Living Energy Blog

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Rollin McCraty from HeartMath Institute has a great question for himself at the end of the day, “What did I feed the field today”? He is referring of course to the idea that we have a significant impact on our world through the energy field— that it matters what we put out in terms of our focus—for us and for others. This is a great question to ask at anytime of the day to help keep us focused on where we are at and where we need to adjust…not out of harsh self criticism or judgement just simple awareness.

Some help for the journey…

The Impact of Thought and Emotion

Thoughts, emotions and feelings of all types are a major part of our human experience. They (along with free will and judgment) differentiate us from animals and other life forms.

As humans, we have a wide range of emotions. We are meant to feel. If we are to be healthy, fully express our authentic nature and bring the best of our selves to the world, then we must know how to let emotions move fluidly and easily through our systems and not repress them or get stuck in them!

Knowing how to work positively with all our emotions builds our energy and helps us move more rapidly and simply toward the lives we desire. We hold memory all throughout our body-mind … no experience escapes our notice. Our life experience is imprinted through our energy and nervous system into our biochemistry and into the cells and organs of our body.

Thoughts and feelings affect the energy throughout all our systems, but perhaps most important is how they connect deeply in the heart and help shape our experience of the world. Our thoughts and feelings are two primary ways we manage our energy, but they don’t necessarily always work in unison.

We are very capable of thinking one thing and feeling another. We can “know” something in our mind and experience it a totally different way in our heart and body.

Cellular memory is imprinted more through how we feel about something than through how we think about it or how we rationalize it. As a result, we have the feeling police deep inside: the body knows your truth! This is why it is so critical to clear the patterns and beliefs of the past – not because we are bad or have sinned and need to set our records straight, but because through our lack of knowledge and awareness, we have created obstacles that block our health, well- being and happiness.

Releasing judgment, embracing self compassion, letting go and acceptance

Practice going inside, grounding your energy ( for more info on this click here: http://www.livingenergyworks.com/articles.html )and developing an internal network for surrender, acceptance, letting go and releasing by practicing the feeling of those concepts. You can work this into a daily meditation rather than making it a whole new task to accomplish. Things in the internal world can be accomplished with ease — where there is no time and no space, there is magic!

Relaxation 101 is a great guided meditation that incorporates the foundation for all these taske. You can find the download or CD here:

http://bit.ly/xg2te9

I (Peg) am fascinated with the energetic aspects of money and what is does to us, what it does to society. For some time I have been thinking about the value of work and goods and services. Why do people work at jobs they don’t like? What factors go into deciding that an hour of time from one person is worth more or less than an hour of time from another? How did we get to the point where so many people are not earning a living wage while others have more than they will ever need or use? There are many reasons for all of this, on multiple levels.

What is interesting about our current times is that these topics have reached the mainstream and we are beginning to have intelligent conversations about them in many spheres of influence. Last week I started reading Debt: The First 5,000 Years, by David Graeber. Within a few days, a friend told me about Sacred Economics: Money, Gift and Society in the Age of Transition by Charles Eisenstein. Interestingly enough, they were published on the same day: July 12, 2011, just ahead of the Occupy Wall St. movement. As I was scanning my email today, a third link came in. The Daily Good posted a story called: “When Generosity Meets Venture Capital.” When I delve deep into a topic, things often come to me in groups of three.

A public conversation about money, debt and humanity is emerging. It’s a growing movement and it’s exciting. During Biblical times, Jubilee years were held periodically where all consumer debt was cancelled. Just imagine how things would shift if we did this today! The time is right to envision a world where we all live in peace, health and happiness … and we can all contribute in one way or another.

Related articles

• Debt: The First 5,000 Years, by David Graeber (theglobeandmail.com)

Smart_Hymn21_Generosity (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The October 25th, 2011 Daily Good” brought us a very inspirational story about generosity and an anonymous project called 52times52.com.  Giving for the sake of giving is very good for your heart and soul. Giving freely to others … without expectation of anything in return is even better.

Giving to others is an expansive energy. When we freely give to others, the energy returns to the giver multi-fold, in untold ways. The project 52times52.com was established to give 52 dollars anonymously to a different recipient or cause each week of 2011. This unique idea is gaining momentum. You can join the movement if you’d like or consciously incorporate generosity into your own life and those you touch in whatever way works best for you.

There are many ways to give to others, including good deeds, kind words, extending compassion and forgiveness, thank yous and acknowledgements, charitable actions, money and more. Think how different your life could be if you freely and consciously gave something of value to another person every day. If that sounds like too much of a stretch, consider doing something out of the ordinary once a week, performing 52: good deeds, acts of kindness, thank you notes, random donations … you decide.

