Major Shifts Going On

I did not sleep well last night. I woke up several times, and even though I went back to sleep easily it was not a particularly easy sleep. While I am experiencing some interesting struggles in my own personal life, it felt much more than that--like a major shift is happening in the world.

I don't have any specifics, but I do feel like the balance of power has shifted. That said, it doesn't feel like a good or bad change. It's more a change in who gets to make the rules. I believe this stems from the fact that the collective understands it desires change. The problem lies in not fully understanding what the problems are. When you don't understand the problem intimately, unrecognized concerns do not get addressed.

My current assessment of the situation is as follows. The collective knows we all want change, and critical mass has now been reached because of the amount of pain the world feels. The problems come in because most of us continue to think with our brains instead of our hearts. The decisions we are making are based on the extremely limited information we have been taught to believe (and which nine times out of ten are lies). Consequently, this shift in power is not to a group who has much more respect for other humans than the old group. They just more or less want power.

As we continue to become a much more heart-centered, intuitive sort of people, the powers that run our planet will be less likely to deceive us. This is due to the fact we will eventually learn to see past the lies they supply us with in favor of the information that comes from the place of connection--Oneness--where all information is available. The more truth we are able to discern, the better our choices become.

In order to ascend to a higher dimension (or for religiously oriented people, bring the kingdom of heaven to earth), we must first learn to think fully with our hearts. To do this, we must all learn to consciously connect to our hearts, which is where connection to Source/God/Oneness happens. Until we are able to do this and access unlimited information, our choices will continue to be imperfect and limited.

Changing the world starts within!!!

~CSE

Stopping Energy Vampires

There is this gal at work I will call Joan whom I do not enjoy working with. She often has problems with customers. She is extremely needy and always seems to want help with some issue or another--especially when you are busy trying to deal with an issue of your own. My least favorite thing about her is when she makes her own purchases. I joke around about sales associates being the worst customers because we make each other jump through every hoop known to man in order to get the best deals. Not only does she do this when making a purchase, but she is indecisive and changes her mind constantly, she takes advantage of whichever associate is helping her, and she tries to negotiate things that are non-negotiable. Unfortunately, when I am working she often waits for me to finish whatever customer I am working with so I can help her. I believe it is because I have more patience and strength than the average person and do not blow up at her.

Joan is an energy vampire. I realized early on that what repels me about her is how drained I always feel after I have spent time in her company. I am not the only person who feels this way about her. All of my coworkers run away when she comes around for just the sort of reasons I described above.

Unfortunately, there are more Joans in the world than I care to admit. They come in all shapes and sizes, and they all leave you feeling drained and empty. The thing is, you don't have to let them take what they want. You can still be nice to them while defending yourself and standing your ground.

One of the first things you can do is ask for spiritual protection from energy vampires. You can begin your day asking to be protected from the potential drain. That said, there are some who are particularly difficult to encounter. When you notice feeling depleted, that is the time to silently ask your angels as well as Archangel Michael, who is in charge of protection, to act as shields.

Another thing you can do is stand your ground. As an empath, I do not enjoy confrontations. However, honesty about how you feel can be helpful in these situations. For example, employees where I work get a better discount depending on how they pay. Store gift cards give you the maximum discount, and Joan likes to use them. However, she often does not have enough money on the gift card when making her purchase. She expects you to put more money on her gift card on a different register so she can proceed with her purchase--which is a big "no-no" and can get the associate performing the transaction in trouble. I had to point blank tell her we were all getting in trouble because of her and that we were not going to do it.

Most of us avoid energy vampires because of the havoc they wreak on our lives. Understand that you do have power when interacting with one is unavoidable. You can protect yourself and even go on the offensive if necessary. You should not feel guilty for acting harshly if it is required to keep yourself safe. Understand you might be one of those occasions where karma is biting them back and treat yourself with kindness. You do have the power to keep your own personal energy safe.

~CSE

 

Asking For Protection

Lately, I have felt the need to ask for extra protection. The struggle between light and dark has been fierce. I can feel the heaviness of it, especially in my quiet meditation time. I can see the results in the world around me. Both stories in the news and the fighting I see going on in people around me are physical manifestations of these conditions. At times like this we must all be intentional about protecting and defending the light that surrounds us so the darkness has no stronghold.

In the spiritual realms, darkness and light seek each other out in order to maintain balance. This is the natural order of things and how all things work together for good. However, the world has not seen this balance for a very long time. This is because those who rely on the darkness for the sake of power also better understand how the spiritual world works and how it influences the physical world. They have done what they can to hide this knowledge from the light side of things in order to maintain control.

