Thinking About Your Career in Times of Uncertainty?

Let’s face it. The COVID-19 pandemic, the economic consequences of lockdown and the continuing infection across the country (plus, the world) mean that we still don’t fully understand what the “new normal” will look like. Especially as “back to school” is just around the corner.

I’ve seen people get laid off, businesses forced to pivot completely or close, essential workers afraid whether they are exposed to round 1 (or round 2) on their commute or at work, and others who decided to move back home with their parents to make life work.

At the same time, many people blessed with the security of their jobs and who get to “work from home” while taking care of or homeschooling their children, can still pay the rent or mortgage. I know many who are taking the uncertainty of the future as an opportunity to move out of the city to a place that has open space and nature, or just live the nomadic lifestyle in a van. There is a lot of privilege to have the means to do this… but I give them credit for seizing the day. For having the guts to do so.

In these times of uncertainty, now is a great time to take a pause and reflect on your career. You may be saying to yourself that you don’t really know what you want. And that’s okay! Or you feel selfish that you don’t want to go back to school or the office because you want to put the safety of your family first. And that’s okay too.

These are real situations and real emotions that come with it. No matter what your own situation is, whether you love your job or you’re rethinking your direction, whether you’re feeling lost, angry, or excited, let’s pause to really feel and appreciate the humanity in that… in your ability to even feel these feelings.

***

I decided to channel a reading to see what the highest guidance is for us at this time. The situations may not apply to you, but the questions they pose are universal. Here is what the Guides say:

“Today, let’s talk about career. There is a lot to be said right now as people hold on to their jobs, as they think about whether they want to risk their own lives and the lives of their loved ones to not only provide a SERVICE through their jobs, but also to earn money to feed their families.

A career is something that speaks to your heart and also is practical.

There is nothing WRONG with earning a good wage to support your loved ones and also pursuing those things that you REALLY care about -- whether it is through reading, sharing, volunteering, or expressing yourself through the arts or other form of creativity.

There is nothing WRONG with earning a paycheck. And there is nothing WRONG with feeling like you don’t want to risk even a fraction of what frontline healthcare workers have risked because you are afraid of getting sick.

No matter what time it is right now — either during or after a pandemic — the timeless questions are this:

How do you want to spend your time, if it is finite?

How do you want to spend your free time and how do you want to spend your working time?

Do you want to spend it resenting your job or wishing you had another, or do you want to pour yourself into the excitement and feeling of open possibilities as you look for others?

Do you want to spend it hating your boss or company for demanding things of you or setting expectations that you don’t agree with or do you want to take a STAND for what you believe in?

Whether this means you take a different path because of the pandemic, or you embrace the uncertainty and exploratory phase of this part of life, you can CHOOSE what kind of EYES you see THROUGH.

Your PERSPECTIVE is what guides your attitude and what guides what doors you are capable of seeing.

You understand on a base level that when you are in a negative perspective, seeing yourself as small, unworthy, or not good enough, that you will automatically see those doors closing in front of you, whether or not that is ACTUALLY true. This is the illusion that you may have heard of -- the illusion that things are permanently the way they are. 

Instead, EXPERIMENT with shifting your perspective.

Put on a different hat. Put on a different pair of sunglasses. Put on the rose-colored glasses, the ones that let you see everything in a different light so that you can pick out the details and opportunities you seek. 

Try shifting your perspective when it comes to your career. And really look at your life to see -- is this how you want to spend your time? 

If the pandemic is teaching anything, it is that life is precious. Time is precious.

All we have is this present moment, when we can be AWARE, and in AWE of what life is capable of bringing us -- all the ups AND the downs.

Because those experiences --- that is what LIVING is all about.”

***

What does this reading bring up for you? I recommend journaling on these questions and experimenting with this shift in perspective.

Let me know what you come up with and how your process is. This can be an exciting phase of your life, but first, comes seeing in the way your soul wants to see.  

Love & Perspective in a Time of Coronavirus

There are plenty of photos that I can put here, but here’s one that leaves me feeling calm, in awe of the beauty of nature, and appreciative of perspective.

It’s Tuesday, March 18th, 2020. My family and I are in a voluntary “shelter-in-place” in New York City even though our mayor and governor have not yet decided to take such a step. Like you, wherever you are in the world, you are probably experiencing a different world than just a few weeks or months ago now that the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is here.

My hope is that you and your families are all safe and making the best out of a challenging situation. At the same time, I want to acknowledge that you might be going through a roller-coaster of emotions. I know I certainly did/am, and wanted to share my evolution as well as a brief channeling about how to best approach the fact that we are experiencing a global pandemic unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetime.

***

A month ago, I was looking forward to warmer springtime weather, and using the month of March as a way for my family to go outside and explore before our baby #2 comes in April. As someone who’s Chinese- American, the month after giving birth is a month-long “sit” period when I am supposed to stay at home to recover and not go outside except for important things, like our baby’s doctor’s appointments. There are certain recommendations and restrictions on what I can/can’t eat, how to shower and regardless, I was already viewing April and May as my time “inside.”

With the pandemic, I felt a loss of freedom. I am the kind of person that loves going outside, exploring and discovering new things (even if it’s just the latest bargain at Marshall’s) and my two-year-old son loves going outside to play and see construction vehicles on the street too. I love breathing fresh air, seeing the sun and feeling the breeze, and taking advantage of the warmer weather to be with my family and (finally) meet up with friends. I was also looking forward to holding a live podcast recording event on March 10th to interview the co-directors of the Yale COPE Project, where we would talk about psychic intuition, mental health and spirituality. It was a get-together that was literally years in the making.

Things, of course, are now completely different. We made the decision to cancel the live event long before NYC started banning large events. We bought food and essential products bit by bit over the past month when the outbreak was starting to grow in China (and my mom would follow this news from her daily Chinese newspaper). It wasn’t until it arrived in NYC in full swing did we start seeing empty Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods shelves, empty streets, and empty playgrounds when the trees were just starting to blossom.