I often hear that it takes at least 21 days to create a new habit. As we approach the beginning of November, the month of traditionally giving thanks, there is time to amplify and solidify this concept of giving for the sake of giving. There is time to make it a habit.

We are living through an evolutionary shift in consciousness on this planet and giving to others is a simple way to contribute. Whatever you do, give from your heart and soul in ways that bring you joy. Energetically, Joy is a high vibration (higher than love, according to David Hawkins in  his book Power vs. Force) that counterbalances a wider circle of low energy. So as more and more Joy coexists with the chaos that see and experience in today’s world, we are bound to see a visible shift in the collective. We are bound to see a happier, more loving and generous world around us.

I have heard many times that emotional imbalances are the root of all illness. It follows that when we dissolve or heal the emotional trigger, we heal ourselves. It sounds easy. In my opinion, however, it is a life-long process. Learning to heal our emotional wounds is what our lives are all about. Every event, interaction and relationship provides ample opportunity for practice.

One of the dilemmas is that the root causes of the triggers are often held in our subconscious, out of our awareness. So how can we deal with something that we aren’t even aware of? This is the Catch 22, the ago-old dilemma. After all, if we were aware of what needed to change, we could choose to change it. Correct? We could also save ourselves a lot of anguish, money, time and energy along the way.

Perhaps one of the problems is that we are using the wrong approach and incorrect tools. Rather than try to continually “do” something or “fix” yourself, maybe the solution is really to simply “be” who you really are. Being who you really are begins with accepting wherever you’re at right now. Accept and acknowledge how you are truly feeling. Once you accept things as they are, resistance falls away and a shift toward wholeness begins.

Accepting things as they are requires accepting personal responsibility for your role in it. This includes your perception of what is happening as well as your reaction to the world around you, particularly judgment of others. Play with the concept that others around you mirror what is happening and provide clues about what you need to accept, acknowledge, shift or change. Play with the concept that no one does anything to you. Those around you are merely a catalyst for things you are doing to yourself or aspects of yourself that you have hidden away. Acceptance and forgiveness provide the way out.

Play with the concept of softening your heart; practice being aware of your experiences and your feelings. Your feelings provide the clues. Any negative, low, tense or dense feelings indicate opportunities for change. Lighter, higher, and happier feelings move you up the scale towards unconditional love.

Healing our hearts in not about always being happy though. We are human. We will have ups and downs throughout our lives. If you can genuinely experience three times as many ups as downs, though, you will be well on your way to healing your heart.

Related articles

• The Difference Between Healing and Curing (pdresources.wordpress.com)

I have been watching the Occupy Wall St. protests with much interest. Although I empathize with the participants and understand their plight, approaching change from a position of disempowerment is simply not effective. It may strengthen the very cause they rally against. Blaming others is low energy that moves in the opposite direction of where the group wants to be. In addition, it is likely to bring a higher level of discontent rather than the change they seek.

Personal empowerment is an inside job. It is something that each one of us must create for ourselves. That said, a group of empowered people moving in unison with common goals can be an amazing catalyst for positive change. Wall St. is about money and profits. Large groups of people have “the power of the purse.” One effective approach would be to identify exactly what they want changed and then begin to make it happen.

If the Occupy Wall St. participants don’t like big banks, then perhaps consciously using debit and credit cards less often will make an impact. Bringing business to small, local banks or local credit unions could be an acceptable alternative. Cash or alternative systems such as bartering could be another answer.

If supporting big business is unsavory, then buy local. Buying local returns money to the community many times over. Buying local could help revitalize Main St. in many communities and help friends and neighbors return to work. Buying local could also help support the growth of healthy and sustainable food supplies that use no pesticides and consume less petroleum.

If overseas jobs are the problem, consciously buy American made goods. ABC News is doing a fabulous job highlighting products made in the USA with their series “Made in the USA.” As a result, many American companies have emerged and put their products on the map, often at very competitive prices to imports. More business enables them to hire more employees and purchase more supplies from American suppliers, expanding the circle of giving and receiving.

Self empowerment can bring prosperity, along with inner peace, health and wellness, life balance, job satisfaction, meaningful relationships, and more. Everything that happens in your life is in relationship to the subtle energy of your heart, the energy that you hold subconsciously, below the surface. As you heal the wounds in your heart (including feelings of shame, blame, humiliation, despair, regret, guilt, anxiety, apathy, grief, fear, anger, hate, scorn, jealously, etc.) your frequency strengthens and things begin to fall into place more easily.  All of this is an inside job and no one can do it for us. It is also a life-long process.

