Healing Spirit with Love

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Sleep Paralysis: Scientific Phenomenon or Supernatural Fright?

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Sleeping

Have you ever woken up unable to move, feeling as if something was pressing you down into the bed? This alarming experience is called sleep paralysis. It is a condition in which you feel mentally awake, but unable to physically move your body. The feeling may last for a few seconds or up to a few minutes. It often occurs upon wakening; however, it is also known to occur when one is in the process of falling asleep. It can be accompanied with the physical feeling of pressure on the throat or chest and an inability to vocally express oneself. Some people report feeling or seeing a presence in the room, which many perceive to be otherworldly and ominous in nature.

Unusual Occurrences

According to medical experts at WebMD (2014), when we are sleeping our body shuts down in order to prevent us from physically acting out our dreams. At times when we are awakened during the dream cycles of our sleep, the physical body remains in shut down mode which creates the frightening sleep paralysis conditions. Essentially, it signals an issue with our bodies being slightly out of sync with our sleep cycles. During the Rapid Eye Movement (R.E.M.) cycle, which is when dreams occur, the body is placed in a relaxed mode that allows you to rest and prevents you from fully acting out your dreams. If you become conscious within the R.E.M. cycle, your body may remain in an immobilized state and your perceptions of reality can be peppered with altered-state illusions making it seem as though there is an ominous presence in the room. This is especially the case when we are in a state of extreme fright about not being able to move our bodies or vocally express our fear. It is not a being holding us down, but our own bodies preventing us from acting out our dreams. Sleep paralysis experiences usually only last a few seconds to a few minutes; however, it can feel as though it is much longer than that when you are in the midst of this type of episode.

Personal Experience

When I was in my teens, I recall experiencing this type of paralysis. It was extremely frightening to be incapable of moving my body or making a sound. I remember lying there, not knowing what was happening, just praying for it to pass. As panic bubbled up within, I attempted to calm my racing heart by slowing down my breathing and telling myself this would pass. My personal experience, while terrifying, only occurred once in my life, and it did not involve a perception of an ominous presence in the room.

During my experience with sleep paralysis, I did not sense a being in the room and I was able to talk myself through the experience until the sensors in my brain alerted my physical body to remove itself from dream mode. It is very frightening to experience sleep paralysis; however, I am glad to say it is an infrequent occurrence which may only occur once in someone’s lifetime, if at all. When it happens, though, it is an unforgettable experience.

Timing and Reasons

According to WebMD (2014), the most frequent occurrences are reported in the teen years; however, sleep paralysis can happen to people of all ages and it can occur with more frequency. There are many underlying reasons why it occurs, some of which may include sleeping on one’s back, stress, sleep schedule changes, and lack of sleep. If sleep paralysis is a habitual problem, I recommend talking with your doctor about your sleep patterns and conditions, as well as the stress levels in your life. There are many factors that affect our sleep, and if you are experiencing problems, it is best to speak to a specialist who can help you correct the issues.

Nothing to Fear

All in all, sleep paralysis has a scientific reason for occurring based on the natural functions of the human body. It is not an ominous being taking control over you. The fear factor runs high when this occurs, and in a dream-like state, this experience can quickly turn into a sort of waking nightmare in which the mind creates all kinds of scary reasons for its occurrence. For those who have experienced sleep paralysis, there are ways of minimizing the effects when you are in the midst of an episode. Knowledge is power in this case as it can help you to recognize the condition for what it is and ease the effects. For example, when you know this is a condition in which the mind awakens to consciousness before the body, you can work on calming yourself down through deep breaths and repeating to yourself, “Everything is alright, this will pass.”

Blessings to you and sweet dreams!

Namaste!

With much love and many blessings for all,
Karen T. Hluchan

Spirit Medium, Motivational Speaker, Reiki Master, Spiritual Artist, & Author of How Have You Loved?

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

Karen T. Hluchan is a spirit medium, motivational speaker, Reiki master, spiritual artist, and author of How Have You Loved? Through her mediumship practice, Healing Spirit with Love, she devotes her time to the healing of spirit on earth through her connection with heaven. Her passion for her calling is shared through the spirit readings, demonstrations, and workshops she provides, as well as through her writing, Reiki, and fine art spiritual paintings. All of her work is inspired by the divine light that is within us all. She has a great love of nature, people, and the planet, and she enjoys her connection in spirit, both here and in heaven.
 
Click here to learn more about Karen’s upcoming events.

