Taking Chances & Ego

Hey everyone,

Life has been a zoo (as usual, ha) but I wanted to get on here and write another blog for you guys and to give you an update! *cheer*

I've been writing another miniature book, also known as a "business plan", regarding opening a storefront...oy! This is when I wish I was more psychic and able to predict exact numbers, timelines, revenues, etc. But, alas, I cannot. I just have to trust that I will do my best, give it a shot, and whatever is meant to be will be. I hopefully won't miss out on getting this building, but worst case scenario I'll find another one to pursue one day. I will take the risk.

This post will probably stem from my previous one, about how we let fear control us...but with a bit of a different flavor or twist. We're going to talk about our ego and risks...  

Life is about taking chances, risks, putting yourself out there, winning and losing, and continuing regardless of the outcomes.

If we had the ability to know what each year, month, or day would hold for us, we probably wouldn't get out of bed (at least I probably wouldn't have for the last 3-4 years, but things are slowly turning around and I pushed myself). I firmly believe that is why we aren't "allowed" to know too much regarding the spirit realm, divine timing, the future, and so on...because that element of surprise, those risks we take, are what help us learn karmic-wise. If we knew the exact divine plan for our lives we would live differently; we might avoid those lessons, or try to take the easy way out. Instead we are blind and go about our days based on faith, past experiences, and perhaps intuition for some.

So many of us just go on with our lives sticking with the status quo because, "Hey! At least everything is going smoothly...why mess that up by taking a risk or a chance on something?" or "I've done this before. This is what works, even if I am not 100% happy with it, but it works...therefore I'll stick with it." But the problem is these people aren't being true to themselves. They aren't honoring their spiritual side, higher self, or "soul path" if they're sticking with something that doesn't align with their real desires and soul.  

Why don't we take more chances? What are the intrapersonal narratives that go through your mind and prevent you from trying? "Because it's silly", "It wouldn't work", "It's too hard", "I'm too afraid", "I don't know what would happen", "Things are fine the way they are now". Lame! Shake yourself for a minute and realize that is your ego speaking...this human, weak, and delusional creature that lives in our minds and holds us back from experiencing some of the coolest things possible. I'm not talking about the "ego" you think of when someone is arrogant, confident, and so on. Ego, in spiritual terms, is very different although it can include some of those latter facets.

Say for example you're beginning to work on your psychic development. You begin to see images, hear words, or get feelings...then the ego pops in to say, "Hey, that's just your imagination. This isn't real. Don't trust yourself. Instead, doubt yourself and shut down completely." That is ego. Ego can be helpful sometimes in keeping us realistic and grounded, but more often than not I see it as a big old pain in the butt...much the The Oatmeal's "Blerch".

The Oatmeal is pretty funny if you haven't checked it out yet, click on that image or link above. 

Ego is a little bastard in fact. Ego can cause people to betray one another, doubt ourselves, and be too "human" on our spiritual path...when really we're trying to evolve ourselves...to "ascend" spiritually. Ascending, learning, or "developing our souls" is actually the goal both here on Earth and on the "other side"...it may even be the meaning of life. (Yes...in a blog that no one reads, we may have just uncovered the meaning of life!! :) We are spiritual beings in a human shell; there is parascience that backs this up for those skeptics. So really, we should be trying to be more spiritual during our time here on earth. To be more understanding, patient, loving, respectful, appreciative, helpful...what the divine is. But if we don't challenge ourselves, we don't take risks, we don't act on faith...we can't evolve faster. We can't learn as much as if we did push ourselves and try.

So what can you do to evolve more quickly and learn? Take more chances. Meet new people. Try different things. Challenge yourself. Help others. Do something unexpected. Just simply get out there and....start. Try. Do. Learn.  

That may sound scary to some but remember there is a "Big Guns" upstairs watching over you, there are people around you that can help (if you simply put aside your ego and ask), and have faith. We are our own worst enemies and hold ourselves back all too often.  And remember...you always have choices and options. You are never "blocked in" or "stuck"...you can choose to do something about it. There are other ways of getting around or out of something. You will never regret trying something and succeeding or failing, than wondering about it for the rest of your life. I guarantee it! (I just was reminded of the Men's Warehouse commercial..."You're going to like the way you look. I guarantee it!") So what are you waiting for? Go forth my beloved readers! Take a chance and do something you love :)

 Light & Love to you all!
~Samantha~

Fear - Are You Letting It Control You?

Does this sound familiar?

"I really want to move to Boulder, but I'm scared of having to start a new life. Scared to leave my friends behind."

"I can't leave my boyfriend yet because he'll freak out..."

"I haven't had a raise in years but I'm afraid to confront my boss..."

"I could try doing it, but what if ____ happens? Then what?"

