Transitions | Oneness Ministry | Page 28

Connections

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transitions are really coming into focus for many people these days on many different levels. Even myself who is going through a major transition from Male to Female, is experiencing other transitions also. My Spiritual transition is really peaking now and I feel like my life is totally being re-fashioned. When I sit and what TV, I notice people who are transitioning in many areas of their lives as well. We are changing jobs, careers, going back to school, eating more nutritious foods, changing the way we move around, being more conscious of our consumption, and watching less TV, while spending way more time on the computer or internet to be specific.

Now days my life is centered around my computer which I feel is a good thing and has to do with a sense of connection or oneness I get while online. Five years ago I spent maybe an hour or two online a day and now I spend about eight hours a day online, sometimes more sometimes less. For me to not be online the whole day is really a big deal and means that I am either traveling or doing something major. So what are we really after?

What the internet provides besides the obvious services is a sense of connection as that is what we all crave, a feeling of oneness. The more I evolve the more I enjoy spending time with others and it does not have to be in person, but it does require a two way communication. That has become so easy these days with the computer. I thank you for reading my blog and I truly hope you get something meaningful from all my musings. That is my main purpose to give of myself and my knowledge, to enlighten and bless others!

So think about all the transitions you are going through these days and honor them. Yes, be grateful we have so much opportunity these days. Our lives are changing in a big way right now, and they will probably get more chaotic before they get peaceful, but that is the way of complex systems. We must break the old system down in order to build a new system. We have many more breakdowns to look forward to, so just be aware and know that all is well! The only reason we ever lose anything is so something better can replace it! 😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Who are you?

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Who are you? Are you sure about that? How you see yourself and feel about yourself is very important, however it is our actions that truly define us. Our thoughts and prayers are simply one step on the path to discovering who you are. The creation process works like this, thoughts, words, and action. Each cycle of this process further defines who we are. Being true to our word and staying focused on our desire is one way to hasten the process. When we send out consistent messages combined with actions to back them up then the Universe has no choice but to manifest our dreams!

Consistency is the problem that most people face and this simply comes from discipline and focus. Always do what you say you will do, be honest with yourself first and then others, and make no promises you cannot keep.

Be easy on yourself too. We all slip up from time to time, so try not to beat yourself up. It is very true that we are our own worst enemies, so make peace now. Begin by looking yourself in the eye (mirrors make this very easy) and saying “I love you”, feel it deep within. Do this every day and see how you feel in a week. I do this on a regular basis, as often as I remember to. This may seem egotistical but it is not, because you are not speaking to the image in the mirror, but the Spirit that makes up the image. “To thine own self be true”.

So this brings us full circle to, who are you? For me there is no set answer, only the feeling at the moment. Sometimes I am Peace, sometimes Love, sometimes Divine Feminine, and sometimes I am simply me with no identity at all.

While I am not my body, my body is an expression of who I am in physical form. Yet when I look in the mirror I feel that I am more than this. I feel so limited in this body; like a prisoner of flesh. The Journey of Love that leads to discovery of our inner self can be a long and lonesome road, but it can also be fulfilling and joyful. What do you expect to find at the core of your being? The same thing that I find at the core of mine? Could be, we are one!

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Beyond Courage

by Sequoia Elisabeth

What is courage and is it necessary when confronting a transition. A transition is a change from one state, stage or condition to another, so as a person observes nature this process is constantly occurring at all levels of life. Nature does not struggle, nor does it resist. What is, is and that is OK. When viewed through human eyes however all sorts of dramas emerge as we project ourselves into the “grand scheme of things”. Are the caribou that traverse thousands of miles in the longest land migration on earth using courage to make their journey? How about the tiny hummingbird that migrates from North America to South America and back again every year, do they use courage? What about the largest living thing on earth the Sequoia tree, does it need courage to survive for up to 3 millennia?

Courage as defined by Dictionary.com is “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.” The very definition is restricted to humans! We are the Kings and Queens of fear for we seem to worship fear. We make movies about it, write books to experience it, share it with each other through our stories and teach it through our actions. It would seem that we are propagating fear in search of Courage, since courage is necessary to overcome fear. To me this seems like a vicious cycle and is ultimately unnecessary. Courage is not a trait that animals use, they simply respond to the urge to survive through stimulus/response.

Transition is usually coupled with difficulty, danger and pain so we automatically assign courage as the trait that we use to face this challenge. As conscious beings we make the choice to face transition without fear so thus we are being courageous. If we let go of our human nature and approach things with animalistic responses our survival is assured, but without the egoic self satisfaction we gain from doing it consciously.

Is courage necessary to transition, no it is not, however it is necessary to be our human selves operating from self awareness. This self awareness is what puts us beyond all other creatures and to be aware that you are aware is even more satisfying.

