Death & Spiritual Signs

"I tried to race against time. I tried to race against death.
I hurried the holidays and I rushed our gatherings,
Terrified if we waited, it would be too late.

Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations came on November 11th, not the 27th. I didn't care, I was proud to host for him and my family. I tried to cram in as many fun events as possible, hoping it would give purpose for a longer life for him. By Christmas he was in the hospital, I rode in the ambulance with him to hospice. Proud to protect him and keep him company like his guard dog. I watched him doze in and out; he kept forgetting why he was there every few minutes. 

Death feels selfish, but so am I. I don't want to lose my loved one but I also know this isn't quality of life. I must learn to say goodbye to him in the flesh, but I know he'll be around in spirit.

Sometimes I forget I am just a human. That I can't beat death, no one can. Death isn't something we can race, outsmart or hide from. It is something we must all face whether we like it or not.

I know he will be going to an amazing place, living on after his physical death...I wish others knew this truth. I have seen glimpses of the other side, I even left my body during an operation and saw an angel or what looked like Jesus. I have encountered spirits, I have seen. I know goodbye is not forever."

***

I wrote the above the night my Great Uncle Charles was supposed to pass away. I received a call from my mother notifying me that hospice expected him to die that evening in a matter of hours. He was like a grandfather to me, the only man who was there my entire life with love and support. My mother and grandma stayed the night there, keeping him company. His breathing was labored and tortuous to watch. I demanded to drive down in the dark that night but they insisted I wait until morning. I feared he would pass away before I got to say goodbye but I resigned myself to waiting until morning. Oddly, I forgot to set my alarm that morning, I had cried myself to sleep, but was awoken by a random text message from someone around 5 a.m.

I woke up to my phone and hurried to pack up my belongings and dogs. Only three days prior I had a surgery that rendered me unable to lift anything over 15-30lbs for several weeks. How was I going to get the bulldogs in the car?!? I prayed to God to help me get the 60lb. bulldogs into the car. By the grace of God I somehow lifted those beefy sausages into the car, despite being in agony. :) I hurried down state - I was racing against death it felt like. The entire way down there I kept trying to tell my Uncle's spirit to wait until I got there to pass away. I wanted to be there for him, and to help console my grandmother and mom. I had no idea if he could receive that type of message telepathically, but I prayed the divine would help intervene. "Please God, don't let him go yet!"

It's about a good 3.5 - 4 hour drive from my house down to where Uncle was in hospice. I hurried to drop the dogs off at my mother's and raced over to his care center. Up the elevator I went with mom and down the winding halls, passing the elderly who sat there confused and disoriented. I saw my Uncle's name on the familiar door and we entered. Horror was painted across my grandmother's face, "I think he's already passed!" The nurses were checking his heart for what seemed like minutes. "I still hear a faint heartbeat...I'll give you a few minutes." This was it.

We knelt beside his bed and held his frail body as Uncle began his departure to the other side. My mother, grandma, and I took turns telling him how much we loved him, that we were sorry and would miss him dearly, and our thank-you's for his exceptional generosity and for being a huge part of our lives. "Go into the light, Uncle," my mother said. I raised my head to see if he was still with us. His eyes were now distant; no longer bright and sparkling with a soul. His breathing had stopped - he had gone to the other side. His "shell" of a body lay there. It was over.

Death isn't an aesthetically beautiful thing, but knowing your loved one is in a better place and free from suffering is bittersweet despite seeing something so horrible.  
 
Some people don't believe in "divine timing" or the spiritual world, but I do - with every fiber of my being. I believe my uncle's spirit waited for me to cross over, which means the world to me. What are the odds that he would pass later than expected and within those few seconds that I arrived? That someone would text me and wake me up exactly when I needed to be awake to arrive in time? He also was able to give us some other spiritual "signs" to let us know he's okay on the other side. I have seen so many things that are considered "paranormal" or "spiritual" in my life that I could never deny the existence of such a powerful force - God and the spiritual world is very much real but also very discrete sometimes. Spirit is quiet...but if you listen and you look for it, you will find it.