I felt sad for the horrible accounts of what people in China went through (and what Italy and other places are now going through). I felt unsafe going outside because of the discrimination happening in certain incidents and wanted my husband with me when we commuted to my prenatal doctor’s appointments. I felt scared of other people and also scared of meeting asymptomatic carriers (or potentially being one). I felt annoyed when I thought other people were either over-reacting or not taking it seriously enough. I felt nervous about cancelling non-urgent prenatal appointments or doctor’s appointments that are meant to make sure I’m all ready for when the baby comes. I hated wearing the mask outside because it fogged up my glasses, made it even harder for a pregnant lady to breathe, and because Asian people were attacked both for wearing a mask and for not wearing a mask in NYC.

These emotions are very real. I also felt joy at appreciating the few times I did go outside and breathed in fresh air. I felt the rush of awe of seeing empty supermarket shelves, of a different way of living in such a short period of time. During one trip to Trader Joe’s, a cashier was so friendly in the midst of scanning our canned tunafish, asking how we were doing and offering big smiles. It was remarkable what that point of connection did to our spirits even at a point when we’re wondering whether it’s okay that we’re nervously braving the crowded supermarket lines and that other people are touching all the emergency products we’re buying anyway.

I read about people singing from their balconies in Italy, people helping others, doctors from China helping those in Italy, and all those moments that show a level of humanity in the time of crisis. These are the moments that I think we’re meant to cherish and strive for.

***

I did a reading in the Akashic Records asking about the highest guidance for how we should approach this pandemic — for me personally, given all the things on my mind as a mom, wife and daughter, and also for all of us. I hope you will understand the excerpt and find it helpful in giving you something to think about, something to hopefully widen your perspective. From what everyone says, the worst is yet to come in the U.S. and I pray that God gives us the strength, love and faith to keep going.

***

This is an excerpt from my reading, which in the beginning is directed at me personally, talking about shifting perspectives to see that there is something to be gained even in a time of fear or loss of freedom. Then, it expands to direct the guidance to all of you.

"….Perspective means you can see both [sides] and you can appreciate both sides and the LESSONS that they give you. That is all it’s about. So, everything that has happened - cancelling the [podcast in-person] event, taking other people’s health and needs into consideration when it comes to your own actions -- that is all perspective. 

When you see everyone as connected, you lose the attachment and you can see all sides as neutral. Only then can you ask yourself, what do you want? You want health and peace for you and your family, for everyone in the world. You want freedom - freedom for fresh air, for movement, for enjoying the beauty of spring. You want people to love and to be safe. These are all things you want, and you can put it out there. Because that is then what your vibration draws in. When you are pissed off about not being able to do XYZ, or that your birth plan has changed or that you are inconvenienced by this, then it is an unsettlingly negative vibration. Instead, see this as a way for God to spread love. It is a hard way to do it, but SEE the love that can be there. See the BEAUTY that can be. See the CONNECTION that can be there even with social and physical distancing. That is how NEW perspectives are made.

For [others reading this], we recommend also viewing [your] own lives from this notion of PERSPECTIVE. What is in [your] lives that [you] need to change [your] view about, but that [your] ego has been resisting? What opportunities is this situation allowing for? Perhaps that there is humanity in all of us, no matter the country or boundary. Perhaps that some people will be more affected than others and isn’t this a time to see what WE can do for OTHERS to help or contribute as opposed to hunkering down as our own little selves or our own unit or class or city or country? There are going to be examples of people lending that hand when really they didn’t have to. Those are the moments that then cause a STIR, an opening for more meaning, for more hope, for more OPPORTUNITY and POSSIBILITY for humanity to pour out. It’s like viewing the heart as shuttered and then with one crack, the light can pour in. It is that one crack that is needed to even allow for light to heal and to multiply, the brighten the corners or crevices that have not seen light for a long time. 

From that perspective, think about how you can contribute to what’s going on. How can you help someone? How can you bring a smile to someone’s otherwise worry-filled day? Like that cashier from Trader Joe’s - sometimes you can see humanity and open up to it more when things like this happen.

To protect yourself, visualize the white light around you and your family, your house, your neighborhood, and be in that vibration as many times as you remember in a day. See even wearing a mask as connecting with others, and not fearing others or fearing a virus. There is a lesson to be learned in everything, and the world is learning it on the micro and macro levels, with each lesson a reflection of love, GREATER love, service, and greater good. Yes, there will be deaths, and yes there will be suffering and anxiety and all that comes with it. But on the other side of the coin, there will be hope, healing, a coming together, and a connection - a broad shifting of perspective that only things like this can engender.”

***

Of course, please follow all the guidelines about washing your hands, practicing physical distancing from other people, and flattening the curve, being mindful that young or old, we all have a responsibility to make sure we minimize the number of people we come into contact with, especially since some people can be asymptomatic — in addition to the present-moment intention of visualizing white light.

With this reading, I feel connected, in service to others, and grateful for what we have, especially those little moments of connection and humanity. I hope this is helpful for you. Please share your thoughts in the comments and may you have peace, health and love!

Shift Your Morning Outlook: A Channeled Message

Shift Your Morning Outlook: A Channeled Message

It’s been quite a while since I’ve written a blog post and I’m excited to be back! I decided to channel a message from the Akashic Records for you today. I never know what is going to come through, but I always look at them as lessons and guides for my own life as well (meaning, they can help anyone, no matter where they are on the spiritual journey).

Today’s message is about how we can express ourselves in a way that creates a ripple effect on our planet. It actually stems from something as simple as our attitude in the morning and how we view each day.

Keep in mind that every so often, there are words that are capitalized. Those words are just emphasized as a way for us to pay attention to those particular words.

I hope you enjoy this message and journaling exercise. Feel free to comment and let me know how this serves you!

“There is a tendency to just live everyday as if it were the same as the day before. But it is not.

Every day is an opportunity to create and express ourselves in new and exciting ways.

Think of each day as a renewable cycle. Each morning is a time of rebirth and renewal, like a mini-spring that heralds in a new day.

There is excitement, there is opportunity for new ideas, and there is a NEED and an INVITATION or WELCOMING of new ideas, fresh ways of looking at the same thing.

It could be a fresh way of looking at a conversation you had the previous day, or a problem you’re solving at work, or an argument that you’re trying to get out of your mind.

Most of life is about trying to get the past out of our psyches so that we can focus on the PRESENT moment.

The morning, like the spring, is a way to see how the winter-- the dead leaves, the things that no longer need to be in our space -- can just be buried with GRATITUDE, because it has taught us lessons and is nourishing us from a very foundational level.

