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Coming Out of the Closet and Into the Light

Coming out of the closet and into the Light exemplifies how this feels physically and spiritually. The warmth of the sun on my face and the embrace of a loving energy.

Coming Into the Light

My first thought is the universal recalling of near death experiences. They tell of a bright light that seems to call their souls as they prepare to leave this earthly plane. Devoid of pain, discomfort, and fear, their longing drives them forward.

Second, my name constantly reminds me of the Light.

What’s in a Name?

Did you hate your name growing up? Was it unusual, too common, or just didn’t appeal to you? In contrast, I always loved my name. Similarly, I enjoy the morning far more than the night.

Basic Beliefs are Revealed

What does this have to do with Spirituality? Everything. My innate curiosity opened doors into the hidden meaning underneath experiences. For instance, as a child, I celebrated seeing a velvet ant, intent on her mission. Furthermore, I chose to study Biology, drawing me into nature as surely as a moth is drawn to a flame.

Some would say I inherited this curiosity from my father. Nevertheless, my belief is I chose my parents before I was born. Their own life lessons mingled with mine as we walked our own paths toward destiny. Similarly, I believe the souls of my children chose me as their mother.

Taking it one step further, you reading this is related to your need to explore more deeply your own purpose, finding understanding when it appears things have gone wrong or simply answering the question, “Is this all there is?”

How Does God Fit In?

Numbers in 3’sIndeed, God is central to my life. Every bird call, butterfly landing on a flower, mosquito buzzing in my ear or repetitive numbers as I glance at my odometer, remind me that God is present all around me…all the time.

Perhaps you are wondering how to tap into this fabric of connection.
Here’s one pathway.

Today I Come Out of the Closet

Today I come out of the closet. First, I don’t wish to offend anyone in the LBGTQ community and certainly not any of my friends in this community. Rather, I want to explore a different closet… the closet where other like-minded spiritual friends joined me in keeping our beliefs secret.

What Prompted This Opening Up?

As I prepared my Asian Chicken Soup, pictured above, my thoughts transported me back in time and space to Denver, Colorado 2014. The faces of the women who shared this soup with me came into focus. Their giggles mixed with mine as we filled our soup bowls in the basement kitchen of our teacher’s office space. Next, we settled into the sofa, or chairs in the sitting area. The silence broken by quiet sounds of contentment.

Our Common Ground

We gathered every three weeks or so to learn about ourselves and our special gifts. The class title, “Psychic and Personal Development”, had been shortened to simply “Personal Development” in my mind. Only later did I realize the importance of this class and its affect on me. Milestone steps in our development often escape us when they are happening.

Each of us had come to know our teacher, Kim Moore, in different ways. When she asked how I found her, she was very surprised. It was through a book recommended by a fellow employee at the Denver Police Department. Although he was also in the closet, his intuition prompted him to share. Within this book was the author’s recommended professional psychics and mediums by state. Although there were two in the Denver area, I was clearly drawn to Kim.

A Very Special Group

Apparently, this class was also pivotal for Kim. She decided it would be her last. We all loved watching her rise to a featured speaker at the Mind, Body, Spirit Celebration. Now I am privileged to know Meredith Johnson, The Healing Hummingbird, who will make your debut in the Cincinnati event.

Stayed tuned for more next week…

How to Grow Your Resilience

How to grow your resilience comes from many sources including an innate ability. We don’t often hear the word resilience. A Google search results in this definition for resilience – the capacity to recover from difficult circumstances or simply toughness.
In addition, it involves:

  • Connecting to a positive attitude
  • Developing a determination to work through
  • Saying “Yes” to difficult emotions
  • Developing the capacity to allow

Is This Something I Can Develop?

First, it’s nice to know resilience is a common occurrence in most people. However, we need to cultivate more of it. In fact, anyone can develop toughness or build upon it.

A meditation practice is key to developing all the qualities to build resilience. In fact, the capacity to recover (equanimity) is built-in to the meditation practice on Ten Percent Happier. A short meditation by Sebene Selassie is the basis for this article. Furthermore, you can watch a YouTube interview with Dan Harris and Sebene titled “The Joy of Allowing Life to Be”.

Practice

Although I recommend a set time for developing the habit of meditation, you can use these steps anytime you find yourself upset about a difficult situation. Allow your intuition to determine whether or not you remove yourself to a private location, safety first, always.

  1. Find a comfortable posture
  2. Either close your your eyes or gaze downward
  3. Begin with slow breathing, in through your nose, out through your mouth
  4. Soften any tightness in your body on the out breath
  5. Connect to the breath or whatever sensations in your body are prominent
  6. Accept anything happening right now; annoyance, distraction, ease, even pain
  7. Say to yourself, “Allow”
  8. Slowly open your eyes

Meditation practice is just that… practice. It doesn’t matter when you lose your way with distraction or thoughts. Noticing and starting again happens for everyone. Make space for exactly what’s here. Saying yes, starting over, allow.

Learning how to grow your resilience, your toughness, through cultivating a positive attitude, determination, and the capacity to allow result in working through difficult times.