Winter Storm

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Karen

I live in the Pacific Northwest, USA and in this area we have been bombarded with snow, ice and wind in the last week. For those of you who live outside the area, I’m sure the winter weather we received pales in comparison to a normal winter for you. But, for those of us in this area, we were sure thrown way off our routines as we received as much snow in one day as we usually receive in an average year! We lost power in many areas for a few days, as we have so many trees that get heavy with snow and ice and crash onto the power lines and roadways.

Even though, I was out of my routine and had to stay at my mother’s house to stay warm, my own experience is nothing in comparison to the many who have had no power for over a week. Any time we have a shake up in our day to day routine, it always helps us to highlight a few things in our life that we have not been paying attention to.

For example, I know that the power company will change some of the ways it does things, and we already saw an improved way to communicate with customers, as the power company posted regular updates on Facebook to keep everyone informed. For me, this storm helped me to really appreciate electricity and the way in which it is integral in our lives and everything we do. I will certainly try to not take it for granted.

For others, they learned new things about their home, or spent more time reconnecting with family. Even in the most miserable of experiences, there is always something to be learned, improved and/or appreciated in a new way. When you can keep your focus on the positive, even in the face of what can be a terrible situation, it just helps to make things work better in your life.

I know that next time this happens (as it happens every 2-3 years in this area), that the power lines will be better able to handle the event and many more people will have purchased generators or have back up plans in place. Sometimes we all need to slow down and turn off for a few days. This reminds us that we are indeed of the Earth, not just of technology!

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My Resolution: No more Resolutions!

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Karen

Every year, people sit down and make specific resolutions for the New Year. However, instead of making decrees to myself, I choose to remind myself at this time each year of what I feel is important for me in my life. I find that by focusing on our own lifelong philosophies, we naturally reach milestones on our life. A resolution to me is temporary (since it only lasts a year), whereas a pledge is something that you take to heart and do for yourself on a permanent basis. So for this New Year I have listed 12 things that are important for me to do each and every day.

Try listing your 12 things to pledge to yourself for 2012! When you are done, don’t forget to add in that last line to remind yourself that life is not lived somewhere out there in the future, it is in the here and now :)

My 2012 pledge to me:

  • I will not be too hard on myself
  • I will laugh at least once a day
  • I will no longer judge myself for any reason
  • I will spend more time doing the things I enjoy
  • I will take time to have a relationship with myself
  • I will always speak my truth with love in my heart
  • I will always trust my intuition
  • I will be a walking example of the higher power I believe in
  • I will listen to my body
  • I will create a world of love around me
  • I will look at every person and situation with eyes of compassion
  • I will honor my energy each day

    • I will love, laugh and live life!

    Happy 2012 everyone :)

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    Distance Healing

    Posted on November 9, 2011 by Karen

    Recently I was asked, “How do you give a distance healing?” The first thing to realize is that everyone has healing energy that flows through them. And, before you share that energy with others, you need to feel how your healing energy feels to you. Is it hot, cold, tingly, sharp, heavy? Tune into that energy and just be at one with it for a moment.

    Then once you have the energy flowing, say a quick prayer for protection and guidance. You can say something like: “Spirit please guide me during this healing. I ask for your protection and assistance. Thank you.” Then focus your attention on the recipient of the healing energy. This can be a person, animal, group, city, country or even the world. Use your intent to hold an image of that person in your mind as the healing energy flows from you. As long as you stay focused on the recipient, the energy will be sent to them.

    Another beautiful thing about healing energy is that is never goes unused. Even if the person is not aware of it, the energy still brings a sense of peace to them. However, for best results it is a good idea to get permission from the individual first, so that they can take full advantage of the energy as it flows.

    Once you are connected to the recipient, just let your intuition guide you. You may feel your hands move, or you may be shown different images as related to this person. You can be shown areas of the body, past lives begin released, or even colors. For those of you who do not see, you may also feel the energy affect different parts of your body, as your body can become a mirror for the healing recipient.

