Have you ever had a revelation of something that was greater than yourself, but yet, you knew it was your path to follow? Inner Wisdom, a guidance that only we know and can follow, is laid out before us every single day. Are you listening? Perhaps some of us will ask ourselves, how do we listen? Or, will I answer myself back, really? Here is a secret, the day you begin to listen and let the force within you guide you, you will be reborn into who you were meant to be. WE have a purpose in this life. YOU are special and loved on a level beyond our limited understanding. TAP into this awareness and the light that is filled with LOVE. ALLOW your inner path to be illuminated. OPEN your mind. OPEN your heart. RECONNECT yourself with your body and ALLOW your voice to be heard.

I am just like you. The day I was born did not begin at physical birth, but when I was spiritually awakened, opening my heart to new experiences and allowing my voice to be free. I began my journey contemplating what it really meant to do these things. At first, I found myself having panic attacks at actually allowing myself to be just that, myself. I feared the judgment and ridicule that I often saw through the public media’s eyes, or the fear that was displaced through generations of family members on what was considered proper and the fear of repercussions for activating ones own individual thought system. I made a very important decision that day, that in order to be completely free to express myself I had to accept that fear and move past it.  I embraced the challenges and ridicule and I continue to move forward. It was time to put away self-doubt, and ask myself at the end of the day, what matters most? How I view myself? Or is it more important how others view me?  (See Exercise 1)

I found myself able to move, unscathed by my past to go out and help others. Our pasts I found a need in my community and I went forward to change it. I never asked for anything in return. This is something so simple that we can all learn by opening our hearts and being of service to others. These experiences are more than rewarding, but help promote a positive and unique change in the community around you as you encourage others to be open and share the light within them. All it takes is that first step. Will there be obstacles? Yes, there are always obstacles or there will always be someone out there that will want to stifle your voice. My advice, don’t listen. Allow yourself to transform the rejection or negative energy into a blue positive light. (See Exercise 2)

Why has it become such a hard thing to do in today’s age? Its time to stop being powerless, it’s time to stop being shut down. Open your minds to these new possibilities and new levels of thinking. This awareness will beckon your voice to say what is really going on inside, and your heart will begin to open. Truly this is an amazing place to be, so why hide your inner voice at the risk of losing yourself as a whole. Until we can as a community and a society, speak our minds without fear and stand together in unity, we will continue to be closed within. I challenge you to find that light within yourselves and express it freely. Accept the light within you, listen to the voice that beckons to be heard and allow yourself to follow a new path. Ensure that it is of course not a place of anger, fear or darkness. Walk out of your own shadow and speak truth.  Be the change! (See Exercise 3)

Open your hearts to new possibilities and find out where it leads you, people are never what they appear to be. The misgivings of humanity are bread in your mind and create distrust. In essence we create the violence and distrust around us by not allowing ourselves to trust and love open heartedly. We need to change our thought system on how we compare others regardless of their status. How will you judge me? I view myself as a mother, whether it’s a mother to my daughter or to my community, I am the woman that rocks a shopping card forwards and backwards regardless if there is a child in the cart. I am the mother that will always embrace you warmly regardless of your status.  I am the mother that is willing to promote change for all of my children. I am the mother that is willing to make this change for YOU! You are LOVED, you are CHERISHED and you are so SPECIAL. Even when you lack the faith in yourself, know that that specialness never goes away, you are just in hiding. Awaken…

WE ARE THE CHANGE!

If you are traveling through darkness, please accept this guidance in the light in which it is given. May love envelop you and carry you, may the light shine brightly within you and encourage you. May the path be illuminated, may your journey begin. Blessed Be. Amen.

Exercise 1:

How we view ourselves is how we not only reflect on others, but also how we judge other people.

If you don’t understand this statement, I ask that you reflect on why the puzzle is there. Take one aspect of yourself that you love and look at the people around you. Next, take a deep breath and focus on one negative aspect about yourself and look at those who are close to you. The person you view closest to you will carry a negative impact within you automatically. Perhaps you didn’t know you were so close to that person to feel this way, but, what you’re feeling is from you. It has nothing to do with them. Before you reach out in anger or distrust, I ask you to correct the negativity and allow yourself to reconnect to yourself before judging anyone.

