Transitions | Oneness Ministry | Page 25

Mothering

by Sequoia Elisabeth

In celebration of Mother’s Day this blog is dedicated to Motherhood. Being a new parent certainly qualifies as a transition and a quite drastic one at that. In nine short months to be the host and caretaker of a new life is one of the grand gifts of human life. At the same time it can be the most overwhelming event in one’s life.

Last week we talked about birth being a transition and it is, so now we are looking at the process from the Mothers perspective. After enjoying the spiritual sexual union that plants the seed of human life, Mom gets to experience the changes for nine whole months. Even though the child is not born yet the blessed woman carrying the seed is a mother. Her responsibilities begin the moment she realizes that she is pregnant.

It is up to Mom to make sure that she conducts her life in a way that supports her unborn child, meaning healthy habits of eating good foods, taking the proper vitamins and exercising. Engaging in physical activity after discovering you are pregnant is a must because this builds your heart strength and ensures that the baby is getting enough oxygenated blood. What you do – your baby does, so do things that are fun! Other activities that support and encourage the unborn child are listening to music that makes you feel good. Be sure to include some classical music like piano and string instruments because the sound vibrations not only stimulate your mind but your child as well. Sexual activity is good for the child, so do not stop that activity just because you are pregnant. Spend time around people you love, like family and friends while avoiding situations that may lead to arguments or bickering.

Once the baby is born relax and let your instincts kick in. Loving, nurturing, caring, altruistic behavior is human nature, so just follow your instincts. To say that another way, listen to that small still voice within that speaks in your mind. If the thought is anything other than loving then sweep it out. Doing your research while the baby is “in the oven” is a good idea so that you will be prepared. Getting advice from family will sort of just happen and it is almost impossible to avoid, so take that with a grain of salt and move on. This means to use the advice that works for you and your child. Remember that everything you do is a reflection or expression of who you are. Being a Mother is an honor to be cherished and enjoyed! Like everything else in life, it comes with its ups and downs. Relish each and every moment for Motherhood is a journey of Love like no other. Happy Mother’s Day!

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Coming Out

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Coming out transgender is received differently than coming out GLB, except for your partner your Gender Identity has more effect on people you know than your Sexual Orientation does. Some people may confuse the two and make assumptions, so I offer these things to be aware of when you make the leap. Plan ahead and make sure you are OK with it first.

Be prepared for shock and disbelief, especially from those closest to you. Think of how shocked you’d have been to learn of something like this about someone you thought you knew very well.
Some will feel angry and betrayed and may judge you harshly. Try to meet their anger with compassionate understanding. Remember that they may be fearful of ‘losing’ someone of great importance in their lives. Recognize that your transition may cause pain and hardship. Acknowledge this pain and avoid being defensive.
Try to resist reacting with anger, as this will only make things worse. Others are justified in feeling angry about your transition, just as you are justified in feeling the need to transition.
At times you may feel euphoric about your self-discovery. Caution against assuming others are feeling the same way about you.
Expect skepticism with regard to the necessity of transitioning. This is a natural reaction – treat it with patience. These days, most people understand that being gay is not a matter of choice and being closeted is not healthy, so it may help to compare the need for gender transition with the need to accept one’s sexual orientation. Treat efforts to “dissuade” you with good humor and respect.
Be prepared for suggestions that your transition is a selfish choice. If you feel you had no other choice, don’t be afraid to say so. Ultimately, only you are qualified to judge this.
Your transition will be bewildering to many, who will look to you to help sort out their feelings. If you maintain a positive, good-humored attitude about your transition, others are more likely to respond in kind. Be positive about how you expect your transition to affect your life. This is very important both for you and for others acceptance.
For many, adjusting to your transition will take some time. Keep in mind that you have spent much of your life dealing with these issues, while most have given them little thought. For those who are disturbed by your transition, taking your time may help more than anything else you could do.
Feel free to offer information about being transgender, but don’t assume that it’s welcome. Make clear that you welcome questions and are happy to discuss your transition. Many are full of questions, may even be fascinated, but are reticent about prying. When explaining transgender, do it with grace and sensitivity – don’t lecture or pontificate.
As a transperson, you probably have thought more about what “gender” means than most folks. Many will learn a thing or two about themselves when you share your experience with them. Remember to be interested in their growth around your transition, just as you want them to be interested in yours.
The type of relationship you establish before you come out will likely have a big effect on how the coming out is received.
Some of your family and friends may celebrate your courage, rejoice in your finding yourself, and congratulate you on your breakthrough. Don’t forget to show them how much their support means to you.

I Bless your journey of Love and offer my assistance if needed. Visit my website, Unity in Gender Diversity for contact info and more information on transition both spiritual and gender related.

I Love YOU, Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Transitions

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Gender is a Rainbow

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Are you man or woman? How about male or female? Just because you are male does that mean that you are a man? What if you have female sexual organs but feel like neither a woman nor a man? Who makes up these rules anyway?

Think of a scale with 0 being in the middle and 100% Male at one end and 100% female at the other. Now stand in the middle and let go. Which way do you move? How far? Are you in the same place as you were a year ago? How about 20 years ago?

