Freedom within Your Heart

Only when you have released the experience can you move forward with freedom in your heart. ~ACN

The past few weeks have been ones of great realizations for me. It is a time when I find myself letting go of so many things, not just in the physical but of the emotional as well. Over the last few weeks I have shed many a tear for things, places and people gone by. Oh yes, it sure has been a time of great understanding, of coming to a point of acceptance and release from and through the pain.

Throughout our lives we will certainly encounter many an experience that touches our lives profoundly.

As children, life seems to be so simplistic and we accept it for what it is neither questioning very much nor fighting against the issue at hand. Some of us come from happy families, others from families that are so dysfunctional and that are filled with atrocities of mankind. We may experience rape, physical abuse, emotional and mental abuse and so on. These experiences often lead us to a place of stowing the pain and emotional devastation that we feel as a result of them into the nether reaches of our minds. We may, as a result of this, act out our pain with bad behavior, or we withdraw completely becoming introverts, or we create characters of others within our minds living as if we were them and developing DID (Dissociative identity disorder) otherwise known as Multiple Personality Disorder to name but a few.

Whichever method we choose as children can almost certainly be pin pointed to a specific incident within our childhoods.

As adults we generally carry the behaviour we have learned from our childhood allowing it to affect us and disabling ourselves by these heavy loads which we carry.

At some point though, most of us eventually reach a place of wanting to release these life encumbering issues. Some of us will release them by a natural course of events taking place within our lives. Some of us shed copious tears, releasing with each teardrop that streams down our cheeks and yet others of us may embark on introspection through the medium of courses, regression, meditation or psychotherapy etc.

The point of the matter is that we choose to release the issues of life that bind us in the past.

We should always take care to remember that to hold on to past issues is such a disservice to ourselves as we hold ourselves in a state of half-life. Imagine for just a moment how it would be if you were unable to breathe properly. Those amongst us who have lung dis-ease will recognise just how debilitating it is to live in a state where you are unable to inhale sufficient oxygen. Your body becomes pain filled and stiff, your mind is unable to retain memories, your food becomes tasteless and one seldom has sufficient energy to do very much. Esoterically, half-living is to be in such as state. You are not able to function to your full potential and lose out on so much that you could be enjoying and celebrating.

The good news is that you can and are able to release all that binds you to issues of your past. It’s really very simple. All you have to do is make a choice to let go and then take action on it and actually let the issues go. How you do it is not of importance. What is important is that you do.

The value of letting go is immeasurable to the soul and allows you the privilege of living in a state of peace from whence you will be free of the restraints that have bound you in the past. The heavy feeling of carrying a burden will be lifted and you will feel the lightness of freedom enabling you to really “be” in the moment, enjoying and celebrating each moment for what it is. Your soul will soar as it breathes the air of life without the chains of past.

Take a chance on you today. Let Go and feel the freedom within your heart. You so deserve it.

In love and light,

Amanda

Image courtesy of: http://lifechanging-international.yolasite.com/resources/breaking%20the%20chains%20that%20bind.jpg?timestamp=1303011639979

© Amanda C Nicolin 2011

Permission is granted to share this article freely on the condition that the author is credited.

To Struggle

Every struggle we have brings with it, its own blessings. ~ACN

To struggle sounds so dreadful. Unfortunately, to struggle often brings us to a place of panic. As wave upon wave of disaster knocks at our door and things seem to be going wrong all around you, you may ask yourself what is the purpose of all of what is happening to you.

We all face challenges in our lives. Some of us have more severe life knocks than others. Some of us experience them one upon the other, often never seeming to see the light of day.

Life knocks or struggles are sent to us to teach us. We have contracted to experience something that will bring us to a point of learning, something we have to “get”. Until we “get” the lesson, these knocks may keep coming at us and to us.

Now we can stand back and do the victim thing. We can cry until we are blue in the face. We can look to others with puppy dog eyes and plead with them to stop what is happening to us. OR We can face our problems head on and take action to change our situation and so doing learn from what is happening. Some of us may take longer to do this than others. Some of us can do this instantly. The point here is to do something positive to lead us through what is happening and bring us to a place of wisdom.