Sources Cited

Robinson, MD, J. (2014, October 14). Sleep Paralysis. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/sleep-paralysis#1

Why Recognizing Signs from Spirit Is Important to Your Life Path

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Sunrise at HaleakalaLife on earth is an accelerated course for soul evolution. We have voluntarily opted to live a lifetime on earth to learn lessons for the development of our souls, and the negativity we encounter speeds up the process. In heaven, negativity does not exist. Soul development does occur there; however, the lessons are based more on the giving of service, learning about the many levels of existence, and exploring the multi-faceted methods for communicating across planes.

In our journey through life, we are not left to our own devices. Each of us is given extra assistance from our heavenly support teams of God, the angels, loved ones in spirit, and spirit guides. They send us signs and messages on a daily basis that can help guide us on our life paths. The key to unlocking the knowledge that is at our disposal is to learn how to recognize and decipher the communications that are being sent from your support team in heaven. The benefits to receiving this insider advice is almost immeasurable, as it can have far-reaching effects on the positive development of your soul.

Ascension Removes the Veil
When our loved ones ascend to heaven, knowledge that was obscured from them while on earth is revealed, giving them a better understanding of the reasons behind their experiences on earth. They do not become all-knowing, but they do attain greater insight that enables them to see the events on earth from a more informed perspective. This insight can be utilized to help you navigate your life path if you open yourself to the guidance that is shared with you on a daily basis by your heavenly support team.

In addition to your loved ones in heaven, you have seasoned spirit guides and angels that have specific knowledge about your chosen life path. They have access to your Akashic Records, which contain information about your past incarnations, as well as the plans for your current incarnation on earth. The plans contain the life lessons you have chosen to learn, as well as an outline of certain events that could potentially occur in your lifetime. These events could be major turning points in your soul’s evolution that come as a result of the choices you make about you, your relationships, your thought processes, and your purpose.

In essence, you are never alone. There is always a benevolent spirit nearby who is willing to assist you with your life path. Having an open mind, and a heightened level of awareness about the existence and presence of these spiritual beings, are the first steps you can take toward recognizing and receiving messages from your heavenly support team.

Your Personal Tour Guides of Life
Every day, I receive messages from spirit that are like sign posts directing me toward the best path in my daily life, which also impacts my overall life plan. It is similar to having extremely knowledgeable tour guides that help me to navigate the vast experiences of life on earth. Because these tour guides are in the energetic form of spirit and have advanced communication abilities, they utilize all of our senses to get their messages across to us. The greatest challenge they have in communicating with human beings is the built-in system that purposefully creates obstacles through the illusion of fear. This system is referred to as the human ego.

Breaking through the Wall
The mental block that is put in place when we are born, otherwise known as the human ego, is a wall that can be breeched through conscious awareness of the existence of life beyond the human experience. By opening your mind to the extraordinary possibilities of the universe, and trusting that loving spirits do exist on other planes, you can consciously open the communication channel that moves past the ego and delivers specific and helpful guidance for your life path.

Everyone Is Born with the Gift of Mediumship
Everyone is born with the ability to communicate via spirit. It is the way we communicate with God, the angels, our loved ones in spirit, spirit guides, and each other. Our prayers, thoughts, and requests for assistance are sent to God, the angels, and our loved ones using telepathic transmissions from one spirit to another, similar to the way in which wireless signals are sent from one computer to another. When we communicate with each other on earth, these signals are being sent back and forth via our spirits; however, it is something that occurs in the background of conscious awareness. When you are speaking with someone, you know in your heart when a person’s words do not sound or feel right. There may be a nagging thought in the back of your mind or a slight clenching of your stomach muscles that may be indicating to you that this person is not speaking his or her truth. This intuitive information is coming from your spirit which houses a higher consciousness and understanding of spirit-to-spirit communication.

Even though everyone is born with the gift of mediumship, it does not mean that everyone on earth is destined to be a medium who shares his or her gifts on a professional level. Just as certain people are born with the ability to excel in sports, others are born with the ability to excel in spirit communication. Your path is unique to you, and if mediumship is your calling, you will know it. If it is not, you can still learn how to use the skills you have to communicate with your heavenly support team in a way that will benefit you and your loved ones.

A Map to Lead the Way
The benefits of tuning in to the positive messages that come from enlightened beings in heaven can be equated to being given a map to help you find the most beneficial path to get to your destination, which is the evolvement of the soul through life lessons. Please know that spiritual beings will not give you the answers to a test or solve all of your problems for you. They will only give you sign posts or messages to guide you along the way. It is your job as a soul seeking knowledge and learning lessons to make decisions through your free will. If you were given all of the answers, lessons would not be learned and there would be no point in taking the journey.

