The Eden Magazine March 2024

Fashion with Purpose

Women & FASHION

The Eden Magazine

@The Eden Magazine

@The Eden Magazine

Photo by Jess Bailey

Discover the path to a peaceful life among other living beings. We are all made of vibration and light in the universe to manifest our energy around all livingness.

MEET OUR TEAM

Photo by ISABELLE RUEN

Maryam Morrison

DINA MORRONE

ALEXIA MELOCCHI

Polly Wirum

Susanna Schroadter

DULCE GARCIA-MORMAN

SHERI DETERMAN

ZEE

JOE SANTOS, JR.

ISABELLE RUEN GREG DOHERTY

ARTIN MARDIROSIAN

EDWARD HAKOPIAN

GRETA PAZZAGLIA

SHERRI CORTLAND

BEN ROLLINS

PHILIP SMITH

LISA JOY WALTON

JOE MAGNANI & JARED SCHLACHET JSQUARED PHOTOGRAPHY BRAD WALLACE

NIKKI PATTILLO

JAN WAKEFIELD

Since 2010

spreading compassion to all Sentient Beings living in a healing and peaceful world FOUNDER

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IS PERSONAL HAPPINESS REALLY JUST A SIMPLE CHOICE? by Polly Wirum

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THE LIFE & PLIGHT OF AMERICA'S WILD HORSES by Dulce Garcia-Morman

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HELAING & EVOLVING THROUGH SPIRIT by Nikki Pattillos

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AWAKENING THE HEART OF THE DREAMER by Nikki Pattillos

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GRIEF'S DUAL PATH: NAVIGATING SORROW & JOY by Susanna Schroadter

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THE SLIDING SCALES OF HUMAN SELF CONFIDENCE by Zee

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ONE EXQUISITE DAY IN SYDNEY by Jan Wakefiled, M.A.

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YOGA, THE PERFECT ENERGY-BOOSTING MORNING ROUTINE by YogaJala

Dress by Jila Atelier Model: Ana Bergman

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How Non-ordinary Experiences Help in Ordinary Life

Part of the great power and importance of experiencing the spiritual world is to not only connect you with answers to questions and healing for Life’s wounds, but it is a means to correct your vision. As we enter the world of spiritual experience, again and again, we begin to realize that our world, our experience of the world, and our story about it is profoundly limited. As such, all the pain of Life becomes small in the vastness of the universe and the universe beyond. Pain becomes a gateway to connecting with the human condition and remembering that we are never alone and always connected. Our joys become richer in the light of spiritual experience as we start to see them as portals to Life’s true nature.

Self-concern, social approval and the conditioning of culture are rarely to our benefit,

especially when unconscious. To embrace and explore spiritual experience is to pull back the veils of Life and see that we are much more than we have been told and that all our fears and enemies are mere illusions that keep us from the lived experience of knowing that we are loved, that there is enough and that we belong: all of us, to each other, and always.

By releasing our fixation on the material world and diving into the domain of the spiritual, we naturally gain a view of Life that allows for more wholeness, forgiveness, endurance, and the beautiful discovery of interconnection. Deep spiritual experience not only heals the one having the experience, but it empowers us to become helpers and healers for the world around us. Ironically, the more I have come to feel and understand just how not-human I am, just how spirit-full and spiritual this world is, the more I feel safe and willing to love and embrace Life as it is. To be fully human is an amazing and wonderful adventure.

Excerpt from The Seven Gateways of Spiritual Experience: Awakening to a Deeper Knowledge of Love, Life Balance, and God.

Spiritual Experience:

Hope, Healing, and Hard Work

The worlds of Spirit and Insight are ever-present and all around. Each day, each moment, we live a step away from an experience of life that is full of wonder, hope, and deep connection. This is not, however, a journey of the mind. The traveler into the world of Spirit becomes an explorer of the heart. As we travel deeper into the greater dimensions of this world, what we discover is that we are more interconnected, interdependent, and interrelated than we could ever have imagined.

Spiritual experience is not about acquiring superpowers or a metaphysical superiority to others. Spiritual experiences aren’t trophies either, like the practices and philosophies that lead us to them. Each spiritual experience is pointing us somewhere deeper: to the Oneness of our world. To realize that we are born into a Living Energy Universe is to recognize that we are much more than this life or what we have yet to be shown. Spiritual experiences remind us that we are greater than anything that has ever been said or done to us. No matter how broken or depleted we may feel, there is always an abundant and vital dimension to who we are that remains untouchable. To begin the journey into the fullness of our universe is to begin a journey that never ends, is always personal,

A deep willingness to release what we know for a new experience of self can change and challenge a lot in one person’s life. Spiritual experiences can be the root of great healing, self-love, the release of shame, and the blossoming of compassion. We must not, however, assume all spiritual experiences will be easy, comfortable, or even have a positive outcome. Too often, spiritual experiences can lead to struggle and a loss of meaning and not always the easy and joyful fulfillment shared throughout this book. In life, we tend

to see more of what we are looking through than what we are looking at: meaning, our culture, emotional history, personality, assumptions about life, and self are all factors that can shape our reaction to a non-ordinary state…

It is my distinct experience that spirituality is not about belief or choice any more than physicality is. We all have a body. Our bodies differ in so many ways, yet there is no denying that human life requires a physical element to thrive. Some people may be born with physical prowess and aptitudes that others don’t have; some people practice and develop physical ability and skill; and of course, others must focus on managing illness or injury—but we all have a physical dimension to life on earth. In the same way, we all have a spiritual dimension.

Each person lives by a conscious or unconscious worldview, a set of values, and each must answer the questions: what matters most, what relationships are truly important, and who am I really? These three questions form the foundation by which all our experiences are framed, understood, and responded to. As these three questions evolve and mature within us, our relationship to self, health, resilience, and community grows. The spiritual journey, no matter how magical, mystical, psychedelic, or fantastical it may seem or sound, is the most practical and useful life process we can undertake.

Naturally, anyone can excel for a short time without a spiritual path or worldview. People and companies do it all the time. True, lasting personal success, with resilience, joy, and sustainability, eventually needs to be rooted in something deeper than self-interest or a divisive way of living. We are born from and into a universe in which all things are interconnected. Whether you explain this profound interconnection as dumb luck or a higher order at work, it is what it is. We are already woven into a world of Oneness.

A true open heart and mind in today’s environment will find that spiritual experience is exactly what prepares and inspires you to face the chaos and crisis of the modern world with equanimity, optimism, and a willingness to engage and make a difference.

Researcher and journalist Scott Kaufman reviewed a number of studies that investigated the prevalence and impact of a “oneness” worldview. In the magazine Scientific American, he wrote: People who believe that everything is fundamentally one differ in crucial ways from those who do not. In general, those who hold a belief in oneness have a more inclusive identity that reflects their sense of connection with other people, non-human animals, and aspects of nature that are all thought to be part of the same “one thing.” This has some rather broad implications.

Kaufman goes on to discuss how people who “believe in oneness,” regardless of culture or religion, are far more prone to hopefulness, a feeling of connection with life, a growth set, and a greater capacity for compassion and a sense of purpose. The outcomes of a rich spiritual life that continues to evolve and remains in dialogue with lived experience are absolutely life-affirming and health-promoting.

Mystics and sages of the past experienced spiritual states without the context of global science, cross-cultural knowledge, or the internet. Today’s spiritual explorers have the opportunity to cultivate an integrative/integrated understanding of self and life… This means that a person who pursues the gifts and insights of spiritual practice can apply their experiences to all areas of life and not fall prey to the old-world modes of using spiritual experience to feed the ego or to justify one’s own separated sense of cultural superiority. A true open heart and mind in today’s environment will find that spiritual experience is exactly what prepares and inspires you to face the chaos and crisis of the modern world with equanimity, optimism, and a willingness to engage and make a difference.

The Natural and Pervasive Power of Spiritual Experience

Spiritual experience is one of those terms that has become stereotyped and misconceived. Many religious communities have come to fear direct spiritual experience, and modern secular communities have come to ridicule them. Associated with psychedelics, paranormal phenomena, and altered states of consciousness, many people have become unsure of the safety and validity of such experiences. Yet, those who have become familiar with them know them to be among the most important and defining experiences of their lives.

When we do not have a spiritual context or explanation, we often call such experiences “peak experiences” or “highs.” An incredible moment at an airport, like the one just described, could be dismissed by many as only a momentary pleasure and not an indicator of a deeper world or a deeper way of being. Just as we can be convinced that spirituality lives in a building or under the authority of a few people, we can also be convinced that the extraordinary moments of our lives are indications of nothing more than passing emotions. These moments should not be overlooked. They can be savored, contemplated, and explored for growth and learning. The spiritual path calls us to re-examine the nature of perception and our reality.

In the Western world, there is a great diversity of opinion about the nature and cause of spiritual experience. In Eastern cultures, the nature of spiritual experience is something that has long been described and documented in detail. Buddhist and Hindu traditions, for example, have elaborate inventories, frameworks, and schools of thought devoted to the study and understanding of spiritual experience. Most date back thousands of years and show great complexity and detail. Sacred practices are designed to evoke these experiences so that we may have direct awareness and knowledge of The Sacred.

Photo by Bobby Johnson

The secret lies in allowing spiritual experiences, recognizing them, reflecting on them, and drawing their wisdom and peace into our daily lives

When referring to “The Sacred,” most people intuitively understand that we are referring to something of ultimate importance and influence on Life. As we discuss spiritual experience, the term “Sacred” certainly carries that same meaning, but with specific reference to those forces, feelings, and aspects of our universe that are understood to be from or relating to a reality that transcends our ordinary physical and psychological world. Many traditions use the term “The Sacred” to refer to the wide and likely unlimited world of Spirit, consciousness, and subtle energy that exists in a hidden yet accessible dimension of Life. Each tradition has its own understanding of what is included within “The Sacred,” such as God, angels, spirits, Ascended Masters, and more. For our purposes, we include any and all “things” that can be discovered or indicated through spiritual experience: all expressions of this Living Energy Universe.

Many modern societies have lost a sense of the Sacred and learned to abuse altered states, and the practices once revered. Recreational drugs like alcohol, coffee, and marijuana are all commonly used to medicate unsatisfying lives or simply to enrich a moment. As a result, they become mundane subjects and continue to provide ways to escape Life rather than embrace it.

Without respect and intention, even the sources of spiritual experience can be cor-

rupted. Societies and governments have found many reasons to seek to condemn or control communities and individuals in search of spiritual experience. Whether the Ghost Dance of Indigenous American people during the settlement of the American West or the LSD researchers in the 1960s, few governments have tolerated or supported liberal access to experiences that show us that true power and authority exist beyond the human realm and can never be controlled or regulated.

Just as the Chinese government has opposed the Falun Gong movement, which cultivates inner peace, moral action, and regular spiritual practice, governments all over the world have tended to oppose radical creativity and free thinking. Most great spiritual leaders, from Jesus Christ to Martin Luther King, were perceived by some as radicals.

The very essence of spiritual experience leads to a perception of the world that is free from fear, the belief in hierarchy, and materialism. Sadly, most thriving societies, businesses, and governments are built on these qualities and rely on them as mechanisms to maintain power and control. Despite fear or resistance, spiritual experience persists throughout time because it is essential to who we are as human beings. Such experiences are healing, instructive, and more common than most can imagine.

The ability of the “average” person to have unexpected and extraordinary experiences of The Sacred is not only possible but frequent. Concertgoers can experience a euphoric sense of unity with the music, performers, and other fans. Lovers can experience blissful moments of surrender, unity, and timelessness. Chefs, artists, athletes, and even business professionals can experience flow states of high awareness, connection, and creative insight. Even a sunset walk with your best friend or pet can deliver us into moments of sublime peace, openness to beauty, and confidence in the hidden design of Life. Though fleeting, we all have experiences that are not only filled with inexplicable feelings but also meaning. The more people I meet and work with, the more amazed I am at theprofound and diverse ways people are experiencing the spiritual world without even knowing it. What seems to make a significant difference in their lives is whether they recognize and integrate their experiences or not. This is often an issue of awareness, assumptions, and choice.

Frequently, this is also an issue that relates to religion and a lack of sense of permission to be independently spiritual. A surprising number of people feel that if they have a spiritual experience outside of a religious setting, it must be wrong or invalid. As with most things in life, people want permission. Again, the mind and “persona” get in the way. If we let the mind alone dictate what is true, then anything that defies logic or measure is received with less weight and meaning.

Powerful dreams, intuitive knowledge, the perception of subtle energies, a sense of being connected to something greater, astounding synchronicity, and the feeling of a guiding divine presence are all examples of extraordinarily ordinary experiences. Nevertheless, I have met many people in the USA and Canada who come to me with questions about

spiritual experiences filled with guilt, shame, confusion, and fear. If they don’t know what it is they are experiencing, they often doubt or resist it. If their culture has not approved it, they assume it must be bad. Sadly, many children are chastised or educated not to pay attention to or respect their spiritual experiences.

Traveling in places like Asia, South America, Africa, and Native America, I have found that spiritual experiences, such as encounters with spiritual beings, transformative dreams, the power of faith, and the deep impact of intuition, are not only common but expected. Rather than doubting, questioning, or denying such experiences, many cultures live with them and integrate them as a routine aspect of Life. In most of these traditions, people understand the value of seeking these experiences. In such cultures, spiritual experience is a very real and necessary part of understanding human nature, our world, and the invisible Spiritual Worlds that lie beyond ordinary perception.

Though spiritual experiences are often profound and inconceivable, simple things like inspiration, a deep sense of hope, and the feeling of meaning or purpose can all be considered spiritual experiences. They help form the very foundations of our lives and choices. Regardless of belief or perspective, spiritual experience is essential to our health and a full experience of Life. The secret lies in allowing spiritual experiences, recognizing them, reflecting on them, and drawing their wisdom and peace into our daily lives. Just because it doesn’t fit our religious upbringing or what we’ve been told to expect does not mean it is not spiritual or meaningful. None of us were born knowing how to run, talk, or dance, and yet, with very little encouragement and an environment of support, all such expressions come easily. Sometimes, we just need a little support or someone to help us see how spiritually connected we really are.

Jonathan Ellerby PhD stands out as an extraordinary spiritual growth and consciousness expert offering a rare background, including advanced academic degrees and research, combined with decades of practical leadership and applied experience in settings as diverse as hospitals, rural communities, Fortune 500 boardrooms, international settings, and premier retreat and resort facilities. Along with 35 years of personal experience, Jonathan has traveled the world to explore countless cultural approaches to transformation and spiritual growth. Author of 5 books, there are a few topics in the world of consciousness, culture, religion, and spirituality that Jonathan cannot address with clarity, insight, and an inspiring perspective. www.jonathanellerby.com

How To GET OVER A BREAKUP?

If something goes wrong and you come out of a relationship, give yourself a minimum of six months to one year where you are just by yourself. When life knocks at your door like this, it is time you look deeper.

Sadhguru, how to move on after a breakup?

Your body has a tremendous amount of memory. This memory is on many different levels. There is evolutionary memory, genetic memory, karmic memory, conscious and unconscious levels of memories, and articulate and inarticulate levels of memories. You do not remember what your great-great-grandfather looked like, but his nose is sitting on your face. So, obviously, your body is carrying a very complex mechanism of memory.