What if you were to take it to the next level and move beyond courage and face your transition with calm certainty and inner knowing? Life then becomes as easy and enjoyable as watching a good movie.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Spiritually Evolved Beings

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transitions come in many forms and take us in many directions. Ultimately transitions are about growth; Spiritual Growth. Each of us is on a journey here on earth to experience this Spiritual Growth in myriad ways. Our gifts are in that we each have our own view point or perspective on this journey. Some people are taking the scenic view so to speak and others are on the fast track!

Personally I feel like the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, or Transgender person is taking the fast track and let me share with you why I feel that way. Our physical body is simply an expression of our Spirit self and our Spirit has no gender or sex, so as we evolve toward our true being the sexual self or gender expression is moving beyond any limits we have set for ourselves. The message in this is one of great joy since we are growing as a race of humans into Spiritually Evolved Beings. As we let go of any limitations we may have surrounding how we can act, what we can do, or where we can express ourselves the Spirit is freed to reveal its true nature.

As a Spiritual leader I feel it is my responsibility to share with you where we are headed and to share my vision of that journey. It is up to you whether you are willing to walk the path to enlightenment. I am not saying that I am enlightened, only that I see a path and I am willing to walk it. This path involves letting go of any stereotypes, prejudices, or habits you may have and allowing your Spirit to completely express through you. The specifics do not matter to anyone but yourself, so enjoy them and be not concerned with what others might say, think or do.

I am seeing a world of infinite possibilities where we each live in our own personal paradise, while sharing with others and in others personal paradises at the same time. Call it duplicity, parallel universes or whatever you may wish to call it, but with no limits or time anything truly is possible.

Are you living in a loving world or a hostile one? Be careful what you say, as each word is a prayer which is being created as you speak. Take a minute to relax, don’t be in such a hurry to finish reading this so you can blast on to the next blog or get to work or whatever it is that you feel is so important. Nothing is more important than this!

Now, hold a vision of your perfect world in your mind’s eye. Feel the Joy of living in this world and being your true self whatever that may be. We have had many television programs and movies to offer visions, so if one of them suits you then think about that. Often these futuristic programs were merely mechanism to show us what is lacking in our own world, so let go of any judgment you may hold about any particular aspect and simply focus on the parts you desire to experience. Piece the picture together using elements of many different visions or images you have come across that resonate with you.

Sit with this image now and burn this into your memory. Think about it often, write about it, speak about it, share it with your friends over and over till they tire of it. Do not give it away, but share it and do not allow anyone to make judgments about it either. If someone says something in an effort to step on your dreams simply smile and say “you live your dreams and I will live mine”!

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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A new consciousness

by Sequoia Elisabeth

One of the greatest Joys we share in this world is the feeling of connection. This feeling has many avenues to the experience. Love is the biggest one that comes to mind immediately, and it is expressed in many ways, compassion, empathy, caring, respect, and affectionate play are to name but a few. These are principles that Spiritual leaders have been teaching for centuries, so they are nothing new, but no less important. I would like to share with you today another way to connect with others that is purely Spiritual, and goes beyond human interaction. This is what I believe we are experiencing in this world wide transition we are experiencing right now and which culminates in 2012.

It is time to take this human experience to a new level! I will do my best to put this into words that convey my meaning, although please understand that the human languages are limited in what they convey. The way we will move beyond this misunderstanding that is so prevalent in society is to communicate more directly through thought. We are already doing this to some degree and some people are better at it than others. For instance two soul mates in a close relationship can sense what their partner is feeling and thinking. Some people can even pick up words from others. Simple mind reading is sort of what I am speaking of but it is more than that. Telepathy is the term we have given it and I feel like even that is too simplistic.

Based on the philosophical belief that we are all of one mind, the mind of God (or whatever Deity you prefer) it is not hard to understand how we can communicate in this direct fashion. All of your thoughts come to you from Great Spirit, God, or Universal Mind, and they are not your own until you claim them. It is our ego’s that have us believing that we are brilliant and that no one else could have come up with that great invention you patented. Or that wonderful story you have copyrighted. When in fact the idea came from the “only” mind there is. This concept is as deep as our oceans so I don’t expect you to grasp it all from this short blog, however I do hope to get you thinking in a contemplative, open way.