Exercise 2:

Holding onto a negative past is a roadblock, not only for life but also for allowing ourselves to see our path clearly.

How many times have we said, “I wish I could do that, but I don’t think I would be good at it.” What about, “I would love to look nice, but all this fat is in the way of making the outfit work.” Or, what about, “I could try that, but what happens if I’m rejected.”

What if… Fear… Negativity. We unfortunately have a lot of negativity to sort through growing up in our lives. From the baggage that is displaced to us from our parents, to peer-to-peer connections and of course the almighty relationship, it takes an amazing amount of not only courage, but time to sort through it, accept it and best of all, let it go. Some of us have a harder time than others when it comes down to allowing a memory become apart of them permanently. Herein is the problem, to let go of your past, you have to accept your past. Accept the bad with the good. Release the control you would like to have, release the control that you gave power to the memory or emotion, and release that which holds you. Take your time going through this process, in the end, your goal is to look in the mirror and love yourself completely. You should! You deserve to have that love! The fact that you exist is a miracle. Do you know how complex creation really is? We are truly miracles and divine inspiration. Imagine all those negative emotions and fears burning in a blue flame that radiates positive energy back to you. Reconnect…

Exercise 3:

Stepping outside of our comfort zone or wishing problems away is hard to change in our own personal thinking, but…

It’s time to step outside of our comfort zone. It’s a time for action and you are the change. Change in this world has to take place on a very personal level if it’s going to succeed. That personal level is you, Love! Only you can encourage change in your movie. Taking action never ever has to be something on a big level, but only a level that you are comfortable with. It’s important to take these small steps so that you don’t go back into your inner shell. View yourself as a tortoise, warm and safe inside of your shell. Think and ponder on the areas in your own personal life that need positive change, as well as your environment. What kind of change would you like to see to encourage your personal well-being and positive growth in your environment? Keep in mind this can be any area or subject matter in your life. Now, I know this sounds cliché’, but start making a list. Keep this list where you can see it. You need to ensure that you really WANT these changes on a very personal level. Now, allow yourself some contemplation time on your list. Imagine yourself slowly emerging from your shell and think of the steps that need to be taken to become fully emerged and write those steps down. Here’s the fun part, move your fears aside or negative emotions, believe in yourself and move forward on Step One. Please make sure that step one is a very small and comfortable step to ensure your success. Continue working in this pattern until your inner self is completely emerged and glowing brightly. Congratulations on finding that inner light and provoking change that only you can make.

For those of us in the spiritual community that loves to frequent soul-inspiring places such as Soul Food, it is time to take a serious look at what beckons for the future. How can we embrace the mystical truths that ring so true within us in the new era of post-2012 consciousness? As a mother, I look to my children for the answers. They are the men and women of the future, and it is to their innate spirituality and natural wisdom that I now focus my attention for tools that resonate with the consciousness of 2012 and beyond. My baby wants everyone reading this to know these four points:

1. The unknown elements between the physical world and the non physical world are opening up and becoming ready for discovery. Every human has the potential to create a bridge between the earth “self” and who they are as an energy being. There is nothing too complicated about learning our vibratory rate. Plenty of scientific evidence exists to associate ourselves with our energetic essence. With the new consciousness, we can courageously talk about who exists beyond the physical to our children and our extended families. There is nothing to fear from another not believing or understanding our interpretation of reality. Nothing can argue with the joy that will extend outwards from our brave steps at full disclosure.

2. Guides, angels and other labels for non physical spiritual support are real and are communicating with our earth “selves” with much greater regularity. If you have a desire break through the wall of silence between their messages and your existence, all you have to do is ask. Without placing too much judgment or expectation onto the result, your spiritual support can contact you in an infinite number of ways. Don’t worry about how. Just know that you have asked and wait for the signs. If they do not come immediately, see what else has to be let go in terms of judgment. We judge much as human beings, whether we consider ourselves “spiritual” or not.

