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.

Finding Value

I will look for the beauty around me, for I shall be reminded that within each lump of coal, I shall see the diamond that lies within, which is me! ~ACN

Last night I had the pleasure of the company of a stunning young lady who is relocating to a really drab area of our country, one, where the impact of man, has dire consequences for the environment. The area is blackened by the mining of coal and seldom appears to have a fresh clean green look. Only after heavy rain does it take on the appearance of normality. Yet in this area, little birds abound, the sun still shines, the trees wave their beautiful leaves in the gentle wind.

This young lady is quite saddened that she will be relocating to this area having come from one of the most beautiful, fresh, crisp locations in our country and was concerned about doing so. She saw only the gloom in it and did not look to what beauty she could and would still see.

There are two aspects of this that I find very profound and can be of absolute support to us.

The first is to look at what has happened to the hinterland of this specific location and take example of what nature has accomplished, allowing ourselves to emulate it.

The second is to find what examples we can take from the environment, as dismal as it may seem and translate it into something positive within our own life.

In almost every instant, where man has been destructive to the environment, nature finds a way to adapt and continues about its life, living cycle after cycle, to the best of its ability. Nature has no expectation of man and thus having no emotional attachment that we know of, will carry on regardless. Certainly, it will be impacted initially, yet pretty soon it bucks up and adapts.

The little birds will find new sources of food or may even move away from the area for a while, waiting for the time when Mother Earth has regenerated to a point where it, the little bird, can be sustained from her. The grasses will adapt and will find a way to grow and even flourish, again, usually after a period of time. New plants, that can thrive off the land will suddenly arrive and flourish. Others may disappear for all time or until it can once again thrive in the changed soil. Trees that have grown in the area will be shaped by the winds that now howl through the open plains, yet they will grow in the inflicted soil. Little animals and critters will move away and then, like the plant life, will return when the earth has healed and will flourish in the newness of the earth that has healed. It is very seldom that man will successfully destroy every living creature of the hinterland.

Now we can take example of these amazing creations of our Divine. We can surrender to what we, as humanity, have done or we can adapt. I love the expression “adapt or die” for it is true. We either choose to live or we fade away and will certainly cease to breathe the air of life, no matter how polluted the air is.

In the perfect world, our lands would not be so polluted. Yet man has an incessant greed for money and riches and will, in an endeavour to obtain it, often destroy what abounds. Certainly there are environmentalists that will move heaven and earth to prevent the destruction of the planet. It is certainly the progression of mankind that has led society to demand the rehabilitation of the earth. Mining companies, civil engineers, oil companies and the like are now forced by mankind to invest vast sums in this light in the act of repairing what they have so destroyed. I, for one, am in gratitude for this.

So step one, when mankind has destroyed the hinterland, adapt. Surrender to what the situation is, make what changes you can to heal the earth and her surrounds including yourself. There simply is no point in pointing that finger at all and sundry, complaining incessantly, and doing nothing. It is a matter of attitude, positive attitude that will allow you to truly live in the moment. Remember, the sun will still shine each day, the moon will still rise and life will go on.

The second, and I think often the most important thing, we could do to serve ourselves in this situation is to look at what is around you and relate it to your own life in a positive and progressive way.

In this experience, the hinterland is scattered and filled with great big lumps of coal. The most precious stone that is known to man is the diamond. It is thought that diamonds are formed billions of years ago and are as a result of the formation of coal. The diamond is a fabulous stone, appearing in its raw form as a inconspicuous piece of rock. Yet when cut, it results in the most stunning sight, revealing light of all spectres of the rainbow and glistening beautifully for our eyes to feast upon.

Humans are just like diamonds. Each facet represents the complexity of our beings. We can be happy and sad, solemn or joyful, peaceful or aggressive, calm or disruptive and so on. Yet within each one of us lays the ability to be love. This again relates to the diamond which is a symbol of our love and is given as a commitment to that love.

