Mindfulness
Imagine you are in a pitch-black room,
in an unfamiliar building.
The electricity is out.
You are terrified of the dark.
You have no matches – because who smokes anymore?
Your cell phone died hours ago.
You shouted but no one came.
Anxiety is taking hold, panic is pressing in.
Every scary thought of being trapped in a dark building runs through your head in technicolor!
You hear one thing louder and louder – your heartbeat.
And then you remember that pen your friend gave you, the one from their hairstylist, with the advertisement on it. The one that has a tiny light at the other end!
“PLEASE GOD LET ME STILL HAVE IT! PLEASE GOD LET IT WORK! YES, here it is!!! OMG, it works! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
It’s a tiny, tiny light on the opposite end of a pen, but at this moment, it feels HUGE, doesn’t it? This tiny light can quash fears of immense proportion, light a room and change your perspective. Quite amazing!
Now imagine what your light can do in the darkness that surrounds us these days! It is so easy to get sucked into the morass that surrounds us on a daily and hourly basis. I won’t repeat the bad news because you already know it. If you don’t good for you!
So HOW do we shine our Light on the Darkness?
1. Center in your heart space – come back to your source – to your own bubble of light. Connect with Great Spirit, God, The Universe, Tao, Yahweh, whatever you call Oneness, however you best do that. Sometimes it’s as easy as communing with nature; or taking 3-5 deep conscious breaths while being aware and grateful for life. Maybe for you, it’s saying a prayer, a ten-minute meditation, or thirty minutes of yoga. Do it! This is for your Health and Sanity!
2. Turn away from the Darkness. Don’t read it, watch it or listen to it. Turn off the news channels. Or at the very least limit yourself to 10-20 minutes per day. I find it interesting that folks will only eat organic food yet feed their brains with hours of bad news.
3. Send light to the dark. If you know someone who is suffering from pain, grief, or illness send them healing energy, reiki, prayer, or positive thoughts. If you see an accident on the side of the road, send positive energy to the people involved. See light surrounding them. Remember, what you send out returns ten times!
4. If you must watch, listen or read bad news then send soothing energy to those areas. Fires devasting the forests? Send calm & rain. Floods destroying property and killing people? Send soothing energy to the rivers. Yes, you do have the power to calm a storm!
5. Avoid negative people – especially those who dwell on the bad news, it’s like playing in a toxic dump.
6. Practice reframing negativity – have a touchstone for those times when you find yourself depressed or flailing in negativity (it happens). Think of a funny animal, or a funny incident, or a place of beauty that you love – something to change the negative energy. Once you switch off the negative energy then imagine the new positive result that you want to experience. An easy example is getting a new job: Imagine yourself working in the perfect environment with people who are creative, supportive, happy, and contributing to the world in a positive way. Imagine exactly what you want to achieve in your new job. Using all your senses, see yourself there!
Try it right now and allow yourself to experience the change you feel when you play in the positive energy of creation. You can use this exercise for any situation in your life.
7. Join with other folks who are positive influencers – meet together in person or over Zoom and share the Light with each other. No bitching, whining, or complaining! Only positivity allowed! Come together to share a Meditation, Joy, Good news, Blessings, a positive reading – get it? Only good POSITIVE news is allowed. One person can lead every week, or you can rotate the responsibility. Meet weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.
8. Practice Gratitude daily – be aware of all the good in your life. Speak it, write it, and include it in your prayers or meditations.
“Happy Hummer” by Sally Gradjian
9. Shine your light. You may think that your light is just a tiny pin light but remember that tiny light on the end of a pen can light a room. In fact…
YOUR LIGHT IS HUGE!
Never underestimate the power of your light to chase away the dark. For there are many of us out here standing together. We just have to practice, practice, practice!
Shine on! BakeR – The Psychic Coach
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YES, absolutely, pray and take action! In Religious Science we say, “Treat and Move Your Feet.” “Treat” refers to a Spiritual Mind Treatment (SMT) which is our form of affirmative prayer. I would write or speak my SMT and then move my feet.