The morning is thus a time to APPRECIATE what you have, to SEE it through new eyes, through new perspectives.

That being said, in the morning, you can journal on this or ask yourself this and CONSCIOUSLY speak out your truth in response.

What can be reborn or renewed today?

What elements from the previous season/day/the past can be seen through a new perspective?

How are you inviting this newness into your morning or are you holding on to old ways?

Think of each morning as an opportunity to be reborn. You can be someone closer to who you are -- a vessel of LOVE, of EXPRESSION, and of PEACE.

Reflect on this and for this week, see how this awareness and inquiry is able to shift your mornings and ultimately, the OUTLOOK that you have for the rest of the day and week.

Write down your thoughts and make it physical -- ie, get it out of your head! The more conscious you are, the more your thoughts are written down and your awareness is able to drop any baggage and shift with this new sense of lightness.”

Seeing the Positive Side of "Trying"

Trying something new can be daunting.

It can feel like running up a hill, only to find one of those walls from "American Ninja Warrior" in front of you. You run up the wall and just as you're about to reach the top, you make a spectacular fall. In front of an audience, no less.

Have you ever felt like all eyes were on you - looking at whether you'll make it or not? Does the mix of emotion (excitement for what's ahead and fear of failure) stop you in your tracks, before you even try something?

The word "trying" was such a "bad" term to me that I even tried (ha!) to cut it out of my vocabulary for the past year. 

In my head, the word's definition was intertwined -- it was a mixture of "doing something knowing that it would end in failure," or "giving a cop-out excuse to someone to get them off your back." 

Like, "Can you get this to me by Monday?" "I'll try." No one likes getting that as a response! Or "Did you get the results you wanted?" "I tried." 

It wasn't until I did an intuitive reading for someone that the whole notion of "trying" came up. I had always thought it was a word that was so shameful that it should never be spoken again (just ask my husband).

But the Akashic Records always manages to enlighten me on things I thought I was sure of. 

The reading said:

"We recommend looking at the word “try.” We know it is something of a loaded word because it might imply trying something new and perhaps not meeting your expectations, it could mean trying something different and it teaching you things that you wouldn’t have looked at otherwise, and any number of emotions that may feel at ODDS with one another.

We recommend looking at the POSITIVE spin of the word -- that implies, experimentation, no attachments to the outcome, and a WILLINGNESS to test things out.  

Try things out - like trying on a new dress or trying on a hat. There is no harm in doing so."

The whole notion of "trying" having a positive spin was absolutely new to me (and my ego).

Apparently I had crafted such a perfect story about the word that I had prevented myself from truly "trying" -- to put things on and test them out, with my mind clear to see all the possibilities that could happen. And if it fails spectacularly, to have the ability to try again with the same possibility of success, as opposed to replaying stories of the future disappointments or failures. 

The reading even gave an image of a little girl trying out the monkey bars for the first time. Each time she tried and fell, she would pick herself back up again and try again.

All the response that came afterward -- crying, hurting, being disappointed in herself, etc. -- was just that  -- a response AFTER the initial "trying". I had associated the two things so closely that for a long time, any mention of the word "trying" meant that the mind was already projecting into that moment of it "not going as you had wanted or planned." 

Reflecting on 2016

Looking back at the past year, I definitely saw a mix of areas where I tried new things both AS IF I were trying on a new dress (and if it didn't work, I'd just try the next one!) and AS IF I were "trying something on" from my story of the future just not working out.

I tried holding meetups for the first time and had some moments when I felt like I was running up the American Ninja Warrior wall. Sometimes there would be a ton of sign-ups, then barely one. Every time I tried it, I iterated based on the results -- testing different themes, locations, dates, formats, tickets, and exercises until I got to the method that worked.

If I had given up earlier, then I wouldn't have met so many amazing people every month with shared challenges and hopes. 

I tried giving mini-readings to people I didn't know, even in group settings, and I saw the huge impact they had in people's lives and what they thought was possible. I started owning my gift even more because now hundreds of people have had little sparks of light catalyze their lives so that they can be truly free.

I tried playing the ukulele after not doing so for years (after my first time didn't go as magically as I had imagined) and now I can play three of my favorite songs! (Including, Train's "Hey, Soul Sister") It helps when all the chords are the same. :-)

Purpose Tip:

My tip for you is to reflect back on your 2016 and see where you tried new things from a positive place or from a place of "story." What happened? Were there any differences between those approaches?

Now, for the rest of this year, try something new -- as if you are trying on a new hat or learning the monkey bars. If you fall, pick yourself back up - know that any emotional responses are not at all associated with "trying" and then envision the beautiful possibilities again. 

Let me know how it goes! 

And I invite you to try out a mini-reading with me!

If you haven't experienced this before, whether you're excited or unsure, then take a leap of faith and try it out. I promise you that our conversation will spark clarity and confidence so that you can take the next step in creating a life of joy. 

Sign up for a complimentary 30-minute strategy session and intuitive reading (value $150)*. Hundreds of people have said my mini-readings are "profound," "gets right to the heart of what's going on," and "life-changing."

* Valid only for people who have never received a reading from me before!

Get the new year started off feeling empowered and clear. 

Need Perspective? Channeled Advice, Post-Election

Many people reached out to me saying they were upset by the election of Donald Trump and the values and policies he represents. I know people who are responding with a whole range of emotions, from sadness and anger to surprise or sheer joy -- sometimes all within the same household.

I wonder what will happen and how it might affect me, my family and friends, and the trajectory of the nation. I wonder how such differing views can actually transform into a unified country, as if we can flip a switch.

One thing I kept coming back to, after doing so many Akashic Record readings, is the notion of duality.

Light and dark cannot exist just by themselves -- they need each other in order for people to understand what those concepts even mean. Same with love and fear, which are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Without understanding and experiencing fear and anger, for example, I would not appreciate love and peace as fully. 

From a 300,000 foot view then, I'm really not surprised by the outcome of the election. The silver lining is that now people realize that the nation is so divided. I think people need a ton more compassion and empathy training to go from the types of animosity the campaign has seen to a unified country. It doesn't happen overnight. 

To that end, I did an Akashic Record reading on the highest guidance regarding the election and how we can approach or understand people who voted differently - whether they are represented by red or blue. 

