Oneness Ministry

We are One

Jun 25

Embarrassment

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Most people do not think of embarrassment as a tool for spiritual growth, however I am here to tell you that it is one of the best tools we can use.  The fact is that it works quite automatically and takes little effort.  So for all you people who avoid embarrassment at all costs I just want to make you aware of what you are missing.

“Embarrassment is an emotional state experienced upon having a socially or professionally unacceptable act or condition witnessed by or revealed to others. Usually some amount of loss of honour or dignity is involved, but how much and the type depends on the embarrassing situation.” (Wikipedia 2010) An important distinction that separates this from shame is that no moral code has been broken.  So what is happening in our mind when something embarrassing happens?

As the definition states it is an emotional response and anything happening in the mind is secondary.  Our thoughts about the embarrassing event can be changed or to be more accurate our thoughts can be chosen.  We will have the emotional response no matter what because that is part of the very definition; however, how we then react to that emotional feeling is a choice.  So let’s look at some of the choices we have and why we would choose them.

Behind all thoughts we have our ego mind which is the driving force that judges and condemns all actions whether by us or them.  The ego mind says that this embarrassing act is awful and then points out all the ways that it could be awful.  We also have the Spiritual mind or the aspect that connects us to the One and to each other.  Ego separates and Spirit unites.  The Spirit mind does not judge anything or anyone.  Instead it simply observes and looks for the good within what just happened.  It is the part of you that despite the message from ego, laughs at the event and finds Joy. 

The choice then is do you listen to the ego which is telling you embarrassment is bad and undesirable or do you listen to the Spirit mind that is showing you the Joy?  Saint Francis often used the tool of embarrassment to bring him closer to God and he did it on purpose.  For instance when he made the move to a secular life he renounced his association with the material world in a public display of returning all he owned to his father including the clothing he was wearing and walked away totally naked.  For most people this would be unbearable embarrassment, but for him it feed his soul.  When you read about his life you will find many instances where he or another monk would do something most would find embarrassing on purpose. 

Embarrassment is a way of moving beyond the ego mind which often controls most people.  This then frees the Spirit to guide our actions.  The choice is constantly being made, so do you listen to your ego or to Spirit?  Embarrassment is a tool that automatically takes you to your Spirit mind once you have made the choice to allow it.  See that embarrassment is simply a choice and that often times it is funny and you can laugh along with everyone else!  The feeling of freedom that comes from this action will far outweigh any difficult emotions that may come with the ego mind.  It will take a few practice runs to get comfortable with it, so do not be discouraged.  Let go, Listen and Love.

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Jun 24

Who Do You Know?

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Relationships are funny things and often we think that it is all about us when in fact it is never about us.  It is about them, but not in the way you may think.  How well do you know your mother, sister, daughter or partner? 

Who are these people we spend our entire lives with?  Have they ever done something that shocked you or threw you off track?  Have they ever said something that had you questioning where those words came from?  I think we all have and the heart of the issue is simply that you have many people in your life, but whether you truly know them is doubtful.  The person you know is yourself.  Or at least that is the person you are attempting to get to know.  In the last blog we talked about relationships and today we are covering the ultimate relationship.  The one you have with yourself. 

Identity is as multifaceted as your life.  How we see ourselves is often very different than how others see you.  When we are young our self image is limited and we look to others to show us who we are.  Early childhood and early adulthood is often an exercise in musical chairs.  We try on many different roles, hang with many different groups, and try many different experiences in an attempt to discover who we truly are.  Where do I fit in?  Is often the question you ask yourself.  My question to you is this a fair question?  Are you supposed to “fit in” someplace like a puzzle?  Life can be puzzling I admit, but I really do not think it is about them. 

YOU are what it is all about.  How you see yourself is what matters, and you get to choose where you “fit in”.  Of course this is not an easy task and often takes all your life to find what is comfortable for you.  What if that person you wake up next to each morning, that person you share dinner with in the evening and the persons you grew up calling family are not who you thought they were.  What if they are simply a reflection of you?  No they are not you, but they do represent an important aspect of you.  Your partner is in your life because you are attracted to each other, not just physically, but intellectually and emotionally.  Your vibrational signatures are vibrating in harmony like the yin and yang balance each other or like poles on a magnet. 

I have discovered something miraculous about life,… you cannot get lost!  You can feel lost, you can believe that you are lost, you can even have others believe that you are lost, but ultimately you always get to where you were headed sooner or later. We have a GPS (God Possibility System) system built right in and it works for every aspect of your life.  Looking for the perfect relationship?  Listen to your heart and feel the answer.  Looking for the way home?  Intuition will guide you.  Looking to find out who you are?  Look to your partner, friends and family!  Let go, listen and Love.

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Jun 22

The Perfect Relationship

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Does it really exist?  Don’t be too quick to judge.  Of course it does, and I am going to show you, but first a few points and foundational comments to start with.  We have a relationship with everything in our life.  So this means that you have a relationship with your family, your pets, your Lover, and every object in your life.  What I am focused on here is the Love relationship with a partner.  Many of the principles will go with any relationship. 

The first thing to remember is that all relationships are about one thing, God expressing through you in self-awareness.  As you are aware of God, God experiences God.  Now, who or what is God.  Simply put God is all there is.  So how does an omnipotent, omnipresent, being know itself?   By creating you!  Of course the other thing to remember is that God knows all there is to know and so do you.  God wants nothing, because God is everything.  The word I think best describes God is LOVE. 

With this in mind, as I express Love, I am expressing GOD.  I am being the best “God” I can be.  The goal in any relationship is to express Love.  This expression leads to Peace and the experience of Peace will take us beyond all that is not God to a realization that we have been home with God all along.  Yes, there is “not God” in this dualistic world, and you probably know this better than you realize.  The easy way to tell the difference is “not God” separates, while God unifies. 