Gender Identity is your sense of being man, woman, neither or both. It is a scale of masculinity and femininity which can only be determined by you and your feelings. How do you feel compelled to express yourself? Which roles are you most comfortable in? If you were to ask these questions to every person in the world, you would likely get answers all over the scale with most being near the middle of each direction and only a few at each end, but more in the middle than at the ends.

Gender is a rainbow of identity and everyone falls somewhere on the scale, but not necessarily in congruence with your body. Transgender individuals often fall within the middle 50% of the chart, but opposite of their birth sex. A person who is right in the middle would be considered androgynous.

You may be asking, “This is all fine and dandy, but how does this affect me?” This matters because it affects your relationships and how you relate to others. The person you meet at work or at the mall may appear to be male or female but in fact be transgender. Putting that person into a box is the temptation and often in our society it is the teaching. What I am asking of you here is to see the rainbow and accept it. We all are going to have a different gender identity so it only makes sense to honor the differences while seeing the similarities. You have many ways of relating to this person and gender is but one.

See what you have in common with the person you are talking with, meeting for the first time, or sitting next to on the bus. Our gender identity is expressed in the way we dress, talk, and act. If this happens to be different than you, which most of the time it will be, accept them and find out who they are before putting them in a box or labeling them.

No matter what label or box they end up in make it OK and live by the golden rule. Now that you understand gender apply the same guidelines to sexual orientation and please do not assume you know one or the other. Sexual Orientation has little to do with ones Gender Identity!

Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Transitions

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Mindful Living

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transitions can be intense and very challenging of all our faculties. Just like any threatening event our fight or flight defense mechanism kicks in and our body is pumped up with adrenaline and endorphins. Our mind interprets the changes we are experiencing as a threat whether it is one or not. This feeling to most people feels good and so we get caught up in drama.

Being alert is one thing, but being aware is very different. Alertness is an animal instinct that often turns on all by itself to protect the body. Awareness though is different in that it is a cognitive process and a conscious choice. While it is a good thing to have our animal instincts protecting us, they can sometimes get us into trouble by reacting to situations that are ultimately non-threatening. We get around this situation by being mindful of what is happening in our lives at all times.

Mindfulness is the state of being totally aware. It is an act of presence and being present in the here/now. The Buddhists teach a technique called mindfulness practice which I find helpful. Take a deep breath in through your nose and hold for a count of ten, then release slowly to a count of ten through the mouth. While you are doing this, be aware of your body, how the air feels moving, the chair you are sitting on, is it soft or hard? Be aware of the lighting, the temp, and all of your surroundings. Do this in a calm detached fashion sort of like slow motion.

With practice this technique will enhance your experience of life and also make you calmer. The transgender person has many challenges and changes in their lives, however it does not mean that you have to be at the mercy of the life around you. If we embrace the challenges in our life they work to force us into a state of mindfulness.

This is where transgender or any challenge that is always with us, often this means physical, can be a great tool in mindfulness practice. Make your life’s ups and downs into an asset by being aware and present in the moment as often as you can. They call this mindfulness practice for a reason. It takes time to develop this skill, but when you do, the rewards are indeed vast.

I believe that this is part of the transformation process and a good reason why anyone would choose difficulty in their life. The payoff is an enlightened mind, when fully utilized. So embrace your transition and stay aware – feel your feelings and emotions. Your life is a gift from you.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Death, The Final Transition

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Death is a transition that many of us are either curious about almost to the point of obsession or afraid of the very mention of the word. I for one have always been of the former group. So let me share what I have learned in my many years here on earth.

Before we can understand death we must understand life. Life is a state of consciousness where you are aware of here and now. Death on the other hand is a totally different state of consciousness. The best example of this is when you go to sleep. It is said by some that when you sleep that it is a form of death and that the sleep state is a stopover between two worlds. Again the dream world is another state of consciousness where we are in touch with our soul.

If you want to know what it is like to die – go to sleep. I am sure some of you may have a differing opinion and you would be correct, because we each have our own concept of reality. Again there are some good books that go into this subject of dying and life after death. My favorite is Neale Donald Walsch’s book, Home with God in a Life that Never Ends. In this book he states that you never do die, you merely change consciousness.

If you knew that you never die, what would you do differently in this lifetime? What does change is the life experience you are having now with all its conditions, situations, limitations, and experiences. These things are changing constantly and it is our concept of who we are, our beliefs and perceptions that create this world that we see and experience. Judge not lest ye be judged is an old bible saying that fits here very well. Life is to be lived not judged good or bad.

What exactly happens when we die? It really depends on what you believe, literally. If you believe that you are going to hell for whatever reason, then this is what you will experience. Or if you believe that you are going to heaven then you will experience your version of that. Perception and belief really is king and if you ever what to know what you believe then simply look around you! You created it all.

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Birth, The Ultimate Transition

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The ultimate Transition is the first 9 months of your life. I have often wondered why we celebrate our birthday when the Big Day is conception. I figure it is simple logistics, we often do not know when we were conceived, however our birth is a clear cut event which we can document. So we are having Birthday parties every year instead of Conception Parties.

Let’s take a closer look at Birth. Our soul groups have a party in heaven or wherever you believe our souls reside before we are born to decide on where, who, and what experiences we need in the next lifetime. We choose our parents, siblings, children and our role in life. We also choose a purpose or lesson to experience during our lifetime. All of this is done before we are born and I must recommend a great book on this topic by Thomas Youngholm, The Celestial Bar Food & Spirits: A Spiritual Journey.