It doesn’t matter where you begin. What’s important is that you DO begin. Different methods work for different people. Some people like to work alone and others prefer to work in groups (such as those participating in Occupy Wall St.). Practice taking positive action and making each day better or a little lighter for yourself than the previous one. What one thing can you do today to lighten up? How about simply breathing, slowly … in and out … for one to two minutes minimum? You can do this anywhere. This practice will slow your heart rate and help ground your energy. It will help bring inner peace, clarity and focus.

Change comes from the inside, from our hearts. One of the benefits of positive change is personal empowerment.

Related articles

• (Quick-hit Reblog) Remaining Human: A Buddhist Perspective on Occupy Wall St.reet (andallmannerofthings.wordpress.com)

It is time to lighten up. The unprecedented changes that are affecting every level of society are also being felt by each one of us at the individual level. One way this is manifesting is through a deep need to let go of what we may have once loved in order to make room for new opportunities, possibilities and circumstances.

In recent months, many people, myself included, have experienced accelerated shifts. Some have done this proactively and consciously, others taken action in response to feeling too much pressure, and some were forced to change due to unanticipated or unexpected have events.

One of the keys to shifting for the better or attracting new opportunities to you is to lighten up. There are many ways to do this. Recently a friend of mine mentioned how much lighter she feels since closing her business.  In addition to her spirit being lighter and brighter, she is feeling healthier, more motivated and excited about her future. Her family relationships are much stronger and happier. Although her business was a life dream, within a year it became a huge drain on her finances as well as her physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. She knew something had to shift. She took a huge leap and shut it down entirely. Rather than just walking away she took tremendous care to honor her creditors and maintain trust in all of her relationships. As a result, amazing things are happening for her. Now that her burden is lifted, new opportunities are coming her way. What a life lesson!

Change is inevitable. What can you lighten up or release in your life to help align your energy with the times we are in?

Steve Jobs did great things by exploring his curiosity, listening to his intuition and following his heart. One of the legacies he left behind is his 2005 commencement speech to Stanford graduates. It’s worth watching repeatedly. Sharing three personal stories, he masterfully communicates the value of doing what you love and living your life according to your terms. Follow your heart. It will always steer you right.

There is a bit of controversy at Harvard University about the voluntary “Kindness Pledge” the institution has asked incoming students to sign this year. Some of those in opposition have indicated that kindness conflicts with intellectual freedom and that the pledge does not have a place at Harvard.

The Kindness Bus

I can understand this perspective. Kindness is a virtue that emanates from the heart, not the mind or the intellect. In my opinion, kindness is an automatic response when we cultivate love within our hearts, within ourselves. I can see where too much thinking about kindness might get you all mixed up inside. If you are arguing a point, the rational mind might suggest tossing aside civility and going for the jugular … win your argument at all costs.

What is “kindness” anyway and why is it important? The dictionary defines kindness as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Wikipedia indicates that kindness is the act or the state of being kind —marked by goodness and charitable behaviour, mild disposition, pleasantness, tenderness and concern for others. It is known as a virtue, and recognized as a value in many cultures and religions. In his book “Rhetoric,” Aristotle wrote that kindness is an emotion that is defined as being helpful to someone in need, not in exchange for anything or for an advantage to the helper. Kindness is about caring. Kindness is important because it holds the possibility of all of us creating a better world. We are all human and we are one global community. What we do to one another, we do to ourselves.

While Harvard debates kindness, the rest of us can model kindness. Act according to your heart. Do what feels right. To learn more, check out Random Acts of Kindness, One Million Acts of Kindness, Carry Out Kindness. They’ll take you to even more resources and sites.

Be kind to yourself today and be kind to everyone you meet.

Related articles

• Harvard’s ‘Kindness’ Pledge: (huffingtonpost.com)
• Harvard Pledge Values ‘Kindness’ Over Learning: Virginia Postrel (businessweek.com)

It’s official, we live in an ever-expanding universe! First reported in 1998, the discovery earned three scientists the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics. Half of the prize was awarded to Saul Perlmutter, from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley. The other half was awarded to Brian P. Schmidt of Australian National University and Adam G. Riess of Johns Hopkins University and the Space Telescope Science Institute.

No longer can the concept of an ever-expanding universe be considered new age “bunk.” Measuring light coming from exploding stars, the scientists set out to prove that the expansion of the universe was slowing down and they found just the opposite. Their independent discoveries indicate that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate. Apparently there is some sort of mysterious and invisible form of energy that counteracts gravity and is pushing matter apart. Imagine that! Reiss says that 74 percent of the universe consists of this dark energy.

