November A Issue
Dr. Adolph Brown III Inspiring
Championship Habits:
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CONTENTS HEALTH & HEALING 38
42
86
HOW ACUPUNCTURE HELPS DURING PREGNANCY GETTING IN-SYNC WITH YOUR NATURAL CIRCADIAN RHYTHM
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SPIRITUALITY 48
Spotlight
YOUR LIFE IS YOUR PRAYER
94
YOUR BODY IS ONE BIG PSYCHIC ANTENNA
56
WHICH SPIRITUAL PRACTICE BENEFITS YOU THE MOST?
CHAMPIONSHIP HABITS: DR. ADOLPH BROWN III INTERVIEWED BY LIANE BUCK
OM LIVING 82
Frequency Creative (Photographers Tyler Adams & Martin Walsh)
EIGHT SECRETS TO INTENTIONALLY CHANGE YOUR FORTUNE
ANIMAL SPIRITUALITY
RELATIONSHIP 86
REVISITING THE IDEA OF WINNING
76
EUTHANASIA AND OUR ANIMAL FAMILIES
PERSONAL GROWTH 100
EMBRACING THE CHANGES
106
HEALING FROM THE SEVERE CRITICISM, JUDGEMENT, AND BULLYING.
WORLD VISION 116
ENTANGLEMENT DANCE OF AN EVOLVING HUMANITY
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CONTENTS
November 2020 Issue A
YOUR LIFE IS YOUR PRAYER
EVOLVING HUMANITY
CHANGE YOUR DESTINY
EMBRACING THE CHANGES
HEALING
PSYCHIC ANTENNA
ACUPUNCTURE HELPS
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
NOVEMBER A EDITION
THE FIRST AND ONLY SPIRITUALLY CONSCIOUS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
36
46
HEALTH AND HEALING
ANIMAL SPIRITUALITY
SPIRITUALITY
114
76
WORLD VISION
OMTIMES.COM
& A more Spiritually Conscious Life
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Andrew Pacholyk MS
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 OMTIMES *NOVEMBER A 2020
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Dr. Adolph Brown is an American businessman, investor, author, urban and rural school educator, research-scientist, and keynote speaker. Dr. Adolph Brown is a life-long social justice advocate and a career teacher educator. He is best known for inspiring individuals to learn, laugh and lead, while as an implicit bias speaker, simultaneously reducing unconscious bias at every turn. He is the leading provider of anti-bias training in business and education. He is highly regarded as the "balcony" leadership speaker and highly skilled performance coach who gets you from where you are to where you want to be.
Dr. Brown earned his undergraduate degrees in anthropology and psychology with a minor in education, a master's degree in special education and experimental psychology, and a doctorate degree in clinical psychology. He is the author of acclaimed books, including the international mental wellness bestseller, Two Backpacks. Dr. Brown authored other bestsellers include a soft business skills classic – Championship Habits; and the education classic – Real Talk.
OMTIMES: Dr. Brown, you have said that we have seen an increase in young people who have stepped up to change their future, with the Black Lives Matter movement, for instance. Yet, many of our youth feel as though their vote does not count, which contributes to their hesitation to not vote at all. Why is that? Why do you believe millennials are less likely to vote than other generations? What is so complicated and different about the Millennials? Dr. Adolph Brown: Millennials represent those born in the early 1980s through the 1990s. By nature, millennials are very transient. The lack of permanent residence makes it difficult to continue updating their voter registration. Besides, millennials are delaying marriage, children, and home-buying as they are focused on building their careers. This also further delays their political involvement and engagement. Lastly, millennials are simply disillusioned. Many times, millennials don't believe that their vote will carry weight because the "system" will still be in place.
OMTIMES: How would you describe, anthropologically speaking, this new civil movement process, the social movement revival with Black Lives Matter, and what has changed since the time of Malcolm X? Dr. Adolph Brown: Black people have been dying at the police's hands since America's inception. There isn't anything new about that. However, it is new to see all types of Americans – Whites, Asians, clergymen, and small businesses, acknowledging Black Americans' pain and plight. It's not enough for Americans to speak out in solidarity; it is now expected that ALL Americans take actionable strides in the movement to end anti-Black racism and uphold racial diversity and inclusion in their community.
OMTIMES MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 2020
Dr. Adolph Brown: Typically, when we deal with trauma, it is within our circle of friends and family. This year, our entire country has experienced a great deal of turbulence that has affected all parts of our lives – home environments, political landscape, and even our workplaces. For example, we witnessed working parents balancing the demands of their job with childcare. Also, Blacks saw a modern-day lynching with the death of George Floyd. These events have demanded a culture of kindness and compassion. I do see the practice of empathy and understanding evolving over time. OMTIMES: America's demographics are changing dramatically! In your opinion, what steps do we need to take as a collective to transform and heal our divided society? How do we reinvent ourselves as an inclusive, compassionate, and diverse culture post-pandemic? Dr. Adolph Brown: I think the first step is rebuilding human compassion. When we understand each other's experiences, we can build a relational bond and make steps towards healing. I think it's safe to say that everyone experienced something unpleasant this year. Whether it was a missed vacation or the death of a loved one, we can all share in the grief. We need to use those upsetting experiences to draw us together and not apart. I also think there are several lessons regarding social, political, and health issues that we can take forward with us.
OMTIMES MAGAZINE |NOVEMBER
OMTIMES: Considering our country's actual state of affairs, the convoluted social/civil unrest compounded by the surprising social isolation elements, and the global pandemic, how do you foresee the USA Post Election scenario, independently of the winner?
OMTIMES MAGAZINE |NOVEMBER
OMTIMES: As a Clinical Psychologist, how do you see the current state of mind of our society and the Nation's mental health? How is the stress level pairing with a difficult political scenario and the social distancing effect of the pandemic?' Dr. Adolph Brown: On one hand, I think the pandemic slowed life down (for the positive)! Most American families are overscheduled and overstressed. For these families, the pandemic allowed them a moment to stop, breathe, and reconnect. I know for myself; it was an opportunity to catch up on my neverending home to-do list. On the other hand, the pandemic eliminated life distractions like bars, parties, and movies, so people were forced to sit with themselves and ruminate in their thoughts. For people who don't like what they see in the mirror, the pandemic possibly did more harm than good to their mental health. Besides, the pandemic imposed social distance between friends and families. This isolation definitely leads to depressive and anxious thoughts.
OMTIMES: Loneliness is an endemic problem of our Contemporary Society. Every year, during the Holidays, we witness a rise in the number of people with depression and a significant increase in suicide. What can we do as individuals to help mitigate these effects, especially in such a difficult time during this global pandemic? How can we help others to cope with the side effects of grief and social isolation? Dr. Adolph Brown: We may be geographically separated, but we can still connect virtually. My family and I have a group chat that even includes my sons-in-law. While most of the family group chat content is videos and pictures of my grandson, it is a way for my family to communicate. Who says that you can't have a Thanksgiving dinner over zoom? I also think that people need to be intentional about reaching out to others during this pandemic season. I recommend that you reach out to someone that you haven't spoken to in a while. Also, I think that practicing gratitude is an excellent strategy! With many challenges thrown at us this year, no one is at his or her best. We all deserve some grace!