Your parents meet and follow their destinies. In that moment of impassioned union where their two souls join as one your spirit enters this world in one fell swoop of compassion! This union is sacred and has opened the door for another blessed soul to enter this world, so I ask you what is not to be celebrated about this?

For 9 months your Human body develops and grows following the path that was agreed upon in the time before time. Slowly but surely you develop into the person you are destine to be. Your Mother carries you and gives you all the love you need to be the person you have chosen to be. And then comes the day of your arrival to the greater world of life on earth.

Birth is a painful process for both the mother and the child, although they both have angels who are assisting the momentous event. Depending on how each person in the process views the birth is how they experience it. We are thrust out into a cold cruel world crying from the shock of it all and spanked right away “to assist breathing”. Only later being wrapped in a blue or pink blanket depending on what appears between your legs. Or We are pulled into a warm loving world. Birthed in a warm water bath and quickly tucked into a warm neutral colored blanket and cradled by both Mom and Dad who give you a loving welcome to this world.

There is no doubting that the first 9 months of our lives are the most dramatic transformative events in our journeys here on earth beginning in passion and moving through pain and glory off and on for the entirety. Celebrate each milestone with equal Joy and vigor. Change is good 😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Sexual Orientation

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Sexual expression comes in many different flavors, and is possibly as unique as the number of people on our beautiful blue planet. The old school wants us to conform to the old ‘boy meets girl, girl has baby’ scenario and while that does serve its purpose as a race we are moving beyond that. The world may appear to be a binary system with only men and women, but I can assure you it is not.

Sexual orientation is an aspect of gender that Dr. Carl Bushong describes as “Brain Sex”. ‘Our love/sex patterns, and how we relate to others on a social and interpersonal as well as sexual level, often referred to as our “Sexual Orientation”.’ (1995) This aspect, like gender identity, is hard wired from birth, which means our brains, being much like a computer, are programmed to be attracted to certain physical attributes, genders and personalities.

To restrict every person on the planet, all 6.8 Billion +, to being either heterosexual or homosexual is unrealistic. Instead it is much more feasible that each person on earth has their own unique sexuality which falls into several categories. The categories as they exist today are, heterosexual, homosexual, asexual, bisexual, and pansexual. There are a few other words being used but overlap these so I will stick with this list. Within each category will be a sliding scale so that each person falls somewhere on the scale and is not necessary stuck exactly in that spot, although they will stay within a category.

Just briefly hetero means opposite sex attraction, homo means same sex attraction, (a) means no sex attraction, (bi) means both sexual attraction, and pan means all sexual attraction. I do not like the term bi sexual because it implies there are only two sexes, male and female. This is the old world paradigm and no longer works (if it ever worked). Pansexual includes everyone and applies to anyone that is sexual but not strictly attracted to the opposite or same sex.

The whole labeling game gets a little absurd after a while because the terms become contradictory and putting people into boxes is both confining and inaccurate. For instance, a transwoman who is attracted to women is lesbian or are they heterosexual since they were born into a male body? And what about the woman who was attracted to this person not realizing they were transgender? Does that make them a lesbian? So what if it does?

The world is coming out! We are becoming more aware of gender identity and sexual orientation, which is leading to more understanding and eventually to more acceptance. I ask only that you stay away from the labels as much as possible and simply love the person. This is why I like the Pansexual label best because it is defined as “A sexual orientation characterized by the potential for aesthetic attraction, romantic love and/or sexual desire for people, regardless of their gender identity or biological sex.” (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pansexuality#English 2010)

Who you are attracted to should not be grounds for discrimination. Could you imagine if the world judged you on the grounds of your attraction to hair color? “Oh you like redheads, uggg or ewww”! Being gay or lesbian is no different since you have no business what they do behind closed doors. LOVE the person and stop separating! We are One, one big family of Human.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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What Next Cont.

by Sequoia Elisabeth

By loving a transgender person you have embarked on a grand journey of discovery that has no bounds. We are all on a journey to discover who we are. In the process of thinking and doing, we see who we are not. Along the way many personas emerge, and with each step you are closer to who you really are. In the end we discover that there is really only one, and this is GOD.

Who you are attracted to guides you closer to discovering your inner self. Since the world is an inside job, we must look within to find the source. We do this by looking around us and discovering what we are creating! It is much like a house of mirrors that distorts and exaggerates our true nature. This is where we resort to our feelings and let them guide us because our eyes betray.

Close your eyes and connect to your feelings right now. I will wait. …. Take a least a minute to feel deep inside. Identify each feeling and simply acknowledge it. Maybe it is calm, maybe it is anger, maybe it is affection but no matter what it is say “I see you, and all is well”. Be careful not to judge here, but simply observe. Make a list of all the feelings you observe and yes this may take longer than one minute, it is worth every second. The deeper you look the more you will find, so let consciousness flow. Now set this list aside for later use and go about your day, still making no judgments. Anger is not bad and loving affection is not good, unless you say so, which just happens to be the next step.

Somewhere in that soup of feelings are desires and dreams. Get in touch with those next and this can be done at any time, but usually best when things are quiet. Notice what feels good and what seems to cause pain. Certain thoughts or dreams will excite you and make you feel lighter, write these down. Other thoughts will scare you and can be painful, write these down also. Action is not required at this stage so just relax and feel. Take your time and keep these writing in a journal or diary. It is important to come back to them at some point though.

