The morning after Christmas this year I woke up to one of my best Christmas gifts – the excited, anticipating eyes of two of my grandchildren standing by my bed telling me it was time to wake up.
Read moreThe Time Is Now – Three Steps for Staying Present When Stressed
A few years ago I was given the message “The Time Is Now” as part of a message to share on a stage in front of 500 or more lightworkers. I did not know then how important that phrase would become.
The phrase has several layers of meaning. Today, it is calling me to share it as a spiritual practice during what feels like, looks like, acts like a crisis beyond what most of us have experienced in this lifetime.
“Be Here Now”. Remember that phrase from a book written in the 70’s by Ram Dass? How about Echkart Tolle’s, The Power of Now? All of these phrases are calling us to be present, in this moment, here and now.
It is in the “now” that all things are possible. It is in the “now” that we can align our mind, body, and heart with Spirit and receive inspiration, guidance, and tap into our inner wisdom. It is in the “now” that we feel the Presence of whatever we understand divinity to be, whether we call it God, Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah, All There Is, the Universe, Source – So many names for the creative force in our lives.
In the present moment is when we become present to ourselves and feel the presence of creation.
So how do we stay present in the midst of what seems like chaos?
1. Focus on your breath. I know that may sound trite and obvious, but just take one moment to intentionally focus on your breath. Are you not more aware of the present moment?
Being aware of this moment, intend to be mindful of each moment. Notice how your mind wants to take you to the past or future. Thank it. And say “not now”, recognizing that where the mind wants to take you is not the present moment, and let it go.
Bring your attention back to your breath. This breath. And the next one. This moment. This moment.
Feeing impatient? Where do you want to go?
Come back to now.
Come back to now.
Come back to now.
2. Feel into the moment. Notice the sensations in your body as you bring your awareness back to now. Don’t think on them. Don’t dwell on them. Don’t judge them. All of that will take you into your head and away from the present moment. Just feel, allow the senses of your body to speak to you without your thinking about them. Just notice.
3. Appreciate. Appreciation is a cousin of gratitude. For me, it does not require words. It involves a recognition, an acknowledgement, and an awareness. It keeps us closer to the present moment. And if you find yourself going beyond the present moment, begin again with step 1.
Three easy steps to help you stay present, open to the ocean of possibilities of the creative force that has given you life and given you breath, and to let go of any stress the unknowns of these times may be triggering for you.
Try these and let me know what you experience in the comments below. You may find more peace. You may find more love. You may find creative solutions to whatever may be causing you stress. The Time Is Now.
Namaste.
Lilia Shoshanna Rae
Lilia Shoshanna Rae shows spiritual seekers how to connect with angels in their own unique way so that they can feel angelic support no matter what is going on in their life. Lilia’s book, The Art of Listening to Angels shares how angels came to her mid-career as a legislative lawyer and helped her move in the direction of her soul’s calling. Her angel team gave her a five-step process to help others do the same. For additional support, Lilia offers Angel Connection sessions that empower clients to develop their own angel connections and receive support as they traverse their spiritual path. Through April 30, 2020, Lilia is making her sessions available by phone or through Zoom at a special discount. Check out her website at LiliaShoshannaRae.com.
Tips for Keeping Your Vibration High
I recently asked my angel team what they suggest we do in these changing times when facing fear. My angels advised, “keep your vibration high.” When I asked how, they said, “one way is to connect with us. We can help.”
I know whenever I connect with my angel team, I feel reassured by their love and guidance.
My angel team also suggested that I reflect on my Dad’s success. He is 101, looks like he is in his 70s, and has an active life that includes driving, volunteering at his church, and being a great inspiration wherever he goes. He must be onto something.
My angels said, “Even though your Dad does not believe in angels, he is a down to earth example of how someone can keep their vibration high.”
So what are some of the things my Dad does to stay vibrant at 101 that would help us lift our vibrations?
1. Maintain a positive attitude: Dad almost never worries. When he sees a problem, he finds a solution. He is one of the most ingenious problem solvers I know. His ingenuity helped his contracting business survive economic downturns, extreme weather, and all sorts of issues that small businesses face. He did not worry about the long hours or cash flow challenges – he found amazing ways to turn things around and miraculously make payroll each week. And he did it honestly and ethically, so he could sleep well at night – another aide for staying healthy.
2. Eat healthy food: When he was in his 60’s he bought a juicer and started drinking vegetable juices. He recruited my first born to push the carrots through the juicer and experiment with other veggies. He continues to avoid sweets and fast foods, choosing healthier options most of the time.
3. Do regular exercise: Dad had to do a lot of walking as part of his work in earlier years. When retired, he started going to a gym until his mid-90s. He still takes walks in the neighborhood and uses a leaf blower at this church as part of his exercise regime.
