It's What Lights Us Up That Gets Us Moving!

I saw a witty political meme this morning where Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is emphatically asking where all the Women's Protest supporters were on election day. I'm sure many people are asking this very same question in light of the crowds that event drew. What sticks out in my mind is not so much the women's rights aspect of things but the anti-Trump sentiment what was pervasive in the atmosphere--especially in many of the highly publicized speeches. The simple fact of the matter is this: Hillary Clinton is not a candidate people get passionate about. Donald Trump, on the other hand, definitely inspires passion, be that positive or negative.

I don't believe Donald Trump is our savior. I don't believe Donald Trump is a demon. What I do believe is that he is here to inspire us and kick us into high gear. It is the very fact that the Donald lives an extremely colorful life that has put him into the spotlight in the first place. He is larger than life. His flaws are all on display of the public and he holds nothing back. He is definitely not a politician (or like any politician we have seen before). That said, I believe it is his bold uniqueness that has propelled him into the ultimate spotlight. The people who voted for him did so because they are looking for monumental change. The people who didn't are fighting mad because they are looking to keep the establishment identity intact. Either way, people are energized in powerful ways--and that's the point!

We are at a time and place in our history where change is required if we are to free ourselves from the bonds that have enslaved us for centuries. Most of us are guilty of sleeping while the psychopaths in charge manipulate our money, resources and power for their own personal gain. We the People have not been a part of that process for a long time. (We ironically believe that voting is what gives us power, all the while that has been manipulated as well!) In this time of worldwide suffering and pain, it is necessary that We the People shake off our apathy and begin to reclaim our own power.

Donald Trump has inspired us to do that. His supporters are looking forward to radical changes in the way the President does things. His opposition looks on in abhorrence at the fact he is not following the normal playbook. Either way, Donald Trump is making people stand up and take notice. He is energizing people in ways that no one saw coming just a few short years ago. It's pretty much love or hate. There is no in between with the Donald.

Donald Trump might be the best thing that has happened to the United States of America and the world. He might be the worst thing that has happened to the United States of America and the world. Ultimately, Donald Trump's place in history depends on what We the People choose to BE in this moment and in the future. If he inspires us to BE the change we wish to see in the world, it is my belief he has fulfilled his mission.

It will be interesting to see how many people attack me today because they read this and assume I am a Trump supporter! Are you one? Let's get this party started! Comment below!!!

When God Shows Up As An Atheist

I have struggled in recent weeks. Several people in my immediate family are having major health issues. I see a need to stay home more and take care of my family, yet I really do need the income that my job brings in. On top of that, my oldest son is getting married in a few short weeks. Although I (fortunately) am not doing the planning, with everything else going on even finding a dress to wear is a struggle. Stress has overwhelmed me to the point of tears on many occasions during the last few weeks. I have spent a great deal of time in prayer and meditation as I attempt to cope with the circumstances of my life. I have seen little glimpses of God here and there, but yesterday evening I ate dinner with him. He showed up in the form of a dear, old friend, who also happens to be atheist!

I've known this particular friend for perhaps fifteen or sixteen years, since the time her now high school senior son was in my two-year-old class at the daycare I worked at. She is not an outspoken atheist. In fact, I didn't even know she was one until last night. I knew she didn't have an interest in religion. She is a very hardworking HR-type professional who also happens to have a great sense of humor and is a lot of fun to hang out with. I had managed to reconnect with her through social media, but it wasn't until I ran into her at my retail job that I realized how much I had missed her. We talked about getting together over dinner and eventually made the plans that culminated in dinner last evening.

Yesterday was an especially difficult day. I spent a lot of time just trying to take care of me as I sort through all the messy details of my life and try to figure out a game plan. I have to admit, I almost called my friend and told her I had a headache (which I did) and asked to reschedule. I wasn't feeling particularly social and I did not want to come across as Debbie Downer. Somehow, I ended up going anyway, and I am glad I did.

During the course of the conversation I ended up telling her everything that was going on in my life. (So much for not being Debbie Downer!) The great part was, my friend asked a lot of questions and not just about the problems. She asked what I was doing for me and pointed out the simple truth that if I didn't work at filling myself back up I would have nothing left to give back out.

I talked about my goals of writing and doing workshops designed to help others cope with life and heal themselves. My friend pointed out that one of my gifts was the gift of presence. I have a tendency to show up and interact with others in powerful ways. People that know me personally like me and trust me. She suggested that in order to touch people in the ways I desire to I should look at connecting with them as a physical presence. I have to admit, that was one aspect of my life I had not looked at. It was a powerful insight. I spend a lot of time hiding in the shadows.

I have prayed so often for insight and direction as I struggle to take control of my life in new and positive ways. It's really quite brilliant to see an answer to prayer show up in the form of an atheist. I know my friend probably wouldn't see it this light, but last night she showed up as God in human form, helping me see myself from a new perspective.  

