Tuesday, March 22, 2016

20,000 Gallons of Life

Life requires water.

Image by Shawnna Donop: Texas Rainwater Tank Holds 10,000 Gallons
With an increased awareness of the power, importance, and impact that water can and does have on society, I thought it might be interesting to delve into the subject a bit more. Oh, it’s also World Water Day in case you were not aware. Recent bouts of flooding around the world and the seeming adoption of the Yucatan climate in Texas this past season have brought to light the blessing, as well as hardship that water can bring. 

As I compare the abundance and overflow of water recently in the southwest US with the stark and dire drought situations abroad, as well as areas that have no available clean water unless a 4-hour trek is undertaken just to capture a daily source of sustenance for an entire family. It also comes to mind how water has become such a treasured element.

Has it become a matter of simple distribution or redistribution of the sources of water? Has it become scarce because of the exponential population growth in need of this precious resource? Have we become so complacent with its presence that we do not have the foresight to proactively plan conservatory efforts?  Do we honor the vast amounts of water held in the expansive oceans around the world (not to mention the life it all supports)?  How much do we pay attention to the protection of the purity and cleanliness of these bodies of water?    

I was amazed at a video I viewed recently which showed the severity of water pollution along the Ganges River (I was going to share a photo, but figured I’d better just leave it out.)  I could not fathom how the conditions became so severe, and I wondered what it would take to reach such a polluted level if an accompanying reverence was held for this source of life.  The video also showed the daily water supply trucks that arrive with drinking water for residents in India, and chaos ensues as folks try to capture enough of this limited fresh water to take home to their families.

Since the human body (oh, and the planet!) is comprised of over 80% water, its inherent importance requires no additional explanation.

Image Credit: Pinterest (Water, words, and consciousness)
It is also interesting to acknowledge the ability of water to emanate a type of conscious awareness of its surroundings. Have you seen the research showing its reflection of consciousness and ability to reflect patterns of thought and emotion? If you are interested, I invite you learn more about the research of Dr. Masaru Emoto.  Words, thoughts, and music actually affect, impact, and influence the molecular structure of water. It makes you think twice about what music you choose to have playing on your radio since these patterns can form in your own body!

As far as conservation of water goes, I suppose I try to make conscious decisions in the way I use it.  Fortunate enough to have the ability to partake in rainwater collection (as a sole source of water to the home in which I live) which amounts to 20,000 gallons of fresh water, I have developed a newfound appreciation for the capture and storing of fresh, untreated water.  I still have not reached a point where I felt a rain dance was warranted!  I suppose Mother Nature has been very generous and supportive of this initiative. 

I do appreciate it when I see drought-prone areas relieving stress on water supplies by utilizing xeriscaping and synthetic lawn landscaping, such as in desert areas.  I enjoy seeing others, especially communities, who are making conscious decisions to use water wisely, and I see more new homes which are being offered rainwater collection in their neighborhoods. Interesting how some areas (Asia, Egypt, and now recently Australia) have heavily invested in and recently considered the use of desalination plants to utilize the water of the abundant ocean.     

Image Credit: Shawnna Donop
{Write or add stickers with the words
"LOVE" and "GRATITUDE" to encourage
harmonious molecules of water.}
After all of this I have shared, I wish to leave you with a simple question – have you honored, appreciated, and loved your water today? 
 
{A simple way to send a message of appreciation and harmony to the water you consume is to add a sticker or note to your water bottles and pitchers with positive, empowering, and uplifting words.}
 
Apparently, there’s power in the use of the words “Love” and “Gratitude” (Recipe = 1 part LOVE/ 2 parts GRATITUDE as in H20.)

If you wish to honor the spirit of water and celebrate World Water Day, here’s a great article that will remind us of how lucky we are to have clean, fresh water at our fingertips:


On World Water Day, a Story to Make You Feel Good About the World
(Article featured in Huffington Post, Written by Ryan Scott.)
….”Park’s novel combines the true story of Salva Dut with the fictional story of Nya, a Sudanese girl who must walk eight hours a day to retrieve water from a distant well for her family.”
 
