Here's wishing you a happy new year,
filled with health, joyous surprises, and very good cheer.
May your heart stay light and your eyes remain clear,
and may you be surrounded by those you hold dear.
Happy 2012, my friends.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Gotta Watch
I was sitting at the computer, sorting through my emails, looking at the latest headlines, you know, just kind of waiting for inspiration to strike, and then I saw the most moving videos on Youtube. This beautiful young man, 18 years old, died right after Christmas after suffering all his life with a serious heart condition. Except, he didn't make it seem like he was suffering. He found a way to cope.
Please, do yourself a favor and watch the videos. Search for "Ben Breedlove" on Youtube. There are two videos -- Part 1 and Part 2.
Or, you can try these links: Part 1 and Part 2.
Watch them and then ask yourself: Do you believe in angels or God?
I do, too, Ben. God rest your beautiful soul.
Please, do yourself a favor and watch the videos. Search for "Ben Breedlove" on Youtube. There are two videos -- Part 1 and Part 2.
Or, you can try these links: Part 1 and Part 2.
Watch them and then ask yourself: Do you believe in angels or God?
I do, too, Ben. God rest your beautiful soul.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Happy HolyDays
A while back, I was out purchasing some postage stamps at the local pack-and-ship store, and I asked for some holiday stamps. The clerk, a tall, pimply-faced fellow with lanky, dark hair, brought out some stamps with a reproduction of a Renaissance nativity painting.
I took one look, thought of the ones on my December card receiving list, and said, "No, thanks. Don't you have some stamps with some generic holiday pictures on them? Like ornaments or stars or something?"
The clerk got all flustered, his face turned redder, and he snapped, "Why do people have to get all P.C. at this time of year? Why can't we say 'Merry Christmas' and not be afraid of offending someone?"
Point well taken, but perhaps I do care about offending someone. Why do I need to require everyone in my life to adopt a strictly Christian point of view?
I know some people don't care for the term "Happy Holidays." I often wonder at that, and ask myself if it's because they suffer from a kind of religious myopia. After all, December is a time of celebration for many faiths. For example, the Pagans/Wiccans celebrate the Yule on the solstice (December 22 this year), some Buddhists celebrate Bodhi day (December 8), Muslims celebrate Ashura (December 5), Jews celebrate Hannukah (which started on December 21), and Christians celebrate the birth of Christ (December 25). Then there's Kwanzaa starting on December 26. That's a lot of celebrating!
Perhaps my clerk friend hasn't stopped to think of what "Happy Holidays" really means. It comes from the contraction for Happy Holy Days. These are the days we set apart as "having a divine quality," as Merriam-Webster says. We celebrate the holiness that exists in all of life, and give gifts to each other, as if recognizing the divinity in the receiver. It is a time of adoration and peace, of love and laughter, of sharing the best of ourselves with those we love most in this world. If that's not celebrating Holy Days, then what is?
Happy Holidays, my friends.
I took one look, thought of the ones on my December card receiving list, and said, "No, thanks. Don't you have some stamps with some generic holiday pictures on them? Like ornaments or stars or something?"
The clerk got all flustered, his face turned redder, and he snapped, "Why do people have to get all P.C. at this time of year? Why can't we say 'Merry Christmas' and not be afraid of offending someone?"
Point well taken, but perhaps I do care about offending someone. Why do I need to require everyone in my life to adopt a strictly Christian point of view?
I know some people don't care for the term "Happy Holidays." I often wonder at that, and ask myself if it's because they suffer from a kind of religious myopia. After all, December is a time of celebration for many faiths. For example, the Pagans/Wiccans celebrate the Yule on the solstice (December 22 this year), some Buddhists celebrate Bodhi day (December 8), Muslims celebrate Ashura (December 5), Jews celebrate Hannukah (which started on December 21), and Christians celebrate the birth of Christ (December 25). Then there's Kwanzaa starting on December 26. That's a lot of celebrating!
Perhaps my clerk friend hasn't stopped to think of what "Happy Holidays" really means. It comes from the contraction for Happy Holy Days. These are the days we set apart as "having a divine quality," as Merriam-Webster says. We celebrate the holiness that exists in all of life, and give gifts to each other, as if recognizing the divinity in the receiver. It is a time of adoration and peace, of love and laughter, of sharing the best of ourselves with those we love most in this world. If that's not celebrating Holy Days, then what is?
Happy Holidays, my friends.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Solstice and a Balancing Act
Tomorrow is the winter solstice, according to my calendar, and we celebrate the dominance of the female essence (night, moon, mystery) over the male (day, sun, actuality).
Funny how our lives don't reflect it.
The female essence is also about receiving, being, contemplating, nurturing. The male essence is about giving, doing, going forward, conquering.
And what do our lives reflect right now? I know that I've been in the throes of doing, conquering my "get-it-done" list, always being on the move, giving unto others until I hurt myself.
Perhaps I, like many others, need to step back and breathe the sacred feminine into my life so that I can regain balance.
Sure, there are a lot of things to get done, but can I open myself to taking time to be as well as do? Am I able to receive as easily as I give? Am I able to focus on the important things -- family and friends -- ahead of all the preparations of the season? Am I willing to nurture myself as much as I provide for others?
May the Solstice bring us balance and wisdom for the days ahead.
Funny how our lives don't reflect it.
The female essence is also about receiving, being, contemplating, nurturing. The male essence is about giving, doing, going forward, conquering.
And what do our lives reflect right now? I know that I've been in the throes of doing, conquering my "get-it-done" list, always being on the move, giving unto others until I hurt myself.
Perhaps I, like many others, need to step back and breathe the sacred feminine into my life so that I can regain balance.
Sure, there are a lot of things to get done, but can I open myself to taking time to be as well as do? Am I able to receive as easily as I give? Am I able to focus on the important things -- family and friends -- ahead of all the preparations of the season? Am I willing to nurture myself as much as I provide for others?
May the Solstice bring us balance and wisdom for the days ahead.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Do-Be-Do-Be-Do
No, this isn't an essay on scat singing, but an insight on the balance (or imbalance, in my case) of doing and being.
During the winter months, our bed has two rather thick blankets on it. It is a platform bed, and, dainty soul that I am, I have trouble tucking both blankets under the mattress. So, I usually ask my Significant Other (S.O.) to lift the mattress to tuck in the side parts of the blankets, and then I put the quilt over it.
This morning I was doing my customary meditation, sitting on the floor, leaning against the bed. I was only minutes into my centering exercise when S.O. decided that was a good time to tuck in the blankets so that I could finish making up the bed. Why didn't I tell S.O. to come back after I was finished meditating? Why didn't I continue my meditation after being interrupted? All too often, I let my "doing" take precedence over "being." My stress levels really show it, too.
I guess my point is that I am developing a keener awareness of how much my external life overtakes my internal life. And part of awareness is learning to think of ways to do things better. Or, in this case, how to be better.
Joyous being to you this week.
During the winter months, our bed has two rather thick blankets on it. It is a platform bed, and, dainty soul that I am, I have trouble tucking both blankets under the mattress. So, I usually ask my Significant Other (S.O.) to lift the mattress to tuck in the side parts of the blankets, and then I put the quilt over it.
This morning I was doing my customary meditation, sitting on the floor, leaning against the bed. I was only minutes into my centering exercise when S.O. decided that was a good time to tuck in the blankets so that I could finish making up the bed. Why didn't I tell S.O. to come back after I was finished meditating? Why didn't I continue my meditation after being interrupted? All too often, I let my "doing" take precedence over "being." My stress levels really show it, too.
I guess my point is that I am developing a keener awareness of how much my external life overtakes my internal life. And part of awareness is learning to think of ways to do things better. Or, in this case, how to be better.
Joyous being to you this week.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Jamming the Signal, an Update
Well, my week is not going very well, in terms of keeping the signal between my Higher Self and me open. I feel like I hit the ground running the minute I wake up, and don't stop until I flop back in bed at night. I don't do well with this busy, busy, busy feeling all day. It makes me cranky.
Which brings me to my new old bowl and me. I ordered an old Tibetan singing bowl (for meditation and healing purposes) a couple of weeks ago and it arrived last week. I was so excited! Because it is old, it has some weathering on one side. Nothing bad, but the bowl is, well, quite old. Anyway, I was trying out how to use it, and one way to make it sing is to rub the wooden wand around the outside, near the top lip of the bowl. It makes an otherworldly, high-pitched, singing, bell-like sound. Well, because of this weathered patch and because I'm new at this, every time I hit that rough part, the wooden wand made a scraping sound. Not all the time, but when I wasn't very focused or pushing too hard. Interestingly, when I placed the rough area of the bowl away from me, showing outside, I did better than when I had the rough patch hidden nearest my body.
I guess that what I'm saying here is that I'm a bit like that bowl (except not quite that old, thank you very much). I have my rough patches. But I think it is better all around when I am brave enough to show my rough areas and not try to hide them. Hiding them takes more energy.
So here I am, this rough old bowl, saying that even though I've hit a rough patch lately, I'm still going to sing my very best. I hope you will, too.
Which brings me to my new old bowl and me. I ordered an old Tibetan singing bowl (for meditation and healing purposes) a couple of weeks ago and it arrived last week. I was so excited! Because it is old, it has some weathering on one side. Nothing bad, but the bowl is, well, quite old. Anyway, I was trying out how to use it, and one way to make it sing is to rub the wooden wand around the outside, near the top lip of the bowl. It makes an otherworldly, high-pitched, singing, bell-like sound. Well, because of this weathered patch and because I'm new at this, every time I hit that rough part, the wooden wand made a scraping sound. Not all the time, but when I wasn't very focused or pushing too hard. Interestingly, when I placed the rough area of the bowl away from me, showing outside, I did better than when I had the rough patch hidden nearest my body.
I guess that what I'm saying here is that I'm a bit like that bowl (except not quite that old, thank you very much). I have my rough patches. But I think it is better all around when I am brave enough to show my rough areas and not try to hide them. Hiding them takes more energy.
So here I am, this rough old bowl, saying that even though I've hit a rough patch lately, I'm still going to sing my very best. I hope you will, too.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Jamming the Signal
I can't speak for everyone, but I imagine that those who are in tune with their Twin Soul have an awareness of how that person is doing, both in mood and physical wellness. I know that in my case, I pick up my Twin's mood first, with occasional glimps into my Twin's surroundings (yes, I get quick snap-shots on my mental screen), thoughts, physical pangs, and so on. It makes life interesting.