We are all Divine energy--unique expressions of God interacting with each other in profound ways. Although we don't always acknowledge this truth, it is times like these I am reminded of this simple fact.

~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

 

The Value Of Money

I saw a meme being promoted in social media the other day. It was written to promote a conservative political agenda, but as I looked at what was said it dawned on me that is was based on our current system of valuing money--a system I believe to be highly flawed. Regardless, it made me ask myself some hard questions.

The post read as follows:

• FASCISM: The government orders you to give the fruits of your labors to others. If you refuse, the government arrests you.
• COMMUNISM: The government takes the fruits of your labors and gives them to others. If you refuse, the government arrests you.
• SOCIALISM: The government politely takes the fruits of your labors and gives them to others. If you refuse, the government arrests you.
• DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM: At the request of 51% of the voters, the government politely takes the fruits of your labors and gives them to others. If you refuse, the government arrests you.

It was obviously written to make people angry that their value/energy/money is being forcibly taken and given to others who "don't deserve it." My question is, if our money became worthless tomorrow, how would we go about getting the goods and services we need? 

The most logical answer would be to barter. It would be easy for the actual producers of goods and services to get the resources they needed. Farmers, doctors, furniture makers, etc. would be in the clear. What about teachers, social workers, and garbage collectors? How would all that work? I believe the powers that be want us to think it would all end up in chaos and that a state of martial law would have to be proclaimed. I personally believe humans are much better than that.

At the present time, there are people who give value/energy every day that do not get paid for it in money. Many caregivers take care of their own children or an elderly parent with no energy given back for it in return. What about the starving artist, who has talent but requires people with loads of money to buy his work? Should he be forced to use his energy in a job field that does pay money but does not use his talents? What such circumstances say to me is that our value system has gotten seriously warped. Why are we not allowed to use our gifts and energy in meaningful ways--in ways that make our hearts sing with purpose?

When we limit the value of money/energy with society's current norms, we limit who we allow ourselves to BE. Most of us go through life running on a hamster wheel, working hard but going nowhere because our energy/value/money ends up in the hands of a relative few. It often takes real creativity to build yourself a niche where you can get paid to do something you love.

It is time to think differently about what money is and what earning it should mean (as opposed to what it means at present). When we solve this problem, it will no longer be about having our energy/value stolen from us. It will be a mutually beneficial giving and receiving that will bring peace and prosperity to all.

~CSE

The Benefits Of Being Silent

From an early age, I craved alone time. Most days I would sit alone in my room reading, or I would be out exploring the trees and plants in my yard. I know now a lot of it was because I was highly empathic, and being alone brought me peace. Still, there are many things to gain when you sit in silence.

When you take the time to sit in silence, you are able to get to know self. You can explore your likes and dislikes by asking questions. You can learn about the things that bring you down and the things that inspire you--in other words what to stay away from and what to go after. You can explore your feelings and learn even more.

When you are silent, you can learn about the energies around you. Everything has energy/frequency. Most days we take these energies for granted because most of the things we observe are so common. Furniture, vehicles, plants, animals, etc. Believe it or not, these things even have personalities! It's easy to relate to when it comes to animals. Their energies are similar enough to our own that we often have relationships with them. Others are more difficult. The irony is, there are often things in our lives we have relationships with, but we take them as jokes. For example, how many of us have named our cars? (Or plants, or anything else?) How many of us talk to those same cars? Like I said, we joke around about it, but the next time you do it think about it for a moment. Did you get anything back? A thought or a feeling, perhaps?

There are even energies around that do not have a physical presence, but it is possible to sense them when you take time to be silent. You may have been taught such things are only your imagination, but think about this: Thoughts themselves have energy. I have learned information from beings I would call elementals all because I allowed myself to be open to the possibility of their existence.

There is much to be learned when you take the time to sit in silence. Allow yourself to explore the unseen energies and information in your world. You never know what else might be accomplished when you take the time to understand the more subtle energies around you.

For a simple technique to help clear your mind and get you started, read here (The Space Between Thoughts Meditation).

~CSE

     

The Universe Has Your Back!

It's amazing what can happen when you begin searching for answers and asking questions! Somehow, the Universe responds to the change in energy and presents new options! Seemingly impossible outcomes suddenly appear to be within reach. Even when we don't understand, the Universe has our backs!

I have overcome quite a lot in my fifty years of life. Some of my biggest obstacles (and opportunities) have been the result of a rather troubled relationship with my daughter. While I will not go into details at this time, our relationship has been a bit of a roller coaster ride even though we both love and care for each other tremendously.

Over the past couple of years, I have taken a hard look at my role in this scenario. I definitely have some codependent sort of behaviors that enable the troubled relationship between myself and my daughter. Although only my daughter can make choices for herself, the energy/frequency I project can influence her actions and reactions toward me. Changing my personal frequency into something that will encourage a healthier relationship has become key to what I wish to change about myself.