OMTIMES MAGAZINE |NOVEMBER
OMTIMES: How do you explain our Nation's transition to the "new face worldwide" (and the mindset behind it), going from the beacon of freedom and hope to adopt a dystopian authoritarian figure as a leader? In your opinion, how did we allow the re-editing, extending, and reviving of America's original sin, which is playing the race card, including Americans versus Americans? Dr. Adolph Brown: I'm unsure if this "new face" is 100 percent accepted and respected worldwide. The sin of racism has never gone away. Social media and recording devices have made once covert incidences more readily available for public viewing, scrutiny, and protest. To acknowledge the country's history of racism, we must also acknowledge the inherent privileges of those imposing racist ideology and practices. This has a tendency to pit Americans against Americans as the eradication of racism also means the loss of an ideology of superiority and structures put in place to maintain them. The phrase "playing the race card" or speaking about racism and those subjected to its implications is used to detract from, devalue and minimize legitimate claims of racism. The rhetorical device essentially attempts to blame and shame the victim. In my research and work, I objectively explain racism as a significant social problem of our day that must be honestly evaluated and eradicated. OMTIMES: We've all heard the saying "the children are our future" this is unquestionably true. Yet, the numbers of children who are experiencing anxiety, depression, and more have skyrocketed more than ever before. Why do you believe this is? How can parents and teachers ensure that our next generation of leaders get the proper mental health care they deserve?
Dr. Adolph Brown: I have a two-word answer: social media! We are constantly posting, scrolling, comparing, competing, and repeating. Social media is the highlight reel. Although we know that this, it still negatively impacts our self-esteem and self-image. For children and future leaders of our country, I think it's important to understand social media's proper use. Social media is a wonderful way to connect and share our lives with family and friends. However, there should be limits to what we are exposed to, and we should also consider what type of news we absorb on our feeds. OMTIMES: During COVID-19, many people have reported feeling stuck in their daily routines... not feeling a sense of urgency to move forward with their careers, goals, etc. Because you are regarded as a highly-skilled performance coach, what do you believe people can do during these trying times to progress toward their goals? What do you say to those who may become disappointed that they're not taking the time to achieve their goals? Dr. Adolph Brown: One of the most essential life skills is adapting our goals as life isn't always going to go as planned. Circumstances are beyond our control in the pandemic, so we need to adjust our mindset. Maybe it may take a bit longer to achieve said goal? Maybe it will be achieved in a different way (i.e., virtually vs. in-person)? With setting goals, it's important to set small actionable steps that can be achieved each day. It's about consistency, not perfection. Slow progress is progress! I also think the pandemic has given us more free time to focus on our goals. It's all about perspective!
OMTIMES: You're a highly coveted keynote speaker who travels the world to help others "develop healthy relationships for business, education, and life." Tell us about your journey to being a successful public speaker. Dr. Adolph Brown: I don't consider myself a public speaker. I'm a master teacher who is just sharing my passion for people and learning! OMTIMES: Your keynote speeches range from education to business and industry. What are the 5 aspects that you believe make a great leader? How can business leaders/managers create a positive experience for their employees?
Dr. Adolph Brown:Business Leaders/managers can create a positive experience for their employees by leveraging a great leader's five characteristics. Together, they make up the hallmarks of outstanding leadership. Empathy is the foundation from which the other characteristics are built. A great leader exemplifies empathy when one attempts to emotionally understand what others feel, see events from others' perspective, and imagine oneself in the place of another. When a leader can put oneself in someone else's position and attempt to feel what they are experiencing – trust, compassion, and understanding are likely fruitful outcomes.
OMTIMES MAGAZINE |NOVEMBER
As people begin to trust a leader, the leader must demonstrate the second pillar, integrity, or the practice of being honest and having strong moral principles and values. Team members want to work for ethical people. Zig Ziglar once said, "It is true that integrity alone won't make you a leader, but without integrity, you will never be one." As the leadership pillars are built, thirdly, it is paramount that the builder has clear actionable and measurable goals for one's followers. The leader-devised blueprint is only as good as the outcomes. Whether the outcomes are poor or exceptional, a great leader owns the results. Fourth, an accountable leader takes responsibility for the outcomes of decisions and actions along the way. As great leaders are not flawless, every great leader needs to discern for one's decision-making. This process of self-reflection involves differentiating between what is self-serving and what is beneficial to the greater good. When confronted with a poor decision, great leaders are not afraid to move from self-reflection to self-correction. A business leader/manager can create a productive and positive environment by exemplifying all of these traits. Also, a manager should be receptive to feedback and criticism when necessary. OMTIMES MAGAZINE |NOVEMBER
OMTIMES: As a Social Justice Advocate, you've discussed the concept of The Empathy Gap. Can you explain what this is, how it works, and how it can help bridge the gap between those who may disagree in political conversations? Dr. Adolph Brown: Empathy understands another's experienced by imagining oneself in that other person's situation. One essentially understands the other person's experience as if they were experiencing it. Most of us know how to extend sympathy, but empathy brings us closer and closes the distance of concern and identification. The Empathy Gap is the space between individuals where there's not a bridge of understanding and compassion. The bridge connects the divide. Most if not all of the divides in our society, including health, wealth, education, equity, and equity, did not occur out of thin air; they were built on a foundation of an empathy gap and further contributed to the major breaks in the continuity of opportunities and provisions for ALL people regardless of language, age, race, religion or no religion, education, economic status, disability, and sexual orientation. In the context of political conversations, empathy can potentially disarm a volatile situation. While conversations around political are significantly charged, especially those on opposing sides, empathy can help build a bridge of understanding. Each of us has a unique set of experiences that shape our political preferences. If we were all the same, America would be boring! OMTIMES: You also discuss the concept of Implicit Bias in your keynote speeches. What is implicit bias? How does it work? What can we do to overcome this? Dr. Adolph Brown: Implicit bias is a set of automatic beliefs we gather in our life through our unique experiences that dictate our everyday decision-making and how we relate to others. The first step to address implicit bias is to recognize and acknowledge that we all have an implicit bias in one way or another. Next, you have to proactively challenge those thoughts (preferably before someone else calls you out on it). To overcome implicit bias, we must see people as individuals. Besides, we must broaden our sphere of exposure by being around people of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures.
Learn more about Dr. Adolph Brown III at his website: https://www.docspeaks.com/
OMTIMES MAGAZINE |NOVEMBER
Health & Wellness Innovative new approaches to Healing as well as holistic methods for dealing with health issues and personal growth
By Andrew Pacholyk MS LAc. For over 15 years, I have enjoyed helping women become pregnant with the healing art of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The rate of infertility cases has risen over the past 10 years due to many factors including environmental toxins, poor diets, the over prescribed use of birth control, as well as the hypervigilant push for young girls to freeze their eggs, prolonging pregnancy, and then having to do IVF (in-vitro fertilization) to have children. But once the miracle of pregnancy occurs, acupuncture can assist a woman with issues that arise during each trimester of their pregnancy. Consider looking at these symptoms grouped together by trimester. Nausea during pregnancy is one of the most significant disruptions during the first trimester. It seems at even the very onset of a pregnancy confirmation, the sights and smells of familiar and favorite foods now become the enemy. Acupuncture is a very effective treatment in reducing both the severity and incidence of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, especially in early pregnancy. OMTIMES.COM
YOUTH MAGAZINE
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Excellent DIY acupressure treatment can be done at the moment by placing two fingers parallel to the inside crease of the wrist (palm up). Where the second finger falls is the location of the point for nausea and vomiting. Called Pericardium 6, slowly massage this point deeply with one finger in a clockwise rotation for several minutes until the discomfort passes. Alternatively, consider a hot cup of ginger tea or taking a Vitamin B6 or B Complex liquid under the tongue. Spontaneous miscarriage or ectopic pregnancies are conditions that usually occur within the first 4 -16 weeks of pregnancy confirmation. Acupuncture treatments have often been effective in preventing these conditions or assisting the body through the process quicker if they, unfortunately, occur. During this time of pregnancy, acupuncture's benefits increase blood circulation, boost immunity, thickens the uterine lining, regulates hormones, and decrease stress. Newfound muscular and skeletal pains tend to be the norm as the baby grows and shifts your weight forward from your center of gravity during the first and second trimester. Back pain, rib pain, and pubic symphysis pain are joint during pregnancy and can be reduced with acupuncture. Sciatica is a frequent and common occurrence during the second and third trimesters. Sciatica is a sharp, shooting pain, often accompanied by tingling or numbness starting in the back or buttocks and radiating down the legs' back.