How many times have you heard similar statements...or even said them yourself? All too often we let fear control our lives. Fear is actually not of God or the divine. Fear is a very powerful and controlling human emotion we experience here on Earth...but it is certainly not from above. In fact I think it's the "other guy" that is behind "fear" when discussing the spectrum of good and evil. ;) Fear leads and keeps us in abusive relationships, unhappy situations, and more.

When you look at some of the negative human behaviors on this planet, fear is frequently the root cause:

Envy = fear of not being good enough, not being loved
Stealing = fear of not having enough, needing to pay bills, etc.
Lying = fear of facing the truth or repercussions of the truth 
and so on...
Bullying = fear of dealing with own issues or home-life, fear of not being in control, so they take it out on others, etc.  

Could fear also be behind war and murder? What else? It's a good exercise to try and see how fear can manifest itself for some in numerous ways. Fear of not being in control? Etc.

Fear can encompass us, control our lives, change the direction of how we could've lived our lives. I'm not saying to go jump off a bridge and ignore logical reason. But...is there a decision you're avoiding because you're afraid? Is there something in your life you're scared to confront or finally deal with? You know deep down that eventually you will need to deal with it but keep putting it aside? Why is that? Likely, fear is what keeps holding you back. Perhaps it's a dead-end job, marriage/relationship, town, group of friends...we've all had to face transitions. But I do believe it is better to embrace those changes than to avoid them.

It kind of reminds me of the meaning behind the Tower card in tarot; which looks scary as hell to be honest! Basically if you avoid something and cling on to outdated issues, the Tower will come in to your life and kick your butt. It will abruptly turn your life upside down, spank you on the tush, and throw you out the front door into the world. Often it is painful and terrifying. We kick and scream while trying to hold on to something secure and dependable. But! It has to be that dramatic because you were avoiding that change for so long...you chose to be stubborn, you chose to grow roots into the situation. You settled, you embraced a wrong path, and now the Tower comes in to rearrange some things. Let's call it a drastic "redecorating" of your life. Things that personify the Tower would be: divorce, getting fired, a severe illness, a friend stabs you in the back, and so on. But they happen because you avoided dealing with them previously in some way or another; there were issues to begin with and now they're being dealt with in a different way. Ex: You knew you were sick but were too scared to go to the Doctor, now they need to do surgery. You hated your job but stayed and now got fired. Your marriage was unhappy and falling apart and now your spouse cheated on you and left. Your friend stabbed you in the back but you outgrew them long ago...etc.) When we don't deal with things upfront, life has a way of putting you on a new path whether you like it or not. 

Often, what we fear in our minds is much more worse than what the reality of the situation is. We humans tend to snowball everything into a big old clump of poop and then avoid it. When really, the key is to take baby steps...taking small bites out of a whale and working away at it each day. Be kind to yourself. Don't drive yourself insane, but slowly work on whatever it is until it's complete. That is the only way to go about it so you don't burn yourself out. Just put on your "Big Boy/Girl Pants" and take that first step towards dealing with it. Make a plan, write out steps, do whatever it is to get yourself going on making the changes needed.

Another issue with fear is our thought patterns. I've talked with you guys about this before in some other post, but fear can lead to severe negative thinking. You may all know about quantum physics, the Law of Attraction, and manifesting. So when we focus our thoughts and energy on fear...we are actually calling that to become our reality. Do not dread, or worry. You can accidentally start manifesting your fears. Simply identify the possible outcomes (good and bad) and accept that "it will be what it will be." And end it at that. If you catch yourself getting into a fearful thought or thinking pattern, redirect your thoughts and focus on something loving, secure, and good.

Of course this is all easier said than done, but I think you understand what the moral of this post is. If there is something you're scared of and avoiding in this life....deal with it now or it may come back in a much different form to be dealt with in a more dramatic way. Do not be afraid. You are exactly where you are supposed to be in life. Trust in the divine and know there is a larger plan that we aren't always aware of but it does exist...and you're part of the plan :)

Light & love to you all!
~Samantha~ 

Our Actions & Complaining

Hey everyone!

I've been behind on the blogging so I've got the woodstove roaring this morning, listening to some Native meditation flutes, and finally settled down at the computer to write. :) Here is one of my favorite songs that came on, feel free to listen and read: 

 

My trip to Los Angeles was great - a bit chaotic and rushed but I think filming went well. Another family was helped and we caught some interesting things...I can't talk about the plot or what company I filmed with, but if the TV show sells, you'll get to hear all about it then! I've always wanted to put together a show that will help people, educate the audience, and empower viewers to realize they can help themselves! Let's pray it sells!