To take that which is afore you and see that something that appears so indiscriminate, is to know that you can recognize that you are indeed the most amazing and beautiful being as created by your Divine. It is to look at the beauty beyond the obvious and be at one with it. It is to be the” I AM”, to be in ONEness with your Divine and all that He has created.

No matter your station in life, no matter your surrounds, look around you and you will find beauty that you can relate to your life.

Have fun in LIVING your experience and be in the state of love always. For you are loved and are Love.

In love and light,

Amanda

Image courtesy of: http://www.southafrica.to/provinces/Mpumalanga/Mpumalanga_coal_mine%2002.jpg

© Amanda C Nicolin 2011

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

A Grain of Sand

I am but one grain of sand in the immensity of the Universe yet I am as deserving as the largest planet & in gratitude of all that I AM.~ACN

It sure has taken me a very long time to get this. To be so small in terms of what lies out there in Universe and at the same time to know that I am indeed greatness in itself who is deserving of all that the Universe brings to me and still to be in gratitude for me.

Wow! What an awesome place to be in. I am truly grateful.

The immensity of the cosmos is so profound we can hardly comprehend the exact extent of just how large it really is. Not even the most qualified scientists and astrologers have been able to quantify the greatness of the Universe. Each day, more and more is discovered and I am sure astounds those who work with this daily. It sure astounds me.

As our veils become more and more transparent and we remember what it is to be in Universe as a soul, we come to know that Mother Earth, Gaia, is so small and that we, as humans, are even smaller still. We are really just teeny tiny grains of sand in comparison to the vastness of what our Creator has made.

Our Divine, a loving and caring being, created us to enjoy the same values as everything else. He did not say “Amanda, just because you are so small in terms of what I have made, you will only get a miniscule amount of love, kindness, patience, peace or any other wonderful blessing and Jupiter, just because you are big in size, well you get so much more” No. He gave us choice to attract what we want to us. He gave us the ability to choose our birthright; to believe that we are deserving of all that is good.

We are fully able to comprehend that we are all equal; that each of us is worthy, that each of us is Love and loveable. We are able to realize also that we are all one and in ONEness we are able to live side by side in a caring and kind fashion. We are able to choose a life of compassion, love and peace. As Mother Teresa said so beautifully “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other”.

Those who live in compassion of others fully grasp the concept that to be in Love of self and of others also, is to be in a life of peace. There can be no love of others if we have no love of self, just as there can be no life of compassion if we have no compassion of self. The Dalai Lama said so eloquently “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive”.

I once read a document on the treatment of children inflicted with HIV/AIDS. It was found that children who were held, comforted and shown absolute love were recovering at a steady pace where those who did not receive such love were not. It made me realize that love is absolute. That without love we could not lead full productive lives. Without love we only half live. I would go as far as to say we simply exist. As my own life progressed I knew this with absolute certainty, that this is true for I once denied my own self the love I now know myself to have.

Recognizing that you so justly deserve these things is the very first step you will take to a life of peace and ultimately of freedom. As you journey through your life, you will begin to realize that you are indeed a beautiful soul created to be loved and to love, to have and be compassion and to be in a state of peace.

Honour yourself today. Allow yourself to be in compassion and love of self. Experience it in its fullness, tasting it, hearing it, seeing it and feeling it. Hug yourself every day. Pat yourself when you have achieved a goal. Be gentle with yourself at all times. Be kind to yourself. Accept yourself for the beautiful soul that you are. Acknowledge the greatness that you are for when you do all these things for yourself and to yourself, your life will be more meaningful and plentiful. You will certainly find that you will have much more positivity streaming in to you and with it will come all that you need.

Remember always to be in gratitude for all that you have and all that you are.

