The Place to Chat about Life
Are you a Star Wars fan?
I am.
My favorite movie is Empire Strikes Back.
Yes, I know many people say that.
But it’s where we found out that Darth Vader aka Anakin Skywalker is Luke and Leia’s father (spoiler alert). And the look on Luke’s is priceless.
Why? [Read more…]
Why, oh why, do are we stressed out? It’s why daily meditations are necessary to calm your mind. Here’s why.
If you’re like me, you may have had setbacks.
For me it was losing my job, one that I really liked, in July 2018. I found another one a few months later, but it wasn’t a good fit for me (that’s another blog post).
So it was back to freelancing/consulting for me. And with most contracts, they sometimes end. It’s one thing if you don’t like what you’re doing, but I actually liked the industry.
When you’re stressed out, you may not think straight.
On December 1, 2011, I published the post, What’s in a Name? Nameology Can Help You Figure That Out. In the post I talked about how I discovered the Kabalarian Society, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. They’re an organization that specializes in analyzing birth names and business names.
If you never connected with your birth name, you could get a “free” Name Report that would provide you with an analysis of it.
Do you want to take it a step further? You could pay for a Balanced Name Report that would list first names and last names just for you. You could do the same for your current business name or if you’re in the process of naming your business.
Nameology is fascinating. However, you shouldn’t change your name because you think it will make you happy. You have to go deeper and get to the “root” of why you think changing your name is the right decision for you. Keep reading. [Read more…]
A few months ago, I discovered The Kabalarian Society which is located in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. I’m fascinated by numerology, Western astrology, Vedic astrology, the Tarot, Buddhism, and other out-of-this world subjects. Anyway, for the past couple years; I’ve tossed around the idea of changing my name. It’s not that off the wall because many actors, actresses, and writers have changed their names or use stage or pen names. You’d be surprised who’s changed their name. Google your favorite celebrity and I bet you they’ve changed their name.
Through the Kabalarian Philosophy, I discovered something called nameology. It’s relatively new to me. Nameology is the practice of mathematically calculating a ‘balanced name’ that’s in harmony with one’s date of birth. Who knew?
According to the Kabalarian Philosophy, “A balanced name will allow your child to attract the experiences needed to fulfill his or her purpose in life. With your support, your child could excel in school. A balanced name creates an expressive child; one who is creative, reliable, and capable and who will experience overall good health.”
I ordered a ‘free’ Name Report from the Kabalarian Society and was surprised by the findings. It was as if I was looking into a mirror. How did they know? How could they know? Lo and behold, they recommended a name change for me. As I mentioned above, I contemplated changing my name for many years; however, it’s a different story when you actually take steps to change your name. I became conflicted because I really liked my first name of Rebecca (I never cared for the name Becky — mom would call me that); it was my last name I was ready to bid farewell to. I didn’t want to wait until I got married. It wasn’t that simple.
The other conflict I had around changing my name was, “Could your name really throw your life off balance?” I’ve been working on myself since 2007 and was under the impression that if one shift’s their thoughts and beliefs, their life would shift. Wasn’t this enough? Is a name change really necessary? I read and re-read testimonials from people who changed their name, but I still had more questions than answers.
It took me a couple of weeks before I ordered the Kabalarian Society’s Balanced Name Services. I mean, could a balanced name really change my life? I still wasn’t sure.
Needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled with the selected first, last and middle names that were given to me. They didn’t ‘feel‘ right. Plus, I identified with the name of Rebecca Sebek. Hello! That’s what my parents named me. Changing my name wasn’t as easy as I imagined it to be.
Luckily, I worked with a wonderful consultant from the Kabalarian Society who was very patient with me. I inquired about names that I liked but none of them were a good fit for me. She gave me list after list of names but none of them felt right. The good news is I have a lot of character names for my books!
Finally, after a lot of going back and forth and inquiring about other names I liked, I decided on the balanced name of Amandah Tayler Blackwell. I always liked the names Amanda and Taylor. However, for my balanced name the names of ‘Amanda and Taylor’ are spelled differently. It’s a process.