So what does all this mean? Everything is possible! When we say something is true, it really means that that’s what is commonly accepted right now either because it has been said over and over for a very long time or we simply don’t know any different.

So everything and anything is possible! This is great news. Consider how this applies to your own life …your long held beliefs, thoughts, feelings, habits, ways of being, doing and living. If something is not working for you, change it. Adopt a different set of thoughts or beliefs about the situation. Try something new. Take different action. Expand your possibilities and create new energy. Step into some of the new and exciting energy of the universe.

Stepping into the unknown can be daunting. Among other things, it requires strength and courage. Strength to carve a new path and courage to withstand the naysayers or anyone who doubts new possibilities. Just because something hasn’t happened does not mean it is not possible. Everything is possible. Twelve years ago I left a well-paying corporate career because it felt right. I was ready to do something else. I was excited about the possibility of what was coming next, although I didn’t know what that would be. I just knew it would be worthwhile. Even though I was the family “breadwinner,” I consciously followed my passion and delved deeply into topics that interested me. Professionally, I entered a new field, launched my own business, co-authored a book, collaborated with like-minded partners, co-wrote a newspaper column for 4 years and kept pace with the explosion of technology and the birth of social media. On the personal side, along with my husband, we raised our daughter and became a meaningful presence in her life, led a Girl Scout Troop for 12 years, assisted my parents for 10 years, took more time for pleasure, did some traveling, read an amazing assortment of books, stayed healthy and much more. Now that our daughter is happily settling into college, I’m ready to expand again. The possibilities are endless.

Long ago I realized that we do live in an ever-expanding universe and that everything is possible. It is here for us to claim. It is our birthright. If you aren’t already doing so, experience it directly. Make new and conscious choices for yourself. You may be amazed with what is possible. Isn’t yesterday’s Nobel Prize in Physics proof enough?

Related articles

• Does the Multiverse Really Exist? (preview) (scientificamerican.com)

Today’s Daily Om inspirational essay about conscious decisions coincides nicely with the thought I’d like to share today: taking personal responsibility for yourself leads to an empowered and authentic life. This in turn supports better physical, mental and emotional health, resulting  in overall well-being and happiness. When we make conscious decisions we actively sort through our options, choosing the ones that feel right at the time. We actively choose our response vs. defaulting to decisions unconsciously. We choose what to do because it feels right vs. merely doing what we are told, even if it is not the popular or recommended approach. Acting by default is taking the easy route and doing whatever someone else says. Acting by default is a lazy approach.

Recently I met with a dermatologist. This individual made two recommendations that did not suit me. The first was to use a sunscreen that I know ranks high on the EWG’s “hazard scale” for sunscreens. The second was to use a petroleum based product with methylparaben to moisturize dry skin. When we discussed the sunscreen and alternative choices, it occurred to me that this professional was simply unaware of better choices for your skin. She was recommending products that block the sun but may also contribute to skin cancer. I wrote down the name of the second product, looked it over at the pharmacy and later researched the ingredients on my own. Although I didn’t remember why, paraben-based products were a flag in my mind. A quick Google search provided the answer: concentration of parabens, particularly methylparaben have been found in breast tumors. So here we have an educated professional recommending products that may contribute to more problems than the ones I was trying to solve. My guess is that this is a common occurrence. How often do we defer to others’ because we think they know better or they must be right (including me!)?

Rather than be angry about this professional’s lack of knowledge in this area, this experience reinforced my resolve to be personally responsible for my choices. This professional provided her best recommendation. In my opinion her recommendation fell short of being more fully informed. That part is up to me and up to each one of us.

As you go through each day, become more aware of your decisions. Pay attention to the ones that you consciously make vs. the times you just do what others say. Responding by default may seem like the easier and less overwhelming choice at the time. If it leads to you feeling disempowered or blaming others for any part of your choice then it’s really about delaying the inevitable: being responsible for your own choices, actions, thoughts and words.

The healthcare system is just one example. Each of our lives is filled with many more, particularly within our work, family and social environments. Play with these thoughts and try them out. How do they apply to your life? What changes can you make to live a more empowered and authentic life?

Related articles

• Study Shows Bisphenol-A and Methylparaben Have a Triggering Effect on Cancer (guide.thesoftlanding.com)
• A Review of the Five Best Sunscreens that are Safe for Both You & Your Child (savings.com)