So as we go thru our life we will be doing things and we will have feelings while doing them.  As long as the feeling is positive you are on the right track, if you feel a sick feeling or negative one then something is not right and you need to change direction.  This takes practice and experimentation, but over the years you will learn to do this either, consciously or not.  The desire is to make this expression conscious and by observing your feelings, which are a combination of thoughts and emotions, you are being guided by Holy Spirit.  A heightened consciousness and a greater awareness of all that is will result. 

The next obvious question is how does one express Love.  And this is really what relationships are for, the practice of expressing Love so that we may experience ourselves in our highest glory and that we may know God as God.  Your partner is a witness to your life, your best friend, and your supporter.  In so doing they are experiencing God.  Conversely you are the same for them.  Thus the cycle of Love and relation moves, grows and cycles back where it started with God

The partner relationship has one main purpose, to Love and Be Loved.  How this looks is open for interpretation with infinite possibilities!  It is best experienced without judgment or expectations as to what it should be like.  Simply accept it all as an expression of Great Spirit or God. 

Similar interests helps to move things along,  so as we express ourselves your partner can understand more fully what you are doing and can help guide you by participating in the experience.  Of course we all have thoughts that are different than our partner and this is the real gift.  As we celebrate our differences, not trying to accentuate them, but by honoring them, our partner helps us grow.  The longer two people are together the closer aligned they become. 

Love your partner as they are, because it is up to them to change, if they even want to, so if you are not happy with something about them then step back and see if it is not something about you that is the real problem.  Remember the world is a reflection of who you are and I mean your personal world, not the world at large (that is a culmination of all that is).  As you celebrate your partner so you celebrate yourself, because we are all one. 

Criticize not, or you will be condemning yourself.  The more you become one with your partner the stronger the relationship becomes, but this need not be done by constantly standing by their side and melting into a shadow.  In fact, the more you express yourself and be the person you were meant to be the better.  Freedom to do this is important for a healthy relationship.  Balance is advised here.  Let me just say that we each have to learn on our own how this works, so doing what worked for someone else is no guarantee that it will work for you.  Your assets enhance your partner; your strength is theirs.  Forget about any short comings, they are soon to be history anyway.  In the process of growth be forgiving of any mistakes you or your partner makes.  A short memory when it comes to these things is a blessing.  Each day is a new day, a new opportunity for you to be the best “you” possible.  

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Jun 19

Innocence Revealed

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Innocence is generally thought of as being free from guilt as in a crime or in a moral sense, however I feel that the meaning runs much deeper than that and I offer a difference perspective on what innocence is. 

The law is fairly straight forward.  Either a person is guilty or innocent.  Often only the individual truly knows the Truth.  If a person were to believe the material they read in the Christian bible it would have you believe that even a new born baby is guilty from the day they are born, because of the actions of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  All humans are guilty! …NOT.  Please do yourself a favor and see beyond the veil of this falsehood. 

Of course you are free to believe anything you like and the offering here is meant as a gift for further contemplation.  It is not likely that if you are reading this blog you actually believe in a literal translation of the bible anyway.  So does innocence have anything to do with religion or the bible?  I believe on a superficial level it does, but it also goes far beyond these worn out teachings. 

What if innocence was a state of consciousness or a state of being in which any human can operate.  What this means for the average individual is that innocence is available to every human being at any time in any place.  There is a purity to innocence that when accessed opens you to your soul and a very simple authentic expression. 

Innocence has a very high energy vibration that is coupled with source creator.  In order to access this state of consciousness or being one simply has to let go of any mental attachment to who they think they are and also to what they think they are doing.  Instead come from a place of being open to the flow of events in a non-judgmental way. 

Babies do this naturally, (despite what the bible teaches) as do animals.  Our pets are excellent at modeling innocence for us!  Of course this relationship often gets construed with our human behavior projections so that the pet becomes like us. 

The innocence I speak of is the one that comes from not knowing, genuine curiosity, and non-judgment.  The not-knowing I speak of is not ignorance as that implies apathy.  Innocence comes from a deep caring, sense of adventure and desire to explore.  It is that wild eyed look a child gets when they discover something new and exciting.  Watching dogs play in the park without human intervention is another demonstration of innocence.  Love can have an innocence to it when first embraced, and for those who are lifelong partners it is something that is never lost.    

Innocence is a place we all can operate from on a daily basis.  It does take an intention to do so and practice will make it into a habit, so that we are constantly coming from this divine place of freedom, authenticity, curiosity, open mindedness, and non-judgment.

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Jun 18

Oneness

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The concept of oneness is growing in acceptance and yet many still do not understand the full meaning of the word. Let me shed some light on this for all of us. 

Oneness is all inclusive and very simple in concept, but the reality in this ego world is that separation is struggling to maintain a hold on our lives. This shows up in turmoil, conflict and loneliness. The only way to move beyond the illusion of separation is to embrace it and see it for what it is; an illusion. When something comes up that you recognize as separation, simply acknowledge it, see beyond it and then just leave separation behind as a concept. Ignore it, it has no power. Instead focus on the Truth. The Truth is that we are One, unified and whole being. We are Gaia! Oneness is Unity expressed, it is ‘love thy neighbor as thy loves oneself’, it is making decisions with the consideration of seven generations to come, it is knowing we are all made of ‘Starstuff’, and it is so much more. Oneness is the realization that everyone you meet is a part of Great Spirit, Universal Intelligence, or God, just like you are, and that you have that in common with everything as well as everyone you meet. Each person is individual and connected at the same time. What you give, you give to yourself, since we are all one. What you deny for another, you deny yourself. When you heal yourself, you heal the world! You are using the same mind as Albert Einstein, or Mother Theresa.   You are ONE with GOD, in a word you are GOD, expressing as the individual that you are. Each form or “thing” you see is unique onto itself. This means that no two snowflakes are the same and yet a snowflake is like all other snowflakes, but not identical. This goes for all other forms as well. This is why when you meet someone new they are unique and yet they are YOU.  

The only constant in this universe is change, so embrace change and honor each form you meet. When life is lived from a place of Oneness we become aware of the bond that connects all of life. 