When this body is capable of such a complex sense of memory, do you think it is not gathering memory with whatever you touch and feel and relate with? It is gathering an enormous amount of memory. For example, going up and down the steps looks very simple, but it is very complex. Your body has to remember. Otherwise, it

cannot go up and go down so easily. Today, sports experts are talking about muscle memory – building memory into their system so that the sport can be executed at a certain level of efficiency. This is not only for sport or for a specific activity; you are imbibing so much memory every day. If there is a certain kind of cohesiveness to this memory, it will become productive. If there is a certain sense of chaos in this memory, then you may know everything, but this memory will work against you because it is contradictory and conflicting within itself.

So, the question is coming up because it matters to you. It matters because you have invested your thoughts and emotions and maybe even your body into the relationship. Once you have invested these three things, there is a profound sense of memory about that. If you create a lot of contradictory memories in your system, you will see that you will have everything, but you feel like you have nothing because it is confused and joyless; it does not have exuberance. It is very important that young people understand the mechanism of what they have been given.

Infrastructures to Raise Human Consciousness

Experience Yoga in its classical form at Isha Yoga Center Los Angeles and Isha Institute of Inner-sciences. Established by Sadhguru, the centers serve as powerful spaces for inner transformation and raising human consciousness. Located in northern Los Angeles County and Tennessee respectively, the centers offer an array of Yoga and meditation programs within a vibrant and conducive ambience.

You are invited to Free Yoga Day, a monthly open-doors event at the center. On this day, we offer a variety of free sessions dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to take charge of their wellbeing through simple but powerful practices sourced from the Yogic tradition. Learn more at ishausa.org/la

If the human system was just a lump of flesh, you could have done whatever you wanted with it. But this is a very sophisticated machine. If you treat it sensitively, it can do things in a phenomenal way. Otherwise, it will do mediocre things.

Let us say that you know nothing about computers, and I gave you an Apple Macbook Air. It is very thin and sharp, so you took it home and started chopping cucumbers with it. It works very well. But is it not a tragedy that you are using a computer to chop a cucumber? There is nothing wrong with the cucumber, but something is definitely wrong with you! There is something very fundamentally wrong with you when you do not understand the significance of what you have on your hands.

Before you touch or involve yourself in anything, you must see what level of involvement you wish for and where do you want to take this. You must also see what are the different impacts it will have upon you. You must consider whether this will work well for this life or work against this life. Otherwise, you will have a loose life. I am not using the word "loose" in terms of morality. I am just talking about loss in terms of not being able to fulfill the direction in which you wish to go in your life. Bringing some intellectual, emotional, and physical integrity to your life is very important.

Become a Complete Life

If you come out of a relationship, give yourself sufficient time. You can fix a minimum of six months or one year where you are just going to be by yourself. Because whatever went bad, you definitely have a 50% contribution for everything that went bad, isn't it?

Use these six months or one year to fix that 50%.

When life knocks at your door like this, it is time you look deeper. When your illusions are broken, and you are disillusioned right now, it is a very good thing. If your illusions are broken, that means life is bringing you closer to reality. This is an opportunity for you to sit down and see, "What is the nature of my life?"

When someone is pushing you towards ultimate reality from an illusory state, you must thank that person. They are opening up a spiritual dimension for you by making you realize how fragile all these things are. They can cheat you or run away or something else, but essentially, you get denied. You can be denied only because you are in a certain illusory state of believing that you are half a life and need another half from somewhere. No, this piece of life that you are is a complete piece of life, packed with the Creator and creation together - a great combination.

So why is it that it feels so incomplete that it needs another person to fill this life? Somewhere, it has not realized the fullness of its nature. Right now, you have made it in such a way that this cannot exist without this one and that one. If you have blossomed as a complete life, you will see that relationships will be of a completely different nature. It will be more of coming together and sharing, not of extracting something from someone.

Are you going through a tough time emotionally? Equip yourself to deal with life in the best possible way through Inner Engineering Online

How to Feel More Gratitude

& EMOTIONAL WELLNESS

By Dr. Bradley Nelson

You may have heard about studies that show practicing gratitude can shift the brain's function toward a healthier mindset. Research shows that feeling grateful, particularly meditating on feelings of gratitude, can help us overcome sad and anxious feelings and stop ruminating on negative thoughts about past events. It can also release us from worrying so much about the future.

Think of gratitude as a very powerful positive energy that dispels negative thinking and emotional baggage, just as light dispels darkness. Imagine what your life would be like if you filled yourself with thoughts of love and gratitude on a continual basis. Perhaps this is how our lives are actually intended to be! Let's look at some of the benefits of gratitude and how we can have more of it in our lives.

What Is Gratitude?

We usually think of gratitude as an expression of thankfulness for abundant living. When we think about how blessed we are or when someone does something for us, we often express gratitude by saying thank you. The problem is that the feeling is usually fleeting. Maybe it's time we start thinking of gratitude as the distinct emotion it can be — one that we can definitely feel more consistently. Try making gratitude less of a passing "thanks" and more of a daily quality — a part of who you are. The more gratitude you feel daily, under any situation, the more benefits you can receive.

Recognize Your Abundant Life Every Day

Leading gratitude researcher Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., says gratitude has two main parts: "affirmation of goodness" and recognition that the source of this goodness is outside ourselves.

"We acknowledge that other people — or even higher powers, if you're of a spiritual mindset — gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives," Emmons writes.

If you have family, good friends, a home, meaningful work, and laughter in your life, you have goodness. You are living an abundant life in some way or another. Making gratitude, your attitude can turn your thoughts away from problems and negativity toward happier, higher thoughts that raise your emotional energy.

Benefits of Gratitude for Mental Wellness

According to Emmons, feeling gratitude can help reduce a myriad of negative emotions, such as resentment, anger, and frustration. Emmons has completed a number of studies on gratitude and its ability to enhance feelings of well-being. These studies support his theory that gratitude can be effective at reducing or fighting depression, boosting happiness, reducing stress, and bolstering feelings of

optimism and tranquility.

In a scientific study, gratitude has also been linked to potential increases in neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is that "feel good" neurotransmitter that helps us feel pleasure and anticipation. Serotonin is believed to affect our moods, and some researchers believe lower levels of it may be linked to depression — so it looks like the more, the better!

Benefits of Gratitude for Physical Health

Gratitude has been linked to health benefits such as improved sleep, reduced fatigue, and less cellular inflammation. Gratitude creates a surge of brain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin — chemicals that make you happy. Focusing on the good things in life helps release negative emotions.

A 2012 study published in Personality and Individual Differences indicates that people who feel grateful have fewer aches and pains and report that they generally feel healthier than those who don't feel so grateful. The study also reports that those who feel gratitude are more likely to take care of their physical health — they exercise more frequently and are more likely to have check-ups regularly. And, of course, those habits are likely to enhance longevity!

Gratitude

for Lifelong Health & Happiness

How can one emotion have such wide-ranging benefits for our health and well-being? One reason may lie in how gratitude improves our relationships, both with others and ourselves. Quality relationships have been called a top predictor of lifelong health and happiness. Gratitude helps by:

• Helping build and strengthen relationships of all kinds: Gratitude helps you connect with others and makes others feel appreciated by you.

• Boosting self-esteem: Focusing on good things about yourself can help you appreciate who you are.

• Increasing life satisfaction: Continuously reminding yourself of what you already have instead of focusing on what you don't brings more happiness and satisfaction to your life.

The more gratitude we feel daily, under any situation, the more benefits we can receive. Here are a few tips for experiencing more gratitude in your life:

1. Release Trapped Emotions — Traumatic and difficult events from the past can leave us with unresolved emotional energy in the form of Trapped Emotions — negative energies that can literally become trapped within. You can use energy healing practices such as The Emotion Code® and The Body Code™ to identify and resolve emotional baggage and other imbalances that may be harming your health and relationships or otherwise holding you back in life. Doing so opens the way for you to feel more gratitude.

2. Start a Gratitude Journal — There are many different ways to start a gratitude practice, but one of the simplest is to try gratitude journaling. All you need in order to get started is a piece of paper and a pen. You might choose a nice journal to write in each day. There are some journals that are created with gratitude prompts already included that might make it easier to begin, such as:

• Write about a person in your life whom you're thankful for.

• What skills or abilities do you have that you're grateful for?

• Write a note to someone to whom you're grateful (bonus points if you share the note with them!).

• What positive changes in your life have happened in the last year?

• What is something you're grateful to have learned this week?

• What are you thankful for about the city you live in?

• What does your body allow you to do that you're grateful for?

• Write about something that you have been taking for granted that you're glad is part of your life.

3. Practice Being Mindful in the Moment — This will help you pick up on the little things that enhance your life: the gentle breeze, the colors of the fall leaves, and the warm and comforting feeling of eating a good meal. Take stock of your experiences, the joys in your life, and all the good things that you already have. Continuously reminding yourself of what you have instead of focusing on what you don't can bring more happiness and satisfaction to your life.

4. Create the Habit of Waking up With a Powerful Question — Choose a question that inspires gratitude every day. This will send the subconscious mind on a search for joy and gratitude as you move through the day. An example of this could be to say to a family member, "How amazing are you?" Or you could look at yourself in the mirror with a smile and say, "What wonderful thing will you create today?"

Remember, gratitude is a habit you can cultivate, like brushing your teeth or drinking enough water! By focusing on the positive, you invite more positivity into your life. As you take time each day to shift your outlook to one of gratitude and as you consistently express your appreciation, perhaps you'll begin to feel more satisfied with the life you live and reap all the benefits that come with contentment.

Veteran holistic physician Dr. Bradley Nelson (D.C., ret.) is one of the world's foremost experts on natural methods of achieving wellness. He is the creator of The Emotion Code and The Body Code system and the CEO of Discover Healing, a holistic education platform that provides training and certifies practitioners worldwide. His bestselling book The Emotion Code provides step-by-step instructions for working with the body's energy healing power.

His new book is The Body Code: Unlocking Your Body's Ability to Heal Itself released on February 2023, by St. Martin's Press.

For more information and a free Emotion Code Starter Kit, visit EmotionCodeGift.com

WOMEN Fashion &

EMPOWERING CONSCIOUS CHOICES FOR BEAUTY, COMPASSION, AND CONFIDENCE

by Dina Morrone

Women and Fashion have always been inseparable. I like to think of it as a beautiful love affair or a marriage that began at the beginning of time. And since we celebrate Women's History Month in March, we thought it would be fitting to feature Fashion. Not just the beauty and glamor of it but to reflect on how Women's history has become intertwined with conscious Fashion and how it unfolds as a narrative of resilience, empowerment, and mindful choices. True self-confidence arises from embracing one's unique identity, and Fashion should be a tool for self-expression rather than conformity to fleeting trends. Inclusive Fashion challenges traditional beauty standards by celebrating diversity in body shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and gender identities.

Brands championing inclusivity send a powerful message: everyone deserves to feel confident and beautiful in their skin. Fashion has the remarkable ability to influence our self-perception and instill confidence. We pursue this empowering feeling through inherently personal values and expressions of ourselves. Whether we find confidence in donning classic, timeless pieces or embracing the bold and avant-garde, Fashion is a powerful tool for self-expression. It allows us to curate our identity, reflecting our unique style and personality. Ultimately, the pursuit of feeling good about ourselves is a subjective journey, where our choices become a canvas on which we paint our own story of confidence and self-

assurance. Throughout history, women have used Fashion to challenge stereotypes and assert their individuality. In today's market, more than ever, conscious fashion, with its emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices, aligns seamlessly with the ethos of women seeking personal expression and positive impact. From sustainable fabrics to ethical production, women continue to shape their own stories and the legacy of Fashion, contributing to a more mindful and compassionate industry for the benefit of all and future generations. It reflects the strength, diversity, and forward-thinking spirit that defines the narrative of women worldwide.

As women's roles and influence have evolved, so has their approach to Fashion, with an increasing number choosing brands that prioritize environmental responsibility, fair labor practices, and conscious Fashion. Women's choices shape the market. When women support brands that prioritize ethical sourcing, sustainable materials, and cruelty-free alternatives, women send a clear message to the fashion world and younger women around the globe to take note. Influencers and industry leaders can use their platforms to amplify the importance of conscious Fashion, advocating for transparency and responsible practices. And they can drive change by embracing and encouraging a shift away from fast Fashion. Through collective action, informed choices, and vocal advocacy, women contribute to fostering a fashion world that is not only chic but also compassionate and sustainable.

Thanks to women who are and have been motivated by a growing awareness of animal welfare Designers were forced to listen and recognize the ethical implications of using fur, as it often involves practices such as fur farming, which can raise issues related to animal cruelty and exploitation.

Dress by Jila Atelier Model: Alice Wu @nikoophotography

One such change in how women's choices shaped the market is the shift away from fur in the fashion industry. This change is all thanks to women who are and have been motivated by a growing awareness of animal welfare. Designers were forced to listen and recognize the ethical implications of using fur, as it often involves practices such as fur farming, which can raise issues related to animal cruelty and exploitation. Opting for fur alternatives aligns with a broader movement toward cruelty-free and humane Fashion.

It's not just the cruelty and abuse of animals but furs' significant impact on the environment, including resource-

intensive farming practices and chemical treatments. Designers embracing fur-free Fashion contribute to a more ecoconscious industry.

True self-confidence arises from embracing one's unique identity, and Fashion should be a tool for self-expression rather than conformity to fleeting trends.

Dress by Jila Atelier

Photo by @nikoophotography

Dress designed by Jila Atelier Model: Ana Bergman

Photo by Hadi Sharekian @langeles_pic

Dress designed by Jila Atelier

Model: Ana Bergman

Photo by Hadi Sharekian @langeles_pic

In our April 2021 issue, we featured activist and environmentalist Laura Turner-Seydel. I asked her about recycling, the environment, and how Fashion impacts the environment. Her answer speaks to what we are saying in our current piece, which we find worth repeating.

Laura Turner-Seydel:

"We must move from fast Fashion to sustainable Fashion. When I was working in the apparel industry, we had four main collections a year: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Today, with "fast fashion," clothing production has increased to produce cheaper clothes 52 weeks a year. The apparel industry is now the second-most polluting industry after the oil industry. Essentially, the fashion industry and fossil fuel industry are joined at the hip. More than half of the fibers today are synthetic, meaning they are oil-based, like polyester, nylon, and elastin. The oil is also the base of a lot of the color dyes. Buying fast Fashion also comes at a huge cost for labor conditions, especially concerning are the high numbers of child slave laborers who live and work in deplorable conditions. It is imperative that the industry becomes more transparent. We must know who makes our clothes. One of the most telling documentaries, The True Cost, outlines the true cost of fast Fashion. We can all consume less, and we need to. And we can support companies and fashion houses that track their supply chain and do right by people and the environment — and who don't damage lives and our air, water, soil, and climate.

I love Patagonia because they make it part of their business model to make high-quality clothing and products with sustainable manufacturing practices and sourcing that lasts. In their advertising, they

show a picture of a cool jacket, and the headline is, "Don't buy this jacket." When their garments become damaged or defective, they even repair them. And they offer and market secondhand clothes. I wish more companies would commit to focusing on quality over quantity and putting an end to planned obsolescence in Fashion and beyond. That practice leads to the landfilling or incinerating of 70 pounds of Fashion every year. In my grandparents' generation, it was a sin to be wasteful. Their clothes were cared for, loved, repaired, and altered. They were not discarded and sent off to a landfill.