OMTIMES MAGAZINE
Since the sciatic nerve is the largest in the body, starting in the lower back, it runs down the buttocks and branches down the back of the legs to the ankles and feet. In most cases, sciatica happens when this nerve becomes compressed due to increased fluid retention or weight gain. This added retention puts pressure on the sciatic nerve where it passes through the pelvis. Several acupuncture sessions are essential to keep this pain under control. Pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands can often be a sign of carpal tunnel, which can be prevalent during pregnancy. Acupuncture can ease the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome.
It reduces pain, increases blood and fluid circulation, and decreases pressure on the wrist's ulnar nerve. A DIY treatment consists of a gentle massage around the wrist, along the arm's sides, and around the shoulder. One of the most significant Chinese medicine treatments is "turning the baby" when a woman presents with the baby in an incorrect position. The Breech presentation recommends that moxibustion treatment be done from week 33 – 35. However, it can still be useful when used later in the pregnancy. Techniques can also help babies that are not in the optimal position before birth or for babies in a posterior position. Moxibustion treatment consists of burning dried mugwort on particular points on the body. This can even be taught to the patient for them to perform this twice a day until the position of the baby changes. Acupuncture is a viable option for inducing labor if the baby is overdue. Induction with acupuncture can be an effective alternative to a medical induction. Labor induction is the stimulation of uterine contractions before labor begins on its own. This has shown to be helpful even two weeks past the due date. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have shown to be incredibly useful during the entire course of a woman's incredible, emotional, and magical pregnancy. In addition to the above disorders, acupuncture can also help with unexpected pregnancy-related problems, including anemia, anxiety, Bell's Palsy, constipation, heartburn, hemorrhoids, vulval varices, insomnia, edema, headaches, fatigue and exhaustion, and thrush.
Getting In-Sync with Your Natural CIRCADIAN RHYTHM
When we have a restful sleep, we can take on the world! Learn different modalities to assist in creating a natural circadian rhythm within life and conquer the day ahead!
We have naturally occurring rhythm within us. We it as the circadian rhythm. This is a natural, We exist in a fast-paced society. We rush from know internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle point a to point b. We're on the move and and repeats on each Earth rotation. While there are always on the go. We dance to the beat of someone else's drum and forget our own. Then different circadian rhythm types for the body, the one we take notice of most is the sleep-wake cycle. suddenly, we find ourselves exhausted, uninspired, unmotivated, and questioning what's wrong. We're so busy thinking of our It affects our everyday life without fail. next move that we aren't paying attention to We notice when we don't feel well, our mood has our present one—the place where there is shifted, motivation has drifted, and we struggle peace, not anxiety, and not depression. throughout the day. The past is gone, and the future isn't here yet. When our sleep-wake cycle is off, we can experience When we choose to slow down, some dreadful symptoms such as weight gain, even for just a moment, we find peace and impulsivity, slowed thinking, as well mindfulness. We can observe our mind, body, spirit and possibly find the answers we as physiological and behavioral changes. There are simple signs that will indicate that our naturally have been looking for. occurring circadian rhythm has been disrupted. We Our minds and bodywork together in tandem. will have trouble falling and staying asleep, wake up We cannot help our bodies if our minds are unrested, experience daytime lethargy, poor lacking motivation. To ensure our ultimate concentration, poor physical and mental wellness, we need to take care of both. performance. We may also experience that our first burst of energy is later in the day than earlier. BY GINGER MCBRIDE
OMTIMES/ NOVEMBER
When we have a restful sleep, we can take on the world! Learn different modalities to help in creating a natural circadian rhythm within life and conquer the day !!
Let's get in-sync with our natural rhythm! Start by adjusting to the recommended sleep schedule from 10PM to 6AM. Then stay away from situations that reduce restful sleep such as shift work, changes in routine, eating or drinking late, and too much screen time. A good routine will be essential to creating a rhythm our body can follow. Wake up at the same or similar time each day, also practice unwinding before falling asleep. We must pay attention to what we eat and drink throughout the day as well. Caffeine, as an example can linger in our system anywhere from eight to fourteen hours after the initial rush has left us.
Midday coffee may not be the best choice in this matter. Caffeine also blocks adenosine, the Neurotransmitter that tells the brain when it is tired. We need to also limit nicotine, alcohol, and large meals before bed. Screen time should be limited to two hours before going to bed. It is known that the blue light from our screens and devices block melatonin, which aids in restful sleep. Melatonin is a vital hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. It thankfully can be taken as a supplement over the counter. However, its results vary from person to person. Still, with sustainable lifestyle changes, limiting bad habits, and aiding in the things that help us rest, we can continue to strive for better health. OMTIMES/ NOVEMBER
When we awake from our restful sleep, we can be excited about the new ventures that await us! Be motivated to reach our physical health goals, creative minds, professional occupation, and strive to reach our highest potential. We can do this all and more, but we have to learn to check in with our mind, body, spirit, and recharge our batteries every now and again!
About the Author: Ginger McBride is a certified health coach, nutrition expert, entrepreneur, and raw food enthusiast. She is the founder of Raw Ninja – a nutrition coaching membership that supplies affordability and accessibility to her clients. She is passionate about helping others with their health, inspiring them to reach their goals through motivation and education! To learn more, visit http://rawninja.net
OMTIMES/ NOVEMBER
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Simply Spiritual To perceive reality from a different perspective is to open oneself to the wonders and unlimited wealth of creation. Simply Spiritual offers the opportunity to visit new places, new methods, and different ways to perceive the vast human knowledge of our Universe.
YOUR LIFE IS YOUR PRAYER by Sam Beasley and BJ Gallagher
Your life is your prayer. Whatever you've got going on in your life is what you've been praying for – sometimes consciously, often unconsciously. If you want something different in your life, you must pray a different prayer. You may not realize it – many people don't – but the decisions you make throughout the day, the attitudes you adopt, the conversations you have, the way you respond to other people, the thoughts you think are all prayers. The food you choose to eat is a prayer, the way you spend your money is a prayer – even the way you drive is a prayer! We are continually communing with the Divine throughout our daily lives – even in the most mundane activities.
And our prayers are always answered in the affirmative: "YES." Whatever you're thinking about will manifest in your life. If you are worrying, I don't have enough money, the Universe will say 'Yes, you don't have enough money.' If you're constantly lamenting to your friends, I don't have a man in my life, the Universe will respond, 'Yes, you don't have a man.' If you frequently complain, I'm fat, the Universe will answer, 'Yes, you're fat.' Your thoughts and words are prayers, and the Universe always gives you what you're praying for. So, if you want to change your life, change your prayer.
OMTIMES
By consciously choosing new thoughts, new conversations, and new behaviors – you can literally create a new experience for yourself. THE PROBLEM OF MIXED MESSAGES
Your negative belief will neutralize or cancel out your desire
One of the biggest challenges in getting what you desire in life is the problem of mixed messages. That is, without knowing it, you may be sending mixed messages in your prayers. For many people, there is a fundamental contradiction between wants and beliefs. They consciously pray for something they want – but unconsciously, they don't believe they'll ever get it.