The next step is to embrace these feelings and explore each one all the while being aware of your thoughts, emotions and feelings. If you are male but have the desire to dress as a woman then do so and get help if needed there are links on my website. If you are female but feel that you should have a penis then try one on, most XXX video stores have strap-ons you can purchase(for adults only!). Take your time and notice how you feel along the journey. If you are adolescent then it is even more important to take your time and not to run from your feelings. Write to me if you need someone to talk to, I am happy to help.

This process of looking within and feeling your feelings can take a lifetime, so do not get discouraged. Remember it is about loving all of your aspects and simply being who you are. Let go of expectations and relax, simply be yourself!

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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What Next?

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Having decided that you are indeed transgender, what next? For those who do not know, it is not always easy to accept that you are different than most people. I mean we grow up knowing who we are and relating to the world through our eyes but we do not know what a woman is supposed to feel like or how a man is supposed to feel. We have no frame of reference as a child.

Gender is something that only the individual can decide or more accurately discover! I am speaking of gender identity which has little to do with sexual orientation. That will be an entirely different blog. Our physical sex does not determine our gender identity and I have a great article explaining all that here on my website.

There is an innate feeling of misalignment for the transgender person, however so many of us want to fit in believing that this determines our love. We often think that acceptance comes from people around us like our parents and siblings. I am here to tell you that it does not. Acceptance comes from within our own minds and hearts after we have come to terms with our true nature. While transgender may be a variation of natural selection it is not wrong, bad, a disorder or a disease. It is simply who you are!

Once you have discovered who you are, and transgender individuals often have a sense of this at an early age, the journey becomes accepting yourself; loving the differences while noticing the similarities also, because acceptance is loving the whole package. Honor the feelings you have inside by allowing them to express. Look deep inside and embrace your findings with courage. If you need help along the way ask! This inner journey is something that everyone must do in order to grow and to expand their understanding of who they are.

If you are someone who loves a transgender person then I salute your choice and your bravery. Love is not about right or wrong it is about discovery of the deeper self. It is a two way journey and a blessing for everyone participating. Love is unconditional and it often chooses us, by this I mean we fall into it quite unknowingly. Once there it can be a wonderful and magical experience when embraced. The unknown can be scary so let me assure you that nothing but good comes from Love. To be continued….

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Growth Can Be Violent

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transition is all about growth and this growth comes at a price, so it is important to know how this growth works. During transition it can appear there’s no growth and that all is falling apart. When you get to this point all is well because you are leaping to the next level!

The way growth or evolution happens is that life gets ever more complicated and stressful to a point where you can no longer stand it and you POP or breakdown. This breakdown is the no man’s land between levels of growth and while it may be scary it is not a bad thing, and in fact it is a very good thing! After the breakdown our minds re-order in such a fashion as you can now handle the increased stress and complexity and it may appear that you have stepped back, but you have not. Your perception has moved forward. (This is sort of like when your computer locks up and you have to re-boot.)

Resistance is futile! Cro-Magnon man resisted this change and therefore perished. It was not because Cro-Magnon man did anything wrong though, it was destiny with the evolution of Homo-sapiens. Consciousness took the most expanded path, Cro-Magnon collapsed and Homo-sapiens took over as a more evolved species. I believe we are going through similar changes now, and will continue going through for years to come. The leap will occur in 2012.

The computer is a good example of this growth or evolutional phenomenon. When we first get our computer it runs really fast and can do so many things, WOW. We are impressed with all the capabilities and then after about a year or two the computer seems to be running slower and doing less, but it has not changed, YOU have. What do you do to remedy the situation? Either you must not change or you must get a computer that can keep up with your mind, because your mind has expanded beyond the level of the computer’s abilities. You can think of your computer as an extension of your mind and use it to grow.

This is why we need to update our software so frequently and get new hardware every few years, we are growing at a phenomenal rate right now and this rate will be increasing too! I have already noticed changes in my perception and an expansion of my abilities. Just knowing this has made my transition so much easier. When I hit a wall now, I just laugh and say great I am ready for a Leap! We will be making many leaps in the time to come, so hold on for the ride.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Affirmative Thought

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The use of positive affirmations to manifest your desires is somewhat like praying but with a big difference. When you pray to God or anything else you put your power outside yourself and out of your control. God is not outside you but in, through and one with you. God is not separate!

This little detail makes a world of difference in the results you experience. When God is no longer outside you, there is no authority to judge you and send you to Hell or any other bad thing. This has always been true but possibly not always your experience. The ego mind is creating those “bad” things in order to prove itself right, “see you can die, we are separate” would be the ego thought pattern. Or “I am a bad person for being different – I am freak.” This is all illusion made up by your ego mind.

Knowing the Truth will set you free! The Truth is that you are a blessed child of God/Goddess/Universal Mind. The way you can use this truth for your betterment and the betterment of the world is to affirm this Truth. Affirmations are a great way to shift your thinking to the positive and create habits of seeing the good in everything.

There are a couple of ways of using affirmations, but the simplest is to just notice the positive truth. “I am a beautiful woman/man/person” stated over and over seeds itself into your conscious mind, then filters down to the unconscious mind where it is manifest. You see if these thoughts are not in your unconscious mind then they are not manifest. You can say “I am a millionaire” for years and years, but if you do not believe it to the point of it being an unconscious truth then you will not experience it, even though it is true.