After he passed my mother and I sat outside. We saw and heard sandhill cranes. I made mention of it as I often notice totems and animal "signs". "I heard them last night too when I was outside praying to God about Uncle!" mom informed me. We got back in the car and on a brochure, sitting in the cup holder, was a sandhill crane...We got home and there were sandhill cranes sounding into the woods...I found an SD card on the ground while walking in the park with my grandma, mom, and sister days later. Somehow it was still readable by the computer and guess what pictures were on it? Sandhill cranes! I saw a few friends for drinks before leaving and guess what came up in conversation on their own behalf? Sandhill cranes! Coincidence? I took it as a sign. Sandhill cranes represent immortality and good fortune...the message Uncle's spirit was so desperately trying to tell my grandmother despite their religious upbringing. "I am okay! I am in the spiritual world but I am still with you" is how I interpreted it.    

One my good friends and gifted "readers" (check out www.angelwords.com) was kind enough to give my mother a spiritual message that night he passed away. Apparently Uncle unexpectedly made contact with her (they had never met before) and made sure to mention that he would give us a sign that he was okay in the form of hearing a small bell ring. And guess what?!?...

We had the visitation on Thursday and the funeral on Friday. Casterline Funeral Home in Northville has some of the nicest people on earth running the business! They have buried almost all of my family for generations so we are pretty close with them...in addition to my Uncle and mother owning a cemetery back in the day; we're familiar with the line of work and the associates. Apparently they had just put in a new lighting system a year ago with bulbs that last typically for 20 years. During both days for Uncle's visitation and funeral, a specific light kept turning on and off. On Friday a second bulb began doing weird patterns as well. The director later informed us that she never had this happen at a funeral there. One of Uncle's friends stated that the lights turning on and off was Uncle trying to say hello. Both she and her son heard my uncle call her name later that night in her home and yet "no one" was there. But there was more...

Friday was more difficult...perhaps because there was an air of "finality" about that day. It was the day we would put Uncle to rest in the ground, the conclusion of his lifetime. My sister and I did our best to read personal letters we wrote for Uncle out loud in front of those in attendance. We would be followed by a singer we hired for the ceremony, something I knew that would be beautiful but would kill me emotionally...I always lose it at funerals when people sing. During the singer's performance, clear as day, a small distinct bell sound rang out into the room and several of us looked at each other in confusion but also amazement. Was that Uncle? We sat and listened to the rest of the service, as not to distract or cause a scene. I figured it might have been someone's phone but wanted to believe it was Uncle.

Later we sat at his burial site, surrounded by our deceased family. I visited my grandfather's grave to say hello and placed a rose on his stone. I felt our loved ones with us in spirit, they were there to help support. "Amazing Grace" was sung for the service and I quietly fell apart into pieces. But my woes were again paused when very clearly another small bell sound broke the air. There was no logical reason for the bell sound - everyone's phone was off, no one was in that direction, the tent that we sat under was not clinking together on the metal poles...we had no explanation. My family and I were amazed again.

Ironically, or divinely, the singer came to talk with my mother and I after the service was over and we carried on a random conversation. All of a sudden the director joked about firing him for "that bell sound" during his singing and I immediately interrupted them. "We all heard that!" I exclaimed. "Yeah it was my computer's email notification, which is impossible because I turned off the internet on my computer but somehow a notification came through the speaker system and computer, and caused that bell sound. I am so sorry!" "No, please don't be. That means more than you know." We explained what our friend and psychic/medium had informed us. He was very intrigued. "I've never had that happen before, and I am always very strict about turning off the internet and all programs on my computer. I don't know how that's possible."

So, am I crazy for believing in the spiritual? I don't think I am, especially when that many spiritual things happened in 48 hours... :)

Light & Love to you all!
~Samantha~

My Phoenix Dream :)

Hey everyone!