“What is arising now is not a new belief system, a new religion, spiritual ideology, or mythology. We are coming to the end not only of mythologies but also of ideologies and belief systems.  The change goes deeper than the content of your mind, deeper than your thoughts.  In fact, at the heart of  the new consciousness lies the transcendence of thought, a newfound ablitity of rising above thought, of realizing a dimension within yourself that is infinitly more vast than thought.” Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth, Page 21-22

This dimension is the Oneness I speak of. It is something that must be experienced to truly know what it is, but once that connection is made it is a part of you and cannot be lost. In fact it is constantly growing. This is so much larger than “you”! Can you feel it? After reading “A new earth” by Eckhart Tolle it all became so clear to me and that feeling has continued to grow. We are witnessing our own evolution! Like the Renaissance Age of the 14th to 17th centuries this last 300 yrs or so could be remembered as the Age of Awakening!   This age is culminating Dec 21, 2012, and is a doorway to the beginning of a new age, the age of Infinite Possibilities. This is according to Ian Xel Lungold in his “Mayan 2012 secrets reveled.” We need not rely on one person’s interpretation here however, because we are all ONE. As we become more aware of this dimension beyond thought it is easy to see that Ian is right on the mark! Ian speaks of the mind as a tool that we use to experience our world. This tool can shape our future or it can trap us. By simply being aware of this we are shining light on the shadows and allowing ourselves to move beyond thought.

Given that we have Infinite Possibilities, what is the direction you would like to take? This is a very important question at this crossroad. I speak on the level of all of humanity from the perspective of the Highest Good of everyone. We are co-creators with the most High and so when we get in touch with this goodness and allow it to flow through us great things are created! Be a conscious creator and share your thoughts. As we awaken to the Infinite Potential we posses we are compelled to follow our heart and just knowing that everyone in the world is Happy, Healthy, and Whole creates that as reality. Think about this carefully now and consider what it means to be ONE. What you say is true, so be aware of your choices. As a gentle suggestion here, let go of your fears and limitations; see the Highest Society possible. To share of yourself is the Highest gift you can give, and the more individuals that share a similar vision the more likely that it will manifest. Together we have created our past and now we have the opportunity to shape our future consciously! As we live in the moment, focus on all the wonderful gifts we have now (count our blessings), and take action by visualizing a future of Joy and Harmony for all beings in this Universe, so will the life we all desire manifest gloriously.

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Jun 15

Isolation of Choice

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transition is all about choice and the effects of the decisions we make along the road.  As we navigate the many options available to us we make the best decision we can with the information available to us at the time.

You may have heard the expression, “hindsight is 20/20”.  The reason for this is simple.  Looking back you have more information available so you can make a better decision.  Knowing this, it makes no sense to beat yourself up for missed opportunities or decisions that did not work out.  Look around and see where you stand and move from here.  Focus on your desires and be consistent. 

This does not mean that desires will not change and that once you get to a location that you may decide to move on or go back.  Nothing is ever in vain.  Nor is anything lost in the process of pursuing your dreams.  Even if you fail, you have succeeded in moving closer and had experiences that show you where not to go, so be grateful for what you have!  Always and all ways be grateful for what you have in any given moment.  Yes, all moments are gifts!  They are gifts from you to you. 

To those who are aware in any situation, condition or place has a gift waiting there to be discovered.  Winning the lottery may seem like a wonderful gift but can be a disaster if mismanaged.  The same goes for a seeming disaster like the death of a child or the murder of your partner.  In the midst of the situation it is not always easy to see the light (the gift).  This is where friends and family come in. 

Transitions are always a big deal and facing something like this alone is simply a formula for failure.  The isolated mind turns in on itself and life gets distorted, things seem worse than they are or perhaps they seem better than they really are.  The only way to get a clear picture of where you stand is to get feedback from those who care. 

This can mean going to the doctor or therapist, talking to your closest friend, or confiding in your immediate family.  I am not saying you look to others for approval, but only for other opinions or view points.  If a person has a long history of shooting your ideas down and telling you how much you mess up, it is not a good idea to confide in this person.  Don’t laugh!  People do it all the time.  The best favor you can do for a friend is to give them an honest objective opinion from your point of view.  It is up to the person asking to take the news maturely and put the information to good use. 

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Jun 12

Giving Therapy

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The transition journey can be long and lonely at times and one of the best therapies I have discovered is giving.  I will call this Giving Therapy and it is good for the soul.  One of the most basic principles we all should know by now is if you want something, give it away!

Ok, so this maybe giving from a different perspective, however I think you are going to love this once you understand what I speak of.  The first question that comes to mind is how can I give away something I do not have?  This is the materialistic point of view and one that we have all experienced at some time or another. 

The principle works like this.  Give what you do have and work up from there.  Work from your desires and give what you want.  Say for instance that you are craving love and affection, then you should be giving love and affection to others.  Not forcing it on them of course.  Focusing on your successes is imperative in this practice, because if you focus on your rejections then you will be setting yourself up for more rejection.  By focusing on what you desire and helping others get it, then through the law of attraction you get it. 

The same principle works for money.  If per chance you do not have much money, then you simply help others get it!  The important thing to remember here it is not about you.  In the process of helping others we help ourselves. “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson). 

The benefits of giving are immense and start with a feeling of satisfaction.  This feeling makes you feel warm in your heart and it flows out all over your body.  Even small gestures such as giving the homeless person on the corner a dollar brings warmth, giving is circular.  It is best not to hold the conscious thought that if I help this person they will help me or God will favor me.  This is very archaic thought and simply does not work.  Giving for the sake of giving and giving from the heart not the mind works. 

Make a habit of it and it becomes easier.  Just remember to push your established limits from time to time.  It is easy to get in the habit of giving at church every week and then forget about all the other opportunities we have all week.  In this authors opinion one of the best gifts is something that cannot be gotten from any other place.  Love, Hugs, Attention, Gratitude, Acknowledgement, and Compliments rank up there as the most valuable gifts that can be given or received.  Material gifts can also be valuable when they serve the needs of the recipient. 

