Looking Back, Looking Forward: 2012 and 2013

by Jillian Maas Backman

It is time once again to bid a fond farewell to another year served. Not just any year, mind you, one surrounded in antiquated mystery, intrigue and doomsday prophecy foreseeing ever-lasting fatal consequences, designed to unilaterally and spiritually over haul ourselves and emerge on December 31st as a new and improved population of undetermined proportion. A Utopian society comprising of single like-minded individuals flushed through by organic (severe weather and polar shifts) and non-organic (faith-based forecasts) convergence for universal higher consciousness.

In all probability, thankfully, it appears the world will continue long past this year and well into future. As much as some hoped, our transformation from turmoil to tranquility is not going to happen over the course of this magical year. There will be no spontaneous combustion on the horizon that will sway millions of lost souls to unite towards unselfish goals and wants for each others. No, this rise in conscious thought will take a tad longer than anticipated. However, the soul work we did accomplish over these several months did bump us up on the vibrational hierarchy chart of awareness and that’s always a good thing.

Year 2012 I labeled the “Year of Buoyancy.” In review, the last couple of years have brought about hardships for thousands of people. Last December’s blog post I asked each one of you to envision your inner spiritual core as buoys in a large body of water. Immovable flotation devices that serve to signal danger ahead and mark the beginning of calmer water ahead which helps to bob and weave through conflict and challenges without too much interruption to your normal routine. Hopefully, you were able to heed this calling and minimize the pain caused by indomitable circumstances. You will be asked to tap into this inner core strength once again during tenure in 2013. The energy of next year will not only encourage deeper contemplative thoughts but demand well laid introspective action as well.

This year was not about settling for status quo. It was supposed to represent a changing of the guard. New energy that could calm feuding nations and bring about greater hope of a peaceful planet. Elections held the potential to tear down cruel partisan rhetoric and set an historic tone of compromise, set aside obvious difference and strive towards mutual objectives. From outward appearances it seems we fell very short of the great 2012 potential. To the untrained intuitive eye it seems we are sitting right back where we left off four years ago. Piles of frustrated stalemates and honey-do lists for next time around. Don’t count out the energetic forces of 2012 just yet. The groundwork has been laid this year for new alliances next year. Watch for individuals demonstrating great courage to cross-over their political party allegiance to form lasting by-partisan relationships. These relationships will open discussions for others to follow. My hope is these brave taskmasters will in turn have constituents brave enough to follow their lead and support their endeavors for the higher good of all.

If one wants to see the true accomplishments from 2012 dig below the surface where magic truly lies. The mystical energetic treasures were not gifted to groups but to the individual. It’s no secret that year 2012 will go down in the history as the year we all worried about an apocalyptic fatal threat on December 21. I can’t imagine anything quite like a potential threat of immediate mass destruction of an entire planet to strip people down to the bare essentials of our existence. It shifted the onus back onto each one of us and forced us to live in “real time.” Individuals willing to set their ego aside and ask themselves tough internal questions about their own mortality by proxy. When insignificant things are dropped at the wayside it gives a person time to ponder the bigger picture. What do I believe in and can I support that cause to the bitter end.

2012 has been a year of blatant contrasts back and forth between all sorts of societal factions. As I have been suggesting, the gap is growing larger and more pronounced. In the words of Santa, there will always be some “naughty” and some “nice.” The difference is now Santa's “naughty” are becoming more brazen with both thoughts and actions. The nice are no longer turning a naive eye to their less than loving behavior towards others and getting involved. They are starting to stand up against the bullies of the world and saying no! once and for all. The energy of 2012 has removed the invisible cloak of anonymity and showing their true techno-colored grey aura for the entire world to see.

Many of you may have already been experiencing this same phenomenon in your own personal relationships. Those people who have been playing two ends to the middle for their own gain are starting to lose ground quickly. The perceived payoffs living in the middle grey zone is evaporating rapidly. The energy of 2012 is widening the gap two-fold. If you, or someone you know, is playing in this danger zone, watch out. This will be their spiritual death if not careful. The energy in 2013 is about asking yourself the reasons of why you are the way you are. It is about raising the consciousness of this planet upward towards the next plateau of awareness. The core theme for 2013 will center on building true adult soul relationships. Eliminating the need for foolish games or tactics to get what you want from another person. Souls will be communicating first and words will follow. This will be a new way of learning and growing for many who have not been practicing in small spurts this way. Don’t be surprised if it pushes your Trust emotion to the limit. There is something attractive when human beings are challenged to be venerable and trust another person as much as they trust themselves.