For instance, if you're a woman who wants a loving man in your life, but deep down inside, you think you're too fat to attract such a man. Your negative belief will neutralize or cancel out your desire. In other words, you are offering up conflicting prayers without even realizing it. Your desire for a man is a prayer – but so is your belief that you're too fat. You're praying mixed messages. The man doesn't show up because beliefs are usually stronger than desires. Sound familiar? OMTIMES
Mixed message prayers are more common than we realize, largely because our beliefs are subconscious, so we often don't even realize we have them. We consciously pray for our desires – for a loving mate, robust health, abundant income, and a fulfilled life – but we unconsciously believe that there aren't any good mates left. Our health is vulnerable, that money is scarce, and that happiness is elusive. Then we find ourselves frustrated and disappointed that our prayers seem to go unanswered. But in fact, they ARE answered – with belief prayers sending out a stronger message than our desire prayers. The stronger the belief, the more likely it is to cancel out a desire. Is there a solution? Yes, there is – change your beliefs. Easy to say, not so easy to do. First, you have to be aware of your beliefs. You must bring what is subconscious into consciousness before you can change it. You must be willing to dig deep and root out any negative beliefs that keep you from living the life you say you want. It may mean discovering beliefs that you've had so long that they feel like they're part of your DNA. And it can mean rejecting deeply-held family beliefs – a process that some people find difficult and painful, or even intolerable. Second, once you become aware of your limiting beliefs, you can set about the process of challenging and changing them – sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. For some people, simply becoming aware of a negative belief is enough to blow it out of the water – and it's gone in an instant. For others, negative beliefs must be gently, consistently coaxed out of their minds, usually by replacing them with positive beliefs – through the use of affirmations, daily writing, or some other spiritual discipline.
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If you feel stymied in receiving what you've been praying for, your problem may be that you're praying mixed messages. Spend some time exploring whether there's a gap between what you want and what you believe – then set about to close the gap. STRENGTHENING OUR PRAYERS I've often joked that "my mind has a mind of its own." It would be funnier if it weren't so true. Sometimes I can focus my attention on positive, constructive things, but other times, my mind drifts to worry doubt and fear.
For example, I go to my mailbox and find an envelope from the IRS. Oh no, I think. What now? An important client doesn't return my phone call. Uhoh, I think. Have I done something to offend them? My phone rings in the middle of the night. What's wrong? I ask when I hear my mother's voice on the line. It's times like these, I realize that my prayer isn't as positive as I'd like to think it is. The fact that my thoughts and emotions can turn negative quickly indicates that I need to strengthen my positive prayers. Sound familiar? Does your mind quickly assume the negative in too many situations?
If our prayer is "God provides perfectly for me, and I'm always taken care of," then an IRS letter will trigger curiosity, not fear. If our prayer is "My client's value and appreciate me," then an unreturned phone call will make us think, They must be very busy – I'll call again next week.
OMTIMES MAGAZINE
If our prayer is, "God is in charge of the universe, and my loved ones are in His care," then Mom's late-night call will prompt us to say, "Hi, Mom. You're up late tonight, aren't you?" In other words, if our prayer is one of complete trust and faith, then we will react to day-to-day life events in a calm, serene manner. Worry disappears; anxiety dissolves, and fear is banished from our emotional repertoire. So, we see that we have more work to build our spiritual "muscles" and strengthen our positive prayers. We don't need to make any big resolutions or dramatic pronouncements – swearing off negative thinking, or any other bad habit has never worked. Instead, we simply bow our heads and ask for what we need: more faith, increased consciousness, and guidance as to how to keep our prayers more consistently positive.
Sam Beasley is a successful businessman entrepreneur who uses spiritual principles to establish, build, and run his businesses. He is a charismatic speaker and dynamic workshop leader. His mission is to share what he's learned so that others may become successful and fulfilled as well. His previous books (with Suzanne Lorenz) are "Wealth and Wellbeing" and "Wealth and Wellbeing Workbook." www.yourlifeisyourprayer.com BJ Gallagher is an inspirational speaker and author of over thirty books, including an international best-seller, "A Peacock in the Land of Penguins: A Fable about Creativity and Courage," "Being Buddha at Work: 108 Ancient Truths on Change, Stress, Money, and Success," and "If God Is Your Co-Pilot, Switch Seats." www.bjgallagher.com *Excerpted from "Your Life Is Your Prayer: Wake Up to the Spiritual Power in Everything You Do" (Mango Publishing; 2019); used with permission.
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INSIDE THE SACRED
Which Spiritual Practice Benefits You the Most?
by Brooke Chaplan
Many paths lead from The foot of the mountain, But at the peak We all gaze at the Single bright moon. - Ikkyu
Many people work to become connected with a spiritual being or path throughout their entire lives. While everyone’s view may be different from the next, it’s important to choose spiritual practices that benefit you. Meditation, prayer, and augmenting spiritual powers are all ways people can connect spiritually with the world around them. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision on the subject.
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UNDERSTAND WHAT SPIRITUAL PRACTICES ARE
You may have a good concept of what spirituality is. However, when it comes to describing spiritual practices, you may be drawing a blank. Spiritual practices, also referred to as disciplines, are daily practices to connect with their spiritual being. Some examples include breathing exercises, rituals, gratitude, ceremonies, chanting, and meditation. The more spiritual practices you discover, the more likely you will find ones that work best for you.
Learn About Individual Practices
You may have heard the names of spiritual practices used in the past. However, understanding each one really starts with doing some learning. You should make a list of potential spiritual practices and do a little research on each. In most cases, you can discover a lot about individual practices through internet research and video websites.
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If you need assistance, you can contact psychics now or visit your local church to talk with the official. Try Out Ones That Appease You When you’re researching different spiritual practices, you’ll likely feel more drawn to some over others. Take note of the practices that interest you and give them a try. It’s best to aim for performing spiritual practice daily. However, the specific practice that you pick will positively determine how often it needs to be performed. Remember to give yourself time to get used to your practice and keep a journal about how it affects you. After an initial high period, spiritual practices can get boring, repetitive, and draining. This does not necessarily mean the practice has failed, as often you need to get used to the period where your body and spirit get overly familiar with the practice. Narrow Down Your Practices Don’t be upset if you find it challenging to keep up with some spiritual practices. While they may have been exciting at first, you may find over time that they’re just only not the right choice for you. Instead, focus your efforts on practices that you’re finding easy to maintain. For example, if you’ve tried to practice morning meditation and you’ve found yourself skipping over it multiple times this week, simply scrap it for another practice. Doing breathing exercises may keep your interest. Don’t be afraid to try and try again until you find the best spiritual practice for you.
Choosing a spiritual practice is something that everyone can do in their life. Unfortunately, it may turn out to be a little harder to keep up with than you thought. By using the information provided above, you’ll be sure to find a spiritual practice that works for you over the long-term. Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
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OM Living For those living a more Conscious Lifestyle
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Interview with authors Carol Kline & Gay Hendricks I eventually started working on the book with Gay, I didn't have his long-time personal experience with Luck as a conscious choice, so I struggled to internalize the idea. The shift came when I read this quote by Stanford professor and luck expert Tina Seelig:
Kathy Williams, the host of Sexy Mom Abundant Life, recently sat down with New York Times Best-Selling Authors Gay Hendricks and Carol Kline to talk about their most recent book. Kathy Williams: Gay and Carol, I think most people believe that Luck is a random occurrence. Your new book demonstrates that it can be a deliberate choice. Can you talk a bit about that? Carol Kline: Grasping the understanding that Luck wasn't random took some time for me.
Like most people, I've had great things happen to me, and unfortunate, even tragic, things happen to me. But the bottom line is that Luck never seemed to be something I could control. So, when Gay sent the original Conscious Luck manuscript for my professional opinion in 2011, and I saw those two words, "conscious" and "luck" together, it was mind-blowing for me. Wait, how can Luck be conscious? I was intrigued.
"Luck is rarely a lightning strike —isolated and dramatic—but a wind that blows constantly. You need to build a sail, made up of tiny behaviors, to catch the winds of Luck." I thought, wow, it's not something outside my control. There are things I can do to harness the winds of Luck.
NOVEMBER 2020
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Kathy Williams: In the book, you outline eight Secrets and actions people can do to catch Luck's winds. What's the first thing that you recommend? Gay Hendricks: The first thing I recommend, which only takes 10 or 15 seconds but immediately gets you started on the right path, is this: make a commitment to being luckier today than you were yesterday. And then, make a commitment to being luckier tomorrow than you are today. Let's do that! Whatever you're doing right now—whether you're sitting, standing, or lying down —take a minute and make a commitment to increasing the Luck in your life. In my five decades of working with people to transform their lives, I've learned that every important self-change program starts with a willingness to change.But what really makes the transformation happen is when you make a commitment to it. So, if you can make a sincere commitment this moment to being luckier every day of your life, that's a great place to start.
