Transformation Coaching Magazine June 2024

Natalie Rivera Joeel A. Rivera, M.Ed.

Lisa Cedrone

Mary Boutieller, Arielle Giordano, Spencer Rouse, Darrel Hammon, GELENA P, Jowanna Daley, Owen Waters, Jo Mooy, Linda Commito, Terez Hartmann

We believe that self-employment is the ultimate form of empowerment. Our mission is to bring you guests whose powerful entrepreneurship stories and real-world advice will give you the inspiration and tools to create a business and life that you love.

Listen on our website or your favorite podcast app or watch the video version on our YouTube channel.

Here at Transformation Academy we are excited to announce our June’s Transformation Academy Rising Star – Alexander Balla!

Our goal with this initiative is to recognize and celebrate group membership who demonstrate the heart and service of a coach. Each monthly recipient of this recognition will be selected for a unique reason. Some will be seasoned coaches who serve as valuable mentors within the group. Others may be just starting their coach-training journey and exude a contagious attitude or passion. Others may be actively supporting other group members, whether by providing resources, answering common questions, or providing moral support. Regardless of each of our wonderful group members’ background or experience, we all benefit from the mutual support and varied perspectives offered within this diverse group!

The Rising Star initiative is a way to give a special THANK YOU to those who go above and beyond to share of themselves within this community.

ABOUT ALEXANDER:

Rev. Dr. Alexander Balla, CMLC manifestmylife.loa@gmail.com https://mustardseedct.wixsite.com/mscf/about-4 Academy of Accelerated Success

Unlock the Hidden Potential of the Image of God Within You

"Every single human being deserves to see the seed of greatness within them grow and blossom."

The Reverend Dr. Alexander Balla is a trained Spiritual Care Specialist with over a decade of experience in the fields of pastoral counseling and life coaching. After serving for 10 years in the fire service as an interior structural firefighter and an emergency services chaplain, he aimed his efforts toward military chaplaincy. Following his recruit training, he became the first commissioned active duty chaplain in over 150 years to serve in the Connecticut State Guard. After receiving an honorable discharge, he found himself working in security management, where he continues to apply his knowledge of positive psychology and success coaching to his work for the advancement of his team of security professionals. The Reverend Dr. Alexander J. Balla currently serves as the Presiding Bishop of the Reformed National Catholic Church.

WHAT IS YOUR NICHE (COACHING FOCUS)

AND HOW DID YOU CHOOSE IT?

Utilizing techniques grounded in pastoral coaching and advanced spiritual care, my focus is promoting success in business and professionalism in the Christian community. In my secular job, I work with my team on professional development and success coaching in the context of security management.

WHO IS YOUR IDEAL CLIENT?

My ideal client is anyone who has a genuine interest in exploring the possibilities of exponential positive growth

and extraordinary beneficial change in the context of applied Christ centered spirituality.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A LIFE COACH?

My background in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling drove me to seek out new and more effective modalities. Operating in that spirit, coaching became the foundational method by which I communicate. From my day-to-day life in security management to my efforts aimed at instilling a faithbased success mindset in my clients, the principles that I’ve learned through Transformation Academy have only bolstered my knowledge and practice.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN COACHING?

I’ve been coaching, in one form or another, for well over a decade.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR FIRST CLIENT?

My first client approached me after being exposed to the social media content I was producing on behalf of my church group in the midst of the pandemic.

HOW HAS YOUR COACHING JOURNEY CHANGED YOUR LIFE?

My coaching journey has had a positive impact on my entire life. Even in my current secular position working in security management, my training through Transformation Academy has brought me to new heights. My people-centered approach, which has been built almost exclusively on coaching principles, has developed into a program that focuses more on helping employees overcome dips in performance through goal setting and encouragement, rather than through

disciplinary action. The results have been beyond stellar. Aside from that, my ministerial efforts, especially those aimed at offering advanced pastoral care, have only flourished because of my coaching journey. Most importantly, I’ve become a better and more well-rounded communicator, which has improved my marriage and my friendships overall.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BEING A LIFE COACH?

The most challenging part of coaching is recognizing that not everyone can be coached. The whole idea is that you’re not their counselor, so you’re not there to issue mandates or make demands. You’re not necessarily there to advise either, unless you operate in a hybridized modality. Drawing the best out of someone can be exceptionally difficult, especially when the people you’re working with can’t see greatness within themselves.

WHAT IS THE MOST FULFILLING PART OF BEING A LIFE COACH?

The single most fulfilling part of being a life coach is watching people grow. Whether I’m in the office or working with a member of our church, nothing compares to seeing people exceed their own perceived limitations and chase down success on their own terms.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST INSPIRATIONAL COACHING MOMENT, WITH A CLIENT?