To do nothing is simply the act of not accepting responsibility for what is happening to you. Each circumstance or experience that we have is as a result of our actions in the past. We can deny this to be true, yet if we stand back and really take a long hard look at our actions we can usually pinpoint the action that we have taken to bring us to the point where we feel that the Universe is giving us this very difficult experience. To deny acceptance of self-responsibility is to deny yourself life. When you deny responsibility for your actions you live as if in a bubble, seeing only outward and so never learn to see the greatness of what lies within your being. Each one of us has immense greatness within our beings that is so easily accessed by doing daily meditations. In meditation we connect to our higher self and it is from here that we can access self-knowledge which may change us so profoundly and bring us to a place of action and in so doing resolve the issues or life knocks that we face.

Take a step back from the situation and be silent for just a short while. Take the time to center and ground yourself. For just a moment, forget about all that is happening. Acknowledge what is happening and what role you played in this situation. Accept that this is the current circumstance and accept your role within this also. Now ask yourself, “What am I learning from all of this?” Once you have seen the lessons that have manifested for you from this experience, give thanks for it and then let it go. You have no need to hold on to the problem any longer. The only thing you need to do further to this process is to take the appropriate action to rectify or alleviate the problem. Do this with courage and with grace.

As you complete this exercise you will find that you are able to see the many blessings that you have received in living this experience. You will see that from this time you have grown, you have become stronger and have greater wisdom, patience, kindness and so much more.

Be in gratitude for each experience that comes your way and celebrate its presence in your life.

May the blessings and love of your Divine reign upon you as you journey through your life.

In love and light,

Amanda

Image courtesy of: http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39687000/jpg/_39687761_starvingchild_203.jpg

© Amanda C Nicolin 2011

Permission is granted to share this article freely on the condition that the author is credited.

Lip Service in Love

Lip service in love is as not having a club and still playing golf. It should be received and given with the greatest intent straight from the heart. ~ ACN

We are all created by our Divine to be beings of love. Each one of us strives to obtain recognition in love. We actively pursue love knowing that it will bring us feelings of being cherished for whom we are. We do this even from our childhoods. Yet how often do you hear a mom or dad saying to a child, if you do this mommy (or daddy) will love you etc. In doing this we set a price tag upon the love we say we have. In this circumstance we are raised believing that our worth is directly connected to receiving love.

As we grow older, we enter into relationships with boyfriends and girlfriends and bring what we have learned in childhood into the relationship. We say things like, “if you love me you will………” etc. and, taking what we have learned in our childhood, we proceed to set a price on the relationship. We do this in the effort to receive love.

The dictionary defines “lip service” as insincere respect, support or agreement that does not appear to be sincere because the words spoken are not followed up by the appropriate action or behavior.

I honestly believe that were we to love unconditionally, without any expectation of a return, we will alleviate many of the problems experienced in a relationship with another.

In so saying, it is important to remember that when we love in this fashion we love in entirety. This means that it is not enough to simply say “I love you”. Declarations of love are not just of the spoken kind but should be of the demonstrative kind also. To show others love is often more important and may have greater impact in the life of another, than to blithely verbalize it.

In this busy, rushed world in which we live, we often find ourselves dashing out the door and as we do we quickly say those magical words to those who remain behind. Yet do we really mean them? Is it not better to take just a moment of our time to stop and give that person a hug and perhaps a quick peck and then to declare your love for them? Surely this will have a greater impact in the life of the beneficiary of our love? I certainly believe it will.

Loving another means that you will do almost anything for them and you will do it with grace. You do it because you love that person so profoundly and want them to be in a state of happiness. You do it because you value the happiness of another so profoundly. This kind of love is self sacrificial. No matter your own personal emotions, you will be able to rise above it in the sake of ensuring that the recipient is happy.

