We Are All In This Together

I recently came across someone on social media through a friend who carries an interesting energy. He claimed to be a "lightworker", yet he was so full of judgment and arrogance I could tell he carried a good deal of unacknowledged darkness. That is not to say he did not also carry light. He did. He is just not quite as evolved as he believed himself to be.

I noticed a lot of competing energies in him. On the one hand, he had some understanding of the fact that we are all One and are not separate. On the other hand, his understanding of being One was everybody needed to subscribe to his way of thinking because he was right. Every other word was a judgement. Most of what he did and said perpetuated separation.

When I pointed out the judgment and separation, I became the one he judged. I became the one whose darkness he analyzed. I chose not to respond to this personal attack. He was correct in many respects, on top of the fact that he was obviously reacting to my pointing out of his judgment. In other words, I triggered him. As I did not want to continue on in that energy, I let it go. That said, when I failed to engage him in the fight, he went on and attacked someone else. At that point, I blocked him, mostly for my own peace of mind. I do not care to be part of his attacks on others. (He triggered my fight for the underdog instincts. LOL!)

The past several years, I have been working on analyzing and releasing my own judgement. I have been able to let go of many of the judgments I was programmed with through the circumstances of my birth. I am a work in progress. I still have a long way to go before I am able to allow everything that exists without fighting it.

As humans living in this 3D reality, it is easy for us to get lost in the fight. We are taught there is a distinct "right" and "wrong" and that it is important to choose what is "right" and resist all that is "wrong". The problem with this way of doing things is the vast majority of these judgments are subjective and dependent upon the cultures that promote them. When we make the decision to join in the judgment, we choose to stay separate from anyone who does not think like we do.

We are here to play, to learn, to expand in ways that would not be possible outside of separation. This is why we choose to come to such a dark and dense place. The energy of unconditional love is what keeps us connected. It is only when we remember this love that we begin to learn and grow in the ways we intended. We are much stronger and learn much more quickly when we ignore the separation and choose to love without limits. When we make the choice to lift up our fellow BEings, we also lift up ourselves. We are all in this together.

Never Under-Estimate The Power Of Animals

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

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

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

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

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

~CSE

The Power Of A Smile

I was a very happy child. More often than not, I greeted the world with a smile on my face. The best part was, that was also how the world greeted me back! I learned very early on that smiling at others almost always brought a smile back to me. The older I got, the more I understood the tremendous power a simple smile holds. There were many occasions where I amazed people around me by eliciting a smile from someone who was known for not smiling!

Our interactions with other people are a form of energy exchange. When we project a positive and cheerful spirit, we most often get that energy back in kind. There are times when we run into people who are not having a good day. A simple smile often has the power to remind them that not everything in the world is gloomy. On those occasions a smile is not reflected back, you have still made the other person question their negative reality. They will ask themselves what it is about you that is different from them!

We could change the entire world in a single day if we all chose to take the time to connect with others in positive ways. Smiles are a great place to start! They indicate acceptance of the energy of others and the desire to care for them unconditionally.

Make the decision to smile at the people you come into contact with today! You might find you change the lives of others in positive ways. Better yet, you may just find your own life will take a turn for the positive!

~CSE

Identifying Judgment

We all live in judgment. I have spent the past several years trying to identify the judgment I carry around in order to let go of it. Why? Judgment is all about separation. In my quest to BE unconditional love, I do not want there to be anything that stands in my way, especially myself and my ego.

I'm going to pick on vegans to illustrate my point about judgment. Understand there are vegans out there who do not fall into this category, and I am really not trying to badmouth any vegan's goals or life choices. I honestly appreciate the fact they do not want to harm animals. There is definitely value in this point of view.

What gets me about vegans is you almost always know they are vegans. They shun all animal products--including clothing--and are usually very vocal about why. Why am I using vegans to illustrate my point about judgment? Vegans are a group that often hold the idea they are superior because of their vegan standards. This is why many vegans become activists. They want to push their judgment onto everyone else. They want you to know what an awful murderer you are because you eat their friends.

I have found most of my personal judgment revolves around my very Christian upbringing. Even with all the time and effort I have put into overcoming my judgment, I still feel twinges of judgment when I run into someone who does something my background has taught me is a "sin".

How do I know I have run into judgment? I know because I feel myself holding back from someone or something else. I do not freely exchange energy with them. I do not love them unconditionally. While this might seem like self-preservation at times, I don't believe the ultimate goal for our lives here on Earth is separation.