Those who wield darkness for the sake of power are very intentional in their actions. They use ritual and magic to bring powerful darkness to the physical realms. This darkness is sent to any light it sees in order to suppress and overwhelm it so it has no real effect in the world. This is why we often feel like we are doing what we came here to do but are getting nowhere in our mission.

Protecting self, those you love, and your mission in life also needs to be intentional. Begin each day in prayer and meditation, asking specifically for the protectors of light to be with you and those you love. There is really no right or wrong way to do it. Simply ask your heart to bring to mind all those things that need protection. Requests can be personal or even for the world at large.

The apostle Paul has some advice that runs along similar lines:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.                                                                                    (Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV)

The darkness is intentional in attempting to gain control. Understand that being intentional about your protection is key to helping yourself effectively complete your life's purpose.

~CSE

 

 

Planting Poison Ivy

Now that I have gotten your attention, I want to point out that most people in their right mind would not intentionally set out to plant poison ivy (the exceptions being serious botanists or other scientists who are doing research). We know poison ivy to be a highly toxic allergen whose volatile plant oils can make you itch so intensely you want to crawl out of your skin. Still, for all its known hazards, poison ivy can be a good thing.

Poison ivy is actually a very attractive plant. It's leaves growing in sets of three often contain a hint of red in their veining--leaving an extra bit of color on the forest floor. In fall when the leaves change, I have seen poison ivy growing up the side of a trees contain beautiful rainbow colors that took my breath away with their beauty. Equally pretty flowers pop up in spring and early summer, which also contribute to the plant's attractiveness.

The poison ivy plant contributes to the well being of many birds. The white berries of winter are often a favorite food for our feathered friends during the cold. There are also certain birds that like to use the hairy growth of thick poison ivy vines to build their nests. I appreciate anything that provides for the well-being of my winged friends.

The other benefit of poison ivy is what it can teach us. Coming into direct contact with it and having a reaction to it can give a person a greater respect for nature. Such an experience will cause you to walk gently and not take the world for granted. While we may not intentionally walk into such a painful experience, the lessons are invaluable and may be transferred to many other aspects of life.

Poison ivy is a great way to understand that everything in the world is not necessarily black or white. While it may contain pain, it also contains life. When we learn to appreciate both sides, the Universe opens up new levels of understanding. We are never the same, and abundance flows.

~CSE

Never Under-Estimate The Power Of Animals

I came across this beautiful story last night on Facebook and immediately wanted to share its power. It's the story of a man, broken and alone with health issues, who was brought back to life because of a shelter dog he adopted. Once again, I honor the healing energy animals can have on their human companions. The video literally brought tears to my eyes as Eric described his relationship with Petey.

I wouldn't describe myself as a "pet" person, even though I like animals and they like me. Typically I don't have enough time to take care of myself let alone be responsible for an animal. However, as an empath I can feel the relationships people have with their pet family members. The bonds are as strong here as they are with many purely human relationships. Because of this, I appreciate the strong ties humans have with their animals and I understand the pain people feel when they lose a beloved companion.

Animals can be very healing. As the video story above so touchingly reveals, animals can work magic in the lives of humans because of their gift for unconditional love. Many people have been so hurt by their fellow humans it is difficult for them to be open to love. Animals have the power to break down those barriers, allowing the human heart to work properly once again.

Animals have their own sacred soul energy. It contains its own intelligence, and if you learn how to be sensitive to such energies you can communicate with them in very real ways. Animal whisperers are those who understand animal energies so well they know what the animals are thinking and respond accordingly.

I believe it is important to honor and thank all energies for what they provide. Animals often come to assist us in life with their unconditional love. Allow yourself to acknowledge their importance, even if they are not a part of your life.

~CSE

Our Hope For The Future

As a conspiracy theorist, I am usually suspicious of all things mainstream. Greed and corruption hide around every corner as the very rich become even richer and the middle class and poor become much poorer. Regardless of what the media reports about a growing economy, my eyes still see the homes of people I know going into foreclosure, my ears still hear the tales of full-time, well-paying jobs with benefits being cut in favor of temporary work forces and outsourcing to foreign countries. My brain no longer accepts the "facts" the status quo tries to lay out for me. They don't coincide with my personal experiences.

I have looked at the problems long enough I understand one thing: nothing will change until we are willing to stand together as a people and make change happen. It is not enough to turn a blind eye to the problems and believe that everything will just work out. We have to take personal responsibility for the conditions of our country and our world and be willing to come up with plans to make it better.

