Rose Quartz: Benefits of Wearing, Meanings and Uses

Rose quartz can help to attract love.  Pink quartz is the perfect gemstone for nurturing love and compassion.

  Necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings with rose quartz crystals can be worn to express love, giving and gratitude.

Rose quartz can help to enhance communication.

Small slivers of quartz are available as good luck charms and are often found in Oriental, Native American and some other mystic jewelry collections.

Rose quartz enhances the energy of sexual beings, inspiring intimacy.  Rose quartz enhances creativity.

Like rose quartz, cherry quartz is also helpful for attracting love. But it’s even better to enhance sexuality and creativity. If you’re looking for a very simple crystal, this is also a great choice.

Keep Your Gear Safe & Sound With these Products

We just love sharing tips for a better life with our readers. Recently, we’ve come across a really cool item – and we don’t know how we’ve lived without it for this long! The camera backpack is our newest summer obsession. For those of you who are into nature, especially those of you who enjoy meditating and reflecting – or getting some great shots of your favorite natural wonders – we highly recommend this indispensable accessory.

Two of our favorites by Besnfoto make your outdoor adventures even better than before. The first model is a light and easy bag that is perfect to keep your camera protected, and all the pieces easily accessible. The arc shaped design of this bag helps to keep your specialty lenses safe and sound. We also love the handy strap on this bag; it’s adjustable to be worn in so many ways. The great vintage green color and waterproof feature make it a perfect addition to your next adventure.

If you’re looking for something more heavy duty, this vintage style camera backpack fits the bill perfectly. With its many compartments and large Amounts of storage space, you can fit all your gear plus certain laptop models and even a yoga mat for those outdoor exercise sessions! The magnetic buckle is also perfect for quick access when you’re surprised by the perfect picture taking opportunity.

The style and quality of this gear is fantastic, but the current promotional price is even better! Check out the deal Besnfoto is offering on Amazon, here and here, and stock up to make the most of your adventures in the wild!

Affirmation Definition: What Are Affirmations, And How Can We Use Them?

The term “affirmation” can sound so magical, so esoteric.  Is it an incantation?  A chant?  A mantra?  I suppose if that’s what you want it to be, it can be.  However, it needn’t be shrouded in such mystery.  In the simplest of terms, an affirmation is a simple phrase, sentence, a prayer, or even just a word that you can think or speak out loud in order to gain personal power.  As its name implies, an affirmation affirms — it makes things happen, turns a neutral or negative thought or feeling into something more positive.

Affirmations, while simple, can have an immense amount of power!  They can transform your relationship with yourself, and with others.  They can enable you to view the world differently.  Affirmations can aid in comforting you during times of fear or distress, and can even help you to attract positive people and situations in your life.  In short, affirmation power can open up your entire being, and make you, yourself, become a wellspring of positivity for yourself — and source of positive energy for the universe through which to work its wonders.

The best part about affirmations is that anyone can use them — instantly!  They are free, they are fast, and they require nothing more than faith and conviction.  There are many places to find affirmations online, but you can also create your own as well, to fit whatever situation you need.

Remember that words have power.  Thoughts create action.  Affirmations can bridge the gap between thought and deed, in order to empower you to be your very best self so that you may improve your own life.  They can help you see new opportunities where none existed before.  They can open your heart and soul to new experiences, so that you can enjoy all that life has to offer.  They can also uplift you, comfort you, and enable you to heal yourself spiritually — so that you can continue to be your very best.

Spotlight on Abhijit S. Kulkarni of Reliable Solutions

Abhijit Kulkarni has recently been presented with an Award of Achievement in the category of Business, as our choice for Forex Trader of the Year (Asia). He is a professional forex trader, fund manager and analyst, as well as a passionate entrepreneur. Abhijit is a unique individual, set apart from the crowd through his not just his passion for the work that he does, but also the generosity he has shown in teaching and guiding others in order to improve the forex trading community.

Ahijit’s firm, Reliable Solutions Limited, prides itself on being geared toward providing education for effective trading on a global scale, as well as developing platforms which are geared specifically toward management and education. Abhijit has designed his firm to be a unique entity, as it is the first unique brokerage which deals exclusively with the customer's interest.