The next way to say an affirmation is to reason with yourself like this:

“I know there is one infinite loving universal intelligence and it is all there is.

Since it is all there is I must be a part of that oneness, which makes me perfect, whole and complete.

My abundance is constant and ever flowing as is my wisdom and vibrant health. Peace and loving relationships come easy for me as they are the natural flow of life. I am expressing divine feminine in all that I do, while still honoring the masculinity from which I spring. Creative self-expression is one way in which I enrich the world around me. My understanding is that all which comes my way is here to deepen my appreciation and enjoyment of the world, so I step forward each day with Love and hopeful anticipation. I am Woman, Perfect, Whole and Complete!”

This statement can be left this way as a good affirmation or extended into a complete prayer by adding the following:

Anything that appears to be contrary to this is false and I allow it to fall away naturally. I go with the flow….

Because the greater truth about me is that I am woman – sexy, loving, vibrant, accepting and understanding, I rest in gratitude. When I speak my feminine voice is heard!

For this awesome truth I give thanks in this knowing.

I now release these words that they may resonate through the cosmos and do their good and effective work!

And so it is. (Amen)

Be creative and edit this prayer to your Truth, make it yours. Remember that the more often an affirmation is said the more seeds are planted in the conscious mind. Feel the truth of it. Feel the Joy! All else is let go.

One more method of using affirmations is to surround yourself in these statements, pasting them on the computer, on the walls, on the calendar, on the dashboard of your car, on the mirror, on the fridge, etc. Say things that you wish to experience more of; statements that are in line with your desires. For instance, I love you, I am abundantly wealthy, I can easily afford a new car, I am happy being me, Learning is fun and easy. Don’t worry about what appears to be true or not true, only about what you desire. I think you get the idea, so have fun with this.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

Physical Energy

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Part two of this series on creative methods of coping with transition. Do you love to exercise? Well, even if you don’t the very act of being physically active will boost your energy and help to release any anxiety you may have. Remember that an object in motion tends to stay in motion, so the more active you are the more energy you will have. Of course it helps to enjoy yourself while you are exercising.

Joy compounds the benefits tremendously, so find an activity that you enjoy. The options are almost endless, so be creative and experiment some. Personally I enjoy walking about as much as anything, bicycle riding used to be a favorite as did swimming. I find as I am aging that walking works the best for me in the most environments. The environment in which you do your activity will make a difference also, so choose a place that you like and are comfortable in. Even if you are in the city there are places to walk like parks , malls, gyms or the neighborhood. If you live on a farm you are most likely getting plenty of exercise doing the daily chores, but if not get out and have some fun! Gardening is a great way to boost your energy also.

Both the physical activity and being with the beauty of nature combine to really boost our energy! For those who are not aware of how the human body works, it can get pretty complex so let’s just keep it simple. As we move, our bodies use oxygen to fuel the cell functions in our various organs. The more we move, the more we burn energy and the more oxygen is needed, so the heart and lungs are working harder and harder. The lungs bring in the air and oxygen is diffused into the blood which is pumped by the heart to the organs of the body. With practice the body gets used to this activity and is able to handle more and more activity to a point that is only determined by the mind.

This is evident in the fact that athletes are constantly breaking speed, endurance and skill records! We are expanding our limits and broadening our beliefs. The other thing that is happening at a physical level is the brain is releasing chemicals such as endorphins that regulate our perception of pain or discomfort. These chemicals are very beneficial to our overall health and can be released in other ways as well, such as sexual pleasure and meditation. There are many good books out on the mind body connection so if you are interested in this just visit the library or surf the net.

No discussion of physical energy creation would be complete without the inclusion of Tantra. Tantra’s come in many powerful forms of ritual action but one of the more popular would be sexual tantra such as the Kama Sutra. When two people come together in sexual passion an incredible amount of energy is released. Once this is experienced though it can be addictive if a person does not know the source of the energy, so do not take this path lightly. Joy is the goal, a feeling of oneness with all there is, so focus on that and know that we are conduits to this energy. Our purpose is to feel, or experience with all our senses and be aware of Source! We can use such experiences as Tantric Sex as a marker or guide to what it feels like to be one with all there is. As we focus on the feeling during meditation we are guided to the Joy of Spirit. As we revisit that feeling it is possible to orgasm simply by imagining it! Some say that Heaven feels like one big long Orgasm. I think I am ready….

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

Art in Transition

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Creativity is a great tool for coping with transition. In this two part series about creative methods of coping with transition I will cover art, appreciation, music, exercise and other physical activities. Any activity you Love will boost your energy. The important thing is that you are doing things you love to do on your own free will. As far as activities go, being creative is always an energy booster. Creativity does not come from us but through us, so as Great Spirit flows through us it creates magnificent things and in the process lifts the energy level of both ourselves and others. The list of ways to be creative is extensive!

“The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” Henry David Thoreau

Art is a wonderful way to be creative. Ever since mankind began to draw on cave walls art has been an important method of raising our spirits. As we evolve, our methods of creating have evolved and we have come a long way in 40 thousand years!