The past couple of weeks have been ones of profound change for my daughter. She has begun to recognize things in herself she wishes to change and is taking corrective action. What strikes me as interesting is, even though I was not aware of many of the changes she has been making at a personal level, the Universe has been preparing me for the changes! Through connecting to my heart and the Universe, I have been given the information I needed to prepare for what lies ahead. Even though my rational mind has been shocked at the changes, my heart has already seen such outcomes and was not taken by surprise.

My daughter and I are in the middle of this new journey, so I can't say exactly where it will lead. I just know that awarenesses have been given and miracles put into place. When you connect to the divine information within, you don't often see more than one step at a time. You begin a journey of faith--of trust in the Universe.

When you believe you are fully supported in your efforts, you are. The Universe really does have your back! Learn to trust it.

~CSE

  

Beyond Karma

While I believe that what goes around comes around, I'm not a big fan of most people's concept of karma. Karma is thought of by many as having to pay for mistakes you have made in the past, sometimes mistakes you have made in past lifetimes. I will confess that there are times when I can see someone else's bad attitude catching up with them and take a secret satisfaction in the way it plays out. That said, I don't believe karma is one endless prison sentence. Life isn't about paying for past mistakes. It's about making mistakes and learning from them so that you can go on and learn something new.

Karma is one of those religious concepts that can hold us in bondage. It does this by making us feel that the poor treatment we receive in life is something we deserve. When we feel we deserve poor treatment in life, that is what we receive. We block our own blessings!

Moving beyond our perceived karma is more a question of changing our frequency. That said, there are a good many things we need to overcome in order to be able to do that. For me, it is the journey of forgiveness. We have to be able to forgive ourselves for our own transgressions and mistakes. We have to be willing to forgive others for the pain they have caused us. We also need to be able to forgive the experiences, or traumas, we have endured as well as the energies that surround us in our environments. Moving beyond all these experiences changes our frequency/energy.

Karma is not so much about punishment as it is about controlling our state of BEing. Energy does carry over into the next life. Your choices in this lifetime determine where you end up in the next existence, based solely on the frequency you carry with you. Do what you can to rid yourself of blocks that come with living life. Choose forgiveness, and you will have the ability to move beyond your present problems into a new and beautiful life.

~CSE

What Goes Around

Yesterday at work, I got a bit of a compliment I wasn't expecting. I was in process of returning items to various departments in the store I work in. I do try to make sure I am leaving items in the correct place. Otherwise, someone else has to take the trouble to sort them out and return them to the right place. Besides being more efficient, it's just easier on everyone involved. I was thanked for giving the correct items to the person who was trying to put them away. When I commented back, I was told that not everyone is happy to take things to the right place. I guess I knew that already. It drives me nuts when people leave stuff in my department that belongs elsewhere.

A long time ago, I learned that the energy I create in the world always comes back to me. When I am mean and nasty to people, it eventually comes back to bite me in the butt. That's why I work so hard at treating people the way I want to be treated. I want the pleasant stuff back. It works for me, too. I am well-liked and well-respected wherever I go.

What energy do you create in the world? The easiest way to tell is what energies confront you on a daily basis. Do people like you and treat you with respect? Do people appreciate the job you do? Do you find yourself receiving good things wherever you go? If not, it is time to question why! Ask yourself, "Am I putting good energies out into the world--energies I want to receive back?" If you are not, the answer may be that you need to change your energy/frequency so you are producing something more positive.

There are times when you may be putting out positive energies but not getting the results you want. Sometimes we can get into a mode where we are nicer than the people around us. Change is needed here, but it is not necessarily in how you treat others. The change that is needed is in how your see yourself. There are times in life when we subconsciously believe we deserve to be treated poorly, so we continue to take terrible treatment. Fact of the matter is, no one deserves to be treated poorly. In this scenario, self-esteem work is necessary to change the situation. Think about it this way; we all deserve to receive the energy we put out into the world. If you carry a thoughtful and loving frequency you deserve to receive that back!

What goes around really does come around. Make sure you are the positive frequency you want to see created in the world. When you change your energy, the world around you also changes. It is up to all of us to take responsibility for what gets created.

~CSE

Getting To Know Your Angels

Did you know you have angels who are assigned to you personally? (Yes, you are just that special!) Their jobs are to help you accomplish your goals and mission in life. They prompt you to take certain actions through thoughts or "coincidences". They keep you out of harms way if that is not part of your life's plan. They even provide physical things you need, although you might not consider your angels were the ones who brought them. You can get to know your angels personally, although for the vast majority of us the process takes time and focus.