When we learn to identify the judgment we carry around, we can sit with it and allow it. In doing so, we are able to accept all those things considered bad or good in ourselves and others. Ultimately, it leads us back to our hearts. It leads us back to unconditional love. It leads us to Oneness. It leads us home.

~CSE

   

Why Two-Year-Olds Live Life Better!

My granddaughter is two. It's so nice to have a two year old around the house again! Life as an adult gets pretty jaded. When I'm with my granddaughter, I am able to see the world through her eyes. I have to tell you, it's a much better world than the one I live in. Here's why!

Every day is a new adventure!

It never ceased to amaze me how excited two year olds get by the same monotonous things I ignore every day! My last daycare job involved teaching a class of two year olds. As it happened, our afternoon outside time occurred at the same time the school bus came through the parking lot of our daycare to drop off its load of after school kids. Every day, my two year olds were lined up by the fence, jumping up and down and waving to the bus driver. The bright yellow color, the long doors opening up to let bigger kids off, the thought of unknown adventures waiting for the kids who road them every day were all cause for celebration! The joys of simple things!

Sleeping requires being surrounded by your favorite stuff!

It is important to be surrounded by what you love and what brings you comfort! My granddaughter likes to grab nearly every doll and stuffed toy she owns, not to mention several cuddly blankets. They make her feel warm and safe and have the added bonus of being there when she wakes up to remind her she has a lot to be thankful for! On top of all that, it is much easier to dream when so much pleasantness surrounds you!

Life is lived in the moment!

Two year olds don't worry about where their next meal is coming from or if they will have a bed to sleep in when nighttime comes. They play. They pretend. They eat when they can. They sleep when they're tired. They trust that they will be provided for, and amazingly they are! No worries for the future, and no guilt or sadness over the past!

Life is lived to the fullest!

Because pain is not something you dwell on or worry about, you are willing to take more risks. Consequently, you also receive bigger rewards. Small children don't question potential results. They go with what is in their hearts!

Empathy is a way of life!

Ever notice how infants and small children are so tuned in to the world around them they cry when they hear someone else cry? They laugh when you laugh. They play when you play. They will even try to help you if you are in distress. Two year olds understand we are all connected and they act accordingly.

Unconditional love is innately understood!

Two year olds don't understand separation. Consequently, they love everyone. They don't care what color your skin is, what kind or car you drive or if you smell like cheap perfume. They simply love you, regardless of how you act or how you treat them.

Our world would be much kinder, gentler and more loving place if we were all able to see the world through the eyes of a two year old!

Perhaps this is why the great teacher Jesus is quoted as saying, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matt. 19;14 NIV)

~CSE

Confronting Darkness

There are some who are meant to look at and promote the light. There are others who are meant to face the darkness and shine a light on it, drawing it out of the shadows where it no longer has the power to hurt anyone. I am one of the latter.

My own life this go-around has been relatively easy. My parents are wonderful people who loved and protected me. I believe this has been important to my growth and personal story because it has given me the strength I needed to confront the darkness.

My empathic nature made me extremely aware of misery when it was near. I was often the champion of the underdog at school, defending people who could not or would not defend themselves when they were being bullied. I could not allow such darkness and negativity to go on around me without doing something about it.

After my family moved to South Carolina in the early 80's, I had the opportunity to volunteer with a camp that had been started to work with abused and neglected children. Some of the kids at the camp were not a whole lot younger that me at the time. (I was 16 the first year I volunteered.) For whatever reason, quite a few of the kids that week shared some of their personal stories with me. These kids had experienced so many things I could not imagine--abuse (some of it sexual), extreme poverty where they did not have enough to eat, parents in prison for violent crimes. I listened, and I loved them anyway. Even at that relatively young age, I had the strength to face and acknowledge there was ugliness in the world. I vowed to make it better.

This eventually led to getting a bachelor's degree in psychology and working several years in a group home with emotionally disturbed children--children who had severe behavior problems because of extreme abuse and neglect. This work was stressful and time-consuming. Change was slow as I helped these children unlock those experiences that caused them to act out. Again, I was able to look at the darkness and love them unconditionally.

We are all bits and pieces of light and dark. Ignoring darkness does not make it go away, nor does it get any less potent. The best way I know to face and overcome it is to look at it head on and turn on your connection to unconditional love.