However, he was not always the successful businessman that he is now. Due to economic changes throughout India, from where Abhijit originates, opportunities for advancement were not always readily available. In his earlier years, young Abhijit pursued his dreams of becoming an animator; however, once he discovered the basics of forex trading, Abhijit's interest in this profession grew into a true passion for the work. 

Despite the difficult conditions in his home country for forex market, Abhijit persevered, tenaciously educating himself in the finer points of forex trading and always seeking success. The idea for Reliable Solutions came about 7 years ago, when Abhijit first got into the forex trading field. After extensive research, Abhijit set out to discover why so many traders have struggled to succeed. A realization that the forex trading market lacked honesty and transparency in its education,  Abhijit Kulkarni set out to change the field. His pioneering spirit has truly revolutionized the field of forex trading and how its education is dispensed to forex newcomers who are looking to gain information.

We are proud to present this Award of Achievement to Abhijit Kulkarni for his relentless pursuit of success, as well as his devotion to helping others toward achieving their own goals.

Congratulations, Abhijit!  And thanks again for all that you do!

Brainstorm Pro: A Blogger's Best Friend!

By now, most of you know very well about the type of person I am.  I blog, I write books, and I'm all over social media sharing helpful tips and little bits of information to make life a little easier and a lot more fun.  My blog is often a platform for me to share information and thoughts with fellow creative people.  So, when I come across a valuable resource, I love to let you all in on my discoveries!

One of the things that really bugs me at times is writer's block -- and in my line of work, where it's "publish or perish," that can really be some cause for concern.  A lot of times, my brain is so packed with ideas… but it's so hard to actually get them onto the page!  Even us wordsmiths can sometimes have trouble finding the right words for our craft.  (I visit Thesaurus.com more times during a writing session that I care to admit!)

Enter the fantastically helpful software, "Brainstorm Pro," by my friend Jesse Gilbert.  When you're searching for just the right word, simply use Brainstorm Pro to help point you in the right direction.  This tool is specifically designed to help word lovers like me to find just what we need quickly, with no drama, no waiting for web pages to load, and no ambiguity.  Brainstorm Pro enables me to keep my writing filled with that new-pronoun smell, and that factory-fresh adjective flavor that all writers crave.

Currently, this helpful tool is available for the Windows & MS Word platform, but a Mac version is coming soon.  I can't wait!  Check it out here for a free download and start brainstorming!

Am I a Lightworker? Lightworkers Characteristics for Self-Discovery

Are you a lightworker?  The term itself has been liberally applied in many scenarios, but not everyone is familiar with what lightwork actually entails.

If you feel as though you have a special calling to help, heal, or counsel other people, you can consider yourself to be a lightworker.  Having an open heart and a loving spirit are the first and most basic requirements for lightwork.  When we feel naturally compelled to open our hearts and to share our gifts with other people who are in need -- whether it's through the giving of money or material items, sharing advice, helping with small tasks, or even just a sympathetic ear and a hug -- we are performing a valuable service for one another, and in turn, for the universe.
Lightwork is about more than simply using new age methods to heal and help others.  It can manifest in very practical applications as well as more esoteric, spiritual ones.  When we have a look at the larger picture, we can understand that our calling to help other people is a calling for lightwork at its most basic spiritual level.

When you're compelled to be a loving and giving person, or called to help others, you are a lightworker!

How To Deal With Excuses

This is a simple one... if you're making a lot of excuses, don't make 'em! :)

OK, maybe it's not all that simple.  It can be tough to get out of the vicious cycle which is created by avoiding problems, casting blame, rationalizing and justifying.  But in order to heal your life and those of the people around you, you must take a good, honest look at yourself and your actions.

Denial can be a soft, tempting place to live.  You can comfort yourself without really addressing the root cause of whatever issue you're experiencing.  However, once the comfort wears away, the old problems will still be there.  When you're staying safely on the sidelines of life with your old friend Denial, you'll never really be able to get into the game.