My hotel room and the backdrop for the interviews :)

Anywho! Each day I have my soul and mind open, figuratively 'putting feelers out', to lead me to what I should write about next. Sometimes ideas and messages pop into my head from a 'higher source', and other times I'll see something on TV, experience an event, or hear someone say something that triggers another blog idea for me.

I was at the nail salon again sprucing up my digits for filming and I watched another Netflix special there. This time instead of a sea mollusc, we were watching a sea turtle. This poor baby sea turtle... His home of floating algae and plant matter was destroyed by a freighter/cargo ship, his friend died next to him while swimming through an oil spill, he choked on plastic floating in the ocean, was nearly killed by a squall straight out of A Perfect Storm, and then was caught with a hook by a fisherman.  Thankfully he was released...but who knows what else he was to encounter on the rest of his turtle journey!

Being an empath/intuitive, it becomes apparent that these types of documentaries bother me much more than most people ha ha...I must have had a horrible expression on my face because one woman tried figuring out what I was watching that upset me so much. She glanced between TV and myself and made some condescending smirk and went back to watching her nail technician. She later asked me, "Did he die?" out of a twisted curiosity.

I often wonder, do we honestly realize how difficult we make things for the planet and for the animals? Are we aware of how any of our actions affect others? Are we carrying with us a daily consciousness about every word, action, and gesture we perform? All too frequently many people roam about their day without a second thought, sometimes hurting others in the process without our realization.

While I was in L.A. the shuttle driver skipped past a woman's airline concourse...it was probably only 200 feet away by the time we stopped but this woman flipped her lid. "I'm already late!" "That isn't a short walk!" "I told you which concourse to go to!" Eventually her speech turned into "Yarg yarg, blah blah, grumble frump, I'm an angry negative person" in my head. :) Everyone on the shuttle sat there as this woman went on a tirade about her apparent 'suffering'. Instead of viewing her unexpected detour as a minor setback, or as a chance to exercise a bit more, she focused on the negative. You would have thought she was going to lose her limbs or home. The driver felt terrible and kept apologizing but this woman wasn't having it. She kept on blaming, making hurtful statements, and complaining. What did her negative attitude do to help serve her? Or anyone else for that matter? Nothing. Did her complaining help teleport her to the concourse sooner? No. Did it teach the shuttle driver a lesson? No. Sometimes people make mistakes, it happens...and we all do it. So remember to give others some slack when they make a mistake. Often, they might be carrying a heavy burden on their mind or are battling some sort of struggle in their life that we can't see. Give them the benefit of the doubt and try to forgive and forget. Maybe that driver was considering suicide that morning, or found out her child has cancer...you literally never know what someone may be going through.

Often complaining is pointless and it can also add to the problem especially when it turns into "adult bullying". It wasn't the shuttle driver's fault she was already late...Likely she didn't get out of her hotel on time, or traffic might have been longer than expected (it wasn't to my knowledge). But we can often avoid these types of panicky situations by planning ahead and giving ourselves extra time. There are people who will blame others because they themselves have already caused a problem, like being late. They refuse to look in the mirror and realize their role and how they contributed to their own issue.

Finally the woman got off the shuttle, glared at the driver, and waddled her way to the concourse. I noticed during my trip that no one was tipping the drivers anymore, so I grabbed a few dollars. The American Airlines terminal arrived and I gathered my bags and handed over the tip to the driver. "That woman is just a negative person. Being late was her fault, and people make mistakes. Don't let her ruin your day." I told her. She smiled and I was on my way. I wonder how many grouchy people that driver has to deal with on a daily basis? Public service and retail are tough careers... 

L.A. in the morning :)

 It's important to be conscious of our actions and attitudes each day - it is far too easy to forget and to lash out on others. It takes much more discipline to keep ourselves calm and centered and to not take things out on others. I ask that people be responsible with their energy...you affect others more than you realize. Make sure what you're putting out in the world is loving, considerate, respectful, and forgiving.  

Here are some fun pictures from the Santa Monica pier, L.A. and such :) I hope you guys are enjoying your January...hard to believe February is almost upon us! Yikes! Light & love to you all!
~Samantha~

Putting the GoPros up for filming in the car

Santa Monica Pier

A female Burmese Python...very gentle and nice!

Cutting Corners

Cutting corners; we all do it.

Whether we are trying to be more time-efficient by using the 12-item-only checkout lane, or not doing our work thoroughly enough, or popping a microwave dinner in - we all try to get more for less or in a shorter amount of time.

Why is it that many Americans (and other Western/Industrialized countries) have this weird impending sense of doom when it comes to 'time'? Why are we always in a hurry, rushing about our daily lives, and constantly planning for the future. Very few know how to simply live in the moment. To absorb. To be. To exist. According to many NDE and OBE's (near death experiences and out of body experiences), psychics and mediums, there is no such thing as "time" on the other side. Basically, most of the crap we worry about here on Earth is pointless. Charming! :) Knowing that, what would you do differently with your life?