The movie “Avatar” that just came out demonstrates this concept of one mind very well through the Na’vi and Pandora. The parallels between that world and our own are profound to those who chose to see them. Planet Earth is no less connected than Pandora and our bodies are simply our Avatars! The timing of this movie is perfect because consciousness has come to the tipping point of not only being self aware, but being aware that it is self aware. I find it increasingly easy to “see through the eyes of Great Spirit” which we can do since we are all using the same mind. Yes, we are separate, but in a fashion much like rain drops are separate, or maybe you prefer the image of snowflakes sense they seem more distinct. Either way we are all one, because we are not our bodies, we are of the one mind – Great Spirit, Universal Mind, or God. 😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

Beyond Law of Attraction

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Contrast is what brings Joy into our lives however we still seek commonality in those we meet. What is this “sameness” we are looking for? Why is it that we are repulsed by those individuals who are different than us? When picking friends why is it we choose who we do? These questions are all related and the answer is simple, you may have already guessed it.

In regard to picking friends and being attracted to certain people over others it is a simple Law of the Universe, “Like attracts Like”. This is the same law that created our planet and all others, it is the same law that draws to you everything in your life. Your vibrational frequency is resonating an energy signature and this energy attracts or repels everything in your life. Thoughts are energy and vibrate just as you do and when we choose certain thoughts or energy vibrations we will attract those things into our lives. That is why I say all thoughts and words are prayers. Focus on what you desire!

Imagine the Big Bang! Millions of particles are expanding outward and those which are alike are drawn together, slowly they form suns, planets and moons. The Universe is still expanding outward and particles are still being drawn together, except now we are conscious of this process. We are the observers who are witnessing our own creation!

Bringing this analogy back to earth, our relationships are no different in that we are attracting and repulsing all the time based on our thoughts, words and actions which reflect our vibrational frequency. Ever walked into a room where two people have been arguing and they are still mad? This is the energy of repulsion. Or if you are with two people in Love it is so easy to feel the attraction they have for each other. Of course being the one in Love is what we are all seeking where we are drawn to our partner in such a way as Joy flows with every heart beat! Remember like attracts like, so be the person you desire! Yes, that means just what it says; you are attracting people who are like you!

So contrast brings Joy to us and it is sameness we seek so how can you have both? Simply by looking at things with the eyes of our father or to say that another way, see the Christ in every person you meet! We are all the same in that way. We are each a child of Christ, born of the same star-stuff and yet vibrating with our own unique energy. When I say Jesus walks beside me take that literally, because each person I meet is the Christ!

To see that spark in another is one of the greatest gifts there is. Next time you feel yourself drawn to another person or thing, it is because they match your energy vibration, or at least compliment you. Understanding the dynamics of energy opens so many doors and simply makes life easier and more enjoyable. For more on energy dynamics and the workings of life, check out my book, “Livin’ Large – A journey of Love” found on the sequoiablessed.info website. 🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Contrasts

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The same ole boring temperature every day, can you imagine living in a world where the temperature is 72 degrees all the time? What about a place that has temperatures down to 40 below 0 in the winter and summers where the temperatures top 100 degrees Fahrenheit? Which appeals to you the most? Really? How many places on earth do you know of where the temperature does not vary? Even our homes temperatures vary some and since we create the environment we desire to live in the answer is fairly obvious. We desire contrast!

How many people do you know that have exactly the same skin color as people around them? Even in the same family each member will have slightly different skin color. How much variation is there? I would suppose that if we did a very sensitive test of skin tones that every person on earth would vary some, heck our skin varies color even on our own bodies. So do we desire similar skin tones or various? The evidence shows that we desire contrast. In a world where we have people of every shade of brown imaginable from no pigment, white skin to completely pigmented, black appearing skin. The contrast is impressive when we consider that we are all the same on the inside basically.

The point here is that we desire contrast in our lives, and that is why we have so much diversity in the world. For those of us who try to create a world of sameness they are simply fooling themselves and once we become honest with ourselves, we realize that diversity and variety truly are the spice of life. Our minds are constantly telling us that we need to find someone like us in a world where they do not exist (this is insanity). No one is exactly like you and that is our gift! To honor diversity in life is to honor yourself.

The next time you are doing something that displeases you, remember that you created it and can simply choose again till you find something that suits your desires. It is the contrasts in life that seem to bring us joy, because we more fully experience it this way. What is Joy without sadness? Can we know light without knowing darkness? Think back and remember what Love feels like. How do you know that is Love? Yes, Contrast is how you know! I am so grateful for all my experiences in life, because I know that they serve an important function in my Journey of Love (life). 🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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We Never Do Die

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The grandest Transition of all is one we have all experienced before but since no one remembers exactly how it goes, there is much debate about it. No one alive today is an expert on death and yet we all are. From the many books I have read on the subject of what happens after death, we can surmise certain truths. I recommend Neale Donald Walsh’s book on this subject, “Home with God: In a Life That Never Ends”. Death has been a subject that has fascinated me since a very young age, and I can say with certainty that I am not afraid to die.