3. There are people who have much knowledge about these things that never went to school or received a Ph.D. The time is coming for us to review our attachment to academic labels and open ourselves up to the truths that are coming from un- educated sources. What feels true? When you meet another person, first intend to connect with how that person makes you feel. Then, look to what they are saying. Finally, you can assess any other qualifications that may add to their argument. This is a much more loving way to approach all human beings, for it recognizes their souls. As soul beings, we all appreciate when we are “seen” from the heart.

4. Whatever you decide to do with the rest of your life, know that the times are changing. The things of the past are truly being buried and new soil is positioning itself all over the earth. The soil is our children. They are coming in waves on a greater frequency. The new child has a connection with their divine self that cannot be denied or ignored. Everything will change as a result of their entry into this plane. Be prepared as spiritual beings having a human experience to witness their light and to understand it for what it is. It is the future for all of us. What they giveus is bright and beautiful.

These things are spoken from the soul of a baby to all of us. We don’t have to listen. Yet, if we do, places like Soul Food will become even brighter beacons of light for the souls that speak this language of energy, spiritual growth and mystery.

Sometimes the best avenue for really understanding the value of something is to view it from the polar-opposite perspective first. “Dis-grace”…. chances are this word brings up some emotions for each of us about times we felt shame & embarrassment over not measuring up to someone else’s ideals. Although our need to be self-policing is very important, I’ve experienced so many instances throughout my life where people took on an immense amount of shame that was never theirs to own…often through entire cultural histories. In their eyes, their shame became who they were. It defined them individually, their choices throughout their lives and their ability to see themselves as having any value. Each time I’ve witnessed this dynamic, it’s broken my heart. They couldn’t seem to see in themselves what I was able to see in them.

The good news is that at the end of each & every day, we’re our own jail-keepers… thus we can choose what we want for ourselves… Divine Free Will at its best! That gives each of us the very real opportunity to stand in our own Personal Power & re-define ourselves. As tempting as it may be to place blame for our decisions on someone else, circumstances, etc., we do ourselves a grave injustice by not recognizing & acknowledging our very real capabilities that would allow us the very palatable freedom that comes from owning our own “stuff” & allowing others to also own their part. Unfortunately but also I believe, by design… we have no dominion over instituting that for anyone except for ourselves.

Here a logical point of view actually comes in handy because it stands to reason we can’t change another person so “letting it go” & trusting in something bigger than ourselves makes a whole lot more sense. I always say… “Why expend energy on something you can’t change?” What is possible & wise is often not easy but from my own experience; it’s most definitely worth it.

If we elude ourselves into being convinced it must be someone else’s fault we can’t get what we want, it pays to step back & think about what we just may be hanging onto that’s serving us for unhealthy reasons… to keep from having to step up & face ourselves… to feel cared for or valued in some way we can’t seem to find within ourselves… because we feel we’ll never do or get anything better… etc… etc…The list goes on and on and each “reason” in reality, is simply one more excuse. The biggest thing we conquer in our life is ourself after all.

At the risk of dating myself… I watched African-American adults in the South where I grew up for 10 years during the growing racial divide of the 60’s & 70’s, stand in shame… heads down & eyes unable to even look at me directly… a 20-year old, Caucasian, blue-eyed, blond working with their children at an elementary school. I also felt the disgrace of being treated by the staff there as not worthy of acknowledgment & worse until I was eventually able to realize for myself ( & after more than a few tears), it was just their shame manifested in another form.

I met wonderful, loving Africans in Jamaica who carry great shame from their own days of slavery into their culture in so many insidious ways. Their people were only emancipated in the 60’s & in a more passive-aggressive effort to speak to their pain & anger over losing their freedom; they ceased to create art during their enslavement. The poverty in which they live leaves them feeling very much “less-than” the elite but very small upper-class there & the tourists who come there to vacation, inadvertently keeping their economy alive. They fear being judged & defined by it.