I became aware of my angels, particularly the one I consider my angel-in-charge, by connecting to my heart space and becoming aware of energies that surround me. I had recently learned the process and I was guiding my sister through the technique. When we were both connected, I just sat there and focused on feeling the energies around me. I felt a presence a foot or two behind myself, sort of off to my right side. Interestingly enough, I felt a similar presence behind my sister but I knew that was her angel and I didn't need to concern myself with him. This is was my first acknowledgement of the presence of my personal guardian.

The whole experience intrigued me to the point where I began to seek more information about what happened. I was able to describe the experience to a very gifted intuitive, and she helped me determine more exactly what had happened. She also gave me suggestions for what to pay attention to--specifics like did it feel safe and where did those knowing feelings occurr in my own body. (Different people will get intuitive feelings/information in different locations in their bodies. Most of mine occur in my stomach and solar plexus areas, but they can even occur in something like your arm or your big toe. Don't judge them!)

I began to take time daily to get in touch with this particular angel. One of my favorite times of day was at work. At the time I was still working as a daycare teacher and I had a class of two year olds that took naps every day just after lunch. The two hour period where they slept gave me a large portion of time to get quiet and get connected. I found myself talking to my angel a lot during this time. As I didn't have a name for him, my offbeat sense of humor began referring to him as "Bob". Every time I used that name, I could feel my angel laughing. (Yes, they can have a sense of humor!) After a while of referring to him as "Bob", I heard a soft voice in my head. "My name is Saul." I was quite surprised by that. For some reason I never thought to ask for a real name.

Over time, I got out of the habit of talking to Saul, although I know he is still with me. I have once again made time to become aware of his specific presence just so I can hear his voice and advice a little more clearly.

You can get to know the presence and voice of your own angel/angels. It is simply a question of connecting to your heart and allowing yourself to become aware of the energies around you. Pay attention to feelings of safety or harm because all the energies around you are not necessarily helpful. The more familiar you become with various energies, the more you can learn about the spiritual realm.

~CSE

   

What Is Prayer?

People throughout the world have certain ideas about what prayer is. For some, it requires chanting or beads. Others believe the form or content is what is important. Regardless of your personal beliefs, I would like to challenge you to think of prayer in terms of energy/frequency. In this way of thinking, prayer would be defined as consciously connecting your energy to the energy of the Divine.

There are two important elements to prayer defined as energy: giving and receiving. Connecting to the Divine requires energy exchange. It is not merely one side doing all the talking and one side all the listening. It is a dance of sorts--a give and take that empowers and enriches all involved. You may ask, but you also understand more action may be required when the answer comes.

In my own personal prayer time, I come with openness and expectation. This is important as most of the time I function in a state of separation. Prayer is intentionally different. It is a time I acknowledge I am not alone and I am open to answers and power I do not have access to when I believe I am separate. It is this openness that creates a fundamental shift in thinking. I become aware of things I was not aware of before. I can even direct Divine energy to problems that need fixing. For example, when I am connected in prayer I can focus that openness and energy on my friend who is sick and consciously direct healing energy into his/her body.

Most days, we make prayer much more complicated than it needs to be. Use your awareness to open yourself to the energy that is Oneness, and allow it to guide you in ways that lead to new understandings and more positive interactions with the world at large.

~CSE

    

The Separation Of Death

In the past few months, I've noticed what I consider a large number of deaths that have touched the lives of myself and people I know and am close to. Granted, I am older now and common sense says the older you get and the more people you know the more likely you will be to know people who are making this transition. Still I can't help but feel there are a good many extra people "checking out" at this time.

As I contemplate the people leaving the planet, several thoughts come to mind. The first is, "Why are you leaving the planet now, when we are on the verge of such breakthrough?" I feel as though I am witnessing history in the making in this very moment, even though it is slow going. I don't understand how people could want to leave just as world events are getting particularly interesting! I really want to stick around for a while to witness the changes firsthand, in a state I am old enough to appreciate them in!

My second thought stems from my belief in reincarnation. As I view the deaths going on right now, I am a little resentful. In my admittedly limited view, it feels like these people are checking out for the really hard stuff, only to come back a bit later when things are a little more together and they can grow up in a world that is a whole lot better (and probably easier). I've always believed myself to be tougher than most, but is it really that bad?

Death is a tough transition, at least for the people who are left back on Earth, stuck in this time and this dimension. We are so invested in separateness here in this place of duality. Death often seems permanent--like someplace we cannot venture into as we live these earthly lives.

The thing is, the lives we experience now are extremely limited. They are defined by timelines and space. Our spirits, on the other hand, have no such limits. We are eternal, infinite beings. The fact of the matter is, when we remember how to tap into those versions of ourselves, we can do magnificent, limitless things!

This is how psychic mediums are able to tap into the spirits of those who pass on. The mediums are tapping in to the unlimited self that is present in all times and all dimensions. The "deaths" we experience here on Earth are not what most of us believe them to be. Our spirits are pure energy. Energy does not go away. It just changes forms.