Putting thought into your gift so that the recipient can use the gift shows that you care and that you know them which in itself is a gift.  Another way to give is to offer your services or simply do things for another.  This can be simple like making breakfast for your partner or friend.  Making sure chores are done so they do not have to do this (this is a great way for a child to show their parents they love them).  Courteous gestures such as buying gas for the car you are borrowing, cleaning up after yourself when using public space (or any space really), and allowing others to go ahead of you in the line. 

The options for giving are endless and the benefit is that you feel better and won’t be worrying about your challenges anymore.  Caring for others is the fastest way to move beyond your own personal transition challenges.  Love is the answer every time.

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Jun 9

Differences?

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Many people you meet are different than you in many different ways.  They could be different in physical appearance, cultural behavior, attitudes, beliefs, sexual preference, and social presentation.  Do you look for these differences or do you look for what you have in common?

The best way to make a friend is to find something in common and compliment them in some way.  The nuances and personalities of individuals are what make life interesting.  Without these things life would get pretty boring.  So how does one handle being in a social situation with someone who is different?  This will be as unique as the individual’s, however here are some pointers that may help.

Show respect and treat them how you would want to be treated.  If you are curious as to why an individual would pierce certain body parts and wear leather or tattoos then it is certainly ok to ask, however do so in a way that shows respect.  Make no statements of judgment or offers of opinion unless it is a compliment.  Your attitude will show in your mannerisms and if you are authentic and honest then you will most likely be well received. 

The same goes for those who are the target of questions.  The way in which you respond will stay with the person and likely form their opinion of like individuals they may meet down the road.  In a way you are a spokes person for humanity and this is something to keep in mind. 

Physical appearance, cultural behavior, attitudes, beliefs, sexual preference, and social presentation are things that are not contagious so do not treat them as such.  You will make choices as to how you live your life and present yourself in public so give others the freedom to do the same.  Working in a cubicle next to a person who identifies as gay has no bearing on your sexual preference, unless you say it does.  Maybe you find him attractive.  Maybe you have conservative religious beliefs and find him objectionable.  Either way he deserves your respect and common courtesies at all times whether in public or if you are with him alone in the elevator. 

We each are who we are and that does not change because of proximity.  It has been discovered recently that gender identity and sexual orientation are determined before birth and are hard wired into the brain.  So please understand that you are the way you are and simply embrace it.  While you are embracing who you are allow others to be who they are too. 

We can all live together with our divine differences easily or not.  Believing what a book tells you, some authority figure in a black robe tells you or even what a parent tells you is a formula for pain and suffering.  Make up your own mind, based on your own experiences and get many viewpoints on a subject that seems important to you.  Blind faith leads to destruction. 

Love is the answer to any challenge you are ever faced with.   

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Jun 8

Self Identity

by Sequoia Elisabeth

For those with Gender Identity issues understanding who you are is indeed a life long journey.  When you ask that profound question of “who am I?”, take a few minutes and feel the answer.  You may hear words, but instead of listening, simply feel. 

You are the only person who can truly know who you are.  No one can tell you although they may try.  This blog is about the journey of discovery in which one explores the inner depths of their own psyche and beyond.  As you may remember from earlier blogs, the mind is simply a tool used to interface with this environment, it is not who you are! 

Neither is the body “who you are”.   The body is simply a vessel which carries us about and to experience this world in which we live.  Our body has 5 senses, our mind has 6 and together they make up a complex system of collecting information about life.  Being human is all about the experience of life from every perspective and aspect.  So what does it mean to be a woman or a man?

This is the question that leads many gender variant individuals to therapy.  The odd thing is that most people would simply say “this is who I am” while looking in the mirror at their body, and really have no clue as to whether they feel like a man or woman!  You feel the way you do, so how do you know that is like a man or woman?  Who decided those parameters? 

The transgender journey is largely about accepting who you are, how you feel and the behaviors you are compelled to participate in.  Part of identity is self expression and this is often not a conscious decision, although sometimes it is.  For a man to have the desire to wear pantyhose or other woman’s clothing can be very confusing and frustrating.  The idea of being a woman trapped in a man’s body for me seemed absurd.  This question depends on how you define self. 

You are you and the rest is simply how you are experiencing the world.  The choice is yours how you experience the world and yet it is NOT.  It is like you have made the choice to get on a particular train (born male, female or intersex) and now you are having that experience.  The current choice comes in your attitude about the ride.  Are you going to enjoy it?  Will you jump off the train?  Will you feel sorry for yourself because you choose the “wrong” train?  Have you ever started on a trip and then forget where you were going before you got there?  Then you end up standing in the middle of the sidewalk wondering how you got there?  This happens more than we are willing to admit, especially in life’s journey. 

The next step is to choose again and move on with a renewed vigor for our new goal.  Happy to just be alive!  Paying attention to every little feeling and thought.  Not judging them but just noticing them and using them as a guide to our next step.  …Row…Row…Row…your…boat…gently…down…the…stream

🙂  Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Jun 6

Illusion of Loss

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The process of transition often leads to the illusion of loss.  So what is loss?  Loss is “the state of being deprived of or of being without something that one has had: the loss of old friends.” (Dictionary.com)  It can also refer to the death of a loved one. 

If we look further at this definition we see that it involves possession, “that one has had”.  Straight from these simple words it becomes clear that this is an illusion because possessing another human being is simply not possible.  You do not own your parents and they do not own you.  This goes for every relationship in your live.  It can even be extended to other living things such as pets or plants, although the definition becomes hazier at this point.  You can own a beautiful rose bush, but if you do not love it and care for it then you will lose it.  The same goes for your best friend!

Even if you do love and care, nothing is permanent so eventually it will be lost.  What is really happening of course is that it is changing forms, and the energy still exists just not as it did before.  When you die, your body decays and “you” move on to other experiences either beyond this world or in another form right here in this world.  Often this is why we choose to have children so that our form or essence has a vehicle to continue on. 