The energy work I’ve been involved with on several Native-American reservations & within various tribal communities over the years is yet another example of a gifted people who are so lost in shame for the issues that continue to plague their people…alcohol, drugs, physical abuse, etc. They still carry forward great wisdom and insight from their early ancestors but they’re unable to see a vision of themselves through the thick cloak of shame they carry. It’s not for lack of a desire on their to change things but more a lack of ability to shift their perspectives & see their situation through new eyes.

Emotional & physical abuse, especially in childhood, is also routinely accompanied by self-blame & shame & often tragically keeps the victim in a state of powerlessness long after the fact. If we don’t feel we matter and can’t see ourselves authentically, we operate in our lives from a pre-conceived & very unfortunate idea that we deserve no better than what we were shown. Such a waste of beautiful, unrealized human potential with an expansiveness limited only by a belief-system void of real truth. Just imagine some of the amazing ideas & experiences mankind has missed because someone was never able to see the true possibilities they actually had the power to bring to fruition all along the way. Another piece of good news… It’s NEVER too late to start!

Enslavement of any kind robs humanity of its Self-Love & Higher Vision of itself & breaks the Spirit at a soul level. It usually rolls down the energetic line through many generations as parents and other family members pass this on to the children. As a healer who has dedicated my life to supporting others in recognizing, healing & reaching for their personal vision of themselves, I’ve actively worked with many clients over the years to recognize and remove this kind of dynamic & it has proven to be a powerful & gratifying process for everyone.

As Maya Angelou so simply & wisely put it… “When we know better…we do better.” Sometimes it takes some assistance from others who can hold up that vision for someone of who they truly are… who they came here to be… underneath the layers of painful “lessons” we all tend to collect in our lives. Humanity needs to continue to make that shift from judgment to compassion & support of each other in order to heal itself & our beautiful, sentient planet. We are all “walking-wounded” in some way & it membership knows no color, race, profession, socio-economic background, etc. Don’t be fooled by appearances.

Because our thoughts so very much create our realities, learning to live in “GRACE” is profoundly important. An noun AND a verb, Grace is not perfection but rather the ability to see the Higher…Bigger Picture of things so we can gain the perspective of what’s really important.

Having real Grace requires letting go of; hurtful actions by others & refusing to be a victim of circumstance (we can choose to be the bug or the windshield!)… not being “manipulated” into “reacting” from old wounds we carry… not being defined by what we “have” on a material or physical level… our ability to embrace compassion, protection & empathy for ALL living things which first & foremost includes OURSELVES… not feeling threatened & thus being confident enough in our own abilities to be able to adopt a collective vision of ourselves as all parts a whole with plenty of prosperity for all & not feeling threatened… speaking our truths powerfully from a position of compassion & non-judgment… being able to see every situation through the other person’s perspective (even if we disagree) as well as our own… learning to walk our talk & being willing to be of service to the whole as part of the solution…

The measure of our compassion is also the measure of our humanity, individually & collectively…

If you ever need an example of real Grace, just spend a little time in our natural world. Every living thing there exists within the moment with no anger, greed or ego. Only what is needed to sustain life is taken. There is great profoundness in this simplicity that has absolutely nothing to do with assumed, varying degrees of intellect as defined by some. Wisdom & intellect are very different things which come from two different sources & serve different purposes. Wisdom is ancient truth gathered individually with the assistance of Divine Timing. It can’t be read, willed into existence or achieved through mental/ intellectual processes. It must be earned, lived & felt at the spirit level. It’s here… from this position, that we each have the opportunity to re-evaluate & re-direct our perspectives & goals.

Here’s to Grace, Insight & Prosperity on ALL levels as we go through the rest of the holiday season upon us and forward into a New Year and growing perspective of what is possible.