The many movies, books and stories about death, transition and after life have certain consistencies that are either the truth or widely held misconceptions. On this I think we must trust our inner feelings since our soul communicates through feelings. The first profound truth is “we never do die!” This is truthful in that we are not our bodies and our souls are eternal. To the extent we are attached to our bodies is the level of pain we experience when we die. For those who are new to this experience it can be upsetting, however there is nothing to fear.

Guidance is available along the entire path and we can prepare for this transition just as we do for any other. For instance it is a good idea to release any resentment, blame or grudges you may have before the transition as this will affect the journey and the destination. If there is something you wish to do in this life, a feeling you wish to express, or a place you desire to visit, I suggest completing that as soon as possible. A bucket list is a fun thing, but only if you complete it. A last will and testament is a good idea if you have any assets whatsoever and include a letter explaining how you desire things distributed. Most importantly tell those who you Love how you feel, often. You cannot say “I Love you” too many times, but if you fail to say it that is another opportunity lost. Of course no harm comes from it, although in this Universe of energy checks and balances it is always a good idea to “store up your house in heaven”.

Love and forgiveness are tools that we use to bless others and in so doing bless ourselves. This life is a gift so make the most of it. Using the awareness that this life will end as motivation for living a good clean life has been the path to righteousness for centuries. Just as every video game comes to an end, we can start that game again and play till be are happy with the result, then we move on to the next. The more we understand death the fuller our lives will be.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Resistance is Futile

by Sequoia Elisabeth

As the decade draws to a close let us give thanks for all the wonderful things that happened while forgiving those tragedies that tested our resolve. I for one can think of many milestones in my life and I am sure you will come up with a long list as well. Life for all of us has change drastically and if it has not then get prepared because it is about to. We could think of this past decade as the calm before the storm, but most of us have been in the storm so I think most of us would agree that the storm is about over. Depending on how far back you choose to look, the past 300 yrs have been a storm of change and growth for our world. The point here is that we have had enough storm and it is time for peace.

Peace and Prosperity is here now if we are only willing to open our eyes and see. I get the feeling though that many of us are doing that very thing as we reflect on the changes in the economy, environment and society in general. The one thing we must do is prepare to lose it all! Not until you are willing to give up what you think you have will you truly enjoy it! This seems like a paradox and in a way it is. I only know that it is truth I have experienced firsthand. Anyone who has had a near death experience will know what I mean. Or you may have heard the saying, “You don’t appreciate something till it is gone.” This does not have to be the case. We can appreciate our lives right now and in doing so truly experience them. We do this by giving of ourselves to others, so just give up! Giving up is a powerful action that often works better than trying to force things; “resistance is futile” anyway!

Turn your life over to Holy Spirit and all is well. It is a matter of willingness and we have a twelve step process that we go through in The Spiritual Peacemaker ministry which was adopted from the Emissaries of Light. James Twyman put it all into words or I should say poetry as “The Art of Spiritual Peacemaking” is the most beautiful book I have read. The wisdom runs deep like the waters of an ocean and yet it lifts you up in ways that cannot be spoken. Please visit my website on The Twelve Attributes if you wish to learn more, or get James’s book and take a deep swim in warm waters.

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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New Years Creation

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Now that we have glanced back over our year of 2009 it is time to gaze lovingly to 2010. Again this is something that should occupy a few hours at most and when we record our thoughts on paper, in audio or video these prayers (all thoughts, words, actions are prayers) are given form. Visualize your life and how you would like to experience it. Think of the relationships that are important to you now and also imagine your ideal personal relationship. Feel yourself in this relationship and imagine yourself engaged in whatever activity you desire. Keep things ideal and at the same time honor thoughts that may arise which are undesirable by releasing them. I thank unwanted thoughts for visiting and then shoo them out.

This process of creative visualization is so powerful and if you would like to know more about it I recommend Shakti Gwain’s book “Creative Visualization” and although it is an older book the technique is centuries old. Of course this process does not end after the New Year, but extends the year around. This works with whatever you are creating, be it a job, love affair, happiness, prosperity, etc.

When I came out 10 years ago I used this technique to manifest my dream. I was in a period of my life where I was doing a lot of introspection and getting in tune with my inner feelings and desires. What I realized was, I am a woman, why else would I be compelled to wear woman’s clothing and makeup? The activities I enjoyed the most are associated with women in our society and I could see that my nature was feminine, even though I had learned to be masculine as so many woman have done to cope with a masculine world. The thoughts and desires I had as a teenager proved to be right on and it was high time for me to start honoring them after 30 years of denial.