Art includes everything from painting and sculpture to music and theatre. Even crafts or cooking would be considered art by many. Remember it is the creative energy that flows through us that is important. It is up to each of us just how we use art and if we for some reason believe that we are not artists the simple act of appreciation raises the energy of both the artist and the observer.

In fact, I would go so far as to say that without appreciation art is just a thing, so the more people who can appreciate the artistic creation, the more energy that is created. Thus is the reason for Art galleries, shows, and displays. When we put art in our home and we enjoy it on a daily basis the effects can be very profound. Love is a key ingredient to any creation.

As we are creating and loving our creation the energy of Love is released. For example, an artist paints a beautiful scenic watercolor and as she does this she is imaging this beauty surrounding her and she puts that feeling into her work. When she is done and satisfied with the results she shares the painting with others either by selling it or giving it as a gift. Then each person that views the painting experiences the beauty and elated feeling the artist felt, thus adding to the energy. The more people who enjoy this experience the greater the energy created, or the brighter the shine so to speak. This all goes for whatever form of art you enjoy.

Music lifts the spirits almost every time and that is why you hear music so much in public places, especially retail places. Of course we go to concerts, live theatre, and parties for the same reason. They help us feel better! These events are literally raising our energy through our participation in the flow of life or put another way, the give and receive of life. I guess we could just call it the cycle of life and appreciate life on a grander scale. We must remember that what we put out we get back, so the energy we put into our creations and our participation will determine to a large extent the experience our art produces!

Now nothing is set in stone and if another person loves your art, while you feel it is awful then their energy will increase the energy proportional to their appreciation, i.e. love for the art piece. Life is a group effort and a wonderful way to raise the energy of the world is to appreciate all that you see. The very word “appreciate” means to raise in value. How simple it is to appreciate all that you see around you! This is done by honoring the effort and vision that went into creating anything and everything. The saying “credit where credit is due” makes a lot of sense, so remember that we are one and what “another” created comes from the same place you do! The choice to create is a choice to live!

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Dream a Little Dream

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transitions are always a part of our lives, it just depends on which one takes front stage at the time. Many of us are transitioning jobs, homes and families these days and the reasons for this are many and complex, however on the larger scale I would say the whole world is transitioning!

As is predicted with the 2012, Age of Aquarius, we are going through a time of great change which is touching each of us deeply. This opportunity to experience something that only happens every 25,000 years is quite remarkable. I am not sure you grasp the significance of this, and I am not sure I do completely. What I do know is that life is changing and will never be the same again.

Stay awake and aware of your role in this process. Know that your choices do matter, literally. Have you noticed that it is easier to manifest your desires? That your wishes are coming true faster and with greater accuracy? As the days go by to the quickly approaching Age of Aquarius the possibilities will turn into probabilities and the probabilities will turn into certainty. Now is the time to become a believer if you were not before. Hold on to your dreams now more than ever!

I cannot stress how important it is that you stay focused on your dreams and that you think about what works for you. What do you really want? Notice how you feel after you get it. It is human nature to yearn for something better, more or greater. So let’s put our sights on perfection. This is where many of us loose our way. Life already is perfect for this moment, and each moment is expanding, so it is the nature of the Universe to grow, improve, expand, gain complexity, be perfect in that moment. Your life cannot help but improve!

Your thoughts are directing the flow, so are you staying positive? Focusing on your desires, wants and needs? Or are you getting side tracked with saving the world or building an empire? It is important to set your priorities in this time of drastic and quickened change. Think not only of yourself but what is best for everyone on earth. As you wish for yourself, so will others experiences be. We are all in this together!

A personal observation has been that what I desire I see other people experiencing. For instance, I buy a lottery ticket and I pick up the newspaper to read an article about a homeless man who won the jackpot. Or I say a prayer that I get a new car and a friend is talking about her new car she just got. It is all in divine order! We truly are One, so you see why it is important to be positive and dream wonderful dreams for all the world. We are all in this together, and it is not about you, but about them!

Spirituality Transitions

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Guilty by Association

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Our thoughts are more powerful than we know and one of the principles which can assist us on our transition is “guilt by association”. When you are aware of this principle you can use it to your advantage instead of suffering its consequences.

This principle works by proximity, be it thought or physical location. Whomever or whatever we associate with we become like. The reason for this is we learn from our surroundings and the behavior of those we spend time with. This learning is unintentional most of the time, however when used constructively it can be very powerful. The concept of apprenticeship works this way. When we wish to learn something new the best way is to find a teacher who can show you the “ropes”.

For instance, a person transitioning from male to female will benefit from being around other MtoF transsexuals and other women. You may have heard the expression, “hanging out with persons of like mind”, which is precisely what we are discussing here. This concept can be used in a variety of ways.

For those who desire to start their own business, finding others who are in that business to associate with will make their likelihood of success so much greater. Or if you are quitting smoking then you will want to stay away from other smokers and places that are associated with smoking like the bar or buddies who smoke.

You may remember stories of gangs like “West Side Story” or “Boyz in da Hood” and if you hang out with a particular group then you are guilty by association! Be careful the groups you hang out with and make sure you wish to be like them. This goes in every situation whether it is on the playground, at church or at work. I suggest hanging with people you want to be like, so if you desire to be successful then hang with successful people. If you like art then hang out with artists, take classes in art, collect art, go to art parties. This process should be fun when you are using it consciously.