    When it comes time for you to finish, you will feel the energy flow decrease as it comes through your hands. Sometimes at this stage, additional messages are brought forth related to the person and their healing. If you are doing healings for collective groups, like the planet or cities, you just need to trust that the energy will go to where it is most needed.

    After the healing is completed the person can expect a window of time for the energies to be assimilated and then they will begin to feel better. Sometimes as the healing energy is brought in, it can cause a purging effect; this purging can be emotional or physical, but only lasts a few days. It is important to note that this emotional purging is not always present, only if it is necessary for the healing process for that particular individual.

    To practice a healing, try to tune into the energy of a loved one when you are away from them. Then, just let the energy flow. When you are done, you can see if they felt anything. Sometimes they don’t and that is just fine. Giving a distance healing is also about trusting that the recipient received what was for their best and highest good, even if you do not get the feedback you wanted. Lastly, don’t forget to thank Spirit once you are done!

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    Sleepy Haze

    Posted on September 13, 2011 by Karen

    Lately, I have been feeling very tired and it is like I cannot get enough sleep, and when I am awake it is like I am walking around in some sort of sleepy haze. Is anyone else feeling like this? Whenever there is a time of this hazy, dazy, cloudy-headedness, it is usually due to a big change in energy coming in. As a new wave of energy comes in, it can make us feel like we are being pressed down upon, as if Spirit is attempting to squeeze out of us all of the energy of the past.

    Oftentimes, that drowsiness is Spirit’s way of putting us into a relaxed state so that they can do some healing on us to assist us in releasing any old energy. We might not even know what the old energy being released from us is, sometimes this release is gentle, other times not so much. When we are in the middle of a heavy energy release symptoms can range from feeling deep emotions to even physical pain, but at least when we know what it is, we are much better able to make our way through it.

    If you feel this sleepiness coming on and you are able to relax, go with it. However, if you are not able to take a nap in the middle of your work day, just remember that you can always ask Spirit to wait to bring in this energy until a time of day that is more suitable for you. We often forget that we have some control over our releasing and how we feel about it.

    So, remember when you find yourself sleepy, dreary, tired or otherwise unable to connect to the world around you, just know that it is all part of the process. And, after each new wave of energy, there is a new shift in vibration and consciousness and we all get a breather, at least for a little while!

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    Releasing Anger

    Posted on August 17, 2011 by Karen

    In many spiritual individuals, anger is classified as one of those off-limits emotions, where it is not talked about in depth and even sometimes pushed by the wayside altogether; after all being angry at someone isn’t very spiritual, right? Not exactly.

    Releasing anger is an especially important component of the spiritual process. Releasing anger allows for an avenue of expression for emotional wounds, both new and old. The first thing is to recognize that it is okay to express your anger; this is nothing that you should ever feel guilty about. Every single person on the Earth has experienced anger. To not look at this energy is to disregard a part of ourselves.

    We all have had moments of anger in our life, so what are some good ways to healthfully let this energy out? Instead of zinging the person nearest to you, try getting in touch with the root of your anger first. Sometimes what we see as anger with someone for using our coffee cup is really just a symptom of a deeper anger of feeling disrespected or even unrecognized. Learn what you are really angry about.

    When you are mad at someone or something in your life, what other emotions are involved? Disappointment? Doubt? Fear? Shame? Anxiety? Vengeance? These emotions can all color anger differently and by understanding how your anger intertwines with these other similar emotions; you will be at a better place to allow for a healthy release.

    Here are some easy methods to help with the healthy release of anger. Of these, the most powerful are 1 and 2, because they allow you to really get into the depth of your angry energy.