Understand death is not the separation it seems. Regardless of whether a person chooses to leave the planet at this time, their energies still continue to exist on some level. We truly will meet again. Hopefully that meeting will occur in a much better time, a much better space, a much better dimension. The grand experiment of separation is coming to and end!!! Are you ready to experience something infinitely greater and more powerful?

~CSE

Glitches In The Matrix

Today's message: be on the lookout for glitches in the Matrix! They are everywhere!!!

Like the movie clip above says, glitches in the Matrix are where the powers that be insert themselves in an attempt to change the outcome of a situation. In past, they have been able to insert themselves everywhere with very little notice paid. For example, when people began to rise up against the big corporations during the industrial age and demand their rights to better pay and benefits (unionizing) the powers that be began to slowly insert their own people into union structures (ironically many of these were people in the mafia). This is why unions today often are looked upon by many people as corrupt. Very often they are! We the People still don't recognize this subtle infiltration by the powers that be to take away power from the people in unions.

The powers that be infiltrate everything in order to control them. It is a strategy that has worked for them for thousands of years. Their recent problems stem from advancements in technology, which they can no longer control. The internet has become a resource that not only provides information to millions but connects people together in ways they couldn't connect before.

Be on the lookout for news stories that seem to be going one way and then all of a sudden seem to change direction. For example, look at what is still going on in Greece. Even though the press has tried to convince us that new bailouts and austerity measures are being put into place, we now get news headlines such as "Varoufakis reveals cloak and dagger 'Plan B' for Greece, awaits treason charges" and "Greece prepped covert plan to bring back drachma". Fact of the matter is, the crisis in Greece is far from over! Just because the powers that be seemed to have come in and once again overcome opposition to force Greece to remain part of the system, that stress energy is still brewing and on the edge of eruption. The powers that be still control the media. They will still use it to maintain the illusion of control until such time as they are all led away in handcuffs!!!

Let's play a little energy sensing game! Sit back for a few minutes and close your eyes. Focus in on Greece. What do you feel? Are things tense or have things settled down? Your heart will tell you the truth of the matter if you take the time to ask the question and then listen for the results!

In your heart, you know that what we are being told is not all there is. Watch, listen and feel!!! The more attention you pay to what is going on behind the scenes, the more likely you will be to see the glitches in the Matrix! It is only a matter of time before your inner Neo is released!!!

~CSE!!!

When Spirit Leaves Body

Certain experiences stick with you forever. Losing my newborn daughter, Arielle, is one of them. It's been 25 years ago today, and yet it might be yesterday as clearly as it all comes back.

The prior 48 hours had been very stressful. I had gone to my obstetrician for my now weekly appointment. I was showing signs of pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine) so he wanted to admit me to the hospital that night and induce labor in the morning. After notifying my supervisor at work, I packed my bag and was off.

They began the induction by breaking the amniotic sac. After twelve hours nothing much had happened so we chose to go ahead and have a c-section. They showed Arielle briefly to me before wheeling me into the recovery room. I remember the recovery room nurse asking if we had a name for the baby, and I didn't want to tell her what it was. We had worked really hard choosing a beautiful name, and I wasn't sure I wanted to commit it to this baby. I guess even then my heart was warning me that difficult waters were ahead.

Even though Arielle appeared healthy at first, she began showing signs of respiratory infection a few hours after birth. The decision was made to put her on intravenous antibiotics because she seemed to have similar symptoms of a male baby that had died a few weeks earlier from a Group B Strep infection. Even though Arielle had received antibiotics quickly, her health was deteriorating rapidly. They doctors wanted to ship her to a university hospital with a NICU that was equipped to give her white blood cells, which she needed to help fight the infection.

Arielle was taken to the University of Iowa Hospital in a specially equipped ambulance. While en route, they were able to get permission to have me taken to U of I Hospital as well. My nerves were wound tight waiting for word that Arielle had made it to Iowa City and was still alive.

My own health was touch and go for quite a while after arriving in Iowa City, although I was cognizant the whole time and was never worried for my health. I just know because they kept me in a Labor and Delivery Room for several hours, where the ratio of nurses to patient was 1:1. Sometime after daylight broke, Arielle's doctors brought me the painful news that her heart kept stopping and that, while they were still able to revive her, the time between incidents was decreasing. At some point they would not be able to revive her. My husband and I made one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make: choosing to let her go.

I will never forget the hospital room. The door leading to the nursing station was on the wall to my right. In front of me were two doors, one to the room's bathroom and the other to a storage closet, with a round clock centered in between. The wall on my left contained a window from which sunlight poured in.

A doctor and a nurse, both female, both with tears in their eyes, brought Arielle to us the next time her heart stopped. I wanted to see her body one last time--count her fingers and toes, look at her dark, downy hair--so I unwrapped her from the blanket she was in. Even while I was holding her body and telling her how much I was going to miss her, I knew her spirit had already left her body. She knew there was no reason for her to continue to experience the pain her spent little body was still undergoing.

