and this creates inner turmoil. Breathe into your discomfort and surrender. Inhale white light and exhale black particles that do not serve you

When you are wavering into anxiety or stress learn to get touch with your feelings

You have all the wisdom and knowledge within, when you meditate answers appear

Stop going outside yourself and trust your divinity

Stay close to the centre of your heart, the mind is like a diamond, nurture it, feed it and water it with love

Let go of expectations to the way you think life should be and be so engrossed in the presence

Appreciate silence, it is connected to your soul

Love and self-love is the antidote you are seeking

I leave you with the story of Gautama Buddha. He was born into a wealthy upper class family in India surrounded by prestige and influence. Buddha was inquisitive spirit and knew there was a deeper meaning to life and would ultimately forge his own path. One day, he decided to leave and became a humble man who lived the life of ascetic. As Buddha detached from everything, is when he felt truly rich. Meditation, prayer and living a simple life is what transformed his soul. Remember its your internal happiness that makes your soul light up just like the stars in the galaxy.

Is there a simple remedy for happiness? Why are we always searching? The concept of searching finally made sense – I had an epiphany! Happiness is not a destination, its a choice we make daily. It truly is the little things which add up to making us smile. Come back to your inner child, remember who you once were at that young age. Embrace that care-free, radiant soul who lived in pure joy. Make time and space for mediation, the more you practice you will settle into peace.

The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.

–Atisa

Life of an Empath Soul

You are a being of immense depth, wisdom, and compassion. You are a pioneer and trailblazer of humanity, a model for others on how to be sensitive and powerful. All the strength and love you need is already within you, waiting to be discovered. —Mateo Sol

This article is dedicated for anyone who is known as an “Empath Soul”. Since childhood and for most of my adult life, I have always been an sensitive individual. Always feeling highly emotional in particular situations in and unaware of why this occurs. I can be watching movies, commercials and sometimes particular songs can evoke emotions to surface.

I have often felt that something is wrong with me and emotions are running my life! I cannot hear personal stories or accounts of others without being emotionally invested. Its my heart that displays compassion for what anyone is experiencing. I tend to have tears forming in my eyes when seeing anyone struggle or in pain. I viewed being a sensitive soul was a weakness until I started reading and understanding with an empath soul truly is, it is my greatest quality!

What is an Empath Soul?

An empath soul is a highly intuitive individual that feels absolutely everything from being individually or collectively. You are highly evolved spiritual being, who is affected by energy of other people including there thoughts or behaviours. The term collectively means that you and many others absorb energy that may not be of your experience. For example, in the month of August 2017 there was a full moon and a solar ellipse occurred. If you are an empath soul, you were feeling this intensity all around you. You are sensitive to these energies, however with the right healing modalities can find balance.

You can walk into a room and sense the energy of people and surroundings. You are highly in tune to the energy or vibrations that are the closest to you. It’s almost like you are a radio and sense frequencies that come off from others around you. It is integral to take care of yourself daily and be grounded at all times. What does grounding mean? Grounding is coming back to your source energy, breathing into what is occurring and allowing yourself to remain calm in any situation. When things are happening politically or on a global scale I can sense a shift in the air. Fear, negativity and uncertainty is felt right away. I know there are many of us who had similar experiences. I want to let you know this your greatest “gift”.

One of the greatest advantages of being an empath is that experiencing a spiritual awakening is virtually inevitable. In other words, spiritually awakening seems to be written into our DNA. — Aletheia Luna

You are the one, people turn to for love, guidance and reassurance. You my dear are special to humanity and your light is needed. That heart of yours if full of compassion and if you are like me you just want to see everyone happy and fulfilled. The higher power has placed you on earth for a purpose . You are a miracle worker who people flock to in times of need, as many just want to be heard. You allow others to see that vulnerability is being human and that it creates a gateway to heal.

Your compassionate heart is unlike anyone else, by just being you, it lifts others. Like that old saying goes “you would take the skin off your back to help someone else in need”. YOU do this countless times because of your heart! There are times when burn out may occur – make sure you are are taking care of yourself and your soul. What does that exactly mean? Be good to your spirit! Light a candle, say a prayer, or meditate if someone is in need of guidance. Get yourself centred first before sharing your sacred space with others.

When you start to develop your powers of empathy and imagination, the whole world opens up to you. –Susan Sarandon

How to protect your energy:

Give to yourself in any way or form! That means treat yourself to something daily. Self-care is integral when being an empath soul. Pick yourself flowers, take a walk in nature or treat yourself to a cup of tea. Surround yourself with protective white light to shield yourself from any type of unwanted energies. On a side note there is not day I don’t drink a cup of tea. I have afternoon tea everyday it’s almost like a ritual and it honestly is like have a cup of positivity! It does not have to be a material item however just invest in yourself.

You are a miracle to humanity, embrace being an empath soul! Your gifts are needed in this world. Being a highly emotional and sensitive spirit is your way of sharing your divine nature! If everyone was the same life would be a bore, by you being a empath it allows others to seek your guidance and wisdom. Contrast is here to serve the higher good. Honor your ability and get ready to shine, you have a quest to fulfill!