The most inspirational coaching moment that I’ve experienced so far happened when I was serving with Connecticut’s State Guard as a chaplain. One of the primary duties

of a chaplain is to prevent any form of self-harm. With the proper authorities on standby, and provisions in place to mitigate any emergent situations, I was able to coach one of our troops into seeking voluntary immediate medical assistance. It was a tense moment, but coaching principles wound up saving a life that day, so we were all blessed to participate in that joint effort.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COACHING ACTIVITY OR EXERCISE TO DO WITH CLIENTS?

I love working with clients on auto-suggestion practices. Positive affirmations, especially in a faith-based setting, are instrumental in achieving long lasting success.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR FINDING CLIENTS AND/OR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS?

If you want to find people to work with, then you need to be more than a passing advertisement. Work your way into a community or become part of a larger company where you can put those skills to use. Don’t forget that your training through Transformation Academy carries the weight of continuing education accreditation and the foundational skills you’ll learn in the process of becoming certified are perfectly applicable to working in supervisory and managerial positions. In fact, during my last interview, one of my main selling points was that I’m a trained and certified life coach. That, along with other qualifications, earned me the position that I’m in now, and there’s more room for advancement, specifically because of the work I’ve done through Transformation Academy.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF BACK WHEN YOU FIRST DREAMED OF BECOMING A COACH?

I would honestly give myself the same advice that I give people who are just breaking into the industry now. Don’t get discouraged if your business doesn’t take off right away, because the market is saturated with selfemployed untrained coaches who tend to give the rest of us a bad name. What you have to remember, however, is that your skills are in high demand in corporate settings and people-centered approaches to supervision and management are becoming the norm. Sell yourself and sell your skills in that next interview, because you’re probably exactly the type of candidate they’re actively searching for in this competitive job market. Companies and employees are tired of authoritarian managers. They need solid coaches

who focus on professional development, mindset coaching and success coaching.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT YOU WANT TO MAKE IN THIS WORLD?

Faith has its place, but overall I want to expand beyond that vision. Every single human being deserves to see the seed of greatness within them grow and blossom. I want people to see that they can make success their lifestyle and that they can have the things in life that they want to have. It’s up to coaches like us to bring them to that place so that they can see it all for themselves and position them to chase their dreams.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH TRANSFORMATION COACHING MAGAZINE READERS?

Don’t give up! You’re going to find a use for the skill set you acquire in your training through Transformation Academy. You just need to be creative and resourceful. Don’t tie yourself to one vision, because you may just be missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime.

Whatever you love to do, just do it.

By Mary Boutieller

Walking in the woods the other day, I contemplated how, supposedly, 90 percent of our thoughts are repetitive. As I walked, I started to pay attention to what those thoughts were. I could hear my inner voice thinking about an upcoming trip; about what to make for dinner; about the weather getting chilly again. I also thought about things that happened two weeks ago and 10 years ago; about slights, promises and past events. As I filtered through the laundry list of old stories, I realized that I hadn’t paid any attention to what was right in front of me. Wildflowers are starting to pop here and, everywhere I looked, there were splashes of color. As we headed toward a large waterfall, small rivulets flowed across the trail hoping to join the rushing water further ahead. There was also my breath, the soreness in my legs, my jaw hanging slack…the list goes on. I thought about how much slips by me every single day while I think the same things I’ve thought for years.

People who meditate understand how our thoughts can keep us everywhere except here. And although I have meditated in the past, I haven’t actively meditated for awhile, so my puppy mind is quite active. What was interesting, though, was each time I found myself getting lost in my thoughts, I was able to bring attention back to the moment. Like peering through a magnifying glass, my senses became more aware. Sights, sounds, breath, sensation, love— all around me.

And in those moments, I realized that NOW was all I had.

Eckhart Tolle said, “The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation, but the thoughts about it, be aware of the thoughts you are thinking.”

I sat in front of the waterfall and marveled at its power and at all the ways it has carved paths through rock to create something unique and beautiful. I pondered how our own thoughts carve pathways through our brains, forming and reforming the people we become, and how, miraculously, we have the power to shift those rivulets just by changing our everyday thoughts.

I can start by worrying less about things over which I have no control. I can pay more attention to my surroundings. And when fear threatens to overtake me, perhaps I can think about all the things in my life that bring me joy.

Mary Oliver, in her poem I WORRIED, said, “… Finally I saw that worrying had come to nothing. And gave it up. And took my old body and went out into the morning, and sang.”

Whatever you love to do, just do it. If you sing off-tune, sing anyway. If you dance like you have four feet, do it with gusto and laugh. If your body (young or old) is craving the green therapy of the woods, go there, take a deep breath, and let your body and your mind know that you have come home.

And, wherever you are right now, pause and notice where you are and how you are feeling. Know that this moment is yours. What will you do with it now that you know?