A great organization, the Apparel Impact Institute, is working to create a third-party verified and measurable certification for manufacturers and vendors in the apparel supply chain for water, energy, and chemicals. Knowing what we are buying and how it affects the environment and people are essential tools in providing transparency. They can help us and younger generations make informed decisions about what we consume and from what companies."

Fashion is and will always remain a beautiful art form to be loved, admired, and respected, and Fashion will always be a part of our lives. Therefore, we all must make informed decisions about what we wear, where it comes from, what it's made from, and what happens to it when we dispose of it because, in doing so, we help save the planet for future generations.

Special Thanks to:

Jila Atelier

Hadi Sharekian nikoophotography

Ana Bergman

Kylie Cochran

Alice Wu

Dress by Jila Atelier Model: Kylie Cochran @nikoophotography

Jila Saber was born in Iran. She began her journey as a fashion designer 25 years ago in her homeland, delving into the world of fashion design. At the tender age of 12, she initiated her education in sewing techniques under the guidance of her mother, swiftly mastering the art of working with a sewing machine. By the age of 13, She proudly crafted her inaugural dress, a testament to her burgeoning skills and creativity.

Jila's journey into the industry began at a remarkably young age, and her success unfolded through diverse roles in various companies. Over time, a burning desire to create her brand emerged. As a female entrepreneur in Iran, she faced challenges rooted in religious and governmental ideologies. Undeterred, she persevered, eventually relocating to the USA, seeking an environment that would allow her the freedom to pursue her passion.

Upon settling in the USA, she seized the opportunity to further her education, enrolling in a fashion

design school to elevate her knowledge and skills. Immersed in the vibrant fashion scene, Jila gained valuable experience working for different couture houses. During this transformative period, she bolstered her confidence, solidifying her belief in the capacity to carve out a unique niche.

Armed with a wealth of experience and knowledge, she felt ready to embark on the entrepreneurial journey. Her dream of owning a fashion brand materialized as she established the thriving business, Jila Atelier.

Embarking on her U.S. journey alongside her husband, the renowned architect and sculptor Ali Kourehchian, Jila swiftly garnered recognition across various media outlets and events. Their architectural collection stood out as one of the most sought-after. Today, Jila is celebrated for crafting bespoke gowns for esteemed celebrities and affluent individuals in California and globally.

https://jilaatelier.com/ about-us

Dress by Jila Atelier

Photo by @nikoophotography

Photo by Niaz Parvaresh

Vanessa Berlowitz

by Alexia Mellocchi

Edited by Dina Morrone

Vanessa Berlowitz, co-founder of Wildstar Films, is a television producer and filmmaker known for overseeing stunning nature documentaries. She has been involved in such projects as Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, and many more, including series that she executive produced in association with Ryan Reynolds and Darren Aronofsky.

One of Berlowitz’s passions is training women to become wildlife filmmakers, and in order to fulfill this drive, she launched Wildstar Academy. The Academy’s mission began with Queens, the first ever nature series told through an all-female lens, and the subject of this article.

Queens, which premiers on Nat Geo on March 4, and streams the same week on Disney+ and Hulu, is a riveting and groundbreaking series that invites viewers into the heart of the animal kingdom, where the true

queens of the wild reign. The show explores the often-overlooked role of female leadership in the animal world, offering a fresh and moving perspective of the intricate balance of nature. In Queens, Berlowitz and team offer us the lives of remarkable matriarchs across diverse species, painting an awe-inspiring portrait of strength, resilience, and the interconnectedness of all living beings.

Please share some insights into the choices of female filmmakers from various countries for the series Queens. When we set out to make Queens, we recognized the importance of showcasing diverse voices, especially those close to the wildlife being documented. We reached out to established female filmmakers, such as Justine Evans and Sophie Darlington, both accomplished directors of photography. Recognizing the scarcity of female representation in this field, we aimed to break the norm. We invited them to become series directors of photography and, in turn, mentors to new and emerging talents from Brazil, Alaska, and Tanzania, among others. This initiative transformed Queens into a living academy, fostering new voices and perspectives in wildlife filmmaking.

How did the impactful four-year journey of making Queens shed light on climate change injustices, particularly during filming?

Our journey coincided with one of the worst droughts in East Africa in two decades. This environmental crisis halted filming and revealed the devastating consequences of climate change on wildlife, especially elephants. The suspension of filming and the challenges brought by COVID-19 allowed us to witness the extremes in environmental conditions and the urgent need for global awareness and conservation efforts.

Please elaborate on the intentional choice of featuring female leaders and the mentorship program involving seasoned female filmmakers.

Queens aimed to spotlight female talent in the natural world, a perspective often overlooked. We intentionally sought out seasoned female filmmakers like Justine Evans and Sophie Darlington, who, as directors of photography, played pivotal roles. They contributed their expertise and became mentors to a new generation of filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, breaking the industry's gender barriers. This mentorship initiative has significantly impacted the representation of women in wildlife filmmaking.

How did the series convey the message of wildlife conservation without being preachy, particularly in episodes like the one featuring bonobos?

Our approach was to deliver the message of wildlife conservation through inspirational and educational storytelling. The episode featuring bonobos in the Congo exemplifies this approach. We conveyed the transformative power of empathy and nurturing leadership by showcasing the dedicated women at the bonobo sanctuary who volunteer to rehabilitate orphaned bonobos. The series strives to inspire without being didactic, allowing viewers to connect emotionally with the stories presented.

What role does March, International Women’s Month, play in the release of Queens, and how did the project come about?

March, the month celebrating the Day of the Woman, adds a meaningful context to the release of Queens. The project originated from a collaboration with National Geographic and was sparked by a conversation with Janet Han Vissering, a senior figure at National Geographic. I pitched the idea after being inspired by the female leadership observed during my two-anda-half years of filming elephants for a Disney nature project. The initial idea of a single film evolved into an entire series focusing on diverse female leaders in the natural world.

What role does March, International Women’s Month, play in the release of Queens, and how did the project come about?

Angela Bassett was a deliberate and strategic choice for Queens. We approached her with the first cut of the series, recognizing her iconic presence, versatility, and commitment to female empowerment. The decision went beyond her celebrity status; it aligned with the values of Queens and WildStar Films. Angela's involvement extends to being an executive producer, where she actively contributes to the series' mission and acts as an ambassador, amplifying the project's goals of diverse representation and wildlife conservation.

Queens captures poignant moments, such as the one featuring bonobos and the blind elephant. Please share the significance of these instances in conveying the broader message of the show.

The episode featuring bonobos in the Congo at the bonobo sanctuary is profoundly moving. It introduces viewers to women who, often orphaned by civil war, volunteer to live 24/7 with baby orphaned bonobos. These women undertake the immense responsibility of rehabilitating these orphaned creatures, providing constant comfort and contact, highlighting the deep bond between humans and wildlife. The narrative unfolds as the bonobos are eventually

reintroduced into larger outdoor spaces, showcasing a story of mutual redemption for both the women and the bonobos.

Additionally, the series witnessed a heartbreaking moment involving a blind elephant named Silangay. By playing music, the elephant was given the feeling of safety. Our director, Faith Musembi, the first black woman to produce a premium natural history show, had been following Silangay for the Savanna Queens episode. The filming was suspended due to the drought and COVID-19, and upon returning; the team discovered Silangay had yet to survive the drought. This heartbreaking event underscored the harsh realities of climate change and its devastating impact on wildlife, contributing to the series' narrative of urgent conservation and the need to protect these magnificent creatures.

As we end our conversation, the overarching message is clear: the animal world's female leaders can serve as powerful examples for humans striving to lead better. Berlowitz expressed how witnessing the animals' ability to adapt, collaborate, and find solutions to challenges offers a positive and calming perspective. This coexistence among various species in the natural world underscores the importance of unity, optimism, and a shared drive for survival – values that can undoubtedly inspire and shape effective human leadership.

Queens invites viewers to reconsider preconceived notions about leadership and draw inspiration from the matriarchs in the animal kingdom. By embracing the adaptability, collaboration, and empathy observed in these natural leaders, humans can cultivate more compassionate, inclusive, and effective leadership in their own endeavors and understand and appreciate the essence of the female in all societies, animal and human alike.

Queens premieres on March 4th. Don't miss this emotional and visual spectacle.

Photos courtesy of National Geographic

WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT

Hello Vikki, The Eden Magazine has featured several Watkins authors over the years; please tell us about Watkins Publishing. Watkins Publishing is one of the oldest publishing houses in the UK, dating back to 1893 when John M. Watkins, a scholar of esotericism, overheard his friend and teacher Madame Blavatsky lamenting the fact that there was nowhere in London to buy books on mysticism, occultism or metaphysics. At that moment, Watkins was born, soon to become the home of many of the leading lights of spiritual literature, including Carl Jung and Rudolf Steiner.

Today, we have published books by Dr Ryan Martin, Neale Donald Walsch, Teal Swan, and actor Terence Stamp. Our passion for vig-

orous questioning is still resolute; our books have continued to reflect the development of spiritual thinking and new science over the past 120 years. We remain at the cutting edge, committed to publishing books that change lives.

What is your role at Watkins, and why?

I have been a senior publicist at Watkins for many years. I feel very privileged to work with such a diverse and unique collection of some of the best well-being experts around the globe. Watkins, as a company, is also a really lovely place to work with a family atmosphere. My role here also sits really well alongside my other work as an Integrative Transpersonal Psychotherapist.

An interview with Vikki Scott Senior Publicist for Watkins Publishing

Please tell us about the author, Briana Pegado. Originally from Washington, DC, Briana Pegado FRSA is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She is a trained ThetaHealer, a psychic intuitive, a student of astrology, and an artist. She has written for years on topics ranging from the rise of feminist mysticism for Monstrous Regiment Publishing to rising inequality in the creative industries for Bella Caledonia. She was named one of Scotland's 30 Under 30 Inspiring Young Women in 2017 and has won a number of awards for her work as a social entrepreneur in the creative industries over the last eight years. Currently, she is an anti-racism and governance consultant working across the third and public sectors. She is a data-driven innovation ambassador for the Edinburgh Futures Institute.

Tell us about Make Good Trouble and why you picked this book.

Chaos, for many, is something to avoid or problem-solve

rather than a state of being to embrace. However, in Make Good Trouble, Briana reframes disorder as simply part of life and the first step to rebuilding after destruction. The matter from which we create and ultimately grow. In the book, Briana empowers us to step into our own energy and better understand it. She produces a framework for us to all live in a more peaceful world, filled with authenticity, if we are brave enough to shake things up.

There is so much for everyone in this book, for those interested in spirituality, astrology, healing, and tarot. However, the book is also for those who have gone through unsettling times in their life or are in leadership positions, whether through their work or community, and want to know how to lead correctly. Overall, Make Good Trouble allows the reader to feel more equipped to handle disruption and stressful life events and demonstrates how to catalyze the energetics of chaos for positive change.

We are facing a cultural crisis if the creative industries do not become more diverse

Tuning in to Energy

Energy moves and changes and certain energies have different weights – a literal heaviness that shows up as the feeling of a psychic load, which can be picked up through our clairsenses. I find I can pick up on the energy of a space fairly quickly. Though I may not always be able to pinpoint exactly what I am picking up on at first, I know I will soon be able to name or sense the energy. Sometimes, I experience this as a deep knowing or a physical pressure like a headache. Since energy is power, I can also pick up on the power dynamics in a room, a situation, or an interaction through the same means. I ask myself certain questions when it comes to sensing a power dynamic. These questions are not always conscious, but they sound a little like this:

• Do I feel a sense of tension or restriction?

• Is everyone in that space able to speak freely and openly?

• Does someone appear withdrawn or shut down by something someone has said to them?

• What is everyone's body language in the space?

• Are they making eye contact?

• Are they looking down or looking away?

• Are they withdrawing into themselves and unconsciously holding themselves in self-protective ways by wrapping their arms around themselves or sitting with a sunken posture?

Although you are likely to pick up on the answers subconsciously, these are questions you can also ask yourself to help you identify the dynamics in a space. As we live in a world that competes more and more for our at-

tention, our ability to notice and then process the cues we pick up on is becoming compromised. This is why taking the time to pause and register our responses is crucial. You might walk into a new space and immediately feel a shift in temperature or pick up on an almost imperceptible thickness in the air – but does this signify there is tension in the room, or is there ease?

I think of energetics as being not only what you can pick up on and perceive about a situation, interaction, or space at the moment but the energy of everything that influences how you perceive that situation. It is everything that is not said yet which is psychically present in that space. Energetics are how all of the energy interacts with and responds to the wider environment. Like other healers, psychics, and mediums, I believe that everything leaves behind an energy signature or footprint (for lack of a better word) that we can read if we learn how to interpret the signals and develop an openness to other ways of perceiving. It might be the signature in the form of energetic clues – feelings and nudges from the past, present, or even the future. (For me, the future is more like the potential that can be picked up on in a single moment, which lingers, or something that will emerge several moments later.)

When you begin to interact with this process, these indicators can seem subtle or barely there. Alternatively, depending on how you experience the world, you may perceive this energetic footprint or this piece of psychic information as unmissable, fully present, and loud. Like a slow reveal or a sudden realization, the energetics of a space or a situation will make themselves known to you if you know how to listen.

Photo by master1305AdobeStock

Briana Pegado

Tell us About the author, Hunter Liguore.

Hunter Liguore is an award-winning writer, professor, and historian with a lifelong study in philosophy, specializing in the work of Sun Tzu. She's studied with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate John Hume (North Ireland) and has undertaken critical research in peace and social justice studies. Her unique writing explores interconnectedness with all people, reciprocal relationships with the natural world, and kindness and empathy for all, without exception. She's a writing professor at Lesley University, US, and hosts peace walks in New England.

Tell Us About The Modern Art of War

From the time Sun Tzu's Art of War was first translated in 1782, it has been received by the Western world as a military treatise and a tactical how-to guide for waging war on a battlefield. It has served military strategists for the last 2,600 years, all the way through to modern times, where business managers and other professionals have used its tactics against competitors and has sold over 200,000 copies.

But what if the book had a different purpose and was never intended for generals or CEOs but really for the common, everyday person seeking greater meaning in their life? The Modern Art of

War: Sun Tzu's Hidden Path to Peace and Wholeness offers readers a dazzling new interpretation of Sun Tzu's Art of War, one that explores the ancient wisdom of self-discovery through the truest art of war: the fight to control your mind and the thoughts that rule it. Using self-reflection prompts guides you in incorporating Sun Tzu's teachings into your daily life. These lessons come with a unique set of tools and exercises that can be applied in a gradual progression of steps that, when mastered, can ultimately guide the average person to live an abundant life through inner peace. This book demonstrates how to "conquer" or "still" the mind and recognize that The Modern Art of War begins with each of us. By creating harmony within, we can bring more peace into the world.

Are there any other titles we should be aware of for International Women's Day? Another title I'd like to mention is the Amazing Women Cards – the ultimate Feminist Oracle Deck! The Deck is very beautiful and features wisdom from some of the globe's most trailblazing inspirational women, everyone from Janice Joplin Frida Kahlo to Marie Curie and Nina Simone. The deck shares these women's wisdom on life, love, and work, and you can dip in and out as you please.

Hunter Liguore

My effort in the world is to walk soft and gentle, especially after walking so many years harshly. To 'walk softly' implies both a gentle physical step that is present and aware, enough to observe the snail on my path, or to pass a fawn undisturbed; it is also an inward awareness of being gentle and soft in every thought, which then carries outward into every action.

