Transformation Coaching Magazine December 2020 by Transformation Coaching Magazine

FEED YOUR SPIRIT The Path to Oneness The Power of Faith

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INSPIRATION & GROWTH Open Your Heart to Love, Joy & Creativity A Walk in the Woods Wisdom Of The Aged Affirm Your Self 2020: Our Canary in the Coal Mine Food as Medicine Peace & Unity in Times of Uncertainty 4 Ways to Serve Others

PUBLISHERS Natalie Rivera Joeel A. Rivera, M.Ed.

EDITOR Lisa Cedrone

CONTRIBUTORS Owen Waters, Terez Hartmann, Arielle Giordano, Mary Boutillier, Gregg Sanderson, Noelle Sterne, Jo Mooy, Carol Wentz Randaci, Linda Commito, Mark Pitstick

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The Path to Oneness

Through service to others, you also serve your own spiritual development. By Owen Waters

Since the dawn of the mists of time, your immortal soul has had one great urge, and that is to reunite with the spiritual source from which you came. Along the way, you have realized that this means reaching out in spiritual service to humankind. Along the way, you have sensed that this giving of spiritual service is the very action which leads you along the pathway back to that from which you came. By becoming your brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keeper in a spiritual way, you become more at one with all people and the source from which we all came. Through service to others, you also serve your own spiritual development. By loving and healing them through the use of spiritual energy, you help the spiritually blind to see the light within, you help the spiritually deaf to hear the whisperings of their souls, and you help the spiritually numb to revitalize their connection with God. By sending them your love, by sending them your light, by helping them with this precious, spiritual energy of love and light, you heal their hearts, you heal their spirits, you heal their long-suffering souls, and you help

them back onto the one great path back to Source, which we all yearn to tread. That path is the road to reconnection to the Spirit within. That path is the one which brings you into conscious contact with the light within. That path is the reason you are here, the reason you chose to be born into a world where people feel disconnected from that very Source. The details of how that path unfolds are unique for every individual. We all tread this path in our own way to reach the common goal of reconnection with the flame of the Spirit that shines within our hearts. It is this flame which silently beckons us on. It is this flame which lights the darkness in a world of great suffering. It is this flame which connects our souls to the one Source of all things. When you go into the silence of meditation, even for a few moments, remember to end your session by helping the world. Dedicate your love and your light to world peace and freedom, then send this out from your heart into a world that desperately needs energy in a spiritual form. Life energy is everywhere. Spiritually-conditioned life energy is in short supply because few people

take the time to condition it with their intentions and send it out to heal the world. Once you condition the energy of life with love and light and send it out to the world, it reverberates within the global mind atmosphere of humanity, healing and uplifting many people. Its higher frequency imbues it with enormous power relative to the regular, everyday thoughts of humankind. The power of spiritual energy is such that it affects, not one, but hundreds of people at the same time. Try using the Love and Light technique in dedication to world peace and freedom for all, and you will help hundreds of people to see life and its possibilities from a higher perspective. When you intentionally heal the world in this way, you help many people who are not yet consciously aware of how to raise themselves up spiritually. These are people who are relying upon the enlightened vision of people like you, so that they may be helped in taking the next step into higher consciousness. So that they may be comforted and healed. So that they may gain their own conscious inner reconnection to the one Spirit from which they once came, so long ago, in the mists of time.

Spiritual Dynamics with Owen K. Waters Owen is a cofounder of the Spiritual Dynamics Academy, where a where a free spiritual growth newsletter awaits you at: http://www.SpiritualDynamics.net. He is an international spiritual teacher who has helped hundreds of thousands of spiritual seekers to understand better the nature of their spiritual potential. Owenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life has been focused upon gaining spiritual insights through extensive research and the development of his inner vision. For the past 12 years, he has written a spiritual metaphysics newsletter which empowers people to discover their own new vistas of inspiration, love and creativity. Spiritual seekers enjoy his writings for their insight and clarity.

The Power of Faith

Photo Credit: Unspash/Francesco Gallarotti

Faith is the water and sunlight that transforms the seeds of intention into realized form. By Terez Hartmann Everything that exists was once but a thought. Laptops, smart phones, flat-panel TVs, you name it. They were once considered only science fiction or fantasy, and much of what was once thought of as impossible is indeed a reality today! Not long ago, I stumbled across a video featuring “The Human Spiderman,” a man who climbs mountain walls and skyscrapers using only his bare hands! Another gentleman set a new skydiving record by diving from space at 24.2 miles above ground and reaching speeds of 525 miles per hour! Morris Goodman, “The Miracle Man,” sustained such prolific injuries after a plane crash that he was told he would never be able to do more than blink his eyes. He now makes his living traveling the world (walking and talking) as a motivational speaker! More and more stories like these are cropping up every year and with the (also once impossible dream) of the Internet, we now have access to volumes of stories of positive life transformations. The common denominator is this: Every invention, intention, life transformation, new record, great love story, miraculous healing experience, etc., was once only a thought that was simply nourished, nurtured, and brought to fruition by the awesome power of Faith. Faith is the water and sunlight that transforms the seeds of intention into realized form. Faith brings thought to life!

FAITH AND THE ULTIMATE EVENT PLANNER

Not long ago I was in the car and I heard the song “Faith” by the late George Michael. Granted, the context of the song differs from the big picture of Faith, but when I listened close, it dawned on me that this fun, bouncy tune actually contained a lot more wisdom than what I initially believed. Even though something may look inviting on the surface, it’s good to wait until it (or something else) feels right or is in alignment with what you truly want. Take a moment right now to recall an experience when the ideal thing came into your life at the ideal time. When we remember just how well things can flow when we allow The Ultimate Event Planner (Source/God/The Universe) to handle the details, there’s just no reason to ever settle for anything less! We’ve all had our moments when we think we need to micromanage, but have you noticed that this is the very thing that slows everything down and makes for anything but enjoying the journey? I can only speak for myself, but every time I follow the call of joy and inspired action, rather than forcing things into place to fit my timeline, I’m amazed by the “fabulousity” that transpires. I think it’s fair to say that the energy and intelligence that created everything that exists, along with an ever-expanding universe, knows a thing or two about manifestation.