However, sometimes the signal, the connection, between my Twin Soul and myself gets jammed. I was thinking the other day of what jams the signal.
First, being really busy or focused on something seems to stop me from receiving any feelings from my Twin. So do strong emotions on my part. Being very ill also seems to halt the connection for a time.
Isn't it interesting that the same things that jam the signal from my Twin Soul also jam the signal between my divine guidance and me? It's easy to get so caught up in everyday things that we forget we have connections in the divine realm.
Here's the challenge: How about if we all make an effort this week to stay connected, not only to our Twin Souls (if we feel that connection), but also to our divine guidance? Let every word, every thought, every action we perform have a spiritual connection. In that way, we can help heal our world.
At least, let's give it a try.
However, sometimes the signal, the connection, between my Twin Soul and myself gets jammed. I was thinking the other day of what jams the signal.
First, being really busy or focused on something seems to stop me from receiving any feelings from my Twin. So do strong emotions on my part. Being very ill also seems to halt the connection for a time.
Isn't it interesting that the same things that jam the signal from my Twin Soul also jam the signal between my divine guidance and me? It's easy to get so caught up in everyday things that we forget we have connections in the divine realm.
Here's the challenge: How about if we all make an effort this week to stay connected, not only to our Twin Souls (if we feel that connection), but also to our divine guidance? Let every word, every thought, every action we perform have a spiritual connection. In that way, we can help heal our world.
At least, let's give it a try.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Calling All Empaths! (Part 2)
Surely you've noticed that this is the time of year for major stress -- people are stressing about how little time they have to do things, how much they have to do, family stresses, job stresses, and the list goes on and on. It has been building over the last couple of weeks and is its full throes these days.
I noticed how bad it had gotten when I was picking up a prescription today. The woman who normally waits on me with a cheerful smile was not smiling today. Her shoulders drooped with an unseen burden, her brows were furrowed with worry, and there was a definite frown pulling at the corner of her lips. I asked how she was doing, and she replied that she was feeling the holiday stress -- her father was coming in (she had paid for the airline ticket), she had four kids at home, her shopping wasn't done, and she alluded to some financial stresses as well. I wished her well, but wondered if there wasn't more I could do.
Of course, we can't always rescue those who overextend themselves or create their own stresses. This would deny them the opportunity to learn some important lessons. However, we can offer them our peace, our serenity, our sense of groundedness and calm.
For us empaths, it is vitally important that we avoid going into retreat mode or defensive mode. Resisting the waves of emotions coming our way doesn't help. Resistance is a form of fear, and fear acts as an attractive force. It also keeps us from focusing on maintaining our own sense of centeredness.
Rather, a good offense is the best defense. Adopt the internal Buddha pose, which you have seen as one hand lifted up, palm facing outward, in a sign of peace. This allows the emotions to pass safely by, rather than glomming onto us and overload our sensitivities. As we internally lift that hand of peace upward, we are also sending outward our sense of calm during these hectic times.
That is the best gift we can give during this holiday season.
I noticed how bad it had gotten when I was picking up a prescription today. The woman who normally waits on me with a cheerful smile was not smiling today. Her shoulders drooped with an unseen burden, her brows were furrowed with worry, and there was a definite frown pulling at the corner of her lips. I asked how she was doing, and she replied that she was feeling the holiday stress -- her father was coming in (she had paid for the airline ticket), she had four kids at home, her shopping wasn't done, and she alluded to some financial stresses as well. I wished her well, but wondered if there wasn't more I could do.
Of course, we can't always rescue those who overextend themselves or create their own stresses. This would deny them the opportunity to learn some important lessons. However, we can offer them our peace, our serenity, our sense of groundedness and calm.
For us empaths, it is vitally important that we avoid going into retreat mode or defensive mode. Resisting the waves of emotions coming our way doesn't help. Resistance is a form of fear, and fear acts as an attractive force. It also keeps us from focusing on maintaining our own sense of centeredness.
Rather, a good offense is the best defense. Adopt the internal Buddha pose, which you have seen as one hand lifted up, palm facing outward, in a sign of peace. This allows the emotions to pass safely by, rather than glomming onto us and overload our sensitivities. As we internally lift that hand of peace upward, we are also sending outward our sense of calm during these hectic times.
That is the best gift we can give during this holiday season.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Twin Souls and Tolstoy
I think that my journey on discovering the meaning of Twin Souls has been a catalyst to grow, not only as a person, but also as a soul. It has taught me to give up trying to find fulfillment in another person (the "I need you, baby" syndrome) and rather work to develop myself and prepare myself for my eventual meeting with my Twin Soul.
As I was reading in Tolstoy, "The meaning of life is to search out that which is hidden, and then to conform our activity to our new knowledge. This is the life of the individual as it is the life of humanity."
Blessings to all who continue their quest.
As I was reading in Tolstoy, "The meaning of life is to search out that which is hidden, and then to conform our activity to our new knowledge. This is the life of the individual as it is the life of humanity."
Blessings to all who continue their quest.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Pin Balls, Turkeys, and Humble Pie
Remember my Thanksgiving mini-rant about the yahoo, I mean, dear soul who pulled right in front of me, causing me to screech to a stop and miss the turkey, I mean, blessed heart by mere inches? Of course, that implies that I'm always a wonderful driver and never do stupid things.
But the Universe does have a way of showing us up. Well, I was on the highway the other day and really thought that the lane I was pulling into was completely empty, I mean, for miles there was nobody there that I saw, but somehow when I pulled into that lane, I sort of, heh-heh, accidentally mind you, cut someone off. BEEEEEEP!!! Oops. My bad. Must have been the glare, right? I really am a good driver, honest!
I think it serves as a reminder that we are all learning and growing, and occasionally we (and our issues) run into other people. It's part of life. I think of it as a bunch of pin balls running into each other, and from those run-ins, we grow. We can't stay on the sidelines and expect to grow much.
I think the lesson here is when some pin-ball runs into us, we need to act with compassion, because chances are that we have or will do the same thing to another person.
In the end, we're all turkeys. Myself included.
But the Universe does have a way of showing us up. Well, I was on the highway the other day and really thought that the lane I was pulling into was completely empty, I mean, for miles there was nobody there that I saw, but somehow when I pulled into that lane, I sort of, heh-heh, accidentally mind you, cut someone off. BEEEEEEP!!! Oops. My bad. Must have been the glare, right? I really am a good driver, honest!
I think it serves as a reminder that we are all learning and growing, and occasionally we (and our issues) run into other people. It's part of life. I think of it as a bunch of pin balls running into each other, and from those run-ins, we grow. We can't stay on the sidelines and expect to grow much.
I think the lesson here is when some pin-ball runs into us, we need to act with compassion, because chances are that we have or will do the same thing to another person.
In the end, we're all turkeys. Myself included.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Lessons on Love
I just finished devouring Paulo Coelho's The Zahir. It is a sweeping novel that investigates the lessons to be learned in truly loving another. While I don't think he had in mind the Twin Soul relationship, some of the lessons Coelho ponders do apply.
For example, I think one of the central points in the book is crucial, which is that one must empty oneself of oneself in order to be fully open to love and to loving another. In The Gemini Bond, Trey touches on that theme when he speaks of balancing the mortal with the divine and of unifying the male and female aspects of the self. Of course, he said it much better than I am here (blatant teaser alert).
Above all, I think Coelho and I agree that being with one's Beloved doesn't equal a Hollywood happy ending. Reuniting with one's Twin Soul isn't a goal, but a process of preparing oneself for the next level of existence on the spiritual plane. Like Coelho wrote, if you change yourself, the whole world will change.
The world certainly needs it.
For example, I think one of the central points in the book is crucial, which is that one must empty oneself of oneself in order to be fully open to love and to loving another. In The Gemini Bond, Trey touches on that theme when he speaks of balancing the mortal with the divine and of unifying the male and female aspects of the self. Of course, he said it much better than I am here (blatant teaser alert).
Above all, I think Coelho and I agree that being with one's Beloved doesn't equal a Hollywood happy ending. Reuniting with one's Twin Soul isn't a goal, but a process of preparing oneself for the next level of existence on the spiritual plane. Like Coelho wrote, if you change yourself, the whole world will change.
The world certainly needs it.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Things I'm Thankful For
Here it is Thanksgiving eve, and I'd like to offer some thanks:
- I'm thankful for having published The Gemini Bond, and for the people who have read it so far. It's been a long road, and I'm so thrilled to see my dream become reality.
- I'm thankful for my loving and supportive family of two-leggeds and four-leggeds. They know how to pick me up when I'm down, cheer me on when I'm dragging, and rejoice when I've accomplished something that's important to me. I am truly blessed.
- I'm thankful for the fact that my car has really good breaks, as I found out today when some yahoo pulled in front of me without even looking my way. Turkey.
- I'm thankful for my gaggle of friends who have believed in me even when I didn't. I am truly blessed.
- I'm thankful for the beautiful blue skies, the tee-shirt weather, and the pretty flowers blooming in my yard. We are truly blessed.
- I'm thankful for the growth I've experienced as a spiritual person, and that I'm still learning, every day.
- I'm thankful that there are people who still believe in justice, fairness, inclusiveness, tolerance, and peace. I'm also thankful that many of those people work to make their world better in those very ways. Our world is truly blessed by their presence.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Coping as an Empath, Part 3
The other day I was in a waiting room, trying to ignore the Judge Judy wanna-be on the blaring TV and, well, waiting, when a grey-haired woman hurried in, eager to talk to the receptionist about whether this was the correct office for her appointment next Tuesday. She was doing a practice-run, I guess.
She wasn't there five seconds when I could feel immediately that she was frantic, grasping and basically fearful. Her emotions felt a little like a person who's flailing around in a pool when they find out that they can't touch the bottom and they don't know how to swim. My first reaction was my usual one, which is to put up a shield of resistance to the emotional person while the alarm in my head says, "Go away, go away, go away."