The energy of 2013 is all about re-calibration. Setting the re-start button to go bigger than ever before. Unlike this year where change and personal growth was waiving up and down, next year is slow and steady movements. No sudden jerking off course if you lay the foundation down properly. Turn your full attention towards your home life, specifically personal relationships. This is where the energy of 2013 will be felt the most in the coming months ahead. The energy for 2013 will afford each one of us the opportunity to see every relationship before you in a true light, the games people play and the way you interact with it. In this year many will come and go. The ones that survive the cut will afford the opportunity to delve deeper into a spiritual connection than ever before. How much are you willing to trust the new consciousness that is coming to fruition? Or are you going to be one of those people who are stuck in the mud and refuse to budge from your stubborn old matrix or risk for big rewards?

The word "dominance" will rear its ugly head a few more times as well. There are still factions of individuals that will refuse to rise to the level of greater open consciousness. Not ready to admit old school methods of dealing with everyday dealings which are no longer working. This is not time to sit back on our laurels. We need to keep the pressure on our present systems with love and grace. Yes, we are on the verge of breakthroughs. However, the plan is not entirely written on how that will evolve. If we choose to let others take over the transition, you will not gain the conscious vibration rewards.

So many of us have built lives around the goal of survival and the quest for material goods and services, money, job issues. The energetic year of 2013 is our payoff for the work in 2012. Watch for that to continue, but not at the forefront of people's mind. It was rocky for some but the calm is waiting for us in the future coming months. Stability in this area is reaching mass level. Take this reprieve before us and shift attention to other areas of happiness. Clear out your relationship closet and expect remarkable soul conversations to come your way.

For the rest of the 2012-2013 intuitive thoughts at Change Already, Your Future, Your Choice. 

Get ready for steady 2013! 

In love and grace, Jillian

Jillian Maas Backman, Author, Beyond The Pews, Breaking With Traditions and Letting Go Religious Lockdown and host of Change Already! broadcasting each Thursday at noon CT.  www.jillianmaasbackman.com

To read previous articles by Jillian Maas Backman CLICK HERE

Intuitive Messages Aren't Always About Good Things

by Jillian Maas Backman

Over the years I have taught myself to trust and cherish my spiritual intuitive nature. It has allowed me the ability to open doors to indescribable experiences that have enriched my journey three fold. This great abundance didn’t happen overnight. I had to invest dozens of years fine tuning this craft by studying the internal connection between myself and the universe at large.

My intuitive sense is a blessing and an innate tool I use to formulate consistent success. However, once I adapted this artful living, struggles began to pop up. I was learning first- hand the flip-side to living this awakened lifestyle choice.

I make a concerted effort in my life to stay positive as much as possible. Surround myself with people who love to grow, manifest change and avoid negativity. This includes people and circumstances in my intuitive world as well. When I first began embracing this talent I naively thought at some level I could control all the messages coming my way. I was in charge of picking and choosing the intuitive information being received from the universe. Act on the ones I liked and simply discard the rest that required hard work. The kind of choices that cause discomfort upfront but have enormous rewards in the end.

How naive and intuitive youthful I was back in those days. Thinking I could avoid any negative messages that might complicate my decisions. Talking myself into believing certain messages did not pertain to me and pretend they never existed. I have since come to understand the error of my own ways. Planet earth works on well-defined polarities, night and day, good and evil, light follows darkness. Why in the world did I ever entertain the idea that the universe could hold back half the story is beyond me? A movie script without a plot, no friction or challenge to overcome and no heroes to save the day. How can problems be resolved if I only chose to grab hold of the “fluffy intuitive stuff” and not accept an intuitive message in its entirety. I had to surrender to the fact one needs to receive all intuitive insights, the good and the ugly in order to create sound solutions.