I hope this brings a bit of perspective. It already sparked some ways for me to address some disconnections in my own family and friends as a start.

***

What is the highest guidance regarding the presidential election? How can we approach people who seem to be so different?

To understand the journey, ask yourself -- in their shoes, what happened in their journey that led them to feel the need to hate or to love? What pivotal moments, overheard words, and moments of surprise or upheaval in their lives led them to create the filters they see through?

Everyone is human. Everyone is capable of feeling good or feeling bad. Everyone is capable of feeling love and feeling hate. It is the duality of the Universe, and both are needed in order to appreciate what it means to be Whole. It is this Oneness that stands to benefit when people see clearly - finally - the two different sides.

It is impossible to experience Oneness without first realizing that there are differences. It is impossible to experience differences without first realizing that there is Oneness. This may sound like an oxymoron, but imagine this. If you were a 2-D line, you would have no idea what exists on the 3-D plane. If you were a 3-D object, you may try to understand what it's like to just be a 2-D line in a 2-D world, but you'll never quite "get it."

It is the same when people cannot see and understand the other side, and then FEEL for them, and see the shared humanity. It does not condone hatred or the actions that may be motivated by it. But without building the bridge to even understand how others feel, no constructive dialogue can take place.

So, explore ways to reach out to people you resist or disagree with and start there. There is no point in resolving larger differences across states and borders when there are differences right in your home. Look at areas of disconnection and from your heart, say that you are committed to connection.

It may be with your father, mother, sibling, friend, or relative. Whoever is in your life that somehow they got out of contact with for any number of reasons, look at that, and build a bridge. The more bridges you build, the more you realize that even those people who are deemed closest to you can be disconnected, and then connected. And this is one step closer to connecting with those people who you deem as having irreconcilable differences. 

One step at a time. 

***

What bridges will you build in your own family and friends? What bridges will you build beyond that to understand and empathize with others you may not agree with?

In a Relationship Rut? 3 Things You Need to Know to Get Back into Gear

What happens when you're in a committed relationship and things suddenly get rocky? 

One day, you’re in love, and the next, your world is falling apart. You ask yourself, “Was I that oblivious to the problems in my relationship? Am I not trying hard enough?” 

Or, deep inside you just knew something was wrong. You didn’t know how, but there was an underlying worry that kept showing its face whenever things got tough. 

Whether you’re on the verge of, or freshly picking yourself up from, a breakup or divorce, you will regain a sense of understanding and peace of mind with these three points. 

Karen Shares Her Transformation

I've learned a lot after coaching over 100 high-achieving people who want to make an impact on the world. While they may initially come to me for different reasons, like for example feeling stuck in their career, my clients find that relationships come up as a top priority -- both how they relate to other people and also how they treat themselves. 

Today, I'm going to share Karen's story. She’s a journalist who recently found herself in a situation she never anticipated: 

"I had plummeted emotionally after a breakup with someone whom I'd been in a relationship with for years, and friends with for nearly two decades. I couldn't accept nor make sense of the forced separation and deep unentanglement that would have to take place afterwards.

I was a wreck. I couldn't eat or sleep and I experienced constant heightened anxiety, self-doubt and panic attacks. I had incredible support from friends near and far, but I needed something more. 

I wondered if having a purpose reading could somehow help me make better sense of myself and reclaim my me, my core."

Karen and I met and over a few hours, we discussed her purpose -- what it is, how it has manifested over time, how it related to her relationship, what blocks exist and what actions she can take.  

"The purpose reading with Julie resonated right from the start. Almost immediately, I burst into tears because the opening message was something that I'd internally been aware of since I was a child but hadn't exactly had the words to articulate nor the need to tease out and actively realize.

The reading infused me with a strong sense of honest hope."

After the session, I continued coaching Karen, helping her transition back to peace when moments got dark (because the mind chatter comes back!) and offering intuitive guidance to help her connect to her own self again. 

Once she understood her purpose, she was finally able to express herself fully. It's like when you first connect the wires to a new lamp, the light can flicker at first. But over time, it gets used to shining and the connection becomes secure, the light steady. 

“I felt bolder, and I felt more accepting of what was happening. I also felt things more intensely, including pain and loss, but I somehow understood that this was part of it all and part of my process of rightly grieving.

I started seeing signs, or sign posts (including one with a butterfly) that I was in the right place and that there was nowhere else that I could or should be. I started to embody my purpose in ways that I could and can viscerally feel." 

It’s been a few months since, and Karen is exploring what it’s like to express her purpose on a moment-to-moment basis. Aside from experiencing beautiful miracles and moments of joy that she writes to me about enthusiastically, she is on a journey of healing.

The more she is conscious of how her purpose shows up in her life, the more she is learning how to embrace life without judgment. 

So how does this help you to embrace your own relationships or breakups?

1. First, like Karen, know that sometimes things happen for a reason that you cannot even fathom right now. 

As Steve Jobs said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something—your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

An argument or a breakup may seem like the end of the world or the end of all your dreams to get married, start a family, and spend the rest of your life with this person, but it's all going to be okay. And there's probably something really important that you learned that came out of the whole experience. 

When you know your purpose, the path leads to the kind of inner growth, beauty, and magic that only comes with a strong connection to your own self. You will see greener pastures. 

 

2. Your purpose is not just related to your career. It, in fact, directly impacts your relationships with others and with yourself. 

Knowing your purpose helps you understand what truly motivates you and what you have to live for. It helps you articulate what is missing in your life -- the absence of which affects your ability to be your true self. 

When you’re not being your true self, you feel an underlying tension that impacts your relationship with others. 

For example, if part of your purpose is to express your voice and share your story, and you have not done it to the level that your heart knows you can do, then the underlying tension of not being fully self-expressed causes frustration and stress. You lash out or get snappy at work or blame your significant other for your unhappiness, but it ultimately has to do with your own, sometimes unconscious, choices. 

I’ve seen many clients who, after consciously knowing their purpose or the purpose of their significant other, finally “get" it on a deeper level. They embrace quirks that normally would have caused frustration, and see how two people were meant to learn something from each other. They understand the role they played and are able to accept, as Karen did, what the present moment is. 

So, if you find yourself in relationship patterns or stuck in a rut, it might actually have to do with knowing and expressing your own true self. 