Examples of Signs
There are many ways that our heavenly support team sends us messages. It is an abstract form of communication that uses all of our senses, and goes beyond straightforward verbal and non-verbal cues. Your mind must be open to experiencing and recognizing the extraordinary in the ordinary that surrounds you each day.

Here are a few of the more common methods used to transmit messages:

  • Music – Songs that you hear in your head, or that play on the radio at seemingly coincidental times, are often messages from spirit. Pay attention to the lyrics that you are hearing. If you do not know all of the words to the song or the title, look it up. There is a message in it for you about a current event in your life. You could also be hearing music that reminds you of a loved one who has passed away. For instance, my dad loved the band, Journey. I often hear “Don’t Stop Believing” in my head or on the radio at times when I need a positive boost. As a note, negative songs and lyrics are not sent from your heavenly support team. They only send positive messages to you.
  • Visual Clues – When you see an object or image that reminds you of a loved one, it is them letting you know that they are around and that they are sending you their love. For instance, one morning I turned on my television and there was a show on about model trains that popped up on the screen. I have no idea what channel I had left the television on the night before, but this was odd because it appeared to be a very old show. I immediately knew this was my dad letting me know that he was around and that he was sending me his love. You see, his major hobby was collecting model trains. There are no coincidences in this world, and many people may have written that off as strange, but if you open your mind you can learn how to recognize these subtle, and not-so-subtle, messages from spirit.
  • Feeling a Presence – Some people on earth have a very strong sense of extrasensory feeling, or clairsentience. They can physically feel the presence of a loved one in spirit. I often feel the presence of my cats who are in heaven when I lay down to go to sleep. I feel the warmth of their love in the shape of their bodies that they had on earth. It feels like a living cat has curled up next to me, and it may be accompanied by the feeling of a slight depression in the bed where they are laying. This may sound scary to some who have not experienced it; however, for those of us who have, it is comforting to feel the warmth and affection of loved ones in spirit.
  • Scent in the Air – Have you ever picked up on a scent in the air that does not seem to fit in with your surroundings, such as cookies baking in your office or cigar smoke in a non-smoking hotel? Loved ones in spirit alter the molecules in the air to pipe in certain scents that remind you of them. It could be the smell of their perfume or a mechanic’s garage. When you pick up these unusual scents in the air that seem to have no logical source, who is it that you think of? Is it your grandmother who baked great cookies for family gatherings? Is it your father who used to love working on cars, and often came home smelling of grease and oil from his mechanic’s garage? The scents are usually strong and distinct, and they may be picked up on by others in your vicinity. That is because the scent is actually piped into the air when they send this type of message to you.
  • Cravings Out of the Blue – Have you ever had a sudden craving for your deceased mother’s apple pie, a craving so strong that you can actually taste it in your mouth? This is yet another way that spirit sends messages to us. The way they send this message is similar to the way they send messages that tickle our sense of smell. They alter the molecules in the air to send energy associated with certain tastes to the sensors in our mouths. This type of message is usually confused with physical cravings for certain foods. It is important when you experience a very strong craving to take a moment to think about whether this is a message being sent from spirit. Do you associate what you are craving with a particular loved one in heaven? If so, you can acknowledge the message for what it is, and not feel compelled to find someone who baked an apple pie like your mother’s.

Whenever you do recognize the signs sent by your heavenly support team, be sure to thank them for their efforts. They are always pleased when their transmissions are successful, because it means that you are open and paying attention to their loving messages.

Further Research
To learn more about how spirits communicate, I recommend that you research the topics of mediumship and intuition. There are many resources out there that can help you to understand the incredible ways that spirits communicate with us. In my book, How Have You Loved?, I provide introductory information about spirit communication, including definitions of the six “clairs,” or extrasensory senses that human beings can utilize to communicate with spirit. The more you learn, the more you will be able to benefit from the extraordinary assistance that is being gifted to you on a daily basis from enlightened spiritual beings.

Namaste!

With much love and many blessings for all,
Karen T. Hluchan

Spirit Medium, Motivational Speaker, Reiki Master, & Author of How Have You Loved?

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

Karen T. Hluchan is a spirit medium, motivational speaker, Reiki master, and author of How Have You Loved? Through her mediumship practice, Healing Spirit with Love, she devotes her time to the healing of spirit on earth through her connection with heaven. Her passion for her calling is shared through the spirit readings, demonstrations, and workshops she provides, as well as through her writing, Reiki, and fine art spiritual paintings. All of her work is inspired by the divine light that is within us all. She has a great love of nature, people, and the planet, and she enjoys her connection in spirit, both here and in heaven.
 