As I felt myself stiffen and go into resistance mode, I decided to try a different attitude. This time, I let go of the force field of resistance to her emotions and instead adopted the stance of "let it pass me by." It's a bit like the statue of the Buddha that you've no doubt seen, when he's sitting in lotus position, with one hand raised, palm facing outward. I think of that hand as parting the winds of emotions so that they pass harmlessly to either side. Then, I turned off the alarm in my head and replaced it with self-talk along the lines of "It's her issue, let her deal with it; let it go," etc. I also focused on taking a couple of deep breaths and keeping my eyes off the poor lady.
And you know what? It worked! I was able to survive the onslaught of emotions without paying a price myself. I patted myself on the back all the way home.
She wasn't there five seconds when I could feel immediately that she was frantic, grasping and basically fearful. Her emotions felt a little like a person who's flailing around in a pool when they find out that they can't touch the bottom and they don't know how to swim. My first reaction was my usual one, which is to put up a shield of resistance to the emotional person while the alarm in my head says, "Go away, go away, go away."
As I felt myself stiffen and go into resistance mode, I decided to try a different attitude. This time, I let go of the force field of resistance to her emotions and instead adopted the stance of "let it pass me by." It's a bit like the statue of the Buddha that you've no doubt seen, when he's sitting in lotus position, with one hand raised, palm facing outward. I think of that hand as parting the winds of emotions so that they pass harmlessly to either side. Then, I turned off the alarm in my head and replaced it with self-talk along the lines of "It's her issue, let her deal with it; let it go," etc. I also focused on taking a couple of deep breaths and keeping my eyes off the poor lady.
And you know what? It worked! I was able to survive the onslaught of emotions without paying a price myself. I patted myself on the back all the way home.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Winners!
We have four winners in the Goodreads.com giveaway! They are Molly in Missouri, Brooke-lynn in Michigan, Audrey in California, and Shennel in Arizona! Congratulations, all!
And now a confession. (I'm whispering here). I honestly didn't think I would even get one or two people interested in my book, but I saw that over four hundred people applied for the giveaway.
I am truly humbled and very touched. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And now a confession. (I'm whispering here). I honestly didn't think I would even get one or two people interested in my book, but I saw that over four hundred people applied for the giveaway.
I am truly humbled and very touched. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Two More Days!
Be sure to put in your hat for the giveaway of The Gemini Bond, which closes at midnight Monday, November 14th. See the link in the previous post if you're having as much trouble finding the giveaway listing as I did (but chances are that you are more tech-savvy than I am) . . .
. . . . (there are days when I think my cat is more tech-savvy than I am) . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . (*sigh*).
Did I ever tell you about the time I F10'd my computer? It wiped the hard drive. Yep. See above.
. . . . (there are days when I think my cat is more tech-savvy than I am) . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . (*sigh*).
Did I ever tell you about the time I F10'd my computer? It wiped the hard drive. Yep. See above.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Making Things Easy
If you're having a devil of a time finding The Gemini Bond as a giveaway on Goodreads, here's the link: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/16787-the-gemini-bond.
Remember, the giveaway ends the 14th of November, so enter early and often! Good luck!
Remember, the giveaway ends the 14th of November, so enter early and often! Good luck!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Book Giveaway!
I've listed The Gemini Bond on Goodreads.com and have now submitted it for a giveaway! Yep, I'm giving away free books to four lucky readers chosen by the Goodreads staff.
The giveaway starts 11/11 and ends 11/14. When you read the book, you'll see why I chose those dates (yes, that was a blatant teaser).
So, enter early and often! Good luck!
The giveaway starts 11/11 and ends 11/14. When you read the book, you'll see why I chose those dates (yes, that was a blatant teaser).
So, enter early and often! Good luck!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Cords and Connections, Part 3
One of the connections that we humans have, but often forget about, is the connection we have to the divine. You may call it God, or Higher Self, or Spirit, or Guardian Angel, or something else, but that connection exists.
It's so easy, through the busyness of the day, to forget that connection. We try to cram as much into our day as possible, which means that other things miss out. Overdoing means we are being less. We forget who we really are, and why we are here.
I know I'm guilty of that on a frequent basis. I like to check things off my "to-do" list just as much as anybody, and I like that feeling I get when I complete a project (you should have heard the whooping and hollering in my house when I finished The Gemini Bond).
I think the secret is to follow the advice of the Bhagavad Gita. We need to do everything in service of our Higher Self/Spirit/God, and keep connected even when in the throes of being busy.
That's the challenge for all of us.
It's so easy, through the busyness of the day, to forget that connection. We try to cram as much into our day as possible, which means that other things miss out. Overdoing means we are being less. We forget who we really are, and why we are here.
I know I'm guilty of that on a frequent basis. I like to check things off my "to-do" list just as much as anybody, and I like that feeling I get when I complete a project (you should have heard the whooping and hollering in my house when I finished The Gemini Bond).
I think the secret is to follow the advice of the Bhagavad Gita. We need to do everything in service of our Higher Self/Spirit/God, and keep connected even when in the throes of being busy.
That's the challenge for all of us.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Cords and Connections, Part 2
Last time I wrote about how our connections not only run in our direction (which we empaths are all so keenly aware of), but they run outward to others as well. I recommended that we endeavor to keep our thoughts and emotions in the positive as much as possible, and above all, honest.
A story about the last point.
A few years ago, I knew a man who seemed very eager to appear positive and upbeat no matter what. If things were going poorly, he would paint a smile on his face and keep his vocal inflections high and animated. When his favorite dog died, he did the same thing. His voice and his face said, "I'm doing great!" but I could feel the anger and pain beneath it all. It was a weirdly dissonant experience to be around him when he was like that; his appearance and the actual emotions that he tried to keep covered (but which I felt) did not jive. It was like watching a lighthearted comedy with a Hitchcock movie soundtrack.
So, for that reason, I'm going to expound on honesty in emotions. I don't think it's possible (unless you're a Buddhist master) to always stay positive in emotions. Sometimes life hits us hard. People we love die or leave us; tragedies happen; illness or pain strike us. I think it's fully appropriate to feel grief, or sadness, or frustration at those times. But the key is to feel those things and then let them go. The more we wallow in those darker emotions, or the more we resist them, the stronger they become.
I know that my Twin Soul has felt darker emotions because I've felt them through our connection. And I've felt similar things myself, which I'm sure were transmitted to my Twin. But I try not to let my emotions become my master, and to work through them so that I can wake up in the morning and rejoice that the sun still shines and that life continues. That is the message I hold for myself, and for all who are connected to me.
A story about the last point.
A few years ago, I knew a man who seemed very eager to appear positive and upbeat no matter what. If things were going poorly, he would paint a smile on his face and keep his vocal inflections high and animated. When his favorite dog died, he did the same thing. His voice and his face said, "I'm doing great!" but I could feel the anger and pain beneath it all. It was a weirdly dissonant experience to be around him when he was like that; his appearance and the actual emotions that he tried to keep covered (but which I felt) did not jive. It was like watching a lighthearted comedy with a Hitchcock movie soundtrack.
So, for that reason, I'm going to expound on honesty in emotions. I don't think it's possible (unless you're a Buddhist master) to always stay positive in emotions. Sometimes life hits us hard. People we love die or leave us; tragedies happen; illness or pain strike us. I think it's fully appropriate to feel grief, or sadness, or frustration at those times. But the key is to feel those things and then let them go. The more we wallow in those darker emotions, or the more we resist them, the stronger they become.
I know that my Twin Soul has felt darker emotions because I've felt them through our connection. And I've felt similar things myself, which I'm sure were transmitted to my Twin. But I try not to let my emotions become my master, and to work through them so that I can wake up in the morning and rejoice that the sun still shines and that life continues. That is the message I hold for myself, and for all who are connected to me.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Cords and Connections
I don't know if you saw the brief news article about the Midwestern couple, both in their 90s, married for over seventy years, who died within one hour of each other? They had apparently been in an accident, rushed to the hospital, and there they were taken to a room where they lie in separate beds. Across the chasm between their hospital beds, their hands clasped each other. The husband died first, but the wife continued to hold his hand. What was astonishing was that even though the husband no longer showed any brain activity, his heart still registered a beat. The hospital staff agreed that the wife's heart was beating for him. Somehow, through their held hands, she was able to transmit her own heartbeat to her husband. She died an hour after he did, still holding his hand.
Isn't that what the Hawaiian aca cord is about? At least I think so, in that it describes the invisible connections between us. It helps us to be aware of another person, even when we are apart. It's what we empaths are so keenly aware of (and often experience in the bombardment of others' feelings). More importantly, it not only helps us receive information about another person with whom we have a connection, but also it reminds us that we are senders as well.
And that's important! We need to remember that our ups and downs are being experienced by others, too. So, we need to be aware of what we're feeling, because we're not experiencing those feelings in isolation -- they're being transmitted as well.
There's the challenge: we need to watch what we think and watch what we feel. We need to stay honest and stay in the positive, not only for our sake, but also for those who share our connections.
Isn't that what the Hawaiian aca cord is about? At least I think so, in that it describes the invisible connections between us. It helps us to be aware of another person, even when we are apart. It's what we empaths are so keenly aware of (and often experience in the bombardment of others' feelings). More importantly, it not only helps us receive information about another person with whom we have a connection, but also it reminds us that we are senders as well.
And that's important! We need to remember that our ups and downs are being experienced by others, too. So, we need to be aware of what we're feeling, because we're not experiencing those feelings in isolation -- they're being transmitted as well.
There's the challenge: we need to watch what we think and watch what we feel. We need to stay honest and stay in the positive, not only for our sake, but also for those who share our connections.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Connections
When I was studying Huna, the native spiritual practice of Hawaii, I learned about how we connect with each other. It explained a lot to me about what I experience as an empath.
According to Huna, when we touch or emotionally connect with another person, an invisible filament (I think of an unseen spider-web) connects the two people. It is called an aka cord. Over many contacts with that person, the cords become thicker and more numerous, but they exist even if we have just one contact with a person.
So, imagine that whatever the other person is experiencing can travel along that aka cord and affect us. We may feel their physical pain (like headaches), or their irritations, or their joys, or whatever else. And being empathic means that we are more aware of those messages being sent along the aka cords. Even when we're alone, we empaths are never alone.
So, imagine what the connection is like between ourselves and our Twin Soul, who is our very essence, our other self. The aka cord must be very strong, because it connects us as the most primal level. It was created the moment our souls decided to split and has existed over all these life times since. And we can still receive messages, even if our physical lives don't cross.
It does make life interesting.