In love and light,

Amanda

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To Be the Sage

Sometimes all it takes is a different angle to get the picture. Be gentle on yourself too. ~ ACN

I recall various times in my life when chaos reigned. Certainly it was because I had not opened my ears to my Divine guidance and absolutely did not follow the directive given me. As the life knocks came crashing at me from all directions, never ceasing for just one second, I became flustered at first and then sank down into a state of panic and despair. Not for a second did I take some time to center and ground myself. Sadly the more panicked I became, the less I saw any solution to my problems. It became a vicious circle until eventually, my esteem in tatters, calmness walked out the door and I chose to do the happy pill thing, popping them as prescribed and hoping that when I awoke all the problems would have magically disappeared.

Many of you may be nodding your heads in agreement by now having been down that very road yourselves.

In times of adversity, when darkness invades our worlds, and it seems that we are alone in the world having no one to support us, we always try and do either the “ostrich” thing, burying our heads in the sand and pretending that the problem does not exist or we do the “Braveheart” thing charging ahead as if we were a warrior, holding our spears in our clenched fists and hurling ourselves forward with a war cry of note.

Now most of us know that doing the “ostrich” thing is simply not an option. Ignoring the problem is not going to make it go away. And yes, the problem will still be there when we lift our heads from the soil and will no doubt be much worse than before we ventured to bury our heads in the sand.

Playing “Braveheart” is not an option either, although you will eventually reach a conclusion to the problem. Most certainly, you will be tattered and torn and almost definitely you will be wounded. Should life throw several knocks at you one after the other or simultaneously, you will certainly not survive it by continually playing ‘Braveheart” as you will be so exhausted from assuming this role.

The ideal role to place in times of strife is to be the sage.

In quietness, step back from the problem and view it as if you were an outsider who was not involved in the issues at hand. You are able, in this position, to see that there are always other avenues that you can take which will lead you to a successful solution. Assess each potential solution thoroughly. . We often find that when we face the problem or issue head on, with our blinkers firmly in place, we cannot see the solution at all. Remove those blinkers and step back, viewing the issue or problem from a different angle. Stepping back from the problem and viewing it from different angles will often produce the solution which will lead you to a successful outcome

Ensure that each step that you take is made with compassion, love and peace. Should the path you are assessing have negative steps, then stop, reassess and then proceed with a new plan of action in which you maintain a stance of compassion, love and peace for it is when you do this that you will emerge from the problem so filled with these profound qualities. You will know that once freed from the problem you will have grown as a soul and person, as you will be wiser and stronger for the experience.

Throughout this experience be gentle on yourself. The issue at hand is stress filled as it is and it does not serve you to berate yourself, flaying yourself with a self made whip, and judging yourself for the role you have played in creating the problem. Likewise, be gentle on others who may have had a hand in the creation of the issue at hand.

Always remain in gratitude for that which you have experienced and that which you have become.

BE the sage today filled with wisdom and grace.

In love and light,

Amanda

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

The Rock

To be the rock that lies at the shoreline, standing fast against the crashing waves of the ocean, is to be steadfast within your life, standing strong as life experiences shape you into the being you are. ~ACN

Have you ever had the privilege of examining a rock that lies at the shoreline of a coast? Looking at it you will see that it is not very even in its appearance. It has indentations, little holes, gaps and fissures. Running your fingers along it, you should take care, for sometimes you will find very jagged edges upon which you can surely cut your fingers, yet, overall, it appears smooth to the touch.

Our lives are just as like being this rock at the shoreline.

Each life experience that we have, shapes and moulds us, Sometimes, we have life knocks that cause us to become dented, Sometimes our life knocks are so severe that it leaves little gaps within our beings and often they are quite catastrophic at the time that it leaves us feeling as though we have holes within our beings blocking our memories and creating huge blanks within our minds.

Yet overall, these life experiences leave us with smooth surfaces, bringing with it great wisdom, shaping our character and building us into the people we are today.

Unlike the rocks at the shoreline that may only stand fast and endure the crashing of the waves, we all have a choice as to how we react to the incident that we experience.