Try to break the cycle!  When you are tempted to make excuses for something, simply try to examine it from all sides.  Figure out how you can do it right next time.  You don't need to beat yourself up, but you really should try to take responsibility for what you have or haven't done.  Remember -- the first step to self-improvement is the acknowledgement that improvement is needed. :)

The Limitations of Your Past

Everyone has his or her own history.  Sometimes, your previous accomplishments can propel you in to bigger and better achievements.  However, it can also work in the opposite way, as well.  Your failures, your mistakes, and your losses can also freeze you into place.

What you need to remember is that the past is just that -- the past.  Today is a new day, and you can do things in a brand new way.  You don't need to ride on the coattails of previous successes.  You don't have to allow former mistakes and screw-ups to limit your current abilities.  Yesterday's terrible choices may have resulted in difficult predicaments for you today, but that doesn't mean tomorrow will be equally awful.  Make better choices today.  Turn over a new leaf.  Develop new habits, start new mindsets, and begin trying new ways of doing things.

Instead of allowing past hurts and losses to keep you afraid from living in new and healthy ways, take that chance.  Know that self-improvement can be hard, but it is a doable and workable thing.  Life can surprise you.  Just try it and see.

Casting Spells on Other People

As a professional psychic and spirit worker, I have been asked to cast spells for people.  I'm happy to do so, with certain conditions.  If you're unsure about whether or not to cast a spell on someone, feel free to go by my list of three important self-imposed rules for safe and successful spellcasting.

1.  The first rule of casting a spell on someone is this:  In order to stay safe, to make sure you're not doing something "evil."  Spellwork that comes from a place of light, or positivity, or "The Source" will not harm other people.  In your magick, as well as the rest of your life, take care to "harm none" and you'll be much safer.  Avoid casting hexes or curses, as the negative energy that you emit from this is bound to come back to you -- according to some traditions, threefold, tenfold, or even more!  No one wants that!

2.  Don't cast a spell on someone which forces them to do something against their will.  This is the case with things such as love or breakup spells.  While it is possible that they can work, their actions will not be motivated by their heart.  A spell such as this never really creates lasting love, or any lasting feeling, nor will it create the feeling in a sincere and heartfelt way.  Instead, what you'll get is a hollow echo of the real thing, and you'll wind up miserable.  Trust me, I've seen it happen!

3.  Never cast a spell on someone without their permission.  Even if you think you're helping that person, it is a violation of someone's personal boundaries for you to determine what you think is best for them.  If they come to you and ask, then it's fine!  If you ask them ahead of time and they're OK with it, it's also fine.  But imposing your will on other people can actually become more harmful than helpful.  The one exception to this is when you know that someone is experiencing a real emergency or crisis; just as "implied consent" in an emergency compels medical professionals to treat seriously ill patients, so can spiritual workers imply consent for those experiencing major crises as well.

Having an Awesome Life, Lesson #12: Share Your Awesomeness

This is the final lesson in my "Having an Awesome Life" series.  If you've taken the time to follow my advice all year, you've likely found lots of improvement in your life.  Congratulations on making the effort to think more positively, to connect with others, to pursue your dreams, and to enjoy as much as you can about the way things are... as well as opening your mind to how life can improve.

Now that you've begun on your path to ultimate awesomeness, the final step is to take other people in your life along for the ride!  If you've begun to notice that other folks in your life seem aimless, sad, anxious, or bored... share your knowledge with them.  Be supportive of others' quests to improve their situations, and be the great friend or confidante who can assist as their voice of reason, their sounding board, and the wind beneath their wings!  Celebrate your differences, similarities, and everything in between.

This is the season of love.  Sharing your knowledge, giving of yourself, and taking the time to really connect with your loved ones is the crux of this joyous time of year.  Regardless of your religious affiliation, you can enjoy spending time with those around you and celebrating the simple concept of togetherness.

By spreading this message of awesomeness, you are showering love on those who surround you.  Real love is about giving, sharing, helping and supporting.  Spread your happiness and contentment around and share the lessons that you have learned with the world!  Become the guru of your own social circle; promote love, awesomeness, and mental well-being wherever and whenever you can.

