Always Choose Love

The world is full of chaos and confusion--here in the USA and elsewhere. I see arguments all over social media and many are saying they have unfriended this person or that person because of their views. The mainstream media is even worse when it comes to trying to maintain division between people. Division is the problem. We are working so hard to align ourselves with what is right that we have forgotten one very important principle: love.

The irony of the fight going on right now is that it is not even our fight, yet we are the ones battling! Whose fight is it, you ask? It is a fight between rulers and all those who would control the planet--kings, prime ministers, presidents, corporations, bankers, etc. There has been a very marked shift in power that is most notable with the election of Donald Trump, who represents a very different power faction taking over. Those who have held the reins are struggling to retain their grasp, and they still have a great deal of power. You can see this in the constant bashing Trump is receiving worldwide for enforcing laws and rules that are already on the books! If the people losing power can convince us to fight for their side, they know they have a chance to regain that power. The propaganda media is what keeps We the People playing this power game.

The saddest part about this whole situation is that We the People have willingly given our massive power to these crazy people in charge and are feeding into the chaos. The reality (should we choose to accept it) is that We the People have it within ourselves to change the turmoil by reclaiming our personal power! 

How do we reclaim our power? We reclaim our power by choosing love! Lately, we have not been motivated by love but by fear. We are told it is love. For example, love is fighting for our immigrant neighbors, right? Possibly. The question we all need to ask ourselves is what is it that drives us? While love might honestly be a factor, fear also plays a factor. The darkness in this scenario tells us that Trump is the new Hitler and eventually we will all end up in prison camps if we don't fight for immigrants now. Is it love that motivates us, or is it the belief that life will become much worse for everyone if we do not take up the fight? 

Many of us are in denial that our actions are based on fear. We allow our terror to turn us into hurtful, hateful monsters that no longer focus on love. This is where actions such as arguing and unfriending on social media kick in. It has even been reaching extreme levels with some people who are leaving love far behind and physically attacking others who are perceived as separate, all the while believing they are standing for justice. When we allow this to happen we have become that which we fear!

What does choosing love look like? It begins when we tap into the innermost corners of our hearts. It will often go directly to those people and things we interact with on a daily basis. It will guide us into actions that help and heal--even when some of those actions appear to be counterintuitive to what we believe we want to accomplish. Love looks to what we have in common instead of our differences. Love seeks to build bridges. When we allow our hearts to guide our actions, nothing outside ourselves can separate us from that heart connection we share with each other.

Are your actions playing into the chaos and division that is so pervasive in the world today? Do you feel separate from your neighbor as you choose sides? Is fear your ultimate motivation? Chances are you have given over your own power to mentally ill people and are playing their insane power game. 

Take back your power! Forget that your neighbor is a Democrat or Republican or Muslim or Christian or straight or gay or an addict or a criminal. Look at the chaos and misery within your own circle and choose to make a difference in all those places your heart shows you. Always choose love. If and when we focus on that, our world will begin to fall into place.

~CSE

An Empath Reads the United States of America

The aftershocks from the latest Presidential election have been jaw dropping. In my 51 years of life, I have never seen such a divisive and explosive campaign or result, and it crosses both sides of the aisle. People have literally lost their minds to the point they are no longer thinking rationally but are acting through pure (negative) emotion. Even people I consider intellectual--who pride themselves on thinking logically--are displaying wounded animals instincts.

My message to Trump supporters: Get over yourselves. You can say what you want about sucking it up during the Obama years, but this is not the same thing! The Divide and Conquer tactics of the supposed "elite" have ramped this election up to new heights because Trump was not their man. You could see it in pretty much every story put out by the mainstream media. Although FOX sort of came around, they pretty much only did so because Trump supporters are their market share. Obama and Hillary are totally controlled by the "elite" so of course they do not have to deal with the same backlash from the media propaganda machine. Look at what has happened over the course of the last year. Even the Bush family all voted for Hillary! If that has not told you how controlled we are in this country, you are blind. Telling people you don't have to respect them or their choices because they didn't respect yours during the Obama years is petty and childish. Two wrongs do not make a right! Grow up and show yourselves to be bigger than that! Show these people you still love them! Only that will show them the sort of people you truly are.

My message to Hillary supporters: Your family, friends and neighbors who voted for Trump are still the same people you knew and loved before the election. They are not racist, homophobic bigots who are ready to rescind immigrant status. They still love you. They still love their families and desire to see people provided for. This usually just happens to focus on jobs as opposed to focusing on welfare. Understand they have been trained to believe welfare takes up a bigger chunk of tax money that it actually does and have been brainwashed not to see the much larger portions of tax money that go toward corporate welfare and the war machine. They really don't desire to see people disenfranchised and starving.