To close my discussion of this principle I will make a gentle warning. If you associate with people who like to “raise a ruckus” like activists for example, then do not be surprised if you get more attention than you like. Things can quickly go from fun to being arrested for disturbing the peace or worse. If you see things going too far it is up to you to decide it is enough and put a stop to it. The best method is to simply leave. Just be aware of who you are and who you are hanging out with and ask yourself, is this who I am?

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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The Art of Observation

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The art of observation is our best tool in transition. Children and babies use this technique and so should we. So what do I mean “the art of observation”? It is really very simple and it goes like this. Of course we must know what our desired result is to start with. It is like writing a good book, you start with the ending!

Let’s use the example of male to female transition. I know I am a woman in a male body, so I hold a vision of the woman I feel myself to be. I may even get a picture and keep it with me. I share my vision with others who are supportive. I desire to express myself more appropriately as the woman I am, however since I have a male body I have learned how to be a man not a woman. By using the art of observation I simply observe women in action, walking, talking, getting angry, laughing, smiling, working, dressing, shopping etc. It is good to choose a woman who you would like to be like, a role model. Most of us use our mothers since we see them every day and this is precisely what I did. I have always known I was like mom so she is the one I learned from just as any daughter would do, even though she thought I was her son.

She taught me to coordinate colors and styles, how to cook, how to clean, and all the usual housekeeping tasks because she wanted me to be self sufficient. What she did not realize is that she taught me how to act like a lady in public, how to walk like a lady, hand & body gestures, ways of styling my hair, going to the salon every 2-3 wks, and the list goes on. You get the idea now, that we watch our role models every move and copy it! The result will be as good as our choice in role models. We will obviously have our own personality, likes and dislikes, however even most of these are learned from our parents and family or the people we are around the most. If you were raised by your grandmother then she will be who you learn from.

If there are traits you do not like, then you can pick and choose just as you would in a buffet line! You may decide that you wish to be like Lady Gaga or Madonna, it really does not matter. Just be observative and in the end you will create the person of your dreams. The secret to it all is being aware enough to make the observations consciously so that you can incorporate them into your behavior. Be very attuned to detail and notice the small things. Life is full of nuance and that is the beauty of it all. For more on awareness check out this article on Unity in Gender Diversity.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Is It Time?

by Sequoia Elisabeth

How do I know I am ready to transition? What do you think about when you wake up in the morning? What are you thinking about when you go to bed? Are you thinking about it all through the day? In this case you probably already have started your transition. I of course am speaking of transitioning from male to female or female to male in order to express ones gender identity.

Many people who are not transgender ask the question, why do you need to transition at all? To many TG’s the answer is obvious but let me just clarify. Being transgender is living a lie unless we can express ourselves as who we truly are. We need to transition as much as anyone needs to be understood and loved! If you can imagine going through life without love, never being understood, not being able to express your ideas, and not being able to live your visions and dreams, then you know what it is like to not transition.

There is an energy expressing in us, through us, as us and to withhold that energy is impossible. It must be released or the person dies, or harms another. It really is very simple, are you being the person of your dreams? If not, then why? Are you fulfilling your destiny? If you are truly a transgender person and you are living your birth sex then no you are not fulfilling your destiny.

This is not something that pops up at the age of 35 or 40 all of sudden. This is something that has been with you since birth and you have been denying it. If you have no memory of having gender doubt or feelings of not being in the right body then you are not transgender. And I mean constantly for years and not just a few times.

The important thing is to live your life authentically and be true to who you are inside. In order to do this you must be honest with yourself. And you must get to know yourself. Some of us are so busy living stereotypes and expectations of others we don’t even know who we are. Being alone is very important for this and I would suggest taking a camping trip or weekend in a remote place with no electronics. Simply be with yourself, feel your feelings, write your thoughts down, find things that you enjoy. How are you creative? What are your best features? What would you like to share about yourself with the world?

Once you figure out who you are, then share that with those closest to you. Find those who are supportive and be willing to let go of those who are not, and this sometimes means letting go of those closest to you, parents, children, spouses, family. You deserve to be loved and appreciated for who you are! Please do not hide from the world. You are loved and our purpose here is to share that love. Being Transgender is a gift, just like being a genius or a natural athlete. If all the above describes you then maybe it is time to transition.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

Self Talk

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Your greatest tool and worst bandit. In a way this Blog is self talk, lol. What are you saying to your self? The voice within our head is what I call your ego voice or man’s voice. This is the voice which is easy to hear and does not want to shut up!

Whether you listen to this voice is up to you. And by listen I mean act on the advice the ego doles out. When I act on this voice and sometimes I do, it is with as much awareness as I can muster. By shining the light of awareness on ego actions we can nullify the negative effects much the same as done when we forgive our transgressors. It is like shining a light into a dark room without placing judgment on what we see.

With conscious effort you can guide your self-talk to take you where you wish to be instead of being at ego’s whim. If the ego is telling you something you would prefer not to hear then choose something else. Many of us do this by listening to music or watching TV. The other ways are by creating something, making dinner, painting, playing games, and anything that occupies the mind.

Some people slip into the negative realm when they attempt to escape this ego voice by outside means such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and harder drugs. Any activity that is destructive is considered the negative realm and while it is not bad, (nothing is bad or good lest you say it so) it does lead down a long dead end street. There are many twists and turns down this road and it is easy to get lost.

