Defining Forgiveness

What is forgiveness? The dictionary defines it as several different things. To stop feeling anger or blame against someone or something. Another definition of forgiveness is to stop requiring payment on something that is owed. This could be money, but often it goes much farther than that. There is an element here where the offended person expects something back to make amends for whatever was given, lost, or taken.

There are many times in our lives where we hold on to unforgiveness. When we do this, we block energy from flowing. At these times we choose to hold on to sadness, or anger, or pain of some kind. Often we are not even aware we are doing it. The blocked energy may not be a total block. There can be areas where energy is still exchanged and flowing in our lives. That said, any area that has a block can be made better by removing that block.

I had a friend years ago who allowed unforgiveness to define her. She was a single parent (I was still a single parent at the time) and a fellow soccer mom. We became quite close when we discovered we were divorced for the same reason: our husbands had left for someone else. There was one big difference between us though. My friend chose to hang on to her anger against her ex. She dwelt on the anger and hurt. She did things to try to get back at her ex, including trying to turn their kids against him. She even allowed these feelings to come between our relationship because I chose to be nice to her husband and his new wife at soccer games! (On a side note: I was nice to my ex and his wife at soccer games as well.) My friend was just not able to let this anger go and it showed in almost everything she did.

Forgiveness is where healing begins! By defining and understanding all those places in ourselves where we hold on to negative emotions or feelings, we systematically begin to let go of the anger or blame that controls our lives. We allow energy to loosen up and becoming free flowing once again!

Isn't it time you looked at all those things holding you back from flow and abundance in all areas of your life? By understanding all those places where you hold unforgiveness, you set blocked energy free and allow yourself to live a life of beauty, hope and joy.

~CSE

    

Creating Sacred Space

Sometimes, connecting to your heart is easier to do if you have a special place set up where you go to meditate and pray. As I look back at my life, I realize that I have often used special places and objects in order to remind myself of all those things that make me happy and keep me connected to the divine.

When I was a small child, this sacred space usually consisted of some shelf or tabletop in my bedroom where I would keep my treasures. At any given time, an observer would see pretty rocks I had collected, a feather I found  outside, and several knick knacks given to me by my mom or others. All these things would remind me of the happy times I spent outside in nature, that there is beauty in the world, and that I was loved and valued.

Ironically, as I've gotten older I still have many of the same things in my sacred spaces (yes, I have several now that I have my own home). Rocks (aka crystals), knick knacks, inspirational quotes, and candles are among my favorites now. Basically all still things that remind me of nature, beauty and the fact that I am loved.

You can even use outdoor settings for your sacred space. A beautiful grove of trees, a bench tucked into a small nook in your garden, or even a swing on your back porch can all be places you go to seek the quiet and solitude you need to find your own heart. Bring in a potted plant or ornamental stones to complete the calm and serene place you need to find Oneness.

The truth is, you can connect to your heart at any time and any place. However, using the same place allows you to find your center a little more quickly as your body begins to remember what happened the last time you were in that spot. Create your own sacred space to encourage the blessings of the heart to flow to you!

~CSE

Unrecognized Traits Of An Empath

I had an extremely interesting conversation with a fellow empath the other day. We weren't discussing being empaths as such, but it occurred to me during the discussion that some of the experiences we were discussing were the direct result of being highly empathic. I realized some of these things were not on the usual "traits of an empath" lists you can find on the internet, so I thought I would share them with you in the hope that you might be able to recognize some of them in yourself.

Unrecognized Traits Of An Empath:

1. Empaths are more likely to speak truth, even if doing so causes pain in the short term. Empaths abhor pain and will usually avoid causing it. However, when confronted with a direct question an empath will usually tell the truth. They understand that sometimes short term pain is better than the greater long term pain that will occur down the road by maintaining a lie.
2. Empaths are less likely to have confrontations with other people. Because empaths know what others are feeling, they can usually avoid confrontations before they begin by anticipating the need and providing that for them. 
3. Empaths may have many friends and acquaintances, but very few close friends. Most people are naturally drawn to empaths. However, empaths are very choosy when it comes to close friends. While empaths are nice to everybody, they only choose to reveal their inner selves with those who are trustworthy. 
4. Empaths are not into gossip. They know how much gossip can hurt and how often it backfires.
5. Empaths hold themselves to high standards of integrity. They try to do things "right" the first time so that pain will be lessened for themselves and others.
6. Empaths will often shield themselves with a "business-like" approach to life. Empaths like to hide behind society's rules in order to decrease their personal responsibility in causing pain. They know the pain is inevitable, but it can be easier to justify when they have "the rules" to back them up in it. 

