"What Can I Do To Start A Spiritual Journey?"

Oftentimes, when people talk to me about spirituality and wanting to make a shift or a move that leaves them feeling closer to God and spirit, I am asked this question, "What can I do to start a spiritual journey?", or it may be "I have always been a follower of God, but I want more and I don't know where to start". The answer can vary depending on the person, but I would say that a good first step is to ask God for signs and answers...ask in a very specific way. Ask a question, and give God an easy way to communicate so that it will be clear to you...even ask that it be made very obvious so that you will know for sure it is not your imagination or coincidence. God, angels, and spirit want to make it easy for us, we just don't always give them avenues in which to do that.

Begin to talk to God, ask questions, ask for signs..."God I need to know that you are listening...show me _________to give me that reassurance". You might ask for butterflies, ladybugs, a hawk, a certain number or color. Then let go and don't force it, but be open to the sign coming in various forms. For example, you may not see a live ladybug, but you may be in a store and have your eyes suddenly pulled to a greeting card that has a ladybug on it. Or you may have a ladybug land on your hand!

The point is that God wants to communicate with us and wants us to reconnect in a more real way than just praying for "His will". He wants us to play an active role in the creation of our lives, to step up to live our individual and collective destinies, but our world sometimes leaves little room for communication. Providing simple avenues to begin to hear and feel spirit in a deeper way gets us reconnected with God, just as email and internet provide avenues for old friends to reconnect, even across miles and after many years apart.

Once you get comfortable with this simple way of communicating, you will be more aware and better able to feel God around you, to feel His presence and hear His voice within your soul. At this point, you will probably feel much more open to reading and hearing about new ideas of God, so venture out in your reading or your activities. Try a book by a spiritual author (see "recommended links" to right/below for many authors that I like), browse through a spiritual section of a bookstore, see what books call to you...and they will if you allow it! I have had books fall of the shelf to get me to notice them, and they were always just what I needed to read at that time.

Get closer to your soul, your real self, get closer to God. It is probably a lot easier than you think.

Seeing Colors and What It Means

Several people I have talked with lately have noticed a change in what they are seeing during meditation, quiet moments, or in the dream state. The change many of them have noticed is that they are seeing very vivid colors, more vivid than any they have every seen before, and that these colors are coming to them in waves, many times as intricate geometric shapes or symbols (often referred to as "sacred geometry"). Several have described being showered with these shapes and colors coming toward them in a flow of brilliance, and each person has described it as a moment of peace that they did not want to leave, one that gave them a feeling of hope and renewal, with a sense of knowing that there was something deep happening to them.

I believe that there is a mass awakening taking place right now, with many individuals being called to remember great truths that they already know but that have been suppressed. I know on a deeper level that they are seeing auras in those waves of beautiful colors, perhaps auras of angels, spirit, Jesus or other masters, or perhaps brief glimpses of God, a moment of touching that pure love. I know that the geometric shapes and symbols that are being showered upon them, leaving them feeling great peace and personal empowerment, are images that are triggering feelings and knowledge within their soul, helping them remember great things that will lead them on their spiritual journey. I know that as we progress in our spiritual path and when we are ready to accept more, that occurrences like these become commonplace - it is our time to awaken, and things that need to occur to assist that awakening will take place in a fashion and process that will make it noticeable and real.

I liken these occurences with vivid colors to the move "Pleasantville". I randomly happened upon this movie on television a few months ago, and realized the story very aptly portrayed how most of our society operates and how most of us live our individual lives. The movie was set in the perfect town of Pleasantville, where things worked a certain way and all was happy and idyllic (or so they thought). But the town lived in black, white, and shades of gray, like an old movie that was shot before Technicolor changed the television and motion picture industry.

The citizens of Pleasantville were perfectly happy living their dull black and white lives, not knowing what was beyond. When a few individuals stepped out of the very tight social boundaries to actually live life and feel real emotions, those individuals' lives began to appear in vivid color for the world to see. As others in the town saw them in their vivid color, shame was cast upon them, to the extent that they would cover up their newfound colorfulness with gray makeup, masking their joy, trying to fit in again and not be an outcast, not be mocked or made fun of.