According to Huna, when we touch or emotionally connect with another person, an invisible filament (I think of an unseen spider-web) connects the two people. It is called an aka cord. Over many contacts with that person, the cords become thicker and more numerous, but they exist even if we have just one contact with a person.
So, imagine that whatever the other person is experiencing can travel along that aka cord and affect us. We may feel their physical pain (like headaches), or their irritations, or their joys, or whatever else. And being empathic means that we are more aware of those messages being sent along the aka cords. Even when we're alone, we empaths are never alone.
So, imagine what the connection is like between ourselves and our Twin Soul, who is our very essence, our other self. The aka cord must be very strong, because it connects us as the most primal level. It was created the moment our souls decided to split and has existed over all these life times since. And we can still receive messages, even if our physical lives don't cross.
It does make life interesting.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Cheerleaders and Fireworks are Here!
At long last, the paperback version of The Gemini Bond is here! There's a link to Amazon on the right hand side of this page. I'd love to hear what you think of it; feel free to post your reviews either on this page or on the Amazon or Barnes & Noble websites.
Now, let's sit back and enjoy the fireworks show, followed by a high-stepping dance routine by our resident cheerleaders. Ooh, aahhh.
Now, let's sit back and enjoy the fireworks show, followed by a high-stepping dance routine by our resident cheerleaders. Ooh, aahhh.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
My Master's Thesis in Paperback, Part 2
OK, I did go to see if Amazon.com is offering the paperback version of The Gemini Bond. Not yet. Grr. I've contacted the printer to see what the hold up is.
I will let you know, with fireworks and high-kicking cheerleaders, when it becomes available. Thanks for your patience.
I will let you know, with fireworks and high-kicking cheerleaders, when it becomes available. Thanks for your patience.
An Hour in the Life of an Empath
Yesterday I went to see my new chiropractor. She's got quite a set-up, with tables for stretching the spine (roller tables), a table for lying on moist heat, a table for being adjusted, a table for traction of the lower back, a table for receiving cold laser treatment, a table for a vibrating massager, and, off in another room, a massage table.
After each use, the table is cleaned off with a disinfectant spray and wiped down. That's reassuring for the germaphobes among us.
Still, we empaths pick up on whatever and whoever used the table before us. Sure, the germs have been wiped off, but the emotions haven't. So, I go from table to table and notice what I feel. A little anxiety here, a little depression there, some pain over there, some tension in the other place. On top of that, the people that work on me have their own stuff that I get to experience. It's like being bombarded with blankets of emotions and sensations. I go home feeling worn out.
Too bad there isn't a spray that will remove emotional imprints on things, don't you think?
After each use, the table is cleaned off with a disinfectant spray and wiped down. That's reassuring for the germaphobes among us.
Still, we empaths pick up on whatever and whoever used the table before us. Sure, the germs have been wiped off, but the emotions haven't. So, I go from table to table and notice what I feel. A little anxiety here, a little depression there, some pain over there, some tension in the other place. On top of that, the people that work on me have their own stuff that I get to experience. It's like being bombarded with blankets of emotions and sensations. I go home feeling worn out.
Too bad there isn't a spray that will remove emotional imprints on things, don't you think?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
My Master's Thesis (now available in paperback!)
Actually, you probably wouldn't be interested in my master's thesis, if I had written one. They usually are dry, aren't they?
But you may be interested in this: all I research that I uncovered in my exploration on Twin Souls has been compiled in a fast-paced fictional format -- now in paperback!
Yes, that's right. The Gemini Bond is now available to you in paperback. Like I said, it's a fun and quick read, but it also imparts all I've learned about Twin Souls up to the point of its writing. (Its sequel will include new findings).
So, I urge you, your friends and neighbors to check out one of the links on this page to purchase your very own copy of The Gemini Bond. If you've ever wondered about Twin Souls, empaths, and psychic phenomena, this book is for you. Check it out. You'll be glad you did.
But you may be interested in this: all I research that I uncovered in my exploration on Twin Souls has been compiled in a fast-paced fictional format -- now in paperback!
Yes, that's right. The Gemini Bond is now available to you in paperback. Like I said, it's a fun and quick read, but it also imparts all I've learned about Twin Souls up to the point of its writing. (Its sequel will include new findings).
So, I urge you, your friends and neighbors to check out one of the links on this page to purchase your very own copy of The Gemini Bond. If you've ever wondered about Twin Souls, empaths, and psychic phenomena, this book is for you. Check it out. You'll be glad you did.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Vanishing Twins, Part 2
When I was very young, I remember having a vivid dream that stayed with me for many years. In this dream, I was one of two identical black cats in a small, darkened space. I remember feeling very warm and safe in this space, and comforted that there was another being there with me. I felt deeply connected to this other being, this other black cat, and that made all the difference.
Suddenly, this other being, this other black cat, disappeared. I knew it was gone for good, and I was both deeply distressed and terribly frightened. That feeling of comfort and connection was gone. I felt so alone, and the anguish of this aloneness was wrenching.
It was so wrenching, in fact, that I woke myself up with my own heavy sobbing. The grief and feeling of isolation stayed with me for many years.
I tried to be close to my siblings and childhood friends, but I never felt the deep connection that I knew was present between the other "black cat" and myself.
It wasn't until many years later that I understood that the black cats were embryos, and we were both in the womb, until one of us wasn't there anymore. It explained why I have searched for close connections to people, only to be disappointed time and time again.
Is this whole "twin soul" theory just a replacement for my vanished twin? Perhaps. But I feel that it is more likely that I had to experience that loss of my womb twin in order to understand the soul hunger felt by separated Twin Souls. It may have also prepared me for the unique connection that Twin Souls share.
This is one of those mysteries, I think, that will only be answered on the other side of the veil.
Suddenly, this other being, this other black cat, disappeared. I knew it was gone for good, and I was both deeply distressed and terribly frightened. That feeling of comfort and connection was gone. I felt so alone, and the anguish of this aloneness was wrenching.
It was so wrenching, in fact, that I woke myself up with my own heavy sobbing. The grief and feeling of isolation stayed with me for many years.
I tried to be close to my siblings and childhood friends, but I never felt the deep connection that I knew was present between the other "black cat" and myself.
It wasn't until many years later that I understood that the black cats were embryos, and we were both in the womb, until one of us wasn't there anymore. It explained why I have searched for close connections to people, only to be disappointed time and time again.
Is this whole "twin soul" theory just a replacement for my vanished twin? Perhaps. But I feel that it is more likely that I had to experience that loss of my womb twin in order to understand the soul hunger felt by separated Twin Souls. It may have also prepared me for the unique connection that Twin Souls share.
This is one of those mysteries, I think, that will only be answered on the other side of the veil.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Calling All Empaths!
Have you noticed the feelings of anger and frustration in the air? Those feelings have certainly glommed onto me lately. I don't think I've ever been so road-ragey as I have recently.
When I first was learning what it was to be an empath, I often noticed that I could pick up the emotions and energy of the person driving in front of me. It was like I passed into their emotional/energetic cloud and absorbed it. It's a bit like following a diesel truck and inhaling that foul odor.
I asked my guides (I know, channeling) about how to deal with it, and they explained it this way:
We empaths are like mollusks sitting at the bottom of the ocean. One option is for us to open our shells a little bit, allow whatever is floating by to drift into ourselves, and let the rest go. Another option is that we could just sit with our shells completely closed. Of course, we'd just starve that way. It's like being a hermit.
So, we empaths need to be open enough to allow whatever is for our best purpose to enter, and then allow all the other stuff float by. We don't need to open our shells completely, nor do we need to close down altogether.
I think that in these angry and frustrated times, we need to be aware of what's going on around us, but we don't need to take it into ourselves. I think that in doing so, not only are we harming ourselves, but we are also adding to the anger and frustration on our planet.
Here's a thought: how about if we keep the intent not only to be careful and discerning about what we take in, but also to transmit peace and compassion to all we meet? Perhaps then we could help blunt the force of all the negative stuff that's going on right now. Let's transmit peace.
It all starts with me. Tomorrow. In rush hour traffic.
Wish me luck.
When I first was learning what it was to be an empath, I often noticed that I could pick up the emotions and energy of the person driving in front of me. It was like I passed into their emotional/energetic cloud and absorbed it. It's a bit like following a diesel truck and inhaling that foul odor.
I asked my guides (I know, channeling) about how to deal with it, and they explained it this way:
We empaths are like mollusks sitting at the bottom of the ocean. One option is for us to open our shells a little bit, allow whatever is floating by to drift into ourselves, and let the rest go. Another option is that we could just sit with our shells completely closed. Of course, we'd just starve that way. It's like being a hermit.
So, we empaths need to be open enough to allow whatever is for our best purpose to enter, and then allow all the other stuff float by. We don't need to open our shells completely, nor do we need to close down altogether.
I think that in these angry and frustrated times, we need to be aware of what's going on around us, but we don't need to take it into ourselves. I think that in doing so, not only are we harming ourselves, but we are also adding to the anger and frustration on our planet.
Here's a thought: how about if we keep the intent not only to be careful and discerning about what we take in, but also to transmit peace and compassion to all we meet? Perhaps then we could help blunt the force of all the negative stuff that's going on right now. Let's transmit peace.
It all starts with me. Tomorrow. In rush hour traffic.
Wish me luck.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Vanished Twins, Part 1
About the same time I was just starting to learn what Twin Souls were, I found out that I had a vanished twin.
Just so we're clear, Twin Souls and vanished twins are entirely different things.
Twin Souls, as you've been reading here, are souls that were originally joined and then somewhere along the way decided to split. Various traditions and writings allude to this, as I've discussed.
Vanished twins, however, describes when twin embryos are in the uterus and one of the twins dies. Often the mother doesn't even suspect that she's lost a child -- perhaps she just noticed some extra spotting or cramping. Sometimes the dead twin becomes absorbed by the surviving embryo. I'm sure you've seen some of the more extreme versions of this on various scientific documentaries on TV. In one case I saw, a boy in a remote eastern European country walked around with a lump in his abdomen like he was eight months pregnant. When they did surgery on him, they found a dead baby inside him -- his twin. The boy recovered well, but I think the family had to come to terms with their cultural tradition which placed the blame for his illness on the parents. It was kind of a happy/sad ending.
Survivors of vanished twins often don't know that they had a twin which died, until someone who knows the emotional signs figures it out. That is what happened in my case.