 

3. Your ego mind will try to convince you that you are not worthy of love. When you live your purpose, you naturally exude passion. 

After a breakup, people are quick to judge themselves. Don't let your own ego chatter convince you that you will never meet another person or that you can't be loved. 

When you are expressing your purpose and not paying attention to your ego mind chatter, you actually are in a positive state of mind to take new actions and see the possibilities around you. You become more open-hearted, leading you to creative ways to rekindle an existing relationship or discover a new one that is aligned with wonder and unconditional love. 

Many of my clients find themselves meeting new people -- romantic or otherwise -- that they never expected or imagined existed. They feel called to create a profile on a certain dating platform. They decide to attend a friend’s party when normally they would have stayed home. They reconnect with themselves and finally prioritize doing the things they are passionate about. They even manifest their ideal relationship.

So, when the ego chatter strikes, remember to let your true self shine. Allow yourself to be relaxed, excited and spontaneous. Otherwise, the people you are meant to meet cannot find you in the dark.

***

Are you ready to discover how knowing your purpose can clear the heartache and give you peace of mind?

Learn more about the “Discover Your Purpose” session and get back into gear with a conscious heart, a sense of purpose, and a connection back to your true self. 

Let’s start a new chapter.

If this blog post resonated with you, let me know! I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

What About The Money? - Channeled Text

This is the third of a series of blog posts that are fully channeled texts from the Akashic Records (all knowledge, information, thought, and emotions in the Universe  -- a massive library of consciousness, if you will) that are meant to impart higher wisdom so that we can better ourselves and the planet.

For more information on my process, check out my previous posts, Living a Greater Life, that explains how I do these channelings, and Focusing on the Opposite. 

***

What about the money?

In the past month, I've met so many amazing entrepreneurs and creative souls who are clearly following their passion and giving so much of themselves. They've created strong personal brands, are generating valuable content and services that support women, men, and especially entrepreneurs seeking to live their best lives -- and they are barely scraping by.

I know from personal experience that it can be a feast or famine, and that uncertainty drives our ego minds to the brink. Our heart though, when we listen to it, knows that we are already taken care of - we're alive, breathing, at peace. 

No one really talks about it though, unless they are truly honest about it or one of my intuitive readings reveals the core emotions of vulnerability and despair that clears out the need for any "looking good." 

When that happens, people let go of their shields, like a flower that can finally open up to receive the butterfly. And it feels liberating. They feel understood, recognized, and seen. And the butterfly can finally help them spread their word to others.

It is here when productive conversations arise. How can we empower each other? How can we collaborate? How can we take actions as a group, a community that cares for each other?

Because we can't do everything alone. That just relies on our own, finite personal willpower. It can yield results, sure, but it blocks out all the synchronicities that the Universe provides.

So, be vulnerable and honest, ask for support, trust, and allow for synchronicities to happen. Set the intention for miracles to happen everyday.

Use your eyes in a new way -- seeing what's possible, what's beautiful, and what you appreciate. When you put on these glasses, let me know what glorious moments you see.

Now, for the channeled text below...

***

View fullsize

Channeled from the Akashic Records:

Money is just energy.

Imagine it as a flowing river that just keeps moving, on and on. It takes whatever is in the river with it. It moves with a constantcy that makes it so powerful.

It is not the rushing river in "one go," that tumbles stones and makes them smooth and worn. It is the small acts of a thousand years that does so.

See money in this way. It is a thousand small acts, or even one small act, that opens the door for more to flow through.

It is not about a lump sum and especially for those in a tough financial spot, it is not about the relief you get from a giant sum of money pouring in. In fact, that implies that it is not ALREADY HERE and so there is an energy of lack that then appears. You know, that your underlying frequency is what attracts what you experience in the physical world.

What can these small acts be?

They can be to donate to a charity that you are inspired by even though you feel like you don’t have enough right now. It can be putting away a small amount, even a dollar towards the vacation fund that you think you can never achieve. It can be picking up a penny in the street and seeing that there is something to be received when you are out and about. It can be giving away your time and advice. It can be giving away your love and good wishes. These are all small acts, and a thousand of them, and yes, even one for those of you who feel at the mercy of things -- can make a difference.

It is a thousand droplets of water, multiplied by many, that form a river. They are just droplets of water.

Begin with the droplets. See the droplets, appreciate the droplets and know that when they add up, they carry incredible force.

Be conscious of that force, and know that it all starts somewhere.

The Magic of Synchronicity: Top 6 Conclusions

View fullsize

It's a moment you can't forget. 

You start to panic and then a song comes on the radio that gives you the guidance you were looking for.

You think of a friend that you haven't seen in a while and she texts you out of the blue. 

You see a butterfly in your apartment and it makes you think of someone you love who passed away. Even though it was in the middle of winter.

You remember these moments. They stick in your mind because something a bit out of the ordinary happens. They freak you out, leave you speechless, or both. 

Synchronicity (noun) is defined as the simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.

I've had a good number of synchronicity happen in my life, and while they may have no discernible causal connection, I don't think they are random chance. 

For example, my husband and I were having one of those conversations in which it was clear our egos were at play. As we talked back and forth, you could feel our internal frustration levels rising because we hadn't rationally "figured out" a solution.

At that moment, a bird landed on our air conditioning unit. 

Both of us froze and turned to the window.

It was a mourning dove. It was huge and it literally peered through the window, staring at us. It made this beautiful cooing noise and moved its head from side to side, peering at us with curiosity. Daring us to breathe.

My husband and I looked at each other. 

Both our egos stopped at that point, and our Higher Selves (our true, authentic selves) came in. The frustration and the need to have the last word fell away. No words really needed to be spoken at that point. Being energetically sensitive, I felt waves of peace flow to me. They were very subtle but I felt them through my body. 

He also felt that sense of peace and we ended the conversation on that note. It felt like we had let out a silent sigh of relief. It was like the Universe decided to chime in on our conversation to tell us to just let it go.

***

Because of this beautiful moment, I wanted to see if other people had similar experiences.  

What were their stories, if any? What kind of meaning did they derive from them, if any? Who were involved? What patterns exist?