Click here to learn more about Karen’s upcoming events.

The Origins of Mediumship

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Open Skies

From time to time, people ask me where my gifts of mediumship come from. My answer to that question is simple. Mediumship comes from God. All of the gifts and skills we have as people, whether it is the ability to communicate with loved ones in spirit or excelling at mathematics, come from our Creator. God gifts us with abilities to help humankind in our own special ways. Each one of us has at least one beautiful gift to share with this world, and yours is the one that brings the greatest happiness to your heart.

Fear is the Largest Hindrance to Understanding

The great love that flows between all of our souls connects us, creating a beautiful network with God at the hub. We are all born with the ability to communicate via our spirits; however, some are more aware of this ability and are more skilled at it than others. The concept that this ability comes from anyone other than God is born from religious precepts based on fear. These misconceptions, as well as many others, demonstrate the fears of the times in which they were composed, and exhibit a lack of knowledge, as well as a lack of desire for understanding. It is truly unfortunate many religions, instead of bringing people together through love, encourage exclusivism, public shunning and, to an extreme degree, death of those with a differing mindset.

From the Heart

At the heart of the purest form of mediumship is the love of God and all of his creations. Acceptance, love, knowledge, and understanding of the universe and its workings are integral parts of mediumship. Additionally, it is our responsibility to share what we know in order to assist mankind and ease the burden of life on this plane through knowledge and understanding.

Great Responsibilities

As a spirit medium, I embrace my role as a representative of God and God’s love of us all. The job itself is not as easy as some may believe, as the responsibilities are great. Many believe we have every answer, but in truth, we are only given information on a need-to-know basis. There are times when information is obscured, because the recipient of the message needs to work through issues on his or her own or because the delivery of the information may hinder the soul’s learning process on this plane. Communications with those in spirit is an extremely complex process which comes across in an abstract form through all of the senses. It requires careful consideration of the information presented, as well as loving compassion for the recipients of the messages.

Acceptance, Love, and Blessings

For those who do not understand mediumship or who have been taught our deep connection with God is not of God, I comprehend the deep-seated fears and do not hold a grudge against the bearers. Instead, I send love and blessings their way. It is my hope and prayer we can one day love and accept one another for who we are and continue to gain a higher understanding of the divine reasons for our existence beyond our earthly realm.

 

With much love and many blessings for all,
Karen T. Hluchan

Spirit Medium, Motivational Speaker, Reiki Master, & Author of How Have You Loved?

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

Karen T. Hluchan is a spirit medium, motivational speaker, Reiki master, and author of How Have You Loved? Through her mediumship practice, Healing Spirit with Love, she devotes her time to the healing of spirit on earth through her connection with heaven. Her passion for her calling is shared through the spirit readings, demonstrations, and workshops she provides, as well as through her writing, Reiki, and fine art spiritual paintings. All of her work is inspired by the divine light that is within us all. She has a great love of nature, people, and the planet, and she enjoys her connection in spirit, both here and in heaven.
 
Click here to learn more about Karen’s upcoming events.

What Will Your Legacy Be?

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GrandmomWith the recent passing of my grandmother, I began thinking about the legacies we leave behind. The way a life is lived, as well as the motivation for actions taken, is a testament of a person’s character and the impact they made on the lives of those around them. Each action and reaction to events in our lives determines the paths we take regarding the lessons life throws our way. We have countless opportunities to learn and grow as souls, and what we do with them is entirely up to us.

Remembrances

When my grandmother crossed over to the Other Side, it was not a sad time because she had suffered greatly in the past few years. Instead, I felt relieved she was no longer in physical or emotional pain. During her memorial service, we were asked to share our favorite stories about Grandmom. A few of the themes included appreciation for the way she remained true to herself, her love for her family, the child-like delight she had for digital games from Pong to Atari to Wii to computer games, and the thoughtful gifts she either made by hand or selected with purpose for her many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

The Importance of Family

Although my grandmother could be stubborn and strong-willed, she always held love in her heart for those around her. In some ways, I think it was her strong-mindedness and determination that held us together as a family. Growing up, my grandmother’s family had many children and not a lot of money. Because of that, the siblings learned to rely on one another and to be resourceful. Strong bonds formed, and the importance of family and friendships was instilled in each and every one of them.