Namaste’

He lived in an old trailer out in the country, behind a wooden gate that said “keep out” and he had white lights strung up high (like a Christmas tree lot) above his home. This was located right before the turn-off to my parents’ cabin. When I grew up, and moved south to Detroit, I would see Sanford’s lights at the end of my 4 hour drive and take comfort from two things. First is that I was almost home and second that he continued to
survive against whatever struggles he fought. Sanford’s presence gave me comfort… and he never knew.

Now I live near Seattle and on a recent visit to Michigan we had a dinner with my relatives and neighbors so I could see everyone. The news that Sanford had died was quite upsetting. Everyone had a story to tell about a man we really didn’t know, but felt a connection to as a member of our community. Very few people had ever spoken to him and as I heard those people making plans to attend his funeral, I wondered how many
others would show up to pay respects and possibly learn who Sanford really was.

As my life has moved on, I have come to realize that there are “Sanfords” all around. Perhaps even I am your “Sanford” at Soulfood Books. I am the woman who likes to sit in the leather chair by the fountain with a cup and a book. You’ll walk past me and somehow the room will feel more like a community because I am a regular there. I bring life to the chair, a familiarity to the room and offer a sense of optimism because I’m
continuing on against the struggles in life.

Community has many levels, not just the close friends and acquaintances, but the “extras” that you notice, but never talk to. These are the regulars, the familiar faces that you never get to know, yet you know them as belonging to our community. Maybe you are my “Sanford” too, one of those whose presence is a light that welcomes me home to the familiar world of Soulfood.

Willow Woman

There is a storyteller that lives in my brain and narrates my day for me.  She takes in data from my surroundings and compares it to what she already knows and draws conclusions (right or wrong) about what’s going on in my world.  She nags me to get out of bed in the morning with a long list of things to do in a short amount of time, then reminds me of my failures and warns me not to repeat mistakes.  There is a righteously indignant tone that she takes when another human has caused things not to go “according to plan” and she will build upon this line of reason until happiness seems to be unattainable.   

I also have an observer in my brain that doesn’t speak language or understand time.  She appears when I am experiencing the current moment as I drum, chant, dance, sing, create or meditate.  Once in a while she groans in delight as I eat chocolate.  She will notice the feel of sand on my feet and the wind in my hair, and loves the fact the storyteller goes speechless when I jump into cold lake water.

I’ve decided to give my observer (right brain) a little more neural stimulation lately so that the storyteller (left brain) stops hogging all of my neural pathways.  It started with increasing my awareness of colors, smells, tastes and touch.  My right brain takes in the beautiful fall colors on the leaves and my left brain storyteller warns me that the rain is coming and I better get out the silk long underwear.  I wake up my child and bury my face in her neck to smell that wonderful, familiar smell to make my serotonin (happy neurotransmitter) level go up.  Then my storyteller reminds me that there’s a schedule to keep and I better cut this short and keep moving. “Cut this short and keep moving” seems to be the theme song of my storyteller. 

Everyday I am learning to notice the storyteller.  Some times I shush her.  Some times I thank her for her hard work keeping my life in order and on track.  And sometimes I need to trick her by keeping her busy so my right brain can enjoy the moment.  For example,  I used to try to meditate by just putting awareness on the breath as it came in and then out, but the storyteller would tell me stories or create to-do lists, then berate me once I realized it was happening, all the while asking “are we done yet?” 

Here’s where the mind game comes in: I’ve started to mediate using a chant and a mala.  My mala is a necklace with 108 beads loosely strung on a string so that I can hold one bead and chant once, then move to the next bead and chant again.  The chant ties up my storyteller with repetitive words and she knows I will be done when my fingers feel the fixed, 109^th bead with a tassel through it, so she can relax and stop wondering how much longer this is going to last.  I’ve also timed my meditation, so she knows that once around the mala will be about eight minutes.  These are eight glorious minutes when the complaining, judging speeding train that is my left brain stops building momentum and calm comes over my body.   

My observing right brain is getting stronger these days.  After meditation my storyteller seems mellower in her storylines with a deeper appreciation for this life.

Namaste!

Sara