7 Ways The Bible Influences You Today

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Power, lust, greed, sex, gluttony, laziness, and war.

Forget about reading Fifty Shades of Grey just read The Bible or watch it on The History Channel!

Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) and reality show mogul Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Amazing Race) produce The Bible, and have brought viewers what is being called, “The Bible for today’s generation.” They’re not kidding.

Today, children are growing up with more wars than their parents and grandparents. Sex and violence are prevalent in TV shows, video games, and movies. The internet can be a dangerous place kids because you don’t really know who’s lurking on websites and from where. And most kids are becoming desensitized to all of this.

Can we trace power, lust, greed, sex, gluttony, laziness, and war back to The Bible? Sure we can. Here’s how The Bible influences you without you knowing it. [Read more…]

What is Woundology?

Question: I just discovered Caroline Myss and she used the term ‘woundology‘ in her presentation “Why People Don’t Heal?” What does woundology mean? How can you permanently heal your wounds? I’d like to heal my wounds once and for all. I journal, meditate, listen to podcasts, burn incense and sage, etc. and nothing seems to work. Help!

Answer: Woundology means you use your wounds — you cling to your wounds. According to Caroline Myss, “Woundology is a very expensive habit to keep a wound alive. The energy comes out of your system, your cell system.” According to the Halexandria Foundation, “Woundology is also a form of scapegoatology which means outside events and others are blamed for what a wounded person experiences.” We have the power to heal from our wounds; however, to do so, means we must give up ‘being right’ for being happy.

When you carry your problems with you everywhere you go, you’re practicing the art of woundology. For example, gave you ever met someone who’s told you their life story in a matter of minutes? They were practicing woundology. However, the person believes they’re sharing their life’s story. They can’t see what they’re truly doing. Let’s face it; we’ve all done this at one point or have done this. I have and now realize the error of my way. Now, wonder I’ve been feeling stuck in a funk for the past year (or more).

FYI: Some experts believe woundology is a form of addiction. Instead of being addicted to drugs and alcohol, gambling, smoking, being right, attention, people pleasing, being a rescuer or victim, food, sex, the internet, movies and television, working out, shopping, relationships, traveling, etc. people are addicted to their pain.

Recognize and heal your wounds today by getting in touch with your emotions and exploring them. The next time you’re tempted to share your life’s story with someone, ask yourself a few questions such as:

  • Why am I doing this?
  • What do I get from this?
  • What’s motivating me to share my story?

Woundology is a way to control and manipulate the people around you. It’s a way to get their attention or for them to rescue you. The truth is you can only rescue and save you. If you wait for others to do it, you’ll be waiting for a long time. Life will pass you by and you’ll be left wondering, “Where did my life go?” However, you can heal your wounds today, and tomorrow life will be easier and happier.

Rebecca

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7 Ways Hoarding Buries You Alive

Peter Pack Rat

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Are you a pack-rat? What about a hoarder? Does your heart race when you see people throw out newspapers, magazines, or old furniture?  Do you have material items from the 1980s or 1960s? Have you sold your house but still haven’t completely moved out? If any of this sounds like you, hoarding could bury you alive.

Hoarding is serious and shouldn’t be taken lightly. People have issues with hoarding for many reasons. For example, those who grew up during the depression tend to be hoarders and or pack rats. They hold onto to material items and stuff refrigerators, freezers, and pantries with food because they fear not having enough. There is truly enough.

On a personal note, my father (deceased) and a few of my ‘older’ relatives are/were pack rats. They can’t and won’t throw anything out such as string, nails, dishes, old newspapers, containers, etc. because they believe something could be used at a later date. My father would leave his birthday and Christmas gifts in the box with the wrapping paper still on it; the tissue paper still in the box. He believed the wrapping and tissue paper could be reused, even though my mom would buy new wrapping paper every year (sales). My mom eventually stopped by new wrapping paper.

7 Ways Hoarding Buries You Alive

1. Strains family and other relationships.

2. No one wants to come over to see you; you become isolated.

3. Your home begins to smell from rotten food and or animal feces — it becomes unsanitary and unsafe.

4. If you hoard animals, you do them more harm than good. Animal control will remove the animals. Some of them will be euthanized; others will be placed in foster homes to be nursed back to health. Healthy animals go up for adoption straightaway. It’s not fair to the helpless animals.