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.

Move your body and you will help stretch your limits.

By Arielle Giordano

The benefits of stretching are numerous and often overlooked. It is the most basic form of movement that we naturally do! We stretch instinctively after waking from sleep or long periods of physical activity or inactivity. While the benefits of stretching are far less emphasized than the benefits of daily exercise—they are just as important.

Balancing stretching with physical activity is the key to optimal functioning of the human body. Stretching before physical activities can improve your movement by preparing the body, and after exercise stretching helps the body to recover and return to a resting state.

The most important benefits of stretching are improvements in flexibility and range of motion. When muscles tighten, they can pull on the joints and cause injury. Even many hours of sitting, such as working at a desk, causes tension

and tightness in the muscles. Moreover, as the body ages, muscles can become tighter and range of motion in the joints can decrease.

After age 40, you either use it or you lose it. Think about this: Your muscles can atrophy within 24 hours whether you are 2 or 92 years old! That said, no matter what your age, your body needs to move. Your life depends on it, so make time to move and stretch every day.

We all experience stress, and that is the perfect time to practice stretching. Why? It’s because a buildup of stress can cause your muscles to contract, tighten and become tense. Tension can have a negative impact on the body, and stretching and flexibility exercises and movements have powerful stress-busting abilities. Taking 10, 20, or even 30 minutes a day can calm your mind, provide a mental break, and give your body an opportunity to regenerate and renew. Stay flexible and stay strong in body and mind my friends!

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. Arielle’s new book Dancing with Your Story from the Inside Out is now available on http://www.Amazon.com. Websites: http://www.dancingfromtheinsideout.com, http://www.ariellegiordano.com. Email: agbeautifuldance@gmail.com

Look Through a New Lens

LOOK THROUGH A NEW LENS LOOK THROUGH A NEW LENS

People’s needs are changing and it is time to focus, individually and collectively, on the new directions and opportunities in our lives.

By Spencer Rouse

March, April and May were months of completion and new beginnings. They were months of reflection and going deep within myself, not to understand who I am but to determine a game plan for gleaning maximum fulfillment and joy by just being me. It was time to look at my life and recalibrate. I am in the latter part of my seventieth decade on this earth, and my airy Libra self has always loved multitasking. Oh! the freedom to dive into whatever catches the imagination! It has been exhilarating, but untamed multitasking can lead to dabbling and incomplete activities. A certain discipline is necessary to extract the best from any endeavor, even wildly creative works.

The recent past has included several creative redecorating projects, starting a largish vegetable garden (no previous experience required), writing, reviving my interest in piano and guitar, and jumping back into being a

cat mom to three lively little boy cats after several years of cat-free existence, to name a few of my current interests. And I’m doing them all at once, of course.

I also have an amateur interest in working with color and design but limited skills in craftsmanship. A young, talented artist cum decorator came into my life, almost by accident, and helped me with interesting wall treatments and color combinations for my home. I planned and organized. She made suggestions. I absorbed and learned as she worked her magic. I needed help with yard work, and I was introduced to a retired man with some random yard and plant experience and handyman skills. We have learned together over the past five years. I research, plan, and somewhat organize the “gardens,” the three plots we have developed in my backyard. I explain what I think should be done. He does what I ask, more or less, but he tends to stick to his own game

plan. His other self-appointed position is training my cats to roll over when he rolls his hand. They wait for him in the window every morning. While I am interested in each project, the most fulfilling part has been the connection to the people, and this is part of the shifting of consciousness many of us are feeling right now. Some people come into our lives for a specific reason, then go, and some stay longer. We help each other if we can. We learn from each other. No doubt, over the past few months there has been a change in energy around us all. I have felt the stirrings of this shift for a while now. Do you see this, too? People’s needs are changing and it is time to focus, individually and collectively, on the new directions and opportunities in our lives. There is a call to keep our frequency elevated, focus, and harmonize with others. The old way of looking at life is ending, and it’s time to embrace change. Look through a new lens!

Elemental Wisdom

with Spencer Rouse

Spencer Rouse has been a professional psychic and intuitive reader, energy healer, life coach, and lecture/workshop facilitator for more than 20 years, working one-on-one in counseling sessions, in groups, and at psychic fairs and other events. She works primarily through the gifts of claircognizance—an inner knowing—and clairsentience—the ability to sense information through feelings and emotions. Spencer also connects with the different layers of the human energy field (the aura) using color and sound to help balance and invigorate life force energy. Visit her online at http://www.SpencerRouse.com or email PsychicSpencer.com

By Darrel Hammon

It’s odd when you really think about it— the profundity of simplicity. Most things in life reek of a ephemerality and shallowness, non-starters from the beginning.

People seem to be ever learning but never arriving at the truth about the simplicity of life.

They draw the things of the world too close in their line of vision, thus obstructing simplicity.