If I am feeling depressed, I will say a treatment and then I might go for a walk in the red rocks, sit in the garden amongst the jewel-like faces of the pansies, call a friend who makes me laugh, watch a funny movie or read something inspirational. I use the techniques that work for me to pull me out of the depression. Recently during the COVID lockdown, I found myself depressed about 2-3 weeks in. When I realized and acknowledged that I was sleeping 10-11 hours per night, I knew I had to rectify the situation immediately. I committed to getting up, dressing up, and showing up for myself. No one else could do this for me, it was all on me and I knew what it would take. My mood improved, my spirit elevated and I was on the road to happiness and contentment again.
When we take responsibility for our actions – when we move our feet – we are telling the Universe – God – Spirit whatever you choose to call Her that we are committed to receiving. In the case of depression – we are committed to receiving joy or even contentment. If we are choosing more abundance, we also need to be open to receiving abundance in any form. If your friend invites you to lunch and offers to pay, ACCEPT the gift! Very often you say NO – NO – NO, I can pay for my own lunch. Now you have confused the Universe, you just did an SMT for more abundance, your friend shows up and offers to buy you lunch (a form of abundance) and you refuse her offer. The Universe is like, “Wait, didn’t you want more abundance? I sent your friend to buy you lunch. Isn’t that abundance?”
If you desire more Peace and Love in your world, you can:
· Write or speak your Spiritual Mind Treatment/Prayer
· Show up and BE Peace and Love
· Brainstorm ways to manifest more Peace and Love, for yourself and others
· Listen to other’s perspectives – what are they feeling, what do they want?
· Open your mind and heart to new possibilities
· Commit to Peace and Love no matter how you’re challenged (I work on this constantly, especially when driving)
· Vibrate your Peace and Love to others and to the world!
· Be grateful for all the Peace and Love you already experience.
These actions may not change the world, but they can change your world, here and now. If you happen upon someone who is in a rage or sad and depressed, how can you affect that person’s life in a positive way? How can you help them see a different way? Maybe if all you can do at that moment is send them light and love, do that.
When we put our intentions in writing or meditate on them – the Universe automatically creates a support system for them. We effectively stir the energy pot!
Act as if – Act as if you already have it, are it or do it.
The more positive energy we create around our intentions, the more likely they will happen. Also, we must deeply believe IT is ours. If you have any core issues like, “I’m not good enough,” “I’m too old, too sad, too ugly, too dumb”, etc., just clean that crap out right now! Clean those negative thoughts out of your brain and fill it with positive thoughts.
God – the Universe – Spirit, whatever you call Her wants us to take responsibility too. We don’t pray that our children will be safe and then let them play in the street. We don’t pray that our lung cancer will go away and continue to smoke three packs a day. (OK, some folks will, go figure!)
An aspect of our lives where this shows up is being happy. If you want to Be Happy – Be Happy! (If you suffer from chronic depression, you are exempt, you may need outside help.) But, if you’re just average Jane or Joe and you want to be happy – Go Be Happy.
Average Jane or Joe (AJJ): Dear God, I want to be Happy!
God: Okay, be Happy.
AJJ: No, you don’t understand, I don’t have a partner, how can I be happy?
God: What are you doing to have a partner?
AJJ: Well, I prayed. (Once with fervor)
God: What else did you do?
AJJ: What do you mean, what else should I do?
God: Well last week you were invited to a party, but you didn’t go. There were a couple of great people there who would have been delighted to meet you. The other day, you saw a cute guy at Whole Foods, he smiled, but you didn’t smile back. In fact, later when you saw him eating in the deli, you didn’t even say Hi, or smile, or anything. Do you really want to have a partner? Show up for your own parade! I put that guy there, he tried, but you didn’t show up. And furthermore, be happy for all you do have, the good friends, a home, car, music, books. Be joyful, that you live in such abundance. What do you really want? Are you willing to be scared? Are you willing to do the work? Are you willing to be vulnerable? What’s it worth to you? On a scale of 1-10, what’s your commitment level? By the way, I’ll love you no matter what!
Treat/Pray and Move Your Feet! Show up for your own Parade! Be Happy! Love Yourself, you deserve it!
Today, especially I ask that you Pray for light in the world, Pray for love, Pray for acceptance, Pray for open minds and hearts, Pray for vibrant health. Pray for Peace!
Today, especially I ask that you Take action:
· Support a good cause with dollars or time
· Have an honest conversation with yourself and others about your biases and beliefs
· Stand up for what is right/truthful and just.
· Honor love and compassion when you see it or experience it.
WITH LOVE AND LIGHT, BAKER
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- Agave Flower by Ted Grussing www.tedgrussing.com
Are you suffering from New Age Guilt?