Words of Wisdom from Mother Teresa

 It is said that this beautiful quote was written on Mother Teresa's bedroom wall.  Wise words indeed!

"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway. 
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway. 
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.   Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.   It was never between you and them anyway."

Having an Awesome Life, Lesson #9: The Miracles of Kindness

Are you feeling depressed?  Bogged down by your problems?  Annoyed at just about everyone else in the world?  Maybe it seems like others have an easier, funner, better life.  Perhaps you're feeling bored, stuck in a rut, or just plain inadequate.  Maybe you have no idea what direction your life should be taking.  What can you do then, you might ask.

The secret to this is actually very simple.  If you're having trouble getting your own life to the place where you want it -- whether you've lost your way, or feel at a loose end -- you can find a way to feel better in a snap.  Try showing some kindness to others!

Helping other people can give you a whole new lease on life.  It can make you feel like a hero, because that's just what you'll be.  It can help to eliminate boredom, because it will give you plenty to do and lots of satisfaction with doing it.  You will always have something on the agenda if you try volunteering for something, doing charity work, and connecting with people who share your values.  Helping other people can also make your problems seem really small and much easier to handle than they do now; by focusing on others and seeing issues that are truly devastating, it makes your complaints about the annoying co-worker who chews with his mouth open a lot more trivial and manageable.

Remember that you don't need to go running off to your nearest non-profit organization in order to help someone.  Flip through your mental inventory of loved ones, friends, family, and neighbors.  How about shoveling the snow off of your neighbor's car while you're doing your own?  Next time you're making dinner, throw twice as much in the pot to cook and take some over to a friend who's too busy or tired to make some for herself.  Offer to do some errands for that sick relative.  Even spending a few minutes to help make someone else's day a little better can do wonders for them as well as for you.

Best of all, you will get so much personal satisfaction out of helping other people.  It's better than the self-esteem boost, the extra activity, and the inner makeover of your own issues.  The great feeling that you'll get from being one of the good guys, and from seeing others benefit from your efforts, is one of the most awesome things you can experience.  And that will carry over to some serious awesome life points!

Does God Exist?

Regardless of your faith -- take a moment to imagine that God does not exist.  (If you are an atheist, this should be easy!)  Envision our lives as simply... being here.  We are born, be live, and we pass into oblivion.  The rest of civilization continues long after us; they carry the memory of us for a time.  Our genetics are passed down, but other than that, we ourselves are gone forever.

And now, ask yourself... is that really so bad?  Would our lives cease to be meaningful?  Would we love one another any less?  Would our lives be less of a struggle than before?  Would we care more or less about our lives?

Perhaps some of our ideas may shift.  Without thought of a Hell as punishment or a Heaven as reward, some of our behaviors would likely change a bit.  We may find that we live more in the moment with our behavior, our words, and our thoughts.  We may realize that instead of looking to the heavens for consequences, we can find those rewards and punishments here on earth, with our lives being created in the image of our own personal heaven or hell.  Instead of looking to God for help or being annoyed with God when live isn't up to our own expectations, we would look inside ourselves.  And the power to change our situations would exist solely within us.

Instead of blaming God for the things that go wrong in your life, try taking responsibility for your actions and situations in life.  Look around; are there things about this world that bother you?   Awful things happen every day, to so many people.  You have the power to change a part of the world, however small that part is.  Instead of blaming God, or expecting God to pick up the slack, try jumping in and helping.

Don't wait for heaven.  Create a heaven in your own lifetime.  Be good to others.  Use the powers you have been blessed with, to create change when you see a wrong that is in need of correction. Enjoy every second of your time on earth.  Love those around you.

Whether or not you believe in the existence of God is not the issue.  What is the issue, is how you choose to live your life.  Regardless of how we came to be on this planet, here we are.  This is our home, and it is our responsibility to take care of it as well as to show positive regard for those who share our home.