The analyzer in me wanted to get more information, so I sent out a brief survey and received 20 responses (thank you to all who participated!). Using that data, examples of your stories (noted in italics), and my own experiences, I came to some conclusions about synchronicity that I share with you here. 

(Note - given the small sample size, take this as the start of gathering data. You are invited to contribute your own thoughts about synchronicity here with this brief survey. Plus, note that the respondents are biased given those who respond are likely those who feel compelled to share their own synchronicity beliefs or experiences.)

Top 6 Conclusions about Synchronicity

1. Synchronicity is not uncommon. 

In fact, it happens fairly often. For some people, they experience moments like these once or twice in a lifetime, but for many others, they occur far more often. 55% of those surveyed experience synchronicity at least once a month, including those who get it a few times a week or even a few times a day! 40% of people intentionally ask for or seek out synchronicity.

Imagine how magical your life would be if you experienced synchronicity and expected it to happen, all the time!

2. Impeccable timing and a shared experience bring about deeper meaning. 

75% of respondents thought that synchronicities have a deeper meaning, and that they are not mere coincidences or happenstance, while the rest were not sure why they even happen in the first place. No one (0%) surveyed thought that these events did not have any meaning.  People shared:

"Ever since my mother passed, I always hear her favorite songs come on. My siblings would experience this too, sometimes on the same day as me." 

"I get perfect transit connections when I think I'm going to be late and then I end up on time!" 

"I always see the same number patterns starting from a few years ago: 1111s, 444s, etc."

"I received a text from a friend in a specific neighborhood when that particular neighborhood came up in a separate conversation."

Given the complexity of the events, a majority of people (60%) thought that "the Universe has a larger plan" and 45% thought that "we are all connected on some level." Just 5% did not learn anything from the events. 

"I think it's important to notice [synchronicity] because it means you're awake and noticing the world around you." 

Besides the timing, the fact that many of these are shared experiences with other people or other forces outside of our own personal control (like trains or radios), make them stand out.

It's one thing when it's just you experiencing it. It holds more weight when your siblings also experience the same thing, or if the timing is so perfect that you shave a few minutes off your expected commute. 

3. Workplace synchronicity happen in ways that seem to benefit you and your larger purpose.

Survey respondents shared:

"As my severance pay was coming to an end, I received a call from a former colleague about a temporary position that she recommended me for. I did not look for the job... I trusted that Life would bring me what I needed and it did." 

"I was wondering about how my colleague was doing, and then I ran into her the next day. She brought this new management class to my attention and I ended up taking it."

"My mother began requiring 24/7 care due to Alzheimer's just as my work slowed to the point that I could leave it to care for her."

"My team was looking to hire a catering company and found out that the person on the other end of the phone was the best friend of one of our teammates."

"I got an opportunity to participate in a documentary on HBO. I've always wanted to be a part of something huge that would benefit a massive amount of people... The people I work with and especially my mentor at work were highly influential in making this happen for me. I felt and still feel absolutely amazing about it. I'm a little nervous too, but I know this is what I am supposed to do. I'm confident in my intuition right now."

The rational mind would normally freak out if a job started slowing down or the bank account started dwindling. But when something positive arises at the same time, like having the freedom to take care of a loved one, or it makes way for a new opportunity that you hadn't even thought was possible, then it feels great. Even if you're a bit nervous to take on these opportunities, it seems to plug you in to a larger purpose that your soul was yearning to step into. 

The next time something unexpected at work happens, take it in stride and see if there's something else that it is paving the way for.

4. Animals like talking to you and are usually there to say that everything is okay.  

Animals come up a lot in synchronicity stories. They remind me of Disney's Cinderella and Snow White, who can both seemingly communicate with animals and are always getting help from their furry friends. As my own story showed, when animals appear in these synchronicity events, they bring peace and comfort.

How likely is it that animals will land on your windowsill or hover, unafraid, in front of you? Some people think they are angels themselves or that spiritual beings are orchestrating them to give them comfort. Whatever it may be, these stories give people meaning and a lasting impression. 

"I was sitting by the lake -- the same lake my sister and I had sat at many times before her sudden passing... My sister collected hummingbird figurines. As I was sitting quietly, enjoying the lake, I was startled as a hummingbird flew into my face and hovered, flapping her little wings. This little bird was nose-level to me and just stayed and stared into my eyes. No doubt 100% it was my sister sending me a sign that she is with me. I felt comfort, joy, peace and happiness."

"My wedding was a rainy day in October. I was overjoyed but unsettled and anxious -- all the things you might feel. We went outside to take a few pictures with some floral arrangements that were outside (the rain had turned to mist by then). I turned and saw a beautiful deer with a full set of antlers standing and gazing at me. He bowed his head and turned and walked away and I felt so good. I felt like nature was saying, "It's OK, it's all going to be OK." I've never let go of that! It made me feel so peaceful and confident at a moment when I had to look happy and together but didn't feel it all the way, like I thought I was supposed to. It felt like a little miracle!"

5. Even if you're a world away, reassurance is able to find you. 

What makes the shared experience even more out-of-this-world is when you go to places in the middle of nowhere and you still manage to run into people. The circumstances surrounding these stories also give more weight -- in some of these cases, people were seeking (whether consciously or unconsciously) connection, comfort and reassurance. They happened to find it in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

People shared:

"I was feeling very sad after a decisive fight over the phone with my partner. I was alone in the middle of India, and a thought came by: "I wish I had a girl friend to talk to at this moment". Maybe 15 minutes later, I decided to get some air outside. I waved for the first tuk-tuk (out of 1000 passing by) and low and behold, seated alone in it was a dear friend that I haven't spoken to for almost one year. Just the very same person that helped me with a relationship drama a year ago. It was so much to take in, that the both of us kept staring at each other, completely speechless."

"I randomly decided to go to a part of town that I wouldn't normally go to. I came across someone who I've lost touch with, who ends up telling me about something where our lives could (and should) overlap! We connect and find ways to help each other out."

"I had randomly heard about a yoga teacher training program, and the dates happened to work out perfectly with my schedule for the next few months (in spite of the crazy hours I was putting in at work and the unusual travel schedule I had). I signed up, but did not know precisely why I was feeling so called to do this. Well, a week after I graduated from the program, my father passed away. And that's when I knew there was some larger plan that was telling me that I needed the tools I'd learn through yoga to equip me through the next period of grieving."