FAITH IS A HABIT

OK, so all manifestations were first only thoughts, lots of people have allowed amazing things to happen in their lives, and the Ultimate Event Planner is on the job. This is all well and good, but why does it seem like some people have an easier time working with this Faith thing than others? Is it because they’re lucky or simply a chosen one? I once wondered this very thing myself, but later discovered that just like anything else, having and maintaining Faith is cultivating a habit of thought and, with a little practice, every one of us can embody an attitude of Faith if we choose to do so! Here are some Allowing Power Tools™ you can use to activate the awesome Power of Faith in your life: Affirm Faith. Start with the big picture and remember your part in it! Start and end your day by affirming what you know in your heart. Read and let yourself “sit” with the feeling of these statements:

We live in an ABUNDANT and INFINITELY CREATIVE Universe where ALL things are possible. I am a part of this Universe, therefore I live in an ABUNDANT and INFINITELY CREATIVE Universe where ALL things are possible. The more we focus on thoughts and ideas that empower us by remembering that there is a bigger picture of

which we are also a part, the more we open ourselves up to the infinite possibilities that surround us! Cultivate Faith. Replay the “Trust Tapes.” Fan the fires of Faith by revisiting your own evidence of success. On a daily basis, or as needed, revisit past experiences when you really wanted something and had no clue how it would all go down, but then it did go down just right! The more you remind yourself that things can and do work out, even when they once seemed insurmountable or impossible, the more you increase your belief in what is possible—with the added benefit of getting to feel good now! Feeling good consistently and believing that something can be true for you is the magic formula.

THE BOTTOM LINE ON THE POWER OF FAITH

No matter where you may be in your journey, the fact that you are dedicating the time to read this means that you have already set very powerful wheels in motion. Love and guidance are all around you all the time. The Power of Faith simply gives you the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and the heart to feel the love and joy that has always been your birthright, for this is the very stuff that all fabulous intentions and solutions are made of! Joy to the world, baby! Wishing you a magical holiday season.

ALLOWING YOUR SUCCESS with Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann

Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann,“Your catalyst for all things Fab-YOU-lous,” is the author of Allowing Your Success!, a proud contributing author of Transform Your Life! book one and two, a professional Keynote Speaker/Workshop Facilitator, Singer-Songwriter/Recording Artist, “Allowing Adventures!” & “Savor Vacation” Facilitator, and true Renaissance Woman, and Visionary. She keeps her fire lit by embracing and promoting a lifestyle of “Allowing,” and by using creative expression to elevate and ignite the human spirit, a passion that she shares with her husband, soul-mate and creative partner of over 15 years, John Victor Hartmann. Together they share “Allowing TRUE LOVE” workshops and experiences designed to help others attract, allow, and maintain extraordinary relationships, and create custom jingles and voice-overs in their studio, THE Creativity Express. Visit: http://www.TerezFirewoman.com

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Open Your Heart to Love, Joy & Creativity

Increasing your creative power this holiday season will allow insights to appear and old problems to disappear! By Arielle Giordano Creative expression has the potential to bring the darkness to light, the unconscious to consciousness and the unseen into sight. The process inspires you to move at all levels. All you have to do is get out of your own way, allow your inner natural rhythm to ebb and flow, and let creativity soar. Creative expression brings renewal and regeneration through dance, movement, music, visual arts, clay, baking, acting, writing, cooking, building, inventing, gardening and mindful living. Sing your song, dance your dance, paint your paintings and bake your pies. Creativity transforms pain into love, takes shape and form in your life and assists in the healing of traumatic events. Becoming more creative can renew your strength and help give you a stronger resolve to tackle difficult life experiences. It opens the way for unconscious messages, insights, and new awareness. Creative expression and art can guide you to release stress during the holiday season and calm the nervous system. Expressing yourself non-verbally can help you move away from your thoughts and feelings to find a new perspective and shift your attention into a space free of issues, worries and concerns. When your attention has shifted, your nervous system responds

and, as a result, you have more access to the rest of your brain, emotions, thoughts and feelings. Let magic happen with love and joy during the holiday season. Open your heart and let creativity flow. Enjoy engaging in creative play and have fun with family and friends throughout the holiday season. Here are some creative ways to celebrate love and joy during the holiday season: • Make holiday gifts. People will appreciate the time you spent creating them. • Mix and match old traditions with something new, perhaps an online gathering. • Bake new holiday recipes. • Read holiday magazines and books full of crafty ideas for gifts. • Color and scribble with your non-dominant hand or with your eyes closed, What pictures, shapes and figures do you see in your scribble? Develop the image with other colors and materials. • Play games and build things with children, family and friends. • Create a holiday collage with magazines to shape your goals for the coming year. The holiday season is the perfect time to share love, joy, giving and receiving and connecting with family and friends. Take time to nurture you. Enjoy!

Dancing from the Inside Out with Arielle Giordano Transformational Life Coach Award-Winning Author & Speaker, Professional Dancer. Arielle’s Award-Winning book for Best Self-Help Award: Dancing With Your Story From The Inside is available on http://www.Amazon.com. Her professional career includes the Lead Faculty Area Chairperson and Professor for the College of Humanities, History and the Arts at the University of Phoenix. She is a published co-author of Transform Your Life Books 1 & 2 and author for Tampa Bay Wellness, Conscious Shift & Transformation magazine. She has published her 4th book, an Instructor’s Manual for Barlow Abnormal Psychology 4th ed. and authored Psychology, A Journey 3rd.ed. Study Guide published by Nelson Education, Toronto, ON. She has also studied philosophy at the College of Integrated Philosophy with John DeRuiter for twenty years. Arielle has been a featured guest on radio and television, in newspapers, and the media across the US and Canada. She is a certified Essentrics Stretch and Dance Instructor. Arielle offers coaching sessions, classes and workshops and a free 30-minute Consultation. Websites: http://www.dancingfromtheinsideout.com, http://www.ariellegiordano.com. Email: agbeautifuldance@gmail.com