Love connects us to Source/God. Love connects us to each other. Love connects us to animals and even to Mother Earth. Unconditional love allows us to face the darkness and not become overwhelmed by it.

It is unconditional love that will save us all.

~CSE

The Choice

I saw a lot of discussion on social media about the Supreme Court of the United States and their decision to legalize gay marriage throughout the country. While I do have an opinion, my goal is not to choose a side. I have many friends on both sides of the debate whom I love dearly. This is one of those issues that is not a hot button topic for me. I am good with whatever choice you make, and I will still love you regardless of your decision.

And that's the part of this discussion that people seem to be missing. Love. Pure, simple, unconditional love. 

I once saw a sign in a gift shop that spoke volumes to me. It proclaimed, "You 'Like' someone because. You 'Love' someone although." As I stopped to ponder that, the meaning became clear. You 'Like' people because they're smart or pretty or funny. The people you 'Like' are generally those you choose to hang out with because you have similar interests and get along well with. You 'Love' someone although they have flaws and do things you don't necessarily care for. Unconditional 'Love' says, "I may not always like or believe in what you do, but I will always care about you regardless."

Whether you believe being gay is good or bad, whether you believe it's a natural inclination or a choice, it's hard for me to understand not loving someone else. Real love places no conditions on the recipient. It is given freely without strings.

No matter what you believe, it is God (whoever or whatever you believe "God" to be) who will ultimately sort these things out. Why make your life more difficult fighting over beliefs?

The choice is not about whether to accept someone who is gay. It is not about judging their lifestyles or their choices. Ultimately, the choice is about whether you can love unconditionally. As for me, I choose love.

~CSE

On BEing Unconditional Love

I remember an incident when I was in first or second grade. A new girl had come to school. Her clothes were old. Her hair was an unruly brown. What made her stand out the most, however, was the eye patch she was forced to wear because one of her eyes was "lazy". In those days, it was thought that using the "lazy" eye would strengthen it so they would cover the stronger eye up with a patch. She sat huddled by the wall of the school at recess time while several other children stood around her. As I approached, I could hear what the other children were saying that made the girl huddle over. They were picking on her, calling her names.

A fierce rage came over me as I watched the other girl sink lower into herself. I could feel her terrible hurt. I also felt the need to show the bullies what it felt like to be bullied so they would stop. I called each one of them out, pointing out obvious flaws. I also pointed out how awful they now felt and that was what they were creating for the new girl. They stopped and walked away. I did what I could to comfort the girl before I left her with a smile on her face.

I was unusually blessed in my early life to have parents and a church community that showed unconditional love to everyone. Visitors and new people that arrived at church were always greeted and talked to, regardless of what they looked like or who they were. They may have arrived as strangers, but they always left as friends. I learned early on that everyone has something good about them that can't always been seen on the outside. I was also blessed to be a fairly cute and outgoing child, so I could get away with bullying the bullies with no ill effects upon myself.

There will always be people who come into your life who are different. They may be dirty or ugly or sick. They may be so angry at the world that the only actions they take are to attack. Often the first thing we want to do is run away from them.

And that is the very thing we need to avoid doing. Running away from problems will not make them go away. They continue to follow you around, even if the exact people and situations change. Dealing with the problem then and there is the solution. Unconditional love can be our tool!!!

Unconditional love says, "It doesn't matter who  you are, what you have done or even what you are doing." It continues to love without limits. Unconditional love is one of the most powerful states to be in. It invades without destroying. It breaks down barriers. It softens those things it comes into contact with, allowing them to open up and eventually become love. Unconditional love does not always work quickly, but it always works.

Unconditional love sees past the ugly. It sees past the pain and anger and aggression. It sees deep down to the BEing within and recognizes the true value and worth inside. Unconditional love is the only thing that can effectively counter all the hate and violence that fills our world.

Now more then ever, we are required to BE unconditional love in the world. It is the only thing that can truly save the planet.

~CSE

Refusing To Play the Game

There is a battle raging. The bad guys haven't quite figured out they have lost yet. While they think they still have a chance to win, they are continuing their game of creating noise, confusion and chaos in an attempt to keep us occupied and out of their hair. What they don't understand is how many people are beginning to wake up to their games.