Although I see people around my age waking up to the world's problems, my generation has issues. We are so used to sitting back and allowing others to "handle" our problems we have become lazy. In such a scenario, it is incredibly easy for those who desire power to come in and take over. It wouldn't be a problem if those who desired power had integrity. Unfortunately, power positions do not often attract people with integrity. We have allowed those in power to twist our system into one that benefits only a chosen few and rewards their little lapdogs who have been trained in our cookie cutter educational system to follow orders and do the heavy work.

The really crazy thing is, the people of my generation often denigrate the kids and young adults of today. The younger generation is called "lazy" and "socialist" and is accused of wanting something for nothing. Truthfully, the whole attitude pisses me off because when I look at the kids and young adults of today, I see our hope for the future. That's right! I said it! Our young people are our hope for the future!

As I look back on my life, I see how relatively easy I had it. Growing up, my father was the only one who worked outside the home. He could pay all the expenses for our family of five--mortgage, cars, insurance, utilities, food, clothing, extra-curricular activities, vacations, etc. We were encouraged to go to college. Most of us had our college paid for by our parents. We got out of college and were pretty much assured of being offered better pay and careers than our high school only peers, even if the job wasn't within our major.

It is totally different for this new generation. Most everyone grew up in daycare as both parents needed to work to pay the same bills that were so easy for our fathers to pay on their single salaries. Profound debt became increasingly common as inflation outpaced pay increases. Kids today are still encouraged to attend college--which they typically go into lifetime debt for--although they are no longer assured there will be good jobs waiting for them when they finish. Many of them end up living in their parents basements or with several other roommates because the minimum wage jobs they find don't even come close to paying their living expenses. These young people understand that something stinks because life has not been particularly easy on them. What I find appalling is that people of my generation turn around and call these kids "lazy" because they can't do today what life allowed us to do easily when we were their age! It's a totally different ballgame, folks!!! The rules have changed. They've just changed so gradually it is difficult for us older people to see the differences.

The bright spot about how these young people have grown up is this: they have never seen the world through our own distorted rose-colored glasses. They are not blinded to the problems. Consequently, they see the need for change and are much more willing to take the initiative to change it themselves! They attend rallies. They get out on the streets and protest the inequities! They are active in the political process. Best of all, these young people have heart. They see deficiencies that need to be filled and they are willing to do the work. Granted, there are exceptions, but most of the young people I know give me hope because they are willing to stand in the gap and accept responsibility for what happens in our world.

It is time for people of my generation to see what the younger generation has always known--the world needs fixing! Get up off your butts, take some responsibility for what happens, and DO some fixing! If you need ideas to get started, just look to the young people. They truly are our hope for the future!

~CSE  

Reconnecting

There has been a hole in my life for the past several years. Back in the BC (Before Children) time period, my first real job was working with emotionally disturbed children in a group home in Iowa. Because of social media, I have been able to reconnect with people from various periods throughout my lifetime. My whole lifetime has been covered with one exception: friends that I worked with in that group home. Within the past week, I have finally been able to make that reconnection, and it is quickly proving to be a very profound experience for me.

Working in that group home was the most stressful job I have ever had. The majority of the children were hyperactive. Couple that with the abuse and neglect most of them had suffered and you come up with some of the most challenging sorts of people to work with. The turnover rate is extremely high, but there are a few people, like myself, who have the strength and courage to stick it out for a while. It is easy to become close to your coworkers in such an environment. The shared stress and the teamwork involved in the process naturally brings people together.

I also credit these particular individuals with helping me get through one of the most difficult periods in my personal life. The birth and death of my first child, Arielle, occurred during this time frame. The fact that most of my friends were counselors and social workers who were empathetic and strong enabled me to talk about my feelings and resolve all the conflicting emotions inside myself much more quickly than I would have if I had average sorts of friends. 

I went into that job wanting to contribute. I had done some volunteer work with that same population while I was in high school, and it seemed to be a good fit. I always assumed this career field would be my particular path--until life got in the way. Children, divorce, and single-parenthood all contributed to re-evaluating that choice. The jobs I had after working in the group home all felt like jobs I fell into instead of jobs I felt called to do. Twenty-five years later, it still feels the same. Until now.

Upon reconnecting with some of these former coworkers and friends, I was finally given some big pieces in my life's puzzle which bring clarity. Although they accepted my friend requests, I wondered if they remembered me. It has been a long time. One of them I asked specifically. She came back with something to the effect that "Of course I remember you. Your compassion and love for our work was above and beyond."