A Walk in the Woods

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Will Swann

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God.” —Anne Frank By Mary Boutieller Lately, I’ve had the opportunity to spend time in the woods, bathed in a multitude of colors and smells and lighting, finding such peace and quiet surrounding me as I let my mind tinker with thoughts that flow in and back out again. There is something magical about letting our thoughts slipstream without censorship, like our breath or love. Earlier this week, I walked along a mountain trail and paused to reflect on the enormity of 2020, the upside down, inside out-ness of it all and the challenges and gifts it has brought. In some ways, I am grateful for this year as it has unfolded; it has interrupted a way-toocomfortable routine and has shed light on things I’d often taken for granted. It has allowed me to say “no” and “yes” more freely, and it has pushed the pause button on automatic responses to just about everything. Yet, it is a bit harder to feel gratitude for the abrupt end to all that was known to be true and steady— the upheavals and suffering that so many have experienced and continue to experience. Those who have lost work, been sick or lost a loved one have paid such a price for our slow learning.

Still, we know that there is more to life than this or that current event. Even great suffering will pass and if we can just remember that simple message, then this is all doable. I know several friends who have survived cancer, and their spirit and willingness to endure what they did to get to the other side is both remarkable and a shining lesson for those who know them. I know many more people who have suffered hardship and loss and, although grief weaves its way through the new fabric of their lives, they keep on going and thriving, in spite of their broken hearts. Recently, a dear friend reminded me of the story of Anne Frank, hidden with her family in an attic space for 761 days, yet in her diary, she wrote, “Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” So, she reminds me, to keep it all in perspective. This too shall pass and hopefully, one day soon, it will be a distant memory, and we will come away from it not unscathed but better versions of ourselves because of it. We will appreciate the small joys and the moments that make us smile. We will take ourselves and small annoyances less seriously. We will remember the communities built not of proximity but of choice. And we will remember the harder lessons of faith and

fragility, of resilience and surrender, of hope and compassion and possibility. That same friend’s daughter was supposed to get married this year. Because of Covid-19, the planned ceremony was canceled not once but twice. Yet, instead of waiting for another year or another time when it would be more “normal”, she and her beau decided to go ahead with a small backyard ceremony. Instead of everything being big and picture-perfect, it was small and intimate, meaningful and real, heartfelt and, hopefully, a memory that feeds the soul of their marriage. Again, this felt like proof that life goes on, that we endure, that people are good and that there is more to us than meets the eye. And, we can find gratitude during good times and during those times when life just doesn’t make sense. Where in your life might you find the inspiration that you need to lift yourself up? Might it be right in front of you? Might it be as simple as a walk in nature, a bird’s flight, a child’s laughter? That’s what I’ve been doing these past couple of weeks: reconvening with what brings me back to the truth, taking in all of nature’s beauty, keeping an eye out for the small joys, and healing my heart and mind—one breath at a time.

The Yoga of Life with Mary Boutieller Mary Boutieller is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. She has been teaching yoga since 2005. Her work experience includes 22 years as a firefighter/paramedic and 10 years as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Mary’s knowledge and experience give her a well-rounded understanding of anatomy, alignment, health and movement in the body. She is passionate about the benefits of yoga and the ability to heal at all levels through awareness, compassion, and a willingness to explore. She can be reached at: SimplyogaOm@gmail.com.

Wisdom Of The Aged

By Gregg Sanderson

Once you get a little older The fire of ambition starts to smolder. Home Saturday nights I’m just plain lazy, But in years gone by, I’d be going crazy.

I like parties when I’m invited But I hope the hostess won’t feel slighted If I depart at half past ten After snoozing on her couch ‘til then.

Relationships are always fun And I’ve enjoyed most every one. Cute women still make my fantasies bubble But to do anything about it is just too much trouble.

Wisdom comes with age, we’ve known. But sometimes age just comes alone. That you have been here many years Just means you’ve been here many years.

What to do as age creeps up When in your mind, you’re still a pup? I’ve come up with some “don’t’s” and “do’s” And some friendly hints we all can use.

Put some color in your hair. Don’t grunt when you rise from a chair. If you take a hot young date to dinner The senior menu’s NOT a winner.

There are some things to never say Like “Things were better in my day.” Or “When you get to be as old as I…” Or “If asked my age, I never lie.”

You’ll hate it when she calls you “sir” When your mind has other thoughts of her. But one thing I know you’ll really hate; That cute young thing is forty-eight.

When you hum a tune, be sure it’s recent And don’t call teen-age dress indecent. Don’t pretend to be a sage With a line that starts, “When I was your age…

Yes, it’s a long, long while from May to December And my youthful folly I choose not to remember. But it’s not a choice when, without any warning I forget what I had for breakfast this morning.

I’m glad you recovered from your last disease. But kindly spare us the details, please. For when you dwell on your debility I wonder if you’ve reached senility.

When you smile, the years fall away And it makes it easier to live today. So don’t let another day go by Without a twinkle in your eye.

Cause nobody consternation By telling of your operation And if it’s to happen in the future Remember, don’t display your suture.

Even though your years may be golden To yourself you’re still beholden. So live today as if it’s your last. It might be.

Happiness is BS with Gregg Sanderson

Gregg Sanderson is author of Spirit With A Smile, The World According To BOB. He is a licensed practitioner in the Centers for Spiritual Living, and a Certified Trainer for Infinite Possibilities. His earlier books were, What Ever Happened To Happily Ever After? and Split Happens—Easing The Pain Of Divorce. His latest project is the New Thought Global Network, where subscribers can enjoy the best in New Thought presentations from anywhere at any time. You can see it at http://www.newthoughtglobal.org.