"Luck is rarely a lightning strike..."
Kathy Williams: Ok, that's the first of your eight Secrets: Commit to being a VLP—a Very Lucky Person. You mention that the first four Secrets are like building a foundation: 1. Committing to Luck. 2. releasing your personal barriers to good fortune. 3. transforming shame into a magnet for Luck. I love that you use the word magnet—we're attracting Luck. Can you share a story about transforming shame into a magnet for Luck?
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Gay Hendricks: Yes. That particular Conscious Luck Secret came out of a personal experience, which happened about 30 years ago when my brother and I were in Florida. My mother had recently passed away, and we were cleaning out her house and preparing it to be sold. As I was packing away a picture frame, an envelope fell out of the back. It had obviously been stuck in there many years ago because the postmark on it was 1945, the year I was born. I pulled out the letter inside, which was from a woman in my mother's church group. In it, she begged my mother to come out of the house and not stay locked inside, away from her friends. She wrote Norma, we know you feel ashamed about the birth and how it happened, but we love you and accept you. We'd do anything to have you come back to church and be with us. As I read, a strange feeling washed over me— it was my birth that she was talking about! I realized that meant I'd spent the first nine months of my life, literally soaked in shame, absorbing into my body the chemicals of shame that surrounded me in the womb. I realized the shame was still there. Suddenly I could feel its heavy energy throughout my body, living in areas that I'd never paid attention to. Having worked as a psychologist for decades, I knew that to change something, you must first accept it as it is and not try to hide from it. So, I just stood there, feeling it for a while. Then I had another realization: this area of my body that I hadn't been aware of was like a field inside me that had been planted with shame. But, I told myself, no law says I can't replant it with something beautiful. I could turn that field of shame into a field of positive possibility. So that's what I did. Idecided to open to the energy of shame and feel it—and then transform it into an attractor field for love and Luck.
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"When you support others, then the Universe supports you, often in unexpected ways." We describe that process in the book for anyone to try for themselves. After I replanted that field, my life started moving in an even more positive direction. Things started kind of falling into my lap. I had made myself a magnet for Luck and love. I always put love and Luck together because, in my view, one without the other doesn't really work as well. Kathy Williams: That brings us to the fourth Conscious Luck Secret: Have Luck-worthy Goals. What is a luckworthy goal? Carol Kline: When your goals are luckworthy, you give Luck a reason to visit. Luck-worthy goals have three qualities: The first is that your goal is meaningful to you. It aligns with your sense of purpose. The second is that your goal lights you up and allows you to do what you most love to do. If your goals fulfill just these two requirements, you will definitely have more Luck in achieving them. But if you want to turbocharge your goals so that Luck is chasing you, make sure your goal not only helps you but helps other people as well. This harnesses the "good karma" effect. When you support others, then the universe supports you—often in unexpected ways. OMTIMES.COM
We heard all kinds of stories about this. I especially loved this anecdote from our friend, Jack Canfield. He told us about when he was conducting a workshop and using muscle-testing to determine if people's goals were a "good fit" for them. A woman came up to the front of the room to demonstrate. While pressing down on her outstretched arm, Jack asked her to think of how achieving her goal would benefit her, and her arm remained fairly strong, not going down much with his pressure. But when he asked her to think of how achieving that goal would benefit other people, her arm became super-strong. It was as if her nervous system coalesced around that goal. This is why we say it's really important to make sure your goals will benefit other people.
Keep in mind that you don't have to be completely selfless. You want what you want—but to "luckify" your goals, just be sure to get in touch with what's important to you about them, how they light you up, and how they help others. Kathy Williams: That makes sense. Luck is often defined as being in the right place at the right time. How can readers do that consistently? Gay Hendricks: Part of the art of Conscious Luck is to learn how to move through life at a pace that puts you at the right place at the right time, in the sense of having things line up to support you.
Carol Kline: That's a great example! Finding your essence pace is just one of the settings on your inner GPS. You can't possibly calculate how to get to the right place at the right time on the level of your brain. You have to rely on your internal guidance system, which means moving at a pace that allows you to remain centered, like Gay described, plus listening to your intuition and making decisions guided by your values. If you do those three things, you'll end up in a lucky spot. Kathy Williams: Can you please talk about the Secret that suggests finding your lucky tribe or community?
We call that your "essence pace." Here's an example: Back when I was first putting all these Secrets to work in my own life, I was walking toward the door of my building, where my office was, with a big box of books in my arms. As I came closer to the door, I realized, "Oh my goodness, it's Sunday. The building isn't going to be open." I had the key to my office, but I didn't have the key to the building, because usually when I went there, it was open.
Carol Kline: Absolutely! Most people don't understand that our Luck is the combined result of our actions, attitudes, and associations. The people you're around can lift you up and help you be lucky, or they can bring you down. Think about it, are there people you seek out to complain and commiserate with and awfulize about whatever's going on? We all have friends and family like that. Unfortunately, they keep us from being as lucky as we could be.
My heart sank a little, but I kept walking towards the door, staying present, and taking it easy. Then right as I got to it, the door opened from the other side, as somebody came out and held the door for me. Without missing a beat, I walked right through. Probably the only other person in the building that afternoon just happened to be right there when I needed them. That's what I mean by moving through life so that you have those kinds of experiences. Such kinds let you know that you've chosen Luck, and you're open to the winds blowing you in a lucky direction all the time.
The good news is that you don't have to cut these people out of your life. Just be aware of their effect on you and try to limit the time you spend with them until you're strong enough to not be affected. In the meantime, spend as much time as you can with authentically positive, supportive people. You can even find a virtual lucky community, which is what we invite our readers to do so that they can make their conscious luck journey in the company of other like-minded people, no matter where they are in the world.
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"The final Secret to Conscious Luck is practicing gratitude and appreciation" Gay Hendricks: We have a Facebook Conscious Luck Global Community group page where people can find their lucky community online. Carol and I post tips and answer questions, plus people post great stories of the lucky things that have happened since they've started reading the book. I love reading those posts because there's nothing that warms my heart more than seeing somebody else make a big change that works for them in their lives. Kathy Williams: I love that that's available. I also found it quite profound to do something you suggested: I went through the contacts on my phone, sensing each person's energy and connection to determine who's in my lucky community. The final Secret to Conscious Luck is practicing gratitude and appreciation, which we all know are important in life. In fact, you say that this is actually the number one thing you should master to be lucky.
Gay Hendricks: We could've quickly put this Secret at the beginning because I think gratitude opens up space for good things to happen in your life. That's why, in my mind, gratitude is one of the great gifts of human life and is central to being a lucky person. Carol Kline: And we're so grateful we could be on your show with you, Kathy! Find Carol Kline and Gay at www.consciousluck.com Kathy Williams is a Show host of Sexy Mom Abundant Life-on OMTimes Radio. Connect with Kathy at www.meetkathywilliams.com and Thursdays at 5 Eastern on Omtimes Radio.
Our Animals and Euthanasia By Robyn M Fritz
Most of us will have to face the end of a beloved animal’s life. Here’s how to look at their body, mind, and spirit needs.
EUTHANASIA AND OUR ANIMAL FAMILIES
It’s the worst thing we face as a multi-species family: the death of a beloved animal. How do we decide between Euthanasia and allowing them to die naturally?