Is it really within our true nature to be so damn cheap, lazy, and in a hurry? I like to think not. I really feel the 9-5 world and consumerism is NOT our true nature. It is something we've been conditioned to. We have been groomed to constantly want new items, a better car, more advanced technology, and so on thanks to advertising and marketing. Without the big corporations (who function as the real 'nations' in this world) pushing us to buy and consume, I don't think we really would be so enthralled with the life we are living. Actually, most people aren't happy with their lives to be honest. Not here in America at least. We are one of the most unhappy countries in the world. We're also behind in education, medicine, and more. And yet, American boys scored the highest in confidence with school and life compared to the rest of the world. Interesting. We're not doing too hot and yet we're the most confident. Don't mistake confidence for patriotism. There is a huge difference. 

Don't get me wrong, I love this country with my whole heart...I love our citizens, in fact I would give my life for them! But! We have some issues and a lot of dirty laundry to deal with. I don't like the American corporations like Walmart or Sam's Club that are destroying our country by putting out small-town mom-and-pop businesses and poisoning our people with toxic products from China. Exporting our jobs just to make profit is one of the issues that will end this country. But their products are cheap and people are poor so they support these businesses. These are fairly well-known issues and yet no one does anything about it? Why are we so passive, careless, or even exhausted? (Pssst...I've heard rumors such as fluoride in the public water leads to becoming passive, calcifying your pineal gland (your spiritual connection organ), lowers IQ and causes ADHD, and more. If that's true, maybe the powers that be don't want us to be active or have a voice. Something to think about. Do your own research. I'm not here to sound like a conspiracy theorist but I always, always question things. )

Capitalism is a self-defeating system; it is factual that eventually capitalism implodes upon itself. Why? Because it's main principle is: You can make more money by working harder than everyone else...OR...(the most popular one) you can make more money by standing on the backs of others. Meaning, one group or person advances through the suppression of others, or taking advantage of others. I.e. exporting our jobs to Mexico because the workers there have no rights, are cheaper, disposable, and no medical coverage is needed for them. Many women in Tijuana at the Walmart factory had "jellyfish babies" they gave birth to because of toxins Walmart dumped in their town. Delightful! Bet you didn't hear about that did you? Capitalism allows a small group (specifically the "1%" wealthy elitists in the world) to profit and prosper off the backs of the lower class (that is us ladies and gentlemen)...hence why our middle class is shrinking and more of the impoverished social class is growing. Capitalism could be a good thing if kept in check by caps or limits. But isn't...and now we're seeing the repercussions on our people. Granted we're going through the second Great Depression, despite the media avoiding using that phrase, but it really is because of the backlash from this economic structure. That and many other things!

Anywho! Back to being lazy and impatient, which seems like a contradiction :) Most of our problems stem from this drive we have to be more efficient and having everything NOW! We've industrialized our farming which has led to horrendous practices (including horrible treatment of animals which you never get to see - it's truly heartbreaking to watch), cancerous foods with GMOs and pesticides that also are killing wildlife, a loss of nutrients and vitamins in our foods leading to nutritional depletion of our bodies and diseases, etc. All for what? So these companies can make more profit by producing more food for less and quicker. The idea that there isn't enough food in the world is false; starvation in countries is not due to lack of food, its a corruption of distribution and their governments. AND it is possible to feed the world organically; do not believe their claims and 'reasons' for growing GMOs. It has been proven organic farming can/did work.  P.S. What the hell did they do decades ago? Thank God countries around the world are banning GMOs finally. It scared me that Congress/President signed an agreement that any bad "findings" on GMOs could not be held against Monsanto within the next 6 months or six years...what were they worried we would find out? Ironically, both the White House and Monsanto only carry organic food in their cafeterias. Hmmm....Also, we're not utilizing good, efficient methods for growing food. I have met so many amazing private farmers who grow organically; specifically one woman up here in Traverse City. She has been asked to lecture at agricultural colleges and classes about her methods because she has perfected growing food within a small space, and organically. Her food is amazing, and she uses heirloom seeds...delicious and much healthier, with more flavor! Yum!