I won’t lie … it’s been a struggle to get used to my ‘new’ balanced name. It’s been an adjustment for my ‘close’ family as well. I had no idea how identified I was with my name of Rebecca Sebek. Talk about being attached to something. I’ve learned a lot about the art of detachment.
To help me adjust to my ‘new’ name, I researched nameology and discovered that some indigenous tribes give their children new names when they reach adulthood. Again, many celebrities and writers change their names so why can’t I?
If you’re contemplating changing your name, think and meditate about it because it’s not as easy at is seems. Order the ‘free’ name report from the Kabalarian Society and review their findings; you may be surprised. If you feel inclined to change your name — go for it. If you’re pregnant or about to have a baby, choose your baby’s name carefully. You may want to consult a nameologist. It could make a difference in your baby’s life.
Amandah Tayler Blackwell
(aka Rebecca Sebek)
Image via Wikipedia
Fellow Students of Life,
On Denise Linn’s July 19, 2011 Soul Coaching radio show, she spoke about using Feng Shui to create abundance. If you have issues around receiving abundance, you may want to resolve them before you Feng Shui your home or at least be willing to release your insecurities around abundance.
10 Easy Feng Shui Tips
1. Make sure there’s nothing blocking the front or main door. Lamp posts and trees can block the positive ‘chi’ of a home. If you enter through the garage, periodically use the front door. Don’t use harsh lighting in the garage and keep it clean. You could always open the front door and say, “Welcome energy force; Welcome life force; or Welcome chi.”
2. When you walk into your home, if the first thing you see is a ravine or backyard, this indicates ‘money’ rolling away. Hang a picture on a wall or door that symbolizes abundance to you.
3. Water is a well known symbol of prosperity. Hang paintings or pictures of water, eight or nine fish (Koi), a fountain, or sailing ships (sailing into port aka your ship is coming in) around your home. You may consider purchasing a fountain (instead of hanging a painting or picture) for your home or home office.
4. Make sure your wallet is clean. Buy a new one if yours is worn out. Otherwise, clean out your wallet and place abundant affirmations in it.
5. Keep the toilet lid down and close bathroom doors. The idea is that water goes down the drain. Closing lids and doors prevents this. Make your bathroom(s) feel abundant by placing candles and other items that symbolize abundance to you. Choose the ‘right’ paint color for your bathroom(s).
6. When you buy a home ask “why” the home owners are selling. If they’re losing money, you may not want to buy the home. Also, make sure stairs don’t face the door. This symbolizes ‘money going out the door’ and you don’t want this. As mentioned before, be mindful of trees and or lamp posts in front of the house. These can block good energy. Light fixtures above the front/main door are to be clean and work properly.
Note: in the Japanese culture, the number four is a bad omen. Use your own feelings and intuition about this if the street name and or address has the number four in the beginning, middle, or end. To some, the ‘number four’ is an angelic number.
7. Put a mirror behind the burners of your stove because this doubles them. Keep burners clean. When you clean them, have the intention to create a space for more abundance to flow to you.
8. As you water a plant say the following, “As I water this plant, more abundance flows to me.”
9. Buy objects that were owned by an abundant person. If you go antiquing ask questions about objects and their owners; energy could still be attached.
10. Get to know the energy map of your home. However, your belief is most important than the system you use such as Three Door Gate, Compass School, and others.
Other tips
Rebecca
I’ve attended my fair share of metaphysical/spiritual groups. What surprises me is that the organizers or facilitators and group members usually ‘poo-poo’ judging others. They don’t like the idea of judgment and believe it’s not conducive to judge others and situations. But how non-judgmental are spiritual people? Do they practice what they preach? The answer may surprise you.
Experts believe that if you judge someone, you’re really judging yourself. You’re projecting your ‘shadow’ or some part of you that you don’t like onto others. What happens when you’re in a group setting and members start judging you and your feelings? You say what you feel but instead of listening, they point out why you’re wrong or why you shouldn’t think the way you do. Say what? How is this helpful? Isn’t this a form of judgment? Some ‘spiritual gurus’ believe it’s unhealthy not to feel your feelings. If you don’t feel them, you end up stuffing them down where they fester until they come back up to the surface and explode.