    1)      Write out why you are angry and read it back to yourself

    2)      Talk with a trusted person about your anger

    3)      Chop wood

    4)      Yell into your pillow

    5)      Punch your mattress

    6)      Break some old cheap dishes

    Once you have released this anger (and you might need to use more than one of these methods), then follow this with a cool down period to re-center yourself before you interact with the world around you. Try any of the following:

    1)      Take a walk

    2)      Watch a funny movie/TV Show

    3)      Meditate

    4)      Enjoy a cup of tea

    5)      Do something creative

    Afterward, you should feel refreshed and have the clarity to finish out your day without having the anger come up again. And, you get the added bonus of allowing the anger to be released in a way that was healthy for you (and your loved ones). Remember what is expressed is something squeezed out of you, and once you let go of it for good, it will never come back up again. It is only when we repress our anger that it creates illness and disease. So let it go!! Be spiritual to yourself and release that energy which you no longer need.

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    You are Divine

    Posted on July 30, 2011 by Karen

    You are Divine. This is not something that can be earned or achieved; it is inherent in every cell of your being. It is who you are.

    Over the years you have been repeatedly given subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle messages about how you need to somehow make Spirit happy, to do things to please God or even to act a certain way as to not cause a Divine Being to be angry with you. But, these messages do not speak to you innate Divinity, for you need to do none of these things. All you need to do is be at one with yourself and this will allow the Divinity to shine through.

    Contrary to popular belief, there are no specific rewards for doing things “good” and no punishment because you were “bad.” There are simply no judgments of what this “good” and “bad” would be; life is instead a series of lessons, and some may be easier than others.

    All you have to do through the course of your life is lean how to navigate these lessons and make choices. Those choices may assist you, or may make things more difficult; but they are yours to make. You will not earn a trophy or a gold star when you complete a lesson, instead you will be moved to the next point of study.

    Each time you move through one of these lessons, you are able to embrace more of your inherent Divinity; able to be who you already are, if you would only believe it. You are Divine; everyone is. Divine Spirit flows endlessly to and through everyone, even those who may not even acknowledge it.

    That connection with the Divine is a part of you, indistinguishable from your heart, hair or toes. The more that you accept your true inner power, the more you will find peace, love and acceptance within your life. You are Divine; the more you say it, the more it counteracts all of those conditioned messages of anger, sadness, wrath and shame.

    You are Divine; it is you beauty within that carries that spark of Divinity everywhere you go. You can tap into it at a moment’s notice; you can use it to overcome any perceived obstacle. Let yourself bathe in the beauty of your own power, to be an individual, to be unique, to be you. You are Divine!

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    What are you Passionate For?

    Posted on July 24, 2011 by Karen

    One of the greatest joys in life is the ability to live your passion every day. This takes a great amount of trust and faith in yourself, but also you must know yourself well enough to answer the question: What are you passionate for? Just let the answer pop into your head, you don’t need to judge it or analyze it at this time. Just allow the answer to be brought forth from somewhere deep inside: What are you passionate for?

    Now that you have the answer or answers to your questions, begin to look at how you can live your passion in one way every day. Do you have passion for animals? Try volunteering at a local animal shelter. Do you have a passion for the arts? Look for community art projects to become involved with. Are you passionate for helping people? Working with children? Healing? Education? Whatever it is that you have passion for; there are always subtle ways in which to incorporate it into your life.

    You will find that when you take time for your passion, that it begins to grow more and more in your life. This happens simply because when you are participating in something you love to do, you are in such a happy receptive state that you open yourself up to allowing that energy to grow inside of you.  Once you start working your passion, soon you find that your volunteer position leads to side work, which then becomes a full time income, and before you know it, you are living and making a living doing your passion every day.

    The beauty of this process is that your passion will always grow as long as you do not get in the way. What does getting in the way look like? Usually it comes up as trying to judge the situation in some way, like “no one makes money doing that” or “I don’t have the education, or experience” etc. To get to a place in life where you can have the opportunity to live your passion, you have to be willing to say yes to your passion even when others say no.

    Your passion is always there and once you begin to recognize and experience it in your life, you will find that the emptiness you may have one felt is now gone, and the dread of going to work everyday has become the joy of waking up to experience a life where you get to live your passion.

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    Express Yourself

    Posted on July 17, 2011 by Karen

    What does it mean to express yourself? It sounds quite easy in practice, but the application of it is not always so simple. In order to express yourself, you must be able to determine what is to be expressed. What part or parts of yourself? How will that expression take place?  Talking, writing, creativity, movement, exercise?