That movie offers a brilliant portrayal of how life in our society takes place. We live dulled down lives, often thinking that we are happy based on outward things or appearance, without even knowing the color and beauty that lies beyond the boundaries that we so carefully adhere to. Once we experience that color and beauty, it is often mocked by others, simply because it is different or it doesn't fit the mold that the world has decided we should live within. Many of us who have lived within those confines and have dared to step outside to something more grand have felt that apprehension, mockery, or even disdain from others who cannot see beyond their own gray lives, who do not want to let us live in color because they are afraid it will challenge their own comfort zones.

Color has a way of drawing on our emotions. I think it is because God is in vivid color beyond any that we can see here in this dimension with eyes which have been dulled down by by this world of confines and control. If you are asking for more in your life and you begin to see vivid colors, sometimes with your eyes closed, sometimes with your eyes open, consider it an affirmation that you are on your way to something more, something greater than your imagination can fathom, a life full of color and joy so vivid that it will leave you in awe.

Keep asking, keep accepting. Ignore others who may mock or question you...find your joy, find your peace, find God in living color.

In This World, But Not Of It

What does it mean to be "in this world but not of it"? That is a phrase that we have heard time and time again, and yet we seem to go in the other direction, letting our lives get more and more complicated with our jobs, ever burdening community obligations, bigger homes, more elaborate furnishings, the newest version of whatever technology is available, whatever new trend, more stuff, more debt...more, more, more...bigger, bigger, bigger. It has become the acceptable way of the world, where we actually look at those who are not so outwardly achievement oriented as "unmotivated" or beneath us. Our economy is now stressed by a false prosperity that was propelled by people buying more than they could afford, getting into more debt than they could keep up with, working just to pay bills, living to buy the next gadget or appliance that would make their lives complete.

We have become accustomed to getting our satisfaction from worldly things, worldly achievements, possessions, and accolades. We work hard to "get ahead" (ahead of what?, I must ask...the train that is about to run us over?!). On a spiritual level, we often seek usual and ordinary remedies to our emptiness, believing that going to church and following the rules will get us fulfillment, not asking for a real and un-worldly experience that has nothing to do with groups, buildings, organization, or conformity, but which is more about our higher self and greater purpose - that which is beyond the ordinary, beyond the patterns of the world.

Romans 12:2 tells us,
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(New International Version)

It does not take much observation to realize that most of us have seriously conformed to the patterns of this world, whether it be the patterns that our parents gave us, the patterns we adopted by looking around and trying to fit in and be successful, or the patterns of trying to be "good". In our society, it is almost impossible not to conform to these patterns. This Biblical passage tell us to instead, "be transformed by the renewing of your mind", but we don't really renew our mind with new thoughts, and chose instead to stick with our patterns for achieving happiness...work hard, go to school, go to church, volunteer. We don't realize, or perhaps we choose to ignore, that the worldly patterns will not lead us to true and deep happiness.

It is not until we seek to renew our minds that we can truly transform. The choice is always ours as to whether we CONform or TRANSform, but we cannot do both. When we are ready to transform, we must give up conformity. We must open our minds to things outside of the norms and be willing to risk being different, to step outside of ordinary to be extraordinary.

If we are indeed made by God, do you think he made us to be ordinary or extraordinary? I think he made each and every one of us to be perfect, fabulous, joyous, and beautiful beings. It is simply our choice to conform that keeps us from transforming into our extraordinary existence. The steps to transformation are as simple as looking at things differently - sometimes even opposite of what you have been taught or programmed to believe. It may sound difficult, but if you really want a transformation, you will be given opportunities to make it, and they will not be as hard as you might imagine, because each step will reward you with moments of pure and perfect peace. Just ask, and be willing to make changes to be in this world, but not of it. Your transformation will begin when your conformity ends.