Understand this is by no means an exhaustive list of traits. It is meant only to give additional insight into what an empath is. Do you identify with any of the things on this list?

~CSE

Converting The Masses

If you've been reading my blog regularly, you understand I am a "conspiracy theorist". Yes, some of my ideas can be a little out there, but believe it or not I don't just make statements without having done the research to back it up. Understand occasionally I do slip up and reveal what I believe without going into great detail about why I believe it--mainly because people get bored with the details and won't listen anyway. The thing is, it is important to reveal your beliefs even when you think no one is listening. You may just end up converting someone in the process!

I have the friend I met while working my part-time retail job. This particular friend was studying to be a nurse. Needless to say, when she heard my alternative health philosophy she would roll her eyes. Of course I was a quack. I was spouting off ideas that went against many of the things she was learning. What she didn't know is that health is probably my most heavily researched area. Not only is it a strong area of interest for me, but it was also my introduction to the truth of conspiracy theories.

One day at work, I happened to quote a fact about serotonin, the neurotransmitter. (Ironically, this is one of the facts that got me started on my conspiracy journey.) I mentioned that something like 80 percent of all the serotonin in your body is produced in the digestive tract. Considering serotonin is something associated with the brain and the central nervous system, this truly does not sound accurate. The digestive tract is definitely not something usually associated with neurotransmitters. I'm pretty sure my friend heard me say this and made up her mind then and there to research it herself so she could prove me wrong. Only thing is, I am not wrong.

The next day, she came back to work and said, "Cindy, I researched what you said about serotonin, and you were right! Only, your statistic was slightly off. It's really 85 percent of serotonin is produced in the digestive tract! Why are they not teaching this to me in nursing school?"

I looked her in the eye and asked her, "If people understood they could cure themselves with the food they ate, would they want to take all those high priced drugs they are prescribed that often have terrible side effects?"

It was funny. After this incident, she began to listen to me a little more when I talked about health. She understood I was doing the research to back up my claims.

That is the way when you want to convert the masses. If you give them a full lecture about why you believe what you do, they will tune you out after a few minutes. Continue to say what you believe, brief and to the point. Allow them to ask questions according to their own interests. At some point, you will say something that will hold their attention and make them dig more deeply.

It only takes one fact to make someone understand that much of what they have been taught to be true is a lie. Be patient but persistent. At the point where their hearts convict them, they will become converts. We cannot force the process. That is the job of the heart. Trust and allow the heart to do what it does best--connect us together as one.

~CSE

Corruption Of The Divine Masculine

We are in process of rebirthing the Divine Feminine. That said, it is important for people to understand just what the Divine Masculine is and how it has been usurped and corrupted to benefit a few dark people/entities. We all have both masculine and feminine qualities, although certain qualities are more pronounced in some than in others. Because corruption has occurred on both sides, defining this half will help bring understanding of where to go and how to proceed.

The Divine Masculine is a warrior for light and truth. It is the masculine side of things that is tuned in to the physical 3D world. With this in mind, the Divine Masculine uses its innate strength to become protector and provider for the feminine half. The value of the Divine Masculine's rational thinking and focus enables one to quickly make decisions based on safety and allows the person to create valuable tools and structures which can be used to enhance life. The Divine Masculine also understands the value of the Divine Feminine--especially the feminine ability to connect to the unseen world through the heart and intuition--and works to protect and nurture it. 

There are many ways the Divine Masculine has been corrupted. First and foremost is allowing the idea that physical strength and rational wisdom is far superior to heart strength and intuitive wisdom. This has led to societies and cultures where woman are physically dominated and forced to become second class citizens without the power or even credit they deserve. That said, there is actually a much more insidious reason we have been conned into believing this. When we focus on the physical aspect of things and disrespect the intuitive, we become separate from our hearts and separate from the source of our own innate power. When we believe we are separate and powerless, it is easy for those who are power hungry to take our power and dominate and enslave us. Ironic, but true!

