At A Crossroad

Right or Wrong Decisions

By Phylameana lila Desy

I'm not so certain that I'm the best person to offer anyone sage advice regarding decision making. But I do think it is an issue that each of us are faced with on a daily basis throughout our lifetimes and thus worth discussion. I often tell people that caution is my middle name since I can sit on making a decision for a very long time before acting upon it.
Sometimes I will procrastinate on making a decision because I'm not clear on what I really want. Other times it is because the unknown factors of how a decision may affect me in the future scares the bejeepers out of me. Occasionally the saying "nothing ventured, nothing gained" will get whispered in my ear by an inner voice to help give me a needed nudge forward. Other times feelings of dread will build inside my being simply by a mere thought of making a change. I will then heed that dread emotion as a signal to think twice before taking the plunge. Using your gut instincts can be very helpful in decision making.

Taking the Plunge When Making Decisions

Truthfully, I almost never take a plunge into anything without mulling it over twice, or even thrice. At times I feel disgusted with myself for not being able to joyfully jump into things full-heartedly, instead I'm generally testing the water with my toes beforehand. I don't particularly like water bubbling up my nose. I realize that I tend to over analyze situations, living in my head too much. By not allowing my heart to beat any extra beats, I often feel as if I am stifling my creativity in these moments. At the same time I figure I've probably saved myself plenty of headaches by not routinely making quick misjudgments.

Stop, Caution, Go

Decision makers can be categorized in three groups. These groups correlate with a traffic stoplight.

• Red lights These are individuals who often feel frozen in fear when faced with making a decision. They are resistant to change and have great difficulty making decisions. They tend to have to have the rug pulled out from under them before they will move to safer ground.
• Yellow lights These people are caution oriented individuals who will look both ways before venturing into the traffic. They will weigh the pros and cons of any given situation before deciding.
• Green lights Here are the adventuresome type. They leap without looking, figuring that all will go well (they have the right-of-way after all). These people could use a refresher course in defensive driving as they do get themselves in sticky predicaments at times.

What type of decision maker are you?

• Red Light Blocked or Stymied
• Yellow Light Proceed with Caution
• Green Light Right A Way

Answer This Poll

These groups indicate rigid characteristics, Most people fall into a blend of these groups. Each decision we make is different and our reactions will vary accordingly.
We make minor decisions every day of our lives. The decision I had to make yesterday was selecting what shade of throw pillows to go with our new sofa. My husband and I were standing in the Martha Stewart section at Kmart looking over the various pillows. Our sofa's fabric is a sage paisley pattern with brown and burgundy accents. We made a mutual decision and went home with some plush brown pillows. After returning home we soon realized that the brown didn't coordinate nicely with the couch. An hour later Joe drove back to the store and exchanged the brown with some burgundy pillows. They look quite lovely with our sofa. This is an example of a decision that can be easily reversed.
However, life doesn't always seem to allow a retreat option in our decision making. When the decision we are facing is a life changing one is it any wonder we stop dead in our tracks when we come at a these crossroads along our life path?

Below is a quick list of some significant decisions that people are met with. What is decided ultimately impacts their lives for many years that follow.

• Career Options
• Choosing A Vocation
• Education
• Marriage / Divorce
• Pregnancy / Parenthood
• Relocating
• Retirement Planning
• Health Care Alternatives

Collecting Information

Fact gathering and seeking advice is recommended. Advice from a good friend or counselor can be helpful in these circumstances. Sometimes we are too emotionally connected to the situation to see clearly all the details involved in making a wise decision. Whereas someone detached from the drama is likely to be able to show more objectivity. Although we may wish that someone else would step in to make tough decisions for us, the final decision remains ours to make.

Fears of Making Bad Decisions

Over the years I have counseled many clients about decisions they are faced with. Most often they have been either relationship or job related. Normally the problem I feel they are facing is not in making the decision itself, but more trying to move past the fear of making a wrong choice. I will have them imagine the best and the worst outcomes, scripting the different scenarios for each situation to help weigh out the advantages/disadvantages. I also emphasize that there truly are no wrong choices, only different paths.

Alternate Choices

During a period of time when I felt very stuck and could not decide between decision A or decision B, a good friend of mine pointed out to me that by doing nothing (remaining stuck) I had made decision C. Decisions aren't always based on either this or that options, look for door number 3, or door number 4. Stay alert for side exits or hidden entry ways. Our choices are seldom black or white, alternative pathways can be found in the gray areas.

There Are No Wrong Choices

We can't know what all the future holds for us. There are no guarantees. As much as I have struggled with making decisions in my life I am very happy that I have had so many choices offered to me. Yes, I've made some poor choices, but along with those choices came challenges and opportunities that I would not have experienced otherwise. For this reason I do not believe there are wrong or right choices. Whatever decisions we make, they will ultimately thrust us into life situations (both positive and negative). As the opportunities being gifted to us unfold in our lifes we will grow our spirits. And in my humble opinion, spiritual growth was likely the grander plan anyhow.