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If you enjoy the information shared here or you have questions to ask or topics which you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Please feel welcome to join my email list and stay updated on upcoming events and discussions. Thank you for sharing your valuable time with me and come see me at www.letearthrise.com! :)

Sunday, February 14, 2016

GODDESS RISING



Just as the waves, frequencies, and energies of potential flow into this current time-space position in the new year, the collective feminine energy senses a new carrier wave of empowerment and creative possibility. 

What could be so novel about this breath of courage and balance that flows into our beingness? We reach into the ethers and easily grasp a new idea, a new endeavor, a new voice, a new support system, a new sense of personal strength – but the real source wells up from within our very selves, our souls, as a fountain of eternal creativity, renewal, and expansion.

She has laid dormant, calmly allowing and observing the evolution of humanity as it swayed with continual shifts in collective agreements and attitudes of indifference, subservience, cultural exploration/exploitation, conflict, and control. However, the time for active awareness, re-alignment, reclamation, respect, and resolution is nigh.

She has the support of her inner and outer universe now as she awakens and claims her ability to create (and co-create with fellow rising goddesses) a beautiful existence flowing with new ideals for compassion, love, joy, harmony, and acceptance perfectly balanced with power and wisdom.  She heralds in the new paradigm of personal recognition and power of intention as these set the stage for new creation.  

She joins with fellow goddesses to rise above the chaos and distraction to resolve, reclaim, and re-create the world to shine in its beautiful magnificence as it was originally intended.  Let us dance to the new voice of creation together!
 
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My friend Kati Kelo has just launched a beautiful and empowering publication, Magical Goddess.
 
She has so graciously invited contributors to share articles in this beautifully co-created sharing of love, wisdom, and insight. I was honored to contribute, along with many other lovely souls, to her inaugural issue.**     

Check Out Issue #1!

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If you enjoy the information shared here or you have questions to ask or topics which you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me (love@letearthrise.com).  Please feel welcome to join my email list and stay updated on upcoming events and discussions. Thank you for sharing your valuable time with me! :) Come see me at www.letearthrise.com.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Visions of New Syria


A Love Letter of Peace, Hope, and Possibility 


Visions of New Syria

She awoke in the morning to a whole new world filled with a sense of peaceful stillness and restoration. The chaos was dissolved as a gentle, calm world emerged and settled into its new home.

A flowing, immense field of compassion permeated the air, the ground, the water, the animals, and the people.  It was so foreign – yet so familiar – to be surrounded by a natural state of balance, respect, love, and most importantly – possibility and potential. 

Freedom has returned and will once again gently guide and inspire the evolution of the community back to one of equal respect, compassion, and love.  It is a time of forgiveness and unconditional love as everyone reflects upon the adversity that has been overcome.

Gratitude is offered to all involved as a collective decision is reached to try a new approach – one free of judgment, control, prejudice, and chaos. Recognition is made as the natural state of mutual respect is once again guiding the hearts and decisions of a nation and all of those involved.   
 
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/20688479513701471/
Credit: Pinterest

Kindness is acknowledged for those who offered love, support, and refuge for the affected citizens – as well as those who continued to love all parties involved knowing in their hearts that peace would eventually prevail and that the light would shine in the hearts of every soul. They now serve as inspirational guides to show what can be possible and set forth to co-create a world free of war and conflict, imbued with the spirit of liberation, respect, and endless potential.   


Credit: Pinterest
She sings….

“I AM the New Syria.”

“I AM Here Now.”

#PeaceinSyria



N.B. The power of positive collective intention enables the transformation of situations, events, and reality. When gathered with others focusing on the same vision and hope, we empower possibility and create a platform for peace and resolution to be brought to fruition.
 
We have the collective power to shift every situation to a higher, peaceful state – just by positive focused intention. You can assist by infusing peace through meditation, prayer, and visualization into regions where it is needed and envision a perfected state of existence. Consider it done.  Thank you for your inspired assistance!     