I've written a previous post about gratitude...and how important it is to have gratitude even when you're in the poopiest of times and tribulations. When you don't have gratitude, and instead complain, worry, or embody other negative habits, you can actually create more problems. The universe will respond and teach you even harder lessons. When you're not grateful the universe will stop providing and you will see just how bad things can really get...

As hard as it may be, don't grow your issues into something bigger.

But anywho! I had an amazing dream that I was so excited about when I woke up. Over the years I have taken the time to practice remembering my dreams, taken the time to meditate on them and I write them down in the morning. I love looking back on my dreams to see if anything matched and often these "premonitions" and symbols are very accurate.

I'll get to my dream in a minute but I remember part of my dream, in another "segment", was discussing how being a healer, we often lose part of our longevity/life here on earth. That the more people we heal, the more we expire a bit earlier. I found it ironic as there is evidence that linked healers, psychics, mediums, and empaths with early health problems, death, disease, etc. I think it is because we absorb other people's energy and woes, if not properly cleared, it can become a problem.

Anyways here is my cool dream!

"There were all these family problems going on (currently accurate with illness). My family was complaining, worrying, and other negative behaviors regarding the current state of affairs and tribulations. I was at my mother's house and we were both outside by the driveway. There was this huge, beautiful red bird sitting by the dinner bell in the berm/trees that caught my attention. It looked like a red macaw but the end of its tail curled and faded into an iridescent and gorgeous maroon, purple, and grey (P.S. I like the British way of spelling grey, it looks more natural, ha). I knew what this bird was - it was sacred. I asked my mom what the common name of the bird was, as my mom is great with identifying birds. "Frosted Mandrake" or a "Smoking Mandrake" is what my mom told me its name was.  

To everyone else this bird was as common as a cardinal, blue bird, and so on. Ordinary?!? No one seemed to know what it was and the powers it had - it was a phoenix! In my dream, this rare mythological bird actually lived amongst people, but humans had no idea that it was the legendary phoenix and thus no one appreciated it. I approached the phoenix and he flew over to the porch a short distance away and watched me. I approached him again and he flew upwards, as if testing me to see how far I would follow and if I was dedicated. I called to the phoenix with a whistle and he returned. I had my arms outstretched towards him and the sky, and he came and picked me up.

Despite being the size of a macaw, this bird had incredible strength and was able to carry me - easy-peasy. The phoenix rescued me and took me away from the problems. I held on to its legs and talons as we soared (hell yea lol). I remember adjusting my hands to hold the phoenix better so I wouldn't fall to the earth, and between his very sharp talons I felt these incredible soft and warm pads that he held me with. The phoenix was nurturing and not just some bird of prey. The bird took me back to its huge nest that had other phoenixes there. They weren't offpsring but were other adult birds; it was more of a community nest than a maternal nest. I remember all of them looking at me as I stepped into/onto the nest that was past the cloud line; confused as to why a human was up there but I was welcomed. I don't remember what happened or what I experienced there but then I was back on earth at a house somewhere and my sister was telling me she had a dream I died. I apologized to her but I was so excited about this encounter.

I researched "smoking mandrake" and realized it was a literal reference. Shamans, healers, witches, and so on would smoke mandrake root for spiritual experiences although without proper dosing it can be dangerous. I've always had an infinity for the folklore and story of the mandrake plant (how it was almost a human) let alone plant medicine and shamanism.

Sometimes I will have dreams that a shaman or healer will come to me in my sleep and will give very specific instructions for me. "You are an animal empath, go heal animals at the shelter." "Take mandarin leaf extract" and other weird things that I didn't even know existed or were possible prior to my dream. Am I going to go smoke some mandrake root because of a dream? Probably not, but I'd be open to it ;) I still want to go back to Peru for a ceremony and cleanse/heal myself one of these days! Until then, I figured you guys might find this interesting! Any interpretations of the dream you'd like to share? Post it in the comments! :)

Light & Love to you all!
~Samantha~      

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 ;) ...)