    There is much more to the concept of expression than what is present in the conscious mind at the moment of expression. A personal expression can lead to deeper truths, about yourself, or your surroundings. Expression can help you to face a fear or release an old pattern which never belonged to you in the first place.

    There is a part of you that is begging to be expressed at any given moment. Are you going to allow that expression to flow freely? Try your best not to give into the judgment or doubt that can try to kick in.

    Everyone expresses themselves subtly in many ways. What are you saying without even knowing it? Sometimes those words and phrases we use over and over again can guide us to what we need to release.

    Or, perhaps you have a fear of expressing yourself at all. Look at this fear, what emotions come along with it? What life experiences is this fear based on? Most of the time expression is rooted in worthiness and feeling worthy of being seen, heard, recognized.

    Look at that phrase again, “Express Yourself” Why not try it one new way today?

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    Blog 2.0

    Posted on July 9, 2011 by Karen

    So this week, my blog went into the pit of cyberspace. I’m not sure how it happened, but I was just doing some regular website maintenance, when I could no longer read my blog. Then of course, in my attempts to fix it, Poof! The whole thing disappeared.

    Honestly, I was quite angry about it at first, there was over 300 entries going back a few years; but as it sat on it, waiting for inspiration to come in as to what to do, I began to realize more and more that maybe these old messages just weren’t meant to be hanging around any more.

    This is a time for immense change on the Earth plane and sometimes when this happens, old information, knowledge, things, relationships and anything else which no longer vibrates in resonance with us, seems to just be removed from our energy. This is exactly what happened to my blog.

    But, now it forces me to update my blog structure, as I had to start from scratch and to update all of my blog information. Luckily, I did have blog entries for all of 2011 also posted on Lightworkers.org So I was able to copy those over. Yeah! But, the “About Karen” page I will totally have to redo, I guess I need to update that information too!

    This is a good example how even though we can experience some frustrations, if we can detach from our emotions and take a step back, we can look at things in a new way. I’m sure that there is even a greater lesson in all of this that I may not even see until further down in the future, but that is the way things are.

    Thankfully, instead of being stuck in anger all day Wednesday, I was able to be distracted by helping a friend move. That pulled my attention away from my blog woes and when I came home I had a fresh plan to fix it. It was not even down for 24 hours.

    So, if you ever encounter an unanticipated problem in your life, instead of immediately trying to fix it (Which is always our initial reaction), stop, take some breaths, go for a walk, do something else. While you are busy not thinking about the problem is when the solution can pop right into your head!

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    Independence Day

    Posted on July 7, 2011 by Karen

    What does independence mean to you? As many countries around the world celebrate their independence this time of year, it is a good time to stop and reflect on how you feel about your own freedom to be yourself.

    During everyone’s life there are times when we look at ourselves and attempt to define the person who we are. How much is a reflection of our parents? Our peers? Our culture? Our beliefs? Our society? When you look at each influence one by one, sometimes you realize how tied in you are to an inherited belief or to a common societal conditioning.

    Being free to be yourself is about understanding you and how you interact with others around you. Sometimes this is obvious, and other times that can be much more subtle. The best way to find out about any subconscious emotions on this issue of personal freedom is to ask yourself the question: Am I afraid to be myself in anyway? If you feel tightness in your solar plexus when asking yourself this question, then this sensation is telling you that there is something there which needs to be looked at.

    Sometimes it can be a fear of coming to terms with something about oneself, other times it can be about a fear of judgment or disappointment when discussing a piece of yourself with others. Whatever it may be, do know that you deserve to be free, free from any fearful beliefs about yourself.

    It is only when you can release the fear, that you can really celebrate your independence as a person. So, take some time today and look at these issues; do some journaling on how you can work through these feelings, if needed. You will find that not only are you more confident in yourself, but also much of the energy of anxiety, fear and worry begins to be released. You are free to be you! Embrace yourself, love yourself and know that you deserve the peace that comes from being at one with you.

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