I’m often amazed how ‘spiritual’ people claim to be totally open minded but then discount or write-off what others say. They don’t know how to agree to disagree. They don’t understand that others won’t think like them and that’s all right. It’s apart of learning and growing. You take what you want from information and leave the rest. There’s nothing wrong with this.
I decided to back-off or take myself offline from metaphysical/spiritual groups. I need a break from these people! I have enough books that will help me continue on my spiritual path. I’m also apart of groups on Facebook where I can ‘check-in’ if I have questions or feel the need to participate. As far as attending local, physical groups, it’s time for me say Adiós for awhile.
Rebecca
Did you know that you could be addicted to spirituality? This question may send self-proclaimed light workers into a tizzy. If you constantly focus on developing your spirituality and become a recluse to do it, chances are you’ve become addicted to spirituality. If you’ve turned your life over to ‘spiritual gurus’ who seem to know what’s best for you and others, you’ve become addicted to spirituality.
Signs that you’re addicted to spirituality
You only hang around with other spiritual people. There’s a saying, “Birds of a feather flock together.” If your flock is entirely made up of spiritual folks, you’ve become addicted to spirituality. Broaden your horizons and get to know other people. Have you ever heard the saying “Practice what you preach?” Take all of your ‘spiritual’ lessons and see if you can walk your talk. If not, you haven’t learned anything from all of those books, workshops, classes, CDs, DVDs, and meditations you’ve purchased.
You’ve read every book published by popular ‘spiritual’ gurus. Let’s face it, most authors write about the same topic over and over again. In fact, most of the information written today has already been written 100 years or more ago. The only difference is the use of modern words and terms. Authors put their ‘spin’ on spiritual topics, publish their work with different publishers or self-publish, have different cover designs, and different names. That’s it.
You continue to read books about spirituality but stay stuck. If you have a growing library of books on spirituality, you may want to evaluate why. What haven’t you learned? What else is there to learn? Are the books helping you to progress on your spiritual path or do they keep you stuck? If you haven’t moved to the next level, you’ve become addicted to spirituality on a ‘basic’ level and are stuck. Consider other peoples’ idea, especially your own! Who says the ‘spiritual gurus’ are right? Take what you want from their books and leave the rest. Get on with your life!
You dropped family and friends because they’re not spiritual enough. Do you believe your family and friends aren’t spiritual enough? What would Buddha or Jesus think about this? Would they approve? Your family and friends may not be at the same level as you but that’s no reason to toss them aside. True, you may want to limit your time with ‘negative’ people but they make the best teachers. And, if you really studied your ‘spiritual’ books, you would be prepared to handle them.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to become spiritual but when you use it as a crutch or as a form of escapism, it doesn’t become natural or healthy. The world if filled with beauty and wonder. Get out and explore it. What are you waiting for? Do you need permission from one of the ‘spiritual’ gurus? You have the power to do anything you want — you only need your permission. Break free from the ‘spiritual’ fort you’ve built around yourself. You may be surprised at what you discover.
Rebecca
There is a lot talk about regenerative tissues. Wake Forest is known for making strides with regenerative medicine. Is this playing God? Do humans beings want to live ripe old ages? Watch the video and you decide.
Oprah’s March 25, 2009 show featured Dr. Oz (of course) who went to Wake Forest to see their new findings in regenerative tissues. They can take a heart from a pig, make a mold and use your cells to grow a new heart. If you had the choice between a pacemaker or a pigs heart, which would you choose? What about cellular memory? Does this mean you’ll take on the characteristics of a pig.
Today, we live in a world filled with many religions. Many people believe their religion is the best, but truthfully they’re based on the same principals; the stories have different players and scenarios.
Two commonalities are the belief in a higher power (God) and angels. If you examine religions such as Hinduism, Catholicism, and many others, they mention angels in one form or another. But, how do we know if angels and God exist? Does it come down to that 5-letter word, faith?