The illusion of loss can bring profound pain and feelings of despair to the individual who believes that something horrific has just happened.  Fear is a gripping emotion that can consume your life if allowed to.  In a way you have indeed lost something and that is a particular expression of self.  We often identify with the person or object of loss and feel like a part of ourselves was lost and indeed it has been.  Grieving is expected, so please do not fight this.  Honor the life you identified with as if it were your own.  While at the same time realize that nothing is really lost it has only changed form. 

Life is always changing and evolving.  When this process is embraced and honored wonderful experiences result.  There is no way to find anything better till what you “have” is lost.  For a child to lose a parent this signals a time for the child to step up and replace the parent as best they can, but more importantly the child has the opportunity to fully express their essence, or be themselves! 

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Jun 4

Possible Challenges

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The most difficult aspect of transition is probably going to be different for each person, however I will attempt to make a few generalizations here so that you will be aware of possible challenges along the road.   If you have an insight into possible challenges in transition feel free to comment below. 

The transition from one sex to the other can be a very emotional one fraught with trials and tribulations. Or it can be a simple process of shifting the physical body to better represent the inner gender identity.  It is important to realize here that gender is fixed in your brain before you are born.  The physical sex appears to be fixed but in fact can be altered to match the gender identity fairly easily. 

What happens to most transgender individuals is that they are conditioned by society to conform to the role determined by the organs between their legs.  Sex organs are for two purposes, procreation and enjoyment.  It is no accident that procreation is fun.  This assures the perpetuation of the species.  Whoopee 😉  The mental aspects of sexual attraction and role play are complex.  Sexual orientation like gender identity is fixed at birth, so it is the melding of society’s views with personal views that make this complex. 

The transition journey is one of releasing society’s views and living an authentic life which is true to your inner feelings and identity.  This begins with acceptance of both yourself and others.  If someone no longer wishes to be your friend then allow them that space and focus on accepting your natural self. 

In order to replace a glass of orange juice with apple juice you must first empty out all the orange juice.  This process creates a void which is to be filled by the apple juice.  The space is filled at all times, so as one leaves another fills the void.  Transition is much like this.  For a Male to Female transition as the male persona is released this creates a void for the natural persona to fill in.  Substituting another false persona, say of a certain female role is no better than the false male persona.  The point is to allow the natural persona to develop as it would have if the body parts had matched from birth. 

The best advice for allowing this process freedom to evolve is to let go and release any judgment.  Stop trying to please others and simply go with the flow.  Pay close attention to what brings you Joy.  This is best described as a feeling of contentment and gentle peace within your body, centered in your heart. 

For those with an overactive mind, release is a process of patience and persistence.  Make all thoughts OK while relaxing and focusing in the general moment.  If specific thoughts creep in and they likely will, consciously release them.  Say to yourself, “I release any thoughts of how my life should be.  I am open to my inner most gifts and allow them to express naturally.” 

I wish you Peace and Joy on your journey of Love.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Transitions

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May 29

New Energy Paradigm

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transition involves change, but is more than a simple change.  It is a shift from one paradigm to another. Changing shoes is quite different than transitioning to a new home or a new energy paradigm.  The world is undergoing a major transition now which has many aspects.  The one aspect we are looking at today is Energy.  Our energy paradigm or ideal system has been based on fossil fuels for the past 300 years or so and the time has come to shift our consciousness in a new direction.

Renewable energy is the term I prefer because we need energy that not only is plentiful, but does minimal damage to our Mother Earth and will not run out.  The earth does have a good energy source in the molten core of this rock we live on.  Geothermal is a great source of energy and I know this first hand as I spent an entire three day weekend in a community in Alaska that runs entirely on geothermal.  For more on this site go to, Chena Hot Springs.  To say I was impressed with Chena would be an understatement! 

Most of us have seen the huge wind turbines emerging all over the USA.  When I lived in Maui they constructed a dozen or so wind turbines they are supplementing the oil power plant that supplies energy to the island.  This process is one of attrition and will be occurring slowly over the next 50 years or more.  The shift to renewable energy began with the industrial revolution.  In 1839 Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect.  Wind power has been in use for several millennia in china and other countries around the world.  With the advent of electrical power it did not take long before it was figured out how to produce energy from a windmill.  The slower development is the battery technology to make them practical which is finally getting to the level we need. 

Energy sources are being developed all the time and recently we have seen a large movement around the globe that is accepting the simple fact that in order for earth to survive we must stop using oil and fossil fuels.  The oil crises of 1973 set the stage for this change in the USA.  President Carter implemented rebates for solar energy in 1979 and we had another surge toward change.  More recently we have seen volatile changes in oil supply and the effects of dependence on oil.  The spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a loud signal that we have an energy crisis in the world and need to put all our efforts into shifting to renewable energy.  The power regimes of the past are failing and smaller more diverse companies are emerging as contributors to the new energy paradigm.  It is our responsibility to participate in this transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. 

If you do an internet search for renewable energy or simply read some of the articles I have linked here on this blog you will get an idea about what is available.  Certain areas are better equipped for solar and for wind, however there is some form of renewable energy available everywhere.  The Tennessee Valley Authority has been using hydroelectric energy for decades, and China just installed the largest dam in the world to produce hydroelectric for its growing population. 

Consumers run this economy by the demand they have for products.  We really do have more power than most understand.  Your available choices to buy energy from a company that supplies renewable energy is growing every day.  Some companies are offering an exchange program where they will install solar panels to your roof and allow you to use the energy while they take the left over.  Look for new programs in your area and if they are not available then make phone calls and send letters to your energy provider.

Cars are surprisingly a small part of the greater issue but they too are part of the solution, so please demand cars that get 40+ miles per gallon.  We have them now and it is possible to have cars that get 60-80 mpg, necessity is the mother of invention.  Recycle your old cars, update your appliances, and do an energy overhaul to your home.  There are so many ways we each can contribute to the thriving of our planet by taking simple small steps leading up to giant leaps.  This is jump time so be prepared!