My work is based on self-improvement of the individual. I am a firm believer in the trickle-down theory of wellness. Healing oneself will ultimately help heal the planet. There have been times in the past when I receive intuitive insights meant for a larger audience other than just my clientele. When this occurs there are several criteria that must be met before I share with the world. The messages must contain work that can be done by all individuals and possibly create lasting changes on a global scale. When the answers to these questions are a resounding YES! I jump in. For example, the blog piece I wrote last year on the bully crisis happening throughout our local communities. There were intuitive insights that needed to be shared and could lend a helping hand in eradicating such indignant behavior toward our fellow human beings.

As in the sad loss of the child I wrote about in that blog post, I must once again reference the latest loss of a child I cannot intuitively ignore. The fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida several weeks ago. The minute I heard about it my gut went crazy, doubling over with grief and pain. Stopped me in my tracks and demanded my full awareness. Kicking my senses into overdrive with internal raw truthful messages from all directions. The kind of messages I have painstaking avoided in the past because they lay heavy on my heart and hard to receive. To a certain extent, completely out of my control. My knee jerk reaction was to retreat and spiritually shut everything down pronto. Turn an intuitive blind eye to my internal body cues-But my gut won’t let me!

Intuitive warning signs are evident everywhere I turn. Red flags flying sky high signaling more drastic events to come if we refuse to pay attention to this event in front of us right now. As much as I would love to tell each and every one of you to avoid this situation and turn a blind eye with me to the story, I cannot do that without a guilty conscious. I have to fulfill my part of a spiritual intuitive bargain set forth long ago.

The episode unfolding in Florida is pulling us all back in time and forcing us to take an unobstructed view of unresolved issues. This is completely normal and understandable. We revert back to what we know best, our past. Past experiences, past knowledge and in this case, past open wounds. We do have centuries of unfinished lessons and energetic residual relationship pains that haunt us today. Lessons we must re-visit before officially closing this historic chapter. Asking and invoking energetic forgiveness to ancestors on all sides and honor the great strides they endured. Hard lessons assimilated through bouts of horrific human generational experiences. All leading up to a crescendo of celebrating differences and catapulting that energy into communal strengths. We must always hold heavenly reverence those individuals who stood proudly in front to guide us through the first phase of cooperative relations. We stand in the midst of the next elevated phase of cooperative relationships with new lessons to be learned. Lessons most of us are willing, able and ready to examine again if need be to secure our hopes towards a peaceful existence.

Hateful words are being thrown around from both sides and stirring up my intuitive nervousness. Each one of us has the right to our opinions, but collectively it can be distorted. There is great passion on both sides of this sad sad event. My fear at this point is we may all be sitting on top of a ticking time bomb ready to explode any minute. Someone is going to say something inappropriate and trigger an unnecessary unstoppable tidal wave of hate crimes across this country.

Please, I implore each one of you to attempt to keep the physical actions in check. Watch the verbiage that comes out of your mouth. As we know from past experiences words cut just as deep into human flesh as a knife itself. I am not asking anyone to turn away from this issue. I am only asking that we stand strong and unite on keeping our senses in line with what is appropriate. Sure, there are some among the crowds that want us to lose our tempers and reacted violently. They want us to go down the sick road we have already traversed. We do not have to repeat our historic lessons in the same way as before. We are better than that. Many of us hold within our hearts the Utopian vision of a new world order. What better time than now with this situation to foster those thoughts.

This vision begins with restoring trust. Another child has lost his life over our mistrust for each other. We have lost our forefathers trust for one another. When trust is lost in any relationship it takes time to re-build from the bottom up. It is not going to be easy and we cannot revert backwards. It is simply unacceptable if we what to thrive futuristically. We must keep our sights looking forward during this awkward time of vulnerability we sense from another and repair our lost sense of trust among groups different than ourselves.