5. You feel you need to acquire more and keep accumulating stuff.

6. You become angry and bitter because the people who love you want to help — they want you to change. But you can’t admit you have a problem; therefore, don’t want to change.

7. You’re setting your children and or grandchildren up for a life of hoarding. Remember, children learn from the actions and words of the adults in their lives. They could grow up to ‘mimic’ your hoarding habits. Do you really want that life for them? How would it benefit them? How would they live a happy, healthy life as a hoarder?

If you or someone you know suffers from hoarding, please get help. There’s no shame in hoarding — all of us have had to face something in our lives. Admitting you need help is the first step. If the people who love you want and offer help, take it. You’re very lucky to have people who love and care about you. They want you to live a happy, fulfilled life — you deserve to live a happy, fulfilled life.

Rebecca

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Does Your Hair Color Change with Your Mood?

Fellow Students of Life,

Does your hair color change with your mood? For example, one minute you’re blonde and sunny, and the other you’re jet black and gloomy. Perhaps, you become a fiery red head with eyes to match. Maybe you become golden brown and down-to-earth. Whatever the case is your hair can become stressed and fall out! If you don’t want that to happen, take a breath and center yourself.

Many people suffer from mood swings which can be caused by medications, certain times of the month (women), fatigue, too much responsibility, overworking, or plain old stress. Follow the steps below to get a handle on your mood swings and keep your hair color from changing every month.

How to get a handle on mood swings

1. Take time for yourself. There’s no ‘ifs, ands, or buts about it; you need time for you! Get a massage, new haircut/style, Reiki treatment, or whatever it is that will relax you. If you have kids, tell your husband/life partner he’s watching them. If you’re a single parent, ask family, neighbors, and friends to help out.

2. Get moving. Walking and running are great stress relievers. Go to the park or beach and walk the stress away. You could always run around your neighborhood. Whatever you do, get moving.

3. Meditation. I know you’ve heard this one over and over again but it needs to be repeated. Quieting your mind for 15 minutes per day will do wonders for your mind, body, and soul.

4. Journal and self-reflect on your life. Are you overworked and overtired? Are you trying to be everything to everyone? Do you lack support in your life? Here’s an exercise: write down everything you do every day for 30-days. After you’ve completed the exercise, read what you wrote. You may discover you’ve been doing the jobs of 25 people; you’re only one person. Ask for help — you deserve it. Cut out activities that drain your energy. Something has to give, please don’t allow it to be your sanity.

5. Thank your mood swings for sharing. Moods swings are good indicators that you’re out of balance. When you experience mood swings, stop what you’re doing and reflect on what’s going on in your life at the moment. Breathe in and out and let the stress go.

6. Talk to someone. Everyone can use help. Perhaps you’d benefit from speaking to a counselor. Choose one that resonates with you. Together, you can create a plan of action to combat mood swings.

7. Don’t take you or life too seriously. The fact of the matter is we don’t live forever, physically speaking. This may seem kind of morbid but if you stop and look at your life, you may discover you ‘obsess’ over every little detail. Soon, you’ll realize most of it won’t matter in the end. Give yourself a break and ease up. Take the pressure off yourself to ‘make things happen’ in your life. You won’t ever get it done; enjoy the present. Forget about the past and future and give your mind, body, and soul a break.

Rebecca

Do you suffer from mood swings? How do you cope? Share.

3 Foods That Can Affect Your Mood

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Question: Is it true that foods can affect your mood? What are they? Do I have to stop eating my favorite foods completely?

Answer: You’ve probably heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” Not only can foods affect your physical health, they can affect your mental health. If you’ve been feeling depleted, lethargic, or cranky, the foods you eat could be affecting you. How many cups of coffee do you have each day? How much alcohol do you drink? The answer to ‘why’ you feel the way you feel is in your pantry, refrigerator, and cupboards. It may be time to clean them out.

3 Foods That Can Affect Your Moods

1. Caffeine. Have you ever heard the saying, “Too much of a good thing.” Too much caffeine can make you feel jittery and out-of-balance. If you drink tons of pop (or soda), energy drinks, or coffee each day, it will definitely affect your mood. What happens when you crash? It’s not a good feeling. If you can’t go cold turkey or believe you need a little bit of caffeine, take baby steps to ‘wean’ yourself off of caffeine.

2. Not-so-smart carbs. Choose whole grains, legumes, fruits, and veggies, over white pastas, candy, pop (soda), pastries and desserts, and sugar. Sometimes potatoes get a bad rap — use your own judgment.

