Major Shifts Going On

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

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

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

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

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

Changing the world starts within!!!

~CSE

Stopping Energy Vampires

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

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

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

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

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

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

~CSE

 

Asking For Protection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~CSE

 

 

Planting Poison Ivy

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

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

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

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

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

~CSE

Never Under-Estimate The Power Of Animals

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

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

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

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

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

~CSE

Our Hope For The Future

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~CSE  

Reconnecting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I am reminded of the Mother Teresa quote:

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

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

~CSE