We can choose to deal with the situations at hand, living each moment to the full, learning from it and then taking that knowledge into our future to better serve us there, or we can blithely turn away from it, believing that it did not happen and allow our minds to bury the memory. In doing this, we create the holes or gaps within our beings as we loose or block the incident depriving ourselves of our God given ability to learn and grow.

We often hear of someone who has, for example, been in a motor vehicle accident. The accident may be so severe that we block the incident from our minds and simply do not recall the details, if any, of how it may have happened. There are those, who may emotionally snap, and in this moment, may take the life of another. They too will block the memory and will not be able to recall the incident, unknowing for many months and even years of what happened let alone the cause of it. In both of these examples, we are creating blocks or holes in our memories and at an extremely deep level within our beings, refuse to address the issues behind the incident. It often takes many years of psychological therapy to unlock or release these blocks to bring us to a place of healing and from this we can either begin to or will comprehend the lesson behind it.

We then find, that a similar or repeat incident will occur over and over until we realize that lesson and in so doing grow from it. An excellent example of this is how we choose the same kind of partner over and over, who may be extremely destructive to ourselves and who is abusive and violent toward us. Until we get to the root of why we are choosing such a personality type and address the issues as to why we are choosing them, we will continue to make this choice. Yet, when we have addressed these issues within ourselves, we find, that we are able to move away from this type of choice and can then choose one who is kind, caring and loving toward us and who will enhance us as individuals and support us in our growth.

Now many of you may be reading this and saying “what a load of…”. Stop for a moment and ask yourself, especially if you are in a toxic relationship, why you continually choose toxic relationships. It is almost certainly because you may not have self-worth, or self-deservingness and therefore believe that you are only worth the punishment of self that comes from being in a destructive relationship.

With each incarnation that we choose, we bring with us the objective of growth and have contractually agreed, pre-life, with others who will teach us or whom we may teach. Until we “get” the lesson, we will continue to attract into our lives the circumstances that will bring us to a point of learning.

As you conclude each cycle of learning, be in gratitude for that which you have both experienced and learned and then release it to the Universe to be dissipated by the Universe. Emerge from the experience a wiser, stronger person. Become the smoothness of the rock that lies at the shore of the ocean. Know that you are loved and are Love at all times.

In love and light,

Amanda

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Your Weight in Gold

Your worth is more than your weight in gold. Celebrate your being for what it is and be in gratitude that you have incarnated at this time. You are a gift to the world. ~ ACN

Do you feel worthy of yourself? Do you feel that you are worthy of all that the Universe is able to bring to you?

Many of us believe that the feelings of worthiness are not within our beings. For some of us, life knocks have been the major contributing factor to this state of mind. For others, it has been the treatment of our parents to us. And yet, for others, the “friends”, colleagues and siblings have or may have contributed to our believing that we are not worthy.

Each and every one of us, have the birthright to believe that we are innately worthy of all that is good in life as well as what the Universe is able to bring to us.

In not believing that we have worth, that we are special, beautiful beings that are so deserving of great positivity and great new things, we create blocks that prevent it arriving into our lives. So often, we do such injustice to ourselves in not letting go of what holds us back.

Take a look at your history. What has caused these feelings of unworthiness? If you are unable to look at your life objectively, perhaps because it is too painful, perhaps because you are afraid of what you have to face in doing so, then sit quietly and journal what comes into your mind. Do not concern yourself if your journaling manifests as single words, simply keep going until you establish the truth within you leading to why and yes, perhaps when, these feelings began to manifest in your life. Once you have established the root of the feeling, gently work on correcting it, giving thanks for the experience and then letting it go, releasing it into the Universe to be dissipated by the Universe.