They make things too hard as they overthink even the simplest of tasks.

No wonder our lives careen out of control because the simple has been too distorted, too garbled, for even simple contemplation.

Simplicity allows us to move forward, unfettered with the overwhelmingness of life’s challenges that engulf us forcing us to spend far more time packing, unpacking, and repacking non-essentials and stuffing them away, hoarding them, instead of shedding them forever.

It is past time to seek the simplicity of life that will ultimately produce a profound sense of becoming and being and seeing with utmost clarity.

Darrel L. Hammon has been dabbling in writing in a variety of genres since his college days, having published poetry, academic and personal articles/essays, a book titled Completing Graduate School Long Distance (Sage Publications), and a picture book, The Adventures of Bob the Bullfrog: Christmas Beneath a Frozen Lake (Outskirts Press). He also was the editor of the Journal of Adult Education (Mountain Plains Adult Education Association). Most of his essay/article writing has focused on topics about growing up, leadership, self-awareness, motivation, marriage/dating, and educational topics. Some of these articles/ essays are in Spanish because Darrel is bilingual in Spanish/English, having lived in Chile, Dominican Republic, and southern California, and having worked with Latino youth and families all of his professional life in higher education. He has two blogs, one for personal writing at http://www.darrelhammon.blogspot.com/ and one for his consulting/life coaching business (http://www.hammonconsults.blogspot.com/).

Photo by Richard Felix on Unsplash.

How to use the integrated grit and strengths approach.

By GELENA P

In the pursuit of our goals and dreams, the journey is often marked by challenges, setbacks and moments of doubt. However, the key to transforming these aspirations into reality lies in an approach that integrates two critical components: grit and personal strengths. This integrated approach not only equips us with the resilience needed to overcome obstacles, but also harnesses our unique talents and abilities to propel us forward. Here’s how you can leverage integrated grit and your inherent strengths to achieve your goals and dreams.

UNDERSTANDING INTEGRATED GRIT

Integrated grit is the passionate perseverance towards long-term goals, coupled with the flexibility to adapt and overcome challenges. It’s about having an unwavering commitment to your dreams, while also being nimble enough to navigate the twists and turns along the path. Grit enables us to maintain our focus and dedication, even when progress seems slow or the outcome uncertain. It’s not just about stubborn persistence, but also about learning from setbacks and using them as stepping stones towards your goals.

IDENTIFYING AND LEVERAGING PERSONAL STRENGTHS

Our personal strengths are the unique qualities and abilities that we bring to the table. Identifying these strengths is crucial because it allows us to approach our goals in a way that feels natural and effective. Whether it’s creativity, empathy, strategic thinking or resilience, each strength plays a vital role in how we tackle challenges and seize opportunities. By combining an understanding of our personal strengths with the concept of integrated grit, we can create a powerful strategy for achieving our dreams. This involves aligning our goals with our strengths, ensuring that we are pursuing aspirations that resonate with who we are and what we excel at.

STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS WITH INTEGRATED GRIT AND STRENGTHS

Set Clear, Meaningful Goals: Begin by defining what success looks like for you. Ensure that your goals are aligned with your values and leverage your strengths. This alignment ensures that you are pursuing paths that are not only achievable but also fulfilling.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Adopt the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. A growth mindset empowers you to view challenges as opportunities to grow, rather than insurmountable obstacles.

Embrace Challenges: Use your grit to persevere through difficulties, and rely on your strengths to find creative solutions. Viewing challenges as a necessary part of the journey towards success can make them less daunting and more of a learning experience.

Practice Reflection and Adaptation: Regularly reflect on your progress, acknowledging both successes and areas for improvement. Be willing to adapt your strategies, drawing on different strengths as your journey evolves.

Build a Supportive Network: Surround yourself with people who encourage and inspire you. A strong support network can provide the motivation and advice needed to keep pushing forward, especially when the going gets tough.

Celebrate Milestones: Recognize and celebrate the small victories along the way. This not only boosts your morale, but also reinforces the value of your hard work and perseverance. Achieving your goals and dreams is a journey that requires both the resilience to face challenges and the wisdom to leverage your unique strengths. By embracing an integrated approach that combines grit with a deep understanding of your personal strengths, you set the stage for a fulfilling and successful pursuit of your aspirations. Remember, it’s not just about reaching the destination but also about growing and thriving along the way. Embrace your journey with integrated grit and strengths, and watch as your dreams turn into reality.