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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May 25

Thought Word Action

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Continued from yesterday…Thought, word and action is the process of creation.  Please be aware of your thoughts and that you choose your thoughts!  At least you choose which thoughts you act on.  With all the advertising we are bombarded with every day it is important to be discerning with your thoughts.  If someone tells you that eating soap will clean your digestive system, they are technically correct, however the way it does so is not so pleasant and is potentially harmful, therefore this thought or suggestion is discarded. 

Even a person with an M.D. behind their name does not necessarily know what is best for you.  Make that determination yourself!  This is a very important point; authority is not necessarily a good thing.  Your power comes from you so be aware of that.  Sometimes it is appropriate to get help from an expert, so by all means do that when you need to.   Get several opinions, listen to your inner voice (the quiet one) and test the idea if you can.  What is “good for you” is up to you!  How you feel about it and how it affects others determines whether it is the right choice for you. 

What happens when you throw a pebble into a pond?  Ripples flow outward correct?  So what if you drink a beer, what happens?  How about drinking 10 beers?  Does this affect others?  The simple fact is that everything we do affects someone.  How about driving down a one way street backwards?  Understanding that we are all One will make these choices very easy. 

Getting drunk and starting a fight is generally thought of as an undesirable outcome.  So is eating a gallon of ice cream and vomiting or getting diarrhea.  Use that powerful tool between your ears to choose your actions, knowing full well what the outcome will be.  Do things that make you and others feel better.  This is not all about you, so keep that in mind.  Unless you understand Oneness then everything is about “You”. 

Oneness is the concept that God is all there is, so that nothing is separate and everything is connected.  The implications of this understanding are in fact changing the world as you read this!  A good way to visualize this is to see everything as energy, which it is.  Even the air is energy since wind can be very powerful.  Thoughts are things too, so as all this energy interacts our world is created.  It is “source energy” flowing through you that creates your life and your mind is the tool. 

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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May 24

I Thought So

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Many in society would have you believe that a certain product is either good or bad for you, so I have to ask you is this true?  Do objects control your life?  Meaning are there harmful and safe items your life depends on? These are deep spiritually philosophical questions that will in fact greatly influence your life.    

It is time to shine the light!  This is all a game, and right now we call it the game of life.  So I would like to make it clear that the game is neither right or wrong, or even win/lose.  It is how you feel about your life.  Simple huh?  Let’s look a little closer though so you know what I am talking about.

What we eat; food, dietary supplements, medicines, and drinks seem to be a big part of our lives, especially in American culture.  Your Mom gives you a glass of orange juice and tells you it is good for you, so you drink it down and it tastes great!  You feel, full, relaxed, energized and satisfied.  So was the drink “good for you”?  Yes, the drink is good for you because the drink made you feel better.  If you drank 5 gallons of OJ this might be different. 

You see a commercial on TV for a super diet aid that will have you lose weight in one month, the price is right and so you buy the product.  What you have just done is tell the Universe that you think you are fat and need to lose weight.  Ok, that established, what next?  The product arrives and you start taking it, just as the instructions tell you to.  A month goes by and you have lost 4 pounds.  Did the product work?  How much weight did you want to lose?  Did you need the supplement to do so?  How do you feel now? 

You can lose 10 pounds just by taking a laxative and not eating for a few days, however the point is how you feel about it is what makes the difference.  The choice is yours!  Some supplements do help you feel better, but why?  Is it because they are changing your body?  Or is it because your mind is making it so?  The body always changes due to a thought, so the mind is what does the deed.  How you think about what you put into your body then facilitates the action of that product. 

High fructose corn syrup is bad for me you think as you drink a soda, why do I drink this stuff?  Each thought is a self fulfilling prophecy dear readers!   Salads are really good for me and I really enjoy eating them…a smile comes on your face…a self fulfilling prophecy!  It works both ways and it works on about anything.  Some thoughts are group thoughts or mass consciousness so it is not only “you” that influence your thoughts.  Please don’t use this as an excuse to blame others however.  It is the law of attraction, what you think about most of the time becomes your reality!  Continued tomorrow…

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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May 20

Past, Present and Future

by Sequoia Elisabeth

When you think about it, time is a transition since we are growing and changing constantly.  How are you handling the “ravages of time”?  Is life getting easier as you gain wisdom and experience along the road?

As far as consciousness is concerned you are a point of light in an ever unfolding conscious universe.  Right now you are aware of a body and surroundings which you claim as your life.  When you wake up tomorrow it will be slightly different because consciousness shifts constantly.  Has anything really changed?  It depends on how you look at it.

As I stated earlier, nothing really moves.  Our conscious perception of this material world shifts all the time though so this creates the experience of moving much the same way watching an IMAX movie gives you the feeling of flying or moving very quickly when you are sitting in the movie theatre.   I believe this is society’s obsession with the movies.   It gives us the chance to test our ideas and experience things we might like.  SecondLife.com does the same thing in a different way.    

So if nothing ever moves and the entire world is illusion, do we age? How about our memories of childhood?  I think of it as the movie of our lives that we are viewing in the first person.  You may be thinking that this world is real and if someone were to shoot you with a .357 magnum you would be dead.  You may experience this but in reality it is like the movies.  You are not really dead!  Your body is dead and the people you leave behind will experience the tragedy; however your life will continue however you decide. 

Some people decide that they have more work they wish to accomplish in this life scenario so they go back and can enter the timeline when they choose, before the death happened or maybe on the table in the hospital ER.  This whole concept flies in the face of conventional teachings, so I can only say that once you experience it by having a Near Death Experience or an Out of Body Experience, then you will understand. 

The concept of time is changing with sciences newest discoveries.  Not only Space is three dimensional, Time is also, which means that we can travel forwards, backwards and sideways in time and space. How is this possible?  Nothing ever moves!  Consciousness creates the perception of motion, so why could it not create you in a different time period?  Once you understand that your body and your mind are simply tools you use to experience this world, it all makes sense. 