War—as it relates to the mind— occurs when our thoughts create division wherever we go. If we discriminate between good and bad or, happy and sad, or are indifferent, we're creating a divide between ourselves and something else.

If we create resistance toward others in any capacity, we're engaging in a mental war.

When we venture from a state of mental balance to one of force, judgment, control, or even impose our own will upon others without consideration or consent, we create mini-wars.

Consider the role our thoughts play when we stand our ground between our beliefs and someone else's rather than respecting and valuing differences. Sometimes, we create borders and boundaries that declare we're right and another person is wrong, or less, or unequal.

Our creation of mental fences (boundaries) becomes the battlefield of the mind that Sun Tzu's work addresses.

Other examples include:

• An impatient driver with flared temper and up-turned hands, cut off unexpectedly, angry.

• Arguments with others over our beliefs as we become self-righteous, unable to reconcile.

• Disagreements with neighbors or community over the things we don't like, believing our way is the only way.

War can be found in our criticisms, judgments, and anger, or other emotional states like envy, depression, sadness, and worry. Discrimination, hate, and separatism all precipitate the thought of otherness, which in turn creates a future of conflict.

Equally, we can look in the mirror

and judge ourselves critically (e.g., ugly, pretty, skinny, overweight), creating resistance to our inherent beauty. Year after year, our mind and its thoughts trick us into believing our reality is always in a seesawing state, controlling and dictating an uncertain future and that we have no control over it.

But we do, at least according to Sun Tzu. As soon as we begin to apply the teachings on the Hidden Path to Peace and Wholeness, we will see that it's not others ruining our life, the environment, or making the world a terrible place. Still, rather, it's in our control to immediately employ change through a quiet, peaceful mind. Then, very quickly, the people and places—our own minds—are no longer our opponents.

This unique retelling is a roadmap leading to the discovery of our innate ability to reclaim rulership and mastery over our consciousness (or everyday circumstances) to achieve peace between the warring states of the two perceptions or Selves (Higher and Lower Consciousness). As Wholeness becomes our natural state, we perceive our world without boundaries since the mind becomes silent and eternal, like an all-seeing eye, symbolized in ancient Greek wisdom as the Cyclops. Usually depicted as being blinded, Cyclops signifies the fall into delusion or blindness to one's whole, singular Self.

This state of non-war or peace is present and aware. Socrates, a teacher of Inspired Wisdom, explained it by saying, "I know that I know nothing." Written by Plato, many interpret the passage to show Socrates' humility, but it's actually expressing the experience of conscious unity (or non-duality): to "know" is to be self-aware, to dwell in a state of accord with one's intuitive Wholeness, rather than relying on the thinking-mind controlled by emotional states.

Make Good Trouble – A Practical Guide to the Energetics of Disruption by Briana Pegado and The Modern Art of War – Sun Tzu's Hidden Path to Peace and Wholeness by Hunter Liguore are both available to buy at Penguin Random House, at all good bookstores, and through Amazon. You can discover more about all the titles that Vikki has mentioned at https://watkinspublishing.com

Matthew

Kenslow

Matthew Kenslow has grown up with Autism Spectrum Disorder. His life has been filled with adventure and struggle, resulting in his becoming an author and social media influencer. Through his work, he is telling the world what it is like living with a disability, how people can be friends with others like him, and how everyone has a purpose embedded in them. Matthew has appeared on television, radio, and podcasts worldwide, being featured in Newsweek Magazine, Spectrum News, ABC7 Los Angeles, and many more. Over a million people follow his story on social media, as he motivates the world to embrace the unique talents they have. He believes anybody can do what they set their heart and mind to, with or without disability.

"Anybody can do whatever they set their heart and mind to do, disability or not. If I can do it, then certainly, you can too, plus more. It takes perseverance and hard work, but the reward is great at the end.

Despite facing the challenges of autism, Matthew Kenslow, a resilient author, defied societal expectations and persevered in pursuing his passion for writing. Drawing strength from his unique perspective, he transformed obstacles into opportunities, using his experiences to craft reality with authenticity and depth.

Matthew's latest book, Unstoppable, shows his unwavering determination, showcasing not only his literary prowess but also breaking down stereotypes surrounding neurodiversity.

Through Matthew's words, he invites readers into a world where differences are celebrated, proving that creativity knows no bounds and that individuals with autism can contribute richly to the literary landscape.

Best-selling author and educator shares his journey, faith, and the power of perseverance

I was engrossed reading your latest book, "Unstoppable." Your journey and the way you navigate obstacles are truly inspiring. Could you share your motivation to speak for autism and convey the message that individuals on the spectrum have unique talents and skills?

What drives me is rooted in my faith. I believe everyone has a purpose, regardless of disabilities, and we should take what we have and not let it limit us. Going through challenges, I've learned to go through them rather than around them, making me stronger. I want to pay it forward and help others understand.

Your story resonates with the idea of turning challenges into strengths. It reminds me of Hollywood actor Sam Humphrey, who plays Tom Thumb on The Greatest Showman On Earth, who emphasized viewing what we so easily call disability as a special ability. Now, your journey involves teaching, writing, playing the piano, and even juggling. What inspired you to become a teacher, especially in the realm of mathematics?

My passion for teaching and math started at a young age. I would come home and pretend to be the teacher, even teaching my stuffed animals. By around seven years old, I developed a deep love for teaching and math, which continued to grow. It became a calling for me.

It's fascinating how early passions can shape our future paths. I also learned that you faced bullying in your early years. How did those experiences shape your perspective, and how do you use them to connect with others today?

Bullying started early in kindergarten, but as I grew, made more friends, and entered middle school, the teasing reduced. Those experiences gave me empathy for others and a determination to encourage and support those facing similar challenges. I want to help others understand the impact of bullying.

It's incredible how adversity can cultivate empathy and resilience. Your faith plays a significant role in your life. Is it something that has always been part of your journey, or did you actively seek it out?

It came through my family. Prayer and reading the Bible are integral parts of my life. I believe prayer is a conversation, and I seek discernment to shine a light in my community.

Your faith clearly guides you. Speaking of guidance, your social media presence has allowed you to connect with a broader audience. How has social media played a role in your journey, especially in spreading awareness about autism? Social media has been a platform to share my talents and Autism Awareness messages. It started with YouTube in 2017, and I expanded to other platforms like Twitter and Instagram. The support and camaraderie built through social media have been tremendous.

It's wonderful how these platforms can foster connections and understanding. Your latest book, "Unstoppable," delves into your journey. What's next for you? Any upcoming projects or goals?

In May, I'll be completing my Master's in Education. I plan to continue volunteering in schools, conducting assemblies that incorporate juggling, and sharing my journey through autism. Eventually, I aim to start a career as a middle school math teacher.

That's fantastic! Your commitment to Education and spreading awareness is commendable. As we wrap up, how do you see Hollywood's portrayal of individuals on the spectrum? Do you think it accurately reflects the experiences of those with autism?

I haven't watched much lately, but from what I've seen, it seems to be portraying autism better. Acceptance and understanding are growing, and that's a positive direction.

Your story is one of resilience, faith, and determination. Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey with us.

"I still have to accept my limitations with Autism, but nevertheless, I will never allow such hardships to win. They will never make me give up in doing whatever I set my heart toward, including becoming a teacher."

Will the

Insurrection

of My Birth Prove Fruitful?

by Jerry M. Kantor, L.Ac., CCH, MMHS

Photo by Tom Chrostek

Cancer Miasm • Sight •

Wood Phase • Anger •

Liver–Gall Bladder

The Cancer Miasm and the Sense Dimension of Sight

Does my self-worth depend on perfectionism or self-sacrifice? Have I mounted a successful rebellion against my family of birth? Do I have a vision for the future? In a chaotic world, do I wield my hammer of anger creatively? The trio Peter, Paul, and Mary set the example in 1963 with their song “If I Had a Hammer,” singing, “I’d hammer out danger, I’d hammer out a warning, I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters, all over this land.” Such questions at the core of the sense dimension of Sight underlie pathology within the cancer miasm.

The Sense Dimension of Sight

Wuxing phase: Wood Emotion: Anger

Organ: Liver–Gall Bladder

Theme: Creativity vs. Chaos Sight and insight are inextricably combined. To see the light, to see the truth, sets us free. But vision is panoramic. By taking in everything, like Adam and Eve, we perceive too much and absorb more knowledge than can be handled. Seeing with new eyes that they were naked prompted Adam and Eve to experience an unfamiliar and puzzling emotion: shame. Sightlessness, however, offers scant solace as it can open the door to Chaos; in this case, it is better not to emulate King Lear and acquire insight at the price of going blind.

Sight interprets the Chaos of light, converting it into brilliant, creative, and meaningful images. Through sight, we are active rather than passive viewers of a completed world of objects. Meeting the world and constructing interpretations that take light into account via sight, our vision is fundamentally creative. It imposes order and pattern on the Chaos of photons. If we fail

to compose relevant images from the irritating maze and ambiguity of visual stimuli, we fall prey to predators and the hazards of potholes or onrushing traffic. Every shift in our visual field calls us to react and creatively transform irritating visual stimuli into meaningful images.

Ungrounded creativity (delusion, fantasy, hallucination) is an invitation to Chaos. But on the other hand, when our vision is insufficiently creative, constraints and galling limitations dim the light beckoning us to liberty. The appropriate emotional reaction to constraint, even that which is self-imposed, is anger. Turned inward upon the self, anger can manifest as depression. When anger is consuming, insight is lost. When blinded with rage, the possibility of a creative response is forfeit. Anger’s resolution involves:

• The recovery of unseen possibilities.

• Re-envisioning a situation.

• Seeing matters in a new light.

The distinction between Chaos and anger is a matter of choice. No one is ever truly and completely blind. Blindsight, the ability to perceive elements of the environment even when the brain’s visual lobes do not function, was confirmed in 2008 in a report by a team of international researchers of a patient with bilateral damage to the primary visual (striate) cortex who navigated around numerous barriers placed along a long corridor.1 The ability to see nonvisually reflects the firing of neurons located deep in the midbrain, where subconscious activation promotes intuition-like awareness. Because not only the eye but also the entire body appears to respond visually, healthy vision is confirmed to involve the creative interpretation of photons. We are never truly, entirely blind.

Wood Phase and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Because Wood within Wuxing pertains to the spring, this phase exemplifies the energy of growth, change, and pushing through obstacles. It is a very active energy and denotes a spirit of decisive action and rebirth. What does this have to do with the cancer miasm? Spirited action does not occur with decisive choice. The issue of free choice looms large within this miasm, as we shall see.

Carcinosinum across the Miasmatic Spectrum

We learned earlier that the tubercular miasm is comorbid with both sycosis and the syphilitic miasm. Now we find that the cancer miasm is comorbid with the other four miasms: tuberculinum, psora, sycosis, and syphilis. Another way to explain this is through the materia medica ofthe cancer nosode (in this case, tissue from breast carcinoma), Carcinosinum. The Carcinosinum remedy expresses themes from all previous miasms and, not surprisingly, from all five of the sense dimensions as well.

In the Sense Dimension of Touch

The core issue is the tension between synchrony and isolation. Normal cells unselfishly serve the synchrony of a greater good related to the needs of the surrounding community of tissue. With corruption into a cancer cell, the cell degrades into isolation. Consequently, at cellular and psychological levels, the core tension between isolation and synchrony is increased. The Carcinosinum remedy state depicts an experience of preternatural responsibility at an early age, leading to an excessively sympathetic adult. The isolated cancer cell and the isolation a cancer patient are related: A child compelled to be a caretaker for an adult creates both a martyr-like delusion that her own needs must be sacrificed for those of others and isolation, an enduring sense that she

must carry the burden alone.

In the Sense Dimension of Taste

A rapidly growing tumor’s aggressive and hedonistic appropriation of resources may be considered bacterial consciousness run amok. This mirrors a wild exaggeration of Taste’s hunger for challenge, the positive pole in the challenge versus anxiety dichotomy. Someone mired in the Carcinosinum remedy state manifests a version of this excess, being as maniacal and workaholic as a tumor cell. On the anxiety pole, an individual evinces perfectionism and fastidiousness.

In the Sense Dimension of Smell

The metastatic inclination of cancer cells to travel is expressed as the desire to travel, not being content with where one reflects being uncentered, the negative pole of the sense dimension of Smell’scenterednessversus-disorientation dichotomy. So does its romantic affinity for distant locales, far afield from its place of origin. On the physical plane, Carcinosinum is prescribed for asthma, bronchitis, café-au-lait pigmentation, numerous moles, and lung and skin conditions that pertain to Smell.

As previously discussed, disorientation operating at the genetic level is implicated in frameshift mutation–related Smell-dimension cancers of the breast and large intestine.

Chaos manifests through indecision, delusion, anger, or through being visually, cognitively, or spiritually overwhelmed. When Chaos erupts, outrage is prompted. It is best then to respond with inspiration and creativity.

In the Sense Dimension of Hearing

A perverse expression of consolidation is expressed in a genetic predisposition to one or more cancers. Genetically, a heritable mutation of a gene on the thirteenth human chromosome creates a susceptibility to the deactivation of a tumor suppressor, which, in turn, allows tumors to grow in the retina and other locales. Thus, familial retinoblastoma arises due to its having been imprinted upon and consolidated within Kidney yang. Carcinosinum, the principal remedy relevant to the cancer miasm, is at play, applicable to cancers imprinted and consolidated within the germ line.

In the Sense Dimension of Hearing

A perverse expression of consolidation is expressed in a genetic predisposition to one or more cancers. Genetically, a heritable mutation of a gene on the thirteenth human chromosome creates a susceptibility to the deactivation of a tumor suppressor, which, in turn, allows tumors to grow in the retina and other locales. Thus, familial retinoblastoma arises due to its having been imprinted upon and consolidated within Kidney yang. Carcinosinum, the principal remedy relevant to the cancer miasm, is at play, applicable to cancers imprinted and consolidated within the germ line.

In the Sense Dimension of Sight

Cancer cells exhibit a perverse creativity in forming novel mutant combinations. Here, tumor growth is an exaggeration of the negative pole of Chaos, demonstrated by the juxtaposition of incompatible tissues. Pertaining to Sight, symptoms related to Carcinosinum include twitching of the eyes or limbs, emotional sensitivity, and a will to be productive.

It is the Carcinosinum mindset that tells the full story. Every birth is an insurrection against the status quo. The world ran perfectly well until you came along. But for your insurrection to be fruitful over a lifetime, a successful rebellion (particularly against parents) must be mounted for you to become a fully independent human being. Someone needing Carcinosinum, having failed to mount a successful rebellion, struggles thereafter to differentiate himself.

Recapitulating sense dimensional themes, we have the myth of Scylla. In the Odyssey, the magnificent ancient Greek epic by Homer, Ulysses was sailing home to his wife Penelope when his ship confronted the narrow Strait of Messina guarded by two terrifying monsters, Scylla and Charybdis, entrenched on either side of the strait. According to the myth, the beautiful nymph Scylla had been poisoned in her bath and transformed into a hideous monster with twelve feet and six heads, each with three rows of teeth. Below the waist, her body was composed of monstrous dogs that barked unceasingly. In this state, she was destined to live forever in unending misery and loathing (Touch), rooted in her spot and eviscerating all within her reach.