The bottom line is this: Regardless of who is President, know that true power does not lie in that office. True power lies within each and every one of us! Regardless of Presidential policy, regardless of the way the media is used as propaganda, we all have a choice. We can choose to become the mindless animals the "elite" want us to become and fight each other until they have to lock us all up to control us. We can choose to remember the beings of light and love that we are and come together to fix the massive problems in our country today.

What happens in our country tomorrow will be the direct result of how we respond today! Make your actions count! Choose to come together with your fellow human beings to change the world! BE the change you wish to see in the world! Think and be deliberate instead of playing to someone else's script! We are so much more than we are showing ourselves to be at present!!!

~CSE

Choose LOVE!!!

Self-Care

In all the craziness that is my life, I am really bad about neglecting my own needs. I look out for my husband's needs, my parent's needs, my granddaughter's need, my children's needs, my customer's needs, etc. etc., but most days I don't think enough of my own importance to spare myself a caring thought. Consequently, I often feel empty, sad, angry and just plain exhausted as I allow my own needs to go unmet.

The thing is, I do know that I am important (even though that importance does not often take priority). In those moments when I begin to feel drained, I understand it is my turn! After all, if I don't take the time to make sure my own needs are met, how do I expect to continue to help others? An empty vessel has nothing left to give!

When life becomes especially stressful, it is extremely important to take at least a few minutes of the day for yourself. Read a book. Watch a favorite comedy show. Take a hike in the woods or beside the ocean. Sing a song. Paint. Cook a nice meal for (or with) a friend. When you take time to enjoy your life, those empty places get filled back up. You are uplifted, renewed!

Never regret the time you spend doing something for yourself. If you don't make yourself a priority, no one else will either! Remember: you are worth it!

~CSE

A Perfect World

I have many fond memories from my growing up years of a place called Camp Bountiful. It's a camp owned by the church I grew up in, settled in the hills of southeastern Ohio. I used to spend a couple of weeks there every summer, attending family camp (affectionately known as Reunion) and any youth camp I was either eligible to attend or old enough to help/volunteer with. Although it is a beautiful place and I participated in a lot of fun activities there, it was not those things that kept me coming back. What kept me coming back was the spirit I found there--the connection to God and the love that surrounded me.

I was twelve the summer I became conscious of it. I was attending one of my first Junior High camps. Because I was extremely outgoing and had been attending camps here since I was a toddler, I was in my element. I was good at making friends. In fact, I often had friends that didn't like each other. As it happened, two of my good friends that week were enemies. Both of them asked me individually why I liked the other one. I proceeded to talk about the best qualities of the other, although I could tell I wasn't believed. I ignored the friction between the two, but I could feel it just the same.

One of the best things about youth camps were the campfires held at night. There were lively songs and funny skits in the first part of campfire that would slowing transition into a much more mellow place of calm and peace. Usually toward the end of the week, campfires would open to periods of reflection and people were encouraged to share what they had learned throughout the course of the week.

The final campfire that week was a magical one. The experiences people shared spoke of great love, which ultimately binds us all. My two friends who had been in conflict that week apologized to each other and forged the beginning bonds of friendship. The presence of God was powerfully present--so much so I began to see the images of angels among the trees that were the backdrop of our campfire. Everything was perfect at that time in that place.

A soft misty rain fell the following day as we left camp. It almost felt as though God was a little sad that we had to leave this place of connection to go back to our lives in the "real" world. While the goal of camp is to take such feelings back into the world with the hope of growing them there, it was difficult to leave the perfection of that place--the perfection of that feeling.

That is the world I envision. While many would say it is a pipe dream that could never happen in the real world, I beg to differ. I have been there. I have seen it. I have experienced it. I know it can exist in this plane. This is the life I work toward every day as I struggle to find my place in this world.

As we open our hearts to love, we open ourselves to a whole different place--a whole different state of BEing. Our hearts don't come from a place of logic. Our hearts come from a place of feeling, and feeling is what manifests in the real world. The closer we come to thinking first with our hearts, the closer we come to establishing this peaceful more perfect world.

I am looking for people who also see this vision of the future. Join me?

~CSE

       

Love Is Infinite

Love is all around us. Love is not limited to time and place. Love has no boundaries. Love is always present. That said, in our imperfection we are not always aware of love. We let things like anger, and jealousy, and differences get in the way.

It is time to remember who you are. You ARE love! Remember love's infinite possibilities! Allow yourself to see past your own limitations. Love has no limits. Love is infinite!