If you like, you are welcome to actively join in the peace efforts by practicing regular prayer and meditation. Check out the Meditation on Twin Hearts, which is what we utilize in our Pranic Healing MeetUp group.  
 
If you enjoy the information shared here or you have questions to ask or topics which you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Please feel welcome to join my email list and stay updated on upcoming events and discussions. Thank you for sharing your valuable time with me! :)

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Build Strength and Resilience through Stillness

You wake up in the morning and feel an invisible intensity within you.  You feel a heightened sense of emotion – whether it be love, joy, happiness, anticipation, or sadness, anxiety, worry, anger, depression, despair, and fear – as you proceed through the day.  You feel a sense of exhaustion or tiredness and feel a need for deeper rest than usual.  You are having intense headaches or migraines.  You feel unexplainable deep aches within your body or maybe you are sensing/hearing ringing in your ears.    
 
You see and hear people react with intensified passion.  You see chaos in your surroundings, in the lives of friends and families, and in society at large.  You see magnificent acts of kindness while you also see acts of violence around the world.  You see positive adjustments in the mindset and actions of friends and co-workers, and you sense a collective shift within humanity.   

You walk outside in the bright sunshine, and you see a vividness that is more alive than ever. {Please take the time to acknowledge the beauty around you!} The sun is emanating an invisible, quantum field of potentiality that is open to your creative interpretation.


Will you choose to flow with these miraculous energies of potential - unaffected by the chaos as you practice unconditional love and compassion while being free of judgment - or will you find yourself in the depths of anxiety, confusion, fear, and despair?  

The choice is yours from moment to moment.  You can choose to expand or diminish your awareness, consciousness, personal frequency, and attitude.  You make this choice each second of each day.  It is a beneficial practice to be very aware of your state of mind!

It is suggested that as each feeling, thought, difficulty, or environmental stimulus arises, you flow through it without attachment or judgment.  A peaceful, centered, calm, and resilient state of mind can be quite helpful in managing these intense waves of emotion and upheaval in this present (and future) time. 

Here are some suggestions on how to reach and maintain a sense of inner calmness:
 
Sit in Stillness

-         Set aside dedicated time EACH day to sit in silence (at least 10 minutes, but suggested to be 30 minutes if possible)
-          Detach yourself from all external stimuli (cell phone, computer, TV) for this silent period
-          Begin to relax in a comfortable position and take a few long deep breaths
   o   Enhance the experience with a candle, incense, or your favorite essential oil fragrance (for calming, or anxiety/stress relief, I absolutely LOVE the TRANQUIL mixture from Young Living or I can even make a custom spray blend for you, such as my Stream of Serenity blend)
-          Choose to listen to calm, soothing music if you find it helpful
-          Feel free to begin your stillness session with the citing of a positive statement, affirmation, or mantra

Image Credit: Pinterest (via calmdownnow.com)
Image Credit: Pinterest
o   Try this one: {“Amid the stress, distraction, constant motion, and stimuli in my surroundings, I AM a peaceful island of serenity, and I resonate to the sound of silence.  I take a deep breath to release tension, chaos, and disharmony and replace it with the comfort of stillness.”}

-         Let go, release all thoughts, and quiet your mind……
-          Repeat, repeat, and repeat throughout the week so you can continually build your mental and emotional strength

Additional Suggestions

-          Take ample time to rest and rejuvenate when possible.  If you feel you need extra rest, please respect the needs of your body and treat it with kindness!
-          Mind your mental chatter – focus on positive thoughts and occupy your mind with statements of gratitude (no need for negative self-talk, anger towards others, judgment…)
-          Take regular walks in nature and walk barefoot when you can
-          Take time to engage in activities that bring you JOY
-          Try to take a regular hot bath with Epsom salt (check out my favorites from the Dead Sea) infused with your favorite essential oils
-         Eat healthy, live foods (lots of fruits and vegetables)
-          Plan time to engage in regular exercise (Don’t overdo it – your body is incorporating lots of extra energy from the sun right now!)
-          Start your day with a positive, upbeat attitude and be thankful for the gift of another day
-          Make lifestyle changes as needed to support your personal growth
-          Detach from stressful situations
-          Reward yourself with playtime J

Some days will bring about feelings of elation, and some days will about bring tears and heavy emotions.  Do not try to suppress feelings of discomfort – just experience them and let them go.     