I knew exactly where her spirit was in the room. Even while I was looking at her perfect little body, I kept glancing up toward the ceiling and the wall clock. I kept thinking (and this was my mind's reasoning) that I wanted her to remember what I looked like so she would recognize me when at some point we were able to meet again.

I told her everything I needed to say. That I was sorry I wouldn't get to see her grow up. I regretted not having more time with her. After about half an hour, there was nothing left to say. It dawned on me the only reason she was there was because we needed her. Suddenly, it felt selfish to keep her there when she could be going on. I mentally made the decision to let her go. I looked over at my husband and asked him if he was ready to let her go. He thought about it for a moment and said, "Yes." In that very instant, Arielle's spirit left.

There have been times in the years since that I felt her presence. I haven't sought her out in years--I haven't really needed to. Some form of Arielle's energy has always managed to visit me when I really needed to know she was still okay. In the beginning, that happened a lot.

I believe the energies that are us reside in countless timelines, countless dimensions. The form I refer to as the higher self is the one most mediums pick up on when they come into contact with those loved ones we have lost. This is also the one that continues to live on in our hearts after their spirit has left their body.

Spirit is energy in its most basic form. We may not see it with our eyes, but we can sense when it is there. The challenge is to be aware of these presences in our everyday life. When we live through our hearts, the separation we call death is no longer separation. It becomes connection, and that enriches us all.

~CSE

What Energy Are You?

As this blog is focused on picking up on the subtle, intuitive information you can access in the world around you, I do not often focus on the energies you put out into the world. Today, I feel guided to have you search yourself to discover what lies within.

Just as you have it within yourself to connect to your heart--connect to the Divine--and gain access to the collective wisdom and insight  that is Oneness, you are also a source of information. The energies you carry are conveyed to the world and play actively on it.

At my retail job, there are certain regular customers that my fellow coworkers see come in and quickly run away from. This is because these customers have problems, and this is what they project out into the world. The glass is always half empty. Life is tough. There is never enough sugar to turn the lemons into lemonade. These customers are hard to deal with, so most associates would rather walk away than try to help.

Ask yourself a few hard questions. Are people there when you need them? Do they magically appear when things are going good for you, but when things are rough they are nowhere to be found? How do people treat you? Do you find the world loving and kind or harsh and cold?

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. The world around you is a direct reflection of you. Let me repeat that in a different way. Your world is constantly responding to the energy you put out into the world. Like attracts like. Project your problems onto the world and they will be coming back to you.

Don't like what is happening in the world around you? Change it!!! Each one of us has the ability to change our frequency!!! We can do things for ourselves that raise our energy levels!!! Part of the reason I choose to post something funny every day here on my blog is to remind you to take time out to laugh (or at least SMILE)!!! Laughter is one of the quickest and easiest ways I know to change your energy into something much more positive!!! It relieves stress and tension and helps in so many ways. There are really lots of ways to change your energies in an instant. Listen to music. Dance. Paint. Meditate. Pray. Journal. Play a game with a child. The list is really endless. It just depends on finding something that brings you joy!!!

What energy are you in the world? Understand there is a universal law that what you put out in the world eventually returns to you. Make sure the energy you release is something you want to come back!!!

~CSE

Spiritual Battle

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. ~Ephesians 6;12 (NIV)

Not everything can be seen with the eyes or heard with the ears. This is why developing intuition is so important. The most important battles are the ones that take place at the levels of your mental capacity, your emotions and your spirituality, and for those you need to develop the gifts of the heart.

We all encounter energies in other people and situations that feel very wrong to us--that just don't sit right on our hearts. Very often, our minds do not know what to make of this information and ignore it until something bad has occurred. When these feelings of anxiety occur, know that we all have the power to effect the energies of the situation, regardless of whether or not it has already become a problem.

Questions are an important part of the process. What is going on here? Is the relationship harmful or helpful? Will following through with this action keep me happy and safe or will it result in problems? Who does this effect? What will keep me or the other person safe? Once you have established exactly what is going on, you are better able to fix what is wrong.

Situations we become aware of that involve mainly ourselves are pretty easy to deal with. We can directly change our actions and the ways in which we think and feel to change the energies of the situation. We can also ask for extra protection as well as guidance to navigate our interactions with the others involved. Asking for spiritual help is important because there are always energies that effect what happens in the physical. It is as easy as calling on your guardian angels or envisioning yourself encased in a protective circle of light as you take action to deal with the situation at hand.

There will be times when the situations that come up will involve people we are close to, and those situations become tricky as we cannot force others to do what we believe will benefit them. They have to come to those conclusions on their own in order to effect true positive change.