Remember that old saying about food, “Everything in moderation.”

3. Alcohol. This one usually gets people into trouble in more ways than one. Have you ever experienced an ‘all nighter or bender?’ How did you feel afterwards? You probably didn’t feel well. In fact, you may have spent the night in the bathroom.

Alcohol can be dangerous on many levels. It lowers our inhibitions and you may end up doing something you wish you never did. You could say things you never meant to say. Remember this the next time you go out with friends, attend a wedding or anniversary, company event, etc.

Do your best to choose the ‘right’ foods for you and your body. You may consider a detox or cleanse which cleans out the toxins from your body and mind. Before you embark on detoxing your body, check with your doctor. Not all cleansers and detoxes are the same. You don’t want to do anything that will interfere with any medications you take.

Change your eating habits, change your life!

Rebecca

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How to Pull the Weeds from Your Life

Public Flower Garden in downtown Seattle

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Fellow Students of Life,

Your life is like a garden and needs to be ‘weeded’ now and again. If a gardener didn’t clear out the debris and weeds from the flower or vegetable garden, nothing would grow and flourish. Your life works the same way. Allowing weeds to grow will literally ‘choke the life’ out of you. It’s time to pull the weeds (at the root) from your life so you can flourish and prosper.

When you begin to pull the weeds from your life, you may feel sad or disconnected. Acknowledge your feelings and process them. Please don’t stuff feelings down because they’ll only resurface. You may as well face and deal with them now rather than later. Journal or express your feelings to a trusted confidant. Get a massage or Reiki treatment to help you clear away old, sticky energy. Think to yourself this too shall pass and know … All is well.

How to Pull the Weeds from Your Life

1. Uproot old thoughts and beliefs. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Why do I believe what I believe?
  • Where did my beliefs come from?
  • How do my beliefs serve me?
  • Why am I hanging onto these old beliefs?
  • How have my thoughts shaped my life?

Once you’ve figured out “why” you believe and think what you do, let your ‘old’ beliefs and thoughts go. Replace them with new beliefs and thoughts that resonate with you. Visit Heal Your Life to learn more.

2. Move on from stale relationships. Have the courage to say goodbye (if necessary) to work, romantic, friendships, family, and other relationships which are no longer for your highest good. You could always revisit these relationships at a later date. People do change.

3. Let go of activities that drain you. If you don’t enjoy certain activities or are involved in too many, let some of them go. You’ll feel lighter.

4. Don’t say “Yes” when you want to say “No.” This is a tough one for most people but it can be done. Be true to yourself and stop saying “Yes” out of fear, duty, or obligation. Say “Yes” only if you truly want to.

5. Give away clothing and other items. Remember, “When in doubt, toss it out.” If you haven’t worn a shirt in over a year, you probably won’t wear it again. Donate items to Goodwill and other charitable organizations. You could always sell items on eBay or have a garage sale.

6. Move to another city or state to revitalize your life force. Family and friends may think you’re crazy, but they’re not the one moving. Thank them for sharing their thoughts, pack your bags, and get on the road. Remember: you take yourself with you when you move.

Quiet your fears through daily meditation. You’ve probably heard this 100 times but it begs repeating. Sitting quietly, observing your breath is a fantastic way to help you pull the weeds from your life. You’ll have clarity before you begin weeding.

7. Forgive yourself and others and move forward with your life. Forgiveness will set you free. It’s time to ‘uproot’ the past and forget about “who did what to whom” and let it go. These ‘weeds’ choke your life the most. Let it all go and release the heaviness you’ve been carrying.

8. Pull the gossip. It’s easy to get caught up in family or work drama. Heck, TV in the U.S. is filled with ‘gossipy’ TV shows that tell us what’s going on in the lives of celebrities and others. Gossip is hurtful and more importantly, the information is usually false. If you were sucked in by gossip, chop that weed and uproot it straight-away. Remember, the energy you put out into the universe will come back to you. How would you feel if someone gossiped about you?

9. Pull the self-hate. Unfortunately, many people don’t like, let alone love themselves. It’s time to pull the self-loathing from your life. No one is perfect; everyone is doing the best they can. When you criticize yourself it’s not good for you. Acknowledge what you’d like to change and change it. Please don’t beat yourself up because EVERYONE makes mistakes.