Chaos Precedes Change
Image Credit: Pinterest
If you find difficulty in managing intense emotions or feelings of anxiety, worry, fear, or depression, and you feel that you cannot cope, feel free to reach out to me (love@letearthrise.com), and I will be pleased to offer support and comfort. 

Please offer to do the same for your friends and family as there will (now and in the near future) be a need to amplify your compassion for those around you – as well as yourself!  Be prepared for the times ahead.

Remember, that you can choose to float through this shift in joy and elation knowing that you can create miracles or you can get bogged down by fear, chaos, and worry with a sense of victimization. 

What will you choose?  Whatever it is, please remember to be kind to yourself and to those around you.  We are all in this together!   

If you find it to be helpful, you are welcome to download my helpful handout,

Additional information regarding stillness practices can be found on my Eternal Stillness website.  Cheers to inner peace, and prepare yourself for momentous occurrences ahead!

If you enjoy the information shared here or you have questions to ask or topics which you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Please feel welcome to join my email list and stay updated on upcoming events and discussions. Thank you for sharing your valuable time with me! :) If you appreciate the information and support, donations are always welcome!

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Calmly Surfing the Waves of Chaos



Waikiki Beach (Photo by Shawnna Donop)
When you look around and observe your family, your friends, your co-workers, and the world at large, do you see a lack of ease – maybe a bit of an increase in chaos and struggle?  Do you see challenges arising in many forms?

This observation has prompted me to share some perspectives on the true meaning of these transformative events and situations.  If you view these chaotic occurrences from a higher perspective, it might be helpful to view them as waves of change that serve a very important role.  They serve as an impetus for growth, evolvement, and soul-enhancing change, and there is no need to judge or fear them.  It is a natural process, and we are lucky to be here to assist with this transformation that will enable us to evolve into a stronger, clearer, and more peaceful humanity.    

Imagine that the stagnant situations, energies, beliefs, and limiting perspectives that are embedded into your being (sometimes sub-consciously) are being forced to the surface.  The waves dig deep into your heart, your entire body, and your mind, and they stir up the elements that would be beneficial for you to acknowledge and release.  These can even arise as unforeseen anxiety, pressure, sadness, or some other emotion for which you cannot identify the origin.     

To release these elements, you must actually feel and experience these emotions, frustrations, challenges, conflicts, trauma, injuries, and judgments so they can finally be released.  There is no need to always know what the origin or issue actually is, but just …….take a deep breath……accept it, acknowledge it, thank it, and release it.

Unfortunately, if you do not process these remnants in this wave, you can rest assured that they will return in the next wave, and the next…..until you do face and release them.

North Shore (Photo by Shawnna Donop)
Know that you, and everyone in the world, are in the process of releasing the old to make way for the new.  See these waves as your friends that are here to help you clean house to make room for the things that will best serve you now and in the future.  

The best approach to take is that of a calm, peaceful observer.  Have patience, understanding and compassion for yourself and others and carry this awareness with you and assist others in comprehending the chaos.    

If you wish to actively engage and make positive contributions to ease the process for you and others, please take time each day to sit in quiet contemplation and stillness.  Set the intention to send peace and comfort into yourself and into the world.  

Thank you for being aware on this journey, and I know that everyone will appreciate your blessing and your commitment to be the CALM in the storm!      

I might also suggest that you re-listen to my Spring Renewal Equinox recording since it walks you through a calming breathing exercise, as well as an energetic clearing of old patterns and energy, and finally an active exercise to release and replace the old with the new.

If you enjoy the information shared here or you have questions to ask or topics which you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Please feel welcome to join my email list and stay updated on upcoming events and discussions.   