Before the gates, there sat

On either side, a formidable Shape. The one seemed a woman to the waist and fair, But ended foul in many a scaly fold, Voluminous and vast—a serpent-armed With a mortal sting. About her middle round A cry of Hell-hounds never-ceasing barked With wide Cerberean mouths full, loud, and rung A hideous peal; yet, when they list, would creep, If aught disturbed their noise, into her womb, And kennel there; yet there still barked and howled Within unseen. Far less abhorred than these Vexed Scylla, bathing in the sea that parts Calabria from the hoarse Trinacrian shore. John Milton, | Paradise Lost, Book II

Just as Scylla was transformed by poison (Hearing) into a gruesome monster, so once innocent cells may become malignant through damage from macrocosmic and microcosmic exposures. Scylla’s voraciousness reflects the relentlessly invasive and devouring hunger of cancer. To the extent that there are no limits on how many times cancer cells are able to divide, they share another of Scylla’s traits—immortality. Similarly, Scylla’s isolation (Touch) and self-loathing (Smell) are manifested in cancer cells. To use biologist Robert Weinberg’s term, a “renegade” cancer cell alienates itself from its own community (Sight), thereby instigating a bodily outcry and a self-directed witch hunt. Scylla’s chaotic anatomy (Sight) correlates with cancer’s breakdown of normal order and the chaotic management of cell replacement. Tumors known as teratomata (Greek: monster tumor) consist of tissues well enough differentiated to contain hair and teeth (Hearing) that may be either malignant or benign. Echoes from multiple levels of consciousness and experience are retained in the myth of Scylla, herself a teratomata sprung to life.

Creativity versus Chaos

We now discuss how creativity and Chaos are opposed.

Creativity

Optimally engaged, the sense dimension of Sight is decisive, discerning, and liberating. Consistent with the Liver’s role in the promotion of flow, the creative aspect of Sight bypasses the ego and the will so as to manifest according to John Keats’s expression, “Beauty is truth, truth beauty.” Keats is saying that creative action at its best is the purity of vision, an all-encompassing awareness of possibility.

We ought not to assume that sensitivities are entirely inborn. Sensitivity to the nuances of music, the story told by a painting, and the suffering of others can be cultivated. Unless the capability to influence sensitivity exists, inner knowledge has little value with regard to health. Susceptibility to illness, too, is rooted within the tenor of our thoughts and choices. Mental hygiene matters because whether our dreams are nightmares or visions of glory, they will manifest in our day-to-day lives. Independent of treatment, an individual’s sensitivity and his ability to heal are inseparable. A shift in sensitivity, whether for better or for worse, has diagnostic importance for a homeopath.

Chaos

In Greek mythology, Khaos, or Chaos, was conceived to be the first of the primeval gods and to represent the void of infinite space from which everything in creation is birthed. According to the Roman poet Ovid, circa year 8 CE, Chaos was a confused mass containing the elements of all created things.

Chaos personified the abyss or unformed matter, the opposite of birth and creativity on the creativity/chaos axis, the core issue in the dimension of Sight. Chaos manifests through indecision, delusion, anger, or through being visually, cognitively, or spiritually overwhelmed. When Chaos erupts, outrage is prompted. It is best then to respond with inspiration and creativity.

rJerry M. Kantor, L.Ac., CCH, MMHS, is a faculty member of the Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine and owner of Vital Force Health Care LLC, a Boston-area homeopathy and acupuncture practice.

The first acupuncturist to receive an academic appointment at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Anaesthesiology, Kantor is the author of Sane Asylums, Interpreting Chronic Illness, The Toxic Relationship Cure, and Autism Reversal Toolbox

He lives in Dedham, Massachusetts.

https://vitalforcehealthcare.com/ The Emotional Roots of Chronic Illness

Published with Healing Arts Press. Printed with permission from the publisher Inner Traditions International.

www.InnerTraditions.com

Eastern Michigan University’s “Enlighten U” podcast connects college student overload and poor mental health

by Nina Scarpelli

YPSILANTI — Stress and burnout run rampant across college campuses, but Eastern Michigan University is working to alleviate their harmful effects on students.

According to the American College Health Association, 82% of all college students become overwhelmed and burned out at some point in their academic careers, leading to poor mental health.

To address this common phenomenon, "Enlighten U," Eastern Michigan University's podcast for students, dissects these issues in its most recent episode.

On the show, EMU graduate student Justin Walters candidly shares his struggles with burnout and over-commitment throughout his undergraduate and graduate studies. He is joined on set by Perry Francis, Ed.D., a frequent guest expert who provides analysis, sound advice, and information on free resources. Francis is a nationally certified counselor and professor of counseling at the University.

Walters graduated from EMU in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and is now pursuing his master's degree in the same field. He is also employed full-time as a social media strategist for DTE Energy.

During his undergraduate studies, Walter's time and energy were thinly divided by many clubs and activities, including EMU's student government, the Black Student Union, and a stint as president of the Poetry Society. He also worked as a community programmer for EMU's Resident Housing Association and occasionally volunteered to suit up as EMU's mascot, Swoop. The over-commitment eventually led to stress and burnout.

"Students entering universities are often encouraged to join clubs and organizations to get the most out of their college experience," said Lolita Cummings, EMU's professor of public relations and "Enlighten U" co-host. "It's great advice, but sometimes students become overwhelmed by taking on too much – and that's what this episode is about. Through conversation and mental health expertise, we help students notice the signs of burnout and provide excellent advice and resources to help them find balance."

For more information about "Enlighten U," contact Lolita Cummings at lcummin2@emich.edu and Melissa Thrasher at mthrashe@emich.edu. Email messages with guest and topic suggestions can also be sent to Enlighten_U@emich.edu.

"Enlighten U" is available on all major podcast streaming services and EMU's YouTube Channel

About Enlighten U

"Enlighten U" is an Eastern Michigan University-produced podcast for college students as they experience unique stressors, including academic pressures, personal growth, social challenges, and more. EMU executive director of media relations and social media Melissa Thrasher and EMU public relations professor Lolita Cummings serve as co-hosts. Each episode is released each month and welcomes a student or alum and a subject-matter professional. Episodes of "Enlighten U" address mental health topics like imposter syndrome, financial strain, grading anxiety, adjustment to campus life, social media harms, social justice, and more.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public University in Michigan. It currently serves more than 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral, and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences, and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors, and concentrations are delivered through the university's colleges of arts and sciences, business education, engineering and technology, health and human services, and graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University's rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities, and announcements, visit EMU Today.

From left, Lolita Cummings, Perry Francis, Justin Walters, and Melissa Thrasher on the set of the "Enlighten U" video podcast.

Depression Nutritional Therapy for

by Brigitte Mars and Chrystle Fiedler

Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, and insomnia? Did you know that simple changes to your diet and the addition of certain herbs and supplements can be remedies for neurological conditions such as ADHD, epilepsy, and PTSD? Natural Remedies for Mental and Emotional Health breaks down the science behind mental well-being and offers practical tips to nurture your mind and soul. Authors Brigette Mars and Chrystle Fiedler urge you to prioritize mental health and embrace a happier, more joyful life

Good nutrition affects the physical and emotional body. Eat nutritious veggies like artichokes, burdock root, and carrots. Drink vegetable juice combinations of carrot, celery, watercress, and spinach.

Since nutrition affects the structure and function of the brain, it makes sense that healing depression means eating differently. Focus on the following.

Complex Carbohydrates

The best diet for depression is to consume small, frequent meals with plenty of complex carbohydrates to keep blood sugar levels at an even keel. Complex carbs like amaranth, barley, black rice, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, oatmeal, quinoa, spelt, and teff are digested more slowly, which keeps you off the blood sugar roller coaster. They also increase levels of serotonin, the happy hormone, in your brain. Oatmeal, in particular, also possesses many healthful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, including carotenoids, tocotrienols (vitamin E), flavonoids, and polyphenols.

Protein

Beans, nuts, seeds, tempeh, tofu, fish, meat, eggs, and dairy

(of course from high-quality organic sources) all provide protein, which helps keep blood sugar stable, and are rich in B vitamins that balance your mood by improving neurotransmitter function. According to a 2010 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, older adults who are deficient in B vitamins have a higher risk of depression.

SKIP THIS!

Did you know that you are often allergic to the foods you crave? Getting off gluten and dairy can make a world of difference, as allergens can create inflammation, including in the brain. Avoid hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils hidden in bread, cookies, crackers, and chips. Poor-quality oils congest the liver, making it work overtime. Poor liver function can be a large factor in depression, according to the principles of Asian Medicine. Sweets and simple carbs like white rice and bread give you a quick boost but also boost insulin levels, which then leads to a drop in blood sugar; you may even feel worse than you did earlier. Minimize sugar, please.

Thrifty Cures

Foods that are sour and bitter help move liver stagnation. Adding the juice of half a lemon to a glass of water helps stimulate the flow of bile and improves digestion.

Go Green!

Nourish the body with green leafy vegetables like kale, collards, and spinach, as well as wild greens like dandelion greens, lamb’s-quarter (Chenopodium album), and malva (Malva neglecta), which are rich in chlorophyll and help transport oxygen into the body. Include mineral-rich sea vegetables such as kelp, dulse, and wakame to nourish the thyroid and boost a sluggish metabolism.

Good nutrition affects the physical and emotional body. Eat nutritious veggies like artichokes, burdock root, and carrots. Drink vegetable juice combinations of carrot, celery, watercress, and spinach. (Dilute juices by half with water to refrain from overstimulating the pancreas.) Use plenty of onions, scallions, ginger, basil, and oregano for the flavor of their energy-circulating properties. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, and so do all types of berries, citrus fruits, and goji berries, and provide the body with Vitamin C. Two ripe bananas a day are said to help the production of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Go Nuts!

Cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds are all high in magnesium, which helps the body produce more serotonin and improves energy. Nuts are also protein-rich and help keep blood sugar stable. Try them as a healthy snack.

Supplements for Well-Being

Not getting enough B-complex vitamins can lead to irritability and mental sluggishness. Folic acid also influences your mood. Low levels of folic acid can also determine whether or not talk therapy or prescription drug therapy is useful. This nutrient even improves how well antidepressants work and helps minimize their side effects.

Calcium and magnesium are essential for nerve and muscle function. Taking 1,000 mg of chelate or citrate calcium and 500 mg of magnesium can help improve your outlook.

SAM-e (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) is an amino acid found in every cell, with the highest concentrations in the brain, adrenal glands, and liver. It helps relieve depression by raising levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine and making the receptors for these compounds more available. It also increases levels of melatonin, aids in the production of glutathione, and improves energy. SAM-e breaks down into homocysteine, which is inflammatory, so be sure to get adequate B vitamins to reduce homocysteine levels if you are taking SAM-e as a supplement.

Mother Nature’s News

Research shows that both oral and intravenous SAM-e are of value in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. A 2002 review by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality revealed that SAM-e was more effective than a placebo at relieving depression.

Brigitte Mars, A.H.G., and Chrystle Fiedler are the authors of Natural Remedies for Mental & Emotional Health published by Inner Traditions. For more information, go here:

https://www.innertraditions.com/books/natural-remedies-for-mental-and-emotional-health k

GO VEGAN

"Animals have souls

Don’t put them in your bowls"

Welcome to our Contributor Writers ' neighborhood

Is Personal Really Just Happiness

A Simple Choice?

I'm sure you have heard people mention that we can simply choose to be happy. It's often implied as an easy task, comparable to picking a pair of socks out of a dresser drawer. Suggesting that we can easily slip into a mindset and run joyfully through the halls of our lives. I believe this is almost true, but of course, there are many variables to each of us discovering happiness, some of which are karmic. Keep reading and gain insight into discovering your personal happiness.

If happiness is as simple as saying "yes "and just carrying on with life, we will miss much of our human potential that is found in the gratitude of coming through the other side of challenges.

Photo by Abba Johnson

Successfully making it through life's greatest difficulties can bring surprising moments of happiness that can turn into days of joy. When you experience gratitude for your happiness, it completely shifts your mindset. The experience becomes bigger than the typical idea of happiness as you transcend into a new reality.

Every human life offers depth and richness hidden in the path of self-discovery. Jumping past the lessons and stories that get us to grateful happiness would almost be a shame. The healing, love, and forgiveness found in the peaks and valleys of life are remarkable. Our human design creates a journey to be celebrated, even with the difficulties that bring us growth.

I do believe in miracles and the blessing of happiness that can brighten your reality in an instant. With that being said if you have found yourself struggling to find happiness, be gentle with yourself. Chances are, this challenge is related to a deeper karmic lesson that can eventually bring healing, gratitude, and happiness.

A Client's Story

Recently, I was listening to a podcast about choosing happiness. The concept was oversimplified, and yet some of it rang true to me. This is because there are so many variables related to happiness.

One of my clients, Ruth, was recently diagnosed with a chronic progressive disease, and currently, there is no cure. She is young and also supports her husband, who has a very significant physical illness. Life doesn't promise this partnership the opportunity to grow old together.

Ruth is still adjusting to the shock of her diagnosis and what it means to her livelihood and family. The shadow of the unknown mixed with fear does not hold much space for happiness, but it can still be found.

This challenging time will leave an indelible mark on Ruth's life. She has the choice to determine what type of mindset guides her to the other side of this experience. This is the richness of life. The depth of emotion, the triumph over challenges, the self-discovery, deep love, and gratitude are some of the best parts of our human life.

Let's dive in and explore some tools for finding happiness even in the most challenging of times.

What Is Your Happiness?

People have different ideas of what happiness is. This can be deeply influenced by the home we were raised in and our genetics. Often, a basic part of happiness is feeling safe. Take a minute and think about what happiness means to you.

We also have different types of happiness. For example, I find pure joy on a dirt trail by myself, listening to music. I also find joy in working with clients and laughing with friends and family.

Certainly do more of what makes you happy Visualize your body, mind, and thoughts harmonizing with love and other high vibrational energies. Think of how an orchestra or group of singers harmonize with each other to create beautiful sounds. You are a vibrational match for something beautiful.

When Have You Experienced Happiness?

Take a minute and think about when you have experienced happiness. Has your life shifted into different circumstances? What makes us happy evolves over time. You might be ending one life lesson and beginning another cycle of self-discovery. This can leave you feeling a little at odds in discovering what brings you happiness.

Even if your life is mid-transformation, hold in your heart that feeling of happiness. This practice will help attract good vibrations and healing.

There are times when happiness feels out of reach, but simply declaring you want happiness is a huge step in the right direction. Make a rough plan on what you want to change in your life and how you want to feel. The first step might be working with a life coach or a therapist.

Remember, you are very powerful; believing in yourself and knowing happiness is possible is a giant step forward.

Identify and lean into your support team. This may be friends or family, but it should include your spiritual team of angels and guides. Ask your team daily for help reaching higher vibrations in this life.

Imagine what your life will look and feel like when you are happy. This is manifesting at its best. You literally are creating a new reality as you shift from a low-vibration mindset to a thriving high-vibration. Let your imagination run wild. There is no need to have logic in this step to finding happiness.

Notice what mindset or reality your thoughts are grounded in. This will provide you with a great jumping-off point. For example, if you often experience fearful thoughts, create a daily practice that helps you feel safe. Make life changes

that help you feel safe.

One of the gifts of happiness is the ability to live in the moment and connect to heart-opening energy and experiences. Try reversing this concept. Practice living in the moment with gratitude. Even if you feel just a flash of gratitude, it will begin a shift towards a new mindset that holds the possibility of happiness.