I'll write about those signs next time.
Just so we're clear, Twin Souls and vanished twins are entirely different things.
Twin Souls, as you've been reading here, are souls that were originally joined and then somewhere along the way decided to split. Various traditions and writings allude to this, as I've discussed.
Vanished twins, however, describes when twin embryos are in the uterus and one of the twins dies. Often the mother doesn't even suspect that she's lost a child -- perhaps she just noticed some extra spotting or cramping. Sometimes the dead twin becomes absorbed by the surviving embryo. I'm sure you've seen some of the more extreme versions of this on various scientific documentaries on TV. In one case I saw, a boy in a remote eastern European country walked around with a lump in his abdomen like he was eight months pregnant. When they did surgery on him, they found a dead baby inside him -- his twin. The boy recovered well, but I think the family had to come to terms with their cultural tradition which placed the blame for his illness on the parents. It was kind of a happy/sad ending.
Survivors of vanished twins often don't know that they had a twin which died, until someone who knows the emotional signs figures it out. That is what happened in my case.
I'll write about those signs next time.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thumbs Down, Thumbs Up
It's been one of those days. On the down side, I received my latest proof of the paperback version of The Gemini Bond and the "T" (in "The") was floating off somewhere into outer space. And I had ordered all these extra copies to start to send to reviewers, who don't seem to be knocking themselves out (but see below) to answer my emails.
Thumbs down.
One a more positive note, however, as I checked my emails I did receive a reply from one reviewer. Yes! And she's not asking me to pay her nine hundred bucks like another reviewer did (are you kidding me???).
Thumbs up.
So, the saga continues. The paperback is coming. I'm just getting a lesson in patience.
Thumbs down.
One a more positive note, however, as I checked my emails I did receive a reply from one reviewer. Yes! And she's not asking me to pay her nine hundred bucks like another reviewer did (are you kidding me???).
Thumbs up.
So, the saga continues. The paperback is coming. I'm just getting a lesson in patience.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Big Split, Plato's Version
In my last post I alluded to how Twin Souls decide to split after spending a certain amount of time as a unified soul. While researching about Twin Souls, I came across references to Plato as having written on the subject. Wow, Plato! I thought -- this goes quite a bit further back than Wuthering Heights. So, I looked it up.
Twin Souls are mentioned in the book Symposium. Plato writes of how originally all humans were doubled, that is, they were formed in the shape of a sphere, with four hands, four feet, two faces, two sets of sexual organs, etc. (Conjure that up in your imagination for a second). Because these original humans were becoming so powerful, the gods decided to cut their power a bit. So, they split them in half. The new humans grew sorrowful because they missed their other half.
So, these new half-souls spent their lives seeking their missing half. The souls that were originally male-female pairs (androgynous in its original meaning) sought the other half in the opposite sex. The ones who were originally female-female pairs become lesbians and ignore the male gender. And the ones that were originally male-male pairs go after boys (these are the ones who also tend to go into politics, Plato notes).
Once the original pairs meet again, they never want to be separate again, not even for a moment. And "'Love' is the name of our pursuit of wholeness, for our desire to be complete."
I never knew Plato could be swoon-worthy, did you?
Twin Souls are mentioned in the book Symposium. Plato writes of how originally all humans were doubled, that is, they were formed in the shape of a sphere, with four hands, four feet, two faces, two sets of sexual organs, etc. (Conjure that up in your imagination for a second). Because these original humans were becoming so powerful, the gods decided to cut their power a bit. So, they split them in half. The new humans grew sorrowful because they missed their other half.
So, these new half-souls spent their lives seeking their missing half. The souls that were originally male-female pairs (androgynous in its original meaning) sought the other half in the opposite sex. The ones who were originally female-female pairs become lesbians and ignore the male gender. And the ones that were originally male-male pairs go after boys (these are the ones who also tend to go into politics, Plato notes).
Once the original pairs meet again, they never want to be separate again, not even for a moment. And "'Love' is the name of our pursuit of wholeness, for our desire to be complete."
I never knew Plato could be swoon-worthy, did you?
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Some Metaphysical Musings
Yesterday, I watched as our neighbor packed up his huge RV and took off for adventures unknown. He does that from time to time, always coming back looking tired but happy. I can only imagine, somewhat jealously, what experiences he's enjoyed.
When I think of Twin Soul relationships, it must have been that zest for new experiences that caused the once-unified soul to agree to split into two. I know my Twin has experienced things I can only imagine, and I'm sure my Twin would say the same thing about my life.
Imagine, then, what the great Oneness thought when It decided to split into galaxies and stars and planets and people and animals and plants and bugs and fish and amoebas and water molecules and millions and millions of other things we can scarcely envision. What sort of love for these myriad lives and their experiences drove the One into Manyness? And how many of we, the Many, realize that we are all parts of the One?
It's all enough to make you want to drink a cold one under the shade of an RV canopy somewhere, isnt' it?
When I think of Twin Soul relationships, it must have been that zest for new experiences that caused the once-unified soul to agree to split into two. I know my Twin has experienced things I can only imagine, and I'm sure my Twin would say the same thing about my life.
Imagine, then, what the great Oneness thought when It decided to split into galaxies and stars and planets and people and animals and plants and bugs and fish and amoebas and water molecules and millions and millions of other things we can scarcely envision. What sort of love for these myriad lives and their experiences drove the One into Manyness? And how many of we, the Many, realize that we are all parts of the One?
It's all enough to make you want to drink a cold one under the shade of an RV canopy somewhere, isnt' it?
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Character sources and an update
A friend once asked me where I got the different personalities of the characters in The Gemini Bond, and which character I thought I was most like. I gave her a rather facetious answer. I said I was the cleverness of Rigo, the intellectuality of Trey, and the empathic abilities of Rissa. That's the easy answer.
I think that once I started to write, the characters just kind of developed under my pen (or cursor). Sometimes I had to tell Trey, "Back off, dude!" because he has such a strong personality. With Rissa, I had to constantly urge to step forward into her true self. With Rigo, I had to keep his deep rage in check on occasion. And with David, well, I just kept him tied up most of the time.
I think characters of borne of experience, but once the writer connects with the muse, or whatever etheric source these things come from, the characters become alive and independent of the writer's will. It's a really cool thing to experience as a writer.
Speaking of The Gemini Bond, the paperback version is coming soon. I need to do a second proof, and then it should be available after that. I'll keep you posted!
I think that once I started to write, the characters just kind of developed under my pen (or cursor). Sometimes I had to tell Trey, "Back off, dude!" because he has such a strong personality. With Rissa, I had to constantly urge to step forward into her true self. With Rigo, I had to keep his deep rage in check on occasion. And with David, well, I just kept him tied up most of the time.
I think characters of borne of experience, but once the writer connects with the muse, or whatever etheric source these things come from, the characters become alive and independent of the writer's will. It's a really cool thing to experience as a writer.
Speaking of The Gemini Bond, the paperback version is coming soon. I need to do a second proof, and then it should be available after that. I'll keep you posted!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Connecting with my Twin Soul
I guess I really haven't talked about how I have experienced connections with my Twin Soul. Well, being an empath, you can probably guess that most of it come as emotions I feel that I know aren't mine or that don't belong to people around me (although most of the time that I've felt my Twin's emotions, I've been alone).
I've also seen flashes of scenes, like a quick photograph, in my mind. These are places or things I've never seen either in real life or on TV or in magazines. One, like a lonely row boat tied to shore, a moody grey sky behind it. Where I live, we don't see a lot of clouds like those.
I've also had experiences where I taste or smell things that aren't in my environment -- like the pungent, earthy scent of horses and fresh hay. I got that while working around the house. Definitely not part of my environment at the time.
But most interesting are the songs. I think some were sent as messages, like when my Twin was in the Big Apple and I heard playing in my head over and over, "New York, New York." It was enough to make me crazy.
But, perhaps you've decided that I already am.
I've also seen flashes of scenes, like a quick photograph, in my mind. These are places or things I've never seen either in real life or on TV or in magazines. One, like a lonely row boat tied to shore, a moody grey sky behind it. Where I live, we don't see a lot of clouds like those.
I've also had experiences where I taste or smell things that aren't in my environment -- like the pungent, earthy scent of horses and fresh hay. I got that while working around the house. Definitely not part of my environment at the time.
But most interesting are the songs. I think some were sent as messages, like when my Twin was in the Big Apple and I heard playing in my head over and over, "New York, New York." It was enough to make me crazy.
But, perhaps you've decided that I already am.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Read an Article about 9/11
I was reading an article in today's paper about a man who lost his brother on 9/11. His brother had been on the flight that crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. The man described his brother as "the other part of his soul," as the one who completed him in ways no-one else did. Since his brother's death, the man has been active talking to school kids about the events of 9/11, has been writing songs and essays about his experiences, and has been teaching his own students (he's a high school teacher) about the fragility of life and how precious it really is. His loss has opened him up to a greater service.
I think that describes the Twin Soul relationship. It is not about finding someone to fill a deep need, but rather serves as an impetus to become a better person, with a larger heart and a deeper soul. It should not be about selfish pleasure, but cause one to want to be of service in reminding others about what life is, and how dear it is. It should not be about possessing another, but about giving our selves away.
As we remember the events of that awful September day, I hope that we all take the challenge to open our hearts to grow, forgive, love, and hope for better days to come. Amen.
I think that describes the Twin Soul relationship. It is not about finding someone to fill a deep need, but rather serves as an impetus to become a better person, with a larger heart and a deeper soul. It should not be about selfish pleasure, but cause one to want to be of service in reminding others about what life is, and how dear it is. It should not be about possessing another, but about giving our selves away.
As we remember the events of that awful September day, I hope that we all take the challenge to open our hearts to grow, forgive, love, and hope for better days to come. Amen.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
An Off Day
Oh, man, I dink I've god a code. Sniff.
OK, I won't continue in cold-ese, but it got me to thinking, despite my mushy brain, runny nose and watery eyes. (Alas, poor me).
I remember meeting a young teenage girl who had an identical sister who lived in another state (I'm guessing custody issues were at play, but she really didn't say and I didn't feel I had the right to ask). She once complained that she could always feel when her twin sister was having a bad day, when she had a headache, or when she was feeling stressed. That's across state lines!