Note: These photos were taken on my first trip to Hawaii (Waikiki Beach in Honolulu on the island of Oahu and the famed North Shore!)
 
For additional insight, feel free to visit my website, http://www.letearthrise.com, or check in on my new Eternal Stillness site which features regular exercises in mindfulness and meditation. Thank you for sharing your valuable time with me! :)
 

Sunday, March 8, 2015

PEACE and the Real Isis on International Women’s Day

Ladies, there seems to be an empowerment surfacing, and I feel the excitement of this special day, March 8, 2015! It’s fun to see what events have unfolded as part of the celebration of International Women’s Day whose 2015 motto is Make it Happen.  If you are interested, check out participant-run events in your area!  Also, check out the neat stories featured around the world on this eventful day.  

{Join the social media conversation by using #IWD2015 or searching on Google with the #IWD2015 hashtag, as well as #MakeItHappen, #PaintItPurple, and #InternationalWomensDay.}

It appears to be an opportune time to bring about the ideals, intentions, and positive attitudes of those interested in representing peace, equality, and respect. 
 
In honor of International Women’s Day, I have a personal desire to raise awareness regarding PEACE over Conflict, and I’d like to take a fun, insightful moment to feature the Real Isis, rather than the current campaign promoting chaos and conflict.
 
 
{ If you are with me, feel free to promote #GoddessIsis and #IsisTheGoddess in your social media so folks can gain some awareness, and together we can re-focus her revered name on the feminine power to which she is connected! }

While we are at it, let’s take a stroll down Isis lane.  We shall begin with the historical representation of Isis as a Goddess - the strong, wise, female archetype with which I believe most of us are familiar and a model for ladies of today to aspire to in terms of determination, respect, and feminine power. 

Let’s fast forward to the 70s when a TV show, The Secrets of Isis, re-ignited a love, awareness, and respect for Isis. Her ideology is brought forth through a talented science teacher who comes into possession of a powerful artifact that connects her to the inherent powers and wisdom of the Goddess.  If you have not seen any episodes, you’ll love these!  How fun it is to reminisce…. Check out all episodes if you are feeling so inspired.
 
We can stroll ahead to the current time and check out the most recently launched model of the Toyota Isis.  To be honest, it is only available outside of the USA, but it’s still fun to recognize!  While you are at it, you can visit the official Toyota Japanese site to check out the newest version of this ride. 

I personally enjoy focusing on these fun versions of Isis.  

To come back full circle and wrap up my thoughts regarding the idea of peace, I wanted to make a bit of a contribution to the events slated for International Women’s Day with a focus on peace. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1600048523543678/
 
My dear friend, Blanca Dominguez (founder of Ecotourism for the Soul), and I are hosting a special, PEACE PRAYER FOR THE SOUL, a collaborative peace-focused reflection, prayer, and nine-day novena to co-occur in Austin, Texas, and in Colombia and Mexico.  We will feature a daily set of prayers and reflections for the next 9 days. If you want to connect with us to help set forth peaceful wishes and intentions, you are most welcome to do so!  Join us virtually (Facebook event in English or join in Espanol) and share your thoughts regarding the amplification of peace in the world.  You can even post your comments below this blog post. J   We hope to see you there!  #PeacePrayerForTheSoul.  It starts today!

Even if you are unable to attend any live events, why not focus some time during the week to envision what it means to celebrate women and the important role they play in today’s society? Spark your creativity and let your ideas flow forth in a poem, draw or sketch a picture that depicts the beauty of the feminine, write a blog post to inspire a fellow lady, or share a cute photo on Instagram about all of us ‘sisters’ who are all in this together.  Ladies, like the motto says, Make it Happen!

You might be excited to see what is to occur……

Please check out the International Women’s Day site to see the amazing events that women have coordinated and become inspired by some recent news stories and image compilations featuring the subject. 
 


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For more insight, feel free to visit my website, http://www.letearthrise.com.  Let me know if you have an interest in a particular topic, and I am pleased to offer information, opinion, guidance, or assistance. I welcome all ideas and feedback. Thank you for sharing your valuable time with me!