4. Provide service to others: He devoted himself to take care of his family, his employees, and with the little time he had left, his friends and community. Once retired, he dedicated every Thursday for volunteer work at his church, maintaining the grounds and physical structures. In his 90s, he was leading the group of men who did this as a regular service for the church. And I never knew when he might stop by my house and take care of a clogged gutter or other house repair that I did not even know was needed.
5. Make family and loved ones a priority: Dad’s first priority has been his family. He helped me as a single mom take care of mine. When my kids were little, he would hold each one them in his arms and say repeatedly, “You can do it. You can do it.” He introduced them to Mister Rogers on TV because he liked the lessons on positive attitude that were integral to the show. To this day, if anyone in his family needs him, he still does what he can to help.
I see why my angels wanted me to reflect on my Dad. He shows us some down-to-earth ways to keep our vibrations high. Keep a positive attitude. Take care of yourself. And be of service to others.
My angels also want you to know that when you need a little extra boost, ask you angels for help. It’s their specialty. They love to help us lift our vibrations.
What are you doing to keep your vibrations high? Do you have some down-to-earth practices, like my Dad? Or do you have a special way that you connect with your angels when you feel you need some help? I would love for you to share your comments below.
Lilia Shoshanna Rae shows spiritual seekers how to connect with angels in their own unique way so that they can feel angelic support no matter what is going on in their life. Lilia’s book, The Art of Listening to Angels shares how angels came to her mid-career as a legislative lawyer and helped her move in the direction of her soul’s calling. Her angel team gave her a five step process to help others do the same. For additional support, Lilia offers Angel Connection sessions that empower clients to develop their own angel connections and receive support as they traverse their spiritual path.
Check out her website at LiliaShoshannaRae.com.
When Why Leads to Why Not, It Is Time to Act
My angels have been leading me to ask a lot of “why” questions of myself today. Why do I feel called to be a healer? Why am I writing? Why am I connecting to angels? Why am I asking why?
These questions started with who questions, including the unanswerable “who am I?”.
I know that I am love and light. I was created in the image of the Divine, and the Divine is love and light. I am cool with that. And I believe we are all love and light, even when we do not know it and even when our actions seem to indicate otherwise.
But this answer doesn’t not help me in my daily life. “Okay, I am love and light. Now what?”
This reminds me of a time that a teacher led a meditation that took us deep down inside. He said, “your body is only a meatsuit, go into the depths of your being within the meatsuit.” Some in the class, got so insulted by the term “meatsuit,” they could not go any further with the meditation. I thought it was a brave way of speaking truth, refreshingly honest even. I had never heard anyone say that so bluntly. I enthusiastically followed his directions to go deeper and deeper inside myself.
For a while I was sensing darkness, like a void, it was if there was nothing there and then he said, “go down even deeper, now what do you see?” I thought to myself, what could be below this void? How could there be anything below what feels like nothing? But I followed his directions and after a minute or so of inner searching, I felt this awesome sense of love. I did not want to move. I wanted to stay there forever. It was delicious, it was indescribably good, I just wanted to bathe in it for the rest of my life.
And then the teacher, said, “now slowly bring your attention to the room.” I really wanted to say, “No way! I am staying here,” but I knew that there was another class coming in after this one, so I could not just sit there. I had to bring my awareness back to the room.
After the class, I went up to him. Some of the students were arguing with him about how he dared to call our bodies meatsuits. I waited until they left, and then I asked, “So, I got down below a sense of nothingness, and then I felt this amazing sense of love, but I could not move. So, what do I do with this? How do I live my life?”
He smiled, and said, “Ah. Go to that place you found and just live from there. When you are to move, your body will feel an urge to move. If not, stay still and be. It is as simple as that.”
I wish I could say I started to live every day and every moment from that place. I did not. But I still remember it, and when I allow myself, particularly when I connect to my angels, I feel it and I know it to be the truth of my being.
For now, that is my best answer on the “who” question. But what about the “why’s”? I don’t have as clear an answer, but it sure feels right to keep asking. Occasionally, I get an answer, like “It feels good”, “it seems to shift my client’s energy to a better place”, “it is a way to share this love and light I feel” and “why not?”
Why not? That question seemed to pop out of nowhere. I did not have an answer for it. I realized if I didn’t have an answer to why not, then it was a sign to keep moving in that direction, even if I had not answered all of the why’s.
I will continue to ask the who questions because I think they inform me of my essential nature, even if the answers are never complete. And I will continue to ask the why questions because whatever answers I give help me feel a sense a direction, especially if when I ask why not, I have no answer.
Which of these questions have more meaning to you? Do you get more out of asking who you are or why you are or why you do? And when you have no answer to why not, do you take the leap?
I would love to hear your thoughts on these questions in the comments below and what question gives you the greatest meaning in your life. Feel free to email me if you would like to explore them further or would like some help from me and my angel team.
Many angel blessings,
Lilia Shoshanna Rae
Author of The Art of Listening to Angels
Facebook: Fb.me/Messengerforangels