I can't help but believe that Twin Souls work the same way -- we feel each other's emotional extremes. I know that in my case, I most often "connect" with my Twin when my Twin is experiencing a really great day or a really lousy day. I don't know for sure, but it seems that everyday middle-of-the-road feelings don't transmit as well because they aren't as supercharged with energy.
In any case, I'm hoping that my Twin doesn't feel my cold. I'll just lie here and moan quietly, OK? Sniff.
OK, I won't continue in cold-ese, but it got me to thinking, despite my mushy brain, runny nose and watery eyes. (Alas, poor me).
I remember meeting a young teenage girl who had an identical sister who lived in another state (I'm guessing custody issues were at play, but she really didn't say and I didn't feel I had the right to ask). She once complained that she could always feel when her twin sister was having a bad day, when she had a headache, or when she was feeling stressed. That's across state lines!
I can't help but believe that Twin Souls work the same way -- we feel each other's emotional extremes. I know that in my case, I most often "connect" with my Twin when my Twin is experiencing a really great day or a really lousy day. I don't know for sure, but it seems that everyday middle-of-the-road feelings don't transmit as well because they aren't as supercharged with energy.
In any case, I'm hoping that my Twin doesn't feel my cold. I'll just lie here and moan quietly, OK? Sniff.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
W.H., Part 2
I was intrigued by the lines in Wuthering Heights
which show Catherine's mystical connection to Heathcliff. Her lines, "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same . . . " really touched a nerve in me. This sounded exactly like the description in Huna of twin souls and I wondered where this 19th century author came up with the idea. So, I did a bit of research.
I found that Emily Bronte was most likely influenced by the poem "Epipsychidion" by Percy Shelley, the early 19th century poet. The title translates to "the soul outside the soul," and explores the Romantic notion of union in death. Here's an excerpt:
We shall become the same, we shall be one . . .
In one another's substance finding food,
Like flames too pure and light and unimbued
To nourish their bright lives with baser prey,
Which point to Heaven and cannot pass away:
One hope within two wills, one will beneath
Two overshadowing minds, one life, one death,
One Heaven, one Hell, one immortality,
And one annihilation. . . .
Makes you want to swoon, doesn't it?
I found that Emily Bronte was most likely influenced by the poem "Epipsychidion" by Percy Shelley, the early 19th century poet. The title translates to "the soul outside the soul," and explores the Romantic notion of union in death. Here's an excerpt:
We shall become the same, we shall be one . . .
In one another's substance finding food,
Like flames too pure and light and unimbued
To nourish their bright lives with baser prey,
Which point to Heaven and cannot pass away:
One hope within two wills, one will beneath
Two overshadowing minds, one life, one death,
One Heaven, one Hell, one immortality,
And one annihilation. . . .
Makes you want to swoon, doesn't it?
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
W.H.
About the time I was looking into the Hawaiian religion called Huna, I happened to be reading Wuthering Heights. One of those celestial coincidences, I'm sure. As I had never read the book before and I had never seen the movie (any version), it was a revelation.
Imagine my shock as I read Catherine's statement, "Nelly, I am Heathcliff -- he's always, always in my mind -- not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself -- but, as my own being -- so, don't talk of our separation again -- it is impracticable . . . " She recognized something in him -- her own self, really -- and that belief seemed unshakable.
And that was how I felt about recognizing my own Twin Soul. I was amazed that a novelist from the 19th century would write about this obscure concept.
So, I did some investigating about how Emily Bronte came up with the idea of Twin Souls.
Imagine my shock as I read Catherine's statement, "Nelly, I am Heathcliff -- he's always, always in my mind -- not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself -- but, as my own being -- so, don't talk of our separation again -- it is impracticable . . . " She recognized something in him -- her own self, really -- and that belief seemed unshakable.
And that was how I felt about recognizing my own Twin Soul. I was amazed that a novelist from the 19th century would write about this obscure concept.
So, I did some investigating about how Emily Bronte came up with the idea of Twin Souls.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Off Topic -- Need to Rant
Publishers. Ugh. They should be hung up by their toenails from the ceiling fan, I swear.
First of all, this latest rant has nothing to do with The Gemini Bond. That I did all by myself, thank you very much. Besides, The Gemini Bond is based on my own personal experience, put into a fictional package.
But this latest rage about publishers has to do with my other field in the arts. Yes, today I received another rejection letter. I could wallpaper my office with those. My major beef, however, is that it took them over two and a half YEARS to decide to reject my work. Before that, another publisher that I've had some success with took three YEARS. Do you see the trend here?
I know that publishing houses move at a rate that would make glaciers seem speedy, but really -- does it need to take them YEARS to decide whether to publish something or not? If I were Queen of the world, I'd immediately sign a law that says that publishers cannot take hold an artistic work for longer than twelve months. After that, they must return the work to the artist. Failure to do so would result in death, or perhaps having to clean my house for the rest of my life. They might choose death. After that, I might legislate world peace, and then solve world hunger.
But I swear, the publisher law would come first.
First of all, this latest rant has nothing to do with The Gemini Bond. That I did all by myself, thank you very much. Besides, The Gemini Bond is based on my own personal experience, put into a fictional package.
But this latest rage about publishers has to do with my other field in the arts. Yes, today I received another rejection letter. I could wallpaper my office with those. My major beef, however, is that it took them over two and a half YEARS to decide to reject my work. Before that, another publisher that I've had some success with took three YEARS. Do you see the trend here?
I know that publishing houses move at a rate that would make glaciers seem speedy, but really -- does it need to take them YEARS to decide whether to publish something or not? If I were Queen of the world, I'd immediately sign a law that says that publishers cannot take hold an artistic work for longer than twelve months. After that, they must return the work to the artist. Failure to do so would result in death, or perhaps having to clean my house for the rest of my life. They might choose death. After that, I might legislate world peace, and then solve world hunger.
But I swear, the publisher law would come first.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Channeling, Part 2
In my last post, I sounded a little harsh in my judgment about channeling. Sorry about that. However, I do feel that channeled information can be tainted by one's ego and its little wants. Here's how I know:
I channel, too. (Shh.)
In learning how to channel, I came to know how the ego can interrupt or even distort the information that is coming in. Getting the ego out of the way is still a challenge.
As I learned more about Twin Souls, you can imagine how many times I asked my guides about what it meant, and if I had pinpointed the right person as being my Twin, and on and on. Yeah, I asked. About forty thousand times.
And how many times did my ego get in the way? Well over thirty-nine thousand times.
That's why I prefer to look at sources that are outside the influence of my ego (if that's possible). And that's why I continued the search in the wisdom traditions of the world about Twin Souls.
I channel, too. (Shh.)
In learning how to channel, I came to know how the ego can interrupt or even distort the information that is coming in. Getting the ego out of the way is still a challenge.
As I learned more about Twin Souls, you can imagine how many times I asked my guides about what it meant, and if I had pinpointed the right person as being my Twin, and on and on. Yeah, I asked. About forty thousand times.
And how many times did my ego get in the way? Well over thirty-nine thousand times.
That's why I prefer to look at sources that are outside the influence of my ego (if that's possible). And that's why I continued the search in the wisdom traditions of the world about Twin Souls.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
My Twin Souls Search & Channeling Sites
In the early stages of my search to understand Twin Souls, I did what most everyone else on the planet does -- I googled it. Ten years or so ago, what came up most were channeling sites on the subject, and they ranged from interesting to goofy to downright scary.
An example. I was reading a twin souls board where people wrote of their experiences, and the mediator came in now and then with posts about how he wanted to travel to southeast Asia to find his young (14-year-old, as I remember) twin soul that he had been dreaming about, and how he was going to take her and wrap her in his arms and . . . . .
Ewwww.
So, I did some research on what exactly channeling was. It's common among all wisdom traditions, from the shamans in native cultures to mystics in religious traditions. It means that one opens oneself up to information from the Source, usually conveyed through some spirit guide or angel, and then presented either in verbal form or written down.
Here's the problem: the information is only as pure as the channeler is. Think of it this way: the information is pure spring water, diverted through the spirit guide, and then poured through a funnel -- the person who is channeling. The sense I get is that the information can be tainted if the funnel is not clean. Imagine pouring water through a dirty funnel. The result is dirty water. And what can dirty a funnel? Well, anything that we humans are prone to -- selfishness, ego, control, pride, and on and on.
So, I've learned to take channeling with a large grain of salt. This is not to say that no channeled information can be trusted, but I choose to verify it with other sources.
And so I continued my search to understand Twin Souls.
An example. I was reading a twin souls board where people wrote of their experiences, and the mediator came in now and then with posts about how he wanted to travel to southeast Asia to find his young (14-year-old, as I remember) twin soul that he had been dreaming about, and how he was going to take her and wrap her in his arms and . . . . .
Ewwww.
So, I did some research on what exactly channeling was. It's common among all wisdom traditions, from the shamans in native cultures to mystics in religious traditions. It means that one opens oneself up to information from the Source, usually conveyed through some spirit guide or angel, and then presented either in verbal form or written down.
Here's the problem: the information is only as pure as the channeler is. Think of it this way: the information is pure spring water, diverted through the spirit guide, and then poured through a funnel -- the person who is channeling. The sense I get is that the information can be tainted if the funnel is not clean. Imagine pouring water through a dirty funnel. The result is dirty water. And what can dirty a funnel? Well, anything that we humans are prone to -- selfishness, ego, control, pride, and on and on.
So, I've learned to take channeling with a large grain of salt. This is not to say that no channeled information can be trusted, but I choose to verify it with other sources.
And so I continued my search to understand Twin Souls.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Coping as an Empath
I know, I know, I was supposed to write about channeling. Well, today I'm in coping mode, and I wanted to describe to you how it is to function as an empath in a busy, busy world.
Generally, I'm able to do my job without too much direction or oversight, and have passing interaction with most of my fellow workers. My job also involves a lot of contact with a lot of people, and just dealing with all their emotions is difficult enough. Still, most days I do fine and manage to keep my sense of self intact without getting too inundated by other people's stuff.
Today, however, was one of those days when a coworker who is new was asking a lot of questions, which I'm happy to answer, but I felt like parts of me were being sucked away because I didn't have much downtime. Then, I had to attend a meeting near the end of my day, and it was all I could do not to feel completely overwhelmed and shut down. As it is, I feel that most of the time I come off as standoff-ish or shy to my co-workers. If only they could understand that I'm just trying to stay within myself enough to avoid becoming overburdened by other's emotions and thoughts. It's tough, especially on days like today when I don't have enough opportunities to decompress.