~CSE

Overcoming Corruption Depends On Love!

The USA is once again being predictably programmed. We were all up in arms against our very corrupt government showing out regarding Hillary's obvious criminality and her lack of prosecution by those in power. Then all of a sudden we have a police shooting in Baton Rouge and an ambush of police in Dallas. No more prosecute Hillary stories. No more anger with our government. It's all about racial tension, violence and fighting among ourselves. Folks, this is the pattern! This is how they keep us from taking back our own power and taking control!

Stop taking sides against your fellow humans! These people are your family, your friends, your neighbors. They want the same things you want--comfortable homes, food on the table, good relationships, the ability to live their lives in freedom. These people are not the enemy! The enemy is ignorance, and hype, and division.

As long as we are fighting each other, we are not concerned with how our country is being run behind the scenes. We could care less that pretty much every politician in DC is corrupt! We ignore the fact they grow wealthy catering to the desires of those who operate behind closed doors. They flaunt their corruption in our faces because they know we are too apathetic to pay attention to their crimes as we hunt down our fellow man.

If we are to overcome those who consider themselves "elite" and hold them accountable for their crimes, we must first embrace our neighbors in love. We cannot hope to have the power to lock these criminals away until we have the ability to stand together in common purpose. Divide and Conquer is the method they have used to take control and keep our power for thousands of years. Love is the force that will unify us to the point we can take our personal power back!

Choose to reach out to your neighbors in love! Talk to them. Get to know them. Share a common meal. Make sure their needs are met. As we break down all barriers that separate us, we are able to come together for common purpose. We can make our world beautiful again when we choose love over separation.

Be the change you wish to see in the world! BE love!

~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

     

What Energy Are You Creating?

For a while, I had a blog I called "Leaving Walmart". The premise behind it was meant to be something of a protest against the practices that big corporations represent--low wages, big profits, slave labor produced products, etc. In the blog, I talked about some of my experiences shopping in local businesses in order to get away from the Walmart sort of business mentality.

Then one day, I had a powerful insight. I was never going to break Walmart by pointing out what was wrong with them. The energy I was putting into the fight only served to perpetuate the fight. As I did not want to be a source for fight energy, I gave up my blog and unplugged myself from that particular matrix.

We cannot fix the world by bringing more fight and opposition to it. We fix the world by bringing in energies of love and peace. We fix the world by showing others how it can be!

Martin Luther King, Jr. understood this when he said the following:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

It takes an opposite but equal action in order to balance out inequalities. It is not about fighting. It is about BEing the energy/frequency you want to see in the world.

The world needs examples to understand what is possible. Do you have what it takes to BE the change you wish to see in the world?

~CSE

 

Who Are You In This Moment Of Now?

Tensions are high around the world as I write this. People are reeling from the trauma of events in Paris as well as in other parts of the world. The media would have you believe that all the world is evil and we can't avoid it. My question today is, who are you in this moment of now?

Take a few moments to sit in a quiet place where you can relax with your eyes closed. Inhale and exhale slowly, deep, cleansing breaths. Feel the tension and stress leave your body on your exhales while you focus on bringing light and peace into your body when you inhale. Shift your awareness to this breathing until you can feel your spirit resting comfortably in your body and not somewhere outside yourself (in imagination or otherwise).

When you are aware of your spirit resting inside your body, ask yourself a few simple questions. What is in my heart? Do I feel fear or love? If fear, is this because of circumstances within yourself or outside yourself? Allow yourself to let go of what is outside yourself as you focus on being present in your body in the now. Do you feel love? If not, allow yourself to connect to the love in your heart, which is always present. Understand that love is not only a part of you but a part of your connection to Oneness as well. Love is the force that binds us all together!!! Allow yourself to sit in this love until you begin to feel a sense of joy and peace. These are the frequencies you need to focus on and try to carry with you at all times.

In each moment of now, we can choose who we want to be! When we focus on love, we are choosing to carry that frequency. We are choosing to bring love into our physical world. Those around us respond in positive ways to that frequency.

Who are you in this moment of now? By focusing on the question we have the power to intentionally change the world!!!

~CSE

Bringing Love

On Facebook, I see an ocean of profile pictures bearing the colors of the French flag. I know the people who are doing this are trying to show their solidarity with the people of France, but in my heart I am feeling sadness over how many people in the world are still blinded to the truth. The truth is the people of Paris have been sacrificed to the god of war in this November 13th attack. All I see is a call to the people of the world to avenge those innocent lives through more destruction.

The Islamic extremists of ISIS are being blamed for these coordinated attacks. Indeed, I'm sure they are responsible for seeing these acts carried out. The question remains. Who exactly is responsible for planning these attacks and what do they hope to gain from them?