You, my friend, are harmonizing with everything around you. Are there people and behaviors that are not a match for happy feelings? Begin energetically reaching for things, thoughts, and people that are vibrant and you want to harmonize with. Spend time in nature, listen to beautiful music, and watch movies that make you laugh.

Visualize your body, mind, and thoughts harmonizing with love and other high vibrational energies. Think of how an orchestra or group of singers harmonize with each other to create beautiful sounds. You are a vibrational match for something beautiful.

Wrapping It Up

When I did a psychic reading for Ruth, I saw that in the future, she will have happiness, success, and gratitude for everything in her life. I also saw that her disease had stopped progressing. Does this mean there is a cure ahead, or is Ruth lucky to have made it to the other side of a challenging time?

Wherever you are in your life, feel all the feelings while holding space for light and happiness to flow into your life. If you find yourself overwhelmed while seeking happiness, contact a mental health professional to help you navigate life's challenges. Life has many ups and downs, and the goal is to feel fully empowered and make choices that help you create the best life possible. This is where happiness is found.

Polly Wirum is a psychic, life coach, and writer. Years ago, she experienced a health crisis that led to a complete spiritual and life transformation. When she thought her life was crumbling, the universe was easing her grip on everything, distracting her from the truth. The healing helped her discover the beauty of a joyful and uncomplicated life. It is here that she connects with wisdom and magic. She shares this with her clients through life's coaching psychic readings and spiritual retreats. I0 discover more, visit Pollywirum.com

An Ecology of Ideas

By Dulce García-Morman, Ph.D.

The Life and Plight of America’s

Wild Horses

A Story of Failure on the Range

This is a very difficult article for me to write because, in some corner of my being, I’d rather be in denial of the difficult situation facing the beloved wild mustangs of the American West. Horses have been present in my life since childhood. I am a horse owner, and I practice equine-assisted coaching. I have spent many of the waking hours in my life in the company of these majestic creatures, riding them, nurturing their wounds, grooming them, feeding them, training them, playing shenanigans with them, and partnering with them in facilitating transformative experiences for my coaching clients.

The horses in my life have all been domesticated, and it wasn’t until a decade or so ago that I became more aware of the wild horses and of the difficult and complex situation they face as the ranges where they’ve roamed free shrink to make room for the greed of the cattle industry.

Wild horses in the Western U.S. live in Horse Management Areas (HMAs) managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an agency of the federal government. The facts show

that “On average, livestock is allocated 80% of the forage in wild horse and burro habitat, leaving just 20% for wild horses and burros” (thecloudfoundation.org). As a result, The Cloud Foundation says that “BLM’s livestock grazing program and millions of cattle/sheep are why 70% of the five Wyoming HMAs’ wild horses are being rounded up. U.S. taxpayers subsidize the roundups and private livestock operations at great cost and without their knowledge”.

As a lover of everything horse, wildlife advocate, and taxpayer, I’m heartbroken by the federal government’s 2024 plan to capture 20,000 wild horses and burros. Just like there is an ugly commercialized aspect inside America’s criminal justice system, where incarceration is, on some level, a business enterprise, so is there an ugly business behind the incarceration of wild horses. According to the advocacy group americanwildhorsecampaign.org, the 2024 plan calls for the roundup of nearly 21,000 wild horses and burros and the permanent removal of more than 19,000 from the wild by September 30, 2024 (https://americanwildhorsecampaign.org/media/blmupdates-its-2024-roundup-schedule).

According to the findings from the same organization, contractors earn at least $800 per horse or burro per helicopter roundup. From 2006-2022, they’ve made a total of $53.2 million from cruel helicopter roundup and bait-trapping operations, in addition to $87 million for short-term holding corrals from 2010-2022 and a staggering $333 million for long-term holding pastures from 2004-2022. And the lobbying of Congress by the cattle industry only continues to grow!

These roundups affect mostly Western states and occur through various measures, the most common and most cruel being helicopter chases, even conducted in sweltering heat. This method is especially devastating for pregnant mares and babies, who many times succumb to these atrocities. In some part of my being, I wonder what the worst fate for a wild horse is: death in pursuit of freedom or being jailed in crowded government

holding pens awaiting adoption, or who knows what other fate. Wild horses are given three chances to be adopted, after which they get sold “without conditions,” and many end up on the horrific journey to slaughter. I cannot bring myself to describe what horses suffer on their way to the slaughterhouses, but I do urge readers to learn more about a process that is a nightmare behind the scenes -there is no transparency, and public oversight by advocate organizations is mostly not permitted by the BLM.

To make matters worse, wild mustangs will never go on the endangered species list because they are not, technically speaking, wildlife. They are descendants of horses that the Spanish introduced to North America in the 1500s, and so they are considered feral. For years, they were rounded up for rodeos or killed for dog food until a 1971 law made it illegal to capture or kill them until that is, the needs of the cattle industry got in the way.

While it is true that many of the natural predators (mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, bears) are lacking in sufficient numbers to keep horse populations in check, the data shows that the biggest issue is competition from cattle for grazing land.

Sterilization programs have been implemented by the BLM more recently. According to their website, these are catch-treat-hold-release operations (CTHR), and “its primary focus is to gather wild horses, treat them with a fertility control vaccine, hold them for a determined amount of time (approximately 30 days), provide a booster treatment and then release them back to the range. Twenty-nine mares were treated and released as part of the Reveille operation in August; the first CTHR gather.” These programs are only deployed when the herd has reached a “manageable size,” as dictated by the BLM and many times in contradiction to what veterinarians recommend. In other words, between removals and fertility programs, the American wild mustang is being “managed” into extinction. 86,000 horses now live free on the range, while almost 60,000 lives in government-holding pens funded by taxpayers like me.

America is a technologically advanced nation and there is plenty of funding, knowledge, and resources to better manage wild horses, securing their future and acting in a manner that feels informed, compassionate, and caring. Why not introduce natural predators back into the range and let the horse population be managed as nature intended? That would be a project worthy of undertaking, just like the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone restored the ecosystem. But the cattle lobby is powerful, and it is unlikely that the federal government will choose

to do the right thing. introducing natural predators would require some compromises to reduce the number of commercial cattle grazing on these lands. I ask whether the system is so one-sided at this point that it has been essentially rigged against the horses.

For those of us living in the Western US, the wild mustang is iconic; it is part of the spirit of our geography, and it is enmeshed with the identity of the Wild West and the concept of freedom. The West happened, in all its positive and painfully negative dimensions, because of the horse. In fact, the entire history of humanity “is” because thousands of years ago, someone got on the back of a horse, and the conquest of lands and the forging of new cultures began. It is a history forged by both blood and love, dark and light, just like the American West. For some time now, I have been following the lives and plight of some of these wild herds, especially the Salt River Horses in Arizona and the McCullough Peaks horses in Wyoming. Dedicated wildlife photographers and many other advocates follow the life of these families on the range.

For those of us living in the Western US, the wild mustang is iconic; it is part of the spirit of our geography, and it is enmeshed with the identity of the Wild West and the concept of freedom.

I would like to express my gratitude to one of those wildlife photographers, Jean Claude (JC) Hébert, who graciously donated two shots of the beloved Salt River Horses to be shared with the readers. I asked JC to share why he has undertaken this labor of love, to capture the lives of wild horses and share them with the world. He said, “There is something deeply satisfying when these wild and majestic creatures give you their trust after noticing you in the field and allowing you to continue to observe and photograph them. It is difficult to express, but I feel at peace with myself in the presence of these beautiful animals that roam free in the Tonto National Forest”

https://www.facebook.com/ Jean.C.Hebert.artphoto

In addition to reading about the issues and donating to advocate groups that can bring legal suits to make the BLM more accountable, following the wild horses through photographs has been an amazing experience. Through images, I can build intimacy. Now I know their names, I see them running and playing, I see the foals nursing from their moms, I see the stallions fighting for their mares, and what I see are behaviors and values that we humans could learn a lot from. For horses, family is everything, and the survival of the herd is always defended with courage, grit, instinct, and intelligence -an intelligence rooted in relationship, in accountability, in a morality that is forged by the wisdom of nature, in a love that we can only hope to feel for one another in the dysfunctional human herd we have become.

The reader might be wondering, how can I help? I urge you to become informed, familiar with the organizations that defend wild

horses, locate advocate groups on social media, and connect with wildlife photographers who bring the beauty and tears of the range to our computer and phone screens. And more importantly, for those in the US, please press your representatives in Congress to do more. It is critical that Congress pass the Save Americas Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, which would permanently ban horse slaughter in the U.S. and end the export of horses for slaughter abroad. The bipartisan bill was reintroduced on May 18, 2023, in the House as H.R. 3475 by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL). Once the BLM is stuck with the captured horses, unable to sell them for slaughter, they will have no choice but to rethink their operation. Only then will they think seriously about protecting America’s wild mustangs.

In addition, you can ask your representatives in Congress to co-sponsor the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act (H.R 3656), which “prohibits the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from using or contracting for the use of helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft for gathering horses and burros under the Wild Free-roaming Horses and Burros Act. Further, BLM may not contract to use helicopters for transporting captured animals under such act” (https://www. congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/ house-bill/3656?s=1&r=84). Without serious legislation from Congress, little is bound to change for our beautiful wild mustangs. Fighting for the rights of non-human others is such an uphill battle, but we must never give up on giving voice to those beings, human and non-human, who cannot fight for themselves.

All photos courtesy by J.C.

Hébert

Dulce García-Morman, Ph.D. is founder of Life-Is-Art Equine Assisted Learning & Coaching. She has facilitated learning and therapeutic experiences through the horse-human connection for the past 17 years. Dulce’s practice draws from different wisdom traditions and is strongly oriented toward a Jungian approach to the restoration of the authentic Self.For more information, visit https://life-is-art.us/

By Nikki Pattillo

Through Spirit &HEALINGEVOLVING

The Angel Connection

Photo by Rodolfo Sanches Carbalho

It’s hard to conceive that before we were born, we picked our lives for our own spiritual evolution and advancement. Why would we want to spend a life suffering in a war-torn country, live a life dying from COVID-19, or have a child that passes from cancer? These questions are hard to answer, but the answer is that we pick our lives for our spiritual growth and healing, and evolving through spirit awakens our soul and uplifts our consciousness so we can make huge advancements in our spiritual evolution.

Not everyone can feel happy or contented, but everyone does feel pain, and this is what connects us to humanity. There is an old saying that “the wounded healer heals.” Sometimes, it feels like the more pain and suffering we have in our lives, the more we can connect to humanity and the concept of oneness, and the more we have a chance to heal and help others heal through our own pain and suffering. If we have a child who dies of cancer, we can certainly connect quickly with other parents in the same situation and even offer help, advice, support, and a shoulder to cry on. This pain connects us to many other people in the same situation and gives us an opportunity to help humanity and grow while healing and evolving through our own spirit.

There is no real road map or recipe for us to follow when we are learning to heal through spirit. What is important is for us to pull back from our situations and look at our bigger picture. Asking, “Why am I here? What is my life’s purpose, and how can I contribute to humanity?” is

a good place to start. Pulling back and trying to grasp the meaning of some of our life’s lessons will help us understand why we are in our current situation. Sometimes, these lessons mean healing and evolving through our spiritual growth and advancement. When we learn our spiritual lessons quickly, we often move on to a better place at a faster pace. If we don’t learn our lessons, we will have repeating cycles that happen frequently in the same or similar situations until they are learned.

If we look at the universe as a large tapestry with us as a single thread weaving in and out of other threads, we can see a bigger picture of what is happening in our lives. If we have no challenges or strife in life, we wouldn’t have multiple opportunities for spiritual growth and evolvement presented to us, and then what would all this be for?

We can have a powerful effect on humanity just by living the life that we have chosen and by going through hard times, spiritual lessons, and experiences with love and compassion in our hearts. This is what healing and evolving through spirit is about—finding and acknowledging the great gifts we have within our souls. Although life isn’t always easy in the human body, our higher self or spirit knows that through our lives, we are able to help others who also face difficult times. By finding the gifts that have come to us as a result of our consciousness and awareness and sharing these gifts and realizations with others, our own life’s purpose can unfold.

We are able to fulfill our purpose in life just by being the radiant souls that we are. There is no way that we cannot be who we are as a soul, and so our purpose is unfolding with every breath that we take. We are a part of the living web of life here on Earth, and each soul within that web is a part of the whole, unique, and divine plan for all of humanity.

When discovering who we are as souls, a new freedom emerges from within our hearts. This freedom is the freedom of the soul, the freedom of love, and the freedom to be and live with all the beauty and grace within because this is who we truly are. When healing through spirit, we must have faith in our choices, in our hearts, and in love, for we are always on the right path. We are always loved and never alone.

Healing and evolving through spirit is also about remembering the power of forgiveness because forgiveness is important when dealing with old emotions that can be carried around within our hearts. These lower vibrational energies may block or slow our own abilities to deal with life’s day-to-day issues in positive and constructive ways. Forgiveness allows us to release old pain and open our spirit for newer, higher vibrational energy. It also allows us to feel neutral on controversial issues so that our soul can advance to new, more interesting, or more important spiritual lessons.

Forgiveness is the foundation of all spiritual work and growth because it is by living in awareness of forgiveness that we can truly know our own life’s journey and purpose. Forgiveness

is not a process of giving something to another person who may not deserve anything in return. It is a process of turning our energy inward and using the power of love to look at relationships within ourselves and others. When we are anchored in forgiveness, we are within the spiritual realm rather than in the realm of emotions or the mind.

It is difficult for us to release anger, remorse, guilt, or resentment through the mind, rational thinking, or logical reasons why we should forgive. The only reason that it is logical to forgive another is that holding onto negative energy hinders the flow of love into our own lives and blocks our spiritual balance and peace. Recognizing this pushes our minds to wrap around this concept and allow forgiveness to come from great depths within our souls. By forgiving others, even those who seem not to deserve it, we can bring life-giving energy into our bodies. Then it becomes easier to make the choice to forgive and hold love in our hearts.

Our decision to embark on a path of self-discovery, self-healing, and spiritual growth is one that requires great courage, perseverance, and determination. There is a truth to our purpose, and this truth always lies within our heart chakras.

Photo by Rassamee designAdobeStock

Love is the healing energy that binds all of humanity and is the energy that gives and maintains life. The issues that seem to defy forgiveness are always about love: love that we never received, love offered but rejected or betrayed, or love used as manipulation or control. There are many ways in which our issues are tied to love. By tying up our spiritual energy reserves into old issues, we are limiting the vibrational level of love available in our present lives. Now is the time to begin searching our hearts to find out how to truly forgive people in our lives.

Our decision to embark on a path of self-discovery, self-healing, and spiritual growth is one that requires great courage, perseverance, and determination. There is a truth to our purpose, and this truth always lies within our heart chakras. Often, we have forgotten about opening our heart chakras to receive guidance from our angels, guides, and the universe itself. Sometimes, we hold onto frightening secrets and hide our largest demons within our hearts. These hurtful memories can lie buried deep within because we have the intent to never uncover and deal with these emotions. The mark of great warriors or masters is that they are willing time and again to face their own darkness, their own demons, and to have the courage to face their inner selves. This requires stripping down the layers that have built up on false foundations with which hurts have been covered.

When embarking on a course of healing, we should walk with both our eyes and our hearts open. There will be many who will be here to help and support

us on both the physical and spiritual planes along our path. Part of our healing process is discovering our inner truth and realizing help surrounds us and is with us at every moment during this process in our lives.

