Extended Vacations: No time for boredom.

In case you didn't already know, I have taken a year off from teaching. I had the means to do it, and I really needed a break. When I made this decision, my friends have been very supportive and seem to truly believe it was the best thing for me to do (and I am very thankful). On the other side, there are those that are seriously worried that I do not have a job. I have also had those asking “what are you doing with all of that time?”

Well, just so you know, I am not a total bum. I have been very busy with many different projects. But for the wonderer's of the world, here is what is going on with me:

•     I have been sleeping--alot--like actually sleeping through the morning. Now, I know I said I wasn't being a bum. And it's true. My hours have changed quite a bit and I think I am learning that I need to keep different hours. I usually get up around 10, have some time to meditate, write, research, and then I start the day. Now this also means that I stay up very late. For example, I am writing this blog at 12:55am. I probably won't go to bed until 2am. But I will still be productive.

•     I have been watching television I never had time for before. Thanks Netflix! Yes, I am going with the bum thing again. But, I now know what all the fuss has been about with such shows as Lost and True Blood and the Pyramid Codes. Alright, maybe that last one was not as popular, but I have learned a great deal.

•     I am becoming a technological genius by learning to blog, create web pages, and using my smart phone for things other than calling people. As a teacher, I used technology in the classroom, but now I am using it in real life. I am hoping this is going to help me find a job when the time comes. I have also got connected to Linkedin, twitter, globe troopers, couch surfers and all sorts of other fun networking!

•     I have been traveling across the state, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and soon, the Pacific Ocean. I have used the time to see parts of the world and am constantly planning trips. I have spent time with my family, friends and people I really care about. I have gotten to know some really special people and have learned so much about myself and the world. I have strengthened relationships and learned to let go of others. I have learned about living. Wanna know about my trip to Greece? http://shelleysbigislandsummer.blogspot.com/

•     I have spent some time with my dogs. We hike a lot which gives me time to get to know myself and the Earth.

•     I have been helping other people with their various projects, etc. I have friends that are moving, friends that need their houses organized, friends that just need a friend around.

•     I have also been working on my own house. I have painted almost every room in the house. I have repaired damaged things, redecorated, and arranged. Perhaps when spring hits, I'll work in the yard.

•     And finally, I have been reading for pleasure. I have completed 10 books that were not required for school or teaching purposes. Do you know how awesome this is? I have been told by many people that teachers are lucky to get so much time off in the summer. I don't think the majority of the population understands that the time we do have off is for recovery. I was usually so tired by the end of the school year, that I really didn't feel like doing anything until August--and then I had to go back to work. So the simple things such as reading a trashy novel are a real treat. 

 

 So there you have it. I haven't been a total bum. I am sure there are other things I could be doing to save the world but I will have to do that a little later. I am learning, creating and living at my own pleasure. My only wish right now is that the rest of the world can feel this free, even if it is only for a short time.

Let Go and Let it Flow...yo.

I have been agonizing lately on writing for this blog. Most of the time, something will come along and say "hey! Write about me!" But obviously, the months of Oct, Nov, and Dec were times of reflection and family. It was also a time for me to think about what is really important to me. Now that I have, I have been bombarded with messages about clearing so I believe it is time to share these with you!

This past week, I have been listening to a pod cast called "Ascension 360: Navigating the New World Energies." I have to tell you this woman (Hillary Harris) is a wealth of information! Also this week, our Circle of Shaman focused on clearing out our vibrational fields to prepare for the shift of 2012 and our upcoming advanced Shaman class. I would like to share a bit of information that I received from both of these sources.

We are on the verge of a new world where we are returning to source and remembering who we are. In order to do this, we have to clean our vibrations--CLEAN AND CLEAR. 

According to Hillary Harris, there are 6 main areas that need to be cleaned out:

Environmental

Situational

Mental

Physical

Emotional

Spiritual

It is time to clean your vibrational house…and sometimes that's literal! 

Let's start with your environment:

If you are one of those people on the precipice of being on the  TV show "Hoarders," this is totally for you. Cleaning  the clutter in your house will help raise the vibration and also make you feel as if you have actually accomplished something.  Go through your closets and drawers and get rid of all the things that you no longer use, want to see, hate, or just have forgotten why the hell you had it in the first place. It only takes up space in your house and you need the energy flow! Look at those things hanging on your wall. Are they you? Let it go if it is not. Does your environment in which you live reflect who you are? If not, it is time to get rid of the old. 