Affirm Your Self

Affirmations help us see what truly is and not what our senses try to fool us with—and we can use them everywhere in any circumstance. By Noelle Sterne As a student of spirituality, you probably know about affirmations—powerful, elevating statements that replace our negative thoughts. Affirmations quiet our doubts and fears and scrub out our worries like metaphysical bleach. Used for centuries, affirmations are a form of prayer. A powerful connection exists between our thoughts or spoken affirmations and our outlook. Spiritual teacher Catherine Ponder reminds us that affirmations “make firm” our positive thoughts (Pray and Grow Rich, p. 100). Many books contain excellent affirmations. Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life is one of my favorites. At the end of every chapter, she adds a paragraph-long meditation/affirmation that sends you floating to the ceiling. Most of the meditations are specific to the chapter subjects, but each begins with this: “In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect, whole and complete.” Covers it all?

WHEN SHOULD YOU USE AFFIRMATIONS?

The answer is anytime, anywhere. You can be formal about it and use affirmations in your regular meditation sessions. Or as meditations. Or in the few moments before you wake or fall asleep. You can also use affirmations whenever you’re waiting, watching, or walking—at a traffic light, in the dentist’s office, on a turn around the neighborhood. Or whenever you feel frightened, uncertain, angry, or edging toward depression.

YOUR CUSTOM-MADE AFFIRMATIONS

You can create your own affirmations for any event, circumstance, person, or quality you want to feel better about. The more specific you are, the stronger the affirmation. Only one rule applies: Always decree your affirmations in the present tense. Here are some broad-spectrum ones to get you started: • I am worthy of all good in my life. • I deserve to love and be loved. • I forgive myself and I am forgiven. • I lack nothing. All I need is here now. • I hear my true Voice now. • I am guided to the right words, decisions, and actions in this situation. Your affirmations are also great negative catchers. Like seizing sparks that flip out of the fire, extinguish them with your affirmations. Here are some affirmations for some familiar situations, and for additional encouragement, with affirming “testimonies.”

For your parents and partners: I forgive them, whether I think they deserve it or not. I am free to be myself with them. I respond only positively to them. They did the best they could and do the best they can. I send them love. After Derek practiced these affirmations for a month before a family reunion, at the gathering he announced his change of career. To his shock his mother and most difficult uncle didn’t belittle his choice but congratulated him and offered any help they could give. For your job: • I do all I need to with ease and lightness. • I am in the right place right now, doing the right work. • I see my boss and coworkers only in and through Love. • I enjoy this job (even if you have to swallow hard). After a testy start in her new position, Tracy started using the second of these affirmations every morning as she got ready for work. She noticed changes immediately and couldn’t believe how everyone responded so helpfully to her, especially when she was preparing for a big project. She actually started enjoying her job and began to feel like she belonged in this firm. For a presentation you must give: • I am perfectly at ease. • The audience is on my side. • I am sharing information and Love. • I listen to God’s Voice and speak. When I do a radio interview, I prepare, yes, but I also affirm beforehand (and sometimes during) that I am God’s Voice speaking to the audience’s needs. Even with preparation and agreed-on questions and answers, often, still to my amazement, more inspiring and creative (and unprepared) ideas and words flow through. For your studies or any test: • With a clear mind, I understand and retain everything. • I produce my assignments with ease and smoothness. • I ask the questions I need to ask. • God gives me the right answers every time. Andy, a doctoral candidate, had great difficulty finishing a chapter in his proposal. For months he submitted draft after draft and got the same response: his chair never seemed satisfied. Then Andy engaged me and we used these affirmations and several more. Andy followed my guidance but also attacked the chapter with new vigor. Within three weeks, his chair approved the chapter and Andy continued with his dissertation. • • • •

For going to a social event you dread: I listen to others and smile. Words and conversation come to me easily and effortlessly. I can be myself. I don’t have to do anything. Invited to a good friend’s wedding, Margaret felt she couldn’t possibly go. She’d always had difficulty meeting and talking to new people. “My brain becomes paralyzed.” Beforehand she used the affirmations above. At the reception, she met another woman who confessed she was very nervous, and they found themselves comparing social horror stories and giggling uncontrollably. To this day they are close friends. For enacting your dream: • I deserve to do what I’ve always wanted. • No one stands in my way. • I have enough time, money, energy, interest, and cooperation from everyone to do what I’ve always wanted. • Doing what I’ve always wanted to do harms no one. • Doing what I’ve always wanted to do makes me feel good and keeps me healthy. • Doing what I’ve always wanted to do blesses me and everyone around me. • I give myself permission to receive all the gifts and support the Universe is eager to shower upon me. (Unity Daily Word, May 13, 2014) • I succeed in my dream by surrendering to God’s Voice in me. Working on my second book, I fervently desired the right academic press in a reasonable time. I was well aware of the common belief in the difficulty of finding a publisher and all the time it would take. But I pushed aside those negatives (not easy, of course) and repeated the affirmation from Unity—with passion: I give myself permission to receive all the gifts and support the Universe showers upon me. One week later, an excellent publisher offered me a contract. • • • •

Whatever your dream, whatever you really, really want to do, you deserve to. Accept this fact, and start with small steps if you need to. Register for a class, unearth your watercolors, go practice at the next karaoke sing-off, write a paragraph. Everyone starts at the beginning.

EXPECT AND ALLOW RESULTS

We can use affirmations for anything and everything. Don’t feel constrained or ashamed by any request in an affirmation. Expect replies. Nothing is too small or stupendous for the universal laws to respond to. When out shopping one day, I needed a large shopping bag. I declared the need and believed—and a few moments later my eye caught a sturdy one lying on the street. My friend Charlie needed a car for two weeks to deliver special supplies for the nonprofit he worked for. We affirmed the perfect vehicle together. You guessed it. Another friend was going on vacation—for two weeks—and asked Charlie to car-sit and keep it running.