Some of us pray day after day for things such as employment. I myself have been praying for over one year that I would find steady work in addition to my part-time (thank God) writing work. I even went to the desert (AZ)to find my salvation. Did I find it? Perhaps I did in one form or another. Perhaps my time is up in the desert which is why jobs are not being brought to me.
I’ve read so many books from Napoleon Hill to Charles Haanel to Sandra Anne Taylor to you name the author. Dr. Dyer is famous for the “change your thoughts, change your life” speech. Well, I’ve changed my thoughts to change my life so why am I still experiencing issue with my career and money?
Many people tout themselves as Law of Attraction gurus. It’s a growing business. They say that God is in all of us. If that’s true, shouldn’t we be able to change our circumstances straight-away? Shouldn’t we be able to experience joy and success if we’ve done the work that they told us to do? How long does it take? Are supposed to be joyful no matter our circumstances? The latter can take a lot of mental concentration and practice!
Sometimes we get so caught up in making our dreams come true. Is it worth it? For example, I’ve been on a mission to find writing, coaching, and or teaching opportunities. My highest education is a Masters degree, and I’m questioning whether or not the money was worth it. I also have two accounting degrees and a graphic design certification. I’m not a slacker and give more than 100 percent. Maybe that’s the problem, I give too much. Perhaps it’s time for me to sit back and start receiving.
A few weeks ago I came down with a cold, and I firmly believe that I made myself sick. I’m starting to feel much, much better. I believe I exhausted myself by trying to make a new life for myself in Arizona. I look for employment seven days a week! I probably sent out over 500 resumes since August 2007. Now I’m asking myself if it was worth it. Did I learn a lot about myself while being in Arizona? Yes. Have I “changed my thoughts?” Yes. Has it changed my life? Maybe in the long run, but in the short run I still have bills to pay. I do my best to “focus my attention” on my bills being paid on time with money left over in my checking account. Please do not ask me what the balance of my checking account is right now.
Many people say that “the universe or God likes it when you have an attitude of gratitude.” Is this true? I started a gratitude journal, and I truly am grateful for what I have, but is it really helping me? I was taught to be grateful when I was child. I know things can be worse, but that still does not change the situation I am in today. So, where are God and the angels in all of this? Did they hear and listen to my prayers? Truthfully, I have no idea if my prayers were answered because I am in the now. I learned that from Eckhart Tolle; he teaches to practice being in the present moment. I’m very good at that, now.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have proof that God and angels exist? For those of us who thought they had it figured out, we could use a divine sign. At this moment, I have no idea what I believe in anymore. I’m really not sure if God and angels exist. If they do exist, could you send them my way? I have many questions that could use some answers.
A definition of faith is “a belief in an idea that is unsupported, or contradicted, by evidence.” Does having faith really work? Do affirmations, mantras, and meditations help manifest your desires? Does changing your thoughts really change your life? Is “The Secret” helping people transform their lives? How many people experience instant turn-around in their finances, relationships, or health by repeating affirmations daily? Do these “techniques” work or is it a bunch of “hooey?” Many people are skeptical that you can change your life by “reprogramming” your thoughts. Perhaps the “skeptics” are right.
Hay House Radio has many eclectic programs. They range from Dr. Wayne Dyer to Debbie Ford to Doreen Virtue. Listeners tune into the shows each week to hear the “pearls of wisdom” spoken by these radio hosts. Phone lines are jammed packed with people wanting to know when and if their life will get better. Do they get better?
Taking a step to change your life for the better is a step in the right direction. But, how long does it take before you see the “fruits” of your labor manifest? Everyone has heard “have an attitude of gratitude.” Some ask the question “when will you take control of your dreams and aspirations?” If it is as simple as being grateful, taking control, or changing your thoughts, isn’t immediate manifestation of your desires and dreams guaranteed? What is the missing link or “the secret?” If anyone knows, please be kind and share your thoughts.
Not sure,
Rebecca