Also think about the people in your environment, what you watch on TV, what you listen to on the radio, what you read on the internet (haha-this included!) Does it serve you? Does it bring you up or down? Let me invite you to open your world up to good news instead of all that is fear based. You will be amazed at how well you are able to think and how much better you feel when you are not surrounded by things that do not suit you. 

Situations: Jobs, relationships, family, friends. 

Sometimes those people you love  bring you down. Are you agreeing to things out of guilt or obligation--not because you want to? Perhaps it is time to speak your truth and just say no. You may even have to let these people go. This is extremely challenging. This takes a great deal of courage to implement. Sometimes it just takes some time, but these areas drag down your energy.

How about having too much to do? You do over plan in order to feel successful? I used to have this issue myself. I was constantly making a list. Now, I still make a list, but if I don't get it all done, it's ok. The list mainly is so that I don't forget to pick up such things as toothpaste and toilet paper.

Physical: Food and Drink

Things that could be making you sick or bringing you down:

sugar 

meat

Processed food

alcohol

I love all of these things and will continue to eat them. After all, I do love to brew the beer. But being aware of what you put into your body is the first step. Before you eat that Twinkie in the pantry, take  a moment to ask yourself what that Twinkie is going to do for you. 

You do need energy and protein to keep going but limiting the amount of sugar and processed foods will help you feel much better.

Mental: what are you thinking about? Is your EGO overactive? 

If you want to know more about your ego, check out Eckart Tolle. He can explain it all much better than I can. I HIGHLY recommend you read his books or listen to his lectures if you have not already. You can order his shit from amazon here.

Your ego needs to be quiet. When you are thinking of things of the past (shoulda, coulda, woulda) then your ego is working on you. When it brings these things up, it is best to recognize it, thank it, then let it go. You want to live in the now as much as possible and your ego does not always help you do that. 

What type of language are you using? Words have power! Your negative language such as "I hate that", or "that makes me sick"  spread negativity and really do "make you sick." Think about the attitudes you have about certain groups of people. Negative thoughts lead to negative things and manifest in the world. When you have one of these thoughts, please take the time to "think" about what you are thinking.  Attitudes and choices are also important. Do you always feel that you struggle? Do you have the notion that "when this happens or I get enough money, then I'll be happy"? Make a choice to be happy. Recognize your ego and quiet it. Make your teacup half full!!

Emotional: Anxiety, fear, depression, anger, etc.

Where does it come from? Usually the past. These wounds will hold you in a negative pattern and will suck you back down. Your ego loves this shit. 

According to Hillary Harris, the best and simplest way to deal with it: Stop taking things personally and stop comparing yourself to others.

The opposite of love is fear. Most of the time, we get depressed or sad or anxious is because we are afraid. Now, don't get me wrong; fear is important and will keep you from doing something really stupid. But fear should not overwhelm you. Trying something new causes anxiety however, overcoming this fear opens up our worlds to new and exciting things. 

Spiritual: Karma clearing

It is time to clear out repeating lessons of the past. Now, according to Harris, this is where many of us are finished with our contracts here on Earth. We have completed our journey that our contracts were dictating. Now that time is over. We are free and we are in control of our destiny--which also means we are totally responsible for our lives! WOW. 

I first read about this in Hunt Henion's book Looking, Seeing, Knowing where he talks about his experiences with not having a contract and at first, it did not make sense to me. I mean, after all we come into this world with a contract and things we must do. But because this is a new and never-been-experienced-before sort of shift, most children born after 2000 do not have these contracts. They are here to further their spiritual awareness. So is the time for all of us.


Some other great suggestions on how to deal with energy flux, etc:

• Exercise! Even if it is just a walk in the park for about twenty minutes. It will help you clear you mind.
• Get lots of rest/sleep. Energy flux wreaks havoc on the system.
• Take some salt baths. Epsom Salt is cheap and easily found in the local grocery store/pharmacy. Also a good place to order bath salts is the San Francisco Salt Company.  I have friends that swear by them.
• Stay in touch with your guides. They are the little voices in your head and that feeling in your gut. Be careful not to confuse the voice with your ego. Your guides will lead you in the right direction. Your ego would be trying to scare the crap out of you.

Now is the time to step beyond and become a light for everyone else. It is time to let go of all that does not serve you any longer and open your heart to everything you want. Now is your moment. LIVE IN LOVE!

Please be aware that your life is about to change. You are about to go through a great shift. Your relationships, job, environment,  EVERYTHING will be different. The good news is you are not alone!

For more information, check out the following links:

Ascension 360

Earthstar Spiritual Center

Celestial Vision