6. Synchronicities are beautiful moments and particularly helpful when you're looking for deeper meaning, but don't get attached to them. Rely on your own internal peace. 

This is particular to me, but I wanted to share this. After seeing the dove land on my window, my ego mind was quiet for a few days. I kept coming back to that incident whenever I hit an obstacle to remind myself of how beautiful and complex the Universe is.  

What's interesting is that I noticed my ego started expecting MORE synchronicities. It wanted to see more doves land right in front of me. It was never satisfied, wanting to have more and more of these signs before it could feel peace. It wanted to rely on something external, rather than internal, to feel comfort. While it was great that my mind started to see miracles as normal, that was not the point. 

Relying on anything external, even synchronicities to bring you peace, is a never-ending battle. What I recommend we all focus on, is just how special that moment is.

Be in the experience of that moment because every moment, no matter how synchronous, IS beautiful.

**

So, next time you get a shared experience with another -- whether it is a human being, an animal, a loved one, a spirit, or technology -- be aware of how incredible that moment is.

Connecting in that time and space, with everything that is going on your lives, gives you pause to wonder. 

I invite you to welcome the next synchronicity and intend to receive miracles everyday not because they bring significant meaning, but just because you can.

Be sure to feel thankful when you can feel the touch of magic that comes when unlikely events align. In that moment, anything, and more, is possible.

What To Do When Your Ego Takes Over

This is the third of a series of blog posts that are fully channeled texts from the Akashic Records (all knowledge, information, thought, and emotions in the Universe  -- a massive library of consciousness, if you will) that are meant to impart higher wisdom so that we can better ourselves and the planet.

For more information on my process, check out my previous two posts, Living a Greater Life on uncovering limiting beliefs, and Focusing on the Opposite, on what happens when your life looks like a mish-mash of everything you *don't* want.  

Note: In this post, I added the titles of 'helpful hints' and headers to make it easier for you to read. Everything else, including the all-caps-for-emphasis, is all channeled text. 

***

View fullsize

Purple Flux, Jeff Badillo, Crosby Street Gallery

What To Do When Your Ego Takes Over

Life is a series of moments, one after the other, and the ones that you remember most lie on the far ends of the spectrum of love and fear.

On the one hand, you have what is called unconditional love, where you feel this great overwhelment of joy and bliss in your heart. Every little thing feeds that love -- from seeing the birds singing in the trees, to the slight breeze and the smell of ocean air in your nose, to the sight and sounds of children laughing. This pure, unadulterated joy is what embodies pure bliss.

You might have experienced moments like this from time to time, or maybe you don’t even recall ever having experienced such feelings. This is where your happiest memories lie, and this is where bliss lives.

People often think that this bliss is fleeting, that once you have it, it is already gone. And then you’re left, wanting for the next feeling of bliss and wracking your brain for HOW you will experience it again.

For people who are obsessed with experiencing this bliss, who do not have the infinite wells WITHIN to sustain themselves -- they will turn to external methods of experiencing this bliss. This could come in the form of drugs, of alcohol, of extremism -- whether it is thrill seeking adventure or reveling in the stress-induced adrenaline and pain of their constant, worrying lives.

Some people can even mistake this stress for bliss, because the ups and downs that the body experiences mirror that feeling of transformation -- of going from the “normal” to the “unique” and ‘miraculous” feelings of bliss.

 

HELPFUL TIP #1: bliss is normal

unlearn what society taught you. 

But what we are here to tell you, is that THIS BLISS IS NORMAL. It is your natural state, it is NOT unique and is certainly not miraculous.

It is your own society’s beliefs and ego-made constructs that have TAUGHT you ERRONEOUSLY that bliss is unique, fleeting, and leaves you wanting more, and wracking your brain for how that will come about.

Bliss - it may look like that day when you are making enough money through your business to pay your bills and a little extra, and you feel on top of the world. 

Then -- having survived that month, it may look like that deep well of sadness and concern about where your income is going to come from, and how you will pay the bills the next month. This is the stage of “wracking your brain for the HOW.”  

When you are in this stage, you are the OPPOSITE of bliss. When you are in this stage, you are governed by your ego mind, which is rational, and only knows what has transpired in the past, what the present moment looks like from the LIMITED point of view of the ego, and what the future *could* look like based on the past.

This form of using trend analysis or past, historical data to predict the slope of the lines in the future is working from the EGO, rational mind. This form of mindset DOES NOT ALLOW for more, creative possibilities which is how the Universe and the Divine Mind operates.

When the Universe is co-creating with you, the realm of possibilities are purely endless and unlimited. That means, that your income *can* come from other, natural ways, that are NOT miraculous. It is your society’s teaching that miracles are unique and few and far between that prevent you from truly embodying your soul’s knowing that all things are possible.

When you realize that this happens, allow yourself to say thank you, to the ego mind, for providing us with an indicator that the view of the world is limited. From the Higher Self and the Universe, the view of the world is UNlimited. This INDICATOR is all you need to be aware of so that you can then focus your attention on what your mind wants to create.

Helpful Tip #2: Awareness comes first 

your ego is JUST TRYING TO HELP YOU, LIKE A MISGUIDED AUNTIE WHO'S UP IN YOUR BUSINESS. DRAW OUT WHAT YOUR EGO THINKS AND WHAT YOUR DIVINE MIND THINKS. 

It may even help you to draw out what your ego mind *thinks* is possible. And then draw out what your Divine Mind knows is possible -- which is everything. This clear, graphical, visual representation will allow your subconscious mind to reprogram itself with this new knowing that is ultimately your natural knowing. You are un-learning years and years of human ego-mind fear and concern.

Let’s take a look at what that other side of the spectrum looks like. This is where fear, worry, concern, doubt, uncertainty and survival lives. It is all about the the physical body and self-preservation. The ego-mind will do anything in its power to let you know of all the dangers that may appear to you, and all the ways for you to pick battles, start fights, and fight-flight-or-freeze yourself into a better situation.

The Truth of the matter here is that there IS no such thing as a *better* situation in the ego-mind. Everything is always a life or death situation, and death may look like experiencing disapproval, feeling failure, not having enough money, not being able to survive, not being able to show your face to your peers, not being able to make the impact that you want to make in the world.