Let's look at possible religious reasons for the attacks. Here in the US the media likes to promote the fear-based idea that muslims want to live under sharia law and are planning to use it to reform law here in the US. This is, after all, a jihad (a holy war), waged by those who would stone us to death for breaking their laws. To me, the idea of changing the world to an archaic muslim legal system is ludicrous. I'm sure there are a few people out there who would love for it to be so. However, I have quite a few muslim friends here in the States. They are all very American in their approach to life. They have no desire to force others to live differently. Muslims in this country who believe otherwise are separatists and are few in number. I equate them to Christians who are radical extremists, like the members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas (the ones who protest at military funerals with signs that say things like "God hates fags"). Fortunately, the vast majority of people on the planet do not believe everyone needs to be converted to their way of thinking.

If war is not a religious thing, what is it? Ask yourself this question. Who would benefit most from war? Several answers are obvious here. Banks and the big multinational corporations that support the war machine would be huge beneficiaries. Banks earn interest (and resources) when governments get loans for war. Corporations profit from increased military spending. I also see the possibility that certain governments would benefit from a fearful population. Populations who fear attack will give up freedoms in order to keep themselves safe. With seven billion people on the planet, controlled populations are much desired by the relatively few people in power.

I believe Martin Luther King, Jr. had the right idea when he said the following:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Love has the power to bridge gaps and bring people together. Love has the ability to tear down those walls that separate and create a harmony and balance.

When we allow fear to motivate us we become slaves to those who say they are going to protect us. We stop thinking and behave like the good little dogs they see us as in order to stay safe..

It is time to connect to your heart. It is time to consult God/Source/Universal Consciousness for answers. It is time to understand what unconditional love is all about so we can become the change we wish to see in the world. It is only through bringing love that we have the power to change the hate and fear present in the world. It's simple. Begin with "I love you." The rest will follow naturally.

~CSE

      

How Do You Look At The World?

I have been a people person from the time I was a small child. My parents are both outgoing, and they have always been great examples on how to love and accept other people--even people who are different from themselves. When I was growing up they introduced me to people from other cultures, and I enjoyed getting to know and understand those differences firsthand.

I was able to embrace and carry this philosophy into adulthood. I have been fortunate enough in this lifetime to meet people who have originated from all over the world, not to mention from various subcultures within the United States. I am lucky to have friends from many different countries, from all races, all religions, all political affiliations, all sexual orientations. I like to call myself an "equal opportunity friend". All I require for friendship is accepting me for who I am, just as I accept you, regardless of differences.

Unfortunately, not everyone has had it as easy as I have. Some people live in areas of the world that have experienced tremendous problems and suffering. These people have learned to live in fear. Even people here in the United States live in fear, much of it caused by listening to the news provided by the mainstream media about how bad things are in the world and even in this country.

If you look at the world through eyes of fear, you automatically live in a state of separation. Fear is the emotion that blocks you off and shuts you down from the rest of the world. Holding fear will not allow you to embrace others or their differences.

On the other hand, if you look at the world through eyes of acceptance and love, you allow yourself to embrace differences. You may not totally understand those differences. You may not really even like them. Liking differences is not required for acceptance and love. True love is open, accepting and inviting, regardless of differences. Love is also the doorway to peace and prosperity.

Note that holding fear is not the same as looking at problems. You can open your eyes to problems in order to find solutions without falling into fear. If your focus on the problem revolves around bringing light and love to it, you create solutions instead of separation.

How do you look at the world? Are you afraid of all those who are different from yourself, or are you able to look past those differences to embrace the heart of each one? Fear or love? The choice you make will either destroy you or bless you. Choose wisely.

~CSE

Light Attracts Darkness

Ever feel like you're living under a black cloud? Are there days when it seems the more light you shine the darker the world around you gets? It is not your imagination! The simple fact of the matter is, light attracts darkness!

Picture a heat-seeking missile. A target comes into range and the missile is sent. The missile itself does not really have a mind of its own. It just goes to the source of the heat that it is programmed to seek. 

So too does darkness seek light. While I do believe there is an intelligence that has sent it, the darkness is really just doing what comes naturally. It will either extinguish the light or be illumined by it.