These are the times the spiritual battle becomes intense. Allow your heart to be your guide. Call upon all the hosts of heaven for protection: ask for all the help that is needed. Ask for situations to occur that will show your loved one exactly what problems and traps are likely to come up so they see the importance of changing their behavior. Ask for earthly angels to appear in their lives--people your loved one can look up to for help, guidance and answers.

You can also send your own infinite supply of heart energy to the situation. I often envision a literal ball of energy being sent from myself to the person in need. Understand that your own connection to heart and to Oneness are what you draw this unlimited power supply from. This energy does not deplete because it is part of an eternal cycle of giving and receiving. When you send this sort of energy, you are sending it intentionally in a particular direction. It does not change the actual cycle.

Problems are an indication that something is not quite right on the spiritual plane. There are times in our lives when we all must fight spiritual battles in order to finally overcome those situations we endure. Understand you have tools and power to fight and defend yourself and others in the spiritual realms.

Spiritual battles are real. Use the spiritual tools at your disposal to overcome them.

~CSE

Rewriting Your Story

Life can be a very painful process. We get hurt. Sometimes the hurt is so excruciating we try to find ways to escape it. Alcohol. Drugs. Sex. The thing is, these activities may numb us but they cannot overcome where we have been or what has happened to us. We do, however, have the power to rewrite our story into something better.

Rewriting your story is all about changing your frequency, and frequency is all about feelings. In order to change your frequency, you have to change more than just your thoughts. You have to change the emotions attached to your thoughts. It's a tricky process, but workable.

Allow your imagination to be your friend. Sit back, preferably in a comfortable chair in a room by yourself to avoid distractions. Begin by asking for protection. Call on your angels and a powerful protective beam of light to shield you from any harm. Get comfortable, knowing you are in a safe place.

As you sit, picture the safe, protective beam of light not only surrounding you but enveloping you all the way through to the inside. Feel the protection, power and love of this light.

Allow this light to find all the pain you have been carrying in your body. It may be in your brain. It may be in your heart or your stomach. It may be in your big toe. We all carry our pain and negative feelings in different places and in different ways. As you allow the light to flow through your body, ask yourself where the pain is.

At every place you feel pain, allow the light to draw the pain out of your body and away from you, into the vast space where everything exists and becomes One. It cannot hurt you or anyone else from there. Picture the pain from your body draining from you until it is all gone. Then move on to the next place in your body where pain exists and allow that pain to drain from you as well. Continue until all the pain in your body is removed.

Once the pain is gone, it is important to consciously call forth positive energies that can fill the void. Focus on the light, and picture the light being drawn into all those places that were formerly filled with pain. Once you are filled back up, search for holes or weak places in your spiritual body. When you find a place that needs extra reinforcement, call upon the light to repair the damage and seal it back up.

Take as much time as you need to work on this process. Understand you may need to repeat this at frequent intervals in order to keep the change in frequency. Also know this technique is not the only one you can use to change your frequency and rewrite your story. You are limited only by the limitations of your imagination.

Allowing yourself to get rid of the pain you carry around is a sure way to change your energy. By changing your frequency, you change the path you are on and effectively rewrite your story.

~CSE

The Message of Gaia's Gift Shungite, by Nancy L. Hopkins

In writing the nonfiction COSMIC REALITY, I came to the conclusion you cannot have manifestation without consciousness, which is not an original theory. In fact others have realized there has to be a creative consciousness responsible for everything in the biosphere of Earth. I chose to call this consciousness the name given to a Greek Goddess whose children include Uranus (the sky), Oceanus (the ocean), Themis (justice), Mnemosyne (memory) and others under the group name of the Titans. When choosing the name Gaia, I did not know she was also known as “Ge” and that led to such words a “geology”, “geography”, “geothermal” and “geopathic”. And, what does that “G” stand for in the logo for Freemasonry?

To Gaia I dedicated my life to work with her to create a new reality. This was October 2013. In March 2014 Gaia had a friend bring me Shungite in the form of rings and pendants. I already knew about this black mineral very similar to coal. It was being used by the Russians to protect against electromagnetic, radio frequencies, and WiFi cell phone signals. Knowing and having are distinctly different. Upon having Shungite its magical world began to unfold.  

Proof that EM/RF/WiFi/geopathic and nuclear radiation is damaging to all living things is undeniable. Threats to water supplies from a multitude of toxins is reaching critical proportions. Air quality is equally on a precipice of disaster. Food supplies from overworked land and GM pollution threatens mass starvation. Human and animal healing modalities are antiquated and barbaric. Each and every one of these problems is a direct consequence of energy fields rotating in a counterclockwise motion.

Simple as that. Energy fields rotating in the wrong direction. All the complicated, seemingly unbeatable problems confronting Earth can be solved by simply causing those damaging, toxic energy fields to rotate in the opposite direction. Shungite does that. And Gaia gave it to us with a mission: “Get Shungite to the masses.” 