I am optimistic about learning our social relationship lessons. America looks more diverse than it did back in the day, but the souls remained the same. It may not show on the surface but we have been growing expectationally in this area. In the past there were no books or “how to” therapies on connecting with our “authentic selves.” Moving away from notions of personal victimization into the realm of individual empowerment by asking the powerful question of who am I? Not afraid to claim personal strengths and weaknesses and welcome revolutionary new thoughts and actions. Denounce violence and believe whole-heartily in using honest communication to restore harmony. What hidden messages are we missing from the past that might shed light on solutions for the future? What lessons are we overlooking that need to be addressed now? What new and innovative relationship therapies can we apply here that can shift all of us to a more positive healing outcome.

We all want to see justice come for this family and the memory of this child. But, I implore each one of you this time to push beyond physical closure. Ask this in the name of all families in similar tragedies. Pray that we stay on target with the lessons and resolve our differences. Grant each one of us the courage to enact these lessons in our own homes, communities so the next generation can be proud of work we accomplished together.

Bring forth leaders that can speak of healing rather than separating the masses. Deliver rhetoric of hope that fuels our intuitive eternal optimism. Let these words embody the energy of love and carry them deep within souls and dissolve the most impenetrable shields of bigotry like never before and close this lesson forever.

In intuitive justice,

Jillian Maas Backman

Jillian Maas Backman, Author, Beyond The Pews, Breaking With Traditions and Letting Go Religious Lockdown and host of the radio show, CHANGE ALREADY! Your Future, Your Choice! www.jillianmaasbackman.com  

Keeping the Christmas Spririt

By Charles Moncrief 

Maybe it’s an accident of timing, but a couple of weeks ago I read Donna Gore’s article “The Christmas Casseroles Stopped After Two Weeks.” So it’s my privilege to refer to the article, recommend it, and hopefully build on the idea expressed in it.

 

Every year the feasting at Christmas -- and all of the other winter celebrations -- is painful for those who have an empty place where a loved one had been present before. For the most part, it seems the pain is sharpest when this is one of the “firsts” experienced after the loss. You know: first anniversary alone, first Christmas alone, first birthday alone. Our hearts go out to all who, for whatever reason, must face this sadness at an otherwise joyful time of celebration. Many prayers have already been offered on their behalf.

 

Back to Donna’s article. I’m always thrilled to see the outpouring of compassion at this time of year. From Thanksgiving to Christmas many are blessed by the genuine sharing of hearts in the shelters, the hospitals, and the prisons. And what amazes me every time is that the ones sharing are blessed as much as the ones shared with.

 

Now here’s where I tread on thin ice -- if you’ll pardon my use of this term at wintertime. My heart tells me to put in a plug for this Christmas spirit to continue year-round. Remember, the battered women at shelters need help as much in July as they do in December. The same goes for all the others we reach out to at this time of year.

 

My heart says this, but my mind says such a suggestion might be received with something like “What else would you expect from a preacher?” Fair enough. But I’m out of sync with most pulpiteers when it comes to Christmas preaching. I’m as tired as you are when preachers have a field day spouting “Christmas is becoming too commercialized,” “We’ve adopted pagan customs and lost the meaning of Christmas,” etc. While many of my colleagues will criticize anything you do to celebrate Christmas, I’ll encourage you to follow your heart and enjoy Christmas the best way you know how. To encourage you to experiment with other ways is not to criticize what you’re already doing.

 

I do hope that the Spirit surrounding Christmas will stay around with everyone all year. My reason for this hope is that the joy, comfort, and healing found in this Spirit can ultimately accomplish nothing but good for anyone who chooses to keep this Spirit around.

 

Please accept my sincere wish for a joyous Christmas and the new year.

Grace and Peace,

Charles+

http://charlesmoncrief.blogspot.com

Hold On Just a Little While Longer

By Pamela Chapman

So, what do you do when you can’t find the words to explain to those around you that the circumstance, the situation, the grip of the condition is so tight you can hardly get enough air into your lungs to keep breathing? What do you do when you can’t stop the tears and every waking moment reminds you of the pain? What do you do when you can’t say a word and you’re so tired of the battle that all you want to do is lie down and give up? What do you do when the systems of this world fail you?

            These are some of the words I’ve had to remember and speak to myself in the past few months: “The Lord, You, are my Sheppard; I shall not be in want! You make me to lie down in green pastures. You lead me beside the still waters. You restore my soul. You lead me in the paths of righteousness for your name sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4.