Here are a few things you can do to keep darkness at bay:

1. Ask for protection from God/Source/your angels/your higher self. Visualize yourself surrounded by your angels or an impenetrable white light barrier that is impervious to darkness and or/changes the frequency of darkness.
2. Surround yourself with high vibrating people. There are people who are obviously bright lights who have also learned to dispel darkness. Hanging out with those people will allow your frequency to tune into theirs and take on more of that frequency.
3. Use meditation to regularly tune in to Source energy so you become that frequency. Taking the time to connect into your heart will keep you centered on positive energies.
4. Fill yourself with good thoughts and things. Read positive books. Listen to positive, uplifting, healing music. Watch shows that make you laugh or cry happy tears. Spend time in the company of those you love. Anything you can do to keep your vibration high will dispel darkness.
5. Find ways to uplift others. When you actively seek to help another, your own energy changes for the better. You become a higher frequency and are better able to handle and transform the darkness.
6. BE love. Practice giving and receiving love with those you come into contact with, both with those you are close to and those you would rather avoid. Love is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal that can infiltrate and change darkness. Use it daily.

You have the power to change the course of your life any time you choose. Be intentional about keeping the darkness at bay and it will flee from you.

~CSE

What It Means To Be A Lightworker

There are many people out there who like to call themselves "lightworkers". It's a rather New Age term meant to designate someone who has chosen to bring light and healing to the planet. The only thing is, I see a good many lightworkers who like to point out the flaws they see in others claiming to be lightworkers. This puzzles me. How can you be a lightworker if you are going about bashing other people? How is that helping to bring light and healing to the planet?

We all come from different backgrounds and different perspectives. What makes a Catholic better or more enlightened than a Protestant? Why is practicing Usui Reiki an improvement over Kundalini Reiki? Why is protecting animals any more important than saving Mother Earth herself? The fact is, no one perspective is the "right" perspective. Many of us change perspectives throughout the course of our human lifetimes and come to very different understandings of how the world works.

Lightworkers understand the overall goal is not to bring truth but to bring love. Life is not about fighting and separation. Life is about setting aside your differences and working together for the common good! While I do believe there is true evil in the world that needs to be overcome, it is a waste of time to stand against an idea that does not necessarily fit into your understanding.

Signs You Are A Lightworker

1. Listen to the guidance of your heart.
2. Focused on bringing light, love and healing to the world.
3. Able to be love in trying situations.
4. Understand (and accept) your own imperfections.
5. Open to new concepts and to growing as a human. 
6. Allow others to function as they are without trying to change them.
7. Able to brings sides together to function as a cohesive unit.

What must be understood is there are many groups and philosophies out there that are all trying to help rebalance the planet. Just because they are coming from a different perspective than yours does not make them "bad". They are just seeing a different side that also needs to be worked on.

There is great evil in the world that is multifaceted and all-encompassing. It is going to take different perspectives and different approaches all working together to change things! Stop fighting them and go instead to where your heart leads you!!!

It is only when our hearts and minds are One that we can bring about a world of love, light and abundance for all!!!

~CSE

On Finding Love

I was very broken when my first marriage ended. I invested everything I had in that relationship, and somehow it was still not enough. In the end I felt like a shell of my former self, empty and lifeless. It took several long months before I could appreciate my giving nature enough to realize that I deserved to receive as well. At that point I began looking for a relationship that was more worthy of me. It took over ten years to find it.

I made some interesting discoveries along the way. While I met and went out with a lot of people, there were only two besides my current husband that I really had any sort of relationship with. It took about two months with each of them before I realized they were not what I was looking for.

With my first husband, I felt like I knew him from the very first date (at this point I definitely believe I did know him before). We meshed from the beginning, and I felt extremely comfortable with him. At the time I thought being comfortable was a good thing--like that meant we were supposed to be together. What I now understand is that we were vibrating at a similar frequency, but that wasn't necessarily a good frequency for either one of us to be in or aspire to.

The first brief relationship I encountered during my days as a single mom began really well. He was intelligent and very handsome, successful and ambitious. He believed in working hard and playing hard. He had the money to treat me to dinner at nice restaurants and concerts, and we had fun together. This man had many of the characteristics I believed I wanted in a relationship. He was also proud and perfectionistic with very little sense of humor, and expected to be doted on. I never got around to introducing him to my kids because on some level I really didn't think he could handle them. It dawned on me after spending two months with him that he treated me much like my ex-husband had. When I realized that, I broke off the relationship.

The second relationship seemed a little more promising initially. He asked for my input, had a wonderful sense of humor and even was a good father to his own son. After a while though, I began catching him hiding important details (also something that had happened with my ex). Again, I realized the relationship was not where I needed it to be, so I broke things off.

I appreciate both men and the opportunities I had to explore these relationships. Even though they did not work out in the long run, both taught me things about myself I needed to know. Both taught me things I needed to look for in a healthy relationship. In those respects, these relationships helped heal some of what was broken in me, and I am truly and profoundly grateful.