You know, New Age guilt, that syndrome that comes on when you get sick and you ask yourself what caused it? What is the emotional reason behind this illness? What could I have done to prevent it? Why did this happen to me?
What if there IS NOT an emotional reason? What if you just caught something? What if that nasty bug going around got its crappy little tentacles in you? What if you just had a weak spot in your intestine, brain or artery since you were born, and there isn’t an emotional reason. You just happened to be born with it. Is it really helpful to beat yourself up some more?
I have good news, recently a woman was in for a reading and my guides told her, “SOMETIMES YOU JUST GET SICK!” WHAT? Sometimes it really is this physical vehicle we came in that gives out. The good news is you can let go of the new age guilt, you can decide to love yourself anyway. And you can stop guilting other people too! There’s an idea we can all benefit from, love ourselves just as we are and love everyone else just as they are.
No, I did not say you can stop taking your vitamins, jump off the treadmill, eat crappy food, or forget to clean up your thoughts! This is not a go to Burger King, get out of jail free card! I am however, gifting you a leave the guilt behind card. Let’s say you do get sick, you’re laying in bed feeling like hell and trying to figure out why. Sometimes it is productive to read Louise Hay or Ernest Holmes and find out what the underlying cause is so you can say the appropriate affirmation. There are times when we do need to clean up our thoughts, forgive someone or love ourselves. If that’s the case please do the work. However, you could decide to make your affirmations something along these lines: I love myself. I am whole, healthy and complete. I honor and appreciate my body for serving me all these years. I am so blessed to be alive in this day and age.
Love yourself through it! And remember:
The highest thought is always that thought which contains Joy.
The clearest words are those words which contain Truth.
The grandest feeling is that feeling which you call Love.
-Neale Donald Walsh, Conversations with God
Give yourself these gifts Joy, Truth and Love, you deserve it! And stop beating up my friend (that’s you)!
Love and joy, BakeR
For those of you who didn’t see my big announcement here it is again:
Once again Mamacita leads me down a new path!
I have been given an incredible opportunity to manage a new wellness center right here in Uptown Sedona along with the founders. They are beautiful, loving lights who are creating a gorgeous space, which will be dedicated to promoting emotional, physical, mental and spiritual wellness. We will open Labor Day weekend and I am thrilled to be starting this new adventure!
In the meantime,YES, I am still available for private sessions-readings, coaching and reiki here in Sedona, by phone, Skype or FaceTime.
Please contact me for your appointment:
Email: BakeR@ThePsychicCoach.net
Phone: 602.999.2493
I will continue to do my sessions at the new center when we open and will send details as we progress.
Gateway Cottage Wellness Center – under construction
Coming Soon, I can’t wait for you to visit!
by Connect with Spirit
Several years ago when I first became a Reiki practitioner I went to my teacher, Laurelle Gaia, and asked her if she ever got bored doing Reiki. I had just done my first long session and found myself drifting away. Fortunately she didn’t smack me, she just answered with a resounding “NO”.
I walked away with my tail between my legs to think about it.
Usually the time flew by when I was working with a client, but occasionally I would find myself counting the minutes. The next time that I got bored, I checked in to find out what was going on. What I realized was that I was disconnected from Spirit, I wasn’t channeling Reiki energy; I was in ego and when I’m in ego I can’t channel anything. My ego self had to get out of the way and allow Spirit’s healing energy to channel through me. As soon as I remembered that Spirit does the work through me, I reconnected and I don’t get “bored” anymore. Just the other day I did back to back hour long Reiki sessions for six different people without any boredom. Six hours of Reiki and never a second of disconnection! In fact the only issue I have now is going over the allotted time, because my ego self is completely gone when Spirit takes over. The really cool thing is I don’t need a car to drive home anymore, I just float! LOL
This a perfect metaphor for my life. Whenever my ego self gets in the way I lose touch with Spirit and find it hard to get the Truth for myself. The disconnection also happens when I get too busy, I will find myself looking “out there” for answers instead of going within for the Truth. My fear based ego still believes it has all the answers and fights to keep me under control. Yet, the answers that will truly serve my highest and best good come from that quiet place within, where Spirit, my guides and my higher self reside. As long as I take the time and make the space to get connected the answers are there.