AFFIRMATIONS ABOUT AFFIRMATIONS

Affirmations are powerful spiritual tools we can use everywhere in any circumstance. They help us see what truly is and not what our senses try to fool us with or our fearful mind conjures. Any affirmation you create or use is the right one. You cannot affirm wrongly. Simply grow quiet and acknowledge your need. The words will come. And so, a few final affirmations: • My affirmations carry all power and fulfillment. • I accept perfect fulfillment of my affirmations. • Fulfillment of my affirmations is the universal law. • I affirm always rightly with God on my side.

Trust Your Life Now with Noelle Sterne, Ph.D. Author, editor, writing coach, workshop leader, and academic mentor, Noelle Sterne has published over 600 stories, essays, writing craft articles, spiritual pieces, and occasional poems in literary and academic print and online venues. Publications include Author Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul (most recent November 2019, The Forgiveness Fix; podcast Jan. 2020), Inspire Me Today, LiveWriteThrive, Journal of Expressive Writing, Mused, Pen and Prosper, Romance Writers Report, Ruminate, Sasee, Textbook and Academic Authors Association blog (monthly), Thesis Whisperer, Transformation Coaching (bimonthly), Two Drops of Ink blog, Unity Magazine, WE Magazine for Women, Women in Higher Education, Women on Writing, Writer’s Digest, and The Writer. With a Ph.D. from Columbia University, Noelle has assisted doctoral candidates in completing their dissertations (finally) for 30 years. Her published handbook to assist doctoral candidates is based on her professional academic practice (PhD, Columbia University): Challenges in Writing Your Dissertation: Coping with the Emotional, Interpersonal, and Psychological Struggles (Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2015). In Noelle’s spiritual self-help book, Trust Your Life: Forgive Yourself and Go After Your Dreams (Unity Books, 2011), she draws examples from her academic consulting and other aspects of life to support readers in reaching their lifelong yearnings. Continuing with her own, she is completing her second novel. Her webinar about Trust Your Life can be seen on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95EeqllONIQ&feature=youtu.be Visit Noelle at her website: http://www.trustyourlifenow.com.

2020: Our Canary in the Coal Mine

By Joy Mooy Modern society, with all its conveniences, its go-to-Mars technology, and its experts in every field, couldn’t stop the momentum of a microscopic virus that upended the planet in 2020. Time-lapse photography followed its trajectory as it halted travel and social activity, and derailed economies across the globe. Each day dragged on like it was a month. The endless count of the number of cases and the deaths that followed created a secondary epidemic of anxiety and fear that wore down psychological defenses. In a haze of VirusFatigue citizens rebelled. They ignored common sense and risked their lives and the lives of others by insisting it was a hoax. Up until 1986, miners took canaries into coal mines to warn them of the buildup of carbon monoxide gases that could kill everyone. In 2020, Covid-19 became the canary in our holistic coal mine. Sitting in the quiet solitude of months-long lockdown, I remembered the excitement when the world entered the 21st century. There was such optimism expressed for the future. Instead optimism became catatonic. All the disgraces “we the people” have been heaping on the planet rose to the surface in a behavioral tsunami of disrespect, racism, white supremacy, blatant lies and hatred for one another. Citizens in every country participated in the same behavior either overtly or by inactive complicity. In the wake of that hideous behavior, the delicate balance of inter-species relationships was unhinged. As “Rome” burned, it played out in a more terrifying way with the destruction of the biosphere. Mother Nature intervened by throwing down the gauntlets of an over-heated planet, melting glaciers and ice caps, plagues, and historical once-in-a-lifetime fires,

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Julia Craice

floods and hurricanes. This perfect storm caused animal populations worldwide to decline by 70 percent— a phenomenon which may be triggering the long-predicted “Sixth Extinction of the Species.” That was 2020 in three paragraphs. And still, the canary lying comatose in the bottom of the cage is mostly ignored. Will 2021 be any different? Probably not according to infectious disease experts, virologists and climatologists who predict this new normal will continue into 2022. Evolutionary astrologers agree. They’ve been warning about 2020 for some time, and they conclude it won’t be over until 2023. They pointed to an alignment of planets and conjunctions (Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn) that put both personal and world karma in the crosshairs. Mars in Aries birthed a “me first” global attitude, crippling the ideals of working cooperatively for global health and unity. Mars also revved up the agitation, rage, anger and defensiveness. That caused physical and emotional exhaustion over the most absurd tales and theories, and amplified simple disagreements with friends to hostile levels. Some astrologers refer to Saturn and Pluto as the “cosmic devils.” Saturn rules order, authority, boundaries and darkness. Pluto is death, decay,

destruction, transformation and rebirth. Jupiter and Saturn conjunct roughly every 20 years. Add Pluto to the mix, and there are serious or major global shifts afoot. When Jupiter and Pluto (heaven and hell) are conjunct every 13 years, other pandemics occurred, like the Spanish Flu, AIDS Epidemic, Bubonic Plague and the Russian Plague, to name a few. As we come to the end of the year, Jupiter and Saturn enter a rare great conjunction on the winter solstice, December 21, 2020. The last time this happened was 3,000 years ago. In the 2020 conjunction, humanity must finally confront the real question about itself. Will we finally wake up and become consciously aware divine humans? Will we allow kindness to become hallmarks of our existence? Will we embrace the ideals of unity and oneness across all species? Or will we destroy everything and have to start over again? These monumental planetary-influenced upheavals will strike at every level of our being. Starting on the 2020 winter solstice we are going through one of the greatest planetary initiations ever. Lasting for 140 years, it launches the Age of Aquarius and sets a stage to catapult consciousness to the next level. If it fails, the road to recovery is eons long.