            And when the pressure increased, I remembered: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9.

            I have come to realize that my answer to the call or agreeing with my purpose has not come without a price. Neither does yours. I realize I could not emphatically encourage you or sincerely empathize with you if I, myself, did not experience life’s ups and downs. I could not teach you how to soar in the storm unless I knew how to soar in the storm. I could not teach you how to turn adversities into victories unless I face adversity and turn it into victory. I could not teach abundant living, if I did not know and understand abundant living—in spite of illusions in the conscious mind. I could not show you or tell you how to rise and walk, if I could not or did not know how to rise above my ill circumstance, pick up my bed of affliction, and walk.

            I wish today I could hand you a quick fix, honestly. I wish today I could make all the wrongs that life has brought you, right. I wish I could take away all of your pain, immediately. I wish I could turn your cards of life into a royal straight flush. But, I can’t. However, this is what I can do. I can encourage you to hold on. I can tell you and show you how to not give up and not give in. I can lead you toward love, light and healing. And, if you choose such, you will walk into abundant living—in this life, not just the next. You will see JUSTICE, in this world not just the next. You will experience JOY and HAPPINESS not just later, but now. Yes, in this life!

            Now, more than ever, you’ve got to hold onto your faith. And, when the systems of this world give you a resounding no, go to the center of you—tap into the very essence of you, and listen. Listen until you hear a resonating YES and hear how you’re supposed to proceed. I don’t care what your doctor has told you, it doesn’t matter what the judge’s verdict or sentence, or even what your mind-chatter or donkey talk is telling you. Today—Hold On, BELIEVE, DON’T GIVE UP, and DON’T GIVE IN. Remember this, if you want a miracle you have to be in motion. If you’ve done all you know to do, then STAND knowing there is a power greater and bigger than you, than me, and the system. And though sometimes it may seem as if all Creator doesn’t hear, He’s forsaken you and left you to go it alone, rest assured, He is right there—right in the middle of your circumstance. 

Hold on, just a little while longer.

Silent Night; All Is Calm, All Is Bright

 By Pamela Chapman

Stop. Take a deep breath and a break from all the hustle and bustle of this wonderful holiday season and count with me. Let’s start with one and count slowly to ten, taking a deep breath between each number. There, that’s better.

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and child

Holy infant, so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

There is no song that touches my heart more during the Christmas season than “Silent Night.” It conjures up such images of peace—not just peace due to circumstances, but a peace of mind that passes all understanding, a peace that is there in spite of challenges and conditions.

In the story of Christmas, every inn was full.  There was no room for the mother of Christ to deliver her baby. Yet, she carried deliverance. She found herself in a manger—a stinky, dirty, filthy manger. But in spite of her circumstances, it was here where she delivered New Beginnings and New Origins. It was here where she birthed hope. It was in the most depraved and degrading conditions that the Savior came forth: He who is deliverer and preserver of life and breath of all things.

We as women so often endure appalling circumstances; but quite often, out of those stinky, dirty, and painfully degrading conditions, there is a birthing or a rebirthing.  A gift, a talent, and even a purpose come forth in us. Many times there is deliverance not only for us but for humankind. Out of violent acts, laws are created and bills passed. From unfairness and disparity, political movements are started and justice is made to prevail. Silent Night, Holy Night—it’s a time of new beginnings, new hope, and new faith. Yes, it’s a time of deliverance.

I’d like to share some words with you that I shared last year at this time in iAscend’s Esteem-zine. May I share with you first as a friend and then as a self-esteem and life-transition coach? There is no answer outside of you, and no one can lead you and set your path for you or tell you where to go. Every answer to every question lies within. No matter what you’re facing, no matter how challenging the circumstances, there is hope. There is no secret to the greatness that lies within; there is only the question of how to tap into that which has been hidden. Now is the Time for the Awakening in you.

