Freedom is not Free

Finding joy in memories sets us free.

 

9-11 brings to us memories of such a heinous nature.  The memory of this day brings with it sadness, tears and heartbreak.  As many of us believe that the atrocious acts perpetrated upon humanity on this day 13 years ago, so too, are there many that believe that this was not an act of terrorism but rather an act against a nation by its government.  Whichever is the case, it has taught us, not just those who live in the United States of America, but throughout the world, that freedom is in reality not free.  

The cost of human life that has been expended during the last 13 years is preposterous.  Not only have those in America suffered these losses, but those of other nations too.  The effect of death upon those left behind can and often is devastating.  Not only have those that remain, lost a loved one, but they have lost a bread winner, a provider, a source of wisdom and guidance to the younger generations that are left behind.  In the act of transition of those who have crossed over, have left many homeless, directionless and often in a state of lack.   Many of those left behind do not have access to mental healthcare.  Rather, they are left to journey through their grief unguided.  Many do not know how to cope let alone accept that their loved one has crossed to the afterlife.  Stories abound of those who give up, existing, rather than living as their grief eats away at them.   Friends and family of those going through this journey, often at wits end in their unknowingness of how to extend loving support and often themselves are led into states of depression as they watch their loved ones corrode away in grief.  It is not all, who can face life squarely in the face of death and carry on as if it is just another day.

Surely as society, we can see that Freedom is not free.  The price of war is extremely high to all concerned. 

In each of us, lies the capability to make our own choices and decisions.  Some of us act without thought; some of us act only after thought. Some of us look to the future to assess the outcome of our actions whilst others don’t.  Many of us act in the moment paying no attention to the ripple affect our actions have on those around us and in the world or to the consequence to our own selves. 

We are brought to an understanding at some time in our lives, that each action has a reaction; each choice a consequence.  Stop for a moment and think about that. How different our paths would be if we took the time to reflect and think before we act.

Having said all this, we should look further into the purpose of our lives.  Do we comprehend that each of us incarnate to experience certain things; to learn from each experience?  Many of us don’t.

Yet, when we take the time to explore our journeys, we find that each experience has led us to a point of learning.   Each person in our lives has participated and been instrumental in allowing us the opportunity of growth.  Sometimes those lessons are harsh and extremely painful, as in the experience of those who have lost loved ones throughout this long and arduous war. 

Yet, there is always a ray of sunshine each day.  There are the positive little miracles that we experience throughout our journeys.  These are the memories we hold dear to us of our loved ones. The times we spent laughing joyously, the early rising to watch a sunrise together, the cups of coffee or tea brought to us by our loved ones, the enjoyment of a meal together or the act of simply BEing in the company of each other. Each of us has our own unique memories which get us through the tough times.  When we can look past the pain to the joy that we had together:  This is the freedom that is free.

My prayers are that you will find joy in remembrance, celebration in the continuance of your loved ones soul journey, compassion and forgiveness for all those affected by this war and as you do may you find peace within your soul.  May the Golden Light of your Divine reign down upon as you are blessed.

In love and light,

Amanda

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© Amanda C Nicolin 2014

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

Soul Pain

To feel the pain of others is a gift

To take on the pain of others is in service.

Tears roll...  like thunder in a storm... 

The pain of the world batters at my soul as the stormy seas along a rocky shore

The conflict of misunderstandings...

The barrage of words.. they slay as a dragon slayer

Those who do not understand

The origins of the sadness and anger that rages within

And as each word flows from the mouths of those who are in conflict... 

The pain of them crosses my path as does a sword

The anger that rages... the tornadoes it brings

Wrangles my soul and leaves it tattered and torn

Those in the higher realms know the depth of my pain

As I cast back my mind to the days of peace and calm

Let the sun rise gently and brightly to bring love back again.

Let the leaves of the trees, remind me to be peace

Let the gentle winds calm my mind

Let me take not again,

The anger of those in whose conflict reams

Within their souls, their hearts, the minds..

Let the peace of all reign within the world..

Let the smiles of children touch our hearts

Let their laughter heal our souls

Let the flight of little ones

Be the healing that we need..

In Love and light,

Amanda

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© Amanda C Nicolin 2014

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

Courage

Have the courage to walk away from that which no longer serves you. Hold your head high and be at peace with your choice to value yourself. ~ ACN

To walk away from that which no longer serves you sounds incredibly easy to do yet most of us find it such a challenge and heartbreaking a thing to do.