Divide and conquer has always been a big part of their game plan. Anything and everything they can use to get us to fight gets played! Here in the US, there are many topics to choose from: race, religion, politics, sexual orientation, and lately even gender identity!!! We are taught it is important to stand up for what we believe in--for what is "right". What we fail to realize is that all fighting does is bring is more fighting and resentment. Fighting can never bring about peace because it's outcome is always win-lose. It is possible to force people into a situation they don't want to be in, but they will eventually try to escape when given the opportunity. That is the nature of the fight.

So how, then, can we stop the bad guys in their tracks? By refusing to play the game!!! Instead of forcing our beliefs on others and making them live like we think they should, it is time to begin practicing tolerance. Love our fellow humans instead of judging them. We don't have to like what they do, but we can still love them. True love is unconditional.

How do we know we are playing the game? What issues trigger our emotions? Gay rights? Islam or Christianity? Separation of church and state? Abortion? Politics? If it sets off anger or sadness, chances are it is something the powers that be use to distract.

What can we do to stop playing the Divide and Conquer game? The first step is to understand that humans typically act out what they have learned in their lifetimes. They don't act as they do just to piss us off!!! We all need to take a little responsibility for ourselves and our actions and not take things personally!!!

The next step is to begin asking questions. How can we show love to this person or group even though we don't like what they are doing? How can we make this a win/win situation where both sides can live as they choose? What are we refusing to see about the other's point of view? The actual questions are endless. What is important is that we begin asking them so we can gain new insights and understandings that might actually change how we act and react in the world.

We can bring in a new era of light and understanding!!! It isn't about fighting the "good" fight. There is never a good fight because fighting always ends in more problems. Choose tolerance. Choose patience. Choose love. In doing so, we refuse to play the game. We all win!!!

~CSE

BEing Unconditional Love In the World

I've been blessed in my life to know unconditional love. Many of my earliest memories involve people and events where love was given freely and without limits. I have also been given opportunities to be around people who have not had that same experience. Even though the contrast is great, it is possible to bridge this great divide and help to heal all those who are bruised and broken from life. It requires BEing love--BEing that frequency. The question is, how do you BEcome unconditional love?

Here are the tips and tools I use to BE unconditional love in the world:

1. Find someone who is unconditional love to you and BE that energy! Think back to any person or being that has given you unconditional love. It might be a family member, a close friend, a teacher or an animal. It might be someone you know through spiritual experience, like Jesus. Even though I have quite a few personal examples, I usually choose to carry around Jesus because his energy to me is pure love. At any moment, I can ask for him to be there with me and he is. I then bask in the presence of that love until I too resonate that same love energy.
2. When people you encounter lash out with negative energy, remember to ask your heart what is causing them pain. Pain is almost always behind negative energies. Sometimes the pain may be caused by being abused by many different people over time, and the person is attempting to keep themselves from further harm by acting aggressively. Sometimes the person is in real physical pain and just has a hard time being nice. When you take the time to ask Source what is causing the pain, you can begin to see where the negativity comes from and are better able to BE love to that same person, regardless of whether or not they are nice to you.
3. Visualize yourself as the frequency of unconditional love and ask your body what that looks like. It may show up on your face as a smile. It may show up as a helping hand. It's probably going to look and feel relaxed and easy-going, but unconditional love is also extremely powerful. Unconditional love is not afraid to experience the pain of others because it is strong enough to transform that pain.

BEing unconditional love has the power to change the world around you. With a little bit of practice and intention, you too can be a healing force in a broken and dying world. Dare to BE unconditional love!!!

~CSE

What I Learned From Growing Up Christian

As I take my journey toward living more and more through the heart, I am noticing some interesting and amazing things. Lately, I have felt myself drawn back to my Christian upbringing in very powerful ways. Many of my recent posts have discussed recognizing and overcoming darkness as I have felt the need to draw on strength not part of my separate self. Many of these understandings came to my awareness through my religious background. At the same time, I find myself attracted to many of the emotional (and heart-based) experiences I had within the context of church. I find myself missing those feelings and long to experience them again. What is it about those memories that draw me back?

The first thing that comes to mind is unconditional love. For me, Jesus is one of those beings that has shown me how important I am to the whole picture. When I am in the presence of Jesus (or other beings with that same unconditional love), I feel whole. There is no brokenness, no emptiness. Everything I am is valued and appreciated as if I were the only thing in the world that mattered.