We should always question ourselves, our lives, and our motives. When we seek the truth both within and outside ourselves, we can help others be mindful to do the same. Souls will often attract the energy of other souls who have similar life lessons or who are meant to help us with our own. By looking at our friends or family, we can also reflect on what life lessons we need to work on. This is because, in any healthy relationship that is devoted to growth and spiritual development, there is always a give-and-take of energy among family and friends.

We are all at different levels of growth and spiritual development. Others in our lives may not be able to understand lessons in the way we do because they are not yet capable of that level of understanding. Often, we must walk away from these relationships for our own sake, or these people may block and drain our vital energy. When our energies no longer match either friends or family members, we need to move on to others who do match our vibrational frequency. There is nothing sad about this process. It is all about understanding the path of healing and evolving through spirit.

Through courage, perseverance, and love for self, we can make the commitment to heal and evolve through our spirit and help others to do the same with theirs.

Nikki Pattillo graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas and began her clinical and molecular biologist career. As a child, Nikki was psychic, conversing regularly with her angels and guides, and it wasn't until she was in her 30s that she accepted her gift. She is now an international author with Ozark Mountain Publishing. She authored Children of the Stars: Advice for Parents and Star Children, A Spiritual Evolution, A Day in Spirit: A Spiritual Calendar for Teens, and A Golden Compass. She has been featured on BRAVO and The History Channel and writes numerous magazine and newspaper articles to help raise awareness and consciousness on environmental and spiritual issues.

Through the Lens of Love

By Susanna Schroadter

"When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."

-Kahlil Gibran

As you walk through grief, you have the choice to decide whether you will allow grief to shatter your heart or to break it open.

When grief first strikes us, it is often seen as an endless, one-way path filled with pain, heartache, and darkness. Each day seems endless, and you wonder if you will ever smile again. Yet, once you have walked this path, and if you choose life, you begin to realize that you can walk two paths at once. One of heartache and one of joy. One path is littered with tears and sorrow, while the other is lined with the beauty of an expanded heart, deeper love, and higher levels of empathy and compassion.

The Path of Deep Sadness

February 28, 2011, was a day my world shattered. I woke up believing my sons would be born any day. Yet, as I lay in bed, I realized there was no movement in my stomach. There was stillness where the active bumps of my babies' elbows should have been. After going to the doctor, I learned the truth. They were gone. They left this world before ever having a chance to live.

My son's passing left a void. For a

time, it seemed like this darkness would never lift. Those early days of grief were a cavernous path I had to navigate, and the weight of it all felt unending.

At first, grief feels like treading water in a storm — every day is a battle just to stay afloat amidst a sea of emotions. There are times when simply breathing seems impossible. It's natural to be consumed by sorrow, to feel the weight of absence like an anchor. Each step can feel heavier than the last as you mourn the loss of a loved one and the life you imagined would be in your future.

Embracing the Pain

Yet, it is possible to move through the first devastating stages of grief, although it seems impossible at first. You must first acknowledge the pain and sit with all that you have lost. Grieve on your terms — there is no manual for this, only the rhythm of your own heart's breaking. It is within these broken spaces that compassion for oneself and others can expand and grow. When the depth of grief is examined, it is discovered that it is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the love and connection you shared.

Grief's Dual Path: Navigating Sorrow and Joy

The Path of Joy

About three months after my sons passed, the news of my pregnancy with my daughter shone a ray of light. Her presence was a gift — a new chapter, not a replacement. It was a reminder that my life could continue.

I would sit outside every morning and speak with my sons, determined to create an environment of peace and love for my daughter. I would consciously recognize the beauty in the chirping of the birds and the feel of the wind on my skin.

This was the start of my second path. With time, you begin to live again, and the path of joy starts to appear, twining in and out of the path of pain. You realize the beauty in the simplest moments. The sunrise, a flower blooming. It is a gentle reminder of the laughter, the stories, the life that was shared, and you begin to walk along another path; you lean more into love than into pain.

Celebrating Life

My therapist once asked me how much I wanted to heal, and as I sat and contemplated this question, I realized that leaving a scar on my heart is a testament to the love I have for my sons and a reminder that they remain with me at all times.

The question is, how do you begin to celebrate a new life, a life separate from what you thought was your destiny? The answer is that instead of focusing solely on the finality of death, you can celebrate the life that was lived. Create rituals to honor your loved one — a special meal, releasing lanterns, planting a tree in their memory, or creating a garden to which you can tend. These acts not only remember them but bring to life the joy that they once brought you.

You also begin balancing joy with grief. It is not about putting on a brave face. It's about finding a space

where both can coexist. Look for small victories and moments of happiness, and allow yourself to experience them without guilt. These moments are not distractions from your grief; they are the essence of healing.

Merging the Paths

My daughter's arrival didn't erase the pain, but her birth gave me a reason to view the world with different eyes — to experience a second wave of motherhood that was as joyful as it was healing. The love I have for her and my other daughter is so much more immense because of the loss of their brothers. I have learned to walk both paths at once.

As these paths merge, they form a new route, a purposeful one. Many who have walked through deep loss find a calling to support others on similar journeys or to make each moment more meaningful and live with a deeper appreciation for life.

Remember, your grief is as unique as your bond with the one you've lost. Honor it with your authenticity. You will continue to walk these paths, sometimes treading one more than the other, but over time, you'll find they have led you to a place of wisdom and, surprisingly, a deeper capacity for joy. As the poet Rumi once said, "The wound is the place where the light enters you." Let your dual paths be a testament to how brightly that light can shine in the darkest hours.

A Message of Love

Above all, remember that love never dies. Your continued connection with those you have lost through memories, traditions, or even signs and symbols is a testament to the enduring power of love. Let this love guide you through your journey of healing and growth, knowing that it is an unbreakable bond that transcends all boundaries. If you lean into love, you will rise above the pain.

Susanna Schroadter, once a practicing attorney and mediator, has has turned her focus to creating Sage, a safe sanctuary to allow others to heal. She offers consulting and strategy for those going into mediation or dealing with life altering events so that they may be empowered and advocate for themselves.

Once those events have occurred, she also offers different modalities for healing such as life and spiritual guidance and energy work.

www.sanctuaryforpeace.com

the SLIDING SCALES of Human Self Confidence

Everything is just a wave, a frequency, a vibration, a sound passing through you. Only those energetics you have already accepted as existing beliefs within your conscious-subconscious mindset can reach out, gather, apprehend, and add to those already familiar to you.

Ever wonder, you 2.5 billion wonderful readers, why one day your confidence rises to the top of the world and on other days it's? I don't want to talk about it. Then there are those classic variations that seemingly come from nowhere and become your everyday suit of amour.

We now know that after you decided to get up off your hands and knees, no longer needing to follow in the footsteps of those whom you have mimicked, you decided to own your space and stand taller, able, ready, and capable. In the past, you embraced absolute delight by copying and gathering up those nuggets of gold to become one's attitude and behaviors. Placing them in one's memory mindset to be released and impress. Those little gems no longer cherished, forgotten, lost in the annals of time, unintentionally invited, come out of hiding, and surface throughout various instances in life. Now, you have a tendency to steal your show.

These pesky forgotten and unwanted now seemingly spring from nowhere unannounced. Those gems of gold collected and once treasured have, over time, turned into ugly, worthless pieces of stone, stuck and grounded, remaining alive and active in one's future path.

Have we ever recognized them for their true value, taken action, and discovered the king's diamonds beneath?

Do we acknowledge these reoccurring energy moments that appear as long-lost cousins we haven't acknowledged for the past 20, 30, 50 years, never? We thought they went out with the garbage long ago. Not so; they have been standing beside us the whole time. We never realized it was they who yelled and screamed at the neighbor, partner, or child. It was they who threw the tantrum; that moment in time, the love of your life left for good.

Did the child ever leave?

We never noticed when these reoccurring patterns had transformed into one's feelings and emotions. To be manifested when we want to disempower another individual, friend, lover, or stranger. Is it any wonder, from time to time, we act powerful and feel large, like those 3 capital letters? Is it really part of our natural human nature, or do we secretly hope it is so as not to acknowledge one's guilt? Did you want to live and remain in denial?

Human nature, what is that? If truth be told, it's nothing and everything plus whatever lies in between. You take your first breath, and life's a party. You walk out of your diaper and are educated to become. You enter the forest of possibilities and adventure. Get kicked in the gut a few times, bounce back, and cross the finish line to make money.

Is that all there is?

You dance through life between work, love, family, and play, and by chance, somehow manage to keep your head above the ever-changing waters. All the while never paying attention to why your true level of confidence, hidden in the subterranean levels of one's past choices, floats up to the surface in unison with one's emotional highs and lows.

Fear, what is this mysterious creature that feeds on emotions that somehow found its way into our state of being? Did we send out invitations, or is it an unearthly ghost, like Columbus, searching out for new territory, a host to inhabit and control? Will we ever know? For now, it appears fear was created or auto-invented by us. Could it also be a trigger response designed to engage our sleeping, unaware mindset into present-moment logic and reason when our being is locked, standing in the headlights of emotional confusion? This is the blessing side of how fear re-invites us back onto our chosen path.

As a child, when we were judged by self and others, it left an imprint that raises its unattractive head during one's journey. Along with these thoughts comes confusion, accompanied by doubt and fear. An interrupt that can and will play havoc when faced with unwanted situations we never wish to experience again.

Has all of one's doubts turned to dust?

A constant repeating experience will show up in any number of disguises to deliberately remove us from ever seeing and become aware that it's the exact same old scary ghost from our childhood days. Are you still that thin, overweight, different, or difficult child who is now 20, 30, or 50 years older? You may think not, yet at the core level, one still perceives the self as one and the same child. The obvious is a yes. If you choose yes, this is a good time for an update; what do you think? Fear is not the robber of one's life. Could it possibly be you? How often do you update your identity within your changing self-reality?

Go find someone, something to move you through your process. Be the investigator; go invest in your life before regret sets in. Do you

want more out of your existence here while still breathing?

Always remain self-aware.

For thousands of years, we have been told many laws exist in this world, one of those being LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE. Did you know fear is within you before birth? Did you recognise that fear not only has a negative side but also a positive side to its character? One blessing is when it halts you from stepping into "deep mud" for no apparent reason. Fear maintains a magnetic defense against people and circumstances that want to pull you down and suck your emotions dry to the bone. We constantly ignore, override, and never hear when she speaks, therefore remaining ignorant, too busy concentrating on our needs, desires, and wants. All due to our mistaken belief of fear.

Ah, the clever self!

It can be a painful and laborious task to overcome one's crap and leave it behind forever. Understand, the cleansing of one's mindset is a forever constant, as is the constant wonders that nature exposes us

As a child, when we were judged by self and others, it left an imprint that raised its unattractive head during one's journey. Along with these thoughtsconfusion,comes accompanied by doubt and fear.

to every single day. The flip side is when one becomes the loungelizard, remains living in the same program every day, and that's OK. There is no judgment, only an observation. This type of fear of never actualizing, knowing, or understanding that all fears are one and the same emotionally freeze us from ever moving forward. Know this: every single person on this planet carries within their being all solutions, direct or indirect, to overcome all the unwanted self-identities that interrupt one's focus and perception of the now-opportunities.

Another of the fears haunting cousins is regret. It's the old, should have, could have that will plague one's future, which silently sits under your radar, waiting to be activated. There is no denying the past. Slowly learn to accept that which is possible and move forward without those repeat performances. It's great to have support and help from others along one's journey. Remember, there are parts of your continuing story that require only one participant, and that is YOU.

Lucie in the sky acknowledges her self-awareness and the powerful capacities within her logic and reason, while her diamonds, unknowingly hidden, limit her self due to her immediate focus on how to survive in the moment. Is it any different for you? Absolutely not; the exact same diamonds belong and exist in you, waiting to be harvested. Step from external awareness into self-awareness to engage your diamond gems and set one's life path back on track to "feel" what personal freedom actually tastes like.

Where to from here. Is it more than an idea?

People talk about vast generations of wealth, money that has been

handed down over time. When you observe this closely, it is already in place, just waiting to be engaged with. In essence, this is their legacy; another word could be destiny. Within your individual human universe also exists vast generations of wealth, which is also your legacy, or is it, in reality, your personal destiny? Let us examine this closer.

One goes through life facing all types of challenges. Some we overcome, others get the better of us. Right now, let us go for a deep dive; take in 3 slow breaths. Accept that you have reached and achieved small and large successes. How? Actions taken by you, only those which you considered possible due to your personal self-judgements. Then there are those unexpected experiences, challenges, and opportunities that jumped up and confronted you, and you either folded or overcame and moved life forward.

What is obvious here? Your existing vast generations of wealth (skills) function according to what? You and only you and your realisation of your capacities. Therefore, ask the question, are your successes limited by one's beliefs and emotions, thus limiting your actions? Is one's destiny an open source to vast wealth, only limited by one's self-judgments via guilt, doubts, worthiness, education, body, failures, hope, and false beliefs from past experiences?

Do we create our life, or is it sitting at the bus stop waiting for someone to catch us up to what's next? A vast generational of wealth exists in you; remove that crap standing, blocking your actions and awareness to get you back on the bus where the wonders of self-discovery still await. Confidence is only a thought. Confidence slides off only when you slide away from not knowing your vast inner wealth.

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By Jan Wakefield, M.A.

in SYDNEY One Exquisite Day

It isn't necessarily the length of time we spend in a location that defines it as a significant stop on a travel map. Memorable moments in a remarkable place on an extended layover can eclipse the discomfort of long flights, bolster our desires to return to a destination we may not have considered, and allow us to step into a new world of possibility. That was certainly the case when I landed in Australia after an overnight flight from Bali. Instead of succumbing to jet lag and curling up in a corner in the airport with a book, I decided to make the most of my layover by immersing myself in the city's charm, thus placing a pin with alacrity into Sydney on my travel map.

After checking my luggage at a secure location in the airport terminal and cinching the straps on my backpack, I stepped into the throng of people heading to the subway. The kiosk agent had handed me what looked like a colorful cartoon map of the city. Bleary-eyed but excited, I clutched the map and let the flow of the crowd direct me to the platform. Like the rest of Sydney, the subway was clean and easy to navigate. Several days prior to my arrival, I booked a tour of the Sydney Opera House and a luxury lunch cruise on the Sydney Harbor. With several hours to pass before the cruise, I made my way to the Sydney Opera House for the first stop on my express tour of Sydney.

As I strolled onto the hallowed grounds of this architectural masterpiece, the audio guide regaled me with stories of its history and significance. I explored the intricacies of the Opera House's design, from its shell-like structures to the acoustically perfect concert halls.

Climbing the stairs to the upper terrace, I was treated to a breathtaking view of Sydney Harbour. The skyline, now tinged with hues of the morning sun, created a picturesque backdrop for the harbor's lively activity. Sailboats glided across the water, and ferries shuttled busy passengers to and fro, adding to the vibrant energy of the harbor.

The interior of the Opera House was equally captivating. I marveled at the grandeur of the Concert Hall, where world-renowned orchestras and performers graced the stage. Within the massive cavern of the opera seating area, the silence was like a comforting blanket around me.

Nobody spoke above a whisper, and the mood felt like the inside of a holy cathedral. The Opera Theatre's plush red seats and ornate balconies transported me to a bygone era of glamour and sophistication. It was a privilege to stand on the same stage that had hosted legendary artists and performers from around the world. As the audio tour concluded, I couldn't resist snapping a few photos to capture the magic of the moment. Being one of the most iconic buildings in the world, I took photos of The Sydney Opera House from nearly every angle, both on land and from the harbour.