It can feel subtle, or it can feel like it’s a hammer hitting you on the head. This fear occurs on a spectrum, and when you are in it, it is nearly impossible for you to see yourself in it -- unless you have the AWARENESS and unless you have someone else to see you and be aware FOR YOU.

HELPFUL TIP #3: talk to the mirror 

saying how you feel out loud to your reflection gets out the emotion and leads to your inner voice 

That is why it is helpful to look at yourself in the mirror and to talk to yourself, so that you have this level of awareness when you are by yourself. Making affirmations is useful. But the real test is when you’re able to dig yourself out of the ego-trench when you are looking at your own reflection. Start by talking out loud as the spoken word has power, and if spoken for long enough and prefaced by “My heart says this… My Divine Mind says this…”, it will lead you to speak from your Higher Self. With practice, you can turn yourself around to the Higher Self when you are alone in front of the mirror.

HELPFUL TIP #4: find a buddy 

Enlist a buddy to see you at your best self when you can't. have them USE SOUND TO UPLEVEL YOUR FREQUENCIES. 

If someone else is there to see you, and to bring you that level of awareness, use sound to snap your ego mind out of it, and use love -- the physical and energetic expression of love to help the brain and the heart get back on the natural track. This could look a hug, it could look sending love and light from your heart to another, it could look like saying loving words and expressions of love. Anything else will be from the ego-mode, and will only trigger and amplify more arguments between two egos.

It is important to have this level of self-awareness, and to have someone -- whether it’s a friend, a family member, a coach, a teammate, who is comfortable enough to provide that level of awareness, and that level of unconditional love. Seek out and surround yourself with these people so that there will always be a buddy to provide that awareness.

HELPFUL TIP #5: your life matters

don't give up when the going gets tough. you are strong. 

We end here to say that this is all part of the journey, and that yes, sometimes your ego-mind will ask why it had decided to take this journey. Just know that everything leads to your natural state of bliss and joy, and that this level of awareness and growth is what will heal the world. If you’re not doing it for yourself, know that you are doing it for others, and you are much loved already. You have just turned your face from it for a split second, but you are still bathed in that love.

Know that the Universe is all-loving, and that even in the worst of times, your soul is experiencing growth in service to the rest of the world on an energetic level, and that you are much stronger than your ego mind will ever think you are. Listen and act from your Higher Self. Love and know that you are always loved. That is your natural state.

Aetna, a Congressman, and mindfulness? Wisdom 2.0 Recap

I spent a fantastic week in the San Francisco area in February to attend the Wisdom 2.0 conference, a gathering of 3,000 people enthusiastic about mindfulness, meditation, inner wisdom, business and tech. 

I'll be sharing a series of posts from that trip alone, which was infused daily with so much serendipity that I came back with even greater confidence that my work with purpose and inner empowerment is much-needed and necessary for the modern soul. 

Among the many highlights was a panel on Mindfulness & Medicine: The Future of Healthcare with Mark Bertolini, CEO of Aetna, Tim Ryan, Congressperson of Ohio (D), and Jon Kabat-Zinn, the father of evidence-based mindfulness-based stress-reduction (MBSR). 

View fullsize

(L to R): Congressman Tim Ryan, CEO of Aetna, Mark Bertolini, and Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of MBSR - mindfulness-based stress reduction.

As someone who worked in the healthcare technology field for a few years, creating initiatives that link startups with hospitals seeking to pilot technologies with patients, I kept coming back to the fact that tech can be nice, but sometimes we were never really treating the root of the underlying problem.

And, as a patient of this medical system myself who believes that my inability to counter stress for years plus diet/nutrition issues from social pressures led in part to full-blown medical issues, I was literally sitting at the edge of my seat with this star panel, hanging onto every word. 

They talked about: 

• how an Uber-for-nurses could revolutionalize how we receive preventative care and promote community economic development (entrepreneurs - JUMP on this idea!)
   
• how government needs to align their spending to things that actually work to promote health, creating better living and working conditions and healthy environments
   
• how Bertolini used mindfulness and yoga to ease his constant pain after a horrific, near-fatal ski accident
   
• how Aetna has a Chief Mindfulness Officer(!), and gave its employees FREE meditation, mindfulness and yoga, and even did a study showing the decrease in healthcare costs, decrease in stress (cortisol levels) and increase in productivity. 
   
• how schools across the country are seeing the incredible effects of mindfulness on lowering student suspension rates and cortisol (stress) levels, while increasing focus

The private Q&A afterwards was even better -- clinicians, dentists, patients, teachers, and parents all talked about how stress relates to mental health, physical health, and how more can be done to advance how institutions are providing health-care as opposed to disease-care. 

This, of course, needs cooperation with federal and state governments in relation to billing and reimbursements and what types of providers and practitioners are allowed to offer service.

In addition, we need new public or private sources to fund rigorous clinical studies. Aetna published the results of their own study in the Journal of Occupational Health and is investing its own funds via the Aetna Foundation on related research and programs. (See a New York Times article here and a PBS segment interviewing Bertolini for more resources). 

I came away, first of all, excited that these leaders are being the pioneers to integrate inner empowerment with everyday life in the corporate world. We all know that people need to lower stress and it takes time and guts for people to stand up for something that works, that may not be "conventional." 

At the 2015 Integrative Health Conference, I remember that physicians talked about how effective and inexpensive alternative treatments are, including acupuncture, and how misunderstood they were for decades (and to some extent, still misunderstood). In fact, the Department of Defense had pioneered research and field studies in acupuncture and other forms of pain management years before it entered mainstream medicine. 

Secondly, I came away inspired that people in the audience are all interested in seeing more advancement of integrative therapies and alternative therapies in their lifetime.  The conference made it clear that just a few years ago, CEOs and leaders of our country used to be afraid to talk about mindfulness, meditation, or yoga, and now they are more likely to speak openly about it. Now it takes cooperation, cross-sector movement, and apparently organizing people to petition their congressperson to promote more opportunities in health and integrative medicine. 

My third, and greatest takeaway, is that the more we have actual dialogue about inner empowerment and its role in everyday life, and the more people can experience its effects in lowering stress, the better. 

Anyone interested in continuing the conversation in New York City? I'd love to start or be a part of these types of dialogues. Only with open conversation can we create anything truly inspired and game-changing.