GELENA P is an author whose life story seamlessly intertwines financial expertise, cultural richness, and a fervent passion for empowerment. Hailing from Romania, GELENA’s remarkable journey is a testament to the transformative fusion of financial acumen with a global outlook. With a background in accounting and a distinguished career as a C-suite finance executive, GELENA holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut (UCONN) and a MS in Human Relations with a specialization in Diversity Awareness from Amberton University in Texas. She is a certified professional life coach (Integrated Grit and Strengths Success Mentor Coach) dedicated to helping individuals unlock their potential and achieve their goals. Her empathetic approach and keen understanding of diverse perspectives make her a sought-after guide on the journey to self-discovery. For more information, visit https://www.allseasonsconsulting.com/

Harness the Power of Small Steps

HARNESS THE POWER OF SMALL STEPS HARNESS THE POWER OF SMALL STEPS

The most effective way to achieve goals is consistent, incremental strides.

By Jowanna Daley

Taking small, consistent and seemingly unremarkable steps is the key to achieving any goal—vs. relying on occasional big leaps fueled by adrenaline and excitement.

We often talk about goals in a manner that leads us to believe that everything in our lives gets pushed aside to make way for their accomplishment. However, life’s complexities often thwart our goals. In truth, life is unpredictable and inconsiderate of our goals, which are fragile beings that we need to champion, protect and work hard to achieve. Most days, they will move forward in small increments.

Goals go against the current and are more easily achieved when paced. Accept that you have other responsibilities, and take your time to make progress with goals. You’ll actually get further with this attitude than if you try to go full-speed ahead. When you have a big goal, it’s important to plan for the obstacles you know and the ones you can’t predict. Instead of just hoping things will work out, use thoughtful planning based on facts and data. The goal itself can’t do anything on its own, so it relies completely on you to make it happen.

You (and not the goal) are the hero. Setting a goal is a crucial initial step towards achieving it. While having a clearly defined goal provides structure, it is through the actual action steps taken that the goal comes to life. In this journey, you play the role of the hero. Just like heroes in stories, you encounter obstacles that must be overcome to safeguard or accomplish something meaningful. Embracing the hero’s role actively propels progress towards your goal, ensuring its eventual realization.

GOAL PROGRESSION

As we progress through video games and reach higher levels, we naturally expect the challenges to become more difficult. However, when we pursue goals, it’s common to perceive every obstacle as a setback, rather than recognizing it as a step forward. Failing to celebrate our milestones can make goal progression feel like an uphill battle, and the subtle improvements and clarity gained along the way may appear as failures to us.

The Daley Word

with Jowanna Daley

It's important to keep the following in mind:

• Recognize that goal progression may often feel like setbacks, and they require the right tools and mindset to assess them accurately.

• Failing to appreciate our progress can eventually lead to a loss of motivation.

• Clarity will emerge as you move forward, further shaping your understanding of goal achievement.

When you achieve a goal, it’s akin to experiencing five minutes of fame. Understand that the journey is mostly filled with challenging and uncertain paths. Equipped with the proper skills, tools and support, you can recognize and celebrate victories and maintain the motivation needed to achieve the milestones along the way.

Consider the following reasons why embracing small, frequent steps can lead to significant victories:

1) Keeping your goal fresh in your mind: Engaging in regular, small actions helps maintain focus and keeps your goal at the forefront of your thoughts. By consistently taking small steps, you reinforce your commitment and stay connected to the purpose behind your goal.

2) Allowing evaluation and adjustment: Taking incremental steps allows for ongoing evaluation of your progress. It provides opportunities to assess what is working and what needs adjustment along the way. This flexibility enables you to make necessary changes and refine your approach as needed.

3) Achieving a steady pace even on less motivated days: On days when motivation is low, small steps are easier to accomplish compared to attempting big leaps. By maintaining a steady pace, you can overcome obstacles and continue moving forward, even during moments when motivation wanes.

4) Sustainable progress over time: Small, consistent steps contribute to sustainable progress in the long run. Unlike big bursts of energy that may be difficult to sustain, small steps build lasting habits and create a solid foundation for continued growth and achievement.

By adopting this approach, you can make meaningful progress toward your goals and bring your aspirations to life.

Jowanna is a business and personal coach, consultant, freelance blogger, and personal brand photographer. Jowanna uses her 20-plus years of business, information technology, business analysis, and project management experience to serve solopreneurs, microbusinesses, and professionals through consulting, coaching, training, and workshops. She is also a freelance blogger who serves corporate and non-corporate clients. Visit her website at https://www.jowannadaley.com/about/

If you ask for change, action will be required in some form for a prayer to manifest—even if it is as subtle an act as a conscious shift in a belief that previously held you back.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.

By Owen Waters

The world is full of reasons why people might pray for help from a higher source. From the threat of war to an exploding health crisis to the pressures of a cratering economy, you’ve got to wonder why the Creator allows all this. After all, a challenge will always bring personal growth but the accelerating rate of change in everything today is like a cosmic wake-up call. But, we might ask, to wake up to what?