I know I may have lost a few of you on this journey.  Please forgive me if I have confused you.  I am growing now also and we all grasp what we can when we can. So I offer this information as I understand it so that your concepts of “reality” are challenged.  Question reality constantly and like any well made movie, enjoy the show!    

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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May 17

Projection Power

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The power of projection

If you read my blogs regularly then you know that I am a big proponent of doing mirror work.  What you may or may not be aware of is the fact that the world is one big mirror.  As you go about your day be aware that you created all that you are experiencing.  More importantly that big jerk who gave you a hard time at the market this morning did you a favor.

He showed you where your thoughts are.  He revealed your insecurities and gave you the opportunity to forgive him knowing full well that he is part of the grand design, while at the same time gaining wonderful insight into issues you need to work on.  It is actually fairly easy to see this dynamic once you are aware of it.

What may be more difficult seeing is the dynamics of personal relationships.  This is especially true for those we love and live with everyday.  When your partner forgets to flush the toilet or they leave their clothes on the bathroom floor, what do you do?  How do you handle this divine gift?  Let’s say you blow up and yell at them complaining that they are a slob and you are tired of always cleaning up after them.  You bluntly ask them “do you think I am the maid”?  What just happened here?

Obviously there was no communication and deeper than that your feelings are a guide.  Often how we feel about our partner is really how we feel about ourselves.  Projection in the psychological sense is “the tendency to ascribe to another person, feelings, thoughts, or attitudes present in oneself.” (Dictionary.com 2010)  This can be tricky, although once you become aware of this tendency, (we all do it to some extent), then your behavior will change and you will have better relationships as a result; not only with others but with your self as well.  Shining the light of awareness on your issues takes the energy out of them.  When you redirect this energy toward loving both yourself and others, the road smooths out. 

On some level even the guy in the market was reflecting your thoughts and feelings.  If someone becomes violent with you it is your own fear that is being reflected.  You are your own worst enemy.  We all deal with fear, however those who consider themselves different in some way, whether it is true or not, need to learn this lesson for surely as you are reading this your feelings boomerang. 

 🙂   Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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May 15

Polyamorous Relationships

by Sequoia Elisabeth

There is nothing more important than having Loving relationships in your life.  Just exactly how you express your love is up to you and is highly personal.  This blog is one possible way to express Love along with a few things to keep in mind when developing your Love life. 

Love is our nature or more specifically Love is who we are.  If you were to strip off every layer of your life; the appearances, the behaviors, and the thoughts, the only thing that would be left is Love or Agape.  Not only is Love the way, it is the essence of your being.  This Love is interchangeable with Joy, Peace and God.  This is in stark contrast to ego love which is possessive, limited, weak and jealous.

If you have any experience with ego love in a relationship then simply understand the difference between ego love and Spiritual Love (love and Love).  Love is based on surrender, trust and gratitude, while love is based on fear, manipulation, and ego centric behavior.  To be in a polyamorous relationship it requires that you be coming from Love. 

Polyamorous simply means multiple Loving intimate relationships with the consent of each and every person involved.  These relationships are more than a one night stand, although they could include those also.  Love is not meant to be limited and when allowed to flow freely keeping it focused in one monogamous direction is like trying to hold a handful of water; the harder you try the less water is left. 

Love as a paradigm and lifestyle emerging now in our society as the new relationship, so I will share my vision of where this is going.  I see the end of marriage as an institution.  Instead there will be soul bonds or spiritual unions which may be two people or more and their gender, race, national origin, etc. will not matter.  The government will not have any say in these bonds and offer no coercion in their formation. (licenses, financial benefits, etc.)  The Church no longer offers judgment as to whether relationships are right or wrong.   They simply support and Love their members.  They will still conduct ceremonies if the Polyamorous partners choose this, although I do not see this as being necessary any longer.   

The Polyamorous paradigm is a world based on Love instead of fear.  It is a world based on oneness, trust and free will.  No one can harm you in this world, and no one would want to.  Relationships are based on sharing loving experience and have no limits.  The relationships are all about gaining a deeper understanding of who you are and experiencing that through your partner. (Which is true today, but comes coupled with all sorts of fears)  If a polyamorous relationship is dissolved it is done in a loving and accepting manner because the relationship is based on goodness and sharing, not attachment.

Relationships are open and consenting because we each come from a place of Love and a desire to express Love.  Children are embraced and raised by the community, not only the parents.  The community is totally symbiotic and each person knows that in Loving and supporting others they are in effect doing so to themselves.  This is what Jesus meant by “Do onto others as you would have done onto you”.  

The Polyamorous paradigm is emerging now because it is time.  The world is ready for this kind of Love.  We have seen ego love enough now to know that it is not who we are.  Now that we know we are Love, let’s express this in all that we do!

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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May 12

Learning To Love

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Now that we know that the secret to all our challenges in life is learning to love your self, how do we go about that?  The suggestions I made in the previous blogs are a good place to start, and the next step along the road is to learn from others.

There is a three tiered process of learning to love others and it begins with plants.  Plants are very simple.  They respond to our loving care by growing stronger and blooming brighter.  You may have noticed that some individuals are great at growing plants and we refer to them as having a ‘green thumb’.  Anyone can have a ‘green thumb’ by loving plants!  This means caring for them, protecting them, and appreciating them. Try this experiment, go to the store and buy a potted plant.  Learn how to care for it and do so by giving it the water, food and light that it needs.  Play soft music for it, talk nicely to it, praise the plant for growing well and for blooming if it has flowers.  Over time the plant will thrive and you can tweak your approach and most importantly create the habit of caring for this plant.  It takes 30 days to create a habit so be faithful to this experiment for at least that long.  In reality the process lasts a lifetime.  Remember to self talk in a positive way, which means to acknowledge to yourself and others how much you love plants and enjoy learning about them.  Once you feel good about growing plants then you can move up to the next level, animals.