How to be Spiritual Everyday

By Dr.Wayne Dyer

While it's good to have strong relationships with the people in your life, it's important to put your relationship with your "Source" at the top of your priority list, spiritual teacher Dr. Wayne Dyer says. Your Source can be God, the Tao, Divine mind, Krishna or whatever else you call your higher power—the key is that you make this bond your number one.

Get Quiet

Decide to reduce the noise level in your life. Learn to take time each and every day for quiet contemplation. For example, when you're driving alone, turn off the constant chatter bombarding your inner world. Try to make meditation a daily practice, even if it's only a few minutes each day. As Swami Sivananda reminded his students, "Silence is the language of the gods." Ask in silence, listen in silence, and let silence be the jumping-off point for becoming one with the creative force of the universe.

Reenergize Your Surroundings

The Power of Intention works when you surround yourself with people who are on the same spiritual path as you. Remember that like attracts like, so you attract Source energy to you by being like it. Similarly, when you're continually in the company of low-energy, angry, depressed, shaming, hateful people, you'll probably find life a little more challenging. Choose to be in the company of those who hold a space for you to achieve the joy of maximizing, rather then minimizing, your highest human potential. Make your surroundings a temple of love and kindness. Pay attention to the music you listen to, the art you view, even the arrangement of your furniture and flowers—all of it!

Get Back to Nature

One of the most spiritual things you can do in your life is spend time in nature. When I am in nature, it feels like God has entered my consciousness, and a rapturous feeling of contentment overwhelms me. A setting that showcases nature's beauty is pure God in action: unspoiled, untended, alive in stillness and teeming with life. When you're there, you'll begin to see the miraculousness of every cubic inch of space. You'll feel the presence of an energy that you may have lost touch with in your daily life, and that energy is in you.

Practice Yoga

The meaning of the word yoga translates to "union." The ancient rishis who gave us yoga considered stretching, balancing and flexible exercise an opportunity to experience union with God. Such a union with the Source of being wasn't a painful experience, since God was viewed as natural, peaceful and gentle. Even as you stay in a space the size of a small mat, you attain the same kind of benefit as other, more punishing exercise regiments but without the pain or exertion. Yoga is a great workout for the entire body—particularly the joints, muscles and even internal organs—but especially for the mind.

 

 

Practice Mindfulness

Truly experience all things you do during the day. Try to escape the habitual feelings and thoughts you experience and stay in the present moment. Enjoy each of your actions fully.
I wish for you to come to know the heavenly pleasure of living each and every day aligned with your Source.

While God is Working

 

You know life is sometimes very strange and hard to bear, we feel alone, scattered and as if there is no one on our sides. No matter who you are I bet you have felted this way… But I want to let you know today that God is always working, sometimes we see it, sometimes we feel it and sometimes we hear it. You are never alone, never… There is an army of angels, saints and departed loved ones in spirit that has your back every single day of your life. Tap into the divine within you and know who you are,but not only who you are but who you are. You can lick back and put your feet up while God is working and know that he always is.

 

Many Blessings to you!

Angels with Fran.org

Someone for Good? But for who??

SOUL MATE VS. PLAY MATE


In our quest for happiness we must be sure that we don't settle for a Playmate when God has a Soul mate waiting for us. Sometimes this is a hard distinction to make. Playmates are tricky. They are so much fun to be with that even the smartest of us will be fooled into thinking this has to be our Soul mate. Worse yet too many of us attempt to make a Soul mate out of a Playmate.

The danger of this is that later, after years of playing we will meet our Soul mate, but it may be too late then. We may have already made a Life mate of our Playmate and created life-long bonds (emotional, children, etc.) Or we may have been hurt from playing so hard that we are in no shape ourselves to be anyone's anything. How can we distinguish between the One, and just another one?

First, we must be open with ourselves about who we really are and what our soul yearns for. Only you and God know what is truly in your heart and mind. Only you know what will make you truly happy and whole.

In order to find your Soul mate you have to know you, first. You must be willing to listen to that inner voice. And is that voice telling you that the nerdy person you enjoy talking and sharing your thoughts with, could be he? What about that friend who is always willing to go the extra mile for you when no one else will.

Oh no! He's too short or too tall, balding or too hairy, and on and on?

Just too ordinary looking for me! Then there's that girl who makes you feel so special when you're around her, but she doesn't match that ideal you have conjured in your head. She's too tall, not slender enough, not light or dark enough, not shapely enough, not attractive enough, and on and on. She just couldn't be for me! So what if he or she doesn't look like Denzel Washington or Janet Jackson! He or she is going to treat you like the jewel that you are.

Not only that, his or her soul and yours will commune in ways you never imagined possible! In order to heed that voice, we have to put on the back burner our own superficial thinking. Could it be that your inner desire is for a truly genuine person with a good heart? If you enjoy playing, stay on the playground. There are plenty of Playmates out there to occupy your time. But don't spend too much time playing or you may play your life away.