10. Pull whatever needs to be pulled in your life. Examine your life and uproot anything that’s choking it. Lovingly release the weeds from your life and plant new seeds. Fertilize new ‘life’ seeds through affirmations, walks in nature, therapy, meditation, yoga, uplifting music, books, etc. Your life will begin to sprout ‘new shoots’ in no time!

Rebecca

What ‘weeds’ need to be pulled from your life? Share?

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Which Do You Love More? Your Spouse, Life Partner, or Work

Workaholic

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Does the following sound like you?

  • You work all of hours of the night.
  • You speed eat — basically inhale your food.
  • You hold your breath throughout the day.
  • It’s always ‘five more’ minutes.
  • You check your Blackberry, Droid, iPhone, etc. every five minutes because it’s glued to your hand.
  • You miss important dates such as birthday, anniversary, date night, kids’ events, etc. because of work.
  • You constantly check your email and social media pages.
  • You’ll always be there in 20 minutes.
  • Your spouse and or life partner is fed up and ready to walk.

What can you do to save your relationship?

If you’re willing to look at yourself from the inside out, ask yourself these and other questions, “Why am I a workaholic? What am I getting from it? What does my career or business represent? Why and how does it ‘fill’ me up? What am I avoiding? Am I afraid of intimacy? Do I have control issues? Do I have a fear of failure? Who am I trying to please? Does being a workaholic make me a better person? Am I trying to achieve a certain status? Am I still trying to prove myself to my parents?” You can also do the following:

  • Schedule date nights and stick to them.
  • Schedule vacations and take them. Leave your iPad, laptop, etc. at home. Okay, you may take your cell or mobile.
  • Turn-off your Blackberry, iPhone, Droid, etc. at a certain time.
  • Stop reading your email and social media websites at a certain hour.
  • Be flexible.
  • Acknowledge your spouse and or life partner more than you already do. Thank them for being supportive and loving you.
  • Listen more to your spouse, life partner, and kids. Don’t blow them off.
  • Spend time with your kids’ by doing something fun.
  • Take a breath once in a while; deep breaths are calming.
  • Mediate 15 minutes per day — it will center you.

Rebecca

Is your relationship/love in jeopardy because you’re a workaholic? It’s something to think about.

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Meditation According to Marcus Aurelius

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Fellow Students of  Life,

Marcus Aurelius, one of the five great Roman Emperors, wrote the following about mediation in his classic Meditations:

Men seek retreats for themselves in country places, on beaches and mountains, and you yourself are wont to long for such retreats, but that is altogether unenlightened when it is possible at any hour you please find a retreat within yourself. For nowhere can a man withdraw to a more untroubled quietude than in his own soul.

Meditation is one way to decompress. Today, our lives are filled with noise and unnecessary stress. Meditation is the doorway to release the noise from our lives. Sitting quietly for at least fifteen minutes a day will do wonders for your mind, body, and soul. Focus on your breath and nothing else. If thoughts ‘pop’ into your mind, notice and let them go. Don’t analyze or panic. Simply ‘thank’ your thoughts for sharing and release them from your mind.

Rebecca

Where do you mediate? Share.

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How to Protect Yourself from Energy Vampires

vampires

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Question: How do you know if you’ve come in contact with energy vampires? One moment I’m happy, the next I feel depressed and drained. I’ve noticed I feel this way after I’ve been around people I do and don’t know.

Answer: Energy or psychic vampires are people and situations that drain and suck the life force aka your energy from your body, mind, and soul. They can be family members, friends, spouses, life partners, co-workers, bosses, neighbors, PTA members, and anyone else who’s in your life. They drain you emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially. To preserve your health and wellness, you may have to end relationships with energy vampires.

Everyone has fallen prey to energy vampires, especially if you’re empathetic. You can’t help but feel compassion and empathy for people. Unfortunately, you probably absorb their energy or experience some sort of psychic attack. It’s necessary for you to ‘shield‘ or protect yourself from such attacks.

How to Protect Yourself from Energy Vampires

1. Limit the amount of time you spend with energy vampires. Surround yourself with open-minded, loving, and positive people. If you work with energy vampires, mentally say the following, “I’m rubber, your glue. Your stinky energy bounces off of me and back to you. I release and send you on your way.” Or, you could mentally write the name of the person on an envelope along with the words, “Return to sender with love,” and mentally drop it into a mailbox and send their energy back to them.