If you have issues with meditation or hearing your answers it’s likely that your ego gets in the way. Isn’t it your ego that thinks it has too much to do to be still and meditate? Isn’t it your ego that creates “monkey mind”, all those busy thoughts that spin around and around distracting you from your inner wisdom?
When do you get disconnected from the wisdom of your higher self, guides and Spirit? How can you connect today? To receive all the gifts Spirit has to offer carve out some time and space to truly connect with your inner wisdom. Give yourself the gift of connection, the gift of peace and the gift of wisdom.
Love and joy, BakeR
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Steadily Cheyenne (my dog) and I climbed the Soldiers Pass Trail, we rounded the corner and there were the Seven Sacred Pools. On this hot, dusty day there was no water in the pools. I sat and meditated for awhile, Cheyenne made friends and shared treats with a tiny dog named Zippy and rested in the shade of a scrub pine. As we headed back down the trail we encountered two women who had some questions. The louder of the two demanded to know how far the sacred pools were. I assured her the sacred pools were just around the next corner. She asked if there was water in the pools.
“Not this time of year”, I replied.
“Are you serious? I can’t believe we hiked all this way and there’s no water. Crap, they could have told us.”
“Who could have told you?”
“The people who suggested this trail, they could have told us there was no water in the pools.”
They stomped off to go see the “dry sacred pools”.
As I walked away I had to laugh, I wanted to turn back and say something sarcastic like, “Gee I’m sorry you haven’t seen any beauty today.” But instead I practiced sending loving energy. All around these two women were some of the most incredible, majestic red rock mountains, canyons and intense blue sky. About 1/8 of a mile away they would have hiked past Devil’s Sink Hole, a huge naturally formed sink hole. They had hiked from Jordan Road which meant they had been on several of the best trails in Sedona! What I realized was in their search for the “Seven Sacred Pools” they had likely missed the sacredness on their journey.
It reminded me of the weekend I went to a Women’s Spiritual Retreat outside of Tucson. On Saturday morning the leader told us to go out on the land and find our sacred spot. There we were to draw a circle to sit within and meditate. Prior to this I had a phone call from a client. He was very upset, demanding to know what I was doing to sell his home, what was my plan and where was I anyway. One of my better clients, we had become friends as well as business associates. He had never treated me this way and I was shocked, embarrassed, hurt and frustrated. I contemplated returning home early from the retreat. I chose to do my meditation and then decide if I would go home.
As I walked the land looking for my “sacred spot” I was lost in worry about my client. The conversation played over and over in my head, fretting and fuming I stomped along. Suddenly I heard the unmistakable sound of a rattlesnake. Similar to the sound of a locust, once you’ve heard a mad rattler you recognize the difference. I stopped in my tracks and looked around to determine its location. There about one foot in front of me, at the base of a large Saguaro was a coiled rattler, but she was the strangest looking rattler I’ve ever seen. Pale peach in color with light diamonds on her back she was an Albino, pretty rare even in rattlesnake country. I’m not afraid of snakes and rattlers are not particularly aggressive, so I backed up a step or two and asked her if she had a message for me. “BE HERE NOW!” ‘Be here now’?, I questioned. And then I got it. Wrapped up in my worry over the client, I was mentally and emotionally back in Scottsdale. My body may have been in the desert but my mind and heart were not.
The sacred experience I was searching for had been preempted by my worry and concern. Had I taken one more unaware step I would have most likely been struck by the rattlesnake. I thanked the Albino rattlesnake for her wisdom, came back into my body and moved on to find my sacred spot by the creek. For the rest of the weekend I practiced “Being here now”, enjoying the sacred circle, community meals, sweat lodge, beautiful music and songs, and my own deep communion with Spirit.
I hold the lesson of the rattlesnake in very high regard and think of her often when I succumb to worry or frustration.
- How much time do you waste on worry?
- How much time do you waste on making up negative stories?
- Have there been times you missed the sacred moment because your focus was elsewhere?
- What are sacred moments for you?
- How can you have more sacred moments?
- What can you use to remind you to be here now?
- If only for today, how can you BE HERE NOW?
- I invite you to gift yourself at least one sacred moment or minute or hour per day. YOU DESERVE IT! Spirit lives to gift you sacred moments every day!
Namaste, BakeR
Join me November 11-13 at my Radical Healing Women’s Retreat – Come as an Abused Woman, Leave an Empowered Woman!
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