As I look back at my life, I understand something truly profound. What you do in life is not nearly as important as how you do it. Even though I fell into my job as a preschool teacher because of my need to work and my desire to still play a large role in raising my own children, it wasn't haphazard or worthless. I did a good job taking care of and teaching my young charges. I know I impacted the lives of others in positive ways as I still run into many of my former students, who often give me hugs and tell me what is going on in their lives today. My current job as a sales associate at a department store is the same. So many customers tell me they appreciate my patience and kindness. Even though the work is often tedious and mundane, the ability to reach out and help my fellow humans ultimately makes it much more worthwhile. 

I know now why I have been trying to reconnect with these particular friends for so long. Once again, I am able to see my entire life from a whole new perspective. Although my life has not gone according to plan and I have not impacted people in the ways I expected to, the people whose lives I have touched are better for it.

I am reminded of the Mother Teresa quote:

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.

It is the little things we do every day that make profound impacts on the world. Reconnecting to this lost piece of my life has helped me remember. Clarity is a beautiful thing.

~CSE

  

Make Voting Matter!

Some of us are still under the impression that our votes actually count. I used to be one of them--until I fell down the rabbit hole. The more I looked for answers, the more likely I was to find corruption at the highest levels of government. The memes I had been brought up with--things like "The United States is the most democratic nation in the world" and "The Constitution's checks and balances keep the government from going out of control"--were acceptable until I began questioning things. Those questions broke down the foundations I had built my world on, leaving my world in shambles.

Florida's hanging chad fiasco during the presidential race between George Bush, Jr. and Al Gore of 2000 highlighted for many people the fact that our system of voting was highly flawed. Between the black boxes of electronic voting and scandals involving uncounted absentee or provisional ballots, there are many ways those with power can artificially sway a vote.

Only We the People have the power to change this! We first need to recognize the need to diligently stay on top of the voting process to ensure it is fair and everyone's voice is heard. Then we need to stand watch to hold those in charge of counting votes accountable for their actions. We need to literally stand over them and monitor the counting of paper ballots. We need to veto the use of any computer system that relies on "proprietary" software that excludes the ability to look at the computer code to see if it has been tampered with to switch votes.

If we do not hold those in power accountable for their actions, they will continue to manipulate and control us in ways that erode our personal freedoms and power. We have the power to change our world for the better. We just need to be willing to be active participants in it instead of trust power hungry fools to rule us.

Make voting matter! Stand over the vote counters and make sure your vote is counted! Otherwise, they will continue to lie to us and place their puppets into power.

~CSE

T.E.A.M.

The Power Of Naps!

I have a definite fondness for naps. Part of my appreciation for them stems from my time as a Pre K teacher. My home state of Georgia uses its lottery earnings to fund a free Pre K program for students all over the state. Because students are only 4-years-old, lawmakers required an hour rest time to be included as part of the school day.

Needless to say, most of the kids did not appreciate nap time even though quite a few of them still needed it. As I observed them before and after nap, I could see it often made a huge difference in how they handled the rest of their day.

The older I get, the more I enjoy naps. Not only do they rest my body, but there is a component of naps that also nurtures the soul. Naps allow you to break away from the physical world and connect to the quiet, where God and Oneness dwell.

Take the time to take a nap! You may just discover the pieces of your life all begin to fall into place!

~CSE

Nothing Can Separate Us

Most days I feel very separate--separate from others, separate from the world, separate from God, and at times even separate from myself. I know I'm not the only one to feel this way. It shows up in the sadness that surrounds us in the world. 

I shouldn't really be surprised by this state of affairs. From the moment of our births we are taught to identify with our culture, our religion (or lack thereof), our politics, our genders, our sexual orientations, our talents and skills, etc. We learn there is a "right" way to do things and a "wrong" way to do things and it is important to stand up for what is "right" and "good" and "pure". Separation is built into the system because it forces us to look at our differences and judge them accordingly.

What often escapes our notice is the fact we are all connected through the energy of our hearts. Our hearts don't see differences. Our hearts feel a need and immediately rush to where our help is required. It is when we set about the work of following our hearts that separation no longer exists. 

Whether you actually believe in God or a universal power or a higher intelligence is not important. What is important is to be aware that we are all connected to each other and every other thing in the world through our hearts--through love. When we choose to follow the guidance of our hearts, we arrive in those places where we fit and where our gifts and talents can do the most good. We are connected in very real and positive ways. 