We are so disconnected from our food we have no idea where it comes from and at what cost...I should be a vegetarian but I sometimes enjoy meat (I'm trying to eat more fish and turkey versus beef which consumes so much energy and the environment to produce). In fact we should switch to goat's milk and meat, and focus more on animals that fly or swim for our food sources. Did you know goat milk is the world's #1 milk? But here in America we're obsessed with cows for some reason. Cows are so destructive to the environment, soils, etc. compared to goats. It's probably because our cows 'taste good'...the meat is pumped full of flavor enhancers, the cows are fed other dead cows, M&Ms, potato chips, and other gross things are mixed in to their feed. We really should switch to goats! :) Goats are a blast! But if you're going to eat meat, please try to find a local farmer that offers grass fed beef, turkey, etc. It is an investment in your health, your community's economy, the environment, and more! It is an investment in your children's future. Its fun to buy local! Here is a very mild and modest glimpse of industrialized farming (I'm sparing you from pictures and videos that nightmares are made of):

Grossly overpopulated ranch, diseases rampant

Can't move in such small confinements let alone nurse their babies

Baby chicks shoved into suffocating bags and stomped on

Hen's beaks are often cut off so they don't peck each other in such small confinements

Think about this:

"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."

Ancient Indian Proverb

   

All too often we view the earth as "inherited", when really we are truly borrowing from our future generations...leaving them with our pollution, waste, fallen economies, and more. 

Our cost of living is constantly rising...because we have more junk these days. Back in the day one person could support a household. Now it is damn near impossible; you need at least two parents working. In modern times we now have new expenses like cell phones, internet, cable, Netflix, iTunes, and more... And based on our rate and the development of technology, it will only get worse. Are we even getting raises to compensate the annual 3% increase in the cost of living due to inflation? Nope. So while you've been closer to drowning each year, the pattern remains the same. We need to change. Every corporation is trying to price gouge and rape each person...assuming there is enough in our wallet for them to steal from too! "Hey! All the other companies are doing it...we should be able to as well!" And so all these crazy fees, rates, and expenses begin piling up on us from every direction. When is enough enough? 

What happened to business ethics and morals? Out the window! Very few companies exist today that honor their workers, the CEOs keep their salary in check and within a limit (instead of millions), and so on. Costco does a great job at paying their workers well, great benefits, and their CEO/founder has vowed to keep his salary at $300k (or less) regardless of how large the company grows. That is pretty awesome!!! And their workers are much happier AND more productive! Imagine that! With these millionaires and billionaires...what are they chasing after? When is enough money truly enough? For them it is greed, perhaps competition...maybe it is a game for them. But for the rest of us we have lots of bills to pay and it is real life for us, not some fun social experiment.

So what can you do if you're struggling or want to make a difference?

 1) Buy locally...stock up on food in a freezer if you want - buy a portion of a pig, cow, turkey, etc. from your local farmer.
2) GROW YOUR OWN GARDEN!!! This is huge. Do you ever wonder why back in the day the U.S. government use to promote and encourage people to grow their own gardens during war times? Because they wanted our people to be self-reliant and self-sufficient! Now days, corporations are in control and they don't want you to be independent. They want you to be a 9-5 drone and buy their product because it is easier.
3) Buy used or second-hand items.
4) LEARN to be handy!!! FIX things once in awhile instead of buying new crap all the time. I don't even want to get started about my generation (and the men) in regards to being useless with fixing things. We are no longer handy. I tiled a bathroom and kitchen floor by myself. I fixed up a foreclosure and flipped it. How many people know how to fix things? A lot of people don't. And because they "don't have time due to work" or "don't know how" they're always calling the trades people and spending a lot of money. You can save SO much money if you learn to be handy. Our parents and society have done a poor job at handing down learned skills like that.
5) Always pay yourself 10% first towards your retirement. I think I heard somewhere that the average American is only retiring with $20k-30k...that is terrifying. It should be around $200k+ realistically. Save your money and pay yourself first.
5) If you can't afford to pay for it in full...DON'T buy it! I understand car repairs and other unexpected and expensive things happen, but if you can't afford to buy that $800 flat-screen TV up front right now. Leave it alone. Credit cards are an illusion. And a number one reason for suicide.
6) Share your ideas and advice in the comments below - help each other! 
 
I know its depressing but we can vote with our dollars, we can become more self-reliant and we can teach responsibility to our children so one day these companies can change.
~Light & Love to you all~

"Be a Komodo Dragon, (Or a Sea Mollusc), But Not a Fish"

Hey guys!

Some humor but also some advice to follow...

I was getting ready for my trip to Toronto to film as an 'expert' for a new series called "Paranormal Survivor" (which will air in Canada January 17th+, but hopefully online and in the U.S.!). I decided to go get my nails spiffed up so my hands didn't look like a scene out of The Lord of The Rings, particularly the hobbit segments. ;)

Oddly enough, a Barry White song came on and I gazed over at their television screen that was streaming a Netflix nature movie. It was a documentary about animals breeding. I giggled to myself as my nail technician gave me a confused look; Barry White on a separate radio station while seeing animals reproduce on TV was too much for my inner child not to laugh at. I continued watching and eventually the streaming switched to an ocean-life documentary, filled with amazing creatures of the water-world.  Sea cucumbers, dolphins, starfish, and the like.