The second thing that comes to mind is being able to trust completely. I didn't have to worry about having money to pay my bills or not having a mission or purpose in life. There was a plan, and when I trusted this fact things seemed to work out for the best--even when they didn't appear good in the short term. When I trust and follow that wisdom of the heart, my life just seems to work at better than it does when I use my mind to plan it.

Somewhere along the road I have forgotten to follow the guidance of my heart, which is something I did every day when I was having my "Christian" experience. When you are in flow and following the wisdom and guidance of your heart there is an innate knowing that you are being looked after, cared for. You are loved for who you are, and there is a plan for your life that is not separate from you but is you!!! Such deep unconditional love and unwavering trust allow you to immerse yourself totally in the guidance of the heart, without having to question it.

My Christian experience allowed me to connect to Oneness through my heart and live through that place. I felt loved, cared for and appreciated as I trusted that God always had my back. May I once again allow those understandings to take me back to the place of flow, back to the place of trust, back to the place of peace.

~CSE

The Most Powerful Tool In Your Spiritual Toolbox

Spiritual battles are being fought all around me right now. It's almost as though someone has cranked up the volume on the stereo to full blast, effecting everyone within hearing distance (which seems to be pretty much everyone worldwide right now). Everywhere I turn, people are having some major struggle or another. It's important--now more than ever--to assess the tools we have at our disposal to help us remain strong and upright at this time a great upheaval.

Last night as I looked at the problems going on all around me, I felt the very strong need to once again ask for spiritual protection (seems I've been doing a lot of that lately). Jesus is my particular go-to guy when I need special help because I have known him my whole life and he has always been there for me. I asked him and the archangels to surround me with all the protection I needed to meet the challenges of the day.

I felt Jesus very close as words formed in my head. "We are always here when you need us and you ask. Understand that nothing can get to you with us here." All at once I was overwhelmed with the love he has for me and has always had for me. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I felt the immense power of love emanating from my protectors.

And that's when it hit me. Love is the most powerful protection of all!!! When there is pure, unconditional love, nothing bad can harm you. The vibration of love is so high everything that comes into its presence is transformed. Love cannot be stopped!!!

Are you carrying the power of unconditional love in your spiritual toolbox? Are you allowing it to surround you and envelop you in its lovely strength? The more familiar you become with the power and the presence of love, the more you BEcome love. You have the ability to transform all those negatives in your life into positives.

Know that the most powerful tool you can ever have is with you at all times. You just need to remember to use it!!!

~CSE

  

In The Presence Of Love

There's a song by a Christian musician named Don Moen that speaks to me every time I hear it. It's called "I Just Want To Be Where You Are" and it's a song about being in the presence of God.

It's really a very simple song, but it says exactly what my heart always says. I have been in the presence of God--in the great presence of unconditional love, and I honestly do want to be there. All. The. Time. That is not always an easy task.

What is it about being in the presence of unconditional love that makes it so appealing? Unconditional love is definitely one of the higher vibrating frequencies. It does not judge, so it includes everyone and everything--even those things we find most disagreeable. Unconditional love does not require you to jump through any special hoops for approval. You receive unconditional love without having to be "deserving". As possessors of darkness, being in a place where our flaws are overlooked is a good place to be.

I have a relationship with Jesus. I can remember myself going to him with my problems and concerns from a very early age. I could see/imagine each of these conversations in my head to the point they were real (and still are). The thing about Jesus is, he has always been there for me with unconditional love. As an interdimensional being, Jesus is one that has the ability to be there for anyone who seeks him out.

Many people love animals because of the unconditional love animals give them. Animals don't care if you're ugly or fat. They don't care if you are in a good mood all the time. Animals don't care about the house you live in or the car you drive. They are just happy to be with you.

Sometimes other people in our lives provide us with this unconditional love. It might be a mother or father, grandparent or sibling. It could be a teacher at school or your soccer coach. Those people who see something special in us that show us how much we are truly worth are those we are attracted to because of that unconditional love.

Take a few moments now to sit and remember who those beings are in our lives. Even if they have passed on in this lifetime, that energy is still present. Close your eyes and imagine being in their presence once again. Fact of the matter is, when you imagine being in their presence to the point where you begin to remember and feel that energy, they are magically with you once again. And you are once again in the presence of unconditional love.

Take the time to remember unconditional love every day. The more often you bask in that presence, the more likely you are to take on that frequency of unconditional love yourself. You can BE unconditional love in the world!!!

If everyone in the world was unconditional love, what an amazing world that would be!!!

~CSE