My relationship with my current husband actually did not begin all that well. Before we began dating, I knew he was a kind and strong person that I admired. What I didn't anticipate was how strange it would feel to be treated well. Because I was not used to it, I initially pushed it away because it made me uncomfortable!!! Fortunately, I was able to analyze my discomfort enough to recognize what was causing it. I forced myself to live through the initial discomfort until I was used to being treated this way.

With everything I've learned, the most important is this: we receive the treatment we believe we deserve. If you find yourself being used and abused by others, understand there are underlying self esteem issues. At that point, it is important to look at yourself with new eyes. Focus on your good qualities and ask yourself if you are receiving back what you give out. When you begin to appreciate and understand your own value, so will everyone else.

Love is always out there for us if we are willing to step out and demand something more!

~CSE

The Gateway To The Divine

My first experience with the Divine happened when I was twelve. I was at church camp in the hills of Ohio--Camp Bountiful to be more precise--a place I had been coming to with my family from the time I was a small child. It was a place I loved. It was way out in the country, so none of the distractions of my daily life were there. It had cabins nestled in the hills, a large shelter house for services and campfires, a dining hall to eat and fellowship in, and a pool for recreation. A creek traveled through much of the property, water meeting earth in a beautiful union. It was definitely one of my happy places.

I had been attending a Junior High Camp that week. Classes and activities had been fun, and I enjoyed hanging out with my friends. As usual, I was friends with everyone. Also as usual, I had a couple of friends who didn't like each other. In fact, I can remember both of them asking why I liked the other one that week. I had the same answer for both: because they were nice! They were nice to me (just not to each other).

The last campfire we had for the week took place on a Friday night. While campfires started out boisterous, they always ended on a quiet, thoughtful note. At this final campfire, they gave people the opportunity to stand up and share experiences and thoughts they had of the week. Some people stood up and shared problems. Some people talked about how God had touched them personally in their lives. What touched me most though was my two friends that spent the week not liking each other. They apologized to each other for the way they had acted. As I sat in this atmosphere of caring and love, I felt the whole Universe open up in a way I had never experienced before. All of a sudden, I became aware of the presence of angels. I could even seen the outlines of them standing in the leaves of the trees on the other side of the creek.

There was no doubt in my mind that God loved me. I could feel the love emanating from those angelic beings. I could feel the love in my friends. All barriers between us came down as love was given place in our hearts. Love had become the gateway to the Divine. Even though I was limited to this time and space, my heart allowed me the freedom to explore and expand in ways I never dreamed possible.

As I look back at that time so long ago, I understand the place of the heart even better now. All the blessings I've received in my life were from those times I was open to love. At those times when I allowed my heart to be fully opened, I became fully engaged, fully enlightened. Nothing was held back from me. Love is the state where energy flows freely. 

Love is the gateway to the Divine. When we can break down the barriers that stand between us, energy is free to flow. We allow ourselves to access the knowledge and wisdom of the Universe. It is this in this process of connection we finally find our place of acceptance and power. It is in this place we truly find ourselves.

~CSE!!!

 

The Reason For Our Fear

I've seen a lot of "fear porn" (stories designed to induce so much fear they excite people) in recent weeks. Many people seem to believe we are living in some sort of apocalyptic last days and that the demons of hell are being loosed to destroy the world--just before a savior steps up to take us all to the promised land. Very simply, I am not buying it! There is a reason for our fear, and it has nothing to do with the dire predictions that have been made in the Bible and elsewhere.

Yesterday's post talked about things we can do to overcome our fears. (Six Simple Things You Can Do To Overcome Your Fears) In my way of thinking, this is extremely critical information right now. It seems everywhere you turn there is something to be afraid of. Terrorists (foreign and domestic). Wars. Disease. Racism. Police brutality. Government plots to incarcerate average Americans. You name it. It's probably out there.

The reason all this fear is out there is because the powers that be (what I usually refer to as the cabal in my conspiracy theorist circles) are losing, and they are now using up their whole bag of fear tactics in a last ditch effort to maintain control!!! This is why the mainstream media and even controlled bits of the alternative media are promoting fear-based stories.

Fear is a base frequency that is very destructive. It can make people question the motivations of others, causing them to fight among themselves. It can put people into fight or flight mode, which is a nonthinking, reactive state to be in (and one that can be easily controlled by the cabal). On a spiritual level, fear makes people vulnerable to spiritual attack. Fear can create holes in the aura, or spiritual body, which can then be invaded by negative entities who like to feed off your energy and exert control over you.