Following, a strange organism appeared on the flat-screen. Some sort of sea mollusc with a large shell. Its soft tissues protruded from the shell and acted as flippers to propel it through the water. But once it got onto land, where the waves had receded, it was a long and arduous process for this creature to move about. Painstakingly, it would creep centimeter by centimeter across the sand towards its goal while the sun dried its skin. Then as if a cruel joke, a huge wave would come over the animal and destroy any hope it had at getting somewhere. Back it would be thrown, over five feet or more (which probably measures to be 10+ miles for this little guy)....and guess what? He would start over. The mollusc would regain its composure and again begin its pursuit of whatever...inching away at a goal that was nearly impossible.

Life is like those waves that grudgingly beat down on the snail-like creature. But he didn't care. He kept going. Now if that mollusc was a typical human, it would cry out, blame or denounce God and the world for its problems. It would proclaim how unfair those waves were and point it's flipper fingers at the other molluscs in order to avoid responsibility...or the truth that we choose our happiness and circumstances. I think I've mentioned before but 90% of our daily happiness is up to us, only 10% is affected by external circumstances.

Sometimes our goals may seem a million miles away and life comes out of nowhere and bends you over. But those waves are life. Life is cyclical, it ebbs and flows, it beats us down but also soothes...life can drown you or keep you afloat. (We're getting profound here!). Life is the ocean, the water, and the waves. Will you sink or swim? Be strong and determined like the mollusc. Carpe diem the shit out of your day and even if you get knocked down...pull a Chumbawumba and "get back up again". Because really those are your only two options. Wallow and fall apart, or rise above your ashes and soar. Most people who have drug addictions, are in abusive relationships, or have some sort of dysfunction have chosen the first: To stay, to wade in negativity, to maintain the status quo, rather than leave behind the outgrown and move on to something better. They've allowed the worst to get to them, they've given up. I respected that mollusc as I sat there watching in awe of its tenacity; even though it looked like a mutant vagina with armor, he was tough.

I'll admit, I felt terribly sorry for the mollusc (for 75% of the show, I'll explain in a second)...it must be exhausting to make a daily trek as he was, and with 20 steps backward for every step forward. Oy! But then...I watched in horror as other molluscs gathered together with him. They forged an army of death and slowly they made it to their destination: to feast upon a fish that was still alive and beached in the sand, blistering in the sun. The fish gasped for air as these merciless 'crotch fossils' climbed onto the fish and devoured the fish's eyes... slowly consuming it. I made a horrible and disturbed frowny-face as I couldn't look away. Those bastards! But ignore that part because it ruins the beauty of "life is like a box of chocolates" philosophy I am trying to get at. ;)

Be the mollusc, don't be the fish. Don't get eaten alive by other people who will always push forward and keep on trucking in life. Because if you give up, get tired, or lose your determination...there will be those who will climb over to your nearly-dead corpse and eat you alive like a komodo dragon and they're not screwing around. So don't do it. Get off your ass and get moving...

~Light & Love and a bit of sarcasm to you all~
Love, Samantha....who has chosen to be like a komodo dragon, but a nice one that doesn't eat other people. More like a vegetarian komodo dragon but one that you still don't mess with because its still a komodo dragon ;) ...)

Intentions & Responsibility

Hallo!

What did you think of when you woke up this morning? Was it anxious thoughts about your itinerary for the day? Stressing about tasks you might be behind on? Or did you sit for a quiet moment and soak up the novelty of a new day in happiness? Would you be willing to make time for that?

Most of us wake up to the obnoxious and torturous sounds of the alarm clock screaming at us. My heart usually races and I leap out of bed and head for the shower...But what if we paid ourselves some moments of calm, peace, and solitude before we began our day?

Apparently meditation can help in numerous ways...even prevent the effects of aging.

Whether it is in the morning before you begin your daily routine, during your lunch break, or before bed time as a means of clearing your mind, take time to meditate and set your intentions. Our thoughts and mindset affect us more than we give credit for, and if you begin to practice visualizations and positive thinking, your world will change for the better. When we approach our job, coworkers, and chores with a positive mindset, we can send out a ripple of good vibes to others. It becomes contagious and beneficial to everyone. You know how difficult and upsetting the rest of your day can be when someone is being irresponsible with their energy, being negative. So instead of giving into their own unhappiness and misery, feed into the environment some good mojo with positive thinking, sending loving energy, and so on. Random acts of kindness spread like wildfire when we go out of our way to help others. Pay it forward and pass on that happiness.