You can begin anytime.  You must understand that, regardless of your beliefs, that concept of God does exist.  God lives within you and me, and everyone else.  God is that perfect, loving part inside your heart that wants to do the most good possible, and to believe in the goodness of our fellow humans.  Honor that part within yourself and others by creating positive changes in the world around you.  Change happens slowly and starts small.  But it can begin with you.

Latest Cancer Information From Johns-Hopkins

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook today.  I'm not vouching for the validity of it, as I am not a medical professional. However, I did want to post it here because it is definitely a concern that Americans have, as cancer rates in the USA are out of control.  Cancer is a frightening disease, both to have and also to witness in a loved one.  Take care of yourself, my friends!

Here is the post in its entirety, as well as the cancer cell pic that was included:

~~~

LATEST CANCER INFORMATION
from Johns Hopkins

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY …


1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.


11. An effective way to battle cancer is to STARVE the cancer cells by not feeding it with foods it needs to multiple.

What cancer cells feed on:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Note: Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.


b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells will starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes t o nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells.

To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water--best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines will become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.

Anger, unforgiving and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

(PLEASE SHARE IT TO PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT)

How To Donate Your Car To Charity

A few weeks ago, I posted an article about cord blood donation, and how important the cord blood stem cells were for medical research.  They can also help your children recover from serious illnesses in the future, should they develop diseases that can be helped by stem cells.  However, there are all kinds of wonderful ways that you can help other people through the gift of donation.

Donating your used car to a non-profit organization is one of those ways.  It doesn't matter what condition your car is in, there are always places that are willing to take used cars -- even cars that don't run can be donated for a worthy cause.  So if you have an old junker that's taking up space in your garage (or worse!  your lawn!), consider giving it to one of the fine institutions below.

Here's a list of places that you can donate your cars, whether they run or not!

Wheels for Wishes
Helping Hands of America
Kars4Kids
OnlineCarDonation.org
Habitat For Humanity

P.S. To the people who are Googling for "donate junk car for cash" -- you are missing the point!  I think you should be looking up "SELL junk car for cash." By its very definition, the word "donate" means that you are giving something away, not selling it for a profit.  Perhaps you should try actually donating something sometime, and see how that feels.

Emotional Signs and Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening

Spiritual awakenings can trigger amazing things inside your mind, heart, and of course, your spirit!  A spiritual awakening can also have interesting effects on your physical body.  In this entry, we're going to look at some of the changes which a spiritual awakening can cause in your emotional arena.  (We'll look at other types of changes later this year.)

Here are but a few of the signs of a spiritual awakening:


A stricter sense of morality.  As your spiritual awakening is experienced, you start to understand the importance of living your true will.  Along with this understanding comes a desire to treat other beings with honor and respect.  Secrets, lies, or actions that deter you from your true will may become increasingly difficult to participate or tolerate.  You place a new importance on honesty and reciprocity in all dealings with others.

A conscious need to seek your soulmate, other half, or twin flame.  When we experience a spiritual awakening, we may have the desire to share this experience with someone close to us who can understand.  In the event that you are single and seeking that person, your commitment to the search may have intensified since your awakening has come upon the horizon.  Remember that if you want this encounter to happen, you must continue to work on your own life in order to prepare and welcome this soulmate.

An anxious, nervous sense that something significant may be about to occur.  You may be experiencing worry, suspicion, or the perception of a significant impending event.  Try not to allow fear or worry to get the best of you.  Take things slowly and work on one small issue at a time.  The feeling about what's to come may be a natural reaction to any surprise, good or bad. 