So, what does one do to foster stability over the next two years? Hang on tight for a rough ride. Find the truth hidden in the weeds. Keep your spirits up by any means you can. Keep your head down when the arrows and barbs fly. Do not engage in negativity. Be kind to one another. And know that though we’re experiencing a great reforming of all the foundations and institutions we hold sacred, this too shall pass. I know we’ll get through it, no matter who is running the show. For it will be seen that each person is solely responsible for their own domain, and for their own creations and perceptions in that domain. Each will come to know that they only experience and exist inside the absolute reality they create. So be in that space you wish to experience. Let the domain be positive and uplifting so your experiences are only positive and uplifting. Experience proves that the older you get, the wiser you become. The wiser you become, the less you speak. The less you speak, the more you will understand. The more you understand, the less need you’ll have to confront others. The less you confront others, the more peace you’ll hold within. For only in that reality will we emerge from the coal mine with a higher consciousness, much wiser, and more divinely human than ever before.

Conscious Living with Jo Mooy

Jo Mooy has studied with many spiritual traditions over the past 40 years. The wide diversity of this training allows her to develop spiritual seminars and retreats that explore inspirational concepts, give purpose and guidance to students, and present esoteric teachings in an understandable manner. Along with Patricia Cockerill, she has guided the Women’s Meditation Circle since January 2006 where it has been honored for five years in a row as the “Favorite Meditation” group in Sarasota, FL, by Natural Awakenings Magazine. Teaching and using Sound as a retreat healing practice, Jo was certified as a Sound Healer through Jonathan Goldman’s Sound Healing Association. She writes and publishes a monthly internationally distributed e-newsletter called Spiritual Connections and is a staff writer for Spirit of Maat magazine in Sedona. For more information go to http://www.starsoundings.com or email jomooy@gmail.com.

Food as Medicine

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Amber Engle

How to prevent and treat diseases with vegan diet. By Dr. Carol Wentz Randaci We officially have been in a “War on Cancer” since 1971. And it’s still an uphill battle. I like to think of it not as a war but, rather, as an awakening that needs to happen, a paradigm shift, a lifestyle change. It’s not a battle when you are fighting an invisible foe. After billions and billions of dollars have been spent on research to identify the enemy—the culprit—it has come down to some obvious knowns in a sea of unknowns. It turns out the number one culprit is the food in your refrigerator and cupboard. What if you found out that upward of 80 to 90 percent of all cancers are caused by dietary and environmental factors? If you were told the most likely way to avoid developing cancer was to change your diet, well, certainly you would change your diet right away wouldn’t you? The top two cancer killers are lung cancer at number one and colorectal cancer at number two. These are considered as potentially “avoidable” cancers; they don’t just happen, something causes them to happen. For years it was thought that genetics were the main power source of turning cancer genes on, and there was hardly anything we can do to stop the development. In the case of lung cancer, the number one cause is smoking cigarettes. As a smokers’ lungs fill with carcinogens from the cigarettes, the carcinogens create the environment for cells to mutate. So if you do not want to contend with lung cancer, then not smoking is your best bet to prevent its development. The same is true for colon cancer. After many research studies by leading research hospitals, labs and doctors around the world, it is ascertained that colons across the United States are being filled with carcinogenic food. Progress to control these extraordinary complex diseases is an uphill battle that will continue its march without a fundamental handle of the basic biochemistry of nutrition. Even as far back as 1981 there was a paper delivered by the Office of Technology

Assessment of the U.S. Congress concluding up to 70 percent of all cancers are connected to nutrition or diet. And yet the misinformation or the skepticism still swirls around to undermine and diminish the significance of the evidence collected from institutes all over the world. And as stated by the former director of the UN Agency for Research on Cancer four decades ago, 80 to 90 percent of total cancer is caused by dietary and environmental factors. In countries with these types of diseases the average serum cholesterol is the dominant factor among cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

The Stages of Cancer There are three slightly arbitrary stages of cancer development: initiation, promotion and progression. They are arbitrary because they are difficult to separate and delineate since one merges into the other. They mostly blend from one stage into the next. Serum cholesterol, substantially influenced by nutritional practices, is correlated with diets having more animalbased foods and less plant-based foods. The first stage is initiation or the beginning of formation of mutation. It has been well researched over the years to identify the principle enzyme responsible for the initiation of cancer cells, such as the function of oxidase found in the liver. It was found that mutation mostly occurs in the genome that code for the creation of proteins like enzymes. Then the mutated cell clones itself into a multicellular mass that becomes cancer cells and continues by taking over the place of healthy cells. The mature enzyme plays a key role in modifying the extracellular matrix and, as a result, has been implicated in playing a role in the formation of cancer “niches” where tumors can develop and eventually metastasize. It is not fully possible to know what proportion of these avoidable cancers is due to improper nutrition and what proportion is due to environmental chemicals, but the evidence strongly suggests improper nutrition dominates.

The Changeable Factor: Food So let’s look at what is now known as the changeable factor causing many of these cancer cases. Food. More specifically, animal flesh and the products of their life cycles. Animal protein is different from plant protein. Simply eating it carries risk because it is not digested in the same way plant protein is and many grams of animal protein often escape the whole digestion process in the small intestine and end up in the colon. In the colon it can be, and often is, turned into toxins such as ammonia through a process of putrefaction instead of digestion. When considering what foods are best in restricting cancer development the amino acid methionine is one that has been studied most. Methionine is needed by cells to repair damaged DNA and reduce oxidative stress. So depleting methionine from cancer cells targeted by DNA-damaging therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, to restrict this amino acid may enhance the ability of these treatments to kill the cancer cells. Methionine is a sulfur-coating amino acid that turns into hydrogen sulfide, creating a perfect environment to increase both the initiation and promotion of cancer cells. Methionine restriction diets are used to deprive the cancer cells of food for initiation and promotion. The foods highest in methionine are chicken, fish, milk, red meat, and eggs. To lower methionine it is safest to eliminate or at the very least restrict the above mentioned foods and stick to fruits, nuts, veggies, grains and beans. Promotion, the second stage of cancer cell development, starts with mutated cells. These cells go on to clone themselves into many-celled masses. The promotion phase can go on for many years undetected until the masses are so dominate they begin to take over functioning. During the elongated time of promotion, it appears the cells own