The truth is, we are sparks of the Divine, empowered with free will so that we can forge a path back to divine consciousness through the Three Cs – the attributes we have inherited from our divine origins—Curiosity, Creativity and Constructive action. With these, we should be able to handle anything but, all the same, a little help from above would be more than welcome in these crazy days of rapid change.

Tradition has it that you pray to God for favors and sometimes offer something in exchange, like, for example, a promise to turn to God more regularly. However, in these days of cosmology, it is increasingly difficult to imagine that the Creator of billions of galaxies, each with billions of suns, would micro-manage problems on one tiny planet. So, perhaps, seeking attention from a more people-focused aspect of the divine hierarchy makes a whole lot more sense.

All levels of existence in the universe exist within the consciousness of the Creator. Within that envelope of consciousness in which the universe lives, the highest realm of consciousness is ninth density, which is home to the soul essences of galaxies. Each galaxy is responsible for Creator functions within its field of consciousness. Likewise, each sun is responsible for the creation of its planets and each planet develops and maintains the systems of life within its realm. These days, not too many people pray to the Sun or Mother Earth, but you can gain enormous spiritual growth by sending regular thoughts of gratitude to these cosmic beings. The inspirational energy feedback from such elevated beings is phenomenal. The next level down the divine hierarchy of consciousness is the sixth-density realm of archangels and angels. This is where one of the most called-upon higher beings is based, and for good reason. Jesus operates as an all-pervasive spirit with global reach within all the realms of existence upon Earth. When

someone reaches out to Jesus for help, his presence as a global spirit detects that call and focuses attention on that person, ready to deliver comfort, hope, inspiration and healing.

Besides calling on world avatars for help, there are several other options, perhaps closer to our third-density physical home in terms of frequency. Everyone has spirit guides and also angels who watch over them. Everyone also has their soul or higher self, which is based in fifth density, ready to dispense wisdom that is perfectly tailored to your unique situation. You don’t actually pray to your soul or higher self because you are part of its field of consciousness, but you can get in touch with your inner being first thing every day with a quiet meditation and thereby benefit from personalized guidance any time you need it.

Whether you feel most comfortable developing an inner connection to your soul or asking for help from a higher source, it is important to be aware of the power you already possess as a creation of the divine.

Imagination is your creative faculty. Be bold. Imagine a better life and never accept ideas that conspire to block your way. Notice how your divine attributes of Curiosity, Creativity, and Constructive action include the word “action.” This is the big reason why prayers can fail to work: If a person asks for their life to change, action will be required in some form by them and possibly other people. Action makes manifest, even if it is as subtle an act as a conscious shift in a belief that previously held you back. Guidance will come into your mind repeatedly, knocking at the door asking to be recognized and acted upon.

Lack of action after asking for help and guidance is the main reason prayer can fail to work, and it’s the same with the Law of Attraction, which is sometimes portrayed as a big magnet that energizes the universe toward your desired goal. Yes, it does do that, but the Law of Attraction is like the magnet inside an electric generator waiting to be turned so that electricity can start to flow. If you don’t crank the handle and add motion to the situation, no energy flows and no results appear.

Author’s Note: My recent e-book, Soul Inspiration: Unleash the Power of Your Higher Consciousness to Dissolve Problems and Create a Better Life, goes deeper into the subject, revealing ways to increase the clarity of the guidance you can receive and also determine which direction your action should take at any time to make your wishes come true.

iNFINITE BEING

with Owen K. Waters

Owen Waters is author of the Indie award-winning book, Spirituality Made Simple and a cofounder of the Spiritual Dynamics Academy and InfiniteBeing.com, where a where a free spiritual growth newsletter awaits you at https://www.InfiniteBeing.com. He is an international spiritual teacher who has helped hundreds of thousands of spiritual seekers to understand better the nature of their spiritual potential. Owen’s life has been focused upon gaining spiritual insights through extensive research and the development of his inner vision. He has written a spiritual metaphysics newsletter since 2004 which empowers people to discover their own new vistas of inspiration, love and creativity. Spiritual seekers enjoy his writings for their clarity and deep insights. Contact Owen via email News@InfiniteBeing.com

How the creation of a Blue Light Meditation group delivered a sign from a departed friend.

By Jo Mooy

Blue Light has been deeply rooted in spiritual and mystical traditions for eons of human history. In the Hebrew and Christian religions, the color blue, known as “The Color of God,” is mentioned 49 times in the Old and New Testaments. In the Hindu religion, blue represents the color of the throat chakra, which governs inspired speech, bestows resonance and allows an individual to listen at a spiritually clear level.

In recent decades, spiritual teachers and healers have reported seeing blue lights or blue light-beings in dreams, meditations and altered states of consciousness. I dug through my own personal meditation journals and saw blue light energies and blue light-beings were mentioned as far back as 1978. So, with the topic trending on social media, my research began.