Photo by Christopher Burns

Photo by Thandy yung

Following the tour of the opera house, I consulted my map, bypassed the subway entrance, and jumped on an adorable trolly that only serviced the downtown area. Grateful that Australia shared my native language, I easily located a stop close to Darling Harbour. Thrilled by the shopping opportunities, I exited the trolly a stop early so I could peruse a shop filled with Australian woollined boots and various other wool products. Being winter in Australia, I purchased a beautiful sky-blue pashmina to help keep the chill out of my bones. Little did I know how much I would need it on the harbour.

The gorgeous yacht's deck was adorned with plush seating, offering panoramic views of the stunning harbor. I settled into a comfortable chair, and the gentle sway of the boat hinted at the adventures that awaited me. As we set sail, the skyline of Sydney unfolded before my eyes, revealing a harmonious blend of modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks. The yacht glided gracefully under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I couldn't help but marvel at the architectural wonder as we sailed beneath its colossal arches. The Opera House stood proudly on the horizon. Its iconic sails gleamed in the sunlight, and I got to photograph all angles of it not visible from the tour. The juxtaposition of the natural beauty of the shoreline and man-made marvels made for an unforgettable scene.

To my delight, the cruise included a gourmet prix fixe lunch with carefully curated wine pairings. The menu was a culinary masterpiece, featuring locally sourced ingredients prepared by a talented chef. Each dish was a symphony of flavors, from the fresh seafood platter showcasing

Sydney's famous rock oysters to the succulent grilled salmon fillet that melted in my mouth. The attentive staff ensured my glass was never empty, offering a selection of exquisite Australian wines that complemented each course perfectly.

Back on shore, the vibrant energy of the harbor was replaced by the hustle and bustle of the city's premier shopping district. From high-end boutiques to flagship stores of international brands, Pitt Street Mall promises a shopping experience unlike any other. Wandering through the pedestrian-friendly mall, I couldn't resist the allure of luxury fashion and designer goods. I explored the hidden gems tucked away in the mall's nooks and crannies. Charming cafes with outdoor seating beckoned, and I took a moment to sip a hot rooibos tea while watching the eclectic mix of shoppers pass by. The lively atmosphere was contagious, and I couldn't help but be enchanted by the city's cosmopolitan vibe.

As the evening approached and the sun cast a golden glow over the city, I made my way back to the airport with a heart full of memories. Sydney, with its breathtaking harbor, iconic landmarks, and unparalleled shopping, had exceeded my expectations. The layover transformed what might have been dreary hours at the airport into a day of opulence, leaving me yearning for more of the enchanting allure that is uniquely Sydney. As I boarded my connecting flight and settled in for sleep, I knew that this brief but exquisite interlude would forever hold a special place in my travelogue, reminding me of the splendid day I spent exploring the treasures of Down Under.

A lifelong traveler and educator, Jan Wakefield sees the world as a vast opportunity for expanding her understanding of the human condition.

For her, travel equals transformation. Jan’s passion for travel and decades of experience as a personal transformation coach are the foundation for her international retreats, where people release who they once were and embrace who they want to be through meditation, relaxation, and a gentle return to self.

In addition, Jan plans to visit all 195 countries in the world and share her experiences with readers and audiences worldwide.

For more about Jan’s transformational retreats and programs visit

http://jan-wakefield.com

Photo by Leio McLaren

HEAD & TRUNK CONTROL, CRAWLING &

THE IMPORTANCE OF “TUMMY TIME”

Neurologic myelination and reflex integration are what help to integrate both sides of the body, paving the way for increasingly complex motor skills and learning—including reading and writing at school age. As mentioned in the previous section, this process of reflex integration helps to increase postural strength and bilateral coordination through “tummy time.” This is what prepares a developing baby to crawl—an important foundational milestone for learning and motor skill progression. Unfortunately, with infants spending less time on their tummies, crawling can be delayed, shortened, or even absent. In my experience, it is to the child’s benefit to crawl; I would much rather see a late walker than an early walker because the late walker who crawled will almost certainly have better bilateral coordination.

Please don’t make the mistake of avoiding tummy time because your baby fusses in that position! Today, many babies spend far too much time in car seats, baby swings, or some other kind of container that keeps them supported. And remember, though swaddling provides important warmth and security in a newborn’s transition from the womb to the world, it should be limited to the first few weeks of life, not months. Instead, let your child move and experience life and discover on her own how to move her body and shift to new positions. A typically developing child needs sensory input on both sides of his body—the front and the back—in order to develop adequate postural balance and a good foundation for bilateral coordination.

Sally Fryer Dietz, PT, DPT, CLC, CST-D

Please don’t make the mistake of avoiding tummy time because your baby fusses in that position! Today, many babies spend far too much time in car seats, baby swings, or some other kind of container that keeps them supported. And remember, though swaddling provides important warmth and security in a newborn’s transition from the womb to the world, it should be limited to the first few weeks of life, not months. Instead, let your child move and experience life and discover on her own how to move her body and shift to new positions. A typically developing child needs sensory input on both sides of his body—the front and the back—in order to develop adequate postural balance and a good foundation for bilateral coordination. One of the things that we see when babies don’t spend enough time on their tummies is a tendency for them to resist that position as they grow. When they cry or fuss as they are placed on their stomachs, parents often think it’s because their child simply “doesn’t like it,” and so they avoid it even more. Tummy time can be hard for some, yes, but it is an important developmental experience. In small children—as in some grown-ups—frustration is not a bad thing; it helps to drive development, and without it, we might not ever be inclined to move.

Whether born prematurely or at term, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a newborn be placed on his back for sleeping to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A guideline since 1992 it’s been very effective in reducing the incidence of SIDS, but in turn, we now see many more children than we once did who have misshapen heads, a condition called “plagiocephaly.” Fortunately, when caught early enough, this condition can be treated with interventions, including physical therapy and CranioSacral Therapy, as mentioned

earlier in this chapter. In addition to plagiocephaly, developmental delays also seem to follow that are caused by the lack of experience in pushing up against gravity. In other words, when an infant doesn’t spend enough time on his tummy, he misses this critical opportunity in the development of bilateral coordination.

Tummy time, along with a primitive reflex called the Tonic Labyrinthine (TLR), helps to provide the baby with a means of mastering head and neck control as well as learning about gravity outside of the womb. There are two forms of this reflex. One occurs when the baby bends his head forward while on his tummy. In this position, the arms, legs, and torso fold forward into what we know as the “fetal position.” The second form occurs when the baby tilts his head backward. In this position, the whole body straightens and extends. These two actions set the body up to be in good alignment so that balance, visual tracking, auditory processing, and organized muscle tone contributing to adequate bilateral coordination can all be optimized. When this reflex is not fully integrated, we see challenges with balance and coordination, stiff, jerky movements, toe walking, or W-sitting. All these foundational skills, when not fully developed, can lead to trouble paying attention, following directions, and challenges in motor planning.

Tummy time is critical for a child to be able to strengthen the muscles of his neck, shoulders, upper body, and trunk for him to crawl. I disagree with the current opinions of some in pediatric circles who say that crawling is not a necessary benchmark in development. While it’s true that a baby does not need to crawl to walk, a child does need to develop the muscle strength and four-limb coordination that crawling so wonderfully provides to skillfully perform tasks requiring refined fine motor skills later.

Sally Fryer Dietz, PT, DPT, CLC, CST-D, is a highly esteemed Doctor of Physical Therapy, developmental specialist, sensory integration expert, lactation counselor, and Upledger CranioSacral Therapy Diplomate and presenter. With unmatched dedication to therapeutic pediatrics and as a devoted mother to two boys with distinct learning styles, she has touched the lives of thousands of children and their families, helping them lead healthier, happier lives. Her innovative therapy methods have garnered international acclaim, making her a true pioneer. Residing in Dallas, Texas, Dietz continues to advocate for the potential within every child to succeed naturally.

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Richard has spent three decades transforming and elevating the lives of a client list that includes television personalities, entre preneurs, athletes, and actors. As a renowned author,inventor, and frequent featured guest across European TV networks, Richard is regarded as a leader in alternative energetics.

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Yoga expert Maria Andrews provides a seven-minute routine to help shake away your sleepiness, which is perfect for all experience levels.

The darker mornings this November may see more Americans struggling with their sleep routines due to "revenge bedtime procrastination."

Some states struggle more with sleep than others, with New York named the state that sees the most disruption in the winter months.

A yoga expert has revealed a quick morning routine that fits easily into your morning schedule and is designed to combat tiredness as cold weather and dark morning fatigue creep in.

Yoga expert shares the perfect energy-boosting morning routine, which takes just seven minutes to shake off tiredness

by https://yogajala.com

Maria Andrews, Registered Yoga Teacher and Editor at yogajala, says that incorporating a simple routine into your morning can help reduce the effects of a disrupted sleep schedule – as new data names the parts of the US most concerned about their routine.

Photo by AdobeStock

According to Maria, the darker mornings can impact our body clocks as we find it harder to wake up before sunrise. She says: "Our circadian rhythm is our body's natural 24-hour clock which controls how awake we feel throughout the day. When the seasons change, and our bodies are forced to wake before it is light, it can take some adjustment.

Many may feel it is harder to get out of bed on cold winter mornings and may even end up feeling sluggish or lacking energy later in the day due to poor sleep or an unproductive start.

Some of us may even try to accommodate for our lack of daytime productivity by staying up later at night to complete tasks or enjoy leisure time. Then, we find it harder to wake up in the morning, and the cycle begins again."

'Revenge bedtime procrastination' is the practice of someone delaying going to sleep due to a lack of free time earlier in the day. There has been an increased interest in the habit over recent years, with its hashtag currently having over 29 million views on TikTok.

Some tell-tale signs that your sleep cycle has been affect-

ed by a bad habit like 'revenge procrastination' include a lack of motivation, tiredness throughout the middle of the day, struggling to concentrate or get tasks completed – or even headaches developing.

According to Maria, one of the most effective ways to regain energy in the mornings is with a quick stretching yoga routine. As she says: "Getting your body moving early in the morning with a short routine works to release muscle tension and regulate important wake/sleep systems in our bodies, as well as provide much-needed stress relief.

While some experienced Yogis like to challenge themselves with more advanced poses such as inversions, anyone can benefit from simple moves that help reduce pain, increase strength, improve our mood, and increase our focus – especially in the morning.

7-Minute Tiredness-Busting Morning Routine

To help shift the sluggish feeling the morning after you've stayed up late, Maria recommends following this simple routine, which can be completed in as little as seven minutes!

Photo by Dave Contreras

While some experienced Yogis like to challenge themselves with more advanced poses such as inversions, anyone can benefit from simple moves that help reduce pain, increase strength, improve our mood, and increase our focus – especially in the morning.

Allow a minute for each pose to feel the full effect, but take as long as you feel you need. These easy steps will have your body feeling invigorated and ready to start the day:

1. Slow Controlled Breathing. By starting simply, controlled breathing can help awaken the body by helping the oxygen to follow through the bloodstream. Sit or lay in a comfortable way, although upright, is best, and take deep, slow breaths.

2. Child's Pose. This pose stretches the back, hips, and thighs and gently relieves tension in the back, neck, and shoulders. Begin by kneeling on the floor with your toes touching and knees apart. Sit back on your heels, extend the spine, and lower your torso to the ground. Keep your palms on the floor, arms extended out, and tilt your forehead down. Hold for a minute.

3. Cat-Cow Pose. To do this pose, begin by kneeling on the floor on all fours, palms and knees equally apart. Tuck your chin to your chest and press into your palms, arching your back. As you exhale, push your torso down, lifting the tailbone and head to the sky. Alternate these slowly for a minute.

4. Downward Facing Dog. From being on your hands and knees, tuck your toes, lift your hips, and straighten your legs, forming an inverted V-shape. Keep your palms firmly planted on the floor. This pose is perfect for invigorating your body and getting you ready to start the day.

5. Warrior Pose. This pose helps to stretch the hips and groin and promotes a sense of openness. Begin by standing with your feet

wide apart and raise your arms to be parallel with the floor. Then, turn your right foot out and bend your right knee, keeping it aligned with your ankle. Stretch your arms out to the sides and gaze over your right hand. Hold this for 30 seconds, then repeat on the left.

6. Triangle Pose. To stretch the hamstrings, move into this pose from Warrior by keeping feet spread wide apart, one turned out and arms out to your sides. Bend to your side and place your lower hand on your shin and your other arm on the sky. Follow the arm in the air with your gaze and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

7. Tree Pose. This final pose in the sequence will improve your balance, stability, and focus. To begin, stand with your feet together, move your weight onto your left foot, and bend your right knee. Then, place the sole of your right foot on the inner calf or thigh of your left leg. Bring your hands to the prayer position at your chest and take deep breaths. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on the left."

In addition to providing a quick morning routine, the yogajala experts also reveal which states struggle the most with poor sleep and tiredness this time of year.

The states were ranked from most to least concerned about their sleep quality and routine, based on Google searches made around sleep problems - including "sleep aids' and 'can't sleep."

The state that struggles the most with their sleep quality at this time of year is New York, followed by Massachusetts and Maryland.

Photo by Ginny Rose Stewart

LA Artshow

2024

A Feast for the Senses at the Convention Center

In the heart of Los Angeles, the city of Angels hosted an artistic extravaganza on February 14, the International Day of Love, at the Renowend Convention Center.

Opening Night Premiere Party in support of the American Heart Association to kick off the 2024 Los Angeles art season. The event was hosted by celebrated actress Lucy Hale and the city's largest and longest-running art fair. NFL player Damar Hamlin (Buffalo Bills Defensive Back), whose terrifying experience suffering cardiac arrest on the field last year dominated global news, attended and joined Lucy on stage during the American Heart Association presentation. Reality TV star Francesca Farago (Too Hot To Handle, Perfect Match) and fiancé TikTok sensation Jesse Sulli looked loved up on the carpet as they celebrated Valentine's Day at the LAAS Opening Night Premiere Party.

Photos by Sheri Deteman & LA Artshow

Lucy was introduced to the LA Art Show by its inaugural charity beneficiary, the American Heart Association, which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. As the evening's host and friend of AHA, Lucy took to the stage and spoke about the important work the American Heart Association is doing for their Life is Why campaign, which inspires consumers to honor their reasons for living longer, healthier lives. LA Art Show Producer & Director Kassandra Voyagis, American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown, and AHA survivor family Danielle and Chandler Armstead also spoke during the heartwarming presentation.

LA Art Show will donate 15% of all ticket proceeds to the American Heart Association's Life Is Why™ Campaign. The evening's sponsors included Citibank and Nextdoor.

The LA Art show unfolded as a mesmerizing spectacle, showcasing many talents and pushing contemporary art's boundaries.

Visitors were welcomed into a world where imagination knows no bounds, as the conversion center transformed into a haven for creativity. The exhibit featured diverse artworks spanning various mediums and styles, providing a rich tapestry of visual experiences for art enthusiasts.

From bold and avant-garde installations to intricate and thought-provoking paintings, the LA Artshow left no stone unturned in its pursuit of artistic excellence. Attendees had the opportunity to explore the depths of each artist's imagination, with every piece serving as a unique portal into the creative minds behind the works.