There are many exercises one can do to grow your sense of self worth. Having said this, know that when you address the cause of the lack of self worth, then self worth will begin to come naturally as you realize that you are indeed a beautiful loving soul. Some exercises that you may wish to try are:

• Tell yourself repeatedly that you are worth more.
• Stand in front of the mirror, butt naked and really look at your body. Find the beauty within you and be in gratitude for it. This make take some time but eventually you will learn to love yourself, both your inner and outer beauty, and you will be able to see why you are worthy of the good that is out there just waiting for you to harvest it.
• Do things that make you feel happy and know that as you enjoy them that you are worth every moment of happiness that flows into your life.
• When applying for a new job, set a realistic value on your income, ensuring that you know your worth and feel that you so deserve it.
• Choose the most desirable item on the shelf as you shop and know that you are fully worthy of it. It may be the most expensive item, or it may be one that you really love. The point here is to feel that you are worth spending your dollars on it. Chase away any feelings of guilt that may rear its ugly head whilst doing this exercise. (Remember too that it remains your responsibility to ensure that you can afford the item you are purchasing).

Please serve yourself today. Acknowledge right here, right now, that you are worthy of your weight in gold. You are a gift to the world. Be in gratitude for the glorious times that await you should you but reach your hands out to receive.

In love and light,

Amanda

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

Under Fire!

When under fire from others, stand back and look upwards, breathe and rise above the rapid fire. ~ACN

We have all experienced a time in our lives where others are critical and judgmental of us. Sometimes we make decisions that our parents have warned us against making or our friends have told us that to do so and so will be a huge mistake and then for whatever reason, we make the choice and land up walking a road that becomes incredibly painful to us. Most of us cannot resist the urge to then say “I told you…. Blah, blah, blah” and many become so nasty in our criticism.

When you are in the position of “under fire” from people who do this, simply breathe, breathe, breathe and rise above the criticism and judgment of others. It is so not worth getting upset over their words. Should you find yourself in this position, then simply breathe, breathe, breathe, thank the bearer of those words, rising above them, knowing that they are just words; tiny little letters all strung together that mean nothing in your life. In fact, they are simply the words and opinions of another and quite frankly mean nothing in the real sense of the word. You can choose to do this, or you can choose to allow them to affect you adversely. You do not have to dodge the bullets of these words. You simply have to rise above them, not allowing them to affect you, not taking them into your being, and most certainly not by living your life by and with them.

When we allow the words of others to upset us, it is because we, ourselves, are choosing to be upset. We are all fully capable of choosing to not react. The only thing of importance, as the recipient of judgment and criticism, is what we ourselves believe to be true of ourselves. If you have made a choice in poor judgment and feel that you have learned from the experience, then it is okay, having known that you have grown from it. Acknowledge this and be in gratitude for that which you have learned.

It is so tempting to be drawn in to the negativity of others. Many people thrive on living in a negative fashion, and constantly are disparaging of others. Before you become ensnared in this vicious cycle of negativity and beratement, take a step away from the situation and breathe, breathe, breathe. Please do not engage in this horrid behaviour. You are most likely already assessing the situation in your own way, and are also often, scolding yourself for the choice you have made.

You will find throughout your life that you will choose life experiences that will bring you to the lessons that you need in order for you to fulfill the growth experiences that you contracted to pre-life. As you experience them, be gentle with yourself and know that you will emerge from it a wiser and stronger soul.

When another judges you, send them loving energy and plenty of light. Do not become vengeful and filled with anger and hate. To do this is so destructive to your own being and in doing you become involved, as a participant, to the vicious cycle of negativity. It is a soul of great wisdom who chooses to walk away from negativity. Often the most profound reaction you can make is to thank those who judge and criticize you and then be in silence. This does not mean that you may go and wither away and sulk. It simply means that you are at one with the experience and are behaving with integrity, courage and grace.

Choose to be the greater person, filled with wisdom and courage. Choose to be the one who stays in a positive state of being. Yes, choose to breathe, breathe, breathe and rise above it.

In love and light,

Amanda

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