I consider myself very lucky to have grown up in a family that loves one another through all of life’s ups and downs. We have had our fair share of disagreements and arguments; however, they do not last because the love we share is stronger than any circumstance we have faced. No matter what has happened, we have always been there for one another.

Legacy of Love

Through my reflections about my grandmother, I was able to truly see the legacy of love she shared with us and everyone around her. When we gathered as a family for large annual picnics at my great aunt’s home, she had a way of making everyone feel welcome, including friends, friends of friends, and significant others of those in attendance. Warm acceptance and inclusion was offered to all with an open heart and mind.

Teachings

Over the years, my grandmother also taught us the value of making positive contributions to this world through handmade gifts and to give our best efforts in all of our endeavors. At the age of 16, my grandmother had to leave school to go to work. The money she made went toward helping the family. Although she loved school, she made the sacrifice. At the same time, she vowed she would complete her schooling. Decades later, she earned her diploma on her own, fulfilling her promise to herself with flying colors.

Sharing Traditions

The handmade gifts she made also demonstrated her desire to give her best from the heart. She always kept her recipients in mind as she knitted and sewed personalized Christmas stockings, cross-stitched advent calendars, and constructed wooden mangers for each of her children and grandchildren – and there are a lot of us! The mangers have a special story. My grandmother, who is my mother’s mother, asked my father’s father if she could have a copy of the pattern and instructions for the beautiful wooden mangers he built for the Hluchan clan. At the time of her asking, my parents were in the process of ending their marriage. Instead of harboring grudges, as some do in cases of divorce, my grandfather shared it with her. His actions touched my heart. Within a year, my grandfather crossed over to the Other Side, making the transfer of heritage more important than anyone realized. Without my grandmother’s intervention, the patterns and instructions for making these beautiful structures may have been lost forever. Due to the actions of my grandmother and grandfather, both sides of the family are entwined by a tradition that will live on for many generations to come.

Doing Our Best

Although my grandmother was motivated by love, she had her faults too, just like each and every one of us. Being able to recognize that we are all here to learn and make mistakes, helps me to look past the times when we are not at our best. All of our experiences, whether positive or negative, contribute to the growth of our souls while on earth, and I would like to think we are all trying to do our best to live our lives in a meaningful way.

How Will You Be Remembered?

When it comes time for you to cross over into heaven, what do you think your legacy will be? What impact have you had on this world, and how will others remember you? Today is a wonderful day to let your light shine and share your love with yourself and others. If you allow yourself to be motivated by love, you are actively fulfilling your life purpose, no matter how big or small the action. If all of us lived in this manner, not only would we each have a legacy of love, but also a better world.

Blessings and love to you!

With Light and Love,
Karen T. Hluchan

Spirit Medium, Motivational Speaker, Reiki Master, & Author of How Have You Loved?

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

Karen T. Hluchan is a spirit medium, motivational speaker, Reiki master, and author of How Have You Loved? Through her mediumship practice, Healing Spirit with Love, she devotes her time to the healing of spirit on earth through her connection with heaven. Her passion for her calling is shared through the spirit readings, demonstrations, and workshops she provides, as well as through her writing, Reiki, and fine art spiritual paintings. All of her work is inspired by the divine light that is within us all. She has a great love of nature, people, and the planet, and she enjoys her connection in spirit, both here and in heaven.
 
Click here to learn more about Karen’s upcoming events.

The Truth about Fearmongering

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FearSome people, out of misunderstanding or lack of knowledge, place a negative connotation on the presence of spirits on earth. Beings in spirit are here to help, not harm. When people negatively misinterpret actions on the part of spirit, it has the potential to unnecessarily create an environment of hysteria. These unfortunate actions do much more harm than good. At times, the people creating this mess do so as an attention-getting tactic. They love drama and love to stir the pot by making up and sharing untruths and outlandish embellishments of minor, harmless events. My best advice is to listen well and use your intuition to determine whether someone is genuine, telling tall tales, or speaking out of fear due to a lack of knowledge. Throughout the thousands of experiences I have had with spirits, including the spirits of those who have committed heinous crimes while living on earth, I have only encountered a genuine desire to communicate in order to bring understanding, love, and healing to people and situations.

How the Media and Fictional Sources Perpetuate Untruths

Many ghost hunting shows, horror movies, books, and other mainstream media outputs thrive on instilling fear in their audiences. Like thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies, they know that generating fear gets the adrenal glands flowing, creating a sensationalist output that draws viewers and readers. Unfortunately, while it may boost ratings and sell books, it also spreads untruths about the true essence of spirits and their purposes. Moreover, feeding into people’s fears creates hysteria, which is a heightened state of excitement based on illusion. As with the people who lie or embellish the truth to get attention, these behaviors can be very irresponsible when passed on as truths, because they are shared without concern about the overall effect or outcome to people’s lives. It is solely about garnering attention, not about communicating the truth.