A heightened sense of emotional sensitivity.  Even small things may suddenly become overwhelming to you.  You may cry easily, become sad or upset at things that may perhaps not have affected you so much in the past.  You may also have unexpected and intense bouts of inexplicable bliss, profound elation, comfort and peace.  The heart chakra may also be presenting with aches, pains, or a sense of pressure.  This is often due to your chakra opening and accepting new information or energy.  Try to be open to your newfound sensitivity; let the feelings ebb and flow naturally.  Try some cleansing exercises or deep breathing as you allow the chakra to naturally expand, strengthen, and grow.

A new need for solitude and alone time.  During a spiritual awakening, you may feel that being around others is more draining of your emotional and psychic resources.  Even if you're very gregarious and love people, they can be especially draining and taxing as you're more attuned with your own inner changes lately.  Perhaps you just want to stay home more instead of going out and doing the things you used to enjoy.  Or, instead of running with your usual crowd, you are now preferring to keep to yourself.  You may not be depressed or anxious, but you might just need this time alone.  Go with it an enjoy, but do your best to keep connections with others alive -- you don't want them to think you've forgotten about them!

A newfound need for spiritual connection and meaning.  Your spiritual awakening will spark a craving for purpose and a deep desire for understanding of the world around you.  It is also possible that, for the first time ever, you find yourself longing for something you cannot name.  An inner peace or a connection to spiritual ideas in order to make you feel whole.  Listen to your heart, and go where it takes you.  This can be an exciting time in your life to learn and grow!

Moments of newfound clarity.  Perhaps you're going through a significant epiphany in your life now.  After what may be an entire lifetime of living or thinking in a certain way, a shift in perspective (through whatever means) has caused you to see things in a whole new light.  You may feel a stronger attunement with your higher power, or with a force that is greater than yourself.  You may find yourself suddenly more concerned with humanity or healing the world around you.

A sense that you have gone through some changes, or that you are currently experiencing change.  You may not feel the same as you used to feel.  You may not even be able to pinpoint what those differences are between the old and new "you."  However, the differences are there, and you can sense them even if you are unable to put the changes into words just yet.  Remember that that best is yet to be.  Continue to move on this spiritual journey and you will be able to find these answers. 

A heightened sense of creativity.  This one is huge for many people!  It could be that the changes you've been witnessing inside yourself are simply giving you more to think about, and therefore you are feeling more inspired than you ordinarily are.  However, you may also be attracting more creative impulses, or setting off an enhanced ability to draw inspiration from external sources.  As you pick up these new ideas, do your best to keep track of them for future use.  They may be needed not just for new projects that will require future attention, but also as a way to chart and track your own spiritual progress.

A deep need to find your true sense of self and life purpose.  What has worked for you in the past is just fine, but when a spiritual awakening occurs, maybe your old ways of doing things are simply not going to work for you anymore.  You may feel restricted by attachments, people, or lifestyles which do not suit your true purpose.  You may need to let go of toxic relationships or bad situations that do not enable you to live your true will.

The Difference Between a Boss and a Leader

A BOSS drives his or her employees...
    A LEADER coaches them.

A BOSS depends on their authority for respect...
    A LEADER depends on goodwill.

A BOSS inspires fear...
    A LEADER generates enthusiasm.

A BOSS says "I..."
    A LEADER says "We..."

A BOSS places blame for any breakdowns that occur...
    A LEADER fixes those breakdowns.

A BOSS may know how it's done...
    A LEADER shows people how it's done.

A BOSS uses people.
    A LEADER develops people.

A BOSS takes credit for others' work.
    A LEADER gives credit where it is due.

A BOSS commands.
    A LEADER asks.

A BOSS says "Go!"
    A LEADER says "Let's go!"

Having an Awesome Life: Lesson #3, Passion for Compassion

One of the best things that you can do in life is to focus on other people from time to time.  This has a multitude of benefits, including three important ones which are immediately apparent.

1.  It takes your mind off of whatever is wrong with your life. When you think of people who are less fortunate than you, what comes to mind?  People without food or clothes?  Folks who have no internet?  People whose problems are so overwhelming to them that they can't get out of bed in the morning?  Sick kids and adults?  Try zooming out and putting your own problems into a new perspective.

2.  It makes you appreciate what you do have.  Sure, there are people who have it better than you.  But plenty of folks have it worse, too.  Try not to be too envious of "luckier" people; you never know what lurks beneath their smiles.  There are plenty of people who'd trade lives with you in a second.