Lately when I hear fear-based stories in either the mainstream or alternative medias, I look at them with a critical eye. Most of the mainstream stories I look at are designed to make people choose sides as though there is an enemy we need to fight against. When I look at the fear-based alternative stuff, I get the same impression. In other words, the stories come with a feeling/energy that induces a fight or flight response.

This is not how I choose to be. I know enough people of all races, religions, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, etc. to know that the vast majority of people out there really are doing their best to be positive energies in the world. The fear based stories I am hearing and reading about do not reflect this reality.

The cabal, who still controls the mainstream media and portions of the alternative media, is putting out all sorts of stories in order to induce fear in the population. Understand the fear they are promoting is not real. It is just a frequency they are using to maintain control, and it is no longer working.

Don't believe me? Ask your heart!!! Your heart knows there are good things out there. Your heart knows a better world is coming--a world where the cabal is no longer in control and wreaking havoc on the population. When we can live consistently in the places our hearts lead us, there is no more fear. There is only love. It is love that guides us. It is love that empowers us. It is love that will build our much brighter futures! Focus on that, and the world will change for the better in the blink of an eye.

~CSE

Taking Down The Walls That Separate

This morning, I ready this BRILLIANT article on the subtleties of racism, written by an African American man named John Metta. (Please take the time to read it here! Lengthy, but explains the concept in a very masterful way!!!) It made me look at all the little things I ignore about society that truly have racist undertones.

Separation is not just a racial thing. It is a gender thing. It is a political thing. It is a religious thing. It's a socioeconomic thing. It's a cultural thing. It's a homophobic thing. There are so many ways we distance ourselves from one another, so many ways we keep ourselves from our own wisdom and our own power. And that's where the problems begin.

Because we are so caught up in our "identities" we have forgotten we are connected individuals. We have forgotten that what happens to one of us happens to all of us. We create division where there is none. In doing so, we forget our own humanity. We mistreat those we perceive as different from ourselves merely as a consequence of having those perceptions in the first place.

It doesn't have to be that way. I have always been fascinated by other cultures (my parents were great examples of introducing me to things different from myself). Back when I was teaching PreK, I made a friend of one of my student's mothers who came in to help with class parties and such. She was Indian and Hindu and a really sweet and loving person. I had many discussions with her about topics such as arranged marriages and religious ceremonies. This was back in the time I was still caught up by Christianity in many ways, although I loved trying to understand the perspectives of others.

There was one day my friend explained to me about a holiday they were celebrating. The story behind the celebration was that God's wife had been stolen by some evil god at their wedding. The holiday commemorates her return. I found it intriguing because, in Christianity, the church is often associated with the bride and Christ is known as the bridegroom. The church is stolen by the evil one to be eventually taken back by the bridegroom. I mentioned it to my friend at the time. She thought the parallels were interesting as well.

My friend really touched me at Christmas time that year. She had given me a bag full of treats for Christmas from herself and her son. Most of what she gave me I can't recall now, but one gift stood out. It was a small picture frame with three openings for pictures (because I have three children). On one corner of the frame was a Christian cross. Even though we came from very different backgrounds and cultures, we had a mutual love and respect for one another. She was honoring me with something she knew to be important to me. The fact that she was Hindu and I was Christian did not matter.

It is time to begin getting to know your neighbor. Allow yourselves to get to know your fellow human in new ways. Ask about cultural traditions and food preferences. Discuss things you both like and things that make you both happy. Question all those things that make a person tick and be willing to lay judgement aside. We all have different spiritual journeys. If you expect others to honor your journey you need to be willing to honor the journeys of others.

Our differences do not have to separate us from each other. As we open ourselves up to understanding, know that their experiences can also be yours. We can all learn from each other and grow ourselves through accessing the knowledge of others.

Breaking down barriers does not have to be a scary, difficult process. Recognize the humanity of each one. Understand their experiences are for their own personal growth. Be willing to honor their journeys as they, in turn, honor yours. We truly are in this together. By acting in ways that benefit the whole we come into our full inheritance of love, joy, peace and abundance. By taking down the walls that separate, we come into our own power.

~CSE

What BEing Love Can Do

My brother-in-law Frank is affectionately known as "the Hugger" by many of the people he encounters. He is a typical Southern-raised guy, friendly to a fault. He knows no strangers, and he would literally give the shirt off his back if someone really needed it. He is not a rich man, but he has given away at least two cars he owned to people who needed the transportation. Best of all, he is a great respecter of persons. He sees the worth of each soul and treats each one as if they are the most valuable being on the planet. Some of the most profound lessons I've learned came from watching Frank's example.