I discovered there was a global “Call to Action” for groups to join Blue Light Meditations by holding one intention—the raising of human consciousness! In synch with the Call to Action, the Southwest Florida Meditation Circle formed a Blue Light Meditation group meeting on the second Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. EST. The group holds the global intentions by seeing the return of kindness, respect and inner peace, which are all qualities that the color blue emits.

Researching and preparing for these monthly online meditations, I used a silver pendulum to douse for an answer to each question I had about the material we would be presenting. I also asked for guidance on the right meditation to use. During the stillness of one of the questions a clear thought floated in, and I heard the words, “Get a blue lapis pendulum!”

Of course, that began the quest of why blue lapis and what significance did it hold for the Blue Light Meditations. It turns out lapis is very rare and expensive. Its colors are deep midnight blue to indigo or violet. It’s been mined in north-eastern Afghanistan for 7,000 years, and it was treasured and revered by the Egyptians for the qualities of wisdom, courage and strength, and the ability to neutralize evil.

Those four qualities were powerfully relevant for the work of 2024, which is to reduce fear and anxiety in humanity and give us wisdom, strength and courage as we hold the intentions for kindness and inner peace for all. So, I did what most do when shopping. I went to Amazon where I found a vendor claiming he had pure lapis pendulums. His pendulum arrived in two days, but only in his wildest dreams was that stone lapis. It wasn’t even sodalite, which is often sold as lapis. I returned it and wondered if I’d actually heard, “Get a Blue Lapis Pendulum!”

I got my answer a few days later when an article about lapis lazuli appeared in my NatGeo subscription. Reading about it, the message in my head expanded to, “Get a blue lapis pendulum for the blue light meditations.” After several hours of searching, I somehow stumbled on a vendor in Spartanburg, SC who sold “quality gemstones set in 926 sterling silver.” This was already an improvement over any other vendor and the price also reflected the grade quality of the stone. Also, 926 means it’s 92.6 percent silver. In email conversations with the owner about the lapis, we began discussing our shared spiritual beliefs.

I explained why I was looking for a blue lapis pendulum and about the Blue Light Meditations. She wanted to participate with us and even ended our last email exchange with “Om Shanti.” Hoping the shipment would arrive in time for the Blue Light Meditation, she said not to worry, she’d send it priority.

On the morning of the meditation, the box was delivered. It was wrapped and packaged beautifully and carefully. I slid open the white box and instead of one there were two heavy lapis pendulums—one for me and one for my partner, who was leading the meditations with me. There was a card in the box from the owner that said, “Jo, thank you! I’ve included a little extra lapis with love and hope for the work both of you

are doing for the planet. I couldn’t think of a better, or more important use for them and hope they continue to be a valuable part of your work.” It was signed with a heart and her initial.

Why and how did this gift of TWO lapis pendulums happen? Thinking it over, we both said at the same time, “Sage!” Sage was one of our dear friends from our online writing class who died a month ago.

Conscious Living with Jo Mooy

She lived in Spartanburg and, as a lover of quality gems, she probably frequented this shop. Sage was also a Buddhist with a devotion to the blue Medicine Buddha. My partner and I had been reaching out to Sage in meditations to send us a sign since her passing. The sign arrived on Sage’s birthday from her home city in Spartanburg. It was a beautiful and unexpected gift from the other side with not one but

TWO lapis pendulums. And as though blessing the Blue Light Meditations, it arrived as we began the first one of 12.

Author’s Note: If you’d like to know more about the Blue Light Meditations, WHAT the Blue Lights are, WHY we’re doing these meditations, and the meditation itself, click this link: The Global Initiative - Blue Light Meditations - Explanation & Intentions (http://www.youtube.com)

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

By Linda Commito

There were some times in my life that felt like they were lived inside a box—literally and figuratively.

I enjoyed growing up in an apartment box with similar boxes below and next to us—six families in all. But some live in boxes that don’t fit so easily.

In my 7th year, the purchase of a variety store demanded a lot of my family—and especially my dad, Art, who for the next 50-plus years (7 days a week, 365 days a year) rarely had an escape into the world of play.

And in adulthood, I followed in those footsteps with a showroom filled with boxes and displays of beautiful, decorative things that found their way into stores and people’s lives. Just to get them there was a full-time job that kept me boxed in for 70-to-80 hour-work weeks, for way too many years.

Still surrounded by lots of boxes, attempting to see what I can empty and release, I’ve come to realize that a lot of it has been about my addiction to work and building boxes . . . as a measure of worth. It’s time to let go! Old habits die hard, but I’ve been

“working on” freeing up the space and time for writing, photography, being out in nature, or enjoying friends, family and the simple things of life. But don’t tell me to toss old photos, cards, letters. I’m still very sentimental and hold memories dear.