While we should turn to the veterinary community and the growing pet hospice movement for advice, we should be wary. These professionals don’t always recognize that animals have souls. That means they can fail to give our animals a voice in their own care. We who live with animals as family members and intelligent equals can change that dynamic. When the body is impossibly broken from disease, injury, or old age, we can support the dying process by allowing our loving hearts and animal communication to listen to our animals—and to ourselves. Body, Mind, and Spirit and Animal Euthanasia All multi-species families need good veterinary partners who share their beliefs on quality of life and care. Unfortunately, technology has moved beyond us, often pushing intervention without the insight to say “enough.” Without choice and compassion, we can end up pushing the body beyond what is physically possible, emotionally endurable, and spiritually useful.
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Animals share with us the privilege of having a soul. PYTHAGORAS
Body Needs. As your animal declines, do your own research, listen to your team, and monitor specific bodily needs, including diagnosis and prognosis.
A quality of life tool commonly called the HHHHHMM scale allows the practitioner (and you) to objectively score a list based on how much pain the animal is in, whether they are eating and properly hydrated, if they are hygienic, how happy and interested they are, how mobile they are (including whether you can help them move), and the quality of their days. Use it as a baseline; add your intuition and observation and your animal’s insights into the mix. Mind Needs. What else do you noticing, including your animal’s “tells”? You know how they express emotion, from uncertainty to worry, depression, and joy. You’ll also notice the gradual declines that your professional support team doesn’t because you’re there 24/7—and you’re family. Discuss everything you know and notice with your animal. Explain how you feel, what’s going on, what’s coming, and options. OMTimes.com
possible, give them time to prepare. Ask what they need, want, and feel. Sure, you can seek out a professional animal communicator as an objective intermediary. But never doubt that your animal already hears you—and that you know. You can see the end of your animal’s life by looking in their eyes. That look is unmistakable: it’s knowing, resigned, waiting, contemplative. When you see it, you may have days or weeks, but the end is near. Look for it. React compassionately. Spirit Needs. All souls choose the body they need to do their work for that lifetime. That work involves soul growth toward unconditional love—self-love regardless—and doing that body’s specific job. The end of life is that body’s final opportunity for soul growth. Do you know why your animal chose to be an animal? It wasn’t to be your teacher or guru, but what? Should you know? Ask your animal—and their spiritual team. How does their job reflect on how they face death? Remember, the end of life pushes buttons: bodies are programmed to survive. Understanding the animal’s body, mind, and spiritual needs can be the key to helping both sides let go—and move on. Making a choice for Euthanasia Many people, including veterinarians, believe that animals live only in the present. .
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That is reverse anthropomorphism. People who don’t understand that animals recognize past, present, and future and can think, feel, and make choices miss the value in how animals will choose to die and what they experience. These people lose the authority to speak to it
What will an animal choose? Some say, “No, not today.” Others say, “I could go, or I could stay.” Others say, “Now today.” Others want to “walk the mystery,” to experience the dying process—and want their families to witness. Your veterinary team won’t see that. Granted, veterinarians love animals and want to heal them, so Euthanasia is hard to accept (and partly explains the tragically high suicide rate among veterinarians). Listen to your team, then to yourself, and to your animal. You will know. Our society hasn’t been open to dying since technology stole reason from us. When faced with the end of a beloved animal’s life, when you’ve done the research and consulted your veterinary team, ask yourself what you can afford, what you can do, what you (and your animal) can stand. Explain it to your animal: they understand. Listen to what they want—and need. Sometimes watching a death play out is soul damaging for you and for them. For example, loading the dying up with drugs to mask the pain is cruel; it confuses the brain and the choice.
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OMTIMES1 NOVEMBER EDITION
Sometimes dying is both beautiful and spiritually uplifting. At others, it’s sudden and steals choice. As hard as it is, death is part of life and should be honored for what it really is: the exit of a soul from that body. When death should occur is the question we ask with Euthanasia. As we examine body, mind, and spirit for and with our animals at the end of life, we need to understand wise choices to promote values that allow grief and compassion to kindly say farewell. To make dying easier by honoring, celebrating, and preparing for it, however, it occurs. The last gift we can give our beloved animals is the peace and serenity of a good death. Euthanasia is an option, but a considered one. Find out what your animal wants, how far it can go without losing its way on its soul journey. Know that whatever choice you make together will work because you’re family. We quail at Euthanasia, and we should, because it is murder. But Euthanasia is also mercy and compassion when only suffering remains. May the human-animal bond teach us that technology has its limits, that suffering and pain are not acceptable, that death is to be honored and respected, and welcomed when all hope is lost. That we can make Euthanasia what it really is: love sorely tried, and triumphant. Robyn M Fritz, MA MBA CHt, is an intuitive and spiritual consultant and certified past life regression specialist. An award-winning author, her next book is “The Afterlife Is a Party: What People and Animals Teach Us About Love, Reincarnation, and the Other Side.” Find her at RobynFritz.com and on Facebook at The Practical Intuitive.
Relationships The interconnectiveness among all human beings and, consequently, the relationships among us are the focus of this section. The dynamics of the web of connections we make is one of the most prominent aspects of human existence: how we interlace with each other’s existence in a meaningful way.
REVISITING THE IDEA OF WINNING BY LINDA BLOOM Creating a successful partnership does take work. The process is not for the faint of heart. But if we do our job, are aware and awake in the ways we take part in our relationship, we can expect the goodwill and cooperation to grow. An important part of our work is to become courageous, honest, assertive, direct, and respectful. We do not lapse into passiveaggressive behaviors that are highly destructive. If you’ve ever been in the middle of a painful breakdown with your partner and felt overwhelmed with rage, fear, pain, despair, or some combination of the above, you’re not alone.
"TAKING STEPS TO ENCOURAGE GOODWILL TO GROW"
Even couples that share good relationships can occasionally experience feelings like this. At these times, it can also seem that turning this situation into a “learning opportunity” just isn’t going to happen. The best that you can hope for is to do enough damage control to prevent things from falling into the “catastrophic” category. And even doing that is no small feat. This is not to say that we should avoid doing or saying things that could cause upsets. Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. It does mean that whatever we do, we must take the necessary steps to bring about an outcome in which there is a net increase in goodwill between us, even if in the process of getting there, uncomfortable feelings arise. It is important that, at the very least, our response to distressing situations should not result in additional and unnecessary suffering to an already painful situation. OMTIMES. COM/ NOVEMBER 2020
Doing so may require self-restraint. Until we have developed enough inner strength to resist the temptation to indulge ourselves in defensive- aggressive reactions, our responses to the conflict will probably just add fuel to the fire. Fortunately, the opportunities to practice truth-talk and committed listening present themselves continually throughout our lives. It’s helpful to first identify the nature of our work to become more attuned to opportunities for practice that show up in our daily experience. Many of the people with whom we have worked have commented that once they realize their work, they notice that the practice opportunities present themselves on an ongoing basis.
Whether they are just seeing opportunities that have always been there, or whether there actually are more of these situations after the commitment to learning is made is any body’s guess. A more important question has to do with how we respond to these opportunities when they show up in front of us. Creating a successful partnership does take work. Despite our hopes that our partner (or we) will change overnight, instant transformation generally tends to be a rare occurrence. The process tends to be incremental rather than instantaneous. Relationship building can feel like we’re standing near a scorching fire. And then there are times when we think that we are standing IN the fire.
Suppose we have used our time wisely and practiced on the small breakdowns and improved our ability to address upsets rather than reinforce defensive habits. In that case, we will be much more likely to not only minimize damage but bring about positive outcomes, even when we’re amid the hottest fires. And if or when big breakdowns do occur, rather than defaulting to familiar defensive patterns, we will respond with effective efforts that are much more likely to bring about reconciliation.
Our relationship is no longer based upon zerosum thinking, where there are winners and losers. Still, it becomes about defining “winning” as a function of mutual satisfaction.
Our needs are not less or more important than our partners.
Linda Bloom L.C.S.W. has served as a psychotherapist and seminar leader practicing relationship counseling for almost forty years. She is a regular presenter at Esalen Institute, Kripalu, and Multiversity. Visit her website at www.bloomwork.com
When we hold our goal as the fulfillment of both of our needs, rather than the satisfaction of our own desires, there is a shift in our interaction outcome —the quality of our relationship.