Most of us also find great difficulty in doing this as we believe, at some level, that we deserve the treatment that is metered out to us mainly because we have no self-worth, self-esteem or self-love.

We worry about the consequence of our decision knowing that things will never be the same again.  We fear the changes that will come with making the decision to walk away. We wonder how this will affect us, who will still be our friends, if our families will support us once we make the decision to walk away.  Our heads are flooded with thoughts of foreboding prior to making this choice.  We traverse through a multitude of “what if’s”.  Often we have become so cosy in our little rut, knowingly or unknowingly and are filled with fear of the changes that will come with walking away.

When we examine the reasons why we have no sense of self-worth or our esteem is very low, our sense of love for ourselves is minimal if there at all, we find that there is worth, esteem and love right there hidden behind layer upon layer of discrimination, of abuse, of lack. 

Acknowledge that it is indeed there and take the steps to build upon what is there.  Each of us, arrive on this planet with these intact. Sadly, as life happens and we build walls often so thick and dense protecting what little there is of it. We buy into the words and action of others, believing we are worthless or undeserving and unlovable. Eventually we take on the belief ourselves that we are these things and completely lose sight of that which is hidden within us.  We forget that each wall has tiny little cracks in it and that we are fully able to chisel away at them, in time bringing them crashing down.

Take a step back. Stop. Listen. Now ask yourself; Am I worthy of more than this that no longer serves me? Am I deserving of more than this?  Allow yourself to feel your worth and deservingness. Right now you will likely feel that hot energy that surges through you that says; YES! I deserve than more than this. I am worth more than this.

Gather your courage, welcome it, feel it, embrace it, push your fear away turning it into a positive action and make the choice that will serve you through your experience.  Allow peace to flow over and through you as you walk courageously away from the things that no longer serve you.   You are worthy!  You are deserving of all the good things that the Universe has to offer you.  Greater than this remember always that you are the most beautiful loving being created by your Divine.  

May Angels always surround you as you make changes to bring you to being the very best that you can be in this lifetime, in this wonderful place, Earth, as you continue your soul journey. 

In love and light,

Amanda

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© Amanda C Nicolin 2013

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

The Value of Friendship

When times are good friends abound,

When times are tough friends disappear,

Those who stay are very dear.

It’s a sad fact of life that in tough times we discover the true value of friendship.  Oh, how dreadful to start a blog on such a negative note, yet it’s one that has to be brought to light for it is indeed a sad reality of life.

The saying “People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime” has been a prolific lesson for me in the last two years as I have experienced this saying in all its forms.   It is indeed painful to realize that those whom you have known for many years, and have consider close friends turn their backs and walk blithely away from a situation you have found yourself to be in.  These are the people who are usually the “takers” of the world.  They know your company and actively seek it out when you are in a position of financial stability.  Without thought to either themselves or you, they take no shame in holding their hand out, often forgetting to graciously thank you for your generosity. 

These friends, made me question my own ability to form a character judgement, the made me question my sense of self worth and created doubt within my own mind that perhaps they were right and I was deserving of what befell me.

These friends are really not friends at all.  They are merely vampires who feast off the wealth of others and have little worth of self not to mention esteem of self.  Do yourself a favour: Hold your head high and walk away, forgiving them for their behaviour and acknowledging the lesson they have brought you, let them go.

Friends should not befriend you for your financial worth.  Friends befriend you for you.  For the beautiful person that you are, for the loving, kind, caring, and wonderful being that you were created to be.  Friends seek your company for how you make them feel as how they make you feel.  They are the ones who can lift you, making you laugh, sharing joy with you, and loving you as you are.  They do not care if you have a million dollars in your bank account or have nothing at all.  They see your soul not the exterior of whom you are.

Friends would never judge you for any action that you may take.  They would tell you their truth yet would support you nonetheless.  Friends are those, who would cry with you and carry your pain just as they would laugh and rejoice with you and share your joys.

Treasure these friends, for they are the earth Angels who are true to you in friendship on this earth plane. Nurture them and return to them the beauty of the friendship you both share. Learn from them and teach them in return.  Hold them dear to your heart and love them as they are for you never know how long they will be in your circle.

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown

In Love and light

Amanda

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© Amanda C Nicolin 2013

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