It is relatively easy to do this for our children for they are our flesh and blood. To love in this totally unconditional manner is another thing entirely when loving in a relationship with a partner for example. We spend years of our lives in pursuit of finding the lid that fits our pot. Yet the moment we have committed to each other we begin the process of judgment and change in an attempt to get them to be what we want.

It’s really quite simple. Ask yourself what made you “fall in love” with that person and then accept them for what they are. Please do not set boundaries on love for they are doomed to failure. Be precipitant in sharing and declaring your love for there is none more exciting than the doing something so unexpected.

Be yourself and know that you are able to love and be love just as you are able to be loved and are lovable.

In love and light,

Amanda

Image courtesy of: http://serenadraws.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/lip_service.jpg

© Amanda C Nicolin 2011

Permission is granted to share this article freely on the condition that the author is credited.

Guides and Angels

Our guides and Angels are not there to forewarn us, they are there to guide and support us in each experience that we have. ~ ACN

Each one of us has Guardian Angels, Angels and Guides who accompany us to Mother Earth. Those of us who are light-workers tend to take this for granted and often forget that they have a very specific purpose.

Prior to incarnation, we contract to those in our lives and within our circle, to do various things for us in the act of teaching us or learning from us. We also contract with our Guides and Angels to support us in our earth journey. The dictionary defines support as “giving active help or encouragement to somebody”. In so saying, it does not mean that the Celestial Realm will tell us our futures, detailing them to a vast degree, so as to make our lives easier. They are certainly not fortune tellers.

No. It means that they will guide us and direct us to certain circumstances or experiences and will be there for us to talk to within those experiences. Our Angels and Guides wait about patiently for us to call upon them for guidance. They will instantly jump into action the minute you call upon them for support and will guide you, nudge you and take you to situations or places that they know will serve you. They will do everything they can to enhance your life allowing you to still retain the right to choose. They will use every tool they can to direct and guide you. They frequently make use of sign posts, vehicle registrations, music, advertisements, books and the like.

A couple of years ago, I visited a friend who lived in a different province to where I did. We were driving along, quite merrily, the radio on, laughing and so happy to be visiting another friend who lived a few hours’ drive away. We were unsure of the route so had taken her GPS to guide us. Now the friend we were on our way to had given me basic instructions by sms. We drove past the turn off and as we did, I realised that the GPS had failed to tell us to turn off at the appropriate road. Well the GPS led us to a shopping mall in which was an art gallery. My friend is a spiritual artist and we were amazed as we entered the gallery when the owner offered to show her work. This is pretty unusual in South Africa as most galleries want a portfolio of the artist before they agree to display and sell their work.

This was a clear example of the Angels and Guides at work. Unbeknown to both of us, each of us had, in our morning prayers and meditations, asked that she be guided to where her work could be displayed.

Angels and Guides love using modern technology. They used the GPS to guide us to where we were meant to be. How awesome is that.

If you still are wary of just how quickly your Angels and Guides can work for you, try using the “find the parking spot” request. As you get into your vehicle, ask the Angels and Guides to ensure that a parking spot is open right at the door of your destination. Head directly for the door, undoubting that a spot will be open for you. Now see just how quickly they work. I am certain that one will be available for you as you have requested it to be.

You can ask your Guides and Angels to do anything for you and they will gleefully oblige in the interest of your higher good. They will not interfere though and deprive you of a lesson that you have contracted to learn. They will also not do anything for you unless you ask or unless you are in a life and death situation and it is not time for you to return home.

Please remember though, that the Celestial Realm are highly evoluted beings and must be treated with respect. They will not support you in conducting any negative behaviour and will certainly not cater to the need to be destructive to your fellow mankind or co-habitants of Mother Earth.

Please have fun using your Guides and Angels. They have a great sense of humour and love to have fun with you too.

In love and light,

Amanda

Image courtesy of: http://www.lighthousebythesea.com/images/Angels/HeavenlyAngels/PennyParker-AngelOfPeace.jpg

© Amanda C Nicolin 2011

Permission is granted to share this article freely on the condition that the author is credited.