I remember being in California for the funeral of his beautiful little daughter, Brianna, who had died from the chemotherapy she had received for her leukemia. Even though we were there to support Frank and my sister Jan, he felt the need to entertain us while we were there. He took us to one of the local beaches, where I had an experience that changed my life.

Frank took us to a part of Newport Beach where the sandy beach is overlooked by rocky cliffs. Stairs had been built along the side of the cliff so people could access the beach below. I found myself on the stairs directly behind Frank. As we made our way down, I noticed crevices in the rocks that could be accessed from the stairs. Homeless people were camped out in some of the larger ones.

Partway down, one of the homeless men approached the stairs in an effort to use them. He waited patiently for us to descend so he could continue on his way. He had a dead sort of look in his eyes--no joy, no hope, nothing to live for. It was obvious to me he was used to being ignored, invisible to those in the "normal" world around him. What he didn't count on was Frank.

Frank, being Frank, did the only thing he knew how to do. He gave his usual Southern greeting of, "Hey!" That's all. Nothing flashy. Just a brief acknowledgement of one human to another.

But in that instant, the homeless man changed! He was no longer insignificant! He was no longer unworthy! He had once again been acknowledged by someone who lived in the "normal" world, and that acknowledgement made him come alive with hope!!! The transformation in this simple man was one of the most awe inspiring things I have ever witnessed.

Simply put, Frank IS love. His thoughts, his actions, his life all carry the message that love is important and that all beings are deserving of love. That is just who he is, and it has the power to change all those he comes into contact with for the better.

Love acknowledges. Love heals. Love hopes. Love transforms. Love gives us the power to change our world for the better. That's what BEing love can do!!!

~CSE

Your World Reflects Your Perception

I had a really interesting conversation with an old friend last night. In the process, I discovered we have extremely different outlooks in life even though the energies we actually choose to be are quite similar. He sees racism in the United States as an extreme that is pervasive in our society. For him, it is as though most people are racist. In my view of the world, most people are not racist. Does racism exist? Of course it does!!! I just don't see it as the common mentality that my friend believes it is. Why do we see things so differently? What could be the cause of our difference in perspective?

I can tell you why I don't see racism as a big problem. My early years were spent in Dayton, Ohio. In the 70's, the Dayton Public School system decided they needed to integrate their schools. This created a lot of "white flight" out of the school system--either through moving out of district or enrolling in private school. Once the dust settled, I went from a school that was almost all white to 2/3 black. It did not bother me. I was up for meeting and getting to know people who were different from myself.

This was by far a very positive experience for me. I learned so much and made some really incredible new friends. However, I also learned something about racism. In the early days of my new school, I made a new black friend named Nora. We got along well and enjoyed hanging out at school. Then one day a few weeks into the school year, Nora came to school and told me her mother told her not to be my friend because I was white. It made me sad, and it also made me aware that prejudice could go both ways.

When I moved to South Carolina in high school, I thought I knew what to expect. I truly expected there to be great separations between whites and blacks--obvious racism. What I saw did not meet my expectations. Even though the majority of my school was white, I can't recall any racial tension. I had black friends in my classes. White and black athletes hung out together. There were always black girls voted into the school pageant and as cheerleaders. The tension and separation I expected to see and feel was just not there.

I went to college in Iowa and then lived there a total of twelve years. Even though Ames, the area I spent most of that time in, and Iowa State University were thought of as open to other cultures because they had allowed George Washington Carver to attend university there, I actually found more racism in Iowa than in any other place I had lived. I would hear other white people talk about black people and their culture and avoid them. Of course, I met many people in Iowa (not university types) who had almost never even been out of state. As there are not many black people in Iowa, Iowans don't have much of a chance to get to know people different from themselves.

My experiences here in Georgia have been very positive regarding racism. I not only have many black friends, but I have made friends of people from pretty much all cultures, all religions, and all races. I very rarely come into contact with people who truly dislike people different from themselves. I admit, when I feel that energy I tend to do what I can to get away from it. It literally repels me.

And maybe that's the difference between myself and my friend. I seem to end up in places that put me into contact with people very similar to myself--not similar race but similar love energy. People who are open to relationship and seek out love.

On those occasions when I come into contact with racism, I do what I can to show them another way to function. I don't call them out on it and tell them how horrible it is. I look at their hurt and do what I can to try to heal it. Racism is the result of unhealed fear, anger and pain.

Ultimately, what I have experienced in my life is a reflection of how I believe others are going to respond to me. Hopefully, I can share that with all those I come into contact with.

~CSE

Laughter Is Good For the Soul!!!

Love is in the air? Gotta love Angry Cat!!!

Don't forget to SMILE!!!