Forgiveness...And Letting Go

One of the most important steps in healing, whether it be of body, mind, or soul, comes through forgiveness. Sometimes we need to forgive another, sometimes we need to forgive ourselves, but our healing cannot be full until we can truly offer this. There are many ways to forgive, and I think that is where the confusion comes in. Many think that forgiveness means that you have to "kiss and make up" and return to a relationship exactly as it was before whatever misdeed occurred, or that you must act as if it never occurred, but that is not the case. It is sometimes necessary to forgive from a distance, or to forgive but not go back. It is sending love and compassion to another, realizing that maybe you don't know all of the facts or maybe you cannot fully understand the circumstances which made that person "wrong" you or another. It is empathy...it is understanding another person's pain and accepting their perceived flaws, which is actually a gift to ourselves. We have been told that it is in the giving that we receive, and until we are willing and able to offer true and unencumbered forgiveness, we cannot fully receive the love that is available to us or the gifts that are awaiting us. In our forgiveness of others, we are preparing ourselves for God's pure, forgiving, and unconditional love, and the unlimited abundance that follows...it is our preparation for receiving all that heaven has to offer. Until we can freely give and freely receive that healing love, we cannot receive heaven in our hearts.

When we do not forgive or when we hold grudges, we are in a low level of vibration, a negative energy...and we simply attract more negative things in our lives. Often, we get upset or angry at why these "bad" things keep coming our way, but it may simply be because we won't let go of the negativity, which makes us attract more of the same. We blame others, enjoying our victimhood (which makes it someone else's fault) when that negative state is actually our own doing, our own creation through our refusal to relinquish the negative thoughts, our resistance to seeing the bright side, our unwillingness to step outside of the problem to see its beauty. God has "mysterious ways" of getting a point across to us, and the things that happen are always in our best interest, even if only for the purpose of teaching us something. I always say that when things get outrageous or when people around us behave absurdly toward us, that it is to wake us up to what we are missing. They may be our messengers, but because we are ignoring the message, it has to get louder and clearer through their absurdity.

Beyond forgivenss, the most profound step in mastering life, in returning to our true and perfect selves and returning to God, is when we transition from forgiveness to gratitude. When we are able to look at those difficult times in our lives, or those situations where others may have "wronged" us, no matter how grossly, with a new appreciation and an understanding that those events were a gift to us...an opportunity for growth, a catalyst for necessary change, or a chance for us to gauge our faith. In making this transition to absolute gratitude, we are then on our way to mastery...to a place of peace within our soul that creates the energy for miracles...a place that, if reached by enough individuals, can change our world to a brighter place.

I would like for you to think about your life and where you could offer forgiveness. Beyond that, can you reach a place of being grateful for those things that you have forgiven? Can you find ways to thank the person that made your life hell, or caused what you perceive as great hardship or pain? Make a list of the things you would like to forgive, as well as the things you would like forgiveness for...then find the gratitude for both another's faults and your own, knowing that each may have been something that we needed to learn. I promise you, if you make this step sincerely, you will change your life. You will begin to see things differently, laugh more deeply, and have peace and joy within you. You will bless others by your mere presence, by your new and powerful positive energy. You are the only thing standing in your way.

Are You Waiting to Be Rescued?

A friend recently told me a joke that sums up how we often ask for God's help, then ignore the help that is sent our way, ignore the opportunities that we are given to help ourselves. Instead, we resign ourselves to thoughts like, "if God is willing, then it will happen"...all the while missing chance after chance that God is sending to show us the way out. It may be a simple suggestion from a friend who sees a clear way out for us, or a comment from a stranger that has more wisdom than we recognize...an avenue to give us more power and let go of our burdnes, so often self-imposed.

The story goes something like this:

It had been raining for days and days, and a terrible flood had come over the land. The waters rose so high that one man was forced to climb onto the roof of his house to avoid the floodwaters, faithfully praying to God to save him.