There is no separation in love.

~CSE

     

It Is Not About Building A Wall

An open letter to Donald Trump

Dear Mr. Trump,

You've gained a lot of popularity with your talk about building a wall to keep people from illegally crossing the border into the United States. I understand the desire to address safety concerns regarding criminals and terrorists being allowed free access to our country. I also understand wanting to limit the number of people who come here illegally and tap into what are now the country's very limited resources. We have a hard enough time providing for our own needy people. That said, let me be very clear. These problems will never be solved by building a wall.

Addressing the real issues involves asking better questions. Instead of asking, "How do we keep undesirable elements out of the country?" we need to ask questions like, "Why are people trying to enter the country illegally in the first place?" The difference in these two questions will determine whether Americans can come together to fix their own problems or continue to be mired down in the muck, the root of our problems untouched and growing.

I know why people desire to come to the United States. Many people hold the belief that the United States is the land of freedom and opportunity. On certain levels this is still true (although the past thirty+ years have brought more limitations to freedom and opportunity than I would have thought possible).

This brings to mind another even more important question: why are conditions so bad in other countries that they risk leaving their homes to try to find better lives for themselves and their families? This is the issue at the root of our problems. This is the issue that needs to be addressed.

Mr. Trump, you may not see this as the US's problem, but let me assure you it is our problem. Why, you ask? It is our problem because the United States has caused conditions to be bad in countries around the world.

Let's take a quick look at Iraq and Afghanistan. US military intervention in Iraq goes back to George Bush Sr. and Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. At the time, Iraq was accusing Kuwait of drilling sideways/at an angle to tap in to Iraqi oil reserves. I don't know that this is true. I don't know that it is not true. Considering the techniques they have perfected in more recent years to obtain shale oil, Kuwait might have been guilty as charged. US intervention in Afghanistan goes back even farther to when the USSR was trying to invade it to plunder its vast natural gas resources. Both instances were justified because America is all about policing the world and making sure democracy and freedom reign supreme. (At least that's what the citizenry are told in order to make sure they support whatever actions our military takes overseas.)

Are either of these countries better off today than they were back then after literal decades of US military intervention? The answer is a resounding "No!" They are still at war. People struggle to survive everyday life. Poppy fields and the heroin drug trade still thrive. The region is a breeding ground for terrorism as the people attempt to reclaim control of themselves and their resources.

Who has benefited from these police actions? Multinational corporations who profit from war--weapons manufacturers, food and supply companies, etc. Corporations who seek to control natural resources (oil, natural gas, minerals, etc.). Banks, who plunge countries into fake debt by promising much needed infrastructure that is really only put in place to provide for ease of military action and export of the country's resources and does absolutely nothing to help the people who actually live there. The debt does, however, make those people debt slaves.

The Middle East is not the only area of the world our multinational corporations control. Most of Africa, large portions of Asia, and pretty much all of Central and South America are included in such takeovers. Natural resources are controlled by corporations who subjugate the people in their quest for never-ending money and power. Life for these people is difficult at best. Under such circumstances, who wouldn't want a shot at an easier life?

Our military should not be used so that multinational corporations profit. Our military should be defensive only and not for our allies either. Our allies need to develop and/or rely on their own defenses and not expect us to go fight their battles. If they want our help, they need to be willing to bear the cost of the action and pay for our services. The bottom line is, the United States of America needs to stop interfering in other countries around the world. We have created worldwide problems that people want to escape from.

Mr. Trump, it is not about building a wall. It is about enabling people all over the world to control their own destinies. It is about allowing them the space they need to create abundance and prosperity. When they have what they need to lead healthy and productive lives in their own countries, they will have no reason to raid ours.

Sincerely,
Cindy Shippy Evans

 

       

My New Theme Song

I have been obsessed with the song "Glorious" by David Archuleta in recent days--especially the version as performed by the One Voice Children's Choir based in Utah. Not only is it a beautiful song, but the frequency it inspires is amazing!

The funny thing is, it is only after I began paying attention to the words that I began to understand why I have been so obsessed with it. David uses the metaphor of a symphony to explain how every one of us has a part to play/sing in the grander scheme of life.