And if you think that such thinking is pollyanna-ish and unrealistic in the “real world,” think again. Or better still, try it out and see for yourself whether we’re talking about fantasy or a genuine possibility.
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"Love is always in the mood of believing in miracles." John Cowper Powys
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Metaphysics
OMTIMES. COM/ NOVEMBER 2020
YOUR BODY IS ONE BIG PSYCHIC ANTENNA By John Holland
Did you know that you're already equipped with one of the most fundamental pieces of equipment to provide you with an endless supply of psychic information and guidance?
Yes, it's your body! You need to look no further than your own physical body for answers. I got my first real lesson in listening to my body when I was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident many years ago. You probably remember me talking about this in my first book, Born Knowing. The shock to my system from the accident resulted in my energy centers or chakras being forced open. I soon realized that my abilities, which I'd so often pushed away, we're back with a strength and intensity that I'd never experienced before. Most people don't realize that their bodies often act as a conduit for information from our psychic senses through our energy centers. I like to say that our body is one big psychic antenna, and the messages are flowing daily. Ancient Eastern and Western spiritual philosophies teach us about the universal life force that runs through everything, including our very selves. This spiritual energy breathes life into our bodies and keeps us connected to the Universal Force, which surrounds us all. Chinese medicine calls it chi, while the Hindus know it as prana.
Your body has a way of sending you signals through these energy centers in its own psychic language. Whether it's a gut response, a physical sensation, an emotion, or even a dream—your body is talking to you! During this next month, I'd like you to listen a little closer to these messages that your body is sending you. Maybe you're feeling something in your gut when you encounter someone in your office, or maybe you're having headaches when there's a family get-together. Embrace these feelings and listen to them. Often through meditation, you'll be able to find the answer to what your body is trying to say—so just ask.
JOHN'S MESSAGE
Taking care of your body and your health should be a top priority, especially when developing your psychic abilities. Eat a balanced diet; drink plenty of water, rest, and exercise. If you have a healthy body, this will greatly help you in becoming more receptive. Remember to honor your equipment. The physical body is not just a vehicle to get you around while you're here on earth, but it's meant to assist you while your spirit lives in it. Know how special you and your body are—get to know each other. If this Soul Inspiration resonates with you, what better way to continue the discovery and transformation journey than to join My Soul Community.
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Personal Growth & Development We grow as individuals as we face challenges and overcome life’s obstacles. This section is dedicated to helping you chart your course.
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Embracing the Changes By Judi Lynch
More than ever, we need the motivators, innovators, peacemakers, and kind-hearted to help build a better tomorrow through positive changes. Recent world events have certainly opened our eyes to the uncertainty of life on this planet. We have come so far in our knowledge and understanding of this Universe but not far enough in human coexistence.
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For most of us, life has changed as our daily existence morphed, and we had to adapt to new procedures. Working at home, homeschooling, eating in, wearing masks, riots, lost lives, the list goes on. There are so many changes and further information for our hearts and minds to accept. If we can and can find the resources, use this time to evolve with the changes in our lives. We may have to reach out or look within, but the first step is to make a plan. Gathering up our courage to start breaking down resistance to big and little changes in life. We can grow to change for the better, out of necessity, when facing life challenges. Holding onto people, places, and things that no longer bring us peace, joy and knowledge can keep us stagnant and without hope. Suppose we can see beyond our past beliefs and educate ourselves to new thoughts and ideas. In that case, we can let in a world of possibilities. Things we never considered or understood can be found in releasing the patterns and behaviors we cling to. Just as science makes new discoveries all the time, we can discover new and exciting ways to look at our lives.
When the world seems to be locked in disagreement and unrest, we see things in our own view of how it should be. It can be extremely frustrating to feel so much without being able to express it. It can be beneficial to take the time to explore why, where, and how we came upon our opinions and beliefs. We risk criticism, friendships, and support from others when we stand on specific ideas and situations. Still, if it is important enough, we find our voice. We also learn to listen to what others have to say with the patient's response and without judgmental reaction.
Finding ways to cope with our empathy and compassion can be extremely beneficial to our peace of mind. To calmly and rationally express our perspective without being offensive or abusive in nature is the goal. Our mental and spiritual health are deeply affected by the changes going on around us, whether we are fully conscious of it or not. People dealing with upheaval who feel unheard and desperate may eventually lash out to make their voices known in destructive and hurtful ways. This applies to personal relationships as well as world events. We can respect our beliefs and ideas through living by them, voicing them, and standing up for them. At the same time, it can be difficult to accept others' actions when we see bigotry, bullying, and division at play. Many people live in denial, unwilling to accept that anything has changed and certain events aren't really happening. These challenging conditions are being unveiled to us so that we can incite change for a better humanity. We all have a responsibility to be a part of that metamorphosis if we know its necessity.
Embracing the changes means that we find a place of peace within ourselves to honor our innermost convictions, also accepting that those things can change and evolve as we go. Our lives were meant to be fluid and focused, purposeful and playful, challenging, and rewarding, all at the same time. We fill ourselves up with activities and future plans, knowing that anything is subject to change. We can be ready with a back-up plan to put into action if we can accept that sometimes things fall apart. More than ever, we need the motivators, innovators, peacemakers, and kind-hearted to help build a better tomorrow through positive changes. We have already seen what ego, greed, and spiritual disconnection can do and how it can spread from just one person. It's time to see what love, compassion, empathy, and unity can do! Judi Lynch is a psychic medium, intuitive counselor, healing channel, and president of the Crystal Healing Foundation, Inc., a 501(c) spiritual charity .She has authored two books, Friends with Lights and Conscious Ascension, Learn more at judilynch.com OMTIMES
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HEALING FROM THE SEVERE CRITICISM, JUDGMENT, & BULLYING by Johanna Kern
In these challenging times, we need to help each other to maintain our emotional health. If you, or someone you know, suffer from the aftermaths of criticism, judgment, or bullying - you need to know that you are not alone.
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Don't give up on yourself.
KEEP TRYING – AND YOU WILL GET THERE. Repeated criticism can rob us of zest for life and even send our spirit into a dark corner. The number of suicides sadly keeps growing. Suicide is a global phenomenon, and close to 800 000 people die every year, one person every 40 seconds. While people who suffer from the aftermath of repeated criticism know that their fear of being judged might be sometimes irrational, they still can't help perpetuating their anxious thoughts and feelings. More than 75% of people worldwide experience the first symptoms of social anxiety during their childhood or early teenage years, and 15 million American adults have social anxiety. It could be related to the fact that many of us may have experienced criticism in our childhood and later, in our early youth, were rejected or ridiculed by other teenagers. That can result in developing deep social anxiety that gets in the way of going to work or doing other everyday things. As the human species, we are biologically wired to live in groups and communities to survive. Being rejected by our community creates in our subconscious a considerable threat to our survival. Here are some of the symptoms that keep occurring after being exposed to repeated criticism: On the emotional level: •Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in social situations •Intense worry for days, weeks, or sometimes even months before an upcoming social event •Fear of being watched or judged by others, people we don't even know. •Fear that we'll embarrass or humiliate ourselves •Fear that others will notice that we are nervous OMTimes.com
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On the Physical Level: •Red face/blushing •Shortness of breath •Nausea, upset stomach •Trembling (including shaky voice) •Racing Heart •Sweating, hot flashes •Feeling dizzy or faint Behavioral symptoms: •Avoiding social situations and limiting your activities. •Being quiet and hiding in the background to escape notice and embarrassment •A need to always bring somebody along with you wherever you go. •Drinking/smoking before or during social situations to calm down
How to deal with our persistent fear of being judged: You may want to start challenging your negative thoughts, either through therapy or on your own. Yes, it can be done. If others could do it, you can do it too. • Step 1: Identify the automatic negative thoughts you are having while being anxious about social situations. For instance, you may worry about an upcoming work presentation and think that others will think that you are incompetent and that you are going to blow it. Ask yourself the following questions: – Am I sure that I'm going to blow it? –Even if others realize that I'm nervous, will they necessarily think that I'm incompetent?