As the waters rose higher and higher, a man in a rowboat appeared, and told him to get in. “No,” replied the man on the roof. “I have faith in the Lord, the Lord will save me.” So the man in the rowboat went away. The man on the roof prayed for God to save him.

The waters rose higher and higher, and suddenly a speedboat appeared. “Climb in!” shouted a man in the boat. “No,” replied the man on the roof. “I have faith in the Lord; the Lord will save me.” So the man in the speedboat went away. The man on the roof prayed even harder, knowing that God would save him.

The waters continued to rise. A helicopter appeared and over the loudspeaker, the pilot announced he would lower a rope to the man on the roof. “No,” replied the man on the roof. “I have faith in the Lord, the Lord will save me.” So the helicopter went away. The man on the roof prayed again for God to save him, steadfast in his faith.

The waters rose higher and higher, and eventually they rose so high that the man on the roof was washed away, and alas, the poor man drowned.

Upon arriving in heaven, the man marched straight over to God. “Heavenly Father,” he said, “I had faith in you, I prayed to you to save me, and yet you did nothing. Why?” God gave him a puzzled look, and replied “I sent you two boats and a helicopter, what more did you expect than that?”

This little story sums up how so many of us choose live our lives. We have faith in God to take care of us, but we ignore so many signs and opportunities that He sends our way. We worry that if we receive help in any other way than directly from God, that it might not be valid. For example, I have had very faithful individuals actually question why someone should ever rely on angels for any assistance, asking, "Why not go directly to God?", questioning whether, by asking and receiving help from angels, if it is "cutting God out" or not honoring God enough.

That seems illogical to me. God sent angels to Mary, Jesus, and many prominent characters in the Bible to help them in their journey. Angels are also recognized in some form by all organized religions as well as those who call themselves "spiritual, but not religious", choosing to seek a more personal relationship with God. Many people have had direct experiences with angels, and have been rescued or received great peace from their actions and intervention. I believe that most of us, somewhere inside, know that we have some angels to help us, whether in the heavenly form that we have come to think of, or "Earth Angels" that appear to us through fellow humans, just when we need them.

What we must understand is that we have to ask for their help, and then receive it openly when it comes. Our free will generally prevents angels from helping us until they have the request (unless it is an urgent situation that is not congruent with our plan). We can ask angels for their help, knowing that God provided them to us to be our messengers and helpers....or, we can ask God for help, but be willing to accept it in whatever form it gets sent, through angels or, as in the story, through the two boats and the helicopter.

When we ask, it is always given. The issue is often that we do not receive it if it is not in the exact form that fits our idea of how God should come to us. If we remember that God is in all things, we can understand that God can come to us in many forms or send us many avenues for rescue or growth. It is not until we open our minds to the many paths and opportunites beyond our pre-determined form, we can truly experience God's gifts, or fully live our path or purpose.

Ask God for help, ask angels for their assistance...ask that they make it obvious to you so that you will hear it loudly and clearly in the coincidences and events surrounding you. Then have the courage to fully live in faith by opening your mind to ALL of the opportunities that are sent your way, not just the ones that fit your picture of God. We each have everything we need for growth and perfection at our disposal, if we will only listen and receive.

Choose to ask, choose to receive, choose to follow the avenues that are presented to you. That is true faith.

A Rose, By Any Other Name

William Shakespeare’s character Juliet made the point so aptly…
...that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.

A rose would still be the sweet and beautiful flower that it is no matter what name was assigned to it, or what we call it. If we applied this same thought to the concept of God, we could eliminate many of the differences in the world. All too often we look at religious ideas only as they relate to our own rituals or specific belief system, names, and stories. We sometimes forget that our widely chosen book, the Bible, tells us, “God is Love”. And God, The Almighty, The Creator, under whatever name is assigned or what specific rituals are attached, is still wherever there is love. Likewise, anything that is in the energy and emotion of pure love must be the same as that entity or being that we choose to call God…Our sweet rose (God) will remain just as sweet if it is called by any other name. What matters is what it IS (love), not what it is called.