Pets are great teachers!  Why do you think so many people have dogs and cats?  We are learning to Love!  Fido and Kitty are our teachers.  In reality any animal can be our teacher as they will respond to our care and attentions appropriate to the animal.  I have a friend who loves snakes and others who are all about fish and aquariums.  Birds make good teachers too, so find the one that works best for you and do the same experiment that you did before with the plant.  This process will likely take much longer and it is often years before we realize our success.  The nice thing about dogs is they are very forgiving and incredibly loving.  Loving a dog could not be easier!  Remember to self talk in a positive way!  So when you feel confident loving your pet then the next step is personal relationships.

Loving another human being takes many forms and we are learning from every person we meet.  Some are teaching how not to love and others are teaching how to love.  The ACIM (A Course In Miracles) says that we are all teachers and students at the same time.  We learn from our children just like they learn from us!  We learn from criminals about what not to do just as they learn from the consequences of their actions.   This is Oneness expressed.  Everyone is learning what love is and is not from everyone and every experience in their life.

Until you learn to love the person in the mirror though you are simply a spectator in the bleachers who is teaching how not to love.  Maybe it is your turn to step out onto the field and play the game of life.  In the process of learning how to love, you become the teacher. 

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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May 11

Embrace Yourself

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Addiction is a dependence on a behavior or sub-stance that a person is powerless to stop. The term has partially replaced the word dependence for substance abuse. Addiction has been extended, however, to include mood-altering behaviors or activities. Some researchers speak of two types of addictions: substance addictions (for example, alcoholism, drug abuse, and smoking); and process addictions (for example, gambling, spending, shopping, eating, and sexual activity). There is a growing recognition that many addicts, such as polydrug abusers, are addicted to more than one sub-stance or process.

Addiction can be a multifaceted state of being but most often it only involves one behavior that is psychologically or physically habit forming to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma and this persistent compulsive activity is harmful to the user or others. 

The question of some behaviors being addictions such as talking too much, collecting memorabilia or habitual crossdressing are debatable as to their harmfulness or severe trauma from quitting.  It is important to understand that an addiction is habitual and harmful to the user and/or others by definition.  It is also important to understand why the addiction began in the first place.

As I explained in the previous blog addictions spring from our desire to hide from our self and this image is all a mirage.  The Divine Truth remains to be discovered by anyone trapped in addiction, so I will offer a road home. 

Do not take addiction lightly as the first tendency is to think you can handle this on your own and this is probably not the case.  Get help, even if it is finding someone to share your fears and concerns with.  It is best to find someone who knows the Divine Truth and can see beyond the illusion. 

Focus on the root cause of the addiction, not knowing how to love yourself.  Love involves acceptance which I think of as embracing the essence of who you are.  One great way to do this is to use affirmations and the other is to do mirror exercises. 

I have been making references to mirror exercises so let’s look at that in detail.  Look at yourself in the mirror and be aware of your feelings.  Direct your thoughts to the positive and say to yourself, “I Love You”.  Do this as often as you can and notice how you feel.  At first it may feel awkward and difficult, just stay with it.  Keep doing it and be gentle with the self talk.  Focus on accepting who you are. 

Affirmations are great for shifting our perception of who we are.  Use this affirmation as often as you can, “I now discover how wonderful I am. I choose to love and enjoy myself.” (Louise Hay 1998).  Once you get really good at this try looking into the mirror and saying the affirmation. 

A large part of our journey here on earth is learning to love.  This love starts with yourself and then we extend it outwards.  Often we make the mistake of trying to love others first and that will end in disaster unless you can learn to love the self, because ultimately we are all one.  So when you love your self you are loving others.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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May 10

Stop Running

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The easiest thing to do when you are faced with something scary is to run away.  Fear is the opposite of love and we always have the choice of experiencing either one or the other like darkness and light.  When you turn on the lights the darkness in the room goes away, it is the same when we love. 

According to the ACIM (A Course In Miracles), our greatest fear is ourselves.  Humans are afraid to know the truth about themselves because they fear the horrible things they have been told about whom they are and how horrible they can be.  I mean Humans actually kill one another in sometimes brutal and vicious ways.  Humans kill animals and eat them.  We allow our children to starve to death.  On a more personal level we have all hurt the ones we love in some way either physically or mentally, so we must be horrible creatures!   

Are we really that horrible?  Is being a vile person a requirement of humanity?  Hardly!  Please do not buy into the illusion and certainly do not run from your self!  The nature of this reality is that our thoughts manifest in ways we are not aware of and the Divine Truth is hidden behind all the fear, pain, and lack we believe in.  Each of us creates our own reality through our thoughts so what you think about that person staring back at you in the mirror is your “truth”. 

It takes courage to look into the mirror and see the Divine Truth…you are looking at God (or your choice of deity).  The road to self love begins with one step and the mirror is a great place to begin!  Now do not get confused here, I am not speaking about loving what you see, that is just a shell and the same goes for everything else in this world.  It is all illusion and we have been born blind!  The Truth is always present and the potential to see it is always available.  You may have had revelations where you actually saw the Truth and those are gifs from angels. 

When I look in the mirror I am aware of my feelings.  I do not judge them as good, or bad I simply feel.  It is the feeling that leads you to who you are and seeing the Divine Person/Truth.  Remember you are made in the image of God. 

For someone who does not know the Truth, fear often jumps in and this is how addictions are born.  We have a void in our lives and we have no idea how to love that person we see in the mirror, much less out in the world, so we run.  We run from ourselves in a vain attempt to escape.  The pain of the illusion is too great so we find a way to escape and the method of choice these days is chemicals that alter our sense of reality.  Addictions come in many forms but they all have fear at the core.  Addiction simply means that your behavior has become habitual and harmful.  Even though you may realize that this behavior is harmful to both you and others it seems that you cannot stop and it also seems like it relieves the pain.

This is what I call a dream within a dream within a dream!  How many layers of deception does it take for you to feel safe from yourself?  Tomorrow we will continue this look at addictions and I will offer a solution. 

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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