After doing my time at the gym (another place where there a lot of people), I came home and sat in my meditation place for a while. It helped to reconnect with Mother Earth and with my Self. That's how I cope. And I'm hoping that tomorrow will be an easier day.
And, yes, I promise that next time I'll write about channeling.
Generally, I'm able to do my job without too much direction or oversight, and have passing interaction with most of my fellow workers. My job also involves a lot of contact with a lot of people, and just dealing with all their emotions is difficult enough. Still, most days I do fine and manage to keep my sense of self intact without getting too inundated by other people's stuff.
Today, however, was one of those days when a coworker who is new was asking a lot of questions, which I'm happy to answer, but I felt like parts of me were being sucked away because I didn't have much downtime. Then, I had to attend a meeting near the end of my day, and it was all I could do not to feel completely overwhelmed and shut down. As it is, I feel that most of the time I come off as standoff-ish or shy to my co-workers. If only they could understand that I'm just trying to stay within myself enough to avoid becoming overburdened by other's emotions and thoughts. It's tough, especially on days like today when I don't have enough opportunities to decompress.
After doing my time at the gym (another place where there a lot of people), I came home and sat in my meditation place for a while. It helped to reconnect with Mother Earth and with my Self. That's how I cope. And I'm hoping that tomorrow will be an easier day.
And, yes, I promise that next time I'll write about channeling.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
The Thinking Behind the Thinking
As I was searching for understanding about what Twin Souls were and what it was that I was experiencing, I was leaning on the thinking that every high school English teacher pounds into our brains.
You know -- research, verify, cite.
I didn't feel right about trusting just one cultural tradition's viewpoint (or Max Freedom Long's interpretation of it). So, I decided to research other traditions, other sacred writings, other theories, other viewpoints. That led me on quite a long search.
But one thing guided my thinking: rationalism (see previous post). Yep, Gandhi may not have approved, but the scientific method (or my English teacher's indoctrination) fueled my search. I felt like if my experience were to be trusted, then it needed to be explained using logic, it needed to be found across many traditions, and it needed to have analogous situations in the natural world.
Strangely, that led me into the world of channeling. More about that next time.
You know -- research, verify, cite.
I didn't feel right about trusting just one cultural tradition's viewpoint (or Max Freedom Long's interpretation of it). So, I decided to research other traditions, other sacred writings, other theories, other viewpoints. That led me on quite a long search.
But one thing guided my thinking: rationalism (see previous post). Yep, Gandhi may not have approved, but the scientific method (or my English teacher's indoctrination) fueled my search. I felt like if my experience were to be trusted, then it needed to be explained using logic, it needed to be found across many traditions, and it needed to have analogous situations in the natural world.
Strangely, that led me into the world of channeling. More about that next time.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
On Gandhi, Rationalism, and Bloggers
I'm reading a biography about Gandhi, and just got to the section about his view of western society. Pretty interesting, and sometimes disturbing.
In his view, western society leans too heavily on rationalism, and doesn't realize the limitations of rationalism. By this he means that the scientific world view (rationalism) has its place, but the scientific world view cannot explain everything. It cannot explain God, or ESP, or the aesthetic experience, or love.
As an interesting side note, I read last week that a recent poll showed that more educated people tend to believe in God and other non-rational concepts. Why is this? The article didn't explain, but here's what I think: I think that the more educated one is, or the more life experience one has, the more one realizes that one's education can't explain all that is. In other words, those with more education or life experience understand the limits of rationalism.
In reaction to this poll, a blogger was noted as being very surprised and even doubted the results of this poll.
In his view, western society leans too heavily on rationalism, and doesn't realize the limitations of rationalism. By this he means that the scientific world view (rationalism) has its place, but the scientific world view cannot explain everything. It cannot explain God, or ESP, or the aesthetic experience, or love.
As an interesting side note, I read last week that a recent poll showed that more educated people tend to believe in God and other non-rational concepts. Why is this? The article didn't explain, but here's what I think: I think that the more educated one is, or the more life experience one has, the more one realizes that one's education can't explain all that is. In other words, those with more education or life experience understand the limits of rationalism.
In reaction to this poll, a blogger was noted as being very surprised and even doubted the results of this poll.
I don't. I think that there is more to life than the scientific world view. In the words of Shakespeare, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." I like that.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Unravelling the Mystery, Part 1
As I posted before, I discovered a deep connection to a person I'd never met before, simply by hearing a recording of this person's speaking voice. It was like remembering something that had been buried deep in my soul, and the feeling shook me to the core. At the time, I didn't understand what this connection was, nor had I ever heard the term "twin soul" before.
This is how I started to unravel the mystery of this connection.
At the time, I was studying the native Hawaiian religion, called Huna. I read a few of Max Freedom Long's books about Huna and found some of it a little hard going, but when I read What Jesus Taught in Secret, it was like a light bulb turning on. Things suddenly made sense.
I won't go fully into Long's teachings, but the short version of Huna is this: each person's soul is made of three parts -- the lower, animal self; the middle, every-day self; and the higher self, which is a bit like a guardian angel. The Hawaiians described this higher self as an "utterly trustworthy Father-Mother spirit."
In What Jesus Taught in Secret, Long explained that as we cleanse our souls and learn to love fully and completely, we are prepared to "move up." According to Long, moving up means that we are meant to become a higher self while the lower self becomes a middle self. Think of it as moving to the next rung on a ladder, or the next level of a pyramid. But as we move up, we are rejoined with our other half, our "soul mate" as he termed it, and become the Father-Mother guardian spirit of the higher self.
It made sense to me, and helped shed light on some of what I was experiencing. But the sceptic in me wanted to know if this was just Long's take on this phenomenon, or were there other sources which taught similar things?
This led me to see if similar teachings could be found in other traditions. So, I went exploring.
This is how I started to unravel the mystery of this connection.
At the time, I was studying the native Hawaiian religion, called Huna. I read a few of Max Freedom Long's books about Huna and found some of it a little hard going, but when I read What Jesus Taught in Secret, it was like a light bulb turning on. Things suddenly made sense.
I won't go fully into Long's teachings, but the short version of Huna is this: each person's soul is made of three parts -- the lower, animal self; the middle, every-day self; and the higher self, which is a bit like a guardian angel. The Hawaiians described this higher self as an "utterly trustworthy Father-Mother spirit."
In What Jesus Taught in Secret, Long explained that as we cleanse our souls and learn to love fully and completely, we are prepared to "move up." According to Long, moving up means that we are meant to become a higher self while the lower self becomes a middle self. Think of it as moving to the next rung on a ladder, or the next level of a pyramid. But as we move up, we are rejoined with our other half, our "soul mate" as he termed it, and become the Father-Mother guardian spirit of the higher self.
It made sense to me, and helped shed light on some of what I was experiencing. But the sceptic in me wanted to know if this was just Long's take on this phenomenon, or were there other sources which taught similar things?
This led me to see if similar teachings could be found in other traditions. So, I went exploring.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Coping as an Empath
I blush to admit it, but I was really proud of myself today.
I spent the entire day in meetings, surrounded by people, and at one point was in a room with over five hundred people in it. I'm a self-admitted crowd-ophobe because of the bombardment of feelings that I must contend with, but today went pretty well.
Here's what I did to survive. I made sure my cocoon of white light was surrounding me, that I stayed aware of myself and my own feelings, and that I focused on my breathing when the emotions around me were getting strong. This morning before I left home, I also connected with Mother Earth, and reconnected when I returned home. I think spending that time grounding also helped.
The result -- yes, I am a little head-achy, but overall I feel like I'm connected to myself and not carrying the emotions and moods of all the people I've been around today. In the past, the feeling of what it was like to have a lot of other people's emotions glommed onto me was like wearing layer after layer of wet wool sweaters. At the end of the day, it wore me down. Today, I even had enough energy to go to the gym for some cardio. Yay, me!
I spent the entire day in meetings, surrounded by people, and at one point was in a room with over five hundred people in it. I'm a self-admitted crowd-ophobe because of the bombardment of feelings that I must contend with, but today went pretty well.
Here's what I did to survive. I made sure my cocoon of white light was surrounding me, that I stayed aware of myself and my own feelings, and that I focused on my breathing when the emotions around me were getting strong. This morning before I left home, I also connected with Mother Earth, and reconnected when I returned home. I think spending that time grounding also helped.
The result -- yes, I am a little head-achy, but overall I feel like I'm connected to myself and not carrying the emotions and moods of all the people I've been around today. In the past, the feeling of what it was like to have a lot of other people's emotions glommed onto me was like wearing layer after layer of wet wool sweaters. At the end of the day, it wore me down. Today, I even had enough energy to go to the gym for some cardio. Yay, me!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
How It All Started, Part 4
As I wrote last week, amongst all the bombarding feelings and thoughts I was receiving from other people, there was one constant. Like the one voice in a crowded room that always remains the same even as the other voices drift and change as people come and go, there was for me one energetic fingerprint that stayed the same.
This is how I came to know who that constant voice was.
About six months after the car accident, I heard this person's actual voice. I won't say more, except to say that this person works in the arts as I do, and I had the opportunity to hear a recording of this person's speaking voice. It was the strangest experience for me, because the sound of the voice evoked an almost primal reaction in me, as if I were returning home after a long, long journey. As Rissa explained in The Gemini Bond, the sound of this voice was like finding the voice to which you spent your life comparing all other voices.
What I didn't understand at that time, however, was why I felt this way. I didn't even have a name for this phenomenon, and it took years for me to understand that this person was my Twin Soul.
This is how I came to know who that constant voice was.
About six months after the car accident, I heard this person's actual voice. I won't say more, except to say that this person works in the arts as I do, and I had the opportunity to hear a recording of this person's speaking voice. It was the strangest experience for me, because the sound of the voice evoked an almost primal reaction in me, as if I were returning home after a long, long journey. As Rissa explained in The Gemini Bond, the sound of this voice was like finding the voice to which you spent your life comparing all other voices.