"Glorious"

There are times when
You might feel aimless
And can't see the places
Where you belong
But you will find that
There is a purpose
It's been there within you
All along
And when you're near it
You can almost hear it

(Chorus)
It's like a symphony
Just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start
To figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece
And there are melodies
In each one of us
Oohhhh, it's glorious

And you will know how
To let it ring out
As you discover
Who you are
Others around you
Will start to wake up
To the sounds that are
In their hearts
It's so amazing
What we're all creating

(Chorus)
It's like a symphony
Just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start
To figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece
And there are melodies
In each one of us
Oohhhh it's glorious

(Bridge)
And as you feel
The notes build
Higher
You will see

(Chorus)
It's like a symphony
Just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start
To figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece
And there are melodies
In each one of us
Oohhhh it's glorious
     ~David Archuleta

May each and every one of us be able to connect to the music in our own hearts so we may begin creating the world of our dreams!

~CSE

  

Rethinking Money And Energy Exchange

As I reflect on money this morning, I realize how seriously warped my ideas about money are. It has nothing to do with greed or taking advantage of other people. Rather, my thoughts flow to memes I have incorporated into my being that limit the money and other blessings I allow to flow into my life. I realize I am my own worst energy block when it comes to receiving! 

The first meme that has created havoc in my life is the idea you have to put effort out in order to gain money. The meme in and of itself is not a bad concept. Life is about putting energy out and gaining it back in a never ending cycle. Energy exchange. That is the way it works. What is messed up is energy exchange as it relates to physical money. We have been taught that only certain actions are worthy of receiving money. The fact of the matter is, each and every one of us expends a good amount of energy doing things for other people, animals, the environment, etc. that we do not get paid for--often actions that are extremely valuable to life on planet Earth.

A good many problems in our world are the direct result of believing only certain occupations are worthy of receiving money for. If the energy you put out is not on the list of jobs that can earn income, you are considered lazy and good for nothing. Ironically, much of this can be the exact same energy output as what we actually do every day. For example, you get actual money for taking care of elderly people in the nursing home. However, take care of your elderly parent in your home fulltime and get nothing back in return (except the knowledge you are providing for someone you love). Is this right? Is this fair? Granted, it all needs to be done. My point here is, we expend positive energy and should receive positive energy back. We allow society to dictate what we can receive back. Blessings blocked!

Our beliefs about income earning jobs are also warped because we value certain jobs much more highly than other jobs. That's why workers at places like Walmart and McDonald's get paid minimum wage and high level managers at corporations get paid millions of dollars. The basic idea here is that "brain power" should be much more highly paid than manual labor. After all, anyone can do physical labor. Not everyone is intelligent. Right?

I'm going to call BS on this idea right now! We are all gifted in our own ways. If we are putting our energy out in the world in positive ways, shouldn't we expect to see it come back to us as a liveable wage? We need to become a people so conscious of our actions that we value the contributions each of us makes to society, even if those actions are currently deemed selfish--like taking care of an older parent or our children! We need to understand that taking care of our own families often has even greater value than taking care of people outside our families because we are also loving, valuing and honoring the ones we take care of! We need to understand that flipping burgers at a restaurant has value! We need to understand that collecting others' trash has value! Even a simple smile has the power to make another's day better! We need to be a people who understand what REAL value is!!!     

The next meme that has created problems for me is "Do no harm". While this, too, is largely a good meme, I am one of those people who takes it to the extreme. I want to be sure that the energy that comes back to me is good, untainted energy. I am very conscious of my actions towards others, animals and the planet. What creates problems for me here is my prejudgment of situations and potential outcomes. 

For example, in my part-time retail job, we are encouraged to have our customers apply for credit. For each person we get to apply, we get a couple extra dollars on our paychecks. I have very definite ideas about credit and indebtedness being the very institution that creates modern-day slaves. Consequently, I do not get all that many credit applications. I do, however, find it interesting how several of my young, high school aged coworkers get lots of credit applications. I attribute their success to the fact they do not prejudge the impact applying for credit is going to have on the other person's life.

What I usually fail to recognize when I prejudge a situation is that there are often consequences I do not anticipate. I do not know what others came here to learn! Maybe one of the lessons they signed up for was to face hardships when they got themselves into too much debt! The point is, when I fail to offer someone else a certain experience, I may not actually be helping them. I am also denying myself the blessings the situation may be able to bring me. 

Our world is seriously twisted in so many ways. We are here to help bring it back into balance. It is only by questioning the status quo that we can make the changes that benefit the whole. Money and energy exchange play such a huge role in our lives on planet Earth today. Isn't it time we rethought how it functions so that it is much more fair and balanced as well? By doing so, we have the potential to create a life of abundance and prosperity for all!

~CSE