e nvironment is what continues to feed the cell growth. Consuming animal protein also increases a growth hormone called IGF-1. When animal meat, egg, and dairy proteins are removed from a diet, it has been demonstrated that the bloodstream can suppress cancer cell growth about eight times better than chemical interventions. There are many doctors finding success in reversing cancer deterioration, heart disease and other degenerative conditions. Dr. Dean Ornish is one of those doctors reversing the progression of prostate cancer (and heart disease) without chemo, surgery or radiation. He just puts his patients on a plant exclusive diet and recommends other healthy lifestyle changes in addition. There was a study described by Dr. Michael Greger where “6,000 men and women over age 50, from across the U.S, were followed for 18 years, and those under age 65 with high protein intake had a 75 percent increase in overall mortality and a fourfold increase in the risk of dying from cancer.” The studies looked at diets high in protein, but as the studies indicated, not all proteins are the same. Specifically, animal proteins are the proteins showing the highest probability of initiating and or increasing the risk of cancer given the higher IGF-1 levels in those eating excess animal protein. Eating animal protein increases IGF-1 levels, which increases cancer risk. It’s that plain and that simple. Dr. Greger goes on to say: “The sponsoring university sent out a press release with a memorable opening line: ‘That chicken wing you’re eating could be as deadly as a cigarette’,” explaining that eating a diet rich in animal protein, especially during middle age, makes you four times more likely to die of cancer than someone with a low-protein diet—a mortality risk

factor comparable to smoking. And when they say low-protein diet, what they actually mean is just getting the recommended amount of protein.” Most peoples’ bodies are going to initiate cancer cell growth from time to time. The fatality comes if the body is fed a carcinogenic diet that increases unregulated growth. So it’s important to become fully educated and aware of your personal responsibility to your mortality. Many studies have shown that diets rich with animal protein— dairy, eggs, animal flesh—make people from middle age on up more vulnerable to early death from preventable ill health. Not only does animal protein initiate cancer growth, heme iron from that animal protein is a culprit as well. Heme iron, or blood, found in muscles and bones, appears to initiate cancer by catalyzing the formation of carcinogenic compounds described as a ferrotoxic disease or iron toxicity. Although we need iron so as not to become anemic, which has many health risks itself, excessive iron may play a role in the increase of cancer growth by generating free radicals. What are free radicals and how are they formed? Oxygen in the body splits into single atoms with unpaired electrons. Electrons like to be in pairs, so these atoms, called free radicals, scavenge the body seeking out other electrons so they can become a pair. This causes damage to cells, proteins and DNA. How do you get rid of free radicals in your body? Eating foods rich in lutein, beta-carotene, and lycopene, i.e. antioxidants, is a way to get rid of free radicals.

Some foods to include in your diet are tomatoes, mangoes, brussel sprouts, corn, carrots, collard greens, and broccoli. Antioxidants help clear up free radicals, so the safest source of iron is non-heme. Whole grains, beans, split peas, chickpeas, lentils, dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, nuts and seeds are all great sources of non-heme iron. Living a life free of animal protein—a vegan life—is not a fad or a crazy idea. Humans are anatomically herbivores. Not only does this choice support your health, it also diminishes the number one contributor to our climate crisis: animal industrial farming. Above all, most people choose to be vegan because they love animals and abhor the torture and slaughter of these beautiful creatures. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Markus Spiske

Dr. Carol Wentz Randaci is the director of the Vegan Culinary Institute in Sarasota, FL, a board certified Oriental Medicine Doctor and Acupuncture Physician, Energy Therapist, Naturopath and Hopeful Human. Dr. Carol has trained with alternative medicine’s finest physicians and has practiced Raja Yoga meditation under the guidance of Ram Chanrda, Babuji Maharaja for 36 years. You can reach Dr. Carol at AiZen Healing Center by emailing aizenhealing@gmail.com or calling 941.284.8894.

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Peace & Unity in Times of Uncertainty

If one completes the journey to one’s own heart, one will find oneself in the heart of everyone else. —Father Thomas Keating By Linda Commito There is no limit to the things, people and events that can cause uncertainty and anxiety in our lives. But how we deal with our anxiety, where we find peace in the midst of it, and how we create connections can be a tremendous source of comfort. How can we share what is giving us hope and a sense of purpose and belonging in an unpredictable world? After a long, stressful day of watching election non-results, my partner and I looked at each other and said, “Well, we have each other, we have our health and our friends and those we love.” And that brought a sense of peace and the knowledge that we could weather through any crisis together. But as we know, there are no guarantees in life, no warranty on how long we have in these bodies or with those we love. Have you ever had your world shaken by the ending of a relationship or loss of a loved one and wondered how you would ever feel a sense of

such belonging again? That awareness that life can change at any time, that we never know when we may be left to pick up the pieces, makes me value each day, every relationship and how precious they are. And knowing that “we all have an expiration date” makes me more conscious of how I am showing up in the world and trying the best that I can to kindly engage with each person every day. Whenever I feel centered, at peace with myself, and have a sense of belonging, either to people I love or as part of a community, I am happier, more hopeful, and without fear. It inspires me to connect with others, to let them know that we are in this together. Many of us experienced the importance of a deep sense of oneness when we witnessed the collapse of the World Trade Center and how healing it was to be there for each other. And now, we are going through a worldwide health crisis that is leaving many people feeling as though they are experiencing it alone.

But we are not alone. We are interconnected. We just happen to be living in separate bodies. We’re united in a way that has nothing to do with the blood in our veins, but rather the life energy that is within each of us. We’re learning that turning away from our fellow human beings is like turning away from ourselves. Now, more than ever, we need to be there for each other. We can create peace and unity in these times of uncertainty. We embrace our oneness when we notice and include everyone everywhere, when we let go of the judgments and criticisms that make others feel isolated, and when we celebrate our differences, as well as our commonality. We can be the one who listens, shares, opens our heart, helps a friend or a total stranger, gives generously, speaks our truth while respecting that of others, and leaves them feeling that they are not alone. It starts with a journey to our own heart, from which we can begin to experience a deeper connection to all beings.