Are you still taking those deep, slow breaths? I speak peace, blessings, and love into the lives of those who read this message this holiday season. May the God and Creator whom I believe in and trust touch your life in ways you have never been touched. May the gift(s) in you be stirred. May any wall of judgment, condemnation, doubt, and fear come down in your life today. May all that your hands touch increase. May your self-esteem and self-worth enlarge a hundredfold, no matter where you’re starting. May your greatness be empowered now, and may the year and season of now be one that is filled with love, liberty, and life more abundant. May you embrace the wind of 2010 and make it yours! May all fear, doubt, hurt, and pain cease in you and your family’s life today. May you not give up or give in, and may the goodness, grace, and mercy of 2010 cause you to win.

             

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a happy holiday, and a Silent Night.

In love, light, and healing,

Pamela

Pamela Chapman is an author, teacher, and certified self-esteem and life-transition expert. She is the founder of iAscend Programs, LLC. Pamela teaches women how to get through the challenging and stressful times in their lives while building and nurturing their self-esteem. She works with women who are ready to break free of their perceived limitations, maximize their potential, and realize their true purpose. Click here for more information about Pamela and iAscend.

LIMITING BELIEFS

By Charles Moncrief

One of the featured speakers at our prison ministry’s Christmas party was Stan Harris, a motivational speaker known as “Dr. Stan” or “Dr. Breakthrough” (www.drbreakthrough.com). A tenth-degree black belt in karate, Dr. Stan holds his audience’s attention by an interesting presentation style and by smashing things. The inmates especially enjoyed his resilience when about ten of them hit him in the stomach -- after telling them to avoid injuring themselves by keeping their wrists stiff. He had asked for three volunteers, but he was a gentleman and didn’t want to dampen their enthusiasm!

Maybe I should write about the lesson of shaking off life’s assaults and insults by standing firm and letting the assailant take the inevitable self-inflicted wounds. But as a Priest I have to tow the party line and say that life itself neither assaults nor insults. Besides, I’d like to yield one of my future slots to Dr. Stan and let him do a better job on the subject. I want to write about something else.

Dr. Stan handed each of twelve inmates a thin wooden block. Written on each 12” x 12” x 2” block was a personal barrier to success in life. During the speech, as he described a particular barrier, the appropriate inmate held up his block for all of us in the audience to read. His dramatic finale was to use his hands, feet, and head in a series of karate moves to break all of the blocks in rapid succession. The obvious symbol was that of smashing the obstacles in our own lives. Less obvious are the necessities to develop our God-given abilities, and to recruit others in our efforts to overcome them -- even if all they do is present us the names of our obstacles. I’ll leave those lessons to your personal reflection.

The label on the first block was “LIMITING BELIEFS” and is the subject of this article. Dr. Stan described the beLIEfs that limit us, pointing out the destructive effect we encounter when we allow the pronouncements of others to affect us. Here are some examples I’ve come up with.

“You’ll never amount to anything since your grades are so low.”

“You can’t succeed at anything, so stay home and tend to housework.”

“You can’t work in this industry because you were fired (laid off?) from this job.”

“Stick with what you know.”

“The one who molested you is a victim of sex addiction and not a pervert.”

“The person who robbed you is a victim himself, having been abused as a child.”

“You’ll never lose weight and you will never appeal to anyone.”

“Come on, admit it. You were partially at fault because of your seductive dress.”

“How can God love someone like you?”

Now, a word from my Sponsor. A friend told me it was hard to believe God could extend grace and mercy to inmates in a maximum-security prison.

How should I know? I still haven’t figured out how God could extend His grace and mercy to me.

This article’s original posting date was December 18, a week before Christmas. Bear with me if I departed somewhat from the serious nature of this blogsite, and if I appear to be insensitive to the pain and suffering of crime victims by writing about my ministry to the perpetrators of your victimhood. Nothing could be farther from the truth. My heart aches for those featured in stories on this site. If I were addressing this article to a readership totally accepting of a personal God, I’d say that this God’s heart also aches.

Now back to my article. I wish to invite each of you to make a list of the lies (yes, they were lies) told to you in the first five years of your life, then a list of those told to you since that time. There’s nothing hard and fast about age five, it’s just a number for now. And don’t get too selective about their destructive effects during your life formation. If you remember who said them, feel free to write the person’s name (or the persons’ names) beside the list items.