Eventually the playing loses it appeal and your soul begins to crave a deeper, more meaningful connection. Your soul begins to crave your Soul mate.

.::ENDLESS::.

God wants you to have it

Today was very interesting one, I spent alot of time in the silence and boy did the Angels talk to me.. I must share. So many people spend so much time trying to figure it out, wanting to know how to get more, be more, have more. We seek more education, more money, more fame, more popularity. Please know that theres nothing wrong with wanting more, but the problem lies when we simply don't realize that it is really not that hard to get.Simply God is the source of all things that you need and want, when God touches your life it matters not how educated, rich or popular you are. When God blesses your life you are truly that blessed from head to toe. Simply all you have to do is get close to him, he loves you and truly wants you to have your hearts desires.

Oshun of the Flow

Oshun teaches us to "go with the flow" of our instincts in order to find inner tranquillity. Just as water ebbs and flows,
allow yourself to live, being generous with your time for yourself during an "ebb", and for others during a "flow".

SUGGESTED MANTRA: SERENITY
SUGGESTED AFFIRMATIONS:

◦Joy! Oh joy!
◦I allow myself to "be"
◦My creativity is energised
◦I enjoy being in the "moment"
◦I do what is easy, loving, fun and true
◦I surrender to the ebbs and flows of life
ESSENCE: Goddessence ISIS 100% pure essential oil blend

GEMSTONES: Carnelian, coral, agate, brown jaspar (orange stones), blue calcite, aquamarine, copper



MORE ABOUT OSHUN
Patroness of rivers and the bloodstream, the Nigerian goddess (also brought to Brazil and Cuba) was honoured as the goddess of love and sensuality.

She wears seven bracelets, a mirror at her belt, river water in her pot, and is accompanied by her peacock and cricket.

She is depicted as on old wise woman sad at the loss of her beauty, or, alternatively is shown as a tall, coffee-skinned woman absolutely comfortable with her sexuality.

Meet Gabriel: Archangel of the West

The next time you're exploring nature, try this guidance ritual to get in touch with Gabriel.
BY: Richard Webster

Gabriel is willing to provide guidance whenever you wish. Here is an effective ritual that enables you to receive the benefit of her* advice whenever necessary.

Start by enjoying a pleasant walk. Ideally, this should be outdoors, but weather conditions might force you to indoors. Alternatively, you might like to drive to a shopping mall and walk under cover there.
While you are walking, look around and see how things you can locate that you are grateful for. You might be grateful for sunlight, the colors of fall, bookstores, automobiles, birds, grassy meadows, and the laughter of children. Obviously, if you are walking around your home you would come up with a different list. You might, for instance, give thanks for electric light, carpets, modern-day bathrooms, toothbrushes, and comfortable beds. Naturally, the things you are grateful for need not be “things.” You might give thanks for a warm smile, a gentle hand on your shoulder, a cooling breeze, and the gurgling sound of a stream. See how many blessings you can come up with during the course of your walk.
Walk for at least fifteen minutes. Half an hour would be even better. When you return home, sit down in a comfortable chair, close your eyes, and run through your list of things to be grateful for. Visualize each one of them in your mind.

Once you have done this, it is time to think about your guidance. Think about the problem in general terms. You might be wondering whether or not to take a certain course at college. You might be thinking about buying a house, having another child, or starting a new relationship. Most of the time, the problem will be one that you have not been able to resolve yourself, which is why you are calling on Gabriel. Alternatively, you may have reached a decision, and now want Gabriel’s approval of it before you proceed. It makes no difference what area of life you need guidance in. Gabriel will be happy to provide it.

Take three deep breaths, holding each breath for a few moments, before exhaling slowly. In your mind, ask Gabriel to join you. You might say something similar to this:

“Blessed Archangel Gabriel, thank you for all the blessings in my life. I am grateful for your guidance, inspiration, and purification. Please come to me, as I need your help.”

Pause for thirty seconds. If you sense Gabriel around you, continue with your request. If you feel nothing at all, repeat the request. Do this up to three times.

If you experience nothing at all, return to the list of things you are grateful for. Again, visualize them as clearly as you can. Once you have done this, ask Gabriel to come to you. This time, explain your problem or difficulty after making the request.

Wait for thirty seconds. Hopefully, you will sense Gabriel’s presence in that time. If not, repeat your request. There is no need to feel upset or concerned if Gabriel does not come to your aid immediately. You have told her what the problem is, and the answer will come to you when you least expect it. I find the most frequent time for a response is when I wake up the next morning, and I find the answer has miraculously appeared in my mind.

Whether or not Gabriel has appeared, the ritual finishes in the same way. First, thank Gabriel for her help, support, and guidance. Thank her for being part of the same divine source that provided the world with all the things you were giving thanks for earlier. Go through the list of items you are grateful for again, take three deep breaths, and open your eyes.