Most importantly people need to be more responsible with their personal energy; we impact others greatly whether we are aware of it or not. So how can we be more responsible with our energy? By being conscious and aware of our actions. By not taking out our personal problems, frustrations, and stressors out on other people. They don't deserve it. And to be honest, you can release those negative emotions if you choose to do so. All too often I see people who have terrible coping techniques, or lack of, for stress...they then throw their bad energy around at others until they've "dumped" psychically on others and feel relieved. Well it's just plain irresponsible and childish. Whether it is your family members, friends, or colleauges, don't let them dump on you. They can dump elsewhere. Simply remove yourself from the situation and leave them to work out their own problems. If they can't talk about what is bothering them without draining you or abusing you, they don't deserve your time and compassion.

All too often I'll be grocery shopping or buying gas (it must be my aura or something that attracts these people, ha ha) but out of nowhere I am hearing a person's life story, personal problems, or complaints. It's weird. Please leave me alone ;) But I always try to give my advice and move on with my day...unfortunately sometimes I become drained by these people and have to rejuvenate at home. 

So wherever you go, please use your energy responsibly and learn to correct yourself when you get in a negative thinking pattern...in the end, negative thinking only attracts more negative outcomes.

Here is another interesting study about aging and meditation.

Light & Love to you all! ~Samantha~

Let's Talk About Sex (Baby!)

Hey everyone!

I want to talk a bit about sex (ear muffs, everyone!) and even pornography in a spiritual and scientific sense. This is a post I've been meaning to write for months. And because "sex" is in the title, I'm sure this will get more views...sex sells right?

Sometimes I like to relate modern science discoveries to ancient teachings...often we think of old or lost civilizations as being 'dumb' and primitive but sometimes I come across evidence that they might have known what they were doing. Evidence that perhaps commandments, spiritual teachings, and doctrines might have really come from wise counsel or a divine creator. For example...the common religious rule of being married and monogamous sex. (As we know, back in the day there was no government so often religion ruled as a form of government. Most civilizations wanted to grow, so logically they would want many people procreating and reproducing as much as possible to further their population and ruling...not staying with one person for their lifetime, and instead sleeping with many people.) So why would a divine creator supposedly tell people to be married and stay with one person?

A new and interesting study shows that women carry DNA of their sexual partners for their lifetime. *gasp*. Try not to think of some of the creatures we've all dated. ;) Just kidding. Don't feel shame or regret, but embrace and accept. This DNA can remain in your organs and bloodstream...for the entire time you're breathing and existing on this planet. Interesting! Some of the DNA in women comes from being pregnant with a son but scientists discovered that the other "unexplained" origin was male sexual partners.

The article author, Ketler, goes on to say, "I find this extremely fascinating because a spiritual friend and mentor once told me that every time you sleep with somebody you are taking on a part of them within you."

What I think is even more interesting is that many shamans, spiritual healers and practitioners, also share a similar mantra. "Don't sleep with someone you wouldn't want to be." (great article too) Why is that? So we have proven that our auras, magnetic fields around our bodies, exist. Again, I'll toot my horn about Kirlian photography as some of the evidence. Sometimes we feel this aura as our "personal bubble" when we are out in public and someone get's too close in proximity. Sure, there is a cultural and societal element to "how big our bubble is", but we are also sensing our aura and the other person's aura merging. The same happens with sex. And what is fascinating is that when our auras blend with another, such as during the act of sex, we psychically pick up the debris that is in their aura...and they get ours as well. Most people do not ground their energy, meditate, or are even conscious of their personal spiritual energy. So when you have sex with someone that isn't spiritually aware and does not clear their auric field often, you're going to get some gunk in your junk so-to-speak.

What psychic debris am I talking about? We all have it. It's like being a whale in the ocean and after so many years of being in that water we begin to grow barnacles, algae, have "clinger fish" (remoras) attaching themselves and feeding off of us...it's psychic debris we pick up from our daily life and from not clearing our auras often. That day when your boss yelled at you and put you in a crappy mood...that's in your aura unless you clear it out. You can clear your aura through epsom salt baths, smudging, meditation, reiki, grounding, etc. Have you ever gone into a home that was very dark, oppressive, and depressing? That is energy imprinted on a place. We have energy and debris imprinted on us.

With sex, scientifically and spiritually, you're taking a part of someone (the good and the bad) and giving a part of you whenever you engage sexually.  I am excited to see what other evidence develops from this discovery and love whenever science merges with spiritual concepts like this.

***

So let's now move on to pornography. *dun dun dun*! Porn is causing widespread erectile dysfunction in our youth at epidemic levels. Yikes! Why? I am not one to demonize things, and I always appreciate two sides to a story but I want to focus on the cons of porn for us humans scientifically.