While writing this article, I thought about those who may be feeling boxed in because of where they live or where they come from. Or those challenged because of the color of their skin, or their financial situation. And how painful would it be to feel boxed in due to an illness, physical handicap or because you’re not emotionally able to get yourself “out there.” It’s not easy to change one’s life and limitations. And then there are the longheld emotions that can keep us emotionally boxed in . . . the hurtful losses or sad memories that we can’t seem to let go of, even though they may still cause discomfort or pain. Or the old beliefs that prevent us from trying things or breaking out into a new way of being. It took years to convince myself that I could be a writer and, yet, I still had to tell myself that just breaking out of the box and exploring new sides

of myself are worth the effort. They were . . . and are!

And who didn’t feel boxed in during Covid, living behind masks and wary of others? Even now, it is difficult to watch local and world news and not feel a little anxious about venturing “out there.”

As we age, our living spaces can get smaller with less room for all of those things that were once so important. Some of us may be experiencing compromised health, or have been saying good byes to parents and those we’ve loved. It is eye opening to see the effects of someone’s life be quickly dispersed once they are gone. That will be true of ours too someday. So perhaps we should let go of more things that are superfluous now . . . instead of leaving the task to someone else. And ultimately, to free ourselves of so many “to do’s,” so that we can spend quality time with those we love and to live more fully in the present moment with joy . . . for as long as we have left on this planet.

Let’s toss out what no longer serves us and break free of what keeps us from fully enjoying, and being grateful for who and what we love.

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.

No matter how dark and stormy your sky may appear, there are always slivers of light that can and will shine through.

By Terez Hartmann

Ask and it IS given. At times, it may not seem so obvious, but there are always answers, signs, solutions and ideas that continue to flow. It is always SO good to know that no matter how dark and stormy your sky may appear, there are always slivers of nonresistant time in your life that can and will allow the light to shine through.

On one particular day, I found myself heading out into the world with some very passionate prayers and intentions in my heart. Sensing the resistance in my current state of mind, I knew that chill time was very much in order. So I suited up to step outside for some rejuvenating fresh air, sunshine and nature time, and intended to be as present as possible with the beauty that surrounded me.

Only moments after walking out the front door, I had a sudden impulse to gaze upward and then suddenly, as if perfectly on cue, a beautiful swallow-tailed kite soared only 10 to 15 feet above me!

As I marveled in the kite’s grace and effortless movement on the winds, it seemed to be the very embodiment of ease and flow in action. Rather than fight and struggle its way into the heavens, this amazing creature seemed as if it had been born in the air; the wind was serving as its ever-present friend and ally, keeping it floating and dancing among the clouds. While I continued to delight in watching this aerial artist master its domain, it became abundantly clear that the light had indeed found its way through my “slivers,” and that answers and insights were indeed flowing at that very moment.

Below are the insights that came to me, which just may add a little light to your experience this month:

EMBRACING THE WIND

What if you decided to relax and allow?

What if you stopped fighting with the wind and instead decided to just let go?

What if you resolved to open your wings (heart and mind) and trust; remembering that life will always support you and those you love in whatever direction you choose to go?

What if you remembered that the core purpose of the wind is to stir things up to help move things into new places, and that every facet of its being truly can bring opportunities for good:

• When the wind caresses your skin with a gentle breeze, enjoy and savor it.

• When it is strong and resolute, let it fill your sails to propel you forward.

• When the wind is still, use that as an opportunity to be still, yet at the same time, know that it continues to blow in other spaces and places, and that movement never ceases.

• And when it is wild, rather than fear or fight it, simply step out of its way and bring yourself to a place of calm, where you can step back far enough to appreciate its raw power and celebrate the new territory that is being shaped right before your eyes.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A KITE, THE WIND AND LETTING LIFE FLOW

Imagine how life could feel if, like the kite, you decided to open your arms, spread your wings, point in the direction you really want to go and just start soaring?

Here’s to remembering that the flow of love, clarity and knowing will always continue to move you

onward, upward and forward, and that you and I were also born in the air, destined to ride the winds.

“The only way to soar is to spread your wings wide open…” —from “Open” © 2010 TTRH

ALLOWING YOUR SUCCESS

with Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann is a Visionary Creative & top-rated instructor, Law of Attraction & Allowing YOUR Success specialist, published author, speaker, singer-songwriter, recording & performing artist & composer, “Catalyst for Fab-YOU-lous” and true Renaissance Woman who has already helped over 10,000 students in over 130 countries allow success and live life on FIRE. She is deeply passionate about helping other Powerful Creatives and Leading-Edge Thinkers live unique, empowered lives on their terms by cultivating the courage to dream, to express themselves boldly & authentically, and to focus Onward, Upward and Forward into new possibilities. http://www.terezfirewoman.com