What I didn't understand at that time, however, was why I felt this way. I didn't even have a name for this phenomenon, and it took years for me to understand that this person was my Twin Soul.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Need to Rant
Why do scientists need to pooh-pooh everything that they can't quantify in a test tube? Granted, I don't believe everything that every self-proclaimed psychic has to say, nor do I put 100% faith in my own subjective experiences. Still, to say, as did an article I just read on my internet home page, that all psychic phenomena is "all in our heads," well, that's discounting a lot of things which have really compelling evidence.
For example, how do you explain well-documented reports of after-death experiences? Or how about young children who remember specific details of their former lives? And -- if you want further evidence -- why did the governments of the U.S. and U.S.S.R. pour millions of dollars (or rubles) into psychics who were trained to remote-view?
That is why, when I was trying to understand my own experiences, I searched through the internet as well as many of the esoteric writings from traditions from around the world. Some of it was woo-woo, some of it was deceptive, and some of it made a whole lot of sense.
But in the end, I decided that my experiences weren't "all in my head." Grr.
For example, how do you explain well-documented reports of after-death experiences? Or how about young children who remember specific details of their former lives? And -- if you want further evidence -- why did the governments of the U.S. and U.S.S.R. pour millions of dollars (or rubles) into psychics who were trained to remote-view?
That is why, when I was trying to understand my own experiences, I searched through the internet as well as many of the esoteric writings from traditions from around the world. Some of it was woo-woo, some of it was deceptive, and some of it made a whole lot of sense.
But in the end, I decided that my experiences weren't "all in my head." Grr.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
How It All Started, Part 3
So, here I was, getting bombarded with people's feelings and sometimes even their thoughts. Here's how I might describe it: It's like walking into a crowded room and hearing all those voices, then walking into a different crowded room and listening to that mix of voices, and so on and so on. Every day for me was like walking into another crowded room.
But here's where it takes a turn to our primary subject: Twin Souls.
Now, imagine that in every crowded room you visit, there is always one person who is the same. In every mixture of voices, as you walk from room to room, one voice is always present.
Every person has a distinctive voice, right? Imagine, then, that in every crowded room you visit, that distinctive voice was always in the mix. I think that after a while, your subconscious would pick up on that. At least, that's my working theory.
About six months after the car incident, I finally heard that voice by itself. It took a long time to understand that this "voice," this particular vibration linked to a person, was my Twin Soul.
But here's where it takes a turn to our primary subject: Twin Souls.
Now, imagine that in every crowded room you visit, there is always one person who is the same. In every mixture of voices, as you walk from room to room, one voice is always present.
Every person has a distinctive voice, right? Imagine, then, that in every crowded room you visit, that distinctive voice was always in the mix. I think that after a while, your subconscious would pick up on that. At least, that's my working theory.
About six months after the car incident, I finally heard that voice by itself. It took a long time to understand that this "voice," this particular vibration linked to a person, was my Twin Soul.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
How It All Started, Part 2
Let's see, in HIAS, Part 1, I talked about how I developed an increase in my empathic abilities due to a fender-bender. The old noggin got a real shake, and this is what resulted.
I was inundated with other people's feelings, even when in the house all alone. It was a really scary time, because I truly questioned my sanity. I talked to a couple of people who I knew were into the whole New Age/metaphysical viewpoint, and they said that first, I needed to clean up my diet and avoid all toxic substances as much as possible (which has taken a long time to do), and second, they said I needed to find a way to close down my ability.
In other words, I needed to find the off switch. Easier said than done.
I'm sure there are people who can turn their abilities off and on at will, but I, unfortunately, am not one of the them. I've found, with trial and error, that I can limit what I receive from others by not allowing myself to feel so "open," and to keep up a protection of white light when I'm around a lot of people. When I'm tired or distracted, though, I still get glommed onto. For example, if I touch someone with a headache, I end up catching their headache! Yep, it keeps life interesting.
Next time, I'll talk about how this ability finally put me in contact with someone I've never met -- my Twin Soul.
I was inundated with other people's feelings, even when in the house all alone. It was a really scary time, because I truly questioned my sanity. I talked to a couple of people who I knew were into the whole New Age/metaphysical viewpoint, and they said that first, I needed to clean up my diet and avoid all toxic substances as much as possible (which has taken a long time to do), and second, they said I needed to find a way to close down my ability.
In other words, I needed to find the off switch. Easier said than done.
I'm sure there are people who can turn their abilities off and on at will, but I, unfortunately, am not one of the them. I've found, with trial and error, that I can limit what I receive from others by not allowing myself to feel so "open," and to keep up a protection of white light when I'm around a lot of people. When I'm tired or distracted, though, I still get glommed onto. For example, if I touch someone with a headache, I end up catching their headache! Yep, it keeps life interesting.
Next time, I'll talk about how this ability finally put me in contact with someone I've never met -- my Twin Soul.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Ting, Ting!
That's the sound of a half-full lead crystal champagne flute being struck -- my favorite sound!
Yes, this does call for a celebration. After much work, a few bouts of frustration, and having learned more about computerese than I ever cared to know, my book -- The Gemini Bond -- is now available as an ebook! Whoop, whoop!
Please tell all your friends and neighbors, enjoy reading it, and let's celebrate!
Yes, this does call for a celebration. After much work, a few bouts of frustration, and having learned more about computerese than I ever cared to know, my book -- The Gemini Bond -- is now available as an ebook! Whoop, whoop!
Please tell all your friends and neighbors, enjoy reading it, and let's celebrate!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
How It All Started -- Part 1
OK, here's the story of how it all started.
I was driving down the road near a retirement community and traffic was heavy and slow. I remember that people were trying to get through a light which seemed to be short-cycling, and suddenly the folks in front of me braked suddenly. I braked suddenly. The lady behind me didn't.
Crash, tinkle, tinkle . . . . tinkle.
The little old woman who hit my tiny car was driving a big old Olds. Her blah beige car didn't register a scratch. Mine had some major damage to the rear. And I had the worst headache. I remember sitting on the curb by the edge of the road (and did any of those other people stop to help? Noooooo -- they were more focused on getting through that dumb light), holding my head and trying not to throw up. Not a very glamorous moment.
It turns out that I ended up with a moderately severe case of whiplash (chiropractic is great, but deep tissue massage is better -- take my word for it), and a mild concussion. Sounds pretty easy, once you past the initial pain, right?
Well, in my case, it took months before I could read the paper again and understand it, before I could put together a coherent sentence without stopping to find words, before I didn't have to rely on a reminder list for every daily task.
But, after my brain and body healed, I found that I had gained a new ability. My natural empathy had multiplied in strength. (I know, you were expecting me to say I could leap buildings in a single bound, or had x-ray vision or something, right?). I could sense what others felt, even across many miles; I could even sometimes "hear" what they were thinking. I was inundated by others' feelings and moods. The driver in front of me, a person walking by, someone who brushed up against me in the store --- they would all be sources of feelings that would infect me. I was inundated by these passing feelings and moods that weren't mine. It was tough to take, and sometimes I worried about my sanity.
Next time, I'll talk about how I learned to cope with being an empath, and what this has to do with Twin Souls (really!).
I was driving down the road near a retirement community and traffic was heavy and slow. I remember that people were trying to get through a light which seemed to be short-cycling, and suddenly the folks in front of me braked suddenly. I braked suddenly. The lady behind me didn't.
Crash, tinkle, tinkle . . . . tinkle.
The little old woman who hit my tiny car was driving a big old Olds. Her blah beige car didn't register a scratch. Mine had some major damage to the rear. And I had the worst headache. I remember sitting on the curb by the edge of the road (and did any of those other people stop to help? Noooooo -- they were more focused on getting through that dumb light), holding my head and trying not to throw up. Not a very glamorous moment.
It turns out that I ended up with a moderately severe case of whiplash (chiropractic is great, but deep tissue massage is better -- take my word for it), and a mild concussion. Sounds pretty easy, once you past the initial pain, right?
Well, in my case, it took months before I could read the paper again and understand it, before I could put together a coherent sentence without stopping to find words, before I didn't have to rely on a reminder list for every daily task.
But, after my brain and body healed, I found that I had gained a new ability. My natural empathy had multiplied in strength. (I know, you were expecting me to say I could leap buildings in a single bound, or had x-ray vision or something, right?). I could sense what others felt, even across many miles; I could even sometimes "hear" what they were thinking. I was inundated by others' feelings and moods. The driver in front of me, a person walking by, someone who brushed up against me in the store --- they would all be sources of feelings that would infect me. I was inundated by these passing feelings and moods that weren't mine. It was tough to take, and sometimes I worried about my sanity.
Next time, I'll talk about how I learned to cope with being an empath, and what this has to do with Twin Souls (really!).
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Whew -- this is scary
Hi there. Welcome to my blog. And, yes, this is really scary for me.
Let me explain. Well, maybe you already understand.
These days, we can talk about our bodily functions, our mishaps, our dreams, our insecurities, our addictions, our sexuality, and everything else under the sun, but we don't often talk about (I'm whispering here) psychic stuff. You know, woo-woo. What we experience between our ears that isn't prompted by something we see, hear, taste, smell, or touch. And those who do talk about that stuff, well, we label them as New Agers, or crazy, or freaks, or . . . woo-woo.
"Wait," you may ask, "What does this have to do with Twin Souls? I thought this was another Twin Soul site."
I'm getting there.
The road I traveled to discover what a Twin Soul was, and what that means, all started with some psychic experiences. And, yes, I seriously wondered if I was going crazy. I'll write more about those experiences, and that long road, in future posts.
But for now, let me stand proud while I say, "I've experienced some psychic events. And I'm not crazy."
I think.
Let me explain. Well, maybe you already understand.
These days, we can talk about our bodily functions, our mishaps, our dreams, our insecurities, our addictions, our sexuality, and everything else under the sun, but we don't often talk about (I'm whispering here) psychic stuff. You know, woo-woo. What we experience between our ears that isn't prompted by something we see, hear, taste, smell, or touch. And those who do talk about that stuff, well, we label them as New Agers, or crazy, or freaks, or . . . woo-woo.
"Wait," you may ask, "What does this have to do with Twin Souls? I thought this was another Twin Soul site."
I'm getting there.
The road I traveled to discover what a Twin Soul was, and what that means, all started with some psychic experiences. And, yes, I seriously wondered if I was going crazy. I'll write more about those experiences, and that long road, in future posts.
But for now, let me stand proud while I say, "I've experienced some psychic events. And I'm not crazy."
I think.
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