Once you get the lists built, delete any of the items you feel didn’t really make the cut.

If you no longer have anything left on the lists, that is OK. (It’s also a good thing, if you were honest with yourself.)

Now you need the following materials:

Some cellophane (Scotch) tape, spray glue, or wood glue

A cardboard sheet about the thickness and size of a telephone directory cover (remember “phone books”?)

Now attach the lists to the cardboard.

Now get someone to assist you by holding the cardboard securely by its top and bottom ends.

DO NOT TAPE THE CARDBOARD TO THE WALL!

DO NOT ASK YOUR ASSISTANT TO STAND BEHIND THE CARDBOARD!

Now make one of those horrible sounds you hear in karate shows. If you don’t know the sound, then fake it. A lion’s roar would do just fine. Be sure not to pay any attention to the look on your assistant’s face when you do this.

You have two steps remaining.

With all the force available to you, smash your fist through the lists. If you don’t smash the cardboard on the first try, use some sort of tool to rip it once -- and only once.

The final step is to wrap the pieces with holiday paper, ribbon, and a bow, with a tag to yourself (from yourself too, if you wish, or from me if you need somebody in the “From” line), and place it under the Christmas tree. On Christmas Day, throw it into the trash without opening it.

Yes, I know. This is about as cheesy as some of the rhetoric that you get from motivational speakers and multilevel marketing hucksters. If my method is too spaced out for your tastes, then consider any other means of breaking free of the barriers that constrain you. It may be one of the best Christmas presents you ever gave to yourself.

And to those you love.

And to those who love you.

Grace and Peace,

Charles+

Physical Angels Come To Visit

By Jillian Maas Backman

Physical Angels, Like A Whisper, they pass through moments of time without a sound……..

As we move into the holiday seasons, I thought it would be note worthy to chat about subjects that make us all feel warmhearted: ANGELS. 

Ancient text tells us these mystical forces live among us. Perhaps you have been blessed with an encounter of your own and never really “got it.” I refer to this wonder as “human physical angels;”  human beings that seem to arrive onto your path in the midst of crucial transitions;  occasions when we are in need of new direction; fresh experiences with new people; or alternatively, in times of great crisis, a rescue from spontaneous precarious events. 

The majority of human angelic interventions are much more subtle in presentation. Like a whisper, they pass through moments of time without a sound. As quick they came, so to, they leave your side forever. Positioned in their wake, a tidal wave of transformation of great proportions .

Why do we have encounters with “physical angels?”  How can you identify when you have been blessed with this kind of sacred encounter?   Lastly, why do I need to be conscious of this kind of divine event?

Why do we have encounters with “physical angels?”

We all survive the day-to-day grind of a normal life, somewhat content with status quo. Unbeknown to us, our “spirit seeker” consistently nudges us forward to aspire to be bigger than ourselves, proverbially setting us up for the next “growth spurt of transformation.” The willingness to expand is present, but the lack of knowledge and courage it takes to break free and fly again is not. Physical angels unlock our suspended roteness, supply knowledge and insure progressive momentum to success.

Angelic Professor

How to identify when you have been blessed with this kind of sacred encounter?

Here is where the fun part of the story takes a huge turn forward. 

A new person drops right onto your path out of nowhere; an acquaintance with no linage to your family or friends. Not sure why, they just show up. (Clue No. 1)

Usually at a time when something significant is about to occur.

The exchange between yourself and this person appears very intimate from the beginning, as if you have known them forever, long lost friend of sorts. (Clue no. 2)  More like a master teacher/student relationship.  Their teachings center on your progression.

The shared expertise and energy is extremely heightened and intense. Graciously loving, sharing their knowing with egoless effect solely for your highest good-as if this person is simply reciting specific wisdom transcribed directly from an esoteric book of knowledge exclusively penned just for you,  a how- to manual with concrete solutions to your un-answerable questions and concerns.

If this scenario sounds a bit un-nerving or unbelievable, great. It is intended to grab your attention, shake you to your core, shatter useless expectations you have in place and catapult you to greater peaks of accomplishments in a very short duration of time. (Clue no. 3)

Why do I need to be conscious of this kind of divine event?