Unethical People in Every Field

Unfortunately, there are some unethical people who are misinformed about the purpose of spirit in our lives, as well as the way they operate. While there are unethical people to be found in every business and service sector, it is very disturbing when they present themselves as psychics, mediums, or healers. Not only does it take advantage of and hurt the people who go to them seeking help, but it also casts a tarnishing pall on truly gifted psychics, mediums, and healers.

Sensationalists Use Fear Tactics to Garner Attention

Dishonest people often use fear tactics that prey on the vulnerabilities of uninformed people to try and get them to part with their money or to garner attention. For instance, they may state that a negative entity has “attached” itself to you and you must pay a lot of money to have it removed, or that someone placed a “hex” or “curse” on you that will cost hundreds to thousands of dollars to release it from your spirit. These are dangerous and irresponsible falsehoods existing only in the imagination of the person speaking of it. The idea of curses and hexes comes from ancient folklore and old wives tales that have been passed down from generation to generation of misguided people who would rather perpetuate fear than search for the truth. It is time to let go of these archaic concepts and move forward with a higher understanding of human behavior.

Curses Are Fake

When people tell you a curse is the reason for your misfortunes, they are giving you an excuse. For some, it is so much easier to blame someone else, such as someone who has behaved badly towards you in the past, than it is to take responsibility for one’s own actions. Challenging circumstances do not come from curses, but from life lessons you agreed to prior to your birth. Hard times can also come from your own behaviors when dealing with life lessons. For instance, I know of someone who fully believed they were cursed because their business was failing and a “friend” told them it had to be because of a curse. After hearing their story and assessing the facts, it was determined that the business was failing not because of a “curse,” but because of poor business practices. It was much easier for this business person to put the blame on someone else placing a “curse” on them than it was to take an honest, healthy look at their own behaviors. Moreover, the self-defeating acceptance of the “curse” provided no motivation to even try to improve the situation. After a long talk, this person was able to see the true reasons behind the failures and was able to develop and work on a business improvement plan.

Love Reigns Supreme

When communicating with people, use your intuition as your guide. If a situation does not feel right or seems out of sync to you, there may be a problem, especially if someone is trying to pressure you into a decision using fear tactics. When spirits make their presence known to us in our lives, it is all about love, healing, and guidance. People who try to intimidate or scare you with fear regarding spirit are only doing so out of misguided notions or selfish motivations. Listen to your heart and intuition when it comes to situations like these, and keep in mind that while the illusion of fear can be strong, love and its power to heal, is stronger.

With Light and Love,
Karen T. Hluchan

Spirit Medium, Motivational Speaker, Reiki Master, & Author of How Have You Loved?

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

Karen T. Hluchan is a spirit medium, motivational speaker, Reiki master, and author of How Have You Loved? Through her mediumship practice, Healing Spirit with Love, she devotes her time to the healing of spirit on earth through her connection with heaven. Her passion for her calling is shared through the spirit readings, demonstrations, and workshops she provides, as well as through her writing, Reiki, and fine art spiritual paintings. All of her work is inspired by the divine light that is within us all. She has a great love of nature, people, and the planet, and she enjoys her connection in spirit, both here and in heaven.
 
Click here to learn more about Karen’s upcoming events.

Depression: Why It Is So Pervasive and What Can Be Done to Lessen Its Effects

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Sad WomanGreat sadness, anger, anxiousness, irritability, and angst. That is what someone in the throes of depression experiences on a daily basis. Often, those feelings take over the mind effectively pushing out all thoughts of peace and happiness. Those who suffer with depression wish they did not. They want to feel happy and carefree, and to enjoy life. Unfortunately, when someone has experienced a great deal of tragedies over a long period of time, happiness can seem elusive and hope can seem lost. The human ego, which is the parent of all of our fears, looks for opportunities like this to take over an otherwise happy soul by feeding it with fears, regrets, and worries as a way of challenging the soul’s inherent beliefs about peace and contentment. To do this, the human ego persistently repeats negative thoughts like a music CD skipping on a scratched surface and repeating the same lyrics over and over again. It is up to each individual to learn how to hit the eject button on that skipping CD in order to repair it or replace it with a new soundtrack.