New Year’s is a great time to begin anew and that is one of its purposes. We can begin anew any day of the year and we do, but let’s seize this opportunity this year to think thoughts that support us, to plan for manifesting our desires and pay attention to what brings us joy. Let joy (deep inner satisfaction) be our guide on this Journey of Love 2010. Remember also to live in the moment and not get caught up in the past or future, yes they exist but only to provide perspective for our Now. Have a Blessed NOW, always and all ways. 😉 Sequoia Blessed

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

2009 Blessings

by Sequoia Elisabeth

With only two days left in 2009 you may be tempted to look back over your year and judge it as good or bad, abundant or poor, easy or hard. Instead let us look back only briefly to see what worked, what was successful, what brought us Joy. Can you think of one thing that you did this year that brought Joy to your heart? How about a project that worked out just like you thought it would? Did any of your decisions of this year prove to be all you wished them to be?

We don’t have to get too big with the event either, something as simple as a new hair style that made you feel wonderful is a big success. Putting a garden in for the first time in years and enjoying the “fruits” of your labors is another great success. Helping a friend or neighbor with a project or really in any way is another Joy to be thankful for. New friends who brought Joy into your life are a wonderful gift to be grateful for. It is not hard to find these little treasures when we take a few minutes, relax, and reflect.

If you are so moved, write them down or journal about these wonderful successes so that any time you may be feeling down you can read over all the wonderful successes you have enjoyed over the years. Maybe you could create a victory book to record your progress. I mean that is the point of transition. To record our milestones and appreciate each and every success we have on the Journey of Love. It is so joyful to look back and see where you were and now look around at where you have come. After all as the Taoist saying goes, “The journey is the reward”. 😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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New Beginnings

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Today is a new day so start fresh. Leave any thoughts that no longer serve you and move on to new pastures. Animals realize this and we can learn from them. If an area is over grazed and the food (thought) is not fresh and nourishing then they move to another area until they find what is nourishing and uplifting.

We are constantly given the choice to think and act from habit or transition to a new more satisfying pattern. I was thinking about this the other day. Our lives are like a movie with each moment a frame on the movie film. As we go from moment to moment in our life the movie comes to life! The movie can be spliced and edited too. Take for instance a memory. Each time you have a memory what happens is your movie is re-edited, the past is brought into the present and becomes “real” again. No, not reel, real! Oh, I know that nothing is “real” unless we make it so. If we only knew how powerful we actually are.

Would you still make the choices you make if you knew how powerful you are? Is there something in your life that you would like to change? OK, so choose again and again and again, until it is just the way you want. What? Oh you have been doing that already, lol. Well then, now you know the nature of life. Events happen based on all energies and actions, and sometimes it is difficult to predict things. What I do when life is not going my way is stop making choices myself and instead ask Holy Spirit to help me. Holy Spirit can see what I cannot and does not have the limitations I have created for myself so things improve rapidly this way. Please don’t get tripped up on the word Holy Spirit, use a word that suits you, like maybe God, Yaweh, Allah, Buddha, Baha’u’llah, Great Spirit, or Universal Mind. I will continue to use Holy Spirit since I follow The Course in Miracles.

In a way when Holy Spirit is guiding our path we are simply actors in a movie, the movie of our life. Getting back to editing the movie, let’s take a look and what happens when we splice the future into the present. Oh yes this works too and in fact is a powerful tool that requires the use of our imagination. Can you imagine the perfect life? Have you ever seen a movie and wish it was you up there on the screen? Then make it so, by dreaming a little dream, holding the desire close to your heart and putting it all in the hands of the Master Editor, Holy Spirit. Blessed Be 🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Unity in Diversity and the One Mind

by Sequoia Elisabeth

“There is but one mind, the mind of God and that mind is my mind now!” Ernest Holmes. The concept of Oneness is a growing movement in the world today and my ministry is all about expanding that awareness. There is no greater feeling than the feeling of knowing we are all connected as one living organism. Planet earth is one cell in the Universal Body of God!

We are made up of planets, solar systems and galaxies! Whether you are looking through a microscope or telescope all system are a reflection of the whole. We are holograms; which means that we each contain the whole within, and no matter how much we are divided we still contain the whole. This is a principle that makes up the entire Universe! No matter how big or small we expand our view we are looking at the One – system within system, body within body, cell within cell. As Dr. Bruce Lipton says, our bodies are living systems of organisms made up of billions of cells, which are each living organisms. So each Human is a community onto themselves! A healthy human body is a community in harmony that works together for the greater whole. So maybe now you can see the larger hologram of Gaia which is made up of communities within communities within communities and in order for the communities to be in harmony, each of the communities which make up the larger community must be in harmony.