Finding your way back can be done with help and on a rare occasion it can be done alone. From my earlier teachings, what you focus on grows. This means that the further you venture down that destructive road the longer the trip home is. Self talk is one of those things that will lead you down that road if you are not consciously aware.

What I am suggesting here is to use that same self talk as a tool to bring yourself home. By focusing on the positive and constructive our lives are transformed. Complement yourself constantly and speak favorably of your self as often as you can. Do this even with others, just be careful not to boast (boasting is negative and makes you feel bad afterward). Look in the mirror and tell that lovely person that you love them. I love You. Focus on what you enjoy. Find things to do that are fun! Sometimes we must do things that are not so much fun, and that is ok, still tell yourself that it is only temporary and that you can handle anything. Life is going to throw us curve balls and it is up to us whether we re-act from fear or act from love.

Make a list of all your best features and traits, make a list of what you enjoy doing, and remember to focus on the positive. If sometimes you slip then restate in the positive and go right on with your life. Forgive, forget and stay positive!

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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The Essence of Transition

by Sequoia Elisabeth

So what is transition really? Ok, so it is a change, but what does that mean? Change is the most constant force in the Universe! By transition do we mean a flower blooming? Or a child growing to an adult? Not really, although those can be thought of as transitions. Let’s go deeper and be a bit more specific. The transition I am speaking of today is gender.

In one way the transition is not about change at all, but about awareness. Just being aware of what already is. Our core person does not change; it is who we are. Like peeling the layers of an onion the transition journey is about looking deeper within and throwing away the false self. We have many false identities not just one. Getting caught up in this outer world is so easy with all the roles we have thrust upon us.

“Real” gender transition is about removing the false persona, or male identity (for MtoF) which we created to “fit” into the world based on the existing rules. Removing the veil and allowing our authentic self to emerge is what the journey is all about. Growing up takes time so transition does not happen overnight, however it does happen a lot faster than the first time around, unless you are one of the lucky ones who have not allowed the veil to be drawn. When we start young the false persona is not created, but we still must be aware of our authentic self and make sure that is who we are expressing.

Transition is a natural process that really needs no assistance other than deep awareness. Are you aware of how you feel? What makes you happy? Have you walked down that road and deeply enjoyed the journey? If you are male transitioning to female then dress up and see how it feels. Know as much as you can what you are getting into (or vice versa guys). Letting go of your male persona is like trying to escape a swarm of mosquitoes! It can drive you insane!

Sometimes guidance is necessary along the way, so please get help if you can. Discovering the aspects of you that are false can be a long road and not an obvious one. The most important aspect of the transition journey is to be authentic and natural. Authenticity involves following your bliss, and doing that which brings Joy to your heart. Let go of any desire to play a role or attempt to fit other people’s expectations. It is not about being black or white (male or female), but about showing your true colors!

Blessings on your journey of Love 🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Transitions

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Sexual Attraction

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Sexual orientation is sometimes confused with gender identity, so I would just like to make it clear that they are different aspects of every human. It could be that they are aspects for dolphins and apes too, however since I don’t speak those languages I really have no way of knowing.

The big difference with Sexual orientation (SO) is who we are attracted to and gender identity (GI) is who we feel ourselves to be. Neither is determined by anyone but yourself, so do not let anyone, doctor, parent, partner or friend tell you your S.O. or G.I. It is up to you to tell whomever you are comfortable telling and only when you are ready. Attraction is an innate function of our being that we do not have to do anything to have, however sometimes knowing what it is can be confusing, especially for young adults.

Friendship attraction is different than sexual attraction and I believe many people confuse them. I make this statement based on internet sites like yahoo.answers.com. So many young folks are asking if they are gay or lesbian because they are attracted to a person of the same sex. As a transsexual woman I can relate to this more than you know. There are so many beautiful people in the world, it is hard not to be attracted to them. During the young years when our libido is revving up this is especially so.

Knowing the difference can be a level of degree. Meeting someone and having a good feeling inside, but not necessarily intense feelings is the first stage of attraction. This is common and can be felt with every person you meet. Finding a person visually attractive, pleasantly smelling, and fun to be around is the second degree which I will call friendship attraction. Sexual attraction is the overwhelming desire to touch another person, either with your hands, by a kiss, through sexual intercourse or a combination of all the above! It is important to understand that this attraction is unmistakable, and if you doubt your feelings then they probably fall into the friendship level of attraction.

My new book will be going into more detail about attraction, love, sex and sexuality, so keep an eye open for that. I realize that this is an over simplification of the levels involved. Attraction, like gender can be put on a spectrum scale where one end has repulsion, and range all the way to obsession. The points of this blog are not to place judgment on where you fall on this scale and instead give yourself permission to love whomever you choose. Love is the way.

Along with Loving whomever you choose comes responsibility and with that levels of maturity. Love is a two way street so if “the apple of your eye” is not responding, then what you are feeling is ego love or manmade love. True love is of Great Spirit or God and when you feel this it is returned to you 10 fold. This is how you will know when it is true Love. One of the roughest transitions we go through is maturing enough to know true love when you experience it. There is no limit to whom or how many times you can have this experience. Joy is the key and is felt within your heart.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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