Slogging through the Mud

Depression is tough. I know this because I have experienced it many times in my own life. Sometimes the challenges we face become overwhelming, especially if there have been significant and ongoing struggles with little sense of relief in between tragic circumstances. We become worn down and tired of the constant effort it takes to fight off negative thoughts and feelings that threaten not only our happiness, but also our personal existence at times. It is during these times that the human ego senses our weaknesses and seizes the opportunity to ramp up the negativity. To a person suffering with depression, it can feel as though one is stuck in a mud pit trying desperately to climb out but the slippery slopes cause one slide back in again and again. It can seem like an exercise in futility. Even though the person suffering knows there is a way out because they have risen above the muck before, the human ego with its pervasive power does its best to block those thoughts. Due to the great challenge of trying to see beyond the negativity in order to get to a place of hope and more positive feelings, many people succumb to depression and, at times, tragically take their own lives.

The good news; however, is that depression is a temporary state of mind. There are few guarantees in life; however, one of them is that change is inevitable. It takes strong efforts and great love to free oneself from the grip of depression, but it is possible and, sometimes, it is necessary to receive professional help. If you think you are in need of help, you can contact your primary medical doctor as he or she may be able to provide recommendations for reputable mental health professionals.

Warning Signs and Professional Help

Part of the problem with depression is that those suffering from it often isolate themselves from friends and family members. They either hide their feelings or withdraw from relationships because they feel no one cares for them or loves them. Often, they may purposefully destroy relationships in an attempt to proactively protect themselves from the pain of rejection and loss they believe is inevitable through human relations. In addition, getting extremely upset over the smallest of issues is a red flag that someone is having a really hard time dealing with issues in his or her life. It is a sign of stress overload when someone has little tolerance for anything that upsets the status quo. It is like placing one more rock on a pile which sends them all crashing down in a heap. Excessive sleeping, as well as the abuse of drugs and alcohol, are also red flags that someone is gripped in the throes of depression because they are employing these mechanisms to shut out problems. In their minds, it is a way of providing relief from problems in which they believe there are no satisfactory answers that will help them overcome the issues.

If someone is struggling with deep depression, professional assistance from a counselor, therapist, or in-patient mental health services may be needed to help the person who is suffering. If they are suicidal, it is imperative to take those threats seriously and try to get professional help for him or her by offering to help them find a therapist. Additionally, provide him or her with the national suicide hotline number, 1-800-273-8255, which will provide immediate crisis assistance and put them in touch with mental health experts in the area. While it is good to do what you can to help someone by giving them love and lending them an empathetic ear, deeply rooted problems are best left to those who have extensive training and expertise in dealing with critical or life-threatening issues. You can lend your support and follow up on someone’s progress; however, it is good to recognize when significant problems require professional intervention.

There is Hope for a Brighter Future

There are less serious cases of depression which can be resolved with love, determination, and a strong base of support. Ultimately, we are all responsible for our own happiness and unhappiness. Taking an honest and objective look at the circumstances in your life can reveal why you may be experiencing great sadness and angst, as well as what you can do to rise above it. When you do this, you will not only see the positive benefits of negative circumstances, but also the paths you can take to mitigate or deter similar problems in the future. For instance, you may find yourself in a relationship in which you have been giving much more than you have ever received. This imbalance may be causing a serious imbalance within your emotional and spiritual wellbeing. If, after discussing the issue with the person involved, there are little to no positive changes over a sustained period, it may be time to end the relationship because it is causing more harm than good. It may be challenging to end such a relationship because you may have invested a lot of time and energy into this person; however, your energies would be better served by taking care of yourself instead of constantly feeding into the other person’s wants and needs. Remember, you are important, too. You can ask Archangel Michael to help you to cut the cords of past and current relationships in order to help you move forward into healthier relationships with a balance of give and take.

Actions You Can Take for Yourself

When you find yourself struggling with depression or strong negativity, there are many actions you can take to help yourself heal, to correct situations out of alignment with your best interests, and to move forward into more positive experiences for your soul. Here are a few I utilize when I find myself being overwhelmed by negative thoughts and feelings:

  • Call on Archangel Azrael to help transition negative thoughts to positive ones
  • Call on Archangel Michael to give you the strength and the courage to move forward with confidence in your path
  • Provide self-care for yourself, as it is important to take care of you, especially when feelings of anxiety and angst are taking over
  • Take stock of all that you do have and express gratitude for the comforts, relationships, and love you enjoy on a daily basis
  • Halt the negative thoughts and emotions by examining the present. In this exact moment, know that you are safe and loved by those on earth and in heaven. It is often fears and worries that get the best of us, because we are envisioning the worst – let it go and refocus to the present moment. Take each day one moment at a time until the negative feelings pass. You will see how you have come through it with better options than you thought possible.
  • Talk with friends about what is going on. Most of us have experienced times of darkness when negative thinking seems to block out all of the good in our lives. It is healthy to talk it out with trusted friends and family members. They may offer helpful advice or a different perspective that allows you to see the problems within the problem. Think about what they said and examine it in the context of your own life. Then, decide for yourself which ideas have merit for you. Listen to your truths in an objective way.
  • Step out of your environment and see or do something new. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut. A change in our routines may help clear our minds and open up new vistas and opportunities.
  • Take a nap. Not every day or excessively, but when the anger and frustration has reached unprecedented levels and you are having a hard time releasing it. It sometimes helps to take a nap once in a while to give yourself time to reset. As you go to sleep, ask the archangels to help uplift your mood and heal your heart while you are resting.
  • Play soothing music as a form of meditation and allow yourself to concentrate only on the sounds and your breathing. Once calm, you can take yourself on a meditation journey to meet with your loved ones in heaven and the angels in order to bring healing and love to your life.
  • Get moving by taking a walk, by participating in yoga or exercising in ways that bring you joy and helps you release excess emotions. Exercise is a natural way to release endorphins, which are happy hormones in our brains.
  • End relationships that are hurting you. Be honest with yourself about whether someone is truly hurting you or supporting you. Think about whether someone is adding to your life or consistently taking away without any concern for your welfare.
  • Clear out old tasks and tidy up your environment. If tasks seem overwhelming, focus on a little at a time. Set mini-goals such as tidying up one room or task at a time. Once that is done, you can move on to the next. Give yourself credit for each task completed, no matter how big or small.
  • Recite these Reiki energy healing principles when you wake up in the morning in order to start your day off with positive intentions:
    • Just for today, I let go of anger.
    • Just for today, I will not worry.
    • Just for today, I am filled with gratitude.
    • Just for today, I am committed to my work.
    • Just for today, I will be kind to myself and others.
  • Upon waking, tell yourself it is going to be a great day – and mean it.
  • Be as kind to yourself as you would be with others. When you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts about yourself, stop and replace them with two positive thoughts about yourself. Negative self-thoughts are hurtful. When you replace them with two positive thoughts, you are working on changing your thinking through kindness and love. Be kind to you. Life is hard, but you know you have triumphed over tough circumstances in the past and will do so again – with style and grace.

Regaining Hope

Depression is a serious problem for many people. This world can be very challenging, and anything we can do to help ourselves and others is a plus. As much as they would like to, most people struggling with depression cannot just “snap out of it.” It takes time to heal the heart and spirit of those who have been hurt or damaged by negative circumstances. By taking small steps each day, depression can be overcome, even in cases in which it seems hopeless. Those who are suffering from extreme cases of depression would most likely benefit from professional assistance. Help them, if you can, to find the assistance they need to live healthy, happy lives.

Positively Taking Your Life Back

There may be times when depression threatens to upheave your life; however, you do not need to let it take over. Take small steps each day to show appreciation to yourself and know that you are loved by those on earth and in heaven. Remember, change is inevitable, which means the challenging circumstances you may be facing are only temporary. When you get through to the other side of the issues, you may be able to see the positive reasons for the occurrences. Even if you are having a hard time seeing why events have occurred, keep looking and you will find even negative circumstances have positive reasons for occurring. Often, our frustrations arise from circumstances not going the way we wish they would. By learning how to recognize unhealthy patterns and how to see the positive reasons for negative circumstances, we give ourselves the opportunity to move beyond deep disappointment into a higher understanding of situations and better conditions for our lives.

With Light and Love,
Karen T. Hluchan

Spirit Medium, Motivational Speaker, Reiki Master, & Author of How Have You Loved?

www.HealingSpiritWithLove.com

Karen T. Hluchan is a spirit medium, motivational speaker, Reiki master, and author of How Have You Loved? Through her mediumship practice, Healing Spirit with Love, she devotes her time to the healing of spirit on earth through her connection with heaven. Her passion for her calling is shared through the spirit readings, demonstrations, and workshops she provides, as well as through her writing, Reiki, and fine art spiritual paintings. All of her work is inspired by the divine light that is within us all. She has a great love of nature, people, and the planet, and she enjoys her connection in spirit, both here and in heaven.
 
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