So when we say that Peace starts at home or Love comes from within, maybe now you will have a deeper awareness of this Truth. For those of you who know what homeostasis in the human body is you will know that this state is reached naturally when the body is left alone. So using this model, there is nothing we need do but live and let live or as I like to say, Let go and Let God! 🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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We are ONE

by Sequoia Elisabeth

My message is simple. We are all One and are growing closer each day. Have you felt that connection lately that just made you smile and feel all warm inside? It can be as simple as a familiar smell or taste that just makes you say, ”ahhhh, I love this”. Often it happens when we are talking to a friend or loved one, but it can also happen when you least expect it. I met a man a few weeks ago at a memorial service for the first time and the way he looked me in the eye and the feeling I got struck me straight to my soul, pass the heart and collect 2 million dollars! It is not likely I will ever forget that look and the feeling I felt, names on the other hand are a different matter, lol. I know Love when I feel it and this was the Love of Great Spirit or Holy Spirit without any doubt. Once you understand this feeling it is unmistakable and incredibly enjoyable.

As the course in miracles says, miracles are a daily event when you are connected to Holy Spirit and this is one way to know if you are connected. We are constantly getting feedback from Spirit letting us know if we are on the path or not. If it feels good, then yes you are on the right path. If it feels bad or makes you sick, or tired then no you are not on the right path. Life really is simple.

One of the concepts I have been playing with lately is Unity in Diversity, so let me share what I have come up with. The experience of oneness is at the core of this Unity and it is experienced through each person in their own unique perspective. For example, if there are 100,000 people at a concert all enjoy this awesome musical event, each person will have a different experience of the same event at the same time. This is Unity in Diversity to me. Or take a common procedure that many people experience in their lifetime like getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist, we all are experiencing the same event in different ways and while we can each relate to this experience we are each having slightly different experiences with it. Why else would there be 7+billion people in the world, if not to have 7+billion different experiences? Now I am speaking of the One mind, let me explain that even though we are each individuals we are all using the One mind, the mind of God. I can see this is getting a bit long, so we will continue with this concept of oneness on the next blog.  Sequoia Elisabeth

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Solstice celebration, Shine your Light

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Today is the shortest day of the year, Winter Solstice. Being the shortest day of the year means that it is the longest night! Symbolically or metaphysically this is very significant. Today we transition from darkness to light. Each day from now on will be brighter and though we have 3 months of winter ahead of us we can rest assured that spring is only 90 days away. Some places of course will experience warmth much sooner than others and in fact it is 81 degrees today in Maui HI. So this is not about temperature, this is about the light.

Light is the symbol of God’s love for humanity and all life everywhere. Without light we will eventually die, because we are made up of its energy. The plants we feed on rely on this light to grow and so as we consume plants we consume the energy of the sun. Yes, the source in this world of our light is the sun. However it is not the only source of light. Research has proven that we have cells that luminesce. How can this be? Since I am a minister you are going to get the Spiritual answer, which to most of you will be obvious, we are the light!

I mean we are made in the image and likeness of God, so why wouldn’t we be the light? It is my belief that as our consciousness grows we will become more and more luminescent, and that we are evolving into the next human race here on earth which is Homo Luminous. We have a saying in Spiritual circles that we are to “shine our light” into the world so that we lift others and the entire world. The ancients knew of this and thus came the symbol in early religions of the Halo above the head of a Spiritual person, Angels, Saints and the like. The concept of us being the light is not new, although like much of wisdom these days it is being re-discovered as new. The “new age” movement got its name from the concept of remembering our ancient wisdom, thus making it new.

So if you think that evolution is a slow process you would be right, humanity has been evolving from the beginning, however the visible effects of this evolution are often experienced rather quickly. This is why they say that evolution goes in spurts, or short bursts of change. Open your eyes and see the transition! 2012 is the celebrated beginning of an age of a new human race on earth. It is the time of inner peace, simplicity, and joy in so many ways. Homo luminous is emerging to take their place in the history of the world.

I would like to leave you with an image to hold. When you see the lights that are everywhere this holiday season, know that you are that light! We are celebrating the birth of Christ, which is the coming of the Light, which is GOD, which is who you are!! Shine your light 😉

Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Merry CHRISTmas

by Sequoia Elisabeth

What if life is a gift to support you? Could you live humbly or would you let ego take you as it does so many. If God intended for each of us to have all that we need when we need it, then life truly is a gift and we are Blessed. In the dawn of our conscious mind the Truth is emerging. All we need to flourish and thrive is provided us right here on this earth, right now and all we need do is accept the gifts. The ego mind tries to control life through guilt, false belief and manipulation, but this is no longer possible because we are awakening. We are emerging from the fog to behold the Garden of Eden. We realize now that Adam and Eve are one person and that no one else even exists, although it seems like they do. It seems as though the entire world is full of people, when in fact they are each an aspect of the whole. The one has shattered into slivers of glass each unique and each a part of the whole, complete onto itself.