We should understand that God exists in all things that are born of the essence of love, even if it this love is practiced under the names of Allah, Buddha, Krishna, Universal Life Force, Reiki, or any other label that might be comfortable and true to others but unfamiliar to us. Even if it has no name at all, but is simply the energy of pure love, then God is there. I believe that healing comes from that pure love energy – what I like to call “God-energy” (but can respect under any other name). When we are in the presence or vibration of pure love, our healing will occur…we will have our miracles. It is for this reason that Jesus was such a powerful healer...He could love all beings, without judgment. He possessed the knowledge that we are capable of creating our own miracles, and gave the directive to, “Ask, and it shall be given you". That statement leaves little wiggle room and is very emphatic about what it says: that we should ask and know that it will be given…to KNOW that…to EXPECT it….to consider nothing less. It is our tendency toward judgment that prevents our healing, not just the judgment of others (although that is damaging), but also the judgment we put upon ourselves internally …that we are never quite worthy of God’s love, we are never quite good enough, that we probably don’t deserve what we have, that there is probably some punishment awaiting us for not measuring up. In our search for God, we often look for our flaws rather than our goodness, which is opposite of what He does, and therefore only leads us away from feeling that unconditional love that is ready and waiting for us. In seeing our shortcomings, we cannot begin to imagine that God would bestow upon us any gifts of healing…any ability to create miracles for ourselves or those around us…so we rarely ask and expect it. We entirely forget to ASK, so that it can be given to us, but instead wait to see what comes our way.

Our path to true healing (of body and soul) begins and ends with love… casting out judgment and loving ourselves, loving one another, reaching out to another in need without expectations or demands in return. It is not an easy thing to do because our minds have been trained to measure ourselves and each other, but it is our true path to God. We cannot reach God through reciting scripture, or simply following rigid rules…if God is love, we can only reach Him through love…pure love deep in our hearts, unencumbered by judgment and fear. Open your heart to unconditional love and you will open your life to God…to miracles…to your greatest self. Allow yourself to love the stranger, regardless of perceived flaws, and to love yourself, in spite of your assumed mistakes or inadequacies. Focus simply on the sweet smell of the rose, rather than what it is called or the details of how it got here, and you will find your joy.

The 2012 Debate

A friend and fellow "spiritual seeker" emailed me last night to ask about my take on the 2012 debate...Will it be a time of spiritual awakening on a large scale?...Will it be Dooms Day? For those who are not familiar with this subject, 2012 marks the end of the Mayan calendar and ancient predictions for this powerful time and what it would bring. Some have come to think of as the potential apocalypse, giving ample opportunity for speculation. This topic is getting increasing attention, because many people feel very strongly about it on both sides, while others attribute it to being merely another Y2K "scam". I will say that, like Y2K, the outcome will be a result of our attention to it. The preparation leading to and attention shown to Y2K meant that a situtation that could have created chaos ran smoothly instead. Many chose to attach to the fear element of Y2K, rather than just preparing for it in such a way that it could go as smoothly as possible. In that fear, many moments of their lives were lost because they chose to focus their energy on how bad it was going to be. It is a testament to how we, as a society, choose to cling to the negative rather than the positive. A quick surf through the television lineup or our news programs makes that very clear.

I believe that the 2012 experience will be determined by how we look at it and what we do to prepare for it. But unlike Y2K, which was an incident of preventing a breakdown that would bring on disaster, 2012 may be an opportunity to create a breakthrough that would bring on a new world and new paradigm. Certainly, it is worth exploring and considering that possibility, or contributing to it, each in our own way.