Shungite is Gaia’s Gift and her message that all the seemingly unsolvable problems in the world and in your life will wilt away, when we all realize we are never alone and reality is what we think it is. My reality shifted when I actually realized Gaia HAD to exist. Upon acknowledging that existence and dedicating myself to be in her service, Reality shifted into the realm of empowerment and magic.

Odd thing is, the first step was to claim dominion over my own being. I had realized creation of my own individual reality was my responsibility. If my reality was flawed, only I could fix it. And the only way to fix it was to control ever thought that went through my mind. We are what we think.

I think every single human should consider themselves the most important thing in their reality. If they get right all around them gets right. And this is why Cindy Shippy Evans is doing such good work for us all. These posts give wise and profound interpretations of specific subjects that all of us have to think about or grapple with. We have to start the change of reality with ourselves. Cindy helps us do that, one post at a time.

To sum up: do not be afraid of seemingly insurmountable problems as Gaia’s Gift Shungite will solve them all (I have no hesitation making this claim!) With that limiting fear set aside, know you can grow in knowledge and empowerment, by making yourself the most important person in your own reality. Work to become the person who brings you joy and enlightenment, one thought at a time.

You can find out more information about Shungite and obtain Shungite products at our website http://www.cosmicreality.net/. We are a nonprofit Florida corporation - Cosmic Reality Shungite, Inc.

A good discussion of Gaia can be found at: http://users.clas.ufl.edu/bron/ern/G.pdf

Note from CSE:

This is my first guest blog post, written by a dear friend Nancy L. Hopkins. She is extremely passionate about what Shungite can do for the world and has been enthusiastically sharing its message for some time.

It is extremely gratifying to me when I come across people who are connecting to their hearts and receiving such messages from the Universe. The world is much better served when we choose to listen to listen to and follow advice from the heart!  

Recognizing Blocked Energy

If you've ever listened to abundance gurus talk about the idea of flow and allowing things to come freely to you, you may have also come across terms like blocked energy. Typically blocked energy may be defined as anything that keeps your energy stuck outside something else and keeps your energy from flowing freely. In a nutshell, blocked energy is a literal separation!

Blocked energy is extremely common in our world--so common, in fact, that you come across it every day without giving it a second thought! For example, if you run across someone who is different from you in any way and you feel yourself pulling back, that is blocked energy (and you are doing the blocking). Maybe the person is morbidly obese or challenged in some way and you feel yourself repelled. Maybe the person is a different religion or sexual orientation from you and it feels threatening. Sometimes we even pull away because we feel unworthy of the love and attention we might receive from someone else, or we are afraid of being hurt. The point is, recognizing blocked energy can be this easy!

If you take the time, you can also explore blocked energy on a deeper, more subtle level. This takes a bit more introspection and investigation on your part. The best place to start is when you are in a relaxed, meditative and expanded state. Begin to explore the relationships you have in your life. It may be a family member, a friend, a coworker. Can you embrace this person, flaws and all, or is there something about this person that makes you pull away? Ask yourself why you would pull away. If the answer you receive from the universe is that you are not pulling away, ask yourself why the other person or thing is pulling away? Asking questions will help you discover what exactly is holding you back.

Picture yourself beside a wall that encloses a beautiful garden. You know there is great beauty and solace within, yet you cannot venture inside. You are blocked! This is the exact feeling you get when your energy is not allowed to flow freely!

Why would we want to recognize blocked energy? Blocked energy is a signal from the universe there is an issue you need to work on! Ideally, we want our energy to flow freely in order to take full advantage of all the gifts the universe has to offer us. When you are blocked, you are limiting what you can receive!

Recognize your blocked energy, and you will be able to resolve the issues that keep you from receiving the abundance available to all!

~ CSE

A Brief Introduction To Energy

What is energy? Defined, energy is the ability to do work. Energy is action. It is moving, and in very real ways energy is alive! It is this moving, "living" part I wish to focus on!

Everything is energy, and scientists can measure this movement as frequency. Some energies move very quickly. Others move very slowly. Everything from people and animals, to buildings and vehicles, to paintings and music, to plants and rocks, to emotions and thoughts, can be measured in palpable ways.

I view these energies/frequencies as the "essence" of all things--their hearts and souls.This essence of all things is what I wish to explore in this blog so that you can learn to hear them for yourselves and glean the rich information they all want to impart to you!

We are all born with the innate ability to sense these energies. However, as we grow and experience the world, we often begin to ignore this information in favor of the information that can be obtained through the five senses and the rational thinking mind, which puts this physical sensory data together. While I won't deny these senses and rational thinking are important, I wish to help you increase your knowledge base by pointing out those subtle day-to-day things we ignore.

I invite you to explore these energies with me! Together, we can learn much more than we previously though possible!!!

~CSE