Our transition is a journey of awakening to our true self. Christmas is a time when we can celebrate that oneness by giving gifts to each of those aspects we treasure the most, those people in our lives who share our experience. I sit here contemplating why, if saving the world is so important, Jesus did not save us from our lot? Maybe there is no one to save, maybe there is no thing to save, maybe life is perfect just as it is. Our purpose here is not to do anything but to be who we are and know it. Yes, not just go through the actions of our life, but to be conscious of reality, knowing we are the Christ and that the birth of Christ is that very realization! Each year another aspect of the one awakens to this truth. Are you this aspect of the one that is awakening to the reality of Oneness? Are you the birth of Christ? Of course you are, awaken dear one and feel the oneness. One means one, it means that all of life is connected like petals on a flower, leaves on a tree or drops of water in the ocean. Every aspect of nature that we observe is a reflection of this oneness. We support our self always and in all ways.

The next time that someone says that anything can harm you, tells you this is bad for you, or offers you a reason to feel bad, question their motive, see that they are coming from ego mind and that they are not guilty of a crime or anything other than unconsciousness. Your very awareness of this truth lifts you above harm. See them as a shadow of your own mind and embrace them. Know the Truth and hold this in the front of your mind and let this comfort you. As the saying goes, “Live and let Live”. Simply observe yourself in action and that self is all that you see around you! Celebrate it, Bless it, Love it! Merry CHRISTmas everyone!! 😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

Blessed Season

by Sequoia Elisabeth

This time of year has us celebrating our achievements of the past year and making plans for our future. Each of us is preparing for the transition to the Holiday season by celebrating in our own way. Tradition usually drives our activities and they do help us to maintain a positive glow this time of year by bringing up pleasant memories of times gone by. If this is not the case for you then I would suggest making new memories this year and looking to the good in all that happens. Of course, this is always good idea.

The gifts this year are going to be better than any other year we have experienced. Why you ask? Because I am giving my best gift, Love. It really is all we ever have to give. Knickknacks and bobbles are nice and so are those new socks, but nothing is more valuable than the feeling of Love. We do not need material things to feel that! In fact they often get in the way of our feelings of Love. We come to expect that new bike or sewing kit we have always wanted and it becomes about what you are getting and not about what you are giving. Let’s focus on the deeper gifts this year and feel our connection to all that is. So remember to focus on the Love that we all can put into our gifts this year whether we have material things to give or not.

More importantly let’s see the Christ in every face we see this year! Chist-mas is about being more centered in our being, thus Christ = centered (metaphysics) and mas = more (Spanish). This is how I think of this holiday and whatever way you celebrate this season just remember that you are Loved.

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Row, Row, Row your Boat…

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transition is a way of life for many of us. We get so used to change that without it we are lost. I challenge you to do nothing today! The very statement is an oxymoron. The point is that we cannot live in this world without change. We are constantly shifting from one state to another like the ebb and flow of the tide. The waves of thought never cease, ever so gently lapping at the shores of our mind. How about sitting on the bluff above the shore today and simply observe? (of course I mean this figuratively) Make no judgments, make no decisions, and make no resistance. Simply enjoy this moment that feels eternal (It is). What do you see? What do you feel? That is OK. Everything is OK, no matter what thoughts flow through your psyche today.

Each event that occurs in our lives simply leads to a better one. After “doing nothing” for as long as you can, start choosing your thoughts as they float by like yellow rubber ducky’s on a stream…. Pick one up and see if you like it. Don’t like it simply put it back in the stream! Life really is that simple. If it is not, then it can be! Thoughts are where our lives begin to materialize, but it is the feelings that give them the fuel to manifest. Choose a thought, talk about it, feel it as if it were so and be patient. The Law of Attraction states that if this thought synchronizes with your beliefs then you will physically experience it.

If you would like to know where you stand then simply look around. This is your creation. Since change is the way of life, just wait a few minutes it will change! So appreciate it while you can and if you are really happy with a particular creation, then choose it again. Gratitude is the gravy that makes our lives worth living. I am so grateful you have chosen to read this far! Blessings on your journey 😉

Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Transition is a Loving Action

by Sequoia Elisabeth

All transitions consist of change and change is about going from one state or condition to another. So just how does this happen? All change begins with thought, it is expressed through words and manifested with action. Stated backwards it is Be, Do, Have. Be that which you desire, such as peaceful, beautiful, smart, or abundant by doing things that reflect our state of being. Before you know it you have everything you desire.

Take being a famous musician for instance. First we simply be a musician which means we do what it takes to get good at making music. The more we do it and the better we get at being it the more we have of that life. It sounds simple and it really is, but no one said it was easy or quick. Transition can be simple though. How do you feel? Once you realize that you have always been a woman but were born with a male body the process of changing our bodies to match our minds is a step by step process, often completed rather quickly if one has all the resources necessary.