2. Say “No” and mean it. Give yourself permission to say “No” whenever you’re asked to do something or give something to someone. Energy vampires who try to get you to give them your time, money, advice, sympathy, etc. will receive the message loud and clear when you say “No” to them.

3. Use candles and crystals. Purchase a blue or white candle. After coming in contact with an energy vampire, light the candle and meditate on cutting your chords and removing toxins. Wearing or placing crystals such as hematite, snowflake obsidian, or black tourmaline in and around your home will protect your energy field and home from negativity and energy vampires. Note: wear a crystal over your heart.

4. Set strong boundaries. Set clear, firm boundaries with people. When an energy vampire begins to ‘dump’ their problems or life story on you, gently stop them. Say, “I understand you’re having your own Private Idaho, but I won’t participate in the drama.” You can also tell them you have to go or get back to work. You can have compassion and empathy for their situation without allowing them to ‘hook’ into your positive energy.

5. Take a sea salt bath or wash yourself with sea salt soap. Cleansing your body after an encounter with an energy vampire is important. Mentally see yourself clearing away the toxic energy and cutting your chords.

I’m rubber, your glue. Your stinky energy bounces off of me and back to you. I release and send you on your way! ~ R.A. Sebek

6. Protect your solar plexus chakra. Cross or fold your arms or place your purse (or another object) in front of your stomach whenever you speak with energy or potential energy vampires.

7. Call on Archangel Michael. Ask Archangel Michael to vacuum out any toxins and cut your chords to energy vampires. Ask him to place a blue, purple, or white light around you to serve as a barrier to any negative energy you encounter. This will transmute ‘icky’ energy in your aura field into positive energy.

8. Shields. You can mentally put a variety of shields around you such as mirrors facing outward; blue, purple, and or white light; visualize your spirit or power animal at your side, or ask your angels and or Archangel Michael to be by your side.

9. Perform Reiki on you or make an appointment with a practitioner. Reiki is a good way to clear psychic attacks. You’ll feel much better after receiving a Reiki treatment.

10. Laugh! A ‘wicked’ sense of humor is a great way to ward off energy vampires. Laughter is the best medicine!

The next time you experience a psychic attack or encounter an energy vampire, you’ll be prepared to handle it. If you ever feel depressed, angry, frustrated, aggravated, spiteful, revengeful, etc.; ask yourself “why” you’re feeling those types of feelings. Are they really yours or do they belong to someone else? What inside of you is benefiting from those feelings? Sometimes, you need to learn a lesson such as setting stronger boundaries or saying “No.” An encounter with a psychic vampire will teach you to do this. It’s a tough but an effective way to learn.

Realize that most psychic vampires experienced a trauma in their life; some have major stress. They aren’t aware of how they ‘suck’ the energy from people. Bless and send them on their way. As soon as you instinctively know you’re in the presence of an energy vampire, have compassion for them and keep conversations short or drop them altogether. Protect yourself and be grateful you have an awareness of energy vampires on how to protect yourself from them.

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Life’s Too Short to Keep Track of Who Did What to Whom

Angry Talk (Comic Style)

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Last week I watched Mrs. Doubtfire and my ears perked up at the end of the movie when Sally Field’s character Miranda Hilliard said the following to Robin Williams character (Miranda’s ex-husband) Daniel Hilliard aka Mrs. Doubtfire, “I don’t want to fight. I don’t want to rehash who do what to whom.” It made me think of how many people keep track of arguments and hurtful conversations. It seems like a lot of work.

Holding a grudge or constantly replaying what people said to you in your mind is exhausting and not good for your mental and physical well being. If you’re waiting for people to apologize, you could be waiting a long time. Most people are unaware they’ve hurt you or believe they did anything wrong. Forgive them and move forward with your life.

Consider the following quotes for a moment:

For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. Author Unknown

Anger is one letter short of danger. Author Unknown

Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die. Malachy McCourt

If you kick a stone in anger, you’ll hurt your own foot. Korean Proverb

Sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel. Author Unknown

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. Buddha

Resentment is an extremely bitter diet, and eventually poisonous.  I have no desire to make my own toxins. Neil Kinnock

Constantly replaying hurtful conversations and memories in your mind will eventually consume and eat at you. Before you know it, bitterness and resentment will have settled into your body, mind, and soul. You could possibly create dis-ease within your body and mind which could have dire consequences. Learn to process your feelings and let go of whatever others have done to you. Look at how you participated in the events that lead to hurt feelings. This may not be easy, but it will be worth it.

Rebecca

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