You can imagine the impact this kind of relationship can have in someone’s life.  Having gone through this several times now, I can attest to several significant imprints.

Do not get this confused with mentorship associations.  Mentor relationships evolve slowly over time, and address key issues one

at a time. This kind of relationship has a spattering effect of course- work thrown at you all at once. It reminds me of the old yahtzee game I used to play regularly with my grandmother.  You would put a handful of dice into a cup, vigorously shake and throw them on the table as hard as you could and anxiously lean in to assess the result of your throw. It may take weeks- and sometimes even years- to appreciate multiple lessons. Nevertheless, be rest assured after an encounter like this, you will never go back to who, where or what you were before. 

Here is the toughest part to story, the ending.  These physical angels fade out of our life as quickly as they came in, usually no longer than a few days, weeks, or months. (Clue no. 4)

When we stumble upon others that “get who we are,” our natural reaction is to hold on tight, and never let go. But you see, they are not meant to stay present with us for long; but for only as long as it takes to share their wisdom solely to benefit our life, and then move on.  I have seen so many people devastated with the loss of this friendship/spiritual mentoring they refuse to comprehend the true essence of the original intention for this powerful connection. Many are caught up in the suspended world of “wanting more” and loosing them forever. You must force yourself through the circle of completion.  Indentify your physical angels; spend as much quality time together as possible.  Have the courage to let them go.  In addition, always take comfort in knowing it will happen repeatedly.  Each time you and your physical angel will be blessed forever.

Jillian Maas Backman is the weekly host of I.T’S For You radio program which airs every Sunday morning on-air, 961 fm (Lake Geneva, WI and North shore Chicago area) from 9am-10am (CST)    and on-line, www.lake961.com. You can listen to the entire podcast series entitled: Divine Creations, The Angel Experience by going to www.jillianmaasbackman.com

Have a blessed holiday and we shall continue this journey together after this spirit- filled season.  In gracious love, Jillian

You are the Fulfillment of Vision

By Pamela Chapman

In the beginning God—He who is all knowing, all powerful and every place at every time, He who is Spirit and Truth, said, “let us make man in our image and our likeness. [Let us see them who are already in my plan and already part of my awesome purpose.]”

In that climatic moment, we became the manifestation, the expression, and the materialization of His vision—He saw. You are the fulfillment of His magnificent vision. Yes You, through your errors, your setbacks, your difficulties, your disappointments, and even your victimizations.

Often times, we cannot understand the river on which our lives flow. Could God have orchestrated all the tragedy for our lives? I’m one of those who believes that it’s all in His plan—the good and the bad. I believe nothing is for naught. All of our life experiences can bring us into something amazingly beautiful. Because of my life experience, I personally, can reach out to encourage and bring healing to victims of abuse.

I’ve lived it. I’ve come through it.

As a child, I experienced childhood abuse which produced low-self esteem. This followed me throughout most of my life. In turn, I walked into more situations which victimized me. My relationships with men were twisted and strangely enough I even found abusive bosses and abusive friendships. I lost my dream and my vision until one day, on the brink of a nervous break down, I realized I was created in the likeness of my all powerful Maker. I learned I could dream again, I could speak my dream in faith, and I could see its manifestation. I learned the power was within me.

May I encourage you to dream again and have a clear vision, today? That is, to have a vision of whom you really are in God, a vision of what you want to accomplish, and a clear vision of whom or what you really want. You may be thinking, “I’m a grown adult, it’s too late for me.” Absurd! As long as you have breath, it’s not too late.

You are beautifully and wonderfully made, see that and say it. You are the apple of God’s eye, see that and say it. You are His awesomeness of wonder, see that and say it. Through you life is created, see that and say it. You are incredibly powerful and amazingly strong, see that and say it. You are encompassed in love, see that and say it!

As you dream again, as you clearly see, you will begin to talk, walk and Be the vision. You will say, you will see, and you will become your purpose, your passion, the personification and the vision God had for you before the foundations of the earth.

Be encouraged today. Be healed.

In love and light,

Pamela