3.  By practicing compassion, you may feel compelled to help make a difference.  And the difference benefits multiple parties.  You feel great for helping someone else, but even more importantly, even a small gesture of compassion can make a major difference to someone else.

I'd also like to add that realizing not everything is about you all the time is also just the plain-old right thing to do.   There are billions of people in the world, and we all have a back story which includes good stuff and bad.  It takes courage to zoom out and look at the big picture, so try to be brave and do it every now and again.

Get busy!  Run through your house and donate your old clothes, that chair you like but never use, the spare "doubles" of things you don't need anymore.  You'll be de-cluttering your living space, and helping someone else at the same time:  Win-win!  Volunteer to cook a meal and bring it to a local shelter -- invite your friends and make it a party!  Karma points for all, a great time that people will be talking about for months to come, and full bellies for those in need.  Another win-win!  Visit your favorite old person; be their hero for the day and give them lots of much-needed hugs.  Raise awareness for a cause that you care about.  Write a letter to your representatives about something that you'd love to improve.  Go click on The Hunger Site and allow a corporation to match your click with food for someone in need.  Adopt a pet, a highway, or a child.  Even with limited time and money, you always find ways to make the world -- and your corner of it -- a better place. 

Cord Blood, Stem Cells, and a Promising Future

I was inspired by an article that I recently read I about the Gift of Life Foundation, and all of the good work that they do for people around the world who are suffering from terminal and life-threatening diseases such as leukemia.

The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation was founded in 1991, and has helped to facilitate transplants of stem cells and bone marrow for patients worldwide. Gift of Life plans for its newest program, the Cord Blood Program, to be of great benefit to people with life-threatening and debilitating illnesses.

Cord blood is the residual blood which is left over from the placenta and umbilical cord after a baby is born. In the past, cord blood was viewed as medical waste, and was disposed of accordingly. However, we now know that cord blood is composed of a unique type of tissue which promises many advances in the treatment of various illnesses, due to the high content of stem cells that are contained within cord blood.

After a baby has been born, the cord blood can be harvested and preserved by freezing, and then stored in order to be used at a later point in the future. Cord blood collection is not painful to the baby or the mother, as the blood is collected after the umbilical cord has been cut and sutured. Harvesting cord blood does not cause any additional pain or risk to either the mother or baby; the delivery process remains the same, regardless of whether or not cord blood is collected.

After the cord blood is accepted by Gift of Life, it is shipped to the lab to be tested, processed, and stored until it is needed in the future for treatment of certain life-threatening diseases, as well as some genetic disorders.

I find the concept of using cord blood for life-saving stem cells to be extremely fascinating; the ability to harvest such vital components of potential cures for some of the world's worst illnesses, without any additional pain or risk to other life, to be such an inspiration! Such advances fill me with hope for a brighter and healthier future for the generations to come!

You can donate cord blood to the Gift of Life Foundation, as well as the National Marrow Donor Program.  By bringing a new life into the world, you may also be saving someone else's!

Q&A: Twitter Help Badges

A reader, Cypherinfo, has asked me for some assistance on Twitter help badges.  (I had a bronze one.)

"Hello, all of the users gained their Twithelp "Bronze Helper Badge" has seen disappeared their badge if any was embedded in their web site like me. The related web site is no more accessible; it seems that only its twitter account is still running at @twithelpme What to do now to see displayed again it please? My twitter handle is: @cypherinfo."
 

Well, Cypherinfo, it seems that you're right!  TwitHelp doesn't seem to be as functional as it was back when I got the badge.  That's very unfortunate too, because I thought it was a great service.  Who knows, maybe it'll be back in the future!  I did embed mine into my website through Twithelp.  I am no technological wizard, but I did want to try to help you out. Since you needed to find where to get it, I did a little bit of research & was luckily able to find a copy on the internet!
 
If you want to display it on your website or somewhere else...  feel free to download and use the one I have placed on this page!  I hope this helps you!  (And I'll be Tweeting you later this week to make sure you've read my Q&A!)

By the way... I am on Twitter as well, at @YourPsychicsSage -- so feel free to follow me or add me.  I love talking to people and helping out folks all over the world!

Does anyone else have a question I can help with?  Feel free to ask me in the comment section below!