Below is my email response to my friend to summarize how I feel about 2012. I get this partly from reading about 2012 theories, but mostly from feelings that I have deep inside about it. From my experiences, when we make attempts to get deeply connected, we can feel information in a sense of "knowing" that goes beyond just thinking or intellectual debate. These are simply my thoughts and feelings...you may have your own, or you may find that these thoughts resonate with you as you go into your deeper, knowing state. Here is my response:

2012…I definitely have thoughts and feelings about it and believe that it is indeed a turning point and shift. I have read some about it, but most of my feelings are more from internal things and vibes than anything else. I think that the things that are happening now, with so many people feeling an awakening or a calling, have to do with this energy that is increasing – leading up to that time. I think that we can make it happen in a fantastic way or we can prevent it from happening (“we” meaning the collective consciousness). I think that is why each person that we can touch in such a way as to “get them on board” so to speak, to encourage to open their mind, the more likely we are as a society to make wondrous things happen...to usher in a New World...A New Eden. I think you probably know what I mean…you meet someone and have the urge to share certain things with them…like Reiki, or angel talk, or new ways of looking at God… yet with other people, you don’t have such an urge. I think that once we get ourselves more “in tune” to the new energy patterns, the better we can identify others who may be on the verge of some kind of awakening or ready to connect. I believe many of us are here for that purpose and know it deep down inside….like we came here for this time and this transition and have to help each other awaken to remember that.

I actually believe the concept of 2012 is very much like the concept from the prophecy in the book of Revelation…”one will rise up from the field, and one will be left standing” (to paraphrase a little). Our human brains and religious training tend to make us try to translate that literally, thinking that God will come around and “snatch” up the good people to heaven, and then just leave the bad people behind. But I think it is more of a symbolic rising up…rising to another energetic dimension where the perception shifts to a more peaceful place – and place more in tune with God (heaven on earth). It is "ascension" to a better place within ourselves, and one that will change our lives.

I also think 2012 will feel like “Dooms Day” to many who are afraid of a shift in the old paradigms, or who resist it entirely. They will cling to the old ways afraid of the new, and may feel frantic about the loss of control or power in those paradigms. I even think that things like the economic troubles we are having are part of this shift…an opportunity for us to become less dependent on “stuff” to make us happy, so that we can get back to ourselves…back to our spirit...more truly back to God and our Oneness with Him, but in a new and more meaningful way than we have ever known. Those who embrace the challenge and just get real again and back in touch with themselves will rise above the economic troubles, those who stay fearful or bitter will get stuck. Likewise, those who find peace within themselves will contribute to peace in the world, but those who cannot find peace within themselves will feel the need to stir up and keep angst and trouble going. Their inner turmoil will contribute to outer/worldly turmoil, while those with inner peace will contribute to outer/worldly peace. It is simply a matter of which collective energy we, as individuals, choose to contribute to. If we can reach that magic "critical mass" number, whatever that may be, where the positve and loving energy is greater than the negative and judging energy, then we will arrive at that new place. 2012 and these years leading up to it may present a unique opportunity within elements of the universe which could make the task easier (going with the flow of the universe rather than against it...riding that powerful tide).

I see 2012 as a real opportunity for the world to change – but it is not just going to happen because it is that “time”…the opportunity will happen…the universe will be ready (astrologically, etc)…but we, as a collective consciousness, will have to usher in the new paradigms and the shifts through our own individual shifts.

That’s just my 2 cents worth!

Each of you reading this may have your own ideas about 2012...that it will be a mass awakening...that it will be Dooms Day...or that is is much ado about nothing. But if there is indeed an opportunity for it to be a mass awakening or Dooms Day, which would you prefer, and which would you want be part of? Whether 2012 exists or not, we each have a daily choice of being part of making something good through pure, unconditional love that is not based on judgment or control, or making something not-so-good through our fear-based thinking that generates a need to control and condemn.

Which do you choose? Which have you chosen in your actions thus far today? Which will you choose in your actions for the rest of today...for tomorrow...for the future? Will you simply wait for the world to change or will you be part of that positive change? The choice, as always, is yours.

Be Still and Know...

Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God, is a very common verse in the Bible, known by most who have had any connection to religion. In our culture we are not still for very long, in fact, we often refer to those who are not not constantly in action or not constantly working toward a goal or outcome as slack or lazy, applying a derogatory connotation. We do not encourage quietness, stillness, or emptiness, nor do we understand that these things may be our way to know God more fully...just "being still" in order to connect with God in a way that is full of knowingness - beyond any need for proof or logic. This knowingness is where our faith truly begins, because it is without need for proof or evidence.

The Biblical phrase, "be still" is from the Hebrew root rahpah, with meanings such as, be slack, stay, be still, be slothful, fail, forsake, leave, let alone. By applying these possible variations on the translation, the meaning expands greatly. It is as if the Bible, in its earlier translation that was closer to the real language of its origin, is telling us to let up, to forsake our patterns and methods for seeking God or thinking about God, and just "know" that God is there. In a deeper sense, I like to also consider that these words may have had the meaning of telling us to "let go" of our limiting thoughts by stilling our minds away from the process of thinking, at which place we can know and feel that "I AM God"..."I" meaning ourselves...understanding that we have God in us at all times and can therefore never be separated from Him. The perceived separation from God, as in "I am not good enough, I am not worthy enough" is what has created our problems. Simply remembering our Oneness is all that we need to return to the Divine.

If we can overcome the wordly ways of needing to constantly be doing something or accomplishing something to validate ourselves - and learn to just "be still" - be slack, do nothing - for significant periods of time, we can attain a significant connection to God and to our holiness. It is that simple. Find quiet time where you allow yourself to do nothing - to take a nap even when the laundry needs to be done, the kitchen cleaned, the beds made, or the lawn mowed. But instead of ignoring these things to go shopping, watch TV, or do something else, just do nothing. Let the worldly "to do list" disappear and just "be slack... slothful...fail." In that quiet and pure space of non-guilt, feel God and feel the power of knowing that you are one with God. It is likely that you will feel a physical shift in energy and a sense of peace within you. If you do not feel this right away, do not give, up...simply continue and try to let go even more. In time, if you are sincere in your efforts, you will begin to "know" even if in only tiny bits. A simple flash of knowing God in this very personal a direct way can be all you need to lead you on your way to a more fulfilling connection. Any of us, in spite of all of our excuses, can surely find small bits of time to be still and ask for God to truly come into our presence. The benefits are simply too great to ignore.

Be still...and know.

Declaring Independence

Today is Independence Day here in the United States, which marks a remarkable moment when our forefathers stepped up to seek something more...to want a greater freedom to pursue their personal passions and happiness. It was remarkable because their foe was a much mightier and formidable opponent, yet these brave souls had the courage to want more and believe in something greater. In spite of conventional wisdom at the time, and although 80% of colonists were against this declaration and the impending fight, those few brave souls believed that they could win independence.

We are living in a time where much information is available to allow us avenues to declare our own personal independence...freedom from limiting thoughts that have been programmed into us by non-believers who cannot dare to believe in something greater, a power within us which can change our lives, heal us, and create miracles before us. Science and faith are converging in such a way that if we examine them, there is little doubt that there is a greater power accessible to us, within our grasp and control, which will allow us to create our greater destiny in ways we may never have imangined.

With this new wave of energy and faith that asks us to be more, there will be many naysayers, just as there were so many years ago when Independence was declared by the colonists...but the faithful prevailed, and greater things came of it. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence necessitated that a war be fought by those faithful, but our independence from limitation in this day can be won through peace, through love and acceptance shown to each other, through minds willing to lay down previous thought patterns and open to the possibility of more...more miracles in abundance.

You can take your own steps to join in the revolution of thought...by reading more, trying new things, opening your mind to new ideas, telling God and your angels that you are ready for more, ready to move into your real purpose in this life. If you ask sincerely, you will be shown opportunities for growth and new thoughts...open your mind and you will receive them.

Let this July 4 mark your Day of Freedom, the day that you declare your own will to move forward and be more.

Happy 4th to all!