I studied human sexuality for several elective courses in college and also pornography in my abnormal psychology years at school. I think porn can be something positive if shared and 100% mutually agreed upon by partners; not something forced upon the other partner. However, the cons about porn scientifically outweigh the few pros that I've seen in research. Did you know there is a growing movement against porn? MakeLoveNotPorn and NoFap.com are pretty awesome.

For those of us who are older and see how porn can be "harmless"...take a minute to step back and look at the youth who are growing up with porn and view it as "normal". Porn viewing typically starts at around age 10+ for boys currently (way before they understand dating, relationships, that women are people not objects, that porn is fake, etc.). Porn is fantasy, it's not real, it's exaggerated, out of touch and truly is escapism. These kids are seeing breast implants, airbrushing, plastic surgery, misogyny, and often violence, as "normal". They're being exposed to more fetishes and bizarre sex acts with the diversity of the internet. They're not taught to get to know another soul before sex. The sex acts they see are interpreted as "normal"; Bleached anuses, women who stretch themselves or take opiates before a scene due to the pain, the bleeding between scenes that is cut out, or women who give themselves enemas so it appears "clean" for the camera. They see the objectifying of men and women as sex objects (more often women) as "normal". They also see a very unrealistic version of sex that lacks the intimacy and closeness that can make sex a wonderful thing. Often in porn, the only touching parts of the "bodies" are the genitals. There is usually no kissing. There is no intimacy. Not to mention that porn supports legal prostitution, sex trafficking around the world, demeans our women and men, and leads to other horrific sex crimes.   

 So what else is terrible about porn? Porn is causing an unprecedented level of erectile dysfunction in our young men. This should at least concern the pride and ego of our young men, if not for their own health and enjoyment of real life. This phenomena has been difficult to study because there is no "control group" to compare our youth to...over 90% of our young men watch porn so the experimental group has become the majority. The problem is the novelty of porn. Our brains are not evolved to handle the insane amount of dopamine available at the click of a button and so readily available. Pixels on a screen are replacing real life partners. A male rat will mate and reproduce until exhaustion and death in the lab when presented with new females each time, but when kept with one female his excitability lowers and he is less active and behaves normal. When someone watches porn, it is "a new partner" each time psychologically and thus the excitement overloads our systems, particularly for men. This also leads to addictions. So when someone watches porn and then tries to have sex with their life partner and they are less excited, aroused, disinterested, or can't "get it up", it's because of the porn. This is a fascinating video about the science behind it.

• Porn lowers self-esteem, marital satisfaction, trust and intimacy in relationships. 
• Porn lowers the confidence of men and overall satisfaction with life. 
• Porn typically leads to the craving for more stimulation and needing to watch more intense or out-of-the-ordinary sex acts
• Porn has also been shown to lead to infidelity, rape, and pedophilia. There is an "excitement theory" element that when porn demonstrates rape-like or barely-legal-like sex, people are more inclined to act out those scenes in real life.
• Porn causes men to be less confident in dating and attracting women. Porn increases isolation, depression, weight gain, and lethargy. Men who quit porn became more confident, approached women better and engaged in more relationships than when they watched porn. They were also more productive with tasks and work.

Apparently men over 50 years of age had a faster recovery time then our youth when they quit watching porn; they were able to get erections faster than our young men. What? Yup! Our young men typically need about six months of remission time to accomplish their "sexual reboot" from quitting porn; making their E.D. vanish. Whereas, the senior men needed only 3-4 months of remission time. Why? Because the older generation did not grow up on porn. The senior men are/were performing better than our young men! They weren't raised on pornography. And the more someone watches porn, the stronger the pathways in the brain are made. The ones that connect pleasure with porn, versus pleasure from real sex and real people.

Lot's of people are speaking up against pornography, you can too. Teach our youth what real relationships and intimacy are. Sex is everywhere in our media and daily lives...just count the commercials that are sexual in nature. Everything is being sexualized and it will continue to get worse unless we change. If you're against it, you're not in the minority but often we settle because we think that is what everyone else is doing.
 
To be honest, I'm deeply concerned about the world our youth is inheriting and what they're exposed to (crappy parenting, severe pollution and toxins in our products [aluminum, fluoride, mercury, hormones, etc], a corrupt world, immoral business practices, etc.) I hope this post will lead you to consider the negative evidence of this industry and how it is corrupting our society. And maybe you'll have this discussion with others...I know it is considered taboo but people need to speak out about such things to help one another. I want people to know the truth about anything that is harming them (the business of cancer, porn, fluoride, etc. ) Thanks for reading!

Light & love to you all! :) ~Samantha~