As hard as many have tried we cannot change who we are. It works best to change the body and not mess with the mind as that just does not work, which has been proven over the years by many researchers such as Dr. John Money. I have tried for 30 years to be someone I am not and while I was very successful on the surface, I paid the price on the inside (3 peptic ulcers, 1 suicide attempt). On my website I have a planning guide that was created to show you the path involved in transition from male to female. The female to male journey is similar at first and changes drastically when it comes to hormones and surgery.

We all desire to feel good about ourselves and to feel like we fit our bodies. Most people never question their gender since it feels right to them. The journey of transgender transition allows this feeling when we do the inner work of self acceptance as or before we transition physically. I have been working on my self-worth, acceptance and image for the past 30 years. Every experience we have contributes to how we see ourselves, behave and present ourselves to the world. The hardest part of transition for me has been leaving the past in the past and simply being myself. Habits can be hard to break and one of those is living in the past or the future while we ignore the present. The transition involves breaking down, in MtoF case the male persona so the natural female can emerge. This past year of living life my way has been a good feeling for me, but not always so good for others.

When I look in the mirror now I see the person I feel like and that makes Loving me so much easier. The transgender community is often accused of being self absorbed or narcissistic but that just is not the case even though it may appear that way. Let me end today with this thought. The world happens inside out, so we all must love ourselves first. Ultimately, Loving ourselves is Loving others, because we are all one! Oneness for those who are new to this concept is God is all there is – everything is God. By Loving yourself you are Loving God. By Loving another you are loving God. By Loving life you are Loving God! The same goes for your other emotions. Please be easy on yourself though as much of our thoughts and actions are learned and can be unlearned which is what transition is all about!

Smile, God is watching you 😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Transitions

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Post-op Regret – Who do you Love?

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The last two posts covered post transition grief and they touched on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Now I would like to get more specific, post-op grief or regret is sometimes experienced by Post-op Transsexuals. I have been researching gender issues and transgenderism for about 10 years now and can remember stories from back in my high school days and the warnings my psychiatrist father gave me saying, if you are not happy before surgery then you will not be happy after surgery.

He makes a good point, but his view is skewed because he sees the failures not the successes. The successes go on with life and never look back! It is those who are dealing with possibly other issues besides transgenderism that end up at the psychiatrist’s office. The difference between the successes and the failures is often the same issue that all transgender individuals deal with daily, self-acceptance. Whether they have surgery or not, being accepted is an issue that everyone goes through with varying levels of success.

It seems that the transgender community has a larger challenge with this than the general population which is reflected in the 50% suicide attempt rate in our community. I have attempted it myself and have to talk myself out of it on a regular basis. Just briefly as this could be a whole blog, suicide is selfish because it hurts everyone you love. So it simply is not a choice, as my ex would tell her kids in her pre-school class. Which is what it is really all about anyway, choice! There are always other options.

So let’s get back to this issue of post op regret. There have been some very high profile examples of this such as Renee Richards and in the documentary “Almost Myself” by Tom Murray. It is strange how people love to focus on the failures in life. In the cases that I have observed, several reasons for post-op grief are not knowing who you are, not accepting who you are, and trying to be something you are not. Not all transgender individuals are transsexual. Where we fall on the gender sliding scale is a personal awareness that comes from getting to know yourself. Is it your desire to be like others so that you can fit into one of the two “accepted” boxes society has created, male or female? Are you comfortable being in the sex role of your birth body? Only you know if it feels right or not and unless you are honest with yourself surgery could make things worse.

Anyway, I think it comes down to one thing and that is self-acceptance. It matters not what others think of you, really! This is how it works, our thoughts are like a radiant field of energy and they surround us constantly, usually only about 10 feet or so, but in some situations they can be directed as far as we can imagine – around the globe and beyond. If you are holding the thought “do they know I am transgender” or whatever, those thoughts are going to be picked up eventually by someone. How you think about yourself determines in a large part how you are treated! What thoughts are you projecting? I still have much work to do, but I pass fairly easily and I am 6’11” 265lbs. I am a woman, I know it, always have been, but I have not always known it. I am not saying that I pass all the time, just that I usually do. Most people make a big deal about my size saying something on the order of “you are the biggest woman I have ever seen”. The other experience that I am thrilled about is that I rarely have anyone treat me rudely which goes for my entire life. Our thoughts precede us! When you are frustrated and angry the world knows this because you are radiating it everywhere you go, which is reflected back to us in events that usually frustrate us further. Our thoughts are a self fulfilling prophecy. We create our world with our thoughts, words and actions! More on this next time.

Blessings, 😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Transitions

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