As we work to bring forth the Divine Feminine to her rightful place of equality, we need to understand the Divine Masculine is a necessary part of the process. We cannot bring out the Divine Feminine without the Divine Masculine doing its job! 

Understand that we all have within us both masculine and feminine qualities, divine and corrupt. It is time to force the darkness to recede so we can usher in a new world of light, love and connection where all are valued for the beauty they possess. It is not about domination. It is about equality. It is about balance. By relying on the Divine Masculine we have the physical power and the drive/focus to make it so.

~CSE

What Women Deserve

As I work through the process of self-healing, I am amazed at the amount of information that comes through as I ask questions. My personal journey lately has involved large blocks of time spent on assisting and reawakening the Divine Feminine aspects of myself, and with that process comes a very profound truth. The Divine Feminine has been corrupted to the point that women have become second class citizens. Women deserve so much more than what they have endured.

It begins from the time we are born. While emphasis is placed on our feminine side, it is not on the Divine Feminine. For example, instead of focusing on the intuitive, empathic nature of the heart we are told what we are experiencing is our own internal drama not related to the outside world. We are taught to contain and suppress it instead of allowing the awareness intuition brings to assist us in our ability to love and heal. The focus is all on what is outside self as opposed to what lies within. For girls, that emphasis is placed on how they can serve with little or no thought given to what sort of gifts they should expect back in return. Even making oneself more "beautiful" is considered by many to be of utmost importance.

By the time a girl hits puberty, her self esteem has usually hit an all-time low. Instead of being nurtured in her feminine gifts, she has spent her life being compared to the masculine idea of self and found lacking. Societal memes such as "run like a girl", "fight like a girl", "girls aren't good at math and science", etc. all contribute to girls looking at outside attributes and comparing their personal differences to boys, who are held up as the standard. Consequently, girls often continue down the road of subservience.

By the time girls reach adulthood the transformation is complete. They give everything they have in their roles of daughter, wife, mother. Even when their energy finds a career they enjoy and can make a difference in they often minimize their contributions. Most of their energy gets expended on the outside world while they forget they deserve an equal energy back.

The fact of the matter is, women deserve much more than they have been given. They are not doormats catering to a man's every whim. They are not inferior in mind or body, regardless of physical strength. They should not be held to higher standards of beauty than men. In fact, the Divine Masculine actually honors the beauty and strength of the whole woman--especially the divine, intuitive connection to Source energy.

It is time for women to acknowledge what they do have and demand more from the world at large. We are strong, we are capable, we are connected, and we will connect you to that place of heart! We will guide you home!

~CSE

Arise The Priestess!

I grew up in a church that was controlled by a male priesthood. That all changed in the late 80's when they finally began to allow women into the priesthood ranks. Many people who held literal interpretations of the scriptures fell away as they truly believed that only men should rule in the church, over the home, etc. Regardless of this upbringing, I always felt my own personal connection to the Divine. The more I follow this journey of the heart, the more I understand something quite profound: true spirituality is a result of a person connecting to the Divine Feminine part of self, not the Divine Masculine that religion seems to focus on.

The Divine Masculine is connected to and aligned with the more physical aspects of self: physical strength, protection, provider. This is the part of self tied to the brain, rational thinking, and focus--the part that uses experience to navigate around potential pitfalls. It does indeed play an important role in our lives, but it is not the main role or the only role.

It is the Divine Feminine that completes and compliments the Divine Masculine. The Divine Feminine is the part of self that is connected to the heart and intuition. It uses the power of divine love to bind us all together in Oneness.

The problem with an all male priesthood is that it tends to focus on only one aspect of self, and in its present form it is a corrupted version of the Divine Masculine. Somewhere along the way, priesthood and religion became about ruling through mind and physical strength. In this form, the masculine becomes coercion and control. It is no longer about support and protection.

It is time for the Divine Feminine to shake off the chains of her slavery! No longer can she be forced to play second fiddle when her strength and power lies in her connection to Source--her connection to heart! The Divine Feminine has been neglected long enough!

Awaken to the lies of our programming! Awaken to the power and wisdom that comes from tapping into the intuitive heart! Allow your Divine Masculine to protect and support your Divine Feminine's spirituality!

Arise the priestess! Reconnect to the Divine within!!!

~CSE