Love is the New Currency with Linda Commito Linda Commito, author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant and teacher, is passionate about her vision to leave this world a kinder, more loving, and interconnected place. Linda’s award-winning book of inspirational stories, Love Is the New Currency, demonstrates how we can each make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others through simple acts of love and kindness. Her latest project, the card game Just Ask 1 2 3, was inspired by a desire to connect people of all different ages, beliefs and lifestyles to share our individuality and find commonality. Linda also created “Kindness Starts with Me,” a program, book and website for children. For more information visit http://www.LoveistheNewCurrency.com or visit the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Justask123game.

4 Ways to Serve Others

It’s time to open your eyes and heart and see how life calls you into service. By Mark Pitstick, MA, DC You, as an infinite spiritual/energetic being, chose this earth experience—in part—to serve others. Here are four aspects of doing that. 1. Helping Outwardly: You are a being of light. When you share that light, you are serving others mightily. Native American wisdom has long taught that all people have a “giveaway,” a special gift to impart at the right time. Serving others benefits both you and the recipient. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” A universal law seems operative here: you get back tenfold what you give out. As the Beatles put it, “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” Some people feel an inner emptiness due to a lack of purpose or direction in life. A self-centered life devoid of service just doesn’t feel right. The solution for this problem is simple: open your eyes and heart and see how life calls you into service. All humanity is one big family; we’re all children of God. Serving others helps you see through the illusion of separateness. Helping one another triggers an inner knowing that we’re all in this earthly classroom together. Matthew 5:14-16 described the wise words attributed to Jesus, “Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men.” You’re here to let your inner light shine. Make your life a blazing example of how bright and beautiful life can be. 2. Being Adventurous is another reason that you, as a soul, are in this place at this time. One morning years ago, I began rousing from sleep and was aware of a recurrent phrase that had been going through my head. The phrase was: this earth experience is a totally safe and magnificent adventure amidst eternity. That’s become one of my guiding themes. Your time on earth can be seen as an exciting adventure when you remember your infinite spiritual/energetic nature. If this life is all there is, there’s a lot of beauty, but there’s some gloom and doom as well. However, it’s an entirely different story when you really know that life is ever-changing but never-ending. That’s when the fun begins and you can enjoy life’s adventures with faith, not fear. You already know that everyone’s story has a happy ending, even if it’s grim during the middle pages. Many people enjoy reading books and watching movies with action and suspense. It’s the same way in life. A constant sameness where nothing exciting ever happened would soon get boring. So your soul signs up to experience adventures.

E very aspiring hero needs something to overcome—a mean villain or great adversity. That’s why fairy tales and legends of knights are such universally popular themes. Adventure allows you to expand your perceived limits, to find out just how powerful and capable you are. In the pioneer days, wagon wheels caused ruts in the road if they ran over the same place time after time. Similarly, you can get into ruts without challenges and change. A variety of life experiences opens you to the infinite field of all possibilities in life. And that, of course, serves others as you expand yourself and our universe. 3. Growing is the next way you serve others. Source Energy/God/Life is everywhere, within and all around you. Life’s learning experiences refine you and make you more aware of this omnipresent Spirit. Then you can reflect it on all levels of your being. Needless to say, doing so serves many people—more, in fact, than you can imagine. The collective evidence indicates that your spiritual self purposely chooses diverse life events in order to learn specific lessons. Just as you went through elementary school and junior and senior high school, you likewise benefit from life’s gradational lessons. Handling the challenges of this planet can powerfully assist consciousness raising. Difficulties help you work on your rough edges and discover what parts of yourself are not yet congruent with the Light. Growth allows a more complete experience of God. You may need to learn patience, empathy or humility before deeply realizing the Divine firsthand. Your soul may select difficult life experiences that aid spiritual growth in deficient areas. When confronted by adversity, remind yourself that you volunteered for challenges that you knew would provide important lessons. You trained for life’s

difficult missions just like the members of the popular TV show and movie Mission Impossible. As you have probably experienced, life’s toughest challenges provide the biggest lessons. This physical plane is a perfect classroom for personal growth because of its density and struggles. It’s like weight lifting: to develop bigger muscles, you lift more weight more times. Challenging experiences provide empowering opportunities for developing spiritual muscles and being a blessing to others. 4. Enjoyment is the fourth way you can serve others. A Puritan work ethic persists in some cultures and makes people feel bad about feeling good. It’s important to work hard, but it’s also essential to play and enjoy life. When others see you enjoying life, they can remember they are here to do the same. Consider the myriad experiences available on earth that some take for granted: the feel of rain drops on your skin, the sound of waves on a lake or ocean, views of sunsets and sunrises, smells of freshly baked bread, tastes of fresh ripe fruit, the touch of a loved one’s caress, notes of beautiful music, sights of a baby smiling, fragrances of fresh flowers, sensations of chocolate melting on the tongue. Life, whether on physical worlds or in spiritual dimensions, is full of exquisite richness and wonder. Why not enjoy the entire spectrum of creation? Joy is also a compass to guide yourself through life’s obstacle courses. How better to know that you’re on the right path than to follow what feels good and gives you joy? Feelings provide immediate feedback, like the old “you’re getting colder, you’re getting hotter” find the button game. Feeling enthusiastic—which means “filled with God”—means you’re getting closer to your optimal balance. Living from a place of inner joy isn’t selfish; it’s the ultimate way to serve others from your highest state.

Mark Pitstick, MA, DC is an author, master’s clinical psychologist, holistic chiropractic physician, frequent media guest, and webinar/workshop facilitator. He directs The SoulPhone Foundation and founded Greater Reality Living Groups. Dr. Pitstick can help you know and show—no matter what is happening to or around you— that your earthly experience is a totally safe, meaningful, and magnificent adventure amidst forever. Visit http://www.SoulProof.com for free articles, newsletters and radio interviews with top consciousness experts.