Here is what you can do: Through such logical analyses of the upcoming situation, you may gradually replace the fearful thoughts with more realistic and positive ways of looking at social events that trigger your Fear of Being Judged. Remember: significant steps consist of small steps. • Step 2: Learn how to control your breath. Many things are happening in your body when you are being anxious. One of them is shortness of breath, which makes your breath quick and shallow. Such over-breathing throws the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your body off balance – causing dizziness, a feeling of suffocation, increased heart rate, and tensed muscles.
Find a comfortable position, sitting with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed. Take a few deep breaths through your nose. Next – take a deep breath while counting to 4 – and hold it while counting to 4. Exhale slowly, counting to 4. Continue to breathe through your nose that way until you feel that you are calming down . • Step 3: Face your fears. Now that you know how to replace your negative thoughts with more realistic ones, and you know how to control your breath – it is time to face your fears. Stop avoiding social situations.
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OMTIMES Avoidance leads to even more problems. For instance, if you are scared of socializing with strangers, you might start accompanying your friend to a party. Once you are comfortable with that step – you might introduce yourself to one new person. Then to another one, and so on. Important: do not try to face your biggest fear right away. When you move too fast – you may end up reinforcing your anxiety. Take one step at a time. • Step 4: Take a class, find a workshop – that teaches self-confidence, public speaking, build assertiveness, and develop communication skills.
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You may also want to volunteer to find a small group of like-minded people and while taking part in their activities – focus on the tasks, not on assessing your performance.
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• Step 5: Adjust/change your lifestyle. Avoid or limit caffeine intake: Coffee, black tea, caffeinated soda, energy drinks, and chocolate act as stimulants that increase anxiety symptoms. Drink only in moderation and quit or limit smoking. Both alcohol and nicotine increase the risk of having an anxiety attack. Change is indeed a matter of choice, nothing else. • Step 6: Find out who you are at the bottom of your Heart and let yourself be the best you can be according to your, not anybody else's terms. You will be happy, and your life will become your Dream Life. Yes, you thoroughly deserve it. You are worth that, and nothing less. Don't give up on yourself. Keep trying – and you will get there. Johanna Kern is a transformational teacher, filmmaker, and multiple award-winning authors of "365 (+1) Affirmations to Create A Great Life", "Secrets of Love for Everyone," "Master and the Green-Eyed Hope," etc. She practices and shares the Master Teachings of HOPE, helping people find their own power and progress in all life areas. Her story received international attention, winning praise by readers in North America and Europe, and endorsement by three worldrenowned experts: Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., Jerry Solfvin, Ph.D., and Brian Van der Horst. https://johannakern.com https://www.facebook.com/JohannaKernAuthor
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When you look at the view of Earth from space, you are immediately in awe of what you do see: the incredible beauty of Creation. It is not until you look closer that you realize what you do not see. You do not see lines partitioning countries. You do not see separation between races. You do not see division between religions. You do not see the walls people build to isolate themselves from each other. There is only One Planet. There is only One Humanity. This section is dedicated to introducing thoughts and ideas to foster a greater understanding of Humanity’s interdependence.
World Vision
Entanglement Dance of an Evolving Humanity
By Dagny Grant and Beth Donnelly
Growing pains‌evolution from one phase or stageof-being to another is often uncomfortable. People It is time to realize that taken outside of their comfort zones once whatever we do in our corner are inspired to make changes. of the world affects the natural world ecosystems, the Each action and reaction make a ripple in space, time, expansiveness of humanity, and history. Each action taken in kindness & empathy the cause of an effect, and each action taken in and how we dance together in isanger or fear is also the cause of an effect. the world's evolution. The ripple effect is always in We must decide where we want our momentum to action. carry us. Every single decision we make is an important one that defines the trajectory of entanglement, which encompasses the entire world. It's literally a ripple effect of energy. Suppose we wish to create a world where kindness, peace, and compassion are present. In that case, we must focus our personal dance toward that goal‌the entanglement dance of evolving humanity.
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The world has been through multiple periods of significant change. Through times of changing leaders, wars, sickness & famine, political dynamics, religious conflicts, and racial inequities, there have been groups of people who have represented both sides, wanting different results. These conflicts can motivate people to take action and change the world. Each of us has a unique role in unfolding change. Some may find their roles very dramatic, such as joining a protest march, and some may find their roles more passive and closer to home, such as helping a neighbor or friend in a time of need. Both of these roles can be enveloped in compassion and kindness that echoes out into the energetic field of humanity. A question to ask might be: are we spreading light and love, or are we spreading darkness and fear? A balanced universe has both darkness and light. We can understand and be concerned about the problems of the world. There will always be issues in humanity that will require our empathy and compassion. However, it is important to maintain balance by focusing on those things that inspire light, love, kindness, and being of service to others‌and that will ripple out into the world. Before we discuss the ability to shift states, we'd like to mention a small percentage of people who have chemical imbalances or even life circumstances that create specific mental states and make it difficult to shift. Mental illness, grief, abject poverty, fear for safety are some examples of these states. OMTIMES. COM/ NOVEMBER 2020 NOMADIC
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* Educating someone about a topic might then be written about and shared across personal or social media platforms, reaching millions. * Parents are showing appreciation for their kid's talents and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. * A coach teaching their students about ethics and fair play in their area of expertise can affect how they treat others in every area of their lives.
However, we believe for most of us, it's possible to choose our emotional state‌to be depressed or hopeful. We can choose to shift a negative feeling to a positive one, but that can take practice. In what way is our free-will steering our lives' direction versus the experiential destiny pushing us through our emotions? Pain pushes you until your vision pulls you. ~ Michael Beckwith
It is time to realize that whatever we do in our corner of the world affects the natural world ecosystems, the expansiveness of humanity, and how we dance together in the world's evolution. The ripple effect is always in action. Examples of how ripple effects might work: * Telling a person you believe in their talent may inspire then to be an artist who influences many others.
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* A simple smile to those who serve the public, in turn, inspires reciprocated kindness to others. * A friend that is not intimidated by another's success, but instead is motivated to do something good for someone else. * Intervening when someone is bullied giving others the courage and strength to do the same. * Showing kindness to animals encouraging others to do the same. While those examples above are all positive, ripple effects are also created by our expressions of anger, fear, hate, resentment, and other negative emotions. The ripple effect is always working.
1. That no action or reaction is too small to have an effect and an impact on the world. 2. As a conscious contributor to the creative flow and balance, we know that resistance and contrast are an integral part of the dance of evolving humanity. 3. Whatever emotional action and reaction we choose, our personal entanglement dance will be a powerful force in evolution.
What do we ultimately need to understand our role in the ripples of entanglement?
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About the Authors: Matrix Productions is a multi-media company represented by partners Beth Donnelly and Dagny Grant. Co-authors of the internationally Best-Selling Children's book series "Journey of Joy," share mind, body, spirit connections, teaching mindfulness, and I AM principles. Their publiDagny-and-Beth.jpgcation of books and "Echoes of the Soul" multimedia projects produce tools that shape the thoughts and hearts of likeminded people. Find them at MatrixMediaKit, http://bit.do/FaceBookMatrix, and http://bit.do/JourneyofJoy.
Ministry Earth is a New joint Ventured Publication from Cathedral of The Soul Mystical Church. OMTimes Media, Inc, OMTimes Publishing House. Together, we endeavor to discover the intersection of an Integrative spirituality, a Conscious scientific perspective, and the practice of Compassionate Ethics. https://ministryearth.com
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